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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.

The Enchanting Inhabitants Of Sungai Pulai

Updated with corrections.  Iskandar Regional Development Authority just confirmed it has nothing to do with this development.  Sorry, wrong department.

Feeding trails exposed at low tide at the Merambong Sea Grass Meadow (pic source: MNS Johor)

Seahorse feed on the sea grass. Other inhabitants of the area.

So, what is all the fuss about?

Bilateral relations is very important.  Economic development.  Foreign investment.  All are positive aspects of economic growth. Thumbs up to that.

But what about environmental protection?  

The Straits of Johor experiences an abundance of fishes and shrimps during seasons when there are marine "visitors" from the Malacca Straits. In the months of October to January, for instance, there will be large numbers of penaeid prawns caught.

It is also the foraging grounds of the sea-cow or dugong, the Hawksbill Sea Turtle and the Common Bottle-nosed Dolphin.  Also found here are the seahorse, chocolate chip starfish and carpet anemone.

Not only is the reclamation works posing a threat to the seahorse and all other enchanting marine life here, there will repercussions in years to come as the water quality in the Straits is affected when all the pollutants pile up due to impeded water flow rate and inadequate flushing.  With a big chunk of land blocking the water flow, there could be flash floods wreaking untold damages in the sea and land.

Is Country Gardens to be blamed for this? I don't think so. They were given the green light, so they proceeded with their mega investment plan. I don't think the Chinese-based developer was aware about the sea grass being an Environmentally Sensitive Area.

Now what? Will the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) please say or do something about this?

Please. Please. Please. Before it is too late.

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