Thursday, June 01, 2017
Images: Veronica Ng
Celcom
had embarked on a cost transformation programme in Q4 last year, and will
continue to invest significantly in network expansion despite stiff competition
in the saturated telecommunications market. The telco expects to spend RM1.5bil
in 2017 for network expansion, up from about RM1.2bil last year.
Their
strategy include increasing one-on-one marketing and providing new features on
products that Celcom launched in the last quarter..
Kuehner
took up the CEO position in September last year. He believes the initiatives
put in place six months ago will produce results and help the network provider
gain back market share lost over the past three years.
He
said Celcom’s turnaround initiatives were well underway, with digital at its
core. Whether this will translate into growth may be too soon to say as the
market is still shrinking. He expects an upturn in three to four years,
stressing that any cost transformation efforts to be carried out would not be
at the expense of customer experience.
Chief
financial officer Jennifer Wong shared that Celcom’s cost transformational
programme - Accelerated Cost Efficiency (ACE) would be driven by three
strategic themes of simplification, digitisation and collaboration.
Celcom’s
overall data revenue rose 29.8% year-on-year to RM661mil. This made up 41% of
its total revenue. During the first quarter of 2017, total revenue stood at
RM1.609bil, down 2.2% from the fourth quarter of 2016. Service revenue during
the period experienced a seasonal dip of 3.1% quarter-on-quarter at RM1.475bil
due to intense competition and flat growth in the industry.
The
network provider delivered normalised earnings before interest, tax,
depreciation and amortisation of RM587mil and normalised profit after tax,
amortisation and minority interest of RM269mil.
Celcom’s
total revenue was down 2.2% overall, versus the industry (including Celcom)
that was lower by 3.4%. Due to the positive take-up on postpaid offerings,
Celcom’s postpaid revenue was up 1.2.
Celcom
posted a marginal decrease in the number of subscribers from 10.5 million at
the last quarter of 2016 to 10.2 million customers to-date.
While
Celcom is optimistic on postpaid products, the prepaid segment is still under
pressure due to intense competition.. However Celcom will not reduce the
pricing of their plans or compromise on customer experience and quality, assured
Kuehner.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Xpax Launches Music Walla & Video Walla
Celcom’s
prepaid brand Xpax has come up with a game changer with the new Music Walla and
Video Walla features. Music Walla comes with unlimited streaming data quota on
a weekly or monthly basis, priced at RM3 and RM1 respectively. The user’s
existing data quota will not be affected while streaming music.
This
means U Mobile’s Onz entertainment products are now under threat from Xpax’s
Video Walla and Music Walla video and music streaming that gives unlimited
music streaming, or up to 10GB of extra data for streaming videos.
Video
Walla mirrors Video-Onz for U Mobile customers, giving extra data for video
streaming without using up internet data. Two rates are available, a daily
option that costs just MYR1 per day with 1GB of data; or MYR7 per week for 10GB
of data. The daily plan is exclusive to Xpax customers, while the weekly plan
is open to both Xpax and Celcom postpaid subscribers.
Supported
video services include YouTube, Netflix, iflix, Tonton, Astro GO, dimsum,
HeroTalkies, MOX Digital, Metro TV and DailyMotion. Video uploads on YouTube
are also included. Video streaming is offered at full speeds and at full
resolution, no caps, and no hidden clauses that states “480p resolution only”.
In Celcomspeak, its #NoKelentong.
Music
Walla is unlimited, covering popular music streaming services like JOOX, Raku,
KKBox, Hungama Music, Yonder Music, smule, Apple Music, Deezer and over 30
local radio stations.
You
may be wondering where’s Yonder Music. is very much still there, and free.
Coming soon will be. Celcom
is also negotiating with Spotify and a possible partnership is in the works. Music Walla costs MYR3 per month or RM1 per
week for unlimited music streaming. There is no cap on speed or quality.
In
conjunction with the holy month of Ramadhan, Celcom is doubling its Video Walla
quota, valid for subscriptions made from the official Xpax app. This promo runs
till 30 June 2017. You can also subscribe to Walla packs by dialing *118# on
your phone.
