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The Star Online: Metro: South & East

Pontian losing its lead as a pineapple producer, now wants better roads
Volunteers sacrifice their time to support cops in busting crime
52 NGOs get grants totaling RM1.55mil

Pontian losing its lead as a pineapple producer, now wants better roads

Posted: 29 Mar 2013 12:20 AM PDT

PONTIAN: A giant pineapple replica erected in the middle of Pontian Kechil town is a reminiscence of the bygone era of the pineapple cultivation in Pontian district.

Back in the 50s, 60s and 70s, pineapples cultivated in the district were exported all over the world mostly as canned pineapple cubes or rings and juices.

However, today Pontian is no longer a main producer of pineapples in Johor as Simpang Renggam in Kluang district has taken over from it.

Pontian, which is located about 85km from the Johor Baru city centre is well known for its fresh seafood attracting locals and Singaporeans especially on weekends.

According to the local folklore, Pontian got its name from a Malay word "perhentian" or a resting place as its shoreline facing the Straits of Malacca was a perfect stop over for merchants and hideout for sea pirates.

Long-time Pontian resident and taxi driver Wee Boon Seng, 62, said the district had its own attractions to attract locals from outside the district as well as foreign visitors.

He said private companies should think of investing in building more budget hotels or chalets in the district to attract more visitors.

"Pontian has many attractions but most of the visitors do not stay over night as there is lack of accommodation for them,'' said Wee.

He said among the attractions include jungle tracking and boat rides along the mangrove jungles, visiting traditional villages and fishing.

Housewife Zynab Abdul Hassan, 35, urged the Pontian District Council (MPP) to beef up their cleaning efforts in and around the district's town Pontian Kechil.

She wanted strict enforcement taken against those who deliberately threw rubbish including traders and members of the public especially in the back alleys of buildings in the town and public areas.

Zynab said the only time the place was clean was during the Kembara Mahkota expedition by the Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar or when Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman visited the district.

"There are not enough rubbish bins especially in the public parks here and this is the main reason why you can see the place is littered with rubbish,'' she said.

Meanwhile, lorry driver G. Suppiah, 63, said he enjoyed the laidback atmosphere and the easygoing lifestyle of the locals here but at the same time welcome development into the district.

He added that the cost of living here is comparatively low where one can rent a single-storey three-room house for RM300 and seafood were fresh and cheap.

"We need a balance approach as development will create economic spill-over but at the same time we don't want it to burden us,'' said Suppiah.

He said development aside; the police must also increase their patrolling activities in the housing estates especially at night as street crimes were common here.

Clerk Tan Wee Wen, 41, said the road conditions were bad especially from Pontian Kechil to Pontian Besar with uneven road surfacing and many potholes.

She said bumpy road conditions would definitely fasten the wear and tear of vehicles; hence vehicle owners have to fork out extra money to maintain their vehicles.

"It is quite annoying driving in the district as the bad road conditions could lead to accidents and outsiders also made fun of roads in Pontian,'' said Tan.

Student P. Komala, 21, hoped that the state government would encourage more investors to invest in the district as their presence would create job opportunities for locals.

She said many youngsters in the district looking for better future preferred to work in Johor Baru, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Komala said as Pontian was strong in the agriculture activities, investors involved in the related activities should consider setting up their operations in the district.

"Operating cost here is still much lower compared with Johor Baru and it should be a plus point for the investors to seriously come to Pontian,'' she said.

Komala said hopefully with more investments, there would be economic spill-over for the district including support industries and services provided by the small and medium enterprises.

Shopkeeper Jamil Sulaiman, 62, wanted the MPP to do proper planning before implementing on any development plans in the district.

He said bad decisions by the council could sometime result in unnecessary inconvenience and losses; citing the case of the relocation of food stalls along Jalan Bakek here.

"Prior to the relocation of the food stall operators in Jalan Bakek, the area was lively at night as diners are attracted to a variety of street foods offered by them,'' said Jamil.

However, he said the place was no longer lively as stall operators had to be relocated elsewhere to make way for the upgrading of the area.

Jamil claimed many of the stall operators who were operating at new locations reported their earnings had declined as the new premises did not attract crowds unlike Jalan Bakek.

"Build a centralised hawker centre for these operators as this is the best option for them to earn decent living and also to bring back customers,'' he suggested.

Pontian constituency with 48,803 voters with Benut and Pulai Sebatang as the state seats.

