Friday, February 27, 2009

Paying Higher PCB Secretly

The new PCB reduction effective since 1st Jan 2009. Compared to 2008 (old contribution table) and Feb 09, i am paying 23% more PCB tax to Government.

While at one side, they are asking Rakyat to spend more, reduce the OPR 3 time in 4 months, asking you to reduce EPF contribution, prolong repayment period for your loan by reducing monthly payment (end up you lose more money as interest to banks), reduce credit card charges, etc.

But the truth is government is taxing us more by reducing the EPF contribution, now even worst paying higher PCB tax even most of us contributing 11% EPF. For richest person in Malaysia, they are in fact paying 1% less.

So conclusion is, since majority of Malaysian don't bother about the "compulsory" reduction of EPF contribution that started since 1st Jan 09 that allow government to tax you more (in another way), government now tax you higher in PCB even though you are paying 11% EPF so you can't escape from it.

Bravo BN government! You succefully rob the poor for the rich again.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Toll Increase on 1st March

Five (5) tolls involved: WTF! Some of them are LPPL.

PLUS: Up 0.68 sen per km ~ 6.3%

Sprint: Up 50c to RM1.50

Ampang Elevated highway: Up 50c to RM2 (up 33%)

Besraya: Up 10c to RM1.40 (up 7.7%) (while yesterday announced abolish the Salak South' Toll)

NPE: Up 40c to RM2 (up 25%) (abolished one toll RM1.60 early this month)

Antarctic glaciers melting faster than thought

GENEVA, Feb 26 — Glaciers in Antarctica are melting faster and across a much wider area than previously thought, a development that threatens to raise sea levels worldwide and force millions of people to flee low-lying areas, scientists said yesterday.

Researchers once believed that the melting was limited to the Antarctic Peninsula, a narrow tongue of land pointing towards South America. But satellite data and automated weather stations now indicate it is more widespread.

The melting "also extends all the way down to what is called west Antarctica," said Colin Summerhayes, executive director of the Britain-based Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research.

"That's unusual and unexpected," he told The Associated Press in an interview.

By the end of the century, the accelerated melting could cause sea levels to climb by 3 to 5 feet — levels substantially higher than predicted by a major scientific group just two years ago.

Making matters worse, scientists said, the ice shelves that hold the glaciers back from the sea are also weakening.

The report yesterday from Geneva was a broad summary of two years of research by scientists from 60 countries. Some of the findings were released in earlier reports.

In Washington, as part of an overall update on global warming, top researchers sounded a similar warning to the US Senate about rising temperatures in the Antarctic.

The head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group set up by the United Nations, told lawmakers on the Environment and Public Works Committee that Earth has about six more years at current rates of carbon dioxide pollution before it is locked into a future of severe global warming.

For years, the continent at the bottom of the world seemed to be the only place on the planet not experiencing climate change. Previous research indicated that temperatures across much of Antarctica were staying the same or slightly cooling.

The report yesterday was compiled as part of the 2007-2008 International Polar Year, an effort by scientists to conduct intense Arctic and Antarctic research over the past two Antarctic summers.

The big surprise was exactly how much glaciers are melting in western Antarctica, a vast land mass on the Pacific Ocean side of the continent that is next to the South Pole and includes the Antarctic Peninsula.

The biggest of the western glaciers, the Pine Island Glacier, is moving 40 per cent faster than it was in the 1970s, discharging water and ice more rapidly into the ocean, said Summerhayes, a member of International Polar Year's steering committee.

The Smith Glacier, also in west Antarctica, is moving 83 per cent faster than in 1992, he said.

The glaciers are slipping into the sea faster because the floating ice shelf that would normally stop them — usually 650 to 980 feet thick — is melting. And the glaciers' discharge is making a significant contribution to increasing sea levels.

Some people "fear that this is the first signs of an incipient collapse of the west Antarctic ice sheet," Summerhayes said. "If the west Antarctica sheet collapses, then we're looking at a sea level rise of between 3 feet, 4 inches, to nearly 5 feet."

Together, all the glaciers in west Antarctica are losing a total of around 114 billion tons per year because the melting is much greater than the new snowfall, he said.

"That's equivalent to the current mass loss from the whole of the Greenland ice sheet," Summerhayes said.

