Latest news with #KPRJ
The Star
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Four senior govt officials in the running for Johor state secretary
JOHOR BARU: Four senior government officials are said to be in the running to become the next state secretary following the transfer of Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani to Istana Negara from July 1. They are Johor financial officer Datuk Mohammed Ridha Abd Kadir, Johor deputy state secretary (development) Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman, Johor lands and mines director Mohammed Shakib Ali, and Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor Sdn Bhd (KPRJ) chief executive Datuk Lukman Abu Bakar. A state government official said that talk has been rife that Johor will get a new state secretary, especially after Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar ascended the throne as King of Malaysia last year. "Whoever is appointed by the Johor Civil Service (JCS) will be based on merit and will need to know how to handle the fast pace of development taking place in the state, especially in regards to the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). "I am sure there will be a lot of pressure for the JCS to be able to adapt and keep up in terms of cutting red tape and to be investor-friendly,' the official said, adding that an official announcement would be made soon. Meanwhile, news of the appointment of the new state secretary intensified when Sultan Ibrahim met Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi along with Mohammed Ridha and Mohammed Shakib during an audience with His Majesty in Istana Pasir Pelangi on July 3. Last week, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar announced that Azmi has been appointed Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja at Istana Negara beginning July 1. He said that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim had consented to Azmi's appointment as Comptroller of the Royal Household. Shamsul expressed confidence that with Azmi's vast experience and credibility, he would be able to strengthen the administration at Istana Negara and carry out his duties to assist His Majesty as the Head of State. Shamsul said that Azmi, 59, has served in the civil service for 33 years. Azmi served as Johor state secretary for eight years and six months. Azmi holds a Bachelor's degree in Development Science (Economics and Management) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, as well as a Master's degree in Human Resource Development and a PhD in Land Administration and Development from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
The Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Johor sets higher aquaculture output target
JOHOR BARU: Johor is targeting an increase in aquaculture production to 38,000 metric tonnes within the next two years as part of a long-term strategy to enhance food security and grow the state's agri-food sector. State agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said efforts are underway to strengthen the sector by encouraging participation from government-linked companies (GLCs) and private entities. 'One of the latest efforts comes from Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor (KPRJ), which is spearheading a pilot white shrimp farming project in Gelang Patah,' he said yesterday. Describing the move as timely and strategic, Zahari said the KPRJ project aligns with the state's priorities to ensure long-term food resilience while creating new economic opportunities. 'Johor's aquaculture production in 2024 is 32,000 metric tonnes, and the state government is targeting an increase to 38,000 metric tonnes by 2027,' he said, adding that high-tech, high-yield farming systems, especially those involving GLCs, are crucial to reaching the target. Zahari added that the pilot project will be developed in the Aquaculture Industrial Zone (ZIA) and will involve the construction of two high-density polyethylene ponds. These ponds, he said, will lay the foundation for commercial-scale white shrimp farming using modern aquaculture techniques to boost yield and reduce environmental impact. The ZIA already houses 12 operational shrimp ponds developed by the Johor Farmers' Organisation and the Johor Baru Southern Area Farmers' Organisation, positioning Gelang Patah as one of the state's most important hubs for aquaculture development. 'With KPRJ's involvement, we expect this area to grow in significance. The shrimp farming project is also part of broader initiatives under the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone, which focuses on cross-border collaboration and integrated economic development,' Zahari said. The state government, he added, is optimistic about aquaculture's potential to contribute meaningfully to Johor's economy while reducing reliance on imported seafood. The pilot project will be closely monitored by the state government, with hopes it can be expanded and replicated in other parts of Johor. 'The Johor government is committed to supporting innovative approaches in aquaculture, especially those involving close collaboration between government agencies, GLCs and local farming communities,' Zahari said.
