Finally, Residents staying in Blk 1A-4A of Woodlands Centre, as well as the neighbouring blocks in Admiralty Road can smile.

Starting early September 2008, motorcar drivers will only be able to access Woodlands Custom via Woodlands Centre road outside restricted timimgs. Motorcyclist will be barred altogether from using the Woodlands Centre road access to Woodlands Custom.

Restriction Timings:
Motorcycles and heavy vehicles
Whole day barred from accessing Woodlands Custom via Woodlands Centre Road

Other Vehicles (including cars)
Mon-Fri (4pm-10pm)
Sat, Sun and PHs (10am-10pm)

Public Transport (SMRT/SBS buses)
No Restriction Timings

Refering to the Google Map above, this means that the only routes that you can access freely without restrictions on timing will be via Woodlands Road and BKE.

Boon to the residents and bane to motorcyclists/drivers.

Related Links: http://www.lta.gov.sg/images/Woodlands_new_traffic_scheme.pdf

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If you are taking public transport, what do you do when you need to get across the Johor Bahru custom into JB urgently? With the re-instatement of white card requirements causing long queues at the Johor Bahru custom, the infamous touts have re-appeared at the Johor Bahru custom and for S$10.00 per person, they offer you a car ride across the Johor Custom. Carrying 4 passengers per trip, this is a luxurious income, all for just 40m distance drive taking 3mins.

But on some occasions, due to insufficient demand, you will need to wait for 3 other “comrades” to join you on the joy ride. If you are feeling rich, you can pay S$40 flat so that there will be no lost “income” for the driver.

Yet another alternative? Motorcycle.

Recently, there have been Motorcycle touts operating outside the “cartel”, offering independent services. For just RM$20, they offer you a more “thrilling” joy ride as itinerary involves zig-zaging between vehicle’s path as well as curious stares when you are getting onto the motorcycle. On an exception day, throw in the expletives from the “cartel” for not taking their services.

 Of course, this assumes that the motorcyclist is not intending to cause you any serious trouble by whizzing pass the custom booth without any stamping on your passport.

Time Saved: 1 hour
Cost: RM$20.00 - negotiable
Risks:
0.01% chance that your life is lost due to reckless riding
1.00% chance that the motorcycle may break down
10.0% chance that you will feel dizzy after the ride
100% chance that you will scratch your head, if you use the helmet provided.

Conclusion: Not worth it.

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It is official. From today onwards, you are required to fill in the White Card (Immigration Card/ Arrival Card/ White Form) for entry into Johor Bahru. As the new White Card/ Form is not yet available, the Malaysian Customs will be using the old White Cards. The launch of the new White Card forms will be announced at a later date.

Well, this means that you can still use those old white card forms that you have been putting aside in your drawers. If you have already thrown them away, get them (or buy them at RM$1/ card from the touts) at the Malaysian Custom.

At a snapshot, here are the sequence of events relating to the White Card requirements:

19th Jan 2008:
Malaysian Authorities officially removed the White Card entry requirements into Johor Bahru. This is a boon to all Singaporeans as the waiting time at the Johor Custom is effectively halved with the fasting clearing time.

Mid Jun 2008: Rumours circulate that the White Card will be required again.

15th Aug 2008: White Card requirement is re-implemented. Whether you are driving, taking bus or walking in across the Causeway, long queues at the Johor Customs are back!

Check back to www.limsimi.com for more updates on the Custom conditions.

Related Posts:
1. http://www.limsimi.com/Links/Malaysia_Latest_White_Card_Requirement.htm
2. http://www.limsimi.com/category/general-information/
3. http://www.limsimi.com/2008/07/12/arrival-card-immigration-card-white-card-requirement-for-entry-into-johor-bahru/

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If you happen to drop by Johor Bahru, why not take some time to catch the movies? Damage to your pockets: RM$8-12 (SGD $3.50-$5.00).

1. Cathay Cineplex Cinemas - City Square, Johor Bahru

Location:
Johor Bahru City Square Level 5
108 Jalan Wong Ah Fook
80000 Johor Bahru
Johor

Tel: 07-2272 888
Website: http://www.cathayholdings.com.my/cineplexes/cp_nowshowing.html

Comments: Fast queue clearance but the price is amongst the most expensive. Recent blockbuster movies cost about RM$11. Additionally, parking at City Square cost about RM$2.50/hour.

 2. Golden Screen Cinema - Pelangi Leisure Mall, Johor Bahru

Location:1st Floor, Pelangi Leisure Mall
148 Jalan Serampang
Taman Pelangi
80400 Johor Bahru
Johor

Tel: 07-3353558
Website: http://www.gsc.com.my/RD/cinemas2.asp?search=plm

Comments: You get the cheapest deal at Leisure mall. Movies cost RM$9.00 and parking is free and aplenty. The crowd is considerably less compared to Tanjung Golden Village (Tebrau City) and Cathay Cineplex (City Square).

3. Tanjong Golden Village - Aeon Tebrau City, Johor Bahru

Location:
AEON Tebrau City Shopping Centre
No 1, Jalan Desa Tebrau
Taman Desa Tebrau
81100 Johor Bahru
Johor

Website: http://www.tgv.com.my

Comments: SLOW queue clearance and it takes you about 45min to 1 hour just to buy your tickets on weekends. Movie cost about RM$10.00 and parking at Tebrau City is cheap at RM$1.00/entry.

