KL News N' Buzz

[nazrey]

Siemens Power opens business centre in KL
Updated : 07-07-2005
Media : Business Times
Story By : KAMARUL YUNUS




SIEMENS Power Generation, the energy division of global conglomerate Siemens AG, is opening its latest regional business centre (RBC) in Kuala Lumpur today.

The firm aims to double its revenue contribution from the oil and gas sector by next year through its RBCs in Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Texas, and London.

The RBC in Kuala Lumpur will handle the company¡¦s activities in Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The RBCs will spur Siemens Power Generation¡¦s oil and gas activities, which are currently account for between 10 per cent and 15 per cent of the company¡¦s revenue, its president Klaus Voges said yesterday.

Noting changes to Siemens Power Generation¡¦s portfolio, Voges said the company has now strengthened its industrial business, with 60 per cent of its focus on oil and gas.

¡§When I took the responsibility (of the company¡¦s president in 1999), Siemens Power Generation was focusing more on business power plants, concentrating on fossil power plants.

¡§As years passed, we have changed the portfolio, giving emphasis to the oil and gas sector. At the same time, we have also stepped in the renewable power, which means, we have a complete portfolio in the power generation industrial business,¡¨ he said.

On the RBC in Kuala Lumpur, Voges said: ¡§At the moment, the RBC has 50 staff and we plan to increase this to 100 or more workers. Currently, the investment is low but we will increase this when the need arises.¡¨

The RBC will first try to bring in marketing and sales activities, while the second step is to bring in project engineering and management for applications.

Asked why the company chose Malaysia as its RBC for Asia Pacific, Voges cited two reasons ¡X proximity to customers and Malaysia¡¦s excellent infrastructure and pool of skilled workers.

¡§I believe that (the reason for choosing Malaysia) is very easy. The main reason is proximity to customers.

¡§The surrounding Petronas Twin Towers where Siemens Power Generation RBC is located is important where most of oil and gas customers are located. There is no better place to serve them for the Asia-Pacific (region) then from here in Kuala Lumpur.

¡§Secondly, there is excellent infrastructure and skilled people are available. This has influenced the decision to install the RBC in Kuala Lumpur,¡¨ he said.

[nazrey]

Express bus terminal in Meru
By ELAN PERUMAL
Thursday July 7, 2005




The express bus terminal in North Klang will be relocated to Meru.

The terminal which is currently located at Jalan Lintang Batu Tiga will be housed at a permanent complex at the Klang Central project in Meru which is being developed by the Titijaya Group.

Council president Abdul Bakir Zin said the bus terminal complex would also be provided with stands for local buses plying the Meru and Kapar routes.

He said the council had not made decisions on the design and the cost of the complex.

Currently, he said, the express bus terminal was situated at a congested part of the town and its relocation had been long overdue.

“The condition of the present express bus terminal is not conducive as it is located on open ground at a temporary site.

“We believe commuters and the staff of the express bus companies will be more comfortable once the new complex is ready while it will also help to ease traffic congestion at the present site,'' he said.

However, Bakir said, the council had not decided on whether it intended to undertake the project on its own or through privatisation.

He said they were considering several options including a possible joint venture.

“We are studying all possibilities before deciding on who should build and manage the terminal,'' he said.

[nazrey]

Klang Sentral, The Largest Transportation Hub @ Klang


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Malaysia's Most Modern Bus Terminal


Developed on 82 acres of land, Klang Sentral is poised to become the largest, most modern and innovative transportation hub in Klang and Malaysia. Its taxi and bus terminals, as well as its 390 commercial units, will feature futuristic architectual and functional designs that will complement the area's unique triangular landscape. Served by a networkof highways, such as NKVE, New North Klang Straits Bypass (NNKS), North Klang Straits Expressway, Federal Highway, and the NKVE-Meru link, Klang Sentral will emerge as the new premier landmark for northern Klang.

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Klang Sentral, Malaysia's most modern bus terminal, is set to be a natural people magnet. Its strategic location, variety of eating and shopping outlets make it a bustling hub of activity and the perfect platform for business.

• Modern 3-storey shop offices with functional designs.
• Ideal business location
• Beautiful unique triangular landscape features.
• Immediate catchment market from neighbouring areas like Meru, Kapar Town, Setia Alam, Aman Perdana, Bandar Bukit Raja and others.
• An estimated 100,000 people passing through the transport hub daily and a total population of 1 million from in and around surrounding areas.
•Easily accessible from a number of highways including the North Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), New North Klang Straits Bypass (NNKS), North Klang Straits Expressway and Federal Highway.


http://www.titijaya.com.my/images/klang_map1.gifhttp://www.titijaya.com.my/images/klang_map2.gif
http://www.titijaya.com.my/images/klang_map3.gifhttp://www.titijaya.com.my/images/klang_map4.gif

Source : http://www.titijaya.com.my/f_main.htm

[nazrey]

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A passenger walks past as a model displays an outfit by Malaysian designer Ismail Hassan
A passenger walks past as a model displays an outfit by Malaysian designer Ismail Hassan at a high-speed train station in Kuala Lumpur July 1, 2005. The sneak preview of the Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2005 (KLFW 2005) was held Friday on the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Ekspres with the theme "Rhythm of Colours - KLFW 2005 Takesoff at 160km/h", in reference to the train travelling at 160km/hour. KLFW 2005 will be held in the Malaysia's capital of Kuala Lumpur from July 23 to 31 with displays of more than 2,000 outfits by 60 renowned fashion designers.

Image: © BAZUKI MUHAMMAD/Reuters/Corbis

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Malaysian shows newly launched HIV test kits in Kuala Lumpur
A Malaysian shows newly launched HIV test kits in Kuala Lumpur November 29, 2004. Malaysia launched on Monday the seventh generation HIV test kit known as HV-7 Rapid Test Kits, developed by Malaysia's Institute for Medical Research and hospitals in Malaysia and Singapore, for the screening and detection of HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies.

Image: © BAZUKI MUHAMMAD/Reuters/Corbis

http://pro.corbis.com/images/DWF15-1021806.jpg?size=67&uid={374de430-55fc-424c-914c-bb9840f246f4}

[nazrey]

http://pro.corbis.com/images/DWF15-417742.jpg?size=67&uid={05ac364e-2971-4265-8151-017e20ce237e} http://pro.corbis.com/images/AAMK001293.jpg?size=67&uid={aa232a2b-51de-42f7-86a0-72a5700c6e53}

- Berjaya Times Square
- A highway and tollbooth leads to the city of Kuala Lumpur.

[nazrey]

http://pro.corbis.com/images/AAMK001297.jpg?size=67&uid={4f52fc4b-4d95-4a14-bdc6-7d9fdf451c38}

Window Washers on the Petronas Towers.

[TYW]

The picture with the highway is awesome :eek:

[nazrey]

Traders to get modern complex
Friday July 8, 2005
By ELAN PERUMAL




http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/7/8/central/p8zakaria.jpg

Bakir (second from right) and Zakaria (left, in bush jacket)
surveying the damage to the stalls.



A MODERN complex will be built to replace a row of stalls destroyed by fire at Jalan Aceh in Port Klang.

Work to clear the debris from the building will start with immediate effect, said Klang Municipal Council president Abdul Bakir Zin.

He added that it was still too soon for the council to decide on the details of the new building but promised that the complex would be a complete one.

”We have to build a hawker centre that suits current needs and is in line with Selangor's status as a developed state.

”They have been trading in the wooden building for many years and it is high time we improved conditions,'' he said

Bakir said the construction would be complemented by a proper road linking it to Jalan Aceh.

He added that the council had not worked out the cost of the complex but assured victims that an allocation would be made available.

”It is located close to the Port Klang bus terminal and we have to make it a attractive so that traders will enjoy better returns,'' he said

Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Mat Derus had earlier requested a double-storey complex be built in the area.

He proposed that the hawker centre use the ground floor and the first floor be reserved for other businesses.

”I hope the council will seriously consider the proposal so that the complex will serve a mini business centre for the people here,'' he said

Zakaria added that the traders had been offered temporary sites while waiting for the complex to be completed.

Twenty stalls were destroyed in the fire that struck early last Sunday morning.

[nazrey]

Council to allocate more parking for the disabled
Friday July 8, 2005




THE SELAYANG Municipal Council (MPS) will allocate more parking bays for the disabled and has encouraged private parking operators to do the same.

“We will be opening a new parking lot for the disabled, near the Rawang KTM Komuter station,” said MPS president Zainal Abidin Azim.

He said the lot would have five bays exclusively for disabled drivers.

He hoped this move would be replicated throughout the municipality.

“I ask for public co-operation on this matter. Whatever provisions we make for the disabled, others must respect it too.”

Drivers who misused disabled parking bays would face fines from MPS if caught doing so, added Zainal.

He noted that there were several places which already gave importance to the disabled, such as in Rawang, at the Summit Square and Selayang Mall.

The new MPS headquarters in Bandar Baru Selayang, he said, was an example of a disabled-friendly building, with access ramps for people in wheelchairs.

[nazrey]

Making KL a shopper's haven
Saturday July 9, 2005



Make Kuala Lumpur a great place to shop – that's the advice from Tourism Minister Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad.

He said there is a need to create an atmosphere of good shopping in the capital.

Tourism Minister Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad said research by MasterCard International showed that KL still lacked such an atmosphere, which would take about two to three years to create.

“We have to develop the atmosphere of good shopping and good bargaining practices. It is important to give tourists and shoppers an experience that they will come back for,” he said at a press conference to announce the Malaysia Mega Sales Carnival 2005.





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Dr Toyad said being “inexpensive” and offering “value for money” are important factors in attracting tourists to shop in KLwhen tourists could opt for cheaper destinations, like China. .

“Shopping is a favourite activity for tourists and organising the mega sales carnival is one way to draw them here,” he said.

On average, tourists from the Middle East spent over RM5,500 per person per visit. East Asians spent an average of RM2,650, and visitors from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei RM1,770.

Dr Toyad said while the Middle East and South African markets are growing markets, the Asean market remained important for Malaysia.

In 2003, there were 5.9 million Singaporean visitors who made up over 55% of total tourist arrivals. Together, they spent RM11bil, or about 52% of total tourist spending in Malaysia.

Since 2000, tourist arrivals from Singapore had grown by about 12% per year. Last year, there were 9.5 million visitors from Singapore.

The mid-2005 research was based on 60 interviews conducted with 45 foreign visitors and 15 Malaysians at five different shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur – Suria KLCC, Bukit Bintang Plaza, Low Yat Plaza, Sungei Wang Plaza and Lot 10.

Dr Toyad said Mega Sales 2005 would begin from July 23 and ends on Sept 4, with the launch held at Ikano Power Centre. There would be a street party and other fun-filled activities and programmes for tourists and shoppers.

For more information on the mega sales carnival, visit http://www.malaysiamydestination.com.

[nazrey]

Not all Kg Chempaka residents offered homes
Saturday July 9, 2005
By K.W. MAK



While the residents of Kampung Chempaka have been asked to vacate their homes by July 31, not everyone has been offered low-cost homes.

The 65 families who have been left out are mostly extended families living under one roof.

Last month, Damansara Utama assemblyman C.K. Lim had given 99 families from Kampung Chempaka offer letters for the low-cost flats in Damansara Pelangi, Kota Damansara. The letters also contained details on the transit homes where they would stay while their new homes were being built.

Kampung Chempaka Urban Pioneers Action Committee adviser Ronnie Liu said those left out were equally eligible for the low-cost homes.

He said it was not uncommon for two to four families to live under one roof in squatter areas, as the houses were large enough to support them.

However, the new low-cost flats will be too small to support more than one family. With previous squatter colonies, the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ) had offered a low-cost home to each family.

“This had been the case for many previous squatter relocations where the first family got the discounted rate of RM35,000 while the extended families would pay RM42,000 for the low-cost home.

“In previous cases involving Kampung Dato Harun and Kampung Penaga, single parent families and the disabled were also offered the discounted rates for the low-cost homes,” said Liu.

He asked why MPPJ had reversed its policy this time and hoped the council president could rectify the situation by offering the remaining families a unit each.

Liu had intended to hand a memorandum to MPPJ president Datuk Ahmad Termizi Puteh but handed it to MPPJ deputy secretary Ahmat Mohayen Said instead as the president was not in his office.

In the memorandum, the residents had also requested to stay until Dec 31 before moving to the transit homes as they were finding it difficult to transfer their children to other schools.

“We have 150 schoolchildren and we were only told of the move in May,” said resident Tey Wooi Loon.

“It is difficult to relocate our schoolchildren because it will disrupt their studies,” he added.

[nazrey]

Injecting awareness among animal lovers
By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ
Tuesday July 12, 2005



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THE Subang Jaya Municipal Council’s plan to implant dogs with microchips seems like a good start to curbing problems of stray dogs and missing pets.

THE Subang Jaya Municipal Council’s (MPSJ) plan to implant dogs with microchips seems like a good start in curbing problems of stray dogs and missing pets.

The ruling has not been enforced yet. But, MPSJ concluded talks with the Malaysian Kennel Association (MKA) last month on how best to manage dogs in the municipality. They have come to an understanding on several key points.



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There is no surgery involved, just a microchip transponder (left)
that is about the size of a rice grain, and a scanner (right).



When made mandatory, new dog-licence applicants will have to take their pets for a “Good Citizen Course” and subsequently have the association certify the canines.

MKA-certified dogs will then have a microchip that contains relevant data kept by the council and the association.

Although micro-chipping of animals has been around for a while, the pet identification method is relatively new in Malaysia.

Many pet owners have their doubts about the method and its effectiveness. Some have never even heard of the procedure.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) animal instructor Sabrina Yeap said some pet owners think that micro-chipping involves an expensive operation.

“Some even think that a microchip will turn a pet into a robot, but that is not true at all. It is just a simple injection,” said Yeap, adding that the method was useful in curbing pedigree fraud, stolen pets and identifying missing pets.
She said the procedure costs RM30 at the most.

To create awareness among pet owners and the public, SPCA, with the support of PetsUnite Sdn Bhd, held a micro-chipping demonstration at PetsUnite office in South City Plaza, Seri Kembangan, recently.



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Dr Lee, with help from an assistant, giving a dose
of painkiller before the cat receives its implant.



At the event, six dogs and cats from the SPCA were implanted with microchip transponders. SPCA veterinarian Dr Natasha Lee conducted the session.

Dr Lee said the micro-chipping procedure was simple, involving only a couple of syringes, and no operation.

She said licence tags and tattoos on animals were handy for identification purposes, but they were not a permanent solution.

“Collar tags can come off and tattoos can fade or altered with ink,’’ said Dr Lee. “Marks can also be removed completely with deep scarring.”

Stressing that the method was no more painful than a vaccination, Dr Lee said microchip technology had improved over the years to be of advantage to both owners and pets.

At the demonstration, a cat was first scanned for any previous microchip. Then, Dr Lee shaved a small section of fur off the cat's neck (in between the shoulder blades) to make way for the procedure. A pain killer injection followed before proceeding with the microchip injection.

The tip of the microchip syringe contained a tiny capsule, about the size of a rice grain. Inside the capsule was a 15-digit identification number that was unique as no two microchips have the same number.

Using a scanner, the back of the cat was scanned again to make sure the chip stayed in the right place and not in the animal’s coat.

The cat was then released into its kennel. It showed no traces of trauma or pain.

“The procedure is actually that simple and with improved technology, microchips produced these days stay within the neck area of a pet rather than move about the animal's back over time,” said Dr Lee, adding that all it took now was public awareness on the issue.

The whole process took less than 10 minutes for each animal.

Also present at the event was NTV7’s My Pet crew.

Aimed to increase owner responsibility among pet owners, the show that is aired on Fridays provides viewers with vital information on pet care.

[nazrey]

More want palliative care services, says doctor
By ESTHER CHANDRAN
Tuesday July 12, 2005




THE availability of district nurses would greatly improve palliative care in the country, said Lady Mayoress of the City of London Fiona Savory during her visit to Hospis Malaysia on Thursday.

Savory, accompanied by Sally Cleghorn, wife of British High Commissioner to Malaysia and Sheriff David Cobb's wife Audrey was briefed on the services at Hospis Malaysia by chief executive officer/medical director Dr Ednin Hamzah. Savory was surprised to hear that Malaysia does not have district or community nurse services like in England.



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Cleghorn receiving a bouquet of flowers from
Alfred Kunalan, 62.



Addressing this issue, she said community nurse services would relieve the burden of non- government organisations involved in dispensing palliative care to patients.

District nurses or community nurses are common in Britain as they provide nursing care for patients at their homes and nursing homes, helping them with medical needs while providing emotional support.

She observed that non-government organisations alone could not see to the care required by patients facing advanced or life-threatening illnesses.

“The Government needs to be more involved in this area as more and more people are becoming aware of palliative care services,” she said.

Dr Ednin said the number of people requesting palliative help had increased over the years at Hospis Malaysia.

Although some hospitals offered community-nursing services, he said the number was small compared with the number of people requiring palliative care.



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Savory (second from right) chatting with
some of the patients.



“Due to increased awareness, patients and their families are aware of our services and there has been an increase in the number of people seeking palliative care,” he said, adding that at any one time, Hospis Malaysia had 200 patients in its care.

Its vice-chairman, Peter Loh, said there were 20 NGOs in Malaysia providing palliative care services.

Savory also presented a RM4,086.60 cheque to Hospis Malaysia.

[nazrey]

KL hotel bags four HR awards
Tuesday July 12, 2005




THE Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur has won four Human Resources awards in the last 15 months.

The proudest achievement for the hotel's Human Resources Department this year was winning the Shangri-La Human Resources Team of the Year award, beating the other 45 properties in the Shangri-La Group of hotels and resorts.

Initiated by the Corporate Hu-man Resources Department this year, the award recognises the human resources team within the Group that has contributed most in the area of human resources development.

The award is also in line with the Shang Care 4 programme that requires every employee to Care for Customer, Care for Colleagues, and Care for Company.

The award was presented by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts CEO Giovanni Angelini to the area director of human resources, Christopher Raj, at Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, Hong Kong, on May 20.

The hotel also won the 2004 Human Resources Development - Minister’s Award under the “Large Employer Category (Service Sector)”, which is presented to employers who have contributed significantly towards the development of human capital.

Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur was judged the Human Resources Department of the Year by the Hospitality Asia Platinum Award 2003-2004 (Malaysia Series).

Launched in 2003, the awards recognise the back-of-the-house departments of hotels and resorts for introducing high standards of service that ensure their guests have a comfortable and memorable stay.

The hotel was bestowed the prestigious National HR Excellence Awards 2003, designed to honour outstanding achievements in hu-man resource management, by ASPAC Executive Search and the Malaysian Institute of Human Resources Management (MIHRM).

Conceptualised and organised by ASPAC Executive Search and MIHRM, the award recognises a sustained commitment by organisations and corporations to the development of human capital in line with the national vision, and in particular with the nation's need to develop an internationally competitive workforce.

The award also supports the Government’s call to give due recognition to companies that have made significant contributions in the field of human resources management and development.

“We recognise that people are our most important assets and we are committed to ensuring that our employees are given the opportunity to grow with us,” said Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur general manager and area manager Richard W. Riley.

“We believe that Shangri-La’s motto of ‘One Team One Way Towards Excellence’ has won us the awards and also makes us the first choice employer in Kuala Lumpur.”

[nazrey]

Developers riding on KLCC lifestyle craze
Updated : 11-04-2005
Media : The Star
Story By : ANGIE NG




The Kuala Lumpur inner city skyline is undergoing rapid changes, thanks to a robust real estate market in the past two years.

More futuristic and eye-catching architecture forms are set to join the splendour of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre Twin Towers in the years to come. Behind this building frenzy is Kuala Lumpur City Hall's clever vision of injecting more life into the inner city by promoting new residential developments in the area.

StarBiz assistant news editor ANGIE NG caught up with several developers and real estate consultants to have a feel of the “KLCC pulse.

WITH lifestyle and fine living catching up among urbanites, more opportunities are now open to property developers to venture into the high-end and high-margin residences sub-sector, especially luxurious condominiums, in the inner city of Kuala Lumpur.

Quite a number of developers are riding on the “KLCC lifestyle craze?to launch projects that provide spacious living space where privacy and security are listed as top priorities.

From the early 1990s until before the regional financial crisis in1997, quite a number of condominium enclaves have sprouted up in the city centre.

These include projects such as Kirana Condominium in Jalan Pinang, Hampshire Park in Persiaran Hampshire and 3 Kia Peng in Jalan Kia Peng. The onset of the financial crisis halted further development of such projects as the market took a downturn.

Among the first high-end and multi-storey condominium projects to appear in the inner city when the economy finally stabilised was Stonor Park by Beneton Properties Sdn Bhd. The two tower blocks with a direct view of the Petronas Twin Towers were launched in 2003, with completion expected in 2006.

Priced from RM1.1mil to RM5.8mil, the units are spaciously designed with a built-up area of 2,000 to 3,000 sq ft while the penthouses have built-ups of 7,782 sq ft.

Beneton Properties chief operating officer Leong Swee Han said the avant garde yet contemporary and practical designs to create the sleek Manhattan look, had won the hearts of the new breed of city dwellers.

'The generous use of glass and steel makes the building aesthetically visible, yet has the contemporary touch. It is important to have a practical and comfortable layout that provides balance between entertainment and private space,' Leong told StarBiz in an interview.

She said buyers of luxury condominiums appreciated the fine living, security and privacy provided in such projects.

'They are looking to fulfil their new lifestyle needs and also to achieve optimal quality, value for money and good investment opportunities from their purchase,' she said.

With land in the inner city getting scarce, the limited supply will drive greater interest and demand for these high-end condominiums.

Developers are seeking out valuable land of between one and two acres for development into prime projects that offer fast project turnaround time and good cashflow.

Quite a few of them have used their high-profile projects to make a foray into the upmarket property sector and make a name for themselves by putting their best foot forward, so to speak.

The launch of The Binjai by KLCC Holdings Bhd in August last year has set the benchmark for high-end condominium living in the inner city. The spaciously designed condominiums of between 2,300 and 3,700 sq ft are priced from RM1,200 per sq ft.

Companies with ongoing projects in the vicinity include the big property boys such as KLCC Holdings Bhd (The Binjai); Tan & Tan Development Bhd (Cendana at Sultan Ismail); Glomac Bhd (Suria Stonor); E & O Property Development Bhd (Dua Residency) and SDB Properties Sdn Bhd, a Selangor Dredging Bhd company (Park Seven). The others are Beneton Properties (Stonor Park and 2 Hampshire) and Tanahnaga Sdn Bhd (The Meritz).

Among the new boys in the block who are vying to get into the “KLCC action?are Magna Prima Bhd and Sitiawan-based Yu Neh Huat Bhd.

Magna Prima hopes that the May launch of The Avare Kuala Lumpur at Lorong Kuda will build up its brand name as a niche developer, while Yu Neh Huat Bhd's 163 Residence, featuring a 28-storey block of 250 serviced residences in Jalan Perak, also serves as a platform for the Sitiawan-based group to make a foray into the bustling Kuala Lumpur market.

The cityscape will continue to change with more eye-catching designed projects joining the neighbourhood with some of the world's best architects joining the fray.

While most of the projects are churning out very spacious units, there is a need to provide projects with varying built-up, especially smaller units such as serviced apartments, to cater to the growing demand from those eager to become city dwellers.

With the 14 ongoing projects featuring some 3,000 residences, the building frenzy may see them doubling in the next few years.

According to Glomac Bhd group managing director Datuk FD Iskandar Mohamed Mansor, developers who read the market correctly and have a proven track record should be able to sell their products.

“Ultimately, that means the market will be able to distinct the men from the boys.'he said.

Tan & Tan Development marketing and sales director K.C. Chong said KL was ready for more such developments.

While giving the thumbs-up to improvements in the public transport system such as the KL Monorail, he said more open spaces and parks to make the city truly liveable were necessary, too.

'There is a need to create a cleaner and fresher KL by controlling pollution from public transport such as buses, lorries and motorcycles.

'There should be more abundant walking spaces such as paved footpaths and tree canopied walkways. The walking culture should be very much encouraged as a city lifestyle,' he said.

[nazrey]

Hyatt Group to finally have KL hotel in 2009
Updated : 22-04-2005
Media : Business Times
Story By : VASANTHA GANESAN



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AFTER waiting more than a decade, the Hyatt Group will finally have a hotel in Kuala Lumpur in 2009.

The Hyatt Group is expected to operate a 450-room five-star Grand Hyatt in Jalan Pinang, next to the Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur, industry sources said.

They told Business Times that the hotel will be owned by the Brunei Investment Agency and a locally-incorporated private company.

The 50-storey building will include a hotel, service apartments and an office complex. Owners of the hotel were not available for comment.

A Hyatt Group hotel, the Grand Hyatt Duta, was to have been completed in 1997. Until today, the hotel at the corner of Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Ampang remains partly completed.

Kuala Lumpur Landmark Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Olympia Industries Bhd, was given the contract to develop the RM570 million Grand Hyatt Duta in 1994.

Mycom Bhd, the holding company of Olympia, then teamed up with Kuala Lumpur Landmark to develop a 52-storey building to house its headquarters and the hotel.

However, construction was halted in July 1998, when the group encountered financial difficulties during the 1997/98 economic downturn.

An industry source said the Hyatt Group is no longer associated with Mycom.

Both Mycom and Olympia are Practice Note 4 companies. Their shares are not suspended, but are under trading restriction.

The Hyatt Group also operates the Hyatt Regency Kinabaluh, Hyatt Regency Johor Baru and Hyatt Regency Kuantan.

The Hyatt Hotel Management Ltd, which has been involved with the Hyatt Regency Saujana in Subang since 1986, announced recently that it had mutually agreed with the hotel owner Saujana Consolidated Bhd to terminate the management agreement with effect from April 30 this year.

It is believed that the Hyatt Group discussed the possibility of building a Park Hyatt in the Bukit Bintang area in Kuala Lumpur. Sources said the deal did not materialise.

[Greg]

Eh, great news.
You never sleep Nazrey? It must be like 4am in your part of the world...

[nazrey]

Eh, great news.
You never sleep Nazrey? It must be like 4am in your part of the world...

Me...yup! I'm always here for 24 hrs!! :jk: :lol:

[nazrey]

London 2012 Bid Hampered By Exodus Of Sports Governing Bodies
Sunday, January 09, 2005



London’s bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games could be hampered because several influential sports governing bodies have decided to leave Britain and move elsewhere.

The International Cricket Council (ICC), cricket’s ruling body, is preparing to leave London and move to Dubai. Also the Cheltenham-based International Badminton Federation decided last month to leave the UK to move to Kuala Lumpur, and the London Observer reports the International Sailing Federation is being “privately wooed” to transfer its head office from Southampton to Monaco.

Since 1993 the ruling bodies of rugby, athletics and table tennis have all left Britain.

The sports ruling bodies are being lured by cash grants, tax concessions and other perks which the UK Treasury has refused to match, reports the Observer.

The newspaper quotes a London 2012 Olympic bid insider saying, “these latest departures are bad news for our chances. Britain has a special place in the history of sport because we invited so many sports…it’s in the country’s interest to keep them here, because they help promote a positive image of Britain abroad”.

The source added, “Britain has little enough influence in the corridors of power in international sport without losing any more governing bodies. The government insists on seeing these organizations as normal profit-making businesses and fails to see that their profits are put back into devoting their sports’ grassroots”.

Mike Lee, London 2012’s spokesman, said the ICC’s likely move would not damage London’s chances because cricket is not an Olympic sport. He said, “this isn’t a matter for the bid and has no significance for the bid. The minister is not pursuing that at the bid’s request. But clearly it’s a matter for the government and the cricket authorities”.

But the Observer reports that Labour MP Derek Wyatt, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary London 2012 group of MPs and peers saying, “it matters little that cricket isn’t in the Olympics. Senior ICC members will talk to their country’s IOC member and say that Britain, London, or the British Government doesn’t care enough about sport, or has been unhelpful. Therefore, in this sensitive six–month period before the vote on 2012, this could be damaging because it creates the impression that the government doesn’t understand sport yet is bidding for the Olympics.

[nazrey]

MPSp zooms in on human development
Wednesday July 13, 2005




http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/7/13/central/m_07zin.jpg

Zin (centre) handing over an appointment certificate
to a committee member.




Sepang residents and community leaders should work together to help children who are lagging behind their peers' academic achievements in more developed neighbouring townships.

Sepang MP Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed said the district, which was seeing a lot of development as a result of the development spill-over from Putrajaya and Cyberjaya, KL International Airport and F1 Circuit, needed to also focus on the aspect of human development.

“We have to guide our children to arm themselves with a good education so that they are able to better compete in the job market,” he said.

He said besides himself, the assemblymen, Sepang Municipal councillors and members of the newly set up Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp) Residents Consultative Committee could all play a role in ensuring that the children showed better results in their examinations.

He said they could set up community tuition centres and study areas but these could only be achieved if all the parties worked together.

Mohd Zin was speaking during the launch of the MPSp Residents Consultative Committee and the presentation of certificates of appointments to the committee members.

MPSp has divided its jurisdiction into five zones headed by councillors who will work together with community leaders.

Each has been given an office in the designated zone to make it easier for residents to highlight problems in their areas.

The committee members are expected to verify the problems raised and recommend to the council works that are urgent and those that can wait.

Also present at the launch were MPSp president Mohd Arif Abdul Rahman and councillors Datuk Marsum Paing and Datuk C. Krishnan.

Mohd Zin also called on residents to work with the council to curb illegal activities, such as illegal dumping, as the council could not be expected to battle them alone.

“No number of enforcement officers can be enough for a council if it is expected to fight all the problems on its own because these officers cannot be at all the places all the time,” he said.

He said only if residents were willing to act as the eyes and ears of the council and provide information on illegal activities in the areas could the officers carry out their jobs efficiently and put an end to the problems.

He added that the setting up of the Residents Consultative Committees should enable the residents to lodge their complaints with ease as they would no longer have to travel all the way to the council office to raise the problems.

[nazrey]

Modern stage for traditional beauty
Wednesday July 13, 2005



The turquoise folds on the roof and the intricate design of the foyer are just two of the features that take the breath of viewers and visitors away. Istana Budaya (http://www.istanabudaya.gov.my/) is, after all, a national theatre and the venue for not only local but international, acts too.

Even when it is not playing host to any performance, Istana Budaya’s architecture has intrigued experts and academics. Visually, it has much to offer.






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The staircase leading up to the upper floors of the auditorium.






The inspiration for the complex’ aesthetic interest is derived from the cut and position of a traditional moon kite in flight.

Architect Muhammad Kamar Ya’akub’s ideas strongly reflect the Malay tradition.

In the main building, for instance, the layout takes the form of the sirih junjuung, a traditional arrangement of betel leaves used at Malay weddings and welcoming ceremonies.

This traditional exterior, though, is said to have one of the most sophisticated theatres in the world.

The building is divided by function, just like a Malay house, into three sections.






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The Istana Budaya’s unique architecture reflected on the water of Tasik Titiwangsa.






There is the serambi or the lobby and foyer, the rumah ibu, which is the auditorium and the rumah dapur or kitchen which serves as the stage and rehearsal hall.

Inside, Langkawi marble tiles the floors, while tropical wood is used for the doors, featuring hand-carved flower and leaf motifs. Lush carpets in the serambi area are of the frangipani flower and the beringin tree.

In the auditorium, there are royal boxes on each side, patterned after the windows of a Malay house.

The entrance to the theatre, too, replicates a palace’s main hall, or the Balairong Seri and is said to be modelled after one in Malacca.

The theatre lobby on the third floor extends the influence of Malay culture, taking the shape of the rebana ubi or traditional drum.

The auditorium itself seats about 1,412 people, including 797 in the stalls on the first floor, 312 in the grand circle on the second floor and 303 people in the upper circle.





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The theatre’s auditorium seats about 1,412 people





The orchestra pit, when it is not in use, can take in 98 people.

While there seems to be a large number of stairs, the disabled can take heart. Istana Budaya has wheelchair facilities, including a ramp into the foyer, a lift with easy-to-reach buttons and an area designated for the handicapped.

Restrooms for the disabled are also found at both the stalls and grand circle areas.

Additionally, there is also a costume gallery featuring clothes from Malay traditional theatre.

The costumes are from Bangsawan, Mak Yong, Ajat Bebunuh, Layang Emas and Bambarayon performances, among others.

[nazrey]

Shopping malls to stay open until midnight
Updated : 20-07-2005
Media : The Star




Shopaholics will be happy to note that retail complexes in the Klang Valley and Selangor, particularly those located in areas frequented by Arab tourists, will now be open until midnight.

The extended business hours is to enable tourists, particularlythose from Middle Eastern countries, more time to shop at night, said Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

¡§We found that Arab tourists who go out after maghrib prayers have limited time to shop as the shopping malls are closed by 9pm or 10pm,¡¨ he told reporters yesterday after the launch of the Islam Hadhari official portal at the Putra World Trade Centre.

Zahid said, however, that during the Mega Sales carnival from this Saturday to Sept 4, shopping malls would be allowed to stay open till 2am.

¡§Retailers should take advantage of the market share of about RM6.6bil from Middle Eastern and African tourists,¡¨ he said, adding that the potential market share for this year was an estimated RM10bil.

He said the Government had spent RM3.9mil on advertisements to promote the Mega Sales carnival.

Zahid also urged shopping malls to improve their facilities, particularly having a proper surau.

¡§Based on feedback from tourists, surau in shopping malls are in a bad condition. They should be upgraded and cleaned,he said.

[nazrey]

Wangsa Maju Set To Be A Commercial Centre With New Master Plan
Updated : 19-07-2005
Media : Bernama




Landmarks Land & Properties Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Landmarks Bhd, is set to transform Wangsa Maju into a commercial centre for Kuala Lumpur's North Eastern quadrant.

The transformation will be realised as the company unveiled its new master plan today to develop 99.6ha land with a gross development value (GDV) of RM2.5 billion within the next three to eight years.

The master plan for Wangsa Maju will bring a new era of modern suburban living to this area which is about 6km from the city centre and has been gazetted as one of the strategic development zones in the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020.

"Wangsa Maju forms part of the Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan Region (KLMR) which comprises identified strategic growth areas to be developed to become commercial hubs.

"As such, we aim to make Wangsa Maju an important suburban business centre for Kuala Lumpur," he told reporters after unveiling the new master plan for the remaining land bank to be developed in Wangsa Maju, here Tuesday.

Wangsa Maju covers some 400ha with an estimated GDV of RM3.4 billion.

At its heart will be a new town centre called Wangsa Link, which offers an ideal option for businesses.

Among residential properties currently being developed include Desa Putra, which comprises three blocks of 20-storey condominiums, which are now 70 percent sold.

Desa Andaman comprising 132 units of a two-and-a-half storey terraced homes, and low-density 94 units condominium named Desa Villas - a joint-venture project with MCL Land, which were all sold out.

In an effort to reposition the company as an upmarket developer, Abdul Halim said Landmarks Lands had tied-up with several reputable developers in the country like IJM Properties Sdn Bhd and Tan & Tan Development Bhd.

He said the company had fully sold out the affordable homes and was now concentrating on the upper medium to higher cost homes.

Meanwhile, Landmarks Land general manager, Tan Ching Meng said: Under the joint-venture with IJM, a total of 948 units of medium to high-end condominium will be built.

Costing RM300,000 per unit, the condominium - Riana Green East would be launched by the end of the year.

He said interested buyers could, however, booked their homes now.

Tan said the joint-venture between Landmarks Land and Tan & Tan would comprise hillside gated high-end resort style bungalows scheduled to be launched by end of the year.

Among other things, Landmarks Land has allocated 16ha of its land to build the Metropolitan Park which will be a part of the landscaped greenery for the residents.

Asked on whether the company was looking for more land, Abdul Halim said Landmarks Land had identified several parcels of land surrounding the vicinity.

However, he said they have not talked to any parties yet.

Landmarks Land, formerly known as PGK Sdn Bhd, is a company formed in 1983 under a joint venture partnership between Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Peremba Bhd.

1n 1996, Landmarks Land's shareholding changed with the entry of a new controlling shareholder, Landmarks Bhd (70 percent), the other being Saujana Assets & Realty Sdn Bhd.

To date, the company has built and sold over 11,000 units, of which 10,850 are residential units ranging from low-cost to high-end homes with a gross revenue generated amounting to over RM1 billion.

In June 2005, MCL Land Ltd from Singapore acquired 50 percent less one share from Kuala Lumpur Suburban Centre Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Landmarks Bhd.

[nazrey]

Landmarks Land expects to complete Wangsa Maju projects in 3 to 8 years
Updated : 20-07-2005
Media : The Star



LANDMARKS Bhd's wholly-owned subsidiary Landmarks Land Sdn Bhd expects its remaining 249 acres in Wangsa Maju, worth RM2.1bil in gross development value and comprising mixed property projects, to be completed in the next three to eight years.

Managing director Mohd Abdul Halim said the company's master plan was to make Wangsa Maju a bustling commercial centre for Kuala Lumpur's north-eastern quadrant in the near future.

¡§Wangsa Maju is already a popular township because of its excellent infrastructure, accessibility and quality environment.

¡§It also has a strong population base in the middle to upper income bracket. We are confident our commercial and residential projects will be warmly received,¡¨ he told a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Landmarks Land's commercial and retail projects, known as the Wangsa Link, consists of serviced shop offices (300 units), Wangsa Office Towers, a 400m long pedestrian street mall with outdoor restaurants, a three-acre wet market and 4.2-acre landscape plaza.

The residential projects it is currently developing are Desa Putra (3 20-storey blocks of condominium), Desa Andaman (132 two-and-half storey terrace homes) and Desa Villas (94 low density condominium units), which is under a joint-venture (JV) development with Singapore-based MCL Land Ltd.

Other JV projects with reputable developers in the pipeline include an upmarket condominium project with IJM Properties Sdn Bhd, and a hillside gated residential development with Tan & Tan Development Bhd.

Halim said Landmarks Land had been developing affordable homes for many years and its JVs with high-end developers were a move to reposition itself in the upper premium market for commercial and residential property development.

¡§It's an opportunity for us to leverage on their strong brand names and expertise to fast track our developments in prime areas in Wangsa Maju to improve our bottom line,¡¨ he said. ¡¨With MCL as a big stakeholder in the company, more will be in store for the residents of Wangsa Maju.

[nazrey]

Selayang on target for zero squatters
By YIP YOKE TENG
Wednesday July 20, 2005





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Dr Khir (right) presenting a mock key to some of the
squatter families who will move to new homes at the
Pinggiran Indah low-cost flats.




THE 140 squatter families in Kampung Selayang Indah can look forward to better living conditions when they received keys to their new homes at the Pinggiran Indah Low Cost Flats from Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo recently.

A remaining 30 units at the five-storey flats will be offered to extended family members of the former squatters.

“This project involves subsidies totalling RM1.4mil to relocate the families,” said Dr Khir.

“PKNS contributions to realise the state government’s Zero Squatter target includes 11 projects with 3,936 low cost units, and subsidies amounts to RM103mil,” he added.

He said four censuses were carried out prior to the relocation and units were given to occupants of the squatter homes, be they owners or tenants.

He also pointed out that the Selayang and Ampang municipal councils had the most number of squatters now, while the Kajang Municipal Council had successfully relocated all squatters in its jurisdiction.

He was confident that the Petaling Jaya, Klang and Subang Jaya municipal councils would achieve the target soon, as well.

Dr Khir Toyo also said Selangor, which would be declaring its developed status soon, was on par with 30 developed countries around the world and the state would build a modern library and a 113,000ha park as landmarks.

However, he drew attention to social problems in Selangor and said broken families was a main cause of social problems, and urged parents to look after their children the best way they could.

Selayang Municipal Council president Zainal Abidin Azim said by August, the council would have relocated 3,760 squatter families while the remaining 2,866 families would be moved to the low cost flats under construction at the moment.

Also present at the ceremony were State secretary Datuk Ramlan Othman, Selangor housing, squatter and building management committee chairman Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Ahmad Dahlan, Selangor state executive councillor for investment, industry and trade Datuk Tang See Hang, PKNS general manager Datuk Harun Salim, Taman Templer assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Bhari Abdul Rahman and Gombak district officer Tarmedi Omar.

[nazrey]

The first brick church in the Malay States
By LIM CHIA YING

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Photos by KAMAL SELLEHUDDIN and ROHAIZAT DARUS
Wednesday July 20, 2005




THE Church of St Mary the Virgin was the first Anglican Church in Kuala Lumpur, consecrated on Feb 13, 1887 by Rt Revd George Frederick Hose, the then Bishop of Singapore and Sarawak.

It started off as a wooden building on Bluff Road, on top of the hill now known as Bukit Aman, and was the centre of worship of a small group of Anglicans in and around Kuala Lumpur at that time.






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The elaborately carved Reredos, built of metal, forms
an arch that leads into the chancel where the altar is, in
the main church of St Mary's.






As the congregation grew, it was decided that a new and larger church was needed. Funds were then raised for the new construction.

A site in Jalan Raja, beside the Padang or Parade Ground (now called Dataran Merdeka), was subsequently selected as the site for the new church, and the land was given in perpetuity with no quit rent by the then Sultan of Selangor.

The church was built at a total cost of RM8,650. The early English Gothic design for the building’s façade was proposed by Government Architect A.C. Norman.

On Feb 9, 1895, the first brick church erected in “the native States of the Malay Peninsula” was consecrated by Bishop Hose.

After the extension of the original church building and the addition of the Jubilee Hall to the west end in 1958, the foundation stone for yet another extension comprising a courtyard with bell tower, Lady Chapel, office administration rooms and utility rooms, was laid.

On Sept 8, 1983, St Mary’s Church was proclaimed the Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin.






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The altar at the front of the main church hall.






Today, it stands as the Cathedral Church of the Anglican Synod, Diocese of West Malaysia – the mother church of all Anglican churches in this side of the country.

The cathedral is headed by Revd Tan Sri Dr Lim Cheng Ean, while the current dean, who is also a priest and the person in charge of the place, is The Very Revd Jason Selvaraj.

On Sundays, the Cathedral is attended by approximately 1,000 to 1,500 devotees who come to meditate, worship, and carry out their duties as faithful Christians. About seven services are conducted to minister to the spiritual needs to the congregation.

Plans are in the pipeline for additional extensions to the existing building to accommodate the steadily growing number of people who come for these services.

Though the church is self-sufficient in that the daily operational costs are met by donations from its own members, it seeks public funds for the construction of the new extension.

Regular Masses are said every day, and the place is a refuge for those who seek peace and wish to be in the presence of God.

[nazrey]

Project management experts coming to Malaysia
Tuesday July 19, 2005




LEADING experts in IT project management from the United States, Canada, India, China and Singapore will be converging on Kuala Lumpur next month for the first-ever regional conference on project management to be held in the country.

"We have invited some of the best practitioners in the growing field of project management to address the most critical issues facing the profession today," said conference organiser How Eng Keong, of Advanced Technology Studies Centre Sdn Bhd (ATSC).

"All the speakers have hands-on experience in successfully completing and delivering complex IT projects in Asia. Their insights about on-the-ground realities and cultural differences in the region will be invaluable to participants," he said.

Entitled "Mastering IT Project Management - Best Practices in Asia Pacific," the two-day conference, to be held on Aug 2-3 at the Le Meridien Hotel, is expected to draw more than 200 participants from China, Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Australia and Malaysia.

Among the 11 speakers are Guy Pitz, a senior adviser of US-based The Mitre Corporation, Robert Laing, a consultant for Lockheed Martin STASYS Ltd, Lakshman Pillai, CEO of LPCUBE Systems India Pvt Ltd and Jack Yang, a consultant for the Shanghai Pudong Airport.

