I the opportunity to visited Johor Premium Outlet or nicknamed JPO while waiting for my flight back to Kuala Lumpur after a site visit to Legoland Malaysia in Nusajaya, Iskandar Malaysia. JPO to me is quite an uptrend fashion outlet for middle and upper class shoppers. If you are concern about Designer and Branded apparels JPO is the one stop shopping point for you. Price is quite competitive because it is a factory outlet point. Base on the number of cars at the parking lots and bus loads of tourists, JPO is fast becoming a hot tourist destination on the southern sector of Malaysia.
It is locted at Indahpura, Kulai Jaya in the Iskandar Malaysia zone and has a collection of 80 designer and name brand outlet stores featuring saving of 25% to 65% every day and was officiated by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak on 11th December 2011. The center is held by “Genting Simon Sdn Bhd” (GSSB), a wholly owned subsidiary of Simon Genting Ltd (“SGL”).
Items that are available includes Designer Fashion & Sportswear, Shoes, Accessories & Jewellry, Fine Leather & Luggage, Housewares & Home Finishing. There are also Gifts & Specialty Items and Food & Beverages.
To provide hospitality to shoppers JPO also provide Information & Services and at easy access. The Information Counter is located on the left of the main entrance neighboring the Food Centre. Genting Lounge, Courier Services and ATMs are also provided. At this point of time I saw only Maybank ATMs available. Security is also not compromise as there is a Police Base beside Security personnel making their rounds.
For Store Listing and Center Map CLICK. You can download the map in PDF too.
How To Go There
Kulai Jaya is accessible from both North and South, Malaysians and Singaporeans. If you drive from south on the PLUS Highway, can take the Exit 253 – Exit 304 – Exit 304A and to JPO. See details HERE.
Map credit to JPO website
Singaporean shoppers you can drive up from the Causeway or Tuas using the Malaysia-Singapore second link. Take Exit 304 and 302A. See HERE for details including bus routes and Fare from Singapore.
Foursquare map point to the location of JPO but on the Google Map its difficult to locate. However I am putting up both map so that you can compare and try to make out the location.
However for those who fly in through Sultan Ismail International airport can hop on the shuttle bus plying between the two points at RM 2.00 per journey. Applies to transit passengers too if you have some time to waste economically *smile*.
Facilities
JPO offers about all the basic facilities needed by consumers. There is a comfortable Male and Female Surau, clean toilets, Children playground and Food Centre with varieties of local cuisine to choose from. For safety there is a Police Base, Maybank ATM’s and Tourist Information Centre.
The children Playground to keep your kids busy but not away from your sight please.
If you have nothing to do or have run out of money and the ATM is not “lending” you anymore , sit back and watch the fountain. Don’t stress yourself.
Contact Info Johor Premium Outlets, Jalan Premium Outlets Indahpura, 81000 Kulaijaya, Johor Darul Takzim Tel: +6076618888
Opening Hours Monday – Sunday : 10.00am – 10.00pm Call for seasonal and special holiday hours for info
Accomodation If you plan to stay longer there are accomodation not far from Kulaijaya. Click HERE for info
Shoppers can also enjoy on-site-events and sales throughout the year. Click for Details
Many has visited and have fun at theme parks but by end of 2012 Malaysia is going to witness the opening of new theme park of a different kind when Legoland Malaysia open its gate to the public, expected in October 2012. With the presence of the new theme park, Malaysia should also be proud as the theme park is the sixth Legoland in the world and the first in Asia. Being Lego inspired the theme park will display the close relation between Lego bricks and human not only for children but adult alike. Legoland Malaysia is not just another theme park but it comes with a difference since it will promote the versatility of Lego bricks as a creative, fun and adventure experience for the whole family because Legoland means
Therefore going to Legoland is not just fun but also a learning experience besides promoting bonding of family ties using common playing tools. The whole family can experience all rides and they are hands-on, which means you can push, pull, pedal, steer, program it, squirt, splash, crawl or climb. Its all a non stop activity and end when you are out of energy.
The theme park is manage by a successful and professional Entertainment company, Merlin Entertainment who operates 78 attractions worldwide and including Madame Tassauds, Eye of London, Sydney Tower eye and SKYWALK and Sydney Aquarium to mention a few.
At the helm of Legoland Malaysia is Mr Siegfried Boerst, the General Manager whose family grew with LEGOLAND. With his passion for the theme park, we should be assured that LEGOLAND Malaysia will grow into another tourism product for Malaysia and at the same time boost the development of Iskandar Malaysia, one of the Economic Development Corridor for Malaysia.
General Manager LEGOLAND Malaysia Mr Siegfried
I and two other bloggers were invited by Millenium Associates on behalf of LEGOLAND to visit site and joined by a reporter from NST Johor when we arrive at Seri Medini, to witness first hand the growth of the theme park. We had the opportunity to meet the General Manager in person who briefed us about the progress of the project, his vision and expectation of LEGOLAND Malaysia. Well, as I mentioned earlier, and after listening to his briefing, personally I am confident the project will see its life as planned.
Our trip all the way from Subang was all with rain drizzling and until we enter the site. We met at Seri Medini and were greeted by Mr Siegfried Boerst, the General Manager who briefed us on the development of the project before leaving for the site.
