Thursday 30 December 2010

Rain alert for East Coast

Rain alert for Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor

Moderate and occasionally heavy rain occurring in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor is expected to persist until Thursday.

According to a statement from the Malaysian Meteorological Department Wednesday, the areas involved were Jeli, Machang, Pasir Mas and Tanah Merah in Kelantan, while in Terengganu, the areas affected were in the Besut, Dungun, Hulu Terengganu and Kuala Terengganu districts, and in Pahang, the affected areas were Bentong, Jerantut, Kuantan, Lipis, Maran and Raub, and in Johor the affected area was Mersing.

It could cause flood in low-lying areas and those along river banks, the statement said.

Meanwhile, strong north-easterly winds with a speed of 60 km per hour and waves of up to 5.5 metres were expected to continue in the waters off Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, East Johor, South Samui, Tioman, Bunguran, Condore, Reef North and Layang-layang until Monday.

According to the statement, the strong wind condition and choppy sea would be dangerous to all beach activities including workers on the oil platforms.

At the same time, strong north-easterly winds with speeds of between 50 and 60 km per hour and waves of up to 4.5 metres in Sarawak (Miri) waters, the Federal territory of Labuan, Sabah (West Coast, Interior regions and Kudat), North Samui and Palawan were also expected to persist until Monday.

-News courtesy of The Star-

Wednesday 29 December 2010

Mersing tragedy: Survivor's account

Mersing tragedy: Survivor's account

As efforts were intensified on Monday to find the sole Singaporean still missing after the Boxing Day tragedy in Malaysia, the first accounts have emerged from survivors of the boat mishap that has now claimed the lives of four Singaporeans.

Choppy waters, a violent shaking of the boat and then the struggle in the water - for some, even a struggle to escape the boat cabin. The story was told while more than 130 personnel from various agencies in Mersing were out at sea to search for 44-year-old Mr Ng Kian Teck.

Although the search was halted when darkness fell, Johor chief police officer Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff told the media -- and distraught family members, when he visited the operations room at Tanjong Leman ferry terminal in the afternoon -- that the authorities would do whatever it takes to find Mr Ng.

"We'll carry on as long as is needed to look for the missing person. I've also instructed the police to expedite investigations." he said.

He declined to comment on whether there were enough life jackets on the boat for the 29 passengers -- including 19 Singaporeans -- as investigations were ongoing, but it was clear that the boat travelling towards mainland from a kelong near Sibu island was overloaded.

One of the survivors, Mr Heng Lih Hooi, said he knew there were life jackets in the cabin -- 12, according to his wife -- but none of the passengers was wearing them, nor were they asked to.

"I think wearing the life jackets could probably have saved some of our friends," he told MediaCorp as he related the chaotic situation shortly before the boat capsized.

"About 15 to 20 minutes after we left the kelong, we experienced choppy waters. So the boat was actually shaking quite violently, especially left and right.

"At some time, the boatman asked some of us to go to the front of the boat. I think he was trying to balance the boat. And he called for the action two times."

The boat then sank and a rescue boat arrived 10 minutes later.

"Many of us were trying to struggle out of the cabin. And some of them actually broke the glass, the window, in order to climb out," Mr Heng said.

"I was more worried about my loved ones because my wife is a non-swimmer. I myself am a non-swimmer ...

"The waves kept on splashing over (us) and we were drinking a lot of (sea) water. In fact, some of our relatives were admitted to hospital because of drinking too much sea water.

"I would say we cheated death this time round. We were lucky to survive."

He may not have been the only one. Singapore permanent resident and mechanic Mr Liang, together with his wife and 13-year-old daughter, were supposed to be on the boat that capsized, but decided to take a later boat after he overheard talk that the former was leaking, although investigations are still ongoing.

Earlier in the day, the body of the fourth Singaporean victim, 41-year-old Mr Tor Soon Kwee, was recovered and identified by family members.

Some distraught family members of the four victims gathered outside the mortuary at Mersing on Monday, while others came together at the ferry terminal to offer prayers. One Singaporeans remains warded in hospital.

Mr Mokhtar said the authorities will form a committee to prevent a similar incident from happening again.

-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-

Saturday 25 December 2010

Merry Christmas

Wish everyone a merry christmas!

Johor Bahru Radio Frequencies

Coverage area: JB, Kota Tinggi, Desaru, Pengarang, Ayer Hitam, Kluang, Kulai, Pontian, Singapore.

