Malaysia-Singapore Police Seize Drugs Worth RM5.2 Million

Johor police chief Datuk Mokhtar Shariff (second from left), NCID director Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim (third from left) and CNB Ng Ser Song (fourth from left) show the drugs seized at the state police contingent in the two-day joint operation. Pic by Hairul Anuar Abd Rahim. 

JOHOR BARU: Close intelligence sharing between the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) of Malaysia and the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) of Singapore has paid off big as drugs worth RM5.2 million was seized in a two-day operation which started at 6am yesterday.

  NCID director Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim told reporters at the state police contingent here today that three men – two locals and a Singaporean were arrested during the raids.

  Noor Rashid said three separate raids were carried out in Johor Baru which resulted in the arrest of the three suspects and seizure of 63,500 psychotropic pills and 81 litres of what was believed to be drugs in liquid form.

  The arrest of the trio led the team to the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) where a container with 360 gunny sacks of what was declared as soda ash was seized.

  Of the 360 sacks, three of them contained 150g of ketamine and 484g of syabu.

  The total seizure was believed to be the biggest this year from a collaboration between NCID and CNB.

  Noor Rashid said the drug syndicate has been active in the international circuit for several months but this was the first time the syndicate from Karachi, Pakistan, had attempted to smuggle the drugs into the country through the PTP.

  Also present was CNB director Ng Ser Song.

- Chuah Bee Kim
NST online

Housing Needs

by Chuah Bee Kim

source NST online

And also in the Johor Streets today

Pix by Norbaiti Phaharoradzi

JOHOR BARU: Some 22 families from Kampung Sungai Danga and 127 families from Kampung Bakar Batu who are due to be evicted from their homes are looking to have their housing woes resolved.

Kampung Sungai Danga village head Surip Abdullah, 35, said residents had approached him for assistance in seeking alternative housing and to get compensation for the relocation.

On Sept 15, the residents received letters from a private developer, which stated that it wanted the land back and they should move out by the end of the month.

Surip said the District Land Office confirmed that the residents were squatting on private land.

“The problem is that some of the squatters have been living there for 60 years.”

Surip said the matter had been raised with the state.

“We are waiting for a reply from the authorities.

“The menteri besar can only help if the residents are squatting on government-owned land,” Surip said.

“But the state government could help them through other means.”

“The residents are appealing that we find them temporary homes and help them buy low-cost houses before they have to move out.”

“The government has housing schemes for the poor. We need to find out which scheme is applicable to the villagers,” he added.

Surip, who is believed to be the youngest village head here (a village head has to be between 35 and 65 years old to be sworn in) said the residents’ eviction was the biggest challenge he has had to face.

“Kampung Sungai Danga is a large area and includes residential areas such as Taman Bukit Indah, Taman Perling, as well as villages such as Kampung Tuah Jaya, Kampung Sungai Pinang, Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Temon and Kampung Orang Asli Bakar Batu.”

“Dengue is also an issue. However, there were no reports of dengue in the rural areas. In Taman Bukit Indah there are five cases,” he said.

Higher Toll Rates From Today (Oct 1)

by Ben Tan

source NST online

JOHOR BARU: At a minute past midnight, the Singapore government started imposing the new toll charges for all vehicles, except motorcycles, leaving the republic through the Causeway today.

Up to yesterday, there was no indication that the republic's Land Transport Authority (LTA), would back down or postpone their Oct 1 date following several meetings with the Malaysian government.

The new toll rate for cars has increased from the previous SG$1.20 to SG$3.80 (RM3.03 to RM9.62), while vans and light goods vehicles saw a hike from SG$1.90 to SG$5.80.

The new rates for taxis and buses will increase from SG$0.60 and SG$1 to SG$1.90 and SG$3.10, respectively.

As an estimate, the new toll rates on Singapore’s side is about a three-fold increase, to match Malaysia’s implementation of higher toll rates since Aug 1.

Last week, the Malaysian government had offered an explanation and justification on the toll increase for all vehicles entering Singapore via the Causeway at the Sultan Iskandar Building's Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex here.

Singapore decided to increase its exit toll and also add another entry toll in what is described as a tit-for-tat move by Malaysians following the increase on Johor's side of the Causeway.

However, toll charges at the Second Link remain unchanged.

In a statement last month, the Singapore LTA said the new rates were in tandem with the republic’s long-standing policy of matching toll charges at the Causeway and Second Link to those set by Malaysia.

For foreign-registered cars, including Malaysian cars, Singapore’s Causeway entry toll (entering Singapore from Johor) will be recorded in the LTA’s toll system and displayed to motorists upon entry.

Payment will be deducted only upon leaving Singapore (whether through the Causeway or Second Link), together with the exit toll, Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fee and Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) charges (if any).

This will be the same as the existing practice for the Second Link entry toll.

The LTA statement noted that Singapore will follow suit should Malaysia reduce or do away with the toll charges.

