Samster Gathering JB

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The New Straits Times dated Tuesday 24 January 2006 ;-

Bigfoot near Gunung Panti, Johor ?

JOHOR BARU, Mon.
------------------

The discovery of several huge footprints by a villager in Panti has caused a flurry of excitement among Bigfoot believers.

Bio-dioversity researcher Vincent Chow, who yesterday led a team of eight Bigfoot enthusiasts, including a professional from England, to investigate the footprints, said there was a strong possibility they were made by a Bigfoot creature.

"We traced the footprints up a hill and found more footprints on the muddy floor of the jungle. However, recent heavy rains have smudged the outline of the footprints.

"From their depth, we can judge that the creature which made them could have been about four times a man’s weight."

Chow said the manner in which the creature had traversed the jungle was humanlike.

"Except for a few broken twigs, there was no damage to the plants as the creature seemed to have followed the jungle path carefully, even ducking below thorny creepers. Had an elephant passed through the area, there would have been extensive damage to the vegetation."

Chow said he interviewed a villager who stated he was convinced that some creature had been prowling around the Kampung Temenim Lama area in Panti.

The villager said he heard pots and pans being moved about in his kitchen at the back of the house one night.

He was too scared to check the disturbances then, but in the morning he found the pots turned upside down and the rice spilt.

Meanwhile, a 68-year-old tanker lorry driver claimed he had a close encounter with a Bigfoot family in the 1990s on the Masai-Kong Kong road.

P. Palaniandy said he had left for Kulai after filling up his tanker with crude palm oil at a depot in Kong Kong about 8.30am.

"Just as I was going up a slope, I saw the creatures crossing the road in single file.

"They were going from the Masai side of the jungle to the Kong Kong side."

He said the creatures were between five feet and seven feet tall and heavily built. The long arms of the biggest creature were as thick as a man’s thigh.

Palaniandy said he slowed down and was about five metres away from the creatures when they walked into the jungle.

He said they had thick foreheads, bushy raised eyebrows, large protruding jaws, big hair-covered ears, raised chests and large protruding buttocks. The creatures did not turn to look at him.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The New Straits Times dated Wednesday 25 January 2006 :-

Turning south Johor into a mega-hub

By Ravi Nambiar

JOHOR BARU, Tues.
------------------

An integrated growth corridor which promises exciting new infrastructure and buildings costing billions of ringgit is taking shape in South Johor.

Giving a glimpse of the shape of things to come, Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the initiative would see a 1,970 sq km area transformed with world-class facilities and services.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would unveil the concept plan when he tables the Ninth Malaysia Plan in Parliament in March.

Ghani, in his annual address to civil servants in Johor here today, said Khazanah Nasional, the Federal Government’s investment arm, would play a pivotal role in the realisation of the plans.

Essentially, the plan will encompass:

• Nusajaya: The Johor Government’s new administrative capital, which is now under construction and is due for completion by Aug 2007. Spread over 130ha and costing RM400 million, it will have a new legislative assembly complex and State Secretariat and separate enclaves for State and Federal Government offices;

• Danga Bay: An integrated waterfront city covering 809ha which is being developed in phases over 15 years. Already a favourite with locals for leisure and recreation, it will also have financial, commercial, educational and technology centres when fully developed;

• Cybercity: This will be Johor’s version of the Multimedia Super Corridor with the creation of a Cyberport at the 30-storey Menara Sarawak here. A dedicated cybercity will be built in Kulai;

• Logistics hub: The port of Tanjung Pelepas, Senai Airport and Johor port in Pasir Gudang will be synergised to provide air, sea and land/rail links to woo multinational corporations and companies to relocate here; and,

• Senai-Desaru Highway: This project will open up Johor’s southeast coast and spur rapid development in Desaru, where Korean investors will spend RM2 billion building a new resort. The highway will significantly reduce travelling time to Desaru.

Khazanah already owns 8,100ha of land in the designated region with another 1,620ha under State control. Khazanah, through its listed unit UEM World, also owns another 10,900ha in Gelang Patah.

Ghani said the plans, when fully realised over five years, should see Johor become a magnet for human creative talent from around the world.

He said new residential, educational and recreational facilities would be built to cater to the influx of foreign talent.

