Softer Rental Market In Kuala Lumpur

Ever since the outbreak of political tsunami on March 8, the residential rental market has turned soft in Kuala Lumpur. The expatriates have been holding back in view of the uncertainty prevailing in Malaysia.

Coupled with an increase in the units available, the market is fast turning into a tenants' market, with landlords losing some bargaining power.

The soft market may persist for a few more months before a recovery is foreseeable.

The latest political bombshells and a hike in petrol prices have simply made the business situation in KL more nightmarish. I just learned that certain eateries in KL have put on offer a 50% knock-off during lunch hours in a desperate fight for survival.

Judging from the prevalent tightness, the woes are not going to be over soon.

The picture shows Desa Putra Condominium project in KL.

Pertama Residency Designer Suites

This road show is on in Premier Hotel from 28 to 30 Dec. to take you for an exposure to property investment in KL.

Ideal investment and attractive return are words catchy enough for you to pop in for a visit.

Located at Jalan Cheras area, Pertama Residency offers studio suites which are trendy in KL where expatriates are aplenty. Other than for owner-occupying, this category of residency is also ideal as an investment tool.

If you have spare cash, you may consider to jump on the bandwagon and take a ride in the on-going property party in KL

All the best to yoy!

The Mantras In Real Estate Investment

All the while until Nov. 5, I had been instilled with the belief that the mantras in real estate investments were location, location and location. But, the latest issue of The Edge in its extensive coverage on The Edge Investment Forum On Real Estate 2007, changed my perceptions.

Ho Chin Soon Research Sdn. Bhd.'s director Ho Chin Soon in his "Where are the property hot spots?" said, "The new real estate mantras are location, timing and branding. What is the use of right location (hot spot), if the timing is wrong?"

The new mantras are logical and relevant, especially in KL.

It's property party time in KL

Let's go cha-cha........yes, you are exactly right, it is property party time in KL. If you wish to have all the fun of it and grab at the great times, you just have to join in and cha-cha away to the tune.

The party is definitely still on. According to the latest issue of The Edge, the hot, hot music sends party-goers to boogie.

The issue is very engrossing. It covers extensively on The Edge Investment Forum on Real Estate 2007. It definitely provides a good read for investors who wish to seek diversification..

The forum was held on Oct. 27 in KL, focusing on the growing demand, wealth creation through investment in real estate and property hot spots in KL.

Much as I liked to fly over to take part, I couldn't make it due to tight personal commitments.

But, The Edge's coverage, comprehensive and interesting, is more than informative to bring readers to the forefront.

If you missed the tango in the earlier part of the party, then don't let cha-cha slip!

Real Estate Investment In KL - Potentials Are Good

Of late, I read articles on the latest trend of the property market in Asia Pacific region. It is projected that , following the slump of the real estate market in the United States, more funds are heading for this region seeking to tap the potentially profitable markets.

From Shanghai, Singapore to Macau, property markets are glittering bright. Shanghai may be overheated already, but Macau is just like a market at sunrise.

No real estate investors can afford to miss out the booming trend, the articles say.

Our capital city KL still lags very much behind in real estate market. It is at the backdrop of the Asia Pacific market that analysts see potential in KL.

The latest issue of The Edge has a good coverage on the condo market in Kl. It describes the market as a star shining bright. "In short term, the market may be oversupplied, but potentials for medium term are excellent," it says.

If you are seeking to diversify your investments, this market is worth your while to have a closer look.

Providing An Investment Opportunity in KL - Impian Meridian

I dropped in Wisma Sanyan to visit a property exhibition on Impian Meridian condminium project. I happened to know James Wong, a sales personnel at the exhibition, and we started to go in depth with much ease.

The developer, PJ Development Holdings Bhd, provides a very attractive investment package. The location seems to be quite strategic with a lot of institutions of higher learning surrounding the areas of Kesas Highway and Persiaran Kewajipan.

KL still lags behind in property when compared with other cities in Asia. Our government has been working with diligent efforts to lure foreigners to buy our properties. This implies that the properties in KL have vast potentials. But, of course, location is still the prime factor to consider.

I e-mailed to my friends in KL for more crucial information.





The leaflet provides detailed information.

The investment package seems to be attractive.

Jaya Supermarket In PJ To Go

During my recent trip to KL to attend FHM 2007 held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, I learned superficially that Jaya Shopping Centre in Section 14 0f PJ would be taken down in March next year to make way for a new shopping mall.

The Sept. 24 issue of The Edge Malaysia has a full coverage in its Cover Story on Jaya Shopping Centre. This gave me a deeper insight into the developments.

When I passed by Jaya in a so-called trip of memories to PJ, my sentimental feelings for the shopping centre overflowed.

