tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3577212204769960612024-03-18T21:49:37.949-07:00Malaysia LAH 3Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-40397622960004551752016-04-15T18:24:00.001-07:002016-04-15T18:24:19.116-07:00GST proves to be unpopular topic at Workers’ Day gathering in Kuching 2015<h2 class="headlines" style="border: none;">
GST proves to be unpopular topic at Workers’ Day gathering in Kuching 2015</h2>
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<strong>BY SULOK TAWIE</strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">KUCHING, May 1 — At a national-level Workers’ Day gathering here, the
prime minister got a first-hand feel of how unpopular the Goods and
Services Tax (GST) is.</span><br />
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Datuk Seri Najib Razak was booed when he touched briefly on the GST
when addressing the crowd at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK)
today.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> “The GST is for the good of the country’s development,” he said. This
was immediately greeted by boos from some workers in the back of the
hall.</span><br />
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Unperturbed, Najib carried on with his speech.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
“We have no intention to burden the people. We are always looking at
ways and means to help them,” he said, adding the government would take
care of the welfare of the workers in the country accordingly.</span><br />
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“If our country is getting wealthy and our national income increases, we want all workers to benefit.</span><br />
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“Without the role played by the workers, our country will not succeed or become more wealthy,” he said.</span><br />
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Asked to comment on the behaviour of the workers later, Human Resources
Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot said, “The word GST, I think, is very
unpopular with the people, but the blame must be on the traders for the
rise in prices of many goods.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
He said over 2,000 goods are not covered by GST, but the traders charged six per cent GST across the board on all goods.</span><br />
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“My point is that GST is a good policy, but the traders are
manipulating it to make more profit, even on goods which are not covered
by GST,” he said.</span><br />
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He felt that the government, especially the Customs Department, needs to explain more on the implementation of GST.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
“But then again, no amount of explanation will be enough as long as the
traders continue to manipulate GST to make more profits,” he said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/gst-proves-to-be-unpopular-topic-at-workers-day-gathering-in-kuching</span>Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-2047783979237558552016-02-14T17:36:00.002-08:002016-02-14T17:36:56.090-08:00Najib Razak Worst Finance Minister in Asia This Year<h1 class="post-title left" itemprop="name headline">
Najib Razak Worst Finance Minister in Asia This Year</h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">http://thecoverage.my/news/najib-razak-is-the-worst-finance-minister-in-asia-this-year/</span></h1>
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<h2>
Prime Minister Najib Razak named worst finance minister in Asia this year</h2>
An Asian financial website has recently ranked Malaysian Finance
Minister and Prime Minister Najib Razak as the worst this year, based on
several contributing factors as well as recent developments.<br />
<a href="http://www.financeasia.com/News/405600,najib-razak-asias-worst-finance-minister-2016.aspx" target="_blank">According to Finance Asia</a>,
who considers several factors in their comparison for the past 12
months, ranked Najib number 12 of 12 different Asian countries, making
him the worst ever Finance Minister in Asia. Factors considered include
how the minister managed funds and reforms made, what are the investor
perception as well as independence from other more powerful ministers,
as well as willingness to fight for public interests.<br />
<a href="http://cdn1.thecoverage.my/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/1MDB-kenny-2.jpg"><img alt="1MDB-kenny-2" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7322" src="http://cdn1.thecoverage.my/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/1MDB-kenny-2.jpg" height="623" width="1112" /></a><br />
Unsurprisingly Najib’s position both as Prime Minister and Finance
Minister is a big contributing factor towards the position’s
independence, however one of the biggest factor mentioned by Finance
Asia was the 1MDB scandal that has plagued Najib since the last
election.<br />
The ongoing investigation on the scandal has caused much unrest in
the eyes of the investors, making Malaysia even less attractive as an
investment destination in the face of economic downturn in the region,
reported the article. According to Moody’s, foreign investors withdrew
about RM 24.5 billion in the third quarter of 2015, and that was made
worsen when the Ringgit depreciated at a rapid pace, losing 19% last
year to it’s lowest levels in 1997.<br />
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_7323" style="width: 810px;">
<a href="http://cdn2.thecoverage.my/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/supporters-of-pro-data.jpg"><img alt="REUTERS/Edgar Su" class="size-full wp-image-7323" src="http://cdn2.thecoverage.my/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/supporters-of-pro-data.jpg" height="536" width="800" /></a><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text">
REUTERS/Edgar Su</div>
</div>
Several policies introduced last year has also cause prices of goods
to increase tremendously, weakening exports and a rapidly depreciating
currency made things much worse. Many middle-class Malaysians have taken
complaints to the social media space, and many more believe that Najib
is guilty of the 1MDB scandal, even when local investigators announced
otherwise.<br />
<br />
http://thecoverage.my/news/najib-razak-is-the-worst-finance-minister-in-asia-this-year/</div>
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Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-43172254454109330532015-09-29T18:05:00.002-07:002015-09-29T18:05:25.028-07:00Reject seeds of bigotry, extremism KUDOS to Farah Ann Abdul Hadi for the gold medal she contributed to the SEA Games national team. Clearly, she practised hard, and put herself through gruelling training and a disciplined regime to be able to deliver such a stellar performance in the competition.<br />
<br />
Therefore, negative comments from some quarters focusing on the “decency” of her outfit are lame and unnecessary.<br />
<br />
Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin probably put it aptly when he responded by saying that we were not in a position to judge anyone from the Almighty’s perspective. It is a shame that such bigotry exists among some Malaysian Muslims.<br />
<br />
What Islam teaches about preaching and spreading Islam is totally the opposite of how some Muslims feel compelled to spread the true message today. Islam promotes external and internal peace of one’s being with the Almighty.<br />
<br />
It is about seeking the truth of our purpose and existence in this world and the hereafter. It is not a religion where one imposes one’s beliefs onto another human being. Prophet Muhammad, in conveying the one message of Islam, never demonstrated that ridicule or humiliation would endear Islam to non-believers. His approach was through the example of his impeccable values, such as honesty, compassion, understanding, humility, moderation and total surrender to the One Creator.<br />
<br />
This is the true way of how Islam managed to be propagated and adopted by billions of people on this planet beginning from one person, who was illiterate but had the best of behaviour and conduct as a human being.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, some Muslims, perhaps in their zeal to prove to others their level of piousness, or whatever other reasons, have forgotten the values taught by the Prophet. In their unthinking haste, what they achieve is portraying a skewed view of Islam.<br />
<br />
Is it any wonder then that Islam is associated with violence, rigidity and unreasonableness by some non-Muslims?<br />
<br />
Incidents, such as the “wearing sarong rule” in the Road Transport Department and comments towards Farah Ann, should be rebutted strongly and not repeated. While these may be isolated cases, it does reflect the seeds of extremism and bigotry taking root in our Muslim society’s psyche.<br />
<br />
This must be eliminated altogether over time. Allowing such extremist attitudes to foster will only breed narrow mindedness and bigotry in society. Malaysian Muslims are better than this.<br />
<br />
They should strive to be an example of moderation, compassion and reasonableness, rather than narrow mindedness and hastiness.<br />
<br />
Sugiman Sabri,Kulim, Kedah<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUBFUnslsYirTO3C6JcJkhYVGFBKCkTXgpvsSuQsEwc9I70KELggxfKf4iy4ZobhfYQQnBiprCsKIRcRBu-5nDCr9XrqqEFbrmvzsqGWvcqjA-rx5wEOMmccvzDGhCIcUVSdIM0XvcTF2/s1600/15ntFaAnn.transformed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUBFUnslsYirTO3C6JcJkhYVGFBKCkTXgpvsSuQsEwc9I70KELggxfKf4iy4ZobhfYQQnBiprCsKIRcRBu-5nDCr9XrqqEFbrmvzsqGWvcqjA-rx5wEOMmccvzDGhCIcUVSdIM0XvcTF2/s320/15ntFaAnn.transformed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Farah Ann Abdul Hadi<br />
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Farah Ann Abdul Hadi shows off the medals she won at the Women’s
Gymnastic Artistic Apparatus event at SEA Games 2015 in Singapore.<br /><br /> Read More : <a href="http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/09/reject-seeds-bigotry-extremism">http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/09/reject-seeds-bigotry-extremism</a></div>
Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/09/reject-seeds-bigotry-extremism
Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-1749196343199716002015-09-29T17:57:00.002-07:002015-09-29T17:57:56.212-07:00Khir Toyo gets 12-month prison sentence <br />
<h1 class="uk-article-title">
<span style="font-size: large;">Khir Toyo gets 12-month prison sentence</span></h1>
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<div class="addthis_sharing_toolbox" data-title="Khir Toyo gets 12-month prison sentence - Malaysiakini" data-url="https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/313880">
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<a class="at-share-btn at-svc-facebook" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span class="at4-icon aticon-facebook" title="Facebook"></span></a><span class="at_flat_counter">1.9K</span><a class="at-share-btn at-svc-twitter" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span class="at4-icon aticon-twitter" title="Twitter"></span></a><span class="at_flat_counter">29</span><a class="at-share-btn at-svc-email" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span class="at4-icon aticon-email" title="Email"></span></a><a class="at-share-btn at-svc-compact" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span class="at4-icon aticon-compact" title="More"></span></a><span class="at_flat_counter">23</span></div>
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<strong><a href="https://www.malaysiakini.com/a?language=en&q=Hafiz%20Yatim">Hafiz Yatim</a></strong><br />
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<strong> </strong><a data-uk-smooth-scroll="" href="https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/313880#mk-comments" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"><strong></strong></a>
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The Federal Court has sentenced former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd
Khir Toyo to one year in jail after dismissing his appeal against his
graft conviction last week. </div>
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<h1>
Khir Toyo apologises but maintains he is innocent of corruption</h1>
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Published: 29 September 2015 4:27 PM </div>
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- See more at:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/khir-toyo-apologises-but-maintains-he-is-innocent-of-corruption#sthash.o1keOcKr.dpuf</div>
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https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/313880<br />
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Khir
Toyo apologises but maintains he is innocent of corruption - See more
at:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/khir-toyo-apologises-but-maintains-he-is-innocent-of-corruption#sthash.o1keOcKr.dpuf</div>
Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-28695258604923250432015-04-18T18:18:00.002-07:002015-04-18T18:18:07.537-07:00Bullying in Malaysian schools<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Acts of bullying is still increasing in the Asian world; it is taking its place through different countries with Malaysia being one of them. With referring to any act that cause any person harm or leaves the person feeling powerless with no ability to defend himself, Malaysia is taking its researches to a higher level in order to fight the bullying acts. Having a high percentage of kids being bullied at schools that reached 64%, Malaysia is trying to prevent bullying with its different shapes and types whether <a href="http://nobullying.com/direct-bullying/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">direct bullying</a>, <a href="http://nobullying.com/indirect-bullying/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">indirect bullying</a> or <a href="http://nobullying.com/what-is-cyberbullying/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">cyber bullying</a>. Learn about Bullying in Malaysia. </strong></em></div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Bullying in Malaysian schools:</strong></h3>
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Supposedly schools should be the place where the children have their best memories, start making their lifetime friends, and start interacting and having their places in the world. The school’s life asks for a wide social interaction, but that does not happen in the cases of bullying that takes place in the schools. The schools that bullying appears in usually shatters all the previous dreams of having a good memories and good friends for the child, because it will be replaced with acts of <a href="http://nobullying.com/hatred/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">hatred</a>, acts of leaving the child powerless, with no friends to sit with, talk with or even have fun with.</div>
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Unfortunately the <a href="http://nobullying.com/school-bullying/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">school bullying</a> phenomenon in Malaysia is increasing; the act of bullying is defined to as any ill behavior that is repeated by one student or a group of students towards another, leaving that person helpless. The school bullying also takes different forms, it can be verbal such as calling names, or gossiping about the victim, it can be physical such as hitting, spitting, or shoving, and it can be cyber bullying which takes place through the technological devices.</div>
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Bullying in Malaysian schools, like any other country happens the most, it takes place anywhere in the school, and comes in different shapes and forms like for example the <a href="http://nobullying.com/name-calling-bullying/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">name calling</a>, labeling or teasing which some consider more painful than the physical punches because they get hurt from the inside, they will keep remembering what they have been called for a long period of time. The name calling and the teasing usually happen by the children because they know they will never get caught as they didn’t leave any scar behind and they tend to do it when the teachers or parents are not around. There is also the exclusion which makes the victim feels so much alone, so much not likable and so much not needed around, and this usually affects him/her afterwards, as they feel like they don’t want to be around people anymore.</div>
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Threatening is one famous <a href="http://nobullying.com/types-of-bullying-in-schools/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">type of bullying</a> because it can be verbal or written or it can be send as an audio or video through the internet, which might be part of the cyber bullying as well. And there is the physical bullying which include any act that will cause physical apparent harms on the victim like bruises, torn out clothes and appearances of blood.</div>
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According to a study that was done on the schools in Malaysia, it was found that 93.5% of the students in secondary schools were <a href="http://nobullying.com/covert-bullying/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">being bullied at indirectly</a>, while 68.2% admitted that they were being bullied at directly, and all of them agreed that most of the bullying acts that happen in the schools take place in the classrooms, and the boys being more involved in these acts more than the girls are. The same study showed that 53.2% were being involved in the bullying acts themselves, while 79.4% were being victims of those acts, some of them were being bullied in a physical way while <a href="http://nobullying.com/psychological-abuse/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">others were being bullied at in a psychological way.</a></div>
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The problem with the students who bully other people is that they believe to have above average self esteem which leads them to adopt such behaviors, other characteristics of the bullies might include:</div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Impulsive, hot headed personalities</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Lack of <a href="http://nobullying.com/apathy/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">empathy</a></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Difficulty in conforming to rules</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Positive attitude towards violence, which is the most dangerous one of them and mainly leads to that person bullying others.</li>
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The victim of such acts also appears to have some effects from bullying acts:</div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Loss of interest to go and attend school classes, and that might be some kind of fear from going to school and facing the person bullying him. And that leads to drop of this person attending school and therefore drop in the grades.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Loss of interest in the social life, or in making new friends, that person might lose interest in leaving his/her alone comfort zone at all.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">The person’s inability to control his anger.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Entering the phase of depression</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">The victim might also suffer from <a href="http://nobullying.com/cant-sleep/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">loss of sleep</a>, poor appetite, and suffering from headaches and stomach pains.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">In case of the victim being engaged in the physical bullying acts, there might be an appearance for bruises or scratches.</li>
</ul>
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According to a research that was done by the UNICEF communications in Malaysia, it was found that not only the bully and the victim suffer from such acts, but sometimes in the cases of the appearance of a witness, it might affect them as well, and might lead to:</div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Their feeling of being helpless because they don’t know what to do or how to react to what is happening in front of them.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">They might feel guilty for not taking an action or trying to help in some way.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">They might feel that they are the bully’s next target, and some might even have nightmares about it.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">The witnesses might fear some specific places in schools that they witnesses bullying acts in before.</li>
</ul>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Preventing school bullying in Malaysia:</strong></h3>
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Bullying whether it was verbal, physical or cyber, it usually leads to depression, low self of esteem, fear of going to school or knowing new people, and worse the fear of interacting with people and engaging in the social life. But what’s worse than that is the time when the victim thinks that the only way to stop being bullied at is to end their lives, to commit suicide. To avoid such act, students should be open to learn and that only comes in a community that makes the child feel safe and comfortable physically, emotionally and intellectually. When the student feels safe he will open up easily to learning and discovering, to interacting with his peers and teachers, and to sharing his opinions and stories.</div>
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The UNICEF communications in Malaysia is working hard against the acts of <a href="http://nobullying.com/what-is-bullying-in-school/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">bullying in schools</a>, and one of the things it did was piloting the School Bullying Prevention Program that increase the school safety, in partnership with HELP university college and the Ministry of Education. This program is a six months long that was implemented in three schools in the Klang Valley, the program was supposed to put some policies and activities that will help the students to respond and prevent bullying acts, as well as teaching them some life skills to keep them more confident in dealing with aggression. <a href="http://nobullying.com/why-consider-the-olweus-bullying-prevention-program/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">This model was based on the Olweus School Intervention Model</a>that has been successfully introduced in different parts of the world, which meets the following needs:</div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Timely and effective interventions of victims of bully incidences.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Implementing anti-bullying programs in schools.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Teaching students and making them fully aware that bullying is not at all an act that is acceptable and permissible.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Training not only students but teachers and parents as well to know what the bullying behavior exactly is and how should they deal with it.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Give the children, teachers and parents some accurate information about what bullying is, it’s factors and effects, how it should be treated and prevented.</li>
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UNICEF believes that as much as schools are important in building a society for the children where they feel safe and confident and reduce their likelihood of being victimized by the bullies, it also believes that the family member have a more critical role.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Cyber bullying in Malaysia:</strong></h3>
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It is agreed on that cyber bullying is the most dangerous kind of bullying which in some countries come after the schools, as it can take place any time during the day, it can even reach a person in the killing dark of the night, it does not require the appearance of the victim. Cyber bullying is referred to as using the internet or any other technological devices such as mobile phones to send harmful and aggressive messages through e-mails, text messages or social media, leaving the victim feeling harmful and powerless. <a href="http://nobullying.com/online-bullying-stories/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Malaysia is ranked the seventeenth highest in the online bullying </a>with one in four of the children saying that they have suffered from cyber bullying, and 77% of them agreed that cyber bullying is one of the newest ways the bullies use to target their victims. People should distinguish between cyber bullying which is usually happening between children and youth and<a href="http://nobullying.com/cyber-harassment-laws/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">cyber harassment</a> and stalking which is usually done among adults.</div>
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Cyber bullying does come in different forms, such as:</div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Unwelcomed text messages that can be threatening for the person.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Sending e-mails and the bully usually changes his real name on the internet to stay anonymous for the victim.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Using social media to share the victim’s pictures and information.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: square inside; margin-bottom: 5px; text-indent: 20px;">Using mobile phones to record or take videos for the victims and share them to make them feel ashamed and uncomfortable</li>
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Since Malaysia believes that cyber bullying was increasing due to the preponderance of the youth who share their personal information and passwords on the <a href="http://nobullying.com/top-10-social-networking-sites/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">social media networking websites</a>, as Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah said. He also mentioned that Cyber Security Malaysia had introduced various measures to raise awareness on cyber bullying among internet users especially student, such as organizing the Safer Internet day since 2010 in order to teach the students how to use the online technology in a more responsible way.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Workplace bullying in Malaysia:</strong></h3>
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Malaysia believes that some acts is not considered bullying and might be part of the working culture <a href="http://nobullying.com/employee-harassment-and-how-companies-handle-it/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">if it was not considered unacceptable by the employee</a>, but if it was against the employer’s rights, then in this case it is considered an act of bullying. Halim Mansour, the Malaysian Trade Union Congress general secretary says that nowadays the kind of workplace bullying is different from the one found in schools, it is when the employers are not given proper protection, not enrolled to social security (SOCSO) and Employee Provident Fund (EPF), and face sexual harassment acts and violence of their basic rights as per the Malaysian Employment Act.</div>
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The problem with the <a href="http://nobullying.com/workplace-bullying/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">workplace bullying</a> is that most of the employers do not know their total rights, therefore they don’t know when they are being bullied, and that is one reason why every company should write down its program to introduce its rules and regulations, working culture, benefits and rights for its employees.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Bullying stories in Malaysia:</strong></h3>
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One of the<a href="http://nobullying.com/three-real-life-stories-of-cyber-bullying/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> bullying stories</a> in Malaysia actually took place in work, when the brand manager Adilah, who was 28 years old, was sexually harassed by her boss who was usually giving her comments about her body, and asking her to drive him home several times with inviting her to come up to his apartment when he was all alone. This goes against Adilah’s religion since she is Muslim. Adilah left her work soon after she was again asked to share a room with two males on a business trip.</div>
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Another story that was the reason behind the emergence of the internet is the case of the school girl who was being attacked by about 10 girls who started kicking her on the staircase after they were playing with their mobiles having “selfies” and even posing with flashing the “peace signs” in front of the camera. The girls were dragging the victim, kicking her and pulling her hair, that even the girl appeared in the video trying to protect her face from their punches. The police were investigating the accident afterwards to know what happened and the reasons behind such incident.</div>
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<a class="external" href="http://www.mjpsychiatry.org/index.php/mjp/article/viewFile/49/48" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.mjpsychiatry.org/index.php/mjp/article/viewFile/49/48</a></div>
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<a class="external" href="http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/02/24/Cyber-bullying-up-55pc/" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/02/24/Cyber-bullying-up-55pc/</a></div>
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<a class="external" href="http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Features/2013/10/22/Bullying-in-the-workplace/" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Features/2013/10/22/Bullying-in-the-workplace/</a></div>
Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-76872690937497874532015-01-06T17:13:00.001-08:002015-01-06T17:13:09.188-08:004 wanted for spreading false news on floods <h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 33px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 19px 0px 9.5px;">
4 wanted for spreading false news on floods</h1>
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Published: 30 December 2014</div>
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The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is looking for four individuals to assist in its investigation into the spreading of false news on the east coast floods through social media and messaging apps.</div>
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This comes following the rampant spread of false news, including claims that a Manek Urai school used as a relief centre had collapsed, claiming many lives.</div>
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Police have since denied the incident and another claim that 40 patients in Kuala Krai Hospital had died because of a lack of oxygen supply following the floods.</div>
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The individuals – three women and a man – have been asked to give their statements to the authorities immediately.</div>
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They are:</div>
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1. Norizan Osman (660113-03-5810). Last known address: A-1-6 Desa Bangsawan Jln 27/117A, Off Jln Budiman, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur.</div>
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2. Siti Hawa Mat Yunan (940125-03-5320). Last known address: Kg Seneng Jelawat, Bachok 16370 Kelantan.</div>
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3. Nik Hasnan Izani Husain (750923-03-6275). Last known address: Kampung Bukit Mas, Tanah Merah 17500 Kelantan.</div>
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4. Raja Rubiah Raja Abu Bakar (600106-01-5286). Last known address: No. 21, Jalan Jaya 1, Taman Jaya, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Kuala Lumpur.</div>
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Those with information should contact MCMC investigation officer Mohamad Syukri Jamaluddin (019-2869515) or Rafina Mimi Muhammad (019-2869471). – December 30, 2014.</div>
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- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/4-wanted-for-spreading-false-news-on-floods#sthash.1omGiC85.dpuf</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/4-wanted-for-spreading-false-news-on-floods#sthash.1omGiC85.dpuf</span>Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-64538730697388814092014-12-30T17:20:00.001-08:002014-12-30T17:20:11.825-08:00NSC handling of flood criticism shows denial syndrome, says DAP<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;">NSC handling of flood criticism shows denial syndrome, says DAP</span></h1>
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The National Security Council's (NSC) response to public criticism about how the
federal government had handled the flood disaster epitomises Putrajaya’s denial
syndrome, said DAP.<br />
Its national publicity secretary Tony Pua said the NSC had also raised more
questions than answers when it defended the government against the
criticism.<br />
"I cannot help but feel both vindicated and mildly amused with the strident
response the NSC issued to rebut criticisms against its poor management and
preparation against the country’s current flood disaster.<br />
<br />
They even took the trouble to name me four times in the lengthy reply, accusing
critics of 'making their remarks from the bench' who 'are full of pomp'," he
said in a statement today.<br />
Pua, who is also Petaling Jaya Utara MP, said he could respond to the NSC
rant, paragraph by paragraph, but he would only focus on the two key points in
the response issued two days ago.<br />
The first was the NSC's inability to take criticism, Pua said, as if it could
do no wrong and no one else, even an MP, should comment on it if they were not
involved in the government's disaster management operations.<br />
"The NSC cannot be more wrong. While the public are not directly involved in
NSC operations, it is certainly our duty to highlight these issues if the NSC
does a terrible job.<br />
"We highlight the issues not for the sake of embarrassing the NSC and the
government, but to tell those in power that they can right those mistakes, buck
up and mitigate the problems faced by the people," he said.<br />
Pua also said he did not quote rumours in the social media when he criticised
authorities over their response to the floods.<br />
"The NSC accused me of making wild allegations by quoting unfounded rumours
in the social media, saying that it felt especially sorry that a public figure
like Tony Pua would stoop to quoting information from an unreliable source to
lambast the government, particularly towards the NSC.<br />
"I reviewed my two prior press statements again and I did not find myself
quoting any such rumours. Instead, I quoted Trade and Industry Minister Datuk
Seri Mustapa Mohamed, who is also Kelantan Umno chief," he said.<br />
Pua agreed that there would often be unpredictable challenges in managing
disasters, but NSC had failed to demonstrate any urgency in its leadership as a
“commander” and was "terribly slow in responding to the rapidly escalating
crisis."<br />
Secondly, he said the complete lack of preparedness and urgency to deal with
the crisis was exposed by NSC’s own statement.<br />
"It appears that NSC was only interested in taking a leaf of the Prime
Minister (Datuk Ser Najib Razak) to imply a threat of 'libel' against me."<br />
The NSC in its statement suggested that Pua could face a libel suit for
claiming that Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had only met the
NSC on December 27, 2014 to deal with the flood situation; and that no prior
meetings were held.<br />
It said several meetings had been held prior to the beginning of the monsoon
season, with the first meeting chaired by Muhyiddin on January 3 this year.<br />
A second meeting was chaired by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Department
Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim on October 13 this year, and a third at the
working level on the same day, chaired by the NSC secretary.<br />
Pua noted that the meeting chaired by Muhyiddin on January 3 was nearly one
year ago, and suggested that it could have been to discuss the floods in
December of the previous year instead of preparing for the coming one.<br />
"The fact that the NSC admitted that there was only an additional two
meetings held on October 13 this year since a year ago only proved that the NSC
clearly did not put great importance or emphasis on managing the annual flood
crisis.<br />
"The severity of this year’s flood only starkly exposed NSC’s lackadaisal
preparations and caught the Najib administration with its pants down," he
said.<br />
Pua said NSC's own statement proved the need for a detailed public
post-mortem once the current crisis is dealt with.<br />
"It is hence important for us to support both the call by my colleagues,
(Seremban MP) Anthony Loke and (Gelang Patah MP) Lim Kit Siang, for a emergency
parliamentary sitting to debate the crisis and to set up an independent Royal
Commission of Inquiry to investigate into the cause and management of the worst
natural disaster to hit Malaysia in recent years," he said.<br />
In a statement to defend the federal government from critics, the NSC said
the floods which led to the displacement of over 200,000 people in the East
Coast states were "abnormal" and were causing major obstacles and problems to
the relief efforts by the government.<br />
NSC also said it was disturbed by the allegations made over social media and
in web portals, including a commentary published by The Malaysian Insider; and
described such criticism as being politically motivated.<br />
Malaysia is dealing with one of its worst floods in history. Almost a quarter
of a million people have reportedly been displaced in several states, namely
Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Perak. – December 31, 2014.<br />
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Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-52697373586001278612014-12-30T17:12:00.002-08:002014-12-30T17:12:56.082-08:00Honda Malaysia announces Flood Relief Programme 2015 – 50% discount on flood-damaged genuine parts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT01IpXrb5Avh-7bewrC1xhKJu5w6mEE2MPKX2zvX8vpsfI9xn8JoEunrozk8TO1mygf4ovF2WgDGSt5xZmwSQOF3BY0Ig1hbE5IOEWVmM2OArzKyN9I5Ma-5pPgHBnca_m6PleZvbnVft/s1600/Honda_Malaysia_Flood_Discount_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT01IpXrb5Avh-7bewrC1xhKJu5w6mEE2MPKX2zvX8vpsfI9xn8JoEunrozk8TO1mygf4ovF2WgDGSt5xZmwSQOF3BY0Ig1hbE5IOEWVmM2OArzKyN9I5Ma-5pPgHBnca_m6PleZvbnVft/s1600/Honda_Malaysia_Flood_Discount_02.jpg" height="267" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h1 class="xlarge">
<span style="font-size: small;">Honda Malaysia announces Flood Relief Programme 2015 – 50%
discount on flood-damaged genuine parts</span></h1>
<div class="postmetadata">
<span class="category">In <a href="http://paultan.org/topics/cars/" rel="category tag">Cars</a>, <a href="http://paultan.org/topics/cars/honda/" rel="category tag">Honda</a>, <a href="http://paultan.org/topics/local-news/" rel="category tag">Local
News</a></span> / <span class="author">By <a href="http://paultan.org/author/hafriz/" rel="author" title="Posts by Hafriz Shah">Hafriz Shah</a></span> /
<time datetime="2014-12-29" pubdate="">29 December 2014 </time></div>
<div class="postmetadata">
<time datetime="2014-12-29" pubdate=""><br /></time></div>
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<time datetime="2014-12-29" pubdate=""><br /></time></div>
<br /><div style="border: medium none; overflow: hidden;">
Amidst the <a href="http://paultan.org/2014/12/26/east-coast-flood-worsens-donate-help-victims/" target="_blank">worsening flood situation on the East Coast</a>, Honda Malaysia
has announced its “After Sales Service Flood Relief Programme 2015” to assists
Honda owners whose cars have been damaged by the floods.<br />
As part of the programme, affected customers are offered a 50% discount on
affected genuine parts. The campaign runs with immediate effect and will end on
March 31, 2015. Refer to the image above for more details.<br />
So far, <a href="http://paultan.org/2014/12/26/proton-we-care-prihatin-banjir/" target="_blank">Proton</a>, <a href="http://paultan.org/2014/12/26/perodua-donates-to-flood-victims/" target="_blank">Perodua</a> and <a href="http://paultan.org/2014/12/29/nissan-relief-campaign/" target="_blank">ETCM
