Penang is now known as "Penang City"!

Welcome to Penang Island..
Well no more...it's Penang city now!

check out this article for more info

--

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (pic) has announced MPPP president Datuk Patahiyah Ismail as the new mayor of the Penang Island City Council (MBPP). 

GEORGE TOWN, March 24 ― Penang has been officially declared a city by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today.

Lim said the island state was effectively a city since January 1 this year and announced Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) president Datuk Patahiyah Ismail as the new mayor of the Penang Island City Council (MBPP). “Penang leads again by appointing the first female mayor in the state,” Lim told a press conference at his office in Komtar.

The official ceremony of Patahiyah’s appointment and the official handing over of the declaration of the city status by the Penang Yang diPertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas will be held on March 31.

With the upgrade from municipality to city status, it will give the city council more authority such as in traffic management and enforcement. The city council will also have more jurisdiction on the whole island which, including reclaimed lands, covers 305.773km of area.

The city status will also allow the council to open up an additional 388 vacancies for officers and staff on top of setting up four new departments, such as landscaping, heritage, enforcement and solid waste management and public cleanliness.

In line with the upgrade to city status, the state has lined a series of events from March 31 until April 26, including City Day Celebration on April 4. The state has been applying for Putrajaya to grant George Town city status since January 2010 and the Cabinet approved the application last November. Penang's capital,
George Town, was already given city status by way of royal charter from Queen Elizabeth II on January 1,1957, but this was not acknowledged by Putrajaya.

The whole of Penang including the mainland has two municipal councils, which are MPPP on the island and the Seberang Perai municipal council (MPSP)

GST in Malaysia: Some things are cheaper!

GST: Some items to be cheaper

KUALA LUMPUR: The prices of television sets, refrigerators, air conditioners, electric irons, hair dryers, diapers and soft drinks are expected to come down with the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
These items have a 10% sales and services tax embedded in their prices, but with the GST replacing the SST in April, the lower 6% GST rate will make them cheaper.

However, the prices of computers, laptops, iPads, mobile phones, men’s watches and cosmetics, including lipstick and nail polish, are expected to go up. These were tax free in the past.

“These items will be subjected to the standard 6% GST rate,” said Customs Department director of GST Datuk Subromaniam Tholasy.
 
He said there would be no GST for essential food items such chicken, beef, mutton, fish, duck, fish, eggs, ikan bilis, rice, bread, fresh vegetables and fruits, coconut oil, peanut cooking oil, palm oil and infant formula as well as for petrol RON95, diesel, toll and public transport.

But non-essentials such as tomato sauce, chilli sauce, oyster sauce, cup noodles, luncheon meat, tempe, cheese, margarine, quail egg, corn oil, olive oil, biscuit, donut and croissant chocolate will be subjected to the standard 6% GST.

The Customs Department has released a book with the extensive list of taxable and non-taxable goods and this can be downloaded from its website.
“From a tax administrator’s point of view, it is easier if everything got taxed because it would make things simpler to implement,” Subromaniam said.

“But the Government doesn’t wish to tax so much and it wants to make sure that the low income group will not be unnecessarily burdened.

“So, we have to strike a balance between revenue and providing a social safety net.”

Subromaniam said businesses that did not know which goods were subjected to the GST and which were not should not add on the 6% because a lot of goods already have a 10% SST embedded in the pricing.

“If they don’t understand, they can ask the Customs people or check our book.”
Subromaniam said the department had been carrying out two-day hand-holding programmes over the past six months to get businesses ready for the GST and have trained over 40,000 people so far.

On whether it would be “messy” when the GST comes into effect, Subromaniam said: “There will be issues. The Customs Department has been dealing with these since 1972 with the SST and we have the experience and expertise to handle them.”

Source: The Star

RE: Authistic boy gets reorganization letter from Obama

Malaysia is on the world news again, and this time it zooms in on boy wonder in Penang!
Just who is this "boy wonder" you may ask...
well..here is an article below that explains it all

 

Gifted 11-year-old Delwin Cheah with the letter from US President Barack Obama. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 22, 2014.

It is not everyday a boy receives a letter from the President of the United States. Let alone if he is an 11-year-old who lives halfway across the globe.

But Penang boy Delwin Cheah Wien Loong did, when he received a letter from President Barack Obama.

Delwin is no ordinary boy. He is the Malaysia Book of Records' "Youngest Artist To Hold Solo Visual Art Exhibition (Autism Spectrum Disorder)" and the United States' Record Setter's "World Youngest Savant Artist (ASD) to hold a Solo Exhibition".

Delwin is autistic but his achievements had previously earned him and his family the chance to meet and rub shoulders with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Now, he has a letter from Obama, thanking him for his "gift", a book of his drawings titled "I Can Draw".

In the July 14 letter, Obama wrote that "the world needs young people like you who are trying hard in school, serving your community, and dreaming big dreams".

"We face many challenges, but with your help, we can build on what we have already achieved and forge a brighter tomorrow," the US president wrote.

Delwin's parents Lawrence Cheah and Erina Law said they never expected a letter from the president and were surprised to learn that Obama had recently received the book.

"The book came out two years ago when Delwin had his first art exhibition," she said.

Her husband Lawrence said they had no idea who gave the book to Obama.

"We are also trying to find out who is this person," he said.

The couple and their son have been in the news many times because of the boy's talent in drawing.

Banking on what Delwin can do, the proud parents have been trying to reach out to other parents with autistic children, reminding them never to give up.

Often, they try to inspire others with Delwin's story, from the time they discovered he had Asperger's Disorder at age five but also an IQ of 114, making him the world's youngest Savant artist today.

Lawrence and his wife advocate early detection and early intervention, and they stress on the importance of teaching and training children with autism from young to help them develop their talents.

"Once you have the diagnosis, you can only accept (that your child has) autism and start seeing to your child's training and education to develop his or her hidden talents," he said, stressing that waiting for the child to grow up to be taught would be too late.

He said Delwin had started drawing when he was just over three years old, and even then he had been drawing wild animals especially Safari animals.

"I sent Delwin to art classes after we discovered that he liked drawing. The teacher came to me and said my son was the worst student and he can never be an artist.

"Delwin could not take instructions. He just drew whatever that came to him. So the teacher did not know how to deal with a student like that.

"But we never gave up and we kept encouraging him to develop his skills and his art. Delwin is where he is now because we persevered together with him as a team," Lawrence said.

When it comes to art, Delwin is not like kids his age, who would normally use pencils to draw so they could easily rub off mistakes. Delwin uses pens and draws his animals so well there are no mistakes.

Law said it is important to understand how autistic children learn and do things differently, and be supportive instead of regarding them as disabled.

Delwin, she said, does not hold a disabled person's card and goes to a normal school with normal schoolmates.

He is enrolled in Lighthouse Academy Penang, a private school with an American syllabus in Tanjung Bungah that uses a homeschooling approach with its students.

"Delwin attends school like other children his age. He just learns differently," she said.

