Get ready for a wet, wet new year

Get ready for a wet, wet new year

Downpours and intermittent showers around the country are expected to persist until the end of the year causing floods especially in the east coast states.

The Meteorological Department issued a heavy rain warning for Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan with Maran, Bera, Rompin, Pekan, Kuantan and Jerantut in Pahang, and Terengganu likely to experience moderate intermittent showers until Wednesday during the mid north-east monsoon season.

“The heavy rain warning (Orange Stage) issued at 10.15pm on Dec 25 is still valid,” it said in a Facebook posting yesterday.

It said Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya were set to experience isolated rain until the new year mostly in the afternoon and evening.

Terengganu was on high alert between Dec 13 and Dec 22 following an earlier forecast of heavy rains and high tides of up to 3.5m in Kemaman.

The first wave of floods in several states in the peninsula had receded, but the wet weather due to the North-East monsoon will persist for those living in the east coast.

Early this year, authorities were pre-occupied with the big clean-up following the big floods that swamped many states, especially in the east coast.

Torrential rain which lasted for days caused several main rivers such as Sungai Galas, Sungai Lebir, Sungai Nenggiri and Sungai Kelantan to burst their banks, submerging almost all of the state’s districts.

Statistics from the Kelantan National Security Council showed that over 170,000 families were relocated to 170 relief centres at the height of the floods.

Kuala Krai was among the worst hit districts with 16,734 families reportedly affected.

This year, the authorities are already on standby while flood simulation exercises have been carried out with the Fire and Rescue Department as part of preparation to face the rainy season.

Science, Technology and Inno­vation Minister Datuk Seri Madius Tangau had said Kelantan, Tereng­ganu, Pahang and eastern Johor were expected to get more than 500mm of rainfall this month.

Heavy rain is expected over Kelantan beginning yesterday until Wednesday.

Johor and Sarawak (Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah and Bintulu divisions) can also expect heavy downpours from Wednesday until Friday.

Updates on the weather conditions are available on MetMalaysia’s website at www.met.gov.my, myCuaca mobile application, Facebook malaysiamet, Twitter @malaysianmet or MetMalaysia Hotline 1-300-22-1638.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Singapore's ICA explores automated clearance for cars

Singapore's ICA explores automated clearance for cars



The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is looking into automated self-clearance for all cars, following a revamp of motorcycle counters at both land checkpoints that will be completed tomorrow.

The automated self-clearance system allows motorcyclists and their pillion riders to scan their thumbprints and have their passports verified by a machine to clear immigration. ICA confirmed it is considering automating car clearance as well but would not give further details, including whether it would be similar to that for motorcycles.

Starting Monday, Singapore- and foreign-registered motorcyclists and their pillion riders can carry out self-clearance at the same time at 164 automated checkpoint counters, which were rolled out progressively.

Initially, the automated counters could clear only single riders.

"These automated counters speed up motorcycle clearance by up to 30 per cent and help reduce congestion," said the ICA.

This allows the ICA "to redeploy officers to other critical tasks such as conducting checks on travellers with higher risks".

The roll-out of the automated self-clearance system comes after the ICA won an award at the annual Global Performance Excellence Awards, which recognises organisational excellence, at the Asia Pacific Quality Organisation conference last month.

It also took home awards for Contributing to Excellence as well as Best in Innovation, said ICA commissioner Clarence Yeo. He added that "to meet the increasing demand for immigration and registration services, the ICA has looked to deploying innovative solutions" for customers while ensuring security.

"We benchmark our services globally to ensure that our service delivery timing remains the shortest," he said, citing the example of iCollect as the world's first dedicated self-service machine.

Among the new services introduced are two self-service kiosks called iCollect, which were launched in 2013. iCollect involves two kiosks that allow for passport collection.

Users make an appointment online before picking up their travel documents from the kiosks at the ICA building. When doing so, they are identified automatically by facial features and fingerprints.