During my college days at Taylor's College pursuing Victorian HSC years back, Jaya Shopping Centre was one of my favourite hangouts. All the footprints and memories at Jaya are for me to recollect now.

Deep down in my heart, I have a passion for Jaya Shopping Centre. It took me through some of the most wonderful days whilst at Taylor's College in PJ.

Going into history is a reality that Jaya Shopping Centre has to face up to. I hope in its place a better mall would emerge.

Sayonara! Jaya Shopping Centre!

The picture shows The Edge's coverage.

Jaya Shopping Centre has to face up to the reality.

The hot spot is going into history together with Jaya.

FHM 2007 - Part 12 (Final)

After Sungai Wang Plaza, I moved on to the adjacent Low Yat Plaza.

Commonly referred to as LYP, Low Yat is an established commercial shopping centre specialising in electronics and IT products in Malaysia.

Located at lot 7, Jalan 1/77, off Jalan Bukit Bintang, LYP stands out by offering a greater range and variety of a single product by having a collective of inter-chained stores.

The business at Low Yat also bustles with crowds comprising mostly of youngsters.

I went down to the lower ground floor where eateries are centred. There, a large variety of foods is offered for food lovers to sample and indulge in.

At Old Town Kopitiam, I ordered a cup of thick kopi-o at only RM2.50++. Served with a traditional porcelain tea set, it was not pricey, considering the high living standards in KL and the ambience of the kopitiam.

Thick and aromatic, the kopi-o was of superb taste, so much so that it made me feel like going back for another one.

The picture shows the front portion of Low Yat Plaza.

We checked out Capitol Hotel at 13:00 and proceeded straight to KL Sentral where we took a bus transfer to LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal) for AirAsia's 18:25 flight back to Sibu. This ended my fruitful three-day trip to KL .

The picture shows the skyline of KL.

LCCT was crowded with waiting passengers. As I skipped my lunch, so I started surveying the only two eateries there for something to fill up. McDonald's was doing brisk business - in fact, it bustled to the extent I had a hard time to find a seat. Eventually, I was forced to ask for permission to share table with a lady. I ordered something both to satisfy my stomach and to kill the time since the boarding was still hours away.

The picture shows LCCT.

(The above pictures are downloaded from Wikipedia and LCCT website respectively.)

FHM 2007 - Part 11

Sungai Wang Plaza

Sungai Wang Plaza is by far still the hottest ptoperty in KL despite the competiting malls comimg into play.

It leaves me with a lot of memories, sweet and tender, of my college days.

During my two years at Taylor's College, Sungai Wang was our favourite mall for hanging around during weekends.

The footprints left behind seemingly have not faded with time. When I stepped in the plaza this morning (on August 24), the old-time memories flowed back . The interiors and settings there may have changed over the years, but the memories stay vividly clear.

Again, time has not diluted my sentiment for Sungai Wang. I cherish the times that I spent loitering there and the hours chit-chatting away. But gone are the good times into the sea of memories.

I stopped at Famous Amos to look for some nice cookies for my family. Located on level 1, this island counter offers a wide variety of hand-made cookies, all with very tempting looks. I grabbed some since they are unlikely to be availasble in Sibu.

The picture shows a cup of kopi-o at Old Town Kopitiam on the basement of Low Yat Plaza.

FHM 2007 - Part 10

Before I flew back to Sibu on August 24 by AirAsia's flight at 18:25, I took the morning off to the two shopping malls nearby Capitol Hotel at Jalan Bukit Bintang.

Bukit Bintang is thus far the most bustling business district in KL.

I learned from one cab driver that, after 3 pm, Jalan Bukit Bintang is so jammed with traffic that all cabs levy surcharge on passengers for cab services to this area.

A normal 20-minute drive may easily quadruple during the jam hours. The levy of surcharge is built on this basis.

Bukit Bintang is, therefore, commonly refered to as "black" area in KL for this reason.

The picture shows the main entrance of Sungai Wang Plaza.

FHM 2007 - Part 9

FHM had been recognised as the country's largest and only specialised trade event, showcasing some of the key players in the industry, from both local and international scenes.

A total of 9 international group pavilions including the most recent entry from Japan joining the likes of Austria, Belgium, Egypt, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Taiwan were present at the exhibition to proudly market their products and offer the best advice on the latest machinery.

It was truly an experience to expose myself to this spectacular show!

The picture shows a Korean promoter at the booth.

An Egyptian corner.
A lot of Indian products for you to view.
Taiwan foods - most eager to penetrate our market.
A crowded Japanese booth.

