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?
----------------------------------------------
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

Most Famous Tree in Malaysia

Malaysia has unveiled its most famous tree recently. This tree shaded the 'unrecognised' Perak state government's assembly (this state controlled by opposition parties was unrecognised by the present ruling federal govt of course). Major decisions were proposed and voted upon under the shade of this historical tree.

The Perak state govt (as I like to call it that way) has unveiled a plaque at the feet of this famous tree.

Some people will find it a waste of time to do such a thing. Why not carry out the works instead of standing under the tree again.

Well, the unrecognised politicians have been barred from entering the state government building and all thrown out from their offices even though they were elected by the people for the people.

This tree has been given the name of The Tree Democracy.

The plaque in its glory.

Not long after that, Malaysians who passes by that area will take opportunity to take picture with that glorifying tree and plaque. Name me one tree in Malaysia where large group of people line up to take pictures with.

There are people who don't like this plaque at all. They found it offensive and illegal. They can't stand that this tree and plaque have been idolised by the general public. So, in order to stop the people from forming a cult, they destroyed the plague for the good of the people.

To them "Gloryfying plaque? ......... my foot!"

We will see when they plan to destroy that famous tree. Maybe a town council plan will state the the road needs to be widen and that tree is in the pathway ........... as the saying goes, Malaysia Boleh.

(Photos were sourced from Lim Kit Siang and Muslimeen United)
Tags: Famous Tree, Tree of Democracy, Ipoh

Respect Mercy Malaysia

I really have respect for those volunteer doctors that went into Gaza amidst the bombings from Israel front. They are the people that put words into action rather than just talk / protest / ridicule about it at their home sweet home here.

Through the persistency of Datuk Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, MERCY Malaysia was set up to provide medical care to people who need it be it locally or internationally. And their team was there when Gaza was bombarded by Israel.

Not only that they tried to provide medical assistance but now they are having a long term plan which is to build a rehabilitation centre that will cater to those war victims that have lost their limbs. The set up may require US$1 million (money involved politics could build mega hospitals).

This posting is dedicated to the MERCY Malaysia team members who risked their lifes to ensure others have a life.

Reading: Mercy aims to build rehabilitation centre - Star
Tags: MERCY Malaysia, Datuk Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, Gaza

Con Job Involving Four Local Banks

A friend's friend working in one of the mentioned banks below warned his circle of friends not to reveal any of their personal or banking particulars if they were to receive any emails requesting for such. Banks will not request their customers to respond via emails at all.

A sample of such scrupulous emails is shown below. Worst of all, there are people who will still fall for it .......... no matter how many times it was reported in the mainstream media.

------------------------------------
From: Online Banking [mailto:alexanderaubuchon@bankinginfo.com.my]
Sent: 19 May 2005 7:28 AM
Subject: *****SPAM***** HIGH * Hong Leong/Bumiputra Commerce/AmBank Group/Alliance Bank

Dear Hong Leong/Bumiputra Commerce/AmBank Group/Alliance Bank Member,

This email was sent by the Bank server to verify your e-mail address. You must complete this process by clicking on the link below and entering in the small window your Hong Leong/Bumiputra Commerce/AmBank Group/Alliance Bank online access details. This is done for your protection - because some of our members no longer have access to their email addresses and we must verify it.

To verify your e-mail address and access your account, click on the link below:-

If You Have Hong Leong Bank Account:
http://www.hlb.com.my/DF3RwiNBzvjz37l7c1h1p

If You Have Alliance Bank Account: http://www.alliancebank.com.my/86uZyaeeCm8nf5tu31i0vdq

If You Have Bumiputra Commerce Bank Account:
http://www.channel-e.com.my/0khaSRO3JT2s7q09iu53j26e33

If You Have AmBank Group Account:
http://www.ambg.com.my/s55a3m02A007h703iyr9
------------------------------------

I really wonder how the con job could be executed with a url connection that ties in with the actual bank's url address. The exception was Bumiputra Commerce's url address where it's totally different ......... it's a local e-commerce website promoting local products.

Something's very fishy somewhere ...............

P/S - don't know where will those url address lead you too ......... I didn't try as I'm not wasting my time with it

Related post - Scammers Used Malaysian Bank Without Fear
Tags: Hong Leong Bank Berhad, Bumiputra-Commerce Bank Berhad, AmBank Group Berhad, Alliance Bank Berhad, E-Channel, Con Job

Robert Mugabe Holidaying in Malaysia

Try googling for "Robert Mugabe in Malaysia" and you'll be astounded with the number of results from the google search.

