I love this sanctuary because it brings be real joy to see the dogs being so happy when they run freely around the place. But even if you don’t fancy the earnest nudges by the sometimes rambunctious dogs, you can head for the feline blocks to be surrounded by the many, many kitties that also roam free within, where they are safe from the slobbering hyperness of dogs (although a few privileged canines have gotten their approval to share their space).

It was very nice to meet everyone who drove up to NANAS for a visit yesterday, and I’m sure the furry residents couldn’t be happier to be at the receiving end of all the zealous affection. The next public tour is on May 18, so you can hop over to NANAS’ blog to get more details on the tour, or email noahsarkcares@gmail.com to register.

A visitor with Max, the gentle rottie who’s allowed into the cattery.

One of the many cats which have been given a chance to live.

After a dip in the pond.

One of my favourite cats, who lost both its hind legs, but not its affection towards people.

The main cattery.

Very often, a dog will trot up quietly to you and just hang by your side… These quiet moments are always the best.

Jill, who unfortunately keeps getting swiped by the cats because she’s partially blind and keeps bumping into them.

This one found new companionship with my backpack.

The temperamental chow.

A rather coy one in the other cattery.

Grooming time with one of the local workers.

“How do you like my lush headpiece?”

Thanks for sending me off guys! I’ll be back soon!

The museum is located in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. I really like the architecture of this building, so I decided to take some pictures. Never get a chance to enter the museum but there is a restaurant next to the building that provides local and western food ! If you’re coming from Singapore, you can see this building on your right side after entering the Johor’s Custom

But I don’t wanna waste my time, so I’d just write a short blog post about the highlight of my day yesterday – the side trip to Malaysia.

My sister took me to the Johor Premium Outlets, a shoppers’ paradise.

I’m not really into shopping though, so I just took photos of the place and of myself.

We had lunch at this place with knights in shining armor:

Malaysia Property Expo has helped many Malaysian investors and home buyers to decide on their dream property. It has generated demand for housing and sustained growth of the housing and property industry. This time around, the Malaysia Property Expo 2013 (MAPEX) is held at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre (MVEC).

Come down to learn more about the property market in Malaysia. Gain confidence and knowledge and be decisive. We have entered a strong property bull market that is accelerating. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Call us at +6010 7661116 if you happen to drop by.

Nusajaya is a vital driver of the Iskandar Malaysia (IM), a surfacing financial zone in South Johor, Malaysia. Created to be Asia’s primary incorporated city, Nusajaya is concerning the merging of unique developments on a range and variety that has never before been attempted in Malaysia, and is positioned to be the biggest and premier fully-integrated city development in South East Asia. The city is located at the south-western idea of Peninsular Malaysia and is purposefully situated close to Singapore along with Singapore’s Central Business District a mere 24km away.
The primary drive of Nusajaya’s development strategy is to provide the international business and residential markets a sustainable and tactical community set against a background of landscaped playgrounds and gardens full along with water components and a background of Malaysia’s organic beauty. This legendary, integrated development is thrust by nation-building goals, business vigor and dedication to stakeholder worth enhancement.

Iskandar Malaysia.

The Iskandar Malaysia was become pregnant as the facility of the Johor-Singapore-Indonesia Triangle. 2 and a half times the dimension of neighbouring Singapore, Iskandar Malaysia was created to be a fully incorporated region of worldwide standard, where all facets of living– business, enjoyment, access and the environment– are integrated as one to develop a world-class metropolis.

Iskandar Malaysia is broken down in to 5 economic flagship areas, of which Nusajaya lies in the. The five flagship zones are:.
Zone A– Johor Bahru City Centre, including the New Financial District and an updated Central Business district, and also the Danga Bay beachfront city.
Zone B– Nusajaya.
Area C– the Western Gate advancement including Port Tanjung Pelepas and the Pelepas Free Trade Zone.
Zone D– the Eastern Gate development of Port Pasir Gudang and Tanjung Langsat Port.
Zone E– Senai-Skudai, where the Sultan Ismail International Airport is found, offering simple accessibility to the area.

NUSAJAYA.

Kota Iskandar (Photo credit: MATsHaH (الهوايات®))

Nusajaya is positioned to be a world-class city that symbolizes a diversity of 7 trademark developments– Kota Iskandar (Johor state new management center), Southern Industrial and Logistics Clusters (SILC), Afiat Healthpark, EduCity, Puteri Harbour at the Waterfront Precinct, the International Destination Resort and Nusajaya Residences– making it the most wanted city in which to live, function and play. Nusajaya’s total development is planned and created to be sustainable, ecologically sensitive and helpful for company, living and discretion. A city that enhances and enhances one’s life, it offers considerable investment, monetary and business possibilities for discriminating regional, regional and worldwide business owners and investors. With 24,000 acres of adjoining development-ready land, Nusajaya is poised to match the advancement of each Malaysia and Singapore.