Pitz was the former project director for the Total Airport Management System (TAMS) for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

He also previously headed a 40-site satellite earth station system for the United Nations and the development of all communications and security software for the Strategic Air Command Digital Network of the US Air Force.

Pitz, who currently advises on the systems for the new Bangkok Airport International, will show that "failure is not an option" in the delivery of high profile international IT projects in Asia.

Laing is a consultant to Lockheed Martin STASYS, one of world’s largest defense contractors in the world. An engineer with 15 years of experience in the design of large-scale defense systems, Laing has previously implemented systems for the US Air Force, Nato, Canadian Office of Maritime Technology, and other projects in Saudi Arabia.

In Malaysia, he is involved in a project to provide the Ministry of Defence with a land-based littoral surveillance and communications system.

Pillai is a knowledge management (KM) expert, having spent seven years with Oracle Asia Pacific and five years as chief programmer with Bangalore-based Wipro Infotech Ltd, before founding his management consultancy LPCUBE.

He will be sharing his experiences on how organisations can nurture and multiply their knowledge assets to empower projects.

Yang is a system analyst with vast experience in airport projects in China including the Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou airports.

He will present a case study on the complex procuring process for mega IT projects in China, the world’s fastest growing market. He will also share insider tips and trick of the trades to deal with the China market.

"We hope the presentations, case-studies and panel discussions will help address the many challenges faced by project managers today.

"Besides gaining insights from the experts, the conference will also be an excellent opportunity to network and exchange valuable ideas with other practitioners in the region," said How.

ATSC is co-organising the event with the PM Professional Resources Sarawak Recruitment Centre, in collaboration with the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDC), the Malaysian National Computer Confederation (MNCC) and Project Management Institute - Malaysia Chapter (PMIMY).

The conference will be launched by MDC CEO Datuk Dr Mohamed Arif Nun with the keynote address delivered by Tan Sr Dato Ir. Jamilus Hussein, president of KLIA Consultancy Services Sdn Bhd.

Iain Fraser, of the vice-chairman of the board of directors of the Project Management Institute, will be delivering a special address on "The State of Project Management in Organisations."

A related pre-conference seminar on current hot topic - Project Management Office - will be conducted by Paul Giammalvo on Aug 1 at the KDU Management Development Centre, in KL Sentral.

Fees for the conference start at RM1,198 for government staff to RM1,398 for private organisations, with discounts for three or more delegates from the same company, and for MNCC and PMIMY members.

The pre-conference seminar is priced at RM612 for government staff and RM680 for private sector delegates.

[nazrey]

KL a "clear favourite" for outsourcing: Deloitte
Source :ComputerWorld
Posted : 12/7/2005





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A recent benchmarking study on outsourcing locations in the Asia Pacific region has placed Kuala Lumpur as a “clear favourite” for locating off-shore shared service operations. The study, by Deloitte Consulting, also described Malaysia as a “credible challenger” to traditional outsourcing/offshoring locations such as India, China and the Philippines.

According to Deloitte, Kuala Lumpur’s position is enhanced by the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) and the government’s active role in supporting operational needs of companies wishing to locate their off-shore shared service operations in the Malaysian capital.

The outsourcing/offshoring industry is expected to grow at a rate of 8 per cent or more between 2003 and 2006, driven by offshoring of traditional processes such as call centre operations, higher value-add processes such as analytical and research processes, as well as other functions such as procurement and supply chain management.

Countries such as India, China, and the Philippines account for an estimated 50 per cent market share in the global industry.

The benchmarking exercise indicates Kuala Lumpur’s distinction along eight dimensions, divided into cost and non-cost factors.

These include regulatory and fiscal environment, political environment, economic development, cultural adaptability, human resource environment, accessibility, and infrastructure. Malaysia’s economy has been growing at 7 per cent since the 2001 downturn, providing a business friendly and driven business and political environment.
More specifically, Kuala Lumpur appears to be the most favourable location for outsourcing and offshoring of call centre and customer support operations as well as back-office processing, preferable to such locations as Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Manila, and Singapore. Both the Indian cities and the Philippine capital would require significant improvements in fiscal/tax, political environment and cultural adaptability, whereas Singapore has significant cost disadvantages. Deloitte Consulting is at www.deloitte.com.

[nazrey]

New building for Montfort girls
Saturday July 23, 2005




Montfort Girls’ Centre (MGC) will have a brand new building that can accommodate 200 by April next year.

MGC began its operation in August 2002 with 12 girls, aiming to provide skills training for the underprivileged teenagers.

Kelana Jaya MP Loh Seng Kok said MGC has the same mission as Montfort Boys Town.

Montfort Boys Town is a non-governmental organisation established in 1959. Now, they have trained more than 5,000 teenagers from orphanages and poor families.

Loh said this at the recent signing ceremony for MGC’s new building.

MGC will consist of a hostel to house the girls, a multi-purpose hall, a training centre, a netball court, a basketball court and other recreation facilities.

The courses that MGC hopes to offer are secretarial and office reception, computer maintenance, banking, pastry making, tourism and hospitality. MGC is under the care of Brothers of St Gabriel and the Canossian Sisters.

[nazrey]

Protect Bukit Gasing
Monday July 25, 2005



THERE has been a long-standing civil society struggle to protect the integrity of Bukit Gasing's unique ecosystem from developers.

This forested hill falls under the jurisdiction of two different local authorities and the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council secured the green lung on its side of the boundary some years ago.

However, despite continuous appeals, and regardless of promises made by previous Kuala Lumpur mayors, the Kuala Lumpur side of Bukit Gasing remains vulnerable to arbitrary decisions, despite the provisions of the recently gazetted KL Structure Plan, the National Physical Plan, and other directives on hillside development.

Securing for present and future generations the protection of 116ha of natural urban forest in the heavily urbanised Klang Valley will be a clear statement of intent that Kuala Lumpur City Hall is committed to not only preserving existing green lungs but also reclaiming areas for re-greening to enhance the environmental health of the city as a whole.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) selected as the theme for World Environment Day this year, “Green Cities ? Plan for the Planet,” highlighting the urban environmental challenge and the importance for environmental planning to be incorporated in all aspects of urban management, as for the first time in human history, the majority of the world’s population lives in cities.

Urban forests enhance air quality, provide storm water control and a home for urban wildlife.

Sixty mayors from all over the world gathered in San Francisco, the United States, on World Environment Day 2005 to sign the UNEP Green Cities Declaration with a call to action by fellow mayors around the world to sign and implement the San Francisco Urban Environmental Accords.

There are 21 Actions in the Accords with goals covering seven main environmental challenges which are energy efficiency as well as renewable energy, waste reduction, urban design, urban nature, transportation, environmental health and water.

The Environmental Protection Society Malaysia calls upon the Housing and Local Government Ministry, Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and all state governments to encourage local authorities and cities to adopt the 21 Actions of the Urban Environmental Accords.

These Actions will further the implementation of Local Agenda 21 by our local authorities, a policy already adopted and endorsed by the Housing and Local Government Ministry, and also enhance the objectives of the Bandar Lestari Environment Award recently launched by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.



Manogaran Maniam
President,
Environmental Protection Society Malaysia

[nazrey]

Most Foreign Tourists Visit Malaysia For Shopping
July 24, 2005 00:12 AM



PETALING JAYA, July 23 (Bernama) -- More than 85 per cent of foreign male tourists and 75 per cent of female tourists cited shopping as a reason for visiting Malaysia, according to a recent survey by MasterCard International, said Tourism Minister Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad.

The survey also showed that Kuala Lumpur's attraction as a shopping destination was because it provided value for money, he said.

He said the ministry's statistics in 2003 showed that spending by tourists on shopping comprised 22 per cent of their total expenditure with lodging taking up 35 per cent.

"Therefore, operators of shopping complexes and retailers should be more active in finding ways to attract tourists to this country," he said when launching the Mega Sale Carnival 2005 here Saturday night.

Last year, Malaysia hosted 15.7 million tourists compared to 10.6 million the year before, up 48.5 per cent, and the tourists in 2004 contributed RM29.7 billion to the economy.

Dr Toyad said the ministry was monitoring closely the preferences and tastes of international shoppers in order to plan the positioning of Malaysia, especially Kuala Lumpur, against other more established shopping destinations like Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai.

It was also working together with state governments, government agencies, shopping outlets, tour agencies and hotels to ensure adequate infrastructure for the tourists.

Activities during the one-month Mega Sale Carnival, during which shopping complexes in the Klang Valley will be allowed to stay open until 2am, will include Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week, Mega Sale Street Carnival, Textile Carnival and Handicraft Carnival.

The main shopping complexes such as Suria KLCC, IKANO Power Centre, The Curve, Sunway Pyramid, Berjaya Times Square, Low Yat Plaza and Alamanda Putrajaya will also organise their individual activities.

-- BERNAMA

[nazrey]

Adopting a business look at a roadside
By K.W. MAK
Monday August 1, 2005



BUNGALOWS along Jalan SS2/24 have slowly been converted to showrooms and shop houses that provide a personalised service to customers.

Once vehemently objected by residents for fear that such businesses bring increased traffic to their neighbourhood, the change has now been widely accepted for the convenience the showrooms provide.




http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/1/central/m_03traffic.jpg

Because of the traffic near them,
the showrooms are advertisements in themselves.




The stretch was rezoned from a housing area to a limited commercial zone in 2002, along with several other parts of Petaling Jaya. It was a result of the original owners who found it difficult to live beside the main roads due to excessive noise pollution from heavy traffic. So, they applied for a change in the status.





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Ng … 'ample free parking for customers'





A compromise was reached between residents and the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council and MPPJ approved the rezoning with several guidelines for the businesses operating at the converted homes.

The businesses must be suitable for a neighbourhood environment and cannot be one that attracts high traffic volume. They must also not cause excessive noise levels and the premises must remain clean.

The basic size and height of the houses are also barred from change, although the business owners could change the surrounding façades to give the premises a professional look.

Even with such stringent rules, businessmen eyed the properties with interest.

“It isn’t so much for selling the bikes at the premises than the exposure we get as there is a lot of traffic passing through the road,” said Motonation manager John Tan.






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Yap … 'customers find the premises
a refreshing change'





The distributor for Dutch KTM motorbikes, which opened for business at one of the showrooms in SS2 in May, found the premises perfect for showcasing its bikes.

Like the businesses around them, Motonation adheres to the council's restrictions by not turning the showroom into a service centre like its other outlets.

The convenience and personalised service that its personnel can offer to customers in a more relaxed environment persuaded Victoria Wedding Collection to set up shop along the road last year.

Shop manager Steven Yap said customers found the venue's environment a refreshing change and ideal as they shopped for wedding apparels and accessories.

“The different shops in the row also help attract business for one another because we don’t really compete with each other as everyone is doing different things,” he said.

Dextrous Lockshop opened two years ago because the place was advantageous for its owners to showcase its products, while allowing the staff to conduct consultation services in a relaxed environment.

For Dextrous Enterprise director Andy Ng, who has operated the shop from a shopping centre previously, the differences were numerous with their own unique brand of benefits and drawbacks.

“This place gives us good access to customers and there is ample free parking for customers, some of whom can spend half a day choosing the right product for their homes without worrying about expensive parking fees,” said Ng.

“However, there are drawbacks too, as there is the risk that the town board can say you can’t operate anymore as we have to renew our licences yearly.”





http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/1/central/m_02motorbike.jpg

Motonation showroom in SS2 is a delight
of potential customers as it is to the owners.




Ng added that operating in a standalone premise too meant there were security risks and bad weather can ruin business for the day.

Beautiful Gate, an NGO that champions the cause of the wheelchair-bound individuals, is also located along the road.

The presence of the organisation there prompted the council to install disable friendly facilities around the area like pathways and traffic lights that allowed wheelchair bound folk to travel from the house to the SS2 business centre safely.

Other businesses that have set up shop along the stretch are Vogue Collection (wedding apparels), Akitek OHM (office), Image Lighting, Felione Collection Furniture and Wonderful World of Pets (pet products).

There are still several homes that remain residential along the road, but change is creeping in. It is inevitable.

[nazrey]

Zahid: Quality goods draw tourists to shop in Malaysia
July 24, 2005 00:12 AM



FOUR main reasons why tourists like to shop in Malaysia are quality, accessibility, price and variety of choice, said Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the launch of a ‘Travel Mart’ session last Wednesday.

He noted that most tourists did not mind paying a little extra for first-rate merchandise.

“Products sold in Malaysia are of fine quality, that’s why people choose to shop here,” he said.

The ‘Travel Mart’, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, was attended by 160 representatives from selected hotels, travel agencies and tourism product operators from various parts of the country.

The session was to promote networking with 200 buyers from travel agencies, hotels, tour operators and large corporations from Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya.

Ahmad Zahid said tourism contributed RM30bil to the country last year, with domestic tourists bringing in RM4.3bil.

He added that 50% of Malaysians vacation within the country, and he hoped the number would increase with the recently implemented five-day week.

In line with Domestic Sales Mission 2005 to encourage Malaysians to vacation within the country, a three-day tourism fair was held from Friday until yesterday at One Utama Shopping Centre.

The fair featured 160 booths which offered various domestic tour packages.

[nazrey]

Tranquil forest at the edge of KL
Wednesday August 10, 2005



THE Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (Frim) in Kepong is a paradise for nature lovers.

Just 16km north of Kuala Lumpur, it is only a half-hour drive from the city centre.





http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/10/central/p24frim.jpg

Even the road leading towards Frim is canopied and bordered by
greenery, promising nature lovers of better things to come.





Established in 1929, Frim was initially set up as a forest reserve meant for research.

However, through the years its many attractions have drawn visitors from all over the world into its green and tranquil domain.

One of its popular attractions is the Canopy Walkway, which is often termed “A Magical Walk in the Tree Tops”.





http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/10/central/p24denai.jpg

The 1,528ha forest reserve is criss-crossed with nature trails
that have been given names such as the Keruing Trail.





The 500-metre trail leading up to this walk is an educational one. As you begin your journey, you will notice markers identifying the various species of flora in the area such as the Saga tree, rubber tree, rattan, betelnut palm and a few durian trees.

The 1,528ha forest reserve is crisscrossed with nature trails that have been given names such as the Keruing Trail, Engkabang Trail and the famous Salleh Nature Trail – named after Frim’s first director-general Datuk Dr Salleh Mohd Nor, who retired in October 1995.

There are also indoor attractions like the Frim Museum, where visitors can discover the longest rattan in the world which is about 65 metres long.

Then there’s a fruit arboretum which is most alive during durian season. Other sights around Frim are the 120-year-old Terengganu House and the Sg Kroh waterfall which has a wading pool that is safe for children.






http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/10/central/p24waterfall.jpg

The Sg Kroh waterfall inside Frim’s grounds is open to the
public for picnics. Keruing Trail.







The Frim campsite is also popular with companies and schools. It can accommodate a maximum of 80 people and is equipped with basic facilities like toilet, an outdoor hall, kitchen, campfire and an activity area. For details, call 03-6279 7524.

[nazrey]

Dance troupe takes in sights of KL
Thursday August 11, 2005



THE Shanghai Oriental City Dance Troupe ended its successful week-long Wild Zebra tour in Malaysia with a tour of the country's capital and Genting Highlands.

The 70-member troupe and crew members visited Kuala Lumpur’s famous tourist attractions such as Petaling Street (Chinatown), Suria KLCC and Petronas Twin Towers, and had a fun time on the roller-coaster rides and at the theme parks in Genting Highlands.

During their Chinatown visit on Thursday, they found some good bargains and sampled the Malaysian version of gui ling gao (herbal jelly) at an outlet.

Later, they tucked into bah kut teh, a Chinese dish of pork cooked with herbs, for lunch at a restaurant in Jalan Imbi.






http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/11/central/p21Zhu.jpg

Zhu Gebei being tossed into the air
during the troupe’s visit to KLCC.






When they reached KLCC, the group had their cameras clicking away, trying to get the best shots of the famous landmark.

Dancer Zhu Gebei was thrown into the air by his troupe members when they were taking a group photograph.

“Whenever they want to do something like this, they will always choose me because I am the lightest person.

“I have been with the troupe for three years and we are like a family,” he said.

During their dinner in Damansara Uptown, The Star threw Shanghai Theatre Academy troupe leader Ge Lang a surprise birthday party.

Moved by the gesture, Ge said: “Back in Shanghai, I never had a birthday party for myself. I only threw a birthday party for my parents because they sacrificed a lot to raise me.






http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/11/central/p21Ge.jpg

Ge (left) toasting to the success of the troupe
with some of the dancers during his birthday party.







“I am touched that The Star found out my date of birth and celebrated my birthday.”

He also made no secret of his birthday wish and announced that the dance company would try to return to Malaysia next year with its latest work, Shangri-La.

The troupe left for Shanghai over the weekend.

The troupe performed Wild Zebra, a dance drama about the forbidden love between two zebras, to packed audiences at Istana Budaya from July 29 to Aug 3.

Written, directed and choreographed by Zhang Jigang, Wild Zebra combines ballet with modern and folk dance movements set to an original score by composer Zhang Qianyi.

Presented by The Star and Artistry by Amway, the Wild Zebra tour was supported by the Arts, Culture and Heritage Ministry.

[nazrey]

Patience pays off for lensmen at Bird Park
By CHIN MUI YOON
Friday August 12, 2005




A trio of graceful pink Flamingoes was the winning image for the professional category of the KL Bird Park Bird Photography Competition 2005.

Omar Ariff Kamarul Ariffin’s lovely picture won him RM2,000.

“I had spent many hours capturing the beautiful birds and suddenly I saw the perfect picture of these three flamingoes poised as if for my camera, so I clicked it!” said Omar Ariff.






http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/12/central/p20Flamingoes.jpg

Omar Ariff’s image of pink flamingoes which
won him the first prize in the professional category.







The Bird Photography Competition was held in July. Participants were required to photograph any bird found in the park.

The competition’s objectives were to promote the park and create public awareness towards the wonders and beauty of nature and wildlife besides offering an opportunity to photographers to showcase their skills.

In second place was Choong Yoon Choy who won RM1,000 while third place winner Alex Liew Yeng Seong took home RM750.

The amateur category was won by Sum Sai Fook who received RM1,000. Second and third prize winners were Ong Boon Tat who got RM750 and Azizul Halmi (RM500) respectively.

Tourism Ministry deputy secretary-general Patimah Zohro Hasan presented the prizes at the KL Bird Park’s Hornbill Restaurant and Café on Saturday.

The judges for the competition were Penang painter and photographer Choo Beng Keong and Click magazine publications director Ho Teon Han.

The competition was sponsored by Click magazine, Hewlett-Packard (M) Sdn Bhd and Creative Enterprise Sdn Bhd.

The winning entries will be exhibited at the park till Sept 18.

KL Bird Park is open daily including weekends and public holidays from 9am to 7pm.

For more information call 03-2272 1010 or visit www.birdpark.com.my

[nazrey]

Wangsa Maju Set To Be A Commercial Centre With New Master Plan
Updated : 19-07-2005
Media : Bernama

Landmarks Land expects to complete Wangsa Maju projects in 3 to 8 years
Updated : 20-07-2005
Media : The Star


RM1bn venture to build condos
Updated : 12-08-2005
Media : Business Times
Story By : CHONG JIN HUN





LANDMARKS Bhd and Tan & Tan Developments Bhd will jointly build RM1 billion worth of condominiums and villas in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur.

The 53ha project is part of Landmarks RM2.5 billion development masterplan for Wangsa Maju.

We plan to launch our project with Tan & Tan by early 2006. Also within Landmarks plan for Wangsa Maju is the construction of shop and office lots, Landmarks managing director Mohamad Abdul Halim Ahmad said at the launch of Landmarks Land¡'s Safe City initiative in Wangsa Maju yesterday.

Landmarks recently indicated that it is focusing on the upmarket residential and commercial property segments.

Under the Wangsa Maju masterplan, Landmarks has also entered into a joint venture with another developer, IJM Properties Sdn Bhd.

The Landmarks-IJM joint venture will build the RM300 million Riana Green East condominium beginning year-end and is expected to be completed within three years.

Landmarks 70 per cent-owned Landmarks Land & Properties Sdn Bhd has already developed RM1 billion worth of property in Wangsa Maju. The total gross development value for Wangsa Maju is estimated at RM3.5 billion.

Landmarks, which owns the Kuala Lumpur-based Sungei Wang Plaza shopping complex, has an existing landbank of 100ha, an area of potential development expected to last for the next six to 10 years.

The group recently said it plans to sell the RM540 million retail centre to a real estate investment trust (REIT) to raise funds and cut debt.

It was also reported that the company is confident of reducing its borrowings by 20 per cent by the end of the year from the funds raised via the REIT and asset sales.

Based on the group¡¦s filings to Bursa Malaysia Bhd, as at March 31 2005, the groups debt stood at RM652.2 million, an 0.8 per cent decrease from the RM657.2 million registered on December 31 2004.

[nazrey]

KL Chinatown traders see sales dip
By CHIN MUI YOON
Saturday August 13, 2005



IT IS business as usual at Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur, but at a much slower pace. Traders say sales have dropped by half since the haze began to worsen. Especially affected are traders who sell freshly cooked food, such as roast duck, and those into fruits and confectionery.

“We are dependent on foreign tourists to boost our sales, but even so, we have to take home cartons of unsold food every evening,” said Ah Wong who sold roast meat.

Tang Kwok Wang, 66, who sells mochi candy, said many of the locals do not eat out now as they did on other days.






http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/13/central/m_04haze.jpg

The number of visitors to Petaling Street has dropped
by about 50% since the haze began to worsen in the Klang Valley.






Soy bean seller Wong How Fook agreed. For the past week he has had to discard up to three containers of the drink each night.

“The haze is really affecting us,” he said. “The problem is compounded by illegal traders, especially those dealing in pirated VCDs and DVDs, who crowd the roads and block the legitimate stalls.’’

Even the popular Koong Woh Tong Chinese herbal tea shop at a corner of Jalan Sultan was unusually quiet during lunch hour yesterday.

Only Rosli Majid, who works in the area, was spotted sipping his bowl of bitter tea with a mask still on his face.

“I normally take this about once a week,’’ he said. “But, with such badly-polluted air these days, I’ve increased my intake of the healthy drink.”

[nazrey]

An end to traffic woes in sight
By K. ANURADHA
Saturday August 13, 2005



THE New Pantai Expressway's Kewajipan Link will likely be operational early next month. This will be the first package in a series of projects involving five interchanges aimed at alleviating traffic jams along the New Pantai Expressway vicinity.

The completion of this stretch will help solve part of the traffic woes of USJ road users who have to contend with jams lasting up to 45 minutes during peak hours at the Kewajipan roundabout.

Executive vice-chairman of the Road Builders Holdings Bhd Tan Sri Chua Hock Chin is hoping for smoother traffic when all stretches that are currently under construction are completed. Road Builder is the parent company of New Pantai Expressway Sdn Bhd.







http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/13/central/m_09flyover.jpg

This high ramp serves as a flyover that will help ease congestion by
providing a direct link between Jalan Kewajipan and Bandar Sunway.






“For us, connectivity is important, that is why we embarked on this project,” said Chua.

He also mentioned the other four projects going on at Jengka Triangle, Tujuan Interchange, a flyover near the PJ Old Town Interchange and the Kuchai Lama Link that would all contribute to better traffic flow for motorists.

All these projects are already under way except for the Kuchai Link, which is delayed by land acquisition issues, which New Pantai Expressway Sdn Bhd general manager Neoh Soon Hiong said was being sorted out by Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

This particular project will eventually see seamless travel because it links NPE and the Besraya Highway, which is also a Road Builder project, he said.

The Jengka flyover for KL-bound traffic will open in October and Subang-bound traffic would open in November.

In the case of the Tujuan Interchange, the directional ramp bound for the Federal Highway will open this year, while the whole interchange including the underpass will be fully operational by April 2006.

Chua said the completion of these “links” was aimed at reducing traffic crawls and time spent on the on road by motorists.

“We realise this (traffic congestion) is not healthy because of the costs to the consumers and to health.

“Fuel costs are going up and on top of that we have this haze, which makes it even more unhealthy to be on the road for long periods,” he said.

Work on the five interchanges will cost NPE Sdn Bhd RM140mil.

Subang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng said he was pleased that the Kewajipan ramp would be operational in less than a month.

He said USJ motorists have had to endure the Kewajipan crawl for a long time and was confident the completion of the project would alleviate traffic woes to a certain extent.

He said he also hoped the two other stretches currently under construction – the Tujuan and Jengka interchanges – would be completed soon.

[nazrey]

Bolton launches final phase of Tijani project
Updated : 13-08-2005
Media : Business Times
Story By : CHONG JIN HUN



PROPERTY developer Bolton Bhd has launched the Tijani II North, the third and final phase of the company's Tijani high-end residential project in Bukit Tunku, Kuala Lumpur to further enhance the area's luxury-living profile.

Undertaken by Bolton's subsidiary Tijani (Bukit Tunku) Sdn Bhd, Tijani, with a gross development value (GDV) of some RM650 million sits on 17ha.

Tijani II North, with a GDV of about RM350 million will contain 70 low-rise duplexes, two 15-storey condominiums comprising 112 residential units, and a club house.

"Upon completion in three years, the project will transform the entire perspective of Bukit Tunku into a very modern and contemporary residential suburb, and raise Bukit Tunku's capital value," Bolton senior executive director for property division Lim Yen Haat said in a statement.

Tijani II North is an extension of Tijani 1 and Tijani II South which were launched in 2000 and 2004 respectively. Tijani I involves the construction of 32 freehold bungalows, while Tijani II South comprises 10 bungalows and 44 semi-detached units

Main board-listed Bolton's other residential assignments include the Taman Tasik Prima in Puchong, Selangor, and Johor Baru-based Pelita Indah, among others.

[nazrey]

Merdeka contest for new villages
Friday August 19, 2005




Residents of new villages stand the chance of winning RM30,000 for their village in a beautification competition organised in conjunction with Malaysia's 48th National Day.

The competition requires the village to be decked out in national flags, hibiscus replicas or other patriotic themes and is open to all new villages in the country.

As a start, each village will receive a RM2,000 grant to spruce up its neighbourhood.

Chairmen from the 42 new villages in Selangor received the grant from Selangor Executive Councillor for Environment Datuk Ch’ng Toh Eng on Monday at Sungai Chua Community Hall, Kajang.

Ch'ng said the federal government was allocating RM2.5mil for the project.

Jalur Gemilang, banners and badges were also distributed to the village chairmen at the function attended by Balakong assemblyman Datuk Hoh Hee Lee, MPKj councillor T.C.Choong, Chen See Lin, Dr Lai Kong Choy and other local leaders.

Ch'ng said this was the first time the government had allocated funds for such a purpose.

[nazrey]

Crawford wows shoppers in KL
Friday August 19, 2005




KUALA LUMPUR: “Mummy, hurry up and pass me the camera. She is here in town,” shouted an excited Asher Gannon. The five-year-old, perched on her father's shoulders, had been eagerly awaiting her first glimpse of Cindy Crawford.

“My daughter and I are very excited. It's a fantastic experience to see Cindy in person here in Malaysia,” said her father Kevin.

The Gannons, from Seattle and here on vacation, certainly did not expect to see the American supermodel when they went shopping at Starhill Gallery yesterday.






http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/19/nation/n_03crawford.jpg

Crawford is in the Malaysian capital to launch
a new jewellery line by Omega.





Crawford, who has appeared on the cover of more than 600 magazines worldwide, is here to launch the Bijoux collection, a new jewellery line by watchmaker Omega.

“The Omega Bijoux collection comprises distinctive pieces, with each one a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and style,” said the Omega ambassador during a press conference at Westin Kuala Lumpur Hotel yesterday.

Crawford made her first public appearance in Malaysia at Cortina Watch Espace in Starhill Gallery, accompanied by Omega president Stephen Urquhart and Omega vice-president for South-East Asia David Ponzo.

“I'm confident of the Malaysian market. Kuala Lumpur is becoming a shopping capital. Consumers here are knowledgeable and appreciate quality,” Urquhart added.

In conjunction with Crawford's visit, Omega organised a charity auction featuring an Omegamania watch in partnership with Cortina Watch Sdn Bhd.

[nazrey]

The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur named among the five best butler hotels in the world
Kuala Lumpur, 17 August 2005
News (http://www.ytlcommunity.com/commnews/shownews.asp?newsid=18800)



http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=43720

The award-winning butler team at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur,
with General Manager Stephen A. Cokkinias (second row, far right)





The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur has been named one of the “Five Best Hotels with Butlers” by The Independent, United Kingdom. Independent News & Media PLC is a leading international media and communications group based in the United Kingdom, and publishes the quality award winning Independent from London.

Highlighting the hotel’s location, “The Golden Triangle - Kuala Lumpur's answer to Knightsbridge” The Independent reviews the legendary services provided by The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur’s butlers, including “morning tea and coffee, or a ‘Cleopatra bath’ - milk and lavender oil with slices of cucumber for jet-lagged eyes.” The article continues, “Each butler can be contacted via a mobile phone, so if you need your bags packed in a hurry, they will be waiting when you're ready to leave.” From laundry and pressing services, to last-minute dining reservations, the butlers at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur offer guests a level of personalised attention and pampering unmatched in the city.

“At The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, our All-Butler concept provides our guests with a unique and genuinely personalised service experience. To now be named among the five best butler hotels in the world is a tremendous honour for our Ladies and Gentlemen,” said General Manager Stephen Cokkinias.

Now featuring a 30,000 square-foot conference centre, a tropical Spa Village patterned after the award-winning Spa Village at Pangkor Laut Resort, an opulent 110-unit Residences Tower, and an enclosed sky bridge connecting the property to upscale Starhill Gallery, The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur is at the centre of the premier lifestyle district in Malaysia.

[nazrey]

BASF sets up regional service centre in Malaysia
Updated : 23-08-2005
Media : Reuters



FRANKFURT, Aug 23 (Reuters) - BASF , the world's top chemical company by sales, has set up a centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to provide a range of services to subsidiaries and affiliates in the region, it said on Tuesday.

BASF said in a statement that it would invest over 21 million euros ($26 million) in the unit, which will provide support services in finance, information technology and human resources.

The centre will be fully operational by 2007, employing about 400 staff.

BASF has 30 wholly owned subsidiaries and 23 joint ventures in the Asia Pacific region with over 9,000 employees. Last year, it generated sales of 5.3 billion euros in Asia Pacific, with local production accounting for 57 percent of sales.

[nazrey]

Asia Foundation Reopens Office In KL
Updated : 23-08-2005
Media : Bernama



Asia Foundation, a premier non- profit organisation devoted to Asia's development since 1954, reopened its Malaysia office in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday after a nine-year absence.

Its President Douglas Bereuter said this was the right time to re-establish on-the-ground presence in Malaysia.

"Malaysia is a very important Asian country. We are thrilled to reinstate our Kuala Lumpur office. Based on our strong track record, we look forward to working with Malaysian partners to support the country's continued development and to help build constructive and mutually beneficial United States-Malaysia relations," he said in a statement today.

Bereuter said Andy Andrews, the foundation's former country representative in Malaysia and longtime Asia expert, has been relocated from Pakistan to serve again as the foundation's Malaysia representative.

Asia Foundation, which supports programmes in Asia that helps improve governance and law, economic reform and development, women's empowerment and international relations, had an office in Malaysia from 1957 to 1996.

[nazrey]

Vacheron Constantin Boutique Launch In KL
by Kelvin Tan
KL (http://www.pbase.com/kelvinphoto/vcboutique&page=all)

Vintage VC

http://www.pbase.com/kelvinphoto/image/47071218.jpg

VC Goodies

http://www.pbase.com/kelvinphoto/image/47071430.jpg

Vacheron Constantin 250th Anniversary In KL
KL (http://www.pbase.com/kelvinphoto/vc250th&page=all)

http://www.pbase.com/kelvinphoto/image/46736659.jpg

Syafinaz

http://www.pbase.com/kelvinphoto/image/47071418.jpg

Hannah Tan

http://www.pbase.com/kelvinphoto/image/47071211.jpg

[nazrey]

YTL’s latest residences open at Bintang Walk
Friday, September 02, 2005



YTL Corp Bhd's latest addition to luxury living and fine life at Bintang Walk – The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton – was formally opened yesterday by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail.

The Residences, which is adjoined by Starhill Gallery, houses a tropical spa complex as well as a major conference centre.

''With just four units to a floor, these 110 residences offer space, luxury and privacy for the discerning traveller who wishes to have the flexibility of an address that is at once within the heart of the happenings at Bintang Walk, and yet completely private for the quieter aspects of living,'' a company statement said yesterday.

[nazrey]

No more squatters in Seri Kembangan
Monday September 5, 2005
By DHARMENDER SINGH




SEPT 11 marks an end to squatters' relocation in the Seri Kembangan constituency when keys to Anggerik Flats in Taman Suria are given out to the last batch of families.

Seri Kembangan assemblyman Datuk Liew Yuen Keong said there were about 1,200 squatter houses in Kampung Aman, Kampung Setia, Seri Kembangan police station reserve and the Sungai Kuyoh reserve when the squatter relocation programme began.

``We have relocated them all,'' he said. “And, we have done it within the deadline set by the Selangor Government in its attempt to go for Zero Squatter before the year is out.''

Liew was speaking during a visit to the flats last week. With him were Hiliran Juara Sdn Bhd (the developer) project manager Teo Guan Kiang, Subang Jaya Municipal Council's (MPSJ) councillor Lee Tak San and representatives for the squatters, Chee Chong Weng and T. Rajagopal.





http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/9/5/central/p4DatukLiew.jpg

Liew (left) and Chee looking at the view from a room
of one of the homes in Anggerik Flats in Taman Suria.




Liew commended Hiliran Juara for completing its construction fast. Two hundred and sixty homes on a single 12-storey block were built in 14 months.

Teo said Hiliran Juara had received the Certificates of Fitness (CF) for the flats from MPSJ and would apply for the strata titles in the next two weeks.

He said if all things went well, the strata titles ought to be out in the next year and the residents could then take over the management of their flats.

He said Hiliran Juara would hold an awareness campaign on how to live in high-rise residential homes during the key-handing ceremony.

“We will advise them on the need to set up a residents association that will take over the maintenance of the area when the titles have been issues,'' said Teo.

Liew urged buyers, who had yet to settle payments such as the advance on maintenance fees, assessment and quit rent, to do so as soon as possible.

He said he had asked Hiliran Juara if it could reduce the monthly maintenance sum from RM61 to RM50.

“Most of the buyers have expressed concern that the current fee was high.''

[nazrey]

HP may expand KL contact centre
Updated : 06-09-2005
Media : The Edge
Story By : Jeeva Arulampalam



Hewlett-Packard (HP) may expand its Kuala Lumpur Contact Centre (KLCC), which provides support services to business partners and customers in eight countries in the Asia Pacific, if business continues to grow.

The HP KLCC was set up at a cost of RM7.6 million in 2002 with estimated investments to eventually reach RM38 million over a span of 10 years. It is one of the five key regional hubs of contact centres between HP and its partners, suppliers and customers.

Speaking at a media briefing at the HP KLCC in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 6, Patricia Liu, director of the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) Volume Direct Teleweb Operations, said the company might look into increasing the investment for HP KLCC.

He said the facility can currently house 190 staff, of which 135 are sales staff and 55 are ancillary and support staff.

Handling over 100,000 phone interactions per month in six different languages, HP KLCC provides pre-sales support for business partners and customers in eight countries, which include Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand.

When asked the additional amount to be invested, APJ Volume Sales and Direct Business vice president Boey Chern Yue said he was unable to provide the figures.

However, he was quick to add that if the business grows, the investment would also increase.

'Our APJ Volume Direct Business grew more than 50% year-on-year (y-o-y), of which 20% of the direct business came from Malaysia,” Boey said.

HP KLCC recently won four awards at the 5th Annual Customer Relationship Management and Contact Centre Association of Malaysia (CCAM) Awards held on Aug 19 in Kuala Lumpur.

HP KLCC took home gold awards for Best In-house Contact Centre, Best Contact Centre Champion, Best Contact Centre Team Leader and Best Contact Centre Professional.

[nazrey]

SAP's new support centre in KL to be regional hub
Updated : 12-09-2005
Media : Business Times



SAP today announced its latest investment in Malaysia with the opening of its Global Support Centre (GSC) in Kuala Lumpur.

This million-dollar centre complements SAP's GSC in Austria, Spain, Ireland, India and China as a result of the strong business growth in Asia Pacific and will provide ongoing support from SAP to customers worldwide.

This timely move is in line with the Government's initiative and call to global conglomerates to educate and transfer information technology (IT) knowledge to the local workforce, and, at the same time creating job opportunities.

The new GSC, located at SAP Malaysia's office, has more than 50 skilled consultants, trained to support the whole suite of SAP products and solutions of customers in Malaysia and Asia Pacific, with plans to double the number over the next two years.

With an investment of more than RM20 million to staff and complete the infrastructure over a period of three years, the centre has the capacity for workforce expansion as the number of serviced customers increases.

The GSC Malaysia will become one of the primary hubs for delivering services and support to the more than 5,400 SAP customers in Asia Pacific from all industries throughout the region who will benefit from a highly-skilled local workforce.

'The GSC Malaysia underlines SAP's continuing global outreach and commitment to Malaysia. We have been conducting business here for more than 12 years and we have built a strong team to drive development and localisation of SAP software for this market,' said Eric MacDonald, managing director of SAP Malaysia.

“Malaysia has a well-educated workforce with excellent English language skills. The country has an excellent infrastructure, enjoys competitive costs, and we have a deep understanding of the local business,' continued MacDonald.

'The decision to set up the GSC Malaysia is a significant step towards ensuring that SAP customers across the Asia-Pacific region are provided with direct support by highly-qualified staff, which will improve customer relations and provide customers with best services to enhance their IT solutions.

Asia Pacific has been the fastest-growing SAP region in the first half of 2005 and SAP continues to invest and increase market share in this strategic region. One key example is the increased headcount in Asia- Pacific to the current more than 5,500 employees,' he added.

Complementing existing GSCs in Austria, China, India, Ireland and Spain, the GSC Malaysia will serve as part of SAP's 24*7 proactive and reactive service and support network the SAP Active Global Support network, while ensuring an effective use of SAP resources.

SAP Active Global Support has more than 3000 employees supporting more than 28,000 customers in 40 countries worldwide.

GSC Malaysia will provide remote product support for all SAP products and solutions to help customers meet their challenges during planning, implementation, operations and upgrade; with continuous maintenance to help ensure the optimum performance of their SAPn solutions.

Once an SAP system is installed and running, support and maintenance will continue with helpdesk services, online monitoring and remote maintenance.

GSC Malaysia will also help customers detect bottlenecks in their system, plan resources, and support the upgrade to new releases and technologies.

SAP has more than 500 software installations and more than 200 customers in Malaysia, including some of the most prominent businesses such as DaimlerChrysler Malaysia, Bank Islam Malaysia, Nestle (Malaysia), Hitachi Electronic Products, Measat Broadcast Network Systems and Perbadanan Putrajaya.

With the setting up of the GSC, SAP customers will gain dedicated local support as SAP continues to benefit from Malaysia's well-educated workforce, an excellent business culture and sense of entrepreneurship.

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Giving an upmarket image to Sungai Buloh
Thursday September 15, 2005
By ELAN PERUMAL




THE Hill Station project is poised to give Sungai Buloh a new image, certainly a far cry from it being popular as home to a prison and a leprosy hospital.

The project will feature a unique concept where both petty traders and world-class businessmen can operate under one roof.

The RM250mil complex would be made to look like an international convention centre with a Petaling Street like concept and Malaysia’s largest batik centre housed in it, said Atlaw Housing Sdn Bhd chairman Sohaimi Shahadan.

He said The Hill Station would be a tourists’ spot and there would be easy access via road and rail.

“We will link The Hill Station up with the Sungai Buloh Komuter Station so that commuters can just walk into our station through a special passage,” he said during the project’s launch on Sunday.

Sohaimi said the project would be comparable to the MBK Complex in Bangkok and ITC Mangga in Jakarta.

The Petaling Street concept, he said, was so that some 500 petty traders could sell their wares at the station. “The station will also play host to international exhibitions throughout the year,” said Sohaimi.

“We will offer tourists the best and ensure that products sold at the station are brought in directly from factories so that the prices will be competitive,” he said, adding that the station was for locals too.

Besides the commercial centre, Sohaimi said, the project would also include 12-storey medium-cost and 20-storey high-cost apartments.

Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who launched the project, applauded Atlaw Housing for undertaking the project.

“Tourism is something that is available everywhere and this is a good example of how we can promote tourism in everything we do,” he said.

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Sungai Buloh Komuter Station (Rawang - Seremban line)

http://www.rapidkl.com.my/images/KL_Transit.gif

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Bank of New York opens representative office in KL
Updated : 15-09-2005
Media : The Edge
Story By : Ashwin Raman




The Bank of New York Company Inc has opened a representative office in Kuala Lumpur, prompted by the positive outlook on Malaysia's economy and the bank's growing client base, said its president Gerald Hassell.

Speaking to reporters after commemorating the opening of the office on Sept 15, he said the bank had been serving financial institutions here since 1959 and chose to set up a representative office, which began operations on Sept 1, 2005, because of the strong potential it saw in the marketplace.

Today, Malaysia is one of the world's most open economies. More investment is encouraged, economic fundamentals are strong and steps are being taken to foster economic growth, he said.

The bank's Asia Pacific division head Kenneth Lopian said the Bank of New York's business model was to work with the local financial institutions and not compete with them.

The Bank of New York, the oldest bank in the US, has 25 clients here who are mostly financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies and pension planners.

He said the bank worked with all the local banks and had an ongoing dialogue with Bank Negara Malaysia. He did not comment on whether the Bank of New York provides services to the central bank.

Hassell said there were plans to apply for a full banking licence although that was dependent on the speed of growth in the marketplace.

While the bank offers consumer services such as deposit-taking in the US, he said there were no plans to do so here.

Instead, the bank's operations in Kuala Lumpur would be largely on investment-related services such as global custody, transition management, commission recapture, global payments, funds transfer, trade services execution and clearing.

We are the world leader in depository receipts, which allow non-US corporations and many Malaysian corporations to raise capital in US markets as well as other capital markets around the globe, Hassell said.

While other foreign banks like Citibank, Standard Chartered and HSBC will provide competition, he said the bank is the world leader in the services it provides.

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True Fitness to open Asia-Pacific's largest centre in SJ
By Ashwin Raman, 15 Sep 2005 6:13 PM



True Yoga Sdn Bhd is investing RM20 million in a new fitness, yoga and spa centre in Taipan, Subang Jaya, the largest such facility in the Asia-Pacific region, in its aggressive plan to have a chain of such outlets.

The 80,000 sq ft Subang Jaya centre, the second to be operated by the group after Desa Sri Hartamas, is scheduled to open in February next year.

Its chief executive officer Patrick Wee said the proposed centre would be bigger than the California Wow in South Korea, which covers 70,000 sq ft and is now the biggest such facility in the Asia-Pacific. Wee is the co-owner of California Wow.

The RM20 million investment will comprise RM10 million for the fitness centre, RM7 million for the spa and RM3 million for the yoga centre. The new centre can accommodate 10,000 people, and Wee has targeted between 4,000 and 10,000 members by end-2006.

Its Desa Sri Hartamas centre, which opened its doors in mid-June this year, has recorded over 4,000 members so far.

“The Malaysian public is the best market (for the fitness industry) because they are a fun loving and easy going people and really, aside from eating well, there is a need to balance their lifestyles,” Wee told a press conference on Sept 15.

He said providing fitness centres with vibrant and friendly atmosphere was one way of expanding the local fitness industry, which has only penetrated 1% of the population.

He said it has a target of opening four new centres in the Klang Valley within the next 24 months, and the Subang Jaya centre is the first step in expanding the “True Fitness” brand.

