Not so majestic after all … 20-year woes of house buyers and a simply unreliable and uncaring Penang PH government

253 property projects abandoned since 2009
Wednesday, November 8th, 2017 at , News | Property
By P PREM KUMAR & D KANYAKUMARI
The government has registered 253 abandoned private housing projects in Peninsular Malaysia since 2009, involving 64,290 residential units. Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar (picture) said from the total uncompleted houses, 43,537 units had been sold. “Selangor has the highest number of abandoned projects’ buyers with 20,639,” he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Noh said out of the 253 abandoned projects, 190 had been revived and completed between 2009 and October 2017 … for more, go to https://themalaysianreserve.com/2017/11/08/253-property-projects-abandoned-since-2009/ 

Not so majestic after all … 20-year woes of house buyers and a simply unreliable and uncaring Penang PH government

The Majestic Heights (MH) mixed township in Penang’s Paya Terubong that had been abandoned for some 20 years is a grim reminder to house buyers to be wary of unscrupulous developers and other stakeholders.

They are also adviced to not take all legal matters for granted and also not to solely rely on the authorities to monitor construction work and progress payments.

The buyers, especially first time house buyers, must take the trouble to find time to visit their housing project to inspect and monitor the work in progress.

In the case of MH, buyers paid progress payments for work not done due to unscrupulous architects and bankers who failed to inspect and establish the status of the real construction work done.

When MH went bust in 2001, there were buyers who had paid up to 90% but only 30% of work had been completed. All because certificates for work completed had been issued.

In Malaysia, the federal government had in Parliament on Nov 8 last year revealed that there were 253 abandoned private housing projects in West Malaysia since 2009 involving 64,290 residential units and that 43,537 units had been sold.

Doesn’t the statistics show that both the state and federal governments and the law do not protect or favour Malaysian house buyers?

Doesn’t it show that there had been no political will or sincerity on the governments, since Merdeka (Independence) 1958, to really protect house buyers from the unscrupulous housing industry players and stakeholders?

Has any developer and its cohorts been punished for abandoning housing projects and running away with the hard-earned savings of house buyers?

Therefore, trust no one! Trust only yourself!

In the case of MH, some 1,283 house buyers were left high and dry for about 20 years before it was revived by a so-called “White Knight” developer - PLB Land Sdn Bhd.

Construction work on MH, re-branded as The Stone and as a Penang affordable housing project, started last year after MH stakeholders, the MH liquidators, the PH state government and and PLB settled almost all encumbrances.

To make the revival of MH viable …

> PLB agreed to settle MH’s outstanding debts with financial institutions at an agreed haircut;

> The liquidators agreed to sell all three parcels of land where MH is located at RM1 per lot; and

> That the PH Penang government and its local authorities grant or waive certain approvals and conditions.

However, the woes of the house buyers, several of whom had died waiting for their dream home after investing their hard-earned life savings, continue to linger even after 20 years and the project revived.

Here are the facts:

What was offered to MH victims by PLB and the PH Penang government …

> That MH victims be given priority and automatic approval to take up The Stone units;
> That those who take up the units will have a full refund of what they paid to MH upon the completion of The Stone;
> That victims have the choice to nominate their children or relatives to take up a unit due to age and financial disability to secure housing loans; and
> Those who do not wish to take up The Stone units have two options of cash compensation (50% of payment made to MH).

What is really happening now …

> There is no priority or automatic approval for the victims to take up the units (a victim who is staying in Johor was rejected because he is not a registered voter in Penang! Others, including children or siblings who wish to take up the units, are rejected because they fail to meet the criteria to qualify for the state’s affordable housing scheme, and other obstacles …)
> That MH victims have to seek the approval of the state government if they want to sell their units after the handing over of the keys for The Stone; and
> That MH victims are bound by all the conditions under the state government’s affordable housing scheme.

Now, the Persatuan Penduduk Taman Terubong Indah (TIMH) PPM-029-07-28012016 representing 212 buyers, wishes to make it clear that it has no problems with PLB and has accepted the pricing of The Stone units as reasonable and fair.

However, TIMH is disappointed and disgusted with the many old and new problems arising from the PH Penang government that continue to frustrate MH victims.

The association had met up with the Penang executive councillor in charge of housing, Jagdeep Singh Deo, in two round tables on Jan 12, 2016 and March 11, 2016.

In the January meeting, Jagdeep had assured the association that waiving the state’s affordable housing conditions for MH victims is not a problem. (Note: Voice recording of discussion available)

Why is Jagdeep and the PH Penang government now not doing anything to end the 20-year woes of the MH victims?

What is perplexing to the victims is that waiving the affordable housing conditions will not cost the state government a single sen!

No News Is Bad News wishes to reiterate:

Did MH buyers buy MH units originally under the affordable housing scheme? If not, why are they now being treated as such?

Did MH buyers buy their units as REGISTERED PENANG VOTERS? If not, WTF!

For context, read these two previous blog postings:

https://victorlim2016.blogspot.com/2018/10/this-is-how-shitty-penang-state.html (This is how shitty the Penang state government has become!)
https://victorlim2016.blogspot.com/2018/10/a-mind-boggling-penang-ph-government.html (A mind-boggling Penang PH government and the 20-year abandoned Majestic Heights housing project

National House Buyers Association’s secretary-general Chang Kim Loong during the 'Does Greater Prosperity Come with Less Housing Affordability' forum held in Kuala Lumpur, today. Pix by Surianie Mohd Hanif
Govt urged to tackle issue of abandoned housing projects
By Seri Nor Nadiah Koris, Fairul Asmaini Mohd Pilus - May 17, 2018 @ 3:49pm
KUALA LUMPUR: The National House Buyers Association is urging the government to deal with the issue of abandoned housing projects in its plan for the housing sector. The association’s secretary-general, Chang Kim Loong, said it supported the government’s election pledge to build a million affordable homes. “We want to find solutions for affordable housing for Malaysians, said Chang, who met the Eminent Persons Council briefly this afternoon. His recommendations included a build-then-sell (BTS) system. “Under a BTS 10:90 system, house buyers pay 10 per cent when booking and 90 per cent when the housing project is completed,” he said. Chang also brought up the issue of developers being given more time to complete housing projects, which was unfair to house buyers. Referring to a case in which a developer was given a 12-month extension by the previous government, he said: “The developer was supposed to hand over vacant possession within 36 months. If not they must compensate buyers. But, they went to see the minister and got an extension, which meant that house buyers were not entitled to compensation. Its not fair.”

