Happy national day！
Saturday 31 August 2013
Friday 30 August 2013
Monday 26 August 2013
Lack of taxi stands adds to traffic woes in city
Lack of taxi stands adds to traffic woes in city
WE board planes at the airport, ships at the port and buses at the bus stand.
We cannot board planes at the bus stand, neither can we board ships at the airport or buses at the port.
This is because each mode of transport has its own terminal or stop to pick up or drop off passengers.
Going by this logic, it goes without saying that we have to wait for taxis at the taxi stand.
What if there are plenty of taxis but few taxi stands as in the case of the Johor Baru city centre?
Under such circumstances, it would be a problem for taxi drivers to pick up their passengers. The opposite is true for passengers to hail a cab.
However, in real life, taxi drivers have no problems picking up their passengers anywhere.
Likewise, passengers also have no problem flagging down a taxi anywhere.
This is because it is common to see taxis abruptly stop by the roadside to pick up or drop off their passengers.
I do not condone any violation of traffic rules but what other choices do our taxi drivers and passengers have?
The Johor Baru city centre is not a small place but it has only two taxi stands -- one in front of the post office and another at the Galleria@Kotaraya shopping centre.
The question is why do the authorities issue so many taxi permits when they are not bothered to provide the most basic amenity for the cabbies?
Such inadequacy may be misconstrued as allowing taxi drivers to break the law.
I spoke to several taxi drivers and this was a general problem brought up by them.
One of the taxi drivers, who had been caught for picking up passengers at a non-designated taxi stand, was fined for committing the offence.
Since then, he always charges a little extra for the risk he takes, as well as to compensate the "loss" if he were to be fined.
The little extra could be derived by charging a flat rate which is higher than the metered fare.
Or rounding off the metered fare to the nearest ringgit.
It is wrong for taxi drivers to resort to this practice.
If the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) is serious about addressing the problem of overcharging by cabbies, it is necessary to nip the problem in the bud.
One solution is to build more taxi stands in the city.
In the event that the cabbies still refuse to pick up or drop off their passengers at the designated taxi stands, then the authorities should take stern action against them. This does not mean that until the taxi stands are built, the unscrupulous taxi drivers can go scot-free.
Old habit dies hard when it comes to overcharging by cabbies.
It is like daylight robbery but few victims bother to make a report with the Road Transport Department or SPAD.
The authorities should build more taxi stands for the benefit of cabbies and passengers.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
WE board planes at the airport, ships at the port and buses at the bus stand.
We cannot board planes at the bus stand, neither can we board ships at the airport or buses at the port.
This is because each mode of transport has its own terminal or stop to pick up or drop off passengers.
Going by this logic, it goes without saying that we have to wait for taxis at the taxi stand.
What if there are plenty of taxis but few taxi stands as in the case of the Johor Baru city centre?
Under such circumstances, it would be a problem for taxi drivers to pick up their passengers. The opposite is true for passengers to hail a cab.
However, in real life, taxi drivers have no problems picking up their passengers anywhere.
Likewise, passengers also have no problem flagging down a taxi anywhere.
This is because it is common to see taxis abruptly stop by the roadside to pick up or drop off their passengers.
I do not condone any violation of traffic rules but what other choices do our taxi drivers and passengers have?
The Johor Baru city centre is not a small place but it has only two taxi stands -- one in front of the post office and another at the Galleria@Kotaraya shopping centre.
The question is why do the authorities issue so many taxi permits when they are not bothered to provide the most basic amenity for the cabbies?
Such inadequacy may be misconstrued as allowing taxi drivers to break the law.
I spoke to several taxi drivers and this was a general problem brought up by them.
One of the taxi drivers, who had been caught for picking up passengers at a non-designated taxi stand, was fined for committing the offence.
Since then, he always charges a little extra for the risk he takes, as well as to compensate the "loss" if he were to be fined.
The little extra could be derived by charging a flat rate which is higher than the metered fare.
Or rounding off the metered fare to the nearest ringgit.
It is wrong for taxi drivers to resort to this practice.
If the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) is serious about addressing the problem of overcharging by cabbies, it is necessary to nip the problem in the bud.
One solution is to build more taxi stands in the city.
In the event that the cabbies still refuse to pick up or drop off their passengers at the designated taxi stands, then the authorities should take stern action against them. This does not mean that until the taxi stands are built, the unscrupulous taxi drivers can go scot-free.
