A I S E H M A N . O R G

I was actually surprised to read about the FAZ. Essentially the idea is to make it a Singapore territory administered by Malaysia. I forsee administrative problems. In the end the key factor to make FAZ a success is transportation link to Singapore. I can't see it being really popular unless its linked by MRT.

Firstly, property prices are at best half of that from the other side of the causeway/bridge in FAZ. After minusing the increase cost and hassle of transportation, its not attractive to live/stay there.

The other issue is excise tax. Does goods from Singapore have to pay excise tax? If they do, then how can it be free from custom? If not it will be an alcohol and tobacco and illegal drug haven which will attract more Malaysian than Singaporean which I don't think Jawi is too keen on..

Has the invasion of Malaysia begun?

Will it be the new playground for the rich and (in)famous, and the previleged few?

The FAZ brings 'the gated community' concept to another level. Our very own Green Zone ala Little Baghdad.

Wow, like a Singabore annexe? But unlike Bigjoe, I actually think it'll be popular with the Sigaboreans who're looking for a cheaper & wilder place to house their mistresses and lovers.

It also reminds me of the Old Shanghai where Japanese and Mat Sallys have their annexes. Dogs and Chinese not allowed in those places. You din see that in Bruce Lee movie meh?

Jokes aside, Is this a good deal for the Rakyat? And if so, how arh?

You know what they say about people with big ideas but empty pockets. This damn thing isn't going to work because:

1. There is no way you can patrol the perimeter of the entire region, and the Indonesians from Riau will have a good time coming in and out of the economic zone, illegally of course.

2. Instead of recognising that we are subordinate to Singapore, economically speaking, we are telling the world that we are gonna compete head on with Singapore. We should be realistic and model the region on Shenzhen, and be to Singapore what Shenzhen is to Hong Kong. No, we don't have the guts to say it, so we try to promote that the region is the new Hong Kong. What a laugh.

3. The region isn't going to work without Singapore's cooperation and (dare I say it) assistance. But we are too proud to ask for it. UMNO doesn't want anything to do with Singapore. The Singaporeans are not dumb. They won't pump money into the economic zone so that you can bite them in the ass. They would rather relocate industries to Vietnam and China, where they won't have to suffer the ignominity of being the bogeyman every time UMNO catches a cold.

So where will the region be in 3 years' time ? Plenty of construction by GLCs. In 5 years' time? Empty buildings and boulevards. In 10 years' time ? Indonesia City of Iskandar.

The FAZ zones will be a farce - a playground for the rich. Creating zones will not alleviate the checkpoint problems as there will still need to be security measures imposed. On one hand, S'pore may try to stick its head into Malaysian politics via this FAZ. What will be its impact upon an average Malaysian?

Its like having a beautiful Jewish settlement/outpost in a Palestinian territory.

You took the exact words out of my thoughts, Kengleong, that the proposed FAZs in the SJER mega-project eerily replicate the damnable discriminating enclave of the encroaching foreigners in the China episodes, dramatically projected by Bruce Lee's "Fists of Fury" when he kicked the signboard at the entrance which stated something like 'No Dogs & Chinese Allowed'.
As the Chinese were called the "Sick Men of Asia" in those times, is it possible that we, Malaysians, are now the 'Sick Men of ASEAN, OIC and NAM', the laughing stock of the rest of emerging Asia, as we continue to allow this AAB regime to waste our considerbale resources for the benefit of a few members of his family, in-laws and clan, cronies and 'friendly foreigners'?
Who pays for all these indulgences? We, the rakyat. PFIs, and whatever name this AAB regime come up, are merely transfer payments of the rakyats money, whether sourced from the various provident and retirement funds ( Employees, Armed Forces, Police, TH, Socso, etc ) or via direct and indirect taxes ( reduction of subsidies included ), and new GSTs. Have we heard of any bank syndications or insurance companies willing to underwrite the projected costs of these mega-projects? Perhaps, the financial institutions in friendly Singapore are packaging the funds to pay for these mega-projetcs ? Any indications so far, other than the speculations on use of Malaysian owned provident funds and the coffers of the national oil company.
If these projects proceed as planned, who bebefit most - the few million or so Malaysians living in the southern corridor or the few friendly foreginers with access to exclusive life-styles in the FAZs? And, will the ships go through the Straits of Johore and docking at PTP, or will they still scurry further south?
Perhaps, they can build a new high bridge over or next to the existing causeway which will eventually allow for ships to pass underneath through the Straits of Johore and, once completed, to demolish that old causeway. Tough negotiations must be conducted with Singapore to conclude a mutually beneficial agreement on this arrangement...of course, a Scenic High Bridge la.
More ramblings of an idle mind.

