At the time this blogpost was being typed... there were rumors stating that the Malaysian and Singaporean governments wanted to reopen the door to negotiate to resume high-speed rail (HSR) projects connecting Kuala Lumpur - Singapore through several stations.
Among the HSR stop stations that are expected to potentially be established in the state of Johor are Johor Bahru stations (which are likely to be located in Iskandar Puteri area), Batu Pahat (which is likely to be located in Sri Gading area) and Muar (which is likely to be located in Pagoh area).
The existence of HSR in several countries such as Japan, South Korea, China and France has proven that the existence of HSR does play an important role in influencing the economic impact on the country because it can connect the population in large and small urban areas economically and socially.
There are several countries that are interested in building this HSR line such as India and Indonesia in their countries. Therefore... Malaysia should not be left behind in the current economic development.
If this HSR project can impact economic development to the country... imagine what the impact will be on the state of Johor in general.
One of the economic effects that can hit the state of Johor when the HSR project and several stop stations in the state of Johor is completed and started operating... there will be a sharp population growth as a result of the large migration of villagers to small towns near this HSR station to live in the small town of this HSR station but work in big cities like Kuala Lumpur and Singapore as the cost of living in the small town of this HSR station is still lower than in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Anyway... the author of this blog hopes this thing will become real one day in the future.
In the state of Johor... there are two international ports, namely Pasir Gudang Port & Tanjung Pelepas Port. In the state of Johor there is also a domestic port which is the Minyak Beku Port located in the district of Batu Pahat.
Pasir Gudang Port is located in the eastern area of Johor Bahru district while Tanjung Pelepas Port is located in the western area of Johor Bahru district.
Pasir Gudang Port is the oldest international port located in the state of Johor.
In the opinion of the author of this blog... the state of Johor have the potential to have two more domestic ports, namely Muar Port & Pengerang Port (Kota Tinggi District).
The author of this blog hopes that this matter can become real one day in the future.
UTM and MIM, Ink Industrial Partnership Initiative.
MEDINI CITY, ISKANDAR PUTERI, Johor, 20 December 2017 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Johor today inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Medini Iskandar Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MIM), the first development/private company from Iskandar Puteri.
Professor Wahid and Dr James signing the memorandum of understanding documents.
The MIM sets out the basis of cooperation between UTM and MIM in enhancing the talent pool and prepare the UTM graduates for employment.
The signing took place at Medini Investor Centre @ Medini 6 in Medini City, where the MoU is expected to broaden the opportunity for both parties to build young talents that provide necessary exposure and skill-set development programme.
UTM is represented by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr. Wahid Omar, while MIM is represented by Dr James Tee, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Medini Iskandar Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
Also present were Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student Affairs) Professor Dr Durrishah Idrus, Director of UTM Career Centre, Assoc Prof Dr Othman Ibrahim and Director of Alumni UTM, Assoc Prof Dr Mohamad Ibrahim Mohamad.
“MIM is the first company in Iskandar Puteri that UTM is signing with, and we are privileged that they MIM is very supportive of local universities like UTM.
Dr James and Professor Wahid answering questions during press conference.
“Being the master developer and master planner of the 2,230 acres thriving township of Medini City, I can see that the development is robust and I understand there is a strong need to retain and grow skilled workforce,” Professor Wahid said.
He cited, through the collaboration, UTM will give the opportunities to their bright students to garner experience from MIM and hone their skills while learning more about township development in the process of building a sustainable and smart Central Business District.
“The first intake will be in February next year, where MIM will recruit undergraduates and postgraduates to fulfil internship programmes at MIM, particularly in the fields of engineering and construction.
“These programmes are intended to be implemented within a timeframe of three to six months,” he added.
He said, the internship programme is a good platform for the students to learn, and get first-hand experience to build a well-planned city.
“There will be many other companies from Iskandar Puteri expected to adopt this initiative within the next few months. For now, we are happy to have kick-started the process for student placement at MIM,” he said.
Meanwhile, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of MIM, Dr James Tee, said, MIM is very committed to implement the industrial partnership initiative because as a thriving Central Business District, they are building and creating new opportunities for the younger generations to acquire, learn and contribute to the success and sustainability of Medini City.
“Youths are our future leaders and this initiative of educating and nurturing crop of young people in the business of city development will make them better aware of what it takes to build a city.
“As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and programmes like this would make the interns better understand the requirements and appreciate the fine details of city development,” he said.
Dr James added, they chose UTM to implement the programme because of its status being one of the most prestigious and respected local universities in Malaysia that is leading in the academic and research fields of engineering, science and technology.
“We seek bright local talents to be part of this exciting and distinctive journey where Medini City also aspires to be the benchmark for future city development in Malaysia and for the region too,” he cited.
Dr James who graduated with fisrts class degree from UTM in 1995 said, more then 10 percent’s MIM staff graduated from UTM and he thanked to UTM for setting up a corner stone for his career and future.
Source from ~ http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/10/177815/uniquely-johorean-ole-ole-johor-handicraft-centre-opens-its-doors?m=1 Johor has opened its very own handicraft centre, named 'Ole-ole Johor'. The flagship outlet at Kompleks Kraf Johor, Jalan Cenderasari, Larkin, here offers myriad Johorean handmade handicrafts. State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said the handicraft centre features authentic items at affordable prices. "This is an added feature which will complement the tourism sector in the state. It is also part of our state tourism marketing plan for this year," he said during the centre’s launch today. Tee said the RM500,000 project is a smart partnership involving the state government and Johor handicraft manufacturers, adding that similar outlets will be opened in the future at tourist spots state-wide. Among products sold at Ole-Ole Johor is merchandise commemorating the Sultan of Johor's Coronation last year. "Ole-ole Johor will also be a centre where tourists can obtain information on local products and tourist destinations. Brochures and the state's tourism bulletin, Xplore Johor, are available at the centre," Tee said. Ole-ole Johor is open between 10am to 6pm, daily. Admission is free. For more information on the centre, or about Johor tourism, visit www.tourismjohor.com
GELANG PATAH: Johor wants to become the “chocolate state” in the country by developing and positioning itself at the key chocolate hub in Malaysia and the region.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said it was possible to achieve the status based on the cocoa industry in the state, which was dynamic and vibrant.
“As the key chocolate hub in the region, Johor will play a bigger role in the cocoa and the chocolate-making related downstream activities,’’ he said on Thursday.
Mohamed Khaled said this in a press conference at the opening of Guan Chong Bhd’s RM55mil industrial chocolate facility – GCB Specialty Chocalates Sdn Bhd at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas industrial zone here.
He said presently Malaysia has a cocoa grinding capacity of 300,000 tonnes annually, of which about 85% of the grinding capacity was based in Johor.
Mohamed Khaled said the RM816mil investment from the world’s famous chocolate maker, the US-based Hershey Company to set up a plant in Senai, Johor Baru as the start of achieving the chocolate hub status.
“The company’s investment in Johor is the single-largest investment in Asia to date and its Johor plant will be the distribution centre for the Asian region,’’ he said.
Mohamed said the Hershey factory in Johor is expected to be completed in 2015, and the investment would create more than 400 job opportunities for locals.
He said apart from Hershey, which had invested in Johor last year, there would be another international chocolate company to set up a plant in the state this year.
Mohamed Khaled declined to divulge more details on the new investment including the company’s name whether it was a European or US-based chocolate company.
“Don’t worry, we will reveal to you (the media) when the time is right,’’ he said adding that it was becoming more challenging to attract new investments as Johor continue to face competition from other states and countries in the region.
