Let Say No to LYNAS & Save Malaysia !!!

Datuk Seri Anwar (centre) leads the protest opposite Lynas in Kuantan today. - Pic by Jack Ooi

KUANTAN, Feb twenty-six Thousands are approaching to descend upon Padang MPK 4 here after this sunrise in yet an additional opposition-backed open convene this time to protest opposite the government-approved Lynas Corp singular earth plant.

The huge audience is approaching after police gave the immature light to Himpunan Hijau 2.0 to reason the mammoth convene during Padang MPK 4 from 9.30am onwards.

The convene the first major proof since the Public Assembly Bill was made in to law aims to vigour supervision in to aborting Lynas's argumentative plant in Gebeng the little 25km from here, which is due to glow up after in the year.

Simultaneous rallies will additionally be held in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Perak as well as Sabah.

Today's protests come hot upon the heels of the Atomic Energy Licensing Board's (AELB) preference upon January 20 to grant the Australian mining hulk the temporary handling licence (TOL), which will let it enter upon upon the hearing run.

The gathering, if successful, would additionally symbolise the expansion of Malaysia's polite society movement in the years following the tumultuous 2008 federal elections, when the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration department lost the coveted two-thirds parliamentary majority.

Similar events which occurred not long ago in alternative developing nations across the globe have even led to the tumble of governments an result which Pakatan Rakyat (PR) hopes would start in Malaysia in the entrance general election.

The three-year-old antithesis pact, which has spearheaded the anti-Lynas debate along with polite groups, is approaching to use the Lynas debate as an e.g. of the government's purported high-handedness in dismissing open concerns.

Critics have purported which Lynas has not given enough assurances upon how it will handle the low-level hot rubbish which will be constructed during the refinery, raising fears which the plant would expose nearby residents to damaging levels of radiation.

Questions concerning the RM2.5 billion plant's design as well as construction were additionally lifted after theNew York Timesreported which the key contractor had pulled out over reserve concerns.

Controversy over the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) appears expected to turn an emanate in the entrance choosing as well as will add to the already considerable vigour faced by BN.

The ruling coalition has in new months found itself bogged down by the series of imbroglios, arch among them the scandal involving the cattle-raising company run by federal minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil's family which is purported to have dissipated open funds.

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has been quick to gain upon open anger over the Lynas issue, with antithesis leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim propelling supporters during Teluk Cempedak here last night to "rise up as well as reject any policy which cannot pledge the people's safety".

Anwar Ibrahim propelling supporters during Teluk Cempedak here last night to 'rise up as well as reject any policy which cannot pledge the people's safety' - Picture by Jack Ooi

"It's not all about business. People can have money, th! ough don 't sacrifice the illness of the people...," he said to cheers from the narrow-minded crowd.

"Tomorrow, you contingency uncover the strength as well as solidarity. Not only the people of Kuantan though all Malaysians contingency reject this audacity of power as well as lies."

It is understood which Anwar will be joined by DAP's Lim Kit Siang, Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim, Tan Seng Giaw, Tony Pua as well as Liew Chin Tong as well as Salahuddin Ayub from PAS.

Deeply endangered over the potential environmental impact of the plant, anti-Lynas groups have grown in force over the past year since headlines of the chief power plant predicament in Fukushima, Japan hit tellurian headlines.

The Australian miner is seeking to mangle China's chokehold upon the supply of singular earth metals indispensable to make high-tech products such as smartphones, energy-efficient light bulbs as well as hybrid cars.

Lynas expects to beget the little RM8 billion annually from the operations here.

In the bid to allay open fears, Putrajaya announced upon Wednesday it will form an eccentric monitoring unit to review the construction of the plant to ensure correspondence to standards imposed by regulators.

Source: Bernama

Want an iPad 3? Sell Your iPad 2 Now

Listen up, Apple fans: save your personal files to your iCloud in the sky, and delete your apps – because the time is righ to sell your iPad 2.

Re-sale prices for the iPad 2 will fall as the official launch date for the iPad 3 — widely expected to be March 7 — edges closer, experts say. Consumers can expect to see a steep decline in value in the two to three weeks prior to the unveiling of the newer device, says Mark LoCastro, spokesman for sale aggregator site DealNews.com. “You’ll receive a higher resale value for your used device if you part with it now, rather than waiting for the newer generation to be announced,” he says.


The re-sale price follows the same trajectory as the iPhone, experts say. As SmartMoney.com reported, the iPhone 4 declined 20% to 25% in value on re-sale sites during the immediate launch period of the iPhone 4S, but this leveled out as the excitement over the launch subsided. The iPad 2 will likely experience a similar percentage decline after the iPad 3 is announced, says Ashley Halberstadt, a spokeswoman for re-sale site Nextworth.com.  That said, LoCastro says re-sale sites want to offer aggressive pricing now in order to buy up as many units as possible while people are looking to sell — so he doesn’t rule out an uptick in price on the day the iPad 3 is announced.

