The Iskandarian E-Paper March 2020 by The Iskandarian-WAVES Lifestyle

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NGOs Assist in Coronavirus Awareness

MARCH | 2020

ISSUE

Read on PG04

CEO DRILL Executive Director Damansara Assets Sdn Bhd

NEWS/ PG09

Defying Gravity: Igniting Unity JISLC 2020

NEWS/PG03

Disney’s Mulan

MOVIES/PG13

Getting to know the Noble Volute

LIVE/PG17

Affordable homes at Taman Perbadanan Islam

PROPERTY/PG21

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“In The Arms Of One Who Cares”

Responsible and accountable communication all around to ensure that everyone is well informed about the latest news and updates from all sectors

ohor Information Department (JAPENJ) along with other g ove r n m e nt a g e n c i e s and departments such as the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), Ministry of Finance (MoF), and the Johor Health Department (JKMJ) had set up information booths to disseminate news and updates about the latest government initiatives. Among the initiatives include the PeKa, i-Suri for housewives, e-Tunai Rakyat, and Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) for the B40 group. Another initiative currently being promoted is the recent toll reduction of up to 18% that was implemented in February 2020. Speaking about the dissemination of information, the public is reminded to take serious of

the consequences of sharing wrong information and fake news. “We advise the public to check the validity and the facts of a news report, or now trending, social media and WhatsApp messages that people post and forward around. This is to ensure that the number of fake news can be reduced or totally stopped,” reminded Johor Housing, Communication and Multimedia Committee chairman Sr. Dzulkefly Ahmad. He added that there is a simple-to-use and proper platform for the public to use in verifying news and viral updates, which is the sebenarnya.my portal that was launched by the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in 2017. “It is not wrong to disseminate information and news, but make sure that it is correct and

does not cause unrest, for example, in the recent developments of the COVID-19 outbreak, causing panic among the public in Singapore,” said Dzulkefly. Under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act - Improper use of network facilities or network service, etc, a person who commits an offence under this section shall, on

conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand ringgit or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both and shall also be liable to a further fine of one thousand ringgit for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction. So, consume and share information wisely. - by Harish Mustak TI

Dzulkefly visiting the information booths set up at TJ Mart in Kulai, Johor

Johor International IMPOWER: Islamic & Halal Festival Empowering & 2020 Aims for a Enabling Youths Prominent Spot in Global Halal Industry

he Johor International Islamic & Halal Festival 2020 (FIJO) had organised a pre-launch event recently at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Johor Bahru officiated by Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal together with State Secretary of Johor, Azmi Rohani and Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali, Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development, Science and Technology Committee chairman. “400 sales sites will be targeted this year with an estimated visitors of over 100,000,” said Sheikh Umar in his speech on FIJO 2020. “The state government has allocated RM6 million ringgit to implement 16 major programmes with 94 mini programmes through 2020, which includes entrepreneurial assistance and training initiatives for the benefit of Johor SMEs; with Johor accounting for 10.8% of Malaysia’s total SMEs,” he added. This is in conjunction with Malaysian Budget 2020, where the economy is expected to grow from 4.7% in 2019 and to a slight increase of 4.8% by 2020. SMEs would benefit from the RM13.1 billion allocation in the said budget in order to stimulate economic growth among businesses and

entrepreneurs. In the run to tap in the rapid growth of Halal industry that is expected to be worth USD1.9 trillion by 2022, Dr Sahruddin said the Johor state government has established Johor State Halal Council with relevant agencies to drive halal-related initiatives and economic growth among the Muslims. This is in line with the National Halal Policy to strengthen the halal industry in Johor, assisted by the Johor 2020 Budget, where the state government would form Halal Hab Utama or Primary Halal Hub in the Southeast Asian region. FIJO 2020 would be held from 26th to 29th March 2020 at Persada Johor International Convention Centre, Johor Bahru and are seeing participating exhibitors from Singapore, Indonesia, Turkey, Syria and many more. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal (middle) during the pre-launch of FIJO

atch 5 of the IMPower Grantees included 18 youth groups within Iskandar Malaysia receiving an approximate sum of RM689,493 as a catalyst for the various activities and programmes planned and organised for the positive change and development of the Iskandar Malaysia communities. “Social inclusiveness is one of the important factors that are taken into account when it comes to the development of Iskandar Malaysia and its communities. The youth represents a large segment here, who will also become future leaders,” said Datuk Ismail Ibrahim, Chief Executive of the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA). Since its introduction in 2017, the IMPower grant has seen a total of 44 youth groups within Iskandar Malaysia flourish by organising and conducting engaging and empowering initiatives for the communities. The total amount that has been disbursed to date sums up to about RM1.2 million. Among the criteria that the grant applicants must present to the IMPower committee is that their

initiative or activity must bring a substantial degree of impact to the target communities within Iskandar Malaysia, and of course, be aligned to the 5 focus points of IMPower that includes entrepreneurship, volunteerism, education, sports and health, and arts and culture. “Ever since the inception of Iskandar Malaysia about 14 years ago, we have seen plenty of developments and investments that have fuelled and transformed this region. With that wealth gained, we want to make sure that it is distributed equally and equitably to everyone. We must be ready and take action by taking the initiative to be part of the movement,” said Datuk Ismail. Besides receiving the grants, the youth groups from batch 1 to 5 under the IMPower programme were also introduced to the Youth Hab or HAB, which is a youth centre that will be launched soon. HAB will allow these initiatives to be conducted with less hassle as there are bountiful of facilities and tools that can be activated at the location. - by Harish Mustak TI

Batch 5 of the IMPower grantees

Published by True Soul Media PLT [No.51-B, Jalan Impian Emas 5/1, Taman Impian Emas, 81300 Johor Bahru] Printed by Percetakan Osacar Sdn Bhd [No. 16, Jalan IDA 1a, Industrial Desa Aman, Taman Desa Aman, Kepong, 52200 Kuala Lumpur] Copyright of articles, contributions and photos which are published by The Iskandarian is the property of True Soul Media PLT. The Iskandarian does its best to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of its contents, the publisher cannot accept any responsibilities for errors, mistakes and inaccuracies. The publisher reserves the rights of this product and no part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the permission of the publisher.

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EWRF & Rotary Centennial JB Works Together for Underprivileged Students 30 students in Kulai Edu Centre gets renewed hope

ducational, Welfare & Research Foundation (EWRF) Johor Bahru had collaborated with Rotary Centennial Johor Bahru (RCJB) to provide school packs for 30 primary and secondary school students at its Kulai Edu Centre. This also marks RCJB’s first supply of school packs for underprivileged children this year and to honour this, Rotary District

3310 Governor which covers 69 Rotary clubs, Jeff Yong, was also present to hand over the aid himself. K. Raam Kumar, Chairman of EWRF Johor Bahru said, “Kulai Edu Centre was opened in February 2014, and since then it has helped students to further their studies in local tertiary institutions like University Malaysia Pahang and vocational college, Industrial

Training Institute (ILP). The centre helps the children of the B40 group to develop self-confidence with not only academic but also non-academic training that nurture skills such as computer training, stage play and martial arts like Silambam. Their silambam team has even won international competition to add in the success of the centre.

The centre currently has 56 students, and the 30 recipients selected mostly reside at the government housing programme flats; PPR Temenggong, which is within a walking distance to the centre. Raam said they also train the parents who make up 90% of the administration at the centre to help them gain visibility in society by providing them the skills they need to earn

A Responsible Youth Today Makes a Responsible Leader Tomorrow

a better job. Raam with his team are in the quest to guide other welfare NGOs to help build space for underprivileged children and empower more families in Johor to earn a better living. EWRF is a recipient of the Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (IMSHA) in 2018 for the Human Empowerment category. by Norfy Shafeq TI

Children of Kulai Edu Centre with their new school supply provided by Rotary Centennial Johor Bahru together with staffs of Kulai Edu Centre

Semarak Juara Carnival to Boost SUKMA XX Johor 2020

7th Johor Student Leaders Conference 2020 congregated over 1,000 students

he 7th International Student Leaders Conference (JISLC 2020) held at KSL Hotel & Resort Johor Bahru had seen over 1,200 students both local and international from Indonesia, South Korea, Somalia and Japan participating in the conference organised by Johor Student Leaders Council (JSLC) Cohort 10. Under the theme “Defying Gravity: Igniting Unity”, the conference was officiated by Deputy Minister of Education, Teo Nie Ching. The conference acted as a platform for

youths to voice out their opinions and expand their horizon on critical global issues. Teo stressed the importance of having excellent command of the English Language and informed about the launch of the ‘English Language Education Reform in Malaysia: The Roadmap 2015-2020’ initiatives such as the Highly Immersive Programme (HIP), the Professional Enhancement in Schools Programme (PPKBIS) and the Dual Language Programme (DLP) under the Ministry of Education Malaysia

Deputy Minister of Education, Teo Nie Ching (second from right) officiating JISLC 2020

to improve the English language proficiency among Malaysian students. In her speech, she calls for the youth to be wiser in using the benefits of social media and smart devices in acquiring information occurring all over the world. “I would like to remind you to be responsible on whatever you post or share. You will one day be the policy makers for this country, educationists and leaders in business, science and technology. It is also very important as the future leaders, for you to hold the values of integrity, trustworthy and honesty,” she said, addressing the participants of the conference and the youth as a whole. Previously as reported by JohorKini, Teo has made a firm call for students to be more responsible in sharing news via social media citing “students should not take part as unpaid journalists by sharing fake news” which extends to the parents as well. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

SUKMA and Visit Johor Mascot (Jimi and Joh) together with the VIP’s

s a prelude to SUKMA XX Johor, the organisers through the SUKMA Secretariat have added the ‘Semarak Juara Carnival 2020’ to give the event an early boost and to ensure that the entire country knows that Johor will be hosting this year’s edition starting on 11th July 2020. SUKMA XX Johor 2020, after a hiatus of almost three decades, will be given the glitz, glamour and all the trimmings by the southern hosts to ensure that it will be a sporting extravaganza which will not be forgotten too soon. An array of attractions such as the Semarak Juara Sports Challenge 2020, agency exhibitions, healthy food booths, meet and greet sessions with Johor sports legends, sport events demonstrations, stage performances and guest artist appearances have been organised throughout the threeday event. The carnival-like series will be held in four different states – Selangor, Kedah, Melaka, and Pahang, culminating with the finale at Stadium Tan Sri Haji Hassan Yunos,

