Promotevest.com -MM2H Blog

GEORGE TOWN: Several Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) applicants trying to save the standard RM10,000 application and processing fee by going online have ended up criticising government agencies when they get stuck in the application process later.

Lee Hock Leong, the managing director of Vosta HRD (MM2H) Sdn Bhd, a registered agent under the Tourism Ministry, said the situation arose from those choosing to apply online after treating the accredited agents like an inquiry desk.

Lee, who is a committee member of the national-level association for the agents, said this was the feedback that he had received from several agents.

He said once the applicants got the information they wanted, they would then try to apply for the programme online in order to save the standard RM10,000 application and processing fee.

“But half-way through the process, they are unable to understand certain criteria or encounter problems with several government departments.”

Lee suggested that the Gov­ernment abolish the online application process.

“We don’t want to be a background information provider,” he told reporters after a press conference recently to announce a MM2H national dialogue that will be held from March 20 to March 21 at the Penang International Sports Arena.

The registration fee for the dialogue is RM200 per participant, but MM2H residents only have to pay RM100.

Those interested should contact Mirza Hanny at 04-645 1934.

thestar.com.my

From Voon Miaw Ping

COPENHAGEN, Nov 7 (Bernama) — Encouraged by the good number of Danish tourists to Malaysia this year, Tourism Malaysia will further strengthen its strategies to boost arrivals especially in the coming winter break.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said 20,161 Danes visited Malaysia up to September, a steady increase from 12,773 in 2006, 19,773 in 2007 and 23,817 last year.

Ng is confident that the uptrend will continue despite the global economic uncertainties and competition from other countries such as Thailand and Spain where the Danes tend to holiday during the winter.

“This is one of the key Europe markets that we seriously focus on. We have all the right packages that the Danes want for a holiday, the sun, nature and our very own unique cultural identity,” she said after a “Malaysia Truly Asia” presentation and a dinner for some 30 key Danish tourism players here on Friday night.

“This winter would be especially a good time to attract the long-term Danish holiday-makers to Malaysia and to encourage them to participate in the homestay and Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programmes.”

In wrapping up a week-long tourism mission to three Scandinavian countries, Ng said the MM2H was the best value-for-money product for these long-haul holiday makers.

Homestays would be promoted as a healthy, family-oriented and education enriching programme for all groups of Danish tourists including children.

At the event, Ng also took to the floor to teach the Danish guests the “Cuti-cuti 1Malaysia” dance which combines various traditional ethnic dances.

Ng also received feedback from tour operators and the experiences of Danish tourists who visited Malaysia.

“They tell me that they love to come Malaysia, but certain experience especially with unscrupulous taxi drivers had spoilt their vacation,” she said.

A frequent visitor to Malaysia, Allan Hoffery said Malaysia had all the right ingredients to become a key tourist destination for the Danes except for its taxi drivers.

“They always refused to use the meter. Once, a taxi driver wanted to charge me RM20 from Chinatown to Ritz Carlton Hotel and I say no, and he asked me to walk.

“I think it is really a pity. Your government is working so hard and invest so much to boost the industry, but the effort is tainted by such unethical attitudes,” said Hoffery, who is a Singapore Airlines sales manager for Denmark.

– BERNAMA

HELSINKI: Malaysia will start to promote its diverse arts and culture as a niche tourism product for fine arts lovers beginning next year.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the target was well-to-do foreign tourists, especially Europeans who spend on fine living and invest in art collections.

She said this would include paintings, plays, architecture as well as its world-class orchestra symphony, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, besides folks music, songs and dances and cuisine.

Speaking to Malaysian journalists after hosting a luncheon for key Finnish tourism players here Wednesday, Dr Ng said Tourism Malaysia had also fixed July, August and September next year for the Malaysian Arts and Culture Festival.

Besides being well-known as a country of sunshine, Mother Nature and friendly people, she also wanted Malaysia to be known for its fine arts and culture.
“We want the world to know that we also have a great pool of talented people such as painters and performers.

