Kedai 1 Malaysia was established by Mydin group of companies...
The CEO said, they can sell cheaper because they buy all the stuff in bulk and they sell the item cheaper because of CSR...
but the question is: Why using 1 Malaysia brand?
If they want to do CSR, they should sell it at My Mydin Shop instead of 1 Malaysia shop.
Let's look how long they can sustain....
Friday, July 1, 2011
Sunday, December 12, 2010
KTMB receive a 40 years old train coach from Japan: Looks like we are 40 years lagging from Japan...
40 Years old coach from Japan to be used here? so unreasonable.... sigh...
http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/KTMBterima14kocdaripadasyarikatJepun/Article
KTMB terima 14 koc daripada syarikat Jepun
2010/12/09
PELABUHAN KLANG: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) hari ini menerima 14 koc kereta api sumbangan JR Kyushu dan JR West, sebuah syarikat dari Jepun.
Pengurus Kanan Unit Komunikasi Korporat KTMB, Mohd Fazil Ismail, berkata koc terpakai itu akan digunakan untuk perjalanan ke pantai timur dan selatan tanah air bermula Jun depan.
"Walaupun usia koc ini hampir 40 tahun namun jurutera KTMB yang dihantar ke Jepun Disember tahun lalu mengesahkan ia masih berada dalam keadaan baik dan boleh digunakan untuk perkhidmatan di negara kita.
"Semua 14 koc yang diterima ini merangkumi bahagian tempat duduk, katil dan kabin keretapi iaitu yang paling lama digunakan sejak 1972 dan terbaru pada 1980," katanya kepada pemberita ketika meninjau ketibaan koc keretapi itu, di sini hari ini.
Mohd Fazil berkata, koc berkenaan dijangka mampu beroperasi bagi jangka masa antara 10 hingga 15 tahun lagi.
Beliau berkata, penambahan koc berkenaan dijangka dapat memberi ruang tambahan kepada 600 penumpang setiap hari dengan kutipan sehari dianggar mencapai RM23,000.
Katanya, kos penghantaran koc itu ditanggung oleh KTMB iaitu sebanyak RM3.8 juta.
"Semua koc ini akan melalui proses pengubahsuaian bagi membolehkan ia digunakan di landasan tolok satu meter di Malaysia berbanding di Jepun yang menggunakan 'narrow gauge'," katanya.
Beliau berkata, syarikat pengendali tersebut menawarkan koc terbabit kepada KTMB hasil kerjasama kedua-dua syarikat yang telah sekian lama terjalin menerusi pelbagai program termasuk pertukaran pekerja yang diadakan setiap tahun.
Selain Malaysia, syarikat pengendali itu turut memberikan koc keretapi kepada negara lain seperti Thailand, Myanmar dan Filipina. - BERNAMA
http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/KTMBterima14kocdaripadasyarikatJepun/Article
KTMB terima 14 koc daripada syarikat Jepun
2010/12/09
PELABUHAN KLANG: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) hari ini menerima 14 koc kereta api sumbangan JR Kyushu dan JR West, sebuah syarikat dari Jepun.
Pengurus Kanan Unit Komunikasi Korporat KTMB, Mohd Fazil Ismail, berkata koc terpakai itu akan digunakan untuk perjalanan ke pantai timur dan selatan tanah air bermula Jun depan.
"Walaupun usia koc ini hampir 40 tahun namun jurutera KTMB yang dihantar ke Jepun Disember tahun lalu mengesahkan ia masih berada dalam keadaan baik dan boleh digunakan untuk perkhidmatan di negara kita.
"Semua 14 koc yang diterima ini merangkumi bahagian tempat duduk, katil dan kabin keretapi iaitu yang paling lama digunakan sejak 1972 dan terbaru pada 1980," katanya kepada pemberita ketika meninjau ketibaan koc keretapi itu, di sini hari ini.
Mohd Fazil berkata, koc berkenaan dijangka mampu beroperasi bagi jangka masa antara 10 hingga 15 tahun lagi.
Beliau berkata, penambahan koc berkenaan dijangka dapat memberi ruang tambahan kepada 600 penumpang setiap hari dengan kutipan sehari dianggar mencapai RM23,000.
Katanya, kos penghantaran koc itu ditanggung oleh KTMB iaitu sebanyak RM3.8 juta.
"Semua koc ini akan melalui proses pengubahsuaian bagi membolehkan ia digunakan di landasan tolok satu meter di Malaysia berbanding di Jepun yang menggunakan 'narrow gauge'," katanya.
Beliau berkata, syarikat pengendali tersebut menawarkan koc terbabit kepada KTMB hasil kerjasama kedua-dua syarikat yang telah sekian lama terjalin menerusi pelbagai program termasuk pertukaran pekerja yang diadakan setiap tahun.
Selain Malaysia, syarikat pengendali itu turut memberikan koc keretapi kepada negara lain seperti Thailand, Myanmar dan Filipina. - BERNAMA
Malacca's monorail service... another project goes to drain
Barely 2 months in services, the Melaka's monorail project facing so much problems and stop its' operation.
Looks like not the tourist inside the monorail can have a sightseeing, but the people outside the monorail can watch them inside instead...
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/11/nation/7601872&sec=nation
Saturday December 11, 2010 - The Star
Malacca's monorail service comes to a stop
By ALLISON LAI
malacca@thestar.com.my
MALACCA: Barely two months after its grand launch to mark Malacca’s developed state status, the city’s RM15.9mil monorail line has ground to a halt owing to a host of problems.
Launched on Oct 20, the monorail has been idle for a month after developing problems with its wheels and software system.
The China-made monorail line, spanning 1.6km from Taman Rempah in Pengkalan Rama to Kampung Bunga Raya Pantai along the Malacca River, is part of the state’s aim to tap the potential of the river as a tourist attraction.
Project under scrutiny: The monorail line is part of Malacca’s aim to tap the potential of the river as a tourist attraction.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam had launched the system to mark the recognition of Malacca as a developed state, 10 years ahead of the national Vision 2020.
Hours after the launch, however, a coach with some 20 passengers stalled about 100m from the Hang Jebat station.
Operator Menara Taming Sari Sdn Bhd used a skylift to rescue the stranded passengers.
The project is a joint venture between the Malacca Historic City Council and state subsidiary Kumpulan Melaka Bhd and Agibs Engineering & Construction Sdn Bhd.
The Tourism Ministry has approved an additional RM13.2mil for the monorail phase two extension project under the 10th Malaysia Plan.
On Thursday, a visibly upset Mohd Ali said four engineers from China were trying to iron out the problems affecting the monorail.
“Some screws keep breaking and the rims of the wheels had to be replaced.
“We hope the engineers will be able to fix it within a week,” he told reporters after closing a refresher course for National Service trainers at Permata Resort Camp in Alor Gajah.
He said if the monorail continued to face problems, the state government would not buy additional monorails from China for the proposed extension project and would, instead, source them from Europe.
Menara Taming Sari chief executive officer Nazry Ahmad admitted the monorail had been out of service due to “several technical and mechanical problems”.
“We have been facing problems with the monorail on and off since it was launched. It is now closed to the public,” he said yesterday.
Looks like not the tourist inside the monorail can have a sightseeing, but the people outside the monorail can watch them inside instead...
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/11/nation/7601872&sec=nation
Saturday December 11, 2010 - The Star
Malacca's monorail service comes to a stop
By ALLISON LAI
malacca@thestar.com.my
MALACCA: Barely two months after its grand launch to mark Malacca’s developed state status, the city’s RM15.9mil monorail line has ground to a halt owing to a host of problems.
Launched on Oct 20, the monorail has been idle for a month after developing problems with its wheels and software system.
The China-made monorail line, spanning 1.6km from Taman Rempah in Pengkalan Rama to Kampung Bunga Raya Pantai along the Malacca River, is part of the state’s aim to tap the potential of the river as a tourist attraction.
Project under scrutiny: The monorail line is part of Malacca’s aim to tap the potential of the river as a tourist attraction.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam had launched the system to mark the recognition of Malacca as a developed state, 10 years ahead of the national Vision 2020.
Hours after the launch, however, a coach with some 20 passengers stalled about 100m from the Hang Jebat station.
Operator Menara Taming Sari Sdn Bhd used a skylift to rescue the stranded passengers.
The project is a joint venture between the Malacca Historic City Council and state subsidiary Kumpulan Melaka Bhd and Agibs Engineering & Construction Sdn Bhd.
The Tourism Ministry has approved an additional RM13.2mil for the monorail phase two extension project under the 10th Malaysia Plan.
On Thursday, a visibly upset Mohd Ali said four engineers from China were trying to iron out the problems affecting the monorail.
“Some screws keep breaking and the rims of the wheels had to be replaced.
“We hope the engineers will be able to fix it within a week,” he told reporters after closing a refresher course for National Service trainers at Permata Resort Camp in Alor Gajah.
He said if the monorail continued to face problems, the state government would not buy additional monorails from China for the proposed extension project and would, instead, source them from Europe.
Menara Taming Sari chief executive officer Nazry Ahmad admitted the monorail had been out of service due to “several technical and mechanical problems”.
“We have been facing problems with the monorail on and off since it was launched. It is now closed to the public,” he said yesterday.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Talent Corporation or Talent Time Movie?
Taken from other blog: Talent Corporation? One more company established as to make use of tax payers money for their own pocket, do you think our Malaysian working abroad will turn back to Malaysia with low wages and high cost of living? Think again....
Ganesh
17 November 2010 at 8.09am
I personally know a close doctor who migrated to Australia.
When he was here, he was running a clinic. Most months, he would come home with ZERO. You see, in Malaysia, some doctors who run their own clinics actually suffer cause patients really can’t afford to pay well to keep the doctor’s business afloat (because most people still earn so little).
The doctor friend of mine had to, in a month, at least earn RM10,000 just to break even. Why? His rental alone was RM4500. Plus to pay two nurses was already RM2000. Then you add water, electricity, insurance etc etc, he had to come up with more than RM10,000 just to break even for the given month.
To make matters worse, if he charged a patient more than RM50, it was likely the patient won’t come back. So, you do the calculations lah and see how many patents he needs per day, for him to survive. Adding to that, don’t forget, he has to pay for the medicine suppliers too.
