The Star Online: Metro: Central
The Star Online: Metro: Central |
| Water sports enthusiasts can drop by Puchong for a fun day out Posted: 29 Jun 2013 05:30 AM PDT MOST people think beach getaways mean long drives to Port Dickson, with very few who are aware that they can get the same experience right in the heart of the city. For example, the Asian Water Sports Village (AWSV) in Puchong offers a fun-filled lakeside experience, from exciting water sports to beautiful sunsets. Nestled in a corner of the lake in Taman Puchong Tekali, it is a five-minute boat ride from a pick-up point by the main road. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by floats and boats on a man-made beach, complete with wooden shacks and gazebos. Colourful kayaks and oars are propped against a corner of the huts. A staff member skilfully manoeuvred a speedboat so that a tube trailing behind bumps up and down in the water as visitors riding it screamed in excitement. Just next to the shore is a large red and yellow structure. This is AWSV's lakeside water theme park, with a range of floats, trampolines and tube-boats imported from South Korea. It is a favourite among the children. A kiosk with atap roofing is where visitors can buy snacks and drinks, rent fishing equipment or take a break in between the rides. Lounging on a wooden bench in the shade, it feels like one is away from the bustling city, although the nearest convenience store is only 10 minutes away. AWSV is run and managed by a group of water sports enthusiasts. It officially opened its doors to the public in April last year. "We enjoy water sports but we had to travel far from the Klang Valley in search of adventure. So, we decided to set up a water sports centre in town," said sales manager Acid Yong. The main aim is to bring exciting water sport activities that can be enjoyed with friends and family. Adopting a concept of "play all you can" and a village style, facilities are fashioned after a beach resort. "Unlike other places which usually charge per ride, our concept is based on unlimited play. You can go on as many rides as you want within the time slot," said Yong. The lake, one of the largest in the Klang Valley, was chosen as the spot to start their business venture. Stretching across 80.9ha, it is equivalent to 163 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Yong explained that visitors would get to experience the latest rides sourced from the US and Canada, which they would not be able to get elsewhere. "Since we are the sole distributor for BRP Seadoo Towable Tubes in Malaysia and Singapore, visitors can expect rides such as the GX4, Evo Pro 3, Kahuna 4 and Thermo 2," he said. A crowd favourite is the Flying Fish, the most extreme ride at the centre. It involves three people propelled up into the air in a giant stingray-shaped tube pulled by a speedboat. Yong, a water sports enthusiast, prefers the jet ski as she can control the ride and do all kinds of stunts. For those who prefer something less extreme, there are activities such as kayaking, fishing, fish feeding and swimming, to choose from. "The visitors consist of locals and foreigners, families, friends and corporate staff," said Yong. Visitors can choose to stay overnight for an outdoor camping experience, complete with barbecue pits and campfire. Sleeping bags and camping gear are provided. AWSV sales co-ordinator and staff Joseph Lim said visitors were given a safety briefing before they were allowed into the water. "We ensure they always have their lifejackets on. No jackets, no rides," he emphasised to a group of visitors eagerly waiting to get down to the action. Lim stressed that while they were there to have fun and games, safety was a topmost priority. "Our trained staff have certificates in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and aquatic rescue, so they know what to do in case of an emergency," said Lim. The centre can accommodate up to 200 visitors at any time, with five boats and three jet skis to pull the rides. Even on weekdays, a number of visitors can be seen enjoying themselves at the place. "We were here last year and the children loved it, so we decided to come again," said Mont Kiara International School teacher Taso Notaraz. He was there with 15 students as part of their summer school programme. Daniel Ortiz and his brother Nicholas were both excited to try out the different rides after experiencing the banana boat. "The water gets into our hands so we have to hold on tight," said Daniel, 12. Meanwhile, Nurul Hidayah Osman and her friends were seen thoroughly enjoying their Evo-Pro 3 ride. "It is tiring to hold on," said the 19-year old student from Subang. Her friend Khairul Affendy, 23, said it was his first time on a banana boat and the experience was a little scary yet fun. The centre operates from 10am to 7pm. Bookings are required. AWSV is located at Jalan TPT 1, Taman Puchong Tekali, Puchong. For details, call 016–229 1030 /262 1030 (9.30am to 7pm). |
| Community leaders offer to help minister get rid of illegal hawkers in city Posted: 29 Jun 2013 05:27 AM PDT SEVERAL community leaders have come forward to offer their services to the newly appointed Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and his deputy Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan Jaganathan to help resolve Kuala Lumpur's perennial problems involving illegal hawkers. They said they could help provide a list of hawkers trading illegally to help rid their township of this menace which had also led to rubbish and rat problems in the city. Tengku Adnan had said recently that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) must be free of political interference in order for it to carry out its duties without fear or favour, and that DBKL officers had been told to disregard all forms of recommendation letters from political parties. Tengku Adnan had said he was concerned about the growing number of illegal hawker stalls, cybercafes and massage parlours, many of which manned by foreigners. Tengku Adnan, who is the Putrajaya MP, had reiterated that DBKL would no longer tolerate such blatant abuse of the law and that action would be taken. "We welcome the minister's stand in asking DBKL to ignore support and recommendation letters given to illegal hawkers from political parties. "We are willing to help identify these illegal hawkers and help facilitate their relocation to government-run food courts," said Bukit Bandaraya Residents Association president Mumtaz Ali. "Illegal hawkers have encroached into pedestrian walkways and road kerbs in many parts of Bangsar, and we must stop this. "Their presence is causing congestion, hygiene and sanitation issues," Mumtaz said. "Motorists are also becoming a nuisance and causing traffic congestion when they park haphazardly along the roads just to buy food from these hawkers, " he added. Mumtaz said many of the hawkers were found in the township, including at the Bangsar Shopping Centre area. Brickfields Stakeholders Association, a group representing the business, residents and disabled community in the township, want all illegal hawkers in the area to be relocated. "Stalls located on pedestrian walkways and alleys are a traffic hazard and a nuisance to the community," said its president G. Gunabalan. Gunabalan, who is also a blind activist, said DBKL should not allow stalls to set up tables and chairs on road-side kerbs and walkways, and also ban cooking out in the open as it was unhygienic and adding to pollution. He said this problem had been addressed at a meeting with DBKL in 2010 and that it had assured it will no longer issue any more hawker licences in Brickfields. However, Gunabalan said the problem still persisted. "Many illegal hawkers have sprung up since then, and some claim to have letters endorsed by political parties and have continue to do business despite us writing numerous letters to the authorities," he said. Meanwhile, a restaurant operator in Brickfields, who wished to remain anonymous, wants DBKL to remove illegal stalls that are operating between Public Bank and the CIMB Bank. "I am paying rent and assessment fees to the Government but these illegal stall owners are not only stealing my business but clogging the drains with rubbish and adding to congestion," he said. A resident of Brickfields, Anne Raj said the empty space between the two banks could be utilised as a parking area for motorcycles and bicycles. "The area is busy as retail shops, banks, restaurants and clinics are located here. "As such, the space should be used for parking," she said. |
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