Lim Kok Thay is the CEO on Cloud Nine

Yes, he is the most highly paid CEO in Malaysia.

GENTING Bhd chairman and chief executive Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay is the highest income earner among chief executives of public listed companies - earning RM77.7mil (S$31.9mil) in 2008 despite a 10% pay cut.

Nanyang Siang Pau reported that he also topped the list in 2007 with RM86.5mil.

According to the daily's calculation, Lim earns around RM212,800 (S$87333) a day.

In his capacity as Genting Malaysia executive chairman and chief executive, Lim is in third place with an annual income of RM37.25mil in 2008, compared with RM41.5mil in 2007.

In second place is IOI Corporation Bhd executive chairman Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng, with an annual income of RM41.15mil, almost doubling his 2007 income of RM21.6mil.

Lee, in his capacity as executive chairman of IOI Property, came in sixth with an income of RM8.6mil following a 67% pay rise.

So, now you know what a pittance you earn! Remember in a capitalist economy, if you have a ringgit, the government will give you another ringgit. If you have none, just too bad. Shoo off!

Play Matrix for a Year....

Matrix International will soon change its name to reflect its owners. It will be known as Berjaya Assets. After a re-capitalisation exercise in 2008, it is on solid ground to move ahead. A rights issue plus a convertible warrant was given sometime in 1H,2008. The warrant can only be exercisable with RM1 cash per unit share on par with current shares.It is for 10 years. At today's price, none has been exercised and perhaps some if the price should reach at beyond RM1.00. So what do you think will be the Matrix play? One thing,they are on a profit trail, not like in 2007 when they were swimming in red ink.

After the EGM on 3 August which changed its name to be a Berjaya stable company,the price started moving out beyond the 30 sen level. It has now sprung into action touching a high of 49.5 sen. I believe a 10% increase for a day is a big jump. However, being a low priced counter and a Berjaya counter at that, it may attract strategic retail buyers very soon.Today's price went to as low as 46.5 sen. It is a profit making corporate but will not pay dividends at least for another year or so. Best thing, it runs a number forecast in Sarawak.

Looking at the current market, price of Matrix will be range-bound and so its buying time.It should go up when the next leg up happens in our market.When? Rightly, after ASNB pumps in the new largesse from the AS1M funds. Playing up the blue-chips and syariah compliant shares will certainly move the market. Remember in March when EPF lent Valuecap RM5 billon? The Bursar went up like an arrow.

I will benchmark Matrix to Dijaya Corporation's price or may be beyond..........