Iskandar Malaysia (JB) : Most livable city ranking

Every year a new list is published, but it seems there is little change at the top. 2012 ranking saw Melbourne move to the top spot with the remaining cities in the list stay in the whereabouts they were before in 2011.

It is interesting to see how Johor Bahru ( being the major city in Iskandar Malaysia ) fared against other top cities in the list.

I personally think in order to promote Iskandar Malaysia as the chosen destination for international investors, it needs to be in the list. It does not matter if JB is almost at the bottom of the list on the 1st year, the most important is to have JB climbing up the list from year to year.

It is also important to be able to distinguish JB from other major cities in Malaysia such as KL and Penang.  As someone who has lived and worked in KL , Penang and JB, I personally found JB has it's own characters that are not widely publicized. JB is definitely a calmer city, with lots of space and people are more relaxed compared to other cities in Malaysia. You might disagree with me if you look at causeway crossing area where people are just rushing to be on the other side of the border.  I mean , we have to look at Iskandar Malaysia as the whole region.

All these good traits could be the strength of Iskandar Malaysia and it is sad if these traits disappeared with the development of Iskandar Malaysia.

Hopefully 1 day Iskadar Malaysia ( specifically JB) will find it's way into the "Most livable City Ranking" !!!

Iskandar Malaysia : Bus Iskandar missing opportunity

It is not that I am not grateful to the free service provided by Bus Iskandar.  I just think Bus Iskandar is a missing opportunity for it to be anything but normal commuter service. Looking at the 17 routes by Bus Iskandar, I think it is a pretty a decent route planning, still is missing the vital link between Iskandar and Singapore.  May be that is the reason it is called "17 social routes" ...

As I have said on other posting, the Bus Iskandar is good for locals but I do not think it provide significant advantage to Iskandar Malaysia to become the investors choice

From Iskandar Malaysia web Site

17 SOCIAL ROUTES IN ISKANDAR MALAYSIA

ROUTE NO.	ROUTE	VIEW ROUTE MAP
IM-01	Terminal Larkin – Larkin Perdana – Giant Majidee – Kg. Bendahara
IM-02	Giant Tampoi – BBU – Kg. Pasir – Giant Tampoi
IM-03	Terminal Larkin – Tmn Sinaran Kempas
IM-04	Jusco Tebrau City – Flat Desa Cemerlang
IM-05	Terminal Gelang Patah – PTP – Kg. Pendas
IM-06	Jusco Bukit Indah – 5 kedai – Terminal Gelang Patah – Terminal Kota Iskandar
IM-07	Terminal Gelang Patah – Tmn Nusantara – Terminal Kota Iskandar
IM-08	Today's Market – UniKL – Tmn Flora Heights
IM-09	Today's Market – Taman Rinting – Today's Market
IM-10	Tmn Sri Skudai – Tmn Sri Putri – TUTA – Tmn Nesa – Tmn Sri Orkid
IM-11	Tmn Senai Utama – Tmn Impian Jaya – Felda Ulu Tebrau – Ulu Tiram – Jusco Tebrau City
IM-12	Terminal Masai – Terminal Pasir Gudang – Tmn Desa Rakyat
IM-13	Terminal Masai – Terminal Pasir Gudang – Kg.Pasir Putih
IM-14	Teminal Masai – Taman Mawar – Terminal Pasir Gudang – Nusa Damai
IM-15	Terminal Pasir Gudang – Tmn Pasir Putih – Terminal Kota Masai
IM-16	Tmn Impian Skudai/Giant Skudai – Flat Tmn Impian Emas – Skudai Parade – Kg. Maju Jaya – Tmn Impian Jaya
IM-17	Holiday Plaza – KSL City – Lebuhraya Tebrau – Bandaraya JB

Garis Panduan Untuk Pengurusan Masa Yang Cekap

Siri pengurusan masa untuk peperiksaan.

