Latest news with #JohorBaru
Malay Mail
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Packed bays, stalled trade: JB businesses suffer as Singapore-bound workers hog city parking from dawn to night
JOHOR BARU, June 20 – Parking woes in downtown Johor Baru have reportedly been made worse by Malaysians working in Singapore, who leave their vehicles in public bays before heading across the Causeway. The Straits Times reported that businesses such as kopitiams and sundry shops have struggled to retain customers who are unable to find parking, while enforcement officers regularly tow away vehicles parked illegally on the roadside. 'A task force has been set up to study the issue involving the two city councils,' state housing and local government exco Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor was quoted saying, referring to Johor Baru and Iskandar Puteri, in response to rise in complaints from residents and business owners about the matter. 'We are closely monitoring this issue that has been raised by fellow state assemblypersons and the local business community... where motorists hog parking bays all day till late at night, causing disruption to local businesses here as customers cannot find a lot to park their vehicles.' Local authorities have so far considered measures including parking time limits and increasing parking bays, along with collaborations with bus operators to reduce congestion. With over 350,000 people crossing the border daily, transit points such as Skudai and downtown Johor Baru often see full car parks, sometimes occupied by workers in rotating shifts. ST reported that even private parking lots are packed, with 80 per cent of lots near Galleria Kotaraya taken by Singapore-bound workers. Businesses can pay RM150 monthly to reserve customer spots — but other drivers still violate these spots. This has caused businesses to resort to 'reserving' spaces with their personal vehicles to carry out their trade, citing the impossibility of working without them. ST cited experts pointing to poor urban planning, car dependence, and lack of last-mile connectivity between housing areas and cross-border transit points as root causes. Low parking fees were also to blame: parking in the city costs as little as 40 sen per 30 minutes, while full-day passes are just RM6, and private bays priced at up to RM20 per day. Long-term solutions include a RM2.6 billion development near Bukit Chagar RTS station with a 1,550-lot park-and-ride facility, and a proposed light rail system linking townships to the cross-border train service set for 2027.
Malay Mail
15 hours ago
- Science
- Malay Mail
From Angsana to Mempari: Trees that can transform Malaysia's urban landscape
KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 — Trees in cities are more than just decorative elements. They play a critical role in mitigating heat gain from hard surfaces by providing shade and releasing cool air through evapotranspiration, natural processes that make urban centres more liveable. However, the wrong tree species can pose challenges. Some can be invasive, prone to diseases, or have roots that damage pavements or roads. Trees suitable for a city like Chiang Mai, Thailand, may not be ideal for Johor Baru or Putrajaya, even if both countries share a similar climate. 'When planners began conceptualising how cities and towns in Malaysia would look, trees were seen mostly for their aesthetic value,' said Dr Sreetheran Maruthaveeran, a certified arborist and senior lecturer in Landscape Architecture at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The realisation that trees are vital buffers against climate warming and essential for urban survivability came later. Sreetheran said planners must now consider factors such as carbon storage and sequestration when selecting tree species, alongside low maintenance requirements. Malay Mail spoke to two tree experts to identify species they believe are ideal for cities like Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru. Tees are vital buffers against climate warming and essential for urban survivability — Picture by Raymond Manuel Angsana or Sena (Pterocarpus indicus) The Angsana's distinctive dome-shaped crown offers excellent shade and is visually appealing, making it a popular choice for urban landscaping. Known for its hard, durable, and termite-resistant wood, the tree also has nitrogen-fixing capabilities. 'Angsana trees have shown the ability to sequester significant amounts of carbon annually,' Sreetheran said. Pulai Pipit, Pulai Penipu Paya or Akar Lumut (Alstonia angustifolia) Commonly known as Pulai in Malaysia, this tree can grow up to 40 metres tall with a trunk diameter of up to 60 centimetres, making it excellent for shading and cooling urban areas. Pulai trees also produce white, yellow, or cream-coloured flowers that attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, enriching urban biodiversity. Additionally, its leaves and roots have antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, making the tree cost-effective to maintain. Dr Ruzana Adibah Mohd Sanusi, laboratory head at UPM's Institute of Tropical Forestry and Agroforestry, said tree selection should consider how species interact with other plants and fit into the ecosystem. 