Ready in 2005 but still vacant

Ready in 2005 but still vacant
By Zarina Abdullah

2009/02/27

KUALA TERENGGANU: After more than three years, Mara Junior Science College students are still not allowed to occupy dormitories and classrooms in two buildings which were built in 2005. The college, which has facilities to accommodate 500 students, had plans to increase the intake to 800.

However, the delay in handing over the RM20 million premises to the college has meant that it has had to postpone its plans.

The college is meant for high-achievers. More than 70 per cent of the students here are locals.

Kuala Berang assemblyman Mohd Zawawi Ismail said he was disappointed that "internal matters" had led to many high performers not being given a chance to continue their studies at the college.

"I hope the matter will be resolved soon, otherwise the state will be the biggest loser.

"I am speaking not just as an assemblyman but also as a parent whose child had once attended this college.

"This institution is renowned for producing excellent students," he said yesterday.

Principal Zainal Yunus declined to comment.

The New Straits Times has learnt that a certificate of fitness has yet to be issued for the buildings as some specifications have not been met.

Quieter hotel lobbies a worry

Quieter hotel lobbies a worry
By Zainuddin Muhammad

2009/02/24

KUALA TERENGGANU: All is not well with the hospitality business in the state: most hoteliers and resort operators are scrambling to prop up their sagging occupancy rate. With this month's average room occupancy dipping to between 20 and 30 per cent, the mood is grim. Some industry players feel that without better support only the fittest will survive the economic slowdown.

Malaysian Association of Hoteliers Terengganu chapter secretary Shahril Naelis Amir said some establishments were on a marketing offensive, trying to out do each other with heavily discounted room rates to make their accommodation packages more attractive.

Shahril, who is also Kuala Terengganu Felda Residence Hotel general manager, said business had fallen after a spike last year from the Visit Terengganu Year 2008 promotion and a boost from the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election last month.

"The association plans to weather this economic storm by shifting our marketing focus to prospective tourists from Australia, the Middle East and Asia, instead of the United States and European countries where the financial crisis has hit hardest."

He said association members could use a helping hand from the government to promote the state to the rest of the world with events to attract domestic and foreign tourists.

"We are disappointed that the state government's calendar of events has yet to be finalised although it is almost two months into the new year .

"Most of us hoteliers and resort operators have had to revise our marketing plans a few times trying to anticipate coming events.

"After a splendid Visit Terengganu Year 2008, some of our members have expressed concern that some major international events, such as the Monsoon Cup, may not be held this year and this may lead to an even lower than expected number of visitors to the state."

Kuala Terengganu Seri Malaysia Hotel general manager Ab Jalil Zainal Abidin wished he could share the optimistic view of Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said, who recently indicated that the number of visitors to the state this year could reach four million, about 500,000 more than the 3.5 million tourists who visited Terengganu last year.

"We would be delighted if that were to be true but judging by the limited number of occupied rooms this month, we have a valid reason to be sceptical, although I am willing to reserve my judgment until the end of the school holiday season next month.

"Should our occupancy rate during the coming school holiday week be lower than 70 per cent, in contrast to the usual 100 per cent, then we will know for sure that we are in for some lean and testing times for the rest of the year and necessary cost-cutting measures will be taken."

Ri-Yaz Heritage Resort and Spa general manager Malizan Zakaria said his five-star boutique resort had started offering special packages to lure domestic travellers as well as local residents.

"We are fairly new here and need people to get to know us better. As far as our low occupancy rate is concerned, we believe it is not really because of the global economic crisis. Come March, we will surely see some improvement."

Privatisation of EPIC hits a snag

23-02-2009: Privatisation of EPIC hits a snag
by Chong Jin Hun
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KUALA LUMPUR: The attempt by Terengganu Inc Sdn Bhd (TISB) to privatise Eastern Pacific Industrial Corp Bhd (EPIC) has hit a snag, sources said, citing the resistance from EPIC’s second-largest shareholder Ahmad Zaki Resources Bhd (AZRB).

TISB owns 40% of EPIC and AZRB, 21.3%.

It is learnt that TISB, an investment vehicle of the state of Terengganu, had wanted to offer RM2.10 a share for the remaining shares in EPIC. However, AZRB had demanded RM2.50 apiece.

AZRB felt that the offer price was not high enough, sources said.

“The state wants to take over Kemaman Port’s operations, and to fully control all port activities in Kemaman. Which is why it wants to privatise EPIC, which is a major operator in Kemaman port,” said a source.

“But while there is no official letter of offer yet, initial overtures have been turned down,” he added.

