Latest news with #TunkuIsmail
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Forum: Can historic Istana Woodneuk be preserved?
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The news last month of the land swop deal between Singapore and the Regent of Johor caught my attention ( Singapore and Johor Regent Tunku Ismail to swop land plots near Botanic Gardens , June 10). It was a welcome reminder of Singapore's intertwined history with the Sultanate, which once ruled the area that we now call home. Within the parcel given to Singapore is the historic Istana Woodneuk, which now lies in ruins after decades of neglect. While on a recent tour of the grounds with heritage expert Sarafian Salleh, it became clear to me that the swop is more than a simple real estate deal. It has given Singapore a unique and precious opportunity to preserve a piece of Singaporean history that would otherwise be lost forever. Heritage sites cannot be manufactured from scratch – they must grow organically out of people's lives, experiences, and memories. Istana Woodneuk is a weathered but enduring testament to Singapore's pre-independence past, and I hope that the Government seizes this unique opportunity to preserve and restore the palace and its surroundings. SG60 would be the perfect occasion to create a new monument that could educate and inspire future generations on the grounds of Istana Woodneuk's many-layered past. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business S'pore to launch new grant for companies, expand support for workers amid US tariff uncertainties Singapore Up to 90% of air-con units can be recycled, including greenhouse gas refrigerant Singapore KTPH trials 'smart diapers' for adult patients to prevent skin conditions, relieve burden on nurses Singapore Singaporean fugitive nabbed and charged with drug trafficking, may face death penalty Sport World Aquatics C'ships Singapore 2025 declared open by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam World 'Do some homework': 6 key exchanges between US Senator Duckworth and S'pore envoy nominee Sinha Multimedia 60 objects to mark SG60: Which is your favourite? Singapore CPF Board uses AI to improve call centre services, prioritise help for less tech-savvy users Christian Jones
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Johor Regent hails RM991m water project to boost JS-SEZ supply, urges swift action to staff Pasir Gudang Hospital
JOHOR BARU, July 9 — Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail has expressed his appreciation following the approval of a new water supply infrastructure project worth RM991 million by Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB), saying it would significantly boost the state's treated water distribution capacity. In a Facebook post yesterday, His Royal Highness said the 260 million litres per day (MLD) project, finalised via a Project Execution Letter dated July 7, 2025, would be crucial in strengthening supply especially within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). Looking ahead, the Regent said Johor is also targeting the development of raw water infrastructure to reach a capacity of 2,000 MLD — enough to meet statewide demand until 2060. This includes the Sungai Johor Riverside Water Reservoirs (TAPS) Project (200 MLD), the construction of the Sungai Sedili barrage and TAPS (600 MLD), and the Sungai Pontian barrage and TAPS (100 MLD), all approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP). 'These efforts are expected to ensure long-term water security for Johor's industrial, commercial and domestic sectors. New investors should not be concerned about future disruptions in water supply,' Tunku Ismail said in a Facebook post yesterday. He also touched on the upcoming opening of Pasir Gudang Hospital, calling on the Health Ministry to take immediate steps to deploy healthcare personnel to ensure the facility can operate at full capacity and adequately serve Johoreans. In addition, he urged the federal government to speed up the approval and hiring process for unresolved staffing shortages, which he said are contributing to overcrowding at key hospitals in the state — including Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA), Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI), Temenggong Seri Maharaja Tun Ibrahim Hospital, and others facing manpower constraints.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Pasir Gudang Hospital must be fully staffed, says Johor Regent
