Latest news with #IskandarPuteriCityCouncil
The Star
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Banking on youth for JS-SEZ's future
Wong (right) receiving a certificate of achievement from event organising chairman Hue Jia Hao (left) as Tang looks on during the youth forum in Kulai. THE strong lure of the Singapore dollar is continuing to draw youths across the border for job opportunities. Iskandar Puteri City Council councillor Wong Foong Yee said many fresh graduates and young professionals still chose to work in Singapore due to the attractive currency exchange. To address the concern, Johor government implemented several strategies to encourage youth participation in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). 'Invest Johor offers grants to help young entrepreneurs start their businesses while Johor Talent Development Council is providing high skill training and offering premium salaries to retain talent. 'The state government is also working with local universities to align academic programmes with industry needs, especially in sectors expected to grow under the JS-SEZ such as artificial intelligence, data centres and green technology,' she said after attending a youth forum organised by JCI South Key in Kulai. She added that under the leadership of Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, the state government was taking steps to strengthen the local ecosystem to support youth involvement in the JS-SEZ. She said state officials remained optimistic that long-term investments in youth development and support systems would gradually bring them back to the state. 'The future of the JS-SEZ depends on local talent. 'If we want sustainable growth, we need our youth to be part of it,' she said. JCI South Key president Tang Mei Ay said programmes such as the upcoming Green-Preneur Festival and Jom ESG Seminar were designed to support the state's 'Maju Johor' agenda. 'We also want the youth to benefit from exposure and opportunities that are available through the JS-SEZ.' Tang added that Johor youth must begin shifting their mindset and step out of their comfort zone to take part in international collaborations.
The Star
28-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
MCA launches new service centre in Johor
JOHOR BARU: MCA has launched a new service centre in Taman Perling to boost grassroots engagement and better serve local residents, particularly working adults who struggle to access assistance during regular hours. The centre, led by Nicol Tan Hiang Kee, who also serves on the Iskandar Puteri City Council, will operate by appointment to provide flexible support for community members seeking help with paperwork or local issues. The centre was launched by MCA Youth chief Ling Tian Soon (pic), who said the party's strength lies in its consistent service to the people, regardless of electoral outcomes. 'Serving the people has always been MCA's core principle. Whether we win or lose elections, our commitment remains unchanged,' he said during the event yesterday. Ling praised party leaders such as Johor MCA deputy Youth chief Chua Jian Boon and Tan herself for continuing to serve their communities even after contesting unsuccessfully in previous elections. He also noted that the new service centre reflects MCA's ongoing efforts to stay connected with the grassroots. 'Whether it's at coffeeshops, markets, or wherever the people are, it is easy to find representatives from MCA,' he added. Addressing recent public concerns, Ling said MCA would continue to speak up on issues such as the expansion of the Sales and Service Tax and the SPM grade distinctions. 'Some policies may have inadvertently affected certain groups. That is when representatives must speak up,' he said.
The Star
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
MCA launches new service centre in JB to boost grassroots engagement
JOHOR BARU: MCA has launched a new service centre in Taman Perling to boost grassroots engagement and better serve local residents, particularly working adults who struggle to access assistance during regular hours. The centre, led by Nicol Tan Hiang Kee, who also serves as an Iskandar Puteri City Council councillor, will operate by appointment to provide flexible support for community members seeking help with paperwork or local issues. The centre was launched by MCA Youth chief Ling Tian Soon, who said the party's strength lies in its consistent service to the people, regardless of electoral outcomes. 'Serving the people has always been MCA's core principle. Whether we win or lose elections, our commitment remains unchanged,' he said during the event on Friday (June 27). Ling praised party leaders such as Johor MCA deputy Youth chief Chua Jian Boon and Tan herself for continuing to serve their communities even after contesting unsuccessfully in previous elections. He also noted that the new service centre reflects MCA's ongoing efforts to stay connected with the grassroots. 'Whether it's at coffee shops, markets, or wherever the people are, it is easy to find representatives from MCA.' Addressing recent public concerns, Ling said MCA would continue to speak up on issues such as the expansion of the Sales and Service Tax and the SPM grade distinctions. "Some policies may have inadvertently affected certain groups. That is when representatives must speak up," he said.
