Flying High

Shella was all smiles at the Senai International Airport today. I told her to have faith, and that all will be well.

Before I left home today, I was actually quite worried about not being able to find a parking space because of the Explore Johor Fest. But I managed to find a space without much trouble. 

Everything did go well. The power of positive thinking. 

We visited the booths of the participating hoteliers and browsed through the tourism products that were on display.

According to some hoteliers, the change of rest days from Saturday and Sunday to Friday and Saturday which took effect from January this year has affected the hotel industry.

"It is not feasible for private corporations to standardize the official rest days on Fiday and Saturday because our headquarters operate from Monday to Friday," says a hotelier.

The hotelier went on to say things had been looking bright from year to year. However, come Vist Malaysia Year 2014 --- the MH370 incident and the change of rest days, among others --- created a slight dent in the hospitality industry.

I then went over to the booth of MPH Bookstore which was offering books at slashed prices. The discount was up to 70%. I bought four books.

Meanwhile, my colleague Rizalman Hammim has this story.

Khaled: Executive power of Johor Housing and Real Property Board lies with MB

SENAI: The executive power of the Johor Housing and Real Property Board will lie with the chairman of the board, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

He said under the enactment, which will be tabled on Monday, the Johor Menteri Besar will automatically be the chairman of the Board with the state Housing and Local Government committee chairman as his deputy.

"Under the enactment, the Sultan of Johor can appoint members of the board with the advice of the Menteri Besar, which is similar to the power that the Sultan has at the moment," said Khaled at the launch of the Explore Johor Fest 2014 here today.

He said the enactment is similar with the Johor Corporation Enactment 1968 and that it must be read together with the Johor State Constitution (Undang-undang Tubuh Negeri Johor).

Khaled said this in response to a report on an online news portal that said the enactment will grant the Sultan of Johor the power to appoint members of the board, oversee its accounts and dissolving the board.

Read more: Khaled: Executive power of Johor Housing and Real Property Board lies with MB - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/khaled-executive-power-of-johor-housing-and-real-property-board-lies-with-mb-1.612687#ixzz33rQhYgFf

And here is an interesting read

http://chedet.cc/?p=1379

Explore Johor Fest 2014

Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said there would be more than 120 booths promoting tourism products and destinations of the 10 districts in Johor at the Explore Johor Fest. Pic by Roslan Khamis

Don't forget to head down to the Senai International Airport June 6 to June 8, if you are a player in the tourism industry.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin will launch the event and reveal the state's Master Tourism Plan for 2014 to 2023 at the airport tomorrow (June 6).

Read more: 800 prizes up for grabs at Explore Johor Fest - Johor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/800-prizes-up-for-grabs-at-explore-johor-fest-1.611525#ixzz33itgbMNQ

Meanwhile, a very long but thought-provoking piece by Datuk Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid Tengku Hamid Jumat titled Protecting Johor's sovereignty

Read more: Protecting Johor's sovereignty - Columnist - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/protecting-johor-s-sovereignty-1.611546#ixzz33isqIhCH

Classy and Modern

By Chuah Bee Kim 

ELEGANT LOOK: MyDezigner Label boutique offers chic and trendy clothes and Muslim attire

JOHOR BARU: FOR those looking for designer wear that screams class and modern casual, head down to MyDezigner Label (MDL), a newly-opened boutique in Bandar Baru Uda here.

The boutique, located at No 39, Jalan Padi Emas 1/3, is a branch of MDL in NEO Damansara in Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Owner Nora Zakaria, 47, said her daughter Muniera Syaza Johari, 22, is also one of the partners of the boutique.

Nora Zakaria (centre) with her daughter Muniera Syaza Johari (left) and Ain Abd Majid operate MyDezigner Label boutique.

Another partner is Ain Abd Majid, 34, who is known for having founded the Label Hijau Gallery which specialises in Islamic clothing for women.

Nora, who has her own NORA of Galeri Muslimah label, is also well-known in the fashion industry as her fashionwear has found its way into markets in Singapore, Doha in Qatar and Dubai in United Arab Emirates.

Nora said her daughter Muniera Syaza, who graduated from Raffles College, designs for the young and trendy.

"She is a very creative girl and her designs are modern and chic. The younger clients love her creations.

"As for me, I did not graduate from any fashion course. After I got married in 1991, I was encouraged by my husband to start a business.

"So, I opened a shoe shop in Kuala Lumpur. Although business was thriving, I was not satisfied. It just did not bring me the satisfaction that I was craving for.

"Most of the shoes that I sourced from a supplier were of the same design. Soon, life got monotonous," she said.

Nora said her boredom prompted her to take up sewing lessons.

"In 1996, I was ready to open a tailoring shop and the orders started pouring in, some from prominent designers."

After several years, her husband opened a factory for Nora to mass produce tudung and clothing for Muslim women.

Nora, who idolises renowned fashion icons Yves Saint Laurent, Dries Van Noten and John Galliano, got her own designer label (NORA) last year.

Read more: Classy and modern wear - Johor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/classy-and-modern-wear-1.611517#ixzz33im59zJ3

YB Michael Tay

Kamal relating his story to Yang Berkhidmat Michael Tay.

By CHUAH BEE KIM 

TRAPPED: Loan sharks continue a borrower’s cycle of debt by getting their counterparts to make irresistible offers

JOHOR BARU: KAMAL (not his real name) borrowed RM400 from a loan shark two months ago.  He claimed that he has since paid about RM5,000 in interest for the sum he borrowed.

