Goodbye My Dear Friend

I still cannot believe that you're no longer here with all of us,

Ku pasti kau berbahagia
Duduk di samping-Nya
Mendengar cerita segala rahsia.

Sham...kau ...terlalu istimewa.

May Allah forgive all your wrongdoings and sins and place you amongst His believers.

Bila Gambar Berbicara 4

Gambar ini diperolehi dari koleksi peribadi Ayah Tunggal.

Dalam gambar ini ada Tok Jenal dan Nek Chu kira-kira 36 atau 37 tahun yang lalu. Al-fatihah buat kedua-dua arwah. Semoga Allah ampunkan segala dosa mereka dan tempatkan mereka berdua di kalangan orang-orang yang diredhai-Nya.

Melaka tram project to cover whole state

The article was first published on Free Malaysia Today.

 

Eddie Beck | August 22, 2013 

 

Tram expansion project in Malacca will cover the whole state and serve 11 tourist destinations.

MALACCA: The Economic Planning Unit (EPU) has identified five additional corridors for the tram expansion project in Malacca.

In November 2010, Perunding Zaaba has been commissioned by EPU to undertake feasibility study in Alor Gajah, Merlimau, Jasin, Durian Tunggal and Masjid Tanah.

Given the ridership figures and sustainability, the study indicates that the tram network could be extended to cover these areas.

If the EPU gives the go-ahead for the extension project, effectively the tram will cover whole state.
“We will be happy to carry out the tram extension if granted the concession,” a director of MRails International Sdn Bhd, Charles James told FMT.

MRails Tram (Malacca) Sdn Bhd, a subsdiary of MRails International, has been given a 25-year concession in collaboration with Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI) to design, build and manage the RM272mil Malacca tram project running from Air Keroh to Bandar Melaka, covering a distance 40km with 52 stops.
It serves 11 of 14 major tourist destinations. MRails Tram (Malacca) holds 65% equity while CMI holds the rest.

“We have also been invited by the Johor, Kedah and Penang state governments as they have shown keen interest in tram as the mode of choice for public transport. We have conducted a feasibility study in Langkawi.

“Since public transport in Langkawi is inefficient and fares for taxis and pirate taxis are expensive, tram is a viable option.” said James.

Currently, the tram project in Malacca, the first of its kind in the country is awaiting approvals from the relevant authorities before work can commence.

“We are waiting approvals from SPAD’s legal department, AG Chambers, Public Works Department, Majlis Perbandaran Hang Tuah Jaya and Majlis Bandaraya Melaka Bersejarah,” he added.

“We want to ensure that there are no hiccups when the project in implemented. A major concern is the safety aspects of road users.” Once the approvals are in place, it takes only 12-15 months for the tram to be operational.

The speed of construction, as compared with LRT or MRT, is due to their tracks are partly or wholly laid on roads which they share to a greater or lesser extent with other road traffic. A tram car is a rail-borne vehicle, lighter than a conventional train.

The tram enables virtually complete integration with other forms of transport. The company is working with CNR Tangshan Railway Vehicles Co Ltd, a China-based locomotive manufacturer for the building of coaches.

Run on liquefied natural gas to keep operational costs low and being environmentally-friendly, the tram is expected to ferry 24,000 passengers a day, chugging along at 40km per hour. The two-car tram’s maximum capacity is 120 passengers.

While schoolchildren in uniform and handicapped people ride for free, each hop-in and hop-off passenger pays RM2 fare. For those who opt for unlimited ride per day pay RM5.

What a name!

Aiyo, betul ke ada restoran dengan nama ini?

Ada sesiapa yang pernah berjamu di restoran ini? Best tak?

:)

Sent from my iPhone

Get Well Soon, Wawa

A friend and also a colleague of mine is currently admitted at Pantai Medical Centre for a surgery. I wish her for a speedy recovery.

Sent from my iPhone

Get Well Soon, Erwan

Din, Norah and I visited our colleague Erwan who is admitted at Darul Ehsan Medical Centre due to a knee surgery.

He will be on medical leave for a period of time.

I wish him for speedy recovery.

