Many Malaysians have experienced having their cars being broke into and stuff being stolen from their cars. What can you do after that? Report police and cry all the way home while driving with a broken window apparently hacked by thieves who broke into your car.
What can you do with that police report? Claim insurance to fix your window?
Can you claim against those car park operators who have a big signboard hanging at the car park entrance telling all car owners that they are going to park at their own risk. So how? Blame yourself for parking at that spot? Blame yourself that of all car parks and you have to choose that car park?
From now onwards, all car owners can park at the car park operator's risks ....... hahahaha. Yes! It's true. A magistrate court in Penang has set a good legal precedent (good for me lah) that a car park operator cannot rely on their big signboard discounting their liabilities, one of which is theft.
In this case between a car owner who has lots items such as compact disc and cassette player with a CD of a compilation of Neil Diamond’s songs, an amplifier, and a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses.
The car owner stated that he has paid RM2.40 to park at the car park facilitated by Timur Car Park Sdn Bhd ("TCP"). I assume that you have to show the official receipt for that RM2.40. Keep your receipts from today onwards. Throw it after you have driven your car away.
The victim also claimed he parked near a lamppost with 50 to 60 other cars being there at the same time. He also stated that one or two of TCP's workers do patrol the car park on a motorcycle.
TCP argued that they had only provided parking facility and do not provide any security service to ensure that the cars are safe from any theft. Besides that, TCP also said that the victim may have not lock his car / activate the alarm system / failed to ensure that the alarm system and the locks of the car doors were all functioning well.
TCP lost the case anyhow. The victim was awarded RM1,668 and with interest and cost on top of the amount claimed. What a victory! If you are a car park operator cum owner reading this blog post, you better buck up if your car park area is prone to theft.
As for those who still leave their laptops, digital cameras or mobile phones ...... don't know what to say to you if it had been stolen from your cars (presumably in the car boot). Nowadays, the thieves have those battery 'electrical current' detectors and it could detect whether your cars are keeping any of those gadgets at a car park bay located in shopping centre, hotel, condo area or public/private car park.
In this instance, I'm not sure how the court will rule. Maybe you are at fault too. Or the car park operators are now liable for any theft.
Reading: ‘Park at own risk’ sign no shield from liability - Star
Tags: Park At Own Risk, Car Park, Car Park Operator, Car Theft, Timur Car Park Sdn Bhd, Magistrate Court
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Pizza Restaurants Facing Threats?
Will Malaysian pizza parlours face threats from the latest pizza company?
This new company can run with the lowest staff personnel, lowest shop rental rate or lowest operating cost. How are you going to challenge this new frontier?
The founder, thinker, inventor, the big dreamer went all the way to create a vending machine to produce a pizza. Yeah, only a vending machine.
This vending machine, named "Let's Pizza", will have containers pouring out flour, water, tomato sauce, and fresh ingredients to produce the pizza as requested via buttons on the vending machine. It will take only three three minutes. This is much faster than those local pizza parlours.
How much is one of this pizza then? Only US$5 or 4 Euros minimum for either the Margherita, bacon, ham or fresh greens choices. Much cheaper than those local pizza parlours.
What if you want to be part of this business venture and challenge the likes of other pizza parlours found in Malaysia.
How much is it to set up this venture? First, you have to buy that vending machine at a cost of US$32,000. Then pay for the high transportation cost to Malaysia where the customs may tax you double or triple the amount, topped up by other local taxes and licensing fees.
Might as well just eat at the local pizza parlours hehehehe. Well, never try never know forever.
The inventor, Claudio Torghele, gave a try and will be going places soon ...... at the moment, in Italy only.
Reading: In Italy, a Vending Machine Even Makes the Pizza - New York Times
(Picture sourced from CNET Asia)
Tags: Claudio Torghele, Let's Pizza, Margherita, Pizza Parlours, Pizza Vending Machine
This new company can run with the lowest staff personnel, lowest shop rental rate or lowest operating cost. How are you going to challenge this new frontier?
The founder, thinker, inventor, the big dreamer went all the way to create a vending machine to produce a pizza. Yeah, only a vending machine.
This vending machine, named "Let's Pizza", will have containers pouring out flour, water, tomato sauce, and fresh ingredients to produce the pizza as requested via buttons on the vending machine. It will take only three three minutes. This is much faster than those local pizza parlours.How much is one of this pizza then? Only US$5 or 4 Euros minimum for either the Margherita, bacon, ham or fresh greens choices. Much cheaper than those local pizza parlours.
What if you want to be part of this business venture and challenge the likes of other pizza parlours found in Malaysia.
How much is it to set up this venture? First, you have to buy that vending machine at a cost of US$32,000. Then pay for the high transportation cost to Malaysia where the customs may tax you double or triple the amount, topped up by other local taxes and licensing fees.
Might as well just eat at the local pizza parlours hehehehe. Well, never try never know forever.
The inventor, Claudio Torghele, gave a try and will be going places soon ...... at the moment, in Italy only.
Reading: In Italy, a Vending Machine Even Makes the Pizza - New York Times
(Picture sourced from CNET Asia)
Tags: Claudio Torghele, Let's Pizza, Margherita, Pizza Parlours, Pizza Vending Machine
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Long Walk in Dubai Airport
Arrived at Dubai around 12.15am on Tuesday early morning. Walked fast to the transfer desk to collect my ticket for the connecting flight to KL. Lots of flights came and thus, the long queues.
The long queue is not just at the transfer desk but at the security checkpoints before you are allowed into the departure area. Just have to have the right sense to pick the line that is moving faster than other lines. This time, I was correct.
Down at the departure area where they have big signboards to direct you to the right places in this big Dubai International Airport. My boarding gate back to KL is at 121, on the other side of the Terminal 1. Long long way to walk.
I never walk alone here as this airport has registered around 9.5m passengers just for the first quarter of the year.
Their duty free shopping area is just like a large departmental store located in the centre of the airport.
The Perfume section is where I get perfumes for my ownself. I bought myself a Davidoff Silver Shadow Private.
You can almost find anything in this duty free shopping area. You would see passengers queuing up at each payment counter.
Gate 121, Gate 121 ......... wow still long way to go and just look at the crowd. It's more like a departmental store than an airport.
Gold and Jewellery - gold stuff is much cheaper here compared to KL market. Forgotten the rate but I know it's cheaper.
Of course when you buy a big quantity, you'll see the difference.
They sell more watches here than any other departmental stores found in KL.
The middle eastern designed teapots? Aladdin's genie lamps? Lots of them and it's too big for me to bring one back.
The latest mobile phones and cameras are definitely found here. Prices for such gadgets are not cheap in Dubai. Advisable to buy it back home in KL.
This is the connecting section between Terminal 1 and the new Terminal 3 building.
This is the duty free shopping centre area for Terminal 1.
The crowd has certainly dwindled much as almost all flights would land in Terminal 3. Only certain flights will depart from Terminal 1, flights like mine.
Compared to the yesteryears when I took a picture in Sept 2006, the crowd here was madness as this place was very much smaller than the current huge Terminal 3 building.
Got into my 3.15am flight and managed to catch up with three movies by the time I reached KL, namely Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia, Eagle Eye and Max Payne. Yeah, I'm quite far back.
Oh yes, I watched Transporter 3 during the flight from Khartoum to Dubai.
The long queue is not just at the transfer desk but at the security checkpoints before you are allowed into the departure area. Just have to have the right sense to pick the line that is moving faster than other lines. This time, I was correct.
Down at the departure area where they have big signboards to direct you to the right places in this big Dubai International Airport. My boarding gate back to KL is at 121, on the other side of the Terminal 1. Long long way to walk.I never walk alone here as this airport has registered around 9.5m passengers just for the first quarter of the year.
Their duty free shopping area is just like a large departmental store located in the centre of the airport.The Perfume section is where I get perfumes for my ownself. I bought myself a Davidoff Silver Shadow Private.
You can almost find anything in this duty free shopping area. You would see passengers queuing up at each payment counter.Gate 121, Gate 121 ......... wow still long way to go and just look at the crowd. It's more like a departmental store than an airport. Gold and Jewellery - gold stuff is much cheaper here compared to KL market. Forgotten the rate but I know it's cheaper.Of course when you buy a big quantity, you'll see the difference.
They sell more watches here than any other departmental stores found in KL.
The middle eastern designed teapots? Aladdin's genie lamps? Lots of them and it's too big for me to bring one back.
The latest mobile phones and cameras are definitely found here. Prices for such gadgets are not cheap in Dubai. Advisable to buy it back home in KL.
This is the connecting section between Terminal 1 and the new Terminal 3 building.
