A HIKE THAT BRINGS JOY TO MANY

 

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Participants taking on the uphill challenge of climbing Iconic Hill during “Climb To Change A Life” hiking event in Paya Terubong, Penang. (July 20, 2025) — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star.

GEORGE TOWN: Some came in wheelchairs, some used walking aids and some could only feel their way ahead.

But with determination and some help, about 60 differently-abled individuals made it to the top of Iconic Hill in Paya Terubong yesterday.

From the peak, which is high as a 73-storey tower, they watched the iconic Komtar tower, both bridges, Penang Hill, the Bayan Lepas industrial zone and even the shores of Kedah bathed in sunrise.

Among the climbers was Serena Yeoh Jing Han, 10, who lives with cerebral palsy.

Born with the condition, Yeoh did not learn to walk until she was five.

Yesterday, she pushed her limits by walking all the way up, one step at a time.

“She got up from bed immediately this morning (yesterday), excited and ready. She is not used to walking without support, but she was determined to finish the hike, and she did,” said her mother, Teh Mong Ling, 46.

Three-year-old Syed Aydan Mateen Syed Mustaqim, also got out of his stroller to complete the hike.

His father, Syed Mustaqim Syed Zainol Abidin, 39, smiled as he recalled the journey with his son, who lives with cerebral palsy.

“Usually, we only bring him to the playground. But today, we saw something different in him.

“His curiosity lit up, he was learning from everything he saw and felt,” he said.

Courage in motion: (Top) Participants taking on the uphill challenge of climbing Iconic Hill during ‘Climb to Change a Life’ hiking event in Paya Terubong, Penang. (Inset) Zy Kher and his father making their way up the hill. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

From toddlers to teens, the event drew people from all walks of life.

S. Puvarasan, 19, lost his sight to eye cancer when he was only one-year-old.

“I do not remember what the world looks like. But I could feel the sunshine, hear the laughter and breathe in the fresh air.

“This moment meant every­thing. It showed me that we’re not alone and we can lift each other up,” he said.

Themed “Climb to Change a Life”, the event was organised by Pertubuhan Hui Yin Seh, a Buddhist association, with the support of some 600 volunteers.

Hui Yin Seh chairman Khiah Hock Leong said the organisation wanted the differently-abled com­mu­nity to feel the joy of nature.

“But more than that, we want society to better understand their needs and learn to appreciate life a little more deeply,” he said.

Paralympic swimmer Zy Kher Lee, 18, also took part in the event, which was co-organised with his Zy Movement Foundation.

Zy Kher, who has prosthetic legs, walked to the very top with his father Walter Lee.

“Many children with mobility challenges rarely get a chance to enjoy hills or nature. Even climbing a small hill with friends can be life-changing.

“It’s a learning journey for them, and for everyone involved,” said Walter, 60.

Krisana Lalai, 56, from Bangkok, Thailand, also turned up to support the cause.

He founded the Friendly Design For All Foundation, a human rights organisation focused on promoting equal rights to accessibility, particularly for people with disabilities.

Paralysed from the waist down after an accident at 29, Krisana said he was moved by everyone’s spirit.

“This activity brings compassionate hearts together. It creates something meaningful, not just for those with disabilities, but for the families and friends who support them.

“It sends a strong message of unity and inclusion,” he said.

Penang youth and sports committee chairman Daniel Gooi lauded the initiative and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to inclusivity.

“This event reminds us that no one should be left behind,” he said on the sidelines of the event.

“Since 2016, our Accessibility Action Group has worked to make Penang more friendly to those with physical challenges.

“We’re not done, but we’re on the right path,” he said.

Besides the hike, participants also joined a series of telematch games and performances at the hilltop.

By LO TERN CHERN, the Star

Twilight years of the trade

 

Chinese medical halls slowly vanishing due to costs and demand

Quieter days: Liew checking the herbs on display at his shop in Chulia Street, George Town. —KT GOH/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: Once a popular place for people to get traditional herbs, a century-old medical hall here now stands mostly quiet with the shelves lined with jars meant more for show than trade.