Feedjit, Oh Feedjit

Updated

Hah! I finally got the location setting right. Now the widget shows me as visitor from JB instead of Kedah.

All for the fun of it ...

Original Post

I just installed the Feedjit Live Feed.  I was curious to know where my visitors were coming from, what do they like to read, etcetera.

But I think the widget isn't very accurate.  It guessed my location as Alor Setar, Kedah.  I went to the menu found at the bottom of the widget and tried to correct it.  It then registered me as coming from somewhere else instead of Johor.

And if you don't want the widget to detect you, you can choose the "ignore browser" option.

So, adding the widget is just for the fun of it.  At least people are reading my writings, my thoughts even though I don't know where and who they are. Well, thanks for reading.

Tomorrow, in the Johor Streets, I have a story about time-limit parking in the city of Johor Bahru.  This proposal by the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) is going to ruffle some feathers, namely, those who go across the Causeway to work.

Read about it in tomorrow's Johor Streets, ok?  It's going to be something like what the city of Melbourne is doing to free parking spaces.  Anyway, it's only a proposal by the MBJB.

If you think it shouldn't be introduced, then perhaps you can drop in some suggestions as to how to ease the congestion in some areas in the city of JB?
  
Ok, going to have my dinner now.  Hungry!

Thrill Seekers Head To Desaru

DESARU: Johor is giving this seaside town greater tourist appeal by turning it into a sports hub. A popular holiday destination, Desaru is expected to draw sports fans and outdoor enthusiasts with sporting events.

Johor state tourism department director Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim said major events were being planned for sports fans.

“It is understood that Kejora (Southeast Johor Development Authority) and the Kota Tinggi District Office are planning to host several sports events here to boost domestic tourism,” Badrul said.

In the pipeline is a Pesta Rakyat scheduled for early next year.

However, the details are still sketchy.

Lotus Desaru Beach Resort managing director Datuk P. Ramalingam said that the most recent event held here was the Triathlon Desaru 2014 with a turnout of nearly 1,000 participants and spectators.

There were 500 local and international participants as well as fans and family members.

“The participants had to swim swim (2km) , cycle (90km) and run (21km),” said Ramalingam.

Last year, extreme sport fans flocked here for the 7th Monsoon Mayhem International Surf Challenge 2013.

The annual challenge, supported by the Asian Surfing Championships, was organised by Bigfoot Industries Enterprise.

Its official partners were state Tourism, Johor Tourism Promotion Board, Johor Tourism Department, Kejora and Pulai Desaru Beach Resort and Spa.

Lotus Desaru also held a host of activities and provided facilities for thrill-seekers.

Outdoor and recreational activities offered here are not limited to water sports.

The activities offered by hotels and resorts here include rafting, jungle walks and adventure races that are meant to foster friendship and encourage teamwork.

Pulai Desaru Beach Resort marketing and communications officer Nurul Farahin Samsari said the resort would be introducing several water sports activities early next year and it was currently in discussions with a water sports operator.

Presently, its activities include all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rides, paint ball wall games, target shooting, horse-carriage rides and horse riding.

Meanwhile, Wong May Xian, 21, was spotted at Lotus Desaru recently trying her hand at parasailing.

Wong who is from Yong Peng said she had just resigned from her job in Singapore and wanted to “soar to the skies” in her first attempt at the sport.

“I am wearing my glasses although my friends are worried that they may fall off while I’m up there. I want to see everything clearly,” said Wong setting off.

It costs RM100 for a three to four-minute session.

Upon landing, Wong said she was not afraid at all, and the view was breathtaking.

- sourced from NST online

Take Care of the Rivers

sourced from NST online

Sungai Kahang in Kluang

by Chuah Bee Kim

JOHOR BARU: MALAYSIA Nature Society (MNS) Johor recently called on the relevant authorities to check on the water catchment areas in Johor, namely, the Segamat and Endau-Rompin water catchment areas and drainage system.

Its chairman, Vincent Chow, cited the Sungai Kahang in Kluang as an example of a river that is now vulnerable.

Chow said that some 30 years ago, the river was deep, fast flowing and teeming with fish that could support the local community.

However, with the rapid development of oil palm plantation over the years, the river is drying up and has been reduced to a small stream when there is a dry spell.

He also cited the Sungai Sembrong in Kahang, Sungai Mengkibul in Kluang and Sungai Endau as examples of rivers that have seen a reduction in water flow over the years.

“Scientists have found that a matured oil palm tree can consume up to 40 litres of water per day. Imagine what a 10,000ha plantation can do to a water catchment area.

“With the clearing of forest trees for oil palm, the water catchment area cannot perform its natural function and is facing a nett loss of water during the dry season,” he said.

“If this is not looked into and allowed to continue, many rivers will dry up eventually and cause water shortage in Johor.

