S’pore one of Asia’s most attractive investment destinations

S’pore one of Asia’s most attractive investment destinations
 
By Chua Hian Hou 
 
SINGAPORE is one of Asia’s best investment destinations for foreign firms, according to a study released yesterday.
The study covered over 200 international company executives - from chief executive officers to the heads of strategy.

The executives were asked in a survey conducted by financial advisory firm Ernst & Young and the Japan External Trade Organisation how they felt about investing in various Asian markets.

Seven out of 10 of the executives polled were in companies that were already operating in Asia.

About 27 per cent of the respondents voted for Japan and China, putting the two countries in joint-first position.

The runner-up was India, with 11 per cent.
Singapore and Hong Kong were tied in third place, with 10 per cent apiece.

In terms of actual investments, Singapore was fourth, with 239 projects last year, according to the survey.

China attracted 1,171 projects, a mammoth 38 per cent of all investments that went into Asia, followed by India, with 676, and Vietnam, with 260.

Singapore’s strengths were its high quality of life, attractive corporate tax rates and stability, according to the survey.

Its weaknesses were its high labour costs, quality of research and development, and the lack of a domestic market.

China’s advantages were - no surprise here - its low labour cost and huge domestic market, although its results were pulled down by its poorer quality of life.

Japan ranked well for its high-quality labour workforce and infrastructure, but this was, in turn, weighed down by high labour costs and an uncompetitive corporate tax structure.

A total of 19 markets were ranked in the survey.

Source : Straits Times - 04 July 2008

Singapore Property - Buy, Sell, Rent, Invest

Mindy Yong

(+65)91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com

Anwar, Najib clash over murder cover-up claim -KUALA LUMPUR

Anwar, Najib clash over murder cover-up claim -KUALA LUMPUR
 
By Leslie Lopez, South-east Asia Correspondent 

KUALA LUMPUR - A HIGH-STAKES confrontation between Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim took a dramatic turn yesterday with both trading accusations over an alleged cover-up in the murder trial of a Mongolian woman.
The day of attacks and denials began just before noon when Datuk Seri Anwar produced a key witness in the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu who alleged that the police omitted vital information he provided in the case.

This included a damning claim by him that Datuk Seri Najib knew the dead woman and had sex with her.

Later in the evening, Mr Najib lashed back, insisting that a statutory declaration filed by the witness was a ‘terrible lie, a malicious fabrication’ to damage him.

It was, he said, a ‘desperate attempt’ by Mr Anwar to divert attention away from a police investigation against the former deputy premier that he had sodomised his former personal assistant.

‘I want to state in the strongest terms that I never met or knew this Mongolian woman,’ Mr Najib said, adding that he has refrained from commenting on the allegations because the trial, now in recess, was ongoing.
The claims by Mr Balasubramaniam Perumal, who was present at Mr Anwar’s press conference, were in the statutory declaration, or sworn statement, he had filed. In it, he alleged that vital information he gave interrogators was suppressed during the murder trial.

Abdul Razak Baginda, a former political adviser to the Deputy Premier, is being tried with two others over the murder of the Mongolian woman.

He had hired Mr Balasubramaniam, a private investigator, just around the time of the murder in October 2006. The PI was at first arrested for the murder but later released. He is a declared supporter of Hindraf, a group fighting for Indian rights whose leaders are behind bars.

His declaration also stated that Abdul Razak showed him a text message reply Mr Najib sent to him after the political adviser was arrested. Mr Najib allegedly messaged Abdul Razak: ‘I am seeing the IGP (Inspector-General of Police) at 11am today…matter will be solved…be cool.’

Mr Anwar, whose opposition alliance made big gains in the March 8 general election, said yesterday that Mr Najib had feared that he would use the murder case to trigger his downfall.

Mr Anwar has claimed that his alliance will take over the government soon because of defections of elected lawmakers to the opposition.

But he faced a setback last week when police said they were investigating allegations that he had sodomised a male personal assistant, a claim he has dismissed as ’sheer fabrication’ and an attempt by those linked to Mr Najib to short-circuit his takeover bid.

In recent weeks, Mr Najib, who is also Defence Minister, has been forced to fend off allegations that his wife and two others he knew were involved in the murder and were at the crime scene.