Sent from my iPhone

Melaka Moving To Draw More Investments To Spur Economic Growth

Melaka Moving To Draw More Investments To Spur Economic Growth

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

MELAKA, Aug 15 - Melaka, fondly called "The Venice of the East" by the Westerners, is working on ambitious investment plants to continue receiving investments from local and foreign investors, particularly in the automotive, pharmaceuticals and green technology sectors.

Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron said the plan by the Honda company in Japan to increase its investments by three fold will have a huge impact on Melaka.

"When I visited the Honda plant in Japan, I was told that the plant will increase its production capacity. Honda's plan will directly or indirectly have a positive impact on its assembling plant in Alor Gajah," he told Bernama.

Idris said Melaka also has the potential to emerge as a "park" for the pharmaceutical industry for the southern region when Malaysian Biotechnology Corp Sdn Bhd developed a pharmaceutical park in Alor Gajah next year.

He said this project will gradually bring in RM1 billion investment.

"We've received a request from a Microsoft company which is looking for a piece of land to build a factory that produces main frames.

"A local businessman is also planning to invest RM100 million to produce diesel from used tyres using green technology," he said.

Idris said the company will collect used tyres in Melaka, estimated at 10 tonnes a day, to be processed using the technology from South Korea and China.

He said the plant is expected to start operations soon.

"I've identified all these as investments with very viable potential and have placed them on Melaka's investment radar.

"These projects do not include other companies expanding their businesses at a rapid pace in and around Melaka," he said.

Idris said the construction of Guardian Industries Malaysia Sdn Bhd's glass production plant in Lipat Kajang, costing RM800 million, will start after several issues, including land matter, are resolved.

The glass manufacturing plant, pharmaceutical park and Honda's expansion programme are expected to create 3,000 jobs, he said.

In a move to bolster economic activities in existing industrial areas, Idris said their managements would adopt a dual-pronged approach -- value add and increase production capacity of existing plants, upgrade quality of their products and services as well as increase utilisation of the land area like in Lipat Kajang, Teluk Gong and several other industrial areas around Alor Gajah and Jasin districts.

"I'm confident Melaka will re-emerge as a bustling economic hub as it used to be before (during the Melaka Sultanate). (We can realise this vision and mission) with the cooperation of all the administrators in the state.

"All of us should work as one united team to bring back Melaka's glorious era.

"I've reminded the state executive councillors and the workforce in Melaka to become the best "salesman" to the extent of selling sand to the Arabs and refrigerators to the Eskimos.

"If we have such a mentality to promote Melaka, I believe investors will have the trust and confidence to come to Melaka," he added.

Source: BERNAMA

Semoga murah rezeki, berkat usia

Gembira beraya makan ketupat,

Rendang dimasak bersama kari,

DD Kameel orangnya hebat,

Pandangan diulas ikhlas diberi.

Anak-anak gembira berlari,

Si dara jelita berpakaian ayu,

Hari dirai setahun sekali,

Kami mengucapkan HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!

(Pantun courtesy of Myn)

Aidfitri 1434

Semoga ramdhan dan syawal tahun ini mendatangkan lebih banyak rahmat dan berkat dari Allah taala buat kita semua.

Berayalah dengan penuh kesederhanaan.

Terima kasih kepada rombongan dari Kuala Lumpur iaitu Ieka Kassim, Fay and isteri, Izal dan Dollah yang sudi turun beraya di Melaka.

Tahun ini, kami cuma sempat ziarah empat buat rumah sahaja iaitu Fendy, Nazri, Ejarn dan HB Hamdan.

Jangan serik tau untuk turun lagi tahun hadapan, boleh kita boleh konsert lagi.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Tahun ini aku sekali lagi bekerja pada petang Hari Raya. Harap-harap tahun depan tidak lagi.

Di kesempatan ini, aku ingin menyusun sepuluh jari sempena hari baik bulan baik ini untuk meminta maaf atas segala salah silap sama ada disengajakan ataupun tidak. Minta dihalalkan makan dan minum juga.

Kepada yang memandu, pandulah kenderaan dengan berhati-hati. Have a safe and pleasant trip guys.

Eid Mubarak. Maaf zahir dan batin.

OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO: SYUKUR

Biar cantik, ceria dan berseri menyambut Aidilfitri...

