Your keep hearing suggestions to change your lifestyles (spending wise) coming from a minister whenever the government wants to raise the price of petrol.
You learnt that the word “Rationalization” better explain the act of increasing the price of basic necessities rather than the word “PRICE INCREASE or Barang Naik” (Huh? Explain it to me again! ).
You keep hearing that the price of fuel after rationalization, is actually lower than those enjoyed by the neighbouring countries. (Three increases annually and we are still cheaper? Is it dirt cheap to begin with?)
You used to go to mamak stall or a kopitiam and especially the local pub to hear tall tales and incredulous stories. Nowadays you just have to read the local dailies and the evening news.
Electricity rate increase by The National Power are implemented to ensure it enjoys maximum profit and NOT to stave it from falling into the red. (The same goes for the Highway operators as well. (But then, if they are facing bankruptcy – are we supposed to rescue them with our money too? I must be too stupid to understand this logic!).
Fuel prices always raises in tandem with world market price but whenever there is a decrease in the global oil prices, there’s no reduction and the government is quiet like a mouse. (Aiyah, do have to change my lifestyle again kah??)
You can create your own FB page without paying someone else a single cent and yet the government paid RM 1.8 million to “someone” to do it. (I wonder who was that “someone” laughing all the way to the bank?)
A nationwide campaign was launched to provide EVERY student with their own Netbook but neglected to remember that all classroom in the country only have 2 power outlets each. (Welcome to the world of bizarre and unexplained phenomenon where students are supplied with a hand cranking devices with utilizes a bicycle tyres and a dynamo to provide power for their netbooks…Just kidding!).
The only honest and actual news reporting in the evening news on TV is the weather forecast. (Sadly we didn’t have paparazzi type of girls presenting the weather otherwise we would have a nation well verse in metrological foreplay ..err.. I mean forecasting).
The thing that is true and factual in the local dailies are 4d numbers and the horse race results. (There are at least some truth in those paper after all. Otherwise they would only be fit for toilet paper).
Old and over the hill politicians are made minister and for one ministry, it could also include the ICT portfolio. (Ok, let’s change mode! BTW anything that has numbers and decimal points are connected to those despicable Anonymous Hacker group, I think?? Damn, the gerbil on the wheel is slow today…maybe I need a Viagra!).
Submarines bought by the government that is worth billions and billions of RM are not capable of submerging. No one was at fault or have taken responsibility or taken to task and by the way, the sub still can’t swim..err.. submerge! (Has anyone seen the manual??? No? What is a manual???)
Everyone goes to the police station to place a police report on political issues and on political parties but NOT as often to report crime or to seek protection. (One could be thrown in jail for reporting a crime. Remember the reporter who was placed under ISA for her own protection?).
The communist insurgents were defeated decades ago but curiously enough the ancient law passed by the Parliament to fight them is still being used. (China and Vietnam is our enemy now? Where’s that IA when you need him?)
Gambling is forbidden to Muslims but how come some are allowed to be directors and shareholders in those gambling companies? (Huh? Run that by me again!).
Organizing and holding a rally to press for clean and fair election are deemed anarchist and traitorous not to mention subversive elements BUT a Malay supremacist NGO threatening violence and rioting is just an expression of freedom of speech. (No need to add anything here!)
You see the people appeal for the reduction of cost of living and the government reply with a stupid remarks such as “Don’t use a car, use the public transport instead” or “The people need to change their lifestyles”. (Instead of eating 3 times a day I should only have a meal every other day, is that it?).
Military spending of billions wins over the cost of subsidies that cost the government extra hundreds of millions only. (Does the government know that billions is more than millions or are they like Dr Evil who thinks billions is much much more than a trillion?).
The lay people would rather believe the opposition politician than take the word of a fool..err..full minister of Communication. P.S.- They say evolution has made humans masters of the planet but I think it is likely he was born before the process started).
The people are embarrassed of their government but the government doesn’t realized that they are embarrassing themselves. Really, a million youths assembled to defend Putrajaya??? More like thousands of them coming to watch Korean popstar group and ignoring the PM altogether.
http://masterwordsmith-unplugged.blogspot.com/2011/06/top-20-signs-that-tell-you.html
Monday, June 20, 2011
Malaysia needs 50% more rooms for more tourist arrivals, says deputy tourism minister
By Lam Jian Wyn of theedgeproperty.com
Wednesday, 30 March 2011 15:48
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will need to raise the number of hotel rooms in the country by about 50% to cater for a targeted growth in tourist arrivals to 36 million by 2020, said Deputy Minister of Tourism Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit.
“We will look at progression (of tourist arrivals). If we have that number of tourists we will need to build that many rooms,” he told reporters on Wednesday, Mar 30.
