Asset Bubble

Last couples of week, we noticed that newspaper put up "asset bubble" to be another timeboom. Previously, some statement is posted that the asset bubble risk is growing.

How this asset bubble form?
When government pump in money into the market through stimulus package. The intention is to improve the liquidity of the market which badly hit by the credit crunch.

The interest rate has been gone to the historical low level. It encourages consumer to take loan and indirectly stimulate the economy by consumer spending. Due to the low interest rate, those who disqualified for loan suddenly to become “arithmetically” qualify. The throng rush to bank and apply for loan, during crisis, people always think it is the best time to buy property with low interest rate and cheap property.

Problem begin from here.

In the foreseeable future, government will withdraw their stimulus by adjusting the cost of fund. It is to anticipate and cure the potential inflation risk in country. Increase the interest rate is one of the monetary tools that commonly used by central bank.

Those loan borrower will face the repayment difficulty with the interest rate increase because most of them do not price in the risk of rate increment as the margin of repayment is at the minimal level.

It will cause another property crisis and many fire sales or auction of property by default repayment will happen if the situation is not managed properly.

First, banker shall lower their loan percentage to 75% or 80% of property price instead of 90% or 95%.
Second, banker is to reduce the age limit instead of 70 years old to 60 years old.

The above is to provide a buffer for the bank in the event of default by the borrower in loan repayment. The bank can review and adjust the repayment by prolonging the repayment period.

Ultimately, the heat need to be gradually cool down before it becomes a second wave of crisis to the economy. Do not simply pulling 1 leg out from a swamp by deepening another leg in.

Crane on Site

This is a bird eye view of a typical construction worksite.

Generally, for high rise building, a tower crane will be erected for hoisting purpose. The Hammer Head Crane (horizontal frame) will be erected when the worksite have ample turning radius.

This type of crane has a greater lifting capacity and probably lower rental. It is very commonly used in the construction site.

The alternative lifting mean is mobile crane, which normally use for short term lifting and limited height. This crane has advantages on its mobility and it can run on the public road. The rental cost is even cheaper.
The disadvantage is the limitation of height and lifting weight. There is time consuming to find a suitable parking ground for lifting and all outriggers are required to full extend prior to lifting operation. It also need to ensure the ground condition is sound and solid for the lifting operation.

This is a combination of the above crane where it can provide greater lifting capability and certain degree of mobility. This kind of crane is to provide a medium term usage around few months of work. The crane boom is longer than mobile crane which offer wider coverage for lifting work.

In short, the selection of crane for construction worksite is required to optimum the cost and usage of crane. It requires to plan in advance to understand the requirement of work activity prior to decide on the type of machinery.

Turnstile

This is TURNSTILE

This type is common use in a tight security passage way, such as custom.


This is a normal type of turnstile which commonly use at public area. It can be used to check the number of visitors, etc.


You use it daily on LRT / MRT entrance/exit point.

Southern Bridge - A Place You Should Not Miss.

The layout of Southern Bridge.

The connection of another end of Kent Ridge Park is not shown. It is connected Nation University of Sinagpore to Clementi Wood.


Curve Shape of timber finish. It looks nice and fantastic. The curvature pattern match with steel structure member form an arch effect of the bridge.


Under the misty photo shooting, it's like a dragon riding in the cloud.


A ridge bridge is built a few meter about the ground and crossing in the only greenish land in city centre of Singapore.


It is a good place for those who love the earth.

A greenish landscape that protecting the earth and attract thousand of tourists. Good idea and good creation.

Water Tank

Construction Use Water Cube..

1m3 Cube Tank

Portable and easy to handle.

Sewer Manhole

This is Sewer Manhole. SEW is indicated at the top of the heavy duty cover. It is important for contractor to identify the nearest manhole before they start off with their site office construction.

The temporary sewer connection to existing sewer manhole is still a cheapest option as compare to holding tank which need to be discharged regularly.

Contract Term Definition

The definition of terms in contract document:-

Quote – the price offered by the contractor to do the work

Preliminaries – these are the costs for items required to carry out the contract other than the actual construction works eg. Travelling costs, the hire of scaffolding or other items of plant, office or other administrative costs

Provisional sums –an amount included in the contract sum/agreed quote for additional works that are not fully specified

Variations – these are the works that arise during construction which were not allowed for in the quote

PC Sum (Prime Cost Sum) – a sum of money allowed for an item or work or materials supplied by the client eg. Installation of a fire alarm system by a specialist already selected by the client, or the cost of a bathroom suite already purchased by the client

Retention – sum of money set aside by the client (you) from the contract sum until the works are completed to your satisfaction

(quoted from http://www.rics.org/Services/BCIS/pr_bcis_guide061006.html )

CAR PARK DIMENSION

You may not aware that the car parking dimension has different requirement as for different angle of parking lot.

