Informasi

Activities galore in Malacca

Malacca - total of 15 programmes have been lined up for the month-long festivities in conjunction with the declaration of historic Malacca city as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said that the festivities would begin on Aug 1, next to the 17th century Dutch Stadhuys complex and would be officiated by Malacca Governor Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob.

"The festivities will include performances and procession by 15 cultural troupes, exhibitions and fireworks which are aimed at bringing back the nostalgic feeling of the city`s glorious era as the Malacca Malay Empire," he said before chairing the state exco meeting here recently.

He also said that thanksgiving prayers would be held at the Kampung Hulu mosque, Cheng Hoon Teng temple, Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi temple and St Francis Xavier church on Aug 7.

He added that other activities such as a heritage river cruise, a cultural carnival, cultural wedding exhibition and a cultural cooking competition would also be held.

"We have identified five sites to set up the commemorative declaration plaque but have yet to decide on the location," he added.

The five sites are Padang Nyiru next to St. Francis Church, in front of the Victoria Fountain, near the famous cendol stall next to the Malacca River, in front of Quayside restaurant near the Water Wheel and the Malacca River promenade at the proposed CIQ Complex.

He also added that traditional wedding shows for different ethnic groups in Malacca will also be showcased in Kampung Hulu, Portuguese Settlement, Jonker Walk and Kampung Chetty every weekend starting from Aug 20.

Meanwhile, the public have been advised to take note of road closures that will affect several main routes in the heart of the city beginning 7.30pm to about midnight.

This includes parts of Jalan Laksamana, Hang Tuah Mall and parts of Tengkera and the Sultan Aziz bridge leading to Melaka Raya. By CHEN PELF YEEN

Source: http://travel.asiaone.com (August 07, 2008)

Malaysia, Thailand Agree To Develop Border Areas

Penang - Malaysia and Thailand have agreed to develop the border areas of both countries and enhance cooperation in ensuring peace, security and stability.

Army field commander Lt-Gen Datuk Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor said the two countries also discussed resolving the common problems therein and promoting matters of mutual interest.

"We will continue to work closely and intensify efforts to ensure peace and stability in the border areas," he told reporters after the 90th Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting with his Thai counterpart Lt-Gen Viroach Buacharoon, here.

He said the meeting, attended by about 90 delegates from both countries, deliberated and noted with satisfaction the progress report of activities undertaken during the period under review from Jan 16 to July 15, carried out by six working groups in the RBC.

"The six working groups will concentrate more on joint activities such as point psychological operations, joint border patrols and the coordinated border post," he added.

The six are the Intelligence and Psychological Operations, Land, Combined Naval, Air, Border Management and Disaster Management working groups.

Source: http://www.bernama.com.my (August 07, 2008)

Malaysia To Learn Agriculture Vocational Education From Indonesia - Hishammuddin

Jogjakarta - The Education Ministry wants to learn from Indonesian schools on the agriculture vocational education, and arts and culture curriculum, said its minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

With the global food crisis, he said Malaysian schools should adopt a more dynamic agriculture vocational syllabus while instilling cultural awareness in schools in the face of globalisation.

"I find that Indonesia has succeeded in the agriculture vocational education as well as in imparting the arts and cultural values in schools. Both aspects must be given emphasis," he told Bernama at the end of his three-day visit here.

Hishammuddin, who is Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (Seameo) president, visited Seameo training centres in Jakarta and here.

He was accompanied by his Indonesian counterpart, Prof Dr Bambang Sudipyo.

Hishammuddin said with the cooperation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) and Asean, Seameo would enhance the national character of all 10 Asean countries through the two fields.

Meanwhile, Bambang said agriculture was gaining importance not only due to the world food shortage but also as raw material for fuel.

He hoped under Hishammuddin leadership, Seameo would continue to strengthen the Asean synergy.

Bambang said Indonesia was impressed with the accomplishments of Institut Aminudin Baki (IAB) and would open a similar institution in Bambang near here to train headmasters. By Mohd Nasir Yusoff

Source: http://www.bernama.com.my (August 07, 2008)

Prince Mohamed Lauds Asean`s One Identity

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, yesterday hailed the "one identity" of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in a statement commemorating Asean Day 2008.

HRH praised the theme of this year`s Asean Day "One ASEAN Identity; One Asean Community", saying that it presents a bright and far-reaching vision for Southeast Asia.

