Birmingham City University offers social media degree about Facebook, Twitter and Bebo

From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/5073683/University-offers-social-media-degree-about-Facebook-Twitter-and-Bebo.html

A university is to offer a master's degree teaching students about social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Bebo.

The £4,400 MA in Social Media will also explain how to set up blogs and publish podcasts.

The one-year course at Birmingham City University will consider social networking sites as communications and marketing tools.

Jon Hickman, the course convener, said he had received a good response from potential students and described what the course would entail.

He said: "It's not for freaks or IT geeks, the tools learnt on this course will be accessible to many people.

"During the course we will consider what people can do on Facebook and Twitter, and how they can be used for communication and marketing purposes.

"There has been significant interest in the course already, and it will definitely appeal to students looking to go into professions including journalism and PR."

Mr Hickman described how the course had to conform to academic standards before it was approved by education committees as a worthy course to undertake.

"In my opinion, the course does entail synoptic research and scholarly activity, which are the fundamental criteria for Masters degrees," he said.

"It's very relevant and very scholarly. It's a new course, but its importance is unquestionable.

"Social media is very important for jobs within the marketing and communications sector, as a skill set within other jobs, and as an industry within itself."

Despite claims of its instant popularity, students have attacked the course for being too simple.

Birmingham-based student Jamie Waterman, 20, said: "Virtually all of the content of this course is so basic it can be self taught.

"In fact most people know all this stuff already. I think it's a complete waste of university resources."

Wow!! What next? Maybe competition amongst Institutes of Higher Education is stiff, some have to find "innovative" courses just to be ahead of the pack ...

Hisham says Let Teachers Join Politics

UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said teachers with degrees should be allowed to participate in politics so that their expertise could be utilised to make Umno stronger. He proposes that the Government allow Grade A teachers to participate in politics and hold positions.

My question to our education minister is – does this proposal applies only to UMNO/BN supporting teachers or does it apply to all teachers regardless of their political affiliation?

My guess is – it is OK for teachers (or any other civil servant for that matter) to support and be active in UMNO/BN but NOT OK for teachers to be actively involved in other parties. If they insist on doing so, they should expect their services to be terminated.

I stand corrected but I somehow feel I will be vindicated.

Earth Hour

Switching off the lights for one hour is purely symbolic; it will not achieve anything else. If we are interested to save mother earth maybe we should do more than just switching off the lights for one hour a year.

For example, we can;

• Stop using plastic bags; bring our own containers and bags when we go to the market or shopping;
• Recycle ablution water – thousands of gallons are used everyday, more so on Fridays, the water is quite pure maybe less than 10% soiled, so why can’t we channel all this water to a treatment plant and recycle. I’m sure it won’t be that difficult, if other people can recycle toilet water,* recycling ablution water should be kid’s stuff.
• Use solar energy;
  Design environmental friendly towns where everything, markets, schools, public amenities etc are within walking and cycling distance;
• Use natural gas instead of petrol or diesel to power vehicles;
• Plant more trees; and
• Allocate more funding into recycling technology research and development.
  

* Singapore’s NewWater – treated wastewater (sewage) that has been purified using dual-membrane (via microfiltration and reverse osmosis) and ultraviolet technologies, in addition to conventional water treatment processes. The water is potable and is consumed by humans, but is mostly used for industry requiring high purity water. (source: Wikipedia)

IBF #09 – Anyone Got Guts?

What does it take to succeed? What does it take to make a breakthrough?
Guts, perseverance and belief.
IMHO, none of that is presently present in the Islamic banking and finance industry. No, I’m not putting those hardworking Islamic finance professionals down. All I’m saying is the guts to develop a product which is not based on the conventional platform is absent. All the products from the BBA mortgages to the Inah based personal financing and even the Sukuk Musharakah is tailored to run on the conventional platform especially from the pricing aspect. Granted that different prices for identical products cannot happen in efficient markets but one must remember that a Shariah based mortgage and a conventional based one albeit having the same objective (i.e. home ownership) is drawn upon different principles and hence cannot be priced identically.

What we need is the courage to come up with a product or solution that is not only Shariah compliant in form but also in substance. Can we have an Ijarah based mortgage whose pricing is directly tied to the prevailing rental rates regardless of the base financing (lending) rates? It is after all a lease based mortgage. A Sukuk Musharakah in my opinion should not be priced and traded like a debt based bond; it should be priced and traded like an equity based instrument.

