Petrol, Sugar and LPG prices after NEM

This what we got from Rosmah's husband after unveiling the second stage of New Economic Model (NEM) module. He did indicate several major announcements would be made involving new projects and policy initiatives to make Malaysia more attractive to the global market.

I sincerely hope that drinks and foods prices in KT city would not increase. With prices being quoted higher than averages from what we found in some towns in West Coast, and low than average of food quality and service.

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Saturday December 4, 2010

New subsidy cuts to save RM1.2bil

By IZATUN SHARI

PUTRAJAYA: The prices of Ron95 and diesel have increased by 5sen per litre while liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and sugar will go up by 5 sen per kg and 20sen per kg respectively.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala said that the price hikes, effective midnight yesterday, were expected to result in a total savings of RM1.18bil.

He said the savings would be channelled towards the Government Transformation Programme including improving the urban transportation network, rural basic infrastructure and roads, education and efforts to combat crime.

Idris described the increase as very minimal and said it should not hurt the people.

“I think it is fair to the rakyat. I believe people will be able to accept it,” he told a media briefing on the second wave of subsidy rationalisation here yesterday.

He said the price of Ron95, which would be raised to RM1.90 per litre from the current price of RM1.85, would still be lower compared to its retail price in Indonesia (RM2.46), Singapore (RM4.63) and Thailand (RM4.25).

Idris said the price of diesel would retail at RM1.80 per litre compared to RM2.50 in Indonesia, RM3.18 in Singapore and RM2.96 in Thailand.

LPG will retail at RM1.90 as opposed to RM2 in Indonesia, RM6.42 in Singapore and RM1.93 in Thailand.

The new price of sugar at RM2.10 compares favourably to its cost in Indonesia (RM3.50), Singapore (RM3.80) and Thailand (RM2.80).

In the first subsidy rationalisation programme on July 16, the price of Ron95 and diesel went up by 5sen per litre while sugar and LPG were raised by 25sen and 10sen respectively, resulting in total savings of RM779mil.

The Government’s decision to increase the price of fuel (petrol, diesel and LPG) and sugar is in line with its long term strategy to gradually rationalise subsidies and manage its fiscal position by enhancing revenue and at the same time reducing expenditure.

Building Permits

Does the city…..I mean Kuala Terengganu City Councils and the denizen ready to be called city dwellers. It seem it might be far from that…

600 Premis Dibangun Tanpa Lesen

Wednesday, December 1, 2010..Kuala Terengganu

"Hampir 600 premis perniagaan dan kediaman di dua laluan utama dari pinggir pusat bandar raya ini menuju ke Padang Midin dan Manir dibangunkan tanpa kelulusan dan lesen.

Pengarah Jabatan Kawalan Bangunan Majlis Bandaraya Kuala Terengganu (MBKT), Zakaria Abdullah berkata, selain menjejaskan perancangan pembangunan, MBKT juga kehilangan punca hasil RM500,000 setahun.

Sehubungan itu, katanya, MBKT mengadakan Program Pemutihan Bangunan Bersama MBKT bagi menjelaskan kepada pemilik bangunan yang dikenal pasti supaya mematuhi prosedur, peraturan dan syarat yang ditetapkan.

Sehingga kini, katanya, terdapat 597 bangunan didirikan secara haram di Persimpangan Tok Ku ke Padang Midin dan dari persimpangan Tok Ku ke Jambatan Manir.

''Sementara 326 lagi termasuk di atas tanah kerajaan dan 22 premis didirikan sepenuhnya di atas tanah kerajaan tanpa kebenaran," katanya."

Land prices in the “CITY”s

With the Kuala Terengganu city populated by dilapidated wooden structures, it is quite a task for the city council to upgrade its image as a ‘kampung city’.

"Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Ahmad Said terkejut dengan kadar nilai bagi pengambilan balik tanah di sekitar kawasan bandar raya ini yang disifatkannya sangat tinggi dan tidak masuk akal.

Beliau memberitahu, perkembangan itu boleh merencatkan usaha membangun dan menyusun semula kawasan bagi merancakkan kemajuan dan mencorakkan persekitaran kehidupan lebih selesa.

Katanya, berdasarkan laporan penilaian, nilai untuk sekeping lot tanah telah mencecah RM1.5 juta dan ia mencapai sehingga kira-kira RM4 juta jika lot itu terdapat premis bertingkat.

Malah beliau dimaklumkan, nilai yang perlu dibayar balik kerajaan untuk sebuah rumah yang sudah usang dan hampir roboh mencecah RM31,000 selain nilai bagi reban ternakan sebanyak RM4,000.