The same machines currently allow applicants to collect their identity cards and Long Term Pass cards from the kiosks, with a take-up rate of some 65 per cent on weekdays. On Saturdays, all slots are fully booked. But this forms only a fraction of the documents collected from the ICA every day.

ICA said it is building on the success of iCollect to explore the viability of robotics to automate document collection. Last year, a total of 675,747 Singapore passports were issued, including those collected through the automated kiosks.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Thomson Medical to build hospital in JB

Thomson Medical to build hospital in JB

Singapore private healthcare group Thomson Medical is building a general hospital in Johor Baru in the hope that lower prices there will get Singaporeans crossing the Causeway for their medical treatment.

It is part of a mega-healthcare hub that wants to take care of patients from cradle to grave. The project will also incorporate a school for would-be doctors and nurses from the Republic.

Getting Singaporeans to shuttle between the two cities is not new - already, they are living in nursing homes in Johor Baru. Parkway Health's 300-bed Gleneagles Medini hospital also opened there last December.

But the endeavour by Thomson is one of the most ambitious to date. At 11ha, the project is a quarter the size of Singapore General Hospital's 43ha Outram campus.

When fully completed in 10 years, it will have its own general and community hospitals, specialist centre and a medical school with research facilities. It will also incorporate residences for the elderly such as those undergoing rehabilitation.

The site is located a five-minute drive from the Causeway.

With its 37-year-old premises in Thomson Road packed to the rafters, Thomson Medical Centre is looking to ramp up its capacity. Related Story

Thomson Medical Centre may get makeover soon

When The Straits Times visited this month, most of the land was boarded up but still empty. What is already up is a retail pharmacy which officially opened on Dec 10.

Thomson chairman Roy Quek hopes the new facilities will help reduce the load on Singapore's crowded hospitals and eventually add to the number of doctors and nurses familiar with the local healthcare landscape.

"I'm basically trying to build a private-sector version of the public healthcare clusters," he told The Straits Times, referring to the groups that run Singapore's various general hospitals, polyclinics and other healthcare services.

"I think in the private sector we are able to move a bit faster, respond a bit more quickly. It is very hard for the public sector to handle this load on its own, but we can make it such that the load gets rebalanced," added Mr Quek, who used to be deputy secretary of health policy at the Ministry of Health (MOH).

On why Thomson did not build in Singapore, he said it was due to limited land here.

PLAYING CATCH-UP

Gone are the days when you build a standalone general hospital. In Singapore, based on the current model of care, we are always playing catch-up. Instead, healthcare needs to be integrated.



THOMSON MEDICAL CHAIRMAN ROY QUEK (main photo, at the project's site in Johor Baru), who said he is trying to build a private-sector version of the public healthcare clusters.

Work will start on the main hospital - designed to house up to 500 beds - by next year. It is expected to be up and running by 2020, with the community hospital and medical school to follow.

Treatment there will be "very competitively priced" compared with Singapore, said Mr Quek, citing how products sold at the pharmacy are on average about 30 per cent cheaper than in Singapore.

Singapore patients would be able to use their Medisave to fund treatment if MOH gives the green light.

Healthcare adviser Jean-Luc Butel, president of consultancy firm K8 Global, said that while some people might be turned off by shuttling between Singapore and Johor Baru, the new developments will appeal to those who are very cost-conscious or fed up with public hospitals here.

"The delivery system in Singapore is pretty much at capacity, and this (new project) could be a solution, depending on the quality of care," he said.

"A lot of people may be frustrated at issues they face in Singapore."

Thomson's newest project is estimated to cost RM5 billion (S$1.6 billion), with the general hospital and adjoining medical centre alone costing around RM1.3 billion.

The healthcare group is controlled by billionaire Peter Lim, who bought over the company in 2010.

Mr Quek has also signed an agreement with well-known Irish medical school University College Dublin, and is in talks with other universities to set up the medical school.

