Street carnival
There will be a street carnival at Johor Baru City Square shopping mall between April 26 and May 2. Public can buy clothing and ladies accessories at the carnival. An array of activities will be held including a stomp performance, street wear fashion show and a soul rhythm hip hop dance. For details, call 07-2263668.
~Info courtesy of The Star~
Saturday 30 April 2011
Wednesday 27 April 2011
Muar Uptown to be a shopping haven
Upgraded Muar Uptown to be a shopping haven
MUAR: Traders at the Muar Uptown should be given priority to continue to their business there when the area is upgraded and beautified soon.
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Razali Ibrahim said the Muar municipal council should see to it that the pioneer group were given lots.
He said the government had approved some RM3mil allocation to upgrade Jalan Sisi, which had been turned into a night bazaar during the weekends.
The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had approved an allocation of RM1.5mil while Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman another RM1.5mil.
“The allocations were announced during the Prime Minister’s visit to the area last month,” he said.
Razali, who is also Muar MP, said he had to mention the matter as many traders who started their business there were left out and the authority had brought in new traders after the area is upgraded.
He added that such had happened in many big towns and he did not want the pioneer group of traders there to be excluded.
A stretch in Jalan Sisi would be resurfaced and the drains would also be covered to make the road wider.
Razali also hoped that the area would be brightly lit at night.
On complaints made by some traders whose goods with branded names were seized by some enforcement authorities, Razali said he would look into their problems.
Many stalls in Muar Uptown are selling branded goods at low prices.
People who bought such goods, said Razali, had realised that they were not genuine and he would raise the matter with the authorities soon.
“If the traders are selling fake goods at retail prices, then they were cheating and action should be taken.”
He also praised the Muar town council for setting up Muar Uptown as it now provided nearly 100 lots for traders to sell goods at night during weekends.
The Muar Uptown is now a new shopping attraction and people can buy dresses, fabrics, cookies, shoes, sandals, watches and cheap jewellery here.
“Apart from being a shopping haven, the spot also generated economic activities for the traders, taxi drivers and the bus operators,” he added.
~News courtesy of The Star~
MUAR: Traders at the Muar Uptown should be given priority to continue to their business there when the area is upgraded and beautified soon.
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Razali Ibrahim said the Muar municipal council should see to it that the pioneer group were given lots.
He said the government had approved some RM3mil allocation to upgrade Jalan Sisi, which had been turned into a night bazaar during the weekends.
The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had approved an allocation of RM1.5mil while Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman another RM1.5mil.
“The allocations were announced during the Prime Minister’s visit to the area last month,” he said.
Razali, who is also Muar MP, said he had to mention the matter as many traders who started their business there were left out and the authority had brought in new traders after the area is upgraded.
He added that such had happened in many big towns and he did not want the pioneer group of traders there to be excluded.
A stretch in Jalan Sisi would be resurfaced and the drains would also be covered to make the road wider.
Razali also hoped that the area would be brightly lit at night.
On complaints made by some traders whose goods with branded names were seized by some enforcement authorities, Razali said he would look into their problems.
Many stalls in Muar Uptown are selling branded goods at low prices.
People who bought such goods, said Razali, had realised that they were not genuine and he would raise the matter with the authorities soon.
“If the traders are selling fake goods at retail prices, then they were cheating and action should be taken.”
He also praised the Muar town council for setting up Muar Uptown as it now provided nearly 100 lots for traders to sell goods at night during weekends.
The Muar Uptown is now a new shopping attraction and people can buy dresses, fabrics, cookies, shoes, sandals, watches and cheap jewellery here.
“Apart from being a shopping haven, the spot also generated economic activities for the traders, taxi drivers and the bus operators,” he added.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Checks on eateries to ensure cleanliness
State to conduct regular checks on eateries to ensure cleanliness
Food operators and tourist spot owners in the city were urged to improve on their cleanliness to attract more tourists.
State Tourism and Environment committee chairman Hoo Seong Chang said that cleanliness and hygiene were among the top things that tourists look into when visiting a place.
“Cleanliness and hygiene should always be maintained in such premises, public toilets and places of interest.
“We will be monitoring and conducting checks especially at restaurants to ensure that they maintain a certain level of cleanliness,” he said after chairing the state tourism committee meeting at Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim here.
Food haven: Hawker food stalls, which are popular among locals and tourists, should maintain cleanliness at all times.
Hoo added that he was also briefed on the latest developments on the Johor Premium Outlet in Kulaijaya, which was slated to open in November this year.
“The outlet which will have at least 100 shops offering 85 high-end brands is expected to attract tourists especially from neighbouring countries,” he said, adding that Legoland Malaysia Themepark in Nusajaya would also open its doors end of next year.
He added that in other efforts to boost domestic tourism, the committee was also coming up tour packages to visit Kota Iskandar, which is the state administrative centre.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Food operators and tourist spot owners in the city were urged to improve on their cleanliness to attract more tourists.
State Tourism and Environment committee chairman Hoo Seong Chang said that cleanliness and hygiene were among the top things that tourists look into when visiting a place.
“Cleanliness and hygiene should always be maintained in such premises, public toilets and places of interest.
“We will be monitoring and conducting checks especially at restaurants to ensure that they maintain a certain level of cleanliness,” he said after chairing the state tourism committee meeting at Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim here.
Food haven: Hawker food stalls, which are popular among locals and tourists, should maintain cleanliness at all times.
Hoo added that he was also briefed on the latest developments on the Johor Premium Outlet in Kulaijaya, which was slated to open in November this year.
“The outlet which will have at least 100 shops offering 85 high-end brands is expected to attract tourists especially from neighbouring countries,” he said, adding that Legoland Malaysia Themepark in Nusajaya would also open its doors end of next year.
He added that in other efforts to boost domestic tourism, the committee was also coming up tour packages to visit Kota Iskandar, which is the state administrative centre.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Legoland to open in Nusajaya next year
Legoland to open in Nusajaya next year
Grand scale: Builder Khairul Nizar putting the finishing touches on the Taj Mahal, one of the 15,000 Lego model structures to be built for the Legoland theme park.
The state tourism sector will be given a boost over the next two years with the opening of the Johor Premium Outlet in Indahpura, near Kulaijaya, in November and Legoland in Nusajaya next year.