Nusajaya’s opportunities.

Making up one of Nusajaya’s crucial developments are the Nusajaya Residences: Horizon Hills, Ledang Heights, and East Ledang. Various other benefits include easy access to Singapore, the beachfront advancement of Puteri Harbour that has actually amassed global passion and participation, the comfort of Nusajaya’s Medical Hub and EduCity, prepared local hubs for health care and education, and no limitation on automobile possession.

nusajaya (Photo credit: ramblingthots)

Nusajaya additionally offers the best opportunity for Singaporean companies that require huge land tracts for their operations. The Southern Industrial and Logistics Cluster (SILC), located within Nusajaya, supplies 1,300 acres of freehold industrial land in an environmentally sustainable setting with effortless access to 2 global airports and 5 seaports. The SILC will be concentrated on creating the value chains of integrated ‘clean’ commercial centres in 3 major locations– Advanced Technologies, Nutrition & Health and Logistics. [TWENTY] Additionally, business setting up in Nusajaya could take advantage of a skilled labor force. Nusajaya itself is composed of 24,000 acres of adjoining development-ready land and is established to be the benchmark against which other brand-new integrated advancements are measured.

Related articles

• Medini Iskandar Malaysia – a New Urban Township (iskandarmalaysiaproperties.wordpress.com)
• Iskandar’s Development reshaping Johor economy (fisheyer.com)

MAPEX 2013

The Anwar Ibrahim Campaign Trail : Johor

Campaign analysts might pick Johor as one of the toughest states for the opposition coalition to gain control but the turnout in Segamat at least proved otherwise. 15,000 people at the very minimum waited patiently in the middle of a football field, barely paying attention to Dato Chua Jui Meng who kept the seat warm for the arrival Anwar Ibrahim. We arrived just before midnight, to the thunderous applause of thousands who assumed that the opposition leader was on the bus. Anwar himself arrived about 20 minutes later and immediately took to the stage.

The tenacity of his speech has not diminished one bit even after 6 full days of campaigning in as many states. Right after the speech he made his way onto the bus, having to struggle his way through the crowd trying to get a handshake and an autograph. For many of these people, this might be the first and only time they would ever get to see him. In the Malaysian political sphere there aren’t too many politicians who achieve the same level of stardom and recognition that Anwar commands.

My personal thoughts on him will be penned in a separate post at another time. For now, the credibility and public acceptance of this man can only be gauged by the sheer volume of supporters and the unified cheers that accompany each of the ceramah he attends.

On a separate note, the decision by PAS to field their own candidate against both PKR and BN in 7 constituencies, resulting in a 3 cornered fight, has obviously popped up as an anomaly. The action took officials from both sides of the divide by surprise as it almost guarantees a BN victory, even if the accumulated votes for PAS and PKR are more than BN as they are split votes. Anwar has repeatedly assured the media that the matter has since been resolved after a high level meeting between party leaders last Monday. PAS has since pulled out of the battle for the Labuan parliamentary constituency, leaving the seat open for a straight fight between BN’s Rozman Datuk Isli and PKR’s Ibrahim Menudin.

As the campaign continues and the date marked in red comes closer, ties between all 3 factions will be tested to the limits. With PKR and DAP moves forward with a common agenda, the commitment of PAS remains to be observed.

I’m typing this out from the back of the bus as the campaign continues to the state of Pahang with a full list of events listed below:

Pahang 25th of April, 2013

1) 4.00 ptg – Sepetang Bersama Anwar Ibrahim

Lokasi: Jln Saga 8, Taman Saga, Mentakab

2) 5.30 ptg – Sepetang Bersama Anwar Ibrahim

Lokasi : Tapak Pekan Sari, Felda Lepar Hilir 1

3) 9.00 mlm – Ceramah Pakatan Harapan Rakyat

Lokasi: Felda Cini 1

4) 11.00 mlm– Ceramah Perdana Pakatan Harapan Rakyat

Lokasi: Simpang Kepayang, Bera

Seorang teman berbangsa Tionghua menelefon saya tengahari kelmarin. Dia sedang giat berkempen untuk PRU13 di kampung halamannya. Dia meminta nombor kontak aktivis pekerja daripada saya. Katanya dia ingin mendapatkan pandangan dari aktivis pekerja tersebut tentang tuntutan-tuntutan kaum pekerja. Dia ingin melobi calon sokongannya untuk memasukkan agenda kaum pekerja ke dalam manifesto dan juga janji kempen calon tersebut.

Dari corong telefon saya dapat mendengar bunyi bising seperti di dalam bilik gerakan. Bunyi bising yang bersemangat itu kadang-kala meredam suara teman saya sehingga saya terpaksa memintanya untuk menguatkan suara. Berbanding dengan saya yang hanya meninjau tanpa mengeluarkan setitik peluh pun melalui ruang siber, teman saya ini adalah antara aktivis politik akar umbi yang paling gigih.

