Rm to sgd exchange rate

 

Gdp 1965

Malaysia 1965 gdp 8.7 bil rm

Singapore 1965 gdp 2.98 bil sgd

GDP Malaya: Singapore : Sabah & Sarawak = 7.5: 3: 1.

SG per capita gdp in 1965 is SGD 1.6k

On average Malaysia  gdp is 3x singapore in 1965, per capita it’s 1.75x sg to Malaysia

By 1970 it has gdp size reduce to less than 2x

By 1995 Malaysia 222 bil rm vs 124 bil sgd. ex 1.79. By then Malaysia economy is same size as singapore in nominal terms 

 

History already fixed that non malay could never become government in Malaysia

By 1963, the composition of malaysia seats is as follow. The population in 1963 is about 9 million people. Singapore alone made up of 1.5 mil of the population at that time, Sabah and Sarawak about 1.2 mil. ( approx 3.5 million Malay, 3 mil chinese, 1 mil indian, 1 mil natives people from Sabah and Sarawak)

In 1965 Chinese, indian and borneo natives (1.6 mil) make up close to 56% of Malaysia population of 10 million. The non malay population reduced by 1.5 mil once  Singapore left the federation.

72 malay

30 chinese

2 indian

15 sg

24 sarawak

16 sabah

Technically for 159 seats malays will not be majority. however after singapore pull out of malaysia in 1965 there were 144 seats

72 malay

30 chinese

2 indian

24 sarawak

16 sabah

Thus from this point onwards malay has already form the majority by 1969 to 1974. Roughly speaking non malay will not form more than 36% of the total seats.

If we look in 2015, Malaysia population 30 million (15.5 mil Malay, 6.5 mil chinese, 2 mil indian) and Singapore is about 3.5 mil citizens. In this regard Malay vs Non Malay is about the same.

How many mekong bridge there is?

When will ASEANX take effect?

10 countries with small stock exchange shd combine to create a market cap of USD 2 trillion

What will be built in kl between 2010 and 2015
1) development of Sg Buloh,
2) Matrade development by the Naza group,
3) redevelopment of Kampung Baru,
4) Stadium Negara project,
5) 1MDB’s works in Sg Besi and KLIFD Dataran Perdana
6) Nu Sentral
7) Plaza Rakyat
8) MRT project and LRT extension
9) Pudu Jail redevelopment

Stockbroking industry consolidation update

As at 30 June 2009, the stockbroking industry comprised of 1 Universal Broker, 6 stockbroking companies with at least 1+1 mergers ("1+1 SBC"), 14 Investment Banks, 6 foreign stockbroking companies under special scheme and 7 standalone stockbroking companies that have yet to effect any consolidation.



Universal Brokers

PM Securities Sdn Bhd

1+1 Stockbroking Companies

A.A. Anthony Securities Sdn Bhd
Inter-Pacific Securities Sdn Bhd
JF Apex Securities Berhad
M&A Securities Sdn Bhd
Mercury Securities Sdn Bhd
TA Securities Holdings Berhad

Investment Banks

Affin Investment Bank Berhad
Alliance Investment Bank Berhad
AmInvestment Bank Berhad
CIMB Investment Bank Berhad
ECM Libra Investment Bank Berhad
Hong Leong Investment Bank Berhad
HwangDBS Investment Bank Berhad
Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad
Maybank Investment Bank Berhad
MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Berhad
MIMB Investment Berhad
OSK Investment Bank Berhad
Public Investment Bank Berhad
RHB Investment Bank Berhad

Foreign Stockbroking Companies

CLSA Securities Sdn Bhd
Credit Suisse Securities Sdn Bhd
JPMorgan Securities Sdn Bhd
Macquarie Capital Securities (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Nomura Securities Sdn Bhd
UBS Securities Sdn Bhd

Standalone Stockbroking Companies

BIMB Securities Sdn Bhd
FA Securities Sdn Bhd
Innosabah Securities Berhad
Jupiter Securities Sdn Bhd
KAF-Seagroatt & Campbell Securities Sdn Bhd
Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd
SJ Securities Sdn Bhd

What will JB have by 2011

Permas Jaya coastal highway
Nusajaya coastal highway
EDL
JB Sentral opening
Senai Desaru Highway
Aeromall at Senai
New administration centre at Nusajaya
Danga Bay

Singapore's perfect storm 2010

What is going to happen in 2010? Its everyone guess but somethings are for sure

Between 2010-2011

Circle line will be open
ION Orchard, Iluma and Orchard Central open
Clifford Pier redevelopment
IR opens
Marina Bay Finance centre opens
Singapore Youth Olympic games


So brace yourself for the adventure of a lifetime. The jigsaw pieces are coming together.

ASEAN FTA in effect by 2010

Japan, South Korea, China, New Zealand, Australia and AFTA will be in effect. This hopefully will bolstered trade between the signatories and ASEAN with a GDP of USD 1.4 trillion.

No wonder every year non bumi needs to beg

Nearly 68% or 280 of the Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships under the 20% merit-category were awarded to non-bumiputras, only about 32% or 135 scholarships were awarded to bumiputra in the latest round of applications for the PSD's overseas degree programme.
Out of 2,100 PSD scholarships for students to study abroad this year, 20%, which is 417, was reserved for those with merit, regardless of race and religion, he said.Of the 417, almost 68% were given to non-bumiputras based on merit and only 32% for bumiputras, for year 2009, PSD offered 1,176 scholarships to Bumiputras and 924 to non-Bumiputras.
More than RM2.8bil in Public Service Department (PSD) sponsorships for overseas degree courses were given out between 2000 and 2008. The sum was given to 12,485 recipients where 9,160 were bumiputera and 3,325 were non-bumiputera.The breakdown of table showed that allocation for scholarships increased from RM109mil in year 2000 to RM659mil last year.
Similarly, the number of students also increased from 748 in year 2000 to 2,000 in 2008, while 598 Bumiputra students getting scholarships in 2000 and increased to 1,100 last year.For non-Bumiputra, number of students in year 2000 was 150 and had increased to 900 last year.
From Jan 14, 2009, the awarding criteria of the Overseas Degree Programme was divided into four categories, he said.The first was based on academic excellence without counting race and socio-economic backgrounds where selection was based on academic results (85%), co-curriculum (10%) and interviews (5%).The second category was based on current racial population ratios where one race's allocation would be divided to others if it was not used."Selection is also made based on academic excellence with at least A2 in all core and elective subjects."At the same time, the candidates were also selected based on their secondary school co-curriculum participation, families' socio-economic backgrounds and interviews," he said.The third category, he said, were for Sabah (5%) and Sarawakian (5%) bumiputra.The last category was given to socially disadvantaged students from rural areas with limited facilities and from low-income families.Nazri added that applicants in categories three and four also had to have at least A2s in all subjects relevant to their degree of choice, which made up 65% of the selection criteria.He said students under the programme were sent for first degrees in the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Russie, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Poland, Egypt, Jordan, India and Indonesia.

The verdict is out.

GDP for 2008
Singapore 1.1%
US 1.1%
Malaysia 4.6%
Thailand 2.6%

ASEAN 2008 Population 570 million
ASEAN Total trade USD 1.6 trillion with 25% intra ASEAN trade
In 2007 FDI into ASEAN USD 63.3 b (15% FDI from ASEAN)
Towards AEC by 2015

Electrification and double tracking project.

By 2013 hopefully the whole double tracking project will be finished. From Ipoh to Padang Besar and Seremban to Gemas.

In JB there are many eyes sore shopping centre that are abandoned like Pacific Mall and Kemanyan City. If the country or state is doing well, crime will not happen. Recently we heard of many metal thieves. This is a symptom that the rakyat need to rob to survive. Malaysia is really getting more and more decadent.

Syabas to the recent election, we really need more check and balance in our system. A two coalition system is one of the prereqisite to save Malaysia from its downward spiral. We have only ourselves to blame, if one day Malaysia is destroyed by our own leaders which do not have much accountability.

Let us be more proactive and scrutnize bad planning and wastages of our government. We have seen how western socieities developed and I am sure Malaysia has lots of room for improvement. We can start with our outdated education system first. If the education system in Malaysia is good then our minister's son and daughter need not go overseas for education.

I hope our leaders can learn their lesson from Samy Vellu. He is one of the minister that will leave a bad name in the minds of Malaysian forever. When one thinks of Samy, one will think of corruption and someone who think only for his own interest.

When some one talks about Tunku, the first thing that comes into mind is he is a respected leader. Let serve the people and make good use of the tax payer money.

Please save Malaysia


There are many things gone wrong in Malaysia. Our government do not hire the best people to serve the government. T here is not a lack of good people in Malaysia just that lack of good people in the government. Why cant our ministry be run by technocrat rather that politician who dont have a vision for what they want to achieve for Malaysia. Many of the minister dont know their stuff and get someone else to prepare their speech. If you dont know the direction that you want your ministry to go, dont expect that your subordinate will be able to come out with good policies when you want to draft a good masterplan.

I truly support the idea to have the election of the Major of Kuala Lumpur, only then we can have someone who really have a vision for Kuala Lumpur to walk the talk rather than the current rotation system of the major which dont really deliver.

Broadband penetration is very important to Malaysia. A case in point is the development of MSC before even developing the broadband infrastructure. What can we achieve after 10 yrs?

In the western countries their officer in the ministry are professionals but I dont think we have much of that in Malaysia. If you check in the EPU we are currently suffering from a brain drain in terms of the staff so when you form policy what good policies you can think of with not enough good human capital.

Tun Ismail once said that sports is one of the arena in Malaysia that only the best can be there. Why? If you promote someone who cant bring glory to the country, you only make the country loose face. So the government have no choice (not because they dont want to pull strings but the string is just not good enough for the international events) when you are watched by millions of eyes. Regardless of race if you win you will get a gold medal. But the same doesnt happen in other fields in Malaysia.