Except for the Subang Jaya outlet, the size of the other proposed centres would range between 35,000 and 60,000 sq ft.

Wee said the Subang Jaya centre could also cater for residents in nearby Shah Alam.

“We want to be accessible to different pockets of the community to use our facilities,” he said.

[nazrey]

Godfather of Soul rolls into KLIA
Saturday September 17, 2005




KUALA LUMPUR: Music's Godfather of Soul, James Brown, rolled into the KL International Airport and gave his famous cry: “I feel good!”

After five decades of performing, the 72-year-old icon is still as colourful and energetic as ever.

The multi-award star, here for a charity concert, arrived from Hong Kong at 10pm and immediately charmed passengers waiting at the arrival hall of the KLIA.

“The people here look lovely,” he said, as he relaxed with back-up singer Candice Hurst in a buggy that led them to a waiting car from the special VIP lounge.





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FEELING GOOD: Brown greeting fans as Hurst sits beside
him in a buggy after arriving at KLIA last night.





Wearing his trademark dark glasses and a brown suit, he smiled broadly as he passed through the arrival hall.

Brown made history in 1964 when his album Live at the Apollo became the first LP to sell over a million copies.

In 1993, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Grammy for his contribution to the music industry.

Most Malaysians will immediately recognise his soulful voice behind the song that has become synonymous with ntv7's theme of being the Feel Good Channel.

The James Brown Live concert at the KL Hilton on Monday is set to amaze his fans.

The concert is in aid of two charity homes – Rumah Kasih Tengku Ampuan Afzan and Rumah Warga Emas, which support young children and senior citizens in Malaysia.

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SOGO confident of 10% more sales this year
Updated : 20-09-2005
Media : The Star




SOGO (KL) Department Store Sdn Bhd is confident of registering 5% to 10% increase in sales this year despite the weak retail market at the moment, said department manager (marketing services) Rosma Tajuddin.

She said the retail market was quite weak following the increase in global oil prices, which prompted the people to be very selective and cautious in their spending.

We have not been doing well in the last mega sales held recently as we did not achieve our target sales, she said after a ceremony to unveil SOGO KL's newly renovated Household & Home Furnishing Floor last Friday.

For the financial year ended March 31, 2004, SOGO KL posted about RM200mil to RM250mil in sales.

For the first seven months this year, the deparment store registered a 4% increase in sales. compared with the previous year's.

If we can increase the sales by 5%, it will be good enough, and we are confident of achieving the target with the coming festive season, she added.

Rosma said the trend had changed as more shopping complexes were now in close proximity to residential areas, which made shopping easy and convenient.

The official launch featured one-of-its kind bedding fashion show, which showcased bed sheets to pyjamas. It attracted participants from exclusive international brands and bedroom experts which included Akemi, Jean, Perry, Iris, Martex, Heritage, Espirit, Hush Puppies, Karen Neuberger, Saint March and Winsir. Bernama

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SOGO (KL)

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Pekeliling Flats won’t come down with a bang
Wednesday September 21, 2005




THE Pekeliling Flats in Jalan Tun Razak will not be demolished using explosives as the area is surrounded by light rail transit and monorail systems and businesses.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Ruslin Hasan said City Hall would probably disband the structure piece by piece to reduce the environmental impact.

“We have relocated 4,000 residents from Pekeliling flats to the Taman Seri Rampai flats in Setapak. After they are all relocated, the demolition exercise will be carried out at the end of the year.

“This (Pekeliling flats) is a massive area and surrounded by Star-LRT and KL Monorail stations. We might break up the structure as the walls are strong and pre-fabricated,” he said after launching City Hall’s Family Day at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa on Sunday.





http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/9/21/central/m_03pekeliling.jpg

The structure will be disbanded
piece by piece by the end of the year.






Built in 1967, the Pekeliling Flats, also known as Tunku Abdul Rahman Flats, is one of Kuala Lumpur’s earliest public housing projects. The area will make way for a commercial and housing project called Tamansari.

Ruslin said the Taman Seri Rampai flats would provide the residents with a more conducive environment as the new housing area was equipped with a kindergarten, a hall, a hawker centre, shops and playgrounds.

“We hope the residents’ committee will work together with City Hall to organise activities for the community as there are funds for such purposes,'' he said.

Asked whether an open market would be built in the Taman Seri Rampai flats area, Ruslin said such a thing would not be encouraged as it would be difficult for traders and the authorities to handle waste disposal problems.

[Greg]

CSFB to begin stockbroking in Malaysia on Thursday

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Credit Suisse First Boston said it would kick off stockbroking operations in Malaysia on Thursday, becoming the first of five foreign brokers who have been given licences to do.

We are excited about the prospects for the Malaysian market, Paul Calello, the bank's chairman and CEO, said in a statement on Wednesday.

In March, Malaysia named four other foreign brokers, UBS , Wall Street bank JP Morgan , Australian investment bank Macquarie Bank , and CLSA, which is 65 percent owned by France's Credit Agricole , to operate in its domestic markets under a plan to fully liberalise and
grow its financial sector.

Malaysia aims to speed the growth of domestic capital markets, and help internationalise them.

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Second Asean bartenders contest to be held in KL
Friday September 23, 2005




THE second Asean Bartenders Competition will be held concurrently with Culinaire Malaysia 2005 tonight.

Many of the participants work either in the hotels or are professional bartenders from independent outlets and chain restaurants.

The event, which will take place at Hall 5 of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre will lasts for about four hours, kicking off at 11am.

The objective of this competition is to motivate bartenders to share and enhance their skills among Asean member countries.

All participants were selected based on their skills and their active participation in international competitions.

With a panel of renowned international judges, this competition will be based on the stringent standards of the International Bartenders Association (IBA).

The 2nd Asean Bartenders Competition is jointly organised by the three main pillars of the hospitality industry – Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), the Chefs Association of Malaysia (CAM) and the Malaysian Food and Beverage Executives Association (MFBEA) in conjunction with Culinaire Malaysia 2005.

The competition is also fully endorsed and supported by the Asean Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHRA) and the Asean Tourism Association (ASEANTA).

Tickets can be bought at RM5 from ticket counters at the venue, which includes entrance to Culinaire Malaysia 2005.

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Taiwan trade council to open KL office soon
Updated : 24-09-2005
Media : The Star
Story By : HANIM ADNAN



TAIWAN External Trade Development Council (Taitra), a non-profit trade promotion organisation, will officially open its first office in Malaysia next week.

Taiwan Trade Centre Inc's KL representative office director Jeffrey Chu told StarBiz Taitra was confident that Malaysia would be the gateway for Taiwan companies to enter the Asean market.

'It has been the policy of the Taiwan government in recent years to encourage local companies to aggressively venture abroad apart from focusing on mainland China,” Chu said.

Taitra, which has similar functions as Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade), currently has 34 overseas offices worldwide.

“Taitra plans 10 more branches worldwide by year-end,” he said, adding that Taitra opened offices in Jakarta and Bangkok earlier this year.

Chu saidTaitra's presence in Malaysia would enable more coordinated trade promotion and information dissemination between businessmen of both nations.

Apart from tapping into Malaysia's abundant natural resources like palm oil, tin and rubber, he said: “Taitra believes that Taiwan's dynamic and multi-faced industries with skilled management knowledge can work closely with Malaysia's small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as in areas such as information technology and motor accessories.”

In addition, Taitra also undertakes many initiatives to help foreign businesses to establish a wider presence in Taiwan. The main functions of Taitra include market development, strategic marketing, trade information services, exhibitions, design promotion and convention services.

According to Taipei Investors' Association (TIA), there are about 2,000 Taiwan-based companies operating in Malaysia with total investments estimated at US$10bil. However, only about 600 of them are registered with TIA.

Last year, total trade volume between Malaysia and Taiwan hit US$9.4bil. Of that, Malaysia's exports totalled about US$5.4bil. Chu said Malaysia is currently Taiwan's eighth biggest trading partner.

In conjunction with Taitra's KL office official opening, Chu said a trade mission comprising members from 24 Taiwan-based companies will be in KL for four days to meet potential Malaysian joint-venture partners.

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RM100 Mln Investment For Nilai 3 Tourist Centre
Updated : 26-09-2005
Media : Bernama



NILAI, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- Nilai 3 Wholesale Centre Sdn Bhd has invested some RM100 million for its new tourist centre project as a value added attraction to the existing trade centre.

Its managing director Wong Ah San said that the new centre would be equipped with 113 handicraft outlets and complement the products sold in Nilai 3 Wholesale Centre.

'We are working at getting handicraft products from producers all over Negeri Sembilan. We also welcome products from other states. The project will start this December and will be completed and commence operations in June next year,' he told Bernama here.

Wong said that replicas of world renowned buildings such as the Great Wall of China would also be constructed as part of the initiatives to attract tourists.

He expects Nilai 3 to not only become a Wholesale Centre but also a tourist attraction as Nilai is only 20 minutes drive from the KL International Airport (KLIA).

'Nilai 3 could be a place where tourists on transit could stop for a while and shop before going to their next destination, he said.

He also said that branded outlets would be developed for buyers from the higher income group, which would be ready in the middle of next year.

Wong said that Nilai 3 Wholesale Centre recorded 60,000 to 80,000 visitors on a single Sunday or public holiday and expected the figures to double after all the projects are completed.

The Wholesale Centre, comprising 400 shops, recorded RM10 million turnover per month, he added.

Nilai 3 is located on a 16.2ha land, of which some 8.8ha had been developed.

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A township with appealing surroundings
Tuesday September 27, 2005
By K.W. MAK


http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/9/27/central/m_pg12aman.jpg

Aman Suria has many eateries and other businesses
to cater to the people living here.




TUCKED away but visible from the NKVE highway, Aman Suria is a small 50-acre township that is booming.

Strategically located between Tropicana, Bandar Utama and Taman Mayang, the place was relatively quiet a year ago with only office staff present during the day and quiet at night.

That changed when residents started moving in and business concerns started moving in as well.

Now the area has laundrettes, interior décor shops, a 7-Eleven outlet, car repair shop and two car showrooms.

But all these supporting businesses are in the minority compared to the number of eateries that have set up business here.

Chinese, western, fusion and many other styles of cooking are advertised at the restaurants and cafes.

The present 24-hour mamak corner called Nasi Kandar Sedap will soon face stiff competition from across the block as the Nasi Kandar Kayu Penang outlet has a banner saying it will open for business soon.

Parking in the business district is slowly becoming a problem due to the number of popular restaurants and with customers coming from the surrounding areas for lunch and dinner.

Strangely though, the place has not turned into a watering hole despite the many eateries, and most of the restaurants are more family oriented.

This state of events is linked to the gated upmarket residential area.

With facilities like a clubhouse, playgrounds and landscaped environs, the residential area offers a lifestyle akin to a condominium, but on landed property.

The posh homes have a price tag ranging from RM500,000 to RM1.9mil yet is almost sold out and boasts a 77% occupancy.





http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/9/27/central/m_pg12residential.jpg

The landscaped residential area adds to the appeal of the place.





Residents enjoy their privacy here and children are able to roam the streets safely thanks to the tight security.

“There has not been any incidents of theft within the residential area because of the tight security,” said Glomac Group vice chairman Datuk Richard Fong.

“Our intention is to create a model community where people can be safe and interact with neighbours.”

Referring to Aman Suria as the new melting pot for Petaling Jaya residents, Glomac Group managing director Datuk F.D. Iskandar said the place was becoming equal to established places like Bangsar and Sri Hartamas.

Iskandar said the initial concept when designing the place was to create a lively atmosphere and that required many food and beverage outlets.

“We didn’t expect so many restaurants to come in and we have quite a good mix of F&B outlets.”

The plan to expose the township was taken into account during the design stage as well, which is the reason behind having 90 shop units facing the NKVE highway.

“A good one kilometre of the township is visible from the highway and the businesses here get a lot of exposure that way.”

As business booms for the township, Glomac is not shirking its responsibilities as the developer.

It is building wider roads and better amenities for a township that could one day be the hub for the latest happening events in Petaling Jaya.

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World’s hardest watch debuts in KL
Saturday October 1, 2005



http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/10/1/central/m_p30Rachel.jpg

Rado brand ambassador Rachel Tan
with the Blue Fascination.



SWISS Union launched the Rado V10K and V10K Jubile’ watches at the opening of its first Rado shop-in-a-shop concept boutique, located in Starhill Gallery, last week.

Recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the hardest watch on earth, the V10K range – which includes the V10K Jubile’ – has a casing which is protected with a layer of high-tech diamonds made using the latest nano-technology.

Swatch Group Malaysia general manager and Rado brand manager Bernard Yong told the press that the diamonds gave a reading of 10,000 when measured on the Vickers scale.

Rado’s quest to make the watch as lasting as possible had triggered the company’s search for the ultimate material. Tungsten carbide, a material harder than stainless steel, was used way back in 1962. This was followed in the 80s by high-tech ceramic, which was equally hardy, but lighter and more skin-friendly.





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The exclusive V10K Jubile’, with 36 diamonds on the dial.





Rado Switzerland regional sales manager Christian Leiggener, who was present at the launch, said the high-tech diamonds made using state-of-the-art nano-technology were yet another example of Rado's pioneering spirit.

The V10K is priced at RM18,050 and there are 20 pieces available in Malaysia.
The V10K Jubile', which has a dial that is studded with 36 diamonds, comes with a RM22,560 price tag. There is only one piece in Malaysia.

The unique and provocative Blue Fascination, which is crafted from blue sapphires and white gold and boasts 38 diamonds on the dial and 168 diamonds on the bracelet, is also available at the Rado shop-in-a-shop at the Starhill Gallery. It is priced at a whopping RM127,630.

[nazrey]

Demolition marks end of squatter era in Kajang
Saturday October 1, 2005
By GEETHA KRISHNAN



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An excavator being used to clear the rubble
after the demolition exercise in Kampung Sireh, Seme



THE final squatter settlement demolition exercise by the Kajang Municipal Council in Semenyih on Tuesday signalled the end of the squatter era in Kajang.

Deputy council president Jamri Basni said with the demolition of 49 squatter homes in Kampung Sireh, Kajang was now squatter-free, in line with the Selangor Government's call. A total of 37 council enforcement officers, police personnel and Tenaga Nasional Bhd workers participated in the morning exercise.

The incident-free exercise saw bulldozers and excavators reducing the units to rubble, witnessed by only a few former residents who were at the scene. The council had issued two notices, asking residents to shift, prior to the exercise.

The homes were built illegally on land reserved for a Chinese cemetery. Most of the residents were offered low-cost units at the new Seri Permai Flats located near the site and built by the Selangor Economic Development Corpo-ration (PKNS).

A few, like Mariyaee Arumugam, 50, would have to wait until they were able to come up with money for the down payment. The mother of four and grandmother of eight was at the site sifting through what remained of the family home, hoping to salvage odds and ends.

Speaking in Tamil, she said the family was living in a rented house nearby and forking out RM350 for rental monthly while waiting for some money from EPF. She said once the money was obtained, they would move to their low-cost flat.

Her youngest son, Sivanesan Batumalai, 15, was helping her dismantle zinc sheets from a makeshift shed used for prayers. Also at work nearby were his cousins and nephews.

Prior to the demolition, Kampung Sireh housed the largest squatter settlement in Semenyih. The community was made up of Indians and Chinese, some of whom have lived in the area for decades.

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RDAM plan for Special Olympics
RDAM plan for Special Olympics
By STUART MICHAEL
Photo by CHUA KOK HWA




IN equestrian, disabled athletes are fast climbing up the ladder. Now, they want to progress from competing in local competitions to international ones.

Riding for the Disabled Associa-tion, Malaysia (RDAM) have ann-ounced that they would be sending a team to compete in the Special Olympics in 2007.

To make up the team, RDAM senior instructor Sandra Cooper said they hoped to select three riders from each of their six branches - Selangor Turf Club (STC), Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort, Royal Selangor Polo Club, RDA Penang, Armed Forces and Ipoh Turf Club.

“This is going to be the first time that Malaysia will be sending a team to the Special Olympics.





http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/10/3/central/m_30miss.jpg

Amir Mustaqim (centre) and Mohd Aqif Iskandar (right)
being surrounded by finalists of the Miss Malaysia Indian Global 2005.






“Under the Special Olympics project, these riders will take part in dressage competitions as part of their preparation. The dressage events will be held in Selangor, Ipoh and Singapore next year.

“We have two years to prepare these riders. We hope to send 10 riders for the 2007 Special Olympics,” said Cooper.

Cooper explained that riding for the disabled in Malaysia first took root in 1967 when Tan Sri Dr M. Mahadevan used the horses in his stables for riding therapy.

“As a result, we now have several riders who have the potential to become competitive.

“The Special Olympics project is an international movement dedicated to empowering people with various intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and athletic competition,'' added Cooper.

Finalists of the Miss Malaysia Indian Global 2005 Pageant also turned up to give the disabled riders a boost.

The 12 finalists - Deana Serena, Deepa Nambiar, Jeswinder Kaur, Kavita Velaitham, Kavita Arumai-nathan, Michelle Marie Gomez, Mellisa Mohan, Porkodi Naga-lingam, Preeda Govindasamy, Sha-mila Maria Nadanarajan, Dr Shalina Hal Hajja, Vanitha Balasubramaniam - will be taking part in the national grand finals of the contest at the Sheraton Imperial Ballroom on Friday.

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India's Uco Bank Opens Representative Office in Kuala Lumpur
Updated : 03-10-2005
Media : AsiaPulse



KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 Asia Pulse - India's UCO Bank (BSE:532505) on Monday opened a representative office in Malaysia, with its chairman expressing confidence that this would be followed by the setting up of a branch office here shortly.

We would like to build up our customer base, see that critical volumes are assembled first before applying to Bank Negara, Malaysia's central bank, and this may take a year to 18 months, V Sridar, CMD of UCO Bank, said after inaugurating the office in Kuala Lumpur's central business district.

A bank has to invest a capital of US$80 million before it can open a branch in Malaysia.

Sridar called Malaysia an attractive market in the ASEAN region that has always shown interest in development projects in India.

The office will provide Malaysia information on business activities in India, perform liaison services to facilitate trade, exchange business information and give advice to exporters on market potential in countries where UCO is centred, Sridar said.

Apart from a nine million customer base in India, UCO Bank has currenly 1,730 domestic and four overseas branches - two in Singapore and two in Hong Kong - and plans to open representative office in China by next March and another in Bangladesh soon.

The bank has also set its eyes on overseas expansion in Dubai, China, Thailand and Sri Lanka, Sridar said.This is the bank's second venture in Malaysia.(PTI)

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DPM: Kampung Pandan complex to become a sports park
Tuesday October 4, 2005
By SA’ODAH ELIAS



The Kampung Pandan Sports Complex will be upgraded into a sports park for the benefit of the community in Kuala Lumpur and neighbouring areas.

This includes improving the existing facilities in the 18.2ha area and providing new ones for sports such as futsal, football, tennis, swimming and extreme sports.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the move was in line with the Government’s efforts to encourage more people to be actively involved in sports activities.





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Najib ... ‘move in line with the Government’s efforts to encourage
more people to be actively involved in sports activities’





“We are working on the allocation that is needed to see this through,” he told reporters after chairing the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Sports Development in Putrajaya yesterday.

The public will be allowed access to the facilities at the proposed park at a very minimal charge.

The Kampung Pandan Sports Complex became a national issue when a privatisation plan to redevelop the area into apartment blocks raised the ire of various concerned groups resulting in the intervention of the Cabinet.

The Cabinet at last scrapped the plan late last year.

Najib said the committee also approved the use of the Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre in Brickendonbury, Hertford, north of London as the centre for high performance outside of the country.

The plan, he said, would require only a small allocation since the centre was owned by the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia.

He said the choice of London was due to the availability of experts in various fields, particularly in football and hockey there.

“We need a centre where our athletes can be trained to be more competitive,” he said.

He said the committee would also be asking for an allocation of RM105mil from the government for the duration of the Ninth Malaysia Plan to repair and maintain over 7,800 sports facilities in the country.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said told reporters later that the allocation would only be enough to repair complexes that were either built by state governments or local councils.

“Most of these complexes are in deplorable condition that the bulk of the RM105mil will only be enough to repair them. We will most probably outsource their maintenance needs,” she said.

[nazrey]

Pet insects with Antquarium
Friday October 7, 2005
By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ



KEEPING ants and watching them live may not be a bad idea after all with Antquarium.

The sealed ecosystem for ants is developed from Nasa technology to study and understand the development of animal without gravity.

Hence, it makes a great educational gift to children and even adults.

Damien Lam, one of the partners of Gizmo, a gift shop at 1 Utama Shopping Centre, said transparent gel inside the Antquarium allows owners to watch ants tunnel their way through the substance.

“At the same time, the gel also serves as food for the ants,” said Lam, adding that about 15 ants can be placed in a container.

As such, it is no wonder that Antquarium is one of Gizmo’s best-selling items.

Located on the ground floor at the new wing, the shop, which was opened in August, offers various cool gifts, toys and collectibles including the Bad Taste Bear.

The bears come in various poses and bear specific details, giving each piece its own character.





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The lie detector emits electric shocks when one is lying.





While some are in naughty poses and messages, some are more suitable for children.

Lam said Gizmo is currently the only outlet in the country that sells the bears.

He added that there are many collectors of the bears locally and the outlet will soon start a club for the collectors.

The price for the bears is between RM59.90 and RM79.90 while the limited editions could fetch RM600 and above.

More interesting gifts like the fun pills are affordable and cheeky.

These “pills” are bottled candies, labelled with catchy graphics and tags lines such as Mid Life Crisis, and PMS.

Party games are often linked to drinks and there are plenty of those sold here as well.

To name a few are the Russian Roulette, Tequila Roulette and Utterly Outrageous Drinking Games.

One can also pick up little joke books and cheer up friends and colleagues.

Or opt for the games that emit electric shocks. The popular one is the lie detector. Strap the device to the palm and start answering questions posed to you. If a lie is detected, the detector gives out low voltage shocks.

“It functions by the pulse beat. If you lie, the heart beats faster hence your pulse,” said Lam.

The shop is open daily from 10am to 10pm. For details, e-mail gizmokl@gmail.com

[nazrey]

KL office rentals among cheapest in the region
Updated : 10-10-2005
Media : Malay Mail


RENTALS for office space in Kuala Lumpur were among the lowest in the region, a survey by the Asia-Pacific Real Estate Congress 2005 revealed.

Results of the survey which was released in Osaka, Japan, placed the average rental for office space in KL at US$1.05 (RM3.96) per square foot. This makes the city one of the most competitive cities in the Asia-Pacific region to do business in for 2004.

With the exception of Kathmandu, Nepal, this was much lower than the rentals of Tokyo and Seoul, the other two cities covered in the survey.

In Tokyo, the average rentals for office space was at US$4.53 per square foot, while it was at US$3.98 per square foot in Seoul. Kathmandu registered the lowest average rental per square foot at US$0.56.

KL had the highest vacancy rate of the four cities, the survey showed. The vacancy rate at KL was at 18 per cent as opposed to Tokyo's 4.6 per cent, Seoul's three per cent and Kathmandu's 1.5 per cent.

Meanwhile Australia's Jones Lang LaSalle, an international real estate consultancy stated that in 2004, close to half a trillion US dollars were invested in real estate globally.

From this amount, the Asia Pacific region accounted for 11 per cent of US$48.3 billion, which represents an increase of 12 per cent from the year before.

[nazrey]

Residents counting their days at flats
Monday October 10, 2005
By LIM CHIA YING


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Once a popular landmark of Kuala Lumpur, the Pekeliling Flats
will be demolished by the end of the year.



EVER since the move to Sri Rampai Flats began in May, the Pekililing Flats is almost devoid of life, especially in Blocks A and B.

Residents have left their empty homes behind to dust, rubbish, stray cats and even rats.

But, life at the blocks opposite the vacated ones still goes on as it has for decades.

Children play around their compounds as mothers run errands at their homes and the men help to carry groceries from nearby shops.

They, too, will have to leave their homes once City Hall has issued them with the order soon.

For Mohd Yasin Mohd, a resident of Block E, it will be a sad day when he has to leave the place he has called home for 10 years.

“The flats holds fond memories,’’ he said. “I don’t have much of a choice but to do what City Hall orders.’’





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Mohd Yasin … ‘I have fond memories’





Echoing Mohd Yasin’s sentiments are sisters Mumtaj Begum, 23, and Jamilah Abdullah, 33.

Having stayed in Block F for nearly 12 years, they now await the drawing of lots for their new home in Sri Rampai.

”We can request for an earlier shift if we want to,’’ said Mumtaj. “But we don’t want to do that,’’ she said, adding that she prefers to live at Pekeliling Flats as long as she can.

“Necessities and transportation are easy and convenient,’’ she said.

“I think we will be asked to move at the end of the year,’’ said another resident who wished to be known only as Mrs Chai.

“I dread the day when it comes,’’ she said.

But, those who have vacated Pekeliling Flats aren’t displeased with the move.

Esah Mohd Idris, a long-time resident of Pekeliling Flats, moved out in July.

“My family and I stayed in Block A for 34 years,’’ she said, adding that she left the flats with a heavy heart.

However, Esah is all praise for her new home. “The facilities in Sri Rampai, unlike at the Pekeliling Flats, are in good condition,’’ she said.

ASIE Sdn Bhd project director Raja Datuk Seri Ir Dzulkifli Raja Tun Uda said demolition of Pekeliling Flats would be carried out before the new year began.

“Demolition will be done using conventional methods,’’ he said. “This will involve using machines, hacking and crushing of concrete slabs.’’

Pekeliling Flats, also known as Tunku Abdul Rahman Flats, is one of the earliest public housing projects in the city.

[nazrey]

Feeder bus to Kuang KTM station for townshop
Tuesday October 11, 2005
By LEONG SHEN-LI



RESIDENTS of Bandar Tasik Puteri near Rawang will get a non-stop feeder bus between the township and Kuang KTM Komuter station if current discussions between the developer AP Land Bhd and KTM Bhd is successful.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the feeder bus would use part of KTM’s old Kuang-Batu Arang railway right-of-way which was now abandoned.

The right-of-way, which no longer has a track, will be turned into a road to enable the feeder bus to run directly between the township and Kuang.

“With the service, travelling to Kuala Lumpur will be very easy as residents can use the KTM Komuter service from Kuang station,” he said after a ceremony to hand over certificates of fitness for occupancy for 270 units of low medium-cost apartments recently.

He also launched the “Bonanza Raya” campaign which offered home owners lower or zero instalment payments or free home decoration and furnishing.

Chan, who is also Selayang MP, said he hoped negotiations between the developer and national railway operator would be successful and enable the project to start as soon as possible.






http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/10/11/central/m_04chan.jpg

Chan (second from left) presenting a mock certificate of fitness for occuption
to a resident of Camelia apartments in Bandar Tasik Puteri. With him are Ng
(right) and AP Land executive director Low Gee Teong.






“Such a service will also benefit residents of other developments in the area which will have a population of around 100,000 people,” he said.

AP Land managing director Datuk Jeffrey Ng said the feeder bus service would be very useful to Bandar Tasik Puteri residents because most of them travelled to Kuala Lumpur for work.

The developer plans to run environmentally friendly buses which uses bio-fuel.

Ng also thanked Chan for getting the project to widen the Rawang-Batang Berjuntai road, between the North-South Expressway interchange and Bandar Tasik Puteri, included in the 9th Malaysia Plan.

“The project will help bring development to what is described as the ‘northern corridor’ of the Klang Valley,” he said.

[nazrey]

Greening KL with an orchard park
Friday October 14, 2005
Story and photos by CHOW HOW BAN


INSTEAD of losing greenery to concrete, an unusual development is taking place that will add a new green lung to Kuala Lumpur.

In a recent edition of City Hall's newsletter, City News, Datuk Bandar Datuk Ruslin Hasan said the new green lung, to be created at the site of the former Kampung Delima squatter colony in Jalan Bellamy, Kuala Lumpur, would be called City Orchard Park.

Earth works on the RM10mil project began about two months ago.

“It is my hope that this park will be turned into a tourist attraction,” he said.

A first in the city, the orchard will be planted with about 100 species of fruits like rambutan, mangosteen, langsat, duku, dokong, rambai, durian, ciku, mango, soursop, cempedak, nangka, lime, jambu, banana and star-fruit.

There will also be an area dedicated to herbs, coconut palms and spices.

Upon completion, the 7.7ha orchard bordering the Kuen Cheng Girls’ High School on the west, government quarters on the north and a Chinese cemetery on the south will be equipped with an administration building, an information centre, a car park, a fruit pavilion, wakaf (gazebos), food and beverage kiosks, two toilets, a suspension bridge, canopy walkways, tree houses and trails.

A City Hall spokesman said the area was surrounded by lush greenery and low-density development and it was the local authority's intention to maintain the tranquillity in the area.

“Once completed, the orchard will be open to the public and will serve as a place where locals and tourists alike can learn about and eat all kinds of local fruits or simply camp in the area,” he said.

According to City News, the site has an uneven topography and is dominated by slopes. Among the neighbouring landmarks in the area are Istana Negara, Sri Menanti Ikan Bakar stall, Rumah Melaka, Alice Smith School and SK Jalan Bellamy.

Mohamad Zakaria, who works at the famous ikan bakar stall, said the project would benefit city folk.

“It’ll be good to be able to visit an orchard right here in the city.

“The concept is commendable as it will enable the younger generation to learn about ways of cultivating and planting fruits and herbs,” he added.

Another worker, Mohd Zahir Nordin, who used to live at Kampung Delima, said many residents had planted fruit trees at their house compound.

“There were all kinds of fruits like rambutan, durian and mango. You can still see some durian trees at the site,” he said.

The squatters have been relocated to public housing schemes last year.

Kuen Cheng Alumni Association chairman Jean Lee said City Hall had made the right move to preserve the serenity of the area.

“The orchard park development will be great news for city folk, especially for the children who rarely have a chance to see fruit orchards so the project will eventually be a good educational tool,” she said, adding that the school could even organise learning trips to the orchard.

“We used to see a serene kampung environment at the back of our school (referring to Kampung Delima). We are happy that the school will continue to have a peaceful neighbourhood,” she said.

Alice Smith School vice-principal Chris Boden echoed Lee’s opinions, saying that the park would be a useful resource for the school.

“We are very excited about the orchard park development. It is yet another prestigious project for Kuala Lumpur.

“Not only will it be a wonderful resource for the school, but it will make the surroundings more attractive and provide a super green and stimulating area for Malaysians and tourists to enjoy,” she said.

The orchard project is another educational project undertaken by City Hall.

The local authority is also developing an Arboretum Park in Bukit Kiara where city folk can learn about different local tree species.




http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/10/14/central/m_pg03parkmap.jpg




In the same City News article, Ruslin said City Hall would strive to ensure green areas were preserved despite ongoing development.

“As mayor of the city, I will strive to the best of my ability to ensure these areas are maintained and preserved even though development is carried out,” he said.

He added that the issue on greenery in the city had been much talked about lately and City Hall had the social and moral responsibilities to ensure green lungs were left intact.

He said the conservation of flora and fauna was part of the local authority’s agenda for sustainable development.

“City Hall has identified several more areas where the greenery will be preserved and activities carried out in a better way, said the mayor.

“One such area is the Kepong Metropolitan Park which we intend to convert into a kite-flying centre for both local and international competitions.

“This windy location will also be made a fishing centre,” added Ruslin.

[Lastresorter]

^^ Good news... any pics of the development?

[nazrey]

Hotel Maya Refurbishment: 'We'll get it back in six years'
Updated : 21-10-2005
Media : Malay Mail
Story By : Sharen Kaur


HOTEL Maya Kuala Lumpur, a unit of SDB Properties Sdn Bhd, expects to recoup the RM40 million it pumped in to refurbish the hotel within the next six years, said its general manager Iz Melvin.

SDB Properties, a unit of Selangor Dredging Bhd, owns and manages the five-star boutique hotel, which was established in 1996.

Melvin said the hotel expects 75 per cent of its returns over investments from the refurbishment exercise to be supported by bookings from business and leisure travellers, and the rest from revenue from its food and beverage outlets, as well as meeting and convention rooms.

¡§We plan to do this through extensive sales and marketing, locally and abroad. We will spend at least four per cent of our revenue for this purpose, said Melvin in an interview with Mail Money.

Melvin said the hotel also plans to spend between four per cent and five per cent of its sales, on advertising and promotion packages.

The 207-room hotel, which employs some 300 people on its payroll, offers butler services, free and unlimited broadband internet and Wi-Fi access in all rooms and around the hotel, 24-hour in-room check-in and limousine transfers.

¡§Most of our clients are from Malaysia and Singapore. We are currently targeting tourist and business travellers from Japan, Australia, Korea, UK, France, Russia and West Asia, said Melvin.

Melvin said that from next year onwards, the hotel will spend an additional three per cent of its total revenue for repair and maintenance purposes.

He added that the life span of a hotel is about five years and the repair and maintenance job is necessary so that it can be on par with international standards.

[nazrey]

Esprit to open flagship store in KL
Updated : 21-10-2005
Media : Business Times
Story By : MARINA EMMANUEL


THE bullish outlook for Malaysia's retail sector is being leveraged by international clothing brand maker Esprit, which is planning to set up a RM4 million flagship store in Kuala Lumpur's retail outlet The Pavillion by 2007.

Esprit De Corp (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd general manager Pow Lay Kuan yesterday said the company's optimism, which was based on Malaysia's economy, would also see the opening of at least eight Esprit outlets costing around RM500,000 each in the country by next year.

Malaysia's retail scene is vibrant and with new brands being brought in, we are also finding ways in ensuring that we improve, she told reporters after the opening of Esprit's first Asian edc concept store at Island Plaza in Penang yesterday.

edc is Esprit's product line that caters to the youth market with what is touted by the company as ¡§fast and fashionable, funky and expressive range of styles that is affordably cool.

The edc concept store in Penang, Pow said, ¡§is the first of its kind in Malaysia, making it the 17th store by Esprit in the country.

In Penang, edc is the best-selling line among Esprit's five collections and there is definitely a huge potential market for this line.

On the drawing board, Pow added, is an Esprit 18th outlet slated to be opened by year-end in the Klang Valley.

Among the eight new Esprit outlets being opened next year include locations in Johor and Kota Kinbalu in Sabah.

¡§We are quite bullish on East Malaysia, she noted, ¡§and are exploring locations in Sarawak like Kuching and Miri.

On the proposed flagship store at The Pavillion along Jalan Bukit Bintang, Pow said the store will be spread over three levels and boast, among others, a cafe, a salon and also offer cosmetics brand ¡§Red Earth.

[nazrey]

Still very much a shopper's paradise
Tuesday October 25, 2005
By ESTHER CHANDRAN


JALAN Tuanku Abdul Rahman (Jalan TAR) is a colourful place that is popular for its mix of textiles, fabrics and carpets.

Added to these are the sounds of street musicians playing oldies at its sidewalks.






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New features are being added to Jalan TAR, like this area dedicated to art.






Think fabrics and Jalan TAR comes to mind.

Familiar names like Kamdar, Tang Ling and Harrison’s are landmarks in the stretch, offering a wide range of imported lace, organza, silk and satin fabrics.

There's also an area where Euro Moda, Binwani's and Gulati’s offer high-end fabrics. Opposite these are arcade-style shops in a row.

Jalan TAR, or Batu Road as it was known in the 1960s, is still very much the city's shopping destination.

Old “stalwarts'' like Central Shoe, P. Lal Store, Coliseum, Lee Wong Kee and Tang Ling still make their presence felt as they did years ago.

Central Shoe Sdn Bhd, for instance, on 1.98km is a place to go to for shoppers in search of footwear.

Its director Yong Fah Chin said the family-owned business began in Penang and opened its Kuala Lumpur outlet in 1960.

Well known for its imported shoes, Central Shoe had to face stiff competition with others of its kind in the same row and in Petaling Street during the early days.

Business thrived from 1965 to 2000, but after China opened up its market, Central saw a shift in business when customers preferred China-made shoes.

Central Shoe diversified, carrying among its list its own designs and shoes from China.






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Coliseum Cinema is a prominent building in Jalan TAR.






Shoes, said Yong, accompanied clothes. “Hence, the decision to open up in a location where fabrics ruled.''

Another familiar name in Jalan TAR is Coliseum, a restaurant that has stood the test of time since 1921. It is busy during lunch hour and is popular for its palatable Western selection.

Another old and familiar outlet is the A&W restaurant, the first fast food chain that opened in 1963.

P Lal Store, established in 1929, is also a prominent name in Jalan TAR.

Its manager, Shah Mohd Sarazin, said the outlet carried imported winter wear, clothes and shoes.

For embroidery and flower shop owner Lam Ah Kiew, 53, Jalan TAR brings back memories. As a young seamstress, Lam shopped for material and household items in the area during the 1970s.

“Jalan TAR was the place to go,'' said Lam who operates a shop in Taman Sri Rampai, Setapak. “It was convenient to walk down one street and buy all that I needed.”

Lam used to shop at Globe Silk Store. She said the store had everything a household would need, except groceries.

Sakthi Devee Suppiah, 58, and her daughter Verni Muthusamy, 34, remember Jalan TAR as the only place in Kuala Lumpur to shop.

“When it was time to go to school, Globe Silk Store was the place to go to for uniforms,'' said Verni. “It was the first store to have lift operators and the girls were pleasant.''

Sakthi Devee said people of all races shopped at Jalan TAR in its hey days. “But, it lost its glamour in the late 1970s and early 1980s when bigger and better shopping complexes opened in Bukit Bintang.''

Jalan TAR could not compete with the glitz and dazzle of Suria KLCC, Mid Valley Megamall and 1Utama in the 1990s as these shopping malls had a variety of outlets under one roof.

Jalan TAR's popularity dwindled, especially with youngsters. But, it retained its popularity for fabrics.

Euro Moda executive director Jasleen Kaur said Gulati's Silk Store branched out from Semua House in Jalan Masjid India to Jalan TAR.

“We saw potential in Jalan TAR and opened Euro Moda, which carries high-end European fabric,” she said.

“There is competition in the textile industry, especially in Jalan TAR, but without it, the area would have nothing much to offer.

“The vibrancy of its textiles makes Jalan TAR different from other streets in Kuala Lumpur,” said Jasleen.

City Hall's Master Plan Department has identified Jalan TAR as a specific shopping precinct in its Structure Plan 2020.

Town Planner Sulaiman Mohamed said efforts to beautify the area, with sidewalks, pavements and upgraded landscape, were underway. There is already an artist's corner known as Laman Tuanku Abdul Rahman, which is adjacent to one of the city's impressive public toilets.

Time will see the old buildings in Jalan TAR make way or get face-lifts that will give the old Batu Road a new image. When this happens, Jalan TAR will not only attract local shoppers, but also foreign tourists, too.

[nazrey]

A town that was born busy
Saturday October 29, 2005



FOR years, residents have been turning to the press, residents associations and elected representatives to resolve many of their problems. Suffice to say many have been exhausted and frustrated by either a system fraught with red tape or non-action to their complaints to their local councils. In a series of articles, StarMetro will attempt to put a perspective on this problem. DHARMENDER SINGH and K.W. MAK come upon two areas where the people’s pleas are not heard.

THE Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ ) has been taken to task for showing no interest in resolving the problem of illegal stalls at Taman Seri Serdang's commercial centre.

Seri Serdang resident R. Magen, 32, said when he was a child there were only a few stalls that sold vegetables, fish and chicken along the main road from SRK Sri Serdang.

“Now there are 50,'' he said. “The makeshift stalls are an eyesore. And, they are the reason for the congestion at the stretch.''

Magen said customers parked their cars by the side of the four-lane road to go to the stalls, leaving enough room for a vehicle to squeeze through.

He said people had no choice but to patronise the stalls. “There is no market in Taman Seri Serdang and parking is a problem at the Seri Kembangan market,'' he added.

Magen said the council should build a proper market with ample parking space for the stall owners.

“The drain in front of the stalls is often clogged with waste from the stalls,'' he said, adding that it stank.

Garbage, he added, was left at road shoulders, as there were no proper bins.

Magen said he could not understand why MPSJ continued to ignore the situation though it had been there for decades. “Yet, the council relocates stalls that have been operating for less than 10 years.''

A stall operator, who declined to be named, said a majority of the traders had been operating for nearly 20 years at the same venue.

“We depend on our regular customers for business,'' he said.

The operator said council officials had visited the area several times over the years. “But, nothing has been done,'' he said, adding that there were only talks about a relocation.

He said Perbadanan Urus Air Selangor (Puas) Bhd had provided water supply to the stalls while Tenaga Nasional Bhd had provided electricity to help the traders. “But, what we also need is for the council to give us a proper market so as to overcome problems like garbage collection and blocked drains.''

Seri Serdang assemblyman Datuk Satim Diman said MPSJ was looking to relocate the traders to a better site.

Satim, who is also an MPSJ councillor, said there was a one in Taman Seri Serdang, but the land belonged to the developer.

``We are working to get the developer to hand the land over to us,'' he said. “Once that is done, work to construct a new market will begin.''

COMMENTS ON OUR FEATURE SERIES

Very strong comments (criticisms?) about our local councils. I am keen to see how far the authorities can tolerate this.

MPKj is irresponsible. Look at the monsoon drain at Taman Zamrud.It is clogged, breeding mosquitoes and floods when there is a downpour.

MPKj's decorative flowerpots are hazardous. They block pedestrians' view when crossing Jalan Bukit. This is only one example of MPKj's blunders!

No doubt MPKj takes the crown in being the worst council as it always fails when solving complaints.

I agree MPKj is the worst local council in Selangor. It never acknowledges letters, ignore complaints made on potholes and changes road signs wrongly.

Councils only interested in beautifying their offices - replacing flowers frequently and investing in expensive stuff.

MPKj shouldn't allow tents to be put at parking lots in town for business during festive seasons. This denies motorists parking lots.

The parking meter at Jalan SG 3/1, Sri Gombak sometimes works, sometimes short-changes us. Our complaints have fallen on deaf ears.

Illegal dumping at Taman Minang, Cheras. Complained to MPKJ. It responded, saying that council did not have a budget to clear the rubbish.


I fully agree to the many complaints about local councils. Look at the potholes on the roads and the indiscriminate use of parking lots for hawkers.

[nazrey]

Klang Valley’s homegrown brands
Saturday October 29, 2005



StarMetro catches up with three gutsy, innovative and resourceful entrepreneurs who have found their niche in the expansive Klang Valley market to grow their own brand in retail franchises.

1901 hotdog

TENGKU Rozidar T.Z. Abidin and Ahmad Zaki Jaafar, the husband-and-wife team behind the conceptualisation, development and marketing of hotdog company Nineteen O One Sdn Bhd, show that nothing is impossible if you put your heart, soul and mind to it.

They started their business in the midst of the economic crisis in 1997 with RM100,000, lessons from a failed foreign-owned franchise and six months of toying around with various recipe books. Today this homegrown brand boasts 68 outlets, 17 of which are owned by the parent company.

According to Tengku Rozidar, there are no less than 30 enquiries per day and four applications per week to become 1901 franchisees.





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A 1901 outlet at the Giant Hypermarket in Shah Alam.





1901 has been awarded Super Brand status two years in a row.

“Things were not always that rosy,” said Tengku Rozidar when met at her outlet in the new wing of 1 Utama shopping centre, Petaling Jaya.

“To start with, we had to think of how to sell a Malaysian hotdog for RM3.90 from a push cart! We finally decided to position it as an imported product – hence the name 1901, the year the name ‘hotdog’ was supposedly coined in the New York Polo Grounds,” she explained.

Tengku Rozidar was quick to add that chicken breast meat and prime beef cuts, not mechanically deboned meat, was used in making 1901 hotdogs.

