Penang more than just good food: CNN

GEORGE TOWN: Penang should not only be known as a place for good food according to a CNN article published on Valentine's Day.
The CNN travel article listed nine aspects visitors to the state should be on the lookout for including street art, Penang Hill, Balik Pulau and the Thaipusam festival.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said this showed the state has more than street food to offer to curious travellers.
"We have more to offer, our arts, green areas, music, forest reserve and culture is all thanks to the people here," he said in a press conference today.
Lim also gifted RM10,000 to the Penang Teong Guan Association which was represented by its president Lim Yan Koi.
Guan Eng said the charity-based association was one of many in the state which has contributed to the charm and attraction of Penang.
The latest highlight by the international news network comes after listing Penang as one of the 17 best places to visit in 2017 last month.
In a related development, Penang Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow launched the "I Love Penang" campaign at the same function.
He said the campaign will start with a logo design competition where the first place winner will be awarded with RM2,000.
"The logo, if suitable, will be used in the campaign," he said, adding those interested to participate have until Feb 28 to submit their entries.
The campaign is in response to a suggestion by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to make Penang a Federal Territory, a proposal which the state government is dead set against.
Meanwhile, Penang Islamic Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said the three-day 8th Penang International Halal Expo and Conference (Pihec) will begin on Feb 24.
"The theme this year is 'Cultivating a universal halal lifestyle' which is not only about halal consumables but daily lifestyle and culture," he said.