No doubt we spend millions to send our students to overseas for education but we didnt pay them well when we ask them to come back to serve the country. In this globalised world, some corporation will just buyout your bond if you are really good. Hence since our government have already paid million of ringgit to send the students then why are they trying to save up on this little monthly salary. My view is that Malaysia is just trying to provide their students to other western countries for free. This group of people are the best but they will never work for the country in the end.

Why did we finish the ipoh rawang railway but dont have trains in the end? Cant we plan ahead? If this small project of electrification also take so many years, will we have any confidence for the country to finish implementing its RMK 9 using RM 200 billion?

Poor planning is a norm in Malaysia and its really memalukan. It doesnt take a genius to highlight to the minister what needs to be done. If they open their eyes wider they can see what needs to be done. Unfortunately their are more interested in their self interest than the people’s plight.

A case in Johor. If you really want IDR to be successful just get them to build a mrt line from kranji to ciq to the second link. I am confident it will bring in more people to stay and consume in JB. Singapore cost of living is going up really fast but our reaction to opportunity is so slow. There are so many over supply housing in JB, have the government thought of instead of selling it, they can rent it to Singaporeans if they are willing to do a gated community with good security. When you want to sell a product you need to think what your customers want.

Or another project the government can do it the big old folks home village for Singaporeans. Why? Because thats how you can attract FDI, solve your over supply , create jobs and boost consumption. But what sort of policies are we making? Sometimes simple things can do wonders not mega corridor.

How long will the JB CIQ will be completed? Samy vellu mentioned many a times that the CIQ will be opened but until now the people do not believe anymore what the minister say because the minister are more like a parrot which repeat what other people say without checking if the facts are true.

Another point i wish to highlight is if our currency is weak or devalued, we can never ever compete with other countries to attract talent. This is because just imagine Singapore will tweak its currency up a bit when you try to attract talent and it doesnt hurt them much since they have bigger buffer to shift their forex than us. Weak currency is just a short sighted solution, in the end it will just create more misery for the rakyat. Malaysia is not getting better by the day in fact we are really falling behind.

Malaysia has a tendency to do hit and run. We have some many competition in our local industries until no economy of scaled is obtain. A case in point; KL is one of the place the world which has a LRT, monorail, commuter, and automated LRT in the same city. Why cant we standardised it? Do you know the maintanance cost will be very high. Singapore SMRT only use the most efficient way to solve problem but we like to try and error. Hence we are left with so many legacy issue.

The rapid kl project will not be successful also in the future because they use too many different bus from different manufacturer. In the future maintanance will be an issue and the bus will break down and then we will get another company to clean up the mess of rapid kl. All this inefficency just burden the tax payer with many more white elephant projects.

We never really think of how we want to develop Malaysia ie no focus. Imagine if we invest all those money to develop broadband like South Korea now which has 1000 Mbps network, Malaysia is just at 10 Mbps. We have petronas money but we dont spend it wisely.

I really pray to God and I hope God can save Malaysia. Malaysian and Singaporeans are from the same stock but the difference boils down to implementation policy. I think one day only when Thailand or Vietnam overtake Malaysia in terms of development will we actually wake up and realise what is the problem. Perhaps if we never discover much natural resources, we will be more resilient and will not do so many trial and error projects.

WIMAX Malaysia 2.3, 2.5 and 3.5Ghz
Recently Malaysia decided that by 2010 the targeted broadband penetration for the country will be 50% instead of the 75% envisaged under MyIMCS886. Hopefully this can be achieved soon. If Malaysia is serious about making broadband available to everyone, the government should give a WIMAX license to Digi since it has lots of cash to deploy the necessary infrastructure to bring this new technology to the mainstream.

In Singapore, as of August 2007, Qmax has begun commercialising its WIMAX broadband. Number Portability and other 5 players who receive their WBA license should be up and running by June 2008.

I do agree with the NST commentator that while Malaysia is trying to adopt policies like Look East Policies to adopt the best practices in the developed world, perhaps we should learn a thing or 2 from our little neighbour downsouth. In this way we can have the best of both worlds. The first few things we can start is efficiency, cleanliness and talent retention. Only through constant improvement and learning can one country succeed and make progress. E commerce in Malaysia is still at its infancy and this goes for making most services accessible online.

In this globalised world, capital markets are increasingly accessible and currently SGX has almost 1/3 of its listed company that are of foreign origin. An amusing point i wish to highlight is recently I receive and email from a person in Europe. The European have a misconception that Singapore is part of China. But in the future this remark might not just bring us a little smile, in fact this is already happening, Singapore is attracting many Chinese company to list in the SGX and its current market capitalisation is around SGD 700 b. Singapore policy is to become a financial hub for the ASEAN region and to attract talents from around the world. In its quest to reach a population of 6.5m by 2030, a 0.5% influx of ASEAN population would help it reach the goal.

2.3 Ghz
YTL E
Greenpacket
Redtone CNX
Asiaspace

Time 2.5 only
Jaring 2.5 only
Nasioncom 3.5 only

2.5 and 3.5 Ghz
Maxis
TM
Airzed under Opcomm
EB Tech
Atlasone

Status of Stockbroking Industry Consolidation

As at 30 June 2007, the stockbroking industry comprised 2 universal brokers, 7 stockbroking companies with at least 1+1 mergers (1+1 SBC), 12 investment banks, 5 foreign stockbroking companies under special scheme and 8 standalone stockbroking companies that h ave yet to effect any consolidation.
One of the 8 standalone stockbroking company had proposed to merge with a 1+1 SBC and the proposal is currently being considered.

Universal Brokers
PM Securities Sdn Bhd
ECM Libra Avenue Securities Sdn Bhd

1+1 Stockbroking Companies
JF Apex Securities Bhd
A.A.Anthony Securities Sdn Bhd
M&A Securities Sdn Bhd
Mercury Securities Sdn Bhd
SBB Securities Sdn Bhd*
Inter-Pacific Securities Sdn Bhd
TA Securities Holdings Bhd

Investment Banks
Affin Investment Bank Bhd
Alliance Investment Bank Bhd
AmInvestment Bank Bhd
Aseambankers Malaysia Bhd
CIMB Investment Bank Bhd
HwangDBS Investment Bank Bhd
Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd
MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd
MIMB Investment Bhd
OSK Investment Bank Bhd
Public Investment Bank Bhd
RHB Investment Bank Bhd

8 Standalone Stockbroking Companies
BIMB Securities Sdn Bhd
FA Securities Sdn Bhd
HLG Securities Sdn Bhd*
Innosabah Securities Bhd
Jupiter Securities Sdn Bhd
KAF-Seagroatt & Campbell Securities Sdn Bhd
Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd
SJ Securities Sdn Bhd

Foreign Stockbroking Companies
CLSA Securities Sdn Bhd
Credit Suisse Securities Sdn Bhd
Macquarie Securities Sdn Bhd
UBS Securities Sdn Bhd
JPMorgan Securities Sdn Bhd

Europe high speed rail revolution 2007-2010

Europe's high-speed rail network is growing fast. The current service offers 4700km of line, set to rise to 6000km by 2010 and 7500km by 2020 with a multiplication of cross-border interconnections.June 2007: The opening of the new Eastern France line is a key component of the future high speed rail system. The SNCF and DB have launched Alleo to manage the huge impact of the new Franco-German service, providing substantially reduced journey times between France, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg:*

> Paris - Stuttgart : 3h40*
> Paris - Munich : 6h15*
> Paris - Frankfurt : 3h50*
> Paris - Luxembourg : 2h05*
> Paris - Basel : 3h30*
> Paris - Zurich : 4h35

November 2007: The line extension between London and the Channel Tunnel (High Speed 1) will reduce journey times by 20 minutes:*
> Paris-London : 2h15 (instead of 2h35)*
> London Brussels : 1h51 (instead of 2h11)

December 2007: A new high-speed line in the Southern Netherlands will open. NS Hispeed aims to be running high-speed rail services on part of the route, reducing journey times between Amsterdam and Rotterdam by a third:*
> Amsterdam - Rotterdam : 40mins*
> Schipol - Rotterdam : 26mins

By October 2008, the first high speed trains should be visible across the Dutch landscape and the Thalys will link HSL South to Brussels and Paris.

December 2008: A new high-speed service brings Munich and Vienna together in less than 4 hours. At the end of 2008 a new star will appear in the Railteam sky - Railjet! Along with an entirely new fleet of trains, a revolutionary service concept will set new standards in comfort and travel experience. Travelling at 230kph Railjet will link Munich and Vienna in less than 4 hours and provide a gateway to the East connecting the Railteam network with Budapest and beyond!

Early 2009: A new high speed line between Brussels and Koln means that travel time will be reduced by 40 minutes:*
> Brusssels - Koln : 1h 46*
> Paris - Koln : 3h 14

December 2009: Railjet links Zurich and Vienna. One year after Railjet launches it will expand into a third Railteam country linking Switzerland and Austria, cutting the travel time by around 1 hour.

December 2010: A new high speed line will link Frankfurt and Vienna which will reduce the journey time by 30 minutes. The line will be operated as a joint venture between OBB and DB.

Unit trust industry
As At 28 February 2007

No. of Management Companies*	38
No.of Approved Funds*	426
Total Approved Fund Size*	358.334 billion units
Units in Circulation	158.771 billion units
No. of Accounts	11,204,368
Total Net Asset Value (NAV) of Funds	RM 129.543 billion
KLSE Market Capitalization	RM 943.370 billion
% of NAV to KLSE Market Capitalisation	13.73%

* Includes funds approved but not yet launched

IDR 2005-2025 Will it suceed this time?

