Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by kochin

Hong Kong Movies Review

kochin — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:25:20 +0800

Recently watched a coupe of HK movies.

Don't call me god of gambler
Good tearjerker. Somehow, Anita Yuen never fails to make me weep. Simple storyline and propels by the main character. Many supporting actors role are quite redundant. You won't even miss them at all if it was acted by newcomers.
Watch it especially if you are a fan of Chow. Nostalgic!

Prison Flowers
Quite star studded affair but poor editing. Doesn't really have a main motive of storyline. Even character's death is unimpactful. Doesn't feel the punch. Luckily it's a n extremely short movie. lol. Enough said

Death Notice
I watched it with low expectations but was blown away by this movie. Actions were above average. Also have a lot of stars in the movie with some playing very minor roles. Was pleasantly pleased with the intelligent plot. Usually this genre will be quite poorly executed or explained in HK movies but it doesn't dumb down the explanation a lot which is common among HK movies. I will give this a solid 8.5/10.

The White Storm 3
Have high expectations especially TWS 1 & 2 were so good. With new actor Aaron Kwok, expectations were raised but alas, the storyline was pretty simple. A typical cop vs robber movie with expensive action scenes that didn't impressed me too much. Actors did a good job but i just wasn't vested in the characters enough or at all. Rather rewatch the pre-quels. Still a solid 6.5/10.

Brewhouse / Uncle Don franchise

kochin — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 09:49:10 +0800

Hi All,
Been contacting both of these for contemplation to undertake the franchise.

Both offer similar structure for the startup.
Basically interested parties need to have cash in hand approx RM1.8mil to start.
Fees structure are generally:
375k-400k for licensing fees ranging for 3-5 years
1-1.5mil for renovation cost which also includes obtaining permits, staff hostel, kitchen, furnitures, etc

am asking forummers here in terms of their knowledge of these industry and also personal experience if they have run F&B outlets before.

am trying to validate the sales projection and also profit margin.

according to both of them, they are forecasting outlet to have gross sales of approx 300k-400k per month and gross profit margin of easily 35% over sales without taking into account expenses.

Anybody can share full details of expected expenses running such an outlet in say a shop unit?

Briefly they have provided the following expenses:
Wages
Utilities
Gas
Rent of premise
Hostel Rent
Staff Meal
Miscellaneous
Royalty (range from 3.5%-5%)

and assuming if a startup at rm2mil. but putting a valuation at RM2.5mil. any interested parties to take up a stake in this venture? is this how it works?

looking forward to some advise.

last but not least, any propose location?

Best place for iPhone battery replacement

kochin — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 00:04:19 +0800

Hi wanna ask where is the best place to change iPhone battery.

Googled and found that switch offering rm199 but need to leave phone with them for 1 day and they will also do factory reset?

Any other recommended place that does a good job of iPhone battery replacement quickly, original and charge reasonably within pj area?

Googled and found several non Apple certified places but all seems to charge more than 200 with less than 1 year warranty.

Anybody tried metfix in kelana jaya?

Solar or Alternative Powered Appliances

kochin — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 15:21:19 +0800

Dear All,

Just wish to gather some feedback on using alternatives as opposed to conventional ways of our accustomed ways.

Personally have been enjoying solar powered heater for my own residential for years. Can't say i enjoyed cost savings tremendously as I never bother to compare it in details but still "feels good" factor in play.
So this got me thinking to explore other similar products.

i.e. solar powered lighting:
https://www.lazada.com.my/products/solar-po...lhoCoY8QAvD_BwE

I am sure there are a lot more alternatives in the market which I need more genuine feedback from actual users here.

here's another example:
https://www.lazada.com.my/products/rain-wat...xZIuXu&search=1

rainwater harvesting system complete with proper filtration.

looking forward to actual feedback for consideration of implementation.

Thanks.

Do you currently own, rent, or tumpang?

kochin — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 12:47:16 +0800

Let's see what the forummers here are dependent on shall we?

Tropicana Miyu

kochin — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 17:27:29 +0800

http://tropicanamiyu.com.my/

location seems decent.

