Malaysia proposes new measures to tackle congestion at Johor checkpoints
A series of short-term measures will be implemented to reduce congestion at Malaysia's checkpoints, especially at the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex at the Causeway and the Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ complex at the Second Link.
The measures were decided at the meeting of a Cabinet committee to study having a single agency at the national border and checkpoints on Wednesday (July 3), Malaysia's official news agency Bernama reported.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, it said.
According to a statement from the Deputy Prime Minister's Office, the meeting noted the congestion and management challenges at the Sultan Iskandar CIQ and the Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ and agreed on infrastructure and system improvements needed.
In the short term, said Datuk Seri Wan Azizah, congestion will be managed through the reopening the Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS) at the Second Link on June 19, floating a procurement tender for MACS, valued at RM9 million (S$2.95 million) by December, and by mobilising officers from the less busy counters to the more congested counters.
Other decisions were to open contra lanes for cars in which traffic flows in the opposite direction of the surrounding lanes; institute a compulsory overtime shift (7am to 8am) and to open all counters for the MBike automated clearance system for motorcyclists, the statement said.
In the longer term, the meeting also decided to increase the number of MBike counters for motorcycles going out of Malaysia, to include biometric exemption for visitors going out, to fill up 99 per cent of the Immigration Department posts and to seek Malaysia-Singapore bilateral cooperation for a single clearance.
Also decided was extending the use of the autogate for all foreign visitors, increasing the number of Customs scanning machines, increasing the number of lorry counters at Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ on a par with Tuas, the usage of hybrid counters, and the development of immigration integrated system with automation features.
"The meeting also agreed in principle that a study on a single agency to manage national border and checkpoints including ports should be implemented, as it is relevant to the current situation as well as taking into consideration all needs such as finance, manpower, logistics and other related laws," the statement said, according to Bernama.
It added that the Home Ministry had been tasked with carrying out the study. While the scope of the study would cover three domains, namely land, air and sea, the focus of the study at this stage is on land. The study will end by the middle of next year.
Wednesday's Cabinet committee meeting came after a Cabinet meeting last November noted that there was massive congestion at the country's checkpoints despite various measures taken.
~News courtesy of Straits Times~
Tebrau Shuttle Service in Johor to ease congestion at Second Link
JOHOR BARU, July 2 — A new initiative to promote the usage of the Tebrau Shuttle Service among tourists from the Woodlands Train Checkpoint to JB Sentral station will hopefully ease the notorious congestion at the Second Link crossing’s Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) in Gelang Patah.
The initiative, by the Tourism Productivity Nexus (TPN), will promote the Tebrau Shuttle Service among tourists from Singapore’s Woodlands Train Checkpoint to Jojor Baru’s JB Sentral station.
This initiative is a result of strategic collaboration between TPN and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) to provide a world class tourist experience by utilising the KTMB Tebrau Shuttle.
Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA) president Uzaidi Udanis said that this initiative to utilise the shuttle service would reduce the congestion on the Second Link at the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) in Gelang Patah.
“This service, if used efficiently, can reduce congestion at the Second Link by about 30 per cent and it will have a very good effect on the traffic congestion there,” he said in a statement today.
KSAB operations task force chairman and Perling assemblyman Cheo Yee How said he welcomed the move.
“The Tebrau Shuttle Service has been around for a while, but this latest initiative will hopefully have a positive impact for the Second Link crossing that has seen an upsurge in traffic over the years,” he said.
Meanwhile Johor Tourism, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Liow Cai Tung said that the initiative signifies strong cooperation involving tourism players led by the MITA in partnership with TPN.
She said that this service will facilitate the massive number of tourists traveling to Malaysia in Johor Baru, through the Woodlands Checkpoint.
The collaboration is fully supported by various stakeholders namely the Economic Affairs Ministry, the Home Affairs Ministry, Customs Department, Immigration Department, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, Tourism Malaysia as well as Tourism Johor.
Liow, who is also the Johor Jaya assemblyman, will lead the delegation comprising local travel agents as well as representatives from both federal and state ministries and agencies to experience the five-minute journey from JB Sentral to Woodlands checkpoint.
The Tebrau shuttle service, introduced in 2015, is a rail service aimed at reducing the Johor Causeway congestion. It commutes daily to and from Woodlands to Johor Baru.
The pilot service for tourist groups is scheduled to start on 15 July until 19 July.
In April, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said to reduce the congestion at the border, Malaysia has requested an increase in the frequency of the Tebrau Shuttle Service.
All KTM Intercity trains now terminate at JB Sentral station, the shuttle is the only way to travel between Malaysia and Singapore by train, with the journey across the Causeway taking just five minutes.
The Second Link Crossing, located in Tanjung Kupang near Gelang Patah, is one of two land routes connecting Johor and Singapore. The other is the busier Johor Causeway that is connected to JB Sentral in Johor Baru.
It is estimated that more than 450,000 people enter and exit Singapore from Johor via both the Johor Causeway in Johor Baru and the Second Link Crossing on a daily basis, in what can be described as one of the region’s busiest border crossings.