Apabila menguruskan masa anda, mungkin beberapa tips berikut akan membantu anda.
Ingat, terdapat 7 hari (168 jam) dalam seminggu. Asas seperti tidur, kerja, senaman, masa lapang,
masa kualiti dengan orang lain, keluarga dan domestik komitmen, pelancongan, dan kerja-kerja rumah semua perlu diperuntukkan slot dalam kalendar anda. Anda tidak boleh meninggalkan dunia biasa dan menumpukan diri sepenuhnya untuk belajar.
Terdapat masa apabila anda mungkin perlu minigggalkan belajar , atas sebab-sebab yang sangat mudah bahawa ia mungkin kaunter-produktif untuk mencuba dan melakukan semua perkara pada setiap masa. Sebagai contoh, tidak pembelajaran jika anda bosan; bukannya mengupas spuds atau menggilap kereta.

Gunakan masa anda yang ada dengan sebaiknya , bukannya cuba mencipta masa

Gunakan apa sahaja masa yang ada sepenuhnya

Sebagai contoh, gembira untuk menyekat dalam slot kajian jam / setengah jam pada jadual anda, bukannya perasaan
bahawa anda sentiasa perlu untuk mengetepikan sekurang-kurangnya 2-3 jam pada satu masa untuk mendapatkan sebarang kajian dilakukan. The
Pendekatan yang dicadangkan di sini akan membantu anda untuk membangunkan tabiat tetap, kerap kajian sesi pendek,
dan mungkin lebih realistik dan lebih berkesan daripada masa menunggu selama-lamanya bagi yang sukar difahami "tiga
jam / hari keseluruhan "(yang tidak pernah berlaku).

Amalkan "pembungkusan materi" seperti dengan seperti

Buat semua panggilan telefon anda bersama-sama / membayar semua bil-bil dalam satu perjalanan / melakukan membeli-belah / menyeterika / memasak di
waktu tertentu. (Seorang pelajar sahaja dimasak dua kali seminggu: 3 hidangan setiap kali, yang dia beku, dan digunakan
dalam putaran. Dalam masa keluarganya berkembang seperti kekerapan sekurang-kurangnya mempunyai makan malam di atas meja, dan
terlupa kuasa membebel tentangnya menu terhad.)


Lulus pada kerja-kerja anda di sekitar rumah

Selain itu, memujuk anak-anak anda / rakan kongsi / tersayang untuk menjadi bebas, orang yang penyayang yang
mengambil giliran mereka dengan kerja-kerja. Sesiapa sahaja, lelaki atau perempuan, boleh menukar palam, mencuci pakaian, memasak makan,
berlari anak-anak ke kelas, atau melakukan membeli-belah mingguan. Ia tidak perlu untuk menjadi anda! Dalam erti kata lain, keputusan anda untuk
kajian melibatkan pelarasan sebenar untuk semua orang di dalam rumah, tidak hanya anda. Mereka anda hidup dengan perlu
menjadi bersedia untuk menyesuaikan diri dengan rutin baru dalam hidup anda, dan permintaan baru pada masa anda. Anda
mungkin dapat mencapai keadaan ini dengan berunding terlebih dahulu. Tetapi jika anda telah dalam tabiat
melakukan segala-galanya untuk semua orang, anda mungkin mendapati bahawa orang di sekeliling anda lambat untuk menyesuaikan diri, dan
anda perlu untuk "melatih mereka dalam" sedikit. Kejam mengenainya. Anda benar-benar perlu masa itu.
Sebagai contoh: Basuh pakaian pada washday, tidak atas permintaan. Lebih baik lagi, jangan membasuh mereka pada semua jika anda boleh
mengelakkan ia. Seorang pelajar hancur pakaian remaja beliau sekali terlalu kerap, dan telah diharamkan benar-benar dari
pernah lagi mencuci pakaian mereka. (Dengan amalan, ini juga akan bekerja dengan pakaian yang diseterika teruk juga)


Tulis ke jadual apa yang anda merancang untuk melakukan atau komited untuk melakukan pada masa yang berlainan.


