Indian gang rape victim. What's the real story?

I was saddened to hear that the Indian gang rape victim has passed away after succumbing to the injuries. I like many others are puzzled by the extend of the injuries after reading about the removal of intestines. After news from various sources start appearing, it becomes clearer but very shocking. What animal will do such thing? One thing for sure, the culprit will be 'very well treated' in prison and especially Indian prison.

News from Singapore Media.

News circulating in social media.

News from huffingtonpost.

Whatever it is, the singapore media appears to be the poorest in terms of getting closer to the truth.

Life expectancy

Good news is that being the least emotional and least positive has no correlation to our life expectancy according to the Lancet report. Looking at where all these statistics are going, seems like we are headed to grow into a land of grouchy old men and women.

Now Singaporean the least positive in the world too?

Honestly speaking when I see this by the Gallup polls, I thought we are among the lowest but not necessarily right at the bottom. I had to see it for myself to believe. Well, I am a fan of statistics. 

After checking it out, we are really the least positive in the world. What the Fxxx? Is there a worldwide conspiracy to project a bad image of us? Was it done by the opposition party (just kidding)? Did some Singaporeans offended someone in the Gallup polls? Maybe someone somehow carry the 'choke seat with tissue paper' culture overseas?

First we were the least emotional of the lot and now this. I am skeptical of the least emotional story as if you try cutting into someone else's lane in Singapore while driving, you see if the other party is emotionless. You will quite often see or hear colourful display of gestures or languages.

Here are the rankings.

If you want a clearer look at the bottom of the heap, here it is.

Khaw Boon Wan under fire by Netizen

Poor Khaw Boon Wan... He seems to be under heavy fire in Facebook from Netizen since the Michael Palmer's scandal erupted. Not surprisingly, the press did not pick up on this. Most of the many earlier comments has been deleted. Many have since re-posted new comments. It has become a 'you delete i post again' battle. I think most people are upset with the double standard. I guess they are still struggling to learn how to use the new media and internet. New media cuts both ways. It can gives you good free publicity very fast as well as bad ones.

Netizens accused him of being very vocal on the opposition party's Yaw Shin Leong's case while keeping mum on PAP's Michael Palmer's. They are asking him to answer his own questions. You can still see the video clip here in the last Hougang by-election Youtube. 

The question is should he clarify? I am pretty sure this cross his mind too as being silent don't seem to be a good choice either. But then again, what do you expect him to say? Sorry for not expecting one of our own to also fallen on sin and lust? 

Better be quick if you want to see the comments or it will be gone again soon.

Scandals on the rise in Singapore?

I have heard people asking about what is happening to Singapore lately. Why are there more scandals or corruption cases heard lately? Hot on the heels of the  CNB's chief case is the Michael Palmer's case. I don't think human nature has changed much over the past few years. The main difference i think would be the rise of the internet. This has leveled the playing fields for everyone and taken away much power from those traditional medias. It is really hard to hide nowadays. If the media doesn't want to publish for certain reasons, there's always someone out there ready to use the internet to spread the message. Then the media will continue to lose it's credibility. I guess it is fair to say internet makes the world a fairer place. It helps every David out there fight the Goliath. 

Greatest Risk to Malaysia Property Price

I would say the greatest risk to malaysia's property prices in the short term could be the politics. This is a hot topic in Penang and it is also likely to become one in Johor. Property prices have risen by a few folds rapidly in the last few years and the politicians are likely to use this as a card to play. May want to be cautious before the elections. 

Singapore to KL by Train in 90 mins

Check this out! The article says that the malaysian government will decide by Q1 next year on the High Speed Rail project. If this happens eventually, the time to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur will only take 90 mins by train instead of 6 hours by car.

Malaysia boleh! Malaysia Tops the World in Bribe Payers Survey 2012

This is surely one ranking that most country won't want to be in. We are aware about the corruption there (especially their traffic police) but to top the world is rather surprising. They top the world in the Bribe Payers Survey 2012 by Transparency International. Over 3000 executives from 30 countries where asked if they had lost a contract in the past year from competitors paying bribes and 50% of Malaysians said yes. 