(Nissan)</a> have announced various relief programmes and discounts for those
affected by the floods. Every little bit helps. Let’s all pray for those
affected. <br />
<br /><br />Read more: <a href="http://paultan.org/2014/12/29/honda-malaysia-announces-flood-relief-programme-2015-50-discount-flood-damaged-genuine-parts/#ixzz3NQwWcoPc" style="color: #003399;">http://paultan.org/2014/12/29/honda-malaysia-announces-flood-relief-programme-2015-50-discount-flood-damaged-genuine-parts/#ixzz3NQwWcoPc</a></div>
Read more: <a href="http://paultan.org/2014/12/29/honda-malaysia-announces-flood-relief-programme-2015-50-discount-flood-damaged-genuine-parts/#ixzz3NQw8gwVL" style="color: #003399;">http://paultan.org/2014/12/29/honda-malaysia-announces-flood-relief-programme-2015-50-discount-flood-damaged-genuine-parts/#ixzz3NQw8gwVL</a></div>
Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-47949178585782592302014-08-08T18:42:00.001-07:002014-08-08T18:42:36.652-07:00Malaysia Haunted Hotels<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Malaysia Haunted Hotels</span><br />
<h1 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #333333;">Malaysia ranked haunted hotel, you lived Which it?</span></span><span style="color: #333333;"></span></span></span></span></h1>
<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #333333;">"Haunted</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hotels in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #333333;">Malaysia"</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #333333;">are those who believe that there is a supernatural force in the world written by people.</span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Travel, business, or other reasons, I believe we will stay at the hotel. Growing up, we will hear a lot about the hotel haunted stories and legends. So whenever stay at the hotel when (especially a man), there will be more or less heart side so a little bit of anxiety, fear it!</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><br /><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">"Haunted</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hotels in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Malaysia"</span></span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">are those who believe that there are supernatural forces of the world who have written. In Malaysia, ghosts, spirits and demons, is a local person most frequently discussed.</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Their appearance depends entirely different religious backgrounds and presents, for example, the type of Malay ghost will appear as</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;"><span>"Pontianak",</span></span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>"Toyol"</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">or<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">"Jin",</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>while the Chinese ghost but it will appear in the form of the Chinese language itself.</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Over the years, many tourists have been a lot of talk about the event haunted hotel or resort, and some have even become a news story or tea after dinner the rest, however, this article is not defile or defame the name of the hotel or business, But just to give you an idea, especially those who believe in the supernatural friends as a reference.</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">The following is and hotels and some of the information referred to in this article:</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><br />═════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotels: Kuala Lumpur</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />═════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Cyxxtal Cxxxn Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(5-floor</span></span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">corridor at night, there will be a lot of footsteps, walking up and down)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Mxxt Hotel S.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Besi</span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(It is said that the hotel's location is truly the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">"three</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>evil<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">bit"</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Poly Yin very powerful)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hotel Istxxa KL<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(Room712,</span></span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">the shadows in the room had seen loitering)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />■ Dynasty Hotel KL<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(19</span></span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">floor where a room, an accident)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Pexxl Int. Hotel KL</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(at the time the guests in the room, found a chair, TV will automatically move</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">/</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">switch, scared that two guests all night at</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">Lobby</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">overnight)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Grand Cxxxxxxtal Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Mxxxxin Oxxxxtal Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hotel Cxxxs<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hotel Kxxxxon<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Jalan</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>TAR<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Grand Mxxxxium Hotel, Bukit<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Bintang</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Fxxxxal Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />■ Park Royal<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />■<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Crowne</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Plaza<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />■ Mandarin Hotel KL<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hotel Mxxa KL<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Palace of the Garden Hxxxes Sri<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Kembangan,</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>KL<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Gxxxxns Hotel KL<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />══════════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotel: Selangor Petaling</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />══════════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hoxxxay Vixxx<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Subang</span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(by<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">"ghost"</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>press)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hxxxon<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Petaling</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Jaya</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(old buildings,</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">Old Wing</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">toilets will be heard shrill cries)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sxxxxna Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Subang</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotel: Johor</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>M Sxxtes Hotel</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(mountains and the sea, the room space is very large, but the drawers are arrayed Bible</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">/</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">spells.</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Once sleep at night, I suddenly woke up after seeing a man shadow on the couch, watching me sleep)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sxxxxxsa Hotel</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(the hotel is very old, it is said, according to the period before the date of the killing fields just behind the hotel)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■ Nxx</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Yxxk Hotel</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(teenage suicide had occurred eucalyptus, although the rooms have been blocked eucalyptus hair, but still often supernatural events)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Mxxxxra Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sxxxb Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Desaru</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotel: Kedah</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hotel Gxxxx Cxxxxxxxtal<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Alor</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Star<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sxxxs<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Ixx</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sungai<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Petani</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />■ SX<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Ixx</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sungai<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Petani</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hotel Cxxxta Sxxxng Sungai<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Petani</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />═══════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotel: Langkawi</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />═══════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>GxxPxxk Resort</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(midnight to hear the roar like a beast, inquire with the hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">Staff,</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>did not know the legend of the hill behind the hotel is home to a<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">"gods",</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>is the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">"Seven Wells"</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Where!)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Asxxxa Resort<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Langkawi</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(3</span></span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">floor room at the end of the corridor, often people will see<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">two</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>kids playing in there)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Mxxxna Cxxe Resort<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Langkawi</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Kxxdo Ixxxna<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Langkawi</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Resort Kxxxxng<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Txx</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sxxxk<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Langkawi</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Dxxai<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Langkawi</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />═════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotel: Malacca</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />═════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Anxxxsa Hotel Melaka<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(5</span></span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">floor rooms are basically every one incident occurred in the case of a ghost, so</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">the fifth<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">floor</span></span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">of the room is not rented, unless when in season)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Emxxxor Hotel</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(this hotel, as soon as you step into the hotel's<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">Lobby,</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>will feel strange when you enter the room, it is creepy! Tips: If you really stay at this hotel, then go to bed at night is awakened in case then open your eyes do not look after the ceiling)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Mahxxxa Hotel Melaka</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(This is very scary hotel, almost once every stay will be pressed ghost, its near the beach that两栋, especially the eleventh floor)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Pxxi Hotel</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(converted from traditional</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><span>BaBa's</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>House</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">made, although very quaint, but still advised<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">"cautious Check"</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>is wonderful!)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■ Sxxh's</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Bxxch Resort Melaka<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hotel Dxxxxe<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />═════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotel: Negeri Sembilan</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />═════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hotel Rxxal Bxxxxng<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />═════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotel: Port Dickson</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />═════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Le Pxxs Cxxta Rxxa Resort</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(ten million do not stay</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">Room<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">517,</span></span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">at your peril!)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Axxxsa Resort<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Ixxxm Bxxxh Resort<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Txxxxle Resort<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Pxxm Sxxxng Resort<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Axxxxxon Resort Port Dickson<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotel: Pahang</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sxxxs Gxxxen Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Kuantan</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Ixxxxna Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Cherating</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Lxxxnd Resort<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Cherating</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>MS Gxxxen Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Kuantan</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hyxxx Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Vxxxxna Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(2</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>kids playing in the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">lift)</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />════════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotel: Cameron Highlands</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />════════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hexxxxge Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(4-floor</span></span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">room, the long-term would be<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">"lived</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>an old<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">couple",</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>if not no way not going to bother them two up!)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Eqxxxxxial Hotel</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(prohibition of occupancy,</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">Room<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">809.</span></span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Even completely empty room, the hotel would not rent a room.)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Moxxxxht Bungalow</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(classic century haunted house! Similar film</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">The Conjuring</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">inside the haunted house level)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sxxxxxxry Park Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Apartment Dxxxia Cameron Highlands<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />═══════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotel: Genting Highlands</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />═══════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Fxxxt Wxxxd Hotel</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(personal experience inside the most Meng hotels!)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />-<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">"Room</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>8XX2</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(the famous charnel eucalyptus bed scene)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />-<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">"Room</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>13XX4</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(prostitute murder eucalyptus)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />-<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">"Room</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>9XX3</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(drawn and quartered eucalyptus)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />■<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Rxx</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Apartment</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(many of haunted legends, crazy pass for decades)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Axxer Cxxrt</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(if you're not<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;">"guts hairy",</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>it should not stay here)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Gxxxxng Hxxxland Resort Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotels: Penang</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sri Mxxxxsia Hotel Penang<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(Room102,</span></span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">when the mirror saw a long-haired figure behind flash)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sxxxxton Penang<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hotel Cxxxxorn<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■ Rxxx</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sxxxxg Resort<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Nxxxxxm Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />■ E & O<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Hxxxx</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Cxxxn Pxxxce Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sxxway Hotel Gerogetown<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Gxxxey Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotel: Perak</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sxxxs Gxxxen<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Damai</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Resort<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Lumut</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Mxxxna Cxxe Resort<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Lumut</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Bxxxt Mxxxh<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Lxx</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Town Resort<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Pxxxxxor Lxxt Resort<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Pxxxxxor Ixxxnd Resort<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Mxxxxtic Hotel Ipoh<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotels: Sabah</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Rxxxxxsance Hotel Room 107<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hotel Rxxy Kota<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Kinabalu</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sxxu Ixxxnd Resort<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />═════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotel: Sarawak</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />═════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hxxxon<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Kuching</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Dxxai Beach Resort<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hxxxxay<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Ixx</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Cxxxn Rxxxxxxde Hotel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Kuching</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />■<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Santubong</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Resort<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />═════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotel: Terengganu</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />═════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Rxxxxts Wxxld<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Awana<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">(Awana Kijal)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />═════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SimSun; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SimSun;">Haunted Hotel: Kelantan</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />═════════════<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sxxra<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Ixx</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Kota<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span>Baru</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><span>■</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hotel Dxxxxxla Bxxxok</span></span></h3>
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Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-44214216912151672652014-06-04T18:59:00.001-07:002014-06-04T18:59:34.764-07:00NEW SCAM - Express Couriers<div class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27071" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27123"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27122" style="color: red; font-size: 24pt;">NEW SCAM</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br clear="none" /></span></b><span style="color: #333333;"><br clear="none" /></span><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.5pt;">Just when you think you've heard it all. Here comes another scam. This scam is very clever. Be very careful out there! One could easily fall for this - beware of people bearing gifts!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><br clear="none" /></span><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br clear="none" />There is a new and clever credit card scam. Please circulate this. Someone it happened to says it works like this:</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><br clear="none" /></span><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br clear="none" />Wednesday a week ago, I had a phone call from someone who said that he was from some outfit called: "Express Couriers" asking if I was going to be home because there was a package for me, and the caller said that the delivery would arrive at my home in roughly an hour. And sure enough, about an hour later, a uniformed delivery man turned up with a beautiful basket of flowers and wine. I was very surprised since it did not involve any special occasion or holiday and I certainly didn't expect anything like it. Intrigued about who would send me such a gift, I inquired as to who the sender is. The delivery man's reply was, he was only delivering the gift package but allegedly a card was being sent separately; (the card has never arrived!). There was also a consignment note with the gift.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><br clear="none" /></span><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27114"><i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27113"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27112" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br clear="none" />He then went on to explain that because the gift contained alcohol, there was a $3.50 "delivery charge" as proof that he had actually delivered the package to an adult and not just left it on the doorstep where it could be stolen or taken by anyone.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><br clear="none" /></span><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27110"><i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27109"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27108" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br clear="none" />This sounded logical and I offered to pay him cash. He then said that the company required the payment to be by credit or debit card only so that everything is properly accounted for.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><br clear="none" /></span><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27106"><i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27105"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27104" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br clear="none" />My husband, who by this time was standing beside me, pulled his wallet out of his pocket with the credit/debit card and 'John', the "delivery man", asked my husband to swipe the card on the small mobile card machine which had a small screen and keypad where Frank was also asked to enter the card's PIN and security number. A receipt was printed out and given to us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><br clear="none" /></span><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27102"><i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27101"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27100" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br clear="none" />To our horrible surprise, between Thursday and the following Monday, $4,000 had been charged/withdrawn from our credit/debit account at various ATM machines.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><br clear="none" /></span><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27098"><i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27097"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27096" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br clear="none" />It appeared that somehow the "mobile credit card machine" which the delivery man carried now had all the info necessary to create a "dummy" card with all our card details after my husband swiped our card and entered the requested PIN and security number.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><br clear="none" /></span><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br clear="none" />Upon finding out about the illegal transactions on our card, we immediately notified the bank which issued us the card and our credit/debit account was closed.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><br clear="none" /></span><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br clear="none" /></span></i></b><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27094"><i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27093"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27092" style="color: red; font-size: 13.5pt;">We also personally went to the Police, where it was confirmed that it is definitely a scam because several households had been similarly hit.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><br clear="none" /></span><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br clear="none" /></span></i></b><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27090"><i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27089"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27088" style="color: blue; font-size: 13.5pt;">WARNING: Be wary of accepting any "surprise gift or package", which you neither expected nor personally ordered, especially if it involves any kind of payment as a condition of receiving the gift or package. Also, never accept anything if you do not personally know or there is no proper identification of who the sender is.</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><br clear="none" /></span><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br clear="none" /></span></i></b><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27086"><i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27085"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27084" style="color: #9900ff; font-size: 13.5pt;">Above all, the only time you should give out any personal credit/debit card information is when you yourself initiated the purchase or transaction!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><br clear="none" /></span><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br clear="none" /></span></i></b><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27082"><i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27081"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401931986615_27080" style="color: red; font-size: 13.5pt;">If you pass this on, it may just prevent someone else from being swindled!</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"></span></div>
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Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-90913816683853592712014-05-24T21:49:00.002-07:002014-05-24T21:49:36.795-07:00Indie runner Abu Backer quits Bukit Gelugor on eve of polls<h1 class="headline" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 26px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.21em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Indie runner Abu Backer quits Bukit Gelugor on eve of polls</h1>
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GEORGE TOWN, May 24 — Just hours before the campaign period for Bukit Gelugor by-election ends, Independent candidate Abu Backer Sidek Mohammad Zan announced his decision to pull out from the four-cornered fight.</div>
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The controversial lawyer, who had drawn attention after he threw himself in front of the Penang chief minister’s car on Tuesday, said he was disappointed at how his efforts at campaigning was blocked at every way.</div>
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“I’m disappointed with all this. I’m withdrawing from the contest,” he said at his very first and last ceramah at Padang Suria Kampung Melayu early this evening.</div>
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Abu Backer had earlier today claimed that his campaign was “sabotaged” at every turn, ranging from not being able to park his rented caravan in front of the hotel he is staying to being denied permits to hold ceramah in public areas.</div>
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“I have applied to hold ceramah at so many places, in Farlim, in Air Itam, in Kampung Melayu, but not one got approved,” he said at a news conference this morning.</div>
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However, one of his applications was approved today, which enabled him to hold a ceramah at about 7.30pm where he dropped the bombshell.</div>
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“I’m not feeling well, I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” he told <em style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;">The Malay Mail Online</em><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>when contacted later.</div>
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In his brief ceramah, he had also said that he won’t be around in Penang tomorrow and that he will take his supporters to Langkawi.</div>
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Questioned about his Langkawi plan later, Abu Backer told<em style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The Malay Mail Online</em><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>that he was just joking.</div>
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“It was just a joke. Maybe I will hold a press conference tomorrow to explain further on this,” he said.</div>
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According to state Election Commission deputy director Mohd Faiz Shazwan Zainal Abidin, candidates can’t withdraw after nomination day.</div>
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He added that the ballot papers have already been printed so Abu Backer’s name and horse logo will still be there.</div>
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This means the ballot papers will still have four names and logos — Parti Cinta Malaysia Huan Cheng Guan, DAP Ramkarpal Singh Deo, Abu Backer with the horse logo and Mohd Nabi Bux Mohd Sathar with the hibiscus logo.</div>
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The Bukit Gelugor parliamentary seat was vacated after the late MP Karpal Singh was killed in a car crash last month.</div>
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There are a total 82,431 registered voters in the constituency.</div>
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https://my.news.yahoo.com/indie-runner-abu-backer-quits-bukit-gelugor-eve-150000747.html</div>
<cite class="byline vcard" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #7d7d7d; display: inline-block !important; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 2.2em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: middle; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><abbr style="border: 0px; font-variant: normal;" title="2014-05-24T15:00:00Z"></abbr></cite>Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-42959184836767467202014-03-22T19:45:00.002-07:002014-03-22T19:45:23.138-07:00#PrayforMH370#PrayforMH370<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUCeZu-egdXSLOhPjHr5ji85_lbNGh_9VkPE2Aidl7XTx9Hasuw5GSnfqw-EcZSC8z5HeZ0QdaMqnlIJycjeYzAxNJAb5QT7rzrCUEmwYwlr0Dq0Xa_nYpP9T4gz7kwPhKiway7lR2PzP/s1600/malaysia77-1024x680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUCeZu-egdXSLOhPjHr5ji85_lbNGh_9VkPE2Aidl7XTx9Hasuw5GSnfqw-EcZSC8z5HeZ0QdaMqnlIJycjeYzAxNJAb5QT7rzrCUEmwYwlr0Dq0Xa_nYpP9T4gz7kwPhKiway7lR2PzP/s1600/malaysia77-1024x680.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-29905348381661814172014-03-03T18:19:00.001-08:002014-03-03T18:19:55.577-08:00Singapore and Malaysia hit by extreme dry spell<div id="main-article-info">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Singapore and Malaysia hit by extreme dry
spell</span></h1>
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Singapore suffers its longest dry spell on record, while Malaysian cabinet
mulls whether to declare a national emergency<br />
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Reuters </div>
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<li class="publication" sizcache025673803938925="1.0.59" sizset="false"><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/" itemprop="publisher">theguardian.com</a>,
<time datetime="2014-02-26T09:48GMT" itemprop="datePublished" pubdate="">Wednesday
26 February 2014 09.48 GMT</time> </li>
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<figure class="element element-image" data-media-id="gu-fc-b059814b-4d44-44a0-8694-9d8a48165609"><img alt="A port is covered with thick haze in Port Klang, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014." class="gu-image" height="276" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/2/26/1393406687993/d0a23800-9db7-457c-bd3f-a16fcfc3f692-460x276.jpeg" width="460" /> <figcaption>A port is covered with thick haze in Port
Klang, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. Photograph: Lai
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Singapore and Malaysia are grappling with some of the driest weather they
have ever seen, forcing the tiny city-state to ramp up supplies of recycled
water while its neighbour rations reserves amid disruptions to farming and
fisheries. <br />
Singapore, which experiences tropical downpours on most days, suffered its
longest dry spell on record between Jan 13 and Feb 8 and has had little rain
since. <br />
Shares in Hyflux Ltd, which operates desalination and water recycling
operations there, have risen 3.5% over the past month. <br />
In peninsular Malaysia, 15 areas have not had rainfall in more than 20 days,
with some of them dry for more than a month, according to the Malaysian
Meteorological Department. <br />
The dry spell in the Southeast Asian neighbours is expected to run for
another two weeks, forecasters say. <br />
The Indonesian province of Riau has also been hit, with part of the region
wreathed in smog, usually caused by farmers setting fires to illegally clear
land. Poor visibility has disrupted flights to and from the airport in
Pekanbaru. <br />
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak was due to discuss the drought at a
regular cabinet meeting on Wednesday that would decide whether to declare a
national emergency, according to state news agency Bernama. <br />
While some dry weather is expected at this time of year, the abnormal lack of
rain is raising concerns about the pace of climate change in the region. <br />
“The concern is that these uncommon weather events may be happening more
frequently sooner rather than later,” said National University of Singapore
weather researcher Winston Chow. <br />
Malaysia is the world’s second-largest producer of palm oil and planters say
dry weather lasting more than two months can hurt yields six months to two years
down the line, affecting output and fuelling benchmark Kuala Lumpur
prices.<br />
Concerns that dry weather will hurt production have helped push up palm oil
prices about 8% in February, setting the market on track for its biggest monthly
gain in four months. <br />
The lack of rain is also believed to have caused extensive damage to the rice
crop. <br />
In Singapore the dry weather is being blamed in part for the mass death of
fish stocks at several offshore farms. Around 160 tonnes of fish have died in
recent weeks because of a lack of oxygen in the water. <br />
The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) said it had received more
than 7,000 calls involving forest and bush fires nationwide since the beginning
of February, due to the hot weather, five times higher than in the same period
last year. <br />
Selangor, Malaysia’s richest and most industrialized state, began limited
water rationing on Tuesday as levels in its dams plunged to critical lows. <br />
“We pledge that every consumer will receive water, but it will be rationed to
ensure supply every two days,” Bernama quoted state chief minister Abdul Khalid
Ibrahim as saying. <br />
“In a week, consumers will receive water for four days.” <br />
The state of Negeri Sembilan near the capital, Kuala Lumpur, declared a
“state of crisis” last week as water in its dams fell to critical levels. <br />
In Singapore, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) has boosted the supply of
recycled water, known as NEWater, and desalinated supplies, in order to keep up
reservoir levels. <br />
Singapore’s national security concerns mean it has developed into one of the
world leaders in water technology as it tries to cut reliance on imported
supplies from Malaysia. <br />
Around 55% of Singapore’s water is now desalinated or recycled, in line with
an aim to be self-sufficient by 2061, when a 1962 agreement to buy 250 million
gallons per day from Malaysia ends, according to the PUB. <br />
The deal lets Singapore buy 250 million gallons of water a day from Malaysia
at 0.03 ringgit ($0.01) per 1,000 gallons, and sell back treated water for 0.50
ringgit per 1,000 gallons. <br />
Johor, the southern Malaysian state that borders Singapore, has been urging
an early re-negotiation, saying the deal is too advantageous to the city-state.
