Awesome Johor Bahru! 3

[rizalhakim]

Don't pay the price of delay

ASTITCH in time saves nine and it could well save much more in the case of historical buildings in Johor that continue to deteriorate while awaiting decisions on their restoration.


The Datuk Jaafar building in the Inner Ring Road has been closed to the public despite being on the list of Johor’s historic buildings. — Pictures by Satiman Jamin



The Sultan Ibrahim building atop Bukit Timbalan will be vacated by the state government upon the completion of the new administrative centre in Nusajaya.


The repaired Sultan Ibrahim building in 1949 after it was hit by bombs and artillery shells.


Places like Tanjung Pengelih Fort and Bukit Zaharah palace are crumbling away from years of neglect, and further delay in restoring these historical buildings could make it too costly for them to be restored.

Johor Heritage Foundation Museum curator Kamarudin Abdul Razak said restoration work on historical buildings in the state had to be done in stages.


"Resources are limited and we have to embark on the most feasible projects first," he said.

He said meetings with the relevant government agencies and ministries had been carried out to plan the restoration work needed for Tanjung Pengelih Fort in Pengerang, Kota Tinggi.

"The place will be turned into a tourist attraction once the restoration work is completed but work will not take off anytime soon as many things still need to be sorted out before we can start," he said.

Unfortunately, while those working on restoring these buildings have to negotiate a myriad of administrative constraints, the elements continue their assault on the defenceless Tanjung Pengelih Fort.

The collapsed roof of a searchlight emplacement there could be the harbinger of what is to become of the vast World War Two military installation if it is left to battle the elements alone any longer.

The Tanjung Pengelih Fort came to its present sorry state after it was left unused at the war's end in 1945.

The Bukit Zaharah palace is a different story altogether.

Situated behind the Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Museum, the majestic building had deteriorated rapidly, considering that it was used as a religious school until the late 1980s.

When the lyrics of the Johor state anthem were established in 1914, the English version reverberated on the grounds of the Bukit Zaharah English School as it was sung by the students there, many of whom grew up to become illustrious sons of Johor.

In 1976, a huge Jawi calligraphy exhibition was organised there by the University of Malaya with the patronage of the Johor royal family. It was a tribute to the great emphasis given to religious education in the state.

It is sad to see the beacon of knowledge, which shone so brightly during modern Johor's formative years, lying in ruins and discarded like an empty shell.

Kamarudin said the historical importance of the Bukit Zaharah palace is well known but the project to restore it was put on hold because of insufficient funds.

"It would involve a huge sum of money to restore the palace, thus the project was put on hold, pending availability of funds," he said.

Hopefully the Sultan Ibrahim building atop Bukit Timbalan will not go the way of the Bukit Zaharah palace after it is vacated by the state government upon the completion of the Johor State New Administrative Centre in Nusajaya, Gelang Patah.

The prominent landmark had withstood heavy shelling during World War Two and has been the heart of the state administration since its completion in 1938.

The authorities should have learnt by now that if left vacant and neglected, a historic building will be reduced to ruins in no time and before we know it, the restoration bill will be beyond our means

[redstone]

Bukit Zaharah building was abandoned only in the late 1980s? Such a short time ago? I thought it's been abandoned for more than 30 years (also heard people saying so)

[rizalhakim]

another crazy project
Iskandar waterfront
http://www.iskandarwaterfront.com

A2 Island : The Visionary Waterfront City






A2 Island: Residential




A2 Island: Commercial

Grand Plaza Offices, Fashion Island, Grand Plaza Retail and Ferry Terminal


Service Apartment


5-Star Hotel


4-Star Hotel


Iskandar Residences and Oakwood Residences Johor

-230-key service apartments housed in a 28-storey tower.
-World-renowned service apartment operator – Oakwood Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, will operate the apartment.
-Iskandar Residences is an exclusive waterfront residential development consisting of two towers of 38 storeys.
-There are 523 residential units available.
-This integrated waterfront development will also have a 6-storey podium housing 50 office suites and 10 boutique retail lots.
-Expected completion in 2012.


Proposed Marina Town and Waterfront Residential along Sungai Lunchoo

PARCEL F2 – Multi-Modal and Mixed Use Ferry Terminal




Percpective view of Waterfront Promenade at Maritime Museum/ Aquarium and Performing Arts Centre


Perspective view of International Cruise Ship Terminal and Tower


Night view looking north

PARCEL C1




Parcel C1 has a land area of about 106 acres. This canal development draws parallel to the enchanting Venice. These waterfront lifestyle living enclaves would include exclusive bungalows, villas, townhouses, condominiums and serviced apartments.

PARCEL B1, B2 and B3



Node 2

Proposed Integrated Waterfront City at Node 2

demn!!!!............

[rizalhakim]

Art exhibition in Danga City Mall


KUALA LUMPUR: Johor is set to become the new capital of contemporary art when one of the largest art exhibitions ‘Iskandar Malaysia Contemporary Art Show’ (IMCAS) opens on March 14 in Danga City Mall.