It is learnt that the Federal Government will set up a new statutory agency —the South Johor Development Authority — to implement the plans. It will be co-chaired by the Prime Minister and Johor Menteri Besar.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The New Straits Times dated Wednesday 25 January 2006 :-

Turning south Johor into a mega-hub

By Ravi Nambiar

JOHOR BARU, Tues.
------------------

An integrated growth corridor which promises exciting new infrastructure and buildings costing billions of ringgit is taking shape in south Johor.

Giving a glimpse of the shape of things to come, Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the initiative would see a 1,970 sq km area transformed with world-class facilities and services.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would unveil the concept plan when he tables the Ninth Malaysia Plan in Parliament in March.

Ghani, in his annual address to civil servants in Johor here today, said Khazanah Nasional, the Federal Government’s investment arm, would play a pivotal role in the realisation of the plans.

Essentially, the plan will encompass:

• Nusajaya: The Johor Government’s new administrative capital, which is now under construction and is due for completion by Aug 2007. Spread over 130ha and costing RM400 million, it will have a new legislative assembly complex and State Secretariat and separate enclaves for State and Federal Government offices;

• Danga Bay: An integrated waterfront city covering 809ha which is being developed in phases over 15 years. Already a favourite with locals for leisure and recreation, it will also have financial, commercial, educational and technology centres when fully developed;

• Cybercity: This will be Johor’s version of the Multimedia Super Corridor with the creation of a Cyberport at the 30-storey Menara Sarawak here. A dedicated cybercity will be built in Kulai;

• Logistics hub: The port of Tanjung Pelepas, Senai Airport and Johor port in Pasir Gudang will be synergised to provide air, sea and land/rail links to woo multinational corporations and companies to relocate here; and,

• Senai-Desaru Highway: This project will open up Johor’s southeast coast and spur rapid development in Desaru, where Korean investors will spend RM2 billion building a new resort. The highway will significantly reduce travelling time to Desaru.

Khazanah already owns 8,100ha of land in the designated region with another 1,620ha under State control. Khazanah, through its listed unit UEM World, also owns another 10,900ha in Gelang Patah.

Ghani said the plans, when fully realised over five years, should see Johor become a magnet for human creative talent from around the world.

He said new residential, educational and recreational facilities would be built to cater to the influx of foreign talent.

It is learnt that the Federal Government will set up a new statutory agency —the South Johor Development Authority — to implement the plans. It will be co-chaired by the Prime Minister and Johor Menteri Besar.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The New Straits Times dated Wednesday 25 January 2006 :-

AirAsia flight from JB to Ipoh ‘wonderful’

IPOH, PERAK, Tues.
------------------

Families with young children were among the first to grab tickets for AirAsia’s maiden flight from Johor Baru to Ipoh, taking advantage of discounted prices and shorter travelling time.

Back to celebrate Chinese New Year in his hometown in Pusing, Chok Sin Ming, 32, said he used to drive to Ipoh but was glad to fly here with his wife and two toddlers.

"It’s wonderful to have a direct flight here," he said.

Former nurse Patricia Chee, 62, who took the flight with five family members, said the flight was very comfortable except for a slightly bumpy landing.

The family, returning home from a vacation in Singapore, took a cab to Johor at 3pm, boarded the 5.30pm flight in Senai and arrived in Ipoh at 6.10pm, 15 minutes earlier than scheduled.

AirAsia station manager Audrey Yu said there would be two additional flights on Thursday and Feb 3, before the budget airline commences scheduled flights on Feb 6.

Its Boeing 737-300s, with a capacity for 148 passengers, will fly every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, leaving Johor Baru for Ipoh at 1.30pm and departing at 2.55pm from Ipoh to Johor Baru. Airfares range from RM9.99 to RM219.99.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The New Straits Times dated Thursday 26 January 2006 :-

Work begins next week, 'Crooked Bridge' is now the 'Scenic Bridge'
By Ravi Nambiar

JOHOR BARU, Wed.
------------------

Malaysia is going ahead with plans to build a bridge across its half of the Johor Strait, with work to begin immediately after the Chinese New Year holidays.

Highly-placed sources said the Government had decided not to wait for Singapore’s decision on the matter, as the delay was costing Johor a lot in terms of potential growth.

It is understood that the Federal Government has also directed that the structure be referred to as a "scenic bridge" instead of the now commonly-used "crooked bridge".

Gerbang Perdana, the consortium spearheading the project, has positioned a crane barge at the bridge abutment, in the middle of the Johor Strait.

