Nam Wah Kangkar Pulai Johor

The Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat Complex in Tampoi was owned by former Information Minister the late Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat. Pic by Dazar Suarman

JOHOR BARU: SPORTS and recreational enthusiasts will soon have a place they can visit if they want to learn taekwando, silat or lion dance.

Pulai member of parliament Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed plans to open the Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat Complex in Tampoi for the public to learn traditional martial arts and lion dance said his special officer Goh Teck Kuan.

Nur Jazlan is the son of the late Umno veteran and former Information Minister Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat, who owned the complex.

“We are in the process of looking for coaches.

“We not only want to have such classes, but we hope to get people of all races to sign up for lessons.

“We want the Chinese to learn the silat and the Indians to learn lion dance and so on.

“We feel that this would strengthen bonds in the community,” Goh said.

Goh said Nur Jazlan was supportive of sports and cultural activities and believed youths should have more opportunities to do so instead of idling their time away.

The plans for such classes to be held at the complex was timely as sports enthusiasts in the state had recently complained of a lack of venues to conduct activities.

Goh said this at a send-off ceremony for the Nam Wah Kangkar Pulai lion dance troupe, which will be representing Malaysia in Bali, Indonesia next week.

The ceremony was held at the SRJK (Cina) Pulai in Kangkar Pulai here on Sunday.

The troupe will compete in the third Asia Lion Dance Championship from Saturday to Oct 16.

The Nam Wah Kangkar Pulai troupe has more than 50 members, including non-Chinese.

However, only eight members of the troupe led by Datuk Ong Chi Kin would be going for the championship.

From left: Gan Tek Hing, Kew Yin Min and Lee Song Twee.

http://www.nst.com.my/node/40715

JOHOR BARU: A send-off ceremony was held on Sunday for the award-winning Nam Wah Kangkar Pulai lion dance troupe which flew to Bali to represent the country in the Third Asia Lion Dance Championship.

About 100 people, including Kangkar Pulai village head Lee Song Twee and former village head Kew Yin Min, turned up at SRJK (Cina) Pulai in Kangkar Pulai to show their support for the eight-member troupe.

The championship will take place from Saturday to Oct 16.

Troupe chairman Yong Yii Yaak said their biggest rival would be from China.

The inaugural championship was hosted in Johor Baru two years ago while last year's event took place in Jakarta, Indonesia.

On both occasions, the Nam Wah Kangkar Pulai lion dance troupe emerged in the top three spot. By Chuah Bee Kim

Symbol Of The Owl

Hear the hidden meaning of what others are not saying but is conveyed in their silence.  Trust your instincts about others. - symbol of the Owl

Baby Wendie is the star of the day. She is the sixth generation of owls born in Le Grandeur Palm Resort Johor. The little darling isn't able to fly yet so she's just waiting.

This is Wendie's family. As soon as they're able to fly they'll take flight. Some come back, some don't.  Mummy Mollie can be spotted nearby at times watching over Baby Wendie, and bringing her food.

Meanwhile, everyone wants to have a picture with Baby Wendie.

Look carefully. Wendie is in all the photos below.

This is Strawberry Yam, Le Grandeur's cute and bubbly Group MarComm executive. 

Mary and Baby Wendie.

Le Grandeur's MarComm manager S. Darshini, who loves to travel, and also has a travel blog http://wvtraveller.wordpress.com/

Have a good day, everyone.

Preserving Classic Cars

JOHOR BARU: A bevy of vintage beauties beckons as one walks into the workshop set up by S. Weerasinghe and his friends. 

Located in Jalan Datin Halimah here, the workshop does everything from repairing, servicing to welding.

Weerasinghe used to work in the United Kingdom as a truck mechanic for 45 years before returning to Malaysia.

Antiques: Among the Humber Sceptre and the 1965 MG BGT which were at the workshop was this 1923 MGTF (pictured above). The old dame will get a new lease of life once the original parts arrive from the UK.

Bored And Overwhelmed

Woke up and saw some comments and feedback regarding the new Society Page in Johor Streets. People loved it! I'm glad. 

Yesterday was World Animal Day and this cute three-month-old Chow Chow was getting its ears checked and cleaned, courtesy of Global Pets Sdn Bhd.

The owner told me he bought the Chow Chow at RM3,800.

One can also adopt a stray at the event. Give these puppies a decent home and the love that they deserve. 

Today is Hari Raya Haji, a holy festival of sacrifice. Wishing the Muslim community "Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha". 

A prayer for the slaughtered offered as sacrifice. May they have peace and bliss in the hereafter.

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.