The Overloaded LDP

Choose to be on the LDP around the Kelana Jaya Secondary School and the Giant Mall vicinity and you are going to be in a lot of trouble,not withstanding that you have just paid your not inexpensive toll fare at the IOI toll plaza. The number of cars virtually sitting on the LDP bumper to bumper is one big crying shame.


For me, just to get from the left hand side of the Kelana LRT Terminal to the other side where St. Ignatius Church stands took almost one hour of my life this evening.

Will we ever learn to be build tollways that disperse traffic away from neighbourhoods? The criss-crossing LDP which sliced apart the neigbourhoods of Kelana Jaya is one big mistake!We are paying big time!

Singapore: Always the Hopeful

So what do you know.

The Singapore government said today it expects unemployment to stay high for some time and growth momentum to slow in the second half of this year, though the risk of a double-dip recession is low.

Reuters reported that thses comments came from the country's trade minister after data showed last week that the economy contracted in the fourth quarter of 2009 having emerged from recession earlier that year. A second straight quarter of contraction would meet the common definition of recession. "The risk of a return to recession is low in the absence of further financial shocks," Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang told Parliament.

"But growth momentum in the second half of 2010 may slow down as the effects of global fiscal stimulus measures and inventory restocking wane," he said.

Singapore's recovery from its worst recession faltered in the fourth quarter as the economy shrank 6.8 per cent on a seasonally adjusted and annualised basis, reflecting weaker manufacturing, preliminary data showed last week.

Singapore's government expects growth this year of between 3 per cent and 5 per cent compared with an estimated contraction of 2.1 per cent in 2009, the GDP estimates released last week showed.

Lim said pledges among members of the G20 and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meant that protectionism, which could derail global trade and growth, had been largely kept in check.

"Growth in 2010 may also be derailed if creeping trade protectionism becomes more prevalent and causes global trade flows to contract again. But the likelihood of this scenario is low," he said.

Malaysia: Down Another 9% for Manufacturing

The November manufaturing numbers for Malaysia are worrisome. Manufacturing sales declined 8.1 pct to RM41.9 billion in November last year compared with November 2008. The figure was also a drop by 6.2 pct from the preceding month of October, the Statistics Department said in a statement today.

On a cumulative basis, the sales value of the manufacturing sector from January to November 2009 was down by 21.2 per cent to RM426.9 billion compared with the previous corresponding period.

The decline in sales from the RM45.6 billion registered in November 2008 was due to the drop in the sales value of 58 industries out of 116 industries covered under a survey, the department said.

The five major industries with significant decreases were refined petroleum products (38.6 per cent), computer and computer peripherals (14.9 per cent), basic iron and steel products (14.2 per cent), motor vehicle (14.9 per cent) and that of other basic precious and non-ferrous metals (34.5 per cent).

On a month-on-month basis, the drop in November from preceding October was the result of lower sales value in 78 industries out of 116 industries covered in the survey.

Decreases were registered in the five major industries including the manufacture of refined petroleum products (9.4 per cent), computer and computer peripherals (18.1 per cent), basic iron and steel products (16.2 per cent), electronic valves and tubes and printed circuit board (11.3 per cent), and television and radio receivers, sound and video recording or reproducing apparatus, and associated goods (8.1 per cent).

In November 2009, total employees engaged in the manufacturing sector was 942,013, an increase of 0.3 per cent from the preceding month but was 3.6 per cent lower than the 977,068 persons employed in November 2008.

Total employees in October 2009 stood at 938,780 workers.

For the January to November period 2009, the number of employees engaged decreased 3.6 per cent to 942,013 persons compared with the previous corresponding period, it added.

In terms of salaries and wages, it said a total RM2.02 billion was paid during the month under review, up 0.3 per cent from the preceding month and was an increase of 2.1 per cent from a year ago.

In terms of productivity or average sales value per employee, it decreased 6.5 per cent month-on-month in November to register RM44,441. — Bernama

Ramunia: If it is true.....