IMCAS organising chairman Farok Khan Mohamed said the exhibition would feature masterpieces of Malaysian artists.

“The three month exhibition is to promote art awareness in Johor and to indicate the kind of changes that the Iskandar development region is bringing to Johor,” he added during a press conference at the National Art Gallery recently.

Farouk said IMCAS was an art fair where more than 100 young artists would be showcasing their their artworks, which would be up for sale.


The show is on: Mohamed Najib Ahmad Dawa (left) holding the poster of Iskandar Malaysia Contemporary Art Show (IMCAS). Looking on are IMCAS organising chairman Farouk Khan Mohamed (center) and Danga City Mall Sdn Bhd managing director Gary Lee Seaton.

“During the exhibition, there will also be a fully-funded three-month residency programme for six or 12 outstanding young artists, with a road-show to promote their works,” said Farouk said.

Farouk said that in conjunction with the IMCAS, an open category art competition would also take place to unearth new talents.

The competition offers cash prizes of RM17,000 in total and the judging will be done by a panel of distinguished artists.

National Art Gallery director-general Prof Madya Dr Mohamed Najib Ahmad Dawa who was also present said the art exhibition was the biggest assemble of contemporary art in the country.

[rizalhakim]

The lonely tip of Asia


The entrance of the Tanjung Piai National Park has a large stone plaque showing the location of Tanjung Piai.

JOHOR BARU: The next time you're in Johor, take the south-bound road to Pontian Kecil and drive until you can't go any further. Unlike other dead ends, this one isn't a bad place to be. This is Tanjung Piai, the southernmost point of mainland Asia.


The view from the southernmost tip of mainland Asia, Tanjung Piai National Park.


Tents at the Tanjung Piai National Park are set up on platforms above the mangrove swamp.


Tanjung Piai is a quiet village. The roads leading to the Tanjung Piai National Park are well-maintained with adequate signage, but there was a notable absence of visitors when we went. The park, in Serkat in Pontian, is the only way to reach the actual southernmost point.

It may not be as famous as Cape Agulhas in Africa and Cape Horn in South America, but it's still worth a day trip.

The park was declared a Ramsar site in 2003 and is home to many species of mangroves, animals and birds like the osprey and brahminy kite.


The Convention on Wetlands was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. It is an inter-governmental treaty providing the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

Tanjung Piai links Johor's other two Ramsar sites, the Pulau Kukup and Sungai Pulai wetlands. But few people know about Tanjung Piai.

Prof Amran Hamzah, course director of the tourism planning programme at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia's faculty of built environment says most of Johor's natural attractions are bypassed as they are not included in tours.

"The site is only about 40 minutes from the Second Link to Singapore.

"And the Tanjung Piai and Pulau Kukup wetlands offer traditional homestay accommodation in natural surroundings, which is unavailable in Singapore," he said.

Malaysian Tourist Guide Council president Jimmy Leong said it is not enough to develop high-end hotels or resorts in Johor Baru or Nusajaya.

"Smaller locations that are potentially profitable to Iskandar Malaysia should be developed as well. Development should be balanced and not just focused on physical progress.

"Foreigners love small villages and homestays, but it's a shame so few people know about what this area has to offer," he said.

Tanjung Piai National Park guide Anas Fatihi Zakaria estimates that 30,000 people visit the park annually.

"Thirty per cent are foreigners. But I'm sure more would come if the area was more widely promoted."

[rizalhakim]

Originally Posted by rizalhakim

another crazy project
Iskandar waterfront
http://www.iskandarwaterfront.com

A2 Island : The Visionary Waterfront City






A2 Island: Residential




A2 Island: Commercial

Grand Plaza Offices, Fashion Island, Grand Plaza Retail and Ferry Terminal


Service Apartment


5-Star Hotel


4-Star Hotel


Iskandar Residences and Oakwood Residences Johor

-230-key service apartments housed in a 28-storey tower.
-World-renowned service apartment operator – Oakwood Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, will operate the apartment.
-Iskandar Residences is an exclusive waterfront residential development consisting of two towers of 38 storeys.
-There are 523 residential units available.
-This integrated waterfront development will also have a 6-storey podium housing 50 office suites and 10 boutique retail lots.
-Expected completion in 2012.


Proposed Marina Town and Waterfront Residential along Sungai Lunchoo

PARCEL F2 – Multi-Modal and Mixed Use Ferry Terminal




Percpective view of Waterfront Promenade at Maritime Museum/ Aquarium and Performing Arts Centre


Perspective view of International Cruise Ship Terminal and Tower


Night view looking north

PARCEL C1




Parcel C1 has a land area of about 106 acres. This canal development draws parallel to the enchanting Venice. These waterfront lifestyle living enclaves would include exclusive bungalows, villas, townhouses, condominiums and serviced apartments.

PARCEL B1, B2 and B3



Node 2

Proposed Integrated Waterfront City at Node 2

demn!!!!............

