Semester 2 has ended two weeks ago. Here's what had happened to Bing's belated birthday party, also our semester ending barbeque; held at William's condo on 11 November.

Jinn looks cool but funny here. His hair style mimics that of famous Bollywood superstar, Shah Ruth Khan.

Jinn and Fai proposing to marry Irene. Both holding a flower rose, ...ooops...maybe it's just a slice of watermelon! Ermmm...guess who will she choose?

Private affair with the girls. I only realized now that Jinn was at the back there...alamak!

The party consisting of girls, "Tans" and "gays" (so-called) from Monash. By the way, where's me?

The truly brotherhood picture. Everyone here should be nicknamed "Tan".

Tags: Patchay-Blogspot, Monash University and Monash Malaysia.

Today Patchay@Blogspot celebrates 6 months of existence!!!

Yeah exactly 6 months ago, this blog started humbly with a classic Blogger template, and then transformed into what it is today. Ever since, I've received numerous feedbacks - a mixture of good and bad, majority of which are good comments.

Today also, I received the longest written comment on the Visit Malaysia Cyber Campaign post. Thank you. After reading it, I was really encouraged and feel that this site can do more to promote our country.

Anyway, Patchay@Blogspot is currently under-going refurbishment works and consolidation process. I apologize for the slow loading (of this site) or any inconvenience caused. Do stay tuned to this blog as I'll be bringing you new topics for discussion here.

Till then happy surfing!

Tag: Patchay-Blogspot.

This is The Loft Kuala Lumpur with its aesthetic modern architecture.

The party begins here on Saturday night (4 November) ...

The above picture depicts the ambience inside. The interior looks cozy. The decor and fittings look classy. I wonder how would I freak out in the dark and to the delights of club music? Well, I should be getting ready to stomp hard on the floor and behold the euphoria that may arise.

It turned out to be entertaining initially. Feeling good when dancing with the leng luis (pretty chicks) arrr?

Then, three of us were too exchausted. Don't know why. The truth is that there were just too many "Aunties" and "Uncles" having fun together at the dance floor. No space for us!!!

Good morning Patchay? Still staying awake. Not drunk not dead. It was 3.30am on Sunday morning and the party came to a memorable ending. Indeed, it was a great night till the break of dawn.

Tags: Nightlife, Asia, Kuala Lumpur, Patchay-Blogspot

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has unveiled an ambitious US$105 billion (close to RM400 billion) masterplan to turn the southern Johor state into a prosperous Asian metropolis. The South Johor Economic Region (SJER) is the brainchild of PM Abdullah and it is the country's single largest development project.

SJER at a glance (Source: CNA)

Covering over 2,217-square kilometre, the SJER growth triangle include Senai-Kulai in the north, Pasir Gudang-Tanjung Langsat in the east and Tanjung Pelepas-Gelang Patah-Pontian in the west.

The multi-billion SJER will transform the Johor state into a world-class business hub on par with others in the region like Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China. The SJER is 2.5 times the size of Singapore and it is set to become Malaysia's second metropolis after the capital Kuala Lumpur. The SJER is expected to create around 817,500 new jobs during its development until 2025.

Components of SJER:

SJER (area in yellow) includes Nusajaya

Nusajaya City which is being built in Gelang Patah, is to be the new State Government's new administrative seat. Phase one of the Johor State New Administrative Centre (JSNAC), comprising the Johor State Assembly building, Mentri Besar and State Secretary complex, Mahkota Square and state government department complexes, is expected to be competed by end-2007.

New Administrative Centre (JSNAC)

An iconic landmark called "The Iskandar" adjoining Nusajaya Islamic Park is to be built. Nusajaya will also house an international theme park and a secondary water theme park.

Proposed Nusajaya City Center

Johor Bahru and Nusajaya have been identified to house the Free Access Zones (FAZ). Foreigners can live in designated FAZ and travel to work in Singapore without being subjected to immigration and customs checks.

Nusajaya Central Planning Area

According to sources, US-based Carnegie-Mellon University and Britain’s University of Newcastle Upon Tyne are to set up faculties in a 250ha education enclave called EduCity in Nusajaya. Meanwhile, the Columbia Asia Hospital will be part of the 150ha medical hub in Nusajaya.

Plans are also under way to turn the SJER into a major outsourcing hub and software development centre by 2008, including an International e-Commerce Park in Nusajaya.

Birth of a new metropolis

Danga Bay is being developed into a new residential, commercial, marine sporting and entertainment centre. The Johor Waterfront City, covering an area of 809ha, will have international hotels, resorts and shopping malls.

Danga Bay Masterplan

An integrated public transport, namely a monorail system and a network of highways to connect major parts of the SJER, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

The creation of a major logistic hub known as South Johor Industrial Logistics Cluster (SiLC) which comprises Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), Senai Airport and Johor Port in Pasir Gudang. The SiLC will house, among others, manufacturing facilities for electronics and electrical products, biotechnology, nanotechnology, pharmaceutical and wafer production.

1,000 acres allocated for PTP Free Zone. Strategic development of several other key projects surrounding PTP, including petrochemical and heavy marine related industries.

Port of Tanjung Pelepas

A Cyber City, expected to be sited in Kulai near the Senai Airport, will be developed on a 60ha location. Construction is set to take off in 2008. The city will have cyber incubators, office space, hotels and residences.

A biofuel hub will also be established at Tanjung Langsat Port, near Pasir Gudang, to tap the abundance of palm oil in the country and transform the port and an adjoining industrial park into a key export area for biodiesel.

--- © Patchay@SkyscraperCity & SSC Forumers ---

Tags: Asia, Malaysia, Johor, Nusajaya and Patchay-Blogspot.

Second F1 racetrack on the cards in Johor

JOHOR - MALAYSIA might get a second Formula One (F1) racetrack, TV3 reported yesterday, adding one in Johor to the existing track in Sepang.

If everything goes according to plan, Danga Bay in the Southern Johor Economic Region (SJER) may get the track by next year.

The plan was announced to the media yesterday by senior officers from the Johor State Economic Planning Unit and the government investment arm, Khazanah Nasional, TV3 reported.

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is scheduled to unveil the SJER masterplan tomorrow (November 4). SJER covers more than 2,000 sq km and is divided into five main zones.

Danga Bay, a RM15 billion (S$6.5 billion) waterfront development in the zone, is being developed under a 15-year project.

According to the project's management authorities, F1 is keen to join the development.

'We have officials visiting us from F1 and when they saw our place, they were quite excited because it's very unique, in the way that our roads are well-connected. It forms a loop and it is all facing the waterfront,' Danga Bay project manager Christopher Yeo said.

Malaysia's existing F1 racetrack in Selangor, the Sepang International Circuit, was officially opened on March 9, 1999, and has since become one of the country's top tourist draws.

Early negotiations for the second track are under way, said officials at yesterday's briefing, and the race may be held on public roads, just like in Monaco.

It would need, among others, a 3.5km track with all the safety features of the sport.

-- Source: Singapore Press --

Tags: Malaysia and Johor.