If it is true,then Ramunia is a counter to watch. Also, it looks like there is some hope of evading the minefields of a P17 status for Ramunia after it sells its fabrication yards to Sime Darby.

It has been reported that Ramunia Holdings Bhd, a Malaysian oil and gas services provider, may buy TH Technologies Sdn Bhd. The source is yet unknown though there are positive murmurs in the horizon,according to Bloomberg.

This morning, such rumours punched the air; pushing the counter up to a high of 49.5 sen,(more than 10%)its highest since November 2009 in morning training.

So, it would seem that there are unseen hands in Tabung Haji playing the magic flute of profits,is there?

Genting Singapore: A Red Letter Day

Wow,the wait is just electric as the Genting Group awaits the new baby's birth on Sentosa Island in Singapore on 20th January. Everyone is expectant. The government is hoping for an onslaught of tourist arrivals, particularly from the neighbour across the Causeway.


The entrance fees for Universal Studios is about USD60 for an all-day affair. That adds up to some RM210 for Malaysians and since most of the resorts are so far away in Hong-Kong, Australia and Japan; Universal Studios is just rightly placed just south of the border. So, expect tourist arrivals to come from eager-beaver Malaysians in storm.

As for the January opening without the Universal Studios, it will perhaps add more in-bound passengers from the airports en route somewhere else who may just drop by the enjoy the super cuisine served at the four hotels which are opening.

Whatever, it may be, it is sure one red letter day and a feather to the cap for Lim Kok Thay!

China It Is!

The projections are spot-on.

Latest data shows China has indeed overtaken Germany as the world's biggest exporter.

China has overtaken Germany as the world's biggest exporter after December exports rose 17.7 percent despite weak global demand. Chinese state media said Sunday the country's total 2009 exports were $1.2 trillion.

That was just above the 816 billion euros ($1.17 trillion) in exports forecast last month by Germany's national foreign trade association for 2009. Germany's national chamber of commerce said earlier it was likely to lose its position as top exporter.It has now.

Chinese exports rose in December for the first time in 13 months, the official Xinhua News Agency and state television reported, citing customs data.

The next thing. Can China sustain itself to quickly and steadily lift up the global economy?

Malaysia: Don't We Mourn the Death of English?

All night yesterday, I was going through the new text of the English component of Literature for the 1119 English Paper for SPM beginning 2010. It was raining continuously outside. After completing the task, I reflected. Some of the poems and articles were well chosen,mind you. I like some of the poems but there was something not right on the novellas and the play.

Let me give my views on top of my head.

A: THE POEMS COMPONENT

In the Midst of Hardship: Well translated and very profound using a fantastic breadth of imagery. Very agrarian. Should appeal to the Malaysian psyche.

He Had Such Quiet Eyes: A beautifully written poem by Bibsy Soenharjo. Simple and at once impact-ful poem telling the innocence of a girl and the trap laid for her by an amorous lover.

Nature: Another well-chosen poem describing nature in the West Indies. Very colourful use of words and imagery.

Are You Still Playing Your Flute: One of the more lofty poem attempting to crossbreed Malaysian politics,sad realities and art. A higher level of understanding of Malaysian politics will stand a student in good stead here.The way it is written is reflective of 'Isle of Innisfree'.

B: THE SHORT STORIES COMPONENT

QWERTYUIOP: An interesting short story. The level of English is fit for Primary 6. That it is chosen for Upper Secondary English is hard to believe. I am upset.

THE FRUITCAKE SPECIAL: A simple story. Again the level is just too low for Upper Secondary English. Another disappointment here.


GULP AND GASP: An interesting play. I think this is still very simple for Upper Secondary. It will be right for Form 3. However, this comical play does give students an exposure to an English play particularly the literary devises used. That will be the only redeeming point, if at all that I can see. I will just tolerate this selection.

Now,do you still wonder why I am upset?