Living in JB 3 (Johore)

[Investor]

Shopped at NTUC today, they are giving 30% discount vouchers for one-time admission tickets to Legoland.

With publicity in the papers and Internet, looks like the crowds will really be packing Legoland come 15 Sept.

Indoor theme parks Hello Kitty Land and The Big Club at Puteri Harbour have also received very good response from Singaporeans too. Thousands of tickets for day tours have been sold in Groupon and Deal.com.sg.

 

[jerrycoaching]

Last night @ JB. Most petrol kisok near the custom run out of Ron97 & Vpower!!!

 

[TrulyAsia]

While I wish Legoland and Puteri Harbour Indoor Theme Park great success, here is a piece of news on APH saga that serves as strong reminder to us that nothing is too big to fail.

Contractor sues troubled Johor oil terminal after rescue bid fails

September 03, 2012
The Malaysian insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 — The managing contractor of the insolvent Asian Petroleum Hub (APH) in Johor, once billed as one of the world’s largest fully integrated oil terminals, is suing the project’s receivers, financiers and owners, said main contractor Muhibbah Engineering Berhad (MEB) — who are also named in the suit — in a filing today with Bursa Malaysia.

Others named in the suit filed by ZAQ Construction Sdn Bhd are CIMB, APH, and Lim San Peen (the receiver and manager appointed by CIMB over APH).

“ZAQ is alleging MEB’s involvement in the restructuring scheme proposed by the receiver and manager in January 2012 vis-à-vis the APH Project, and thereby indicating its support for such proposed scheme. The proposed restructuring scheme was subsequently called off by the Receiver due to withdrawal of support by CIMB in end June 2012,” the filing stated.

ZAQ is seeking damages against all the defendants. No amount was specified in the suit.

MEB said it was of the view that the claim brought by ZAQ is “frivolous and the company will defend the case.”

It was reported in June that CIMB had withdrawn its backing for the project’s restructuring.

APH was placed under receivership in January and CIMB had appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers to oversee the restructuring.

APH had awarded Muhibbah the contracts for marine piling and jetty work worth RM820 million.

It also reportedly owes CIMB some RM840 million, which was part of a RM1.4-billion bridging loan facility provided to the project back in 2006.

As part of the earlier proposed settlement, the current shareholders of APH — KIC Oil & Gas (90 per cent stake) and Umno-linked Trek Perintis (10 per cent) — had agreed to surrender their equity holdings, although it was not clear if they received financial compensation.

APH was designed with a storage capacity of 924,000 cubic metres and large trans-shipment facility, and is located on a 40-ha reclaimed island off the coast of Johor.

RHB Research Institute said in a February report that APH was to be completed in 2009 but was now only 60 per cent complete following delays as the soil on the island was found to be unsuitable to be built on.

Financier CIMB had placed APH under receivership last year over a RM1.4 billion three-year bridge loan granted in 2006.

APH drew down RM840 million but costs had escalated. The firm tried unsuccessfully to look for investors for a further RM2 billion in new financing.

More than four years ago, the Cabinet decided that Seaport Terminal, a private company controlled by tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary, should be allowed to take up a 35 per cent stake in the project. The tussle between Seaport and KIC has yet to be resolved.

 

[tansi]

Last i heard is a one month quarantine period. Definitely not worth it to bring pets over for a few days, much stress in quarantine. More for a permanent relocation.

returning to sg need to be quarantine due to msia outbreak of nipah virus.

 

[wuqi256]

Useful reference though a bit old:
http://livinginjb.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/12-01-27-PAPER-2.pdf

IDPT: http://www.mintmedia.com.my/index.php?ws=pages&pages_id=2405
http://www.vopakasia.com/TSL_main.asp

Newer stuff:
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20120727003304/Article/index_html
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newssport.php?id=691931

Kazanah: http://kperspectives.khazanah.com.my/images/articles/iskandar_flagship.jpg

Gleneagles Medini Hospital
http://www.bharchitects.com/en/projects/314

Iskandar Video:
http://youtu.be/z7Hlj4wfOl8

Legoland:
Channel News Asia (April)
http://youtu.be/jRSz3VqsTwU
http://youtu.be/UnNJMsT392E