However, if Apple decides to continue selling the iPad 2 at a discount alongside the spanking new iPad 3, the re-sale market for old tablets will experience an even bigger hit, LoCastro says. “This is just a rumor and many are skeptical, but if it proves true the trade-in value for your used iPad 2 will immediately plummet,” he says. (Apple did not respond to requests for comment.) That said, the value of Wi-Fi only iPads typically hold up better on the re-sale market because they don’t involve buyers taking out a two-year data plan, Halberstadt says.




Prices vary on re-sale sites, too. NextWorth.com will pay $272 for a 16-gigabyte iPad 2 in “good” condition– a 45% depreciation on the price. Gazelle.com, a competing re-sale site, will buy a similar iPad 2 for $260. Both sites offer “lock-in” prices for an agreed period of time before the tablet sells. Nextworth has a lock-in period of 21 days, while Gazelle pledges a slightly more generous 30-day lock-in period.

More adventurous consumers may prefer holding onto their iPad 2 until the last minute and selling it on eBay themselves, says Yung Trang, president of TechBargains.com. Currently, the iPad 2 is selling on eBay for around $300, a far more attractive price for sellers than both Netxtworth and Gazelle, he says. Plus, Trang says people may be reluctant to part with their iPad 2 now — if only because they will be left empty handed until the spring, when the new iPad is expected to actually go on sale. “That’s my dilemma,” he says. “The question really is this: Is the incremental $50 to 100 you gain now worth not having an iPad for nearly a month?” The alternative, he says, is give the used iPad to your children.


Source: Yahoo.com

Berkshire has Identified Warren Buffett Successor

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A) has a successor for long-time manager Warren Buffett, but the company isn't saying yet who will replace the investing legend when he is no longer in charge.

In the company's annual letter to shareholders, released Saturday, Buffett noted some of the recent changes at Berkshire, including the fact that Todd Combs came on board as investment manager at the start of 2011 and that Ted Weschler had also joined the team.

"Each will be handling a few billion dollars in 2012, but they have the brains, judgment and character to manage our entire portfolio when Charlie and I are no longer running Berkshire," he wrote.

Then to the succession talk, which if read literally, suggests neither Combs nor Weschler is the pick. "Your Board is equally enthusiastic about my successor as CEO, an individual to whom they have had a great deal of exposure and whose managerial and human qualities they admire. (We have two superb back-up candidates as well.) When a transfer of responsibility is required, it will be seamless, and Berkshire’s prospects will remain bright.

"More than 98% of my net worth is in Berkshire stock, all of which will go to various philanthropies," the letter continued. "Being so heavily concentrated in one stock defies conventional wisdom. But I’m fine with this arrangement, knowing both the quality and diversity of the businesses we own and the caliber of the people who manage them. With these assets, my successor will enjoy a running start. Do not, however, infer from this discussion that Charlie and I are going anywhere; we continue to be in excellent health, and we love what we do."

The replacement for the 81-year-old Buffett is one of the most closely watched stories in the world of investing, and speculation has been continuing for years. One of the candidates seen as most likely to replace Buffett left the company in disgrace last year. That was David Sokol, who stepped down after questions emerged about his trading in Lubrizol, a company Omaha, Neb.-based Berkshire was acquiring. Now, executive Ajit Jain is one candidate many Berkshire observers believe could be the pick.

Among other highlights from the letter, Buffett wrote that:

"Last year, I told you that a housing recovery will probably begin within a year or so. I was dead wrong. We have five businesses whose results are significantly influenced by housing activity. The connection is direct at Clayton Homes, which is the largest producer of homes in the country, accounting for about 7% of those constructed during 2011. Housing will come back – you can be sure of that. Over time, the number of housing units necessarily matches the number of households (after allowing for a normal level of vacancies). For a period of years prior to 2008, however, America added more housing units than households. Inevitably, we ended up with far too many units and the bubble popped with a violence that shook the entire economy."

The entire letter can be viewed here: http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/2011ltr.pdf.

Cuepac: Outcome of SBPA review will be revealed on 12 March 2012

Latest Update: 

SBPA Cancelled: 13% increase for Grade 1 - 54

http://walau2u.blogspot.com/2012/03/sbpa-cancelled-13-increase-for-grade-1.html

MELAKA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is expected to announce the outcome of the government review of the Public Service New Remuneration Scheme (SBPA) at a gathering organised by Cuepacs on March 12.

"Wait for it. It will not be appropriate for me to announce it today. It will not come as a surprise. 

"Wait till we have the gathering. Cuepacs has agreed to organise a large-scale gathering. I will convey the outcome of the government," he told reporters after a walkabout in Melaka city today.

Najib said his meeting with Cuepacs yesterday was conducted in a cordial atmosphere and the umbrella body for civil servants is positive that the SBPA issue can be resolved.

