FREELANCE ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY SERVICES

EM ASIA FX-Sing dlr down, market players wary of policy shift

2011-09-13T08:31:00.000+08:00

* Asian currencies slide as euro zone woes sap risk appetite

* Sing dollar hits 2-mth low, focus on MAS Oct policy decision

* Analysts see rising chance of MAS reducing appreciation slope

* Rupee hits fresh 1-yr low, rupiah touches 2-mth trough (Updates text, prices)

By Masayuki Kitano

SINGAPORE, Sept 12 (Reuters) - The Singapore dollar hit its lowest level in more than two months on Monday, hurt by investor jitters over the euro zone's debt crisis and growing market speculation that Singapore's central bank may ease its monetary policy next month.

Fears that the euro zone's support for Greece is wobbling dampened risk appetite and helped spur a sell-off in Asian currencies, dragging the Indian rupee down to a fresh one-year low and the Indonesian rupiah to a two-month trough.

The U.S. dollar's rally against the euro over the past week has had knock-on effects on Asian currencies, which have also been pressured by worries that Asian economies may increasingly feel the pinch from a slowdown in developed economies.

Chow Penn Nee, an economist for United Overseas Bank in Singapore, said she believes there's increased risk the Monetary Authority of Singapore "could ease monetary policy to one of a more gradual appreciation."

UOB's current forecast is for the MAS to keep monetary policy unchanged in October, when it issues a statement, but her bank thinks the probability of easing is increasing, Chow said.

"The heightened uncertainties in the global environment increase chances of a technical recession in Singapore," she said.

The Singapore dollar could extend its losses in the near term if forthcoming data comes in weak and causes a further shift in market expectations toward the MAS easing in October, rather than keeping policy unchanged, she added.

The Singapore dollar fell to as low as 1.2358 to the U.S. dollar , the Singapore currency's lowest level since late June.

One possible resistance for USD/SGD lies at 1.2448, a peak hit in late June and the next significant peak on charts. Higher up, the U.S. dollar's 200-day moving average comes in at 1.2507.

The greenback has risen 2.2 percent in the past three days, on track for its biggest three-day percentage gain since May 2010, when worries about Greece's sovereign debt crisis roiled financial markets.

At its last policy decision in April, MAS tightened monetary policy by re-centering its exchange rate policy band upwards, though to below the prevailing nominal effective exchange rate. The central bank left the slope and width of the band unchanged.

SINGAPORE DOLLAR

Nomura's FX strategists recommend taking a short Singapore dollar position over a period of two months, against a currency basket consisting of the U.S. dollar, Malaysian ringgit, Chinese yuan, Japanese yen, the euro, Indonesian rupiah, South Korean won and the Taiwan dollar.

The analysts said they saw downside risk for the Singapore dollar's nominal effective exchange rate, due to an increased risk of a policy shift from the central bank in October.

"We currently think the authorities are more likely to reduce the slope of SGD NEER appreciation (around 40 percent probability) rather than make an outright shift to neutral (35 percent)," the analysts said, referring to the Singapore dollar's nominal effective exchange rate.

"But the risk of a shift to neutral will rise if the global economic data continue to deteriorate over the next month," the analysts said in a research note.

"Given our belief that the broad market (especially real money) is still long SGD, we see a risk of a large negative SGD reaction to a shift towards/to neutral," they said.

The Nomura analysts added that they expect MAS to keep the width of the policy band unchanged in October.

MALAYSIAN RINGGIT

The Malaysian ringgit is testing support at its 200-day moving average at 3.0283 . If dollar/ringgit closes above the 200-day moving average, it would be for the first time since July 2009 and could set the dollar up for further gains.

Above the 200-day moving average, one possible resistance level for the dollar lies at 3.0470, an intraday high hit in early August and the next significant peak on charts.

INDIAN RUPEE

The dollar hit a fresh one-year high of 46.99 to the rupee , with the dollar extending its gains after data showed that India's industrial output rose at a sharply lower-than-expected 3.3 percent pace from a year earlier.

The median forecast in a Reuters poll was for an annual rise of 6.2 percent.

INDONESIAN RUPIAH

The rupiah dipped to 8,618 versus the dollar , its lowest level in more than two months, despite continued intervention from the central bank at staggered levels above 8,600.

Banks are not updating prices on their screens for fear of inviting phone calls and checks from the central bank, traders said.

A dealer for a European bank in Jakarta said the rupiah's weakness on Monday was partly due to overseas investors pulling money out of Indonesian bonds.

CURRENCIES VS U.S. DOLLAR

Change on the day at 0619 GMT Currency Latest bid Previous day Pct Move Japan yen 77.01 77.61 +0.78 Sing dlr 1.2340 1.2294 -0.37 Taiwan dlr 29.205 29.221 +0.05 Korean won 1077.00 1077.30 +0.03 Baht 30.11 30.05 -0.20 Peso 42.71 42.49 -0.52 Rupiah 8600.00 8565.00 -0.41 Rupee 46.96 46.56 -0.86 Ringgit 3.0270 3.0005 -0.88 Yuan 6.3880 6.3882 +0.00

Change so far in 2011 Currency Latest bid End prev year Pct Move Japan yen 77.01 81.15 +5.38 Sing dlr 1.2340 1.2820 +3.89 Taiwan dlr 29.205 30.368 +3.98 Korean won 1077.00 1134.80 +5.37 Baht 30.11 30.14 +0.10 Peso 42.71 43.84 +2.65 Rupiah 8600.00 9005.00 +4.71 Rupee 46.96 44.70 -4.81 Ringgit 3.0270 3.0820 +1.82 Yuan 6.3880 6.5897 +3.16

Engineer

2011-09-12T13:15:00.000+08:00

Engineer

Based: Malaysia(Puchong)

Job Description

Design for Infrastructure, Structure & Geotechnical scope of work
Assist Lead Engineers in support during Tender, Construction and Authorities Submission.

Requirements:

Degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent
Min 1 year experience in infrastructure and structure design work.
Fresh Graduate can also be considered.

Interested candidates are requested to submit their CV along with recent colour photograph, stating current salary and expected salary by email to suhana.majid@gmail.com or fax to 03-58854934 before 19 September 2011. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Prestasi Perintis Sdn Bhd

We are an Engineering Consultancy Firm seeking qualified candidates who are motivated, committed, independent and with the right attitude for the following vacancies.

Site Supervisor

2011-09-12T13:13:00.000+08:00

We are a Building Company based in Petaling Jaya specializing in Bungalow Houses are expanding and looking for qualified candidates for the following vacancy:-

Site Supervisor

Based: Malaysia(Selangor)

Job Description

Diploma/Cert, in Building/Arch/Civil Engineering
Min. 3 yrs working experience in construction works
Able to read architectural and structural drawings
Experience in working on bungalow houses is an advantage

Interested candidates please email your detailed resume

to:hr@m-arc.com.myor fax to 03-78053413

M-arc Builder Sdn Bhd

Build underpass or flyover, developer urged

2011-09-12T13:06:00.001+08:00

Pusat Bandar Puchong residents want the developer of Setia Walk to build a flyover or underpass for traffic going into the new development instead of interfering with the existing traffic system.

They gathered yesterday to voice their displeasure over the proposed traffic flow, which they felt would worsen the daily congestion at the junction of Persiaran Wawasan and Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP).

Setia Walk, which is located at this junction, is an integrated residential and commercial development comprising retail blocks, offices, an entertainment complex, service and residential apartments.

The residents had identified seven problematic points in the proposal and feared that accidents would happen with the criss-crossing traffic. Motorists turning left from Persiaran Wawasan into LDP would meet traffic heading into Setia Walk.

Vehicles from LDP into Persiaran Wawasan would meet those making a U-turn on Persiaran Wawasan to get into the commercial area in Jalan Bandar 1 and 2.

Action committee chairman Yong Siew Yung said the residents wanted an independent traffic consultant to look into the feasibility of the proposal and carry out a traffic impact assessment.

“We were told that the developer’s traffic study was done a couple of years ago at 10am and not during the peak hours.

“There will be 4,000 parking bays in Setia Walk. Imagine half of the car volume getting into the development and creating a congestion,” she said.

Shan Kok Shin, a member in the committee, said the residents’ concerns were not adequately addressed. He urged the developer, SP Setia, to stop the contruction work at the junction until all issues were resolved.

