Posted by ykinvestor > 2013-08-07 12:46 | Report Abuse

interesting points from Pak Lah in his new book "Awakening: The Abdullah Badawi Years In Malaysia"
http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=141171:pak-lah-finally-exposes-dr-m-if-i-listened-to-him-msia-would-have-gone-bankrupt&Itemid=2#axzz2bFrpyjOj
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/a-time-when-utusan-malaysia-didnt-get-away-with-everything-.-
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/perkasa-not-the-model-for-malay-cause-says-pak-lah
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/buku-pak-lah-jelaskan-kenapa-beliau-sering-tertidur

Posted by KC Loh > 2013-08-07 13:41 | Report Abuse

LKY will be waiting for backlash from UMNO and the youth especially. Then will be softened by increased bilateral ties, and soon with more MOUs and agreement signed, all to Singapore's advantage! brilliant man, this LKY!

Posted by KC Loh > 2013-08-08 12:59 | Report Abuse

Iskandar is sort of a compromise. Singapore needs space for its population soon. Under the guise of business and investment, it could work. Multiple entry visa or PR

Posted by Grandma > 2013-08-08 13:12 | Report Abuse

Grandma will b weary as LKY warning is not without base. If you have a look at Iskandar, it's still at a very initial stage for those who have been there. So far Medini area, you can see E&O, PIV, WCT, Mahsing, UMland very obviously as you drive in to Kota Iskandar. Mah Sing's Meridin is the most obvious both ways driving in and out especially into Legoland. While almost all the rest apart from Mah Sing are still red solid and doing their due diligence and demarcation, construction wise Grandma see Sunway being very prominent there especially in Legoland. There will be a Mall a coming up soon there.
For those who have caught a glimpse of LKYs opinion on Iskandar and have experience the controversy in the sand and water agreement between Singapore and Malaysia would understand the concern.

Posted by Grandma > 2013-08-08 13:24 | Report Abuse

LKY as oppose to his son's pack with Najib, doesn't believe Malaysia will honor the agreement just like the sand and water. Singapore was smart under LKY, they already saw this coming and in the 90s were looking for alternative fr membrane technology to various other technology to solve the water issue even though there was an agreement. They offered a prize amt for anyone who could solve their problem on water. However then, it took time to get the solution moving. Similarly, for the sand, they had to pay a higher price (taking fr Vietnam) which he claim was what Mahathirs intention to punish Singapore even after having the agreement because Singapore did not Kow tow to Malaysia with some unintended differences.

Posted by Grandma > 2013-08-08 13:38 | Report Abuse

While Grandma agree that it looks very tempting in Iskandar, and the question often asked is "who is not there in Iskandar" rather than the opposite, and also more investment pouring in. It's also a catchment area for Malaysian, Singaporean, and Indonesian visitors. Currently there are 2 theme parks there (Lego and hello Kitty) and they are building another one soon. Opposite Traders hotel. The contractor is Encorp which Grandma see is partnering with some Singapore development.

They need the money from Singapore to pour in to kick start and vice versa as Singapore position as hub is already affected. So what best than to join the new bandwagon. A large part of the tourist are from Indonesian. So this is good as all the holidays Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia apart from the other nationality will ensure the in flow is smooth. That of course if all abide by agreement and concession and etc. any failure into that may slow the whole process and create non commital and fear amongst investors.

Posted by Grandma > 2013-08-08 13:46 | Report Abuse

In short, Grandma feels, Singapore in caught in a catch 22 situation and the immediate action is to come in and join the bandwagon! But that does not mean they are solely dependent here. ( Just like the case of water solution in the 90s) So malaysia especially Najib should not think we have conquered Singapore into investment. Today there was another gangland style murder in Penang Anson street and this will also deter investors alike.

Grandma foresee Indonesia may come up with its own Iskandar type theme parks or some sort of catchment and then Singapore will be all in too. Placing bets in a company is easirer than running the company isn't it? So the same putting investment in diff end places is easier than running the whole place like Iskandar.

Posted by tc2012 > 2013-08-08 13:48 | Report Abuse

you must bear in mind they are many "defect" mahadel clones around.They are good at "srew" up thing ........

Posted by Grandma > 2013-08-08 16:28 | Report Abuse

For those who have not read this, Grandma advice all to know where we are headed.

http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/mobile/article.php?id=249308

Imagine this. outflow of money and loses in forex, this means money that will not come back in. Few ways to get liquidity back in
1. Print more money
2. Get more foreign investors in
3. Increase borrowing and flood the market
Etc

What do you think will happen if assuming 1. was prevalent. Someone personal pocket will be enrich? But the money will still be flowing out! We have done this and result is obvious

No 2 is more realistic because if you cannot succeed, use someone else who has a more business ability and drive to help you push through your objective. We are doing that now but what will happen once we have move to 3 rd gear and so on? It's always inherent that we change policies here and dump ppl who help build it? Tis is what LKY meant

No 3 is also already done deal and we know we don't have the ability and discipline to bring debts down. We have seen what happen to states that use revenues and money allocated or money save fr kickbacks or debt notes to bring down the debts. This was done in Penang by DAP but the dungus who do not understand gearing and reduction in gearing because they are so use to kickbacks will continue to say this money is from federal Goverment. All money are fr taxpayers (whether income tax, service tax, excise etc) country's commodity ( Petrolium or Palm or etc) so on.

If you understand 1,2 and 3 you would also see what will happen as more and more foreign investors starts buying in. We control 51/49 by rule of policies so we think. But what happens if more outflow and debts get surmounted? Do we think we have a choice to say 51/49? What happens when there is no liquidity, we continue with 1 again and our debt will increase and outflow follow suite. There will be a saturation point when these keeps repeating itself. Wen that happens, the policy of 51/49 will no longer apply especially when they depend on a few top 10 in Malaysias rich to support but eventually continue to give projects to Syed Mokthar instead of those who support Malaysia?