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The Star Online: Metro: South & East

Focusing on boosting agro sector
55 illegals caught trying to leave our shores
Frequent floods affecting businesses

Posted: 02 Jun 2013 04:43 PM PDT

MUAR: The state's new Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Committee chairman has pledged to further boost the sector to ensure that Johor remains as Malaysia's largest food producer.

Ismail Mohamed, who is also the Bukit Serampang assemblyman, said he would also focus on bringing new technologies to maximise production.

Speaking to villagers in Kampung Temiang near here, Ismail attributed his knowledge in agriculture to his time served under Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"Muhyiddin was an Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister and I learned a lot from him.

"I think I can deliver what is needed to boost the sector in Johor," he said at a thanksgiving dinner held in the village on Wednesday night.

The 42-year-old assemblyman, who was born in Kampung Temiang, said although he served as a respresentative for Bukit Serampang, he would also cater to his fellow villagers who happened to be under the Jorak constituency.

Ismail added that as a state executive council member, he was tasked with serving all Johoreans.

The Johor government, under Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin, had decided to focus on building more low-cost and affordable homes in Johor.

In relation to the matter, the assemblyman said he would assist those in need of housing as it was the government's priority to cater to the rakyat in such cases.

"The housing needs for the people is our priority now," he added.

55 illegals caught trying to leave our shores

Posted: 02 Jun 2013 11:11 PM PDT

KOTA TINGGI: The Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has managed to arrest 55 foreigners in the past week for attempting to leave the country illegally.

In the latest case on Tuesday, MMEA stopped 14 illegal Indonesians who were on their way out of the country in Tanjung Pengelih here despite letting them slip away the first time.

However, the illegals were not so lucky the second time around when they attempted to escape on another boat some one-and-a-half hourslater.

Tanjung Sedili district operation director Comm Mustapa Kamal Abas said that MMEA personnel first noticed a boat carrying the group of illegals during a routine patrol at around 10pm on Tuesday and decided to approach it.

"Upon realising that the authorities were approaching, the boat quickly sped off to a shore nearby.

"As they were reaching dry land, the suspects jumped into the shallow waters and tried to swim towards the shore to escape," he said, adding that they failed to nab the illegals due to the pitch-black condition.

He added that at around 11.45pm, the same group of people tried to exit the country again on the same boat and the MMEA personnel once again discovered their movements.

"This time we managed to catch up with the boat after a short chase to the Tanjung Pengelih shore and arrested the suspects there," he said.

Comm Mustapa Kamal said that the illegals, aged between 20 and 45, were headed by a 25-year-old local man.

On Tuesday, 41 illegals, including eight women aged between 17 and 50, were arrested at around 1.15am near Tanjung Penyusop here.

Comm Mustapa Kamal said that the groups' attempt to throw the personnel off their trail was unsuccessful after the boat they were travelling in capsized.

"They had no choice but to come onboard the MMEA boat or risk drowning," he said.

He added that all the suspects were handed over to the Pengerang police station to assist in investigations under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Act 2010 and Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155).

Frequent floods affecting businesses

Posted: 02 Jun 2013 11:11 PM PDT

JOHOR BARU: For more than 18 years, shop owners and traders along Jalan Ronggeng 11, 12, and 13 in Taman Skudai Baru here have their businesses affected by frequent flash floods in the area.

Many of these shop owners have suffered heavy financial losses after dirty water from nearby drains overflowed and entered their premises.

Car wash owner K. Jayasankar, 47, said about a week ago, flash floods hit his shop again despite the efforts from the local authorities to widen and deepen the main drain, which was located near Jalan Ronggeng 12.

"I had to replace three high-pressured water spray machines, which cost me almost RM1,000, after it was damaged during the recent flash flood.

"I have been operating my business here for the past seven years now despite the flash floods, which is quite a nightmare," he told a press conference organised by Johor DAP chief Dr Boo Cheng Hau recently.

Car salesman Lim Kiong Meng, 37, said he had to limit the number of cars being kept at his premises due to the repeat flash floods in the area.

He added that he was afraid that the cars in his premises might suffer serious damages if the authorities did not take proper and immediate action to rectify the matter.

"Recently, the local council upgraded the drains but they only did it at a certain location within the area and made a passage to channel the rain water into the main drainage system but it is quite small and had made the situation even worse," he said.

Motorcycle shop owner, Ling Kea Shung, 41, said it only took less than an hour of downpour for the flash floods to happen.

He added that his business was the worst affected, as his premises was located just metres away from the main drain.

"I had to raise my flooring for about a feet high to stop the water from entering my shop. However, all my efforts went 'down the drain' as flood water still is still able to enter.

"Each time there is a rain, I get worried. There was one occasion when the flood water had damaged all the motorcycles and spare parts in my shop," he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Boo who is also the Skudai assemblyman, said that he would let the local authorities know of the situation and urged for immediate action to be taken to solve the matter.

Johor Baru Central Municipal Council (MPJBT) spokesman said they would look into the matter.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Isnin, 3 Jun 2013