Larkin on 28th June 2020. Chairman of Johor Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar expects this year’s edition of SUKMA to be one of the most exciting since its inaugural edition in 1986. “We as the organisers are really excited and are eagerly awaiting the opening ceremony of SUKMA XX on 11th July,” said Khuzzan who was enthusiastic. “This edition of SUKMA is expected to be one of the most exciting with a total of 32 disciplines to be held including Silambam which will be a demonstration sport.” He also added, “This is the second time SUKMA is being held in Johor which also hosted the event in 1992. The organisers are working very hard to ensure that all the venues are completed in time and nothing is left to chance” The Semarak Juara Fun Run Carnival will be graced with the presence Johor’s past sporting greats including M. Kumaresan (Cycling), Datuk Malek Noor (Body Building), Nordin Jadi (Athletics) and Datuk M. Ramachandran (Athletics). - by Moazan Emran TI

Johor to Station Medical Prescriptions in Shopping Malls

tate Education, Health and Human Resource Committee chairman, Aminolhuda Hassan has announced at a press conference that outpatients in Johor government healthy facility can expect to collect their medical prescriptions at selected shopping malls starting from May 2020. He noted that several

shopping malls in Muar and Batu Pahat, Johor are considering over the setting up of a special counter or space for an initial phase on allowing patients to collect their medicines. “This is one of the ways to reduce congestion in government hospitals and health clinics, and at the same time reducing the

waiting time for the public,” he added. Present with him during the press conference is the Johor Health director Dr. Aman Rabu. The idea is named as “Locker For You” and currently, the State Health Department is working on getting several shopping malls involved before presenting it to the state government for its

implementation. “This facility is for those whom already have prescriptions and not for first timers. We expect ‘Locker For You’ to be implemented after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, around May,” he further added. Aminolhuda also shared that the tender evaluation process

and the Letter of Acceptance for Pasir Gudang Hospital project will be handed to the contractor by June 2020. Citing his hope for the hospital construction to proceed smoothly to be operational; so it would help ease the congestions in Hospital Sultanah Aminah and Hospital Sultan Ismail. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

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NGOs Assist in Coronavirus Awareness From cover

NGOs in Johor have regrouped and volunteered to be an avenue to disseminate information and raise awareness on COVID-19

r Ng Kim Fong, the President of the Johor Doctors Association says, “What the mind doesn’t know, the eyes won’t see”. A quaint but meaningful quote that paints a picture of the typical human response to something that he or she is unaware or ignorant. Organised by Ihsan Johor and supported by the Johor Doctors Association, over 20 NGos gathered at the Sultan Ismail Hospital for a dialogue and sharing session on the recent Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, or commonly known as the Wuhan Virus which first broke out in Wuhan in the Hubei province of China. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERSCoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans and the

pathogen is now referred as COVID-19. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. For a better understanding locally, the dialogue session was essential and significant in educating and equipping the NGOs with information and knowledge about the growing concerns surrounding the virus. This, in turn, will benefit the communities in which the NGOs are actively engaged in, as the call for volunteers and assistance in the health department is much needed. Rising to the occasion, Dr Norli Rosli, Medical Officer from the Johor Bahru District Health Office shared about the chronology, current situation, as well as the response and action by the relevant

departments to tackle the COVID-19 issue. Similarly, the second speaker for the session, Dr Ahmad Zharif Hussein from the NGO IMARET (Imam Response and Relief Team) shared his insights on the psychological measures that NGOs can take to manage the current situation. Drawing a conclusion from the session, COVID-19 is indeed a threat to humankind if actions are taken without proper knowledge and procedure. Simple and basic facts about the virus can be obtained from your nearest medical facility which includes the virus type, symptoms, as well as first contact treatment of the symptoms. There isn’t a cure yet or vaccines developed for the Coronavirus, but preventive measures can be taken to curb its spread. NGOs were encouraged to disseminate knowledge and steps everyone can take to do so such as taking proper measures in equipping oneself with personal protection equipment (PPE) such as masks and sanitisers. One

Kicking Off Visit Johor 2020 Tourism Johor ramps up Visit Johor 2020 promotions with a road tour to promote inbound tourism to the state of Johor

ourism Johor has embarked on a mission to increase awareness as well as ramp up promotions about the Visit Johor 2020 campaign. This campaign acts as a stimulus for the state tourism industry in light of the recent Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19). “We are aware of the risks and impediments this new virus outbreak has presented to the tourism industry. Nevertheless, the show must go on and tours are still on. The health department has assisted in promoting ways to prevent the spread of the virus i.e by taking proper precautions such as wearing facemasks and practice proper hygiene. We believe that this road tour will help boost the attractiveness of tourism in Johor,” said Hajah Zihan binti Ismail, Director of Tourism Johor. The Johor state Tourism Exco, Liow Cai Tung officiated the Tourism Johor Road Tour which was held at the Johor Tourist Information Centre (JOTIC). This is a symbolic “kick-off ” to the Visit Johor 2020 campaign, which will bring the ambassadors all over Malaysia to distribute and disseminate tourism-marketing collaterals such as flyers and gifts. “The state departments are doing its best to handle this COVID-19 issue. As

the tourism Exco, I would like to mention that the best way to prevent the outbreak is to not panic, and practice the preventive measures as instructed by the authorities. The rest will be handled by the health departments,” said Liow. At the same time, official invitations for the upcoming Malaysia Sports (SUKMA) that will also happen in Johor in July 2020 will be sent to each state. Tourism Johor has collaborated with the local taxi associations in Johor Bahru to serve as mini ambassadors of tourism who will act as front liners in promoting Visit Johor 2020. - by Harish Mustak TI

and outside the Iskandar Malaysia region for a more comprehensive and impactful reach. At the time of writing and according to official data, the total number of reported deaths is over 2000 with the majority in China itself, and the total number of confirmed cases affecting some countries around the world including Malaysia rose to over 75,000. Locally, the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) has revealed total cancellations of 95,972 room nights since COVID-19, amounting to RM40 million losses of revenue. - by Harish Mustak

Coronavirus dialogue with NGOs

JARO Appreciates its Members for their Hard Work Annual celebration during festive season always a special time to remember others

J Flagging off the Road Tour

can also help prevent spread by practising proper hygiene steps such as following sneezing and coughing etiquette and regular hand washing the proper way and thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Most importantly, the NGOs are available to handle psychology first aid to control and prevent panic. One of the most disastrous and resource wasting disease to treat is indeed panic. The majority of the NGOs are also past winners of the Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (IMSHA), which promotes the collaboration of NGOs within

ohor Area Rehabilitation Organisation (JARO) held its appreciation lunch for its members, donors, sponsors, and community leaders on the last day of the Chinese New Year at New York hotel, Johor Bahru. Datuk Jimmy Low Boon Hong, the Chairman of JARO arrived earlier, greeting donors, community leaders and sponsors of the event to whom he fondly joked about the huge bag filled with ‘ang pows’, ready to be given away at the event. The annual luncheon was sponsored by the New York Hotel for 8 consecutive years and is a part of JARO’s social event as a celebration to their disabled workers. JARO held the same celebration during Hari Raya and has recently added International Day of People with Disabilities as one of their major celebrations since December, 2019.

As the oldest NGO in Johor since 1952, JARO has provided jobs and facilities with a fixed wage. “Apart from getting a permanent job here (in JARO); we train them so they are in a stable job. We pay EPF and SOCSO for them. They are like normal workers, becoming a part of the society and they have a permanent job so they could have dignity (as an individual),” said Datuk Jimmy noting the importance of such celebrations for the 55

differently-abled members of age ranging from 20 to 60 years old in average. Interested parties who wish to lend a support to JARO may head to their website at https://jaro.org.my/ and purchase their products online or visit them at No. 18 Jalan Sungai Chat, Sri Gelam, 80100 Johor Bahru, Johor or make a phone call at 07-224 5632 to arrange an appointment. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

JARO Chairman, Datuk Jimmy Low Boon Hong (centre) personally serving food for the members

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Let the Creative Juices Flow at Art & Sip Local artist takes a different approach in encouraging people to pick up art

he last time I did any painting was about a decade ago in school. I took an art subject in my sixth form and managed to score an A minus for the finals despite being colour blind! “ There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.” I cannot remember how many times I have heard the great Bob Ross utter those words; a known artist who kicked off his televangelical step-

by-step painting show. In that time, Bob managed to captivate his audiences by producing the most beautiful and intricate landscape panoramas by using the most unorthodox methods. Not forgetting his serenading voice of instructions that essentially pioneered the Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) concept of today. Recently I had a chance to fulfill a lifelong dream to emulate, or at least to make Bob proud,

by attending Art & Sip at Amari Johor Bahru. Art & Sip is an ingenious idea conceptualised by local artist, Lavannia Kumar. Art & Sip is an interesting mesh between anything art and just hanging out with friends, or making new ones in the process. The idea is to work with a group of art enthusiasts or even newbies on a particular art assignment, while having a sip of either a good strong drink, for those who do, or

Food Festival with Digital and Sanitising Touches

previously the audience only watched posts about the foods on social media, but this time it was all out to the field, leaving everyone spoilt for choices. Promoting local economy, 90% of the vendors were from Johor. Touch N Go e-Wallet also set up their booth and more than 50 vendors offered payments via online. This convenience was definitely welcomed as we move towards going cashless as a nation. E-wallet users could also redeem a stainless steel straw pack from their booth. T h e MaQan organising team consisted of seven youths aged 23-28, and it was their first time managing an event. It was Entrepreneurs from Wany’s Snacks also not an easy posing with their sample products, feat convincing selling delicious, flavoured nuts sponsors to

aQan, a Johor o n l i n e fo o d and beverage marketing platform, had organised their first food festival recently opposite Angsana Johor Bahru Mall. The three-day event supported by Tourism Johor attracted almost 30,000 visitors locally and from Melaka and Selangor as well. Almost all of the 120 vendors were already clients of the platform hence, the festival was an onlinebrought-to-life; where

believe in the abilities of the first-timers. Learning from other organisers, they made sure to obtain all local municipality permits and other clearances in order for the event to run smoothly. A unique challenge that loomed over that could have potentially risked complete event postponement indefinitely was the CO V I D - 1 9 (Coronavirus outbreak). However, upon consulting advice from the State Health Office, they provided face masks and hand sanitisers at the entrance, and equipped their hand washing stations with more soaps for patrons. This was indeed a relief given the situation where hygiene is at the top most priority. Besides the food fare, the event also had live performances from local artists. MaQan is looking to expand their food festival to other cities as well. - by Salamahafifi TI

a friendly mocktail for those who might be driving home later. Lavannia is a local artist who wants to promote the various art segments such as the fine arts like painting and drawing, or craftsmanship like weaving to the communities here. Currently, Art & Sip has scheduled sessions at Amari Johor Bahru and at Fika Farmhouse at Horizon Hills. Art & Sip is also available for hire at private events such as birthday

par ties, anniversaries and gatherings. For more information or to book a slot, visit the ‘Art by Lavannia

Kumar’s Facebook page or fill up the form via www.bit. do/amariartnsip - by Harish Mustak TI

The umpteenth group who enjoyed almost every minute of the session

Get Adventurous at Putt n Glow Miniature Golf - The First in Malaysia!