Perbualan kami pendek sahaja kerana dia sedang sibuk di dalam kegitan-kegiatan kempen dan memancing undi. Namun dia sempat memberitahu saya ketika saya tanya, “Shifu, macam mana kat sana? Ada peluang?”

“Ada…ada. Boleh menang. Ada harapan. Kalau ini negeri menang, aku rasa Pakatan akan pegang Putrajaya. Undi Cina sudah ok. Kena tambah sikit undi Melayu saja”, jelas teman saya itu dengan nada yang yakin di dalam pelat Cinanya yang tebal.

Saya mengakhiri perbualan itu dengan mengucapkan selamat berjaya kepadanya. Saya tidaklah seyakin teman saya itu tentang peluang Pakatan Rakyat di negeri itu. Bagi saya negeri itu adalah negeri yang paling sukar untuk ditawan oleh Pakatan Rakyat. Malahan strategi Pakatan Rakyat untuk menawan negeri itu saya rasa hanya akan berakhir dengan “menang bertarung, kalah berperang”.

Tapi biarlah saya jelaskan kenapa negeri itu takkan jatuh ke tangan Pakatan Rakyat di tulisan yang lain. Untuk tulisan ini saya cuma ingin membongkar mitos Melayu akan kehilangan kuasa jika negeri itu jatuh ke tangan Pakatan Rakyat. Negeri yang dimaksudkan itu adalah negeri Johor.

Ketika saya meninjau-ninjau di beberapa laman web, blog, facebook, youtube dan twitter yang berkaitan dengan PRU13 dan negeri Johor saya dapati terdapat kegelisahan-kegelisahan di kalangan orang Melayu Johor tentang “takut Melayu hilang kuasa”.

Ketakutan ini diperkuatkan lagi bila terdapat posting-posting yang menghasut orang Melayu Johor (dan juga Melayu di negeri-negeri lain) untuk terus menjadi takut, risau dan gusar. Takut, risau dan gusar ini tentulah difokuskan kepada “orang lain” yang dipropagandakan sebagai ancaman. Orang lain ini di dalam konteks politik Malaysia ini biasanya akan ditujukan kepada bangsa Cina.

Sebenarnya sebagai orang Melayu yang datang dari keluarga kurang berada, saya boleh faham kenapa orang Melayu Johor berfikiran begitu. Salah satu sebab penting adalah kerana jurang ekonomi yang luas antara orang Melayu dan orang Cina. Memang saya akui di dalam bangsa Melayu dan Cina ini ada kelas kaya dan kelas miskin masing-masing. Akan tetapi Melayu dan Cina di dalam tulisan ini merujuk kepada kumpulan etnik yang berbeza yang boleh dikategorikan kedudukan ekonomi masing-masing sebagai sebuah kumpulan.

Secara umumnya kedudukan ekonomi orang Melayu relatifnya lebih rendah daripada orang Cina. Bukan sahaja di Johor tetapi juga di Malaysia secara umumnya. Di mana-mana masyarakat pun umumnya etnik pribumi majoriti yang penguasaan ekonominya minoriti akan sentiasa berasa terancam dengan etnik minoriti yang penguasaan ekonominya majoriti. Apatah lagi bila etnik yang minoriti dari segi jumlah tetapi majoriti dari segi penguasaan ekonomi itu pula adalah etnik yang mengikut sejarahnya datang dari luar milieu (persekitaran) budaya sesebuah kawasan geografi tersebut.

Oleh kerana itu jika kita rajin membaca kajian-kajian akademik tentang hubungan etnik, kita akan dapati fenomena rasa keterancaman ini bukan hanya berlaku di Malaysia. Malahan turut berlaku di banyak negara di Asia Tenggara dan juga belahan dunia yang lain khususnya di negara-negara bekas jajahan. Orang Melayu Johor yang jumlahnya majoriti tetapi ekonominya minoriti tidak terkecuali daripada fenomena rasa keterancaman ini.

Rasa keterancaman orang Melayu Johor di dalam dikotomi majoriti jumlah tetapi minoriti ekonomi ini diperkuatkan lagi bila majoriti jumlah yang dimiliki itu tidak pula besar. Secara demografinya orang Melayu Johor memang membentuk majoriti tetapi bukanlah majoriti yang dominan. Mengikut statistisk terkini taburan penduduk negeri Johor (mukasurat 83), etnik Melayu merangkumi 53% daripada keseluruhan penduduk Johor.

Dengan jumlah majoriti yang bukan dominan ditambah pula dengan kedudukan ekonomi yang minoriti, pilihanraya dilihat sebagai salah satu daripada kaedah untuk mereka mempertahankan apa yang mereka persepsikan sebagai kuasa politik.

