The Iskandarian May 2013 Issue by The Iskandarian-WAVES Lifestyle

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WAVES Lifestyle bringing you the trendy and JB & >>PAGE 15 Spore’s monthly calendar of events

Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza and Thila Munusamy, LEGOLAND Malaysia’s Director of Sales and Marketing

DREAMS COME TRUE FOR O MALAYSIA’S BRAVEST CHILDREN

Community: IJN Foundation was established in 1995 with a mission to raise philanthropic support to fund treatment cost for the poor and needy, for their heart surgery, purchase of devices and heart transplant surgery.

n 28th March, several of Malaysia’s bravest children made a trip to LEGOLAND Malaysia as special guests of international superstar Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza. They have recently recovered from heart surgery and the funds for their treatment were raised through the “SimplySiti Di Hati 2012” CSR initiative with the National Heart Institute Foundation (IJN Foundation).

As well as exploring the 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions with the children and their families, Dato’ Siti held a joint press conference with LEGOLAND. During the event she presented IJN Foundation with a cheque for RM 57,166 that was raised through a nationwide campaign to fund the heart surgery for three selected children. >>Continued on page 4

The Iskandarian’s revamped @Home section >>PAGE 25 highlights property by sectors >>PAGE 3

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The Iskandarian

Pickup points TOURISM CENTRES: Johor Tourist Information Centre @ JOTIC Kiosk Pelancongan MBJB @ Jln Tun Sri Lanang Tourism Malaysia Tourist Information Centre @ JB CIQ COMPLEX & JB SENTRAL INFORMATION COUNTERS: SENAI AIRPORT Columbia Asia Hospital KFCH OFFICE LOBBIES: CITY PLAZA TOWER ISKANDAR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (IRDA) ISKANDAR INVESTMENT BERHAD (IIB) Iskandar Waterfront EATERIES (F&B): Annalakshmi JALAN IBRAHIM 8Lido STRAITS VIEW Tutti Frutti KEBUN TEH SETIA TROPIKA LEGOLAND BierHaus JOHOR JAYA TAMAN SENTOSA Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf City Square Plaza Pelangi

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Creative approach for a good cause

Community: Thistle Johor Bahru does their bid for charity

histle Johor Bahru is doing its bit to support the Spastic Association of Johor in line with its responsibility and commitment towards the community. A donation box was placed in the lobby whereby hotel guests and employees generously contributed towards the Spastic Association of Johor. General Manager Edward Kollmer recently presented the first amount of RM708 collected, to Rajendran R. Manickam, the Honorary Secretary of the Spastic Association of Johor. Established in 1967, The Spastic Association of Johor is a non-governmental organization that provides education and a wide range of services for children with cerebral palsy. It started off with only 8 children in a borrowed premise in a Jubilee Home and today, the Association has its own premises with 137 children afflicted with cerebral palsy. It is one of the first organizations in

General Manager Edward Kollmer presenting the first collection to Rajendran R. Manickam, the Honorary Secretary of the Spastic Association of Johor. Johor that provides specialized professional services for cerebral palsy children. It manages a Special Education School, a Rehabilitation Department, vocational classes and also runs a sheltered workshop for those who graduate from the school at the age of 18. The Association receives grants from the Johor State and Federal Government. However, this is only a portion of the total funds needed to finance the Association. In order to meet the shortfall, the Association

raises additional funds from the public. Thistle Hotel Johor Bahru is constantly organizing community service projects to instill team spirit and goodwill among its employees. Helping the less fortunate and needy gives them a sense of caring for the society in which they live and work. The hotel plans to continue displaying the donation box in the lobby for the next coming months to raise more funds for the Spastic Association of Johor.

HIGHLIGHTS

HOTELS: Thistle Johor Bahru The ZON Regency Hotel Granada Hotel Many other participating hotels Gated & Guarded Communities and Others: Taman Molek Zone 3, Tmn Impian Emas Jln 60-70, Austin Heights Club House Wang Loo Motor (Honda) Saleng Many more car showrooms and service centers Also available for pick-up at Selected Taxis & Busses And at various Associations Want to become a distribution point? Email us today at: admin@theiskandarian.com

UEM Land held an appreciation dinner for Singapore customers at Dr. Ho Chin Siong, Professor and Registered Town Planner from UTM educating Traders Hotel Singapore on 20th April. the non acedemic staff of UTM about Low Carbon Society. (pic by Eddie Cheong) (pic by Zarakay)

Hotlines Johor Police HQ 07-221 2999 / 07-225 4499

JB North Police IPD 07-556 3122

Ministry of Tourism (Johor) 07-223 3171

Tourism Malaysia Johor 07-222 3590 / 91

Immigration 07-224 4233

JB South Police IPD 07-2218 999

Nusajaya Police IPD 07-511 4222

Tourism Malaysia Hotline 1300 88 5050

Johor Tourism 07-223 4935 / 224 9960

Senai International Airport 07-599 4500

Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) 07-233 3000

Please recycle this newspaper after reading. Thank you Published by True Soul Entertainment [14, Jln. Selasih 10, Taman Kemas, 81200, Johor Bahru] Printed by Percetakan Gemilang Sinar/Gan Seng Printing(M) Sdn.Bhd. [No.100, Jalan Tampoi, 81200, Johor Bahru] Copyright of articles, contributions and photos which are published by The Iskandarian is the property of True Soul Entertainment. 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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Iskandar Malaysia

Ng Ka Thiam, 19, a student of the Foundation in Liberal Arts programme at Raffles University Iskandar (RUI). He shared his views on the region and hopes that the Johor Bahru heritage can be preserved in the midst of the region’s development. Ng will start his Bachelor Degree in Product Design this coming September. What’s your opinion about the transformation that has been happening in Johor with Iskandar Malaysia? I think it’s very good because as a youth in JB we used to look forward to going to Singapore, because it’s modern, has higher technology and their stores have things that Johor doesn’t. Therefore, it’s good to know that Johor Bahru is now developing in a more positive manner and we now don’t have to cross the shores for the same purpose. Do you think that all these developments are going to bring more job prospectus for young people? Of course! For students like me, who sometimes are looking for part-time jobs in the stores and food outlets, I’m sure they will be hiring fresh young people. For the professionals, I’m confident that there are more job choices. In your opinion, what can be done to preserve the Johor heritage? I think the town centre is a good representation of Johor, in terms of culture and community as the buildings are still authentically traditional. Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Museum is a good example, although it is under renovation now. How can the government help with preservation? There are very few museums in Johor. Maybe they should open more museums and galleries. It doesn’t have to be only about history but it could be related to art as well. Are your friends interested in museums? Not many are, but I believe that something interesting could be created to make more people attracted to them; perhaps a better layout and design.

What other things do you think youths need in Johor? A youth centre with sports and entertainment would be nice. We have some places to go but not many with integrated facilities. It would be great to organize gigs, performances to showcase talents and would be a good opportunity for design students like me to display our art there.

The Iskandarian

Do’s & Don’ts ith Iskandar Malaysia aspiring to reach greater heights, The Iskandarian citizens have a vital role to play whereby we must undergo some changes from within ourselves. A first class mentality has to be instilled where we accept nothing less than top notch performance in all things. To prepare ourselves for that, here is a quick recommended guideline on the Do’s and Don’ts. This will be a monthly column to showcase the good, the bad and the ugly of fellow Iskandarians.

Where do you normally take your guests who visit JB? Normally I take them to JB town centre, and visit food outlets like Chinese and Malay coffee shops. Legoland is also the current hotspot and if my young nieces come, I’d bring them to Hello Kitty town. Literally all our relatives that visit us in JB want to go there and I think that’s the main reason they visit us (laughs)! What is the key to success in this transformation of JB? I think the community support is very important. There is no point in doing something if no one is going to that place. They should get feedback from the community to know what they want and need.

A restaurant in Impian Emas displays a donation box to orphans and needy children -Submitted by Alfred Lee (Taman Impian Emas)

As a future design student, do you think that there are enough channels for you to express your ideas in Malaysia? Honestly I would like to see more. How do you want JB to be 10 years from now? I want JB to be a combination of modern and heritage. I don’t want it to be over-modernised and forget about the culture or vice-versa; an equal balance should be there. I hope they can preserve the culture while they are moving forward and wish that we can still have the things we love about JB. Tourists are not that interested in shopping centres as every country has them. They come for the culture and this should be kept in mind whilst developing.