Its graduates will be mainly nurses and allied health professionals - although there will also be a handful of doctors - to meet Singapore's most pressing needs.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

AirAsia to deploy 84 more flights this CNY

AirAsia to deploy 84 more flights this CNY

There’s good news for travellers with more flights servicing selected domestic and international routes ahead of the Chinese New Year festive period.

AirAsia Berhad will deploy an additional 84 flights from Jan 25 to Feb 1.

“We would like to encourage travellers to book their flights early for the upcoming festive season,” said AirAsia’s head of commercial Spencer Lee in a statement.

“These flights will have an added capacity of 15,000 seats to facilitate the high demand of air travel during that period.”

Among the routes are from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, Penang, Sibu and Tawau, as well as from Penang to Singapore and from Johor Baru to Miri and Sibu.

“Whether it’s a family reunion or a quick getaway, we hope that these additional flights with everyday low fares will help everyone to have a memorable Chinese New Year celebration,” Lee added.

Travellers are advised to book their flights early at airasia.com or through the airline’s mobile app on the iPhone and android devices. For more information, follow AirAsia on Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia) and Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia).

~News courtesy of The Star~

S'pore, M'sia made very good progress on high-speed rail agreement

Singapore, Malaysia have made very good progress on high-speed rail agreement: PM Lee



PM Lee in an interview with the chairman of Malaysian state news agency Bernama Azman Ujang on Monday (Nov 28).

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says Singapore and Malaysia have made very good progress on a bilateral agreement on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur High-Speed Rail (HSR), and hopes both sides can sign the agreement when he and Prime Minister Najib Razak meet at the Leaders' Retreat. 

"It is a very ambitious, very complicated and a very expansive project, in terms of scale. We have to try our best to anticipate what the likely issues are, when we build it, when we operate it, and have a clear understanding on how we will deal with it if a situation arises," Mr Lee said in an interview with the chairman of Malaysian state news agency Bernama Azman Ujang on Monday(Nov 28).

"The first thing is to have a sound agreement between the two countries on the basis of how the project is structured, how it is going to be executed, and how it is backed by the two governments," said Mr Lee in the interview, the transcript of which was released by the Prime Minister's Office today (Nov 30).

"That is the first requirement, that we have a very good agreement which sets out clearly a sound basis to build and operate the system."

Singapore, KL 'working towards' inking High Speed Rail pact on Dec 5

Both countries have been discussing the agreement for more than a year, Mr Lee noted.

"We are almost there, and I hope that when I meet Prime Minister Najib at the next retreat, we will be able to sign the agreement," he said.

On Tuesday (Nov 29), Malaysian Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan met Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan, and Mr Abdul Rahman said on Instagram they met "to harmonise last minute details of the Bilateral Agreement on Malaysia-Singapore High Speed Rail project before signing ceremony in December".

A memorandum of understanding for the HSR project was signed in July this year by Mr Khaw and Mr Abdul Rahman, and it was witnessed by the two prime ministers.

Construction for the project is expected to begin in 2018, with trains running in 2026.

Secondly, Mr Lee noted that the project's execution will be very important - designing it, calling for tenders, evaluating the proposals.

"Several high-speed rail systems in the world have been lobbying very hard to get this contract - the Japanese, the Koreans, the Chinese high-speed rail," he noted.

"Each has its strengths, and we will have a very difficult decision evaluating the bidders who come along and deciding which one is the best overall."

Asked about the cost-sharing of construction, PM Lee said things like that had to be clearly specified, and it was one of the items that made the project complicated.

"When you have two authorities involved, you have to decide how to partition, where the line is drawn. I build my part, you build your part, and we have to meet at the same point," he said. "If it does not meet then we have a big problem."

PM Lee added: "It is complicated but there is a will. And there is a good will, and we would like to make it succeed."

He was also asked if a third bridge between Singapore and Malaysia - which some in Malaysia had suggested recently - is necessary with the HSR project.

Mr Lee said there are currently no plans for it.