Justeru itu, di dalam sistem demokrasi berparlimen yang menggunakan kaedah pilihanraya “satu orang satu undi” untuk mendapatkan kuasa politik, etnik majoriti yang minoriti ekonominya, cenderung untuk melihat kemajoritian jumlah mereka itu sebagai suatu kelebihan politik yang boleh mereka gunakan untuk memperbaiki kedudukan ekonomi mereka.

Kelebihan jumlah mereka itu biasanya mereka gunakan untuk memastikan parti yang mewakili etnik mereka atau yang dipersepsikan sebagai menjaga kepentingan etnik mereka menang di dalam perebutan kuasa politik itu. Mereka percaya dengan kuasa politik yang mereka menangi itu kedudukan ekonomi mereka yang minoriti dapat diperbaiki dan dipertingkatkan.

Bagi mereka kuasa politik adalah alat yang terpenting untuk memastikan survival bangsa mereka khususnya di dalam persaingan ekonomi dengan bangsa yang minoriti jumlahnya tetapi majoriti penguasaan ekonominya. Kuasa politik yang dimenangi itu pula bagi mereka perlulah dinampakkan melalui pegangan jawatan-jawatan kekuasaan politik dan ekonomi yang strategik dan penting oleh pemimpin-pemimpin dari etnik mereka sendiri.

Pada pandangan saya inilah antara punca utama kepada ketakutan, kerisauan dan kegusaran orang Melayu Johor – takut hilang kuasa politik yang seterusnya akan melemahkan kedudukan ekonomi mereka yang mereka lihat sudah sedia lemah itu. Orang Melayu Perak seperti saya tiada ketakutan seperti itu. Hihihi.

Ketakutan ini sebenarnya tidak punya asas yang kuat. Ketakutan ini bagi saya digembar-gemburkan dan dipropagandakan untuk memastikan kuasa politik terus kekal bersama Barisan Nasional. Kuasa politik orang Melayu tidak mungkin akan hilang hanya kerana Barisan Nasional kalah di Johor. Kuasa politik orang Melayu juga tidak mungkin akan hilang kalau Pakatan Rakyat menang di Johor.

Cakap-cakap yang disebarkan tentang Cina DAP akan mengambil-alih kuasa politik orang Melayu di Johor kalau Pakatan Rakyat menang PRU13 kali ini sebenarnya adalah tidak berasas sama sekali.  Mana mungkin DAP akan mengambil-alih kuasa politik orang Melayu di Johor kalau DAP hanya bertanding di 14 kerusi daripada 56 kerusi DUN kesemuanya.

Faktanya ialah DAP hanya bertanding 25% (14 kerusi) sahaja daripada keseluruhan kerusi DUN di Johor. Sila rujuk jadual di bawah:

Daripada jadual ini jelas kita dapat lihat majoriti daripada kerusi DUN di Johor ditandingi oleh PAS dengan 30 kerusi atau 54%. Manakala PKR pula bertanding di 12 kerusi DUN (21%).

Kalau setiap kerusi itu dibahagikan mengikut etnik pula, kita akan dapati calon berbangsa Melayu dari Pakatan Rakyat bertanding di 39 kerusi atau 70% daripada keseluruhan kerusi DUN. Suatu jumlah yang jauh lebih tinggi daripada calon Melayu Barisan Nasional dari UMNO yang hanya bertanding di 34 kerusi.

Sila rujuk jadual kerusi yang ditandingi oleh parti-parti di bawah Pakatan Rakyat mengikut etnik:

Justeru itu, daripada fakta yang tertera, jelas menunjukkan bahawa cakap-cakap yang mengatakan Cina DAP akan mengambil-alih kuasa politik orang Melayu di Johor kalau Pakatan Rakyat menang PRU13 adalah tidak munasabah langsung.

Begitu juga kalau kita lihat fakta tentang kerusi Parlimen di negeri Johor, ternyata sebahagian besar daripadanya ditandingi oleh calon Melayu. DAP hanya bertanding 6 daripada 26 kerusi Parlimen di negeri Johor atau hanya 23% sahaja.

Sila rujuk jadual di bawah:

Dari jadual ini kita dapat melihat dengan jelas bahawa majoriti daripada kerusi Parlimen ditandingi oleh parti PKR dan PAS. Malahan kalau kerusi-kerusi Parlimen yang ditandingi oleh parti-parti di bawah Pakatan Rakyat ini dibahagi mengikut etnik kita akan dapati 18 daripada 26 kerusi Parlimen atau 69% adalah ditandingi oleh calon Melayu. Suatu jumlah kerusi calon Melayu yang lebih tinggi daripada yang ditawarkan oleh Barisan Nasional melalui UMNO yang menyediakan 17 calon Melayu, kurang 1 kerusi daripada calon Melayu Pakatan Rakyat.