Walla
packs are also available to Celcom postpaid customers. Celcom FIRST Platinum
subscribers will receive an additional 12-month iflix subscription for free.
Surf
to http://www.xpax.com.my for more
information.
Labels: Celcom, Lea Ismail, Music Walla, Video Walla, XPAX
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Celcom and Ericsson conduct Malaysia's first 5G trial
With
the recent launch of the premier digital hub of the world's first Digital Free
Trade Zone and Kuala Lumpur Internet City, Malaysia envisions to be the
epicentre of South-East Asia's Internet economy.
This
will drive Malaysia to become one of the world's largest purpose-built digital
hub for technology giants and leading startups from around the globe. 5G comes
in and plays a key role in ensuring not only efficiency, but also to open a
window of opportunity for digital players. Ultimately, 5G will be a solid
foundation in creating a strong ecosystem to enable innovation.
Celcom
chief executive officer Michael Kuehner said Celcom was always committed to
developing and continuing the evolution of its network with the latest
technologies and to bring the best digital experience to Malaysians.
“5G
is very important to Celcom as it will support the development and meet the
communication needs of consumers and digitisation of various industries. It is
critical that we explore this new generation technology and its capabilities
with global partners like Ericsson," he said.
Todd
Ashton, the president of Ericsson Malaysia and Sri Lanka, described the
collaboration with Celcom as a further demonstration of Ericsson's support for
Malaysia on its journey towards 5G, following on the success of the Innovation
Centre for 5G set up last year with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
"Together
with partners like Celcom, we will study and test this new technology to
capture the full potential of 5G for consumers, business users and entire
industries in the country," he said.
Kuehner
said a lot more trials need to be conducted, from the aspect of technicalities,
as well as, the ongoing discussion with the Malaysian Communications and
Multimedia Commission on the regulatory aspect.
The
full roll-out of the network to consumers in Malaysia was expected between 2020
and 2025, while global consumers could experience it as early as February 2018
during the Olympic Winter Games in South Korea and the Tokyo Olympic and
Paralympic Games in 2020.
The
first generation mobile network (1G) was all about voice. 2G was about voice +
texting. 3G was about voice + texting + data. 4G was everything in 3G but
faster. 5G will be something totally different as It will deliver:
● Up to 100 times faster data rates:
instant access to services and applications
● Network latency lowered by a factor of
five:use cases in areas such as intelligent
transport and remote machinery
● Mobile data volumes expanded by a
factor of 1,000
● Ten times better battery life: remote
sensors and more sustainable networks
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Guinness World Record for the “most contributions to a painting by numbers” - Global Transformation Forum 2015
image credit: the staronline
Amongst
the inspirational talks being shared during #gtf20125, a world record in
painting was quietly being carried out spearheaded by BFR Institute Sdn Bhd. Inspired
by the six secrets of Transformational Leadership theme of the forum, the
painting was verified by Guinness World Records adjudicator Rob Molloy.
2,339
delegates and visitors of #gtf 2015 were requested to paint the Tree of Life,
drawn by Malaysian artists Alena Murang and Leon Jala on nine square-metres of
canvas. in a Utilizing the paint-by-number method, participants painted the
canvas using designated colors that corresponded with the respective numbers
creating a Guinness World Record for the “most contributions to a painting by
numbers”.
Among
those who contributed to the painting are former Prime Minister of Australia
Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and United Nations Development
Programme administrator Helen Clark, former President of Bolivia Jorge Quiroga
and co-founder of Starbucks Zev Siegl.
Alex
Iskandar Liew, PEMANDU’s communications director said the record attempt was
scheduled to be completed within 14 hours, the exact number of hours the hall
was opened to the public during the two-day forum. The Guinness World Record epitomizes
the desire of the entire team to outdo ourselves.
