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No to economic imperialism: Opposition to Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement grows

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Opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement is growing as people in affected countries express their disquiet.

Within Malaysia, I don’t think there has been enough media coverage and political debate on this huge trade pact, which is going to have far-reaching implications. Obama is anxious to get Malaysia and the countries in this region to sign on the dotted line, and that could be why he was being so ‘pal-ly’ with Najib, going on a charm offensive over golf.

So Nurul Izzah’s piece below serves as a timely reminder of what is at stake:

No to steel railings, concrete on greens: TBRA writes to Penang Island mayor

The following letter was sent by Renji Sathiah, the Tanjung Bungah Residents Association chairperson, to the Penang Island City Council mayor and copied to the Penang JKR director:

Penang’s vanishing natural heritage

More and more people are expressing disquiet over the model of development being pursued in Penang. From north to south of the island the voices are growing louder.

Even property prices on the mainland are soaring – and this before the tunnel work has even started. Double- and even single-storey houses in Bagan Ajam in Butterworth, close to the site of the proposed tunnel, are going for RM600,000-700,000, whereas only about three years ago, they were were about half that level.

Botak Hill shock: How was hill land rezoned to ‘housing’?

The state government must clarify this report and explain how hill land could be rezoned to ‘perumahan’ (housing).

Source: NST
Source: NST

Never mind the US$/RM exchange rate; look at RM/Baht

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Never mind the United States and Singapore. Look at how the ringgit is faring against the baht in post-coup Thailand.

We are even slipping against the Indonesian Rupiah of late. Where are we heading?

Permatang Pauh by-election poll: Who would be the most winnable candidate for PKR?

There’s still a bit of uncertainty over PKR’s choice of candidate for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election. Party strategists are understood to be looking for the most ‘winnable’ candidate.

What do you think?


Penang Transport Masterplan? Or Reclamation and Property Development Masterplan?

Should the RM27bn Penang Transport Masterplan be renamed? Because it looks increasingly as if the planned improvement in the transport infrastructure in the state will bring with it massive land reclamation and (mainly high-end?) property development.

Proposed Penang cable cars not in Penang Transport Masterplan

Why are we thinking of cross-channel cable cars when it is not in the Penang Transport Masterplan, for which the state government paid RM3.2m to consultants to undertake?

DAP rep unhappy about draft plan for commercial development in Penang Island northern belt

The Penang DAP State Assembly member for Tanjung Bungah Teh Yee Cheu is unhappy about a draft plan that would classify Tanjung Bungah, Teluk Bahang and Batu Ferringhi as a future development zone that would include commercial development.

MBPP approves City of Dreams project, linked to land-for-tunnel swap deal

The property development in connection with the tunnel is about to start with earnest with the RM800m City of Dreams project having received approval from the Penang Island City Council.

City of Dreams involves the construction of a total of 522 luxury serviced apartments in two 38-storey towers on a 3.7 acre site in Sri Tanjung Pinang in Tanjung Tokong. Sea-front apartments will be priced from RM1200 per sq ft, which is reportedly lower than E & O’s nearby RM1800psf high-end condos.