Ahmad berkata, sekiranya senario itu berterusan, bermakna sekitar kawasan bandar raya ini terutama di kawasan berhampiran tidak akan berubah wajah walaupun untuk tempoh 50 tahun akan datang.

“Jika terlalu mahal (penilaian tanah) kita tak akan maju. Nilai yang bukan-bukan ini boleh merosakkan pembangunan di negeri ini.

‘‘Kalau macam inilah, 50 tahun lagi pun, macam inilah wajah Kuala Terengganu,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas menyempurnakan majlis perjumpaan Bersama Anggota Keselamatan di Wisma Darul Iman, di Kuala Terengganu, kelmarin.

Ahmad mengakui kerajaan negeri tidak mampu untuk menyediakan peruntukan bagi bayaran pengambilan balik tanah sekiranya nilai yang ditetapkan terlalu tinggi."

East Coast Expressway phase 2

It seem that we in Terengganu better to get ready for another collapse if we want to visit any public building. The latest collapsed building was the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu’s Oceanographic and Tropical Aquaculture building. As reported in one of PAS on-line news the contractor is M.A.N Sdn Bhd with an address at 25-A Losong Masjid, 21000 Kuala Terengganu. It is local Terengganu company with ties to BN.

I have been commuting between Kuala Terengganu (KT) and Kuala Lumpur for the past six months since my other half was posted in KT. I do like the environment in KT but the infrastructure and the socio-political scenario could be considered one the worst in the country. It is a pity with the oil money it had been receiving.

One of the issue that I want to write about here is the lack of professionalism of the local contractors especially the construction of East Coast Expressway (ECE) phase 2.

The project has been delayed and the related minister has stated that the ECE phase 2 will be completed in late 2011 and can be used by early 2012.

As been reported, the delayed was partially due to the withdrawal of two contractors-GPQ /Bukit Putri and Syarikat Arah Jitu Sdn. Bhd. The former is a joint ventured between GPQ, a subsidiary of Perbadanan Memajukan Iktisad Negeri Terengganu(Terengganu state owned company) and Bukit Putri, an unknown entity. Arah Jitu is company related to one of UMNO bigwig in Hulu Terengganu. The reason given by both contractors for the withdrawal was the escalating bitumen prices. I just wonder why only this two contractors are affected by the escalating prices of bitumen while the other contractors have the ability to continue the project. Looking at it maybe the contractors are not qualified and just because they have tie to the political master they were given the project.

Arah Jitu has the necessary experience in infrastructure construction but after receiving the ECE contract the company was awarded with few other projects. Maybe the company financial and manpower resources were stretched. Biting Off More Than You Can Chew.

Arah Jitu has the necessary experience in infrastructure construction but after receiving the ECE contract the company was awarded with few other projects. Maybe the company financial and manpower resources were stretched. Biting Off More Than You Can Chew.

As a consequence of the short-sightedness of the local Terengganu contractors, the local folks and visitors were deprived of comfortable journey to KT.

Shame on you….Mr Chief Minister

It seem that the Ho Ang Kiong temple saga keep reeling. The local regular folks of Kuala Terengganu are more civic conscious and caring than the pea brain Chief Minister.

The Temple Saga continue

This is continuation from my previous post.

BERNAMA - Terengganu Should Assist Temple Restoration - MCA

I think it is better that Hokkien community just forget those political jokesters

Ho Ann Kiong Temple saga

The year of the Tiger bring a lot of story for 200 years old Ho Ann Kiong temple. On my previous post I mentioned the Temple was badly burnt and on the eve of Chinese New Year some denizen of Kuala Terengganu was begging for alms at the temple. Last Sunday, the Hokkien committee is organizing a fund-raising to fund the restoration the temple. See the news below.

Today it was reported that the political master in the State decided not to extend any financial assistance for the temple. Theses irked some of the Hokkien community.

Unlucky for the Hokkien Folks..this is not an election time. If it is, truckloads of building materials had been send to the site.

Ho Ann Kiong

Fire destroyed a 200 year-old Ho Ann Kiong temple(1810) in Kampung Cina, Kuala Terengganu at 9.30pm, 22nd Febrauary. The temple was also serve as a community centre for Hokkiens in Kuala Terengganu.

Beside the temple is a budget hotel- Hotel Seri Malaysia which was built on the land of the former Malay farm Market-Kedai Binjai.

The temple was a centre of a storm during the Chinese New Year for the citizen of Terengganu, that is supposedly well off with riches from petroleum income. See the following report.

Buletin Online: Sketsa Menyedihkan Tahun 2006 Berulang Kembali

Note: The per capita GDP of Terengganu is way above the country average. Yet it has amongst the highest poverty rates in the country.

Floating Mosque

Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque

Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque

Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque

Tanjung Bungah Mosque, Penang.

