Tag: MOTAC

Johor Polls: PH’s Cheah Takes Different Tack, Focuses On Local Issues

JOHOR BAHRU, July 7  -- As the Johor state election campaign enters its final phase and political parties increasingly turn to national issues, Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Kukup seat, Cheah Chee Hong, has opted for a different approach by focusing entirely on local issues. He said voters now want to hear solutions to the problems they face every day rather than debates on national politics. "Today, I don't want to talk about politics or national issues because everyone already sees those every day on social media. I only want to talk about Kukup," he told Bernama when contacted here today. Cheah said that after more than a week of campaigning, he managed to visit various areas in Kukup and listened firsthand to residents' grievances before identifying the priorities that should be addressed if elected as their representative. According to him, among the issues most frequently raised were the long-standing problem of poor rubbish collection, weak internet coverage and unstable electricity supply, which has damaged residents' electrical appliances. He said resolving these basic issues must be the priority before Kukup can be developed into a national-level tourist destination. Cheah also outlined proposals to upgrade infrastructure, including roads, street lighting, parking facilities and tourism amenities, as well as strengthen cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) to promote Kukup. He said Kukup's strategic location near Johor Bahru, the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System, and its position within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone are advantages that should be leveraged to boost tourism and the local economy. Cheah also proposed establishing a large-scale night market to provide business opportunities for local residents, with the aim of increasing their income while attracting more tourists. He said he hoped his campaign, centred on solving local issues, would convince voters ahead of polling day, while also urging Kukup natives living outside the constituency to return home to fulfil their voting responsibility. Kukup is seeing a straight fight between Cheah and Barisan Nasional candidate Md Israk Abdullah. Early voting is today while polling will be held on July 11. -- BERNAMA

JOHOR BAHRU, July 7  — As the Johor state election campaign enters its final phase and political parties increasingly turn to national issues, Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Kukup seat, Cheah Chee Hong, has opted for a different approach by focusing entirely on local issues. He said voters now want to hear solutions to […]

MOTAC Approves Nearly RM22.9 Mln For 9 Terengganu Tourism Projects

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 5 (Bernama) -- The federal government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), has approved nearly RM22.9 million for the implementation of nine projects in Terengganu between Jan 1 and April. MOTAC secretary-general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot said the projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) include new builds, as well as upgrades to facilities, aimed at further boosting the state’s tourism sector. He said the projects include building and upgrading tourism facilities at Pulau Bidong State Park in Kuala Nerus, constructing a public jetty for tourists to Pulau Tenggol, along with other facilities in Dungun, upgrading existing tourism facilities in Hulu Kekabu, Guntung in Setiu, as well as improving signage and pathways throughout the Islamic Civilisation Park in Kuala Terengganu. “During the 12th Malaysia Plan period, MOTAC approved 76 projects worth RM31.26 million in Terengganu,” he said at the handover of the Terengganu Cultural Village project and the conservation, refurbishment and upgrading project for the Terengganu State Museum Board here today. Also present were State Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee deputy chairman Sulaiman Sulong and Terengganu Tourism director Datuk Tengku Mohd Ariffin Tengku A. Rahman. Shaharuddin said the RM5.2 million project represents more than physical development, but a significant effort to preserve, elevate and strengthen Terengganu’s cultural heritage. He said that with upgraded, more modern and safer facilities, Terengganu Cultural Village is set to become a more attractive and competitive tourism destination, further contributing to local economic growth and the state’s tourism industry. “The Cultural Village serves as a platform to showcase the uniqueness of local arts, customs, traditional architecture and way of life to future generations. “On behalf of the ministry, I would like to take this opportunity to remind all parties that these facilities must be properly maintained to avoid over-reliance on federal government funding,” he said. The Terengganu Cultural Village project and the conservation, refurbishment and upgrading project by the Terengganu State Museum Board include several components, among them the Laman Warisan Hall, pavilions, walkways and footbridges, toilets, as well as traditional structures such as Rumah Nelayan, Rumah Bujang Selasar, Rumah Bujang Berkembar, Rumah Limas Belanda, Rumah Tele and Istana Tengku Long. Approved under the Ministry of Finance’s Special Allocation (COVID-19), the project began on May 24, 2023, and was completed on March 3, 2026. -- BERNAMA

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 5 — The federal government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), has approved nearly RM22.9 million for the implementation of nine projects in Terengganu between Jan 1 and April. MOTAC secretary-general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot said the projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) include new builds, as well […]

MOTAC Implements Five Projects In Kg Sungai Manik Via MADANI Adopted Village Initiative

TELUK INTAN, April 18 2026– The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has implemented five projects to improve physical and social infrastructure in Kampung Sungai Manik here through the MADANI Adopted Village initiative. Its secretary-general, Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot, said that the improvement projects in the village include upgrading the Dewan Kebudayaan dan Agro […]

Iftar Ceremony MOTAC, Tourism Malaysia Strengthen Synergy of Industry Players

KUALA LUMPUR — The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s (MOTAC) Ramadan Iftar Ceremony yesterday became an important platform in strengthening synergy between the government, diplomatic partners and tourism industry players to support the success of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (TMM2026) campaign. The ceremony, co-organised by Tourism Malaysia, which took place at a hotel […]

Husband and Wife Charged with Misusing RM30,000 Cultural Grant

MELAKA — A married couple pleaded not guilty at the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court here today, on charges of misappropriating a cultural grant totaling RM30,000 in the past two years. Sara Frederica Santa Maria, 57, and her husband, Sikim Gompongan, 60, made the plea before Judge Elesabet Paya Wan. According to the charge, the couple […]