The very utterance of 'Malaysia' creates in the mind of the hearer a world of sight seeing possibilities. The great diversity of tourist attractions in Malaysia is amazing. You will need at least a month to have a complete and detailed tour of this beautiful country. Every sight seeing destination is worth the visit. Right from the colonial hill stations of Genting, high-tech city of Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands, tropical island of Langkawi to various immaculate beaches, the world's oldest tropical rainforests, national parks, and more,

Malaysia truly captivates the heart and mind of all visitors. And your stay in hotels in Malaysia will turn out to be an affair to be cherished forever. The hospitality as well as the facilities offered, especially in the 5 star hotels, will only allure you to spend a few more days or entice you to plan your next trip to Malaysia shortly again. Such is the aura of hotels in Malaysia and the tourist hotspots.

One city in Malaysia that you will just love to hang out is Kuala Lumpur, also termed as an 'Asian tiger' city. Over a million people reside in this busy cosmopolitan city, nestling sky kissing skyscrapers. The historical twin Petronas Towers - the tallest building in the world - are the key attraction in this city of Malaysia. Besides the towering edifices, you will also find chic colonial buildings; you will even come across a 'little India'! Book your flights and get reservations done in one of the finest hotels in Malaysia. Advanced bookings will let you avail economical stay in the 5 star hotels.

Singapore is another most visited leisure, business, and education destination in Asia. To cater to different discerning tourists, there are countless hotels in Singapore to choose from. Visit a travel portal and look for your preferred hotels in Singapore. As aforementioned you can get cheap accommodation in 5 star hotels in Singapore if you get the reservations done several days ahead. Having access to information about any tourist hotspot is easy online. This way, you can plan an economical trip.

Steily William is freelance International Hotel and travel guide writer and is writing review articles on 5 Star Hotels, India Tourist Guide, Hotels in Malaysia, Budget Hotels, 5 star Hotels. For more details on the Hotels in Singapore you can visit Zoomta.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steily_William

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Located of the mainland of Sabah near a town of Semporna is the legendary island of Sipadan. It is known as one of the best diving locations in the region and beyond. Not only do we see coral structures but more amazing are the marine caves, and Palau Sipadan has the largest variety of soft coral anywhere in the world.
It is a place where turtles swim freely in the warm waters of sipadan and scuba divers will find barracudas, lobsters, frog fish, many of the beautiful coral fish and sharks alike.

In total 12 dive sites can be found around the island of Sipadan, all the dive sites consist of wall dives which drop off shear from only 20 feet of the beach front. That will only stop at some 2,800 feet below. These staggering figures and the amazing coral and marine life as made Sipadan one of the top five beach dives in the world.

Below you will find some more details of the amazing Diving:
Temperatures are typically 6 to 30 degrees Celsius so a short wetsuit of three to five millimetres should be adequate and with 20 to 60m visibility will make the prefect dive.
As mentioned there are a total of 12 sites to dive on, ranging from Turtle Cavern where you will see hawksbill and green turtles a plenty, to south point where you will find plenty of sharks up to a shallow dive at lobster lair.

The marine life that can be seen are white and grey tip sharks, green and hawksbill turtles, jacks, barracdas, tigger fish, and mantis shrimp to name just a few.
Sipadan can be dived all year round and this makes it an amazing place.

Visit us at scuba diving shirts for more great original designs or go to Scuba Diving Malaysia.

 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Hemmings

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The basic feature of unit trust investment is a form of collective investment that allows investors with similar investment objectives to pool their saving, and invested in a portfolio of securities managed by investment professional.

We can classify 5 mains categories of unit trust funds in Malaysia:

1) Equity fund: The major portions of equity fund portfolios are shares of listed companies. It's available in the market with higher risk-higher return to those with lower risk-lower returns:

• Aggressive growth fund - generally invests in companies with higher capital growth, but with higher risk.
• Index fund- normally the return will closely resemble the performance of the stock market index, both in terms of risk and return. 
• Income fund - the fund will invest primarily in stocks that earn significant dividend income, rather than companies that are expected to pay little or no dividends.

2) Fixed Income fund: Mainly invest in corporate bonds, government securities and liquid securities. Generally it will provide regular income with less emphasis on capital growth.

3) Property fund: Invest in real property. The fund returns are generated from rental income and capital appreciation. Most property units are listed on stock exchange, as the assets are highly illiquid.