RM650m development to take shape soon in Danga Bay
By Chuah Bee KimPublished: 2009/03/06






THE Oakwood serviced apartments in Danga Bay, a RM650 million project under Iskandar Malaysia in Johor, is expected to kick off next month and be completed in 2012.

The project will be developed by Global Corporate Development Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Iskandar Waterfront Development Sdn Bhd (IWD) and Danga Bay Sdn Bhd (DBSB).

The serviced apartments will be managed by Oakwood Asia Pacific (OAP) Pte Ltd.

The project, with 230 fully-furnished luxury units, is the crown jewel flanked by two 38-storey towers of residential units, called Iskandar Residences. The latter comprises 523 units on 2.5ha.

While the Oakwood apartments are for lease to locals and expatriates seeking mid- to long-term accommodation, the Iskandar Residences units are up for sale from RM450 per sq ft for early birds.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, who is the Iskandar Regional Development Authority co-chairman with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, witnessed the signing of the joint-venture agreement between IWD and DBSB in Danga Bay yesterday.

IWD was represented by its chairwoman Arlida Ariff, and DBSB by its director Johar Salim Yahaya.

The management agreement appointing OAP as the operator of the Oakwood serviced apartments was signed between Arlida and OAP managing director P.G. Matthew.

Ghani, who is spearheading the rollout of the Iskandar Malaysia development blueprint, said the launch marked the first among a host of signature waterfront developments in Danga Bay, ranging from affordable to high-end homes such as the Danga Villa Island project.

Other highlights include hotels, no-frills to six-star, and a water theme park.

[rizalhakim]

Danga Bay to draw global attention
By ZAZALI MUSA


JOHOR BARU: Danga Bay is set to transform itself into one of the most sought after waterfront development addresses in the world in the near future, with several up-scale waterfront property development projects to be launched soon, said Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

The upcoming projects are three hotels, including a six-star hotel, a marina, an international convention and exhibition centre, office towers and another wet-and-dry theme park.

“These projects reflect a strong confidence on the growth prospect in Iskandar Malaysia despite the global economic slowdown,” he told reporters yesterday, referring to Danga Bay’s location in the special economic zone of Iskandar Malaysia.

“The Danga Bay waterfront project site has an excellent road and highway connectivity to major destinations,” he said, adding that the bay area would also benefit from water taxi and ferry services to Nusajaya, the Johor State New Administrative Centre, Singapore and nearby Indonesian islands.

Ghani said investor confidence in the economic growth corridor remained strong and that the stakeholders were fully committed to deliver all planned projects under Iskandar Malaysia.

Iskandar Malaysia, launched on Nov 4, 2006 was the first in a series of economic growth corridors; as at today, it had received RM43bil worth of investments, from the RM47bil targeted by 2010. Ghani was speaking at the launch of a RM650mil integrated mixed development project at Danga Bay, near here, by Global Corporate Development Sdn Bhd.

The project is a joint-venture project between Iskandar Waterfront Developments Sdn Bhd (IWD), a company majority-owned by Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB) and Danga Bay Sdn Bhd.

Khazanah Nasional Bhd is the largest shareholder in IIB with a 60% stake while the Employees Provident Fund and the Johor government-linked entity Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor Bhd, hold 20% stake each.

Meanwhile, IWD chairman Arlida Ariff said work on the Oakwood serviced apartments and other residential units at Danga Bay would start next month and was expected to be completed in 2012.

Located on a 2.5ha site, the Oakwood project is made up of three towers - the 28-storey Oakwood Residence tower and two 38-storey towers known as Iskandar Residences.

The Oakwood Residence has 230 fully furnished serviced apartments which will be leased out and managed by Oakwood Asia Pacific Pte Ltd while the other two towers will have 523 apartments for sale.

[rizalhakim]

Teksi hubungkan JB-Singapura

Oleh Khadijah Ibrahim
utusanjohor@utusan.com.my



DERETEN teksi Johor Bahru ke Singapura di Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru. – UTUSAN / ishak rahmad

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JOHOR BAHRU 10 Mac. – Jika ingin ke Singapura dengan selesa dan mudah, apa kata guna sahaja perkhidmatan teksi yang terdapat di Terminal Teksi Pasar Bakti, Kotaraya II, Jalan Trus di sini.

Teksi milik Persatuan Kebajikan Tuan-Tuan Punya Teksi Kereta Sewa Johor Bahru ke Singapura itu hanya mengenakan tambang RM10 (seorang penumpang) sahaja untuk perjalanan sejauh 26 kilometer (km) hingga ke perhentian teksi Jalan Rocher, Singapura.

Memang murah jika dibandingkan dengan harga perjalanan dalam bandar yang ada ketikanya mencecah RM15 untuk perjalanan dari perhentian teksi Larkin ke Taman Bayu Puteri.

Bagaimanapun anda akan dikenakan bayaran S$10 (RM24) jika menggunakan teksi dari Singapura ke Johor Bahru.