Looked at another way, it's more weight than 312,000 Empire State Buildings.

"We didn't realise it was moving that fast," he said.

Summerhayes said sea levels will climb higher than predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,

A 2007 report by the IPCC predicted a sea level rise of 7 to 23 inches by the end of the century, which could flood low-lying areas and force millions of people to relocate.

The group said an additional 3.9- to 7.8-inch increase in sea levels was possible if the recent, surprising melting of polar ice sheets continues.

New research published this month in the journal Geophysical Research Letters found that melting glaciers will add at least 7 inches to the world's sea level — and that's if carbon dioxide pollution is quickly capped and then reduced.

Far more likely is an increase of at least 15 inches and probably more just from melting glaciers, the journal said.

Until recently, scientists debated whether Antarctica was warming.

But a January study in the journal Nature found that Antarctica's average annual temperature has increased by about 1 degree Fahrenheit since 1957, but is still 50 degrees below zero.

The report also determined that autumn temperatures in east Antarctica were cooling over the long term.

International Polar Year researchers found that the southern ocean around Antarctica has warmed about 0.36 degrees Fahrenheit in the past decade, double the average warming of the rest of the Earth's oceans over the past 30 years. — AP

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

所得税局公布新制 月入2401须缴税

二零零九年二月二十四日 晚上七时十四分

(槟城彭振威、林乡响24日讯)我国内陆税收局在全球经济市场萧条的时刻,公布的最新(2009年度)个人所得税制度,除了全年收入超过25万令吉者,获得减税1%外,当局并未减少收入低于25万令吉者的纳税率(tax rate),反之调整了国人的纳税资格,让低收入者雪上加霜。

根据最新的个人所得税制度,举凡每月薪金在扣除公积金后超过2400令吉(2401令吉起)的大马居民,从今年4月起都必须缴纳个人所得税,税率则维持0-24%不变,然而全年收入25万令吉以上者,则获得减税1%,即从原本的28%税率减少至27%。

于2008年之前,每月收入超过2550令吉(2551令吉起)的大马居民,方需要缴纳个人所得税。但从今年起,收入介于2401至2550令吉的国民,每月皆必须缴付13至20令吉不等的税收。

骆淞佑:百姓添负担

骆淞佑会计师今日接受《光华日报》访问时指出,有关1%的减税率并未惠及大部份国民,大马目前绝大多数人民的收入都低于1万令吉,在这新的个人所得税制度下,只有每月收入平均2万令吉或以上者,方得以享有1%的减税优惠。

他说,每月收入超过2万令吉的人民,相信少于总人口的1%,然而,有关制度却只惠及该一小撮的族群,对市井小民而言非但不是经济风暴时期的及时雨,反之还让薪金低于2500令吉的百姓添加负担。

汽油津贴未逾6000免付税

为了鼓励资方提供更多的津贴及福利予员工,内陆税收局在雇员薪酬表(Borang EA)的G部份,作出多达17项修改,其中包括公司所提供的汽油津贴,若一年不超过6000令吉的话,则可免付税。

骆淞佑接受《光华日报》记者询问时披露,以往只要是公司(雇主)给予的津贴,雇员都必须据实申报,只要总收入超过2550令吉,就必须依据税率纳税。但在全新的制度下,津贴部份已有所更动及修改。

如今,泊车津贴、食物津贴、电话津贴、购买新电脑津贴等,都完全免纳税。

“至于汽油津贴方面,则分为两个不同单位,第一项是从住家前往公司的远程津贴(类似车马费),1年不超过2400令吉(每月不超过200令吉)可免纳税,第二项则是一般的汽油津贴,有关津贴只要每月不超过500令吉(1年不超过6000令吉),同样可享免纳税。”

托儿津贴不超过2400令吉

托儿津贴的最高限额则是每年不超过2400令吉。

另外,资方提供的旅游奖励项目,在作出修改后,首3次的国内员工旅游奖励可免纳税(之前只要超过500令吉即得纳税),至于出国的旅游奖励,则只要不超过3000令吉,即可享有免纳税福利。

但有关项目当中,部份免纳税福利的有效时限截至2010年而已。

资方在4月杪前 须发出EA表

纵使税收局今年允许公司延迟一个月(至5月31日),呈报雇员缴税表(BORANG CP8D),但资方仍然必须在职工呈报个人所得税的4月30日截止期限前,向职工发出雇员薪酬表(BORANG EA)以让他们报税,否则逾期呈报的职工将会面对罚款。