Sinar FM 87.8
One FM 88.1 / 105.3
883 Jia FM 88.3
BBC World 88.9

Money FM 89.3
Ria FM 89.7
Hot FM 90.1
Gold 90 FM 90.5

One FM (S'pore) 91.3
Kiss 92
Symphony FM 92.4
Zayan FM 92.8
Yes 93.3
CNA 938 93.8
Warna 94.2
Lite FM 94.6
Class 95
My FM 95.4
Capitol Radio 95.8
Hao FM 96.3
Oli 96.8
Love 97.2
Hitz FM 97.6
Power 98

Melody FM 98.4 / 103.3
987FM 98.7
Mix FM 99.1
988 99.9
UFM 1003
Minnal 101.1
Suria FM 101.4
Johor FM 101.9
Fly FM 102.5
Traxx FM 102.9
Raaga 103.7
Best 104 FM 104.1
Era FM 104.5
Ai FM 104.9
Nasional FM 105.7

Hang FM 106.0
IKIM FM 106.2
Klasik FM 106.7
Bernama Radio 107.5

Friday 24 December 2010

Safety precautions

Safety precautions

Tourists should practise some common sense when walking around. A guideline would be as followed:

* Do not show off your money and valuables in crowded areas. If you do so, expect to get robbed.
* Try to use small change when purchasing merchandise, etc.
* Do not follow anyone to any unlit lanes.
* Do not get down from your car should you be involved in a road accident. Stay in your car and call the police or your friends for assistance. There are cases where muggers create freak accidents and rob their victims afterwards.

Recyclable Xmas tree

Recyclable Xmas tree

A Christmas tree made of recyclable bottles became the conversation piece at the Aeon Bukit Indah atrium here.

Standing at 15 metres in height, the mall’s complex manager Mizi Tan said some 8,000 1.5litre bottles were used built the ornament.

“The tree aims to get shoppers in a Christmas mood and promote a environment-friendly lifestyle.

“This idea is in line with our mall’s recycling campaign to reuse and recycle unwanted items,” she said.

Tan added the bottles were accumulated for four months from four Aeon branches in the city.

The Christmas tree was modelled after another in Aeon Bukit Tinggi in Malacca, which made it into the Malaysia Book of Records as the tallest tree made from recyclable bottles.

“The tree was completed on Nov 24 and will be on display until Dec 27.

“We hope our shoppers will enjoy looking and taking pictures with the tree,” she said.

She added the company comes up with interesting designs and concepts each year to keep things fresh.

In relating his surprise, shopper Tan Ewe Lok said he had never seen such an ornament made from plastic bottles.

“It is an interesting idea and also a good one as it promotes the principle of reduce, reuse and recycle,” said Tan.

Another shopper Ginnie Su Jin Ning, 6, said she took pictures with the tree as a momento.

“It reminds me of a Christmas tree covered in snow because it is in white,” she said.

-News courtesy of The Star-

Wednesday 22 December 2010

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We need your feedback about our blog! Your feedback is our motivation. All feedback and suggestions are welcome.

我们需要您最诚恳的意见!

Checkpoint congestion ahead

Checkpoint congestion ahead

Be prepared for heavy traffic at the two land checkpoints during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said traffic volume at the two land checkpoints is expected to be high for the Christmas period, from December 24 to December 27.

For the New Year period, traffic build-up is also expected from December 31 and the high traffic volume through the checkpoints is expected to last till January 3, 2011.

ICA said travellers using the land checkpoints during these periods can expect delays.

To avoid the surge of people and vehicles seeking clearance at the land checkpoints, ICA is advising travellers to adjust their travel plans and avoid the peak periods altogether.

It said with enhanced security checks, traffic build-up is inevitable, particularly when large number of travellers want to use the checkpoints at the same time.

-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-

Monday 20 December 2010

Shopping malls and hotels create the festive feel

Shopping malls and hotels go the extra mile to create the festive feel

The city is alive with the festive sprit as reflected in Christmas decorations at shoppingcentres and hotels.

Shoppers at Sutera Mall will be greeted by a 6m tall giant Santa Clause when they visit the mall to do their Christmas shopping.

The mall’s senior centre manager Goh Lak Jin said he hoped the Santa Claus figure would add to the mall’s Christmas ambience.

“Other than snowmen and Christmas trees dotted around and inside the mall, there is a huge Christmas tree in the main atrium with 337 cards hanging from it.

“Christmas cards with well wishes were written by residents from Kiwanis Care Heart Association and Pusat Kebajikan Calvary Johor,” he said.

The Zon Johor Baru marketing communication manager Elina Tan said the Christmas decoration at the hotel was themed ‘Adventure Safari’.

“Our staff will be also dressed in safari attire because we wanted to be more innovative this year.

“It is our way of spreading the festive cheer,” she said.

She added there would be a wishing star event, whereby patrons could donate to charity while making a wish on a piece of paper, which would be hung on the Christmas tree in the hotel lounge.

Plaza Pelangi senior promotions assistant Gadafy Abdul Rashid said the mall’s decorations followed a medieval concept.

“We want the customers to feel the Christmas spirit and be transported back to medieval times.

“We aim to make them feel as if they are in a castle fairytale atmosphere,” he said.

He added among the events planned was a costume contest, whereby children could dress up as Santa Claus, Santa Rina and elves.

Danga City Mall marketing executive Mac Chong said the mall has installed a snow machine and would present Christmas carollers and a Santa Claus walkabout.

“The decorations at the mall as well as the events are meant to usher the festive spirit,” she said.

At Johor Baru City Square shoppers are in for a fairytale-like ambience as the theme was ‘Enchanted Christmas’.

The mall’s marketing and promotions manager Irene Teo said the mall aimed to create a warm Christmas atmosphere, which was why colours like purple, pink and white were used.

Hotels on the other hand, are offering scrumptious festive menus for guests to enjoy with their loved ones.

-News courtesy of The Star-