NST Online: StreetsJohor

Posted: 30 May 2011 11:55 AM PDT

FISH LURE

2011/05/31
By Sim Bak Heng

A roadside stall in Jalan Johor Baru-Pontian is drawing fish lovers

WHILE most ornamental fishes are placed in aquariums or sold in hobby shops located indoors, Marzinah Mohd Amran, 48, is selling the fish in small plastic bags by the roadside.

Rows of plastic bags filled with fish, water and aquatic weeds are seen hanging from her makeshift stall at Kampung Jasa Sepakat at Batu 30.5, Jalan Johor Baru-Pontian in Pontian.

It is hard to miss this stall as passersby will find themselves captivated by the bags of water sparkling under the sun.

If they bother to stop by the stall, they will be surprised to see ornamental fishes of different species and sizes lurking amid the waterweeds in each of the plastic bags, as though they are saying: "Take me home! Take me home!"

Marzinah was once a fruit seller who operated her stall at exactly the same spot as this fish stall now.

"My husband and I used to sell local fruits and jungle produce for about 15 years. However, I broke my leg during an accident six years ago. This forced my husband to stop the business which was labour-intensive," she said.

"After I recovered a year later, I could not move heavy items. My friends then encouraged me to sell ornamental fish at the abandoned fruit stall, and they even found me fish suppliers. I have been doing this business for the past four years and I enjoy it a lot."

Marzinah's customers include both locals and passing travellers. She said some travellers heading towards Kuala Lumpur or Johor Baru even bought a few bags.

Among the ornamental fish sold at her stall are kaloi kampung (giant gouramy), belida (featherback), sepat (gouramy), bujuk (forest snakehead) , leekoh (common carp) and puyu (climbing perch).

Edible species like the haruan (common snakehead) and tilapia are also available.

Snakeheads are highly sought after by housewives who are under confinement as it is believed the meat has the medicinal property to expedite wound-healing.

As it is meant for consumption, the species is generally bigger than ornamental fish.

Marzinah always tries to keep her price low as she wants to encourage people to take up the hobby.

She tags her fish from RM4 each and the biggest snakehead of about three kilogrammes sells for RM30.

"All my fish are obtained locally. For example, the sepat species are usually caught by using net in canals. For bujuk, perch and snakehead, they are usually supplied by anglers. Other species are bred in fish farms and supplied to me regularly," she said.

Although Marzinah's husband has a part-time job, he still helps her from time to time with tasks like packing the fish.

"I am comfortable with what I am doing now as it is not as laborious as before. Even a lone worker is enough for the job, which is rather relaxing," she said.

"More importantly, I also share knowledge with my customers on fish-rearing, fish food and hygiene."

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IBM offers toolkit kiosk for SMEs

Posted: 30 May 2011 10:09 AM PDT

IBM offers toolkit kiosk for SMEs

IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd presented a Toolkit kiosk to the Small-and-Medium Enterprises (SME) Corporation Malaysia's Johor branch recently.

The toolkit is designed to enhance business capabilities. It offers a programme that enables entrepreneurs and small businesses to learn how to implement the sustainable business management practices, free of charge.

IBM's country manager (geographic expansion) Tang Choeng Weng presented the Toolkit kiosk to SME Corporation state director Azrine Othman at the Thistle Hotel Johor Baru.

The company, which launched the IBM Comes To You mobile solutions kiosk, which is a bus outfitted with IBM hardware, software and technology solutions and services, was also stationed at the hotel for two days.

Tang said the stopover was part of IBM's geographic expansion strategy to bring its expertise to more than 6,000 corporations and SMEs nationwide.

Packaged as a moving solutions clinic, the kiosk aims to bring customised, easy-to-implement solutions and growth needs of SMEs.

It is an initiative supported by SME Corp Malaysia and Avnet Technology Solutions, an IBM business partner.

The programme was also introduced in Malacca, Kedah and Perak before wrapping up at the Universiti Sains Malaysia campus in Penang.

"We will also be donating a SME Toolkit kiosk to the SME Corp's branch office in Penang," Tang said.

The event was organised in conjunction with IBM's global centennial celebration on June 16 and IBM Malaysia's 50th anniversary on June 21. -- By Chuah Bee Kim

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Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Selasa, 31 Mei 2011