FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
KDN : PP17797/06/2012(032765) | MICA : MCI(P) 099/06/2013
Official Newspaper
Download iskandar.my app at iOS App Store and Google Play Store today!
The Iskandarian is a public-private collaborative product by IRDA’s Social Development Division www.facebook.com/theiskandarian
The Iskandarian Monthly Drill
We get in touch with CEOs and Chairmen of organisations and drill them with questions
email: admin@theiskandarian.com
This Drill: KFCH International College CEO Dr Hashim Kamil
website/download : www.theiskandarian.com
Iskandarians S L O W to Embrace Change Concern: With rapid developments transpiring in the region, Johorians remain as a community in slumber By Gibran Ilram
newsdesk@theiskandarian.com
M
pg 9
assive, global megatrends are heading towards us. Iskandarians will need to know what these are and act upon them so that they can continue to prosper, drawing on a clear vision of the new future and quickly identifying and seizing opportunities. The six societal forces that make up the Global Megatrend are population growth, resource depletion, unlimited choices, information explosion, freedom to connect and new technology. Getting to grips with this is really not that difficult, we just have to go way back in time to appreciate it. Once upon a time, life was really simple. Humans hunted, gathered food, fought disasters and coped with diseases.
Life stayed pretty much the same for 200,000 years. Then something happened in the late 17th century, we began to cultivate food and thus began the agricultural revolution; the dawn of civilisation. Life exploded and this remains to be the main force of change. From just over 1 billion people in 1800 it shot up to 6.8 billion in just 200 years, and it is projected that by 2040 there will be another 2 billion more of us. In correlation, Iskandar Malaysia is targeting a population of 3 million by 2025 and at an average of 3.8% population growth - based on current trends, that should bring us to slightly above 4 million population by 2040. We would do well to engage these to future- proof ourselves. Continued on page 4
The Iskandarian Do you have news that needs to be highlighted? contact us: newsdesk@theiskandarian.com
Scan here for PDF Download
INSIDE
Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir attends JEWEL event >>PAGE 10
>>PAGE 3
FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
page
The Iskandarian
Our Friends
02
news
www.facebook.com/theiskandarian www.theiskandarian.com/web/
World Down Syndrome Day Celebration Community: Kiwanis Club Johor Bahru organised a ‘Buddy Walk’ event in conjunction with the 9th Anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day By Maisarah & J’sen
newsdesk@theiskandarian.com
O
ver 600 thronged Hutan Bandar Park for a ‘Buddy Walk’ to show their love and support for those suffering from Down syndrome in conjunction with World Down Syndrome Day 2014. This is the 4th year Kiwanis Club Johor Bahru has organised the event in accordance with their social drive to create more awareness about Down syndrome and to promote acceptance of diversity of this special children. “We hope that this event will help to raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives and community,” said a representative from Kiwanis. The event also promoted the talents of Kiwanis Club Johor Jaya’s Hope Garden Center children by giving away key chains made by the Down syndrome children in their care. Katrina Salleh’s third child who has Down syndrome said that the general perception of Down syndrome has to change. Down syndrome is not a disease, it’s a condition caused by genetic disorder. They are human beings just like everyone else and they
Johor Bahru MP Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad joined the Buddy Walk have feelings so we should treat them with equal respect and more love. Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It is typically associated with physical growth delays, characteristic facial
features and mild to moderate intellectual disability. The average IQ of a young adult with Down syndrome is 50, equivalent to the mental age of an 8 or 9 year old child, but this varies widely. The event was officiated by Johor Bahru MP Tan Sri Shahrir Samad.
HIGHLIGHTS
Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) kicked off; ‘Making Health Fun – Use Staircase.’ Every Sunday will be a no lift day at IRDA
Show Down Festival 2014 was held at Perling Mall with car enthusiasts showing up in full force to showcase their rides. (Pic by John Lee)
Hotlines Johor Police HQ 07-221 2999 / 07-225 4499
JB North Police IPD 07-556 3122
Ministry of Tourism (Johor) 07-223 3171
Tourism Malaysia Johor 07-222 3590 / 91
Immigration 07-224 4233
JB South Police IPD 07-2218 999
Nusajaya Police IPD 07-511 4222
Tourism Malaysia Hotline 1300 88 5050
Johor Tourism 07-223 4935 / 224 9960
Senai International Airport 07-599 4500
Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) 07-233 3000
Please recycle this newspaper after reading. Thank you Published by True Soul Entertainment [14, Jln. Selasih 10, Taman Kemas, 81200, Johor Bahru] Printed by Percetakan Gemilang Sinar/Gan Seng Printing(M) Sdn.Bhd. [No.100, Jalan Tampoi, 81200, Johor Bahru] Copyright of articles, contributions and photos which are published by The Iskandarian is the property of True Soul Entertainment. The Iskandarian does its best to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of its contents, the publisher cannot accept any responsibilities for errors, mistakes and inaccuracies. The publisher reserves the rights of this product and no part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the permission of the publisher.
FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
page
03
news
The Iskandarian
Do’s & Don’ts The good, the bad and the ugly of fellow Iskandarians.
www.facebook.com/theiskandarian www.theiskandarian.com/web/
YOUTH’S PERSPECTIVE ON
Iskandar Malaysia
The Iskandarian speaks to everyday teens to derive their suggestions and opinions about Iskandar Malaysia. The Iskandarian also invites all youths to share your thoughts with us via email at: newsdesk@theiskandarian.com How do you think is the best way to get youths involved in cultural and heritage programmes? Get them involved in the preservation of heritage sites and host cultural events at these areas, such as during the JB Arts Festival. How can agencies work with youths to help them appreciate and participate in heritage and culture preservation? Have more community based programmes and the concerned parties should organise a cultural competition and get the secondary schools, college/university students to participate. The theme should be on the different cultures we have. This way, the youth would also learn more about the local cultures and heritage, resulting in a better appreciation for our country.
A lorry taking a shortcut over the road devider -Submitted by Abd Majid (Johor Jaya)
Snap your thoughts and send in pictures to our Do’s & Don’ts segment today: newsdesk@theiskandarian.com
What are some suggestions you have to make JB city centre livelier? Definitely maintain more greenery and it would be nice if street performances are allowed on the weekends to showcase locals’ talent to the public and tourists alike. If your friends are visiting JB, where
would you bring them? Currently there are so many good places around and I would bring them to Taman Merdeka, LEGOLAND Malaysia, Puteri Harbour, Danga Bay and JPO. What do you think is one key success factor to make JB Transformation programme a success? Co-operation and proper open communication between all parties are important in making any programmes a success. What do you think is lacking in JB? I think there should be a world-class museum and affordable water parks.
Nur Fatwa Syuhada bt Bahrom Age:20
Chellam is an everyday Joe encountering the trials and tribulations of everyday folks. Chellam’s encounters aren’t merely for comic relief but more to instigate mindset change. Email us if you have any suggestions: newsdesk@theiskandarian.com
FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
page
04
news
from cover page
The explosive growth triggered an expansion of the technical, social and creative realms giving rise to more inventions that led to the second revolutionary point - the industrial revolution of the late 1800. This fuelled rapid economic progress that saw global economic activity increased by a factor of 40 since the late 1800s. The economic explosion came at the expense of resource depletion - the second megatrend. It is expected that the rate of depletion will increase dramatically in the next 30 years or so in that by 2050, we will be using twice the amount of natural resources as the earth can replenish, demand for energy will double, the number of cars is expected to triple and global GDP to quadruple. Some parts of the world will flourish, China will be the world’s largest economy followed by India in third place and somewhere in between third to fifth spot will be Indonesia. On the flip side, the wealth comes at the expense of others left devastated by the wanton consumption. 90% of the large fish in the seas would have been plundered - era of the chicken chop, 75% of the natural ecosystems would have been degraded, 50% of forests would have been cleared for urban development, 25% of all species would be well on their way to meet the dinosaurs in the annals of the extinct list, so much for chicken chop! If that is not worrying enough; and I don’t mean the chicken chop, the competition for food, water, land and energy will probably destabilise the globe to the brink of a World War, one which will redefine boundaries and further polarise between the rich and the poor, the masters and the servants, the corporations and the consumers. It is not all dark and gloomy, well not at least for consumers as the third megatrend - unlimited choices, will provide us an even bigger doze of retail therapy to chase our worries away. Ponder this, in 1900 Ford became the first mass car producer with only one model that came in black. Today there are more than 600 car makes with the total number of models being anybody’s guess. To highlight the point, Toyota alone has close to 100 models in their current lineup. According to Worldometer.com, 2012 was a historic year for car manufacturers as for the first time in history, over 60 million passenger cars were produced (or 165,000 new cars produced every day). And that is just the motoring industry. We are now fast approaching 100 million products and services on offer which raises the question of this being freedom or overload, burden or blessing. More and more of everything led to the fourth megatrend, information explosion. The digital age that began soon after the World Wide Web went on stream resulted in more information being created in just three years (2003-2005) than in the history of time! Many feel overloaded as all of a sudden, almost every aspect of life around the world was being recorded and stored in some format. And the amount of information will continue to grow as it is directly encouraged
by the last two megatrends. Freedom to connect, the fifth megatrend, has allowed us the freedom for cross border exchange of goods, people, culture, capital and mother of all; exchange of information. Today we communicate easier than ever before at blinding speeds powered by 700 million computers in a network of networks. Everyone and everything is inextricably linked allowing things to spread faster and farther. The downside to this however is that in the abundance of available information, separating truth from fiction to make informed decisions become even more difficult. This uninhibited freedom in one way or the other has helped overthrow governments, destroy real economies and cause epidemics - as examples of the bad outcomes. On the flipside, it has promoted democratisation of nations that would have otherwise taken years to develop but that’s just about it really because despite us being better connected these days, were no better at attaining global peace and understanding. The last megatrend, new technology may just be our salvation. Doctors, scientists, engineers and inventors worked tirelessly to develop technology in the fields of bio, robotics, nuclear, agro and nano to improve lives. One particular technology is so profound that without it, we can forget inventions like air conditioning, television, the computer and the Internet. It is the single most important invention of the 20th century. Yes, that’s right, the transistor. The little-talked-about transistor is the building block for the processor. Without the transistor, some say our servers would be three stories high, and laptops would still be a prop on Star Trek. Though the first transistor invented in 1947 could fit your palm, hundreds today can fit on the surface of a red blood cell. The price of one of these is 1 millionth the price of a piece of transistor back in 1968. If car prices had fallen at the same rate, a new car today would cost one tenth of a ringgit. It is with this mounting capability that humankind may find the opportunity to redeem itself and at the same time create a more sustainable and equitable future. The onslaught of the six forces and are omnipresent and will transform Iskandar Malaysia over the coming years. Our lives are undergoing dramatic changes and we will only continue to be successful in the future if we identify and understand the changes that are taking place and take the necessary actions that address the new environment. As a community, we would do well to embrace the future as it would not be enough that we survive it, but we must thrive in the face of it. Our evolutionary lineage is marked by the mastery of change and in our time, the pace is quickening. In the words of Charles Darwin “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, or the most intelligent, but the one most adaptable to change. It is time to wake up fellow Iskandarians, time to adapt. Gibran Ilram welcomes likeminded people to contribute in making our society a better place. He can be emailed at gibranilram@yahoo.com
www.facebook.com/theiskandarian www.theiskandarian.com/web/
Much Needed Facelift Highlight: Volunteers band together to give a village in Iskandar Malaysia a green facelift
V
olunteers turned up in droves to lend a hand in the ‘gotongroyong’ of Kampung Pendas Laut Baru. More than 150 volunteers including families from the kampung community, enthusiastic staff from Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB) and Southern Waste Management (SWM) took part in the clean-up. The gotong-royong activities focused on the cleaning of mangrove areas and playground as well as the painting and cleaning of the mosque and multi-purpose community hall. Approximately 80 families live in Kampung Tersusun, which is located nearby to IIB developments in
Gelang Patah and Nusajaya. IIB and the community of Kampung Pendas Laut Baru have enjoyed a close relationship since 2008 when the company relocated and rebuilt the village at a cost of RM17 million. IIB moved families from dilapidated housing on the river to a brand new village with modern facilities. In total, 72 houses and community facilities were built on 40 acres of land. The gotong-royong marks the first of several volunteer events that IIB will coordinate in 2014 as part of their CSR programme which was initiated by employees to give back to local communities in Iskandar Malaysia.
