Focus on jobs, progress at Iskandar Malaysia open day

15 July 2010 , By New Straits Times

THE fourth Iskandar Malaysia open day at Kompleks Pusat Bandar Pasir Gudang was slightly different from previous years' exhibitions.

Not only did it feature the latest progress in Iskandar Malaysia, 20 companies also took part to offer employment opportunities, career development and exposure in various industries.

The event from July 3 to 4 was significant as it coincided with the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council's week-long celebrations. The township was finally upgraded to municipality status as it was previously managed by a section of the Johor Corporation.

The location was ideal considering that Pasir Gudang is a bustling industrial hub and port, and is home to thousands of workers in the manufacturing and shipping sectors.

The showcase-cum-exhibition themed "A vision for all", was officiated by Johor state secretary Datuk Abdul Latif Yusof. He represented Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) chief executive officer Ismail Ibrahim said the event served to inform the public about job and investment opportunities, in addition to efforts to increase economic activities.

He said the open day, which was previously held in Kulaijaya, was a means of gathering everyone connected to Iskandar Malaysia under one roof.

Ismail said based on feedback after holding three previous open days, the public response was encouraging.

"There has been active participation in this open day, particularly from residents living around Iskandar Malaysia and the business community, particularly small- and medium-scale investors."

The first three open days were held in Johor Baru, Kulaijaya and now in Pasir Gudang, with more places in the pipeline.

"We are planning another showcase that may take place in Pontian by year-end," Ismail said at the programme's launch.

Among participants this time around were Irda partners Iskandar Investment Berhad, UEM Land, Johor Corporation group of companies, Danga Bay Sdn Bhd, Telekom Malaysia, Senai Airport, MSC Cyberport, Lakehill Resort Development, Port of Tanjung Pelepas, UniKL, Columbia Asia Hospital, Regency Specialist Hospital and Seri Alam Properties.

Among the 20 companies in the job fair section were Soft Triangle Services Sdn Bhd, online portals www.u1job.com and JobsMalaysia; White Horse Ceramic and Epson Johor.

Visitors included workers and school leavers who wanted to discover their options.

Rozalia Wasli, 18, attended the open day with her two sisters and mother Salbiah Bujang.

The former SMK Tun Hussein Onn student from Felda Cahaya Baru, Pasir Gudang had found out about the event through newspapers, and she was job-hunting.

"As a Johorean, I want to work in Iskandar Malaysia and contribute to its development.

"That is why it is important for me to find the right job. This open day is a good opportunity for me to broaden my horizons," said Rozalia, when met at the Soft Triangle Services Sdn Bhd stall.

Another visitor Zulfadzly Azmi, 22, said the open day was a one-stop place for youth to learn about opportunities in the Johor job market.

Zulfadzly lives in nearby Kota Masai and has been working at the Delfi Cocoa (M) Sdn Bhd factory in Pasir Gudang for the past year. He said he was trying his luck again in the job market and came to check out the offers.

"I read about the job fair here from the press, and so I decided to visit it with my housemates. All my housemates work in factories around Pasir Gudang, and we are always looking for options to improve our livelihoods. It is not often there is a job fair in Pasir Gudang."

His housemate Mohd Khairuddin Mohd Kadri, 22, said he learnt a lot about development projects in Iskandar Malaysia and was amazed at the scale of the growth corridor.

"Of course, I have been hearing a lot about Iskandar Malaysia for a long time, but it is a totally different thing to be able to see the progress through an exhibition," said Khairuddin, who is also attached to Delfi Cocoa.