“We make sure that our customers are buying a quality product. In fact, the vinegar that is used in our relish is not artificial vinegar but Heinz distilled vinegar, which is very expensive,” she added.

The soft-spoken but confident lady is a firm believer in hard work. She puts in more than 12 hours a day and strongly agrees that an entrepreneur must be creative, resourceful and have the ability to strategise.

For Tengku Rozidar and her husband, the real measure of their success is when 10 out of 10 hotdog lovers know the 1901 brand and what it has to offer.

“A lot of money has been ploughed back into research and development, and the franchise support department meets four hours per week to come up with strategies to make the 1901 hotdog more nutritious and convenient to the public,” she said.

“Our hotdog is steamed as consumers are more health-conscious nowadays.”

Their continual efforts at im-provement and sensitivity towards customers’ needs saw 1901 introducing meat-free hotdog in their menu in September.

Potential franchisees are put through the mill before being accepted. First, they take a test to see if they have what it takes to be an entrepreneur and then they have to go through two interviews.

One of the many challenges, said Tengku Rozidar, was getting franchisees to see the importance of working as a single entity rather than just an agent.

“Although we visit them regularly, they have to be pro-active and come up with localised marketing plans,” she explained. Keeping regular checks to ensure that the product remains consistent in all the outlets is another gruelling task.

“I want 1901 to have a wholesome image, to be associated with the right universal values and to be a halal brand wherever it goes,” she emphasised.

The cost of starting the business, which includes franchise fees, equipment and rental deposits, varies from RM75,000 to RM200,000. The couple's final dream is to start a 1901 Leadership Academy to produce outstanding young entrepreneurs.

OTAI burger

SELLING just two bags of burger bread from his first burger stall in Taman Sri Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, 11 years ago did not deter Suhaimi Abas from his dream of owning a business empire.

Whatever money he made then was used to grow the business into 87 stalls, 13 of which belong to him. He introduced the Otai (Organisasi Tempat Ambil Ilmu) brand of burger and associated products in April 2003.






http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/10/29/central/p10OTAIBurger.jpg

Suhaimi says the lower starch content in Otai burger’s bread makes
a difference to a burger’s overall taste.







The self-made, street-wise Suhaimi put together the education he received from the “university of life” and developed a module to train young bumiputras, aged 20 and above, in starting a business.

Suhaimi's prudent fiscal management is obvious in the way he runs his business.

Two rented shoplots double up as his warehouse and distribution centre.

His office is a rented apartment, where he holds classes, and the trainees are given accommodation in an adjoining apartment during the one-month course. Practical training is done in the evenings at one of his stalls.

“It is important to control costs when your funds are limited and you don’t want to incur further costs by borrowing from the bank,” he reasoned.

The personalised training allows him to spot potential staff, who will be offered jobs as instructors or run Suhaimi’s stalls. The initial start-up capital is RM5,500. An alternative package is offered to interested parties who cannot come up with this initial sum.

“I really want to help as many business-minded youths as possible to own a business early in their lives. When they have something meaningful to look forward to, they will not be involved in undesirable activities. Even the boys who work at the stalls have this golden opportunity to become their own boss,” he added in a mix of Malay and English.

He is negotiating a deal with Permodalan Usahawan Nasional Bhd to allow him to run a programme for unemployed graduates.

Suhaimi takes his task of grooming young entrepreneurs seriously. Anyone who signs up with him is monitored closely for two years. During this time, they are discouraged from investing in a house or car or even getting married!

“These commitments should not be their top priority. Profits should be used to start another stall. After that, they can plan the wedding of the century if they want to,” he laughed heartily.

Suhaimi's immediate target is to set up 150 stalls in the Federal Territory and Selangor. When that target is achieved, he will venture into food manufacturing.

He also has plans to bring Otai burgers into shopping malls.


SisterS Crispy Popiah

WHO would have thought that a piece of pandan-flavoured popiah skin with turnip, cucumber, carrot, egg, biscuit and peanut filling, spiced with sweet or chilli sauce can sell in shopping malls and draw a huge following!

Christopher Foo and Theresa Lim, another husband-and-wife team, took a gamble of a lifetime by doing just that and the gamble paid off handsomely.

They got back their capital of RM20,000 and more in just over two-and-a-half months from their first SisterS Crispy Popiah outlet at Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur. Three sisters, two brothers and their spouses contribute their individual expertise to run the business.






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Christopher Foo invites you to savour SisterS Crispy Popiah
at his Mid-Valley Megamall outlet






Having been in the marketing line, Foo looked around for a part-time business during the recession and decided to tap into his father-in-law’s 17-year expertise in making popiah.

“We have our own secret recipe to make the popiah skin,” he said.

“With the increase in demand, we will soon start production from our factory but there will be strict quality control,” added Lim, who handles the production.

There are now 17 outlets. The family owns six of the outlets.

“As the business grew, we faced manpower problems. We also did not want to over-commit ourselves. Friends who saw the potential in the business wanted to be a part of it. That was how our first ‘franchise’ started in Johor in 2004. Since then, we have extended business opportunity to anyone interested in a low-capital, small business enterprise,” said Foo.

“We prefer to call our business partners ‘operators’ because we are still working on the finer details of our would-be franchise,” Lim added. The training period is approximately three weeks and a monthly management fee of RM500 is charged for the follow-up and localised marketing strategies.

“We don’t want to take too much of our operators’ profits because we don’t want them to cut costs. We want their earnings to justify their giving up a cushy job. Many of our operators are professionals. If the operator is committed and diligent and the outlet is well-positioned, with a little bit of luck, he should see positive results after two months,” Foo said optimistically.

“Customers don’t mind paying a bit more for the convenience. They can shop and enjoy their favourite hawker food in a pleasant and cool environment.”

Foo goes through great lengths to train his operators on service, food handling and product sampling.

SisterS Crispy Popiah’s popularity grew strictly through word of mouth, even with tourists from as far as Europe.

The family's success at repackaging a low-end product has encouraged them to keep a look out for other similar but good family recipes.

”I’m from Penang. It saddens me that each time that when I’m back in my hometown, some of the food I enjoyed as a child is no longer available. I don’t want to see these recipes lost when the old folks retire and the younger ones are not interested in carrying on the tradition,” said Foo.

[nazrey]

English FA Cup trophy proves a winner
Saturday October 29, 2005


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The Tiger girls could not resist taking picture with the
trophy English FA Cup that was brought to Malaysia.



MUHAMAD RIDZUAN NASARUDDIN may not be an Arsenal fan but he could not pass up the opportunity to take a picture with the coveted English FA Cup won by the Gunners last year.

The FA Cup, brought to Malaysia during the Tiger FC Arsenal Trophy Tour, was on display at the Slippery Senoritas at the Curve last Saturday.

“The trophy indeed looks magnificent. I took a photograph with it and I am also going to show the picture to my friends,” said Muhamad Ridzuan.

Henry Chan, an avid Arsenal fan, recalled that last season’s tensed FA Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester United.

“Both teams were under tremendous pressure to win the final. Watching Arsenal snatch victory and parading this very trophy was truly amazing. I am still trying to comprehend the fact that I am actually standing right next to the trophy,” said an excited Chan.

Lawyer T. Kumar, a Manchester United fan, also came to look at the trophy.

“The trophy is rich in history. I don’t think there will be another opportunity for me to take a picture with it,” said Kumar.

The trophy was in Malaysia, courtesy of Tiger Beer. Besides Malaysia, the trophy will also be making its rounds to Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand.

Tiger Beer senior brand manager Tai See Wai said their efforts showed their commitment to football and to fans in the region.

“The response we received during last season’s FA Cup final parties at Mont Kiara and 47 other outlets was enormous. Fans were all out having fun together. Now, they have the opportunity to experience the actual trophy,” explained Tai.

Arsenal fans also had the opportunity to watch their favourite team beat Manchester City 1-0. Before that, the match between Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham was also shown live.

Attractive prizes, including an Arsenal jersey autographed by all their current players, and a football were given away to lucky fans.

[Greg]

CNBC Asia Pacific named YTL Corp Bhd managing director Tan Sri Francis Yeoh Malaysia CEO of the Year at the 4th Asia Business Leader Awards (ABLA) ceremony in Kuala Lumpur last night.
This award is specially created for ABLA 2005 to recognise excellence in Malaysian leadership in leading and structuring their businesses into international competency.
Yeoh, who received the award from Malaysia Airlines chairman Datuk Munir Majid, was recognised for his vision and ability to steer his company successfully, not only in Malaysia but also in the global marketplace. Yeoh said he was happy to be nominated and humbled by the win because there are “so many great CEOs out there”.


Acceptance Speech by Tan Sri Francis Yeoh
Malaysia CEO of the Year at the 4th Asia Business Leader Awards
I share this award with all the great CEOs of this beautiful country. To all my colleagues at YTL, this honour also goes to them, and I offer my gratitude in full. I also thank the CEO of Malaysia, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for his strong leadership in his fight against corruption, making Malaysia a more competitive economy. Most important of all, I thank our Lord Jesus for perfuming YTL’s name once again and I give Him all the glory for this honour.

now please build Menara YTL :master:

[nazrey]

11 components for liveable city
By MAIZATUL NAZLINA
Monday November 14, 2005



A LIVEABLE or sustainable city should have 11 components including housing, recreational and welfare facilities, environment, heritage and tourism, Town and Country Planning Department director-general Datuk Mohd Fadzil Mohd Khir said.

He said this was an approach used by the department in developing a city into a liveable city after identifying its strengths and weaknesses.

“We set up a standard system, known as Malaysia Urban Indicators Network Programme (MURNInet), in 1997 to evaluate a city.

“It is a computer system that analyses current urban conditions and effects of development, surveys temporal change and formulate sustainable urban scenarios for the future based on fixed standards. Those standards are the 11 sustainable development components,” said Mohd Fadzil.

He added that once a city's sustainability had been evaluated, relevant guidelines to upgrade its sustainability, quality of life and surroundings would be outlined.

He was speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur after announcing the Planning Towards Liveable Cities Convention that would be held on Nov 17 in the Malaysian capital. It is being organised in conjunction with World Urban Planning Day.

Mohd Fadzil said eight speakers, comprising local and foreign senior planning officers and lecturers, would present working papers at the two-day meeting.

Among them, he said, was a speaker from Melbourne as the city had been internationally selected as a liveable city for two consecutive years – in 2003 and 2004.

Melbourne sustainable city research manager Austin Ley's paper is on “Melbourne Liveable City Indicators.”

“The speaker will present the criteria that make the city a liveable city. We hope to use the criteria to develop our cities,” he added.

Among the other topics to be presented at the convention are “Malaysian Urban Indicators Network Programme” by Federal Town and Country Planning Research and Development Division director Kamalruddin Shamsudin and “Evaluation of Ecological Footprint for Different Types of Urban Development Impacts” by Cardiff University senior lecturer Dr Andrew Flynn.

[nazrey]

Programme helps feed homeless
Thursday November 17, 2005


CHAI Kam Kuan was living in the streets for about nine months until he chanced upon the Catholic Archdiocesan Office for Human Development's feeding programme.

With at least one square meal a day to fill his stomach and the compassion shown by the programme’s volunteers, Chai is now back on his feet and earning a regular income every month as a salesman.






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More than 100 people have their lunch at the Catholic
Archdiocesan Office for Human Development on weekdays





The 55-year-old divorcee is even contributing food to the feeding programme whenever he can.

“I was fortunate to know about this programme and had my lunch here on weekdays. I am very grateful for the patience, care and love that the people here have shown me.

“Today, I want to show my gratitude by giving foodstuff.”

The feeding programme is funded under the Lenten campaign involving various Catholic churches throughout the Lent period.

The programme started in 1999, feeding about 30 people.






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D’ Cunha (left) having a chat with Lee over a cup of tea.





Now, between 100 and 120 people turn up at the Archdioce-san head office in Jalan Bukit Nanas, Kuala Lumpur, from Monday to Friday.

Besides getting lunch, they can have a bath and wash their clothes.

Catholic Archdiocesan Office for Human Development employee Carl D’Cunha, who has been welcoming these visitors for 12 years and talking with them, said the people who dropped in were the poor, migrant workers and drug addicts.

“We ask no questions. Some do confide in us and we try to help them get jobs,” said D’Cunha.

Odd-job worker Lee Chi Kim, 64, said the feeding programme had helped him survive.

“I only manage to get work about once a week if I am lucky. What income I get from work is just enough for me to eat a meal and have a roof over my head,” said Lee, who shares a unit in the Pantai Baru longhouse with four friends.

[nazrey]

StellarInteract picks KL to house Asian HQ
Updated : 18-11-2005
Media : Business Times
Story By : ANNA MARIA SAMSUDIN


STELLLARINTERACT, a total solution in-flight entertainment company, has chosen Malaysia to house its Asian headquarters.

The Kuala Lumpur office is also its third worldwide, after Sydney and Los Angeles.

Executive chairman Rob Lynch said the company has invested RM6 million to set up its operations in Malaysia, which will be in charge of production, while its Los Angeles and Sydney operations will focus on the creative and financial aspects respectively.

He said Malaysia was chosen because of its booming airline and tourism industries. The low operating cost in Malaysia is another plus factor.

“Previously, all of the production work was done in Los Angeles. By shifting our production division to Malaysia, we believe we can reduce our cost by about two-thirds,” he told reporters after the launch of the headquarters by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen.

The group has been providing entertainment solutions to the airline industry for over 30 years. It has over 20 airline customers, entertaining over 50 million passengers a year.

Its clients include Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Royal Brunei Airlines, Air Pacific, Turkish Airlines, Malev Hungarian Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Mexicana Airlines.

On its facility in Malaysia, Lynch said that its studio is located in Damansara Perdana.

'We believe the move is particularly timely as Kuala Lumpur continues on its path to becoming a major hub for inflight environment and the emerging Asian marketplace,” he said.

[nazrey]

Exclusive wine dinner at new spot in Bangsar
Friday November 18, 2005
Story and photos by SASHI AMBI



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Tomato Basil Soup with Cauliflower Puree matched with
Saltram Unwooded Chardonnay 2004.



SMALL and intimate wine dinners are almost rare in the Klang Valley.

And it is seldom too that the set menus featured in such events are matched with reasonably priced complementary wines.

Dinners like these exist at Finn’s Bins Single Malt and Wine Bar in Bangsar Baru although they are held only once every two months.

Finn’s Bins is the sister restaurant of the famed Finnegan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant.

The wine dinner is unique as it showcases a special cuisine prepared by a mystery guest chef, whose identity is only revealed on the night itself.

Finnegan’s deputy general manager Michael Oridecth said this was to make things even more special for diners.

He said although Finn’s Bins would like to encourage more diners to experience the exclusive event, the outlet prefers keeping the number small.

“We are comfortable with about 30 diners but if more people are interested, we have no problems making this a monthly event,” said Oridecth.

Its third wine dinner held recently featured a special four-course dinner, heightened with the pairing of the dishes with Saltram Estate wines from the Barossa Valley in South Australia.

Starters for the evening were Smoked Salmon and Crabmeat Roll served with Seared Scallop with Warm Lime and Soya Dressing.

The entrée was matched with a glass of 2004 Saltram Makers Table Sauvignon Blanc.

Saltram Wines supplier Yin How Wong from Milawa (M) Sdn Bhd said the refreshing taste of the white wine with a tinge of passion fruit and lime is a perfect complement to the slightly salty-tasting entrée.

The follow-up to the starter was the Tomato Basil Soup with Cauliflower Puree. The soup was matched with the white 2004 Saltram Unwooded Chardonnay.

The highlight of the dinner was its main course. Diners were spoilt for choice between the Tender Roasted Lamb Rack with Gratinated Potato served with Sauteed Mixed Greens and Rosemary Juice and the Pan Seared Fillet of Cod with Sweet Potato Mash served with Sauteed Mixed Greens and Pineapple Caviar.

The main course were served with a glass of 2003 Saltram Next Chapter Cabernet Merlot and a glass of 2003 Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz.

Yin was on hand again to enlighten diners about the Barossa Valley wines and stressed to diners to pay particular attention to the two red wines served with the main course.

To end the perfect wine dinner, diners were served Warm Chocolate Cake with a tinge of Orange Essence served with Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce.

The Wine Dinner is priced at RM120++ per person and requires prior reservation.

For reservations, e-mail marketing@finneganspubs.com or call 03- 2300 0538.


FINN’S BINS, 6 Jalan Telawi 5, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur (Tel: 03-2284 0476). Business Hours: Daily, 5pm-2am. Kitchen opens until midnight only.

[nazrey]

Better bus service from Puchong to KL
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
By Dharmender Singh


PUCHONG residents can now enjoy better bus services with the new route 55 by Rapid KL that travels through all the main residential areas and past all the schools. The service was introduced on May 1.

Kuan Chee Heng, who is special assistant to Seri Serdang assemblyman Datuk Satim Diman, said the new bus route passed through Taman Puchong Prima, Taman Puchong Perdana, Taman Maju Jaya, Taman Puchong Utama and Puchong Km22.4 before heading to Kuala Lumpur through Brickfields.

He said the bus also passed by SK Puchong Utama 1 and 2, SMK Puchong Utama, SJKC Han Ming, SK Batu 14 Puchong and SMK Batu 14 Puchong and residents could also use it to visit the National Registration Department (NRD) office at the Taman Puchong Utama commercial area.

The service starts at 6.30am from Puchong while the first bus from Kuala Lumpur to Puchong leaves the Central Market area at 6.40am with the last bus leaving Puchong at 10.40pm and Kuala Lumpur at 11.30pm.

Kuan said there had been a bus service in Puchong before but the areas it serviced were too few, leaving residents to walk long distances to get to the closest bus stop where they could board the bus to other housing areas in Puchong.

He said the new service was started after discussions with the bus company initiated by Satim and with the co-operation from the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) which helped with the route.

He said the buses could not pass through Taman Puchong Utama due to height restriction bars that had been placed to stop lorries from using the residential roads.

Kuan said lorries had been using the residential roads as a short cut to the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) before the upgrading of the Puchong Km22.4 interchange.

“After the upgrading work, the lorries started using the flyover to get to the LDP and they no longer need to use the residential roads so it is now safe to remove the bars,'' he said.


Houses in the Puchong area (Klang Valley), Selangor.

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[Greg]

By By HALIM SAID

Jalan Bukit Bintang, one of the city’s landmarks, is marred by pimps and beggars. Take a stroll along the street at night and chances are you will bump into them.

“Mau amoi kah, boss? Semua cantik-cantik ma, (You want a girl, boss? All are very pretty),” a pimp asked this reporter in front of a toy shop opposite a hotel, during our “visit” to the area last Sunday.

The “visit”, at 10pm, followed a complaint by a reader that the area is “full” of pimps and beggars, especially late at night, giving the city’s tourist spot a bad image.

The well-dressed man, who identified himself as Simon, boasted of having “girls” from Thailand, the Philippines and even Russia and Europe, apart from locals.

For a local, he said, the charge is between RM230 and RM280 an hour, while the others cost between RM250 and RM300.

Another pimp, only known as Wong, approached this reporter outside a fast food outlet about midnight, and said for RM230, he could arrange an hour’s session with a 25-year-old local in a hotel room.

“The girl will massage you first,” he said.

Yet another pimp, Frankie, operating in front of a shopping complex, claimed he could arrange for a 17-year-old schoolgirl at RM400 an hour.

“Young girls are hard to get and they are the most sought after and expensive,” he said.

Another pimp, identified only as Singh, said he has a special cream to make one last longer.

As this reporter walked away without asking the cost of the cream, Singh said: “Come and look for me here if you want a ‘long’ happy time.”

The sight of beggars on the street also greeted visitors to the area.

An elderly man, paralysed from the waist down, was seen begging for alms in front of an entertainment outlet.

We also bumped into a Thai, who identified herself as Nya, with her two-year-old-son, Nyabed, outside a bank, asking for donations.

When she realised that our photographer was around, she quickly walked to a nearby phone booth to make a call, probably to her “employer” to alert him of our presence.

We tried to tail her but she disappeared among the crowd.

A shop operator in the area said the problem began decades ago.

He said he hoped the authorities would do something drastic to put a permanent stop to the problem.

“Our country’s image is at stake here. Bukit Bintang is one of the city’s landmarks and they are tarnishing its image. In the first place, they should not be here or anywhere else in the city,” he said.

We left the area at 2.30am but the pimps and beggars were still “busy”.

[ZaHiRnYa???]

Not a suprise there...kena by this pimp so many times already :lol:

[szehoong]

Not a suprise there...kena by this pimp so many times already :lol:


Wah....you always kena eh? Semua orang pun wanted to hit on ya hehehehe :lol:

[szehoong]

There area few pimps passing name cards in front of Piccolo Galeria and they go by the name Mr. Yes and Mr. Kent :D Always got handed their namecards......

People selling fake watches are also making scenes .....forget about backlane stalls at Sg. Wang Plaza - now they have these makeshift booth selling anything from Panerai to A.Lange & Sohne :lol: Want the latest Patek Phillippe or Frank Muller? They have it! :D Oh...there's also the common Rolexes and Tag Heuers hehehehe :D

[Greg]

Contract signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.
Munich/Kuala Lumpur, 24th November 2005Two strong partners formally forge an alliance: PETRONAS is to be the premium partner of the new BMW Sauber F1 Team that is gearing up for its debut in the 2006 Formula One World Championship. Today, Thursday, a four-year contract was signed and sealed in Kuala Lumpur, confirming PETRONAS as the main sponsor through to and including season 2009.

"We are delighted to have such a strong partner for our Formula One project," said BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen after the contract signing ceremony in the PETRONAS Twin Towers. "We are building on a longstanding association between PETRONAS and the previous Sauber Team. PETRONAS is a major player above all in Asia, which is a very significant growth market for BMW too."

Rosman Roslan, Head of PETRONAS Motorsports stated: "Through our relationship with Sauber of more than ten years, Formula One became a powerful platform for PETRONAS to build a strong global brand in support of our international business expansion. As an extension of our long-standing relationship with Sauber to the new BMW managed team, PETRONAS is proud to be associated with a globally successful manufacturer and a premium brand. This association with BMW will enable us to further elevate PETRONAS globally as well as enhance our brand through worldwide exposure as well as worldwide positioning."

Peter Sauber remarked on the occasion of the contract signing in Kuala Lumpur: "The partnership between PETRONAS and Sauber began in 1995. In the course of time it went far beyond a classic sponsorship and has been outstanding throughout all those years. I am personally delighted that this partnership, which has been so fruitful for both sides, is to continue with the new BMW Sauber F1 Team."

The race car will be unveiled in its new livery at the team presentation in Valencia, Spain on 16th/17th January.

PETRONAS is Malaysia's national oil and gas company. PETRONAS was founded in 1974 and is now active in 31 countries. In fiscal year 2004/2005 (ended 31st March 2005), PETRONAS posted a net profit of 9.4 billion US dollars from turnover of 36.1 billion US dollars.

[nazrey]

All set to pull in the crowd
Thursday November 24, 2005
By ESTHER CHANDRAN, Photos by SAM THAM



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HILTON Petaling Jaya has got things all on track once again. The hotel is all ready to set in motion the Hilton Christmas train, a project that was immensely popular with, not just children, but adults too, last year.

Hidden in a cosy enclave within the hotel is the choo-choo train set – eight locomotives that will pull 60-odd wagons through a picturesque landscape and a cosy town.

Guam-based designer Gerald D. Mc Elligott has expanded the size this year, encompassing in the 58 sq m a miniature scale of how an actual European town looks like.

“Mc Elligott is one of three individuals worldwide who build Christmas train displays commercially,'' hotel general manager Michael Nagel said.

“It took Mc Elligott and some of the hotel's graphic designers five weeks to set up the Herculean feat.''




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Landscapes, pine trees and cosy homes are added
to give the journey a nostalgic touch.




The hotel's pride for Christmas does more than enhance its interiors. It is in actual fact a fun-inspired fund-raising effort.

The Hilton Christmas Train 2005 will raise monies for the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, Cancerlink Foundation and last year's beneficiary, Handicapped and Disabled Children's Association of Klang, Selangor.

Nagel said the monies would also be donated to the South Asia Earth Quake Fund as well as to buy hampers for a year-end party for 650 children from 26 charity homes. The hotel hopes to raise more than RM100,000.

“The Hilton Christmas Train is inspired by an old tradition when people in Europe travelled home for Christmas by trains,'' said Nagel.

“It is all about making a fairyland, encouraging people to use their imagination and allowing the spirit of Christmas to set in.”

There are 20 different wagon designs that will traverse over bridges, make stops at stations, pass through tunnels and alone a picturesque landscape.

Towering Christmas trees and miniature people are visible around cosy homes, shops, offices, a post office and a brewery, and even European vineyards.

There is even a wedding that seems to be taking place at a quaint church, nearby a brewery where workers go about their everyday business.

Nagel said most of the items for the set were imported.




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Testing the trains out before it goes on display.




“Close to RM170,000 have been spent on the project since last year,'' he said.

So popular is the Christmas train that even corporate sponsors have increased in number this year. Some have opted for their company logos to be seen on bridges, shop windows and mini billboards.

“They can even sponsor trains and hot air balloons,'' said Nagel

“For example, Celcom has bought the surrounding lampposts to tie-in with their current campaign 'This is Celcom Territory,” Nagel said.

Three major sponsors are Nestle, Celcom and BMW Malaysia's Mini Cooper.

The 31 return sponsors include Dutch Lady, Continental Sime Tyres, Golden Screen Cinemas, Tradewinds Corporation, Airzed, F&N Coca-Cola, Albert Wines, Siemens, Fuji Film, Canon Marketing, Shenker Logistic, Panasonic, Central Sugar Refinery, Sara Lee and Carlsberg Brewery.

New sponsor include Tractors Malaysia, Allianz General Insurance, Perodua, TetraPak, Scomi Group, Century Total Logistic, FBIC Com-puter, Taylor's College and Deutsche Schule Kuala Lumpur.

This year, Hilton hotels in Guam, Adelaide, Nanjing, Tokyo, Nagoya, Shanghai and Seoul will also feature the train set.

“Our (Hilton Petaling Jaya) Christmas train project is the second biggest after Seoul,'' said Nagel. “We cannot go any bigger as we simply have no room to place our model.”

The Christmas train will roll out at the hotel's lobby from Dec 2 to Jan 6. It will run from 10am to 11pm.

[nazrey]

Malaysia Will Bid to Chair World Tourism General Assembly
Updated : 25-11-2005
Media : AsiaPulse



KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 Asia Pulse - Malaysia will be bidding to chair the World Tourism Organization General Assembly (WTOGA) in 2007.

In lobbying for the post, Tourism Minister Dr Leo Michael Toyad and senior ministry officials will be flying to Dakar, Senegal to attend the 16th session of the WTOGA which will be held from Nov 25 to Dec 2.

Tourism Ministry Secretary General Dr Victor Wee said Malaysia would be contending for the chair with Colombia and the Czech Republic.

"It's going to be a tough fight between the three countries but Malaysia is confident of winning based on its positive growth in the tourism sector," he told Bernama after launching the Kuala Lumpur-Asia Fashion Week (KLAFW) 2005 here Thursday.

"With the spectacular growth of Malaysia's tourism industry, I believe we can win the bid. We are second to China in this sector in terms of tourist arrivals in the region and we want to use this opportunity to promote Malaysia and its promising tourism to the world," he said.

Dr Wee said Malaysia was also confident in securing the chair based on the country's facilities, infrastructure and experience in conducting various international conferences.

WTOGA has acquired its new status as a specialised agency of the United Nations following greater interest shown by the international community in the tourism sector.

Dr Wee said it would be a milestone achievement for Malaysia to win the bid because in 2007 the country would hold the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 while the ministry would celebrate the 50th anniversary of its establishment.

[nazrey]

Pekeliling Flats won’t come down with a bang
Wednesday September 21, 2005




THE Pekeliling Flats in Jalan Tun Razak will not be demolished using explosives as the area is surrounded by light rail transit and monorail systems and businesses.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Ruslin Hasan said City Hall would probably disband the structure piece by piece to reduce the environmental impact.

“We have relocated 4,000 residents from Pekeliling flats to the Taman Seri Rampai flats in Setapak. After they are all relocated, the demolition exercise will be carried out at the end of the year.

“This (Pekeliling flats) is a massive area and surrounded by Star-LRT and KL Monorail stations. We might break up the structure as the walls are strong and pre-fabricated,” he said after launching City Hall’s Family Day at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa on Sunday.





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The structure will be disbanded
piece by piece by the end of the year.






Built in 1967, the Pekeliling Flats, also known as Tunku Abdul Rahman Flats, is one of Kuala Lumpur’s earliest public housing projects. The area will make way for a commercial and housing project called Tamansari.

Ruslin said the Taman Seri Rampai flats would provide the residents with a more conducive environment as the new housing area was equipped with a kindergarten, a hall, a hawker centre, shops and playgrounds.

“We hope the residents’ committee will work together with City Hall to organise activities for the community as there are funds for such purposes,'' he said.

Asked whether an open market would be built in the Taman Seri Rampai flats area, Ruslin said such a thing would not be encouraged as it would be difficult for traders and the authorities to handle waste disposal problems.


Residents counting their days at flats
Monday October 10, 2005
By LIM CHIA YING


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Once a popular landmark of Kuala Lumpur, the Pekeliling Flats
will be demolished by the end of the year.



EVER since the move to Sri Rampai Flats began in May, the Pekililing Flats is almost devoid of life, especially in Blocks A and B.

Residents have left their empty homes behind to dust, rubbish, stray cats and even rats.

But, life at the blocks opposite the vacated ones still goes on as it has for decades.

Children play around their compounds as mothers run errands at their homes and the men help to carry groceries from nearby shops.

They, too, will have to leave their homes once City Hall has issued them with the order soon.

For Mohd Yasin Mohd, a resident of Block E, it will be a sad day when he has to leave the place he has called home for 10 years.

“The flats holds fond memories,’’ he said. “I don’t have much of a choice but to do what City Hall orders.’’





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Mohd Yasin … ‘I have fond memories’





Echoing Mohd Yasin’s sentiments are sisters Mumtaj Begum, 23, and Jamilah Abdullah, 33.

Having stayed in Block F for nearly 12 years, they now await the drawing of lots for their new home in Sri Rampai.

”We can request for an earlier shift if we want to,’’ said Mumtaj. “But we don’t want to do that,’’ she said, adding that she prefers to live at Pekeliling Flats as long as she can.

“Necessities and transportation are easy and convenient,’’ she said.

“I think we will be asked to move at the end of the year,’’ said another resident who wished to be known only as Mrs Chai.

“I dread the day when it comes,’’ she said.

But, those who have vacated Pekeliling Flats aren’t displeased with the move.

Esah Mohd Idris, a long-time resident of Pekeliling Flats, moved out in July.

“My family and I stayed in Block A for 34 years,’’ she said, adding that she left the flats with a heavy heart.

However, Esah is all praise for her new home. “The facilities in Sri Rampai, unlike at the Pekeliling Flats, are in good condition,’’ she said.

ASIE Sdn Bhd project director Raja Datuk Seri Ir Dzulkifli Raja Tun Uda said demolition of Pekeliling Flats would be carried out before the new year began.

“Demolition will be done using conventional methods,’’ he said. “This will involve using machines, hacking and crushing of concrete slabs.’’

Pekeliling Flats, also known as Tunku Abdul Rahman Flats, is one of the earliest public housing projects in the city.


Security guards keep watch at half-vacant Pekeliling Flats
Friday November 25, 2005
By CHOW HOW BAN



CITY Hall has stationed security guards at the Pekeliling Flats in Jalan Tun Razak to curb theft in the area.

Its public relations officer, Hanim Hashim, said the local authority had appointed a security service company to look after the vacant lots in the flats.

Pekeliling Flats, or known as Tunku Abdul Rahman public flats, has 11 residential blocks consisting of 2,969 units.

So far, residents of 1,750 units have been relocated while the rest will move to the Taman Seri Rampai PPR flats latest by April next year.

Pekeliling Flats will make way for a redevelopment project called Tamansari to be undertaken by ASIE Sdn Bhd.

Hanim said four security guards were stationed at the vacant units in the morning and another four at night.

“City Hall always monitors the quality of services provided by the security company to ensure the safety of belongings and residents who have yet to move out,” she said.

“Meanwhile, the cleaning contractor has been maintaining the cleanliness of the area but they need time to finish the job in view of the volume of rubbish left behind by the residents.”

On Nov 21, StarMetro reported that Block D144 had become dangerous and prone to theft after most of its residents moved out to the Taman Seri Rampai PPR flats recently.

Fuse boxes and water meters have been stolen from homes and empty power cable casings left scattered on the floor, leaving families without power and water supply.

[Greg]

Kuala Lumpur will host the 25th World Gas Conference (WGC) for the first time in 2012 after Malaysia won the bid for the International Gas Union Presidency (IGU) for the 2009-2012 triennium.

The bid was made at the recent IGU Council meeting in Tianjin, China through the Malaysian Gas Association (MGA) with the support of Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas).

MGA president and Petronas vice president of gas business Datuk Abdul Rahim Hashim will assume the post of the IGU’s vice president at its Council meeting in Amsterdam next June before taking over as IGU president in Buenos Aires in 2009.

The MGA is the Malaysian charter member of IGU. Its council members include representatives from Petronas, Shell, ExxonMobil, BP, Petronas Gas Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Gas Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Malakoff Bhd, Delcom Services Sdn Bhd, Dialog Group Bhd and Malaysia LNG Sdn Bhd.

In a statement on Nov 25, MGA said the country entered the bid for the IGU presidency because of its significant contribution towards Asia’s status as a world leader in the liquefied natural gas industry.

The country is also committed towards bringing more developing countries into the IGU fold through Petronas’ extensive international operations and Asean networks, said the statement.

Malaysia’s success in the bid would also bring the WGC back to Asia nine years after the conference was held in Tokyo in 2003.

The triennial WGC draws participation from more than 5,000 top echelon leaders and specialist who would converge and exchange ideas over the direction, development, issues and challenges in the global gas industry.

[nazrey]

‘Our neighbourhood is simply divine’
Saturday November 26, 2005
By LIM CHIA YING
Photos by CHUA KOK HWA and GLENN GUAN


It’s all happening in Desa Seri Hartamas. Not only are the residents pleased with their neighbourhood, people from elsewhere and from all walks of life are making a beeline to the place, touted as the latest hot spot in town.

IT’S hard to believe that Desa Sri Hartamas was once a rubber estate. Today, it is a hip and popular place in town.

It has become the place where trendy youngsters and rich kids go to for good music and good food.

The number of open-air bistros, cafes, boutiques, pubs and food court testify to Desa Sri Hartamas’ appeal. Not bad for a development that was completed in 1998.

Residents are proud to declare their neighbourhood as “the place to be.’’ They even go on to claim that it has taken over Bangsar as Klang Valley’s favourite place for a good night life.

This is even more evident when an interesting football match is on. Huge screens show live coverage of the actions that take place thousands of miles away. Some pubs boldly advocate their preference for a team and this draws even more football fans to the establishment. Other bistros play it safe, catering to fans from both the competing teams.





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Nightlife at Desa Sri Hartamas.





Former president of Desa Sri Hartamas Residents’ Assocation (RA) Dr Abdul Rahim Said said Bangsar was becoming overcrowded at the time when Desa Sri Hartamas was being developed.

“When the new area was ready, it became a natural alternative for both the outlets’ operators and the crowd,’’ he said.

“Bangsar’s was running out of room to expand,’’ said Dr Abdul Rahim. “Several outlets also moved out of Bangsar due to the escalating rentals.’’

MBF Property Services Sdn Bhd began developing Desa Sri Hartamas in 1994. Today, most residents stay in the 288 double-storey link houses or in bungalows.

“Desa Sri Hartamas is the last landed freehold property in the Kiara region,’’ said Dr Abdul Rahim. “What development that takes place here on would be condominiums and bungalows.’’

In only a short period of time, property prices have risen two to three-fold.

“I moved in about seven years ago and my link house was RM400,000,’’ said Dr Abdul Rahim. “Now, it can easily fetch a million ringgit.’’

Current RA president Choy Hon Wai said Desa Sri Hartamas was unique.

“It was first constructed in a rectangular shape,’’ he said. “Its surroundings were then reserved for high-end and luxurious development.’’

Choy said, though the community was not gated, it was a safe neighbourhood. “We employ our own security patrol to keep watch 24 hours a day.’’

He said Desa Sri Hartamas had everything a resident would need.

“There are DVD shops, mamak restaurants, Japanese and Korean eateries, fitness centres, convenient shops, clinics and even lawyers offices.’’

Resident Michele Kwok summed up Desa Sri Hartamas best.

“It is a great urbanite experience,’’ she said.

“I do everything here, from my hair to my manicure, without having to go anywhere else,’’ said Kwok

“Food outlets are aplenty. Even my puppy gets to do its grooming and its dietary needs in Desa Sri Hartamas,’’ she said, adding that there were nearly 50 hair dressing salons to choose from in Desa Sri Hartamas alone.

“The spas, my favourite ‘hideout’ on weekends, are a stone’s throw away,’’ said Kwok.

“Desa Sri Hartamas is simply divine,’’ said the SOULed Out Café marketing maestro.

But, Desa Sri Hartamas is not without its share of problems.

Traffic, said Dr Abdul Rahim, was a major problem, even during the day.

“Because of a secondary school in the area, it made things worse,’’ he said.

The restaurants and cafes may have a swanky and welcoming front entrances. However, their backyards are a different story.

“Some operators are not bothered about cleanliness,’’ said Dr Abdul Rahim, adding that this had resulted in the backlanes becoming favourites of pests like rats.

“If City Hall does not help nip the problem in the bud, we are going to have serious health problems,’’ he said.

Dr Abdul Rahim said drunken brawls and snatch thefts at the commercial hub were also rampant.

Choy said noise from the night joints was sometimes unbearable, especially at nights.

“It becomes worse when the soccer matches are on,’’ he said, adding that the throbbing noise from dance music helped make matters worse.

“I guess these things naturally come when a place becomes popular.’’

[nazrey]

Amidst the hustle and bustle are quiet, peaceful homes
Saturday November 26, 2005


WHILE Desa Sri Hartamas is the heartbeat of youngsters and working adults, neighbouring Taman Sri Hartamas is a quaint residential suburb, a preferred address of the affluent.

It is a quiet neighbourhood that is away from the glitz and glamour of trendy bistros and watering holes.

Hartamas Development Group began developing Taman Sri Hartamas in 1985, way before Desa Sri Hartamas emerged.

For residents’ shopping needs, they visit Plaza Damas or the Hartamas Shopping Centre that are a short drive away from their neighbourhood.





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New condominiums come up on Kiara Hills behind the quiet
and peaceful Taman Sri Hartamas.






Advertising and promotions manager Joyce Chan said Hartamas Shopping Centre was designed to reinforce the “live, work and play’' concept.

“Both Plaza Damas and Hartamas Shopping Centre target residents of Sri Hartamas and Mont Kiara, besides those from the suburbs of Daman-sara and Bangsar,’’ she said.

“Though the shopping centres may be in the city, they are away from maddening traffic congestions,’’ said Chan.

“It is an urban oasis,’’ she said. “Hang out longer in the shopping centres and one will forget they are even in Kuala Lumpur.’’

[Greg]

VALLETTA: Malaysia is among the top three countries in the 53-member Commonwealth with the most number of tourist arrivals, according to World Tourism Organisation figures.

Only Britain and Canada received more tourists than Malaysia, which pipped countries like South Africa (fourth), Singapore (fifth) and Australia (sixth).

The top three countries registered more than 50 million tourists in 2003, that accounted for over 50% of the 92 million average number of visitors to Commonwealth countries each year.

Expressing concern over the Commonwealth performance in global tourism, Corinthia International Hotels chairman Karmenu Vella said the figures showed there was still room for improvement.

Based on the statistics, Malaysia is doing well as it gets about 40 tourists for every 100 people in its population as against the Commonwealth average ratio of only five tourists, he said after giving a talk on the Commonwealth tourist arrivals at the Commonwealth Business Forum here.

Karmenu, whose hotel chain owns or manages over 30 properties in 11 countries in Europe and Africa, noted that the Commonwealth received only 13% of the world's 690 million tourists.

However, the top three countries alone – Britain (22.7 million), Canada (17.5 million) and Malaysia (10.5 million) – grabbed more than half of the tourist arrivals, he said.

In fact, the top 12 countries account for 85% of the groupings' tourist share, which shows few people were visiting the remaining countries, he said.

He said the Commonwealth could play a greater role by forging linkages among member countries and helping boost their tourism figures.

The more developed countries could also share their experiences and expertise with their less developed counterparts and invest in more tourism products, he added.

[nazrey]

Double-decker buses for tourists in KL
Wednesday November 30, 2005
By CHOW HOW BAN



DOUBLE-DECKER buses carrying sight-seeing tourists are expected to make their debut in Kuala Lumpur by the middle of next year.

Mayor Datuk Ruslin Hasan said a company that was planning to introduce the service was now in the final stages of finalising its routes and fares.

”They (the company) are planning to start off with 10 buses equipped with tour guides and recorded information about the city in eight languages. The bus service will be similar to those provided in other major cities like London.

“It will be connected from hotels to routes approved by the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB), police and the Tourism Ministry. The buses will go to about 30 tourist spots in the city,” he said after chairing a Kuala Lumpur Tourism Action Council’s meeting on Monday.






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Kamaruddin (left) and Ruslin (right) leaving after a press conference held at
the end of the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Action Council meeting on Monday.







He said the buses would possibly operate in 30-minute intervals and foreign and local tourists could simply hop on and off the buses using a common ticket that would be valid for a whole day.

“The company has proposed to operate the bus services from 8am to 7pm but there have been requests from the industry to cater for tourists who could only go sightseeing at night after their business meetings have ended.

“The company said they would study the need and feasibility of providing its services at night,” he said, adding that each bus would cost about RM700,000.

Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Kamaruddin Siaraf said the “hop on/hop off” bus service would allow tourists to alight at a certain tourist attraction where they could spend enough time before hopping onto another bus to get to the next destination.

He said the company would be required to apply for a licence with the Tourism Ministry to be a tour operator apart from getting the relevant licences from CVLB.

“This (double-deck and sky-roofed bus) is what they are having in cities like London and Frankfurt. We are encouraging more companies to provide such services. This is a free-for-all thing and is not a monopoly.

“The Government has taken steps to recognise the importance of such bus services to tourists to complement the existing public transport available in the city. This is a good thing,” added Kamarud-din.

The meeting was attended by 30 advisory members from various government agencies, corporate sector, non-governmental organisations, hoteliers and Malaysia Airlines.

Among the matters discussed were the increase in hotel rates, efforts to attract high quality tourists and Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

It was the second meeting of the year.

[nazrey]

Getting ready for an event so big, so vital
Thursday December 1, 2005
By VIVIENNE PAL
Photo by SAM THAM



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THE INTERNATIONAL spotlight will be trained on Malaysia as delegates and heads of states from various countries congregate for the 11th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur come Dec 12 to 14.

Also taking place at the same time are the Related Summits, with the highlight of these high-level meetings being the inaugural East Asia Summit which is expected to draw Asean to closer and substantial relations with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.

Naturally, the hospitality industry is expected to play a major role in making the event a success. Participating five-star hotels are forecasting high occupancy rates, with much preparation underway in anticipation of the delegates' arrivals.

“We are looking at a full house throughout the summit and our involvement in the summit is extensive,” said Crowne Plaza Mutiara Kuala Lumpur sales and marketing director Bruce Ryde. “This is certainly a good event for the hotel and Food and Beverage industry.”






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Ryde (right) and Edison inspecting the new escalator in Crowne Plaza Mutiara
Kuala Lumpur that is to become a big help to delegates during the summit.