The Iskandarian Issue 20 | APR 2014 Advertisement
FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
page
06
news
www.facebook.com/theiskandarian www.theiskandarian.com/web/
LEGO Legends of Chima Miniland Opens at LEGOLAND Highlight: LEGOLAND Malaysia recently unveiled a brand new LEGO Legends of Chima fantasy cluster in Miniland
Newly appointed General manager of LEGOLAND Malaysia Mark Germyn unveiling the LEGO Legends of Chima
L
EGOLAND Malaysia recently unveiled a brand new LEGO Legends of Chima fantasy cluster in Miniland. The fantasy world of LEGO Legends of Chima is displayed in a prominent area in Miniland and it includes seven hands-on interactive elements and animation effects. It took Master Model Builders more than 3,000 LEGO building hours to complete the models displayed in the cluster. In line with all LEGOLAND attractions, the Legends of Chima in Miniland is an interesting experience for the whole family. Featuring waterfalls, the floating plant Cavora, a CHI ball that changes colour, as well as a special tunnel and dome that allows children to get a closer look at their favourite Legends of Chima characters made entirely from LEGO bricks. Mark Germyn, the newly appointed General Manager of LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort said, “LEGO Legends of Chima
Miniland is an exciting addition to the LEGOLAND Resort. This is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the guest experience, which already includes more than 70 interactive rides, slides, shows and attractions.� The LEGO Legends of Chima Miniland comes less than a year after the LEGO Legends of Chima 4D movie was launched in the Park. The movie uses high impact special effects such as water, wind and smoke and immerses audience in non-stop sensory adventure. LEGOLAND Malaysia is the only place in Asia where you can watch the LEGO Legends of Chima movie in 4D and shows started last year. The LEGO Legends of Chima product range was launched in 2013 and quickly became some of best- selling toys around the world. Various products from the Legends of Chima range are available to purchase in the Big Shop, which has the largest selection of LEGO toys in Asia.
Mangrove Planting at Pulau Kukup
T
Want to share your ideas? Email us today: newsdesk@theiskandarian.com
he Rotary Club of Johor Bahru organised a mangrove planting project at Pulau Kukup National Park in March. This is the second initiative by the Rotary Club after Tanjung Piai in 2012, but unfortunately, all the mangroves planted then were damaged by discharge of effluents from ships and tankers plying the Straits of Malacca. Therein lay one of the biggest threats to Tanjung Piai and Pulau Kukup. Mangroves are being damaged by erosion cause by strong waves created by the heavy traffic and oil spills and pollution from illegal dumping of sludge or other shipping activities. Yearly, more mangrove trees are lost as a result. Pulau Kukup Natinal Park is the second largest mangrove island in the world and was declared a Ramsar (Wetlands of International Importance) site in 2003, and is fully protected under the Johor State Park Corporation Enactment 1989. Upon the advice of Tuan Haji Suhairi B. Hj. Hashim, Pengarah Perbadanan Taman Negara Johor and Mr. Vincent Chow, Chairman of the
Malaysian Nature Society (Johor Branch), Pulau Kukup was chosen, especially the inner area where chances of survival for the replanted saplings are much higher. Lavender Confectionary & Bakery and Yong Ming Motor sponsored the snacks and bottled mineral water for all the participants.
The Iskandarian Issue 20 | APR 2014 Advertisement
The Iskandarian Issue 20 | APR 2014 Advertisement
FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
page
09
news
www.facebook.com/theiskandarian www.theiskandarian.com/web/
The Iskandarian Monthly Drill The Iskandarian aspires to be the voice of the rakyat and with that in mind, our Editor touches base with CEOs and Chairmen of organisations to Drill them with questions to hear their opinions and perspectives.
Dr Hashim Kamil is the Chief Executive Officer of KFCH International College since January 2014. Prior to this, he was a lecturer and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Business Management, MARA University of Technology for 27 years. He is also the Director of Ayamazz Sdn Bhd and is actively engaged in the food and beverage service namely, ‘Ayamazz Roti Impit/ Ayamazz Fran Buns’. Until December 2013, 32 outlets are operating in the country. He is also involved in the design and deployment of the Student Entrepreneurship Development Program for Universities, Colleges and Polytechnics as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. Tell us more about International College?
KFCH
KFCH International College is a wholly owned college of KFC Holdings (Malaysia) Bhd (KFCH). KFCH and it’s parent company QSR Brands Malaysia Berhad (QSR) are the largest restaurant chain operators in the region through their KFC, Pizza Hut, Kedai Ayamas dan Rasamas outlets with more than 800 outlets in operation. Officiated in 2011 by Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin who was the Minister of Higher Education then, KFCH International College is a thriving hospitality college that has seen remarkable growth since its humble beginnings as Paramount International College. It offers courses that are highly demanded by the flourishing hospitality industry around the globe. The college strives to provide the best learning facilities and experiences for our students, preparing them for the real working experience via corporate internship programmes. Students enrolling in the college have the edge of learning from academicians who are experts in their fields as well as from instructors who are greatly in touch with the industry. One of the unique features of the KFCH International programmes is students’ placement in reputable hotels and restaurants where practical skills are enhanced and given enormous values in real-life situations.
What sets apart KFCH International College from other colleges? Our vision and mission sets us apart quite clearly. Our vision here is to make available a ‘Leading Institution Providing Quality Higher Education Programmes’ and our mission is ‘To Focus on Higher Education Programmes at the Certificate and Diploma Level.’ Most of the public and private universities offer higher education platforms so we decided to focus on the semi professionals hence, we cater to diploma and certificate level of education. Upon completion with us, they can continue to pursue higher education elsewhere.
So the agenda here is to produce working-world ready individuals?
Dr Hashim Kamil CEO KFCH International College
student development programmes. We seek to nurture our students in order to produce great thinkers with skills to die for. Our slogan “Grow with us” represents the compassionate spirit of our dedication and commitment in helping our students to grow and excel in their academic as well as their life-long pursuits. We constantly recognise the capabilities and potential of our students, who come from a variety of backgrounds. Although challenging, we take it upon ourselves to groom the students to be the best versions of them which will be a great boost for them once they set about in the industry. Our focus remains on developing a level of competence, confidence and knowledge in our students with global exposure and a futuristic mind-set, one that will not only help to upgrade the quality of their lives but also greatly contributes to require 3 the nation.