Rubbish seen strewn around at a local concert -Submitted by Abdul Lansar (Johor Bahru)

Our Partners

Snap your thoughts and send in pictures to our Do’s & Don’ts segment today: newsdesk@theiskandarian.com

Chellam is an everyday Joe encountering the trials and tribulations of everyday folks. Chellam’s encounters aren’t merely for comic relief but more to instigate mindset change. Email us if you have any suggestions: newsdesk@theiskandarian.com

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>> from page 1 “I am delighted to be here today because LEGOLAND is a place where children’s dreams can come true. My deepest appreciation goes out to everyone who has participated in the SimplySiti Di Hati 2012 campaign to raise funds for these children, who thankfully are healthy after the surgery. I hope there will be more contributions to IJN foundation so many more underprivileged children suffering from heart disease in Malaysia will get the care they need,” Dato’ Siti said. In support of Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza’s contribution, LEGOLAND Malaysia also made a special donation. On behalf of the international theme park, Thila Munusamy, Director Sales and Marketing, contributed 1,000 complimentary entrance tickets to IJN Foundation.

“LEGOLAND greatly admires the work that Dato’ Siti carries out and we share her aspiration to help children who are seriously ill, disabled or disadvantaged. We provide on-going support through the Merlin’s Magic Wand; a worldwide charity dedicated to providing magical experiences to these children. Initiatives in the local community are also an integral part of our corporate social responsibility,” said Thila. Dato’ Siti also became the latest guest to participate in the Minifigure Swap currently taking place in the Park. Since its launch more than 6,000 children and visitors have played their part in Asia’s first ever Minifigure Swap, a Park tradition that involves the trading of small LEGO figurines to encourage interaction between Model Citizens (LEGOLAND Staff) and Park visitors.

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Quick Reads

More Ninjas to Johor

ohor Police have received 145 additional high-powered Kawasaki Ninja 250cc motorcycles under the National Key Result Area 2.0 (NKRA 2.0). Johor police chief Datuk Mokhtar Shariff said that last December, the contingent had received 74 motorcycles in the first phase. The second batch of 145 Ninjas arrived on April 8. With the additional Ninjas, Johor police now have 219 units which will be deployed at Johor Bahru south (34 units), Johor Bahru north (34), Muar (15), Batu Pahat (17), Segamat (17), Kluang (17), Seri Alam (34), Nusajaya (17), Kulaijaya (17), and Ledang (17). The officers will be equipped with tactical communications equipment to boost response time as they are expected to be “the first on the scene at the fastest time.” The unit operates 24 hours a days, in all the 13 police districts in Johor.

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JB - SPORE Relations to Continue Blossoming Johor to continue good relations with S’pore if BN retains state said Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani

enteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman has said the next man who is tipped to be in charge of the southern Malaysian state will continue to foster good relations with Singapore. Malaysia’s Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin is said to be the likely pick for the post if Barisan Nasional (BN) retains the state. In an exclusive interview with Channel NewsAsia, “So I am sure he would pursue along those lines for Iskandar and the relationship between Singapore and Johor in particular,” he said speaking about his likely successor. Singapore is among

the largest foreign investors there, and he hopes his efforts of strengthening relations can continue. Abdul Ghani has been Menteri Besar of Johor for four terms now, in a period which spans 18 years. Abdul Ghani said he also believes Mr Khaled will further facilitate the development of the Iskandar Malaysia projects. “Johor has its own way -- the Johor way, the Johor moderate way... that has been the strength in Johor, not only expressed and manifested in the form of policies (and) the practices of the government, but also the people of Johor itself,” he said.

More Sweetness for Iskandar Malaysia By Maisarah newsdesk@theiskandarian.com

he “Sugar King” Tan Sri Robert Kuok is returning back to Johor. Capitalising on the sweet opportunities in Iskandar Malaysia, Johor born Tan Sri Kuok has eyed Nusajaya as his next investment destination. The Kuok Brothers Group, has just bought 5.058 hectares of freehold land worth RM334 per sq ft from UEM Land, in Puteri Harbour for about RM182mil. Australian property mogul Lang Walker had invested in Iskandar because of Kuok’s recommendation. The Malaysian is a partner in Walker’s US$1.4 billion Collins Square redevelopment project in Melbourne. With Kuok’s help, Walker identified two areas in Johor Bahru - Lido Beach and Senibong Cove, but in the end, he chose the latter. This is a clear sign that Kuok’s return has generated a bigger interest in Iskandar Malaysia and created a snowball effect. All this will translate as more job and business opportunities for Iskandar Malaysia. Kuok would develop the land via

Southern Marina Development Sdn Bhd, a 70 - 30 joint venture company between Kuok Brothers Group and Khazanah Nasional Bhd. There were false allegations however that the land was sold below market value which is not true as Kuok-Khazanah JV has set a new benchmark price for Nusajaya’s land. Land price in Johor is still below that of Kuala Lumpur and allegations that the land should have been sold to the Kuok-Khazanah JV at RM700 per sq ft is baffling. Singapore’s Business Times wrote that it was a record price for the Nusajaya land, substantiating it with the toppish RM334 per sq ft price paid by Kuok. The Kuoks had set up Malayan Sugar Manufacturing Company in 1958 and then saw their first sugar cane plantation through Perlis Plantations six years after. They sold Malayan Sugar Manufacturing to Felda in 2009 before acquiring an Australian sugar company later. Kuok’s most notable flagship company here is the PBB Group Bhd. Kuok also controls Shangri-La Hotels (Malaysia) Bhd. The disposal of the land is expected to accelerate development in Puteri Harbour.

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President of Johor Bahru Chinese Chamber of Commerce (JBCCCI) shares his views

Iskandar Investment Berhad’s President and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Ibrahim set aside some time from questions The Iskandarian put forth. (Pic by IIB & Vishnu Dev) What is the core role that JBCCCI plays? JBCCCI is here to promote good relationship and cooperation amongst its members and protect their interest in all economic realms such as trade, commerce, manufacturing and primary industries. We promote national unity and economic development. Apart from that, we hold conventions, exhibitions, trade missions and economic activities sponsored in collaboration with other commercial associations in Malaysia or overseas. We also assist in the development of charitable, welfare and educational undertakings. We encourage the launching of enterprising projects and training courses for the improvement of national economic development and the improvement of human capital. JBCCCI also studies any legislation affecting the business community and we reflect our findings to the public. What is the angle of hosting the international expo themed “JB-ASEAN International Expo”? In tandem with ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) trade bloc agreement to fully remove tariff and non tariff barriers by 2015, the “JB-ASEAN International Expo” intends to establish an international business and commercial exchange platform to promote the exchange of domestic and overseas business. The angle is to promote and further enhance Johor’s economic vitality and tourism industry to foreign visitors and exhibitors.

Is JBCCCI benefiting from the developments of Iskandar Malaysia? Indirectly yes, from the construction sectors. Individual benefits can be seen in terms of supplies and amenities. When there is any construction or development projects that translate, 140 trade lines are involved in the spill over effect. For the past few years, we have seen a steady stream of prosperity. The advancement of infrastructures is an obvious benefit not only to JBCCCI but to everyone living in Iskandar Malaysia. What is the red tape faced by JBCCCI members (if any) in regards to conducting their business or establishing investment opportunities. If our members are facing any encumbrances, their grievances are conveyed to the relevant policy makers and usually all issues brought forward by us are not faced with any red tape and are solved swiftly. Perhaps the good rapport built over the years with the relevant authorities has enabled JBCCCI and its members to carry out their work without many obstacles. Established in 1945, what are the challenges faced by JBCCCI over the years? Back in 1945, JBCCCI was formed as a bridge between the commerce world and the Government. For instance, our past president proposed for Johor to have its own port and many years later, his shared vision became a reality. We can say that the challenges faced by JBCCCI have been made into realities with proper governance. A key

challenge that we need to address however, is that JBCCCI remains neutral in terms of politics. We support developments and keeping the balance is crucial.

his busy schedule to address the

“When there is any construction or development projects that translate, 140 trade lines are involved in the spill over effect”

In terms of sustainability, what will be future direction for JBCCCI? We are constantly enticing and engaging the gen-Y of today to join JBCCCI and help lead the chamber. This year, we recorded 30% of new blood joining the chamber and taking full advantage of the networking platform that we provide. We would like to see more educated members with first class mentality joining us. Professional mannerism, corporate etiquettes and members with worldly knowledge with a global mindset are the future members of JBCCCI. ‘Think Local and Act Global’ is our propagated motto! We are also in the effort of establishing our own building in Larkin. This will enable all trade associations to be housed under one roof with quality service provided and learning and development made available to members. With a vast network of 40 notable local trade associations, 900 corporate entities and professional memberships, is CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) a key note that is being promoted in JBCCCI?

