Spruce-up for tourism spots across Johor

Onn Hafiz speaking on some of the infrastructure improvements to boost Johor's tourism appeal. — THOMAS YONG/ The Star
Johor government has carried out 33 infrastructure projects since last year to improve local tourism spots.
Construction as well as upgrading works have been implemented in Gunung Ledang National Park in Tangkak and Tanjung Piai National Park in Pontian.
Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said all the projects were part of efforts to ensure the success of Visit Johor 2026 (VJ2026) which aims to attract 12 million domestic and international tourists.
'More than RM6mil has been allocated to upgrade public infrastructure at Gunung Ledang National Park where works began last August and will be completed this September.
'On a good weekend, the park is able to attract 15,000 visitors.
'We expect that once the upgrade is completed, the park will record an even higher number of visitors,' he said.
Johor Zoo will soon be open at night.
Onn Hafiz shared this with local tourism players during the VJ2026 townhall programme at a hotel in Johor Baru.
He added that the state government had also allocated RM3.2mil to upgrade facilities at Tanjung Piai National Park where works began last August and are due to be completed this October.
Nature lovers can also look forward to the official opening of Taman Botani Iskandar in Iskandar Puteri.
For history buffs, there will be the opening of Royal Abu Bakar Museum at Istana Besar, Johor Baru.
Another attraction to look forward to is the redevelopment of the century-old Kampung Sungai Melayu fishing village in Iskandar Puteri.
Other improvements include the second phase of Johor Zoo's upgrading which will enable the attraction to extend its opening hours into the night.
Onn Hafiz noted that many people had joked, especially on social media, of having nothing else to do in the state except eat.
'That perception needs to change and the government is taking measures to ensure this happens.
While upgrades to Gunung Ledang National Park will be completed by September.
'It is time we elevate the state's tourism sector to the highest level because Johor has many attractive destinations that were previously under-promoted.'
Onn Hafiz also expressed hope that players in the state's tourism industry would enhance hospitality standards when welcoming foreign visitors.
'In any business, it's all about service. We must ensure top-notch service so that tourists are encouraged to return to Johor.
'The ability to speak proper English is also a basic skill that we must improve on to attract more international tourists to Johor,' he said.
The official launch of VJ2026 is set to take place this August, supported by a large-scale advertising campaign across the state.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Borneo Post

3 hours ago

• Borneo Post

Malay language condition for e-commerce product details ‘a rushed decision', says SUPP man

Bong Siak Ping KUCHING (June 23): The Malay language requirement for the names and descriptions of all products offered via e-commerce platforms is a rushed decision, one made without taking micro online businesses into consideration. In pointing this out, the Kuching branch of Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) views the policy as one 'that comes with no clear instructions, translation tools or technology support'. 'Many small businesses and young entrepreneurs, especially those selling their products on Shopee, Lazada and TikTok Shop e-platforms, usually write the product descriptions in English. 'Now they're scrambling to adapt. 'The foreign sellers are also struggling with translation issues, causing widespread confusion,' said SUPP Kuching Youth publicity and secretary Bong Siak Ping in a statement yesterday. It is reported that such policy is scheduled for implementation by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry effective this June 24, but it has been postponed until further notice due to strong backlash from the e-commerce community. According to Bong, the new rule comes under the Consumer Protection (Electronic Trade Transactions) Regulations 2024, enshrined in the Consumer Protection Act 1999. 'Upon violation of this rule, the offender could be fined up to RM50,000, jailed for up to three years, or both. 'A repeat offender could face fine up to RM100,000 and imprisonment of up to five years; a company could be imposed a fine of RM100,000 for a first offence, and up to RM200,000 for repeat violation,' he said. Bong said although the government had announced the deferment of its implementation, such action was merely a typical gesture of putting the issue on hold. 'E-commerce is inherently international, being predominantly conducted in English. 'In this regard, the ministry's insistence on using Malay exclusively is tantamount to 'self-isolation'. 'I wonder if this policy would undermine Sarawak's constitutional rights and administrative autonomy, since the Sarawak Constitution preserves English as an official language widely used in government, education and commerce. 'Forcing Sarawak-based e-commerce operators to use only Malay could be seen as eroding these rights.' Bong also expressed regret that the Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak had remained silent on this issue. 'Has DAP Sarawak succumbed to pressure from its central leadership? 'At this critical juncture, are they merely playing the role of a 'silent partner'? 'The DAP has championed the concept of a 'Malaysian Malaysia', and DAP Sarawak has never dared to openly support the 'Sarawak First' vision because it represents the interests of peninsula-based groups in Sarawak,' he said. – Bernama Bong Siak Ping e-commerce lead Malay language Sarawak United People's Party