"We are not currently planning for a third bridge," he said. "I have seen some statements in Malaysia suggesting one, but the high-speed rail is a very ambitious project. I would focus all my energies doing that one before we launch a new big project."

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

RM8mil dragon attraction in Yong Peng

RM8mil dragon attraction



A 106.9m-long dragon tunnel, dubbed the Prosperity Dragon, is the latest tourist attraction in this small southern Johor town.

Vying for a place in the Malaysian Book of Records as the biggest dra­gon tunnel in the country and potentially clinching a world record too, the celestial structure sprawls on more than a hectare of the Green Garden of Che Ann Khor Yong Peng Association grounds at Taman Kota Impian here.

Costing RM8mil and three years to build, the interior of the hollow dragon structure is adorned with Chinese cultural and religious paintings.

Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar launched the dragon tunnel yesterday.

He was accompanied by his son Tunku Temenggong Tunku Idris Iskandar at the event which was also attended by 5,000 local and foreign visitors.

Sultan Ibrahim planted a tree at the site.

The spectators were entertained to a lion dance by 99 lions and also a dragon dance performance.

State Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said the dragon would attract more tourists to the district and boost the state’s economy.

“This dragon is a symbol of prosperity for Johor and I hope Green Garden will become an iconic destination.

“The 24 paintings portray the teachings of the Buddha on honouring and obeying parents and another 18 paintings depict the afterlife,” he told reporters during a media conference yesterday.

Visitors have to pay a minimal entry fee to enter the “dragon’s body” which is an air-conditioned tunnel to view the paintings.

“Everything about this structure is related to the number nine, which represents prosperity and luck for the Chinese community.

“Inside, there are 108 stairs and the length of the dragon is 315ft. Both figures add up to the number nine,” Tee added.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Extra $6.60 fee to enter Johor kicks in

Extra $6.60 fee to enter Johor kicks in

UNTIL recently, Johnson Tan would drive his Grab car across the Causeway to refuel up to four times a week.

Doing that saved him up to $80 for a full tank.

Now the 27-year-old is having second thoughts. It follows the change in road charges imposed by Malaysia.

From yesterday, Singapore-registered cars entering Malaysia will be charged an extra RM20 (S$6.60).

"I will save less now, so unless I happen to be near the checkpoints, I wouldn't intentionally drive in," said Mr Tan, who lives in Sengkang.

The road charge came into effect at the two land checkpoints from 12.01am yesterday.

This followed an announcement by Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai on Facebook last Friday.

The extra charge was targeted to roll out as early as October last year but was repeatedly delayed.

From Nov 1, a round trip for a Singapore car going into Johor will cost about $19 and this includes existing checkpoint tolls levied by both countries.

The Straits Times spoke to 12 Singaporean drivers in Johor Baru yesterday.

Unlike Mr Tan, 10 of the drivers said they were unfazed about paying more, saying that it still falls within their means.

The drivers were also prepared with sufficient value in their Touch 'n Go cards, which they now have to tap twice after getting their passports stamped, once for the road charge and again for the checkpoint toll.

They previously tapped once at the Malaysia checkpoint.

"RM20 is still a comfortable rate for me," said Iskandar Samat, who is self-employed.
v The 42-year-old was in JB with his mother, Sabariah Tik, 64, yesterday for some shopping.

"With the year-end holidays coming up, I think I will be back a few more times this year with my wife and two children.

"We can split the cost among us," he added.

Operations manager Desmond Chin, 33, who travels to JB several times a week for work, said: "I don't have a choice since I have to attend meetings and visit the company factory in JB. But if I were to come here for leisure, I might think twice."

However, technician Jani Jamari, 57, said making the trip to visit his favourite eateries has become "not worth it".

"I come in about once a month on my day-off to eat because the halal food is cheap and good... But now, I may take a ferry to Batam instead," said Mr Jani, who was busy working out the cost of a round trip to JB on a piece of paper.