Here are some visuals at the previously Majestic Heights construction site that was abandoned for some 20 years and is now revived as The Stone state affordable housing scheme:

A mind-boggling Penang PH government and the 20-year abandoned Majestic Heights housing project

TIMH chairman Eric Ciah and treasurer Irene Lim posing a picture at The Stone construction site for No News Is Bad News.

A mind-boggling Penang PH government and the 20-year abandoned Majestic Heights housing project

https://youtu.be/jvPy8cJfcJk (TIMH officials monitoring the construction work in progress at The Stone site (abandoned by Majestic Heights) in Paya Terubong, Penang.)

Just what is the Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) government up to, frustrating some 1,283 Majestic Heights (MH) buyers who have been waiting for their dream apartment homes for more than 20 years.

Many of the Phase 3 buyers have waited so long that they are now retired and are unable to secure loans if they take up the units offered in the revived project.

The project stakeholders, liquidators, PLB Land Sdn Bhd (MH White Knight) and the Penang government have cleared almost all encumbrances and, thus, construction of the revived project is now in progress since last year.

However, the woes continue to plague the MH abandoned house buyers due to an unresponsive and uncaring state government whose executive councillor in charge of housing (Jagdeep Singh Deo) cannot keep his word.

It is simply unbelievable why Jagdeep is behaving as such after telling the buyers in a meeting that: “That is not a problem!”

The buyers, represented by the Persatuan Penduduk Taman Terubong Indah (TIMH) PPM-029-07-28012016, had only two meetings with Jagdeep on Jan 12, 2016 and March 11, 2016.

In the January meeting, Jagdeep had assured the association that waiving the state’s affordable housing conditions for MH victims is not a problem.

However, today there are many unresolved problems with new woes cropping up to frustrate the MH victims - no thanks to the Penang government.

What is perplexing to the victims is that waiving the affordable housing conditions will not cost the state government a single sen! 

So, why is Jagdeep and the Penang government continuing to frustrate and prolong their misery?

MH was launched in 1996 as the state’s largest mixed township project on the island. MH comprises several phases with Phase 1 affordable housing units scheduled to be delivered in 1999.

However, the project was abandoned in 2001 with Majestic Heights Sdn Bhd declared bankrupt in court after the buyers sued the developer.

The buyers then sought the help of the then Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon who failed to revive the project until he and his Barisan Nasional (BN) government were given the boot by Penangites in 2008.

So, MH is today the state’s largest mixed township project on the island and the longest abandoned housing project in history.

Phase 3 of MH is now under construction by PLB under a new product name - The Stone, featuring 1,000 sq ft apartments equipped with full condominium facilities.

Upon full completion of MH Paya Terubong, it will have no fewer than 7,000 residents. (View this earlier report for context: https://victorlim2016.blogspot.com/2018/10/this-is-how-shitty-penang-state.html - This is how shitty the Penang state government has become!)

PLB’s sales pitch for The Stone (previously Majestic Heights):




The abandoned MH sales pitch:

This is how shitty the Penang state government has become!

A meeting of empty promises!

This is how shitty the Penang state government has become!

This is not a tall tale but a real story faced by abandoned housing buyers in Penang, specifically the Majestic Heights (MH) victims.

MH was abandoned for more than 20 years and was  revived by a so-called “White Knight” developer - PLB Land Sdn Bhd - in 2016

The story goes like this:

You buy an apartment (condominium) some 20 years ago and the housing project was abandoned after you have paid up to 30% in progress payments and various other fees.

Some 500 buyers then took the developer to court and the latter was liquidated or bankrupted.

The three parcels of land on which the project is located is then, after some 20 years, sold by the liquidator (of MH) to a “White Knight” (PLB) for only RM1 each.

So, MH is now revived by PLB and under a new name - The Stone - in 2016.

Very well and good. But what about MH buyers, several of whom had died waiting for their dream home that they had invested with their life savings?

Then rides in the “hero” (the Penang state government) and the state executive councillor in charge of housing (in this case Jagdeep Singh Deo) who had two meetings with the buyers’ association.

He proudly declares that MH has been revived by PLB under The Stone and that all MH victims would be given priority and automatic qualification to buy the units which are classified as affordable housing units.

Those who did no wish to take up the units are then compensated by PLB by a certain quantum of package (way below what the buyers had invested).

When the buyers asked Jagdeep not to treat MH buyers as affordable housing buyers and to waive the conditions that are attached, Jagdeep said: “That is not a problem!”

Isn’t that pleasing to hear, a God-sent Saint to say the least!

Well, today, it is not only a problem but more and more woes.

MH buyers are not automatically qualified to buy The Stone units. Buyers who have reached retirement age are unable to secure loans can then nominate their children or relatives to take up a unit.

However, many children of buyers have been rejected after state government screening under the affordable housing scheme.

It gets even more ridiculous. A buyer, who is now staying in Johor, has been rejected because he is NOT A REGISTERED VOTER in Penang!

Well, Mr Jagdeep Singh Deo and Mr Penang state government! What the hell has buying a house in Penang by Malaysians got to do with registered voters?

Did MH buyers buy MH units originally under the affordable housing scheme? If not, why are they being treated as such?

