19/09/2025

FRIDAY | SEPT 19, 2025

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Kluang on track to enjoy tourism boost

KLUANG: Famous for its railway heritage and rich coffee culture, Kluang is attracting more visitors with the newly launched Electric Train Service (ETS3) by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd. The service, which began operations on Aug 30, connects Kuala Lumpur Sentral (KL Sentral) to Kluang, making the town more accessible for short getaways during school holidays and festive breaks. Kluang was also recently o New electric train service makes famous ‘coffee town’ more accessible to local visitors

For residents, the service has brought pride. Zaiton Ibrahim, 70, said: “We’re grateful the train station is becoming more modern, and with the new Laman Rel Mahkota, our small town feels unique. People from other places should come and see it for themselves.” Businesses are also seeing gains. Kluang Rail Coffee director Lim Ben Winn, said: “We’re definitely seeing more tourists, especially during holidays. Some visitors come from places such as Tampin and Kuala Lumpur just for our coffee. In fact, some have told us that tickets to Kluang are already sold out.” The ETS3, which can reach speeds of up to 140kph, was officially launched on Aug 23 by His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim at the Kuala Lumpur station. After the ceremony, Sultan Ibrahim personally drove the train to the Kluang station.

Others are using the improved connectivity to explore the district. Emilia Dalila Adi, 20, from Segamat, brought seven family members during the Malaysia Day holiday to visit attractions such as Laman Kreatif Kluang and Rumah Seni. “I hope public transport would be improved in this area, especially with buses to tourist spots. We usually rely on e-hailing, but sometimes it’s hard to get a ride when demand is high,” she said. Some passengers tried the ETS3 just for the experience. Rohana Kasman, 59, travelled from Batu Pahat to Kuala Lumpur with her family before boarding the train back to Kluang. “I was so excited to ride the ETS3. As soon as tickets went on sale, I bought them because I wanted to try the new train. It’s especially festive during the school holidays,” she said.

declared Johor’s “happiest district”. Upon arrival, travellers are just a short walk away from Kluang Rail Coffee, the town’s iconic shop, or Laman Rel Mahkota, Malaysia’s first railway park built along old tracks to celebrate Kluang’s identity as a “Railway Town” since 1990. For locals, the influx of domestic tourists has added vibrancy. Teacher N. Sangeetha, 40, who was visiting Laman Rel Mahkota with friends, said: “ETS3 has made it so much easier for us to travel between towns and cities without the hassle of traffic jams. We really appreciate the government move to provide the service here, it has truly made life in Kluang more enjoyable.” Student Wani Nasir, 20, from Selangor and studying at the Malaysian Veterinary Institute in Kluang, said the service made trips home more comfortable and affordable.

Bonsai passion yields peace of mind SEREMBAN: The rows of bonsai , each with unique shapes and resembling miniature forest trees, neatly arranged in front of a house in Taman Casurina here resemble a living gallery. These works of art are the creation of Nazrol Naim Nijar, 46, a factory assistant manager who turned to bonsai as a hobby during the Movement Control Order period. kerikil and cherry Barbados. Some were sourced locally from Negeri Sembilan, while others were obtained from states such as Terengganu, Johor and Selangor. “I’ve also bought half-finished bonsai and continued shaping them myself. Some of these plants are between 15 and 30 years old,” he said, adding that he often draws inspiration for designs from exhibitions and competitions he attended.

What began as a pastime has since grown into a passion that also provides him with extra income. “I started just for fun about five years ago because I had so much free time. At first, I tried planting vegetables but found it too much of a hassle. Then, I moved on to flowers, but I felt there was no challenge. “Eventually, I became interested in bonsai because of its uniqueness and began seeking information. I later looked for an expert to guide me because learning online alone wasn’t enough, you need face-to-face teaching.” Nazrol said beyond giving him peace of mind, bonsai art has taught him patience and precision. “Shaping bonsai requires wiring, pruning and meticulous care, with each tree often taking four to five years to reach its desired form. Proper fertilisation, watering and lighting are also crucial, varying by plant type,” he said. The father of two now owns more than 300 bonsai trees, including varieties such as cucur atap, jeliti, bebuas Taiwan, tamarind, jambul

Over the years, Nazrol has also begun selling his bonsai at weekly markets and car boot sales around the state. “I started selling them because I had too many at home. The response has been encouraging, there are many bonsai enthusiasts, although the market is quite niche. Some of my customers even come from outside the state, including from Muar in Johor. Prices vary depending on type and size, starting from RM85 up to RM3,500 per tree,” he said. Nazrol is grateful for the support of his wife, who encourages his pursuit of bonsai art, and is proud that his youngest daughter, aged 10, shares his passion – often helping him water the trees and weed the pots. He hopes to expand his efforts by creating a community bonsai garden, taking on a leadership role, and joining more competitions to broaden his experience. He also called for greater recognition of bonsai in Negeri Sembilan, suggesting that the

Nazrol currently has in excess of 300 bonsai trees that include varieties such as cucur atap, jeliti, bebuas Taiwan, tamarind, jambul kerikil and cherry Barbados. – BERNAMAPIC

social media or YouTube. “Learning online is not the same as learning in person. With a teacher, you can ask questions and see the correct techniques directly. In the beginning, I would meet my teacher every week and also join bonsai associations.” – Bernama

state government provide exhibition spaces or dedicate a site for bonsai showcases during major events such as the Negeri Sembilan Fest to attract new enthusiasts. For newcomers, his advice is clear - find a teacher and learn face-to-face, not just through