Latest news with #VisitJohor2026
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Statewide scrub-up for tourism push in Johor
A contractor from SWCorp using a high-pressure water jet to clean walkways during 'Operasi Tanpa Debu' in Legaran Segget, Johor Baru. — Courtesy photo SOME 40 high-pressure jetting lorries have been dispatched around the city as Johor Baru gears up for Visit Johor 2026. Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) chief executive officer Khalid Mohamed said 'Operasi Tanpa Debu' (Dust-Free Operation) was aimed at enhancing cleanliness in high-traffic zones in anticipation of increased tourists for the coming year. 'Besides being rubbish-free, we want the city to be dust-free and dirt-free to better welcome our visitors. Khalid (centre) says scheduled cleaning work at tourist spots in Iskandar Puteri and Mersing are also underway. 'We want the streets to look like those in developed countries – well-maintained and always looking new. 'This will no longer be just a vision,' said Khalid during a cleaning operation at Legaran Segget, which involved three high-pressure cleaning lorries and a road-sweeper machine, supported by 15 cleaning personnel. He added that SWCorp, in collaboration with SWM Environment and Johor Baru City Council, began the cleaning operation in June on a scheduled basis at key public areas. 'We started work in tourist-oriented areas such as Puteri Harbour in Iskandar Puteri, Laman Kreatif Kluang and Dataran Kembara in Mersing. 'Public spaces such as markets, transport terminals, walkways and other tourist spots are being prioritised,' said Khalid, adding that the cleaning process was completely chemical-free and relied only on water pressure. He added that SWCorp has taken this new approach across the state, starting with areas that have a high volume of tourists. 'We understand that cleanliness and aesthetic appeal in these areas will attract more tourists to explore the surrounding communities,' said Khalid. 'Legaran Segget will soon have brand-new look and visitors from beyond Johor and Malaysia will return home with stories of Johor Baru's charm and beauty.'
The Star
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Fast-tracking revenue for Kulai
Mohd Hafiz says the KFL has brought an influx of domestic and foreign investment. Implementation of a fast-track initiative in Kulai, Johor, has boosted revenue for its local authority. Kulai Fast Lane (KFL) expanded Kulai Municipal Council's (MPKu) tax revenue and non-tax revenue collection, said council president Mohd Hafiz Aliman. The service delivery improvement programme was launched in 2022 to reduce red tape and speed up the approval process for council services including construction permits and operating licences, particularly for foreign investors. Mohd Hafiz said the council had targeted RM141mil in revenue in 2022, but raked in RM163mil. In 2023, it achieved RM192mil, well above the RM145mil target. 'This strong performance gives us more confidence to develop Kulai district and improve infrastructure,' he said at the full board meeting. Mohd Hafiz said when KFL started, Kulai district only had two development areas – the 556.5ha Sedenak Tech Park and Senai Airport City spanning 1,092.6ha. Now in its fourth year of implementation the district had eight development areas, he said, adding, 'We have seen an influx of domestic and foreign investors into Kulai.' He said Johor received RM72bil in investments for 2023 and from that amount, RM50.4bil or 70% went into Kulai. KFL, he said, had recorded RM56.4bil in investments to date. 'We are committed to providing the best services to domestic and foreign investors under the KFL initiative and further improve over time.' Separately, Mohd Hafiz said the district was ready to welcome Visit Johor 2026 (VJ2026), which is just five months away. He said the council's action plans included further beautify the landscaping at Senai International Airport and actively promoting Gunung Pulai Recreational Forest. 'We want tourism players to actively promote and market tourism attractions in our district in conjunction with VJ2026,' said Mohd Hafiz.