Transit Railway System - Learn It

Effective Successful Transit Railway System


Hong Kong Railway

http://www.rcm-advies.nl/Webpagina's/Transit%20Systems/Hong%20Kong%20-%20his.htm
The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) Corporation of Hong Kong was established in 1975 with the aim to study, plan, construct, and operate a metro system for the British crown colony. This resulted in a total of three lines with an overall route length of 43.2 kilometres, 38 stations, and a total of 671 rail cars. Each line was built at separate times with the first one starting its full operation in late 1979, followed by the Tsuen Wan extension in 1982, the Island Line in 1986, and the Eastern Harbour Crossing in 1989. Of the 38 stations, 30 are underground.....................


Japn Railway

http://www.tokyometro.jp/global/en/about/history.html
1920 Aug. 29 Establishment of the Tokyo Underground Railway Company

1925 Sep. 27 Start of construction on the section between Asakusa and Ueno by the Tokyo Underground Railway Company

1927 Dec. 30 Tokyo Underground Railway Company-opening of the first subway section between Asakusa and Ueno

1934 Jun. 21 Tokyo Underground Railway Company-opening of the section between Ginza and Shimbashi.......................


Singapore Railway


http://www.lta.gov.sg/public_transport/pt_rail_tracing.htm
The 1960s was an era of great economic changes for Singapore. The city's leaders were convinced of the need to support the economy with a reliable and efficient transport system to support nation building. To this end, the government commissioned a State and City Planning study in 1967 to study the possibility of expanding the transport network. Amongst others, the findings of the four-year study pointed to a need for a rail transit system by 1992.
In May 1982, the Government gave the go-ahead and work on the construction of the MRT began. The S$5 billion project was targeted to be completed in 1992. The 67 km-long route would boast 42 stations, of which 27 would be above ground and 15 underground. The north-south line was implemented first as more people need to be ferried across the busy Orchard corridor and the Central Business District. On 14 October 1983, the MRT Corporation was established…...........


London Railway

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/clivebillson/tube/tube.html#Today
Inset into an original geographical map, which is the same style as Britain's railway maps produced since the first railways in the 1840s, this map is a late example (1905) of how the earlier underground maps looked from 1863, when the first underground railway was opened, until around 1906........



Malaysia Railway

Malaysia Transit Railway is still young compare to the above countries. However, when the neighbour country Singapore can catch up with the developed country, like Japan, UK, etc. I don't see there is any reason why can't Malaysia take the same pace. There is a proven track that technology and expertise can be learned.

Learn from the successful railway system would eliminate a lot of unforeseeable mistakes and errors. The Railway Route must be incorporated into the town planning blueprint. There is nothing to shy from learning others technology and system. This is so called history study!

Wider Vision takes the Lead. Plan 20 years ahead from now rather than 2 years. Put your eye sight in the farther destination. A Strong Public Transport Department must be established to plan ahead and control effectively on the implementation to achieve this MEGA VISION.

Highest Elevated Bridge Construction Stages

This is one of the great creation of Human being.

Pier construction...
All piers are marked and construct concurrently..
Each Tower Crane for one pier, access to deliver material to respective pier also must be consider carefully.

Then. the bridge deck will be constructed..


Photo shooting from top to bottom.


Suspension deck to connect one pier to another.

Work was proceed day and night.


Pier is standing right above the sky level.


Is this bridge link to heaven..?


Tension is used to support the deck.


This is interesting while seeing the bridge surrounded in mist.


I salute at those engineers and workers who dare to work at such height.


Bottom of deck..


Side view of bridge.


A Bridge linking to Sky?


Great Team.. great work..


Heavy tension is used..


The system of bridge construction.



It is great..
Great man made sky bridge.
It is completed.
Its launching opening...!! yahoo..

Sime UEP Development Sdn Bhd

Big Name, Small Work - SIME DARBY

SIME DARBY - the largest plantation listed company in the world. Under its roof, the property development is also standing as one of the main core business- Sime UEP Development Sdn Bhd

My disappointment comes from the recent incident about the arrangement of this property development department. The inefficiency of the department has incurred delay charge to the property buyer.

The progress claim letters were posted out after the expiry of grace period. Then, the office claimed the delay interest charge from Buyer through End Financier ( respective loan banker) as the penalty from the delay issuance payment. The vacant possession is issued and request to settle the outstanding before release the house key.

NO PAYMENT, NO KEY COLLECTION!! WTF?! Good marketing strategy hoh ?!

For its customer service aspect, I never see such a poor service attitude from a big scale of company like this. The office staffs are reluctant to resolve the buyer problem. Closing down the door to block out the buyer from seeking help from higher management. When insist want to see the Manager or higher management, excuse like Person in Charge is not "IN" or " Engaged" or " On Leave"- not 1 or 2 days but weeks, you believe it?

SIME DARBY has a very good reputation and being the top in the list of Malaysia well known developer. I urge to uphold the commitment in deliver a good service and reward through meritocracy but not blindly on crony.

Management Team.. open your eyes!! Play your role. Don't sink like our Pr*T*n Car. Be proud of standing at the top of GLCs but not the first from back.

See some sample of SIME DARBY new township..

Highest Elevated Bridge

The Highest Elevated Bridge..


Why can't Malaysia being inspired to learn from this human creation? Such simple Flyover MRR2 also failed to manage it and being repaired and repaired for numerous time.

Too sad that the safety of this Flyover is still unknown.