Capital City in Tampoi to be an iconic venue.

Source from ~ http://www.nst.com.my/latest/capital-city-in-tampoi-to-be-an-iconic-venue-1.448598

JOHOR BAHARU: The RM2.2 billion gross development value of the Capital City project in bustling Tampoi here will be an iconic venue for locals and foreigners in Iskandar Malaysia, say the developers.

The integrated mixed development comprises two hotel blocks, three SOHO loft residential blocks and a 1 million sq. ft. (92,903 sq. m.) retail concept mall, Capital 21.

The development, undertaken by Hatten Group Sdn Bhd, Sunbuild Development Sdn Bhd and Gadang Holdings Bhd, is set for completion in early 2018.

"Capital City is set to be an iconic venue that everyone will know and recognise in the region, making it an easy place to locate and gather, be it for shopping, entertainment, work or leisure.

"It is the perfect hub," said Hatten Group managing director Colin Tan at the launch of Capital City here today.

The success of Iskandar Malaysia has been the main attraction for the joint venture to expand in the special economic region which thus far has attracted more than RM100 billion of investments, Tan said.

According to him, average hotel occupancy rates in Iskandar Malaysia have reached 75 per cent throughout the year and with the opening of Legoland Malaysia theme park, the occupancy rates have risen another 25 per cent within a short period.

"We are certain that Capital City will have the same tourist attraction and appeal," he said, adding that one of the hotel blocks has already had offers from international chains while a hotel block will be occupied by Hatten Hotel.

To a question, Tan said the company will embark on a marketing drive in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, China, South Korea and Taiwan but is confident that 70 per cent of the buyers of its residential units will be Malaysians.

Meanwhile, Sunbuild group managing director Siow Chien Fu said both hotels will have a combined 1,000 rooms to cater to the expected hike in the numbers of visitors to Johor Baharu, where more than 20,000 units of serviced apartments are due for completion in the next three years.

Gadang group managing director Tan Sri Kok Onn said the Capital City project will be a success with a high take-up rate due to the rapid development of Iskandar Malaysia.

Johor Baharu, he said, is the next growth area after Kuala Lumpur. -- BERNAMA

Source from ~ http://www.nst.com.my/latest/capital-city-in-tampoi-to-be-an-iconic-venue-1.448598

Free parking stays on Sundays

Source from ~ http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/free-parking-stays-on-sundays-1.452505

NO CHANGE BY MBJB: Use of parking coupon remains for Monday to Saturday

SUNDAYS will be maintained as the day for free parking in areas under the jurisdiction of Johor Baru City Council (MBJB).

MBJB corporate communications and public relations department director Abdul Aziz Ithnin said the usage of parking coupons in public parking spaces in areas under MBJB would remain unchanged.

"The usage of parking coupons is currently for Mondays to Saturdays, and the public enjoy free parking on Sundays. There will not be any changes to this despite the changes of the state rest day," he said.

Other than this matter, some companies and all local authorities will change their operation days in line with the new rest days effective this month.

On Nov 24, it was reported that Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar made the announcement about the changes during his 55th birthday celebration in Muar the previous day.

Streets recently interviewed MBJB and the Johor Baru Central Municipal Council (MPJBT) regarding the changes to be implemented.

Aziz said MBJB counters would open between 8am and 5pm from Sundays to Wednesdays and between 8am and 3.30pm on Thursdays.

"As some private companies are not changing their rest days, we are expecting more customers to come on Sundays," he said.

Meanwhile, MPJBT corporate and public relations department administrative officer Salwa Abd Rashid said the main counter for customers to settle their errands would be open between 7.40am and 4.30pm from Sundays to Wednesdays.

She said that on Thursdays, the counter would operate between 7.40am and 3pm.

On the usage of parking coupons at public car parking areas under the jurisdiction of the local council, however, MPJBT was waiting for the state government to issue a directive on whether there should be a change.

The Johor Public Library Board will also be changing its off days and days of operation.

State library director Ungku Noorakmal Ungku Sulaiman said the new operating hours would be between 9am and 5.30pm daily,except on Fridays and public holidays.

The previous operating hours were from 9am to 5.30pm daily, except on Mondays and public holidays.

"We will also increase our operation days, as our library will now no longer be closed on every first and third Saturday of the month," she said.

As for Johor Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), its customer service senior manager Mohd Amin Ahmad said TNB customer service centre in the state would operate between 9am and 4pm from Sundays to Thursdays.

Johor Telekom Malaysia (TM) state vice-president Mohd Roslan Mohd Rashidi, in an emailed statement, said TM management would observe the state government's order to change the state rest days to Friday and Saturday, effective this month.

Roslan said the change would involve all business operations for TM in the state. The new operation hours at TM Point will be between 9am and 5.30pm from Sundays to Thursdays, with lunch hour from 1pm to 2pm.

He said TM Johor, as a government-linked company, supported the government's initiatives.

He added that TM would be expecting better business in view of operating on Sundays.

"This means more convenience for employees in the private sector, the self-employed and Singaporeans in the country," he said.

Previously, selected TM Point outlets were opened on Saturdays to meet customers' demand.

Roslan said the change would not affect business with other conglomerates, including government-linked companies and multinational corporations, as the companies were managed by respective account managers who provided round-the-clock service.

He said TM installation and repair works service would continue as usual, including on public holidays.

Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd deputy chief executive officer Safuan Basir said the airport management welcomed the Sultan's intention to allow his subjects to have more free time on Friday.

He said that because Senai International Airport was a business that operated round-the-clock, "we are not expecting hiccups or difficulties in our 24-hour operation."

Port of Tanjung Pelepas corporate communications department manager Azrini Reezan Abd Latiff said PTP would maintain its rest days on Saturday and Sunday despite the change in the state rest day.

Source from ~ http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/free-parking-stays-on-sundays-1.452505