Buses Drive over Cars in China

In order to reduce pollution, China has taken a giant step in public transportation. Shenzhen Huashi Future Parking Equipment company is developing a "3D Express Coach" (also known as a "three-dimensional fast bus") whereby it will move above the current traffic.

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RM30 Billion MRT Project - Gamuda & MMC Joint Venture

Ambitious, but positive. A new MRT system in the Klang Valley costing more than RM30b is under the government’s study. Gamuda and MMC have teamed up yet again for the third time, with a proposal submitted. Although the partnership may not bag the entire RM30b, their experience enhances their resume in securing at least a portion of the works. It will be positive for Gamuda (Buy; TP: RM3.80) and the construction sector if the project takes off. At this juncture, project bankability and the form of participation are our main questions.

Three lines. The New Straits Times today headlined a special task force being set up within the Cabinet Committee on Public Transport to study a proposal for three new mass rapid transit lines (MRT) in the Klang Valley costing more than RM30b. Gamuda and MMC have submitted a joint proposal for this massive project to integrate the existing monorail and light rail transit (LRT) systems. The Edge Daily had reported yesterday on this proposal, but the details were scant.

Mostly underground. The three lines will comprise: (i) Sg Buloh-Kota Damansara-KL-Cheras-Kajang, (ii) Sg Buloh-Kepong-KL-Serdang, and (iii) a loop surrounding KL’s central business district (CBD). The first MRT line (i), in our view, seems to run on a parallel alignment with the proposed new LRT line that runs from Kota Damansara to Cheras (and potentially ending at Balakong) where MRCB is in the running. The proposed MRT lines will be mostly underground especially in the CBD.

Positive for Gamuda. The project will be put on open bidding which is a positive move away from the traditional way of contract awards, to the project proposers. Gamuda’s experience in tunnel works especially in highly densed traffic areas seen in the SMART and Kaohsiung MRT projects will add weight to its resume in vying for this new Klang Valley MRT project. We expect this to be a design-and-build project. It will
thus allow Gamuda to control and secure better construction margins riding on its strong design engineering capability.

Our questions. Project bankability and the form of participation are our main questions. The existing Klang Valley LRT and monorail systems, originally awarded under the build-operate-and-transfer (BOT) mode, suffered massive losses and were eventually taken over by the government, via Syarikat Prasanara Negara Bhd. The proposal LRT extension lines will also be funded by Prasanara. Although Prasanara’s debts are off the government’s balance sheet, it remains to be seen on the amount of debt it can further raise to fund the new MRT system.

Public-private partnership? We would not be surprised if the project is undertaken on a public-private partnership basis, a form of working arrangement to be emphasized in the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP), to be unveiled this Thursday. If this is the case, the project’s attractiveness to the contractors would depend on the terms of participation. We do not expect this project to be awarded anytime soon due to the massive cost
and many issues to be ironed out. If there is a go-ahead, we would expect construction to start towards the latter half of the 10MP (2011-2015) the earliest, running into the end of the 11MP (2016-2020).

by Maybank Investment Bank

retrieved from http://malaysia-bursa.blogspot.com/2010/06/rm30b-mrt-projects-gamuda-and-mmc-joint.html

Digital Collection from PTAR

For your info:

Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak (PTAR) digital collections can be accessed via web by the following link http://digital.ptar.uitm.edu.my/portalptar/.

You can download exam questions, journals and publications for free.

YOU CAN ONLY USE INTERNET EXPLORER TO ACCESS TO PTAR, don't use Firefox

Good Luck in your upcoming exam.

Earth Hour 2009

From http://www.earthhour.org/about/

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.

Click http://earthhour.org.my/ to sign up for Malaysia