Sebagai contoh seorang pelajar, kerja yang melibatkan banyak perjalanan, dibawa pita apa yang dia diperlukan untuk
belajar, dan bermain dengan mereka kerana dia memandu bersama-sama. Ini kerja-kerja yang besar untuk pembelajaran bahasa, dan anda boleh
pita kuliah terlalu. Terdapat dirakam versi buku-buku yang ada, atau anda boleh membuat anda sendiri.

Visualise diri anda berjaya.


Bayangkan diri anda memakai Mortarboard dan gaun, apa sahaja. Atlet atas dan penghibur mengamalkan
teknik visualisasi yang berjaya untuk mengekalkan motivasi mereka. Meminjam idea-idea mereka. Percaya dalam
mereka. Terdapat akan menjadi masa yang sukar. Belajar untuk "gulung dengan tumbukan"!
Bezakan antara tugas segera dan penting.
Enggan hidup anda dalam "pengurusan krisis" mod. Jika anda hanya berurusan dengan tugas-tugas yang mendesak, kehidupan anda akan
menjadi satu kesusahan dari krisis krisis. Ini adalah hidup reaktif, dan meninggalkan anda dengan rasa sedikit kawalan.
Menggagalkan krisis. Mengelakkan mereka. Hindarkanlah mereka. Stok makanan / merawat / brownies mata dan lain-lain Kemudian, apabila
kali benar-benar mendapat buruk, anda akan dapat untuk memperuntukkan masa untuk krisis sebenar.
Jangan mengharapkan untuk ingat segala-galanya. Mengurus masa anda dengan lebih baik.
• Jangan buang masa. Menggunakannya.
• Apabila anda telah memutuskan apa yang anda akan lakukan, adakah ia.


Selesai apa yang anda bermula. Masa akan mengembang dan menguncup mengikut keperluan anda.

• Masa sendiri. Dapatkan tugas dilakukan dalam had set anda.
• Cuti tugas ke dalam bahagian, lebih kecil terkawal atau segmen, jika anda sedang berjuang.
• sehingga Tidy pada akhir setiap sesi pengajian. Jangan biarkan ruang kerja fizikal anda dalam "keadaan casis".
• Buat ringkasan apa yang anda telah dicapai, di mana anda berada sekarang, dan menggariskan di mana
anda seterusnya perlu pergi. Bergerak ke atas

Look to Today: Timetable

As well as your weekly planner, making a weekly/ daily timetable will help you organise your day-today tasks, which keeps you positive and focused on your studying, and which helps you achieve your
targets.

Use the sample timetable template provided in this section to make a practical weekly timetable. Pin
one copy on the wall of your study space and sellotape one inside the front cover of your
folders/notebooks.  To make a realistic but workable timetable, use the following tips:

1. Keep the layout simple. Make several blank copies so you can alter it weekly or as you need
to. Your first effort might be over-ambitious, but you learn from your attempts what actually
works. So every subsequent timetable should be more to the point, and help you achieve more.

2. Keep it realistic but flexible. There will be times when you will not be able to study as you
planned. Be able to fit in some extra study sessions if you have to.

3. Divide your time into: “Have to” and “want to”. You “have to” do certain things; when
they’re done, you are free to do the things you “want to.” Balance is the key.

4. Assess how you use your time. There are 7 days or 168 hours in a week. Average out the
time you spend doing different things. Be ruthlessly honest with yourself. You might find you
waste a lot of time (see sample diagram).

5. Assess how much time you need for sleep & rest. You do need to take care of your mind,
body and emotions. Different people have different sleep requirements, for example. Aim for 7-
10 hours sleep every night. Aim to be neither a sleeping beauty nor a raving insomniac.

6. Exercise regularly: This is essential! It is not a luxury! Make sure you have adequate exercise
without making it your sole purpose in life. The body and mind are inter-connected. Exercise
clears the “academic fog”, keeps you fit, helps you relax, and increases your ability to focus and
concentrate. Be warned, when times get tough, students often cut out their exercise time. This
is a mistake. You will begin to get fat and flabby, lose your self-image, and with it your
motivation.

7. Food: Try to eat a balanced diet. Don’t try to save time by reaching for the “convenience food”.
A diet of pizzas, burgers, crisps, coke and chips will increase your chances of getting bilious and
developing a health problem. Try to vary your diet: good food will feed the brain; junk food
will trash it!