Everyday he has no money. He eat mixed rice everyday. That also, he eat vegetarian to keep his cost down. On lucky days, he will take one meat and 2 vege but he tries to keep it below RM5. Yes, that is a doctor. The person who suffers studying his MBBS for a million years and yet, when he works, he has to eat mixed rice.
Now he is in Australia. He makes rougly AUD$30,000 per month. That is RM100,000 per month.
Why is this so? Because the Australian government, through a medical insurance scheme, similiar to the UK’s NHS, is able to pay doctors well. At the same time, not burdening the rakyat. Each rakyat can afford the best medical care. So, both win win. Doctors are well paid and each and every citizen got either free or nominal paid access to the best medical care.
In Malaysia, we are more interested in buliding tall buildings. Yes, tall buildings. Lessening the burden of the rakyat is least priority.
You think the Doctor wants to come back? No amount of Talent Corporation can pay him RM100,000 lah
Ganesh
17 November 2010 at 8.09am
I personally know a close doctor who migrated to Australia.
When he was here, he was running a clinic. Most months, he would come home with ZERO. You see, in Malaysia, some doctors who run their own clinics actually suffer cause patients really can’t afford to pay well to keep the doctor’s business afloat (because most people still earn so little).
The doctor friend of mine had to, in a month, at least earn RM10,000 just to break even. Why? His rental alone was RM4500. Plus to pay two nurses was already RM2000. Then you add water, electricity, insurance etc etc, he had to come up with more than RM10,000 just to break even for the given month.
To make matters worse, if he charged a patient more than RM50, it was likely the patient won’t come back. So, you do the calculations lah and see how many patents he needs per day, for him to survive. Adding to that, don’t forget, he has to pay for the medicine suppliers too.
Everyday he has no money. He eat mixed rice everyday. That also, he eat vegetarian to keep his cost down. On lucky days, he will take one meat and 2 vege but he tries to keep it below RM5. Yes, that is a doctor. The person who suffers studying his MBBS for a million years and yet, when he works, he has to eat mixed rice.
Now he is in Australia. He makes rougly AUD$30,000 per month. That is RM100,000 per month.
Why is this so? Because the Australian government, through a medical insurance scheme, similiar to the UK’s NHS, is able to pay doctors well. At the same time, not burdening the rakyat. Each rakyat can afford the best medical care. So, both win win. Doctors are well paid and each and every citizen got either free or nominal paid access to the best medical care.
In Malaysia, we are more interested in buliding tall buildings. Yes, tall buildings. Lessening the burden of the rakyat is least priority.
You think the Doctor wants to come back? No amount of Talent Corporation can pay him RM100,000 lah
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Budget 2011, a new way to siphon tax payer's money..
By Syed Akbar Ali
Hot news versus one week later analysis. Well when sometime has passed we get more hindsight and more 'analysis paralysis'. I am just rounding it up and putting my two cents worth about the Budget 2011.
Today the Plus folks reveal that the five year postponement of toll hikes simply means that the Government has to pay Plus RM5.0 billion compensation. Plus the RM2.5 bilion unpaid compensation still owing to Plus by the Government, that is RM7.5 Billion of taxpayers’ funds. That is simply leaving money in the right pocket and paying taxpayers money to Plus from the left pocket. Apa beza sangat ?
There are adventurous ideas like building an RM5 billion 100-storey Warisan Merdeka by PNB. The PM said yesterday, somewhere, that the 100 floors of this building will fill up with offices and businesses, implying the 100 storey building means jobs and humming businesses. Well it does not work that way.
Assuming each floor has a minimum of 100 occupants, the 100 storey building will house 10,000 people. These 10,000 people must already have successful businesses before they can move in and pay the rent in a 100 storey “Malaysia’s tallest building”. You cannot build a 100 storey building which will magically create successful businesses to become its tenants.
I guess what will happen is that PNB will arm twist all the GLCs under its wing to take up space at the 100 storey Warisan Merdeka.
There is precedent because this is what UEM(?), MRCB(?) had to do to fill up the Sentral Project in Brickfields. Ask the GLCs and Government departments to move into Sentral. Wouldn’t 1MDB’s Sg Besi redevelopment, Naza’s Jalan Duta redevelopment and all the other Greater Kuala Lumpur skyscrapers also be clamoring for the same GLCs and the same Government departments to fill up their empty spaces? So please plan well.
Then the PM’s wife’s pet project the Permata program has been given another RM111 of taxpayers’ money – three times the RM36 million given last year.
Last year the Prime Minister said there were 900 “anak pintar”. So do we have three times more anak pintar kids this year? Number of children is a biological function. You cannot triple ‘pintar kids’ in one year. Todate the total amount spent on the Pintar program is over RM176 million – which works out to RM195,500 spent per pintar kid so far. That’s more than degree at a private university. OK let me ask a simple question : how are the Pintar kids doing? Folks our money is being spent. So how are the Pintar kids doing? Do you all recall the Monsoon Cup?
Critics have also pointed out an allocation of RM65 million to renovate the Prime Minister’s residence. The question is why? It’s still a new house, made of concrete and steel. Why renovate a new house? And why cost so much?
The good part in the Budget are the incentives for home buyers. A 4 percent interest rate for a maximum of RM60,000 for low cost houses, government guaranteed down payments of 10 percent for houses below RM220,000 for first time buyers earning less that RM3000 a month, and 50 percent stamp duty exemption for first-time house buyers of houses not exceeding RM350,000 is just great. Helping folks financially with the 10% house deposit for huses below RM220,000 is just awesome. This will help more Malays and other lower income folks own houses (this is a real problem lah). Kudos to whoever managed to slip this gem into the Budget. I take it that this also means that the banks can still lend 90% loans for the remainder purchase price? Syabas. Lets increase house ownership – it will lead to economic growth.
Abolishing import duty on approximately 300 items like apparel, handbags, shoes, shampoo, suits, children’s apparel, wallets, hair colourants, golf balls, imitation jewellery, talcum powder, curtains, table cloth, blankets, bed sheets, shirts, undergarments, lingerie, nightwear, perfumes and mosquito netting (?) is great.
Please include cars and motorbikes in the list too.
I agree with Dr Mahathir that the Employees Provident Funds should be careful with investing 20 percent of its assets overseas (from 7% now). On the one hand we want foreign investment. On the other hand we are sending out our money by the shiploads. What gives? Please don’t buy shopping malls overseas ok. Want to play safe buy OECD Government securities. If it is Greek, discount heavily first.
The Auditor General’s Report has been postponed. Do you share the feeling that there is going to be some embarrassing news? FMT has written about the 2006 Auditor-General’s Report “about a RM32 screwdriver set bought for RM224, a RM160 pen for RM1,146, and a RM50 carjack for RM5,700? …more shocking RM290 million spent by the Customs Department for an outdated user-hostile information system.”
This is the sin of our system for the past 40 years, we do not pay market prices. We always overpay and get less. It is not just bad for us the taxpayers but it is worse for the businesses, the entrepreneurs and the economy. Easy money has made us non competitive and condemned us to the wheel chair.
One Taikor said “the Government pays three times more fo everything anyway”. That is three time market price. The 2011 Budget totals RM212 Billion. There is plenty of fat inside I am sure. Looking at past Auditor-General’s Reports and what the Taikor said, we can achieve what we want to achieve for 2011 using maybe just one third of the amount or RM70 Billion only.
The remainder RM142 Billion will be used to make nails in our coffin, by making easy money GLCs, easy money cronies and other easy money addicts uncompetitive, lazy and handout driven. No need to be innovative, creative, work hard or be bold.
The 2011 Budget also says that “Private Sector Investment” will increase to RM86 Billion. There is some ‘pulling the wool over the eyes’ going on here. The businesses that I run are 100% private sector. The Government never asked me how much I will be investing over 2011. Even if they did, how does my “private sector investment” become part of the Government’s Budget Planning?
What is meant by “private sector investment” actually means spending by the GLCs. That is taxpayer’s money ok, it is NOT private sector investment. For example the Government has Guaranteed 1MDB’s RM5.0 billion Bond issue (that’s taxpayers money folks).
i. The Kuala Lumpur International Financial District valued at RM26 billion.
ii. The Mass Rapid Transit in Greater KL costing RM40 billion (targeted 2020).
iii. the Warisan Merdeka 100-storey tower valued at RM5 billion
So I hope someone will advise the Prime Minister not to keep repeating Private Sector Financing (do you notice that they have dropped that other misnomer “Private Finance Initiative”?) There is no such thing. The taxpayer’s will be paying for everything.
Other than the 100 storey Warisan Merdeka, there are a couple of other dicey suggestions which have slipped under the radar. One is the RM3.0 billion resort developmet in Karambunai.
“Najib said Nexus Karambunai, a renowned resort in Sabah, had committed to developing an integrated RM3bil eco-nature resort, the first in the world, by leveraging on its natural beauty and uniqueness.”
The Government will “give” RM100.0 million. Hah? What do you mean by “give”? Let me guess, the balance RM2.9 billion is “private sector financing”? I find this very hard to accept. I suspect taxpayer’s money will be involved again. Somehow I smell fish here. RM3.0 billion for a resort? In Sabah? I say bro, RM30.0 million tak boleh ke?
Here is some Standard Two calculation to get the Pay Back period. Pay Back period represents the number of years for a business to generate net profit to payback the total money invested in the project.
Say the Karambunai Eco Resort will have 500 rooms. Say it is 5 star and room rates average RM500 per day (well lets assume the Mubadalla guys from Abu Dhabi will stay there).
Assuming 80% occupancy the whole year (I am being very very optimistic) the calculation is like this : 500 rooms x 80% x 365 days x RM500 = RM73.0 million revenue. Taking 30% "net profit" (a very very optimistic assumption again), net profit will be = RM22.0 million.
So Pay Back Period = RM3.0 billion / RM22.0 million = 136 years ! ! It will be 136 years before they can recover the investment. (Usually most viable businesses have a payback period of 6 - 12 years)
Lets give them even more optimistic scenarios. Lets double the room rates to RM1000 per day (OK lah the Emir of Abu Dhabi may come calling too). At double the net profit, the Pay Back period will be halved ie 68 years. This is still too far fetched.
Here is some more Darjah Dua arithmetic. Say the cost of construction is RM100 psf. It means RM3.0 billion will buy us 3.0 million square feet of resort space in Karambunai. For your imagination and comparison, the Mid Valley Mega Mall has 4.5 million sq ft of space.
