The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- From an idyllic town, Gelang Patah now has world class attractions
- Fewer retailers caught abusing costs of items during recent festive season
- Still time for submissions of motorcycle licence aid
| From an idyllic town, Gelang Patah now has world class attractions Posted: 21 Feb 2013 10:17 PM PST GELANG PATAH: Ask the locals in Gelang Patah and they will mention that the township was known for its vast plots of agricultural land and fishing villages. However, over the last six years, Gelang Patah has been transformed into a bustling area, which also houses the state's administrative centre in Nusajaya and several theme world class attractions and projects. Located some 25km from Johor Baru, one of the main attractions here include Legoland Malaysia, Puteri Harbour, Pine Wood Studios and several international schools, medical colleges and luxury homes. Besides that, the distance from Gelang Patah town to the country's second crossing into Singapore - Tuas Second Link - is less than 15 minutes. While the economic and development boom here is good for the state and the business community, the locals in the Gelang Patah parliamentary, which consists of the state seats of Nusajaya and Skudai, are concerned with some issues including the increase in cost of living, spiralling property prices, high crime rate and floods in the area. The rapid changes in this once laid-back town comprising only two rows of shophouses is felt by 44-year-old Rosani Abu Ali, who has been trading in the Gelang Patah market for more than a decade. The mother-of-two said the development in the area had caused the roads to become too narrow to accommodate the increasingly heavy traffic. "The roads especially around schools and near shops are always congested probably due to the fact that more and more people are relocating to Gelang Patah to enjoy the ongoing developments," she said when met here. Rosani expects that there would be heavier traffic in the coming years and hopes for wider and better roads. Art teacher Nor Fazila Md Nasir, 31, who moved to Nusajaya two years ago, said that the place was attracting a lot of people as it was the closest point to Singapore. "Many people live here and commute daily to work in Singapore due to the high price of rental and property in the island republic," she said, adding that this too was pushing up the prices of properties in the area. She added that in the past, a double storey house was sold for less than RM180,000 but now it fetchs RM500,000 or more. "Now we have expressways that make it convenient to travel to Legoland Malaysia Theme Park and Hello Kitty Town where kids and parents can have fun and it really feels like we are moving towards a cosmopolitan lifestyle," she said. Meanwhile, bank officer James Lee, 23, who works in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah in Skudai, feels the pinch in his wallet because of the increase in the cost of living. "It is good that there are a lot of housing projects and developments coming up around the area but at the same time, it has pushed up the cost of living. "But for a fresh graduate like me who just started working, I find that it easily costs at least RM8 for a simple rice meal here and it is difficult to save much," he said, adding that he hoped for more affordable housing for people his age. Security is also top on people's mind here including shopkeeper Zainon Mat Salleh, 23, from Taman Ungku Tun Aminah in Skudai. She said more shopping centres here are ideal spots for youngsters and this contributes to social ills. She also noticed the increase in street crime, which was worrying especially for women with handbags. "I usually take the public transport to and from work and I feel paranoid whenever I walk alone as there were many cases of snatch thefts and robberies in the area," she said hoping for an increase of police presence in the area. Housewife K. Citra, 30, on the other hand feels that despite ongoing developments, places like Kampung Laut, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah and Kampung Poh Chee Leng in Skudai were still affected by floods. "We sometimes have to move to the flood relief centres up to five times a year during wet seasons and although we are used to it, relocating is still a hassle for all of us," she said when met at her home in Kampung Laut. She hoped that something would be done to solve flash flood problems soon. "My friends who stay in Pasir Gudang said that they were no longer affected by flash floods since flood mitigation projects were carried out in recent years," she added. Vegetable seller E. Laila, 60, said she did not feel much has changed in the Skudai area as her business has not improved due to illegal traders who had set up stalls outside the Taman Ungku Tun Aminah market where she operates. "The illegal traders have caused our businesses to drop especially in the past two years and no action has been taken on them despite us bringing the matter to the local council and the assemblyman," she said. Lalita hoped for more stringent rules against the illegal traders, as it was unfair to those who paid rent and for trading licenses monthly. For fish monger Wong Ah Heng, 62, his business has also dropped by about 30% over the past couple of years due to the opening of mini markets in the Gelang Patah area. "Compared to previous years, the traders now face tough competition from mini marts in terms of cleanliness and convenience," said Wong, who obtains fresh fish from Sabah for his business. He added that he hoped for a revamp at the wet market into a more modern facility so that customers would feel comfortable to do their marketing there. The Gelang Patah Parliamentary constituency encompasses the state seats of Nusajaya and Skudai. The battle for the three seats here will be intense with both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat trying to woo the 104,972 voters here. The Gelang Patah parliamentary is the biggest voting constituency in the 26 parliament seats in Johor. |