Calon Cina dari DAP pula hanya 4 orang sahaja, manakala selebihnya DAP mempertaruhkan seorang calon Melayu dan seorang calon India. Manakala calon Cina Pakatan Rakyat secara keseluruhannya hanyalah 7 orang sahaja (4 dari DAP, 2 dari PKR dan 1 dari PAS) atau sekadar membentuk 27% sahaja daripada jumlah keseluruhan kerusi Parlimen di negeri Johor.

Sila rujuk jadual di bawah:

Dari fakta-fakta yang telah dibentangkan ini jelas menunjukkan sebenarnya di negeri Johor ini Pakatan Rakyat menawarkan jumlah calon Melayu yang jauh lebih tinggi daripada Barisan Nasional baik di tingkat DUN mahu pun Parlimen.

Sila rujuk jadual di bawah:

Daripada pembentangan fakta-fakta ini ternyata mitos Melayu hilang kuasa di negeri Johor jika Pakatan Rakyat memerintah adalah mitos semata-mata. Cina DAP yang orang Melayu Johor sering ditakut-takutkan itu, kalau mereka menang semua kerusi yang mereka tandingi di DUN sekali pun, jumlah mereka hanya membentuk 25% daripada keseluruhan kerusi DUN Johor. Manakala di Parlimen pula Cina DAP hanya membentuk 23% daripada keseluruhan kerusi Parlimen Johor.

Apakah logik hanya dengan 25% kerusi DUN yang ditandingi oleh DAP itu mampu membuatkan Melayu hilang kuasa di negeri Johor jika Pakatan Rakyat memerintah? Fikirkanlah dengan rasional bukan emosional.

Saya percaya mitos-mitos tentang Melayu akan hilang kuasa politik jika Pakatan Rakyat menang pada PRU13 kali ini bukan sahaja tersebar di negeri Johor tetapi juga di negeri-negeri lain. Mitos-mitos ini terbentuk hasil daripada keinginan pihak yang sedang berkuasa untuk terus mengekalkan kuasanya. Di dalam masyarakat Malaysia yang secara strukturnya terpisah mengikut garis etnik, bahasa dan agama, sentimen-sentimen primordial seperti kehilangan kuasa etnik pribumi memang mudah digembeling untuk memancing undi.

Walau pun saya sedar sebahagian daripada sentimen politik ini bersifat emosional serta sosio-psikologikal dan ada dari kalangan kita yang membuat pilihan di atas sebab “takpinism” tetapi gunakanlah akal yang diberi oleh Allah swt untuk membuat pilihan berdasarkan fakta bukannya auta.

Apakah benar kuasa politik Melayu akan hilang kalau Pakatan Rakyat memerintah? Jawapannya bukanlah hanya dengan mendengar apa yang orang lain kata (atau apa yang saya kata dan tulis di laman diskopi ini) tetapi kita sendiri sebagai insan haruslah mencarinya dan menyelidikinya dengan akal-fikiran yang diberikan oleh Allah swt. Kebenaran tidak akan datang bergolek dengan sendiri. Ia harus dicari, digali, diselidiki dan diuji.

Fakta-fakta yang telah saya kutip dan ringkaskan di dalam bentuk jadual itu boleh diperolehi di sini.

]]> http://iskandarmalaysiaproperties.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/the-senai-garden/ Thu, 25 Apr 2013 02:29:09 +0000 iskandarmalaysiaproperties http://iskandarmalaysiaproperties.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/the-senai-garden/

A Winning Location in Iskandar Malaysia @ RM400psf!

The Senai Garden is strategically located within the dynamic development corridor of Iskandar Malaysia. Enjoy the convenience of essential developments that include Kota Iskandar (Johor State New Administrative Centre), Puteri Harbour Waterfront Development, EduCity, Afiat Healthpark, Columbia Asia Hospital, International Destination Resort and the soon to be ready Legoland theme park. Plus, the renowned Johor Premium Outlets is only 8 minutes away. It only takes approximately 15 minutes to the 2nd Link Interchange to Singapore which is great news for professionals working in Singapore but residing in Johor Bahru. Enjoy further convenience with the Senai International Airport being just 5 minutes from your home. Moreover, the city centre and Woodlands CIQ is a mere 25 minutes away. Be sure to be part of this highly accessible location with exceptional surrounding amenities.

The Essence of Urban Tranquility

Perfectly embodying the finest in contemporary living, The Senai Garden is a collection of the premium serviced apartments for the modern urban dweller. This prestigious new development features 5 apartment blocks with 8 to 10 floors each. The Senai Garden is situated on 8 acres of freehold land in the Senai township, which is within the fast-growing Iskandar Malaysia region.

Embrace the serenity of the lush green surroundings and scenic views as you bask in absolute relaxation. The apartments range between 706 sq. ft to 4,293 sq.ft with prices ranging from RM210,000 to RM1.5 million. Moreover, The Senai Garden is ideal for investors that are looking for high returns.