Shariah based financial solutions are tied to real assets and actual economic activity and hence should be priced and traded accordingly. We have to breakaway from doing things based on the conventional norms and platforms if we are serious about promoting Islamic banking and finance.

Wheeler Dealers

There is this show on Discovery Turbo called "Wheeler Dealers" hosted by Mike Brewer & Ed China. The programme is about buying old cars and restoring them to sell-able quality. The show shows that there is a lot of life in old cars and all cars have the potential of being a collectible and desirable classic.


Now, if I get my Auto Museum, I would definitely engage these guys to source some of the cars for me. I would even commission a special Wheeler Dealers programme on the museum's car acquisition project.

Where to makan in KL

I’m not a connoisseur in fine dining nor do I know where to get good food in KL but I’ve been to a few places and I think they deserve a mention and recommendation …

• Nasi Kandar – Kudu on Jalan TAR, opposite the Honda showroom
• Beriani – Insaf on Jalan TAR, next to Gulati’s
• Beriani Johor – Uncle in TTDI Jaya Shah Alam
• Ikan Bakar – behind Istana Negara and another one in Pasar Keramat
• Thai food – Anwar (Ali) Tomyam in Kampung Baru, off Jalan Daud
• Nasi Padang – a shop with no name in Kampung Baru, off Jalan Raja Uda, near Surau Jawa
• Putu Piring – a shop in front of a house next to the abovementioned Nasi Padang shop
• Asam Pedas – Man in Kampung Baru, Jalan Raja Uda, behind Wisma Perkeso
• Sizzling Steak – Coliseum Cafe on Jalan TAR (some say it’s not Halal certified)
• Char Koey Teow – Aiman in TTDI Jaya Shah Alam
• Koey Teow – Bintang Henry in Uptown Damansara
• Hainanese Chicken Rice – Chee Meng on Jalan Bukit Bintang, opposite YTL
• Satay – Mulia in Jalan Gurney (Semarak) opposite the Celcom HQ
• Roti Canai – Raju’s in Section 5, PJ
• Ayam Kampong – Ayam Hassan in USJ Subang Jaya & section 13 Shah Alam
• Japanese food – I’m torn between Tykoh Inagiku (Menara Keck Seng, Jalan Bukit Bintang) and Kogetsu (Saujana Resort, Subang) but the Teppan Prawn at Tykoh Inagiku is highly recommended!
• Kelantanese food - there is this shop at Lorong Haji Hussein 2, opposite KL International Hotel in Kampung Baru
• Soup - Ani Sup Utara in Section 9 Shah Alam behind Concorde Hotel

• When in Penang, go have Nasi Kandar at Line Clear, near Chowrasta
• Go have Laksa at Lembah, by the river when in Kuala Kangsar,
• When in Tanjung Malim, have Pau and Mee Kari at Yik Mun
• When in Kuantan go have seafood at Tanjong Lumpur
• When in Muar have Satay for breakfast
• Look for Ikan Patin Gulai Tempoyak when in Temerloh
  

IBF #08 - Banks from the Shariah Perspective

A bank is essentially an intermediary between those with excess funds (depositors) and those in needing funds (borrowers). Banks take in deposits from those with surplus funds and lends them to those in need of financing. The difference between the interest charged to depositors and the interest charged to borrowers represent the bank’s income. A very simple model indeed!

Everyone wants to own a bank because banks print money (refer to Fractional Reserve Banking Causing Complete Banking Disaster). Fiat money allows banks to make so much money out of thin air. Let me illustrate, a 1% reserve requirement (imposed by BNM recently) allows banks to lend out RM100,000 from a deposit base of only RM1000. Let’s assume the deposit rate is 2% per annum and the base lending rate (BLR) is 5.5% per annum – banks will make RM5,500 (5.5% x 100,000) but only pays out RM20 (2% x 1,000) to the depositors. Now you see how the banks make money and why so many want to own banks.

Even when banks are losing money the government will bail them out (using taxpayers’ money despite most of the taxpayers not benefiting from the banks’ existence!).

Granted, the banks face lots of risks, especially risk of non payment but given the cushion, the banks can afford to have an NPL (non performing loan) ratio of 50% and still make money!