This is the duty free shopping centre area for Terminal 1.The crowd has certainly dwindled much as almost all flights would land in Terminal 3. Only certain flights will depart from Terminal 1, flights like mine.
Compared to the yesteryears when I took a picture in Sept 2006, the crowd here was madness as this place was very much smaller than the current huge Terminal 3 building.
Got into my 3.15am flight and managed to catch up with three movies by the time I reached KL, namely Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia, Eagle Eye and Max Payne. Yeah, I'm quite far back.
Oh yes, I watched Transporter 3 during the flight from Khartoum to Dubai.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Guy & Gal Colleagues Sharing Room
Heard of any male and female colleagues going overseas for office work purpose and forced to stay in the same room because the company didn't book two rooms?
Tourist guides in Malaysia face that scenario for umpteenth years. The Malaysian Women Tourist Guide had tried to fight for female and male tourist guides to be given separate rooms ever since 2006. It was met with resistance from some travel agencies as the new association started their campaign.
The Ministry of Tourism has at last decided to impose a ban on such room sharing between female and male colleagues with effect from 1 June 2009. I got one very big question. If the government deemed it to be a very serious case in sharing rooms, why effect the law only on 1 June and not with immediate effect? This, I really can't comprehend.
Why do such travel agencies practise that? It's all about money. The owners of those few travel agencies are just saving a few more hundreds at the expense of those female staff. Do they care? No, precisely!
What if those female tourist guides were to protest to their bosses? They won't as they will lose their job for sure.
Well, I would urge those female tourist guides to complain straightaway to the Ministry of Tourism as the new law states that any travel agencies that repeat the same threat, their licences will be revoked. Bravo! That's the way to force those "profit oriented at the expense of female staff" owners.
I have this friend who has the same situation and if you are reading this, don't worry, I won't reveal your name or even your ridiculous company.
She's comes from a different industry. Her company will showcase their company's products in international exhibitions. One of the bosses will go for sure and two colleagues would go along to assist in the exhibition. She requested to go along for exposure purposes.
As the day came, she was called to see the boss and was told to keep silent that she will be sharing a room with another male colleague. Reasons were not given and she didn't ask. When the husband came to know about it, he was mad and said that it's all because that the wife didn't question and protest about it. The husband kept quiet too and was angry inside but let her go for it ????????????????
My lady friend said the guy whom she had shared the room with is just a mid 20s fella and innocent fellow. Yeah, tell me about it. That was early part of the year which I didn't know about it.
In the coming month, she's about to go again for another overseas exhibition. It's only when I sounded to her that it's total ridiculous on such arrangement, that she said it's ok because she had done it already and he's innocent. Nothing happened to them on the first trip and they draw their lines very strictly. The husband? He let her go.
I told her to protest loudly, not by shouting but make it known to them vocally. She said it's quite difficult and anyway, she don't intend to stay long in this company. She had few reasons. One of the them is to gather as many overseas contacts as possible and move on to other companies that see her overseas contacts as an asset. The other reason is that the economy is not good and it's not easy to find a job nowadays. She's quite sure the company may ask her to quit if she protest.
I only asked her a few questions and asked her to think of it seriously:-
I want the government to know that such practise is not found within travel agencies only. Don't be so naive either.
In most cases, the ladies are at fault for not voicing out fearing loss of jobs rather than protecting their dignity. You, as a lady, may argue on a different point of view as I don't look at situations faced by the ladies. Yeah, this world has changed and such things are not looked down nowadays but rather ............. "Wow, you are brave to do it" or "Did anything happen between you two?" or "C'mon, don't tell me you didn't feel the urge".
(If you want to comment on this posting, please ensure no lewd remarks)
Reading: Female tourist guides welcome ban on twin sharing - Star
Tags: Female Tourist Guides, Colleagues Sharing Room, Ministry of Tourism, Malaysian Women Tourist Guide
Tourist guides in Malaysia face that scenario for umpteenth years. The Malaysian Women Tourist Guide had tried to fight for female and male tourist guides to be given separate rooms ever since 2006. It was met with resistance from some travel agencies as the new association started their campaign.
The Ministry of Tourism has at last decided to impose a ban on such room sharing between female and male colleagues with effect from 1 June 2009. I got one very big question. If the government deemed it to be a very serious case in sharing rooms, why effect the law only on 1 June and not with immediate effect? This, I really can't comprehend.
Why do such travel agencies practise that? It's all about money. The owners of those few travel agencies are just saving a few more hundreds at the expense of those female staff. Do they care? No, precisely!
What if those female tourist guides were to protest to their bosses? They won't as they will lose their job for sure.
Well, I would urge those female tourist guides to complain straightaway to the Ministry of Tourism as the new law states that any travel agencies that repeat the same threat, their licences will be revoked. Bravo! That's the way to force those "profit oriented at the expense of female staff" owners.
I have this friend who has the same situation and if you are reading this, don't worry, I won't reveal your name or even your ridiculous company.
She's comes from a different industry. Her company will showcase their company's products in international exhibitions. One of the bosses will go for sure and two colleagues would go along to assist in the exhibition. She requested to go along for exposure purposes.
As the day came, she was called to see the boss and was told to keep silent that she will be sharing a room with another male colleague. Reasons were not given and she didn't ask. When the husband came to know about it, he was mad and said that it's all because that the wife didn't question and protest about it. The husband kept quiet too and was angry inside but let her go for it ????????????????
My lady friend said the guy whom she had shared the room with is just a mid 20s fella and innocent fellow. Yeah, tell me about it. That was early part of the year which I didn't know about it.
In the coming month, she's about to go again for another overseas exhibition. It's only when I sounded to her that it's total ridiculous on such arrangement, that she said it's ok because she had done it already and he's innocent. Nothing happened to them on the first trip and they draw their lines very strictly. The husband? He let her go.
I told her to protest loudly, not by shouting but make it known to them vocally. She said it's quite difficult and anyway, she don't intend to stay long in this company. She had few reasons. One of the them is to gather as many overseas contacts as possible and move on to other companies that see her overseas contacts as an asset. The other reason is that the economy is not good and it's not easy to find a job nowadays. She's quite sure the company may ask her to quit if she protest.
I only asked her a few questions and asked her to think of it seriously:-
- If the guy picks up his guts and do something funny to her, to whom can she complain to as it was not a known arrangement but kept secret from everyone.
- If the guy decides to molest or even managed to rape her, is she prepared to face the rest of the colleagues, family members and her kids/husband. I told her that she has agreed to share room and a legal suit against the colleague may not succeed as she indirectly said yes to it. Is she prepared to fight it out in a legal suit in the first place?
- For the sake of overseas contacts, she was willing to risk it for her future?
- She rather take the risk then to protest against the bosses fearing the loss of her job?
- What made her think that a mid 20s guy is innocent in sex or say lust? I told her that she's too naive to think this way about a guy who's sleeping in the same room (though different bed).
I want the government to know that such practise is not found within travel agencies only. Don't be so naive either.
In most cases, the ladies are at fault for not voicing out fearing loss of jobs rather than protecting their dignity. You, as a lady, may argue on a different point of view as I don't look at situations faced by the ladies. Yeah, this world has changed and such things are not looked down nowadays but rather ............. "Wow, you are brave to do it" or "Did anything happen between you two?" or "C'mon, don't tell me you didn't feel the urge".
(If you want to comment on this posting, please ensure no lewd remarks)
Reading: Female tourist guides welcome ban on twin sharing - Star
Tags: Female Tourist Guides, Colleagues Sharing Room, Ministry of Tourism, Malaysian Women Tourist Guide
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Best Offer from Bank of China
Before receiving such email as below, I have been receiving tons of emails from supposedly Africans of African nations. This is the first time such email has been linked to an East Asian bank.
Such fraudsters will be hoping that you respond to their emails and get you to commit a certain sum for the purported legal and administrative fees to cover whatever expenses required to obtain those funds supposedly stashed up in the untouched bank account.
I would have been a multi-billionaire by now if all those emails were true hahaha. In the first place, how did they obtain my email address?
And this Liu Yan has the audacity to tell us that this fund is legal (if it was true). This would have been considered money laundering.
One thing about this guy or girl or people, it's written in good english / they got the Bank's wrong / the Bank's address is correct / there is such a BOCHK Charitable Foundation.
Now the big catch. When you google for the name of General Mohammed Jassim Ali, you can find it all over the google search results.
------------------------------------------
FROM: Mr.Liu Yan
Bank of China Ltd.