The latest development, it is learnt, follows a high-level directive from the Federal Government to proceed with construction.

Singapore has vacillated over the bridge proposal, despite two rounds of talks between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

The leaders last met in Putrajaya in February last year, but no decision was reached. Officials from both sides have since also met several times without making any headway.

Singapore wants to gauge the project’s potential economic effects before joining hands with Malaysia to build the bridge.

The sources said the plan for now was to build the elevated crossing within Malaysia’s territorial waters in the Johor Strait without demolishing the Causeway.

"We will make a decision on the Causeway later. What is important is to build the scenic bridge as quickly as possible," said the source, adding that the project was targeted for completion in early 2008.

The time frame is of strategic importance, as this would be in tandem with the Federal Government’s plans to turn south Johor into a "mega-hub" by 2008.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, giving a glimpse of things to come under the plan yesterday, said it would be an integrated growth corridor with exciting new infrastructure and buildings, costing billions of ringgit.

The timing is also crucial because of the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex nearing completion in Bukit Chagar here as an integral component of Johor’s Southern Integrated Gateway (SIG) project by Gerbang Perdana.

The CIQ, which will be manned by staff from 17 government departments and agencies, will be fully operational by September.

While waiting for the scenic bridge to be completed, a temporary access road is being built to divert all Causeway traffic to the CIQ.

Another aspect of the SIG is JB Sentral, which is designed to become the railway and public transport hub of Johor Baru. Work on this is in progress.

When the idea of a bridge was first floated in 2000, it assumed the form of a 1.4km straight elevated crossing.

This was projected to cost RM640 million, with Singapore bearing half the cost.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The New Straits Times dated Thursday 26 January 2006 :-

Johor scientific team to go after Bigfoot

JOHOR BARU, Wed.
------------------

The Johor Government will launch a scientific expedition to determine the existence of the Bigfoot, which has stirred worldwide interest.

Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said today a team of local scientists would carry out the task.

"We believe there is a need to explore the Bigfoot phenomenon based on the various sightings of the creature and physical proof that has cropped up," he said.

The Orang Asli in the Endau-Rompin National Park area are convinced the creature exists.

Sightings of the creature, reportedly about three metres tall, have trickled in over the years, especially from areas near the forest spine connecting Endau- Rompin, Kota Tinggi, Tanjung Piai, Kong-Kong, Muar and Kulai.

The latest was on Jan 15, when villagers in Kampung Temenim Lama in Panti, Kota Tinggi, found 50cm-long footprints.

It is speculated that the creature walked out of a muddy stretch of the jungle and along a recently tarred road leading to smallholdings at the foot of Gunung Panti before re-entering the jungle.

Sightings of the Bigfoot of Johor have been documented in several books, including the 1995 book On the Track of Unknown Animals by Bernard Heuvelmans, called "the father of cryptozoology", a branch of zoology concerned with unknown animals.

The annals of Kampung Mawai, Sejarah Mawai Lama Sebelum dan Selepas Perang Dunia Ke-2, compiled by generations of headmen at the village in Kota Tinggi, also mention the creature.

Ghani said the State Government was aware of the immense interest shown by foreign groups in Bigfoot.

"We have to respond to the requests by these groups which want to come to study and document the evidence of Bigfoot in Johor," he said.

"But I believe we have to establish our own database on the creature."

The Singapore Paranormal Investigators has sent a request to the Johor National Parks Corporation for permission to enter the Endau-Rompin jungle.

Today, the NST in Johor Baru received a call from a television station in California asking about Bigfoot.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The New Straits Times dated Friday 27 January 2006 :-

Bigfoot expedition announcement excites scientific community

By R. Sittamparam

JOHOR BARU, Thurs:
--------------------

Yesterday's announcement by the Johor Government that it will launch a full-scale scientific expedition in search of “Bigfoot” has caused much excitement among the local scientific community.

Some scientists and researchers believe the announcement is an endorsement that the “Bigfoot” phenomena is not a pseudo-science or fantasy.

Zoologist Amlir Ayat said the expedition would help verify the existence of Bigfoot as there were still some local academics who scoff at scientists who chose to investigate it.

"The expedition will open up more information about the elusive creature and substantiate the claims of those who had had encounters with Bigfoot.

