Sg Segget works in full swing

Sg Segget works in full swing

THE Sungai Segget revitalisation and beautification project is progressing in its first phase of river cleaning works and underground sewage pipe works, slated to be completed by 2015.

The project is part of the Johor Baru Transformation Plan undertaken by the state government to improve the quality of river water.

The project is all the more crucial after a stretch of road, which is now the Segget Walk, was built over it six years ago.

Due to the poor sewerage system, the river conditions deteriorated, compounded by the city’s drainage system which also flows into the river and into the Johor Straits.

That had prompted the state government to embark on a major facelift along the area.

Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) was assigned the RM220 million project which began in July last year.

The project is divided into two phases: the first to clean up the river as well as retrofitting of centralised sewerage treatment system.

Second, to carry out flood mitigation system and river beautification works slated to complete by 2016.

This will include breaking part of Segget Walk near Jalan Wong Ah Fook to pave the way for river widening works. For this, the state government will procure several properties along the road.

IRDA advisory council member Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad told Streets the entire river work development project is slated for completion in 2017.

“The first phase is currently progressing with river cleaning works and retrofitting of the new centralised sewerage system,” said Shahrir at an event in the city centre.

Shahrir said the new sewerage system, designed to trap waste, will ensure that excess water from drains flowing into Sungai Segget would be free from rubbish and pollutants.

“The new system also has a water cleaning system which ensure that the river water stay clean,” he said.

Johor Baru City Council chief whip Datuk Yahya Jaafar said the river widening project will see a 15m width between the river banks.

However, he said the project might affect Jalan Wong Ah Fook as the existing four-lane road will have to be reduced to two lanes.

“We fear that the two-lane road will cause traffic congestion.

“We are in talks with IRDA to turn Jalan Wong Ah Fook into three lanes for better traffic flow,” he said.

Yahya added that if the roads become narrow, it will disrupt the public transport services in the city centre.


Works on the Sungai Segget sewerage plant in Jalan Tun Razak.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Firefly offers flights from Ipoh to Johor Baru

Firefly offers flights from Ipoh to Johor Baru

Come Sept 15, Firefly will offer flights from Ipoh to Johor Baru four times a week.

Its promotional rates will start from RM57 for an all-in, one-way price and tickets are up for sale now.

At present, the airline is only offering the Ipoh to Singapore route, operating off the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (LTSAS) here.

Firefly’s chief executive officer Ignatius Ong said the connectivity between Ipoh and Johor Baru was important as it served the needs of these two markets.

“Also, Johor is the gateway to Singapore and the robust development of Iskandar Malaysia, coupled with family-centred and shopping attractions such as LEGOLAND, Hello Kitty Town and the Johor Premium Outlet, which make Johor an increasingly attractive destination for both the business and leisure travellers.

“The promotional rate will enable more travellers to enjoy hassle-free holiday that is easy on the wallet and a chance to experience Firefly’s hospitality,” he said.

Ong also announced that Firefly would offer amazing fare on its other new route, Penang-Krabi, starting from an all-in price of RM119. Tickets are up for sale now.

“Our aim is to make air travel, a pleasant and memorable experience for all our customers.

“We urged everyone out there to take advantage of this promotional fares and plan their holidays ahead,” he added.

Firefly is Malaysia’s premium short-haul airline which began operations in April 2007.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Singapore - Malaysia causeway new toll

Singapore to increase toll charges from Oct to match Malaysia's hike

Singapore Toll (wef 1 Oct 2014)
 

Malaysia Toll
 

Colourful secrets of blue robot cat revealed

Colourful secrets of blue robot cat revealed

EXPLORE the world of the Japanese manga series character at the 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo at Johor Baru City Square, here.

Organised at Animation International (M) Sdn Bhd, the expo with the theme “Everyone Wants A Doraemon!” is held from now until Jan 4.

Visitors will get to meet and have their pictures taken with the famous blue robot cat from the future.

They can also take home Doraemon gadgets and merchandise such as T-shirt, pillows, key chains, lanyards, comics, water bottles and more, while taking in the depiction of scenes from the manga series.

Other characters making their appearances include the Giant and Yellow Doraemon.

This is the expo’s last stop in Malaysia before it moves across the Causeway to Singapore.

The expo was recently launched by State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong recently.