<br />
“The talks should begin immediately,” Hasni Mohammad, chairman of a state
public works panel, told Bernama in an interview on 18 February. <br />
“We have long been in a losing position when we sell raw water to Singapore
at three sen (for 1,000 gallons),” he said, adding that the price of treated
water was too high.<br />
<br />
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/26/singapore-malaysia-extreme-dry-spell</div>
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Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-25231571394760491132013-12-06T17:52:00.001-08:002013-12-06T17:52:39.607-08:00KLIA Taxi - Scam or not?<h2 class="date-header" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; min-height: 0px; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; letter-spacing: inherit; margin: inherit; padding: inherit;">NOVEMBER 5, 2013</span></h2>
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<a href="http://www.maninseat12a.com/2013/11/klia-taxi-scam-or-not.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">KLIA Taxi - Scam or not?</a></h3>
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I would like to alert travellers to an issue with taxi’s at KLIA.<br /><br />The taxi system at KLIA is pretty confusing for most people unless you are a regular traveller to Malaysia and the very poorly design website <a href="http://www.klia.com.my/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">www.klia.com.my</a> doesn't offer any information regarding taxi services at the airport.<br /><br />The main taxi company at KLIA who until recently held a monopoly is <a href="http://www.airportlimo.my/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Airport Limo</a>. This company provides a multi tired limo service by way of stating your destination, class of taxi and then purchasing a coupon for the journey.<br /><br />The other system is what’s known as a city cab which is basically a standard meter taxi service which operates from level 1.<br /><div>
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One of the frustrating problems with <a href="http://www.airportlimo.my/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Airport Limo</a> is the regular shortage of taxi’s especially at peak periods or owing to traffic congestion in KL. It is quite common for the coupon counter staff to tell you that there are no taxi’s or that there is a big queue.<br /><br />I usually take a premier taxi which is between the budget and limo for a more comfortable ride and the fact that most of the drivers know the location of my condo.<br /><br /><img alt="image" border="0" height="507" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfnYdthtIC20XaPUVifcmmu9eRfJNUyM8IVGoVUN5ES8lzcdZ0HFJ0TZ3RJQv8ArEcx2lOH8EytxLEOlKqTL-w53zskuIX5tFESLSoc10woV6zKAdb-6CtGthZkAedxnv1f6H_BATnkWI/?imgmax=800" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px 0px 5px;" title="image" width="354" /><br /><br />The taxi coupons sold are valid for a month and owing to my weekly trips to and from Singapore I always have an option to use it another week if I change my mind and take the train or city cab.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJXhPBT7cO7XjNo_HaFtgga9PG-U15xfEUR0gxek6B8CUmvf259gOB-pL4dB_tpB3ywKPzcSfpU7qDA3aN0EoBZ-Be6myVzjjQ19MJIZuToCiEj3MScfXS8j2K1UrKuXhKS_MjhImUOrN/s1600-h/image%25255B2%25255D.png" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIuyqQ1mJR4SnTWCW9lk69NiNNndtjaifAa8u9QD317QhYXdXuxsxxKVf2T5A_nR0B63cbrYc-VLqiaSloWykDsAI2BAicK0entYeRSyoEBtI7-HoJsjxPyt4mc8WekttBzaZyNgam-sw/?imgmax=800" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px 0px 5px; position: relative;" title="image" width="115" /></a><br /><br />Over the past few months I’ve noticed a trend whereby I’ve been told time and time again that there were no taxi’s and that I must get a limo or mini bus which costs significantly more than a premier taxi.<br /><br />When I’m told that there are no taxi’s and I must get a limo/mini bus I simply request that they sell me a ticket. The counter staff look confused and usually don’t want to sell me one. When I firmly request a coupon the behaviour of the staff usually follows a similar pattern whereby a lot of time is spent on the radio chit chatting (about me) and generally ignoring me.<br /><br />When I force the issue the staff act very sheepishly and begrudgingly sell me a coupon. Now the strange thing is that 9.9 times out of 10 when this happens I find little or no queue and at least several taxi’s available at the premier car area outside door 5.<br /><br />The behavior of the staff and the fact that there isn’t usually more than one or two people queuing for the premiere taxi’s makes it appear that there is a scam taking place to rip off unfamiliar travellers. I have witnessed several other people encounter similar experiences at both the budget and premier services.<br /><br />So is it a scam or are the unwelcoming counter staff simply out of touch with what is happening in the queue even though they have a radio?<br /><br />The taxi service at the LCCT operated by a different company also tries this from time to time, however I haven’t found it quite so prevalent.<br /><br />Perhaps it’s time raise a report to the authorities, not that SPAD will take any real action. </div>
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<a href="http://www.maninseat12a.com/">http://www.maninseat12a.com/</a></div>
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Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-53857378787432916372013-11-21T17:25:00.001-08:002013-11-21T17:25:17.290-08:00Cyber crime a ticking bomb in Malaysia<div style="background-color: white; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<div class="newsBody floatLeft">
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;">Cyber crime a ticking bomb in Malaysia</span></h1>
<div class="newsInfo">
Posted on <span class="orange">August 29, 2013,
Thursday</span></div>
CYBERJAYA: Cyber crime is considered a ticking bomb as the Malaysian police
recorded RM1 billion in losses from victims of such crime from January to July
this year.<br />
Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said Malaysia
was ranked sixth globally in terms of cyber crime threat risks by US-based IT
security developer, Sophos, in its three-month Security Threat report this
year.<br />
“It (cyber crime) is serious and we must educate the public in preventing
it,” he told a press conference after the signing of a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) between the Royal Malaysian Police and Limkokwing
University, here, yesterday.<br />
The MoU was signed by Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department
director, Datuk Syed Ismail Syed Azizan, and Limkokwing University of Creative
Technology senior vice-president, Datuk Raja Aznil Raja Hashim.<br />
It provides the university with a five-year contract to provide contents such
as posters, video clips and animations to the police in cyber crime-prevention
campaigns.<br />
Mohd Bakri said out of the RM1 billion in losses from cyber crime in the
first six months of this year, 9,857 cases were reported with 7,801 of these
solved and 3,385 people detained.<br />
He said last year, the losses amounted to RM1.115 billion with 8,920 of the
11,543 reported cases solved and 3,712 people arrested.<br />
Meanwhile, Syed Ismail said most of the cyber crime committed in the country
were through parcel scams, selling goods via the Internet, and masquerading.<br />
“Cyber crime in the country has yet to reach a level, where a syndicate would
steal an information or intellectual property from a person or organisation and
sell it to other parties or a rival for a price,” he said.<br />
Therefore, Raja Aznil said the collaboration with the police in the campaign
was vital to educate the public on the prevention measures so that they would
not easily fall prey to cyber crime.<br />
“This campaign mainly targets the young generation as they are tech-savy in
using computers and mobile devices. They are also prone to be influenced by what
is posted on the Internet, making them easy prey,” he said. —
Bernama</div>
<br /><br />Read more: <a href="http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/08/29/cyber-crime-a-ticking-bomb-in-malaysia/#ixzz2lKjMsoJQ" style="color: #003399;">http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/08/29/cyber-crime-a-ticking-bomb-in-malaysia/#ixzz2lKjMsoJQ</a></div>
Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-3089824738764675192013-11-21T17:22:00.001-08:002013-11-21T17:22:35.650-08:00Tan Twan Eng Wins Man Asian Literary Prize <h1 class="postTitle" itemprop="name">
<span style="font-size: small;">Tan Twan Eng Wins Man Asian Literary Prize</span></h1>
<div class="postAuthor">
By <a href="http://thediplomat.com/authors/jonathan-dehart/"><span itemprop="author">Jonathan DeHart</span></a></div>
<div class="postDate">
<span itemprop="datePublished">March 15, 2013</span></div>
<span itemprop="description">The Man Asian Literary Prize may be losing its sponsor, but Asian literature is ascending.</span><br />
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<div class="postBody" itemprop="articleBody">
Yesterday evening in Hong Kong, it was announced that Malaysian lawyer-turned-writer <a href="http://www.manasianliteraryprize.org/tan-twan-eng/">Tan Twan Eng</a> snagged Asia’s top literary award, the Man Asian Literary Prize, for his tome <em>The Garden of Evening Mists</em>.
Tan is the first Malaysian to snag the award, created in 2007, and his
book was the second winner originally written in English.<br />
The competition for the $30,000 prize was fierce. Other nominees –
representing an impressively diverse range from across the continent –
included writers from Japan (<a href="http://www.manasianliteraryprize.org/hiromi-kawakami/">Hiromi Kawakami</a>, <em>The Briefcase</em>), India (<a href="http://www.manasianliteraryprize.org/jeet-thayil/">Jeet Thayil</a>, <em>Narcopolis</em>, which won South Asia’s <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21195569">DSC Prize</a>), Pakistan (<a href="http://www.manasianliteraryprize.org/musharraf-ali-farooqi/">Musharraf Ali Farooqi</a>, <em>Between Clay and Dust</em>) and Turkey (Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk, <a href="http://www.manasianliteraryprize.org/orhan-pamuk/"><em>Silent House</em></a>). It’s worth noting that Tan and Thayil were also <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/scene/2012/09/12/jeet-thayil-and-tan-twan-eng-make-booker-shortlist/">short-listed</a> for the Man Group’s larger Booker Prize in 2012.<br />
Judges Dr. Maya Jaggi, who chaired the panel (see an excellent essay she wrote on the state of Asian literature <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/scene/2013/03/13/asian-literature-at-a-crossroads/">here</a>),
Vietnamese-American novelist Monique Truong and Indian-American writer
Vikram Chandra, winner of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for his novel <em>Red Earth and Pouring Rain</em>, had their work cut out for them.<br />
“I have experience of judging many literary awards,” <a href="http://www.manasianliteraryprize.org/news/2013/3/14/tan-twan-eng-scoops-asias-top-literary-prize.html">Jaggi said</a>.
“But our task as a jury was exceptionally difficult, as well as
gratifying, because of the outstanding quality and originality of the
novels in contention from across Asia, and the strength of our
shortlist.”<br />
In <em>The Garden of Evening Mists</em>, Tan tells the story of a
woman, once imprisoned in a Japanese internment camp, who decides to
create a Japanese garden as a memorial to her sister who died while
interned in the camp. But this isn’t just any Japanese garden. The woman
learns the art of gardening from none other than the gardener who once
tended the shrubs of Japan’s emperor. The former imperial gardener has
gone on to live in Malaysia’s Cameron highlands and the two form an
unlikely bond in spite of history.<br />
In an interview with the <em>Wall Street Journal</em>, Tan explained
that his own international experiences – born in Malaysia, educated in
the UK, currently roving between Asia and South Africa – have played a
major role in shaping his writing. “It’s made me realize that to be a
writer, you have to look beyond your national boundaries if you want to
be read by a universal audience,” <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/scene/2013/03/14/tan-twan-eng-wins-man-asian-prize/">he said</a>.<br />
Past winners of the Man Asian prize have included South Korean novelist Kyung-sook Shin, whose book <em>Please Look After Mom</em> has sold more than two million copies worldwide, and previously undiscovered Filipino author <a href="http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/the-last-man-asian-literary-prize/">Miguel Syjuco</a> for his book <em>Illustrado</em>. Other winners all wrote from China: Bei Feiyu (<em>Three Sisters</em>), Su Tong (<em>The Boat to Redemption</em>) and Jiang Rong (<em>Wolf Totem</em>).<br />
The Man Group announced last October that they will relinquish its sponsorship of the prize this year due to a <a href="http://m.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/oct/18/man-asian-literary-prize-loses-sponsorship">lack of funding</a>. The search for a new sponsor is ongoing. But the award’s six-year run has been a boon for Asia’s literary scene.<br />
Most mainstream readers are already aware of Asia’s literary
megastars like Haruki Murakami, Salman Rushdie (who won the Booker of
Bookers before Man took over the award for <em>Midnight’s Children</em>)
and last year’s Nobel winner Mo Yan. But for those who may wish to dig a
little deeper, the Man Asian prize has shined a spotlight on many
rising talents.<br />
Professor David Parker, executive director of the award’s organizing body, told <em>The Guardian</em> last October, “After the runaway success of <em>Please Look After Mother</em>
(by last year’s winner Kyung-sook Shin) the Korean government has now
decided to put up more money for Korean literature to be translated into
English. That’s one of the things we have achieved and I think that is
an important thing.”<br />
What’s more, this growing awareness is not limited to the world
outside of Asia; it has turned on readers within the region as well.
Parker <a href="http://m.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/oct/18/man-asian-literary-prize-loses-sponsorship">added</a>,
“We are not only bringing new literature, or formerly unknown
literature, to the world, but also to Asia itself. That’s a subtle but
significant thing, that Asia, because of this prize, is becoming more
interested in Asia. That’s something we are very happy with.”<br />
<br />
http://thediplomat.com/2013/03/tan-twan-eng-wins-man-asian-literary-prize/<br />
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Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-44357368558662516752013-11-17T18:27:00.000-08:002013-11-17T18:27:01.016-08:00Terrorists attack Pom Pom Island, Sabah: Two Black Eyes, one for The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and one for Tourism Ministry’s VMY 2014<h2 class="entry-title" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 21px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://weehingthong.wordpress.com/2013/11/15/a-black-eye-for-tourism-malaysia-terrorists-attack-pom-pom-island-sabah-2/" rel="bookmark" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Terrorists attack Pom Pom Island, Sabah: Two Black Eyes, one for The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and one for Tourism Ministry’s VMY 2014</a></h2>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">TERRORIST ATTACK ON POM POM ISLAND, SABAH<br />Two Black Eyes, one for The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and one for Tourism Ministry’s VMY 2014</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-rIfZQFS9iKM31UrnsMHh3vCOa7lMRmgYQ-JvDoZfNB45DWYggtWJ_HoZ6mNioPEqc3KFbID7pMjSuI4dts4WTjjpGHCqqwziKX4GZ9T-BzE2EQyWbiy8K-PtIyJQCoVba8pijUSUMZG/s1600/islands-of-semporna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-rIfZQFS9iKM31UrnsMHh3vCOa7lMRmgYQ-JvDoZfNB45DWYggtWJ_HoZ6mNioPEqc3KFbID7pMjSuI4dts4WTjjpGHCqqwziKX4GZ9T-BzE2EQyWbiy8K-PtIyJQCoVba8pijUSUMZG/s320/islands-of-semporna.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">THE ATTACK, KILLING AND KIDNAP HAPPENED ABOUT 1 KM FROM A GENERAL OPERATIONS FORCE BASE!</strong></div>
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Malaysiakini</div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Billion-ringgit Esscom couldn’t prevent kidnapping?</strong></div>
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The recent kidnap and murder of Taiwanese tourists in the Pom Pom Islands off Sampoerna is proof that the government’s Eastern Sabah Security Command Zone (Esscom) initiative has failed, said DAP.</div>
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In a statement yesterday, Sabah DAP chairperson Jimmy Wong said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Home Minister Zahid Hamidi and Defence Minister Hishamuddin Hussein should all explain why such a tragedy has taken place even though Esscom has been in place since early this year.</div>
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Wong<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></em>, who is also the Kota Kinabalu MP, said Esscom has cost the government RM2 billion in terms of improving military facilities, RM1 million to upgrade nine watch posts in the Sabah east coast, and also another RM75 million in allocation in the 2014 budget.</div>
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“This tragic incident has proven that all these allocations were not effective in enhancing the border protection at the east coast of Sabah,” he said.</div>
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Wong added the incident has affected the country’s international image and thus the government must now ensure the safety of the remaining hostage..</div>
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“Also, 2014 will be a Visit Malaysia year, and as Sampoerna is one of the best tourist spots in the country, the tourism industry could be affected,” he said.</div>
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<a href="http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/246808" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Billion-ringgit Esscom couldn’t prevent kidnapping?</a></div>
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<span class="itemDateCreated" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sunday, 17 November 2013 10:00</span></div>
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Taiwan, int’l print & social media abuzz with Pom Pom kidnap: M’SIA NOTORIETY SPREADS</h2>
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<span id="advenueINTEXT" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Written by Malaysia Chronicle</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">KUALA LUMPUR </strong>- It is ironic that as Prime Minister Najib Razak held forth at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka, a destination avoided by many global tourists because of its violence and active terror networks, his own country was falling into the same pit of notoriety.<br />…</div>
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<span id="advenueINTEXT" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“The Pom Pom island killing and kidnap of the tourists is a major blow to efforts to restore tourist and public confidence in the security of Sabah after the intrusion of the Sulu terrorists in Lahad Datuk in February,” Opposition Member of Parliament Lim Kit Siang said in an immediate response to the incident which has shocked Malaysia.</span></div>
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Kit Siang is demanding that the 60-year-old Najib addresses the issue at Parliament on Monday. <span id="advenueINTEXT" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Najib should tell Parliament what actions would be taken by the Eastern Sabah Security Command to tighten security to ensure that such killing and kidnap by Filipino terrorists would not be allowed to recur in Sabah.”</span></div>
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However, it might be a case of a little too little, a little too late for the tardy Najib administration to alter the perception that Malaysia may have lost the battle against crime in its cities and against terrorists along its coastlines.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="223" src="http://www.freedistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/pompomisland.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="600" /></div>
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<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Murder, kidnap of Chinese couple in Pom Pom Island Malaysia" border="0" height="230" src="http://www.freedistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/pompomisland.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Murder, kidnap of Chinese couple in Pom Pom Island Malaysia" width="619" /></em><em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pom-Pom Island in Malaysia where a Chinese tourist was murdered and his wife kidnapped early Friday morning. (Image: pompomisland.com)</em><em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> – See more at: <a href="http://www.freedistrict.com/2-asia/china/4816/murder-kidnap-of-chinese-couple-in-pom-pom-island-malaysia.html#sthash.qpZ8hXAm.dpuf" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.freedistrict.com/2-asia/china/4816/murder-kidnap-of-chinese-couple-in-pom-pom-island-malaysia.html#sthash.qpZ8hXAm.dpuf</a></em><div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pom-Pom Island in Malaysia where a Chinese tourist was murdered and his wife kidnapped early Friday morning</em></div>
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<span id="advenueINTEXT" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">International outrage spreading on the social media network</strong></span><div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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Indeed, the case has outraged international tourists. They are shocked by the violence and the apparent ease with which the armed abductors could penetrate into the Malaysian resort.</div>
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“It is as if they (the kidnappers) can come in and out as they wish. And how could they get so many guns without attracting the notice of the police or the resort security guards,” Liz Sommerville, a British tourist in KL who has since cancelled plans to fly down to Sabah and Sarawak, told<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Malaysia Chronicle.</em></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="223" src="http://1-ps.googleusercontent.com/x/www.nst.com.my/w1.nst.com.my/polopoly_fs/1.403259.1384619625%21/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_454/image.jpg.pagespeed.ce.E22SwJVwlT.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; float: right; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="300" />In Taiwan, the home country of the two Pom Pom victims, the feelings of outrage are understandably much higher.</div>
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According to the NST, print and social media in Taiwan are abuzz with news of the murder-kidnap.</div>
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Taiwan’s national daily, Ping Guo Ri Bao, front-paged the report yesterday, while other national newspapers, such as The China Times, Liberty Times and United Daily News, as well as local papers The China Post and Upaper, provided coverage of the incident.</div>
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Through its online news portal, The China Post reported that Taiwanese officials were monitoring the latest developments on the incident with local authorities.</div>
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Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said it would offer the necessary assistance to the victims’ family to help them deal with the tragedy.</div>
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The ministry issued an “orange warning” for Sabah, the second highest in Taiwan’s four-colour tourism advisory system, immediately following the incident.</div>
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Taipei Times, Focus Taiwan news channel, Taiwan Sun and The China Times reported that the ministry urged the public to avoid travelling to the area, unless it was necessary.<br />…</div>
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<a href="http://weehingthong.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/aa75.jpg" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="aa" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-27226" src="http://weehingthong.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/aa75.jpg?w=640" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile, Malaysian police have blamed terror group Abu Sayyaf for the kidnap-murder.</div>
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According to the Malaysian Insider, police sources familiar with the activities of the Abu Sayyaf group said that the terrorists would normally use an intermediary to make their ransom demand.</div>
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“Usually, the Abu Sayyaf will make their ransom demand known within a week or two after abducting the victim. Now we just need to wait and see,” said a senior police officer.</div>
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November 17, 2013 MYT 7:14:41 AM</div>
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Semporna kidnap: Victims’ mothers still do not know of killing and abduction</h2>
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<img alt="Hsu’s brother Li Ren appealing to the authorities through the media to rescue his sister-in-law. — NORMIMIE DIUN/The Star" src="http://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/Images/TSOL/Photos-Gallery/Nation/2013/11/16/pompomSempornakidnappingliren1711.ashx?w=620&h=413&crop=1&" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hsu’s brother Li Ren appealing to the authorities through the media to rescue his sister-in-law. — NORMIMIE DIUN/The Star</em></div>
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PETALING JAYA: The 80-year-old bedridden mother of slain Taiwanese tourist Hsu Li Min does not know about her son’s tragic death yet.</div>
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Neither does the 92-year-old mother of his abducted wife, Chang An Wei.</div>
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Hsu’s brother Li Ren said he did not know how to break the news to their mother.</div>
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Chang’s brother Da Gong, said the family feared that she would not be able to handle the bad news.</div>
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According to a Taiwanese cable TV news report, Li Ren planned to fly to Kota Kinabalu, by Tuesday to make arrangements for Hsu’s last rites. The body is at the Tawau Hospital mortuary.</div>
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Li Ren said he could not accept that the Malaysian authorities were insisting on carrying out a post-mortem on his brother, adding that he hoped the Taiwanese government would intervene and stop it.<br />…</div>
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Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an “orange” travel alert, its second highest level, for the eastern coast of Sabah.</div>
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It urged Taiwanese to avoid travelling to the area unless necessary.</div>
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Under the MOFA’s four-colour-coded travel advisory system, “red’ is the highest level, followed by “orange”, “yellow’ and “grey”.</div>
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<a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/11/17/Victims-mothers-still-do-not-know-of-killing-and-abduction.aspx" id="content_0_newslandingpage_main_1_twocolumnleftfocus_a_left_0_storyFirst_headlineLink" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Semporna kidnap: Victims’ mothers still do not know of killing and abduction</a></div>
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<img alt="Forensic police at the chalet at Pom Pom island resort where Chang was abducted and her husband Hsu Li Min was killed by gunmen. — NORMIMIE DIUN/The Star" src="http://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/Images/TSOL/Photos-Gallery/Nation/2013/11/17/pompomkidnappingsempornapolice1711.ashx" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; height: 413px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 620px;" /><div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Forensic police at the chalet at Pom Pom island resort where Chang was abducted and her husband Hsu Li Min was killed by gunmen. — NORMIMIE DIUN/The Star</em></div>
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<a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/11/17/Gunmen-islandhopping-with-abductee-Intelligence-reports-point-to-kidnappers-heading-for-their-Jolo-h.aspx" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gunmen island-hopping with abductee</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5bF5NvrQ4k">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5bF5NvrQ4k</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74bIIYAStDk">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74bIIYAStDk</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6LEjLHw2pA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6LEjLHw2pA</a></div>
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<span class="itemDateCreated" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Saturday, 16 November 2013 20:30</span></div>
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Taiwan warns citizens NOT to travel to Sabah</h2>
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KOTA KINABALU – Taiwan Foreign Affairs Ministry (MOFA) has issued a travel advisory, warning its citizens to avoid travelling to Sabah.</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">According to The China Post, MOFA issued an ‘orange warning’, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: -2px; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: 0;"><span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, which is the second-highest on Taiwan’s four-color tourism advisory system, to Sabah.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The warning came immediately after the shooting incident that killed a Taiwanese tourists on Pom Pom Island off Semporna.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It advises Taiwanese nationals to avoid going to the destination and to be on high alert if they have to go.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sabah travels and tours operators, however, said they have not received official notice from the government to warn operators from booking a reservation to the island and reported that business continued as usu</span></div>
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<span id="advenueINTEXT" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>Full article: <a href="http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=188262:taiwan-warns-citizens-not-to-travel-to-sabah&Itemid=2#ixzz2koYU3mAe" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #003399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=188262:taiwan-warns-citizens-not-to-travel-to-sabah&Itemid=2#ixzz2koYU3mAe</a><br />Follow us: <a href="http://ec.tynt.com/b/rw?id=dKs-jk4VKr4OaJacwqm_6l&u=MsiaChronicle" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">@MsiaChronicle on Twitter</a></div>
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..<br />Semporna kidnap: Taiwan issues travel alert on eastern Sabah</h2>
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Security personnel keep watch at the resort on Pom Pom island in Semporna.</div>
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<span class="date-display-single" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Saturday, Nov 16, 2013</span></div>
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Free Malaysia Today</div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Spectre of danger resurfaces in Sabah</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/author/thomas/" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Posts by Thomas Pi">Thomas Pi</a> | November 15, 2013</div>
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The kidnapping, barely a kilometre from the General Operations Force base has left officials embarrased and ESSCOM blaming the lack of fast patrol boats for the slow response by security forces.</div>
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SEMPORNA: The impunity with which gunmen sailed into Sabah’s supposedly tightly guarded Semporna waters, kidnapped a 58-year-old Taiwanese tourist from a resort and killed her husband has exposed the lie that the state’s east coast is safe.</div>
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Inspector-General of Police IGP Khalid Abu Bakar would only confirm the incident and that his men are investigating.</div>
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While there is an air of business-as-usual among the security folk in Sabah, there is a glow of red faces reaching up to the highest circles.<br />…</div>
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The crime took place just a kilometre away from a General Operations Force base and perhaps gave the resort management a false sense of security.</div>
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The resort is about 30-minutes speedboat ride away from international waters bordering the Tawi Tawi chain of islands in the Philippines and about 45-minutes away from Semporna town.</div>
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It is well known that there are several armed groups, both criminal and militant, in the southern Philippines who are known to change roles according to their needs making it difficult to identify them.<br />…</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #993366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ESSCOM lacks fast boats</strong></span></div>
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At a press conference in Lahad Datu, Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) director general Mohammad Mentek said no ransom demands have been made yet.</div>
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He blamed the lack of fast patrol boats at the General Operations Force bases as among the reasons for the lack of a rapid response by security forces.</div>
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Mentek also said providing security cover for all areas in Semporna which has over 40 islands so close to the other side of the border was “not easy”.</div>
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<a href="http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/11/15/spectre-of-danger-resurfaces-in-sabah/" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/11/15/spectre-of-danger-resurfaces-in-sabah/</a></div>
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Star</div>
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Saturday November 16, 2013 MYT 12:54:00 PM</div>
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Semporna kidnap: Business as usual at Pom Pom resort</h2>
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by <a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/Authors.aspx?q=%22Rashvinjeet+S.+Bedi%22" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">rashvinjeet s. bedi</a></div>
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<img alt="" src="http://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/Images/TSOL/Photos-Gallery/Nation/2013/11/16/watervillapom.ashx?w=620&h=413&crop=1&" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></div>
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SEMPORNA: It is a business as usual for the high-end Pom Pom Island Resort where a Taiwanese tourist was shot dead and his wife kidnapped by Filipino gunmen.</div>
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On Saturday morning, foreign tourists including Taiwanese were seen arriving at this east coast town after landing at Tawau airport.</div>
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More than a dozen were seen boarding the resort’s tour coach and appeared unaware of the shooting and kidnapping incident at about 1am on Friday.</div>
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However, tour agents associated with the resort shrugged off the gunmen’s raid on the island.</div>
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<a class="twitter-timeline-link" href="http://t.co/lCKNZaaCPP" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/11/16/Semporna-Business-As-Usual.aspx"><span class="js-display-url" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">thestar.com.my/News/Nation/20</span><span class="invisible" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">13/11/16/Semporna-Business-As-Usual.aspx</span><span class="tco-ellipsis" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="invisible" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>…</span></a></div>