The family's hardwork with Delwin and their belief in his abilities paid off when the boy began making waves in recent years.

On Christmas Day 2011, Delwin was recognised by Stroke of Genius, an American organisation that educates and empowers people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) by promoting their abilities.

In April 2012, he took part in the organisation's art exhibition at the United Nations Plaza in New York and in February last year, he had his first solo show.

In April last year, Delwin made the Malaysia Book of Records as the youngest artist to hold a solo visual art exhibition with 60 art pieces.

Later in November, he was officially named the world's youngest savant artist to hold an exhibition by the Record Setter.

In April this year, he again made his mark with the Malaysia Book of Records for winning the "Most Outstanding Personality (Art Category)" award.

The latest feather on Delwin's cap is of course the letter he received from the White House.

Savant syndrome is a condition in which a person with a mental disability, such as an autism spectrum disorder, demonstrates profound and prodigious capacities or abilities far in excess of what would be considered normal.

Some people with Savant syndrome demonstrate exceptional skills in areas like rapid calculation, art, memory and musical ability.

Asperger syndrome or Asperger disorder (AD) is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that is characterised by significant difficulties in social interaction, non-verbal communication, restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests.

People with Asperger's do not have a learning disability and most go through mainstream school, pursue higher education and enter employment, and some would excel in areas like mathematics, science, language, memory and concentration. – August 22, 2014.

source

It is not everyday a boy receives a letter from the President of the United States. Let alone if he is an 11-year-old who lives halfway across the globe.
But Penang boy Delwin Cheah Wien Loong did, when he received a letter from President Barack Obama.
Delwin is no ordinary boy. He is the Malaysia Book of Records' "Youngest Artist To Hold Solo Visual Art Exhibition (Autism Spectrum Disorder)" and the United States' Record Setter's "World Youngest Savant Artist (ASD) to hold a Solo Exhibition".

Delwin is autistic but his achievements had previously earned him and his family the chance to meet and rub shoulders with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. Now, he has a letter from Obama, thanking him for his "gift", a book of his drawings titled "I Can Draw".
In the July 14 letter, Obama wrote that "the world needs young people like you who are trying hard in school, serving your community, and dreaming big dreams".
"We face many challenges, but with your help, we can build on what we have already achieved and forge a brighter tomorrow," the US president wrote.
Delwin's parents Lawrence Cheah and Erina Law said they never expected a letter from the president and were surprised to learn that Obama had recently received the book.
"The book came out two years ago when Delwin had his first art exhibition," she said.
Her husband Lawrence said they had no idea who gave the book to Obama.
"We are also trying to find out who is this person," he said.
The couple and their son have been in the news many times because of the boy's talent in drawing.
Banking on what Delwin can do, the proud parents have been trying to reach out to other parents with autistic children, reminding them never to give up.
Often, they try to inspire others with Delwin's story, from the time they discovered he had Asperger's Disorder at age five but also an IQ of 114, making him the world's youngest Savant artist today.
Lawrence and his wife advocate early detection and early intervention, and they stress on the importance of teaching and training children with autism from young to help them develop their talents.
"Once you have the diagnosis, you can only accept (that your child has) autism and start seeing to your child's training and education to develop his or her hidden talents," he said, stressing that waiting for the child to grow up to be taught would be too late.
He said Delwin had started drawing when he was just over three years old, and even then he had been drawing wild animals especially Safari animals.
"I sent Delwin to art classes after we discovered that he liked drawing. The teacher came to me and said my son was the worst student and he can never be an artist.
"Delwin could not take instructions. He just drew whatever that came to him. So the teacher did not know how to deal with a student like that.
"But we never gave up and we kept encouraging him to develop his skills and his art. Delwin is where he is now because we persevered together with him as a team," Lawrence said.
When it comes to art, Delwin is not like kids his age, who would normally use pencils to draw so they could easily rub off mistakes. Delwin uses pens and draws his animals so well there are no mistakes.
Law said it is important to understand how autistic children learn and do things differently, and be supportive instead of regarding them as disabled.
Delwin, she said, does not hold a disabled person's card and goes to a normal school with normal schoolmates.
He is enrolled in Lighthouse Academy Penang, a private school with an American syllabus in Tanjung Bungah that uses a homeschooling approach with its students.
"Delwin attends school like other children his age. He just learns differently," she said.
The family's hardwork with Delwin and their belief in his abilities paid off when the boy began making waves in recent years.
On Christmas Day 2011, Delwin was recognised by Stroke of Genius, an American organisation that educates and empowers people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) by promoting their abilities.
In April 2012, he took part in the organisation's art exhibition at the United Nations Plaza in New York and in February last year, he had his first solo show.
In April last year, Delwin made the Malaysia Book of Records as the youngest artist to hold a solo visual art exhibition with 60 art pieces.
Later in November, he was officially named the world's youngest savant artist to hold an exhibition by the Record Setter.
In April this year, he again made his mark with the Malaysia Book of Records for winning the "Most Outstanding Personality (Art Category)" award.
The latest feather on Delwin's cap is of course the letter he received from the White House.
Savant syndrome is a condition in which a person with a mental disability, such as an autism spectrum disorder, demonstrates profound and prodigious capacities or abilities far in excess of what would be considered normal.
Some people with Savant syndrome demonstrate exceptional skills in areas like rapid calculation, art, memory and musical ability.
Asperger syndrome or Asperger disorder (AD) is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that is characterised by significant difficulties in social interaction, non-verbal communication, restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests.
People with Asperger's do not have a learning disability and most go through mainstream school, pursue higher education and enter employment, and some would excel in areas like mathematics, science, language, memory and concentration. – August 22, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/autistic-boy-wonder-in-penang-gets-letter-from-obama#sthash.DBkUGFEo.dpuf

It is not everyday a boy receives a letter from the President of the United States. Let alone if he is an 11-year-old who lives halfway across the globe.
But Penang boy Delwin Cheah Wien Loong did, when he received a letter from President Barack Obama.
Delwin is no ordinary boy. He is the Malaysia Book of Records' "Youngest Artist To Hold Solo Visual Art Exhibition (Autism Spectrum Disorder)" and the United States' Record Setter's "World Youngest Savant Artist (ASD) to hold a Solo Exhibition".

