Latest news with #SenaiInternationalAirport
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Son sensed change in late father before departure to holy land
JOHOR BAHRU: The son of a Malaysian pilgrim who passed away in Makkah on Saturday due to a heart attack said he sensed a change in his father before he departed for the holy land two weeks ago. Muhammad Hazrul Haziq Misnan, 30, shared that his late father, Misnan Ahmad, 60, repeatedly urged him, as the eldest son, to always take care of the family. Upon learning that his father had been admitted to hospital following a heart attack, the family made a video call on Friday, not realising that it would be their final 'meeting'. 'At the time, he seemed stable. We were relieved when he was transferred out of the intensive care unit. He was able to speak and even raised his hand as usual. But then came the heartbreaking news that he had passed away. 'We accept it, as he passed away in the holy land, something many Muslims dream of. Allah SWT loved him more,' he told reporters when met at his home in Taman Istimewa here today. Muhammad Hazrul Haziq said his late father's excitement to perform the haj was evident, as he appeared full of enthusiasm and was already waiting in the car shortly after performing the subuh prayers. 'I sent my mother and late father to Senai International Airport (LTAS) at 6.30 am. He looked so full of energy and was eager to leave home,' he said. Misnan, who was the special officer to Johor Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah, died at King Abdul Aziz Hospital.
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
‘Johor too long known as just Singapore's neighbour'
Johor women, family and community development committee chairman Khairin-Nisa Ismail addressing issues concerning senior citizens during the state assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar. GREATER effort is needed to improve Johor's tourism identity for it to be seen as more than just 'Singapore's neighbour' among tourists. Ng Kor Sim (PH-Jementah) said the state was often seen as a transit point for tourists from Singapore heading to Kuala Lumpur or vice-versa. 'To this day, most foreign tourists still recognise Johor as 'the Malaysian state closest to Singapore' or 'Singapore's neighbour'. 'We lack a distinct or memorable tourism identity,' she said in her debate speech during the state assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar. Ng said the Visit Johor 2026 logo was unveiled in January before some 1,000 local and international delegates at the Asean Tourism Forum 2025. This move, she said, reflected Johor government's commitment to promoting the state as a tourism destination. 'However, we have to realise that our state still faces challenges that can hinder its growth and competitiveness, especially against neighbours like Melaka and Singapore,' she said, adding that these neighbours had significantly outperformed Johor in tourism infrastructure and branding. Kuala Jasin is a popular spot for a cool swim in the lush forest reserve of Endau-Rompin National Park. 'Despite having attractions such as Mount Ledang, Desaru Coast and Endau-Rompin National Park, the lack of efficient public transport, limited airport capacity and poor connectivity can be major deterrents to attracting more international tourists,' said Ng. 'Destinations like Mersing, known for fresh seafood and beautiful islands, often see traffic congestion and many of its scenic areas remain difficult to access without private transport.' Popular spots like Desaru and Endau-Rompin, meanwhile, were not easily reachable from Senai International Airport or the Second Link, she said. The assemblyman also raised concerns over the limited capabilities of Senai International Airport and its struggle to attract more direct international flights due to its size and proximity to Singapore's Changi Airport. Beyond infrastructure, Ng also questioned the state's international marketing efforts. 'We are still relatively weak in promoting our state in the international market. 'Johor is often seen as an 'add-on destination' for tourists heading to Singapore, not as a primary destination. 'Foreign tourists or tour agencies often have no direct link with either government or private tourism agencies in our state,' she said. She proposed familiarisation tours to bring international tour operators, the media and key opinion leaders to Johor. She said such tours were widely used in the tourism industry to promote destinations and build long-term partnerships. It would also enable participants to create organic promotional content and help position Johor as a standalone, world-class destination, she added. Ng also urged the state government to provide financial incentives for local tourism players to participate in major global tourism trade fairs such as Internationale Tourismus-Borse (ITB) Berlin, ITB Asia and World Travel Market London. 'Most local operators cannot afford the high costs of participating in these exhibitions, which are platforms where international buyers, media and travel agencies form partnerships.' Such exposure, she said, could help Johor capture key markets such as Europe, China and the Middle East.