Old habit dies hard when it comes to overcharging by cabbies.
It is like daylight robbery but few victims bother to make a report with the Road Transport Department or SPAD.
The authorities should build more taxi stands for the benefit of cabbies and passengers.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
3 museums in the making
3 museums in the making
Johor Heritage Foundation is building more museums to make sure that the past is present in the future
JOHOR Heritage Foundation (YWJ) will be building three more museums towards the aim of one museum in every one of the 10 districts in the state.
The three museums will be known as Memorial Dato Usman Awang, Muzium Pagoh and Muzium Diraja Bandar Maharani, said State Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Zulkurnain Kamisan.
"The additional museums are in line with the foundation's aspirations to preserve our culture and heritage.
"Priority was given to the districts without a museum or a gallery," he said at the state assembly here, recently.
Memorial Dato Usman Awang will be built in Kota Tinggi, at a cost of RM1.5million.
"The project is now in the planning proposal and budget application stage," he said.
Its construction is scheduled to begin next year and completion expected in 2015 or 2016, he said.
Muzium Pagoh, costing RM17.3 million, would take shape next to the Pagoh Sports Complex, said Zulkurnain.
"The process to collect information and material for the museum is currently ongoing." Muzium Diraja Bandar Maharani, meanwhile, is still in the planning stage. "The museum will cost RM4.5 million," he said.
Zulkurnain said suggestions for the preservation, conservation and restoration of historical sites from the public were welcomed.
Muzium Tokoh Johor and Galeri Seni Johor, both in Johor Baru, Galeri Dato Onn in Batu Pahat and Muzium Kota Tinggi in Kota Tinggi are the existing museums built by the foundation.
Muzium Tokoh Johor in Bangunan Datuk Jaafar is one of two museums in the city built by Johor Heritage Foundation. Pic by Redzuan Muharam
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Johor Heritage Foundation is building more museums to make sure that the past is present in the future
JOHOR Heritage Foundation (YWJ) will be building three more museums towards the aim of one museum in every one of the 10 districts in the state.
The three museums will be known as Memorial Dato Usman Awang, Muzium Pagoh and Muzium Diraja Bandar Maharani, said State Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Zulkurnain Kamisan.
"The additional museums are in line with the foundation's aspirations to preserve our culture and heritage.
"Priority was given to the districts without a museum or a gallery," he said at the state assembly here, recently.
Memorial Dato Usman Awang will be built in Kota Tinggi, at a cost of RM1.5million.
"The project is now in the planning proposal and budget application stage," he said.
Its construction is scheduled to begin next year and completion expected in 2015 or 2016, he said.
Muzium Pagoh, costing RM17.3 million, would take shape next to the Pagoh Sports Complex, said Zulkurnain.
"The process to collect information and material for the museum is currently ongoing." Muzium Diraja Bandar Maharani, meanwhile, is still in the planning stage. "The museum will cost RM4.5 million," he said.
Zulkurnain said suggestions for the preservation, conservation and restoration of historical sites from the public were welcomed.
Muzium Tokoh Johor and Galeri Seni Johor, both in Johor Baru, Galeri Dato Onn in Batu Pahat and Muzium Kota Tinggi in Kota Tinggi are the existing museums built by the foundation.
Muzium Tokoh Johor in Bangunan Datuk Jaafar is one of two museums in the city built by Johor Heritage Foundation. Pic by Redzuan Muharam
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Saturday 17 August 2013
Business as usual in Tanjung Piai
Business as usual in Tanjung Piai
Only damaged section of boardwalk in Taman Negara Johor Tanjung Piai is closed for repairs
Part of a boardwalk stretching about 100 metres in Taman Negara Johor Tanjung Piai, here, is closed to the public after it was damaged by strong waves on Thursday.
Johor Taman Negara president Suhairi Hashim said the park, however, would continue to operate as usual.
Suhairi said based on the report received, the tide had risen to 3.5m high and the boards had been ripped off the supporting structure by the waves.
"We will attend to the repairs immediately," he said, adding that only part of the boardwalk was damaged.
The entire boardwalk stretches over 500 metres. The RM300,000 boardwalk was officially opened in July 2011.