Delwin is autistic but his achievements had previously earned him and his family the chance to meet and rub shoulders with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. Now, he has a letter from Obama, thanking him for his "gift", a book of his drawings titled "I Can Draw".
In the July 14 letter, Obama wrote that "the world needs young people like you who are trying hard in school, serving your community, and dreaming big dreams".
"We face many challenges, but with your help, we can build on what we have already achieved and forge a brighter tomorrow," the US president wrote.
Delwin's parents Lawrence Cheah and Erina Law said they never expected a letter from the president and were surprised to learn that Obama had recently received the book.
"The book came out two years ago when Delwin had his first art exhibition," she said.
Her husband Lawrence said they had no idea who gave the book to Obama.
"We are also trying to find out who is this person," he said.
The couple and their son have been in the news many times because of the boy's talent in drawing.
Banking on what Delwin can do, the proud parents have been trying to reach out to other parents with autistic children, reminding them never to give up.
Often, they try to inspire others with Delwin's story, from the time they discovered he had Asperger's Disorder at age five but also an IQ of 114, making him the world's youngest Savant artist today.
Lawrence and his wife advocate early detection and early intervention, and they stress on the importance of teaching and training children with autism from young to help them develop their talents.
"Once you have the diagnosis, you can only accept (that your child has) autism and start seeing to your child's training and education to develop his or her hidden talents," he said, stressing that waiting for the child to grow up to be taught would be too late.
He said Delwin had started drawing when he was just over three years old, and even then he had been drawing wild animals especially Safari animals.
"I sent Delwin to art classes after we discovered that he liked drawing. The teacher came to me and said my son was the worst student and he can never be an artist.
"Delwin could not take instructions. He just drew whatever that came to him. So the teacher did not know how to deal with a student like that.
"But we never gave up and we kept encouraging him to develop his skills and his art. Delwin is where he is now because we persevered together with him as a team," Lawrence said.
When it comes to art, Delwin is not like kids his age, who would normally use pencils to draw so they could easily rub off mistakes. Delwin uses pens and draws his animals so well there are no mistakes.
Law said it is important to understand how autistic children learn and do things differently, and be supportive instead of regarding them as disabled.
Delwin, she said, does not hold a disabled person's card and goes to a normal school with normal schoolmates.
He is enrolled in Lighthouse Academy Penang, a private school with an American syllabus in Tanjung Bungah that uses a homeschooling approach with its students.
"Delwin attends school like other children his age. He just learns differently," she said.
The family's hardwork with Delwin and their belief in his abilities paid off when the boy began making waves in recent years.
On Christmas Day 2011, Delwin was recognised by Stroke of Genius, an American organisation that educates and empowers people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) by promoting their abilities.
In April 2012, he took part in the organisation's art exhibition at the United Nations Plaza in New York and in February last year, he had his first solo show.
In April last year, Delwin made the Malaysia Book of Records as the youngest artist to hold a solo visual art exhibition with 60 art pieces.
Later in November, he was officially named the world's youngest savant artist to hold an exhibition by the Record Setter.
In April this year, he again made his mark with the Malaysia Book of Records for winning the "Most Outstanding Personality (Art Category)" award.
The latest feather on Delwin's cap is of course the letter he received from the White House.
Savant syndrome is a condition in which a person with a mental disability, such as an autism spectrum disorder, demonstrates profound and prodigious capacities or abilities far in excess of what would be considered normal.
Some people with Savant syndrome demonstrate exceptional skills in areas like rapid calculation, art, memory and musical ability.
Asperger syndrome or Asperger disorder (AD) is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that is characterised by significant difficulties in social interaction, non-verbal communication, restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests.
People with Asperger's do not have a learning disability and most go through mainstream school, pursue higher education and enter employment, and some would excel in areas like mathematics, science, language, memory and concentration. – August 22, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/autistic-boy-wonder-in-penang-gets-letter-from-obama#sthash.DBkUGFEo.dpuf

It is not everyday a boy receives a letter from the President of the United States. Let alone if he is an 11-year-old who lives halfway across the globe.
But Penang boy Delwin Cheah Wien Loong did, when he received a letter from President Barack Obama.
Delwin is no ordinary boy. He is the Malaysia Book of Records' "Youngest Artist To Hold Solo Visual Art Exhibition (Autism Spectrum Disorder)" and the United States' Record Setter's "World Youngest Savant Artist (ASD) to hold a Solo Exhibition".

Delwin is autistic but his achievements had previously earned him and his family the chance to meet and rub shoulders with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. Now, he has a letter from Obama, thanking him for his "gift", a book of his drawings titled "I Can Draw".
In the July 14 letter, Obama wrote that "the world needs young people like you who are trying hard in school, serving your community, and dreaming big dreams".
"We face many challenges, but with your help, we can build on what we have already achieved and forge a brighter tomorrow," the US president wrote.
Delwin's parents Lawrence Cheah and Erina Law said they never expected a letter from the president and were surprised to learn that Obama had recently received the book.
"The book came out two years ago when Delwin had his first art exhibition," she said.
Her husband Lawrence said they had no idea who gave the book to Obama.
"We are also trying to find out who is this person," he said.
The couple and their son have been in the news many times because of the boy's talent in drawing.
Banking on what Delwin can do, the proud parents have been trying to reach out to other parents with autistic children, reminding them never to give up.
Often, they try to inspire others with Delwin's story, from the time they discovered he had Asperger's Disorder at age five but also an IQ of 114, making him the world's youngest Savant artist today.
Lawrence and his wife advocate early detection and early intervention, and they stress on the importance of teaching and training children with autism from young to help them develop their talents.
"Once you have the diagnosis, you can only accept (that your child has) autism and start seeing to your child's training and education to develop his or her hidden talents," he said, stressing that waiting for the child to grow up to be taught would be too late.
He said Delwin had started drawing when he was just over three years old, and even then he had been drawing wild animals especially Safari animals.
"I sent Delwin to art classes after we discovered that he liked drawing. The teacher came to me and said my son was the worst student and he can never be an artist.
"Delwin could not take instructions. He just drew whatever that came to him. So the teacher did not know how to deal with a student like that.
"But we never gave up and we kept encouraging him to develop his skills and his art. Delwin is where he is now because we persevered together with him as a team," Lawrence said.
When it comes to art, Delwin is not like kids his age, who would normally use pencils to draw so they could easily rub off mistakes. Delwin uses pens and draws his animals so well there are no mistakes.
Law said it is important to understand how autistic children learn and do things differently, and be supportive instead of regarding them as disabled.
Delwin, she said, does not hold a disabled person's card and goes to a normal school with normal schoolmates.
He is enrolled in Lighthouse Academy Penang, a private school with an American syllabus in Tanjung Bungah that uses a homeschooling approach with its students.
"Delwin attends school like other children his age. He just learns differently," she said.
The family's hardwork with Delwin and their belief in his abilities paid off when the boy began making waves in recent years.
On Christmas Day 2011, Delwin was recognised by Stroke of Genius, an American organisation that educates and empowers people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) by promoting their abilities.
In April 2012, he took part in the organisation's art exhibition at the United Nations Plaza in New York and in February last year, he had his first solo show.
In April last year, Delwin made the Malaysia Book of Records as the youngest artist to hold a solo visual art exhibition with 60 art pieces.
Later in November, he was officially named the world's youngest savant artist to hold an exhibition by the Record Setter.
In April this year, he again made his mark with the Malaysia Book of Records for winning the "Most Outstanding Personality (Art Category)" award.
The latest feather on Delwin's cap is of course the letter he received from the White House.
Savant syndrome is a condition in which a person with a mental disability, such as an autism spectrum disorder, demonstrates profound and prodigious capacities or abilities far in excess of what would be considered normal.
Some people with Savant syndrome demonstrate exceptional skills in areas like rapid calculation, art, memory and musical ability.
Asperger syndrome or Asperger disorder (AD) is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that is characterised by significant difficulties in social interaction, non-verbal communication, restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests.
People with Asperger's do not have a learning disability and most go through mainstream school, pursue higher education and enter employment, and some would excel in areas like mathematics, science, language, memory and concentration. – August 22, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/autistic-boy-wonder-in-penang-gets-letter-from-obama#sthash.DBkUGFEo.dpuf

It is not everyday a boy receives a letter from the President of the United States. Let alone if he is an 11-year-old who lives halfway across the globe.
But Penang boy Delwin Cheah Wien Loong did, when he received a letter from President Barack Obama.
Delwin is no ordinary boy. He is the Malaysia Book of Records' "Youngest Artist To Hold Solo Visual Art Exhibition (Autism Spectrum Disorder)" and the United States' Record Setter's "World Youngest Savant Artist (ASD) to hold a Solo Exhibition".