BusinessToday

11 hours ago

• BusinessToday

OCBC Commits RM11 Billion In Financing With Another RM3 Billion For JS-SEZ

OCBC Group announced it has committed more than RM11 billion in financing to businesses in the Johor state since the start of last year. By the end of 2025, the Group expects to provide at least another RM3 billion in financing for investments into various sectors including real estate, oil & gas, manufacturing and data centres. While reiterating the Group's long-term support to JS-SEZ, Group CEO Helen Wong emphasised OCBC's One Group approach, which brings together the collective strengths of OCBC Bank, Great Eastern Holdings (its insurance subsidiary), Bank of Singapore (its private banking arm), and its leasing and wealth management capabilities. This uniquely positions the Group to support business growth and cross-border collaboration 'Having already committed over RM11 billion in financing to businesses in Johor, we are looking to further catalyse local economic activities and cross-border investments in Johor and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) through at least another RM3 billion in financing by year-end. We are honoured to have this opportunity to explore with the Johor Menteri Besar how we can build on these solid foundations and leverage the full capabilities of the OCBC Group's extensive regional franchise to contribute to the success of the JS-SEZ. Johor MB Dato' Onn Hafiz, in welcoming the delegation, said 'On behalf of the Johor State Government, I express my deepest appreciation to the OCBC Group for its strong and unwavering commitment to the JS-SEZ. The Group's commitment of over RM11 billion in financing with at least RM3 billion more by year-end reflects a strong endorsement of Johor's economic direction and investment potential. We welcome this partnership and look forward to working closely with OCBC to unlock Johor's full potential as ASEAN's next economic powerhouse,' he said. Related

Malay Mail

14 hours ago

• Malay Mail

OCBC commits RM3b more by end-2025 after RM11b investment in JS-SEZ

JOHOR BAHRU, June 22 — OCBC Group has committed more than RM11 billion into businesses in Johor since early 2024, as part of its commitment to support the development of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). The bank in a statement today said it plans to extend an additional RM3 billion in financing by the end of 2025 to support investments in key sectors such as real estate, oil and gas, manufacturing, and data centres within the JS-SEZ. OCBC chief executive officer (CEO) Helen Wong said the group has a long history in Johor dating more than a century, with OCBC Malaysia's first branch established in Johor in 1917. Today, the group operates eight branches in the state, out of 38 branches across Malaysia, she added. While reiterating the group's long-term support to JS-SEZ, Wong emphasised that OCBC's One Group approach, which brings together the collective strengths of OCBC Bank, Great Eastern Holdings (insurance subsidiary), Bank of Singapore (private banking arm), and leasing and wealth management capabilities, uniquely positions the group to support business growth and cross-border collaboration. The commitment announcement was made during a courtesy visit by Wong along with senior executives of OCBC Group to Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi at his official residence in Saujana here. Welcoming the move, Onn Hafiz described OCBC's commitment as a vote of confidence in Johor's investment climate. 'The Group's commitment of over RM11 billion, with another RM3 billion targeted by year-end, reflects strong private sector support for our economic vision. We look forward to deepening this collaboration,' he said. Meanwhile, OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd CEO Tan Chor Sen said the group had already taken proactive steps to promote the JS-SEZ to global investors, even before the formal agreement was signed in January 2025. This includes engagements with key stakeholders such as Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Malaysian Investment Development Authority, and Invest Johor. He added that OCBC's extensive global network, particularly in Greater China, positions it well to facilitate inbound investment and business expansion into Malaysia. Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Bhd CEO Datuk Koh Yaw Hui said as part of the OCBC Group, Great Eastern is well-positioned to support the initiative through a comprehensive range of life, general and takaful insurance offerings aligned with the economic development of the region. The JS-SEZ is a flagship bilateral initiative aimed at enhancing cross-border trade, investment, and infrastructure development, with a focus on high-impact and innovation-driven sectors. — Bernama