EKONOMI MALAYSIA TIDAK TERJEJAS TERUK

BNS KSE
MALAYSIA-EKONOMI/I
PAKAR EKONOMI YAKIN MALAYSIA TIDAK TERJEJAS TERUK
Oleh Wan Nor Azura Bt Mior Abdul Aziz

KUALA LUMPUR, 2 Dis (Bernama) -- Seorang pakar ekonomi yakin ekonomi Malaysia tidak akan terjejas teruk akibat kemelesetan global, berikutan pelbagai inisiatif rangsangan fiskal yang diperkenalkan oleh kerajaan untuk merancakkannya.

Banyak pihak merasakan bahawa kerajaan harus mempercepatkan perbelanjaan
agar dapat, bukan sahaja mengelakkan Malaysia daripada mengalami pertumbuhan
negatif, malah juga memacu perkembangan ekonomi.

Menurut ketua pakar ekonomi kumpulan RAM Holdings Berhad, Dr Yeah Kim
Leng, jika langkah-langkah fiskal itu berkesan secara kolektif, maka semua
sektor utama ekonomi tidak akan jatuh menjunam.

Yeah, bagaimanapun berkata, Malaysia tidak akan terjerumus ke kancah
kemelesetan memandangkan tiada penyusutan mendadak pengeluaran.

Jumaat lepas, gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia, Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz,
mengumumkan bahawa sektor pembuatan susut 1.8 peratus disebabkan terutamanya
oleh prestasi lemah industri berorientasikan eksport.

Bercakap kepada BERNAMA Yeah berkata sektor pembuatan akan menyaksikan
pertumbuhan yang jauh lebih rendah tahun depan.

"Saya rasa kita berkemungkinan mencapai empat peratus memandangkan
pertumbuhan sederhana dan kelembapan global," katanya.

Katanya, buat masa ini kelembapan sektor pembuatan Malaysia sebahagiannya
bersifat saiklikal dan sebahagian lagi dari sudut struktur.

Meskipun Malaysia berada pada kedudukan yang agak tinggi dari segi daya
saing dalam kalangan ekonomi berorientasi eksport yang baru berkembang, namun
pertumbuhannya seolah-olah terhenti dalam tahun-tahun kebelakangan ini.

Yeah berkata kebanyakan ekonomi paling maju seperti Amerika Syarikat,
Jepun dan negara-negara Kesatuan Eropah telahpun dilanda kemelesetan dalam suku
ketiga dan keempat tahun ini.
--BERNAMA
WNA AS KY

MALAYSIA ECONOMY - SOFT LANDING

MALAYSIA-ECONOMY
ECONOMIST CONFIDENT MALAYSIA WILL HAVE SOFT LANDING
By Wan Nor Azura Bt Mior Abdul Aziz

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- An economist is confident that the
Malaysian economy will have a soft landing following various fiscal stimulus
initiatives introduced by the government to pump prime it, against the backdrop
of a global recession.

Many feel that the goverment should fast track spending in order to not
only prevent Malaysia from slipping into negative growth but also spur economic
expansion.

According to the group chief economist of RAM Holdings Berhad, Dr Yeah Kim
Leng, if the fiscal measures worked collectively, then all major sectors of the
economy would not go into a tail spin.

Yeah, however said, Malaysia was not headed for a recession with no sharp
decline in output.

On Friday, Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz had announced
that manufacturing dropped 1.8 percent due mainly to weaknesses in the
export-oriented industries.

Yeah told BERNAMA that the manufacturing sector would see much lower
growth next year.

"I think we can likely achieve four percent in the face of a moderate
growth global slowdown", he said.

Currently he said, the slowdown in Malaysia's manufacturing was partly
cyclical and partly structural in nature.

Although Malaysia ranked relatively high in manufacturing competitiveness
among the export-oriented emerging economies, its improvement appears to have
stagnated in recent years.

Yeah said that the most advanced economies such as the United States,
Japan and the EU countries had already slipped into a recession in the third and
fourth quarters of this year.--BERNAMA
WNA AS

COLUMBIA ASIA-EXPANSION PLAN

Columbia Asia invest 400 million ringgit - Assignment 14/11/2008

Columbia Asia, the international healthcare provider, will be investing over 400 million ringgit over the next 24 months to build six mid-sized community hospitals nationwide.
 
