Recent Kidnap and Snatch Theft Cases

Dear Team,
We would like to alert all of our Team Members esp. Ladies on the recent kidnap attempts on one of our Team Member.

1) Last Friday around 7pm, our colleague on her way back to her car, (her car was parked behind the High Court, i.e. next to the Klang river), was approached by 4 men (2 Indians & 2 Thais) from a van that was parked in-front of her.

2) 3 of the men got out from the van and were trying to grab her and started pushing her towards the van in an attempt to force her into the van.

3) She gave the 3 of them a good fight and in turn, they started to use their fine bladed dagger to slash her on her shoulders and back.

4) The more she tried fighting them, the more they caused injuries to her.

5) They were threatening that if she keeps fighting, they would tear off her clothes in public.

6) In their attempts, they even hit her head so hard.

7) Although our colleague had bags, a chain & etc, they weren't keen in taking these items - but it was clear that their intention was to kidnap her.

8) Finally, 5 Malay men who were passing by, came to her rescue in time.

We would like to advise all of our colleagues to "Be Careful" & "Do Not Go To Your Cars & LRT Stations Alone". Here are some Safety TIPS and Reminders in order to Avoid these sort of incident:-

- When using ATM, be watchful of any suspicious people around you. If you find someone waiting and watching outside the area of an ATM, do not use it. Leave the area and report to the police immediately - you can save someone from being the victim

- Stay in well-lighted areas

- Avoid walking alone

- Avoid known trouble spots

- Carry only what you need in your wallet/purse

- Avoid carrying valuable items or large amounts of cash

- Avoid using shortcuts through dark alleys or vacant lots

- Always walk against the flow of traffic

- Always think ahead. Example: when travelling at night, have your keys ready to enter the house or car

- Lock the door immediately when you enter your car. Do not wait for the auto lock to function

- Use whistle to get attention from public

- Use pepper spray when is necessary

- The best advise is to cooperate when confronted - less chances of getting hurt

(Received the above via an email from a lady friend)
Tags: Kidnap, Snatch Theft

How To Protect Your Passwords?

People are very innovative as frauds are happening at almost every corner of our lifes. In ensuring that your passwords are not 'stolen', various steps could be implemented as shown in the following pictures:-

Tags: Computer Password, Password Protection

Wandering Around Khartoum City

Flat land in Khartoum city and not many tall buildings on this side of the city.

Across the bridge, on the other side of the river, is the Omdurman area.

This was our dessert after a dinner. It's the Tutti Frutti. Not many places we can go to relax in Khartoum.

Opted for chocolate topping as well on the tutti frutti ice-cream purportedly from Italy lah, dunno how true also. There were 3 different flavours, one of it is Vanilla, (something) cheesecake and one more (forgotten). Cost me 6 Sudanese Dinar.

This little corner is selling drinks e.g. coffee and tea. Dare not picture of the counter that was selling ice-cream. Do not want the lady to scream.

This are the usual vegetables found in Khartoum city. Not much of a choice. For those greeny leaves type, you have to know where to buy it.

After taking this picture, I took another one which is of the fruit stall towards the left side (if you do notice the yellow colour mangoes on the left). A policeman seated nearby told me to delete the picture. Not permitted to take picture and this is what we face here.

Went to the Filipino community gathering opposite of Afra shopping centre (the only one in Sudan).

The Filipinos will have basketball competitions or friendlies on every Thursday and Friday nights.

My colleagues, having lunch together at Overseas restaurant. This is our usual place for either our lunch or dinner nowadays.

This was lunch time and it seems that many people came to know about this eatery place already judging from the crowd.

For those of you who have been to Sudan, you really need to read this Italian blogger's blog posting on Sudan. It's so hilarious - You know you lived in Khartoum when...
Tags: Khartoum, Tutti Frutti, Filipino Community

Lunch - Syrian Fresh Food

On a hot weekday ....... estimated temperature - 45 degree celcius. Burning my skin all the way. We hopped into our car and decided to go Syrian food nearby, say three minutes drive.

Syrian Fresh Food it is.
This is the common Syrian salad where you dip bread into it.

The bread looks like those roti naan back home in KL.

This is my Shawerma Chicken jumbo size. Not bad not bad ..... taste good but unable to compare against any food as I won't opt for middle eastern if i'm in KL.

Their sweet biscuits ..... and it's really too sweet for my taste.

The guy who's in charge of getting those roti naan in perfect edible condition.

The chicken and beef meat ...... look at the big chunk of meat that they prepare for the day. I think it's not only one ........

The scenery outside.
Tags: Syrian Fresh Food, Syrian Salad, Shawerma, Roti Naan

Chinese Courier Service

An innovative delivery method, the Chinese ways... forget about DHL, UPS or even FedEx !!!

A family in the southern province of China, were puzzled when the coffin of their dead grandmother arrived from the States. It was sent by one of the daughters. The dead body was so tightly squeezed inside the coffin, with no space left in it! When they opened the lid, they found a letter on top; which read as follows:-

Dear Cousins,

I am sending Ahma body to you since it was her wish that she should be cremated in the compound of our ancestral home in Tung Shin. Sorry, I could not come along as all of my paid leaves are consumed.

You will find inside the coffin, under Ahma's body, 12 bottles of Yomeishu, 10 packets of Swiss chocolates and packets of Chinatown Lap Cheong. Please divide these among all of you.

