SIC target 130,000 fans for this year’s F1 race.

Date: 30 January 2013

SIC target 130,000 fans for this year’s F1 race.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix is now 15 years but still going strong. And the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), the organisers, are hoping the promotional activities in place this year will help them attract an even bigger crowd to the Sepang Circuit come March 22-24.

SIC chairman Datuk Mokhzani Tun Mahathir, speaking at the official launching of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix by Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek last night, said they are hopeful of enticing 90,000 fans on race day itself.

“We recorded an attendance of 120,000 spectators for three days last year, but we hope to bring in more than 130,000 over three days this time. I am hoping that more fans will come on race day. We are expecting to have at least 40% foreigners and 60% local spectators.

“Over the years, the local spectators have continued to give good support to this event and we hope they continue to do so. To achieve this, SIC will be working closely with Petronas (the title sponsors) and all our key partners like Tourism Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Majlis Perbandaran Sepang, BBKLCC Tourism Association and the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture as well as the various government agencies and NGOs in making this year the best-ever F1 event,” said Mokhzani, adding that all 14 Petronas F1 cars from 1999 to 2012 will be presented to the public nationwide until the race weekend.

“We also encourage fans to purchase tickets early because seat selection will not be allowed during the ticket purchase process during the racing weekend (March 22-24) in the interest of serving the larger crowd of patrons present at the circuit grounds.”

A special One Ticket Unlimited (1TU) package will also be introduced this year to provide fans with a host of privileges to enjoy the event in March. Apart from being a passport for additional discounts at the 1Malaysian GP Sale 2013 in March, 1TU will also provide the ticket-holders a host of other privileges like shopping and dining. With the 1TU, all the grandstand ticket-holders will have access to the F1 after race concert featuring the legendary Guns N Roses on March 24 for free.

Those with the hillstand tickets will have to add a minimum of RM120 to catch the legendary rock performance.

Malaysia will host the second round of this season’s 20-leg F1 World Championship. The new season will open with the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne from March 15-17.

By LIM TEIK HUAT

Copyright © 1995-2012 Star Publications (M) Bhd

UPM could be country's major tourism destination: Yen Yen.

Date: 4 December 2012

UPM could be country's major tourism destination: Yen Yen.

SERDANG: Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is set to become a major tourist destination with the introduction of agro and eco-tourism products readily available at the university. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said a special committee would be set up to develop the plan, direction and strategy towards realising the mission.

"This is not a fairs-like programme but we want tourists to come here (UPM) daily, throughout the year, to see and learn about the variety of plants, trees, fruits and many other unique and interesting attractions, including the art and culture programmes offered in this university.

"We were informed there are 140 clones of durian in this university. This could also be one of the attraction for both local and international tourists.  So, the ministry will have a pilot project with UPM to get their views and to learn of the location and attractive tourism products," she added. She said, in ensuring the success of the mission, UPM needed to produce tourist guides of calibre among its students to contribute to their income and career.

Dr Ng said this at a media conference after the launch of the Electricity Saving Awareness campaign and the handing out of 1Malaysia student discount cards here today.

Statistics have shown that UPM has more than 1,200 hectares of land and more than 100,000 collections of reserved tropical natural materials, including herbarium substances, zilarium, zoology, arthropod, seedlings and agricultural artifacts, as well as living collections, including valuable plants, microbes, livestock animals and freshwater fish.

Dr Ng said, besides offering consultation and training to enable UPM to be listed in the Malaysian tourist map, the ministry was also willing to execute promotions to introduce the university's tourism products locally and abroad.

On another note, she said, Malaysia would continue to be a premier tourist destination in the region with the recognition of Global Peace Index (GPI) 2011, as the most peaceful country in Southeast Asia, and fourth in the Asia-Pacific after New Zealand, South Korea and Japan.

"CNN has listed Kuala Lumpur as the fourth best shopping destination in the world after New York, London and Tokyo, and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has ranked Malaysia the ninth most travelled tourist destination in the world for three consecutive years, since 2009."

However, Dr Ng said there were shortcomings which must be overcome, such as toilet and restaurant cleanliness and public taxi services, which were often raised by tourists. – Bernama

Copyright © 2012 Sun Media Corporation Sdn. Bhd.

Selangor

Selangor Darul Ehsan

Embracing Malaysia's capital city, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor is the richest and most industrialized state in the country. Nevertheless, the state still boasts many well preserved virgin forests, waterfalls, jungle-clad hills and scenic lakes. It has excellent architectural landmarks and exciting shopping abound.

Selangor's fast-paced development is best represented by mega-projects like the Sepang International Circuit - the home of Malaysia's F1 sport, Multimedia Super Corridor and Technology Park.  

Area:
7,956 sq km

State Capital:
Shah Alam

Places to visit:
1. Kota Darul Ehsan Arch
2. Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque
3. Hulu Tamu Hotsprings & Orchard
4. Sepang International Circuit
5. Sungai Tua Recreation Forest
6. Templar's Park
7. Batu Caves
8. Firefly Park
9. Kuala Selangor Nature Park (Taman Alam)
10. Bukit Melawati
11. Sunway Lagoon Theme Park 
12. Ketam Island
13. Shah Alam Lake Garden
14. National Science Centre
15. Kajang (Home of Satay)
16. Orang Asli Museum
17. Mines Wonderland


Source: Tourism Malaysia