Yesterday, the prime minister had a meeting with nine Cuepacs senior leaders at the Prime Minister's Office. Also present was the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan. -- Bernama.

2012 Bursa Malaysia (KLSE) Stock Picks by RHB Bank

Last updated: 02:10:41 pm 

Stock Name	Ref Date	Ref Price	Price Diff	Last	Range	Open	Change	Volume	Note
PCHEM	17/02/2012	6.88	+0.05	6.93	6.92 - 6.95	6.94	-0.01	4,800,200
PBBANK	17/02/2012	13.64	+0.02	13.66	13.64 - 13.70	13.68	-0.02	660,400
TM	17/02/2012	4.84	+0.24	5.08	5.05 - 5.22	5.07	+0.01	8,156,500
GENP	17/02/2012	9.46	-0.21	9.25	9.22 - 9.26	9.25	0.00	358,500
PARKSON	17/02/2012	5.82	-0.22	5.60	5.58 - 5.65	5.62	-0.02	569,500
MPHB	17/02/2012	2.84	-0.04	2.80	2.80 - 2.85	2.86	-0.06	2,642,400
JTIASA	17/02/2012	7.41	0.00	7.41	0.00 - 0.00	7.41	0.00	0

Source: Investment Bank 2012

Cuepacs demands RM700-RM2,500 hike for grades 1-54

Latest Update:  8/3/2012

SBPA Cancelled: 13% increase for Grade 1 - 54

HTTP://WALAU2U.BLOGSPOT.COM/2012/03/SBPA-CANCELLED-13-INCREASE-FOR-GRADE-1.HTML

Putra Jaya: The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) today made a demand for the Government to provide a pay rise of between RM700 and RM2,500 for Grades 1 to 54.

Cuepacs President Datuk Omar Osman said the raise should be implemented through the existing Malaysian Remuneration Scheme (SSM) first before any changes are made in the New Public Service Remuneration Scheme (SBPA).

He was speaking after presenting a proposal at the SBPA review task force meeting. The requested raises were Grades 1 to 16 (RM700), Grades 17 to 26 (RM1,000) , Grades 27 to 40 (RM1500), Grades 41 to 48 (RM1800) and Grades 52 to 54 (RM2500), he added.

Omar further proposed that those who were at the salary scale ceiling should be paid arrears for the period during which they did not receive a raise.

"For instance, if they haven't received a raise in five years and their annual increment was RM100, then they should be paid RM500," he explained.

Cuepacs also demanded for those who had passed their Competency Level Evaluation at Level 4 before December 2011 to be given a raise.

"There have been many complaints when the SBPA was introduced that those who had passed Level 4 were not given a raise," he noted.

"If the government truly intends to bridge the divide between lower and upper level officers, then the demands are reasonable.

Cuepacs is seeking equality," he said.

He remarked that it was up to the task force to evaluate if the demands involved a high cost and recommended high increases under the SBPA be reduced to cover the lower grades.

"And if that's not possible, the terms of the SBPA should be revamped entirely and replaced with new ones," he said.

Source: Bernama

Malaysian healthcare equipment sector set to boom

KUALA LUMPUR: If you are in the healthcare business and wondering what is the next best thing to put your money in, the answer is to invest in medical equipment.

The segment is about to boom within the next three years in Malaysia, Frost and Sullivan vice-president of healthcare in Asia Pacific Rhenu Buller said.

"We estimate this segment to grow about 12.5 per cent in the next three years as hospitals improve their equipment in order to entice more patients to their facility.

"It is very important to have the latest products or equipment because medical tourism is becoming a major economic factor, not just in Malaysia but in other Asian Pacific countries as well. 

"This year alone, the healthcare market is expected to reach RM13.2 billion," Bhuller said at a talk on "Rising Middle Income, Medical Tourism Create Impact for APAC Healthcare Market" in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

She said Indonesian patients represented the biggest bulk of healthcare travellers in Malaysia, constituting nearly 70 per cent of the total arrivals for medical tourism here.

"The latest agreement between Singapore and Malaysia on cross border medical reimbursement has resulted in steady inflow of Singaporean medical tourists to Malaysia, which is becoming the second largest nationality seeking medical treatment here," she said.

She added that Malaysia alone had seen an increase in medical tourists by 15 per cent to 20 per cent annually since 2005.
Besides medical tourism, Bhuller added that the positive outlook on the nation's healthcare was also because of the rising middle class and aging populace that changes healthcare services configuration and market strategies.

"Asia's population is expected to grow to 4.5 billion by 2050, which accounts for 60 per cent of the world's population.

"Currently there are about 4.8 million Asian households with income above RM150,000 per annum and this is expected to grow by another three per cent to five per cent in Southeast Asia," Buller added.

Source: Business Times, 24 February 2012