Delwin is autistic but his achievements had previously earned him and his family the chance to meet and rub shoulders with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. Now, he has a letter from Obama, thanking him for his "gift", a book of his drawings titled "I Can Draw".
In the July 14 letter, Obama wrote that "the world needs young people like you who are trying hard in school, serving your community, and dreaming big dreams".
"We face many challenges, but with your help, we can build on what we have already achieved and forge a brighter tomorrow," the US president wrote.
Delwin's parents Lawrence Cheah and Erina Law said they never expected a letter from the president and were surprised to learn that Obama had recently received the book.
"The book came out two years ago when Delwin had his first art exhibition," she said.
Her husband Lawrence said they had no idea who gave the book to Obama.
"We are also trying to find out who is this person," he said.
The couple and their son have been in the news many times because of the boy's talent in drawing.
Banking on what Delwin can do, the proud parents have been trying to reach out to other parents with autistic children, reminding them never to give up.
Often, they try to inspire others with Delwin's story, from the time they discovered he had Asperger's Disorder at age five but also an IQ of 114, making him the world's youngest Savant artist today.
Lawrence and his wife advocate early detection and early intervention, and they stress on the importance of teaching and training children with autism from young to help them develop their talents.
"Once you have the diagnosis, you can only accept (that your child has) autism and start seeing to your child's training and education to develop his or her hidden talents," he said, stressing that waiting for the child to grow up to be taught would be too late.
He said Delwin had started drawing when he was just over three years old, and even then he had been drawing wild animals especially Safari animals.
"I sent Delwin to art classes after we discovered that he liked drawing. The teacher came to me and said my son was the worst student and he can never be an artist.
"Delwin could not take instructions. He just drew whatever that came to him. So the teacher did not know how to deal with a student like that.
"But we never gave up and we kept encouraging him to develop his skills and his art. Delwin is where he is now because we persevered together with him as a team," Lawrence said.
When it comes to art, Delwin is not like kids his age, who would normally use pencils to draw so they could easily rub off mistakes. Delwin uses pens and draws his animals so well there are no mistakes.
Law said it is important to understand how autistic children learn and do things differently, and be supportive instead of regarding them as disabled.
Delwin, she said, does not hold a disabled person's card and goes to a normal school with normal schoolmates.
He is enrolled in Lighthouse Academy Penang, a private school with an American syllabus in Tanjung Bungah that uses a homeschooling approach with its students.
"Delwin attends school like other children his age. He just learns differently," she said.
The family's hardwork with Delwin and their belief in his abilities paid off when the boy began making waves in recent years.
On Christmas Day 2011, Delwin was recognised by Stroke of Genius, an American organisation that educates and empowers people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) by promoting their abilities.
In April 2012, he took part in the organisation's art exhibition at the United Nations Plaza in New York and in February last year, he had his first solo show.
In April last year, Delwin made the Malaysia Book of Records as the youngest artist to hold a solo visual art exhibition with 60 art pieces.
Later in November, he was officially named the world's youngest savant artist to hold an exhibition by the Record Setter.
In April this year, he again made his mark with the Malaysia Book of Records for winning the "Most Outstanding Personality (Art Category)" award.
The latest feather on Delwin's cap is of course the letter he received from the White House.
Savant syndrome is a condition in which a person with a mental disability, such as an autism spectrum disorder, demonstrates profound and prodigious capacities or abilities far in excess of what would be considered normal.
Some people with Savant syndrome demonstrate exceptional skills in areas like rapid calculation, art, memory and musical ability.
Asperger syndrome or Asperger disorder (AD) is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that is characterised by significant difficulties in social interaction, non-verbal communication, restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests.
People with Asperger's do not have a learning disability and most go through mainstream school, pursue higher education and enter employment, and some would excel in areas like mathematics, science, language, memory and concentration. – August 22, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/autistic-boy-wonder-in-penang-gets-letter-from-obama#sthash.DBkUGFEo.dpuf

It is not everyday a boy receives a letter from the President of the United States. Let alone if he is an 11-year-old who lives halfway across the globe.
But Penang boy Delwin Cheah Wien Loong did, when he received a letter from President Barack Obama.
Delwin is no ordinary boy. He is the Malaysia Book of Records' "Youngest Artist To Hold Solo Visual Art Exhibition (Autism Spectrum Disorder)" and the United States' Record Setter's "World Youngest Savant Artist (ASD) to hold a Solo Exhibition".