JOHOR BARU: The Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, called on the Health Ministry to immediately deploy health workers to the soon-to-open Pasir Gudang Hospital, amid persistent staffing shortages in the state's existing hospitals. Tunku Ismail said the hospital, which is expected to begin operation soon, must be fully staffed to meet the medical needs of Johoreans and relieve congestion at facilities such as Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA), Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) and Temenggong Seri Maharaja Tun Ibrahim Hospital. "I urge the Health Ministry to expedite postings and approvals for outstanding vacancies. Health services are not a luxury – they are a fundamental right," His Royal Highness said in a statement on Facebook today. At the same time, Tunku Ismail urged companies operating within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) to offer a minimum wage of RM4,000 to local graduates. "This is crucial to retain talent, ensure fair compensation, and address the long-standing brain drain in Johor," he said, adding that current employers should review their pay scales in line with rising living costs and the need for competitiveness. Tunku Ismail also called on the federal government to formulate a clear initiative to tackle the talent exodus from the state. On infrastructure, he welcomed the RM991 million water supply project approved by Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB), which is expected to deliver an additional 260 million litres per day (mld) to Johor, particularly benefitting the JS-SEZ area. He said that long-term raw water infrastructure plans for up to 2,000 mld have also been approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12). These includes the Sungai Johor Riverside Water Reservoirs (TAPS) Project (200 mld), the Sungai Sedili Barrage and TAPS project (600 mld), and the Sungai Pontian Barrage and TAPS Project (100 mld). "These developments mean investors no longer need to worry about future water supply disruptions," he said, assuring that Johor is building the capacity needed to support its industrial and domestic growth up to 2060. "The well-being of Johoreans is my priority. I will not stop speaking out to ensure their voices are not lost in bureaucratic red tape," Tunku Ismail added.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Vietnamese official questions Harimau Malaya's future if Tunku Ismail walks away
Harimau Malaya's "naturalisation project" may be roaring now, but what happens if its key player, Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, is no longer involved? This question was raised by former Asean Football Federation (AFF) vice president Duong Vu Lam, who voiced his concern over Malaysia's naturalisation drive and Indonesia's as well. "One day, Erick Thohir (Indonesia FA (PSSI) president) and Tunku Ismail will no longer be leading football in Indonesia and Malaysia. "What will happen to the national teams then?" said Duong in an interview with Vietnamese news outlet Dan Tri. "Naturalised players won't come anymore because there will be no one paying them, and local players won't have proper successors. What future will their football?" While fans debate in Malaysia over the rising number of foreign-born naturalised players, Duong's remarks point to a deeper issue — sustainability. He warned that Malaysia and Indonesia's heavy reliance on naturalised players is being propped up not by a robust national structure, but by individuals with deep pockets and global football connections. "The PSSI president is billionaire Thohir, the former president (and owner) of Inter Milan. "Meanwhile, the person supporting Malaysia's naturalisation policy is Tunku Ismail. "He is a prince and once negotiated to buy Valencia. Both of them have immense wealth and powerful connections in the football world." Duong said both leaders have the means to run specialised scouting operations and fast-track naturalisation through their networks. "They even have their scouting teams, groups of experts highly skilled in identifying players from all over the world," he said. "This enables them to find players suitable for Indonesia or Malaysia to naturalise. "At the same time, once they've identified suitable players, they can immediately meet the financial demands. "So the players agree to play for Indonesia or Malaysia." Duong also shared his thoughts on Vietnam's 4-0 loss to Malaysia in an Asian Cup qualifier last month. "They used many naturalised players, so their playing style makes it difficult to find cohesion in small coordination situations. "Moreover, most of Malaysia's naturalised players are currently not of very high level," he said in an interview with Duong added that the Malaysian team under former head coach Datuk K. Rajagobal (2010-2012) had a better balance and identity, relying less on physicality and more on spirit and structure. "I liked the Malaysian team from 2010 to 2012 more. The fighting spirit of the Malaysian players at that time was also higher than now," he said.
