1bestari net - Big Money in Smart School

The local paper carried the news about RM1.5 billion ringgit budgeted for the contract to supply internet access to virtual learning for 9924 school under Smart School Bestari project. Just to align it to the 1malaysia concept, the project was rename as 1bestarinet.

Malaysian are known to change the theme when the leadership change. Under the previous PM, the theme was.."Cemerlang, Gemilang dan Terbilang". And now is 1 Malaysia.

The idea and the implementation of the smart school was part of the 7 flagship of MSC. If you go the MSC, it still mentioned about the smart school as..."Smart School
Following the Education Development Blueprint (2006-2010), to ensure that all schools in Malaysia `Be Smart` by 2010 and assuring Smart School Qualification standards adopted throughout for quality assurance, this application is not only an investment benefit for the general society, but also a benefit for businesses for the up and coming future as it ensures that the future generations of workers or employees are more tech savvy and well versed and in tune with the ever rapidly progressing digital age."

Now it is 2011, and the billion ringgit investments were burned in smoke. The new project will draw billion ringgit for the contractors, but without accountability, it will be another smoke screen.

Incidently the link to smartschool at

http://www.mscmalaysia.my/topic/12073046901815 leads to a blank/

puduraya opened in April

The main bus station in kuala lumpur Malaysia was reopened on the 16 April 2011, after about 4 months of delay. This is a reflection of Malaysian Project Management for government based projects.

It is not unusual to have delays and sometime major defects or even parts of the buiding fallen apart, like the stadium in Terengganu.

The bus station was supposed to reopen in December in 2010, then delayed to February, then March and then April.

The star reported..."Raja Nong Chik said the developer, Uda Holdings Berhad, had informed him that all the preparations were going on smoothly for the terminal to resume operations on schedule"... He seem to be unaware or may be do not care about the prolonged delay.

Puduraya bus station to reopen April 16 Apr 2, 2011 ... PUTRAJAYA: The upgraded Hentian Puduraya bus terminal is to reopen on April 16 after several postponements, said Federal Territories and ... thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?sec=nation&file=/2011/4/2/...

The refurnishing of the building was intended to provide comfort to the travelling public. However in many cases, the facilities are overbuild and above the needs of the bus companies and the public. This had added cost to the public. The central ticket systems, the like of that in Bandar Tasik Putri and added to the cost of travelling. Bus companies used to issue their own tickets, and they even have their computer system linked to the seating configuration of their fleet. To use a centralizes system will be additional cost.

Puduraya bus station is centrally located, unfortunately positioned right in the and has to face the daily jam.

Kimanis Power Station

Petronas is set to finance the RM2.2bil power station project at Lahat Datu, in Sabah Malaysia. The 300MW gas powered station will be operated using natural gas. A liquefied natural gas plants will be set up to supply the gas to the power station.

Petronas Gas to raise funding for Kimanis plant Jul 22, 2011 ... KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Gas Bhd (PetGas) will raise 80% of the RM1.5bil for the gas-fired power plant inKimanis, Sabah via project financing ... biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/7/22/business/20110722115551&sec=business

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The extract from the Star newspaper is given below:

KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Gas Bhd (PetGas) wants to raise RM1.2bil to finance its 300MW gas-fired Kimanis power plant in Sabah, through project financing while the balance will be through equity financing.

“The total cost of the power plant is RM1.5bil. We are looking at financing 80% of it through project financing,” chairman Datuk Anuar Ahmad told reporters after its annual general meeting yesterday.

Asked if PetGas had secured the funding, he said it was currently finalising details with both local and foreign banks.

It is understood that PetGas was looking at sukuk bonds or a term loan as options for the 80% of the funding and the balance 20% would be funded via equity.

PetGas also targets to sign a power purchase agreement (PPA) “soon” for the Kimanis plant.

According to analysts, the PPA for Kimanis would be finalised soon, while the regasification service agreement might be signed by end-2011 to be able it to commission the plant in July 2012.

The company had entered into a shareholders agreement with NRG Consortium (Sabah) Sdn Bhd to provide operation and maintenance services for the 300MW power plant. NRG is a wholly-owned unit ofInnoprise Corp, which in turn is wholly-owned by Yayasan Sabah. PetGas holds a 60% stake in the joint venture.