It’s glowing! Have fun putting your courses while checking what else glows on you!

nless one have been to the land of free where over 5,000 mini golf places are available across the nation, Malaysians are yet to be familiar with the idea of mini golf as an activity simply because there is no mini golf in Malaysia! The tables have now turned and you can get active through Putt n Glow mini golf available in Johor. Not only

does it give you the fun of playing mini golf, it provides the experience in a space where everything glows in the dark! The game is best played in a team of 4 to 5 max. Upon entry, you would get a scorecard, a putter and a ball. The staff would brief you on the rules and demonstrate how to play, and no, you don’t need to have any golfing experience. Watch out for the unexpected challenges and

who knows, you might be topping their Hall of Fame in no time. This activity is great since there is no age limit to play the game. It’s challenging but fairly easy on the muscles making it fun for the whole family or even as a date night! Putt N Glow is open from Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Monday. Opening hours are from 12pm to 8pm and extended for an hour extra from Friday to Sunday. The last entry would be 45 minutes before closing time, and the fee is capped at RM30 per adult, child under 130cm is RM25 per entry. Planning to hold a large group fun time? You can hit them up at +607 510 1807 or email them at info@puttnglow.com. Putt N Glow is located at No 54, Jalan Eko Botani 3/6, Taman Eko Botani, 79100, Iskandar Puteri, Johor. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

Malaysian Culture Starts from Schools

Maulidur Rasul

n the spirit of patriotism and living harmoniously, S M K D a t o’ J a a f a r Johor Bahru (SDJ) had organised several multicultural events for all the students to participate in

such as ‘Maulidur Rasul’, ‘Ang Pow ’ and ‘Pongal’ celebrations. The diversity of these events at the grassroots level shows that the school supports tolerance and harmonious

living in a multiracial country. First, the Muslims celebrated Maulidur Rasul which is the celebration of Prophet Nabi Muhammad’s birth. The theme for this year was called ‘Cinta Rasul’ and Ustaz Ellyeen Amineen Bin Mohd Salleh was invited to give a speech. Next, the Hindus celebrated Pongal as a traditional thanksgiving occasion to the nature. Various activities such as kolam, pot painting and most importantly cooking Pongal using rice with milk in an earthen was the main

highlight. Besides that, a group of students put up a spectacular performance with the thappattam drums which are used during Pongal festival. Finally, the school

Ang Pow Celebration

hosted an Ang Pow festival where there were a few performances prepared to awe audiences such as the lion dance, martial arts, and 24 festive drums. The day ended well with teachers singing songs and savory snacks were handed out as a treat. Celebrating events and festivals in SDJ has become an integral part in learning and building a strong c u l t u r a l b e l i e f. Such celebrations bring the students

Pongal Festival

closer to develop respect and understanding towards each other’s customs and traditions, ensuring a better Malaysia. - By Serafina Binti Jahabar Sadik (Student Leaders Board) SMK Dato’ Jaafar, Johor Bahru TI

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Infinity Art Exhibition – One Step Forward To More Art Appreciation in Johor Cultivating the fine arts culture and apprenticeship in arts

ompleks Warisan Sultan Abu Bakar at Jalan Sungai Chat hosted Infinity Art Exhibition 2020 organised by Sky Infinity Innovation Sdn Bhd held a launch on 16th February 2020, a week after the exhibition was opened to the public on 9th February 2020. Attending the event was Johor Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar who has emphasised the state government’s effort

Salina Ariffin, Infinity Art Exhibition 2020 project manager with her artworks at the exhibition

in finding more talent in arts through Yayasan Warisan Johor’s ‘Lestari Seni Budaya’ (Sustainable Arts and Culture) programme especially for students from suburban and rural areas. “We will be going out to the countryside in search of talented individuals who have struggled economically in the past. We will provide art essentials to encourage them to express their own artistic views through their artworks,” he said while putting the importance on the younger generation to explore the art culture and have a career in it. Salina Ariffin, the project manager for the exhibition cum artist said the ‘infinity’ was derived from the limitless art expression among the 16 artists from Johor, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur that exhibited 84 artworks in total. The 3 Johor artists were herself, Suhaida Sukarman and Izzaty Ahamad.

In order to widen the perspective for art students, Salina has also placed 3 Johor Art School’s students’ artworks as their first footing in getting involved in the industry. All of the artworks exhibited are up for sale. Interested visitors who would like to visit and purchase may give a call to Salina Ariffin at 013 2724 708 for an appointment and she’ll give you more insight on your purchase. Entry to the exhibition is free and it will go on until 15th March 2020. The exhibition is open from Sunday to Thursday, from 9am to 4.30pm and is closed on Friday and Saturday. For a more personalised experience, Suhaida Sukarman would help you walk through the art experience with in depth explanation about them. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

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The Truth is Just a Click Away be taught at grassroots level to ensure the dissemination of only true and factual information. We have seen the many moments in time where and how the misuse and misinformation of knowledge can lead Students are engaged with to dire and drastic activities to identify fake news consequences. Ignorance is not bliss, while n infor mation literacy workshop knowledge is not power c o - o r g a n i s e d unless applied. The workshop was by SMK Mutiara Rini and Iskandar Puteri split into two parts. The first Parliament Community was a talk by the MCMC Service Centre with the titled “Klik Dengan Bijak” suppor t of Malaysian (“Click Cleverly”) which C o m m u n i c a t i o n s a n d touched on the issues of Multimedia Commission cyber security, oversharing (MCMC) and Youtube was on social media, cyber held recently involving about bullying and more. On the second 90 secondary four students. The aim of the part of the workshop, the workshop was to inculcate students were enlightened the spirit of intrigue and on the dark side of the critical thinking when it net that brought to the comes to the process of world Fake News as well consuming the multitude of as misinformation. From information that is readily identifying Fake News to available in the days of the reporting misinformation, internet. With its endless the students were also possibilities and powerful coached on applying critical search algorithms, the ability thinking and analyses even to control and navigate on social media – the latest the World Wide Web must go-to medium for news and

information sharing. The group that conducted this session were volunteers from the media and journalism industry, and were experienced in critical research on each issue presented to them – Kuek Ser Kuang Keng, a freelance journalist and journalism trainer based in Kuala Lumpur, Darshini Kandasamy, News Editor of Malaysiakini, and Hazwany Jamaluddin, Sales Executive at Thomson Reuters. The workshop at SMK Mutiara RIni is a pilot project where the syllabus and materials that were develop are being tested effectively before fine-tuning it and rolling out to more schools. Launched in 2017 for the benefit of the public, the sebenarnya.my portal developed by the MCMC is among the efforts taken by the Government to curb the spread of false news and ensure the public receive real news. Related information would be gathered, analysed, validated and uploaded to the portal for reference by the public regardless of their political background. - by Harish Mustak TI

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drill

MO N T H LY DR I L L Yusaini bin Hj. Sidek, 52, was appointed as the Executive Director of Damansara Assets Sdn Bhd on 1st December 2012. Yusaini graduated with a Master of Business Administration, with specialisation in International Business from University of Southern Queensland, Australia in 2010. He also obtained his Bachelor in Business Administration from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 1999 and a Diploma in Valuation in 1989 from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Yusaini is also certified as a Property Manager under the Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agent & Property Managers in 2018 and a holder of Capital Markets Services Representative’s Licence for Real Estate Investment Trust as a Licensed Director to carry out regulated activities specified under the Capital Markets Services Act. In January 2015, he was appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Malaysian REIT Managers Association (MRMA), an organisation that acts as a platform for the Malaysian REIT Managers to engage with the Regulators in proposing changes to the industry to promote its growth. Yusaini has approximately 30 years of experience in the Malaysian property industry, particularly in property valuation and building management. His vast expertise in property management is an asset in ensuring the smooth operation of Damansara Assets Sdn Bhd’s properties and development.

These are some of the simple questions which we can ask and answer by taking the right steps to address them. In terms of running the property, besides experience, we need to accept and understand the current situation and identify the options that can be taken. From there, we can introduce or fix any discrepancies which arise. However, from my personal experience, the most important element is walking! Yes, literally walking around your property to see first-hand on what’s going on, and of course, “walking” around other places and venues to adapt ideas and act innovatively.

Tell us more about Damansara Assets Sdn Bhd (DASB) and its unique selling points.

Damansara Assets Sdn Bhd is a company which focuses on the commercial development as well as the managing of commercial properties, namely, offices and retail. We are experienced and have the expertise to identify the right blend between marketing mix and market forces. The energy from those activities are channelled into the process of breathing in soul into the properties under DASB’s supervision.

What are some factors that affect property management and what would be the most important element in running a retail outlet? There are of course many factors that can affect the process of managing a property. First of all, we must identify the market forces surrounding the property. What are the different eco accessibilities available? Who are the people living or coming to the area? What kind of changes does the community want?

B5 Johor Street Market, is it a mall, bazaar, or something new altogether? B5 Johor Street Market is an open concept commercial tourism centre. That’s what we’d like to call it. It is not like a mall or a shop lot but essentially, the focus point is on tourism and tourism products which encompasses retail, food, drinks, events, and more. How did the B5 Johor Street Market concept come about? The concept of having a street market is not entirely a new idea. However, the way we do it differently is to combine the best of everything we have to offer. As I mentioned earlier, we have plenty of experience in terms of retail property management, and with that expertise, we have performed n u m e ro u s m a r k e t s t u d i e s a n d brainstorming sessions to identify the perfect combination and presentation of this particular community centre in regards to its surrounding market forces. What does B5 Johor Street Market have to offer to the public, as well as the related industries such as tourism? B5 Johor Street Market itself acts as a

Director

EXCLUSIVE

Yusaini Bin Haji Sidek E xe c utive Dire c tor D amansar a Ass e ts S dn Bhd

tourist destination in terms of its local architecture and offerings of a variety of touristy things to do, as well as keepsakes and souvenirs that comes with promoting tourism of a certain local destination. When it comes to placemaking, B5 has it all – retail, food, drinks, events, and more. How will B5 benefit the local market in terms of sustainable economy?

Well, as I mentioned earlier, B5 is unique in a sense that it is a conglomerate or a consolidation of different business genres coming together, where creativity meets innovation. Budding entrepreneurs have a chance to try out, or go all out with our different vendor package offerings. We are more inclined to support and give priority to venture ideas which are closely linked to the local communities, as well as promoting the local tourist products and destination branding, where in this case, the state of Johor. This will in turn create a more vigorous and active economy that can self-sustain.

What is your take on the introduction and evolution of digital retail and e-commerce?

I like the idea of this evolution and

advancement in technologies. However, I am still a strong believer of the traditional medium and getting hands on in some cases. For example, in retail, I still prefer and I think most people agrees with me that the look and feel of a product or service that we are looking to procure plays a major part in the commercial transaction decision making process. Sure e-commerce and digital retail can be interactive and it simplifies the process, however, I would still like to try stuff on and check its quality.