Michael Tay, the newly-appointed Johor MCA bureau of coordinating government affairs chairman, said that loan sharks are now using a tactic where they will get their friends to conduct "follow-up sessions" with the borrower.

Tay said after Kamal had paid the first loan shark RM200 in interest for the sum he borrowed, he received a call from another loan shark who offered Kamal more money to run his business.

Kamal accepted the offer. After that he received calls from three other loan sharks who made Kamal the same offer.

Kamal took all their offers and could only pay the interest.

Tay said Kamal, a 28-year-old kuih seller, had borrowed the money to diversify his business as he wanted to sell shoes.

Kamal had wanted to settle the loan early but was told by one of the loan sharks that there was no need to rush.

"The loan sharks want the borrower to take his time, so that they can make money from the interest," said Tay.

"Kamal had also paid RM6,000 as down payment for a van for his business venture. Unfortunately, the deal went sour and Kamal ended up losing the down payment and the van."

Tay said he would help Kamal by talking to the loan sharks, but advised victims like Kamal to be wary of turning to loan sharks for help.

"It is always wise to live within your means. So many people come to me telling me that they are being hounded by loan sharks.

"I can only help by acting as a mediator between both parties," he said.

Tay also urged the public not to listen to advice from their "friends" who may be earning an interest from the loan sharks.

"Take Kamal for instance, he was advised to get help from a loan shark when his business slowed down.

"I'm not saying the friend is getting a commission, but it is a well-known fact that an Ah Long pays between five and 10 per cent to anyone who introduces a client to them," Tay said.

Read more: Loan sharks' new ploy - Johor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/loan-sharks-new-ploy-1.610768#ixzz33ciWOj1S

Get To Know Johor

Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar visiting the booths with JCorp president and chief executive officer Datuk Kamaruzzaman Abu Kassim (left) as Urusan Kulim Nursery Bhd director Norlukmal Mat Ghani (right) talks about his products. Pic by Mohd Azren Jamaludin

The story on the upgrading of Sungai Johor.  Yes, the assignment that led me to discover Kampung Makam (Tomb Village) that Saturday.

JOHOR Corporation (JCorp) and the state government will jointly develop Sungai Johor into a prime eco-tourism destination in the state.

Kota Tinggi District Officer Mohd Osman Noorazam said the upgrading works of Sungai Johor, which is in the initial phase of the Kota Tinggi Transformation Plan, is expected to start this year.

"We have a budget of RM2.4 million to develop Sungai Johor, as well as for beautification efforts to upgrade the city's landscape which includes lighting up the area with more street lamps.

"Among the projects under the Kota Tinggi Transformation Plan is to develop fishing activity in Sungai Johor.

"Also included in the Kota Tinggi Transformation Plan is the development of the Kulim Eco Trail Retreat, an eco-tourism destination that can accommodate up to 200 visitors in Ladang Basir Ismail," he said.

Read more: Makeover for Sungai Johor - Johor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/makeover-for-sungai-johor-1.610220#ixzz33WxZd9JI

Meanwhile, this story is on the upcoming Explore Johor Fest which will be held from June 6 to June 8 at the Senai International Airport.

By Ben Tan

JOHOR BARU: The Explore Johor Fest exhibition which will held for the first time, is scheduled to have a big impact on the various destinations in the state.

The inaugural event will take place from Friday to Sunday this year at the Senai International Airport here.

The event is aimed to provide the opportunity for visitors to know and appreciate Johor's natural beauty and locations such as beaches, islands, waterfalls and national parks.

It also acts as a guide to allow potential tourists to plan their stay in Johor at these exciting destinations according to their budgets.

Johor tourism, domestic trade and consumerism committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said tourists to Johor can make smart choices based on the information and tips during the exhibition.

"At the same time, the exhibition also aims to educate potential tourists on what is on offer at tourist destinations such as lodging and food," he said recently.

Tee said the exhibition will be joined by several companies and 11 tourist clusters such as theme park operators, hotels, resorts and tourist destinations from the state.

"At the same time, visitors will also get to enjoy food and delicacies from the various districts in the state by chefs from several renowned hotels.

"In addition, there will also be cultural performances, local handicraft exhibitions, and also a lucky draw," he said.

The state government, together with the Iskandar Malaysia Public Transportation authority will provide free bus service to the public during the entire exhibition period.

In conjunction with the exhibition, the state government will also launch the Johor Tourism Master Plan by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

The writer of the story, Ben Tan, is not in this picture as he was busy writing the above story.

We were also very busy but we took a breather with a selfie. That's me with my colleagues Halim Said,  Norbaiti Phaharoradzi and a special guest.

Have a good day everyone!

A Delightful Dark Fantasy

Maleficent is a visual treat.  

An old tale told anew, the film questions the existence of true love.  Once a good fairy, Maleficent's heart was stolen and then shattered by a peasant boy who later also stole her wings.  He did this because he wanted to be a king.

Blinded by rage, hatred and a thirst for revenge, Maleficent cast a dark spell on the king's newborn child.  However, Maleficent grew to love the baby girl and watches over her as the child grows up. She even tried to revoke the curse but words once uttered could not be taken back.

Does true love exist? It sure does.

The peasant boy ascended to the throne but his days were filled with torment because of his wrongdoing. The evil that one does will always come back to haunt the evildoer, so why waste our time and energy to harvest the seed of hatred?

And when Maleficent found love once more, her forest kingdom became a beautiful place again which shows that when your inner world is at peace, your environment will transform.

I love Maleficent

and the salted popcorn.