~News courtesy of Malay Mail~
Singapore Food Festival returns with LiHO avocado kopi and Ya Kun Pocky
The 26th edition will run from Jul 12 to 28, and delve into the stories and experiences that drive our singularly Singapore food obsession.
(Photo: STB; art: Chern Ling)
Avocado kopi, a vegan food crawl and the ultimate chilli crab ramen – these are some of the things food lovers can look forward to at the upcoming Singapore Food Festival (SFF).
The annual celebration of local cuisine is back for its 26th year with the theme “Savour Singapore in every bite”. The event is dedicated to local cuisine and talent, celebrating the country’s multicultural heritage.
Twenty event partners have come together to offer a myriad of dining concepts and gastronomic experiences during the festival that will run from Jul 12 to 28.
The 26th edition of the Singapore Food Festival will run from Jul 12 to 28, featuring 20 gastronomic experiences offering the flavours of Singapore. Expect some unique dishes including chilled squid ink pasta, chilli crab ramen and avocado coffee smoothies from the likes of Project Plait x Artistry, Ippudo x No Signboard Seafood and LiHo Tea. First-time participant 7-Eleven will also be offering takoyaki with chilli crab sauce and egg mayo, as well as salted egg tamagoyaki.
The food festival's main event, STREAT, will be back. The two-day event will offer a range of traditional hawker fare and mod-sin interpretations of Singapore street food from 12 eateries.
Highlights include duck rice bento from Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck and Kway Chap, chicken rice kueh pie tee from Salted & Hung, as well as an Impossible Burger and Fat Papas collaboration.
Diners will also be entertained by local music acts Charlie Lim and Glen Wee, and have the opportunity to attend workshops and masterclasses by local culinary talents.
STREAT will kick off from 5pm on Jul 12 at The Promontory @ Marina Bay.
MODERNITY, CULTURE, TRADITION AND ART: HIGHLIGHTS
Vendors at the Singapore Food Festival will be grouped into four different categories - Modernity, Culture, Tradition and Art.
Here's a taste of what diners can look forward to:
1. The Ultimate Chilli Crab Ramen by Ippudo x No Signboard Seafood (Modernity)
Only two Ippudo Ramen outlets - Marina Bay Sands and Mandarin Gallery - will serve this dish in the month of July. (Photo: Darius Boey)
This may be a fan favourite - the Ultimate Chilli Crab Ramen was dreamed up by Japanese ramen chain Ippudo and famous seafood restaurant No Signboard. The dish brings together tonkotsu ramen broth with No Signboard's signature chilli crab sauce, giving it a spicy and savoury kick.
The Ultimate Chilli Crab Ramen's noodles, which have a springy texture, are customised for the dish - which also comes with toppings such as an umami egg, a whole crab claw and fried mantou.
Only 30 bowls of this special ramen dish will be served every day at two Ippudo outlets - Mandarin Gallery and Marina Bay Sands - and it will be available in the month of July.
2. Avocado Kopi by LiHo
liho avocado kopi - singapore food festival 2019
You can find avocado kopi at selected LiHo outlets around Singapore from Jul 12 to Sep 30. (Photo: Darius Boey)
Bubble tea lovers can pick up an avocado kopi from selected LiHO outlets.
The new concoction blends the sweet and creamy avocado flavour with a nutty and chocolatey brew, resulting in a smooth and flavour-packed beverage. It will be available at selected LiHo outlets from Jul 12 to Sep 20, 2019.
This is the first time that LiHo is participating in the Singapore Food Festival, along with 7-Eleven and Glico. Glico is also going local, with a limited edition Pocky x Ya Kun Kaya Toast & Kopi O.
3. Sor Hei by Project Plait X Artistry (Art)
Chilled squid ink pasta with smoked golden trout, a dish from the five-course menu as part of the food and contemporary dance experience, held in a black and white colonial house near Mount Faber. (Photo: Darius Boey)
What does dance have to do with food?
Well, as part of the art category, chef Nixon Low and dancer Naomi Tan are coming together to create a unique experience for diners by combining a five-dish menu with a contemporary dance exhibition, named The Mem's Servants.
This will be held in four interconnected rooms in a black-and-white colonial house near Mount Faber, where diners are required to enter different rooms for each dish.
One of the dishes featured is called Sor Hei. It's chilled squid ink pasta with smoked golden trout, giving diners a subtle tinge of flavour past the slightly salty squid ink. It is complemented with golden tobiko (flying fish roe), cauliflower puree and pickled carrots to set up a complex but flavourful dish.
4. Jimami Tofu 5D Experience by Cookyn Ink (Art)
Jimami tofu with sweet potato croquettes. (Photo: Darius Boey)
Another unique dining experience can be found in Jimami Tofu 5D Dining Experience by Cookyn Inc.