The Kimanis power plant will be the largest independent power producer in Sabah. Located at over 21 ha, the first block of the Kimanis power plant is scheduled to be commissioned at end-2013 while the remaining two blocks in 2014 to meet Sabah's increasing electricity demand.

Meanwhile, the company expects its revenue to grow another 10% per annum once its regasification plant in Malacca is completed by July next year.

PetGas managing director/CEO Samsudin Miskon said the regasification plant in Malacca had been progressing well and was on track for completion.

On capital expenditure, he said PetGas had allocated some RM800mil to RM1bil this year for plant rejuvenation, revamp and also the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of the Kimanis plant.

Commenting on the listing of Gas Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Anuar said PetGas had approved the listing of Gas Malaysia but no timeframe for the listing had been set. “I think it will be some time this year,” he said.

PetGas has a 20% stake in Gas Malaysia, while MMC Corp Bhd has 41.8%, Tokyo Gas-Mitsui & Co (Holdings) Sdn Bhd 25% and Shapadu Holdings the rest.

power plant for SEB

Sarawak Energy BHD is investing RM2.5bil to build 600mw of coal powered plants at Balinian.

For the last one year we had seen the news about Bakun Dam project built by the federal government during the era of Mahathir. One of the main concern was to get enough consumers for the excessive energy. There was talk about building tin smelting plants which will likely to use a sizeable amount of the power produced. The Bakun dam cost the tax payer around RM8bil and it does not include the distribution line which can cost equally as high.

The new coal plan is expected to be completed by 2015. Currently SEB has 2 plants, in Mukah - 270MW and another in Kuching producing 210MW. It is also constructing another dam at Murun giving 944MW.

The present Chief Minister, Taib Mahmud announced that 26bil investments is set for 2 year period.

Incidently Taib Mahmud had made a public promise in the last election to vacate the office.

read the original news below...

SEB to invest RM2.5bil in a 600MW coal-fired plant Jul 14, 2011 ... KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) is close to making “a final ... More power: SEB has to cope with the strong demand for power from ... biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/7/14/business/9096898&sec=business

MRT first line cost RM20bil

Although the actual planned cost of the Kuala Lumpur MRT project will only be revealed in September 2011, it is estimated the cost of the first 3 lines to be in the region of RM20bil.

The first line will be from Sungai Buluh to Kajang, a distant of 51km, including 9.5km underground. The cost on the underground part will be high, nearly rm800 thousand per km.

The project will be managed by Gamuda with a new term PDP, project delivery partner. It is not clear the role of PDP. Some may think it like the company created in the purchase of the malaysian submarine, where rm500mil commission was paid. The person involved was the close associate to Najib, the responsible minister it that time.

read the feed further..

First MRT line likely to cost RM20bil

Jul 9, 2011 ... KUALA LUMPUR: Although the actual cost of the country's first mass rapid transit (MRT) system will be disclosed in September due to a 50% ...

biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/7/9/business/9066355&sec=business

The Saga of Terengganu Stadium

It was reported in the star that the repair to the damaged stadium will be done next year.

The MB of Terengganu, Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said the state government decided to go ahead with the repair because the damage get worsen due to the long neglect.

The repair will start with the football field followed by the roof. Most likely new roof will be ade of lighter material.

The Public work department will be issuing a tender document.

It was not known whether the collapse happen while the stadium is under warranty. There was such a report, and it would be a logical step that the contractor would be liable to do the repair. However logic may not necessarily applicable here.

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In Mar 2010, the newspaper reported that the repair of the collapsed roof should be done by the contractor as the stadium was still under the warranty

A few important issues were raised:

1. Serious engineering flaws, shoddy workmanship, inferior materials and lack of expertise in the key project management team were found to be the main contributing factors behind the roof collapse of Terengganu Stadium at Gong Badak.

2. the project management team did not have the necessary skills and competence to manage a project

All-round flaws caused stadium roof collapse

Mar 11, 2010 ... Also, repair works should be undertaken by a specialist contractor. ... a year after the handover and the stadium was still under warranty. ...

thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/3/11/nation/5841338&sec=nation

On 11 Jun 2011, It was reported that the repair has not started.