Yes, the agenda here is to provide learning “We only opportunities aimed credits or relevant at increasing the level of knowledge and certificates which What would a to prepare students student looking has met minimum to meet lifelong intellectual and standard requirements at options of studying at KFCH career challenges. We by the Malaysian International want to promote and Qualifications Agency” College need to enhance excellence in teaching and learning know? resources with focus on strong fundamentals and hands-on practical We give the opportunity to students training. We stress on the importance of who can’t enrol into public and private promoting and enhancing customer service establishments which require 5 credits as a oriented culture. We want to accommodate minimum entry point. Here, we only require students from diversified backgrounds in 3 credits or relevant certificates which has meeting lifelong learning needs. The end met minimum standard requirements by the product is being able to produce graduates Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). who are enriched with knowledge and are Here, we emphasise on communication highly skilled with marketable qualities. skills and before the students attend their Our programmes are well structured and first semester, we teach them on intensive highly recognised by the industry. KFCH learning skills so they know how to study International College is committed and to begin with. Interpersonal skills, public passionate toward providing opportunities speaking, debates, business writing skills for everyone, young school leavers as well and living skills modules are in place to as ambitious working adults to acquire ensure we truly add value to each and every extensive knowledge and indispensable student of ours. skills for a better and meaningful future. To many of our students, attending Are Halal Courses which have college is a dream come true, not only for gained traction lately being offered themselves, but for their families as well. at KFCH? Once on campus, we encourage our students to explore not only the myriad of academic Halal has become a global issue and offerings in our classrooms, but also other has a major impact on the food sector possible opportunities to obtain a holistic and hospitality industry. It affects education through recreational activities, manufacturing, food service, restaurant and industrial trainings, field trips, and various retail sector. Halal food has to meet both
syariah and technical standards. Consumers want to be sure that food they consume is halal. Thus it is important that standards operating procedures are halal throughout the food supply chain. KFCH International College provides several Halal programmes namely Halal In-House Programme, Halal Public Programme and Halal Executive Programme for the Food Service/Hospitality and the Food Industry. Our Halal In-House Programme is a Halal Awareness Programme which is offered as a package to staff of an organisation. Target groups are QA and R&D Executives, Production Managers and Executives, Halal Auditors, Halal Coordinators, Regional Managers, Restaurant Managers, Operation Managers and Training Managers. Programme contents include Halal Industry, Halal Food Standard, Halal Certification, Procedures, Halal Monitoring and Enforcement, Food Product Safety. We also provide Halal Awareness Programme for the public. Target groups are ingredients suppliers, food manufacturers, food retailers, entrepreneurs, restaurant owners, hotel staff, government officers,lecturers, university students and the general public. Other courses offered under Halal Public Programme are Halal Food Management, Halal Internal Auditing, Halal Logistics, Halal Executive Programme.
Any plans of opening more campuses? Not at the moment since we’ve yet to completely fill our current seatings. We have the approval to accept international students so we are focusing on getting more seatings from them as our guidelines have indicated that we must obtain atleast 50 foreign students. We are also trying to get recognition from City & Guilds to ensure we’re in accordance with international standards in providing world class education. Courses offered at the Johor Bahru campus is Diploma in Restaurant Management, Diploma in Hotel Management, Diploma in Culinary Arts, Diploma in Tourism Management and Diploma in Event Management. Our Puchong campus offers Diploma in Early Childhood Education, Diploma in Business Administration and Diploma in Hotel Management. We also provide hostel services at very reasonable prices with shuttle services from the campus.
news International Women’s Day 2014 with JEWEL FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
page
www.facebook.com/theiskandarian www.theiskandarian.com/web/
10
Highlight: Johor Women’s League (JEWEL) celebrated the International Women’s Day 2014 recently with a high tea graced by the consort of the Sultan of Johor, Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah and Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir
I
n line with this year’s official United Nation’s theme for International Women’s Day, “Equality for Women is Progress for All,” Jewel invited Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir as their guest speaker to address key issues women in our country face. Guests were glued to Marina’s talk which covered women’s issues including subjects like high divorce rates and child marriages, education opportunities and the threat of physical and sexual violence among others. “The government has made it mandatory to have 30 per cent of board positions to women and the Securities Commission is enforcing this mandate. Women need to be in strong decision making positions and there is no reason why we should not be occupying these positions,” said Marina. “The biggest sign of inequality is the level of violence that women experience inside and outside their homes,” she added. Malaysia is the first Muslim country in the world to have a Domestic Violence Act and women who have been suffering in silence now have the right to seek help. Jewel president Thanam VisvanathanSuresh said, “No country can truly prosper if their women are abused,” in her welcoming speech.
Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir giving her speech at JEWEL’s International Women’s Day “In domestic violence reports, more than 50 per cent of the cases involve men who are front-liners in the government service,” said Thanam. The event also carried out an auction of two orchid hybrids. The Red Catasetum went to Helen Lim for RM16,130 while the
While Phalaenopsis went to Sacha Kee at RM17,000. UM Land donated RM10,000 for Jewel projects, RM5,000 from Seri Alam Properties Sdn Bhd and RM5,000 from Dynasty View Sdn Bhd. For more info on Jewel, visit http://jewelmalaysia.org/
Celebrating 10 Wonderful Years Community: Breast Cancer Support Group Johor Bahru (BCSGJB) 10 years milestone gala dinner
I
t has been 10 years of magnificent journey for these ladies from Breast Cancer Support Group Johor Bahru (BCSGJB). They overcame all odds by defying the death call of breast cancer while gaining strength to move forward. They may have lost some comrades along the way, but they battled on by staying healthy and providing emotional support to each other. Most of them have fully recovered and they won’t think twice in opening their doors for new patients of breast cancer. The cycle goes on, new members joining in seeking support and changing role as provider when recovered. 22nd March marked the 10th year and the ladies decided to celebrate it in a big way. Together with their patron, Tan Sri Sharir Abdul Samad, they gathered all their members and supporters for an evening gala at Grand Straits View Garden Restaurant. The evening started on a sombre mood when a minute of silence was observed in remembrance of those who succumbed to breast cancer. Proceedings soon started to heat up as members of BCSGJB took to the stage and wowed the guests with their lively performances. Everyone was on a high towards the finale
as line dancers performed to the tune of ‘Let’s Twist Again’. Electrifying can best describe the atmosphere in the banquet hall as all were caught twisting with the dancers to the catchy music. When asked on his thoughts of the accomplishments by BCSGJB, Tan Sri Sharir said, “Besides functioning as a self help group in providing support to breast cancer survivors and patients, these ladies are also fulfilling a role in increasing public awareness on breast cancer. I am proud of what they have done for the community and that has to recognised. They have my full support, that’s for sure.” President of BCSGJB, Madam Doris Boo added, “We are grateful to everyone who has been with us for the past ten years. All of us are thankful that we are able to celebrate our 10th anniversary in style and hopefully we will have many more 10 years to go.” BCSGJB welcome all volunteers, breast cancer survivors or patients to join them in their quest. Address: No. 12, Jalan Ru, Taman Melodies, 80250, Johor Bahru Phone: 07 – 335 7211 Email: bcsgjb04@hotmail.com
The Iskandarian Issue 20 | APR 2014 Advertisement
FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
page
12
news
www.facebook.com/theiskandarian www.theiskandarian.com/web/
Frost the Trail Iskandar Malaysia - The Run for Social Responsibility Highlight: After running for 8 years in Singapore and 4 years in Kuala Lumpur, Frost the Trail Corporate Challenge will incept its inaugural Frost the Trail Iskandar Malaysia Challenge on the 13th April 2014 at Puteri Harbour, Nusajaya
F
rost the Trail Corporate Challenge is an exhilarating race, where individual participants and teams of four compete around a 5km (Team) / 9km (Individual) circuit. Through this event, the organisers aim to inspire social consciousness within the corporate industry in Nusajaya as all proceeds from the challenge will be donated to the beneficiary, OrphanCARE whose mission is to place orphans into loving homes as well as provide an alternative for mothers having babies out of wedlock by providing a safe haven for their babies who may otherwise be abandoned. During the event press conference, YB Dr. Zaini Abu Bakar, the ADUN of Nusajaya said,“I am very pleased with this initiative which encourages all the corporations in Nusajaya to promote healthy lifestyle and caring corporate citizenship. This innovative collaboration should be expanded to various sporting, business and social events in making Nusajaya an attractive destination for investment, career and leisure.” Starting at Mah Sing Group Bhd’s The Meridin @Medini and ending at Puteri Harbour, the 5km (Team) / 9km (Individual) route will take you through
The Iskandarian
Thomas Tay, Mah Sing’s Deputy COO Dr Chai Kow Sin, Dun Nusajaya YB Dr. Zaini and UMLand’s Director Mohd Noor (first from right) officate the event. a breathtaking view of the marina and rugged roads making it an all-in-one adventure filled morning. Frost the Trail Iskandar Malaysia is co-organised by Frost & Sullivan, Medini
Iskandar Malaysia and i2M Ventures. UMLand is a Platinum Donor, Mah Sing Group is a Gold Donor, and Executive Sponsors include Columbia Asia, IUVO Solutions, Level 3, iProperty, and Traders
Hotel. Supporting Partners are from Little Red Cube, Lucky Music, MCT, Princeton Hotel, eBizway Research, and Top Stainless Steel, while The Iskandarian is a Media Partner. Thomas Tay, the organising chairman of this year’s event is appreciative of the invaluable support the event has garnered but believes more can be done. He said, “Frost the Trail Corporate Run is a joint effort with our corporate partners to help the less fortunate. Through this run, we hope to raise funds for our adopted charity, as well as encourage others to do their part to contribute to worthy causes and make a difference in the community. Our collaborative effort will go some way in providing the necessary support for our beneficiary so that they can continue their efforts in improving the quality of life for the underprivileged under their care.” Columbia Asia Nusajaya will also be providing free health screenings for the public and make available their ambulance service for the runners. If you have any enquiries, would like to register or be a sponsor, please email imfrost-the-trail@frost.com or visit www.frost.com/frost-the-trail-im for more information.
The Iskandarian
quick Reads
quick Reads
Lovely Kids Expo @ Angsana
Citilink Airlines Starting Flights to Johor
A “Lovely Kids Expo” will be taking place at Plaza Angsana from the 10th to 13th April. A special babywearing programme for parents is also being organised by the Selat Tebrau Babywearers Association. There will be a Babywearing talk given by its educator on its benefits and how to cradle a baby using this carrying cloth and special attention will be given pertaining to the position of the legs, spine and neck whilst cradling the baby. A demonstration and “catwalk” will also be done by the mother or father with their children, showcasing the various ways of cradling, and that it is safe for babies of all ages. To make the event more exciting, a flashmob is in the pipeline which is sure to attract a large crowd. A Babywearing booth will also be set up by the association, and parents may seek advice on this method from their experienced educators as well as be able to purchase this cloth at reasonable prices. Besides that, children’s favourite; “Upin & Ipin” will be making an appearance, Hello Kitty Town, Meet and Greet session by Bob The Builder from The Little Big Club and Lat’s Place, lucky draws to be won, door gifts and many more is in store. The expo will run from 10 am to 10 pm.