State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman, Hoo Seong Chang, said the shopping mall and the theme park would be the latest tourist attractions to Johor.
“The Johor Premium Outlet will be ready in September and will house 100 shops with 85 brands.
“So this year, will be a good year to promote Johor,” he said.
Hoo added that Johor recorded a 1.6 million tourist arrival last year compated to 1.5 million in 2009.
“As of March this year, a total of 3.9 million tourist arrivals had been recorded in the state,” he added.
In another development, Hoo said the Johor government would set up an information tourist centre in Batu Pahat and Segamat to make it easier for tourists to obtain information, including places of interests, in both the districts.
“The setting up of this centre is crucial to promote places of interests in the affected districts,” he added.
He said efforts were also being made to promote the food stalls and restaurants in the state.
～News courtesy of Bernama～
Grand scale: Builder Khairul Nizar putting the finishing touches on the Taj Mahal, one of the 15,000 Lego model structures to be built for the Legoland theme park.The state tourism sector will be given a boost over the next two years with the opening of the Johor Premium Outlet in Indahpura, near Kulaijaya, in November and Legoland in Nusajaya next year.
State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman, Hoo Seong Chang, said the shopping mall and the theme park would be the latest tourist attractions to Johor.
“The Johor Premium Outlet will be ready in September and will house 100 shops with 85 brands.
“So this year, will be a good year to promote Johor,” he said.
Hoo added that Johor recorded a 1.6 million tourist arrival last year compated to 1.5 million in 2009.
“As of March this year, a total of 3.9 million tourist arrivals had been recorded in the state,” he added.
In another development, Hoo said the Johor government would set up an information tourist centre in Batu Pahat and Segamat to make it easier for tourists to obtain information, including places of interests, in both the districts.
“The setting up of this centre is crucial to promote places of interests in the affected districts,” he added.
He said efforts were also being made to promote the food stalls and restaurants in the state.
～News courtesy of Bernama～
Tuesday 26 April 2011
Coffee shop serves delicious pau with a smile
Coffee shop serves delicious pau with a smile
Husband and wife team: See (right) and his wife Ng Siew Peng putting meat fillings before wrapping up to form a pau.
HOCK Guan coffee shop in Jalan Tenang, Labis, Johor offers more than just tasty pau with coffee.
Its owner, See Tai Wee, 46, is known for his good hospitality which has made him popular among his customers.
One of them, a regular customer in his 60s, said See would always serve with a smile.
“His pau is very popular in town.
“ I come here all the time whenever I make a trip from Kuala Lumpur,” he said, adding that the See family recipe for the pau is unique, it can’t be found anywhere else.
See, a father of five, his maternal grandfather started the coffee shop business more than 60 years ago.
He said the trade was handed down to his mother and after his grandfather, who originated from Hainan Island, China, had passed away.
“We have no special recipe.
“We try to do the best we can and if my customers are happy, that really makes my day” he said.
When it comes to producing the traditional Chinese pastry, consistency – said See, is important as the ingredients must be fresh.
Hock Guan kopitiam offers meat, bean paste, peanut and vegetable pau.
In order to start the day, See said he wakes up as early as 4am to prepare the pau filling and would be kneading the dough and pau by 8am.
“We still use the traditional way by mixing flour with our hands and stream the pastry with wood fire,”he said.
The pastries would be served fresh by 10am.
And when it comes to pricing, See said he kept it affordable as Labis is a small town.
“It is not a problem for me as long as I can sustain,” he said.
Speaking on his experience, See said he learned the art of making pau since he was old enough to go into the kitchen to help his mother.
His mother Wong Kok Fang, 83, said she felt sad to see fewer young people involved in the traditional coffeeshop business.
“Its plenty of hard work and one have to sacrifice plenty of time.
“I guess that’s why young people are not interested in the trade,” she said.
She also advised coffee shop owners to provide their customers with good coffee and tea besides serving pau to them.
Wong added that majority of the patrons at Hock Guan coffee shop are smallholders and rubber tappers who would come in the afternoon for a well-deserved break.
“Normally, only the men would sit in the coffee shop to drink, eat and chat with their friends while their wives will stay at home to take care of their children and do house chores.”
~News courtesy of The Star~
Husband and wife team: See (right) and his wife Ng Siew Peng putting meat fillings before wrapping up to form a pau.HOCK Guan coffee shop in Jalan Tenang, Labis, Johor offers more than just tasty pau with coffee.
Its owner, See Tai Wee, 46, is known for his good hospitality which has made him popular among his customers.
One of them, a regular customer in his 60s, said See would always serve with a smile.
“His pau is very popular in town.
“ I come here all the time whenever I make a trip from Kuala Lumpur,” he said, adding that the See family recipe for the pau is unique, it can’t be found anywhere else.
See, a father of five, his maternal grandfather started the coffee shop business more than 60 years ago.
He said the trade was handed down to his mother and after his grandfather, who originated from Hainan Island, China, had passed away.
“We have no special recipe.
“We try to do the best we can and if my customers are happy, that really makes my day” he said.
When it comes to producing the traditional Chinese pastry, consistency – said See, is important as the ingredients must be fresh.
Hock Guan kopitiam offers meat, bean paste, peanut and vegetable pau.
In order to start the day, See said he wakes up as early as 4am to prepare the pau filling and would be kneading the dough and pau by 8am.
“We still use the traditional way by mixing flour with our hands and stream the pastry with wood fire,”he said.
The pastries would be served fresh by 10am.
And when it comes to pricing, See said he kept it affordable as Labis is a small town.
“It is not a problem for me as long as I can sustain,” he said.
Speaking on his experience, See said he learned the art of making pau since he was old enough to go into the kitchen to help his mother.
His mother Wong Kok Fang, 83, said she felt sad to see fewer young people involved in the traditional coffeeshop business.
“Its plenty of hard work and one have to sacrifice plenty of time.
“I guess that’s why young people are not interested in the trade,” she said.
She also advised coffee shop owners to provide their customers with good coffee and tea besides serving pau to them.
Wong added that majority of the patrons at Hock Guan coffee shop are smallholders and rubber tappers who would come in the afternoon for a well-deserved break.
“Normally, only the men would sit in the coffee shop to drink, eat and chat with their friends while their wives will stay at home to take care of their children and do house chores.”