Yang Dipertua Persatuan, Haris Md. Sawin berkata, setakat ini sebanyak 174 buah teksi sentiasa bersedia beroperasi 24 jam untuk menghantar penumpang ke seberang tambak tanpa mengira waktu.

Katanya, perjalanan dari stesen teksi Johor Bahru ke Singapura hanya mengambil masa selama satu jam sahaja jika tidak berlaku kesesakan jalan raya.

Bagaimanapun perjalanan yang singkat itu boleh memakan masa hingga tiga jam, jika pihak berkuasa di sana mengadakan operasi ke atas kenderaan keluar masuk ke negara berkenaan.

“Masalah pemandu teksi adalah mereka tidak dapat menepati masa kerana semuanya bergantung kepada keadaan di jalan raya. Kalau tidak ada kesesakan, penumpang akan sampai ke destinasi dengan cepat.

“Kita tidak menyediakan jadual kerja untuk ahli. Semua bergantung kepada ahli untuk bekerja pada waktu yang sesuai. Selalunya, kalau mereka membawa penumpang pada sebelah pagi, petang baru kembali ke sini. Itu semua bergantung kepada penumpang,” katanya di sini, baru-baru ini.

Jelas Haris, terminal teksi Jalan Trus atau lebih dikenali sebagai perhentian teksi Johor Bahru-Singapura telah berbakti kepada orang awam lebih 20 tahun.

Katanya, orang ramai selesa menggunakan perkhidmatan teksi kerana di setiap pos pemeriksaan, penumpang tidak perlu turun untuk menjalani pemeriksaan.

Sebaliknya, mereka hanya perlu memberi pasport kepada pemandu yang akan uruskan kesemuanya dan pemandu teksi juga sedia membantu penumpang memberitahu mereka maklumat tentang destinasi yang hendak dituju.

[rizalhakim]

Cabaran jadi pemandu teksi dua negara


DUA pemandu menunggu giliran untuk membawa penumpang Johor Bahru ke Singapura di Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru, baru-baru ini.

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JOHOR BAHRU 10 Mac - Bukan mudah menjadi pemandu teksi tempatan yang membawa penumpang berulang alik dari Johor Bahru ke Singapura.

Ada ketikanya mereka terpaksa menunggu lebih 10 jam untuk mendapat penumpang di perhentian teksi Jalan Rocher, Singapura sebelum kembali ke Johor.

Sekiranya, mereka kembali dengan teksi kosong, maka pendapatan pada hari tersebut tidak mencukupi untuk membayar kos tol atau sewa kenderaan.

Malah, pemandu juga akan dipersalahkan jika penumpang membawa benda-benda larangan. Itulah risiko yang perlu dipikul oleh para pemandu teksi yang sering berulang alik ke negara tersebut.

Bagi Chang Hu Tow, 71, yang sudah 45 tahun menjadi pemandu teksi dan kini membawa kereta sewa ulang alik dari Tangkak - Ledang ke Singapura, senario begitu sudah lumrah.

Jelasnya, walaupun sampai di Singapura awal, namun beliau terpaksa tunggu lama untuk mendapat pelanggan ke Tangkak.

"Selalunya saya keluar dari rumah pada pukul 8 pagi, semua itu bergantung kepada pelanggan. Kalau mereka mahu bergerak awal, saya ikut sebab perjalanan mengambil masa selama tiga jam.

"Dari Tangkak - Ledang ke Singapura, saya kenakan tambang sebanyak RM180 dan balik pula S$120 (RM287). Apa pun sekarang ini pendapatan saya menurun sebanyak 30 peratus kerana pengguna sudah ada banyak pilihan," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini, baru-baru ini.

Menurut Hu Tow, ada ketikanya beliau terpaksa mengambil penumpang yang bukan hendak kembali ke Tangkak bagi memastikan teksinya tidak kosong apabila pulang ke Johor.

Bagi A. Wahab Hashim, 49, perkara yang sering menguji kesabarannya adalah ketika menunggu penumpang.

Katanya, di Johor Bahru untuk mengumpul empat penumpang bagi sebuah teksi mudah berbanding di Singapura terutamanya pada waktu pagi kerana ramai rakyat tempatan yang bekerja di negara itu.

"Nak dapat empat penumpang bagi sebuah teksi untuk balik ke Johor Bahru memang susah, sebab kebanyakan penumpang lebih gemar naik bas kerana harganya murah.

"Kadang-kadang pemandu teksi Malaysia terpaksa menunggu lama kerana orang Singapura sering mengutamakan rakyat mereka. Lagipun di sana pemandu teksi mereka bebas ambil dan turun penumpang di mana sahaja. Kita pula hanya boleh ambil dan turun penumpang di terminal," katanya yang sudah 15 tahun membawa teksi.

Sementara itu, Zaini Basir, 59, yang membawa kereta sewa dari Melaka ke Singapura berkata, sekarang pendapatannya kurang berbanding dulu sejak kerajaan negara tersebut memberhentikan para pekerja.