Guess Malaysians are crazy about money and Singaporeans crazy about sex.

Moody's credit ratings for countries

via chartsbin.com

Peter Lim the Billionaire, partners to build Iskandar race circuit

I have been wondering what's the difference between the Peter Lim's motorcity and UEM's autocity. Now i think they are the same thing but depending from who's perspective. Not a very difficult problem to solve as usually whoever put in more money gets to name it. I think that's how things works in this world : )

This opens up a whole lot of opportunities even though it is built for the super rich to rev up their seldom used super cars. If servicing our car or tyre change cost 30-40% less there than here, i might drive across the causeway too. Or imagine if they design a servicing package for the car that includes massage, food, movies, etc...many car workshops in Singapore may close shop. This trade doesn't look so promising in Singapore moving forward.

One thing for sure, this is the final nail in the coffin for the stalled Changi Motor Hub. The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) may be looking at Peter Lim as their white knight but he is no fool. Just by comparing one key fact will make SSC look like an amateur. The Johor site is freehold versus the 30 year lease in Changi. Think this alone is a no brainer. Oh and I forgot to mention that the Johor site is twice as big. If SSC knows how to count, it may be better to use that piece of land for other use or they should just return the land to the government. Let's not let pride gets in the way for the better use of our limited resources.

This is the other piece of rare development in Singapore that's halted (1st one is Big Box in Jurong). There's something about major projects related to sports that I have no confidence in. They seem to be a magnet for major flops. Remember the youth olympic that's 3 times over budget ($104 to $387) and now this white elephant? Some really bad decision makers somewhere..... 

Singapore Top in Infrastructure

Here we are again. Top of the world in Infrastructure according to Mercer. Beating even the efficient Germans and the Hong Kongers. Maybe they didn't read about the SMRT train breakdowns, flooding or ponding , traffic congestions......

*Mercer’s City Infrastructure Ranking 2012 is based on measures of: Electricity, Water Availability, Telephone, Mail, Public Transportation, Traffic Congestion & Airport Effectiveness.

Singapore Ranks as Least Emotional

Seriously, are Singaporeans really least emotional? It appears so according to the latest Gallup report.

Peter Lim's RM10b project gets Iskandar nod

Read this heading in the papers a few days back. First thing that came to my mind is ' Are you kidding? His partner is none other than the Johor Royal Family, why wouldn't it be approved? '

Anyway, definitely good news for fellow investors in Johor but perhaps not so good news for the planned mid-valley JB mega-mall. Peter Lim is also building a mega-mall here and this is right after the causeway. Is Johor big enough for 2 mega-malls?

Johor - Singapore MRT/RTS Project

AECOM technology won a $42M contract in the middle of this year for the design and engineering study of the project by Malaysia's Land Public Transport Commission and Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA).

Here's the main stuffs that matters to most: 

• Terminal locations will likely be JB sentral and Republic Polytechnic (last station on Thomson line).

• Each person will only need to clear the immigration once. That means if you depart from Singapore, you will need to go through CIQ at Singapore only. That's no CIQ on entry to Malaysia. Same applies when you depart Malaysia.

• Will be linked up to the KTM rail to KL sentral. Preliminary estimated traveling time could be only 90 mins (from 6 hours) from JB to KL. This is at a speed of 250km/h. Hopefully this is a high speed non-stop train straigth to KL. If this really happens and done well (hassle free), it will really give the airline a run for its money. Bad news for the traffic cop in Malaysia (less Ang Pow earnings) . I don't mind taking a train from Singapore-KL when I travel for business if this can cut down on the traveling time. Arriving 1-2 hours earlier at the airport, flight time of 45 mins, 30 mins train ride to KL sentral will easily take 3-4 hours. This rail project will surely lead to an increase in visitors to KL and vice versa. 