The Chairman of Columbia Asia Group of Companies, Rick Evans, said the expansion was in line with the company's goal to focus on the increasing demand for affordable healthcare services across Asia.

They are aim at the middle income groups that is our market but interesting in Malaysia 70 percent of our revenue almost come from third party, insurance and employer, 30 percent come from people directly.
SUPER: Rick Evans\Chairman\Columbia Asia Group of Companies.

Evans told reporters this after the signing of a 116 million ringgit syndicated Financing (Commodity Murabahah\Tawarruq)-i & Al Ijarah Thumma Al Bai for its proposed three new hospital buildings.
 
The signings were between Columbia Asia Sdn Bhd (CASB), Bank Rakyat, RHB Islamic Bank Bhd and Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd.
 
The financing involved 58 percent of the total investments for the three hospitals in Balakong, Bukit Rimau and Setapak, estimated to cost 225 million ringgit.
 
Evans said the remaining investments would be from internally generated funds.
 
CASB has six hospitals in various stages of development in Malaysia, namely in Balakong, Bukit Rimau, Kota Damansara, Nusajaya, Setapak and Bintulu.
 
The six hospitals are expected to open end 2010.
 
Meanwhile, CASB is 30 percent owned by the Employee Provident Fund, and 70 percent by Columbia Asia Healthcare Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian company with subsidiaries in Vietnam, India and in Indonesia.
 
Columbia Asia, opened its first hospital in 1994, in Malaysia.  
 
Upon completion of the six hospitals, Columbia Asia would have 11 hospitals in Malaysia and by end 2011, it expects 35 hospital operating regionally.

BAKUN-RIGTH TIME TO TAKE-OFF

TNB SAYS GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE SUPPORT FOR BAKUN - Assignment 12/11/2008

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) said the government should give full support to the Bakun hydroelectric dam project for it to be feasible and really take-off.
 
Its chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, said the concern was to ensure that  the selling price of power by Bakun to Tenaga would remain at an affordable level.

Che Khalib also said that the timing was right to lock in the project as the global economic slowdown had resulted in lower prices of essential raw materials for the project.

I think is a good time for TNB to lock in because metal prices has came down almost half for example. Copper prices came down over the last 3 month by almost 50 percent of high from 8000 high to almost 4000 now.
Super: Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh \CEO\Tenaga Nasional Berhad

Che Khalib was speaking at a press conference held in conjunction with the International Energy Security Forum in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
 
On the company's financial performance, he said it would likely be affected by the rising coal prices.
 
Definitely affect our bottom line, definitely, I have nothing to hide here, If it continues to be high  at 120 US dollar definitely we continue to see losses.
Super: Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh \Chief Executive Officer\Tenaga Nasional Berhad

Currently, the price of coal ranged from 100 to 120 US dollars per tonne.
 
And Tenaga Nasional had already secured  its coal supply until December 2009.
 
TNB registered a lower net profit of 2.59 billion ringgit for its financial year ended Aug 31, 2008 (FY08) compared to its forecast of 3.14 billion ringgit.
 
Losses in the fourth quarter was due to forex loss, higher fuel costs and slowing demand.

MALAYSIA-ENERGY SECURITY

International Forum and Energy Security -Assignment 12/11/2008

Malaysia is enacting a national energy policy to ensure that energy security for the country is assured.
 
Tenaga Nasional Bhd chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie said energy security was a global issue that represented an urgent challenge to Malaysia because it was interlinked with economic security and national security.
 
As such, there was a need for a comprehensive energy security roadmap with a clear policy framework and compatible electricity sector regulations.
In his opening remarks at the International Forum and Energy Security held in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, Moggie said the utility giant was currently listening to views of global experts and other stakeholders who could help the government to adopt policies and strategies.
 
He said that most of the options available to increase energy security took significant time to plan and develop, and they required specific policy and regulatory support.

In Malaysia, providing adequate and secure supply of energy to meet increasing demand is a key priority and a major challenge. Crucial to sustaining electricity supply reliability is ensuring sustainable fuel supply at our power generating plants.
SUPER:Tan Sri Leo Moggie \ Chairman, TNB

A strategic and prudent energy policy, he said, was therefore necessary and should include security of crucial energy sources capable of withstanding
disruptive events and risks.
 