Pictures of the boardwalk before and after it was damaged by strong waves on Thursday.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Only damaged section of boardwalk in Taman Negara Johor Tanjung Piai is closed for repairs
Part of a boardwalk stretching about 100 metres in Taman Negara Johor Tanjung Piai, here, is closed to the public after it was damaged by strong waves on Thursday.
Johor Taman Negara president Suhairi Hashim said the park, however, would continue to operate as usual.
Suhairi said based on the report received, the tide had risen to 3.5m high and the boards had been ripped off the supporting structure by the waves.
"We will attend to the repairs immediately," he said, adding that only part of the boardwalk was damaged.
The entire boardwalk stretches over 500 metres. The RM300,000 boardwalk was officially opened in July 2011.
Pictures of the boardwalk before and after it was damaged by strong waves on Thursday.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Big plans for Gunung Ledang
Big plans for Gunung Ledang
Elaborate plans are being formulated to transform Mount Ophir, better known as Gunung Ledang, in Tangkak here into an international tourist destination.
Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Hamim Samuri said its scenic beauty, lush vegetation, cool and tranquil environment and the cascading waterfall, enriched by tales of the legendary home of a bunian (invisible) princess, make for a great tourist attraction.
He said all infrastructure developments and facilities to reach the mountain have been upgraded.
Hamim, who is the Ledang member of parliament, said plans are also under way to promote Ledang into the hub of cottage and downstream industries.
"I will be meeting with officers from the Tourism Ministry soon to find ways to further promote the destination as a tourist site," he said at the Hari Raya open house in Tangkak Dewan Jubili Intan here last Monday night.
More than 5,000 people including members of the Barisan Nasional component parties, local community leaders and Malaysians of all walks of life attended the event.
Hamim said he would call on the Ministry to "sell" Gunung Ledang to tourists in all over the world.
He said he would encourage tourists from Singapore and Malacca to stay overnight at the mountain resort and Tangkak, adding that Ledang has sufficient first-class hotels and homestay facilities to accommodate them.
Hamim said he would also encourage tourists to visit the textile town in Tangkak and herbal and orchard farms in nearby villages.
"I have taken the first step with a RM2 million allocation to green, beautify, brighten and smoothen traffic flow at the Tangkak toll, to welcome tourists."
Hamim said the project was completed in six months this year.
He said he would listen to views and suggestions of the people to put Gunung Ledang on the world's tourism map.
Gunung Ledang, which is 1,276 metres above sea level, has some of the most striking floral and plant species in the world.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Elaborate plans are being formulated to transform Mount Ophir, better known as Gunung Ledang, in Tangkak here into an international tourist destination.
Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Hamim Samuri said its scenic beauty, lush vegetation, cool and tranquil environment and the cascading waterfall, enriched by tales of the legendary home of a bunian (invisible) princess, make for a great tourist attraction.
He said all infrastructure developments and facilities to reach the mountain have been upgraded.
Hamim, who is the Ledang member of parliament, said plans are also under way to promote Ledang into the hub of cottage and downstream industries.
"I will be meeting with officers from the Tourism Ministry soon to find ways to further promote the destination as a tourist site," he said at the Hari Raya open house in Tangkak Dewan Jubili Intan here last Monday night.
More than 5,000 people including members of the Barisan Nasional component parties, local community leaders and Malaysians of all walks of life attended the event.
Hamim said he would call on the Ministry to "sell" Gunung Ledang to tourists in all over the world.
He said he would encourage tourists from Singapore and Malacca to stay overnight at the mountain resort and Tangkak, adding that Ledang has sufficient first-class hotels and homestay facilities to accommodate them.
Hamim said he would also encourage tourists to visit the textile town in Tangkak and herbal and orchard farms in nearby villages.
"I have taken the first step with a RM2 million allocation to green, beautify, brighten and smoothen traffic flow at the Tangkak toll, to welcome tourists."
Hamim said the project was completed in six months this year.
He said he would listen to views and suggestions of the people to put Gunung Ledang on the world's tourism map.
Gunung Ledang, which is 1,276 metres above sea level, has some of the most striking floral and plant species in the world.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Facelift for Bkt Kepong police museum
RM7m facelift for Bkt Kepong police museum
THE Bukit Kepong Police Station Museum will be refurbished at an estimated cost of RM7 million.
It has a significant place in Malaysian history as 180 communists, led by Mat Indera, attacked the police station on Feb 23, 1950 at 4.30am.