"There is no reason for these people to lie about the Bigfoot sightings," said Amlir, who works as a consultant in Kuala Lumpur.

Amlir added that there were also a lot of people who were doubtful or just curious to know more about Bigfoot.

"But the important thing is that the expedition is to be done professionally, not only with scientists participating but also the Orang Asli who are experts in jungle matters."

Amlir did not discount the possibility of finding creatures like Bigfoot in Malaysian jungles, considering that out of the 18 million species of unknown animal species in the world about 70 per cent of them could be found in tropical forests.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The New Straits Times dated Friday 27 January 2006 :-

‘Yes, bridge will be built’

By Jason Gerald & Mimi Syed Yusof

KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs
---------------------

Yes, the Johor Strait bridge will be built. Both Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu confirmed this today.

Samy Vellu even said work had started on a RM30 million road to link the Johor Causeway with the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex, where the proposed bridge will begin.

Najib said in Lumut that work on the "scenic bridge" across half of the Johor Strait would proceed even though Singapore had yet to give an affirmative reply.

However, he said, negotiations with the republic would continue.

"Negotiations with Singapore are on-going and in the event that we are able to conclude the deal successfully with Singapore, the scenic bridge can become a full bridge," Najib said at the ground-breaking of the region’s first bio-diesel plant at the Lumut Industrial Park today.

He was commenting on the New Straits Times front-page report today which quoted sources as saying Malaysia was going ahead with plans to build the scenic bridge, formerly known as the "crooked bridge".

Asked what would happen if negotiations with Singapore were not successful, Najib said: "If it is not successful, then it will become a half-bridge or scenic bridge."

He said the design of the bridge would be as shown in today’s NST.

Samy Vellu, meanwhile, said the bridge would be built across Malaysia’s half of the Johor Strait, within the country’s boundaries.

He said he had instructed Public Works Department director-general Datuk Wahid Omar last week to issue a letter of intent to the contractor, Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd, on the Government’s plan to go ahead with construction of the bridge.

"The Foreign Minister (Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar) had written a letter to me, indicating the directive from the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) to commence the construction of the bridge.

"We will start negotiating with them on the cost of building the bridge as soon as possible.

"I have asked the Prime Minister, who is also the Finance Minister, for a lump sum payment for the project.

"We will pay the contractor once and will not be burdened with the possibility of increasing costs.

"I believe I will get the approval from the Finance Ministry, and then we will start work," he said after presenting certificates to 24 contractors who had obtained the ISO 9001 quality management certification.

Samy Vellu said that everything was in place and work was expected to start as soon as possible.

He said the cost of the bridge had yet to be determined as the ministry was ironing out the details with the contractor.

Singapore has vacillated over the bridge proposal, despite two rounds of talks between Abdullah and Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

The leaders last met in Putrajaya in February last year, but no decision was reached. Officials from both sides have also met several times without making any headway.

Singapore wants to gauge the project’s potential economic effects before joining hands with Malaysia to build the bridge.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Move lauded but call for talks to go on

JOHOR BARU, Thurs. — Malaysia’s decision to start work on the new Causeway bridge was generally welcomed by the public today, but there were also calls for the Government to continue discussions with Singapore on the project.

Many felt both sides should bury the hatchet and go for a straight bridge, because a "half-bridge" would be a lasting symbol of bad blood between the two neighbours.

The New Straits Times, quoting highly placed sources yesterday, reported that Malaysia was going ahead with plans to build a bridge across its half of the Johor Strait, with work to begin after the Chinese New Year.

The Government had decided not to wait for Singapore’s decision on the matter, as the delay was costing Johor in terms of potential growth.

The plan now is to build the bridge within Malaysia’s territorial waters without demolishing the Causeway.

Engineer and MCA politician Dr Wee Ka Siong said Malaysia had no choice but to proceed with the project because Singapore was taking too long to make a decision.

"We can’t wait 20 years for them to say ‘yes’. Malaysia has no alternative but to proceed with the project, since negotiations with Singapore are going nowhere," he said.

"The strange shape of the bridge will be a reflection of our relationship with Singapore. "

Johor Baru Chinese Chamber of Commerce secretary-general Ng Yeow Song said while the bridge would be good for Johor, the authorities should go back to the negotiating table and persuade Singapore to join in and build a straight bridge.