The face-off between the two politicians took another sensational turn when Mr Najib yesterday admitted that he had met Mr Anwar’s accuser, Mr Saiful Bukhari Azlan, days before he lodged his police report.

‘He had come to see me and he was traumatised. He said he needed help,’ said Mr Najib, who insisted that he never directed Mr Saiful to do anything, including filing the police report.

Asked whether he believed Mr Saiful, he said: ‘I wouldn’t dare say…I thought he looked genuine… he was afraid. His hands were cold.’

The day ended with Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi trying to quash widespread rumours about the government imposing emergency rule.

‘The government is stable…Everything is under control,’ he said.
 

Source : Straits Times - 04 July 2008

Singapore Property - Buy, Sell, Rent, Invest

Mindy Yong

(+65)91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com

For Sale Maplewoods District 21 - 04-07-2008

For Sale Maplewoods District 21 - 04-07-2008

Maplewoods, the resource named housing not to be missed! Presenting the modern unit of rooms to however lay down decoration from traditional 2 of originator, who is appropriate with the couples or the inverstors.

Bring just the luggage of year.Is a sight of need! Ask 1.28m

Maplewoods is a dredger of big step along higher road of Bukit Timah. It is a tropical paradise of its clean with a great number of foliage. The development is in oneself is a convenience store, restaurant and stores dry cleaning. It is also a shuttle service which the voyage of the development itself the MRT of village of Holland, of plaza of crowning and Newton post.

The shopping mall of King Albert is located close to the condominium and you can find storage cold, McDonald ’s in him. It is also 5 minutes in the car of the road of village and orchard of Holland. The access to other parts of Singapore is convenient using the expressway of island of pan (MEAT PIE) and the expressway of Bukit Timah (BKE).

EQUIPMENT WITH THE MAPLEWOODS

Swimming pool
Patauger the swimming pool
Tennis court
Marrow court
Sauna
Jacuzzi
Gymnasium
Court of play
Well of BBQ
Range of drive of golf
Store of suitability
Restaurant
Covered carpark
24 hours of safety

Bring just the luggage of year. Is a sight of need! Ask 1.28m

Buy, Sell, Rent,invest, In Singapore

Mindy Yong
(+65) 91002985
mindy@mindyyong.com

Livia at Pasir Ris Drive - Singapore - District 18

Livia at Pasir Ris Drive  - Singapore - District 18

A project of condominium comprising 10 blocks of the residential apartments 15/16-storey with carparks of basement, full equipment, and wide installation. Ideal choice for the house and the investment.

The date of FORECAST is confirmed: Saturday July 5, 2008, 0930hrs with 1800hrs. Hasten! Take an appointment with me maintaining to look at the showflats and to buy your ideal unit. The ERA the ’s prolonged the plan at the house of guarantee (EHWP) which assures of up to 3 years applies. The EHWP is exclusively conceived for those which bought a unit in the projects launched on the market by ERA. (The limits and conditions applied.)

Close to the station of MRT of Pasir LAUGH and to the exchange of bus. Bus-stop close to the entry to the condominium. The expressway of Tampines provides easy access to the city and the international airport of Changi. Hub of entertainment (is center) near. Choice of the shopping malls. Beach and parks on the distance from walk.
Category: Condo / Apt for Sale

Street Name: Pasir Ris Drive 1

District / Estate: 18

Developer: Hong Realty Pte Ltd
Type: Condominium

Bed Rooms: 3

Bath Rooms: 3

Land Area: 447192 sq ft

Total Units: 724

Tenure: 99

Year Built: TOP 2011

Unit Types:

2 Bdrm = approx. 882 to 1119 sqft (30 units)

2 Bdrm + Study = approx. 914 to 1151 sqft (94 units)

3 Bdrm = approx. 1258 to 1603 sqft (180 units)

3 Bdrm + Study = approx. 1323 to 1743 sqft (240 units)

4 Bdrm = approx. 1538 to 1926 sqft (168 units)

Penthouse = approx. 2421 to 2593 sqft (12 units)

Nearby Amenities: MRT, White Sands, Downtown East, TPE.