The official international media centre, Crowne Plaza Mutiara, will house an estimated 300-odd news-men from all over the world.

Crowne meetings manager Brucely Christopher Edison said the ballrooms in the hotel's lower lobby level would be dedicated to the media.

“The host broadcaster, RTM, will take up an entire ballroom, which will have 20 booths leased to other foreign TV broadcast companies,” said Edison.

“The second ballroom is the designated international media centre. It will resemble a complete newsroom, with about 80 computers, and faxes and printers set up for the convenience of journalists from about 17 countries,'' he said. Bernama, as the host news agency, will occupy a ballroom, too,” said Edison, adding that there would be an additional room reserved for ad-hoc press conferences.

“We will supplement our current online capacity to match up to international technical requirements of the media,” said Ryde.

Media delegates will also find a great convenience. A new escalator connects the main hotel lobby to Jalan Perak, which shortens the walk to the KL Convention Centre (summit venue) to a mere five minutes. Some 750 to 1,000 delegates are expected to use the escalator on a daily basis during the summit.

“The summit was one of the reasons why we decided on the escalator,” said Ryde, adding that the structure was built at an estimated cost of RM3mil.

A high level event such as this sees no compromise in security. Hotels will ensure additional measures are taken, with the help of the Malaysian police.

Understandably enough, playing a major role in an event of such magnitude comes with a hefty price, which Ryde deemed was worth it.

“The whole of Kuala Lumpur is going to be getting involved, and with all the meetings going on during the summit, we have to make sure we match up to international expectations,'' he said. “We're talking about a multi-million ringgit event for a hotel like the Crowne Plaza in terms of core structure and revenue generated. It's an event that would be great for the city as well as establishing Crowne Plaza as a major regional venue.”

[Greg]

By June Ramli


South Korean and Australian tourists are making a beeline for Malaysia for its many delights, including shopping, according to the August figures. There was a 92 per cent increase for South Koreans with 18,067 arrivals over the period this year compared to 9,456 last August.

As for Australians, 20,475 arrived over the period compared to last year's 13,550.

There was a 41 per cent increase in Japanese tourists, their numbers rising from 23,172 last August to 32,681 in the month this year.

Shopping Malaysia Secretariat general manager Mohd Rosly Selamat told the New Straits Times that the Australians, in particular, had a weakness for made-in-Malaysia clothes, textiles and the warmth of local hospitality.

Among the most sought after items were clothes and textiles (40 per cent), electronic items (17 per cent), local food and delicacies (16 per cent), shoes (13 per cent), handicrafts (12 per cent) and branded watches (six per cent).

Mohd Rosly said Malaysian brands like Bonia, Padini, Seed, Vincci shoes and Selangor Royal Pewter were among some of the most sought-after items.

The Shopping Malaysia Secretariat, under the Tourism Ministry, carried out a survey recently to identify the shopping habits of tourists.

The survey covered 1,349 respondents during the Mega Sale period (July 23 till Sept 3).

"Although the top 10 visitors still come from countries like Qatar, Kuwait, Syria, Iran, Pakistan, Brazil and Scotland, we have started to notice a remarkable increase in arrivals from South Korea and Australia."

The Australians, he said, were beginning to bypass destinations like Bali and Singapore.

Mohd Rosly said the Australians were re-discovering Malaysia as they felt Singapore was a bit pricey while Indonesia was not too safe.

"One of the many reasons Australians come here is to shop for clothes and textiles, which they feel are trendy.

"Good hotels and the fact that English is widely spoken in most shopping complexes is also another plus point.

"Although Arabs and Singaporeans remain our biggest spenders, the South Korean and Japanese arrivals showed a significant increase, 92 per cent and 41 per cent respectively, this year," he added.

The entry of tourists from Hong Kong also recorded a slight increase with 12,275 tourists this August compared to 11,224 last August.

Malaysian food was also making an impression on tourists. It has prompted them to take home spices such as curry powder mix, canned chicken curry and the various pastes for dishes such as Malaysian fried rice.

Complaint-wise, many felt that the service could improve.

"More than 35 per cent of them complained that people in the service industry could do a lot more in terms of grooming, as some of them were rude," he said.

Another complaint related to poor public transportation and being cheated by taxi drivers.

"Almost 50 per cent of tourists want the Government to improve on public transportation as they felt that too much time was wasted on the roads due to massive traffic jams."

Despite the shortcomings, most tourists felt Malaysia had what it took to become a shopping destination of note.

[nazrey]

Neighbourhood mall in the heart of KL
Updated : 03-12-2005
Media : The Star
Story By : THEAN LEE CHENG


MENARA Weld, to be reopened soon (mid Dec), will have a greater emphasis on food and beverage (F&B), its new owner Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Bhd says.

Its executive vice-president and head (finance and corporate affairs) Bruce Lee Yee Lam says 50% of its tenants are expected to be new, compared with the previous set-up.

'They may not be new to the Klang Valley, but they will be new in that particular location,” says Lee, adding that some of its tenants at the Great Eastern Mall along Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur will be moving over to Menara Weld.

F&B outlet Alexis, which started in Bangsar and currently at the Great Eastern Mall, will be opening an outlet at the Weld, he says.

Great Eastern Mall and Menara Weld are owned by Malaysia's largest insurance company.

“In terms of net lettable space, about 30% of our tenants will be F&B, 10% fashion, mainly office attire, 20% health, fitness and other services. About 10% of the remaining space will be a new supermarket.

A mix of pharmaceutical and niche products like camping and golf equipment outlets will occupy the remaining 30%,” he says.

The retail centre will have a net lettable area of 130,000 sq ft.

Lee says the F&B emphasis is needed because there are few food outlets in that location.

'The objective of the overhaul, besides the needed upgrading, was to ensure the building kept pace with the changes around it,” Lee says.

He says within a driving radius of 5 minutes, there are more than 500 units of serviced apartments and condominiums. The lunchtime office crowd will continue to comprise a major part of our clients but the night and weekend crowd will be people who live in the vicinity.

The supermarket operating in Menara Weld will stock quick turnaround items like sandwiches and easy-to-make meals.

'We want to make it a city-centre destination, while at the same time it will serve as a neighbourhood mall. It is very much a stand-alone retail centre as there is no other in that vicinity with the closest being Bukit Bintang area.

'There are a lot more malls than there are customers. Which is why we are going in the direction of the neighbourhood location,” he says.

To draw in the crowd, the frontage, the back and the sides of the building will be opened up to cater for street side dining.

“Menara Weld is not a megamall, but it has a good size, both in terms of serving that locality and in terms of a make-over,” he says.

Great Eastern forked out RM15mil for refurbishment and will manage the place themselves. All the retail lots are on lease.

'It is synergistic. We are investing in properties and property management because this will provide the company with a steady source of income. We are looking at a yield of 7% for the time being,” he says.

The refurbishment to its retail portion cost the insurance company RM15mil.

The insurance company, second only to EPF in terms of investment funds, is focusing strongly on investing in commercial properties, especially in the Klang Valley, to diversity its investment portfolio.

It has funds of about RM26bil, of which 10% can be invested in properties.

Menara Weld was purchased for RM150mil in 2003.

It owns Menara Great Eastern Mall and is currently developing 113 units of very high-end condominiums behind the mall itself on a 5-acre land at a cost RM130mil.

'We prefer commercial properties as part of our focus are on properties but if it makes sense, we will also look at residentials,” he says. These too will be leased out.

The other new property coming up is Travilion in Kuching, a lifestyle and corporate office block which they themselves will use and the excess space, put on lease. That will be built at a cost of RM12mil.

[nazrey]

Ikano power centre / The curve / Ikea Malaysia
Ikea Malaysia

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The curve

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Ikano power centre

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1 Utama

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[nazrey]

Council to build tourist info centre in Batu Caves
Monday December 5, 2005


SELAYANG Municipal Council (MPS) is building a tourist information centre in Batu Caves that will be completed by June.

Council president Zainal Abidin Azim said the centre would provide information on tourist spots in the Selayang area, such as the hot springs near Templer's Park.

“We are still finalising the details with the contractors on setting up a touch-screen information kiosk.

“Building work will start in January. When it is completed, the centre will be contracted out to a management company,” said Zainal at the MPS full board meeting last week.

According to MPS public relations department head Mohd Zin Masoad, RM700,000 has been allocated for the project.

The information centre will be a single-storey building on part of a 0.4ha land belonging to the council.

Zainal also said that MPS was looking into the possibility of taking over the maintenance of low-cost flats as management companies found it hard to collect maintenance fees.

“Management companies need to collect 90% of maintenance fees to provide services such as collection of rubbish and to maintain streetlights. But MPS found out that only 50% of residents pay their maintenance fees,” he added.

Zainal said the council was capable of taking over the maintenance services, with the help of Alam Flora.

[Greg]

Although I love Aircon, it's often much too cold in public buildings. Have to wear jacket when in some restaurants as temperature is probably only 18 or 19 degrees.


December 6 2005


MALAYSIA’S endeavour to reduce electricity consumption by 10 per cent next year and become an efficient energy user is on track.

Energy Commission director of the energy efficiency and innovation unit Dr Hassan Ibrahim said up to 10 per cent of energy savings can be achieved from good “housekeeping” measures.

In a statement, Hassan said the successful measures will create an impetus for the private sector to emulate the same because the global energy situation indicates that Malaysians will not see the good old days of low energy prices anymore.

“Thus Malaysians, who enjoy one of the lowest electricity and oil prices in the region, will have to get used to paying greater attention to energy efficiency as a means to contain their energy costs,” he said.

Under Budget 2006, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has directed all government facilities to reduce their electricity consumption by 10 per cent in 2006.

Abdullah’s directive has started a series of initiatives to achieve this target such as to keep room cooling temperatures at 26 degrees Celsius in order to save electricity used for air-conditioning.
Other government facilities include government office buildings, public hospitals and clinics, schools, universities and community centres.

“The budget statements have given energy efficiency programmes a tremendous boost for electricity users across all sectors such as industrial, commercial and residential,” said Hassan.

He said the commission’s campaign to conserve energy commenced in May 2005 and is one of its strategies to improve energy efficiency. The campaign is now entering into its final stretch.

“The campaign on energy efficiency has achieved positive response from the commercial and industrial sectors. It was launched earlier this year to spearhead an integrated programme towards a more energy efficient economy.”

Hassan said the High Efficiency Motors mechanism can be considered a medium-term measure which can generate simple payback periods of between two and four years through savings of between 2 per cent and 10 per cent.

“The mechanism, which is among the commission’s energy efficiency programmes, is now up to speed and with the likelihood of electricity tariff review in the future, the programmes can be a national saviour in curtailing energy costs.”

[nazrey]

Flood woes to end for Taman Maju Jaya folk
Tuesday December 6, 2005
Story and photos by ESTHER CHANDRAN


WORKS to strengthen the banks of Sungai Kerayong in Taman Maju Jaya, Cheras, to prevent erosion and flooding will be completed in three to four months.

Pandan MP Datuk Ong Tee Keat said the Housing and Local Government Ministry had approved a RM6mil allocation for the project.






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Poh … 'residents have been co-operative'.






He said the works were part of a bigger project that covered 3.9km from Jalan Loke Yew to SK Cheras Indah.

“The project will continue under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

“Discussions for the Jalan Loke Yew to SK Cheras Indah stretch are going on,” he said, adding that the work in Taman Maju Jaya started in October.

Ong said residents had requested for the banks to be strengthened years ago, but the project did not materialise earlier due to shortage of funds.

He added that Taman Maju Jaya was hit by floods many times.

Federal Territory Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) director Poh Thuan Poon said clearing of the reserve area on one side of Sungai Kerayong had been completed.

“Illegal extensions including brick and zinc structures and plants cultivated by residents were removed so that the contractors can carry out stabilisation works to strengthen the embankment,” he said.

Poh said most residents were co-operative when the contractors moved in to clear the reserve area.

He added that contractors would now clear the other side of the riverbank.

“The interim work in Taman Maju Jaya is important as this is a start, leading to the bigger project from Jalan Loke Yew to SK Cheras Indah.






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Ong (second from right) and some residents checking the areas where the erosions occur frequently.







“The entire project involves widening, deepening and stabilising the banks while maintaining a natural river,” said Poh.

Ong said once strengthening works were done, a jogging track would be created at the reserve area.

Taman Maju Jaya resident Abdul Hamid Yusof said he was happy that something was finally being done at Sungai Kerayong.

“We faced three major floods in 1991, 1993 and 1995 and smaller incidents after that,” he said.

[nazrey]

A strong message for shoppers
Tuesday December 6, 2005


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The volunteers rejoice after distributing some 20,000 buttons
and badges at the Bangsar night market on Saturday.


FREE “peace'' buttons and badges were given out to night market shoppers in Bangsar on Saturday.

The small items were distributed along with leaflets that proclaimed and promoted the upcoming Perdana Global Peace Forum 2005. The three-day forum begins on Dec 15.

The buttons and badges carried different taglines, but the aim was the same – promoting world peace.

Some of the buttons were also pinned onto Chicken Little soft toys that were on sale at the night market.

Twenty volunteers from the Perdana Global Peace Forum gave out about 20,000 badges at the market alone.

The forum, which will be held at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, intends to provide an international platform for the discussion of world problems and promote ideas to make the world a safer place.

[nazrey]

Making shoppers merry this X’mas season
Wednesday December 7, 2005
Photos by ART CHEN, ZUBIR YAHYA,


CHRISTMAS is around the corner and, as always, shopping malls go the extra mile to capture the spirit of the season for shoppers.K.W. MAK goes to three malls to see what they have in store.

THE first to set up its Christmas decorations this year, Sunway Pyramid is going with the Looney Tunes cartoon theme.

Giving the place a lively appearance is not so much the decorations, but the appearances of Looney Tunes characters throughout the day.





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The main archway into Sunway City (http://www.sunway.com.my/pyramid/) is a welcoming
sight for shoppers.





Bugs Bunny, Sylvester, Tweety, Daffy and the Tazmania Devil appear from time to time to entertain shoppers with their antics, dance routines and, above all, give children photo opportunities that they can take for keeps.

Bugs Bunny and gang are also warming up for a big show. The characters will perform a Looney Tunes Boogie Winter Wonderland concert from Dec 17 to Jan 2. They will sing contemporary hit numbers and evergreen Christ-mas songs.

Shoppers, especially the younger ones, who find the Tunes lovable may want to check out the main concourse area where merchandise with a Christmassy theme are on sale.

At the ice skating rink, a musical, entitled “One World, One Christmas,’’ with 60 ice-skaters donning national costumes of 11 countries perform from now until Sunday. They will tell a story of peace, sharing and caring.

Sunway Pyramid’s decorations extend to the outside where beautiful light ornaments decorate surrounding streets.





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Lots of Christmas goodies are available at the chalets in 1 Utama (www.1utama.com.my/).





Over at 1 Utama, the New Wing has taken on a storybook feel. The decorations have been made to look colourful and evoke a fairytale like ambience.

Themed “Jolly Molly Christmasland,’’ the mall’s Oval atrium has been transformed into a giant 3-D pop-up town with thematic chalets decorated like tiny town huts.

The main backdrop is a huge theatrical stage, complete with soaring towers, candy canes, a clock tower and animated clockwork angels.

It is from this stage that Santa will appear at 7.30pm daily by abseiling down from the third floor, accompanied by dreamy snowfall.

Santa has a little something for the children too, as the first 50 children to greet him will receive a present each.

Numerous activities are also lined up at the stage. The highlight will be the “Toymaker’s Dream Musical’’ by FAME Performing Arts Academy that will be perform at 2pm on Dec 17. Another performance will be held at noon the next day.

The specially commissioned production features a moving story about an unkind toymaker who is taught a lesson by a good fairy.

Other stage shows include the Madagascar show by ACTS School of Performing Arts. It is a dance and drama act based on the popular movie with five to 12-year-olds bringing the show to life.

There will be outdoor activities too, with the highlight being the three-day “Christmas Mardi Gras Carnival’’ beginning Friday.






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Tan Lee Har, 30, from Klang, showing son Gan Chun Wei, two,
the decorations in Mid Valley Megamall (www.midvalley.com.my/).






Held at the Central Park Avenue, which will be closed to motorists, the event promises a visual feast with Go Rio dancers, contortionists, fire-eaters, magicians, Victorian horse carriage ride, mime artistes, flaming limbo rock, brass band, All-Star cheerleaders and acrobats roaming the streets at night.

Meanwhile, Mid Valley Megamall goes traditional with its decorations, providing a seasonal favourite look. It has decided to go with a white Christmas theme.

The mall’s Centre Court has been transformed into a winter wonderland with trees painted white and decorated with white crystals, ornaments and snowflakes.

At the centre of the landscape is a winter gazebo where magical characters in fancy costumes appear often to dance and distribute candies to shoppers.

Over at the North Court, a giant Santa sits. Children get treats from the jolly fellow in the mornings until Dec 26.

The first 250 kids, aged 12 and below, who pay him a visit get to redeem a coupon for ice-cream or candy floss at a booth.

Snow will fall on weekend afternoons from Saturday.

The decorations are not set up for the kids alone. Adults have their very own space, known as MasterCard Christmas Cottage, on the third floor.

Next to the hut is a Christmas tree adorned with stockings that has a prize in each for lucky MasterCard shoppers.

Santa will stroll around the mall daily from Saturday as his Santarinas give out candies to shoppers.

Santa will also be at the Centre Court from time to time to listen to wishes, give away presents and take photos with his visitors, for a minimum donation of RM10. The proceeds go to charity.

[nazrey]

Mall helps promote recycling
Wednesday December 7, 2005
By LIM CHIA YING




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Ghani (left) examining the recycling bins at the centre.




IN CONJUNCTION with the national-level recycling campaign day, South City Plaza in Seri Kembangan has showed its support by setting up its first recycling centre.

The centre is located at the outer courtyard of the shopping mall.

MPSJ deputy president Tuan Abdul Ghani Salleh said involving shopping complexes in recycling campaigns would help instil the habit of re-using in the public.

“We also target schools so that students can be nurtured from young,” he explained.

He added that 11 developers within the Subang Jaya municipality have been ordered to set up recycling centres and four had already done so.

“About 50% of total assessment taxes collected by MPSJ are used for waste management,” said Ghani.

The centre in South City Plaza, which resembles a cabin, was donated by the Japan International Corporation Agency.

Kumpulan Emas Bhd property division general manager Vincent Tiew said shoppers who recycled waste at the centre would rewarded with cash.

The centre is open from Thursday to Monday from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday from 10am to 1pm, and also on Saturday and Sunday.

The mall is the fifth in the Subang Jaya municipality to have its own recycling cabin.

Later, Ghani handed over keys to the chairman of JKP Zone 26 - Bukit Serdang, Major Wong Lin Kong, to mark the zone's official appointment in managing the new recycling centre there.

Cash prizes were also given out to the top three primary and secondary schools which collected the largest amounts (in kg) of waste in the 2005 inter-school recycling competition.

[nazrey]

The latest happening to hit trendy Bangsar Baru!
Official site (http://www.inbangsar.com/)


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Beverly Hills, Greenwich Village, the French Quarter, Soho, Mont Martre, Haight-Ashbury, the Rocks... and Bangsar. These aren't just any neighbourhoods; they elevate their urban centres to an international stage. Without Beverly Hills, Los Angeles is a city of plastic wanna-be's. Without Bangsar, KL loses some of its distinct flavour.

Tourists and locals flock to Bangsar. They come to shop, to eat, to celebrate, or to update their look... but they mostly come to be seen and to take part in something. Bangsar is where things happen – events begin and end and are rarely recorded.

The 'something' where 'things' happen is hard to define. Bangsar is fashionable and retro,cozy yet professional, obvious but wrapped in mystique. It is a neighbourhood, a nightspot, a shopping district, a trendy gathering place, and more. It is jazz, dancehall, fusion, traditional, grunge, pop... in Bangsar, there are as many styles and sounds as there are eyes and ears.


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Yet Bangsar isn't just a collection of buildings on neighbouring streets. Its flavour is much more than a pinch of its businesses. There's a cup of confidence, a dash of distinction, with smidges of self-indulgence and control. Those aren't added by commercial ventures... they're a heaping helping of hospitable you.


You complete Bangsar. You bring life to lifelessness, and vibrant colour to grey silhouettes. You give Bangsar its unique character, its array of opportunity, and its myriad mass of modern living.


Welcome to the Bangsar's digital home. Look around, see the sights, post a message, find something to do, or sign up for a free subscription to the inBangsar magazine.

This place is yours. Own it.

[nazrey]

Bargains galore at year-end mega sale
ELYCIA LEE
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2:



Shoppers are spoiled for choice at the Malaysia Year End Sale (Malaysia YES) 2005.

Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamid launched the sale at Mid Valley Megamall yesterday which signalled the start of a shopping frenzy which ends on Jan 31 next year.

Zahid was there to represent the Minister, Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad.

As the sale also attracts foreign tourists, MasterCard has come up with Shop Malaysia, a retail shopping incentive programme to reward tourists.

Those taking part in the programme will be entitled to a tourist shopping card. They can identify participating shops with the Shop Malaysia red stickers on their display windows.

Zahid said Malaysia YES 2005’s main objective is to create a sub-brand for Malaysia Mega Sale in a form of year-end sale.”

“In 2004, shopping was the second biggest component of tourist expenditures in Malaysia, totalling nearly 22.4 per cent or RM6.636 billion.”

The sale is the initiative of the Ministry and Tourism Malaysia.

At Mid Valley Megamall, there are 12 Shop Malaysia outlets and one of them is U2.

U2 Mid Valley branch supervisor, Norhaizan Yahya, said Malaysia YES 2005 will help the outlet to clear old stock and create more sales.

This is the first time they are taking part in a mega sale. U2 is a casual lifestyle brand targeted at outgoing, young-at-heart, trendy men and women.

Among the shopping complexes taking part in the Shop Malaysia programme are Suria KLCC, Sunway Pyramid, 1Utama, KL International Airport, Berjaya Times Square and First World Plaza.

[nazrey]

Intel to Invest $230 Mln to Set Up Malaysia Centers
Updated : 08-12-2005
Media : Bloomberg
Story By : Stephanie Phang



(Bloomberg) -- Intel Corp., the world's largest computer-chip maker, will invest $230 million in Malaysia to set up a test and assembly plant and a design and development center as demand grows in Asia, its biggest market.

The investment, to be made over two to three years, will add 1,000 jobs at each of the two facilities, Intel Chairman Craig Barrett said today in Subang Jaya, outside Kuala Lumpur. Construction will begin early next year, and the test and assembly plant is scheduled to start operations in 2007.

Barrett, 66, is boosting investment in Asia as demand for computers increases particularly in India and China, two of the world's fastest-growing economies. The Santa Clara, California-based company earlier this week pledged investments of more than $1 billion in those two countries.

``It's a logical thing for Intel to do,'' said Geoff Paton, who helps manage $750 million in technology stocks, including Intel shares, at Henderson Global Investors in London. ``Intel needs to effectively make products where end-demand is and Asia is perfectly rational from a cost perspective and demand point of view.''

The new buildings will be located in Kulim, in Malaysia's northern state of Kedah, near Intel's existing test and assembly plant, said Jacinta Vythilingam, media manager for Intel's Malaysian unit.

`Big Presence'

Intel will test its latest chips, to be used in products such as personal computers, laptops and personal digital assistants, at the new plant. The new center will help design all Intel products except flash memory.

``We have a big presence in Asia, in China, in India, in Malaysia, in the Philippines,'' Barrett said. ``It's our largest market and our fastest growing, so it's increasingly important to us both from a resource standpoint and from a sales and marketing standpoint.''

Intel first started investing in Malaysia in 1972, with an assembly and test plant in the northern state of Penang. Excluding the latest amount, it has invested $3 billion in Malaysia, where operations are its biggest outside the U.S. Intel's 10,000 employees in Malaysia make up about 10 percent of the company's total workforce.

Barrett said the Malaysian unit will gradually move away from testing and assembly to higher value processes. Intel will probably continue to grow ``more in the engineering and development side'' in Malaysia, he said.

Asia Visit

Barrett is in Malaysia on a trip to Asia this week that includes India, and Beijing and Chengdu in China. He is scheduled to visit Colombo tomorrow.

Earlier this week, Barrett said Intel will invest more than $1 billion in India over five years to expand research and development, bolster sales and invest in technology-related companies. Intel, which doesn't have production facilities in India, is in talks with the government to set up a manufacturing plant, Barrett said on Dec. 5. The company's main investment in India so far is a Bangalore-based research and development center.

Barrett on Dec. 6 opened Intel's fourth computer-chip assembly and test plant in China. The $200 million factory in the southwestern city of Chengdu brings to $1 billion the amount the company has invested in chip testing, assembly and packaging in that country. Intel said it will spend a further $75 million to build a second chip-set plant in Chengdu, which will start production in 2007.

AMD

The increased investment in Asia could help Intel keep its lead over Advanced Micro Devices Inc. The two companies are the only major makers of microprocessors, the main component of laptop, desktop and server computers. Intel's microprocessors power more than 80 percent of the world's personal computers.

AMD, which set up its first overseas factory in Penang in 1972, is also investing more in Asia. Chief Executive Hector Ruiz on Nov. 30 said it will partner the Indian government and SemIndia Inc., founded by U.S.-based entrepreneur Vinod Agarwal this year, to spend $3 billion to build the country's first factory to make chips for cell phones and computers. ``We intend to become a major player in India,'' Ruiz said.

Sunnyvale, California-based AMD on Oct. 14 said it aims to invest $2.5 billion through 2007 in a new plant in Dresden, Germany, which will employ about 1,000 people and double the company's production capacity in the next three years.

WiMAX

Barrett today said Intel is working with Asian governments and software companies to speed up the use of so-called WiMAX networks, which allow high-speed, wireless Internet connection over long distances, in rural areas. Intel plans to make WiMAX available commercially in 25 to 30 countries, including the Philippines, by the end of this year, and at least 100 countries in 2006.

The market for WiMAX will reach $3.5 billion by 2010, according to French telecommunication researcher Idate.

Intel is scheduled to update its fourth-quarter sales forecast after U.S. markets close today. Analysts said the company may say sales are headed for the high end of its forecast as consumers snap up laptops for holiday gifts. Intel probably will predict fourth-quarter sales of about $10.6 billion, said Sanford C. Bernstein & Co.'s Adam Parker, the top-ranked chip analyst by Institutional Investor. The company forecast $10.2 billion to $10.8 billion on Oct. 18.

Shares of Intel, up 12 percent this year, fell 2 percent to $26.15 yesterday in Nasdaq Stock Market composite trading.

[nazrey]

Rabobank opens KL marketing office
15 Dec 2005 3:34 PM


Privately owned Rabobank Group (http://www.rabobank.com/) of the Netherlands, one of the world’s largest food and agribusiness bank, has opened its marketing office at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

“The opening of Rabobank in Malaysia is very exciting and timely in line with the government’s push for agriculture as one of the key drivers for the economy,” said Rabobank Nederland Labuan business development director Kao Chee Ming on Dec 15.

Kao said the KL office would be closer to its clients and provide for their needs in a more efficient and timely manner, he said.

The KL marketing office is operating under the licence of Rabobank Nederland Labuan branch. The Labuan office had started operations earlier this year.

It will focus its marketing efforts on providing offshore financial services in the area of corporate lending, mergers and acquisitions/corporate advisory, trade and commodity finance services, treasury services and food and agribusiness strategic advisory and research services, he said.

Rabobank is a world leader in food and agribusiness financing and has a strong presence in the world’s major food and agriculture countries.

In Asia, Rabobank has offices in Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Labuan (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=70596&page=3), Mumbai, New Delhi, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo and Seoul.

[nazrey]

Sepang declared a municipality
Friday December 16, 2005
By Dharmender Singh


Among the airports that are supported by an inland port are the Heathrow in London, Narita in Tokyo and the Chek Lao Kok in Hong Kong.

Dr Khir said this in his speech at the declaration of municipal status for the former Sepang District Council which will now be known as the Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp).

The declaration was made by the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah in conjunction with the ruler’s 60th birthday celebrations.

Also present were Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Samsudin Osman, state executive councillors, MPSp president Azizan Mohamad Sidin and Sepang district officer Amin Jaya Mohd Din.

Over 1,000 people turned up for the event held at the Sepang Stadium.

The declaration was celebrated with a three-minute fireworks display and stage performances by local artistes including Akademi Fantasia star Mawi.

Ong, in his speech, reminded MPSp officers that the status upgrade also meant increased challenges in carrying out their duties.

He said the council would have to live up to the people’s higher expectations of the quality of life in a municipality.

Dr Mohamad Khir said the upgrading of the council status had been only a matter of time for the district that had gained recognition at both the local and international levels for being the home to the KLIA, the Multimedia Super Corridor, Cyberjaya, the Sepang F1 Circuit and the soon-to-be developed Sepang Gold Coast project in Bagan Lalang.

He said he was confident that the upgrading of the council would be followed by an increase in efficiency in providing services to tax payers.

He said council staff should work towards leaving behind any “negative work culture’’ that might have existed as it moved towards operating as a municipal council.

“Taxpayers have come to expect a lot more of their local authorities as a result of their improved socio-economic status.

“Local authorities have to live up to these expectations,’’ he added.

[TYW]

congratz, Sepang!! but isn't the abbreaviation MPSp already taken by Majlis Perbandaran Sungai Petani??

and Sepang has a stadium? wow!

[nazrey]

Watson wonderland
Friday December 16, 2005


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The serious side of Russell Watson. (Does he have one?)

Career threatening moments and all, we can still expect more classical crossover music from Russell Watson, writes JASON CHEAH.

IN that now rising sub- genre known as classical crossover, pop opera or what have you, Manchester, England-born Russell Watson can arguably lay a claim to being one of its recent pioneers.

His singing style isn’t exactly a classical purist’s cup of tea. The 31-year- old Watson sings for the masses.

Listening to him speak over the phone from London last week, Watson did have serious moments to ponder.

He arrived in Malaysia on Sunday and will appear as the headlining act tomorrow (with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra) at YTL Corporation’s 50th anniversary celebrations at Sentul Park in Kuala Lumpur.

He has been through the mill (literally), climbing up the ranks from singing in pubs in his hometown of Salford (in Manchester) a decade ago while working at a factory during the day. His now legendary appearances at Old Trafford, home of his beloved football club Manchester United, and London’s Wembley Stadium must indicate how far he has come.

It is now a year after the release of his fourth album Amore Musica and Watson still has fond memories of all his albums, which include the multi-platinum The Voice (2000), Encore (2001), and Reprise (2002).

“I’ve liked all my records, there has not been one moment when I thought I wasn’t sure about that. They’ve all had their moments. They’ve all been different, and they’ve all had a different flavour,” he said.

“Some of them are more classical than others, some are more pop orientated. Amore Musica (for instance) had more of a groove than the first record which had definitely more of a classical flavour to it.”

Indeed with songwriters such as Diane Warren and Take That member Gary Barlow (a good friend of Watson) having penned a couple of tracks on Amore Musica, one can anticipate that this approach is likely continue.

“There’s going to be a new studio record released in Britain at the end of 2006. I’m about to start work on the pre-production right now of some of the tracks for that record. I like the recording process and everything that surrounds making a record. I really enjoy the creative element. It’s second only to being on stage.

“Quite a few of the songs have been chosen. We have to make sure that essentially they all complement each other, that everything slots into place, and the running order works well.”

More importantly, Watson wants to set a new standard.

“What I want to do, in essence, is to re-establish the benchmark and hopefully try and do something a little bit different. Five or six years ago, with the style that I performed – the closest thing to me back then was Andrea Bocelli, who was a lot older than I am and a lot more conservative in his approach in classical music.

“Now five years down the line, there are a lot of artistes in Britain doing similar things to what I was doing five years ago. Now there’s Il Divo and G4 – the new breed of classical artistes doing classical and contemporary.

“That doesn’t mean that the next record is going to be a total departure from what I do. This is just to set the benchmark and say ‘OK, this is where we’re going now,’’’ added Watson.

As busy as he has been since Amore Musica was released – he’s toured Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, United States and Britain and appeared at various festivals – that wasn’t the case three years ago, when a throat condition threatened his still rising career.

These days, Watson doesn’t want to take any chances with his health.

Just last month, he had to postpone a series of concerts in Canada due to a chest infection.

“Although it was nothing serious, it was enough to stop me from working. There are a lot of viruses and flu bugs going around Britain at the moment, but unlike if I was working in a factory or doing a regular job where I would be going to work, as a singer, you cannot afford to leave those infections (alone). It could have catastrophic consequences.”

That aforementioned throat infection was one perfect example.

“Yes, that was as a result of performing (I was told by a specialist) when I shouldn't have. I ended up having problems with my voice, and quite a few months later I was struggling to sing.

“There was a vocal polyp on one of my vocal cords which was causing a lot of restrictions on my voice and I had to go and have it operated on. It was a career threatening moment, one that I won't forget for a very long time.”

Since the operation Watson has, simply put, just been looking after his voice with more care.

“The key to what I do (now) is to make sure I get plenty of rest in between concerts, and when I do start feeling tired I make sure that I rest and relax and don’t talk too much. In essence where life is concerned and certainly with regards to myself, you live and learn. Hopefully you learn from your mistakes and don’t make them more than once.

“From my mistakes I think I’m more appreciative of the gift that I’ve been given by God, and I appreciate now that I have a God-given talent that I need to nurture and look after.”

Even over the phone line, you could spot the earnest as the singer concluded: “One thing for sure, cancelling your concert tour is not a good thing. A lot of people get upset but ending up with long term serious problems and having to cancel a lifetime career is worse.”

Admission to the tomorrow’s concert was via nationwide ballot. That ballot is complete and some 6,000 are expected to converge at Sentul Park, KL. For ticket/invite holders, there will be a special KTM commuter train and shuttle service to and from KL Sentral KTM Station, KL, to KLPac (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=108355&page=1) via Sentul KTM Station, KL for Saturday’s show. Follow the signs to which platform and trains.

[nazrey]

Versatile orchestra
Friday December 16, 2005
By Rubin Khoo


THE Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will accompany Russell Watson during his performance tomorrow in conjunction with YTL Corporation Bhd’s 50th anniversary.

The ASO has an international reputation performing with numerous artistes ranging from Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo to Shirley Bassey, Tony Bennett, Dionne Warwick and kd Lang. It is the first time that the ASO will be performing in Kuala Lumpur.

“It’s very exciting to come to KL,” said Rainer Jozeps, managing director of the ASO during a recent interview in Adelaide.

The city, he said, is well known for its cultural activities and its Arts Festival is already known internationally. The concert to be held on the grounds of the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=108355&page=1) promises to be a spectacular event and is expected to attract a crowd of 6,000. For this concert the orchestra will play operatic arias and light classical music, very much in the style of Watson.




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Catch the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra with Russell Watson tomorrow.




The ASO undertakes over 100 performances across a diverse musical spectrum. They provide orchestral support for all productions of the State Opera of South Australia as well as for the Adelaide performances of the Australian Ballet and Opera. Last year, the ASO performed with Andrea Bocelli for the acclaimed Australian production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle.

But they don’t always take the conventional approach. According to Jozeps, it is important for the members of the orchestra to project their personality. The orchestra has staged some quite experimental work. They recently staged Zeppelin Flies Again, playing the music of Led Zeppelin. Following the success of that show, the ASO will play Pink Floyd during the Adelaide Festival Theatre next year.

“We are flexible,” said Jozeps. “We are capable of playing a wide range of music and can cater to different tastes.”

Through this, the orchestra is also changing the perception that “classical music is old music” and the way the music is presented. The ASO also aims to reach out to the community through its education programme.

“They develop opportunities for young people and expand their experiences,” he said.

The programmes, which cater to those as young as two, introduce young people to different instruments.

[nazrey]

Philharmonic Orchestra @ Petronas Twin Tower

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[nazrey]

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[nazrey]

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[nazrey]

Shopping centre holds Xmas events
ELYCIA LEE
Wednesday December 21, 2005



WITH Christmas just days away, the festivity is in full swing at the Curve in Mutiara Damansara, where the Carnivale Christmas gives shoppers and visitors the opportunity to indulge in the joys of giving and sharing, entertainment and sumptuous seasonal fare.

For shoppers, there are options and great deals aplenty. Those spending a minimum of RM100 in a single receipt at any outlet in the shopping centre can redeem a lucky dip slip that gives them the chance to walk away with great prizes.

Or, make purchases at any outlet and receive a wishing wall slip. Write down your most selfless and generous wish and post it on the wishing wall, and you stand the chance of winning fantastic prizes. It is a truly wonderful gesture of spreading the joy of Christmas.

Youngsters are not left out of the festivities. Kids of all ages can participate in the Search for the Real Santa, with prizes awaiting those who succeed in the hunt, plus goodies for all participants.





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A variety of offerings for everyone at The Street Bazaar,
The Curve shopping mall.





There is also a colouring contest for kids at the Centre Court.

Various performances will also be held, including comedy magic, Mini Muppet Show, and Christmas Story Telling

Other attractions include Balloon Sculpting Clown, Stilt-walker Santa, Fire-eater Santa, Santa Clause, and appearances by Santa and Friends.

And, what is Christmas without carols? Carollers and a wind quartet will entertain visitors with renditions of traditional Christmas hymns and carols throughout the Christmas season.

Finally, there is the Christmas fare to relish, whatever the time of day.

The festivities end on New Year's Day.

[nazrey]

The Curve Shopping Mall in Mutiara Damansara
Official site (http://www.thecurve.com.my/)

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[nazrey]

Taman Melawati facelift
Friday December 23, 2005
By ESTHER CHANDRAN



THE Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) has plans for an urban renewal project in Taman Melawati in Hulu Kelang.

Council president Datuk Ahmad Shafii Saidin said the project would be undertaken as a smart partnership with Negara Properties (M) Berhad.

He said Taman Melawati could be easily developed as a sub-regional area for Kuala Lumpur as it sat on the east of the city.

Taman Melawati, he said showed potential as a regional hub hence the need for comprehensive development.

“Many people think that Taman Melawati is located in Kuala Lumpur but it is in fact located in the Ampang Jaya municipality,” he said at the MPAJ Full Board Meeting.

Ahmad Shafii said motorists often bypassed the housing and commercial district as it was located by the Middle Ring Road II (MRRII).

“If Taman Melawati was given a face lift and efforts done to make it appealing to the public, there is room for its growth.

“MPAJ plans to capitalise on its location and reposition it as a important commercial activity area,” he said after listening to a proposal by Negara Properties entitled the 'Melawati Urban Renewal Project' at the meeting on Monday.

Ahmad Shafii said MPAJ would study the proposal and hold discussions with the company before putting plans into action.

“Once we accept the plans, we will forward them to the state government for its approval,” he said adding that although MPAJ agreed in principle to develop the area, the final say was with the Selangor government.

Ahmad Shafii said if approved, the project would take four to five years to be completed.

“It is not a small project and it not only involves MPAJ and Negara Properties.

“It also involves the people and we have to be sensitive to their needs,” he said.

The project, he said when approved would be implemented in phases.

“We will first undertake practical aspects of redeveloping Taman Melawati such as beautifying the landscape and stressing on image projection,” he said.

[nazrey]

Malaysia to host training and development meet
Updated : 24-12-2005
Media : Business Times


MALAYSIA has won the bid to host the 35th International Federation of Training and Development Organisations (IFTDO) (http://www.iftdo.org/) World Conference and Exhibition 2006.

The event, scheduled to be held in August next year at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=6750867#post6750867), is expected to attract more than 10,000 people from around the world and about 3,000 conference delegates.

IFTDO is the sole global federation of organisations with more than 100-member organisations worldwide, representing the ideologies, views and experiences of more than 500,000 training and human resource development specialists from every culture, creed and specialisation globally.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has agreed to be the honorary patron of the event.

Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Vice Chancellor Datuk Seri Prof Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah has been appointed as IFTDO board (2006) president.

[nazrey]

Glomac to build first supermarket in Sungai Buloh
Updated : 24-12-2005
Media : The Star

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PROPERTY developer Glomac Bhd will construct its first supermarket in Bandar Saujana Utama, Sungai Buloh, in mid-2006.

Group executive chairman Datuk Mohamed Mansor Fateh Din said the supermarket would be managed by Trendcell Sdn Bhd.

It will consist of 36 retail shops and 190 shop offices, with built-up area of 50,000 sq ft.

'We will officiate the launch in June 2006 and it should be ready in the fourth quarter of 2007,” he said at a cheque presentation to the National Press Club by Glomac in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

He said Glomac had launched the RM350mil Suria Stonor, a 25-storey twin tower luxury condominium, in Kuala Lumpur in July.

“Recently, we launched another exclusive retail centre in Kelana Jaya known as Plaza Kelana Jaya, the first ever waterfront commercial project in Petaling Jaya, and a gated-community development Lakeside Residence in Puchong,” said Mansor.

Since its establishment in 1988, the group has sold more than RM3bil worth of properties. – Bernama

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Impian boulevard
Official Site (http://www.i-boulevard.com.my/index2.htm)

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[Subangite]

Sepang declared a municipality
Friday December 16, 2005
By Dharmender Singh


Among the airports that are supported by an inland port are the Heathrow in London, Narita in Tokyo and the Chek Lao Kok in Hong Kong.

Dr Khir said this in his speech at the declaration of municipal status for the former Sepang District Council which will now be known as the Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp).

The declaration was made by the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah in conjunction with the ruler’s 60th birthday celebrations.

Also present were Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Samsudin Osman, state executive councillors, MPSp president Azizan Mohamad Sidin and Sepang district officer Amin Jaya Mohd Din.

Over 1,000 people turned up for the event held at the Sepang Stadium.

The declaration was celebrated with a three-minute fireworks display and stage performances by local artistes including Akademi Fantasia star Mawi.

Ong, in his speech, reminded MPSp officers that the status upgrade also meant increased challenges in carrying out their duties.

He said the council would have to live up to the people’s higher expectations of the quality of life in a municipality.

Dr Mohamad Khir said the upgrading of the council status had been only a matter of time for the district that had gained recognition at both the local and international levels for being the home to the KLIA, the Multimedia Super Corridor, Cyberjaya, the Sepang F1 Circuit and the soon-to-be developed Sepang Gold Coast project in Bagan Lalang.

He said he was confident that the upgrading of the council would be followed by an increase in efficiency in providing services to tax payers.

He said council staff should work towards leaving behind any “negative work culture’’ that might have existed as it moved towards operating as a municipal council.

“Taxpayers have come to expect a lot more of their local authorities as a result of their improved socio-economic status.

“Local authorities have to live up to these expectations,’’ he added.


What does Sepang town look like? Does anyone have any pictures of Sepang, besides the F1 track and KLIA?

[nazrey]

Website way to check on projects
Tuesday December 27, 2005


CONTRACTORS the public can now check for projects on tender by in Selangor through the state government's official website.

State multimedia, environment and new village development chairman Datuk Ch’ng Toh Eng said the move was a step closer towards its aim of providing a paperless government.

He said the facility would allow contractors to check on projects available from anywhere in the country and abroad by going to www.selangor.gov.my He said while the contractors could download forms from the website, they still have to fill out the forms and submit them to the government agencies involved.

“We are concentrating on providing just this service for now. We will look into e-submissions later,'' he said.

Ch’ng said the website would also keep residents informed of the progress of projects that were to be carried out in their areas.

“People will be able to check on the number of contractors bidding for the projects and the costs involved,'' he said, adding that it would also increase transparency and accountability to the public.

Ch’ng said this after launching the Kampung Baru Sungai Chua IT Centre located at the village’s covered hall.

Also present during the launch were Kajang assemblywoman Low Lee Leng, Hulu Langat MCA division chairman Datuk Choong Tow Chong, state ICT e-community assistant secretary Mohd Solihin Tasman, Kajang Municipal Councillor Chen See Lin and Sungai Chua Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) chairman Foong Kek Loon.