Traffic was smooth entering Malaysia yesterday morning.

However, several motorists said the weekend crowd will return and traffic jams are unlikely to ease in the months ahead.

~News courtesy of My Paper~

RM20 charge on foreign vehicles entering via JB

RM20 charge on foreign vehicles entering via JB



Vehicles making their way along the Causeway between Johor and Singapore.

All foreign private-registered vehicles entering Malaysia via Johor will be subjected to a RM20 road charge (RC) effective Nov 1.

This RC will be collected each time motorists enter using the Touch n’ Go card, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

“The RC system has been activated at the two land entry points in Johor – the Causeway and the Second Link.

“Initial collection exercise will only involve foreign private-registered vehicles excluding foreign registered motorcycles,” he said in a statement on Friday.

Liow urged all foreign-registered vehicles to register their vehicle information under the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) system to ensure smooth entry to Malaysia once the VEP is implemented.

Not to be confused with RC, he explained that the VEP is an automated vehicle registration system and is part of ongoing efforts by the Malaysian Government to improve border control and monitoring, as well as comprehensive collection of entry point data that could be used for strategic planning, management and efficient enforcement purposes.

“While the implementation of RC and eventually VEP will only involve foreign private-registered vehicles at the two entry points in Johor initially, this exercise will be extended throughout the 12 entrances to Malaysia in stages,” he added.

Liow said updates and announcement on the implementation date for VEP would be made closer to the date.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Happy Deepavali!

Causeway border scan gets thumbs up

Causeway border scan gets thumbs up



Motorists from Singapore being stuck in a traffic congestion heading towards Malaysia via the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) in Johor Baru, Johor on June 11.

Each year, dozens of Malaysian and foreign motorcyclists are jailed or fined for entering or leaving the country without stopping to present their passports at the 150 Immigration counters at the Johor Causeway and Second Link.

For years, many have claimed ignorance, blamed the counters for being closed or having no Immigration officials present to verify their passports, as there are no gantries to stop the motorcyclists from zooming past the counters, especially during rush hour.

For the first nine months this year alone, some 104 local and foreign motorcyclists have been detained for such offences at both the checkpoints.

Offenders face fines of between RM1,500 and RM1,800, in default two or three months’ jail.

Some 40,000 Malaysian motorcyclists travel to Singapore daily, mainly for work.

The Immigration Department plans to overcome this problem with a new automated border control system known as MBIKE, to be launched in December.

It is similar to the autogates placed at all entry and exit points in Malaysia.

This system, which uses a radio frequency identification device (RFID) sticker attached to the holder’s passport, requires the holder to place their thumb on the reader before the gantry gate opens.

The advanced system will also be able to detect if there is only one person or a pillion rider as well on a motorcycle.

If there are two people on the motorcycle, both will be required to scan their thumbs.

Johor Immigration director Datuk Rohaizi Bahari said this system will be the first of its kind at any CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quaran­tine) in Malaysia for motorcycle clearance.

“This system will not just enhance security at both checkpoints but also ease clearance at the Johor Causeway and Second Link,” he said.

Registration, which is free of charge, is now open.

“So far, response at the Johor CIQ has been overwhelming, with 4,500 people having registered for it since Sept 30,” he told The Star.

Requirements for the application include holding a passport that is valid for more than six months, being free from any blacklist and being at least 18 years old.

Singapore has automated its clearance for motorcycles since 2008.

At present, there are 100 motorcycle lanes in and out at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar CIQ here and 50 lanes at the Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar at the Second Link.

The system, said Rohaizi, will also help free their personnel to focus on other areas because much manpower is needed to man at least 60% to 75% of the counters to clear the motorcycles daily.

Manual booths at both CIQs will continue for motorcyclists who do not have MBIKE and foreigners, he added.

To apply for MBIKE, just go to the one-stop registration centre at the Johor CIQ or contact its hotline at 07-218 2400, or visit www.mbike.my.