"Pada tahun 2000, saya kerap berulang alik ke sana kerana ramai polis yang bekerja di sana menetap di Melaka. Sekarang ini, bila usia pun sudah meningkat dan pelanggan pun yang biasa sahaja, saya jarang ke sana.

"Kalau ada pun atas permintaan pelanggan. Dalam seminggu adalah, dua kali saya membawa penumpang ke sana. Untuk perjalanan dari Melaka ke Singapura saya kenakan bayaran RM220 dan dari sana pula S$180," katanya yang mengambil masa selama tiga jam lebih untuk sampai ke Singapura.

[rizalhakim]

Johor tourism sector bracing for a hard hit
By MOHD FARHAAN SHAH


JOHOR BARU: The state tourism sector is bracing for a hard hit this year because of the global economic crisis.

Johor Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Hoo Seong Chang said that many businesses relying on tourists as their main source of income were worried about declining tourist arrivals.

“We are fighting hard to maintain the number of tourist arrivals, but it is going to be tough,” he said.

Hoo said many businessmen had approached had voiced their fear to him in recent months, and that he had advised them to pay closer attention to the domestic market.

He pointed out that although foreign tourists may see a decline, local visitors was a ready source of income.

Hoo said there were about three million local visitors to tourist destinations in Johor last year.

Hoo noted that in 2007, the state recorded 1.2million foreign visitors to the state, while last year the figures climbed to 1.7million.

“Although we had 21 million people entering Johor via the Causeway last year, most of their were either here on business or shopping,” he said adding that tourists were classified as those who spent more than a night in the state.

A percentage of them also entered Johor to visit friends and relatives or were just passing through Johor on their way up north.

Hoo said the Johor Tourism Department and the Johor Tourism Council would be launching a new package in April to attract foreigners to the state.

The details of the package are still being finalised, but he said the package would feature a mix of new and traditional locations.

Hoo was speaking to reporters after opening the Jiafu Spa Therapist Foot Reflexology centre here recently.

Meanwhile Jiafu Spa managing director Tan Yong Thai said that the famous spa centre had about 700 branches in China and their branch in Johor was the first of its kind outside China.

“We would like to test the market here first and if it is successful we would open up another branch in elsewhere Malaysia,” he said.

[rizalhakim]

Ikea set to open stores in Johor Baru, Penang and the Klang Valley


Ikea’s business is growing with the country’s economy and Malaysians can look forward to more Ikea stores in Johor Baru and Penang, as well as another outlet in the Klang Valley, in the future.

We have customers from Thailand and Indonesia, who come specifically to Ikea to buy things. So, we hope to grow, too, as the country grows and we always adopt the attitude that, if Malaysia boleh, Ikea boleh,added Lau.



An accountant by qualification, Lau joined Ikea as an operations manager in 1995 because he wanted to try his hand at management.

He added that the easy working culture within the company had led him to stay as long as he had.

We address each other by first names, not sir or madam. At Ikea, we really get down together for any event and we hope to transmit that same friendly culture to our customers.

[rizalhakim]

Johor tumpuan pelabur asing

Oleh arif nizam abdullah
utusanjohor@utusan.com.my


JOHOR BAHRU 16 Mac - Johor terus menjadi tumpuan pelabur luar negara apabila bakal menerima pelaburan melibatkan projek pembangunan mewah bernilai RM3 bilion dalam beberapa bulan akan datang.

Menteri Besar, Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman berkata, projek tersebut merangkumi kediaman vila mewah dan tiga hotel baru termasuk sebuah hotel bertaraf enam bintang di bandar raya ini.

Beliau berkata, beberapa projek pembangunan lain akan turut diumumkan tidak lama lagi seperti pembinaan sebuah pusat pameran dan konvensyen serta bangunan enam tingkat yang dihubungkan dengan tempat letak kereta pelbagai tingkat.

Selain itu, pembinaan lain ialah resort hotel oleh syarikat besar dan multinasional (MNC) dalam usaha menjadikan Malaysia sebagai pusat perniagaan antarabangsa.

"Jumlah pelaburan besar yang berterusan ini membuktikan Johor terus kompetitif bagi para pelabur asing biarpun ketika dunia mengalami kemelesetan ekonomi.

"Pembangunan pesat terutamanya di Iskandar Malaysia kini berada dalam landasan tepat dengan tarikan pelaburan yang merangkumi industri pelbagai. Apa yang pasti, terdapat beberapa projek pembangunan yang diumumkan tidak lama lagi," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada majlis upacara pecah tanah kilang Bahru Stainless Sdn. Bhd. (Bahru Stainless) bernilai AS$$1.6 bilion (RM5.92 bilion) di kawasan perindustrian Tanjung Langsat, Pasir Gudang di sini hari ini.

Turut hadir ialah Pengerusi Nisshin Steel, Hideo Suzuki; Pengerusi Acerinox Group, Rafael Naranjo Olmedo dan Pengarah Urusan, Bahru Stainless, Rafael Garvin Salazar.