Catchy tak lagu Raya ciptaan Faizal Tahir, commissioned by Watsons Malaysia. Suka juga melodinya. Apa-apa pun, dengarlah sendiri okey...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp4aLb3hqn0&sns=em

Syukur

Hilang hanya buat sementara
Kembali semula dipersada jiwa
Ku tunggu ku rasa rindu
Sabar ku menunggu setahun berlalu

Selamat hari raya
Biar syukur mengiringi ketawa
Mengingati semua tak kira dimana
Biar syukur mengiringi bahagia
Membawa rasa indah dihari yang mulia

Biar cantik ceria dan berseri
Menyambut Aidilfitri

Silap salah tangan ku hulurkan
Pohon kemaafan penuh keluhuran
Yang miskin usah dilupakan
Kasih diberikan dihari lebaran

Selamat hari raya
Biar syukur mengiringi ketawa
Mengingati semua tak kira dimana
Biar syukur mengiringi bahagia
Membawa rasa indah dihari yang mulia

Biar syukur mengiringi ketawa
Mengingati semua tak kira dimana
Biar syukur mengiringi bahagia
Membawa rasa indah dihari yang mulia

Biar cantik ceria dan berseri
Menyambut Aidilfitri

Biar syukur mengiringi ketawa
Mengingati semua tak kira dimana
Biar syukur mengiringi bahagia
Membawa rasa indah dihari yang mulia

Biar cantik ceria dan berseri
Menyambut Aidilfitri

Sent from my iPhone

The article was first published on Free Malaysia Today.

Housing, car loans cause of rising debt’

G Vinod

 | August 2, 2013

Several academics say that high asset prices and low wages are pushing Malaysians into debt.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s household debt ratio to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stands at 83%, which is one of the highest in Asia, beating even Japan and Hong Kong.

The government said recently much of the nation’s household debt comprises housing, car and personal loans.

Some economists have said the nation’s high household debt ratio was caused by Malaysians who live beyond their means.

Others disagree with the argument and said the nation’s high household debt ratio was caused by a combination of factors.

“It is a combination of high asset prices and relatively low-income earners,” said Taylor’s University business school economist Subramaniam Pillay.

He said young graduates who were in their first jobs did not earn salaries which could enable them to buy cars and houses.

“Let’s take house prices as an example. In the last 40 years, the gap between salaries and property prices has widened. House prices have soared compared with the rise in salaries.

“So, many of them have no choice but to live by borrowing,” said Subramaniam.

Echoing Subramaniam’s sentiments, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) economist Amir Baharuddin also dismissed arguments saying that the nation’s working adults are spending beyond their means.

“It’s not that they have little money-management skills. The problem is, there is no money to manage,” said Amir.

Citing examples, the USM academic said working adults had no choice but to buy a house, despite its exorbitant price, due to necessity.

“Later they buy car to travel to work because the public transportation system is inefficient. As you know, cars are not cheap. So is there any money left to manage?” he asked.

Excessive government intervention

Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) chief executive officer Wan Saiful Wan Jan said the high household debt ratio was caused by excessive government intervention in the economy, causing artificial inflation.

“For example car prices are inflated because of high excise and import duties,” he said.

High house prices is also a factor, but Saiful said it was caused by too much demand.

“I think this is a problem of too much development in the Klang Valley alone. If you spread development to other areas such as Seremban, Ipoh and Kota Baru, you will see a drop in house prices,” he said.

On how we can resolve the high household debt problem, Amir said it was time for the government to get serious about lowering house and car prices.

“Keep tabs on credit card surcharges as well. Currently, many credit card companies impose hidden charges that is becoming a burden to working adults,” he said.

However, Amir said it would not be easy to resolve the matter immediately.

“It is an enormous problem. Even economists may not have a definite solution for this. Maybe it is because we are depending too much on the western financial system,” he said.

Subramaniam, on the other hand, said not all debts were negative in nature, especially when it involved mortgages.

“It’s not a bad situation if you borrow money to buy a house as you are paying for a property,” said Subramaniam.

He added that it was also difficult to give a precise solution to the matter as not much details were provided on the household debt ratio.

“For example, do we know who are the people in debt? Is it the poor or the affluent ones? These are the details we need.” said Subramaniam.

Last month Bank Negara announced that it will cap the housing loan term to 35 years and halted all pre-approved personal financing products in order to address the high household debt issue.