13/F. Bank of China Tower
1 Garden Road
Hong Kong
I sincerely ask for forgiveness for I know this may seem like a complete intrusion to your privacy but right about now this is my option of communication. This mail might come to you as a surprise and the temptation to ignore it as unserious could come into your mind; but please consider it a divine wish and accept it with a deep sense of humility.
This letter must surprise you because we have never meet before neither in person nor by correspondence,but I believe that it takes just one day to meet or know someone either physically or through correspondence.
I got your contact through my personal search, you were revealed as being quite astute in private entrepreneurship,and one has no doubt in your ability to handle a financial business transaction. I am Mr. Liu Yan a Transfer Supervisor Operations in Investment Section in Bank of China Ltd., Secretariat of the BOCHK Charitable Foundation, 13/F., Bank of China Tower, 1 Garden Road, Hong Kong. I have an obscured business suggestion for you.
Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client General Mohammed Jassim Ali who work with the Iraqi forces and also business man made a numbered fixed deposit for 18 calendar months, with a value of (I will disclose amount upon your reply) in my branch.
Upon maturity several notices was sent to him, even early in the war,again after the war another notification was sent and still no response came from him.
We later find out that General Mohammed Jassim Ali and his family had been killed during the war in a bomb blast that hit their home.After further investigation it was also discovered that General Mohammed Jassim Ali did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the paper work of his bank deposit. And he also confided in me the last time he was at my office that no one except me knew of his deposit in my bank. So, (I will disclose amount upon your reply) is still lying in my bank and no one will ever come forward to claim it. What bothers me most is that, according to the to the laws of my country at the expiration 3 years the funds will revert to the ownership of the Hong Kong Government if nobody applies to claim the funds.
Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to General Mohammed Jassim Ali so that you will be able to receive his funds.
I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall come out successful.I have contacted an attorney who will prepare the legal documents that will back you up as the next of kin to General Mohammed Jassim Ali, all what is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with your Full Names, private phone number and Address so that the attorney can commence his job. After you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also fill in for claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of probate in your favor for the transfer of the funds to an account that will be provided by you with my guidance.
There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we are going adopt a legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the necessary documents.
Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue. Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated bank account we shall discuss the percentage issue on your reply.
If you are interested please send me a mail on (liuyan_9bnkofchn@yahoo.com.hk) and your full names and current residential address, and I will prefer you to reach me on my private and secure email address below and finally after that I shall provide you with more details of this operation.
Kind Regards
Liu Yan
------------------------------------------
One short sentence before I end this posting - there is no short cut to become rich, only hard works. By the way, any one want to contact Liu Yan to check on this deal?
Tags: Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, Bank of China Tower, BOCHK Charitable Foundation, General Mohammed Jassim Ali, Liu Yan, Hong Kong Government
Such fraudsters will be hoping that you respond to their emails and get you to commit a certain sum for the purported legal and administrative fees to cover whatever expenses required to obtain those funds supposedly stashed up in the untouched bank account.
I would have been a multi-billionaire by now if all those emails were true hahaha. In the first place, how did they obtain my email address?
And this Liu Yan has the audacity to tell us that this fund is legal (if it was true). This would have been considered money laundering.
One thing about this guy or girl or people, it's written in good english / they got the Bank's wrong / the Bank's address is correct / there is such a BOCHK Charitable Foundation.
Now the big catch. When you google for the name of General Mohammed Jassim Ali, you can find it all over the google search results.
------------------------------------------
FROM: Mr.Liu Yan
Bank of China Ltd.
13/F. Bank of China Tower
1 Garden Road
Hong Kong
I sincerely ask for forgiveness for I know this may seem like a complete intrusion to your privacy but right about now this is my option of communication. This mail might come to you as a surprise and the temptation to ignore it as unserious could come into your mind; but please consider it a divine wish and accept it with a deep sense of humility.
This letter must surprise you because we have never meet before neither in person nor by correspondence,but I believe that it takes just one day to meet or know someone either physically or through correspondence.
I got your contact through my personal search, you were revealed as being quite astute in private entrepreneurship,and one has no doubt in your ability to handle a financial business transaction. I am Mr. Liu Yan a Transfer Supervisor Operations in Investment Section in Bank of China Ltd., Secretariat of the BOCHK Charitable Foundation, 13/F., Bank of China Tower, 1 Garden Road, Hong Kong. I have an obscured business suggestion for you.
Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client General Mohammed Jassim Ali who work with the Iraqi forces and also business man made a numbered fixed deposit for 18 calendar months, with a value of (I will disclose amount upon your reply) in my branch.
Upon maturity several notices was sent to him, even early in the war,again after the war another notification was sent and still no response came from him.
We later find out that General Mohammed Jassim Ali and his family had been killed during the war in a bomb blast that hit their home.After further investigation it was also discovered that General Mohammed Jassim Ali did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the paper work of his bank deposit. And he also confided in me the last time he was at my office that no one except me knew of his deposit in my bank. So, (I will disclose amount upon your reply) is still lying in my bank and no one will ever come forward to claim it. What bothers me most is that, according to the to the laws of my country at the expiration 3 years the funds will revert to the ownership of the Hong Kong Government if nobody applies to claim the funds.
Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to General Mohammed Jassim Ali so that you will be able to receive his funds.
I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall come out successful.I have contacted an attorney who will prepare the legal documents that will back you up as the next of kin to General Mohammed Jassim Ali, all what is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with your Full Names, private phone number and Address so that the attorney can commence his job. After you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also fill in for claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of probate in your favor for the transfer of the funds to an account that will be provided by you with my guidance.
There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we are going adopt a legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the necessary documents.
Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue. Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated bank account we shall discuss the percentage issue on your reply.
If you are interested please send me a mail on (liuyan_9bnkofchn@yahoo.com.hk) and your full names and current residential address, and I will prefer you to reach me on my private and secure email address below and finally after that I shall provide you with more details of this operation.
Kind Regards
Liu Yan
------------------------------------------
One short sentence before I end this posting - there is no short cut to become rich, only hard works. By the way, any one want to contact Liu Yan to check on this deal?
Tags: Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, Bank of China Tower, BOCHK Charitable Foundation, General Mohammed Jassim Ali, Liu Yan, Hong Kong Government
Prices of Cars in Canada
One evening after work, we wanted to buy some groceries or simple food stuff from a supermarket but ended up at Ozone Cafe located across the other side of the city.As it was only 6pm plus, I ordered a Strawberry Tart (7 Sudanese Dinar), a cup of Vanilla Milkshake (10 Sudanese Dinar) and a small bottle of Safia Pure Water (3 Sudanese Dinar). With this it's already around US$8.70.
Chocolate Truffle ordered by Nazril. I think it was 7 Sudanese Dinar too.
This cafe is situated at a large roundabout. There's parking within the place and if you were to come later at night, you may have to park and cross the road to come into this large roundabout.Don't know why they would approve such a restaurant in the centre of a roundabout. I'ts quite dangerous for customers to run across the heavy traffic roads around it.
As we relaxing ourselves, I picked up The Gazette newspaper from Canada at their newspapers stand. It's outdated anyway. As I flipped through the newspaper, I felt sad for my fellow citizens of Malaysia.
Managed to take a few snaps of some advertisements for your viewing.Firstly, the BMW 323i model in Canada is available at a monthly instalment of C$445. That too, your downpayment is around C$6,000++.
Bearing in mind that this monthly instalment rate is for a four year financial loan period, not a nine year loan period as found in Malaysia.
In Malaysia, you have to incur above RM2,000 per month for this BMW model for a nine year loan period. Malaysia priced it at RM338,000.
Next you could purchase the 2009 Honda Accord LX model at a monthly instalment of C$268. Maybe we can afford to purchase the Honda's four tyres with RM268 per month. Malaysia is selling the 2.0L model at RM136,800.The 2009 Honda CR-V LX model is available at C$298 per month. In Malaysia, it's only RM147,800.
If at a dollar to dollar comparison, Canadians could afford to buy any car they want and replace their car within a short period of usage. At the rate of RM298 per month for example, we can't even afford to buy the cheapest national car of Malaysia.
Next few pages, the Nissan cars. You could obtain a 2009 Nissan Versa Hatchback at C$159 for the monthly instalment payment.Best of all, you could get yourself the 2009 Nissan Murano at a bargain price of C$21,898. In Malaysia, the price is going at a staggering price of RM370,000.
How come? Why deny us the privilege to drive such a nice car?
This 2009 Mazda 3 Sedan is being retailed at C$15,995 compared to Malaysia's retail price of RM133,515.
The Mini Cooper 2009, another latest model, is found in Canada at a best price of C$349 per monthly instalment. Very cheap in Malaysia for the rich and famous people of course, retailing at RM195,000 only.Monthly instalment at nine long years, as permitted by banks, could be around RM2,000 with a 10% downpayment.
