Plans for bridge between Malacca, Dumai

NEW STRAITS TIMES – 21 DECEMBER 2010, TUESDAY

Plans for bridge between Malacca, Dumai

MALACCA: The state is hoping for the Federal Government's approval for the longest sea-crossing bridge connecting the peninsula with Dumai in Sumatra.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the proposed 127.93km highway costing US$12.75 billion (RM40.1 billion), is expected to take 10 years to build.

He said the proposal had been submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, while the Governor of Riau, Rusli Zainal, will secure Jakarta's approval for the bridge to be built on their side.

"This is a very big project, and once completed, the bridge will be the world's longest sea-crossing bridge, which will connect our country with Indonesia.
"And it will definitely open new business opportunities between both countries.

"I hope that the governments of both countries will give the green light to this project.

"I think it should not be a problem as the project will be privately-funded," he said after a Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) Port Construction Meeting with Riau deputy governor Emrizal Parkis at Majestic Hotel in Melaka Tengah here on Sunday.

The RoRo port construction is another state government project to provide ferry service for passengers and vehicles between Malacca and Dumai.

Ali said the bridge will be built by Straits of Malacca Partners Sdn Bhd, with financial support guaranteed by China Exim Bank and other financial institutions.

He said the bridge will give easier and cheaper means of travel to tourists and citizens of both countries.

Straits of Malacca Partners managing director Datuk Lim Sue Beng said the project involves the building of a 48km-long bridge connecting Malacca to Pulau Rupat; an 8km bridge connecting Pulau Rupat to Dumai; and 71.93km-long highway.

Lim said highway would be four lanes (two on each side) and two emergency lanes (one on each side), built according to normal highway specifications.

Once the approval is given, the parties involved are likely to require four years of thorough research and planning.

The design of the bridge is being put together by Hyunan Provincial Communications, Planning, Survey & Design Institute (HNCDI) of China

The biggest ships could pass through as it will be 76m above sea level during high tide, with travelling time estimated to be about an hour.

It will have two stay-cable bridges and one suspension bridge -- both the longest in the world.

CAMPAIGN SINGAPORE . COM – 10 FEBRUARY 2011, THURSDAY

Tourism Malaysia selects its five agencies

KUALA LUMPUR - Five Malaysian advertising agencies have been awarded advertising contracts by Tourism Malaysia for the 2011 to 2013 period.

The five agencies were among the 34 that submitted applications for the advertising tender bid, worth around RM600 million (US$198 million) in total, which closed on 16 August 2010.

The appointed agencies are Naga DDB for ASEAN; Smascom & Designs for North and East Asia; Sen Media for South Asia, West Asia and Africa; M & C Saatchi for Europe, America and Oceania; and Impact Creations for Domestic and Events.


Questions had been raised surrounded the pitch process as current contracts expired 31 December 2010 and the announcement deadline of 12 February 2011 loomed. Tourism Malaysia was also drawn into the spotlight by incumbent ISC Group’s withdrawal from the pitch, stating concerns about "ambiguities in the process."


A senior agency executive told Campaign this is not the first time controversy has surrounded the Tourism Malaysia business, saying that mulitnational networks had previously queried unknown and non-4A agencies involvment in business pitches.


ISC founder and president Austen Zecha yesterday lashed out at Malaysia’s 4A’s following remarks made by its president Vincent Lee.

“All I can say is that I have never been to a single 4As meeting here in all 36 years of Malaysian agency life as I’ve never felt that the 4As here have championed its members’ cause and Datuk Lee’s comments have reinforced my stance as they have undermined ISC’s integrity in its endeavour to try and create a more open and transparent tender process, a decision which was well thought through and definitely not one taken lightly or made last-minute, given that the contract was due to start 1 January this year,” said Zecha.

Retailers Awaiting More Concrete Plans To Reap Benefits From ETP

BERNAMA – 10 FEBRUARY 2011, THURSDAY

Retailers Awaiting More Concrete Plans To Reap Benefits From ETP

PETALING JAYA, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Retailer-Chains Association's (MRCA) members are waiting for more concrete plans by the government on the Economic Transformation Plan (ETP), especially in the wholesale, retail and tourism sectors.

Its secretary general, Valerie Choo, said the association hoped the government would announce plans to enable the retailers to participate in some of the projects under ETP.

"The spin-off under the ETP will boost consumer spending and encourage businesses to expand but the impact of the projects will take time.

"We are eager to participate but will wait for the announcements," she told Bernama at MRCA Chinese New Year Banquet 2011 here Wednesday.

She said MRCA's members were willing to expand and invest locally and hoped the government address the issue on the lack of skilled workers in the industry.

Choo said although the economy would grow at slower pace this year, the retail sector was expected to record five-six per cent growth as most of the players were optimistic of the government's efforts under the ETP.