Bahru Stainless merupakan kilang keluli tahan karat bersepadu terbesar di rantau ini dengan 67 peratus pegangannya dikuasai syarikat Sepanyol, Acerinox Group, dan 33 peratus oleh Nisshin Steel.

Kilang tersebut akan dibina dalam tiga peringkat dan apabila siap sepenuhnya pada 2020 bakal menyediakan 1,600 pekerjaan dan menjana pelbagai aktiviti sampingan kepada ekonomi tempatan.

Minggu lalu, Iskandar Malaysia menerima pelaburan bernilai RM650 juta bagi pembinaan sebuah apartmen mewah, Oakwood Residence Johor di Teluk Danga yang akan bermula bulan depan.

Mengulas lanjut Abdul Ghani berkata, syarikat berteraskan minyak dan gas turut menunjukkan minat tinggi untuk membuat pelaburan di Johor pada tahun ini.

Justeru, katanya, kerajaan negeri sedang menimbang untuk membina pelabuhan ketiga di Teluk Ramunia selepas Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas dan Pelabuhan Tanjung Langsat.

"Kemudahan jeti dan saluran paip perlu disediakan bagi menyediakan infrastruktur canggih sebagai tarikan utama kepada pelabur," katanya.

Ditanya bila jawatan Pengerusi Lembaga Pelabuhan Johor (LPJ) yang kosong sejak setahun lalu akan diisi, Abdul Ghani berkata, pelantikan baru itu melibatkan bidang kuasa Kementerian Pengangkutan.

Sebelum ini, Abdul Halim Sulaiman merupakan Pengerusi LPJ.

[rizalhakim]

Johor targets 5 million tourists
Sim Bak Heng
JOHOR is confident of getting at least five million tourists this year despite the global economic crunch.

Johor Tourism Action Council general manager A. Jabar Tahir said the favourable exchange rate of many currencies against the ringgit has made it attractive for foreigners to choose Malaysia as their ideal holiday destination.

He said many people who used to tour Western countries may opt for Malaysia this year.

"People are more prudent with their spending and are tight with their budget.


"Apparently, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand will be their favourite choices in Asia. We are set to gain from this shift in tourism consumption pattern," he said.

Johor received 5.35 million tourists last year and 3.7 million tourists in 2007.

Seventy per cent of the tourists were Singaporeans.

Others were from Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, India, China, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Japan and South Korea.

A. Jabar said Johor will not be competing with Singapore in attracting tourists as each has its own strengths in tourism products.

He said the republic may have its own appeal like shopping complexes and old buildings, but it does not have eco-tourism and agro-tourism resources like Johor.

"They still have to bring their visitors to Johor if they are going for golfing, natural parks and marine parks," he said.

On day trippers, Jabar said they had brought in revenue through their spending in restaurants, entertainment outlets, shopping centres and hypermarkets.

"This shows that Johor Baru is still the perfect place for Singaporeans when it comes to shopping for sundry goods," he said, adding that the state government was promoting medical and educational tourism, especially to Indonesians.

There were 19.1 million day trippers last year, 19.5 million in 2007 and 15.9 million in 2006, who entered through the Causeway.

[rizalhakim]

Hometown revisited
Ahmad Fairuz Othman

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/J...cle/index_html

I'M back. After being posted all over the peninsula in the past 13 years, I'm thrilled to return to my hometown, Johor Baru.


Desaru has become the favaourite haunts of surfers.

The Zon in Stulang Laut Johor Baru could rival many entertainment belts in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
Though I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to study and work in several states, I'm glad to be home.

Johor is no longer the place it was when I left it at the age of 16. The state capital is not the humble town it used to be. It is now a bustling metropolis.

Some out-of-towners still think that the state capital pales in comparison with bigger cities like Penang and Kuala Lumpur.


Two of my friends had related their frustration at the absence of a decently-stocked bookstore in Johor Baru.

I must admit that it is getting harder to obtain the latest copy of the Rolling Stone magazine from any magazine stand.

It was not always so. There used to be many shops selling imported magazines in Holiday Plaza and at the city's first Carrefour hypermarket in Pandan.

Those who are used to the vibrant night life in the Klang Valley and Penang may find this southern city a bit tame. But you can head to Stulang Laut for a good time on Saturday nights.

Dwindling magazine stands and fewer clubs aside, I am happy the city has retained much of its uniqueness.

Johor still has the best ikan bakar on this side of the country. I am glad the "aunty" at my favourite drinks stall in Tepian Tebrau is still around.

She utters the same line she did when I was a child while taking the orders: "Nak minum apa? Kita ada ais kacang, air buah-buahan, chi kang panas, chi kang sejuk, air jelly. (What would you like to drink? We have ais kacang, fruit juices, hot and cold chi kang and jelly drink)"



The landmarks from my childhood days are still around. The neoclassical designs of these buildings continue to captivate the imagination.