Civil/Mechanical Engineers wanted in Qatar

2011-06-21T16:06:00.003+08:00

Civil/Mechanical Engineers wanted in Qatar

Minimum a recognize degree in Civil/Mechanical Engineering.

Minimum 10 years experience in wastewater or sewage treatment plant/Works is a must

Project Management Experience in Sewage Treatment Works Construction and/or Sewer Networks Construction OR Operations & Maintenance Experience of Sewage Treatment Works and/or Sewers Networks

Interview will be conducted in Kuala Lumpur.

Application for Malaysian only.

Interested please sent your CV to arwinder66@yahoo.com

Civil Engineers wanted in Qatar

2011-06-21T16:05:00.001+08:00

Minimum a recognize degree in Civil Engineering.

Minimum 10 years experience in wastewater or sewage treatment plant/Works is a must

Construction site experience and Maintenance

Interview will be conducted in Kuala Lumpur.

Application for Malaysian only.

Interested please sent your CV to arwinder66@yahoo.com

Wangz wonderland

2011-06-07T08:55:00.000+08:00

Singapore’s changing urban face over the past 30 years has been remarkable. Admittedly, the cutting-edge skyscrapers are an integral part of the island’s architectural landscape. But what makes Singapore exceptionally well in urban planning is the creative reutilisation of the existing buildings.

Wangz Hotel is a case in point. Located in Tiong Bahru, the hotel occupies a 20-year-old cylindrical building that was originally designed as both a commercial and residential property.

“When we bought this building in 2007, the first two floors were occupied by shops, while the upper floors housed residential units,” says owner Wang Chang Yuin, better known as Yuin.

Together with his sibling, Yuin ventured into hospitality business in 1996. Their first foray into the industry was Wangz Business Centre, a serviced office suite facility located at the penthouse of Suntec Tower One, Singapore.

However, unlike this serviced office suite, Wangz Hotel is a much bigger investment. According to Yuin, the renovation of Wangz Hotel cost approximately RM17mil (S$8mil).

Under the architectural direction of CPG Consultants, what was once a retro building with mosaic tiles façade is now a modern architectural masterpiece. The property is literally a gleaming sculpture, with perforated aluminum cladding and asymmetrically placed glass windows.

Despite the futuristic architectural approach, Wangz Hotel exudes a rather warm atmosphere - all thanks to the interior setting that sees a harmonious blend of designer furniture, earthy colour scheme and clever lighting arrangement.

StarProperty.my caught up with the affable hotelier recently.

Aluminum mask
As with many capital cities in this region, there have been a lot of world-class boutique hotels built in Singapore over the past few years. But Yuin, speaking from experience, will tell you that running a boutique hotel isn’t an easy job.

In Southeast Asia, particularly, the winning formula of a successful boutique hotel is injecting a dash of sophistication into an eclectic colonial building. But Wangz Hotel took the game up a notch by offering an impenitently modern design.

“Surrounded by many heritage blocks in Tiong Bahru, we knew from the beginning that we have to make this building look modern – inside and outside – to standout,” says Yuin.

The warm interior (left) softens Wangz Hotel's cold facade (right)

This was his brief to CPG Consultants and Avalon Design Pte Ltd, which tackled the architecture and interior design works for Wangz Hotel respectively.

With that in mind, the design team resurrected the façade, made a scissor staircase and reconsidered the use of space. But they soon found out that there’s MRT track beneath the neighbourhood, which means the renovation process “must not put more structural loading to the existing building, as to avoid any obstructions to the MRT system”.

But Yuin is quick to add that such obstacle didn’t compromise his design goal. In fact, it made him and his design team more creative.

“CPG Consultants torn down the mosaic tile façade to make way for perforated aluminum, which gives the building a modern look and is much lighter than other materials in terms of weight. On a practical level, this aluminum clad also protects the dwellers from the glaring sunlight,” Yuin explains.

To further boost the modern aesthetic, strips of glass windows were deliberately added to the façade. According to Yuin, not only do the glass windows emphasise the desired modern aesthetic, they also help bring in natural light into the building.

This façade alone cost RM2.4mil (S$1mil). But Yuin says that it was a worthwhile investment, as the statement-making façade accurately sets the identity of the hotel.

Urban oasis
Occupying a modern structure that is surrounded by a garden, Wangz Hotel prides itself as an “urban oasis” – and rightfully so. Wangz Hotel’s garden, designed as a circular patch that follows the contour of the building, is lush and beautiful. It is uncommon, one might say, that a hotelier sacrificed 5ft of land for a garden.

“I could have expanded the lobby with this piece of land, but I believe that a garden gives more value to the property and the community in both aesthetic and environmental sense,” he says.

The idea of having a garden got a nod from his design team. In fact, the garden has inspired the design team so much that the overall interior concept was based on the colours, mood and texture found there.

“Despite the cold façade of this property, we weren’t afraid to play with colourful furniture and finishing, for the garden has given us an excuse to be more earthy and warm. And I personally believe that such welcoming interior is good for the business.

“I didn’t want Wangz Hotel to have a stark interior setting. I wanted it to be disarming, without losing the sophisticated edge of the hotel. I believe this design approach to be effective in softening the property’s seemingly cold façade,” he reasons.

Panton Chair in different colours and MOOI's Pig Table in the lobby

Take a good look at the lobby and you will know what he means. The lobby, with rows of Panton chairs (in red, black and white) is every inch warm, inviting yet sophisticated. Contemporary numbers such as MOOI's Pig Table, Saporiti Italia's Flashmob Bench, and Arne Jacobsen's Swan Chairs add quirky characteristics to the interior.

Adding to this vibrant interior is a private collection of original artworks worth approximately RM970,000 (S$400,000). Staying true to its “urban oasis” concept, the artworks have been specifically commissioned to reflect floral and bird-inspired themes.

The same interior concept is also present in the rooms. Due to the circular shape of the building, each room required a bespoke layout planning.

“We fully embrace the shape of the building. The unusual shape (of the building) has allowed us to be innovative and creative. Where layout is concerned, we broke spatial boundaries with floor-to-ceiling windows, diverse wall textures, colour blocking, artwork displays and ambient light,” Yuin explains.

When asked what has been the most difficult challenge running a boutique hotel thus far, Yuin comments, “Looking back, the design and building phase was the easy part. What I, as a hotelier, must be prepared for is to be hands-on in the operations and be ready for lots of hard work.”

Yuin advises those who are considering renovating their house or commercial properties to find the right design team and contractor. A golden advice indeed.

Three biggest errors people make when investing in properties

2011-06-07T08:52:00.000+08:00

“You cannot make money buying properties in Malaysia!” exclaimed a relatively disgruntled investor from Singapore. It was a statement made when we made a visit to our neighboring country. We were in Singapore in collaboration with Malaysian Property Incorporated (MPI) to promote real estate investment in Malaysia.

We ended up having a meal with the gentleman and listening to his experience of investing in properties in Malaysia. To my surprise, he was an extremely well informed person with amicable knowledge of investments and had invested in other countries as well. However, his ventures have had somewhat mixed results. Some turned out mediocre results, some incurred losses and some were profitable ventures. He concluded saying: “Nothing beats investing in your own country”.

His story is not uncommon. I have had similar encounters with many foreign investors - both in Malaysia and abroad. After some research, I realised there were some fundamental errors that most investors made when they ventured into unknown territories or countries. I would like to share three of the most common errors made by foreign (and even some local) investors.

1st common error: To FLIP or to KEEP?
The first common mistake most investors committed is to invest without figuring out who their target market is.

First things first. Are you investing to FLIP or to KEEP? What’s flipping or keeping? Well, flipping is buying with the intention to sell with profit. Keeping is buying with the intention of profiting from renting the property out.

Properties for flipping are usually the ones with has the highest capital appreciation in the shortest amount of time. These are usually the landed properties.

Here’s a simple formula to calculate capital returns:

The returns will be the total returns you would get. Assuming you achieved 30% returns in 3 years, the next thing you need to do is to divide that to determine your simple returns per year (as compared to compounded returns)

Properties for keeping are the ones that fetch rental returns higher than 6%. These are usually high-rise in nature.

Here’s the formula for rental returns:

It is key that you decide what strategy to adopt before deciding what type of property to invest into. Also, it’s crucial to estimate the returns of investment you desire and the timeline of which to exit. Having exit strategies prior to starting is critical to your success.

