Saturday, January 5, 2008

Pay extra for MAS tickets


PETALING JAYA: Air travellers will have to pay extra when they purchase Malaysia Airlines tickets from travel agents in Malaysia because the national carrier has scrapped commission payment to the agencies under a new marketing plan.

Passengers will have to pay at least 5% of the ticket price but it could be even more if they pay by credit card or the travel agents deliver the ticket.

Previously, MAS paid their registered agents 2% commission for the sale of special fare tickets.

MAS and Malaysian Association for Travel and Tour Agents issued a joint statement yesterday confirming the scrapping of the commission effective Tuesday.

However, the two parties stated that commission was still payable tickets issued on full published IATA international and domestic fares.

MAS has already announced that they would charge a service fee of RM15 per domestic travel transaction and RM30 for international transactions for both cash and credit card purchases made either through its 24-hour Call Centre or its ticket offices.

This also took effect on Tuesday.

Matta president Ngiam Foon said agents were charging the service fee because the national carrier had withdrawn the commission.

“The service fees will vary depending on the services requested by the customers. Customers will have to pay more for their MAS air tickets now but the ‘more’ depends on the services asked,” he said, adding that those on credit terms will generally have a higher service fee according to the credit level.

Asked about the impact of this latest move which effectively increased the prices of air travel, Ngiam said: “I cannot say if this is a positive or negative move but we will need to see the reactions from the public.

“I believe the travel industry will still go strong. People will still travel.”

However, he pointed out that travel agents were not just ticket issuers but also offer professional advice on destinations, flights and schedules.

Ngiam added that agents also collected the fuel surcharges and airport taxes for MAS and Malaysian Airport Berhad (MAB) but were not paid for carrying out these tasks.

“There is cost involved for agents when they transfer the money to MAS and MAB,” he added.


Source: The Star

Friday, January 4, 2008

Travel agents to charge service fee for MAS bookings

Thursday January 3, 2008
MYT 6:54:15 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Travellers will now have to pay more for Malaysia Airlines (MAS) tickets purchased from agents.

Travel agents in the country have implemented a new service fee -- a minimum of 5% ticketing/reservation fee, on cash on delivery terms -- after MAS' Zero Commission and Nett Fare plan came into effect on Jan 1.

According to Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) president Ngiam Foon, there were now neither commission nor distribution fees for MAS-appointed agents, for the promotion and sale of tickets.

He also said travel agents have never received any form of fee from the national carrier and Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad for the promotion, sale or collection of fuel surcharges, airport taxes, airline insurance and other taxes on their behalf.

“As such, the association has included a service fee to replace the commission withdrawal,” he said at a news conference here.

“The service fees will vary depending on the services requested by the customer,” he said, adding that those on credit terms will generally be charged with higher fees.

MAS still offers ticket commissions to appointed agents in other countries.

Source: The Star

Thursday, January 3, 2008

The Eye looks set to stay by the lake in KL

Wednesday January 2, 2008

PUTRAJAYA: If Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor has his way, the Eye on Malaysia will be another icon of Kuala Lumpur, standing tall and proud along with the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and the KL Tower.

Realising how popular the tourist attraction by the Tasik Titiwangsa has become over the past year, the Tourism Minister plans to keep it there, with the help of City Hall.

“When we were planning to bring in the facility for Visit Malaysia Year 2007, I was told that the projected number of visitors was 300,000. However, by September, some one million people have visited the Eye on Malaysia.

“This shows visitors are attracted to it and it would be a good idea to have it as a permanent fixture for tourists. However, we will have to discuss with the City Hall as the site where the wheel stands belongs to the authority,” he said.

A new icon: The Eye of Malaysia at Tasik Titiwangsa, with the Petronas Twin Towers in the background. By September, some one million people had visited the tourist attraction that was launched in January last year.

Speaking to reporters yesterday after presenting cash to students who excelled in their UPSR and PMR examinations, Tengku Adnan said several other matters needed to be sorted out, including the dispersal of traffic and basic facilities such as parking and toilets.