The Star
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Johor eyeing gold standard in landscaping
Close collaboration between government, industry players and community key to meeting state's green goals The National Landscape Day (HLN) 2025, now in its 26th edition, has given Johor the platform to reaffirm its position as a hub for sustainable landscape development. The six-day event at Taman Bandar Bukit Layang-Layang in Pasir Gudang, which kicked off on June 25, drew thousands of visitors from across the country. The floral exhibition welcomed Johor Regent Tunku Ismail's wife Che' Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Johor who was accompanied by Tunku Tun Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Ibrahim on June 26. The presence of Johor royalty lent strong symbolic weight to the state's commitment to landscape development, which is increasingly viewed as a pillar of urban planning and public well-being. Also present were Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. Visitors looking at bonsai trees on display at HLN 2025 in Taman Bandar Bukit Layang Layang. Onn Hafiz said Johor was honoured to be selected as the host for this year's celebration, noting that it reflected the state's leadership in the landscape industry. 'Johor contributes more than 87% of Malaysia's plant nursery output. This makes us the heartbeat of the country's landscaping value chain,' he said. He emphasised that landscape development was more than just aesthetics for its vital role in creating sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient cities. 'Landscaping directly contributes to the quality of life, helps mitigate climate change, and supports the creation of healthier, more harmonious living environments,' he added. Onn Hafiz also said Johor was the only state in Malaysia with a dedicated landscape department, an institutional move that was part of the state government's long-term vision for green development. Johor Landscape Department, he said, showed the state's commitment to systematic and structured planning. A family playing with an elephant mascot from Johor Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan). This was in line with the Maju Johor 2030 vision that prioritised sustainable development and societal well-being, he added. Onn Hafiz said close collaboration between federal and state governments, local councils, industry players and communities was key to unlocking the landscaping sector's full potential. 'Through such cooperation, the state government aims to strengthen Johor as a progressive, sustainable state ready to become a top-tier destination for tourism and investment,' he said. Onn Hafiz, who is also Machap assemblyman, added that Johor was ready to lead by example in building modern cities that were mindful of their natural assets. 'With continued cooperation from all parties, we will realise our shared vision of a greener, healthier Johor and a better Malaysia,' he said. State housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said HLN was not just an annual celebration but a continuous movement to instil green values in everyday life. HLN 2025 in Pasir Gudang attracted many visitors from near and far. 'Public parks, green spaces and urban landscaping are reflections of civilisation and more importantly, the government's care and commitment toward its people,' he said. He added that each housing and urban development project in Johor would be required to allocate green areas to promote healthier, cooler and more liveable cities. 'Green zones are no longer a luxury. They are essential infrastructure for mental health, community building and climate adaptation,' he said. In addition to the ongoing Johor Bersih programme, he said the state government was stepping up efforts to revive urban parks, plant more shady trees, and engage communities in beautifying their surroundings. Mohd Jafni said this year's HLN saw participation from a broad cross-section of society, including students, residents' associations and technical agencies. 'Tree planting, landscape design competitions and community clean-up campaigns are proof that love for nature is a shared responsibility.' Mohd Jafni added that the state government was determined to ensure Johor set the gold standard in landscape planning and implementation. 'Our ambition is to make Johor the greenest, cleanest and most sustainable state in Malaysia by 2030,' he said. Ideal event location Pasir Gudang was chosen to host this year's celebration due to its strategic location and high commitment to sustainable city planning. Long known for its industrial base, Pasir Gudang is also emerging as a city focused on environmental stewardship and community engagement in green initiatives. Event venue Taman Bukit Layang-Layang is a landmark green space that also hosts the renowned Pasir Gudang International Kite Festival. Its lush natural surroundings and modern facilities made it an ideal choice for HLN 2025, said the Housing and Local Government Ministry. This year's theme, 'Landscape Industry: A Catalyst for Madani Development', aligned with the government's goal to elevate the landscape sector as a high-impact contributor to national sustainability and economic well-being. HLN was first celebrated on March 3, 1998, marking the anniversary of Malaysia's nationwide tree-planting campaign launched a year earlier. Two visitors capturing images of a field of flowers with their mobile phones at HLN 2025. Since then, the celebration has evolved into a platform to raise awareness on the importance of landscape planning in modern living. HLN 2025 featured over 120 booths showcasing landscape products and services, government agency initiatives and green technology. Interactive forums, entrepreneur discussions, and product demonstrations provided opportunities for direct engagement between industry players, policymakers and the public. The event was also designed to encourage youth involvement, with educational programmes aimed at building environmental awareness among school and university students. HLN 2025 also aimed at boosting landscape quality nationwide through knowledge-sharing, industry networking and community mobilisation. The ministry added that the event reinforced Malaysia's long-term vision of becoming a model sustainable nation by 2035, with the landscape sector playing a vital role in shaping liveable, climate-adaptive cities. Landscape sector According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the landscape industry contributed RM39.4bil to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024, up from RM35.6bil the year before. This growth underscores the industry's potential as a key driver of Malaysia's green economy, especially with the rise in demand for sustainable housing developments. Landscape is now a major factor in property marketing and buyer decision-making, especially in urban centres such as the Klang Valley and Johor. Malaysia currently has over 26,000 active business entities in the landscape sector, including contractors, nurseries, manufacturers and landscape architecture consultants. Demand for green spaces is also fuelled by legal requirements such as 10% open space allocation stipulated under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172). These regulations serve as policy drivers to ensure that green infrastructure is integrated into all new developments.