On a personal note, how and why did you end up in the property industry? Just like anyone after high school, I got a few offers to further my education both from the government and private institutions. I took the first offer and it was on valuation then, now people call it property management. As I dove deeper into it, I found that this industry is quite interesting. Not only it can be lucrative in most economic situations, but it is also beneficial for me to develop my entrepreneurial portfolio. What do in your free time? I work all the time and of course whenever I have free time, I spend it with my family either at home or on a trip locally or abroad. TI

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PEGGY LOH

MY JOHOR STORIES Our resident writer, Peggy Loh, actively writes in her blog www.peggyloh.com about matters that are close to her heart. She can be reached at write2peggyloh@gmail.com

Remembering the Darkest Days Photos courtesy of the Malaysian Chinese Museum, Kuala Lumpur

A miniature tableau in the Malaysian Chinese Museum that portrayed Japanese soldiers abducting the Chinese to treat them with unspeakable torture before imminent death

s the trailer for this season’s cinema attraction was being telecast repeatedly on television screens in Malaysian homes, a new generation of viewers were getting a glimpse of the reality that happened in our nation, then called Malaya, during the Japanese invasion in World War Two. The award-wining historical novel Garden of Evening Mists published in 2012 by Malaysian author, Tan Twan Eng, is adapted into a movie and features an elegant Japanese garden set in Cameron Highlands along with realistic scenes of Japanese brutality towards prisoners during the World War Two. When the Japanese launched the Pacific War in 1941, they wreaked havoc in the region and Malaya was not spared in this dark period of history. While the British retreated into Singapore, Japanese troops marched south to Johor Bahru from Kota Baru in Kelantan, a virtually unstoppable force that took over the Malay Peninsular in just seven days. The three and a half years of Japanese Occupation were the darkest days of agony and suffering for the people of Malaya, particularly the Chinese, who were subjected to inhumane forms of torture that ended with death. Formed in 1930, the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM), primarily run by the Chinese with Malay and Indian members, aimed to establish a republic driven by communism. To fight against the Japanese, the CPM formed a guerilla wing called the Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA), while the Kuomintang had their Overseas Chinese Resistance Forces and the British deployed Force 136, a special wartime intelligence

organisation led by Colonel Lim Bo Seng. When my dad told me about the heroic adventures of Force 136, I was fascinated by the passion and commitment of secret agents trained in sabotage, raids, reconnaissance, espionage and irregular warfare. From a book on Force 136, I learnt that many Chinese suffered at the hands of the Japanese who were seeking intelligence information on the resistance movement. As the Japanese tried to identify resistance fighters, all manner of atrocities was inflicted upon the Chinese. People from all walks of life were targeted – men, women and children – most were innocent victims, tied up and dumped in the sea, beheaded, buried alive, poisoned or shot dead. Just as countless families lost their loved ones in the war, our grandfather’s second brother, his wife, daughter, son and others fell victim to the Japanese too while they were being transferred on a truck. Women and children were separated

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from the men and they watched in horror as the soldiers threw babies in the air and let them fall, impaled upon their upraised bayonets! Their teenaged daughter was repeatedly speared by the soldiers’ bayonets and left for dead when she fainted. Bodies fell upon bodies as the victims bled to death. Her wounds, however, were not fatal and she lived to share this experience when she was later rescued and reunited with the family. Other young women, however, were not as fortunate because many were abducted from their homes in Korea, China, the Philippines and Southeast Asian nations and forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese. These included underaged girls who were moved to “comfort stations” set up by the Japanese where they were incarcerated as sex slaves to provide a “service” to the Japanese soldiers. The Japanese claimed that this military prostitution system would reduce discontentment and boost the morale of Japanese soldiers while preventing venereal diseases and rape. Due to this cruel sexual abuse, most of the “comfort women” did not survive the war. To end their misery, some committed suicide while those who survived their horrific ordeals were deeply damaged emotionally. After the Japanese surrender in 1945, these evil acts of abducting and abusing the women were widely condemned especially so in 2007, when the Japanese Supreme Court ruled that the comfort women were not entitled to compensation. When I watched Garden of Evening Mists, I was reminded of the horrors of war, the resistance movement and the Art Journey of Pekan Nenas that showcased products from a Sketch Walk through the Pekan Nenas new village, last August. Fondly known as Kampung Cina Pekan Nanas, this new village has some 70 years of history, with many homes still occupied by third generation families. The artwork from this project captured vivid on-location scenes which reminded me that new villages were in fact, a counter insurgency technique employed by the British in the mid1950s during the Malayan Emergency. With the rise of nationalism, the CPM announced in February 1948, its mission to overthrow the British colonial government through force. In response to the growing threat of communist insurgency, the British implemented

A view of the basic design of a New Village that resembled a prefabricated neighbourhood of simple wooden shacks

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the Malayan Emergency Rule and the Chinese, who were treated with suspicion, were relocated into new villages throughout Malaya. The new village layout resembled a prefabricated neighbourhood with wooden

A miniature tableau in the Malaysian Chinese Museum with a queue of Japanese soldiers in front of a hotel or “comfort station,” waiting for their turn with the “comfort women”

shacks and a simple public hall that was used as a school and community hall. The population, mainly Chinese, were moved into guarded camps to isolate them and prevent the army insurgents led by the CPM, from receiving their supply of food, material, information and in getting new recruits. While it was a heavy-handed measure, the British considered it necessary because Chinese who lived at the forests’ edge or hillsides, were the first links to the communists who were operating within the forests. On my visit to the Malaysian Chinese Museum, I experienced entering a model of a “new village” that was designed with barbed

A model of the entrance to a New Village, guarded by a British security patrol guard, displayed in the Malaysian Chinese Museum

wire fences to separate villagers from the outside world. The villagers lived like prisoners in a concentration camp because the entry and exit points were closely guarded by British authorities and the village was kept under round-the-clock surveillance by security patrols. This pioneer generation, who survived the darkest days, deserves our utmost respect because they persevered with courage and resilience to carve out a livelihood and contributed to the development of a stronger multi-racial community. These recollections aim to remind us of a sad era, our journey to recovery and reconciliation, and how we have emerged as a thriving global economy. TI

sic Hard Rock Legends LIVE in SG!

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The Iskandarian | WAVES Lifestyle

editor’s note

HARD ROCK LEGENDS! SCORPIONS | WHITESNAKE | SLIPKNOT LIVE AT SINGAPORE ROCKFEST II Lethal combination: Hard Rock legends to stun fans in Singapore and Slipknot make its comeback!

By The Iskandarian Priya Manikam waves.lifestyle@gmail.com

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Music Updates

verywhere we go or read it is about the unfortunate COVID-19. It is indeed a sad situation affecting the world including our country but it is wise in times like this to not spread any false news or remedies that may put yourself or others at risk. For all Rock fans out there, legendary hard rock legends Scorpion and Whitesnake are heading to Singapore on the 4th of March for Singapore Rockfest II, followed by Slipknot on the 24th of March 2020! Acclaimed filmmaker Niki Caro brings the epic tale of China’s legendary warrior to life in Disney’s “Mulan” and Vin Diesel brings us some muscles and action in “Bloodshot”. We’re now officially done with all the scrumptious Chinese New Year dishes and Yee Sang tossing, and have decided to check out some kampung flavours at Lesung Ibu Mak Jah Café at Taman Universiti. Give it a try and let us know what you think of it. In the spirit of Visit Johor 2020 – I indulged in a mini staycation with my family at Somerset Medini Iskandar Puteri to explore the area. Flip over to learn more of my stay and what I did. As always, for those wishing to share their fashion collection, travel tales, or like us to review your restaurant/hotel for a staycation, drop me an e-mail at waves.lifestyle@gmail. com and be featured. For more news, do access www.theiskandarian.com The Iskandarian would like to wish the Sultan of Johor, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ismail ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj a very happy birthday!

AMC Productions is excited to announce that worldrenowned German rock band Scorpions and iconic English hard rock band Whitesnake are headlining Singapore Rockfest II on 4th March 2020, 5pm at Fort Canning Park! Rock out to full sets from two of the most celebrated rock icons in one night at the return of the hugely anticipated Singapore Rockfest! 50 years have gone by since the days where the juvenile Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs wandered the streets of Hannover, which was just awakening from post-war paralysis, with a barrow carrying their instruments and amplifiers. Since then, the band has become Germany’s or rather Continental Europe’s most successful rock band and an instantly recognisable name in the rock scene. Expressing a career like the one of the Scorpions in mere numbers is almost impossible. However, one number that should still be mentioned is more than 100 million records sold to date. There were many magic live

moments; some of them are captured on live albums, others on film and video recordings. These are the moments, which have cemented the Scorpions’ reputation as one of the rare bands rising far above the crowd. Whitesnake is one of the most successful and enduring rock bands in the world. Formed in 1978 by former Deep Purple frontman David Coverdale, the band soon became one of Europe’s most successful live acts before Coverdale decamped to America and re-launched the band in the late 80’s with the multiplatinum success of their album ‘1987’. The album went top ten on both sides of the Atlantic within a week of its release and would go on to sell eight million copies in the U.S alone, giving them a number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Here I Go Again” to boot. In 2015 the band released The Purple Album, a reworking of classic songs from David’s Deep Purple days. The subsequent world tour was one of the bands most successful, starting in America and finishing in the UK at the end of December.