Indonesia’s Citilink Airlines a subsidiary of a major airline Garuda Airlines (Indonesia) has created history for the first time by starting international flights to Johor Bahru Senai Airport on March 15th onwards, as an effort to expand the introduction of low-cost airlines to State-ASEAN countries in 2014. This news was recently announced during a joint press conference with the Indonesian media held at Traders Puteri Harbour, Nusajaya. The conference was chaired by Y.B Datuk Tee Siew Kiong, Chairman of Johor Tourism, Domestic Trade & Consumerism Executive Committee and Bapak Arif Wibowo, Chief Executive Officer of Citilink Airlines Indonesia, promoting Johor as a tourist destination by the airlines. Citilink Airlines which has 7.2 million users in Indonesia, covers 20 routes include Banjarmasin, Balikpapan, Bandung, Batam, Denpasar, Jakarta, Padang, Jambi, and other town and major cities across Indonesia.
The Iskandarian Issue 20 | APR 2014 Advertisement
The Iskandarian Issue 20 | APR 2014 Advertisement
ENDORSED BY
Calendar of Events >> pg 4
April 2014
www.facebook.com/waveslifestyle twitter.com/waveslifestyle
scan to visit website
Travel: Dubai / Abu Dhabi with Rajawali 40 years with ABBA
Movie Updates Muppets Most Wanted & Spiderman ‘Earth Hour’ >>pg 2 & 4
Apr 2014 | Page 2
The Iskandarian | WAVES Lifestyle
Editor ’s Note
E A H R O T U H R 2014
Priya Manikam editor@waveslifestyle.com ast month, the nation was gripped by the baffling disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. We were ladled with criticisms from every quarter - locally and abroad but the only thing common was everyone prayed for a hope, a miracle to happen. Many men and women involving 26 nations were involved in the search and rescue operations and we salute all of them for their bravery and co-operation. As I write this, the Prime Minister has made an announcement that the aircraft is lost in the Southern part of the Indian Ocean and no chances of survivors. It’s a sad tragedy and my heart goes out to the families and friends of all the passengers and crew on board. In conjunction with the Earth Hour which took place on 29th March, the team of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 came down to Marina Bay, Singapore to switch off the lights across Singapore’s signature Marina Bay skyline. Sprider-Man was the first Super Hero Ambassador to support Earth Hour. So kudos to the entire team! On a side note, Spider-Man 2 will be released on 1st May in Malaysia. This year, especially this month, marks the 40th anniversary of ABBA. Read on to learn more about this “Mamma Mia” group. Our cute talking animals that most of us grew up watching are coming to the big screens this month! Walt Disney presents Muppets Most Wanted on 24th April and be sure to catch the film with your loved ones. In our travel column, we bring you places of interest from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, courtesy of Rajawali Bintang Travel Sdn. Bhd. So, look over the page to know more about these fascinating cities. As always, for those wishing to share their clothing line, travel tales, or like us to review your restaurant/property, or want to appear under the Personality column, drop us an e-mail at admin@waveslifestyle.com today and be featured.
L
T
he director, producers, and cast of the highly anticipated upcoming motion picture The Amazing Spider-Man 2 came to Singapore to celebrate this year’s global flagship event for Earth Hour, the world’s largest environmental grassroots movement, at The Float @Marina Bay on March 29th. Spider-Man film’s stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, and Jamie Foxx, helped to switch off the lights across Singapore’s signature Marina Bay skyline. The stars also threw their support behind Earth Hour’s newly launched crowdfunding and crowdsourcing platform – Earth Hour Blue, with a message to individuals across the world to become Super Heroes for the planet. “We’re so excited that our first Super Hero ambassador for Earth Hour joined us for the global celebration of our planet in Singapore. Since moving to Singapore, one of the world’s greatest hub cities, Earth Hour has positioned itself in the region with a rapidly growing digital presence that has helped power our movement. Earth Hour Blue enables an everyday digital action that can inspire individuals to do something so powerful from the palm of their hand,” said Andy Ridley, CEO and Co-Founder of Earth Hour. The stars of the highly anticipated
movie The Amazing Spider-Man 2 are among the first backers and supporters of Earth Hour Blue. Andrew Garfield, who plays Peter Parker/Spider-Man, is supporting the Earth Hour Blue project ‘A Flame Called Hope’. The project aims to provide clean bio-gas energy for local communities in Nepal, thereby reducing deforestation and providing an alternate means of livelihood for families in the area. “I’m proud Spider-Man is the first Super Hero ambassador for Earth Hour because he shows we can all be Super Heroes when we realize the power we all have,” says Andrew Garfield. “Earth Hour is a movement that has created massive impact around the world.” Emma Stone, who plays Gwen Stacy in the film, has chosen to support the Earth Hour Blue ‘Puppy Protectors’ project, which aims to train sniffer dog puppies and their handlers to track animals, find wildlife crime scenes, detect illegal trade items, and chase down poachers with the rangers on the frontlines of Chitwan National Park, Nepal. “Earth Hour gives you the power to inspire anyone, even if you’re just one person. There are great projects from the crowd, for the planet, happening all over the world,” says Emma Stone.
MUSI C UPD AT ES
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 director Marc Webb is backing the ‘Power up a Ranger’ project in Indonesia, which aims to provide better equipment for WWF Rangers protecting Indonesia’s endangered wildlife such as the Sumatran Tiger, Elephant, Rhino and Orangutan and their forest habitat. WWF-Singapore is also joining the Blue revolution through their crowdfunding campaign to expose and end the illegal sale of target wildlife species within Singapore. The organisation is also crowdsourcing pledges from individuals and organisations for local sustainability actions such as raising air conditioner temperatures by one degree Celsius, switching to LED lights and reducing the consumption of plastic bags. “I’m very proud of the fact that The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is entirely carbonneutral. We made a commitment to be as eco-conscious as possible during production itself, when we took a special effort to think green and avoid waste; now, completing that process with Earth Hour Blue is a wonderful testament to what we can achieve when we all work together,” says Jeff Blake, Chairman, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Sony Pictures Entertainment. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 hits our big screens on 1st May.
ABBA lives on after 40 years
T
he year 2014 marks the 40th Anniversary of ABBA’s spectacular win at the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton, England. Their entry, “Waterloo”, is the most successful Eurovision winner of all time, and led to the group’s international breakthrough. Soon after the victory on April 6, 1974, “Waterloo” topped the single charts all over Europe, also reaching the top Ten in the United States and Australia. Although Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid “Frida” Lyngstad had been releasing records as a group before, they only began using the name ABBA during the “Waterloo” era. The four members went their separate ways in 1982, but today interest in their music is perhaps stronger than ever. ABBA’s world sales are 380 million, and the compilation album ABBA “Gold” has sold 29 million copies. The musical “Mamma Mia!” based on ABBA’s songs, is
a smash hit, and has been seen by 54 million people. Polar Music International AB (A Universal Company) will commemorate the 40th Anniversary of “Waterloo” during the course of 2014, with several exciting releases and activities. Stockholm’s ABBA The Museum will also be celebrating this
defining moment in the career of one of the world’s biggest bands with a number of fun and entertaining events. Be prepared for a fabulous ABBA year! Source: Universal Music Singapore
Apr 2014 | Page 3
The Iskandarian | WAVES Lifestyle
Discover uae - Dubai / Abu Dhabi I n this travel column, we focus on interesting places to visit from a modern Middle East country – United Arab Emirates (UAE). UAE is a federation of seven emirates with Abu Dhabi as its capital city and Dubai as its global business gateway. This segment is brought to you by Rajawali Bintang Travel Sdn.Bhd. Dubai is one of the new and fast growing tours for many Malaysians. Burj Khalifa which is currently the tallest building in the world with a height of 828 meters, 2716 feet is a very interesting place to visit and experience. From the top deck, you get an amazing view which overlooks the Dubai Mall and its skyline. What is intriguing about Dubai are the shapes and patterns of the buildings. They are absolutely modern and very unique to look at. A must do whilst in Dubai is the Dessert Safari. It is one of the most exciting experiences here. A 4x4 jeep ride into the desert which is covered with fine sand may be daunting for some at the beginning but the driver keeps you at ease by playing some upbeat music and starts the journey on the sand dunes which feels like Roller Coaster ride! It is definitely not for the faint hearted or very young children. Finally, the driver halts where you are served with a BBQ dinner and
and local outfits called the “Abaya” sold from Pakistan with a variety of styles and fabrics which may interest you. As for food, there is no problem at all as all the food outlets here as certified Halal. Besides that, there is a variety of fast food outlets for you to pick from.
feast your eyes on some belly dancing. The next day, the tour brings you to Palm Jumeirah which is a coastal area in the form of Palms. You will also have the opportunity to visit Aquaventure, a Water Theme Park here. In the afternoon, you will be taken to the Emirates Mall which is the largest shopping mall here. You can head to the vast Ski Dubai in this mall. Famous western film stars also frequent
this place for skiing. Dubai as well as Abu Dhabi is well known for branded and wholesale shopping which are packed with thousands of people. There is a Dubai Shopping Festival during the year end and you can get some good deals. Besides that, you can head to the traditional shops where various items can be found at a bargain. There are good quality clothes
FROM DUBAI TO ABU DHABI Abu Dhabi is not far from Dubai and can be accessible by road transport. There is a famous indoor theme park called the Ferrari World with the worlds’ fastest roller coaster. There are more than 19 rides here which is very adrenaline pumping. The various types of rides here are not just for children but suitable for adults too. Rides and attractions not to be missed are ‘Speed of Magic ‘, ‘Made in Maranello’, ‘The Racing Legends ‘, ‘Paddock ‘, the V12, ‘Fast Lane’, ‘Driving with the Champion ‘ and so on. Each of the rides are very challenging, unique and different compared to the existing theme parks around the world. Overall, you will not be disappointed when holidaying in the UAE. It leaves you with pleasant and unforgettable memories. Dubai is one of the best destinations for you to visit and a place suitable for all ages to have a great time.
