Student Investment.

Speaking as a person and student. I admit that I feel uncomfortable whenever I think about my future. Since the economy is not doing well now in Malaysia, I thought to find some insurance for my future and start researching about safe investment that student can afford if they planned their money wisely.

I can say that every advertisement that I saw were tempting and to see my friends enjoying their PTPTN (loan) money on enjoyment such as gadgets, sports, and others. This make me wonder I am the one who think that is such a waste of money. This still will not calming my thought on uncertain future.

I start my research with savings, since I heard that Tabung Haji and PMB giving huge dividend to their account holder. Then I search on other kind of investment and found out that it was not following on Islamic principles. Lastly, I ask my friends about gold and found out gold is very safety investment since its value never go down. Now in Malaysia, we got Ar-rahnu in Bank Rakyat, Bank Muamalat and others.

Below is the explanation via loanstreet.com.my

Ar Rahnu – Islamic Pawn broking in Malaysia

Ar Rahnu, also known as Ar Rahn, is Islamic pawn broking for short-term collateralized borrowing. The development of Ar Rahnu in Malaysia provides an alternative pawn broking service for borrowers, which is in accordance to Shari’ah principles.

Ar Rahnu is based on these Islamic concepts:

1. Qardhul Hasan – The borrower is required to pay only the amount borrowed
2. Ar Rahnu and Al-Wadi’ah – The borrower is required to place a valuable asset as collateral to get a loan and to ensure repayment (like a mortgage housing loan)
3. Al-Ujrah – The lender is allowed to charge a fee for safekeeping of the pawned items

Mechanics ofnAr Rahnu in Malaysia

In Malaysia, Ar Rahnu is a relatively new micro credit instrument. Only gold and jewelry made of gold can be pawned. It is available to both locals and foreigners, Muslims and Non-Muslims alike, Loan tenures range from 1-6 months. Borrowers have a choice either to repay either via lump sum or by monthly installments. Generally, the margin of finance is from a minimum of RM100 up to 60-70% of the value of the gold.

In the event the borrower cannot repay the loan, it is possible to be granted extensions of up to 3 months. If the borrowers are still unable to repay the loan, the pawned item will be auctioned off and any surplus less outstanding amount and charges would be returned to the borrower.

Ar Rahnu is free from any riba and gharar element. Borrowers only need pay the principal plus a safekeeping fee as agreed in the agreement during the maturity date.

Where to get Ar Rahnu facilities in Malaysia?

In Malaysia, there are two types of agents that offer Ar Rahnu facilities:

Banks / DFI	Non Banks
RHB CIMB Bank Rakyat Bank Islam Agrobank Bank Muamalat	Pos Malaysia YBU-YaPEIM Public Gold Ar-Rahnu X’change

Advantages of Ar Rahnu

Compared against conventional pawn shops and unsecured personal loans, Ar Rahnu has certain advantages:

1. No interest (riba) involved
   • Interest (riba) is prohibited in Islam.Only safekeeping fees as agreed will be charged on the pledged item.
2. Pawned items will be in the same condition as before
   • When items are redeemed, there will be no problems such as shorter or lighter gold chains, which can sometimes happen with conventional pawn brokers
3. Notice of Auction
   • If the borrower is unable to repay the debt, they will be notified of the charges and about the forced sale
4. Surplus will be returned
   • If the sales price exceeds the remaining debt, the excess will be returned
5. Reasonable pawn value
   • Although the Pawnbroker Act 1972 did not fix the par value or criteria to appraise the pawned item, one can still expect a reasonable pawn value from institutionalized pawn brokers

Is it Good to be Great?

We have seen some of billionaire donating their money to the poor African nation. If you use Microsoft, you might be familiar with Bill Gates. He was ranked first again according to Forbes magazine 2015 edition.

       
           We probably would say "it easy for him to donate to others since he is wealthy and his money won't go any where". My point here is not about how good his achievements or wealth, it is about struggling and disciplinary towards his journey to become this wealthy. So, what if you were not fortunate enough to have empire like him?. You still can share your happiness either on monetary terms or perhaps with just a smile and recognition..

            Now, back to the topic "it is good to be great?". Please ask your self. If a university drop out like him can achieve this stage, what is the thing that holding you from being kind and loving to others?.

UUM Varsity Mall is Upgrading

Hi guys,

 look what I found. I going to share some of my thought on the varsity mall upgrades which is very interesting. Since i'm a new student here and if you are lazy like me you will never go out from this campus. Although, it is also related to my finance. Lol. Here some of the pictures before it close down for upgrading.

Below is full news article from : http://www.uum.edu.my/index.php/en/news/111-other-news/1223-varsity-mall-to-get-new-look-with-a-touch-of-the-latest-trend

UUM ONLINE: Kuala Lumpur, May 22 - Varsity Mall is set to enhance the image of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) as the pioneer in providing a modern student mall when its upgrading is completed early next year.

With regard to this, UUM has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Magna Hartamas Sdn Bhd, a company owned by an alumnus of UUM, to build and manage the Varsity Mall.

UUM was represented by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato' Wira Dr. Mohamed Mustafa Ishak, while Magna Hartamas was represented by its Managing Director, Mr. Mohd Nizam Morad.

The MoA signing ceremony was held at the Hotel Seri Pacific, recently.

In his speech, the Vice-Chancellor said that the project was in line with the Ministry’s intention of applying the values ​​of entrepreneurship amongst students by developing and upgrading the existing on-campus business complexes.

"This coincides with the desire of UUM to become an essential stopover destination. A modern, self-contained, Varsity Mall will certainly accrue added value in the eyes of local and foreign tourists.

"The existing building will be transformed into two blocks, thus facilitating the increase in the number of business lots from the present 44 to 82. This would afford more students the opportunity of doing business on the premises under the student entrepreneurship programme," he said.

He added that, with the signing of the MoA, UUM had moved a step further forward in the provision of modern infrastructure for the needs of the students with the contribution of the UUM alumni in helping implement the Varsity Mall project.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Magna Hartamas, Mr. Mohd Nizam Morad, said that the Varsity Mall project was an effort towards transforming the present Mall with enhancements in a bid to accommodate the increasing number of students whilst modernising the existing facilities and services.

According to him, the upgrading work encompassed three main elements, namely the design of the roof, the full air-conditioning of the building, and the green building concept, which would provide returns in the form of comfort and satisfaction to those visiting Varsity Mall.

"The upgrading project, which entails a cost of nearly MYR8 million for work that covers renovating, upgrading, managing, and maintaining the Varsity Mall, will commence, by the latest, in August.

"This project will provide all round benefits in that the university management will acquire an asset embodying the trend of the times, the campus community will have an on-campus shopping complex on par with off-campus shopping complexes, and more entrepreneurs will have a platform from which to expand their businesses," he said.

Among those present at the MoA signing ceremony were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Malek Abdul Karim; the Director of Magna Hartamas Sdn Bhd, Mr. Aznan Rizal Mohd Shafri, and senior officers of UUM and Magna Hartamas.

UUM Final Exam answers on Principles of Economics BEEB1013 (Un-official)

Hi guys,

This is the answer that you are probably looking for if you are UUM students. Anyways, it only help me a little since the question that i was taken is very different than this three. You can use it if you want.