TISB emerged as a major shareholder in EPIC in November 2007 with a 38.32% stake. This is by virtue of the transfer of 64.63 million shares in EPIC owned by Perbadanan Memajukan Iktisad Negeri Terengganu to TISB under a reorganisation exercise, according to filings to Bursa Malaysia.

TISB had obtained a waiver from the Securities Commission from undertaking a general offer then. Nevertheless, it had been actively acquiring shares in EPIC from the open market since October last year, according to filings to the stock exchange.

As at December 2008, TISB’s equity interest in EPIC had grown to 40.03%, comprising 67.68 million shares. Meanwhile, AZRB is EPIC’s second-largest shareholder with a 21.27% stake as at October 2008.

An offer by TISB at RM2.10 a share would represent a 94 sen or 81% premium over EPIC’s closing price of RM1.16 last Friday.

At RM2.10 a share, TISB has to fork out some RM213.13 million to acquire the remaining 60% or 101.49 million shares in EPIC it doesn’t own.

Kemaman Port, a deepwater harbour, can handle ships weighing 150,000 deadweight tonnes. The port can manage up to 14 million tonnes of cargo.

In October 2006, Konsortium Pelabuhan Kemaman Sdn Bhd (KPK) took full control of the East Dockyard and the Liquid Chemical Berth (LCB) Terminal in Kemaman Port from Lembaga Pelabuhan Kemaman. EPIC and Road Builder (M) Holdings Bhd own 61% and 39% of KPK, respectively.

During the year, IJM Corp Bhd launched a RM1.56 billion takeover of Road Builder, which also owns Kuantan Port.

Apart from the East Dockyard and LCB Terminal, Kemaman Port has three other terminals — the Liquified Petroleum Gas Terminal (managed by Petronas), Kemaman Supply Base (managed by Pangkalan Bekalan Kemaman Sdn Bhd), and West Dockyard (managed by Road Builder).

Facelift for bazaar

Monday February 16, 2009
Facelift for bazaar
By SHAHRIL CHE WAN

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Bazaar Warisan or Waterfront Heritage Bazaar, which has faced an array of problems since it began operations in the middle of 2008, will receive a boost from the state.

Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the state had commissioned a consultant to work on the upgrading of the building to prevent it from being labelled as a white elephant.

On Dec 1 last year, The Star reported that Bazaar Warisan, located in the city centre and embellished with Terengganu architectural designs, had several defects, including water leakage.

It was constructed at a cost of RM18mil to assist local businessmen and uplift the city’s image.t overlooks the Terengganu River waterfront and is close to the famous central market, Pasar Payang.

Ahmad said the upgrading would be inside and outside the building.

Work was expected to start as soon as the architectural plan was completed by the consultant, he said in an interview.

The bazaar had the potential to be a tourist spot in the city, he added.

It would include eateries that offer Western delicacies and kopitiams which were gaining popularity among youths, he said.

“We will light up the building and build a waterfall to add to its attraction,” he added. - star

Opening of zoo to boost tourism

Opening of zoo to boost tourism
By Ridzwan Fernandez

2009/02/11

KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu will have its first zoo, projected to be the biggest in the East Coast region, in Kemaman by the end of next month. The zoo will be located on a 54ha site in Bukit Takal, bordering the popular firefly colony in Kampung Yak Yah, Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said announced yesterday.

It will feature at least 100 animal species once it's opened to the public, he said.

Among them are several species of bears, Banteng cattle, seladang (Malayan Gaur), kijang (barking deer), wild goat, orang utan, crocodiles and tigers.

Some animals, such as the peacock, ostrich, deer, wildcat, and snakes were of present kept in quarantine to enable them to adapt to local conditions and environment.

"Once fully completed and when the secondary forest area matures to suit the conditions needed, the Bukit Takal zoo is poised to become among the 10 best zoos in the Asean region," he said in a statement.

Bukit Takal was preferred as the area was already popular with tourists for its local fruit industry.

The zoo is also part of bigger plans to turn the state into a major tourist destination.

"Tourism is one of the few sectors in which the rakyat can be involved. So, this is in line with Terengganu's aim of getting its people involved in its administrative and development policies."

Ahmad said the stock of animals would be purchased from zoos in and out of the country.

The menteri besar harbours hopes that the zoo will also become a breeding ground for local species in danger of extinction, adding that once they matured, they would be released into their natural habitats or sold to other zoos.

He also expects the elephant rides, the white tiger and the bird of paradise to be the main attraction at the Bukit Takal zoo.

The zoo will also feature themed zones for its visitors, including several botanical-based gardens.

Among them are herbal, tropical, fruit, orchid and bonsai gardens while facilities include tram and buggy rides, restaurants, recreational areas and a family-theme swimming pool. NST