Johor Baru Factory Bus Operators and Drivers Association secretary Abdul Rahman Othman welcomed the decision, saying the bridge would ease the daily traffic crawl.

"The jam on the Causeway lately has been horrible. This is made worse by stringent checks and the few counters open at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints."

Social activist Abdul Razak Ahmad said the Government had made the right decision as the talks with Singapore were taking too long.

Razak, who is a Parti Keadilan supreme council member, said with the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex here nearing completion, there was all the more urgency to start building the bridge.

Johor Baru Indian Business Association president P. Sivakumar said as a half-bridge would cause friction on both sides of the Johor Strait, it was imperative that the authorities find a solution to the impasse.

"I understand and appreciate Malaysia’s urgency to go ahead with the bridge," he said. "But Singapore has not said ‘no’ to a straight bridge.

"We are still on talking terms, so why the rush to start construction now? "

DAP Johor chief Dr Boo Cheng Hau also questioned the cost of a half-bridge against a straight bridge, saying as it involved taxpayers’ funds, every effort should be made to get it right.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The New Straits Times dated Friday 27 January 2006 :-

Dr M happy construction of JB Scenic Bridge to start

KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is happy that Malaysia is going ahead with the construction of a bridge across the Johor Strait.

Doubting Singapore’s willingness to work with Malaysia on the matter, the former Prime Minister said in his typical acerbic style:

"I waited 22 years and still did not get the permission to raise (the price of raw water sold by Malaysia to Singapore) to four sen from three sen (per 1,000 gallons). So if you want to wait (for Singapore), you can wait until kingdom come."

Taking a dig at the Government’s directive to call the bridge "scenic bridge" instead of "crooked bridge", Dr Mahathir asked in jest: "Is it spelt c-y-n-i-c? Is that how you spell it?"

Speaking to reporters after launching the first anniversary of Edusmith, a bi-monthly magazine aimed at students, he added: "I’m quite sure it will be a very beautiful bridge, very scenic."

On ties with Singapore, Dr Mahathir said both countries now had a very good relationship.

[KatoeyLover69]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]Report from The New Straits Times dated Friday 27 January 2006 :-

Plans for high-speed train from KL to JB

By Ravi Nambiar

JOHOR BARU, Fri.
----------------

Three hours by train from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Baru? This is likely within five years when the Federal Government implements its blueprint to transform south Johor into a new mega hub.

The high speed train service is one of several measures being pursued by the Government to improve transport services and make the mega hub — which is expected to attract the top brains in the region — easily accessible.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman gave an inkling of the plan when addressing Johor civil servants here on Monday.

With the implementation of the mega hub project, he said, there was a need to provide a fast, comfortable and convenient mode of transport to JB for captains of industry, corporate big wigs and top civil servants in the Federal capital.

"With the high speed trains, they would be able to whiz in and out of JB from KL for meetings or corporate events. This is exciting news for Johor," he said in his annual New Year message to the civil servants.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Straits Times (S'pore) dated Monday 30 January 2006 :-

Singapore asks Malaysia for clarification of media reports on plans to build bridge

Singapore said Monday it has asked Malaysia to clarify reports that it planned to build a bridge halfway across the waterway separating it from Singapore, which hasn't agreed to build the other half.

On Sunday, Malaysia's national news agency, Bernama, quoted Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as saying the project would go ahead to avoid higher construction costs in the future.

Singapore says it is still evaluating the project's economic impact, but Malaysian officials have said the bridge's design will allow the city-state to link up later.

In a statement, Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry said it had contacted the government in Kuala Lumpur to ask for an explanation of the Malaysian media reports.

"Singapore prefers not to react to media reports," the statement said. It said Singapore wanted clarification "before we decide on our response."

The bridge would replace the 1.06-kilometer (0.66-mile) causeway that links the neighbors across the Straits of Johor. More than 100,000 people cross the causeway each day, and Malaysian officials have said a new bridge would ease congestion and boost the flow of trans-Straits traffic.

The project had been part of an earlier deal that included contentious talks on Malaysia's supply of water to Singapore, but negotiations for that stopped in 2002 without an agreement on the bridge design.

The neighbors have a history of spats but enjoy close economic and cultural ties.

By Associated Press

[Malboy]

[SIZE="6"]GONG XI FA CAI to all Bros here.