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NST</div>
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16 November 2013| last updated at 09:44AM</div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pom Pom island case related to Al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group</strong></div>
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<span class="author" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">By HANI SHAMIRA SHAHRUDIN</span></div>
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KUALA LUMPUR: Police believed the murder-cum-kidnapping case on Pom Pom island is related to Al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group.</h2>
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Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said they believe the suspects kidnapped the tourist for ransom.</div>
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He said police has urged the Malaysian Armed Forces to tighten up the security at the Sabah sea border.</div>
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Read more: <a href="http://www.nst.com.my/latest/pom-pom-island-case-related-to-al-qaida-linked-abu-sayyaf-group-1.402557#ixzz2klpYNc5M" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #003399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pom Pom island case related to Al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group – Latest – New Straits Times</a> <a href="http://www.nst.com.my/latest/pom-pom-island-case-related-to-al-qaida-linked-abu-sayyaf-group-1.402557#ixzz2klpYNc5M" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #003399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.nst.com.my/latest/pom-pom-island-case-related-to-al-qaida-linked-abu-sayyaf-group-1.402557#ixzz2klpYNc5M</a></div>
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The Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) covers 1,400km of the east coast of Sabah from Kudat to Tawau.</div>
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It was established in March this year by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak following the Lahad Datu incursion by armed Sulu militants a month earlier.</div>
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Its purpose is to strengthen maritime security in the eastern part of Sabah and to prevent terrorist activity in the waters off Sabah.</div>
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The Esscom headquarters and main bases are in Lahad Datu.</div>
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Focus Taiwan News Channel</div>
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Taiwanese man shot dead, wife abducted on Malaysian island</h1>
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2013/11/15 16:57:10</div>
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<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Foreign ministry spokeswoman Anna Kao updates reporters on the situation.</em></div>
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Taipei, Nov. 15 (CNA) A Taiwanese man has been shot dead and his wife abducted on a resort island off the coast of the East Malaysian state of Sabah, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday.</div>
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Taiwan’s representative office in Malaysia has been informed of the situation by local police and has sent officials to Sabah to help deal with the case, the ministry said.</div>
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According to a report by the English-language Malaysian daily The Star, 57-year-old Lim Min Hsu was found dead with two bullet wounds in his chest early Friday at a resort on Pom Pom Island following an attack by a group of Filipino gunmen.</div>
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The victim’s wife, identified as 58-year-old An Wei Chang, was abducted, the report said.</div>
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<span class="tl" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="l" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CDIQqQIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffocustaiwan.tw%2Fnews%2Fasoc%2F201311150023.aspx&ei=CNKGUonxI4eLrQfyl4HICA&usg=AFQjCNE05EbpH3H3uDWIo9aeOrDF6FUWow&sig2=T7vydxpYQmSr13yHy4n28w&bvm=bv.56643336,d.bmk&cad=rja" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Taiwanese man shot dead, wife abducted on Malaysian <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">island</em></a></span></div>
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Star<br />Friday November 15, 2013 MYT 10:56:23 PM</div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Semporna kidnap: Gunmen ransack water villas, shoot Taiwanese and flee with wife</strong></div>
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<img alt="Villas at the Pom Pom Island Resort and Spa" src="http://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/Images/TSOL/Photos-Gallery/Nation/2013/11/15/watervillas1.ashx?w=620&h=413&crop=1&" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Villas at the Pom Pom Island Resort and Spa</em></div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This was where the attack and kidnap happened.</strong></div>
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<span class="tl" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="l" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDAQqQIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thestar.com.my%2FNews%2FNation%2F2013%2F11%2F15%2FSemporna-Kidnap-Gunmen-Ransack.aspx&ei=CNKGUonxI4eLrQfyl4HICA&usg=AFQjCNHMlmKnOXlJH-NcS96Lz5yvhm5aGA&sig2=HozWqCLrUPM5fv9fFQAYBw&bvm=bv.56643336,d.bmk&cad=rja" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Semporna kidnap: Gunmen ransack water villas, shoot Taiwanese and flee with</a></span></div>
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Malaysian Insider</div>
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Esscom chief defends against allegations of lax security along Sabah coastline</h2>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">BY LEE SHI-IAN</strong><br /><strong class="quiet" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">November 15, 2013</strong></div>
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The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) has defended itself from allegations that their security was lax, saying although it has taken measures to secure the coastal waters off Sabah, intrusions can still take place due to the long coastline and vast number of islands.</div>
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Esscom director-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek (pic) told The Malaysian Insider that the authorities had taken the necessary measures to safeguard Sabah’s eastern coastline but incidents can still happen, referring to the attack by a group of gunmen on the island of Pom Pom early this morning, which left one Chinese tourist dead and another missing.</div>
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“It was a criminal act and not an incursion like the Lahad Datu incident. The police are investigating the case and we will leave it to them to ascertain what actually occurred,” said Mohammad Mentek.</div>
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<a href="http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/esscom-chief-defends-against-allegations-of-lax-security-along-sabah-coastl" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/esscom-chief-defends-against-allegations-of-lax-security-along-sabah-coastl</a></div>
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NST</div>
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5 November 2013| last updated at 06:56PM</div>
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Kidnapped tourist may be in the Philippines: Police</h1>
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KOTA KINABALU: A Taiwanese tourist who was kidnapped by a group of armed men from an island resort off Semporna may have been taken to the Philippines.</h2>
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Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said there was a possibility as the nearest island across the border, Pulau Malamanuk, was about 16km away from Pulau Pom-Pom where the 58-year-old Taiwanese An Wei Chan was taken.</div>
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Read more: <a href="http://www.nst.com.my/latest/kidnapped-tourist-may-be-in-the-philippines-police-1.401953#ixzz2kiCtIfzn" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #003399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kidnapped tourist may be in the Philippines: Police – Latest – New Straits Times</a> <a href="http://www.nst.com.my/latest/kidnapped-tourist-may-be-in-the-philippines-police-1.401953#ixzz2kiCtIfzn" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #003399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.nst.com.my/latest/kidnapped-tourist-may-be-in-the-philippines-police-1.401953#ixzz2kiCtIfzn</a></div>
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Malaysian Insider</div>
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Where is security command in Eastern Sabah? Barisan MP demands answers after tourist killing</h2>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">By LEE SHI-IAN</strong><br /><strong class="quiet" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">November 15, 2013</strong></div>
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The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) came under attack by a furious Barisan Nasional lawmaker after gunmen stormed a holiday resort on Pom Pom island early today and killed a tourist from China before abducting his wife.</div>
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Kalabakan MP Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh (pic) flayed Esscom which was set up several months ago by Putrajaya to stop incursions by foreign terrorists into Sabah.</div>
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“This is very disappointing because it shows that Esscom is not functioning properly,” Abdul Ghapur told The Malaysian Insider.</div>
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“If these attacks are happening again, it will discourage tourists from visiting Semporna and Sipadan. This will cause Sabah to lose its tourism revenue.</div>
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“I want Esscom director-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek to give a full explanation to us on why this incident happened,” he added.</div>
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<a href="http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/where-is-security-command-in-eastern-sabah-barisan-mp-demands-answers-after" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Where is security command in Eastern Sabah? Barisan MP demands answers after tourist killing</a></div>
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Malaysia Chronicle</div>
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<span class="itemDateCreated" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, 15 November 2013 17:35</span></div>
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TERROR ON POM POM ISLAND: Even Sabah Umno leader SLAMS Najib’s INEFFECTIVE Esscom</h2>
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The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) came under attack by a furious Barisan Nasional lawmaker after gunmen stormed a holiday resort on Pom Pom island early today and killed a tourist from China before abducting his wife.</div>
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Kalabakan MP Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh flayed Esscom which was set up several months ago by Putrajaya to stop incursions by foreign terrorists into Sabah.</div>
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“This is very disappointing because it shows that Esscom is not functioning properly,” Abdul Ghapur told The Malaysian Insider.<br />…</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Another ineffective measure from Najib administration?</strong></span></div>
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The Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) covers 1,400km of the east coast of Sabah from Kudat to Tawau.</div>
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It was established in March this year by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak following the Lahad Datu incursion by armed Sulu militants a month earlier.</div>
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Its purpose is to strengthen maritime security in the eastern part of Sabah and to prevent terrorist activity in the waters off Sabah.</div>
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The Esscom headquarters and main bases are in Lahad Datu.</div>
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In July, the Home Ministry came under attack in Parliament from Abdul Ghapur who was livid over Putrajaya’s slow reaction in handling the Lahad Datu incursion.</div>
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Abdul Ghapur had then slammed the government for spending two weeks negotiating with the armed Sulu intruders before they went on an all-out assault.</div>
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“If an armed intruder broke into my house, I would not waste time negotiating. I would take my shotgun and shoot him,” Abdul Ghapur had said in parliament.</div>
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“Our carelessness allowed the intruders to trespass into Malaysian territory. What is there to negotiate about?”.</div>
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Full article: <a href="http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=187872:terror-on-pom-pom-island-even-sabah-umno-leader-slams-najibs-ineffective-esscom&Itemid=2#ixzz2ki46chXK" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #003399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=187872:terror-on-pom-pom-island-even-sabah-umno-leader-slams-najibs-ineffective-esscom&Itemid=2#ixzz2ki46chXK</a><br />Follow us: <a href="http://ec.tynt.com/b/rw?id=dKs-jk4VKr4OaJacwqm_6l&u=MsiaChronicle" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">@MsiaChronicle on Twitter</a></div>
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Malaysian Insider</div>
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Chinese tourist shot dead on Sabah island by Abu Sayyaf terrorists, wife abducted</h2>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">BY LEE SHI-IAN</strong><br /><strong class="quiet" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">November 15, 2013</strong><br /><span class="quiet small" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Latest Update: November 15, 2013 03:44 pm</strong></span></div>
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A businessman from China was shot dead by suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists and his wife abducted at the Leonardo restaurant on Pom Pom island off Semporna early this morning.</div>
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Initial reports indicated a group of heavily armed men arrived at the Mandur Pom Pom island resort around 1am.</div>
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The gunmen stormed into the restaurant, where the Chinese couple were the only customers, and fired several shots.</div>
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The victim, Lim Min Hsu, 57, was shot twice in the chest and ribs. He died at the scene.</div>
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His 56-year-old wife An Wei Chang was taken away by the gunmen.</div>
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The gunmen, who authorities suspect are Abu Sayyaf terrorists, fled in a pump boat towards southern Philippines.</div>
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<a href="http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/chinese-tourist-shot-dead-in-sabah-island-by-abu-sayyaf-terrorists-wife-kid" rel="nofollow" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/chinese-tourist-shot-dead-in-sabah-island-by-abu-sayyaf-terrorists-wife-kid</a></div>
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Star</div>
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Friday November 15, 2013 MYT 3:17:56 PM</div>
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Semporna kidnap: Massive hunt for missing Taiwanese woman and gunmen</h2>
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by <a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/Authors.aspx?q=%22Muguntan+Vanar%22" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">muguntan vanar</a> AND <a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/Authors.aspx?q=%22Stephanie+Lee%22" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">stephanie lee</a></div>
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KOTA KINABALU: Security is on high alert as a massive sea and air hunt was launched for Filipino gunmen who abducted a Taiwanese tourist and shot dead her husband at an island resort off Semporna.</div>
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No demands have been made by any armed group for the 58-year-old woman identified as An Wei Chang. Her 57-year-old husband, Lim Min Hsu, was found dead with two bullet wounds on his chest.</div>
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The gunmen who arrived in a pump boat and raided Pom Pom Island and Spa Resort water villas at about 1am Friday had fled toward Pulau Mataking close to southern Philippines.</div>
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There were no immediate signs of the gunmen who staged the daring raid at the resort hardly a kilometre away from a General Operations Force base.</div>
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The security forces have cut off all sea routes into neighbouring southern Philippines.</div>
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<a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/11/15/sabah-semporna-tourist-shot-kidnap.aspx" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Taiwan tourist shot dead, wife kidnapped from island in Sabah</a></div>
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Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-9570061443968101192013-11-17T18:09:00.001-08:002013-11-17T18:09:50.188-08:00South East Asia Market Engagement Plan<h1 style="background-color: white; color: #003366; font-family: arial; line-height: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">South East Asia Market Engagement Plan</span></h1>
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The South East Asia Market Engagement Plan identifies four priority action areas for Victoria:</div>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Priority one: Facilitate trade and export growth</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Priority two: Attract investment and assist businesses to internationalise</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Priority three: Foster deeper relationships with South East Asian nations</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Priority four: Improve Victorians’ understanding of South East Asia’s diversity and facilitate cultural exchange between South East Asia and Victoria.</li>
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<a href="http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/531997/South-East-Asia-Market-Engagement-Plan_WEB.pdf" style="color: #3e853a; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Download a copy of the South East Asia Market Engagement Plan (PDF - 2.3mb)</a></div>
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Message from the Premier</h2>
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As the world’s economic centre of gravity moves towards Asia, Victoria’s relationship with South East Asia is becoming increasingly linked to our economic future. The time is right to focus on South East Asia and redouble our engagement efforts.<br />The Victorian Coalition Government is laying the foundation for growth by developing our connections to South East Asian markets, supporting industry and increasing our investment attraction initiatives.</div>
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Victoria is home to many people from South East Asia, giving Victoria a unique understanding of the cultural diversity found across the region. Our multicultural base is therefore a significant competitive advantage.</div>
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The fast growing economies of South East Asia have a burgeoning middle class and an expanding labour force that is driving demand for high-quality goods and services. This growth is creating opportunities for Victorian business to supply quality produce, education services, advanced manufacturing, sustainable urban design and infrastructure. At the same time, there is an opportunity to build on a shared passion for sport and the arts to establish new relationships.</div>
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With many countries, the foundations for stronger engagement are already in place. Our business, education, arts and government institutions have numerous formal and informal links. With others, deeper engagement presents an opportunity to forge new relationships that will drive economic growth, both in Victoria and for our South East Asian neighbours.</div>
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The actions identified in this plan will lay the foundation for Victoria’s relationship with South East Asia over the coming decades. I look forward to working with Victorian businesses and the community in the coming years to make these aspirations a reality.</div>
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The Hon Dr Denis Napthine MP<br />Premier<br />Minister for Racing<br />Minister for Regional Cities</div>
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Message from the Minister</h2>
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The dynamic and diverse region of South East Asia is emerging as a driving force in the global economy. Through deeper engagement in partnership with our close neighbours, Victoria is well positioned to leverage this exceptional opportunity for future shared prosperity.</div>
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Victoria greatly values the strong ties developed over many decades with each of the 11 countries in South East Asia – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. Our long-standing relationships in trade, migration, education, tourism, investment and cultural exchange have endured and grown stronger.</div>
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South East Asia, characterised by vibrant economic diversity born of cultural, political, social and demographic differences, is striving for greater regional integration through mechanisms such as the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).</div>
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The Victorian Government has taken the initiative in developing international opportunities, particularly with our neighbouring northern region. Stronger government to government ties are forming across South East Asia and between Victoria and each country in the region.</div>
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Our trade relationships are long-standing and growing. The South East Asian region is Victoria’s largest merchandise export market. Since 2008, Victoria’s trade has increased on average by seven per cent per annum to reach $3.8 billion in goods to the region in 2011-12. In addition to goods, South East Asia’s growth is increasing demand for services in areas such as agribusiness, aquaculture, infrastructure development and urbanisation, education and training and healthcare. These are all areas where Victoria can play an increased role.</div>
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Ultimately, the region’s greatest resource is its people. Victoria has been enriched by people from all over South East Asia and this diversity has strengthened our state socially, culturally and economically. It is vital that these valued relationships are maintained for mutual success. We have established the Victorian Connection for Victorian-educated graduates, expatriates and people who have worked in Victoria to stay connected with one another and all things Victorian through networking, seminars and social events both online and in person.</div>
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Through the actions in this South East Asia Market Engagement Plan Victoria’scommitment to further integration in the region and to closer partnerships with each country in South East Asia is reaffirmed. We have already gained much from these links and we look forward to a future of greatly enhanced mutual benefit.</div>
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The Hon Louise Asher MP<br />Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business<br />Minister for Tourism and Major Events<br />Minister for Employment and Trade</div>
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Executive summary</h2>
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Building resilient, broader and deeper relationships in international markets is fundamental to the Victorian Government’s plans to deliver long-term economic prosperity for the State.</div>
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As global economic power shifts to the East, the Victorian Government recognises the importance of emerging markets and has released engagement strategies for China, India and the Gulf States. Victoria is also building on our long history of migration, engagement and partnership with our close South East Asian neighbours, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, TimorLeste and Vietnam.</div>
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South East Asia’s defining economic advantage is its increasingly urbanised population of more than 600 million that is estimated to be growing at around 1.45 per cent per year. In comparison, the world rate is estimated to be 1.16 per cent, China 0.48 per cent and India 1.37 per cent.<sup>1</sup> South East Asia’s combined GDP of $3.6 trillion (based on purchasing power parity)<sup>2</sup> makes the region the sixth largest global economy.</div>
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The South East Asian region is Victoria’s largest merchandise export market. Since 2008, Victoria’s trade has increased on average by seven per cent per annum to reach $3.8 billion in goods exported to the region in 2011-12. Growth is generating demand for goods and intensifying even higher demand for services, creating significant opportunities for Victoria.</div>
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This South East Asia Market Engagement Plan reflects the issues that are shaping Victoria’s engagement with the region. These issues include: proximity and familiarity; the significant size of the regional economy and some individual economies within it; and growth.</div>
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Whereas Victoria is already benefiting from existing relationships with countries in South East Asia, there are growing regional and country-specific needs that Victoria could play an increased role in meeting. Accordingly, in this South East Asia Market Engagement Plan, the Victorian Government is committing to four priority actions to enhance our economic ties with the region.</div>
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These priority actions are:</div>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;"><strong>Priority one:</strong> Facilitate trade and export growth</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;"><strong>Priority two:</strong> Attract investment and assist businesses to internationalise</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;"><strong>Priority three:</strong> Foster deeper relationships with South East Asian nations</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;"><strong>Priority four:</strong> Improve Victorians’ understanding of South East Asia’s diversity and facilitate cultural exchange between South East Asia and Victoria</li>
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Victoria aspires to developing deeper engagement with each of the 11 countries in South East Asia over the coming years. As a first step Victoria will explore important benefits through its trade missions. In June 2013, the Premier of Victoria, Hon Dr Denis Napthine MP will lead a Super Trade Mission to South East Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand, with the objective of further strengthening the State’s government, business and cultural ties with the region.</div>
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Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore account for 56.5 per cent of South East Asia’s combined GDP (purchasing power parity).<sup>3</sup> It is timely to strengthen Victoria’s connections in these strategic markets as their development accelerates and strong growth forecasts are anticipated for Indonesia (6.4 per cent), Malaysia (5.2 per cent) and Singapore (3.5 per cent) respectively over the next five years.<sup>4</sup></div>
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This selection does not detract from the importance that Victoria ascribes to each of the 11 countries in South East Asia and we remain committed to deeper engagement with each country through ongoing and shared attentiveness, understanding, discussion and exchange.</div>
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What we will do</h3>
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The <em>South East Asia Market Engagement Plan</em> identifies four priority action areas for Victoria:</div>
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Priority one: Facilitate trade and export growth</h4>
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The Victorian Government will:</div>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Lead a Super Trade Mission to South East Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand, in June 2013.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Support Victorian exports through the re-establishment of the Victorian Government Business Office in Jakarta.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Support South East Asia’s infrastructure development needs including sharing Victoria’s experience in delivering public private partnerships.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Work with the Commonwealth Government and aid agencies to develop infrastructure skills training in relevant South East Asian countries.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Develop opportunities through partnerships with regional governments, aid agencies and the private sector to connect in-market education and training demand with Victorian service providers.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Work with Victoria’s domestic airline industry partners and airlines and regulators in South East Asia to capture opportunities across the air transport training lifecycle.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Continue to work with international carriers to attract more direct flights to Melbourne and Avalon Airports.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Continue to work with Tourism Australia and key airline and travel distribution partners including travel agencies to enhance awareness of South East Asian destinations, establish Victoria as an integral element of an Australian itinerary and maximise high yield visitation to Victoria.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Implement a strategic approach to professional health engagement with the countries of South East Asia while promoting Victoria’s healthcare expertise.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Support Victorian automotive businesses to capitalise on opportunities resulting from the recently signed MalaysiaAustralia Free Trade Agreement and to further develop relationships with ASEAN business partners.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Work with partners in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to create export opportunities for Victorian ICT companies, attract investment opportunities and promote Victoria’s ICT capabilities.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Promote Victoria’s ICT capabilities to a regional audience through participation in CommunicAsia2013.</li>
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Priority two: Attract investment and assist businesses to internationalise</h4>
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The Victorian Government will:</div>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Promote Victoria’s proximity, multiculturalism, political and economic stability, and liveability to encourage South East Asianbusinesses, individuals and families to invest and live in Victoria.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Support firms to internationalise through the existing Victorian Government Business Office in Kuala Lumpur and the reestablished Victorian Government Business Office in Jakarta.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Build relationships and explore opportunities with major institutional investors, multinationals with Asia-Pacific Headquarters in South East Asia, and fast growing emerging global investors.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Facilitate a focused and strategic approach to assist Victorian businesses to build banking relationships in South East Asian markets.</li>
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Priority three: Foster deeper relationships with South East Asian nations</h4>
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The Victorian Government will:</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #343331; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.71875px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Augment the Victorian Government’s regional presence of the Victorian Government Business Office in Kuala Lumpur with the re-establishment of the Victorian Government Business Office in Jakarta.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Extend the Victorian Connection program to new markets with leading events held each year in new alumni markets and in existing regional markets of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Take advantage of Victoria’s world class tourism and major events calendar to further engage key South East Asian stakeholders. </li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Pursue opportunities to establish sister state relationships with key provincial governments across the region.</li>
</ul>
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Priority four: Improve Victorians’ understanding of South East Asia’s diversity and facilitate cultural exchange between South East Asia and Victoria</h4>
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The Victorian Government will:</div>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Advocate the benefits to Victorians of learning South East Asian languages.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Support deepening institutional linkages in vocational and higher education.</li>
</ul>
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1. Engagement with South East Asia is essential for Victoria's prosperity</h2>
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Building broader and deeper relationships in international markets is fundamental to the Victorian Government’s plans to deliver long-term economic prosperity for the State.</div>
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The South East Asia Market Engagement Plan sets out the Victorian Government’s approach to strengthening economic ties and the underpinning government and cultural relationships with the South East Asian region, with a particular focus on deeper engagement with Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.</div>
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Rationale for engagement</h3>
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As Victoria seeks to grow, it is evident that great opportunity lies within our region and our close neighbours in South East Asia.</div>
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Victoria’s close proximity and familiarity, mutually reinforced by many years of immigration from the region and South East Asia’s status as Victoria’s most valuable goods export destination, make the region a clear priority market for the State. Victoria’s growing and vibrant South East Asian communities provide expertise and strong links that can facilitate cultural and academic exchanges and trade between Victoria and the region.</div>
