Latest news with #PenangHill
Malay Mail
12-07-2025
- Malay Mail
RM50,000 up for grabs: Penang group seeks tip-offs on animal cruelty cases
GEORGE TOWN, July 12 — The Penang chapter of animal rights group International Aid for the Protection and Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) is offering a RM50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those involved in recent abuse cases targeting strays and wildlife on the island. The group said the reward applies specifically to verified tip-offs involving incidents of poisoning, killing, maiming or any form of cruelty involving stray cats, dogs or wild animals within the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) jurisdiction. This follows recent disturbing reports of animals, particularly strays, being harmed on Penang Hill, prompting outrage from animal lovers and activists. 'This reward is offered to show that many in our society do not tolerate acts of cruelty towards animals,' IAPWA Penang said in a statement posted to Facebook yesterday. The organisation said it is acting with the backing of 'reliable and compassionate individuals who stand firmly against cruelty', adding that the RM50,000 sum marks an increase from an earlier amount. According to the Penang Hill Corporation, the animals were believed to have been poisoned.— Picture via Facebook/Penang Hill The group stressed that only direct and verifiable information will qualify for the reward, adding that social media reposts or unsubstantiated claims will not be accepted. 'Whether the abuse occurred recently including cases at Penang Hill or in the past, we want to hear from you,' IAPWA Penang said. 'Your information could save lives,' the group added. 'Help us bring justice to the voiceless.' Reports will be handled confidentially and there is no deadline for submission. To report any animal abuse, members of the public can call the MBPP hotline at 04-263 7000 / 04-263 7637 or WhatsApp 016-200 4082. Alternatively, tip-offs may also be sent to IAPWA Penang via email at [email protected] or WhatsApp at 010-388 3487. Recommended read: Dead dogs, cats and birds found on Penang Hill as PHC lodges police report
Malay Mail
07-07-2025
- Malay Mail
DVS investigates animal deaths on Penang Hill as suspected poisoning case unfolds
GEORGE TOWN, July 7 — The Penang Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) today collected samples from the carcasses of animals believed to have been poisoned in the Penang Hill area. Its director Dr Saira Banu Mohamed Rejab said the samples have been sent to the Penang DVS laboratory for further analysis, including to determine whether the animals were poisoned. 'Penang DVS officers are conducting further investigations, including taking samples from the carcasses and sending them to our laboratory. So far, no other materials have been found at the site, as the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has already cleaned the area.'Based on our investigation, the incident occurred on July 5, and the carcasses had already undergone autolysis (decomposition), making them unsuitable for a post-mortem. However, our officers will still proceed with further analysis,' she told Bernama when contacted Penang Hill Corporation yesterday reported that several animals, including dogs, cats and birds, were found dead, believed to have consumed poisoned food in the Penang Hill area. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
Chow leads delegation to Switzerland, Austria for Penang Hill cable car project
An artist's impression of the Penang Hill cable car project. PETALING JAYA : Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow is leading a state delegation to Switzerland and Austria to support the development of the Penang Hill cable car project. In a statement, his office said the seven-day visit, which starts today, is hosted by Austrian ropeway specialist Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH and local rail firm Hartasuma Sdn Bhd. Chow's office said the visit is key to ensuring the project meets international standards for sustainable mobility and safety. The delegation will visit several key suppliers involved in the project, including Doppelmayr in Wolfurt, Austria; Fatzer AG, a cable ropeway supplier in Romanshorn, Switzerland; Garaventa AG, a funicular system expert in Goldau, Switzerland; and CWA Constructions SA, a gondola cabin manufacturer in Olten, Switzerland. The delegation will also meet with the mayor of Bettmeralp and representatives from local cable car operator Aletsch Bahnen AG. Bettmeralp is a well-known car-free village accessible only by cable car and serves as a model for sustainable mountain tourism. The statement added that insights gained from the visit will help guide the long-term development of Penang Hill as a sustainable and accessible destination. 'This visit is vital for understanding the engineering, operations and safety measures behind world-class cable car systems,' the statement said. 'The state government is committed to delivering the Penang Hill cable car project with the highest standards of safety, quality and reliability. This mission reflects that commitment,' it said. The RM245 million Penang Hill cable car project was awarded to Hartasuma under a 30-year public-private partnership using a design-finance-build-operate-transfer model. Doppelmayr has been tapped to supply the cable car technology. The cable car line will span 2.73km from the Penang Botanic Gardens to the top of Bukit Bendera. The project includes three main stations, namely the Garden Station at the base, a mid-route Turn Station and the Hill Station at the summit, as well as a multi-storey car park, commercial plaza opposite the Botanic Gardens department and a dedicated bus parking space.