Any Malaysian would have been able to afford a Mercedes Benz.The B170 model is being sold at C$23,900 compared to Malaysia's price of RM220,000.
The C-Class Merz is being retailed at C$24,900. The Merz C-200 Kompressor in Malaysia is being sold at RM238,888.
The mouth watering SLK Merz convertible ..... oh my ...... only C$41,900. In Malaysia, don't even dream about it with our salaries, the SLK200 Kompressor is being sold at RM468,888.
Ok, Ok, don't talk about expensive car models. Why don't we just compare it with much more affordable cars found in Malaysia.The Toyota Yaris Hatchback in Malaysia is being sold between RM92,800 to RM98,800.
In Canada, it's being retailed between C$11,315. Beat that!
Why can't Malaysian car dealers sell at those prices? Simple answer is found on my two other blog postings about Proton and Perodua car models. The prices are jacked up in Malaysia using various taxes, direct or indirect, to protect the Malaysian car industry.
Ok, Ok, I would understand if we are protecting the Malaysian car but we are paying high prices for electrical goods too.Say for instance, a LG 50 inch Full HD Plasma TV is being retailed at C$1,498.99. In Malaysia? It would be close to five figures for sure. Wrong?
Today's exchange rate for One Canadian Dollar = RM3.01. Just look at the big difference!
Please note that all car prices quoted in Ringgit Malaysia are estimates only found at Car Standard website. So, don't quote me.
What about car prices in Sudan? It's almost similar pricing. Third world countries rely a lot on taxes and this would be their main source of income but for a much developed country like Malaysia .............. sigh.
That is why Malaysia has to produce mini cars like Proton Savvy and Perodua Kancil to please Malaysians who can't afford affordable cars.
In Sudan, there's only a few Petronas petrol station. Being Malaysian, when we are running out of petrol and if we are nearby, we wil pump Petronas petrol of course.Related posts:-
* Proton Cars Being Ridiculed in UK
* Perodua Cars Being Ridiculed in UK
Tags: Ozone Cafe, Strawberry Tart, Chocolate Truffle, The Gazette, BMW 323i, 2009 Honda Accord LX, 2009 Honda CR-V LX, 2009 Nissan Versa Hatchback, 2009 Nissan Murano, 2009 Mazda 3 Sedan, Mini Cooper 2009, Mercedes Benz B170, Mercedes Benz C-200 Kompressor, Mercedes Benz SLK200 Kompressor, Toyota Yaris Hatchback, LG 50 Inch Full HD Plasma TV, Proton Savvy, Perodua Kancil
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Alice in Cancerland
“Sometimes we are too engrossed in the grand political narratives, and we lose sight of the ordinary Sarawakian. The following story below about a sick Sarawakian lady makes up for that neglect. - sky”
By Keruah Usit
Alice was already a young mother when she found out she had cancer of the nose. She was in her mid-twenties, the target age of trashy magazines and “natural-looking cosmetics”. She had a shy smile and dimples in her cheeks, and she had passed on her pretty smile and dimples to her two little daughters.
Alice’s husband Abel, a hunter and farmer, loved her, and, unlike most other husbands the world over, listened to her. Her small children hung on to her every word.
Alice lived by a river in rural Sarawak, three hundred kilometres (as the helicopter flies) from the nearest hospital. She had noticed a swelling growing around her left eye for six months, but she could not afford the two hundred Ringgit it cost to get to Miri Hospital.
The Penan way of life
Alice was a young Penan mother with no cash income to speak of. Her parents had been born in the rainforest. Her grey and stooped father still went out hunting, carrying a blowpipe and a machete, with a surprising spring in his step.
Alice loved her Penan community; they were close-knit, ready to share, and they looked after their neighbours’ children as a matter of course. Alice, one of 15,000 Penan forest-dwellers - like many other indigenous people in Sabah and Sarawak, and the Orang Asli - depended on the rainforest, not for eco-tourism and adventure, but for life itself.
Alice had never even seen a fifty Ringgit bank-note, but she had led a good life, until she grew a tumour the size of a hen’s egg around her eye, and suffered continually from a blocked nose. Alice was alarmed. She walked an hour to the closest rural clinic, a standard government-issue, ancient, wooden house on stilts.
Need to be treated in Miri
The nurse there, a girl her own age, advised her to go to Miri Hospital. “We have no budget allocation to pay for you to travel to Miri,” the young nurse had told her. The nurse repeated the same mantra, week after week, to all her patients needing hospital care.
Alice knew patients were only moved to Miri by helicopter in emergencies, such as obstructed labour. Even then, the helicopter service was unreliable - it had even ceased altogether, for an entire year, without any explanation offered to the nurses, or the villagers.
When the Health Minister at the time, Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, was asked why the Sarawak helicopter “medical evacuation” service had been interrupted, he was quoted by several newspapers as saying the contract had been awarded, by the Ministry of Finance, and not his own Ministry - to a company that owned no aircraft. The well-connected owners of the helicopter company, as nimble as a dodo, were still paid handsomely, as stipulated in the contract.
Finally, to Miri
Eventually, six months after the onset of the swelling, Alice met four doctors in her own home village - a surprise. The doctors had taken leave and had raised their own funds to visit several remote villages, including Alice’s. A kind doctor from Kuala Lumpur, in her twenties like Alice, made a diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. She accompanied Alice and Abel on the long journey to Miri.
Alice had never been to the loud, alienating oil town, Miri. She was terrified. The Ear, Nose and Throat doctor took a biopsy from her nose. She waited almost a month for a CT scan appointment. The scan results were disheartening: the cancer had already eaten its way into the base of her skull. Alice was sent on to Kuching, the capital, for radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Then to Kuching
She was, once again, in a strange place, but at least Abel was with her. Abel spent his nights sleeping on a hard armchair in the visitors’ room near the Cancer Ward. Alice shared her trays of food with him. When a kind nurse was on duty, Abel would receive his own portion of food. Alice and Abel preferred their own harvested sago pith, or na’oh, to the clods of grey rice served up on grey trays with plastic compartments, but they persevered with the treatment.
After six weeks of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and unspeakable food, the swelling around Alice’s eye vanished. She started to eat almost normally. Local volunteers drove her around town, urging her to try kolok mee, Kuching’s famed noodle dish. Alice ate noodles for the first time in her young life - and liked it almost as much as na’oh. Her winning smile returned.
A day at the beach
A local volunteer took her to Santubong beach, for Alice had never seen the sea. Alice was delighted, feeling the sand beneath her bare feet, laughing and skipping away from the water as the waves swept in, almost dancing on the shoreline.
Abel and Alice walked, too, among the trees near the beach. They murmured to each other, pointing out plants, those familiar and those less so, to each other. They wandered hand in hand along the concrete path beneath the quiet canopy, longing for their own forest, the forest they knew so well, far away.
More treatment
Soon afterwards, Alice and Abel were sent back to Miri, for Alice to have five more cycles of chemotherapy, one dose a month.
The doctors did not offer Alice and Abel contraceptives - an awful oversight, you might say, and less rare than you might think. Alice became pregnant. The doctor advised Alice to have an abortion. She recovered from the operation, but her chemotherapy was delayed for several weeks as a result.
Alice and Abel were allowed to visit their small children on two or three occasions - you can imagine the joy of those embraces, and the meals of na’oh and wild game shared.
But Alice dreaded each return to the urban hospital. There was the occasional encounter with a vicious nurse or accounts clerk, berating her and Abel for not paying their hospital bills. She would explain, head bowed, quietly and patiently, that she could not afford the bills.
(Most Malaysians know little of the lives of indigenous people. This has not been helped by the government hype surrounding announcements of internet access in rural communities: “e-jekitan”, “e-bario” and the like. One might be led to imagine the Penan carrying iPhones through the forest, tracking wild boar using GPS.)
Doctors!
There was also hardship for Alice, when she had to endure nausea, caused by the inexperience of her doctors in the use of potent medicines. Her doctors were unaware, and a few doctors were perhaps unperturbed in their ignorance, that Alice’s retching could have been prevented easily.
Alice never complained about her difficulties, and her doctors never learned to ask her about her symptoms - in Penan, or any other language.
Home at last
Yet Alice and Abel stayed the course. Alice’s cancer was in remission, and she was able to go home at last. She returned happily to caring for her daughters, and began sending her older daughter to school, walking an hour to school with the little girl, and walking an hour back home after classes.
The Cancer Returned
The cancer returned two years ago. Alice was offered chemotherapy again, for palliation, but she declined politely. She preferred to stay at home with her children. She talked it through with Abel. To Abel’s credit, he supported her.