Johor Southkey Project

IGB Corp is planning to build a Mid-valley JB megamall in Johor. The site should be located at the Southkey location. For those familiar with Mid-valley KL, it is a huge mall with everything (cinema, hotels, etc) and it is always crowded. Once this has been built, i am quite sure it will attract many shoppers from both sides of the causeway. It is planned to be located just beside the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) at the precinct 2 & 3. The EDL will be easy access for Singaporeans. Similar to Mid-valley KL, there will be new apartments for sale. Sale is already in progress for shops and offices in Southkey. However, these should be leasehold. Will you consider a leasehold properties in johor (see the poll on the right)? 

Johor Bahru City Transformation

JB city center is undergoing a major transformation. The plan is below and there seem to be quite a big area designated to be parks. Sg Segget will also be made into a riverside attraction possibly like boat or clark quay or River Cheong for those familiar with South Korea. The idea is to have a nice and scenic river side to chill out.

Well, plan is plan so all eyes will be on them to see if they have the will (they certainly have the money) to make it happen. 

Artist impression of the current and future look of Sg Segget.

This is river Cheong where they drew their inspirations.

MediaCorp Foreign Correspondence

Hmmm....your tie is abit crooked and maybe also try to look at the camera more often.

Jurong Transformation

Read about the Jurong Transformation today but this has been in the making for years. It is finally going to materialise as you can really see the constructions in fast progress. In a few years time, it will become the 2nd CBD (or at least it is planned to be). Good news for those staying in the west except for the future traffic jams (expected to be horrendous if there's no road expansion). Here's why:

Jcube shopping mall - ready.

Westgate shopping mall and office  - ready end of 2013. Capitaland will move its office from Capital Tower to here.

JEM shopping mall and office - ready by Q2 2013. Ministry of National Development (MND) will be moving here too.

Ng Teng Fong and Jurong Community Hospital. Ready in 2014.

Hotel - see the picture below from the URA land parcel tender.

Big Box - this is a huge piece of eyesore in Jurong. It is very rare to see construction halted in Singapore especially of such a scale. Construction halted during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis and they have been trying to find funding to continue this project. Boustead Singapore backed out in 2010 and then came Lucrum Capital with $200M investment. It will be a 8 storey warehouse and retail development. I can't really visualise how the retail can compete with the other shopping malls unless they can attract the likes of Ikea, Giant (IMM has one), Tesco, courts, or other major furniture makers. It need to compete directly with IMM which is also undergoing a major revamp. They have already lost precious time. Let's see if this really takes off eventually.

IMM - Undergoing revamp I think in anticipation of the intense competition that's about to come from the malls located much closer to the MRT. Well, this could just be a matter of left to right pocket since Capitaland owns Jcube, westgate and IMM. They are no doubt the king of Jurong Lake District. Great foresight by the ex-CEO.

International Business Park - Not forgetting the current offices at the International Business Park that is already contributing to the traffic jam. It is already quite bad during peak hours. It is sure to become worst.

  

Favourite things for the high net worth

Guess what's the favourite thing for high net worth individuals in Singapore? No wonder we have so much liquidity, so much money but just buy books.

Top Sites in Singapore

Ever wonder what's the top sites in Singapore? Here it is.... 

SIA Website

Read in the forum page today about another complaint regarding the SIA website. It has been more than one year since SIA's CEO apologized for the problems of their website. Even before that, it was many months before they finally admitted and apologized following mountains of complaints. I am a regular traveller with SIA and i am also extremely frustrated by the website. I like the many other travelers have given up complaining. Really, how difficult is it to fix a website? A real PR disaster for a branded 5 star airline.  Perhaps they are truly not sorry enough. 

Singapore Press

Saw the new look of the opposition party star Chen Show Mao in the papers today. Of all the good things that he do (giving away walking sticks to elderly, etc), they chose to focus and report on this? What the crap?? Better get the news from the internet. No wonder we are ranked #150 in freedom of the press this year together with Angola and Qatar but below Pakistan.