| Fewer retailers caught abusing costs of items during recent festive season Posted: 21 Feb 2013 08:37 PM PST BERA: Only two retailers were found to have sold controlled items higher than the ceiling prices during the recent Chinese New Year festive season. Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said both retailers had been compounded and the items seized. "This year, the number of such offenders showed a significant drop compared to previous years. "Of the 77 cases recorded, the majority involved offences related to price tags. The bulk of the offenders are in Perak with 32 cases and Selangor with 24 cases," he said when met after launching the Bera parliamentary Chinese New Year gathering in SMJK Triang near here. A total of 13 items were placed under the price control scheme during the festive season. The items were live chicken, standard chicken, super chicken, chicken eggs, round cabbage, garlic, pomfret, large banana prawn, live pig (at farm level), pork belly, pork and lard. Ismail Sabri, who is the Bera MP, said the value of the items seized were RM7,273 and compounds amounted to RM9,000 under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. He said the ministry also did not receive any complaints of inadequate festive items. "We would continue to give advice to retailers and organise awareness campaigns to educate them to follow the stipulated guidelines. Our main aim is not to penalise but ensure all guidelines are adhered to so that consumer rights are protected," he said. On expired items sold as gift hampers, Ismail Sabri said there was no complaints received by the ministry. He said their enforcement officers would monitor the situation and take action under the Trade Description Act. Earlier in his speech, he said the people must respect each other's culture and tradition. "We must not only think of our own community and identity. "As a multi-racial society, we must remain united and live together in peace and harmony to enable the country to enjoy continuous growth and prosperity," he said. Ismail Sabri said there was no restrictions imposed by the Government to practice one's culture and tradition, citing that the Chinese community could enjoy cultural performances, wear attire as they wish and yam seng (toast). He urged the people to continue giving their support to the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for the betterment of the country. About 5,000 people from all walks of life attended the gathering which also saw performances by local artiste Winnie K, cultural dances, lion dance troupes and models parading in wedding gowns. Also present was Pahang MCA Youth chief Wong Yoke Loong. |
| Still time for submissions of motorcycle licence aid Posted: 21 Feb 2013 10:15 PM PST RAUB: More youths should seize the opportunity to apply for the B2 category motorcycle licence under the 1Malaysia Licence Aid (BL1M) programme. Raub Umno Youth chief Arif Fadzilah Abu Samah said the deadline to submit the application would end on March 1. Arif Fadzilah said as such, those aged between 17 and 40, should not wait until the eleventh hour to submit the forms. "So far, we have received about 900 applicants and our target is to receive 1,000 before the deadline. I believe many more especially Chinese youths are not aware or taking their own time to do so," he said. Also present were Raub MCA division assistant organising secretary Lim Teck Hoe and Raub Umno Youth secretary Sheikh Salahuddin Sheikh Abdul Rahim. Under the BL1M programme launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Jan 31, participants applying for the B2 licence will only need to pay a fee of RM199. The special rate includes riding lessons and practical theory tests as compared to the market rate of about RM380 charged by driving schools. Arif Fadzilah said the applicants could collect the forms at the wing's office or download it at www.bl1m.my. He said among the criteria were that the applicants must be healthy and had yet to possess a valid licence. "The forms must be completed and submitted before the deadline complete with a money order for the discounted rate. Processing would take between two and three months before a licence is issued to applicants," he said. Lim urged youths to seize the opportunity to obtain the licence so that they could ride in a courteous manner and legally on the road. Since the official launching, some 145,000 youths have registered for BL1M. |
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