“We stopped selling Chinese herbs in 2014,” said Liew Kong Choy, who has run the shop in Chulia Street for decades.

“Too expensive. The stuff from China got too costly.”

These days, Liew sells balm, oil and a few home remedies to the elderly who still walk in.

But not many do these days.

“Young people go to pharmacies now,” he said. “They don’t believe in this like their parents did.”

Now, they are vanishing. It is partly due to the escalating cost.

“Red dates, wolfberries, ginseng and most Chinese herbs have gone up by 10% to 15% over the past six months,” said Teoh Hai Wei, 43, who still runs a hall nearby.

“Some of the prices vary and depend on the season, some just follow China.”

He said supply problems and shifting demand made the trade harder to manage.

Penang wholesaler Lai Ee Li compared the business to the stock market.

“Prices change every few months,” she said. “Before Chinese New Year, they go up. After that, they drop.

“Depends on the season, what illnesses are spreading and what people think will work.”

She said demand for tiger milk mushroom increases when there’s a spike in respiratory illness. That means the price jumps in tandem.

Other items that have recently gone up include chrysanthemum, lo han guo, barley and hei ko – all rising by between 5% and 15% in bulk.

Even so, Chinese patent medicine still sells, though the numbers have been volatile.

In 2022, China exported traditional Chinese medicine worth US$54.2mil (RM230.4mil) to Malaysia – a 138% jump over the previous year.

But in 2023, the figure fell to US$32.5mil (RM138.2mil), a 40% drop.

“2022 was a surge year because people turned to traditional Chinese medicine during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Malay­sian Chinese Medical Association president Heng Aik Teng.

“2023 was more of a correction.”

He said rising costs in China also pushed up prices and made it harder for exporters.

Demand in the region, especially in price-sensitive countries, has dropped since the pandemic.

Back in Chulia Street, Liew doesn’t talk about global trade figures.

He just sees fewer people walk past his door.

“I’m still here. But it’s not like before,” he said.

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EXOLORE NEW FERRY ROUTES IN PENANG, PPSB TOLD

 

PPSB told to explore new ferry routes

Ferry operator Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) has been told to explore new routes between the island and mainland, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Loke said after the official launch of the new ferry service at the Raja Tun Uda ferry terminal in George Town on Thursday (Aug 17).

Loke: We can have a new jetty along the coast in Bayan Lepas

GEORGE TOWN: Ferry operator Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) has been told to explore new routes between the island and mainland, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.

He said the matter should be looked into as there are those who live in the mainland but work in the free industrial zone in Bayan Lepas.

“We have proposed to the ferry operator to look at other points between the mainland and island where jetties can be built.

“We can have a new jetty along the coast in the Bayan Lepas area.

“The ministry has proposed the ferry operator do a feasibility study on the possibility of new routes in Penang.

“The ferry services should not be confined to carrying passengers from the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal on the mainland to the Raja Tun Uda ferry terminal on the island and vice-versa only,” he said after the official launch of the new ferry service at the Raja Tun Uda ferry terminal here yesterday.

He said PPSB could also look into working with several operators of privately-owned jetties in the state.

“If there is demand, the ministry will have no problem offering new ferry routes in Penang,” he added.

Loke said the first week had seen about 50,000 passengers and 20,000 motorcyclists using the new ferry service that began on Aug 7.

He added that the new ferry service should also be made available for private charters or tourism purposes.

“PPSB can offer any private companies or corporate sectors that want to rent the ferry for events, or any tour agencies that want to bring their tourists to explore Penang through sea routes.

“The operator can venture into this possibility and turn it into a tourism product for Penang,” said Loke.

He added that there were plans to turn the old ferries that had been decommissioned into tourism products.

The launching of the new ferries was officiated by Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak.

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Penang's new ferry service begins with first passengers | The Star

Penang's new ferry service begins with first passengers | The Star