'reputable' developer profile.

this should be pretty interesting but not expecting anything 'cheap'.

Budget 2018 to be tabled on Oct 27

kochin — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 11:30:12 +0800

source:
https://www.imoney.my/articles/malaysias-bu...bled-october-27

Malaysia’s Budget 2018 To Be Tabled On October 27

Written by Iris Lee

The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also Finance Minister, announced that the national Budget 2018 will be tabled at the Dewan Rakyat on October 27.

Sessions with different stakeholders will be held to hear their views and suggestions in formulating the budget.

“We want to hear everyone out because we are a Government that is open and puts the people first.

“We want to ensure we present a Budget that meets the need of each segment of the population,” Najib said at the 2018 Budget Consultation session.

The country’s economy grew beyond the forecast in the first quarter of this year, at 5.6%, he said.

This is anchored by domestic demand supported by private consumption, which expanded at 6.6% while private investment surged to 12.9%.

Export performance also achieved new milestone in March, exceeding the RM80 billion mark for the first time, Najib added.

Meanwhile, foreign direct investments increased to RM17 billion in the first quarter of 2017, mainly in the services, mining and manufacturing sectors.

“Due to these strengths, as well as the improving global outlook, our economy is on track to register higher growth of 4.3% to 4.8% this year,” Najib said.

Wishlist from consumers

kochin — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 14:35:39 +0800

Please select accordingly.

Would appreciate if you can also state why.

Last but not least, please also state your preferred brand of sanitary wares & fittings.

i.e.
Wares:
Kohler
Roca
Cotto
V&B
Johnson Suisse
Duravit
Toto
GBH
Inax
Claytan
American Standards
Armitage Shanks
Grohe (fittings only)
Hansgrohe (fittings only)

Arcadia, Desa Park City

kochin — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 08:36:45 +0800

arcadia confirmed for VP by dec 2016.

owners and developer presently sibeh busy trying to secure their best tenant.

time for me to try cari makan.

before VP to lock in deal.
3 units available.
side by side units also can be arranged discussed.

RM5psf 1st year
RM6psf 2nd year
RM7psf 3rd year

free 6 months reno period.

after VP to lock in deal.

RM21k per month.
free reno max at 3 months.

interested tenants/owners/biz, please pm me:
1. name
2. contact
3. email
4. proposed biz

PS: no need ask about best rates, the above are cast in stone.

Laws & Requirements

kochin — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 08:29:56 +0800

Given that rules and regulations changes over time, let's give this thread updates whenever there are changes or proposed changes to existing governing rules and regulations.

i.e. Selangor recently implemented some new guidelines for commercial properties with ceiling prices and % requirements.

this thread can also enlighten forummers or guidelines governing developments in order to better understand why certain property do what it does.

i.e. density, type of development, sizes, amenities, road width, set back, traffic impact assessment (TIA), environmental impact analysis (EIA), etc.

for starters, highrise residential only have the following:
1. Townhouses (maybe 4 storey like those developed by OCR near Bdr Utama)
2. Flat
3. Apartment
4. Condominium
5. SOHO

Any other so called highrises that masquerade as residence, is simply not. Or at least for now...... until changes happens.

Cheers!

The Super Luxury Series

kochin — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 16:42:29 +0800

Long time no start new topic.

Come let's discuss about the super luxury series here.

For starters, let's review the following:

pavillion couture suites
http://www.pavilion-suites.com/?landed=true

serai bangsar
http://www.brdb.com.my/portfolio/residenti...bukit/index.asp

setia sky seputeh
http://www.setiaskyseputeh.com.my/concept.asp

8conlay (this one barely make the list?)
http://yoo8.8conlay.com/tower-a/floor-plan/

banyan tree residence
http://banyantreeatpavilion.com.my/main.html

st regis residence
http://www.stregisklresidences.com/

ritz carlton residence
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/residences/kuala-lumpur

le nouvel http://www.wingtaiasia.com.my/Businesses/R...ty/LeNouvelKLCC

four season residence
http://venusassets.com/projects/theplace/residences.aspx

the binjai
http://www.thebinjaionthepark.com/

anymore?