Apr 2014 | Page 4
The Iskandarian | WAVES Lifestyle Calendar of Events
April 2014 1st Apr April Fools’ Day!
JB, 2nd Apr IRB-CTIMTax Forum @Mutiara Hotel
JB, 4th - 6th Apr HomeFair @Persada Johor
JB, 5th Apr GP Joran Fishing Competition Series @Tg. Emas
JB, 9th Apr Secretaries’ Week 2014 with Krisdayanthi @Persada Johor
JB, 10th - 13th Apr Lovely Kids Expo @Plaza Angsana
JB, 13th April Frost The Trail Iskandar Malaysia @Puteri Harbour
JB, 17th - 27th Apr Iskandar Shoot 2014 @Ladang REM, K.T
Spore, 18th Apr Spun’s Musical Circus @Blu Jaz Café, S’pore
JB, 20th - 29th Apr Sail Malaysia 2014 Passage To The East @Danga Bay Marina
Spore, 23rd - 24th Apr Singapore Internet Show @Suntec S’pore
If you need more information on the above mentioned events, drop us an email at:
admin@waveslifestyle.com
How To Deal With The Energy of Depression
By Rose Osman Personal Motivator & Energy Coach www.facebook.com/ yourpersonalmotivator Twitter:@BucketOfRoses
(part 2)
L
isten instead of hear. Listening is a powerful healing compared to hearing. To listen involves awareness and senses, whereas to hear involves preparation of the mind getting the dialogues ready for the conversation. When a person is expressing depression, we could feel all kinds of emotions; frustration, irritation, hatred, sadness and sometimes anger too. These emotions are energies, and it has its own life. When we hear instead of listen, we have reduced the sense of awareness towards the energies and the person. The result is, we are most likely to react unconsciously to the matter. This scenario normally ends up in arguments and disagreements.
When we listen, we are in total presence and consciousness. Our sense of awareness increases too. The emotions then can pass through without hurting us and the person who is experiencing it. That’s the healing which takes place in the level of the energy. Acceptance instead of resistance. Life is like a coin with two sides. There are ups and downs. There is stability and instability. There is health and sickness. Depression is about instability of emotions, mind and also imbalance of chemical reactions inside the body. This could happen to anyone. So what is there to judge about the person who is suffering from depression? There is nothing to
judge because the body and mind reacts on its own way. Acceptance is to give space for the person and the entire energies to flow in harmony. Accept the situation, the person and the depression as it is. Acceptance means no resistance towards the process of life and the flow of energy. Then the person’s entire system; i.e. the body, the mind and the soul knows what to do next. Acceptance will allow the recovery to take place in harmony. Note: *This approach of healing is not a medical advice for depression but a spiritual and energy healing for the emotions. Please consult medical professional if you need one.
MOVIE PREVIEW MUPPETS MOST WANTED Genre: Family Comedy Malaysia Release Date: April 24, 2014 Cast: Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, The Great Gonzo, Animal, Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell and Tina Fey Director: James Bobin Producers: David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman Executive Producers: Nicholas Stoller, John G. Scotti Screenplay by: James Bobin, Nicholas Stoller Synopsis
D
isney’s “Muppets Most Wanted” takes the entire Muppets gang on a global tour, selling out grand theaters in some of Europe’s most exciting destinations, including Berlin, Madrid, Dublin and London. But mayhem follows the Muppets overseas, as they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper headed by Constantine—the World’s Number One Criminal and a dead ringer for Kermit—and his dastardly sidekick Dominic, aka Number Two, portrayed
by Ricky Gervais. The film stars Tina Fey as Nadya, a feisty prison guard, and Ty Burrell as Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon. Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted” is directed by James Bobin and produced by David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman. Bobin co-wrote the screenplay with Nicholas Stoller, who is also executive producer with John G. Scotti and featuring music from Academy Award-winning songwriter Bret McKenzie.
Soundtrack
W
alt Disney Records’ Release to Feature Vocals by Kermit the Frog, Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, Tina Fey, Miss Piggy, Josh Groban, Constantine, Celine Dion and More. The Muppets are back on the big screen with, “Muppets Most Wanted,” creating the musical mayhem that’s made them fan favourites for almost four decades. With songs by Bret McKenzie, who won an Oscar for the original song “Man or Muppet” in 2011’s “The Muppets,” and a score by Christophe Beck, who’s behind the scores of Disney’s
Oscar-winning short “Paperman” and the Golden Globe-winning, Oscarnominated hit “Frozen.” The “Muppets Most Wanted” soundtrack features 20 tracks—including 12 new recordings— plus five bonus tracks. Also featured is score by Beck, who incorporated styles from around the world in a nod to the international locales the Muppets visit in the film. “This score was incredibly fun to write,” said Beck. “With characters spread across the world, there was opportunity after opportunity to explore many musical styles and settings.”
Movie Synopsis & Cover Source: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Malaysia
Sountrack Source: Universal Music Singapore
FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
page
19
live
www.facebook.com/theiskandarian www.theiskandarian.com/web/
AFTER SPM, WHERE DO I GO? (part 8) South Australian Matriculation (SAM) and AUSMAT
The South Australian Matriculation (SAM) and AUSMAT are programmes that are equivalent to the Year 12 pre-university Australian high school course. SAM is accredited by the South Australian Certification of Education whilst AUSMAT is accredited by the West Australian Government. These programmes are widely recognised in Australia, in most institutions in Malaysia and New Zealand and some universities in the US. Lately, some universities in India and the UK are also starting to accept it. Generally, it takes one year for a student to complete the programme. However, they are given the flexibility to finish it over a longer period of time. Students have to complete 90 to 100 credits and have to sit for five subjects including English Studies or English as a Second Language. The other subjects must include at least one subject each from the two lists below:
In addition, students from Malaysia are required to sit for Bahasa Malaysia (depending on their results in SPM), Malaysian Studies and moral or Islamic studies. Although both programmes hold essentially the same credibility, SAM is more dependent on coursework whilst AUSMAT depends largely on the final examinations. A point worth noting is that while these programmes are also accepted in various institutions around the world, students who enter the programme are usually those who have made up their minds to continue their tertiary education in Australia. In order to gain entrance into SAM/ AUSMAT, a student needs to have obtained at least five credits during SPM, including in the English Language. Students can also apply for the programmes using their forecast results. Canadian Pre-University Programme The Canadian Pre-University (CPU) programme is a one-year course which prepares students for entrance into university.
The programme is equivalent to the Ontario Secondary School Year 12, which means that students undergo a full Canadian-based programme. Upon completion, students will be awarded the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. The programme is accepted in any university in Canada and also recognised throughout the US, UK, Europe, Asia and Australia. Generally, students who should apply to this programme are those who wish to continue their studies in Canada, since it gives them a chance to get used to the Canadian syllabus. The programme is generally two to three semesters long, and consists of six subjects. In Malaysia, students are also required to sit for the compulsory Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) subjects – Bahasa Kebangsaan A (for those who obtained grade C and below for BM SPM), Pengajian Malaysia and either Pendidikan Moral or Pengajian Islam. In addition, students also need to undergo 10 hours of community service (which also includes contributions made online) and sit for
the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, which assesses their reading and writing skills. Grades are 70 per cent reliant on coursework and 30 per cent on final exams. Those who are interested will need to obtain at least five credits in SPM, including English, science and maths. What separates the CPU from many of its counterparts is its heavy dependence on coursework. Students are continuously assessed throughout the duration of their study, with assignments and presentations. As opposed to the traditional programmes that are dependent on final exams, this aspect of CPU ensures that its students come out as performance-based individuals. On top of that, CPU also imposes a 10-hour community service stint to its students, a unique characteristic that is not available in any other pre-university course. This gives its students very good understanding of community work and makes them valuable assets who aren’t just excellent academically but holistically as well.
FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
page
20
live
www.facebook.com/theiskandarian www.theiskandarian.com/web/
Know More about Osteoporosis Dr. Hoo Woon Obstetrics and Gynaecology Consultant at Regency Specialist Hospital BSc (Hons), MB BS (London), MRCOG (UK), BSCCP (UK), ATSM (UK) Laparoscopy & Hysteroscopy, PgC (UK) Medical Ultrasound
B
one is living tissue made of collagen fibres and minerals. It is constantly being absorbed and replaced. When you are young, your body makes new bone faster than it breaks down old bone and your bone mass increases. But as you get older, after about age 45, this reverses and bones become less dense and less strong hence having a higher peak bone mass when you are young means you are less likely to develop osteoporosis as you age. The amount of bone loss can vary and osteoporosis is when you have a lot of bone loss. Osteopenic bones are weak and brittle; hence a fall or mild stress can cause a fracture. Oestrogen hormone helps to protect bone loss. After menopause, when oestrogen levels fall, women lose bone material more rapidly than men. Men tend to experience a gradual reduction in testosterone levels as they age. Risk factors for osteoporosis include early menopause, being underweight,
poor diet, family history of hip fractures, taking steroids, smoking, excess alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle and certain medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, chronic liver or kidney disease. Osteoporosis can develop slowly over years without any symptoms. As part of your regular health screening, we would recommend women over 50 to have bone mineral density scans to assess their bone health. Prevention of osteoporosis requires a combination of diet and lifestyle modifications. A combination of strength training exercises with weightbearing exercises such as brisk walking, jogging, stair climbing and dancing is most beneficial.
