Aksi TKI JB 2014

by Shella Rini

They wowed the judges with their poise, confidence and talent.

Retno Dianasari (centre) clinched the top spot in the "Perlombaan DutaTenaga Kerja Indonesia (TKI) Johor Baru." The lass from Kediri, Jawa Timur, is an office clerk.  Her dream is to be an entrepreneur. She is flanked by Erni Wisayanti (left) who secured the second spot.

Erni, 20, from Madiuh, Jawa Timur, works in a factory. Her dream is to be a stewardess. Ni Kadek Aminingsih (right) won the third prize. 

Ni Kadek, 22. Is from Denpasar, Bali. She is pursuing an online course offered by Universitas Terbuka (Indonesia Open University), and hopes to join the hospitality industry.

The competition, which featured eight participants, was held in conjunction with the Aksi TKI JB 2014 today. Into its third year, the annual event attracted some 200 people, mainly Indonesian students and workers.

Aksi TKI was organised by UT Pokjar Johor.

Another highlight of the event was a traditional dance competition where the team from Persatuan Pelajar Indonesia (PPI) of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) won the first prize of RM750 cash with their performance of the "Tari Indang", a traditional dance of Padang.

The "Tari Renggong Manis", presented by another team from PPI UTM, garnered the second spot. They walked away with RM500. Meanwhile, the team from UT POKJAR KL won the third spot (RM250) with their dance "Tari Bajdor Rahot."

All the winners were presented with trophies and certificates.

The event would not have been possible without sponsors like MS Cargo, Western Union, Hotlink and XPress Air.

Present were Consul-General Taufiqur Rijal, the consulate's former minister counsellor Djudjur S.H. Hutagalung and their spouses.

Fond Memories

Before "Streets",  the eight-page pull out was known as Johor Buzz ...

Found some of the old articles which brought back some wonderful memories

http://my.vlex.com/vid/johor-abuzz-with-nst-s-new-pullout-78900158

http://indonesia-handicraft.com/news/2008/01/18/johor-buzz-handicraft-heaven/

http://www.tecksing.com/nst_johorbuzz.htm


Selamat Jalan.

Fairy Tale?

Hi, it's been a while. I miss blogging but I don't want to overstrain my eyes, so this is just going to be a short crazy post. Currently, one eye is 200 degrees, the other is 1,200 degrees. Kind of hard to FOCUS.

I'm ok. At home, joyfully chanting and sleeping most of the time and getting FAT.

Can't help wondering if what is coming my way is something that is too good to be true, or do fairy tales really do happen.

When "benefits" seem to be manifesting either due to the Law of Cause and Effect or the Law of Attraction or whatever Universal Law  ---- we see doubts rising.

Whether it's a fairy tale unfolding or it is just what it is - something that is too good to be true --- I will have a good laugh and celebrate life !!!!

And ... don't judge, don't complain, don't condemn, don't criticize.

We will drive all the good things away when we do.

Head To Larkin Sentral

by Chuah Bee Kim and Mary Victoria Dass

JOHOR BARU: THE public can now take a taxi from Johor Baru to Singapore at Larkin Sentral transport hub, which now has a new taxi waiting area.

The terminal, which was recently upgraded, saw the re-location of operators who were formerly at the Kotaraya 2 bus and taxi stands, here.

Damansara Assets Sdn Bhd head of corporate communications Ungku Abdul Aziz Ungku Hasnan said that the refurbished Larkin Sentral was now a transit point for taxis and buses.

“The bus stop is poised to receive more than 60,000 local and foreign tourists.

“To make it more convenient to the public, a taxi waiting area was incorporated into the plans,” he said, adding that the waiting area had seats and offices for operators, and was built at the cost of RM1 million. It was opened on Nov 1.

Ungku Abdul Aziz said the existing taxi stand in Jalan Garuda 2 was still operating.

“The old taxi stand is part of the car park of the transport building, so taxi drivers can still pick up and drop off passengers in this part of Larkin,” he said.

Ungku Abdul Aziz said the construction of the taxi stand and offices started last June and was completed last month.

This was about the same time the refurbishment works started at the terminal itself.

“The new taxi wing has been well-received by the public.”

“There are about 50 taxis plying the Johor Baru-Singapore route and 80 budget and executive taxis which offer rides around Johor Baru stationed here.