All units are adorned with quality fittings and finishes while the functional and spacious layouts guarantee comfort. A total of 392 units are available and are estimated to be completed by the middle of 2015.

Excellent Facilities

The Senai Garden offers comprehensive facilities that cater to your needs. Ease the day’s stress away with a dip at the swimming pool or if you choose – a rejuvenating session at the Sauna. Some might prefer to work up a sweat at the gym or with a game of mini-golf or tennis. There is also a lounge, BBQ park and jogging track to be enjoyed.

Pursue your leisure needs further at the Jacuzzi, Reflexology Zen Garden, Mini-Theatre and KTV Room. For your little ones, there’s the Kid’s Pool and Children’s Wet Playground.

Security measures include a 3 tier security system with 24-hours Guardhouse and CCTV surveillance. Each unit is also equipped with an intercom system – linked from individual unit to the guard house.

Reputable Developer - KCC Development is an ISO 9001:2008 certified housing developer based in Muar, Johor. For almost 30 years, KCC has upheld the belief of customer priority and quality control, winning wide recognition through various awards. We have successfully developed many property projects over the region – completing every project and property handover on time while never disappointing our customers. For further information, please visit their official website at www.kccdev.com.my.

3+1 bedrooms 1734 sq ft freehold unit at RM780,000 with 9% cash rebate plus RM50,000 discount bonus for Metro Homes clients for limited period only. Nett RM660,000@ RM380 psf!

Please contact us now at +6010 7661116 / +6010 8800202 / +65 92992997 to book a unit.

SINGAPORE — The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) has reassured Singaporean investors that there will not be significant changes to policies for companies operating in the Iskandar region — on foreign manpower restrictions and equity ownership, for example — if the opposition wins in Johor in the coming general election.

Speaking to TODAY, Mr K Sukomaran, Counsellor for Investment and Director of MIDA’s Singapore office, said: “MIDA’s message to investors is that although business is somewhat tied to politics, the policies and procedures governing investments and business will remain, (they will) continually be encouraged and rendered the necessary support by whichever party that governs.” He added: “Investors need not be worried about the political developments in the country.”

Iskandar Malaysia was developed in 2006, and Singapore is the largest single foreign investor there.

Mr Sukomaran was responding to comments made by Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in an interview with TODAY. On Monday, Mr Anwar said that “investors, including (those) from Singapore, cannot assume that business must be as usual” should the special economic zone in Johor come under opposition rule. Among other things, he wants more opportunities for Malaysians. Businesses in Iskandar will also have to be “more transparent”, he added. 

Mr Sukomaran reiterated that while there “may be some fine-tuning of policies here and there” should the opposition win in Johor, a traditional bastion of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, “by and large, investment policies aren’t going to change”.

He added that he did not believe the opposition would overhaul “established policies” that have succeeded in attracting investments.

“We have been having these policies (for) a long time, which are also being fine-tuned along the way to suit the market conditions,” he said.

The government’s existing policy already restricts the employment of foreign workers, noted Mr Sukomaran. The opposition’s “intention isn’t something new”, he added.

Singapore firms watchful, not worried

Singapore companies are keeping a close eye on the electoral contest just across the Causeway. Firms TODAY spoke to said that while they are confident of the long-term development of the Iskandar region — regardless of the outcome of the elections, they would hold back any investment decisions if the Johor state government changes hands and observe whether the transition is orderly.

The success of the Iskandar region has yet to trickle down to the man in the street, with Johor residents lamenting that the cost of living has spiked as a result of the gold rush.

On Tuesday, Democratic Action Party supremo Lim Kit Siang, who is up against BN’s former Johor Mentri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman in the state’s Gelang Patah constituency, echoed Mr Anwar’s comments on the Iskandar region.

The high-profile match up between Mr Lim and Mr Abdul Ghani is closely watched, not least for the fact that the constituency contains Nusajaya — a key component of the Iskandar region.

Speaking to TODAY after a rally, Mr Lim said: “We’ll make sure that what is the best interest of Johor (and) the people … what will bring economic stability (and) investment will be the top priorities.”

He added: “We want to make Malaysia and Johor a success. We will … in fact, embark on a new growth path to greater prosperity.”

Currently, the Iskandar authorities impose restrictions on foreign manpower. For example, for manufacturing projects that are export-oriented, companies are allowed to hire three foreigners for every Malaysian worker on their books. The requirement is more stringent for projects that cater primarily to the domestic market, where the ratio is 1:1.

Shareholding requirements vary with the sectors, Mr Sukomaran said. “For the most part, there are no (foreign) equity restrictions in the manufacturing sector. The Malaysian government has been liberalising the services sector (44 sub-sectors up till now) which will not have any foreign equity restriction,” he said.

He added: “We do not encourage the employment of foreign workers so there are some restrictions, but at the same time we also appreciate the fact that companies may find difficulties in getting local workers with certain skills.”