~News courtesy of The Star~
New website to attract more tourists
New website to attract more tourists
JOHOR BARU: The government is hoping to attract more tourists to its administrative capital in Kota Iskandar through the launch of a new website recently.
State Tourism and Domestic Trade committee chairman Hoo Seong Chang said Kota Iskandar received about 10,000 visitors last year.
“We know that there is more potential to expand tourism activities here and hope that the new website will be able to attract a larger number of tourists,” he said.
Hoo said the state targeted about 5,000 potential tourists to log on to the website which will give them the latest information on tour packages and places of interest within Kota Iskandar.
“The website will also promote areas near Kota Iskandar including Tanjung Piai, Pontian and even tourists attractions within Johor Baru,” he said.
Hoo added that the website will also contain information on coming attractions within Kota Iskandar and its surrounding areas.
“Next year, Legoland and many other attractions are expected to open and it would be more convenient is all the information relating to these attractions is made available on one website,” he said.
He added that with the website, he was confident that the number of tourists to the area would increase.
Commenting on the new portal, Cahaya Jauhar Sdn Bhd (CJSB) CEO, Mohd Auzir Mohd Tahir said the website was set up by the company, UEM land and the Johor government.
He said the website is important as it also offers attractive tour packages to tourists at the click of a button.
“Currently, we are training 60 tourists guides who will take charge of visitors frequenting Kota Iskandar.
“These guides will be able to offer in depth information on the area and hopefully allow for tourists to appreciate their visit more,” he said.
Those who want to refer to the website’s content can log on to www.kotaiskandar.com.
~News courtesy of the star~
JOHOR BARU: The government is hoping to attract more tourists to its administrative capital in Kota Iskandar through the launch of a new website recently.
State Tourism and Domestic Trade committee chairman Hoo Seong Chang said Kota Iskandar received about 10,000 visitors last year.
“We know that there is more potential to expand tourism activities here and hope that the new website will be able to attract a larger number of tourists,” he said.
Hoo said the state targeted about 5,000 potential tourists to log on to the website which will give them the latest information on tour packages and places of interest within Kota Iskandar.
“The website will also promote areas near Kota Iskandar including Tanjung Piai, Pontian and even tourists attractions within Johor Baru,” he said.
Hoo added that the website will also contain information on coming attractions within Kota Iskandar and its surrounding areas.
“Next year, Legoland and many other attractions are expected to open and it would be more convenient is all the information relating to these attractions is made available on one website,” he said.
He added that with the website, he was confident that the number of tourists to the area would increase.
Commenting on the new portal, Cahaya Jauhar Sdn Bhd (CJSB) CEO, Mohd Auzir Mohd Tahir said the website was set up by the company, UEM land and the Johor government.
He said the website is important as it also offers attractive tour packages to tourists at the click of a button.
“Currently, we are training 60 tourists guides who will take charge of visitors frequenting Kota Iskandar.
“These guides will be able to offer in depth information on the area and hopefully allow for tourists to appreciate their visit more,” he said.
Those who want to refer to the website’s content can log on to www.kotaiskandar.com.
~News courtesy of the star~
Sunday 24 April 2011
Riverine town with many eateries: Muar
Muar’s delights: Riverine town has many eateries that are tasty and affordable
IF you have a night to spare in Muar, Johor, there are a few good makan places that you can try out.
High on my priority list, is the fried Hor Chien (oyster omelette) that made this town famous.
Famous around the globe: Chai Kee ‘434’ blended coffee is a must-try when you travel to Muar, Johor.
But before I go any further, where is Muar?
This riverine town (N 02 02’ 10.22”, E 102 34’ 08.81 E) is located South of Malacca and is about two and a-half hours drive from the Klang Valley and about two hours from Johor Baru.
If you take the PLUS highway, exit in Tangkak or Pagoh.
It will take about 20 minutes to get into town from Tangkak which is the nearest point of entry from the Central Peninsular.
Recently, I had the opportunity to spend two nights in Muar and checked out several makan places that is noteworthy.
For Hor Chien, I was told that there is a small stall that cooks up a storm with a steady queue of customers.
Details on its location were sketchy and due to my packed schedule, I only managed to try out a stall at the Jalan Bentayan Hawker Center.
My wife’s cousin Felicia and Ronnie Lau who goes back to their hometown in Muar almost every week said the stall was only average.
Muar koay teow: Johor’s rendition of the char koay teow is unique.
We ended up gobbling two plates of Hor Chien at RM10 per serving with plenty of sugarcane juice.
The Bentayan Hawker centre opens daily from 6pm till midnight.
Next on my list, is the Kuay Chap and Muar Char Kuay Teow.
Now, what’s interesting is this: Kuay Chap is endemic to the Southern region and can be found in Malacca and Johor.
The best I’ve tasted so far, is in Muar and if you want to savour this dish, you can try a stall located along Jalan Yahya which opens every morning.
As for Muar Char Kuay Teow, I had a taste of it from a coffeeshop at the corner of Jalan Yahya and its pretty decent.
At RM3.50 per plate, one cannot complain for its quality and value.
There are many coffeeshops in town, of the lot, one came out tops and is actually world famous.
Enter Chai Kee kopi 434.
This landmark kopi-o outlet has a variety of local brew and highly-recommended is the kopi-o ais and toasted bread with butter and kaya.
My bill for two persons inclusive of three drinks, toast and two half-boiled eggs came up to RM14. This is much cheaper than having a cup of coffee in any of the foreign-themed beverage outlets in Kuala Lumpur.
Okay, moving on, my last night in Muar was a treat by auntie Siew Lan, my wife’s relative.
Delicious: Muar’s fried hor chien.
We were taken to Ting Ting restaurant at Jalan Bakri by Felicia and Ronnie to savour ikan haruan beehoon.
This was a memorable outing because as first-timers, my wife and I tried out the snakehead beehoon which turned out to be very tasty.
I gave this noodle dish two thumbs-up for the fine texture and sweet tasting haruan fillet.
With four other dishes, the bill came up to RM72, which is pretty affordable for Muar’s standard.
There are more makan places that are noteworthy in this town, but since time was a factor, I couldn’t try it all. Maybe a return trip in the future would be on the cards.
~News courtesy of The Star~
IF you have a night to spare in Muar, Johor, there are a few good makan places that you can try out.
High on my priority list, is the fried Hor Chien (oyster omelette) that made this town famous.