Integrated Transport for Bukit Panjang residents

Good news for Bukit Panjang residents. They will finally get their own Integrated Transport Hub which has both the Bus interchange and MRT but only ready in 2015. Poor Bukit Panjang residents didn't have MRT and public transport there is pathetic. Not to mention the infamous LRT. There's also the always-jam BKE and upper bukit timah road in the morning.

S'pore remains biggest foreign investor in Iskandar

Guess this is no secret. According to Yahoo News, Singapore is the biggest foreign investor in Iskandar. The Iskandar needs Singapore to succeed.

Singapore Press: Really slow...

Even US online papers like Huffington Post and Wall Street Journal is faster than our Straits Times. Why is our press so slow when it is happening in our own backyard? 

Capitaland sells stake in UMland

Capitaland has sold its stake in UMland? Why hasn't UMland updated it's website on the shareholdings yet?

Inconsiderate Drivers

Saw these 2 BMWs parked opposite each other at a Senja car park. What's wrong with these 2 BMW owners? I have a suggestion. If you are so afraid of getting your car scratched, take the bus or taxi. Don't buy a car. 

Worst of them all is this AH who parked at the handicap lot a few months ago. I saw him walking away from his car and he is totally fine. Well, of course i called the hotline. He was probably fined but I think he totally deserved it. There are plenty of lots just 1-2 stories above.

Singapore Press: $7000 a month cabby, quality reporting?

Sigh....another reporting with questionable quality. Now fingers pointing each other.....You be the judge.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/the-flipside/fairy-tale-7-000-month-cabby-teach-us-072647460.html

Singapore Press: Fouled Mouthed Barclays Trader, why so slow?

I first came across this article on the Stomp were 25 Oct 2012. Someone posted the video on this portal. I had no idea who is this fouled mouthed  executive. Then it finally came to light after another article appeared on the  Business Insiders on the 6 Nov. The article mention that The Times discovered the Trader's identity even earlier.

The Straits Times finally published the story on 10 Nov. In the article, it says their journalist went down to the trader's house on 9 Nov. This is 16 days after the video first appeared on their own portal Stomp.

I am puzzled why is our press so slow and missed the story? Why do they only follow the story or try to interview him on the 10 Nov? I have to read it on an American online papers to find out the truth while all this happened in our own backyard. I am a subscriber with Straits Times and i find this is so disappointing. 

I am having my doubts if our national press will survive for long if they do not improve its standards. With the rise of the internet, more objective informations are coming from many sources. Readers are not stupid and can discern the truth. If we can get it for free too, why should we pay for old or 2nd hand news?

Updates on the JB City Center/'Matex land' development

I just return from the VIP preview of the new Johor Bahru City Center project (matex land) marketed by NS Global. The actual launch will be Jan 2013. I actually went with my cheque book ready and with 70% chances of buying a unit. Then the more i ask, the more uncertain i became.

These are my findings:

- Unprofessional agent. It is funny that many of the real estate agent that I  met are unprofessional. I heard my agent that invited me was still sleeping at 12 noon so they got me another agent to attend to me. He told me that UEM is a subsidiary of UMland (the developer) and that capitaland is a shareholder of UEM. What a load of crap!! UEM and Umland are actually separate and different entity. Capitaland is a shareholder of UMland and not UEM. UEM belongs to the Khazanah group (Malaysia's temasek holdings equivalent). I really don't understand why the agents do not spend some time to read up about what they are selling. Or at least the agency should train them properly. How difficult is it to just google it up and check? I found most of the materials online myself (99%). It is not as if they have hundreds of properties to sell every weekend. It is a full time job for most and a knowledgeable agent would at least command more respect from the buyers and raise the professionalism or standards of this profession. Unfortunately, most of them are just simply lazy or sloppy. They are not passionate about their job but only about $$$$. In that case, they are simply order takers and messengers. If you don't know, just say you don't know and never bullshit your way out. 