The media is saying that the Zimbabwe dictator is presently holidaying in Malaysia. It was reported that his wife arranged for transfer of funds to Malaysia for their month long holiday. Which bank accepted that remittance?

Where are they staying? Media reported that they are residing in a family home ........ where's that? Any Malaysian saw him yet? Looks like our own mainstream media has not reported about his presence in Malaysia or was there a government directive to keep quiet on this.

No one is holding any demonstration on his presence in Malaysia?

One of his recent holiday in Malaysia was in February 2008 in which his family stayed at Nikko Hotel.

Maybe his family is escaping the cholera outbreak (2,016 died; 40,448 infected) in Zimbabwe right now. Apparently, he's here for his routine health check. Which hospital could he had checked into? I'm sure he would have gotten himself a good hospital. Lemme see, Gleneagles? SJMC? Sunway? IJN? Pantai?

There are so many things being reported about him (those bad stuff of course) and the Malaysian authorities have allowed such a leader to reside in Malaysia.

The best part is that he may choose to retire in Malaysia.

Related posts on Zimbabwe.
Tags: Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, Cholera Outbreak

All Malaysian School Kids Will Be Taught To Hate

In view of the Israeli actrocities against Palestine now, tempers are boiling all over the world that the attacks done by Israel is not coming to a stop just yet.

Malaysia's former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir (a person I revered), has called for a nationwide boycott on USA goods unnessarily.

I thought that the said boycott was bad enough until I read this piece of Bernama news that quoted what the Education Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, has to say about the Israeli actrocities.

Please check with your school going kids and help them unlearn what they are going to learn in time to come. It was reported that all school kids will somehow be taught on how to have this HATRED feeling against the Israeli atrocities on Palestinians.

It was mentioned that a particular mass movement will involve those in the teaching profession and education ministry staff to be 'brain washed' first before they instill it in the kids.

Please note that this mass movement has been approved by the Cabinet on 7 Jan 2009 (which involves only Barisan Nasional politicians).

Personally, if the Malaysian government wants people to be aware of such actrocities, just teach the positive way. The government declares the nation as an Islamic nation but now they are trying to instill HATRED into the school going kids (please read this statement with proper understanding, no malice & hatred were meant here before you even thought of commenting on this statement alone). A religion teaches us to HATE? What's wrong with the government?

Kids won't be able to differentiate which is correct or wrong unless with proper adult guidance. School kids will be thinking that whichever nation that attacks fervently and without mercy, that nation could be HATED later on.

If school kids so happened saw their relatives fighting but didn't know what happened actually (even though physical fight is incorrect), the school kids would have HATRED feeling against those relatives because they have been taught to HATE. They won't know how to differentiate in different circumstances.

Nothing better to do? What political mileage is there to gain when all school going kids' brains will be destroyed?

The government is really going too far with this mass movement! Do it the positive way!

Why can't the ridiculous Minsitry of Education teach what LOVE is all about?

Teach school kids on how to LOVE and touch other people's hearts irrespective of race / religion / upbringing. Am sure with this, wars won't happen but with HATRED feeling, it will happen right here in our own country itself if not guided properly.

Tell all your friends to check with the kids and instill the right teaching into their minds.

Reading: Students In Mass Movement Against Israeli Actrocities - Bernama

Related post - Besides Boycotting, Quit Too

Tags: Bernama, Israeli Actrocities, Israel, Palestine, Palestinian, Hatred

Besides Boycotting, Quit Too

The call to boycott USA related goods and services by the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir, was echoed by some muslim associations. The associations have called for the boycott to commence on Friday, 9 Jan 2009.

First and foremost, the attack on Gaza Strip has stripped the peacefulness and livelihood of those people residing there. I value human lifes and it's human lifes that we must be concerned about.

With deep respect for the former Prime Minister, I'm deeply concerned with his latest call - Quit your jobs, Dr M tells McDonald's, Starbucks workers.

At this point of economic concern even in Malaysia, the former leader simply called for people to quit their jobs from McDonald's and Starbucks. He is so rich and it was soooo easy just to say that without even thinking. But I think it's so selfish.

Recently, I have spoken to a top personnel from one of the main retail centres in Kuala Lumpur. Her view was that the retail industry would be able to withstand the economic downturn but those involved in the retail industry would be prudent and would tighten their belts.