Alice took to covering the swelling around her eye and in her neck, with a towel. Towards the end of her life, she found it painful to swallow. A volunteer doctor visiting her village gave her pain relief, and some comfort.
Death in dignity
Alice understood she did not have much time left, and she lived with dignity. She remained in her small house with Abel, her parents and her children. She cooked for her family and weaved baskets by daylight and by the timid light of a kerosene lamp at night. She died at home a year ago. Abel, with the support of Alice’s parents, is bringing up the young children.
Alice’s story, of deprivation of basic health care, is echoed all over Sarawak, Sabah and parts of Peninsular Malaysia. Alice never had the benefit of a quick diagnosis. Nose cancer can be cured if it is found early.
Enforced Silence
Our national health care system, flawed though it is, does reach out to many women like Alice, but access to basic health care remains desperately unequal, and under-funding is painfully obvious.
Alice and Abel never had the opportunity to have their voices heard. The rural poor, Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu in Sarawak, Kadazan, Dusun, Murut in Sabah, plantation workers and Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia suffer the same enforced silence.
Urban Malaysian voters, on the other hand, have finally found their voice, and have become increasingly vocal in the last twelve months. Our political institutions have had no choice but to respond, albeit in a distorted and confused way. But will the voices of our dispossessed rural population ever be heard?
May Alice rest in peace!
Copied en-bloc from Hornbill Unleashed.
Tags: Penan, Orang Asli, Sarawak, Cancer
By Keruah Usit
Alice was already a young mother when she found out she had cancer of the nose. She was in her mid-twenties, the target age of trashy magazines and “natural-looking cosmetics”. She had a shy smile and dimples in her cheeks, and she had passed on her pretty smile and dimples to her two little daughters.
Alice’s husband Abel, a hunter and farmer, loved her, and, unlike most other husbands the world over, listened to her. Her small children hung on to her every word.
Alice lived by a river in rural Sarawak, three hundred kilometres (as the helicopter flies) from the nearest hospital. She had noticed a swelling growing around her left eye for six months, but she could not afford the two hundred Ringgit it cost to get to Miri Hospital.
The Penan way of life
Alice was a young Penan mother with no cash income to speak of. Her parents had been born in the rainforest. Her grey and stooped father still went out hunting, carrying a blowpipe and a machete, with a surprising spring in his step.
Alice loved her Penan community; they were close-knit, ready to share, and they looked after their neighbours’ children as a matter of course. Alice, one of 15,000 Penan forest-dwellers - like many other indigenous people in Sabah and Sarawak, and the Orang Asli - depended on the rainforest, not for eco-tourism and adventure, but for life itself.
Alice had never even seen a fifty Ringgit bank-note, but she had led a good life, until she grew a tumour the size of a hen’s egg around her eye, and suffered continually from a blocked nose. Alice was alarmed. She walked an hour to the closest rural clinic, a standard government-issue, ancient, wooden house on stilts.
Need to be treated in Miri
The nurse there, a girl her own age, advised her to go to Miri Hospital. “We have no budget allocation to pay for you to travel to Miri,” the young nurse had told her. The nurse repeated the same mantra, week after week, to all her patients needing hospital care.
Alice knew patients were only moved to Miri by helicopter in emergencies, such as obstructed labour. Even then, the helicopter service was unreliable - it had even ceased altogether, for an entire year, without any explanation offered to the nurses, or the villagers.
When the Health Minister at the time, Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, was asked why the Sarawak helicopter “medical evacuation” service had been interrupted, he was quoted by several newspapers as saying the contract had been awarded, by the Ministry of Finance, and not his own Ministry - to a company that owned no aircraft. The well-connected owners of the helicopter company, as nimble as a dodo, were still paid handsomely, as stipulated in the contract.
Finally, to Miri
Eventually, six months after the onset of the swelling, Alice met four doctors in her own home village - a surprise. The doctors had taken leave and had raised their own funds to visit several remote villages, including Alice’s. A kind doctor from Kuala Lumpur, in her twenties like Alice, made a diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. She accompanied Alice and Abel on the long journey to Miri.
Alice had never been to the loud, alienating oil town, Miri. She was terrified. The Ear, Nose and Throat doctor took a biopsy from her nose. She waited almost a month for a CT scan appointment. The scan results were disheartening: the cancer had already eaten its way into the base of her skull. Alice was sent on to Kuching, the capital, for radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Then to Kuching
She was, once again, in a strange place, but at least Abel was with her. Abel spent his nights sleeping on a hard armchair in the visitors’ room near the Cancer Ward. Alice shared her trays of food with him. When a kind nurse was on duty, Abel would receive his own portion of food. Alice and Abel preferred their own harvested sago pith, or na’oh, to the clods of grey rice served up on grey trays with plastic compartments, but they persevered with the treatment.
After six weeks of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and unspeakable food, the swelling around Alice’s eye vanished. She started to eat almost normally. Local volunteers drove her around town, urging her to try kolok mee, Kuching’s famed noodle dish. Alice ate noodles for the first time in her young life - and liked it almost as much as na’oh. Her winning smile returned.
A day at the beach
A local volunteer took her to Santubong beach, for Alice had never seen the sea. Alice was delighted, feeling the sand beneath her bare feet, laughing and skipping away from the water as the waves swept in, almost dancing on the shoreline.
Abel and Alice walked, too, among the trees near the beach. They murmured to each other, pointing out plants, those familiar and those less so, to each other. They wandered hand in hand along the concrete path beneath the quiet canopy, longing for their own forest, the forest they knew so well, far away.
More treatment
Soon afterwards, Alice and Abel were sent back to Miri, for Alice to have five more cycles of chemotherapy, one dose a month.
The doctors did not offer Alice and Abel contraceptives - an awful oversight, you might say, and less rare than you might think. Alice became pregnant. The doctor advised Alice to have an abortion. She recovered from the operation, but her chemotherapy was delayed for several weeks as a result.
Alice and Abel were allowed to visit their small children on two or three occasions - you can imagine the joy of those embraces, and the meals of na’oh and wild game shared.
But Alice dreaded each return to the urban hospital. There was the occasional encounter with a vicious nurse or accounts clerk, berating her and Abel for not paying their hospital bills. She would explain, head bowed, quietly and patiently, that she could not afford the bills.
(Most Malaysians know little of the lives of indigenous people. This has not been helped by the government hype surrounding announcements of internet access in rural communities: “e-jekitan”, “e-bario” and the like. One might be led to imagine the Penan carrying iPhones through the forest, tracking wild boar using GPS.)
Doctors!
There was also hardship for Alice, when she had to endure nausea, caused by the inexperience of her doctors in the use of potent medicines. Her doctors were unaware, and a few doctors were perhaps unperturbed in their ignorance, that Alice’s retching could have been prevented easily.
Alice never complained about her difficulties, and her doctors never learned to ask her about her symptoms - in Penan, or any other language.
Home at last
Yet Alice and Abel stayed the course. Alice’s cancer was in remission, and she was able to go home at last. She returned happily to caring for her daughters, and began sending her older daughter to school, walking an hour to school with the little girl, and walking an hour back home after classes.
The Cancer Returned
The cancer returned two years ago. Alice was offered chemotherapy again, for palliation, but she declined politely. She preferred to stay at home with her children. She talked it through with Abel. To Abel’s credit, he supported her.
Alice took to covering the swelling around her eye and in her neck, with a towel. Towards the end of her life, she found it painful to swallow. A volunteer doctor visiting her village gave her pain relief, and some comfort.
Death in dignity
Alice understood she did not have much time left, and she lived with dignity. She remained in her small house with Abel, her parents and her children. She cooked for her family and weaved baskets by daylight and by the timid light of a kerosene lamp at night. She died at home a year ago. Abel, with the support of Alice’s parents, is bringing up the young children.
Alice’s story, of deprivation of basic health care, is echoed all over Sarawak, Sabah and parts of Peninsular Malaysia. Alice never had the benefit of a quick diagnosis. Nose cancer can be cured if it is found early.
Enforced Silence
Our national health care system, flawed though it is, does reach out to many women like Alice, but access to basic health care remains desperately unequal, and under-funding is painfully obvious.
Alice and Abel never had the opportunity to have their voices heard. The rural poor, Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu in Sarawak, Kadazan, Dusun, Murut in Sabah, plantation workers and Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia suffer the same enforced silence.
Urban Malaysian voters, on the other hand, have finally found their voice, and have become increasingly vocal in the last twelve months. Our political institutions have had no choice but to respond, albeit in a distorted and confused way. But will the voices of our dispossessed rural population ever be heard?