“We will also have to look into the concerns voiced by people living nearby. Their complaints are mostly about the traffic so we have to find a way to solve this.

“Having the Eye on Malaysia permanently will be good for the tourism industry. We hope to work out something so that it remains here,” he said, adding that the attraction would be available until August.

On another matter, Tengku Adnan said his ministry had directed the organisers of Malaysia International Space Adventure (Misa) to include more interactive features to the exhibition, adding that discussions were also being held with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to invite Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor to share his experience with visitors.

He said the number of visitors to the exhibition had yet to reach 5,000 daily, due mainly to the location and transport problems.

Currently, Misa received about 1,200 visitors every day, he said, adding that not many people were interested in an exhibition that was educational in nature.

“We are tying up with tour operators to include Misa as part of their visit to Putrajaya. We have also distributed 10,000 tickets to residents to encourage students and youngsters to learn more about space,” he said.

Source: The Star

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Eyeing a new KL icon

Tuesday January 1, 2008
MYT 4:28:28 PM

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor is hoping to make the Eye on Malaysia ferris wheel a permanent fixture here, where the icon will stand tall and proud alongside the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and the KL Tower.

Realising how popular the tourist attraction by the Titiwangsa Lake has become over the past year, the Tourism Minister plans to keep it there, with the help of City Hall.

"When we were planning to bring in the facility for the Visit Malaysia Year 2007, I was told that the projected number of visitors was 300,000. However, by September, some one million people had visited the Eye on Malaysia.

"This shows visitors are attracted to it and it would be a good idea to have it as a permanent fixture for tourists. However, we will have to discuss this with City Hall as the site where the wheel is located belongs to the authority," he said.

Speaking to reporters after presenting cash to students who excelled in their UPSR (Ujian Pernilaian Sekolah Rendah) and PMR (Penilaian Menengah Rendah) examinations on Tuesday, Tengku Adnan said the ministry would manage the facility and would be holding discussions with City Hall on the matter.

He said apart from having City Hall agree to the site being used for Eye on Malaysia, several other matters needed to be sorted out, including the dispersal of traffic and basic facilities such as parking and toilets.

"We will also have to look into the concerns voiced by people residing nearby. Their complaints are mostly about the traffic so we have to find a way to solve this.

"Having the Eye on Malaysia permanently will be good for the tourism industry. We hope to work out something so that it remains here," he said, adding that in the meantime, the facility would be available until August.

Source: The Star

Joyous welcome for 2008

Tuesday January 1, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians greeted 2008 with excitement and joy as tens of thousands of revellers turned up to usher in the New Year at massive countdown celebrations held at various venues all over the country.

Revellers partied until the wee hours of the morning both at public celebrations and private parties.

At Dataran Merdeka, thousands of revellers came to welcome 2008 with the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah.

The AmBank Group’s Konsert Sinaran 2008 also saw artistes such as Mawi, Awie and Wings, and Mila entertaining revellers with upbeat music and dance moves.

Indian artiste Ravetti, Chinese artiste Ice and veteran singer Datuk M. Daud Kilau belted a few medleys.

At midnight, the crowd was treated to colourful display of fireworks that illuminated the historical Dataran Merdeka despite the drizzle.

In his speech, Abdullah called on Malaysians to strive for more successes in the New Year that could help propel the country to a more progressive nation.

“All of us should work and achieve more successes for 2008. I hope Malaysians will feel more peaceful this new year and have a chance to advance themselves.

Fireworks light up the sky over Kuala Lumpur where thousands of Malaysians had gathered to usher in the New Year with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife Datin Paduka Seri Jeanne Abdullah. Crowds gathered in party spots throughout the city and in many parts of the country to celebrate the birth of 2008.

“My hope is that all Malaysians will enjoy bigger successes this time,” he said, adding that Malaysians should be proud to live in a multi-racial society.

