Sungai Segget job on track.

Sungai Segget job on track.

Source from ~ http://www.thestar.com.my/Metro/Community/2015/07/09/Sg-Segget-job-on-track-Rejuvenation-project-within-budget-and-will-meet-deadline/

JOHOR BAHRU: The multi-million Sungai Segget Rejuvenation Project is on track to meet its June deadline next year.

The RM240mil project is split into two parts for the development of an Integrated Water Treatment Plant under package one and the development of a flood mitigation and sewerage system and river beautification under package two.

Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) planning and compliance department head Maimunah Jaffar said that the progress for package one and two stood at 35.7% and 36% respectively.

She said that the project encountered several challenges since it started in January this year due to the old underground piping system and utility cables.

“We also found that most of the pipes built in the 1960s leading to the river were clogged because of the direct discharge from restaurants, premises and buildings,” she said in a briefing about the Johor Baru Transformation Plan.

Maimunah said an interception system had to be constructed, connecting the pipes from the premises to new perimeter drains before the discharge flows into a treatment plant and the river.

“This way, the water that flows into the river will be better quality and the river will be healthier and greener,” she said.

She also said the project was within budget although work at the river found a layer of concrete at the bed that was not in the initial plan.

She added that a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) would be formed after the rejuvenation project is completed to maintain the river.

“We cannot expect the MBJB (Johor Baru City Council) to handle the maintenance solely. The SPV will be made up of various agencies to maintain the river,” she said.

Sungai Segget flows along Jalan Wong Ah Fook downtown, the project would turn the area into a new tourist attraction in the city centre and is part of plans to transform Johor Baru into a vibrant city.

Source from ~ http://www.thestar.com.my/Metro/Community/2015/07/09/Sg-Segget-job-on-track-Rejuvenation-project-within-budget-and-will-meet-deadline/

MPJBT wants to upgrade its status to city council

Source from ~ http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/02/13/Rebordering-exercise-MPJBT-wants-to-upgrade-its-status-to-city-council/

JOHOR BARU: The Johor Baru Central Municipal Council (MPJBT) wants the re- bordering of local authorities to be done to help elevate its status to a City Council.

Its president Salehuddin Hassan said that the council was prepared if the state government decides to conduct a re-bordering exercise soon.

He pointed out that under the Local Government Act, a local council is able to change its status if several requirements were fulfilled.

Salehuddin added that among the requirements needed under the Act was that the local council must have a strong financial report and increase in population in its area.

“MPJBT’s financial report in 2013 was excellent as we managed to collect more than RM213.8mil which is an increase of 142% as we expected to collect RM150.7mil during the period.

“The strong financial growth is due to the massive development and investments taking place under the Iskandar Malaysia area,” he said when met after witnessing the swearing-in ceremony of MPJBT local councillors.

He added that MPJBT financial report last year was the best among all the local councils in Johor.

Salehuddin also said that besides the growth in its jurisdiction, there was also an increase of more than 800,000 living under the council area of 338.5 kilometre square feet.

“MPJBT only have 649 staff and officers. Once the re-bordering and change of the status is done, we be able to hire more people as well as to give better grades to our current officers and staffs.

“It will be a win-win situation for both MPJBT and the public as we be able to serve them more efficiently to meet their demand for a better service,” he said.

Salehuddin also hope that the state government would be able to resolve the re-bordering issue soon as MPJBT might have to give up some of their jurisdiction to Johor Baru City Council (MBJB).

“A meeting will be held soon by the state government about the matter and we hope that some good news would come out of it,” he said.

Source from ~ http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/02/13/Rebordering-exercise-MPJBT-wants-to-upgrade-its-status-to-city-council/

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

Iskandar Investment, Mammoth Empire Bina Medini Empire Bernilai RM2 Billion.

Sumber daripada ~ http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/newsindex.php?id=961913

KUALA LUMPUR, 8 Julai(Bernama) -- Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB) menjalin pakatan dengan Mammoth Empire Holdings Sdn Bhd untuk membina pembangunan komersil bersepadu, Medini Empire, di kawasan seluas 9.62 hektar di Medini Iskandar dengan nilai pembangunan kasar sebanyak RM2 bilion.

