The Iskandarian December 2020 Issue

The Iskandarian ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020

KDN : PP19356/08/2018(034949) | Singapore MICA : MCI (P) 079/12/2019

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J2 The Iskandarian ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020 Feature

Driving Growth with Community Empowerment

The Iskandarian formed multi-stakeholder partnerships to promote their digital platformts

We touch base with the founder of The Iskandarian to hear more about the journey and progress of the publication.

Edey Suresh

Editor in Chief & Founder The Iskandarian, Iskandar Malaysia Social Heroes Award (IMSHA) & JOCOM

Edey Suresh (second from right) at the United Nations SDG Summit

Edey Suresh is a respected journalist, editor, social entrepreneur and strategist. Born and raised in Johor, he owns and operates the region’s premier community newspaper called The Iskandarian under a public-private partnership with Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA). Edey is the Founder of the Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (IMSHA) as well as the Founding President of Johor Bahru Collective Media or JOCOM. Trained in Sustainable Business Strategy from Harvard Business School, Edey is also a member of the Board of Directors for the UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMB).

Edey Suresh (second from left) with some of the IMSHA NGOs and CSOs The Iskandarian (TI) hits its 100th Issue in its 8th year! Do you still remember its beginnings and has the purpose of the publication changed its course?

Yes! It feels like it was yesterday when we came up with the idea of publishing a newspaper to cater the developments of Iskandar Malaysia to the surrounding community. We wanted news’ platform that can communicate the live, work, play, invest, lifestyle, property and community news of Iskandar Malaysia and I’m happy to state that we have remained true to our purpose.

Before this, The Iskandarian was available on print as well as digital. However, during these unprecedented times, TI has gone fully digital. What makes going fully digital different for readers and partners alike?

It was quite an abrupt decision as our printer was unable to operate during the MCO period and subsequent to that, our specific type of wood-free paper was low in stock and was unable to cater to our demand. Some might say, why not switch to a different printer but the challenge is that we will need to submit a new KDN permit if we were to switch as the publishing permit carries specific printer details.

Going digital completely is very exciting as it gives us a lot of control in terms of tracking the demographics of our readership and to make evidence-based decisions on content direction, marketing

tactics and so on. Our partners have been very supportive with the transition and understand the need to pivot digitally.

We have also deployed a blue ocean strategy by introducing tent-cards to our physical distribution points whereby readers can scan the QR code to read us online. Our partnership with MAH, myBHA as well Causeway Link, who will carry our QR code in the buses, is an example of us using offline marketing techniques to promote our online space.

The Iskandarian and Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (IMSHA) have plenty of milestones. Any backstories that you would like to highlight for this 100th edition?

Every day is a new milestone (laughs). 8 years of TI and now going digital as well as 6 years of IMSHA has been an exhilarating journey.

IMSHA has of course matured tremendously with the incorporation of the Social Hero Foundation as the managing legal entity of the awards as well as the recognition by the United Nations (Malaysia) as a Good Practice SDGs Award provider but more importantly is the network of NGOs and Humanitarian volunteers who work as a well-oiled machine by working hand in hand in creating a resilient community.

What can we look forward to for both The Iskandarian and IMSHA in 2021, perhaps the next 100 issues?

TI will grow and expand its reach to cater to the readers about what’s going on in Iskandar Malaysia. Our presence will increase tremendously with our digital campaigns and we are quite optimistic about the growth. IMSHA has a lot going on as we have been releasing reports on what the 120 or so winners from the IMSHA NGO/NGI network been up to. We are also in the midst of collecting urban poor data by working with the IMSHA Winners Network whereby NGOs and Civil Society Organisations (CSO) will act as enumerators to collect data which will help reduce duplications and provide proper aid to vulnerable communities. We are working hard to keep both economic sustainability as well as sustainability values intact in our growth process. TI

KDN : PP19356/08/2018(034949) | Singapore MICA : MCI (P) 079/12/2019

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Iskandar Malaysia’s Official Newspaper is an effort by True Soul Media PLT & Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA)

ISSUE 100

Transformation of Sungai Segget

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DEC 2020

Accumulating Wealth

AME Boosts Expansion Plans

Page 3

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Page 18

Monthly Drill

Signs of Recovery Seen

with Gerard Soosay, CEO of Sunway Iskandar Sdn. Bhd.

Page 15

Page 7

National Budget 2021 vs COVID-19 Pandemic The National Budget 2021 was tabled by the Minister of Finance Tengku Zafrul Aziz, on 6th November 2020 where RM236.5 billion is allocated for operational expenditure, RM69 billion for development and RM17 billion for COVID-19 fund.

Here are the highlights that we should be aware of: EMOLUMENT

EMPLOYMENT

• RM200 assistance will be given to underprivileged families per child under 6 years of age.

• RM150 assistance will be provided to underprivileged families per child between the ages of 7-18 years old.

• 1% decrease in income tax for those earning between RM50k - RM70k per year.

• RM100 million will be given to the M a l ays i a D i gi t a l Economy Corporation (MDEC) to promote talent transfer.

• RM100 million to the Regional Development Authorities (IRDA & READY) to help staff severely affected by border closures with new skills.

EMPLOYABILITY

WORKFORCE • From January 2021, KWSP contributions will be reduced from 11% to 9%.

• KWSP account holders may withdraw RM500 from their Account 1 monthly for 12 months up to a total of RM6,000.

• The RM3000 per year Private Retirement Scheme (PRS) tax relief has been extended until 2025.

• “Elaun Mencari Pekerjaan” PERKESO is currently taking care of people who have lost their jobs and will be extended for three months in 2021.

MyStep will be launched by the government to provide 50,000 shortterm work opportunities.

WORKPLACE RM20 million to enable private sectors to construct child care service centres in their workplace.

BSH to BPR

DEVELOPMENT

YOUTH

Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) will substitute BSH and the following categories are:

• RM15 billion allocated for transport infrastructure projects including Gemas-Johor Bahru project.

• Continuation of projects including the Rapid Transit System between Johor Bahru and Singapore.

• Government to proceed with High Speed Rail project, subject to discussions with Singapore.

The government will send a one-off RM50 to youths between the ages of 18 to 20 through their E-wallet accounts.

HUMAN RESOURCE

HOUSING

• New graduates will each be given RM3,000 worth of vouchers to take professional certification courses.

• Berhad Human Resource Creation will be allocated RM100 million to (HRDF) to introduce the Private Sector Joint Training Programme.

• RM500 million for the construction, under the Perumahan Rakyat scheme.

• The construction of 3,000 Rumah Mesra Rakyat units will commence at RM315 million.

• For the renovation of low-cost housing, RM125 million is allocated, with aid contributing to repairs.

• The government will also collaborate with financial institutions to plan a rent-to-own scheme for 5,000 properties.

• Purchase agreements signed from 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2025 for homes valued at RM500,000 and below, the government should exclude stamp duty.

TECH AID • For internet subscriptions and mobile phone costs, RM180 will be given to each B40 user.

• GLC and GLIC will contribute RM150 million to Tabung CERDIK to provide laptops to 150,000 students in 500 schools.

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Meanwhile, the Johor Budget 2021 was tabled by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Ir. Hasni Mohammad on the same day as the National Budget 2021 and was approved by the Parliament on 26th November 2020.

Johor’s budget will focus on three main foundations: improving people’s well-being, accelerating economic growth, and building fiscal and economic resilience. At RM248.14 million, with operational expenditure of RM997.21 million, which includes contributions to the Development Fund, 12 major agendas are set for RM850 million, RM513.69 million for emoluments and RM483.51 million for other expenditures. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

@theISKANDARIAN

• RM1,200 will be provided to households with one child earning less than RM2,500.

• RM1,800 will be provided to households with two or more children who receive less than RM2,500.

• RM800 will be provided to households with one child earning RM2,501 to RM4,000.

• RM1,200 will be provided to households with two or more children, earning RM2,501 to RM4,000.

• RM500 will be given to households with one child earning RM4,001 to RM5,000.

• Households with two children or more would receive RM750, earning RM4,001 to RM5,000.

• RM350 will be granted to unmarried individuals earning less than RM2,500. The age limit was reduced to 21-years-old for single persons.

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SPORTS • In order to construct, update and maintain sports facilities nationally, RM103 million will be allocated.

• The development of basketball, football, badminton, cycling, and the development of female athletes would be allocated RM55 million.

• RM15 million for e -sports development.

• Under the TEKUN Sports scheme, RM20 million will be allocated as a soft loan to ensure the survival of the operators of sports facilities.

• In addition to RM500, the lifestyle income tax relief cap has been expanded from RM2,500 - RM3,000. www.theiskandarian.com

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THE ISKANDARIAN

ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020

NEWS

Is Budget 2021 Inclusive Enough?

SEND LETTERs or inquiries to facebook.com/theiskandarian editor@theiskandarian.com www.theiskandarian.com

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he National Budget 2021 with concentration on individuals and small businesses will help in sustaining the citizens’ daily needs and recharge the local economy – both crucial for Malaysia in prevailing over the COVID-19 pandemic.

Datuk Ismail Ibrahim, Chief Executive, Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), shares the following: Creation and Maintaining Jobs

Our Friends

RM3.7 billion will be set aside for ‘Skim Jaminan Penjanaan Pekerjaan (JanaKerja)’ under ‘Strategy 3 - Creating and Sustaining Jobs’ to create 500K job opportunities. ‘Rakyat’s Well-Being’,’ Business Continuity’ and ‘Economic Resilience’ are the government’s 3 pronged priority of the 5th ‘Revitalise’ point.

Empowering SMEs Iskandar Malaysia also welcomes another RM11.1 billion that has been set aside for Bumiputera access to quality education such as MARA and TVET. Small businesses can further take advantage of the RM1.9 billion budget to help them get access to funding through PRIHATIN and PENJANA packages.

Transformation into Digitised Industry Iskandar Malaysia is excited to see an allocation of RM800 for ‘Jalinan Digital Negara’ (JENDELA) and another RM7.8 billion to expand broadband services. This is further reinforced through an RM1 billion budget being set aside for ‘Skim Transformasi Pendigitalan Industri’.

Environmental Conservation RM550 million has also been

No Panic Purchase Needed

set aside for environmental conservation. This budget includes the expenses for the Integrated Island Waste Management project around the islands in Johor. The region’s environmental programmes can further benefit from the Malaysia-SDG Trust Fund.

Infrastructure & High-Tech Endeavour At a total valuation of RM1 billion, the Rent-To-Own scheme includes 5,000 PR1MA apartments. IRDA was pleased to extend the current benefits until 2022 in Iskandar Malaysia.

Malaysia has RM1 billion dedicated to supporting the growth of high-tech, which includes R&D in aerospace. IRDA has already identified the aerospace industry as

Gleneagles MEDINI

A local wet market inspected by KPDNHEP

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he government has announced the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) for all states in the Peninsula except Perlis, Pahang and Kelantan from 9th November 2020 to 6th December 2020 due to the escalating COVID-19 cases in the nation.

Although the CMCO is already over in Johor, the Johor Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has been monitoring and inspecting the position of supply of essential goods throughout the state since the announcement of CMCO early November.

A total of 200 state’s KPDNHEP enforcement officers will constantly monitor and carry out inspections so that primary and daily supplies are sufficient for the people of Johor.

Based on records, a total of 67,034 premises were inspected by KPDNHEP

Johor for all districts in the state from 1st January 2020 to 31st October 2020. As a result of the monitoring and inspection carried out, the supply of essential items is adequate and readily available. To date, the supply of controlled goods is sufficient at all levels from manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers.

KPDNHEP Johor also found that no panic purchase occurred following the announcement of CMCO by the government.

KPDNHEP Johor would like to advise the public to not make panic purchases and buy goods as needed only and to not buy in excess.

Consumers are also advised to continue complying with the SOPs and health advisory especially when going out to get daily necessities.

Meanwhile, all traders in Johor are required to comply with all the regulations and laws set by the Ministry and not take advantage during the CMCO period. TI

Datuk Ismail Ibrahim, CE of IRDA shares about the National Budget 2021

Johor’s readiness for Employment PostCOVID-19 3 initiatives implemented by the state government for Johor employees to be aware of

“In The Arms Of One Who Cares”

the next growth sector in Iskandar Malaysia.