Another one-stop centre at the Second Link will open by this month.

Both centres will operate round the clock.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Happy national day

Salahuddin Bakery - The taste of old world charm

The taste of old world charm



Loaves of breads are being baked in the coalfire oven at Salahuddin Bakery, Jalan Dhoby in Johor Baru.

Amid the trendy cafes, shops and a night bazaar that have invigorated the Johor Baru city centre, an old bakery is still churning out the charming coal-fired bread that reminds many Malaysians of the good old days.

Some eight decades after it opened, locals and foreign visitors, including Singaporeans, continue to make a stop at Salahuddin Bakery for its freshly made, aromatic breads.

It’s a family-run business that is into its fourth generation now since its inception in 1937.

Wishing to be known only as Salahuddin, the owner said he inherited the business from his late father Shamsul Hag some 16 years ago. The 52-year-old has since retired and passed the baton to his eldest son.

It was Salahuddin’s late grandfather, Shariff Mohamed Mahku, who started the bakery 12 years after he arrived here from New Delhi.

“When he first came to Malaya in 1925, he worked as a baker and dreamt of owning a shop one day.

“He finally realised his dream. Since the shop’s opening, it has become a family tradition to run the business,” he said, adding that his son took over the running of the shop early this year.

Salahuddin said his family would ensure that the art of bread-making will be passed down to future generations.

“My four children were taught to make breads since they were kids,” he said.

Helped by assistants, his children and relatives start by preparing the dough and other ingredients at midnight.

At 6am, the first loaves of freshly made breads are rolled out for the early birds, including workers in nearby offices.

Salahuddin said little has changed over the years, especially the coal-fired oven that gives the bakery much of its old-world charm.

Patrons who step into the shop are greeted by black-and-white photos of Shariff and Shamsul on the wall along with newspaper clippings featuring the shop.

“My regular customers, be they Malay, Chinese, Indian or Eurasian, always enjoy our pastries and breads. Coal-made breads are hardly available in Johor Baru now,” he said.

The outlet boasts some 50 types of pastries and breads such as French loaves and coconut-filled buns.

Salahuddin reckons it is the taste of authentic and original soft bread taste that makes his customers come back for more.

“They tell me that the taste of my breads is different from those made by bakeries using electric or gas ovens,” he smiled.

The secret to the shop’s lasting charm is not just in the quality of its baked goods but the relationships it has forged with its customers.

“I know each of my regular customers, some of whom have been visiting our shop since they were young and now, they are parents bringing in their children,” he said.

While he said he can’t predict the future, Salahuddin gave an assurance that the bakery would always open its doors for business – even in the next hundred years.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Johor-Singapore water taxi idea being floated

Johor-Singapore water taxi idea being floated



Big project: Mohamed Khaled (right) being briefed on the Meridin East project during its launch.

Property development within the eastern side of Iskandar Malaysia is likely to see a boost with a proposal by the state government to set up a water taxi service between Johor and Singapore.

The suggested water taxi, a public transportation between Kong Kong and the Changi Ferry Terminal in Singapore, would likely stimulate migration to the eastern part of Johor, said Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

“We are still in the midst of carrying out a feasibility study on the proposal, which has also been forwarded to the Federal Government.

“The water taxi is expected to save more than half the current travel time to the republic from the Pasir Gudang area,” he said during the launch of Mah Sing Group’s Meridin East Township, near Kong Kong here yesterday.

Currently, it takes up to two hours to travel between Pasir Gudang and Singapore via the Causeway, while the estimated travel time for the water taxi is only 20 minutes per trip.

Mohamed Khaled hailed Mah Sing’s RM5bil Meridin East mixed development project, which would see the construction of affordable houses, commercial lots, a wide range of amenities along with lush greenery.

He said sustainability needed to be at the heart of development and planning of Johor, adding land use and transportation plans must address environmental protection and waste reduction.