JBCCCI sees the upgrading of knowledge as part of CSR as well and we constantly educate our members which comprises mostly of SME’s to not remain stagnant and to do their bid for the society as and when they can. We also encourage members to be socially responsible tax payers and educate them on understanding more about the tax system. What are among the changes that you would like to see in Iskandar Malaysia? In another five to ten years, Iskandar Malaysia will be very successful due to Singapore’s involvement and other foreign investors. Our Prime Minister has brought a lot of confidence in investing in Malaysia and Iskandar Malaysia’s progress is the proof. Investors realise that in Malaysia, acquiring freehold land is still a possibility compared to other countries where only leasehold land can be obtained. However, the main change we would like to see is that, more emphasis should be given to local Johor based SME’s. Opportunities are seen being given to foreigners and other state players while local Johor players are not seeing a lot of the perks.

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RENAISSANCE HOTEL OPENS IN JB

he brand new Renaissance Johor Bahru situated in Permas Jaya opened its doors with an introductory offer of RM255.00 for a Deluxe Room inclusive of breakfast for one person at its Café BLD. It promises an experience of something that is wonderfully new. “The opening of the Renaissance hotel here marks the sixth Renaissance hotel in Malaysia which is categorized under 5-star and is a hotel brand affiliated to Marriott hotels worldwide. Its entrance into the Southern region is timely, in conjunction with the current economic vibrancy of the Iskandar Development Region,” said the hotel’s General Manager, Marc Cosyns. The Renaissance Johor Bahru is located in the township of Permas Jaya, strategically close to the city centre which is only 10 minutes’ drive away and 5 minutes from the Eastern Dispersal Link which leads directly into the CIQ to Singapore and to the North South Highway to the rest of

Malaysia. It also sits at the main route leading to the port and industrial area of Pasir Gudang. With a total of 345 rooms, the hotel is poised to cater to business as well as other travellers with a diverse offering of non-smoking floors as well as exclusive Club floors, all equipped with internet access, mini inroom safes, 42-inch flat screens with satellite TV channels, fully-equipped minibar, coffee and tea making facilities and a one-push button to access the hotel’s DTS (Delighted to Serve) personalized guest service. For dining there are four premium Food & Beverage outlets – Café BLD for all-day meals; Wan Li Restaurant for contemporary Cantonese cuisine and Dim Sum; The Chocolate Cake Company which is the hotel’s own bakery offering daily supplies of piping-hot or freshlybaked cakes, breads and pastries and the R-Bar, a lifestyle lobby bar with DJ and live entertainment. For recreation, there is the outdoor swimming

pool, the 24-hour Renaissance Fitness Centre and Spa. For conferences and events, the Renaissance Johor Bahru boasts 7 multipurpose functions rooms with natural daylight and a Grand ballroom able to accommodate up to 650 for theatre- and 450 for banquet-seating, all facilitated by the latest in audio-visual and teleconferencing equipment. “The Renaissance Hotel in Johor Bahru is poised to join an elite few among the state’s hospitality providers that offer 5-star quality service and products. It is hoped that we could help raise the profile of the hotel industry to greater heights in the South, with the support of a worldwide network and affiliation to many more Renaissance hotels in the country and around the world,” said Cosyns. For those interested in experiencing the new rooms under the introductory rate, reservations or enquiries can be made through 607381 3333 or visit www.jbrenaissance.com.

news Malaysia Airlines Offers Voters Special Fares for GE13 FREE COPY ISSUE 09 | MAY 2013

ubang - In support of the upcoming General Elections 2013 (GE13), Malaysia Airlines will offer special fares to Malaysians to fly to their hometown in time to vote. Bookings on the national carrier’s Business and Economy Class can be made until 28 April 2013 for travel from 18 April until 30 November 2013 as part of the airlines’ GE13 special fares. All-inclusive return Economy Class tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Alor Setar, Penang, Terengganu, Kuantan, Kota Bharu, Johor Bahru and Langkawi start from RM130 whereas airfares on Business Class are from RM713 allinclusive return. Meanwhile, those from Kuala Lumpur can fly home to Kota Kinabalu, Labuan, Tawau, Miri, Sibu, Sandakan, Bintulu and

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Kuching on Economy Class or Business Class for as low RM300 and RM1713 all-inclusive return, respectively. Malaysians can also fly from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu, Miri, Bintulu or Sibu from as low as RM76 all inclusive return on Economy Class and from RM1513 on Business Class and from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau, Labuan and Sandakan from RM136 all inclusive return on Economy Class and from RM1713 on Business Class. Malaysia Airlines Group CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said “For our guests who have booked flights between 27 April and 12 May on Malaysia Airlines and wish to defer their travel for GE13, the airline will waive penalty charges for this purpose and extend their travel period up to 31 July 2013.” Besides the special

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offer, guests travelling on Malaysia Airlines will also experience enhanced services. The airline is allowing cabin baggage in Economy Class of up to a maximum of 7kg instead of 5kg. Guests on Business Class are permitted to carry two pieces of cabin baggage of a 7kg each maximum weight, with each baggage not exceeding 56cm height, 36 cm in length and 23cm width. Customers are invited to book these offers online through www. malaysiaairlines.com, Malaysia Airlines’ 24-hour toll-free Call Centre at 1-300-88-3000 and its ticket offices nationwide as well as its appointed agents. For those who wish to defer their travels within the GE13 period may contact Malaysia Airlines call centre or visit the nearest Malaysia Airlines ticket offices.

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Baby hatch at BBU Community: A public awareness campaign is needed to educate the public about adoption.

Baby hatch is now set up at 64, Jalan Padi Mahsuri 1, Bandar Baru Uda.

ohor is second after Selangor for cases of baby dumping. There are about 100 reported cases of baby dumping annually. Adressing this problem is OrphanCARE, a non-government organisation (NGO) that has opened the country’s first “baby hatch” for rescuing unwanted newborns, as authorities battle increasing cases of abandoned babies. Modelled on similar services in Germany, Pakistan and Japan, OrphanCARE, said the facility will allow mothers to leave their babies anonymously as its. OrphanCARE, recently launched OrphanCARE Johor Bahru’s baby hatch set up at 64, Jalan Padi Mahsuri 1, Bandar Baru Uda. OrphanCARE Foundation chairman Tan Sri Faizah Mohd Tahir said that based on statistics from the police, Johor is second after Selangor for cases of baby dumping. She said OrphanCARE was set up to encourage parents of unwanted babies to give their children up for adoption instead of abandoning them. The mother’s identity would not be revealed, she added.

The hatch has a small door which opens to an incubator bed on which a mother can place her baby. Once the door is closed an alarm bell will alert the NGO’s staff of the baby’s presence, after the mother has left. Official statistics show 407 babies were abandoned between 2005 and 2009 in Malaysia. OrphanCARE hoped to promote adoption instead of having the children being left in orphanages. There are presently OrphanCARE baby hatches in Petaling Jaya, Kota Baru and here. Another is being planned for the northern region.

“There are about 100 reported cases of baby dumping annually”

Fight Hunger Troopers On The Prowl

n their quest to gather the expected 1500 participants for this year’s Fight Hunger – 30 Hour Famine, Johor Bahru D.I.Y Camp, troopers from this Fight Hunger camp went all out over two weekends to publicise their camp and recruiting participants while raising funds. On 7th April, the troopers stationed themselves in Castle Kindergarten, Taman Bukit Indah. Together with kids from the nursery and volunteers from Grace

Covenant Community Care and Persatuan Kebajikan Prihatian Kuan Yin, they put up a charity sale cum recruitment drive. It was a fun-filled day and all proceeds derived from the sale were benefitted by the two N.P.Os. The following weekend, a friendly bowling competition was held in Pelangi Leisure Mall. Troopers organised the competition to highlight their cause and managed to grab the attention of curious bowlers amid much

fun fare. Many pledged to participate in the upcoming Johor Bahru D.I.Y Camp in Southern College which will be held in July. Another goal of these activities is to catch the attention of potential corporate sponsors for the D.I.Y Camp. All interested sponsors are only required to come up with RM500 for their company logo to be placed on shirts for participants or RM1000 for company logo to be placed on shirts and all promotional materials for this camp.