Get ready for Scorpions and Whitesnake’s stinging sound and gear up for a legendary rock music experience! For more details, check out http://www.lamcproductions.com or http://www.sistic.com.sg/events/ scorpionswhit esnake0320 Also announcing is multiplatinum, Grammy award-winning masked entity Slipknot is set to make a long-awaited return to Singapore on 24th March, 2020! As part of their ‘We Are Not Your Kind’ Tour, Slipknot will be returning to Singapore as one of the stops on their Asia dates, joining the Singapore Rockfest II on its second day. One of the most popular bands in the nu-metal explosion of the late 1990s and early 2000s, Slipknot were formed in late 1995 in Des Moines, Iowa; after some early personnel shifts, the nine-piece lineup settled around. Slipknot’s blueprint for numetal success was set with their theatrical, attention-grabbing image - the band would always perform in identical industrial jumpsuits and homemade Halloween masks, and their mysterious anonymity by adopting the numbers zero through eight as stage aliases. Emerging in 1995, the Grammy Award-winning issued their eponymous debut album in 1999 and went mainstream with subsequent gold and platinum efforts like Iowa (2001), All Hope Is Gone (2008), and therir sixth LP We Are Not Your Kind is already available for streaming on all platforms. The LP is highlighted by early album tracks “Birth Of The Cruel,” “Solway Firth,” and the LP’s lead single “Unsainted.” Each has come with an M. Shawn Crahan directed official music video, and each has trended worldwide on YouTube (all videos, not just music) - “Unsainted” at #1 worldwide for a full 24 hours. TI

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Is Your Mind a Servant or a Master? (Part 1) Genre: Adventure Release date: 26th March 2020 Director: Niki Caro Screenplay by: Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin Suggested by: The Narrative Poem “The Ballad of Mulan” Producers: Jason Reed, Chris Bender and Jake Weiner Executive Producers: Barrie M. Osborne, Tim Coddington, Bill Kong Cast: Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen, Jason Scott Lee, Yoson An with Gong Li and Jet Li

cclaimed filmmaker Niki Caro brings the epic tale of China’s legendary warrior to life in Disney’s “Mulan,” in which a fearless young woman risks everything out of love for her family and her country to become one of the greatest warriors China has ever known. When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honoured warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Source:

Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honoured warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father. “Mulan” features a celebrated international cast that includes: Yifei Liu as Mulan, Donnie Yen as Commander Tung, Jason Scott Lee as Böri Khan, Yoson An as Cheng Honghui with Gong Li as Xianniang and Jet Li as the Emperor. TI

The Walt Disney Company Malaysia

BLOODSHOT

ased on the bestselling comic book, Vin Diesel stars as Ray Garrison, a soldier recently killed in action and brought back to life as the superhero Bloodshot by the RST Corporation. With an army of nanotechnology in his veins, he’s an unstoppable force – stronger than ever and able to heal instantly. But in controlling his body, the company has sway over his mind and memories, too. Now, Ray doesn’t know what’s real and what’s not but he’s on a mission to find out. TI

Genre: Action

Based on the Comic Book: The Valiant Comic Book

Release date: 12th March 2020

Produced by: Neal H. Moritz, Toby Jaffe, Dinesh Shamdasani, Vin Diesel

Director: David S. F. Wilson Written by: Jeff Wadlow and Eric Heisserer

Cast: Vin Diesel, Eiza Gonzalez, Sam Heughan, Toby Kebbell and Guy Pearce

Source:

Sony Pictures Malaysia

hat do you use your mind for? Take a piece of paper and list all the things that you use your mind for. You will find that the mind is commonly used for thinking about the future, reflecting the past, trying to answer tons of questions, is involved in the decision-making process, seeking ideas and many more. With the list you have, which form of thinking you use on yourself and which are for others? For example; choosing what to wear is categorised as ‘thinking for myself’, whereas sharing your thoughts is categorised as ‘thinking for others’. If you score more on thinking about yourself, then you are not using your mind effectively! The Purpose of the Mind Do you believe that our mind exists as a source of perspective for others? We share perspectives in the form of inspiration and concepts. Robin Sharma once said; “The mind is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master”. Think about this; servant serves. We can only serve others more than we serve ourselves. Ineffective Mind Begins with Mental Decision for Ourselves Our mental evolution has placed us in deep conditioning to use our mind to make decision for ourselves. But, have you realised that our mind is getting less capable to make any decisions for ourselves these days? Often, we just gamble our way when making decisions and this tire the brain. When we force our mind to make a decision for ourselves, we are turning the mind into a terrible master. The reason is simple. The mind is designed to see duality. In every positivity, the mind seeks negativity. It then delivers the perspectives to us. Whenever we are using our mind to make a decision for ourselves, we must deal with both polarities. And yet, the mind is incapable to choose. It is never designed to decide any choices. The mind simply analyses perspectives.

Rose Osman is a Certified Human Design Professional. She’s a guide for Living Your Design Workshop and coaches others on self healing for anxiety via E-courses and group workshops

yourpersonalmotivator BucketOfRoses www.roselifecoach.com Discover your True Self, Inner Power, Potentials and Purpose with Human Design. Visit Facebook Page : Human Design Malaysia for more info.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

travel

MARCH 2020 4th Mac Singapore Rockfest II @ Fort Canning Park, S’pore

Relaxing Stay at Somerset Medini Iskandar Puteri Enjoy a stress-free and comfortable staycation with thoughtful amenities and convenient access to Mall of Medini and LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort By Priya Manikam waves.lifestyle@gmail.com

Get fit at the gymnasium located on Level 1

wwwwwwhen I was invited to stay at Somerset Medini Iskandar Puteri (Somerset Medini) serviced residence under The Ascott Limited, I pondered if my comfort and experience would be similar as to what I was accustomed to at a five star hotel! To my surprise, Somerset Medini exceeded my expectations right from the check-in process to its facilities. The Reception / Residence Lounge is vast and one can help themselves to a welcome drink as you wait and if you have some urgent work, make use of the PC there and the Guest Service officers (GS) are happy to assist you to print any important documents. As I had my family in tow, I was given a Two-Bedroom Premier room on the 30th Floor

which can only be accessed by a room key card for added security overlooking LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort (LMR). This 33-storey residence has 310 units comprising of studios, one, two and three bedroom apartments. The décor is contemporary and easy on the eyes and each unit is pretty spacious and has a fully equipped kitchen, a separate dining area, and an en suite bathroom with towels and toiletries. For larger families or even corporate clients looking for comfort and convenience, I’d suggest going for the two or three-bedroom units that comes with a washing machine cum dryer, microwave oven and even a toaster. For long stay, it is feasible with all these facilities and there are cutleries provided too, so all you need is to get

Comfortable bed and pillows await you for a good night’s sleep

some grocery from the nearby grocer inside Mall of Medini and you’re all set! After a short rest, I checked out the property with Danial who was eager to show me around. We headed to Level 1 where facilities such as the outdoor swimming pool and a children’s wading pool was located as well as a fullyequipped gymnasium, children’s playroom cum outdoor kid’s mini golf course. For a Zen feel we headed to Level G where an Oasis Garden is situated which also makes as an appealing short

favourites such as Nasi Lemak, Congee porridge and Fried Mee Hoon with side dishes. End your breakfast with a cuppa’ tea or coffee and you’re all set to kick start your day. As my stay was the LEGOLAND Package, my family and I embarked on a short walk across to the theme park and the SEA Life Malaysia for an edutainment and fun day out. Overall, we had a fantastic stay and I would definitely love to come back again for a relaxing getaway – home and away. Basic Room

6th Mac EMF Fun Run @ UTM

7th – 8th Mac 10th Pvt & Intl School Fair @ Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Southkey

8th Mac International Women’s Day

11th – 15th Mac Muay Thai Championship Johor @ Dewan Tmn Pulai Perdana

14th Mac A Disney & Marvel Fantasy @ S’pore Botanic Garden

17th – 19th Mac Arts & Culture Month @ Riverside Desaru Coast

19th Mac Singapore Yacht Show @ ONE 15 Marina Sentosa Cove, S’pore

23rd Mac • •

Outdoor swimming pool and a children’s wading pool at Level 1 overlooking LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort cut to walk across to LMR which is just a stone’s throw away. I’d also like to add that Somerset Medini has their very own herbs garden where guests are allowed to take some of these herbs for their cooking needs. How sustainable is that! As Somerset Medini provides complimentary shuttle drop-off services to Puteri Harbour, Sunway Citrine, Mydin Mall and AEON Bukit Indah, we decided to take advantage of this and enjoy a night without driving around. The next morning, my son had a hand at the mini golf and we went for a swim before heading to the Ground floor to Awesome Fast Food Café for breakfast. Guests with complimentary breakfast included may head to this café for a continental breakfast which includes juices, salad, yoghurt, fruits, cereals, bread and pastries as well as basic local

& Breakfast rate starts from RM230+ onwards and for those interested in availing the LEGOLAND Package @3 days & 2 nights, the rate starts from RM798+ i.e. RM399+ per night (inclusive of 1 Day Single Entry of LEGOLAND Combo Ticket of Theme Park + Sea Life for two persons). For reservation please call +607 5605534 or email reservation.iskandarputeri@theascott.com or visit their website: www.somerset.com TI

Sultan of Johor’s Birthday Sunrise Run 2020 @ Ponderosa Golf & Country Club

24th Mac Slipknot LIVE @ Fort Canning Park, S’pore

26th – 28th Mac Johor Art Week

26th Mac – 1st April Desaru Happy Run @ Riverside Desaru Coast

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Kulim-KT Boat Fishing Challenge @ Basir Ismail Estate, KT My Music My Dream Singing Comp @ Capital City Mall

29th Mac Sungai Johor Run 2020 @ Sg. Skudai

Hearty continental and local breakfast awaits you at Awesome Fast Food

Block your dates for this month! If you need more information on the above mentioned events, drop us an email at: waves.lifestyle@gmail.com

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One to One with Regency Specialist Hospital In-House Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Dr Thokha

live

Dr Thokha bin Muhammad

Specialty Obstetrics & Gynaecology

From delivering babies, Dr Thokha began to take a keen interest in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

r Thok ha, Regenc y Specialist Hospital’s Inhouse Obstetrician & Gynaecologist is quite a well-known name among childless couples intending to start a family. He has a Master’s Degree in Obstetric Gynaecology and began his career in Terengganu with special interest in Natural Birth. After several years, he decided to leave his practice in the government hospital and venture into private practice driven by passion to focus on couples who wants to have babies. From delivering babies, Dr Thokha began to take a keen interest in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). According to him, assisting safe delivery of babies is very satisfying.

