The Passing of Idols

What a sad day this is when 2 of your TV/pop idols pass away...

Remembering Michael Jackson and Farah Fawcett:


Michael Jackson


Farah Fawcett

Michael's last concert footage recorded for AEG Live

Penang's backwardness due to Ex-CM Koh Tsu Koon

Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce Head slammed Dr Koh - David Tan reports for The Star, 21st June 2009 (online version unavailable)

Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) president Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping has come out in support of CM Lim Guan Eng saying that Ex-CM Dr Koh had realised NONE of the plans in the Penang Master Plan formulated by Dr Lim Chong Eu when he was CM.

"Dr Koh did have his own plans, but NONE of the projects spelled out in those plans materialised" Tan Sri said.

"As a result of Dr Koh's inaction (for 18 years) the development of Penang had been slow, with no major structural changes visible" he added.

Tan also described the recent remarks by Singaporee's SM Lee Kuan Yew as fair and objective and urged the current administration to focus on current issues rather than to dwell on the past.

Dr Koh could not be reached for comments.

Penang Truly Lagging Behind

SM Lee Kuan Yew isn't so smart after all

SM Lee Kuan Yew recently remarked that Penang has not developed at all for the past 20 years while we Penangites have known it all this while - that's why we kicked Koh Tsu Khoon out!


ERIC C MANUEL writes in The Star today:

-Quote-
THE Mentor Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew made an honest and fair comment on Penang after a visit. There is no reason for Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to go into denial and make accusations.

Dr Koh was the Chief Minister of Penang for 18 years with the full backing of the ruling party BN but what he contributed to the development of Penang to first world standards remains hazy.

Let’s start with the Penang airport. There is little development and the airport is only a shade better than the Pudu Raya bus terminal. Comparatively, there are several airports in the country which make the Penang airport look like a poor cousin.

The railway station and bus station in Butterworth have remained the same as they were 20 years ago. They are dilapidated with poor infrastructure and a poor feeder transport system to towns and the island.

It was during this period that the Sentral Railway Station in Kuala Lumpur was built. What a disparity between the two railway stations within one country and within the development scope of the same government.

Looking at the state’s inland transportation systems and the bus terminal, one would think that the state government stopped work for 20 years. Compare this with the Jalan Duta bus terminal. Had Penang embarked on an MRT or LRT project 18 years ago, Dr Koh would have left behind a legacy in the form of an effective transportation system that would resonate his name.

Now head to the ferry terminal of Penang. It is like getting into a time machine and cranking the wheels of time back into the 1960s. A historical and busy port, it could have been turned into one of the most modern sea terminals and gateways to the East. Its cousin terminal at Port Klang is way ahead in all the makings of a modern facility.

I could go on and on. But all said and done, Penang is about 20 years behind in comparison with Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak and Johor.
-Unquote-

JR: I couldn't have said it better. Let's see if Ah Khoon or his secretary cares to reply!

Is the Proton Exora worth it?

Proton's new MPV has everyone lining up to...bail them out?

I know I am side tracking from my usual topics but I just can't get the idea why Malaysians are so exalted over Proton's new MPV the Exora.



Read blogger Azwan's gushing review of Proton's new kid on the block

Read blogger Paul Tan's unbiased test drive review

I know looks are subjective, but does the Exora look better than the Grand Livina or the ubiquitous Avanza? The Exora does seem to have the edge in features (read Azwan's review) over both the Avanza and the Livina, but then looks and features aside.... the price!


Look who's leading??

The Exora is RM70k. I mean this Malaysian MPV is RM70k! I don't know about you guys but I don't mind plonking for a Nissan or a Toyota for that amount of money... but for a Proton quality car/mpv? You must be joking!

For RM70k or the equivalent you could buy the Toyota Prius Hybrid in Japan!

And don't get me started on what you can buy with RM70k in the US or the UK!

From the price list the nett selling price is stated as RM68,784.50 including tax.
So how much did the total tax (excise/sales/whatever) come up to?
If my reckoning is correct I think Proton would still make a profit if it sold the Exora at RM40k!

So why are we paying RM70k? Is this another case of getting the public to bail-out Proton?

And don't get me started on how Proton managed to launch this car from development in only 2 years! (My God, what kind of research did they do - or was there any??)

Anyway to those whom have already bought the Exora, this country (or is it Proton) is indebted to you!

Proton's profits up due to Exora and Persona (Thank you, suckers!)

Latest: Proton Exora - the good, the bad and the ugly

PKFZ RM4 billion scandal finally lands in MCA's backyard

Persons responsible reads like a Who's Who list from MCA top brass



The Star reports on 22 December 2008:

The total amount paid by the PKA to KDSB for the land eventually amounted to RM1.088bil, to be paid over 15 years.

A letter supporting the project was issued later by the then Transport minister Datuk Seri (now Tun) Dr Ling Liong Sik to Malaysian International Merchant Bankers Bhd and Pacific Trustees Bhd confirming the land purchase.

Former Transport Minister Datuk Seri (now Tan Sri) Chan Kong Choy also issued three supporting letters to the Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd at each stage where PKA signed agreements with KDSB.

These agreements were for KDSB to develop PKFZ and amounted to RM2.25bil.

Read The Sun's latest uptake on their 5-year old investigation

Over the years, we have written dozens of stories on the wrongdoings. Today, five years after theSun broke the story and after denials, clarifications and the lot, we stand vindicated. The report prepared by PriceWaterhouse-Coopers is testimony to why we chose to pursue the issue relentlessly – taxpayers’ money was involved but there seemed to be neither transparency nor accountability – the cornerstones of good governance. The figures quoted in our reports may not have been spot-on but the facts remain.

PWC's Report

PKFZ audit report

Najib losing the plot, washes his hands

Ong Tee Keat on the run as scandal looks set to skyrocket to RM12.5 billion

How it all started (The Sun's report dated 13 Aug 2007)

Forbes: Why the PKFZ issue is important to potential investors

WHAT IS PKFZ? The Port Klang Free Trade Zone (PKFZ) started as a joint venture between the Port Klang Authority and the promoters of the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone in 1999 to attract foreign investment and promote Malaysia's main ports situated near Kuala Lumpur...

JR: MACC.. err have you finished reading the report?? I mean the one reported to you 5 years ago...