Mamit said as at February, there were 1,610 hotels nationwide ranked from 3-stars to 5-stars earlier with a total 161,117 rooms, in his speech earlier before the launch of the InterContinental Hotel Kuala Lumpur, formerly the Nikko Hotel.
In the city alone, there were 236 hotels with 30,000 rooms, he added.
“We hope to have enough rooms… Probably (increase by) about 50% more hotel rooms, but by when (we) don’t know, it depends on investors,” he said.
He had noted that the average occupancy rates for hotels across the countries fell by 1.6% to 59.3% in 2010 from a year ago, venturing that tourists are moving towards homestay programmes.
He pointed out that last year, Malacca had recorded the highest number of tourists without offering a figure.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011 15:48
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will need to raise the number of hotel rooms in the country by about 50% to cater for a targeted growth in tourist arrivals to 36 million by 2020, said Deputy Minister of Tourism Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit.
“We will look at progression (of tourist arrivals). If we have that number of tourists we will need to build that many rooms,” he told reporters on Wednesday, Mar 30.
Mamit said as at February, there were 1,610 hotels nationwide ranked from 3-stars to 5-stars earlier with a total 161,117 rooms, in his speech earlier before the launch of the InterContinental Hotel Kuala Lumpur, formerly the Nikko Hotel.
In the city alone, there were 236 hotels with 30,000 rooms, he added.
“We hope to have enough rooms… Probably (increase by) about 50% more hotel rooms, but by when (we) don’t know, it depends on investors,” he said.
He had noted that the average occupancy rates for hotels across the countries fell by 1.6% to 59.3% in 2010 from a year ago, venturing that tourists are moving towards homestay programmes.
He pointed out that last year, Malacca had recorded the highest number of tourists without offering a figure.
The vicious triangle of financial fraud
By EDWARD R. HENRY and LIM CHIA YING
news@thestar.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: There are three sides to any financial fraud – opportunity, desire and target.
“Remove any one element, the triangle can’t be formed and the crime will not occur,” said JR Associates regional consultant John R.
He was commenting on The Star’s report on a contract scam involving school supply contracts which saw many suppliers being cheated into paying high fees by conmen posing as Education Ministry and department officials.
Some traders, fearing they would lose the contracts, are known to have used their life’s savings – one even sold off his house – to pay the conmen.
John said a person can eliminate or reduce the risk of being cheated by first curbing “the opportunity for crime.”
This means limiting access to personal information and not divulging personal details when asked over the phone or online, he said.
John, who has several associate offices abroad, said: “When the opportunity for fraud is frustrated from occurring, losses can be avoided and time and emotional distress can be saved.”
Regarding the “desire” that serves as the motivation for the crime, John said: “It is usually due to some financial problem that can’t be solved through legitimate means.
“Once he (the criminal) has the desire, he looks for an opportunity and a target.”
John added that fraudsters see themselves as “good people caught in a web of bad circumstances” and do not view themselves as criminals.
Explaining the third leg in the triangle – target – he said it refers to anyone who appears to be an easy victim.
“An easy target will not put any resistance and would believe or accept what is being told.
“This makes it easy for the criminal to brainwash the person into accepting a scam,” added John, who has spent 30 years in risk management for expatriates.
“In order to protect ourselves we must restrict the personal information we give out by being cautious in discussions regarding wealth, lifestyle and social activities.
“Shred all documents that have personal information relating to the business and do not leave receipts at the ATM machine or petrol kiosk,” he said.
He added that it was cheaper to prevent fraud from happening than to try to detect the crime.
“By the time someone realises he has been cheated, the cash given is gone and chances are slim that it will be recovered. Moreover, it is costly and time consuming to investigate a fraud,” he said.
news@thestar.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: There are three sides to any financial fraud – opportunity, desire and target.
“Remove any one element, the triangle can’t be formed and the crime will not occur,” said JR Associates regional consultant John R.
He was commenting on The Star’s report on a contract scam involving school supply contracts which saw many suppliers being cheated into paying high fees by conmen posing as Education Ministry and department officials.
Some traders, fearing they would lose the contracts, are known to have used their life’s savings – one even sold off his house – to pay the conmen.
John said a person can eliminate or reduce the risk of being cheated by first curbing “the opportunity for crime.”
This means limiting access to personal information and not divulging personal details when asked over the phone or online, he said.
John, who has several associate offices abroad, said: “When the opportunity for fraud is frustrated from occurring, losses can be avoided and time and emotional distress can be saved.”
Regarding the “desire” that serves as the motivation for the crime, John said: “It is usually due to some financial problem that can’t be solved through legitimate means.
“Once he (the criminal) has the desire, he looks for an opportunity and a target.”
John added that fraudsters see themselves as “good people caught in a web of bad circumstances” and do not view themselves as criminals.
Explaining the third leg in the triangle – target – he said it refers to anyone who appears to be an easy victim.