PEMANDU
CEO and BFR-I managing director Datuk Seri Idris Jala said the attempt was set
as an “impossible target”, adding that the transformation journey starts by
setting Olympic or impossible targets, because stretched targets will force
creativity, and out-of-the-box solutions to achieve targets.
Labels: #gtf2015, Global Transformation Forum 2015, Guinness World Record, most contributions to a painting by numbers
Monday, October 26, 2015
Global Transformation Forum 2015
Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak
There
is a need to reignite the engines of growth said Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Najib Tun Razak in his opening remarks at the Global Transformation Forum (GTF
2015).
He
said there were tough decisions to be made, policies up for review and a
clearer socio-economic roadmap to be developed if Malaysia wanted to break away
from the middle income trap fast and become a high income nation by the year
2020.
Our
good years of growth are reaching a plateau. Investments are thinning, there is
increased competition for global investors and our economy is in danger of
getting caught in the middle income trap.
The
global economy is currently facing fierce headwinds, with the decline in oil
and commodity prices, the rise in United States’ interest rates and devaluation
of the Chinese Yuan.
This
situation could last a few years, so the government must rethink its objectives
and ambitions to maintain its long-term vision for the country. We are doing so
and I will outline some of the measures we intend to take in our annual Budget
this Friday, he said.
We
should not lose sight of what we have achieved in our transformation over the
last six years. It has been nothing short of phenomenal. Malaysia has seen
sustainable economic growth and more than double the investments compared to
four years ago.
The
fiscal deficit fell to 3.4% last year from 6.7% in 2009 when the Government
first began its national transformation agenda. With this number reducing each
year since 2010, as per our targets, we are confident of reaching a balanced
budget - or as close to that as possible - by 2020.
On
the 1Malaysia Development Bhd the PM promised to take the strictest action
against anyone found to be involved should there be any evidence of wrongdoing.
1MDB
is in the midst of implementing a rationalization plan, which would allow the
company to pay off its outstanding debt and resolve its current cash flow
issues.
On
claims of wrongdoing, there are a number of independent investigations, some of
which I myself ordered. Rather than conduct a trial by media, we must wait for
the outcome of these investigations, he said.
Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid
Omar
Minister
in the Prime Minister’s Department and head of the Government’s Economic
Planning Unit Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid said the bottom 40 (B40) group earnings
had increased by 12.7% from 2009 to last year under the leadership of Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The
income level of the B40 group has moved up at a faster rate compared with that
of the top 20% wealthiest group over the past five years.
Between
2009 and last year, we saw tremendous growth of income of the bottom 40%
household increasing quicker than the top 20%,” he said during the ‘Designing
the Future’ session.
Tan Sri Nor Mohamed
Yakcop
Tan
Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, who served as Finance Minister II from 2004 to 2009, said
Malaysia was the only country in the world to have a dual banking system
comprising conventional and Islamic banking.
In
terms of our optimal combination of public and private sector, what has worked
is that we’ve built world class infrastructure. We’ve done that very well he stressed
in a session titled
‘Transforming State-Owned Enterprises’.
The
current state investment fund Khazanah Nasional Berhad deputy chairman went on
to say that Malaysia has created world class infrastructure and a strong
financial system with the government and private sectors working well together.
We’ve
created a very developed, very robust financial system, both in conventional
banking as well as Islamic banking. The areas that need further improvement are
skills training, which he noted has not been able to fulfill industry demands,
as well as better coordination between government agencies.
He
warned that if we do not have a stronger performance, we risk becoming like
Nokia. We need better risk management, or we risk a major accident like BP, or
poor governance like Volkswagen.
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes
AirAsia
Group chief executive Tan Sri Tony Fernandes called for more transparency in
taxation when he said governments need to be more open on their tax collecting
procedures, adding that corporations show greater accountability than
governments in their spending.
He
said the current taxation system was very complicated, with many different
demographics and special needs being taken into account that left the system
open to abuse.
In
a session titled ‘Transformational Entrepreneurship’ Fernandes said companies
were better than governments in being more accountable on tax revenues, spending,
ensuring a better P&L, detailing how much money was spent and whether there
was a good ROI.