Here is some trivia about the Mid Valley Megamall. 4.5 million square feet (420,000 m²), a shopping mall, an office tower block, 30 signature offices and 2 hotels, 430 shops on five and a half floors, five anchor tenants; Carrefour, Jusco, Golden Screen Cinemas, Metrojaya and Harvey Norman, an 18 screen Cinema, a state-of-the-art bowling centre, two mega food courts, a 48,300 square foot (4,500 m²) convention centre, a 646 room business hotel named Cititel
I know a resort and a shopping mall are not like “apples and apples” but RM3.0 billion for an eco resort? Shouldn’t it be the case that in an “eco” resort you must preserve the greenery with minimum cutting and covering with concrete. RM3.0 billion sounds way too much. Sinkhole comes to mind.
The other ‘blackhole’ that should be on our radar is the Talent Corporation. Even the name Talent Corporation sounds like some Las Vegas adult entertainment “talent hunting” company. There was no mention of the amount to be given to this Talent Hunters but I think it is a ripoff of taxpayers funds.
The plan to get back 70,000 Malaysians working overseas is ridiculous. Even getting back 10% of this figure or 7000 of them is ridiculous.
Most of them are non Malays who have left the shores for greener pastures overseas. Why would they come back? And if they come back, where would the Talent Corporation place them? Can the Talent Corporation go to IOI Corporation or Gleneagles Medical Center and say ‘we have found this guy who is earning USD30,000 a month overseas. Can you give him a job for RM150,000 a month?’
Its not going to happen. The only alternative is to find them places in the GLCs. I don’t think this will happen either.
So what gives? The fun will be in the “talent hunt”. Whoever the clever beggar “con” sultant or sub-contractor who thought up this idea and slipped it between the sheets is going to make tons of money undertaking the “hunt”. Whether they bag any birds is not relevant. The fun (and the money to be made) is in the hunt. No need to head to the Las Vegas “one armed bandits”. The stick up can be done here. ‘Stick ‘em up’.
Posted by Syed Akbar Ali at 12:03:00 PM
Hot news versus one week later analysis. Well when sometime has passed we get more hindsight and more 'analysis paralysis'. I am just rounding it up and putting my two cents worth about the Budget 2011.
Today the Plus folks reveal that the five year postponement of toll hikes simply means that the Government has to pay Plus RM5.0 billion compensation. Plus the RM2.5 bilion unpaid compensation still owing to Plus by the Government, that is RM7.5 Billion of taxpayers’ funds. That is simply leaving money in the right pocket and paying taxpayers money to Plus from the left pocket. Apa beza sangat ?
There are adventurous ideas like building an RM5 billion 100-storey Warisan Merdeka by PNB. The PM said yesterday, somewhere, that the 100 floors of this building will fill up with offices and businesses, implying the 100 storey building means jobs and humming businesses. Well it does not work that way.
Assuming each floor has a minimum of 100 occupants, the 100 storey building will house 10,000 people. These 10,000 people must already have successful businesses before they can move in and pay the rent in a 100 storey “Malaysia’s tallest building”. You cannot build a 100 storey building which will magically create successful businesses to become its tenants.
I guess what will happen is that PNB will arm twist all the GLCs under its wing to take up space at the 100 storey Warisan Merdeka.
There is precedent because this is what UEM(?), MRCB(?) had to do to fill up the Sentral Project in Brickfields. Ask the GLCs and Government departments to move into Sentral. Wouldn’t 1MDB’s Sg Besi redevelopment, Naza’s Jalan Duta redevelopment and all the other Greater Kuala Lumpur skyscrapers also be clamoring for the same GLCs and the same Government departments to fill up their empty spaces? So please plan well.
Then the PM’s wife’s pet project the Permata program has been given another RM111 of taxpayers’ money – three times the RM36 million given last year.
Last year the Prime Minister said there were 900 “anak pintar”. So do we have three times more anak pintar kids this year? Number of children is a biological function. You cannot triple ‘pintar kids’ in one year. Todate the total amount spent on the Pintar program is over RM176 million – which works out to RM195,500 spent per pintar kid so far. That’s more than degree at a private university. OK let me ask a simple question : how are the Pintar kids doing? Folks our money is being spent. So how are the Pintar kids doing? Do you all recall the Monsoon Cup?
Critics have also pointed out an allocation of RM65 million to renovate the Prime Minister’s residence. The question is why? It’s still a new house, made of concrete and steel. Why renovate a new house? And why cost so much?
The good part in the Budget are the incentives for home buyers. A 4 percent interest rate for a maximum of RM60,000 for low cost houses, government guaranteed down payments of 10 percent for houses below RM220,000 for first time buyers earning less that RM3000 a month, and 50 percent stamp duty exemption for first-time house buyers of houses not exceeding RM350,000 is just great. Helping folks financially with the 10% house deposit for huses below RM220,000 is just awesome. This will help more Malays and other lower income folks own houses (this is a real problem lah). Kudos to whoever managed to slip this gem into the Budget. I take it that this also means that the banks can still lend 90% loans for the remainder purchase price? Syabas. Lets increase house ownership – it will lead to economic growth.
Abolishing import duty on approximately 300 items like apparel, handbags, shoes, shampoo, suits, children’s apparel, wallets, hair colourants, golf balls, imitation jewellery, talcum powder, curtains, table cloth, blankets, bed sheets, shirts, undergarments, lingerie, nightwear, perfumes and mosquito netting (?) is great.
Please include cars and motorbikes in the list too.
I agree with Dr Mahathir that the Employees Provident Funds should be careful with investing 20 percent of its assets overseas (from 7% now). On the one hand we want foreign investment. On the other hand we are sending out our money by the shiploads. What gives? Please don’t buy shopping malls overseas ok. Want to play safe buy OECD Government securities. If it is Greek, discount heavily first.
The Auditor General’s Report has been postponed. Do you share the feeling that there is going to be some embarrassing news? FMT has written about the 2006 Auditor-General’s Report “about a RM32 screwdriver set bought for RM224, a RM160 pen for RM1,146, and a RM50 carjack for RM5,700? …more shocking RM290 million spent by the Customs Department for an outdated user-hostile information system.”
This is the sin of our system for the past 40 years, we do not pay market prices. We always overpay and get less. It is not just bad for us the taxpayers but it is worse for the businesses, the entrepreneurs and the economy. Easy money has made us non competitive and condemned us to the wheel chair.
One Taikor said “the Government pays three times more fo everything anyway”. That is three time market price. The 2011 Budget totals RM212 Billion. There is plenty of fat inside I am sure. Looking at past Auditor-General’s Reports and what the Taikor said, we can achieve what we want to achieve for 2011 using maybe just one third of the amount or RM70 Billion only.
The remainder RM142 Billion will be used to make nails in our coffin, by making easy money GLCs, easy money cronies and other easy money addicts uncompetitive, lazy and handout driven. No need to be innovative, creative, work hard or be bold.
The 2011 Budget also says that “Private Sector Investment” will increase to RM86 Billion. There is some ‘pulling the wool over the eyes’ going on here. The businesses that I run are 100% private sector. The Government never asked me how much I will be investing over 2011. Even if they did, how does my “private sector investment” become part of the Government’s Budget Planning?
What is meant by “private sector investment” actually means spending by the GLCs. That is taxpayer’s money ok, it is NOT private sector investment. For example the Government has Guaranteed 1MDB’s RM5.0 billion Bond issue (that’s taxpayers money folks).
i. The Kuala Lumpur International Financial District valued at RM26 billion.
ii. The Mass Rapid Transit in Greater KL costing RM40 billion (targeted 2020).
iii. the Warisan Merdeka 100-storey tower valued at RM5 billion
So I hope someone will advise the Prime Minister not to keep repeating Private Sector Financing (do you notice that they have dropped that other misnomer “Private Finance Initiative”?) There is no such thing. The taxpayer’s will be paying for everything.
Other than the 100 storey Warisan Merdeka, there are a couple of other dicey suggestions which have slipped under the radar. One is the RM3.0 billion resort developmet in Karambunai.
“Najib said Nexus Karambunai, a renowned resort in Sabah, had committed to developing an integrated RM3bil eco-nature resort, the first in the world, by leveraging on its natural beauty and uniqueness.”
The Government will “give” RM100.0 million. Hah? What do you mean by “give”? Let me guess, the balance RM2.9 billion is “private sector financing”? I find this very hard to accept. I suspect taxpayer’s money will be involved again. Somehow I smell fish here. RM3.0 billion for a resort? In Sabah? I say bro, RM30.0 million tak boleh ke?
Here is some Standard Two calculation to get the Pay Back period. Pay Back period represents the number of years for a business to generate net profit to payback the total money invested in the project.
Say the Karambunai Eco Resort will have 500 rooms. Say it is 5 star and room rates average RM500 per day (well lets assume the Mubadalla guys from Abu Dhabi will stay there).
Assuming 80% occupancy the whole year (I am being very very optimistic) the calculation is like this : 500 rooms x 80% x 365 days x RM500 = RM73.0 million revenue. Taking 30% "net profit" (a very very optimistic assumption again), net profit will be = RM22.0 million.
So Pay Back Period = RM3.0 billion / RM22.0 million = 136 years ! ! It will be 136 years before they can recover the investment. (Usually most viable businesses have a payback period of 6 - 12 years)
Lets give them even more optimistic scenarios. Lets double the room rates to RM1000 per day (OK lah the Emir of Abu Dhabi may come calling too). At double the net profit, the Pay Back period will be halved ie 68 years. This is still too far fetched.
Here is some more Darjah Dua arithmetic. Say the cost of construction is RM100 psf. It means RM3.0 billion will buy us 3.0 million square feet of resort space in Karambunai. For your imagination and comparison, the Mid Valley Mega Mall has 4.5 million sq ft of space.
Here is some trivia about the Mid Valley Megamall. 4.5 million square feet (420,000 m²), a shopping mall, an office tower block, 30 signature offices and 2 hotels, 430 shops on five and a half floors, five anchor tenants; Carrefour, Jusco, Golden Screen Cinemas, Metrojaya and Harvey Norman, an 18 screen Cinema, a state-of-the-art bowling centre, two mega food courts, a 48,300 square foot (4,500 m²) convention centre, a 646 room business hotel named Cititel
I know a resort and a shopping mall are not like “apples and apples” but RM3.0 billion for an eco resort? Shouldn’t it be the case that in an “eco” resort you must preserve the greenery with minimum cutting and covering with concrete. RM3.0 billion sounds way too much. Sinkhole comes to mind.