All interested participants and sponsors can find out more about Hunger No More – 30 Hour Famine from World Vision Malaysia via their official site http://famine.worldvision.com.my/ or official facebook fanpage at http://www.facebook.com/jbfamine30 Inquiries on participation or sponsorship can be channelled straight to us through admin@theiskandarian.com or the following committee members of 30 HOUR FAMINE, JOHOR BAHRU D.I.Y CAMP: JAYCE TU: 014-9156691 SAMUEL LOW: 011-16616167 K.K.HONG: 016-7834358 KIMZ: 012-7618356

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Editor ’s Note

Happy Labour’s Day everyone! We hope you enjoyed our previous issue and we have more for you this time as well! LEGOLAND Malaysia put forth their CSR efforts and this time together with our Diva Superstar Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza, they made several children’s dream come true after surviving from heart surgery to a trip to our favourite theme park. 1000 complimentary tickets were contributed to IJN (Insitut Jantung Negara), so kudos to them! On a lighter note, Tony once again tantalizes our taste buds with his reviews from Tam Zabb Restaurant that serves authentic Thai and Lao cuisine and we can’t wait to have our lunch there soon!

For those of you interested in share market, Tey disseminates his expert knowledge on how to profit from the recent stock market performance since the dissolution of the Parliament. All male health buffs, be sure to read what Dr. Dimitraj Maniam has to say on ED which is a common problem in Malaysian men. In our Lifestyle section, we speak to Nisa Mazbar, a talented fashion designer and she shares with us her struggles and achievements from Paris to Kuala Lumpur in getting where she is now. Do check out her collection online. UK Pop Rock Band - Lawson was in Singapore recently to promote their latest album and the

tour was a great hit especially with the girls. Rose, our motivation columnist share with us three simple things to do before we sleep, so do flip over the page to find out more and in our Tech page, Rob talks about how to survive digital revolution in businesses. Manisha continues to share with us the “Must Visit Festivals” happening around the world and you know what to do and share with us your travel tales if you embarked on any of them. Meanwhile, for those wishing to share their clothing line/recipes or travel tales or like us to review your restaurant/property, drop us a mail at admin@waveslifestyle.com today and be featured.

Priya Manikam editor@waveslifestyle.com

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The Iskandarian | WAVES Lifestyle

Catching up with local designer Nisa Mazbar… Nisa was trained by the best in Paris. Her passion and solid skills have enabled her to work with some of the famous fashion houses in the world. Nisa Mazbar (NM) is a Malaysian fashion brand that offers custom designs; Atelier (Haute Couture), stunning bridal collections that are modern yet conventional, prèt-à-porter and distribution, fashion retail and lifestyle products including accessories and fine jewelry. What or who inspired you to become a designer? I can draw very well since I was 5 years old and I’m usually quite good at projecting images in my mind and reconstructing things at that age. So, I guess my love for designing developed ever since! Have you ever stumbled or “hit the road block” whilst designing? No, not really. I can always come up with new ideas from my surroundings. Who are your favourite designers? Elie Saab, John Galliano and Jean Paul Gaultier. Do you source fabric locally or are they all imported? Most of my laced and beaded fabrics are sourced from Paris, Dubai and India. The rest of the plain coloured silk fabrics, are locally bought. Share with us your struggles and achievements in getting where you are now. My biggest struggle was my family. I was born to a typical government servant parents who

expected their children to be doctors and engineers. I did the contrary and fortunately for me, all my hard work and efforts that I spent on my career paid off and proved them wrong. I was the first Malaysian girl who worked with gigantic fashion labels in Paris. It was definitely the best experience I had in my life and I’ve learned so much from it. Back in Malaysia, although it wasn’t that easy, I’ve made it to the local Fashion Industry. Does your clientele only consist of celebrities? No, most of them are KL socialites and there are Bruneians as well. How would you compare the fashion scene here to Paris? Our fashion industry is very small. The fashion scene in Paris is moving faster compared to the local scene because the French fashion industry is bigger and more important as they are able to help their government generate income via this industry. As a result, their percentage of unemployment is lower. When not designing, what do you like doing? Video games! I’m a big fan of Sony Playstation games, especially the ones with zombies! What’s in the pipeline? I’m currently working on my Fashion Showcase for 2014 collection. Where readers may find your collection? We are located at Solaris Dutamas Kuala

Lumpur, near Publika Mall. We also have Ready-to- Wear collection online via www.nisamazbar.com. Readers may follow our updates at our Official Facebook page and Twitter (www.facebook.com/nisamazbarofficial).

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Three Powerful Things To Do Before You Sleep

o you know that our minds can be programmed to seek and unleash our true self potential including healing illness? Successful people use many methods to work with their limitless intelligence known as the subconscious mind. Usually they exercise it at night before they go to sleep, knowing that the subconscious mind will work on its best when they are sleeping. There are simple methods of mind-

programming to help you become the best YOU. Below are the three popular ones. It is easy and all it takes is discipline. 1. Say Your Gratitude. It is an indirect acknowledgement to the mind that your life is full of richness and abundance; not just specific to money but in every aspect of life. Say gratitude to every single thing you experience including every cell in your body for the beautiful work they carry inside you.

By Rose Osman Personal Motivator & Energy Coach www.facebook.com/ yourpersonalmotivator Twitter:@BucketOfRoses

The secret is; the more you give your thankfulness, the more you get in your life! 2. Say Powerful Affirmation. It works like an instruction to your mind. Say it before you go to sleep, the affirmation will be played in your subconscious mind and all the messages will be delivered to every part of your body when you are sleeping. It then works accordingly and bring you to the life you manifested. Say something powerful like

I Am Successful or I Am Healthy. In selfhealing, the process of healing tends to work faster this way. 3. Meditate. It calms your thoughts especially the unimportant ones. When your mind calms, it helps you hooking only on the specific important thoughts where these thoughts become the first thing to be manifested by your subconscious mind when you are sleeping.

UK POP ROCK BAND - LAWSON PROMOTES THEIR #1 SELLING DEBUT ALBUM “CHAPMAN SQUARE” IN SINGAPORE!

host of activities were lined up when these UK hotties came to Singapore from the 4th-6th April. A school visit to Raffles Girls Secondary School was organized on the 4th, whereby the school had won through a competition organized by Universal Music Singapore (along with HOT FM). The school had to submit in a photo/artwork that showed how much they loved Lawson and the school with the most number of likes will win. Hosted by HOT FM, Lawson delighted the students with trivia games.

On the second day of their tour, the members spent the morning with 4 lucky fans who won a chance to hang out with the band via SingTel AMPed whereby they had downloaded their new album. Right after that, was what all the fans were waiting for – the “Chapman Square” Showcase! Doors opened by 7.00pm and eager fans were seen waiting much earlier to catch a glimpse of their favourites. With their amazing rapport with fans, and solid vocals and stage presence, Lawson impressed the crowd of 900 with a tight

8 song performance at Powerhouse at St James Power Station. There was a special treat for the fans when they did a special cover of Maroon 5’s hit “Moves Like Jagger.” Invites to the showcase were mainly won by fans via SingTel AMPed and selected media platforms. On the last day of their tour, an album autograph session was held at Bugis Square and despite the rain, there were over 400 excited fans who turned up to support the band and had their 2CD Deluxe album signed by them. Shortly after

the album autograph session, Lawson was inside of HMV store @Somerset to take group photos of fans who bought their album. Over 500 screaming fans were in attendance! Download Lawson’s Deluxe Album “Chapman Square” on iTunes now: https:// itunes.apple.com/sg/album/chapmansquare-deluxe-version/id564851720. Also available on SingTel AMPed, M1 Music Store, Starhub Music Store and other music streaming services. 2CD Deluxe Album available at all good CD Stores as well.

Source: Universal Music Singapore

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The Iskandarian | WAVES Lifestyle Calendar of Events

y ma 3 201

1st May

Must Visit

Festivals in 2013 (part 3)

By Manisha Dhalani manishad.wordpress.com

n our last issue, we brought to you several Must Visit Festivals, and we hope you enjoyed reading them and most importantly tried and embarked on a few of them. If you didn’t get a chance, here is another new series of festivals that you can consider attending this year.

Be mesmerised with sounds from acts like the Dizu Plaatjies from Cape Town, Spiritual Seasons from Ukraine and Mohsen Sharifian from Iran. 3.Lollapalooza August 2 to 4; Chicago, USA (www.lollapalooza.com)

1.BayBeats June 28 to 30; Esplanade, Singapore (www.baybeats.com)

Happy Labour’s Day!

