integrated oil and gas complex in Manjung, Perak.

The complex comprises an oil refinery, petrochemical project and storage facilities.

Qatar-based Gulf Petroleum Ltd (W.L.L) is leading a consortium for the development of the complex, for which total investments for the first five years are estimated at US$5bil. The complex is intended to be the regional hub for its Asia-Pacific activities.

read more at http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/4/business/20845183&sec=business

329km Ipoh-Padang Besar double-track project

the 329km Ipoh-Padang Besar double-track project cuts across the four northern states of Penang, Perak, Kedah and Perlis. Once completed, modern trains with heavier loadings can run on the flatter, straighter alignment at a speed of up to 160kph.

It will only take about 90 minutes to travel from Penang to Ipoh by train when the project is completed, compared to about four hours now. It will only take three hours to travel from Penang to Kuala Lumpur by train when the electrified double-track project (EDTP) is completed.

Once operational, commuters can have breakfast in Penang, lunch in KL and return to the island for dinner, all in the same day. Currently, the train journey between the destinations takes about nine hours.

The EDTP can be the backbone for future commuter services in the northern area, similar to the Klang Valley commuter services.

RM10bil had been invested in double tracking the Klang Valley and from Rawang to Ipoh.

read more at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/3/nation/20829519&sec=nation

Second bridge

It is now believed that the 24km bridge will cost about RM4bil. THE construction of the second Penang Bridge linking Batu Maung on the island and Batu Kawan in Seberang Prai . The 24km bridge, which is expected to be completed in 2011, would comprise 294 piers and 9,364 sections, and would be the longest in South-East Asia when completed.

The project was awarded to UEM World Bhd by the Federal Government. UEM is also the concessionaire for the existing bridge linking Penang to the mainland.

UEM’s construction arm, UEM Builders Bhd, formed a joint venture with China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC) to construct the new bridge.

CHEC has a 51% stake in the joint venture with UEM holding the rest.

the Export-Import Bank of China agreed to provide a loan of US$800mil to fund the project at a 3% interest over a repayment period of 20 years.

source: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/4/business/20846684&sec=business

Penang monorail

MMC Bhd, the then Road Builder (M) Holdings Bhd, which has since been taken over by IJM Corporation Bhd, the Melewar Group and The Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB)-led consortium, which includes Scomi Engineering Bhd and Penang Port Commission (PPC) are the bidder for the monorail. The latter was believed awarded the project, estimate cost RM1.6 billion, for submitting the “most comprehensive” and “lowest priced”.

PPC being the owner of the land on which the monorail would start from, Scomi the expertise to build the monorail coaches, and MRCB the builder of the infrastructure.

source:
http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_66beb0ce-cb73c03a-39060b00-f09b86bd

Fruitful venture

“Buatan Malaysia” halal fruit jams such as guava, pineapple, mango and papaya in Beijing,Harbin, Xinjiang and Changchun.

Seen pineapple jams, but haven't tasted the others.

read more in
http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2008/1/6/columnists/beijingexpress/20080106084511&sec=Beijing%20Express

Penang

Ji Lok Temple