“MNS Johor would like the authorities to study the matter and encourage plantations to plant forest trees at these catchment areas whenever they re-plant after a 25-year cycle.”

Toll hike detrimental to Johor

Former state executive councillor Datuk Jimmy Low Boon Hong, 72, who held numerous portfolios such as tourism and local government, shares his views on the toll hike.

He is now the president of the  Kluang Chinese Association and chairman of the Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation (Jaro).

THE toll hike at the Causeway has brought back a flood of memories of the good old days for me.

  In 1984, both the toll plazas at the Senai highway and the Causeway were put up at the same time for northbound and southbound traffic respectively.

  In March 2004, the Senai toll was abolished by the Federal Government.

  The question is how much money has been collected through the toll and how little upgrading have road users seen over the past decade?

  When I was the state executive councillor helming the public works portfolio, I was always at loggerheads with the then Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu over the toll issue.

  Singapore has announced that it would also be coming up with new rates in the next few weeks.

  This is in line with the republic's long-standing policy of matching its toll charges at the Causeway and Second Link to those set by Malaysia.

  My suggestion is for the toll booth to be moved away  from the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex.  

  This will save Singapore the trouble of having to implement revised toll charges.

  If the government wants to collect tolls for the 8.1km Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL), then impose a toll fee on all the 180,000 to 220,000 motorists who ply it daily, instead of only the 60,000 who use it to get into Singapore.

  Collecting RM3 each from 200,000 cars would amount to a bigger collection than collecting RM16.50 from 60,000 motorists.

  But of course, the better solution would be to just do away with the toll at the CIQ and concentrate only on imposing the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fee for Singapore-registered cars.

  When I was in office for more than two decades, the Federal Government had twice proposed that a  VEP be implemented but the proposals were rejected by the state government.

. This time it was the state government that had asked for it, and our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak gladly agreed to it on July 16 when he was in Johor Baru.

  Do you all still remember the three-quarter petrol tank ruling which Singapore had imposed on Singapore-registered cars, and how the republic had fervently highlighted all the crimes in Johor Baru?  Do you know why Singapore had to resort to this?

  Because Singaporeans were flocking to Johor for everything from food to Brylcreem.  Need I even say more?

  And Johor welcomes this tourist influx from across the Causeway.

  I remembered how Johor, with the help of former Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, had set up green lanes to make it convenient for the tourists to come here.

  This new toll hike, in my opinion, is going to bring short-term detriment to Singapore.  But in the long-term, it is the Johor economy that will bear the brunt.

  In the past few days, traffic flow across the Causeway has been smooth.  It is not the toll hike that is scaring the Singaporeans away.  I have friends who tell me they are fearful of another strike at the Causeway like the one that occurred on Aug 1.

  In fact, some Singaporeans who have come here in the last few days have said that they don't mind the toll hike and were happy because the smooth ride has enabled them to save time and petrol.

  If lorry operators were to go on strike, Singapore can always get their vegetables and poultry from places such as Vietnam, Australia and Batam, Indonesia.

  Lorry operators may contemplate this move because they are imposed toll charges per trip, unlike the case of Singapore where they have to pay monthly toll charges, which enables them to come in and out as often as they like.

First Day Toll Blues

Sim Bak Heng 

sourced from NST online

JOHOR BARU: TWO factory bus drivers have been singled out as the culprits behind the chaos at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex at the Sultan Iskandar Building here yesterday, which led to thousands of Malaysians working in Singapore having to walk across the Causeway to reach the republic early in the morning.

The Works Ministry said the act of the two bus drivers who had refused to pay the toll at the complex, triggered the chaos, which lasted for almost three hours.

The ministry said it viewed the case seriously and warned that legal action would be taken against the drivers.

“There were no protests by drivers at the CIQ Complex this morning.

“The overall toll collection was carried out smoothly without incident.”

It was learnt the chaos was orchestrated by the two factory bus drivers, who stopped their vehicles about 100m away from the complex and blocked the bus lanes, preventing hundreds of buses from entering the complex.

It was learnt the two drivers were unhappy with the toll hike, which took place yesterday, and had demanded an explanation from the authorities.

The drama unfolded at 4am and escalated at 5.30am when Malaysians working in Singapore began entering the complex via stage buses and express buses.

Due to the drivers’ actions, numerous Malaysians working in Singapore had to walk across the 1.056km causeway.

The toll rates for vehicles coming into Malaysia start from RM9.70. For outbound vehicles, the toll rates start from RM6.80.

Previously, only inbound vehicles were charged a RM2.90 toll.

Some questioned the rationale behind the drivers’ protest, as the government had only imposed the new toll rates yesterday, 27 months after it was supposed to have been implemented.

Questions were also raised as to why there were no similar reactions when Singapore increased the Vehicle Entry Permit charge into the republic on the same day by RM38 to RM86.

Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoint Authority said it deployed more officers on the ground yesterday to ensure travellers were cleared smoothly.

It said it would work with its Malaysian counterparts to monitor the situation.

Johor Baru South deputy police chief Supt Mohd Nadzir Ghulam Kadir said the drivers were not arrested, but were advised against repeating their offence.

He said the commotion began about 4.15am and ended about 8.05am, when those involved in the chaos were asked to remove their vehicles from the bus lanes leading to the complex.

VEP Come 1st Of August

Updated. 

This is not the VEP but are new toll charges for all vehicles using the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) via the Customs Immigration & Quarantine Complex (Bangunan Sultan Iskandar) which will be implemented Aug 1.

The new ruling will make it more costly to use the Causeway compared to the Second Link Expressway.

Apologies for the confusion. Another blur moment .....

Original post

While I was feeling warm and fuzzy unwrapping this lovely gift from a friend just now, another friend who works in a property development company in Johor Bahru was getting worried.

She said Singaporeans or those with Permanent Resident status staying  in Johor who work in Singapore will need to pay around RM100 come Aug 1 when Malaysia implements the Vehicle Entry Permit fee on Singapore-registered cars entering Johor.

Singapore Vehicle Entry Permit. S$35 (RM91)

Singapore Toll $1.20  (RM3.12) 

based on SGD1 = RM2.60

Inbound and outbound total RM16.50 

Total RM110.62

The above is for those who drive a car. Buses, taxis and 6-wheelers will have different rates.

Some, like my friend who is in the property development sector, are worried about the VEP while others, like the tourism industry, for instance, doesn't share this sentiment. Some traders along Jalan Segget in Johor Bahru that I recently talked to also gave polarizing views on the VEP and how it will affect their business.

Forest City to benefit port

The New Straits Times Report

Datuk Md Othman Yusof says the development of Forest City will benefit the people of Johor. Pic by Mohd Azren Jamaludin

by Chuah Bee Kim

JOHOR BARU: THE RM600 billion Forest City development project will not affect the country’s biggest transhipment terminal, Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP).

Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor (KPRJ) executive vice-chairman Datuk Md Othman Yusof said the project would instead complement the port.

When the 49ha man-made island called Forest City is completed, investors would be able to use the port facilities, he said.

“The project will bring more of a positive impact than a negative one to the people of Johor.”

Othman said the reclamation and construction of a showroom to showcase the properties in Forest City were scheduled to be completed in 18 months.

However, he said, the stop-work order since June 15 had halted the company’s marketing strategy, and KPRJ was worried that investors’ confidence would be affected by the directive.

The order was issued by the Department of Environment and KPRJ was hoping authorities would allow the developer, Country Garden Pacific View (CGPV), to resume work as soon as possible.

“We want the project to be completed in the shortest time possible to avoid the looming 10-year global recession cycle.”

Othman said Singapore had not protested against the reclamation but had merely submitted a diplomatic note seeking clarification.

He said everything was done according to ITLOS (International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea) and no Environmental Impact Assessment was required as the project was less than 50ha.

Othman said KPRJ had reduced the size of the development, despite having paid a premium for the land amounting to more than RM300 million.

The original plan was to reclaim about 2,000ha, but it has now been reduced to about 1,600ha.

“The size reduction means we have given way to PTP, using only 53ha of the land, so that the port can proceed with its expansion plans to build three more berths,” he said, refuting claims that the reclamation would cause waters there to become shallow.

Guangdong-based property developer Country Garden Holdings has a 60 per cent stake and Planet Esplanade Sdn Bhd has a 40 per cent stake in Forest City. Of this, KPRJ has a 20 per cent share in Esplanade.

Othman said the Esplanade share was an indirect investment.

As for its direct investment in the mammoth project, KPRJ will receive eight per cent in returns.

“KPRJ did not contribute land as it is all reclaimed from the sea.

“This eight per cent will bring a huge return to the people of Johor. The state government will re-direct that money to build more low-cost houses for the people.”

No Negative Impact To Ecosystem

The Star Report

Firm: Forest City project will not damage ecosystem

BY MOHD FARHAAN SHA

JOHOR BARU: The huge Forest City project that will be taking shape off Tanjung Kupang, near here, will not damage the ecosystem between Malaysia and Singapore, state company Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor Sdn Bhd (KPRJ) said.

Before the reclamation works for the man-made island started, Country Garden Pacific View (CGPV) had conducted several tests on the possible environmental impact to the surrounding areas, said Datuk Md Othman Yusof, executive vice-chairman of KPRJ, one of the stakeholders in CGPV.

“We appointed a consultant to carry out hydraulic works to see whether the island will affect the water currents in the designated area.

“The test results proved Forest City will not have a negative impact on the environment,” he told a press conference at the KPRJ office in Danga Bay here yesterday.

“Furthermore, the first phase of the reclamation work is for a 49ha to build our showroom,” he said.

