Nik Zafri 03/24/2011 03:04 AM

Assalaamu'alaikum wbr. Dato Seri.

I just like to propose my 'very raw humble grassroot idea' about TERAJU. I know that this has recently being launched and perhaps guidelines on the 5 KRA has also been printed. Here goes :

• Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation

How : At the grassroot level, the companies associated with the program especially those involve in some central contracts or projects or equivalent should have at least ONE program known as "Vendor Development Program" from incubation phase to full pledged (well-trained and equipped) vendors with a vision towards reaching highest phase - a smart partner, or form up strategic alliance not to mention being a franchisor.

However - The terms, conditions, stakeholding, financing, priority, technological transfer etc. must be CLEAR and not burdening potential vendors.

• Funding

How : Equity Financing (e.g. holding some shares and investing in potential companies (viable, feasible & sustainable companies - taking into account projected gearing) by associated companies in TERAJU, or via Venture Capital etc. till the small timers become big timers geared to towards listed in ACE or Main Board.

• Education and Employment

How : At the school & university level, more changes to include 'Competency' and 'Practical' modules including a simulated environment,visits,sampling and application, interviews with or lectures by experienced professionals at the end of the course or subject or semester etc.

• Institutional and Policy Instrument Review

Am not so clear about this one. It sounded like economics or I could be wrong - monetary? Despite of that; both economics and monetary are enough and there is no need to add another one (just upgrade the current ones) - anyway..review is a good idea.

• Stakeholder Management

How : Enhance the current Corporate Governance and we're in business.

Thanks and regards.

Nik Zafri

http://www.nikzafri.blogspot.com
e-mail : nikzafri@gmail.com

GDP OF 6% IS FINE - By Nik Zafri

I'm not working with Bank Negara but when "smart" people (who is also not employed with Bank Negara as well) started to question Malaysia's targeted GDP of 6%, they are overlooking inflation, money flooding in without control, rising consumer demand and escalating commodity costs.

Before questioning the credibility of Bank Negara Governor, Tan Sri Zeti, I would like to point some things out for the sake of discussion.

We should consider inflation based on CPI (*energy, food etc) - which is the inflation's benchmark to determine our financial market.

(*I'm looking into the volatility of these prices translated from what I see on the field myself - people at ALL levels especially the medium income and the poor ones rather than sitting comfortably in an air-con office suite and thinking how to get publicity by criticizing Bank Negara)


GDP represents total aggregate output of our economy. As a market watcher, I told the investors that "WE MUST PLAY SAFE" - do not be too ambitious - so 6% is FINE by the standard of investors as the figures have been adjusted for inflation.

Let's say Gross GDP calculated 6% higher than last year, inflation measured 2% over the same period, thus : net growth over the period is reported as 4%.

Investors will look into GDP's annual growth - the primary stock performance driver - in order to determine whether 'to invest or not to invest'. Yes, it's true that if there in no change or a decline in the overall economic output, investors will translate these datum into companies inablity to make profit

So how about TOO MUCH GDP Growth? (or not 'trying to play safe' - take some risk) Definitely inflation will increase - killing the gains in the stock market hence our RM is also devaluated. So here we can see what will happen - more and more crime might happen, prices of food my go 'sky high' and unaffordable, more unemployment, more controlled of financing/loan/grants etc.

Furthermore it sounds good to increase GDP by linking to lowering unemployment rate but it will be out of control when supply decrease faster while services and goods' aggregate demand increase, constraint in the labour market that will result in company raising salary - where will this all end? Consumers definitely - in the form of price going higher. (Yes, in some way, some people are making profits out of these - maybe that's the reason they are restless seeing 6% GDP)

We should learn from what is happening around the world especially from the US. Almost all the US economists will agree with me that GDP growth causes inflation and inflation begets hyperinflation. The process can become a self-reinforcing feedback loop. Everyone in the world will start spending money which they know will be less valuable in due course. So...more increase in GDP = more price increase! Inflation are non-linear - 10% inflation is much more that twice as harmful as 5% inflation.

With that I rest my case.
------------------------------

FOR READING PLEASURE

JAPAN WILL SURVIVE! - ARTICLE AND RESEARCH BY NIK ZAFRI


What is happening in Japan is very tragic. Our hearts go out to all those suffering.

It is with heavy heart when I wrote this article as too many questions been e-mailed to me about the post-economic effects of the Tsunami and quakes in Northern Japan.

Definitely oil prices slumped below $98/barrel. This would be worse depending on the situation at the nuclear plant.

Some large nations including China is cutting back nuclear-investment. It means that there is and will be higher demand for oil.

Already global stock markets sharp falls have been observed.

I stand with other global analysts that the immediate dampening effect of the earthquake on Japanese oil demand soon would be reversed. Let not anyone forget about the current crisis the Middle East and North Africa, recovery process in Egypt and the latest "Libya and Gaddafi's Factor" is also affecting the global oil price.

On Japan itself, yes they will be affected somehow - judging by the past experience of Kobe, it has caused > USD100 billion of damages with more than 5000 people are killed.