根据税收局规定,每间公司都必须在每年的4月30日前,即职工呈报个人所得税截止日期前30天,向他们发出雇员薪酬表,以便员工可呈报个人税收。

然而,基于这项新措施是于今年2月才落实,还有考虑到时间太过仓促,资方需时适应,所以该局特别给予通融,允许公司比往年延迟一个月即至5月31日,才呈上雇员缴税表。

一般上,雇员缴税表是依附在雇员薪酬表的内页,是让公司填写上职员收入的表格。但在日前的一项官方呈报所得税汇报会上,当局宣布了这项新措施时,却一度引起许多公司会计人员的混淆。

会计师们疑惑,并误以为既然雇员缴税表可以延迟呈报,那是否意味着,连同职工的雇员薪酬表也可在5月才呈上。

然而经过《光华日报》记者向税收局了解后却非如此,公司依然得一如往年般,在当局限定的个人所得税呈报期限前,发出顾员薪酬表予职工报税。一旦逾期报税,职工同样会面对罚款。而雇员缴税表则可延迟一个月呈交。

购运动器材 唯一全新回扣项目

骆淞佑指出,根据去年8月公布的2009年财政预算案中,300令吉购买运动器材是唯一全新的回扣项目,但必须与大马政府所承认的运动项目相关的器材方获得回扣,例如篮球、足球、羽球拍等,但不包含运动衣裤、鞋袜。

至于过去经已获准回扣的项目,包括保险、电脑、书籍等,都将持续保留。

“纵使税收局增添了一项全新的回扣项目,但300令吉的回扣额似乎太少了。” 骆淞佑说,政府附加回扣购买运动器材项目,主要是鼓励人民多运动,以减低国内的肥胖人数,但,1年300令吉对一个经常运动的人士来说,是绝对不足够的。

他举例道:一般素质普通的羽毛球一罐(12粒)市价约50令吉,素质较好的一粒就需要8令吉左右了。如此一来,300令吉对一名羽球爱好者来说肯定不足。

OPR by 50 basis points to 2.00 percent

It means that BLR will further reduce from current 5.9% - 6.0% to 5.4% - 5.5% hopefully. But it is also a sad day for FD.


Ref No: 02/09/11

Embargo: Not for publication or broadcast before 1800 hours on Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Monetary Policy Statement
At the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting today, Bank Negara Malaysia decided to reduce the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by 50 basis points to 2.00 percent. The ceiling and floor rates of the corridor for the OPR are correspondingly reduced to 2.25 percent and 1.75 percent respectively. The Statutory Reserve Requirement (SRR) is also adjusted downwards from 2 percent to 1 percent effective 1 March 2009 to reduce further the cost of intermediation.

The international economic and financial environment has deteriorated sharply in the recent quarter. The major advanced economies are experiencing a deepening economic contraction, while the regional economies are experiencing a rapid slowdown. The impact of the rapid decline in global demand on trade, production and investment activities in the Asian region has intensified. The turmoil in the international financial markets has also been protracted. While a number of economies have put in place stimulus measures to manage the downturn, their impact on the economy has yet to take effect. The downside risks to the global economic outlook have increased significantly.

The Malaysian economy has been adversely impacted by these global developments. Exports and industrial production have declined steeply, while private investment activities have slowed down in recent months as businesses scaled back their spending. Consumer sentiment has also been affected by the weakening conditions in the labour market. The domestic economic conditions are expected to continue to remain challenging in the coming quarters with the continued deterioration in the global economy. While this has raised the risk of an economic contraction in 2009, the prospects remain intact for an economic recovery once global conditions stabilise given that the economy is not overleveraged, the financial system remains sound, and the external position is healthy.

With inflation on a moderating trend, the task of macroeconomic policy is to support domestic demand until conditions in the global economy show signs of normalisation. Further measures will be introduced by the Bank to ensure continuous access to credit as well as to minimise the impact of the economic downturn on specific affected groups.

