NST Online: StreetsJohor
NST Online: StreetsJohor |
| Posted: 05 Oct 2011 11:34 AM PDT 2011/10/05 A passion for making miniature houses is turning two women's hobby lucrative SITI Umi Kalsom Suparmin has always loved the arts but marriage and family life forced her to put her passion on the backburners for a long time. However, while walking on a beach several years ago, she saw pieces of drift wood and this made her start thinking about ways of turning them into pieces of art.
"Since my all children have grown up, I have a lot more spare time. "When I saw the pieces of wood on the beach, I was inspired to turn them into art," said Siti Umi Kalsom, 49, a single mother of three.
"I learned how to make the models through trial and error. I have to do everything myself, from cutting the pieces to assembling them," she said. Siti Umi Kalsom can complete a simple house within a week but for more complicated designs, she will need a few months.
"I have received orders from as far as Singapore. Normally, the customers would want me to make a miniature model of their own house," said Siti Umi Kalsom. Most of her customers were referred through word of mouth as she does not have an outlet and works out of her home in Kampung Parit Sri Baharum Laut in Rengit. "I would like to open my own shop to cater to a bigger market," said Siti Umi Kalsom, who has received many invitations to participate in exhibitions and expos. Her customers have also suggested that she promotes and sells her miniature models online. "However, you need the know-how to do that. Maybe, I will do it later when I find someone who has the expertise," said Siti Umi Kalsom. She hopes to acquire more tools like the bandsaw and jigsaw to facilitate her work. "I lucky because the village head Mustafa Omar has been supportive and has helped me submit applications to the agencies so that I can acquire the tools," she said. Siti Umi Kalsom said she is always looking to improve the quality and design of the models. "Lately, I have been trying to brighten up the models by installing LED light in the models." Besides the miniature models, Siti Umi Kalsom and Hanizah also make shell decorations and items used in Malay wedding gifts. "We have started doing wood carvings. We are still learning this craft so most of the items are small ones," she said. |
| Road safety starts with courtesy and common sense Posted: 05 Oct 2011 09:13 AM PDT 2011/10/05 IT is good to note that the traffic jam in Johor Baru has lessened significantly with the opening of the second ramp at the Jalan Tun Abdul Razak Interchange. Travelling time from Skudai and Kulaijaya to the city had been reduced up to between 15 and 20 minutes during the morning rush hour. One can't say the same for the opposite lane, but perhaps the situation is progressing on the road.
As this article was being written on a Saturday, a boy had just been hit by a speeding vehicle while crossing the busy Skudai road, just before the interchange. It took place right in front of the New Straits Times Press office.
No one is to blame here. It was unfortunate that the accident took place but there is a lesson, or two, to be learned from this tragedy. Motorists who drive on the Skudai road have seen their share of accidents while heading to work: motorcyclists falling off their bikes and cars that more than just nudge the rears of other vehicles while moving into the next lane.
Adhering to the speed limit and being courteous to other drivers would have avoided accidents and subsequently losses. But those two traits are such rarities today, judging from the daily episodes on the road. Many motorcyclists on underbone bikes like to think of themselves as kings of the road. Such antics have been written numerous times in this column but they persist due to what the locals call the kiasu culture. Kicking the side of vehicles, as a method to make their way through the traffic is the epitome of boorishness. Speeding among car drivers has also contributed to our lack of civility. There is a reason speed limits are imposed and speed limit signs put up on roads. Failure to comply will only increase the risk of accidents, and of being slapped with summonses. We only keep within the speed limit when there is a police patrol car doing its rounds or parked by the side of the road. Not too long ago, a reader wrote a to the NST, expressing his thoughts on the attitude of drivers in the country. He mentioned that when it comes to extending courtesy, Malaysians scored points when giving directions to tourists. Sadly on the road, we are not so friendly when other motorists signal to change lanes. Instead of courteously slowing down for other drivers to move safely into our lane, more often then not we refuse to make way. We, apparently, are territorial of our stretch of the road. Pedestrians too, are nonchalant about their own safety. When crossing roads, for example, rarely is the pedestrian bridge used. Some say, it is too taxing to climb the stairs to use the bridge while others are simply ignorant to the dangers of jaywalking. Many will only open their mind and see the wisdom in using the pedestrian bridge after someone has been hit by a car on that particular stretch while jaywalking. It is unfortunate to opine that only with tragedy comes realisation. Pedestrians should know that motorists are not mind readers. They can only anticipate the pedestrian's next move by guessing his or her body language, but they can never determine whether the pedestrians' thoughts are in tune with their movements. Our roads could be safer with more motorcycle and bicycle lanes. Traffic could be better with wider roads and better networking of pathways. But all of these are rendered useless if the people who use the facilities most do not understand the importance of safety and lack the maturity needed to be responsible road users. |
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