From the viewing gallery on a slope within the park we could see quite a birds eye view of the whole park and with prominent structures all set up. The main landmark , the Observation Tower, standing at 60 metre is the tallest point in the entire theme park is into its finishing touches. The tower provides an excellent aerial view of all 7 themed areas and the 40 rides and attraction of LEGOLAND Malaysia. Visitors will be lifted to a height of 41 m and will be able to hold 50s visitors on each ride and 1,000 visitors every hour.
LEGOLAND Malaysia is the third theme park that host such tower besides LEGOLAND Denmark and LEGOLAND Deutschland. High standards of safety is maintained and safety functions will be tested and approved by TUV Munich and DOSH authorities and a third inspection body prior to the opening of LEGOLAND Malaysia. Watch this timeline video of the erection of the tower.
Below is the park map and the seven theme areas that will host visitors a whole day of fun and excitement. Mr Siegfried did gave us a precious tip on how to make full utilization of the park without wasting time and energy. As you can see from the park map below all six theme radiates from the Miniland. So, to shift from one theme to another just take the train. A full journey on the train gives you full access to all themes around it. Thats smart planning, Uhh……?.
Click for larger image
Tickets is already on sale and can be bought online HERE. Pre opening ticket sales can be purchased too and it will be sold for a limited period. According to Mr Siegfried, those who buy this pre opening Annual Pass will actually get 15 months duration of entry because it will expire only in December 2013.
With such rate, visitors will be able to enjoy the thrills of the the LEGO TECHNIC Test track
SEVEN theme areas for the entire family and 40 rides. Last not least as a souvenir visitor can get their own Minifigure of Legoland to take home for remembrance. Opening hours for all areas is from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, except Wednesday. On school holidays or public holidays the opening will be extended. However all Qs for rides ends at 6.00 and all those still in line will have their opportunity to ride.
During the visit, I took some video clips using my Fujifilm JX420 compact digital camera and of course the quality is not up to the mark but still you can get a glimpse of the theme park as at 31st March 2012, about 6 month away before opening the door to visitors. According to Mr Siegfried, its already 65% ready, some are ahead of schedule and some a few weeks back. But thats normal for a large scale project.
An amateur video from me
Some Facts about the park
Covers and area of 75 acres and presently only 31 acres is being developed consisting of 7 theme
The Beginning where your fun and adventure begins. And before you leave stopover at The Big Shop that offer the largest selection of Lego Toys to take home as remembrance.
Imagination for true Lego fans to play with Lego Bricks and games,
Land of Adventure, a journey through forgotten city’s ancient temple and ruins and for the brave to
test their courage at Dino Island
Miniland mesmerize yourself with replicas of famous landmark built with Lego pieces including the
tallest structure in the world build with Lego bricks and pieces. Also take the train if you want to save
your energy.
Lego City where kids can captain a boat and get driver’s licence.
Lego Technic test your courage on TECHNIC Test Track with razor sharp turns and drops before
power son Aquazone Wave Riders.
Lego Kingdom where you can Conquer The Dragon (errr……., 2012 is year of the Dragon in the
Chinese Calendar)
50 million LEGO bricks to build all models
15,000 LEGO models are being built for LEGOLAND Malaysia
Lego Petronas Twin Tower will be the tallest structure in the world build with Lego Bricks. It will stand at 9 metres.
Other replicas build with Lego pieces includes Taj Mahal, Great Wall of China, Singapore’s Merlion, Angkor Wat and other Malaysian landmarksicons including KLIA and KL Tower.
How To Go To LEGOLAND
At this blogging time the theme park is still not visible on Google map since this venue is new while Google map Imagery date was on 1-11-2010 but you can try this GPS Co-ordinates: 1º 26’ 14″ N 103º 37’ 2″ topinpoint the location.
However this guide fromiskandarproject can be of help. Legoland Malaysia accessed through three routes:
Route 1 From the north via the Kuala Lumpur/Tuas link. From the North-South Highway, take exit 253 to Tuas/Nusajaya/Pontian/Tanjung Pelepas(this exit follows after the Kulaijaya/Kota Tinggi exit) and proceed to Lima Kedai Toll and proceed to Pulai Interchange. Drive straight until you see the Exit (312) to Gelang Patah and take the exit to Kota Iskandar. You should see the signboard to Johor Legoland before reaching Kota Iskandar.
Route 2 From Johor Bahru via the Coastal Highway. Take the new Coastal Highway to Nusajaya/Kota Iskandar from Taman Perling side. Proceed straight after the Toll House and take the exit showing Kota Iskandar. You will reach Johor Legoland before reaching Kota Iskandar.
Route 3 From Singapore via the Tuas second link and proceed to Gelang Patah interchange and take Exit 213 to Legoland and Kota Iskandar.
Anything Else?
Since it is just about 20 minutes via Tuas second link, it means Singaporeans and if you visit Singapore can even make a day trip to LEGOLAND Malaysia for your funfilled educational outing with your family.
According to Mt Siegfried, LEGOLAND Malaysia has future plan to build the LEGOLAND Hotel and the Water Park will be in the next phase of development.
FOR THE FULL EXPERIENCE OF LEGOLAND MALAYSIA, SET ASIDE A FULL DAY FOR YOUR FAMILY TO HAVE FUN HERE IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO REGRET FOR NOT DOING SO.
Last but not least Welcome to
Credit: All photos and graphics provided by LEGOLAND Malaysia except of course the professional amateur video clip belongs to this blogger. More pics HERE
footsteps........by atok vlog 