“Johor aims to be top when it comes to family-based tourism attractions.

“The state is home to the very first Legoland theme park in Asia, the first Sanrio Hello Kitty theme park outside of Japan, and Lat’s Place, the first live animated theme restaurant in the world,” he said.

He had also launched the world’s first English hardcover edition of the Doraemon manga at the expo.

Admission tickets are priced at RM25 per adult and RM15 per child aged 4 to 12.

Children no taller than 90cm, senior citizens aged 60 above and persons with disabilities enter free.

Tickets may be purchased at Johor Baru City Square, level 1, or online at www.myticket.my, www.mydeal.com.my and www.mol.com/my.


Count the many ways to love Doraemon.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Causeway New Toll - Singapore Custom

New flights boost state tourism

New flights boost state tourism

WITH low-cost carrier, AirAsia’s introduction of three more international routes via the Senai International Airport, the state government is confident of achieving its target of 5.7 million tourists to Johor in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2014.

State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism executive committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said the three direct flights to Johor Baru, from Yogyakarta and Lombok in Indonesia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, were a new market for the airline.

“I believe the existence of tourist attractions in the state, such as the Sanrio Hello Kitty Town theme park, Legoland theme park and Johor Premium Outlets, has prompted the airline to increase its number of international flights to Johor,” he said.

Tee said this at a press conference after opening the Islamic Tourism Exhibition Tour and Travel Agents Association of Malaysia (Matta) Fair, here, recently.

Tee said the opening of the three flight routes on July 11 had since brought 6,829 passengers to the Senai International Airport.

From January to July, the airport recorded 1.27 million arrivals compared with 1.04 million during the same period last year, he added.

“This is an increase of 226,510 passengers (17.85 per cent) from last year.

“The efforts of the government and other agencies over the years to enhance the role of Senai International Airport as an international aviation hub in the south of Peninsular Malaysia have resulted in the increased number of passengers using the airport this year, ” he said.

Also present were Matta Malaysia president Hamzah Rahmat, State Tourism Department director Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim and Tourism and Culture Ministry Johor office director Mohd Isa Abdul Halim.

On a separate matter, Isa said the ministry stood by the state government in its stance against illegal tour companies.

“The approach this time is to create awareness and to help the illegal operators to apply for a licence.

“If they do not have a licence, we will give them two days to comply, failing which they would be issued a compound and hauled to court,” he said.


Legoland Malaysia is one of Johor’s key tourist attractions.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Kampung holiday

Kampung holiday

PLANNING an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life?

A homestay programme in Kampung Parit Tengah, Sri Merlong, Rengit, is a great option for those who want to experience life in a village.

Headman Husaimi Hashim said Kampung Parit Tengah was the first village in the district to offer a homestay package that is registered with and recognised by the Tourism and Culture Ministry.

“Our homestay is unique as guests will be greeted by a gambus performance by Samikun Saimun, a 59-year-old resident.

“There will also be a kompang performance to greet guests,” he said, adding that many of the guests were from Johor Baru.

“Guests can opt to stay in the home of a villager or in a house on their own. They will be charged different rates.”

He said guests could take part in activities such as palm weaving, rubber tapping, harvesting pineapples and corn and catching prawns by the river.

“Catching prawns by the riverside is a trademark of staying at Kampung Parit Tengah. Visitors can enjoy food cooked by the locals and see how they live their lives.

“You will be surprised. Some urbanites have never seen a live cow or chicken.”

There are 23 houses which are registered and qualified to accept guests.

Husaimi said the village had played host to visitors from many parts of the world — including Singapore, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Germany and Nigeria.

“We have been trained by the Tourism and Culture Ministry on how to treat visitors and also basic communication skills in various languages so that we can interact better with foreigners.

“Our menu comprise traditional Javanese delicacies such as getuk ubi bersama hampas kelapa and sambal goreng Jawa,” he said, adding that the village played host to 100 media members and tourism agents from Singapore on Aug 19.

Yusof Khamis and his wife, Zainon Samiran, who are offering their house for the homestay programme, said the packages range from RM80 to RM650.

For details, call Yatni Samiran at 013-733 4700 or Mahmod at 012-717 8439.


A lovely bedroom at Teratak Selari Bonda homestay in Kampung Parit Tengah.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~