The death toll now; as I speak; unfortunately; is more than Kobe. Not to mention the grid and network of electrical and communication which may affect macroecomically speaking across the nation.

Furthermore, global ripple effects especially on the United States would be on the auto industry, semiconductors etc.

How would investors in Japan react?

Not good, there are talks about them dumping some of that debt (government bond) in Japan despite assurance there will be budget - spend massive amounts of money rebuilding infrastructure and factories in Northern Japan.

Also there have been rumours about pulling yen out of the abroad market for rehabilitation purposes in the affected places in Japan. But the affect is short term and yen may strengthen but not in the interest of the Feds. With the sharp increase of commodity and oil prices, interest rates might be pushed up.

For the opportunists or 'profitists?' (if there is such word)?

Well as usual - sort term sell-offs = long term gain if you are up to it.

1. Auto industry - Japan's sales is more focussed outside and performing splendidly - take Toyota for example - they will go through this as they still have cash - lots of them

2. Nuclear & Uranium - Operators are worried about regulatory and political even monetary policies.

This is a normal case - If you all recall the BP/oil spill case which lead to more offshore drilling - then please do not worry.

I quote this from Motley fool website :

Southern Co. (NYSE: SO) and Exelon (NYSE: EXC) stand out as two intriguing names that have traded off a bit on the market's tumults. Exelon, in particular, has been hit hard and offers big upside. Exelon might be the largest nuclear power producer in the U.S., but about 1/3 of its power generating capacity comes from sources other than nuclear. For that matter, the company operates regulated utilities which offer very consistent cash flow and, frankly, have no real exposure to the drama you're seeing on television. Put it all together with a 5% dividend yield and a valuation that already assumes paltry growth, and you're looking at a bargain.


The Motley Fool are so cool that they also 'agree' to my answer :

Shrinking in uranium demand? No way. China and Russia will continue to create a long term demand growth!!

We have seen how Japan move up after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, after Kobe incident - so what would stop them from going up after this one? Because of there will be heavy spending - in the medium term - they will be UP!

I'm not a Japanese but I do know how the system works over there...so don't create more panic, do not listen to rumours.
----------------------------

Menjawab soalan dari seorang rakan di luar negara mengenai impak pos-bencana di Jepun ke atas negara-negara ASEAN


Nik Zafri :

Terima kasih saudara kerana soalan berkenaan.

Secara ringkasnya :

KDNK Jepun akan menjadi perlahan tetapi hanyalah bersifat sementara tetapi saya pasti ianya akan 'pick-up' pertengahan 2011 kerana program pembinaan semula.

Walaupun terdapat laporan ketidaktentuan kerana reaktor nuklear, berpandukan pengalaman Hiroshima dan Nagasaki, mereka pasti akan berjaya dalam usaha membangunkan semula negara matahari terbit ini.

Terdapat suara-suara kebimbangan di kalangan negara ASEAN namun impak sebenarnya adalah sangat terhad kecuali sektor pengeluaran automotif dan elektronik.

Potensi KDNK ASEAN sangat tinggi kerana keupayaannya untuk melepasi tahap bahaya selepas krisis global yang bermula dari US (Sab-Prima) dahulu. Jadi saya berpendapat ASEAN akan dapat memproses impak bencana Jepun dengan baik serta merancang satu usaha untuk melepasi tahap ini pula. Kita sebenarnya bertuah kerana mempunyai ramai pemikir-pemikir strategik di negara-negara ASEAN.

Yang paling penting, kita mengawal perasaan supaya kita tidak panik. Kerana, andaikan kita gagal mengawal impak dengan baik, kita akan berhadapan dengan masalah baru iaitu inflasi kerana terdapat tanda-tanda kenaikan dalam kemasukan portfolio modal, kenaikan harga komoditi serta makanan. Negara-negara yang berpendapatan rendah akan pasti merasai kesan ini.

Seperti biasa, tugas mencari jalan bagi merendahkan kadar inflasi sekiranya ia berlaku bergantung kepada negara-negara ASEAN lain untuk merangka satu cara atau polisi yang strategik.Kenaikan komoditi secara berterusan mungkin akan menyebabkan situasi ketidaktentuan di masa hadapan.


Saya mendapat beberapa info dari rakan penganalisa barat yang rata-rata memberitahu saya bahawa ASEAN mempunyai potensi yang tinggi TERUTAMANYA Malaysia dan Singapura disebabkan situasi ketidaktentuan di Timur Tengah, Eropah, Korea dan kini di Jepun.

Oleh sebab kedudukan ini, Malaysia perlu memainkan peranan besar dalam ASEAN termasuk China.

Walaupun China akan menjadi kuasa ekonomi yang besar terutamanya pengekspot dan pengeluar, namun ianya akan bergantung kepada sokongan rakan-rakan ASEANnya. Di sini Malaysia boleh berkongsi pengalaman menerusi proses industrialisasi dan urbanisasi yang selama ini terbukti menjadikan Malaysia negara maju pada tahun 2020.

