The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
| Decrease in sales due to fear of contamination Posted: 23 May 2011 07:49 PM PDT JOHOR BARU: Food suppliers and Japanese restaurant operators here have recorded a significant decrease in sales as consumers are still in fear of radiation from contaminated foodstuff. In relating the issue, one of the affected food importer Lee Swee Hua said sales of raw fish from Japan had dropped by 30%. "The low sales was due to the Japan earthquake in March where radiation leaks were detected from the Fukushima nuclear plant," he said. Imported foodstuff from the country, he added, would be checked by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority in Singapore (AVA) before it is allowed into Johor. "Contaminated food will be destroyed immediately if they are found to be unsafe as it is tightly controlled by the AVA," he said. Allaying fear to the situation, Lee said there is no reason for consumers to avoid imported fresh and processed food from Japan. Another trader Ong Kim Yan who deals with imported items like frozen food, seafood and dry food from Japan, had assured the public that foodstuff sold by her company is safe for consumption. "We have stickers by the AVA to show that the foodstuff are free from radiation," she said, adding that Japanese authority had also issued health certificates for their food exported overseas. "As a safety assurance, the Malaysian Health Ministry also conducts checks on the food items before it is made available to the public," she said. Restaurant operator Yu Kong Mee said her business is slowly picking up, but many of her customers are still concerned about contaminated food from Japan. "We took the trouble to explain about the strict monitoring by the authorities and safety measures taken to assure our customers that the imported ingredients are safe for consumption," she said. Japan Club of Johor Executive Secretary Nishikawa Takeshi said many Japanese expatriates residing in the state are not worried about the issue of radioactive contamination. "It is the locals who are afraid to consume Japanese food and we want to assure them that we have taken all the precautionary measures to assure them that our imported food items are edible," he said. Nishikawa added that the Japanese government had prohibited the exportation of food items produced from areas affected by the radiation leak. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| Posted: 23 May 2011 07:48 PM PDT JOHOR BARU: The dry spell nationwide has prompted many people to seek shelter from the heat by hanging out at air-conditioned shopping complexes or head to the beach to cool themselves off. Johor, which has been experiencing the sweltering weather for almost two weeks where temperatures go as high as 39 Celsius and the situation, is unbearable for many especially at night. The Stulang Laut beach overlooking Singapore is now becoming popular among the city dwellers as it is windy and cooling to sit by the beach and many visitors were seen taking a dip in the sea or just splashing water over their face. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| Posted: 23 May 2011 07:46 PM PDT PAPAR: State Local Government and Housing Assistant Minister Datuk Gulam Haidar Khan Bahadar, who is also Kawang assemblyman said he was moved by the overwhelming response at the district-level Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) in Lok Kawi recently. "Every year the number of people joining to celebrate keeps increasing. "This proves that harmony among us, despite our religious and racial differences, is very much alive and well. "We are indeed a testimony for 1Malaysia and this festival is part of our network to promote the unity concept," he said at the opening ceremony of the celebration. One of the festival guest festival Yusmah Ibrahim from Kinarut, was drawn to the celebrations with her two-year-old son. She was impressed with the involvement of school children in the Kaamatan festival and said that such an activity is the best way to build a harmonious community among people of different races and beliefs. Jeneve Mujim, 31, a housewife from Kampung Titimbuongon who brought her daughter Jezanadra Thomas concurred with Yusmah that the spirit of unity should be instilled at a very young age. Another guest Chin Aui Song, 57, a hawker from Penampang, she said the festival in Papar had brought closer ties to the Sabahan people and also became an avenue for traders earn some profit selling food, novelties and tidbits. – Bernama. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
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