Comments on: Penang monorail: the South African connection http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/penang-monorail-the-south-african-connection/ Let justice flow like a mighty river Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:45:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Chen http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/penang-monorail-the-south-african-connection/comment-page-1/#comment-34526 Chen Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:50:16 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=15876#comment-34526 My first question about the monorail, is that could anyone confirm this 'news' with the Penang government first before discussing? I doubt this info is official. My first question about the monorail, is that could anyone confirm this ‘news’ with the Penang government first before discussing? I doubt this info is official.

Complain about this comment

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Monorail project in Penang? « TRANSIT (KLANG VALLEY) http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/penang-monorail-the-south-african-connection/comment-page-1/#comment-33981 Monorail project in Penang? « TRANSIT (KLANG VALLEY) Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:09:22 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=15876#comment-33981 [...] in Penang? Posted on October 26, 2009 by transitmy Blogger Anil Netto (www.anilnetto.com) posts that the Penang State Government has “given the green light to a low-profile businessman, [...] [...] in Penang? Posted on October 26, 2009 by transitmy Blogger Anil Netto (www.anilnetto.com) posts that the Penang State Government has “given the green light to a low-profile businessman, [...]

Complain about this comment

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: K http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/penang-monorail-the-south-african-connection/comment-page-1/#comment-33904 K Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:57:19 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=15876#comment-33904 I have some further comments and concerns in addition to Anil's input. It is almost impossible that this will be a project fully financed by private sector. Most likely that it will be a PPP-PFI (Public Private Partnership and Private Financial Initiative). This means 2 things. One, this would require the state to provide a lot of land and other public assets to support this project. This would mean another round of fishy and dubious re-zoning, selling land below market rate,etc. Additionally the state would need to guarantee ridership and profit. Two, this project would mean the fares would set and dictated by commercial objectives and interests and public ones. As such, the fares are likely to be high and the ridership low. This only mean one thing in the end...WIN-WIN-LOSE solution with the private company reaping all the profits, (the) cronies are happy with contracts for supplemantary works while Joe Public loses everything. Again, this initiative demonstrate what I had complained earlier on the thread about the Pulau Tikus issue. My complaint was that LGE has no transport masterplan and does everything on piecemeal basic. Even this monorail project is not a sustainable solution and it is hard to comprehend what's goes in LGE's tiny head other than a driving need to "develop" Penang. DAP - Development Above People I have some further comments and concerns in addition to Anil’s input.

It is almost impossible that this will be a project fully financed by private sector. Most likely that it will be a PPP-PFI (Public Private Partnership and Private Financial Initiative). This means 2 things. One, this would require the state to provide a lot of land and other public assets to support this project. This would mean another round of fishy and dubious re-zoning, selling land below market rate,etc. Additionally the state would need to guarantee ridership and profit. Two, this project would mean the fares would set and dictated by commercial objectives and interests and public ones. As such, the fares are likely to be high and the ridership low. This only mean one thing in the end…WIN-WIN-LOSE solution with the private company reaping all the profits, (the) cronies are happy with contracts for supplemantary works while Joe Public loses everything.

Again, this initiative demonstrate what I had complained earlier on the thread about the Pulau Tikus issue. My complaint was that LGE has no transport masterplan and does everything on piecemeal basic.

Even this monorail project is not a sustainable solution and it is hard to comprehend what’s goes in LGE’s tiny head other than a driving need to “develop” Penang.

DAP – Development Above People

Complain about this comment

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: kingkong http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/penang-monorail-the-south-african-connection/comment-page-1/#comment-33827 kingkong Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:59:29 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=15876#comment-33827 Question is how do you attrach investors? Pro_gerakan bloggers complain Penang has nothing. Further there must be some form of assistance. If the State provide a maintenance and service yard at low price, is it wrong if BN Government wavier taxes to those coming with their money? Land = pioneer tax Question is how do you attrach investors? Pro_gerakan bloggers complain Penang has nothing. Further there must be some form of assistance. If the State provide a maintenance and service yard at low price, is it wrong if BN Government wavier taxes to those coming with their money? Land = pioneer tax

Complain about this comment

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: kingkong http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/penang-monorail-the-south-african-connection/comment-page-1/#comment-33826 kingkong Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:52:21 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=15876#comment-33826 Ong There are people having money to throw money around. A road or train has to start somewhere. They may think it is cheap to start there and less comments. In 10 years time, the demand may overflow just like to suburban trains in Australia. To start in the Centre, greenies,mothers, disable people make more comments. Would you spend your money for people to insult your project? Ong

There are people having money to throw money around. A road or train has to start somewhere. They may think it is cheap to start there and less comments. In 10 years time, the demand may overflow just like to suburban trains in Australia.
To start in the Centre, greenies,mothers, disable people make more comments. Would you spend your money for people to insult your project?

Complain about this comment

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: ethankafka http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/penang-monorail-the-south-african-connection/comment-page-1/#comment-33715 ethankafka Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:06:15 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=15876#comment-33715 Hi Yifan, I do not see test track facility as something that make no sense at all. In fact, many engineering companies do have test centre for R&D purposes. For example, Siemens has a test center for rail vehicles at Wegberg-Wildenrath, Germany. If test centre is a requirement set by Penang state government for proof-of-concept before tendering any project, I thought this sounds totally reasonable, as long as the cost is from Jeyaratnam's own pocket. The more immediate concern is, how much is Jeyakumar paying for the 30-acre site in Batu Kawan? and of course, is Monorail part of Penang Public Transportation Master Plan? These are the valid concerns brought forward by Anil. Hi Yifan,
I do not see test track facility as something that make no sense at all. In fact, many engineering companies do have test centre for R&D purposes. For example, Siemens has a test center for rail vehicles at Wegberg-Wildenrath, Germany.
If test centre is a requirement set by Penang state government for proof-of-concept before tendering any project, I thought this sounds totally reasonable, as long as the cost is from Jeyaratnam’s own pocket.
The more immediate concern is, how much is Jeyakumar paying for the 30-acre site in Batu Kawan? and of course, is Monorail part of Penang Public Transportation Master Plan? These are the valid concerns brought forward by Anil.