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Furthermore, significant trends are shaping the region’s future, which include:</div>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">An increasing regional population of more than 600 million;</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Demographic shifts changing demand patterns; and</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Forecasts of strong economic growth.</li>
</ul>
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South East Asia’s combined GDP of $3.6 trillion (based on purchasing power parity) makes it the sixth largest global economy (after the EU, USA, China, India and Japan). The markets of Indonesia and Malaysia, in particular, are predicted to grow significantly in the foreseeable future.</div>
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Victoria has a number of strengths in which we are globallycompetitive, namely: food services and agriculture; international education; tourism; science, research and development; advanced manufacturing; information communications and technology; energy; arts, culture and sport. Victoria’s competition in South East Asian markets is largely from China, Japan and the United States.<sup>5 </sup>Sector-based competition includes Singapore (foreign direct investment), New Zealand (dairy) and other Australian states (education and training).</div>
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What the State Government can do</h3>
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The Victorian Government recognises that the Commonwealth Government has constitutional responsibility for international relations. However, as a sub-national government, there is an important role in improving the State’s economic performance through a range of mechanisms, including international engagement.</div>
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Through Victoria’s ground-breaking business engagement model, business intelligence collected at the enterprise level is informing and strengthening the State’s strategic relationships with government and non-government organisations. We understand that many businesses are already well positioned in global markets. However, many more opportunities exist for a deeper commitment and the Government has a role in facilitating an operating environment that is conducive to business growth and expansion into international markets.</div>
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Government and institutional links</h3>
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At a national level, discussion and analysis of the dynamic economic shifts centred in our region continue. The Commonwealth Government’s Australia in the Asian Century White Paper (October 2012) put forward a strategy to align Australia’s future prosperity with the emerging economic, social, cultural and educational opportunities occurring in our region, particularly in China and India. Furthermore, the Asialink Commission’s Our Place in the Asian Century, Southeast Asia as ‘The Third Way’ (November 2012) encourages Australia to enhance our international standing by pursuing closer relationships with our nearer neighbours in South East Asia.</div>
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The Victorian Government’s Vision for Languages Education sets out an ambitious plan that all Victorian students in government schools from Prep to Year 10 will be learning a language other than English by 2025. This will ensure we arrest the decline in languages learning in our schools and contribute to building Asia literacy skills across our state. These skills will enhance cultural understanding and promote stronger economic ties.</div>
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The key to all Australians benefiting from the Asian Century is to ensure that our economy is as flexible, competitive and robust as possible. Trade and policy decisions of the Commonwealth profoundly impact the environment in which Victorian businesses operate and their international competitiveness. Therefore, the Victorian Government pursues a focused international agenda that, as a sub-national jurisdiction, reflects the particular opportunities for our State.</div>
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Victoria is committed to fostering business, government and institutional links through a direct presence in the South East Asian region. Victorian Government Business Offices (VGBOs) in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta (to be reopened) continue to strengthen our links and support trade and investment.</div>
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VGBOs open doors for businesses in-market by increasing access to export markets, facilitating investment, direct engagement with government, and providing local business information. </div>
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The Government promotes trade and investment through support for inbound and outbound trade missions that bring key decision makers and influencers, distributors, and investors to meet with Victoria’s exporters and public and private sector stakeholders.</div>
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In addition to relationships with the South East Asian region established through trade and investment, Victoria’s Multicultural Business Ministerial Council and our bilateral chambers of commerce provide insights, links, networks and expertise, encouraging trade and trade relations between Victoria and the region.</div>
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Victoria is also privileged to enjoy strong cultural links with South East Asia through the bond of migration and education. Victorian-educated alumni feature in distinguished roles across South East Asia including many high ranking government officials, royalty, high profile academic experts, business leaders and philanthropists. Strong ties linking alumnus to their peers and their institutions and a familiarity with Victoria’s economic environment, provide a significant opportunity for Victoria in a region where relationships and personal contacts have paramount importance in facilitating trade and investment. </div>
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Victoria's recent engagement with South East Asia </h2>
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Brunei Darussalam</h3>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Brunei Halal inbound trade mission in March 2011</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Direct flights from Brunei to Melbourne with Royal Brunei Airlines</li>
</ul>
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Cambodia</h3>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">VicRoads collaboration with the Cambodian Government on sustainable road asset management systems from 2010 to 2012 Indonesia</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Inbound mission of food and beverage journalists in April/May 2013</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Trade mission to the OzMine mining conference in April 2013</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Trade mission to the Food and Hotel Indonesia Expo in April 2013</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Inbound mission of automotive journalists in March 2013</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Vocational education and training mission in July 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Urbanisation mission in June 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Participation at OzMine in April 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Inbound education mission in April 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Inbound seed potatoes mission in April 2012 </li>
</ul>
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Laos</h3>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Laos Government and mining industry inbound mission August 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">VicRoads funded by the World Bank to assist Laos Government on public works and transport services from 2006 to 2009</li>
</ul>
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Malaysia</h3>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Inbound food and beverage journalists mission in April/May 2013</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Inbound automotive journalists mission in March 2013</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Vocational education and training mission in July 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Urbanisation mission in June 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Automotive research and development mission in March 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Chief Minister of Penang visited Victoria in March 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Automotive mission in November 2010</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Melbourne hosted the 4th World Chinese Economic Forum in November 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Inbound automotive missions in 2010 and 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Urbanisation, building and construction mission in November 2010</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">VGBO Kuala Lumpur opened in October 2009</li>
</ul>
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Myanmar</h3>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Melbourne-based ANZ is the first Australian bank licensed to open a representative office in Myanmar</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Asialink’s Australia-Myanmar Business Taskforce launched in 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Myanmar Parliamentary delegation visited Melbourne in September 2012</li>
</ul>
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The Philippines</h3>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Asian Development Bank inbound mission in August 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Inbound mission of table grape buyers in 2011</li>
</ul>
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Singapore</h3>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Singapore Minister for Manpower visited Victoria in August 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Food Hotel Asia Singapore 2012 mission of 42 Victorian companies</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">CommunicAsia in Singapore mission of 21 ICT companies in June 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Singapore Airshow 2012 mission of 17 Victorian companies</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Urbanisation, building and construction mission in November 2010</li>
</ul>
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Thailand</h3>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Trade mission to Carbon Forum Asia in October 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">English Language Symposium for secondary and vocational level English teachers in October 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Victorian food and beverage promotion mission in August/September 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Inbound visit from Thai Government Civil Service Capacity</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Building delegation in July 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Inbound rail industry mission in February 2012</li>
</ul>
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Timor-Leste</h3>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #343331; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.71875px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Victorian Government recommitment to the Victoria-TimorLeste Memorandum of Understanding in February 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Inbound mission of Timor-Leste Chamber of Commerce in September 2011</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">VECCI led an exploratory trade mission to Timor-Leste in 2009</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Victorian Government support for the Timor-Leste District and Sub-district Administrations Training Program and the Technical and Vocational Education Scholarship Program</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #343331; font-family: arial; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 18.71875px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Vietnam</h3>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #343331; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.71875px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Inbound mission on education and investment in February 2012</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Building and construction mission to Vietnam in May 2011</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;"><a href="http://export.business.vic.gov.au/export-markets/countries/malaysia/south-east-asia-market-engagement-plan">http://export.business.vic.gov.au/export-markets/countries/malaysia/south-east-asia-market-engagement-plan</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;"><h2 style="color: #003366; font-size: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
2. Economic overview - Victoria and South East Asia </h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
South East Asia’s strong economic performance is likely to continue, driven by population growth, growing trade and investment activity and the increasing complexity and international engagement of the major economies of the region– Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and<br />Vietnam. Together these countries are known as the ASEAN 6.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
As a single market, South East Asia is a significant component of the global economy. However, each South East Asian country has a unique demographic, cultural, political and economic development profile. Graph 1 shows this diversity in terms of GDP per capita in the region, forecast to 2018. Singapore is by far the wealthiest nation with a GDP per capita almost double that of all other South East Asian nations combined. Indonesia has the highest GDP, but also has the largest population and therefore a much lower GDP per capita. GDP per capita has increased in all South East Asian countries over the last 20 years; however GDP growth rates vary considerably. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s trade relationship with South East Asia is strong and growing. The region is currently our largest merchandise export market, with Victoria exporting $3.8 billion worth of goods to South East Asia in FY2012.<sup>6</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
At present, the markets of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam account for 95 per cent of the South East Asian economy.<sup>7 </sup>With the exception of Vietnam and the Philippines, these countries are in our top ten export markets for goods, with all maintaining or growing in importance as an export market over the last five years.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
There is much scope for expansion of the trade and investment relationship between Victoria and South East Asia. In the shorter term, the economies of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are each predicted to grow strongly over the next five years, with the International Monetary Fund forecasting growth of 6.4 per cent in Indonesia, 5.2 per cent in Malaysia and 3.5 per cent in Singapore to 2017.<sup>8</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victorian goods exports to the South East Asian region have increased on average, by seven per cent per annum since FY2008 to reach $3.8 billion, as highlighted in Table 1.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<strong>Graph 1: ASEAN 6 - GDP per capita (purchasing power parity)</strong></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<img alt="Graph 1: ASEAN 6 – GDP per capita (purchasing power parity" height="323" hspace="5" src="http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0006/534372/Graph-1-ASEAN-6--GDP-per-capita.jpg" style="border: 0px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" vspace="5" width="653" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<em>Source: World Bank, International Comparison Program database.</em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<strong>TABLE Victorian goods exported to South East Asia 2011-12</strong></div>
<table class="missions" halign="left" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; color: #343331; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.71875px;" valign="top"><tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC" valign="top"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;"><strong>Country</strong></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;"><strong>Victorian export destination ranking FY2012</strong></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;"><strong>Goods exports to FY2012 ($m)</strong></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;"><strong>Average yearly growth FY2008-12</strong></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;"><strong>Key exports (Goods)</strong></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;" valign="top">Singapore</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;" valign="top">Top 5</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">1033</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">14.1%</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">Refined petroleum, dairy and aluminium </td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;" valign="top">Malaysia</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;" valign="top">Top 10</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">692</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">6.7%</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">Refined petroleum, wheat and dairy </td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;" valign="top">Indonesia</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;" valign="top">Top 10</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">683</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">6.8%</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">Wheat, beef and dairy</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;" valign="top">Thailand</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;" valign="top">Top 10</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">651</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">-0.1%</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">Aluminium, wheat and dairy</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;" valign="top">Vietnam</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;" valign="top">Top 20</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">372</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">10.7%</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">Wheat, ferrous waste & scrap and plastic</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;" valign="top">The Philippines</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;" valign="top">Top 25</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">273</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">9.2%</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">Wheat, beef, dairy </td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;" valign="top">Other markets</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;" valign="top">-</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">58</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">-</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">Wheat, dairy, meat and aluminium</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;" valign="top"><strong>TOTAL</strong></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;" valign="top">-</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">3,762</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">7.0%</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;">Wheat, refined petroleum, dairy and aluminium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<em>Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat 5368.0 – International Trade in Goods and Services</em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Almost 50 per cent of Victorian goods exported to the region in FY2012 were primary goods (wheat and dairy) and simply transformed manufactures (aluminium and petroleum). South East Asia is growing in importance as a destination market for Victorian services including international education and tourism. As at December 2012, South East Asian students were the second largest number of international students in Victoria after China. Of the nearly 150,000 international student enrolments from 160 countries, close to 32,500 student enrolments were from South East Asia. Thirty per cent of these student enrolments were from Vietnam and 25 per cent were from Malaysia.<sup>9</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria is also performing strongly in attracting visitors from South East Asia. Since 2008, visitors from the region have grown at a rate of 11 per cent per annum to reach 323,200 visitors in 2012. Victoria imports a large amount of refined ($2.0 billion) and crude ($2.4 billion) petroleum from South East Asia, with the majority of refined petroleum coming Singapore, whilst crude petroleum is imported from Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Brunei.<sup>10</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Other significant imports from the region include automotive vehicles and parts, electrical goods and computers and food products such as seafood, cocoa and fruit.</div>
<h2 style="color: #003366; font-size: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
3. South East Asia’s emerging importance in the global economy </h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
South East Asia has a long history of global strategic importance and as the trade access point between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. As the centre of global economic power shifts to the East, the region is now also emerging as an important contributor to the international economy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Regional integration has been an important feature of South East Asia’s economic rise. With the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) at its core, the region has embarked on a process of market liberalisation and deeper engagement, with ASEAN member states opening up markets to each other through the ASEAN Free Trade Area and also internationally through free trade arrangements with significant trade and investment partners, either as an ASEAN bloc or on an individual basis. Internally, ASEAN continues to work towards the ambitious goal of an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015, including a single market and production base, which will further enhance regional integration.</div>
<h2 style="color: #003366; font-size: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
4. South East Asia is experiencing demographic shifts</h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
South East Asia’s defining economic advantage is its increasingly urbanised population of more than 600 million that is estimated to be growing at around 1.45 per cent per year. In comparison, the world rate is estimated to be 1.16 per cent, China 0.48 per cent and India 1.37 per cent.<sup>11</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Much of the region’s population is young, with 66 per cent in, or about to enter, the working-age demographic (15-64) and a further 28 per cent are under 15 years of age. This young workforce is contributing to South East Asia’s current and forecast competitive advantage in the world economy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
As the populations of South East Asian countries grow and national and individual wealth increases, the demographic structure of populations also change. Across the region, this large, young workforce is driving investment in education and skills training in addition to increasing the demand for goods.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Furthermore, improved living standards mean people are living longer, healthier and increasingly urbanised lives.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Over time, as the current group of young workers transitions into older age, economic demand shifts from young peoples’ needs (entertainment, food, education and mobility) to the needs of older people, namely, housing, health and aged care.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Also as wealth increases, family sizes decrease and, ultimately, populations decline.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
South East Asia’s current and forecast population growth is driving strong demand for basic goods and even greater demand for services such as, infrastructure, food services, transport, education, entertainment and leisure and ICT. Victoria is well placed to build on opportunities emerging as a result of these regional trends.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Graph 2: South East Asia and Australia – median age</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<img alt="Graph 2: South East Asia and Australia – median age" height="165" hspace="5" src="http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0003/534423/Graph-2-South-East-Asia-and-Australia--median-age.jpg" style="border: 0px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" vspace="5" width="587" /> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<em>Source: CIA World Factbook</em></div>
<h2 style="color: #003366; font-size: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
5. South East Asia's growth is intensifying demand for goods and services<em> </em></h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
South East Asia’s rapid modernisation is no more evident than in the massive growth of industries involved in the provision of goods and services. For example, efficient transport systems reduce the delivery costs of other products and increase competitiveness along the supply chain.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria has a number of service industries that are, or are emerging as, internationally competitive. These include: food services, education and training, tourism, urbanisation and infrastructure, information communications and technology, financial services and healthcare.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s industry requires connectivity and one of Victoria’s key strengths is Melbourne’s position as Australia’s transport hub. Melbourne Airport hosts 25 international carriers with more than five million international passengers each year. The Port of Melbourne is the southern hemisphere’s largest container port, handling almost 40 per cent of Australia’s container trade. Other major ports in Victoria are Geelong, south-west of Melbourne and Portland, in the State’s west.</div>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Food</h3>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The opportunity</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Domestic consumer demand and tourism are driving a proliferation of supermarket chains, food service outlets, and restaurants, premium food and beverage supply to hotels across the region, especially in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. In particular, demand has recently increased in foods that Victoria produces including, wheat based foods (noodles, breads, cakes) and some dairy products (milk, milk powder, higher value milk derivatives and cheese).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Food and beverage is Victoria’s largest export category to South East Asia and smaller producers are able to compete in markets of considerable size. Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam are all top ten food export markets for Victoria. The combined South East Asian market accounted for more than $1. billion of Victoria’s food exports in FY2012, which is more than double the value of our food exports to Japan ($776 million), Victoria’s largest single export market.<sup>12</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
As regional markets have developed, the regulation of food imports and the adoption of national standards (including quarantine) have also increased. Deeper government to government engagement will encourage less trade restrictive approaches and address countries’ food security needs as they face shortages of arable land, particularly in the markets of Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s strengths</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria is very competitive in food and associated food technology exports to South East Asia for a number of reasons, including: reliably clean, safe and green production; proximity, efficient and timely freight and logistics supply chains to market; reliable supply of products where South East Asian countries have low self-sufficiency, such as processed dairy, meat, beverages, grains and counter seasonal horticultural products; and specialisation in premium niche markets, such as nutriceuticals for the young and aged.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
What we will do</h4>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Provide in-market support through the Victorian Government Business Offices in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and in Melbourne to help Victorian food production and food service businesses gain a foothold in South East Asian markets with market-specific information (such as, local food preferences).</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Facilitate business networks and relationships with food buyers in South East Asian countries.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Facilitate participation in trade shows.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Support inbound trade missions and visiting buyers from South East Asia to attend events such as, for example, the International Food Trade Week March 2013 in Melbourne.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Education and training</h3>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The opportunity</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
South East Asian governments have identified a key objective in achieving their economic goals is a productive workforce and higher skilled people. Knowledge-based economies require high quality education systems and currently, some countries are experiencing an imbalance between the skills produced by their education systems and growing industry demand.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
In particular, growing economies are challenged with providing better education outcomes such as:</div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Improving teaching skills.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Better integration of education to meet industry needs.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Improving basic and technical skills of graduates.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Improving education-related infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The increasing need for enhanced research collaboration and skills training to support growing industries is evident across most South East Asian economies. This need is clearly demonstrated, for example, in the extensive modernisation in South East Asia’s maritime and aerospace markets. The region is one of the few global defence markets currently experiencing growth. The Indonesian Government, for example, has identified its need for pilot training and air transport technicians, estimating its growing fleet and airline needs will require at least 500 pilots per year and 1,000 technicians per year to cope with the increasing demand in its air transport industries.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Demand is also growing for capacity building support to: develop educational frameworks, policy and curriculum; to train staff; and help establish new teaching facilities. Other industries that draw on Victoria’s education expertise include agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality, energy, mechanical trades, and mining.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s strengths</h4>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Victoria is home to Australia’s number one university which is among the world’s top 30 in 2012 and has four of Australia’s top 20 universities.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Melbourne consistently rates as the world’s most liveable city and is ranked fourth top student city in the world (after Paris, London and Boston).</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Melbourne is famous for its research as a Knowledge City with multiple research precincts and the Australian Synchrotron, and as a designated UNESCO City of Literature.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Victoria recorded around 150,000 international student enrolments from 165 countries in 2012.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Victoria is Australia’s leader in transnational (offshore) education, providing education to more than 80,000 students outside Australia in approximately 33 countries in 2011.</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
What we will do</h4>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Victoria’s International Education Cluster for South East Asia is developing opportunities through partnerships with regional governments, aid agencies and the private sector to connect in-market education and training demand with Victorian service providers. Cluster members include Victorian universities, TAFE institutes and private education and training providers. The cluster model provides economies of scale that allow service providers to compete in high volume markets.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Support Victorian education and training organisations to expand partnerships in the region through continuation of the Education Services Managers network.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Support deepening institutional linkages in vocational and higher education.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Work with partners in Victoria’s domestic airline industry and airlines and regulators in South East Asia to capture opportunities across the training lifecycle.</li>
</ul>
<table bgcolor="#D8D8D8" class="missions" halign="left" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; color: #343331; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.71875px;" valign="top"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;"><h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
International education is Victoria’s most valuable export sector </h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria is well placed to be a regional leader in international education with 32 per cent of Australia’s enrolments from South East Asian countries. The top five source countries from the region are Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore. Vietnam is now Victoria’s third largest source of international students after China and India. Victoria is currently the preferred destination in Australia for student enrolments from Vietnam (44 per cent), Malaysia (38 per cent) and Singapore (32 per cent). Victoria also receives a sizeable proportion of student enrolments from Indonesia (31 per cent).<sup>13</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s industry-centric Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector and world class university system offers students and their industries a competitive edge in the labour markets. The Victorian Government’s Education Services Manager network assists international education providers to access opportunities in-market.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria has a long history of higher education engagement in the region, including many decades of Victorian-educated graduates and many institutions providing services through in-market campuses or partnerships. While the breadth of Victorian educational institutions currently operating in South East Asia is extensive, Victorian universities and VET providers that have established in-market education services include the following:</div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Monash University’s Sunway Campus was the first foreign university in Malaysia when it opened in 1998.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">In 2000, Swinburne University opened a branch campus in Malaysia in partnership with the provincial government. Swinburne Sarawak has grown rapidly, with over 3,000 students from more than 40 countries.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">In 2001, RMIT University became the first foreign university campus in Vietnam. RMIT Vietnam saw more than 1,700 students graduate in 2012, bringing the total number of RMIT graduates in Vietnam to more than 5,000. In 2012, RMIT’s partnership with the Singapore Institute of Management celebrated its 25th anniversary. Today, the partnership involves more than 6,500 current students and 24,000 graduates.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">William Angliss Institute has partner campuses in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with the Berjaya University College of Hospitality and in Bangkok, Thailand with the Dusit Thani College. The Singapore Workforce Development Agency appointed William Angliss Institute to set up an integrated Continuing Education and Training Centre to deliver training for the tourism and hospitality industry as well as to conduct national skills assessment for existing tourism workers.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Box Hill Institute provides Australian qualifications through 20 educational partners in South East Asia. Box Hill Institute’s Singapore campus has established world class training for the community and social services sector to provide Singapore Workforce Development Agency qualifications.</li>