Among these majestic structures are the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Museum and Sultan Ibrahim Building on Bukit Timbalan.

Other uniquely Johorean things which are still standing are the Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation (Jaro); the pisang goreng stall at the Mawar building; and the flagship Johor Central Store bookshop in Jalan Ibrahim.

And of course, the Singapore radio and television programmes. Everyone I knew at school were big fans of Singapore's radio and TV channels.

I also have my favourite spots -- the city's main post office with its fast lanes, delicious chicken chop and nasi padang eateries; and the barber shop in Jalan Pahang.

However, things are changing fast too. Within the first two months of my return, the old customs, immigration and quarantine checkpoint at the Causeway was closed to make way for the spanking new Sultan Iskandar Building in Bukit Chagar.

Since the opening of the new CIQ complex, traffic along Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Jalan Tun Razak and other roads is almost non-existent.



The Johor Baru City Council had also introduced a nightly bazaar and flea markets over the weekend.

The bazaars managed to pull in the crowd during weekends and special occasions such as the recent Chingay parade.

However, some believe that it will remain an uphill task to liven up the area as it is lowly populated.

The new CIQ complex, which is about two kilometres further inland, has made us realise how much the businesses downtown are dependent on people who travel to and from Singapore.



Also, the old quarter of the city has been spruced up.

The once smelly, eyesore known as Sungai Segget, has a covered garden and walkway with fountains.

Jalan Ibrahim, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee and Jalan Pahang have quaint pathways with benches and trees. It has become the perfect place to set up shop.

The best thing about Johor is the people and the great stuff that is going on north of Johor Baru.

Surfing enthusiasts head to Desaru as it is a great place to catch a wave. Not far from the seaside is the BioDesaru Organic Food Valley, a mega project with lemon orchards, swiftlets nesting areas and aquaculture.

There are the mega projects in Iskandar Malaysia and the crown jewel of the new state administration centre in Nusajaya.

Legoland Malaysia, Puteri Harbour and Medini Iskandar are among the gigantic projects which are expected to generate plenty of income.

But with every mega project, there are "little people" who are left in the dark amidst all the fanfare.

I met some of these farmers, fishermen and villagers, who were affected by the land reclamation exercise.

While they are not against development, they are disappointed that they were not fully informed about the development projects and how it would affect their homes and neighbourhood.



Before heading home, I called up some of my friends and asked them to show me around.

I stopped by Muar to get a feel of the rustic riverside town. It is still a charming place with majestic colonial buildings and delicious masak asam pedas dishes.



A former colleague who is a lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara in Segamat, took me around town.

I also had the opportunity of visiting the outskirts of Mersing. It is amazing how hilly the terrain on the east coast of Johor is.

Though the region is less populated, it is a treasure trove of natural beauty.

I can't wait to experience the other changes that have taken place in Johor.

[rizalhakim]

Meeting Uncle Hussein
Satiman Jamin

The award-winning Malaysian rock band Meet Uncle Hussein will come to Johor for a concert with popular Indonesian band Samsons at Stadium Bandaraya on April 11.

The concert, dubbed the "Johor Tour of Sound 2009" is organised by Rentasche Carries Sdn Bhd and sponsored by the Tourism Ministry and the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) is an effort to woo tourists.

Johor Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board director Noridah Kamarudin said the concert was expected to attract fans from Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei.

"Samsons is a very popular band in the region and its performance will give a boost to tourist arrivals here," she said.


She said many fans were expected to stay overnight in the city as the concert was scheduled to run from 9pm to midnight.

Rentasche Carries Sdn Bhd group managing director Razaleigh Rahim said tickets are available online at www.ticketpro.com.my.

"The tickets are priced at RM33, RM43 and RM53. VIP seat tickets are RM93 each," he said.

He said the three hours would be equally divided between the two bands to perform.

"We are targeting about 70 percent of local fans. Hopefully, we can get a full house at Stadium Bandaraya, which can seat around 9,000 people," he said.

For more information call 07-331 0910 or 019-778 9105.

[nazrey]

JB Central gets a facelift
Wednesday March 18, 2009
By NELSON BENJAMIN



MERLIN TOWER used to be regarded as the most happening places in the city in the 1970s due to its proximity with the border crossing into Singapore.

Over the years the hotel-cum-office and retail outlet along Jalan Meldrum was known to the locals as a notorious hotspot for vice activities.

However, over the past three years the complex, now known as JB Central, had been going through a facelift after a local businessman purchased it.



Classy: The hotel’s entrance.

Khoo Nang Seng, from Pontian, said he bought the building to help the family of his old friend who had passed away some time ago.

“They (his friends family) were unable to manage the place and I decided to buy from them and see what I could do with the place,” he said, adding that he had to start the transformation from scratch.

He explained that the building was one of the landmarks in Johor Baru town and was built 32 years ago after the old Capitol theatre was demolished.

“When I bought this place in 2006, I had to remove about 200 truck-loads of rubbish from it.