The
implementation of GST has sparked complaints of the broad-based consumption tax
system being too complex due to a long list of exemptions and zero-rated goods.
He
also said that branding was not merely about external branding but internal
branding as well, adding that “If you’re going to sell a brand; if your own
people don’t believe in the brand, it’s kind of tough. Many great companies
miss out on their greatest asset — which is the people in their own organization”.
“I
think governments also miss out their biggest asset — the people. The strongest
asset in Malaysia is our amazing diversity and the very talented people in this
country. Given the chance, we can do so much,” he said.
Labels: #gtf2015, Abdul Wahid Omar, Global Transformation Forum 2015, Najib Tun Razak, Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Tony Fenandes
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Highlights from the Animals for Asia Borneo 2015 International Conference
The Main Event
This
year’s conference, the first of its kind to be held in Malaysia and hosted by the
SSPCA broke from norm by offering an unprecedented 6 themes:
1.
Animals
in the Wild (Aquatic and Terrestrial)
2.
Managing
Strays, Pets and Farmed Animals
3.
Animal
Care (Veterinary care)
4.
Animal
Care (Rescue and Rehabilitation)
5.
Animals
in Captivity
6.
Animals
in Trade
With
two special sessions:
1.
The
future of Borneo’s Animals
2.
Managing
an NGO
Borneo Futures was one of the special sessions held on Oct 8 only for registered delegates. The sessions include talks, musical performances, body art painting and a comedy sketch by Jo Kukaltas’ alter ego Puan Badariah.
With
the packed schedule spread over five days, some 600 participants and 60
speakers from across the globe attended, with all of them agreeing that ‘Partnerships Breed Success’ was indeed an apt
description for #afaborneo2015.
Participants
paid US$350 (RM800 for Malaysian residents) for the five-day package, while a
single-day package was offered at US$100 (RM200 for Malaysian residents). A special
student price of US$100 (RM350) for a four-day package was also offered.
Besides
the featured speakers, other highlights during the keynote sessions were Minister
of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh’s
announcement that the SSPCA had been allotted a piece of land for their new
animal village after four years of lobbying for it.
Tourism
Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg declared his support for the SSPCA
for hosting the ‘Asia for Animals 2015 Conference’ by allocating funds for it.
Chief
Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem conveyed via Tourism Minister
Datuk Amar Abang Johari that the SSPCA goes to great lengths to promote better
animal welfare management, and is also the only animal NGO in Malaysia to work
with the local council.
He
therefore urged corporate bodies like Shell to include animal welfare in their
annual corporate social responsibility budgets. Are you reading this, Shell
peeps?
Kudos
to SSPCA President Dona Drury Wee, Organising chairperson Rebecca D’Cruz, SSPCA
Hon Sec and Executive Director/Principal Consultant of Planet Borneo Group of
companies (PLACE) Gracie Geikie, PLACE Communications Director Letitia Samuel, PLACE
Coordinator Alex Oomen, their respective team members and volunteers for an
awesome job in ensuring this massive 5 day multi-event operated smoothly daily.
Labels: #afaborneo2015, Animals for Asia Borneo 2015 International Conference, BCCK, Kuching, SSPCA
The Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA)
logo/words credit: SSPCA
The
SSPCA began its work in Kuching in 1959, formed by a small group of expatriate
officers who were moved by the sight of the diseased dogs and sick animals that
roamed the streets. It was legally registered under the Registrar of Societies
as the “Kuching Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (KSPCA) on 11
September 1962.
In
1977, the Society changed its name to the Sarawak Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals, or SSPCA. In the years that followed, dedicated volunteers
and their very active cadre of Junior Members, organised awareness - raising
events, rescued and re-homed stray animals, initiated a pilot neutering scheme,
and organized fundraising events.
They
were also instrumental in reaching an agreement with the local councils in
Kuching to house and care for all the stray animals picked up by these
councils. It’s an agreement which has carried through to this day, and remains
the only formal arrangement between an animal welfare organization and local
councils in Malaysia.
