this is TERENCE CHOONG's Blog
here you will get topics ranging from almost anything i can get my hands into. as i am not an author/writer, all postings are articles of interest from other source of publications.
LEADERS are like Eagles;
They don't flock together;
They stand out ALONE
KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 — Former MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said today the rule of law must be upheld, even as his party senior, Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik was marched into the dock for his role in the multi-billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.
“Certainly we need to uphold the rule of law. Nobody should be above the law,” Ong(picture) responded immediately to reporters here after learning Dr Ling had just been charged.
“I’m not interested in specific personalities,” he said, adding that he prayed the interest of the general public, especially taxpayers, would be protected.
Dr Ling led the MCA for 17 years, from 1986 to 2003, and is still regarded as a powerhouse in the ruling Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Chinese party.
While Dr Ling pleaded not guilty, the charge will likely jeopardize the MCA’s current efforts to garner the confidence and support from the ethnic Chinese community.
The PKFZ project was mooted during Dr Ling’s term as Transport Minister and the cost of the project, initially estimated at fewer than RM2 billion, more than doubled to RM4.6 billion by 2007.
The cost are reckoned to balloon further to as much as RM12.5 billion, due to interest costs from deferred payments if the trans-shipment hub fails to perform.
Ong acknowledged as much even as he tried to defend his party against its detractors, likely whooping in delight at the latest prosecution development.
“It’s unfair to co-relate an individual’s deed with partisan deeds,” said Ong, after speaking at the 15th Malaysian Law Conference here this afternoon.
PETALING JAYA: Many people are shy to talk about it, but a good sex life is an important part of an individual’s overall health.
“Sex can be a wonderful cementer or a terrible wedge for a relationship,” said consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar.
She will be presenting a talk titled “Good Health, Great Sex ... For A Better Life” at the upcoming FemmeCity event.
Dr Nor Ashikin, the founder and executive chairman of Primanora Medical Centre, is also a contributor to the Women’sWorld column of The Star’s Fit4Life pullout.
She acknowledged that keeping the sexual spark alive in a marriage or in a long-term relationship was easier said than done.
“However, couples who take time to cultivate and maintain healthy and satisfying sexual relations tend to be more connected with each other and do not suffer from depression, heart problems and other health maladies,” she said.
Scientific evidence shows that good sex not only adds enjoyment to life but improves health and may even contribute to longevity.
“The daily routines of life challenge couples to keep alive that flame that initially brought them together,” said Dr Nor Ashikin.
“Sexual intimacy should be one of the greatest pleasure of being human. No one wants to be with a partner who is merely going through the motions. Enjoy it or don’t do it.”
A turkey was chatting with a bull. I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree, sighed the turkey,ut I havent got the energy.
Well, why dont you nibble on some of my droppings? replied the bull.Theyre packed with nutrients.
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.
The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.
Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree. He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.
Moral of the story: Bullshit might get you to the top, but it wont keep you there.
A little bird was flying south for the Winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.
While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.
As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was.
The dung was actually thawing him out!
He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.
A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.
Morals of the story: (1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy. (2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend. (3) And when you are in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!
The rebounding Malaysian economy expanded 10% in the first quarter of 2010, its highest growth rate in a decade. The fortunes of the country's 40 wealthiest are rising, too. They're worth a total of $51 billion, up from $36 billion a year ago and even higher than the $46 billion they were collectively worth in 2008. The nation's top tycoons are $15 billion richer.
The rebounding Malaysian economy expanded 10% in the first quarter of 2010, its highest growth rate in a decade. The fortunes of the country's 40 wealthiest are rising, too. They're worth a total of $51 billion, up from $36 billion a year ago and even higher than the $46 billion they were collectively worth in 2008.
All but three are now richer. Goh Peng Ooi enjoyed the biggest percentage jump, up 280%, after he sold two of his private companies to his listed Silverlake Axis. The overall gains are in step with the 32% rise in the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index and the Malaysian ringgit's 11% increase against the U.S. dollar, the currency in which net worths are measured.
Robert Kuok and Ananda Krishnan retained their status as the country's two richest men. They are worth a combined $20.1 billion, or 40% of the top 40's wealth. The country's 10 billionaires are worth $30 billion, accounting for 59% of the total.Vincent Tan is back in the billionaires club this year after a one-year hiatus. His fortune doubled thanks to a jump in his Berjaya stocks. He's spending some of his money on British football club Cardiff City. Another big gainer was Genting's Lim Kok Thay, who is gambling $5 billion on his company's newly opened Singapore resort and casino.Newcomers include self-made building contractor A.K. Nathan and brothers Shahril and Shahriman Shamsuddin, who get most of their money from oil-and-gas outfit SapuraCrest Petroleum, shares of which have more than doubled since 2009.In cases where family members work together and have shares in the same businesses, we've combined their fortunes into one listing. That's why the Shamsuddin brothers, who split the fortune equally, appear together. Same goes for brothers Lee Oi Hian and Lee Hau Hian and father-and-son forestry tycoons Yaw Teck Seng and Yaw Chee Ming, who previously had been listed separately.
Three people are back on the list after having fallen off previously. The most notable is the prime minister's brother, Nazir Razak, the head of Malaysia's second-largest financial services firm, CIMB Group. Razak who barely missed the cut last year.
