Uniquely Johorean 'Ole-ole Johor' handicraft centre opens its doors.

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

Source from ~ http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/10/177815/uniquely-johorean-ole-ole-johor-handicraft-centre-opens-its-doors?m=1

Malaysian film industry set to soar with Iskandar Malaysia as base

Source from ~ http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/malaysian-film-industry-set-to-soar-with-iskandar-malaysia-as-base

The Malaysian film industry is set scale new heights over the next five years with a large inflow of production companies servicing it and with Iskandar Malaysia as its base.

Iskandar Malaysia Studios Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Michael Peter Lake said the growth is timely and in line with the government's aspirations to further develop the creative content and communication media industries.

"The government is also very supportive of the 'Film in Malaysia' incentive, which is a big plus factor towards attracting production houses.

"I am very bullish now over the potential of the industry within Iskandar," he added.

The 'Film in Malaysia' incentive offers a 30% rebate to foreign production houses that spend a minimum of RM5 million in Malaysia.

Local production companies that spend at least RM2.5 million will be entitled to the same benefit.

Japan-based Imagica Corp and Khazanah Nasional Bhd have formed a joint-venture (JV), Imagica South East Asia Sdn Bhd (Imagica SEA), to establish the first international post-production facility at Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios in Iskandar Malaysia with a RM9 million investment.

Imagica International will hold a 49% equity interest in Imagica SEA with the balance held by Candelon Ventures Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned special purpose vehicle of Khazanah.

Lake said companies can take advantage of the fully–integrated facilities within Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios which include five film sound stages over 100,000 square feet, the broadest range of post facilities under one roof, two 12,000 square feet high-definition equipped television studios and other support services.

Meanwhile, Imagica President Yukihiro Fujikawa said it was an exciting time to be in the region as the film industry was booming and that the company planned to tap the available potential.

He said Imagica was offering comprehensive and highly creative digital post-production services as well as the transfer of technical know-how to create more skilled players in the industry.

Apart from post-production activities, Fujikawa said the company would also commence digital distribution services such as Digital Cinema Delivery and Digital Distribution Management, alongside archiving and restoration services from its Iskandar-based post-production facility.

The services will be available starting next month.

Among notable post-productions works by Imagica is the film "Kagemusha" by the famous Japanese director, the late Akira Kurosawa and an animation short film, "Tsumiki No Ie", which won an Academy Award for Animated Short Film in 2009.

Source from ~ http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/malaysian-film-industry-set-to-soar-with-iskandar-malaysia-as-base

Iskandar film talents initiatives

Source from ~ http://www.nst.com.my/life-times/showbiz/iskandar-film-talents-initiatives-1.473983

Aspiring as well as experienced personnel from the film industry can now sign up for the Iskandar Malaysia Creative Industry Talent Development Programme, writes Aref Omar

IN an ongoing effort to boost the local creative industries, the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) has collaborated with Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios (PIMS) to present the Iskandar Malaysia Creative Industry Talent Development Programme (IMCITDP).

The second batch of courses under the programme was recently launched, and is aimed at training and strengthening the levels of professionalism and skills among film production personnel especially in various aspects of international filmmaking.

INTENSIVE COURSES

During a Press conference held at University of Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), IRDA chief executive, Datuk Ismail Ibrahim, explained that 30 intensive courses will be offered covering filmmaking skills that include production management, arts department, casting, location management and management techniques for film.

There will also be master classes, made up of short courses in screenwriting and adaptation, cinematography, production design, global producing and working with distributors.

“The first batch of 146 trainees graduated on May 28 last year after undergoing 10 weeks of intensive vocational training from international industry experts in hairdressing, make-up, wardrobe management, production accounting, set construction, grip and electrical departments,” he said.

Ismail added that many of the graduates have been employed on local and international productions as well as by local small and medium enterprises.

“In meeting the projected talent requirements of incoming foreign productions, some of the courses taught to the first batch of trainees are now offered by accredited training centres under the Department of Skills Development since the fourth quarter of last year.”

“IRDA will continue working with the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, film and creative industry associations, vocational schools and institutions of higher learning, in particular UniKL, to encourage more Malaysians to take up these skills,” he said.

The event was launched by National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) director-general, Raja Rozaimie Raja Dalnish Shah, on behalf of Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who was unable to attend.