4) Islamic fund: Investment in accordance with Syariah Laws. Main objective is to invest in a portfolio of halal stocks. Non-halal stock - companies produce or involved in activities, products or services and financial services, gambling, alcoholic, beverages and non-halal food products.

5) Balanced fund: invest in between Equity fund and fixed income investments.
By having good understanding of the above funds categories, we start to evaluate the funds to invest in, by considering our investment objectives and risk tolerance level.

Sheng Feng Ang is currently a Unit Trust consultancy, mainly in investment and financial training. Adelaide has obtained the " Certified Financial Planner", is globally recognized in USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, India, Singapore, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany, France, South Korea, Brazil, Austria, South Africa and Switzerland.
 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheng_Feng_Ang

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Stock Market Malaysia - The Bursa Malaysia Berhad is an important member of the global stock markets, with a history stretching back almost 80 years. Instituted in 1930, the private Singapore Stockbrokers' Association was the first sanctioned securities trading organization in Malaysia. This association of stock market Malaysia was renamed the Malayan Stockbrokers' Association in 1937, but did not yet publicly trade shares.

In 1960, public trading of shares was inaugurated with the public Malaysian market, called the Malayan Stock Exchange. The Malayan Stock Exchange was the predecessor of the modern Malayan securities market. The Malayan Stock Exchange was renamed the Stock Exchange of Malaysia in 1964.

The stock market Malaysia operations continued as the Stock Exchange of Malaysia and Singapore (SEMS) after Singapore seceded from Malaysia in 1965. The exchange split into the Stock Exchange of Singapore, and the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange Board in 1973, following the separation of the Malayan and Singapore currencies. In 1976, the Kuala Lumpur StockExchange was incorporated to take over operations of the KLSEB. The KLSEB was renamed the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in 1994.

Under direction of the Demutualization Act, in 2004 the klse stock market was converted from a not-for-profit organization limited by the guarantee of its membership, to an entity limited by its shares, called the Bursa Malaysia Berhad. At this time, the stock market Malaysia exchanges had a market capitalization of US $189 billion. With conversion, the securities exchange part of the business was transferred to a wholly-owned subsidiary, Bursa Securities. In 2005, Bursa Malaysia was listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad.

The main index, called the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) passed the 1,000 milestone in 2006, and in June 2007 held a market capitalization of US $307 billion. The market operations are divided into a Securities Exchange, a Derivatives Exchange, and an Offshore Exchange.

Larger companies are listed on the Bursa Malaysia Securities Main Board, medium sized companies on the Second Board, and high growth and technology companies on the MESDAQ market. There is also a separate board for offshore companies. Futures and options contracts are traded on the Derivatives Exchange, operated by Bursa Derivatives. These capital markets are regulated by various acts of parliament. The network of holding companies also develops and distributes comprehensive market information products and services.

There are plenty of markets that you can trade in. For many, trading a small bit of your portfolio overseas can help lower your exposure to what happens on the North American exchanges.

Investing can be confusing, but we can help with more information on otc online newsletter and where can I purchase penny stocks.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_W_Smith

Stock market investment in Malaysia and Singapore
Effective stock market investment in Malaysia

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The moon, long an object to curiosity and worship, has inspired many tales in ancient China. While on board a boat, Tang Dynasty poet Li Po was believed to have tried to embrace the reflection of the moon while he was drunk. He fell overboard and drowned. In days of yore, people regarded a round shape as family reunion; thus the appearance of a full moon was regarded as an auspicious time for family members to get together. At no other time of the year is the moon brightest and fullest on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. In 2009, that auspicious day falls on October 3, 2009, which is also known as the Mid-autumn Festival. Lantern processions and the eating of mooncakes are highlights of the celebrations.

In Malaysia, which has a Chinese population, the Mooncake Festival is also celebrated on a moderately grand scale with prayers and reunion dinners. Altars are set up in the open air under the moonlight, and offerings of pomegranates, pomelos, steamed sponge cake, water-calthrops, mini yams and mooncakes are laid. The moon is worshipped, and there is feasting, moon gazing and, in modern families, partying and drinking. Children carry lanterns and sometimes competitions are held. According to older generations, on this day, the taboo of not pointing to the moon should be observed, lest a moon fairy will cut off one's ears!
In Kuala Lumpur, the Thean Hou Kung Temple on Jalan Syed Putra holds a grand celebration annually, while similar merry-making is held in Penang in either the Chinese Assembly Hall or the Kek Lok See Temple. Organisers of such celebrations are the Chinese guilds, associations and temple trustees.