May Alice rest in peace!
Copied en-bloc from Hornbill Unleashed.
Tags: Penan, Orang Asli, Sarawak, Cancer
Karaoke Night in Khartoum
On Friday weekend night, we dropped by at Petronas Sudan's headquarters where it houses the main office and also staff quarters. We were told there would be Malaysian food and a karaoke session would be held in the open air.
When you are here, anything is interesting. The event started at 9pm.
There was a food stall opened up to sell food cooked in Malaysian style of course. You won't feel 'food sick' over here.
It was a relaxing night and there was a karaoke sing-a-long session. A stage was put up for guys to belt their favourite songs. Yeah, as long as I was there only the guys went up on stage.
Later, a group of kids performed a fast dance. Can't recognise that English song of theirs. It took them only one week to practise.
Soon, a group of men went up on stage to act as back-up singers to support a senior management guy who will be singing his favourite song. Didn't that long and went off for our late late dinner at 10pm.
When you are here, anything is interesting. The event started at 9pm.
There was a food stall opened up to sell food cooked in Malaysian style of course. You won't feel 'food sick' over here.
It was a relaxing night and there was a karaoke sing-a-long session. A stage was put up for guys to belt their favourite songs. Yeah, as long as I was there only the guys went up on stage.
Later, a group of kids performed a fast dance. Can't recognise that English song of theirs. It took them only one week to practise.
Soon, a group of men went up on stage to act as back-up singers to support a senior management guy who will be singing his favourite song. Didn't that long and went off for our late late dinner at 10pm.Friday, April 17, 2009
Perodua Cars Being Ridiculed in UK
Top Gear has not only done a review on the Proton cars from Malaysia but also on the second national car manufacturer, Perodua. It didn't escape Top Gear's melancholic eyes.
What was Top Gear's verdict on the Perodua brands? Here goes nothing again (the following write-ups and pictures were sourced from Top Gear's website):-
It may be true that you get what you pay for, but it doesn’t follow that the cheapest cars are the best value. These appallingly under-developed, outdated and plain ugly offerings come from Malaysia’s least desirable brand. Think about it – that means even if you’re doggedly pro-Malaysia, you don’t have to buy one of these.
Perodua Kelisa
‘The cheapest car Malaysia’s cheaper manufacturer produces. Doesn’t fill you with confidence does it?’
The Perodua Kelisa may be the cheapest supermini on sale in the UK, but it will never feel like a bargain. A wheezy little engine, cramped interior, crappy plastics and truly rubbish styling leave you wondering who on earth actually buys this stuff.
An astonishing feat – Britain’s cheapest car is so humblingly bad it’s not even worth the pocket money it costs. So poor it deserves to benefit from the next Comic Relief.
Perodua Kenari
‘As much as we all want to cheer on the underdog, the Kenari deserves all the abuse it gets. An utter shambles.’
A deeply embarrassing car to be seen in, or near for that matter, but in truth the weird looking and weirdly named Perodua Kenari is actually quite capable and an undeniable bargain to boot.
Looks like it ought to have plenty of room inside but is actually pitifully cramped – like the Tardis in reverse. Except that the Tardis looks more like a car than this.
Perodua MYVI
‘A compelling argument for never learning to drive. Concerned fathers take note.’
Although they have made a far better fist of styling the Perodua Myvi than they did with the ridiculous Kelisa and Kenari, it still feels staggeringly cheap and lacks any trace of desirability.
Named after a classic ice lolly, but not as sweet, desirable or long lasting. Costs about the same though. There’s an old Toyota Yaris underneath. Get one of those instead.
Tags: Top Gear, Perodua, Perodua Kelisa, Perodua Kenari, Perodua MYVI, Car Review
What was Top Gear's verdict on the Perodua brands? Here goes nothing again (the following write-ups and pictures were sourced from Top Gear's website):-
It may be true that you get what you pay for, but it doesn’t follow that the cheapest cars are the best value. These appallingly under-developed, outdated and plain ugly offerings come from Malaysia’s least desirable brand. Think about it – that means even if you’re doggedly pro-Malaysia, you don’t have to buy one of these.
Perodua Kelisa‘The cheapest car Malaysia’s cheaper manufacturer produces. Doesn’t fill you with confidence does it?’
The Perodua Kelisa may be the cheapest supermini on sale in the UK, but it will never feel like a bargain. A wheezy little engine, cramped interior, crappy plastics and truly rubbish styling leave you wondering who on earth actually buys this stuff.
An astonishing feat – Britain’s cheapest car is so humblingly bad it’s not even worth the pocket money it costs. So poor it deserves to benefit from the next Comic Relief.
Perodua Kenari‘As much as we all want to cheer on the underdog, the Kenari deserves all the abuse it gets. An utter shambles.’
A deeply embarrassing car to be seen in, or near for that matter, but in truth the weird looking and weirdly named Perodua Kenari is actually quite capable and an undeniable bargain to boot.
Looks like it ought to have plenty of room inside but is actually pitifully cramped – like the Tardis in reverse. Except that the Tardis looks more like a car than this.
Perodua MYVI‘A compelling argument for never learning to drive. Concerned fathers take note.’
Although they have made a far better fist of styling the Perodua Myvi than they did with the ridiculous Kelisa and Kenari, it still feels staggeringly cheap and lacks any trace of desirability.
Named after a classic ice lolly, but not as sweet, desirable or long lasting. Costs about the same though. There’s an old Toyota Yaris underneath. Get one of those instead.
Tags: Top Gear, Perodua, Perodua Kelisa, Perodua Kenari, Perodua MYVI, Car Review
Proton Cars Being Ridiculed in UK
Before a car is being put into the market, car reviewers will usually give their expert verdict on how good a car is.
One of them is Top Gear, a famous United Kingdom TV show that has its car review magazines being published worldwide and their website being read by potential car buyers internationally.
Malaysia's national car, the Proton brand, is being sold in UK and therefore they are being reviewed as well. Want to know what was Top Gear's verdict? Here goes nothing (the following write-ups and pictures were sourced from Top Gear's website):-
We don’t know what Malaysian motorists did to upset the gods, but it must have been something pretty serious, judging by the punishment they seem to be getting. Still, at least the domestic audience thinks this stuff is the norm – what on earth do they think they’re doing bringing it to the UK? Walk away.
Proton Gen-2
That sounds like an illegal muscle-building milkshake. Should we call the IOC?
The Proton Gen-2 was the first indication that Proton might be capable of building a car that wasn’t completely dreadful. But it’s out of date now, and still wasn’t much cop way back when.
A budget five-door hatchback intended to make you think twice about buying a Focus. Frankly, we think a medium-size cabbage makes a more sensible alternative.
Proton Satria Neo
‘How do you tell your mates you drive that without getting a slap? And that’s before they even know how bad it is.’
Proton’s concerted bid to attract a younger audience starts here, and it could have been a lot worse. The oddly named Proton Satria Neo both looks good and drives pretty well. But it is still just a Proton…
Not half-bad hatch with decent Lotus-aided chassis, but lack of space inside, awful badge and ridiculous name make it a must-not-have for the youth it’s aimed at.
Proton Savvy
‘What the hell happened here? It looks like someone cracked the designer over the head half way through the job.’
The Proton Savvy is a new-ish and sharply styled offering, both of which facts might lead you to believe that it was half decent. But you’d be very wrong. The Proton Savvy is a stark reminder of just how good cars like the Aygo and Panda really are.
Truly awful, but we are grateful to Proton for reminding us of how good every other small car on sale in the UK is. We suggest you try buying one of those instead.
I wonder how will Top Gear rate Proton Exora, the first home-grown MPV model that had just rolled out of the car factory.
Tags: Top Gear, Proton, Proton Gen-2, Proton Satria Neo, Proton Savvy, Proton Exora, Car Review
One of them is Top Gear, a famous United Kingdom TV show that has its car review magazines being published worldwide and their website being read by potential car buyers internationally.
Malaysia's national car, the Proton brand, is being sold in UK and therefore they are being reviewed as well. Want to know what was Top Gear's verdict? Here goes nothing (the following write-ups and pictures were sourced from Top Gear's website):-
We don’t know what Malaysian motorists did to upset the gods, but it must have been something pretty serious, judging by the punishment they seem to be getting. Still, at least the domestic audience thinks this stuff is the norm – what on earth do they think they’re doing bringing it to the UK? Walk away.
Proton Gen-2That sounds like an illegal muscle-building milkshake. Should we call the IOC?
The Proton Gen-2 was the first indication that Proton might be capable of building a car that wasn’t completely dreadful. But it’s out of date now, and still wasn’t much cop way back when.