Bank Negara Malaysia
24 February 2009

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Another Subsidising by Unknown Malaysian

Luckily the bullet train project proposed by Francis Yeoh never took off, or else Malaysian need to subsidy the YTL's subsidiary for life, generation after generation to cover thier "operating cost". If does not has the "big size head, please wear a smaller hat" lah next time.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 – Malaysians have been subsidising the Express Rail Link (ERL) service since last April, it was revealed in Parliament today

峇都丁宜海滨非法经营 80家业者限期搬迁

A dialogue is required to settle the problem. As i mentioned in my earlier blog, there was nothing 15-20 years ago, be it along the coastal road or along the beach. From time to time, more shops are being developed and most of it i believe is illegal. Actually i was very piss off when once the dump site for Kampung also being "occupied" and became a shop, which affected the kampung folks to throw the rubbishes. Due to that also, i wrote to MPPP to complaint the uncollected rubbish! It is time to "re-arrange" the shops to make it more organize! Hope this can improve the image as well as the business, to achieve a win-win situation.


二零零九年二月二十三日 晚上六时二十七分

(槟城23日讯)峇都丁宜海滨一带,占用政府土地非法经营业务者,受促于今日之前搬迁,否则,市政局拟采取拆除行动,在今日的最后期限到来之际,业者呈函首席部长,要求暂缓有关拆除行动。

不过,截至下午2时当局并未采取行动!

峇都丁宜海滨一带之各行业业者于本月16日接获东北县署土地局来函,通知在政府土地非法营业者,必须搬迁,否则,市政局将在今日(23日)采取行动拆除!

受影响业者发言人沙胡哈密促请政府当局与有关行业者对话,商讨所面对的问题,并希望政府能设法将他们的营业转为合法化。

他代表峇都丁宜海滨一带之各行业业者发表他们的心声,并希望政府能加以关注及圆满解决有关问题。

约80家海滩业者受影响

他说,当地由沙洋度假村至海湾酒店约3公里海滩业者约有80家受影响,其中包括:餐馆、Bistro、民宿、按摩业者、水上运动经营者等,接获指示必须搬迁,否则市政局将采取行动对付。

他表示,受影响的80家业者聘用约500名员工,一旦受影响,他们将何去何从?是否将会造成更多的社会问题?

他说,受影响者有些经在当地经营20年以上,而且自己进行美化及提升相关设备,以吸引旅客的光顾,如今却面对被撤除的命运,真令人痛心。

他不满当局只给4天时间要他们搬迁,是不能接受的,而且也没有与他们商讨如何安顿,以便他们能继续营业,才不致影响他们及家庭生计。

他表示,他们曾对有关问题于周日(22日)向当地乡村发展暨治安委员会主席反映,要求协助向当局表达展延执行,并要求对话,让他们表达心声及所面对的问题,但是非常遗憾,对方表示不要插手有关问题!

经营餐馆业的沙胡哈密也表示,业者曾向当局申请暂时营业执照(TOL)来营业,但是没有获得当局的批准。他表示,他们也是不愿在“非法”情况下做生意的!

他也表示,受影响的代表也于今日呈函予首席部长,要求暂延有关拆除行动,但至今尚未接获任何有关的决定。

郑雨週:不干预执法进行

对于峇都丁宜海滨业者受促搬迁一事,丹绒武雅区州议员郑雨週表示,在民主制度下,执法、行政及立法是3权分立的,他尊重及不干预执法的进行。

他认为,业者生计的问题应通过另一管道来解决,而当局对非法违建的业者采取行动,这是有关当局的权限。

他说,在这事件中,东北县署与州政府在聆听各方的意见及讨论后,才决定采取行动。

他也表示,当局也接获不少的投诉,包括酒店业、瑞典正确生活基金会主席甲古凡由斯卡博士等对海滨环境受污染问题的投诉。

他指出,有关业者生计受影响的问题,他劝请业者与当局对话,并改变以往不积极参与的态度,以便共同寻求解决有关问题。

郑雨週于接受本报记者访问时,如是表示。

业者反映
阿里阿巴:政府业者应齐抗萧条

槟州旅游合作社有限公司主席阿里阿巴莫哈末诺认为,政府应该与业者进行商讨,如何来对有关问题,寻求解决方案。尤其在目前面对经济萧条时刻,更不应该使人民失业!