“For instance, when they come for concerts and exhibitions, they can also spend a day learning about our batik painting, songket weaving or traditional dances, or maybe learn to cook one or two of our local dishes,” she said.
Dr Ng also said that well-known classical music conductor and tourism ambassador Datuk Ooi Chean See was instrumental in promoting the country’s fine arts and culture, especially to the European market.

On another matter, she said she would intensify promotion of the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme among the Finns.

She was confident that Finland had a good potential for the MM2H programme, although to date, there were only four Finns out of the 13,949 participants of the programme.

Compared to its Asean neighbours, she said, Malaysia had more advantage in terms of its more relaxed policies to lure more foreigners to participate in the programme.

“One of the perks is to allow MM2H participants to purchase property that cost more than RM250,000,” she said, adding that those interested could now apply through the Malaysian embassies in their respective countries.

She said Malaysian ambassador to Finland Cheah Choong Kit would come up with a proposal on how to promote Malaysia among the affluent Finns.
– BERNAMA

By P.Prem Kumar PETALING JAYA, Sept 30 (Bernama) — Not enough is being done by the government to promote the sale of Malaysian properties to foreign buyers, Glomac Bhd’s Chief Executive Officer Datuk Fateh Iskandar Tan Sri Mohamed Mansor said. He said among countries in the Asian region, Malaysia has the best rules and guidelines that favoured sale of properties to foreigners and yet offtake was declining. “Malaysians are actually underselling the country’s property market to foreigners. “Although guidelines have been liberalised to attract foreigners to purchase residential, commercial and industrial properties in Malaysia, not much is being done by the authorities to promote the Malaysian property market overseas,” he told Bernama after the company’s annual general meeting here today. He said foreigners today still overlooked the country and preferred neighbouring countries because the “Malaysia My Second Home” programme was not being aggressively promoted. Fateh said Glomac’s sale of up-market properties to foreigners were fully sold, but he feared future sales would slow down if this problem is not addressed. With effect from June 30th, 2009, the Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) was disbanded and with the deregulation of the guidelines, foreigners can now purchase properties in Malaysia without the need to obtain FIC approval for such acquisitions. On another development, he recommended that the government establish a new economic module for low-cost houses in the Tenth Malaysia Plan. He explained that the federal and state governments should take over the obligation of building low cost houses as private developers have been dishing out affordable homes for a very long time. “It’s not that we want to shy away from our responsibilities, we will still participate. But now perhaps the government should undertake the task of building low cost houses and we, the private sector developers, will contribute a certain amount towards the obligation,” he explained. As for Glomac’s property outlook, Fateh said the group got off to a good start in the current financial year ending April 30, 2010 as it completed the sale of Wisma Glomac 3 and Block B of Glomac Business Centre for RM72.6 million. Todate, the property company has RM3 billion worth of ongoing projects, including projects valued at RM500 million launched recently. “The projects launched in the current financial year is expected to generate a Gross Development Value of RM2.5 billion,” Fateh said. In the first quarter ending July 31 2009, Glomac achieved a lower revenue of RM59 million against RM79.5 million chalked up in the previous corresponding period. However, pre-tax profit surged 57.1 per cent, year-on-year, to RM16.5 million from RM10.5 million registered in the same quarter in 2009. — BERNAMA

Date: 19th Sept 2009
Time: 8pm
Location: Esplanade, Penang
email: info@visitpenang.gov.my This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

A FREE 90-minute concert.

Bring along your picnic mat or blanket to sit on the field. Relax and enjoy your Saturday night with Penang State Symphonic Band (PESSBAND) & Uglymen, a local 3 men band.

If you like classical and modern music from the east and the west, you will surely enjoy this 90-minute concert. 45 minutes PESSBAND & 45 minutes Uglymen.

The Penang State Government hope the Band’s performance at Esplanade will enable all the young and gifted players in the Band an opportunity to showcase their talents to the public and hence create two way flow in community involvement. Show your support to these local community musicians by joining the concert for a night of musical delight.