For the beginning of the Year of Dog, try the doggie style and will bring you good hunting, tracking and wealth.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The New Straits Times dated Tuesday 31 January 2006 :-

‘Singapore aware of reasons for bridge’

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30:
-----------------------

Singapore is well aware why Malaysia wants to go ahead with the construction of a bridge across its half of the Johor Strait, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Abdullah said the Malaysian Government had told its Singaporean counterpart that Malaysia needed a bridge that would allow the passage of ships through the Johor Strait.

He said the bridge was part of the Federal and Johor Governments’ plans to develop the State as a "mega hub" by 2008.

"They (Singapore) know from discussions with them that we want to build a bridge," Abdullah said.

"The question is what kind of bridge, straight or crooked.

"But we need to build a bridge because we need the waters off Johor’s coast to be accessible (to ships) and not be obstructed by the Causeway."

In Johor Baru, MP for Johor Baru Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said feng shui could be one reason for Singapore’s reluctance to come to an agreement on the building of the bridge. There is indeed talk that with the building of the bridge, Johor Baru will get the advantage of literally "looking down" on its neighbour.

Shahrir said this could be due to the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex being constructed at Johor Baru was at a higher level than the Singapore CIQ.

"I have heard there is a possibility that this feng shui factor also poses a hindrance to the success of the Singapore-Malaysia talks over the bridge. It is said that being on a lower level than Johor Baru by way of the new bridge would not be good for the republic."

Shahrir said it could also be that Singapore did not want to be turned into an island, preferring to remain linked to the peninsula.

"The Causeway would seem to resemble an umbilical cord to the republic which it does not feel comfortable to sever with the building of the bridge."

Shahrir said Malaysia’s decision to go ahead with the bridge, if Singapore did not come to an agreement on the project, would make the bridge a symbol of Singapore’s stubbornness and uncompromising attitude.

He said the Malaysia-Singapore talks on the bridge could only succeed if the talks focus on the bridge and do not include air space and sand supply rights.

"It is wrong of the republic’s leaders to bring in the two issues while discussing the bridge, as they’re not related at all."

In a statement today, Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said it had contacted the Malaysian Government to ask for an explanation of the Malaysian media reports. "Singapore prefers not to react to media reports," It said Singapore wanted clarification "before we decide on our response".

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The New Straits Times dated Tuesday 31 January 2006 :-

Johor's Bermuda Triangle

By Siti Nurbaiyah Nadzmi

MERSING, Jan 30:
-----------------

Kuala Mersing fishermen may be as full of tall tales as any of their brethren around the world, but mention the waters around mysterious Pulau Sri Buat and they lapse into fearful whispers.

Here, there are stories of sea spirits, sudden storms, colleagues who never came back, and an uninhabited island nobody wants to set foot on.

This 10-nautical mile stretch around Pulau Sri Buat, Kuala Mersing and Kuala Endau has been dubbed the "Bermuda Triangle of Johor".

Pulau Sri Buat (below) has no freshwater but has a well-tended mango orchard, coconut trees planted in symmetrical rows, and a mysterious graveyard.

Othman Jusoh has a stock of hair-raising stories of paranormal phenomena which have taken many to a watery grave over the decades.

"I have fished off the west coast of the peninsula, Singapore and the Indian Ocean, but this area is the most difficult," said the 78-year-old, who began fishing at 14.

Known as "Pak Itam" in the fishing community here, Othman said there had been instances of thick fog suddenly appearing.

Huge waves also appear without warning to sink boats, while storms break out in absolutely calm weather.

"The most susceptible to these phenomena are outsiders, tourists and seasonal anglers who often become victims of the sea," he said.

He claimed there were also "sea spirits" in the shape of an island, a wave, and sometimes the light of a ship.

"If a seaman is not careful, he may steer off route and lose his way," he said.

Othman felt the eerie atmosphere could in part be attributed to the bloody history of the place, which used to see battles between pirates.

"In the early 1900s, the stretch between Kuala Endau, Kuala Mersing and Pulau Sri Buat was a busy waterway for merchant vessels from as far as Siam to trade rice, salt and other commodities in Singapore.

"These traders travelled the waters for hundreds of years and no doubt blood was spilt in clashes with pirates and sworn enemies," he said.

Othman, who once captained a payang, one of the most advanced traditional fishing boats, said the most dangerous time of year in the "triangle" was the monsoon season between November and February.