8. Keep track. Work out how many hours you need to spend on your study on a daily or weekly
basis. Tick off work as you complete it. Stay ahead of your deadlines. This will give you a real
sense of doing well.

Time management : Tips on Using Your Time Well

Guidelines for Organising Your Time Efficiently 
When organising your time, perhaps some of the following tips will help you.
Remember, there are 7 days (168 hours) in a week. Essentials like sleep, work, exercise, free time,
quality time with others, family and domestic commitments, travel, and household chores all have to
be allocated times slots in your calendar. You cannot leave the ordinary world and devote yourself
entirely to studying, however appealing this prospect might seem as yet more and more dust settles.
There are times when you should perhaps put studying on hold, for the very simple reason that it
might be counter-productive to try and do all things at all times. For example, do not study if you are
tired; instead peel the spuds or polish the car.

Work with your time constraints rather than against them.


Use whatever time is available

For example, be happy to block in hour/half-hour study slots on your timetable, rather than feeling
that you always have to set aside at least two -three hours at a time to get any study done. The
approach suggested here will help you to develop the habit of regular, frequent short study sessions,
and is probably more realistic and more time-effective than waiting forever for that elusive “three
hours/whole day” (which never happens).

Practise “clumping” like with like

Make all your phone calls together/pay all bills in the one journey/ do the shopping/ironing/cooking at
particular times. (One student only cooked twice weekly: 3 meals each time, which he froze, and used
in rotation. In time his family grew to like the regularity of at least having a dinner on the table, and
forgot to quibble about the limited menu.)


Pass on your chores around the house

Alternatively, persuade your offspring/partner/loved ones to become independent, caring people who
take their turn with chores. Anyone, male or female, can change a plug, wash clothes, cook a meal,
run kids to class, or do the weekly shopping. It does not have to be you! In a way, your decision to
study involves a real adjustment for everyone in the house, not just you. Those you live with will need
to be prepared to adjust to the new routines in your life, and the new demands on your time. You
may be able to achieve this state of affairs by negotiating upfront. But if you have been in the habit
of doing everything for everybody, you may find that the people around you are slow to adjust, and
you need to “train them in” a little. Be heartless about it. You really need that time.
For example: Wash clothes on washday, not on demand. Better still; don’t wash them at all if you can
avoid it. One student ruined her teenagers’ clothes once too often, and was banned absolutely from
ever again washing their clothes. (With practice, this will also work with badly ironed clothes too)


Write into your timetable exactly what you plan to do or are committed  to doing at different times.


For example a student, whose job involved a lot of travelling, carried tapes of what she needed to
learn, and played them as she drove along. This works great for learning a language, and you can
tape lectures too. There are taped versions of books available, or you can make your own.

Visualise yourself succeeding.


Imagine yourself wearing a mortarboard and gown, whatever. Top athletes and performers practise
visualisation techniques of being successful to sustain their motivation. Borrow their ideas. Believe in
them. There will be tough times. Learn to “roll with the punches”!
Distinguish between urgent and important tasks.
Refuse to live your life in “crisis management” mode. If you only deal with urgent tasks, your life will
be one lurch from crisis to crisis. This is reactive living, and leaves you with little sense of control.
Pre-empt crises. Avoid them. Avert them. Stock up on food/treats/brownie points etc. Then, when
times really get bad, you will be able to allocate time for a real crisis.
Do not expect to remember everything. Manage your time better.
• Do not waste time. Use it.
• Once you have decided what you will do, do it.

• Finish what you start. Time will expand and contract according to your needs. 

• Time yourself. Get the task done within your set limits.
• Break tasks into smaller, manageable parts or segments, if you are struggling.
• Tidy up at the end of every study session. Do not leave your physical workspace in a  “state of chassis”.
• Make a summary of what you have achieved, where you are now, and outline where
you next need to go. Move on

Police Report in English in Malaysia

As Malaysian's, we have to file any police report in Bahasa Malaysia. The logic for this might go back to early stage of independence where we wanted to ensure all Malaysian's use our national language for the sake of nation building , unity and etc etc

As the Malaysia progressed into 21th century , with the country becoming more international with entourage of expats and migrants, the simple process reporting any crime can become an uphill tasks to these group of people.

