The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- 2012 was an eventful and momerable year for Johor
- 50,000 Johoreans to usher in New Year at carnival
- Residents under MPJBT’s jurisdiction to collect new wheelie bins
| 2012 was an eventful and momerable year for Johor Posted: 30 Dec 2012 04:19 PM PST THE year 2012 was certainly an eventful year for Johor. Just a few days into the new year, news spread like wildfire that gold had been discovered at Jalan Mewah, Kampung Melayu in Johor Baru. Hundreds of people, including those beyond the Johor Baru district as well as Singaporeans rushed to the area, hoping to strike it rich. However, their hope was short-lived when the glittering stones were found to be worthless. Experts identified the shiny stones as "fool's gold", which glow in the dark and shine under the sunlight due to its iron sulphide or pyrite content. Over in Pengerang, Kota Tinggi, the multi-billion development taking place there is all set to make southern Johor an international oil and gas (O&G) hub. Located along one of the busiest shipping routes in the world and blessed with a deep draft (harbour water's depth) and large tracts of land, Pengerang has all the makings to become the Rotterdam of South-East Asia. The launch of the Petronas Refinery and Petrochemicals Integrated Development (Rapid) complex in May marked the highly ambitious project which will eventually help transform the laidback Pengerang into a new O&G hub. The RM60bil complex and its proposed 300,000 barrels-per-day crude oil refinery capacity is larger than the combined capacity of Petronas' existing refineries in Malacca, Kertih and Gebeng. In September, Nusajaya, Iskandar Malaysia became the venue of Asia's first Legoland Theme Park. The US$200mil (RM612mil) theme park, built on a 30.75ha site, caters to families with children from two to 12 years old, boasting 40 rides, shows and other attractions. The state also bade farewell to a few personalities who passed away this year — MCA veteran member and former Pontian MP Law Lai Heng, who passed away at age 77, in July. In September, braveheart and spirited teenager Tee Hui Yi, who underwent a double heart transplant in 2007, passed away at her hometown in Batu Pahat. The 19-year old, who had survived a mechanical heart before the two transplants, died at the Batu Pahat Hospital at 10.02am, the day she was to start work as a kindergarten teacher. Philanthropist and prominent figure Tan Sri Kuek Ho Yao, who was also the cousin of billionaire Tan Sri Robert Kuok passed away in October at the age of 96. In November, Datin Paduka Prof Dr Jamilah Ariffin, the wife of Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman launched her latest book, Seorang Profesor Bersama NGO Juita: Perkongsian Bijak Dalam Kerja Amal Kebajikan Masyarakat. She hoped that associations, non-governmental organisations and youths would use the book as a benchmark and reference material for social work and volunteerism. In November, Muar was declared as Johor's royal town. The proclamation of Bandar Maharani (Empress Town) as a royal town was made by Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in conjunction with his birthday celebration which was held in the town. Johor Baru was chosen to host the 8th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) in December — the first edition of the event held outside the capital of a host nation since it was launched in October 2005. Some 2,600 local as well as foreign delegates and speakers from 50 countries attended the event themed "Changing Trends, New Opportunities". |
| 50,000 Johoreans to usher in New Year at carnival Posted: 30 Dec 2012 04:21 PM PST JOHOR BARU: Some 50,000 people are expected to participate in a four-day carnival here to usher in the New Year. Many activities are lined-up including a concert by local artists, extreme sports, street soccer, gathering of bikers and a blood donation drive. Some of the local artists include Mawi, Adi Putra and Wann Rahmat. There will also be a guest appearance by the country's first angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muzaphar Shukor. In conjunction with the New Year, there will be a countdown session followed by a five-minute long fireworks display at midnight. "The carnival is a great way for families to have a fun day out as there are many booths catering to the young and old," said policewoman Zaitun Matdan, 32. She added that such events was suitable for those who cannot afford to take their children for holidays due to work or financial constraints. "The most interesting booth for me is the donation booth for Gaza as I have always wanted to donate to the cause and finally got my chance," said lorry driver Mohd Nazri Khalid, 38. Housewife Fazlina Malik, 35, said the carnival was interesting as children could have fun at the activity booths while parents do some shopping. "It is nice that not all booths were selling items but instead, provided activities for kids," she said. The 'Fiesta Get2gather' carnival is jointly organised by Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) and Johor Baru Barisan National (BN) Youth at Dataran MBJB from Dec 28 until today. Johor Baru BN Youth chairman Khalid Mohamed said they would conduct the carnival annually if the response was good. "The carnival starts from 10am right up to 1am, so that members of the public may come and enjoy their time with their families till late," he said. |
| Residents under MPJBT’s jurisdiction to collect new wheelie bins Posted: 30 Dec 2012 04:20 PM PST JOHOR BARU: SWM Environment Sdn Bhd is embarking on the second phase of its wheelie bin distribution campaign following the success of phase one launched a year ago. This time, the campaign will focus on areas under the Johor Baru Central Municipal Council (MPJBT) jurisdiction. SWM Environment Sdn Bhd corporate communications head Shahrul Amir Abdul Rahim said the notices on collection dates would be distributed to the MPJBT residents. "We will be working with the Johor Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (PPSPPA) and MPJBT to distribute the bins beginning Dec 29 at Taman Universiti, Johor Baru," he said. "Residents have to bring the notice along with the attached registration form, a photocopy of their MyKad, quit rent and utility bills to the designated collection centre to receive the bins. "We look forward to co-operating with the public," he said. Shahrul Amir added that in the first phase, a total of 98,576 units of wheelie bins were successfully distributed in the MBJB areas since the launch of the campaign in December last year. "We estimate that some 105,457 bins are needed for landed properties under the MBJB jurisdiction, of which 94,333 are for landed residential properties and the remaining units for shop lots," he said, adding that the campaign had achieved 93% of its target. He urged recipients to fully utilise the bins instead of putting them inside their houses. "Although the placing of the bins varies from the front and rear of houses, the usage of the bins will ease and make the collection of rubbish more effective and systematic." On a separate matter, SWM announced the relocation of its corporate office to No 6, Jalan Kangkar Tebrau, Kampung Sri Purnama, 81100, Johor Baru from its current premises in Permas Jaya effective Jan 1 2013. For details, complaints or suggestions, call the SWM hotline at 1800 88 7472 or send an e-mail to info_jhr@swmsb.com |
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