Putra Mosque, Putrajaya

Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque which is situated about 4Km from Kuala Terengganu Town Centre, is built on a floating platform on a lagoon by the mouth of Sungai Ibai . It is also known as the "The Floating Mosque" due to its unique design that creates an illusion of itself as floating on water.

This magnificent and unique Mosque are named after one of the matriarch in the Terengganu Royal house was designed by YM Raja Datuk Kamarul Bahrin Shah, a very well known Malaysian architect who himself a Prince coming from the Terengganu royal house.

Before the Crystal Mosque was built at Taman Tamadun Islam, this mosque was the iconic point of interest when visiting Kuala Terengganu.

The floating mosque concept was adopted by another two mosques; Masjid Putra in Putra Jaya and floating mosque in Tanjung Bungah in Penang.

The New Bridge

With the plan bridge of Teluk Pasu-Pulau Sekati-Muzium Losong(refer to the map), Kuala Terengganu will have three bridges crossing the Terengganu River. With a cost of RM200 million, the bridge will be at least twice the cost of Sultan Mahmud bridge.

From the experience of constructing the Sultan Mahmud bridge, I believe the new bridge will be completed in 2016 i.e. planning take 3 years and construction take another 3 years.

I hope the construction will have participation from non-locals to avoid another Stadium Sultan Mizan calamity.

The bridge will make the Muzium and Taman Tamadun Islam more accessible since the road leading to the bridge has to be upgraded.

Sultan Mahmud Bridge

It is the main bridge in Kuala Terengganu. The bridge cross the Terengganu River spanning three islands; Pulau Besar, Pulau Tengah and Pulau Duyung Besar.

It was constructed in 1987, the bridge was officially opened by the late of Sultan of Terengganu, Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah in 1990. Toll collection for the bridge was abolished in 1999 by the then PAS state government following an election promise.

The bridge was proposed in 1984 and the design of the bridge was done by Wan Mohamad & Khoo Sdn Bhd in collaboration with Pacific Consultant International.

The bridge structure was built by SPDPK Shapadu Shimizu Marubeni for a cost of RM63.1 million. SPDPK is Syarikat Perusahaan dan Pemborong Kemaman Sdn Bhd.

Replica of Kul Sharif Mosque, Russia

Once left in ruins, the reconstruction of this mosque following the collapse of the Soviet Union is reflective of Kazan’s 1,000 year long history and its design is reminiscent of the historical surrounding of the Kremlin.

The reconstruction of the “Kul-Sharif” Mosque according to the project of the group of

architects of the firm “Tatinvest-grazhdanproyect” (A.V. Golovin, A.I. Ishakov, I.F.

Saifullin, A.C. Sattarov, M.V.Safronov, S.P. Shakurov) started in 1996. The contest for the developing of the project, which was held by the Architects’ Association preceded to the creating of its final variant. The Mosque is located in the western part of the Kremlin.

Replica of Al-Hambra Citadel, Spain

It was built chiefly between 1230 and 1354 in the reigns of Mohammed bin Ahmar, the first Nasrid King and they formed a great citadel of the Moorish kings of Spain. After the expulsion of the Moors in 1492, the structures suffered mutilation, but were extensively restored after 1828.

The Alhambra is a true expression of the once flourishing Moorish civilization and is the finest example of its architecture in Spain. It comprises remains of the citadel, the so-called palace of the kings, and the quarters once used by officials. The halls and chambers surround a series of open courts, which include the Court of Lions containing arcades resting on 124 white marble columns. The interior of the building is adorned sumptuously with magnificent examples of the so-called honeycomb and stalactite vaulting; its walls and ceilings are decorated with geometric ornamentation of minute detail and intricacy, executed with surpassing skill in marble, alabaster, glazed tile, and carved plaster.

Replica of Suleyman Mosque, Turkey

The Suleyman Mosque was built on the order of Sultan Suleiman I (Suleiman the Magnificent) and was constructed by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. The construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was finished in 1557. The Süleymaniye was ravaged by a fire in 1660 and was restored by Sultan Mehmed IV. Part of the dome collapsed again during the earthquake of 1766. Subsequent repairs damaged what was left of the original decoration of Sinan (recent cleaning has shown that Sinan experimented first with blue, before turning red the dominant color of the dome).

During World War I the courtyard was used as a weapons depot and when some of the ammunition ignited the mosque suffered another fire. Not until 1956 was it fully restored again

Replica of Mosques in Africa

Agadez Grand Mosque, Niger

Built in the 16th century when the city was at its height, this mosque is made of dried earth and is topped by a pyramid-shaped minaret spiked with 13 rows of stakes to strengthen the structure. This mosque is located in Air Massif District Mid Niger.

