E5 Cluster LJ 2012

Finally!  We got a chance to do an overseas learning journey.  Over the last two years, the feedback had been consistently for an overseas learning journey.  Having learned how our local businesses had to evolved to keep up with the changing times last July, the organisers provided us an opportunity to compare how it is like just across the Causeway this year.  On 3 Sep 2012, a total of 68 of us set out in two coaches for a one-day trip to south Johor.  We are honoured that Supt, Ms Tan, made time to join us for the trip.

First stop, an authentic Malay breakfast in a rustic kampong, some where in Kempas.  I lost track of the turns and before I knew it, we were at a cluster of few kampong houses in the middle of no where.

First off, we were served authentic nasi lemak.  All the simple but delicious ingredients were there, the fried ikan bilis and kacang, the timun, the sambal, and not forgetting the telur.  One item stood out from the rest - deep fried oyster mushroom.  We sat and ate in a simple shelter with just a zinc roof overhead.

Breakfast done, a Ms Chua explained to us about the way the breakfast was prepared using traditional ingredients.  Along the way, she also explained to us the uses for most of the plants growing around the house.  She emphasised on the natural and organic environment of the kampong.  No wonder we can see hornet feasting in the jambu ayer.

Finally, the story of the oyster mushroom, which they grow right here in the village.  The spores were imported, but the base material (substrate) on which the mushrooms are grown are produced at the farm.  Rolls and rolls of these were kept in a house on wooden racks for the required propagation period.  The house is just a simple wooden structure with zinc roof and netting all round.  We were told that the cobwebs had been deliberately left in place, as they form a filter against attacks from insect.  Compare this to the hi-tech mushroom farm we visited last year, where the mushrooms are grown in temperature, light and humidity controlled environment.  The techniques sounded the same, but the environment and operating cost are worlds apart.  I am also not sure what is the capacity of the kampong mushroom farm, but certainly it seemed a small scale setup compared to that we visited last year.

 

Hands-on activity was the next item for the day.  We were given a rattan base, from which we could weave into a number of items, depending on our creativity.  It was a bit of a tough start, but eventually, most of us were able to control the rattan.  Soon, we had a small basket, tray or just a coaster.  A simple activity with natural material, yet it got everyone totally engrossed.  And we got to keep what we had done as a souvenir.  Rattan weaving was something we did for art & craft during my primary school days.  I would recall that it was a test of patience then, as we had to sit still for a prolonged period in order to complete the project.  This was quite a challenge for a ten year old living in a kampong with plenty of distractions just out of the house.

I admire the entrepreneurship spirit of Ms Chua and her team who runs the kampong, setting up an attraction in the middle of no where.  Maybe it is precisely the remote location that attracted visitors.  The other catch is also perhaps the rustic charm of the location and serving simple but delicious traditional fare.  I observed that they also provide homestay, which is a program promoted by the Malaysian Tourism Board.  Question is whether the mushroom farm is just for show, or is it a commercially viable venture.

Stop Number Two - Lee Pineapple Factory, located somewhere in Skudai.  On arrival, we were divided into two groups.  My group was ushered to the conference room, where we were shown a video promoting Malaysian pineapples.  The video was screened on a bulky CRT TV, fed from a video-cassette player.  More interesting, the video was probably filmed in the 70s, judging from the clothing and hair-do, as well as the vehicles.  On the way to the conference room, we had to walk pass their office, and I noticed that they still have a few type-writers, although they do have PCs on the tables as well.  What an interesting contrast!

 Before we were allowed into the food processing area, we had to don hair net and rubber boots.  A staff member used a roller to pick up hair on our clothing, and we had to walk through a disinfectant foot-bath before finally entering the production line.

The production lines were largely manual, assisted by machine in certain aspects.  Outside the production area, the pineapples (mostly green and seemingly unripe) were sorted by hand, after which they were fed into a machine to remove the skin and core.  The cut pineapple is then sent into the sanitised area, where it is sliced and filled into cans by hand.

The pineapples in the production line were pale yellow and did not looked as appetising as the golden yellow pieces we are used to.  Perhaps those that were ripe, sweet and juicy could be eaten right away and better off being sold in the market.  Those that were not too ripen were selected to be canned, hence the pale yellow colour.

All the workers were locals, mix of Malays, Chinese and Indians.  Since they did not have a labour supply issue, relying on manual labour rather than automate seems to be the correct choice.  They were also not running at full production (a few lines were idle), so I assume that they were able to meet their production capacity.  The plant is very simple seems  traditional.  There are no hi-tech equipment, which leads me to conclude that perhaps they had been operating in this same manner for the last 20 years or so!  I am not sure if we have companies back home that not changed the way they operated for such a long time.

Kukup was the next destination, where we had seafood lunch.  The restaurant was undergoing expansion.  There is no space on the left or right, and the only way was outwards towards the sea, as well as upwards (adding another level).  In fact, this is typical of all the other restaurants that lined this area.

 












From the restaurant, we hopped onto a boat that brought us out to the fish farms, as well as Kukup Island.  At the narrowest point, the channel is only 300m wide.  Numerous floating fish farms dot this area, stretching as far as 1 km north and south of this narrowest point.  The water is murky, but I guess the constricting effect allow fishes to feed on the nutrients that the water brings.  Or could it be the sheltering effects of Kukup Island provides for conditions ideal for the fishes to grow.  Kukup Island is the largest mangrove island and is part of the national park.

Fish farming provides for a sustainable and consistent food source.  As the human population grows, this is the only way to ensure that we have our food supply.  There are too many uncertainties in depending on naturally grown fishes.  And to a large extend, humans are responsible for disrupting the habitat and live cycle of marine life.  So, if we do not engage in rearing fishes for food, we might cause fishes to extinction due to over-fishing.  Hopefully, the fish farms can also be used to educate the younger generation which did not have the opportunity to learn about fishes.

Johor Premium Outlet.  I am not a shopping person, so this stop was actually a coffee break for me.  Still, the few of us took a walk around, just to appreciate what  the outlet is like.  I would be happy if this venture can take-off, as it would provide jobs and opportunities for many of the residents of Johor, leading to improved livelihood.  JPO could also help the state government earn more tourist dollars.  Overall, the Nusajaya project (within which JPO is located) is taking shape and appears quite promising.  Legoland has opened, several renowned university and schools will operate from Educity, Puteri Harbour is almost completed.

Jusco Tebrau City or AEON Shopping Centre.  While it is a known fact that Singaporeans contribute substantially to all the shopping centres that sprout out in Johor, I observed that it was largely a local crowd on the Monday evening we were there.  I was also surprised with the developments around this area.  My last visit to this area was to Austin Hill Golf Course more than 10 years ago.  It was largely rubber plantation if my memory served me right.  Apart from the shopping centre, there are also condominiums, and across the road is a general hospital and more houses.  Certainly the standard of living for those in the urban areas have improved greatly.  But we also add to the traffic congestion on weekends.  So, they both love and hate us.