Famous around the globe: Chai Kee ‘434’ blended coffee is a must-try when you travel to Muar, Johor.
But before I go any further, where is Muar?
This riverine town (N 02 02’ 10.22”, E 102 34’ 08.81 E) is located South of Malacca and is about two and a-half hours drive from the Klang Valley and about two hours from Johor Baru.
If you take the PLUS highway, exit in Tangkak or Pagoh.
It will take about 20 minutes to get into town from Tangkak which is the nearest point of entry from the Central Peninsular.
Recently, I had the opportunity to spend two nights in Muar and checked out several makan places that is noteworthy.
For Hor Chien, I was told that there is a small stall that cooks up a storm with a steady queue of customers.
Details on its location were sketchy and due to my packed schedule, I only managed to try out a stall at the Jalan Bentayan Hawker Center.
My wife’s cousin Felicia and Ronnie Lau who goes back to their hometown in Muar almost every week said the stall was only average.
Muar koay teow: Johor’s rendition of the char koay teow is unique.
We ended up gobbling two plates of Hor Chien at RM10 per serving with plenty of sugarcane juice.
The Bentayan Hawker centre opens daily from 6pm till midnight.
Next on my list, is the Kuay Chap and Muar Char Kuay Teow.
Now, what’s interesting is this: Kuay Chap is endemic to the Southern region and can be found in Malacca and Johor.
The best I’ve tasted so far, is in Muar and if you want to savour this dish, you can try a stall located along Jalan Yahya which opens every morning.
As for Muar Char Kuay Teow, I had a taste of it from a coffeeshop at the corner of Jalan Yahya and its pretty decent.
At RM3.50 per plate, one cannot complain for its quality and value.
There are many coffeeshops in town, of the lot, one came out tops and is actually world famous.
Enter Chai Kee kopi 434.
This landmark kopi-o outlet has a variety of local brew and highly-recommended is the kopi-o ais and toasted bread with butter and kaya.
My bill for two persons inclusive of three drinks, toast and two half-boiled eggs came up to RM14. This is much cheaper than having a cup of coffee in any of the foreign-themed beverage outlets in Kuala Lumpur.
Okay, moving on, my last night in Muar was a treat by auntie Siew Lan, my wife’s relative.
Delicious: Muar’s fried hor chien.
We were taken to Ting Ting restaurant at Jalan Bakri by Felicia and Ronnie to savour ikan haruan beehoon.
This was a memorable outing because as first-timers, my wife and I tried out the snakehead beehoon which turned out to be very tasty.
I gave this noodle dish two thumbs-up for the fine texture and sweet tasting haruan fillet.
With four other dishes, the bill came up to RM72, which is pretty affordable for Muar’s standard.
There are more makan places that are noteworthy in this town, but since time was a factor, I couldn’t try it all. Maybe a return trip in the future would be on the cards.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Friday 22 April 2011
乐天园酒家 Loke Tien Yuen Restaurant
乐天园酒家
Loke Tien Yuen Restaurant
55, Jln Abu Bakar, 86800 Mersing (Town area)
Ms. Margeret Siew
电话Tel: 07-7991639
午餐Lunch: 12.30-4pm
晚餐Dinner: 6.30-9pm
Loke Tien Yuen Restaurant
55, Jln Abu Bakar, 86800 Mersing (Town area)
Ms. Margeret Siew
电话Tel: 07-7991639
午餐Lunch: 12.30-4pm
晚餐Dinner: 6.30-9pm
Monday 18 April 2011
Terrain to ride
Terrain to ride
TANGKAK is a little town in Johor with an excellent view of Mount Ophir or Gunung Ledang in its backdrop.
I was told that back in the good old days – it was a norm for the Boy Scouts from Muar to cycle there and summit its 1,276-metre peak as part of their King Scout assessment programme.
To get a bigger picture, I took a trip to Muar recently with Michelle, my wife and cycled from the town to Tangkak.
Arrival at destination: The writer and his wife in Tangkak, Johor.
We rode our Dahon folding bicycles for a distance of 36.5km along a scenic route that took us to Sungai Mati, Parit Ponorogo and Batu 10 before arriving at the town centre.
Before we set off from Muar, we had breakfast at a coffeeshop and cycled across the bridge that links this town to the outside world.
Moving on an average speed of 18km/h, there’s plenty to see and if you love kupang (mussels) and lokan (giant freshwater clams), there are stalls that are dotted along both sides of the road.
A bag of kupang costs RM5 (roughly about 1kg) and these are as fresh as they can get.
And if you are a durian enthusiasts, there are plenty to go around. We found at least 10 stalls all along the way from Muar to Tangkak.
Maritime activity: A tugboat makes its way along the Muar river.
As for the level of difficulty in cycling along this route, you have to be physically fit to tackle 15km of undulating terrain from Sg Mati to Tangkak.
To the untrained rider, this is the worst part of the journey.
Upon arrival in the outskirts of Tangkak, the ride is smooth.
The best time to get on your bicycle is at 7am and the journey to Tangkak from Muar takes about 1 hour 20 minutes.
What to do in Tangkak? Well, if you love satay, there’s a makan stall located near Public Bank that opens in the evening. This place is pretty decent with Soto Ayam and other Johor-styled Malay dishes.
Light traffic: A scene from Muar town on an early Saturday morning.
One of the highlights of my visit, was a trip to Kuang Fei beef noodles shop.
This is a ‘must-go’ makan place which is highly-rated for their excellent and affordable food.
From Tangkak, the Ledang Park is located about 13.5km away.
This is the staging point for adventurers as well as nature lovers who wants a dib at scaling Gunung Ledang.
You can hangout for the entire day in Tangkak and the return ride to Muar is 73.2km.
Since its a long-haul on two wheels, its advisable to pack some spare tire tubes, puncture repair kit and carry plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Muar is accessible via the PLUS highway from the Klang Valley and the travel time is about 2 hours 30 minutes.
If you plan to ride this route, be prepared for an overnight stay so that you can get ample rest.
~News courtesy of the star~
TANGKAK is a little town in Johor with an excellent view of Mount Ophir or Gunung Ledang in its backdrop.
I was told that back in the good old days – it was a norm for the Boy Scouts from Muar to cycle there and summit its 1,276-metre peak as part of their King Scout assessment programme.