Drawing inspiration from the award-winning 2017 Singaporean-Japanese drama film Jimami Tofu, Cookyn Inc will prepare a seven-course dinner menu for diners, all of which are prepared and served at the same time the movie is being screened.
The idea is to provide an all-round experience, allowing diners to use their five senses.
Jimami tofu - naturally - is one of the dishes, along with sweet potato croquette. Both are of Okinawan origin, with the Jimami tofu, a mixture of tapioca and quinoa, having a smooth, sticky and glutinous rice ball-esque texture with sweetened soy sauce.
The croquettes, on the other hand, are quite the opposite - crispy on the outside and pasty on the inside with finely hand-grated sweet potato.
Diners can also look forward to taking pictures with the chefs and cast of the movie.
5. Mutton Keema from Indian Restaurants Association (Tradition)
Mutton keema. (Photo: Darius Boey)
Featuring authentic Indian dishes from the 1960s, Campbell Lane in Little India will be opened up to host this year’s Great Indian Food Festival from Jul 19 to 28. This is a collaboration between the Indian Restaurants Association Singapore (IRAS) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
One of the highlights is Mutton Keema, essentially minced mutton with Indian breads ranging from naan, chapati, coin prata and a normal-sized prata.
The meat, delicate yet juicy, comes with soft potatoes and peas. The thick gravy adds a spicy final touch to the Keema, due to the fragrant herbs used in its creation.
The Indian Food Festival will include 16 food carts along Campbell Lane, allowing visitors to experience Singapore’s heritage through food.
OTHER EVENTS
Vegans - heads up. The Singapore Vegan Food Crawl will take diners to Chinatown, Geylang Serai and Little India to discover the booming vegan street food culture, while the Singapore Tea Festival on Jul 19 will bring a curated line-up of artisanal teas, workshops and snack brands for the perfect teatime experience.
Festival-goers can also look forward to The Mem’s Servants from Jul 24 to 27, a unique five-course food and contemporary dance experience that’ll bring to life untold stories from the cooks and amahs (nannies) who served at black-and-white colonial houses.
Ranita Sundramoorthy, Director of Retail and Dining, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “With this year’s robust line-up of events, from private chef dinners and food tours around our heritage districts, to theatrical dining experiences – Singaporeans and visitors will be able to taste Singapore’s diverse flavours and experience our food obsession first-hand.”
She added: “In its 26th year, the Festival continues to be a highlight on the Singapore foodie calendar. SFF is a compelling testament to the richness and diversity of our food scene, further cementing our city-state’s reputation as a global culinary capital.”
~News courtesy of CNA~
Second Raffles Hotel set to open in Singapore on Sentosa in 2022
A second Raffles Hotel is set to open in Singapore in 2022, more than a century after the original national monument in Beach Road opened its doors in 1887.
Hotel operator Accor Group, in partnership with property developer Royal Group, announced on Tuesday (June 25) that the new Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa Singapore will be built on Sentosa.
~News courtesy of Straits Times~
Bad weather, unauthorised drones cause more flight delays and diversions at Changi Airport
Bad weather and unauthorised drone activities caused several flight delays and diversions on Monday (Jun 24) night, days after Changi Airport was forced to close one runway due to drone sightings.
Replying to CNA's queries, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said that approximately 15 departures and three arrivals were delayed, while seven flights were diverted.
Last Wednesday, 38 flights were affected when drones were sighted around the airport.
"As a precautionary measure, arrival and departure flights were carefully regulated for short periods of time between 8.07pm and 9.07pm," said CAAS in an email.
One of those affected was Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ963, which was flying from Jakarta to Singapore on Monday night.
The flight "experienced an extended holding period at Singapore Changi Airport and subsequently diverted to Batam", said an SIA spokesperson.
SQ963 landed in Batam at around 8.30pm and eventually departed for Singapore at around 11pm after refuelling.
CAAS said that investigations were ongoing.
It also said that it takes a serious view of errant operations of unmanned aircraft which may pose threats to aviation or endanger the personal safety of others, and will not hesitate to take enforcement action.
Offenders could face a fine of up to S$20,000 or a jail term of up to 12 months.
In Singapore, drones are prohibited from flying within 5km of an airport without a permit.
Law enforcement officers conduct regular surveillance patrols around Changi Airport and respond to sightings of unauthorised drones, said Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min in Parliament earlier this year.
Source: CNA/ad(rw)
Singapore’s longest running annual sale (formerly known as The Great Singapore Sale for the past 25 years) is back as GSS: Experience Singapore! It’s more than just a sale - it’s a retail experience that entices locals and tourists alike to take home a slice of Singapore - to Shop, Dine, Play, Explore & Live It Up!
The spotlight is on the Singapore Experience which celebrates our local talents. This includes up & comers in retail, F&B, art, design, as well as our world famous resorts and attractions. Not to mention the unique experiences of our cultural enclaves. Embark on a retail adventure which kicks off at the heart of the country’s retail oasis at Orchard Road, including a flurry of enriching activities at prominent cultural and historical hotspot Kampong Gelam.