However, helping childless couples achieve pregnancy is even more satisfying. He quit his government position and joined his friend’s private practice where for 12 years he introduced IVF and other infertility treatments. “I started doing IVF and infertility treatment to make couples happy because when you counsel an unhappy childless couple who has been trying to conceive after 10-15 years to the point of almost giving up, IVF is like a hope which takes lesser than a month of treatment and by God’s grace, the majority of them will get pregnant. That special moment when you break the news that they are pregnant and the sheer joy you see on their faces makes you want

to do it again and again. It is a lifechanging event,” said Dr Thokha. According to him, the world’s infertility statistic says that about 15% of couples cannot get pregnant and in Johor alone there are at least 150,000 couples at any one time who are infertile. He suggest couples to not delay and seek treatment as soon as possible as time and age are the key determining factors that needs to be considered. There are multiple ways to assist couples into pregnancy. Broken down into 3 distinct categories; natural (normal sex), semi-natural (intrauterine insemination) or fully artificial (IVF). The first two categories can be treated in many ways from using tablets, to giving hormone injection to induce egg growth followed by timely natural intercourse or intrauterine insemination (IUI) of sperm. These first 2 methods however, give a lower chance of success (5% for natural sex, 10% for IUI) as compared to IVF (50% to 60%). In IVF, it bypasses the natural passage and the ovum is retrieved, and fertilisation is made to happen in the lab and

the resultant embryos are later transferred into the womb to develop naturally. In natural sex or IUI, fertilisation still needs to occur in the fallopian tube and we have no way to control it and most often they never get into the tube. That is why the pregnancy success rate is low. In IVF, the remaining g o o d quality embryos will be frozen for future use at a much cheaper cost for subsequent attempts to get pregnant. The embryos can be frozen indefinitely and can still be used to achieve pregnancy even when the woman is at menopausal stage. Many are unaware that in the long run, IVF is the cheapest way to build a family. Even though the first attempt may appear expensive, the subsequent attempts become cheaper and affordable. Looking at the average Malaysian family size with 2-3 children, couples need to spend longer time and invest more

repeatedly if they are trying IUI or natural sex because the pregnancy success rate is lower. Furthermore, these repeated unsuccessful attempts with IUI or natural sex create so much of emotional stress. Therefore, IVF is a much preferred method to conceive a baby. Dr Thokha hopes that one day IVF can be made more affordable to everyone so that this novel human technology which has been there for more than 30 years, can reach the target group of our population. He has helped many couples with their first baby and recently helped a Johor couple who was trying for 13 years to get pregnant. By God’s grace, she got pregnant within 24 days of IVF treatment. “It’s life changing. You’ll look at life differently and get a sense of purpose of doing things and you feel good,” he adds. TI

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COVID-19: The Heavy Blow on Businesses

took a stroll at one of the tourist hotspots in Malaysia just about a week ago but most of the shops were closed. The bustling city went quiet and very few tourists were seen walking around. This felt quite eerie and worrying as the economic impact of the current COVID-19 outbreak can be seen in our own backyard. In late 2019, a new branch of the corona family of viruses was discovered in Wuhan, China and it had no known antidote initially infecting China’s citizens. The outbreak also occurred at the time of mass migration due to the Lunar New Year. Seems like such a good plot for a superhero movie I might say – where the villain

takes the opportunity to spread a deadly virus through animal and human transmission during mass movement across the globe! As of mid-February 2020, the disease claimed a total of at least over 2000 lives in China alone with new cases of infection reported daily. 30 other countries now have confirmed cases of the virus, but the world is coming together to fight this. A possible sigh of relief for everyone. From a business point of view, we are foreseeing a major blow to the market. As we know, China is one of the biggest producers of parts and finished goods while also being one of the largest consumers. Heavy reliance is placed on China’s output by many countries with Malaysia at number 8 costing 63 billion ringgit. To curb further spread of the deadly virus, China’s government had ordered ports and roads closed, businesses and schools shut and citizens to stay indoors with limited movement. As a result, companies are unable to obtain the raw materials needed to continue production. If this cloud does not

pass, we will be seeing temporary lay-off exercise, retrenchment and closure of businesses which are never good signs for the economy. Currently, some of the most heavily impacted industries are tourism, hotels and manufacturing. Even Hyundai has halted its automotive production due to lack of parts from China. At the same time, companies are seeing the activation of a clause in their contract, the force majeure provision. Force majeure means contractual obligations are unable

to be fulfilled because of natural and unavoidable catastrophes but liabilities for non-performance of contract are not applicable. In this case, a deadly virus which had been discovered to be airborne. If your business is foreseeing such an impact, there are many avenues to venture into in order to keep the business afloat. Cost cutting exercises without losing current employees are plenty and of course MECA will be able to guide you through the process. Perseverance is key and as always, ‘This storm too shall pass’. TI

Legal Adviser MECA South Sdn. Bhd. alya@meca.com.my

Getting to Know the Noble Volute its siphon and engulfs it with its foot. It then waits for the clam to crack open to breathe before

Threatened Species, but can still be widely found in Malaysian waters. Often brought to shore as bycatch in fishermen’s nets, it is often enjoyed by local fishing families as a treat that

Indian volute (or Baler shell), Melo melo. The Noble volute lay eggs in a large, hard translucent egg-casing that it attaches to a dead bivalve or other hard substrate. Only a few eggs emerge from the many in the casing as the survivors have eaten the rest; they hatch

Noble volute feeding on a clam

Alya Ariffin

oble volutes (Cymbiola nobilis, k n ow n l o c a l l y a s kilah) are striking snails with loud geometric patterns. They can grow to about football-size and its foot is just as distinctive as its shell. Its bright orange spots on a black base, disguise an incredibly strong and large muscle. It senses its prey with

The Noble volute, like other snails, uses its siphon to ‘feel’ around as it searches for prey sticking in its proboscis then scraping its prey clean with its radula (tiny teeth). T h e N o b l e vo l u t e is listed as ‘vulnerable’ in Singapore’s Red List of

The Noble volute laying its egg capsule is scrubbed, soaked, sliced and shallow fried in chili (sambal). Other than being consumed by humans, it is also preyed on by other large snails such as the

Noble volutes often get caught in fishermen’s nets by mistake and are a popular

Serina Rahman Serina Rahman is the cofounder of Kelab Alami and a Visiting Fellow at the ISEASYusof Ishak Institute, Singapore

directly into dark brown or deep purple mini-snails. Their zigzag patterns only emerge as they age and grow bigger. Kelab Alami conducts guided walks in intertidal seagrass meadows that will enable you to meet and exa mine these amazing snails. Find out more at kelabalami.weebly. com. TI

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Lessons Learned from the Black Swan Event – Part 2

n January, we talked about the geopolitical tension that developed between Iran and the US. In merely a month, we have witnessed how the COVID-19 virus outbreak from China has severely affected the whole world. At the time of writing, over 70,000 people have been infected and close to 2000 people have died from this pandemic. Analysts have concurred the economic losses would be much higher than the SARs, as China has now accounted for four times more of the global GDP than 17 years ago. Domestically, Bank Negara announced that Malaysia’s 4Q19 gross domestic product (GDP) growth slowed to 3.6%, which is below market expectation. With the new black swan and depressing news prevailed, there is no wonder the KLCI Composite Index (KLCI) tested the lowest in five years at 1518 before rebounding. Ironically, despite the severe outbreak, the Dow Jones Industrial (DJI) Index has shrugged off the COVID-19 and stands at the historical level at above 29000 points. So, let us continue discussing the lessons learned from the black swan event. First, here is how our portfolio performed up to 14th February 2020:

never easy to execute. Reasons? Greed! As a human being, if you have 10% paper profit, you would desire to earn 20%, and so forth. It would never end. As a result, your hesitation would turn your profit into losses. By then, you would be more unwilling to sell, because there is pain in cutting losses. Owing to this indecisive behaviour, you hardly have spared cash to buy when opportunities arise. Therefore, you must take profit when it hits your target. 2) Set Plan Many people tend to adapt the ‘see how, see first’ approach. Unfortunately, it would not work. Instead, you need to have a trading plan such as setting your exit point prior to buying. Exit points consist of profit target and loss cutting point. If you can sell at your profit target, you would have extra bullets to use. Likewise, if the market does not go your way, you will preserve your capital. Remember; you set the loss cutting point based on your risk appetite, whether it’s 5%, 10% or more. Quite often, I have seen my friends’ capitals getting wiped out because of not willing to let go when the trade did not favour them. Once your capital is gone, you are out

1) Take Profit Taking profit is the hardest thing to do for many traders or investors. Yes, even though you are sitting on 10-20% profit, it is

of the game. ` A trading plan is a basic approach. You can fine-tune your plan and make it more agile. The next point shows how. 3) Switch Counter You switch based on two scenarios: First, the counters you bought has turned into a downtrend of sideways. It means the probability of winning has reduced. Therefore, switch to another uptrend counter. Second, switch to a strong bullish counter when a black swan hits. Quite often, this kind of counter could correct to 10% in a

invest

Shariah- Compliant Cryptocurrency Ready to Enter the Digital Coin Market OBC - UTM has concluded their research to convince the Muslim world on digital coins

Tey Bin Yuen Binyuen is the founder of BY Enrich Resources and the author of ‘Life beyond the Comfort Zone’ and ‘Profit from Share Investment’. His books are available in major bookstores in Malaysia, Singapore or online http://www.teybinyuen.com/ profitfromshareinvestment .

day when panic sets in. However, because of its strong momentum, its robust moving average (MA) lines, such as MA50 or MA100 tend to support. So, always have what counters and price you want to switch to in mind, so that when the time comes, you can execute more easily. 4) Buy Uptrend If you look at our portfolio, you can see these counters have one thing in common: they all technically uptrend. As the saying goes, “The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer”. It applies to stock trading,

The companies or strategies mentioned in this article are meant for study purpose only. It doesn’t constitute any ‘buy’ or ‘sell’ recommendation. Please consult your financial professional if you want to make any decision.

The portfolio above shows a gain of 308% since November 2015. In February, we were entitled for a 1.2 cents dividend from FOUNDPAC Group, which is RM1440. Our new cash level is now at RM94,361. So, apart from the four lessons we shared in the last issue, let us continue with another four lessons here:

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too. Uptrend counters mean more smart money are still buying. Therefore, the probability to continue going up is higher. Nevertheless, there is no guarantee. So always stick to your trading plan. Conclusion So after experiencing two black swans in two months, plus some lessons learned, you would have some ideas on what to do next. Instead of feeling fearful, it is time to sharpen your saw and embrace the moment when it comes. TI

Pervasive Computing Research Group, Faculty of Computing, UTM visit to OKWAVE Inc, Tokyo upon the INHAC Presentation in Osaka, Japan

apanese digital media giant OKWAVE Inc’s blockchain arm, OKBLO CKCHAIN CENTRE Sdn Bhd. (OBC), has concluded its collaborative research on shariah-compliant digital coins with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The study which began on 30th December 2018, investigated the viability, importance and requirements of shariahcompliant cryptocurrency. G l o b a l cryptocurrency user base exceeds 30 million people and the adoption of cryptocurrencies in commerce is a growing trend among global markets. However, statistics show that cryptocurrency usage in Muslim countries is amongst the lowest worldwide, which is attributed to their reluctance in legitimising cryptocurrencies for fear that they are not compliant with Islamic law. OBC-UTM’s paper proposes that the shariahcompliant blockchain ecosystem comprises of four shariah based features; permissioned ledger on public network for registered users, stable coin that is backed up by gold with window price mechanism, forensic transaction system, and KYC/ AML compliant protocol. The features aim to tackle the

issues of gharar (uncertainty), maisir (speculation), riba (usury) and zulm (injustice). In addition, Lastroots, a subsidiary of OKWAVE Inc, successfully acquired a registered cryptocurrency exchanger license from the Kanto Finance Bureau (Virtual currency exchange registration: Kanto Local Finance Bureau No.00018). Following their first successful licensed coin, OKWAVE Inc Japan plans to create a digital coin to fulfill demands for shariah-compliant cryptocurrencies in the Muslim world, an idea welcomed by Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muslim leaders at the Kuala Lumpur Summit 2019. “These shariahcompliant digital coins will have certain competitive advantages in saturated cryptocurrency pools of the future. The stability of the coins will make users feel more secure with ptocurrency investment, and governments will be more comfortable with the widespread use of the currency, thanks to the coin’s novel approach in supporting anti-money laundering and consumer laws,” added Matsuda Gen, the Chief Executive Officer of OBC and Board of Directors of OKWAVE Inc. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