Malay Mail
23-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Penang Hill cable car to cost taxpayers nothing, state agency says as private firm Hartasuma takes on RM245m project
GEORGE TOWN, May 23 — The Penang Hill cable car project will be fully financed and developed by a private concessionaire, with no cost to the state government, the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) said today. In a statement, the state agency said the RM245 million project was awarded to local rail firm Hartasuma Sdn Bhd under a 30-year public-private partnership (PPP) using a design-finance-build-operate-transfer (DFBOT) model. Ownership will revert to the state once the concession ends, it noted. PHC said the PPP approach was chosen to ease the financial burden on the state, with Hartasuma responsible for funding and operating the system. Austrian ropeway specialist Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH has been tapped to supply the cable car technology. The clarification comes amid local media reports citing political concerns over the project's rising costs and current progress, with construction currently at just seven per cent completion. PHC said the budget was based on estimates from a 2021 request-for-proposal (RFP), during a period marked by COVID-19-related economic uncertainty, inflation, as well as higher labour and material costs. The project design was also adjusted to strengthen long-term viability. Despite the challenges, PHC said Hartasuma remains committed to delivering an international-standard cable car system spanning 2.73 kilometres from the Penang Botanic Gardens to the top of Bukit Bendera. The project includes three main stations namely, the Garden Station at the base, a mid-route Turn Station and the Hill Station at the summit, as well as a multi-storey car park, commercial plaza opposite the Botanic Gardens Department and a dedicated bus parking space. PHC said careful planning was underway to ensure the infrastructure integrates sustainably with the natural environment. Once completed, the cable car is also expected to ease congestion on Penang Hill during peak seasons and reduce chronic traffic around the Botanic Gardens area. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang Hill cable car to be fully funded by private sector
An artist's impression of the Penang Hill cable car project. GEORGE TOWN : The Penang Hill cable car project will be fully financed and developed by a private concessionaire with no cost to the state government, the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) said today. The state agency said the RM245 million project was awarded to local rail firm Hartasuma Sdn Bhd under a 30-year public-private partnership using a design-finance-build-operate-transfer model. Ownership will be handed over to the state once the concession ends, it said in a statement. PHC said a public-private partnership was chosen to ease the financial burden on the state, with Hartasuma responsible for funding and operating the system. Austrian ropeway specialist Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH has been tapped to supply the cable car technology. This follows reports of concerns over the project's rising costs and current progress, with construction currently just 7% completed. PHC said the RM245 million budget was based on estimates from a 2021 request-for-proposal, adding that this was a period marked by related economic uncertainty, inflation as well as higher labour and material costs due to Covid-19 and the ensuing lockdowns. It said the project design was also adjusted to strengthen long-term viability. PHC said Hartasuma remained committed to delivering an international-standard cable car system spanning 2.73km from the Penang Botanic Gardens to the top of Bukit Bendera. The project includes three main stations, namely the Garden Station at the base, a mid-route Turn Station and the Hill Station at the summit, as well as a multi-storey car park, commercial plaza opposite the Botanic Gardens department and a dedicated bus parking space. PHC said careful planning is under way to ensure the infrastructure integrates sustainably with the natural environment. Once completed, the cable car is also expected to ease congestion on Penang Hill during peak seasons and around the Botanic Gardens area.