Knowing your strategy before investing is crucial. Assuming you are planning to flip, next question is, who is your target market?

2nd common error: Not getting to know the area well.
“I bought into an apartment in the city center (worth RM1.8mil) three years back and I couldn’t sell it out till today!” claimed the Singaporean investor. “Who were you planning to sell it to?” I asked then. “Anyone la!” he replied.

If you go around with a strategy like that, you might end up including the super natural market as well! Look, if you don’t know who you are going to sell or rent your properties out to, why buy it in the first place?

You should know your target market very well before even investing into real estate in the area. Understand what the market needs, and what it is lack of.

What I see most investors do is to trust the developer or the agents to do the research for them. Why would you trust someone else with hundreds of thousands of ringgit (if not millions) of your own money?! Even if they were right, you still need to verify it. Remember, regardless of whether the developer or agent is right or wrong, they make their money when they sell their properties to you, and their liability stops there!

My advice for both locals and foreigners investing in Malaysia is to make the effort to visit the places of interest for you over and over again. Study the market and get to know the locals before you finally make the decision to invest.

3rd common error: Not understanding the locals
How many of you would invest into a RM14.5mil condominium near the city center with the intention to rent? How many of you would invest RM10.5mil for 1,250 sq ft of retail space in a new retail mall in Dengkil? While there may be some sane reasons to do so, majority would agree that you wouldn’t do either one of the deals. Although the examples are extreme, the common errors people do in investment are obvious here.

Some investors lose money because of this error - not understanding the lifestyle of the locals. You should always study the lifestyle of the locals.

Allow me to give a couple of examples:

I once met an investor who focused only into FLIPPING properties. I asked him how he’s able to consistently make returns of 50% to 70% in the market, regardless of whether it was an up market or a down market.

He shared with me that he only invests in properties of RM500k to RM700k. He focuses on the trends of the people buying in the area. In other words, he focuses on the lifestyle of homeowners and what they were seeking. He further shared: “I usually ask my working colleagues, around the age group of 30 to 40, where they would buy to stay. I take note of the areas and the type of properties they would buy, should they be able to afford properties within my investment range.”

“I also keep track on the latest types of properties the developers are rolling out into the market. They usually have done their research before investing millions into marketing and developing such properties. Then I look into the areas and types and buy the best deal.”

“I never guess. I always make sure that whatever I invest into, I am 99% sure that its going to give me at least 30% returns or more, before I even bother to go it. It’s all in the research and it’s all in the network. If you want to make money, must consistently be in the market la. There’s no such thing as a good time, only a good buy!” he added with a smile.

So, if you want to make money investing to FLIP or to KEEP, does he’s advice make good investment sense? Again, most of us fail to do any sort of research prior to investing into the properties. The key to successful investment is to gather enough good information from the marketplace and make the money in the difference.

In many of my talks that I give these days, I mention to people that while it can be a good time to make money in the market, invest wisely. Keep yourself grounded and stick to the fundamentals. The best way of losing money is when you start speculating in the market.

Last advise, always remember to focus on the bottom line. Define your entry and exit points, keep to your strategies and always focus on making money.

Happy investing!

Sealing To Moving Concrete Cracks

2011-05-08T21:52:00.000+08:00

I. TYPE OF DEFECTS
Type of defects: Non-structural and movable cracks.

II. SURFACE PREPARATION

The cracks and adjacent substrate must be clean, sound and free of contaminated material. Remove dust, laitance, grease, curing compounds and other bond inhibiting materials from surface by mechanical means.

“V” notch the surface of crack with mechanical router or hand chipping to maximum width of 8 mm and to minimum depth of 8 mm.

III. SEALING

Material: Sikaflex Construction (J)

To ensure the cleanliness of the substrate, use high pressure air compressor to clean the substrate from any dust and loose particle.

In case there is possibility of the sealant adheres to the bottom of the joints then a backer rod with diameter min. 20 % bigger than the width of joint shall be applied.

The application of Sika Primer 3 is recommended

Gun Sikaflex Construction (J) into prepared crack to a minimum depth of 8 mm.

Allow sealant to cure for at least 24 hours before the application of elastic water dispersed paint.

Extraordinary Animal Shaped Buildings

2011-04-26T15:01:00.001+08:00

There are many attractive buildings that are shaped like animals such as chicken, elephants, sheep, sharks, fish and many more. StarProperty.my takes a quick tour to bring you some of these uniquely shaped buildings.

Dog and Sheep Buildings in Tirau, New Zealand
The Sheep Wool Gallery is a sheep skin rug and novelty shop which offers woolen goods and gifts while the Dog Building is an Information Centre cum public restroom. The buildings were built in 1994 and are along the main road in Tirau.

The idea to build an information centre in the shape of a dog initially came from John Drake, the owner of the land, and this led to the large corrugated iron building known as the "Sheep".

When the South Waikato District Council was looking for a site to build new public toilets, the land beside the Sheep belonging to John and Nancy Drake seemed to be ideal. Work on the Dog Building started in January 1998 and it was officially opened in September 1998. The shape of the Dog’s head was constructed by local craftsman Steven Clothier.

The common material used to build structures such as barns and storage sheds is corrugated iron. This material has been used to build extraordinary looking animal-shaped buildings in Tirau, Waikato.
(Image by Ellergy Blogspot)

Lucy the Elephant, Margate City, New Jersey
This is a six-story elephant-shaped structure weighing 90 tonnes. Lucy was constructed in 1882 by James V. Lafferty in Margate City, New Jersey in an effort to sell real estate and attract tourism. Lucy had served as a restaurant, business office, cottage, and tavern over the years.

In the 1960s, Lucy was in bad condition and was scheduled for destruction. It has been moved and refurbished as a result of a "Save Lucy" campaign in 1970 and was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1976. Josephine Harron is one of the founders for the Save Lucy Committee.

Several elephant-shaped buildings have since been constructed after Lucy. The second was The Elephant Colossus at Coney Island amusement park which was a twelve story structure but was destroyed by a fire in 1896. In 1884, ‘Light of Asia, or ‘Old Dumbo’ was built at Cape May but it was torn down. Only Lucy was lucky enough to survive until today.
(Image by Ellergy Blogspot)

Elephant Tower in Bangkok
Located in the Chatuchak district, it has three towers and forms the shape of Thailand’s national animal – the elephant. The Elephant Tower is only 10km away from central Bangkok and is one of most famous landmarks in Thailand. It’s made up of seven parts which consists of condominiums, office space, shopping plaza, bank, post office, a language school and a garden.

This tower is one of the futuristic buildings of the 21st century. It can be accessed by many roads, expressway and the upcoming mass transit transportation including the first and second stage expressway - Don Muang Tollway, Hopewell Mass Transit and Expressway, BTS Elevated Train as well as MRTA Subway.
(Image by BEEN SEEN)

Giant Muskie, Hayward, Wisconsin
A museum and also an angler’s shrine shaped in a leaping musky, this unique building is one and a half city blocks long and four and one and a half storeys tall. It is made of concrete, steel and fiberglass. It’s gaping jaw which serves as an observation platform is able to accommodate about 20 persons or more. The landmark is surrounded by a quarter acre of natural pond.

The museum houses fishing artefacts; an inventory of over 5,000 dated lures, hundreds of antique rods, reels and angling accessories, and more than 400 mounts of almost 200 different species of fish. The building idea was brought to live in 1960 by Bob Kutz.
(Image by Ellergy Blogspot)

Frank Gehry’s Fish, above the Vila Olimpica in Barcelona
Built in 1992 for the Olympic Games, located above Vila Olimpica in Barcelona, the monumental Fish sculpture consists of a retail complex designed by Gehry Partners within a larger hotel development by Skidmore, Owing & Merill.

The sculpture was modeled entirely in 3D and delivered directly to the fabricators as a 3D model. There have been many other fish buildings that followed thereafter.
(Image by BEEN SEEN)

Dog Bark Park Inn, Cottonwood, Idaho, USA
Dennis and Frances are the owners of this gigantic beagle in Idaho. Dennis’ background in the construction and building design industry prior to becoming an artist gave him the necessary expertise to build the dog building himself.