林国荣:海滨行业吸引游客

受影响业者林国荣(34岁)表示,海滨上的各行业都能吸引游客,而且水上运动,如:水上摩托车、跳伞等都是他们的所爱,一旦没有了这项活动,又怎样吸引他们的到来呢?

须兼顾海滩整洁卫生

他说,业者除了维护参与者的安全外,也兼顾海滩的整洁与卫生,因此,希望政府能给予机会,让他们继续在当地营业,以免生计受到影响。

莎拉娃:对撤除餐馆感震惊

游客莎拉娃(25岁)表示,听到餐馆业者表示政府将撤除餐馆,而表示震惊!她说,槟州的人民非常友善,外国旅客都喜欢前来旅游。而在都丁宜海滨一带的美景与建筑,环境都是旅客所爱,被拆除将是项浪费。

来自英国的她,才于周日抵槟,就听到这个消息,表示失望。

BESRAYA - Toll at Salak South Gone

More goodies coming from government. But when abolish the toll, government also should declare how much being compensate to toll operator to justify it. Are the goodies "beekadar langsung" with the by-election?


工程部利多大放送
沙叻秀收费站拆除


作者/本刊记者 Feb 24, 2009 03:37:13 pm
【本刊记者撰述】政府利多大放送,继新班底大道收费站拆除之后,工程部长莫哈末再因(Mohd Zin Mohamed)今日宣布将拆除吉隆坡新街场大道的沙叻再也(Salak Jaya)收费站,而且立即停止收费!

沙叻再也收费站也是本月之内,雪隆地区第二个宣布废除的收费站,该收费站位于吉隆坡新街场大道(BESRAYA)来回沙叻秀的方向,1999年启用时收费仅马币一元,现已涨价至马币一元三角。

根据《太阳报》(theSun)报道,莫哈末再因今天宣布上述消息,并立即生效;废除这个收费站之后,最直接的得益者将是大道旁沙叻秀新村的居民。

较早之前,莫哈末再因也在2月13日也宣布,新班底大道由八打灵再也通往吉隆坡方向的PJS2收费站从当晚午夜开始停止收费,获得当地居民一致欢迎,因为这意谓着该大道旁的甘榜美丹、甘榜拿督哈仑、成功花园、八打灵再也南部一及二区居民使用该大道时,可以省下马币一元六角。

不过,若使用新班底大道由吉隆坡通往八打灵再也方向的收费站,则依然维持收费,因此有居民不满政府利民利一半,关站也只关半边,在2月15日早上,联合人民公正党籍的格拉那再也国会议员罗国本、八打灵再也南区国会议员许来贤等人,在该收费站旁举行请愿活动,惟工程部并没有正面回应这项诉求。

Monday, February 23, 2009

My 1st 33

Today i am celebrating my 33rd birthday. So, in summary:

1. I left kindergarden 27 years ago - Phor Tay Kindergarden, Penang
2. I left primary school 21 years ago - SRJK Phor Tay, Penang
3. I left secondary school 15 years ago - Chung Hwa, Penang
4. I left Form 6 13 years ago - Penang Free School, Penang
5. I left Penang for study & also married 12 years ago - Serdang Now
6. I left UPM undergraduate 9 years ago - UPM, Serdang
7. I left UPM Post-graduate 7 years ago - Also UPM, Serdang
8. I am married 5 years ago - Serdang
9. I got my 1st kid 3 years ago - KL
10. I will got my 2nd kid this year - KL

Looking for 2nd 33 & 3rd 33 ........

1. I hope to see the end of BN ruled government immediately if possible - 2009
2. I hope to have a dragon baby 3 years later (sudject to wife's agreement) - 2012
3. I am eagerly to see my kid goes to primary school in 4 years time - 2013
4. I hope to finish my current installment for house in 5 years time - 2014
5. I am eagerly to see my kid goes to secondary school in 10 years time - 2019
6. I am eagerly to see my kid finish his university in 20 years - 2029
7. And subsequently marry ......
8. And have kids ......
9. And become "datuk"
10. Enjoy life, hopefully

Friday, February 13, 2009

PLUS: Toll expecting to increase 5%

Damn, pirate on the street again, instead of 10%, they are expeting to get 5% increament by Government and the stupid contract requires BN Government to compensate PLUS either by CASH ot EXTENSION of concession period.