The recommended daily calcium intake is at least 1000mg per day. Good sources of calcium include milk, hard cheese, yoghurt, dark green leafy vegetables and calcium-fortified cereals, bread and soya milk. Your body needs vitamin D to absorb the calcium you eat or drink. Vitamin D is made by your skin on exposure to ultraviolet rays. As Asian women tend to avoid sun exposure, we do recommend vitamin D supplements for women over 45. Cessation of smoking and limiting alcohol intake will reduce bone loss. Hormone replacement therapy can be used to prevent osteoporosis especially in women who had an early menopause. However, this has to be balanced against the small increased risk of breast and womb cancer, heart disease and stroke. If you do develop osteoporosis, treatment may be recommended in the form of medication and measures to prevent falls.
Age 4-8 yrs old 9-18 yrs old 19-49 yrs old 50+ yrs old Pregnant or lactating, 18+
Calcium 800mg 1,300mg 1,000mg 1,500mg 1,000mg
Above are the recommendations for daily calcium intake
Health Quotes for the Month
********* “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” ~World Health Organization, 1948
********* “There’s lots of people in this world who spend so much time watching their health that they haven’t the time to enjoy it” ~ Josh Billings
********* “In order to change we must be sick and tired of being sick and tired” ~ Author Unknown
*********
FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
page
21
work
www.facebook.com/theiskandarian www.theiskandarian.com/web/
How to Balance Your Personal Life and an Entertainment Career
H
ere are a few suggestions on what a person in the entertainment industry can do to balance their personal life and their entertainment career.
Set goals for yourself when you manage your career When you go to work each day, try to set some goals for you to accomplish. For instance, let’s say your goal for today is to finish a project for your manager and at the end of the day, you will feel better about yourself knowing that you were able to finish that project. When you accomplish these smaller goals, you will feel happier, more confident, and less stressed. Delegate part of your responsibilities If you try to do everything, you will get stressed and anxious. A person can only do so much in a given day. Do not do everything. Learn to manage your responsibilities. If you feel like you are doing too much, then take a break and evaluate your situation. Try to do things in terms of their
importance Determine what needs to be done right away and do those particular tasks in order of importance. Sometimes it is best to write down on a piece of paper the things you want to accomplish in a given day and then do those particular tasks. Remember to Have Fun It is important to have fun even if your career becomes difficult to manage. A person needs to take a break from their profession so they can learn to relax. This will help you to refocus and be better able to deal with your problems. Separate Your Career and Your Personal Life Many people make the mistake of making their career their social life. This is can cause problems in the long run. It is best if you keep your personal life separate from your profession because this will reduce the chances of anything bad from happening to your career. Set some time aside to be with your friends and leave your career separate.
Don’t Neglect Your Health Many entertainers sacrifice their physical and mental health over fame, money, and success. Try to focus on what life will be like when your fame disappears. Managing your stresses and anxieties in a positive way is very important for your long term health. A person can’t enjoy their successes if their health is in bad shape.
Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods” - an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www. managingfear.com/
Business Planning
Balanced Scorecard
T
he balanced scorecard (BSC) is a strategy performance management tool - a semi-standard structured report, supported by design methods and automation tools that can be used by managers to keep track of the execution of activities by the staff within their control and to monitor the consequences arising from these actions. A Balanced Scorecard attempts to translate the sometimes vague, pious hopes of a company’s vision/ mission statement into the practicalities of managing the business better at every level. To embark on the Balanced Scorecard path an organisation first must know (and understand) the following: • The company’s mission statement • The company’s strategic plan/vision
Then • The financial status of the organisation • How the organisation is currently structured and operating • The level of expertise of their employees • Customer satisfaction level Once an organisation has analysed the specific and quantifiable results of the table, they should be ready to utilise the Balanced Scorecard approach to improve the areas where they are deficient. A Balanced Scorecard approach generally has four perspectives: 1. Financial 2. Internal business processes 3. Learning & Growth (human focus, or learning and development) 4. Customer
FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
page
22
invest
www.facebook.com/theiskandarian www.theiskandarian.com/web/
ACCUMULATING WEALTH? ¬ Building a Winning Stock Portfolio (part 1)
Tey Bin Yuen is the founder of BY Enrich Resources and the author of ‘Life beyond the Comfort Zone’. His books are available at major bookstores in Singapore & Malaysia. He’ll be conducting a seminar ‘Profit from Share Investment 8’ on 26 April 14.Reach him at contact@teybinyuen.com
M
onths ago, one of my students sent me an email showing her stock portfolio. She asked me, “What should I do?” I was shocked after seeing the counters in her portfolio as 80% of the 20 counters were penny stocks, and 90% of them were in the red. I always tell my students, that if you treat the stock market as a casino; it can be one, and if you treat investing stocks as a business, you’re right as well. In order to manage your counters (companies) like a business, you need to design a winning stock portfolio besides knowing their fundamentals. So how does a winning stock portfolio look like? Let’s see how many categories are there in the stock market before we explore further: 1) Growth Stocks This group is normally the small or middle capital stocks, where their growth rate could hit as high as 30 -50% annually. While people say this kind of stocks have
higher risk, their risk level, however, can be mitigated through knowing the company better, especially if the company’s growth is based on sustainable demand. This group of stocks is suitable to aggressive investors. 2) Turnaround stocks This could mean if a good company is badly hit by an unfavorable event, such as
industry recession, riot, accident, product failure, and so on. All these factors could negatively affect investor’s perception towards the company, hence selling their shares. For example, years ago, British Petroleum (BP)’s oil well exploded, causing tons of oil to be spilled into the ocean. The share prices fell tremendously after the company was being sued for billions of dollars. But eventually, the company’s share price returned after the issue was resolved. Bear in mind that turnaround stocks can ‘turnaround’ because the challenge they faced is temporary in nature and does not affect their fundamentals. 3) Defensive stocks The term ‘defensive’ means that this group of stocks is able to survive through the market uncertainty. One of the reasons is that these companies pay attractive dividends consistently. To me, blue chips, REIT, healthcare or consumer stocks with dividend yield of more than 5% per annum are considered defensive.
One of the shortcomings of this category is that they do not appreciate much. Yet, people buy them because whether in good times or bad times, they pay decent dividends. Some of my students who are retirees prefer to invest in this kind of stock as it gives them passive income. because if your competency level increases, the risks will come down. If you have already excelled at one of them, it’s a good strategy to stick to it and replicate your success. 3) Cyclical Stocks Cyclical stock’s earnings fluctuate with the economy cycle. The good thing about cyclical stock is that if you buy at the right time, it can help you profit 300% easily, or the opposite can happen if the timing is not right. Construction, property, banks, shipping, commodities are cyclical stocks, as they only do well during good times. With the few stock categories above, we’ll discuss how to build a winning stock portfolio in the next issue.
FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
page
23
play
Passionfood Café and Bakery
C
hi Ling, the owner, invited me over to try out her menu at Passionfood. This was my second visit here and I was excited about this visit as I had a very good experience during my first visit. Chi Ling is one of the new blood of Johor F & B entrepreneurs who is driven by passion. She is a medical bioscience professional who couldn’t resist dumping her white lab coat for her pink apron to pursue her passion for baking and cooking. I asked Chi Ling how the name Passionfood came about and she storied me that whilst she was in Vietnam, a Vietnamese passion fruit gave her the “ah ha moment”! She liked the name because passion is what Passionfood Café and bakery is all about. Getting on to business, I tried the Creamy Ebiko Crab Meat Pasta. The thick al dente pasta was smothered in a homemade savoury white cabonara sauce with white wine and crab meat. The tiny savoury ebiko (Japanese prawn eggs) popping in your mouth added an interesting mouth feel and flavour to the whole dish. This dish costs RM18.90. Next was Passionfood’s Cheese Chicken Burger. I heard my friend Bryan speaking highly of this burger before and was looking forward to try this. The thick chicken patty was sitting
of a bed of fresh tomato slices, cherry tomatoes and sautéed onions. The chicken patty is blanketed by a layer of soft melted cheese that flowed down the sides of the patty and, everything is held together between Passionfood’s own fluffy charcoal bun, made right here at the cafe from scratch. This is another unique feature to look at and taste. For you curious people out there – no it doesn’t taste burnt! This is no industrial mass produced patty at average hamburger joints. Passionfood’s thick handmade patty is made with hand chopped chicken thigh and breast meat with some herbs and condiments mixed in. The meaty, tightly packed patty had little grease or fat. You will never find bits of bone or rubbery sinews in Passionfood’s handmade patty. It comes at a price tag of RM17.90 and worth the try. Passionfood has many interesting drinks on their menu. To wash down my throat after the hearty meal, I tried their signature Passion Paradise (RM7.50) which is passion fruit syrup with soda water and rainbow jelly. The Mango Tango was also nice - Mango syrup with soda water and mango puree. This is also priced at RM7.50. I will be coming back soon to try Passionfood’s cakes and pastries from Chi Ling’s passion for baking.
www.facebook.com/theiskandarian www.theiskandarian.com/web/
Restaurant name: Passionfood Café and Bakery Address: 14, Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru Map: http://goo.gl/maps/SS9N3 GPS: 1.481626,103.773679 Hours: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Mon - Thurs) 11:00am to 11:00pm (Friday) 10:00am to 11:00pm (Saturday) 10:00am to 10:00pm (Sunday) Closed On Tuesdays No pork, no lard, no Halal cert
The Seven Benefits of Physical Activity (part 2) No. 3: Exercise improves your mood Improved self-esteem is a key psychological benefit of regular physical activity. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that reduces your perception of pain. Endorphins also trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. For example, the feeling that follows a run or workout is often described as “euphoric.” That feeling, known as a “runner’s high,” can be accompanied by a positive and energising outlook on life, leading you to feel happier and more relaxed. And don’t forget the feeling of improved selfesteem and confidence as your appearance improves and you feel better about yourself. No. 4: Exercise fights fatigue and boost energy There you are, sitting on the couch, remote in hand, thinking, “I should be exercising, if only I weren’t too tired to get off the couch!” Fatigue is among the most common complaints doctors hear. But you might be surprised to learn that experts say one of
the best antidotes to beating fatigue and boosting energy is to exercise more, not less. It’s been shown in many studies that once you actually start physical activity, even just getting up off the couch and walking around the room, the more you will want to move, and, ultimately, the more energy you will feel. Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance. Any physical activity delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy to go about your daily chores. Next time you see the out-of-order sign at the lift, or have a choice between escalator and stairs; imagine how good it will feel to just start climbing without any fuss.
shown that this doesn’t happen immediately and may take up to few months. But then most people will notice that they wake up less often and have more vigour and less sleepiness during the daytime. But, remember don’t exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energised to fall asleep.
connect with family or friends in a fun social setting. So, take a dance class, learn a martial art, hit the hiking trails or join a gym. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and just do it. If you get bored, try something new, exercise is supposed to be fun, find the one that you enjoy the most and your quality of life will improve.
