No More Interest-Free Period for Credit Cards

Hear ye! Hear ye!
The financial institutions in Malaysia may soon announce a drastic change in the terms and conditions for the usage of credit cards issued in Malaysia.

What sort of changes? For the better or worse? Now, everybody can apply? (similar tone to a local airline)

As everyone knows, upon purchasing a particular item or service, say RM1,000, the vendor or retail shop will swap your credit card and the issuing bank would be informed of the usage and the details would be listed in your credit card statement.

For example, you bought your stuff on 7 May 2008 and normally, your issuing bank would despatch the credit card statement by the 18th day of each month which would have listed the purchase done on 7 May 2008. Such credit card statement would normally have to be settled by month end (30th or 31st) thus allowing the credit card user a 23 days interest-free for the amount of RM1,000 being charged to the credit card.

Lots of people don't pay the full amount owing to the bank as stated in the credit card statement. Most will opt for partial or minimum payment and thus, rendering additional interest being charged on the amount remaining.

In the drastic act to be implemented, maybe second half of the year 2008, credit card users who don't pay the full amount as stated in the credit card statement may be in for a big surprise, one that will hurt their pockets even more.

When a credit card user doesn't pay the full amount as listed, issuing banks will not grant any interest-free period any more to that fella.

Say, if you have charged RM500 on 10 May, this could be listed in the system on the following day, 11 May. This RM500 would be charged interest (bank's applicable rates) from 11 May till the full payment of it. And if you still chose to make partial payment at month end, additional interest would be charged on top of interest ........................ wow!!!!

With the minimum qualification set so low as condition in applying for the credit card, the mass, if not informed of this piece of news would be hard hit.

I do take advantage of the interest-free period and normally will start charging it to the credit card right after the cut-off date and the payment for it won't be due till end of the following month.

The above is applicable in Malaysia and I'm not surprised if this is going to be practised worldwide. Be a smart consumer ..........
Tags: Interest Free Period, Credit Card, Malaysia, Issuing Bank, Financial Institutions, Credit Card User

Cyclone Whacked Myanmar Devastatingly

Was Burma ready when Cyclone Nargis hit its shores four days ago? Why weren't the general public warned? Such severe cyclone do not hit the land immediately as it would be a slow built-up over a number of days.

Were the army officials sleeping when the storm was ravaging strongly day by day?

The wind not only came in strong but a tidal wave of 12 feet high came upon the shore, hitting the Irrawaddy Delta where millions built their homes.



The Indian Meteorological Department, that was commissioned to alert the surrounding countries on any dangerous cyclones or earthquakes coming along the way, had managed to track the Cyclone Nargis on 2 May 2008 and alerted Burmese government agencies but somewhere somehow, such news were not disseminated fast enough to warn the general public.

Today, the cyclone aftermath has brought about 50,000 deaths, tens of thousands missing (would only be considered dead once body is found) and at least, a million homeless. This is just as bad as the 2004 tsunami.

The vast land comprise many paddy fields have been destroyed as well. Considered as the main rice bowl for many Burmese, life could be really hard if the military ruled government doesn't act fast.

The not-so-easyto-penetrate country of Burma (or Myanmar) due to its tight control by the military junta have called on international aids. The call was made quite late as the military found it hard to access certain places to assess the situation. After realising that it was really really bad, they knew that they were ill-prepared for it. Foreign reporters are rarely found in Burma due to restrictions and this has resulted in lesser news updates on the cyclone tragedy. Nobody really knew how bad it was except for the military and the citizens caught in it.

On one hand international aid agencies need to supply medical supplies together with their rescuers / medical personnel but visas weren't approved as fast for such personnel to enter Burma. So how?

It was reported that there was already a shortage of rice largely in Asia and this has to happen to Burma, where it does export milled rice too. This will surely drive the commodity's price upwards. Thailand's plan to form a rice cartel similar to OPEC, seeing that rice will be a much sought after food, has been dropped due to this tragedy happening in Burma.

Will Burma's military junta be awakened or the Burmese will finally rise up to demand a much better life?

Reading: The Irrawaddy News Magazine
Tags: Burma, Burmese, Myanmar, Cyclone Nargis, Irrawaddy Delta, Rice Cartel, OPEC, International Aid Agency, Military Junta, Military Ruled

Ah Beng Jokes

Ah Beng bought a new mobile. He sent a message to everyone from his phone book & said, "My mobile no. has changed. Earlier it was Nokia 3310. Now it is 6610"
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Ah Beng: I am proud, coz my son is in Medical College.
Friend: Really, what is he studying.
Ah Beng: No, he is not studying, they are studying him.
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Ah Beng: Doctor, in my dreams, I play football every night.
DR: Take this tablet, you will be ok.
Ah Beng: Can I take tomorrow, tonight is the final game.
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Ah Beng: If I die, will u remarry?
Wife: No! I'll stay with my sister. But if I die will u remarry?
Ah Beng: No, I'll also stay with your sister.
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Ah Beng: People consider me as a "GOD"
Wife: How do you know??
Ah Beng: When I went to the Park today, everybody said, Oh GOD! U have come again.
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Ah Beng: Why are all these people running?
Man: This is a race, the winner will get the cup
Ah Beng: If only the winner will get the cup, why others running?===================================================
Teacher: "I killed a person" convert this sentence into future tense
Ah Beng : The future tense is "u will go to jail"
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Tags: Jokes, Funny, Humour, Ah Beng

Don't Mess With Japanese Police

Certain Japanese police riders have been supplied with sophisticated motorbikes that has a large mechanical machine at the back portion of the motorbike.
No idea on the cost but Japanese stuff doesn't come cheap.
The mechanical machine's purpose once expanded could be used to tow a car.