Budget 2021 will concentrate on the needs of Rakyat and small businesses, such as job development and training, reskilling and up-skilling.

Entrepreneurship sector funding and reinforcement, digitalisation and automation, and basic infrastructure completion to further allow Malaysia to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

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he Johor Human Capital Strategic Unit (SMI) has implemented t wo post- COVID -19 initiatives to help those affected by the effects of the pandemic, namely ‘Program Insan Johor’ (Johor Human Programme) and the Johor Upskilling and Reskilling Programme for the people of Johor.

Datuk Ir. Haji Hasni Mohammad, Menteri Besar of Johor officiated the Initiative Presentation Ceremony of the Johor Human Capital Strategic Unit and the Launch of TVET Johor Handbook.

“The effort of Human

Capital Strategic Unit’s steps in organising the Johor Human Initiative and the Johor Upskilling and Reskilling Programme are most welcome. It is very much in line with the current time and context. I think this programme can be a catalyst for efforts to build Johor human capital development towards a more holistic one postCOVID-19 pandemic,” said Hasni.

The Johor People Programe is an initiative in the form of equipment assistance for the target group to participate or boost economic activity and currently it offers five assistance packages, namely Sewing, Automotive, Agro, Men’s Haircut, as well as Food and Beverage Package.

A total of 400 B40 and

One of Johor Upskilling and Reskilling strategic partners as TVET centres receive mock cheque of funds

M40 entrepreneurs have been selected to receive assistance allocated this time involving the groups affected following COVID-19 transmission.

The Johor Upskilling & Reskilling is another comprehensive measure to help those who have been laid off and unemployed graduates.

This programme aims to increase opportunities and job placements to Johoreans under the sponsorship of the state government.

TVET Johor Tour Series (TVET Johor Handbook) will be continued in the coming years with an injection of funds from the state government to strengthen TVET education. Employees with TVET qualifications are said to be able to earn 36% to 92% more wages in the construction, oil and gas and hospitality industry.

Hasni also said that Johor has the advantage of a cross border economy ecosystem where skilled workforce from Johor could be paid higher citing ports in Singapore went to vocational centres in Johor to find talents. by Norfy Shafeq TI

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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THE ISKANDARIAN

ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020

NEWS

Transformation of Sungai Segget

D

atuk Ismail Ibrahim, Chief Executive, Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) is optimistic about the transformation of our famous river in the city. “Once completed, the project will improve opportunities for neighbouring businesses where the attractive and cleaner environment will increase the number of visitors into the area and consequently boost tourism”.

He added that the upgraded area offers the community a healthier and enjoyable recreational platform to organise or enjoy arts, cultural and recreational activities. This stretch of the Segget will become a focus of activities for visitors, business owners and the Rakyat.

community namely a group of school children, were asked to come up with ideas on how to make Sg Segget more childrenfriendly through design elements which will of course include safety and security considerations by the relevant parties.

The project will also include the enhancement of building façades with painting works and the upgrading of Jalan Wong Ah Fook and recreational pathway which can be used for trishaw, bicycle and scooters.

Getting Everyone Involved

Historical and Heritage Zone

Representatives from different sectors and segments of the

Introduces the history and heritage of Sungai Segget and

Themes Sg Segget landscape will be divided into three sections which are the historical and heritage zone, culture and arts zone, and fun and leisure zone.

Johor combined with fun family components such as the Seaview Plaza, Kapal Bugis ‘Prahu Panisi sculpture, Iconic Statement Segget sculpture and so on.

Culture & Art Zone Promotes and enhances the local identity and character as well as encompasses the creative expression of visual and performing arts like ‘JIM’ sculpture which is made from cotton steel symbolising JOHOR in Jawi.

Sg Segget Rejuvenation Project Phase 1 and 2 were the “Construction of Sg Segget Integrated Water Treatment Plant (IWTP)” and “Construction of Flood Mitigation System and Sewerage System” which were completed in April 2017.

Phase 3 is the on-going “Sg Segget Landscaping and Upgrading of Jalan Wong Ah Fook

What Would 96% of Johor Have Soon?

Your 4 mustknow about the latest Johor state’s venture

O

n 19th November 2020, the first meeting of Johor Digital Council (Majlis Digital Johor), composed of government and industry players for the state of Johor to coordinate digital policies between the state government and the federal government had taken place here.

Chaired by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Ir. Hasni Mohamad, the objectives of the council were shared via a virtual press conference at the Menteri Besar Office with reporters. Among them are:

In the digital era, the state government should seek alternative economic activities and make them a potential source of income for the state government.

Through the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) programme for more internet coverage in Johor, the state government is looking into developing Johor ’s digital and telecommunication infrastructure more a g g r e s s i v e l y.

96% of areas in Johor are targeted to be equipped with telecommunication infrastructure.

Johor Digital Blueprint A Johor Digital Blueprint has been developed by the council, which will be completed in the next three to four months.

“Until now, the percentage of internet coverage and infrastructure facilities in the state has reached 91 to 92%. We are confident that with more investments to be carried out, especially in the rural areas of the state, we will achieve the target of 96%,” he said.

It is said that the blueprint will be refined later involving jointcooperation with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) for the execution of the infrastructure. “ The Johor state government will ensure that developers can make communication infrastructure an important infrastructure in addition to existing utilities such as electricity and water,” he said. TI

Johor’s Development of Digital Ecosystem The development of an efficient digital ecosystem in Johor needs a reliable databased infrastructure and government policies and all the benefits that come with this digital power.

Digital Economic Prospects

First Majlis Digital Johor (Johor Digital Council) (Image courtesy of Hasni Mohamad’s FB page)

Sungai Segget next to Jalan Wong Ah Fook circa 2019 Project”.

This project is also associated with and contributes to the broader JB City Transformation Plan to rejuvenate the central business district of the city (CBD) and make it a centre for the growth of business, community and cultural activities. Improving the landscape of this river in the centre of the city

will fittingly complement many other CBD catalytic ventures, namely the MBJB landscape and beautification initiatives, the Ibrahim International Business District (IIBD) and the RTS. The project is currently at 23% completion and is expected to be completed in Q3 2021. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

Johor NGOs Lend A Hand To Sabah Frontliners Were NGOs in the way of government’s work?

Pertubuhan Ihsan Johor answers

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emporna district in Sabah had recently become one of the most affected states during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pertubuhan Ihsan Johor (Ihsan Johor) in a press statement stated that the state is still in need of humanitarian assistance post-Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO).

Ihsan Johor had supplied baby milk powder to Sabah in their phase 1 of aid. For phase 2, ten volunteers in collaboration with Semporna Heroes to Sabah with the first batch of a quartet to Tawau went on 9th November, followed by the remaining volunteers along with 2,000kgs of donated items from Johor, carried out by Royal Malaysian Air Force.

All volunteers were quarantined upon returning.

Volunteers were supplied with PPE while on duty as their main tasks are to assist in the hospital and quarantine centres in Semporna.

The missions were supported by Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Ir. Hasni

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) sponsored the flight of the first four of Ihsan Johor volunteers to Sabah Mohammad and Johor State Tourism, Youth & Sports Exco, Datuk Onn Hafiz.

One of the volunteers in the mission, Mohd Royhafizon Rahim Abdul Rahim, 31, said, “We believe with our experience, we can help Sabah flatten the curve so that our frontliners are not paralysed there.”

Farrah Faridah Baptist, Chief Executive Officer said, “In the spirit of #kitajagakita and #NoOneLeftBehind we believe that NGOs do not exist to replace the role of the government but instead we feel the responsibility to help fellow citizens by working with the government to do so.” “ The concept of #KitaJagaKita only emphasises that the crisis is so severe that all Malaysians are obliged to shoulder the responsibility of looking after each other’s welfare”,

she added.

Follow Ihsan Johor Facebook accounts for updates of their work (Ihsan Johor or Ihsan Johor Rangers). Donations or sponsorship for essential items for the affected residents of Sabah is still open. Contributions can be channelled to the Official Account of Pertubuhan Ihsan Johor (Maybank) 5512 0352 7725 or 0101 40100 67566 Bank Islam.

Pe r t u b u h a n Ihsan Johor is an NGO that was established in May 2016 that focuses on promoting Volunteerism, Sustainable Volunteer Development and providing Humanitarian aid locally & abroad.

They’re also a recipient of Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (IMSHA) 2018 under the Social Innovator (Organisation) category. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

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ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020

THE ISKANDARIAN

Remember When You Last Laughed?

Brush your pandemic woes away with Johor Bahru Happy and Joyous Club

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014’s Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (IMSHA) winner in the category of ‘Social Innovator’, Johor Bahru Happy and Joyous Club (JBHJC) members are not letting the social distancing stop them from bringing laughter to more people. The club introduces and helps people to learn how to practise laughter yoga, a modern practice involving sustained voluntary laughter typically performed in groups, with eye contact between participants and much playfulness. It is believed that voluntary laughter has similar physiological and psychological benefits as involuntary laughter.

The joyful bunch is no stranger to hosting virtual meetings for individuals and groups to learn effective methods, reaping benefits from their laughing sessions. Quoting Fung Lee Jean, a yoga instructor of JBHJC and an individual winner of IMSHA’s Human Empowerment (individual) category in 2016, she said, when people make a conscious effort to be happy, it will contribute to the peace and well-being of the community.

Recently JBHJC held an hour session of laughing practise with children in Sarawak’s Limbang activities centre with President, Lina Lim and Vice President Koh Mui Cheng present as participating instructors. Emcee

Siew Mei explained that the sessions are tailored to the needs of the group that they are having a session with, for example, the students had more practical activities with singing and dancing. Yet the end goals for every session are the same – help people get in touch with their happy side again.

Siew Mei, also known as Auntie Boleh, shared that she has prepared a separate platform in Facebook for sharing sessions where she had Tunku Fatimah OsmanAhmad over as well as friends who would like to share their wisdom in a positive fashion.

JBHJC hosts their laughing sessions daily – online. Check out their Facebook page for the latest session https://www.facebook. com/JohorBahruHappyAndJoyousClub/. If you are interested to be a guest in Auntie Boleh’s session, get in touch with her via https://www.facebook.com/auntieboleh. by Norfy Shafeq TI

Johor Bahru Happy and Joyous Club (JBHJC) during a Zoom session with PKMB Limbang children

Johor Gets Another City

P

asir Gudang will now be recognised as a city in Johor.

His Majesty, the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, has proclaimed it as the third city in Johor after Johor Bahru in 1994 and Iskandar Puteri in 2017.

Through the proclamation, the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council (MPPG) will now be known as the Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG). The proclamation document was signed and delivered to Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Ir. Hasni Mohammad and on 22nd November a special proclamation handover ceremony was held at Bangunan Dato Jaafar to the mayor of Pasir Gudang.

Back in 2008 on 1st July, Pasir Gudang was declared a municipality with Zainor Adani serving as its current president. In line with its proclamation as a city, the president’s post in the local authority will now be upgraded to that of a mayor.

With a population of 533,868, the rapid development of Pasir Gudang as an Industrial City and Port with the advantage of having two international ports as well as comprehensive infrastructure facilities that prioritise the well-being of its people and fully meeting the requirements of its needs, making it appropriate for Pasir Gudang to gain recognition and earn the status as a city. - by Priya Manikam TI

His Majesty the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar handing over the proclamation document to Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Ir. Hasni Mohammad (Pic Courtesy of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar Facebook)

NEWS

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THE ISKANDARIAN

ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020

Changing the Nation’s Narratives on Refugees How media reporting shapes the society’s perception towards refugees

T

he Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD)/ International Organisation for Migrants (IOM) held its regional webinar with the Media’s Role in Addressing

the Social Stigma towards Migrants and Refugees in the context of COVID pandemic as its final day’s discussion on 26th of November 2020.

Lilianne Fan, Co-Founder and International Director of the Geutanyoe Foundation, calls for journalists to be on the ground and see the issues that are happening surrounding the refugees as she sees a lot of it being misinterpreted,

which then stigmatised the voiceless even further. Taking the Tabligh cluster outbreak as an example, where there were undocumented migrants involved, the group became the scapegoat when the stories needed a subject to be blamed. This then resulted in the migrants to be afraid of seeking help to protect themselves from COVID-19.