No. 6: Exercise puts the spark back into your sex life Regular physical activity can leave you feeling energised and looking better, which can have a positive effect on your sex life. But there’s more to it than that. Regular physical activity can lead to enhanced arousal for women and men who exercises regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don’t exercise.
No. 5: Exercise promotes better sleep Don’t you just hate it when you go to bed and you lie there struggling to fall asleep? Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. However, please remember that studies have
No. 7: Exercise can be fun Exercise and physical activity can be a fun way to spend some time. It gives you a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors or simply engage in activities that make you happy. Physical activity can also help you
The bottom line on exercise Exercise and physical activity are a great way to feel better, gain health benefits and have fun. As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more. Remember to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise programme, especially if you haven’t exercised for a long time, or have chronic health problems such as heart disease, diabetes or arthritis, or other concerns. Exercise and regular physical activity benefits the body, and sedentary lifestyle does the opposite - increasing the chances of becoming overweight and developing a number of chronic diseases. -By Kim Lee Tan – REPS Fitness, Johor
play Award Winning Tropical Fruitland in Malaysia FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
page
www.facebook.com/theiskandarian www.theiskandarian.com/web/
24
Attraction: Desaru Agro Tourism destination is a 100 acres land that houses over 100 varieties of tropical fruits
O
ccupying an area of 100 acres of land, Desaru Fruit Farm offers visitors fun time learning about the country’s tropical fruits. Packed with over 100 varieties of tropical fruits, 10 species of plants, a petting zoo, koi fish pond and other attractions, a visit here promises an interesting experience for the whole family. The fruits come in seasonal and non seasonal periods as Durian, Rambutan, Pulasan and Mangosteen are seasonal (Jun, July, August) while non seasonal fruits such as Amra, Jambu, Guava, Passion Fruit, Jackfruit, Abui Fruits, Pineapple, Mango, Limau Kasturi, Soursop, Breadfruit, Thousand Fingers Banana and Brazilian Longan are found throughout the year. Learn how to select good fruits, and try out local fruits such as the Jackfruit, Honey Orange, Water Guava, Soursop, and yes, the king of fruits - the Durian. You may
even purchase some of your favourites. Good agricultural practices ensure that the fruits here are of the highest quality. Well maintained, Desaru Fruit Farm received the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro-Tourism (MAHA) special awards in 2006 as the best agro tourism
site in Malaysia. Not surprisingly, the farm continues to receive tourists from all over the world. Come over for a half-day tour, or spend a night or two with the available packages. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm daily. Advance group reservations are recommended. The farm
offers several packages including educational programmes for school children. All packages come with comprehensive guided farm tour inclusive of lunch, fruits and accommodation at selected beach resorts at Desaru. For more information, visit www. desarufruitfarm.com/day-tour
Delightfully Delicious Cuisine at Granada
L
ocated at the heart of Bukit Indah, Hotel Granada JB is a 4 Star Business Class hotel that offers luxurious accommodation rooms with facilities and amenities plus pulsating food and beverages which offer local and international cuisine incorporated with recreation and entertainment finesse. Highly experienced sous chef, Mr. Nathan hones over 20 years of experience ranging from the Bahamas,
Middle East and Maldives takes charge in Hotel Granada’s Quando Quando Restaurant. Chef Nathan keeps his ingredients simple as long as the results are satisfying. Among the signature dishes is the Mediterranean style Grilled Salmon with vegetables and creamy butter sauce, the Indonesian style Sweet lemon grass chicken, Mexican style Chicken Quesadillas and the Indian style Maduh Star Chicken with homemade sauce.
Nathan said that the restaurant takes food preparation very seriously and only use fresh ingredients. Its staff is capable in coming up with any type of dish that satisfies guests’ cravings. Guest only need to mention the dish and the staff will surely prepare it in a delightfully delicious way. Head over to Hotel Granada JB today to get a taste of the fine dining offered and pamper your palettes with local and international treats.
@home
ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
T HE I SKANDAR I AN
PROPERTY
|
RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS
Cover Story Mah Sing Group Bhd has RM 4billion in projects to roll out this year >>page 30
|
APARTMENTS
|
VILLAS
|
CONDOMINIUMS
|
OFFICE/ RETAILSPACE
The Iskandarian Issue 20 | APR 2014 Advertisement
FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
page
27
@home
The Iskandarian
quick Reads
Cypark wins RM18million bid Cypark Resources Bhd has won a deal worth RM17.8mil to undertake construction works at a school in Johor. The company told Bursa Malaysia that it had received a letter of acceptance from Fairview International School Nusajaya Sdn Bhd for the works for phase one and two at the school. The company said the contract was for 12 months, adding that there was no major risks in relation to the works.
Berjaya Corp sees profit in 2014 Berjaya Corp Bhd’s pre-tax profit for its third quarter ended Jan 31, 2014 jumped to RM162.91 million from RM96.88 million in the same period last year. In a filing to Bursa Malaysia Wednersday, the group said the increase in pre-tax profit came mainly from property investment as well as development and marketing of consumer products and services. Revenue jumped to RM2.36 billion in the quarter against RM1.76 billion recorded in the same period last year. Earnings per share rose to 40 sen compared to 10 sen previously. Berjaya Corp expects its performance to continue to remain challenging in the remaining quarter of the financial year ending April 30, 2014, given the group’s diverse businesses and current economic outlook.
Award Winning Country Garden Country Garden Danga Bay was among the winning companies of the prestigious International Property Awards in the 2014 Asia Pacific competition. Country Garden competed against a number of developers in the region to receive such a recognition. In a statement, Country Garden Danga Bay Sdn Bhd said it has been informed that it is one of winning companies in the regional property awards. Country Garden Danga Bay is building an independent township, complete with high-end private clubs, a massive commercial centre, three featured streets and an exclusive Marina. There will be 17 types of luxury service apartments that offer panoramic sea views with a wide selection of designs. It is a 24-hour gated- and-guarded community with strategically placed interminable sky cctv.
www.facebook.com/theiskandarian www.theiskandarian.com/web/
28 Developers Blacklisted in Johor
Highlight: Johor State Government has blacklisted 28 developers to date for their failure to build more than 30,000 units of low-cost houses within the predetermined time frame.
M
enteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the companies are now barred from undertaking or planning any new projects in the absence of further discussions with the state government on the issue of building the houses concerned. “They were to have built the houses in two years after receiving the planning permission. If they still fail to do so, the state government will take back the land in question. “This is one of the measures to be taken by the state government,” he told reporters after the ground breaking ceremony for the Tanjung Senibong affordable homes project. Menteri Besar Khaled said developers who refused to build lowcost homes as promised would be fined RM40,000 for each unit. A RM7,000 per unit fine will be imposed for those wanting to change the construction status from low-cost to affordable homes. To overcome the problem, the state government has formed the Johor Housing Board which will be given the power to take over abandoned low-cost housing projects. “The enactment related to this
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin will be tabled in the state assembly in June. “Among the responsibilities of the board is to identify the land on which developers have failed to undertake the low-cost housing as well
(file pic by Zarakay)
as land acquisition to plan and construct affordable homes,” he added. The state government had previously resolved to build 28,000 affordable homes over five years for those in the lower income group.
Hershey’s Kisses for Johor’s Economy T he Hershey Company’s US$250 mil (RM819.7 mil) new factory in Senai, Johor, could incorporate local raw materials if they meet the US confectioner’s requirements. Not only is the business community expected to benefit from Hershey’s Johor plant but plans by the brand include working with local non-profit and community organisations to support the company’s long-standing commitment to helping women and children in need. The US-based chocolatier has an 18-year history in the region and the new Johor plant is said to be Hershey’s singlelargest investment in Asia. The factory is expected to be fully operational come early 2016. Groundwork is under way at the site; construction is expected to be completed next year. The 700,000 sq ft plant is said to be modelled after Hershey’s manufacturing plants in the US and Mexico, and is expected to be the second-largest factory in its global
manufacturing network. Hershey is one of the oldest confectionery companies in the US and is a globally-recognised brand seeking to develop its business across Asia and the world. The new plant will include innovations in automated candy-making, including proprietary equipment and systems developed specifically for Hershey. The plant’s capabilities will include specially-engineered, high-speed wrapping technologies as well as flexible production for the manufacture and distribution of new and unique confectionery products incubated at the Asia Innovation Centre in Shanghai. This move is in line with growing consumer demand for Hershey’s products in Asia, which the company sees as an extremely fast-growing region. When fully functional, the plant will create tens of millions of Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate
Bars (commonly called Hershey Bars) daily. Johor was chosen for its central location between eastern and western trade lanes. Tanjung Pelepas will be used as the company’s main port for export and, should the need arise, Hershey’s will look at using Singapore’s ports.
FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
page
28
@home
www.facebook.com/theiskandarian www.theiskandarian.com/web/
Property Investment ¬ Facing up to Big Black Swans Ed Cheong is the Singapore founder of the Iskandar Malaysia Investors Forum and Rafflesland Group of Companies which provides platform for property investors to gain insights and world-class investment strategies. He is contactable at iskandar@rafflesland.com
A
couple of earth shattering events have taken place since our last issue. On top of my mind is the tragic disappearance of flight MH370. It is an unprecedented mystery in the history of aviation which caused heart wrenching trauma to relatives of passengers and crew, and immense sacrifice from those in the search and rescue mission. My heart goes out to everyone involved. In the economic space, with an 18% plunge in exports year on year, China disappoints with corporate bond defaults (one of which is a property developer)
and a 23B USD trade deficit. Shocks will follow jitters in the shadow banking sector. Unnerved mainlanders started to offload luxury Hong Kong properties. One apartment at Imperial Cullinan fell 17% from original purchase price as the Chinese seller force sold in an illiquid market of cooling measures. Meanwhile, Russian ‘reclaimed’ Crimea sparking off a major sell on treasuries. So, it is timely for me to explain how big unexpected events or black (bad) swans which will affect property investors. During his March 2014 Perdana Leadership Foundation lecture, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed warned that Malaysia must be now prepared for the next global financial crisis. I support his view and urge investors to be very careful. We must now distance away from any market hype and learn fundamental shifts. With already 17 trillion US dollars of quantitative easing, and another few trillion more Yen, we are at the cusp of asset
bubbles bursting in the developed and emerging markets. With the exceptions of reemerging countries in the European Union, any reversals in dollar printing will shock property markets including that in Malaysia. When borrowing rates rise, asset valuation go down. Business growth slows and unemployment grows. Young investors have never experienced such a sudden shock and tempted by “gurus” theory of borrowing. The last few years have seen many underfunded buyers in dramatic speculations due to easy DIBS (Developers Interest Bearing Scheme) and cash rebates. Easy credit however we call it is easy credit. Rising rates is like raising prices on essential goods. It is recurrent, highly felt and deeply disruptive to the economy. A black swan is unpredictable but can be imagined. We need to buy insurance against such negative shocks by understanding the difference between speculating and
Design Concept: ¬ WILD contemporary Kent Ng is Homlux Interior Furnishing Sdn Bhd’s Chief Designer
A
modern take on traditional style furniture completes an elegant, but soothing overall design character. The living room features casual, modern furniture, with sleek and clean lines, and allows its users to feel completely at home and seamless with the nature that surrounds them. A contrast between the bright warm hues and textures with the dark modern straight lines of the wooden furniture truly inspires a deep sense of serenity. Local indigenous hardwood is displayed throughout the interior in various ways. Implemented on wall panels to create coziness, as well as to help separate living areas when used as vertical screens. The master bedroom, with its high-sloped double volume ceiling maintains a resort style feel. Textural detailing determines the laid-back character of the private sitting area with landscaped garden views, emphasising the overall sense of connection between interior spaces and outdoor nature.
investing. We must also know how to differentiate between sales hype and product differentiation. We have to learn and commit to long term investing without betting our whole house on it, pun intended. One acid test to knowing if you are investing or speculating is to ask yourself this question. If the scenario I described happens, are you going to be badly impacted? If so, you are in danger. We welcome your comments and questions by emailing to iskandar@ rafflesland.com.
The Iskandarian Issue 20 | APR 2014 Advertisement
FREE COPY ISSUE 20 | APR 2014
page
30
@home
The Iskandarian
quick Reads
10,000 More Affordable Homes UEM Sunrise Bhd, the master developer of Nusajaya in Johor, has pledged to build 10,000 more affordable houses in Gerbang Nusajaya. The housing project will be launched in phases from this year onwards, UEM Sunrise said. The group on Saturday offered 351 houses and shoplots in Nusa Bay, comprising 321 terrace houses, with prices ranging from RM80,000 to RM150,000 each, and 30 shoplots at RM200,000 each. The 321 terrace houses were offered via balloting, while the 30 shoplots will be distributed separately, the group said in a statement yesterday. The properties are scheduled to be completed in 2016. The project’s Phase 1A is strategically located adjacent to the planned transportation hub and industrial park in Gerbang Nusajaya. The progressive features for the high-rise development include emphasis on CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design), affordable maintenance, high quality workmanship, a linear park and modern lifestyle recreation, and amenities for three generations to promote family activities. The project will also include amenities and communal facilities for the residents such as a mosque, integrated primary and secondary schools, a multipurpose hall, a religious school and a neighbourhood community centre. A soft launch of the project is targeted to take place in the third quarter of 2014.
www.facebook.com/theiskandarian www.theiskandarian.com/web/
Property Corner ¬ Debts A.Devadason CA(M), FCCA, MDRT Deva is a partner in the firm of Dason & Dason, Chartered Accountants who specialice in tax advisory and consultancy. He can be reached at deva@dason.com.my
S
ome say debt/s is good. Others swear that borrowed money causes misery. Debts, when used wisely and free from emotion, can yield good financial harvests. The implementation however, is not as easy as it sounds. Investing is not for everyone. Many end up losing money due to greed (not cashing out when due) and fear (cashing out too early). If these twin emotions are not manageable, stay away from investments, especially, borrowed investments. So back to debts - Is it good to borrow or should investments be funded with savings only? Let’s analyse the case of two Accountants who are in similar earning capacity and age group but with differing opinions when it comes to creating an investment portfolio: Accountant G is in his mid-30’s and has fully settled his housing loan within 5 years and his car in 2 years. He opines that settling loans as fast as possible and saving on the interest via high down payment and lump sum periodical deposits are in itself good returns on investment. Today, he has no loans and truly living a debt-free life. His cash savings are
at a decent level equivalent to 9 months living expenses and he fully owns the house he lives in with his young family. The other, Accountant A, is highly geared with loans exceeding RM3m and is the owner of 10 properties. All the properties were acquired over a period of 7 years and are generating rental income over and above the respective monthly instalments. Unlike many, his purchases are mainly from the secondary market so as to reduce the risk of having an untenanted property. When asked, Accountant G says that he is unable to purchase any new properties as prices have moved too fast and even if he could do so, his nature of borrowing as little and short as possible makes it financially untenable. Accountant A has emergency funds amounting to 3 months expenses and wishes he has more liquidity. He however, has no regrets stretching his loans and cash to capture properties just before the wave came. Looking at these two cases, who is better off financially? From a liquidity sense, Accountant G wins hands down. There is no debts, no instalments, hence no worries. He however, is regretful for not being alert to ride on the property wave despite Accountant A’s advice years ago. Accountant A has amassed great wealth via property appreciation and has made paper-profits exceeding 100 per cent on almost all his properties. He is so sure that his units will continue to generate rental as they are of prime location. He does
however, have concerns in meeting his loan obligations should a financial crisis occur. Hence, the trade-off between returns and liquidity as liquid assets generate lousy returns and vice versa. The key is striking a balance. Before venturing into hard assets, ensure that there is sufficient liquidity to withstand financial shocks. Funds should be split into separate accounts, one for unforeseen circumstances and the other as seed capital to acquire assets. This way, the usage of funds from one account will not affect the ability of the other. One is able to grow the Balance Sheet and still have funds for emergencies. Back to our Accountants - In a rising market, the one who bought with very little debt loses out. In this case, it is his unwillingness to borrow. The available fund was used to finance only a single property. By the time the first asset was settled, prices moved up by leaps and bounds. He could only be a mere spectator as his time has passed. The only thing is to look out for rare unappreciated gems that may or may not come. The consolation is that he is cash rich in an inflation fuelled economy. The obvious winner is the one who capitalised on cheap finance and borrowed just as the market was rising. It was a gamble but as long as the asset generated returns and his income allowed such a loan, then it is a worthwhile risk. In conclusion, when investing or wanting to invest, one needs to keep abreast with the pulse of the economy. Know when to leverage on loans and when not to. Experience is a good teacher but someone else’s experience is a better teacher.
RM4b Projects from Mah Sing this year Focused: Mah Sing Group Bhd targets to launch projects with a gross development value (GDV) of RM4 billion this year in the Klang Valley, Penang, Johor and Sabah
G
roup Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum said this consists of projects with a GDV of RM2.3 billion in the Klang Valley, RM294 million in Penang, RM1.1 billion in Johor and RM285 million in Sabah. “We’re focusing on four main hotspots in Malaysia, namely Klang Valley, Iskandar Malaysia in Johor, Penang and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. We’re also exploring Seremban in Negeri Sembilan and Ipoh. When there’s a demand, we will move accordingly,” he said. About 87% of its target residential launches comprise mainly mass to midsegment products priced RM1 million and below. In addition, 81% of its target launches are below RM700,000 and 45% under RM500,000. He added that the group is targeting a 20% growth in sales this year to RM3.6 billion
from RM3 billion in 2013, which is a record high. “We want to make it affordable for most purchasers and this is in line with market demand. Now the focus is on the mass market, especially linked homes and small apartment in urban areas, which comprises a major part of our sales. As long as we deliver what the market wants, we will continue to do well,” said Leong Mah Sing’s track record in Johor has been built over 14 years since its first township project of Sri Pulai Perdana in 2000. Over time, it acquired more townships including Austin Perdana, Sri Pulai Perdana 2 and Sierra Perdana. The Meridin@Medini in Iskandar Malaysia is into its second and final phase. Mah Sing intends to explore retail and recreational elements for the township
in addition to residential and commercial components. Preliminary plans for the residential components includes double storey link homes indicatively priced from RM300,000; linked semi-detached homes indicatively priced from RM400,000, and semi-detached homes indicatively priced from RM500,000. Mah Sing impresses with its foresight and agility in locking in acquisitions suitable for future developments. Although 81% of its residential products are targeted to be priced at below RM700,000 and 45% below RM500,000 in FY14, FY16 onwards should see price points increase. Mah Sing’s shareholders also voted in support of the group’s Pasir Gudang land acquisition for RM411.16million. The 1,352 acres of land named Bandar Meridin East is expected to have a GDV of RM5 billion.
The Iskandarian Issue 20 | APR 2014 Advertisement
The Iskandarian Issue 20 | APR 2014 Advertisement