Another person that I have spoken to is from the information technology industry and the comment was that their industry should be able to hold on at the moment. Still optimistic but would watch their expenses too.

Retrenchment exercises have happened already.

And our former leader suggested people to quit?

I have no interest in any businesses and from my viewpoint, if we quit the jobs and started to boycott the related / linked USA companies, then those companies will definitely shut down forever.

Who else will employ these people who have quit? Tun Dr Mahathir? The present government?

Both McDonald's and Starbucks are owned franchise businesses owned by Malaysians. Are we hitting the Malaysians or the nation of USA? McDonald's and Starbucks are owned by private investors in USA, not the USA government.

By the way, I have one question - why only McDonald's and Starbucks were mentioned specifically? What about 1901 Hot Dog, A&W, Baskin-Robbins, Burger King, California Pizza Kitchen, Carl's Jr, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Domino's Pizza, Dunkin Donuts, Kenny Rogers Roasters, KFC, Long John Silver's, Pizza Hut, Scholtzsky's Deli, Shakey's, Subway, T.G.I.F., Wendys and Yoshinoya (anymore?).

This will definitely kill their fast food industry and without fail, ours too. These workers in the fast food industry can then join the estimated 60,000 unemployed Malaysians.

Is Malaysia the only nation that is going on this path?

I have blogged about those related / linked goods and services under Boycotting of Products/Services (I) and Boycotting of Products/Services (II) detailing what could happened if the boycott was successful.

I wonder what will the present Prime Minister has to say this time. He did say, during Israel's attack on Lebanon two years back, that we should think deeply first and told the people not to talk big only.

Let's ask this question before we start boycotting - will our boycott really affect USA (the government should be the main target) or will it hit Malaysia big time and drag our nation into deep recession?

Why not do it at the maximum and boycott the following:-
* Microsoft, Linux
* Dell, HP, Compaq, Apple, IBM (be it mobile, notebook, desktop, server)
* Intel, AMD
* Blogspot, Wordpress

Might as well kick all the USA companies out from the Multimedia Super Corridor as there are too many of them.

My 2 cents!
Tags: Boycott, Boycott USA, Israel, Gaza Strip, McDonald's, Starbucks

Cinema Ticket Price To Increase 100%?

I'm sure most cinemagoers are paying around RM9 to RM12 per person per movie nowadays. That is not the only thing you have to pay when you go for a cinema show. You need to pay for the car park, the snacks to be consumed while watching the movie, the meal (lunch or dinner) to be consumed in the shopping centre and if you go with the family, guess how much would be the total cost of watching a movie shown in a cinema located in a shopping centre. Could be around RM100 for a family of four.

I would say that majority of the moviegoers would be watching foreign produced movies rather than locally produced. Reason will be basically - huge cost of production movie with famous movie stars.

How are you going to challenge such foreign produced movie then? Easy! Increase the cinema ticket price for such movies beyond the reach of the common folks. Maintain the cinema ticket price for locally produced movies and you'll get a stream of moviegoers watching locally produced movies.

That's the plan of the Malaysian Film Producers Association. Their idea of increasing the price will be detrimental to foreign produced movies, the Hollywood origin in specific, as the targetted price of RM20 will be too much to bear for many people.

Firstly, just go to the queue and see who are the current cinemagoers. Majority would be youngsters from the teenagers to the young adults. They could be watching up to four movies a month and imagine the cost of doing so by then.

Driving them away from the cinemas will drive them to get entertainment of a cheaper mode. Guess what would be the alternative then?

The local production companies are unable to wrestle / match / improve compared with the Hollywood produced movies and now, they have thought of this brilliant idea ................. kill them off by making their movies unaccessible.

Instead of raising their own standards or even increase the budget for producing a movie, they are gunning for an easier way out ................. simple minds and looking for easy money only but at the expense of moviegoers. They assumed that you will watch the locally produced movies when you have no other choice or making your choice limited.

Fortunately, Malaysian Film Development Corporation has mentioned that "it's a serious matter which involves government approval and not just the film industry people, rest assured that no decision will be taken without due consideration".

One thing for sure, the pirated dvd sellers are already ensuring that their production lines will be ready the moment the cinema ticket price is confirmed at RM20. The pirated dvds are available throughout Malaysia at a price of RM7 per movie. Compare that to a total cost of RM100 a family of four has to pay to watch a single movie, that too at the current price.