The other ‘blackhole’ that should be on our radar is the Talent Corporation. Even the name Talent Corporation sounds like some Las Vegas adult entertainment “talent hunting” company. There was no mention of the amount to be given to this Talent Hunters but I think it is a ripoff of taxpayers funds.
The plan to get back 70,000 Malaysians working overseas is ridiculous. Even getting back 10% of this figure or 7000 of them is ridiculous.
Most of them are non Malays who have left the shores for greener pastures overseas. Why would they come back? And if they come back, where would the Talent Corporation place them? Can the Talent Corporation go to IOI Corporation or Gleneagles Medical Center and say ‘we have found this guy who is earning USD30,000 a month overseas. Can you give him a job for RM150,000 a month?’
Its not going to happen. The only alternative is to find them places in the GLCs. I don’t think this will happen either.
So what gives? The fun will be in the “talent hunt”. Whoever the clever beggar “con” sultant or sub-contractor who thought up this idea and slipped it between the sheets is going to make tons of money undertaking the “hunt”. Whether they bag any birds is not relevant. The fun (and the money to be made) is in the hunt. No need to head to the Las Vegas “one armed bandits”. The stick up can be done here. ‘Stick ‘em up’.
Posted by Syed Akbar Ali at 12:03:00 PM
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
This is what you get when you sue UMNO in their "own" court
UMNO is so vulnerable and untouchable... What you will get when you sue them in their "own" court? Of course, you're looking for big-big trouble....
Instead of you will not get your money back or whatever you claim, you will also be asked to pay for the case....
ironic isn't it? This is Malaysia......
Now, UMNO is freed as a not guilty although they never pay for what they've consume.... fair isn't it? Malaysian style fairness.....
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/28/nation/20100428131253&sec=nation
Published: Wednesday April 28, 2010 MYT 1:07:00 PM - The Star
Firm loses appeal to reinstate RM218mil suit vs Umno
PUTRAJAYA: Elegant Advisory Sdn Bhd lost an appeal on Wednesday to reinstate its RM218mil civil suit against Umno over non-payment for the supply of election paraphernalia during the 2004 general election.
Justices Tengku Datuk Baharudin Shah Tengku Mahmud, Datuk Wira Abu Samah Nordin and Datuk Sulong Matjeraie unanimously held that the Court of Appeal agreed with the decision of Judicial Commissioner Anantham Kasinater to strike out the suit on the basis that the claim was unclear in stipulating the cause of action.
Baharudin also ordered Elegant Advisory, a supplier company, to pay costs of RM5,000.
On Sept 10 last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court had allowed Umno's application to strike out the suit on the grounds that it did not follow the Contracts Act 1950.
Former Umno treasurer Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi was initially named as a defendant in the suit but his name was replaced with that of former Umno administration and finance secretary Datuk Ishak Abdul Rahman after the High Court allowed the company's application to amend the name of the defendant in the suit last year.
In its writ of summons, Elegant Advisory claimed that it was involved in supplying election merchandise, transportation and publications, and had supplied Umno with the items for the 11th general election in 2004.
The company claimed that it had sent invoices for RM218,013,475 and that the defendant had failed to pay up.
Outside the court, counsel Datuk Hafarizam Harun, who represented Umno, told reporters the appellate court's decision was appropriate.
"As the Umno legal advisor, I hope there will no more similar cases filed against Umno. Umno would have surely paid up if it had used the services and supplies of printers and others," he said.
He said it was hoped that Umno would not be accused in Parliament of having spent more than permitted in a general election campaign under the Elections Act.
Meanwhile, the company's lawyer, Ahmad Tarmizi Abdullah, said he would discuss with his client whether to file an appeal to the Federal Court. - BERNAMA
Instead of you will not get your money back or whatever you claim, you will also be asked to pay for the case....
ironic isn't it? This is Malaysia......
Now, UMNO is freed as a not guilty although they never pay for what they've consume.... fair isn't it? Malaysian style fairness.....
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/28/nation/20100428131253&sec=nation
Published: Wednesday April 28, 2010 MYT 1:07:00 PM - The Star
Firm loses appeal to reinstate RM218mil suit vs Umno
PUTRAJAYA: Elegant Advisory Sdn Bhd lost an appeal on Wednesday to reinstate its RM218mil civil suit against Umno over non-payment for the supply of election paraphernalia during the 2004 general election.
Justices Tengku Datuk Baharudin Shah Tengku Mahmud, Datuk Wira Abu Samah Nordin and Datuk Sulong Matjeraie unanimously held that the Court of Appeal agreed with the decision of Judicial Commissioner Anantham Kasinater to strike out the suit on the basis that the claim was unclear in stipulating the cause of action.
Baharudin also ordered Elegant Advisory, a supplier company, to pay costs of RM5,000.
On Sept 10 last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court had allowed Umno's application to strike out the suit on the grounds that it did not follow the Contracts Act 1950.
Former Umno treasurer Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi was initially named as a defendant in the suit but his name was replaced with that of former Umno administration and finance secretary Datuk Ishak Abdul Rahman after the High Court allowed the company's application to amend the name of the defendant in the suit last year.
In its writ of summons, Elegant Advisory claimed that it was involved in supplying election merchandise, transportation and publications, and had supplied Umno with the items for the 11th general election in 2004.
The company claimed that it had sent invoices for RM218,013,475 and that the defendant had failed to pay up.
Outside the court, counsel Datuk Hafarizam Harun, who represented Umno, told reporters the appellate court's decision was appropriate.
"As the Umno legal advisor, I hope there will no more similar cases filed against Umno. Umno would have surely paid up if it had used the services and supplies of printers and others," he said.
He said it was hoped that Umno would not be accused in Parliament of having spent more than permitted in a general election campaign under the Elections Act.
Meanwhile, the company's lawyer, Ahmad Tarmizi Abdullah, said he would discuss with his client whether to file an appeal to the Federal Court. - BERNAMA
Friday, April 23, 2010
As expected, 2 Perak's frogs freed from court case
If you wanna escape from the Malaysian Jungle law, vote for UMNO or else, even if there is no case, they can create it special for you if you're opposition.... believe me or not?seing is believing, Malaysiaku menuju kehancuran..... that is one of the reason Malaysian migrate to other country....
How can 16 cases don't even one case courted?
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/23/nation/20100423123107&sec=nation
Published: Friday April 23, 2010 MYT 12:25:00 PM
Updated: Friday April 23, 2010 MYT 4:38:48 PM
Ex-Perak PKR exco members acquitted of graft charges (Updated)
By SYLVIA LOOI
IPOH: Two former Perak Pakatan state exco members and three others who were charged with corruption were acquited by the Sessions Court on Friday.
In his less than five minutes judgement, Sessions judge Azhaniz Teh Azman Teh said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had failed to prove a prima facie case.
"As such, I am acquitting all of you without your defence being called and the bail money shall be returned to your respective bailers," he told the court here which was packed with supporters and relatives of all the accused.
Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (right) and Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu outside the Ipoh Sessions Court on Friday after being acquitted of corruption charges.
In the dock were former PKR members Capt (Rtd) Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu and Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi, two former Perak Tengah district councillors Usaili Alias and Zul Hassan and businessman Fairul Azrim Ismail.
Perak State Development Corporation technician Ruslan Sahat had his charges dropped last August following his demise.
All five faced 16 counts of accepting and asking for bribes over a RM180mil development project in Seri Iskandar.
Jamaluddin and Mohd Osman, along with Datuk Hee Yit Foong of the DAP, were blamed for the fall of the Pakatan Rakyat Perak government last year after they quit their parties to become Barisan Nasional-friendly Independents.
While Zul and Fairul were charged with accepting sexual favours, the others were accused of accepting money.
Met outside the court, all expressed their relief for the decision.
Osman thanked his supporters for standing by him since the trial started.
"The matter has dragged on long enough," he said. Jamaluddin said he had expected the results.
"I believed in the country's judiciary system and my case had proven the system will not victimised the innocent," he said.
Usaili, meanwhile, said justice had been served.
Speaking in a voice choked with emotions, Usaili had this piece of advice:
"Be careful with the friends you keep in the political circle."
MACC deputy public prosecutor Mohd Shahrullah Khan Nawab Zadah Khan said the prosecution would appeal against the decision.
Mohd Osman and Jamaluddin, who had since turned Barisan Nasional-friendly independents, were represented by Abdul Roni Abdul Rahman, Surjan Singh for Usaili, M. Saravanan for Zul and Mohd Asri Othman for Fairul Azrim.
Together with another Barisan-friendly independent Datuk Hee Yit Foong, who is Jelapang assemblyman, Barisan returned to rule Perak.
A total of 30 witnesses were called during the trial, which began on Oct 12 last year.
During the hearing, it was revealed that the MACC had procured the services of an agent provocateur and women to offer sexual services.
Clips allegedly showing one of the accused having sex with a woman was also shown in open court during the trial.
Two former Perak PKR exco members and three others facing corruption charges had their charges acquitted by the Ipoh Sessions Court, without their defence being called, and were freed.
How can 16 cases don't even one case courted?
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/23/nation/20100423123107&sec=nation
Published: Friday April 23, 2010 MYT 12:25:00 PM
Updated: Friday April 23, 2010 MYT 4:38:48 PM
Ex-Perak PKR exco members acquitted of graft charges (Updated)
By SYLVIA LOOI
IPOH: Two former Perak Pakatan state exco members and three others who were charged with corruption were acquited by the Sessions Court on Friday.
In his less than five minutes judgement, Sessions judge Azhaniz Teh Azman Teh said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had failed to prove a prima facie case.
"As such, I am acquitting all of you without your defence being called and the bail money shall be returned to your respective bailers," he told the court here which was packed with supporters and relatives of all the accused.
Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (right) and Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu outside the Ipoh Sessions Court on Friday after being acquitted of corruption charges.
In the dock were former PKR members Capt (Rtd) Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu and Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi, two former Perak Tengah district councillors Usaili Alias and Zul Hassan and businessman Fairul Azrim Ismail.
Perak State Development Corporation technician Ruslan Sahat had his charges dropped last August following his demise.
