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. 

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. 

At A Crossroads

We are at a crossroads where what we decide today can affect the future.  A balance between development and environmental conservation is essential. KPRJ, IRDA, NGOs related to environmental protection, the property developer concerned, the Federal government and the local community needs to come together and talk about this matter in depth. Seriously.

Meanwhile, a report by NST Johor bureau chief Ben Tan today

Explain Clearly, Forest City Developer Told

JOHOR BARU: THE developer of the controversial Forest City project must be clear in their explanation about the development and its impact on the affected villagers in the area, said Tan Sri Shahrir Samad.

The Johor Baru member of parliament said this was because he felt that the explanation offered to the Kampung Pok community in Gelang Patah by the developer, Country Garden Pacific View Sdn Bhd, had raised more questions than answers.

“They should have had the dialogue session earlier to address the concerns regarding the environmental impact and the villagers’ concern,” Shahrir, who is also Iskandar Regional Development Authority adviser, said after launching the IM Klik photography competition here yesterday.

Present was Iskandar Investment Berhad president and chief executive officer Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Ibrahim.

Shahrir said many villagers were not satisfied with the developer’s explanation.

“The developer needs to be more realistic in giving the real picture of their development not only to potential buyers, but to the surrounding community as well.”

Bernama had reported that since reclamation works for the project started in March this year, fishermen’s haul had dwindled.

“In the past, our haul would reach between 20kg and 40kg, but now, it is difficult for us to get even 1kg,” Abu Talib Khamis, 56, said.

The fisherman, who started going to sea at 12, claimed that the massive reclamation works under the Forest City Project at the Johor Straits had impacted negatively on fishermen.

The Forest City project is a joint-venture between a property developer from China and a local agency to create four artificial islands in the area.

The project’s gross development value is expected to reach RM600 billion in 30 years.

State Malaysian Nature Society chairman Vincent Chow had in July described the continental shelves off Tanjung Adang and Merambong in the Johor Straits as a sensitive marine heritage.

Zulkifli Hassan, 49, said he and other fishermen were now forced to go further out to sea.

“We have to make a detour to avoid the reclamation area.”

He said the project had affected the sea currents, endangering the safety of fishermen using small boats.

“We are also using more fuel to reach new fishing spots and using bigger vessels to rough out the stronger currents.”

During the public dialogue held last Sunday at the Kampung Pok community hall in Gelang Patah on the detailed environmental impact assessment (DEIA) briefing of the Forest City project, villagers had voiced their protests.

Among others, they questioned the credibility of the survey on  the social and economic impact conducted by the DEIA consultant.

Of the 100 villagers polled, 60 per cent of them had apparently said “yes” to the controversial project.

The audience questioned the methodology used in the survey and whether the sample was sufficient.

Kampung Pok Village Development and Security Committee deputy chairman Azman Abdul Rahman said he did not know when the survey was conducted, and if it had ever been conducted.

Save Our Seagrass

"Puting beliung" (fan clams), among other marine life,  in the Straits of Johor are dying, believed to have been caused by a change in their environment due to reclamation works in the vicinity.  Other marine life found here include the "gong gong" (conch), "kerang" (cockles), "kepah" (clams), sea cucumber and bamboo clams.

The Hippocampus kuda (spotted seahorse) (pictured), listed as vulnerable under the  International Union for Conservation (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Animals, is also a resident of the area.  Another species of seahorse found here is the Hippocampus comes (Tiger tail seahorse)

Seahorse pix courtesy of Johor MNS

The Merambong seagrass meadow, stretching 1.8 kilometres, is the largest and longest seagrass meadow in the country, with 10 known seagrass species.  It has been accorded ESA (Environmentally Sensitive Area) status.

It is the largest and longest seagrass meadow in the country, with 10 known seagrass species. and comprises the Tanjung Adang Laut shoal spreading 40 hectares, Tanjung Adang Darat shoal (42ha) and Merambong shoal (30ha).

It is a source of nutrient and shelter for the inhabitants of Sungai Pulai ranging from juvenile fishes to crustaceans, gastropods and shellfishes.

Reclamation works is being carried out about 400 meters from the Merambong sea grass meadow in Sungai Pulai.

Do we really need a shopping centre in the middle of the sea?  

Modern Policing in Iskandar

By Chuah Bee Kim

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (left) visiting the CCTV control room at the Seri Alam district police headquarters in Johor Baru.  Briefing him is Johor police chief Datuk Mokhtar Shariff (right).  Pic by Hairul Anuar Abd Rahim

CURBING CRIME: Hi-tech equipment , CCTVS, and more police presence in the pipeline

JOHOR BARU:  THE Iskandar Malaysia development corridor near here will be the first to have a taste of modern policing to bring greater peace of mind.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the implementation of the modern policing would come at a cost of billions of ringgit.

It will see more aggressive recruitment of police personnel, use of high-tech equipment such as high-definition closed-circuit television cameras and the setting of more police beat bases, police stations and police headquarters.

Ahmad Zahid said Iskandar Malaysia was chosen because of its high foreign direct investment.

He said all the analogue cameras at crime hot spots would be replaced by digital cameras.

"This also protects policemen who are often accused of being rough towards suspects.  A clear footage could be produced in court to prove whether the policemen were guilty of the act.

"We will also increase police presence by building more police beat bases and police stations in districts," he said at the Seri Alam district police headquarters here yesterday.

Present was Johor police chief Datuk Mokhtar Shariff.

Ahmad Zahid assured the public that their  safety would not be compromised.

"I am aware that the crime index in Johor dipped 10 per cent from last year, but people do not care about the crime index.  The important thing is that the locals and investors living here must feel safe," he said.

Asked when the modern policing would be implemented, Ahmad Zahid said he would like to start it immediately if he could.

"These things take time.  It will be carried out progressively, starting with Iskandar Malaysia, and developed in stages nationwide."

Ahmad Zahid later visited HID Global Sdn Bhd,   which will be providing the security solutions for the modern policing system, at the i-Park  Industrial Area in Bandar Indahpura.

Security checks at the entrance of the iPark Industrial Area in Bandar Indahpura in Kulaijaya

Pic by Chuah Bee Kim