Bernama has the latest report on the status of Resorts World Singapore.

The latest position report regarding the development of Genting's RM16.61 billion integrated family resort and casino on Sentosa Island in Singapore is set to put a stop to worries that the project is behind in terms of its physical completion.

The report stated in no uncertain terms that the project is nearing completion and on track to open early 2010.

All structural buildings would be completed by next month.The buildings that will be readied under the first phase of the project will include Universal Studios theme park, a casino, a dining strip and four hotels – Hotel Michael, Maxims Tower, Festive Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel.

Building works, which began in April 2007, were on scheduled, and 60 per cent of the resort’s built-up area would be opened to visitors during its soft opening.

The second phase of the project will involve two more attractions-the Marine Life Park and the maritime museum and two more hotels, the Equarius and Spa Villas, which would be opened progressively. Resorts World Sentosa will be the largest resort, with 10,000 staff when fully operational. Some 12 million to 13 million visitors are expected to visit the resort yearly.

The Universal Studio, the only one in South-East Asia, will offer 24 themed rides, including 18 which are exclusively designed for Singapore especially the world’s tallest pair of duelling roller-coasters in the world.

Other attractions are its seven zones which include Sci-Fi City, Egypt, New York, The Lost World and Hollywood, and the Waterworld Stunt Show.

The Marina Bay Sands, another casino resort complex under construction at Marina Bay and is targeted to be completed by year-end.

Not new and Not the First Case

This must have been happening for doggone years.

So what's new?

Apparently, a lecturer at a private international university allegedly demanded sex and money from students in return for better grades. He has been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

The man, a foreigner in his 40s who lectures in Cyberjaya, was arrested at about 5pm after a victim lodged a report with the MACC.

It is learnt that the woman, 24, sat for a qualifying exam to enable her to continue her Masters’ degree. After sitting for her papers, she was allegedly approached by her lecturer who told her she did not do well in her exam. He then allegedly told her that he could help her, provided she agrees to give in to his demands for sex and cash.

Initially he asked her only for sexual favours but when she refused, he demanded money as well if she wanted to pass the exam.

The lecturer was also reported to have instilled fear into the woman through some wordy threats as well.

An MACC director confirmed the arrest.

To me, this is nothing new and has been happening all the time in both institutes of higher learning in both the government and the private sectors.

So far, it just went unreported!

The Sumptious EON Cap AGM lunch

This is one AGM that is different from the rest. First they gave good door gifts. Two water tumblers. The morning tea was good-roti canai and roti jala. Then a sit-down lunch.

Very well-organised AGM.

I am talking about the EON Cap AGM at the Crowne Mutiara Plaza KL.

For the first time, I sat through the whole AGM and listened to the briefing as well as the questions been leveled at the board and at the Chief Finance Officer.

Matters touched on includes tax credits, office re-branding,better debt collection, the rejection of warrants to Primus and new products for the public.

I was surprised when they told the meeting that they pay interest up front when one open a savings account and the existence of a special forced savings account with better interest basis points built into it.

Same old people asking the questions until the Chairman seems to know all of them by face.

The lunch was a round table sit-down affair. Food was served in a platter and we took our fill of it. There was sour soup and iced longan and almond jelly for dessert followed by tea/coffee and kueh nyonya. I was a thorn among the roses at this table and got to know some people. There was a Ms Khaw who lives nearby who walks through my alley and Nancy, a lady who is well traveled. She recommended Mesiniaga to me for its dividends-19% yearly!

EON Cap really treats minority shareholders nice.

Observations at the Mall

Yes, I was sitting down on one of the benches facing the pay-out counters of Jaya Jusco at the One-Utama. This is the hot thoroughfare where people passed you by. You can observe them.

Then there are the others you exchanged kind words with.

First, there was this large Pakistani-looking chap with his son. The son was playing with a Transformer figurine that could changed into a vehicle, an autobot. He was imaginative, playing with the toy and moving its limbs while making child-like utterances. He then passed on the toy to me asking me to convert it into a vehicle. Obviously I failed as I am no good in these things. When his mother came, they told me they are off to see the show.

Next was a bunch of Filipino ladies sitting on the next bench. They spoke halting Englih with a Pinoy twang. One of them looks pretty. I do not know whether they were maids because they are pretty young and do look fetching. Then after meeting one of their friends, they left for the food-court.

Sitting quietly besides me was an old lady, perhaps in her mid seventies. She had a walking stick. Soon, she was joined by her husband, pushing a shopping cart with their weekly needs. He sat on the shoulder of the bench. I made way for him to sit but smilingly he declined, saying that they must be on their way. As they got up to go, I noticed both of them were having difficulty in walking, likely suffering from arthritis or gout.

Then there was this grandfather playing with his grandson. The boy was running ahead of him and Grandpa has a red balloon in his hand. I thought this made a pretty picture and amusingly too as if Grandpa was playing and not the boy!

I watched all kinds of people passed me by. Some were really well dressed. Great hair, make-up, nice dress and in stilettos! The others were mostly bland, youths in sneakers, sandles and mules. The office girls were in the usual office black. In my mind, I told myself, people do not really dress up in Malaysia. Most look like the average girl-next-door. Some of them dress real sloppy too. Sakit mata!

Yes, there was a cute scout girl and another lady in low heels. One of her legs was bandaged tightly about her ankle but she walked alright. And oh yes, there were a couple of girls with great legs. Long legs with their feet in attractive heels. A couple of covered-up Middle-east ladies was also seen shopping and so were some Caucasians.

Some of the shopping carts were really full. Strangely, in these so-called lean times, people can still splurge!

Great country,Malaysia.

Impossible to Give it a Facelift!

Proton cars are apparently known for their substandard quality control.

Till today, one of my back doors do not close properly though there is a nice "OK" approval decal on the side window screen.

If your car was built in the year 2000 and before, apparently there was a botched up work on the steel used to make the car. The anti-rust was so badly done that most of these cars yuo see on the roads are pocked mark with rusted roles on all the doors, bonnet and roofs!

And so I decided to get rid of the pock-marked bonnet and do some spot welding on the doors. The quotation came back.

To get an original Proton bonnet and do the spot welding, I would have to fork out RM2,600. The Taiwan alternative with spot welding cost RM2,450, a mere RM150 lower.

Since the car is hardly worth RM10K, adding RM3k on to give it a face lift is certainly fool-hardy.

Best option-let is rot and then touched it up occasionally and perhaps do a more extensive job before selling it.

Finally Got Promoted!

I wished to congratulate my sister who just got promoted after donkey years of dedicated service to the department.

We always thought it would be sooner than later.

Looks likes it is later but congratulations all the same.

Here's champagne for you! God Bless and good cheer!

Mall Days

Two mall days.

One day to lose my keys and the second day, attempting to retrieve them.

I stopped at a couple of places at One-Utama on Day 1. Two concourse seats,eating at McDonald's,seating at a Nyonya restaurant, a cinema seat in Hall 6 in the Tanjong Golden Village cineplex and a seat near the Shoe Section in Jaya Jusco.

Went on key hunt on Day 2. I asked at all the Customer Services Desk at these places and came to nought.

Looks like I may have to make key duplicates.