Project Features
Fitness Area
Gymnasium
Spa 
Swimming Pool
Tennis Courts 
Wading Pool
BBQ Pits 
Clubhouse
Covered Carpark  
Jogging Track
Meeting Rooms 
Park
Playground 
Security

 
Buy, Sell, Rent,invest, In Singapore

MINDY YONG

( +65 ) 91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com ( email me )

CDL opens Singapore Livia condo at Pasir Ris for preview

CDL opens Singapore Livia condo at Pasir Ris for preview

Initial units are priced at $650 psf on average; Kovan Residences launched
By KALPANA RASHIWALA
CITY Developments Ltd (CDL) has begun to preview its much-awaited Livia condo at Pasir Ris at an average price of about $650 psf for the initial batch of units, BT understands.
And next to Kovan MRT Station, the 512-unit Kovan Residences is being soft launched today and the average price is said to be $870 psf. Both projects are 99-year leasehold.

Market watchers reckon that the $650 psf average pricing for the initial phase of Livia’s marketing effort is about 10 per cent lower than what the developer could have fetched 12 months ago. ‘It might have been priced at $730-750 psf last year,’ an industry observer suggested. The 724-unit condo is being developed at Pasir Ris Drive 1 on a plot that is part of the group’s historical Pasir Ris landbank acquired decades ago.

CDL is developing Livia jointly with Hong Leong Holdings and Hong Realty. All three companies are part of Singapore’s Hong Leong Group. Livia will have a total of 10 blocks, either 15 or 16 storeys high with units ranging from two-bedroom apartments to four bedders. There are also 12 penthouses.

 
 
Next to Kovan MRT Station, Centurion Kovan, controlled by UOB-Kay Hian stockbroker pair Han Seng Juan and David Loh Kim Kang, has been testing the waters for its 512-unit Kovan Residences. The average price is believed to be around $870 psf and industry talk is that some 20 cheques were offered to the developer after a well-attended dinner preview for Messrs Han’s and Loh’s stockbroking community contacts last Saturday. It is not known if options have been issued.

‘Perhaps some of the potential buyers may have found the developer’s proposed price a little challenging and made their counter offers with cheques,’ a market watcher suggested.

Kovan Residences’ soft launch begins today, BT understands. Officials from Centurion Kovan, part of the Duchess Development group, have not been returning BT’s calls over the past few days.

Meanwhile, the project that started the current home buying wave, Ho Bee’s 99-year leasehold Dakota Residences, is said to have sold 150 units since sales began a fortnight ago.

Source : Business Times - 04 July 2008

Singapore Property - Buy, Sell, Rent, Invest

Mindy Yong

(+65)91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com

Anwar hits back with allegations against Najib - Malaysia

Anwar hits back with allegations against Najib - Malaysia

Private eye alleges link between DPM and dead model; Najib denies it
By S JAYASANKARAN
IN KUALA LUMPUR
EXPLOSIVE revelations emerged yesterday in Kuala Lumpur after a private investigator hired by a man charged over the bloody murder of a Mongolian model drew links between the accused man, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak and the murder victim.
 
Mr Najib: Dismissing allegations against him as lies, he says he had ‘never, ever met’ the murdered model 
The allegations surfaced at a news conference called by de facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who himself faces possible charges of sodomy alleged by one of his aides. Mr Najib later denied the allegations, calling them a ploy on Mr Anwar’s part.

Abdul Razak Baginda, a close aide of Mr Najib, and two policemen from the elite Special Action Squad are being tried for the October 2006 slaying of Altantuya Shaariibuu, who apparently had an affair with Abdul Razak. She was shot in the head and her body was then blown up with plastic explosives in a clearing near Shah Alam, outside Kuala Lumpur.

The case, which has been going on for a year, is heading for some sort of conclusion as the prosecution recently rested its case and the judge is set to rule on whether the three accused should enter their defence. But the statutory declaration by P Balasubramaniam, a policeman-turned private detective, implies that evidence he gave voluntarily has been suppressed by police - and prosecutors - to protect Mr Najib, who has repeatedly denied even meeting Ms Altantuya.

‘It would appear that the investigation and proceedings in court seem to be following a pre-arranged script for a pre-arranged outcome,’ Mr Anwar told reporters.

According to the declaration, Mr Balasubramaniam said he was hired by Abdul Razak to protect him from Ms Altantuya, who was allegedly harassing him for unpaid debts. The Mongolian allegedly told the private detective Abdul Razak owed her US$500,000 for ‘assisting’ him on a submarine deal in Paris.