Delwin is autistic but his achievements had previously earned him and his family the chance to meet and rub shoulders with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. Now, he has a letter from Obama, thanking him for his "gift", a book of his drawings titled "I Can Draw".
In the July 14 letter, Obama wrote that "the world needs young people like you who are trying hard in school, serving your community, and dreaming big dreams".
"We face many challenges, but with your help, we can build on what we have already achieved and forge a brighter tomorrow," the US president wrote.
Delwin's parents Lawrence Cheah and Erina Law said they never expected a letter from the president and were surprised to learn that Obama had recently received the book.
"The book came out two years ago when Delwin had his first art exhibition," she said.
Her husband Lawrence said they had no idea who gave the book to Obama.
"We are also trying to find out who is this person," he said.
The couple and their son have been in the news many times because of the boy's talent in drawing.
Banking on what Delwin can do, the proud parents have been trying to reach out to other parents with autistic children, reminding them never to give up.
Often, they try to inspire others with Delwin's story, from the time they discovered he had Asperger's Disorder at age five but also an IQ of 114, making him the world's youngest Savant artist today.
Lawrence and his wife advocate early detection and early intervention, and they stress on the importance of teaching and training children with autism from young to help them develop their talents.
"Once you have the diagnosis, you can only accept (that your child has) autism and start seeing to your child's training and education to develop his or her hidden talents," he said, stressing that waiting for the child to grow up to be taught would be too late.
He said Delwin had started drawing when he was just over three years old, and even then he had been drawing wild animals especially Safari animals.
"I sent Delwin to art classes after we discovered that he liked drawing. The teacher came to me and said my son was the worst student and he can never be an artist.
"Delwin could not take instructions. He just drew whatever that came to him. So the teacher did not know how to deal with a student like that.
"But we never gave up and we kept encouraging him to develop his skills and his art. Delwin is where he is now because we persevered together with him as a team," Lawrence said.
When it comes to art, Delwin is not like kids his age, who would normally use pencils to draw so they could easily rub off mistakes. Delwin uses pens and draws his animals so well there are no mistakes.
Law said it is important to understand how autistic children learn and do things differently, and be supportive instead of regarding them as disabled.
Delwin, she said, does not hold a disabled person's card and goes to a normal school with normal schoolmates.
He is enrolled in Lighthouse Academy Penang, a private school with an American syllabus in Tanjung Bungah that uses a homeschooling approach with its students.
"Delwin attends school like other children his age. He just learns differently," she said.
The family's hardwork with Delwin and their belief in his abilities paid off when the boy began making waves in recent years.
On Christmas Day 2011, Delwin was recognised by Stroke of Genius, an American organisation that educates and empowers people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) by promoting their abilities.
In April 2012, he took part in the organisation's art exhibition at the United Nations Plaza in New York and in February last year, he had his first solo show.
In April last year, Delwin made the Malaysia Book of Records as the youngest artist to hold a solo visual art exhibition with 60 art pieces.
Later in November, he was officially named the world's youngest savant artist to hold an exhibition by the Record Setter.
In April this year, he again made his mark with the Malaysia Book of Records for winning the "Most Outstanding Personality (Art Category)" award.
The latest feather on Delwin's cap is of course the letter he received from the White House.
Savant syndrome is a condition in which a person with a mental disability, such as an autism spectrum disorder, demonstrates profound and prodigious capacities or abilities far in excess of what would be considered normal.
Some people with Savant syndrome demonstrate exceptional skills in areas like rapid calculation, art, memory and musical ability.
Asperger syndrome or Asperger disorder (AD) is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that is characterised by significant difficulties in social interaction, non-verbal communication, restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests.
People with Asperger's do not have a learning disability and most go through mainstream school, pursue higher education and enter employment, and some would excel in areas like mathematics, science, language, memory and concentration. – August 22, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/autistic-boy-wonder-in-penang-gets-letter-from-obama#sthash.DBkUGFEo.dpuf

Autistic boy wonder in Penang gets letter from Obama - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/autistic-boy-wonder-in-penang-gets-letter-from-obama#sthash.DBkUGFEo.dpuf

01

George Town’s heritage tag may be double edged sword, warn conservationists

As a Penangnite, just talk about Georgetown Penang to any tourist and what will you say?

Street art!!

Yes, the image of the the 2 children on bicycles comes to mind when talking about visiting Georgetown heritage areas!

Everyone seems to be mural hunting now and all waiting to press on that "upload" button to show the whole world the awesome photo they took at the murals on social media sites!

Now, as the "likes" start poring in, and the comments keep growing..
BUT what lies beneath the surface of the whole scenario?

This articles tells a sad, frightening, alarming yet very real tale about the "heritage" status of Georgetown and according to the story...how will the story of Georgetown heritage city end?

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George Town’s heritage tag may be double edged sword, warn conservationists
BY LOOI SUE- CHERN | Published: 25 June 2014

Penang Heritage Trust president, Khoo Salma Nasution during an interview with The Malaysian Insider reporter in Lebuh Acheh in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, June 25, 2014.Penang has been enjoying a steady growth in its tourism sector since George Town earned Unesco's recognition as a world heritage city six years ago, but heritage conservationists are also getting worried about unrestraint tourism development in the sensitive area.

Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) president Khoo Salma Nasution said the heritage city may also suffer negative effects from what is done, not so much for tourism than in the name of tourism.

She said unrestraint tourism development, the rises in property prices and rental has seen the original residents pushed out of the city.

"We now have less than 10,000 residents, like in the days of Francis Light (who founded the British settlement in Penang in 1786). Previously, the population in the city was 50,000 to 100,000 people. It was a bustling city where people lived.

"Now people still work here but the city is more geared towards tourism until we have lost our own living and working city. It should be our city, a place where tourists can come and visit.

"This has happened to many world heritage sites, where they have become a playground for others and no longer the people's city...I worry that we may be repeating the same mistakes as other tourism destinations if we are not careful," she told The Malaysian Insider in a recent interview.

Khoo Salma said local Penangites are saying that they do not go downtown or to 'Tanjung' (George Town) anymore because there are more tourists than locals while many things have become expensive.

"We still have this cluster of real local businesses like Chinese medicine halls, Indian spice and traditional wear shops, and florists that locals still go to because of the Masjid Kapitan Keling, Goddess of Mercy Temple and Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple, which attract many devotees during festivals.

"Some of the people running the business used to live in the neighbourhood, like the joss stick sellers outside the Goddess of Mercy Temple. I don't know about now.

"They may still be selling joss sticks but the items may be manufactured by a big company elsewhere. Some of the businesses may had been taken over and turned into franchises," she said, also citing how some saree shops in Little India could be owned by the same owner from India.

Khoo Salma cautioned that this happens because the original residents can no longer afford to live in the heritage city, causing the stakeholders to switch from locals to people who are not from Penang.

She said this is true for most tourism resorts, like in Bali, where people say most of the five-star hotel owners are from Jakarta.

"We should be looking more at local participation in the tourism industry. Local businesses should be more of a sustainable type. They should be protected and supported but sometimes, too much local participation may also present problems. It is a bit complicated.

"Take Chew Jetty – one of the heritage clan jetties in Pengkalan Weld – for example. It used to be a real residential area but the atmosphere has changed. The local community there have opened tourist shops.

"Although it is good that locals are benefitting from the businesses, the character of Chew Jetty has changed. It feels like a tourist arcade instead of a place where visitors can go and see how the people there live. This is the impact of mass tourism," she said.

Khoo Salma also cautioned how places have become tourist attractions too fast before many issues are worked out.

The city experiences an influx of tourists and old houses and shops in town are turned into boutique hotels, hostels, restaurants and cafes, while prices become inflated and the original communities are displaced, she said.

"A little gentrification can be good but too much is grotesque," she said.

She said this may all be part of a cycle, which will one day reach a point where there is a new hot destination elsewhere and Penang's tourism will no longer be talked about.

When that time comes, she said we could have already destroyed our own city while the people whose livelihoods are dependent on tourism will suffer a drop in their income.

"At some point, it will all stabilise then things will not be so exciting anymore. It is impossible for it to keep growing. It is not sustainable.

"When heritage people talk about sustainability, it is a way to get people to be involved in the cultural industry while keeping the local involvement and quality so businesses can be sustainable in the long run.

"When you talk to the business community, sustainability means the businesses keep growing and growing. It cannot be...nothing keeps growing forever," she said, stressing that business gains must also be for the improvement of the local communities, not the short-term gain for property speculators and investors, who may take the money they have made in Penang elsewhere later.