To get a bigger picture, I took a trip to Muar recently with Michelle, my wife and cycled from the town to Tangkak.
Arrival at destination: The writer and his wife in Tangkak, Johor.
We rode our Dahon folding bicycles for a distance of 36.5km along a scenic route that took us to Sungai Mati, Parit Ponorogo and Batu 10 before arriving at the town centre.
Before we set off from Muar, we had breakfast at a coffeeshop and cycled across the bridge that links this town to the outside world.
Moving on an average speed of 18km/h, there’s plenty to see and if you love kupang (mussels) and lokan (giant freshwater clams), there are stalls that are dotted along both sides of the road.
A bag of kupang costs RM5 (roughly about 1kg) and these are as fresh as they can get.
And if you are a durian enthusiasts, there are plenty to go around. We found at least 10 stalls all along the way from Muar to Tangkak.
Maritime activity: A tugboat makes its way along the Muar river.
As for the level of difficulty in cycling along this route, you have to be physically fit to tackle 15km of undulating terrain from Sg Mati to Tangkak.
To the untrained rider, this is the worst part of the journey.
Upon arrival in the outskirts of Tangkak, the ride is smooth.
The best time to get on your bicycle is at 7am and the journey to Tangkak from Muar takes about 1 hour 20 minutes.
What to do in Tangkak? Well, if you love satay, there’s a makan stall located near Public Bank that opens in the evening. This place is pretty decent with Soto Ayam and other Johor-styled Malay dishes.
Light traffic: A scene from Muar town on an early Saturday morning.
One of the highlights of my visit, was a trip to Kuang Fei beef noodles shop.
This is a ‘must-go’ makan place which is highly-rated for their excellent and affordable food.
From Tangkak, the Ledang Park is located about 13.5km away.
This is the staging point for adventurers as well as nature lovers who wants a dib at scaling Gunung Ledang.
You can hangout for the entire day in Tangkak and the return ride to Muar is 73.2km.
Since its a long-haul on two wheels, its advisable to pack some spare tire tubes, puncture repair kit and carry plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Muar is accessible via the PLUS highway from the Klang Valley and the travel time is about 2 hours 30 minutes.
If you plan to ride this route, be prepared for an overnight stay so that you can get ample rest.
~News courtesy of the star~
Sunday 17 April 2011
Indian shopping fest to boost tourism
Indian shopping fest to boost tourism
Some 100,000 visitors are expected to turn up at the International Indian Shopping festival, which would be held for the first time here in Johor Baru.
Malaysia-India Chamber of Commerce (MAICOM) president R. Kanagaraja said they are optimistic that the fair will be well received.
“At the Indian festival in Kuala Lumpur, some 500,000 visitors from Singapore showed up, thus, we expect more to come as Johor Baru is nearer to Singapore,” he said.
Much to see: Kanagaraja (left) showing the pamplet of the International Indian Shopping Festival to Asojan (right).
The fair is scheduled to start on Apr 28 and end on May 5. It will be held at Danga City Mall Expo Hall.
Kanagaraja said event would be an opportunity to help boost the country’s tourism.
He said products showcase at the fair would be as far as Gujarat and Karnataka.
“Local buyers do not have to travel to India to buy these goods. They can get the items are the fair,” he said adding that products such as Indian textile, kitchen wear, accessories, shawls and fabrics would also be available at the event.
“The event will see at least 110 booths and at least RM5mil of goods will be showcased,” he said .
Prior to this, the fair has already been conducted nine times in Kuala Lumpur and three times in Penang.
Unity, Human Resources, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman M. Asojan thanked MAICOM for choosing Johor Baru as its venue for the event.
“It can also be a platform for us to promote tourism in Johor and also increase the state income,” he said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Some 100,000 visitors are expected to turn up at the International Indian Shopping festival, which would be held for the first time here in Johor Baru.
Malaysia-India Chamber of Commerce (MAICOM) president R. Kanagaraja said they are optimistic that the fair will be well received.
“At the Indian festival in Kuala Lumpur, some 500,000 visitors from Singapore showed up, thus, we expect more to come as Johor Baru is nearer to Singapore,” he said.
Much to see: Kanagaraja (left) showing the pamplet of the International Indian Shopping Festival to Asojan (right).
The fair is scheduled to start on Apr 28 and end on May 5. It will be held at Danga City Mall Expo Hall.
Kanagaraja said event would be an opportunity to help boost the country’s tourism.
He said products showcase at the fair would be as far as Gujarat and Karnataka.
“Local buyers do not have to travel to India to buy these goods. They can get the items are the fair,” he said adding that products such as Indian textile, kitchen wear, accessories, shawls and fabrics would also be available at the event.
“The event will see at least 110 booths and at least RM5mil of goods will be showcased,” he said .
Prior to this, the fair has already been conducted nine times in Kuala Lumpur and three times in Penang.
Unity, Human Resources, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman M. Asojan thanked MAICOM for choosing Johor Baru as its venue for the event.
“It can also be a platform for us to promote tourism in Johor and also increase the state income,” he said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
North South Highway Road closure
Road closure
Kulaijaya Lay-by (southbound) at Km33.2 on the North-South Expressway will be temporarily closed until mid-August for upgrading work. Motorists are advised to use the Simpang Renggam Lay-by (southbound) at Km54.3, Senai Utara Toll Plaza at Km19.2 or Skudai Toll Plaza at Km15.1.
~Info courtesy of The Star~
Kulaijaya Lay-by (southbound) at Km33.2 on the North-South Expressway will be temporarily closed until mid-August for upgrading work. Motorists are advised to use the Simpang Renggam Lay-by (southbound) at Km54.3, Senai Utara Toll Plaza at Km19.2 or Skudai Toll Plaza at Km15.1.
~Info courtesy of The Star~
Wednesday 13 April 2011
New highway to ease city congestion
New highway to ease city congestion
The openings of the Eastern Dispersal Link Expressway (EDL) early next year promise to give a smoother ride for motorists in most part of Johor Baru district.
Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB) CEO Datuk Mohamed Razeek Hussain said the project is expected to be ready in the first-quarter of 2012.
“Work at the site is progressing well.”
Freeway: Razeek (right) with Shaharuddin showing the model of the new expressway.
He said with the new EDL, travelling time would be reduced by almost 50% to most destinations in the district.