Perhaps
their most notable achievement was securing tax-deductible status for the
Society. This has proved an invaluable asset to the Society in its fundraising
efforts.
In
1999, through the generosity of the Sarawak State Government, the SSPCA secured
a 0.6-acre piece of land at 61/2 mile Penrissen Road, Kuching on which to build
its animal shelter. In the years since, this little piece of land has served as
a refuge, a haven for thousands of stray, abused and abandoned animals.
Some
have been fortunate enough to be given a second chance at life, others have
lived out their days in the loving care of our shelter staff, and many have
gone on to the ‘Great Kennel in the Sky’. As our finances improved, we expanded
and improved the Shelter facilities and services to cater for the
ever-increasing number of animals brought to our door. Unfortunately, this
meant having to make sacrifices and utilise the exercise/play areas.
At
the moment SSPCA is taking care of mostly stray and abused animals. The shelter
mainly depends on donations from the public to run its operations. It has six
full time staff assisted by volunteers to care for 260 animals.
The
society needs almost RM30,000 every month for the shelter upkeep and to provide
medical care for the animals. Besides caring for the animals, SSPCA is also
working at getting a new home for them. All the animals will be given proper
care and treatment before being put on the adaption program.
The
shelter is now getting overcrowded with the increasing number of animals there
and the growing development surrounding the area. Hence, SSPCA is looking at
building an integrated purpose-built Animal Village. The Animal Village is estimated
to cost RM1.8 million to build and SSPCA hopes to raise as much from all its
fund raising activities to achieve this dream.
For
more info and to support the SSPCA’s initiatives click here
Labels: #afaborneo2015, BCCK, Kuching, SSPCA, THE ASIA FOR ANIMALS (AFA) COALITION
THE ASIA FOR ANIMALS (AFA) COALITION
logo/words credit: AfA Coalition
The
Asia For Animals (AfA) Coalition is composed of 16 well-known and respected
animal welfare organisations that share a focus on improving the welfare of
animals in Asia. AfA is committed to providing support to organisations with
their campaigns to tackle some of the most pressing animal welfare concerns in
the region.
The
AFA International Conference is the largest, most representative Asian animal
welfare platform for animal welfare experts, NGOs, activists, members of the
public, private corporations and governments to consolidate and share
experiences, with an eye to developing new strategies and facilitating
long-term change.
Since
its establishment in 2001, this biennial conference has welcomed delegates from
all across the world, and been held in Manila, Hong Kong, Chennai, Bali, Chengdu,
thrice (2005, 2010 and 2013) in Singapore and this year in Kuching, Sarawak.
For
more information on the issues covered by AfA please click here.
Labels: #afaborneo2015, BCCK, Kuching, SSPCA, THE ASIA FOR ANIMALS (AFA) COALITION
Saturday, August 04, 2012
Tanjung Datu National Park, Sarawak
aerial images courtesy of Michael Tsan/Sarawak Forestry, turtle images Veronica Ng
We
were fortunate enough to be invited as guests of the Sarawak Forestry Board to
the stunningly beautiful Tanjung Datu National Park for a 3D2N stay in the
jungle without electricity or internet. To get there we had to endure a 2 hour
bus ride to the coastal town of Sematan, then an hour’s boat ride to the jump off
point of Telok Melano.
Telok
Melano is a traditional Malay fishing village that operates a Homestay
Programme where guests stay with local families, so a visit to the park becomes
an enjoyable cultural experience as well. A designated tour operator
administers the Homestay Programme - please contact the National Parks Booking
office in Kuching for full details. From Teluk Melano it was another 10 minutes
by boat to Tanjung Datu.
Tanjung
Datu may be the smallest of Sarawak’s National Parks, at just under 14 sq km,
but it is also one of the most beautiful. The park comprises a narrow ridge of
rugged forest-covered hills fringed by pristine white sand beaches, crystal
clear waters and patches of coral reef.