Khoo Salma said George Town needs to have real indicators and information like how many boutique hotels are there in the city, the number of people still living in the city, how many had been displaced, who and how many are engaged in the tourism and culture industry, and whether they are locals or outsiders.

Such information, she said, is needed for the authorities to make or modify policies and determine the long-term direction of the Unesco heritage city of George Town.

"We need the authorities to share with us these indicators if they have them. For now, I feel we do not seem to have policies in place to make sure that the benefits reaped from our tourism also go into heritage conservation support and the sustaining of local communities.

"We need a mechanism for it. Everyone is just capitalising on it now," she said.

The Malaysian Insider also met three people in the heritage city, who can attest to what Khoo Salma said.

Yin Kok Sin repairs vintage furniture at his workshop at Armenian street in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, June 25, 2014.Yin Kok Sin, 76, who repairs rattan chairs in an old shop house on Lebuh Armenian, said he was born in a house on Lebuh Chulia in town and lived there until more than 10 years ago.

With the Rent Control Act, which previously kept rental rates in town low, was repealed in 2000, after which he could no longer afford to live in George Town and moved to a flat in the suburbs or Farlim.

"It got too expensive to live in town, so we moved. But I am still renting a small space in this shop for my furniture repair work. It is a small business but it helps me pass time," said the grandfather of two.

Retired teacher Mohamed Yahaya, 76, was born at his ancestral home at 69, Lebuh Acheh, just next to the heritage mosque there. He is the fifth generation descendant of Acheen Street Mosque imam Sheikh Omar Basheer, who lived in the same house, and is chairman of Badan Warisan Masjid Melayu Pulau Pinang.

His village is over 200 years old, Mohamed said, and he still lives there holding on to the history and heritage of the place and its forefathers.

"The village used to have over 200 residents but now they have about 60. Young people don't want to stay, but they all come back during holidays like Hari Raya to see the place and listen to old stories about their ancestors.

"This village was the 'Second Jeddah' because pilgrims from Kelantan and the northern states congregated here before leaving for Mecca by ships in the 19th century," he said.

Mohamed said tourists, who go to see Khoo Kongsi nearby, would visit the mosque but many of the foreign visitors are not well-versed with local customs and etiquette when entering the 206-year-old mosque.

"Some don't know they have to take off their shoes and come wearing shorts. I hope the relevant authorities can station a guard who can also act as a guide to advice tourists and tell them a brief history of the mosque," he said.

Toy museum operator and antique trader Mohd Ariffin Ahmed Tahir, 49, whose business on Lebuh Acheh is three years old, said "things are pretty much the same" with the Unesco recognition and business is only good during holidays when people go to see the street art in town.

"I feel that the heritage city status was just a hype in the early stages. Now people are here for the city's street art. Many young people come to my museum to rent bicycles to explore the area. They are mostly local visitors.

"I hope the relevant authorities can organise more events and festivals. It will bring people here and help support the local businesses," he said.

George Town, together with Malacca, received the Unesco World Heritage site inscription on July 7, 2008. Both cities were jointly recognised for their living multicultural heritage communities and architectural treasures.

Both cities met the Unesco World Heritage Committee's 'Outstanding Universal Values' – a set of ideas or values which are universally recognised as important or as having influenced the evolution of mankind as a whole.

Both cities represent exceptional examples of multicultural trading towns in East and Southeast Asia due to their exchanges in trade and cultures of the Malays, Chinese, Indians and Europeans, and are also living testimonies to the multicultural heritage and tradition of Asia.

The cities are home to both tangible and intangible heritage, particularly the different religious buildings that reflect the religious pluralism of the region. They also reflect the cultural elements from the Malay archipelago, India and China in their architecture like old shop houses and townhouses, cultures and townscape.

Khoo Salma said the Unesco inscription has brought paradigm shifts to Penang, like reorienting the building industry to be part of restoring, preserving and conserving heritage buildings, which are now here to stay.

"One of the intentions of the heritage movement is to mainstream heritage. To do that we also need a heritage industry, recognising that the heritage building stock is aging and always needs maintenance repairs and revitalisation.

"That is why you need to make heritage mainstream so that a small part of the building industry is also geared towards maintaining and servicing the heritage buildings. Previously, the building industry was mainly focused on replacing old buildings with new ones," she said.

Khoo Salma said the Unesco recognition also steered some of the state's tourism focus towards cultural tourism, as well as create new interest and passion in learning about heritage.

There has been a shift in cultural values, she said, with people seeing heritage and cultural learning as continuous education and as also something shared by everyone, with George Town itself being a multicultural city in the past and will continue to be in the future.

Owner of BEN Toy museum, Mohd Ariffin Ahmed Tahir seen at his shop in Lebuh Acheh, George Town. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, June 25, 2014."Heritage helps us understand our own culture so we stop seeing it as something that belongs to another ethnic, religion and so forth. We see it as a shared heritage.

"So this has created a new platform for shared values. In that sense, all three paradigm shifts has been achieved in a very broad sense."

However, the city still faces other challenges, such as institutionalising heritage conservation – a task the government and cultural institutions must take on, Khoo Salma said.

While everyone has a role to play in maintaining heritage, she said the government remains to be the authority that makes sure that is done, monitoring and managing such efforts.

"That requires the government to build institutions that can take on this challenge and role. In the past, the NGOs played the role of watchdogs and issues were dealt with on an ad hoc basis.

"On some occasions we succeeded while other times we failed. But now we have to get a system created to monitor and manage heritage conservation. We must have information, policies, administration and enforcement.

"That is in the process but there is a long way to go because heritage is very complex. The issue itself is still something new to us and we may not fully understand the full impact of tourism yet," she said.

In some countries, where heritage conservation had been part of the people's culture for a long time, such institutions are running well and buildings that has been around for hundreds of years are still standing because they have the people with all the skills and knowledge for the job, she said.

Khoo Salma said the situation is more challenging in Malaysia because heritage conservation is not in our education system, just like how environmentalism was lacking in the system previously.

"Right now, heritage is not as mainstream as environmental education. We need to put it into the system so when children grow up, they know they should be concerned about heritage...that has to create a new generation of heritage conscious citizens," she said.

Khoo Salma also said children today do not know their local historical figures like Kapitan Keling of George Town because such characters are not part of their history lessons.

With hopes to help encourage better heritage appreciation and conservation understanding, PHT has been providing civic cultural education, she said.

Retired teacher Mohamed Yahaya, has lived in his ancestral home for more than 76 years. He is also the fifth generation descendant of Acheen Street Mosque imam Sheikh Omar Basheer, who also lived in the same house. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, June 25, 2014.Some of PHT's programmes are also geared towards keeping the traditional and heritage trades and skills alive, such as bead show making, wood carving and rattan weaving – which are fast dying with the old generation of artisans and craftsmen – through the Penang Apprenticeship Programme for Artisans (PAPA), she said.

"The apprenticeship programme has gone quite well. The students are those genuinely wanting to learn the skills and make a living out of it. They are also paid an allowance to learn the skills."