- Facilities. You only get to use the facilities (swimming pool) for the first two years. After which, you will have to pay. No details of how that will be charged. Also, there is no allocated parking lots. You will have to ballot for a season parking. What the fxxx? No parking lots? What kind of luxury apartment is this? I can understand if this is mainly a service apartment like somerset puteri harbour but not for residential living like this. This is malaysia and land is of plenty.... My plan is to get one for a short weekend getaway and there's no parking lots? A more senior guy came over to try to answer questions but it made it worst. He says that they can't cater to everyone as each has their preferences and most will take the future subway (planned). Well, shouldn't a seller cater to a buyer for obvious reasons? Do you think you are the only developer in town? I told him i disagree as most investors would likely drive to JB and I very much doubt that they will want to take the train. I believed that those who can afford to invest in JB also drives. With the notorious crime rate in JB, wouldn't one prefer to be able to park their car in peace in a secure place? If you don't have a parking or priority parking at your own apartment, you will end up parking in public parking lots. There are a lot of Singaporeans driving to JB for food and shopping. Yet this guy is telling me that they are targeting people who takes the train? Either he is clueless or just an answering machine. Another example of sloppy sales guy.

- Unconfirmed units. You can make a booking with $5000 for a unit. However, there's no guarantee that you will have that unit. This is because they have some bumi (the local malays) policy where the bumi will be allocated some priority units and if that happens to be what you chose.... sorry, you will be given other choices. If you still don't like it, you can have your $5000 refunded back to you. Some of the units are really bad. The view is blocked by the proposed hotel.  No thanks.... I just don't like to be 2nd class. 

Well, just one disappointing weekend. 

Update on johor properties

This is an updated post from my earlier post on 21 Oct 2012.

Encorp Marina

Encorp marina has just put up a full page advertisement today promoting this development. They were trying to create the kind of property hype in Singapore. In recent property launches in Singapore, investors just simply give their cheques to agents to help them book a unit. Then developers will ballot to bring some fairness to buyers. When the hutton agents told me there is also a cut off for cheque collection on friday at 3pm before their Saturday launch, my toes couldn't stop laughing. Encorp marina has been out in the market trying to sell for months if not years. The previous agency (A new agent is used now, Hutton) has been calling me for months to sell Encorp Marina which i told them repeatedly I am not keen. What in their mind would they think that there's going to be a rush this time round? There are 2 towers consisting of 538 units altogether. Yet this new agency still has the cheek to suggest to potential buyers that there is a rush. You can see here what housing agents are trying to do....simply full of crap!

Well, back to the analysis. 

- Location. The location is just behind their competitor, Somerset Puteri Harbour which was fully sold within 2 weekends. Location is quite good as it is near to the indoor theme park and traders hotel.


- Developer. Not familiar with this developer. 

- Price. RM1150 psf. Size from 700 sq ft. I am not really sure if the price has gone up so much due to market forces or it is just the agent again increasing the price themselves. I recalled the prices were lower before Huttons took over as agent. Somerset Puteri Harbour which is a more premium project (see my post 21 Oct 2012) was launched at RM800 psf.  The price in this region seem to be higher than johor bahru.

New JB center (name unknown yet)

This is a new upcoming launch that consist of a condo tower including a commercial podium and hotel.

- Location. The location is excellent. It is very near to city square and the causeway. It will be built on top of a 2 storey shopping mall. I am not so certain about the success of this mall since mid-valley Johor is in the pipeline. If there is a much bigger mall elsewhere, will you go to this small one? For those not familiar with mid-valley KL, it is a mega mall. A mega mall like the name suggest is a really really big mall. In addition, a hotel tower will be built beside it. The brandname of the hotel hasn't been made known at the time of this posting. Johor has a shortage of good quality hotel. Don't believe? Try naming me one world class hotel.

- Developer. UMland is the developer. This is a major developer in malaysia and one should feel more secure. Capitaland is the major shareholder in UMland.

- Price. RM961 sq ft. Size from 600+ sq ft. 

With so many developments in Johor now, this is one of which i will seriously consider as it met most of my criteria.

Singapore Press Freedom's Global Ranking

Singapore is usually among the top in most rankings. This is one of the very rare occasion where it is at the bottom. Singapore is ranked even below many 3rd world countries in press freedom at #150.