A budget five-door hatchback intended to make you think twice about buying a Focus. Frankly, we think a medium-size cabbage makes a more sensible alternative.
Proton Satria Neo‘How do you tell your mates you drive that without getting a slap? And that’s before they even know how bad it is.’
Proton’s concerted bid to attract a younger audience starts here, and it could have been a lot worse. The oddly named Proton Satria Neo both looks good and drives pretty well. But it is still just a Proton…
Not half-bad hatch with decent Lotus-aided chassis, but lack of space inside, awful badge and ridiculous name make it a must-not-have for the youth it’s aimed at.
Proton Savvy‘What the hell happened here? It looks like someone cracked the designer over the head half way through the job.’
The Proton Savvy is a new-ish and sharply styled offering, both of which facts might lead you to believe that it was half decent. But you’d be very wrong. The Proton Savvy is a stark reminder of just how good cars like the Aygo and Panda really are.
Truly awful, but we are grateful to Proton for reminding us of how good every other small car on sale in the UK is. We suggest you try buying one of those instead.
I wonder how will Top Gear rate Proton Exora, the first home-grown MPV model that had just rolled out of the car factory.
Tags: Top Gear, Proton, Proton Gen-2, Proton Satria Neo, Proton Savvy, Proton Exora, Car Review
Thursday, April 16, 2009
My Blog Was Given Warning by Blogspot
When I opened up my email inbox this morning, I saw an email coming in from Blogger. Noticed that my blog was given a warning having been identified as a spam blog.
There are people out there who's trying to kick my blog out of the virtual world to ensure that others don't get to read my articles. Are my articles really that good till my blog has to be deleted / removed?
If you don't like what I have written, please leave. Do not read any further / anymore and do not key in my blog's name again and again just to check on me and flag my blog all the time. My advise to you, please go do something more useful / meaningful with your time / life.
What I have posted are my personal opinions only, gathered from what I have read from all over the internet world. I have written / will write stuff that won't cause / trigger any commotions / misunderstandings / anger / hatred / fights / wars unless it was you who wants to take it out of context and not wanting to read / understanding the article as a whole in a proper manner.
From now onwards, I will be even stricter with unnecessary / irrelevant comments written by blog readers to safeguard against spamming.
--- On Wed, 4/15/09, Blogger no-reply@google.com wrote:
From: Blogger no-reply@google.com
Subject: http://johnny-ong.blogspot.com/ - ACTION REQUIRED
To: xxxxxxx@yahoo.com
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 12:59 AM
Hello,
Your blog at: http://johnny-ong.blogspot.com has been identified as a potential spam blog. To correct this, please request a review by filling out the form at http://www.blogger.com/unlock-blog.g?lockedBlogID=xxxxxxxx
Your blog will be deleted in 20 days if it isn't reviewed, and your readers will see a warning page during this time. After we receive your request, we'll review your blog and unlock it within two business days. Once we have reviewed and determined your blog is not spam, the blog will be unlocked and the message in your Blogger dashboard will no longer be displayed. If this blog doesn't belong to you, you don't have to do anything, and any other blogs you may have won't be affected.
We find spam by using an automated classifier. Automatic spam detection is inherently fuzzy, and occasionally a blog like yours is flagged incorrectly. We sincerely apologize for this error. By using this kind of system, however, we can dedicate more storage, bandwidth, and engineering resources to bloggers like you instead of to spammers. For more information, please see Blogger Help: http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=42577
Thank you for your understanding and for your help with our spam-fighting efforts.
Sincerely,
The Blogger Team
P.S. Just one more reminder: Unless you request a review, your blog will be deleted in 20 days. Click this link to request the review: http://www.blogger.com/unlock-blog.g?lockedBlogID=xxxxxxxx
Tags: Blogger, Blogspot, The Blogger Team, Blogger Dashboard, Spam Blog, Automated Classifier, Automatic Spam Detection, Spammers
There are people out there who's trying to kick my blog out of the virtual world to ensure that others don't get to read my articles. Are my articles really that good till my blog has to be deleted / removed?
If you don't like what I have written, please leave. Do not read any further / anymore and do not key in my blog's name again and again just to check on me and flag my blog all the time. My advise to you, please go do something more useful / meaningful with your time / life.
What I have posted are my personal opinions only, gathered from what I have read from all over the internet world. I have written / will write stuff that won't cause / trigger any commotions / misunderstandings / anger / hatred / fights / wars unless it was you who wants to take it out of context and not wanting to read / understanding the article as a whole in a proper manner.
From now onwards, I will be even stricter with unnecessary / irrelevant comments written by blog readers to safeguard against spamming.
--- On Wed, 4/15/09, Blogger no-reply@google.com wrote:
From: Blogger no-reply@google.com
Subject: http://johnny-ong.blogspot.com/ - ACTION REQUIRED
To: xxxxxxx@yahoo.com
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 12:59 AM
Hello,
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Tags: Blogger, Blogspot, The Blogger Team, Blogger Dashboard, Spam Blog, Automated Classifier, Automatic Spam Detection, Spammers
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Bank Negara Warning on SMS and Phone Calls
Ref No: 04/09/01
Embargo: For immediate release
Beware of Fraudulent SMS and Telephone Calls Requesting Confirmation on Credit Card Transactions
Bank Negara Malaysia would like to caution members of the public to be vigilant when receiving any calls or SMS claiming that it is from Bank Negara Malaysia or any commercial banks. The facts are:
From Bank Negara Malaysia 's investigations, the modus operandi of the scam is as follows:
1. Victim receives SMS or telephone call: Requesting victim to confirm a credit card transaction
for the purchase of goods or services purportedly charged to the victim's credit card.
2. When victim calls the telephone number provided in the SMS, the fraudsters identify
themselves as agents of a commercial bank, and again, ask the victim to confirm whether the
credit card transaction had taken place.
3. When victim informs the fraudster that he has no such credit card or transaction, the
fraudster will start to sound concerned and will advise victim to lodge a report with Bank
Negara Malaysia 's "Unit Kad Kredit Palsu", or with the commercial bank's "credit card
management department". The fraudster will provide the victim with the telephone number
for the "Unit Kad Kredit Palsu".
4. When victim calls the telephone number provided, they are greeted by a automated voice
message which identifies the company as Bank Negara Malaysia, and the call will then be
answered by someone claiming to be a Bank Negara Malaysia officer. This officer will request
for information relating to the victim's banking and credit card accounts under the pretense of
lodging a complaint on behalf of the victim.
5. The fraudsters now have sufficient information to illegally transfer funds out of the victim's
bank account.
Members of the public are reminded not to disclose their personal banking information to any unknown party without verification.
For further information, enquiries or complaints, members of the public may contact or visit:
BNMTELELINK (Customer Contact Centre)
Tel: 1-300-88-5465
Fax: (03)2174 1515
Email: bnmtelelink@bnm.gov.my
BNMLINK (Walk-in Customer Service Centre)
Block D, Bank Negara Malaysia
Jalan Dato' Onn
50480 Kuala Lumpur
(Business hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm)
ABMConnect (Hotline to Association of Banks in Malaysia)
Tel: 1-300-88-9980
Bank Negara Malaysia
7 April 2009
Extracted from Bank Negara Malaysia website.
Tags: Bank Negara Malaysia, Fraudulent SMS, Unit Kad Kredit Palsu, Association of Banks in Malaysia, Confirmation on Credit Card Transactions
Embargo: For immediate release
Beware of Fraudulent SMS and Telephone Calls Requesting Confirmation on Credit Card Transactions
Bank Negara Malaysia would like to caution members of the public to be vigilant when receiving any calls or SMS claiming that it is from Bank Negara Malaysia or any commercial banks. The facts are:
- There is no department called "Unit Kad Kredit Palsu" in Bank Negara Malaysia
- 8659-XXXX is not a Bank Negara Malaysia telephone line
- Bank Negara Malaysia will NEVER request for personal banking information through SMS or telephone calls.
From Bank Negara Malaysia 's investigations, the modus operandi of the scam is as follows:
1. Victim receives SMS or telephone call: Requesting victim to confirm a credit card transaction
for the purchase of goods or services purportedly charged to the victim's credit card.
2. When victim calls the telephone number provided in the SMS, the fraudsters identify
themselves as agents of a commercial bank, and again, ask the victim to confirm whether the
credit card transaction had taken place.
3. When victim informs the fraudster that he has no such credit card or transaction, the
fraudster will start to sound concerned and will advise victim to lodge a report with Bank
Negara Malaysia 's "Unit Kad Kredit Palsu", or with the commercial bank's "credit card
management department". The fraudster will provide the victim with the telephone number
for the "Unit Kad Kredit Palsu".