Ch’ng said the centre at Kampung Baru Sungai Chua was the first to be set up in the Kajang constituency and was aimed at providing the poor with a chance to gain computer knowledge.

“This is the 74th centre in the state. We have been setting up centres like this all over for the benefit of those who cannot afford to buy computers,'' he said.

“Computer knowledge is important,'' he said.

He also called on the JKKK to look into ways to self-finance the centre by offering additional services that they could charge for.

He said the committee should also look for volunteers to provide basic computer classes for children.

[nazrey]

Music made in Malaysia
By TIM LLOYD
26dec05


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ASO members, from left, Alexander Permeze, Gillian Braithwaite and Michael
Milton; back row, from left, Vanessa Neagle and Sarah McCarthy.


THE Adelaide Symphony Orchestra visit to Kuala Lumpur last week has been hailed a success. The orchestra went to Malaysia on the first all-expenses-paid trip overseas by an Australian symphony orchestra.

It played in an outdoor venue next to the new Kuala Lumpur Arts Centre with leading British tenor Russell Watson, before 6000 invited guests.

The general manager of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Rainer Jozeps, says the concert went off very well.

The orchestra accompanied British tenor Russell Watson, who sang arias from opera and musicals.

"The orchestra played very well, and the sound system was spectacular," says Mr Jozeps.

The weather in monsoonal Kuala Lumpur was sultry, he says, but not wet until a light misty rain began to fall at the end of the concert.

Mr Jozeps says the trip to Kuala Lumpur was a fitting end to a hectic year for the musicians of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

"They began the year thinking that 20 of their number would be cut from the orchestra, and they finished with the orchestra intact and travelling overseas," he says.

The ASO trip was paid for by leading Malaysian businessman and opera enthusiast Francis Yeoh.

Mr Yeoh heads the Yeoh family's $8 billion YTL Corp, a property developer and power-generation company which is celebrating its 50th year.

In South Australia, YTL owns 33.5 per cent of ElectraNet and operates SA's power-transmission grid. Mr Jozeps says the event was given a high profile in Malaysia.

"I was on a panel with Mr Yeoh at a press conference so I was able to talk about the orchestra and Adelaide," he says.

"A lot of people know Adelaide because they have studied here, know of our wines or the Adelaide Festival, so they really connect with Adelaide as a city of culture."

The ASO concert was the culmination of YTL's 50th anniversary celebrations over five nights.

For the concert, YTL engineers erected a massive three-level stage upon which the ASO performed.

Mr Jozeps says that because it was the monsoon season, all 6000 invited guests were given an umbrella and raincoat as they arrived, in case of rain.

Meanwhile, the ASO string musicians accustomed themselves to string instruments hired from the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, because the tropical conditions were unsuitable for their Adelaide instruments. The concert was attended by dignitaries including Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Malaysia's royal family. The ASO attended a function hosted by the Australian High Commission to Malaysia, which included regional arts and cultural leaders.

"We talked about the possibilities of touring at a later date, although nothing firm was decided," says Mr Jozeps.

[nazrey]

Indian bank plans to turn KL office into full branch
Updated : 30-12-2005
Media : Business Times
Story By : KAMARUL YUNUS


INDIAN Overseas Bank (IOB) is planning to upgrade its new representative office in Kuala Lumpur to a full-fledged branch within two years.

The bank opened its Kuala Lumpur representative office yesterday, after recently getting Bank Negara Malaysia's approval.

IOB executive director A.R. Nagappan said the representative office will work with IOB's Singapore office to realise the goal of having a branch in Malaysia.

'We will be extending support to the Singapore office for business, trade and commerce in Malaysia and after building a reasonable portfolio, we would like to upgrade this office into a branch and expand (with) more outlets in the country,” he told reporters after yesteday's launch ceremony.

India's High Commissioner to Malaysia R.L. Narayan officiated at the function.

To open a branch, Nagappan said, it is a requirement for foreign banks to bring in a capital of RM300 million.

With more than 1,500 branch offices and 250 extension counters in India, IOB has branch offices in Hong Kong, Seoul (South Korea) and Singapore. Last July, the bank opened up a representative office in Guangzhou, China.

IOB is not new to Malaysia, having operated in the country before with branch offices in Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Malacca. However, it left Malaysia in 1969.

IOB started operating in Malaysia in 1941 but had to leave when the Indian Government nationalised all banks. At the time, the central bank of Malaysia prohibited foreign government-owned banks to operate in Malaysia.

Following the Indian Government's decision, IOB and two other Indian banks operating in Malaysia — Indian Bank and United Commercial Bank — merged all their branch offices and formed United Asian Bank Bhd, which is now known as Bumiputra-Commerce Bank Bhd.

'No, we are familiar with Malaysian economics. We feel that Malaysia is a great country and are happy to be associated with it again,” Nagappan said.

He said the representative office will provide opportunities to increase trade between India and Malaysia.

He said Malaysia is India's largest trading partner, with two-way trade expected to reach RM4 billion by the end of 2005 and RM10 billion in the next few years. In 2005 so far, exports from Malaysia to India have already increased by 33 per cent.

Nagappan said India and Malaysia can expect much closer cooperation in future, with the two countries expected to sign a comprehensive economic cooperative agreement soon.

Prior to this, India signed such a trade arrangement with Singapore.

[nazrey]

What does Sepang town look like? Does anyone have any pictures of Sepang, besides the F1 track and KLIA?

by Sarita C

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by racingtiger

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[nazrey]

by zaipul

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[nazrey]

USHERING 2006: Revelry nationwide
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31:

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APPY NEW YEAR!: Revellers at
Dataran Merdeka preparing for the countdown.


Malaysians ushered in 2006 on a moderate scale, mindful of the challenges ahead in preserving stability, peace and co-operation among the people.

But the festive atmosphere was evident in major cities where celebrations to mark the countdown to the New Year were held, with fireworks displays the highlight of the night.

Revellers thronged town fields, beach fronts, entertainment outlets and shopping complexes to celebrate, bringing traffic to a standstill along some major roads.

Many traders made a killing, selling drinks, food and party paraphernalia.

In many places, the countdown started early with cultural shows and live performances by local artistes.

In hospitals, staff were kept busy by the arrival of New Year babies.


KLCC TREAT: Fireworks and concert to usher in the new year.


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Here in the Federal capital, the focal point was Dataran Merdeka where some 100,000 people, including foreign tourists, were entertained from as early as 8pm with live shows and multimedia performances.

Among the artistes who went on stage were Malaysian Idol 2005 champion Daniel Lee, Zainal Abidin, M. Nasir, Winnie Kok and Manivanan.

Ten minutes before midnight, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak unveiled the "Visit Malaysia Year 2007" logo to thunderous applause from the crowd.

Calling on the people to work together to ensure the success of VMY ’07, he said a healthy tourism industry would keep the economy going, provide job opportunities and enhance the country’s image internationally.

Najib said the Government was committed to making Malaysia a major tourist player in the region and stressed that its success depended on the co-operation of all parties.

Ten seconds before midnight, Najib and the others present, including Tourism Minister Datuk Leo Michael Toyad and acting Federal Territories Minister Datuk Shahrizat Jalil, joined in the countdown, which culminated in a spectacular eight-minute fireworks display.

There were also celebrations at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Ikano Power Centre in Damansara Perdana and the Alamanda shopping complex in the federal administrative centre of Putrajaya.

At Menara Kuala Lumpur, the excitement was provided by Australian Gary Cunningham, who set a world record in BASE (Building, Antenna, Span and Earth) jumping. He managed 133 jumps from 300 metres above ground by jumping continuously for 24 hours until the New Year.

[nazrey]

Partying into the New Year
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31:

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The revelry at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, as the nation
welcomes the New Year. – STARpic by KAMAL SELLEHUDDIN


KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians bade farewell to 2005 and ushered in the New Year in joyous celebrations held all over the country.

Unlike the last New Year, when celebrations were cancelled because of the tsunami tragedy, the events this time round attracted people by the thousands.

Despite the downpour in the Klang Valley, revellers converged at Dataran Merdeka, KLCC, the Golden Triangle and many other locations for countdown celebrations.

For those who turned up at Dataran Merdeka, where the AmBank Group’s “Gemilang 2006” concert was held, the rain proved to be just a minor annoyance.

The event also saw the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 Campaign being launched by the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, accompanied by Tourism Minister Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad.

Najib said the tourism industry would remain as one of the main contributors to the nation’s coffers and called on Malaysians to play their part in promoting the country.

“All of us should start learning how to make our guests feel welcome and always eager to return not just once but many times,’’ he said.

Earlier, the crowd were entertained by popular artistes like Reshmonu, Ruffedge, KRU, Zainal Abidin, Erra Fazira, M. Nasir, Ezlynn, Winnie Kok, Manivanan and Teh Tarik Crew.

Nita, Dina, and Daniel of Malaysian Idol fame as well as Pija of TV3’s Mentor programme also made an appearance.

The crowd cheered when fireworks lit up the sky at the stroke of midnight and went on for eight minutes.

Revellers also thronged KLCC to enjoy the different events there.

The Petronas Concert was held in front of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre while many packed an adjacent carpark for the Celcom X-Pax 3G open air party, which featured famous DJs like Above & Beyond and Filterheadz from Britain as well as DJ Blink and Twilight Action Girls from Malaysia.




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MERRY ATMOSPHERE: Fireworks display at the KLCC in
Kuala Lumpur to welcome the New Year. — STARpic by GLENN GUAN




Just before midnight, people flocked to the KLCC Park to catch the spectacular fireworks display that ushered in the New Year.

At the Golden Triangle here, thousands gathered at the stage in front of the Sungei Wang Plaza on Jalan Sultan Ismail, which had been closed to traffic for the Street Party Countdown 2006.

Local Chinese artistes and Hong Kong singer Fiona Sit joined people from all walks to bid farewell to the old year and greet 2006.

In Penang, overcast skies also did not discourage New Year revellers from gathering at Gurney Drive for the PG2006 celebrations.

[nazrey]

Lift service at flats restored
Friday January 13, 2006
By CHOW HOW BAN


AFTER climbing the staircase to their homes for the past two months, residents of Block 17 of Taman Setapak Indah Jaya low-cost flats in Jalan Genting Kelang, Kuala Lumpur, finally got their lift back in working condition.

The lift costing RM70,000 was reopened by Wangsa Maju MP Yew Teong Look last Friday.

The residents' committee took quite a while to collect the money to repair the lift, which had been an old problem in the area.






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Yew (left) and some residents checking out the repaired lift.






The committee took over the management of the flats from the previous management company.

Yew urged residents of Blocks 15 and 19 to give their fullest cooperation and pay their maintenance fees so that they would be able to repair their lifts as well.

“The residents’ committees from Block 15, 17 an 19 have been collecting RM500 from each unit for the repair work.

“The lift for Block 17 was repaired because the response from the residents was more encouraging than the other blocks. I hope everyone living here will cooperate ,” he said.

The Federal Territories Ministry parliamentary secretary said he would do what he could to resolve the residents' other problems, including the registration of a residents’ committee in the area.

He also pledged to donate RM1,000 to each block to help the committees to resolve their problems.

Residents pro tem committee secretary Agnes Lee said owners were required to pay RM35 in maintenance fee and RM5 to the sinking fund every month but the committee still owed Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Syabas thousands of ringgit in electricity and water bills.

“We hope the Wangsa Maju MP will help us to waive the interest on our water and electricity bills,” she said.

[nazrey]

Si Khiong opens Mercedes showroom in KL
Updated : 14-01-2006
Media : The Star
Story By : TEE LIN SAY


HAP Seng Consolidated Bhd is rarely known for splashy, high-profile ventures.

However, the opening of its signature Mercedes-Benz Autohaus showroom in Kuala Lumpur on Monday will definitely grab some attention.

This is a major step in the expansion of the company's automotive division in the Klang Valley.

Previously, the division operated mainly in Sabah and Sarawak. Through wholly-owned Si Khiong Star Sdn Bhd, a Mercedes-Benz dealer, Hap Seng is investing RM73mil in the showroom and a service support centre that will be completed in a few months.

Can Si Khiong Star pull it off? Sure, Hap Seng has done well in east Malaysia selling mainly Mercedes-Benz logging trucks and racking up an 80% market share.

The luxury automobile market, however, is a different ball game, and Si Khiong Star is a relatively new player, having secured its authorised dealership in August 2004.

Hap Seng group executive chairman David Park is confident the company can recoup its investments within the next three to five years. 'We are profitable, and we will continue to be. With Autohaus (German for House of Automobiles), and our soon-to-be-ready service support centre, we will have a differentiating factor,” he says.

With these two components in mind, Si Khiong Star has set a sales target of 600 units of Mercedes-Benz cars for its new Autohaus outlet. Such a feat will translate into a 30% market share of the Klang Valley's Mercedes-Benz market.

The Autohaus is located at the intersection of Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan P Ramlee, and is fashioned after the Mercedes-Benz Autohaus in Germany. It is described as an ultra-modern showroom with state-of-the-art facilities that reflect the brand's passion for quality, innovation and fascination.

It will feature the complete range of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, including the Mercedes-Benz S, E and C Class passenger cars and the Smart cars.

Some may consider RM43mil an extravagant amount to spend on a showroom, but the argument here is that research has indicated that 70% of purchase decisions are made at dealership locations. Other customer contact points, such as the Internet and advertisements, are less effective because they do not allow customers to see and touch the products.

Park says it is important to create a world-class retail experience for customers. 'If you turn up in a Mercedes-Benz, most people see you as one who is successful. The Benz is a good investment. Even when you buy a second-hand Benz, people see you as being on the way to success,” he adds.

He describes a Benz owner as one who is stable, a little conservative, and a successful businessperson.

Apart from the Autohaus, Si Khiong Star is spending RM30mil to construct the service support centre. Park says the centre will be an important avenue for growth. It isn’t just any workshop, he points out. Instead, he says, it will redefine the term “service centre.”

Located in Bandar Kinrara, Puchong, it is scheduled to open in June 2006. Its range of services includes the retailing of items, routine maintenance work and the complete restoration of Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Si Khiong Star is DaimlerChrysler's third appointed dealer in the Klang Valley, besides Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd and NZ Wheels Sdn Bhd.

Mercedes, which competes with the likes of BMW, Volvo and Audi in the local upmarket car segment, is said to control about half of the Malaysian luxury car market, which amounts to 7,000 cars annually.

[nazrey]

More safety measures on Puchong road
Wednesday January 18, 2006
By STUART MICHAEL


THE safety of Batu 12 to 16 stretch of Jalan Puchong, that is being upgraded, will be improved with more lights, safety cones and personnel to man traffic.

Puchong MP Lau Yeng Peng said the company carrying out the upgrading project, Tuah Mahir Sdn Bhd and Public Works Department (PWD) had assured residents that they would step up safety measures along the stretch.

He said floodlights would be installed and the number of streetlights increased.

“They will also have a worker present at all times to control the traffic,” said Lau after a closed door meeting between residents and representatives from PWD and Tuah Mahir, at the PWD site office in Batu 12, on Wednesday.

Residents were worried about their safety after two people died in two separate accidents in one day recently along the affected stretch. Motorists have also complained that the safety cones were confusing.

At the meeting, Lau also suggested that Tuah Mahir build an overhead pedestrian bridge at Batu 14 for people to cross the road to Puchong Utama.

Tuah Mahir is building a 3.55km four-lane road. The RM27mil project started in June 2004 and work was supposed to have finished last December. To-date, the road is only 74.6% complete.

The company's representative at the meeting with residents said work to remove underground pipes and cables had delayed the project.

“Tuah Mahir has requested for an extension of the completion date to June. I will be monitoring the progress,” said Lau.

[nazrey]

Work space provider Regus opens new KL
Property Times 31 December 2005 issue


Global professional workplace provider The Regus Group plc has been on an expansion drive in the Asia Pacific region, more than doubling the number of Regus Business Centres to 53 since the beginning of this year.

In recent weeks, it signed deals to acquire eight business centres in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand from the Hong Kong-based group, Plaza Business Centres.

The agreement for five centres in China and one each in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand will give Regus an additional 131,000sq ft to its office network, including over 900 workstations and seven conference centres.

It will now have two business centres in Kuala Lumpur. The first centre, opened in 1999, is located at the Petronas Twin Towers. The new addition is Plaza Centre at Central Plaza in KL’s Jalan Sultan Ismail.

“As well as increasing the number of business centres in Malaysia, we are also entering the Indian market aggressively and in the coming weeks will open our fourth Indian centre,” the group’s chief executive officer for Asia Pacific Filippo Sarti said in a statement.

The Plaza acquisition will take the total number of Regus Business Centres in the Asia Pacific region to 53, up from 24 at the beginning of 2005. In that same period, Regus has increased the amount of square feet it operates in the region by 84 per cent, to over one million square feet.

“The agreement to acquire these centres from Plaza Business Centres is an important step for our expansion in the Asia Pacific and is in keeping with our strategy to have a significant presence in all major markets in the region,” Sarti said.

“We are seeing a period of rapid growth for property outsourcing in the Asia Pacific region as an increasing number of organisations look to managing their business risks more effectively, as well as maximising their financial resources and increasing their flexibility,” he added.

Plaza Business Centres’ chief executive officer Song Hoi See said the business deal was “Regus’ recognition of our core quality of providing meticulous service”.

Under the terms of the agreement, Song will remain with Regus in a senior management role within its Asia Pacific business, while Regus will become the employer of centre staff at the relevant centres.

The Regus Group Network includes 750 business centres in 60 countries and features four brands: Regus Business Centres, HQ Global Workplaces, Stratis and Business Meeting Places.

The company is a pioneer in the commercial real estate industry.

[nazrey]

Bolton teams up with UM Land, CapitaLand
Thursday January 19, 2006
By B.K. SIDHU


KUALA LUMPUR: Bolton Bhd, which is selling its prime land near KL City Centre for RM112.29mil cash, has entered into a joint venture with United Malayan Land Bhd (UM Land) and South-East Asia’s biggest developer, CapitaLand Ltd, to jointly develop the land into a residential site.

In a statement to Bursa Malaysia, Bolton said it had yesterday subscribed to a 35% equity interest for RM35 in the joint-venture company, Alpine Return Sdn Bhd. The latter company would buy, develop and market the property.

CapitaLand, via unit Acegoal Ltd, would end up with 30% stake in Alpine Return, while UM Land will hold the balance 35%.

Bolton told Bursa after a closed-door signing ceremony yesterday that the joint-venture company would develop 11 parcels of freehold land measuring 4.3 acres in Jalan Mayang (Mayang land), off Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, Kuala Lumpur. CapitaLand will co-ordinate development of the project.

The statement said it would be developed into a landmark condominium with sales launch expected in early 2007.

Bolton did not say how much the development would cost, but said Alpine intended to fund it via bank borrowings and/or other forms of financing to be sourced by shareholders.

Bolton said the prime land was one of the largest plots zoned for residential development in the area.

“We are very excited to partner CapitaLand, one of Singapore and Asia’s largest and most successful property companies, and UM Land, one of Malaysia’s premier developers, to jointly develop the Mayang land,” Bolton group chief executive Datuk Azman Yahya said in a joint statement issued by the three parties.

“This project represents another major step for Bolton as we expand our presence in developing high-end residential properties, building on the success of our Tijani development in Bukit Tunku,’’ he said.

CapitaLand’s property and hospitality portfolio spans more than 88 cities in 30 countries.

CapitaLand Residential chief executive officer Lui Chong Chee said: “Our joint venture, with strong partners like Bolton and UM Land, will help grow CapitaLand's presence in Malaysia.

“This joint venture is a further indication of our confidence in the long-term growth opportunities in Malaysia.''

Bolton bought the 11 parcels of land, which have a total net book value of RM42mil, between 1991 and 1996. The disposal would result in a gain of RM50mil for Bolton.

The company said it would use proceeds from the land sale to subscribe to Alpine Return shares, repay borrowings and meet working capital requirements.

[Greg]

January 20 2006


LOS ANGELES, Thurs: Apparel retailer Gap Inc yesterday said it had reached deals to expand its Gap and Banana Republic brands into two South-East Asian markets.

The San Francisco-based company said subsidiaries of F.J. Benjamin Holdings Ltd would open stores under both banners in Singapore and also have the rights to distribute products bearing the brand names in Malaysia.

Gap said that F.J. Benjamin plans to open about 30 stores in both locations by 2010, with the first Gap store opening this fall and the first Banana Republic store opening next year.

In a statement, Gap, which also operates the Old Navy apparel chain, said the deals “demonstrate the company’s first step toward expanding the Gap and Banana Republic brands via international franchises”.

In the US, the apparel giant has been fighting sluggish sales and a sagging share price amid an uninspiring product mix and decreased foot traffic in stores. — Reuters

[nazrey]

GAP INC. ANNOUNCES NEW INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
Gap Inc. (http://www.gapinc.com/)

With Southeast Asia Retailer F J Benjamin for Gap and Banana Republic in
Singapore and Malaysia

http://www.gapinc.com/public/images/1_About_Gap_Inc./1_quote_landing.jpg

http://www.gapinc.com/public/images/icons/iconQuoteLeft.gif I created Gap with a simple idea: to make it
easier to find a pair of jeans. We remain committed to that basic principle. http://www.gapinc.com/public/images/icons/iconQuoteRight.gif
Don Fisher, Gap Inc. Founder and Chairman Emeritus

[nazrey]

CyWaste to build KL's 2nd waste transfer station
By ADELINE PAUL RAJ
January 20 2006


KUALA LUMPUR will soon have a second waste transfer station, located in Puchong, to manage the waste generated by dwellers in the southern part of the city.

Those in the north are currently serviced by a transfer station in Taman Beringin, Kepong.


The new project - known as the Southern KL Transfer Station (SKLTS) - has been awarded to private company CyWaste Sdn Bhd.

CyWaste is part of a larger environmental group, CyEn Group, which has carried out similar projects in Hong Kong and the UK.

The company will build and operate the 9ha facility in Kampung Bohol, and expects that it will be operational by next year.

CyWaste chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail said there was a pressing need to have another waste transfer station in the city.

"Due to rapid development and the high generation waste in Kuala Lumpur of 2,500 to 3,000 tonnes per day, there is a need for another facility to manage the waste generated from the south of the city," he told reporters at a briefing yesterday.

The SKLTS will be able to dispose of up to 2,000 tonnes of waste a day.

Waste collected by Alam Flora vehicles will be brought to the new transfer station, where they will be sorted and immediately transferred onto much larger trailers owned by CyWaste for haulage to the final destination - a landfill in Bukit Tagar, Hulu Selangor, situated some 85km away from the city.

"The Government believes half of the waste (in Kuala Lumpur) should be incinerated and half should go to a landfill," remarked Razali.

Daud Ahmad, the group's chief executive officer, said the facility would be built at a cost of RM30 million to RM40 million.

The company will also invest in a fleet of large trailers that are about five times the size of Alam Flora vehicles. Daud expects the business to start with 14 trailers, but more will be added as and when required.

Daud said the SKLTS - housed within an enclosed building - incorporates the latest design elements to prevent health hazards.

"Odour is contained and treated while wastes are segregated for better operational management and control. A leachate treatment facility will be constructed to prevent environmental damage and pollution," he said.

He said the company is looking at building similar facilities in other cities, as they are the most efficient way of disposing waste.

"Besides linking the areas of waste collection to far away final disposal sites, it will also reduce the number of heavy vehicles on the roads and illegal dumping activities," he said.

Besides the one in Kepong, there are currently only two other waste transfer stations in the country - one each in Penang and Johor.

More are expected to come up as the Government studies a national plan on solid waste disposal.

[nazrey]

Shangri-La KL voted Asia's 11th best hotel
January 20 2006

SHANGRI-LA Kuala Lumpur was recently voted among the "Top 50 Asia Hotels" by readers of Conde Nast Traveller magazine (http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/) for the second consecutive year.

Last year, it was featured in the magazine's annual listings of top hotels clinching 11th placing in the "Top 50 Asia Hotels" and 75th on "The Best of the Best" worldwide list.

Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur's award was based on the magazine's readers rating the hotel's location, food quality, dining services, room condition and overall hosting services.

"We are very pleased to receive such recognition and would like to thank our customers," Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur general manager and area manager Richard W. Riley.

"We believe in exceeding guests' expectations by maintaining our finest service delivery and by further improving our premium facilities. After all, luxury cannot be measured, only experienced," he said.

[nazrey]

Kathy Ireland Eyes Malaysia And Other Asian Markets


FRANKFURT, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- One of America's most profiled suppliers of consumer products, including furniture, flooring, lighting window coverings, beddings and socks, is now eyeing new markets in Asia, including Malaysia.

California-based Kathy Ireland, whose products are specialised to suit the needs of the busy working moms, has become a household name in the United States.

In an interview with Bernama at the Heimtextil exhibition in Frankfurt, Ireland said that she was "deeply impressed" by the quality and innovation of products showcased at the Frankfurt event.

Kathy Ireland Worldwide (http://www.kathyireland.com/), the US$1.4 billion (US$1 = RM3.74) consumer products empire she heads, has sensed the money-spinning potential inherent in the markets of Asia, including Malaysia, where the growing numbers of busy working mothers, who put in as much or even more effort than their male counterparts besides facing the pressures endemic to homemakers, constitute a huge market for the kind of products that bear the Kathy Ireland brand name.

Ireland, a former model sought by many big corporations to introduce or promote their products, has become equally successful in her present incarnation as an entrepreneur.

Her products are sold by some of America's well-established and largest retail stores.

Patrick Lee, a Singapore based businessman who also has extensive business ties with Malaysia, told Bernama that Kathy Ireland's products could become a "big hit" in Malaysia, if the right marketing strategy was devised.

"When I visit my business associates in Malaysia next time, I will discuss this matter," he said on the margins of the just-concluded Heimtextil trade fair, which is touted as the world's largest home-textile event bringing hordes of exhibitors, touring sales representatives and also buyers from the ASEAN region.

But Lee would not disclose further details.

Ireland said that her company presently exports to 14 countries, including the United Arab Emirates.

She was interested in entering "new terrain" with her branded products which, she averred, would be well received because of their "high quality and the excellence" they represent.

Using the Heimtextil trade fair as a platform to introduce her products to new customers, she revealed that she was targeting independent retailers.

"Customers today are looking for quality, comfort and pricing. Comfort is a major trend in the home-furnishings segment and is a key factor in ordering products."

"I have received orders here not only from the US but also from India and Russia. Indeed, I have also received trade enquiries from other Asian countries which, we are sure, will lead to tangible business in the future," she said.

Her ambitious project is to build up a global brand for the home in much the same way as in the US.

She acknowledged, however, that there were challenges on the road to such a goal but she relied on an "incredible team of design geniuses" who would pave the way for her global ambitions.

"Yes, we do need to learn a great deal still but we are already exporting to a number of countries, including the Middle East, Australia, Venezuela and Canada," she said.

As far as designs and styles were concerned, she discerned a "certain level of compatibility" with other regions of the world, attributing this to an effective channel of communication her company maintains with customers in other parts of the world.

Women -- and particularly working moms -- tend to be more fashion-conscious today than anytime in the past, she said.

"They are updated by us constantly on fashion, home and family," she said.

She also disclosed that her company provides advice to working moms on their specific needs. In return, these women give an overwhelming feedback, all of which goes into evolving a long-term strategy for the market.

Ireland said that she would depend on her company's style guides as a compass in navigating the waters of the global markets.

Malaysia, which has its own thriving furniture industry and even stages a furniture trade fair, could find a valuable business contact in Kathy Ireland Worldwide which, currently, seems to be in an expansion mood and may also consider participation in events such as the furniture trade fair held in Kuala Lumpur.

[nazrey]

Modernity closing in
Saturday January 28, 2006


REMINISCING her childhood days growing up in Brickfields, Sarkunavathy Arumugam can almost hear the sharp siren from the Lever Brothers (now Unilever) factory announcing the start of lunch hour.

“My mother always kept track of time by the sound of the siren. “We knew that once the siren sounds she would be looking out for us to come back home for lunch,” she recalled, adding that her mother would usually punish latecomers.

Her family used to lived at the railway quarters across the road from the factory and had grown used to the company’s twice-a-day siren – the first at 1pm and the next one, signalling time to go home, at 5pm.

“The siren had been part of our lives since the Lever Brothers started operations in the late 1940s,” said Sarkunavathy, 58.

The retired civil servant distinctly remembers playing a game called kavunda kavindi, which is similar to rounders, as well as playing marbles near the railway tracks.

“My brother also used to play a game using cigarette boxes. They would stack the boxes up and try to topple the stack by shooting them with rubber bands.

They used to collect as many cigarette boxes as possible and were even willing trade the boxes with one another if they had doubles,” she said.

Sarkunavathy also remembers going to school in the ’60s with her sisters Susiela and Kaulsalya.

“Susiela and I studied in Bukit Nanas Convent during the period when the nuns were in charge. I remember walking to school from Brickfields all the way to CBN,” she said.

Kaulsalya, 49, who went to school in St Theresa Convent, said it was different back then because there was not much traffic and the city was a lot more greener and serene.

“There were no such as things as snatch thefts and car accidents were rare,” she added.

According to Kaulsalya, Brickfields got its name from the word “brick”. “The area was the centre for brick making in the early days when the whole area was a clay pit with cows grazing everywhere, “Brickfields produced the best bricks as good quality bricks is made from clay,” she said.

S.K.K. Naidu, who is the president of the 80-year-old Sri Sakthi Vinayagar Temple in Brickfields and a long-time resident of the area, said many aspects about Brickfields made it appealing to people.

“Despite its close proximity to Bangsar, there’s a vast difference between the two neighbourhoods. There’s a lot of history to Brickfields as itis one of the pioneer settlements in Kuala Lumpur.

“Just take a walk and see the old structures that have withstood the test of time here,” Naidu said. Indeed, the whole stretch of Jalan Tun Sambanthan (formerly Jalan Brickfields) is interspersed with old colonial structures.

Right at one end of the road you have the century-old Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), which has become an integral landmark in Brickfields. Further down is the charming Vivekananda Ashram that was built in the early 19th century.

“The charming 100 quarters in Jalan Rozario are still there although modern buildings have cropped up all round,” Naidu said.

Brickfields is also tagged a “Divine Location” as many famous religious structures, some almost 100 years old, are concentrated in the area, particularly Jalan Berhala.

The aptly-named road houses the Buddhist Maha Vihara Temple, the Arulmegu Sree Veera Hanuman Temple, the Sri Sakthi Vinayagar Temple, the Lutheran Church and even the 50-yearold Three Teachings Chinese Temple. The area is also popular for its banana leaf delights and thosai (Indian pancake).

“I love coming here for breakfast every Sunday,” said Shamini Murugan. The young secretary makes it a practice to visit different restaurants with her boyfriend every time she comes to Brickfields. “I have tried most of the smaller restaurants here and some of the upmarket ones like Gem and Kshipra.

Brickfields is also fast developing into a modern transportation hub. Apart from KL Sentral, the area now boasts hotels, condominiums, and office complexes, lending it a new image - an image of the future!

[Greg]

O$LO: No.1 KL: No.95


KUALA LUMPUR, Wed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Despite the flurry of price increases last year, Malaysia remains one of the cheapest places in the world to live in.

In the latest cost-of-living survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Kuala Lumpur was ranked 95th among 128 cities in the world, up three places from the year before.

The most expensive city in the world was Oslo in Norway, knocking Tokyo from the perch for the first time in 14 years.

In that Scandinavian city, the price of a compact disc is US$24.07 (RM90). For that price, you can purchase two CDs in Kuala Lumpur.

Perhaps the starkest difference between living in Oslo and living in Kuala Lumpur is in the cost of owning a vehicle.

It costs a Norwegian US$57,230 to buy a family sedan, US$443 to register the vehicle, US$2,619 for insurance and US$1.98 for a litre of unleaded petrol.

In contrast, those living here have to fork out US$41,409 to buy a 2,499cc car, pay US$65.24 to register the vehicle, US$585.11 for insurance and US$0.42 for a litre of unleaded petrol.

The survey, which compares the cost of goods and services in dollar terms across 128 cities, noted that eight of the 10 most expensive cities in the survey are in Europe.

Five of the seven lowest-priced cities surveyed are in Asia, including Manila, while the cheapest city is Teheran.

In many Asian cities, economic growth has pushed up the cost of living, the report said.No 13, overtook Hong Kong (14th) as the most expensive city in the region after Tokyo and Osaka.

However, despite the appreciation of the yuan since it freed itself from a peg to the US dollar in July, Chinese cities have experienced a relative fall in the rankings as increased investment opens up pricing competition and lowers tariffs on branded goods in larger urban centres.

Shanghai, the most expensive Chinese city on the list, is still only at No 51, up five places from last year.

Closer to home, Singapore remained the most expensive city in the region. But its overall ranking improved from 19 to 24.

Jakarta, Hanoi, Bandar Seri Begawan, Bangkok and Manila are cheaper places to live in than Kuala Lumpur.

And if last year was any indication, it is likely that the cost of living in Kuala Lumpur will continue to climb.

Last year, Malaysians were hit hard in the pocket with petrol prices going up twice. This triggered an across- the-board spike in prices of goods and services.

There is likely to be another petrol price hike soon.

Also, Malaysians can expect to pay more for electricity.

This could set off another round of price increases for everything from a glass of teh tarik to a bag of flour.

[nazrey]

Sunway & Swiss-Garden welcome minimum room rate
02 Feb 2006 8:07 PM


Some hotels are giving the thumbs-up to the proposal to introduce a minimum room rate of US$80 (about RM300).

Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotels group general manager Jean-Jacques Kiefer says a minimum room rate could help to boost its revenue by up to 5%.

Since Malaysian hotels are by far the cheapest in the region if not the world, it is high time that we align ourselves to international players, given the level of investment initially as well as in keeping the hardware updated, he tells FinancialDaily.

Devising the right positioning where the right hotel is matched with the right rate, we expect revenue for 2006 to increase by 5% from last year, Keifer adds.

The group aims to maintain a 78% occupancy rate this year and put greater emphasis on promotions in the Middle East, India, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, Russia and Australia.

Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotels will be opening Mandara Spa ” part of a global chain of luxury spas ” in the second quarter this year, which Keifer says will help the hotel group tap into new market segments such as medi-spa, working alongside its sister company, Sunway Medical Centre.

Meanwhile, Swiss-Garden International Hotels, Resorts and Inns, which has in the pipeline RM25 million to RM30 million in capital expenditure over the next two years, also agrees with the move to set a minimum room rate. Gearing up for Visit Malaysia 2007 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=179402&page=3), the hotel group will be undertaking the second phase of its renovation sometime this year, which will cover the hotel rooms and cost at least RM12 million.

Also in the pipeline this year is the refurbishment exercise of Swiss Garden Resort and Spa Kuantan, estimated at RM10 million, it says in a written reply to FinancialDaily.

Last year, its occupancy rate was 80%, boosted by higher domestic and foreign tourist arrivals. It expects to maintain the rate this year.

[Greg]

By Isabelle Francis


Hotels in Malaysia can look forward to better business this year, especially with the anticipated double-digit growth in the number of long-haul visitors as the government steps up efforts to promote tourism in the country, says the Malaysian Association of Hotels’ (MAH) president Mohd Ilyas Zainol Abidin.

He says hotels can expect business to start picking up after the relatively “slow” pace in January.

He says promotions towards Visit Malaysia 2007 are already taking place, and hotels are poised to boost sales and attract long-haul visitors with competitive rates. “We are a very competitive nation, with hotel rates (that are) extremely competitive in the Asean region,” he tells FinancialDaily .

Mohd Alia says the hotel industry has also become more resilient and is able to weather tough conditions, such as disease outbreaks.

He says hotels have become more adaptable and learned to take precautions these days.

“We saw a massive drop in (business) in 2004 during the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak. But in 2005, it didn’t (drop). Even with the haze or terrorism, the industry was doing relatively well,” he adds.

Last December, FinancialDaily reported that Malaysia is expected to attract up to 20.1 million tourists by 2007, with each spending up to RM2,500 and 30% of the expenditure attributed to accommodation.

Tourism ministry’s secretary general Datuk Dr Victor Wee had revealed that among the proposals to boost the industry is the introduction of a minimum room rate of US$80 (RM300) among prominent hotels.

Mohd Ilyas says the minimum room rate can materialise as early as the first quarter of the year if industry players can reach a consensus on this matter.

According to MAH, from January to November last year, the average occupancy rate nationwide was 66%, with the highest occupancy rate in Sabah (81%), followed by Kuala Lumpur (73%), Johor (67%) and Selangor (67%).

For the same period, the average room rate was RM164 while the average revenue per available room was RM108. Total room revenue amounted to more than RM100 million.

[nazrey]

KL Govt urged to revive exhibition building plan
By OOI TEE CHING
February 3 2006


TRADE show and exhibition organisers, who are facing limited display space, want the Government to revive building plans of the 100,000- sq-m National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC).

Fairs & Events Management Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Jonathan Kan Thai Kim said the growth of the exhibition industry is being hindered by the lack of exhibition space.

"Size does matter. The bigger the show, the higher the returns and the spin-offs to the hotel, freight-forwarding, advertising, entertainment and retail industry.

"Right now, the country's biggest exhibition hall is at Putra World Trade Centre which is only 30,000 sq m. That's too small for exhibitions and trade shows for cars, furniture, machinery and defence equipment.

"It's high time Malaysia build a dedicated exhibition hall of at least 100,000 sq m with 20 metre height clearance," Kan said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur recently.

A 100,000-sq-m hall is equivalent to the area occupied by 20 football fields placed side by side.

Five years ago, the Government had planned for the 100,000-sq-m NECC at the Terminal One & Two of the old Subang International Airport. The project was shelved due to lack of funding.

"The NECC can be built on government-owned land in Subang or Putrajaya where it can be readily accessible by rail and road. Also, there's a good number of hotel rooms and adequate variety of restaurants in these two locations," Kan said.

CIS Network Sdn Bhd founder Vincent Lim, who was also present at the interview, said the Government should consider building a mega-sized exhibition hall instead of many small-sized convention centres.

He gave an example of Malaysia's furniture industry having to contend with three exhibition locations in Klang Valley for the second year since 2005.

Currently, the three exhibition venues at Putra World Trade Centre, KL Convention Centre and Subang Asia Pacific Auction Centre have a combined hall space of 90,000 sq m.

"There is no need to build 12 halls with marbled floors at one go as originally planned. The Government can build two halls at a time in stages, while collecting space rental," Lim said.

[Zed]

Viaduct at MRR2 to close

PUTRAJAYA: The Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) viaduct in Kepong, which was found to have cracks, will be closed for repair works from 10.30am today. It will be closed for about three to four months,

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said: “It will be closed for repair, waterproofing and reinforced steel strengthening works.”

The repair work would begin on Tuesday, he said after briefing Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at a special meeting to discuss the damaged upper deck of the MRR2 at the Prime Minister’s Office here yesterday.

Samy Vellu said the decision to close the viaduct was made by Abdullah.

Contractors Bumi Hiway, Sukmim and KKM (Wilayah) will undertake and pay for the repairs, which are expected to cost RM20mil.

The MRR2 viaduct at Kepong, stretching 1.7km, was previously closed from Aug 8 until November last year.

Asked why the closure did not take effect last night, Samy Vellu said they needed time to inform the public about the matter through the media.

He assured the public that there was no danger of collapse and that the viaduct was safe.

“However, strengthening works have to be carried out,” he added.

“The repair works include steel bracing as recommended by the engineering consultants to the ministry,” he said.

“We will also install rectangular steel braces to support the pillars for the viaduct.”

Present at the meeting were Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamad Yakcob, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Samsudin Osman as well as Works Ministry and Economic Planning Unit officials.

At present, only four of the six lanes are open to traffic as the other two lanes are closed for repairs.

The Star 4/2/2006

[nazrey]

Hotel lauded for good service
Monday February 6, 2006


FOR the second consecutive year, Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur was voted into Top 50 Asia Hotels by a Reader's Choice survey conducted by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

Last year, the hotel made it to the 11th spot on the list and was also ranked 75th on the Best of the Best worldwide list.

The survey received more than 27,000 responses and results were calculated for satisfaction percentages based on food, dining, location, rooms and service.






http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/2/6/central/20tophotel.jpg

Riley (fourth from left) and the hotel's management team
celebrating the award.







Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur general manager and area manager Richard W Riley was pleased with the recognition and thanked customers for their feedback.

“It is a great honour for the entire team and we look forward to serving our guests in the future.

“We believe in exceeding guests' expectations by maintaining our service delivery and improving our premium facilities,” he explained.

Five other Shangri-La luxury hotels in the region were also voted into the top 50.

[nazrey]

KL to host first regional conference on property trusts
February 10 2006


SIXTEEN leading industry experts will be attending the first regional conference on real estate investment trusts (REITs) in Malaysia this year.

Entitled “REITs: The Next Wave of Opportunities”, the conference will be held at The Ritz Carlton Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, on February 15 and 16.

“We have assembled 16 of the most prominent REIT experts in the region from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and West Asia,” said M. Sundara Rajoo, managing director of conference organiser CoreVentus Sdn Bhd.

“Participants can definitely gain fresh insights and indepth understanding on how to capitalise on the burgeoning REIT market in Asia,” he said in a statement.

Rajoo said the conference is timely as many countries are relaxing property and tax legislation to encourage investments and cross-border flows in the real estate market.

“REITs are hot. More and more companies are seeking alternative investment vehicles to diversify their portfolios. We hope the conference will be engaging for both developers and prospective investors, besides being a great opportunity for networking,” he added.

The two-day conference, which is endorsed by the Asian Public Real Estate Association, will cover all critical issues involving REITs from the concept and structure, risk factors and tax issues to extensive comparisons on more mature REIT markets within the Asia-Pacific region.

Among the regional speakers are Stephen Hawkins, chief executive officer of Macquarie Goodman Asia; Shuji Tomikawa, managing director Mitsui Fudosan Investment Advisors Inc, Japan; Brian Chinappi, director of DB Real Estate-Asia; Dr Shane Oliver, head of investment strategy at AMP Capital Investors, Australia; and Dr Yu Lai Boon, managing director Jones Lang La Salle.

[Greg]

MANDARIN Oriental Kuala Lumpur is this year's winner of the Asiamoney Award for the Best Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

According to China-based business magazine Asiamoney, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur was singled out from among the city's top 5-star hotels in its 2005 Travel Poll for its consistently high standards of facilities, service and luxury.

Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur also holds the distinction of being the only hotel in Malaysia to be acknowledged as one of Asia's Best Business Hotel and Best Hotel for Conferences and Seminars, where it ranked third and fourth place respectively.

The award was determined via poll conducted on a total of 236 business travellers from 23 countries. The full results were published in the May issue of Wealth Management, an Asiamoney publication.

This is the second time which Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, has won the magazine's coveted award for Best Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, the first time being in 2002.

[nazrey]

Parks are more than just green lungs
Monday February 13, 2006
By BAVANI M
Photos by SAM THAM and BAVANI M


WHEN 60-year-old A. Susiela moved out of her house in Bentong, Pahang, to live with her daughter in Kuala Lumpur, she was mournful.

She was sad because she was going to have to give up her rose garden, the jasmine shrubs, her lush trees that surrounded her humble abode and the abundance of crisp, fresh air.

She was also going to miss her leisurely evening strolls, her yoga sessions and plucking flowers for evening prayers in her garden.

Susiela had good reason to worry, too. She was going to a 108 sq m condominium near Happy Garden in Jalan Kelang Lama.

Apart from that entire frolic with nature, she was also worried about her health, the noise and air pollution and the stress of living in Kuala Lumpur.

“Apart from my gardening, I exercise a lot and my health has certainly improved as I grew older,'' said Susiela.

“However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that in my daughter's neighbourhood were at least 11 mini parks and playgrounds,'' she said. “And, the nearest was within walking distance from my home.''