Barnama
18-05-2025
- General
- Barnama
Sister Mourns Loss Of Haj Pilgrim: "Her Last Hug Still Lingers"
BATU PAHAT, May 18 (Bernama) -- For Anggiat Tambunan Nordin, the final hug from her elder sister Norizah Tambunan, before the latter left for the Holy Land on May 15, is a moment that will remain etched in her heart forever. Anggiat Tambunan, 44, said losing her sister at 47 was deeply painful, adding that their lifelong closeness made the loss even harder to bear. Still, she said the family accepts it as Allah's will, a passing in the Holy Land, cherished by Muslims everywhere. 'Our last words to each other were, 'selamat dunia, selamat akhirat' (may you be safe and blessed in this world and the hereafter). Remembering that moment makes me emotional, because it was the last time I met and spoke with her, right before she entered the Departure Hall at about 8.20 am at Senai International Airport. 'I was quite shocked when I received the news that my sister had passed away, due to a heart attack, while about to perform tawaf, especially since, according to records, she had no serious health issues,' she told reporters, when met at the deceased's residence in Kampung Low Piak, Taman Nira, here, today. She added that, just a few hours before her passing, the deceased had sent a message to the family, informing them that she had arrived safely at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 1.30 am local time (Saudi Arabia time). Anggiat Tambunan also shared that one of the memories she would always cherish was the small prayer corner in the deceased's home, fondly referred to as a 'surau' by family members, where her sister often spent time in worship. 'When she returned home from her work at the Batu Pahat District Office, she would often spend most of her time in the surau - praying, reciting the Quran, and sometimes even sleeping there,' she said. Meanwhile, the state Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman, Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid, extended the state government's condolences to the family, describing the passing as a significant loss to the state's civil service.
Barnama
15-05-2025
- Health
- Barnama
Generous Individual Makes 69-year-old Woman's Haj Dream Come True
JOHOR BAHRU, May 15 (Bernama) -- After 14 years of patiently waiting and praying for the chance to fulfil her dream of performing the haj, Rohaya Abdul Kadir never expected she would finally be granted the opportunity to go to the Holy Land - sponsored by a kind-hearted individual. Rohaya, 69, said her entire pilgrimage to the Holy Land was sponsored by a generous individual as an expression of gratitude after she recovered from a 25-day stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) due to COVID-19. She said the sponsorship was the most meaningful gift she had ever received. However, she declined to reveal the name of the generous individual. 'I was admitted to the ICU at Sultanah Aminah Hospital for 25 days due to COVID-19 in 2020. 'The generous individual was overjoyed at my recovery and expressed her gratitude by sponsoring my pilgrimage to the Holy Land,' she told reporters at the haj pilgrims send-off ceremony at the Senai International Airport here today. Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, state Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid and state Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah. Rohaya, who has been performing the bathing and shrouding of female Muslim bodies at Masjid Pulai Utama since 2017, said testing positive for COVID-19 was a deeply challenging experience - one that ultimately strengthened her sense of gratitude for life. 'After testing positive, Allah granted me the blessing of life and allowed me to return to my normal routine. On top of that, a kind-hearted individual came forward to sponsor my pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I am truly grateful. Even during my illness, people continued to offer support and donations,' she said. Rohaya, who is travelling to the Holy Land with her husband, is among the 142 pilgrims from Johor who departed for Makkah today.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Covid-19 survivors grateful for haj opportunity after 14-year wait
KULAI: A married couple, both badly affected by Covid-19 during the pandemic, were overcome with gratitude today as they prepared to depart for the haj after 14 years of being on the waiting list. Rohaya Abdul Kadir, 69, who was once placed in a medically-induced coma for 25 days during the 2020 pandemic, and her husband Hassan Abdul Hamid, 76, who spent 10 days in the intensive care unit due to the virus and asthma, said their journey to the Holy Land felt like a miracle. The couple were among 142 pilgrims selected under the Johor government-sponsored haj programme's second batch who flew out today. Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi attended the send-off ceremony, held at Senai International Airport, here. "When my husband received the haj call on Feb 20, just before Ramadan, we were shocked and overjoyed. I immediately performed sujud syukur and vowed to fast in gratitude," said Rohaya, her voice breaking. Although only her husband received the official invitation, Rohaya's application to accompany him was approved, and a benefactor stepped forward to fully sponsor her. "After surviving Covid-19 and being kept on a ventilator for nearly a month, I never thought I would live nor be granted the opportunity to perform haj," she said. The couple, from Taman Universiti in Skudai, were surrounded by all eight of their children in the run-up to their departure. Rohaya, a mortuary assistant since 2017, said her children packed her husband's medication and reminded her to take good care of him throughout the pilgrimage. "I only pray that Allah grants us strength and good health to be able to complete one of the five pillars in Islam." Muslims are expected to make a pilgrimage to Mekah in Saudi Arabia at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able. The other four pillars are the declaration of faith, daily prayers, almsgiving (zakat), and fasting during Ramadan. Hassan, a former mechanic with the Johor Baru City Council, retired in 2006.