“It will improve the connectivity and accessibility to all the areas within the district,” he said.
He said EDL will be the next best alternative for motorists to by-pass major roads in the city area to continue their journey to the North-South Expressway (NSE).
He said this would help reduce the traffic congestion at Jalan Tebrau/Pandan, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Skudai/Jalan Abu Bakar and Jalan Stulang Darat.
Razeek said this in a press briefing on the progress of work on the RM1bil EDL, undertaken by MRCB’s wholly owned, MRCB Lingkaran Selatan Sdn Bhd (MLSSB).
The latter was awarded the 30-year concession in June 2007, including the four-year construction period.
The 8.1km dual three-lane carriageway – 4.4km elevated and 3.7 At-Grate (on the ground) – is an electronic, open toll systems and motorists have to pay their toll charges using the Touch & Go card only.
It provides direct link between the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex in Bukit Chagar and the NSE via the Pandan interchange.
“Toll charges are only for traffic going to and fro Singapore via the CIQ while local motorists could use the EDL for free,’’ said Razeek.
Project director Shaharuddin Mohamed said between 60,000 and 70,000 motorists were expected to use the EDL daily especially those commuting to work from Johor Baru to Singapore.
He said the entire expressway would also be lightened up using the energy saving lights of 400-watt bulbs per pole, the new requirement by the Malaysian Highway Authority instead of 250-watt bulbs now.
~News courtesy of The Star~
The openings of the Eastern Dispersal Link Expressway (EDL) early next year promise to give a smoother ride for motorists in most part of Johor Baru district.
Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB) CEO Datuk Mohamed Razeek Hussain said the project is expected to be ready in the first-quarter of 2012.
“Work at the site is progressing well.”
Freeway: Razeek (right) with Shaharuddin showing the model of the new expressway.
He said with the new EDL, travelling time would be reduced by almost 50% to most destinations in the district.
“It will improve the connectivity and accessibility to all the areas within the district,” he said.
He said EDL will be the next best alternative for motorists to by-pass major roads in the city area to continue their journey to the North-South Expressway (NSE).
He said this would help reduce the traffic congestion at Jalan Tebrau/Pandan, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Skudai/Jalan Abu Bakar and Jalan Stulang Darat.
Razeek said this in a press briefing on the progress of work on the RM1bil EDL, undertaken by MRCB’s wholly owned, MRCB Lingkaran Selatan Sdn Bhd (MLSSB).
The latter was awarded the 30-year concession in June 2007, including the four-year construction period.
The 8.1km dual three-lane carriageway – 4.4km elevated and 3.7 At-Grate (on the ground) – is an electronic, open toll systems and motorists have to pay their toll charges using the Touch & Go card only.
It provides direct link between the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex in Bukit Chagar and the NSE via the Pandan interchange.
“Toll charges are only for traffic going to and fro Singapore via the CIQ while local motorists could use the EDL for free,’’ said Razeek.
Project director Shaharuddin Mohamed said between 60,000 and 70,000 motorists were expected to use the EDL daily especially those commuting to work from Johor Baru to Singapore.
He said the entire expressway would also be lightened up using the energy saving lights of 400-watt bulbs per pole, the new requirement by the Malaysian Highway Authority instead of 250-watt bulbs now.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Sungai Segget clean-up to beautify city
Sungai Segget clean-up to beautify city
Work on the first phase of the Johor Baru City Centre transformation plan (JBCCTP) will start in the middle of this year with the tearing down of the culverts that covered Sungai Segget along Jalan Wong Ah Fook.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the Federal Government had allocated RM200mil for the projects, which include the river clean-up, as part of the RM1.8bil allocation under the JBCCTP.
‘The Sungai Segget cleaning up project would involve three parts - improving the sewerage system, flood mitigation and beautification of the river stretch and its surrounding areas.”
The river will flow through:The currently covered stretch of Sungai Segget which flows along Jalan Wong Ah Fook in downtown Johor Baru will be opened up under the RM200mil beautification project of the river.
He said the authorities had already selected the two designs for the Sungai Segget river project.
He said tenders would also be called two months from now for the sewerage improvement system.
Abdul Ghani said this at the groundbreaking ceremony of a new RM9mil Jalan Kolam Ayer Mosque – the first eco-friendly mosque in Johor which uses solar power to power the building and rainwater for ablations.
Sungai Segget, is one of the dirtiest rivers in the country, which flows along Jalan Wong Ah Fook in the Johor Baru city downtown area. Several years ago, the Government spent RM6mil to cover the river with culverts and built pedestrian walkway on it.
Abdul Ghani said the beautification of Sungai Segget would start from a ramp near Hotel Tropical Inn, which would be converted into an iconic open space up to Jalan Tun Seri Lanang.
“The whole 2km stretch will be known as JB Wave and Jalan Wong Ah Fook will be turned into a non-vehicle zone as we want pedestrians and visitors to enjoy the new Sungai Segget,’’ he said
He said property owners within the Johor Baru city centre where the transformation plan would take place had given their fully cooperation as they knew the benefits the project would bring to the area.
The JBCCTP covers 485.62ha area within the Johor Baru city central area including Bukit Timbalan, the former sites of the Lumba Kuda and Bukit Chagar low-cost flats, Bukit Chagar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex and Tanjung Puteri Lorry Customs Complex.
Under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP), the Government has allocated RM1.8bil to rehabilitate and transform Johor Baru city into a vibrant city in line with its status as one of the five flagship development zones in Iskandar Malaysia.
The country’s first economic growth corridor launched on Nov 4, 2006, spanning 2,217 sq km in the southernmost part of Johor divided into five zones – the other four zones are Nusajaya, Eastern Gate Development, Western Gate Development and Senai-Kulai.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Work on the first phase of the Johor Baru City Centre transformation plan (JBCCTP) will start in the middle of this year with the tearing down of the culverts that covered Sungai Segget along Jalan Wong Ah Fook.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the Federal Government had allocated RM200mil for the projects, which include the river clean-up, as part of the RM1.8bil allocation under the JBCCTP.
‘The Sungai Segget cleaning up project would involve three parts - improving the sewerage system, flood mitigation and beautification of the river stretch and its surrounding areas.”
The river will flow through:The currently covered stretch of Sungai Segget which flows along Jalan Wong Ah Fook in downtown Johor Baru will be opened up under the RM200mil beautification project of the river.
