15/06/2025

NATIONAL 4 ON SUNDAY JUNE 15, 2025

Guar Kepah Archaeological Centre to open this year

Free haircuts at Perak Madani Rakyat programme LUMUT: The People’s Volunteer Corps, popularly known as Rela, is usually associated with keeping public order during major events. But at the Perak Madani Rakyat programme 2025, its free haircut service has taken centrestage and become a star attraction. The free haircut service at the Home Ministry booth at the Lumut Waterfront is being offered to the first 40 visitors daily throughout the three-day event. Perak Rela director Razib Buhaini said the department constantly prioritised service to the public, no matter what the situation. “This way, Rela can deliver its service. With a bit of help from us, it might help reduce costs for families and those who have financial difficulty in getting a haircut.” He pointed out that haircuts these days cost a minimum of between RM10 and RM15. He added that the quality is on par with what existing barbers offer as the Rela members giving the haircuts are skilled barbers themselves. “Those providing the haircuts all have the necessary barber skills. If there are those asking for extreme styles, we don’t do it.” Muhamad Zulhafiz Kamis, 34, a Rela member who was providing haircuts, said he learned the craft by himself. – Bernama Penang Health Dept shuts down seven businesses GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Health Department has shut down seven businesses, including a kindergarten, and issued 167 notices for various offences along with compounds involving RM43,600 in a public health operation. The exercise was conducted to ensure compliance with the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), Food Act 1983 (Act 281), Destruction of Disease-Bearing Insects Act 1975 and the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Amendment) 2024. “A total of 84 notices were issued with compounds involving RM20,600 for various offences under Act 852, and notices to appear in court for prosecution were issued for two offences involving the sale of cigarettes in open packs and one offence for selling cigarettes under the sales price. Fifty tobacco products worth RM179 were also seized in the operation conducted on Thursday,” the department said in a statement. A total of 45 eateries were inspected and 68 notices issued with compounds involving RM14,500 under Act 281, with six outlets ordered shut immediately and one grocery store issued a compound of RM2,500 for selling products that did not have manufacturer’s information. In addition, 111 food products worth an estimated RM766.70 were seized. – Bernama

GEORGE TOWN: The Guar Kepah Archaeological Centre in Kepala Batas near here will be fully open to the public before the end of the year, said Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai. He said the 0.97ha archaeological site has been fully completed, but it is currently awaiting the return of prehistoric human remains that are now stored in the Netherlands. “The centre, in terms of physical structure and infrastructure, has been fully completed. But its opening is delayed because the state

Site fully completed, currently awaiting return of prehistoric human remains now stored in the Netherlands, says Penang exco member

designated hotel booking platform for the event. Main sponsor of BFF Labuan Corporation said with over 50,000 visitors expected to attend the festival, hoteliers across the island are working closely with event organisers to provide value-added services and seamless experiences for guests. It said the room promotions reflect a broader effort by the local hospitality industry to support BFF and revitalise tourism on the island through large-scale, inclusive events that highlight Labuan’s natural and cultural attractions. It advised visitors to book their accommodation early, as demand is expected to surge closer to the event date. – Bernama hold a meeting with the National Heritage Department this month to get the latest status on the return of the artefacts, Bernama reported. He said the repatriation of the ancient human remains is important because they are the most significant archaeological materials, and would be the centre’s main attraction when it opens. “The opening is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.” The centre will house the over 5,000-year-old Guar Kepah human skeleton known as the “Penang Woman”, discovered in 2017, as the centre’s main exhibit. In addition, the 41 human skeletons found in Guar Kepah during the excavation by P.V van Stein Callenfels in 1936, which are now stored in Leiden, the Netherlands, are being sought to be repatriated by the Malaysian government to allow them to be preserved and displayed at the archaeological centre. The centre is built on two levels, with an archaeo-edu-tourism concept, encompassing interactive exhibition spaces, seminar halls, a shell mound site, administrative areas and visitor facilities such as a prayer room, restrooms, cafe and souvenir kiosk. It will also house a research laboratory and storage space for artefacts and skeletons. The centre is within the Bukit Cengkerang Kepah site, which reveals evidence of a prehistoric Neolithic society in Penang, dating back some 5,000 to 6,000 years.

skeletons, are still ongoing. All the skeletal remains are now stored at the Collection Centre in the Netherlands and have become the main focus in the negotiations between the Malaysian and Dutch governments through a government-to-government approach. Wong said he would also

government is awaiting the return of the human skeletons found at the Guar Kepah archaeological site.” He said the National Heritage Department also requested for the postponement of the official opening because negotiations to bring back the main artefacts, the human

The Guar Kepah Archaeological Centre in Kepala Batas is poised to become a major attraction when it is opened to the public by year-end. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

Hotels offer special room rates for Borneo Flora Fest LABUAN: Major hotels here are offering special room rates in support of the upcoming inaugural Borneo Flora Festival (BFF), to be held from July 26 to 30 at the Labuan International Sea Sports Complex. Dali said the hotel is proud to support BFF as part of its commitment to Labuan’s Palm Beach Resort & Spa, are participating in the festival accommodation support programme to ensure a comfortable and memorable stay for visiting guests.

tourism and hospitality industry, especially in positioning the island as a vibrant destination for cultural and eco-tourism events. “The hotel has begun receiving a steady stream of bookings, particularly from government officials across Malaysia as well as travellers from Brunei and Kalimantan.” At the nearby Tiara Labuan Hotel, known for its peaceful setting and family-friendly facilities, a special room promotion has been introduced exclusively for BFF guests. Its managing director Chai Tze Kee said all three properties under his management, including Lazenda Hotel and

“The Tiara Labuan offers spacious deluxe rooms with balconies and pool access, with special rates starting from RM200 per night (excluding breakfast) and RM220 per night with breakfast. “All bookings include complimentary wi-fi and shuttle services, on a first-come first served basis.” In addition to these hotels, Aifa Hotel, AZ Hotel, Labuan Point Hotel and Marina Hotel have also joined the official accommodation network for the festival, offering various packages through the

Among the key hoteliers backing the five-day event are the island’s premier five-star hotels Dorsett Grand Labuan and Tiara Hotel Labuan, with both rolling out exclusive promotions to welcome the expected influx of domestic and international visitors. Special room rates will be available from July 25 to 31, covering the entire festival period and allowing guests to enjoy extended stays before and after the event. Dorsett Grand Labuan general manager Masni Shaik