Singapore will have 2 casino up pretty soon by 2010 and Universal Studios theme park. This will draw lots of tourist to Singapore. So the question is how can Johor leverage on this and in the process get the spill over effects from Singapore to boost its economy can generate employment opportunity for Johoreans? It is also during 2006 that Malaysia announced IDR as a flagship develpmenent area similar to MSC Cyberjaya back in the 90s. The reason why Cyberjaya never really took off as fast as we envision is because we lack the critical ICT infrastructure at that time since most of the population is still using dialup and this impedes the growth. I believe we must promote the population to move up the broadband chain and then it will bind seamlessly with the governments effort of a K-Economy. Johor needs to be develop further more efforts should be made to link up JB to have multiple effect on its surrounding. Nusajaya could be what Putrajaya is to KL if it is implemented properly. But the key ingredient is we must make sure the infrastructure is in place and create a safe environment for its residents and investor.


What will happen when WIMAX and 3.5G fully implemented by 2010?

At the rate things are happening by 2010 hopefully we will not need to rely on wired broadband. In Singapore, Qmax is implementing the WIMAX. This is a distruptive technology that will challenge the dominance of the cable and adsl player. IDA plan to speed up the offering to 100 Gbps similar like HK Broadband. Malaysia need to push up the broadband penetration and WIMAX 2.3 GHz and 2.5 Ghz will be a good place to begin since it will challenge the dominance of TM. The price of the package needs to go down to entice more people take up broadband.

IMHO by 2010 the economy of Singapore and Malaysia will enter a new phase since both country are liberalising the finance and services industry. Both country need to complement one another and integrate trade, transportation and economy. Hopefully we can have a more progressive government and ASEAN community as a whole. I am looking forward to the liberalisation of air transport KL-SG-Kuching-KK-Penang, linkages between KLSE and SGX and introduction of high speed rail. Turkey will be the next nation to have high speed rail in 2008 after Taiwan.

Top 15 Mainboard Companies by Market Capitalisation as at 28 February 2007

SGX Market Capitalisation
631,240,091 (407b USD)

Market Capitalisation (S$'000)

Sinapore Telecoms 50,888,320
DBS Group 32,219,404
UOB 31,077,781
OCBC 26,574,909
Jardine Strategic Hldgs 22,277,632
Jardine Matheson Hldgs 21,202,460
SIA 19,688,350
CapitaLand 19,488,664
HongKong Land Hldgs 15,226,816
Keppel Corp 14,042,309
City Devts 12,275,568
Shangri-La Asia 10,094,327
ST Engineering 9,575,592
Great Eastern 9,324,386
Dairy Farm Intl Hldgs 7,904,175

On 23 Feb 2007 KLSE (1283 points) market capitalisation breach RM 1 trillion (USD 285 b)

13 Investment banks (full list)

Affin Investment Bank Berhad
Alliance Investment Bank Berhad
AmInvestment Bank Berhad
Asian & Euro-American Merchant Bankers (Malaysia) Berhad (Aseambankers)
CIMB Investment Bank Berhad
Hwang-DBS Investment Bank Berhad
Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (formally K&N Kenanga Berhad)
OSK Investment Bank Berhad
MIDF Investment Bank Berhad
MIMB Investment Bank Berhad (EON)
Public Investment Bank Berhad
RHB Investment Bank Berhad
Southern Investment Bank Berhad (may be acquired by HLB)

31 March 07
The remaining universal brokers are still in the process of meeting the necessary pre-requisites to become investment banks. 34 stockbroking companies comprising 2 Universal Brokers, one stockbroking company with 1+3 mergers, six stockbroking companies with 1+1 mergers, eight standalone stockbroking companies, five foreign stockbrokers under special scheme and 12 Investment Banks.


Status of Stockbroking Industry Consolidation

As at 30 September 2006, based on announcements made by stockbroking companies, seven stockbroking companies have acquired or merged with at least three other stockbroking companies each and fourteen stockbroking companies with one plus one stockbroking company each. Of the seven stockbroking companies that have acquired or merged with at least three other stockbroking companies, six have been granted the Universal Broker (UB) status by the SC and have since commenced operations as UBs.

The six UBs are Hwang-DBS Securities Berhad, OSK Securities Berhad, Kuala Lumpur City Securities Sdn Bhd, K&N Kenanga Berhad, PM Securities Sdn Bhd and Avenue Securities Sdn Bhd.
Further details of the consolidation exercise are listed in Tables 1 and 2.

Table 1Stockbroking Companies with At Least One Merger Partner as at 30 September 2006
1
Hwang-DBS Securities
Omega Securities
Taiping Securities
Hwang-DBS Securities (Johor)
2
OSK Securities
Premier Capital Securities
Ke-Zan Securities
OSK Securities (Malacca)
3
Kuala Lumpur City Securities
WK Securities
Upen Securities
Alor Setar Securities
4
K&N Kenanga
Sarawak Securities
Peninsula Securities
5
PM Securities
MBf Northern Securities
Malpac Securities
Pan Malaysia Securities
6
Avenue Securities
Soon Theam Securities
Kestrel Securities
Kin Khoon & Co
ECM Libra Securities
7
TA Securities Holdings
Kota Bharu Securities
Borneo Securities
TA Securities

Under 12 Investment Bank

AmSecurities
South Johor Securities

Mayban Securities
Phileo Allied Securities

CIMB Securities
ShareTech Securities

Affin Securities
Amsteel Securities (M)

RHB Securities
Straits Securities

EONCAP Securities
SimeSecurities

1+1 SB

JF Apex Securities
Halim Securities

A.A. Anthony Securities
A.A. Anthony & Co.

M & A Securities
Fima Securities

Mercury Securities
PTB Securities

SBB Securities
Mohaiyani Securities

PB Securities
Thong & Kay Hian Securities

Inter-Pacific Securities
UT Securities

MIDF Sisma Securities
Eng Securities

Table 2Stockbroking Companies that Have Yet to Make Any Announcements or Submit Proposals to the SC as at 30 December 2006
1
BIMB Securities
2
FA Securities
3
HLG Securities
4
Innosabah Securities
5
Jupiter Securities
6
KAF-Seagroatt & Campbell Securities
7
Malacca Securities
8
SJ Securities

GCC monetary union 2010

GDP in USD 2005 (Nominal, PPP)
Saudi 307.7b (13.4k, 15.2k)
UAE 133b (27.7k, 27.9k)
Kuwait 74.6b (26k, 16.3k)
Qatar 37.8b (43k, 31.3k)
Oman 30.3b (12.6k, 16.8k)
Bahrain 12.9b (18.4k, 21.5k)

Malaysia 2005 GDP Nominal USD 130b (Population 26m)
Malaysia 2005 Nominal GDP per cap USD 5k
Malaysia 2005 GDP PPP per cap USD 11k

Singapore 2005 Nominal GDP USD 116b
Singapore 2005 Nominal GDP per cap USD 26.8k
Singapore 2005 GDP PPP per cap USD 28.3k

Brunei 2005 Nominal GDP per cap USD 25.7k
Brunei 2005 GDP PPP per cap USD 24.9k

I feel tired staying in Singapore. Below are my personal opinion

1) You cant find dialect movies like HK cantonese movie here in the cinema but you can find those award winning Japanese/ Korean or European original language movies in the cinema. What a joke!

2) People here are always preoccupied with the rat race since the time when they are born. There are many things to worry or to keep them occupied ie CPF, HDB and others retirement matters.

3) Not much variety of food in Singapore. Most of the food is the same from one food court to another. Try to go to China or Taiwan and you can find lots of different food that you can imagine.

4) People in Singapore might feel they are at the centre of the world with little regards of what is happening with their neighbouring countries. I believe one way to solve this is to inculcate Geography and history into the minds of the young. The general paper in A level should also focus on nationhood from constitution to law of Singapore. This should promote awareness and general knowledge among its citizen.

5) If Singapore is a landlocked city state perhaps it will create a different physical mentality just like luxembourgh in Europe. However because it is connected to Malaysia by a causeway, it creates a feeling that Singapore is secluded physically just like a castle surrounded by the moat. Feels like Alcatraz fortress.

6) Every national day the PAP leaders will repeat its message to tell the citizen to be hardworking and to stay ahead of the competition. This creates stress. I gave my example of productivity is a function of time and money. To improve productivity either you make it cheaper or faster. Hence people here could not stop working till the age of 62 and counting up.

7) If Singapore is resource rich I would recommend it to keep it population small to boost a high per cap income. If not it can only rely on its human resources. LKY mentioned to thrive in ASEAN, Singapore must become what its neighbour are not ie clean, efficient and business friendly to give it a comparative advantage. So to export more human resources Singapore will need to beef up it population so we will see by 2030 the population could hit 6-7 million.

The 10 anchor banks are Malayan Banking Bhd, Bumiputra-Commerce Bank Bhd, RHB Bank Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, Arab-Malaysian Bank Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Perwira Affin Bank Bhd, Multi-Purpose Bank Bhd, Southern Bank Bhd and EON Bank Bhd.

Malayan Banking is the anchor bank in the group which comprises Mayban Finance Bhd, Aseambankers Malaysia Bhd, PhileoAllied Bank Bhd, Pacific Bank Bhd, Sime Finance Bhd and Kewangan Bersatu Bhd.

The Bumiputra-Commerce Bank Bhd leads the group of Bumiputra-Commerce Finance Bhd and Commerce International Merchant Bankers Bhd. ( BCB + UAB = CAHB)

RHB Bank Bhd will group RHB Sakura Merchant Bankers Bhd, Delta Finance Bhd and Interfinance Bhd. (RHB = Kwong Yik + DCB + Sime Bank (UMBC)) Bank Utama Malaysia Bhd and Utama Merchant Bankers Bhd

Public Bank Bhd, Public Financ Bhd, Hock Hua Bank Bhd, Advance Finance Bhd and Sime Merchant Bankers Bhd will come under Public Bank as the anchor bank.

The Arab Malaysian Bank Bhd will anchor Arab Malaysian Finance Bhd, Arab Malaysian Merchant Bank Bhd, MBF Finance .

Hong Leong Bank Bhd ties up with Hong Leong Finance Bhd (MUI bank), Wah Tat Bank Bhd and Credit Corporation Malaysia Bhd.

Perwira Affin Bank Bhd leads Affin Finance Bhd, Perwira Affin Merchant Bankers Bhd, BSN Commercial Bank Bhd, BSN Finance Bhd and BSN Merchant Bank Bhd.

Multi-Purpose Bank Bhd will group International Bank Malaysia Bhd, Sabah Bank Berhad, Bolton Finance Bhd, Sabah Finance Bhd, Bumiputra Merchant Bankers Bhd and Amanah Merchant Bank Bhd.

Southern Bank Bhd will lead the group of Ban Hin Lee Bank Bhd, Cempaka Finance Bhd, United Merchant Finance Bhd, Perdana Finance Bhd and Perdana Merchant Bankers Bhd.

The final anchor bank that will result from the merger is EON Bank Bhd, which will lead the banking group of EON Finance Bhd, Oriental Bank Bhd, City Finance Bhd, Perkasa Finance Bhd and Malaysian International Merchant Bankers Bhd

Why I wont stay in Singapore for my retirement?

1. Its a rat race here. Tiring. Singapore is now known as a country with high unhappiness index. I will say there is some truth in it because people are chasing for material wealth and they have no other alternative to fall back on. Singaporean will need to worry from cradle to grave.

2. The place is too small. Crowded, congested and feels like a cage. By 2030 Singapore will have 7 million population. An increase of 1 million per decade. Sigh if only Singapore is a much larger country then it will truly be the Switz of Asia.

3. Cost of ownership of a car is too expensive. Ridiculous. Besides wealth gap between the rich and poor is widening. Singapore needs to attract the rich and they cant tax them highly since this group is very mobile and can shift their money to where it will give them the highest benefit. Only the middle class and the poor class will be squeezed.

4. Its artificial landscaping. Nothing much is natural here.

5. Limited choice. Some feels that you can get many types of food here in Singapore. Majority is just a repetition. Taste the same. Thats the same for the shopping complex. The chances of picking something that taste good is low since majority of the stall quality is bad. People might eat at that stall out of convinience ie short queue. Ask someone with a car, they can drive to which ever place that offer the most delicious food. Thats what I call competition. In singapore context if u want to survive in a food court, you must be cheap and the people will forgive u if the taste is so so.

6. Its kind of boring staying in the island since where ever you go it looks and feel pretty much the same. I would prefer driving to Malaysia across the different states and different tourism spot albeit being less develop as compared to singapore. I guess thats the charm of Malaysia.

7. People over here is more adventurous or less adventurous depends on how u see it. They travel more than their counterpart in ASEAN so involved in more activities. However they will read up as much as possible about that place ie how to get there and plan to the max leaving nothing much for spontaneous response. If you are truly adventurous you will plan 50% and leave the rest to take care of itself. Thats the idea of fun when u cant expect what is coming. I am a very flexible person and sometimes the trip can just come in a few days notice. Pack your bags and go. I guess being a small place, a lot of the things can be planned since you expect to be in control of everything. However, common sense will tell u that if the country is big a lot of things are beyond your control, leave it to your common sense, instinct and the general culture of how daily activities are normally conducted.

8. Like MM Lee said Singapore can only survive if it can become what its neighbour are not. Thats the only advantage that will ensure it's survival. However as any econs student will tell u the law of diminishing return. Once you are developed, it takes more money to milk the same amount of growth hence if the people here need to improve it productivity every year, either they work more for the same pay, work the same with less pay or work more with more pay. So the idea is work and work and work. Everyone needs rest and I hope everyone can get their well deserve 8 hours of rest. Singapore will always try to increase its population since it will create demand. Another reason is the only resources singapore has is human. If singapore has natural resources, you might see singapore today behaving more like brunei ie keep its population down and its people will have a very high gdp per capita. Another way to have very high gdp per capita is to develop your own high tech industry and become a tech leader in that industry. The problem is Singapore has not developed to such a stage yet. Imagine in 40 years it move from 3rd world to the 1st world. The population is seeing changes happening at such high speed but the people could not absorb so much in one generation.

9. Singapore claims that it is a diversified country but many things in singapore is just having a plain flavour. Not much alternative view in politics, straight jacket way of thinking ie NUTS, not much variety in the courses in the university due to limited demand in the industry, why should singapore limit the use of dialects? It is draconian in this era of globalisation and in a free economy- the market will take care of itself, majority will just stick to the tried and tested model. Thats why Singapore try to liberalise its industry to get the foreigner to think out of the box and introduce new innovative services.

10. I prefer the old generation of politicians. They have a bigger picture and more ambitiuos. To them there are endless possibilities. What is stopping a merger of Singapore with other countries? But no one dares to say it, cause they might think people will laugh at the remark. People who do not dream will never achieve greatness. Only those who seize the opportunity at the time of change will be rewarded handsomely. The newer generation are always bog down by the nuturing of the state. Under a big country system of politics, most of the new politicians are not well equipped for the task of doing a mass campaigning like what MM did when he campaign for a Malaysian Malaysia throughout the country. He has the charisma but I cant say the same for the new generation of leaders in Singapore capable of giving a ceramah that will raise the spirit of the people the way Anwar Ibrahim did during his election campaigns. Things in Singapore is pretty simplified, hence the population will think in a simple way. Ask any PRC if their country is simple i can bet they will say no. Singapore efficienct system might one day become its bane. 40 years of nationhood has produce a different generation with different emphasis. When a distruption happen unexpectedly, one need to dig deep into the reserve to get out of a difficult situation. To dig deep one must have a deep well in the first place. Mahathir manage to steer Malaysia out of the 1997 financial crisis which gave him sleepless nites.

Total FDI stock (total) in ASEAN USD 375b. Inflow into ASEAN 2005 is USD 37b.

FDI stock by countries
SG - 186b
MY - 47b
TH - 56b
Vietnam - 31b
Indonesia - 21b

Malaysia is getting less attractive compared to year 2000 when the FDI stock was USD 52b.
Thailand on the other hand gained from USD 30b (2000) to USD 56b (2005)

Vietnam will be joining WTO in 2007 and it will continue to attract FDI as can be seen from their booming economy.

Voting as a basic rights

Every Malaysian citizen is entitled to one vote. Its their obligation and entitlement from the age of 21 years old.

Chinese in Malaysia now comprises 25% of the Malaysia population. 12 years of school education taught us the principles of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, equality, check and balance, separation of power among legislative, jurisdictive and executive and voting rights. Sadly the chinese are among the most divided among the ethnic race with different education background ie english/national/ SRJKC/ SRKC and chinese independent schooling systems. On the political front we have 3 major chinese party in Peninsular ie DAP, MCA and Gerakan. Maybe this is diversity but it also means our chinese votes are spread between the 3 parties.

Chinese laments on the unfair treatment in economic and education of their children/ generation. However they do not exercise their votes properly. As a matter of fact the more highly educated the chinese is the more apathy is their brain to the politics in Malaysia. The mentality is I cant change the country so why bother. This is a viscious cycle since it will affect the generations of chinese in Malaysia.

Lets do a survey among the chinese graduates to see if they are a voter and are they eligible to vote. To vote one must first register in Pos Malaysia, Election Commisioner Offices or Malaysian Embassy/ High Comm. Then after 1 year then only they can vote. There are many Malaysian who have not voted before and many more chinese Malaysian who never register to vote so are worse than phantom voters. This are Malaysian by birth but no vote rights simply because they never bother to register themselves. One could argue why we still need to register when we should be entitled to vote once we got our IC and reach 18 years of age. What ever reason the point is one should take the initiative to get themselves registered. Is that a difficult thing to do? When there is a will there is a way.

By 2020 the percentage of chinese vote will fall further. The chinese independent school claims that they need to uphold the chinese culture. Just ask them how many of their school students are voting? This will give an indication why the DJZ is always struggling. School is an institution whereby they can inculcate the young to be a responsible citizen. Besided teaching the right concepts there are more things that need to be done to change the chinese mentality of apathy. This are the people who will shape the future. But sadly the more educated they become the more selfish they will be. It seems that the old generation are more politically aware than their younger generation choosing apathy instead. Perhaps it is due to the good life the younger one is having. There is a chinese saying when there is no country there is no family. So country comes first before the family.

My final comment is I urge every Malaysian to exercise your vote. Else one day when the crunch comes to amend the constitution do not cry and say we are forced or no choice. Its a choice you have made long time ago that give rise to todays events. Hopefully Malaysian can achieve political enlightenment so that every Malaysian can live in a fair and just society

Third Link between Singapore and Malaysia?

By 2020 a third link might be build connecting Ubin and the Pasir Gudang/Tanjung Langsat.
This depends on the economy growth of both country and the level of congestion along Causeway and Second Link

Klang Valley Development till 2010

Capital Square
Pavillion KL 2007
LRT extension
Vision City *
Plaza Rakyat *
KLCC extension
Menara Commerce
Mid Valley Megamall The gardens Sept 2007
Sunway Pyramid extension
Tamansari CBD (Pekeliling)
KL Sentral Plaza
Sentul Raya
Putrajaya Monorail
LEKAS end 2009
DUKE 2007
SMART 2007
KL-Putrajaya highway 2008
LCCT and KLIA expansion

Singapore upcoming development till 2010

Vivocity 2006
Marina Barrage 2007
Orchard Turn, Somerset Central 2008
Changi Terminal 3 2008
Marina Bay Sands IR 2009
Sentosa IR 2009
Circle line and BLE 2009
Gardens by The Bay
Marina Financial Centre 2010
Collyer Quay Redevelopment 2010
Sentosa Cove 2010
Sports Hub 2011

By 2010 the area covering Bugis, Orchard, Marina, CBD, Chinatown and Harbour Front will be fully transformed.

PSKL 2020

Proposed Gombak bus terminus to be integrated with the Putra LRT terminus to create a multi modal interchange incorporating taxi, rail and inter city bus services.
Proposal of extending the LRT line further northwards from Sentul Timur towards Taman Wahyu and westward towards Kepong
Proposed Jalan Ipoh bus terminus to be integrated with the proposed LRT terminus of the extended STAR LRT line to create a multi modal interchange incorporating taxi, rail and inter city bus services
The Segambut KTM rail station in the northwest corner of the Jalan Duta redevelopment shall be upgraded and properly integrated into the development of this area
The western spur of the proposed Damansara-Cheras LRT link serves the Damansara district centre and Taman Tun Dr. Ismail neighborhood centre. This line might extend to the new neighbourhood centre at Penchala
The STAR LRT shall be extended to serve the district centre at Bukit Jalil and the feasibility of extending a spur from the PUTRA LRT or the PRT to connect to the new district centre at Bukit Indah via Jalan Klang Lama shall be examined. Another station along this spur shall be developed to connect to the new neighborhood centre at Taman Desa.
In order to improve accessibility to the Mid Valley Megamall, a pedestrian connection shall be made to the LRT station at Abdullah Hukum utilizing a pedestrian bridge over the Sungai Klang
A major multi-modal integrated public transportation terminal in Bandar Tasik Selatan, where the ERL, KTM and STAR LRT intersect, shall be fully developed, which will be integrated with the southern inter-city bus terminal.
The eastern spur of the proposed Damansara-Cheras LRT link extending from Taman Tun Dr. Ismail to Taman Segar in Cheras, will pass through the eastern part of this zone. The new line shall start from Taman Maluri station extending southward along Jalan Cheras to serve the Taman Midah neighborhood centre, Taman Segar district centre and other urban centres up to Kajang.

New Roads Construction and Improvements to Existing Roads

A. Proposed Roads
1. Underground Expressway beneath Jalan Raja Chulan connecting to the Middle Ring Road in the East
2. An inner city by pass road, part of which will be underground, a direct link from Jalan Syed Putra in the south of the City Centre to Jalan Dang Wangi
B Commited Highway/Expressway Projects
1. Dedicated Highway from KL to KLIA
2. Kuala Lumpur towards Serendah Expressway (LEKLAS)
3. Pandan Corridor
4. Kuala Lumpur North East Expressway
5. Kuala Lumpur Transit Route
6. Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway
C. Arterial Roads
1. Eastern Route
2. Jalan Segambut Linking KTM flyover to Mont Kiara
3. Viaduct Connecting Jalan Mahameru to Sentul Raya and Jalan Pahang
4. Comprehensive Road Network for KL Sentral
5. Jalan Gombak improvement
6. Jalan Genting Klang Improvement
D. Construction/Upgrading of Grade Separated Highways
1. Trumpet Interchange from Federal Highway Route 1 to Pasar Borong
2. Jalan Tun Razak/Jalan Pudu/Jalan Cheras/Jalan Chan Sow Lin interchange
3. Jalan Hang Tuah/Jalan Imbi Interchange
4. Jalan Cheras/Taman Segar/Taman Taynton View Interchange
5. Jalan Cheras/Taman Len Seng Interchange
6. Viaduct Connecting Jalan Hang Tuah/Jalan Lapangan Terbang Lama
7. Upgrading of Kg Kerinchi/Federal Highway Interchange
8. Upgrading of Istana Interchange and Loke Yew/Sg Besi Roundabout
E. Missing Linkages
1. Jalan Sentul Extension (Jalan Sentul/Kg Bandar Dalam to Batu Caves)
2. Connecting Road from Tmn Bukit Maluri to Taman Kepong Baru
3. Jalan Udang Karang connecting Taman Petaling (Kepong Baru) to Taman Sri Segambut
4. Jalan Sultan Ismail Extension (from Jalan Imbi to Kg Pandan roundabout)
5. Jalan Stony Extension (from Jalan Raja Abdullah to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman)
6. Jalan Gembira Extension (linking Jalan Kelang Lama to Lebuhraya Sg Besi
7. Jalan 2/149 (linking Bandar Baru Sri Petaling to Lebuhraya Sg Besi)
8. Jalan Awan Besar extension (linking to Shah Alam Expressway)
8. Jalan Langkawi/Jalan Chengal Extension (linking Genting Kelang to Jalan Gombak)
9 100 feet Major Road through Taman Alam Damai, Taman Len Seng, Taman Orkid Desa linking MRR2

Based on the above transportation improvements, we are of the opinion that the following locations are potential opportunities to look out for:

1. Jalan Ipoh vicinity, Gombak and Sentul
2. Sentul Raya (with a dedicated highway from Jalan Mahameru and also with two train stations)
3. Taman Seputeh/Bukit Seputih/Bukit Robson
4. Taman Desa
5. Taman Tun Dr Ismail
6. Jalan Kelang Lama Residential Locations
7. Cheras
8. Bukit Jalil
9. Bandar Tasik Selatan
10. Bukit Tunku, Hartamas & Mont Kiara
11. Damansara Heights and Bangsar


6. Transit terminals Based on the structure plan and its implementation, you cannot go wrong if you were to invest in properties around major train terminals. To reinforce the strategy of providing complete and integrated transport linkages, more intensive development near to transit terminals shall be actively promoted by DBKL. Mixed-use development incorporating high-density residential, high plot ratio commercial as well as community and business facilities shall be encouraged, thus greatly reducing reliance on private transportation by making accessibility flexible and convenient.

Amongst those locations identified are:

Chow Kit
Jalan Tun Razak (Tuanku Abdul Rahman Flats)
Pudu/Hang Tuah
KTM Station Sentul, Sentul Timur/Bandar Baru Sentul
Wangsa Maju, Datuk Keramat
Maluri
While we have covered a lot of locations, we would also like to emphasis that there are ample opportunities in the tourism and hospitality industries as DBKL is strongly emphasizing its importance and promotion. A zonal approach for tourism development, promotion and operation will be implemented with the City Centre as its core, focusing on shopping, MICE, culture, entertainment, dining, health and education. Key areas within the other four strategic zones will focus on more specific tourism activities. Bukit Jalil-Seputeh will focus on sports and MICE, Wangsa Maju-Maluri on industrial tourism, Damansara-Penchala on education and agro-tourism and Bandar Tun Razak-Sungai Besi on eco-tourism. A special mention has to be made for the service apartment sector whereby DBKL has made it a policy that they “shall ensure that there is adequate provision of commercial apartments with convenient access to the main business areas”.

Thailand catching up with Malaysia fast

Recently I visited Bangkok and came back just one day before the coup happened. This city of 10 million population is boasting with activity. Thailand GDP per capita is about USD 2500 as compare to Malaysia GDP per capita about USD 5000. Thailand is attracting more FDI compare to Malaysia. In terms of economy Thailand is more open and welcomes foreign investor. One will be suprised to see the number of foreigners in Bangkok. Infrastructure wise, Thailand is also fast catching up with the criss cross elevated highways, state of the art Survanabhumi airport capable of handling 45 million pax annually and they are building an airport link from Makassan similar to the ERL we have for KLIA. All this coordinated effort will create more competition for Malaysia. In the near future if Thailand decides to build the Thai Canal, this will create new opportunities for their economy in the South region. Thailand is now the Detroit of Asia, manufacturing base of large automotive companies and also a tourism haven in ASEAN.

ASEAN one time zone

Currently Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei,Phillipines and East part of Indonesia are having 1-1.5 hr time difference with the rest of the ASEAN members namely Thailand, West part ofIndonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos.

In view of the AEC view by 2020 ASEAN should standardize the time zone to promote business efficiency with China, HK and Macau. ASEAN- China AFTA will kick in by 2010

2018 Asian Games -Kuala Lumpur

Since hosting the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia aspires to host Asian Games in 2006 but lost to Doha, Qatar. Since then Malaysia decided not to bid for the 2010 and 2014 games. Thailand, Jakarta and Manila have hosted the Asian games before. ASEAN have almost recover to the pre Asian Financial Crisis 1997 level. Hopefully by 2018 Malaysia will be able to host the Asian Games.

It is hoped that by 2015 Malaysia can co-host the SEA games with Brunei with the states of Sarawak and Sabah similar to how Japan and South Korea co-hosted the world cup in 2002.
China will be hosting the Olympics 2008, World Expo 2010 and Asian Games 2010.

Petronas Net Profit

Financial yr 31 March

2006 RM 43b (RM 41.7b to govt)
2005 RM 35b (RM 31.2b)
2004 RM 23b (RM 21.3b)
2003 RM 15b (RM 17.6b)
2002 RM 14.5b (RM 15.5b)
2001 RM 16.5b
2000 RM 12.5b
1999 RM 6.8b
1998 RM 9.9b
1997 RM 7.3b

Crude reserve 20 years (2006 data)
Natural gas reserve 34 years (2006 data)
Export of crude oil about 18 million tonnes per year
Production Malaysia 700k bpd
Consumption 500k bpd

Is malaysia a low wage high cost country?

Income tax for RM 35k is RM 1525

Annual Inflation 2006 Estimated 3.7%

Saudi Arabia net exporter of crude oil, petrol RM 0.60 per litre and diesel RM 0.25 per litre with no income tax for their citizens. King Abdullah decrees to reduce the burden of their people by cutting the price of petrol and diesel.

1 barrel (42 gal) of crude oil is USD 70 as off 1 Sept 2006. Crude oil is USD 1.66 per gallon or RM 1.58 per litre. (1 gal = 3.875 litre)

In year 2006 US retailing the gasoline at USD 2.98 a gallon whereas Malaysia our petrol per gallon is RM7.4 about USD 2

In year 2000 (1 USD= 3.8 RM)
1 litre petrol in Malaysia cost RM1.26, hence 1 gallon petrol will cost RM4.88 or USD1.28 .
In US 1 gal petrol was sold in year 2000 for USD 1.50 per gallon

A KIA spectra 2.0 in US cost USD 13.5k. Malaysia KIA spectra 1.6 cost RM 75k.
Dollar to dollar it shows how burdensome the cost of owning a car for average Malaysian as compared to our counterpart in the US.

Lets recap

RON 97 petrol RM 1.92 per litre, RON 92 Petrol -- Rm 1.88 per litre, Diesel -- RM1.58 per litre , LPG ---RM1.75 per kg in March 2006

Without the subsidy and tax exemption, RON 97 in the peninsula would have been RM2.46 per litre, RON 92 -- RM2.37 per litre, Diesel -- RM1.98 per litre and LPG -- RM3.21 per kilogram.

In Thailand, the price of RON 97 petrol is RM2.52 per litre, RON 92 (RM2.45 per litre), diesel (RM2.28 per litre) and LPG (RM1.65 per kilogram).

Philippines is RM2.21 per litre for RON 97 petrol, RON 92 (RM2.20 per litre), diesel (RM1.95 per litre) and LPG (RM4.90 per kilogram).

In Singapore, it is RM4.15 per litre for RON 97 petrol, RON92 (RM3.89 per litre), diesel (RM2.39 per litre) and LPG (RM5.32 per kilogram)

Brunei the price for RON 97 petrol is RM1.22 per litre, RON 92 (RM1.19 per litre), diesel (RM0.71 per litre) and LPG (RM1.40 per kilogram).

In Indonesia, it is RM2.30 per litre for RON 97 petrol, RON 92 (RM2.20 per litre), diesel (RM1.68 per litre) and LPG (RM1.89 per kilogram).

Corporate tax in Malaysia - 28% (2006), 27% (2007), 26% (2008)

2006 Data selected countries
HK 17.5%
SG 20%
Taiwan 25%
South Korea 25%
Vietnam 28%
Thailand 30%
Indonesia 30%
China 33%
Phillipines 35%

Number of credit card in circulation in Malaysia

2001 3.84 mil
2006 June 8.4 mil among 26 million population

This is a very huge growth of 54% due to heavy promotion by the banks and our own consumer spending habit (In essence having 2 months pay since the credit debt only needs to be repaid by the next month) . In KL the GDP per cap is about 2 times the national average.

Malaysia Singapore water agreement

By 2011, The 1961 water agreement will end. Singapore had now 4 Newater Plant (Bedok, Kranji, Seletar and Ulu Pandan) and Tuas desalination plant to cover the 86 mgd from Johor.

Singapore is also building the Marina Barrage schedule to be ready by 2007.

The 1962 Water Agreement which supply 250 mgd of raw water will end in 2061.

Malaysia and Singapore post separation 1965

In 1996 KLSE was the largest stock exchange in ASEAN at USD 300 b. (about RM 750b) By end 2005 Bursa Malaysia market cap is about USD 180b (RM 680 b) In 1996 SGX market cap was at USD 153b. By end 2005 it has reach USD 257b. In 1973 KLSE splited with SES. But the full delisting was completed by 1990. 

From 1990 the CLOB was created until the onset of Asian Financial Crisis 1997-1998. Malaysia imposed capital control in September 1998. One can say that prior to the 90s, KLSE and SES acted as though both were a single market. Hence when KLSE splitted with SES 50% of the stock of Malaysian companies was delisted from SES compared to 11% of Singapore company in KLSE. The CLOB for the 112 malaysian companies shares used to be traded in SES, reached RM 17b (SGD 7.5b) by 1999 with about 172k Singaporean investors. 

 In 1999 CPF hold about RM 3b for those West Malaysian who has returned to Malaysia. East Malaysian are free to withdraw their CPF monies when they return to Sabah and Sarawak. West Malaysian can only withdraw the money once they reach 55 years old. 

 Update end Dec 2006 

KLCI 1070 1 USD =RM 3.52 Market cap : RM 860b

STI 2940 1USD = SGD1.55 Market cap : SGD 589b 

 FDI stock in SG by 2004 USD160b 

FDI stock in MY by 2004 USD 46b 

 Some historical chronology 

1937 Malayan Airways Limited was born 

1939 Board of currency Malaya was created for Malaya, SG, Brunei and Labuan

1946 Singapore became British Crown colony

1948 Federation of Malaya was born

1949 University Malaya was born, POSB split to Malaya and Singapore

1951 EPF created

1952 Board of currency Malaya and Borneo created

1955 1st Malaya federal election, CPF created

1957 Independence Malaya 

1959 BNM established, Singapore granted self rule

1959 University Malaya is split into 2 division in KL and SG

1960 Malayan Stock Exchange was formed 

1962 University Malaya KL and University Singapore was formed 

1963 Formation of Malaysia (Malaya, Singapore, Sabah & Sarawak) 

1965 Singapore left Malaysia 

1967 Monetary union of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei ended. New RM, SGD, BND circulation Interchangeability begin  

1969 May 13 Riot leading to Emergency 

1970 NEP began, Singapore High court split from the Malaysia Federal court system

1971 MSA split into SIA and MAS; Bretton Woods agreement ended in Aug; MAS formed

1973 Stock Exchange of Malaysia and Singapore (SEMS) split into KLSE and SES. 

Currency interchangability was terminated in May. SGD and BND maintained interchangability

1974 Temasek created

1975 ICA (Industrial coordination act began) 

1978 Singapore ended Sterling area exchange rate control, PNB created

1981 MAS  monetary policy based on exchange rate; GIC created

1984 Brunei independence

1985 Plaza Accord

1993 Khazanah formed

1998 Asian Financial Crisis and capital control 

2005 Unpeg the ringgit

2008 Global Financial Crisis

ASEAN sub regional growth area

IMT GT (Southern Thailand, Northern Peninsular Malaysia and North Sumatera) began in 1993. Population 100 million
- North Sumatera and Aceh in Indonesia
- Kedah, Perlis, Penang,Perak, Kelantan in Malaysia
-Songkhla, Satun, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang and Phatthalung in Thailand.


IMS GT 1994
- Original 1989 SIJORI (12 million population)
- Singapore
- Malaysian state of Johor plus contiguous states of Negeri Sembilan, Malacca and Pahang
- Indonesian province of Riau and contiguous provinces of West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Bengkulu, Jambi, Lampong and West Kalimantan
- Total IMS area of 334 thousand km2 and population of 35 million

BIMP EAGA
-Brunei Darussalam
-Central Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Maluku, East and West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan ,Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Irian Jaya in Indonesia
-Sabah and Sarawak states and the Federal Territory of Labuan in Malaysia
-Island of Mindanao and Palawan Province in the Philippines

Greater Mekong CLMVT - Yunnan China

Attracting FDI into Malaysia

Lets recap. Singapore population comprises of about 4.4 million. About 440k are PR and 3.11 million are Singaporean in 2005 Many Malaysian are studying and working there. Some stay in Johor while others are staying in Singapore. Despite the fact that Singapore have one of the most efficient transportation in ASEAN region travelling across the causeway remains a hassle. With frequent jams and crowds the situation doesnt seems to improve after close to 40 years of development. Hopefully when the new CIQ open in 2007 the traffic will improve. When we talk about greater ASEAN integration, we should take note of borderless travel of capital and mobility of the people in ASEAN.

Recently Badawi announce the SJER development in Johor. Given the proximity of Johor to Singapore why cant a greater integration be achieved similar to that of Shenzhen and HK?
Many HK people bought homes in Shenzhen which has a lower property price. Even their rails are linked to their metro system in both cities.

The fact that Singapore the size of 680 km sq is a small city state with no natural resources.
Since separation in 1965 from Malaysia, Singapore transform itself from a third world state to a first world state in a mere 30 years. The exchange rate per SGD rose from RM 1.2 (1985) to RM 1.7 (1995) to RM 2.3 (2006). This enhanced the purchasing power of Singaporeans.

Singapore boast one of the highest per capita income in ASEAN 44k SGD (2005 GDP SGD 193b). Most lived in a 3-4 room flats with average area of 1000 sq feet. Average household number is about 4. Average HDB price in Singapore cost SGD 250-300k which require an average of 25-30 years of loan repayment for a couple earning on average of SGD80k per annum.

Across the causeway, a terrace house cost RM 200-250k with average to 2000 sq feet of living space. The cost of the houses are a bargain as compared to the living cost in Singapore. Imagine if 25% of Singaporean bought a house in Malaysia and spend their income in Johor?

Lets do the calculation = 1 million pop x RM 200k = RM 200 billion

This equals to almost our development budget for 9MP 2006-2010. So what is stopping Malaysia from attracting this simple FDI just right in front of our mouth?

What are the benefits?
* lower loan repayment period
* bigger living space
* Singaporean living in Malaysia can be granted PR status
* constant stream of investment and money in circulation in the Malaysian economy

Singapore promotes ownnership of home. It will be cheaper to buy a house to stay than to rent a house in the long run. But dollar and sense tells us to maximise the comparative advantage, to earn the most and spend our earnings in a place of lower living cost. Economic principle also tells us that in the long run supply and demand will be in equilibrium ie the money that flows into Malaysia will bring the living standard of Malaysia up. Many Singaporeans who have factories in Malaysia are actually staying in the Second Link. Malaysia's culture and living takes time to get used to and human is adaptable by nature. No matter how hard the situation it is, there is always a solution. It is just a matter of how resolve is the person to tackle the situation. An easy solution is to give up.

A thought before ending:
If the living condition of Malaysia is so bad, how does the population of 26 million still survive in it after 49 years of independence. Nature's law is that either you adapt to the environment or you become extinct. No matter how chaotic/ complicated a system is, there is still a system within a system if one chooses to see the workings behind the system.

Malaysia economy growth rate (1987 prices)

OPP 2 1991-2000 average 7%
7MP 1996-2000 average 4.7%
8MP 2001-2005 average 4.5%
IMP2 1996-2005 average 4.6%
2005 GDP (1987 price) RM 262b

OPP3 2001-2010 targeted 7.5%
9MP 2006-2010 targeted 6%
IMP3 2006-2020 targeted 6.3%

By 2020 Malaysia total trade will hit RM 2.8 trillion from RM 968b in 2005
Based on the progress so far, an achievable target for OPP3 by 2010 should be around 5.2%

Singapore economy growth rate (2000 prices)

1991-1995 average 8.8%
1996-2000 average 6.3%
2001-2005 average 4%
2005 GDP SGD 193b (2000 prices)

According to IE (International Enterprise) Singapore, it will hit a whopping $1.6 trillion by 2015, up from $810 billion last year. Singapore's trade is expected to cross the $1 trillion mark in 2009, and hit $1.6 trillion by 2015. Singapore with 4.5 million population is a larger trading nation in nominal USD terms as compared to Malaysia. I believe since 1965 till now Malaysia has always been trailing Singapore in terms of external trade.

High Speed Rail KL-Singapore 330km. Do we really need it?

China currently have a Shanghai- Pudong Airport Maglev opened since 2003

Malaysia have KL-KLIA rail transit. Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERLSB) has been awarded the concession on 25 August 1997 to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain the KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit and other ancillary activities related to railway services. ERLSB’s shareholders are YTL Corporation Berhad , Lembaga Tabung Haji Bhd and Trisilco Equity Sdn Bhd with 50%, 40% and 10% shareholding respectively.The KLIA Ekspres which commenced operation on 14 April 2002 is a daily high speed, non-stop air-rail connection between KLIA and Kuala Lumpur City Air Terminal (KLCAT) at KL Sentral station with a journey time of 28 minutes at 15-minutes interval during peak hours and 20-minutes frequencies during off-peak hours.The KLIA Transit is a commuter service that stops at three intermediate stations i.e. Bandar Tasik Selatan, Putrajaya/Cyberjaya and Salak Tinggi with a total journey time of 37 minutes at 30-minutes frequencies. It first started operation on 1 June 2002.

China will be hosting Olympics in 2008 and World Expo 2010. By 2008 China should overtake Germany as the 3rd largest economy. By 2010 China high speed rail will connect Hangzhou-Shanghai-Nanjing-Tianjin-Beijing. The Shanghai - Hangzhou will be via Maglev and Beijing Tianjin HSR will completed by 2007.

Meanwhile outside of Japan, South Korea (population 58m, GDP USD 793b) launched commercial high speed rail from Seoul-Busan in 2004.
Taiwan high speed rail (population 23m, GDP USD 346b) is schedule to launch by end of 2006 from Taipei - Kaoshiung.

KL (Klang Valley) and Singapore have about 10 million population. The high speed rail will link KL and Singapore in 90 minutes. The cost of this project estimated around RM 8b will probably benefit close to 15 million of the population of both country. None of the ASEAN country currently has high speed rails. Due to the fragmented geographical location of ASEAN countries, a more efficient transportion and affordable currently is the aviation LCC.

Malaysia and Singapore have a combined 2005 nominal GDP of USD 250b. By 2010 estimated combined nominal GDP will be around USD 320b. The prospect of having a high speed rail by 2010 will enhance the economy of both Malaysia and Singapore. In view that ASEAN is schedule to liberalise passenger aviation between ASEAN capitals by Dec 2008, it remains unclear how the competition between air and rail for the sector KL-SG will turn out.

Malaysia National Broadband Plan and MyICMS 886 (2005-2010)

The critical mass of 1.3 million (25% penetration) broadband subscribers will be reached by end 2006.
By 2008 it is envisioned that Malaysia will have 2.8 million broadband subscriber with estimated about 50% household penetration.
By 2010 estimated 75% penetration.

A recap of the household broadband penetration by end 2005
South Korea and HK 68%
Taiwan and Singapore 51%
Japan 45%
UK and Australia 32%
Malaysia 8%

ASEAN GDP nominal 2005 USD 856b
By 2010 ASEAN GDP should reach USD 1 trillion

Indonesia USD 276b
Thailand USD174b
Malaysia USD 128b
Singapore USD 116b
Phillipines USD 92,5b
Vietnam USD 47b
Myanmar USD 8,8b
Brunei USD 5,7b
Cambodia USD 4,5b
Laos USD 2,7b


ASEAN GDP PPP 2005 USD 2.6 trillion

Indonesia $863,6b
Thailand $559b
Philippines $409b
Malaysia $289,6b
Vietnam $231,6b
Singapore $124b
Myanmar $78,5b
Cambodia $30,6b
Laos $12b
Brunei $9b

ASEAN GDP, per capita, USD 2005

Country Nominal (PPP)

Singapore $26,835 ($28,228)
Brunei $17632 ($24,826)
Malaysia $5040 ($11,160) - KL USD 10k (USD 23k PPP)
Thailand $2577 ($8,342) - BKK USD 7k (USD 20k PPP)
Philippines $1159 ($4,923)
Indonesia $1259 ($4,458)
Vietnam $612 ($3,025) HCMC USD 1.8k (USD 8.9k PPP)
Cambodia $375 ($2,399)
Laos $463 ($2,124)
Myanmar $97 ($1,691)

ASEAN population 2005 560 million
ASEAN GDP per capita 2005 nominal USD 1,600
ASEAN GDP per capita 2005 PPP USD 4,900
ASEAN 5 GDP per cap 2005 nominal USD 2,000
ASEAN 5 GDP per cap 2005 PPP USD 5,600

China GDP per capita nominal 2004 in RMB (PPP USD)

1 Shanghai 55,300 (30.7k)
2 Beijing 37,058 (20.5k)
3 Tianjin 31,600 (17.5k)
4 Zhejiang 23,800 (13.2k)
5 Jiangsu 20,700 (11.5k)
6 Guangdong 19,300 (10.7k)
7 Fujian 17,200 (9.5k)
8 Shandong 16,900 (9.4k)
9 Liaoning 16,300 (9k)
10 Heilongjiang 13,900 (7.7k)
11 Hebei 12,900 (7.2k)
12 Inner Mongolia 11,400 (6.3k)
13 Xinjiang 11,200 (6.2k)
14 Jilin 10,900 (6k)
15 Hubei 10,500 (5.8k)

GDP China province nominal 2004 USD

1 Guangdong 200.5b
2 Shandong 193.6b
3 Jiangsu 192.5b
4 Zhejiang 140.5b
5 Henan 110.2b
6 Hebei 109.6b
7 Shanghai1 93.1b
8 Liaoning 85.9b
9 Sichuan 81.9b
10 Hubei 78.8b
11 Fujian 75.6b
12 Hunan 70.1b
13 Heilongjiang 66.3b
14 Anhui 60.1b
15 Beijing1 53.5b

CHina population 2006 1.3b
GDP China 2006 nominal = USD 2.2 trillion excl HK, Macau
GDP China 2006 PPP = 8.1 trillion
GDP per capita 2006 nominal China USD 1.7k
GDP per capita 2006 PPP China USD 6.2k
By 2010 Shanghai should achieve per capita GDP nominal above USD 10k

GDP per capita nominal 2006 USD
HK 25k
Macau 22k
Taiwan 15k

Malaysia Broadband penetration rate abt 10% based on average household number 2006
No of broadband subscriber 540k in Q1 2006

512 kbps unlimited RM 66
1 Mbps unlimited RM 88

Malaysia Multimedia Super Corridor started in 1996. However our broadband penetration is still slow. If we begin rolling out broadband nationwide when MSC begins in 1996 , the development of MSC will be accelerated. Malaysia have the vision but the implementation after 10 years is still slow because we need a catalyst like high speed broadband in order for the initiatives contained in MSC to reach the masses. Malaysia launched its commercial broadband since 2002 whereas Singapore launched its commercial broadband since 1997. The government of Malaysia tried to promote broadband adoption by making it affordable for the masses.

Singapore Residential BroadbandService Plan
*Monthly Subscription**(with GST)

SingNet 512kbps Unlimited Plan S$38
SingNet 1500kbps Unlimited Plan S$43
SingNet 3500kbps Unlimited Plan S$47
SingNet 10Mbps Unlimited Plan S$68
SingNet 25Mbps Unlimited Plan S$102.40

StarHub MaxOnline 4Mbps S$58.8
StarHub MaxOnline 6.5 Mbps S$67.83
StarHub MaxOnline Ultimate 30 Mbps S$103.53

Broadband subscriber 680k May 2006
Penetration rate 55% 2006

New Daihatsu Xenia / Toyota Avanza 1.3 launched in Indonesia on 12 July priced at IDR 103 million . 10000 IDR = RM 4

Currently Avanza 1.3 costs between RM 60k M to RM 65k A in Pen Malaysia
In Langkawi RM 42k-45k

Next Generation of Perodua Kembara??

New FT Flag for WP KL, Putrajaya and Labuan

Brunei car price

GDP per cap USD 17.6k
Pop 374k

Vios 1.5A Malaysia RM85k
Vios 1.5A SG 52k SGD with COE
Vios 1.5A Brunei $22k bnd

1 bnd= 1 sgd
Perodua kelisa brunei $16.3k bnd
Kelisa malaysia RM 42k

Peugeout 206CC $ 46k bnd
Volkswagen Passat 2.0 $40k bnd
MERCEDES-BENZ C230K $99k bnd
Yaris 1.3A $27k bnd

RMK 9 2006-2010 allocation in RM

Johor 10.2b
Perak 7.6b
PP 6.1b
Melaka 3.7b
NS 5.8b
Selangor 15.5b
WP 31b
Kedah 7.8b
Kelantan 6.6b
Pahang 9.8b
Perlis 2.2b
Sabah 15.6b
Sarawak 13.4b
Terengganu 5.8b
Multi state 58.4b

Senai Airport Development plan

LOGISTICS AND AVIATION-RELATED INDUSTRIES DEVELOPMENT

Phase 1 2003-2006
Extension of the runway from 3,354m to 3,800m
Development of Cargo Agents Warehouse and GSA Offices
Development of Senai Perishable Centre
Development of Senai Livestock Gateway
Development of Senai Free Zone

Phase 2 2007-2010
Development of new taxiway
Expansion of passenger apron and cargo apron
Expansion of airport terminal to accommodate 5 million passengers annually
Development of CIQ Clearance Complex
Development of Senai Logistics Park
Development of Ornamental Fish Regional Distribution and Trade Centre
Development of Floriculture Regional Distribution and Trade Centre
Development of Aircraft Regional Parts and Distribution Centre
Development of Aviation Training Centre

Phase 3 2011-2023
Development of Senai Logistics Hub
Development of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Centre
Development of Oil and Gas Supply Base Warehouse

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Phase 1 2003-2006
Development of Airport Terminal Retail Area
Development of Senai Integrated Transport Terminal
Development of Senai Transit Hotel

Phase 2 2007-2010
Development of Rail Transit Link
Development of Senai Duty Free, Retail and Showroom Complex
Development of Lifestyle Apartment Suites
Development of Senai Business Park
Development of Senai Trade and Exhibition Centre

Phase 3 2011-2023
Development of Family Theme Park
Development of Sports and Recreation Park

Malaysia Airlines will now operate
7 routes between KL International Airport (KLIA) and Peninsular Malaysia cities,
6 routes between KLIA and Sabah/Sarawak, and
6 routes within Sabah and Sarawak.

KL-Penang, KL-Langkawi, KL-Kota Kinabalu, KL-Kuching, KL-Johor Bahru, KL-Miri, KL-Sibu, KL-Terengganu, KL-Kota Bharu, KL- Alor Setar, KL-Kuantan, KL-Bintulu, KL-Labuan,

Kota Kinabalu-Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu-Tawau, Kota Kinabalu-Labuan,
Kuching-Kota Kinabalu, Kuching-Sibu and Kuching-Miri

As of July 10 MAS will be given 3 more routes JB-Kuching, KL-Sandakan, KL-Tawau

Sept 8 MAS will fly a total of 25 routes including Penang-Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu-Miri and Kuching-Bintulu

With this, MAS and AirAsia will offer on a weekly basis
21 (14) flights on the Kuala Lumpur-Labuan route,
35 (14) flights on the Kota Kinabalu-Labuan route,
49 (35) flights on the Kota Kinabalu-Sandakan route,
35 (28) flights on the Kota Kinabalu-Tawau route,
21 (14) flights on Kota Kinabalu-Miri route,

28 (21) flights on Kuching-Kota Kinabalu route,
49 (35) flights on Kuching-Miri route,
49 (35) flights on Kuching-Sibu route
21 (14) flights on Kuching-Bintulu route.

I first travel with AirAsia JB-KK on Nov 2004. I recently took AirAsia from JB-Miri on June 2006. AirAsia has grown by leaps and bounds since then, providing affordable flights to the masses. The rationalisation exercise announce by government is a good step to promote malaysia as a hub and also enable better ultilisation of resources.

MAS should focus on their international flights and not keep dwelling on the domestic routes. Time will tell which party does a better job in the domestic market. No point for MAS to become a jaguh kampung in the domestic market while incurring losses that will affect the P&L and drains the taxpayers money in the form of subsidies. Hopefully with the newly formed Flying Asian Express for the RAS, there will be better ultilisation of resources and in the future the RAS business will be self sustaining.

Airport Passenger traffic 2005

Suvarnabhumi Airport (capacity for 45m)
Bangkok Don Muang 37 m
Changi 32.4 m (T1& T2 capacity 44m, Budget terminal capacity 2.7 m)

KLIA 23 m (LCCT open on 23 march 2006 capacity 10 m)
Penang 2.84 m
KK 3.97 m
Kuching 3.35 m
Miri 1.59 m
Senai 1.5 m
Sibu 920k
Langkawi 830k
Sandakan, Tawau, Kota Bharu, Labuan 600-700k
Kuala Terengganu, Bintulu 420-500k
Kuantan, Alor Star 300k
Ipoh, Subang 75k
Melaka 28k

The cities of Malaysia are (in order of grant of city status):
George Town (1 January 1957)
Kuala Lumpur (1 February 1972)
Ipoh (27 May 1988)
Kuching North (1 August 1988)
Kuching South (1 August 1988)
Johor Bahru (1 January 1994)
Kota Kinabalu (2 February 2000)
Shah Alam (10 October 2000)
Malacca Town (15 April 2003)
Alor Star (21 December 2003)
Miri (20 May 2005)
Petaling Jaya (20 June 2006)

State/Province Population
Klang Valley 6.2 million estimated
Johor 3m
Kedah 1.8m
Kelantan 1.4m
Kuala Lumpur 1.45m
Labuan 86k
Melaka 688k
Negeri Sembilan 956k
Pahang 1.4m
Perak 2.2m
Perlis 217k
Pulau Pinang 1.4m
Sabah 3.1m
Sarawak 2.3m
Selangor 5.4m
Terengganu 1m

City population 2005
Kuala Lumpur - 1.45m
Ipoh - 927,776
Klang - 879,867
Subang Jaya - 833,571
Johor Baharu - 802,489
Ampang Jaya - 644,136
Kuching - 570,407
Petaling Jaya - 520,698
Shah Alam - 481,654
Kota Kinabalu - 457,326
Sandakan - 392,288
Seremban - 372,917
Kuantan - 366,229
Cheras - 334,198
Kajang-Sungai Chua - 325,945
Tawau - 306,462
Kuala Terengganu - 285,065
Kota Bharu - 279,316
Selayang Baru - 232,964
Sungai Petani - 228,843
Miri - 228,212
Taiping - 217,647
Alor Setar - 217,368
Bukit Mertajam - 212,329
Sibu - 198,239
Malacca - 180,671
George Town - 178,304
Kulim - 170,889
Kluang - 169,828
Skudai - 159,733
Batu Pahat - 156,236
Bintulu - 151,617
Pasir Gudang - 145,639
Sungai Ara - 140,849
Gelugor - 135,786
Muar - 127,897
Rawang - 120,447
Taman Greenwood - 116,737
Ayer Itam - 115,270
Butterworth - 107,591
Lahad Datu - 105,622

Ranking GDP per capita nominal by state 2005

1. WP KL RM 39k
2. Terengganu Pulau Pinang RM28-29k
3. Selangor Melaka RM21k
4. Johor NS Perak Sarawak RM17-19k
5. Pahang Perlis Rm14-15k
6. Kedah Sabah RM11-12k
14 Kelantan RM 8.6k

Highways/ Railways in development 2006-2010

BORR 2007 opened
West Coast Expressway by Keuro * 2012
KASEH by IJM/ Antah end 2009
KL-Putrajaya Expressway 2008
Shah Alam - Kemuning Highway
SKVE Phase 2
Subang Jaya - Kelana Jaya Highway 2008
Assam Jawa- Kuang -Templer *
Pandan Corridor *
East West Highway Kulim Gerik Bypass opened in 2006 (Bina Puri)
2nd East West Highway from Gua Musang to Kuala Berang (MTD) end 2007
East Coast Expressway phase 2 (MTD)
SMART by Gamuda mid 2007
PORR
KNEE/ DUKE by MRCB 2008
Senai Desaru Expressway by SDEB 2008
2nd Penang Bridge Batu Kawan to Batu Maung Dec 2010
Second Pasir Gudang Highway
Pontian Linkedua 2008
Eastern Dispersal Link CIQ JB under MRCB 2008
Nusajaya Danga Bay Road
Kedah Trans Hinterland Highway (Durian Burung - Baling)

Railway Electrification Double tracking
Rawang -Tanjung Malim - Ipoh 2008
Sentul-Batu Caves 2010
Seremban - Senawang
Seremban- Gemas beyond 2010
Ipoh- Padang Besar

Metro KL

Klang Valley encompasses a population of roughly 6 million people
- PJ , Subang Jaya, Kajang, Shah Alam, Cheras, Ampang Jaya and Klang

Ipoh, Penang island and JB are consider second tier cities with urban population close 1 million

Countries that I have visited till 2006 just 9% hahaha

Upcoming places to visit for yr 2006 with AirAsia
Macau,HK
Miri, KK
Bangkok
HCMC

SJER development RM10 b RMK 9 2005-2010. Pontian and Kukup was added into the area. Detail plans will be available by end 2006

High speed bullet train KL-JB
Senai Desaru Highway
Nusajaya
Gerbang Selatan Bersepadu CIQ and JB Sentral
JB Monorail
Eastern Dispersal Link
Danga Bay Development
Persada Convention Centre 2006
Senai Airport Cargo hub expansion
Johor State New Administrative Center (JSNAC)
Southern Industrial & Logistic Clusters (SiLC)
Port Tanjong Pelepas expansion
Pasir Gudang Second Highway
Kulai MSC
Tanjung Langsat Biodiesel Plant

Cost of living in KL compared to Singapore

GDP 2005 Malaysia RM 495b current price
GDP 2005 Singapore SGD 194b current price

GDP (nominal) 2005 per capita of SG : SGD 44k
GDP (nominal) 2005 per capita Malaysia: RM 18k
GDP (nominal) 2005 per capita KL: RM 39k

Newspaper cost : RM 1.20 vs $0.80
A litre petrol RM 1.92 vs $1.65
Per minute postpaid local call RM0.15 vs $0.15
Price of cinema ticket RM 6-RM10 vs $7 - $9.50

Toyota Vios 1.5A : RM 85k (CKD) vs SGD 48-52k CBU (with COE)
Toyota Yaris 1.5A CBU RM 100k vs SGD 54k (with COE)
Perodua Myvi 1.3 A RM 50k vs Daihatsu Sirion 1.3A SGD 48-50k (with COE)
Naza 206 1.4A RM 69k vs Peugeot 206 1.4A SGD 57k (with COE)
Kia Rio 1.4A CBU RM 75k vs SGD 43k (with COE)

Minimum income for visa card: RM 18k vs SGD 30k
Inflation Malaysia 2005 3% vs 0.5% Singapore
EPF 23% (11/12) vs CPF 33% (20/13) a reflection on the disposable income
Income tax payable RM 35k per annum : RM 1525
Income tax payable SGD 35k per annum: SGD 662.5