The 2,000ha project – expected to involve the biggest man-made island in the region with a size larger than Pangkor Island – had also raised eyebrows across the causeway.

The Singapore government was reportedly perturbed over the project, which would take three decades to complete, because of the massive reclamation involved.

Furthermore, Singapore said there were international obligations that both countries had to be concerned about.

At around the same time, the Department of Environment (DOE) issued a temporary stop-work order on the reclamation works, pending a detailed study.

Positive Impact to Johor's Economy

Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor (KPRJ) executive vice-chairman Datuk Md Othman Yusof showing reporters a map of the controversial RM600 billion Forest City development during a press conference at the KPRJ office in Danga Bay, Johor Bahru, this morning.

The man-made island is built by Country Garden Pacific View (CGPV) Sdn Bhd where the Guangdong-based property developer Country Garden Holdings have a 60 per cent stake and Planet Esplanade Sdn Bhd has a 40 per cent stake. Of this, KPRJ has a 20 per cent share in Esplanade.

As for the direct investment in the mammoth project, KPRJ will get only eight per cent returns.

"KPRJ did not contribute any land at all as it is all reclaimed from the sea," he said.

"This eight per cent will bring a huge return to the people of Johor.  The state government will re-direct that money to build low-cost houses for the local folk," he added.

to be continued ...

Federal Govt Nod For VEP

By Ben Tan and Chuah Bee Kim 

JOHOR BARU: The Federal Government has agreed for Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) to be imposed on Singapore-registered vehicles that enter Johor.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the establishment of the VEP would however need some fine-tuning before its implementation.

"The Johor government first needs to inform and give notice to the Road Transport Department on its implementation as an administrative process," he said in his speech before a state government organised berbuka puasa event at the Persada International Conventional Centre here this evening.

Najib added that the Federal Government and Johor Government will also discuss on the proposed rates for the VEP before its implementation.

"Part of the VEP collection will also go to the state government," he said.

Present at the event was Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

The Johor Government has been keen in awaiting the approval from the Federal Government to implement the VEP for Singapore-registered vehicles entering both the Causeway in the city and also the Second Link in Gelang Patah in the state.

Earlier Najib launched a new bus service at a cost of RM2.9 million to be borne by Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) from Larkin to the Johor Baru city centre.

In the afternoon, Najib attended a closed-door briefing on Johor's development and progress at the Puteri Pacific Hotel here.

Johor state planning unit (Unpen) director A. Rahim Nin gave the two-hour briefing on the state's development and progress. - NST online

Lethal Injection

Will the stray dogs in Johor see better days now?  For that to happen, dog lovers have to do their part to keep dogs off the streets.  

In the Star today

JOHOR BARU: A municipal council has engaged a private company to get rid of stray dogs with lethal injection instead of bludgeoning them to death.

Central Johor Baru Municipal Council (MPJBT) president Sallehuddin Hassan said the private company, which was appointed at the end of last month, would be tasked with catching, putting down and disposing of the carcasses.

“We decided to engage this company, which was already carrying out services for the Kulai Municipal Council in Johor as we do not want a repeat of the bludgeoning of stray dogs by our enforcement officials to happen again,” he told The Star here.

Sallehuddin said this method was a more humane way to put the animals down.

He stressed that while it would incur higher costs, it was the best option to tackle strays as MPJBT was facing a huge problem due to many public complaints.

The Star recently reported about a video clip showing enforcement staff inhumanely putting down strays at the back of a warehouse in Jalan Makmur, Skudai, which went viral online and raised uproar among animal lovers.

Sallehuddin admitted that the incident is a “terrible mistake” and said the council had taken the matter seriously.

Some councillors and animal rights groups have even suggested that action be taken against the enforcement officers.

MPJBT councillor Tan Tuan Peng, who had previously criticised the enforcement officials for bludgeoning the strays, said the private company would charge the council RM100 per animal put down.

He added that the cost of disposing the strays was high due to the lethal injection used.
”All strays will be photographed and documented before the company makes a claim with the council,” he said.

For the first five months of this year, MPJBT has put down 1,181 dogs.  Last year, the council received 997 complaints on stray dogs and had put down 2,524, while in 2012, the council received 1,135 complaints and put down 2,345 strays.

Reward For JDT Players

More celebration for Johor DT players.  

The players will now receive RM25,000 for their Malaysia Super League victory in the Kuching Stadium on June 25, which resulted in June 26 being declared a public holiday.

JDT had defeated Sarawak 1-0, a major win that ended a 24 year drought.

The public holiday was a gesture of gratitude. It was also the first win for JDT as a club.

RM25,000 ganjaran penamat kemarau kejuaraan

 

Oleh Mary Victoria Dass

Johor Bahru : Kerajaan negeri akan memberi ganjaran sebanyak RM25,000 kepada setiap pemain dan pegawai pasukan Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) di atas kejayaan pasukan itu membawa pulang piala Liga Super 2014.

