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.

Who Gave The Green Light?

NO EIA BUT JOHOR COASTAL RECLAMATION PROJECTS ALREADY UNDERWAY --- Malaysian Insider

Department of Environment's reply to Bernama

Reclamation-work-at-Johor-Straits-only-involves-49-acres

Inundation

A report from Star.

http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/06/21/Stormy-property-landscape-Johor-has-become-a-natural-investment-choice-for-China-developers/

and another one

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/06/21/Spore-concern-over-Johor-project-Land-reclamation-work-near-Second-Link-may-have-potential-transboun/

and one from Channel News Asia.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/mobile/singapore/singapore-concerned-about/1187610.html

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

A Very Hot Fryday

I am so BORED. It's such a freaking hot day. Had to sit under the air-cond most of the time. And tomorrow (Saturday, June 21) is going to be the Summer Solstice --- the longest day of the year.

I do hope my favourite blogger --- The Little Lady of the Valley --- is all right. I love her sense of humour and insightful writings.

Kept myself busy with housework. Phew! Household chores is like a neverending story ...

"bored" + "sitting under the air-cond" + "neverending story" doesn't seem to quite gel together. It really was a very hot day in JB.

Hmmm ... maybe we should just enjoy this poem by Mindie Kniss called "Sun Lust"

life-giving fire

pour sundrops like rain.

let us reflect your glow.

enlighten our path

as we flourish and grow.

let us drink in your heat

and eat from your hand

as we sway in the breeze

as you kiss our skin…

wrap us up

in light and insight

as we spin ‘round again

toward dark.

Lace Driven By Demand For Hotels

A NEW boutique hotel is set to open its doors for business in Jalan Tebrau here in August.

The RM14 million hotel, featuring two levels of car park, a car showroom, and five storeys of rooms, will be called the Lace Boutique Hotel.

Syarikat Lace Motor Sdn Bhd founder and managing director Datuk Paduka Rokiah Omar said this is her first venture into the hospitality industry.

She said there was a demand for hotels in the thriving southern economic corridor.

Rokiah, who set up the Lace Motor Foundation three years ago, said the hotel in Jalan Tebrau will also house the office of the foundation formed to help orphans, old folk, single mothers and the underprivileged. She said this at the launch of an autoshow, one of the highlights of the Mega Raya Sale promotion which started in May 18 and ends on July 31.

A host of programmes has been lined up in conjunction with the promotion such as a lucky draw, karaoke, and buka puasa feast.

Rokiah, who is also the group and company chairman, said there are plans to build a budget hotel at the back of the boutique hotel.

“A market survey revealed that the demand for budget hotels is even higher than boutique hotels, so plans are on the drawing board to build one in the near future.”

Rokiah said the boutique hotel, built on 0.2ha of land, was targeted to open earlier, but there were unexpected delays.

“The first contractor failed to deliver the project in time, so we changed the contractor. But before the change could take place, the first contractor had to be legally terminated.

“I learnt a lot from the building of the boutique hotel,” Rokiah said, adding that she is confident it will be ready after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.

Rokiah, who built the Lace Motors empire, said it was tough for a woman to succeed in the corporate world.

“It is hard for a man, and much harder for a woman who has to take care of her family at the same time. Although I am a workaholic, my family’s needs are always my priority,” she said.

On top of balancing family and her business, Rokiah is also known for her contribution to orphanages and old folk’s home.

“In the Islamic faith, we have to give back to the community to show our gratitude to God Almighty,” she said.

Lace Motors, incorporated in 1981, has a showroom called Wisma Lace Motor beside the Pasir Gudang Highway. Previously, it was operating in Taman Sentosa here. The showroom features car brands such as BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Fiat, Kia, among others.

It also has branches in Taman Johor Jaya and Skudai, here.

sourced from NST online