In the declaration, the private detective implies that Abdul Razak was originally evasive when questioned, but finally admitted that he had been introduced to the Mongolian by Mr Najib at a diamond exhibition in Singapore. The nature of the relationship between Mr Najib and the model - according to what Abdul Razak told the private detective - is also detailed in the declaration, but Mr Anwar yesterday dismissed it as ‘their business’.

A month after the Mongolian disappeared, the private detective said he was arrested on suspicion of murder, during which he told his questioners everything that transpired between him and Abdul Razak, but ‘those details were omitted from the final statement’.

On the day Abdul Razak was arrested, according to the declaration, he showed Mr Balasubramaniam and Abdul Razak’s lawyer a mobile phone text from Mr Najib that said: ‘I am seeing IGP (inspector-general of police) at 11am today . . . matter will be solved . . . be cool.’

The private detective said he was prepared to answer all such questions during the trial but that no one - from either side - asked. He told reporters he was coming forward now as the prosecution had closed its case without mentioning this evidence and that others may have been involved in the matter.

Mr Anwar noted that both the defence and the prosecution teams were changed just before the trial, the latter at the last minute.

At a news conference at Parliament House late yesterday, Mr Najib dismissed the allegations as ‘lies’ reiterating that he had ‘never, ever met’ Ms Altantuya. He also said the episode was ‘a ploy’ by Mr Anwar to divert attention away from his own problems.

Even so, Mr Balasubramaniam’s allegations will have to be investigated because they are in a sworn statement, implying that if he is lying he could face perjury charges.

Last night, in a surprise revelation to the sodomy allegations against Mr Anwar, Mr Najib admitted meeting the young man who accused Mr Anwar before he filed the police report.

‘He came to see me, complaining that he was sodomised by Mr Anwar Ibrahim. I wasn’t even sure if it was true or not,’ Mr Najib said. ‘I suppose he needed help, and he knew one of my officers. That’s all. He looked like he was in fear.’

Source : Business Times - 04 July 2008

Singapore Property - Buy, Sell, Rent, Invest

Mindy Yong

(+65)91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com

Maplewoods For Sale Apartment / Condo, District 21, 04.07.2008

Maplewoods For Sale Apartment / Condo, District 21, 04.07.2008

TY : [C]ondo [D]uplex [H]iRise [L]oRise [T]ownHse [P]enthse [W]alkUp [M]asionette

TNR=Tenure, DT=District, BDRM=Bedroom, AREA=Built-In, STR=Storey, Price $K=In Thousand

Price are subject to changes , please call (+65) 91002985 for lastest update
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, BAUHINIA CT #01 ABOVE
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1808
Age    — 10+
Room   — 4
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, BAUHINIA CT #02 ABOVE
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1335
Age    — 10
Room   — 3
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, BAUHINIA CT #04 ABOVE
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 850
Age    — 11
Room   — 2
Psf    — 1235
PRICE$ — 1050000
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, BAUHINIA CT #04 ABOVE
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 850
Age    — 10
Room   — 2
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, BAUHINIA CT #04 BELOW
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1788
Age    — 11
Room   — 4
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, BAUHINIA CT #04 BELOW
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 980
Age    — 11
Room   — 2
Psf    — 1352
PRICE$ — 1325000
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, BAUHINIA CT #06
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 2896
Age    — 10
Room   — 4
Psf    — 1209
PRICE$ — 3500000
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, CHEMPAKA CT #02 ABOVE
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1506
Age    — 11
Room   — 3
Psf    — 1228
PRICE$ — 1850000
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, CHEMPAKA CT #02-04
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1378
Age    — 10+
Room   — 3
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, CHEMPAKA CT #03 ABOVE
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1506
Age    — 10
Room   — 3
Psf    — 1228
PRICE$ — 1850000
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, CHEMPAKA CT #03 ABOVE
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 850
Age    — 07+
Room   — 2
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, CHEMPAKA CT #04 ABOVE
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1335
Age    — 07+
Room   — 3
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, CHEMPAKA CT #04 BELOW
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1400
Age    — 12
Room   — 3
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, CHEMPAKA CT #04 BELOW
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1400
Age    — 12
Room   — 3
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, CHEMPAKA CT #04 BELOW
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1399
Age    — 12
Room   — 3
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, CHEMPAKA CT #05 BELOW
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1818
Age    — 07+
Room   — 4
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, CORAL CT #01
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1410
Age    — 10
Room   — 3
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, CORAL CT #02 ABOVE
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1378
Age    — 10
Room   — 3
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, CORAL CT #03 BELOW
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1410
Age    — BN
Room   — 3
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, CORAL CT #07 ABOVE
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 2550
Age    — 10
Room   — 4
Psf    — 1216
PRICE$ — 3100000
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, FELICIUM CT #02 ABOVE
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 915
Age    — 11
Room   — 2
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, FELICIUM CT #04 ABOVE
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 2895
Age    — 10
Room   — 4
Psf    — 1209
PRICE$ — 3500000
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, FELICIUM CT #04 BELOW
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1800
Age    — 10
Room   — 3
Psf    — 1278
PRICE$ — 2300000
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, FELICIUM CT #04 BELOW
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 850
Age    — 10+
Room   — 2
Psf    — 1294
PRICE$ — 1100000
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, FELICIUM CT #04 BELOW
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 850
Age    — 10
Room   — 2
Psf    — 1250
PRICE$ — 1062500
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, SARACA CT #03 BELOW
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1507
Age    — 10+
Room   — 3
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, SARACA CT #04 BELOW
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1335
Age    — 10
Room   — 3
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, SARACA CT #04
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 1335
Age    — 10
Room   — 3
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0
Type     — C
District — 21
Street  — MAPLEWOODS, SARACA CT #05
Tenure   — FH
Area   — 850
Age    — 10+
Room   — 2
Psf    — 0
PRICE$ — 0