Bukit Serampang state assemblyman Ismail Mohamed said the museum's facelift will be based on its original design.
"Renovation works will be done on both its interior and exterior. There will be an exhibition area, an audio visual room, and office area, among others," he said.
Once completed, the museum will be a tourist attraction in Bukit Kepong.
Ismail said the number of visitors to the museum has grown by leaps and bounds. Most of the visitors are university students and schoolchildren as well as youths from non-governmental organisations.
"The public is curious about the Bukit Kepong incident," he said.
He said the refurbishment would also benefit the locals as it would spur economic activities here.
Ismail also suggested that the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) trainees visit the museum as part of their training module to help them understand its history.
"Many policemen were killed and the incident affected the lives of survivors and their families. This is an invaluable lesson for the youths. We have the responsibility to instil the spirit of patriotism in them," he said.
Bukit Kepong Police Station Museum has an important place in the country’s history. Pic by Shahrul M.Zain
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
THE Bukit Kepong Police Station Museum will be refurbished at an estimated cost of RM7 million.
It has a significant place in Malaysian history as 180 communists, led by Mat Indera, attacked the police station on Feb 23, 1950 at 4.30am.
Bukit Serampang state assemblyman Ismail Mohamed said the museum's facelift will be based on its original design.
"Renovation works will be done on both its interior and exterior. There will be an exhibition area, an audio visual room, and office area, among others," he said.
Once completed, the museum will be a tourist attraction in Bukit Kepong.
Ismail said the number of visitors to the museum has grown by leaps and bounds. Most of the visitors are university students and schoolchildren as well as youths from non-governmental organisations.
"The public is curious about the Bukit Kepong incident," he said.
He said the refurbishment would also benefit the locals as it would spur economic activities here.
Ismail also suggested that the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) trainees visit the museum as part of their training module to help them understand its history.
"Many policemen were killed and the incident affected the lives of survivors and their families. This is an invaluable lesson for the youths. We have the responsibility to instil the spirit of patriotism in them," he said.
Bukit Kepong Police Station Museum has an important place in the country’s history. Pic by Shahrul M.Zain
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
No haggling allowed but...
No haggling allowed but...
"THIS is a metered taxi. No haggling is allowed". Is this sentence familiar to you? It is found on a sticker on the passenger door of almost every city taxi.
Have you ever wondered if this message is meant for you or the driver?
The phrase is so assuring -- if only all taxi drivers would abide by it.
After all, which passenger would haggle the price unless he or she has been overcharged, and how can taxi drivers overcharge except when they do not charge according to the fare displayed on the meter, or when they have not turned on the meter in the first place?
I am sure the taxi drivers who impose support the policy of "no haggling, please".
Passengers, who generally feel that they have been taken for a ride, will oppose to it.
Our part-time photographer was recently charged RM8 to be ferried from our Bandar Baru Uda office to Angsana Johor Baru Mall, which is hardly three kilometres away.
It is no wonder we wonder if the drivers truly understand what the phrase, which is written in English, means.
Singapore taxi drivers do not haggle, as they charge according to the fare displayed on the meter. They know very well the consequences should they charge an extra ten cent, or even one cent, for that matter.
I have no worry of being overcharged when in a taxi in the republic, although I prefer to use the MRT most of the time because it is a cheaper means of getting around.
Their drivers do not give me the look a vulture gives when looking at prey.
Back in my homeland, I find that I am not so lucky. Most of the time, I pay more than required for a taxi ride. I do not do this out of my own free will, but the will of the taxi drivers.
If I were to argue, these drivers would give me a look that could easily be interpreted as to mean, "If you can't afford to take a cab, why don't you walk or take a bus?"
In Johor Baru, the situation of haggling at the JB Sentral may be as bad as, if not worse than, Pudu Sentral in Kuala Lumpur.
If you are taking a chartered cab from Johor to the republic, some drivers will charge you in Singapore dollars although they are compelled to use the ringgit.
But do not let me spoil your day by highlighting the bad apples, as there are also many good taxi drivers around.
I have also come across taxi drivers who do not ask for the 10 or 20 sen owing, but round the figure off to the nearest, lowest fare.
I have come across some drivers who complain about their counterparts for tarnishing the image of the industry through overcharging and haggling, among others.