Stadium repairs to begin by year-end

Jun 11, 2011 ... KUALA TERENGGANU: Repairs to the roof of the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium here which collapsed two years ago are expected to get off ...

thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/6/11/nation/8879938&sec=nation

There was not mention that the repair will be conducted by the contractor. It had been two long years after the collapse. I believe that Terengganu does not have any problem with cash as the state is given the oil royalty.

The royalty was stopped when the state fell to the opposition, a situation many people find it hard to understand. But given the situation of the collapse roof and a few more buildings, then the logic seem clearer.. . If you cannot manage a 300 mil project, how can you manage a billion dollars assignment.

Air Force Base Sendayan

A new multi billion Ringgit project is in the making. Timeline is unknown. The scope of the project is unknown.

It was announced in the paper by Najib that a new airforce base will be built in Sendayan near Seremban to replace the present base in Sungai Besi. The existing base will cease to operate at the end of of 2011.

The base in Sungai Besi will be developed by a newly created company '1 malaysia develpoment berhad', who got the right to the land at almost not cost. I am sure if it were privatised, it will generate an income in billions that can be used to counter at least the rise of the essential petrol.

The transfer process from the current base to the new sendayan base will take at least 5 years, well into the second election session...

More news in the star..

Sendayan is new site for air force base

May 29, 2011 ... GEMAS: A new air force base will be built inSendayan near Seremban to replace the Sungai Besi base which is expected to cease operations by ...

thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/5/29/nation/8781177&sec=nation

little india problem project

The blaming game is only scratching the surface. The actual problem and the rotting flesh may be much deeper. Instead blaming, they should be investigating.

I am sure there is the spec for the project or the standard engineering practices. The like of the the pillars that started to fall apart. It is so basic to ask the question.. how deep it should be planted into the ground.

Finger-pointing starts over Little India project

May 17, 2011 ... THE blame game is now in full swing between the authorities, developer, businesses and residents over the Brickfields Little India project.

thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/5/17/central/8694068&sec=central

Read more...

Tuesday May 17, 2011

Finger-pointing starts over Little India project
By BAVANI M
bavanim@thestar.com.my




THE blame game is now in full swing between the authorities, developer, businesses and residents over the Brickfields Little India project.

Stakeholders involved in the project are pointing fingers at one another on who should be blamed over the decaying state of the multi-million ringgit iconic landmark.

A Malaysian Resources Corpo-ration Berhad (MRCB) contractor involved in the Little India project conceded that the project was rushed through to meet government deadline, but denied that it was the result of shoddy work.

“I agree that we rushed it but we should not be blamed for the defects on the plant boxes and pillars,’’ said the contractor.

“The wear and tear is the result of vandalism,” he said, adding that the public, including children, have been seen sitting on the plant boxes.

“Jalan Tun Sambanthan is a high traffic area and the five-foot area is also used by restaurants for placing of chairs and tables for diners,’’ he added.

According to the contractor, a team has been set up to carry out regular maintenance work to ensure that the facilities and décor are in good condition.

“The plant boxes were repaired just three weeks ago and the elephant fountain was repainted recently,’’ he said.

He added that the defect liability period was 24 months after the date of vacant possession and contractors were required to fix any defects.

A Palm Court resident, who only wished to be known as Chandra, blamed the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for not carrying out enforcement on the traffic congestion in the area.

“My wife was in labour pain recently and we were stuck in a traffic jam just getting out of my condo in Brickfields. Cars were double-parked and this would not have happen if DBKL is doing its job,’’ he said.

The Brickfields Little India Petty Traders Association said any problems relating to the iconic landmark could easily be resolved if the restaurants were not allowed to place their tables and chairs on the five-foot way.

The association said the main objective of creating Little India was to create business opportunities for the poor Indian traders.

“The blueprint of the area allows the walkway to be used for the poor traders to operate their kiosks.

“Petty traders will sell souvenir items which are different from what the main shops are offering.