Did MH buyers buy their units as REGISTERED PENANG VOTERS? If not, WTF!

So, Penangites and Malaysians, be careful with what you wish for when electing a “caring government” of your choice. It may instead turn out to be a monster!

What a shitty state government!

This is so-called offer letter from PLB after PLB reached some agreement with the Penang state government on the revival of :

When the print media was labelled as ‘Kings’

Is this also the common and easy excuse for Malaysia’s mainstream print media's declining influence or is it the easy way to justify lack of innovative news production?

‘THE NAKED TRUTH OF MEDIA IN MALAYSIA’

Multi-Cultural in Malaysia

Other countries should not identify Malaysia as the authoritarian press of Asia. The development media approach towards its national media, limits the roles and freedom of media. This is for the sake of national stability, security and also to successfully lead the Malaysian towards modernization, development, and economic prosperity. Malaysia is unique because of the challenges of different ethnicities, religions and languages. In fact, the Malaysian government has the choice between information make publicly available or privately kept: either control newspapers, images and ideas that are exposed to societies; allow freedom of debate and criticism but at the expense of harmony or restrict information for the sake of national security. Whatever their choice, we could not deny the enormous impact of media on the community and its capacity to change people’s perceptions of the government.

Malaysian Mainstream Media

Invariably, the Malaysian government would definitely intervene and manages its media to suit government agendas. Any dissent and criticism from the local and foreign citizens is considered anti-establishment to destabilize the country. This does not mean the media has lost its role of providing news or shaping the public opinions and perceptions about political, economic and social issues. The media can continually contribute to the development of the Malaysian society. In helping the Malaysian to transform into information communication society, the media must remain true to the spirit of the freedom of the press, free-flow of information and pro-social content and freedom to access and acquire information. - https://najmikhairri.wordpress.com/2014/04/10/the-naked-truth-of-media-in-malaysia/

BUKIT LANJAN: More bad news for mainstream print media in Malaysia

October 25, 2017

The mainstream media in Malaysia are still struggling to accept reality and embrace the digital media, and a new wave of technology is about to strike globally. And, like the online news portal The Malaysian Insight (TMI) news titled “Mainstream media caused its own downfall, say analysts” and “BN in trouble with falling newspaper circulation, says editor”, the mainstream media in Malaysia has been resting in their laurels for far too long – since 2008 or the 12th General Election (GE12). 

“They failed to face reality and to adapt and innovate with providing content that is acceptable to majority of Malaysians. Their folly has resulted in losing their clout as news providers, as evidenced by a free fall in circulation sales,” Gerakan Deputy Speaker Syed Abdul Razak Alsagoff said … for m ore, go to https://bukitlanjan.blogspot.com/2017/10/bukit-lanjan-more-bad-news-for.html

 When the print media was labelled as ‘Kings’ 

Remember those days when the media professionals and certain quarters in the public labelled the print media as ‘Kings”?

If they were “Kings”, they are no more “Kings”. Just irritants without an ounce of integrity, resulting in a free fall of circulation and advertising sales in Malaysia.

And, more newspapers are expected to vanish into thin air should both sales continue to dip.

The newspaper owners and their editors are to blame for their fate in the 21st Century digital era.

The fall of the print media may not be as acute or severe as in the last 10 years if the owners and editors had the guts or courage to remain apolitical in their news presentation - giving fair and equal coverage to both sides of the political divide.

They failed miserably to be professionals and, thus, pushed readers to the digital media, especially social networks like Facebook - faster and borderless reach.

They also failed to discharge their responsibilities without fear or favour. They need to muster enough courage to deliver truthful and accurate news without fear or favour.

Now, it is too late for the print media to do anything to reverse the trend, or is it so?

It is certainly not always too late to do anything for the print media. All it needs are committed professional journalists and editors who are able to think out of the box to repackage their news presentations - not redesigning, please - to win back the confidence of readers.

Every article in the print media must be exclusive and nothing must be found in cyberspace.

Of course it can be done! How? That’s a trade secret! You go figure out.

As for the oldest newspaper in Malaysia, Malay Mail, closing shop on Dec 1 is expected.

As the oldest newspaper in Malaysia, it doesn’t even sell in many states outside the Klang Valley! What does that tell you?

The management is just plain incompetent. And, don’t bullshit, especially The Star.

The Star headline Malay Mail to stop print edition and go fully digital, one third of staff affected lacks depth, to say the least, and quality news content.

It is just financially and commercially not viable anymore for Malay Mail, and soon for others, to continue printing because of the valueless products that are churned out by the incompetent editors and journalists.

So, it is not about going digital, as The Star’s headline screams. It is about the quality and integrity of its news.

Furthermore, readers can now get almost any news and information free on the internet or in cyberspace, so why must one buy a newspaper to get yesterday’s news today?

And, that is the cue why newspaper editors must think out of the box, improvise and change the image of news presentations.

This was what was reported by The Star:

"Malay Mail to stop print edition and go fully digital, one third of staff affected

NATION
Thursday, 25 Oct 2018
8:18 PM MYT
by vincent tan

PETALING JAYA: Malay Mail, the oldest newspaper in Malaysia, will cease its print operations on Dec 1 and go fully digital on Dec 2.

This was announced on the paper's online portal earlier this evening, following a town hall meeting for its staff on Thursday (Oct 25).

Malay Mail began publishing on Dec 14, 1896.

Staff affected by Malay Mail's digital pivot this December have been given one week to decide whether they want to leave or stay on and retrain for new roles in the revamped organisation.

The move to a sole digital version of Malaysia's oldest English daily will affect up to one-third, or 55, of the Malay Mail's 165 staff.

This was confirmed by Redberry Sdn Bhd chief operating officer and Malay Mail editor-in-chief Datuk Wong Sai Wan when contacted by The Star this evening.

