kolaati - a typical Malaysia citizen

This is the controversial lecture by Anwar Ibrahim at the London School of Economics on 18 March 2010 on religion and pluralism. The lecture text was earlier published in his blog http://anwaribrahim.blog.com , but later taken out due to uneasiness of Muslim people from his home country. The text is also accessible from http://newasiarepublic.com/?p=17060 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Let me begin with a cryptic line from T.S. Eliot’s “Burnt Norton”: “Go, go, go, said the bird: Human kind Cannot bear very much reality.” But I say bear it we must for indeed, it is a stark reality of our world that certain religious groups hold that only certain fundamental doctrines may lead to salvation. This exclusivist outlook unfortunately cuts across the board as between religions as well as within the denominations. In Christendom, we have seen the schisms and consequent upheavals arising from this sense ...

The bank officer told me that I actually served a loan of BFR-1.0% financing rate, which is higher. As the result, I terminated my 200k ASB loan that I served since 2009. The benefits thus far: 1. ASB Dividend since 2009 - amounting to 70k. 2. Cash from certificate liquidity - about 30k. In comparison to direct monthly deduction, I've earned an extra 20k! With the new financing rate for my new ASB loan (BFR-1.65%), the earning shall increase, subject to steady ASB performance for years to come. Alhamdulillah.

Launched in 2010, the main intent is to enable access for Bumiputera residents to own equities in high-end, luxurious commercial real estates in the country that is widely monopolized by non-Bumis. With biannual dividend distribution (3.25 sen per unit), it's worth investing for those who seek continuous income, higher than those generated from common fixed deposit account. Operated by PHB, the investment scheme performance is said to be very consistent due to its business nature: long-term leasing. A very convenient dividend payment method - credited directly into your Maybank savings/current account . More information is available at: http://www.maybank2u.com.my/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sementara itu, Kamalul Arifin berkata, PHB kini berusaha mengembangkan saiz dana Amanah Hartanah Bumiputera (AHB) bagi mencapai kesaksamaan pemilikan bumiputera dalam bidang hartanah komersial perdana...

ASB dividend is said to be the highest over the past 5 years. For those who seek for steady and over average income over a long term of investment, this is clearly the most suitable type of investment for you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Permodalan Nasional Bhd. (PNB) hari ini mengumumkan pengagihan pendapatan Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) sebanyak 7.75 sen seunit dan bonus 1.15 sen seunit untuk tahun kewangan berakhir 31 Disember 2012. Agihan pendapatan itu meningkat 0.10 sen seunit berbanding 7.65 sen seunit yang dibayar tahun lalu. Pengerusi PNB, Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid berkata, kadar pengagihan itu adalah yang tertinggi bagi tempoh lima tahun iaitu sejak 2008 dan bakal memberi manfaat kepada 7.82 juta pelabur yang melanggan 110.2 bilion unit ASB. Katanya, pengagihan pendapatan tersebut membabitkan pembayaran sebanyak RM8.13 bilion, peningkatan sebanyak 17.5 peratus berbanding RM6.92 bilio...

Without a doubt, ASB is one of the best conventional saving method for Bumiputera citizens. The fact that the fund is guaranteed by the Government and steady annual return way more than normal fixed deposition, it attracts investors. Furthermore, it requires virtually no monitoring due to its fixed unit rate of RM1.00. For the past 5 years since 2006, the annual dividend rates are between 7 and 9 percent. Prior to being an aggressive investor, it is advisable to have this type of conventional saving first, as an insurance. The next area I'm venturing into is the stock market; with fluctuating rates and uncertain dividends/bonuses. Of course, this will require close monitoring and knowledge on current business scenarios in Malaysia and abroad. Been in the area for quite sometime now, but I'll slowly start to increase the capital invested for this purpose. It's okay to be slow and steady :) Once I get it, then I'll go for it!

Finally, I bought a scooter! Suzuki Skydrive 125, see at this link: http://www.suzukicyclesbermuda.com/show.php?id=382&page=2&p=5&srt=model_year Took me only 7 minutes to reach the office. Since early this year, average time taken is 25 minutes by car, twice longer than in previous year. Time saved: 18 minutes - spent watching 7am news or having a light breakfast. I wonder what the authorities are doing, KK is getting busier yet the people cannot see any significant improvements made to the road and traffic systems. The solutions may be easily sought from Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) made by transportation engineering experts. Instead, DBKK Mayor came up with a press statement saying that the people of Kota Kinabalu need an LRT system! The solution can be 100 times cheaper. I wonder how these people climb up the ladder.....

Traffic in KK is getting worse from time to time. Not only expensive house rental and food, the cost for getting to work is also increasing. I am seriously considering buying a bike... Still haven't made up my mind yet, a typical bike or a scooter? Scooter looks more elegant and easier to handle. However, expect higher CAPEX and OPEX. Typical bike looks not so stylish, but should meet the intended purpose i.e. getting to work. Based on these arguments, I prefer scooter to typical bike :) Waiting for the right time, then just go the the shop and grab one... no more thinking. This one looks nice: Joymax 250: yet to find the dealer and OTR price. Huge luggage box works for me. The 12L fuel capacity is good for a non-stop 300km-journey.