Volunteers sacrifice their time to support cops in busting crime

Posted: 28 Mar 2013 07:07 PM PDT

JOHOR BARU: They are holding permanent jobs and come from different backgrounds but are motivated with one common goal – to help reduce crime rate.

Praises should be given to them for their willingness to sacrifice their valuable times with families and loved ones in order to serve the local community.

Although their role is more of supporting the full-fledged policemen, it is not a major issue for most of them as their small contribution is equally important in crime busting.

"My interest in the police force started when I joined the school police cadet body at SMK Lokman Hakim in Kota Tinggi,'' Tenaga Nasional Bhd technician Noramin Hashim, 23, said in an interview with StarMetro.

He decided to apply as the Volunteer Police Reservist (VPRs) position last year and happy that he was selected to become one.

Noramin was among the 34 recipients who received their certificate of appointment as the VPRs for the Nusajaya police district from the Nusajaya OCPD Supt Noor Hashim Mohamad at SMK Bukit Indah here recently.

"My uncle, a police officer also supports my decision to be a VPR as he always reminds me that each and every one of us has a role to play in combating crime,'' he said.

Noramin said holding a full-time job was not a problem as he worked office hours on weekdays and only reported for duty as a VPR from 7pm to 11pm.

For Pariss Hotel account assistant Rebecca Rajen-dran, 23, her motivation in joining the VPR largely came from her father Rajendran Rajamanickam, 56.

She said her father — a retired armed forces officer — was a disciplinarian and as a young girl, she always remembered seeing him smartly dressed in the army uniform.

"Although police job is categorised as high risk, I find it quite interesting and I want to play my part as a responsible citizen to help combating crime,'' added Rebecca.

She already started her duties as a VPR in January this year from 8pm to midnight as the timetable suited her daytime office job from 9am to 5pm.

Gabbro Precision manufacturing engineer Tio Kuan Aun, 36, said he was grateful his wife Goh May Ling and his parents fully supported his decision to join the police force on a part-time basis.

"My grandparents are against my decision to become a VPR but my wife and my parents encouraged me do what I like to do best for the community,'' he said.

Tio said the working hours as a VPR was flexible as he has choice either reporting for duties on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or on weekends.

The father of two – a seven-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son said he hoped that more Chinese would join as the VPRs as combating crimes did not solely fall on the police force.

Tio hoped that police could advertise in the English and Chinese newspapers in the future for the recruitment of policemen or VPRs to better reach the community.

Meanwhile, Supt Noor Hashim said with the Nusajaya police district already had 60 VPRs including the 34 who received their certification of appointment on Friday.

He said the VPRs would be stationed at police stations and police beats in Bukit Indah, Gelang Patah and Kangkar Pulai to assist full-fledged policemen.

Supt Noor Hashim said they would assist policemen in patrolling duties and also based at the respective police stations to record statements from members of the public who lodged police reports.

"The VPRs are required to clock in a 48-hour duty monthly and we hope that their omnipresence will help reduce crime in the Nusajaya area,'' he said.

52 NGOs get grants totaling RM1.55mil

Posted: 28 Mar 2013 07:06 PM PDT

KUANTAN: A total of 52 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) received a special grant from the Federal Government to carry out community-related activities.

The allocation amounting to RM1.55mil was presented by MCA deputy president and Pahang MCA chairman Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai during a simple ceremony held here.

Liow said among the recipients include Chinese and Indian temple's committees, churches and management of Chinese cemeteries and burial grounds from the Kuantan, Indera Mahkota and Paya Besar districts.

"Most of these NGOs do not have much funds to conduct activities for the benefit of its members.

"As such, we requested a special grant from the Government and was approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak," he said.

Liow urged the recipients to make good use of the money to preserve culture and tradition for the betterment of the community.

Teruntum assemblyman Datuk Chang Hong Seong urged the people to continue supporting the party and Barisan Nasional in the coming general election.

Chang said MCA would continue to be in the forefront to fight for the rights of the people and voice out their problems.

Semambu assemblyman Datuk Pang Tsu Ming said the party would continue to look after the welfare of the people.

Pang urged the people to vote wisely, taking into consideration political stability and numerous transformations initiated by the Government to benefit the poor and lower income groups.

Also present were Kuantan MCA division chief Datuk Ti Lian Ker, Pekan MCA division chief Datuk Tang Yang Meng, Maran MCA division chief Datuk Chow Liong and Paya Besar MCA division chief Datuk Ng Fook Heng.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Jumaat, 29 Mac 2013