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The Star
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
India keen to simplify OCI applications for Malaysian Indians: High Commissioner
FILE PHOTO: A large group of devotees ascend the stairs to the waterfall hilltop temple in Penang. Around 100,000 of over two million Malaysian Indians are holding OCI cards.- CHAN BOON KAI/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: India is working to simplify the procedure for Malaysian Indians seeking the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status, acknowledging that documentation requirements remain a key challenge for applicants. In an exclusive interview with Bernama, High Commissioner of India to Malaysia B. N. Reddy said the mission recognises that many applicants face difficulties in providing proof of ancestry, particularly due to historical migration patterns and the loss of documents over time. "Before OCI status is issued, individuals need to provide documents proving Indian origin, up to the third generation. "The challenge is that many documents are not available because those who came here during the British era often did not retain them, and some were lost during the war period,' he said. Reddy said the High Commission has been engaging with the Indian government to allow for the use of documents issued by Malaysian authorities and former British colonial administrations to support OCI applications. "We have tried to get our government to agree that documents issued by the Malaysian government or former Malaya authorities can be accepted. "If a document identifies India as the country of origin, we can issue the OCI card,' he said. He said currently around 100,000 of over two million Malaysian Indians are holding OCI cards. OCI status allows foreign nationals of Indian origin to travel to India without a visa and grants certain rights, including the ability to own property under specific conditions, but does not confer citizenship. - Bernama
The Star
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Undergrads' outreach provides self-sufficiency skills for the homeless
Lee washes motorcycles at the transit centre to earn an income. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI, KT GOH/The Star (Above) Residents filling moulds with a soap mixture during the training session in soap-making. A GROUP of second-year communication students from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has taken community outreach to the next level by equipping transit home residents with practical life skills to support independent living. The half-day programme, held in two parts, at the transit centre in Jalan CY Choy, Penang, focused on hands-on training in basic urban farming techniques and soap-making using recovered cooking oil. (Left) USM students teaching urban farming basics to transit centre residents. Other activities included a traditional game-based race, gotong-royong, oral health talk and a lively community celebration.. The occasion was hosted by radio DJ Fara Fauzana, whose lively and engaging presence elevated the mood of participants. Project adviser Prof Dr Jamilah Ahmad said the project was part of the students' coursework to shape them into socially responsible graduates, while the activities were designed to equip the residents with practical life skills they could use when they leave the centre. Eighty residents also learned to prepare nutritious meals using common household ingredients. They were guided too on basic hygiene and self-care which are crucial elements in supporting their transition back into society. The outreach was implemented under the university's Service Learning Malaysia – University for Society (Sulam) platform and supported by National Cancer Society Malaysia (northern region), the School of Biological Sciences USM and the Northeast District Health Office. USM School of Communica-tion undergraduate programme chairman Dr Suriati Saad and the transit centre's general manager Nazatulwanis Mohd Khorish were also present, lending support and encouragement to the students and participants. According to Nazatulwanis, the transit centre has a capacity for 88 residents, with separate dormitories for men, women and the disabled. It also has facilities like laundry, a cafe and a community centre. 'The centre is just a temporary shelter, not a long-term home, and residents can stay for a maximum of two weeks, with the possibility of extensions depending on individual circumstances. 'We also work closely together with more than 400 non- governmental organisations, companies and institutions to help provide the residents with food and other needs,' she said. Penang social development, welfare, and non-Islamic affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the programme highlighted USM's continued efforts to nurture socially responsible graduates and promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through direct community involvement. In her address, Lim commended the students' efforts and highlighted the transformative power of collaborative outreach. '(Helping) the residents build their confidence and motivation to rejoin society is a noble achievement. 'This proves that unified efforts between institutions and communities drive meaningful change,' Lim noted.
The Star
17-06-2025
- The Star
Plenty for visitors to explore on hill with rich past
Aerial view of the main arrival point of Penang Hill, including the upgraded Upper Station (left), lined with landscaped paths and viewing platforms as well as David Brown's Restaurant (upper right). — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star There is much for visitors to see and experience at Penang Hill. Unrivalled panoramas of the island, channel and mainland await at lookout points such as the 360° Skywalk, and East and West Skydecks. One can also explore natural wonders at The Habitat Penang Hill, Monkey Cup Garden or even engage a guide to go down lesser-known trails. Historical and cultural landmarks like the Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan Temple, Penang Hill Mosque, Gatehouse Bel Retiro, Hillside Retreat and 32-Pounder Cannon are worth checking out too. Families will love Little Village and Toy Museum 5D. Otherwise, tasty treats can be had at eateries like David Brown's Restaurant and Tea Terrace or Kota Railway Cafe. The Edgecliff Gallery@Penang Hill – the hill's main information and education centre that opened in 2022 – are also worth a stop. Perched on the hillside just a stone's throw from the Upper Station, it was jointly set up by Penang Hill Corporation and the state government with five interactive galleries. Each section – Time Tunnel, Biodiversity, Heritage, Funicular and Cultural – chronicles different aspects of the hill's history, development and allure. Operations manager Mazlina Mohamad Zainal said these would take visitors of all ages on a well-curated journey through richly layered stories. 'Through archival photographs, historical artefacts and informative displays, one can get a glimpse into the hill's transformation and significance over time. 