Presiden/Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif IIB Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Ibrahim berkata syarikat melalui unit milik penuhnya, Medini Land Sdn Bhd, dan anak syarikat milik penuh Mammoth Empire, Mammoth East West Sdn Bhd, akan melabur lebih RM2 bilion dalam projek berkenaan, yang dijadualkan pembinaan pada 2015.

"Medini Empire akan terdiri daripada menara pejabat, hotel, pangsapuri berperkhidmatan, pejabat, ruang perniagaan, pusat konvensyen, dewan konsert, pawagam gaya hidup dan kedai khusus," katanya kepada pemberita selepas majlis pemeteraian perjanjian langganan pemegang saham dan pembelian pajakan antara kedua-dua pihak dan Cosmolane Development Sdn Bhd di sini hari ini.

Cosmolane Development, yang kemudiannya dikenali sebagai Empire Iskandar Sdn Bhd, merupakan pemilikan 40 peratus oleh Medini Land dan 60 peratus milik Mammoth Empire.

Syed Mohamed menandatangani bagi pihak IIB dan Mammoth Empire diwakili Pengarah Urusan kumpulannya Datuk Sean Ng dan Pengarah Eksekutif kumpulan Datuk Danny Cheah Joi Yong.

Cheah berkata usaha sama berkenaan akan terus meningkatkan kedudukan strategik Mammoth Empire dan membolehkannya bekerjasama dengan Iskandar Investment dalam bidang kecekapan relatif di samping mempelbagaikan aktiviti ke dalam bidang perniagaan lain.

Selain itu, beliau berkata Iskandar Malaysia dianggarkan mempunyai penduduk sebanyak 1.35 juta orang pada 2025 dengan 66 peratus daripada mereka dalam umur bekerja.

Penduduk juga diunjurkan berkembang pantas dalam 20 tahun akan datang.

"Oleh itu, kami menjangka peluang pertumbuhan dan komited untuk terus melabur dalam kawasan ini (Iskandar Malaysia) bagi merealisasi wawasan kami untuk mewujudkan pembangunan hartanah bagi memenuhi tuntutan gaya hidup hari ini.

"Kami percaya usaha sama ini akan mengukuhkan komitmen kami ke arah menacapai wawasan kami dan kami pasti pelaburan kami akan mendapat pulangan bila tiba masanya," katanya.

Medini Empire, yang dijangka siap pada 2018, merupakan satu daripada pelaburan di Iskandar Malaysia, yang sehingga kini menarik RM111 bilion nilai pelaburan.



-- BERNAMA

Sumber daripada ~ http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/newsindex.php?id=961913

68 areas get wheelie rubbish bins

Source from ~ http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/68-areas-get-wheelie-rubbish-bins-1.317562

HYGENIC: About 53,265 bins have been distributed to homes within MPJBT

JOHOR BARU:  SOME 53,265 wheelie garbage bins were distributed to 68 residential areas  within the Johor Baru (Central) Municipal Council (MPJBT) zone from January to June this year.

SWM Environment Sdn Bhd corporate communications department head Shahrul Amir Abdul Rahim said the company collaborated with MPJBT to give out 150,000 wheelie garbage bins by September.

He said the effort was to streamline the bin usage for better management of solid domestic waste.

"We would like to improve on our services by using the high technology trash compactor," said Shahrul after handing out the movable garbage bins at the Jalan Persiaran Sutera car park at Taman Sutera here recently.

Shahrul said 1,862 bins were given by Pulai member of parliament Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed to residents living under the Perling zone.

"This includes Taman Sutera, Plot Kosa and Taman Perling," he said, adding that the bin has a 120-litre capacity and each bin comes with a serial number.

"It is made of heat-proof material and comes with a cover," said Shahrul.

He added that the move to give out the bin was also in line with the Solid Waste and Sanitary Management Board's (PPSPPA) key performance index which is to carry out garbage collection by using a bin lift.