I hate to be a party pooper but I don’t think Shariah will agree with the model.
Firstly, money must be backed by real assets; creating money out of thin air is a no no.
Second, money is not a commodity hence cannot be traded.
Thirdly, interest bearing loans are not allowed under Shariah laws, it has to be given out under a partnership or trading arrangement.
Fourthly, money (deposits) cannot grow unless it is put into productive purpose.
Fifth, risk sharing is absent in the conventional banking model whereby the risk is borne wholly by the borrower, they have to repay regardless of their financial state.

Banks, from the Shariah perspective are in actual fact trading houses/venture capitalist/trading partners. They still play the role of intermediary between the two groups, but the modus operandi is different. For starters, fractional reserve banking is not practised. Money is not to be traded but instead be put into real economic activity, profits and risks are shared.

The basic principle of Shariah based financing is doing business in a transparent, just and equitable manner. But if one party (the one without the capital) makes 5,500 while the capital owner makes only 20, where is the equity in that?

The Train is a Pain

I took the LRT (Light Rail Transport) to work today. I haven’t done that in a while and I don’t think I will be doing that again very soon. Why? Because the KL LRT system sucks.

KL has four rail transport network, Putra LRT, Star LRT, KL Monorail and KTM Komuter. The networks serve different areas around the Klang Valley and were built by different parties at different times. One thing these parties forgot when developing the rail network was public convenience and connectivity.

What I mean by no connectivity is that none of the so called interchange stations can be called interchange stations. Take Masjid Jame for example, to change from the Putra (Kelana Jaya) line to the Star (Ampang) line, one has to exit the station and buy another ticket. At the Dang Wangi station which is supposed to be connected to the Bukit Nanas station, one has to exit the station and walk 10 minutes to Bukit Nanas and buy another ticket.

Why does the KL Monorail station end in Brickfields and not inside KL Sentral? Why was the Abdullah Hukum station built in the middle of nowhere instead of nearer (or next) to the KTM Angkasapuri station? Why doesn't the LRT syatem serve Midvalley and University Malaya? Why is the KLCC station so small? Why can’t RapidKL increase the peak hour capacity? Why wasn’t there any foresight in the development of the LRT system? Why are there 3 different systems? Why? Why?

The New World Banking Order

Once upon a time, Citibank was the world’s biggest bank in term of value. Back then, names such as UBS, BNP Paribas, Deutsche, RBS, Fortis, and HSBC were always in the top 20 list of big banks. That is however history. The latest list of big banks in terms of market value is now filled with banks from the Eastern and Southern hemispheres. Check out the list of the world’s largest banks and compare to the list from a year ago. The only reason why JPMorgan and Wells Fargo are still in the top ten is because of mergers, with Wachovia and Bear Sterns respectively. RBS, despite buying into ABN Amro dropped from 10th to 43rd in the rankings. Similarly, Bank of America dropped from second to 27th probably because they acquired the troubled Merrill Lynch.

March 2009 (January 2007 in brackets)
1. (4) Industrial & Commercial Bank (China)
2. (7) China Construction Bank (China)
3. (6) Bank of China (China)
4. (3) HSBC (UK)
5. (5) JPMorgan Chase (US)
6. (9) Mitsubishi UFJ (Japan)
7. (12) Banco Santander (Spain)
8. Bank of Communications (HK)
9. (11) Wells Fargo (US)
10. Royal Bank of Canada
11. China Merchants Bank (China)
12. Wespac (Australia)
13. (14) BNP Paribas (France)
14. Banco Itau (Brazil)
15. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Australia)
16. Credit Suisse (Switzerland)
17. (16) Intesa Sanpaolo (Italy)
18. Banco Bradesco (Brazil)
19. (8) UBS (Switzerland)
20. Sumitomo Mitsui (Japan)

26. National Australia Bank (Australia)
27. (2) Bank of America (US)
29. Standard Chartered (UK)
32. Credit Agricole (France)
33. Al Rajhi Bank (Saudi Arabia)
41. Deutsche Bank (Germany)
43. (10) Royal Bank of Scotland (UK)
49. DBS (Singapore)
52. National Bank of Kuwait (Kuwait)
61. OCBC (Singapore)
65. Public Bank (Malaysia)
78. Malayan Banking (Malaysia)
83. CIMB (Malaysia)
92. (1) Citigroup (US)
119. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Indonesia)
120. Bangkok Bank (Thailand)

Of Human Rights and Glorifying Criminals

A person is innocent until proven guilty in the court of law. I totally agree. But what if a person who has past criminal record is caught in possession of stolen goods and knows where the rest of the loot is stashed – doesn’t that prove guilt or at least association with to some criminal activity?