</ul>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Tourism services</h3>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The opportunity</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Developing new tourism-related infrastructure, including integrated resorts, airports, rail networks and hotels, is a priority for most South East Asian countries with tourism within the region experiencing unprecedented growth. More than 73 million international arrivals (including 47 per cent sourced intra-region) in 2010 provided an 11 per cent increase over 2009.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria has performed strongly in attracting visitors from South East Asia in recent years and more than 460,000 visitors are expected from South East Asia by 2021-22. This represents average annual growth of four per cent per annum during the next decade. In comparison, visitors from China are expected to grow to approximately 500,000 in the same period, a rate of six per cent per annum. India is the fastest growing visitor market with average annual growth of seven per cent per annum that is anticipated to reach 128,000 by 2021-22.<sup>14</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The mature visitor markets of Singapore and Malaysia, in particular, disperse into regional Victoria, often along self-drive touring routes. Out of Victoria’s top eight source markets for international visitors, the highest expenditure per night is from Singapore, followed by Indonesia and Malaysia. In terms of expenditure per trip, the highest yielding market for Victoria is Indonesia, followed by China, Malaysia and Singapore.<sup>15</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Business tourism from South East Asia is also growing strongly, with increases in business tourism from Malaysia (+26.4 per cent) and Singapore (+9.5 per cent) in the year ending December 2012.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s strengths</h4>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Victoria’s tourism offering to the South East Asian markets include:</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">A cooler climate, high quality shopping, entertainment and nightlife, and outstanding food and wine experiences.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Easy access to the natural beauty and wildlife of Victoria’s regions, including Victoria’s snowfields.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Excellent infrastructure for major events, including business events.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">A strong student population which generates significant ‘Visiting Friends and Relatives’ traffic.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">The range of low-cost travel options made available by low cost carriers, greater air connectivity and the increasing number of individuals travelling overseas will remain the main catalysts behind the anticipated strong growth in inbound visitor numbers from South East Asia.</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
What we will do</h4>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Maintain Tourism Victoria’s South East Asia regional office in Singapore and work with our public relations partners in Malaysia and Indonesia to stimulate growth in inbound visitor numbers from the region.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Continue to work with Tourism Australia and key airline and travel distribution partners including travel agencies to enhance awareness of Victorian destinations.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Establish Victoria as an integral element of an Australian itinerary.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Maximise high yield visitation.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Urbanisation and infrastructure</h3>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The opportunity</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Underpinned by regional Governments’ master plans for economic growth, the urbanisation of South East Asia is driving infrastructure development. However, substantial investment is required to meet basic civil infrastructure needs (power, transport, water, land remediation and telecoms) in addition to building modern services such as hospitals, airports and advanced communications.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Governments across South East Asia have acknowledged that private sector participation in infrastructure development is essential to their future growth and are increasingly implementing policies to facilitate improved delivery of infrastructure through public private partnerships (PPP).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
There are opportunities for Victoria in South East Asia as a destination for ‘green capital’. Indonesia is attracting overseas technology and capital in water treatment, waste to energy and carbon sequestration projects. The Philippines is the world’s second largest geothermal market.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s strengths</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s infrastructure and urbanisation service providers are recognised as world class in:</div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Sustainable cities and urban masterplanning.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Project management, civil engineering, quantity surveying and cost controlling.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Architecture (in 2010, Melbourne firm Fender Katsalidis won the tender to design the tallest building in the southern hemisphere, the Warisan Merdeka tower in Kuala Lumpur).</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Health infrastructure: hospital design and systems.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">PPP expertise: governance and legal frameworks, risk management and procurement systems, and financial modelling and controlling.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Water engineering and technologies.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Freight and logistics infrastructure, ports and airports.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Intelligent transport systems.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Leading-edge green building technologies and systems.</li>
</ul>
<table bgcolor="#D8D8D8" class="missions" halign="left" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; color: #343331; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.71875px;" valign="top"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;"><h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Case study: Vedaleon</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Vedaleon Technologies is a privately owned company employing 21 staff headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria. Commencing ten years ago, Vedaleon has created and grown a niche market in the aviation services industry.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Vedaleon develops eCommerce and IT solutions for air transport service providers across the globe and in particular in the fast growing South East Asian and Pacific air services markets.<br />Vedaleon provides full eCommerce solutions to the Lion Air Group, Air Tahiti Nui and India’s Jet Airways as well as a range of airlines operating in the Asia-Pacific market.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Vedaleon is currently working with global aviation systems provider SITA to develop automated bag drop and real-time passenger management software solutions that have been launched with Jetstar. These solutions provide major opportunities for airports and airlines to improve passenger experience, asset utilisation, ancillary<br />revenue streams and rates of return.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Vedaleon sees that its export program is enhanced by the Victorian Government’s focus on developing new relationships and growth strategies for Victorian companies in South East Asian markets. Many of these markets are experiencing significant growth and Vedaleon believes it is ideally placed with leading edge products and extensive industry expertise to aid customers with a range of proven tools and solutions designed to minimise cost and maximise efficiency and effectiveness.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Vedaleon looks forward to being part of the Victorian government export program and to benefiting from the range of services and senior level meetings that small businesses struggle to deliver and secure on their own.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
What we will do</h4>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Assist knowledge transfer, training and education to promote Victoria’s infrastructure development experience.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Facilitate business to government relationships and business to business networks in South East Asian infrastructure markets.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Work with the Commonwealth Government and aid agencies to develop infrastructure skills training in relevant South East Asian countries.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Environmental services</h3>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The opportunity</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The emerging economies of South East Asia are well positioned to take advantage of a wealth of environmental sustainability and climate change knowledge and experience in neighbouring countries such as Australia to ensure their long-term economic progress is aligned with environmentally sustainable growth.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria has particular expertise in the areas of:</div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Supporting clean technology, recycling and green building systems in urban environments.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Assisting industry with compliance and regulatory frameworks.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Remediation of contaminated environments, clean air and water systems.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Establishing robust environmental sustainability controls and reforms.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Developing appropriate tourism opportunities in environmentally sensitive areas such as national parks.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s strengths</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria is a national leader in delivering environment reforms and regulatory improvements as a foundation for a cleaner environment, particularly in the areas of regulatory frameworks and environmental standards. Victoria has a long history of leadership in environmental governance, establishing the world’s second oldest Environment Protection Authority, the Victorian EPA, which provides best practice pollution regulation to support a liveable and prosperous community. This goal is endorsed each time Melbourne is voted the world’s most liveable city. Victoria boasts clean air, clean water and world class natural tourism attractions.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
What we will do</h4>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Partner with local governments, businesses and aid agencies throughout South East Asia on projects to clean up waterways<br />and improve air quality.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Share knowledge and experience of innovative financing mechanisms for critical environmental works and urban systems.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Establish partnerships with South East Asian governments to continuously improve environmental protection frameworks.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Support local businesses to establish relationships and business opportunities in South East Asian markets for high end specialist services and clean technology capabilities.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Partner with governments and businesses on environmental plans and technologies.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Work with regional industries and agencies on new resource recovery measures to help reduce waste and to improve recycling, to cut the volume of waste going to landfill sites.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Information communications and technology (ICT)</h3>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The opportunity</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Across South East Asia, governments are leveraging the fast and pervasive integration of ICT through business and personal use to transform the economic and cultural quality of life for vast numbers of people. The region is striving to be a global ICT hub and is doing so at a greater rate than the rest of the world by increasing access to affordable technologies, encouraging training in ICT jobs and cross-country initiatives to bridge the digital divide both between countries and within countries.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Drivers of rapid modernisation of ICT in South East Asia include:</div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Increased consumer spending on connectivity, internet use and devices.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Vast industry expansion which is underpinned by ICT.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Emergence of hi-tech corridors within individual countries. </li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Industry specialisation (for example, software development in Vietnam, cloud and business process services in Singapore).</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Government initiatives, such as investment in broadband networks and extending ICT services to rural areas (for example, Indonesia’s target of all rural areas receiving ICT coverage by 2015).</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s strengths</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria has recognised capability across many ICT disciplines. Some of the greatest potential and scale of opportunity across the key South East Asian markets include: mobile technology, spatial technology, e-Learning and e-Health, banking and finance IT and wireless and broadband.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
What we will do:</h4>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Work with partners in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to create export opportunities for Victorian ICT companies, attract investment opportunities and promote Victoria’s ICT capabilities.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Promote Victoria’s regional ICT capabilities through participation in CommunicAsia2013 in Singapore.</li>
</ul>
<table bgcolor="#D8D8D8" class="missions" halign="left" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; color: #343331; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.71875px;" valign="top"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;"><h2 style="color: #003366; font-size: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Case study: William Angliss Institute using ICT to deliver education and training in South East Asia</h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<br />Victoria’s William Angliss Institute uses ICT connectivity to deliver teaching and learning resources to improve the mobility of tourism professionals throughout South East Asian countries.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
William Angliss Institute has campuses in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, providing education, training and consultancy services to international tourism,<br />hospitality and food industries. William Angliss Institute has been working with the ASEAN Secretariat since 2005.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The Common ASEAN Tourism Curriculum project is improving human resource capabilities to offer better standards of service and ensure consistent quality of products and services across the region over time, narrowing the gap between developed and developing countries within the region.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
William Angliss Institute has utilised its curriculum expertise to develop a Common ASEAN Tourism Curriculum (CATC). The CATC along with a Regional Qualifications Framework and Skill Recognition System (RQFSRS) developed 242 competency standards for 52 qualifications across six labour divisions of the tourism industry (front office, housekeeping, food and beverage, food production, tour operations and travel agencies).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The CATC has been endorsed by all ASEAN member countries. The endorsed competency standards and curriculum framework provide the blueprint of the standards required for training tourism professionals across South East Asia, promoting uniformity and consistency of tourism training programs and promoting labour mobility in the region.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
William Angliss Institute used ICT to disseminate and engage with industry stakeholders, including online surveys and a web based repository of the 242 competency standards for easy access by participating tourism professionals.South East Asia Market Engagement Plan 2013 23</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Financial services</h3>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The opportunity</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Along with demand for traditional consumer products, the demand for financial services is also increasing. There are growing opportunities in South East Asia for wealth management, funds management, project and infrastructure finance and Islamic finance. Accessing the region’s financial services market will require Victorian businesses to identify their niche in terms of skills and products.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s strengths</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Recognising the importance of Islamic finance, Victoria is developing expertise in this growing market and was the first state in Australia to ensure financial institutions are<br />able to operate in accordance with Islamic finance principles.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Melbourne is home to the National Centre for Islamic Studies and a number of the city’s tertiary institutions offer programs on Islamic finance.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
What we will do</h4>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Facilitate a focused and strategic approach to assist Victorian firms to build local investment and finance relationships in South East Asian markets.</li>
</ul>
<table bgcolor="#D8D8D8" class="missions" halign="left" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; color: #343331; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.71875px;" valign="top"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;"><h2 style="color: #003366; font-size: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Case study: Amanie Advisors Australia</h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Amanie is an independent Shariah global advisory firm founded on the core values of integrity, transparency, commitment and accountability. The group has a deep understanding and vast experience in designing Shariahcompliant financial products including sukuk, investment funds, structured products, and liquidity instruments.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
When Amanie decided to expand its global reach into the Asia Pacific and complement its Seoul and Kuala Lumpur offices, Amanie chose Melbourne to establish its Australian presence. Key to Amanie’s decision were factors such as the broad and deep cluster of sophisticated financial service firms, the significant size of capital under management and more specifically the Victorian Government’s Gulf States Engagement Strategy which Amanie saw as an alignment of the State’s intentions with its own.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
On April 16, 2013 Amanie held its first Australian Islamic finance forum in Melbourne. The day attracted the Australian financial community and focused on Islamic finance’s growing role internationally. The forum fostered an environment for high quality discussion and networking amongst attendees.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
South East Asia represents a significant opportunity for Australian business and Amanie can attest to the benefits of undertaking business in the region.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Healthcare</h3>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The opportunity</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
South East Asia’s emerging economies are increasingly reliant on private investment to assist governments in healthcare delivery. In the face of continued population growth and rising expectations of care, some countries are looking to increase the GDP proportion of their health expenditure.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Opportunities for Victoria in South East Asia’s healthcare markets include: health products; management and consulting services for new health systems development; attracting new foreign investment into Victoria’s health sector; and medical research exports.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria also has opportunities to grow exports in the areas of medical and health education and training, biotechnology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and mental health programs.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s strengths</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria has a strong international reputation for health services expertise and particular strengths in the health and aged care sector including:</div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Planning and design of health and aged care facilities.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Development and delivery of management systems.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Formal training in acute, allied, mental health and aged care.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Formal training in managing health and aged care organisations, including workforce planning.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Health systems management, including government compliance/legislative/policy/quality assurance and business and government partnerships.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Medical research.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Biotechnology.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Medical devices.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Health related IT systems.</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
What we will do:</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Implement a strategic approach to professional health engagement with the countries of South East Asia to facilitate mutually beneficial outcomes while promoting Victoria’s healthcare expertise.</div>
<table bgcolor="#D8D8D8" class="missions" halign="left" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; color: #343331; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.71875px;" valign="top"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;"><h2 style="color: #003366; font-size: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Case study: Hella Australia</h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Hella Australia, proudly headquartered in Melbourne since 1961 and part of the global Hella organisation headquartered in Germany, is one of Australia’s premier automotive component suppliers and has been engaged in Asia for some time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
More recently Hella Australia has experienced great success in Malaysia and is well positioned to grow in other South East Asian markets. Hella Australia’s success has, among other things, built on the company’s willingness to continuously develop world-class technologies in a range of different industries and provide training and development to employees at all levels.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
As South East Asian markets continue to grow, so do consumer preferences. This is driving a focus on higher quality and value products for domestic consumption, along with the demand for higher quality products for export markets. This again provides opportunities for businesses such as Hella to bring an appropriate balance<br />of quality and value to these growing markets.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The Hella approach has been to identify key markets where it can deliver superior products and understand the pitfalls that can be avoided with careful planning and research.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Automotive production</h3>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The opportunity</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Total automotive vehicle production in South East Asia is estimated to increase from three million units in 2012-13 to more than five million units by 2017. This growth is largely increased sales of vehicles especially in Indonesia and increased export of vehicles from Thailand.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Opportunities exist in the significant automotive markets of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam for Victoria’s technical collaborations in automotive components, research and development, engineering and design, high value components, process improvement and engineering, greencar technology, automotive aftermarket and performance enhancement.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victorian automotive companies currently engaged with the region include:</div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">MTM has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with Proreka (Malaysia).</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Hella has secured two contracts with Proton (Malaysia) for the supply of rear lamps.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">AutoCRC’s collaboration with Proton through the Malaysian Automotive Institute.</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s strengths</h4>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">A track record of on time and in full delivery.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">R&D, design, engineering, product and process development, and advanced manufacturing.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Design, develop and manufacture components from concept through to production.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Product testing to global safety standards.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Significant tooling design and build capability.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Small scale capability and broad experience base.</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
What we will do</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Support Victorian automotive businesses to capitalise on opportunities resulting from the recently signed Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement and to further develop relationships with ASEAN business partners.</div>
<h2 style="color: #003366; font-size: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
6. South East Asia is a region of economic diversity</h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The vast demographic, cultural, political and economic differences in the countries of South East Asia have often been the basis for a lively engagement with the world. Regional diversity means that each South East Asian country has its own particular internal characteristics that are driving enormous changes.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria aspires to developing deeper engagement with each of the 11 countries in South East Asia and this Market Engagement Plan identifies ways that closer ties can be progressed over the coming years. In the shorter term, however, there are important trade and investment opportunities in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore that can be developed for mutual benefit through Victoria’s existing business, institutional, cultural and government relationships.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore account for 56.5 per cent of South East Asia’s combined GDP (purchasing power parity)<sup>16</sup> and Victoria is well placed to tap into the strong growth forecast in these economies over the next five years of, Indonesia (6.4 per cent), Malaysia (5.2 per cent) and Singapore (3.5 per cent) respectively.<sup>17</sup>This selection does not detract from the importance that Victoria ascribes to each of the 11 countries in South East Asia and we remain committed to deeper engagement with each country through ongoing and shared attentiveness, understanding, discussion and exchange.</div>
<blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
“Hella Australia has over many years collected experiences in our neighbouring countries. This has led to direct business in South East Asia as well as investment into the region such as in the Philippines. It takes a long-term approach as well as understanding the different and diverse cultures in the South East Asian region.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Lothar F. Schmidt, Director OE Sales, Hella Australia Pty Ltd</div>
</blockquote>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Indonesia</h3>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The opportunity</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Indonesia is rapidly emerging as a regional and global economic powerhouse. Indonesia has the largest economy and population in South East Asia and is the fourth largest economy in East Asia (after China, Japan and the Republic of Korea). Demographic projections indicate an additional 90 million Indonesians will have joined the world’s consuming class by 2030 and Indonesia will have grown to become the world’s seventh-largest economy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Indonesia’s ambitious economic development plans present challenges and opportunities for Victoria to strengthen relationships at the provincial as well as national level of the Indonesian Government. At the provincial level, there is a role for the Victorian Government to advocate Victoria’s interests and facilitate opportunities arising from Indonesia’s growth. For example, many provincial Indonesian governments have a high demand for new infrastructure, such as airports and shipping ports to improve logistics and efficiencies across thousands of Indonesian islands. This is an area in which Victorian businesses have acknowledged experience in developing projects to successful completion.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Other opportunities for Victorian businesses to deepen their Indonesian relationships include: education and training for the vast numbers of middle income earners employed in Indonesia’s emerging service industries; food services and agribusiness (Indonesia is the largest food market in South East Asia); information and communications technology; tourism; healthcare and pharmaceuticals; automotive (particularly fuel-efficiency); mining services; and clean technology.<sup>18</sup></div>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Master Plan: Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia Economic Development 2011-2528 South East Asia Market Engagement Plan 2013</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The Indonesian Government’s economic plan is aimed at accelerating economic growth whilst ensuring development includes the country’s poorer regions; much of Indonesia’s recent growth has centred on Jakarta, while the rest of the country has been slower to develop.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The total investment required under the plan is an estimated IDR 4,000 trillion (A$400 billion) with the Indonesian Government contributing approximately 10 per cent and the remainder to be funded through private sector and public private partnership.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The plan focuses capital spending on a number of key areas including: skills and education; infrastructure; resource efficiency; inequality and regional disparity; governance, regulation and security. There are a number of areas in which Victoria is well positioned to assist, including: </div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">International education.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Research and development partnerships.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Professional services (particularly project management, legal, financial).</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Infrastructure and urban planning.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">PPP.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Government capability building.</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Current Links</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s current engagement with Indonesia has strong informal networks and relationships fostered through migration and educational ties over many years. Indonesia is currently the fifth largest source of international student enrolments in Victoria.<sup>19</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Trade between Victoria and Indonesia has grown significantly over recent years, especially in Victorian food exports, such as wheat and dairy. Indonesia is Victoria’s tenth largest merchandise trading partner with two-way merchandise trade between Victoria and Indonesia during FY2012 valued at A$2.13 billion.<sup>20</sup> Indonesia is a modest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Victoria, but there has been notable investment such as the Halim Group’s purchase of Melbourne’s iconic Windsor Hotel.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s strengths</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria has highly regarded experience in urban planning, civil infrastructure, architecture, public-private partnerships, water engineering technologies, health and education system design and ICT, that can assist Indonesia’s ambitious development plans. In addition, Victoria’s food services and agribusiness industries have a reputation for clean, green produce.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victorian-educated alumni are prominent in Indonesian government and business and are strong ambassadors for the State. Victorian education institutions have a good reputation in Indonesia. An increasing number of Victorian tertiary and TAFE institutions are offering education and training programs catering for the skills needed, in-country as well as in Victoria.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Market challenges</h4>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Highly decentralised government administration. Much of Indonesia’s decision-making authority and responsibility for action is largely located at the provincial level.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Dealing with complex and unfamiliar regulatory environments along with commercial contract administration can be time consuming. Therefore, great importance is placed on informal business agreements and professional networks. </li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Infrastructure limitations can constrain productivity and impede foreign investment.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Internal security issues, terrorism and civil unrest in some regions have the potential to deter business.</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