If you simply park your as in Malaysia, it would be towed away without you noticing it.

Tags: Japan, Japanese Police, Motorbike

Most Expensive Burger in Malaysia

I have tasted and enjoyed burgers (hamburgers) from all the fast food joints and the individual stalls selling the infamous Ramly burger found in Malaysia since two decades back. Till today, most burgers' taste could not be differentiated except for the pricing.

A local restaurant located in Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur, The Daily Grind, went one step further in creating a burger for the rich and famous Malaysians or expats.

Heard of foie gras? The goose liver thingy. Yes, it has made its way in between two slices of buns. And it's called the Foie Gras Burger. Price? Selling at RM55.

Seriously, I still prefer the burgers from McDonalds.

Reading: Holy Meatimony, the most expensive burger in Kuala Lumpur City - Malaysian Insider
Tags: The Daily Grind, Most Expensive Burger, Burger, Hamburger, Foie Gras, Foie Gras Burger

Home Decorations & Renovation

On 1 May, it was a public holiday owing to the Labour Day. Heard that there was a small congregation of people protesting elsewhere in Kuala Lumpur. Forgotten the reason for their gathering. A protest?

But I drove out towards the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre for the HomeDec '08 exhibition around 9.45am. This is the exhibition where people would gather products / materials / services info so that they could renovate / re-model in time to come. One of the biggest exhibition of such.

Since I was early, I parked near the escalator entrance. Just look at the empty parking lots behind my car.










Looked for the sign heading to the entrance for the HomeDec '08.















I went into the exhibition around 10.10am and the crowd around 12 noon was shown at the left picture. Had lunch in their small cafeteria located within the exhibition hall. HomeDec '08 occupied all five exhibitions halls. Just imagine how big was the exhibition.

Was looking for an interior designer to draft something for my new house. Just by showing my floor plans, they could quote me their price. Never dealt with one before so I was not too sure how to negotiate or start to deal with them.

One asked for RM5,000 upfront before they start on any space planning or those 3D drawings.

Another said pay up RM1,000 and they would do the space planning and the 3D drawings. After reviewing their work and if I intend to appoint them, I need to pay the remaining RM9,000. Otherwise I could take the space planning and two 3D drawings of any spaces they have created and say bye-bye to them.

The worst response came from one of those interior designing firms in HomeDec '08. This lady took a look at my new house's floor plans and asked what was my budget. Told her the amount and she said that it was hard to plan for my house with my budget. Asked her what would be the recommended amount in order for her to do a good interior design for my new house and guess what - she said RM200,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And her fees would be 7% of the total amount done for my house.

Byeeeeeeeeeeee ....... did tell her that her company was charging very high.

Is this the way how the interior designers would operate right from the beginning? They don't even ask how you intend to decorate your place but quote the fees upfront to you. Really lost.

Guessed that I would be liaising with at least ten other interior designers that have been recommended by close friends. Hopefully, by virtue of my friendship with my close friend(s), these interior designers won't charge as high.

Left the exhibition around 6.15pm. Yeah, the whole day was stucked within the big four exhibition walls.

At the exit area, I could view the towering Petronas Twin Towers at the background with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in front and Maxis Tower on the right hand side of the picture.








The evening crowd witnessing the co-ordinated fountain display at the lake just right in front of the Petronas Twin Towers.
Long day in the exhibition so time for some good meals with family members. Settled at The Apartment restaurant at the Suria KLCC, which was facing the lake. This restaurant serves fusion food.






Got this Piquant Cream Grilled Chicken that comes with mashed potatoes. Fantastic taste and wonder what was the ingredient for that cream. Should be fattening.













This is the Seared Salmon Fillet with roasted tomatoes as its topping.
This is the Baked Dory Fish, with cheese topping ..... couldn't resist the temptation of getting a piece.
Chicken with Peach & Walnut, kind of sweet taste in between the chicken meat.

With drinks, our bills came to RM193 for the night. Quite filling too.






On the way back to our car, noticed this boat model put up in Suria KLCC's centre court where Shiseido was promoting their cosmetic products. What has the boat got to do with cosmetic products?

Tags: Labour Day, HomeDec '08, Home Decoration, Home Renovation, Interior Designer, Suria KLCC, The Apartment, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Petronas Twin Towers, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Shiseido

Malaysia Exported US$1m Coconut Tree

Malaysia's name came into the picture when it was mentioned that a weird coconut tree that had three heads on a single trunk was actually exported by Malaysia.

Where is this weird tree now? It has been exported to Ivory Coast, Africa and the current owner of the coconut tree (or coconut palm as known in Ivory Coast) has intended to sell the tree for US$1 million.

The owner is of the coconut tree is the Marc Delorme coconut research station in Ivory Coast. The reason that they are selling the tree is to raise fund for their further research. But before selling that tree, the scientists have taken some sample from the tree and hope to multiply it (hopefully to breed more 3 headed coconut trees and more $$$$$$$$). Unfortunately, it could take another 20 years for the results to be known.

The Malaysian owner must be very heart sick knowing the price that it could fetch. But there are millions more of coconut trees in Malaysia and I'm sure some of those trees could be like this too. QUICK!, coconut tree owners in Malaysia, check your plantation now and tell me ...........

I'll post it up here to let the world know so that you could sell it to the highest bidder (we will talk about the commission later ..............).

Reading: Rare coconut tree on sale for $1m - BBC News/Africa
Tags: Coconut, Coconut Tree, Coconut Palm, Malaysia, Ivory Coast, Marc Delorme Coconut Research Station