Jerald Joseph, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)’s Commissioner, shared few images and stories on the refugees that have more

NEWS sides and narratives to put out, addressing the challenges that includes limitation for the press to report direct and transparent news just as limited as migrants of choices, documented and undocumented alike. He cited the confined space the migrants were allowed living by tenants or employers providing little to no social distancing resulted to a disease infestation.

On the positive light shed on reporting about migrants in local reports, Azrul Mohd Khalib, Chief Executive at the Galen Centre for Health and

Social Policy said, “While there are heartwarming stories during the pandemic that surfaced, it is easily overwhelmed with the negative ones due to the instilled stigmas in the society”.

The session ended with host Malarvili Meganathan quoting UN Secretary-General António Guterres, “ The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to unleash a tsunami of hate, xenophobia, scapegoating and scaremongering and we have to strengthen the unity of our societies against the virus of hate.” - by Norfy Shafeq TI

Facts You Need to Know Iskandar Malaysia, About JB-Singapore RTS One of the 88 Global Cities

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he Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project b e t w e e n Singapore and Johor held its groundbreaking ceremony at the Bukit Chagar station site on 22nd November 2020 in conjunction with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Isk andar ’s bir thday.

Also present were Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, Malaysian Minister of Transport Wee Ka Siong, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Ir. Hasni Mohammad and other government officials who virtually participated in the event.

Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim, Chief Executive Officer of MRT Corp Sdn Bhd, said the project would directly generate 1,500 job opportunities.

At the same time, the completed Bukit Chagar station is expected to add another 15,000 jobs.

The RTS Link will travel from Bukit Chagar over a four-kilometre stretch that passes through central Johor Bahru and across the Tebrau Strait and end at Woodlands North in Singapore.

As part of a joint venture between the governments of both countr ies, M alaysia will pay an estimated RM3.7 billion for the construction of the station. The depot at Wadi Hana, will viaduct

through the city centre of Johor Bahru, and over the Johor Straits to the M a l ays i a n - S i n g a p o re border. It is understood that for its part, Singapore will pay approximately RM7 billion for the project.

Civil structure is estimated to be completed in four years and two years for system installation and for operation for it to be ready. RTS will be expected to go live on 31st December 2026. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar (left) with the images of Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (Picture credit: Royal Press Office)

What Happens to SUKMA XX Johor?

T

he cur rent global pandemic of COVID-19 has brought major sporting events around the world to a halt, forcing the SUKMA XX Johor – originally scheduled for 2020 then to 2nd to 10th April 2021 – to be postponed again to year 2022. Here are three facts you need to know:

Merican with the Malaysian Games Supreme Council on 11th November 2020, the decision to postpone SUKMA XX Johor was made for the second time due to the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.

The postponement also involves PARA SUKMA XX Johor 2020 games.

SUKMA XX and PARA SUKMA XX Johor

CMCO and Academic Calendar consideration

Following a meeting chaired by the Minister for Youth and Sport, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina

The state government took into consideration of Sabah, Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan and most

Named as Climate Leader

Johor, Malaysia on the map of CDP 2020 A List

I

skandar Malaysia has been recognised

by CDP Asia-Pacific as one of the 88 regions and cities across the globe that continues to lead on environmental action despite the pressures of tackling COVID-19 pandemic. These cities, representing a combined global population of almost 125 million, reported their environmental data to the CDP-ICLEI Unified Reporting System for 2020.

“I am very pleased to acknowledge that Iskandar Malaysia has been recognised as one of the global climate leaders, as this honour is reflective of our continuous efforts in mitigating climate change at all levels. While climate change is a global issue, the solutions to the adverse

states within the Peninsular Malaysia excluding Pahang, Kelantan, Perlis and Sarawak which are under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).

The amendment to the dates of the public exams recently decided by the Ministry of Education was also addressed at the meeting as it will involve a total of 171 athletes.

impacts it has on our every day life must start at the local level. With its active commitments in implementing and monitoring local climate actions, Iskandar Malaysia’s recognition as one of the 88 on the 2020 CDP Cities A List is due to its leadership and transparency on climate action especially for its efforts to reduce Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and build resilience against the impacts of climate change,” said Datuk Ir. Haji Hasni Mohammad, Menteri Besar of Johor and also the Co-Chairman of Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA).

Designed to drive and support cities to ramp up their climate action and ambition, CDP’s A List is based on environmental data disclosed by hundreds of cities in 2020. To score an A, a city must disclose publicly and have a city-wide emissions inventory, have set an emissions reduction target, and published a climate action plan. It must also complete a climate risk and vulnerability assessment and have completed a climate adaptation plan to demonstrate how it will tackle climate hazards now and, in the future, among other actions.

Five years since the Paris Agreement was signed, the latest climate science tells us that global emissions must be halved by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 to avoid catastrophic climate change. TI

will be used by the Johor state athletes as they undergo their training for SUKMA, the venues can also be used by members of the public, subject to the fees that will be determined,” said Gadaffie.

SUKMA XX Johor 2020, which

was scheduled to take place from 2nd to 10th April 2021, would have included three districts, namely Johor Bahru, Muar and Kota Tinggi, with a total of 31 sporting events on offer. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

What will happen to the 11 newly-built sporting venues in Johor?

MSNJ Director Mohd Gadaffie Abd Aziz said the Council had reassessed the training programme of the athletes while encouraging the Johor State contingent to make good use of the ready-made venues.

“While most of the facilities

Johor State Tourism, Youth and Sports Committee Chairman, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi during the SUKMA XX announcement

06

THE ISKANDARIAN

ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020

Ministry of Health Malaysia Receives Regional Recognition for COVID-19 Management Malaysia clinches 26 Awards at the Global Health Asia Pacific Awards 2020

M

alaysia’s position as the World’s Healthcare M a r ve l w a s further cemented at the Global Health Asia Pacific Awards 2020. This was

supported through 26 awards won this year, including the ‘Stellar COVID-19 Achievement of the Year’ category, which was awarded to the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH).

Receiving this award, Dato’ Sri Dr. Adham Baba, Minister of Health Malaysia said that, “This recognition is truly for our dedicated and committed frontliners who

have sacrificed time and effort as they held the fort in managing the pandemic and keeping us safe. To all of them, I extend my heartfelt gratitude.”

Adding to his gratitude towards all frontliners, the MOH reiterated Malaysia’s capability and philosophy of unity which has kept the nation thriving during these uncertain times. “2020

Crying Green Foul Over River

G

reen algae-like spots that have been spotted on the surface of Sungai Melayu near here have raised fears among the fishing community and local residents. Fishermen claimed they have experienced itchiness after getting in contact with the water, drawing the conclusion that it gave a side effect to humans.

It has been confirmed by the Johor Fisheries Department director Noraishah Hashim that the algae is diatom algae bloom. Noraishah told a local newspaper that the algae bloom covered an area of about 10km from the Pendas waters up to Sungai Melayu.

She said the phenomenon is called eutrophication from the initial observation, which happens when there is enrichment in the water body of nutrients involving that sort of algae.

“It is an algae (plankton) bloom where it is (possibly) due to agricultural, domestic sewage or seabed dredging contamination or marine recycling work.

In addition, if there is a dramatic weather change, the bloom of algae may also occur. It can also arise from the enrichment of nutrients in the water body,” she told reporters after

I

t is heartening to see that Johor received several mentions in the Budget 2021 announcement tabled by the Finance Minister on 6th November 2020, specifically on rail infrastructure, skills training and investments.

The federal government’s commitment to kickstart two multibillion rail projects – the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link from Johor Bahru to Woodlands, Singapore worth between RM3.2 billion and RM3.7 billion; and the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Tracking Project (EDTP) worth around RM9.6 billion.

Further Investigation Noraishah said a water sample had been taken for analysis on the algae and water quality in the area to identify the cause of the incident as well as its impact on the environment.

“We have sent the sample to the Batu Maung Fisheries Research Institute, Penang while the sample to find out the water quality had been sent to Gelang Patah Fisheries Research Institute, here in Johor.

Is it Harmful to Humans?

With regards to the fishermen’s argument that the water containing the algae has an impact on humans, such as itching, Noraishah claimed that the algae was not harmful to marine life as a result of preliminary findings, but its effects on humans had not been determined yet.

Diatom algae are usually regarded as harmless (to marine life); although the dissolved oxygen content can decrease and cause the death of fishes.

“We have advised the fish-farmers around here to sell their products, such as fish that have reached the size required to be marketed or to install a blower to increase oxygen levels at night,” said Noraishah. - by Norfy Shafeq TI

Both developments are touted as a catalyst to spur economic development and are expected to be a game changer for Johor.

Budget 2021 will see an allocation of RM100 million to provide new skills training to workers who are badly affected by the closure of borders, in order to assist them in securing new employment or source of income.

This allocation is expected to mainly benefit the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) and Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority. IRDA can play an

has truly demonstrated the strength and resilience of Malaysia’s healthcare system amid a global pandemic.

As a nation, we have come together, authorities, frontliners and citizens, to protect the country and keep the nation as safe as possible,” he added.

M a l ays i a’s wo r l d class quality, easily accessible, and affordable healthcare continues to be commended by international bodies amidst the global pandemic. It was one of the countries that demonstrated the

best COVID-19 response recognised by the World

Health Organisation (WHO).

- by The Iskandarian TI

Dato’ Sri Dr. Adham Baba, Minister of Health Malaysia, accepting the ‘Stellar COVID-19 Achievement of the Year’ Award on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Charity Begets Charity

the algae bloom location inspection.

Budget 2021: A Boon for Iskandar Malaysia

NEWS

D

espite a relatively quiet year due to lesser crowds to flatten the pandemic curve, Ponderosa Golf & Country Resort managed to make collections of used room linen, pre-loved clothes and some cash for the benefit of Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) Society’s humanitarian initiatives.

In line with the resort’s long-term ‘Green Leap Forward’ Campaign, and where one of the phases was ‘NO PLASTIC’ to discourage the use of plastic launched in February 2020, a donation box was introduced to collect monies from members or guests who require a plastic bag for their soiled clothes after activities at the Sports & Recreation Centre. In principal, they were required to ‘pay’ for the plastic bags but in reality it was up to their goodwill to drop any amount into the box. A total of RM397.15 was collected and presented to Merlin Hoo, the Branch Manager of KSK and recipient of IMSHA 2014.

“Despite the small amount, we nevertheless wish to hand whatever we have collected for the year to KSK. The ‘NO

important role here in reskilling and reshaping the workforce of the future.

The federal government has also allocated funding for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project and the construction of busway at IRDA. Once fully operational, the BRT system will help improve connectivity within Johor Bahru especially in areas where affordable public transportation is currently not available.

On the investment front, certain emerging and core sectors in Iskandar Malaysia which undertake qualifying activity in an approved node or designated area as determined by IRDA have been accorded tax incentives. It has been proposed under Budget

PLASTIC’ initiative is ongoing and the donation box will remain as a long-term feature at the Sports & Recreation Centre to continue collecting funds for KSK for year 2021,” said Tan Kai Yang, General Manager of Ponderosa Golf & Country Resort.

Some clothing collected from the Club’s previous PreLoved Campaign which was held over Christmas 2019, together with discarded, clean room linen were also given to KSK for their continued empowerment work for women who will upcycle the materials, to sell for an income.

Ponderosa Golf & Country

Resort began ‘A Green Leap Forward’ Campaign in December last year for environmental sustainability; an initiative which were divided into phases that included elements of education on environment conservation for the young during ac tivities and adopting practices such as waste separation, re-use or upcycling whenever possible (e.g. converting used buggy tires into seats), discouraging the use of plastic packaging, encouraging water and energy conservation among guests and employees. - by Priya Manikam TI

(From left) General Manager, Tan Kai Yang and Senior Operations Manager, Jamie Lau of Ponderosa presenting cash to Merlin Hoo, Branch Manager of Johor’s Kechara Soup Kitchen Society

2021 that the tax incentives due to expire on 31st December 2020 will be extended until 2022.