He said the authorities had already selected the two designs for the Sungai Segget river project.
He said tenders would also be called two months from now for the sewerage improvement system.
Abdul Ghani said this at the groundbreaking ceremony of a new RM9mil Jalan Kolam Ayer Mosque – the first eco-friendly mosque in Johor which uses solar power to power the building and rainwater for ablations.
Sungai Segget, is one of the dirtiest rivers in the country, which flows along Jalan Wong Ah Fook in the Johor Baru city downtown area. Several years ago, the Government spent RM6mil to cover the river with culverts and built pedestrian walkway on it.
Abdul Ghani said the beautification of Sungai Segget would start from a ramp near Hotel Tropical Inn, which would be converted into an iconic open space up to Jalan Tun Seri Lanang.
“The whole 2km stretch will be known as JB Wave and Jalan Wong Ah Fook will be turned into a non-vehicle zone as we want pedestrians and visitors to enjoy the new Sungai Segget,’’ he said
He said property owners within the Johor Baru city centre where the transformation plan would take place had given their fully cooperation as they knew the benefits the project would bring to the area.
The JBCCTP covers 485.62ha area within the Johor Baru city central area including Bukit Timbalan, the former sites of the Lumba Kuda and Bukit Chagar low-cost flats, Bukit Chagar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex and Tanjung Puteri Lorry Customs Complex.
Under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP), the Government has allocated RM1.8bil to rehabilitate and transform Johor Baru city into a vibrant city in line with its status as one of the five flagship development zones in Iskandar Malaysia.
The country’s first economic growth corridor launched on Nov 4, 2006, spanning 2,217 sq km in the southernmost part of Johor divided into five zones – the other four zones are Nusajaya, Eastern Gate Development, Western Gate Development and Senai-Kulai.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Saturday 9 April 2011
Wednesday 6 April 2011
Utama Expess Bus
Counter Phone No.
Kuantan 09 - 515 6002
Pekan 09 - 422 8694
Kuala Lumpur 03 - 2070 3940
Putra 03 - 4045 2122
Kajang 03 - 8739 4464
Klang 03 - 3342 1946
Ipoh 05 - 312 7788
Taiping 05 - 891 6884
Lumut 05 - 683 4358
Manjung 05 - 688 1219
Butterworth 04 - 331 1761
Sungai Petani 04 - 421 5331
Alor Setar 04 - 735 3258
Kuala Perlis 04 - 985 3340
Kangar 04 - 978 1517
Changlun 04 - 924 6050
Kota Bahru 09 - 743 4817
Pengkalan Kubor 09 - 721 4858
Rantau Panjang 09 - 795 1770
Kuala Terengganu 09 - 622 4209
Dungun 09 - 845 6870
Kemaman (Geliga) 09 - 868 6659
Mersing 019 - 721 6259
Kuantan 09 - 515 6002
Pekan 09 - 422 8694
Kuala Lumpur 03 - 2070 3940
Putra 03 - 4045 2122
Kajang 03 - 8739 4464
Klang 03 - 3342 1946
Ipoh 05 - 312 7788
Taiping 05 - 891 6884
Lumut 05 - 683 4358
Manjung 05 - 688 1219
Butterworth 04 - 331 1761
Sungai Petani 04 - 421 5331
Alor Setar 04 - 735 3258
Kuala Perlis 04 - 985 3340
Kangar 04 - 978 1517
Changlun 04 - 924 6050
Kota Bahru 09 - 743 4817
Pengkalan Kubor 09 - 721 4858
Rantau Panjang 09 - 795 1770
Kuala Terengganu 09 - 622 4209
Dungun 09 - 845 6870
Kemaman (Geliga) 09 - 868 6659
Mersing 019 - 721 6259
UK Farm
UK AGRO RESORTLot 8, Projek Pertanian Moden,
Jalan Air Hitam Institute Haiwan,
86000 Kluang, Johor, Malaysia.
Tel: +607-759 7555
+607-759 5018
+607-759 5991
Fax: +607-759 7991
H/P : 013-778 7235
Website: www.ukfarm.com.my
Email: info@ukfarm.com.my
Petting zoo
Petting zoo
Danga Bay Petting Zoo in Johor Baru is home to 180 species of animals and reptiles. Visiting hours are 3pm to midnight with twice-daily animal shows at 6.30pm and 10pm. Tickets are priced at RM10 for adults and RM5 for children.
-Info courtesy of The Star-
Danga Bay Petting Zoo in Johor Baru is home to 180 species of animals and reptiles. Visiting hours are 3pm to midnight with twice-daily animal shows at 6.30pm and 10pm. Tickets are priced at RM10 for adults and RM5 for children.
-Info courtesy of The Star-
Scratch and win scam
Scratch and win scam
A Singaporean who was shopping at the Johor Baru City Square lost RM 7,500 in a scratch and win scam.
The victim, Loh Kum Fai, 53, said a saleswoman had approached him and offered a coupon while he was walking along the pedestrian bridge from Custom & Immigration Quarantine Complex (CIQ) to the mall early this month.
“I was told to tear open a coupon given to me and upon opening it, she shouted that I had won a special prize,” he said at a press conference organised by Johor Baru MCA Youth chief Kua Song Tuck.
Loh added that he took a taxi with the salesgirl to the company’s office in Taman Molek and was told to pay a total of RM7,500 in fees before he could claim the prizes.
Among the items that he had won were a Jade Mattress, an electric stove and a leg massager machine.
Loh said that after a few weeks, he only received the mattress, which was delivered to his house in Singapore and has yet to receive the rest of the prizes despite several visits to the office and lodged a police report against the scratch and win company.
In an unrelated case, a factory worker employed in Singapore was also cheated in a similar scam last month.
The victim, Siew Kim Hong, 52, said she was approached by a salesman near City Square.
“I followed the man to his office located in Taman Molek and I was greeted by his supervisor who claimed to be an ‘Eric Tiong’.
“Tiong told me to pay RM7,600 in order to see the prizes I have won,” she said.
Siew added that she forked out the money and was told she had won a Jade Mattress, electric stove and a foot massager.
After few weeks, she went to the office to collect her prizes but she was told that the company has no employee by the name of ‘Eric Tiong’.
Following the discovery, Siew lodged a police report.