Complain about this comment

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: yifan http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/penang-monorail-the-south-african-connection/comment-page-1/#comment-33674 yifan Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:01:46 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=15876#comment-33674 I have only admire for Lim Guan Eng in his previously convicted sedition case - he did something illegal, but the law (Sedition Act) in itself is simply a draconian law. Let's don't waste comparing him with our peace-loving KPI-polishing ex-CM Koh Tsu Koon. However, the monorail is another matter. I am DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED with LGE's response. Where is his CAT in action? What is the deal behind the scene? What test track in Batu Kawan is needed? That makes no sense at all. Let me just pointed out two possibilities, let the reader be the judge: 1. The Jeyaratnam's monorail's system is not proven at any other place on the earth. And Penang could be the first place of such system. Why? Ask any reputable engineering company: they show you what they have done at other places. They don't do "test track". Imagine Penang Second Link's China Harbour Engineering said: CM, we can definitely do the job. We can prove it by building a test bridge at Sg. Juru. Does it make it any sense? 2. Assume Jayaratnam's system is a brilliant new one, with promising future, and who knows, very cheap (though I seriously doubt that). Why not give it a try? Ok fine.. But is that a waste of time? Look around, there are hundreds of cities around the world, of similar size like Penang, who has some sort of tramway, busway, metro, light-rail, etc. Lim Guan Eng must ask himself: is it really impossible that his team could not find a good example from all these cities that already has a sound working public transport in place? Argghh.... Last, where is the CAT, lim guan eng? Or is it just the "cat" just your pet? As what "1 Malaysia" is to Najib Razak? We want transparency. I have only admire for Lim Guan Eng in his previously convicted sedition case – he did something illegal, but the law (Sedition Act) in itself is simply a draconian law. Let’s don’t waste comparing him with our peace-loving KPI-polishing ex-CM Koh Tsu Koon.

However, the monorail is another matter. I am DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED with LGE’s response. Where is his CAT in action? What is the deal behind the scene? What test track in Batu Kawan is needed? That makes no sense at all. Let me just pointed out two possibilities, let the reader be the judge:

1. The Jeyaratnam’s monorail’s system is not proven at any other place on the earth. And Penang could be the first place of such system. Why? Ask any reputable engineering company: they show you what they have done at other places. They don’t do “test track”. Imagine Penang Second Link’s China Harbour Engineering said: CM, we can definitely do the job. We can prove it by building a test bridge at Sg. Juru. Does it make it any sense?

2. Assume Jayaratnam’s system is a brilliant new one, with promising future, and who knows, very cheap (though I seriously doubt that). Why not give it a try? Ok fine.. But is that a waste of time? Look around, there are hundreds of cities around the world, of similar size like Penang, who has some sort of tramway, busway, metro, light-rail, etc. Lim Guan Eng must ask himself: is it really impossible that his team could not find a good example from all these cities that already has a sound working public transport in place?

Argghh…. Last, where is the CAT, lim guan eng? Or is it just the “cat” just your pet? As what “1 Malaysia” is to Najib Razak? We want transparency.

Complain about this comment

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Lineclear http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/penang-monorail-the-south-african-connection/comment-page-1/#comment-33658 Lineclear Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:28:10 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=15876#comment-33658 Bros, The Monorail Jeyakumar Varathan is a business tycoon involved in Monorail Technologies. It is Lim Guan Eng Govt pet mega project. The Project should be self financed by Private Investors and will not cost the State a single cent. The Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj of PSN who assisted the KBP Villagers is not involed in this monorail project. rgds Bros,

The Monorail Jeyakumar Varathan is a business tycoon involved in Monorail Technologies. It is Lim Guan Eng Govt pet mega project.

The Project should be self financed by Private Investors and will not cost the State a single cent.

The Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj of PSN who assisted the KBP Villagers is not involed in this monorail project.

rgds

Complain about this comment

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Gerakan K http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/penang-monorail-the-south-african-connection/comment-page-1/#comment-33589 Gerakan K Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:13:48 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=15876#comment-33589 LGE is ex-convict. This is a fact. You cannot whitewash his past actions even today he is our CM (how unfortunate that is! I wonder why there is shortage of untainted representative from DAP/PR. No wonder there was a call from PKR that Penang CM should be rotated) LGE is ex-convict. This is a fact. You cannot whitewash his past actions even today he is our CM (how unfortunate that is! I wonder why there is shortage of untainted representative from DAP/PR. No wonder there was a call from PKR that Penang CM should be rotated)

Complain about this comment

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: ethankafka http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/penang-monorail-the-south-african-connection/comment-page-1/#comment-33562 ethankafka Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:46:44 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=15876#comment-33562 Anil, while I enjoy reading your work, I am rather disappointed with some of the readers' comments. If you notice, many of the comments are simply baseless, lack of thoughts and full of hatred. well... just my thoughts... Anil, while I enjoy reading your work, I am rather disappointed with some of the readers’ comments. If you notice, many of the comments are simply baseless, lack of thoughts and full of hatred. well… just my thoughts…

Complain about this comment

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]>