Menteri Besar Johor Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin berkata, ganjaran diberikan bukan semata-mata di atas pencapaian pasukan berkenaan menjuarai Liga Super 2014 pada 25 Jun lalu sebaliknya penghargaan di atas kejayaan menamatkan kemarau sebarang kejuaraan selama 24 tahun.

"Kerajaan Negeri membuat keputusan memberikan RM25,000 kepada pegawai dan pemain JDT.

"Diharapkan JDT terus unggul dan mengharumkan nama Johor," katanya ketika berucap di Majlis Berbuka Puasa Menteri Besar Johor bersama rakan Facebook di sebuah hotel di sini, hari ini.

Taking On The World

Pic sourced from NST online

Pix caption: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at Pengerang Independent Terminals Sdn Bhd’s Phase 1A in Pengerang, Johor, on June 26.. With him are Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (third from left), Dialog Group executive chairman Tan Sri Dr Ngau Boon Keat (second from right), Pengerang member of parliament Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (left) and Royal Vopak executive board chairman Eelco Hoekstra. Pic by Shahril Badri Saali

I love Datuk Seri Azalina's radiant smile, and Datuk Seri Najib is beaming with pride. Nice shot.

"FROM a Felda-led initiative to produce world-class caviar that may one day rival Russia's finest, to a colossal fuel and oil-based products storage facility in Pengerang, Johor, that will challenge Rotterdam, Houston and Singapore's dominance, Malaysia is challenging the way it does things..."
The frontpage of the New Straits Times (June 27). Such a captivating summary.

On June 26, "The Rotterdam of Asia"  was given a newsy touch. Below  is the business angle of the Pengerang affair. And way below is another spin-off of that event. Great teamwork.

RM16 billion boost for Pengerang

CASCADING EFFECT: PIPC’s Phase 1 investment alone set to contribute RM18.3b to GNI by 2020, says PM

PENGERANG Independent Terminals Sdn Bhd (PITSB), an oil and oil-based products storage facility operator, plans to gradually invest a further RM16 billion over the next 15 years to boost capacity to challenge global hubs in Rotterdam, Houston and Singapore.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the investment, which is within the Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC), would see an expansion of the terminals from 1.3 million cubic metres to 10 million cubic metres.

“What is also very important is that with every RM1 billion investment, the multiplying effect will be RM20 billion,” he said at the opening of the PITSB’s Phase 1A, here, yesterday.

Najib said PIPC’s Phase 1 investment alone is expected to contribute RM18.3 billion to Malaysia’s gross national income (GNI) by 2020 and create more than 8,000 jobs.

“After 2020, PIPC will further contribute an additional RM48 billion to the country’s GNI with and create 15,000 more jobs,” he added.

PITSB is one of the catalytic projects under PIPC.

  Najib said the completion of PIPC, which is one of the key highlights of the government’s Economic Transformation Programme, will not only contribute to Malaysia’s development, but also transform Pengerang into a modern and vibrant industrial town.

  “There will be new roads, better supply of electricity and water, new schools, modern homes, banks, medical facilities, shopping malls and office complexes.

  “There will be new business opportunities for the locals as demand for goods and services increases,” he said.

  The living standard in the area will improve and the government will ensure the enhancements of social amenities.

  “I would like to stress that this project will bring benefits to the people of Pengerang,” Najib added.

The 60.7ha PITSB is part of the 8,094ha PIPC, which also houses Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s RM90 billion Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (Rapid) project.

 PITSB is a joint-venture between oil and gas services provider Dialog Group Bhd, Johor government and Royal Vopak, which is the world’s largest independent storage provider.

    Dialog Group executive chairman Tan Sri Dr Ngau Boon Keat said the consortium plans to invest RM6 billion in the next five years and another RM10 billion in the following decade after investing RM2 billion in Phase 1A.

  “We expect to clinch more deals. As at April, a total of 29 ships have stopped over to use our facilities and we expect more to come in,” he said.

The facility allows oil majors and other oil and gas service providers to store oil and petroleum-based products.

  It is equipped with six berths, including a deepwater jetty with a draft of up to 24m to accommodate very large crude carriers.

  Ngau said a liquefied natural gas storage complex is also in the offing and the plan is undergoing a feasibility study.

Najib Praises Dialog Group

PENGERANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak praised Dialog Group Bhd for supporting the MyKasih Foundation, which helps the underprivileged nationwide.

“I applaud the group for their involvement as a donor and supporting partner to the foundation which is committed to helping less fortunate Malaysians,” he said in his speech at the opening of the Pengerang Independent Terminals Sdn Bhd (PITSB) Phase 1A on Thursday.

PITSB is a joint venture between oil and gas services provider Dialog Group Bhd, the Johor government and Royal Vopak, the world’s largest independent storage provider.