The efforts to clamp down on pirated goods would be futile after years of making in-roads.

Alternatively, Malaysians who are internet savvy will be downloading tons of Hollywood movies day in day out. Whether it's legal or not, Malaysians were left with limited choices.

Well, I'm not asking everyone to go for pirated dvds or start downloading. Definitely there will be one or two marvellous locally produced movies of which I have seen a number on my own. That's only one or two per year. That's all. If I'm going to watch one or two local movies per year (assuming I can't afford the RM20 ticket), this will cause major problems to the local cinemas.

Cinemas will start to close down, food outlets opened near the cinemas will experience lower sales, lesser people will throng the shopping centres .............. with the current world economy, we better analyse the cost and benefit analysis with lots of details first before making this decision.

Just when BIG cinema is intending to open dozens of cinemas and now this issue.

Lots of people are giving their opinions (or a piece of their mind) in a forum found in Cinema Online in particular on this same issue.
Tags: Malaysian Film Producers Association, Malaysian Film Development Corporation, Hollywood Movies, Film Industry, Malaysia Cinema, Cinema Online

All Malaysians To Attend Course Prior to Marriage

Muslim friends in Malaysia must go through a pre-nuptial course before they can get married. The courses are organised by the respective State Islamic Religious Department.

Non-muslims are not required to attend such course. I know that churches do have their pre-marriage counselling in preparing each couple-to-be on the expectancy of a marriage and what is a marriage. I would say it's useful and normally the church pastors or a church elder will conduct such courses, free of charge of course.

Out of a sudden, a memorandum has now been submitted to the government calling for all non-muslims to attend such compulsory marriage courses before they are allowed to get married. This is on compulsion???? Why compulsory now? Which organisation or groups are calling for it?

If the government somehow agrees with the memorandum, will a church's pre-marriage counselling be counted / accepted? Who's authorised to conduct such courses? Will such courses be organised by government agencies such as National Population and Family Planning Board only at no charges to the public?

I really hope that no cronies will benefit indirectly on organising such courses at the expense of the public (referring to the non-muslims now since the memorandum is referring to non-muslims) paying for it. Actually there's more to gain in attending such courses but I really hope that it would not be manipulated for selected people's pockets.

In future, make sure you keep your certificate of attendance of the marriage course in a safe deposit box because if it's lost, you can't say your vows on that big day of yours ........ haha

Reading: Memo on marriage courses for non-Muslims - Star
Tags: Pre-Nuptial Course, Pre-Marriage Counselling, Marriage Course, Marriage, State Islamic Religious Department, National Population and Family Planning Board

Guaranteed Seats in Public Buses

Going to Putrajaya, the Federal Administrative Capital which houses majority of the government agencies, is quite smooth nowadays.

You can get there by cars, bikes, bicycles (if safe), public buses, taxis and also the high speed ERL train.

The public buses serving Putrajaya area is currently operated by Nadi Putra, owned by Pengangkutan Awam Putrajaya Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Putrajaya Corporation, of which is a government agency under the Ministry of Federal Territories.

Just back in June 2008 after the ridiculous petrol price hike, Putrajaya Corporation was of the view that many people would be opting for public transportation to cut down cost of living.

They estimated that 9,300 passengers are hopping into their buses daily and believed that it would grow tremendously. At that point of time, there were 55 buses already. With 9,300 passengers and 55 buses plying the routes, the ratio is 169 passengers per bus per day. A bus could fit in 40 passengers and that works out to be 4 bus loads of people per day. You are definitely guaranteed a seat in a public bus for sure.

That was in June 2008. Six months down the road in December 2008, there are 70 buses now and say there was an increase of 10% bus passengers which works out to 10,230 passengers daily.

With 10,230 passengers and 70 buses plying the routes, the ratio is 146 passengers per bus per day. That is less than 4 bus loads of people per day. Some passengers could even lie down and sleep.

But the Ministry of Federal Territories thinks that you are not comfortable enough and they are very thoughtful of you.

They think that the ratio of passenger per bus should be even much lower. In order to achieve a much lower ratio, they have decided to purchase another 104 buses at a cost of RM70 million (RM673,076 per bus) over the next two years. 70 buses plus 104 buses = 174 buses.

Say another increase of 10% bus passengers which will have 11,253 passengers daily. With 174 buses plying the routes, the ratio will be down to 65 passengers per bus per day. You only require 1.5 buses to fit the 65 passengers per day.