However, not everyone is as lucky as Susiela.

For Madam Lee, who lives at the De Tropicana Condo in Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park Jalan Kelang Lama, there isn't a single park, playground or even a spot in her entire neighbourhood that can be called green.

“It's frustrating to be surrounded by so much of concrete jungle and no place for us to walk, jog or even get some fresh air,'' she said.

For people like Lee and Susiela, parks and green areas are a necessity as they see them not only as a place to exercise, but a venue to meet new friends and socialise.

Like Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park, there are many neighbourhoods in the city that lack green areas.

Mayor of Kuala Lumpur Datuk Ruslin Hasan had announced during the 2006 budget meeting last year of plans to build more footballs fields and parks in the city.

On top of the existing 11 parks in the Klang Valley, three more will be built in Air Panas, Ampang Hilir and City Park at Jalan Davis.

There are also plans to upgrade recreational facilities in Lake Garden, Lembah Kiara Recreation Park and Taman Tasik Permaisuri.

A total of RM14.5mil will be allocated for these projects, while another RM6mil will go towards building more children's playgrounds in neighbourhoods.

City Hall's declaration of surrendering its portion of the area in Bukit Gasing to be turned into a green lung area also proves its commitment in preserving Kuala Lumpur's green lungs.

So it would seem that city folks have a lot to be thankful for. Lee does not think so.

For her, the nearest park is in Bukit Jalil, which is 8km away.

“My idea of a stroll in the park is to walk there, not drive,'' she said.

Like Lee, Suzana Mohkeri of Global Environment Centre (GEC) is not keen on driving to a park.

“If it's within walking distance than it's alright,'' said Suzana who lives in Puchong.

While Suzana admits that Kuala Lumpur did have some great public parks, they aren't easily accessible.

Many do not doubt that parks like Lake Garden and the KLCC Park are great places, but getting stuck in traffic to get there is not too appealing for them.

“We should also have buses or shuttle services that ply to parks in the city,'' said Lee.

Apart from the health benefits and environmental perks one gets from visiting parks, there is also the community benefits in having parks close to one's home.

“Parks foster community spirit and promote fellowship between residents,'' said Overseas Union Garden Rukun Tetangga chairman Thomas Kok.

“Parks give added value to a neighbourhood,'' he said.

Malaysia Wood Ball Association president Yee Teng Lai, 54, said the spot located opposite Jalan Hujan Emas was the biggest green area in the neighbourhood, and it had been fully utilised by the association for its games.

“Every morning, a group of us to there to play wood ball and in some ways it promotes friendship and camaraderie between residents,'' he said.

Yee's neighbour Tsen Keat Wing, 69, said, as the park was close to their homes it became the main reason for their regular gathering.





http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/2/13/central/parks_map.jpg




The big ones
Central Park – New York
Central Park covers 337ha. Its facilities include sports, educational facilities, among which are a children's zoo and wildlife centre. There are also restaurants, outdoors performance venue, skating rinks, public swimming pool and info centre,



Hyde Park – London

Hyde Park is 140ha and is one of the largest parks in central London. It is divided into two by the Serpantine Lake. Sites of interest include Speakers Corner, Diana, Princess of Wales memorial, oval stone ring fountain, Rotten Row (a bridle path) and facilities like horse riding, cycling, roller-blading and jogging.



Lake Gardens – Kuala Lumpur

Encompassing 91.6ha of lush greenery, the garden is built around a man-made lake. Facilities include Panggung Anniversary (a venue for musical and cultural performances), children's playground, jogging tracks, exercise stations, butterfly, deer and bird parks and hibiscus garden.

[nazrey]

More parks in store for KL folk
Tuesday February 14, 2006
By CHOW HOW BAN


IF the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=167496) is anything to go by, the nation's capital will be greener.

There will be an additional 40ha of land to be turned into district parks by 2020. Besides, the city will see another 410ha of neighbourhood parks, 150ha of local parks and 70ha of play areas.

In the city centre, there will be a new district park at the former government quarters of Jalan Davis, a neighbourhood park at the Pudu Jail site and more green networks or corridors linking to areas like Jalan Tun Razak, Kampung Baru, Merdeka Stadium and Federal Hill.

In the Wangsa Maju-Maluri strategic zone, new neighbourhood parks are planned for Taman Ampang Hilir, Taman Melati and a vacated squatter area in Jalan Semarak, near Air Panas.

City folk can also expect parts of Bukit Gasing in the Bukit Jalil-Seputeh zone to be turned into recreational parks, and the natural features of Bukit Sungai Besi, Bukit Sungai Putih, Bukit Pudu and parts of hill slopes of Alam Damai in the Bandar Tun Razak-Sungai Besi zone to be protected and developed as eco-tourism parks.

In the Damansara-Penchala zone, an arboretum is being developed in Bukit Kiara, making the area the largest green lung, consisting of existing recreational landmarks such as Lembah Kiara Recreational Park, Taman Rimba Kiara, Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club, KLGCC and the Civil Service Golf Club.

To further conserve the environment, Acting Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil recently announced that the Cabinet had decided to adopt additional guidelines for housing developments in hilly and low-density areas.

She said that under the additional guidelines, development of hill slopes of more than 35° was prohibited and a geological survey would be mandatory for projects on hillsides.

The additional guidelines also prohibit construction of bungalows that are more than three storeys high and only consider the subdivision of lots of not less than 0.14ha for flat areas and 0.18ha for hill slopes in Bukit Tunku, Taman Duta and Federal Hill.

A senior City Hall official said the local authority was strictly following the KL Structure Plan and would do the same for the KL Local Plan (which is being drafted) when planning city development.

He said although parks and play areas like children playgrounds, fields and sports facilities had been planned properly, some housing areas might still not have such facilities.

However, he said City Hall would impose guidelines on developers to ensure recreational space was set aside for residents.

“There are certain guidelines for developers to comply with so that we have quality development. There is nothing for us to hide; we want the city to be greener and to have more facilities and quality of life.

“If a developer cannot provide an open space in the neighbourhood, we can ask them to provide sporting and recreational facilities, like a swimming pool within the apartment building for the residents,” he said.

[nazrey]

More malls, more money
- Property Times 28 January 2006 issue -
By Chris Prasad


The country’s shopping centre industry is expected to grow by 20 per cent to an approximate worth of RM50 billion by 2007.

According to a survey conducted by the Malaysian Association for Shopping and Highrise Complex Management (PPK) and MIRP Consult Sdn Bhd on the shopping centre industry, as at the fourth quarter of 2005, more than 50 complexes are either being revived or in the pipeline nationwide and are slated for launch over the next two years.

This will add to the 220 shopping centres already operating in the country, which have a collective worth of RM40.4 billion.

According to PPK, much of the growth will be in towns such as Kluang, Batu Pahat, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, which are seeing rapid population growth and escalating demand for retail complexes.

The new openings are also expected to introduce 5,000 or more retailers to the market and provide wider job opportunities for citizens.

PPK said shopping centres currently contribute an estimated RM2.2 billion a year in salaries, with an average manpower cost per nett floor area of RM2.37psf per month.

Among the new shopping complexes expected to take shape by 2007 are the 3.68 million square feet Pavillion Kuala Lumpur (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=83812&goto=lastpost); the 800,000sq ft Mid Valley Garden Mall (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=89106&goto=lastpost); and Sunway Pyramid’s phase two (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=177649&page=1) in Petaling Jaya.



http://www.nst.com.my/Weekly/PropertyTimes/News/Inthenews/20060208101200/Article/Images/News/moreB.jpg



Outside the Klang Valley, they include the 500,000sq ft Sunway Carnival Shopping Complex in Seberang Perai, Penang; the 2.5 million square feet Queensbay Mall in Penang; and the 1.5 million square feet 1-Borneo in Kota Kinabalu.

The survey also shows that shopping centres nationwide currently have a total gross floor area of 122.45 million square feet and a total nett lettable area of 76.52 million sq ft.

Overall, occupancy rates are positive, averaging above 80 per cent across the country. The highest occupancy, at 97.5 per cent, is in KL, with some prime shopping areas within the city even enjoying zero vacancy.

The lowest take-up is in Sabah and Sarawak, and even then, these have recorded an 80.4 per cent occupancy.

PPK president Richard Chan said with shopping being a major component of the economy as well as a tourist dollar earner, many mall operators are gearing up for “Visit Malaysia Year” 2007.

“The new shopping centres coming on-stream will provide a tremendous contribution to tourism receipts and the shopping component alone is expected to increase to at least 25 per cent between 2006 and 2007,” he said.

This could result in a rise in spending on shopping by tourists from RM6.3 billion in 2004 to RM8.6 billion by next year.

Despite the general positive outlook, PPK pointed out that abandoned retail centres continue to be a thorn for the sector, with more than a dozen of these in the country.

It cited poor management, lack of accessibility, inequitable rent structures and differing policies between Government agencies and local councils as some of the factors that have contributed to the situation.

As a counter-measure, especially in the face of new shopping centres emerging, PPK suggested that old and under performing centres re-look at their operations as they may have outlived their initial concepts.

Revamps and repositioning may be necessary to ensure survival, it warned, adding that complex development today is leaning towards catering to niche markets.

[nazrey]

Market metamorphosis
Wednesday February 15, 2006
By CHOW HOW BAN


A new generation of markets are coming up in Kuala Lumpur. They will no longer be limited to the regular wet and dry markets and a food court.

Instead, these buildings that City Hall has dubbed third-generation markets will also boast public amenities such as clinics, libraries, sporting facilities, recreational centres and shops.

The first such market has opened in Taman Mulia in Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras.

Built at a cost of RM20mil, the Bandar Tun Razak commercial and community centre is an eight-storey building whose colourful bright yellow-orange facade makes it clearly visible to motorists travelling on the East-West Link.

The centre is located near the Bandar Tun Razak toll plaza and linked to the Bandar Tun Razak LRT station and Sri Kota public flats by two covered pedestrian bridges.







http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/2/15/central/m_03colourful.jpg

The colourful Bandar Tun Razak commercial and community centre in Taman
Mulia in Bandar Tun Razak is what City Hall calls a third generation market.








It has 43 wet and dry market lots on the first and second floors and 40 food stalls on the second and third levels. It also has a community hall, four indoor badminton courts, dressing rooms and a surau on the eighth floor as well as plenty of car park space.

About 10 shop lots on the first floor have been allocated for a post office, a dry-cleaning facility, a National Registration Department branch office and a sewing training centre.

The building is also equipped with a solar-powered water heating system and a spiral waste bin to help reduce foul smell.

Previously, second-generation markets were built in the 1980s in Gombak, Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Cheras.

Besides the Bandar Tun Razak centre, another such centre has been built in Bandar Baru Sentul and but it is has yet to be opened. The construction of the third (a privatised project) in Datuk Keramat) is abandoned.

According to City Hall’s official newsletter City News, the new concept of third-generation markets is to change public perception about markets.

“It will provide more avenues for sports and recreation for all sectors of society. The move will also subscribe to the vision of transforming the city into a world-class city,” it said.

For traders who were mainly relocated from a nearby trading site in Taman Mulia, the centre’s main shortcoming is the lack of publicity on what it has to offer.

Asmah Shaari, 46, who now runs a stall on the thrid floor, said City Hall should promote the centre so that more people knew of its existence.

“We like to trade here because we can wash and cook in a cleaner area but our business is quite slow. I used to get about RM300 a day but nowadays I earn little,” said Asmah, who was relocated from her previous site outside the LRT station.

She said still run her pisang goreng and keropok stall near the LRT station to make ends meet despite warnings from enforcement officers.

She believes that the centre will be more vibrant as it is located in a densely-populated neighbourhood but it will not be a reality if people do not support the concept of the multi-purpose centre and visit the place.

Abdul Aziz Anuar, 60, who sells clothes on the second floor, said City Hall should consider using mass media like radio, television and newspapers to draw the crowd to the centre.

Vegetable seller Noraslinda Nordin, 33, said: “The lack of traders at the centre might be one of the reasons why not many people come here. City Hall has not done much to publicise this place, so not many people know about it.”

She said her customers complained of inconvenience as they had to park their cars on the upper levels and walk to the market on the first floor.

Regular customer Khartini Ibrahim, 40, said she was used to buying her foodstuff from old-timers at the previous site and sought them out again at the centre.

“For the time being, it is quiet and there are few traders. I pity them,” she said.

A City Hall officer there said most of the food traders had begun their business but the response from those who were offered lots was not good.

“We have given offer letters to about 15 traders out of the 20 lots in the market but most of them have taken on the wait-and-see approach. I advise them to come in as soon as possible.

“We have met the traders’ association and are aware of their problems. We will consider their views,” he said.

Besides badminton, the centre’s hall is also open for bookings for special functions. The rental fee for the badminton courts is RM4 per hour.

For functions, users will be charged RM40 per hour (without air-conditioning) and RM100 per hour (with air-conditioning).

[nazrey]

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9662/75633km.jpg

Star Lrt on the way to Bandar Tun Razak Station

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/6164/4895cq.jpg

[TYW]

i would love to see some interior pics of this 3G market :D

[SEAfan]

For functions, users will be charged RM40 per hour (without air-conditioning) and RM100 per hour (with air-conditioning).

That's quite a difference! :eek:

I hope the vendors will soon be able to make a good living in the new place. :)

[nazrey]

Seeing KL's problems as a whole
By YIP YOKE TENG
Monday February 20, 2006


KUALA LUMPUR is plagued by numerous problems because it is not yet a fully developed city, commented new Federal Territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique.

“As a person who has been residing in Kuala Lumpur almost all his life, and staying in Setiawangsa for the last 14 years, I see change as ongoing in any city, whether it's Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, New York or London.

“The main reason why it affects Kuala Lumpur more is that it has not yet become a fully developed city,” the new minister told a press conference at a friendly gathering at his residence in Taman Setiawangsa on Saturday.

“Because of the ongoing process of people coming from other states to find jobs, roads are clogged, rivers become dirty, people will have to start from bottom.

“We have the ongoing process to move them from the place they stay - which we call squatter homes or longhouses - to a better place. We have already started about seven years ago when we decided to build 35,000 low cost units.”

Zulhasnan said it would be an ongoing process to solve the numerous problems and make Kuala Lumpur a world-class city, adding that he preferred letting local authorities handle the operational issues and when it became major or involved the policy, the ministry would be involved.

He did not talk about any plan for FT yet until he meets with the Prime Minister, maybe by Thursday.

However, Zulhasnan gave his comments on several long-standing issues in Kuala Lumpur.

Flooding

“We are in a valley. We have to ask why Yap Ah Loy put Kuala Lumpur here but since we are here, we have to find ways to prevent flood,” he said, citing the Smart Tunnel project implemented by City Hall.

“I hope by 2007 flooding and traffic congestion can be alleviated, but if we want it to be totally free from these problems, I think we are kidding ourselves. That's why we target 2020, when the country becomes fully developed, and hope that these things can be resolved,” said Zulhasnan.

Local authorities not performing to expectations

“People always look at the negative side. I think the majority of the local authorities are doing a good job. Only a small percentage does not handle some issues well. We will address them.''

Plaza Rakyat

“I have been to the ground and met with some contractors. They gave me some suggestions. I'll be bringing them to the Prime Minister.''

To develop Kampung Baru

“Earlier it has become quite a sensitive issue because of the many private owners who inherited the lands from their parents. We need to find them and get their nod before developing the place.

“As such we have set up an office there to talk to the owners. It's been one year and the reports I get are positive.

“There is a need to develop Kampung Baru, but we need to come out with a modus operandi that can handle this well, and in a way that both the government and the people will agree upon. This will be one of my priorities as the FT Minister,” he said.

Zulhasnan was also asked if there would be overlapping of responsibility between the ministry and local authorities, as it was reported that the law said the mayor can report directly to the Prime Minister and City Hall has the power to take necessary actions.

“I don’t think this will be a problem as the ministry makes the final decision and local authorities play different responsibilities. If there is an issue on which we give different opinions, we always discuss at meetings and I see it solved eventually.

“If from the outside it seems that there is an overlapping of responsibility, we go back to our Retreat sessions and discuss on what should be done. Mayor is like the CEO of the local authority reporting to the minister. No, he doesn't report directly to the Prime Minister.”

Asked how he felt about the Prime Minister gearing his focus towards agriculture, he said: “Development can be divided into few things, including human capital and agricultural aspects. In Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, we have to make sure these developments can be continuous, maybe from the aspect of human capital. It is a very important development, because if we can develop human capital, we can make sure generations now and in the future can help develop the country. ''

He said his is a strategic and critical ministry to realise Vision 2020. “It should be the “driving force” of the three FTs, which are the gateways to the country and reflect the country to the world,'' he said.

[nazrey]

Ministry Mulls Special Zones For Entertainment In Kuala Lumpur


PORT DICKSON, Feb 20 (Bernama) -- The Federal Territories Ministry is considering a proposal to allocate special zones for entertainment in Kuala Lumpur like the ones in developed countries.

Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique said the special zone would facilitate more organised set up and effective supervision of entertainment centres.

"Besides, foreign tourists will feel more comfortable and safe going there," he told a press conference after opening the Kuala Lumpur Entertainment Policy Drafting Retreat, here.

Also present were ministry's Parliamentary Secretary Yew Teong Look, Secretary-General Datuk Dr Zulkurnaian Awang, Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Bakaruddin Othman and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Ruslin Hasan.

The three-day programme began yesterday involving 48 participants from various government departments and agencies, entertainment outlet operators and community leaders.

It is the first programme held by the ministry where the participants will study and come out with ideas to improve the policy and rules pertaining to entertainment activities in Kuala Lumpur.

Zulhasnan said the rapid population and economic growth in Kuala Lumpur had spurred the opening up of entertaiment outlets like nightclubs, dangdut outlets, discotheques, spas, karaoke lounges, massage parlours, snooker centres and video game arcades.

Therefore, a comprehensive entertainment policy was needed so that applications to carry out entertainment activities could be decided upon in a more transparent, organised and consistent manner and acceptable to the public.

"It will also ensure a healty development of entertainment-related economic activities and draw tourists' interest, and will not bring bad influence to the society especially the young," he said.

"Without a proper approach and policy, we fear that the young especially will be exposed to unhealthy activities," he said.

Zulhasnan said the drafting of an entertainment policy was not aimed at controlling or curtailing the freedom to choose forms of entertainment the public wanted or to stop entrepreneurs from continuing with their businesses in the entertainment industry.

Instead, it would determine standards like having special locations for entertainment activities and the operating hours, he said.

[ZaHiRnYa???]

Market metamorphosis
Wednesday February 15, 2006
By CHOW HOW BAN


A new generation of markets are coming up in Kuala Lumpur. They will no longer be limited to the regular wet and dry markets and a food court.

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/2/15/central/m_03colourful.jpg


Oh..i love this colorful building..never knew that its actually a 3G market though..

[ZaHiRnYa???]

Besides the Bandar Tun Razak centre, another such centre has been built in Bandar Baru Sentul and but it is has yet to be opened. The construction of the third (a privatised project) in Datuk Keramat) is abandoned.

No wonder la the one in Datuk Keramat never completed. Cheh..abandoned...

For so long I been wondering why la...

[szehoong]

Oh..i love this colorful building..never knew that its actually a 3G market though..


Actually me also dunno.....I only know it is some DBKL stuffs hehehe :D

[ZaHiRnYa???]

Seeing KL's problems as a whole
By YIP YOKE TENG
Monday February 20, 2006

Plaza Rakyat

“I have been to the ground and met with some contractors. They gave me some suggestions. I'll be bringing them to the Prime Minister.''



Well...hopefully it can lead to something else after this.

[fairul]

Built at a cost of RM20mil, the Bandar Tun Razak commercial and community centre is an eight-storey building whose colourful bright yellow-orange facade makes it clearly visible to motorists travelling on the East-West Link.

The centre is located near the Bandar Tun Razak toll plaza and linked to the Bandar Tun Razak LRT station and Sri Kota public flats by two covered pedestrian bridges.

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/2/15/central/m_03colourful.jpg

The colourful Bandar Tun Razak commercial and community centre in Taman
Mulia in Bandar Tun Razak is what City Hall calls a third generation market.



Its suprising to see that this building was built at a cost of RM20 million..
and yet..with RM110 million..we can only get a warehouse look a like for our own low cost terminal ...sigh...

[ZaHiRnYa???]

Its suprising to see that this building was built at a cost of RM20 million..
and yet..with RM110 million..we can only get a warehouse look a like for our own low cost terminal ...sigh...

What warehouse u talking about?

[fairul]

What warehouse u talking about?

what i meant was the KLIA LCC terminal..built at a cost of RM110million..but still look like a big warehouse to me.. ;)

[ZaHiRnYa???]

what i meant was the KLIA LCC terminal..built at a cost of RM110million..but still look like a big warehouse to me.. ;)

Oh...sorry. Me seldom go to KLIA. Will go again end of this April. Then I can see lor.

[szehoong]

I think the bulk of the RM110 goes to the systems .....I am not too sure actually but if that warehouse construction alone cost RM110 ....walau....then a bit the expensive rite? :eek:

Even the exterior of some Carrefours looks better! :(

[ZaHiRnYa???]

I think the bulk of the RM110 goes to the systems .....I am not too sure actually but if that warehouse construction alone cost RM110 ....walau....then a bit the expensive rite? :eek:

Even the exterior of some Carrefours looks better! :(

K4 now look nicer with the new color scheme :D

[SEAfan]

Hey, a fresh paint job with a good color scheme can do wonders for just about any place! :okay:

[szehoong]

Hey, a fresh paint job with a good color scheme can do wonders for just about any place! :okay:


Yea....I have to agree on that. I love to use colours to mask any of my budget renovation jobs and it does wonders! ;)

[nazrey]

Firm helps to upkeep Sungai Langat
Wednesday February 22, 2006
By EDWARD RAJENDRA


A STEEL manufacturing company that uses Sungai Langat to transport scrap metal has agreed to deepen and maintain the river.

“Under the agreement with the state, Megasteel will deepen 43km of the river and clear garbage from the river,” said Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

“We understand that the firm will also build a 10km-long canal on its land to facilitate mooring of its barges,” he added.

Dr Khir said this to reporters after taking a boat ride, from the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) jetty in Kuala Langat, along Sungai Langat, to inspect the river.

“I stress that Sungai Langat has not been privatised. It is a special understanding that requires the firm to upkeep the river for future generations,” he said.

The Mentri Besar said companies that would benefit from the usage of rivers should return some of their profits to conserve the waterways.

He pointed out that the state had spent RM200,000 to clean 7km of Sungai Langat and had cleared 500tons of garbage from the river in a 45-day clean-up programme last year.

“It is time that companies come up with a win-win situation where the stretch of the rivers that they use is maintained. In this manner, rivers in the state could see better water quality,” he added.

Dr Khir said Megasteel was not the only company that had come forward with a plan to maintain rivers.

“Tenaga Nasional Bhd in Kuala Selangor has adopted part of the Kuala Selangor river. The management has also taken the firefly as their mascot,” he said.

He added that such a win-win solution would save ratepayers’ money for other purposes.

[nazrey]

A sporting boon for Air Panas folk
Wednesday February 22, 2006


A PROPOSED sports village project on a site in Air Panas, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, is expected to take off within the next six months.

Announcing the project at the KL-level Federal Territory Day celebrations on Feb 11, former Acting Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said once the project was completed, residents living in the east of the city would be able to use the facilities for family-based recreational and social activities.





http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/2/22/central/p3cityhall.jpg

City Hall's Vector Control Centre is currently occupying part
of the 12ha site where the sports village will be built.





The sports complex will be built on a 12ha site in Jalan Air Jernih and Jalan Air Tasik bordering Taman Genting Kelang on the north, SMK (P) Air Panas and SK Air Panas on the south and Jalan Air Jernih on the east.

Mayor Datuk Ruslin Hasan said there would also be a housing project where squatters and longhouse residents would be relocated.

“The sports complex is big and has various facilities such as a football field, a rugby stadium, a community centre and a futsal venue. We (City Hall) estimate a construction cost of more than RM30mil,'' he said.

“We have now reached the implementation stage but it will take about six months for the project to take off the ground.”

The mayor said one of the stadiums in the complex would be able to cater to a capacity of 10,000 to 15,000 people.

“If the nearby schools want to hold their sports events in future, they can use the facilities provided in the sports complex,” he said.

“Most of the area (three quarters) will be developed into a sports complex while the rest will be turned into housing schemes. We need to have housing projects to relocate longhouse residents and our staff who will work there.”

According to City Hall's official newsletter City News, the project also consists of a multi-purpose stadium which houses a boxing arena, an underground shooting practice range and netball, basketball and sepak takraw courts as well as a sports administration office.

As for the community centre, it will have a multi-purpose hall, function rooms, a library and a food court. Other facilities include a mosque, a bowling centre, an archery field, an X-Games ground and a car park.

City Hall’s vector control centre and animal pound, 250 units of squatters, a temple and two blocks of longhouses comprising 24 units now occupy the site.

There are two major sports complexes in the city, namely the Bandar Tun Razak sports centre in the southeast and Bukit Jalil National Sports Complex in the southwest.

At present, Air Panas only has a football field where sports enthusiasts conduct exercises and play football and other games every evening.

M. Supaya, 45, who has been living in Air Panas for 40 years, said the area had adequate facilities including four schools, a market, a community hall, shop-houses and a fire station, but the additional sports village project would be a bonus.

“We are happy to have such facilities for our children who will be able to benefit from it but they (the future management) should give privileges to the residents in the area.

“I hope they will charge us discounted rates (to use the facilities) because most residents have lived here for long,” he said.

He urged City Hall to relocate those affected by the project to new housing schemes in and around the area.

Another resident M.A. Dayalan, 55, who often jogs and plays at a football field, said the field should be retained and upgraded as it was where several former national footballers played.

“We want the area to be developed like other areas in the city. But I hope the existing playground and field we are enjoying will not be taken away,” he said.

Meanwhile, City Hall had conducted a census at squatters and longhouses and the residents are aware of the project and their relocation to housing schemes.



http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/2/22/central/p1airpanas.jpg

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/2/22/central/p3field.jpg

The only place where Air Panas residents
currently have for recreational activities.





Longhouse resident Zainab Abdullah, 42, said her family was more than willing to move out as her two-room unit could no longer accommodate all of her three children and her son-in-law.

She said she was glad that the time had come for Air Panas to be developed into a sports village as the area had been left behind compared with other parts of the city.

She hoped that gym facilities would be set aside for the project as her children could not find such facilities in the area where they could work out.

Siti Nuramalina Abdullah, a Form Five student at SMK (P) Air Panas, welcomed the project as her school, which was borrowing fields or other sporting facilities elsewhere for its sports events, would be able to use the facilities at the sports village.

“I think it will be a good project as students may go there to play some sports after school in the evening,” she said.

[Greg]

Maybe someone can go and take some pictures :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/Greg8000/16Pwtc.jpg

The event will be officiated by Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and is organized by Exhibition Guide (M) Sdn Bhd.

We’re trying to get a list of property developers that are participating in the event, but it seems that exhibition doesn’t have much of a web presence. Maybe we’ll try calling them later today.

Also looking ahead, MAPEX (KL) is coming soon, too. It’ll be on 3-5 March. This event is organized by REHDA Wilayah Persekutuan (KL) Branch, and will be at the MidValley Exhibition Centre (MVEC).

[nazrey]

Enabling the disabled in their own way
Friday February 24, 2006


Efforts made by certain parties in the Klang Valley to make life a little better for the physically-disabled may not be sufficient, but must not be ignored. These good Samaritans are not just NGOs but also local authorities, shopping malls and public transport operators. VIVIENNE PAL and YIP YOKE TENG delve deeper into the issue in Part 2 of their report.

THE DRIVE to Mid Valley Megamall from Rawang is quite a distance, but for those who have been denied much of life’s pleasures or have no choice, the distance is worth it.

“Mid Valley is heaven for us,” said Francis Siva, 47. By ‘us’, Francis means the physically disabled community, particularly the wheelchair-bound.






http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/2/24/central/m_pg04lokman.jpg

Lokman is looking for corporate companies to sponsor the installation of
automated hydraulic ramp systems in 30 of his E-smartcab taxies.






“They allow us to park right in front of the entrance so it is easy for us to wheel ourselves straight in. In fact, Mid Valley provides free scooters and wheelchairs to the elderly and physically disabled,” he said, adding that many of his meetings are held at the mall.

“We have regular disabled shoppers who provide us with feedback on issues that we need to address, whether from a mall perspective or even the retail stores,” said Mid Valley advertising and promotions director Kuan Ai Suan, adding that other facilities include toilets for the disabled, ramps, lowered public phones and even personal shoppers to accompany the disabled on their shopping rounds.

Suria KLCC , which was awarded the building (shopping centre category) with the best access for disabled persons by the Welfare Department in 2000, is just as conscientious in providing facilities for the physically disabled.

“Suria KLCC partnered world-class shopping centre Westfield during the designing stages. They provided input on the needs of the disabled persons,” said its senior marketing manager Datin Rafidah Jalil.

Such things may appear to be of little significance, but for those faced with the constant challenge of getting from one place to another independently, such facilities are really small victories in that direction.






http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/2/24/central/m_pg04klcc.jpg

A wheelchair lift at the KLCC LRT station.






It is true that they have been sidelined and society has not done enough, but the physically disabled are nevertheless thankful to the good Samaritans and little blessings that have come their way.

Some of the local authorities, if not all, have also made small moves to improve things for the physically disabled.

Rawang, for instance, has ramps and 15 parking bays located at several strategic points in the town for the convenience of the disabled, while Kuala Lumpur's biggest achievement is Brickfields, which features disabled-friendly walkways.

Senior officials from City Hall and the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ) mentioned that disabled-friendly features would be incorporated into pedestrian walkways and building designs.

Commenting on photographs of Brickfield's broken and unconnected tactile blocks published in StarMetro, the official from City Hall explained that they were results of vandalism, not shoddy repair works.

He said City Hall had appointed consultants to study the plans for disabled-friendly facilities and received feedback from handicapped groups and NGOs before implementing the projects.

In December 2004, MPPJ spent over RM400,000 to make SS2 a more disabled-friendly zone. Damansara Utama assemblyman Datuk Lim Choon Kin said the pilot project saw various facilities including barrier-free walkways from SS2/24 (outside Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled) to the SS2 commercial square, ramps, two parking lots and one toilet for the disabled within the park (also accessible) in the middle of the square.

Also being developed is the commercial area in Section 52, Petaling Jaya, near Amcorp Mall.

Launched in 2002, Persatuan Mobiliti Selangor dan Kuala Lumpur (Mobiliti) has been actively involved in transporting the physically disabled around the Klang Valley at a low cost in spite of ongoing financial challenges.

“We rely on funds from the public and although we get an annual grant of RM10, 000 from the government, it’s not enough to cover our monthly costs of about RM13,000,” said founding member Anthony Arokia, who is also wheelchair-bound.

He said although each ride costs RM3 per person to any destination within the Klang Valley, the total earnings come up to only “a couple of hundred per month.”

“We are here to supplement the public transportation system which is so inaccessible to the disabled. We should do away with steps and have kneeling buses (buses with platforms that can be lowered to enable those on wheelchairs to roll themselves in and onto the bus).”

Anthony said the disabled community was looking forward to the day when the Persons with Disabilities Bill was passed by Parliament.

Another caring citizen whose heart goes out to the disabled community is local taxi company E-smartcab chairman Lokman Noor, who announced early this year his determination to make his vehicles disabled-friendly.

The vehicles are big enough to fit a person on a wheelchair and Lokman is prepared to offer 30 or more vehicles to corporate companies willing to sponsor automated hydraulic ramp systems in the vehicles. Each unit, however, costs about RM10, 000.

There have been no takers so far.

“I’m quite disappointed. The general mindset of the public is that if it doesn’t happen to me, then I don’t care. This has to change if we want to achieve vision 2020” said Lokman.

Ultimately, if the United Nations’ statistics (where 1% of the total population of a country is made up of the disabled people) applies, there has to be a more concerted effort from all quarters to make life better for the disabled community.

“There is always room for improvement. We cannot rely on the local authorities alone. We need the cooperation of the public and other institutions to improve life for the physically disabled and to create that awareness,” sums up Datuk Lim.

[nazrey]

Picking up after errant city folk
By CHOW HOW BAN
Saturday February 25, 2006


ALAM Flora has been the eyes and ears of City Hall over the years.

Staff of the waste management firm have seen enough of city folk’s dirty habit of dumping waste into drains and contractors’ shoddy work, which are among the contributing factors of flash floods in Kuala Lumpur.

During a recent visit to Jalan Travers near KL Sentral, the Alam Flora team showed StarMetro a problem area where broken pieces of drain covers and walls and a foot-deep silt were found in the drains.




The staff used a high-pressure suction machine to remove silt and stones that clogged the drains and which resulted in flash floods in the area in recent weeks.

Elsewhere, there were instances of irresponsible contractors leaving rubble in the drains after they were finished with their job, while others failed to take adequate measures which allowed silt to wash into the drains from construction sites.

The worst flood that hit Kuala Lumpur in recent years was in 2003 when the shops below Merdeka Square were flooded and hundreds of people had to be evacuated.

Alam Flora KL service area senior manager Mubarak Ali Gulam Rasul said the firm had been informing City Hall of all the shortcomings they observed when making their rounds.

“As we go around to check the drains in problem areas, we will find collapsed drains and so on. We will report to City Hall because we want to eliminate the (flashflood) problem once and for all,” he said.

“I think in a month we gave hundreds of reports to the respective departments in City Hall.”

He said the local authority had acted on the some of the reports and carried out upgrading works in the problem areas.

“Actually, they have done a lot. Previously, the drains used to be smaller and broken. They had instructed contractors to upgrade the drains from time to time,” he said.




http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/2/25/central/m_pg03alam2.jpg

Alam Flora workers using a sprayer to remove leaves and other rubbish in a
cupper drain in Jalan Travers recently.

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Alam Flora workers clearing some silt washed into a big drain from a slope
near the Jalan Travers police station in Kuala Lumpur recently.




However, Mubarak pointed out that some of the drains, such as the one in Jalan Travers near the police station, were in dire need of upgrading, as the drain walls were broken due to soil movement.

He said City Hall should also look into problems of hawkers and restaurant operators disposing of food waste into drains without using grease traps, as the grease would clog up the drains making Alam Flora’s clean-up job more difficult.

He said Alam Flora would continue to improve its supervision of flood-prone areas and work with City Hall to tackle flash flood in the city.

The public can alert Alam Flora about clogged drains or unusual water flow by calling 1-800-880-880 or Zakwan at 019-286 6340.

[themaster]

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - New hotels are shooting up around the Malaysia's capital's iconic Petronas Twin Towers, in a building boom fuelled by a bullish outlook for the economy and tourism industry, industry experts say.

At least four new hotels are under construction in Kuala Lumpur, which is seeing inner-city property prices surge for the first time since the regional economic crisis of the late 1990s.

The Four Seasons, Grand Hyatt, Traders and Novotel will soon tower alongside the newly-opened 335-room Impiana KLCC Hotel and Spa, said Ivo Nekvapil, chairman of MIHR Consulting that compiles data on the hotel industry.

Impiana KLCC, located just a short stroll from the twin towers, the world's second tallest building, has already begun constructing a second tower with nearly 200 more rooms to be completed later this year, he said.

The plans for more hotels in what is easily Malaysia's costliest piece of real estate come amid a rosy forecast for the economy and the tourism industry.

"From the business perspective, the economy is on the growth path," said Research Inc (Asia) property consultancy managing director Lim Lay Ying. "Because of that, you have more people coming here for business trips."

"The new hotels are mainly four- and five-star hotels and if the economy is sustained, business opportunities and visitors will keep coming," she told AFP.

Economists forecast Malaysia's economy to grow by a 5.5 percent in 2006, fuelled by firm commodity prices and buoyant domestic demand.

The central bank this week said it expects stronger growth for 2006, supported by a stable global economy and better demand for electronics.

But a property analyst with AmSecurities warned that "there could be some dampeners from recent reports of bird flu, which may affect the industry to a certain extent," referring to an outbreak detected in Kuala Lumpur this month.

However he added that demand will continue to remain firm as room rates for top hotels here are low compared to the rest of the region, with top-class rooms going for half the price of their equivalents in Singapore and Hong Kong.

"Generally the new hotels that have come onstream, that are in the vicinity of the (tower complex), will do well as most tourists would like to be within walking distance of shopping centres and amenities," said the analyst.

At least 23 high-end condominiums are also being constructed around the twin towers, including one plush development which features private swimming pools for each of its 94 units.

In two years, the price of top condos has doubled to more than 1,000 ringgit (269 dollars) per square foot, with luxury studios now starting at 500,000 ringgit -- enough to buy a four-bedroom family house in the suburbs.

Malaysia counts tourism as its second-largest foreign exchange earner and is hoping for a record 20 million tourist arrivals next year, up from 15.7 million in 2004.

Among the new projects competing for that business will be the Traders Hotel, near the new Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, which Nekvapil said will have 571 rooms and is slated for completion by July 2006.

The 286-room Novotel Hydro Majestic, located halfway between the twin towers and the popular Bukit Bintang shopping district, will be opened in October 2006.

A 265-million-dollar, six-star Four Seasons hotel and apartment complex is being planned by Singapore hotelier Ong Beng Seng, in a joint venture with Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of central Selangor state.

A Grand Hyatt, located in the city's "Golden Triangle" business and hotel district, has been mothballed for some time and is likely be ready only in 2009.

Besides the new hotels, existing properties in the capital have also been rebranded. Just a stone's throw away from the towers, the Hotel Maya has undergone a glitzy revamp to become a boutique resort.

"There will be more hotels to come within 2007 and 2010," Nekvapil predicted.

[nazrey]

Incorporating the old into the new
BY BAVANI M
Tuesday February 28, 2006


AS PART of its long-term plans to preserve Kuala Lumpur's heritage buildings, City Hall is planning to incorporate old style designs and characteristics in the architecture of modern buildings.

“Safeguarding Kuala Lumpur's old buildings is outlined in the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan and is one of the 23 strategic growth plans for the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur,” said City Hall director-general Salleh Yusop.

Salleh was speaking at the launch of the 'Narration of Kuala Lumpur History' event on Saturday. He added that areas targeted for this project are ones that already have several old buildings within the vicinity.

“We set up a department last year to specifically study the designs and characteristics of heritage buildings as well as the cultural aspects of the structure and these key elements will be incorporated into the modern buildings,'' he said.

Salleh cited the Sultan Abdul Samad building as an example.

“Its Moorish architecture is unique and attractive and should be preserved for future generations,'' he said.

He added that modern buildings could incorporate some aspects of the Moorish designs into their architecture such as in their lobby area.

“We have identified a list of heritage buildings registered in the National Archive Act and we will use key features of these buildings and incorporate it into the architecture of new buildings,'' Salleh said.

Salleh said for buildings already in existence, nothing much could be done but he encouraged owners to incorporate the designs when refurbishing.

Salleh had earlier launched the 'Narration of Kuala Lumpur History' talk at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall library in Jalan Raja.

Guest speakers Tan Sri Dr Abdul Majid Ismail, James Edward Bush and Tan Sri Dr Saleha Mohd Ali spoke about old Kuala Lumpur.

The event was held in conjunction with FT Day celebrations.

[nazrey]

Walkabout reveals the mess in Brickfields
Thursday March 2, 2006


Brickfields is in a mess. The drains are clogged and broken, rubbish is strewn everywhere and the back alleys stink of rotten food.

A team of 10 City Hall officers, Alam Flora personnel and members of the Brickfields RT sectors A, B and C made these discoveries during a recent walkabout session. DBKL manager in charge of Bukit Bintang Shaari Ahmad Junid led the team.

The three-hour walkabout included Jalan Scott, Jalan Padang Belia, Jalan Tun Sambanthan 3, Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Jalan Berhala, Lorong Chan Ah Tong and Jalan Tun Sambanthan.

Shaari spoke to several hawkers, restaurateurs, flat dwellers, motorists and residents to get feedback on problems in the neighbourhood.

Brickfields sector B RT chairman S.K.K Naidu said he had written to DBKL highlighting them.

“Some of the problems we want resolved are the traffic congestion at Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad and Jalan Berhala, especially on Thursdays due to the night market,'' he said.

“We hope that DBKL can move those trading at Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad to Jalan Berhala instead to avoid congestion in front of the Palm Court Condominium,'' he said.

The RT also requested that DBKL installed streetlights at Jalan Berhala near the Tong Ah apartments and a tody shop.

A request was also made for street humps in front of an 80-year-old Hindu temple and Palm Court condominium.

During the walkabout Shaari ticked off some shop owners for not having rubbish bins.

“We will do what we can to resolve some of the problems, but it will take time,'' he said. “But, residents and shop owners have to do their part too.

“The community must do their share too.''

[nazrey]

Cyber centres to close at 1am
By DHARMENDER SINGH
Thursday March 2, 2006

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WITHIN weeks of implementing its new guidelines on cyber cafés and cyber centres that favoured the outlets, the Subang Jaya Municipal Council has been forced to re-look at the new regulations. MPSJ has come up with a stern decision. Opening hours are until 1am.

MPSJ president Datuk Mohd Arif Abdul Rahman said the council had met residents and the cyber café and cyber centre operators when it came up with the recent guidelines. They were implemented last month.

”However, we have found that all the excuses that the operators came up with to maintain their late operating hours were unfounded,” he said. “Hence, we have decided to ask them to close at 1am.”

Mohd Arif said many of the operators had asked for a later closing hour to allow college students to work on their course projects using Internet facilities.

He said, though some residents had disagreed with the council when it allowed the centres to operate until 2am on normal days and 4am on weekends, the council reasoned that it was because operators claimed that there was a large college student population in and around SS15 and Bandar Sunway.

Mohd Arif said when complaints from the public continued to pour in after the guidelines were implemented the council decided to conduct its own check of the centres, especially those in SS15.

“During my rounds of the cyber cafés and centres until 3am last week, I found that almost all the patrons were either playing games or listening to music.

“There were only one or two odd ones who were actually browsing the Internet for information,” he said. “I am shocked with how far from reality the operators’ claims were.”

Mohd Arif was commenting on the feedback from the guidelines that were approved during an MPSJ board meeting in January. The rules were approved so that the council could resume issuing licences for cyber cafés and centres that have been frozen in Selangor following a directive by the state government to have better control of the centres’ operations.

The guidelines made MPSJ the first council to come up with regulations that outlet operators have to follow. They may set a precedent for other councils in the Klang Valley.

The measures were taken in response to complaints from residents over teenagers spening long hours at such centres. Some even spent days at the centres that operated round-the-clock.

For better control and supervision over the duration that youngsters spend at the centres, the guidelines required all outlets to provide logbooks that recorded details of users, such as their names, identity card numbers, ages and the times of entry and exit.

Under the new guidelines, operators still have to keep an eye on their patrons and ensure that those in school uniforms are not allowed into the premises. Those under the age of 18 have to leave the premises by 6pm.

Operators are also to share the responsibility of ensuring that patrons did not visit unhealthy sites that offered gambling or access to pornographic materials. They are to ensure their premises are well lit, have no closed sections and have no heavily tinted glasses.

Mohd Arif said an increasing number of parents were concerned over the existence of snooker centres, especially in Bandar Puchong Jaya.

He said the council's regulations allowed the centres to operate until 1am and only for patrons above 18 years of age. But the operators have been flouting this regulation, too.

“We have started to raid snooker centres since last week and we will not hesitate to shut down outlets that have stubborn operators,” he said.

The council president warned that teenagers who were caught at snooker centres during the raids would be handed over to the police and their parents would have to “bail” them out.

Mohd Arif said to get more ideas on ways to tackle the problems, the council planned to hold meetings with Parents Teachers Associations (PTA) and school heads this week.

“We will hold the meetings in batches and divide the areas where they are located in the hope of getting better input,” he said.

Mohd Arif said the council was also identifying NGOs that are into issues concerning teenagers to get more data on how rampant the problems were and how best to keep them in check.

[nazrey]

Reopened park has more to offer
Saturday March 4, 2006

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THE Kepong Metropolitan Park is now open again and city folk who are already familiar with the place or have heard of the beauty it offers can visit the park anytime.

The first phase of the park was completed in 2001 and, within a year or so, the park turned into a popular destination for kite-flying and other recreational activities.

The park was then closed from the middle of 2003 until now for the second phase of development. But after the long wait, KLites will find it is worth it as the park has become even bigger and better.

Located in Jinjang Utara off Sungai Buloh-bound Middle Ring Road 2, the 95ha park has a 57ha lake, car park, children’s playground, reflexology facilities, toilets, a fountain, a boat house, a pavilion, an observation tower, jogging and cycling tracks, shelters and plenty of space for kite-flying activities.

The lake, which has been a favourite fishing spot for the past decade, is also open to anglers, who can now fish at a newly-built platform or “angler’s corner” every day.

Kepong Metropolitan Park is one of the 11 major parks in Kuala Lumpur serving residents living in the north of the city.

If everything goes according to plan, more facilities will be added to the park. Mayor Datuk Ruslin Hasan announced that City Hall would build a community centre comprising a hall, futsal courts, a car park and a food court on a 8ha site adjacent to the park.

He said the local authority had secured the ownership of the land last year, adding that the project was now on the drawing board and would probably begin within a year.




http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/3/4/central/m_p3ruslin.jpg

Ruslin trying his hand at kite-flying during the launch of a kite-flying
demonstration at the Kepong Metropolitan Park in Jinjang Utara last Saturday




“We will also be building a remote control car racing track in the park. (The track in) Taman Tasik Titiwangsa is too small and not of international standard. We are working with this company which needs a place that is a few acres in size.

“We want to organise an international remote control car racing competition which will bring tourists to the country,” he said after launching a kite-flying demonstration at the park last Saturday in conjunction with the 32nd Federal Territory Day.

The event was organised by City Hall in collaboration with Majlis Pelayang Malaysia, whose members shared with the public their hobby of flying kites at the open field in the park.

The Datuk Bandar said City Hall had also identified a 0.4ha site at a corner of the park to be turned into a place where dog lovers could bring their pets to while they exercised in the area.

“They can exercise with their dog. We will have to fence up the place in case the dogs are unleashed. We will contract out the place, so users will pay for the services rendered by the provider,” he said.

On kite-flying facilities, Ruslin said Kepong Metropolitan Park with its maritime-concept was suitable for kite-flying activities because of its large body of water and the strong winds there.

He said City Hall would work with Majlis Pelayang Malaysia and allow the council to use the park as its base and office where it could promote the healthy hobby.

“This park will be turned into a kite-flying centre. We will discuss with the council to set up a KL branch soon and see what they need. I was told that we need an area free of any barriers within 100m because we need such space to run while setting off the kite,” he said.

“I have told my officers to get information from the council and we will remove any barrier, be it a tree or lamp post, to make the area a better place to fly kites.”

Earlier, in his speech, Ruslin said he and a delegation including former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad visited China where they attended an international kite-flying competition about two years ago.

He said Dr Mahathir asked him (he was then director-general of City Hall) to look into the possibility of finding a site in Kuala Lumpur where a similar competition could be held to further promote the hobby.





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Some of the kite-flyers about to set their kite airborne.





“We hope to one day hold an international championship like the world meet in Weifang, China, last year,” he said.

[nazrey]

MPAJ sets up panel to take care of cleanliness
Saturday March 4, 2006


THE Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) recently set up a committee to scrutinise and survey all matters pertaining to cleanliness in the municipality.

The committee called Cleanliness Review Committee, which was launched on Feb 13, is targeted at identifying problem areas in the municipality and resolving the problems phase by phase.

Council president Datuk Ahmad Shafii Saidin said in line with this project he had instructed his officers in charge of Ampang, Lembah Jaya, Cempaka and Teratai to investigate and find out the problems in their respective areas.

“I myself took charge of Bukit Antarabangsa and from the results of our survey we have discovered that the main problems in the area include potholes, garbage, clogged drains, illegal extensions and dirty toilets.''

“We are currently studying the problems and will find ways to resolve them,'' he said, adding that the matter will be solved in phases.

Ahmad Shafii said minor issues like garbage and potholes would probably take three days to solve, while others may take a little longer.

“Major problems that require funding may also take a month while issues that require help from government agencies may take a longer period,'' he said.

[nazrey]

Bond still strong in new era
Saturday March 4, 2006


THE Emergency was a dark spot in our history but the friendship forged between residents of two new villages in Cheras during the era epitomised courage and hope.

Separated by the main road leading into the heart of Hulu Langat, the 9th Mile Cheras Malay New Village (Kampung Sungai Raya) and 9th Mile Cheras Chinese New Village were established in 1950, two years after Emergency was declared.

Over teh tarik at a mamak stall overlooking the road, 9th Mile Cheras Chinese New Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) chairman Ho Ah Seng shared fond memories of a time when both villages celebrated festivals and held kenduris.

“The Emergency was a test of our strength as citizens and we passed that test. I have had my share of helping out with gotong-royong activities and can converse in the Minangkabau dialect widely spoken in the Malay village,” added Ho, who like many others in the area was born in the village and still lives there.

Both villages are located near Pekan Batu 9 and the road running through the small town with pre-war shop houses also passes through other picturesque villages. There is also a well-utilised link that leads into Ampang.

Though the area is extremely busy, Ho and former classmate Pang Tiam recalled a carefree time when they cycled to the Gabai and Sungai Tekali waterfalls, stopping enroute to savour durians grown in the orchards.

Pang Tiam said he loved living in Cheras because it was close to the city and still retained its idyllic charm with the chirping of birds waking him up in the morning and chickens running across the busy road.

Pekan Batu 9 and Pekan Batu 11 are referred to as the old Cheras while the townships of Bandar Sg Long and Bandar Tun Hussein Onn and the emerging township of Bandar Mahkota Cheras define the new Cheras.





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The Bandar Sungai Long township epitomises the modern Cheras.





These areas come under the jurisdiction of the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj). Certain parts of Cheras also come under the responsibility of City Hall and the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council.

MPKj planning department director Nizam Sahari said Plaza Phoenix marked the Cheras-Kuala Lumpur boundary while the lookout point on the Hulu Langat hill defined the Cheras-Ampang boundary.

Cheras-Kajang ends at Sungai Sekamat, covering a 5,931ha area.

According to pensioner Majid Ali, the early residents of Cheras tapped rubber, planted vegetables and tended to orchards for a living. Life was hard for them, he added, because most had large families and income was scarce.

“Some of the rubber smallholders turned rich overnight when their lands were bought by property developers to establish new townships like Bandar Sungai Long and Bandar Mahkota Cheras,” he said.

The rapidly developing Bandar Sungai Long epitomises the modern Cheras with a self-sufficient township established more than a decade ago.

The Grand Saga Highway and SILK Highway lead into the bustling township equipped with a clubhouse, golf course, schools and the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) campus. Two hypermarkets are located a short drive away.

The unique charm of Cheras on the Kajang side lies in a blend of old and new where modern townships co-exist with quaint villages that have weathered the test of time and are bent on forging on.

[nazrey]

Electrical items for charity homes
Saturday March 4, 2006


CHARITY homes in the Klang Valley will get much-needed electrical appliances such as refrigerators, air-conditioners and washing machines thanks to the Gift Of Hope project initiated by LG Electronics (M) Sdn Bhd.

The House of Joy in Taman Kinrara, Puchong and Pertubuhan Rumah Amal Cahaya Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (RACTAR) in Subang Jaya each received a refrigerator and washing machine recently.

Another three homes, Rumah Charis, Rumah Grace and Good Samaritan Home will receive home appliances in March.

LG Electronics (M) Sdn Bhd managing director I. G. Kim said the donations were the company's way of helping the society.

“Many charity organisations do not have the resources to appeal for much-needed funds or goods. We decided to donate electrical appliances as they are essential items that are used over a long period of time,” said Kim during the handing over of the items at RACTAR on Feb 25.

“This is only the beginning. The Gift Of Hope project will be expanded to cover more charity functions later this year,” said Kim.





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Kim … ‘donations company's way of helping the society'





“Many charity organisations do not have the resources to appeal for much-needed funds or goods. We decided to donate electrical appliances as they are essential items that are used over a long period of time,” said Kim during the handing over of the items at RACTAR on Feb 25.

“This is only the beginning. The Gift Of Hope project will be expanded to cover more charity functions later this year,” said Kim.






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Kim (second from right) with Dzulkarnain (right) and children from Ractar
holding on to their gift of schoolbags





During the event, RACTAR residents also received 80 schoolbags containing items such as mouse pads, tumblers and towels.

RACTAR, an all-girls home, has 63 orphans and abandoned children aged between five and 20 years old.

RACTAR administrator Dzulkarnain Mansor said he appreciated the donations.

“The refrigerator and washing machine will be useful to the home,” he said.

[nazrey]

A new image blooms for historical bridge
Monday March 6, 2006


AFTER failing in several of its earlier attempts to make the country’s only double decker bridge as part of the royal town’s major attraction, the Klang Municipal Council has decided to try its luck again. This time, MPK has gone in for the hibiscus, Malaysia’s national flower.

The over 50-year-old historical Jambatan Kota now sports potted hibiscus flowers on its top deck, the site were the council demolished handicraft stalls several years ago.





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From the bridge, visitors can go on to Kota Raja Mahadi
that is located in front of the council building.





By sprucing up the bridge, MPK hopes that the bridge will become an attraction, not just among the locals, but foreign tourists, too.

More than 300 pots of hibiscus plants have been placed on the bridge.

“We want the local people to appreciate Jambatan Kota which is the first bridge that was built across the Klang River,” said MPK president Abdul Bakir Zin. “Initially, it was a pontoon bridge before the double storey structure was put up to facilitate pedestrians and non-motorised vehicles on the lower deck and motorists on the top deck,” he said.

Abdul Bakir said the upper deck was closed to the public for more than 10 years after the new Jambatan Kota was opened to motorists.

The council had spent over RM2mil in restoration works on the bridge and to build 58 trading lots on the upper deck in efforts to turn it into a handicraft centre, but failed miserably in attracting customers.

Abdul Bakir, who was appointed the council president last year, said this time around MPK had spent a minimal amount of money to beautify the bridge with the hibiscus plants and he was sure that the public would be happy with the new image.

He said the presence of flowers on both sides of the bridge and in the middle would provide pedestrians with a better feeling when walking along the bridge.





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The lower deck of the bridge is dedicated to pedestrians, not vehicles.





“We have planted various species of hibiscus and these will offer a colourful view and make people feel nice,” he said

Abdul Bakir said visitors were encouraged to take a walk on the bridge from Emporium Makan in Klang North to the council office where several historical sites, including the Kota Raja Mahadi, were located.

On their way back, he said, a walk on the lower deck of the bridge would provide them with a different, but thrilling experience.

“It will give a picture of the olden day lifestyle and at the same time they can appreciate the unique architectural features of the bridge.”

[nazrey]

KL to host WSBI World Congress 2006
By Loo Pik Wan, 07 Mar 2006 1:38 PM


Kuala Lumpur will host the 21st World Savings Banks Institute (WSBI (http://www.savings-banks.com/content/default.asp?PageID=188)) World Congress on Sept 20, 2006, with the theme "Savings Banks: the Retail Gateway to a Global Market - Driving Sustainable Development.

In a statement, WSBI said the theme reflected the challenges that are faced increasingly by retail and savings banks all over the world.

It said the congress served as a platform for exchanging views, opinions and experiences and provides opportunities to develop business, and to further savings banks role and contribution to the economy and society.

Among the issues that will be addressed include the role of the savings and retail banks as gate-openers in a globalising market and enhancing the role as socially committed drivers of sustainable development while at the same time pursuing profits.

Speakers planned for the congress include high-level members of the WSBI and key figures from the financial sector, members of civil society, industry observers and the academia.

There will also be representatives of development and central banks and key players in the Asian market.

A review of global trends and the state of play of global banking as well as workshop sessions are scheduled on the first day. The next day will be a more in-depth study on the Asian banking industry.

The event last took place in Asia in 1996 in Tokyo. WSBI said the one-and-a-half day event in Kuala Lumpur will begin with a welcome dinner on the eve of the first day.

[nazrey]

Young expats set up home in Malaysia
Business Alert, 7 March 2006
Source: Carolyn Hong, Singapore Straits Times, 7 Mar 2006


http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=52005

HAPPY FAMILIES: Peter Butler and his family outside their KL home. Younger
expats such as the Butlers are providing a new face for the Malaysia My
Second Home scheme. Some 7,000 foreigners live in Malaysia under the
scheme. - CAROLYN HONG



Former English professional footballer Peter Butler works in Singapore and runs a business in Bali. But his home is in Malaysia. He and his family relocated to Kuala Lumpur in November under the Malaysia My Second Home (MMSH (http://www.ckten.com.my/)) scheme which offers long-term visas to foreigners who meet the financial criteria.

The Butlers are a new face of a programme which was originally aimed at getting wealthy elderly foreigners to retire in Malaysia. But today, it is also targeting young expatriates who work in the region.

Tourism is Malaysia’s second-largest foreign exchange earner, bringing in some RM30 billion a year. In its first seven years, only 800 people took up the scheme. After a relaunch in 2002 with better incentives, the numbers leaped to 2,000 a year from 2004. There are now about 7,000 foreigners who have received these long-term visas.

Over 1,000 are from China, thanks to the efforts of property companies which promoted the scheme along with their housing projects to the Chinese. Others include about 700 Britons, 500 Singaporeans and 300 Indonesians as well as Indians and Japanese.

Following the scheme’s increasing success, Malaysia’s Tourism Ministry is looking at making the conditions even more attractive. Successful applicants will soon get 10-year visas instead of one for five years. They will also be allowed to withdraw their fixed deposit of US$75,000 after a year instead of keeping it in the bank for the duration of their stay.

Andrew Davison, a long-time Malaysia expat and former American Express employee, who now runs a service helping foreigners to apply for the MMSH scheme, believes it has good potential. His company now gets about 10 inquiries a day and handles four to five applications a month.

This form of tourism is far more stable as longterm residents are not as easily frightened off as holidaymakers by scares such as bird flu, he says.

[nazrey]

Patience pays off for lensmen at Bird Park
By CHIN MUI YOON
Friday August 12, 2005


A trio of graceful pink Flamingoes was the winning image for the professional category of the KL Bird Park Bird Photography Competition 2005.

Omar Ariff Kamarul Ariffin’s lovely picture won him RM2,000.

“I had spent many hours capturing the beautiful birds and suddenly I saw the perfect picture of these three flamingoes poised as if for my camera, so I clicked it!” said Omar Ariff.






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Omar Ariff’s image of pink flamingoes which
won him the first prize in the professional category.







The Bird Photography Competition was held in July. Participants were required to photograph any bird found in the park.

The competition’s objectives were to promote the park and create public awareness towards the wonders and beauty of nature and wildlife besides offering an opportunity to photographers to showcase their skills.

In second place was Choong Yoon Choy who won RM1,000 while third place winner Alex Liew Yeng Seong took home RM750.

The amateur category was won by Sum Sai Fook who received RM1,000. Second and third prize winners were Ong Boon Tat who got RM750 and Azizul Halmi (RM500) respectively.

Tourism Ministry deputy secretary-general Patimah Zohro Hasan presented the prizes at the KL Bird Park’s Hornbill Restaurant and Café on Saturday.

The judges for the competition were Penang painter and photographer Choo Beng Keong and Click magazine publications director Ho Teon Han.

The competition was sponsored by Click magazine, Hewlett-Packard (M) Sdn Bhd and Creative Enterprise Sdn Bhd.

The winning entries will be exhibited at the park till Sept 18.

KL Bird Park is open daily including weekends and public holidays from 9am to 7pm.

For more information call 03-2272 1010 or visit www.birdpark.com.my

by Harun
Wetland Paradise

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Colours of Lalang

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Marsh Leaves

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Flamingo Preening

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[nazrey]

Late night sporting activities in KL
By CHOW HOW BAN
Wednesday March 8, 2006


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The Gombak Community Centre in Taman Melati is one of
the complexes where hours have been extended past midnight.



EVER since Kuala Lumpur City Hall extended the opening hours of its sports complexes to 2am last year, the response from city folk has been improving.

More sports enthusiasts now know of more avenues for them to be involved in sports they like and work out even in the wee hours.

Mayor Datuk Ruslin Hasan told City Hall's official newsletter City News that youths could use the facilities to carry out fruitful and healthy activities in an affordable manner instead of loitering and becoming involved in undesirable activities.

“Should they need any other supporting facilities, City Hall will look into it to accommodate their wishes if found to be reasonable,” he said.

This year, four of the 45 sports facilities in the city – Bangsar Sports Complex, Desa Tasik Sports Complex, Wangsa Maju Sports Complex and Bandar Tun Razak Sports Complex – recorded the highest booking rates after midnight with 31, 25, 35 and 25 reservations, respectively.

Currently, only badminton court facilities are open until 2am while the facilities for other sports such as squash, tennis and table tennis remain open until midnight.

With the new opening hours, people like S. Saravannan and his friends have more time to play badminton at the Gombak Community Centre in Taman Melati.

“It is very good because most of us work until as late as 10.30pm,” said the 26-year-old SM Seri Intan Jalan Ipoh maths teacher.

“I have to suit to my friends' schedule and prefer to play at this time. While my fellow colleagues are sleeping, I am playing badminton,” he added.

He said it would be better if City Hall could open up other facilities like gyms so that those who played badminton could work out at the gym as well.

He believed that loitering among the youth would reduce if they channelled their energy towards healthy activities while getting together with their friends.

As for Zainab Ismail, 48, it is a good opportunity to bring her children to the Bangsar Sports Complex to spend quality time together.

“We come here once a month to play some sports. My parents are busy with their catering business but they still find time for such an outing.

“We have been playing badminton here for about two years now,” said son Abu Dzar Md Yusof, 19.

He said the extension of hours for sports facilities had given city folk who work until late night a chance to do some exercise.

“My husband and I usually bring them here but tonight he could not come because of work.

“Once in a while, we give them a chance to do exercise and sweat it out, as they cannot be studying all the time,” said Zainab.

“People like to lepak after midnight. It is better to do some exercise. After that, go home, take a bath and wake up in the morning fresh,” she said.

Bernard Tan, who plays squash with his friends twice a week at the complex, hoped that City Hall would extend the operation hours for the squash facilities as well.

“They should do that especially on Friday and Saturday nights when there are more people.

“They should open up until 2am as that will encourage people to play some sports rather than go clubbing,” he said.

“They should also upgrade the squash courts. This is a centralised complex and if it is upgraded, more people will come,” he said.

It is the hope of City Hall that more people will take advantage of the extension of hours and utilise the sports facilities and the local authority is likely to open up ore of its facilities until 2am if there is a demand.

[nazrey]

Giving them more than just houses

CITY Hall imposes guidelines on developers to ensure recreational space is set aside for residents. For projects involving landed property, developers usually allocate a 10% green space from the total area. Most would strictly adhere to the rule while others are more generous. This is the first of a two-part feature on green space in neighbourhoods.

By BAVANI M
Photos by LOW LAY PHON
Wednesday March 8, 2006

A picture paints a thousand words, they say. A picture of a lovely up-coming housing estate in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur depicting a charming neighbourhood with a grove of trees and a park with flowers attracted Tracy Tan to buy a property there.

But, when the property was completed, Tan and other buyers were disappointed – there were no trees.






http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/3/8/central/03reflexology.jpg

Some developers provide more than just the bare minimum required
by local authorities, like this reflexology path in Alam Setia Park.






“There was one or two re-planted palms and that was about it,” said a disappointed Tan.

Resident Zulkifli Ismail, who enjoys walking in parks with his family, is lucky.

Since he lives in Jalan Meru Klang, he visits Alam Setia Park as it is the nearest to his neighbourhood.

“To have a park close to one’s home is a blessing,” he said.

A spokesman from the National House Buyers Association said Malaysia’s planning laws govern the allocation for green space.

“If a developer plans a housing estate on a 2ha land, the general requirement is that 10% of the total area is put aside as green area,” he said.

“This includes commercial areas and even low-cost housing,” he said, adding that the rules differed with each local authority.

“The Shah Alam Municipal Council (MBSA) has always been a little more generous with their allocation and some socially conscious developers also tend to allocate more land for green areas,” he said.

City Hall too imposes guidelines on developers to ensure recreational space is set aside for residents.

A senior City Hall officer said even if a developer was unable to provide an open space in the neighbourhood, they had to provide sporting and recreational facilities, like swimming pool within a condo.

He said generally 40% was reserved for amenities like playground, swimming pool and car park areas.

SP Setia Berhad general manager for landscape unit William Rachaganathan said, even though the general requirement for green space was 10% for landed development, there were developers who provided more.

“Most developers comply with the minimum requirement simply because it is a commercial decision.

“More green areas mean less space for development, thus affecting their profit margins. But there are a few who are more reputable and established with strong financials.

“To them, providing extensive green space is a long-term investment and would enhance the appeal as well as value of their developments,” said Rachaganathan, adding that SP Setia was one such developer.





http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/3/8/central/03park.jpg

Residents do not mind paying more for their homes when they
have a scenic view, like the Sentul Park, within walking distance.





SP Setia’s development projects in Pusat Bandar Puchong and Setia Alam Shah Alam have been described as “Paradises on Earth.”

Setia Alam’s central park, for instance, is spread over 1,600ha, which includes a football field, two basketball courts, reflexology path, playground and an observation tower.

Plans are in the pipeline to spend another RM90mil for landscaping and to build a forest park.

“The lands allocated in our central parks are prime locations with friendly terrain, not odd pieces of steep slopes in isolated corners,” said Rachaganathan.

He said smaller green space or parks are usually provided, linked to homes via green linkages or strips.

“This is to ensure that residents are no more than a few steps away from the green pockets,” he said, adding that the company built its central parks well before residents moved in so that the plants mature in time.

Landscaped greenery is a signature feature of all S. P. Setia developments, and the company has won several national level landscape awards for its parks.

For YTL Land and Development Sdn Bhd, emphasis for landscaping is part of a belief that development should exist in harmony with nature.

YTL’s assistant general manager Edward Lee said Sentul Park, for instance, was inspired by this belief.

“Sentul Park, which spans over 14ha, forms an integral part of the urban renewal exercise for Sentul West and Sentul East, creating a major green lung filled with indigenous forest species in the heart of Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

“The green lung, which was inspired by New York’s Central Park and Hyde Park in London, is meant to introduce the concept of community style living,” said Lee, adding that it translated into a safe, secure and conducive for people to live, learn and play.

Residents like Tan, Zulkifli and others see parks and green lungs as a bonus to any neighbourhood.

Apart from aesthetic value, parks and green areas promote healthy lifestyle, foster community spirit and enhance the property value in a neighbourhood.

But there are still many developers who sell the typical “roof over their heads” property.

“Discerning buyers today, besides focussing on price and location alone, prefer townships that are well planned and provides a holistic lifestyle experience, complete with conducive ambiance, extensive greenery, security features and close to modern day conveniences,” said Rachaganathan.

Lee agrees.

“The idea is to create a whole new way of living and interacting with the outdoors that is unique and unprecedented for city living,” he said.

He added that it was not about selling beautiful homes, but about building new communities.

[nazrey]

TTDI Bungalows and Semi-detached houses


The project involves construction and completion of 34 units 2-storey & 2-storey split level Bungalows and 22 units 2-storey semi detached located in Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (TTDI), Kuala Lumpur (http://www.wcte.com.my/WCTE/page.asp?catId=214).

The scope of works shall includes but not limited to:
- Piling
- Reinforced Concrete Structure works
- Architectural works
- Infrastructure works
- Hard & Soft Landscape
- Hot and cold water and plumbing services
- Air-conditioning services and electrical services (telephone, security alarm, smart homes, CCTV)

Project Sum : RM 45.6 M

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[pedang]

Khazanah mampu tandingi Temasek

Oleh Nur Lina Rasol


KHAZANAH Nasional Bhd, sudah melaksanakan langkah hebat ke arah menjadikannya sebuah entiti komersial yang setanding dengan agensi pelaburan kerajaan Singapura, Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd, kata Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Ratings Services.



Penganalisis Kreditnya, Greg Pau, berkata tumpuan Khazanah dalam memberi nilai kepada pemegang saham, pembelian aset utama daripada kerajaan dan pelaburan dalam syarikat luar negara menyamai langkah yang diambil oleh Temasek pada 2002.

“Kami percaya Khazanah bergerak dalam arah yang betul dengan memberi penekanan terhadap budaya prestasi, amalan tadbir urus korporat dan kawalan dalaman yang berkesan dan dalam menyalurkan kuasa kepada pengurusan syarikat pelaburannya.

“Bagaimanapun untuk meraih kejayaan, Khazanah dan syarikat berkaitan dengannya perlu menyeimbangkan kepentingan komersial dan peranannya sebagai pembuat dasar serta mengekalkan disiplin untuk tidak melakukan pengembangan dan gearan yang berlebihan,” katanya dalam laporan S&P Rating Services bertajuk ‘Khazanah Nasional Bhd - Temasek dalam Pembikinan?’.

Dalam laporan berkenaan, firma penarafan itu mengkaji persamaan dan perbezaan antara Khazanah dan Temasek dari segi mandat dan strategi perniagaan dan menilai profil perniagaan Khazanah berdasarkan kepada maklumat umum.

Selain itu, ia turut membuat perbandingan mengenai profil risiko kewangan Khazanah dengan Temasek dan menilai sokongan kewangan yang boleh dijangkakan daripada Kerajaan Malaysia.

Antara lain, Pau dalam laporan itu berkata, nilai pelaburan Khazanah hanyalah 20 peratus daripada jumlah pelaburan Temasek.

Kedua-duanya mempunyai portfolio yang meluas dengan pegangan dalam lebih daripada 20 syarikat utama dan memberi fokus kepada sektor yang sama, terutamanya prasarana dan industri yang penting kepada kelancaran operasi dan peningkatan daya saing ekonomi masing-masing.

Katanya, portfolio Khazanah dari segi geografi adalah kurang meluas dengan sebahagian besar adalah di Malaysia.

“Khazanah hanya mula melabur di luar negara baru-baru ini dan permulaan yang lambat itu meletakkannya pada kedudukan yang tidak begitu baik kerana banyak syarikat utama di rantau Asia Pasifik, terutama dalam telekomunikasi, perbankan dan tenaga sudah menjual sebahagian ekuiti mereka kepada pelabur asing yang strategik,” katanya.

[pedang]

Petronas rancang miliki 200 stesen minyak di Indonesia


PETRONAS meluaskan lagi penerokaannya dalam perniagaan peruncitan minyak di luar negara dengan pembukaan stesen minyak pertamanya di Indonesia, semalam.



USAHA PENTING: Pembukaan
stesen minyak pertamanya
di Cibubur, Jakarta Timur
adalah langkah penting
bagi pembabitannya dalam
perniagaan di Indonesia.

Dalam tempoh empat tahun ini, perbadanan minyak kebangsaan itu merancang memiliki 200 stesen minyak di republik itu.

Petronas dalam satu kenyataannya, di Kuala Lumpur, semalam berkata pembukaan stesen minyak pertamanya di Cibubur, Jakarta Timur itu adalah langkah penting bagi pembabitannya dalam perniagaan di Indonesia dan membuktikan komitmennya dalam pembangunan sektor minyak dan gas di republik itu.

“Buat permulaan, Petronas akan memberikan tumpuan terhadap perniagaan runcitnya di daerah Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang dan Bekasi (Jabodetabek) sebelum meluaskannya ke Jawa, Sumatera, Kalimantan dan di timur Indonesia dengan rancangan membuka kira-kira 200 stesen minyak menjelang 2010,” katanya.

Petronas ketika ini adalah antara syarikat minyak dan gas antarabangsa paling aktif di Indonesia, dalam sektor huluan dan hiliran.

Perniagaannya di republik itu, termasuk kepentingan dalam aset huluan di Karapan, Ketapang, Tanjung Jabung, Jabung, Blok A Laut Natuna dan Timur Laut Madura IV.

Dalam sektor hiliran pula, ia mempunyai kepentingan dalam konsortium yang memiliki dan mengendalikan saluran gas asli di Sumatera serta perniagaan minyak pelincir.

Dalam perniagaan peruncitan minyak pula, Petronas kini sudah mempunyai stesen minyak di Kemboja, Sudan, Switzerland dan Thailand.

Sementara itu, majlis pembukaan stesen minyak pertama Petronas di Indonesia itu semalam disempurnakan Pengarah Pemprosesan dan Pemasaran Minyak dan Gas Indonesia, Erie Soedarmo.

Hadir sama Naib Presiden Perniagaan Minyak Petronas, Datuk Anuar Ahmad.

Petronas berkata, stesen minyak itu akan menjual produk minyak oktana tinggi yang menggunakan jenama Primax 92 (92 Octane) dan Primax 95 (95 Octane) selain pelincir Petronas seperti Syntium dan Sprinta.

Ia juga sedang menunggu kelulusan bagi membekal dan mengedarkan produk lain seperti Gasoline 88 (Premium) dan Diesel (Solar) apabila mendapat kelulusan daripada Kerajaan Indonesia.

[nazrey]

Shopping made easy for urban folks
Saturday March 11, 2006
By CHARLES FERNANDEZ


http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/3/11/central/20eng.jpg

Eng (left) and Choy launching the eGroceries online shopping
website at Souled Out Cafe in Sri Hartamas.



A NEW online shopping portal has been launched which will respond to the needs of urban folks who are looking for speed, quality, reliable services and convenience in this digital age.

The eGroceries online shopping, the brainchild of MnEBay Technologies Sdn Bhd CEO Eng Ging Kiat and Wah Kong group managing director P.Y.Choy, is all about getting much more out of our daily routine.

“For busy consumers, this online shopping will allow them to spend quality time on other activities that truly matter,'' said Choy.

The new portal offers shopping service of frequently purchased household goods at competitive prices with free door-to-door delivery within specific areas in the Klang Valley.

For a start, residents in Bandar Utama, Bangsar, Mont Kiara, Sri Hartamas and Petaling Jaya will enjoy the services.

“The free door-to-door delivery comes only with purchases of more than RM100,'' said Choy.

He said the idea for this new portal is to create a new market place for the future of grocery shopping and that they are expecting to generate a turnover of RM6mil in the first year of operation

Eng said online shopping was a hit in America and Europe and he was confident that it would be a trend here as well.

He said eGroceries.com.my materialised based on one simple objective and that is to create convenience when shopping for groceries.

On top of competitive pricing and free door-to-door delivery, eGroceries also offers a variety of special deals, flexible payment options which include credit card payment at one's door step, “Tel-A-Friend” programme and Loyalty Programme.

For details on the online shopping, go to www.egroceries.com.my

[nazrey]

Oscar Fashion at home
The Malay Mail, March 8, 2006
By Amir Hafizi & Adly Syairi Ramly


http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=52183

(From left to right) DELICIOUS: Siti Nurhaliza; GEEK-POP: TV Host Ashraf
Sinclair; SUPPLE: Singer Syafinaz; AWAL: Slick outfit but wrong person;
DARTH: WHERE'S MY HELMET? Singer Misha Omar.


Local stars savour own red-carpet moments

As the Hollywood celebrities flaunted their wears at the Oscars at Kodak Theatre in Hollywood and Highland, Los Angeles, our local stars also had their red-carpet moments here at home.

Presented by Star Movies and hosted at Ritz-Carlton, Breakfast With the Stars had a slew of celebrities coming down to watch the live telecast of the 78th Academy Awards on Star Movies.

Keeping up with the glam and glitz of the Oscars, our celebrities came decked in their best – even though the event started at 7.30 in the morning, local time.

Here’s a hand for their sporting efforts. There was even a best-dressed contest, with the winner gaining the privilege of making his or her way to the Grammy Awards next year, courtesy of Star TV, amongst of her fashionable entries.


http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=52186

(From left to right) AWESOME: Radio presenter Nana's; UNDER THE SEA:
Model Carrie Lee; BABE IN BLACK: Channel [V] VJ Sarah Tan; CHEEKY:
Channel [V] VJ Paula Malai Ali and TV host Zainal Alam Kadir and FUNKY GIRL:
TV host Sazzy Falak.

[nazrey]

MTrans Bus Sdn Bhd, Malaysia
WORLD CLASS BUS TECHNOLOGY
http://www.mtransbus.com.my/
Marketing Offices & Agents: Kuala Lumpur | Manchester | Hong Kong | China | Macau

http://img344.imageshack.us/img344/2300/15fa1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


A vehicle manufacturer specialising in the design, development and construction of buses and special purpose vehicles.
A leader in the development of passenger buses for urban, inter-city and tourist passengers in Malaysia.
Exports buses to overseas including United Kingdom, China, Hong Kong, Egypt and Brunei. Located in Rawang, 30km north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Well equipped with sophisticated high precision equipment e.g. 5-face machining centre, 3-D laser cutter, 5-axis lathe and milling machines, CNC machines etc.
Uses state-of-the-art computer software tools for design and manufacturing.

[nazrey]

Sound barrier fine, but not the ‘extras’
By STUART MICHAEL
Tuesday April 4, 2006


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Sound barrier


TWO months ago, residents of Taman Permata, Hulu Kelang, were pleased when the Public Works Department (PWD) built a sound barrier at MRR2.

Today, a walk lane has been built along the barrier, much to the dismay of the residents. Worse, an opening has been cut through the sound barrier to allow people to enter and exit easily from their housing areas.

Datuk Syeed Sultan Seni Pekir, a resident in the area for more than 10 years, said the sound barrier would loose its purpose and effectiveness.

“We are also concerned that the opening and the lane will invite snatch thieves and robbers like the situation was before the sound barrier was built,'' he said.






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Residents looking at the walk lane that is being built.






“There were 34 snatch thiefts, four robberies and a murder in Taman Permata last year alone as there was only an iron railing along the MRR2 then.

“There were also irresponsible people who threw rubbish in the area and suspicious-looking youth loitered around the vicinity at unusual hours of the day.''

Syeed said he had written to PWD director Dr Safry Ahmad and Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu on the residents' concerns, but had yet to get a reply.

“I just want them to listen to our complaint and, perhaps, hold a meeting over what ought to be done about the situation,'' said Syeed, who was Malaysian ambassador to Jordan.

Rosnah Talib, 45, a resident who was robbed last year, said the walk lane in front of her house evoked bad memories.

“It will provide snatch thieves with an ideal place to wait for their victims,'' she said, adding that residents who alighted from the buses nearby could also fall prey to the criminals.

“I sincerely hope the authorities will do away with the walk lane because it puts our lives at risk.''

Another resident, Major (Rtd) Arshad Khan, 63, said the opening in the barrier was so that residents could walk to the bus stop easily.

“I suggest that the authorities relocate the bus stop to about 200m away towards Giants Taman Permata as this would solve most of the problems,'' he said, adding that he had recorded a half hour video on the traffic from MRR2.

“It even shows reckless bus drivers cutting across the lanes to pick up passengers,'' he said, adding that the bus stop was the cause of numerous accidents previously.

“Relocate it and everything will be fine.''

[nazrey]

Works on riverbank making fine progress
Monday April 17, 2006
By YIP YOKE TENG


WORKS to strengthen the banks of Sungai Kerayong in Taman Maju Jaya, Cheras, are on schedule, says Pandan MP Datuk Ong Tee Keat after a site visit on Friday.

Earlier, residents living along the river were worried about soil erosion in view of the rainy season but the check revealed that necessary safety measures have been taken and so far no untoward incidents have occurred in the area.





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Ong (fourth from left) checking on the progress of the works at Sungai
Kerayong with the others who accompanied him on his visit to Taman Maju
Jaya last week.





“It is 70% complete now,” said Ong.

The project, which began early this year, is to prevent erosion and end flood woes that have long plagued local residents.

It is learned that the Housing and Local Government Ministry had approved a RM6mil allocation for the project and the works were part of a bigger project that covered 3.9km from Jalan Loke Yew to SK Cheras Indah.

Ong said he would apply for an allocation from the Federal Government to build a recreational park in the area when the project had been completed, adding that he would also seek Ampang Municipal Council's involvement in the park.

Also present at the site visit were the contractors, consultants, residents' representatives and officers from the Drainage and Irrigation Department.

[nazrey]

Bigger, better yoga centre
Monday April 17, 2006


YOGA Zone at Plaza Damas opened in January last year and celebrated its first anniversary recently.

Yet, in the short time that it has been operating, its membership has been increasing steadily, and the outlet has recently been expanded and upgraded.

The neighbouring shop lot was acquired and extensive renovations were carried out.





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Yoga Zone has increased its floor space in its Plaza Damas studio.





With the increased floor space, an additional studio has been added to the original three, and the outlet now offers 100 classes weekly.

The teaching team has also been expanded accordingly, and the team now comprises local as well as international teachers, with different styles of teaching, offering members a more diverse range of options.

Meanwhile, the changing rooms for both male and female members have also been expanded and upgraded.

Meanwhile, the Comfort Zone, where the body therapy facilities are located, has been moved to the ground floor.

Covering a much bigger space, it now has a total of seven rooms that cater for individuals as well as couples.

A totally relaxing and therapeutic experience awaits those coming for body therapy sessions, with skilful and experienced therapists offering a blend of traditional Malaysian and Indonesian-style massage.

Members can also choose from a selection of music, massage oils and tea to add to the experience.

Yoga Zone is also expanding to other places in the Klang Valley, Malaysia and also the region. The outlet in Penang is scheduled to open in June, while outlets are also set to open in Sri Petaling, Puchong, Klang and Jakarta.

For enquiries, call 03-6203 2468 (YZ@Sri Hartamas), 03-7980 2680 (YC@Taman Desa), 03-9131 2068 (YC@Cheras) and 04-898 2680 (YC@Penang).

[nazrey]

Billboard with a birthday wish
Saturday May 13, 2006
thestar


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One of the billboards at the bus stop in Jalan Hang Tuah.



TWO unique billboards carrying a personal birthday message have been placed at a bus stop not far from the fire station in Jalan Hang Tuah, Kuala Lumpur.

The billboards, featuring a delicate blue flower, are apparently dedicated to a girl named Zoe who has just turned 21 years old.

The message reads: Happy 21st birthday Zoe. Birthday blessings today are in trend, now an adult, you’re special and dear, may dreams come true and fall upon you each day, week, month, long all the year.

The message was signed off by a Henry, who obviously bought the advertising space to give Zoe a one-of-a-kind birthday greeting for all to see.

Both billboards at the bus stop have been on display for the past three weeks.

They provide a heart-warming change from the usual corporate or product advertisements posted all over the city.

[nazrey]

KL launch for Brabus model
Saturday May 20, 2006
thestar


NAZA-BRABUS Motor Sdn Bhd (http://www.naza-brabus.com.my/), the local franchise holder of Brabus tuned-up cars in Ma- laysia and Singapore, will be bringing the Brabus showcase to the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2006 to be held from May 26 to June 4 at Putra World Trade Centre.

German-based Brabus is the largest world-renowned tuner and specialist vehicle manufacturer that produces stimu- lating and exciting ultra-performance vehicles based on Mercedes-Benz, smart and May-bach models.

Taking space in Hall 2, the Brabus booth will feature seven interesting models that are available for booking.

One of the seven models will be officially launched during the show, thereby making the motor show the first appearance of the Brabus model.





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Naza-Brabus Motor Sdn Bhd's Brabus showcase at
the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2006.





The unique design of the booth is based on Brabus international stands where a special bar counter is created to allow visitors not only to browse through the exhibit but also to sit down and have coffee.

Naza-Brabus has been actively promoting the Brabus brand with its intro-duction of the Brabus ML B7 in April and the launch of the Brabus A-Gold Edition early this month at a Brabus night of excellence at Naza’s Automall Mall in Petaling Jaya.

[SEAfan]

You're really on the ball, Nazrey! :okay:

Thank you for adding all the news here. I agree, that new birthday greeting feature is charming! :) Any idea about the cost?

[Lastresorter]

I think this is a good news. All KL drivers please take note of the changes:

PERUBAHAN ALIRAN LALULINTAS DI KAWASAN SEGI TIGA EMAS, KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh : 19 Mei 2006

Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur telah mengenalpasti kawasan sekitar Segi Tiga Emas Pusat Bandaraya sering mengalami kesesakan lalulintas samada pada waktu puncak mahupun sebaliknya. Bagi mengurangkan masalah kesesakan tersebut, DBKL bercadang melaksanakan skim pertukaran aliran lalulintas di kawasan tersebut yang akan dilaksanakan dalam 2 fasa.

Cadangan perubahan ini akan melibatkan:

a. Menukar aliran lalulintas di Jalan Sultan Ismail dari Jalan Raja Chulan hingga ke Jalan P Ramlee kepada dua hala;
b. Menukar aliran lalulintas di Jalan Raja Chulan dari Jalan P Ramlee hingga ke Jalan Sultan Ismail kepada dua hala; dan
c. Membenarkan belok kiri dari Jalan Sultan Ismail ke Jalan Ampang di Persimpangan Jalan Sultan Ismail / Jalan Ampang dan menukar aliran lalulintas di Jalan Ampang kepada dua hala dari Jalan Yap Kwan Seng hingga ke Jalan Sultan Ismail.

Persimpangan yang akan terlibat dalam perubahan ini ialah Persimpangan Jalan Ampang / Jalan Sultan Ismail / Jalan P Ramlee / Jalan Raja Chulan / Jalan Sultan Ismail. Kerja-kerja ke arah perubahan ini sedang giat dijalankan dan akan dilaksanakan secara berperingkat-peringkat. Ianya akan dilaksanakan sepenuhnya pada awal Julai 2006.

Pengguna jalan raya dinasihati mematuhi papantanda-papantanda arahan dan amaran yang terdapat di kawasan tapak binaan untuk keselamatan sewaktu kerja-kerja naiktaraf sedang dilaksanakan.

[baqthier]

wow that's a big change! :eek: :cool:

[szehoong]

^^ That's like back to square one :D

[nazrey]

Cleaner image for Brickfields
Saturday May 27, 2006
BY BAVANI M
TheStar


BRICKFIELDS is looking much better these days, compared to a couple of months back when back alleys stank of rotting food and drains were clogged and broken.

The drains look much cleaner and clearer now although some of them still have a foul smell.

However, credit should be given to the clean-up efforts carried out by the City Hall team led by Shaari Ahmad Junid and Mohd Abd Hadi from Alam Flora.

Since the last inspection done in March this year, both City Hall and Alam Flora have done a good job in ridding Brickfields of its dirty image.

Brickfields B Rukun Tetangga chairman S.K.K Naidu said since the clean-up exercise, there has been a drop in dengue cases in the neighbourhood.

“We have not heard of any new cases since the clean-up exercise and our request for street humps to be installed in front of a 80 year old Hindu Temple was done, ,'' said Naidu.

Naidu had also requested that City Hall help resolve the traffic congestion at Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad and Jalan Berhala.

“On Thursdays especially, the traffic is horrendous. City Hall has agreed to build another link road from Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad to Jalan Thambipillai (near the post office) so that the night market can be moved to that part of town,'' he said.

Alam Flora spokesman Mohd Abd Hadi said his team has been making its rounds everyday at 7am in the morning.

“But the public is still not co-operating with us,'' he said.

“Restaurant operators are still dumping rubbish into drains. Even those who have rubbish bins at their premises seem to be dumping rubbish outside the bins instead of inside,'' he added.

Mohd Hadi said restaurant op