Najib said since the non-profit organisation’s inception in 2009, the MyKasih Foundation has aided more than 190,000 underprivileged families in 130 locations nationwide, including in Sabah and Sarawak.

“The foundation provides long-term commitment via food aid, health awareness, financial literacy programmes, children’s education and skills training programmes.”

Dialog Group Bhd was the first corporate sponsor to adopt and provide funding for the MyKasih “Love My Neighbourhood” programme for communities in Selayang, Selangor and an Orang Asli community in Janda Baik, Pahang.

The programme will be extended to communities where Dialog Group Bhd operates, namely Terengganu, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Johor and the Federal Territory of Labuan.

ALL STORIES SOURCED FROM NST ONLINE.

"The Rotterdam of Asia"

Pengerang Independent Terminals Launched Today

sourced from NST online

PENGERANG: The mammoth oil and gas facilities being constructed here will have a multiplier effect to propel the country's growth to be fully developed by 2020.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the economic spin-off from the project will be enormous as its first phase alone is expected to contribute 18.3 billion to Malaysia's gross national income (GNI) by 2020 and create more than 8,000 jobs.

Najib said the Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC) will further contribute the country's GNI after 2020 with an additional RM48 billion and 15,000 more job creations.

Najib, who today launched the Pengerang Independent Terminals (PIT), said RM35 billion has been spent on building the oil and gas facilities here and RM6 billion more will be spent in five years  while another RM 10 billion will be invested further over the preceding 10 years.

The facilities which currently can store 1.3 million cubic meter (cbm) of petroleum products will be expanded to a capacity of 10 million cbm when the project has been fully completed.

"The projection is that for every RM1 billion we invest in this project will have a multiplier effect of generating a return of RM20 billion," he said.

On the opening of the PIT, Najib said the completion of the project which is one of the key highlights of the Government's Economic Transformation Programme will not only contribute to further Malaysia's development but also transform Pengerang into a modern and vibrant industrial town.

"There will be new roads, better supply of electricity and water, new schools, modern homes, banks, medical facilities, shopping malls and office complexes.

"There will be new business opportunities for the locals as demands for goods and services increases," he said.

Najib said the living standard in the area will improve and the government will ensure the enhancements of social amenities.

"I would like to stress that this project will bring benefits to the people of Pengerang.

The PIT project is a joint venture between Dialog Group Berhad, Royal Vopak and the Johor state government.

The PIT is an independent oil storage terminal located within the PIPC and built on 60 hectares of reclaimed sea-bed land, has officially begun operations following the successful start-up and commissioning of Phase 1A (432 cubic meters) in April.

Najib said Malaysia is bestowed with great riches including major oil and gas deposits and therefore it is only logical for the country to develop downstream processing storage and logistics to further accelerate the growth of the oil and gas industry which is its major revenue earner.

"One notable downstream project is Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) the global consumption of which is rising, in part because it is environmentally-friendly compared to fossil fuels such as coal," he said.

Najib pointed out that a LNG terminal has been planned to be added in Pengerang next year.

Najib said the success of the project is a testament of the government being responsive and visionary to the needs for the development of the country.

"It proves that the current government is able to translate its vision into policies and execute it," he said.

Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Dialog Group executive chairman Tan Sri Dr Ngau Boon Keat and Royal Vopak chairman (executive board) and chief executive officer Eelco Hoekstra.

Ngau in his speech said the realisation of a vision to the project first came about in 2009.

"Our vision was to develop and build a world-class crude oil and petroleum products storage terminal facilities in Pengerang.

"Our deepwater terminals can then play a vital role as a catalyst for the development of a Refining and Petrochemical manufacturing hub here.

"Both developments will then transform Pengerang into a world class oil and gas hub in the region," he said

Meanwhile, Hoekstra said that the commissioning of PIT project will further strengthen Vopak's position in South East Asia.

"Fundamental to the success of PIT project is the partnership and support from the federal and state government," he said.

PIT is equipped with six berths including a deepwater jetty with a draft of up to 24 meters to accommodate Very Large Crude Carriers.

The facility will provide storage, blending and distribution services, triggered by growing crude oil and petroleum products import flows into Asia and Australia.

The completion of PIT is in three phases. Phase 1B, upon completion by the end of the second quarter of the year will bring on stream an additional 432,000 cbm of storage for clean petroleum products while Phase 1C will consists of 420,000 cbm of storage for crude oil with expected completion in the last quarter of the year.

When fully completed and upon expected commissioning early next year, the terminal will have a capacity of about 1.3 million cbm.

The terminal, earmarked as one of the country's key economic transformation projects, is designed to develop and reposition Southeast Johor into an oil storage and trading hub in the region.

MBJB Five-Star Rating

Was on my way to the International Conference - Johor Bahru World City 2020 in the Persada Convention Centre when I encountered a flash flood.  There was a massive traffic jam.  It rained only for a little while early in the morning.  The reclamation works issue immediately sprang to mind.