Weeks before the festival, mooncakes and lanterns are put up for sale. In the Chinese districts of many cities, especially Kuala Lumpur, Georgetown, Malacca and Ipoh, red boxes packed with mooncakes are piled high on the sales counters of restaurants, and lanterns in the shapes of animals, flowers, butterflies and cartoon characters dangle in clusters from toy stores and incense shops. In keeping with the times, some of the lanterns are operated by battery though those lighted by candles are still popular. Mooncakes are bought not only for prayer and consumption but to be given to friends and relatives.

Shaped like the surface of a mooncakes come in several traditional varieties. They can be filled with black-bean paste, brownish lotus-paste, yellow-bean paste and lotus-seed mixed with sweetened paste. Usually, a preserved duck-egg yoke is added to the stuffing. These mooncakes are of the Cantonese version, and in addition, there are also less popular Hokkien-style mooncakes that come in a long cylindrical roll and Teochew mooncakes filled with yam. In Malaysia, halal mooncakes are also available. To cater to the increasing sophisticated taste buds of Malaysians, innovations in mooncakes include ice-cream mooncakes, pandanus moncakes, green tea mooncakes and durian mooncakes.

The origins of the Mooncake Festival have been lost in the mists of time but there are two legends associated with it. The first concerns its role in the overthrow of the Yuan Dynasty (AD 960-1280) that was established by the Mongols in ancient China. Under the oppressive rule of the Mongols, gatherings of a group of people were forbidden, and it was decreed that each household be allowed to own only one kitchen cleaver, which was chained to a chopping block. It was impossible to organise any uprisings. Liu Fu Tong, a rebel leader of Anhui province, requested permission from the District Officer to distribute cakes to bless the longevity of the Mongolian emperor. The District Officer agreed, and Liu made thousands of round cakes which he called mooncakes. Each cake contained a piece of paper outlining the plan of an attack. He told the recipients to eat the mooncakes on the 15th day of he 8th lunar moon. On that fateful day, when the people cut the mooncakes, they were able to coordinate a rebellion on a local scale. Another rebel leader, Chu Hung Wu, capitalised on the chaos to overthrow the Mongol emperor, and established the Ming Dynasty in AD 1368).

Another legend concerns Chang Er, who was a daughter of a poor farming family. When she was 18, Hou Yi, a skilled archer from a neighbouring village saw her attending to the fowls in her parents' farm, and was captivated by her beauty. Over the next few days, he deliberately rode passed the farm again and managed to introduced himself. She accepted his friendship, and soon they became lovers. During the period of their courtship, a phenomenon happened. The ten suns of the earth that took turns to bring warmth and light appeared together. Rivers dried up and the land became barren, causing starvation and massive destruction.

Hou Yi climbed up to the highest mountain he could find and launched his mighty arrows. One by one, nine of the suns were shot down. The people rejoiced and made Hou Yi their King. He married Chang Er, and they lived happily for several years. However, Hou Yi changed into a despot, and tried to seek immortality. He employed sorcerers to create an elixir of life for him. One prominent sorcerer told him he needed children to be sacrificed as part of the process of creating the elixir. Hou Yi ordered his troops to snatch children from their families, and the elixir table was almost completed.

One evening, Chang Er sneaked in the sorcerer's chamber that was housed in a tall tower in the palace. She rummaged everywhere and found the tablet. At that moment, the sorcerer burst in and Chang Er quickly swallowed the tablet. The sorcerer raised the alarm and in rushed Hou Yi who tried to force his wife to return the pill. It was too late. She had swallowed it, and in her bid to escape from Hou Yi, she was forced to jump from a window. However, she did not fall down but floated up to the moon, where she lives alone. Another version says that as punishment for stealing the elixir of life, Chang Er was turned into a three-legged toad. Her pet rabbit became her companion, and is always pounding the elixir of immortality in a large mortar. Today, it it believed that people celebrate the Mooncake Festival to remember Chang Er.