Lagi pun, Malaysia merupakan satu-satunya negara yang masih aman, maju dan makmur serta tidak mengalami apa-apa bencana alam yang besar seperti negara-negara lain di dunia. Alhamdulillah.

Wassalam - perlu diingatkan ini adalah pendapat peribadi berdasarkan kajian saya dan bukanlah mewakili mana-mana pihak.

As expected, there was some major changes in the price of Sern Kou Resources Berhad on Thursday, 10 March, 2011.

Although it has not reached the expected price (not yet) but it still has great potentials! Keep it coming guys!

The Star Metro
Home > Metro > Central
Thursday March 10, 2011

CAR ALARM WITH A DIFFERENCE

By CHRISTINA LOW
christinalow@thestar.com.my

Photos by ABDUL HALIM


EVERY TIME R. Ravindran goes out to a shopping mall with his family, one thing he will not forget to do is to send a text message to the four-wheeler, just to know it is safe.

He will then receive a reply in less than a minute informing him of the exact location of the car.

It may sound crazy but for Ravindran, the SMS is the best first-hand news he can get about his vehicle.

The 40-year-old, who is a trained chartered accountant, has a huge passion for security devices after working for a local manufacturer for close to 13 years.



High-tech: Ravindran with the locally made Immo-Com car security device.

During the stint, Ravindran said the company made power windows, car alarms, reverse sensors and central locking systems before supplying it to local car manufacturers.

“When I left the company in 2009 to start one of my own, the home alarm systems was one of our line of products,

“However coming from a car alarm system background, I have always wondered how I can integrate both home and car systems,” he said.

In the same year, he started a project to put together a car alarm system which he felt could be the answer to his problems.

“We have all kinds of security systems for cars in the market. Some are so loud when triggered off and no one knows if your car is being taken away or the system is faulty,” said Ravindran, who is the director of Secure Intellect Technology Sdn Bhd.

Often, no one bothers about it and the owner would probably end up being the last person to find out.

Explaining how the simple system works, Ravindran said: “When your alarm is triggered, the system which runs on a GPS and a phone SIM card would automatically send you a SMS informing you that the car’s alarm has been set off.

“Accompanying the message is the location of the car and also details informing if the car’s engine is switched on or otherwise,” he said.

If the thief stealing your car drives off with the car, the owner can continue sending SMSs to his car and would get replies informing him of its location.

He said he could opt to immobilise the car by typing ‘PW1234;IMMO=ON’ to the car’s phone number.

During the interview, Ravindran said any phone could activate the immobiliser of the car if they knew the password and phone number.

“You should not tell anyone the SIM card number and password.

“However, you can let two family members know the number and password so they too can be informed about the car when the alarm is triggered,” he said.

To demonstrate how the system works, Ravindran showed us the trick on a different cellphone, while driving.

The aim was to immobilise his car and hardly a minute after sending the short SMS, his car came to a halt.

He then sent another SMS ‘PW1234;IMMO=OFF’ and he could restart the engine without a glitch.

“This system is not only simple and easy to use but it informs the car owner directly and is also useful for the police to track the whereabouts of the car,” he said.

The locally produced Immo-Com device by Secure World is small enough to fit into the palm and is currently available at a promotional price of RM1,848 with one year warranty.

Installation takes about 90 minutes and the company has appointed dealers in various parts of the country such as Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perak, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

Ravindran said the device could also be transferred to another car if one decided to change their vehicles.

For details on the product, call Ravindran at 019-232 2911 or visit www.sit2u.com.my.
---------------------------------------

Nik Zafri :

I look into this article and immediately got so interested in it. I sms Mr. Ravindran expressing my interest to republish this article online. Soon, Mr. Ravindran himself returned my call, very nice chap. I told how impressed I am with this statement :

“We have all kinds of security systems for cars in the market. Some are so loud when triggered off and no one knows if your car is being taken away or the system is faulty,”

I hope soon, the system will be interfaced with the PDRM or JPJ so that it makes their job easier as well.


---------------------------------
I then visited the website and got hold of this :



Protect your vehicle and love ones with IMMO-COM. It gives you peace of mind, as your car is always with you wherever you go. It protects your car by communicating and immobilizing through these features:

* INFORM
You will be notify immediately when your car is tampered or break-in.

* STOP
Immobilize your car through your mobile phone wherever you are.

* STATUS
You can check the engine status of your car anytime, anywhere.

* LOCATE
You can track and locate your car through GPS System.




---------------
Nik Zafri :

By the looks of it, I think it can go more than putting the car into a halt, it may also sound the horns, lock the door or probably loud voice alert "You are not an authorized user" followed by an alarm or perhaps automatic dial to PDRM or JPJ.

Kinda like "Knightrider" - I told Mr. Ravindran and he chuckled.

I hope soon, the system will be interfaced with the PDRM or JPJ so that it makes their job easier as well.

And the price is OK by Malaysian standards - I think lower than the current GPS mechanisms - it's worth to try..