However, Johor State secretary Datuk Ismail Karim said the reclamation works was not the cause of the flash flood.  Datuk Ismail, the former city mayor, said it could be due to the floodgates and the sudden morning downpour.

If Johor Bahru aspires to be a future world city like Tokyo, Singapore, London and New York, this flash flood issue must be looked into immediately.

"Policies and frameworks structured by city governors and councils must address future imbalances of land use, physical infrastructures, facilities and social issues of urbanisation.  Addressing these future issues and challenges today will allow a more diligent approach towards a world city management in the future," says Urban, Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government deputy minister Datuk Halimah Sadique at the launch of the inaugural conference which saw the presence of 500 delegates from around the region.

"The success of Johor Bahru as a world city by 2020 also hinges on the efficiency and prolific implementation of policies and strategies and how it is being translated at grassroot levels," she added.

The Johor Bahru City Council is a local authority that is given the supremacy under the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171) to provide the township services to all residents of Johor Bahru city. It is an organisation under the purview of the Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government that is responsible for the planning and development of the city which covers 220km sq ft.

The current mayor is Abdul Rahman Dewam.

Johor Reclamation Works Stopped

By Ben Tan and Chuah Bee Kim - 24 June 2014 
sourced from NST online

JOHOR BARU: The Department of Environment has issued a temporary stop-work order against all coastal land reclamation works for the development of the massive Forest City off Tanjung Kupang here pending a detailed study.

  State Health and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said any negotiation on lifting the suspension would be between the department and the project’s jointdevelopers, China’s Country Garden Holdings Co Ltd and state-owned Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor.

  “The order came about a week ago and all land reclamation work in the area have been suspended pending further studies on the environmental effects of the project,” hetold the New Straits Times yesterday.

  The reclamation works for the proposed 49-hectare Forest City tourist hub project began in early March and was expected to be completed by year’s end.

  The project hit a snag after the Singaporean government raised concerns over the state’s coastal land reclamation projects, citing that it might cause trans-boundary issues.

  It also sent several diplomatic notes and a formal request to the Federal Government for more information on the state’s coastal projects, specifically in the Straits of Johor.

  In a statement, its Foreign Affairs Ministry had said there were international obligations for both countries to work closely on such matters.

  Environmental activists have also voiced their worries on Johor’s shoreline reclamation works.

  Ayub said the state government would monitor the progress of discussions between developers and the Department of Environment.

  “We will wait for the department to complete their studies on the project, after which we will also ensure that all guidelines are met.”

  On the concerns raised by the Singaporean government, Ayub said the state government valued the bilateral ties with its neighbour.

  “We will look into the issue of other trans-boundary effects because of the land reclamation works.”
Ayub clarified that there was a preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the proposed Forest City project.

  “Normally, shoreline reclamation projects below 50ha in size, such as the proposed Forest City project, does not need a EIA report under the Environmental Quality (prescribed activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 1987.

  “However, as the project will have a 80-room hotel, increasing the area’s density, a preliminary EIA report was conducted and its findings submitted to the relevant authorities.”

  Country Garden Holdings, which has its international office in Johor Baru, did not reply to queries.

  On Monday, the New Straits Times reported that the Johor government confirmed it had received a request by Putrajaya to furnish details on land reclamation projects in the state.

The Long Hot Summer

On a day that felt like a "long hot summer", the sight of a swimming pool felt like coming across an oasis.

I was at the pre-opening of the SEED Clubhouse just now.  Last week Tanah Sutera held a pre-opening event for Phase 1 residents of the Seed which comprise of a total of 1,230 units of walk-up apartments, garden villas, duplex suites, condominiums and penthouses.  This evening, it was for Phase 2 residents.

Next Saturday (June 28 from 5pm to 10pm), SEED developer Tanah Sutera Development Sdn Bhd will organise a public preview of the clubhouse.  So, please go and experience "resort living" on June 28.  Price is from RM788,000 onwards.

The developer is believed to be one of the first in Malaysia to "go green in a big way" as the SEED is built using Effective Microorganism (EM) in the concrete and landscaping to improve air qualityas well as in the cleaning of the the pool, clubhouse and other water features.

Besides an olympic-size swimming pool, there is also a pool for children and a wadding pool. 

Address of The Seed is Jalan Persisiran Sutera Utama, Taman Sutera Utama, Johor Bahru. Don't forget June 28.

On a totally separate matter, I just saw the news on TV that the Singapore government is asking the Malaysian government to furnish an environment impact assessment report on reclamation works near the 2nd Link, and the Malaysian government has agreed to do so.

 I also found this

Strong Opposition To Massive Reclamation Project In Johor

which appeared in the ant daily.

Finally, somebody is listening ....  starry starry night

Please Save Our Seagrass