“An easy target will not put any resistance and would believe or accept what is being told.
“This makes it easy for the criminal to brainwash the person into accepting a scam,” added John, who has spent 30 years in risk management for expatriates.
“In order to protect ourselves we must restrict the personal information we give out by being cautious in discussions regarding wealth, lifestyle and social activities.
“Shred all documents that have personal information relating to the business and do not leave receipts at the ATM machine or petrol kiosk,” he said.
He added that it was cheaper to prevent fraud from happening than to try to detect the crime.
“By the time someone realises he has been cheated, the cash given is gone and chances are slim that it will be recovered. Moreover, it is costly and time consuming to investigate a fraud,” he said.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Top 20 Countries With Highest Proportion of Millionaires
First, the bad news – the global economy may not recover to its glory time anytime soon as the U.S. economy is getting really choppy with stubborn unemployment, not to mention the risk of another round of recession. The good news – the global wealth increased by 8% last year to reach a record of $121.8 trillion, at least that was what Boston Consulting Group says. Amazingly, the number of millionaire households grew by 12.2% in 2010, to 12.5 million worldwide. The U.S. still ranks as the country with the most millionaires per capita but lags behind other countries in terms of the proportion of millionaire households by market.
Millionaire households were counted based on assets under management, including cash deposits, money market funds, listed securities held directly or indirectly through managed investments together with onshore and offshore assets. However, it excludes wealth attributed to investors’ own businesses, residences, and luxury goods. Millionaire households accounted for 39% of global wealth in 2010, up from 37% in 2009 and 36% in 2008. Here’re the top 20 countries with the highest proportion of millionaires and you’ll never guess which top the chart.
No. 20 on the Chart: Canada
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 1.4%
Number of millionaires households: 180,000
No. 19 on the Chart: Australia
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 1.6%
Number of millionaires households: 130,000
No. 18 on the Chart: Denmark
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 1.7%
Number of millionaires households: 40,000
No. 17 on the Chart: Saudi Arabia
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 2.0%
Number of millionaires households: 90,000
No. 16 on the Chart: Oman
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 2.1%
Number of millionaires households: 9,000
No. 15 on the Chart: United Kingdom
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 2.2%
Number of millionaires households: 570,000
No. 14 on the Chart: Netherlands
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 2.3%
Number of millionaires households: 170,000
No. 13 on the Chart: Ireland
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 2.3%
Number of millionaires households: 30,000
No. 12 on the Chart: Bahrain
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 2.6%
Number of millionaires households: 6,000
No. 11 on the Chart: Japan
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 3.0%
Number of millionaires households: 1,530,000
No. 10 on the Chart: Belgium
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 3.1%
Number of millionaires households: 140,000
No. 9 on the Chart: Israel
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 3.4%
Number of millionaires households: 80,000
No. 8 on the Chart: Taiwan
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 3.6%
Number of millionaires households: 280,000
No. 7 on the Chart: United States
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 4.5%
Number of millionaires households: 5,220,000
No. 6 on the Chart: United Arab Emirates
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 5.0%
Number of millionaires households: 50,000
No. 5 on the Chart: Kuwait
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 8.5%
Number of millionaires households: 40,000
No. 4 on the Chart: Hong Kong
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 8.6%
Number of millionaires households: 200,000
No. 3 on the Chart: Qatar
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 8.9%
Number of millionaires households: 30,000
No. 2 on the Chart: Switzerland
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 9.9%
Number of millionaires households: 330,000
No. 1 on the Chart: Singapore
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 15.5%
Number of millionaires households: 170,000
After declining in 2008, the U.S. millionaire population grew in 2009 and continued to rebound in 2010. Although its economy is crawling, the U.S. still has by far the most millionaire households (more than 5 million) of any country, as well as the largest number of ultra-high-net-worth households (those with more than $100 million in assets under management). Hmm, not bad for a country whose government has debt of a mind-boggling US$14.3 trillion.
Japan has 1.53 million millionaire households, second only to the U.S. Its share of regional wealth has been declining though. Japan accounted for more than half of all wealth in the Asia-Pacific region as recently as 2008 but by 2010, its share accounted for about 44% only. The United Kingdom has 570,000 millionaire households, the fourth-highest number, after the U.S., Japan and China. However, as a share of total households in the country, at 2.2%, the U.K. ranks 15th.
Qatar is the world’s fastest-growing economy, as well as one of the richest. It’s annual GDP growth is estimated at 19.4% in 2010, with per capita GDP at $145,300. The country has the world’s third-largest reserves of natural gas, with oil and gas accounting for more than half of GDP, 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues.
With nearly one in 10 households in Switzerland a millionaire household, the country is one of the world’s most expensive. Hence, being a Swiss you shouldn’t complain of paying about 20% more for services & accommodation and 45% more for food as compared to other Western European cities. At least I won’t mind. And guess which country has the highest concentration of millionaire households?
