PIP Property Summit 2010 promises good buys

Penang International Property Expo or PIP 2010 is an annual showcase that attracts quality exhibitors and genuine players in the property scene. The event is marked by focus marketing and sustain a steady flow or visitors through interesting and informative talks, forums, games and other interative activities. Most importantly, the show provides the ideal exchange between smart exhibitors and discerning visitors, leading to oppurtunities for quality sales leads and closing contracts.

Michael Geh of Raine & Horne speaks to CJ Jimmy Leow on what is installed visitors and home buyers.

PIP Property Summit 2010 starts on this 24th and ends on the 26th Sept 2010. Venue: PISA, Penang

Video by Jimmy Leow

CM celebrates Diwali with ex-KBP residents

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his team took time off to attend a Deepavali function organized by "Iron Lady" M. Shanta, an ex-resident of Kampung Buah Pala. Among those who attended the function were Prof. Dr. Ramasamy, Deputy Chief Minister II, Karpal Singh, MP Bukit Gelugor, Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer, Adun Seri Delima, Raveentharan, Adun Batu Uban and Ong Khan Lee, Adun Kebun Bunga.

Abandoned Highway In A Limbo

I used the old road to Balik Pulau via Teluk Kumbar very frequently and it just did not hit me that there was so much to do as far as the new highway construction was concerned. Maybe it was the gradual change in landscape that did the trick. Taking a lead from my fellow Citizen Journalist, Owen Koh, a team of CJs ventured into the very heart of Balik Pulau and after making good a few assignments, Owen Koh, Chan Lilian and I, took a drive along the old road towards Teluk Kumbar to witness the “half cooked” highway. One requires to blur off all the natural beauty of the hills and the greens of Balik Pulau and focus on the devastating condition of the abandoned highway.

Signs of landslides are frequent from the evidence gathered which we can observed from the side of the hills and it can only get worse with the prolonged halt of this project.

There was this section of the road  which is so narrow that it can only allow a one way flow of traffic from both directions. This can only be done with several traffics lights and these lights are manned by foreign workers. Based on my interview with a foreign “traffic controller”, it seems these narrow roads are monitored 24 hours. When asked if there was any kind of recent construction, he answered no. It seems there was no progress for the past 1 year or so.

At present, the old road  has also a lot of dangerous corners and there was one in particular which I highlighted in my short clip “Abandoned Highway Scars Balik Pulau”. The edge of this road has a drop of at least 30 metres and the worse part is there was not permanent barrier to stop motorists from driving into the ravine.

Since there was a new road construction near this section of the road, a line of plastic barriers were placed. If motorists are not careful, they may rammed through the plastic barriers and plunged into the ravine, a fatal plunge I am sure.

I was able to see these because this time around I rode a motorcycle and try to understand and feel the actual situation. I managed to get close up shots of the abandoned highway and it was shocking indeed.

Based on gathered information, the project was supposed to be completed within the 4th quarter of 2008, but until now, not an inch of this highway is usable. What is holding back the progress of this multi million project or will it become a structure waiting to be swallowed by the jungle of Balik Pulau, Penang?

Nomination Day at Bukit Selambau

Coverage done by me during the nomination day at Bukit Selambau.

Anwar versus Goliath

How will this end up? With the by elections at Bukit Selambau, Bukit Gantang and Batang Ai on the way, Najib sworn in as the 6th prime minister of Malaysia, economic situation plunging even deeper than ever, will we see a prosperous Malaysia that we dreamed of?

"I, Najib Razak, who has been chosen to hold the post of prime minister, swear that I will carry out the responsibilities which I have been entrusted with to the best of my ability," 

"I will be true to Malaysia and will defend and uphold the constitution."

Will Najib Razak lead the rakyat to a better Malaysia? Will he be ruthless? Will he be the people's man? Will he fight for the rights for all races equally? Will he take stern steps to eliminate corruptions in the UMNO and in the government? Will he promote freedom of speech? Will he release those ISA detainees and abolish ISA once and for all? Will he lead economy recovery? Will he offer himself as a witness to the Mongolian woman's case?

All these questions are probably circulating in our heads and as of now, some good may just come our way. In order to gain some confidence from the public, he has to do something, to me among all the above "will he"s, I have the opinion that ramping back the stimulus package in such a way that it brings direct impact to the rakyat is the most crucial.

Secondly, he has to eliminate all doubts with regards to the Mongolian woman's case. I believe this issue is the most damaging to his image as a Prime Minister. The rest will have to wait, I guess, because he cannot be seen to bending too much to the demands of the rakyat, can he?

I was watching the appointment of Najib as the 6th Prime Minister this morning on TV and at the same time, checking out the speech by Anwar in Bukit Selambau on my laptop. Najib's occasion seems grant and prestige with the Agung, Pak Lah, ministers and Istana Negara, whereas Anwar's make shift podium at Bukit Selambau seems small and not so "governmental".

Nevertheless, Anwar's fantastic speech made up for what was lacking. 

Catch his latest speeches in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau in Malaysiakini.TV.

Zero Hardcore Poverty speech by YAB Lim Guan Eng

Penang is the first state in Malaysia to achieve Zero Hardcore Poverty status. It is, "Hari ini dalam sejarah" said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Citizen Journalists : One Voice for the Homeless