PM to launch majestic Matrade project in Nov

 More interesting news to share with interesting photo...

Article by CT Print
Courtesy of TnT Exclusive

News that the Naza brothers are to finalize their exit from Jetson soon (Star, Thurs 23 Sept) is poised to set the property-construction industry ablaze with excitement as expectations rise that Naza-TTDI is now able to finally set a date for the launch of the megalith and magical MATRADE project.

Sources have told us at TnT that the Prime Minister himself has consented to a date in November for the launch event of the year.

We are placing a wager that the momentous event will be held on Thursday, the 11th of November.

The MATRADE development will see the Naza-TTDI undertaking the construction, including planning and design, of an RM800 million expo centre off Jalan Duta, which will include world-class infrastructure to take in the biggest and longest exhibitions anyone dares to organize.

The project will also include construction of several mega-towers on an 63 acre land that was swapped with the government under of the largest of PFI (private financed initiative) deals.

This week's Pemandu road show confirms that part of the so-called greater KL redevelopment will include MATRADE, the US$5 billion Sungai Besi redevelopment projects, and the RM10 billion UDA-led Pudu redevelopment. This is in addition to the 1 Malaysia Financial District that is to take shape around the Jalan Imbi-Tun Razak area, which used to house colonial era government quarters. The 1MFD is to complement the Sungai Besi development, and Tnt has been made to understand that it will be the most likely project to launch as early as next year after Matrade.

These projects are the first under the government's RM1.3 trillion or US$444 billion Economic Transformation Program that will see Malaysia achieved developed status by year 2020.

Under our radar for some time now, the next Taikor (look out for our Taikor watch) and his sibling could be our own ‘boys to men’ fairy tale. Having had to take over the reigns of Naza on the premature demise of the family patron Tan Sri Nasimuddin Amin, the brothers are finally carving their own niches.

The MATRADE project is a major addition to the Naza-TTDI's on-going Platinum Park Project along one of KL’s most expensive realty, Jalan Stonor. The ground-breaking ceremony for the Platinum project was also officiated by Prime Minister Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak

The two Naza brothers have along the way acquired a 33% stake in Jetson (Kumpulan Jetson Berhad) in a move analysts and market observers saw as a statement of intent by the brothers to start making their mark. They had bought their shares ion Jetson from the company's co-founders - Isnin Rahim (then chairman and executive director) and brothers Teh (group managing director) and Tee Keng Kok (executive director), among others.

According to sources quoted by the Star, the Naza brothers decided to exit Jetson in view of some "unsettled financial issues" facing Jetson. It was learned that the brothers have been approached by suitors hoping to take Jetson's place. Among them are foreign players.

Meanwhile, the industry will also be celebrating UDA's 40th anniversary (next year) with a big bang. The redevelopment of the former Pudu Jail site by UDA will herald the return of the entity that was behind the development of Bukit Bintang and the sprawling Bandar Tun Hussein.

UDA was launched in 1971 by Tun Abdul Razak, and is currently under Chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, son of former Information Minister Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat, a well supported man in UMNO.

The former Pudu Jail site, along with the Sungai Besi Airbase, slated for urban renewal under 1 Malaysia Development Berhad will certainly create a greater landscape that is set to propel KL further. 1MDB is headed by CEO Shahrol Azral, the son of a fireman who rose through the ranks from his days as an executive partner in the dynamic Accenture group.

The one thing that stands out in this greater Kl expansion is that it is spearheaded by young capable Malaysians, and the future it brings along with it makes it all the more interesting for us to keep watch on.

New Matrade Expo Centre by 2014

Is not a latest news but at least to confirm what's going on with NAZA. They had has terminated the shareholders agreement with Kumpulan Jetson Bhd to build a new trade exhibition centre for the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) on a joint-venture basis. This is due to dispute on certain commercial terms relating to the project cost. But the project still on.

Anyhow, pls continue to read New Matrade Expo Centre by 2014 courtesy of Hartamas Regency Condo.

Changkat View Condo Car Sticker Oct 2010-Sep 2011

This is how it looks like for our new car sticker. When I collect it that time which was yesterday, there're only less than 200 owners got it. My advise is do it asap to prevent last minutes rush.

Happy Mid Autumn Festival

Fade away the distance between you and your love ones, with this warm wish.
Wish you all, good fortune and happiness on this festival.

Happy Malaysia Day

Happy Malaysia Day! Let's remember how we grew up in this beautiful contry as a multilanguage, multiracial and multireligion country. We always cherish this country as we are Malaysians!

Unit for rent September 2010

Block A, 16th Floor, 1100 sq feet. Type D.

View fronting the NS Expressway overlooking the Duta Interchange and Mont Kiara.