The extension of this would further drive investment into Iskandar Malaysia. According to IRDA, Iskandar Malaysia recorded a whopping RM332.11 billion total cumulative investment from 2006 to June 2020, during which more than 750,000 jobs were created.

Despite the global economic climate and the pandemic, IRDA is confident that it will be able to meet its investment target of RM383 billion by 2025.

Besides Federal Government Budget 2021 initiatives, Johor has been making headlines this year with several announcements.

Some initiatives to attract

investment announced by the Menteri Besar of Johor and IRDA Co-Chairman, Datuk Ir. Hasni Mohammad are the establishment of Johor Economic, Tourism and Culture Office (JETCO) in Singapore, establishment of Ibrahim Johor Economic Council (IJEC) and the Johor Sustainable Development Plan 2019-2030.

The introduction of these initiatives during this period should chart the path for future growth of Iskandar Malaysia. TI

By Benedict Francis Southern Region Leader and Tax Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers Taxation Services Sdn Bhd

07

ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020

THE ISKANDARIAN

NEWS

MONTHL

Gerard Soosay CEO Sunway Iskandar Sdn. Bhd. Gerard Soosay graduated with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and obtained a Masters in Business Administration from the Paris Graduate School of Management (European MBA). In 2015, he also obtained a Premier Business Management Programme from the Harvard Club of Malaysia.

DRILL

Y

Gerard joined the Sunway Group in 1999 and has more than 25 years of experience in the construction and property industry. He was instrumental in the setting up of the regional office in Sunway Iskandar in Johor and is currently the CEO of Sunway Iskandar Sdn. Bhd. In his current role, Gerard champions Sunway Property’s next smart sustainable Sunway City in Johor – Sunway Iskandar.

The 1,800-acre development site lies on the riverine of the Pendas River and overlooks the Straits of Johor. With more than 30 billion GDV, Sunway Iskandar is one of the first townships to be awarded the GBI Silver Rating in Johor.

Under Gerard’s leadership, the township has won the Best Comprehensive Township Award for 3 consecutive years and the Best Southern Developer this year at the StarProperty Awards. Besides the awards, Sunway Iskandar is the first developer to enter the Malaysia Book of Records for introducing online customisation for its notable project – the Sunway GRID. Recently, they also picked up the “Best Green Product and Technology” and “Special Awards on Sustainable Development Goals” for the integration of solar panels within Sunway Iskandar’s township and other sustainable initiatives at the Malaysia Green Building Council’s Leadership in Sustainability Awards 2020.

In addition to its many residential development, Sunway Iskandar also focuses on world-class education institutions alongside many attractions such as the Sunway Big Box- the first retail hybrid park, XPark Sunway Iskandar- biggest adventure sports, Sunway Emerald Boulevard 88, Sunway Citrine Hub with first Jaya Grocer in Johor, Caltex petrol station - the first petrol kiosk in Medini and soon to open Sunway Big Box Hotel and Sunway GRID Hub.

How is the general business climate during this COVID-19 pandemic time for Sunway?

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on global economies including Malaysia’s.

For Sunway, it has been no exception, with our tourism-related businesses more affected than others.

As a group, we recalibrated on three focus areas.

The first was ensuring the safety and health of our people and customers, especially those on the front lines. Our Crisis Management Taskforce, formed at the onset of the pandemic, continues to monitor and advise us on the continued SOPs, which all our businesses should minimally adopt. Most of our teams started working remotely and returned to the office with staggered working hours.

We are fortunate that we had earlier invested into digital infrastructure so the transition to remote working was relatively seamless for most.

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our wider community, we donated safety equipment and food to those who were more severely impacted, as well as offered rental waivers and health checks across the communities we operate in. We had all our frontline employees trained to observe WHO and national standard operating protocols, so they can keep themselves and our communities safe.

The second focus area was on cashflow conservation. At the same time, we also planned for capital raising to shore up our balance sheet - in preparation for any prolonged impact, while constantly on the look out for good business opportunities.

The third area is to ensure minimal disruption to our businesses by constantly engaging with our customers, suppliers and stakeholders, to share our plans and challenges where appropriate. As this

is a health and economic crisis, no one can survive on their own and there is a need for people to come together to ride through these challenging times.

Many property players have reported lacklustre sales but Sunway on the other hand had reported RM100 million worth of bookings. What’s the secret ingredient?

Sunway Property, through Sunway Iskandar has been focusing on building an integrated township for future generations to continue to thrive in a safe, healthy and well-connected environment. The company recently launched the YES (Year End Sales) campaign on 10.10.2020 with a minimum of 10% rebate, Zero Maintenance Fees for 12 months, Readyto-Move-in, attractive incentives, and a buyer referral scheme for all our projects.

The campaign allowed purchasers to enjoy financial aid and competitive pricing and at the same time interact with our sales representatives through virtual tours, live chats and other digital channels. This has helped boost sales during this crucial period.

As a Master Community Developer, Sunway Property is synonymous with its Build, Operate & Own (BOO) model. We not not only build or sell buildings or homes - but manage and even operate its entire township.

The rental market for office spaces and retail space at malls were already under a lot of pressure pre-COVID times. Will there be a recovery for this sector and is Sunway offering anything new to entice take up?

As pointed out, our malls have been significantly affected as most retailers were unable to operate during the MCO. We have since activated flexi-operating

hours, rent relief, term repayment and month-on-month lease, among others - in the hope that these initiatives will further alleviate their financial burden before businesses normalise.

The Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT) exemption will be extended till the end of Dec 2021. Do you think the relaxation measure will help market recovery?

Yes, potential investors or homebuyers in Sunway Iskandar will get to enjoy Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT ) exemption.

There will be no minimum threshold for foreign purchasers, no corporate tax (selected businesses up till 2021) under the special Medini incentives aimed to spur investment in the area.

What are your plans for Sunway Iskandar post COVID-19?

What we have in store for the next few years are pretty extensive. In 2021, Sunway is looking to complete the Sunway GRID Residence and our Sunway Big Box Hotel will also be opening. In the same year, we are also launching DUO living landed homes – Sunway Maple, and a Starbucks Drive-

thru. Moving forward to 2022, SJK C Cheah Fah should be open and Sunway Big Box Office Tower will be completed as well. We will also be focusing on eco-tourism initiatives such as solar + urban farming, expansion of XPARK Sunway Iskandar and a Global Learning Village, to continue to be the next Sunway City in Johor. TI

Gerard Soosay

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The Iskandarian ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020 Advertisement

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IC S U Jannine and M’sians BATE Collaborates

The Iskandarian | WAVES Lifestyle

editor’s note

M u s i c U p d at e s

DEC 2020 | Page 2

Jannine Weigel and Malaysian DJ Duo Collaborates Jannine Weigel’s ‘Passcode’ gets a masterful makeover from celebrated Malaysian DJ duo BATE

By Universal Music Singapore

Priya Manikam waves.lifestyle@gmail.com

J

ust like that it’s almost end of the year and how I would summarise my year – ONLINE! No one would’ve ever thought how important it is to go digital. I continue to WFH a term that became so popular since the pandemic, my son pretty much had his entire schooling year online, my husband though couldn’t WFH but had his training and exams online, and The Iskandarian went digital with us celebrating our 100th issue! That’s how technology has played a part in my life at least this year. How has it been for you?

As you already know from last month, our movie partners are taking a slight backseat with new releases but instead turn on your imaginative minds and read through our Book Reviews column and grab these amazing books – online and start visualising the characters’ journey!

Although it is Tis the Season, but let’s go Oriental for a change before attacking any Christmas Yule log cakes or gingerbread house cookies! Head to Renaissance Johor Bahru’s Wan Li Restaurant for some yummilicious food at affordable prices.

We shared about Suasana Suites Cafe Johor Bahru’s Hi-Tea last month and in this issue, Norfy wants to make you jealous how she managed to find it ‘Home Suite Home’ at the highest floor overlooking JB city centre from Suasana Suites’ Executive Level.

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 and https:// waves-lifestyle.com/ The Iskandarian wishes all celebrants a very Merry Christmas and See You in 2021!

Priya SEND LETTERS OR INQUIRIES TO www.facebook.com/waveslifestyle www.waves-lifestyle.com Waves.lifestyle@gmail.com Waves Lifestyle

J

annine Weigel’s ‘Passcode’ is one of the breakthrough singles in Asia in 2020. A thrilling slice of euphoric pop, ‘Passcode’ was only released in September but has already racked up over three million views on YouTube and received huge streaming figures across the globe.

Now fans will get to hear a revamped version of ‘Passcode’ with the release of an exhilarating remix by Malaysian dance duo BATE. “I was so excited to hear what BATE would come up with for their mix of ‘Passcode’ and my first thoughts were ‘Wow!’. I just can’t wait to hear it at one of their amazing club sets soon!” says Jannine.

Over the past few years, BATE have established themselves as one of the most exciting dance acts in the region, with residencies at superclubs Dragonfly and Zouk Genting

Highlands, KL bringing universal praise.

The pair released their debut single ‘One I Love’, featuring Blake Rose and Radio3000, in March 2018. Teaming with Weigel was a natural fit as the 20-year-old is already huge in Thailand and primed for international success.

“We’ve wanted to work with Jannine since we first met her two years ago,” BATE explain. “We love ‘Passcode’ and were thrilled that we were approached to remix it. We were excited to bring it into our world of progressive house music without losing any of the magic that make it a great tune. We hope we’ve turned it into a super-charged dancefloor banger!”

Jannine Weigel is a fresh breed of pop star whose arrival marks a new wave of Asian pop music. A-Pop is ready for its moment in the spotlight

and Jannine is its first crossover superstar. The 20-year-old, who was born in Germany and moved to Thailand when she was 10, is already huge in her home country. Now she’s set for worldwide prominence.

Watch ‘Passcode (BATE remix)’

by Jannine Weigel via https://lnk.to/ PasscodeBATERemix. TI

Shawn Mendes to Release Fourth Studio Album Wonder in December 2020 First single “Wonder” and video out early October

me has been written down on paper and recorded into song. I tried to be as real and as honest as I’ve ever been.

It’s a world and a journey and a dream and an album I’ve been wanting to make for a really long time. I absolutely love it. Thank you for being by my side for so many years. I love you all so much This is the introduction to the album out Dec 4th, and the first single “Wonder” is already out. I hope you can listen front to back.

Wonder follows three consecutive #1 album debuts, 3 platinum albums, and 11+ consecutive platinum and multi-platinum singles. Visit https:// umusic.digital/wonder/ . TI

G

RAMMY nominated multiPlatinum singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes announced that his highly anticipated fourth studio album, Wonder, will be released on 4th December 2020.

Shawn Mendes released a trailer for the album with the first song from the project, the project’s “Intro”, which can be watched via https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=fHeQemJJQII .

The album’s first single, and title track from the project, “Wonder,” is out, and Mendes also posted the following letter speaking on the inspiration behind the album in his twitter: I’ve missed you all so much! I know it’s been a really scary year for everyone so I’m sending buckets of love to all of you x I wrote an album. It’s called “Wonder”. It really feels like a piece of

DEC 2020 | Page 3

The Iskandarian | WAVES Lifestyle

B o o k r ev i ews

Find Your Ground (Part 2)

An Act of God

Do you know how Self-Empowerment feels?

It gives you the intelligence to survive. Here is where we are witnessing people leaving their jobs to do something they like. Selfempowerment comes with the intuition that knows how to stay alive and it provides you with the awareness to perfect your life in many ways and connect you to your higher principles. The best part is, self-empowerment is a well of power where you can generate into actions and communication, and all of these are within you, waiting for you to tap into it.

By Priya Manikam

I

f suspense laced with faith versus science, mystery and legal-thriller is your cup of tea, pick up Robert’s “An Act of God” and you’ll not put it down.

The novel follows Father Ignatius Costello, a Roman Catholic priest dubbed Iggy by his friends, who lets a curse word slip after a bad swing on the golf course and wakes up unsure whether he caused a divine act that killed Sister Mary. As his trial draws near and evidence of Iggy’s murderous act becomes more believable, his story is cast into the limelight and his reputation walks a fine line in the eyes of the church.