JB, 1st May Pesta Tanjung Balau @ Kota Tinggi

JB, 3rd - 5th May “Bangsawan” @ JOTIC

The annual Lollapalooza music festival once again takes place in Chicago’s Grant Park. Ticket details and line-ups have yet to be announced, though everyone from Coldplay to Metallica are rumored to play.

After two rounds of gruelling auditions, seven bands will debut at Baybeats 2013 - the non-ticketed festival of its kind in Singapore and in the region, promoting folk, pop, metal, post-rock, emo, punk, electro (and everything in between). The event is another festival proudly presented by Esplanade Singapore. The line-up of other successful bands to play at Baybeats is yet to be announced.

4.The Reading/Leeds Festivals August 23 to 25; Reading/Leeds, England (www.leedsfestival.com) The Reading and Leeds festivals are a pair of annual festivals which occur simultaneously, with the lineup rotating between each of the festivals on a day-by-day basis. Early announcements for the 2013 festival confirm that the Deftones, Eminem and System Of A Down will be among the artists playing.

2.Rainforest World Music Festival June 28 to 30; Kuching, Sarawak (www.rwmf.net) The Rainforest World Music Festival is an annual three-day music festival celebrating the diversity of world music.

JB, 4th - 5th May 1 Malaysia Motorcross & Clubcross @ Plaza Angsana

By Rob Lee Managing Director of COMMON EXTRACT SDN BHD Specializing in Games/Phone Apps www.commonextract.com

Spore, 10th May Momentum Dance Festival @ The Republic Cultural Centre, Woodlands

JB, 17th - 19th May Malaysia Investment & Stock Exchange Expo @ Persada Johor

Spore, 18th May The Used Live in Singapore

24th May Happy Vesak Day

JB, 24th - 26th May Malaysia Property Expo Johor @ City Square

JB, 24th - 26th May Johor Furniture Fair @ Persada Johor

Spore, 31st May Singapore Dance Theatre’s 25th Anniversary Gala @ Esplanade

ccenture Technology Vision 2013: “Every business is now a digital business, and every executive needs to be able to understand the implications of technology trends and innovations for his or her company and industry. Without this insight, the company will not be well positioned to achieve high performance.” Smartphone and tablets is the norm, many thought that it’s only an entertainment device, but it is a lot more than that. Take a browse at iPad business profile at Apple’s website and you’ll realize how tablets has been incorporated into not only cafes, restaurants, hotels but also construction, car dealers and manufacturers, medical, airways, fashion retailers and all sort of industry you can think of. It looks great, saves cost, increases sales, optimizes productivity and increases customers’ engagement, so why not?! An Aberdeen survey of 240 enterprises suggests that overall; the use of mobile apps helped employees complete their work, increase

Surviving the Digital Revolution

productivity and raised operational efficiency by 45%. Tablets are the perfect form to replace paper, real-time tracking and a more organized approach towards knowledge management in an organization. Here’s a fine example of how PepsiCo do it: We all know that PepsiCo is a mega carbonated drink empire that spans across continents. Their business ranges from manufacturing, logistic all the way down to marketing it to consumers. PepsiCo uses custom app for Merchandiser to start and end his day with the App, with features such as electronic timecard, check schedules, stores information, product inventory, write-in order and everything that the

Merchandiser may need dealing with retailers. According to Forbes, 94% of the Fortune 500 have deployed or are testing the iPad. By 2016, tablet adoption by small businesses will have a projected growth of 78.5%, while micro businesses will be leading the explosive adoption rate of 98%. A lot of businesses don’t realize how such digital revolution may impact their business until a competitor threatens their survivorship with such. It’s all about starting early, laying out infrastructure, policies and digitalizing the entire company. Approach Common Extract (Johor Bahru) company to understand more about the current industries’ landscape and start exploring opportunities for your business.

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The lifestyle of Malaysian men is the main cause of ED (part1) *It is estimated that 1.7 million Malaysian men over the age of 40 have some degree of ED. *It is also established that many of these men have insufficient knowledge and information on the causes, available modes of treatment and the social and medical implications of this disease. *Many were too embarrassed to seek medical attention until there were social or other medical complications related to ED. So what is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)? Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a consistent, recurring inability in a male individual to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. ED can occur when a there is a lack of blood flow to the penis during an erection. The man may experience difficulties getting aroused and/or a flaccid or partially erect penis that is unable to achieve adequate hardness for penetration during intercourse. How does our lifestyle cause ED? Smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, poor eating habits, sedentary lifestyles and unregulated use of certain

medications may increase the risk of ED by compromising blood flow. These habits also make us more at risk of diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and even heart disease. Smoking has been shown to make men with atherosclerosis particularly vulnerable to ED. Smokers have almost twice the risks of ED compared with non-smokers. Furthermore, evidence proves that high consumption of sugar in our daily diet increases the risk of developing diabetes, especially in those with strong family history. On average, one out of every two men with diabetes experiences some degree of ED. There is clearly a link between diabetes and ED and the risk in men is much higher with regular alcohol and cigarette consumption. Dr Dimitraj Maniam Consultant Physician, Columbia Asia Hospital Nusajaya

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The study of Human Behavior

have been working as a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Raffles University Iskandar (RUI) since April 2012. I am originally from, and studied in the United Kingdom (UK) and have a BSc (Hons) Psychology and PhD in Psychology from Plymouth University. I am a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS). Working here in Johor has been a rich learning experience for me. In particular, I quickly came to realise that psychology does not appear to be widely understood as a potential university subject or career path. With the many and wide-ranging developments initiated and supported by the Malaysian Government through Iskandar Investment and other agencies in Nusajaya, there will be a requirement for people to work in a range of occupations including education, tourism and leisure, healthcare and wellness and creative arts. A psychology graduate could find themselves with many career options to utilise the psychological knowledge gained in their undergraduate degree. In the UK, psychology is an A level subject that students can choose to study and psychologists

are often on television, newspapers and other forms of media commenting on a whole range of psychological and social issues. Therefore, students enrolling in psychology degree programmes have either studied psychology before or have a perception (whether accurate or not!) of what psychologists do. Having talked to potential students for RUI’s Bachelor of Applied Psychology programme it became clear that most did not know much, if anything about psychology. So what is psychology? The BPS defines it as “the scientific study of people, the mind and behaviour”. Psychologists are concerned with understanding, explaining and predicting behaviour and the processes that underlie or affect that behaviour. They therefore study such concepts as memory, attention and problem solving, group dynamics and stereotypes, brain functioning and genetics, and age-related changes. As psychology is the study of human behaviour, this knowledge can be applied to understanding and solving problems in a wide variety of occupations and professions, for example, teachers and academics,

managers, human resources, public relations, advertising and the media, research, human factors, sports sciences and forensics. If students wish to become a specialist psychologist, for example an educational psychologist, forensic psychologist or clinical psychologist, further training will be required, but otherwise a degree in psychology provides a very flexible degree choice in terms of future careers. I have really enjoyed my first year of lecturing in Malaysia as it has provided me with an opportunity to go back to the basics and think about why I started to study psychology and why it was so appealing to me in my early 20s. My plan was to work in Human Resource Management but I loved the subject so much I stayed on at university to study at Doctorate level, and nearly 20 years later I am still teaching a subject that I find fascinating and in which I continue to learn and expand my knowledge daily. By Dr Pamela Pourzanjani (CPsychol AFBPsS) Senior Lecturer, Bachelor of Applied Psychology Raffles University Iskandar

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20 CELEBRATING WORLD HEALTH DAY

Awareness: Described as a silent killer, many people are not even aware that they have high blood pressure

n conjunction with the global World Health Day, Regency Specialist Hospital (Regency) organised a community day on 7th April to celebrate this occasion. Following the theme of World Health Day this year - “Control your Blood Pressure”, Regency has organised a series of activities to raise public awareness on controlling their blood pressure through healthy lifestyle. According to the 2011 National Health and Morbidity Survey, around one-third of Malaysian adults have high blood pressure. Described as a silent killer, many people are not even aware that they have high blood pressure. Furthermore, uncontrolled blood pressure increases the risks of life threatening complications like heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. Regency believes that early detection and leading a healthy lifestyle are keys to preventing high blood pressure. Hence, the highlights for the World Health Day event at Regency were: • Live healthy cooking demonstration by specially invited celebrity chef from KL, Chef Agnes Chang. With a simple switch of ingredients and by adjusting the cooking methods, Chef Agnes Chang has showed the audience that it is actually very easy to prepare healthy yet delicious food at home. A recipe booklet was also distributed freely to the crowd.

