Category: Entertainment

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) — The achievement of Malaysia Pavillion in bagging the Gold Award in conjunction with the Expo 2020 Dubai Pavilion Awards reflects the country’s success in delivering on its commitment to sustainability by maintaining biodiversity internationally.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the award was also an international testimony of the programmes at the Malaysia Pavillion, in line with the pavilion’s rainforest canopy theme, concept and design.

This included adopting various natural concepts like waterfalls, vertical gardens and other natural elements.

“Congratulations Malaysia Pavilion. On March 30, Malaysia Pavilion won the Gold Award for the Theme Interpretation category hosted by Bureau International des Expositions,” Ismail Sabri said in a post on his official Facebook page today.

Bearing the theme of ‘Energising Sustainability’, the Malaysia Pavilion tells how socio-economic progress can happen without sacrificing the environment, with the people building towards a sustainable future.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Tourists from Singapore who stay at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) Hotel here will enjoy rebates on toll payments they made to enter Melaka beginning this May, MITC general manager Sazali Sabri said.

He said the toll rebates would be given through discounts on their booked rooms in an effort to attract more tourists from the republic to stay at the hotel following the reopening of Malaysia’s borders from April 1.

The discount will be given to Singaporean tourists who enter Melaka with their own vehicles, and there was no limit or quota on the discount.

“Our hotel previously had around 20 to 30 per cent bookings from Singaporean tourists, out of our total of 200 rooms, especially on weekends and school holidays.

“So if they come to Melaka and stay here, we will give them a special room price by paying their toll. They just need to show proof of toll payment,” he told reporters at the Media Appreciation Night 2022 here today.

He added that there were other various interesting packages offered to Singaporean tourists, which have received encouraging response previously, especially the religious rites associated to Hari Raya Aidiladha.

He said the Durian Fest is also expected to be held in May and is highly anticipated by Singaporean tourists.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) — Taking on something new, especially an endeavour that is different from one’s field of work that one has been involved in for decades, takes a tremendous amount of courage.

Mimi Salleh, Norsa’adah Ahmad, Haryanti (Yan) Yahaya, and Zalila Isa, who have each established themselves in the field of writing and the country’s book industry, portrayed this bravery when they decided to venture into the field of visual art.

Guided by the country’s accomplished artist with extensive experience in fine art and book illustration, Emila Yusof, the four women poured in hours of effort into producing masterpieces using the pointillism technique starting last year.

Pointillism refers to a painting technique using tiny dots of various colours to create objects as desired by the artists.

Emila, 53, herself began to delve into the technique after being inspired by the artworks of French painter, Paul Signac, which were on display at the Albertina Museum while visiting Vienna in 2019.

When met recently, Emila said, under the Artecationista brand name, over 50 of their artworks would be displayed at the 2022 Nature Pointillism Exhibition from April 1-22 at GMBB, a creative community mall in Bukit Bintang here to be hosted by the Museum of Picture Book Art, Malaysia.

Norsa’adah, 43, who is a co-owner of an indie book publishing company, said initially she had doubts about her ability in painting, but with Emila’s guidance and encouragement from the other three women, she finally discovered the joy in painting using the pointillism technique, which had also helped her realise her potential.

Sharing similar views, Mimi, 48, who has created a name for herself as an author of picture books for children and articles on arts, said this latest venture helped her to see things from a wider perspective, adding that her confidence soared when she managed to finish each painting using the technique.

“(Producing paintings) using this technique helped me to learn to be patient because to complete the layers of colours takes time, sometimes days, but I feel satisfied when I saw the results,” said Yan, 43, who started her career as an engineer before becoming a translator.

Zalila, 44, who is an editor, said the opportunity to collaborate with her favourite Malaysian artist, Emila, should not be missed, adding that she began to spend time to learn more about the technique with Emila’s guidance.

“Drawing is not just recording what you see and think in the form of paintings, as it also changes my perception of nature (especially). Now I look at the tree, its leaves and twigs, the various hues of greens more closely,” she said.

When asked about what she hoped to achieve through the exhibition, Emila said: “To give the idea to people that anybody without any art background can make art if they put their heart and mind into it.

“And that with daily practice, they can create their masterpieces that they never thought they could.”

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 (Bernama) — The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) is targeting the arrival of two million tourists to Malaysia this year, with a profit of more than RM6.8 billion.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said this was following the government’s announcement on the reopening of the country’s borders on April 1 which is hoped will revitalise the tourism industry that had been badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For domestic travellers, meanwhile, we have not set any targets because in 2019, we earned RM103 billion from domestic tourism. So, we hope to earn at least 50 per cent profit as it will be quite difficult to achieve (profits) like 2019,” she said when winding up the debate on the motion of thanks for the Royal Address for her ministry at the Dewan Rakyat today.

Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had announced that the country would enter the Transition to Endemic Phase and that the borders of the country would be reopened on April 1.