The state government-set up George Town World Heritage Incorporated, has also been organising educational programmes in town for locals and visitors.

"We have been getting foreign and domestic tourists and even university students, who come here to conduct researches. In that sense, everything is positive," she said. 

– June 25, 2014

source

Penang want's to build it's on LRT system

What has everyone been talking about during CNY, Christmas, Hari Raya, Agong's Birthday and all those Public Holidays (PH)?
Yes, thats right...

The state of the traffic in Penang!

This is especially true if we had just came back from Kuala Lumpur (KL) or even the much organized Singapore!

I can just imagine the numerous tweets on tweeter or even the status updates on facebook of:

1. "Oh, Why can't Penang have its own monorail to link all shopping malls together?"
2. "Mana boleh pergi? semua Jam, jam, jam!!"
3.  "Public transport is just so bad in Malaysia!" (People tend to generalize even though the condition is bad in Penang and most major cities, but they think the WHOLE Malaysia is bad - well, I have to agree to a certain extend too 
4. "We need better public transport!"
5. "There comes another smiling but cut-throat taxi again" (Not all taxi's are "cut throat", but mostly tend to take advantage of the holiday season to gain a quick buck)

Well...amongst all the buzzing around on this matter, our chief minster Lim Guang Eng has voiced up.

Actually, I must personally admit that I didnt know much about the matter. In fact I was wondering myself why in the world is Penang not moving towards building an organized LRT system in Penang..was it because of the UNESCO branding? Was it because we have certain rules to comply? Or was it since the new ruling government of Penang took over (DAP took over from BN) that it was so weak in it's finance that we just couldn't think of building a LRT system structure just yet?

Well, this piece of article certain clears up allot of questions:

 Let us build LRT if you won’t, Penang tells Putrajaya
June 17, 2014

— Picture by K.E. OoiGEORGE TOWN, June 17 —

Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng said the Penang administration only needed a permit to operate its own transportation system before it could proceed with the construction of a light rail transit (LRT) system.

Penang today offered to construct the light rail transit (LRT) long promised by Putrajaya if the federal government is not prepared to do so.

In a letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the Penang administration only needed a permit to operate its own transportation system before it could proceed.

“If the federal government is not ready to implement the promised LRT or monorail project in Penang, the state government is prepared to take over by implementing an integrated public transportation system here even though we are short of funding,” he said in his letter to Najib dated May 28.

Lim explained the permit was necessary to empower the state to appoint a tram system operator to immediately implement the mode of transport.

The Bagan MP told Najib that the state administration is also willing to cooperate and discuss with the federal government, specifically the Transport Ministry, to come up with an alternative public transport system for Penang.

He voiced his readiness to meet with Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein on the issue of allowing Penang to have licence for a public transportation system in the state.

Putrajaya first promised to build a monorail system in Penang in 2007, months before the 2008 general election.

In late 2012, Najib made a pledge to build a monorail system in Penang as part of Barisan Nasional’s 2013 general election promises.
 ---

In conclusion, yes...the current ruling government is indeed weak in its finance, but sees the vital importance of improving the traffic situation in Penang. All it needs now is the approval from the federal government to go ahead and Penang will find it's way to develop new means of transportation for its citizens.

Hoping and praying for Penang is something we can all do. But that is not really enough too, isn't it? We need more efforts..imagine what if all of us can stand up and do something to help not only us but our generations to come?

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30 air-flight secrets that pilot and airflight attendence shared

After much news about missing flight MH370, let me also share some other lite news...or rather  tips about flying in an airplane 
After reading this, your next air flight would be much different 
Not sure about how Malaysian Airlines works or Air Asia, but read it with a pinch of salt, knowledge is power :)

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Flight Attendants, pilots, or engineers, what are some secrets that passengers don’t know when you ride on planes?

Many answers were submitted, and here are 30 of the most interesting ones. Note: Reading some of these responses may make you think twice about flying… you have been warned!

1. THE TRUE STORY BEHIND THOSE OXYGEN MASKS.

That if the oxygen masks drop down, you only have about 15 minutes of oxygen from the point of pulling them down. However, that is more than enough time for the pilot to take us to a lower altitude where you can breathe normally.

More important – at altitude, you have 15-20 seconds before you pass out. Put yours on first, then do your kids. Passing out for a few seconds won’t harm the kids.

2. THE WATER IN THE LAVATORIES IS VERY DIRTY TOO.

Whatever you do, do not drink the water in the lav. It is bad enough to “wash” your hands in it. We sanitize the water tank at selected maintenance intervals, however parasites build tolerances to these cleaners.

Check the outside of the aircraft when walking in. If the paint is crappy shape, the plane is in crappy shape. Skydrol (hydraulic fluid) is a nasty fluid and will dissolve everything. So if the paint is missing, it’s probably from a skydrol leak. No one wants a hydraulic leak at 35,000 ft in the air. As you can’t just pull over and top the reservoir off.

3. THE REAL REASON THE LIGHTS ON THE AIRPLANE DIM WHEN LANDING.

When a plane is landing at night, they dim the interior lights in case you need to evacuate upon landing… your eyes are already adjusted to the darkness so you’ll be able to see better once outside the plane.

4. Lightning and the power of a pilot.

My dad’s been an airline pilot for almost 20 years, and apparently planes get struck by lightning all the time. Also if a passenger is causing a scene in the jetway he can refuse to let them on and take off without them.

The captain has almost limitless authority when the doors are closed. He is allowed to arrest people, write fines and even take the will of a dying passenger.

5. THOSE LAVATORIES UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE.

You are able to unlock airplane lavatories from the outside. There is usually a lock mechanism concealed behind the no smoking badge on the door. Just lift the flap up and slide the bolt to unlock.

6. A TRUE STORY OF A BOMB THREAT.

I have a friend who’s a commercial pilot. Around five years ago he was doing a flight from LA to Tokyo when an anonymous caller phoned in a bomb threat while they were over the middle of the Pacific. Apparently they have procedures for this kind of thing, but there was nothing anyone could do in this situation except stay calm and not alert the passengers (obviously). He said for the rest of the flight every bump of turbulence made his adrenaline spike. They took this case especially seriously because there was a group of foreign dignitaries sitting in the first class cabin.

7. REGARDING FOOD ON THE PLANE.

My dad works for a large airline, he told me a few little things

• 2 pilots are served different meals and cannot share, this is done in case of food poisoning.
• Stealing food, even if they are going to throw it out can get you fired instantly. You can ask your supervisor, but you cannot take food. They don’t want people messing with it.

8. THE TRUTH ABOUT FLYING WITH PETS.

I am an aircraft fueler.

One thing I cannot stress enough is how your pets are treated. While your airline will take the best possible actions, some things cannot be avoided, like the noise on the ramp. I cannot stand out there without ear protection, and imagine your pet sitting out there on the ramp waiting to be loaded onto the plane being exposed to the same amount of noise I am.

Please people, think twice before flying your pets.

