Latest news with #JohorBahru
Malay Mail
7 minutes ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Singapore restaurateurs flee rising costs for cheaper lifeline in Johor Bahru
SINGAPORE, July 30 — Struggling with high rents and labour shortages, Singaporean restaurateurs are turning to Johor Bahru for relief, drawn by lower costs and the hope of reviving their businesses. Hyderabadi chef Govinda Rajan, who opened his first Malaysian branch of Mr Biryani just three months ago, is already eyeing expansion, calling it a much-needed lifeline as his Singapore outlets battle to survive, the South China Morning Post reported. Across the city state, food and beverage (F&B) businesses are closing at the fastest rate in nearly 20 years, with 3,047 establishments shutting down in 2024 alone. This year has already seen 1,404 closures in the first half, including long-time favourites like Crystal Jade's Holland Village branch and Michelin-starred Poise. Govinda and others say while ingredients in Malaysia may be pricier, the overall costs — from rent to wages — are far more manageable, helping restore profitability. Singapore's tight foreign worker policies and locals' aversion to service jobs have further strained the sector, leaving many businesses short-staffed and financially squeezed. Temasek Polytechnic's Geoffrey Tai said more operators are expanding regionally to escape Singapore's high overheads and tap into growing middle-class markets like Malaysia. Lower operating costs have helped restaurateurs like Keith Koh, who opened a Muslim-friendly outlet of Lad & Dad in Kuala Lumpur in May, rediscover their passion and reduce burnout. Still, Singapore saw 3,790 new F&B openings last year and nearly 2,000 more in the first half of 2025, though industry insiders warn many are underestimating the risks. Chef-owner Bjorn Shen, who has expanded to Penang and Bali, said profits of 20–30 per cent are achievable abroad, compared to 5–7 per cent at best in Singapore, where most new restaurants fail within two years.
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Man opens fire in failed JB robbery, suspect still at large after fleeing on motorcycle
JOHOR BAHRU, July 20 — Police said they have launched an investigation after a viral video showed a man firing a shot during an attempted robbery in Taman Megah Ria at Seri Alam here. The 31-second video, uploaded on Facebook on July 19, showed the suspect discharging what appeared to be a firearm before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. 'During the incident, the suspect fired a single shot outside the premises before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. 'Fortunately, no injuries to the victim were reported,' said Seri Alam police chief Asst Comm Mohd Sohaimi Ishak in a statement here. The incident occurred at about 7.10pm on July 19, and the male suspect's ethnicity has not been determined. Police confirmed the case is being investigated under Section 3 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971. The Section carries the death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping for offences involving firearms during a robbery.
Malay Mail
19 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Promises of quick profit cost Johor man RM301,000 in stock scam
JOHOR BAHRU, July 19 — An elderly e-hailing driver lost RM301,300 after falling victim to an online scheme that promised quick and lucrative returns through investments in foreign stocks. Seri Alam police chief Supt Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said the 67-year-old victim was first introduced to the fraudulent scheme in April by a woman he had just met. 'Believing the woman's promises, the victim made 11 transfers to four different bank accounts, amounting to RM301,300,' he said in a statement. However, he never received any returns. Instead, he was repeatedly asked to make additional payments, supposedly to facilitate the release of his profits. Realising he had been scammed when he could no longer reach the woman and failed to recover his investment, the victim lodged a police report on Monday. Mohd Sohaimi said preliminary checks using the Semak Mule platform by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department revealed that three of the bank accounts involved had been flagged in 27 previous police reports linked to investment scams. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment, caning and a fine upon conviction. He added that investigators are also looking into the existence of mule accounts under Section 424 of the Penal Code, which covers the use of accounts or payment instruments for criminal purposes. 'Upon conviction under Section 424, offenders face a fine of between RM10,000 and RM150,000 or imprisonment of three to 10 years,' he said. He advised the public to be wary of online investment schemes promising quick and high returns, especially those that appear overly easy or risk-free. 'The public is also urged to verify any investment opportunity with relevant authorities such as the Royal Malaysia Police, Bank Negara Malaysia, or the Securities Commission to ensure its legitimacy,' he added. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
21 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Glitches with autogates cause long queues at KLIA, JB checkpoints
Foreign travellers are said to be unable to use the autogates at KLIA and the Johor Bahru checkpoints, although Malaysians are not affected. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Glitches with the autogate facilities have caused long queues at major entry points, including the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the checkpoints in Johor Bahru, reports said today. However, the reports said Malaysian passport holders were able to use the autogates without any problem. The Star reported immigration department director-general Zakaria Shaaban as saying the department was looking into the matter. 'We are currently troubleshooting the system,' Zakaria was quoted as saying. The Straits Times said the breakdown, which was believed to have started at about noon on Friday, had been described as the worst ever, involving more than 200 autogates nationwide. Among the major gateways affected are KLIA's Terminal 1 and 2, the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar customs, immigration and quarantine (BSI) complex and the Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ. BSI and the Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ are both in Johor Bahru. The Star also quoted a security official as saying it was still unknown as to what caused the failure, and investigations were being carried out to check if there was any element of sabotage or hacking. According to the official, tens of thousands of people, mainly Singaporeans, had been queuing at BSI for more than four hours to clear immigration.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Johor exco: After police chopper crash two in general ward, three discharged
JOHOR BAHRU, July 19 — Constable RG Devendran from the Iskandar Puteri District Police Headquarters, one of the victims of the police helicopter crash who had been placed in a medically induced coma in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) here, has been transferred to a general ward today. State Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said air observer Corporal Adeline Liu Yan Siu, who was also admitted to the ICU, was discharged on Wednesday and is now receiving follow-up treatment at Serdang Hospital. He said the pilot ACP Faizul Mohammad and his co-pilot Supt Ahmad Bustamin Baharom, who were receiving follow-up treatment at Serdang Hospital and Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM, respectively, were discharged on Tuesday. According to Ling, Sergeant Siti Latipa Khairuddin from the Tanjung Kupang police station is still being treated at HSA's general ward. 'One of the victims (Devendran) is now in stable condition and has been moved from the ICU to a general ward to allow him to rest and continue receiving treatment,' he told reporters after the handover ceremony of bed donations by the Fo Guang Shan Association at HSA's Women's Ward PP1, here today. On July 10, the helicopter crashed in Sungai Pulai, Gelang Patah during the Multilateral Nuclear Security Detection Exercise (MITSATOM) 2025, a joint training operation involving Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore at the Gelang Patah Maritime Jetty. — Bernama