A suspected criminal is found dead in a prison cell, the police are accused of brutality and murder. The criminal’s family and NGOs screams for the heads of the policemen, Police Chief, pathologists and Minister in charge of police affairs. They scream murder and threaten to sue the government and everyone else for the suspected criminal’s death.

Now, while I sympathise with the family of the criminal (losing a loved one is tough, criminal or not), I feel that maybe the media, the NGOs and some politicians are going a little bit too far in trying to seek justice for his death. IF this man was indeed a criminal (for example if he has a police record) that means he chose to lead a life as a criminal, he must be prepared to accept death the criminal's way. You asked for it, that’s why you got it. This is what I would call job hazard.

Those I sympathise with most are the victims of car theft. We read and hear horror stories, parang at the neck, beaten and left by the roadside, being taken on terror rides, these people will be traumatised for a very long time. What did the victims do to the car thief to deserve to be robbed (in some cases even murdered)? What about their rights? What about our rights to drive anywhere we want without fear?

Fractional Reserve Banking causing Complete Banking Disaster

Fractional Reserve Banking is a system where banks are required to keep a certain percentage (determined by the Central Bank) in cash as reserves. They will then loan out the balance and the process is repeated.

In a system based on fractional reserve banking, the banks have the power to create money. The amount a bank is allowed to give out as loans is determined multiple of the bank's reserves. For example if the reserve requirement is 10% then for every RM100 of deposits a bank can give out RM1000 worth of loans. This newly created money is termed as “fiat” money.

Fiat money has NO intrinsic value and NOT backed by any physical (valuable) asset such as gold and hence cannot be redeemed for any commodity or asset. It is made legal tender through government decree. The value of fiat money depends on the strength of the issuing country's economy. Issuing more fiat money by reducing the reserve requirement could lead to inflation.

How did this fiat money come about? Back in the old days when gold was still the medium of exchange, rich people (those with lots of gold) deposited their excess gold with the goldsmiths for safekeeping. Whenever they need to purchase anything, they will go to the goldsmith and withdraw some gold to pay for their purchases. This is how the banking industry was at that time, a custodian for excess gold.

As trade increased, and to overcome the need for frequent withdrawals (there were no ATMs back then) the rich started issuing IOUs to their suppliers when making purchases whereby the supplier will take the IOU and redeem the gold from the goldsmith. Some of the traders use the IUO for their own purchases instead of redeeming it with the goldsmith, causing the IOUs to circulate as a payment mode. Subsequently, the goldsmiths (who happen to be Jews by the way) realised that not everyone redeems their gold; some kept them in the vaults for years. This made the goldsmith realise that they themselves could issue IOUs and lend them out and earn interest in the process. They were effectively making money out of thin air using other people’s money! That was how fiat money evolved and the system has been made legal and still practiced today. The only difference is the banks are playing the role of the goldsmith.

Fiat money contradicts with the economic theory of scarce resources; fiat money makes capital unlimited.

The fiat money created by the banks are given out as loans and used to purchase assets. This effectively means that assets are bought on debt using debt. Another way of saying it is, we are borrowing borrowed money. These borrowed money we are borrowing is actually created out of nothing, i.e. not backed by real assets. So there are effectively two levels of borrowers, the consumer (or corporation), who is the end borrower and the banks, the initial borrower. So, when the end borrower defaults, it will cause the initial borrower to default too as the initial borrower would not have funds to repay their lender i.e. depositors.

Money creation is the major cause of inflation. Increases in asset value may not have any correlation with actual asset value; it merely reflects the amount of money in circulation. My untested theory is that money creation creates economic bubbles and business cycles. It causes the economy to grow beyond it capabilities.

Shariah based financing on the other hand forbids money creation; every financial transaction must be based on actual economic activity. Money is defined by Shariah as a medium of exchange, a tool to facilitate trade, it is NOT a commodity on its own hence money cannot have a price and cannot be traded. Money should not grow through artificial creation but via productive activities.

Fiat money, excessive speculation and over leveraging are the root of the sub-prime triggered economic crisis. There is a reason after all for the Shariah prohibition of those unfair activities.

So, the money we use as a medium of exchange and as a measure of wealth has no intrinsic value. Is all the paper money in our pockets worthless then? But isn’t cash supposed to be king?

