Posts filed under 'Business and Investment'
The Tebrau Highway is one of the main arteries of Johor Bahru. Besides serving as a link to the famous “Tamans” in Johor Bahru (Taman Sentosa, Taman Pelangi, Taman Sri Tebrau, Taman Melodies), many landmarks and shopping centers are peppered along it’s route. The Tebrau Highway leads from the Johor Bahru CIQ and Johor Bahru City Square towards Plaza Pelangi, and continues northwards towards Taman Molek, Aeon Tebrau City and most importantly, towards the North-South Highway and the Pasir Gudang Highway, where motorists will finally be able to step on the gas and go on a cruise mode towards further flung destinations (Malacca, Kuala Lumpar and Penang).
Over the years, the development of the Tebrau Highway has not kept up with the development projects in Johor Bahru, leading to frequent traffic jams and occasional accidents. Potholes are also common due to intense usage. Even the advertisement boards are starting to get a little too close to each other.
Johor Bahru Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL)
The introduction of a proposed Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) in Johor Bahru was thus a welcomed by most Johoreans in year 2009. Besides relieving the traffic conditions at Tebrau Highway, it allows for a faster commute for motorists with no intention of entering Johor Bahru city. From a macro economic view, the EDL project also promotes tourism as well as economic development in Johor.
The positive fanfare had continued until a few weeks back, when rumours first surfaced that:
1. The toll gates for the Johor Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) will be located right within Johor Bahru CIQ.
2. The toll charges will cost RM15.30 for a motorcar.
With the long standing policy by Singapore to match up the toll charges with Johor Bahru, this effectively meant that a return trip from Singapore to Johor Bahru Read on…
March 25th, 2012
In an interesting development, it is reported that Singapore investor and billionaire Peter Lim will be joining forces with the Johor royal family to develop a medical hub as well as a Marina City in Johor Bahru, in a location just minutes away from the Johor Bahru CIQ.
An agreement was signed on 10th Nov 2011 for both parties to acquire a 10-hectare freehold waterfront site for the development.
Here are some reasons why this project will be a definite success:
#1 – It is supported by the Johor royal family. This will ease off a lot of red-tapes from the application of development permits to constructions of new roads to support the development.
#2 – It is not supported by the Singapore Government – while a prominent Singaporean is involved in this venture, the Singapore Government is not involved, removing away some of the sensitivity which can arise from bilateral issues.
#3 – In Phase 1, the nature of development would be a medical hub featuring serviced apartments, a mega shopping mall and a mega fully-secured car park with sophisticated security systems. This is an industry sector set for growth in alignment to aging populations.
#4 – International Health Services, a division of Thomson Medical, will manage Read on…
November 11th, 2011
Nowadays, buying a car in Singapore seems to be an affair for the privileged upper class of citizens. And we are not taking about marquee brands like Posche and Ferrari. We are talking about Toyota Altis, Honda Civic and even Hyundai Avante.
After all, the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) in Singapore has now reached a new frenzied height at a 10 year high. A piece of non-transferable COE paper (alone!) will now cost you:
Small-Medium Car: S$47,604 (RM114,250)
Large Car: S$62,502 (RM150,004)
Crazy COE Price in Singapore
As a result of this paper chase, the prices of the following models ballooned to a fashion which led aspiring car owners to chase the dust:
Toyota Altis: S$100,333 (RM240,800)
Honda Civic (1.8l): S$123,000 (RM295,200)
Hyundai Avante: S$98,000 (RM235,200)
At such prices, you can get a landed property in Johor Bahru instead if you forgo the drive.
For Malaysian Work Permit Holders (non-PRs) working in Singapore and yet to own a car, it is now mathematically sound to buy a car in Malaysia and simply pay the VEP on a daily basis instead. Let’s use the example of David Si Pei Heng who works in Singapore and because he is a non-Singaporean PR, can drive a Malaysia-Registered Car into Singapore.
David can either choose to:
1. Buy a Honda Civic in Singapore (Total Cost: S$123,000)
2. Buy a Honda Civic in Malaysia and pay the daily VEP fees (Total Cost: RM120,000 (S$50,000) + VEP fees for 10 years (S$25 * 22 working days * 12 *10 = S$66,000) = S$116,000)
This means that if David choose option 2 – over a 10 year period, he will:
1. Save S$7,000 compared against option 1 in terms of car purchase.
2. Pay lower car insurance.
3. Save on interest from car loan
4. Pay only a fixed cost of ERP at S$5.00 daily, even if he travel in/out of the CBD area like nobody’s business.
5. Save on VEP for those days he is on MC or want to Chao Keng”.
6. Save on Road Tax.
Read on…
December 9th, 2010
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