"This year would be the year for MRCA's members to refocus so that they can reap the benefits from ETP," she said.

-- BERNAMA

St. Regis luxury hotel coming up at KL Sentral

Friday, June 13, 2008

St. Regis luxury hotel coming up at KL Sentral

The six-star St. Regis hotel chain is coming to Malaysia, and owner One IFC Sdn Bhd believes Kuala Lumpur is ready for the luxury brand.

The 200-room St. Regis Kuala Lumpur and 200 freehold residences are slated to open in 2014. The development will be sited at KL Sentral.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc was appointed as the management operator at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

One IFC chief executive officer Carmen Chua said the company is committed to the project even though construction costs are rising.

"We are monitoring the situation very closely due to the scale of this project, but we are committed as we have confidence in Malaysia's economy and the country," Chua told a press conference yesterday.

CMY Capital Sdn Bhd holds 60 per cent of One IFC, while Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB) - KL Sentral's developer - owns 30 per cent. The rest is held by Jitra Perkasa Sdn Bhd.

Construction is scheduled to start in 2010. One of the world's top three architectural firms - Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) - will be the hotel's main architect.

SOM designed the Freedom Tower in New York in the US and the world's tallest tower, the Burj Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.

The hotel's development cost has yet to be determined as it is pending the design approval.

Chua said the design is likely to be unveiled late next year or early 2010.

The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur will be built on 0.88ha.

According to Chua, 1.4 million sq ft of development has been approved.

It will feature the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels, including luxury accommodation and the iconic butler service.

"When it is open for business, 95 per cent of the staff will be locals, and we plan to recruit local graduates and train them," Chua said.

By New Straits Times (by Roziana Hamsawi)

Park Regis Kuala Lumpur

http://www.parkregishotels.com.au/hotels/Asia/Park-Regis-Kuala-Lumpur

Park Regis Kuala Lumpur

Scheduled to open in the first half of 2011.Park Regis Kuala Lumpur is a brand new 27 storey hotel centrally located in Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle adjacent to Berjaya Times Square, Chinatown and Jalan Bukit Bintang.

The hotel will offer 444 rooms generously sized from 35sqm to 120.3sqm - including Superior and Deluxe Rooms, Deluxe Two Bedroom Apartments and Executive Two Bedroom Suites, all with unique and stylish interior designs.

Park Regis Kuala Lumpur's key features and services will include top floor conference, seminar and banquet space and a business centre and business lounge spanning over two levels and with spectacular views across the city. Guests can relax and unwind in the hotel's many recreational facilities including an all-day-dining restaurant and bar, swimming pool, fully-equipped gym and sauna. The hotel also offers a security car park.

Click Here to view the Park Regis Kuala Lumpur Fact Sheet

Click Here for things to see and do in Kuala Lumpur

Check back for more details soon!

Casa del Rio to develop boutique hotel in Melaka

Casa del Rio to develop boutique hotel in Melaka RM102m hotel to offer 64 bedroom suites and 32 apartments along Melaka RiverApr 16, 2009 iProperty.com

Casa del Rio (M) Bhd has teamed up with Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd and Sin Seong Hin Sdn Bhd to develop a RM102 million four-storey boutique hotel in Melaka. The developer will receive RM50 million term loan facilities from the bank and an investment of approximately RM60 million from Sin Seong Hin Sdn Bhd, which will be channeled towards the second phase of the main building works for the hotel. Named Casa del Rio Melaka, the hotel takes up 3.2 acres along the Melaka River with a capacity of 64 bedroom suites and 32 apartments. Designed along Mediterranean architecture akin to its popular sister property, Casa del Mar Langkawi, the hotel is scheduled for completion at the end of 2010. Owned and managed by Casa del Rio (M) Sdn Bhd, the boutique resort offers river view accommodation, innovative dining options and spa facilities. Its philosophy is “to create unique experiences, providing guests with a tranquil hideaway”. Group managing director of Casa del Rio (M) Sdn Bhd, Tan Sri Syed Yusof Tun Syed Nasir applauded the many spectacular development, preservation and conservation of historical and cultural heritage in Melaka. The signing ceremony signifies the parties’ commitment to support social, cultural and economic development in Melaka, he added. Tan Sri Syed Yusof also operates the 570-room Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur, 381-room Concorde Shah Alam, 338-room Concorde Inn KLIA, 18-room Lakehouse in Cameron Highlands and 34-room Casa del Mar in Langkawi. He also operates specialty restaurants in Malaysia namely, Saloma Theatre Restaurant, Hard Rock Café and Planet Hollywood, as well as boutique radio station, Capital FM88.9.

Malaysia Hotel News: G City Club To Open On March 28

Malaysia Hotel News: G City Club To Open On March 28: "The G City Club, the latest boutique business hotel, will open its doors to local and international business travellers on March 28. In a s..."