The Star
25-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Community farming takes root in Johor
FOR years, an empty plot of land next to Block A of Flat Taman Impian Emas in Skudai, Johor, sat idle, neglected and unloved. That changed when residents, led by project head Muhammad Azli Jasman, decided to put the land to good use. 'We felt the land had potential and it was just wasted space,' he told StarMetro. 'So, we got the necessary permission and turned it into a community farm with the goal of harvesting and selling fresh vegetables at low prices while giving residents a space for healthy outdoor activities.' He said the project, which began in July last year, received RM25,000 funding under the Iskandar Puteri City Council's (MBIP) Iskandar Puteri Low-Carbon Community Grant programme, as well as additional contributions from a mosque community nearby. Muhammad Azli said vegetables were planted on elevated table tops to make gardening easier for elderly residents while encouraging them to participate in the initiative. 'Since October, we have harvested 317kg of leafy greens including bok choy, kangkung, bayam and sawi. Muhammad Azli showing a handful of fresh vegetables harvested from an elevated table-top patch. 'Due to popular demand, we recently added kacang panjang, kacang bendi, terung and chillies in our farm,' he said, adding that the harvests were sold at below-market prices in line with Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) guidelines, to ensure affordability for low- income groups. 'Even residents from nearby areas drop by on weekends to buy from us. 'Income earned is channelled back to the farm so we can keep giving back to society,' he said. Some 20 residents including single mothers and low-income earners now manage the farm. Among them is single mother of four, Ramlah Suri, who had no prior experience in farming. 'I learned everything from scratch, even how to use fertilisers correctly and harvest without damaging the crops. 'This is a good place for residents to gather,' said the 54-year-old clerk. Rosliza (left) and Ramlah loosening the soil, part of their routine at the Impian Emas Flats community farming project in Skudai, Johor. Another regular volunteer, Rosliza Md Salleh, 59, said she preferred tending to the farm over scrolling through her phone. 'I hope the younger generation will get involved and discover the joy of farming,' she said. 'I feel a sense of satisfaction when harvesting vegetables, knowing that the fresh produce will be enjoyed by others.' Muhammad Azli said his team was proud that the project had not only made fresh food accessible, but also brought residents closer. 'We are happy to see people stopping by in the evenings just to take a look. It fosters better neighbourly ties. 'We aim to keep going, now that we have secured a second round of funding, RM30,000 from MBIP which will be used to beautify the space with seating areas as well as expand the vegetable plots,' he said. Separately, retired lawyer Paw Gee Loung, 62, who started her own small farming project at a patch in Edible Park, Iskandar Puteri, believes anyone can get into farming. 'I began clearing the lalang and weeds at this temporary space in August 2024. 'I learned everything through books, YouTube and through trial and error,' she said, sharing how she replanted a whole patch when it became waterlogged recently after it rained continuously for several days. At present, Paw, who is not an MBIP grant recipient, grows an extensive range of vegetables, herbs and edible flowers using organic methods and perma- culture principles at the farm. 'Although I am still looking for a permanent space and more volunteers, I'm glad I took the first step. 'If I had waited for the ideal situation, I might never have started,' she said, adding that she tended to her farm almost every day, finding it beneficial for her physical and emotional health. Paw welcomes it when students or the public walk into her farm for a look. 'I take them on a tour and explain about the different types of plants,' she said, adding that she shares the harvest with family and friends. 'My dream is to have a self-sustaining community farm where vegetables and fruits are organically grown without chemical pesticides and herbicides,' said Paw. 'I also hope to get more people interested and plant more, so that the produce can be sold,' she added. Benefits of farming Dr Huszalina Hussin, a committee member of the MBIP Iskandar Puteri Low-Carbon Community Grant programme, highlighted the benefits of community farming. She said the initiative provided easier access to fresh produce, strengthened food security and fostered relationships. Huszalina speaking to local residents on the benefits of community farming while explaining about access to fresh produce, better food security and fostering relationships. 'Studies have even shown that special needs children, such as those with autism, tend to open up and learn to express themselves after being exposed to farming or gardening. 'Some of the successful community farming projects, besides the Impian Emas Flats and Edible Park, are the Kenari Flats in Taman Universiti, Skudai, which combine traditional and modern farming methods,' she said. Huszalina, who is also a Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) senior lecturer, said MBIP's grant programme for the past five years had encouraged the community to get involved in such activities. She said the programme disbursed RM1.6mil to fund 94 low-carbon projects, which produced about 25,000kg of fresh produce from 2021 to 2024. 'For the programme's fifth edition this year, a sum of RM700,000 was allocated. 'Out of the 89 proposals received, 31 projects were chosen for the grant following a screening process and pitching session,' she added. The grant programme was organised in partnership with UTM, Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Johor Education Department and SWM Environment Sdn Bhd.
The Star
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Hygiene woes swamp Gelang Patah
Pandak at the state assembly sitting raising his constituents' concerns about safety and cleanliness. LACK of cleanliness and the presence of foreign workers in shoplots in Gelang Patah can tarnish the area's image, says a Johor assemblyman. Speaking at the state assembly sitting, Datuk Pandak Ahmad (BN-Kota Iskandar) said quick action was needed to ensure the area remained clean, safe and comfortable for residents. 'Many of the three-storey shophouses near an industrial park in Tanjung Pelepas, Gelang Patah, have been turned into foreign workers' accommodation. 'The area could be labelled as a 'little Bangladesh town' due to the presence of these foreigners. 'Some of these foreigners are even operating sundry shops without valid licences,' Pandak said in his speech during the debate session of the state assembly meeting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar. He expressed hope that the Labour Department, Iskandar Puteri City Council and related agencies would address these issues because rubbish strewn in the back alleys of the shoplots had become a common sight. Separately, Tan Eng Meng (BN-Pekan Nanas) in his speech thanked the state government for not sidelining Pontian in development plans. He was glad that serious attention had been given to districts such as Pontian, where his state constituency is located, rather than just focusing on economic developments only in areas such as Iskandar Malaysia and Pengerang. 'One of the significant developments in Pontian is the Tropicana Industrial Park in Pekan Nanas, involving a major investment of RM2bil by Alton Industry Ltd Group. 'This development will create new job opportunities for locals and strengthen the industrial sector that forms the backbone of the district's economic development. 'In fact, the presence of this new facility, which functions as a research and development hub, marks a major leap for Pekan Nanas,' said Tan. Alton is a US-based global supplier of consumer and commercial tools, appliances and floor care. Tan pointed out that the project had opened up vast opportunities for local talents to develop their potential in the high-tech field, which was becoming increasingly vital.