The main drawback is the stronger censorship (Malaysia is still a conservation country) compared to Singapore so expect more nudity/violence/and strong language scenes to be cut.

To dispel any myths, you will not see cockroaches and mouse running under your seats nor will you find weird people at the back of the cinema recording the film for pirated DVD productions. The cleanliness and quality of the visual and audio sound system is to a decent standard.

So join the queue for movie tickets and grab a popcorn set at RM$8/set (with drinks) as well. Sit back and enjoy your movie!

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Hotel rates in Singapore are on the pricey side. A night in Swissotel, Mariott or Hyatt in Singapore will set you back by SGD$300-$500/night. A night at a backpacker’s hostel will be cheaper, at about SGD$60/night.

With the F1 (Formula One) race coming to Singapore, most of the hotels/hostels will be booked out by August. A feasible alternative if you are priced out for hotel rooms: Look North.

Johor Bahru, some 20km from Singapore’s bustling Orchard Road offers a range of hotels that goes for RM$150-RM$250 (1 SGD = 2.36RM). Some good hotels to consider:

1. Crystal Crown Hotel
http://www.crystalcrown.com.my/index.cfm?id=6BFE7343-F206-A174-3A05D4E2224EA823

2. Mutiara Hotel
http://www.mutiarahotels.com/mutiara_jb/

3. Hyatt Hotel
http://johorbahru.regency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

4. The Puteri Pacific
http://www.puteripacifichoteljohorbahru.com/
The Puteria Pacific is the closest to the Johor Bahru Customs although the all the hotels are really a 5mins drive away from each other. If you do make a booking at this hotel, do take some time to visit some of the attractions recommended in this website.

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As of 18th July 2008, 2330hrs, there is still no requirement for any Arrival Card (also known as the Immigration Card/ White Card/ White Form) for entry into Johor Bahru. If you have any spare white cards lying around in your house, bring it along as a precaution just in case. Otherwise, there is no need to be over worried about it at this point.

Check this link for the latest update on Arrival Card/ White Card/ Immigration Card arrival:
http://www.limsimi.com/Links/Malaysia_Latest_White_Card_Requirement.htm
 

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There are news circulating that the requirement of the Arrival Card (also known as the Immigration Card/ White Card/ White Form) for entry into Johor Bahru may be re-implemented. This requirement is formally waivered on 19th Jan 2008.

Yes. To repeat, there is a possibility that you will be REQUIRED to fill up your Arrival Card (Immigration Card/ White Card) at the Johor Bahru custom. The days of long sweaty queues are coming back. Whether you are driving into Johor Bahru or walking in, it is time to bring back your portable fans, magazines subscription and install new games on your mobile phones to last the potential wait.

The exact date of this re-implementation is unknown. Tentatively, the “Go-Live” date when the Arrival Card (Immigration Card/ White Card) requirement will come in place will be on 16th July 2008. A verbal check with a Johor Custom official indicates the similar date.

In the typical fashion, there is no official announcement at the Immigration Department of Malaysia website here: http://www.imi.gov.my/eng/im_Page1.asp.

Frustrations added to frustrations.
Check up this link here for the latest update on Arrival Card/ White Card/ Immigration Card arrival:
http://www.limsimi.com/Links/Malaysia_Latest_White_Card_Requirement.htm

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Discussions in Johor Bahru geared up in recent days on the development of news regarding accusations on Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Many debatable notes have been made regarding these accusations and the public is holding out for any defining evidence that may just explode the political scene. Datuk Anwar comments that there will be “more evidence to come” also sets the expectation that an imminent revelation is on the cards.

Updates (06.07.2008)
1. Global hunt is now on for private investigator Balasubramaniam Perumal who retracted his statutory declaration on accusations against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. He and his family disappeared after the retractment statement.
2. More than 8,000 people turned out at the rally staged today at Kelana Jaya stadium despite warnings from Police that the gathering is illegal. The protest is against the fuel-hike made by the Malaysian Government.

General sentiments in Malaysia currently points to a sense of unhappiness over the political bickering. Across the causeway in Singapore, Coffeeshop discussions are abound on speculations of next moves by the politicians.

Assuming you have already signed up a wedding package with one of the Bridal House in Johor Bahru (Fables, Venus Bridal House, SG Bridal etc etc..). The day has come for the photo shoot. What do you need to do? What do you need to know?

Photo Shoot Process
If you have both the indoor as well as outdoor shoot, be prepared to know that it is a very tiring process. A typical photo shoot schedule is listed below.

1. 10.30am - 11.30am: 1st Make-up for Bride and Bridegroom
2. 11.30am - 17:30pm: Indoor shoot/Make-up for Bride
3. 17.30pm - 18.30pm: Outdoor shoot

1. 10.30am - 11.30am: Make-up for Bride and Bridegroom
1st Make-up for Bride last from 10.30am - 11.20am. 1st and only Makeup for Bridegroom from 11.20am - 11.30am (Sad huh.. only 10mins.. :p). The make-up for Bride includes the normal hair setting, facial toning as well as eyelashes touch-ups (trimming/ attaching fake eyelashes).