Among the five dropoffs is Vinod Sekhar, who runs Green Rubber, which recycles used tires. The company had previously been valued based on what private investors had paid for shares in anticipation of a public offering; that IPO still hasn't happened.Other drop-offs included Australian-educated engineer Hamdan Mohamad of infrastructure conglomerate Ranhil, Tan Teong Hean, the former head of Southern Bank, who sold out in 2006, and Tiah Thee Kian, who cofounded TA Enterprise.
Methodology
The list was compiled from information obtained from individuals, stock exchanges, public documents and analysts. Privately held fortunes were estimated using financial statements available through the Companies Commission of Malaysia. All valuations were calculated using May 14 stock prices and exchange rates. Unlike our Billionaires List, Malaysia's Richest includes family fortunes, such as that of Lee Kim Hua and her family.
#1 Robert Kuok
Net Worth $12 billion Age 86 Marital Status Married, 8 children Source diversified
Biggest dollar gainer, up $3 billion. Stock of most valuable holding, palm oil outfit Wilmar International, run by nephew, rose 46% in past year but dropped more than 10% in the days after net worths were locked in, following allegations in the media that Indonesian subsidiaries were being scrutinized for obtaining fraudulent tax refunds. The company said it was confident that there is no case. Kuok recently sold several assets including sugar businesses, stake in Jerneh Insurance, prime land in Kuala Lumpur. Reportedly spends most of his time in Hong Kong.
#2 Ananda Krishnan
Net Worth $8.1 billion Age 72 Marital Status Married, 3 children Source telecom
Former oil trader's most valuable asset is Maxis Communications, nation's largest cellphone service provider, which went public in November, raising $3.4 billion in Malaysia's largest-ever IPO. His telecom interests in Indonesia and India still privately held. Plans to take his satellite TV broadcaster, Astro All Asia Networks, private. Reportedly mulling listing of shipping arm Bumi Aramada. Sold interest in property firm Overseas Union Enterprise to partner, Indonesia's Lippo Group.
#3 Lee Shin Cheng
Net Worth $4.6 billion Age 71 Marital Status Married, 6 children Source palm oil Heads IOI Group, one of world's leading operators of palm oil refineries. Reportedly investing $300 million to expand.
#4 Lee Kim Hua (Photo N/A)
Net Worth $3.9 billion Age 81 Marital Status Widow, 6 children Source gaming
Widow of casino magnate Lim Goh Tong. Net worth up $1.4 billion as stocks of family's Genting and Genting Hong Kong (previously named Star Cruises) both rose nearly 50% in the past year.
#5 Quek Leng Chan
Net Worth $3.85 billion Age 69 Marital Status Married, 3 children Source diversified
His most valuable asset is his Hong Kong-listed Guoco Group. His Hong Leong Bank is bidding for EON Capital, Malaysia's seventh-largest bank; board just voted to recommend deal to shareholders. Took Hume Industries—cement, concrete, steel company—private this year. Recently paid $14 million for a penthouse in Singapore.
#6 Teh Hong Piow
Net Worth $3.8 billion Age 80 Marital Status Married, 4 children Source banking
Former bank clerk founded Public Bank in 1966 with profits from real estate deal; now nation's third-largest banking group. Also has operations in Cambodia, China, Vietnam, Laos and Sri Lanka. Teh underwent minor surgery in 2009 and is back at work.
#7 Yeoh Tiong Lay
Net Worth $2.5 billion Age 80 Marital Status Married, 7 children Source diversified
Founder of YTL Corp., one of Malaysia's largest conglomerates. Group recently took full control, from Australia's Macquarie Group, of Starhill Global REIT, which owns retail properties in Malaysia and Singapore. Also owns PowerSeraya, Singapore's second-largest power generator. Eldest son, Francis, has run operations for over 2 decades.
#8 Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary
Net Worth $1.7 billion Age 58 Marital Status Married, 5 children Source diversified
Former rice trader gets bulk of fortune from Malaysia Mining Corp. (MMC), through which he holds concessions to operate a port and an airport in Johor; owns stake in power producer Malakoff. Through listed Tradewinds, recently took over national rice supplier Padiberas Nasional. Owns Harrods in Malaysia. Sponsors the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia.
#9 Vincent Tan
Net Worth $1.6 billion Age 58 Marital Status Married, 11 children Source diversified
His Berjaya Group operates Wendy's, Starbucks, Papa John's Pizza in Malaysia; water, sewage treatment and landfills in Malaysia, Indonesia and China; develops properties in Vietnam, Japan. Bought social networking website Friendster.com; also a U.K. soccer team (see box, p. 75). Selling his stake in Ascot Sports, which was recently reissued its betting license, to his publicly traded Berjaya Sports for $160 million.
#10 Tiong Hiew King
Net Worth $1.2 billion Age 75 Marital Status Married, 4 children Source timber
His Rimbunan Hijau has interests in palm oil, timber and property in Malaysia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Owns Media Chinese International, with 6 dailies and 30 magazines in North America, Southeast Asia and China. Pending shareholder approval, will sell his stake in EON Capital, one of Malaysia's smallest banks, to Quek Leng Chan's Hong Leong Bank.
“Certainly we need to uphold the rule of law. Nobody should be above the law,” Ong(picture) responded immediately to reporters here after learning Dr Ling had just been charged.