Partial furnish with a master bed, wall cabinets in master bedroom, air-con in master bedroom, water heaters in both toilets, sofa and dining table.  Kitchen cabinets, washing machine and dryer provided.  

One covered car park lot provided located conveniently beside the entrance.

Rental asking price is RM1,800 and available from 15 Sept 2010 onwards.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

To all Muslim friends, Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir Batin. Everyone, have a great holiday! Drive safe...

Good news from JMB ( Available parking lot for rent)

I know some of you (including myself) had waited this for quite some time. Especially those who had more than 1 car than their own allocated parking lot. JMB have decided to rent out total of  77 car park bays located in level 1 starting 1st October 2010. However there are terms and conditions applied before owners storm to management office tomorrow morning.

Requirements:
1) First come first serve basis
2) One parking bay for each condominium unit
3) No outstanding in the maintenance account (I like this!)

Rental: RM150/month (to be paid 6 months in advance) wow...
Available date: 1st October 2010
Tenancy: 6 months
Deposits: 1 month rental plus RM 50 for access card and sticker

It is stated clearly that those interested are advised to check on the rental starting 1st October 2010. So I don't think you can start queuing at the management office before the date. Assuming on the first month itself, if all bays are able to rent out, so we're looking at total of RM73,150 of money collected that can channel to building fund.

Try to imagine with that amount of money, variety of services can be upgraded including the previous proposed plan. I'm positive that we can foreseen better facilities in the future.

Segambut woes Part II

Not less crime, just fewer reports
As for the crime rate, not a day passes without a break-in, snatch theft or robbery sullying his constituency. Lim pours scorn on KL chief of police Muhammad Sabtu Osman's report of a 30% drop in the KL crime rate during the first two months of this year. “It's not the crime rate that has fallen but the number of police reports made because people have lost confidence in the police,” Lim opined. “And the crime rate in Segambut is solely the government's doing.” According to Lim, certain plots of land in Segambut which belong to the ministry and DBKL were once earmarked as sites for police stations. One plot is in Sri Hartamas and the other in Sri Sinar. The former now functions as a hawker centre while a badminton court and hypermarket sit on the latter.
 

“I confronted the former minister about this and he admitted that the sites were meant for police stations,” Lim said. “He told me that neither the police nor the government had funds to build one so rather than leave the land vacant, they decided to sublet it to generate income. This is the nonsense that's going on.” “I've also repeatedly asked Bukit Aman and the Home Ministry to set up mobile police stations or even pondok polis in the area but nothing has been done. The only development has been in Taman Sri Sinar where a police officer begged me to ask Bukit Aman to send more personnel to his station.” “Apparently, he is the only officer on duty during the day and is obviously unable to be at two crime scenes at one time. I put in the complaint and two officers have since been sent over. But the rest of the police stations in my constituency are severely understaffed.”

Forging ahead
Aside from putting pressure on the authorities, Lim also has two ideas which he believes would reduce the crime rate in Segambut. The first involves the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at 1km intervals. He has already submitted this proposal to the government only to have it shot down due to the projected high cost.

But Lim is undeterred; he is pressing forward with his second proposal: setting up an official Neighbourhood Watch. This would be different from the Rukun Tetangga, which he called a “failed project”. Even so, there was a hint of pride in his voice when he said that Malaysia's first Rukun Tetangga (RT) was set up in Segambut. But then his tone changed as he added that the centre is now locked up. “The RT people in Segambut are all from BN,” he said. “And since the government allocates RM600 a month to maintain and run an active RT centre, they hold a function there once a month and then lock it up again.” On his Neighbourhood Watch idea, Lim explained that it would require residents to contribute a certain sum to the Residents' Association for the hiring of guards to be stationed at each entry point into the residential area. This initiative is already in full swing in his residential area. “Some 90% of the residents are in favour but the 10% – who are senior citizens – can overturn the whole project,” he said. “In Taman Tun Dr Ismail, the senior citizens hated the guards monitoring the comings and goings of their guests, so they complained to DBKL and Bukit Aman and that was the end of it.” 

Government agency
While on the subject of government agencies, he was quick to commend DBKL and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) for their services. “Not many MPs say this but I am actually happy with DBKL,” he said. “I can honestly say that out of 10 complaints, it has resolved eight. The two unresolved ones could be due to political intervention or a genuine lack of resources.” “As for Syabas, it is the best government agency I have worked with. I would even call it superb! It responds to every single complaint with a report of its investigations and the action it will take and resolves the problem within 12 hours. If all government agencies followed suit, there would be many very happy MPs and constituents.”

