PM Najib goes on walkabout at Kilang Bateri

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak went on a walkabout at Kilang Bateri here and spent an hour mingling with about 500 people in the area last night.

The prime minister who arrived at 9.40 pm, was accompanied by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Johor Bahru Member of Parliament Tan Sri Shahrir Samad.

In his brief speech, Datuk Seri Najib said he would discuss with Khazanah Nasional Bhd to give a special grant to help young entrepreneurs and petty traders.

"I will announce the details tomorrow," he said.

Datuk Seri Najib said Kilang Bateri today was the result of young people's innovation to turn it into a 100 per cent Bumiputera-owned creative business centre to the extent of it being recognised as the pulse of Johor Bahru.

"I'm very proud of the effort taken by these young people," said Datuk Seri Najib who is on a two-day working visit to Johor.

Kilang Bateri was once an actual operating factory for the Eveready battery company, but was given a facelift and turned into a famous dining, relaxing and fun-filled place.

It comprises 184 stalls selling various items, including food and drinks, clothing, books and beauty products, and has become among the popular destinations in Johor Bahru. -- BERNAMA