Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards

(From left) Tun Jeanne Abdullah, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Datin Seri Rosni Omar. Pix by Norbaiti Phaharoradzi

http://www.nst.com.my/node/39559

By Norbaiti Phaharoradzi

JOHOR BARU: Those who had given their time and energy to make the community a better place were feted at the inaugural Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (IMSHA).

Twenty-two awards were presented to non-government organisations and individuals at Le Grandeur Palm Resort, here, recently.

Former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is the patron of IMSHA, graced the event accompanied by his wife, Tun Jeanne Abdullah.

Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Iskandar Regional Development Authority chief executive officer Datuk Ismail Ibrahim.

Ismail, in his speech, said Iskandar Malaysia’s premier community awards were held to recognise and honour the unsung heroes.

“I take this opportunity to thank these heroes for their noble contributions to the community.

“It is hoped that these awards will inspire others to become socially conscious and active,” he said.

The main event sponsors are Medini Iskandar Malaysia Bhd, Iskandar Investment Bhd and UM Land Bhd subsidiary Dynasty View Sdn Bhd. 

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.

Inaugural Imsha

Congratulations!

(2nd from left) Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Irda chief executive officer Datuk Ismail Ibrahim at the inaugural Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards ceremony. Pic by Norbaiti Phaharoradzi

to the 22 NGOs and individuals 

In the Johor Streets today

THE Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation (Jaro) has received the Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Iskandar Malaysia Ultimate Social Hero Award.

JARO committee member Datin Patricia Lim received the award from former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the inaugural Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (Imsha) ceremony.

Abdullah, who is the patron of Imsha, said the nation was full of unsung heroes.

“When I launched the South Johor Economic Region (now known as Iskandar Malaysia) in November 2006, I had envisioned that it would grow economically with community involvement,” he said.

“Eight years down the road, Iskandar Malaysia is a global economic player that has made the well-being of the local community a priority.”

He said Imsha had brought the government and the private sector together in a move which involved the community in a sharing of minds and responsibilities.

“Development should not rest only on the shoulders of the leaders but everyone,” Abdullah said, adding that there was much to learn from the community.

He called for friendship among all Malaysians, and for the need to set aside their differences and come together with the same objective of community and nation-building.

Also present at the event at Le Grandeur Palm Resort, here, were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Iskandar Regional Development Authority chief
 executive Datuk Ismail Ibrahim.

The objective of the inaugural event is to recognise and honour heroes in the local community.

Twenty-two non-governmental organisations and individuals were also honoured for their contributions to the economy.

The NGOs were Jaro, Johor Society For The Performing Arts (JSPA), Homeless and Orphan Pets Exist (Hope), Mercy Malaysia, Grace Covenant Community Care, Save Our Seahorses, Johor Cerebral Palsy Association, Kechara Soup Kitchen Society, Taman Molek Resident Association, Dynasty View Sdn Bhd and Johor Baru Happy and Joyous Club

The individuals were Suzie Yap of JSPA, Joseph Chia of Companion Animal Rescue Effort Society, Yong Yun Pin of Persatuan Xing Jun, Ellen Chandra of Education Advancement, Serina Rahman of Kelab Alami, Harjeet Sandhu of Alzheimers Support Group, Leekha Nandy of Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Dr T. Sivakumar, Woo Soo Pheng, Zack Joho and Ahmad Muhi Johari.

About 170 nominations were received.

As the top prize winner, Jaro will get to send a representative to Frost & Sullivan for training to run a social enterprise. The other winners are entitled to use the Imsha award for marketing and promotional purposes.

The main sponsors of Imsha are Medini Iskandar Malaysia Bhd, Iskandar Investment Bhd and Dynasty View Bhd of UM Land Bhd.

Something's Missing

The Iskandar Malaysia Information Centre offers visitors information about what is going on in the region... or does it?

Admission is free, but it is not drawing the crowd. Some are not even aware of the existence of the centre. More should be done to promote it, and make it more visitor-friendly.