Older
Pinewood studios and other project news:
http://youtu.be/SaMbCu5iYQk


Good map to refer to:
http://www.gcdmedini.com/investment.html

 

[wuqi256]

Petronas -

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/glob...et-on-natural-gas-from-canada/article4376077/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/repo...-billion-canadian-acquisition/article4097299/

Older news -
http://chinahighspeedrail.com/news/overseas/malaysia-high-speed-rail-to-be-built-by-china.html

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/5/26/business/11312587&sec=business

 

[wuqi256]

Interesting news with a bit of Q&A:

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/8/6/business/11749986&sec=business

More news:

http://www.thechoice.my/top-stories...kander-malaysia-will-reshape-regional-economy

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-largest-foreign-investor-iskandar-malaysia-094247188--sector.html

Old news:

On airport name change.
http://www.senaiairport.com/press.asp?rootid=100003&menuid=100076&linkid=247

http://www.mmc.com.my/pdf/MMC_Annual_Report_2011.pdf

MMC is also significantly involved in the Iskandar Malaysia
economic corridor as the key driver for transport and
logistics development for the region. In fact, our major
assets in Iskandar Malaysia are strategically located within
the main fl agship zones. We are currently developing the
Senai International Airport area as the main gateway to
Iskandar Malaysia which incorporates the development
of an integrated free-zone area and a high-tech park.
This will enhance the value of the land. Given our established
position in Iskandar Malaysia, we can expect to benefi t
from the spin-off development from the region.

Excerpt:
MMC’s other operations include Senai International Airport and its international business in the utilities
and logistics sectors.

Information on Senai International Airport

http://www.senaiairport.com/about.asp?menuid=100007&rootid=100000

 

[lanlibra]

Last i heard is a one month quarantine period. Definitely not worth it to bring pets over for a few days, much stress in quarantine. More for a permanent relocation.

Ya true..Anyway tks guys i m moving to bukit indah next mth.with the informations i gathered here,its very useful.i nearly hired an expensive pet mover till i saw this thread.

 

[contra]

Make a guess - underground or bridge?


Sunday September 2, 2012

Report soon on new link between Johor and Singapore


SINGAPORE: Consultants will be tabling a comprehensive report in the coming months on whether it is viable to build a bridge or an underground tunnel linking the republic and Malaysia.

This follows an announcement by Singapore that its Thomson mass rapid transit (MRT) line would be opened in stages from 2019.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/9/2/nation/11956144&sec=nation

 

[Hondacrv]

I supposed they can table proposals to build 10 bridges or link but if the customs officers take their own sweet time to scan visitors and if the design of the tolls is very bad like in CIQ, the jams will surely persist.

Make a guess - underground or bridge?


Sunday September 2, 2012

Report soon on new link between Johor and Singapore


SINGAPORE: Consultants will be tabling a comprehensive report in the coming months on whether it is viable to build a bridge or an underground tunnel linking the republic and Malaysia.

This follows an announcement by Singapore that its Thomson mass rapid transit (MRT) line would be opened in stages from 2019.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/9/2/nation/11956144&sec=nation

 

[checkers]

Legoland ... so very hot. We went in the late afternoon to redeem the annual passes but it was freaking hot. Is the car park fully done? Why do we have to park on some stony materials??

Not much landscaping...Very few trees around and some trees are dying due to the scorching heat.

And the place doesn't look impressive at all. Much like the usual Sunway Lagoon stuff in KL. So very disappointed.:(

 

[jasonjst]

I supposed they can table proposals to build 10 bridges or link but if the customs officers take their own sweet time to scan visitors and if the design of the tolls is very bad like in CIQ, the jams will surely persist.

Yes fully agree. Most of the time those counters are only operating at 30% , mostly red , a few green only . Same for the SG side .

 

[RedsYNWA]

Yes fully agree. Most of the time those counters are only operating at 30% , mostly red , a few green only . Same for the SG side .

I feel JB CIQ side is the worst. Govt builds 3 lanes for cars' custom clearance, and the officials actually blocked off an entire lane to park their own cars, while putting up a "Renovation in progress" sign.

I certainly did not see any evidences of "renovation in progress" during these past few mths when the lane is blocked......

