Watch the Sun Rise (or is it Sunset?)

I'm not sure because I didn't snap this breathtaking shot of  Kukup in Johor. I think it's a sunset but I prefer it to be a sunrise. So sunrise it shall be.

Like Helen Ang says, "my blog, my like".

I'm glad most of the dignitaries in Malaysia are not hosting a Hari Raya Open House this year as a mark of respect for the victims of MH17.

There's just no Raya mood with all these tragedies in our midst. But do celebrate with your closest and dearest.

Yesterday,  in the New Straits Times report I read that Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Air Hitam) had slammed a number of public rebukes earned by a few elected representatives whose comments were deemed tasteless by many.

Wee, a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, had also advised that rather than shifting blame to resolve issues, we should stand united and discard the contempt for one another in light of a tragedy like MH17.

Yesterday, I was bombarding my Facebook status with a myriad of thoughts throughout the day.  People say it's not wise to post grouses on FB status, but I think it's ok. It's quite harmless to voice your angst and disgusts in social networking websites, just as long as you don't overdo it.  It's a better way to release tension than smoking, backstabbing, resorting to violence.

I always say don't let external factors disrupt your peace, but the thought of  having "saboteurs" around at a time like this really irked me.  Saboteurs who do it openly and those who lurk in the shadows. In a way, I also was weak to let them affect my inner world.

Today I really need to get grounded. There are numerous ways to do this --- meditation, chanting, writing are just some of them.

I would like to share this lovely advice from Taylor Swift. This is an excerpt

"Hannah. Eyes, eyes, eyes. Woah. You have the prettiest, widest, most child like eyes. (Composes herself) Okay. About this guy. I think we grow up thinking the only love that counts as true love is the kind that lasts forever or is fully realized. When you have a broken heart, the first thing a stranger will ask is 'how long were you two together?' As if your pain can be determined by how long you were with someone. Or if you were with them at all. I don't think that's how it works. I think unrequited love is just as valid as any other kind. It's just as crushing and just as thrilling. No matter what happens in this situation, I want you to remember that what you are doing is selfless and beautiful and kind. You are loving someone purely because you love them, not because you think you'll ever have your affections reciprocated. You are admiring something for its beauty, without needing to own it. Feel good about being the kind of person who loves selflessly. I think someday you'll find someone who loves you in that exact same way."

If you want to read the full article, please click  Taylor Swift's advice to a fan in instagram 

Sweet, huh? 

"Before becoming a Muslim, a Sikh, a Hindu, or a Christian, let's become a human first" --- the wise words of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

And "The Mind is not a dustbin to keep anger, hatred and jealousy but a treasure box to keep love, happiness and sweet memories."

Can anyone read this http://bigstory.ap.org/article/kiss-prayer-last-hours-mh17s-victims without the tears welling or thinking of turning to your loved ones to give them a hug?

One needs to cherish every moment and every person in your life, because you will never know when it will be the last time you see them.

To all my Muslim friends who will be heading home to celebrate the Hari Raya Aidilfitri, have a safe journey.

Forest City to benefit port

The New Straits Times Report

Datuk Md Othman Yusof says the development of Forest City will benefit the people of Johor. Pic by Mohd Azren Jamaludin

by Chuah Bee Kim

JOHOR BARU: THE RM600 billion Forest City development project will not affect the country’s biggest transhipment terminal, Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP).

Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor (KPRJ) executive vice-chairman Datuk Md Othman Yusof said the project would instead complement the port.

When the 49ha man-made island called Forest City is completed, investors would be able to use the port facilities, he said.

“The project will bring more of a positive impact than a negative one to the people of Johor.”

Othman said the reclamation and construction of a showroom to showcase the properties in Forest City were scheduled to be completed in 18 months.

However, he said, the stop-work order since June 15 had halted the company’s marketing strategy, and KPRJ was worried that investors’ confidence would be affected by the directive.

The order was issued by the Department of Environment and KPRJ was hoping authorities would allow the developer, Country Garden Pacific View (CGPV), to resume work as soon as possible.

“We want the project to be completed in the shortest time possible to avoid the looming 10-year global recession cycle.”

Othman said Singapore had not protested against the reclamation but had merely submitted a diplomatic note seeking clarification.

He said everything was done according to ITLOS (International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea) and no Environmental Impact Assessment was required as the project was less than 50ha.

Othman said KPRJ had reduced the size of the development, despite having paid a premium for the land amounting to more than RM300 million.

The original plan was to reclaim about 2,000ha, but it has now been reduced to about 1,600ha.

“The size reduction means we have given way to PTP, using only 53ha of the land, so that the port can proceed with its expansion plans to build three more berths,” he said, refuting claims that the reclamation would cause waters there to become shallow.

Guangdong-based property developer Country Garden Holdings has a 60 per cent stake and Planet Esplanade Sdn Bhd has a 40 per cent stake in Forest City. Of this, KPRJ has a 20 per cent share in Esplanade.

Othman said the Esplanade share was an indirect investment.

As for its direct investment in the mammoth project, KPRJ will receive eight per cent in returns.

“KPRJ did not contribute land as it is all reclaimed from the sea.

“This eight per cent will bring a huge return to the people of Johor. The state government will re-direct that money to build more low-cost houses for the people.”