Rozaimie said the programme would boost the creative industries sector, which has been identified as one of the nine economic sectors under the Economic Transformation Programme by the government as being a key contributor to increasing the country’s Gross National Income through investments and job creation.

He added that the government’s initiatives in the creative industries sector was expected to increase the contribution to gross national income to RM3 billion by 2020 and will create 10,422 employment opportunities.
 

INTEGRATED PRODUCTION FACILITY

Located in the Iskandar region of Johor, PIMS is a fully integrated production facility offering five film sound stages, two HD TV studios and state-of-the-art post-production facilities, which is set to become the region’s hub for international productions.

PIMS chief executive officer, Michael Lake, said that these courses will be held in collaboration with the MET Film School from the United Kingdom, which brings to the programme their network of experienced and qualified mentors and trainers.

Lake added: This year marks the school’s first Malaysian initiative and they will share extensive knowledge of international film production, course development and delivery to train, up-skill, and develop the local talents and workforce to international film production standards.”

The first of the 30 courses for the second batch — Breaking into International Filmmaking: Production Assistant Seminar — was held recently in Johor Baru and will be conducted again on Feb 15 to 16 in Kuala Lumpur.

The rest of the courses, each ranging from two to six weeks, will be conducted at various times in JB and KL, starting from Feb 17.

All courses under the second batch will be completed by end of July and although spots are limited, the public is encouraged to register via the website www.iskandar-film-training.com.my, which also features the courses’ exact dates and locations.

The organisers are targeting 800 participants in total for the second batch.

Candidates must meet the pre-requisites as listed on the website and will be selected through an interview process for the full-time courses, which are free of charge. Those who want to equip themselves with cross-skills training from their current industry to filmmaking are also encouraged to apply.

The first batch saw a number of participants who underwent cross-skills training — carpenters for set construction and electricians for the lighting department.

For the Location Management course commencing on Feb 17, the organisers are not only looking for people from the industry but also tourist guides and even photographers.

Visit www.iskandar-film-training.com.my and www.facebook.com/IMCITDP for more details.

Source from ~ http://www.nst.com.my/life-times/showbiz/iskandar-film-talents-initiatives-1.473983

Johor to become Malaysia's ‘chocolate state’

Source from ~ http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/01/09/Johor-chocolate-state/

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.

Source from ~ http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/01/09/Johor-chocolate-state/

MALAYSIA – Meetings on the Desaru Coast

Source from ~ http://www.ttgmice.com/article/malaysia-meetings-on-the-desaru-coast/

Desaru Coast, Malaysia’s first luxury integrated destination located on the south-eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, will open in 2015. Visitors will find a choice of top-name hotels including Sheraton Desaru Resort, Aman Country Club and Aman Villas, two aquatic theme parks, two championship golf courses, a hospitality school, a waterfront retail village and a state-of-the-art convention centre.

Strategically located at the heart of the Desaru Coast development, the Desaru Convention Centre offers banqueting and exhibition space for up to 1,000 guests, on top of meeting rooms, pre-function areas and VIP lounges.

Source from ~ http://www.ttgmice.com/article/malaysia-meetings-on-the-desaru-coast/

Segget River To Reopen After June 2014 - Johor MB

Source from ~ http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v7/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=961534

JOHOR BARU, July 6 (Bernama) -- The Segget River, which is currently undergoing a process of restoration and rejuvenation, is expected to reopen after June next year, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said.

He said the first phase of the river restoration project had begun on June 24, involving the construction of a centralized sewage treatment plant.

"The entire restoration project is scheduled for completion by end of 2015," he told reporters after launching the Johor Baharu Transformation Open Day themed 'Johor Baharu Towards New Transformation Era' at Galleria@Kotaraya, Plaza Kotaraya here Saturday.

The three-day event, which begins today, is aimed at providing latest information related to Johor Baharu transformation plan to the public.

Mohamed Khaled said the Segget River restoration project was not just to improve water quality and reduce pollution in the Tebrau Straits, but also to turn the riverbanks into recreational areas for public and tourists.

The river was closed in 2005 as measure to curb the stench from polluting the air in the surrounding area.

The menteri besar said it was part of the catalyst for Johor Baharu transformation programme.

Other projects include the conservation of historic sites, buildings and icons; upgrade of information technology and communication networks; increase the level of public safety and well-being; preparation of a more conducive public infrastructure and increase of environmental quality.

