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Hill railway: Safer, cost-effective option

Anil Netto
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15

Here are a couple of letters to theSun on the federally funded project to upgrade the Penang Hill Railway written by tram engineer Ric Francis and heritage activist Dr Choong Sim Poey.

Ric has his say here:

As an experienced engineer who was responsible for the alternative proposal for the up-grading of the Penang Hill railway, that the NGOs presented to the Ministry of Tourism, I am insulted by the accusation that my system will be a clone. It is obvious that the JKR has neither learnt from the 1905 failure of the first Penang Hill railway which was a one-stage system similar to what is being proposed nor studied the original report prepared by the engineer who built the existing railway.

I have the support of several Japanese and American railway experts who say that my proposal is far superior to that of the JKR as it will result in a system that will be cheaper, safer, as efficient and preserves one of the world’s heritage railways.

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Japan’s LDP dumped in massive opposition win

Anil Netto
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13

This Merdeka brings news that Japan’s LDP has been dumped after virtually unbroken rule since 1955.

The new Democratic Party-led government, which is expected to adopt a less subservient relationship with the United States and to expand the welfare state, is forecasted to win 308 of the 480 seats in the lower house.

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Higher density, more congestion for Penang?

Anil Netto
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29

Great, more high-rise buildings, concrete and congestion…

Why is Hunza announcing changes in property development density and not the local government via a press conference? Was there any public consultation before coming up with such a decision?

This from The Star.

Wednesday August 26, 2009
Penang raises density for property development
By DAVID TAN

GEORGE TOWN: The state government has raised the density for property development in Penang, which will bring down land cost and stabilise property prices, said Hunza Properties Bhd executive chairman Datuk Khor Teng Tong.

“The state government recently decided to increase the density to 280,000 sq ft in built-up area from 90,000 sq ft per 100,000 sq ft of land.The decision to increase density will allow developers to build more, hence giving consumers more choices.

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Could Penang be like this some day?

Anil Netto
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14

If Vauban in Germany could be like this…

why not Penang? What is stopping us from becoming more sustainable?

ASM shares for hardcore poor: What criteria?

Anil Netto
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13

Najib has announced a RM100 million government allocation in the form of ASM trust fund shares to assist the urban poor. The government is reportedly now compiling data on the urban poor and hardcore poor to determine who is eligible to receive the aid.

Several questions spring to mind:

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Shah Alam temple demo: Voices of sanity

Anil Netto
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60

In the midst of this craziness, Dr Rafick provides a reassuring voice of sanity here.

Mustafa K Anuar has released a press statement on behalf of Aliran here while Haris Ibrahim has his take here.

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A different sort of CSI?

Anil Netto
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4

Could this be classified as CSI – Corporate Social Irresponsibility?

You be the judge.

Efforts to send food aid to Penan natives in Central Sarawak are now stalled after a timber giant dismantled an iron bridge that provided critical access to 3,000 people living deep in remote areas. Full report here.

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Bad news for Mr KPI

Anil Netto
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43

Whichever way you look at it, Idris Jala’s appointment as “KPI” minister must be bad news for the other “KPI” minister, Koh Tsu Koon. A friend sent me a text message, with a pointed observation: “looks like ktk is surplus to requirements”, never mind that Idris is supposed to “report” to Tsu Koon on “KPI” issues.

The news comes as the Kg Buah Pala villagers stand on the brink of losing their village. No thanks to Mr KPI for allowing the land to be sold under his watch – and then remaining largely silent about what actually transpired back then while the villagers agonise ahead of demolition day.

So now we have two “KPI” ministers as the Cabinet bloats up again. “Performance now”, huh?

Perhaps one of the first “KPIs” Idris should look at is the 30 per cent target. (No, I’m not referring to the NEP.) To find out which 30 per cent I mean, read this piece I wrote after the Permatang Pasir by-election. Perhaps our country wouldn’t be in such a mess if this particular group achieves parity.

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For Yasmin

Anil Netto
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19


Yasmin, dressed in white, appears like an angel towards the end of this clip as she sits down to commune in silent reverie with the boy whose house has been demolished…

Probe alleged RM10m donation: MCA divisions

Anil Netto
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23

Suspend Ong’s authority until the truth is established, urge Perak MCA reps at a press conference this morning – Photos by Kinta Kid

Representatives of half a dozen Perak MCA divisions today signed a memo addressed to Ng Cheng Keat, the chair of MCA’s disciplinary committee, calling for a probe into the alleged RM10million donation to party president Ong Tee Keat.

The memo calls on the committee to “to grant an order with immediate effect to cease and suspend (Ong’s) authority” until the truth is established and his name is cleared.

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