“It should not be dominated by one business group as Little India is a people’s project.”

Certain parties have called for the privatisation of the Little India project to better manage and monitor the place.

Brickfields Rukun Tetangga chairman S.K.K Naidu said privatisation was a good idea, but the taskforce must be properly represented.

Little India Action Committee chairman S. Pathavachalam, however, feels privatising Little India would not solve the problems.

“Little India is not a business concern to be privatised. The authorities must ensure there is a proper two-way communication between the residents, businesses and non-governmental organisations.

“Start communicating with one another and you will solve all the problems,’’ he added.

Deputy Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk M. Saravanan said he would call for a meeting with all parties concerned to resolve the problem.

StarMetro reported on Monday that the RM35mil landmark in Brickfields is beginning to show signs of decay barely eight months after Najib and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh launched the project in October last year.

Related Story:
Little India plagued by problems beneath the facad

Selangor to register illegal shelters and homes

PETALING JAYA: The Selangor Government will start registering illegal shelters and welfare homes in the state.

Exco member in charge of welfare Rodziah Ismail said she had also directed local councils and district offices to identify those that had not been registered.

“We will then check if these homes have followed government guidelines, including having licences and certificates of fitness (CFs) for their premises,” she said, adding that the operation would take three months.

Rodziah said the move was taken following the landslide that struck Rumah Anak Yatim Hidayah on Saturday, which killed 16 people, mostly children.

Meanwhile, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail urged the state government to investigate the cause of the landslide.

She said investigations also had to be carried out for all buildings and houses on hillside slopes, including private property.

“The country has had enough of such untoward incidents,” she said in a statement.

Dr Wan Azizah said the tragedy served as a reminder to people to always put safety first.

Related Stories:
Hulu Langat tragedy: It was a disaster in the making
Woman reunited with landslide survivor after 11-year search
Top priority is to help victims deal with trauma
Cops not ruling out negligence behind Hulu Langat tragedy

From Opinion:
Lessons unlearned from landslides past

View the original article here

Malaysian Competitive Position

Malaysia has been hit by the problem of losing its competitive position in the world market. While the government is trying to convince the Malaysian on how good things are going, but the majority may feel otherwise.

While the ETP ( economic transformation program) is still hot in its implementation, it does not really respond to the issue of competitiveness. They consist of projects that was intended to increase the GDP.

While Jala, the minister for transformation tried to play down the report by saying that it was the opinion of 110 people from 28 million, the truth may be far from it. I doubt the report of world standing was made solely based on opinion on 110 people.

Read more from the paper..

Jala surprised by fall in world competitive ranking

May 22, 2011 ... Jala surprised by fall in world competitive ranking. By YUEN MEIKENG meikeng@ thestar.com.my. KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's ...

thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/5/22/nation/8733876&sec=nation

Sunday May 22, 2011

Jala surprised by fall in world competitive ranking

By YUEN MEIKENG
meikeng@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala has expressed surprise that Malaysia has fallen six places in international competitiveness ranking from last year.

However, Jala, who is also the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) CEO, said he accepted the ranking and would look into areas which could be improved.

“We are studying the report on Malaysia's position in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2011.

“We will look into issues and areas of weaknesses and find ways to improve them,” he said after the “How you can participate and benefit from the Economic Transformation Pro-gramme (ETP)” seminar held at Wis-ma Chinese Chambers here yesterday.

Jala added that the Government would analyse the details of the report next week.

In the scoreboard released by Switzerland-based Institute of Management Development, Malay-sia's ranking dropped from 10th place to 16th out of 59 participating countries.

Jala said the ranking was produced from interviews with 110 people although there were about 28 million Malaysians.

“The ranking is the result of the views of those 110 people. If you ask another 110 people, they may have different views,” he said, adding that it had only been six months since the ETP was introduced.

“It will take time for the ETP to show fruition in the economy.

“I remain positive that this is a great country with a great future,” he said, adding that there was still a need to improve government and business efficiency.

On the Chinese community's acceptance of the ETP, Jala said their response was excellent and he was very encouraged by it.

“Many Chinese small and medium enterprises have raised their issues with us and we are looking for solutions,” he said.