Commenting on heritage buildings, Mohamed Khaled said a total of 466 iconic and historic buildings in Johor Baharu had been examined and 263 of them were identified to be preserved and maintained.

"I look forward to this transformation as I'm confident that we will be able to preserve Johor Baharu as a regional financial and economic hub, which will be able to lure many people, including tourists, to come here," he added.

-- BERNAMA

Source from ~ http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v7/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=961534

Learning how to start a business

Source from ~ http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/learning-how-to-start-a-business-1.317555

JOHOR BARU: Net Consult Training Academy and MRR Consultants & Training Centre (MRRCTC) are offering a Creative Entrepreneur Business Management certificate course to help single mothers and the unemployed learn how to do business.

The academy's managing director Anuar Nordin, said the course was open to the state's residents.

He said the four-month course consisted of 12 modules.

He said participants had to pay a RM350 fee to enrol in the course.

"After they have completed the course, a certificate will be given to them by MRRCTC and the Oxford Centre for Excellence, United Kingdom," he said at the Creative Entrepreneurs Icon Convocation pre-launch at The Zon, here.

He said the 12 modules included lessons on personal image, self grooming, communication, marketing, financial management, promotion and resources management.

"A total of 25 participants from Johor attended the programme.

"They were among the 50 participants nationwide who attended the Creative Entrepreneur Icon programme."

Anuar said throughout the programme, the target group would be educated on how to increase their income by doing business.

"They were also taught how to do business online to minimise the advertising cost," he said.

Shahrida Yusof, 40, who completed the course, said: "I participated in the programme since April and the courses helped me to gain more knowledge on business. I am now running a chicken rice stall."

She said the course consisted of 20 per cent theory and 80 per cent practical training.

"I was taught how to deal directly with suppliers, manufacturers and wholesalers.

"I was also taught about packaging.

"During my practical training, the instructors would observe how I conducted the business," she added

She said the course provided good exposure for those who wished to start up businesses, especially if they were unemployed.

Source from ~ http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/learning-how-to-start-a-business-1.317555

Property show attracts 20,000

Source from ~ http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/property-show-attracts-20-000-1.317557

EXHIBITION: The three-day Setia 4U Showcase at Johor Baru City Square shopping mall featured SP Setia Bhd Group’s property development projects

JOHOR BARU: ABOUT 20,000 people turned up to view   property built by SP Setia during the three-day Setia 4U Showcase  at the Johor Baru City Square shopping mall, here, recently.

SP Setia Bhd Group general manager Hoe Mee Ling said the annual event was in its third year.

"The property exhibition kicked off at Gurney Plaza, Penang, on June 7 and will be heading to Mid Valley in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 16," she said.

"The event features the group's properties in the country's three economic regions -- the Klang Valley, Johor and Penang.

"It also features international projects such as Battersea Power Station in the United Kingdom, Fulton Lane in Melbourne, Australia, and Eco Sanctuary in Singapore. In Johor, we have eight developments and they are all in Iskandar Malaysia."

The eight projects comprise double-storey terrace eco homes, semi-detached homes, bungalows, luxury condominiums, serviced apartments and commercial industrial properties.

"In the eco-themed Setia Business Park, all the investors are foreigners," said Hoe.

"Our other projects such as Bukit Indah, Setia Indah, Setia Tropika and Setia Cascadia are mostly snapped up by locals.

"The company does not encourage property speculation, so our foreign investors are all homeowners," she said, adding that eco-concept homes were currently in demand.

"The property exhibition allows property buyers to see all our developments under one roof."

Since its incorporation in 1974, SP Setia has grown to be a household name in the property development industry.

In 2012, it secured the top spot in The Edge Malaysia's list of Top 10 Developers for the seventh time, making it the only developer to achieve this feat since the inception of the awards.

SP Setia is also the only Malaysian developer to have received five International Real Estate Federation Prix d'Excellence Awards. Its flagship township of Setia Alam was recently recognised for Best Master Plan Development in May this year.

Source from ~ http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/property-show-attracts-20-000-1.317557

Housing enactment to be amended

Source from ~ http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/housing-enactment-to-be-amended-1.317570

MEETING NEEDS: The amendment includes a quota for the development of affordable houses and property ownership

JOHOR BARU: THE Johor Housing Enactment will be amended to ensure that more affordable houses will be built.