• Other activities to promote awareness on high blood pressure included free health screening for the public to encourage early detection and screening, health talk by a Regency doctor on how to control blood pressure, and a segment by their dietician and physiotherapist that included a quiz to the audience to test their knowledge on high blood pressure. • A hand hygiene themed colouring contest for children aged between 4 -12 was also held to educate them on the importance of hand washing. Regency’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Chin Wei Jia said, “As a hospital that cares for our community, we believe that by promoting healthy lifestyle and diet to the public, they will know how to control and manage their blood pressure better. Through this World Health Day event, we seek to raise public awareness of risk factors for high blood pressure and its complications, as well as the benefits of early detection and prevention.” More than 300 people from all ages and backgrounds attended this event. Throughout the event, participants were given health tips on how to manage their blood pressure by adopting a healthy lifestyle and bringing home delicious healthy recipes specially selected by Chef Agnes Chang.

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Impacts of Social Media and Work By Alan Wee newsdesk@theiskandarian.com

yan Holmes the CEO of HootSuite said, “In the nine short years since Mark Zuckerberg launched thefacebook.com, social media has evolved from dorm room toy to boardroom tool. Last year, 73 percent of Fortune 500 companies were active on Twitter, while more than 80 percent of executives believed social media engagement led to increased sales.” It is quite evident in today’s world that HR departments in most companies tend to refer to social media to recruit, shortlist and analyze a potential job seeker. In other words, social media is poised to become an office productivity tool. Even Sales and Marketing teams turn to social media to track clients and generate leads to clench that deal. Social media has given companies access to unprecedented amounts of information on client behavior and preferences. Companies also turn to social media to advertise as they feel it reaches out to a wider spectrum and it has become a norm to get the word out through these sites. For example, American giants such as Morgan Stanley have now turned to twitter. After over a year of trials

and risk analysis, 600 Morgan Stanley Barney Smith advisors tried out Twitter and LinkedIn. Morgan Stanley’s risk management committee has deemed the two websites appropriate for professional use but the advisors must choose from a

list of pre-written messages. This scenario is also present in Malaysia, where most professionals turn to LinkendIn to make that business connection, twitter for getting out short, precise messages to clients and Facebook

“Like” pages are created to update and promote/sell a product to potential buyers and often used as a tool to communicate with clients. It has been quoted that, ”While savvy companies may have unlocked the secrets of doing business on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+, a host of new networks has suddenly entered the picture such as Instagram and Pinterest. 2013 will likely see the ascent of brand new players. At the same time, international social networking is entering a phase of dramatic growth. In 2013, new users are expected to grow by 21.1 percent in Asia-Pacific (including China, India and Indonesia). Last year alone, China’s Twitter-like Sina Weibo nearly doubled its base to 400 million users. Brands and companies leveraging social media in 2013 will have to monitor and engage in an expanding ecosystem of social networks”. The impact is pretty positive and is here to stay.

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ACCUMULATING WEALTH? ¬ Profiting from the Implication of the Recent Stock Market Performance

stock broker friend recently mentioned that business is really bad off late. While the stock market has performed very well in the last few weeks, he said most of his clients dare not invest based on anticipation of the market uncertainty. Another friend also mentioned that it’s not a good time to invest in the stock market now and shared a few reasons: 1) The Euro zone crisis is yet to be seen. 2) The world economy data, such as Nonfarm Payroll, Manager Purchasing Index (PMI) are not encouraging. 3) The stock market literally collapsed after the General Election in 2008. 4) The Composite Index is close at the new high, which means the risk is high. Whatever the reasons may be, let’s look at how the Malaysian stock market performed lately. Before the Parliament dissolved Before the Parliament was dissolved on 3rd April, there was a day where the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KL Composite Index (FBM KLCI)

had a major correction: 21st Jan, the market plunged 40.8 points on rumours of Parliament dissolution. Since then, the market was jittery but able to stand above the solid support of 1600. Gradually, the KLCI climbed back to 1685 until the day before the Parliament was dissolved. The day the Parliament dissolved On 3rd April, the market was down 53 points after realizing that our Prime Minister was going to dissolve the Parliament. The drastic fall, however, was all erased at the end of the day with the KLCI being 0.4 points higher at 1685.4. After the Parliament was dissolved Many anticipated that the ‘real fall’ will only start after the Parliament was dissolved. To their surprise, the KLCI trended up higher and broke historical high a week after, reaching 1707 on 11th April. So what do these mean? Seeing such astounding results, the pessimists have no choice but to change their view that the market is going up now. Some even opined that why the market is going up instead of down. Firstly, unlike 2008 where

the US subprime crisis hit the globe, 2013 is so far a very good year for the world stock market. Why is it so? The whole world’s stock market is going up! The Dow Jones, S&P 500 have already recorded historical highs. In ASEAN, countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines’s stock market have formed new highs, too. The Singapore’s Straits Index, although is yet to achieve new high, has also surged to the highest in three years. It’s natural that Malaysia follows the trend. Secondly, according to Bank Negara, Malaysia’s GDP expanded 6.4% in the fourth quarter of 2012 (4Q2012) and 5.6% for the full year in 2012 - spurred by services, manufacturing and construction sectors. Since the country’s economy is growing, why shouldn’t be the stock market? Thirdly, even though the stock market’s fluctuation in 2008 was partially caused by the result of the general election, it does not mean it will repeat the same in 2013. For this year, the market has somehow been prepared for any outcome practically and mentally, be it good or bad.

Binyuen is the author of ‘Life beyond the Comfort Zone’. His books are available at major bookstores in Malaysia and Singapore. He’ll be conducting a seminar ‘Profit from Share Investment3’ on 9th June 13. Reach him at btey2000@yahoo.com.au

In fact, when the Parliament was dissolved, it has established a form of certainty (to the market). A few days later, the nomination and election date were announced, too. Therefore, it’s a better certainty for the market. How would you profit from the market? Due to market uncertainty, I know many people have sold their stocks more than a few months ago. While this was a way to preserve the capital, one should not simply sell if the counters possess the following qualities: 1) Undervalued stocks PE ratio in between five to eight or their Net Tangible Asset (NTA) is much higher than the market price. 2) Company with strong earning visibility Bear in mind that share prices are primarily moved by the company’s earnings. The more money the company makes, the higher its share price will go. The more visible the company’s future earnings are, the more resilient its share prices become. Put it this way,

if you already know this company will be earning more profits in the future, will you be selling? 3) Counters with potential rerating catalyst Recently, the media has been reporting that there is a huge possibility of rerating the property sector due to the significant development of the Iskandar Malaysia region. This has boosted the stock price of the property counter. Likewise, the outburst of H5N9 in China could also potentially increase the demand of gloves tremendously. These are two examples of rerating catalyst. 4) Counter you bought at very low price For instance, if you bought a blue chip many years back and have made 50% capital gain, plus have collected regular dividend over the years and sold them all, only to regret seeing the market going up lately. In conclusion, the secret to make money in the stock market is not to predict the market, but to stick to the fundamentals. While capital preservation is the number one rule in stock investment, one should think properly before selling any stocks.

Prosper Thy Neighbours (part1)

ver since Singapore and Malaysia announced plans for enhanced rail connectivity and joint developments in Iskandar Malaysia and Singapore, there has been an almost a daily avalanche of good news flow! It is therefore unsurprising that many Singaporean and Malaysian clients have been busy inundating us with questions. They are foremost concerned if this era of cooperation will sustain bilateral economic opportunities. In the face of concrete outcomes such as the high speed rail project and joint Temasek-Khazanah investments, how could so many be yet so unsure? In actuality, who can blame skeptics given the long standing complications of the past decades? George Soros, founder of the hedge Quantum Fund, famously

hypothesized society often overate both bad and good news “reflexively”, causing cyclical reinforcement of cause and effect. In simple terms, he meant people’s perception sticks to trends of the past more than their present “reality”. Being a cross border development initiative, it takes good relations to drive investments. The biggest success factor of Iskandar today is that bilateral ties between Malaysia and Singapore is now at an excellent stage. To understand the continued success of Iskandar Malaysia best, perhaps one really has to have lived long in both Singapore and Malaysia. It is an economic vision planned and built from ground up to capture the spillovers of the competitive Singapore economy to benefit the Johorean community. It is a prime example of leveraging the comparative advantages

for mutual benefit of two countries. When Iskandar Malaysia was planned in the early 2000’s, the proposition is easy to comprehend. But I would posit that few then could foresee the speed of change of economic trends in Singapore today.