Pain in the Neck

Speculators are a pain in the neck; even a slipped disc between C5 and C6 cannot inflict as much pain as these pests.

I was at a birthday party sometime ago and there was this guy blaming the Arabs for the high oil prices. I’m not trying to defend the Arabs or OPEC but the fact is they are powerless to contain the sharp rise in oil prices (as if they want to contain the price increase!). They are powerless because the oil price is not determined by the economic factors of demand and supply but instead by the power of the speculators' market manipulation by creating artificial demand. We all know that an increase in quantity demanded will push the price upwards so the speculators capitalised on this economic fact to make money for themselves at the expense of the genuine participants of the economy.

Basically what they do is bid for the oil without having any intention to take physical delivery of the commodity. Their excessive bidding will push the price up resulting in the genuine buyers having to pay more for their oil. The fallout in the global financial market put a stop to these speculative activities and the speculators abandoned the market, liquidating their positions and causing the oil price to drastically drop, the opposite effect now comes into play whereby artificial supply is created. This sharp drop in oil prices again affects the genuine buyers especially those who believed that oil prices will continue to rise, hedge their oil price obligations at high levels (Malaysia Airlines is apparently looking at almost RM3billion in paper loss after hedging their fuel costs at USD95-100 per barrel).

Now, do we see why Shariah forbids any form of speculation in trade and financial transactions? Speculating is akin to cheating the market, dishonest in the sense that it does not entail any genuine economic activity. Shariah based trade and finance is all about undertaking productive economic activity to increase wealth and not merely making money out of thin air.

So, don’t blame the oil producing countries for our oil woes, just ban speculation and our problems may just disappear.

IBF #07 - Someone’s Afraid of Shariah Based Finance

I stumbled upon this very spiteful, malicious, bitter, and dangerous website – http://www.shariahfinancewatch.org/blog/

The objective of the website is to inform the public about the possible civil and criminal liabilities and risks of Shariah Compliant Finance, and the threats to human rights of Shariah Law.

Going through the articles in the website, it is obvious that the promoters are trying to discredit Shariah based finance (SBF) to the extent of linking it with terrorism and human rights abuses.

I have to disagree with the website as I don’t see any civil nor criminal liability arising from SBF not because I am a practitioner but because the system is based on the principles of just and equity. I also will add that in no way is Shariah Law a threat to human rights.

According to the promoters of this website, Centre for Security Policy (CSP) (the blog is headed by one Allyson Taylor) we face challenging times, as many European and U.S. government agencies are planning in 2009 to establish Shariah Compliant Finance as a standard in the newly nationalized financial institutions resulting from the financial crises of 2008.

Do they really understand what Shariah based finance is? These insecure Zionists, in their attempt to consolidate their control of the world, will go to great lengths to discredit and destroy those standing in their way.

Islam should not be equated with terrorism even if some of the terrorists claim to be Muslims and fighting for the Islamic cause. I wonder why Christianity was never associated with the Christian terrorists of the IRA and the ETA (Basque separatists). I wonder who the financiers of these terrorist groups are. What about government sponsored terrorism like bombing of schools and hospitals by the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)?

CSP claims that SBF is not transparent especially when it comes to Zakat and investment purification. The Zionists fear that the Zakat funds are being used to support terrorist activities. Do they have proof for this? Instead of just listing down and manipulating articles to justify their claims, why can’t they (CSP) provide evidence of the money trail from the Islamic banks to the terrorists’ bank accounts.

This shows that their concern about SBF is brought about their insecurities. I’ll bet you if the Zakat funds are used to finance IDF nuclear weaponry or the mass murders of Muslim Bosnians, the CSP will be a staunch supporter of SBF.

The core principle of SBF is just and equity. That is why usury, speculation, uncertain contract terms are abhorred and the sharing of risk and rewards, transparency is promoted. True Shariah based financing does not condone injustice.

SBF is just a way of doing business and it so happens that it follows the principles laid down by the Quran and Hadith. The shariahfinancewatch website has got nothing to do with SBF or business – it is all about destroying everything connected to Islam in order to further the Zionist cause and their supremacy ambitions.

