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New Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
New Penang Governor Ramli Ngah Talib, an administrative figure with vast experience
GEORGE TOWN: The ninth Yang Dipertua Negeri of Penang, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, is no ordinary figure. He brings with him a wealth of experience and notable achievements in both politics and the country's administration. Born on March 16, 1941, in Pasir Salak, Perak, Ramli demonstrated his leadership credentials as the eighth Perak Menteri Besar, a position he held for 17 years from 1982 to 1999, making him the longest-serving Menteri Besar in the state's history. His political journey began in 1978 when he was elected as the Kampung Gajah assemblyman for Kampung Gajah and subsequently appointed as a member of the State Executive Council. After his tenure in the state's administration, Ramli continued to serve at the national level. In 2004, he was elected as the Pasir Salak member of parliament. In his first term in Parliament, he was entrusted to chair the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), a key parliamentary oversight body, before being appointed as the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, a role he held from 2004 to 2008. Additionally, he was Deputy Transport Minister from 2000 to 2004. Ramli's leadership within Umno was equally significant, having chaired the Perak Umno Liaison Committee for 16 years (1984–2000) and serving as a member of the Umno Supreme Council for over two decades, from 1980 to 2006. From an academic perspective, Ramli received his early education at the prestigious Kuala Kangsar Malay College and then continued his studies in law at Queen's University, Belfast, before being admitted as a Barrister-at-Law at Lincoln's Inn, London During his time in the United Kingdom, Ramli was active in the Students' Union in Belfast and became the editor of the Kesatuan Melayu United Kingdom magazine. Upon his return to Malaysia, Ramli embarked on an academic career, becoming a law lecturer at the MARA Institute of Technology (now known as Universiti Teknologi MARA, or UiTM). He also served as a part-time lecturer at the University of Malaya in the early 1970s. In 1971, he made history as the first in-house legal advisor to the National Electricity Board or NEB (now known as Tenaga Nasional Berhad or TNB). Demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and legal acumen, he went on to qualify as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya and later co-founded the law firm Kadir, Tan & Ramli in 1977. During this period, Ramli also expanded his influence in the media and public utilities sectors, serving as a Member of the Board of Directors for Utusan Melayu and NEB. Ramli's appointment as the ninth Yang Dipertua Negeri of Penang takes effect on May 1, 2025. Earlier, he received the instruments of appointment from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, in a ceremony held at Singgahsana Kecil of Istana Negara. During the ceremony, Ramli was also conferred the Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara (SMN), one of the nation's highest honours, which carries the title of Tun. He succeeds Tun Ahmad Fuzi, 76, who has served as the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Penang since May 1, 2021. With his appointment, Ramli becomes the fourth individual to hold this position without being a native of the state.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Northern Leg' to B.C. coast could be built off existing Trans Mountain pipeline, sources say
A long-shelved proposal to build a northern branch off the Trans Mountain pipeline system to the northern British Columbia coast is attracting renewed interest as the Canadian oilpatch and federal and provincial governments grapple with a response to new trade headwinds with the United States. The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX) may have sufficient capacity to support a so-called TMX Northern Leg, which would involve constructing a new lateral pipeline branch off the mainline near Valemount, B.C., to carry crude to an export terminal in Kitimat, according to sources familiar with the federally owned pipeline system. The 300,000-to-400,000-barrel-per-day (b/d) expansion was part of former pipeline owner Kinder Morgan Inc.'s original plans for a multi-stage TMX program, which was laid out in previous service agreements with shippers and in 2011 submissions to the federal regulator over pipeline tolls and tariffs. However, by the time Kinder Morgan filed its official 2013 application for the project with the National Energy Board (NEB), the Northern Leg was not part of the proposal. At the time, the company said it favoured twinning the existing 1,500-kilometre pipeline south due to the risk of higher costs and greater cost uncertainty associated with the northern route, according to its submission to the NEB. But sources familiar with the pipeline say the Northern Leg remains an option and that the TMX was built with sufficient capacity along its length from Edmonton through Jasper National Park and Mount Robson Provincial Park to handle it. Trans Mountain Corp. (TMC) on Friday said any significant changes to the pipeline system, including an expansion, would be subject to regulatory approval. 'The Northern Leg is not part of Trans Mountain's plans at this time,' the company said in a statement. 'For any project to be economically viable, it will require significant regulatory reform to happen in Canada. Many projects are technically achievable.' TMX currently extends from a storage terminal in Edmonton southward through interior B.C. to the Westridge Marine Terminal in Burnaby, B.C. The pipeline began operating in 1953, with a capacity of just 150,000 b/d, though subsequent upgrades doubled its output by 2008. By then, however, production from Alberta's oilsands had significantly expanded and the pipeline was regularly in apportionment — the industry's term for when demand for access to the pipeline exceeds its capacity — and Kinder Morgan was actively exploring options for the major expansion known as TMX. Facing regulatory delays and legal setbacks, Kinder Morgan eventually walked away, resulting in Ottawa stepping in to purchase the project for $4.4 billion in 2018. The expansion project nearly tripled capacity on the line to 890,000 b/d, but the price tag ballooned to $34 billion by the time it went into service in May 2024. Despite widespread criticism about the cost, the project has been hailed by the sector and governments for helping to alleviate the discount on Canadian crude caused by years of pipeline constraints and a lack of access to global markets. Following United States President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs on Canadian goods, including a 10 per cent tariff on energy commodities, the oil and gas sector and governments have once again turned to the stubborn problem of Canada's near-complete reliance on the U.S. market. Those concerns have fuelled talk across the country of reviving old plans to build oil pipelines and other energy projects, though headlines have been dominated by talk of TC Energy Corp.'s Energy East and Enbridge Inc.'s Northern Gateway. Canada's major pipeline firms have largely been circumspect in their recent statements, warning that new investments are unlikely to occur without significant regulatory change and consultations with Indigenous groups on mechanisms to enable ownership. There have also been calls to expand TMX, Canada's only pipeline to tidewater on the West Coast, but few outside the sector seem aware of Kinder Morgan's former Northern Leg proposal. Proponents of the Northern Leg say it may be a more viable option than some other projects because of the cost savings associated with piggybacking on the existing line's infrastructure. While it would require constructing a new terminal on the northern B.C. coast, expanding flows on the existing line could also be challenged by limitations and congestion at the marine terminal in Burnaby. 