Selangor freezes approval on SA, soho, sovo

kochin — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 08:45:55 +0800

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1724806

Selangor freezes approval of new serviced apartments, SOHOs and SOVOs
Posted on 11 March 2016 - 05:36am
Lee Weng Khuen
sunbiz@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: The Selangor government has frozen the approval of new property projects involving serviced apartments, small office home offices (SOHOs) and small office versatile offices (SOVOs) for six months amid the gloomy outlook plaguing the sector.

The Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia (Rehda), in a letter dated March 7, informed its Selangor members of this development after receiving a notice from the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS).

"LPHS issued a letter informing that the state has decided to freeze the approval for all applications of serviced apartments/SOHO/SOVO submitted after Jan 1, 2016 for a period of six months, pending the issuance of new planning guidelines for such developments," said Rehda Selangor chairman Datuk Khor Chap Jen in the letter.

When contacted by SunBiz, Rehda confirmed that the letter had been sent out to its members in Selangor. However, the association was unable to immediately respond to queries raised as it will only hold a meeting tomorrow to discuss the issue.

Freezing of property development projects is not new in Malaysia. The Johor government in December 2014 rejected applications for serviced apartments due to oversupply. A few SOHO projects in Penang were frozen due to their unclear status – whether they were commercial or residential properties.

Property experts lauded the Selangor government's move to halt such developments in view of the current challenging times in the property sector.

Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents immediate past president Siva Shanker even opined that the state government should have done this two years ago.

"In the last few years, there have been a lot of apartments and condominiums being built and sold. That sector of the market is clearly oversupplied and the market started to feel the pinch last year.

"All those units will come into the market about the same time and it is going to create a glut, especially during a market downturn, the glut will be a double whammy," he said.

Siva said the SOHO and SOVO segment is most severely affected by the oversupply and it will have the most effect during an economic downturn.
"The quantum of this segment is large enough and it has the power to drag other things down," he noted.

According to statistics compiled by the National Property Information Centre, Selangor had 25,811 units of serviced apartments yet to be sold in the third quarter of 2015, with an incoming supply of 32,866 units. Figures for SOHOs and SOVOs were not immediately available.

A property analyst who declined to be quoted, however, said the ban should not be applied across the board as the supply and demand dynamic won't be the same for different areas.

"Normally SOHOs, SOVOs and serviced apartments attract more investors, that could be one of the reasons for the state government to impose such a measure. But certain segments of serviced apartments are really needed. If you constrain the supply further, when the demand returns, you'll push prices up," he said.

Meanwhile, Siva pointed out that most of the serviced apartments in the country are not up to industry standard.

"Many of these units have been sold and marketed as serviced apartments because of the commercial title. Many of them don't really have service. Serviced apartments are equivalent to hotels, you should have services like a lobby, concierge and room service," he said.

SDB's Melawati Project

kochin — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 12:10:29 +0800

http://www.thestar.com.my/business/busines...ject-in-gombak/

SDB to launch RM450mil residential project in Gombak

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Dredging Bhd (SDB) plans to undertake a residential property development project in Gombak, Selangor, with a gross development value of RM450mil, which includes affordable housing units under the Rumah Selangorku scheme.

The property developer told Bursa Malaysia on Tuesday that it aimed to develop 588 units of residential properties, including up to 176 units of properties under the Selangorku scheme together with common facilities.

“The expected commencement and completion date(s) of development will be decided later,” it said.

On Tuesday, SDB’s unit SDB Properties Sdn Bhd inked an agreement to buy two pieces of freehold agricultural land measuring 4.097 ha from Alam Palma Development Sdn Bhd (APDSB), a unit of Ebic Development Sdn Bhd, for RM67.5mil for the development project.

APDSB has submitted an application to the relevant authority for approval to develop the said land in the Melawati area based on an increase of density from the existing density of eight units per acre to a density of 60 units per acre but it has yet to receive the approval for the development order.