What we will do</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<strong>Priority one: Facilitate trade and export growth with Indonesia</strong></div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Lead a Super Trade Mission to South East Asia, including Indonesia, in June 2013.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Support Victorian exports through the re-establishment of the Victorian Government Business Office in Jakarta.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Support Indonesia’s infrastructure development needs including sharing Victoria’s experience in delivering PPPs through:</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;"><ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">partnering with the University of Melbourne to deliver an intensive tailored PPP study tour for senior Indonesian Government officials in May 2013; and</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;"><ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">hosting an Infrastructure/PPP roundtable in Jakarta in June 2013.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Work with Victoria’s domestic airline industry partners and airlines and regulators in Indonesia to capture opportunities across the air transport training lifecycle.</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<strong>Priority two: Attract Indonesian investment and assist businesses to internationalise</strong></div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Promote Victoria’s proximity, stability, liveability and multiculturalism to encourage Indonesian businesses, individuals and families to invest and live in Victoria.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Support firms to internationalise through the new Victorian Government Business Office in Jakarta.</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<strong>Priority three: Foster deeper relationships with Indonesia</strong></div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Increase the Victorian Government’s presence in South East Asia with the re-establishment of the Victorian Government Business Office in Jakarta.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Extend the Victorian Connection program to Indonesia with leading events held each year.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Strengthen engagement with Indonesia’s provincial governments.</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<strong>Priority four: Improve Victorians’ understanding of Indonesia</strong></div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Advocate the benefits to Victorians of learning Bahasa Indonesia.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Support deepening institutional linkages in vocational and higher education.<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Malaysia</h3>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The opportunity</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Malaysia is Victoria’s ninth largest trading partner, with twoway trade worth $2.9 billion in FY2012. Malaysia’s major exports to Victoria include crude petroleum, computers and telecommunications equipment. Victoria’s major exports to Malaysia include refined petroleum, wheat, dairy and prepared food products.<sup>21</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Malaysia’s population of 29 million makes it the third largest economy in South East Asia, with GDP (purchasing power parity) of $492 billion.<sup>22</sup> Domestic demand is driving high growth in Malaysia’s services sector (6.3 per cent in January-March 2013) and the construction sector continues to grow vigorously at 18.1 per cent in January-March 2013.<sup>23</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victorian companies are expected to increase their engagement following the successful conclusion of the MalaysiaAustralia Free Trade Agreement and the release of significant infrastructure and construction projects arising from Malaysian Government’s 10th economic plan.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
These projects comprise 52 PPP projects worth RM63 billion (A$20.3 billion). Among the 52 PPP projects are:</div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Seven tolled highways at an estimated value of RM19 billion (A$6.1 billion).</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Two coal-fired electricity generation plants (RM7 billion/A$2.3 billion).</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Malaysian Rubber Board’s land development (RM10 billion/A$3.2 billion).</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Petronas LNG Melaka plant (RM3 billion/A$968 million).</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Two aluminium smelters in Sarawak (RM18 billion/A$5.8 billion).</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
In addition to basic infrastructure development of almost 12,000 kilometres of new roads and clean water to more than 95 per cent of rural households, Malaysia’s infrastructure initiatives to support growth and productivity targets include broadband penetration of 75 per cent by 2015. RM2.7 billion (A$71 million) is allocated to build roads and rail access to key ports and airports to improve trade efficiency and logistics systems.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Aviation developments in 2012-13 in terms of direct flight access to key cities in Australia include potential increases to Melbourne. These developments are an indication of the growth potential of the Malaysian market to Victoria.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Malaysia has an open and accessible private education system as illustrated by the establishment of international campuses of respected institutions including Victoria’s Monash University and Swinburne University. Specific Malaysian education initiatives to increase workforce capabilities include:</div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">RM150 million (A$48.4 million) to train 20,000 early school leavers.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">RM7.5 million (A$2.5 million) to train coaches, instructors and facilitators and strengthen the performance culture in Malaysian universities.</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Upgrading the skills of Malaysia’s existing workforce offers opportunities for Victoria’s Vocational Education and Training service providers including:</div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">RM500 million (A$161 million) for training and skills upgrading.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">RM50 million (A$16 million) for training and skills upgrading of small and medium enterprise employees.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">RM50 million (A$16 million) to co-sponsor employees to obtain industrial PhDs.</li>
</ul>
<table bgcolor="#D8D8D8" class="missions" halign="left" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; color: #343331; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.71875px;" valign="top"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;"><h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The 10th Malaysia Plan</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The key message of the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) is that change is critical if Malaysia is to benefit from the shift of economic power to Asia. The Government’s target is to achieve a high income and developed nation in just ten years.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Malaysia’s challenges include: a lack of private sector investment, declining productivity, inefficient use of resources and skills shortages.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The 10MP provides the platform to transform the Malaysian economy towards a high-income nation and full employment It is a plan for a private sector-led economy with innovation-led growth and the restructuring of subsidies. The 10MP includes a Facilitation Fund that is assisting the implementation of 52 PPP projects worth RM63 billion (A$20.3 billion).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Malaysia is encouraging more foreign direct investment, especially into small and medium sized businesses (SMEs). Currently SMEs make up 99.2 per cent of all businesses in Malaysia, contributing 56.4 per cent of total employment and 31 per cent to GDP.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Malaysia is implementing business friendly measures through a special taskforce, Pemudah (The Victorian Government’s equivalent measures include the Red Tape Commissioner and red tape reduction targets). The impact of the Pemudah is evident in Malaysia’s rise to 12th place from a ranking in 2009 of 20th place in the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ rankings.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Current links</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria has long-standing cultural ties with Malaysia and Victoria is home to more than 35,000 Malaysia-born people.<sup>24</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The Victorian Government Business Office in Kuala Lumpur provides in-market services and support to develop and maintain relationships with potential and current South East Asian investors and facilitates Victorian exports into South East Asia.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s strengths</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s automotive industry has developed close relations with the Malaysian automotive industry through a series of missions aiming to improve design and engineering skills in Malaysia.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
This has culminated in collaborative agreements between respective national automotive research institutions, training bodies and automotive industry associations. Importantly, this engagement has provided the platform for numerous business agreements and deals for Victorian research institutes, design services and component suppliers with Malaysian suppliers and the Malaysian national car manufacturers. These agreements set the platform for a broader engagement and scope of business in the future.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Malaysia is a strong market for Victorian-branded food and beverage products. This means that smaller producers are able to compete in a market of considerable size and opportunity.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria has a reputation as a producer of clean, green produce.Victoria has significant capability in clean technology, especially in the research and development of water, waste, energy efficiency, advanced manufacturing and materials, environmental engineering and remediation, pollution reduction and monitoring and intelligent transport solutions.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s globally recognised strengths in the planning, design and construction of sustainable and efficient buildings and cities can tap into Malaysia’s large scale urbanisation programs. These plans include the restoration of rivers and waterfronts and the challenges brought by air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions and water pollution. Malaysia is a key tourism market for Victoria. In the year ending December 2012, there were 95,900 Malaysian overnight visitors to Victoria, an 8.6 per cent increase on the previous year. Victoria also attracted the largest share of expenditure by Malaysian visitors to Australia (35.2 per cent).<sup>25</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Aviation developments have had a dramatic effect on this market over recent years. The growth in low cost carriers, as exemplified by the spectacular growth of AirAsia and AirAsia X, has transformed outbound tourism from Malaysia.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Market challenges</h4>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Continuing strength of the Australian dollar.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Australian airport taxes are high in relation to competing destinations.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Variable quality control of imported automotive components can create bottlenecks in Victoria’s production supply chains.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Victorian automotive businesses are aiming to improve their profit margins by moving away from low volume, low value added products to niche and high value component products.</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
What we will do</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<strong>Priority one: Facilitate trade and export growth with Malaysia</strong></div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Lead a Super Trade Mission to South East Asia, including Malaysia, in June 2013.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Through the Victorian Government Business Office Kuala Lumpur, continue developing trade links, supporting inbound and outbound trade missions and in-market business support.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Support Victorian automotive businesses to capitalise on opportunities resulting from the recently signed MalaysiaAustralia Free Trade Agreement and to further develop relationships with ASEAN business partners.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Work with partners in Kuala Lumpur to create export opportunities for Victorian ICT companies, attract investment and promote Victoria’s ICT capabilities.</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<strong>Priority two: Attract Malaysian investment and assist businesses to internationalise </strong></div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Promote Victoria’s proximity, stability, liveability and multiculturalism to encourage Malaysian businesses, individuals and families to invest and live in Victoria.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Facilitate investment opportunities with Malaysian companies seeking to utilise Victoria’s high quality research and development resources.</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<strong>Priority three: Foster deeper relationships with Malaysia</strong></div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Through the Victorian Government Business Office Kuala Lumpur, deepen high level government to government and business interaction.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Extend the Victorian Connection program with leading events held each year.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Take advantage of Victoria’s world class tourism and major events calendar to further engage key Malaysian stakeholders.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Pursue opportunities to establish sister state relationships with key provincial governments across the region.</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<strong>Priority four: Improve Victorians’ understanding of Malaysia</strong></div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Strengthen the Malaysian program of the Victorian Connection to better target Victorian expatriates and people who have studied or lived in Victoria to stay connected with each other.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Advocate the benefits to Victorians of learning Bahasa Malaysia.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Support deepening institutional linkages in vocational and higher education.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Singapore</h3>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The opportunity</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Singapore is one of Victoria’s largest trading partners in South East Asia. In the year ending 30 June 2012, two-way merchandise trade between Victoria and Singapore was valued at $4.15 billion.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Singapore is a significant competitor for Victoria, particularly regarding investment in services industries, biotechnology, chemical and petrochemical industries.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Singaporean industries of particular interest to Victoria include: aviation, vocational education and training, ICT and food and beverage.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria has received the greatest proportion of Singaporean investment in Australia with investors including Singapore Airlines, Tiger Airways, Olam International, SPAusnet and Optus.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s highly skilled workforce and research and development capabilities provide opportunities for companies in the health, environmental technology and alternative energy industries.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Singapore Airlines operates triple daily services between Melbourne and Singapore and in August 2012, introduced a second daily A380 service. The Victorian Government also collaborates with Singapore Airlines on marketing activities to attract visitors to Victoria.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), is the third largest sovereign wealth fund in the world with assets of an estimated $330 billion. The Singapore Government, through another sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings, holds a total of $160 billion in assets worldwide. Temasek Holdings is also a majority investor in Singaporean companies such as Singapore Airlines and Singtel. Both funds hold significant assets in Australia, including GIC’s significant stake in the $1.2 billion Myer Emporium retail development project in Melbourne.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Current links</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The Singapore-born community in Victoria numbers in excess of 13,500. In 2011, there were 2,940 Singaporean students enrolled across all sectors in Victoria. Of this number, 2,564 were enrolled in higher education.<sup>26</sup></div>
<table bgcolor="#D8D8D8" class="missions" halign="left" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; color: #343331; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.71875px;" valign="top"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(150, 201, 230); color: black; padding: 3px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
A Sustainable Population for a Dynamic Singapore Population White Paper, January 2013</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The Singaporean Government’s Population White Paper includes an economic vision to build a dynamic and vibrant economy, creating good jobs and employment opportunities to meet Singaporeans’ hopes and aspirations. The plan aims to direct Singapore’s growth by:</div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Remaining open and globally competitive to tap into Asia’s growth.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Helping businesses restructure and move up the value chain.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Building a strong and skilled local workforce.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Supplementing the local workforce with lower skilled foreign workers.</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Singapore plans to stay ahead of its regional competitors and continue supplying high value goods and services into regional and global markets.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Singapore is forecasting productivity growth of 2 to 3 per cent per year up to 2020 with an average annual GDP growth rate of 3 to 5 per cent.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Market challenges</h4>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Singapore is emerging as a competitor for Victoria’s international education market.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Growth in visitors from Singapore to Australia is anticipated to plateau as new travel destinations emerge and competition increases.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Exchange rate fluctuations challenge Australia’s position as a good value travel destination.</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
What we will do</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<strong>Priority one: Facilitate trade and export growth with Singapore</strong></div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Lead a Super Trade Mission to South East Asia, including Singapore, in June 2013.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Support firms to internationalise through the Victorian Government Business Office in Kuala Lumpur providing inmarket expertise, business intelligence and events.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Engage Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) to promote opportunities to progress Singapore’s science agenda in collaboration with Victorian companies and research institutions.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Work with partners in Singapore to create export opportunities for Victorian ICT companies, attract investment and promote Victoria’s ICT capabilities.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Promote Victoria’s ICT capabilities to a regional audience through participation in CommunicAsia2013 in Singapore.</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<strong>Priority two: Attract Singaporean investment and assist businesses to internationalise</strong></div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Promote Victoria’s proximity, stability, liveability and multiculturalism to encourage Singaporean businesses, individuals and families to invest and live in Victoria.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Actively engage institutional investors to promote significant investments into major Victorian infrastructure, urban development and tourism investment opportunities.</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<strong>Priority three: Foster deeper relationships with Singapore</strong></div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Strengthen the Singapore program of the Victorian Connection to better target Victorian expatriates and people who have studied or lived in Victoria to stay connected with each other.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Take advantage of Victoria’s world class tourism and major events calendar to further engage key Singaporean stakeholders.</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<strong>Priority four: Improve Victorians’ understanding of Singapore</strong></div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Investigate opportunities for new cultural agreements and sister state relations.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
South East Asia presents many opportunities for deeper engagement</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria has long-standing and deep relationships with the remaining eight countries of South East Asia, including significant engagement in trade, investment, education and migration. Several of these countries are already important trading partners for Victoria and, over the longer term through ongoing dialogue and exchange, we will build robust engagement plans with each of these richly diverse markets.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The countries of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam comprise a considerable market with a combined population of approximately 340 million and total GDP of $1.56 trillion. Furthermore, these countries account for 43.5 per cent of South East Asia’s combined GDP (purchasing power parity).<sup>27</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
This South East Asia Market Engagement Plan identifies a number of opportunities to build on our existing links within the region, particularly through the Victorian Government Business Offices in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta and Victorian-educated alumni located throughout the region. Moreover, each country listed in the following pages offers unique opportunities to deepen these connections for long-term and mutual benefit.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Brunei Darussalam</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
With a population of 430,000, Brunei has the smallest population in South East Asia. Brunei is a wealthy country with a GDP (purchasing power parity) per capita of $51,000 arising from a strong oil and gas industry.<sup>28</sup> Victoria imports a significant amount of crude petroleum from Brunei, worth $295 million in FY2012.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
In recent years, Brunei has worked to establish itself as a hub for travel between Europe and Australia. There may be opportunities for Victorian businesses as Brunei seeks to diversify its economy by strengthening the banking and tourism sectors.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Cambodia</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Cambodia’s economy of GDP (purchasing power parity) $36.6 billion is forecast to grow at more than seven per cent per year to 2018.<sup>29</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Compared to the very large populations in South East Asia, Cambodia’s population is relatively small at just over 15 million.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Cambodia’s recent record of strong economic growth has been underpinned by growth in tourism and textile manufacturing, as well as foreign investment in infrastructure. The Cambodian Government has taken steps to make it easier for foreign investment to occur by increasing the transparency and stability of the banking sector.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria has a significant Cambodian community as well as being the preferred location for almost 44 per cent of all Cambodian students in Australia.<sup>30</sup></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Laos</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Laos has a population of 6.3 million and an economy of GDP (purchasing power parity) of $20 billion. Strong growth is expected over the next five years at more than seven per cent per year,<sup>31</sup> following steps taken by the Government in the 1990s to encourage greater private enterprise. In a sign of the modernisation of the Laos economy, the Lao Securities Exchange was established with assistance from South Korea in 2011.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Laos’ economy is dominated by the country’s natural resources which present opportunities for Victorian mining and extraction businesses. Tourism is Laos’s fastest growing industry and the growing education sector is also an opportunity for Victorian providers.<sup>32</sup></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Myanmar</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Following a long period of isolation, Myanmar’s economy expected to grow strongly at more than six per cent per year.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
With a population of more than 60 million and extensive natural resources, opportunities in Myanmar are anticipated to arise over the longer term.<sup>33</sup> Myanmar’s imports include textile materials, petroleum products, fertilisers, machinery, construction materials and food. Myanmar is a growing market for Victorian food exports, especially wheat.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The Philippines</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The Philippines has the second largest population in South East Asia at 97 million and the Philippines’ economy is expected to grow strongly at more than five per cent per year over the next five years.<sup>34</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The Philippines is an important food export destination for Victoria, especially wheat, dairy and beef. Two-way trade between Victoria and the Philippines was valued at $444 million in FY2012.<sup>35</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The Asian Development Bank is headquartered in Manila, providing significant funding for infrastructure development.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The Philippines has a long history with PPP projects and seeks to increase private participation in infrastructure development.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Philippines Development Plan 2011-2016</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The Philippine Government’s economic objectives include the following areas:</div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Globally competitive and innovative industry and services</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Improved food security</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Increased incomes in the agriculture and fisheries sectors</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Sector resilience to climate change</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Growth in the agriculture and fisheries sectors</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Improved performance of the tourism and agriculture sectors</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Improved access to social goods and services</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Improved environmental quality</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Increased resilience to climate change and natural disasters</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">A resilient and inclusive financial system</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Effective and transparent governance.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Thailand</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Thailand is a major economy in South East Asia with GDP (purchasing power parity) currently more than $600 billion. The Thailand economy is forecast to experience moderately strong growth, averaging four per cent per year, over the next five years to an estimated $900 billion by 2018.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
With a population of 64 million and an expanding middle class, Thailand is an important trading partner for Victoria with annual two-way trade worth $3.1 billion. Aluminium and food products such as wheat and dairy are Victoria’s major exports to Thailand.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The Thai Government’s economic development plans will require a more highly skilled workforce. It is anticipated Thailand will provide further growth opportunities for Victorian education and training service providers.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Eleventh National Economic and Social Development Plan 2012-2016</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The Thai Government has identified a broad range of social, economic and environmental objectives for improving the lives of Thai people. While agriculture is the main source of income and food security, Thailand will base its future development on knowledge, technology and innovation.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The Thai Government’s economic objectives focus on developing an efficient and sustainable economy by upgrading production, services and creating effective regional links, improving food and energy security and upgrading eco-friendly technology toward a low-carbon society. The plan’s environmental goals centre on preserving Thailand’s natural resources and environment to ensure an ecological balance and secure foundation for development.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Thailand’s economic targets include:</div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Increasing productivity to reach an average growth rate of at least three per cent per year.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Increasing the GDP contribution of agriculture and agribusiness and the service sectors, and upgrading the manufacturing industry to be more community and environmentally responsible while maintaining high value.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Raising Thailand’s competitiveness ranking to be among the world’s top ten countries for ease of doing business.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Increasing funding of research and development with the ratio of private to public sector investments at 70:30.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Reducing logistics costs to less than 15 per cent of GDP.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Increasing the ratio of renewable and alternative energy consumption to total energy consumption to at least 19 per cent, reducing energy imports by at least three per cent and reduce the rate of energy consumption by two per cent.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Timor-Leste</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
With a population of 1.1 million, Timor-Leste is one of the smaller countries in South East Asia. Opportunities for Victoria in Timor-Leste exist in many areas including: basic infrastructure, building and construction, education and training. Timor-Leste has very strong economic growth forecast for the next five years at more than nine per cent per annum.<sup>36</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Whilst Timor-Leste remains one of the poorest countries in the region, the Government of Timor-Leste has benefited from double digit economic growth based on the development of its offshore oil and natural gas reserves. The World Bank notes in its country overview that Timor-Leste has gone from ‘aid<br />dependence to resource abundance’.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
There is a very strong and enduring bond between Victoria and the people of Timor-Leste. Victoria is home to the largest Timorese population outside Timor-Leste. Many of the current Timorese ministers and senior government officials have studied, lived and worked in Victoria and many retain strong connections with Melbourne.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
In February 2012, Acting Premier, the Hon Peter Ryan MLA, confirmed the Victorian Government’s commitment to Timor-Leste with the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmao. This commitment included an endorsement of the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between the Victorian and Timor-Leste Governments on 20 February 2008 and a commitment to support Timor-Leste undertake the process of nation building and to respond to mutually beneficial opportunities presented by the strong relationship between Victoria and Timor-Leste.</div>
<h3 style="font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Vietnam</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Vietnam has a large population of 90 million and an economy forecast to continue strong growth of more than five per cent per annum over the next five years.<sup>37</sup> Vietnam is Victoria’s largest source of South East Asian student enrolments and, importantly, Victoria is the preferred location for 40 per cent of all Vietnamese students in Australia.<sup>38</sup> As at the 2011 Census, there were 68,293 Vietnam-born persons in Victoria (36.9 per cent of Australia’s total).<sup>39</sup></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The Vietnamese Government’s economic development plans will require a highly skilled workforce and therefore increase demand on education and training services. Expansion of urban areas will require new infrastructure in ports, roads and rail, hospitals, schools, industrial parks, commercial areas, residential housing and retail. New tourist resorts will require airports, roads and other tourism infrastructure.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<strong>Master plan on economic restructuring in association with conversion of the growth model towards improving quality, efficiency and competitiveness during the 2013-2020 period </strong></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
The plan focuses on restructuring public investment, credit organisations and public institutions. The Vietnamese Government aims to achieve the restructuring by:</div>
<ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Using monetary and fiscal policies to curb inflation, secure macro stability and an appropriate growth rate.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Boost export and development of complementary industries and domestic consumer goods industries.</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://export.business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/331650/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 12px;">Further control prices and markets to maintain the balance of primary goods.</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
About 20–25 per cent of total budget will be spent on development investment.</div>
<h2 style="color: #003366; font-size: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
7. Conclusion</h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
Victoria’s ongoing and deepening engagement with each country in South East Asia will continue to enrich our lives, culturally as well as economically. Many of these relationships have taken decades to cultivate and we must continue to foster our links if we are to fully enjoy the mutual benefit such long-term associations bring. We will also continue to encourage new links through business, culture, institutions, government and individuals.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