Foreign tourists showed up to join in the celebrations and among them were E. Annelies and Tanja Coomans from Holland.

“ We really enjoyed the show and think it is much better than the New Year celebrations at Times Square in New York!” Coomans said.

The KLCC New Year Countdown also made a comeback yesterday with a bang with a 10-minute fireworks display.

The revelry started at 9pm with a concert featuring artistes likes Francesca Peter, Ella, Ramli Sarip, Search, David Arumugam, Ning Baizura, Imran Ajmain and Karen Kong.

In PETALING JAYA, some 100,000 people partied at the Central Park Avenue at 1 Utama’s Countdown Street Party which started as early as 7pm.

The crowd was entertained with 11 back-to-back performances that saw Paul Wong from Hong Kong (from the rock band Beyond), Estranged, Karen Kong, Danny One, DiGi CelebriTeen, BBoyz OriGenZ Crew, DJ Terence, DJ Eugene, and DJ Fono.

The fireworks lit the sky for a good 10 minutes at midnight.

In PENANG, some 10,000 people “rocked” into the New Year with a hip and happening countdown party at the Esplanade.

In GENTING HIGHLANDS, thousands of revellers were treated to a 15-minute firework display.

In JOHOR BARU, thousands gathered at Danga Bay beach in for the New Year’s Eve party. Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman joined the crowd to usher in 2008.

The revellers were treated to performances by artistes such as Dayang Nurfaizah, William Tan Wei Lian, Chew Shin Huey and Vince.

In IPOH, some 50,000 people congregated at Dataran Ipoh to celebrate the New Year with colourful fireworks display.

Source: The Star

Tahun Baru 2008 disambut sederhana

Oleh S.ANAND KUMAR dan RAJA SYAHRIR ABU BAKAR

KUALA LUMPUR 31 Dis. – Kedatangan Tahun Baru 2008 diraikan tanpa acara gilang-gemilang di seluruh negara bagi menghormati kesengsaraan yang dialami mangsa-mangsa banjir di beberapa buah negeri, baru-baru ini.

Selain pembatalan konsert berbentuk hiburan di sesetengah negeri, percikan bunga api juga tidak menghiasi udara sebaliknya digantikan dengan majlis kesyukuran.

Sambutan sederhana di ibu negara bermula dengan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi bersama isteri, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah serta 20,000 orang menghadiri Konsert Sinaran di Dataran Merdeka di sini.

Majlis yang bermula kira-kira pukul 8 malam itu turut dimeriahkan dengan persembahan oleh beberapa artis tempatan.

Acara pertunjukan bunga api juga diadakan di Menara Berkembar Petronas.

DI PUTRAJAYA, orang ramai yang melawat sekitar tapak Karnival GEGAR, Jelajah Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2007 dihiburkan dengan persembahan konsert Gegar sambil menanti kedatangan detik 12 tengah malam.

DI SHAH ALAM pula hampir 5,000 orang hadir di Dataran Shah Alam untuk bersama-sama menyambut tahun baru 2008.

DI KUANTAN, kira-kira 5,000 orang berkumpul di Jeti Shah Bandar (Taman Esplanade) bersama-sama Menteri Besar Pahang, Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob bagi menyambut tahun baru yang berlangsung tanpa konsert dan pertunjukan bunga api.

DI JOHOR BAHRU, sambutan diadakan secara sederhana di pusat pelancongan Danga Bay.

DI KUCHING, lebih 10,000 orang berkumpul bagi meraikan tahun baru yang turut diserikan dengan pertunjukan bunga api di Dataran Esplanade Bintulu.

DI KOTA KINABALU, sambutan Tahun Baru diadakan secara sederhana dengan kira-kira 500 pengunjung memeriahkan acara tersebut di Kompleks Star City.

DI KOTA BHARU, kerajaan negeri Kelantan pula tidak mengadakan sebarang sambutan.

Source: Utusan Malaysia