THE series of tremors affecting several districts in the state have not hampered preparations for Visit Johor 2026.
State unity, heritage and culture committee chairman K. Raven Kumar said there were no reports of damage to heritage buildings in the areas affected by the earthquakes.
“So far, the reports we received from government departments and experts have shown nothing worrying or causing delays.
“Natural disasters are unpredictable but the state government is prepared to face any eventuality,” he said when met after launching the South-East Asia Deepavali Festival and Trade Expo in Sutera Mall, Johor Baru.
Raven Kumar added that upgrading works involving tourism destinations in Johor, such as Muzium Tokoh Johor and Sultan Abu Bakar Heritage Complex were on track.
“They are expected to be completed as scheduled by the end of this year.
“Other upgrades, including Kampung Sungai Baru in Iskandar Puteri and Gunung Ledang waterfall in Tangkak, are also on track and expected to be completed this year,” he added.
Raven Kumar said some 150 vendors, 40% of whom were from Johor, took part in the five-day expo.
“The expo is expected to attract visitors from within and outside Johor, as there are people from all over living here while working in Singapore,” he said hoping local traders would benefit from the expo.
In his speech at the event, Raven Kumar highlighted several issues involving the Indian community that had been addressed by the state government including the construction of a crematorium and identifying a site for a Tamil school.
On a separate matter, Raven Kumar said a centre in Teluk Jawa for the Indian community to perform funerary rites was expected to be completed this year.
The 0.66ha centre was initially sited at Tanjung Langsat, but shifted to Teluk Jawa about 20km away, after the original site was deemed unsuitable due to security concerns.
“The centre is about 70% to 80% completed and expected to be fully built by the end of the year.
“Separately, paperwork for the construction of crematoriums in Kluang and Ulu Choh have been submitted to the respective local councils and are awaiting approval,” he added.
The crematoriums are among a number of similar facilities across several states funded through the RM20mil allocation announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the Indian community in 2024.