Singapore companies pointed out that firms which are interested in moving into Iskandar would probably be keen to tap on Malaysian workers in the first place, given that one main attraction is the lower business costs, including manpower cost, compared to Singapore.

Singapore firm Hong Guan Tackle, a fishing equipment supplier, set up a warehouse in Iskandar in May last year. Its Managing Director Lee Seng Shoy said all 10 employees at its new warehouse were Malaysians.

Apart from cheaper land and lower rentals, “the whole idea is to employ Malaysians to lower labour costs, especially with the foreign labour tightening in Singapore”, said Mr Lee.

He added: “Iskandar is doing so well at the moment … I do not think that there will be much change (if the opposition wins), as Malaysia will not suddenly go anti-business.”

Metrohm Singapore Managing Director Billy Wong added: “Whichever party comes to power (in Johor), it will have to strive to improve policies to attract more foreign direct investment. The opposition will have this aspiration as well … take Penang as an example.”

Adding that his company is eyeing opportunities in Iskandar, Mr Wong said: “Businesses need to look at the long term. This general election is only an intermediate (stage), and political risk is there no matter where you invest, so you always have to manage it.”

Related articles

• Iskandar’s Development reshaping Johor economy (fisheyer.com)
• Robert Kuok’s shows investors confidence in BN govt (fisheyer.com)
• Kuok buys Iskandar Land (fisheyer.com)

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UEM Land Holdings Bhd is selling 12.5 acres of land in Puteri Harbour to Southern Marina Development Sdn Bhd, a 70:30 joint venture between the Kuok Brothers Group and Khazanah Nasional Bhd for RM182 million cash.
The proposed development by Southern Marina will comprise a mix of high-rise residential and retail/commercial units, taking advantage of its prominent waterfront location with views of the marina and Straits of Johor.
The development within Iskandar Malaysia will have a gross floor area of over two million sq ft and an estimated gross development value exceeding RM1 billion.
Puteri Harbour is an integrated urban waterfront and marina development, located adjacent to Kota Iskandar.

THE decision by billionaire Tan Sri Robert Kuok to invest in Puteri Harbour, Iskandar Malaysia is clear indication of investors confidence in the pro-business policy of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said that the decision by Johor born Kuok also shows that the state of Johor and Iskandar Malaysia have a bright economic future.

“The people of Johor have a bright future as the economic growth and continued investment will bring wealth and prosperity to the state,” he said at a dinner with 800 members from 154 Gelang Patah Chinese Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) here yesterday.

Abdul Ghani urged Gelang Patah voters to stand by the BN government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“BN under Datuk Seri Najib will lead the country towards economic prosperity and wealth. Johor is heading towards economic prosperity,” said the Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman.

Kuok Brothers Group yesterday signed a joint venture agreement with Khazanah Nasional to develop ??12 acres in Puteri Harbour with Gross Development Value (GDV) of RM1 billion.

Abdul Ghani said that he met Kuok last year and suggested that the billionaire consider the investment potential available in Iskandar Malaysia.

Robert Kuok has sentimental value to Johor, the state he was born, grew up and received his early education.

Also present at the dinner were Gelang Patah MCA division chief, Jason Teoh and the BN candidate for Skudai state assembly seat, Liang Ah Chy.

Abdul Ghani is involved in a straight fight with DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang for the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat. – Bernama

Seperti apa yang kite tahu exam ni sesuatu yang penting dan memboringkan dalam hidup kite…..tapi kalau exam ni mesti ada seorang dua yang star keluar awal….Star yang kuar awal exam ni plak memang muke-muke dekan huhu….

Kalau teringin nak jadi star kuar awal time exam…….anda harus mematuhi beberapa peraturan atau tips ini:

1. Jangan bawa toyol atau hantu raya (nota kecil)

Untuk pengetahuan anda….apabila kite hendak cepat keluar, kite tak boleh nak rujuk pada seberang bentuk nota, merujuk nota dalam keadaan tergesa juga boleh menyebabkan kite kantoi meniru…nak jadi star jangan ada apa-apa nota.

2. Buat mind map untuk setiap chapter…..

Bila adanya mind map ini akan membantu anda semasa menjawap nanti,semua soalan tu kite akan nampak jawapannye ye…..kalau xnampak tu xtau la kata apa….biasanye kite leh teringat kembali jawapan2…

3. Jangan Meniru

Yang ini memang susah kite nak tinggalkan tapi proses meniru memakan masa yang lama dan boleh menyebabkan kite kantoi kalau kite tiru tanpa check line (nak cepat).

4. Tawakal

Agak-agak xboleh jawap……da siap 5 kali cek paper n stil jawapan sama…tawakal je haha tinggal2 la paper tu…sebab result dia sampai abis masa nanti tetap sama. So kemas2 la alat2 tulis.

