The KL–Auckland Institute for trains, density, housing, zoning, induced demand, anti-carpark agitation & unsolicited urban policy with mamaque characteristics
Tāmaki Makaurau/Kuala Lumpur
Joined July 2009
- Tweets27.5K
- Following2.7K
- Followers1.1K
- Likes42.4K
Damian retweeted
anyone know if the NZ broadcasters will stream their coverage on YouTube for us diasporoids tonight?
Damian retweeted
With an overhang this size I think we're waiting for the specials to know who governs.
Damian retweeted
Interesting Malaysia compute/datacenter insights:
traveled to kuala lumpur with the asia society and spoke to a few gov officials that govern malaysia's ai policy
was blown away by how deeply embedded malaysia hardware supply chain
the extent of that footprint does not get nearly enough attention
celestica assembles and tests compute, storage, networking systems in kulim; intel has assembly and test ops in penang and kulim, spoke to the guy that opened intel's first home base in penang in 1972; AMD has a semiconductor / R&D hub in penang, Infineon manufactures power semiconductors in kulim; micron has an assembly and test facility in batu kawan etc
there's little to no movement on data center infrastructure buildout in the states for the next few years so Malaysia is coming into focus with decades of manufacturing experience, engineering talent and supplier relationships already in place
anwar has been leveraging that industrial foothold for geopolitical maneuverability to stay in good favor with both china and the states
the interesting question is how much bargaining power that creates as export controls increasingly constrain who can sell what to whom
Damian retweeted
If I'm going to be honest, even this leaf has more artistic appeal than any AI generated stuff 🤷🏻♂️
This. As an immigrant from SE Asia to a western country, you don't just see the sticker price. And it's cheap for westerners, not for the locals.
Everyone is complaining about European taxes and moving to Southeast Asia.
I've lived in Asia for 6 years. I love it here, but there's a side of this lifestyle people don't talk about.
- Food regulations aren't as strict. Supermarket products often have endless ingredients, added sugar and cheap oils.
- Walking isn't easy. Poor pavements, motorbikes everywhere and almost no pedestrian infrastructure.
- Getting your daily steps can become a mission.
- Eating out is cheap, but finding consistently healthy food and good quality ingredients isn't always easy.
- Power cuts, internet outages and construction noise are part of everyday life, even in places you'd expect better infrastructure.
- Distances are deceptive. A 100 km journey can take 3 hours.
- Good healthcare means having proper private insurance. It's not something I'd take for granted.
- Housing is cheap until you want European standards. - A proper kitchen, a comfortable mattress, a decent bathroom, an oven, a freezer... suddenly it's not so cheap.
And yes, there are amazing things too.
The tropical fruit, the weather, the freedom (not for everyone tho, really hot and rain for 6 months), the nature, the scuba diving, the slower pace of life and learning to live with less. I've made some of my best memories here.
But I've noticed something interesting: when people first move to Southeast Asia, they feel rich because their money goes so much further. Then, as their businesses grow and they earn more, many start looking for the comfort, infrastructure and quality of life they took for granted back home.
There's a reason so many people eventually move back to developed countries.
Asia has been my home for years, and I'm grateful for it.
But no place is perfect. And the more you travel, the more you realise that quality of life isn't just about how little you spend or how much you earn.
Damian retweeted
Dear organic bodoh sekalian, gelombang biru di Amerika Syarikat itu adalah:-
1. Sekular
2. Pro imigresen
3. Pro LGBTQ
4. Liberal
5. Pemenang terbaru semua dari etnik minoriti
We are happy to have all of the abv in Malaysia if you are ready. I confirm ready. Sekian.
Damian retweeted
People say Wellington is a ghastly, freezing, wind tunnel cursed with slate grey skies and miserable humans. It’s a lie! Don’t believe them! It’s Elysium
Damian retweeted
Sound up—KL rain is not for the faint of heart. The roar is real. ⛈️
Kuala Lumpur gets about 2,400 mm (94 inches) of rain a year—more than twice St. Louis. Nov is typically its wettest month.
