JOHOR BAHARU: The Johor Customs seized 600 boxes of various brands of cigarettes worth RM660,000, with RM2.88 million in unpaid duties, at the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex in Tanjung Kupang on Thursday.

Johor Customs director Datuk Mohd Subre Ishak said enforcement officers stopped a container lorry for inspection at about 4.50am and found the contrabands.

"The lorry driver, aged 50, has been detained for failing to declare the items," he said.

He urged the public to continue channelling information to the department in the efforts to fight smuggling activities.

ALLEGATIONS that Malaysia is in talks with an European company to set up a pre-clinical primate-testing facility in Johor has raised the ire of animal welfare groups.

JOHOR’S 1-0 defeat to Shahzan Muda in Kuantan on Friday has not dampened team spirit nor affected their Premier League title hopes but coach “Prof” Nasir Yusof had some strong words for the players.

“They showed commitment and discipline in their game but were not able to finish off the scoring chances. This made the difference. It does not matter if Shahzan Muda got the winner from a penalty,” said Nasir.

THE Premier League title chase is on and Johor, who have fallen six points behind new leaders Harimau Muda, are not going to let the gap grow any wider.

Johor coach “Prof” Nasir Yusof had a simple message for his players: “Do not underrate the opponents. Give them due respect.”

This was delivered when the team hit the road for a tiring journey by bus to Kuantan via Mersing for the away match against mid-table Shahzan Muda tonight.

And Nasir was not willing to reveal much about his lineup, adding: “Right now I am keeping everything close to my chest.

JOHOR BAHRU: A woman passenger of flight MH091 was quarantined at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) here this afternoon after she developed a fever.

Johor Health department director Dr Mohd Khairi Yaakob said clinical test had been carried out on the woman to determine whether she was infected with the HIN1 virus.

"We are still waiting for the result," he said, declining to disclose any further information.

THE new Tesco store in Kulai, Johor, has created more than 300 new jobs for the locals in Kulai, in both management and non-management positions.

Tesco Malaysia would be looking to create another 2,000 new jobs this year.

This will be in support of rapid expansion programmes it has planned.