The head of the Dog is a loft room with additional sleeping space plus a cozy alcove in the muzzle. The building at 30 feet tall, 34 feet long and 14 feet wide was completed in 2003. Some of the Dog’s decorative furnishings are carvings by Dennis & Frances. Visitors may walk the grounds; browse the gift shop, or even share dog’s travel and life stories at the dog park.
(Image by Ellergy Blogspot)

Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn, Jabiru, Kakadu National Park, Australia
Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn, Jabiru offers an international standard four-star service to their visitors. This unique hotel is shaped like a crocodile and is located in the centre of the world heritage listed Kakadu National Park. It is a popular base for exploring the rugged beauty of the vast National Park.

The Crocodile’s mouth is the entrance of the hotel which leads to an expansive marble foyer designed to represent a cool, green billabong. Its body section houses guest rooms overlooking a central patio with a recreation of a natural billabong and a shaded swimming pool, designed to signify the crocodile’s heart. There are also tennis courts and a golf court situated within a short distance from the hotel.
(Image by Ellergy Blogspot)

Other interseting articles:

Attraction of average-size residential, shopping projects

2011-04-25T10:56:00.002+08:00

The built environment in the Klang Valley, Penang and other parts of the country is poised for major changes going by the ambitious infrastructure and development projects that have been planned to boost the liveability and growth potential of our major cities.
Projects such as the mass rapid transit in the Klang Valley and the light rail transit and monorail projects in Penang will certainly herald many new changes in the property landscape.
These infrastructure projects will undoubtedly spawn opportunities for other types of development such as housing, office buildings, shopping malls, industrial parks and public facilities.
With all the big plans under way, there may be a tendency to pay too much attention on building mega buildings and structures, and neglect the basic, simple needs and necessities of the common folks.
Many Klang Valley folks consider it unnecessary to spend too much resources on gigantic structures and projects just to add to the city’s skyline.
In fact, the debate on whether there is a need to build the 100-storey Warisan Merdeka tower in the vicinity of Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, is still on.
Personally, I believe there are many worthwhile projects that can be pursued, such as cultural and art centres that should be planned based on traditional architecture and using local and indigenous designs and materials. They present opportunities to liven up our cities with more holistic activities and showcase the rich local culture and heritage to visitors.
So it makes sense to incorporate Malaysia’s multi-culture and multi-ethnic heritage into the new commercial projects in our major cities.
We must remember that foreign visitors and tourists to the country are here to savour and experience the living heritage of the people in our cities, towns and villages, instead of gazing at the skyscrapers and concrete jungle which they can find in their own countries. In many ways, what they hope to experience is the simple, yet rich and original way of life of the local people.
Likewise, new residential projects should also look into the basic needs of potential buyers and should be functional instead of over-emphasising the aesthetics. There is a growing number of people who want to live in the city centre but find the prices of the property way beyond their reach.
There should be more effort to build smaller “starter” units in the urban conurbations in order to attract and retain young talent and workforce in cities, particularly Kuala Lumpur.

A review of planning laws and incentives should be considered to encourage developers to build more such entry-level properties for first-time homeowners.
These developments can be integrated with some nice lifestyle food and beverage outlets and retail centres.
Since a number of condominium projects have yet to be fully sold or occupied, perhaps the developers can look at redesigning the layout plans and turn some of the overly spacious units to smaller homes.
Developers of such starter homes have reported brisk sales and there is still a long waiting list for these smaller residences.
In fact, there is also tremendous opportunity to further liven up the Klang Valley’s retail landscape with more average size lifestyle outlets and centres.
The plan to link major retail destinations in Kuala Lumpur’s main shopping hub will help promote the city as a favourite shopping destination.
Walking around shopping malls that are well spaced out, safe and not overcrowded has proven to be therapeutic and relaxing.
It is not only the fairer gender who are taking to shopping as a favourite past-time but their male counterparts have also caught up with this habit. Whether it is to look for something to buy or just taking a stroll, shopping complexes have become favourite haunts for many Klang Valley folks.
The scorching sun has made walking a chore these days and setting up shaded pedestrian walkways in major shopping streets will do well to promote the city’s shopping potential.

Jump in Penang property prices

2011-04-25T10:55:00.000+08:00

The most significant feature in Penang’s property market last year was the marked increase in prices in some established housing areas on the island, with single storey and double-storey terraced houses breaching the RM580,000 and RM800,000 respectively.
Double-digit price and rental hikes were noted throughout the state in established housing areas, the Valuation and Property Services Department says in its Property Market Report 2010.
The situation in Penang is a general reflection of the mood of the overall market in the country, with Putrajaya recording a two-fold increase in the volume from 170 units in 2009 to 337 units last year. In ringgit terms, Putrajaya sales saw a three-fold increase from RM88mil to RM375mil. It should be noted that Putrajaya is beginning from a low base, being a relatively new area.
Klang Valley prices and volume of transactions were also robust last year. The only state which experienced a soft market was Labuan, while Malacca saw very marginal growth.
Going back to the situation in Penang, as with other states, the residential sub-sector dominated market activity, capturing 70.2% of the market share, followed by commercial sub-sector with a distant 11.9% share of the market. While agricultural and industrial sub-sectors enjoyed growth, it was the residential sector that saw major movements last year.
On the island, single storey terraced houses in Green Garden recorded an increase of 16.5%, ranging from RM455,000 to RM550,000. Similar houses in Jalan Van Praagh were transacted at a higher range of RM530,000 to RM580,000. Bandar Bayan Baru saw both its single and double-storey terraces charting gains of 16.1% and 20.2% to record RM275,000 to RM340,000 and RM403,500 to RM490,000 respectively.
According to the report, its proximity to Sunshine Square shopping complex, Suntech@Penang Cybercity office blocks and being adjacent to Penang International Sports Arena gave it the extra edge.

Other locations which had notable increases were in Taman Sri Nibong, Taman Sri Mewah and Taman Sunway Banyan. Houses in Taman Sunway Banyan went as high as RM750,000. Other popular areas were Island Glades and Island Park, recording sales between RM560,000 and RM800,000 for its residential units.
In Seberang Perai on the mainland, prices of landed residential units also recorded positive movements, particularly Taman Bertam Perdana (B), Bandar Putra Bertam. It should be noted that prices in Seberang Perai Utama are also gradually moving up.
While landed units recorded a general trend of double-digit growth, high rise residential units are not to be left out. Prices of upscale condominium by the beach increased by 3.6% to as high as 22.2% in Sri Pantai/Gurney Beach Resort Condominium.
In the rental market, growth was recorded in Green Garden and Taman Lip Sin, with rental rates seeing an increase of 12.5% and 11.1% respectively. In the high rise segment, rental growth also saw an uptrend. Two-bedroom flats in MaCallum Streets and three-bedroom flats in Mutiara Heights, and George Town city centre recorded 9.4% and 9.1% increases respectively. Prices of shops were stable with isolated increases noted in choice locations. Since the inscription of George Town as a World heritage Site by Unesco in 2008, the number and value of pre-war shops’ transactions have increased. Institutional buyers have been actively buying up commercial lands in George Town.
Overall, Penang enjoyed a total of 25,986 transactions worth RM9.37bil last year, an increase of 14% in volume and 43.5% in value against 2009 (22,724 transcations worth RM6.53bil). It was one of several top performing states both in terms of value and transactions. - By Thean Lee Cheng

Perimeter wall collapses after thunderstorm

2011-04-25T10:42:00.000+08:00

Looming danger: The perimeter wall of Ken Damansara 3 collapsed and the river retaining wall has also reclined.

A perimeter wall of the Ken Damansara 3 Condominium in SS2, Petaling Jaya collapsed onto the banks of Sungai Penchala on Saturday during an evening thunderstorm, sparking fears among residents over their safety.
A swathe of soil near the collapsed wall was exposed and the river’s retaining wall could also be seen leaning forward.
After receiving complaints, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) checked the site with its technical officers later that evening.
Councillor Tony Cheung said the matter was monitored closely by both the council’s engineering department and the state’s Drainage and Irrigation Department that was in charge of the area.
“The cause of the collapse has yet to be ascertained as we are still waiting for the report, which will be available within these two days,” he said.
Councilor K.W. Mak said there was no danger of the building or the bridge collapsing at the moment.

He said he had demanded for a full report from the relevant parties to know what was the real cause, whether it was only soil erosion or due to other reasons.
“Technically, a development should not be located so close to a river. I will request for the planning department to show me all the plans, I am not happy with what has happened,” he said.
He said the council would hold a technical meeting today to discuss repair works and work out the costs.
An officer from the condominium management, who was present at the site yesterday, declined to comment on the matter.