————

UGLYMEN is a Hard Rock band from Penang (formally from Kedah, but has been residing in Penang for the past 10 years). The band has been gigging together since December 1993. They performed in various underground circuits, band competitions and charity events with styles ranging from pop, punk, rock, alternative and metal. UGLYMEN met each other while studying music at a local music school during that fateful year. They started off playing cover songs and eventually wrote their first song in 1995. Throughout the years, they gained a lot of exposure in performing and steadily growing a dedicated fan-based with their unique style called - UGLY Rock.

UGLYMEN consist of working class individuals with each founding members having their own respective careers in - IT Support. The kind of job where no one really understands and frustration no one imagines. The build-up of such stressed and tensed work life had a GREAT effect on Sow Say Hooi (bass/vocal), Lewis Leow (drums) and Ong Tai Suan (guitar/vocal). It is only at night time, UGLYMEN members reveal their alter ego in their music.

The band has won several awards, notably 2nd runner-up in the National Guinness Canto Rock Band Competition 1996, 1st runner-up in the National Carlsberg Hot Trax CenterStage Competition 2003, Champion of B’ Beyond Band Competition in 2003 and Champion of the National Yamaha Asian Beat Band Competition in 2003. The band went to represent Malaysia in the Yamaha Asian Beat Band Competition 2004 - Asia Grand Final in Taipei, Taiwan and they won Best Bass Player award. They appeared in interviews, charity events, radio shows, French TV program and featured in local 8TV program called “Homegrown”. They released their debut album titled “UGLY” in 2005.

Their music style is UGLY Rock where the fun of music meets the lowdown of careers. They perform frequently at local music circuits, throughout the country, as well as Sarawak, Singapore and Taiwan. For more information of this band, please visit www.uglymen.net

UGLYMEN Members? Sow Say Hooi - Bass / Vocal?Lewis Leow - Drum?Ong Tai Suan - Guitar / Vocal

www.visitpenang.gov.my

Date: 1st to 14th Sept 2009

Location: Penang State Art Gallery, Dewan Sri Pinang

Tel: 04 261 3144 Fax: 261 4544 Email : muzium@po.jaring.my This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Penang Oil Painting Society is established by Mr Woo Seng Non in year 2002 with 17th members.  The mission is for those ( artists ) who love oil painting and to have an opportunity to exhibit their artworks, exchange ideas and learn the skills and technique from each members. Through this society, they hope to create awareness of the aestethic value of oil painting and to be appreciate by younger generation.

Since 2002, the Oil Painting Society holds their anual exhibition every year. At present there are 27 members are registerd under Penang Oil Painting Society. Current exhibition showcases in Penang State Art Gallery is their 7th exhibition with the title ‘ SENSE OF BLOOMING’ . There are 105 pieces of paintings displayed and public can view and enjoy the beuty and uniquenss of artworks painted by using the medium of oil.

Oil painting currently on display at the Penang State Art Gallery:

visitpenang.gov.my

Date: 19th September 2009

Location: Hard Rock Hotel, Batu Ferringhi, Penang

Tel : +60 4 8811 711
Fax: +60 4 8812 155
Email: betty.lim@hardrockhotels.net This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.hardrockhotels.net

We are ready to ROCK !
Hard Rock Hotel Penang, the first Hard Rock Hotel in Malaysia, is hitting the high notes  with fabulous packages to celebrate its opening come 19 September 2009.

Take a break and soak in the sun during the day, watch live band performances and party during the night as Hard Rock Hotel Penang promises the ultimate fun-filled vacation for holiday goers by infusing elements of Rock ‘n’ Roll music and entertainment.

Fronting the beautiful beaches of Batu Ferringhi, Hard Rock Hotel Penang will offer 249 rooms, with most configured as deluxe rooms with hill, sea and garden views. The lagoon view rooms come with direct pool access. There will also be 15 studio suites, 1 Rock Star suite and 1 Presidential suite.

All rooms will feature facilities such as Wi-Fi connections, flat screen TVs, DVD/CD player, in-room safe, hairdryer, minibar, radio, coffee/tea making facilities, IDD, air-con and even iPod docking stations. On top of that, Hard Rock Hotel Penang boasts exciting facilities such as an incredible oversized free-form swimming pool, totaling 26,000 square feet, replete with sand islands and water slides, and luxurious poolside cabanas. There will also be a Lil’ Rock Kids Club, Teens Club, a full-service luxury spa – offering various services including Soft Rock Massages, a well- equipped Body Rock Gym and 2 Hard Rock merchandise stores.