Other issues that need to be addressed include reducing carbon footprints, preserving habitats, restoring biodiversity and stewarding urban waters while conserving it.

“Land use and transportation planning should also support a robust city economy, which allows local businesses and sustainable manufacturing activities to thrive in,” he said.

Mah Sing Group chairman Tan Sri Yaacob Mat Zain said the project, covering a 531.5ha land near Kong Kong, was divided into five phases for the next 12 to 15 years.

“The gated and guarded property will also feature a 50m-long Mulberry Lake besides 44.51ha of reserve land for recreational purposes and thousands of native trees to be planted within the area.

“Another important component in our development of the road infrastructure is easier access to the Senai-Desaru Expressway connecting to Kong Kong from Tanjung Langsat and the widening of Jalan Kong Kong,” he added.

Mah Sing has launched phase two of its Greenway project with prices starting from RM357,000 for a built-up area of between 1,595sq ft and 1,648sq ft; while its Eden neighbourhood starts from RM453,000 for 2,033sq ft double-storey homes.

~News courtesy of The Star~

No plans to scrap VEP

Liow: No plans to scrap VEP

The government has no plan to scrap the implementation of the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) and said it will be resumed once the system is ready to go.

Brushing news reports earlier, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (pic) said there was no delay on the implementation.

“Don’t listen to rumours. The government will implement (VEP). Not only in Singapore but (our borders) in Thailand, Kalimantan and Brunei. We are not discriminating, all borders will have VEP.

“We will start with Singapore (registered vehicles) first and then move to others,” he told reporters after attending the official opening ceremony of the Johor Port Authority new headquarters in Pasir Gudang, here Sunday.

Liow was commenting on whether the VEP would likely be scrapped after the process of its implementation faced “glitches” and missed several “dates” which were supposed to be the date of implementation.

“It will take time to implement this as we want to ensure there will be no hiccups when we start it. If now, the trial only runs for 12 hours, we want to run it for 24 hours for at least another one or two months.

The VEP, which was first proposed back in 2006, was supposed to start with a charge of RM20 for foreign vehicles entering Johor on July 16, but was postponed for the fourth time.

On whether the installation of a camera in the car should be made compulsory to determine the cause of accidents, he said so far, it was still on a voluntary basis.

~News courtesy of Bernama~

Vehicle Entry Permit setup not ready: KL

Vehicle Entry Permit setup not ready: KL

MALAYSIA'S transport ministry said it will announce the start of the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) requirement and road charge on Singapore cars in "due course", refuting earlier reports which stated that the system would kick off last Saturday.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, the country's Ministry of Transport (MOT) said "ample notice" will be given as to when the proposed RM20 (S$6.70) charge will be levied on foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia.

Commercial vehicles and motorcycles will be excluded.

The VEP - which also requires Singapore cars to register with Malaysia's Road Transport Department (JPJ) before entry - had been targeted to commence as early as last October but its implementation has been repeatedly postponed.

A report in Malaysian newspaper New Straits Times on Monday said while the system was planned to launch last Saturday, it has been pushed back due to a "technical glitch".

This was because authorities are working out "integration issues" to allow motorists to pay for the existing toll and new VEP fee together with a single swipe of their cash card.

Malaysia's MOT said: "The MOT and JPJ is currently conducting the system tests to ensure smooth and seamless implementation."

It added that about 144,000 vehicles have been registered for the VEP. Singapore vehicles still to register after the VEP is implemented will have to do so at the checkpoint counters at the Causeway in Johor Baru and the Second Link crossing.

~News courtesy of My Paper~

KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail projected to start around 2026

KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail projected to start around 2026

The High-Speed Rail (HSR) line linking Singapore and Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur (KL) is expected to start operations around 2026. This was announced at a joint press conference on Tuesday (July 19) after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the neighbouring countries.

The signing ceremony, witnessed by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak, comes ahead of a legally binding bilateral agreement that will be inked by the end of this year.