Concern over sewage pipe location

2011-04-25T10:38:00.003+08:00

Residents of Jalan Tiong in Bandar Puchong Jaya want the developer of a new condominium near their houses to move its sewage pipe elsewhere.
Last month, the residents voiced their displeasure when they saw installation works being carried out at the slope along Jalan Tiong 2.
According to a representative from the developer’s sub-contractor, the pipe will channel waste from the condominium to the oxidation pond nearby.
The residents objected to the project because they feared the sewage pipe would overflow in future and cause them problems.
Pro-tem residents association chairman Mumfit Mohd Sahlan said a meeting was held at the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) headquarters with the developer and Indah Water Konsortium representatives recently.

Kinrara MCA service centre chief Dr Kow Cheong Wei said he was appalled that the residents were asked to seek professional help themselves when it should be MPSJ’s responsibility to assist ratepayers.
“The other condominiums next to this new one have their sewage pipes built under the main road (Jalan Pipit). The developer for this condominium should do the same,” he said.
When met at another event, Kinrara assemblyman Teresa Kok said National Water Services Commission (Span) had informed there was no issue with the works.
“The residents cannot cite worries as the only basis to complain. Their only concern is that the existing facility in their residential area cannot cope with the waste volume from the new development.
“The entire sewage system would be sealed,” she said.
More property news:

“We were told to engage our own lawyer and engineer to prove the sewage pipe cannot be built there. Otherwise, the project will resume on May 1.
“The condominium is located on top of the slope and we would become victims should anything happen to the sewage pipe,” he said.
He said the residents had no intention of hiring the professionals as they could not afford it.

Workability of Fresh Concrete by Slump Test

2011-04-17T00:04:00.000+08:00

Be free to read and reply...

WORKABILITY
Slump test is used to determine the workability of fresh concrete. Slump test as per IS: 1199 – 1959 is followed.The apparatus used for doing slump test are Slump cone and Tamping rod.

Procedure to determine workability of fresh concrete by slump test.

i) The internal surface of the mould is thoroughly cleaned and applied with a light coat of oil.
ii) The mould is placed on a smooth, horizontal, rigid and nonabsorbent surface.
iii) The mould is then filled in four layers with freshly mixed concrete, each approximately to one-fourth of the height of the mould.
iv) Each layer is tamped 25 times by the rounded end of the tamping rod (strokes are distributed evenly over the cross section).
v) After the top layer is rodded, the concrete is struck off the level with a trowel.
vi) The mould is removed from the concrete immediately by raising it slowly in the vertical direction.
vii) The difference in level between the height of the mould and that of the highest point of the subsided concrete is measured.
viii) This difference in height in mm is the slump of the concrete.

Reporting of Results
The slump measured should be recorded in mm of subsidence of the specimen during the test. Any slump specimen, which collapses or shears off laterally gives incorrect result and if this occurs, the test should be repeated with another sample. If, in the repeat test also, the specimen shears, the slump should be measured and the fact that the specimen sheared, should be recorded.

Typical Questions

Ques 1. What is the ideal value of slump?

Answer 1 In case of a dry sample, slump will be in the range of 25-50 mm that is 1-2 inches. But in case of a wet concrete, the slump may vary from 150-175 mm or say 6-7 inches. So the value of slump is specifically mentioned along the mix design and thus it should be checked as per your location.
Slump depends on many factors like properties of concrete ingredients – aggregates etc. Also temperature has its effect on slump value. So all these parameters should be kept in mind when deciding the ideal slump

Ques 2. How does a superplasticizer effect the slump of concrete?

Answer 2 Value of Slump can be increased by the addition of chemical admixtures like mid-range or high-range water reducing agents (super-plasticizers) without changing the water/cement ratio.

Ques 3. How much time one should take to raise the cone?

Answer 3 Once the cone is filled and topped off [ excessive concrete from top is cleared ] raise the cone within 5-10 seconds.

Ques 4. What are the dimensions of the cone used in Slump Test?

Answer 3 The dimensions are
Top Diameter – 10cm
Bottom Diameter – 20cm
Height – 30cm

If you have any Q & A be free to share with my blog

Residents express fear over LRT routes

2011-04-02T09:42:00.003+08:00

THE residents of Putra Heights and Taman Subang Alam, have expressed concern over the proposed LRT extension route near their areas.

They feel the Selangor government should intervene to reassess the proposed route.

The proposed route which runs from Kelana Jaya will be extended to Subang Jaya and make its way to Putra Heights and Taman Subang Alam in Shah Alam with a station each.

Putra Heights resident Prem Kaur said the site identified for the 11th LRT station on the route was as close as seven metres from the double-storey terrace houses in the area.

Prem, who heads the LRT taskforce committee in the area, said the site was too near their homes.

“The granite soil in the area is also not strong enough to support the LRT’s concrete pillars in the future,” she said.

Prem said the group had sought assistance from disaster management engineer Dr Tajol Anuar to conduct a study on the proposed routes to get a clearer picture of how safe the site was.

“He (Tajol) studied the site and came up with a geology report stating that it is not viable to build the LRT on the terrain between stations 11 and 12 as it was dangerous and highlighted us a few points supporting the report,” said Prem.

Taman Subang Alam resident committee member Afideen Azali said the station to be built on their site will sit on Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s (TNB) Right of Way (ROW).

“I do not understand why Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (Prasarana) has chosen that spot when they know the danger of occupying land under TNB’s high voltage tension cables.

“There is also an old quarry lake near the site which is deeper than the homes in the area, hence he said the residents fear the walls around the quarry may crumble when piling works begin.

“ It is a disaster waiting to happen and when it does, it will be too late,” said Afideen.

He added they have been holding several meetings for the past two years and had even submitted a survey report by Merdeka Centre to the Mentri Besar but received no reply.

The residents hoped the Mentri Besar would look into the alternative route which Shah Alam City Council had came up with.

The route which is said to be 2.1km longer and will cost an additional RM500 mil is seen to be a better choice as it covers Section 27 and 28.

“Why waste more money to mitigate the quarry wall and strengthen the soil when you can choose other empty land in the area,” said Prem. During a meeting attended by Sri Muda assemblyman Shuhaimi Shafiei recently, both resident committees appealed to him to look into their woes and convey the message to the Mentri Besar.

“We are not against the project as we want LRT in the area. We just want it to be relocated to a safer location,” said Afideen.

Other property related news:

Task force to be set up to revive abandoned projects

2011-04-02T09:34:00.000+08:00

THE Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) will set up a task force to accelerate the revival of abandoned projects.

Councillor Lee Kee Hiong who made the suggestion during the fullboard meeting yesterday, said there were more abandoned projects in areas under the council’s jurisdiction although only 11 were listed at the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS).Left to rot: The abandoned project consisting of 19 houses in Taman Bukit Permai, Bandar Sungai Long, Kajang. — filepic

“Such project sites contribute to cleanliness and security problems,” she said.

In reply, an MPKj officer said it has a special unit to liaise with the Housing and Local Government Minister, LPHS and Selangor housing, building and squatters committee chairman Iskandar Abdul Samad.

Another councillor S.T. Chandra Mohan added that the task force would be set up to include councillors and officers from the building, planning and infrastructure departments to hasten the revival process.

“We’ll see how we can accommodate the planning requirements. It’s very difficult as liquidators need to take over the projects and buyers have to be prepared to pay more,” he said.

On the illegal recording of MPKj’s closed-door meeting in January, Chandra asked how to prevent a recurrence of the incident.

“According to the Standing Orders for Meetings, all meetings cannot be recorded.

“Are we supposed to screen everybody and stop them from bringing in handphones? How do we control this?” he said.

Fellow councillor Norsiah Md Noor suggested letting the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee to look into the matter.

Meanwhile, a proposed 34-storey serviced apartment development in Jalan Bukit, Kajang, has been put on hold pending the Traffic Impact Assessment and Road Safety Audit reports.

Chandra said the studies should be done at a macro level to take the whole area into consideration.

Councillor Ong Seng Peng enquired about the plans to tackle the problem of illegal car wash operators.

“Do we legalise them? If we don’t, they are still going to be around,” he said.

Chandra added that the council was supposed to finetune the guidelines as decided in the last meeting, and an MPKj officer admitted that it was still in progress.