Other services and facilities include the world famous Hard Rock Café, an all-day dining restaurant known as Starz Diner, The Shack swim-up Pool Bar, a pizza counter beside the pool and a lobby bar attached to the Reception counter.

The Hard Rock Hotel Penang also offers facilities for the MICE market and its meeting and banquet space total up to 5,700 square feet. These include a Hall of Fame Ballroom, a Pre-Function Garden area, 3 Meeting Rooms and a Business Centre.

visitpenang.gov.my

Penang, the food haven of Malaysia, has added another feather to her hat as according to statistics, Penang has become the leading medical tourism hub of Malaysia.

CNBC’s Adam Bakhtiar has reported, that Malaysia is ranked among the top choice in the region in terms of low cost with high quality medical services and facilities among Asian countries.

In fact, Penang has seen a steady growth of 15% despite the global economic slowdown which is affecting many industries and Penang actually brings home two- thirds of the RM250 million profit from medical tourism nationwide.

According to the Penang Health Association chairman Yang Bhg Dato’ Dr Chan Kok Ewe, Penang recorded RM171 million in profit from medical tourism last year and it is expected that the figure would increase to RM180 million this year.

Last year, the hospitals in Penang saw some 212,000 foreign patients of which majority of these patients are Indonesians because of the similarity in language, culture and food between our countries. Compared to seeking medical treatment and services in the US and European countries, the cost of medical treatment and services in Penang is five times lower without compromising on the quality of medical treatment and services.

Foreign patients often credit the advance medical facilities, good service and competitive cost for being reasons in which they choose to come to Penang for medical treatment and services. It is, I believe also, reasons for foreign patients to continue seeking medical treatment and services in Penang not just once but repetitively. For the families accompanying the patients, Penang has much to offer in term of temporary lodging, shopping and getting around. It is therefore with much hope that we would be able to welcome about 230,000 foreign patients this year.

Being featured by CNBC during their prime time news slot on 13 August 2009 was indeed a proud moment for Malaysia, especially Penang. For the convenience of those who would like to watch the six minutes and 28 seconds long feature, you can now also view it on this website. In it, you will notice also that various buildings in George Town were also featured and that Penang was mentioned many times. (I could not view the video smoothly to count the number of times mentioned) A foreign patient from the US was also interviewed and his testimony of the quality treatment and services is an added advantage in promoting Penang as a hub for medical tourism.

The Penang State Government would like to credit the private hospitals for taking the initiative to ensure that the constant and steady growth of medical tourism in Penang. Under the umbrella of the Penang Health Association, these hospitals contribute and pool resources to promote medical tourism.

Instead of each hospital promoting its own services, the success we have tasted today is the result of a collective effort which has proven and will continue to be the formula for the further development of medical tourism in Penang.

Date: 7th - 9 August 2009  (11:00am - 9:00pm)

Venue: Penang International Sports Arena, Penang - Jalan Tun Dr Awang, 11900 Relau

Contact: 03-79552922

Organizer: PIKOM

Layout: http://www.pikom.org.my/cms/PCFair2009/layouts/PG.pdf

Exhibition and promotion of latest IT related products.

Once again, the most awaited fair of the year is back!! Head on over to the Pikom PC Fair 2009 this weekend at Penang International Sports Arena (PISA) to snap up fantastic deals at unbelievable prices on PC’s, laptops, wireless broadbands, cameras, accessories, gadgets and loads of other IT related items!

Be a part of the festival-like euphoric atmosphere of colours and sounds and scout through the exhibition for fabulous bargains! And make sure to stay on for the stock clearance sale. You wouldn’t want to miss it!

Note: Do anticipate large crowds at the fair. Therefore, do plan ahead to go to the Pikom PC Fair at an appropriate time to beat the crowd to the best steals.