For details about the author, please visit his blog at http://ewepaikleong.blogspot.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paik-Leong_Ewe

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There were many responses when the Malaysian government first announced the Financial Budget for Malaysia, year 2010, both good and bad. But when they were undecided about GST, it sparked more conversation on whether it'll benefit the Rakyat, or further threaten poorer communities in Malaysia.
What goods GST covers
As proposed by our dear government, GST covers all types of goods & services sold to Malaysian & non-Malaysian residents (therefore consumers) except for a common commodities such as rice, flour & sugar.
This goes to mean: Whenever you walk into your favorite hypermarket with the family to get some groceries in the future, you will be charged additional ~% (the proposed additional 4%) on top of your bill except for certain controlled items.
Further, Malaysia's main revenue shouldn't just live off petroleum. In other words, we shouldn't put all eggs in one basket because petroleum revenues have risks of its own, seeing that it's a natural resource.
What reason did they give? More funds for development and expenses.
How much would they probably get? RM1 billion (RM1,000,000,000) per annum in estimated rounded-up revenue.
Will it hurt the poor & middle class?
To a certain extent, it will somehow affect pockets of middle and lower income group Malaysians.
The arguments:

1. Recent price hike in petrol, prices of commodities have increased drastically. And now another one called GST?
2. Income tax brackets for high earners aren't as 'expensive' as middle-to-low income groups.
3. The Malaysian government has saved approximately RM2 billion (RM2,000,000,000) by lowering fuel subsidies - What's the take on GST now for lower income groups?
4. GST is tax on SPENDING. Basically, everything from parking fees to purchasing mattress. Even with GST-exempted items, this would still hit lower income groups in Malaysia.
5. Private sectors aren't paying much to Malaysians - Other more developed countries such as Singapore could take this hit because wages & salaries are much higher.
6. Other countries such as Britain, India, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore has GST - Doesn't mean GST has to be implemented in Malaysia. Their economic status and way of gaining revenue varies from Malaysia. (GST is also called VAT - Value Added Tax in other countries)
7. Inflation may happen. Prime Minister Mr. Najib has guaranteed no inflation - But with the introduction of GST, the chain of 'passing the cost' will end up usually at the hands of consumers.
8. Corruption isn't a rare thing in Malaysia - So businesses has already included 'corruption prices' in goods & services. How does that not reflect additional costs to consumers?
9. Out of inflation pressures, higher prices for goods & services are sought.

Prime Minister Mr. Najib has promised Malaysians that they will be tabling a public discussion on GST (called the GST Bill) on December. There are also several upsides that could be seen - But until Mr. Najib tables the meeting on GST Bill, we shouldn't be skeptical of anything yet.
Other side of the GST story
GST has been said to promise a few things:

1. Implementation will not be abrupt. It will be a slow & steady tax preparation so that individuals and small businesses will not be adversely affected.
2. It will replace the 10+5% services and goods tax. This means taxes are lower now - Consumers need not pay more for one area, but it's divided into many other source of 'tax' payments.
3. GST rates are promised at 4%, out of the normal 10% or 5% charged in restaurants.
4. Implementation will not occur until middle to late 2011 or 2012. Planning time is essential to not put 'inflation pressure' on small businesses.
5. Government's coffers will increase. This will enable further development and budget control to the country, other than relying just on petroleum or income tax revenues.
6. Tax when consumed, not when earned is much better. It allows better control. Spending influences will be "Careful" and "More controlled" when purchasing on higher prices are made rather than "taxable incomes" generated from work.
7. It's a broad-based tax system. Some items may be slightly more expensive & cheaper. It's not a overall standardized taxation method.

Your opinion on GST
Of course, there are many pros and cons of the new GST system - And the implementers should look more intricately into all income groups, balance their sheets and understand what are the effects first. While we can only propose so much, there's only so much we can do.
Here are some of the 'preparation techniques' the tablers of the GST Bill can adopt:

1. Be intricate with details: Tax is a complicated subject, like a science of its own. If you make the subject complicated, it may lead to more misunderstandings and later, more arguments.
2. Introduce 'layman terms' for further understanding. Giving examples always help. Examples on implementations always help. Tell a story to the public - And make it make sense to them.
3. Use other form of publicity media: Tabling the GST Bill on national newspapers and mass media isn't going to cut it. Find other means such as introduction campaigns Malaysia-wide.
4. Engage community understanding: Allow certain private and public (individual or company) figures to table talks and debates on GST Malaysia-wide. This encourages engagement and allows more problems & solutions to be seen.

The Malaysian government or finance department has a long time more (approximately 15 - 20 months) to table talks around Malaysia with regards to GST.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Low

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