The purchase is conditional on APDSB getting the development order.

SDB said the purchase price of RM4.8mil was lower than the market price of RM72.3mil based on the valuation report of Raine & Horne International Zaki + Partners Sdn Bhd dated Jan 11, 2016.

SDB shares were last traded on Friday last week at 94 sen.

Series with some skin

kochin — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 08:26:26 +0800

this thread is to serve as per the title.

please list or recommend series which showcase lotsa skin....

let me start:
spartacus - great action, acting, storyline. the skin exposure is awesome too. too bad it has ended.
GOT - need i say more. although they tone down the skin exposure in recent season but still great stuff ...
californication - a lot tamer in terms of skin exposure and i did not really follow after a season or 2. too slow.
house of lies - started off great and gave up also. story getting weird and also skin exposure meter declining too.
masters of sex - started off pretty well and sorta loses traction. got bored and gave up also.

true blood - heard that it was awesome but never tried. any recommendation?
marco polo - heard that it's good?

recommendations and credit to:
ftf87 - american horror story : hotel; tell me you love me
xbbshampoo - true detective S1 (alexandra daddario aka san andreas)
azarimy - sense8; narcos; orange is the new black; house of cards; homeland (morena baccarin); rome; hemlock grove (eli roth series)
Ichighost - sons of anarchy (milf?)
smallbug - billions
Klesk - Banshee (lili simmons)
71ers - shameless, black sails

Gated & Guarded Discussions

kochin — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 15:56:55 +0800

Came across an article in the star today.

http://www.thestar.com.my/Metro/Community/...munity-dilemma/

much have been said about these make shift G&G.
while some flourishes, some causes much anguish.

how effective are these?

a wise friend once told me, we do not need these in the first place. why should we be paying security when it is the duty of the police to ensure our safety and security in the 1st place.

which other countries practise these. have these become a necessity or luxury. when luxury become a necessity, it is no longer funny. have the country deteriorated to such low levels that each 'taman' needs it? what are we paying tax for then?

what are our police to population ratio?
how is this compared to other countries?

Property Fairs/Exhibition

kochin — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 11:00:14 +0800

Today until the 9th.
Home and Property Investment Fair happening in Mid Valley Exhibition Centre (MVEC).
http://expo.iproperty.com/MY

any updates?

from the list, some noteworthy regular exhibitors macam missing wor.
mana TMS, SPS and ecoworld?

Feedback on Property Management

kochin — Mon, 11 May 2015 09:48:54 +0800

Dear Forumers,
Am opening this thread to discuss about the JMC or Building Manager that is managing your current properties.
Please share feedback on their levels of services.

Eg.
Condo A - Managed by B. Maintenance charges at RM0.xxpsf.
Feedback: Excellent security. Minimal to no vandalism. Cleanliness tip top. Will continue to use their services.

or
Condo X - Managed by Y. Maintenance charges at RM0.xxpsf.
Feedback: Poor communication skills. Hardly ever feedback after complaints. Always late delivery of invoices. Suspected siphoning money off the account.

Unifi 5mb vs 10mb

kochin — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 20:24:49 +0800

Got a call on offer to upgrade from my existing 5mb to 10mb.
Wondering whether it is worth to upgrade by topping up approximately RM20.
Is it really faster? More stable?
Btw they are quoting 10mb for rm 169 per month for me.

[WTF] Porch/Carpark Contractor

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 07:30:00 +0800

[WTF] Porch/Carpark Contractor

kochin — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:57:30 +0800

got a very small job.
if any contractor is willing, please drop me a pm.

landed house 23x70.
basically is to hack away existing front wall and removal of existing gate.
then to remove existing grass turfing measuring approximately 190sf.
cast with concrete. brushed finished preferred. options to lay tiles.
reconstruct fencing wall complete with pillar for rubbish bin and post box and to receive new auto gate.
to install 16ft wide gate.
to supply and install autogate system complete with remote controller.
to cast apron slab over drain in front of house including relocating main incoming water pipe and also drainage details.

that's it. super small job.

thanks.