A story at the intersection of faith and science, “An Act of God” twines elements of drama, action, romance, and legal suspense to create the perfect storm for every reader.

As a book lover and avid reader of similar genres myself, I found the story fast-paced yet found myself in the moment with the main character, empathising his situation and making sense of what he went through along with the other characters. Readers will enjoy “An Act of God” not only

“

because of the sheer excitement and suspense of the plot, but also because the novel tackles very prominent dilemmas faced by the religious community including how science affects faith, what happens when one is confronted with an event that contradicts one’s beliefs, and what can happen when a celibate priest falls in love.

Robert shared with me that, “Until I started writing “An Act of God” I was rather solidly an atheist. I was born into a protestant religion, raised in it and lived a good portion of my adulthood in it. My first book “A Collision of Truths, A Life In Conflict With A Cherished Faith” (2008) describes the process by which I slowly evolved in my thinking until I finally left religion. A very large part of that process involved my becoming entranced with the sciences, especially cosmology and the mysteries of Einstein’s relativity and of quantum theory. I read dozens of books on these subjects and declared to myself that I probably am an atheist and a humanist. Ultimately, I come down on the side of science. But I also have a respect for religion”.

Our body is the powerhouse. Tap into it!

Inner power exists holistically and physically.

You could tap into this power within your body. Self-empowerment is rooted in four areas of our energy field – in our body consciousness, energy resources, identity and voice. In terms of biology, these energetic fields are in correlation with our immune system, liver, blood, thyroid and our reproductive organs. When we neglect our body, we are taking these powers away from ourselves.

If you have read Robert’s “An Act of God” or planning to do so soon, I’m pleased to inform you that the author is working on a sequel to it. So keep a lookout for it.

ISBN: 9781532092725 (softcover); 9781532092732 (electronic) Available at the iUniverse Online Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble TI

Perfectly Imperfect

Perfectly Imperfect” (published by Partridge Singapore) is the literary embodiment of what resides in the heart and soul of a young woman who has braved several obstacles in life. In this concise yet meaningful book, Malaysian-born writer Nadeera K Vasu translates her lifetime experiences and emotions into poetry form.

Having born with a severe form of a rare genetic disorder known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), the young author has faced numerous life challenges, be it physically, emotionally or psychologically. Within the pages of “Perfectly Imperfect,” she shares her innermost thoughts

and feelings to bring awareness about mental health and disabilities. Written in a multitude of poetic forms, this collection aims to resonate with each and every one of its readers. Various issues such as love, forgiveness, friendship and self-acceptance amongst others, are explored in this book with much depth, courage and compassion.

“My book is raw, genuine and straight from the heart with no filters,” Vasu describes. “(I want to remind readers) that it is always okay to express your thoughts regardless of them being negative or positive as we are all only humans and we are all entitled to our own feelings and emotions.”

How much do we care about our powerhouse, specifically mitochondria? Do we know our gut-brain relationship? Acknowledge this.

Self-empowerment cannot fulfil you if your body is not well-cared for.

It is time to transform our food What we eat directly affects our brain.

Therefore, it affects our cognitive, personality and how we view life as individuals and collectively. Well-being is whole and cannot be separated to just spirituality, mentally or physically.

If you feel that you have done enough to change your life, but it does not help, try changing your diet instead. Go for something that is more natural and lean so you could take more Sun energy directly from your food.

Once your gut-brain is well cared for, you can feel that the self-empowerment is stronger than before.

Your ground is your SELF and your BODY. Within it, you have the self-empowerment to adapt and to transform the world around you, even during a chaos! TI

A snippet from the book reads: On 16 April 1992 / A girl was born Weighing only 2.4kgs / Her body ever so brittle/ But her spirit so strong “Let Her Go” they said / But here she is At Twenty-Eight / Telling her story / In the form of Poetry

Softcover | 8.5 x 8.5in | 36 pages | ISBN 9781543760309 E-Book | 36 pages | ISBN 9781543760316 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble Book image credit – Amazon.com

TI

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.

DEC 2020 | Page 4

The Iskandarian | WAVES Lifestyle

12

travel

How to Escape the City While Staying in the City?

These 4 ways would blow your mind away

By Norfy Shafeq waves.lifestyle@gmail.com

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was privileged to be among the first guests to experience Suasana All Suites Hotel Johor Bahru’s (Suasana) newly launched Executive Floor in JB city centre, and devised ways how I could escape the bustle of a city life and find a “Home Suite Home” in the sky.

1) Introducing: The Highest Floor in Suasana!

I was checked in to level 32 of the Executive Floor Suites that comes with a well equipped kitchen, dining area and a living room. Located at the highest floor in the building, the stay comprises of breakfast and a hi-tea. According to Acting General Manager of Suasana Suites, Gerard Cheah, the hotel adheres to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with strictly regulated cleaning and sanitising. He added that only the Executive Floor would have special welcome amenities like their signature Keropok Ikan and the exciting Arristo Coffee Machine for the convenience of coffee-addicts!

I changed into the cosiest bathrobe I’ve ever had, hit the shower and pampered myself with their relaxing Essentiel Elements Bathe toiletries. Falling into deep sleep was so easy thanks to the nice scents from the shower session and the plush pillows and fluffy bed.

3) Play in the Clouds Infinity pool is located right at level 33 where you may enjoy swimming or just indulge in the moment by the pool.

Catching the sun rise in the morning is a must so I jumped out of my bed exactly before 7am and visited the pool to get a refreshing view of the city. The city breeze at such a colossal height

Cosy living room, tastefully decorated giving you a peace of mind

2) Slumber in the Sky S u b j e c t to av a i l a b i l i t y / e a r l y reservations, you may either book a 3 bedroom, 2 bedroom or one bedroom suites; all of them will have you waking up to the views of Johor Bahru city close from the sky. Once settled into my suite,

Freddy’s Signature Fish Soup Noodles, a very comforting breakfast meal refreshed my mind in a way. Reading by the pool is recommended if diving and splashing are not your prime interests!

Signature Fish Soup Noodles that would please both locals and adventurous foodies’ palate.

For further indulgence, the Hi-Tea that comes with the Executive Floor serves a three-tier local food consisting of Nasi Lemak or Mee Hoon, Chinese carrot cake, Spring Rolls, Samosa and a variety of traditional cakes and Nyonya kuih-muih. Each pax would get a 3-tier all for themselves paired with fragrant, bottomless milk tea.

Overall, I had a relaxing staycation complete with my 4 steps to escape the city while being in the city. For reservations, call or WhatsApp (Ms) Efnerina at +60 17-767 5074 or (Ms) Izzati at +60 11-2738 8910 for current promotional rates. For more information, check out their Facebook https://www. facebook.com/SuasanaSuitesJB. TI

4) Dine Like the Gods in Mount Olympus!

Suasana’s swimming pool shimmering against the night sky at Level 33A

At Cafe Sky Bar, right next to the swimming pool on Level 33A you could dine like the “Gods in Mount Olympus” overseeing the panoramic views of the city. The night sky is breathtaking, with the swimming pool’s blue water shimmering against the dark night sky - perfect for a romantic dinner.

Continental breakfast is available on the counter and you could also order their menu in sets. I recommend Freddy’s

Palm-sized mini spa – Essentiel Elements Bathe toiletries that smells heavenly

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THE ISKANDARIAN

ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020

LIVE

Digital Disruption to Advance Healthcare in Malaysia Cyberjaya’s collaborative innovation ecosystem is well-positioned to support businesses in the development and advancement of digital healthcare solutions and services

Dr Ian Ng, CEO of VITA

C

yber view S dn Bhd (Cyber view), the Tech Hub Developer of Cyberjaya led the conversation with industry and academic exper ts on the impor tance of driving digitalisation to advance healthcare in Malaysia in a panel discussion themed, ‘ Tr a n s f o r m i n g M a l a y s i a’s Healthcare through Innovation & Disruptive Technology’.

Wi t h n e w d i s r u p t i v e technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, Internet of Things (IoT ), and d i gi t a l a p p l i c at i o n s, t h e healthcare industry continues to see revolutionary progress, especially in the current

pandemic. Patients are no longer passive participants in their health journeys. Instead, they expect to play a more active role in their healthcare that is made all the more possible with emerging technologies. Given the changing patient demands, industry players and experts are looking at more strategic and collaborative efforts to leverage digital technologies in the healthcare sector. Innovation in healthcare is also pertinent in identifying opportunities for growth and tackling current challenges.

Cyberview brought together subject matter experts from the healthcare sector and academia.

James Then, Managing Director of CryoCord Group

The panellists included James Then, Managing Director of CryoCord Group, Professor Dr Mudiarasan Kuppusamy, Dean, Faculty of Business & Technology, University of Cyberjaya and Dr Ian Ng, CEO of VITA. During the panel session, they discussed the changing healthcare landscape and the growing demand for smart healthcare solutions in Malaysia.

James Then, whose business has been in Cyberjaya for 18 years said, “It’s interesting how we’re moving in the direction on learning to apply smart technologies in the healthcare sector. When we talk about smart healthcare now, we’re touching on the likes of AI, interpretation of slides, and big data as analytical tools to assist specialists in reducing time and manpower. There are companies developing AI simulation to discover and accurately interpret certain recognition and patterns in X-ray or MRI slides compared to a radiologist. The AI proponent is also able to identify mistakes and recommend solutions based on analysis.”

Dr Mudiarasan commented on the healthcare landscape, “ The entire healthcare

landscape has evolved from a professional field into a business medical field. In terms of digital marketing today, we’re seeing

Professor Dr Mudiarasan Kuppusamy, Dean, Faculty of Business & Technology, University of Cyberjaya relevant businesses as well as clinics and medical centres spending a lot more money on various forms of advertisements because everyone within the sector is competing for the same market. However, the use of technology is still at urban level with poor access in the rural areas. Healthcare providers must ensure that the level of

adoption and access to medical services should be anywhere, anytime.”

Meanwhile, Dr Ian elaborated on the importance of a holistic tech ecosystem to advance the smart healthcare segment – “It is imperative for Cyberjaya to lead by example in providing the opportunity for innovative healthcare companies to come together in the smart city’s holistic ecosystem through the incorporation of AI, robotics, IoT and big data. This will ultimately drive digital disruptions in the smart healthcare industry with an end goal of improving the quality of lives of Malaysians.”

Cyberjaya’s newly unveiled masterplan focuses on Smart Healthcare as one of its key tech areas as part of its efforts to drive the development of Cyberjaya as a vibrant Global Tech Hub. In this new focus area, Cyberjaya will serve as a hub for the development of new and advanced Smart Healthcare innovative solutions that will address the health and wellbeing of Malaysians.

For the full recording of this webinar, visit Cyberview’s Yo u T u b e channel at h t t p s : / / w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=17NtuMVt9XY. TI

Marvel at the Melo-melo… be found in Iskandar Puteri, Johor waters.

Melo-melo lives in deeper subtidal seagrass meadows where they scour the substrate for prey at night and in the day they bury themselves in the substrate. They are carnivorous and cannibalistic, at times

A

lso known as the bailer volute or the Indian volute, the Melo-melo can be found in the western Tebrau Strait. Island communities used the large shell to bail out their boats, hence its name. These snails are said to produce orange-hued pearls, one of the rarest natural pearls in the world. In Singapore, the species is deemed endangered because of habitat loss, but they can still

Serina Rahman Serina Rahman is the co-founder of Kelab Alami and a Visiting Fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore. She is also a winner of the Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (IMSHA) pry open the shell of a bivalve to suck out the meat within.

These snails often come up in fishermen’s nets as by-catch;

eating their cousins, the Noble volute (Cymbiola nobilis, locally known as kilah) or other snails and bivalves. Melo-melo has a distinctively striped fleshy foot, and smooth beige to orange shell. Its foot can expand to envelope prey almost as big as itself, and is powerful enough to

local communities boil them for an hour, before removing them from the shell, removing the stomach and slicing them thinly before cooking it in chilli or with vegetables. They are also cooked in rendang or as serunding for Hari Raya.