Meanwhile, speaking at a media conference after the winding up session, Nancy said that MOTAC had allocated RM50 million for the Tourism, Arts and Culture Matching Grant (GPPSB), which covers grants for the tourism sector (GSSP) and culture sector (GSSK).

She said both these grants were for the revitalisation of the tourism and culture sectors that have been badly hit by the pandemic for the past two years.

Apart from that, she said the grants would also help the industry players to continue to be competitive in promoting Malaysia as a safe tourism destination as well as stimulating the country’s arts and culture ecosystem.

The GSSP will focus on the organisation of domestic and international programmes or events when the country’s borders are opened while GSSK will focus on the hosting of high-impact arts and culture events.

“Applications for both these grants can be submitted from April 1. For more information, applicants can browse the website at www.tourism.gov.my,” she said.

The sitting continues tomorrow.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 — Over 600 authentic Italian food products are being offered at the ‘Eat Healthy, Taste Italy’ Fair held at all Village Grocer, Ben’s Independent Grocer (B.I.G.), BSC Fine Foods and Leisure Grocer outlets until March 20.

The two-week fair gives food lovers and shoppers the chance to enjoy and discover the Italian culinary culture, a healthy Mediterranean diet quintessential to the Italian lifestyle.

The fair features a variety of authentic Italian products such as biscuits, coffee, olive oil, chocolates and snacks, truffle, pasta and cheese.

Italian Ambassador to Malaysia Massimo Rustico who officiated the fair at Village Grocer in Bangsar Village on Tuesday said the objective of the fair was to bring a deeper understanding of Italian food, culture and biodiversity in the Malaysian market for Italy’s exports.

“This year, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) is in partnership with The Food Purveyor (TFP), which operates Village Grocer, B.I.G., BSC Fine Foods and Leisure Grocer, to celebrate Italian excellence in the world of food and drink.

“I am pleased to see so many Italian food products at this fair, which aims to raise awareness about authentic Italian products made in Italy for the people in Malaysia,” he said.

Italian trade commissioner Dr Filippo Fusaro, who was also present at the event, said the partnership with the ITA focused on the authenticity and unique traits that make Italian food products stand out.

“Italian cuisine is loved by the people around the world not only because of the taste but also for the health benefits. With fresh Italian produce and products available at this fair, Malaysians can learn to cook Italian dishes which are simple, tasty and healthy at home,” he said.

Meanwhile, TFP chief executive officer Geoff King believes that the fair took place at the right time to educate consumers about the health benefits of Italian food.

“The emergence of the pandemic gave the people many reasons to practice a healthy lifestyle. That’s why eating healthy and maintaining a healthy diet like the Italian-Mediterranean diet should stay at the forefront of our mind,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, March 5 — The RIUH Keluarga Malaysia tour which was previously held in the Klang Valley will be expanded to 14 locations this year to provide greater benefits to arts industry practitioners, especially those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the government had recognised the creative industry as one of the high-impact strategic industries which would be given special focus under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

“The RIUH Keluarga Malaysia tour programme will be a platform to deliver information on the country’s digital economy as well as encourage arts practitioners to switch from hobbies to industrial activities that can generate income and indirectly contribute to the country’s economy,” he said in a statement here today.

Annuar said the programme also serves to develop the local creative ecosystem by connecting brands, creative entrepreneurs, creators and artists with the community.

RIUH is an effort by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry to rejuvenate the creative industry. It is jointly organised by departments and agencies under the ministry, namely MyCreative Ventures Sdn Bhd, Broadcasting Department (RTM), Information Department and supported by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation.

The first edition of the RIUH Keluarga Malaysia themed Colours of Malaysia was launched in Ayer Hitam, Johor on Friday, known as “RIUH EK! Together with unifi” featuring local dialects and Telekom Malaysia (TM) as the main sponsor.

Annuar said the organising of the programme was in line with the potential of Johor which has rich culture and heritage as well as local arts, while Ayer Hitam is known as the ceramic town due to the high-quality clay resources in the area.

“In fact, Ayer Hitam is not only famous among the locals, but also an attraction for visitors from all over the country. It is also home to traditional arts and culture such as ghazal, kuda kepang, zapin, inang, Hokkien opera and many more,” he said.

He added that the RIUH Keluarga Malaysia tour series will be held every month in other states throughout the country as a platform to promote creative industry activities as well as encourage the people and the local community to participate in the digital economy.

Meanwhile, Annuar said works are being carried out to provide better internet access and improve the telecommunication infrastructure in Johor, adding that a total of RM934.5 million has been allocated to improve fibre optic connectivity and networks in the state.

“In an effort to improve the quality of telecommunication infrastructure in Johor, a total of RM589 million has been spent under the National Digital Network (JENDELA) programme to ensure that the people in Johor will move forward and lead not only in the creative industry but also in digital economy activities,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency