Friday 16 August 2013

How much will the raised BLR impact your pocket?

Once the BLR (Base Lending Rate) is raised, how much does it impact you?

Just take an example as below, 500,000 loan, BLR-2.4%, loan tenure 35 years, and BLR as 6.6%.

Following the example below, for every 1% of BLR increase, there is an increment of 13% in monthly installment. However, the increment magnitude of the monthly installment is also subject to the loan tenure that you have taken.

Secondly, many folks are thinking that even if the BLR is raised, the bank still will maintain its monthly installment by extending the loan repayment period. Yes, the bank may allow that, provided the new monthly interest charge (after BLR raised) is still lower than your original monthly installment, and the extended period shall not exceed the maximum loan period allowed by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). Looking at the example below, with 2% of BLR raised, the new monthly interest charge has exceeded the original monthly installment, hence the bank will have to revise the loan monthly installment accordingly to ensure there is sufficient portion to pay off the loan principle.

How much will the raised BLR impact your pocket? Check it out using the link below for your own case.

House Loan Calculator



Wednesday 26 June 2013

Property Price Iskandar Malaysia VS Singapore

Many people always ask "what is the reasonable property price for Iskandar Malaysia compared Singapore?"

Below is a simple calculation that will consider some major factors which may affect the property price. We take Singapore as benchmark which all factors are indicated as 1, while IM will be given a relative factor by "benchmarking" to Singapore.

The assumptions of calculation are quite straight forward as indicated in the formula below.

The default values below are my personal inputs, if you think the values are inappropriate, you may key in your own values, the outcomes will provide you a revised calculated property price of IM based on your inputs, then you can judge if the property price at IM is reasonable or unreasonable to you.

Please note, the actual property price is hardly for prediction due to speculation, natural disaster, politic instability, economy performance  and etc, however the calculation below is meant to compare the various "values" or factors from both locations, excluding the unpredictable factors.

For example below, if the Singapore private property price is SGD1200 psf averagely, based on the calculation , IM shall have RM 689 psf in average value.

Have fun!!! Take the outcomes with pinch of salt.



 

Disclaimer: Do not use the outcomes as your investment guides, the demonstration above is just provide a rough comparison between property price in IM and Singapore.

What is your reasonable property price (psf) of IM?

Click here to see if you hit the bull eye

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Population Growth of Iskandar Malaysia

Based on IRDA and CIMB Research, the population of Iskandar Malaysia will reach 3 millions by 2025.



Year 2010 2015 2020 2025
IM Projected Population (mil) 1.60 2.07 2.53 3.00
Average growth (yearly) 93,333
Average member per household  4
Estimated house unit required (yearly) 23,333
Average unit per condo / apartment Project 500
Estimated Condo Projects required (yearly) 47


Based on the rough estimation above, IM needs to build approximate 23,000 house units yearly to fulfill the population growth.

If we translate the number of house unit into the number of condo / apartment to be built, it will be about 47 condo projects are required at yearly basis, assuming each condo project consist 500 units averagely.

Of course, there are a lot of other factors need to be taken into account to forecast the actual demand of house units in IM. At least the estimation above provide you a rough idea of the property demand / supply in IM, so that you may be able to see deeper of the aspects and prospects of IM.

In short terms, the population growth may not be a linear trend as assumed by the population projection, it is expected to be lower than the projected growth, considering IM will have about 100 condo projects being completed in coming years, some areas we may observe oversupply cases.

In long run, the population is expected to catch up with the projected growth, considering growths contributed from tourism, migrations, investments, job creations (for local and foreigners), increase of daily travelers (those who work in Singapore but choose to stay at IM). Subsequently, the demand of house unit will increase significantly in long terms, if the population is able to catch up.












Saturday 15 June 2013

List of Universities in Nusajaya (Iskandar Malaysia)

List of Universities in Nusajaya (Iskandar Malaysia)





List of Major Companies Invested in Iskandar Malaysia

Below is a list of Major Company involve in development of Iskandar Malaysia

Malaysia Companies
  • SUNWAY,5211 (双威)
  • UEMLAND,5148 (UEM置)
  • TEBRAU,1589 (地不佬盛大)
  • EKOVEST,8877 (怡克伟士)
  • SPSETIA,8664 (实达集团)
  • MAHSING,8583 (马星集团)
  • IJMLAND,5215 (IJM置地)
  • DIJAYA
  • BRUNSFIELD
  • KIMLUN
  • GMUTUAL,9962 (互泰)
  • IGB,1597  (怡保花園)
  • Iskandar Waterfront Holdings, IWH (伊斯干達海濱控股) 
  • Genting Plantations, 2291 (雲頂種植 )
  • E&O,3417 (東方)
  • KSL,5038 (順利實業)
  • CRESNDO,6718 (吉星機構)
  • MULPHA,3905 (馬化國際)
  • DIJACOR,5401 (成隆機構)


Singapore Companies
  • CapitaLand
  • Ascendas Land
  • Temasek
  • Mapletree


Other Country Companies
  • Country Garden (碧桂園)- China
  • Walker Corp - Australia (Master Developer of Senibong Cove)





The Tables above are extracted from CIMB Report.

Iskandar - Malaysia's Shenzhen




Wednesday 5 June 2013

Angry Birds theme park to open at JBCC by May 2014

First Published: 8:31pm, Jun 04, 2013
Last Updated: 8:31pm, Jun 04, 2013

by Bernama


JOHOR BARU (June 4): Damansara Assets Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Johor Corporation (JCorp), will open the Angry Birds Theme Park at Johor Baharu City Centre (JBCC) by May next year.
 
JCorp President and Chief Executive Datuk Kamaruzzaman Abu Kassim said the development of the theme park, the first in Southeast Asia, is on a joint venture with the founder of the Angry Birds game, Rovio Entertainment Ltd, which is based in Finland.
 
"The indoor theme park covering 26,000 sq ft will be located on the third floor of JBCC, formerly known as Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (Komtar)," he said to reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Damansara Assets and Rovio Entertainment here today.
 
Damansara Assets was represented by its Executive Director, Yusaini Sidek while Rovio Entertainment was represented its Chief Operating Officer, Harri Koponen.
 
Kamaruzzaman said the opening of the theme park goes well with the shopping mall that is being developed at JBCC and JCorp was proud of Rovio Entertainment's agreement to develop the theme park.
 
"The Angry Birds characters introduced in Finland are now well-known by all age groups worldwide. This is suitable for JBCC which is patronised by various customers, both local and foreign," he said.
 
On JBCC, he said the RM500 million development comprised a shopping mall, two multi-storey buildings namely Menara Komtar, which is being renovated and a new building, Menara Johor Land, and a four-star hotel.
 
Following this, Komtar will return as the iconic landmark in Johor Baru city, thus becoming a shopping haven, entertainment and lifestyle centre.
 
He said several parties including Metrojaya, Royal Selangor Pewter and Tony Roma's restaurant had agreed to operate there.
 
Meanwhile, Koponen said there are four Angry Birds theme park in operations in Finland and Rovio Entertainment was happy to be involved in the development in Johor Baru.
 
He said details on the design of the theme park would be announced soon which will cover activity area, souvenirs and rooms for events.


Read more: http://fz.com/content/angry-birds-theme-park-open-jbcc-may-2014#ixzz2VInpMPXY

Thursday 30 May 2013

Useful Contact Numbers To Be Used In Johor Bahru.

Emergency
Ambulance/ Police 999 or (07-2212999)
Fire 994
Civil Defense 991

Telekom Malaysia (Community Services)
Teledera (Abuse Hotline) 1800 88 3040
Product & Services 1050
TeleKaunseling 1800 88 3134
Time Announcement 1051
International Service 1981 (Mandarin) 1982 (Japanese)
Data & Telex Faults 1061
Telecard Holders 1092

Courier
Americaras 07-332 4877
DHL 07-332 6848
United Parcel 07-334 3223

Transport
Senai Airport 07-599 4500
Railway Station (JB) 07-223 4727
Ticketing Counter 07-223 3040
Bus Terminal 07-223 3159
Express National 07-223 7204
Grassland Express 07-355 6133
Bank 07-223 6222
Jenshen Express 07-224 4633
S'pore- JB Express 07-223 2276
T-Hakkim 07-222 3097
Taxi (Comfort) 07-332 2852
Taxi (City Enterprise) 07-354 9966
Taxi (Khidmat Saujana) 07-238 5315
Taxi (Intan Nirwana) 07-334 3068

Hospital
Hospital Sultanah Aminah 07-2231666
Johor Specialist 07-2237811
KPJ Johor Specialist Hospital 07-225 3000
Regency Specialist Hospital 07 381 7700
Puteri Specialist Hospital 07-225 3222
Columbia Asia Hospital 07 233 9999
Hospital Penawar 07-252 1800

Others
Immigration Department 07-2244255
Johor Tourism Depart. 07-2223590
Tenaga Nasional 07-2232024
Telekom Malaysia 07-2289292
Post Office 07-2244233
L License 07-2244187 and 07-2229204

Cinema
TGV Bukit Indah 07-2340871
Perling Mall 07-335 3551
Leisure Mall 07-335 3558
Holiday Plaza 07-331 1517
Tasek Cineplex 07-556 1157

Astro (satellite TV service)
03 - 9543 6688

Internet Services
TMNET  03-2241 1290


Note: For non-local sim card mobile phone, please add +6 before above contact numbers. For example 07-2340871 becomes +607-2340871

Wednesday 15 May 2013

Ferry Services at Puteri Harbour

The ferry terminal at Puteri Harbour are in service since 08-May-2013. Currently the services are only extended to Harbour Bay (Batam) and Tanjung Balai (Karimun).

As for Harbour Front (Singapore), the ferry service is expected to commence by early of June, 2013.

By having these ferry services, it will attract more tourists especially from Indonesia to visit Puteri Harbour / Nusajaya / Iskandar. This will also boost the tourism industry at Johor. Indeed a good news for Iskandar Malaysia.

http://www.playtime.com.my/transport-water


Transportation by Ferry

Ferry Schedule by Ridaa Associates Sdn Bhd

Daily Ferry Departure & Arrival Schedule at Terminal Feri Antarabangsa Puteri Harbour, Nusajaya, Johor.
For bookings call +607-5600 542 , +607-5600 543 , +607-5600 568

Ferry Schedule from Harbour Front, Singapore to Puteri Harbour

OriginDestinationDepartureArrival
Harbour Front, SingaporePuteri Harbour0900
1600
2000
Coming Soon 
1030
1730
2130
Coming Soon
Puteri HarbourHarbour Front, Singapore0700
1400
1800
Coming Soon 
0830
1530
1930
Coming Soon 
* The above daily ferry schedule is subject to change without prior notice.

Ferry Schedule from Tg. Balai Karimun, Indonesia to Puteri Harbour

OriginDestinationDeparture**Arrival
Tg. Balai KarimunPuteri Harbour0800
1500
1000
1700
Puteri HarbourTg. Balai Karimun1100
1800
1300
2000
** Departure and Arrival is in Indonesian Time
*  The above daily ferry schedule is subject to change without prior notice.

Ferry Schedule from Harbour Bay, Batam, Indonesia to Puteri Harbour

OriginDestinationDeparture**Arrival
Harbour Bay, BatamPuteri Harbour0700
1030
1330
1630
0945
1315
1615
1915
Puteri HarbourHarbour Bay, Batam0800
1100
1400
1800
1045
1345
1645
2045
** Departure and Arrival is in Indonesian Time
*  The above daily ferry schedule is subject to change without prior notice.

Ticket Counter Price

OriginDestinations               Adult          ChildrenSeaport tax
  One WayTwo WayOne WayTwo Way 
Puteri HarbourHarbour Front, SingaporeRM43.00RM58.00RM29.00RM43.00    RM12.00
Puteri HarbourHarbour Bay, BatamRM60.00RM100.00RM40.00RM70.00    RM12.00
Puteri HarbourTg. Balai KarimunRM55.00RM95.00RM30.00RM55.00    RM12.00
Note :-
1.  Ticket counter price at Puteri Harbour International Ferry Terminal, Nusajaya, Johor.
2.  Adult (age 13yrs and above), Child (age between 3yrs-12yrs), Infant (age below 3yrs old).
3.  Seaport tax charges is RM 12.00 per pax (insclusive the insurance) for International departure from
     Puteri Harbour International Ferry Terminal, Johor.
4.  RM 10.00 shall be charge for any changes of schedule for all confirmed ticket






For more info and details.
http://www.ridaa.com.my
http://www.ridaa.com.my/Ridaa%20Brochure%20PH.pdf

Tuesday 14 May 2013

Mah Sing sees demand shifting to Iskandar

By Chuah Bee Kim                        
Published: 2013/05/13

The value of properties in Iskandar Malaysia will see an increase in the next three to five years, says Mah Sing

JOHOR BARU: Property giant Mah Sing Group Bhd foresees a shift in demand for its properties from Kuala Lumpur and Penang to Iskandar Malaysia here in the near future.

Its executive director for operations, Lim Kiu Hock, said the shift has taken place since Iskandar Malaysia’s launch in 2006.

“The value of properties in Iskandar Malaysia will see an increase in the next three to five years,” Lim said at a press conference, here, on Saturday after an exclusive preview of The Meridin@ Medini at the Persada International Convention
Centre.

The preview was attended by about 1,500 guests, with some from Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China and Indonesia.


The preview was on the Meridin Suites Residences, which comprise three tower blocks with 756 units.

Of these, only Tower A with 400 units and Tower C with 195 units were opened to the guests for pre-selection of units.

Tower B, which has 161 units, will only be opened for registration when the serviced apartments are launched next month. The units are pegged at between RM387,000 andRM975,000.

Besides the Meridin Suites Residences, the 3ha integrated development, with a gross development value of RM1.1 billion, also features the Meridin Linx Small Office Versatile Offices,
Meridin Walk lifestyle retail podium and Meridin Exchange corporate towers.

Lim said the company is confident of good response for the serviced apartments due their strategic location.

“Using Johor Baru’s new coastal highway, one can get to Nusajaya within 10 minutes,” he said, adding that the development is only four minutes from the Legoland theme park.

“Besides our company’s track record, another big draw is that investors in this special economic zone will get a lease extension of 30 years, making the total lease period 129 years,” Lim said, adding that government policies have boosted
the Johor property sector.

Mah Sing, incorporated since 1991, has a total of 41 residential projects comprising landed properties and high-rise, and commercial and industrial properties with a remaining GDV and unbilled sales of close to RM20 billion.

"The company has RM2.22 billion in remaining GDV and RM145 million unbilled sales from the remaining 164ha landbank in Johor," he said, adding that the company is targeting 20 per cent of its sales to come from The Meridin@Medini.

Also present were chief operating officer (township residential) James A. Bruyns and senior general manager (southern region) Dr Chai Kow Sin.

Read more: Mah Sing sees demand shifting to Iskandar http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20130513002312/Article/index_html#ixzz2TC2grrUA

Friday 26 April 2013

Anwar promises to continue Johor’s Iskandar project if Pakatan wins


BY IDA LIM
APRIL 24, 2013

JOHOR BARU, April 24 – The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will not halt the Iskandar Malaysia in Johor if it wins the country’s most intense polls on May 5, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.
Anwar, who is also the PKR de-facto leader, appeared to be dispelling fears that the opposition pact he leads may not be business-friendly or supportive of investments.
“I won’t batal (cancel) Iskandar but I say we need to ensure Iskandar is carried out transparently,” Anwar said in a speech while going on the stump for retired general Md Hashim Hussein, PKR’s candidate for the Johor Bahru federal seat.
“I am not against development projects ...” he said, receiving loud applause from the largely Malay crowd when he claimed that the Johor people, irrespective of race, were being left out of the Iskandar project.
“... When we take over, the project can be continued but we have to ensure the participation of the Johor people in the Iskandar project,” he told the crowd in a packed tent with a 600-seat capacity this evening, with some of those standing outside the tent spotted in office wear as it rained.
The Iskandar region, which has already brought in investments worth over RM100 billion since it came into the picture in 2006, is one of the country’s success stories.
The southern economic corridor is seen as a key driver of Johor’s economy but has also been blamed for pushing up the cost of living in the state lying north of Singapore.
PR is aiming to make further inroads into Johor – where it had won one federal seat and six state seats in 2008 – in its bid to wrest control of Putrajaya from the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.
The southern state, which is BN’s stronghold and Umno’s birthplace, has 26 federal seats and 56 state seats.


http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/anwar-promises-to-continue-johors-iskandar-project-if-pakatan-wins


Wednesday 24 April 2013

郭鹤年回流投资柔南(依斯干达特区)

郭老在这么敏感的时机进场,到底是纯粹投资还是有其他解读?

大家都知道Khazanah是政府的机构之一,但不要忘了郭老宣布进场时,国会是已经被解散了的,Khazanah的未来主人还是要等到5月5后才有定夺。

郭老选择在反风最强而且是最有可能变天的一届大选前这时机进场,然道他没想过换政府的风险?他肯定想过, 那为什么他还是在这么敏感的时机进场?值得大家深思!


 2013-04-22

http://www.nanyang.com/node/527515?tid=462


(吉隆坡22日讯)郭氏兄弟集团与国库控股(Khazanah),联手在柔佛努沙再也公主港的约12.518英亩土地,发展一项估计超过10亿令吉的综合型产业计划。
双方今天联合发表文告宣布,联营的Southern Marina发展私人有限公司,今日正式与UEM置地控股(UEMLand,5148,主板产业股)旗下的UEM置地和努沙再也城镇发展私人有限公司签署买卖协议,以便以1亿8200万令吉现金向后者收购上述土地。
Southern Marina为Huge Quest Realty私人有限公司和TanjungBidara创投私人有限公司(分别持股70%和30%)所属公司。
Huge Quest Realty是郭氏兄弟私人有限公司和PPB集团(PPB,4065,主板消费产品股)的子公司,而Tanjung Bidara创投则是国库控股(Khazanah)的独资子公司。
文告指出,Southern Marina计划在该土地上发展一项综合型产业计划,主要包括高楼住宅、零售与商务单位。
此项产业计划的发展总值(GDV),估计超过10亿令吉,料拥有超过200万平方尺的总楼层面积。
公主港晋身世界级城市
UEM置地控股董事经理兼总执行长拿督万阿都拉说:“有了如Southern Marina一般强劲的伙伴参与,我们有信心公主港正迈向世界级综合型滨海发展区的轨道上,从而带动努沙再也成为活跃且适于所有人居住的城市。”
郭氏兄弟董事兼PPB集团主席拿督胡兆南则说,很高兴有机会参与发展公主港。
“依斯干达特区取得庞大的进展,尤其是努沙再也,过去数年的进展非常卓越。
“我们深信已完善的基建、设施与交通联系,依斯干达特区有能力持续吸引更多本地和国际投资者。”
国库控股董事经理丹斯里阿兹曼莫达则表示,很高兴有机会与郭氏集团合作,在依斯干达特区发展产业计划,此地区正进入下一个发展阶段。
他表示,著名企业如郭氏兄弟集团的参与,有助于进一步带动依斯干达特区的投资兴趣,从而取得更优越的进展与成就。
卖地1年内完成 UEM控股进账8099万
UEM置地控股也向马交所报备,上述交易涉及两块土地,分别占地9.916英亩和2.602英亩。
努沙再也城镇发展是分别于1994年5月和1995年6月购下上述土地,总收购成本为大约180万令吉。
根据UEM置地控股截至2013年12月31日止的已审计财报,这些土地的总净账面价值为约7400万令吉。
此脱售活动预计在截至今年12月31日止财年,为UEM置地控股贡献1亿8196万令吉营业额、1亿799万令吉总盈利、8099万令吉盈利,以及1.87仙每股盈利。
UEM置地控股预期,这土地交易可在12个月内(从买卖协议日期开始计算)完成,并计划将脱售上述土地所筹集的资金,作为公司的营运资本。

Tuesday 23 April 2013

Robert Kuok makes sweet return to Iskandar Malaysia


KUALA LUMPUR: "Di mana ada semut, di situ ada gula", that would probably be the best Malay proverb to describe the return of "Sugar King" Tan Sri Robert Kuok to Johor, and Iskandar Malaysia, to be exact.

Not wanting to miss out the "sweet" opportunities offered at the southern economic region, the Johor-born Kuok has chosen Nusajaya as his new investment destination.  
Through the Kuok Brothers Group, he has just bought 5.058 hectares of land for RM334 per sq foot from UEM Land, in Puteri Harbour, one of the key landmarks at Nusajaya.
That the billionaire is prepared to pay such a high price tends to make Puteri Harbour a sweet investment for him with even sweeter returns in time to come.
Kuok's return will definitely help his fellow Johoreans with a positive spillover effect from job openings and business opportunities from the mixture of high-rise residential, as well as, retail and commercial units totaling, RM1 billion in gross development value.  
Kuok developed the land via Southern Marina Development Sdn Bhd, a 70:30 joint venture company between Kuok Brothers Group and Khazanah Nasional Bhd.  
The Kuoks had set up Malayan Sugar Manufacturing Company in 1958 and then saw their first sugar cane plantation through Perlis Plantations six years after.  
They sold Malayan Sugar Manufacturing to Felda in 2009 before acquiring an Australian sugar company later.  
Before making his own way to Iskandar, Kuok had earlier alerted his partner, Australian billionaire, Lang Walker, to the potential of Iskandar Malaysia.
The Malaysian is a partner in Walker's US$1.4 billion Collins Square redevelopment project in Melbourne, Australia.
With Kuok’s help, Walker identified two areas in Johor Baru – Lido Beach and Senibong Cove, but in the end, he chose the latter.
For now, this is Walker's biggest bet outside Australia where work is underway on 7,000 units of dwellings to be built on 84 hectares of waterfront land over 10 years.
The US$1.3 billion project, developed on a joint venture basis, with Iskandar Waterfront Sdn Bhd includes condominiums, apartments, cluster homes, semi-detached bungalows and terraced houses.  
MIDF Research says that Kuoks' participation in Puteri Harbour would also accelerate the development momentum of Puteri Habour, joining Liberty Bridge, Encorp and Tiong Nam Logistic.  
Kuok's project will located with other projects within Nusajaya like D'Estuary, Residential North and Residential.  
Kenanga Research, meanwhile, says that the wealth experience of the Kuok Brothers, particularly given the Shangri-la Group of hotels branding, will further strengthen Puteri Harbour's potential.  
It is also heartened that such a transaction is taking place during the pre-General Election period, implying strength to the overall Iskandar Malaysia story, where Nusajaya is located in the hotly-contested Gelang Patah Parliamentary constituency.
"We are positive but not surprised," it said.
 HwangDBS Vickers Research also believed that Kuok's participation would help expedite the overall development in Puteri Harbour with the participation of other established property developers.  
"We are pleasantly surprised as we understand that UEM Land had previously only considered high-rise development on those prime Puteri Harbour land on its own," the research house said.  -- BERNAMA

http://www.nst.com.my/latest/tan-sri-robert-kuok-makes-sweet-return-to-iskandar-malaysia-1.262389#ixzz2RHusgyJ8

No business as usual if opposition wins Johor: Anwar


By Amir Hussain - TODAY
23-April-2013
SELANGOR — Responding to remarks from the Barisan Nasional (BN) camp that the opposition will stymie the progress of the Iskandar region if Johor falls into opposition hands, Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim yesterday dismissed these as scaremongering attempts and reiterated that the opposition wants the Malaysian economy to continue to grow and commitments would be honoured.
However, he said “investors, including (those) from Singapore, cannot assume that business must be as usual” should the special economic zone come under opposition rule. Among other things, he wants more opportunities for Malaysians. Speaking to TODAY while campaigning in Selangor, Mr Anwar said: “The politics of fear is always a tactic of the ruling establishment. Of course, our concern is that the economy continues to grow (and) whatever commitments were given have to be honoured.”
Nevertheless, should the opposition win Johor, there will be changes in policies. Mr Anwar said businesses in Iskandar will have to be “more transparent” and the opposition will “generate interest and participation (in the commercial projects) for the locals”.
“These are issues which will not in any way hinder investment or development,” he said.
Iskandar Malaysia was developed in 2006, and Singapore is the largest single foreign investor there.
According to statistics from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, Singapore companies have set up more than 300 manufacturing projects there so far. Some Singapore companies have reportedly said that they will adopt a wait-and-see attitude in investing in the Iskandar region, with the elections underway.
Johor is known as a BN fortress. Going into the elections, the ruling coalition held 25 out of 26 parliamentary seats, and 50 out of 56 state seats. But political analysts have said that the opposition could make deeper inroads given the political developments since the last general election in 2008.
In recent weeks, UDA Holdings Chairman Nur Jazlan Mohamed and Malaysian Chinese Association president Chua Soi Lek have warned Johorians that investments worth billions of ringgit received by the Iskandar region and Johor would be stopped if the opposition is voted in.
UDA Holdings is a public listed company that started off as the Urban Development Authority of Malaysia.
SEAT CLASHES RESOLVED
The BN is fielding 50 per cent new faces at state level and 30 per cent new candidates at federal level.
But Mr Anwar pointed out that several of the so-called new faces had contested in the ’80s and ’90s. He also criticised the ruling coalition for fielding those “clearly known to be extremist in their views”, citing Mr Zulkifli Noordin, who had made derogatory remarks about Hindus.
Mr Anwar also charged that the BN’s main component party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), is playing the race card in the elections.
He noted UMNO’s campaign leaflets which stated that should the opposition win the majority in Parliament, Islam will no longer be the official religion, the royalty will be abolished and all bumiputra agencies will be abolished.
“But I don’t believe that the voters are that gullible ... they are aware of the tactics,” he said.
Mr Anwar also downplayed suggestions that there was a rift within the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat (PR). In seven constituencies, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat and Parti Islam SeMalaysia — both part of the PR — have put up candidates against each other. But he said the clashes had been resolved “amicably”.
Yesterday, Mr Anwar spoke at rallies in rural areas to drum up support for the opposition coalition. Selangor is currently helmed by the opposition and the state seats held by the BN are mainly in the rural areas.
Mr Najib also hit the campaign trail in Selangor yesterday, including holding a walkabout in the Kota Raja constituency. Adding that it was crucial for the BN to recapture Selangor — one of Malaysia’s commercial hubs — Mr Najib told the people that their future is with the ruling coalition.
He also guaranteed that Selangor will never experience water supply interruptions again. He accused PR of putting the takeover of water concessionaires as its main focus.
According to The Star, he also told voters that the Pakatan partnership “won’t last”.
“They are even contesting against each other in seven constituencies,” said Mr Najib. WITH AGENCIES

Tuesday 16 April 2013

GE13 - Competitiveness Of Seats for Parliament

A very interesting analysis done by DR BRIDGET WELSH. In the table below, "Grey" seats mean the seats that can go either way.

In my opinion, Sarawak, Sabah, Johor, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang are the key states that will determine the destiny of PR and BN. Definitely, we can see the chance of PR overtaking BN is there.



More info
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/226677

大选成绩不影响依斯干达特区发展


国家重要项目深入民心 大选成绩不影响依区发展

Thursday 11 April 2013

Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim Assured On Iskandar During Selangor Economic Forum.

Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given his assurance to support Iskandar Project even if Party Pakatan Rakyat won the 13th Genenal Election.

His elaboration of Iskandar starts at 5:20 minute.

 

Wednesday 10 April 2013

Anwar gives assurance of strong S'pore ties


KUALA LUMPUR - Dismissing fears that Malaysia-Singapore ties might suffer in the event of a government change in Putrajaya, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim says it is in Malaysia's interest to stay friendly with its closest neighbour.
"A lot of questions have been raised about PR's (Pakatan Rakyat's) stance," Datuk Seri Anwar said in an interview. "Our interest, and the interest of Malaysia, is to build trust and better economic, trade and cultural relations with Singapore."
Mr Anwar's PR is proving the biggest challenge yet to the long-ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) in upcoming polls, even as analysts say Prime Minister Najib Razak's BN continues to have the edge in what is likely be a closely fought contest. Opinion polls show Datuk Seri Najib himself continues to be widely popular.
Yesterday, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Ahmad Maslan said he was confident that BN would get a two-thirds majority.
Still, Mr Anwar, 65, predicted his coalition will win a comfortable mandate but declined to give a number.
It would need to win at least 112 seats in Malaysia's 222-seat Parliament to form a government. The PR now has 76 seats versus the BN's 136 seats. There are 10 independents.
Ties between both countries have warmed noticeably since former premier Abdullah Badawi took over from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2003.
Singapore is the biggest investor in the RM105 billion (S$42 billion) Iskandar development zone in southern Johor, designed as a lower-cost business base, bedroom community and playground to Singapore.
And last month, both governments said they would build a high-speed railtrain connecting Singapore to Kuala Lumpur in 90 minutes.
Asked about PR's position on Singapore's investments in the Iskandar project, Mr Anwar said the PR will honour all agreements except in cases of fraud. As for the high-speed rail, he said the PR would ensure competitive costs through open tenders.
The PR made huge gains in the 2008 general election when it deprived the BN of its two-thirds majority in Parliament and took control of five states.
This time, analysts say, the PR is likely to pick up several urban seats in Johor, Sabah and Sarawak, but could lose some in Kedah and Kelantan as some of its Malay support returns to the BN. Should the PR manage to seize power, Mr Anwar is a likely contender to be prime minister.
The PR has promised to dismantle long-time affirmative action policies and replace them with needs-based programmes. The BN has told Malay voters this will hurt them economically, and the message has been successful especially in rural areas.
But Mr Anwar said Malay support is not clear-cut. For instance, polls done by the independent Merdeka Centre have seen mixed responses.
While 73 per cent of Malays say they support Mr Najib, their support for the BN is markedly lower, at 60 per cent. He also noted that many still express concern over corruption and crime.
"There are a lot of questions there," he said, pointing out that Mr Badawi's approval rating was also high ahead of the 2008 polls.