All five faced 16 counts of accepting and asking for bribes over a RM180mil development project in Seri Iskandar.
Jamaluddin and Mohd Osman, along with Datuk Hee Yit Foong of the DAP, were blamed for the fall of the Pakatan Rakyat Perak government last year after they quit their parties to become Barisan Nasional-friendly Independents.
While Zul and Fairul were charged with accepting sexual favours, the others were accused of accepting money.
Met outside the court, all expressed their relief for the decision.
Osman thanked his supporters for standing by him since the trial started.
"The matter has dragged on long enough," he said. Jamaluddin said he had expected the results.
"I believed in the country's judiciary system and my case had proven the system will not victimised the innocent," he said.
Usaili, meanwhile, said justice had been served.
Speaking in a voice choked with emotions, Usaili had this piece of advice:
"Be careful with the friends you keep in the political circle."
MACC deputy public prosecutor Mohd Shahrullah Khan Nawab Zadah Khan said the prosecution would appeal against the decision.
Mohd Osman and Jamaluddin, who had since turned Barisan Nasional-friendly independents, were represented by Abdul Roni Abdul Rahman, Surjan Singh for Usaili, M. Saravanan for Zul and Mohd Asri Othman for Fairul Azrim.
Together with another Barisan-friendly independent Datuk Hee Yit Foong, who is Jelapang assemblyman, Barisan returned to rule Perak.
A total of 30 witnesses were called during the trial, which began on Oct 12 last year.
During the hearing, it was revealed that the MACC had procured the services of an agent provocateur and women to offer sexual services.
Clips allegedly showing one of the accused having sex with a woman was also shown in open court during the trial.
Two former Perak PKR exco members and three others facing corruption charges had their charges acquitted by the Ipoh Sessions Court, without their defence being called, and were freed.
Monday, April 5, 2010
What happen to Najib promises to make a safer country?
They claim that they have already reduce the crime rate by increasing the number of policeman, is the decision is a long term decision? Today, hollywood style of robbery can be found in Malaysia, believe it? You've to believe it...Malaysia Boleh! shocking, but its' true....
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/5/nation/20100405170107&sec=nation
Published: Monday April 5, 2010 MYT 4:55:00 PM - The Star
Updated: Monday April 5, 2010 MYT 7:19:57 PM
Robber shoots dead accomplice and flees with the gold (Update)
By STEVEN CHIEW
KUALA LUMPUR: A robber shot dead his partner, who was earlier wounded by a security guard during a jewellery shop heist in OUG Plaza. He appeared to have shot him to 'silence' him.
He then fled with eight trays of gold.
The 2.45pm incident on Monday saw two armed robbers storm into a jeweller’s shop located on the ground floor of the shopping complex and confront the armed security guard who was seated in front or the shop.
They grabbed the security guard’s pump gun and ordered the workers to scoop several trays of expensive jewellery into a plastic bag which they had brought with them.
There were four workers in the shop at the time of the robbery.
The robbers did not realise that there was another armed guard seated behind a one-way mirror inside the shop who had witnessed the robbery in progress and had taken aim at them.
As the robbers attempted to flee the armed guard fired a shot that hit one of the robbers in his abdomen. The wounded robber collapsed a short distance from the shop.
His accomplice who was a few meters ahead of him then turned back, and to the horror of scores of shoppers, turned the gun on his injured partner and fired two shots before grabbing the loot and fleeing.
Kuala Lumpur Chief Police Officer Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Mohd Sabtu Osman said the robber who shot dead his partner escaped with at least eight trays of jewellery.
“The armed robber is carrying a .38 special and is a very dangerous and trigger-happy criminal who will not hesitate to kill anyone, including his partner.
“Our initial investigations revealed that the dead robber was a 34-year-old man who has two previous records for armed robbery and drug abuse,’’ he said.
DCP Mohd Sabtu said police would release a photofit of the armed robber soon after viewing the CCTV recording.
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/5/nation/20100405170107&sec=nation
Published: Monday April 5, 2010 MYT 4:55:00 PM - The Star
Updated: Monday April 5, 2010 MYT 7:19:57 PM
Robber shoots dead accomplice and flees with the gold (Update)
By STEVEN CHIEW
KUALA LUMPUR: A robber shot dead his partner, who was earlier wounded by a security guard during a jewellery shop heist in OUG Plaza. He appeared to have shot him to 'silence' him.
He then fled with eight trays of gold.
The 2.45pm incident on Monday saw two armed robbers storm into a jeweller’s shop located on the ground floor of the shopping complex and confront the armed security guard who was seated in front or the shop.
They grabbed the security guard’s pump gun and ordered the workers to scoop several trays of expensive jewellery into a plastic bag which they had brought with them.
There were four workers in the shop at the time of the robbery.
The robbers did not realise that there was another armed guard seated behind a one-way mirror inside the shop who had witnessed the robbery in progress and had taken aim at them.
As the robbers attempted to flee the armed guard fired a shot that hit one of the robbers in his abdomen. The wounded robber collapsed a short distance from the shop.
His accomplice who was a few meters ahead of him then turned back, and to the horror of scores of shoppers, turned the gun on his injured partner and fired two shots before grabbing the loot and fleeing.
Kuala Lumpur Chief Police Officer Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Mohd Sabtu Osman said the robber who shot dead his partner escaped with at least eight trays of jewellery.
“The armed robber is carrying a .38 special and is a very dangerous and trigger-happy criminal who will not hesitate to kill anyone, including his partner.
“Our initial investigations revealed that the dead robber was a 34-year-old man who has two previous records for armed robbery and drug abuse,’’ he said.
DCP Mohd Sabtu said police would release a photofit of the armed robber soon after viewing the CCTV recording.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Najib launching affordable High Speed Broadband - is it affordable?
Is RM150 affordable? again, our loving,caring government try to cheat and insult our people... compare it with S'pore, our neighbour:
Letters
By Ganesh
Yet again, Malaysians are misled with false promises. For months there was so much hype to the Government’s initiative to provide cheaper, affordable and yet very fast broadband.
Yesterday, it came as a shock to Malaysians that the so called affordable and fast broadband service starts at RM149 and ranges up to RM249. To many Malaysians, this sum is a huge commitment. Many were expecting prices from RM50 onwards.
To make matters worse, the Star reported today that in Singapore, one could get 1Gbps for RM200. Mind you, RM200 to a Singaporean is small money. Don’t just convert, see the GDP per capita. Most Singaporeans are earning 5 times more than Malaysians as Malaysia has one of the lowest GDP per capita in the region.
Thus RM200 for a 1Gbps line is small change to a Singaporean. But our mere 5Mbps at RM149 is big money to the average Malaysian. To some, its money to feed the whole family for a whole week.
Clearly the government has no idea about the purchasing power of Malaysians and the low remuneration the average Malaysian earns and the very shocking fact that the average person’s pay packet is not in proportion to the cost of living in Malaysia.
In comparison, the 6Mbps broadband in Singapore (Singtel) with unlimited downloads is S$30 per month and the 15Mbps broadband with unlimited downloads is going for S$62.
The mobile broadband with a free USB stick and with speeds of 1.2Mbps is S$14 per month with a 30GB allowance.
Again, please be reminded Singaporeans earn far more than the average Malaysian does and yet their broadband is much cheaper. In 2009 Singapore’s GDP (nominal) per capita was $35,000 whilst Malaysia was $8,000
Refer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)_per_capita
So, with our purchasing power so low, how can the average person afford RM$149?
Was the government ever sincere about giving affordable Internet to the public? I wonder. If it owns huge amounts of shares in the company that is providing the new High Speed Broadband service, isn’t that a conflict of interest?
Letters
By Ganesh
Yet again, Malaysians are misled with false promises. For months there was so much hype to the Government’s initiative to provide cheaper, affordable and yet very fast broadband.
Yesterday, it came as a shock to Malaysians that the so called affordable and fast broadband service starts at RM149 and ranges up to RM249. To many Malaysians, this sum is a huge commitment. Many were expecting prices from RM50 onwards.
To make matters worse, the Star reported today that in Singapore, one could get 1Gbps for RM200. Mind you, RM200 to a Singaporean is small money. Don’t just convert, see the GDP per capita. Most Singaporeans are earning 5 times more than Malaysians as Malaysia has one of the lowest GDP per capita in the region.
Thus RM200 for a 1Gbps line is small change to a Singaporean. But our mere 5Mbps at RM149 is big money to the average Malaysian. To some, its money to feed the whole family for a whole week.
Clearly the government has no idea about the purchasing power of Malaysians and the low remuneration the average Malaysian earns and the very shocking fact that the average person’s pay packet is not in proportion to the cost of living in Malaysia.
In comparison, the 6Mbps broadband in Singapore (Singtel) with unlimited downloads is S$30 per month and the 15Mbps broadband with unlimited downloads is going for S$62.
The mobile broadband with a free USB stick and with speeds of 1.2Mbps is S$14 per month with a 30GB allowance.
Again, please be reminded Singaporeans earn far more than the average Malaysian does and yet their broadband is much cheaper. In 2009 Singapore’s GDP (nominal) per capita was $35,000 whilst Malaysia was $8,000
Refer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)_per_capita
So, with our purchasing power so low, how can the average person afford RM$149?
Was the government ever sincere about giving affordable Internet to the public? I wonder. If it owns huge amounts of shares in the company that is providing the new High Speed Broadband service, isn’t that a conflict of interest?
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Flip-Flop BN
1) New Fuel subsidy scheme in May 2010 is called off/re-scheduled maybe after 13th GE
2) GST enactment in Parliament is called off/re-scheduled maybe after 13th GE
3) ISA amendment is also delayed, again...
They gave a normally excused reason by BN, which is: To give rakyat ample time to digest and to make it perfect... huhuuu...
2) GST enactment in Parliament is called off/re-scheduled maybe after 13th GE
3) ISA amendment is also delayed, again...
They gave a normally excused reason by BN, which is: To give rakyat ample time to digest and to make it perfect... huhuuu...
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The unbelievable starts to appear in Saiful vs Anwar
These are the questions:
1) Can the Anwar's semen survive at Saiful's anu for two (2) days before he went to the hospital? He do not bathing or even clean his anu or what?
2) Why the private hospital report's cannot be use in the court? Is it true?
Good luck Saiful..... Thank you for being UMNO's goat....