400 conned into buying non-existent houses around Malaysian city

As i have said in my previous posting. Be very careful when you buy a malaysia property. It must be a reputed developer .

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/400-conned-buying-non-existent-houses-around-m-040006043.html

Ascendas in S$1.5b Iskandar Tech Park Venture

Ascendas must have done their homework to invest in the Iskandar. Thinkings are looking up for the Iskandar project.

This plot of land looks likely to be the one they are referring to. The nearest industrial site to the second link causeway.

Profile of the typical Singapore property investor

Do you think this is true?

Properties in Johor

There's just too much liquidity in Singapore that attracted so many developers around the world here to soak it all up. Even with all the measures implemented by the Singapore government, the property prices still continues to go up. The few quantitative Easing from the US federal government perhaps worsen the situation. We have all seen developers from London, US, Thailand, Malaysia and now even Taiwan flocking here to take a pie of the liquidity.

Be very careful when buying properties in Malaysia. It can go very wrong unlike in Singapore or other developed nation where the law is more transparent. We have all heard of stories and seen many uncompleted buildings in Johore and buyers left in the lurch.

Always remember that Malaysia has plenty of land and there is no hurry. It takes 4-5 hours to drive from Singapore to KL so that's the amount of land they have (at least half of the total). The only difference is the scarcity of prime location which is usually limited. That should be a key considerations. Be also prepared to use it as a 2nd home or vacation home instead of just for investment purposes. It is just too uncertain and there isn't a proven economy there yet. Sure there are talks about medical hubs, education hubs, whatever hubs, etc. None are proven yet and these are only their plans. The education hub is taking shape but you do not know for how long. There is less transparency as compared to the developed nations. There are always talk of corruptions and land being sold above market prices. Be careful, be very careful. The policies are also subjected to flip flops. Remember all the fuss and flip flops about the white immigration forms? Or the biometrics? My point is that their policies doesn't seem to be very well thought out first before they implement them. That is a red flag on it's own. Unless you are the remiser king Peter Lim where you are just a phone call away from the royal family. An ordinary investor will have no recourse when the developer runs away or just stop the project mid-way.

It will make alot of sense if you are considering a vacation home there too instead of just for investment. There are just too many uncertainties. 

The analysis are just my own personal opinion and please do your own homework before making any decisions.

My main selection criteria will be:
- Location
- Developer. An extremely important criteria for Malaysian properties.
- Price

Of course there is the potential capital appreciation and the rental yield. I think the new johor economy is just too premature to even forecast a rental yield. Have you heard of any expatriates relocating in Johore? There may be more in future but currently too little to have any meaning. The only potential i can see is the hospitality sector. There are new attractions planned or already opened (legoland) for Iskandar. Other than that, i wouldn't put my money it in. I rather buy it for my own weekend stay.

Ok, enough said so let me start.

Setia 88

- Location. This has a rather good location. It is near the holiday plaza and Taman sentosa. These are some of the most popular places for Singaporeans and Johorean. It is also near to the future midvalley JB Mega Mall. 
Speculated to be next to Taman Sentosa or the location of the military camp.

- Developer. This is a reputed and a major developer so the risk factor is lower. They are also the developer for the Eco city at KL, next to the Mid-valley mega mall.

- Price. RM 700 psf. Size from 500-1500 sq ft. It is aimed at the luxury segment, probably referring to Singaporean. I don't see any Johorean will buy an overpriced condo where they can buy a big piece of landed property.

TwinGalaxy

- Location. This is in the same area as Sertia 88 so the location is also rather good.

- Developer. Not too familiar with this property developer but it should be smaller than the Sertia group.

- Price. RM440 psf?

1Tebrau

- Location. This location is much further down from Sertia 88 and Twin Galaxy. It is nearer to the Jusco and Carrefour malls. I think it is abit too far away from all the actions.  It claims to be near the future midvalley JB megal mall. 

- Developer. I am also not familiar with this developer. 