Construction of the HSR is scheduled to take place from 2018 to 2025, followed by testing, commissioning and finally kick-off for the revenue service a year later.



The HSR line will run for 350km, with 335km in Malaysia and 15km in Singapore, and on two tracks going in opposite directions. It will comprise eight stops in total: Singapore, Iskandar Puteri, Batu Pahat, Muar, Ayer Keroh, Seremban, Putrajaya and KL.

Existing train services take up to 11 hours to journey between Singapore and KL. However, with the line able to reach top speeds of 300km/h, travel time between KL and Singapore is expected to drop to around 90 minutes - excluding clearance at customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ). There are, however, plans to co-locate CIQ checkpoints at Singapore, KL and Iskandar Puteri to facilitate “seamless travel”.

This means, for instance, that at the Jurong East terminus, one would be able to clear Singaporean immigration and a few steps later, Malaysian immigration before boarding the train, reaching KL and stepping out into the city centre itself.

Travel time for the HSR between Singapore and Iskandar Puteri in Johor Bahru is expected to take around 10 to 15 minutes.

Both governments agreed that each will take responsibility for developing, constructing and maintaining civil infrastructure and stations within their own countries - MyHSR Corporation for Malaysia and the Land Transport Authority for Singapore.



“COMPETITIVE” FARES

It was also announced that two train operating companies will be appointed to run the HSR service. An international operator will handle the express service between the Singapore terminus at Jurong East and the KL end at the upcoming Bandar Malaysia development. The same operator will also oversee a cross-border shuttle service between Singapore and Iskandar Puteri.

Another operator will run the domestic service within Malaysia. The express service will have scheduling and operational priority over a domestic line servicing the six stops in Malaysia between Singapore and KL.

The HSR trains are expected to be 10 cars long, with the capacity for up to 100 passengers per car.

Fare will be set commercially by the operators and “competitive with airfares”, said Singapore authorities.

A separate private entity will design, build, finance and maintain the trains as well as rail assets, like trackwork, communications, signalling and power. It will also allocate and control track access. Depots and maintenance facilities will be located in Malaysia.

The Singapore and Malaysian governments will build and fund infrastructure work such as viaducts, tunnels and stations within their territories. Both governments also agreed to form a bilateral committee comprising representatives from both sides to manage and regulate aspects of the project which might impact the cross-border services.

TENDER PROCESS WILL BE "FAIR AND TRANSPARENT"

Speaking at the signing of the MoU, PM Lee noted that the tender process is one issue that has to be discussed by Singapore and Malaysia. He said: "This is one of the items which has to be settled and has to be discussed between the two sides, to how the project is going to be structured, to how the tenders will be called, what's the sequence in which they're going to be called, what does each package consist of, and then how will the tenders be evaluated."

Mr Najib said: "Because this project has attracted so much international interest, it is incumbent upon us to make sure that the process will be a very fair, transparent, objective process. But we are both committed to ensuring that this will happen because the image and integrity of both countries will be at stake. So you can be rest assured that the process will be carried out in the fairest possible way."

Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan said: “We are committed to making sure that this project comes to its conclusion. As far as I’m concerned, and as both Prime Ministers mentioned ... it will be an open, transparent and fair tender process.”

He mentioned that he had personally seen several companies that had shown some interest, including companies from China, Japan and European countries.

Mr Abdul Rahman added that the pricing for trips on the HSR would be affected by the bids for the project even though it would likely be benchmarked against airfares. "I believe it will be market-driven."

When asked about the cost-sharing arrangement between Singapore and Malaysia, Mr Abdul Rahman pointed out that much of the track will be in Malaysia, with more than 300km in Malaysia and about 15km in Singapore.

“But we’re not looking at the length, we’re looking at the cost. Of course, building 15km underground in Singapore would probably cost as much. So it will be an equitable, fair percentage for both countries,” he said. However, he added that he was not at at liberty to disclose the exact percentages until the bilateral agreement is concluded.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri