Malaysia's Neighbour - INDONESIA!

[Bungong kaye]

Banda Aceh.

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr

[nazrey]

Affin still keen on Indonesian bank
BY Rupa DamodaranPublished: 2012/06/01
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...up31b/Article/

KUALA LUMPUR: Affin Bank is keen to pursue its earlier interest in Indonesia's PT Bank Ina Perdana but the decision rests on the possible rules to cap the ownership of Indonesian banks.

Managing director Datuk Zulki-flee Abbas Abdul Hamid said Affin is keen to take a majority stake but that depends on the decision of the Indonesian autho-rities.

Affin Bank, which is one of the smallest banking groups in the country, had submitted a proposal earlier but it was put on hold and the agreement subsequently lapsed in August last year.

"Although we have terminated the agreement, we are willing to relook at the bank again, once the ownership issue clears."

Outside Indonesia, Zulkiflee Abbas said the bank has also done research on prospects of investing in several other countries in the Asean region.

"Our desk research has shown interesting developments in some of these 'new' countries which have yet to open up the banking sector to the rest of the world," he said.

Asked if Myanmar would be one of the countries to watch, he said that was a possibility.

But he does not expect any of the acquisitions to take place this year as they are long-term projects.

"The current situation is fraught with uncertainties so we would rather be cautious and continue to do what we do best," Zulkiflee Abbas said.

On Hong Kong-based Bank of East Asia Ltd's (BEA) stake in Affin Holdings Bhd, which is the parent company to the bank, he said the stake has been growing and it is happy with the current 23.5 per cent stake it holds.

"Whether they are ready to take it to the next level, we are not privy," he said.

BEA has a representative on the investment bank board and another on the board of Affin Bank.

Earlier, the bank launched its new 24-hour online service called the Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd Funds Top Up Service, via its online banking website, affinOnline.com.

It is the fourth bank to introduce the service.

[CrazyForID]

some pictures from the capital of Indonesia's malay land, my hometown Pekanbaru

Menara Lancang Kuning and Riau's Governor Office
image hosted on flickr


View from Menara Dang Merdu


Great Mosque An-Nur of Pekanbaru
image hosted on flickr


Riau Main Stadium Complex (U/C) in the outskirt of the city
image hosted on flickr

[nazrey]

OSK-UOB investment declares net distribution for Indonesia equity growth fund
Posted on June 7, 2012, Thursday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/06...y-growth-fund/

KUALA LUMPUR: OSK-UOB Investment Management Bhd (OSK-UOB) has declared a net distribution of 3.10 sen per unit for its OSK-UOB Indonesia Equity Growth Fund for the financial year ended May 31.

The unit trust management company also declared a 0.70 sen per unit distribution for its OSK-UOB Emerging Markets Bond Fund for the quarter period ended May 31, 2012.

“The distributions have given investors a 5.96 per cent per annum yield and a 1.36 per cent per quarter yield respectively,” chief executive officer, Ho Seng Yee said in a statement yesterday.

He said in terms of performance, the Indonesia Equity Growth Fund has since its launch in April 2011 been rewarding, and this is reflected in its total returns of 10.28 per cent as at May 31, inclusive of the distribution paid out.

“An equally good performance was registered for the Emerging Markets Bond Fund, and keeping to its firm commitment to ensure a potential pay out in every quarter, it has just distributed the first quarter payment,” he added.

Going forward, Ho said the company is confident, both funds will continue with the good performance and meet the expectations of OSK-UOB Investment’s investors.—Bernama

[nazrey]

Malaysia, Indonesia set to continue palm oil dominance
Published: 2012/06/09
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

MUMBAI: Malaysia and Indonesia will continue to dominate the supply of palm oil in the world for at least another 10 years despite many countries having ventured into oil palm cultivation.

Rabobank's Food and Agribusiness Research and Advisory's associate director, Pawan Kumar, said both countries currently accounted for 87 per cent of the world's palm oil production and 90 per cent of exports.

"India has earmarked about 800,000ha for oil palm cultivation. But how long will it take for people to have it on their food?" he said at the Malaysia-India Palm Oil Trade Fair & Seminar 2012.

Palm trees take three to four years before they start to produce fruits.

The oil palm plantations in Brazil and Africa also had their own challenges, he said.

"(In Africa), most high population density pockets seem to be located near cities. The development of palm plantations will require, in some regions, urban to rural migrations," he said.

Other challenges in Africa were training the labour force, developing the seed varieties and managing cultures.

"Brazil has a suitable climate but high labour cost and sustainability pressures remain its biggest challenges," he said.

Palm oil has been the top vegetable oil produced in the world since 2006, beating soyabean oil.

Palm oil production accounted for 50.23 million tonnes, or 28 per cent, of the total oils and fats output of 179 million tonnes last year.

In terms of global export trade of 68.85 million tonnes of edible oils, palm oil accounted for 38.88 million tonnes, or 56.64 per cent, of total oils and fats exports last year.

Malaysia produced 18.91 million tonnes, or 37.65 per cent, of total palm oil production last year and accounted for 17.99 million tonnes, or 46.27 per cent, of world exports.

This is equivalent to about 26.6 per cent of the global oils and fats trade. Bernama

[nazrey]

Landmarks builds largest lagoon in Southeast Asia in Bintan
08 June 2012 | Last updated at 10:13PM
http://www.nst.com.my/red/landmarks-...bintan-1.92102



INTEGRATED: The developer has signed MOUs for resort investment and seaplane operations

Landmarks Berhad’s Indonesian development Treasure Bay, an integrated tourism destination located in Bintan has commenced construction work for what is believed to be the largest clear water lagoon in Southeast Asia. Measuring over 60,000 m sq ( 645,835 sq ft), the Crystal Lagoon is built using technology from South America.

It will be complete with sandy white beaches and water attractions, and forms part of Phase 1 of the development. The lagoon will be ready by early 2013.

Earthworks had started in late 2011 and a flurry of building activities will see the opening of the first phase of the resort within the next 18 months.

Around the lagoon, an extensive landscaped boardwalk will be built. The walk allows visitors to have access to a variety of F&B, retail and entertainment outlets.

Treasure Bay will also be building a 5-star resort that is scheduled for completion by late 2014. The Company has been working with several potential investors and partners, and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding recently with investment company Decennia Pte Ltd for a joint venture on two hotels and a commercial centre.

To further cement the destination as a premier tourism location, wholly-owned subsidiary Primary Gateway Sdn Bhd has also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Skywave Pte Ltd. Skywave is involved in sea-plane operations.

In addition to routine flights from Singapore to Bintan, Skywave will enable resort operators to develop more islands which are outside comfortable ferry range.

Phase 1 of Treasure Bay is part of a 338-hectare development where Landmarks is the master developer.

[nazrey]

Indonesia a good investment destination for Malaysians
by Ronnie Teo , ronnieteo@theborneopost.com. Posted on June 5, 2012, Tuesday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/06...or-malaysians/



INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES: (From left) Harjanto, Santoso, Committee for Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia Economic Development (KP3EI) head of public communications and promotion, Edib Muslim and KP3EI’s secretariat and head of International Cooperation Division, Eddy Satriya during the ceremony.

KUCHING: With booming economic conditions and growth areas outlined, Indonesia is set to thrive with more room for further investments, especially from Malaysians.

According to the Indonesian Consul General in Kuching, Djoko Harjanto during a seminar entitled ‘Identifying opportunities in the Indonesian market’, Indonesia has seen a stable economy and strong growth even with the ongoing eurozone economic crisis.

In fact, the country was well on its way to become the top 10 largest economies in the world by 2025 with a gross domestic product of US$4.3 trillion and an estimated income of US$14,900 per capita.

“If you look at the numbers, you can see where Indonesia is moving.

“Firstly, during the midst of the global economic crisis, Indonesia grew 4.5 per cent in 2008. In 2009, it grew to 6.1 per cent and also 6.5 per cent in 2011,” he said.

“We have kept inflation low. Also, our debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio has shrunk dramatically to 26 per cent in 2010,” he added.

“In fact, the IMF predicts that Indonesia’s economy will be larger than Australia by mid-decade. These numbers are happening and they show that we are on the right track.”

Malaysia will stand to gain from Indonesia’s robust growth as the latter remains a major import source for Malaysia.

To recap, imports from Indonesia constituted some 6.1 per cent of total Malaysian exports back in 2011.

Meanwhile, Harri Santoso from the Investment Coordinating Board of Indonesia outlined that to date, Malaysia remained a key investment figure in Indonesia, garnering US$1.806 billion from 2007 to 2011.

These included investments in sectors such as food crops and plantation sector with US$530 million, construction with US$353 million, food industry with US$231 million, trade and reparation with (US$134 million) and other services estimated at US$96 million.

Other sectors accumulated to US$462 million in investments.

“Perhaps the biggest advantage of Indonesia is its population of 240 million people – being the fourth largest population in the world – offering a large domestic market of which more than 50 per cent live in urban areas,” Santoso highlighted.

“A growing and affluent middle class supports GDP growth and with more than 50 per cent of GDP accounting for private consumption, these statistics fare well for many industries including the retail and consumer products, food processing as well as the automotive industry.” The country’s total domestic and foreign direct investment realisation in 2011 reached US$27.6 billion, an increase of 20.5 per cent from 2010.

In fact, within the first quarter of 2012, Indonesia has seen total domestic and foreign direct investments reaching US$7.8 billion, an uptick of 32.9 per cent to date.

Meanwhile, Santoso outlined several key investment areas in Kalimantan that could benefit Malaysians, in particular Sarawakians due to its locality.

“Right now, Kalimantan will be one of the areas we concentrate for investments.

We have investment attention areas in Kalimantan, which are Pontianak, Ketapang, Sanggau and Mempawah.

“In Pontianak itself, we are looking at investments of US$1 billion mostly for forestry, palm oil, oil and gas and agriculture.

In Ketapang, we are looking at US$1.2 billion for palm oil, bauxite, port and roads (infrastructure).

“The third is Sanggau, at US$500 million, once again for palm oil and bauxite ventures.

For Mempawah, we are looking at US$1 billion investments for oil and gas, and port developments.”

[silverian86]

Batam city, Riau Islands province

photo taken by me

[nazrey]

Bina Puri to build RM31.8mil plant in Sulawesi
Thursday June 14, 2012
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...&if_height=202

PETALING JAYA: Bina Puri Holdings Bhd's subsidiary will build and operate a mini hydro power plant costing US$10mil (RM31.8mil) in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The company told Bursa Malaysia yesterday that its 80%-owned PT Megapower Makmur had signed an agreement with and PT PLN (Persero) to undertake the project, which is the sixth in the region.

“The annual output of electricity produced is about 23,915 GWH. The tenure of power purchase agreement is 15 years effective from the date of commercial run of the power plant,” it said.

[nazrey]

CIMB Group's Indonesian unit on a roll
Published: 2012/06/18
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...7TTJG/Article/

CIMB Group Holdings, Malaysia's second-largest lender after Maybank, predicts that in three years, Indonesia's contribution of profit before tax will beat Malaysia's, its home base.

CIMB also affirmed its plan for a dual listing on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, though currently it is only listed on Bursa Malaysia.

"By 2015, Malaysia will be just under 40 per cent, Indonesia will be just over 40 per cent, that's my expectation today," CIMB Group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Nazir Razak told reporters from Indonesia, who were invited by CIMB Group to Kuala Lumpur, on Thursday.

Nazir was speaking on the sidelines of CIMB Asean Conference 2012, at the end of a two-day forum that invited executives from various financial companies in Southeast Asia. The forum discussed the role of private sector in the region to drive the economic integration in 10-member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Nazir said he wanted CIMB Group to be the first company, legally incorporated outside Indonesia, that would list its stocks at the Indonesia Stock Exchange. "That is once the rule is out," he said, adding he "really urges Bapepam (the Indonesian capital markets regulator) to come up with new rules. The sooner the better."

Under existing Indonesian regulation, firms that are legally incorporated outside Indonesia are not allowed to list their shares on Indonesia's exchange. On the other hand, Indonesian companies are not prohibited from listing in overseas markets. Aneka Tambang, the country's state gold producer, has its shares also listed on Australia's stock exchange.

A plan to allow foreign companies to list in Indonesia has been delayed for around two years due to legal barriers and accounting matters.

The Malaysian bank's operation in Indonesia has been flourishing, boosted by its subsidiary Bank CIMB Niaga, the fifth-largest lender in Indonesia, which in the first quarter contributed 32 per cent to CIMB Group's total profit before tax, or RM431 million.

The lender's operation in Malaysia contributed 57 per cent during the same January-March period and other countries 11 per cent. CIMB Group's net income before tax was RM1.34 billion in the first quarter.

A diverged earning sources was part of the bank's aspiration to tap into the fast growing development in the region.

"CIMB is clearly the most Asean company there is, in terms of earning complexion, in term of management staff integration," Nazir claimed, adding that the lender also aims to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Indonesia and Thailand are the two biggest economies in Southeast Asia.

In regards to the conference theme, Nazir called on the central banks in the region to synchronise banking regulations.

"There are no such thing as Asean when you go to the central banks today. Asean means nothing. It's either local bank or foreign bank. This is my big grief," he said.

The region is moving into an integrated economic community in 2015 that will allow free movement of goods service and people within the countries.

"Banks are the fuel for that to happen, so this framework is very crucial. We should have had this five years ago," he said.

Nazir's comments echoed Bank Mandiri's frustration to open branches in other Asean countries such as in Malaysia and Singapore.

Zulkifli Zaini, Bank Mandiri's president director, reiterated his frustration with neighboring countries for not giving Indonesian banks the same flexibility given to foreign banks operating in Indonesia, especially with regard to licensing.

Indonesia's central bank currently allows foreign lenders to operate on a single license. For example, an overseas bank that operates as a commercial lender must get approval from the central bank, Bank Indonesia, for another license for micro-lending.

"In Indonesia, we think it's not fair. There should be reciprocity," he said on Wednesday.

[nazrey]

Parkson investing RM48mil in five stores in Indonesia
Friday June 29, 2012
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...&if_height=202

JAKARTA: Malaysian retailer Parkson Retail Group will invest US$15mil (RM47.9mil) to open five new stores in Indonesia next year, said managing director Datuk Alfred Cheng.

Cheng said the company was bullish on the Indonesian market as the country’s political stability had provided a strong foundation for the growth of private sector.

“Indonesia has been the most attractive country for investors as consumers’ purchasing power has been growing quickly,” he told English daily The Jakarta Post yesterday.

Parkson has 108 stores spread across Malaysia, China and Vietnam.

In September 2013, Parkson will open its first store in Indonesia, which will be located at The St Moritz within the Puri CBD in West Jakarta.

Cheng said Parkson’s retail chain in Indonesia contributed less than 3% of the group’s total sales last year while stores in China contributed around 70%.

He said Parkson would open a store in Cambodia in the second quarter of next year.

Executive director Toh Peng Koon said the five new stores due to open next year would comprise one or two Parkson stores and three Centro outlets.

Toh said the company would only focus on expanding the Parkson chain in Jakarta, Surabaya and Medan in its early years while for Centro, it planned to penetrate four cities in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi.

Centro currently has eight stores in Greater Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bali and Surabaya, in East Java.

“We will open one Centro outlet in Surakarta, Central Java, this year and in Pekanbaru, Riau, by early next year,” said Koon.

The daily reported yesterday that at an early stage of its expansion, Parkson bought Centro Department Store from Indonesia’s retail chain, the Sentosa Group, which also managed The Body Shop in June 2011.

The Parkson Retail Group booked US$852mil (RM2.72bil) in revenue in 2011, an increase from US$767mil (RM2.45bil) a year earlier. — Bernama

[nazrey]

Myipo willing to discuss joint cultural rights with Indonesia
Posted on July 1, 2012, Sunday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/07...ith-indonesia/

SADONG JAYA: The Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) is prepared to discuss with the relevant Indonesian authorities several issues and claims on cultural rights which frequently led to disputes between arts activists from both countries.

A member of the Board of MyIPO, Nancy Shukri said the lack of knowledge on the arts and culture as well as the origins of a particular community were among the factors leading to overlapping claims on the ownership rights of cultural heritage.

“MyIPO is willing to discuss issues on arts and culture with the relevant Indonesian agencies because we don’t deny there was a movement of people from that country to Malaysia (before Independence) to the extent that the culture of that country had expanded here,” she told reporters after opening the Intellectual Property Day Between the People and the Leader, here yesterday.

She said MyIPO had already met with about 1,000 local artistes and arts activists to discuss matters that must be given attention to in protecting the rights of the country’s local culture.

She said there were many more local cultures such as the traditional songs and dances as well as martial arts that had yet to be registered with MyIPO.

“If we fail to register our own arts and culture today, don’t blame anyone if they are taken by others such as the local dances and dishes,” said Nancy who is also the Member of Parliament for Batang Sadong.

Meanwhile, she said MyIPO would continue to organise several programmes particularly in the rural areas to raise public awareness and knowledge on the importance of preserving the intellectual property which had become the people’s trade mark and creativity.

She said there were still many local creative and innovative products which were of quality and had the potentials to be commercialised that had yet to be registered with MyIPO. — Bernama

[nazrey]

Cultures practised in Malaysia and Indonesia must evolve
05 Julai 2012 | Last updated at 10:42PM
http://www.nst.com.my/latest/culture...olve-1.103211#

PADANG (SUMATRA): Information Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim says cultures practised by communities in Malaysia and Indonesia must evolve.

"Cultures practised by the Minangkabaus, Mandailings or Javanese must expand according to its own evolution," he told reporters after addressing 'The spirit of Islam in the Malay Cultural Heritage' seminar organised by the Malay World Islamic World (DMDI) here today.

The seminar was opened by West Sumatra Governor Muslim Kasim. Speaker of Melaka State Assembly Datuk Othman Mohamad represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam who is also president of DMDI.

Rais said the practise of shared cultures should not be restricted as long as it did not contravene international laws.

"The tor tor dance and gendang sembilan must be inherited and practised by the Mandaling community. The Mandaling community in Malaysia also have the right to practice them.".

The Gordang Sambilan (Gendang Sembilan Mandailing) and Tarian Tor Tor of the Mandailing community became a controversy in Indonesia last month.

"A recognition system via registration is not for Malaysia but for the community. The Minangs are recognised by silat randai and others that have become a part of them."

Rais said the issue should not affect ties between the people of both countries.

"Those who don't know history have mixed views on this. We must be careful and courteous in determining the cultures.

"People must recognise the historical and cultural evolution besides international rights and not copied to be used as business tools. They must not be quick to make accusations so that our people can live in peace.

Meanwhile, Muslim said as a Malay and of the same race as Malaysians, he was proud if Malay customs proliferate worldwide.

"The 500,000 Malaysians of Mandailing descent should spread their way of life and culture there for their own interests.

"As such we should not think narrowly. We should open up our minds so that small matters don't constraint friendly relations between Indonesia and Malaysia.".

"As such we should guide the younger generations through student exchange between Indonesia and Malaysia to forge mutual feelings of similar race between the two countries," he added. Bernama

[nazrey]

Genting arm to build power plant in Indonesia
Published: 2012/07/10
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

Genting Bhd's indirect wholly-owned unit, PT Lestari Banten Energi (LBE), will build a coal-fired power plant worth US$1 billion or RM3.19 billion in Banten, Indonesia.

The project entails financing, design, procurement, construction,
commissioning, operations and maintenance of the plant, with 660MW gross generating capacity

"The Banten Plant is expected to commence commercial operations in 2017," it said in an announcement to Bursa Malaysia. The plant will be developed and operated on a build, own, operate and transfer basis.

LBE is a 95 per cent-owned unit of Lestari Listrik Pte Ltd (LL), which in turn is an indirect wholly-owned unit of Genting. The remaining five per cent equity in LBE is held by PT Hero Inti Pratama (Hero), LL's local partner.

Genting said LBE signed a 25-year power purchase agreement today with PT PLN (Persero), Indonesia's state-owned electricity company, to develop the plant.

Up to 75 per cent of the cost to be financed via non-recourse debt to be taken by LBE and the balance to be financed via equity injections and shareholders' loans from LL and Hero. -- Bernama

[Fayeddd]

jakarta JLNT construction

[nazrey]

AirAsia acquires Indonesia's Batavia Air
Published: 2012/07/26
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia and its Indonesian unit, AirAsia Indonesia, has acquired Indonesia's Batavia Air, a move that will boost the no-frills airlines' presence and network in the republic in a cash deal worth US$80 million or RM253 million.

AirAsia chief Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said Batavia Air's acquisition fitted well to complement the budget carrier's international network, which was continuously growing.

"It's an extremely proud day for me. AirAsia and our partners in AirAsia Indonesia have acquired Batavia Air.

"It's a fantastic fit as Batavia is strong in domestic and we're strong at international. It's a big dream come true for me," Fernandes said in his latest posting on social networking site, Facebook.

In a statement issued by the company later, AirAsia said its wholly-owned subsidiary, AirAsia Investment Ltd, has signed an agreement with its partner, PT Fersindo Nusaperkasa, to acquire PT Metro Batavia, which operates Batavia Air and Aero Flyer Institute (AFI), an aviation training school.

The tripartite agreement was signed in Jakarta today between AAB, Fersindo and Metro Batavia.

The acquisition of 100 per cent interests in Metro Batavia by AAB and Fersindo will be executed in two stages, through acquisition of a majority 76.95 per cent stake and subsequently followed by the remaining 23.05 per cent held by its existing shareholders.

Batavia Air is an airline based in Jakarta and Surabaya.

It operates domestic flights to 42 local destinations and six international services to Singapore. Its main base is Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.

This new acquisition will complement AirAsia’s existing Indonesian operations, IAA, which has captured strong market share in Indonesia’s international airline traffic, with an extensive and well-established domestic route network throughout the Indonesian archipelago.

The Batavia Air acquisition provides greater domestic connectivity and an extensive feeder network into IAA’s existing hubs in Jakarta, Bandung, Denpasar, Medan and Surabaya.

Pursuant to the acquisition, Batavia Air and IAA will fly over 14 million passengers and serve 42 Indonesian and 12 international destinations.

Batavia Air's addition will provide AirAsia immediate access to an enlarged aircraft fleet, experienced pilots and flight crew and increasingly competitive slots at major Indonesian airports at a time when Indonesia’s travel sector is experiencing double-digit growth on the back of rapidly growing consumer demand for air travel. -- BERNAMA

image hosted on flickr

Batavia Air (Y6/BTV) / 737-300 / PK-YVL / 10-13-2011 / SIN by Mohit Purswani, on Flickr
image hosted on flickr

Batavia Air A321.... in case you had not noticed by turkishraf, on Flickr

[nazrey]

AirAsia: Jakarta move won’t lead to migration of ops
PRESENNA NAMBIAR Published: 2012/08/08
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

STRONG PLATFORM: Airline focusing energy on growing its presence in Asean



AIRASIA Group chief executive officer has rubbished comments that his move to Jakarta will lead to the eventual migration of its entire operations to Asean’s most populous country.

Indonesia is home to 240 million of Asean’s 600 million strong population.

“That’s a ridiculous scenario and I’ve read some of the ridiculous statements on that ... We wanna grow in every country. We continue to look at ways of growing our business, not shrinking it,” Tan Sri Tony Fernandes told Malaysian, Cambodian and Vietnamese media at the launch of AirAsia Asean here yesterday.

He was asked if the recent news that the carrier’s move to KLIA2 was optional meant that it could be moving its operations to Jakarta.

That as well as AirAsia’s decision to make Jakarta its regional headquarters instead of Malaysia has led many to believe that such a move is imminent.

Fernandes, however, insisted that his move to Jakarta is just a way to focus his energy on growing AirAsia’s presence in Asean.

“We have been told to globalise (in order) Asean to grow the company and we are a Malaysian company following that mandate to be a bigger company. So I’m here to make that a reality. That’s the mandate our leaders have asked us to do,” he said.

Fernandes himself has shifted his work area in the low-cost carrier terminal in Sepang, Selangor, to Jakarta.

AirAsia’s regional headquarters is currently manned by 20 people, 50 per cent of whom are from its Malaysian office.

“AirAsia Asean will help ensure that our voice, our concerns and our appeals are heard much more clearly in the corridors of power with Asean. One of the reasons for locating the office in Jakarta is to help us engage more closely with the Asean secretariat, which is headquartered here,” Fernandes said.

On AirAsia’s planned acquisition of Batavia Air, he said the airline will look at other options if it is not able to proceed with the deal.

Fernandes did not elaborate but said he is confident that the deal will go through.

He said that his presence in Indonesia will mean more focus on the growth of the market.

“The problem was a lack of focus (in Indonesia). Malaysia has been the most successful because we’ve put more time there. It’s a function of time and we have neglected the Indonesia market.

“It’s 10 times the population of Malaysia yet it is a fifth (of our operations),” Fernandes said.

[nazrey]

AirAsia plans Cengkerang training centre
Published: 2012/08/10
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

JAKARTA: PT AirAsia Indonesia, a low cost airline company based in Malaysia, plans to build an aviation training centre in Cengkareng, Banten in March next year.

AirAsia Indonesia chief executive officer Dharmadi was reported to say that that the training centre, besides to train its pilots, would also be opened to other pilots in the world.

The plan had been mentioned by AirAsia group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes at the opening of the ASEAN AirAsia new office here last Tuesday, but he did not elaborate on the matter.

Fernandes said the training centre was part of AirAsia's long-term plan.

AirAsia already has a similar training centre, the Asian Aviation Academy, located not far from the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Sepang, Selangor.-- BERNAMA

[nazrey]

VADS looking to expand ICT business in Indonesia
By Rupinder Singh Published: 2012/08/10
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...ads09/Article/



VADS Bhd, a unit of Telekom Malaysia Bhd, plans to expand its managed information, communication and technology (ICT) business to Indonesia.

"We are looking to grow our ICT business in Indonesia and we are still assessing on how to deliver our services there," chief executive officer Ahmad Azhar Yahya told reporters at a media briefing here yesterday.

VADS believes that Indonesia holds great potential for the company.

He said Indonesia is the largest ICT market in Southeast Asia, compared to Malaysia's RM5 billion market size.

VADS has been offering business process outsourcing (BPO) service in two Indonesian sites since 2009.

Among the new businesses that it wants to offer are data centres, cloud computing, managed telepresence and managed services.

He did not disclose how much it would invest in Indonesia, but said the company has funding options available and could seek a local partner if needed.

Meanwhile, VADS said cloud computing and teleprecense are fairly new segment that would propel growth for the company this year onwards.

He noted that thanks to cloud computing, small and medium enterprises will soon be directly and indirectly taking up capacity on data centres.

Cloud computing allows a person to get access to a programme, software or application installed somewhere rather than on the computer which the person is using.

Ahmad expects the could computing business to grow quickly and be a big contributor to its revenue.

Based on the full year ended December 2011, VADS reported a revenue of over RM847 million, a seven per cent growth against the RM792 million in 2010.

ICT and BPO both had equal revenue contribution.

VADS - Malaysia's leading Managed ICT Service provider
http://www.vads.com.my/

[nazrey]

Vincci goes to Indonesia
By THO XIN YI Friday August 10, 2012
Photo by LIM CHENG KIAT
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.as...3&sec=metrobiz



Signed and sealed: Nash (fourth from left) shaking hands with Bong (fifth
from left) as Yong (third from left) looks on after signing the 10-year deal.
With them are (from left) lawyer Wong Pooi Yuee, Padini Holdings Bhd
executive director Chan Kwai Heng, PT Gilang Agung Persada director
Marcella Mo, FJ Benjamin legal and commercial affairs manager Cheryl Li
and Padini Holdings Bhd executive director C Y Cheong.

HOMEGROWN brand Vincci is expanding into Indonesia to bring trendy shoes and accessories to fashionistas in the archipelago.

Padini Holdings Bhd (which owns the brand) inked a 10-year agreement with FJ Benjamin Group from Singapore and PT Gilang Agung Persada from Indonesia in a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur recently.

Under the agreement, FJ Benjamin will open at least 25 stores all over Indonesia within five years through PT Gilang Agung Persada. The brand will be known as VNC in Indonesia.

FJ Benjamin Group chief executive officer Nash Benjamin said between US$300,000 (RM930,800) and US$400,000 would be spent to open each 185.8 sq m to 232.26 sq m VNC store.

He added that the brand would be located in cities including Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Medan, Bandung and Makassar.

Already representing over 20 renowned fashion and watch brands like Banana Republic, Gap, Guess, La Senza, Bell & Ross, Converse, Guess? Watches and Victorinox Swiss Army, this agreement marks F J Benjamin’s first deal with an Asian company.

Nash said the country of origin was not an issue as he found Vincci to be “very relevant and interesting”.

“We are very positive about the brand,” he said.

Launched in 1981, Vincci offers ladies shoes, handbags, jewellery, belts and hair accessories.Its first local store opened in 1994 and first foreign store in Brunei in 2000. Today Vincci products are sold in more than 100 stores in Malaysia and overseas.

PT Gilang Agung Persada chief executive officer Ronnie Bong promised his devotion to build and market the brand in Indonesia.

“We will work closely with the principal and take advantage of the key marketing strategy,” he said.

On Padini Holdings Bhd opting to venture into Indonesia with F J Benjamin, Padini Holdings managing director Yong Pang Chaun said, “We specialise in product development and branding while F J Benjamin is very strong at marketing. This is the best partnership.”

He added that there are no plans yet to bring Vincci into Singapore, but he was receptive to exploring the idea with Nash.