This is the extract from the Star:
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/4/nation/20100204093931&sec=nation
Saiful’s testimony
During his testimony, Mohd Saiful said he had gone to two private hospitals two days after the alleged incident took place, before he had a medical examination at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
In recalling his experience on June 28, 2008, he said the first hospital he went to was Tawakal Hospital at Jln Pahang here.
However, he said he was not able to get his examination there as the receptionist told him that they were only open for half a day.
“From there, I decided to go to the nearest hospital in the area -- Hospital Pusrawi on Jln Tun Razak,” he said at the continuation of his examination-in-chief by Mohd Yusof.
At Hospital Pusrawi, he told a Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid that he had pains in his stomach and anus, and was subsequently examined by the doctor.
“He asked me to remove my pants and lie on the bed.
“He inserted something into my anus, and when he did that I told him very frankly that I had been sodomised and wanted an examination for that,” he said.
Mohd Saiful said that Dr Mohamed Osman then immediately stopped the examination.
“After I put on my pants, he told me that the hospital was not equipped to conduct a forensic examination, and that a private hospital’s report would not be accepted as evidence in a court of law.
“He then advised me to go to Kuala Lumpur Hospital,” he said.
Saying he was “afraid”, he said he registered himself at the out-patient treatment department at about 3pm.
He said he was first attended to by an Indian lady doctor, who referred him to a male doctor named “Dr Daniel,” after he had told her that he was too “shy” to be examined by a lady doctor.
Mohd Yusof: “What happened then?”
Mohd Saiful: “I told him frankly that I was there for a medical examination because I had been sodomised by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He (the doctor) was shocked, and wrote some notes for me to be referred to the emergency ward.”
Mohd Saiful said the doctors there then advised him to lodge a police report first, without which, they could not conduct a medical examination on his claim of being sodomised.
As there were two police officers in the hospital, he lodged his report with them.
At about 9pm, he was examined by four doctors and several nurses.
“A police officer was also present during the examination. Now I know him as Deputy Supt Jude Pereira, the investigating officer in my case,” he said.
During the examination, he said that the doctors had inspected his body and anus, and took swabs from his anus using a cotton bud.
Mohd Saiful also identified himself in snippets from the CCTV recordings of him arriving and leaving the condominium.
1) Can the Anwar's semen survive at Saiful's anu for two (2) days before he went to the hospital? He do not bathing or even clean his anu or what?
2) Why the private hospital report's cannot be use in the court? Is it true?
Good luck Saiful..... Thank you for being UMNO's goat....
This is the extract from the Star:
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/4/nation/20100204093931&sec=nation
Saiful’s testimony
During his testimony, Mohd Saiful said he had gone to two private hospitals two days after the alleged incident took place, before he had a medical examination at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
In recalling his experience on June 28, 2008, he said the first hospital he went to was Tawakal Hospital at Jln Pahang here.
However, he said he was not able to get his examination there as the receptionist told him that they were only open for half a day.
“From there, I decided to go to the nearest hospital in the area -- Hospital Pusrawi on Jln Tun Razak,” he said at the continuation of his examination-in-chief by Mohd Yusof.
At Hospital Pusrawi, he told a Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid that he had pains in his stomach and anus, and was subsequently examined by the doctor.
“He asked me to remove my pants and lie on the bed.
“He inserted something into my anus, and when he did that I told him very frankly that I had been sodomised and wanted an examination for that,” he said.
Mohd Saiful said that Dr Mohamed Osman then immediately stopped the examination.
“After I put on my pants, he told me that the hospital was not equipped to conduct a forensic examination, and that a private hospital’s report would not be accepted as evidence in a court of law.
“He then advised me to go to Kuala Lumpur Hospital,” he said.
Saying he was “afraid”, he said he registered himself at the out-patient treatment department at about 3pm.
He said he was first attended to by an Indian lady doctor, who referred him to a male doctor named “Dr Daniel,” after he had told her that he was too “shy” to be examined by a lady doctor.
Mohd Yusof: “What happened then?”
Mohd Saiful: “I told him frankly that I was there for a medical examination because I had been sodomised by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He (the doctor) was shocked, and wrote some notes for me to be referred to the emergency ward.”
Mohd Saiful said the doctors there then advised him to lodge a police report first, without which, they could not conduct a medical examination on his claim of being sodomised.
As there were two police officers in the hospital, he lodged his report with them.
At about 9pm, he was examined by four doctors and several nurses.
“A police officer was also present during the examination. Now I know him as Deputy Supt Jude Pereira, the investigating officer in my case,” he said.
During the examination, he said that the doctors had inspected his body and anus, and took swabs from his anus using a cotton bud.
Mohd Saiful also identified himself in snippets from the CCTV recordings of him arriving and leaving the condominium.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
New year gift from BN Government
Everybody is expecting BONUS but unluckily instead, a gift were presented...Good luck to all Malaysian...
You all know what to do when the time comes, right?
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/31/nation/20091231192829&sec=nation
Published: Thursday December 31, 2009 MYT 7:26:00 PM - The Star
Sugar to cost 20 sen more from Friday
PUTRAJAYA: Sugar will cost 20 sen more per kg from Friday with the new price being RM1.65 in the peninsula and RM1.75 in Sabah and Sarawak.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Zain Mohd Dom, who made the announcement, said the Government would also withdraw its subsidy on white bread from Friday and remove the commodity from the price control scheme.
He said the increase in the sugar price was necessitated by the rise in the price of raw sugar in the world market, and that the Government still subsidised the price at 80 sen per kg or RM1bil for the year.
“The subsidy on sugar is retained and the amount is much higher than the subsidy in 2009, which was RM720mil.
"However, as the world price of raw sugar has risen high especially since August, from US 14 cents to US 16 cents per pound to US 27 cents, the Government has had to raise the price of sugar," he told reporters here. - Bernama
You all know what to do when the time comes, right?
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/31/nation/20091231192829&sec=nation
Published: Thursday December 31, 2009 MYT 7:26:00 PM - The Star
Sugar to cost 20 sen more from Friday
PUTRAJAYA: Sugar will cost 20 sen more per kg from Friday with the new price being RM1.65 in the peninsula and RM1.75 in Sabah and Sarawak.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Zain Mohd Dom, who made the announcement, said the Government would also withdraw its subsidy on white bread from Friday and remove the commodity from the price control scheme.
He said the increase in the sugar price was necessitated by the rise in the price of raw sugar in the world market, and that the Government still subsidised the price at 80 sen per kg or RM1bil for the year.
“The subsidy on sugar is retained and the amount is much higher than the subsidy in 2009, which was RM720mil.
"However, as the world price of raw sugar has risen high especially since August, from US 14 cents to US 16 cents per pound to US 27 cents, the Government has had to raise the price of sugar," he told reporters here. - Bernama
Friday, December 25, 2009
20 litre fuel cap rule - Another stupid move by our caring Government
There are so many flaws and they are still thinking that they are providing the best solution. I can guarantee that this move will be revoke soon... Looks like ordinary people is more intelligent than our MP's...Another flip-flop move to be by our government, isn't it?
"Alif Min Nun Wau - SARKIS":
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/25/nation/5365535&sec=nation
Friday December 25, 2009 - The Star
Credit card way to bend 20-litre fuel cap rule
SOME Singaporeans have quickly found ways to circumvent the ruling allowing foreigners to buy only 20 litres of petrol within 50km of the border.
Sin Chew Daily reported that they would use credit cards issued by Malaysian banks to fill up.
Another way was to pay cash for the first 20 litres and use their credit card for the rest.
A third method was to fill up 20 litres from one petrol station and proceed to another for another 20 litres, reported the daily.
Some Singaporeans would fill up at a petrol station and return 15 minutes later to pump petrol again.
A petrol station employee in Tebrau said there was no way to check if the Singaporeans had already gone to a petrol station to fill up before they go to another petrol station.
"Alif Min Nun Wau - SARKIS":
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/25/nation/5365535&sec=nation
Friday December 25, 2009 - The Star
Credit card way to bend 20-litre fuel cap rule
SOME Singaporeans have quickly found ways to circumvent the ruling allowing foreigners to buy only 20 litres of petrol within 50km of the border.
Sin Chew Daily reported that they would use credit cards issued by Malaysian banks to fill up.
Another way was to pay cash for the first 20 litres and use their credit card for the rest.
A third method was to fill up 20 litres from one petrol station and proceed to another for another 20 litres, reported the daily.
Some Singaporeans would fill up at a petrol station and return 15 minutes later to pump petrol again.
A petrol station employee in Tebrau said there was no way to check if the Singaporeans had already gone to a petrol station to fill up before they go to another petrol station.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Onother bad decision causes Million of tax payer's money wasted into ashes
Do you still remember that the government had purchased the indelible ink during the 12th. General Election in 2008? After all, they refused to use it by giving ridiculous reason... and it's now burnt to ashes.... What another waste of tax payer's money....
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/23/parliament/5353433&sec=parliament
Wednesday December 23, 2009 - The Star
Indelible ink incinerated, Liew tells dewan
THE indelible ink bought for use in the 12th general election has been disposed of through incineration.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong said this was the prescribed procedure stated in the Government Regulations.
Liew said the ink could not be used due to security and legal problems.
The stock was disposed of on Nov 25, he said in a written reply to a question by Senator Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim on the status of the indelible ink.
There had been plans to sell the ink but it could not as their expiry date had passed.
On inquests that had not been carried out or were postponed, Liew said the proceedings encountered problems related to absent witnesses or those who could not be traced.
“No specific action is taken to speed up the inquests besides issuing arrest warrants for witnesses,” he said in a written reply to another question by Tunku Abdul Aziz.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/23/parliament/5353433&sec=parliament
Wednesday December 23, 2009 - The Star
Indelible ink incinerated, Liew tells dewan
THE indelible ink bought for use in the 12th general election has been disposed of through incineration.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong said this was the prescribed procedure stated in the Government Regulations.
Liew said the ink could not be used due to security and legal problems.
The stock was disposed of on Nov 25, he said in a written reply to a question by Senator Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim on the status of the indelible ink.
There had been plans to sell the ink but it could not as their expiry date had passed.
On inquests that had not been carried out or were postponed, Liew said the proceedings encountered problems related to absent witnesses or those who could not be traced.
“No specific action is taken to speed up the inquests besides issuing arrest warrants for witnesses,” he said in a written reply to another question by Tunku Abdul Aziz.