Ed Cheong is the founder of Rafflesland Capital, a Singapore-based Iskandar specialist and consultancy offering institutional-class property investment education for clients in Asia. Their focus is on the hyper growth corridors of Singapore to Malaysia and other emerging markets. He also represents The Iskandarian Newspaper’s corporate relations in Singapore. He can be reached at iskandar@rafflesland.com and tel +65 97111271.

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Thai Delicacy at Taman Nusa Bestari

ince stumbling upon Tam Zabb Lao and Thai restaurant, I have become a regular because their food is delicious, authentic and made from fresh ingredients. The lady boss; Aphinya is from Thailand and so are the chefs and crew with vast experience in Lao and Thai cuisine. Among my personal favourites is the “Pandan chicken” which is a standard fare at most Thai restaurants. The difference here is that, the usage of fresh chilled chicken instead of frozen chicken which ensures the tenderness and natural sweetness of the meat. The flavour is further enhanced when dipped in the savoury-sweet sauce made with palm sugar imported from Thailand. The next must have is the “Stir Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts”. The chicken slices are flattened, coated in a thin batter and deep fried to a crisp, before stir frying. The end result is a savoury biscuit-like chicken (keropok) or crackers and is excellent with white rice and even better with cold beer! Here, the famous Thai pineapple rice is available but it’s the North-eastern variety without the yellow cumin which we have here in Johor and Singapore. The flavours are

milder and less greasy. The fluffy fried rice is served with diced capsicum, pineapple, carrots, raisins, cashew nuts, chicken and shrimps. “Num Tok Phla” is a large tilapia fish, and its thick flesh are diced into chunky cubes, marinated with hot spices, deep fried and served with onion, mint, dried chilli peppers and chilli powder garnishing. The thick tilapia fish is fried till crisp but kept moist on the inside. The chilli sauce looks fiery but it is actually just mildly spicy. Catfish is common in markets and stalls in Johor but here it is barbequed with such finesse that the skin is reduced to a dry savoury parchment while the sweet flesh remains juicy with its natural oils. “Classic Larb” is an everyday comfort food in Northeast Thailand and Laos, made from finely chopped pork and stir fried with spicy, tangy sauces, herbs and spices. In JB, as far as I know, this Thai pork dish is only available at Tam Zabb. The pork from the chin area is grilled over very slow fire, and when cooked, it is fine sliced and tossed in a tangy and spicy salad sauce. This keeps the meat tender, naturally sweet and spicy with a bouncy, delightful “QQ” mouth feel. That fearsome

looking thick layer of fat did not make me feel congested or bloated at all (making it all the more dangerous!). This grilled pork neck is simply marvellous. For many people, no Thai meal is complete without a spicy “Tom Yam soup”. For Thai food newbies; fear not - as their Tom Yam soup is mildly spicy as long as you don’t bite into the chilli peppers. The ingredients are all fresh and it is deliciously tangy and sweet. To top off my meals, the restaurant serves some marvellous Thai desserts that I’ve not seen anywhere else in JB. Delightful pumpkin custard served with ice cream! The softness and natural sweetness of the pumpkin is complemented by the saccharin sweetness of the ice cream. The contrast of warm custard with cold ice cream makes this treat an interesting experience. Sticky Rice Mango is a common dessert in Thai restaurants. The sweet and slightly tangy mango complements the sweet sticky rice. Here, the mango is bathed with milky syrup made of palm sugar extracted from “sea coconuts”. Delightful on the taste buds and not overly sweet, I found it rather addictive. Unable to find it in Johor markets,

German Cuisine Blitzkrieg @ The Bierhaus

et in a typical German ambience, both outlets of The Bierhaus serve authentic German food coupled with the famous beer from one of Germany’s finest breweries – Paulaner. A fusion of Italian and local cuisines can also be found on their menu. Four dishes were served out on this occasion and with the sight and aroma, it’s enough to stir up the hungry cells in anyone! Bierhaus Pork Knuckle The signature and all-time best-seller is stewed in a homemade concoction of herbs before frying to give it a crispy finish. That’s the secret behind the dish’s success according to executive chef Fabrizio and chef Kamal. You will feel the crunchiness of the skin upon first bite before coming in touch with the juice of the meat chunk. The meat is full of tender sweetness and leaves a slight hint of herbal aftertaste. The dish comes with four types of dip for some additional flavours. Apple sauce for sweetness, brown sauce if you like it salty, pickle sauce for a sour taste and chilli sauce to spice things up. All sauces are homemade and compliment the knuckle seamlessly. The knuckles come with generous portions of mashed potatoes, salad and sauerkraut - special homemade cabbage side dish. The vegetable is

cooked in white vinegar and wine for that distinctive tangy punch. Grilled Japanese Scallops Wrapped In Pork Bacon A fusion between Japanese and German gourmet fare, the gigantic Japanese scallops comes wrapped in German smoked pork bacon and grilled to perfection. Bacon wrap provides the crisp while the scallops take care of the tender and juicy part. The full flavoured bacon goes down absolutely well with the natural sweetness of scallops. A healthy dose of salad accompanies the dish, while the homemade mayonnaise provides another option for a fuller flavour. Four Seasons Another pork knuckle dish presented in four flavours with a different variation every day, all flavours are determined by the available ingredients in the kitchen and most importantly, the chef ’s mood. Flavours for the day were pork knuckle meat chunks cooked with pepper sauce, bbq sauce and sweet chilli sauce. Skin was deep fried till light brown and crispy. The original tenderness and taste of pork chunks is not lost despite being cooked in sauces. The different sauces merely enhance the meat’s juices to another level. The deep fried skin is crunchy and tasty even on

its own. Just dip them in the apple, chilli, pickle or brown sauce provided for extra surprises. Together with sauerkraut as the side dish, the four seasons has it all to satisfy different taste buds. Bierhaus Burger The first of its kind, the Bierhaus Burger provides another option to the normal beef, chicken or fish burgers we have. The juicy patty is derived from a thrilling mix of pork and pork sausages and grilled faultlessly and dressed with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and homemade mayonnaise for that extra crunch in both taste and bite. The tasty patty juice just flows with every bite due to its unique blend. A large portion of fries comes with the burger, sinful but irresistible. The Bierhaus also offer an impressive list of beers and wines from different regions for patrons to wash down their food. Their upcoming joint will be opened in Taman Sutera by end 2013. Restaurant name: The Bierhaus • G5 Daiman Bowl Complex, No.2, Jln Dedap 3, Tmn Johor Jaya, 81100 Johor Bahru • 299 Jalan Sutera, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johore Bahru Parking: Ample parking at location Hours: 2pm-2am daily Non-Halal

Aphinya buys the palm sugar directly from Thailand. Next is, grilled banana dessert served with a sweet sauce made with Thai sea coconut palm sugar. Aphinya uses a mix of local and Thai bananas for this dessert. The local bananas are sweeter, softer and mushier while the Thai ones are firmer, less sweet and slightly fibrous. Using both type of bananas give this dessert an interesting mix of flavours and textures. Finally, do not give their traditional Thai beverages a miss as they are simply refreshing. I’ve always enjoyed my visits here very much and will definitely be back regularly. The clean and neat environment, easy accessibility and parking, attentive service, reasonable pricing, and the authentic traditional Lao and Thai food are what worth coming for as it is excellent. Restaurant name: Restoran Tam Zabb Lao and Thai Address: 48G, Jalan Bestari 3/2, Taman Nusa Bestari, Johor Bahru Parking: Ample parking at location Hours: 11:00am to 11:00pm (Closed on Tuesdays) Non-Halal

Executive Chef Fabrizio and Chef Kamal

24 play OH NO! VEGETABLES!!! FREE COPY ISSUE 09 | MAY 2013

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egetables were at one time abused and neglected, relegated to the minor role of unimportant side dishes, to be taken or left, or not even noticed on the table! Today, however, vegetables are much more appreciated, not only for their nutritional importance but for its variety, flavour, eye appeal, elegance and even sophistication that they bring to our daily meal! Cooking affects vegetables in four ways. It changes the following: 1. Texture 2. Flavour 3. Colour 4. Nutrients

How to control Texture? Changing texture is one of the main purposes of cooking vegetables. Fibre The fibre structure of vegetables give them shape and firmness but cooking softens some of these components. Fibre is made firmer by acids (lemon juice, vinegar, tomato product) when added to cooking vegetables and the sugar element strengthens cell structure. Fibre is softened by heat and alkalis. Do not add baking soda to green vegetables. It will make your vegetables mushy and

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destroy vitamins. Vegetables is said to be done when it reaches the desired degree of tenderness and are best cooked very briefly until they are crispy tender or al dente.