The
rich mixed dipterocarp forest reaches almost to the water’s edge in some
places, and this close proximity of rainforest and coral reef - the two most
diverse natural communities on our planet - make Tanjung Datu a very important
reservoir of biodiversity.
Located
at the south-western tip of Sarawak, Tanjung Datu is one of Sarawak’s less
accessible natural parks, but its relative remoteness is one of its main
attractions. The beaches really are undisturbed, the corals offshore are
untouched and the forest trails are virtually untrodden. This seclusion has
helped to preserve a wide range of unusual plant species.
The
unpolluted crystal clear waters of the South China Sea support a wide range of
marine life, and the coral grows close inshore. This makes Tanjung Datu a good
location for snorkeling and scuba diving, although scuba divers have yet to
explore its full potential.
We
were richly rewarded for taking up this offer when we got to witness firsthand
the release of day old baby turtles from the hatchery into the sea. At 6am on
our last day there, they were released facing the beach, but their inbuilt GPS
kicked in and they all did a 360° turn and headed for the open sea.
What
was about 20 steps for us humans must have seemed like 2 kilometers to the
little babies as they determinedly huffed and puffed their way unerringly to
the sea.
Each
and every one of us was completely silent, wrapped up in our own private
thoughts and it was definitely an emotional moment for us when the first tiny
fella hit the sea for the very first time in his life and swam strongly out to
claim his destiny.
For
me it was a spiritual moment - I was awestruck at the contrast of the tiny baby
turtle against the mighty sea, yet comforted in the knowledge that God looks
after each and every one of his creatures.
We
were briefed on Sea Turtle Conservation by the Acting Deputy General Manager of
Sarawak Forestry, Mr Oswald Braken Tisen.
Turtle
eggs from nests susceptible to predators such as wild boars, monitor lizards,
snakes and ghost crabs are relocated to the hatchery to reduce the high levels
of natural mortality. The turtle hatchery at Tanjung Datu is a fenced-off area
close to the beach which is protected and monitored by park staff.
Sea
Turtles are amongst the world longest living creatures, with many reaching a
lifespan of more than 100 years. Graceful swimmers that spend most of their
time underwater, they have survived almost unchanged since the Triassic period,
some 200 million years ago. However, the breeding habits that have served them
so well for so long are now contributing to their extinction.
Sea
turtles mature slowly and only start to breed between 15 to 50 years of age.
Females usually produce eggs once in every four or five years. Studies have
shown that sea turtles largely migrate back to their beach of birth, sometimes
across distances of more than 3000 km. The peak seasons for sea turtles nesting
range from the month of May to September each year.
Sea
turtles are highly endangered due to their slow reproduction rate, combined
with over harvesting for meat and eggs as well as habitat destruction.
Sarawak
Forestry allows you to actively participate in turtle conservation efforts by
spending four days at the turtle conservation station on Pulau Talang-Talang
Besar. This program aims to create awareness among public on the importance of
sea turtles conservation and at the same time to encourage knowledge sharing on
this noble conservation efforts.
This
program offers volunteers hands on experience on sea turtles conservation work.
During your stay, you will join a team of dedicated professionals whose mission
is to carry out sea turtles conservation programs on the island and thus help to
conserve one of the world’s most endangered species.
Volunteers
will be given opportunities to involve in:
Beach patrolling
Transferring turtle eggs to hatchery
Releasing of hatchlings
Data recording
Nest analysis
Research, education and conservation
activities.
National
Parks Booking Office,
Visitors
Information Centre,
Jalan
Tun Abang Haji Openg,
93000
Kuching Sarawak,
Tel:
(+6) 082 248088 Fax: (+6) 082 248087
Online
booking: http://ebooking.com.my
SARAWAK
FORESTRY
Tel:
(+6) 082 610088 Fax: (+6) 082 610099
Toll
free line: 1 800 88 2526
Website:
www.sarawakforestry.com
Email:
info@sarawakforestry.com
For
more details, surf to http://seaturtle.sarawakforest.com/
Labels: Sarawak, Tanjung Datu National Park, Turtle conservation
Grand Margherita Hotel, Kuching
Sarawak's
first international hotel, the Grand Margherita, is strategically situated by
the riverfront and commands an unrivalled view of the picturesque Sarawak River
and colorful Malay villages.