"By using a bin lift attached to the trash compactor, the workers do not have to load the garbage into the compactor manually.

"This would help to prevent any fluid from the garbage bag from spilling onto the streets and eventually help to reduce time spent on collection."

He said the public can call 1-800-88-7472 to enquire or lodge complaints about cleanliness in their area.

Meanwhile, Nur Jazlan said residents should make full use of the wheelie garbage bins to dispose of garbage properly.

"This would help to maintain the cleanliness in residential areas as the sight of garbage bins by the roadside is unpleasant.

"It is also difficult for stray animals to rummage for food inside the bin as it is covered, eliminating a common problem," said Nur Jazlan.

Source from ~ http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/68-areas-get-wheelie-rubbish-bins-1.317562

Smart way to book a taxi in Iskandar Malaysia

Source from ~ http://mysinchew.com/node/88693?tid=4

JOHOR BAHRU, July 12 (Bernama) -- Perbadanan Pengangkutan Awam Iskandar Malaysian (Paim), in partnership with MyTeksi, has launched a new system to book taxis, using mobile and web-based application.

Paim, which is the state government's Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in public transport, said the system was part of efforts to transform public transportation services in the Iskandar Malaysia development region.

"We believe that with the introduction of this system, the taxi ride in Iskandar Malaysia will be more efficient, easy and safe," said Paim chief executive Mohd Gadaffie Abd Aziz during a launching ceremony here last night.

The system utilises an application produced by MyTeksi that could be downloaded via iPhones, iPads and Androids.

The application, which is also named MyTeksi, would help commuters to book taxis via their smartphones in a fast, convenient and safe manner.

Explaining how the system works, MyTeksi general manager Adelene Foo said upon launching the application, MyTeksi would detect the commuter's location using smartphone's global positioning System (GPS).

"The commuter will select the desired destination and the nearby taxi will be shown on the application.

"After selecting the taxi, the commuter will receive a booking confirmation within one minute where information such as estimated time of arrival, taxi plate number, driver's contact details, estimated fare and an option for tips will be prompted," she said, adding that commuters would be able to track the real-time location of the booked taxi.

MyTeksi application has 'Share My Ride' tool to enable the commuter's loved ones to track the location of their ride in real time.

Foo said the application was introduced in Klang Valley a couple of years back and currently, there were 2,000 taxi drivers who used the application in the Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and Negeri Sembilan.

Gadaffie said Paim embarked on the usage of the MyTeksi application with taxi drivers from Koperasi Permodalan Melayu Negeri Johor (KPMNJ).

"About 30 of them are ready to use the application at the moment. They will be given a two-day refresher course in taxi driving where they will receive a RM200 allowance that could be used to buy an entry level smartphone," he said.

By year-end, Paim hopes to achieve 1,000 registered taxi drivers using the application.

Meanwhile, KPMNJ treasurer Mokhtar A. Aziz who was also present at the event, said taxi drivers had no problem adapting to the new technology, even though most of them were in their 40s, and probably, possessed the least information and communication technology (ICT) know-how.

Source from ~ http://mysinchew.com/node/88693?tid=4

Selamat Datang Ke Laman Blog "Kosmopolitan Johor Bahru"

Selamat datang ke laman blog "Kosmopolitan Johor Bahru".

Laman blog ini ditubuhkan untuk memberi dan berkongsi maklumat kepada para pembaca tentang perkara-perkara menarik dan penting yang berlaku di daerah urbanisasi Johor Bahru, kawasan sekitaran pentadbiran baru kerajaan negeri Johor Darul Takzim (Nusajaya) dan kawasan-kawasan sekitaran yang berada dalam lingkungan wilayah ekonomi Iskandar Malaysia.

"Kosmopolitan Johor Bahru" juga mempunyai laman Facebook sendiri di https://www.facebook.com/kosmopolitanjb/ .

Selamat melayari laman blog dan laman Facebook kami. Kosmopolitan Johor Bahru... kota kosmopolitan selatan Semenanjung Malaysia! B-)