On another issue, Lee suggested creating a position for deputy council president.

The council secretary also serves as the acting deputy president, but there are certain responsibilities which are out of his jurisdiction.

“For instance, he cannot chair the meetings in the absence of the council president (whose term ended in February),” she said.

As such, the fullboard meeting was chaired by councillor Mohamed Yusoff Bachek.

More property related news:

Jobs at Australia-27th March,2011

2011-03-28T11:16:00.002+08:00

Hi friends,

If there's anyone looking for job in WESTERN AUSTRALIA-PERTH
Minimum opening Available... ...so do act fast.
Below are the various opening:

General Worker-(Packing work- DAIRY n FRUIT JUICE FACTORY) .

Age qualification to apply is below 40 only!
Limited positions only
Minimum qualification is SPM only!!!
with basic English(at least simple written &understanding) .

Those with DIPLOMA n DEGREE pls dont seek for GENERAL WORK.
Salary is AUS$16 per-hour after tax deducted.
Max 8 hrs per-day and 20 days per-month.(plenty of over time is available)
Kindly email ur resume: sujaata11@yahoo. com /devanjayasimhan@ yahoo.com

Accommodation : Provided.
Food: Provided.
Working duration : 2 years contract
Flight Chargers : Paid by agent.
Departure: June/July
Location of registration in Malaysia : Petaling Jaya

Who's Getting Hired Now?

2011-03-28T11:07:00.000+08:00

The unemployment rate hides the fact that there are millions of job openings that need to be filled by qualified workers.

By Tony Moton

It's no secret that the unemployment rate hovers near double figures. In August 2010, it was at 9.6 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But what tends to be hidden from view is another number worth knowing - the number of job openings that are out there.

Did you know there were 3 million job openings on the last business day of July this year?

Yes, there are jobs out there. The trick is landing one.

Just ask Ada Tomasyan and Ayoub Sunna, who both started jobs in recent months.

The secrets to their success: education and training.

[Click here to find a top school near you]

After working eight years in the real estate business, Tomasyan went back to school and earned an associate's degree in nursing. She now works as a nurse at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, California.

Sunna's accounting career saw him land a management position at Stonefield Josephson, a public accounting firm in San Diego. Among his credentials is a bachelor's degree in accounting.

"I read a lot about the economy and how the unemployment rate is around ten percent," Sunna says. "But when it comes to our field, the unemployment rate is not anything close to that."

The chances of landing a job that has an opening are improved if you have the proper credentials, Tomasyan says. "I have several classmates who have gotten jobs. It's not impossible."

Let's take a closer look at eight jobs with potential openings and strong hiring numbers.

ACCOUNTANT

"The demand for jobs is always there," says Sunna, who manages the audit practice at his firm. Accountants can work in a diverse group of specialized areas, which makes this a highly desirable career option. In fact, the number of new jobs for accountants is expected to grow by 22 percent (that's 279,400 new jobs!) through the 2008-2018 period.

Education and Training: Graduating with an associate's degree in accounting can help you get your start as a junior accountant. Earn a bachelor's degree in accounting for more opportunities.

Salary: Accountants earn an average annual salary of $67,430.

[Find Accounting and Business schools near you or online]

REGISTERED NURSE

The nursing profession offers a wide variety of job responsibilities. "I like bedside care, but there's also home health, surgery, rehab nursing, and counseling for alcohol and drug abuse," says Tomasyan. The Department of Labor projects a total of 581,500 new nursing jobs will become available between 2008 and 2018.

Education and Training: You can enter the field with an associate's degree in nursing like Tomasyan, or you can obtain a diploma or bachelor's degree. Licensed graduates of any of the three program levels qualify for entry-level work as a staff nurse.

Salary: The average annual salary for a registered nurse is $66,530.*

[Read about degrees that get you hired]

MEDICAL ASSISTANT

Medical assisting is among the fastest growing professions in the health care industry. The field also is bolstered by the wide range of jobs that are available, such as administrative and clinical medical assistants. The Department of Labor even projects a 34 percent jump in medical assisting jobs from 2008-2018.

Education and Training: An associate's degree, which takes about two years to earn, can give you the necessary amount of formal training you need to enter the field. If you want a faster route to this hot career, adiploma or certificate program can get the job done in about a year.

Salary: Medical assistants have an average yearly salary of $29,450. Pay varies by many factors, including location and company. Medical assistants in Hawaii, for example, average at $32,180, whereas those in Michigan average at $28,460.

[Search for a Medical Assisting school near you]

PARALEGAL

The demand for paralegal services is expected to grow as the need for legal services increases, particularly in areas such as health care, intellectual property, and international law. In terms of numbers, it's estimated that openings for 74,100 paralegals will become available from 2008-2018.

Education and Training: The most common way to enter the paralegal field is an associate's degree. Consider getting a certificate in paralegal studies if you already have a bachelor's degree in another field.

Salary: On the average, paralegals earn an annual salary of $50,080. The top paying region for paralegals in May 2009 was the District of Columbia at $64,760. In a close second and third were New York ($60,140) and California ($59,270).

[Find a Paralegal training program in your area]

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN

The increasing number of middle-aged and older adults using prescription drugs will help spur growth in this profession through the coming decade. The number of pharmacy technicians will grow by 31 percent into 2018.

Education and Training: Employers prefer technicians with formal training and education, so you are best served by entering a program that grants an associate's degree, diploma, or certificate.

Salary: Pharmacy technicians earn an average salary of $28,940 a year.

[Get started on the path to a Pharmacy Technician career]

DENTAL ASSISTANT

The number of dental assistants in the workforce is projected to grow by more than 100,000 over the decade ending in 2018. More good news: job prospects for entry-level applicants are excellent.

Education and Training: One-year certificate or diploma programs are worth checking out. A number of states require continuing education to maintain your license or registration.

Salary: Dental assistants earn an average yearly salary of $34,000. Top paying regions, according to the Department of Labor, are the District of Columbia ($45,630), Alaska ($43,670), and Minnesota ($41,510).

[Find a Dental Assisting certificate program near you now]

MEDICAL RECORDS TECHNICIAN

Jobs for medical records and health information technicians are on the rise, due to the increased number medical tests, treatments, and procedures performed on an aging population. The number of jobs in this field is projected to grow by 20 percent through 2018.

Education and Training: An associate's degree is what you will need as a starting point in the field, but most employers also prefer that you pass a credentialing test offered by the American Health Information Management Association.

Salary: The average salary for a medical records technician is $33,880.

SKILLED JOBS IN Professional Jobs - Authors & Writers

2011-03-25T09:36:00.000+08:00

The basic guidelines to take notes.

Authors and Writers

Authors and writers plan, research and write books, scripts, storyboards, plays, essays, speeches, manuals, specifications and other non-journalistic articles for publication or presentation.

They are employed by advertising agencies, governments, large corporations, private consulting firms, publishing firms, multimedia/new-media companies and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.

Main duties
The following is a summary of the main duties of some occupations in this unit group:

Novelists, playwrights, script writers, poets and other creative writers conceive and write novels, plays, scripts, poetry and other material for publication or presentation and may conduct research to establish factual content and to obtain other necessary information.
Technical writers analyze material, such as specifications, notes and drawings, and write manuals, user guides and other documents to explain clearly and concisely the installation, operation and maintenance of software and electronic, mechanical and other equipment.
Copywriters study and determine selling features of products and services and write text for advertisements and commercials.
Authors and writers may specialize in a particular subject or type of writing.

Employment requirements

Technical writers usually require a university degree in the area of specialization, such as computer science or engineering.

Copywriters usually require a university degree or college diploma in English, Malay Language, marketing, advertising or another discipline.

Creative writing programs are offered by universities and colleges.

Talent and ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are important hiring criteria.

share by sarapandian.blogspot.com

SKILLED JOBS - How and where to send your resume

2011-03-25T09:33:00.000+08:00

The basic Guidelines when you're applying for jobs.

1.	How to apply for government positions?
	Applications to enter the federal public service shall be made by filling out the form SPA8. Applications can also be made online at the website of Public Service Commission of Malaysia in www.spa.gov.my


2.	I signed up with the SPA. When will I be called an interview?
	All applications that have been registered with the SPA will be called if the interview: a. There is a vacancy in the position applied for charging by the Ministry / Department; b. Service scheme qualifying position applied for, and c. Beyond basic filtering imposed.