This will just add insult to our already wounded self-esteem. I always thought this kind of thing happens only in those really under-developed or highly unsafe environment...... our society is indeed regressing?
keng leong, how arh? the underdog can only stare from outside, lau hau sui lor!

Seriously, really, what can we do? this damn government does anything they want, anything they fancy, there is nothing you can do about it!

Dear KengLeong,

What a coincidence! I was also thinking of old Shanghai during the 'Sick Man of Asia' era, with a Casino backdrop. Dogs and Chinese cannot enter. How about Cats and Malays?

Err...Aisehman, the proverb "Kera di hutan disusukan, anak di rumah mati kelaparan" did not come out of nothing you know :D

I fully agreed with Kengleon , Only dog and Malaysian are not allowed into the gated commutnities but anything else goes, another casino anyone!

Guess Singapore won't ever need to increase their acreage by trying to get the 1 billion sq. mtrs of sand from Malaysia. Why bother when Malaysia(read: the Malaysian Govt of the day) can simply cordon off territory for their exclusive use. I am dumbstrucked.

wah..government plan to build a first class living environment for foreigners in the country while hundreds of thousands of our own people still lack proper road, water system and electricity..

TDM is right..AAB only know how to lick singaporean's hairy buttholes..

I remember all that loose talk about if Singapore was under threat, they would launch an attack and conquer Johor all the way up to Pontian.

Now it seems as if we're handing it to them on a silver platter.

Money-making considerations aside, I wish the planners at Level 4 PMO gave some thought about the wishes of our rakyat and national security and integrity.

It's like we're creating another Bintan and Batam for the Singaporeans. In the case of Bintan, they actually seal off part of the island so tourists from Singapore can frolic in relative peace and safety without having to interact with the 'dirty' locals.

Soon south johor will be known as the "occupied territories" of s'pore. The only difference( from the mid-east variety) is that s'pore did it without firing a single shot.

Thanks alot bodolah!

If the government can't even develop Cyberjaya into what it was supposed to be after almost 10 years, what do you think about SJER?
Furthermore, Cyberjaya is located near Klang Valley where infrastructure and living environment is far better than JB.
To me, this SJER thing is just a prelude to the General Election.

"Foreigners can live in designated Free Access Zones to travel to work in Singapore without having to go through Immigration and Customs checks."

If no checks, how do they know that who are foreigners and who are not? Somemore Singaporeans same skin color with Malaysians also ler.

Right on brother. Sounds very much like those foreign concessions in Canton, Shanghai and all those major Chinese cities during the Opium War. In addition to the barriers, our FAZs will have signs like " Malaysians and Dogs not allowed"

And HRH says foreigners are dirty!! We treat our own even worse.

I don't believe there is anything to stop Malaysian from entering the FAZ, they may have to go through Malaysian custom and immigration first at worst.

If this area turns out to be a rich enclave for foreigners, I will even say that is not necessary a bad thing - its not all pleasant but I don't think its bad.

However, the chances are it will turn into a mix blessing. This is like a pirate and smuggling enclave in Carribean of 1800s. It can be lively commercial area but full of unsavoury activities also. The question is does the government have the political will to endure the unsavoury side.

Like I mentioned in my blog, this is akin to giving up sovereign to Singapore. What the idea will do is to strengthened Tun Mahathir's ascertain that Badawi had 'sell out' to the Singaporeans. Selling sand is something although is purely commercial is already seen as selling national sovereign, what with allowing unrestricted access for Singaporeans to live in FAZ and to work in Singapore? Isn't it better than to let Singapore buy sand to expand its territory? Not only Malaysia earn some money, but in FAZ, Malaysia has to maintain and administer infrastructure for the Singaporeans. Whoever comes out with the idea has to be made accountable!