Kelab Alami preserves kampung cuisine traditions through its Taste of Tanjung Kupang initiative, and conducts guided seagrass habitat walks where you might be able to

spot these critters. Log on to kelabalami.weebly.com for more information. TI

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ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020

WORK

Setting Up an Effective Work From Home Policy

W

ork from home is definitely a growing trend in today’s work environment, especially given the pandemic situation that we are in now. It provides much more flexibility as employees can easily plug-in from anywhere. However, you can’t just send any remote workers to the wolves, and companies need a defined work from home (WFH) policy to make it

work. The policies ought to be tailored as per the company’s needs and requirements.

A complete WFH policy should be able to define the expectations, responsibilities, the eligibility and the other work from home guidelines.

In short, it ensures that all employees understand what is required of them when they work from home. Therefore, not paying attention to even the smallest detail can have serious implications, particularly if your employee is not monitored properly. Some of the important factors to consider as you develop a work from home policy are outlined below: Decide who can work from home Not every

job position is suitable for remote work. Employees who are chosen to work from home should have duties that do not require a physical presence at work. To ensure productivity, it is important for companies to choose wisely the employees who not only are able to demonstrate good work ethics but also have a distractionfree living situation. These employees must be organised, disciplined, and self-motivated.

Define expectations It is utmost important to set clear expectations for all remote workers and for some employees, you might even need to put in the extra mile and do this on a daily basis. This can include things like – the hours they put in, turnaround time for any response and the right communication platforms to use. Employees also need to be made aware of meeting schedules and that they must always be available for team communications and updates.

To ensure employees perform work to your standards, set

expectations for the quality and output of every employee’s work, on top of reasonable deadlines or quotas wherever possible.

Clarify the expenses covered While remote employees save on petrol and other costs associated with the daily commute, it is not a surprise that they incur higher expenses while working from home, think high speed internet, electricity, phone bills which may offset the money they save in mileage. Companies may want to establish a virtual employee allowance for this purpose. If so, be sure to clarify in writing any expenses (and of course the limit) that the company is able to provide to remote workers.

Most impor tantly, companies must be mindful when wording the work from home policy or any policies to begin with. The more detailed your policy is, the easier it will be to sort things out should there be any disagreements between the employer and

Shao Min Ng Consultant Meca Employers Consulting Agency Sdn Bhd shaomin@meca.com.my

employee, especially regarding an employee’s rights. With the right policy in place, flexible work arrangements not only benefit the employee but the employer as well as it enhances productivity while decreasing the businesses’ overall operating costs. TI

EDUCATION

Malaysian Parents Ought to Keep Their Kids Safer Online Global Cybersecurity Company, Kaspersky discusses with industry experts how to raise kids, who are digital natives, and suggests ways to secure them against cybercriminals

A

move to ensure the new school session in 2021 can be conducted safely, all schools in Malaysia are set to remain close for the rest of the year. The Ministry of Education decided

the move after considering data analysis of COVID-19 cases involving students, teachers, and their close contacts. The new school year would begin on 20th January 2021. In addition, the Ministry has urged the school administrators to continue the home-based learning for teachers and students.

In conjunction with homebased learning, Kaspersky hosted an online forum to discuss ways keeping the kids safer online.

Featuring industry experts; Ong Kian Yew, Chief Executive Officer at PIKOM (the National Tech Association of Malaysia), Datuk Dr Chiam Heng Keng, Founding President of The Early Childhood Care and Education Council Malaysia and Nazrudin Habibur Rahman, a TV Host, Actor, Entrepreneur and father of three, the conference was hosted

by Deborah Priya Henry, TV host, model and co-founder of an NGO which focuses on children education.

Yeo Siang Tiong, General

Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky underlined that between March to May 2020, as many as 47%-51% of Malaysian kids spent most of their time online searching for learning materials related to their online classes.

“It is a good sign that kids in Malaysia are using technology in a productive way. Our Digital Comfort Zone Report quantified the increase of internet usage because of the pandemic at up to two more hours every day in Southeast Asia. 63% parents agreed that their children are using the internet more than they did on the same period as compared to last year. Our study also revealed that parents fear for their children’s online safety, but are not putting time to talk about them. Because of these, we are glad to initiate such conversations today,” says Yeo. Nazrudin shares that, “For #teamnazrudin, we practice no smartphone during mealtimes and have conversations related

to cyber safety, when they are in doubt. We are no experts in this area, but we will learn together,” he adds.

To ensure online safety, Kaspersky has some good tips for parents: • Spend more time communicating with your children about online safety measures. Tell your children what must not, under any circumstances, be published on the Internet and why.

• Surf and learn together.

See where they spend their time online and explore how to best keep them safe. Also spending time to play online games, so you can learn from each other.

• Explain that all the sensitive information can be shared only via messengers and only with people you know in real life.

• Kaspersky recommend parents to install cybersecurity software like Kaspersky Total Security to protect their kids against online threats. Kaspersky

Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia Kaspersky

is offering a three-month free trial of Kaspersky Total Security, available through this link https:// bit.ly/safekids011.

To get Kaspersky Safe Kids, please visit https://www.lazada. com.my/shop/kaspersky/ or https:// shopee.com.my/kaspersky.os.

Together, let’s make online learning a safe haven for students. TI

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THE ISKANDARIAN

ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020

INVEST

Accumulating Wealth Tips & Tricks

Signs of Recovery Seen

T

he market has been very vibrant for the last two months.

For those who had sold everything before the US presidential election, they would be regretting. Even though it was not smooth sailing for the whole election campaign, the market had reacted favourably since the outcome appeared clearer.

Just days after the election, drug makers Pfizer and BioNTech flagged strong progress in their COVID-19 vaccine, indicating the experimental vaccine was more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19. The higher hopes for a more stable US trade policy, plus the anticipation of faster economic recovery has seen the U.S stock market challenging new highs.

In fact, you would feel the

global stock market sentiment has turned more positive since the US elections.

In the domestic front, Malaysia’s economy has recovered from the record low of -17.1% in the second quarter, to -2.7% in the third quarter of 2020. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has projected a positive economic growth for 2021 to range between 6.5-7.5%. The positive forecast is in harmony with the recent KLSE Composite Index movement, as it closed at 1599 on 16th November 2020, forming a reversal pattern from downtrend since beginning of November. So is the global economy on the recovering path?

While it may be early to tell, there are signs of showing it. To look at a broader picture, let us observe the U.S. market before we discuss further.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) chart on 13th November 2020 shows the bull is in strong control compared to a month ago. One clear bullish sign is the big gap that appeared on 9th November 2020, following the positive vaccine news from Pfizer.

Since then, the DJIA is able to stand above 29000 comfortably.

From the strong momentum as showed, the index is poised to break the 30000 historical and psychological levels.

Signs of Recovery While some would ponder if the current rally is sustainable, it helps by observing some signs of recovery: 1) Yes, we are talking about the recovery of the global economy. Since we know the stock market is the barometer

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. (Source: www.investing.com)

for an economy, we can see how the global stock market indexes perform. Indeed, not only the three major U.S. stock market indexes, the European countries and Asia indexes, including China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia indexes have moved above the MA200 lines, with most indexes going up 10% from the bottom. This is an obvious sign that the global stock markets have returned.

2) Since oil price is also a barometer of the economy, the recovering crude oil WTI futures from 35 to 41 per barrel also shows some subtle signs of economy recovery. If oil price can stand above 42 for a few weeks, it is clearer that recovery is on the way.

3) U.S. GDP grew 33% in the third quarter after a 31% plunge in the second quarter.

Additionally, its unemployment rate in October also declined by one percent to 6.9%, and the number of unemployed persons fell by 1.5 million to 11.1 million.

4) Similarly in Malaysia, our GDP has recovered from -17% in the second quarter to -2.7% in the third quarter of 2020. If we can contain the pandemic effectively, the lifting of CMCO should see stronger recovery in the coming months.

5) The newly enforced CMCO in most states in the Peninsular since 9th November has led to rising daily trading volume of

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 the National Libraries in Malaysia and Singapore or online via http://www.teybinyuen.com/ profitfromshareinvestment KLCI. But interestingly, this time the gloves counters are no longer dominating the top volume and top gainers list. Rather, you can see the blue chip counters have surfaced in the top gainers list, such as Public Bank, Airport, Tenaga and Genting to name a few. It shows the leaders are leading.

6) In most economy crisis, the sector that is leading the recovery is the finance sector. Recently, not only we can see many Malaysia banking counters that have gone up, banks in Singapore such as OCBC, UOB and DBS have behaved similarly too. Three of these banks have risen around 20% since November 2020.

Conclusion With the above signs, we can feel the optimism is coming back.

Of course, one should not be over confident as the effectiveness of the vaccine, which could lead to the demand eventually, does matter. TI

Going Digital as the Way Forward

Menteri Besar Johor Datuk Ir. Haji Hasni and Sultanah Fatimah Foundation chairman Datuk Tee at a press conference

Johor Digital Economy Centre launched to help businesses go digital and minimise the spread of COVID-19 too

T

he new norm of our lifestyle since the COVID-19 pandemic has aggressively highlighted the urgent need for businesses to be digitalised.

Contact-less options are

preferred modes of interaction and transactions now, which businesses must embrace in order to stay ahead.

In view of this current climate, the Johor Digital Economy Centre (JDEC) was launched at

Country Garden Danga Bay. It is an intiative by Sultanah Fatimah Foundation, supported by the Johor government for business owners to enhance their trade in the digital sector.

The event was officiated

by Menteri Besar Johor Datuk Ir. Haji Hasni Mohammad. Also present were State Investment, Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Human Resource Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Izhar Ahmad, and Sultanah Fatimah Foundation chairman, Datuk Tee Siew Kiong.

JDEC will focus on four main pillars – Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) and Block Chain. In his opening speech, Datuk Tee said that initiatives in the fields of e-Learning, Broadcast & Live Streaming, e-Commerce and technological innovation will be implemented to equip the nation with skills towards Industrial

Revolution 4.0.

Meanwhile, Hasni assured that doing business in Johor is easy, attracting investors by reducing bureaucracies especially to those who want to develop technology infrastructure in the state. He aspires for Johor Bahru to be the best in its efforts to develop overall digital strategies, offering incentives to technology

companies to develop in Johor.

“I assure investors and those who want to develop the technology infrastructure, and telecommunications in the state to come to Johor. I will do my best to make sure that doing business in Johor is easy as ABC. We will try to narrow down all aspects of bureaucracy that are obstacles,” he said. - by Salamahafifi TI

(From left to right) Datuk Mohd Izhar, Menteri Besar Johor Datuk Ir. Haji Hasni, and Datuk Tee officiating the ceremony with a robot

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THE ISKANDARIAN

ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020

PLAY

Make Your Home the Place to be this Christmas

Sudoku

Making your home smell like Christmas Scents of gingerbread cookies and sweet treats filling the kitchen – the holidays are a great excuse to treat yourself to extra indulgences. Take this time to unwind while bonding with your children and loved ones by whipping up a cake for the entire family, making gingerbread cookies, or even decorating a gingerbread house!

Be a responsible internet user only share verified news!

Scan QR Code for the solution

every month The Iskandarian shares what you should and should not be doing in your communities !

DOODLE

Whipping up mouthwatering dishes

W

hile the holidays may be smaller than usual due to the ongoing pandemic, IKEA is inviting Malaysians to embrace and reinvent the holiday season. Whether it is creating new memories with old traditions, bonding over Christmas treats, cooking up a storm for your loved ones or just enjoying a cozy day in, it is time to make your home the place to be this festive season.

Setting the mood with the right essentials When it comes to the holidays, enjoying the company of our loved ones is the highlight of the festive season. While many of us often spend time prepping meals in the kitchen and savouring all the good food, every piece of item in the kitchen and dining room can get us into the festive mood. The perfect dinnerware, serving bowls and table decoration creates the right mood while helping you throw a spectacular celebration.

Christmas is never complete without a feast! Whether you are baking a pie, roasting a chicken, tossing some vegetables, or even making some stew, IKEA has you covered!

Decking up the home!

It is not Christmas without the decorations. As soon as the decorations are up, that is when the festive spirit kicks in. Check out some affordable holiday decors that are sure to spread some Christmas cheer while making the celebration at home a lot merrier.