3.	What is the position according to my academic qualifications?
	Information about the suitability of the position applied for with the academic in the ad booklet SMSM. The handbook is included in the package SPA8 Application Form which can be purchased at RM5.00.


4.	Where to send form SPA8?
	All forms must be mailed directly to SPA8 Secretary, Commission of the civil service, Level 60-10 Blok C7, Federal Government Administrative Centre, 62520 PUTRAJAYA.


5.	How does the application status and the opportunity to be selected to attend an interview?
	Each applicant will be registered in the Data Bank and will be SMSM certificate of registration. If there are vacancies, then the SPA / Secretariat will process the candidates are qualified and then called to attend an interview. The period of validity of the request is for 1 year from the date of the list and if not received any notification from the SPA during the period, applicants are advised to fill out the form SPA8.


6.	When is advertising vacancies for publication?
	SMSM Since its launch in 1997, the SPA no longer advertise vacancies in newspapers as usual before this. However, the SPA is to publish ads 2 times a year to inform or remind prospective applicants about the position under its jurisdiction. The applicant can check the information that is intended, and other matters related thereto, and they can apply for positions that interest in accordance with the qualifications they have. Applications can be made at any time during the year.


7.	Should I send a curriculum vitae / personal information (resume) to apply for positions through SMSM?
	No need. Applicants are required to fill out carefully and complete all the required information in the application form.However, documents containing such information as well as other related documents should be taken on the day of the interview.


8.	Why an application was not registered?
	An application is not registered may be due to the failure of candidates to fill the appropriate form in accordance with established guidelines. This is important because the registration is made fully computerized.


9.	When should I renew the registration?
	The validity period of a registration is one year. If this period has expired, the applicant may renew it by re-register. Many applicants have missed an opportunity to consider in making business because of validity of their registration has expired and not renewed during the course of making progress. Applicants are also required to renew their registration if they want to change the position applied for. Applicants should not wait until the end of a year to do so. For candidates KPSL, renewal of registration may be made by sending a letter of notification without having to submit a new application.


10.	Why do I need to renew the registration?
	Each registration must be renewed even if the applicant has never been called an interview in a year. This is to enable the PSC to keep applicant information that really only interested in the data bank as well as get the latest information on the applicant.


11.	Why is currently serving officers must apply through the Head of Department?
	Terms of submitting an application through the Head of the Department applicable to serving officers are set out in General Order 21, General Orders Chapter A (Appointments and Promotions) 1973. The aim is that the Head of Department to state their opinions whether they support or not support the application in respect of officers and provide necessary documents such as performance assessment report and an updated statement of service if the officer managed to call an interview.


12.	Can a serving officer to apply for positions via the internet?
	Serving officers are now allowed to apply for positions under the jurisdiction of the PSC through the internet. However, if successfully called the interview, they should carry a letter from the Head of the Department as evidence that their application has been communicated to them. There are applications to renew registration may be made by mail without having to submit a new form. However, candidates should ensure that officers are currently serving his current Dalan certified before applying for new positions.

13.	Are all the educational establishment?
	Not all institutions of higher learning (IHL), especially private institutions of higher learning (IPTS), whether within or outside the country recognized by the Government. So those who want to serve with the Civil Service should ensure that their institutions of higher learning or qualifications obtained from institutions of higher learning have been recognized by the Government. List of IPTS and field of study is recognized by the Department of Public Service. Thus, the revision may be made to the department concerned or website http://www.interactive.jpa.gov.my/frmmainiktiraf.asp .


14.	Why can I not be called an interview?
	There are many reasons why an applicant was not called even though the interview has been registered with the SPA, such as:
	a.	Position applied for is not there a vacant, or if it is empty even if the Ministry or Department where the vacancy exists not request PSC to make the filling for various reasons, or / and
	b.	Applications submitted by the applicant is not registered with CSC data bank, or / and
	c.	Applicant's validity period has expired and the applicant is making a difference, or / and
	d.	The applicant did not pass screening requirements imposed by the Commission if the number of applicants is too many, or / and
	e.	The applicant does not meet the conditions specified in the advertisement or in the scheme of service for their tree position.


15.	Can I apply for positions that require a lower entry qualifications?
	Yes, with qualifications that you have no more than one level higher than the prescribed qualifications for the position applied for and the applicant has the relevant qualifications. Example: If you have a Diploma / STPM, you can apply for positions that require qualifications in SPM. Similarly, applicants who have a degree in Honours degree / general may apply for positions that require the approval of the Diploma or STPM level provided that the applicant has the qualifications of Diploma / STPM. However, the qualification level is not considered equivalent to Matriculation Diploma / STPM.


16.	How to know the results of the interview?
	Interview decision as to whether the successful candidate is chosen as a designated, safe or fail, will be presented to you by mail. You also can check via the SPA website at the address http://www.spa.gov.my TeleSPA online or by phone at 600-83-7979 or via smsm numbers in the number 39111.


17.	What will happen if I refused the offer of office?
	Candidates who have been offered a position but refused to report or not, will not be called for interviews the same office for 3 years and 1 year for other positions, except for the post of Medical Officers, Dental Officers and pharmacists. For a position as one of the test set filtering conditions, the applicant may be considered for an interview called for a post requiring the test, provided they pass the test and have special approval from the Commission even though they have been appointed and report to another office.


18.	What will happen if I did not attend the interview?
	Candidates who are called but did not attend the interview will not be blacklisted.


19.	Can I change the date and center interview?
	Yes, if you have a valid reason and reasonable cause. Change of date and place of the interview, particularly those involving the center of an interview in Sabah and Sarawak, good initial requested by writing to the Secretariat of the PSC to avoid any inconvenience to include the name, no. identity card, no. phone, position, date and place of the original interview, the date and place of new interviews and the reasons why want to switch.


20.	What are the privileges enjoyed by the candidate or officer is serving KPSL?
	Usually candidates are given the opportunity to attend KPSL interview without any filtering if they have met the minimum requirements set by the scheme of service. Serving officers as well (ie other than the candidate KPSL) usually goes through the same vetting process by the candidates direct appointment. However, when interviewed the three applicant groups must compete without any privilege or indulgence as the selection will be based on merit.


21.	Does the applicant be given special consideration?
	Group applicant is not subject to censorship Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Orang Asli, participants Eradication Programme for the Hardcore Poor (PPRT) Welfare Programs (PKR), and General Assistance recipients. They will be called without any screening interview if minimum qualifications prescribed in the scheme of service, or advertising.However, when attending an interview are required to bring relevant documents to prove their status.


22.	What is special about the applicant from among the workers stuck, while the officers, part-time or contract employees?
	There are no privileges given to employees outboard (attachment), while the officers, part-time employees and contract employees. Consideration of their choice subject to the same rules and procedures are subject to the applicant's direct appointment. This means they are not automatically appointed to permanent vacancies despite their trees.


24.	Are the candidates given special government scholarship holders?
	Applicants from the government scholarship holders are also not given any privileges. They are subject to the same procedures as apply to the direct appointment of other candidates and consider their selection depends on the merits. share by sarapandian.blogspot.com

SKILLED JOBS IN Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

2011-03-25T09:30:00.002+08:00

Things to take NOTE when you're applying for a job.

Civil engineering technologists and technicians provide technical support and services to scientists, engineers and other professionals, or may work independently in fields such as structural engineering, municipal engineering, construction design and supervision, highways and transportation engineering, water resources engineering, geotechnical engineering and environmental protection.

They are employed by consulting engineering and construction companies, public works, transportation and other government departments and in many other industries.

Main duties
Civil engineering technologists perform some or all of the following duties:

Develop engineering designs and drawings from preliminary concepts and sketches
Prepare construction specifications, cost and material estimates, project schedules and reports
Supervise or conduct field surveys, inspections or technical investigations of topography, soils, drainage and water supply systems, road and highway systems, buildings and structures to provide data for engineering projects
Conduct or supervise inspection and testing of construction materials
May supervise, monitor and inspect construction projects.

Civil engineering technicians perform some or all of the following duties:

Assist in developing engineering specifications and drawings
Participate in field surveys, inspections or technical investigations of topography, soils, drainage and water supply systems, road and highway systems, buildings and structures to provide data for engineering projects
Perform other technical functions in support of civil engineering activities.

Employment requirements

Completion of a two- or three-year college program in civil engineering technology or a closely related discipline is usually required for civil engineering technologists.

Completion of a one- or two-year college program in civil engineering technology is usually required for civil engineering technicians.

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SKILLED JOBS IN Civil Engineers

2011-03-25T09:29:00.000+08:00

Things to take NOTE when you're applying for a job.

Civil engineers plan, design, develop and manage projects for the construction or repair of buildings, earth structures, powerhouses, roads, airports, railways, rapid transit facilities, bridges, tunnels, canals, dams, ports and coastal installations and systems related to highway and transportation services, water distribution and sanitation.

Civil engineers may also specialize in foundation analysis, building and structural inspection, surveying, geomatics and municipal planning. Civil engineers are employed by engineering consulting companies, in all levels of government, by construction firms and in many other industries, or they may be self-employed.

Main duties
Civil engineers perform some or all of the following duties:

Confer with clients and other members of the engineering team and conduct research to determine project requirements
Plan and design major civil projects such as buildings, roads, bridges, dams, water and waste management systems and structural steel fabrications
Develop construction specifications and procedures
Evaluate and recommend appropriate building and construction materials
Interpret, review and approve survey and civil design work
Conduct field services for civil works
Ensure construction plans meet guidelines and specifications of building codes and other regulations
Establish and monitor construction work schedules
Conduct feasibility studies, economic analyses, municipal and state traffic studies, environmental impact studies or other investigations
Monitor air, water and soil quality and develop procedures to clean up contaminated sites
Conduct technical analyses of survey and field data for development of topographic, soil, hydrological or other information and prepare reports
Act as project or site supervisor for land survey or construction work
Prepare contract documents and review and evaluate tenders for construction projects
Supervise technicians, technologists and other engineers and review and approve designs, calculations and cost estimates.

Employment requirements

A bachelor's degree in civil engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.

A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.

Licensing by association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).

Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.

Additional information

There is considerable mobility between civil engineering specializations at the less senior levels.
Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, urban planning, sales, marketing or management.
Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group require experience

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Total Quality Control in Construction

2011-03-16T12:06:00.000+08:00

Quality control in construction typically involves insuring compliance with minimum standards of material and workmanship in order to insure the performance of the facility according to the design. These minimum standards are contained in the specifications described in the previous section. For the purpose of insuring compliance, random samples and statistical methods are commonly used as the basis for accepting or rejecting work completed and batches of materials. Rejection of a batch is based on non-conformance or violation of the relevant design specifications. Procedures for this quality control practice are described in the following sections.

An implicit assumption in these traditional quality control practices is the notion of an acceptable quality level which is a allowable fraction of defective items. Materials obtained from suppliers or work performed by an organization is inspected and passed as acceptable if the estimated defective percentage is within the acceptable quality level. Problems with materials or goods are corrected after delivery of the product.

In contrast to this traditional approach of quality control is the goal of total quality control. In this system, no defective items are allowed anywhere in the construction process. While the zero defects goal can never be permanently obtained, it provides a goal so that an organization is never satisfied with its quality control program even if defects are reduced by substantial amounts year after year. This concept and approach to quality control was first developed in manufacturing firms in Japan and Europe, but has since spread to many construction companies. The best known formal certification for quality improvement is the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 9000 standard. ISO 9000 emphasizes good documentation, quality goals and a series of cycles of planning, implementation and review.

Total quality control is a commitment to quality expressed in all parts of an organization and typically involves many elements. Design reviews to insure safe and effective construction procedures are a major element. Other elements include extensive training for personnel, shifting the responsibility for detecting defects from quality control inspectors to workers, and continually maintaining equipment. Worker involvement in improved quality control is often formalized in quality circles in which groups of workers meet regularly to make suggestions for quality improvement. Material suppliers are also required to insure zero defects in delivered goods. Initally, all materials from a supplier are inspected and batches of goods with any defective items are returned. Suppliers with good records can be certified and not subject to complete inspection subsequently.

The traditional microeconomic view of quality control is that there is an “optimum” proportion of defective items. Trying to achieve greater quality than this optimum would substantially increase costs of inspection and reduce worker productivity. However, many companies have found that commitment to total quality control has substantial economic benefits that had been unappreciated in traditional approaches. Expenses associated with inventory, rework, scrap and warranties were reduced. Worker enthusiasm and commitment improved. Customers often appreciated higher quality work and would pay a premium for good quality. As a result, improved quality control became a competitive advantage.

Of course, total quality control is difficult to apply, particular in construction. The unique nature of each facility, the variability in the workforce, the multitude of subcontractors and the cost of making necessary investments in education and procedures make programs of total quality control in construction difficult. Nevertheless, a commitment to improved quality even without endorsing the goal of zero defects can pay real dividends to organizations.

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How do you make money when there’s a property bubble?

2011-03-15T11:54:00.001+08:00

There’s a definite price bubble growing in the real estate arena in Klang valley to say the least. With the reports from various financial dailies showing strong or overwhelming growth in the nation as well as new and bold land acquisitions by several large developers, things are definitely gearing up for 2011. Without doubt, more prime located properties will be launched, and the prices are definitely on the upside.

As a matter of fact, just the other day, I was at an auction for a residential property auctioned for RM500K. To my surprise, it looked more like a night market than a high court auction. Never have I seen so many people so anxious to plough their money into properties before. There were more than 30 people in the courtroom! What baffled me was that most of the properties in fairly good locations were bid up and bought at above market value prices! The property auction I attended went for RM800K. For the life of me, I cannot understand the rational behind their actions.

I also experienced and heard of similar cases in the secondary market. Just the other day, I stumbled across a good deal in the market. It was a small residential property in USJ that was going for a reasonably good price. When I showed up for the viewing, there were more than 15 prospective buyers and real estate agents cramped up in the living room of the unit! From my observation, property prices in several hot spot areas such as Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Damansara, Bangsar, Subang, Petaling Jaya, USJ and Kota Kemuning, have increase by an average of 40% to 60% in the past seven months (since May 2010).

It’s true, the market is hot and it will only get hotter. Bank Negara’s implementation of the 70% capping on the loan-to-value (LTV) was in reaction to the tremendous increase in real estate transactions in the past six months. However, the question is, will it be enough to slow down the current market momentum?

The question one should ask is “What can a person do, in a situation like this?”

My response to this current situation can be split into two answers. The first answer is for those who currently own one or more properties, primarily for investment purpose. My answer to you is SELL. Run a check for the value of your property, both from the banks as well as from the market (i.e. you can ask your friendly real estate agents). Should the value achieve 30% or more appreciation value within the last two years or less, it is a good indication for you to consider a sale. If the rental rates are great, you might want to consider refinancing, so long as the cash flow remains positive. These are the best time for you to cash out from all the years of investing. Monitor the market well, depending on what type of properties you own and also what type of development you are experiencing in your location, you may want to find the best time within the next couple of months to let go of your property. I figured, within the next couple of years, the market will continue on an uptrend and cashing out during these times will be generally profitable.

For my second answer, if you have already sold all your properties, or don’t have properties to sell yet, then buy with caution. Invest into fundamentals, never on speculations. There are still opportunities in the market. With your ears on the ground, keep your feet firmly planted while shopping for properties. Keep a firm eye on the prices. The best reference is always the rental market. If you are going to buy property for investment purposes, you will need to either rent it out or sell. Selling prices are closely related to the rental prices as well, therefore, you always need to ask yourself “Who is going to rent your property and at what price?” Find out what the rental rates are like. With the exception of houses, a good benchmark for all residential investment grade properties is about 6% (or more) rental returns. The following is the formula to determine rental returns:

If a property cannot achieve such returns, i.e. the selling price is too high as compared to prevailing rental rates; it is definitely not a good idea to buy.

Let’s go back to the fundamentals. Besides rental returns, look out for the take-up rate of the properties in the surrounding areas and ask yourself, “Does it take too long for the tenants to fill up the space? Is there more demand or more supply of space in that area?” Also, who is your target market? Is it a growing or the numbers dwindling?

Regardless of whether you are busy selling or busy buying, start getting busy. The worst thing you could do right now is to freeze. Many are either sitting it out or just plain afraid to get into the market. These are probably the same people whom do not invest in the worst of times too. My question is, if in the good times, you do not invest, and in the bad times, you do not invest, then when do you?

I challenge you to make the best of things, in the best of times and in the worst of times. Happy investing!