 

[aangsc]

Legoland ... so very hot. We went in the late afternoon to redeem the annual passes but it was freaking hot. Is the car park fully done? Why do we have to park on some stony materials??

Not much landscaping...Very few trees around and some trees are dying due to the scotching heat.

And the place doesn't look impressive at all. Much like the usual Sunway Lagoon stuff in KL. So very disappointed.:(

Passed by Legoland on Monday, took a few pictures and agreed with you , need lots and lots of landscaping before opening else, this is not impressive enough as a international playground.

 

[TrulyAsia]

My wish list for Iskandar Malaysia -

a) KL via JB express bullet train service, cut down travelling time between 2 cities to less than 2.5 hours

b) Optimizing the custom clearance system and process to reduce congestion at the causeway & 2nd link

c) World class integrated resort in Nusajaya with casino that only allows foreigners to access

d) A landmark tower or skyscraper (mixed use type like SWFC) in JB central business district that has a public observatory deck at above 300 meters

e) Prioritize the rehabilitation of abandoned projects in JB as key performance indicator for progress of Iskandar Malaysia project (examples: Lot 1 waterfront, Pacific Mall, Larkin Utama, Kemayan City etc.)

f) English as medium for mathematics, science and other core subjects in schools

g) Revamp NEP to focus on citizens who are in real needs regardless of race and religion

h) No more Abdul Ghani as Johor's Mentari Besar by next election, we had enough

 

[wuqi256]

There were some rumours recently on some dates for the rise in the 1m or 800k RM (more likely for Iskandar) minimum threshold for foreigners. That was following the government official announcements earlier this year.

Even a deadline was given, it seems its set for the end of this month though not a lot of official information is available in black and white. Good for bros in the know to help clarify.


Good portal to look at land stuff as well as pay cukai tanah online:

http://ptj.johordt.gov.my/

http://www.johorebar.org.my/index.p...reign-interests&catid=4:newsaevents&Itemid=10

 

[wuqi256]

Legoland ... so very hot. We went in the late afternoon to redeem the annual passes but it was freaking hot. Is the car park fully done? Why do we have to park on some stony materials??

Not much landscaping...Very few trees around and some trees are dying due to the scotching heat.

And the place doesn't look impressive at all. Much like the usual Sunway Lagoon stuff in KL. So very disappointed.:(

They should have some water misting devices and more shelter and shade especially from the carpark to the park. What happens if there is blazing hot weather or inclement weather?

 

[Grago]

My wish list for Iskandar Malaysia -

a) KL via JB express bullet train service, cut down travelling time between 2 cities to less than 2.5 hours

b) Optimizing the custom clearance system and process to reduce congestion at the causeway & 2nd link

c) World class integrated resort in Nusajaya with casino that only allows foreigners to access

d) A landmark tower or skyscraper (mixed use type like SWFC) in JB central business district that has a public observatory deck at above 300 meters

e) Prioritize the rehabilitation of abandoned projects in JB as key performance indicator for progress of Iskandar Malaysia project (examples: Lot 1 waterfront, Pacific Mall, Larkin Utama, Kemayan City etc.)

f) English as medium for mathematics, science and other core subjects in schools

g) Revamp NEP to focus on citizens who are in real needs regardless of race and religion

h) No more Abdul Ghani as Johor's Mentari Besar by next election, we had enough

We can only dream and gripe about it. Reality is just another world away

 

[butadesu]

There were some rumours recently on some dates for the rise in the 1m or 800k RM (more likely for Iskandar) minimum threshold for foreigners. That was following the government official announcements earlier this year.

Even a deadline was given, it seems its set for the end of this month though not a lot of official information is available in black and white. Good for bros in the know to help clarify.


Good portal to look at land stuff as well as pay cukai tanah online:

http://ptj.johordt.gov.my/

http://www.johorebar.org.my/index.p...reign-interests&catid=4:newsaevents&Itemid=10

Hi bro wuqi,

May I know your view of its impact on current property prices below or above the said limit if implemented.

Thanks

 

[TrulyAsia]

Perhaps I should rename it as my dream list, it is my conviction that they are achievable if all of us share the same dream

We can only dream and gripe about it. Reality is just another world away