To ensure the safety and well-being of all shoppers and co-workers, everyone is required to check-in via the MySejahtera upon entering the stores, restaurants and cafes, use a face mask upon entering the stores, get temperatures check via a thermal scanner, disinfect hands at the hand sanitizer stations and adhere to social distancing using the clear and visible floor markings as a guide.

Alternatively, you may shop online.

For more Christmas inspirations, visit IKEA.my/Christmas. TI

A Taste of Canton at Renaissance Johor Bahru Restaurant Wan Li unveils latest mouth-watering dishes

Dim Sum Offerings

I

f you are having difficulties deciding on a place for lunch and dinner, look no further than Restaurant Wan Li. As restaurants around the city have been dialing back on promotions and innovations, this cozy restaurant situated in the lobby of the Renaissance Johor Bahru hotel has doubled down on their offerings for their patrons and is Halal-Certified to accommodate all guests.

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat Dim Sum lunch special at just RM64.15 where patrons can gorge themselves with a delectable selection of 18 signature dishes which cannot be missed. To name

a few, “Har Kao” with Water Chestnuts, “Siew Mai”, Shanghai Dumplings, Deep-Fried Golden Chicken Dumplings, Radish Cakes, Steamed Bean Curd Sheet Rolls, Taro Buns, Phoenix Claws in Black Pepper Sauce and Taro Croquettes are amongst other beloved Dim Sum staples

The resident head Chef has put together a few new dishes such as the “Wok-fried Australian Wagyu Beef with Foie Gras and Asparagus”, “Free Range Chicken with Fried Shallot and Black Truffle”, “Double-Boiled Silky Fowl Soup with Dark Garlic King, Conpoy and Vegetables”, “Grilled Lamb Rack with Homemade Pineapple Barbeque Sauce”, “Wok-fried White Bait with Spicy Crispy Garlic”. Not to mention my personal favourite - the “Glazed Air-Dried Beef Fillet with Chili Sauce”, not only a unique

Free Range Chicken with Fried Shallot and Black Truffle

accompanied by an endless flow of “Tie Guan Yin” tea.

If Dim Sum is not your preferred cuisine, fret not as Wan Li is introducing a new A la carte menu which will bring you on a special journey of flavours at a special 20% discount from 11th November to the 12th of December.

Chilled Mango Puree with Pomelo and Homemade Custard Bun, a perfect blend of sweetness and tanginess

From the A la carte menu - Grilled Lamb Rack with Homemade Pineapple Barbeque Sauce

dish with complementing flavours but also a visual treat guaranteed to impress your dinner guests. If that wasn’t enough, how about a Chilled Mango Puree with Pomelo and Homemade Custard Bun, a perfect blend of sweetness and tanginess to satisfy your dessert pangs?

As for seating, Wan Li has taken appropriate measures

for social distancing during the MCO so don’t hesitate to make a booking!

For bookings, there are 3 ways to get in touch: • Weblink: https://www.tableapp. com/partner/wan-li-renaissancejohor-bahru-hotel#/ • Phone: 07-3813388 •WhatsApp: https://wa.me/60187800787.

- by Evan Lim TI

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Pasir Gudang as the third city in Johor has a total property value of approximately RM127.20 million per annum pg 21

PROPERTY

PROPERTY INSIGHT

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@ home

RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS

APARTMENTS

VILLAS

CONDOMINIUMS

OFFICE/RETAILSPACE

Home Ownership Dream Blooms During COVID-19 Pandemic with UMLand Seri Austin’s DAHLIA pg 20

Read this article on our website

iProperty.com.my showcases rental demand data for H1 2020

Mah Sing makes owning homes easy

Connect with us on Facebook

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THE ISKANDARIAN

ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020

PROPERTY

AME Boosts Solar Tracking Systems Manufacturer’s Expansion in i-Park@Senai Airport City

I

ntegrated industrial space solutions provider (AME) is boosting the expansion plans of solar tracking systems manufacturer Shengda New Energy Sdn Bhd (Shengda New Energy) by constructing its second plant in i-Park@Senai Airport City.

AME had previously completed Shengda New Energy’s first plant in i-Park@ Senai Airport City in December 2019 which manufactures solar tracking systems, including steel coil slitting, precision tubing, precision stamping, and related components.

The second plant, adjoining the first manufacturing facility, would expand Shengda New Energy’s products to include solar tracker slew gear (tracking driver) and solar cleaning robots. The plant would also house a power station demonstration project to enable visual presentation to customers, as well as research and development (R&D) testing lines

for solar tracker, battery energy storage, and solar cleaning robots.

With the second plant, Shengda New Energy has invested over RM95 million in land and buildings in Malaysia to date, with total manufacturing built-up area of about 361,100 sq ft in i-Park@ Senai Airport City upon expected completion of the second plant in June 2021.

Shengda New Energy’s products are distributed mainly to the United States, as well as Australia and Chile.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony recently, AME Group Managing Director Kelvin Lee Chai welcomed Shengda New Energy’s latest expansion in i-Park@Senai Airport City, and reiterated AME’s commitment to the fast-track completion of their technologically- advanced manufacturing plant to support growth requirements in the solar energy industry.

“We note that the new plant not only increases Shengda New Energy’s total production floor space by more than 50% upon completion in June 2021, but also helps them move up the value chain and develop more advanced solutions for their international customers, in line with the rapid development of the global solar energy industry. Shengda New Energy’s investments also signify the increasing relevance and demand of AME’s i-Parks to a wide range of industries, including to innovative companies in the sustainable energy sector,” said Kelvin Lee Chai, Group Managing Director, AME Elite Consortium Berhad.

He further added that, “In supporting the growth of both domestic and international players in our i-Parks, AME is enabling the supply chains and growth of major organisations. Our progress in this respect effectively supports the ongoing creation of more

job opportunities which would reinforce Johor’s economy.” i-Park@Senai Airport City, launched in 2017, is a gated and guarded full-service industrial resort in Johor spanning an area of 189 acres. It is home to numerous Malaysian and international companies across various industries, including precision engineering, pharmaceutical manufac tur ing, trading, warehouse/storage, electrical and

electronics manufacturing, R&D and assemblies.

AME is developing two integrated industrial parks in Johor: i-Park@Indahpura (Phase 3) and i-Park@Senai Airport City (Phases 1, 2 and 3). Both industrial parks feature custom-built industrial buildings within a well-planned gated and guarded compound, complemented by recreational facilities and workers’ dormitories.

- by The Iskandarian TI

Shengda New Energy Sdn Bhd Aerial View image

iProperty.com.my Showcases Malaysia’s First Ever Rental Demand Data for H1 2020

Businesses Must Go On to Stabilise the Economy

Pro p e r t y. c o m . my, debuted its H1 2020 Proper t y D emand Analytics for the rental market which provides an overview of rental demand using iProperty.com.my’s user visits and property listings data for residential properties in Malaysia with a particular focus on Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and Johor. The rental analytics, the first of its kind in Malaysia, takes a look at three property types; terrace houses, condominiums, and serviced residences.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the overall H1 2020 national rental demand declined by -5.6%. It should be noted however, that the transition from the Movement Control Order (MCO) to the Conditional MCO (CMCO) followed by the Recovery MCO (RMCO) has allowed for a gradual economic and social recovery from mid-May onwards. This observation is supported by the recovery in property interest during the CMCO phase when the government relaxed various mobility restrictions and property

Country Garden Malaysia-Singapore Region Update

i

viewings were permitted again.

In H1 2020, lowerpriced high-rise properties garnered a higher rental yield compared to landed properties. Condominiums and serviced residences recorded rental yields of +4.17% and +4.03% respectively while terrace houses recorded a +3.43% yield. Conversely, condominiums were the most popular property type among rental property seekers within the four major capital cities of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and Johor.

Due to the unprecedented situation caused by COVID-19, property seekers could be considering rental options instead. This could explain the increasing number of both visits and listings for Kuala Lumpur’s rental market compared to H1 2019, resulting in a more modest demand decline of -2.9% in the capital city.

Property seekers were especially interested in rental properties with asking rental prices ranging between RM1,500 to RM2,000 per month.

Johor’s rental demand dropped by -19.5% in

D H1 2020 due to the number of listings which outweighed the number of user visits. Nevertheless, the median asking rent for Johor (RM1,400 per month) was still lower compared to other major states in the country.

Iskandar Puteri recorded the fastest growing YoY demand at +35% because its rental listings were reduced by half, mainly for the condominium segment. Many property seekers were looking for rental properties below RM2,500 per month in Iskandar Puteri. Johor’s most in-demand rental area, Pasir Gudang, garnered the highest rental yield in the state with terrace houses being the top rental option. This industrial town recorded a rental yield of close to +7%, while its median

rental price was at RM1,200 per month.

“Due to the unfortunate circumstances caused by COVID-19, many Malaysians are more inclined to rent than buy.

As a result, the need for rental demand data for residential property has never been timelier in order to gauge consumers’ interest as they look for more affordable and flexible housing options.

Real time rental property data can be hard to come by for property investors, landlords and industry. The availability of rental demand data will serve to help all stakeholders in making better informed decisions,” said Premendran Pathmanathan, General Manager of Customer Data Solutions, REA Group Asia (iProperty.com.my). TI

espite the pandemic, businesses must go on and continue to grow for the sake of the economy. In line with that, the Johor Digital Economy Centre (JDEC) headquarters was established in Country Garden Danga Bay (CGDB) and officially launched on 1st November 2020.

Menteri Besar Johor, Datuk Ir. Hasni Mohammad and representative of Country Garden Malaysia-Singapore Region officiated the said event. Also present were State Investment, Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Human Resource Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Izhar Ahmad, and Sultanah Fatimah Foundation chairman, Datuk Tee Siew Kiong.

The establishment marks a great milestone for Country Garden for the industry development in Malaysia and Singapore region. The two parties will work together to develop Johor into a regional centre for e-commerce, accelerate the digital transformation of

local enterprises and provide trainings to the local talents to elevate the state’s digital economy growth. In addition, they will also explore the collaborations with China E-commerce Association, bring in more enterprises and build a Chinese overseas E-commerce industrial park.

Countr y G arden Malaysia-Singapore Region committed to continuously bringing in new industrial partners and developing the 8 pillars of industries including E-commerce, tourism, healthcare, education & training, regional headquarter, nearshore finance, emerging technology and smart & green.

This collaboration will kick off Country Garden’s endeavours in the industrial development for its longterm development in the region.

The rising trend of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia is indeed a concerning matter. The management reemphasised the importance of cultivating internal strength and enhance competitiveness in order to survive. Nonetheless, our business remains resilient despite the challenge faced.

- by The Iskandarian TI

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THE ISKANDARIAN

ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020

Iskandar Property Census 2020 Q3: Median Price RM573,931 Or RM577psf

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he Iskandar Property Census research that tracks high-rise residential units in Iskandar Malaysia since 2012 released its latest 2020 Q3 result that shows the median price is at RM573,931 or RM577per square ft (psf).

Area breakdown shows Puteri Harbour having the highest price at RM979,125 or RM888psf followed by JB CIQ at RM836,125 or RM921psf.

JB Inner City saw the median price at RM694,749 or RM595psf, JB Outer City at RM394,266 (RM423psf ), Danga Bay at RM648,500 (RM534psf ), Iskandar Puteri at RM434,714 (RM491psf ), Medini at RM645,598 (RM773psf) and Tebrau Coast at RM494,520 (RM491psf).

Jerren Lai, Head of Research at Datamine Malaysia said, “The Iskandar Property census research is the equivalent of the Singapore URA research

that systematically tracks properties using census data and give vital statistics for city planners and investors to make informed decision on their needs.”

While Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) provides private residential property transaction data, the Iskandar Property Census tracks the median price and uses occupancy data to estimate the demand of each property.

Data collection is done twice yearly at the property premise so that progress is archived, and researchers are on-theground to identify hotspots that feed into our forecast reports.

The result is published in www.iskandar-property.my.

