Vasana development destroys nature

Seeing Jan's recent album on the destruction of the forest on Bukit Lanjan, it inspired me to do this album of the destruction at Taman Seputeh by the Vasana development.

Vasana is a Berjaya project, and Berjaya part of Vincent Tan's empire, one of the richest men in Malaysia. His empire is enormous and includes property, resorts, toto, gaming, Starbucks, Kenny Rogers, etc etc etc. The condo I used to live in, Robson Condo was also Berjaya group and is right next to the Vasana development. However as the development was at the side, it wasn't really visible. The condo that did suffer was Bukit Robson as it looked right down onto the development and adjoined it.

Part of the land has been cleared for some time, at least 10 years looking at Google Earth images. But the surrounding area was nicely forested and green. Until Feb 2008 when my friend living in Bukit Robson told me they had started clearing the hillside. Within 10 days, the trees had all gone.

By June a retaining wall had been built at the top of the slope. Work continued very quickly and soon the 4 storey houses, each with swimming pool and lift, were taking shape. Luckily my place at Robson Condo was at right angles to the site so I couldn't see much, but I could hear the pile driving and other noises. I felt sorry for the residents of Bukit Robson and the houses right in front of the project.

The sales pitch is: "Berjaya Land Bhd (BLand) will be launching luxurious link bungalows in Taman Seputeh, Kuala Lumpur. The project, named Vasana 25, will have a gross development value (GDV) of RM109 million, and will be built on two hectares of freehold land.
The Vasana development will be launched in early 2008 and will comprise 22 link bungalows and three bungalows. The link bungalows, which will be priced from RM3 million, will have built-up areas of 4,000 to 5,000 sq ft and land areas of 5,000 to 7,000 sq ft. Some of the link bungalows which will be built on higher ground will come complete with elevators.
BLand properties marketing general manager Mah Siew Wan said that she expects the three-storey bungalows to be "very well-received", due to its gated community concept."

In typical Malaysian fashion, the houses are so close together you can shake hands with the neighbours from the window. I can't understand how people wish to live in luxury houses that are so close to each other.
5 Feb 2008 -

15 Feb 2008; June 2008 (below)

Aug 2008 -

Sept 2008 -

Dec 2008 -

Feb 2010 -

Jan 2011 -

© Liz Price
No reproduction without permission

scam "I hope to meet you when I visit Malaysia‏"

I recently wrote about the mugged in the park email scam. Now I am getting this scam

"I hope to meet you when I visit Malaysia‏"

Of course the scam is well documented on the internet, mostly on blogs. The most recent one was from

From:	Norman Rohiza (rohizanorman480@msn.com)
Sent:	Thursday, 11 Aug, 2011 10: 05 AM

Dear

Hi,I just came back from oversea trip to Scotland.I am Miss.Rohiza Norman,I work with Avocet Mining PLC in UK as assistant senior supervisor.We may not know ourselves for now but it is my heart desire to take vacation leave from our company to visit Malaysia for the first time . My father originally came from Malaysia unfortunately I lost my father early without knowing my relatives.

I want to come and meet new friends, have fun and possibly discuss some business matters.It is no longer a news that Asia is developing so fast and catching up with developed countries with a lot of tourist attraction centers,it gives me so much joy because I want to witness it and be part of it.

I do not mean to inconvenience you neither do I want my presence to affect your work or business hours,instead I can adjust my time so that we can only meet in the evenings and weekends.I will appreciate it if you can spare your little time to welcome and accompany me,never mind I will take care of the expenses.If you say OK please let me know the nearest airport that will be easier for you to come and fetch me on arrival.

Rgds
Rohiza

----------------

Older ones were from Ascroft A.Hayley, with a Brazil email address. 

• Ascroft A.Hayley
• buleyclifford@bol.com.br

 

From:	Ascroft A.Hayley (buleyclifford@bol.com.br)
Sent:	Wednesday, 8 Jun, 2011 11: 13 PM
To:

Hi, I came back from oversea trip to Scotland.I am Miss.A.Dayan Hayley,I work with Avocet Mining PLC in UK as assistant senior supervisor.We may not know ourselves for now but it is my heart desire to take vacation leave from our company to visit Malaysia for the first time because my  father originally came from M'sia.It is no longer a news that Asia is developing so fast and catching up with developed countries with a lot of tourist attraction  centers,it gives me so much joy because I want to witness it and be part of it.

I do not mean to inconvenience you,I want to build a close relationship with you.I will appreciate it if you can spare your time to welcome and accompany me,never mind I will take care of the expenses.If you are interested  could you please tell me little about yourself and let me know the nearest airport to you that will be easier for you to come and fetch me on arrival?
I await for your reply

My Regards
Miss.Ascr oft

People of Vieng Phouka, northern Laos

In Jan 2006 I joined the European caving expedition to northern Laos. The area we were working in was Vieng Phouka. Vieng Phoukha is in the Luang Nam Tha province, and close to the Chinese and Myanmar borders. It lies on route 3, between Luang Nam Tha to the north and the border town of Huay Xai in Bokeo province, which is the border crossing to Chiang Khong (Chiang Rai) in Thailand.

Vieng Phouka is 120 km NW of Houay Xai and lies at 667 m. In VP 90% of the people are Khmu and are farmers or mine workers. There is a large opencast coal (lignite) mine to the south. In the hilly areas people build their houses right on the ridge alongside the road.

The Khmu traditional clothes are quite colourful. We visited plenty of villages when we went caving, as we would have to get permission from the headman and get a local guide. Some of the locals would come into the caves with us.

houses on hill ridge

food stall -

market stall, and chicken transporter -

local lasses

kids playing

spinning cotton -

local smithy

© Liz Price
No reproduction without permission