He said the facility houses the offices of Johor Baru-Singapore taxi companies and taxi cooperatives.

“The facilities are convenient for those who want to travel long distance as both long and short-distance taxi operators are stationed under one roof here.”

“We want to make it convenient for the public and reduce traffic congestion.

“These features will improve the image of the terminal.”

Abrizah Abu Bakar, 50, a trader, said she liked the new terminal.

“It is not congested like the old terminal at Kotaraya 2, and it is easy to get taxis as the queue is systematic,” Abrizah said.

Zainureeza Zainudin, 31, who takes taxis frequently said the terminal was impressive.

“I used to wait for taxis at the market. Now they are here, it is more convenient, and there are seats for those waiting their turn,” she said.

Md Azman Yusof, a taxi driver for 13 years, said the terminal made it easier for taxi drivers to pick up passengers.

“Take for example the Komtar Johor Baru City Centre mall in the heart of the city — when we pick up passengers, we have to look out for the traffic police.

“If there is one in sight, we do not dare to stop for passengers as there is no taxi stand at the shopping mall,” he added.

Take The Train

 

State Tourism, Trade and Consumerism committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong 

JOHOR BARU: THE number of commuters taking the train from the Sultan Iskandar Building, here, to Singapore has registered an increase after the toll hike on Aug 1.

State Tourism, Trade and Consumerism committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said that an average of 1,300 people commute by train to and from Johor Baru from Monday to Thursday.

“The numbers are also high on Fridays. However, the figures drop on weekends.

“Those who take the train to Singapore are usually people who work in the republic,” he said.

Tee said the cost of travelling via the train is only RM122 if they use the monthly pass and the journey takes only five minutes.

“There are six trips into the republic daily, from 5.30am to 11pm,” he said.

Tee said this at a press conference after launching the Student Tourism Programme (3P), where he sent off a group of students from Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, Pasir Gudang, to embark on an expedition to Endau Rompin State Park in Pahang, by train.

Also present were Johor Tourism Department director Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) southern region manager Omar Nazari Othman.

Earlier, Tee had taken the liberty to travel to Woodlands using the train service, a 5km journey which took five minutes.

Meanwhile, Tee also urged those in the travel and hospitality industry to offer attractive packages to tourists who arrive by train.

“There are 11 railway stations state-wide, where tourists arrive and head to their preferred areas.

“Johor has a lot of attractive places and tour operators can come up with a package which includes picking up tourists at train stations and send them to hotels, shopping malls, museums or homestay establishments to create a win-win situation for all,” Tee said.

JOHOR BARU: THE state wants foreign and domestic tourists to start using trains to visit places of interest in Johor.

This is in view of the 11 Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) train stations in the state, with each located either near or a short distance away from numerous tourist attractions.

State Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said tour operators are encouraged to come up with packages that incorporate train rides.

“Singaporean tourists can, for instance, take the train service from Woodlands to Kluang to enjoy Kluang coffee. From the Kluang train station, they can also visit some of the eco- or agro-tourism destinations in Kahang or Ayer Hitam.

“For those disembarking at JB Sentral, various tourist attractions are within walking distance such as the Heritage Walk near Jalan Tan Hiok Nee.

“They can even take a connecting bus service to Legoland and Sanrio Hello Kitty theme park in Nusajaya.

“At the Kulai train station, it is just a short distance away to the Johor Premium Outlets.

“If one intends to go to the Endau-Rompin National Park, the Bekok station is an ideal stop,” he said.

Tee said taking trains would offer an exciting and unique experience for tourists, as the rail tracks usually cut through rural areas, which offer verdant and rustic scenery along the way.

He noted that most people are not exposed to trains as a mode of travel, although it is a popular mode of transport overseas.

“Travelling by trains will become a trend in future. I hope KTM Bhd will increase its frequency to cater to the needs of the people,” he added.

“This is also a viable option for those coming from districts outside Johor Baru but want to travel to Singapore,” Tee said, adding that the train service provides a cheaper alternative, as it is the only mode of transport not subject to toll charges and vehicle entry permit fee at the Causeway.

“Train service and facilities have improved over the years. More importantly, there will be no traffic congestion which means travellers will arrive at their destinations on time,” he said.

by Sim Bak Heng, Chuah Bee Kim and Mary Victoria Dass

source NST online

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