On Ahma's feet you will find a new pair of Nike Air shoes (size 10) for Ah boy. Also, there are 2 pairs of shoes for Ah Mei's and Ah Lien's sons. Hope the sizes are correct.

Ahma is wearing 6 CK T-Shirts. The large size is for Ah Bak and the others are for my nephews. Just distribute them among yourselves.

The 2 new Armani Jeans that Ahma is wearing are for the boys. The Rolex watch that Lee Ah Bai wanted is on Ahma's left wrist.

Kiasu Aunty Pei Pei, Ahma is wearing the Tiffany necklace, earrings and ring that you asked for. Please take them.

The 6 white Polo cotton socks that Ahma is wearing must be divided among my teenage cousins. let me know what else you need as Ah Kong is also not keeping well nowadays. I can send all required things when our Ah Kong goes back too............

Definitions:-
Ahma - grandma
Ah Kong- grandpa
Tags: Kiasu, Yomeishu, Swiss Chocolates, Nike Air Shoes, Armani Jeans, CK T-Shirts, Rolex Watch, Tiffany Necklace, Polo Cotton Socks

Main Cause of Hockey & Soccer Downfall

Malaysia's football and hockey teams were a major force to be reckoned with in the 1970s and 1980s (in Asia). Malaysia could beat teams coming from South Korea, Japan or the Middle East nations. Come to the 1990s, we have seen slight deterioration in their performances.

Today, the teams that we trash in those yesteryears are right at the top of the game and beating us every now and then.

Where was Vietnam in the 1970s? They were just recovering from their war against the USA and today, their football team is the champion of South East Asia.

In Malaysia's match against the United Arab Emirates for the 2011 Asian Cup qualifying stage, only three pathetic players were declared fit for the match. The rest? What were they doing? What sort of training did they go through? How are you going to play three against eleven? We lost 5-0!

Our deplorable football team is ranked 161st in the FIFA ranking (as at today). Really sad! I have even heard a comment stating that too much of televised English Premier League matches in our TV channels actually stopped many Malaysians from having interests in supporting local Malaysian teams. What an excuse!!!! Instead of coming up with better ideas to improve it, excellent excuses were thought of.

The upper echelon of the national football team management has to be responsible for the dismay but the national football coach has been blamed by the management instead. The players that the coach could select were from state teams that are not managed well enough. How do you expect the coach to have a strong team then? Even the former national players blame the Football Association of Malaysia for the state of the national football team.

Not only football, even our national hockey is in the same predicament. What's happening here? The hockey team is preparing for the upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in April 2009 and went through a fitness test. Unfortunately, only nine passed the fitness test conducted by the National Sports Institute. So much for the millions poured into the sports ............ or was it poured elsewhere that we didn't know about it? Otherwise, how could such things happen.

The Pakistan and India teams feared the Malaysian hockey team in those years ....... now? They could be heard asking "Who's Malaysia?".

I don't think I'm allowed to question the upper echelon who's in charge of the respective national football and hockey teams as I could be charged for treason or sedition under weird Malaysian laws.

We are not asking Malaysia to win the World Cup in both sports as even though there are no mutu, show me some gaya at least (of which I can't see it also).
Tags: Malaysia, National Sports Institute, Football, Hockey, FIFA Ranking, Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, 2011 Asian Cup, Football Association of Malaysia

Silence on Credit Card Clause?

How true is this clause? Can anyone verify it?
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The limit of our liability for a lost or stolen credit card is RM250.00 only under Rule 13.2 of the Bank Negara rules on credit card if it has been fraudulently used.

Please note this limit and ensure that your bank does not overcharge you should your card have been used illegally. Most are unaware of RM250 limited liability - PLEASE READ AND BE INFORMED! CARDHOLDERS need not pay more than RM250 whenever their lost or stolen credit cards are used by others. Yet, often times, they end up paying much more.

This is because Bank Negara has not informed cardholders that they do not have to pay more than RM250 for fraudulent transactions carried out using their lost or stolen cards, when they had not acted fraudulently and had informed the banks about the lost or stolen cards as soon as possible.

This protection is given under Clause 13.2 of Bank Negara's Credit Card Guideline:-

"The cardholder's maximum liability for unauthorised transactions as a consequence of a lost or stolen credit card shall be confined to a limit specified by the issuer of credit cards, which shall not exceed RM250 provided the cardholder has not acted fraudulently or has not failed to inform the issuer of credit cards as soon as reasonably practicable after having found that his credit card is lost or stolen."

Banks know about Clause 13.2 but have chosen to ignore it. Instead they pursue cardholders for the fraudulent transactions. They will tell cardholders that a clause in the credit card contracts states that all transactions carried out before the loss of the cards are reported to the banks, are deemed to be carried out by the cardholders. Many cardholders then pay up because they are unaware of the RM250 limited liability.

Bank Negara should rule that:-

*The RM 250 maximum liability on fraudulent transactions is highlighted to cardholders in the card agreements as well as in the monthly card statements.

*Banks are not allowed to insert any clause in the card agreement which is contrary to Clause 13.2.

*Banks should refund all money in excess of the RM 250 collected from cardholders whose cases clearly come under Clause 13.2.

S.M. Mohamed Idris
President, Consumers Association of Penang
(extracted from Star)
Tags: Bank Negara, Credit Card Clause, Consumers Association of Penang