EPF for self employed - Is it effective?
There is no strict rule and it's up to the contributors whether to contribute on monthly basis or whatever they have... Even the current EPF average also depleted within 3 years after retirement, but I don't know what is the purpose of this.... "Buat Main-main and then tarik balik".... Looks like "Flip-Flop from previous regime is going to remain"....sigh....
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/22/nation/20091222194927&sec=nation
Published: Tuesday December 22, 2009 MYT 7:45:00 PM - The Star
EPF rolls out 1Malaysia retirement scheme for self-employed
KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) will launch the 1Malaysia Retirement Saving Scheme on Jan 3 next year to help the self-employed cope with income inadequacy during retirement.
EPF chief executive officer Tan Sri Azlan Zainol said the scheme, announced by the Prime Minister during the tabling of the 2010 Budget in October, was to care for the welfare of all strata of the self-employed who had no formal retirement saving scheme.
It was designed to provide these individuals without a fixed monthly income with a degree of financial security in their old age, he said in a statement here Tuesday.
The scheme is open to self-employed individuals such as hawkers, night-market traders, real estate earl tate agents, freelancers like disc jockeys and fitness instructors, singers and actors and online business owners.
”The Government is sensitive to the fact that adequate retirement savings remains a major concern for all Malaysians and in particular the self-employed, especially those without a fixed monthly salary.
”The 1Malaysia Retirement Saving Scheme offers this select group of contributors tremendous flexibility in determining how much they could afford to save for their retirement,” he said.
Azlan said that unlike the conventional EPF saving scheme, the amount contributed into the 1Malaysia Retirement Saving Scheme was entirely at the contributor’s discretion.
”Contributors can opt to set aside a minimum of RM50 or a maximum of RM5,000 per month as their retirement savings. Contribution is voluntary and contributors are also not required to contribute savings on a monthly basis but rather what and when they can afford to.”
He said contribuotrs would receive annual dividends declared by the EPF, in addition to a 5% contribution from the Government subject to a maximum of RM60 per year over the next five years from 2010-2014.
Those interested to apply for the scheme can fill the KWSP 16G (1M) Form which is available at any EPF branch nationwide or download from the myEPF website at www.kwsp.gov.my from Jan 3 onwards. The forms are to be returned at any EPF branch or by mail.
However, individuals who are not EPF members have to register with the EPF first by completing KWSP 3 Form and submitting it to the EPF before applying for the scheme.
Existing EPF members, who turn self-employed, are also eligible and may opt for this new scheme.
Savings for the scheme can be deposited via cash or cheque using the KWSP 6A(2) Form at any EPF Payment Counter nationwide and withdrawals are governed by the present EPF withdrawal procedures and conditions.
Further information can be obtained by visiting the nearest EPF branch or EPF Call Centre at (03) 8922-6000 or the EPF website. -- Bernama
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/22/nation/20091222194927&sec=nation
Published: Tuesday December 22, 2009 MYT 7:45:00 PM - The Star
EPF rolls out 1Malaysia retirement scheme for self-employed
KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) will launch the 1Malaysia Retirement Saving Scheme on Jan 3 next year to help the self-employed cope with income inadequacy during retirement.
EPF chief executive officer Tan Sri Azlan Zainol said the scheme, announced by the Prime Minister during the tabling of the 2010 Budget in October, was to care for the welfare of all strata of the self-employed who had no formal retirement saving scheme.
It was designed to provide these individuals without a fixed monthly income with a degree of financial security in their old age, he said in a statement here Tuesday.
The scheme is open to self-employed individuals such as hawkers, night-market traders, real estate earl tate agents, freelancers like disc jockeys and fitness instructors, singers and actors and online business owners.
”The Government is sensitive to the fact that adequate retirement savings remains a major concern for all Malaysians and in particular the self-employed, especially those without a fixed monthly salary.
”The 1Malaysia Retirement Saving Scheme offers this select group of contributors tremendous flexibility in determining how much they could afford to save for their retirement,” he said.
Azlan said that unlike the conventional EPF saving scheme, the amount contributed into the 1Malaysia Retirement Saving Scheme was entirely at the contributor’s discretion.
”Contributors can opt to set aside a minimum of RM50 or a maximum of RM5,000 per month as their retirement savings. Contribution is voluntary and contributors are also not required to contribute savings on a monthly basis but rather what and when they can afford to.”
He said contribuotrs would receive annual dividends declared by the EPF, in addition to a 5% contribution from the Government subject to a maximum of RM60 per year over the next five years from 2010-2014.
Those interested to apply for the scheme can fill the KWSP 16G (1M) Form which is available at any EPF branch nationwide or download from the myEPF website at www.kwsp.gov.my from Jan 3 onwards. The forms are to be returned at any EPF branch or by mail.
However, individuals who are not EPF members have to register with the EPF first by completing KWSP 3 Form and submitting it to the EPF before applying for the scheme.
Existing EPF members, who turn self-employed, are also eligible and may opt for this new scheme.
Savings for the scheme can be deposited via cash or cheque using the KWSP 6A(2) Form at any EPF Payment Counter nationwide and withdrawals are governed by the present EPF withdrawal procedures and conditions.
Further information can be obtained by visiting the nearest EPF branch or EPF Call Centre at (03) 8922-6000 or the EPF website. -- Bernama
Jet engine goes missing: What a shame to Malaysia!
It's not one jet engine that goes missing, but two..... and the worse is, it happens in 2007...
until now, there is nobody prosecuted... What a type of security that we are talking about?
US will start to enquire as they want to know where the engine is being sell to, as they afraid the engine will be pass to the UN's sanction country such as Iran.... looks like the case will not end in short of time...
In Japan, if it is the case, either the minister will resign or commit suicide...but in Malaysia, the minister keep pretending that they are in correct path... What a shame to our nation.....
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/22/nation/5345668&sec=nation
Tuesday December 22, 2009 - The Star
PM: Fighter jet engine reported stolen to cops
By DHARMENDER SINGH
No cover up over missing jet engine
PUTRAJAYA: There is no cover-up of the theft and sale of the RM50mil fighter jet engine last year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He said the Defence Ministry and Royal Malaysia Air Force reported the theft to the police immediately after it was discovered and co-operated fully with the authorities to ensure that the matter was thoroughly investigated.
“To the credit of RMAF and Mindef, there was no intention of covering up (the theft) at all. I was the minister in charge at the time and I decided it should be reported to the police.
“Mindef took the position that we have to address this and take the necessary action, even criminal action, against those involved,” he told reporters after a special meeting with the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology and chairing the Malaysian Aerospace Council meeting yesterday.
It was reported that a General Electric J85-21A after burner turbojet engine – the power plant for the single-seater F-5E Tiger 11 and RF-5E Tigereye – was discovered missing from the Sungai Besi RMAF airbase during a routine maintenance service. Also missing were its maintenance and service records.
It was reported that a brigadier-general and 40 other armed forces personnel had been sacked over the incident.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi later said it was an inside job.
Aiming for greater heights: Najib being briefed at the launch of the Malaysia High Technology Industry Report at the Prime Minister’s office in Putrajaya Monday.
On why the brigadier-general continued to receive his pension and other retirement benefits despite having been sacked, Najib said such decisions would depend on the wrong that was committed and that it would be up to the armed forces to decide.
He said it would be better to wait for the full report on the incident to be completed.
Earlier, Najib said the Government would provide financial and tax incentives to companies involved in the aerospace industry after it recorded an 11% annual growth over the last five years.
He said the Malaysian Aerospace Council meeting agreed with a Finance Ministry proposal to provide the incentives for companies involved in research and development, system integration, manufacturing and assembly, general aviation, aerospace training, certification and maintenance, repair and overhauling.
Najib said the proposal for the incentives was made after looking at the tremendous growth of the industry which also recorded a 300% jump in the total investment in the last three years.
He said the industry, which employed about 54,000 people, registered a turnover of RM25bil last year.
He said re-investments and new investments totalling RM1.4bil were expected to create an additional 2,700 jobs.
He added that a detailed announcement on the incentives would be made soon.
until now, there is nobody prosecuted... What a type of security that we are talking about?
US will start to enquire as they want to know where the engine is being sell to, as they afraid the engine will be pass to the UN's sanction country such as Iran.... looks like the case will not end in short of time...
In Japan, if it is the case, either the minister will resign or commit suicide...but in Malaysia, the minister keep pretending that they are in correct path... What a shame to our nation.....
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/22/nation/5345668&sec=nation
Tuesday December 22, 2009 - The Star
PM: Fighter jet engine reported stolen to cops
By DHARMENDER SINGH
No cover up over missing jet engine
PUTRAJAYA: There is no cover-up of the theft and sale of the RM50mil fighter jet engine last year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He said the Defence Ministry and Royal Malaysia Air Force reported the theft to the police immediately after it was discovered and co-operated fully with the authorities to ensure that the matter was thoroughly investigated.
“To the credit of RMAF and Mindef, there was no intention of covering up (the theft) at all. I was the minister in charge at the time and I decided it should be reported to the police.
“Mindef took the position that we have to address this and take the necessary action, even criminal action, against those involved,” he told reporters after a special meeting with the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology and chairing the Malaysian Aerospace Council meeting yesterday.
It was reported that a General Electric J85-21A after burner turbojet engine – the power plant for the single-seater F-5E Tiger 11 and RF-5E Tigereye – was discovered missing from the Sungai Besi RMAF airbase during a routine maintenance service. Also missing were its maintenance and service records.
It was reported that a brigadier-general and 40 other armed forces personnel had been sacked over the incident.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi later said it was an inside job.
Aiming for greater heights: Najib being briefed at the launch of the Malaysia High Technology Industry Report at the Prime Minister’s office in Putrajaya Monday.
On why the brigadier-general continued to receive his pension and other retirement benefits despite having been sacked, Najib said such decisions would depend on the wrong that was committed and that it would be up to the armed forces to decide.
He said it would be better to wait for the full report on the incident to be completed.
Earlier, Najib said the Government would provide financial and tax incentives to companies involved in the aerospace industry after it recorded an 11% annual growth over the last five years.
He said the Malaysian Aerospace Council meeting agreed with a Finance Ministry proposal to provide the incentives for companies involved in research and development, system integration, manufacturing and assembly, general aviation, aerospace training, certification and maintenance, repair and overhauling.
