Stumped

Forestry Department Called To Clear Things Up

Plot thickens: Non-government environmental organisation wants clarification on extent of illegal logging in Seluyut Forest Reserve

by Chuah Bee Kim

in the Johor Streets today

KOTA TINGGI: The land surrounding a dam should not be denuded as it serves as the water catchment area.

Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Johor issued the statement in light of the discovery of illegal logging at the Seluyut Forest Reserve, recently.

ITs chairman Vincent Chow said the clearing of vegetation around a dam would not only cause the reservoir to dry up, it would also result in soil erosion.

"Clearing needs to be done before the facility is built, yes, but the surrounding area should not be touched once it is built," he said.

Chow is urging the Johor Forestry Department to clarify where the illegal logging was being carried out in the Seluyut Forest Reserve.

He also called on Syarikat Air Johor Holdings Sdn Bhd  (SAJ) to check the water catchment area of Sungai Lebam reservoir.

"It can be seen very clearly from the road that some clearing work is being done near the reservoir's catchment area. It would defeat the purpose of building a dam if no efforts are made to protect the catchment area and prevent soil erosion."

SAJ corporate communications head Jamaluddin Jamal could not be reached for comment.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Water Research Alliance (Office) dean Prof De Zulkifli Yusop concurs that the clearing of vegetation should only be done prior to the building of a dam.

"To construct the dam, the builder needs to get rid of the biomass at the site. Clearing is therefore necessary, but only that one time, to build the dam," he said.

The Johor Forestry Department could not be reached for a response to the New Straits Times report that Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) enforcers had raided the shared quarters if 20 foreigners involved in illegal logging at the Seluyut Forest Reserve.

MACC had also hauled up several state Forestry officers for suspected involvement in the scheme.

It was revealed that the company had been given the green light to clear the 39.94ha Forest reserve to make way for the construction of a dam.

"Touch a Dog" Organiser Says Sorry To JAKIM

NST online

PUTRAJAYA: The organiser of the “I Want to Touch a Dog” programme, which created a furore among the Muslim community, has apologised to the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) for holding the event.

Jakim director-general Othman Mustapha said Syed Azmi Alhabshi had expressed remorse over the incident and pledged to be more cautious when organising social events.

Othman said the apology was made at a meeting held at the Mines Hotel in Seri Kembangan yesterday, involving five organisers and five others from the Syariah Specialist Panel (PPS) of the department.

“PPS had given a warning and advised them against organising similar events that involved the sensitivities of Muslims in Malaysia,” he said in a statement yesterday.

“Jakim hopes the matter would will not be sensationalised by any party.”

Johor Upbeat On Higher Investments

(From left) Puma Energy general manager Low Huat Chye, State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong, Puma Energy general manager and head of global supply bitumen Jonathan Ellisor, Trafigura Pte Ltd director Dominic Watters, and Sonangol Asia president Luis Manuel after the launch of Langsat Bitumen Terminal in Tanjung Langsat yesterday. Pic by Roslan Khamis

by Chuah Bee Kim

NST online

PASIR GUDANG: The Johor government is confident of achieving its investment target of RM20 billion for the year, up from RM14.4 billion achieved last year.

State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said the optimism is based on the steady increase of foreign investments flowing into the state.

He said Johor has received investments totalling RM18.7 billion in the first seven months of the year.

Tee also revealed that a foreign multinational company is keen on investing in the state.

“Talks with the international company is now in its final phase, and the state government is confident the investment worth some RM6 billion will be poured into the Sedenak Industrial Park in Kulai.

“Based on the new development, the state government is confident the total investments this year will reach more than RM20 billion, and this will propel Johor as the state with the highest investments in the country.

“We found that the manufacturing sector is a strong contributor to the economic development of Johor, contributing nearly 35 per cent to the gross domestic product of the state,” he said after opening the Langsat Bitumen Terminal in Tanjung Langsat, here, yesterday.

The terminal, built by Puma Energy (M) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the Switzerland-based commodity trading multinational Trafigura Beheer BV, is part of its expansion move to serve the Asian market.

Puma Energy general manager and head of global supply bitumen Jonathan Ellisor said the company’s investment in Malaysia is a 
significant step forward as it focuses on the growth of global bitumen capability.

“The modern storage facility can accommodate several grades of bitumen in bulk, with a capacity of 74,000 tonnes,” he said, adding that it is the largest new private terminal in Southeast Asia and is able to handle ships of 1,000 to 45,000 deadweight tonnes.

Puma Energy operates a bitumen distribution network, including a dedicated fleet of bitumen vessels and terminals, across Africa, Asia Pacific and Central America.

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

Sunway College Johor Baru Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Ong Mei Mei (left) and Chan Shen Wei

http://www.nst.com.my/node/49218

JOHOR BARU: Some 230 guests attended the 10th anniversary celebration of Sunway College Johor Baru at Mutiara Johor Baru, here, recently.

Its principal, Hor Poh Choo, said the college, which started with a handful of staff and students, now has more than 2,000 students and its staff strength has grown to more than 100.

“Our vision to be the premier private college in the southern region has been realised, with our track record of academic achievements,” Hor said in her speech.

Meanwhile, organising committee chairman Leong Mei Kuen said the event was attended by staff, business associates and alumni.

Among the highlights of the dinner were lucky draws and performances by the staff and students.

Ten staff members received recognition awards for 10 years of service. By Chuah Bee Kim

Heartwarming Sunday

The day started with me leaving the house early. I dreamt of my late parents last night. It was a comforting dream.... one filled with vibrant colours and a breathtaking view.  So I decided to visit the collaborium where their urns are kept. 

On the way home, I bought breakfast.

The big pau is mine while the four smaller "char siu" paus are for the kids. They're getting excited already, seeing me take photos of breakfast. I'm having wolfberries tea with slices of lemon. 

Health is really the most important thing to pray for, followed by wisdom, love, wealth ...I don't know. That's just my opinion.

I then went over to Lim Kim Lan's house at 1pm and she was busy cooking lunch. I decided to lend a helping hand.

This is Kim Lan's adorable two-year-old son affectionately known as 623 sitting on her lap as she is preparing lunch.

I helped to stuff the mixture of minced meat, salted fish with a little flour into the tauhu, chilli and okra before steaming the dish. Fifteen minutes later, lunch is served.

A selfie with 623.

623 with his lovely Mom.

Thank you for the delightful lunch and company.