Johor Housing and Local Government executive councillor Datuk Abd Latiff Bandi said the amendment would include a quota for the development of affordable houses and ownership of property.

He said, through this amendment, the state government would supervise housing development directly. It is currently under the local councils.

"The amendments of this enactment will be brought up in the coming executive council meeting and will be discussed in depth before being presented at the state assembly meeting.

"Through this amendment, the state government wants to ensure that the people of Johor, especially those in the middle- to low-income groups, can afford to buy their own houses," he said.

Latiff said amending the enactment would also improve the housing requirements and make sure that developers will abide by the law and not sidestep the development of affordable houses.

"Every developer must build affordable or low-cost houses.

"The requirement is 35 per cent but we may raise it to 40 per cent," said Latiff.

He said the effort was part of the measures taken to help solve housing problems in the state.

Source from ~ http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/housing-enactment-to-be-amended-1.317570

Taman Tema Air Legoland Dibuka Pada 21 Oktober 2013

Sumber daripada ~ http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/newsindex.php?id=962570

JOHOR BAHARU, 11 Julai (Bernama) -- Legoland Malaysia Resort akan secara rasminya membuka Taman Tema Air Legoland pada 21 Oktober tahun ini.

Pengurus Besarnya, Siegfried Boerst berkata taman air yang kini 75 peratus siap, akan menarik lebih banyak pelancong tempatan dan antarabangsa.

"Taman Tema Air Legoland akan meningkatkan keseronokan kepada keluarga dengan anak-anak berusia 2-12 tahun.

"Taman Air menawarkan lebih 20 gelongsor air dan lebih 70 model Lego di antara tarikannya," kata beliau di sidang media di sini Khamis.

Antara yang paling menarik termasuk Build-A-Raft River dan Joker Soaker.

"Build-A-Raft River adalah konsep unik di mana kanak-kanak boleh membuat rakit mereka sendiri menggunakan kepingan Lego lembut dan Joker Soaker ialah platform interaktif dalam kolam cetek di mana kanak-kanak boleh bermain meriam air dihiburkan oleh model pelawak Lego sementara 77 liter air dicurahkan ke atas mereka," kata beliau.

Taman air itu juga menampilkan dua restoran, pondok kabana untuk disewa dan kedai jualan runcit.

Maklumat lanjut seperti harga tiket boleh didapati di http://www.legoland.com.my/.



-- BERNAMA

Sumber daripada ~ http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/newsindex.php?id=962570

Johor wants to increase chartered flights

Source from ~ http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/07/07/Johor-wants-to-increase-chartered-flights.aspx

BATU PAHAT: The Johor Government wants to increase the number of chartered flights to the state to boost its tourism industry.

State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said Johor was hoping to increase tourist arrivals to 4.9 million by 2015 from the 3.9 million tourists targeted this year.

He said getting airlines to fly directly to the state would be one of the main focus to attract more tourists to Johor.

At present, the state received chartered flights only from Indonesian cities Jakarta, Medan and Surabaya, he added.

“Tourists from Pekan Baru, Indonesia, will land in Sultan Ibrahim International Airport in Senai starting next month.

“We are also in the midst of working with tour operators to bring in 17 chartered flights from South Korea to Johor soon.

“Besides attracting tourists from Singapore, we are also looking at getting chartered flights from Hong Kong, China, Thailand and India,” he told reporters after opening Johor MATTA Fair 2013 in BP Mall here yesterday.

Tee said Johor was only a transit for many tourists to Malaysia through the south gate.

“Johor has the potential as one of the important tourist destinations in the country due to its culture, food and similarities with many other countries,” he said.

Tee added that Johor also had many international-level recreational places such as theme parks which were suitable for family vacations.

He said the Desaru Coast, which would be a luxury gateway, would be completed by 2015, adding that the state also had theme parks such as Legoland and Hello Kitty Town, with the Angry Bird theme park coming up soon.

Tee said the increase in tourists to the state would benefit many tourism-related businesses such as tour agencies, restaurants and hotels.

“We have to provide quality service to tourists so that they will remember us and will come back to Johor for their next vacation,” he added.

Source from ~ http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/07/07/Johor-wants-to-increase-chartered-flights.aspx