He explained that the organisation would no longer be just about publishing news.

"Of course I'm very sad – I started life as a print newspaper man.

"When we celebrate the (Malay Mail's) 122nd birthday, that's the last print issue. But it's also a new adventure, and we'll see where it goes," said Wong.

For many years the tabloid-format newspaper was part of NSTP Bhd's newspaper stable but since 2012, the paper has been under the ownership of Redberry Media Group, publishing news on both its online portal and print."

Is this also the common and easy excuse for Malaysia’s mainstream print media's declining influence or is it the easy way to justify lack of innovative news production?

‘THE NAKED TRUTH OF MEDIA IN MALAYSIA’

Multi-Cultural in Malaysia

Other countries should not identify Malaysia as the authoritarian press of Asia. The development media approach towards its national media, limits the roles and freedom of media. This is for the sake of national stability, security and also to successfully lead the Malaysian towards modernization, development, and economic prosperity. Malaysia is unique because of the challenges of different ethnicities, religions and languages. In fact, the Malaysian government has the choice between information make publicly available or privately kept: either control newspapers, images and ideas that are exposed to societies; allow freedom of debate and criticism but at the expense of harmony or restrict information for the sake of national security. Whatever their choice, we could not deny the enormous impact of media on the community and its capacity to change people’s perceptions of the government.

Malaysian Mainstream Media

Invariably, the Malaysian government would definitely intervene and manages its media to suit government agendas. Any dissent and criticism from the local and foreign citizens is considered anti-establishment to destabilize the country. This does not mean the media has lost its role of providing news or shaping the public opinions and perceptions about political, economic and social issues. The media can continually contribute to the development of the Malaysian society. In helping the Malaysian to transform into information communication society, the media must remain true to the spirit of the freedom of the press, free-flow of information and pro-social content and freedom to access and acquire information. - https://najmikhairri.wordpress.com/2014/04/10/the-naked-truth-of-media-in-malaysia/

BUKIT LANJAN: Mainstream media dying a slow death due to tight government controls

December 16, 2017

The federal government has revealed that Internet addiction in Malaysia had reached an alarming rate. Whether one hates it or not, whether cyberspace is good or bad, the internet influence on mankind cannot be curbed or stopped. In today’s 21st Century digital world, to curb the growth of technology is to return to the “caves” … for more, go to https://bukitlanjan.blogspot.com/2017/12/bukit-lanjan-mainstream-media-dying.html

BUKIT LANJAN: 24.5 million Malaysians on the internet - the reason for mainstream media’s slow death and dwindling influence

February 03, 2018

The federal government has revealed that 24.5 million Malaysians are hooked to cyberspace today, up from a mere 2.5 million in 2006. Is this the reason for the mainstream print and electronic media’s slow death and dying influence on Malaysians? “It is definitely one of the main reasons for the pathetic performance and struggle of the mainstream print and electronic media,” Gerakan Deputy Speaker Syed Abdul Razak Alsagoff said … for more, go to https://bukitlanjan.blogspot.com/2018/02/bukit-lanjan-245-million-malaysians-on.html

PETALING JAYA: Gamers across the country were shocked to discover the website of Steam, the popular gaming provider, as well as its online store blocked by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) today. Many took to Twitter to post messages objecting to the action and to voice their frustrations. The move came after a call by Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak for the provider of the video game “Fight of Gods” to disable downloads for Malaysian users within 24 hours, failing which action would be taken …for more, go to http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2017/09/08/gamers-shocked-as-mcmc-blocks-popular-steam-website/

BUKIT LANJAN: Good job MCMC but it has no business blocking news portals, websites

October 14, 2017

Of the 5,044 websites blocked by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) between 2014 and 2016, 4,277 are pornographic, obscene and seditious websites. 

The rest of the websites contain elements of gambling, prostitution, cheating and piracy. 

“The statistics are enough reason for parents to pay some attention to where their children visit in cyberspace,” Gerakan Deputy Speaker Syed Abdul Razak Alsagoff said … for more, go to https://bukitlanjan.blogspot.com/2017/10/bukit-lanjan-good-job-mcmc-but-it-has.html

Death knell for Malaysia’s ports and trading?

Tengku Abdullah (left) inspecting a guard of honour at the opening of the state assembly sitting. - Bernama
Nod for review of ECRL cost
METRO NEWS
Wednesday, 25 Jul 2018
by ong han sean
KUANTAN: The Regent of Pahang has expressed his approval for the Federal Government’s move to review the cost of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project. Tengku Mahkota Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah welcomed the decision but hoped the railway line would still be built to create more economic growth areas. “The construction of the ECRL will increase connectivity of economic and industrial areas from Kuantan Port to Tumpat in Kelantan and Port Klang in the west coast,” he said at the opening of the state assembly sitting here - for more, go to https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/07/25/nod-for-review-of-ecrl-cost-tengku-abdullah-we-welcome-decision-but-hope-railway-line-will-be-built/
Malaysia at BRI-global economic crossroads
July 25, 2018
KUALA LUMPUR (July 2018): After all the post 14th General Election (GE14) hoo-haa over China-related mega projects in Malaysia, it is time to face reality or get real. The new Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government will have to eventually make a decision, whether it likes it or not. Stalling is no solution. China has US$34 billion (RM138 billion) worth of infrastructure projects underway in Malaysia and the most crucial of all is the Belt Road Initiative (BRI)-linked East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) … for more, go to https://ilovemalaysiachinasilkroad.blogspot.com/2018/07/malaysia-at-bri-global-economic.html

 Death knell for Malaysia’s ports and trading?

As Malaysia continues to annoy China with regards to trade and investments, especially on the multi-trillion-dollar Belt Road Initiative (BRI), China had started focusing on bypassing Malaysia.