- Price. RM650 psf. This is 99 years leasehold. My reaction when i heard it is leasehold is, why would anyone buy a leasehold in Johor at this price? Malaysia has full of land so i can't understand why they offer leasehold.... one might as well pay slightly more to have freehold. If investors do their homework, i doubt this project will do well.

D'Esplande Residence @ KSL city

- Location. The location is also rather good as it is near to the heart of the action. It is also near Holiday Plaza. The concept is pretty good as it has a rather medium sized mall (4-5 floors) below the residence. The mall has also a cinema so it can attract the crowds. The parking situation is bad even with just the mall. Imagine when the residence's condos are built, it will be much worst.

- Developer. Internet has been rife with complaints of delays. It was still unfinished as of 3 months ago when i went there for shopping. The mall is ready though.

- Price. RM 600 psf?

Somerset Puteri Harbour

- Location. This is a totally new location from Johor bahru as compared to those developments mention above. It is along the Tuas causeway. The things going for this development is that it has a four storey RM350 million indoor theme park 2 buildings away, along the same waterfront. The theme park features attractions like Hello Kitty (1st outside japan), Bob the builder, Barney, thomas and Friends. For those who have kids will know how kids go crazy over these cartoon characters which we can never comprehend. It is also nearer to the Lego land so there's plenty of entertainment that is worth at least 2 nights stay. I forsee that it could become a short getaway for Singaporeans or KL folks, 3 day 2 nights trip to Legoland and the indoor theme park. For that, Traders hotel is also building a hotel next to the indoor theme park which is just beside Somerset Puteri Harbour. For this reasons alone, the hospitality sector should do well in the short to medium term as there is a lack of quality hotel in this part of johore. If you don't believe me, try searching in the internet for hotels near legoland Malaysia and you will see what kind of hotel pops up. In addition, it also has a shopping mall below the residence. It is only a short walk to the new immigration and custom. In future, you can take a ferry from Singapore and alight there instead of driving.

- Developer. A joint venture between UEM land and UMland. Both are big developers so perceived to be alot less risky. The service apartment is also managed by Somerset which belongs to the Ascott, a member of Capital Land, a major developer in Singapore. Ascott is the biggest service apartment company in the world.  There's the added comfort of knowing the Ascott group has huge customer base and marketing arms around the world 

- Price. Approximately RM800 psf. Appears to be the highest among all perhaps for a reason. However, Somerset has a contract to manage for 10 years as service residence and pay a yield depending on the occupancy. After the 10 years, you can decide if you want to use it for your stay or continue to let Somerset runs it. Bad news is that it is all sold out within days of launch. There are only 168 units.

Senibong Cove

- Location. I am less optimistic about this Senibong location than the other city centre locations. It is just too far away from the action. The traffic congestion from the city centre to Senibong is a pain especially during rush hours. If you are familiar, Senibong is where there's the famous laksi lemak and Permas Jaya with the Jusco supermart. A drive along Senibong may put you off from buying any properties here. You can see some dilapidated condominiums in that area. Maintenance seems to be a major problem in many of their properties. There's plenty of land here so i am really unsure of the demand here. Property prices are driven up by lack of supply but there could be more supply than demand. 

- Developer. A development by Walker Corporation. They are great waterfront developer in Australia (US and canada) but I am not sure if they are familiar with johor. I am surprised they enter the market here. Australia is very transparent and straightforward for businesses but Malaysia is a different ballgame.   

- Price. RM480 psf?

The prices are mainly estimation by taking their advertised price and divided by 1000 Sq ft. It is likely not accurate as the psf depends on the size of the apartment but it is just to give a feel. To know the price, better to ask them directly.

There's no right or wrong in property selection as it depends on things like buying objectives, risk appetite, budget and preference. It will only be years later when one realise if they have made the right choice or not. If you make a lost, you can always treat it as a long term investment like Temasek holdings, then you won't be wrong too : )

This serves only as a guide for your considerations. I am not an agent but just an investor so i hope to share my considerations to fellow investors.