It is always win-win for PLUS and Government. As you know, the compensation in either way will return the "money" back to "government" since government GLC own 65% shares in PLUS and other 10% by EPF.

If this extension keep on prolong, maybe my grandchildren also need to pay the PLUS toll.

End of stupid contract please.

New Interest Rate for Credit Card

Banks reduce the interest rate and late penalty charges, but still is no 20 days interest free if you are not make full payment, LPPL.


二零零九年二月十三日 凌晨十二时四十五分

(吉隆坡12日讯)大马银行公会周四宣布,国内信用卡的年利率将于2009年3月31日开始调降,降幅介于0.5%至1.5%之间,而逾期罚款的数额也获得调降。

第一级(Tier-1)持卡人的信用卡年率将从原有的15%,降至13.5%。

第二级(Tier-2)持卡人的信用卡年率将从原有的17%,降至16%。

第三级(Tier-3)持卡人的信用卡年率将从原有的18%,降至17.5%。

另外,大马银行公会也宣布下调信用卡欠债逾期未还的罚款,从原有的最低10令吉或1%(视何者为低)与最高100令吉,调降至最低5令吉与最高75令吉,以让持卡人可以应对当前的债务困难期。

大马银行公会宣布降信用卡的年利率,是希望持卡人可以尽快缴还逾期的欠款。



From The Star:

Cardholders who pay at least the minimum amount promptly over 12 consecutive months (Tier-1) will pay 13.5% in annual interest from March 31, from the present 15%.

For those who pay promptly for at least 10 consecutive months (Tier-II), the interest rate will be 16%, down from 17%.

For those who do not fall into both these categories (Tier-III), the interest rate will be 17.5%, a minimal 0.5% reduction from 18%.

The present minimum late payment fee of RM10, or 1% of the total outstanding balance will also be reduced to RM5, and the RM100 maximum fee cut to RM75.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

"Star Wars" above Siberia

This can be happened, two satellites of Russia and USA collides in space above Siberia. One is non-fuctioning Russia 1993 satellite, one is Iridium Satellite lauched in 1997.

Now question is: Who going to clear the "rubbish" in the space?

AB Blood Group Not "Selfish"

All the while people has this perception that AB blood group people are "selfish" as they only donate thier blood to AB group. Unlike O group where they are the most "generous", giving to all A, B, O and AB group.

As one of the 5% population in this Malaysia, i need to clarify to all people that AB blood group in fact are very "generous" as well.

Type O negative blood is called the "universal blood type" because it can be transfused to people of all blood types. Type O positive can be given to anyone with a positive Rh factor.

Type AB plasma has been considered as the universal Blood plasma type, and therefore AB plasma is given to patients with any Blood type as AB Plasma does not have both anti-A antibody & anti B antibody.

Plasma is use for transfusion or manufactured into medicines. AB Plasma that is use for transfusion is prepared into small aliquots an dgiven to neonates who require multiple plasma transfusion. Besides, many medicines are manufacture from plasma such as Coagulation Factor Concentrated VIII & IX, IgG, 20% Albumin, etc.

Plasma can be donated through the process called Ahperesis and every 2 weeks up tp 25X a year, each time 600cc. Compared to whole blood donor, they are only able to donate 4X a year each time 450cc.

So, donate more to help when you are able to do so!

外国学生一针见血道出旅游业弱点 槟缺安全感

(槟岛西南区11日讯)槟州刚被列为世界文化遗产,旅游业前景备受看好,但来自新加坡国立大学中文EMBA学位课程学生却一针见血道出槟州旅游业弱点,建议槟州政府改进。

他们一团50人是在教授许士军的带领下到槟城考察学习,获得槟州政府款待,同时安排他们参与一场主题“为槟州工业及旅游业未来10年品牌化”讲座会,在会上提出精辟的意见,希望槟州政府能改善。