'One of the key highlights is the detailed narrative on the funicular railway system, which has served as the hill's iconic mode of transport for over a century,' Mazlina added. More panoramic views await from the rooftop of the colonial-era building, which was built in 1937 by Scottish architect JC Miller according to an art deco aesthetic and named 'Breaside'. Now restored, Breaside offers a tangible link to the hill's past. Penang Hill Corporation general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said the former Astaka Bukit Bendera food court was also being redeveloped into a new, multi-level complex featuring expanded dining facilities with improved accessibility. 'Once completed, it will nearly double the dining capacity, elevate comfort to international standards and offer seamless access to and from Dataran Bukit Bendera. 'This will also promote Penang's renowned street food culture, on the hill,' Cheok said of the project, which comes under the Penang Hill Summit Area Concept Master Plan and includes future upgrades to the nearby quarters at Strawberry Valley. The upgraded Upper Station, which reopened in February last year, has a scenic waiting area, improved facilities and better accessibility. 'Visitor flow and comfort, especially during peak periods, have significantly improved. 'Ridership data shows an encouraging upward trend, with more than 1.8 million recorded last year. 'As of last May, total ridership stands at 800,000,' Cheok said, adding that maximum coach capacity is 100 passengers per trip, which equates to about 400 to 500 per hour. By early 2027, there will be an alternative route to the summit via Penang Hill Cable Car, with works currently progressing on schedule. This is one of the state's most anticipated projects and it aims to balance tourist traffic while also easing long-standing traffic issues near the Penang Botanic Gardens and enhancing the area with better landscaping and green spaces. 'These planned enhancements will significantly contribute to the state's tourism sector and bring socio-economic benefits to residents,' Cheok added. Do note that the Penang Hill funicular service and Edgecliff Gallery @Penang Hill are temporarily closed until June 22. The funicular service and gallery will resume operations on June 23. During the shutdown period, visitors may opt for the four-wheel drive service privately operated by Penang Hill Jeep Service Association (012-454 1255) at Jalan Kebun Bunga or use the existing hiking routes to reach the summit area of Penang Hill. - By JEREMY TAN
The Star
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Silicon island link by 2028
Building the future: The temporary steel bridge provides access for construction and infrastructure works on Silicon Island. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star, Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd GEORGE TOWN: A 380m-long coastal bridge connecting the southern coast of Penang island to the emerging Silicon Island is expected to be ready by the end of 2028. With four lanes in each direction, the bridge is designed to meet future transportation needs and support the development of the man-made island, which will house the proposed Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) depot and Green Tech Park. The bridge is also a key component of the Pan Island Link 2A (PIL2A), a strategic initiative aimed at improving connectivity between Silicon Island and the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who disclosed this yesterday, said the contract for the bridge project had been awarded and construction will begin this month. He said phase one is targeted for completion by mid-2027 to support the opening of Silicon Island's first operational factory, with full commissioning expected at the end of the following year. 'In the meantime, a temporary steel bridge has been built to provide access for construction and infrastructure works on Silicon Island, which now spans 64.75ha of the intended 931ha. Phase One of the island with a total of 64.75ha reclaimed to date. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star, Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd 'It helps expedite the mobilisation of machinery and workers who used boats before this. This is a model development,' Chow said during a visit to the Silicon Island project site. The visit included a preview of the designated areas for the Mutiara Line LRT depot and Green Tech Park, which are gradually taking shape. Chow said work on the LRT project will begin once the Notice to Proceed is issued to SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd (SRS) in several weeks' time. 'Preliminary work, including soil testing and placement of infrastructure, are being carried out,' he added. It was reported that construction of the Mutiara Line LRT would begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. The 29.5km Mutiara Line, targeted for delivery in December 2031, will feature 21 strategically located stations to improve connectivity between the island and mainland. Chow also said a new community facility, Medan Selera Matang, was being built in Permatang Damar Laut overlooking Silicon Island. It will feature a village community management council hall, fishermen's one-stop service centre, food stalls, restaurants and storage sheds for fishermen. For the initial water supply needs of Silicon Island, a suction tank and pump house will be built. The total construction cost for the community facilities, pump house and suction tank is estimated at RM36mil.
The Star
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
1,000 reasons to not abandon cars
Roadside eyesore: An abandoned old car at an alley in Bayan Lepas, George Town. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star GEORGE TOWN: There are more than 1,000 abandoned vehicles on the island, and the city council's four depots of seized vehicles are almost full. But there are 1,000 reasons not to abandon these vehicles – each one of them could fetch up to RM1,000 from recyclers. The owners only need to use the Road Transport Department's (JPJ) online Motor Vehicle De-registration System (e-Dereg). Once these cars are de-registered, owners can call in licensed recyclers who will pick up the vehicles and pay the owner for the scraps, said Penang Island City Council enforcement director Noorazrein Noorazlan Ong. 'The online process takes less than an hour with JPJ's e-Dereg system,' he said. Abandoned vehicles, he said, not only hog public parking spaces and are eyesores, they also become breeding sites for mosquitoes, rats and cockroaches. When owners do nothing, local authorities are empowered to act but it is a lengthy process, leading to the pile-up in the depots. 'We must trace the owners and send a notice. If the owners still do nothing, we need to check with the police and then carry out the legal process of scrapping the cars,' said Noorazrein. Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Penang) president Datuk S. Parthiban, however, said most such cars would not really fetch RM1,000. Most scrap dealers pay RM700 to RM800 for these cars. For really old cars, he said a Proton Saga might realistically fetch around RM400; a Nissan Sunny, between RM350 and RM400; a Ford Cortina, RM400; and Datsun, RM400. A trashed Mercedes-Benz could bring in RM1,000 while most vans can yield a scrap value of RM1,200 to RM1,300. 'The parts that can be re-used are sold, usually to walk-in customers who head to the scrapyard for cheaper prices. The oil, windscreen and tyres must be disposed of,' said Parthiban.