The Great Mosque of Qairawan, Tunisia

The most is the oldest Islamic monument in Tunisia, was built in 670 by 'Uqba ibn Nafi. Little remains of this early mosque which was rebuilt more than three times until 862 when it reached its present form under the Aghlabid ruler Abu Ibrahim Ahmad. The plan of this building became a model for later Tunisian mosques.

Mohammad Ali Mosque (Alabaster Mosque), Egypt

Also known as the Alabaster Mosque owing to the extensive use of this fine material, this mosque was built by Mohamed Ali whose reign is known as the beginning of the Egyptian renaissance. The mosque is situated in Al-Qalan Region in Kaherah, Egypt. It was designed by a Greek architect named Yussuf Bushnaq. The design was based on Sultan Ahmad Mosque (The Blue Mosque) in Turkey. It was built in 1246 and completed in1265.

Aleppo Citadel, Syria

The Citadel is a large medieval fortified palace in the centre of the old city of Aleppo, northern Syria. It is considered to be one of the oldest and largest castles in the world. Usage of the Citadel hill dates back at least to the middle of the 3rd millennium BC. Subsequently occupied by many civilizations including the Greeks, Byzantines, Ayyubids and Mamluks, the majority of the construction as it stands today is thought to originate from the Ayyubid period. A great deal of conservation work has taken place in the 2000s by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in collaboration with the Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities.

Mausoleum of Abu Nasr Parsa, Afganistan

Built in the 17th century in Timurid style, the shrine in this octagonal structure is dedicated to an eminent theologian, Khwaja Abu Nasr Parsa who was a spiritual leader of the Naqshbandi order. Khwaja Abu Nasr sits in the middle of Balkh Central Park

Replica of Masjidil Haram and Masjid Al-Nabawi

The Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Nabawi), Medina, Saudi Arabia

Madinah, in full is Madinat Rasul Allah which means “City of the Prophet of Allah” and is the second holiest site in Islam. This mosque was built on the site of Prophet Muhammad’s home and where he was buried.One of the most notable features of the site is the Green Dome over the center of the mosque, where the tomb of Muhammad is located. It is not exactly known when the green dome was constructed but manuscripts dating to the early 12th century describe the dome. It is known as the Dome of the Prophet or the Green Dome.Subsequent Islamic rulers greatly expanded and decorated it. Caliph Abu Bakr RA and Caliph Umar RA are buried in an adjacent area in the mosque.

The Sacred Mosque (Masjidil Haram), Mecca, Saudi Arabia

This mosque houses the holiest place in the world for all Muslims, the Ka’bah. Ka’bah means “a high place with respect and prestige” and Muslims all over the world face the Ka’bah during prayers. The history of Masjidil Haram goes to the time of Abraham AS.

But the main building only exist during Caliph Omar Al-Khattab RA somewhere in 639 . Most of the structure of the building were made from the blue rock taken from the surrounding Hijaaz Valley. The building has gone through numerous renovations and rebuilding until it is what can be seen now. The mosque is also known as the Grand Mosque.

Kalyan Minaret, Uzbekistan

Built in 1127 A.D. by Arslan-Khan, the minaret, made of baked bricks, is a flawless example of both civil engineering and superior architectural creation. The tower was used as lighthouse and reconnaissance tower.

Minaret of Xian, China

This mosque that was founded in 1392 by Naval Admiral Haj Cheng Ho during the Tang Dynasty typifies a Buddhist temple, however its grand axis is aligned from east to west, facing Mecca. The Great Mosque of Xian is the largest and best preserved of the early mosques of China.

Replica of mosques in West Asia

Dome of The Rock (Qubbah As-Sakhrah), Palestine

Built in 692 under the patronage of the Umayyad Caliph Abdul Al – Malik ibn Marwan, it enshrines the Sacred Rock and commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s Ascension to the heavens to visit God.

Great Mosque of Samara, Iraq

Commissioned by Abbasid caliph Al-Mutawakkil in the 19th century and built entirely of bricks and clay, today it stands majestically in the largest ancient city in the world, just north of Baghdad. The mosque is predominantly in ruins, with only the outer walls standing. An ambitious restoration process began in the late 1990's, aiming at rebuilding the columns and eventually the roof. The spiral minaret, "Malwiya" in Arabic, is a separate structure from the main congregation hall, 27 metres north of the main hall. It is 52 metres high, and 33 metres in diameter. It is believed by many that the minaret was built about 15 years before the main structure.

Lutfallah Mosque, Iran

An outstanding example of Islamic architecture and once used as a royal mosque, it was built in 1602 by Sheikh Lutfallah Maisi Al-Amili, a distinguished scholar and teacher. The significant characteristic of this mosque is the blue marble at the entrance of the mosque.