The name fits: Kuala Lumpur means “muddy confluence,” where the Klang and Gombak rivers meet.
For the ag crowd: oil palm needs roughly 2,000 mm (79 inches) a year, spread fairly evenly. It’s not just how much rain falls—it’s when. 🌴
Damian retweeted
malaysia is awesome btw
incredible food, super friendly people, and very cheap
kuala lumpur is like a smaller bangkok without the chaos and icky expats
asia society put us up in the mandarin
drinks are a bit too sweet and durian season was in full swing
traveled to kuala lumpur with the asia society and spoke to a few gov officials that govern malaysia's ai policy
was blown away by how deeply embedded malaysia hardware supply chain
the extent of that footprint does not get nearly enough attention
celestica assembles and tests compute, storage, networking systems in kulim; intel has assembly and test ops in penang and kulim, spoke to the guy that opened intel's first home base in penang in 1972; AMD has a semiconductor / R&D hub in penang, Infineon manufactures power semiconductors in kulim; micron has an assembly and test facility in batu kawan etc
there's little to no movement on data center infrastructure buildout in the states for the next few years so Malaysia is coming into focus with decades of manufacturing experience, engineering talent and supplier relationships already in place
anwar has been leveraging that industrial foothold for geopolitical maneuverability to stay in good favor with both china and the states
the interesting question is how much bargaining power that creates as export controls increasingly constrain who can sell what to whom
Damian retweeted
this post brought to you by me randomly remembering how cool melbourne looks – at New York, NY
One thing I find perplexing as an immigrant to NZ is how some are quite apprehensive to foreign investment despite productivity and growth issues.
Damian retweeted
There's been data centres in the CBD for decades, including the old EDS one on Albert Street that had massive back up diesel generators right across from residential buildings. – at New Zealand
Damian retweeted
🚆🇲🇾🇹🇭 A very special train arriving at Hat Yai Junction this morning: the MySawasdee International Express from Kuala Lumpur.
This service mainly brings Malaysian visitors to Thailand for two full days, arriving on Saturday morning and heading home on Monday morning. But you can also book a one-way ticket, which is how I’ll be travelling south from Hat Yai to Kuala Lumpur this Monday.
It isn’t a regular service. There are 14 scheduled trips this year. After this weekend, the remaining dates are listed below, with departure from KL first and departure from Hat Yai second:
• 13–16 November
• 20–23 November
• 26–29 November
• 11–14 December
• 17–20 December
• 23–26 December
The locomotives change at the border, so a Thai QSY diesel-electric locomotive is hauling the train into Hat Yai. The carriages are all Malaysian.
Behind the locomotive is the power car, followed by the Air-conditioned Executive Carriage, or AXC. This has individual, fully reclining seats in a spacious 1+1 layout. That’s where I’ll be travelling.
Next come three sleeper carriages, the café car, and a “free zone” with beanbags instead of fixed seats. These are followed by four seated carriages.
At the rear is the Salun Khas, a private carriage with a master bedroom and en suite bathroom, two single bedrooms sharing a bathroom, a pantry and a living area. Families or groups of friends can charter the whole carriage.
I’ll share photos and videos from inside the train later.
🎟️ Tickets are available through the KTMB Mobile app, KITS Style app, KTMB ticket kiosks or online.ktmb.com.my
Seats are still available for this Monday’s journey to KL and later trips this year. I’ll put discount codes in the comments for 50% off AXC seats and 30% off Superior seats.
#AsianTrainGuide #MalaysiaByRail #RailTourism #KTMB #KTMBerhad #KTMCharterTrain #SalunKhas #MySawasdee #LuxuryTrain #KTMBLuxuryCoach #CharterTrainMalaysia #LuxuryRailMalaysia #TrainCharterExperience #RailTourismMalaysia
Damian retweeted
LA's (now demolished) streetcar lines. If you follow these routes, you'll still find some of the most urban, walkable neighborhoods in the city.