In fact, as early as last April, before the 14th General Election (GE14), China had started official talks with Thailand on the 200-year dream of the Kra Canal link to complement BRI.

Obviously China is fed up with Malaysia’s flip-flop decisions, and with the cancellation of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) as BRI’s rail hub for Southeast Asia, it is likely to bypass Malaysia and focus its BRI on Thailand.

Should the Kra Canal become a reality for BRI, the only port in Malaysia that may still be viable is Penang. That too is questionable.

Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei may all need to switch their trading activities to the Kra Canal.

Many still believe the Kra Canal can never be realised but many projects by China had become reality in the past.

So, Malaysia’s trading and future may be bleak with Thailand becoming the true “Tiger Economy”.

Now, that’s much for the Malaysian federal government to think about fast! No?

Read on for more: 

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, fourth from left, meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping, fourth from right, during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing (Dec. 23, 2014). Image Credit: AP Photo/Wang Zhao, Pool

Thailand's Kra Canal: China's Way Around the Malacca Strait

A 200-year-old dream might finally become a reality under China’s Belt and Road.

By Rhea Menon
April 06, 2018

The establishment of a Kra Canal in Thailand may soon become a reality as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The canal would permit ships to bypass the Malacca Strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint, amplifying the strategic significance of the project.

Throughout history, there have been multiple attempts by the Thai monarchy and European colonists to capitalize on the commercial and strategic importance of the region by constructing a canal across the narrow isthmus that connects Thailand to the Malay peninsula. In recent times, China’s global vision of a new Maritime Silk Road has renewed the attention on the possibility of developing the Kra Canal. The modern Kra or Thai Canal project would be connected to the various Chinese infrastructure and connectivity projects in the region.

The maritime portion of the BRI is an ambitious connectivity project that aims at linking Southeast Asia to Europe through the Indian Ocean. In the last two decades, the construction of new ports and maritime facilities has contributed to the increasing competition among nations in the Indian Ocean region. As China continues to expand its presence across the maritime domain, the establishment of infrastructure projects, like the Kra Canal, is likely to influence the new emerging security architecture in the Indo-Pacific.

Most recently, the Thai-Chinese Cultural and Economic Association and the European Association for Business and Commerce participated in a conference on the Kra Canal in Bangkok on September 2017 and a follow-up event on February 1, 2018, signaling a greater interest in executing the project.

Historical Significance

The strategic purpose of the canal was initially recognized in the 19th century under King Rama I and King Rama IV as a quick way to send Thai troops to counter Burmese invaders to the north of Thailand. Under King Rama V, the French sent Ferdinand de Lesseps, the engineer credited with building the Suez Canal, to raise the possibility of constructing the Kra Canal again. But, in an effort to appease the British who already had a strong foothold in the Malacca Strait, especially Singapore, the Thai King declined the offer.

After World War II, Thailand was forced to sign Article 7 of the Anglo-Thai treaty of 1946, which prevented them from constructing the canal in an effort to ensure international political stability. It wasn’t widely discussed again until the 1980s, when the potential of the project was highlighted by the American-led Executive Intelligence Review (EIR) and the Fusion Energy Foundation as a major economic advantage to an increasingly industrialized and globalized world. The report included the long-term advantage of the canal to Thailand and its neighbors.

The onset of the Asian Financial Crisis in the late 1990s provided a major setback for the Kra project and it wasn’t until Yingluck Shinawatra’s prime ministerial term that the canal came back to the limelight. Yingluck Shinawatra’s commitment to infrastructure and development projects to boost the country’s economy reinstated the country’s positive approach to the possibility of the Kra Canal.

The Canal as a Part of BRI

The possibility of the Kra Canal becoming a reality has been greatly increased by China’s Maritime Silk Road initiative and the Thai Canal Association (TCA), a group of influential former top brass soldiers advocating for the project. Based on reports, the canal will cost approximately $28 billion and take a decade to complete. China is reportedly willing to supply the financial and technological support to Thailand in hopes that the Thai canal reaches fruition.

The new Thai Canal project comprises two portions. The first portion is seen as a counter to the “Malacca Dilemma.” The canal will link the South China Sea to the Andaman Sea, connecting the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean respectively, drastically diminishing transit time across the busiest maritime shipping route. Chinese companies are extremely interested in speeding up the project as over 80 percent of Chinese oilimports flow pass through the Malacca Strait. The second portion is the establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The new zone includes the addition of cities and artificial islands, which will enhance new industries and infrastructure in the region. This would make Thailand into a “logistic hub” and link Thailand to countries from all over the world.

While the Chinese government has refrained from making any official claims, reports state that China and Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the canal project in Guangzhou in 2015. The MoU was signed by the China-Thailand Kra Infrastructure Investment and Development company and Asia Union Group. Apart from the Chinese interests in the region, however, the Thai government is trying to attract other international funding from Japan, South Korea, India, and ASEAN countries.

Challenges

While the construction of the canal is a lucrative idea with significant strategic implications, it is not without challenges. The major concerns associated with the construction of the project are environmental effects and Thai national security. The division of the isthmus has considerable environmental implications on the flora and fauna of the region. Chinese counterparts expect the Kra Canal to be similar to other Chinese megaprojectslike the Three Gorges Dam in China.

A serious concern associated with the construction of the canal is its possible impact on Thai sovereignty and security. The southern portion of the country (south of the proposed canal) has seen an increasing divide between Thai Buddhists and Thailand’s Malay Muslims. The historical animosity between the two groups stems from 1902, when Thailand first annexed the independent state of Patani. In the last few decades, due to the mismanagement of the government, the southern part of the country has seen an increase in insurgency attacks. The construction of the Kra Canal would further exacerbate the volatile region, creating further divisions within the country.

Rhea Menon is a researcher at Carnegie India."


