Wednesday, 31 August 2016
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~
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~
Sunday, 7 August 2016
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~
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~
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