Fret not, with the advancement of technology particularly google translator, I think the problem can be resolved.

Current proposal is
1- let the public to type in the report in English into google translator
2- Google translator will produce the Bahasa Malaysia version of the report. Well, the technology is not perfect, but I think it will convey the message through.
Current process where the public has to explain the events to police officer in English and then let them write the report in Bahasa Malaysia is not perfect too.
3- print both the english and Bahasa Malaysia version ( from google translator) and file both as official report
4- The question right now is whether our Police system will be able to accept this procedure.

Example of google translation

At 7:00am this morning , we went out for a jog at the waterfront near Lido beach. Once we returned home at around 8:30am, we found the front door war ajar. We were sure that we locked the door properly before we left for the jog. We went inside and discovered that our plasma TV and laptop computer were missing
result from by google translator ( translate.google.com

Di 7:00 pagi ini, kami keluar untuk berjoging di tepi pantai berhampiran Lido.Apabila kita pulang pada sekitar 8:30, kita mendapati perang pintu renggang depan.Kami pasti bahawa kita dikunci pintu betul sebelum kami meninggalkan untuk berjoging.Kami masuk ke dalam dan mendapati bahawa TV plasma dan komputer riba telah hilang.

Not bad for machine translation


Btw .. I am thinking to start a Petition to allow police report in English in Malaysia , at least we need to get it for Iskandar Malaysia... anybody agrees with me?

Challenge for Iskandar Malaysia

I have been in Iskandar Malaysia for more than a year and i can see the govt & IRDA are really pushing hard for physical development in Iskandar Malaysia. There is the spanking new Johor Govt administrative complex. The grandaur architecture bore similarity to putrajaya and it is also a dead city expect for office hours. There is the legoland and medini business center. At the same time, i could not see any real effort in sociodevelopment within Iskandar Malaysia. Of cource, it has the Iskandar commuter bus service, but it seems to serve the locals more than the singapore commuters / expectiarate. Also, I did not notice any significant expatiarate community in JB, it is kind of strange considerang Singapore has sizeable expat community in the country. The conclusion that I can make is that Iskandar Malaysia has not been able to attract any signifact project that eventually attract expats. Here I an presenting some of the challenges for Iskandar Malaysia Development Authority (IRDA) to look at . The challenges presented below looks simple, but it may require significant change to government-government relationship and also their existing procedure. At the same time I believe these changes would be beneficial to Iskandar Malaysia in order to promote itself as the alternative ( or better ) thanSsingapore

1- A 30 minute ride commuter service between Singapore and Iskandar Malaysia. Max 40 min during rush hour. If someone wants to stay is Singapore and work in Iskandar Malaysia, I think it is important to have a commuter service with very precise timing. The question is, can the IRDA work with Singapore authority to provide a bus service that guarantees the ride between Singapore and Malaysia within 30 min. ( that is inclusive of passport and immigration clearance by both sides)

2- Police report in English: The police stations in Iskandar Malaysia to receive police report in English. We all know that is has been a pain-in the neck for foreigner to file a police report in Bahasa Malaysia. Current process where the foreigner will explain the issue to police office in English and let them to write the report in Bahasa is not enhancing the trust between the police force and public. The challenge is, can the police force change the procedure to accept the report in English? I have written in my previous post about using google translator as one of the solution for english native speaker .. ie, a) we write the report in English, b) use google translator to translate it to malay c) print both and file both version as official report


Well, there you have it ... I hope 1 day I'll be able to see some version of these proposal implemented in Iskandar Malaysia

Dari paksi awan kumulus nimbus

Inilah blog awan kumulus nimbus , saya bercadang untuk mengutarakan pandangan pandangan saya dari sudut awan kumulus nimbus kepasa isu isu semasa yang berlaka di Malaysia, Asia dan dunia ...

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