4th International Halal Conference (INHAC) that was held in Osaka, Japan

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The Future has Game: 4D Virtual Reality

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ight at the entrance, the distinct décor; a futuristic space theme greets guests along with enthusiastic and jovial staff. Ambiance is key here, and it was designed as if it is the transit place that transports one into another universe. With 9 attractions and over 40 games, VRinity allows you to step into the realm of gaming as you see your friends in another face and suit wielding guns or tennis rackets! The South Korean technology is a joint venture between a telecom company, KT from Korea, and Iskandar Investment Berhad, being the company’s first virtual reality theme park in Malaysia. VRinity sets itself apart from other virtual gaming with its 4D (four dimensional) technology. In their signature games; Special Force VR: ACE and Black Badge Signal, players don vests that vibrate each time the in-game opponent and aliens hit. Players could

feel where the wind blows or when the lifts move, increasing the intensity of the experience beyond the virtual reality their goggles offer. Onlookers might find it silly that the players could scream in fear while playing, but for the players, they were really fighting for their lives deep in the mines or in the warzone! Wear comfortable footwear and casual clothes, and keep your tudung and hairstyle simple. Despite staying in one spot, the energy thrusting out is as though one had spent time doing sports outdoors. We

were exhausted after six games, but knew that if time permitted, we wanted more! Prices start from RM30 – 75 per game, per person, but we recommend getting the All You Can Play package at RM83 for Malaysians and RM98 for non-Malaysians that allows you to play all the games for a maximum of four hours. Opening hours are from 10am - 10pm. Try if you can save the doctor at first try – you’ll know what I mean when you get there. - by Salamahafifi TI

Even its reception counter looks like a spaceship! (Pic courtesy of @readsherlyn)

Hitting the Right Tastebuds at Lesung Ibu Mak Jah Cafe Time to level up your mixed Malay rice dish placed every day and you may take anything that tickles your fancy. Next, you will reach the vegetables section ‘Pecel’ that comes with slices of cucumbers, tempe, beansprouts and blanched kang kung, or have a lighter stir-

Lesung Ibu Mak Jah Cafe at Taman Universiti occupies two shop lots

ow hard is it to pair your plate of white rice with some dishes complete with all nutrients? It seems so simple yet challenging, especially when you are greeted with over 10 choices of Malay dishes from ‘Asam Pedas Ikan Pari’ (stingray) to ‘Masak Lemak Daging Salai’ (smoked beef with coconut broth), ‘Sambal Ikan Bilis Petai’ (stinky beans and anchovies in chilli paste) and so much more. This does not include the other classic

choices like ‘Mee Rebus Johor’, ‘Laksa Johor’ and ‘Nasi Lemak’ at a separate stall indoor. Head to Lesung Ibu Mak Jah Café at Taman Universiti for all this mouth-watering choices. The restaurant occupies two shop lots where one is kept specifically for food and the other for dining in. At the entrance, greet the barrel of fragrant white rice, but remember to scoop just enough so you could leave space for some other dishes. Over 12 dishes are

suggested Avocado smoothie with chocolate sauce, an influence from Bali, Indonesia’s specialty to go with all the spices in our plate. Although a perfect combination, but the smoothie can be quite filling! Alternatively, Asam Boi Lime juice is another perfect choice. If you still have some room for desert, try their lempeng with grated coconut. Lesung Ibu Mak Jah Cafe is open every day and lunch dishes are ready from 11am onwards.

Asam Pedas Ikan Pari (stingray) is the main star here

Taman Universiti, Skudai, 81300 Johor Bahru, you can give them a call first at 017-769 0006 to check on their dishes of the day or visit them at their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ Lesung-IBU-110271453704787/ - by Norfy Shafeq TI

Here is a balanced Malay mixed rice meal. What does yours look like?

fry and mixed vegetables. Love dipping? Ladies fingers, brinjal and banana flower are presented precooked for you to dip them with cencalok or budu. To cool down some fieriness in the mouth, the waitress

Vegetables station - to balance all that spice in your plate

They also serve breakfast such as kuih-muih, fried noodles, rice and fried kuey tiow. Located at 19&21, Jalan Kebudayaan 2,

Fluffy lempeng with grated coconut

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The state housing department with PIJ Holding Sdn Bhd have disseminated over 120 certificates of eligibility to home seekers pg 21

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@ home

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Launches its double-storey link homes Acacia in their township Meridin East

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New Facilities in EduCity Sports Complex Elevated its Global Status The RM6 million venue is now ready to host local and international events

duCity Sports Complex managed under EduCity Iskandar Malaysia Sdn Bhd (EduCity) launched its new 25-metre warm-up pool at the Aquatic Centre, complementing their 50-metre Olympicdistance swimming pool built back in 2012. The pool includes additional features like a new timing system and a scoreboard in their pursuit to be Southeast Asia’s ideal destination to host local and international swimming events. Both the swimming pool and the warm-up pool are certified by FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) / the International Swimming Federation. Taking 6 months to develop; the warm-up pool costs about RM6

million worth of investment from EduCity. Wan Ahmad Saifuddin Wan Ahmad Radzi, Managing Director of EduCity said, “EduCity is envisioning more partnership with sports organisations and clubs to run clinics and tournaments focusing on junior athletes. In 2019 alone, we have hosted more than 60 events where 80% are mostly sports-related events. Therefore, we are more than brick and mortar and envisioned to be the focal point for the sports industry in Asia when it comes to producing talents in sports”. The launch of the pool was officiated by Datuk Ir. Khairil Anwar Ahmad, Chairman of EduCity and President/CEO of Iskandar

Digital Johor and SF Techlogis Committed in Realising the Industrial Revolution 4.0 Agenda

igital Johor Sdn Bhd (DJSB), a subsidiary company of Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor Sdn Bhd, and SF Techlogis Sdn Bhd has formalised its collaboration in a MoU document exchange session to suppor t and establish impactful initiatives and programmes in line with the agenda of digitalising the economy. SF Techlogis has modernised the largest online logistic platform in Malaysia by developing a mobile app which acts as a platform that provides door-to-door loading and delivering services combined with transparent logistic fee, insured goods guarantee, and live tracking system. DJSB strongly believes that Johor has the potential to lead the wave of digital economy. By supporting startups like SF Techlogis, DJSB is making a step forward in enabling the establishment of local ‘unicorn’ (tech startup company that reaches US$1 billion-dollar market value) to compete globally.

The collaboration is to digitalise key economic set to complement DJSB’s sectors within the state; 8th Key Thrust Area – which in time will empower Digital Johor Innovation the establishments of new X-Celerator by breeding digital-driven industries. Johorean star tups to The idea is to transform the leverage on the cloud state, in line with the fourth computing technology industrial revolution (4IR) that guarantees platform and the evolution of smart uptime so as to provide the cities, or digitising Johor, to become Intelligent Johor. best user experience. In a nutshell, Besides, SF Techlogis Johor provide free consultation I n t e l l i g e n t for companies about the encompasses Johoreans total logistics planning from all walks of life and which focus on the B2B those who migrate here – market in Malaysia and in the way they work, live, play and govern. DJSB will Singapore. D J S B w e l c o m e s be the driver behind the t e c h n o l o g y - r e l a t e d State Government’s agenda business entities especially to transform the state into in Johor for collaboration a thriving digital economy by providing innovative, through the digitalisation of low-cost, reliable and critical economic sectors. TI secure cloud infrastructure needed to scale up their product or service delivery. With the vision of empowering the people and the state of Johor towards greater economic achievements, MoU document exchange between Dato Haji Mohd the Johor State Noorazam (Digital Johor) G o ve r n m e n t h a s and Dato Tan Soon Hong (SF formulated a Techlogis Sdn Bhd) strategic initiative

Investment Berhad, who said the facilities in the sports complex are also perfect for hosting football and netball games for the SUKMA Johor in July and the pool could be used for athletes to train before the big event. Professor Dr Sakina Sofia Baharom, Director of Operations, EduCity Iskandar Malaysia Sdn Bhd assures the community involvement would continue for the year 2020 like the Educity Swimming Development Programme (ESDP) in 2019, training Orang Asli Seletar to compete professionally. Measuring 25 metres long and 1.4m depth, the pool is now open to public for training and competition purpose. The fee is

capped at RM10 per session per individual and is open from 8.30am to 10.30pm daily. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

The newly installed scoreboard at EduCity Sports Complex

Block B Amber Heights Launched at UMLand Seri Alam UMLand Seri Alam celebrated the Lunar New Year with abundance of festive activities and the launch of Amber Heights Block B starting at RM301,800

The VIPs from UMLand as well as Liow Cai Tung, State Tourism and Women, Family, and Community Development chairman

n conjunction with the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, UMLand Seri Alam opened its doors at the Amber Heights sales gallery to welcome the public to enjoy the Cap Goh Mei festivities, as well as be the first to witness the launch of the Amber Heights Block B condominium. This second phase development of Amber Heights, a freehold l o w - d e n s i t y, high-rise development offers practical amenities within a beautifully landscaped and peaceful enclave. Starting at RM301,800, Amber Heights comes with three layout variations. The first is the two-bedroom with a built-up

space of 844 sqft – 846 sqft. The three-bedroom unit has a larger area of 1,019 sqft – 1053 sqft. Bigger families can opt for the larger threebedroom with dual key option with a generous built up space of 1,053 sqft. Facilities such as security guard house, linear Green Park, community centre with pre-function area, management office, s w i m m i n g p o o l, a n d gymnasium are among the provided therein for the comfort of its residents. In the spirit of celebration, KK Wong, Group Director of Townships, UMLand reiterated UMLand Seri Alam’s mission by saying, “Building and development

are necessary for us to move forward as a nation, and infrastructural advancements allow us to modernise our fast changing landscape. However, we must not forget about the delicate balance of greenery and construction. UMLand Seri Alam aims to build more than just townships and developments, which are world class, but also building lifestyles and communities. Through this, we hope that Ambers Heights will be able to provide one of the best living experiences here in Johor Bahru.” UMLAnd Seri Alam is currently focusing on Amber Heights residences (Block A), which was launched in late 2019 and is set for completion in 2022. - by Harish Mustak TI