Xi-led China goes for the above, while the Trump-led US goes for this:

Xi looks to the future, Trump looks back at history

September 01, 2018

https://youtu.be/4Sin00Eje38 (VIDEO: Xi Jinping looks towards 2050, Trump looks back to 1950)

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 2018): This blog has stressed in many postings that the US has been waging war in the 20th Century through to the 21st Century digital era. It continues to do so because the Donald Trump-led US is unable to think out of the box why it is fast losing its global economic and military influence. 

While others, like China and Russia, have moved forward with innovative economics via science and technology, the US, perhaps due to its arrogance, continue to rely on the sale of arms to oil its economy. However, the sale of arms is no more that profitable to the US today as in the 20th Century. That’s because there are alternatives from China, Russia and others … for more, go to https://ilovemalaysiachinasilkroad.blogspot.com/2018/09/xi-looks-to-future-trump-looks-back-at.html

Blame BN until kingdom come for Malaysia’s economic woes but start worrying about the future!

Globalization has reached a turning point
By Zhang Yansheng | China Daily | Updated: 2018-09-29 06:58
Ten years since the global financial crisis, the world economy seems to be moving toward stabilization, but the risks, rather than declining, have increased significantly. Thanks to the active economic measures it took in response to the global financial crisis, China has achieved considerable results in the decade since the collapse of Lehman Brothers. In 2008, China and the United States accounted for 7.2 percent and 23.1 percent of the world's GDP, respectively. By 2017, China's share in the world economy had jumped 7.8 percentage points to 15 percent while that of the US increased 1.2 percentage points to 24.3 percent. The world economy seems to have emerged from the crisis to move toward a period of stability. According to the International Monetary Fund, the global economic growth rate in 2017 was likely to be 3.7 percent, close to the 3.74 percent long-term equilibrium global growth rate from 1990 to 2007. More important, the world economy is expected to grow by 3.9 percent this year and in the subsequent years. A key fact that cannot be ignored is that in the past 10 years, China has contributed substantially to the world economic recovery. For example, even though its GDP accounted for only 8.5 percent of the world total in 2009, it contributed as much as 50 percent to global economic growth. On average, the Chinese economy has contributed to more than 30 percent of global growth in the past decade … for more, go to http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201809/29/WS5baeb230a310eff303280217.html 

Blame BN until kingdom come for Malaysia’s economic woes but start worrying about the future!

The Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government must seriously respond to check Malaysia’s “sharp decline” in the Economic Freedom of the World 2018 ranking.

Measures must be implemented to check and prevent any serious loss in investors’ confidence, both domestic and foreign.

The government cannot just sit and wait for the problem to go away as it will not. The socio-economic woes of Malaysians and Malaysia will worsen if nothing is done to address the erratic domestic and global economy.

Yes. Almost every Malaysian, save for the Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) boot lickers, know why Malaysia’s federal debt is more than RM1 trillion today.

The government can continue to blame the previous BN federal government until kingdom come but it is not going to cushion the impact of a global economic pressures that will surely inflict domestic economic activities negatively.

Enough of blaming BN. Blame BN until the cows come home, if you so wish, but act swiftly without fear or favour to bring the culprits who have abused and stole from the people and recover the loot from them.

But, it is surely time for the PH government to display political will to implement drastic fiscal and economic policies, irrespective of race and religion, to set Malaysia on a path of aggressive socio-economic recovery.

And just blaming BN and cancelling projects that can bring about billions, if not trillions, of trade activities is surely unwise.

For example, the cancellation of Belt Road Initiative (BRI)-linked East Coast Rail Link (ECRL)? Cancellation is no solution.

The solution is to bring the BN-inflated construction costs down to a reasonable level and carry on with the project.

The cancellation of the ECRL has wiped out the direct trade potential for Malaysia with more than 90 countries and international organisations.


With the worsening US-China trade war rocking the global economy order, Malaysia badly needs socio-economic decisions and fiscal policies that gain investors’ confidence, not shake them.

Read on for more details:

"Malaysia slips 14 spots in Economic Freedom ranking

FMT Reporters
September 25, 2018 5:33 PM

IDEAS chief executive Ali Salman says ranking shows how the private sector had been ‘squeezed’, businesses obstructed and size of government increased. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: A think tank has voiced concern over Malaysia’s “sharp decline” in the Economic Freedom of the World 2018 ranking, and called for a comprehensive review of economic policies under the new government.

In a statement, the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) commented on Malaysia’s drop in the ranking from 65 to 79 this year out of 162 countries, covered in the annual report released by Canada’s Fraser Institute.

IDEAS chief executive Ali Salman said although the ranking was based on 2016-2017 data, the ranking showed how the private sector had been “squeezed”, businesses obstructed and size of the government increased.

“This calls for a comprehensive review of economic policies under the Pakatan Harapan administration spanning critical areas like government-linked company (GLC) reforms, size of the civil service and business regulations.”

Ali noted Malaysia’s scores in terms of economic freedom went down in terms of the size of the government and freedom to trade internationally.

Hong Kong and Singapore were at the top of the ranking, which measures economic freedom such as levels of personal choice, ability to enter markets, security of privately-owned properties, rule of law and more.

The 10 lowest-ranked countries are Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Syria, Algeria, Argentina, Libya and Venezuela (last place).

Ali noted that research has shown that people who live in countries with high levels of economic freedom enjoy greater prosperity, more political and civil liberties, and longer lives.

“For example, countries in the top 25%, like the UK, Japan and Ireland, had an average per-capita income of US$40,376 in 2016 compared with US$5,649 for the bottom 25%, such as Venezuela, Iran and Zimbabwe.”
Malaysia’s Canceled Belt and Road Initiative Projects and the Implications for China

Malaysia–China relations are poised to remain friendly and may even offer China an opportunity to reassess how BRI projects are evaluated and implemented. - FMT

By Blake H. Berger
August 27, 2018

Image Credit: CC0 image via PXhere 

The circumstances around Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s first trip to China following his re-election were far from auspicious as allegations of corruption and fiscal mismanagement plagued several Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects. Following the five-day visit, Mahathir announced the cancellation of three BRI projects: the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and two gas pipelines, the Multi-Product Pipeline (MPP) and Trans-Sabah Gas Pipeline (TSGP).