'The tree we choose should be suitable for the site, particularly how they interact (with other organisms) at the site,' she said. A worker waters a tree under the scorching sun to ease the effects of a heatwave. — Picture by Raymond Manuel Jambu Laut or Jambu Air Laut (Syzygium grande) Known as the Sea Apple Tree in English, the Jambu Laut is prized for its attractive foliage and fragrant flowers. It also bears edible, plum-sized fruits that attract birds, butterflies, and other wildlife, providing food and shelter and enhancing the ecosystem. Mature Jambu Laut trees, which can grow up to 45 metres tall, are fire-tolerant and have been used in firebreaks. These trees are fast-growing and thrive in humid, coastal areas, making them well-suited for city forestry. Mempari (Pongamia pinnata) Native to South-east Asia, including Malaysia, the Mempari tree thrives in diverse habitats, from riverbanks and tidal estuaries to lowland forests. The tree is highly tolerant of various climates, soils, and even some shade, making it ideal for urban areas. Its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil helps restore degraded or contaminated land and mitigates soil erosion, protecting infrastructure. However, pongamia trees can grow quite large, requiring proper spacing and regular maintenance to prevent overcrowding and ensure their health.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Johor govt pledges support after 47 Malaysian pilgrims fall for Haj scam
JOHOR BARU, June 15 — The Johor government today asked families of Malaysian pilgrims allegedly duped in a Haj travel scam to place full trust in the authorities as investigations continue. Johor Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the state is ready to help resolve the case as well as educate the public to be more cautious. 'We are saddened that such scams involving the Haj continue to happen. What's more distressing is that the victims reportedly include elderly pilgrims and those in poor health. 'I am closely following the case and pray for the safety of the affected pilgrims,' he said in a statement. He stressed that there are no shortcuts to fulfilling the Haj and advised Muslims to rely on the expertise and guidance of Tabung Haji as the official pilgrimage fund. Yesterday, local media reported that 47 Malaysians were allegedly scammed by a local Haj agent, believed to be a well-known religious figure. According to news reports, one victim's child said her parents and aunt departed for Saudi Arabia with the agent on May 9. Upon arrival in Jeddah, the pilgrims were allegedly forced to walk to Mecca through dangerous routes without documents, due to Saudi Arabia's strict enforcement against those without valid Haj visas.
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Facebook group sharing indecent images of Malaysian girls taken down, says deputy minister
JOHOR BARU, June 15 — A Facebook group dubbed 'Grup Budak-budak Sekolah Rendah', which allegedly circulated indecent images of teenage girls, has been shut down, said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching. She said the Ministry of Communications, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), had contacted Meta to disable the Facebook account. 'I do not wish to comment further as the investigation is ongoing, but I would like to stress that MCMC will continue to work with the police to take follow-up action and carry out further investigations,' she said after attending a charity sale and cultural performance programme at a shopping mall here today. Social media influencer Mek Yun, 28, whose real name is Wee Yun Nee, had earlier exposed the existence of the group and urged the authorities to act swiftly to curb the spread of immoral content. According to Teo, the MCMC, in collaboration with the police, launched Op Pedo last year, resulting in the arrest of 13 individuals and the discovery of more than 40,000 child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) and other pornographic content. Meanwhile, she said the government was actively implementing the Safe Internet Campaign (KIS), targeting students at the primary, secondary and tertiary education levels. 'To date, the MCMC has carried out the programme in 53 schools, involving 11,389 participants comprising pupils, students, teachers and parents. 'Our target from May to August is to implement the KIS in 344 schools nationwide, including at least 20 schools in Johor,' she said. Teo said the campaign focused on educating students about cyberbullying, the importance of personal data security, and the dangers of interacting with strangers online. 'We encourage all interested schools to contact the MCMC office so that we can arrange training sessions and talks on digital safety,' she said. Teo also called on parents to play a role in educating their children on the safe and responsible use of the internet. — Bernama
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Malay Mail
Johor govt pledges support after 47 Malaysian pilgrims fall for Haj scam
JOHOR BARU, June 15 — The Johor government today asked families of Malaysian pilgrims allegedly duped in a Haj travel scam to place full trust in the authorities as investigations continue. Johor Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the state is ready to help resolve the case as well as educate the public to be more cautious. 'We are saddened that such scams involving the Haj continue to happen. What's more distressing is that the victims reportedly include elderly pilgrims and those in poor health. 'I am closely following the case and pray for the safety of the affected pilgrims,' he said in a statement. He stressed that there are no shortcuts to fulfilling the Haj and advised Muslims to rely on the expertise and guidance of Tabung Haji as the official pilgrimage fund. Yesterday, local media reported that 47 Malaysians were allegedly scammed by a local Haj agent, believed to be a well-known religious figure. According to news reports, one victim's child said her parents and aunt departed for Saudi Arabia with the agent on May 9. Upon arrival in Jeddah, the pilgrims were allegedly forced to walk to Mecca through dangerous routes without documents, due to Saudi Arabia's strict enforcement against those without valid Haj visas.