No Negative Impact To Ecosystem

The Star Report

Firm: Forest City project will not damage ecosystem

BY MOHD FARHAAN SHA

JOHOR BARU: The huge Forest City project that will be taking shape off Tanjung Kupang, near here, will not damage the ecosystem between Malaysia and Singapore, state company Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor Sdn Bhd (KPRJ) said.

Before the reclamation works for the man-made island started, Country Garden Pacific View (CGPV) had conducted several tests on the possible environmental impact to the surrounding areas, said Datuk Md Othman Yusof, executive vice-chairman of KPRJ, one of the stakeholders in CGPV.

“We appointed a consultant to carry out hydraulic works to see whether the island will affect the water currents in the designated area.

“The test results proved Forest City will not have a negative impact on the environment,” he told a press conference at the KPRJ office in Danga Bay here yesterday.

“Furthermore, the first phase of the reclamation work is for a 49ha to build our showroom,” he said.

The 2,000ha project – expected to involve the biggest man-made island in the region with a size larger than Pangkor Island – had also raised eyebrows across the causeway.

The Singapore government was reportedly perturbed over the project, which would take three decades to complete, because of the massive reclamation involved.

Furthermore, Singapore said there were international obligations that both countries had to be concerned about.

At around the same time, the Department of Environment (DOE) issued a temporary stop-work order on the reclamation works, pending a detailed study.

Positive Impact to Johor's Economy

Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor (KPRJ) executive vice-chairman Datuk Md Othman Yusof showing reporters a map of the controversial RM600 billion Forest City development during a press conference at the KPRJ office in Danga Bay, Johor Bahru, this morning.

The man-made island is built by Country Garden Pacific View (CGPV) Sdn Bhd where the Guangdong-based property developer Country Garden Holdings have a 60 per cent stake and Planet Esplanade Sdn Bhd has a 40 per cent stake. Of this, KPRJ has a 20 per cent share in Esplanade.

As for the direct investment in the mammoth project, KPRJ will get only eight per cent returns.

"KPRJ did not contribute any land at all as it is all reclaimed from the sea," he said.

"This eight per cent will bring a huge return to the people of Johor.  The state government will re-direct that money to build low-cost houses for the local folk," he added.

to be continued ...

Hot Number

I knew it!

Out of curiosity, I decided to check out the 4D outlets today and true enough, the crash of  the Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 on July 17 has prompted punters to head to the 4D outlets to bet on 1717, only to be told that the number has been sold out for this Saturday and Sunday (July 19 & July 20) for Sports Toto, Damacai and Magnum.

A counter girl said that it was sold out by 8am, which was even before the outlets open for business. How can that be?



The same thing happened when MH370 went missing. Punters made a beeline for the number.

Punters are very well-informed about current affairs, and very good at putting together four digits.  Even at a relative's funeral, they'd come up with a 4D to bet on based on the deceased's age or day of departure.

And when the number comes up, they'd say the departed relative liked them and had given them some money.  I've heard this after attending several funerals --- I'm not making this up.

But then, it's not a big sin to be a punter, as long as you don't get obsessed with gambling, and start borrowing money or short change family and friends.

And it's not just one race that is prone to punt, although the majority of punters are Chinese.  One Malay man came up to me just now --- I'm not making this up --- and said that he can come up with a person's winning number based on one's birthdate.  He asked me if I was interested.  

I told him I was not, because I was buying the numbers for someone else. 

Out of curiosity I also tried 2525, which is sold out for Saturday but available for Sunday (Magnum and Toto). For Damacai, 2525 was available for Saturday and Sunday.

VEP and New Investments in Iskandar Malaysia

I want to thank Anon 8:15 for taking the time to comment on the Vehicle Entry Permit issue. Just in case some readers miss it, I'm re-posting it.

1. 
   AnonymousJuly 16, 2014 at 8:15 AM

   I think most Singapore cars that we see in Malaysia, especially in JB are driven by Malaysian working in Singapore and travel daily. It's a push factor for Malaysians to reconsider moving into Singapore since they have to pay a much higher price now to travel by car, driving either the Malaysia/Singapore car. I think the government should study it in detail first and not implement it to "counter attack" the increase of VEP by Singapore government. If most of those affected are Malaysians, then the government is punishing it's own people for bringing in foreign currency and help boost the economy here. On top of that, it may not be good for the development of Iskandar, which, as far as I know, have been trying to pull in as much investors as possible from across the causeway.

   ReplyDelete
   
   

Some business operators at Jalan Segget, Johor Baru, that I talked to recently were also worried that their businesses would be affected if the Singaporeans were to stop coming to the city.

Most of the customers of the shops at Jalan Segget are from across the Causeway.

However, some traders remain optimistic that the Singaporeans will still come because of the currency exchange rate.

Bernama reported today that

Iskandar Malaysia secures RM9.72 bil in new investments (May to June)

Total new investments this year RM14.56 billion

JOHOR BARU: Iskandar Malaysia has secured RM9.72 billion in new investments from April to June this year, bringing a total new investments for this year at RM14.56 billion.

From 2006 until June 30, 2014, Iskandar Malaysia has secured a total cumulative committed investment of RM146.2 billion.

Of the total cumulative committed investments, RM69.53 billion, or 48 per cent, represented investments that have been realised as projects on the ground.

In a statement here today, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said last year, Iskandar Malaysia secured a total of RM25.33 billion worth of investments and closed the year with a total cumulative committed investment of RM131.64 billion.-- Bernama