Buy, Sell, Rent,invest, In Singapore

MINDY YONG

( +65 ) 91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com ( email me )

Singapore Prestige Brand Award honours successful household brands

Singapore Prestige Brand Award honours successful household brands

By Timothy Ouyang,

SINGAPORE : Stronger brands can help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) protect their margins better than their competitors in the current climate of uncertainty and rising costs. This was revealed at the launch of this year’s Singapore Prestige Brand Award (SPBA).

The awards, jointly organised by the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME) and Lianhe Zabao, is aimed at promoting good branding practices amongst SMEs.

A new category - the SPBA Hall of Fame Award - has been included this year. It honours outstanding local brands that have excelled continuously over a period of three years.

The four main awards are:

- “Promising Brands” category for brands 3-8 years old

- “Established Brands” for brands which have been around for 6-30 years

- “Heritage Brands” award for brands above 30 years

- “CitiBusiness Regional Brands” category for brands that are at least 3 years old and with presence in at least five foreign markets.

The winners will be unveiled on 3 December 2008.

Source : Channel NewsAsia - 04 July 2008

Singapore Property - Buy, Sell, Rent, Invest

Mindy Yong

(+65)91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com

More companies go green to increase investor appeal - Singapore

More companies go green to increase investor appeal - Singapore
By Rachel Kelly,
SINGAPORE: Singapore companies are ahead of Australia, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Japan when it comes to being green.

More than half of the Singapore companies surveyed by recruitment firm Robert Half said they had environmental or green policies and activities in place.

Many also believed that having green policies would improve a company’s image among investors.

According to the survey, the demand for professionals in the financial industry with expertise in corporate environmental accounting is set to grow, as more companies in Singapore implement environmental policies and activities.

The survey polled about 4,900 people in 17 economies around the world. 22 per cent of the companies polled in Singapore were addressing environmental accounting in financial reporting, with 29 per cent of the respondents looking to do so.

Singapore’s ranking on environmental financial reporting was just behind Hong Kong’s 28 per cent.

Tim Hird, director of Robert Half International, said: “I think it undoubtedly presents an opportunity for accountants who have good solid understanding of corporate environmental accounting in the financial reporting area. We see that as being a really big growth area for the profession.”

Environmental or green accounting monitors the costs and savings of taking on green initiatives.

Robert Half said Singapore companies are ahead of the game when it comes to being green.

“Over 50 per cent of companies in Singapore actually said they had green policies in place already. That is pretty much ranked the highest, ahead of all the developed countries such as Australia, Japan and Hong Kong,” Hird said.

The survey showed that 75 per cent of the companies surveyed in Singapore had existing recycle programmes.
- CNA/so

 
Source : Channel NewsAsia - 04 July 2008

Singapore Property - Buy, Sell, Rent, Invest

Mindy Yong

(+65)91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com