(source: StarBizWeek, by Sharidan M. Ali)

There are 7 major container ports in Malaysia:

1. Northport, Klang - Northport (M) Bhd
2. Westports, Klang - Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd
3. Penang Port, Penang - CEO: Mohd Niana Merican Abd Kadir Merican
4. Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), Johor - Main transhipment port, CEO: Capt Ismail Hasim
5. Johor Port, Johor
6. Bintulu Port, Sarawak
7. Sapangar Bay Container Port, Sabah - Sabah Port Sdn Bhd (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Suria Capital Holding Bhd)

Factors:
1. strategic location
2. customer base
3. economic condition
4. volume
5. services

===== ----- =====

World Top 10 container ports (2007):

1. Singapore
2. Shanghai
3. Hong Kong
4. ShenZhen
5. Busan (Pusan, largest port city in South Korea)
6. Rotterdam (Netherlands)
7. Dubai
8. Kaohsiung (Taiwan)
9. Hamburg (Germany)
10.Qingdao (China)

16.Klang
18.PTP
100. Johor

Reference:
1. Container Management
2. Cargo Systems

Read More...

Johan began its activities in 1920 as Johan Tin Dredging Ltd. It operated a mining lease off the Sungei Johan in the Kinta District of Perak, Malaysia with a paid-up capital of RM136,000 which remained unchanged for 61 years until 1981. In 1979, the Company was renamed Johan Holdings Berhad. Since 1979, Johan diversified away from its tin mining business and through acquisitions and organic growth, the Johan Group today is a Malaysian grown international group with diversified operations and business dealings in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Australia and New Zealand. Johan is listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. Its subsidiary, Jacks International Limited is listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited.

Johan Group’s current principal activities are manufacturing of ceramics tiles, distribution and retailing of health foods and supplements, Diners Club charge and credit cards, travel and tours, property development, resorts and hotels.

What worth a look?

1. Tan Sri Dato' Tan Kay Hock holds 48.92% of Johan Holdings Bhd. His wife, the group managing director, Puan Sri Datin Tan Swee Bee has a direct interest of 12.46% and deemed interest of 41.62%.

2. Tan Sri Dato' Tan Kay Hock is a Member of the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA).

3. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Ting Chew Peh is the Independent non executive director. He has directorship in Pan Malaysia Capital Berhad (PMCAP), Pan Malaysia Corporation Berhad (PMCorp), Puncak Niaga Holdings Berhad, Complete Logistic Services Berhad and Hua Yang Berhad.
He was also a Parliament Secretary (Ministry of Health)(1988 - 1989), Deputy Minister (Prime Minister's Department)(1989 - 1990) and Minister of Housing and Local Government (1990 - 1999) and Secretary-General (Malaysian Chinese Association) (MCA), (1990-2005) .

4. Pan Malaysia Corporation Berhad (PMCorp) and Malayan United Industries Berhad (MUI) has a deemed interest of 7.63%. Any linkage between Tan and Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Khoo Kay Peng, chairman and group chief executive of Malayan United Industries Bhd and MUI Properties Berhad.

5. Johan Group’s current principal activities are manufacturing of ceramics tiles, distribution and retailing of health foods and supplements, Diners Club charge and credit cards, travel and tours, property development, resorts and hotels.

6. Johan & George Kent. George Kent (Malaysia) Berhad is a Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) engineering leader with a long and proud history in Malaysia. The company was first established in Penang in 1936 as a service branch of its then parent company, George Kent Limited, Luton, United Kingdom. George Kent provides a comprehensive range of water related products equipment designed for a variety of applications in various industries. In addition, it also provide a host of water and water related services. Core business is water industry, water infrastructure.

7. Tan Sri Dato' Tan Kay Hock is also the Chairman/Non independent non director in George Kent (Malaysia) Berhad. He has a direct and deemed interest of 49. 59%. PMCorp and MUI has a deemed interest of 10.13% in GKent as well.