Abu Hamzah Anas bin Malik, radiyallahu 'anhu, who was the servant of the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, reported that the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said: "None of you truly believes (in Allah and in His religion) until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself" (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

“Violence begets violence”
"Do not do to others what would anger you if done to you by others." (Isocrates)
"Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you" (Analects 15:23)
"And what you hate, do not do to any one." (Tobit 4:15)
"...thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."(Leviticus 19:18)

Travelogue #03 – Hong Kong

As far as connectivity is concerned, Hong Kong is probably one of the easiest places to get to. So many airlines serve the city and there are at least half a dozen direct flights from KL daily.

To get to Hong Kong is easy but to spend in Hong Kong may not be as easy. Almost everything is expensive, well at least compared to KL or Jakarta. But having said that, bargains can still be found at the many markets, like in Mong Kok in the Kowloon Peninsula.

Hong Kong is a haven for shopping. For those looking for good quality suits and shirts can visit one of the many bespoke tailors. Interesting art and artefacts can be bought at the many art galleries. For branded goods, numerous malls in the Central area are dedicated to selling designer goods.

But then again, travelling should not all be about shopping. So when in Hong Kong, one should try to do the following fun stuff:

1. Take the Star Ferry from Kowloon to Hong Kong (preferably at night) (HKD2.20 upper deck);
2. Take the Tram to Victoria Peak (HKD48.00);
3. Ride the Tram from end to end (HKD2.00);
4. Walk along Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade;
5. Visit Hong Kong Ocean Park;
6. Visit Disneyland;
7. Take a stroll at Hong Kong Park;
8. Ride on the Ngong ping 360 cable car; and
9. Have drinks at D’Aguilar Street.
   

Of course there are many more things to do in Hong Kong like visiting museums, monasteries and night markets but those listed above are the minimum a visitor should do when in Hong Kong although I know of a few people who would rather spend all their time in Landmark, Pacific Place, IFC Mall, Times Square and Harbour City.

Can I have an Auto Museum?

I've always dreamt of setting up and running an Auto Museum here in Malaysia. Apparently we do have one in Sepang but I’ve never been there and I don’t know of anyone who has. But from the little I gather from the www, it’s nothing much to shout about. Yes, I will go pay the place a visit and eat my words. Or will I be vindicated?

Anyway, back to my Auto Museum dream, I will allocate one section to the history of automobiles in Malaysia in particular and in the world in general. Pictures and literature on the first car, the development of the automobile, innovations over the years, the road network in Malaysia over the years, road signs, road maps, traffic regulations, model cars even documentary on how petrol stations evolved! There will also be a section on auto statistics in Malaysia, number of cars sold per year and car prices over the years. A collection of car magazines from the days gone by would also be on display. a section will be dedicated on traffic ethics and education.

The next section will be dedicated to vehicles once familiar on Malaysian roads like the black and yellow Peugeot 404 Taxi (made famous by Nan in his comic strip Din Teksi), Mercedes W110 taxi from the 60s, Alfa Romeo & Alfetta police cars, Datsun 160J SSS, Morris Minor and Oxford, Volvo 122 and 144, Austin Cambridge, Rover P5, Ford Escort and Cortina, Toyota Corolla KE20/30, the first generation Honda Civic, Datsun 120Y and Nissan 130Y (Malaysia’s best sellers pre-Proton), Ford Transit ambulance, the Land Rover used by the Army and Police, Volkswagen Beetle, PDRM’s Suzuki 550GSX, Postmen bike from the 60s, the infamous “Bas Mini”, The best selling Honda “Cup” C70, Nissan 220C/Toyota Crown Subang Airport Limo, and maybe the first generation Proton Saga next to it’s Lancer twin.

The third section will display cars used by prominent Malaysians. The car that Tunku rode in Melaka after coming back from England (it’s an American made car), the many luxury marques used by the Sultans and ministers etc.

Another section will exhibit race cars like Karamjit’s PERT Mitsubishi/Proton or Alex Yoong’s Minardi or even Ron Lim’s RX-7.

A section will showcase classics such as the Jaguar E Type, BMW 2002, Citroen DS, Ferrari Dino, Datsun 240Z, Mercedes 300SL Gullwing, Volvo P1800, Mini Cooper, Fiat 500 and Porsche 911.

Every section will not only exhibit the cars but will also include literature, news reports and pictures related to the vehicle displayed.

There will also be an exhibition hall where new car launches or automobile related functions can be held.

An undertaking such as this requires a lot of capital expenditure and is not one that would be able to generate strong cashflow. For this reason, I can’t see any private initiative unless subsidised by the government.