In the 1900s, the villagers used to hold special ceremonies called semah to ward off evil in the area.

"The people believed that evil spirits were responsible for mishaps and deaths at the mouth of Sungai Mersing and Sungai Endau and in the open sea," he said.

He said the tradition had since died.

Mersing Fishermen’s Association chairman Mohamed Nordin Taib, 56, agreed that the area was full of unexplained mysteries.

"I last visited the island in the 1960s and the orchards were well-maintained despite the absence of inhabitants," he said.

Fisherman Wan Sulaiman Abdullah, 60, has a word of caution to anyone entering the triangle: "Always be alert, cautious and never panic. Always wear your life-jacket aboard your boat."

Unexplained disappearances

Pulau Sri Buat has a history of danger and death.

Perhaps the most baffling case of missing persons occurred in June 1995, when four people vanished at sea.

The bodies of Customs officer Mohd Salleh Buang, 48, his son Mohd Najib, 19, his brother, businessman Mohd Buang, 45, and a cousin, Abdul Wahid Othman, 48, were never recovered.

They left Triang on a fishing trip near the island and never returned.

Their fibreglass boat was found a few days later at Nenasi, Pahang, undamaged with their fishing rods and a parang still on board.

Other strange happenings:

February 2003: Four fishermen went missing after their boat capsized near Pulau Sri Buat. Only one survived to be rescued by a passing boat.

January 2003: A Royal Malaysian Air Force commando unit went missing at sea near Pulau Sri Buat. Its boat capsized after they were hit by a squall. Only one body was found.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The New Straits Times dated Friday 3 February 2006 :-

Minister clears the air on JB 'Scenic Bridge'

By Wan Hamidi Hamid

PUTRAJAYA, Thurs
------------------

Fact: Malaysia will begin land survey works for the scenic bridge on its territory.

Myth: This decision to build the scenic bridge represents a shift in the Government’s position and signals an end to negotiations with Singapore over the possibility of replacing the Causeway with a full bridge.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar today cleared the air on the confusion that has reigned since the media reported that concessionaire Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd had received the go-ahead to begin land survey works for the scenic bridge.

The reports prompted politicians, newspapers and other Malaysians to weigh in on the issue, with some even suggesting that failed negotiations has resulted in Malaysia taking this new direction.

But Syed Hamid said he met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Tuesday and the latter told him to continue negotiations with the republic on several outstanding issues, including the possibility of replacing the Causeway with a full bridge.

"The Prime Minister has asked me to explain the issue.

"There’s no shift in our position," he said in an interview with the New Straits Times.

"Malaysia’s position all along was that it had every right to do anything within its territory. As such, the proposed scenic bridge was never part of negotiations between the countries.

"The one that is under negotiation is the full bridge. If we need to do the other one (scenic bridge), we do not need to talk to Singapore," he said.

Below are excerpts of the 45-minute interview:

On the possibility of negotiations on other issues being scuttled by news that Malaysia was going ahead with its scenic bridge plan.

"Other issues will not be jeopardised as we will continue to discuss them.

"The problem is that so many people have taken the political angle," he said, referring to some strong comments over the issue made by certain politicians and non-governmental organisations.

He said the mandate from the Government was clear — that negotiations with Singapore should continue.

He was hopeful that the annual Malaysia-Singapore Foreign Ministry Games in the republic this weekend would create a friendly atmosphere for informal discussions.

"I have invited some of our Members of Parliament, state assemblymen and Gerbang Perdana officials to play together to create an atmosphere of friendliness. In an informal environment, it works better.

"We must be sure there’s no desire to score points.

"As neighbours, we try to build confidence and work together to bring benefits to both of us."

On the status of negotiations with Singapore.

"I think we were very clear from the start that negotiations cannot last forever but we know the nature of the negotiations, the complexities and difficulties if they are subject to open public debate.

"We are not looking at it as a political issue.

"We are looking at it as a bilateral issue that needs to be settled using diplomatic channels if possible," he said.

Syed Hamid said Malaysia presented its final position to Singapore a few months ago and both sides agreed to meet either this month or March to discuss the republic’s response.

On the confusion in the media following a report that earthworks on the scenic bridge are to start.

"The scenic bridge is not a subject of negotiation.

"Otherwise, we are surrendering our rights with what we are doing within our territory to a foreign country. The one that is under negotiation is the full bridge.