It’s none other than Singapore. That’s right – Singapore, the country that its northern neighbour, Malaysia, always ridicule for being just a tiny dot and not even considered a country is home to the world’s greatest concentration of millionaire households. Deloitte expects that by 2015, Singapore may surpass Switzerland in per capita wealth among millionaire households. Already, Singapore is Asia’s eighth-most-expensive location.
Reference: http://www.financetwitter.com/2011/06/top-twenty-countries-with-highest-proportion-of-millionaires.html
Millionaire households were counted based on assets under management, including cash deposits, money market funds, listed securities held directly or indirectly through managed investments together with onshore and offshore assets. However, it excludes wealth attributed to investors’ own businesses, residences, and luxury goods. Millionaire households accounted for 39% of global wealth in 2010, up from 37% in 2009 and 36% in 2008. Here’re the top 20 countries with the highest proportion of millionaires and you’ll never guess which top the chart.
No. 20 on the Chart: Canada
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 1.4%
Number of millionaires households: 180,000
No. 19 on the Chart: Australia
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 1.6%
Number of millionaires households: 130,000
No. 18 on the Chart: Denmark
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 1.7%
Number of millionaires households: 40,000
No. 17 on the Chart: Saudi Arabia
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 2.0%
Number of millionaires households: 90,000
No. 16 on the Chart: Oman
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 2.1%
Number of millionaires households: 9,000
No. 15 on the Chart: United Kingdom
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 2.2%
Number of millionaires households: 570,000
No. 14 on the Chart: Netherlands
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 2.3%
Number of millionaires households: 170,000
No. 13 on the Chart: Ireland
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 2.3%
Number of millionaires households: 30,000
No. 12 on the Chart: Bahrain
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 2.6%
Number of millionaires households: 6,000
No. 11 on the Chart: Japan
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 3.0%
Number of millionaires households: 1,530,000
No. 10 on the Chart: Belgium
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 3.1%
Number of millionaires households: 140,000
No. 9 on the Chart: Israel
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 3.4%
Number of millionaires households: 80,000
No. 8 on the Chart: Taiwan
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 3.6%
Number of millionaires households: 280,000
No. 7 on the Chart: United States
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 4.5%
Number of millionaires households: 5,220,000
No. 6 on the Chart: United Arab Emirates
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 5.0%
Number of millionaires households: 50,000
No. 5 on the Chart: Kuwait
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 8.5%
Number of millionaires households: 40,000
No. 4 on the Chart: Hong Kong
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 8.6%
Number of millionaires households: 200,000
No. 3 on the Chart: Qatar
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 8.9%
Number of millionaires households: 30,000
No. 2 on the Chart: Switzerland
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 9.9%
Number of millionaires households: 330,000
No. 1 on the Chart: Singapore
Millionaire households as a share of country’s total households: 15.5%
Number of millionaires households: 170,000
After declining in 2008, the U.S. millionaire population grew in 2009 and continued to rebound in 2010. Although its economy is crawling, the U.S. still has by far the most millionaire households (more than 5 million) of any country, as well as the largest number of ultra-high-net-worth households (those with more than $100 million in assets under management). Hmm, not bad for a country whose government has debt of a mind-boggling US$14.3 trillion.
Japan has 1.53 million millionaire households, second only to the U.S. Its share of regional wealth has been declining though. Japan accounted for more than half of all wealth in the Asia-Pacific region as recently as 2008 but by 2010, its share accounted for about 44% only. The United Kingdom has 570,000 millionaire households, the fourth-highest number, after the U.S., Japan and China. However, as a share of total households in the country, at 2.2%, the U.K. ranks 15th.
Qatar is the world’s fastest-growing economy, as well as one of the richest. It’s annual GDP growth is estimated at 19.4% in 2010, with per capita GDP at $145,300. The country has the world’s third-largest reserves of natural gas, with oil and gas accounting for more than half of GDP, 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues.
With nearly one in 10 households in Switzerland a millionaire household, the country is one of the world’s most expensive. Hence, being a Swiss you shouldn’t complain of paying about 20% more for services & accommodation and 45% more for food as compared to other Western European cities. At least I won’t mind. And guess which country has the highest concentration of millionaire households?
It’s none other than Singapore. That’s right – Singapore, the country that its northern neighbour, Malaysia, always ridicule for being just a tiny dot and not even considered a country is home to the world’s greatest concentration of millionaire households. Deloitte expects that by 2015, Singapore may surpass Switzerland in per capita wealth among millionaire households. Already, Singapore is Asia’s eighth-most-expensive location.
Reference: http://www.financetwitter.com/2011/06/top-twenty-countries-with-highest-proportion-of-millionaires.html
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