Wednesday 17 November 2010

New water transport system to be introduced

New water transport system to be introduced in state

A water transport system will make its debut in Iskandar Malaysia within the next few years to provide an alternative transportation mode for commuters.

Danga Bay Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Lim Kang Hoo said the company would introduce water taxi services from Danga Bay here to Puteri Harbour, Nusajaya and even to Singapore.

He said visitors entering Malaysia via Johor Baru in future would have a choice of either using land transport via the Causeway and the Second Link, or the water taxi services.

He said the new Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQP) and ferry terminal to be built at Puteri Harbour under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) would help to increase the number of visitors to Johor Baru.

“Apart from attracting Singaporeans, ferry services from the nearby Riau Islands in Indonesia can be extended to the CIQP to ferry tourists from the islands to Johor Baru,” he added.

Lim, who is also the CEO of Teras Hijaujaya Sdn Bhd, said this at the launch of the Teras Hijaujaya’s commercial property project, Danga Utama @ Skudai recently.

The project is spread over a 7.3ha site located along Jalan Skudai and Jalan Sutera Danga and flanked by Sungai Skudai, which is one of Johor’s most important rivers that flows into Danga Bay.

Sungai Skudai is one of the rivers to be rehabilitated by the Federal Government as part of the RM330mil budget in the 10MP, under the comprehensive river beautification programme.

Phase One of the Danga Utama project comprises 129 units of three-storey shop offices and six blocks of six-storey corporateoffices.

“We will build a jetty in the phase two of the project to cater for water taxi services from Danga Bay to Danga Utama,” Lim explained.

He added that phase two would have high-end condominium tower blocks and retail outlets overlooking Sungai Skudai and the project would keep the company busy for five years with a gross development value of RM500mil.

-News courtesy of The Star-

Saturday 6 November 2010

Thousands throng Glass Temple to offer prayers

Thousands throng Glass Temple to offer prayers

Thousands of devotees thronged the Arulmigu Sri Raja Kaliamman Temple – better known as the Glass Temple – to offer their prayers on Deepavali.

The temple, which is famous for its elaborate mirror work that covers more than 90% of its structure, attracted many devotees from all over the country as well as from Singapore.

For S. Saravanan and his family, visiting the temple in Jalan Tebrau here has proven to be a memorable affair.

The 38-year-old manager visited the place with his family after staying over at his brother’s house the night before.

“We came down from Kuala Lumpur a day before Deepavali, and this is the first time we are here to give offerings and prayers at the temple.

“The Glass Temple is by far the most unique temple I have even been to and visiting it has made this Deepavali more memorable for us,” he said, adding that he also took pictures of his family in the temple to show their friends in Kuala Lumpur.

Another new visitor is J. Vanitha, 31.

She said she understood why her friends couldn’t stop talking about the temple.

“The temple’s interior is made up of pieces of mirrors which make the place so breathtaking,” said Vanitha.

S. Vely, 32, said she visited the temple regularly every week in the last ten years.

“The atmosphere at the temple is different during Deepavali because there will be mantra chants and I would feel at peace,” said the mother of two.

Temple president S. Sinnathamby said about 5,000 came to offer prayers at the temple.

“Other than mantra chants and prayer offerings, there are also colourful kolam on display.

“This year, we are also giving away goodie bags and ang pow to visitors and devotees,” he said.

-News courtesy of The Star-

Thursday 4 November 2010

Johor MIC Deepavali open house

Johor MIC Deepavali open house

Permas assemblyman M.M. Samy will be having an open house at Dewan Raya Taman Rinting, Masai on Nov 5. The public is welcomed to visit the open house between 10am and 1pm.

Tenggaroh assemblywoman T. Murukasvary welcomes the public to her Deepavali open house on Nov 5 from 11am until 3pm. The open house will be at No. 6, Jalan Limau Nipis, Taman Kota Jaya, Kota Tinggi.

Segamat MP Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam will be having an open house on Nov 7 at SMK Sri Kenangan, Batu Anam, Segamat. The public can attend the open house from 12pm until 3pm.