Bila kite kuar dewan awal juga….akan memberi impak yang besar…apabila kite jalan dengan kasut kulit (bunyi kasut tumit keras), semua orang akan tengok dengan muke xpuas hati….apa benda yang kite buat ialah memberikan senyuman hahaha membe2 yang tengok kite masa tu akan merasa tertekan…..tekanan itu akan membuat kan mereka lupa akan jawapan2 hahaha……..apa2 pn try la tips2 saya ni ye….ngeh3

Great potential: Iskandar is a good example of diligent planning and foresight on the part of the KL government. With close cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore, it’s a win-win situation for both countries. – PHOTO: ISKANDAR WATERFRONT HOLDINGS

23 Apr 2013

OUR emerging markets team isn’t too keen on following crowds. Part and parcel of Templetons’ contrarian approach is travelling to places others don’t and thinking about the long-term potential in specific industries and companies that aren’t even on others’ radar screens. One place we’ve had our eye on for several years now is Iskandar Malaysia, which has been attracting more investor attention recently. I think it is becoming a success story in South-east Asia.

Iskandar is an economic development zone covering 221,634 hectares (2,216.34 sq km) within the southern-most part of Johor, Malaysia, and is named after the late Sultan of Johor, Sultan Iskandar. The region, which includes the city of Johor Baru, encompasses an area about three times the size of Singapore and twice the size of Hong Kong. A product of Malaysian government planning, it contains five development zones and includes a vision for a city that incorporates the latest environmentally friendly or “green” technology in its buildings and landscapes, including renewable energy sources. By 2025, it’s expected that about three million people will be living in the area.

In 2012, Legoland opened its first Asian theme park within the region and a diverse variety of business, education and entertainment venues from petrochemicals to food processing to a motor-speedway are opening or in development. It’s encouraging that demand is spread across retail, residential and industrial properties. The latter should particularly help bring more economic and job growth to the area.

Of course, when people – particularly foreign investors – flock to a place, it can drive up real estate prices beyond the reach of local residents, but we don’t see a bubble building up in Iskandar and property prices are currently reasonable. In the long run, local people in Johor who currently own property could benefit from a rise in their assets.

We think Iskandar is a good example of diligent planning and foresight on the part of the Malaysian government and that the area has now reached what could be described as a “take-off” point. Developments should start to become self-generating, creating a virtuous circle. Singapore, located across a narrow waterway, has a vested interest in Iskandar’s success. We think that as long as the close cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore continues, it will be a win-win situation for both countries.

Recently, the two nations announced plans to strengthen economic ties via plans that included further cooperation developing Iskandar, and a high-speed rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. We think there’s great potential for intra-regional trade and development in South-east Asia, and this is a prime example of that trend.

I’ve been to Iskandar many times over the past few years, and I’ve seen an incredible change in the area since the government built a new complex there and the Legoland theme park opened, which really put the area on the map. More than a million visitors are expected to visit the park in 2013, and plans are in the works for a nearby hotel and waterpark.

Iskandar is an example of why we find emerging Asia to be an exciting investment destination. If you look at Asian economies‘ growth rates versus the developed markets generally, you’ll see the divergence. For 2013, the International Monetary Fund projects GDP growth in developing Asia at 7.1 per cent, versus 1.4 per cent for developed markets. In the long run, we believe strong economic growth should eventually translate into higher earnings growth in developing Asia.

Encouraging trend

Inter-Asian trade is on the rise, which we also find to be an encouraging trend. We’re seeing increased exports from Asia to China, with exports to the US falling as a percentage of the total, meaning there is less dependence on the US for export growth, and buoyant demand from emerging economies could offset the influence of weakness in the developed world.

Demographics represent another interesting trend which creates a variety of potential investment opportunities, particularly related to the consumer sector. If you examine population pyramids, you’ll see that the demographics of emerging Asia indicate a great number of young people, which equates to a lower dependency ratio. As at

2010, the pyramid was skewed younger, whereas in Japan and the US the elderly formed a larger percentage of the total population. These trends are expected to continue diverging.

An issue that could be a double-edged sword for Malaysia and its Asian neighbours is Japan’s recently more aggressive policy stance to reinflate its economy. Some believe a weaker yen could create a so-called “currency war” as other nations try to devalue their own currencies to remain competitive in the export market.

However, a weaker yen could also dive investor flows in emerging Asia. We are already seeing stock markets around the world absorbing the impact of all this central bank money printing, and Japan is adding more fuel to the fire. So, as equity investors, we view these actions as positive for regional stock markets, at least in the short run. We believe that the fundamentals support our optimism about emerging Asia broadly, but I have to emphasise that we don’t generally apply a top-down approach in our stock selection process. Iskandar is just one example of how we’ve literally seen a city grow from the ground up and, with it, investment possibilities.

The writer is a leading emerging markets fund manager

(Source: http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/premium/editorial-opinion/opinion/iskandar-south-east-asian-success-story-20130423)

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