How to control Flavour? Many flavours are lost during cooking by evaporation. The longer vegetables are cooked the more flavour it loses. Cook it for a short time and use boiling salted water. Blanching vegetables in boiling water shortens cooking time and salt helps reduce any loss of flavour. Whenever appropriate, steam vegetables as it shortens cooking time and reduces leaching out of flavours. Try to serve young, fresh vegetables that have been stored for a short time. How to control Colour? Pigments are compound that gives vegetables their colour. Different pigments react in different ways to heat, acids, and others elements that may be present during cooking. White pigments stay white in acid and turn yellow in alkaline water and in order to keep vegetables white such as cauliflower,

white cabbage, onions, or zucchini, add a little lemon juice during the cooking process. Cook them for a short time, especially in a steamer. Red pigments stay brighter in acids and alkalis turn them blue or blue green. Red pigments also dissolve easily in water. This means: 1. Use short cooking time. 2. Use only as much water that is required. 3. When steaming, use solid pans instead of perforated pans to retain its juices.

Tips to maintain the freshness of vegetables: • Don’t overcook your vegetables. • If possible, cook it closer to service. • If vegetables must be cooked in advance, slightly undercook them, cool rapidly in cold water, drain, and refrigerate, then reheat before consumption. • For uniform cooking, cut vegetables in the same size before cooking. • Don’t mix batches of cooked vegetables. They are likely to be cooked at slightly different level of doneness. • Don’t add any baking soda to maintain greenness because it destroys vitamins and makes your vegetables’ texture unpleasant, mushy and slippery. • Cook green vegetables and strong flavoured vegetables uncovered. • Start with boiling, salted water when boiling green vegetables and other vegetables that grow above the ground. Md Hisham Bin Hassan Head of Food & Beverage Department, Chill Coffee House @ KFCH International College

@home

ISSUE 09 | MAY 2013

T HE I SKANDAR I AN

PROPERTY

RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS

APARTMENTS

VILLAS

CONDOMINIUMS

OFFICE/ RETAILSPACE

Focus on Sectors

Looking to invest in Flagship E? KCC Development Sdn Bhd’s The Senai Garden offers residents the luxury of enjoying a host of in-house facilities without actually leaving home >>page 29

Cover Story

Mulpha International Berhad’s Leisure Farm Resort residential development in Flagship B of Iskandar Malaysia. The award winning lifestyle development is well connected through a network of highways linking Johor Bahru City, Senai Airport and Nusajaya. >>page 27

Capital Appreciation With the increasing property prices in Iskandar Malaysia, property owners are not only looking at the property per se but paying more attention to surrounding amenities to ensure capital appreciation over the years. Mutiara Rini facilitates this niche. >>page 29

@home Bayou Creek @ Leisure Farm FREE COPY ISSUE 09 | MAY 2013

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The Essence of Eco-chic Living

HILL PARK A SERIES OF LANDSCAPED GARDENS With four community parks and eleven themed gardens, you will be spoilt for choice when deciding on your next outdoor activity. Central Garden | Mage Garden | Forest Garden | Beach Garden

ayou Creek presents the latest edition of Leisure Farmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eco-chic lifestyle homes that are built upon the fundamentals of Sustainability, Environment, Energy, Design and Security; known in short as S.E.E.D.S.

The visionary S.E.E.D.S concept promises luxury living tuned to the needs of modern families where a healthy and stress-free environment, security, nature preservation and conservation of natural resources are requisite. Semi-Ds and bungalows offers featured green design innovations and construction methods that ensure minimal ecological impact and day-to-day carbon footprint.

These Greenmark assessed homes have been conscientiously designed to be ready for occupation immediately upon completion with minimal or no renovations required. All Bayou Creek homes have their own private courtyard along with a garden and a pond. They also feature spacious bedrooms complete with built-in wardrobes. The last instalment in Leisure Farmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s canal front homes series, two canals, a pristine mangrove forest and a golf and country club flank the picturesque Bayou Creek. Experience the eco-enchantment of Bayou Creek at our newly completed show village. Please call (607) 556 3003 / 3136 for a private tour.

@home Capital Appreciation at Mutiara Rini

FREE COPY ISSUE 09 | MAY 2013

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The Senai Garden’s Facilities Galore Mutiara Rini Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Boustead Holdings Bhd and Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) group of companies, houses an impressive display of well known shopping, banking and eatery outlets in its Commercial Hub. With the increasing property prices in Iskandar Malaysia, property owners are not only looking at the property per se but paying more attention to surrounding amenities to ensure capital appreciation over the years. Addressing this necessitate, Mutiara Rini has the likes of Affin Bank to cater to the banking needs of its residents and hypermarkets like Tesco and Mydin are now in MutiaraRini taking full advantage of the township which is strategically located within the western corridor of Johor Bahru which is 13km north-west from Johor Bahru City Centre and is easily accessible by Skudai Highway about 2km away from the east. With the recently launched 138 units of double-storey terrace houses under Phase 4B of its Rini Heights development, fast food franchisers like Mc Donald’s is within a five minute walk away and KFC is within minutes as well of

Phase 4A and 4B. Houses at MutiaraRiniare pertinently priced between RM484,000 and RM605,000. Since the launch of their maiden project in Taman MutiaraRiniin 1996 and their second project in Kuala Lumpur in 2000, they have launched more than 7,000 units of residential and commercial units. Among the highlight attractions at this pristine township is the Hutan Bandar Mutiara Rini MBJBT urban forest and recreational centre, sprawling 62 acre festooned with exercising facilities and nature ponds. They have also built a 32km bicycle and jogging track which is integrated with the road system of the development. Each house buyer will get a complimentary bicycle to encourage the local community to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Mutiara Rini is definitely an exemplary developer aiming to be different from their competitors. They also provide low-medium cost terrace units and landed affordable homes in their developments with 1000 units this year reasonably priced between RM80,000 and RM220,000 per unit.

part from being surrounded by leisure landmarks in the form of LEGOLAND Malaysia, Johor Premium Outlets and the upcoming Aeon Jusco in Kulai. The Senai Garden also offers residents the luxury of enjoying a host of in-house facilities without actually leaving home.

Swimming Pool Swim in style among generous green settings. This uniquely designed pool brings you closer to nature while allowing you to have a relaxing dip. If the weather is good, the pool is surrounded by deck chairs for some serious tanning sessions. Wet Playground Which kid does not like frolicking with water? A certain hit with kids, the Children’s Wet Playground provides them with endless hours of fun just by getting wet and splashing around. Fitness Gym Furnished with the latest fitness equipment available in the market, the Fitness Gym also provides a scenic view of the pool for you to enjoy while working out. A great way to keep fit and relax. Putting Golf Course / Tennis Court The 9-Hole Putting Golf Course will be a delight for any self-proclaimed golfers. A challenging course awaits you if there is sudden itch to pick up the golf clubs. A tennis

court is also available for tennis followers to have a game or two with fellow enthusiasts. Mini Theatre Catch a movie in the Mini Theatre equipped with a state-of-the-art audio visual system. Enjoy movies in a relaxed environment fitted with comfortable seats. KTV Room Sing the blues away with your family and friends in the KTV Room. Good way to spend some quality time with close ones for an enjoyable singing session. Included Facilities Besides the mentioned facilities, The Senai Garden also has a sauna and Jacuzzi, a reflexology Zen garden, a BBQ park and jogging tracks for residents. With such a wide selection made available, residents of The Senai Garden can only be spoiled for choice. A strict three tier security system deployed by The Senai Garden ensures residents to enjoy all facilities freely in a secured compound. All residential units are linked through an intercom system to the guard post which has 24-hour CCTV surveillance over The Senai Garden. On top of feeling secured, residents will also feel assured by the extended 36 months defects liability period offered by KCC Development Sdn Bhd, the developer behind this prestigious project in Iskandar Malaysia.