4. When victim calls the telephone number provided, they are greeted by a automated voice
message which identifies the company as Bank Negara Malaysia, and the call will then be
answered by someone claiming to be a Bank Negara Malaysia officer. This officer will request
for information relating to the victim's banking and credit card accounts under the pretense of
lodging a complaint on behalf of the victim.
5. The fraudsters now have sufficient information to illegally transfer funds out of the victim's
bank account.
Members of the public are reminded not to disclose their personal banking information to any unknown party without verification.
For further information, enquiries or complaints, members of the public may contact or visit:
BNMTELELINK (Customer Contact Centre)
Tel: 1-300-88-5465
Fax: (03)2174 1515
Email: bnmtelelink@bnm.gov.my
BNMLINK (Walk-in Customer Service Centre)
Block D, Bank Negara Malaysia
Jalan Dato' Onn
50480 Kuala Lumpur
(Business hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm)
ABMConnect (Hotline to Association of Banks in Malaysia)
Tel: 1-300-88-9980
Bank Negara Malaysia
7 April 2009
Extracted from Bank Negara Malaysia website.
Tags: Bank Negara Malaysia, Fraudulent SMS, Unit Kad Kredit Palsu, Association of Banks in Malaysia, Confirmation on Credit Card Transactions
Life @ 47 Degree Celcius
What is life at 47 degree celcius during noon time? Was going out for lunch and we noticed that our car's thermometer was showing us a reading of 47 degree celcius.No wonder we could feel our skin burning as we walked out of our office to the car.
The car's air cond which was blowing at 18 degree celcius just couldn't make any difference. Only thing is that the car is not stuffy with the air cond switched on.
Once in a while, we do pamper ourselves by going to a better place for relaxation. This is one place that we like, Barista cafe. The drinks here are on the high end side. The menu is almost similar as those of Starbucks or Coffee Bean.We were here last Tuesday night to watch the Man Utd vs. Porto Champions League match.
We were able to occupy a good corner of the cafe where we have a 32 inch LCD TV all to ourselves.Unfortunately when the second half of the match began, the channel was changed and the Villareal vs. Arsenal was shown. We spoke to a waitress and she changed it and in the next few seconds, it was changed again. What happened here?
We waited patiently and got hold of another waitress who told us that they can't change as it was requested by customers ................ what???? We told her we were here first. She couldn't say anything.
We didn't go and see which customer requested for the change. All we know is that there were no other customers at the other end which has another TV screen when the match started and I did notice that these customers came during half time. They were local Sudanese people.
So, our match was changed and forced to watch another. A colleague picked up a book from the counter which was entitled "The City Trail Guide to Khartoum and the rest of Sudan".
In reading it, he showed us the fourth paragraph of a particular page .............. can you read it?
This is another spot for dining. It's not those high end restaurants but a local restaurant where tables are set by the roadside with lots of vehicles passing by which created mini sandstorm hehehe
.These are the three steel chimneys with smoke coming out from the top of the chimneys. I just took my bath before coming out for dinner and my colleagues decided to dine here. Forced to have a second shower after we have reached home later on.
What's behind those steel chimneys? This two guys were grilling chickens or goat meat away.
This restaurant is frequented by many locals or I can say we were the only foreigners.
This is what we have ordered. Five of us finished off everything at sight ............... grilled chicken, grilled goat's meat, goat's soup with a big piece of meat in it, long bread ........ except for one particular dish.
A colleague ordered this dish.A fear factor dish.
It's the goat's head meat. I told my colleague that we can't proof to people that we have tried a goat's head meat with it being chopped into pieces.
Then I found this one piece that was still intact heheheThe EAR!!!!
The ear was left alone but my colleague Peter brought every other remaining pieces, including the tongue that was chopped into pieces, back for his supper.
The ear was left alone.
Why was it named Monaliza Restaurant? We have no idea. The menu has that name and there are three Monaliza pictures put high up at their big signboard just by the roadside (seen in this picture).That's life ......... and we are more active at night as heat would be down to 37 degree celcius by 7pm plus. Believe it or not!
Tags: Dining, Barista, Monaliza Restaurant
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Expensive Meals in Al Salam Rotana Hotel
One of those nights where we went to Al Salam Rotana Hotel to celebrate two colleagues' birthday, one on that same night with the other one at 12am midnight.
For me, this is the first time I went into this hotel. Really nice set up at their reception desk area.
Upon reaching the restaurant, we told them that we needed a table(s) for eight of us. The restaurant staff told us to proceed outside of the hotel.
What? No air-conditioned comfort. The air-conditioned area was reserved for customers who are willing to part with at least 100 Sudanese Dinar (2.30 Sudanese Dinar = US$1.00). For others who are spending less, please proceed to sit outside and feel the Khartoum heat. That's what it meant to me.
We had the external dining area all to ourselves with a giant spotlight shining its light down on us.
The menu has lot of choices for us to choose but for a famous hotel I reckon that the menu should have more choices. I saw the Two Eggs any Style served with hash brown potatoes at 19 Sudanese Dinar. Eyes went big hehehe.
Eyeballs dropped out when I saw Nasi Goreng at 42 Sudanese Dinar.
We were served with some fresh breads together with some butters. Next question came, "Who ordered this?". Nobody said yes and the next question came up, "How much will this cost us?" Didn't take a look at the bill at the end of the day.
They were willing to when you I said that I would tell them to hold the food until you all agree to pose.
The hotel's signature sandwich.
Three colleagues ordered the Cheeseburger that came without cheese hahahahaha. Upon voicing it to the waiter, he brought three slices of those cheese where you could get it from the supermarket shelves.
My Grilled Beef which came quite naked without much sauce. I think it was about 36 Sudanese Dinar and it's quality and taste was way far off those food served at the famous western dining outlets in Malaysia. The portion is so little.
One of my colleagues' Grilled Chicken.
This is a Mutton Curry served with white rice. Quite a big serving and this dish did went through my brain to process but didn't receive the green light to order.
This was a Salmon fish.
This is the cheesecake topped up with blackberries. Do you call this a blackberry cheesecake?
Our total bill at the end of the day was more than 700 Sudanese Dinar. Shocking indeed!
The night scenery where the shot was taken from the car park area.
Tags: Al Salam Rotana Hotel, Khartoum, Mutton Curry, Cheeseburger, Grilled Beef, Grilled Chicken, Blackberry Cheesecake, Nasi Goreng
For me, this is the first time I went into this hotel. Really nice set up at their reception desk area.Upon reaching the restaurant, we told them that we needed a table(s) for eight of us. The restaurant staff told us to proceed outside of the hotel.
What? No air-conditioned comfort. The air-conditioned area was reserved for customers who are willing to part with at least 100 Sudanese Dinar (2.30 Sudanese Dinar = US$1.00). For others who are spending less, please proceed to sit outside and feel the Khartoum heat. That's what it meant to me.
We had the external dining area all to ourselves with a giant spotlight shining its light down on us.The menu has lot of choices for us to choose but for a famous hotel I reckon that the menu should have more choices. I saw the Two Eggs any Style served with hash brown potatoes at 19 Sudanese Dinar. Eyes went big hehehe.
Eyeballs dropped out when I saw Nasi Goreng at 42 Sudanese Dinar.We were served with some fresh breads together with some butters. Next question came, "Who ordered this?". Nobody said yes and the next question came up, "How much will this cost us?" Didn't take a look at the bill at the end of the day.
They were willing to when you I said that I would tell them to hold the food until you all agree to pose.
The hotel's signature sandwich.
Three colleagues ordered the Cheeseburger that came without cheese hahahahaha. Upon voicing it to the waiter, he brought three slices of those cheese where you could get it from the supermarket shelves.My Grilled Beef which came quite naked without much sauce. I think it was about 36 Sudanese Dinar and it's quality and taste was way far off those food served at the famous western dining outlets in Malaysia. The portion is so little.
One of my colleagues' Grilled Chicken.
This is a Mutton Curry served with white rice. Quite a big serving and this dish did went through my brain to process but didn't receive the green light to order.
This was a Salmon fish.
This is the cheesecake topped up with blackberries. Do you call this a blackberry cheesecake?Our total bill at the end of the day was more than 700 Sudanese Dinar. Shocking indeed!
The night scenery where the shot was taken from the car park area.Tags: Al Salam Rotana Hotel, Khartoum, Mutton Curry, Cheeseburger, Grilled Beef, Grilled Chicken, Blackberry Cheesecake, Nasi Goreng
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