Penang Monorail

The Penang Monorail is a proposed monorail line to be constructed under the Ninth Malaysia Plan and Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).The tender for the Project has been closed since 16 November 2007. Some of the contenders for the project were Melewar Industrial Group Bhd (MIG) and Putera Capital Bhd .On 10 January 2008, the government announced the winner of the tender, which is a consortium led by Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd. (MRCB). The members of the consortium includes Scomi Engineering Bhd and Penang Port Commission. According to The Edge, Malaysian Resources Corporation will build the monorail infrastructure, while Scomi Engineering will provide consultant expertise in building the infrastructure and Penang Port Commission have the land on to which the main hub will operate. The tender cost is expected to be at RM1.6 billion. However after losing the state in last general election the monorail project was scrapped by the federal government. The reason given was to relocate resources to cushion the impact of the increase in global oil prices and focus on people centred projects. However we Malaysian knew what is the REAL REASON and yet that is not the issue here in this entry.Back to our story ,on April 2008, Melawar Industrial Group proposed to the state government, RM 2.2 billion railway solution which operate on a single line and run on three different loops from locations like Gelugor, Farlim in Air Itam and Gurney Drive into the city. The system will feature steel structures and will run near the state's heritage buildings. In response, the state government said it will consider such proposal and may carry out the project by themselves instead of waiting for the federal government. The names of all the stations on the monorail are still mostly unknown, though the main stops are known. The Red Line will run between Tanjung Tokong and the Bayan Lepas International Airport, via Scotland Road, Jalan Air Itam and the Penang State Mosque. The Green Line will run between Paya Terubong and Weld Quay Terminal, via Jalan Air Itam, Jalan Dato' Keramat, and Komtar. The interchange will be at Jalan Air Itam.

The Light Penang Waterfront

Driving along the Jalan Udini coastal highway towards Bayan Lepas in Penang, one cannot miss the massive sea reclamation near the Penang Bridge. Over a period of time, sand has been dumped on the seafront at a feverish pace and creating a new land bank, now covering several hectares. For those wondering what development is about to take shape, the site has been targeted for an RM6.5bil waterfront city to be completed in 10 to 15 years. In 2017, visitors to the island will be greeted by the sight of a new coastal township. Attractions include a seafront park, floating restaurant, waterfront amphitheatre, water theme park, international convention centre, hotels and shopping mall. There will also be waterfront homes with private jetties and high end condominiums for those who can afford them. The ambitious mixed residential and commercial development project called The Light will be developed by Jelutong Development Sdn Bhd (JDSB), a subsidiary of IJM Properties Sdn Bhd. With construction started in late 2008, the 61.5ha reclaimed land project is set to transform Penang eastern coastline into a breathtaking tourist attraction. It is an integrated waterfront living concept, The Light is a dynamic township which incorporates residential, entertainment, business, education and commercial components, Under Phase One, six parcels of high-end residences will be developed over 17ha comprising 1,186 units. We can expect the completion in three to five years from now on. Phase Two will see a commercial and retail centre being developed over 41.68ha of land and it will comprise twin gateway office towers, family resort, boutique and spa and business hotels, banquet and conference, dining and entertainment facilities, cultural hall, visitor centre and waterfront amphitheatre. There will also be family, IT, fashion and activity malls with attractions like galleries, entrepreneurial incubators, recreational park, gourmet dining, floating restaurant, water taxi, water theme park, miniature golf, skating ring and rock climbing course. While the last phase three would be developed into a 2.8ha seafront park. Currently Phase 1 and 2 are already in action, Phase 3 in planning while Phase 4 is still under research. The Light's biggest attraction is eco friendly, environmentally sustainable and energy efficient systems and designs, which will appeal to foreign investors who value sustainable long term investments, some who are also environmentally conscious. Since it plans to be an all rounder commercial and leisure center, cost effective and sustainable systems are a plus point in increasing productivity, living standards, and at the same time keep health hazards, wastage and pollution in check. The Light also projected be one of the projects to benefit from most of Malaysia's nationwide development plans. It will be an important advanced international commercial hub in the Northern Corridor Economic Region and the 9th Malaysia Plan. Together with the development of the Penang Second Bridge and Penang Outer Ring will increase The Light accessibility and value. Not to forget its image and facilities as a world class waterfront enclave and trade centre comparable to Singapore's and Hong Kong's. This appeals to most upper class professionals and investors, which seem to be their main target and a few medium high class developments nearby will make sure that the middle class are not left out as well. As huge as its developments and aspirations, The Light has also attracted much controversy. Environmental impact over the development, meeting the people's needs and its effect on Penang's original heritage and nature are some of the questions and opinions debated by various people and parties. It’s a 10 to15 years of completion duration and for the following Phase 3 and 4 may also be a risk, as unprecedented factors may halt the development halfway. Competition from Queensbay and other developing areas nearby may slow its reception too. From various opinions and sources, The Light received mixed response. It will increase the state's revenue and facilities but does the project have its significance and benefits to the average middle class Penang citizen. Though it has a few risks, it is overall a secured investment with the 9th Malaysia Plan and Northern Corridor Economic Region development plans supports The Light.

Rumah Mahal Di Penang

Adakah kerajaan dan juga pihak pemaju sedar akan taraf hidup sebenar rakyat Malaysia? Itu adalah satu persoalan yang wajar dirungkai dan adakah hak rakyat untuk memiliki rumah sendiri benar-benar tercapai. Rata-rata projek perumahan baru yang dibangunkan di sekitar Penang adalah mewah, mahal dan cukup mustahil dimiliki oleh majoriti rakyat. Untuk rekod hanya 15 peratus atau 1.8 juta sahaja daripada 12 juta pekerja di Malaysia yang layak dikenakan cukai pendapatan yang membayar cukai pendapatan dan golongan ini boleh dikatakan upper middle class. Adakah pihak pemaju sengaja mahu menindas rakyat dengan mengiatkan projek perumahan mewah yang jauh daripada kemampuan sebenar. Setelah dikaji projek-projek di sekitar Tanjung Bungah seperti The Cove, 32-storey Sky Home, 39-storey Springtide Residences disasarkan untuk warga negara asing khasnya Jepun dan juga Hong Kong.Walaupun ianya usaha yang bagus demi masa depan Penang namun pada masa yang sama pemaju juga wajar melihat ,isu rumah warga tempatan. Ramai lagi yang masih menyewa dengan harga yang mahal dan disamping beban kos sara hidup yang melambung tinggi.Ramai lagi yang masih beteduh sementara di bumi sendiri.Wahai pemaju janganlah terlalu ghairah mengejar keuntungan ingat juga kepada tanggungjawab sosial kepada orang ramai. Ketika ini projek paling murah di sekitar Penang terletak di Balik Pulau itupun dengan harga RM 300 000.Walaupun dicop paling murah, ramai lagi yang masih merungut untuk membelinya. Loan daripada bank bukan senang diperolehi dan pelbagai kerenah birokrasi serta undang-undang membebankan lagi para pembeli. Cukai-cukai remeh seperti cukai setem wajar dikurangkan oleh kerajaan. Anda kerajaan tidak akan bankrupt jikalau pendekatan sedemikian diambil.Apa salahnya jika mahu tolong rakyat. Disebabkan ketidakcekapan kerajaan mengurus negara, pembaziran duit awam dalam pelbagai projek mengakibatkan rakyat dibawah tertekan. Wahai menteri cuba anda rasai keperitan hidup rakyat tanpa asyik menyejukan badan di dalam pejabat dan terbang di udara. Berbalik kepada isu kita, kerajaan tidak kira pusat mahupun negeri harus bertindak dalam isu ini dan laman web berikut dapat membantu sedikit dalam mendapatkan gambaran sebenar isu rumah mahal di Penang.

http://www.penangproperties.com/residential/house_sale.htm


Gambar dibawah adalah contoh projek mewah yang sedang dibangunkan.

Touch ‘n Go Cards

Touch ‘n Go says that there is a 10 year expiry period because the components in the card fails and that the consumer need to replace it and they are charging RM10 for a new one. The new card will also last only for 10 years. I am suspecting that it is not that the card that is faulty but that they are intentionally deactivating it in their database and forcing the users to pay for a new one. But what really sounds suspicious are Touch 'n Go is an RFID card which goes for sale at about RM0.20 per pop for a 10,000 unit order. Malaysia has about 283,000 cards expiring for 2008, 2009 & 2010 alone. We definitely can source them for cheaper. Printing costs should also not exceed a few cents, so charging RM10 for a replacement is well overpriced.

You can check your card expiry here:

http://www.touchngo.com.my/checkCardExpiry.html

Technical Background Of RFID Cards:

http://www.smartcardsupply.com/Content/Cards/cards.htm

Below is the notice from the company.

Almost 283,000 Touch ‘n Go cardholders may experience difficulties when passing through a toll plaza if they do not renew their cards this year. Nearly 300,000 Touch ‘n Go cards will expire by this year with 17,000 of its customers already replacing their cards since January. Touch ‘n Go managing director Hasni Zarina Mohamed Khan said the cards, bought between 1997 and August 2000, had reached their 10-year lifespan. “If the card is not replaced, it may fail to function. This will cause inconvenience to the card users and others,” she said. She said to renew the card, customers would need to purchase a new card, costing RM10, which would last another 10 years. “This works out to RM1 per year, which is worth the cost, given all the convenience the customers get. “All they need to do is to surrender their old card and purchase a new one at any of our customer service centres,” Hasni said. Asked why there was a 10-year expiry period, she said it was because all electronic products were subject to wear and tear. “The Touch ‘n Go card is no exception. The electronic chip inside the card, which carries functions such as memory storage, radio transmitter and receiver, has a 10-year lifespan,” she said. “The chip will lose its efficiency and break down once it surpasses the lifespan, just like any other electronic appliances.” Card users can renew their cards at any Touch ‘n Go service hub or at the customer service centres along the highways listed on www.touchngo.com.my. “They can also check when their card expires at our website,” she said, adding that customers could also call its Careline Centre at 03-7628 5115. On their future plans, Hasni said they recently introduced Quik2Go, an Internet reload application. “Besides that, we are also expanding the Touch ‘n Go ‘Zing’ Auto Reload Card feature to debit cards as well as current and savings account holders,” she said.

Permit Import (AP)

Negara mampu memperoleh penjimatan sebanyak RM1.4 bilion setahun jika 60,000 Permit Import (AP) yang diberikan kepada kroni Umno/BN dijual secara terbuka, berbanding pelaksanaan Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) ke atas rakyat dan meyukarkan kehidupan seharian makin rumit. Kerajaan mampu memperoleh pertambahan pendapatan sebanyak RM2.4 bilion hasil daripada penjualan AP secara terbuka, berbanding hanya RM1 bilion setahun yang diperoleh jika GST dilaksanakan. Jikalau satu AP bernilai RM40,000 dijual secara terbuka, maka kerajaan tidak perlu mengenakan GST kerana setiap tahun kerajaan boleh mendapat sekurang-kurangnya RM2.4 bilion setahun. Sistem percukaian yang berasaskan kadar perbelanjaan dilihat lebih bersifat regresif kerana bebanan cukai yang diletakkan pada golongan berpendapatan rendah lebih tinggi berbanding golongan berpendapatan tinggi. Perkara ini terbukti apabila hanya 15 peratus atau 1.8 juta sahaja daripada 12 juta pekerja di Malaysia yang layak dikenakan cukai pendapatan.Sementara itu, Timbalan Presiden Kongres Kesatuan Buruh Malaysia, A Balasubramaniam berkata, pelaksanaan empat peratus cukai itu hanya akan terus me-nindas golongan pekerja.“Daripada 27 juta rakyat di negara ini, separuh daripadanya adalah golongan pekerja, lebih kurang 13 juta ini, lebih 80 peratus adalah golongan berpendapatan rendah dan dari golongan rendah ini, hanya 11 peratus mempunyai kesatuan sekerja. “Maka golongan sekecil inilah sahaja yang berkesempatan berunding dengan majikan untuk kenaikan gaji, manakala lebih 90 peratus pekerja pula tidak berpeluang menuntut gaji yang lebih munasabah apabila GST dikenakan,” katanya.1 Malaysia jelas suatu konsep yang telah pun gagal. Mantan perdana menteri Tun Mahatir sendiri tidak faham dengan slogan tersebut bahkan rakyat berbilang kaum.

Suara CAT

Dear Penangites Friends I do know we all are busy with education and relationship issue but I hope that you all can spend a few minutes to read this note. Are you all as Penangites are aware of Competency Accountability and Transparency or CAT of the Penang State Government. It is a guiding principle of the current Penang state administration. The link given below is The Suara Cat or Berita Rakyat Pulau Pinang. It highlight's the achievement of the state government in past 2 years. This raw material in this newsletter wont be covered or highlighted in federal government controlled main stream media tv1, tv2, tv3, ntv7,Utusan Melayu,The Star,Kosmo and etc. So please go through the material to judge the performance of the current government. We are the no more high school kids who can ignore this kind of issue's. We are adult now and it’s our social responsible towards the community by taking passive involvement in the politics. For those are yet to register as a voter please do so. A single vote carries a heavy weight age which many of us don’t release. The general election is coming soon. It’s projected to be held mid next year. So please get yourself registered at any Post Office. Its totally FREE, FAST and EASY process. Do it now because it will take at least six month to get your name in the electrocal list. Remember that WE are the leader of tomorrow. We decide the future of this country and also the government policy. This is for you and your future family.Lets shape the future of new Malaysia with no racial issue yet with article 153 of Federal Constitution of Malaysia preserved firmly. Thanks in advance for our time spent and any action taken by you all.

Suara CAT Siri 1

http://psuk.penang.gov.my/images/suaracatsiri1.pdf

SUARA CAT Siri 2

http://chanlilian.net/images/suaracat2.pdf