I have seen taxi drivers sending old folk to the clinic. They even go the extra mile by bringing taking them to the registration counter, although their duty ends the moment their passengers alight from their vehicles.
These are some of the fine examples of good taxi drivers. We need more of them than bad apples.
Share with us your good and bad experiences as well as your suggestions to enhance the quality of service that taxis provide.
Call us at 07-236 1582, to share your experience.
Land Public Transport Commission officers stop a taxi near Sutera Mall to check the meter.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
"THIS is a metered taxi. No haggling is allowed". Is this sentence familiar to you? It is found on a sticker on the passenger door of almost every city taxi.
Have you ever wondered if this message is meant for you or the driver?
The phrase is so assuring -- if only all taxi drivers would abide by it.
After all, which passenger would haggle the price unless he or she has been overcharged, and how can taxi drivers overcharge except when they do not charge according to the fare displayed on the meter, or when they have not turned on the meter in the first place?
I am sure the taxi drivers who impose support the policy of "no haggling, please".
Passengers, who generally feel that they have been taken for a ride, will oppose to it.
Our part-time photographer was recently charged RM8 to be ferried from our Bandar Baru Uda office to Angsana Johor Baru Mall, which is hardly three kilometres away.
It is no wonder we wonder if the drivers truly understand what the phrase, which is written in English, means.
Singapore taxi drivers do not haggle, as they charge according to the fare displayed on the meter. They know very well the consequences should they charge an extra ten cent, or even one cent, for that matter.
I have no worry of being overcharged when in a taxi in the republic, although I prefer to use the MRT most of the time because it is a cheaper means of getting around.
Their drivers do not give me the look a vulture gives when looking at prey.
Back in my homeland, I find that I am not so lucky. Most of the time, I pay more than required for a taxi ride. I do not do this out of my own free will, but the will of the taxi drivers.
If I were to argue, these drivers would give me a look that could easily be interpreted as to mean, "If you can't afford to take a cab, why don't you walk or take a bus?"
In Johor Baru, the situation of haggling at the JB Sentral may be as bad as, if not worse than, Pudu Sentral in Kuala Lumpur.
If you are taking a chartered cab from Johor to the republic, some drivers will charge you in Singapore dollars although they are compelled to use the ringgit.
But do not let me spoil your day by highlighting the bad apples, as there are also many good taxi drivers around.
I have also come across taxi drivers who do not ask for the 10 or 20 sen owing, but round the figure off to the nearest, lowest fare.
I have come across some drivers who complain about their counterparts for tarnishing the image of the industry through overcharging and haggling, among others.
I have seen taxi drivers sending old folk to the clinic. They even go the extra mile by bringing taking them to the registration counter, although their duty ends the moment their passengers alight from their vehicles.
These are some of the fine examples of good taxi drivers. We need more of them than bad apples.
Share with us your good and bad experiences as well as your suggestions to enhance the quality of service that taxis provide.
Call us at 07-236 1582, to share your experience.
Land Public Transport Commission officers stop a taxi near Sutera Mall to check the meter.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Thursday 8 August 2013
Friday 2 August 2013
Plan journey for coming holiday weekend
Travellers advised to plan journey for coming holiday weekend
A general view of the causeway from Singapore to Johor Bahru. (AFP PHOTO/ROSLAN RAHMAN)
Traffic flow through the land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy with Hari Raya Puasa and National Day coming up next week.
Travellers intending to use the land checkpoints during the peak periods are advised to adjust their travel plans if possible.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said motorists can play a part to ease congestion at the land checkpoints by maintaining lane discipline at all times.
Travellers can also call the traffic information hotline at 6863-0117, listen to TrafficWatch on the radio or visit LTA's One Motoring website to check the latest traffic conditions at the land checkpoints before embarking on their journeys.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
A general view of the causeway from Singapore to Johor Bahru. (AFP PHOTO/ROSLAN RAHMAN)
Traffic flow through the land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy with Hari Raya Puasa and National Day coming up next week.
Travellers intending to use the land checkpoints during the peak periods are advised to adjust their travel plans if possible.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said motorists can play a part to ease congestion at the land checkpoints by maintaining lane discipline at all times.
Travellers can also call the traffic information hotline at 6863-0117, listen to TrafficWatch on the radio or visit LTA's One Motoring website to check the latest traffic conditions at the land checkpoints before embarking on their journeys.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
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