121 Affordable Homes & 10 Shop Offices Successfully Balloted

he state housing department along with the support of PIJ Holding Sdn Bhd have recently disseminated over 120 certificates of eligibility to eager home seekers from the lower and middle class families. This is part of the state housing

department’s affordable homes programme where the people from less affluent households can apply online through the e-rumah portal at erumah.johor.gov.my for a fair, transparent and systematic process. At this balloting event for Taman Perbadanan Islam, affordable homes

involved the balloting of the Type C affordable home (121 units) and 10 units of affordable shop office. “The state government, through PIJ Holdings will continue to play a part in fulfilling the social responsibility towards the citizens of the state, primarily in providing housing

in urban areas for the lower and middle class,” said Datuk Dr Sahruddin bin Haji Jamal, Johor Menteri Besar. The total number of applications for Taman Perbadanan Islam Larkin housing is 4,482. From that, 506 applicants were shortlisted and have successfully submitted

the required documents and were called for balloting. Dr Sahruddin wishes all recipients of the certificate of eligibility the best of luck and make haste in efforts to obtain housing financing so to ensure the home ownership process to run smoothly. - by Harish Mustak TI

Eager home seekers waiting for their number to be called

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Eco Tropics Kempen Hartanah Bumi 2.0 Timely and limited units up for grabs

co Tropics in Kota Masai, Pasir Gudang, Johor under Eco World has launched yet another Kempen Hartanah Bumi 2.0. Over 20 Key Opinion Leaders (KOL) came all the way from KL to give the township a look over. The leaders were briefed about the housing project at the Eco World Gallery, before proceeding for a tour and experiencing the whole environment of Eco Tropics which spans over 1,000km of Kota Masai area. Like any other Eco World’s signature, Eco Tropics’ neighbourhood is blanketed with 35% greenery coupled with Europeanstyle design homes; it is no wonder their first phase sold out in no time. Phase 2 is left with only corner lots available for purchase and currently, Phase 3 is under development and expected to be completed by 2023. Eco Tropics are observing a lot of exciting

new things like the new highway link to Senai-Desaru, and the campaign offers Bumi holders Loan Stamp Duty, SPA and MOT for free. Their 2-storey houses are as large as 20’x70’ and just within your grasp especially with a 26% discount and RM1,000 deposit. Moreover, houses priced at RM438,200 could get an installment as low as RM1,935 per month and with a warranty worth 3 years. Currently, only 70

units are left in the quota for Bumi lots. Interested parties may call the gallery at +607 252 2255 or email ecotropics@ecoworld.my or visit their gallery directly at Eco Tropic’s Sales Gallery at No. 1, Jalan Kota Masai, Kota Masai, 81700 Pasir Gudang, Johor. The gallery is open every day – Mondays to Fridays from 9am - 6pm, while on the weekends and Public Holidays it’s open from 10am - 6pm. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

Accessibility to the housing includes the Senai-Desaru highway

Mah Sing Group Reaches New Milestone with the Launch of Acacia

Scale model of Meridin East township and planned surrounding facilities

n conjunction with Chinese New Year 2020, Mah Sing Group hosted the launch of their brand new double-storey link homes Acacia. Located in their township Meridin East which is situated in Pasir Gudang, Johor, the launch included activities for the whole family and started off with a bang of fireworks to kick off the occasion. Meridin East is a township launched in 2016 that plans to offer not only housing units but also 2&3 storey shop office lots, a proposed shopping mall, a 9 acre outdoor park and a 9 acre lake complete with a 16km

bicycle and jogging track whilst being strategically situated at the Senai Desaru Expressway. Furthermore, to accommodate the education needs of a wide range of age groups, a kindergarten, a primary school and a secondary school are also being constructed. Acacia was launched at the Meridin East Sales Gallery and this phase contains 93 completed units with 94 more on the way. The houses are 22’x70’ doublestorey linked homes and are priced for sale at RM498,000 for Bumiputra units. It also features 4 bedrooms with 3 bathrooms and a freehold title. Each home covers

a build-up area of 1838 square feet and will also be in a guarded community with two guard houses to act as added security for the community. The event was not only intended for prospective buyers but also included activities such as a colouring competition for those who brought their children along. There were also two special performances that set the atmosphere with excitement, much to the amusement of families that participated - one by a lion dance troupe with fireworks and another by our wellknown local drum troupe, 24 Festive Drums. The hosts also organised tours to view the showhouses. Currently, 70% of the Non-Bumi lots have been sold with the entire township having handed over 900 units of the 1500 residential lots and 344 commercial lots planned. Prospective buyers will also be able to take out a 100% loan for the house price at RM500k and below. - by Evan Lim TI

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Innovative Heritage Charm at B5 Johor Street Market Emulating Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market, B5 aims to be the one-stop for all kinds of things from Johor

5 Johor Street Market - just as the name suggests is a street-concept market/mall of 56,475 sq. ft facing Angsana Johor Bahru Mall in Tampoi, Johor Bahru under Johor Corporation through its Property Division, Johor Land Berhad (JLand) and Damansara Assets Sdn Bhd (DASB). The name ‘B5’ is a catchy version that is derived by its location, ‘Batu 5’ or ‘5th mile’ as it was once popularly referred to by the older generation. E m u l a t i n g Melbourne’s popular Queen Victoria Market, the street market is aiming to be a centralised retail tourism centre where tourists could find everything Johor under one roof. There are retail bazaars comprising of permanent and periodic tenants, food and beverages dishing out popular Malaysian food with a main highlight on Johor cuisine, food trucks

The fun interior of B5 Johor Street Market invoking the nostalgic feeling of how the old Johor looked like

to entice different spheres of food lovers, Box Park, and a centre stage to promote arts and culture through performances to busking and handicrafts for souvenirs. 219 shops with occupancy rate of 85% were ready prior to its opening for the public on 20th February 2020 and a grand launching ceremony took place in that same weekend to gather more people to attend and get a feel of the place and see what’s in store. The overall design and ambience is the

Look out for photography points scattered around the area for that Insta-worthy picture

characteristics of Johor’s heritage and charm that will bring back the old Johor nostalgia. The heritage concept could be seen as part of the interior and there are several nostalgiainvoking designs that visitors could catch as they stroll through the roofed part of the mall. The open air space has a stage facing the exhibition area and children could join in the fun of old school hopscotch and ‘galah panjang’ games that are painted on the ground. B5 Johor Street Market is open every day from 10am to 10pm but keep stopping by as there are more that is yet to come. Get updated through their website www.b5johorstreetmarket. com or Instagram, @ b 5 j o h o r s t r e e e t m a r ke t . Leasing opportunities are open and you could fly an email to mariam@ dasb.com.my. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

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UMLand Bandar Seri Alam Announces “Smart City” Initiatives

op ten and award winning Malaysian p r o p e r t y developer, United M alayan Land Berhad (UMLand) launches a new initiative that will see the transformation of Bandar Seri Alam, one of its flagship townships here in Iskandar Malaysia. The initiative focuses on the partnership with Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), TNBX, Telekom Malaysia, and Regency Specialist Hospital, which will allow further developments in the township. Present at the launch were Datuk Dr Sahruddin bin Jamal, Johor Menteri Besar, Tun Musa Hitam, UMLand Chairman, and Dato’ Ng Eng Tee, Executive Deputy Chairman of UMLand, as well as other Johor Exco members, government officials and industry players. “Bandar Seri Alam has

shown true organic growth and development, allowing it to further expand as a smart township. In addition, this exercise carried out by UMLand is in line with the state government’s initiative to bring growth and development to Johor, while also making it an ideal environment for both local and foreign investors,” said Dr Sahruddin who is also the cochairman of IRDA. He also expressed his excitement and gratitude to UMLand in taking the lead to adopt Iskandar Malaysia’s Smart City and Low Carbon initiatives that will help improve the quality of life of the people living and working in the area. Dr Sahruddin further added, “With the combination of sustainable technology within the township, it will allow for improved public safety and the quality of life by enabling cashless payments, integration of

5G networks, more efficient public transportation, energy efficient buildings and cleaner water treatment and waste management.” Located in Flagship D of the Iskandar Malaysia economic region, UMLand Bandar Seri Alam was identified by IRDA as one of the key drivers of development in the area, combining and balancing the elements of economic, environment and sustainability to form an all rounded and self-sustaining ecosystem. In line with IRDA’s Smart City Guidelines and Low Carbon Blueprint; Bandar Seri Alam was chosen to take the lead in becoming the “Smart City of Knowledge”. As one of Johor’s pioneer developers, UMLand aims to play a vital part in the developments in the Iskandar Malaysia region. - by Harish Mustak TI

Datuk Dr Sahruddin bin Jamal, Johor Menteri Besar along with his two state Exco members, Liow Cai Tung and Sr Dzulkefly Ahmad getting a brief about 5G technology

Financial “Mismanagement” in Stratified Development

tratified developments are managed primarily through contribution to common fund by purchasers or parcel owners. It is important to understand that the Maintenance and Sinking Funds are used to manage, maintain and improve the development. Money Goes Missing Very often we hear about stories of fraudulent practices that results in depletion of common fund. From our involvement as committee for over a decade, we have witnessed many unscrupulous methods used by property management staff or even committee members who corroborate with dishonest property managers. Steps to Ensure Money Does Not Go Missing 1. Appoint committee members who uphold integrity and are able to contribute.

2. Eliminate or reduce dealings with cash. This includes collection, petty cash, vendor payment and etc. 3. Ensure property manager has strong controls and SOP to ensure every process has proper check & balance. 4. Having qualified accountants in the management team demonstrates the commitment of the property manager to ensure proper financial controls are in place. Maintenance Fund in Surplus On another end of the spectrum, there are committees who on the pretext of saving money appoint the cheapest and bare minimum work force in their development. Over time, deterioration takes effect due to lack of maintenance. Property value drops and tenants move out. One of the reasons the Strata Management Act requires tabling of budget

during every AGM is to ascertain sufficiency of maintenance fund. Maintenance fund should not have high surpluses as it is budgeted for the recurring expenditure of the development. Submit a motion for the reduction of maintenance charge during the AGM if your development has a big surplus in maintenance fund. Financial Planning & Analysis Financial planning & analysis is the art of identifying opportunities to solve underlying operational inefficiencies. For instance, an investment of RM100K for the upgrading of access control and visitor management system which eliminates the need for security at lobby areas resulted in annual savings of RM158K. This savings is crucial in balancing the budget and thus, maintenance charge need not be increased. Conclusion

Sr Terence Nathan & Dr. Kam Hui Wen Sr Terence was formerly a Finance Manager based in Singapore who switched his career to Property Surveying. He’s the CEO at Invenio Potential. Dr. Kam has PHD in Facility Management & Degree in Building Surveying and she is leading the Defect Management & Procurement Departments at Invenio Potential. They can be reached at www.invenioptl.com

Is it better to continue with status quo and increase maintenance charges due to inflation and leakages or appoint professional licensed property managers who are capable of out of the box solutions to reduce ballooning costs? TI

The Iskandarian ISSUE 91 | MAC 2020 Advertisement