Najib said the proposal for the incentives was made after looking at the tremendous growth of the industry which also recorded a 300% jump in the total investment in the last three years.
He said the industry, which employed about 54,000 people, registered a turnover of RM25bil last year.
He said re-investments and new investments totalling RM1.4bil were expected to create an additional 2,700 jobs.
He added that a detailed announcement on the incentives would be made soon.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Another burden to all Malaysian in 2010 - GST
Taken from The Star:
Saturday December 5, 2009 - The Star
Taxing time for Malaysians
A 4% GST is still too much for many Malaysians in view of the small monthly salary we get for doing the same work compared to people working in Singapore.
Workers in Singapore are paid five times or more. Though they pay 7% GST, it’s negligible to them because they get paid “fat” salaries.
With costs of living escalating over the years, Malaysians are feeling the pinch harder and harder and, besides, getting only a 5%-10% annual salary increment is too little and insignificant. Thus it is difficult to accept any more new taxes like the GST.
That means the rakyat has to tighten their belt further when the 4% GST comes into effect, because unlike the existing 5% Government Service Tax which applies only to certain establishments whose yearly income exceeds RM2mil, we will soon have to pay a tax for everything we use, eat and drink.
When you buy an electrical item with your credit card, some merchants will bill you an extra 2% to cover the bank charges.
So the total amount for the item with 4% GST will come up to 106%. A 6% charge is a lot to pay for a high-end item. This is not good for business as it will drive away the less affluent customers.
Apparently that is why there are so many small restaurants mushrooming in recent years in major townships – to avoid having to pay the 10% service charge and 5% government tax as well as for tipping waiters.
We still have a long way to go to reach developed nation status, so why not exempt foodstuff, medical fees/charges and public transport from such taxes for now? Exemptions should also be given for school books, education materials, computers, reading glasses, equipment for handicapped and invalid people, and essential medicines.
These goods and services are needed by ordinary folks who usually cannot afford to pay for them with their small incomes. With the 4% GST, these items will be beyond their reach.
Of course the Government should also do something concrete to help Malaysians get higher pay. Start with keeping abreast of employees in Singapore before we jump on the bandwagon of developed nations.
For now there is no rationale for a 4% GST across the board, because the poorer Malaysians will become even poorer and find it more difficult to make ends meet.
We also need to know specifically where the new revenue is going to. Simply put, the majority of the rakyat is not ready to shoulder the 4% GST.
LAU BING,
Subang Jaya.
Saturday December 5, 2009 - The Star
Taxing time for Malaysians
A 4% GST is still too much for many Malaysians in view of the small monthly salary we get for doing the same work compared to people working in Singapore.
Workers in Singapore are paid five times or more. Though they pay 7% GST, it’s negligible to them because they get paid “fat” salaries.
With costs of living escalating over the years, Malaysians are feeling the pinch harder and harder and, besides, getting only a 5%-10% annual salary increment is too little and insignificant. Thus it is difficult to accept any more new taxes like the GST.
That means the rakyat has to tighten their belt further when the 4% GST comes into effect, because unlike the existing 5% Government Service Tax which applies only to certain establishments whose yearly income exceeds RM2mil, we will soon have to pay a tax for everything we use, eat and drink.
When you buy an electrical item with your credit card, some merchants will bill you an extra 2% to cover the bank charges.
So the total amount for the item with 4% GST will come up to 106%. A 6% charge is a lot to pay for a high-end item. This is not good for business as it will drive away the less affluent customers.
Apparently that is why there are so many small restaurants mushrooming in recent years in major townships – to avoid having to pay the 10% service charge and 5% government tax as well as for tipping waiters.
We still have a long way to go to reach developed nation status, so why not exempt foodstuff, medical fees/charges and public transport from such taxes for now? Exemptions should also be given for school books, education materials, computers, reading glasses, equipment for handicapped and invalid people, and essential medicines.
These goods and services are needed by ordinary folks who usually cannot afford to pay for them with their small incomes. With the 4% GST, these items will be beyond their reach.
Of course the Government should also do something concrete to help Malaysians get higher pay. Start with keeping abreast of employees in Singapore before we jump on the bandwagon of developed nations.
For now there is no rationale for a 4% GST across the board, because the poorer Malaysians will become even poorer and find it more difficult to make ends meet.
We also need to know specifically where the new revenue is going to. Simply put, the majority of the rakyat is not ready to shoulder the 4% GST.
LAU BING,
Subang Jaya.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Malaysian giving up citizenship on the rise
Why this thing could happen in the country so called "the best"? Lu pikir la sendiri.....
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/45137-number-of-ex-malaysians-doubles-in-2009-
This figure, however, is much smaller than the 304,358 Malaysians who were reported to have migrated from March 2008 to August 2009.
Kohilan clarified that the number of “Malaysians who migrated” consists of those who are working abroad and registered with the respective Malaysian embassies.
There was nevertheless a sharp rise in the number of Malaysians who registered themselves as having moved abroad with 210,000 of them doing so from January to August this year compared with 94,000 from March to December 2008.
He also said that between 45 to 55 per cent, or roughly half, of the Malaysians working abroad are professionals.
The volume of Malaysian talent moving abroad is a potentially damaging brain drain and a matter of concern as the country is attempting to remake itself into a developed high-income nation.
The most common reasons given for migration were better education, brighter career or business prospects and marriage.
Kohilan also pointed out that the government is taking some steps to attract talent to the country, including making it easier for foreigners with desired expertise to obtain permanent residence.
Kohilan, who is from Gerakan, also criticised the Penang state government currently under Pakatan Rakyat, saying that they should stop using the shortage of engineers an excuse for the recent loss of an RM10 billion electronic factory investment and should instead find ways to overcome it.
“Penang should not blame others if there is no investment,” Kohilan told The Malaysian Insider. “What professionals would want to stay there if there is only push factors? There must also be pull factors. They must think wisely and make sure the state also has pull factors.”
Kohilan said that there was no breakdown by race for Malaysians who have moved abroad but some migration agents have noticed a rise in applications from Malays to migrate over the past few years.
Robert Chelliah, who runs a migration consultancy in Petaling Jaya says that he has seen a noticeable increase in interest among Malays to move to Australia.
“These are educated Malays and they feel frustrated with the system of governance and they have a global
“Generally, the push factor from Malaysia has been on the rise ... people feel pushed away from the country. They feel alienated and they feel that their prospects are limited by factors that they have no control over,” he added.
According to Kohilan, Australia had the most number of Malaysians registered with the Malaysian embassy with 274,000 and the US second with 31,000 and Taiwan third with 14,000.
He added that there were about 50,000 Malaysian students now studying abroad.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/45137-number-of-ex-malaysians-doubles-in-2009-
Two-fold increase in Malaysians giving up citizenship - The Malaysian Insider
By Lee Wei Lian KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 – The number of Malaysians who surrendered their citizenship has almost doubled in this year, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Senator A. Kohilan Pillay, who revealed today that about 3,800 Malaysians have given up their citizenships to date compared to 2,000 last year.This figure, however, is much smaller than the 304,358 Malaysians who were reported to have migrated from March 2008 to August 2009.
Kohilan clarified that the number of “Malaysians who migrated” consists of those who are working abroad and registered with the respective Malaysian embassies.
There was nevertheless a sharp rise in the number of Malaysians who registered themselves as having moved abroad with 210,000 of them doing so from January to August this year compared with 94,000 from March to December 2008.
He also said that between 45 to 55 per cent, or roughly half, of the Malaysians working abroad are professionals.
The volume of Malaysian talent moving abroad is a potentially damaging brain drain and a matter of concern as the country is attempting to remake itself into a developed high-income nation.
The most common reasons given for migration were better education, brighter career or business prospects and marriage.
Kohilan also pointed out that the government is taking some steps to attract talent to the country, including making it easier for foreigners with desired expertise to obtain permanent residence.
Kohilan, who is from Gerakan, also criticised the Penang state government currently under Pakatan Rakyat, saying that they should stop using the shortage of engineers an excuse for the recent loss of an RM10 billion electronic factory investment and should instead find ways to overcome it.
“Penang should not blame others if there is no investment,” Kohilan told The Malaysian Insider. “What professionals would want to stay there if there is only push factors? There must also be pull factors. They must think wisely and make sure the state also has pull factors.”
Kohilan said that there was no breakdown by race for Malaysians who have moved abroad but some migration agents have noticed a rise in applications from Malays to migrate over the past few years.
Robert Chelliah, who runs a migration consultancy in Petaling Jaya says that he has seen a noticeable increase in interest among Malays to move to Australia.
“These are educated Malays and they feel frustrated with the system of governance and they have a global
“Generally, the push factor from Malaysia has been on the rise ... people feel pushed away from the country. They feel alienated and they feel that their prospects are limited by factors that they have no control over,” he added.
According to Kohilan, Australia had the most number of Malaysians registered with the Malaysian embassy with 274,000 and the US second with 31,000 and Taiwan third with 14,000.
He added that there were about 50,000 Malaysian students now studying abroad.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
What happen to our judiciary system?
It's look like there are two (2) judiciary system in Malaysia, one for ruling coalition and one more for opposition. If the case was brought by ruling coalition, most of the case will be quickly heard and processed but sadly to say, if the case was oppositions', they need to wait and wait... These thing can be clearly seen in the case of Perak state ruling.... IMHO, every case no matter who brought it, since that case was our nation's interest should be judge earlier.... sad to live in Malaysia if this case still cannot be solved.
In Linggam case, how can our judiciary system can let them go? the truth is already there but........
In Linggam case, how can our judiciary system can let them go? the truth is already there but........
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Kg Buah Pala issue: Why they are so demanding?
The Kg Buah Pala issue in Penang will not settle just like that because the case is quite complicated because this is also involve a racial issue. When Khir Toyo demolish Kg Beremban, Ampang settlement in 2006 if I not mistaken, there is no big deal because they are Malays. I said that no big deal means that BN don't care what really happen to them although PR had already made a protest.
In Kg Buah Pala, since they are all Indians, MIC will play their part and the people at Kg Buah Pala know this is their best time to demand everything. Is it a terrace house does not enough? Do you want a bungalow or what? If the reason is their family is big, so they should looking for a solution on their own. I'm not in a position to create racial tension over here, but I'm looking at a positive manner by comparing the case to any previous cases that happen before.
Think!
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