Situated
in the heart of the city's business, entertainment and shopping district, the
hotel is 20 minutes drive from the Kuching International Airport.
The
Grand Margherita Hotel is adjacent to the Sarawak Plaza Shopping Complex and
the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation Building. Its sister hotel, the
Riverside Majestic is located just across the road.
With
tourist attractions such as the Kuching Waterfront, Chinese Museum, Tua Pek
Kong Chinese Temple, Fort Margherita and Main Bazaar nearby, Grand Margherita
Hotel certainly has the best location in the city for business or leisure.
Each
of the 288 guestrooms at Grand Margherita Hotel is comfortably furnished to
offer you a restful stay, while the Executive Club is ideal for the business
traveler.
The
Orchid Garden Coffee House, the Meisan Restaurant and the hotel's other restaurants;
The Riverview Deck, The Rajang and Macam Macam Bistro offer a wide variety of
continental and local cuisines. All are certified Halal.
The
hotel has 5 fully equipped function rooms, ideal for functions ranging from
seminars and exhibitions to wedding banquets and private celebrations.
Guests
of the Grand Margherita Hotel enjoy a wide range of facilities and amenities :
*
Business Centre
*
Free in-room high speed wired internet access
*
24-hour Concierge
*
24-hour Room Service
*
Safe deposit boxes
*
Foreign currency exchange
*
Laundry & dry cleaning service
*
Babysitting service
*
Cardio Exercise Room
*
Outdoor pool
*
Children’s pool
*
Children’s playground
*
Adjacent to Sarawak Plaza
*
Shuttle service to Damai and Santubong
text and images courtesy of Grand Margherita Hotel, Kuching
Labels: Grand Margherita Hotel, Kuching
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
What can you expect at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2012?
Apart from the music, there will also
be a smorgasbord of delectable delights at the Food and Village Mart set
against the talismanic Orang Ulu and Iban longhouses, which encircle the venue
for the whole duration of the festival. Take
back with you a variety of arts and craft, event memorabilia as well as CDs and
recordings of the performing artistes.
Music is not all about sound; it is an art-form, and with it comes
culture, diversity, creativity, talent, and spellbinding performances. As one foreign
journalist puts it, the festival is “one of the most extraordinary festivals I
have attended in terms of the camaraderie amongst the performers, the lakeside
setting under Mount Santubong and the warm welcome of the hosts.”
The Rainforest World Music Festival is
a not-to-be-missed occasion in the heart of the Borneo Jungle. This is where
people regardless of their ethnicity, cultural backgrounds and music interests
come together for three magical days for a fun filled, wholesome festival
experience with a country fair atmosphere amidst lush greenery.
Come experience
a truly memorable musical extravaganza amidst the lush green paradise that is
the mythical land of Sarawak. We bid
you, "Selamat Datai"!
(Welcome!)
Updates on the Rainforest World Music Festival 2012 are available at
Tips
for an enjoyable Rainforest World Music Festival experience:
·
Be
there early. There are usually long queues at the gate for tickets or access to
the venue due to ticket verification and other security measures.
·
Please
do not bring non-permitted items (knives, sharp items) as they will be
confiscated
·
No
food & drink and animals are allowed to be brought inside the venue.
·
Food,
beverage, CDs, souvenirs and crafts will be on sale at the event. All items are
sold on CASH Terms except where indicated and there is no ATM machine at the
venue so please prepare accordingly.
·
Limited
car-parking facilities are available near the festival site. However, to avoid
any inconvenience, you are encouraged to catch the shuttle buses which will
operate at regular intervals during the event.
·
You
can bring your own lawn chairs or mats.
·
Bring
along a desire to be at one with nature and a yearning to celebrate and unite
with kindred spirits from around the globe.