This South East Asia Market Engagement Plan signals a new phase in Victoria’s trade and investment relationships with our regional neighbours. The plan builds on existing South East Asian connections across industry, institutions, people and government through commitments including, trade missions,<br />the Victorian Government Business Offices in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, new markets for the Victorian Connection program and in-market Education Services Managers through which Victoria will become the most Asia-capable state in Australia.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<em>This document sets out the Victorian Government’s plan to help deepen the State’s engagement with the 11 countries of South East Asia. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and currency at the time of publication, you should verify information for yourself and obtain independent professional advice regarding any investment or other business decision.</em></div>
<h2 style="color: #003366; font-size: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
References</h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>1</sup> World Bank, World Development Indicators</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>2</sup> International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook. One of two main methods of conversion uses market exchange rates – the rate prevailing in the foreign exchange market. The other approach uses the purchasing power parity exchange rate – the rate at which the currency of one country would have to be converted into that of another country to buy the same amount of goods and services in each country</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>3</sup> International Monetary Fund 2012</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>4</sup> International Monetary Fund: Nominal GDP average per annum growth 2013-18</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>5</sup> Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, ASEAN economic fact sheet, 13/11/2012<br /><br /><sup>6</sup> Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat 5368.0 - International Trade in Goods and Services</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>7</sup> International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>8</sup> International Monetary Fund, GDP (purchasing power parity) average year on year growth over the next five years 2012-17</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>9</sup> Australian Education International </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>10</sup> Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat 5368.0 - International Trade in Goods and Services </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>11</sup> World Bank, World Development Indicators </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>12</sup> Department of Environment and Primary Industry: Victorian Food and Fibre Export Performance 2011-12 </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>13</sup> Australian Education International </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>14</sup> Tourism Forecasting Committee Forecast 2012 Issue 2; International Visitor Survey, Tourism Research Australia, year ending June 2012</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>15</sup> International Visitor Survey, year ending September 2012 </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>16</sup> International Monetary Fund 2012</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>17</sup> International Monetary Fund: Nominal GDP average per annum growth 2013-18</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>18</sup> Master Plan for Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia’s Economic Development, 2011-2025</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>19</sup> Australian Education International</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>20</sup> Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat 5368.0 - International Trade in Goods and Services</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>21</sup> Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat 5368.0 - International Trade in Goods and Services</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>22</sup> International Monetary Fund</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>23</sup> Department of Statistics, Malaysia: Gross Domestic Product Fourth Quarter 2012</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>24</sup> Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011 Census</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>25</sup> International Visitor Survey, year ending December 2012</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>26</sup> Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011 Census Data</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>27</sup> International Monetary Fund</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>28</sup> International Monetary Fund</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>29</sup> International Monetary Fund</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>30</sup> Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Education International</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>31</sup> International Monetary Fund</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>32</sup> Austrade: Laos Economic Update</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>33</sup> International Monetary Fund, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>34</sup> International Monetary Fund</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>35</sup> Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat 5368.0 - International Trade in Goods and Services </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>36</sup> International Monetary Fund </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>37</sup> International Monetary Fund</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>38</sup> Australian Education International</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 5px;">
<sup>39</sup> Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing, 2011 </div>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-20541223147467201502013-10-18T19:09:00.001-07:002013-10-18T19:09:56.971-07:00Missing girl found in Penang <h2 class="headline">
Missing girl found in Penang
</h2>
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by <a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/Authors.aspx?q=%22Tan+Sin+Chow%22">tan sin chow</a> AND <a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/Authors.aspx?q=%22Nicholas+Cheng%22">nicholas cheng</a></div>
<div class="byline" id="content_0_TopHeadTextByLine">
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/08/05/Missing-Aisyah-found.aspx</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="byline" id="content_0_TopHeadTextByLine">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKD9PhqsfonUl4iG1shwQAkGJZLvqbyXMn0cuLiVEWFN8-96jEc7qxOqGps3eaIbv7IdGDH61CkjhQe0go-sq_Kua7p7zo1oKFSgWmUwVRRo-atz_4o1SLFxKPVZE6O-jh_MrkZFhKlELB/s1600/girl+collected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKD9PhqsfonUl4iG1shwQAkGJZLvqbyXMn0cuLiVEWFN8-96jEc7qxOqGps3eaIbv7IdGDH61CkjhQe0go-sq_Kua7p7zo1oKFSgWmUwVRRo-atz_4o1SLFxKPVZE6O-jh_MrkZFhKlELB/s320/girl+collected.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="byline" id="content_0_TopHeadTextByLine">
Picture of Aisyah published on PDRM Facebook page. </div>
<div class="byline" id="content_0_TopHeadTextByLine">
<br /></div>
GEORGE TOWN: Penang police have found a three-year-old girl who was earlier reported missing at a hypermarket in Rawang.<br />
A woman, who sent Wan Aisyah Wan Exzam to the Sungai Nibong police
station at about 11.30am today, said her son had brought the girl to her
house home in Teluk Kumbar at about 5am today.<br />
She said her son, 44, had told her to send the girl to the nearest police station.<br />
He had since gone missing after the incident.<br />
The girl is said to be the daughter of a female school teacher Arbaiyah Md Zin who is based in Rawang.<br />
<br />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKIRV7k7QC8<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="article-header">
<div class="date">
Published:
Monday August 5, 2013 MYT 1:40:00 PM
<br />
Updated:
Monday August 5, 2013 MYT 5:00:56 PM
</div>
<h2 class="headline">
Missing girl found in Penang
</h2>
<div class="byline" id="content_0_TopHeadTextByLine">
by <a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/Authors.aspx?q=%22Tan+Sin+Chow%22">tan sin chow</a> AND <a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/Authors.aspx?q=%22Nicholas+Cheng%22">nicholas cheng</a></div>
</div>
<div class="story-image" id="content_0_pnlMedia">
<img alt="Picture of Aisyah published on PDRM Facebook page." src="http://www.thestar.com.my/%7E/media/Images/TSOL/Photos-Upload/From%20DCX/girl%20collected.ashx?w=620&h=413&crop=1&" /><div class="caption">
Picture of Aisyah published on PDRM Facebook page.</div>
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GEORGE TOWN: Penang police have found a three-year-old girl who was earlier reported missing at a hypermarket in Rawang.<br />
A woman, who sent Wan Aisyah Wan Exzam to the Sungai Nibong police
station at about 11.30am today, said her son had brought the girl to her
house home in Teluk Kumbar at about 5am today.<br />
She said her son, 44, had told her to send the girl to the nearest police station.<br />
He had since gone missing after the incident.<br />
The girl is said to be the daughter of a female school teacher Arbaiyah Md Zin who is based in Rawang.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile Gombak OCPD ACP Abdul Rahim Abdullah said the suspect, Mohd
Faisal Ibrahim, was no where in sight, when Aisyah was surrended.<br />
“The child was delivered in healthy condition. Her mother and investigating officer are on the way to the police station now."<br />
“Aisyah will be sent to the Sungai Buloh Hopsital here for treatment later,” ACP Abdul Rahim said.<br />
He added that police would record a statement from the suspect’s
mother and urged the suspect to come forward to assist investigations.<br />
<div>
The case is being investigated under Section 363 of the Penal Code for child abduction, he said.</div>
<strong>More to come . . .</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<h2 class="headline">
Missing toddler reunited with family</h2>
<h2 class="headline">
</h2>
RAWANG: Three-year-old Wan Aisyah Wan Exzam is now back with her
family when she turned up safe and sound at the Sungai Nibong police
station in Penang.<br />
She was reported missing three days ago after she was allegedly abducted by her mother’s boyfriend.<br />
Gombak OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Rahim Abdullah said Wan Aisyah, who was
last seen at a shopping mall in Rawang, was surrendered by the
suspect’s mother in Penang yesterday.<br />
Her alleged abductor is believed to have gone into hiding. <br />
“Wan Aisyah will be sent to the Sungai Buloh Hospital here for a check-up,” ACP Abdul Rahim added. <br />
He said police would record a statement from the suspect’s mother, adding that the case has been classfied as child abduction.<br />
The case begun when Wan Aisyah’s mother Arbaiyah Md Zin had
allegedly met the abductor via Facebook in May and started a
relationship with him, and even began planning a wedding together.<br />
Despite only knowing the man for a few weeks, Arbaiyah, a divorced
mathematics teacher in her 30s, allegedly left her daughter in the man’s
care on July 30, as he had told her he wished to introduce Aisyah to
his sister.<br />
Police sources said the mother also gave the suspect Aisyah’s birth
certificate as the pair were planning to go on a honeymoon with the
child after the supposed marriage.<br />
“On Aug 2, the mother also gave RM25,000 to the man for a supposed
investment for a gold trading business in a shopping mall in Rawang. <br />
“The following day, Arbaiyah was waiting for the suspect to bring
Aisyah home. But he didn’t show up and calls to him went unanswered,”
ACP Abdul Rahim said.<br />
<div class="embeded-image">
<img alt="" src="http://www.thestar.com.my/%7E/media/Images/TSOL/Photos-Upload/Nation/2013/08/06/wanaisyahmissing060813.ashx" style="height: 352px; width: 460px;" />
<div class="inline-caption">
Happy ending: A man believed to be
Arbaiyah’s ex-husband carrying Wan Aisyah as Arbaiyah follows them
outside the Sungai Nibong police station in Penang.</div>
</div>
He said the mother also went to the suspect’s supposed house in
Taman Tun Dr Ismail in search for her missing daughter but disco-vered
that the house belonged to someone else.<br />
Meanwhile, Arbaiyah’s colleagues at SMK Sungai Choh said she had moved to Rawang a few weeks ago.<br />
“I’m happy that she has her child back and that both are safe. It is
a nice story to hear this close to Hari Raya,” said a school employee.<br />
In <strong>GEORGE TOWN</strong>, Arbaiyah came with an unidentified
man, said to be her ex-husband, to pick up Wan Aisyah at the Sungai
Nibong police station at 4.45pm yesterday.<br />
Although she refused to speak to the press, the man said they had bought new clothes for Wan Aishah for Hari Raya.<br />
Arbaiyah was seen covering her face from the press while the man
carried Wan Aishah, who was drinking from her milk bottle and oblivious
to the attention on her.<br />
The man thanked the police for their cooperation but refused to answer further questions from the media.<br />
Earlier, Penang police took Wan Aisyah from a 66-year-old woman,
said to be the mother of the alleged abductor, at the Sungai Nibong
police station at 11.30am.<br />
She told police that her son, 44, had brought the girl to her house in Teluk Kumbar for <em>sahur</em> (dawn meal before fasting begins).<br />
He then told her to send the girl to the nearest police station before he went missing.<br />
Penang CID chief Senior Asst Comm Mazlan Kesah said the woman also handed them the girl’s MyKid and birth certificate.<br />
SAC Mazlan said the police had identified the suspect.<br />
<br />
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/08/06/Missing-toddler-reunited-with-family.aspxYehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-52838148253923157132013-10-09T00:18:00.001-07:002013-10-09T00:18:27.881-07:00Thieves eyeing metal water meters<br />
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;">Thieves eyeing metal water meters</span></h1>
<div class="newsInfo">
Posted on <span class="orange">July 28, 2013, Sunday</span></div>
METAL water meters get stolen quite often these days.<br />
The
serious implication of such devices being stolen day and night is that
residents as well as businesses are left without vital water supply, not
forgetting the unnecessary losses through water wastage and replacement
of stolen meters.<br />
Indeed, many Malaysian households have been
left high and dry by metal water meter thieves in recent times. In one
case across the water, more than 10 meters were stolen from a row of
shops over just 24 hours.<br />
As hundreds of these instruments are
reportedly stolen every month across the country, consumers have been
urged to switch to plastic ones, considered ‘steal-safe’ because they
have zero resale value.<br />
It stands to reason that whenever the
price of metal goes up, the number of stolen metal water meters goes up
as well. Plastic meters, on the other hand, are a damn sight safer to
use because they are worth next to nothing second-hand – so thieves are
less likely to steal them, if not throw them away after taking the metal
pipes. Talk about adding insult to injury!<br />
Although the water
authorities own all registered metal water meters, consumers are
responsible for the meters’ safekeeping as long as they remain fixed on
the service pipe even in a public area.<br />
Isn’t such a situation
ludicrous? Surely, we can all agree it is not only inconvenient but also
impractical for people to keep their water meters under constant
surveillance even if they are installed outside their compounds.<br />
Now,
the victim has paid a certain sum for a new plastic meter before supply
can be reconnected, sparking calls from consumer groups, business
concerns and home-owners for the costs to be borne by the water
authorities as part of their corporate social responsibilities.<br />
According
to a recent survey, Miri has the highest number of water meter thefts
at 287, followed by Sibu (168) and Kuching (142). Admittedly, stolen
meters are seldom recovered but tracing them is made easier by their
engraved serial numbers. Recycling centres that buy these meters should
be able to help identify the sellers.<br />
Thefts of monsoon drain and
manhole covers are also rampant. Not only is such thievery burning a big
hole in the pockets of the local councils but also those of public
utility companies, housing and private developers.<br />
While metal
thefts are committed at construction sites, electricity and telecom
sub-stations, along public pavements and streets as well as residential
homes, what’s disturbing is that the perpetrators are so unafraid of the
law that they will strike at a time of their choosing – day or night.<br />
One
exasperated local council official had even likened replacing stolen
metal covers to the Labour of Sisyphus – you replace the missing covers
only for them to be stolen the next day – you replace them again and
they get stolen again the next day – there is no end to it like poor
Sisyphus rolling a boulder up the hill only to see it roll down again
after reaching the top.<br />
Given the situation, it makes a lot of
sense to use ventilated cement blocks for all monsoon drains in place of
metal ones as a deterrent and to cut losses. Scrap yard owners can help
by not buying metal items they suspect to have been stolen. Periodical
checks by the local councils and the police on scarp yards should
continue to keep the culprits at bay.<br />
One local council had
reportedly spent about RM2.1 million over a three-year period just
replacing stolen manhole and monsoon drain covers. The situation should
improve significantly if the Second Hand Dealers Act 1964 is strictly
enforced because buyers of scrap iron will then have to record the full
particulars of the sellers. This will help the authorities control the
movement and business transactions between scrap buyers and sellers.<br />
Metal
thefts, like all crimes, should be condemned. The public – and
especially residents of housing estates – can help curb such
transgressions by reporting any suspicious characters showing more than
just a perfunctory interest in their water metres or drain covers.<br />
Swift response by the authorities to such reports is equally important to wipe out metal thefts.<br />
No
one will be sorry to see the back of metal thieves who (for crying out
loud) are able bodied people but apparently too lazy to work, preferring
to steal and rob for a living.<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; text-align: left;">
<br />Read more: <a href="http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/07/28/thieves-eyeing-metal-water-meters/#ixzz2hCqoqdNA" style="color: #003399;">http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/07/28/thieves-eyeing-metal-water-meters/#ixzz2hCqoqdNA</a></div>
Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-84472734697752297082013-10-08T23:54:00.001-07:002013-10-08T23:54:07.830-07:00Malaysia Boleh - Longest underwater clean-up - Guinness World Records slogan "Malaysia Boleh!" which loosely translated means "Malaysia Can Do
It!" How this slogan came to be the "battle cry" of a nation is rather
sketchy but the general belief is that it was the slogan used by a
health beverage in its marketing campaign in the 80s.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h1 class="yt" id="watch-headline-title">
<span class="watch-title long-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Longest underwater clean-up - Guinness World Records"><span style="font-size: small;">Longest underwater clean-up - Guinness World Records </span> </span></h1>
<br />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WbLxAwUKiAM<br />
<br />
<br />
<h1 class="header2">
<span style="font-size: small;">Volunteer divers help set longest underwater clean-up record in Malaysia</span></h1>
<div class="articledate">
By KEVIN LYNCH<br />
Published abril 18, 2013<br /></div>
<article>
<section id="masthead"><div class="pageCurl">
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</div>
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</section>
A spring clean with a difference in Malaysia has
helped a group of divers enter the history books for the longest
underwater clean-up.<br />
Organised by a local media company, the Astro Kasih conservation
project took place in Sabah's Tunku Abdul Rahman park and ran for 168
consecutive hours in total.<br />
The operation saw 134 Malaysian and international volunteer divers
take part with a total of 3,099 kg of rubbish gathered from the seabed.<br />
<img alt="Astro-Kasih-1.jpg" height="295" src="http://www.guinnessworldrecords.es/media/6160914/Astro-Kasih-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="497" /><br />
Under the rules for the record, participants were required to dive
consecutively taking turns from one team to the other, with at least one
diver required to be actively collecting waste from the water
throughout the duration of the attempt.<br />
A total of 1,560kg of plastics, 140kg of glass and ceramics, 318kg of
metal and 357kg of rubber and cloth, were picked up during the attempt.<br />
<img alt="Astro-Kasih-3.jpg" height="295" src="http://www.guinnessworldrecords.es/media/6160919/Astro-Kasih-3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="497" /><br />
Participants from France, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom,
USA, Lithuania, Switzerland, Hong Kong and the Netherlands all took part
in the attempt, performing a total of 1,120 dives in the marine park.<br />
Talking after the operation, British diver Krystle Stevens said she
was proud to have taken part in the record-breaking clean-up, and was
amazed by the beautiful beaches and rich marine life of Sabah see had
observed during the attempt, but was also left surprised by the amount
of rubbish that the divers discovered.<br />
"It has been a tiring but fulfilling week as we have finally
completed this effort and helped make it into the World Guinness record
but I was really saddened to see so much rubbish especially at dive
sites near settlements within the Tunku Abdul Rahman marine park,"she
said.<br />
<img alt="Astro-Kasih-4.jpg" height="295" src="http://www.guinnessworldrecords.es/media/6160924/Astro-Kasih-4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="497" /><br />
After being presented with an official Guinness World Records
certificate confirming the team's achievement by adjudicator Kirsty
Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of Astro Dato Rohana Rozhan said: "By
coming together and embracing the Malaysia "Boleh" spirit, and our
commitment towards a Beautiful Malaysia, we have not only achieved a new
Guinness World Records title, but also raised awareness of the legacy
we leave to our kids - a beautiful Malaysia that we are all privileged
to grow up in."<br />
"Most importantly also, we have seen new friendships and camaraderie formed."<br />
<img alt="Astro-Kasih-5.jpg" height="295" src="http://www.guinnessworldrecords.es/media/6160929/Astro-Kasih-5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="497" /><br />
Playing their part in the clean-up had clearly been a rewarding
project for the divers involved. Speaking after the presentation, diver
Captain Kumaran Balakrishnan told The Borneo Post that the Astro Kasih
attempt had been by far his most fulfilling experience in his 30 years
of diving:<br />
"As a diving instructor who spent most of the time in the ocean, I am
glad that I am able to do my part for the environment. Thumbs up Astro
for a job well done".<br />
<br />
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.es/business-solutions/news/2013/4/volunteer-divers-help-set-longest-underwater-clean-up-record-in-malaysia-49248/</article>Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-72128934315198412332013-10-05T20:17:00.001-07:002013-10-05T20:17:44.954-07:00Nur Malena Hassan set a world record in August by living with 6,000 scorpions for 32 days.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRl9Ux7ltaykDuh9SmxUT8jpb3vgtJc0-m4VksRvggZZID-BOKNgpI_bSbRxuAKKom_Pg8Xn7S8K_VDUKxqxzgThR4TGOvnI4XhjKaQXrB8ko9PCN_1mnH_thNaNkpYebdON8VlfgEnCU/s1600/ORECORDS_P2_jpg_full_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRl9Ux7ltaykDuh9SmxUT8jpb3vgtJc0-m4VksRvggZZID-BOKNgpI_bSbRxuAKKom_Pg8Xn7S8K_VDUKxqxzgThR4TGOvnI4XhjKaQXrB8ko9PCN_1mnH_thNaNkpYebdON8VlfgEnCU/s320/ORECORDS_P2_jpg_full_600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="caption" id="pgallerycarousel_caption" title="Photo Caption">
Nur Malena Hassan set a world record in August by living with 6,000 scorpions
for 32 days.</div>
<br />
<div class="sByline">
By <span class="ui-author">Simon Montlake</span>, <span class="ui-staffline">Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor</span> /
February 12, 2008 </div>
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2008/0212/p01s05-woap.htmlYehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-57949352761967514982013-10-05T20:09:00.001-07:002013-10-05T20:09:11.356-07:00The largest paintball park in Malaysia <br />
The largest paintball park in Malaysia <br />
http://paintball-malaysia.blogspot.com/Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-5383057041504596242013-10-05T20:02:00.001-07:002013-10-05T20:02:16.592-07:00The changing face of Malaysia<h1 class="title" id="page-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">The changing face of Malaysia</span></h1>
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Posted on 30 August 2013 - 03:37am<br /><em>Last updated on
30 August 2013 - 09:17am</em>
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<strong>
Ace Emerson<br />
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<strong>THE </strong>spirit of Merdeka is upon us yet again as Malaysia gets
ready to celebrate 56 years of Independence. There are many reasons why one
feels at home in Malaysia. It is one of the most peaceful countries in the
world, with a stable political environment.<br />
Malaysia is one of the few countries in the world today with a pretty good
track record in dealing with a vibrant multiracial and multicultural
society.<br />
Over the last decade the landscape has transformed dramatically. New
buildings are sprouting like mushrooms. Rain or shine, the city streets and
plazas bustle with the pulse and patter of urban life. Technology has become
inherently intertwined with daily routines; social networking groups such as
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc are a norm today. <br />
And regardless of the overwhelming odds, Malaysia has matured into an
economic powerhouse boasting an ever-increasing gross domestic product (GDP),
sturdy currency, a lower unemployment rate as compared to the US and the EU, and
a rich and diverse culture.<br />
With all that Malaysia has to offer, the young professionals in their
twenties and thirties are defining themselves as individuals, as members of a
community, and as Malaysians bringing with them their skills, idealism and
dedication to contribute to a society that is at the forefront of global
technology and education. In short, it is our positive 'can do' attitude which
lies behind some of our biggest achievements.<br />
<strong>Nalini Elumalai, Executive Director of SUARAM</strong><br />
"Today, we are more aware of what is going on in our country thanks to the
internet and social media. And we can make choices faster than our predecessors.
Our young are more active in bringing about change. They are voicing out their
opinions and views. Politics is becoming less of a taboo subject and the younger
generation are now more actively involved in politics as compared to the past
where people tend to stay away from it. Though I believe that we, the younger
generation, should stand up and speak out more instead of just using the
internet as an outlet. We need to be brave and demand equal rights for all
Malaysians." <br />
<strong>Nurul Izzah Anwar, Member of Parliament for Lembah
Pantai</strong><br />
"The speed and ease of internet access has influenced the way people think
and communicate with one another. Even the simple mobile phone - once only used
for SMS and calls is now an important device for social interaction and as a
tool for work. If you take the mobile phone away from an urbanite just for one
day, I believe that he or she will not be able to function normally. That is how
much technology has influenced us all. <br />
"As a digital migrant and a daughter from the years of the Reformasi
movement, I am fortunate enough to see the changes in Malaysia's landscape in
Kuala Lumpur from squatters to high-rise buildings as well as the transition
from greenery to a concrete jungle. Unfortunately, this mental leap has not kept
up with the importance of sustainable development. Hence the need to
continuously update our thinking and having the necessary political will to
manage development so it does not negatively affect our heritage." <br />
<strong>Datuk Chua Tee Yong, Member of Parliament for Labis</strong><br />
"The fact that Malaysia has transformed so much in terms of technology,
wealth and education in such a short time is a sign of hope. But are we happy as
we progress? This question has spurred the government to look into whether this
boom includes the well being of our people in terms of living standards and
conditions. We are also switching our emphasis to work together in order to
ensure the happiness of all Malaysians as we move forward towards greater
progress. We aim to implement new ideas in order to instill unity and patriotism
among our young by using the tools of today such as the internet and social
media, as this is crucial in order for us to progress as a united nation."<br />
<strong>Roshan Chandrasekhar of K-Town Klan</strong><br />
"As a musician and entrepreneur, I feel that Malaysia's technology has come a
long way. It has made things a lot easier in terms of circulating my music and
running a business. Heck, its made things a lot easier for everybody. But even
with all the plus points, I deeply feel that the world is moving too fast. We
need to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life to maintain a
balance." <br />
Yes, as a young country, Malaysia pretty much has everything it takes to be a
successful, affluent and democratic country. It all depends on us, on whether we
continue to develop a clear and shared vision, uphold a long term commitment to
travelling the long road to reform, and refuse to be deterred by the problems
that will inevitably arise, then there is no reason why we can't transform our
country within a generation.<br />
So as Malaysians, let us continue to work together not just with tolerance,
but with respect to better ourselves for the benefit of our people and
nation.<br />
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/816723</div>
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Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357721220476996061.post-28859082622755040532013-08-31T20:40:00.002-07:002013-08-31T20:40:41.724-07:00Unsexy, effective therapy<br />
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Unsexy, effective therapy</h1>
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Brintnell speaks on a different form of social
rehabilitation </div>
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<span class="date-display-single">Wednesday, July 03,
2013 - 15:32</span> </div>
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<a href="http://manage.mmail.com.my/source/sophia-halim">by Sophia Halim</a>
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<strong>IN</strong> today’s ageing society, Malaysians are
living longer but as they live longer they live with activity limitations.
“There was one time if you have a spinal cord injury, you die very quickly. If
you survived, you ended up with bed sores or in an unpleasant longterm hospital
setting,” according to Professor Sharon Brintnell, president of the World
Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT).<br /><br />“When people acquire a
disability, there is no reason for them to be dependent or isolated which are
two key things that affect their health. “Through cognitive-based rehabilitation
and with adaptive equipment, you can regain your independence and ability to go
back to work,” she said.<br /><br />
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Professor Brintnell from the University of Alberta, Canada,
has earned an international reputation in her more than 40 years in occupational
therapy and recently became the inaugural winner of the prestigious WFOT
Lectureship Award, honouring her international work in the research, teaching
and practice of occupational therapy.<br /><br />Brintnell was in Kuala Lumpur
recently to speak on occupational therapy (OT) in Malaysia which she claimed
doesn’t sound very sexy. “But it’s very effective,” she said.<br /><br />In an
interview with The Malay Mail, Brintnell, together with Prof. Nathan
Vytialingam, president of Asia Pacific Regional Group of Occupational Therapists
and Professor in Occupational Therapy from Perdana University, speak about the
development of OT in Malaysia and worldwide.<br /><br />What exactly is
OT?<br /><br />Often, rehabilitation is thought of as physical but it’s a
combination of physical and mental.<br /><br />“With OT, you get two for one,” said
Brintnell. OT is the use of treatments to develop, recover, or maintain the
daily living of patients with a physical, mental or developmental
condition.<br /><br />“Although you are different, you’re out in community and
continuing with your life. The strengths that you have are the assets that
motivate you to meet the challenge of participating in a different way,” she
explained.<br /><br />
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The aim of OT is ‘de-medicalise’ — to enable
those with disabilities to re-engage and participate in the activities of
everyday life by working with people and communities by modifying the occupation
or the environment to better support their occupational engagement. It may sound
invasive but it is not your stereotypical closeted therapy session.</div>
<br />“We
could be having a cup o f tea and at the same time, having a therapy session to,
for example, help you get through your social anxiety. It doesn’t look like
therapy but this is the therapy session,” according to
Brintnell.<br /><br />“There’s a high level of interaction with the patient. It’s
not by doing a workbook, it’s doing it. If you’re suffering from anxiety and
perhaps not thinking clearly, the therapist will help you go through the
procedures of things you need to do.”<br /><br />Additionally OT involves making
changes to the environment to help you adapt to your surroundings. “We work that
system in getting you to reengage or participate in what you have to do and we
do it by practicing the actual skill,” said Brintnell.<br /><br />OT in Malaysia
Looking at statistics, mental health will be the largest burden on health
care.<br /><br />“Currently depression and anxiety is the third largest burden
worldwide. Mental health is going to replace some of the cardiovascular issues,”
according to Britnell.<br /><br />In Malaysia and regionally, there is a big demand
for professionals in OT.<br /><br />“Malaysia has an ageing population. People are
living longer and becoming aware of health disabilities. There is a need for
mental health daycare centres and community day centres for the elderly” said
Prof. Nathan.<br /><br />Currently, there are over 1,200 professionals in the field
while only two universities — Universiti Teknologi Mara and Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia — offer a degree programme in OT.<br /><br />“We started a
diploma programme by the MOH in 1970. Today, we are looking into upgrading it to
a degree status to move on with the rest of the world,” said Nathan.<br /><br />“If
you keep the programmes at a diploma level, you will not attract the brightest
students. You want to have a career that is recognised and a diploma is a
dead-end,” added Brintnell.<br /><br />According to Brintnell, the current diploma
educational model is very passive learning. “Our healthcare system has change
radically that you are now not just teaching students the answers but teaching
them how to problem solve, to deal with critical thinking.<br /><br />This is
reflective of the reality in a knowledge-based world,” she said. “Providing
these services will cut down a tremendous cost for the government and take out a
huge burden off the family,” added Nathan.<!-- google_ad_section_end --></div>
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http://manage.mmail.com.my/story/unsexy-effective-therapy-59589</div>
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Yehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15072363326228300052noreply@blogger.com0