Tunnel could ensure economic boom for state

BUTTERWORTH: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has called on Penangites to pray for the success of the proposed third link, an undersea tunnel between Bagan Ajam here and Gurney Drive on the island.

He said prosperity in Penang could be guaranteed for the next 20 years if the project was implemented.

“I will visit the Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) next year to know more about the third link project that they have proposed.

“The BUCG has completed several reputable projects, including the famous Bird’s Nest Olympics Stadium in Beijing,” he said after visiting the Butterworth Buddhist Association in conjunction with Wesak Day celebrations here yesterday.

Lim dismissed talk that the BUCG would pump RM10bil into the project as well as into two other road projects in Georgetown, but he said he did not doubt the company had the necessary resources to build the tunnel.

“We have yet to discuss with the BUCG how the tunnel project would be financed,” he said, adding that he would use the state’s open tender policy to determine the cost.

Asked if the project would affect Penang Port Sdn Bhd operations in the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT), Lim said it should not be a problem, as similar links had been built in busier ports such as in Shanghai.

The Star Online

The family is getting bigger...

Harbour Place is set to welcome the latest addition to the Metrocity which is Wellesley Residences. This fourth luxury condominium will be officially launch somewhere in June. And yet, it is already starting to make an impact - for instance this giant backdrop at the Harbour Place sales office.

The colours of Harbour Place

All the parts and pieces are gradually falling into place at Butterworth's first Metrocity in the making. These striking new streamer poles add more colours to the surrounding landscape and I'm pretty sure there are a lot more surprises in store for the local community in the very near future.

Even the Sales Office is given a little makeover as well.

Construction status as at 18/05/2011

Sea Tunnel Link for Penang?

GEORGE TOWN: Penang may get a third link - a 6.5km sea tunnel linking Gurney Drive on Penang island and Bagan Ajam on the mainland.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the project was proposed by the Chinese company Beijing Urban Construction Group Co Ltd (BUCG), which built the famous Bird's Nest Olympic stadium in Beijing.

He said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the state and BUCG on Thursday in Putrajaya, in the presence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Chinese premier Wen Jiabao.

"To get China's attention is a compliment for Penang," Lim told reporters here Friday after the opening of the state assembly sitting by Yand di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdu; Rahman Abbas.

Lim said the Penang Municipal Council would embark on a six-month study to ascertain the technical, physical and funding requirements for the project.

He added that although BUCG had proposed the third link, the project would have to be awarded through an open tender.

On Thursday, eight agreements and MoUs were signed between Malaysia and China.

One of the MoU, on resolving traffic congestion in Penang Island, was between the Penang Government and BUCG, which was signed by Penang state secretary Datuk Farizan Darus and company chairman Liu Longhua.

It is not known yet whether the third link was specifically mentioned in the MoU.

The Star Online by Andrea Filmer

A 5-point checklist for buying a new home

When you are ready to search for the house that could become your home, you will need the right tools in hand so you can go into negotiations with ease. The more prepared you are, the less time it will hopefully take for closing, and you will be able to hold your keys in hand. While it is true home buying can be a timely processed, with a five-point checklist in hand, your experience should not seem like it is taking forever.

Here is a five-point checklist to keep in mind when you begin your home search:

1) Know your budget. How much can you afford to spend on a home, and what is the absolute maximum amount you can spend on a mortgage payment? Once you have the numbers figured out, you will have a better idea of the price range in which you can search. Some potential home buyers may consult with a bank or other institutions to get a feel for their financial situation. Not necessarily a bad idea, and if you work with a real estate agent they will assist you in this manner.

2) Know your neighbourhood. If you have kids, you will want to narrow your search to neighbourhoods with quality schools and recreation areas. Also to consider are neighbourhoods near your workplace, church, social activities, and other interests. You can search statistical information on the Internet if you really want the details.

3) Make the time to search. You are a busy person, and more than likely you have reserved weekends for the house hunt. That makes sense, but it also stands to reason that everybody else is doing the same thing. Consider taking a personal day during the week to tour available homes for sale. Not only can this put you ahead of the game, but you can get a feel for certain neighbourhoods at their most active.

4) Be ready to respond during the bidding process. Phone calls from your agent may come fast and furious if you have a hot prospect. So, it is important to have all your information together when you start placing bids. Should you outbid on a property, don't feel that you have to jump the gun. Consult with your agent and negotiate with a level head.

5) Stay focused. Your goal is to buy a home, but you want it to be the home you want. Do not settle for a place because the price is right or because it is the only one available. Listen to your intuition as you tour a house and ask yourself if this is where you want to spend the next thirty years. Learn everything you can about every potential property - needed repairs, history of the previous owners, did they have pets, etc.

Keep your focus, negotiate with calm, and you may find the home buying process is not that tedious after all.

Based on the article by Kathryn Lively.