9. WHAT FLIGHT ATTENDANTS REALLY DO AFTER TELLING THE PLANE TO TURN OFF THEIR ELECTRONICS.

My sister is a flight attendant, she says after she tells everyone to turn off all electronics, she goes to the back and pulls out her phone and starts texting.

10. A TRICK FOR MAKING MORE SPACE FOR YOURSELF.

Arm rests – aisle and window seat: Run your hand along the underside of the armrest, just shy of the joint you’ll feel a button. Push it, and it will lift up. Adds a ton of room to the window seat and makes getting out of the aisle a helluva lot easier.

11. DON’T DRINK WATER ON A PLANE THAT DIDN’T COME FROM A BOTTLE.

Former Lufthansa cargo agent here.

Do not EVER drink water on an aircraft that did not come from a bottle. Don’t even TOUCH IT. The reason being the ports to purge lavatory shit and refill the aircraft with potable water are within feet from each other and sometimes serviced all at once by the same guy. Not always, but if you’re not on the ramp watching, you’ll never know.

12. ON THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCKING YOUR BAGS.

Lock your bags, carry-on bags included.

Look online or in a travel store for TSA-approved locks. The TSA has keys to open those locks in case they need to further inspect them (and hopefully not steal from them). And most people don’t think to lock their carry-on, but especially now with load factors very high, more and more people are having to gate check bags. Once you drop your bag at the end of the jetway for gate-checking, anyone from a fellow passenger, to a gate agent, to a ramp agent has access to your bag.

13. HOW A PILOT APPROACHES LANDING.

When you experience a hard landing in bad weather it wasn’t because of a lack of pilot skills but it is in fact intentional. If the runway is covered in water the airplane has to touch down hard in order to puncture the water layer and prevent aqua planing.

“Landings are nothing more than controlled crashes.” Pilot friend quote.

14. TIPPING COULD GO A LONG WAY.

My girlfriend is a flight attendant. NO ONE tips flight attendants. If you give your FA a fiver with your first drink you’ll probably drink for free the rest of the flight.

15. PILOTS ARE SLEEPING MOST OF THE TIME.

1/2 of pilots sleep while flying and 1/3 of the time they wake up to find their partner asleep.

16. JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE FLYING WITH A BIG AIRLINE, DOESN’T MEAN THE PILOTS ARE EXPERIENCED.

Regional airline pilot here. You may have bought a ticket on Delta, United, or American, but chances are you’ll be flying on a subcontractor. That means the pilots have a fraction of the experience, training, and pay of the big mainline carrier. Also, I don’t get paid enough to care if you make your connection. Most of the time we fly slower than normal to make more money. The only time we fly fast is if ATC tells us to or if it’s the go home leg.

17. THE TRUTH BEHIND TURNING OFF ELECTRONICS.

Pilot here. Having to turn off electronics on a plane is totally useless.

Mobile electronic devices won’t really bring an airplane down but they can be really annoying to pilots. Just imagine sitting in the flightdeck descending to your destination and hearing the interference of a 100+ cellphones picking up a signal. I have missed a clearance or 2 that way.

18. SKY MALL IS ONE BIG RIP-OFF.

Secret: All of the stuff in Sky Mall can be purchased on the internet for much less money.

19. HOW YOUR CHECKED BAGS ARE REALLY TREATED.

If it says “fragile,” it’s getting thrown harder. If it’s says this side up, it’s going to be upside down. We have to fit freight and 100+ bags in a cargo pit. It has to fit how it’s going to fit…I will tell you that when we see “I heart baggage handlers” bag tags…We take special care of your shit.

20. A FLIGHT ATTENDANT REVEALS JUST HOW DIRTY EVERYTHING TRULY IS.

I worked for Southwest as a flight attendant. Those blankets and pillows? Yeah, those just get refolded and stuffed back in the bins between flights. Only fresh ones I ever saw were on an originating first flight in the morning in a provisioning city. Also, if you have ever spread your peanuts on your tray and eaten, or really just touched your tray at all, you have more than likely ingested baby poo. I saw more dirty diapers laid out on those trays than food. And those trays, yeah, never saw them cleaned or sanitized once.

21. A LOOPHOLE SO YOU NEVER HAVE TO PAY BAGGAGE FEES.

You can almost always gate check baggage (unless it’s abnormally large) take two large carry-ons and ask then to gate check one. It’s free and I never pay fees.

22. MOST FLIGHTS ARE ALSO CARRYING HUMAN ORGANS.

The majority of domestic flights have human remains or organs on them. I work below wing as a baggage handler. Watch out the window for long boxes that say, “Head” at one end… Oh, and I can fit 150 bags in bin 3 of a Boeing 737-300.

23. AIRPORTS HAVEN’T COVERED ALL OF THEIR SECURITY BASES YET.

There are actually legitimate security loopholes that, if widely known, would let average citizens get right next to airliners, runways, and taxiways. Like any system, if you know how it works, you know where the cracks are.

24. PLANES WITHOUT ENGINES CAN STILL GLIDE FOR A REALLY LONG TIME.

A pilot told me if both engines fail, a plane can glide 6 nautical miles for every 5000 feet. So at 35,000 feet, a plane can glide about 42 miles without power. Its why most accidents happen landing or taking off.

25. THE DRINKING WATER USED FOR COFFEE AND TEA IS FILTHY.

The drinking water, that used for making coffee, tea, etc., should NEVER be consumed. The holding tanks in these sometimes 60 year old planes are never cleaned. They have accumulated so much greenish grime on the walls that in some places it can be inches thick.

This one is very known by all airline employees.

27. WHY IT’S ALWAYS EASIER TO JUST TAKE THE BATTERIES OUT.

Women: if you pack a toy in your bag, take the batteries out. Because if I’m loading your bag, and I hear it vibrating I have to tell my lead. Then my lead has to come pull you off the aircraft and you have to open your bag and turn off your toy in front of a bunch of giggling grown ass men.

27. PLANES HAVE A HARD TIME FLYING ON HOT DAYS.

I worked the ramp in Phoenix. On especially hot days, we had to offload cargo because planes struggled to take off in the thin air.

28. EVEN THE HEADPHONES THAT COME WRAPPED UP AREN’T NEW.

I used to work for warehouse that supplied a certain airline with items. The headsets that are given to you are not new, despite being wrapped up. They are taken off the flight, “cleaned”, and then packaged again.

29. HOW TO TELL FROM THE GROUND IF A PLANE IS BEING HIJACKED.

If the plane is being hijacked when the pilot lands they will leave the wing flaps up that slow the plane down, this is to signal the airport that there is something happening in the plane.

30. THE REAL REASON THERE ARE STILL ASHTRAYS IN THE LAVATORIES.

Here’s one: ashtrays in the lavatories are mandatory equipment even though the FAA banned smoking on flights years ago. The reasoning is that if people do decide to smoke, they want them to have a place other than the trash can to throw the butt.

Now that you have learned about these secrets about flying, don’t forget to share them with your friends!

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