四川学生:担心财务 无法愉快旅行

其中一名来自中国四川的学生表示,身为一名游客,最基本的就是安全感,但是他来槟州几天后对本身的财务感到担心,无法愉快的游行。

他也说,槟州的基本交通不便利,的士不打表计程令游客留下坏印象,而且收费也不便宜,此外,道路没有清楚标示,时常令他们走错路。

他也询问,槟州有什么纪念品是有标志性的?他建议槟州政府应该为槟城设立一个主题及纪念品,同时该纪念品需要便于携带及精美,让游客可以购买回去送给他人作礼物。

上海学生:污染严重 关注环保问题

其中一名来自上海的学生则说,他在还未到槟城之前有个浪漫的想法,以为可以漫步沙滩,但是槟州海滨的污染很严重,排污系统不完善,因此希望槟州政府可以关注环保的问题。

中国学生:宣传不足 应拥主题品牌

另一名也是来自中国的学生说,他本身对槟城入遗没什么概念,在看了入遗介绍后,才发现有很多值得挖掘的地方,显然槟州政府在宣传方面略为不足。

他也说, 作为一个旅游城市应该拥有一个主题品牌,比如新加坡有个鱼尾狮,美国有个自由女神像,槟州也应该有个标识物。

还有一名学生也说,槟城入遗后应该吸引很多外资前来共同发展旅游业,槟州政府在招商发展旅游业上,应该详细列出主题,收益,合作的模式,包括给对方多少年的经营,未来收益的预估,这对一个城市的旅游规划会比较有说服力。

林玉裳:没有告示牌及地图

当天主讲塑造槟城-文化遗产旅游的槟城古迹信托会财政林玉裳在回应时说,槟州政府及人民其实还没充份准备入遗,所以很多机制还未成立,州政府还有很多工作需要进行。

她说,槟州充满历史的古迹,由于没有导游带领解说,也没有告示牌及地图,很多游客到来后,都觉得没什么好看,下次就不来了,她对槟城的旅游是否可持续性感到担忧。

张均权:美好回忆非常重要

来自新加坡国立大学的主讲者张均权教授则说,一名游客到槟城旅游,槟州能给他留下什么经验及美好回忆是非常重要的,槟州政府应该为州内旅游业寻求一个定位,从这方面切入吸引游客。

丘光宪:槟工业需品牌化

槟州工业咨询理事会顾问团副主席拿督斯里丘光宪则说,许多国家的旅游产品包装都已经改变,但是槟城的旅游保持不变,或许也是一种特色。

另外,在谈到工业品牌上,他认为,好的品牌就是一个代名词,槟州工业在未来10年需以新元素吸引外资,进行工业品牌化。

他说,槟州在过去50年前以劳资廉宜吸引外资,中国开放后则需要作出转变,欲提高槟州工业品牌,首先工业领域需要多方面发展,除了电子业,也需要提供医药业、食品工业、生物科技等发展,让投资者有额外优势。

他也指,槟州也需要以其他服务来辅助工业,旅游、医疗保健及生活素质也是投资者的考量,是不能忽略的环节。

“槟州工业在未来10年内需具备创造性,吸引力,建立共鸣感,才能让投资者留下深刻印象,对槟州工业充满信心。”

他说,欲进行品牌打造需要一系列的步骤,好的品牌需要一致性清楚传达讯息,让人一看到那个品牌就知道是什么产品,同时需要建立信用,培养顾客对品牌的忠诚度。

他也说,槟州工业是从劳工密集转移到技能密集,同时现在工业是强调设计及发展,并提供完整的供应链给予顾客,这些都需要清楚的向投资者表达,才能让他们对投资产生信心。

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Le Tour de Langkawi 2009

Surprisingly not much of campaigne and ads for this event and i really not aware of it until news report on radio broadcasted it this morning.

Check the website, very disappointed with this 2009 event. Only 7 stages covering Putrajaya, KL, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Selangor and little bit of Pahang. I believe the 2009 event will be the least "area covered" as compared to previous events.

Clearly from the states involve, you can see all PR states are excluded except Selangor which the organizer has no choice but to do it as Putrajaya and KL are located in Selangor. This year even also only has one stage of Climbing to Genting Highland (Category Hors), unlike previous tours which had normally few climbing stages (Category 1-3 plus a Hors). Total distance still about the same 1,000 km.

Anyway, i will still watch it live if possible especially the Climbing stage to Genting Highland! Go teams from Malaysia and win at least one stage, give a fight to the pro-teams!

Friday, February 06, 2009

China is Leading in CDM projects

Last week, China finally over take India in term of number of registered CDM project activity. Anyhow, all the while since 2-3 years back, China has the highest number of estimated CERs as China has project activities with > 10 mil CERs per project. Ever wonder why China has the most CERs and number of Projects? Answer is simple, China is the 2nd most polluted country after USA. But lucky for China is, they are caterogorise under Non-Annex 1 country (or developing country). So no commitment to reduce emmisions but can carry out voluntary.