The cancellation of these projects should come as no surprise. Mahathir has continually chastised his predecessor Najib Razak for embarking on these ventures, as he deemed them to be detrimental to the country and its fiscal health. Throughout his campaign, Mahathir pledged to reduce the state’s rising debt levels and the BRI project would only prove to increase such debt.

While scrapping the projects represents a blow to China’s BRI ambitions in Malaysia and the region, the Malaysia–China bilateral relationship will not be adversely affected and instead will provide Beijing with an opportunity to learn valuable lessons and reassess project evaluation and implementation.

In the months leading up to the visit, claims of misappropriation of funds, corruption, and misdeeds have surrounded the three nixed projects. In early July, after mounting concerns that the contract values had appeared to be inflated and $700 million had been diverted to pay off debts connected to 1MDB, the Mahathir administration halted work on the ECRL, which was slated to stretch 430-miles connecting the South China Sea to shipping routes of Straits of Malacca providing an essential trade link for China.

The ECRL was being built by China Communications Construction Co Ltd and mainly financed by a loan from the China Exim Bank. On July 18, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) raided several offices and seized documents in connection of the MPP and TSGP after corruption and mismanagement allegations surfaced. Despite disbursing $2 billion for the two projects, Minister of Finance Lim Guan Eng commented that “zero percent of the construction work has been carried out.”

The MPP was a 372-mile multi-product petroleum pipeline connecting Melaka and Port Dickson to Jitra in Kedah State, and the TSGP was a 411-mile gas pipeline stretching from the Kimanis Gas Terminal to Sandakan and Tawau, both were being constructed by a subsidiary of China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau.

With the government estimating that Malaysia’s national debt at roughly $252 billion and approximately 65 percent of gross domestic product, it is not shocking that the three projects totaling $23 billion were scrapped. Instead of holding Beijing accountable and as a corollary seeking to maintain cordial relations, Mahathir laid the blame on his predecessor Najib.

During a business forum in Beijing, Mahathir excoriated Najib saying, “It is not about the Chinese, it is about the Malaysian government. They borrowed huge sums of money and now we have problems trying to repay the money that they have owed…That is Malaysians playing around with money, not even doing proper feasibility studies and due diligence before going into business.”

By placing the blame on Najib, Mahathir was able to not only avoid straining bilateral relations and get Beijing to agree to cancel the projects albeit with penalties to be figured out, but shifted the narrative away from the dominant BRI debt trap account to one which portrayed the situation as ‘Najib’s debt’.

The cancellation of the railway and two energy pipelines certainly undercuts Beijing’s BRI ambitions in Malaysia. Furthermore, the halted projects will cause other nations in the region, such as Myanmar and Indonesia, who are both seeking to renegotiate BRI-backed projects, to take heed.

That said, Malaysia–China relations are poised to remain friendly and may even offer China an opportunity to reassess how BRI projects are evaluated and implemented. In Malaysia, China still maintains several BRI projects, including the Kuantan deep-water port and industrial park, the Melaka Gateway project, and the Forest City in Johor, all of which could still continue to some degree.

With China as Malaysia’s top trading partner, ensuring cordial relations was a top priority during Mahathir’s trip to China. A number of memorandum of understandings were signed, in which China agreed to purchase more palm oil and facilitate the export of durians, and secured a commitment from automaker Geely to start selling Malaysia’s Proton cars in China.

So despite the negative press around the cancelled BRI projects, it is clear that China has an opportunity to learn from the Malaysian case. In progressing forward, Beijing should begin to implement international best-practices in infrastructure development so that it can construct much needed infrastructure in its partner countries which can contribute to their economic development and regional integration.

Blake H. Berger is a foreign policy analyst and Southeast Asia specialist based in New York. - THE DIPLOMAT

Found in WhatsApp circulation:

My friend, my MAS buddy who just returned from official duties in Washington and New York supporting the SGP delegation to the UN General Assembly and IMF meeting, told me the US situation is really chaotic and most Americans are worried and fearful. They can sense that the govt utterances and media are not truthful but they cannot put their finger on the principal causes. All they know the happy talk of Trump and mass media are lies. Things are slowing down and things from foodstuffs, toiletries, other household items are very expensive. When they bumped into friends they exchanged only sad stories and expensive medical charges because most Americans are sickly people. Their other concerns is unemployment and low wages, etc. So they sense things are worsening and life is getting harder each day but what actually is hurting them and depressing the atmosphere is a mystery. The more educated ones can dig into the problems by surfing the internet.

My buddy told me that what is happening in satanic America is that the lies and cover-up are now unraveling in accordance to the law of economics and physics. The enormus debts the country incurred and is still growing are now producing painful effects. These will explode ANY TIME FROM NOW. He said all the banks are bankrupt and account holders are now screwed. They cannot withdraw big sum of money of a few Ks at a time.

My buddy said he and his colleagues have reported back to MAS to expect a financial crisis is inevitable and will happen before the end of 2018. The first to go down will be banks and hedge funds. The bonds market will collapse any moment and this will trigger the stock market collapse. All these must happen because America is not exempted from the law of economics or the law of sciences. This time the destruction will be many time worse than 2008.

He warned me to quickly get out of the digital (crypto) casinos. All these setups are now run by crooks for the cabal Jews whose banking industry is now destroyed and the cryptos are cash grabs for them swipe to make up for lost incomes.