'It's probably one of the more likely things we could do in a reasonable timeframe,' Richard Masson, former chief executive of the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission, said. 'And it's going in the right direction, because the market is Asia; that's where the growth is, and so that's where we should be pointing.' In response to recent inquiries about boosting volumes on TMX, Trans Mountain executives said capacity could be increased on the existing line by between 200,000 b/d and 300,000 b/d by using drag-reducing agents and increasing pumping capacity. In a statement Friday, an official with the Department of Finance said the government supports Trans Mountain in running the pipeline on a commercial basis in a way that maximizes its value. It also said the project has helped Canada capture a fairer value for its resources. Reviving Northern Gateway would require 'real changes' TC Energy CEO throws cold water on pipeline revival, 'bullish' on LNG West-East pipeline sentiment shifts as Trump threatens Canada 'Efforts to expand capacity may require approvals by the Canada Energy Regulator, other federal and provincial regulators and agencies, and consultations with Indigenous communities, depending on the project,' the official said. — With files from John Ivison. • Email: mpotkins@
Zawya
21-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
SOHO appoints NSE as main contractor for the berkeley, bringing the luxury development closer to groundbreaking
Dubai, UAE: SOHO, a lifestyle brand specialising in creating hospitality-inspired living spaces, has officially appointed New System Engineering (NSE) as the main contractor for The Berkeley, its premium residential project in Dubai Hills Estate. The appointment marks a significant milestone in the development's timeline, moving the highly anticipated project closer to groundbreaking in the coming weeks. With 90% of units already sold, The Berkeley has seen overwhelming demand, reinforcing SOHO's reputation for delivering high-quality, hospitality-inspired residences. As construction gears up, NSE's expertise in executing large-scale, high-rise residential developments will play a crucial role in ensuring the timely and seamless delivery of the project. Founded in 2000, NSE has over 23 years of experience in the UAE construction industry, with a proven track record of delivering commercial and residential buildings, schools, warehouses, and villa projects. The firm has built a strong reputation for its commitment to quality, safety, and efficiency. Its experienced team of engineers and construction professionals is well-aligned with SOHO's vision of crafting elegant yet functional living spaces. Sahil Khosla, CEO of SOHO, commented: 'Appointing NSE as our main contractor is a significant step forward as we bring The Berkeley to life. Their proven track record in delivering high-end residential projects ensures that our vision of creating premium, hospitality-inspired living spaces will be executed with precision and excellence. With The Berkeley nearly sold out, we are thrilled to advance construction and deliver a project that sets new benchmarks in Dubai Hills.' The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled to take place soon, marking the official start of construction. With NSE's appointment, the development remains on track for timely delivery, reinforcing SOHO's commitment to providing world-class residences in one of Dubai's most sought-after communities. As construction begins, SOHO continues to collaborate with leading industry experts to bring its vision to life. National Engineering Bureau (NEB) Consultants, one of the region's most respected architectural and engineering firms, has played an integral role in shaping the design, structure, and technical planning of the development. With extensive experience in luxury residential projects, NEB has ensured that The Berkeley adheres to the highest standards of design innovation, functionality, and sustainability. Their expertise has been pivotal in optimising space planning, refining architectural aesthetics, and integrating structural efficiencies, ensuring that every element of the project aligns with SOHO's commitment to crafting sophisticated, hospitality-inspired living spaces. Other strategic partners include LW Design and XBD Collective, who have contributed to the project's interior and space planning. Their expertise in curating contemporary, high-end living environments aligns with SOHO's philosophy of creating homes that blend aesthetics with practicality. While The Berkeley takes centre stage, construction will also commence on The Gramercy, an elegantly curated residential offering positioned adjacent to The Berkeley. Designed as a natural extension of SOHO's signature hospitality-led approach, The Gramercy will introduce a sophisticated long-term lease opportunity, catering to discerning residents who seek a seamless blend of design, service, and comfort. With a boutique, hotel-inspired lifestyle at its core, The Gramercy offers a limited collection of fully furnished, contemporary residences that seamlessly integrate intelligent space planning, refined interiors, and parkfront serenity. Set against the backdrop of Dubai Hills Park, it will provide residents with an effortless and elevated living experience, crafted for those who appreciate luxury, convenience, and timeless design. With both projects now entering their construction phase, SOHO remains committed to delivering best-in-class residential experiences, setting a new benchmark in Dubai Hills. The Berkeley and The Gramercy are expected to be delivered in Q4 2026, with construction progressing in line with the projects' completion timeline. About SOHO: SOHO is a design-led brand specialising in creating hospitality-inspired living spaces in Dubai's most coveted locations. Founded in 2009 by visionary father-son duo Somendra Khosla and Sahil Khosla, SOHO has built a reputation for delivering meticulously curated homes that blend luxury, functionality and refined living. Known for their projects in prime beachfront and parkfront locations, including the iconic SOHO on Palm West Beach, the exceptional villa developments on Fronds I, N and G of Palm Jumeirah and the highly anticipated twin residential buildings in Dubai Hills, SOHO consistently raises the bar for modern, high-quality residences that exceed expectations and set new standards in design.