FHM 2007 - Part 8

I have to touch a bit more on Culinaire Malaysia. Held alongside the spectacular FHM 2007, this bi-annual event was organised in collaboration with the Malaysian Association of Hotels
(MAH) and the Chefs Association of Malaysia.

Culinaire Malaysia was an event of culinary contests, witnessing chefs and F & B executives throughout Malaysia vying for the top-notch positions.

As I mentioned in the earlier posts, Culinaire Malaysia gave a tremendous exposure to culinary skills and art.

The highlights of the event included contests in hot and cold cooking, bartending, themed table setting, butter, fruit and vegetable sculpture and ice carving.

It was a very fruitful visit to Culinaire Malaysia.

The picture shows the cooking contest in progress.

Two chefs taking part in competition.
Foods on display for marking.
Bartending contest in progress.

Bartending contest participant facing the panel judges.

FHM 2007 - Part 7

It is an art requiring skills to mould food into statues or models. Just look at the model in the picture above - it looks so very real !

At Culinaire Malaysia, I had got a rare opportunity to expose myself to a wide range of models and statues, all hand-made of foods.

I snapped a lot of splendid models with my digicam for sharing purposes.

Culinaire Malaysia provided a wonderful opportunity for me to open my eyes to the fineness of culinary art.

A wonderful show of a bull.
A lively statue!
Made of chocolate, it is themed "Alien vs Predator".
An old-time bicycle for you to admire!

FHM 2007 - Part 6

As the saying goes, consuming good food nourishes the body, but consuming good food displayed well nourishes the imagination. This tells the artistic value of food presentation.

I love the above quote and believe ardently that food is much more than just for physical consumption - it is actually a form of art, especially in its presentation aspect.

Garnishing and displaying with skills make food a lot more appealing and value-added. Food presentation has, therefore, become an integral part of food preparation.

The whole of Culinaire Malaysia was devoted to banquet setting,food decoration, platter arrangement, vegetable carving, artistic displays and fruits peeling/slicing/presentation techniques.

I was very much amazed by the high standard of skills demonstrated.

The picture shows a dessert display.



A very innovative presentation.
A display with a theme.
A live demonstration of fruit carving.
An appealing banquet setting.

FHM 2007 - Part 5

A lot of exhibitors provided samples for tasting to convince the visitors. This was an effective way to promote products. I am a coffee lover and for the whole two-day visiting, I had wonderful opportunities to sample coffee of different brands.

IT has penetrated every facet of hotel and food industry. I was being shown to a software package which makes order-taking and food preparation very highly technological.

Food presentation is essentially a form of art. The exhibition opened my eyes to a lot of splendid presentations of foods - all were so artistic that I was greatly amazed.

The picture shows an exhibitor taking great care to brew the best coffee for the on-looking visitors.

The pop corn served at this booth was perhaps the best I had ever tasted.
TOTAL SOLUTIONS provided a comprehensive range of kitchenware.
A software package provider to meet the industry's needs.
Themed GREEN VALLEY - I really love this wonderful food presentation.

FHM 2007 - Part 4

KL Convention Centre is now a keen competitor to PWTC (Putra World Trade Centre), the latter of which used to be the most popular venue for conventions and exhibitions.

FHM occupied the whole of Ground Floor and Level 3, with the former on Culinaire Malaysia and the latter FHM.

It took me two days to make a full coverage of the exhibition.

The show was orientated to bringing updates on products to keep the players abreast with the latest knowledge. In short, it was informative in nature!

The exhibitors provided a lot of opportunities for food sampling. Yokomon, a Japanese ice-cream, attracted huge crowds to try out the product.

Another bustling section where foods were available for sampling.
Pastries for you to try.
Yummy cheese cakes for sampling.

A cake-making demonstration in progress.

FHM 2007 - Part 3

When we reached KLCC, I was taken with excitement - firstly, this was the first time I saw KLCC and the Twin Towers in real buildings; secondly, the Twin Towers right in front of me at one time did Malaysia proud by being the world's tallest buildings.

The magnificent KLCC and the Twin Towers have impressive architectural designs with an overall uniqueness in themselves. The interiors are posh and of good taste.

My nephew told me that the retail outlets here mostly opt for brands and the pricing - haha, is all of upmarket range.

Even KFC here marks up pricing to incorporate value-added factor - but, the business is still buzzing, showing that our consumers are value-centred also.

I almost lost my way in the building, having to stop for a few times to enquire before I could reach the Convention Centre.

The picture shows a banquet setting by Hilton KL. The fineness was an eye-opener to me.

The picture shows a section of Food & Beverage equipment on display.
On show is an excellent lay-out of foods in a very artistic way.
Fine crockery on display to entice visitors into placing orders.
Giacomo International Tableware - it gives you a close inspection of its latest products.