THE GRAND OPENING OF THE TOP BOUTIQUE AQUARIUM & PENANG CENTRAL MARKET
Speech by Chief Minister of Penang
At The Grand Opening of The TOP Boutique Aquarium & Penang Central Market
11 FEBRUARY 2018
Good morning.
First of all, I would like to thank The TOP Komtar for inviting me to officiate the launch for both The TOP Boutique Aquarium and Penang Central Market today.
The Top Komtar has invested a total of RM14.5 million in these two latest attractions here, adding more reasons for visitors of different ages groups to pay a visit here. The aquarium is completed at a cost of RM9 million. While RM5.5 million is spent on the Penang Central Market which comprises of the Penang State Gallery, Durian Museum and the Market Food Street.
The TOP Boutique Aquarium spread across 30,000 square-foot-space, and there are more than 100 fish tanks with more than 150 different species of marine and freshwater fish in the aquarium. At The TOP Boutique Aquarium, there are many sections. Visitors can take advantages of the presence of the aquarist to learn more about marine fauna in Malaysia and around the region, as they share with you about how the marine creatures interact in their natural habitats.
In Penang Central Market, you get to experience all of Penang under one roof, from the food to the culture to the history. There are Penang State Gallery, Durian the King of Fruits Museum as well as Market Food Street – Selling Penang Local Delights.
Penang State Gallery is a one-stop centre for you to learn about anything and everything “Penang” as well as purchasing special souvenirs unique to the state. Durian the King of Fruits Museum showcase everything you need to know about the fruit – from its history to its growing process. Market Food Street is a place where you can enjoy local street food all around Malaysia.
Therefore, I would like to encourage the community to take some time off for these 2 attractions here at The TOP Komtar as it is truly worth a visit.
Thank you.
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General Introduction
The TOP Boutique Aquarium
Spread across 30,000 square-foot-space, The Top Boutique Aquarium is one of the best attractions at The Top Komtar Penang. There are more than 100 fish tanks with more than 150 different species of marine and freshwater fish in the aquarium, including Elephant Nose Fish, Blue Shark Catfish, Blue Spotted Stingray and Brown Catshark. We also have the big Amazonian arapaima fish – the biggest freshwater fish in the world. Besides that, we have some reptile species in our aquarium such as, Whiteknee tarantula, Leopard gecko and Madagascar hissing cockroach.
At The Top Boutique Aquarium, there are many sections. It is divided into seven sections which are Penang Street, Art Tank, Amazon, Mangrove, Jellyfish, Reef and Deep Sea. For Deep Sea section, there is a fish tank known as touch pool, where visitor can play and touch starfish. The Amazon section and Deep Sea section probably are the most popular section for visitors. As for Amazon section, there is a fish tank open for visitor to feed the Koi Carp Fish (Cyprinus carpio) together with our aquarist during feeding time. Visitors can take advantages of the presence of our aquarist to learn more about marine fauna in Malaysia and around the region, as they share with you about how the marine creatures interact in their natural habitats.
Penang Central Market
In Penang Central Market, you get to experience all of Penang under one roof, from the food to the culture to the history. There are Market Food Street – Selling Penang Local Delights, Penang State Gallery as well as Durian the King of Fruits Museum.
Penang State Gallery is a one-stop centre for you to learn about anything and everything “Penang” as well as purchasing special souvenirs unique to the state. Penang has a long and colourful heritage. Since its humble beginnings as the first British Straits Settlement in the late 18th century, Georgetown has undergone tremendous transformation. From a swampy frontier to a bustling trading post to a thriving cosmopolitan city that is world-renowned for its living history, the streets of Penang are filled with vibrant nuances just waiting to be discovered by intrepid adventures.
Find out why the durian is the indisputable king of fruits in Southeast Asia at Durian the King of Fruits Museum that showcase everything you need to know about the fruit – from its history to its growing process. There are plenty of fun and interesting activities to try and durian related products to take home.
Market Food Street is a place where you can enjoy street food all around Malaysia. You can enjoy traditional local street food such as Chicken Rice, Claypot Chicken Rice, Western Food, Nasi Lemak, Nasi Melayu, Pasembur, Hokkien Mee , Curry Mee, Ipoh Char Ho Fun , Popiah, Dim sum, Char Koay Teow, Ice Kacang and etc with a reasonable price.
The TOP @ Komtar
The TOP @ Komtar has just turned one on 18 Dec 2017. Only World Group’s efforts in revitalising the iconic George Town landmark will create new buzz for Penang, and ultimately boost its tourism sector. With our main attraction being The Top, Southeast Asia’s highest skywalk, with the largest indoor theme attraction. The “Window of The Top with the Rainbow Skywalk” that includes a Rainbow Skywalk on Komtar’s rooftop and an Observatory Deck on Level 68 offer a 360 degree view of the Unesco World Heritage City and gives visitors a bird’s eye view of George Town, Penang Hill and mainland Seberang Prai.
Meanwhile, other attractions include the Jurassic Research Centre with over 200 life-sized prehistoric creatures, Asia’s first 7D Discovery Motion Theater and the Ocean Explorer allows visitor to experience life in the ocean without getting wet. Other Facilities includes a grand ballroom and multiple function halls, The Top View Restaurant and Lounge, Coco Cabana Bar and Bistro, Japan Food Street and other food outlets.