The Star
01-07-2025
- The Star
Johor to tap into history, culture for tourism boost
BATU PAHAT: Johor is committed to enhancing elements of history and culture as key pillars of the state's tourism sector, with the aim of raising awareness of the state's rich heritage among both local and international visitors. Tourism Johor director Mohammad Nazrul Abd Rahim said that, in conjunction with the Visit Johor 2026 campaign, various initiatives and promotions will be implemented comprehensively to showcase Johor's wealth of historical sites, performing arts and traditional culture. 'Among the locations with potential to be highlighted is the JKR Barracks in Parit Sulong, now known as the Parit Sulong Gallery. 'It functions as a mini museum and once served as a 'silent witness' to fierce battles between Allied (Commonwealth) and Japanese forces during World War II,' he told Bernama during the Yok Ronda BP programme here yesterday. He said this site also commemorates an important incident in the nation's history, as it was the final battlefield before Japanese troops invaded Singapore and took control of Malaya at the time. According to Mohammad Nazrul, in addition to its historical richness, Johor is also home to various forms of performing arts and cultural traditions, such as ghazal and the craft of gambus making, which are increasingly unfamiliar to the younger generation. 'We will continue to elevate these cultural arts as part of our tourism products. Tourism Johor will also collaborate with other agencies, including the Johor Heritage Foundation, to ensure the success of these efforts,' he said. In addition, various small and medium enterprise products, such as kerepek and traditional snacks, will also be promoted as tourist attractions throughout the campaign. Mohammad Nazrul stated that efforts to promote Johor's historical heritage, arts, and culture will not end after the Visit Johor 2026 campaign but will continue as part of the state government's long-term agenda. Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has announced a target of 12 million domestic and international tourist arrivals and tourism revenue of RM42bil next year. The state government has also allocated RM116.35mil to upgrade public facilities and enhance tourist attractions in support of the campaign.
The Star
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Travel fair takes to Batu Pahat in July with more booths, attractive deals
(From left) Batu Pahat MATTA Fair committee member Max Kwok, Lee, project secretary Kenny Ngi and committee member Ronald Term announcing the July 19-20 event. Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair is set to offer attractive travel deals as it returns to Batu Pahat, Johor, next month. Organising chairman Kathryn Lee highlighted the fair's consistent success. 'Sales recorded in past travel fairs have been encouraging, with last year's event collecting RM7mil,' she said. Speaking at a press conference announcing MATTA Fair Batu Pahat which will be held at The Summit on July 19 and 20, Lee noted that popular outbound destinations included China, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea and Singapore. This year's event, she said, would see the highest number of participating booths in over a decade, signalling strong industry confidence and public demand for travel. 'MATTA is ready to offer competitive packages catering to a wide range of travellers, including families, honeymooners, retirees and adventure seekers. 'We are encouraged by the momentum seen in Batu Pahat,' she said. 'Regional travel fairs like this are important to ensure that travel opportunities and tourism access are extended beyond major urban areas.' In support of Visit Johor 2026, the fair will feature extensive domestic travel packages with special offers for Johoreans. Admission is free. With every RM100 spent, visitors can enter into a lucky draw, with a Proton Persona as the grand prize. Lee also urged consumers to only purchase tour packages from travel agents licensed by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry to avoid falling prey to fraud.
The Star
19-06-2025
- The Star
More cops on patrol to assure visitors' safety in Johor
JOHOR BARU: Seven public places around the city will have additional police presence in a move to bolster safety and security, especially for Visit Johor 2026, says Comm Datuk M. Kumar ( pic ). The Johor police chief said that the police wanted to assure all visitors and investors that Johor is a safe place to visit. 'Our omnipresence is focused on areas frequented by the public,' he said after attending the Johor police monthly assembly yesterday. The areas are the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (BSI) complex, Bazar Karat, KSL City Mall, Angsana Mall, Berjaya Waterfront, Midvalley Southkey and Plaza Sentosa. He said the initiative, which started on June 14, would involve some 80 policemen who would patrol the areas and meet with owners of premises in the area. 'This will be above and beyond our regular patrols,' he added. Comm Kumar said that so far there have been no reported crime in these seven places since the initiative started. He added that the police hoped to rope in personnel from the Federal Reserve Unit and marine, and expand the omnipresence initiative to all 10 districts. Comm Kumar also urged the public not to be quick in believing information that they get from unverified sources. 'People need to be careful. Always verify before you transfer money even to your friends who suddenly message you asking for a loan. 'Always verify news or messages that you received,' he added. Asked about the recent fake TikTok video of him making statements about aid channelled from an individual known as Datuk Malik, he said investigations were still ongoing. The video had been altered using AI to make it appear as though Comm Kumar made the statements, but he has categorically denied releasing any such comment.
