HAPPY WESAK DAY TO ALL BUDDHISTS TOMORROW

Tomorrow is Wesak Day for all Buddhists. Wesak is the birthday,Enlightment day and Death date of Gautama Buddha who preached Bu
Buddhism to the world more than 2,500 years ago.

May we extend our Wesak greetings to all Buddhists on this auspicious occasion. It is our time to remember the Teachings of Buddha and practice the Middle Path so that we can reach Enlightment in our own lives.

Let us remember that our lives in this physical world are transient. Our lives are not permanent but we should strive towards Enlightenment so that we can break the vicious cycle of Rebirth. Being Born is suffering and to end our suffering, we must work towards Nirvana where we can break our Rebirth.

Don't be afraid of Death, Beware of Birth.
Death is the beginning of rebirth.g
Living is on the way to death.
Cessation of suffering means no rebirth.
This is the Truth of no Rebirth (Nirvana)

HAPPY WESAK.

FIREFLY-MELAKA AIR TO TAKE OFF ON 11.11.11

Saturday May 14, 2011

FireFly-Melaka Air will boost state as tourist destination
BY R.S.N.MURALI
murali@thestar.com.my


MALACCA: The Batu Berendam International airport here is poised to get a stimulus with a new airline interested in turning the facility into its air transportation hub.

Servicing seven air routes between Thailand, Indonesia and local sectors, the FireFly-Melaka Air is expected to make its maiden flight on Nov 11, 2011, symbolising the favourite numbers for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak - (11/11/11).

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said NN Flyers, a aviation company based in Kuala Lumpur who holds an equity of 90% in the company will collaborate with state-owned agency, Yayasan Melaka, who owns a 10% share in the airlines.


Affordable air travel: Budget carriers like Firefly is making transit time faster for busy people.

“NNFlyers will lease the ATR-72 aircraft from MAS affiliate FireFly with the cost of USD190,000 where the collaboration will be known as Firefly-Melaka Air,” he said after chairing the weekly Exco meeting here on Wednesday.

Mohd Ali added that the airlines will serve Medan, Pekan Baru, Padang and Pelembang in Indonesia, Hatyai in Thailand while Penang and Kota Baru are the two local routes.

The frequency of flights are between three to four times in a week while the ticket prices are expected to be announced later.

Mohd Ali said he had calculated the maintenance of each aircraft at RM800,000 including the salaries of crew members of the new airline.

“We anticipate the revenue of the new airline to be lucrative considering that Malacca is a top tourist destination,” he said.

He also noted that two other airlines Wings Air and Riau Airlines that have landing rights at the airport here would not be affected by the debut of the new service.

The airt transporation providers currently serves Pekan Baru-Malacca-Pekan Baru with frequencies of three flights, a week.

On a separate matter, Mohd Ali announced that foreigners will be granted to procure properties here that cost more than RM200,000 but with the condition that they have to fork out a levy of 2%.

He said the new ruling will take effect immediately where the revenue collected from such levies would be used to aid the needy in the state.

Mohd Ali added that the collection will be channelled to state Public Aid Fund where the fund would be wisely utilised to aid the locals who are in need of financial assistances.

He said the state hoped to yield some type of revenue due from the property boom in the state, especially with the overwhelming demand from foreigners, especially Singaporeans who are keen to own properties here.

HISTORICAL SHIP WREAKS OFF MELAKA SHORES

Tuesday May 10, 2011

Shipwrecks off Tg. Tuan may contain historical treasure

MALACCA: The state government is attempting to salvage dozens of shipwrecks found off the coast near Tanjung Tuan here, which may yield artefacts worth billions of ringgit.

State Tourism, Culture and Heritage committee chairman Datuk Latiff Tamby Chik said the shipwrecks, some of which were 500 years old, were discovered during a survey conducted by the National Heritage Department and Royal Malaysian Navy.

“Some of these vessels could be from the time of the Malacca Sultanate and some from the period between 1600s and 1800s.

“It's an important find with rich historical value for Malacca,” said Latiff after visiting Hang Li Poh Well here yesterday.

The shipwrecks were located on the seabed some 100m from the surface, he added.

Latiff said authorities believed the shipwrecks could include Raja Hajiand Bulan Linggi, two vessels used by the Malay rulers between 1600 and 1650.

Most, he added, were probably merchant ships on their way to Malacca before they sank.

“The cost of salvaging one of these ships could cost up to RM3mil but the artefacts recovered can reach up to billions of ringgit,” he said, adding that the state government was trying to salvage the wrecks with the help of foreign deep-sea recovery companies.

He said the area had been identified as a potential National Heritage site. He said more wrecks were expected to be discovered by the state's Maritime Museum and other related agencies, including vessels which sunk during World War II.

“It is also learnt the Tanjung Tuan stretch is an ideal environment for conserving shipwrecks due to its temperature and oxygen levels, allowing these to remain virtually intact for hundreds of years,” he said.

On another matter, Latiff said the maintenance of 26 historical sites in the state had been assigned to Malacca Historical City Council and theMuseum Corporation of Malacca, which took over from the National Heritage Department on May 1.

“We hope there will be scheduled maintenance to ensure these sites are not neglected,” he said.

CHINESE HISTORY GALLERY IN MELAKA

Sunday May 1, 2011

Chinese history gallery to be housed in Malacca’s heritage site

By MARTIN CARVALHO and YUEN MEIKENG
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed museum in Malacca to exhibit the Chinese community's contributions to the nation will be sited at the heart of the historical city in Banda Hilir.

Malacca Museum Corporation (Perzim) general manager Khamis Abassaid Banda Hilir was chosen as the location as it was “a core historical zone”, which consisted of other museums and galleries.

“Banda Hilir is a strategic place. It is also bustling with tourists and is a heritage centre,” he said yesterday.

Historical state: Visitors sightseeing at the A’ Famosa fort in Banda Hilir recently. The site is rich with various iconic architectures.

The museum, he added, was expected to be ready in 2013.

Khamis said Perzim was directed by the Malacca Government to assist in the setting-up of the museum and discussions had been ongoing.

“So far, nothing has been confirmed but we will look into the history of the Chinese community and its role in Malaysian society,” he said.

He said Perzim would meet the state Economic Planning Unit and other parties on May 6 to discuss details of the project.

On Friday, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the party would set up a museum to exhibit the contributions of the community before and after the nation gained independence.

Dr Chua said the museum would highlight the achievements of past Chinese leaders in helping the country gain independence and also the contributions of influen- tial individuals from the Malay and Indian communities.

Tan Sri Tan Cheng Swee, one of MCA's early founding members, lauded the plan and hoped it would show what the Chinese had done for the country.

“I hope that the information presented in the museum will be accurate,” said Tan, 90.

He also said he hoped to see the work of prominent Chinese leaders such as MCA founder Tun Tan Cheng Lock presented in the museum.

Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said he was happy that the state would be home to the country's first Chinese museum.

“It is a good idea and we welcome the move.

“The millions who visit here will be able to learn about Chinese culture in Malaysia when visiting the museum,” he said, adding that the state would help promote the museum as part of its cultural tourism sector.

Badan Warisan committee member Josephine Chua said it was an honour for the state to have a museum dedicated to Chinese history.

“Malacca was one of the earliest sites for the entry of Chinese into the country.

“One can still find Peranakans who are descendants of early Chinese traders who settled here hundreds of years ago.”

Malacca MCA chief Datuk Gan Tian Loo said Malacca was the ideal site for the museum.

“Malacca played a significant role in Chinese history, not only in Malaysia but also the region.

“Most overseas Chinese including those from China know about Malaysia owing to this,” he said.