The Iskandar Property Census supplements the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC) data in that it covers detailed statistics on each high-rise property such

Datamine team in action

PROPERTY

150 Bags of Blood Collected Paragon Globe Berhad & Paragon Market Place held a successful Blood Donation Campaign

By Jerren Lai

Head of Research at Datamine Malaysia https://iskandar-property. my/ as absolute and psf median price, demand and supply, hotspots and forecast for each specific area within Iskandar Malaysia. NAPIC provides a more ‘macro’ overview.

The objective of this research is to aid policy makers to estimate future demand and supply of properties in each suburb.

In addition, foreign investors particularly Singaporeans are used to detailed research and review before making big-ticket investments in a foreign country. This tracking research pioneered by Datamine Malaysia fills that gap.

Datamine Malaysia is a market research firm based in Iskandar Malaysia that is synonymous with the Iskandar Property Census research. It uses census instead of sampling data to track Iskandar properties with researchers on-theground to identify hotspots that contribute to our forecast outlook. Six monthly fieldwork is done on the ground where each property is photo archive to alert investors on its progress.

P

aragon Globe Berhad (Paragon Globe) and Paragon Market Place (PMP) had organised three days of Blood Donation Campaign midNov at the Concourse Area of PMP. The campaign was conducted with the collaboration with Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI) Transfusion Medical Centre Unit and St. John Ambulance of Malaysia.

A total of 150 bags of blood were collected from donors during the campaign, following strict SOPs. Commenting on the Blood Donation Campaign, Dato’ Sri Godwin Tan Pei Poh, Group Executive Director of Paragon Globe and Executive Director of Joland Group, said, “This was the firsttime Paragon Globe and PMP collaborated to organise such an event. This joint effort is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility

programme and is an annual endeavour that all employees are committed to and enthusiastic about.”

“The main objective of this meaningful campaign is to raise awareness of the importance of donating blood among the local community and to help replenish the blood bank in Hospital Sultan Ismail Johor Bahru,” he added.

A total of 38 goodie bags filled with hand wash, hand wipes, hair shampoo, tumbler and delicious lunch box were given to hospital staff from HSI and volunteers from St. John Ambulance, by way of thanks for their work.

In line with Conditional Movement Control Order, the standard operating procedures have strictly been followed, such as

taking body temperature before register ing, providing hand sanitiser and maintaining social distancing, to ensure the safety of donors.

Paragon Globe is an investment holding company listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia with diversified interest in property investment, property development, property construction and property related businesses such as Pekan Sentral located in Johor. Paragon Market Place is a three-storey retail market, strategically located in Jalan Tampoi, Johor Bahru, with total 240,000 sq.ft built-up area.

It is a joint venture project between Joland Group and Kuopacific Group with the JV company known as Chempaka Logistik Sdn Bhd. - by Priya Manikam TI

Paragon Globe Berhad and Paragon Market Place organised three days of Blood Donation Campaign at the Concourse Area of PMP

Home Ownership Dream Blooms During COVID-19 Pandemic with DAHLIA

Presenting token of appreciation to Steven Choong Shiau Yoon, Member of Parliament for Tebrau

U

MLand Seri Austin has launched their brand new residential project DAHLIA through a special live streaming event on Facebook in compliance with COVID-19 protocols of social distancing and minimising large crowds. The launch was hosted by KK Wong, the CEO of Seri

Austin and Group Director of Township for UMLand and was officiated by Haji Mazlan Bin Bujang, the Johor State Exco chairman for Education, Information, Heritage & Culture.

The residential township DAHLIA comprises 222 freehold double storey terrace houses offering 2 types – Type A

and Type B which offers contemporary facade design with spacious living and dining areas with a total built-up area of 1750 sq. ft. on top of a 20’x65’ land area.

It features 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with prices starting from RM610,000.00.

“Originally a piece of commercial land, we decided to convert it to residential as there is a huge demand for terraced houses in Seri Austin, and we (developers) should always try to cater to the needs of the buyers,” said KK Wong.

“This is a golden opportunity for all homebuyers looking for a good property that is affordable, beautiful and functional and especially so during this time where bank loan interest rates are low,” added Wong.

DAHLIA is located in Seri Austin which apart from a tranquil living area, also offers recreational town parks, outdoor exercise stations, basketball courts and a jogging/bicycle track that weaves through the entire development all whilst being strategically located a short distance to shopping malls, private healthcare providers, schools, private colleges and

easy access to major highways such as the EDL, North-South Highway, Pasir Gudang Highway, Tebrau-Kota Tinggi Highway and Second Link Expressway.

Although usual launches include activities on-site, in adherence to COVID-19 protocols, organisers hosted a pop quiz with prizes to include participants who tuned into the live stream session and showed them a virtual tour of the show houses and encouraged prospective buyers to set up appointments to view the houses so social distancing can be adhered to.

Currently, all the Non-Bumi lots have been sold but for the unsold units, UMLand hopes that the revival of the Home Ownership Campaign by the government and incentives for early birds such as free legal fees, disbursements, stamp duty waiver applicable from 1st June 2020 till 31st May 2021 and special sales incentives can help prospective homeowners achieve their dreams.

For more details, call 07 354 1111 or drop in their Sales Gallery from 8.30am – 5.30pm (open daily). - by Evan Lim TI

21

THE ISKANDARIAN

ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020

Owning a Home Couldn’t Have Been Easier

W

ith the current H o m e Ownership Campaign (HOC) 20202021, owning homes couldn’t have been easier especially when developers are rendering special offers.

In line with this, Mah Sing Group Sdn Bhd (Mah Sing) is partnering with Maybank in providing a homeownership financing solution in assisting Malaysians in owning their dream home via Maybank’s Houzkey scheme.

Through the campaign there are various incentives that buyers will enjoy. For instance, under the Eazy to Own campaign, there are low entry payments (RM500 booking fee), Free

Stamp Duty from 1st June 2020 till 31st May 2021, amazing discounts with savings and up to 90% financing. This means that up to 90% financing rate would be available for owners which has 2 or more existing residential mortgage loans. There are also discounts starting from 10% applied on projects participating for the campaign. Terms & conditions apply and valid for selected units in participating projects, for a limited time only under the Eazy to Own campaign.

Under the Houzkeyz scheme for Stay First, Own Later, it gives you the ability to stay in one of Mah Sing’s brand new homes for a duration of up to 5 years

with a minimal tenure of 1 year. Within the rental tenure, you at any time will have the option to buy the property, so just stay now and own later.

A notable project of Mah Sing in Johor is the 2-Storey Link homes at the 1,313-acre Freehold Mixed Development Township in Meridin East at Pasir Gundang, Johor.

The homes come with 4 bedrooms with 1,782 sq. ft. - 2,009 sq. ft with lowdensity, guarded, 24 hours CCTV surveillance, modern façade design and easy connectivity.

For further enquiries, please contact 1300 80 6888 or email: crm@ mahsing.com.my. - by Priya Manikam TI

Mah Sing rewarded nine lucky draw winners of its “Lock & Win Final Countdown” campaign recently (file pic by Moazan Emran)

What Do We Know about Johor’s Latest City?

Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd (PTP) a successful logistic hub in Pasir Gudang

O

n 22nd November 2020, His Majesty, the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, has proclaimed Pasir Gudang as the third city in Johor after Johor Bahru (in 1994) and Iskandar Puteri (2017).

Through the proclamation, the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council (MPPG) will now be known as the Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG).

The MBPG

administrative area of 35,957 hectares covers Mukim Tiram and part of Mukim Plentong which is located in Pasir Gudang Parliament covering Permas and Johor Jaya State Assembly (DUN) that includes DUN Tiram in the Tebrau Parliament.

The population of Pasir Gudang now a total of 533.868 people, has a total value of 90,758 properties with estimated revenue of RM127.2 million per year.

As at 31st December 2019, MPPG has

managed to collect the current assessment tax of RM103,132,089 (85.6%) out of RM120,458,033, while the collection of assessment tax arrears was RM18,925,282 (61.1%) out of RM30,967,097.04 of total arrears.

The total revenue collected including tax, non-tax and non-revenue receipts until December 2019 amounted to RM182.7 million, while until October 2020 amounted to RM160.3 million.

Pasir Gudang is an Industrial City and Port with the advantage of having two international ports as well as comprehensive infrastructure facilities that prioritise the wellbeing of its people and fully meet the requirements of its needs.

- by Priya Manikam TI

PROPERTY

Tête-à-Tête with KPRJ’S CEO

KPRJ CEO, Dato Noorazam Bin Dato Hj Osman (R) shares his views with Edey Suresh, Editor-in-Chief, The Iskandarian

Dato Noorazam shares with The Iskandarian on Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor’s future endeavours

W

ith almost 30 years of experience under his belt, Dato Noorazam Bin Dato Hj Osman has been leading Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor Sdn. Bhd. (KPRJ) for over 2 years as its CEO with robust ideas and visionary leadership.

Being the investment arm of Johor, KPRJ is the major stakeholder in Iskandar Malaysia developments, the master builder for the SUKMA XX infrastructure and a key affordable housing developer. The state owned GLC was incorporated in 1995 and has turned 25 this year. We touched base with Dato’ Noorazam to find out more about KPRJ’s future directions.

Congratulations on KPRJ turning 25 this year. You have helmed the CEO position for the past 2 years, how has the journey been for you and the company?

KPRJ was established on 8th November 1995 as a private limited company wholly owned by the state government of Johor.

I have seen KPRJ grow throughout the years. The name itself which has the word Prasarana means our role is to provide the infrastructure to support the state agenda. In the early years of its establishment, KPRJ played an important role in the development of village roads.

Our business focus has been amplified to diversified spectrum which includes Oil & Gas, Sports Development, Asset & Facilities Management apart from Construction and Property development.

We are revitalising the business according to the current business trends and opportunities with agility and relevance in mind. KPRJ provides a cash dividend of RM153 million and also a return in the form of CSR of RM15 million a year to the state government.

What are the main growth drivers of KPRJ? One of our drivers is our role as the investment arm of the state. KPRJ is the major stakeholder in the Iskandar Malaysia development through its role as one of the key shareholders in Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB). We are also a shareholder in Infra Desa (Johor) Sdn. Bhd., Iskandar Waterfront Holdings Sdn. Bhd., and Southkey City Sdn. Bhd. Property is still a market that we are keen on developing further. The problem that we see in this sector is buyers being unable to

secure end financing. KPRJ has proposed to the state rent-to-own schemes that can be introduced to alleviate the problem of financing. Our subsidiary KPRJ Builders Sdn Bhd was awarded the SME100 Fast Moving Companies Award in January 2019. This award proves KPRJ’s ability as one of the key players in the construction industry in Malaysia. Apart from that, KPRJ also plays a significant role in the Rancangan Perumahan Rakyat Johor of 6,016 units, Skim Rumah Mesra Rakyat Johor and other state housing schemes.

SUKMA is now cancelled and what will happen next?

SUKMA 2020 has been cancelled officially and we are talking about SUKMA 2022 instead which is technically still “SUKMA 20” as it’s the 20th edition to the games. The state of Johor will remain as the host for the games and KPRJ remains committed to the realisation of the games.

In terms of infrastructure, we look at it as an investment to the development of sports in the state. Regardless of SUKMA games, the infrastructure is something that is built for the benefit of the people for years to come. The challenge is getting the public to utilise the venues for their sports programmes.

Has the pandemic changed how KPRJ conducts business?

My biggest asset is always my staff. I have given them the freedom to upskill and valueadd themselves during this period. With our strong financial capabilities, an experienced management team as well as dedicated and committed staff members, KPRJ is able to carry out the entrusted responsibilities at its very best in delivering the needs towards building a better Johor. Once your reach 25, you want to envision the next 25 years.

What’s upcoming from KPRJ? We see ourselves as a ‘thinker’ for the state.

Sports is still relevant, but we must explore all opportunities. We are in talks with world brands and international sports universities to explore the potential of Sports Johor.

We also want to play a bigger role in being the digital driver for the state. I see a lot of opportunities in the digital world and we want to actively participate in the state’s digital developments. Finally, I am proud to announce that we have established our very own foundation, Yayasan KPRJ to ensure that we continue to contribute and give back to the community.

Read the full interview under our business section at www.theiskandarian. com. - by Edey Suresh TI

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The Iskandarian ISSUE 100 | DEC 2020 Feature

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