Segambut woes

Part I

Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com (By Stephanie Sta Maria)

SPECIAL REPORT ON KL Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng has been issued an ultimatum by his constituents -- either relieve Jalan Segambut of its snarling rush-hour traffic or prepare to be relieved of his seat during the next general election. It's a tall order for the first-term MP and he knows it. The perpetually congested Jalan Segambut is traversed by about 50,000 residents not just from within the constituency but also from neighbouring ones, who use it a shortcut to the city and Petaling Jaya. The already nightmarish traffic flow is further worsened by multiple roads converging into a single lane and traffic lights that confuse motorists. “I've witnessed it myself and it's terrible!” Lim nodded. “Some residents have to leave their houses as early as 6am to avoid the chaos and if they're late, the consequences include a one-hour crawl to cover a mere 100 metres.”

The solution lies in the form of a RM95 million road expansion project by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) that spans 4km and is split into two phases. The first 1.4km phase involves transforming the current single-lane road into a dual carriageway and building a flyover intersection at Jalan Segambut and the SPPK junction. It is a light at the end of the tunnel but one that irate residents have been waiting to glimpse for a decade now. Patience has been wearing thin and reached breaking point when the project appeared to face yet another delay early this year. Kuala Lumpur mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail has asked residents not to lose faith just yet and gave his assurance that the project would start as soon as DBKL receives funding approval from the Economic Planning Unit. But this has done little to pacify Lim. “The delay in itself is unacceptable.” he asserted. “And I blame it on the former KL mayor Abdul Hakim Borhan and former Federal Territories minister Zulhasnan Rafique. They completely messed it up.”

Since taking office, Lim has been deluged with complaints from his constituents who “don't care which side you're on or how you do it but you better solve this issue fast”. Taking heed, he asked DBKL for a temporary solution, to widen the 100-m stretch from the Jalan Segambut-Jalan Jambu Mawar junction to ease the traffic bottleneck there. That request, along with three letters to the current Minister of Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin on the issue, has been met with stony silence. But Lim refrained from blaming Ahmad Fuad. “I have to give credit where it is due,” he said. “Ahmad Fuad is a good guy and is trying his best to work with us but there are hidden hands holding him back.” And here, he made no attempt to hide exactly to whom those hidden hands belonged. “Raja Nong Chik is an Umno stooge and he's ignoring Segambut because it's not under the Umno banner.

Since taking office, he hasn't attended any of the quarterly meetings among the KL MPs. Instead, he said that he's had discussions with Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, which should suffice. But what does Khalid have to do with KL?” “Instead of spending time with KL MPs to understand and help fix the city's issues, he is busy bullying the Lembah Pantai MP (Nurul Izzah Anwar). It's very clear that he is only interested in snatching back Lembah Pantai for his party.”

Lim is also frustrated over the limited communication channels which, he said, had prevented him from properly explaining the situation to his constituents. Being an opposition member, he said, meant less access to the mainstream media, which has led him to turned to social media instead. “Unfortunately, this has only reached 20% of my constituents,” he noted ruefully. “The rest are still very upset with me over what they see as non-action. As far as they are concerned, they gave an opposition member a chance in a BN stronghold and nothing has changed.” And then he unexpectedly delivered a sharp rebuke to the latter group, calling them “selfish” and “insular”. “They don't care about the crime rate or flash floods in the city, they just want their issue solved,” he said. “It's understandable but there is a bigger picture here. There are innocent people dying in police custody. And squatters who have been waiting for a new home for 20 years. So don't come down hard on me over a road.”

A squatter dilemma
Traffic congestion is only the tip of the Segambut's woes. The other two issues trailing it are the squatter situation and the rising crime rate. While Lim is counting his lucky stars that the squatter issue in Segambut is nowhere near as serious as that in Lembah Pantai or Titiwangsa, he is also scratching his head over an unusual quandary. “The squatters in Segambut are confined to two areas – Kampung Sungai Penchala and Kampung Segambut Dalam,” he said. “Almost all are illegal immigrants who have set up longhouses in the hillside and back lanes.” The irony, he explained, is that the local residents are happy to live alongside them and have even asked Lim to leave the squatters alone because they are “good people”. Lim expressed admiration for their benevolence, but added that he could not turn a blind eye towards what he considers a potentially serious issue. Already, the squatters have integrated themselves into the community by setting up their own sundry shops and eateries by the road. “It almost seems like KL is an outlaw country!” said Lim. “I don't want Segambut to be a small-scale Sabah where half the population are foreigners. So every quarter of the year, I file a complaint with immigration, the police and DBKL. And here's where it gets interesting.”

“The police will conduct a raid in the morning, detain the squatters and release them by evening. It has become a routine. These days I feel reluctant to lodge a report because I'm merely creating an opportunity for the authorities to... you know what I mean.”

Stay connected for Part II...