Following is the full text of HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah`s statement:

Every year, the members of ASEAN celebrate the th of Ations 1967. This was the date when the Bangkok Declaration was signed and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations was formed.

Today we honour this memorable occasion for the 41st time and, this year, we are also honouring an equally historic moment in ASEAN history.

November the 20`h 2007, this was the day last year in Singapore when the leaders of our 10 member nations signed the ASEAN Charter. Its spirit is clearly captured in the theme of this year`s ASEAN Day:

One ASEAN Identity; One ASEAN Community, this presents a bright and far-reaching vision of Southeast Asia.

It is not just an idealistic vision. It also offers the 500,000,000 people in our 10 nations a compelling practical invitation. It invites us to enter a process that will shape our future region and bring us together in "one community", offering each other steadfast hope and constant reassurance.

Such a community will be one in which we work together in peace and security. We appreciate one another`s culture, tradition, background, faith and aspirations. We help and protect each other against any threat, whether man-made or natural.

We open up new social and economic opportunities for each other, as warm friends, close neighbours and professional partners.

It is one in which our "one identity" is expressed by each of us being able to say with confidence and reassurance:

"I am not only from Southeast Asia. I am Southeast Asian."

That is the community our leaders invited us to enter last year when they signed the ASEAN Charter.

It is an invitation that Brunei Darussalam is happy to accept and, in doing so, we send our very best wishes to the people of our fellow member nations for peace, happiness and prosperity.

Source: http://www.brudirect.com (August 08, 2008)

Borneo Regatta to be held this weekend

Borneo - Local traditional boat and powerboat enthusiasts are looking forward to the Borneo Level Regatta race, which will be held this weekend at the Serasa Watersports Complex in Muara.

"The competition is held in conjunction with His Majesty`s 62nd Birthday Celebration," said championship co-chairman, Awg Hj Maidin yesterday.

"This year`s event is the biggest, judging from previous races. It sees participation of teams from Borneo, including from Limbang, Miri and Sabah.

"The teams from Lawas include from Sundar and Awat-Awat. However, Kalimantan will not participate this year," he added.

So far, nine teams from neighbouring states have registered for the meet, he said, adding that this year more than 20 local teams will compete compared to the previous race.

The race is divided into two categories, one of which is open to all associations in Brunei. They will compete in 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 paddlers.

He said 13 local teams have registered for the meet - Persatuan Lumba Perahu Kg Lurong Dalam, Seri Baru-Baru B, X-Team, Tutong, Police, Seri Baru-Baru A, Waktu B, 995 Bomba dan Penyelamat, Aksi Laut, Kg Setia B, ABDB, and Waktu Brunei Darussalam.

Five teams who win first to fifth placings in the local category will be selected to represent Brunei to compete at the Borneo-level race, to be held on Sunday.

Boat race teams from Brunei won the regatta held in Limbang recently.

The highlight of the event will be a marathon open - for 30 paddlers. The marathon is expected to be flagged-off from Muara Port and covers a distance of about 2km to 3km.

Members of the public will also have the opportunity to witness a fireworks display on Saturday night, thanks to B-Win Trading and Marketing Co.

Shuttle bus services will be available to transport members of the public to the venue. By Achong Tanjong

Source: http://www.brunei-online.com (August 06, 2008)

Indonesian artisans turns wood into handicrafts

Yogyakarta - From pop culture we head for the exotic Oriental climes, where the traditional is being transformed into the contemporary. Artisans in Indonesia are transforming plentiful wood supplies into batik handicrafts. Their works are then offered as mementos for tourists, helping to expand the market for art done in the traditional way.

Batik textiles are well recognized as one of Indonesia`s traditional handicrafts.

Artisans at this tiny village south of the ancient city of Yogyakarta have combined wax-resistant-dying with traditional wood carving. And they`ve created a new tourist souvenir.

The artisans in Krebet village turn wooden boards into masks, puppets, statues and other products. They now paint them with traditional batik designs and patterns, for sale across the 17-thousand island archipelago. However the market doesn`t end there. The bulk of the products are exported to the United States and other countries.

The works are sealed with a special finish to ensure the colours do not fade.

Most of the artisans are accustomed to delicate work. They once produced leather goods. But the market faded.

Other galleries in the village have joined in, creating sufficient supplies of the crafts for local and foreign markets.

After more than 10 years, Krebet villagers are now teaching others the art of producing profitable handicrafts by combining batik with wood. Editor: Lu Jing

Source: http://www.cctv.com (August 06, 2008)