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The Star Online: Metro: South & East

Johor welcomes new five-star hotel
Ali Rustam appointed chairman of State Economic Consultative Council
Johor MB gives full backing to Barisan Nasional’s idea

Posted: 30 May 2013 06:24 PM PDT

JOHOR BARU: Marriot International Incorporated will be setting up another four hotels in Malaysia in the next two years.

Its Asia Pacific chief operations officer Donald J Cleary said the hotels included a Ritz Carlton in Langkawi, a resort in Mulu and two hotels in Petaling Jaya.

"We also hope to establish an individually styled boutique hotel in the country in 2015," he said adding that it would be the first of its kind under the hotel group to be built in the country.

He was speaking to reporters during a press conference in line with the official opening of Renaissance Johor Baru Hotel in Permas Jaya here recently.

Cleary said the company currently had about 140 hotels in Asia and hoped to double the number in the next three years.

"This year, we have been opening an average of two hotels a week in Asia and this reflects a great and robust growth for the company," he said adding that in China, the company would be opening a hotel every month for the next four to five years.

Cleary said that the company was also planning to double their employees in the region from the current 40,000 to 80,000 in the next few years.

"Our brand is well accepted by travellers from all segments and this is what is fueling our growth especially in Asia.

"We find that travellers also turn to us when they want quality lodging and good service," he said adding that the growth in interest for hotels under Marriott International could be measured via its rewards programmes which has about 4.4mil members in Asia alone.

Meanwhile, Rennaissance Johor Baru Hotel general manager Marc Cosyns said that the reception for the hotel has been overwhelming since its soft launch about a month ago.

"We have had about 38% occupancy and we believe that figures should increase to about 50 to 60% by June," he said adding that new hotels usually recorded single digit occupancy rate prior to their official opening.

Cosyns also said that the hotels guests were mainly corporate guests from companies in Pasir Gudang and visitors from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

The latest Rennaissance Hotel would make it the seventh hotel set up by the company in Malaysia.

The other hotels are the Ritz Carlton, Marriott Hotel, JW Marriott Hotel and three other Rennaissance Hotels in Kuala Lumpur.

Ali Rustam appointed chairman of State Economic Consultative Council

Posted: 30 May 2013 04:53 PM PDT

MALACCA: Former Malacca's Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam has been appointed as the chairman of State Economic Consultative Council.

Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron said his predecessor's appointment is at an immediate basis where he will impart his experience to further enhance the state's fiscal growth.

"The appointment of Ali Rustam was collectively decided during the weekky state exco meeting," he told reporters here on Wednesday.

Idris said the council would consist of Government department heads and former key civil servants, especially those from Malacca.

He said the council would replace the existing state Economic Action Council whereby the committe will inject new ideas through a

think-tank convergence.

Idris said the new committe will comprise seven to 20 individuals who would premeditate any proposals on mega projects in the state.

"The members selected to be part of the commitee are those who are expert in the economic and business fraternities," he said.

Idris also revealed that state finance officer Datuk Naim Abu Bakar would assume the State Secretary position on June1.

He said the outgoing State Secretary Datuk Omar Kaseh had been re-designated as director-general to a Federal Government Agency in Putrajaya.

On another matter, Idris said this year's Ramadan Bazaar operations would be divided into two areas.

He said food items would be sold in Taman Chempaka while other items like textile would be concentrated at Hang Tuah Mall area.

Johor MB gives full backing to Barisan Nasional’s idea

Posted: 30 May 2013 04:53 PM PDT

JOHOR BARU: Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin says that he supports the idea for a "political laboratory" to be set up to study suggestions for Barisan Nasional to be turned into a single party.

Mohamed Khaled said that he was in full support of the idea which was brought up by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and said that the in-depth study was needed to ensure the preservation of Barisan.

"I believe that each suggestion has its pros and cons and we need to set up the political laboratory to analyse all aspects of the suggestions made.

"Although the analysis may take a long time, we have to ensure that it is done intricately as one wrong step could cause major repercussions to Barisan," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the opening of the Pasir Gudang Bowling Centre at the Pusat Bandar Pasir Gudang here.

Mohamed Khaled also said that the idea was not exactly being practiced by the Opposition, which often focused on championing certain races.

"A single party may be relevant but we also have to remember that there is no one formula that can be used to help all," he said adding that this was especially so in Malaysia as it is a multi-cultural and multi-racial community.

He said although merged into a single party, there was a need for representatives from each community to truly understand the problems faced by the people.

"For example, having a leader from the same racial background could help when the community is faced with problems relating to culture or religion," he said.

It was previously reported that Gerakan acting president Datuk Chang Ko Yuan had suggested that Barisan be made into a single party to win back the people's support and avoid racial problems.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Jumaat, 31 Mei 2013