As per today (6th Feb 2009), China has 404 registered projects, India has 392 projects.

How about Malaysia? We are currently ranked no. 5 with 37 registered project activities and FYI, i have one project registered!

How about the smallest CDM Project? It is also from Malaysia with only 173 CERs per annum.

For those who need to understand what is CDM, click here.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Non-sense

(4:45pm) PM Datuk Seri Abdullah has told Pakatan Rakyat to accept Barisan's rule in Perak. "They should accept it just as we had accepted results of the general election," he said. Abdullah also expressed his appreciation to the Perak Sultan for not dissolving the state assembly.


It is the same results? One is through normal voting process by Perakians, the democracy way, one is through back door. You judge yourself, words from someone that leaving the office soon.

Hopeless Malaysia

BN is in power again through back door. Sultan Perak reject PR's wish to dissolve the DUN. Indeed a sad news for Malaysia's history. History will record this event, the victory of rakyat being robbed away from back door.

We voted for changed after 51 years in darkness. At last after 308, we can see the light at the end of tunnel. But the light was shut off just like this. 54% of Perakians who voted PR in 308 have been denied the right to choose their government! And the betrayal must pay for it.

Let the ballot box to speak again, in coming GE. May UMNO and BN are totally wipe out from the Malaysia political radar.

Time will tell. Till one day, The Jedi Will Return!

PR, the fights and struggles will goes on.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

A New Hope Please ......

Too bad for these frogs, jumping around and caused instability to the Perak Government. End of the day, the Perakians who suffer the most! If BN really able to form the "new government" soon, what will happen to the new policy that PR had announced, such as Free Hold title for New Villages, lands for Chinese private school to self-sustains, and etc. Furthermore, the "new government" only have 2 non-bumis Adun, can they representing the Perakians that having almost 55% of non-bumis?

Sad to see DAP's
Hee defection. As she sound so firm that she will not defect. Seem like it was all a big time kaw-kaw sandiwara. But, can you see her face during the Najib's PC, look so tense & sad. Not even a word i guess. Anyway, she is buying time for Najib. She won't appeared if not Lim Guan Eng warned her that day. Such a lame excuse given. Then these 2 missing-in-action EXCO PKR suddenly appeared in Najib office and giving a lame excuse of sick. Therefore can't be contacted by the whole world even thier family members. But Najib able to contact these 2 guys. Amazing! Of course, the main joker of the whole incident is Bota Adun, it seem like "now you got me, now you don't". I was wonder whether this Bota Adun was a bait sent by Najib to Anwar. I wonder how these frogs would face the Rakyat who voted them?

I have to salute PAS as they are very firm on thier stand! After a by-election was held in PAS ruled Kelantan during 2004 - 2008 where the existing PAS seat was lost to UMNO and PAS only had
one seat different in DUN, they did not defect too no matter how bad the situation. Unlike DAP and PKR or PBS, many frogs were there and continue to have from time to time. That is why DAP is very much hoping for the Anti-Hoping Law. That is why also BN never want to push for it, as history tells us that they were benefited all the while.

Then come to this
EC pulak, another joker of the day. They decide not to call a by-election, an act of unconstitutional. For me, EC is helping Najib to buy time, at least to drag after Silver Jubilee of Sultan Perak on 3rd Feb 2009.

I do hope Sultan Perak will let the Perakians to decide again who should lead the government through the ballot box, not by jumping frogs. As the "boss" of the state, they should have the right to choose.

And finally, if the wish to have a fresh state election is granted, i hope all these frogs will disappear from the political arena forever. With this election also, once for all i hope Najib and UMNO will lost in coming GE.

GOD BLESS MALAYSIAN.

Once For All, Dissolve It

Seem like PR of Government Perak has no other choice but to dissolve it to have a new mandate from Perakian. Too many stupid things happen since day one of 1st lunar month in OX.

With more & more rumours that DAP's Hee also quited the party (rumour still), how well the government is able to function and fight the economic crisis instead of this political crisis?

Conduct a new state election and once for all shut them (UMNO especially) off!!

God bless Perakian!