“It was in a mess and I even discovered a huge pile of rubbish left in the open on the 4th floor and concealed under a thin layer of concrete,” he said.



Convenient: The KTMB railway station across the JB Central.

Khoo, 68, had so far spent millions to acquire and spruce up the complex including the refurbishment of its 200-room hotel, three floors of retail outlets and 70 office suites.

“I have brought in a mamak food operator and told him to operate 24 hours on both sides of the complex to ensure this place would be always well lit to keep away the criminal elements especially snatch thieves,” he said.

He added that besides him, there were 80 other people who owned individual outlets or shops.

Those occupying the lots include gold smiths, travel agents, a pharmacy, moneychangers, tailors, mobile phone shop operators, saloon operators, a food court and bus ticketing counters.

Khoo added that the hotel, in the process of getting its three-star rating, offered room rates of between RM138 net and RM195.50 net per night with a simple breakfast for two people.



The man behind it: Khoo looking at the view
from one of the rooms in his JB Central Hotel.

“This is very reasonable for anyone who wants to stay in the heart of Johor Baru city and travel to Singapore as the complex is located opposite the new Customs, Immigration, Quarantine Complex (CIQ),” he said, adding that the hotel also had facilities for meetings and a banquet hall which could accommodate about 250 people.

Asked whether parking was a problem in the area, he said that the complex had about 200 parking bays.

“The next thing I plan to do is to give this complex a new coat of paint which is going to cost me about RM200,000,” he said, welcoming more businesses to take up office or retail space in the complex.

On whether business was affected since the opening of the new CIQ in December last year, Khoo said that business had dropped as many people, especially the elderly from Singapore who used to take a stroll across the 1km causeway into Malaysia, were enable to walk up the steep access into the new CIQ.

“These elderly people, who used to get allowances of a few hundred Singapore dollars from their children would walk into Johor Baru town and have their morning breakfast or lunch with their friends before returning to Singapore in the evening,” he said.

He hoped the government would open up the old CIQ for pedestrians which would benefit a lot of people along Jalan Maldrum and Jalan Wong Ah Fook.

Khoo also hoped that Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) would consider building a proper bus stop at the KTMB station along Jalan Tun Razak to enable bus passengers returning from Singapore to get off as they now had to walk a long way from the new CIQ.

Those interested in finding out more about the complex or hotel can contact 07-2222833 or visit the hotel website at www.jbcentralhotel-johorbahru.com.

[rizalhakim]

Promoting medical tourism in JB
By MOHD FARHAAN SHAH


JOHOR BARU: The Regency Specialist Hospital (RSH) hopes to promote medical tourism in the state by luring patients from Singapore and Indonesia.

RSH chairman and managing director Dr Gan See Khem said that the hospitals strategic location and state of the art equipment would be ideal to lure people especially foreigners to seek treatment at the 218-bed hospital.

“It is also more cost effective for Singaporeans to take an hour’s drive here to seek treatment,” she said, adding that their hospital doctors were well trained including some serving in the Singapore hospitals.

Dr Gan added that Singaporeans travelling abroad to seek treatment was not something new, as some of them even travelled to places like Thailand for surgeries and other healthcare services.

“As such, for them to travel to Malaysia to seek treatment is not something new due to our close cultural and geographical proximity,” she added in an e-mail interview.

Dr Gan added that RSH had treated patents from Singapore and its sister hospital in Malacca, had treated a few hundred Singaporean patients last year.

She was commenting on a recent media report by Singaporean Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan that Singaporeans could save money by using JB nursing homes.

On the RHS’s operations, Dr Gan said the hospital had treated 900 patients since the hospital began operation at the end of last year. She said most of the patients who sought treatment were mainly locals and expatriates.

The hospital recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Health for the supply of screened blood from the government.

With the MOU, RSH could participate in joint blood donation programmes in the future.

[nazrey]

by Famemas

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr

[ongkl]

Our latest advice to real estate investors - stay away fom commercial properties. There’s still a long way to go before we’re anywhere near bargain-hunting time.

A quarterly survey by the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) showed that in the fourth quarter of 2008 (4Q08), the Consumer Sentiments Index dropped to 71.4 points, down 17.5 points from 88.9 points in 3Q08 as households felt the pinch from a softer economy.

Bad news for shopkeepers is bad news for commercial landlords.

Why you should stay away from commercial properties now?
What you must know before buying an auctioned property?
Why you should consider buying oil palm land now?

We believe demand on rental apartments in Johor Bahru is set to raise. We discussed this in further detail in "Why apartment can be the best real estate investment in Johor Bahru?"


You may have an interest in purchasing a cheap property. There are several ways of locating one. We have summarised them in our article "Where to find cheap properties?".

[hafidz jon]

i think the best thing to do in waterfront, danga bay etc is to clean up the straits. it's stink, polluted. nice scenery but not the water scene, it's bad. oh, there are also many rats at pantai lido. scary.