War is on the horizon. The tariff war is a 1st salvo to knuckle China into submission but the clever Chings outsmarted them. At the moment the Chinese are fighting the imperialist on the terms of the reset which will probaly be announced in October '18. Now be advised the yanks will be forced to devalue the USD by 30% to be followed by another 30% in 1st half 2019. The Chinese government, Russian, and BRICS countries are preparing for a formal USD collapse. Already they have all the platform ready to replace swift and launch the gold trade note and gold back yuan and roubles.

The US Interior Secretary has announced they have enough super submarines to blockade Russian, Chinese, Iranian oil entering Europe. Obviously this means war. But commonsense tells us this is a stupid bragging of a desperado.

I hope this msg will be helpful for you to prepare for the difficult times ahead. Regards.

Get Outlook for Android"

https://ilovemalaysiachinasilkroad.blogspot.com/2018/07/malaysia-at-bri-global-economic.html

Now, only Anwar can prevent Anwar from becoming Malaysia’s 8th Prime Minister!

The return of the powerful Dr M-Anwar combo for Malaysians and Malaysia!

 Now, only Anwar can prevent Anwar from becoming Malaysia’s 8th Prime Minister!

Despite a low voter turnout of 58.3%, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has successfully defended and retained the Port Dickson Parliamentary seat with a bigger majority for Pakatan Harapan (PH).

In the May 9 14th General Election (GE14), PKR’s Danyal Balagopal Abdullah also successfully defended the seat for PKR with a 17,710 vote-majority by garnering 36,225 ballots with a voter turnout of 82.8%.

Anwar won the P132 by-election with a 23,560-vote majority by securing 31,016 votes.

A joyous by-election victory by the rakyat (people) of Malaysia.

Malaysians and Malaysia have the Port Dickson voters to thank for the rakyat (people)’s victory. A loss for Anwar and PH would have plunged Malaysia into political instability with both Umno and PAS capitalising to seize Putrajaya.

Umno and PAS are now, thus, in a political dilemma. They are now clearly and generally worse off than in GE14.

It is a victory that tells Umno and PAS that they are slowly but surely fading into political irrelevance in multi-racial Malaysia if they don’t abandon their politics of fanning racial and religious hatred.

The by-election results also clearly spelled more trouble for the once mighty Umno.

Isa Samad (read as Umno) came in third with only 4,230 votes in a constituency with 75,700 registered voters.

Although PAS did better with 7,456 votes compared with 6,594 votes in GE14, it shows the Malay vote bank for Umno is diminishing faster than one would imagine.

And, PAS did gain some of the votes from Umno but PH clearly gained the bulk of the Malay votes who had traditionally voted for the Umno-led Barisan Nasional.

The four Independents in the Port Dickson by-election were just political irritants with their own agenda.

Malaysians have again clearly sent a strong political message - that they have confidence in Anwar to lead Malaysians and Malaysia as their 8th Prime Minister.

Anwar now need only sit patiently in Parliament and let Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Dr M) to voluntarily make way for him, when Dr M is ready and the time is right.

Will Anwar make the same stupid impatient political moves to threaten Dr M’s position to claim the "crown"?

No News Is Bad News doubts so. Dr M is already 93 years old and there is no reason for Anwar to jeopardise PH unity and stability. Neither is Anwar getting any younger.

Only Anwar can prevent Anwar from becoming the 8th Prime Minister of Malaysia!

"Anwar wins in Port Dickson, Saiful biggest loser

Soo Wern Jun
October 13, 2018 9:35 PM

PORT DICKSON: The Election Commission has declared Anwar Ibrahim as the winner of the Port Dickson by-election, beating six others to make a political comeback that assures him the top post in the government.

Anwar garnered a total of 31,016 votes, defeating his closest rival, PAS’ Mohd Nazari Mokhtar who gained 7,456 votes.

His 23,560-vote majority surpassed that of former Port Dickson MP Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, despite a low voter turnout of 58.3%.

The other candidates were left far behind: former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Isa Samad got 4,230 votes, Stevie Chan Keng Leong (337 votes), Lau Seck Yan (214 votes), Kan Chee Yuen (154 votes) and Anwar’s former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan who merely got 82 votes.

Anwar’s victory today removes the final hurdle to his long march to Putrajaya.

In 1998, he was Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s anointed successor, but the two fell out over policy differences as well as accusations of sexual misconduct, leading to Anwar’s dramatic sacking and jailing.

Anwar, 70, made peace with Mahathir in 2016. Both leaders had since then agreed to work together under the PH coalition, which overthrew BN in the historic May polls.

Following the change of government, Anwar, who had been serving a jail sentence for his sodomy conviction, was granted a royal pardon and released, lifting a ban imposed on him from active politics. - FMT

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Dickson_by-election,_2018

EC: Anwar wins PD polls with 23,560-vote majority

NATION
Saturday, 13 Oct 2018
9:27 PM MYT
by sarban singh, hemananthani sivanandam, rahimy rahim, and tarrence tan


PORT DICKSON: Pakatan Harapan's Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has won the Port Dickson by-election here with a 23,560 majority despite a low voter turnout.

Returning officer Khairy Maamor announced that the PKR president-elect secured 31,016 votes against his other contenders.

Anwar was in a seven-cornered fight with PAS' Lt-Kol (Rtd) Mohd Nazari Mokhtar, Anwar's former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan and independent candidates Tan Sri Isa Samad, Kan Chee Yuen, Stevie Chan and Lau Seck Yan.

Mohd Nazari received 7,456 votes while Isa secured 4,230 votes. Mohd Saiful got 82 votes while Chan got 337, Kan got 154 and Lau got 214.

It was part of a power transition arrangement from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Anwar as agreed by Pakatan in January this year.

Danyal won the seat in a three-cornered fight in the 14th General Election with a whopping 17,710-vote majority.

However, the voter turnout then was 82.8%. - The Star Online"


A PH unity that spearheaded to a victory for Malaysians and Malaysia!