There should also be proper management and transition to other fuel sources and energy source diversity, as well as timely investment in energy
infrastructure capacity and networks.
 
Other factors to look at, he noted, were affordability of energy supply, promotion of the efficient use of energy to maximise the value of the energy consumed and sustainable energy in terms of the stewardship of the environment.

EPU-STIMULUS PACKAGE

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH EPU ON 7/11/2008

Without the stimulus package, Malaysia's growth is forecast at 2.5 percent but with the recently announced 7 billion ringgit boost, the  country could achieve 3.5 percent growth in 2009.
 
Economic Planning Unit Director General Tan Sri Sulaiman Mahbob said Malaysia could not escape the effects of the global financial crisis and that the government was watching the situation closely and would be taking the necessary measures if the situation got worst.
At this point of time I think we are watching it very very closely easily daily how the world economy unfold. And we have the economic council that meets monthly to discuss measures to be undertaken.
Super: Tan Sri Sulaiman Mahbob \ Economic Planning Unit, Director General

He said Malaysia was taking precautions to face the challenges posed in 2009 by concentrating more on domestic sources of growth such as private consumption, investment and business competitiveness, to boost the Malaysian economy.
 
Among others, the government was working on promoting the production sector to make sure that Malaysia's export would be more diversified to various countries.
 
He said Malaysia should be looking at more of its exports to the Asean market as well as China and India.
 
Sulaiman told BERNAMA TV this recently, commenting on the impact of the stimulus package to the economy and its outlook. 
 
On the difference between the current crisis and  the 1997/98 Asian financial crisis, he said the sources of the crises were different and therefore, Malaysia had to respond differently, according to the sources and the cause of the crisis.

We have been affected, also in the past during 1986 crisis when we had drop all the commodity prices and we have also crisis 97-98 what was referred East Asian Financial Contagion when economy drop almost 8 percent in 1998.
Super: Tan Sri Sulaiman Mahbob \ Economic Planning Unit, Director General

He said Malaysia's economy was an open economy and therefore, would be able to enhance the standard of living, per capita income, due to being a world market.
 
However, when the world market shrank, Malaysia would equally be affected.

ICT-GROWTH

E-Asia 2008 Assignment 11/11/2008
The Asia-Pacific region continues to see tremendous growth in information and communication technology I-C-T.
 
However, studies have shown that developing countries have a lower rate of return from ICT compared to developed countries.
 
As such, Deputy Minister of Energy, Water and Communciations Datuk Joseph Salang said,
there was an urgent need to build capacity
both in infrastructure and human resources to further support the ICT development.
For instance, he said, the Ministry and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission M-C-M-C) were keen to stimulate the development of the mobile content industry.
 
To drive the applications, MCMC had launched an initial grant scheme of 20 million ringgit to assist network content developers to create local content.
 
In his speech at the launch of e-Asia 2008 in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday Salang said it would continue to develop the industry further through the three major drivers of constructive policies, effective capacity building and supportive incentives schemes.

The growth in ICT infrastructure, applications and contents provides the opportunity for this region to set standarss, including next-generation services for the world.
Super: Datuk Joseph Salang \Dep. Energy, Water & Communciations Minister

On e-Asia 2008, Salang said the event was a platform for ICT players to start networking and establish partnerships for cooperation and
collaboration.
 
He also urged the ICT industry to build on each other's strengths to create activities and growth in developing nations as well as creating markets for
themselves. 

Assignment EA Technique on 10/11/2008

EA Technique (M) Sdn Bhd, via its subsidiary,  Johor Shipyard and Engineering Sdn Bhd, will build a 25 million ringgit dry dock at  Tanjung Langsat port in Pasir Gudang, Johor.  
 
Its Managing Director, Datuk Abdul Hak Md Amin, said that when the company had its own dry dock, the Ea Technique could save on the outflow of funds and help in developing the local shipping industry.
The dock, to be spread over 0.4 hectares, was expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2009.
 
The dock would have two slipways, which could repair ships of  seven thousand deadweight tonnes and 10 thousand deadweight tonnes, respectively.
 
 
At the moment we have quite a number of enquiries especially on offshore vessels which quite positive and also repair site.
Super: Datuk IR Abdul Hak Md Amin\MD\EA Technique (M) Sdn Bhd

Meanwhile, EA Techique on Monday signed an agreement with Sumber Samudera Sdn Bhd to build a double hull black oil tanker and two mooring boats with an option to build another two tankers, at an estimated cost of 202 million ringgit.
 
The company had earlier secured a 418 million ringgit contract from a major oil company to supply three oil tankers over a 10-year period, with an option for another three years.
 
EA Tech, a subsidiary of Sindora Bhd (Sindora), was the owner and manager of a fleet of oil tankers and support vessels for charter in the lucrative oil and
gas transport.
 
It had also been awarded a 11.7 million ringgit seven-year contract, with an option for another three years, to provide two mooring boats and crew for an oil terminal in Melaka.

Assignment with Muhyiddin 22 October 2008

THE NEW LEADERSHIP TO CONTINUE INVESTORS CONFIDENCE IN MALAYSIA

The new leadership to come into power in March 2009 will continue to focus on building investor confidence in Malaysia.

International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muyhiddin Yassin, who is contesting for the Umno Deputy Presidency, reassured both local and foreign investors that there will be enough incentives to generate investments.

Muhyiddin said political stability has always been Malaysia's selling point to investors, but after the March 2008 general election, the scenario has changed to "political uncertainties."

SOT
But we want to bring back the so call good days during difficult times, we want to bring back the so call confidence that we have sort of lost among Malaysian and foreign on us. We want to bring back the spirit of trust and of course to reinstate what some feels lost credibility.
SUPER: Tan Sri Muyhiddin Yassin\Minister of International Trade and Industry.

Muyhiddin was replying to a question from Tan Sri Datuk Dr Ramon Navaratnam, the corporate advisor for the Sunway Group, who wanted to know how the new leadership would be different after March 2009. The minister earlier delivered a keynote speech at a luncheon organised by the Malaysian Institute of Directors in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. In his speech, the minister said businessmen should be brave enough to face the onslaught of the global financial crisis.

In my opinion, the qualities of good corporate leadership are the same whether times are difficult or trouble-free. The major difference is that a difficult business environment is much less forgiving and more costly.In a robust and growing environment, it is easier to internalise failures and move on.
SUPER: Tan Sri Muyhiddin Yassin\Minister of International Trade and Industry.


SOT
In my opinion, the qualities of good corporate leadership are the same whether times are difficult or trouble-free. The major difference is that a difficult business environment is much less forgiving and more costly. In a robust and growing environment, it is easier to internalise failures and move on.
SUPER: Tan Sri Muyhiddin Yassin\Minister of International Trade and Industry.

Muyhiddin added that failures should not necessarily become the stigma of a bad leader. (**ENDS**)

CALL FOR TMGS STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

Hi Buddies, For the past few years I've been searching and hoping to see all my friends from TMGS Taiping. I've lost contacts with everyone of you. TMGS all sorts of names that we call such as The Monkey Girls School, Tin Minyak Gas Senget and another name I do not want to reveal here....those who know will surely laugh hahahah.

Especially from those Edwardians and Convents girls and even Georgian will call us that name.

I thought of all my awesome my friends, my teachers, my school.

I was a former TMGS student right from standard one [1978] until Form 5 [1988].

To all my beloved primary and secondary school teachers, Ms Ng and Ms Foo (because of you guys really make myself to understand and speak english), whom I dearly missed, my caring english teacher Mrs Zainal (you are such a pretty teacher) Puan Zaharah, Ms Amirul, Ms Toh, my ever loving ustazah, the strict and concerned Ms Satwant Kaur, and my BM teacher Puan Rohani (where r u now..)

The attractive Mr Kanapathi (my hockey teacher..you are such wonderful teacher in my life.....love to see you again one of this day.....I miss you so much ...shall we go to McDota again hahahaha...that was interesting, you treated us with McDota chicken in Taiping just after we won our hockey game. My most admire teacher at that time was Mr Salleh....wonder how do you do, hope you still maintain as handsome as before.

To all of my teachers whom I have not mentioned here ...I hope you all in good health and happy always.

I would like to express my deepest and my heartfelt gratitude for your endless efforts and hard work, for your never-ending patience in teaching me to read and write from ABC and Alif Ba Ta and most of all, thank you so much for making me a whole human being as I am today. How I wish I can see all of you and chat again.

Your contributions, big or small, truly mean a lot to me. I could not have done it without all of you. Only The Almighty can ever repay your kindness and your compassion to me. I'm so greatfull and a very BIG THANK YOU from me to all of you.

And to all of my primary and secondary school friends, Nani Rusla Adura , Joy Khoo Saw Kim, Janet, Ong Gaik Siew, Jasmin Kaur (I really admire your mini car...if you want to sell don't forget to contact me ya...) Raja Fatiha, Sharon Goh Elene ( where are you Sharon, hope you will not forget me ya....as I always remember you but just don't have you number to contact), Noor Akma Ismail, Noor Azizan (hope I can have your rambutan again) and for those I did not mentioned thier names, wish all of you can contact me.

The TREACHEREAN spirit is strong as ever, regardless which part of the world we are in. Never can I replace such wonderful memories from TMGS, it will forever be etched in my memory banks.

I think if we actually get to do our reunion we'll take weeks to finish talking & updating each other.. In the meantime, keep in touch buddies!

The wonderful moments that we have shared during our school time, the infatuations, the fights, laughther and tears and everything those are the sweetest and the most valuable memories that are still treasure in my mind.

I really miss Taiping now....... As all of us know we are "FROM TAIPING WITH LOVE".

Please call me at 0133672882 or email me at azuramior@hotmail.com

LOVE

Where is all the love in this world?

Troubled times this crazy world, we're all living in strange days
Where money talks or you get lost, in the crowd at the fool's parade
If it's what it seems, what it's supposed to be, it's not safe anymore
There's hurt and pain, all the suffering, that my heart can't ignore
Well you can see, what you want to believe
And tell yourself it doesn't matter, it doesn't happen to me
Things like this don't happen around here
Where is all the love in this world?
Somewhere one day someone finds a cure for
Doesn't anybody care anymore
Have you seen a picture of me hanging somewhere on a wall
Yeah it looks like me, It feels like me, hey I'm out there somewhere lost
Like a stranger in my homeland, Oh God please hear my plea
Help us love each other, one another, can't we all just live in peace
Well you can see, what you want to believe
And tell yourself it doesn't matter, it doesn't happen to me
Things like this can't happen around here
Where is all the love in this world?
Somewhere one day someone finds a cure for
Doesn't anybody care anymore
Where is all the love
When a finger pulls the trigger on a gun
Words are cutting deeper full of hatred drawing blood
When you can't take it back, when it can't be undone
There's no where to run
Where is all the love in this world?
Somewhere one day someone finds a cure for
Doesn't anybody care anymore
WE ARE ALL THE LOVE!

INVESTORS LOOKING FOR INTEREST-FREE BANKING

MY ASSIGNMENT 26/9/2008 (IBBM)

More investors are looking for interest-free banking. As such, more countries and global financial institutions are having Islamic windows and rolling out Islamic products and services amidst the challenges and uncertainties in the global market.

Director of Banking & Finance Unit of Monash University, Professor Bala Shanmugam said investors' awareness have grown and the essence of Islamic banking has been building up in many parts of the globe.

Speaking to reporters after a preview on the 6th International Islamic Finance Conference 2008 in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, Bala said investors were looking for interest free banking to avail much needed credit for development.

"I think the acceptance is increasing overtime as you know by now nearly 60 countries has got into Islamic finance and even non Muslim countries sucah as the UK, US, Japan of late, Hong Kong, Singapore and all this countries getting into Islamic finance".
SUPER: Professor Bala Shanmugam \ Director of Banking & Finance Unit\Monash University

According to the Malaysia-based Islamic Financial Services Board and Saudi Arabia's Islamic Development Bank the islamic financial services industry worldwide, including banking assets were expected to grow 2.8 trillion US dollars by 2010.

On the conference, Bala said the objective was to provide a platform and communication channel for researchers, academicians and business leaders.

The conference themed "Innovation is Islamic Finance: A fast Track to Global Acceptance" would be held between October 13 and 14 in, Kuala Lumpur. United States, United Kingdom, Iran, and Singapore were among 10 countries participating in the event.(*ENDS*)