In the Johor Streets today

Lack Of Information For Visitors

JOHOR BARU: There are strong views that the Iskandar Malaysia Information Centre in Danga Bay Convention Centre, which has a world-class facade and interior, should be doing more to promote Iskandar Malaysia.

A nature lover, who only wanted to be known as Cyndi, claimed she had come to Iskandar Malaysia to visit the mangroves as she had heard much about the state’s plan to promote eco-tourism.

Cyndi said she had asked the security guard for information at the centre but she did not receive much assistance from him.

“I was impressed with the interactive touch-screen panels and the sophisticated decor. However, I could not find the information that I needed.”

Streets had also visited the centre twice. On Thursday, we went to the centre at 3pm but it appeared to be closed. A few people who were outside the centre also thought that the centre was “closed” as it was a Thursday (half day for those working in the government sector).

We then revisited the centre on Monday at 2pm. The centre appeared to be closed and the security guard did not inform visitors otherwise.

A reporter asked the guard if it was opened and he replied: “Just go in.”

From observation, the interior was classy and there seemed to be a wealth of information available. However, it could also seem like a case of information overload.

There was an innovative section called the Ramsar Boat, which was a virtual boat ride to the Ramsar site.

The boat seats a maximum of 10 persons and take a load of 1,000kg.

There also appears to be a poster on eco-tourism, but the information that a tourist would need to embark on an eco-tour was not available.

At the time, the centre was hosting a student delegation comprising 40 people from Tanjungpura University in Pontianak, in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, where an Iskandar Regional Development Authority personnel was briefing them about the southern development corridor.

It is learnt that the centre received 33,411 visitors last year.

A centre spokesman said the visitors comprised of locals and foreigners. 

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.

Noble Honey Collector

Ismail Haron, 68, lives in Kampung Melayu Majidee with his wife Nurdiati Gammara, 34. The couple have three children.

 
WHEN I first ventured into the jungle and Orang Asli settlement areas, I was welcomed with open arms by the Orang Asli community.

The Orang Asli are warm-hearted folk who would be happy even if you had only bottles of honey as gifts for them.

However, now some of them want RM50 if you want to check the beehives whether or not the hives have honey. And it is RM50 per hive.

Yes, I make a living from collecting honey. But I do not like hives of bees that are reared. These bees are lazy, and do not produce the best honey.

Here is something that some may not know about the Orang Asli. If they don’t understand something that you are telling them, out comes their iPad.

Times have changed.

I love to venture into the jungles. I go there when my source tells me that there are beehives there.

Honey has numerous benefits. It is good for those who smoke, as the honey can clean nicotine deposits in their lungs.

One can rub raw honey onto the palms of the hands and the skin of the hands will be smooth. One can do that on the face too, as honey acts as a moisturiser.

However, do not do it if your skin is sensitive.

Honey is also known to increase body heat.

To know whether you have genuine honey, there are numerous tests.

One is to keep the honey in a freezer. Genuine honey cannot be frozen.
You can also do the match test.

Dip a match into the honey. Although the tip is wet, the match will still light.
Another test is to break open an egg.

Pour the egg yolk into a bowl of honey. The egg yolk will be cooked.

When I go up to a beehive, I do not wear any protective gear.

I pray first, and I believe in the power of my faith. If I am not taking the honey with a sincere and pure heart, I would have been stung to death.

Although I do put a price to the honey that I collect and sell, I am more interested in helping people than making a profit. I want to help people with health issues.

If I know they are really sick and they are not rich, I ask them to give me what they can afford. I do not want to profit from the predicament of the poor.

I was born in Ipoh. My late father worked as a Customs officer. We came to Johor two weeks after the nation gained independence.

I had previously worked with Malaysia Airlines for three years before I went over to Indonesia to work as an administrator for the Indonesian government for 20 years.

It was during my time in Indonesia that I learnt about the benefits of honey.

After retirement, I decided to become a honey collector.

When I first came to Kg Melayu Majidee there was no electricity or water supply. It wasn’t until 1982 or 1983 that we had water supply and electricity.

Interview by Chuah Bee Kim
Pictures by Roslan Khamis
source NST online