Remain downtrend, but Accum/Dst chart indicates on going accumulation. News on Najib became Minister of Finance and succession of Abdullah to become next Prime Minister has not given much impact on it's share price.

Nevertheless, looking at Johan, GKent, MUI, PMCorp and their owners profile, if, if they have link with DPM Najib, Tan Sri Dato' Tan Kay Hock is a Member of the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), it can be a catalyst for better prospect.

Johan & GKent's share price has rebounded lately.



Refer to : Najib circle, Who is the next Scomi ? for the basis of this article.

Read More...

(Source: The Edge Weekly)

Jan 21
- Malaysia to announce inflation numbers. Expectations are for inflation to ease to 4.6% in December from 5.7% in November.
- Malaysia to decide overnight policy rate. Expectations are for the central bank to cut rates to 3% from 3.25%
- Singapore to announce Consumer Price Index. Economists expect inflation to ease to 4.6% y-o-y in December from 5.5% in December.

Jan 22
- US to announce building permits data. Expectations are for building permits to reduce to 610,000 in December from 615,000 in November.

Read More...

1. The Conscience of a Liberal
<<下一个荣景： 政治如何搭救经济？>>
Author: Paul Krugman Paul Krugman Blog
Video: The Conscience of a Liberal

2. The Snowball: Warren Buffett & the Business of Life
Author: Alice Schroeder

3. The Post-American World
<<后美国世界： 经济群雄崛起的新秩序时代>>
Author: Fareed Zakaria

4. Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America
<<世界又热，又平，有挤>>
Author: Thomas L. Friedman

5. All the Money in the World: How the Forbes 400 Make--and Spend--Their Fortunes
<<滚钱记>>
Author: Peter W. Bernstein (Editor), Annalyn Swan (Editor)

6. The New Paradigm for Financial Markets
<<索罗斯带你走出金融危机>>
Author: George Soros

Read More...

1. WCT (http://www.wct.com.my/CMS/Home/1/0.aspx)
> established connection in The Gulf, good reputation, global presence (India BOT, Vietnam property development), half of the order book from foreign projects, strong JV with companies such as Gamuda, strong shareholders - EPF & Temasek.

2. BJTOTO
> Gaming operator, good dividend yield, defensive counter.

3. AFG
> small but growing - growing potential is huge, aggresive but prudent, strong shareholders - EPF & Temasek

4. PBBANK
> defensive, good dividend yield, prudent management, high valuation signals confidence in PBBANK, super low NPL, double digit growth, customers have good credit.

5. YTLPOWER
> Shopping spree? big war chest, cash cow, good dividend yield with stock dividend, valuable foreign assets, basic infrastructures - necessity, share repurchase

6. MMC
> Syed Moktar's flagship, blemished by asset injection with high valuation, political linked, middle east connection

7. PLUS
> steady dividend payout, concessionaire, growing traffic, lower petrol price

8. RESORT
> blemished by RPT, cash rich - net cash per share of 78sen, solid domestic gaming operations, possible acquisitions and capital management initiatives, rumour: privatise by Genting, possible?

9. SAPCREST
> hefty order book of RM4.8 billion, touted to secure RM 3.5 billion contract of IPF works, Seadrill - John Fredriksen and Tan Sri Shamsuddin Abdul Kadir and his family are upping stake.

Disclaimer: This post represent author's own opinion, it is not a buy call on these counters.

Read More...

(Source: The Edge Weekly)

Jan 5
- Thailand's headline inflation is expected to ease further to 1.4% in December from 2.2% in November. Core inflation is expected to moderate to 1.7% in December from 2.0% in November.

Jan 7
- Malaysia exports growth is expected to fall 5.7% in November from a decline of 2.6% in October. Import growth is estimated to decline 5.6%. This brings the trade surplus to RM 8 billion in November versus RM 9.62 billion in October.

Jan 9
- US non-farm payrolls are expected to show lesser job losses of 480,000 in December 2008 versus 533,000 in November.

Read More...