Commenting on the matter, Kua said that in the month of March, he received 10 complaints about scratch and win scam.
“We hope Domestic Trade Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry will do something about this,” he said.
Police, when contacted, confirmed the reports and said that the cases are pending investigations.
-News courtesy of The Star-
A Singaporean who was shopping at the Johor Baru City Square lost RM 7,500 in a scratch and win scam.
The victim, Loh Kum Fai, 53, said a saleswoman had approached him and offered a coupon while he was walking along the pedestrian bridge from Custom & Immigration Quarantine Complex (CIQ) to the mall early this month.
“I was told to tear open a coupon given to me and upon opening it, she shouted that I had won a special prize,” he said at a press conference organised by Johor Baru MCA Youth chief Kua Song Tuck.
Loh added that he took a taxi with the salesgirl to the company’s office in Taman Molek and was told to pay a total of RM7,500 in fees before he could claim the prizes.
Among the items that he had won were a Jade Mattress, an electric stove and a leg massager machine.
Loh said that after a few weeks, he only received the mattress, which was delivered to his house in Singapore and has yet to receive the rest of the prizes despite several visits to the office and lodged a police report against the scratch and win company.
In an unrelated case, a factory worker employed in Singapore was also cheated in a similar scam last month.
The victim, Siew Kim Hong, 52, said she was approached by a salesman near City Square.
“I followed the man to his office located in Taman Molek and I was greeted by his supervisor who claimed to be an ‘Eric Tiong’.
“Tiong told me to pay RM7,600 in order to see the prizes I have won,” she said.
Siew added that she forked out the money and was told she had won a Jade Mattress, electric stove and a foot massager.
After few weeks, she went to the office to collect her prizes but she was told that the company has no employee by the name of ‘Eric Tiong’.
Following the discovery, Siew lodged a police report.
Commenting on the matter, Kua said that in the month of March, he received 10 complaints about scratch and win scam.
“We hope Domestic Trade Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry will do something about this,” he said.
Police, when contacted, confirmed the reports and said that the cases are pending investigations.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Sunday 3 April 2011
Friday 1 April 2011
Pirates attack tugboat off Pulau Tioman
Pirates attack tugboat off Pulau Tioman
Pirates armed with parangs swooped on a tugboat on March 22, just 22km off the coast of Pulau Tioman, a popular dive spot for Singaporeans.
The group of more than 10 pirates, mainly Indonesians, took over the S$5.8 million tugboat called "Marina 26", as well as a barge it was pulling. The vessels had left Singapore 24 hours earlier.
The pirates destroyed the tugboat's Global Positioning System device and the 10-men crew were tied up and locked up in one of the cabins.
"We were all shivering," the vessel's master, Captain Amri Arsyad, 31, told MediaCorp in Bahasa Indonesian.
They were held captive for two days while the pirates re-painted the vessel with leftover green paint they found onboard. The pirates then forced the crew to jump into a life-raft with some food, mineral water and their passports.
The next 40 hours were hell.
"We spotted a cargo ship and started waving and shouting for attention but it passed us by. We felt really helpless. Later that afternoon, the boat started to deflate and we paddled with our hands to try to reach Tioman, which was far away on the horizon," said Mr Amri.
Soon, they were tired and stopped paddling, letting the boat drift.
"It seemed hopeless. At the back of my mind, I thought that was the end of my life," he said.
Their fate changed when they were spotted by a fisherman who was passing by and came to their rescue. The crew, mostly Indonesians, are now recovering at Natuna Island in Indonesia.
A search and recovery was not carried out because the area is believed to be too large to cover.
International information sharing centre for maritime matters, ReCAAP ISC, has confirmed the incident and has circulated an incident alert with photos of the tugboat.
A similar hijacking off Pulau Tioman was reported in February last year.
The tugboat and barge is owned by Indonesian shipping company PT. Pelnas Bahtera Bestari Shipping. Its director, Miss Tresya, an avid diver who frequents Pulau Tioman, contacted MediaCorp with news of the incident.
She said "We hope to alert vessel owners and the relevant authorities to the piracy problems around our region which, we feel, have been neglected.
"The fact that this incident happened close to the coast of a populated area shows that the pirates have no fear. Many Singaporeans dive off Tioman and those who own vessels go there often. We want to warn them of the potential danger."
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Pirates armed with parangs swooped on a tugboat on March 22, just 22km off the coast of Pulau Tioman, a popular dive spot for Singaporeans.
The group of more than 10 pirates, mainly Indonesians, took over the S$5.8 million tugboat called "Marina 26", as well as a barge it was pulling. The vessels had left Singapore 24 hours earlier.
The pirates destroyed the tugboat's Global Positioning System device and the 10-men crew were tied up and locked up in one of the cabins.
"We were all shivering," the vessel's master, Captain Amri Arsyad, 31, told MediaCorp in Bahasa Indonesian.
They were held captive for two days while the pirates re-painted the vessel with leftover green paint they found onboard. The pirates then forced the crew to jump into a life-raft with some food, mineral water and their passports.
The next 40 hours were hell.
"We spotted a cargo ship and started waving and shouting for attention but it passed us by. We felt really helpless. Later that afternoon, the boat started to deflate and we paddled with our hands to try to reach Tioman, which was far away on the horizon," said Mr Amri.
Soon, they were tired and stopped paddling, letting the boat drift.
"It seemed hopeless. At the back of my mind, I thought that was the end of my life," he said.
Their fate changed when they were spotted by a fisherman who was passing by and came to their rescue. The crew, mostly Indonesians, are now recovering at Natuna Island in Indonesia.
A search and recovery was not carried out because the area is believed to be too large to cover.
International information sharing centre for maritime matters, ReCAAP ISC, has confirmed the incident and has circulated an incident alert with photos of the tugboat.
A similar hijacking off Pulau Tioman was reported in February last year.
The tugboat and barge is owned by Indonesian shipping company PT. Pelnas Bahtera Bestari Shipping. Its director, Miss Tresya, an avid diver who frequents Pulau Tioman, contacted MediaCorp with news of the incident.
She said "We hope to alert vessel owners and the relevant authorities to the piracy problems around our region which, we feel, have been neglected.
"The fact that this incident happened close to the coast of a populated area shows that the pirates have no fear. Many Singaporeans dive off Tioman and those who own vessels go there often. We want to warn them of the potential danger."
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
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