Even though Nadi Putra is making a loss of RM1 million per annum, the passengers' comfort is their highest concern of all. Well done! This is what I call priority customer service. You won't find it anywhere in the world.

Reading: Not enough passenger volume - Star
Tags: Public Bus, Putrajaya, Federal Administrative Capital, Nadi Putra, Pengangkutan Awam Putrajaya Sdn Bhd, Putrajaya Corporation, Ministry of Federal Territories

Potential Landslide in Medan Damansara?

With the recent Bukit Antarabangsa landslide fresh in the minds of all Malaysians and as I have guessed, those staying in Medan Damansara would be fearing for their lifes as well. The Damansara 21 hillslope project undertaken by SDB Properties Sdn Bhd is just lingering above the few rows of houses at Medan Damansara. SDB Properties Sdn Bhd has requested the authorities to give them six months to facilitate them to strengthen the hillslope in which they are investing RM30 million to stabilise the hill.

If it requires as much as RM30 million just to do that ............. what does it tell you?

The residents, under the Medan Damansara Residents Association, has objected to the hillslope project. I wonder what the association had done that has given an avenue for SDB Properties Sdn Bhd to sue the association's current and past presidents and two other office bearers.

Not only they lived in fear but have to think about the law suit as well.

The residents have a blog for their cause too - Save The Hills, Please.
Tags: Bukit Antarabangsa Landslide, Damansara 21, SDB Properties Sdn Bhd, Medan Damansara, Medan Damansara Residents Association, Save The Hills, Please

Police to Race Against Other Drivers

Malaysian policemen are a lucky lot as they will have the opportunity to drive the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution on the roads in weeks to come while test drives are being conducted.

* Engine Type: 2.0-liter (1,998 cc) turbocharged inline-4, aluminum-alloy block and head (4B11)
* Valvetrain: DOHC, 16-valve with Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-timing Electronic Control (MIVEC)
* Horsepower / Torque: 291 hp @ 6,500 rpm / 300 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm

The police contingency is willing to spend millions of ringgit to purchase twenty five of such powerful racing cars. Let's see, one of this car has a price list of RM323,888. Twenty five of them will cost us, the taxpayers, RM8,097,200.

So ......... the money saved by the government in petrol subsidies will be spent in this way ... indirectly benefitting the public as policemen will be able to nab all those criminals as they can't escape this time ......... haha

Justified?

Reasons for buying, as given by Inspector-General of Police - "to be used in high-speed car chase, especially in cases of carjacking, kidnapping and hi­­jacking. The speed of the cars would enable the police to catch up with criminals who often used modified turbo charged cars to escape."

I find that reason from the Inspector-General of Police quite disturbing.

Malaysia do not have many super highways and normally high-speed car chase happens on city roads or rural areas. If the police starts to chase after such criminals and the criminals, out of panic and desperation, will be crashing all over the place and knocking into other cars or worse still, into people. Such scenario could be seen in action-packed movies.

Don't fret, the citizens of Malaysia, as you will have a chance too by year 2010. Our national car manufacturer, Proton Holdings Berhad ("Proton"), has decided to execute a development agreement to manufacture a new motor vehicle. Both Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd (subsidiary company of Proton) and Mitsubishi Motors Corp of Japan will roll out a replacement car for the ageing Proton Waja model. The new car will be a hatchback and targetted to be on the road in year 2010.

Upon reading this, I think I'll postpone my plan in getting a new car ......... Too bad you can't speed with the new hatchback as the police will be watching you with their new racing car ............... hehehe.

And in comparison with other developed countries' police cars, I'll be proud to show off my country's future police car.
Tags: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Inspector-General of Police, Proton Holdings Berhad, Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd, Mitsubishi Motors Corp, Proton Waja, Police Car

State Governments Hiring Bloggers

When I first started my blog way back at end June 2006, it was due to 'boring' time being stucked in Sudan. Lots of time to think but can't do much. So, out came a blog of mine.

I started to inform my friends that I have a blog too ......... (told them excitedly as if I was amongst the first bloggers) ...........

Some questioned me as to what I'll be writing in my blog as it's like a personal diary. Some said that I will get bored along the way. Some asked sarcastically on whether I was trying to emulate Jeff Ooi .......... dig up dirt swept under the carpet.

The blogosphere is growing really fast. The blogs somehow bloomed further during the run-up to Malaysia's twelfth general election held in Mar 2008. Lots of people got hooked up with bloggers' postings.

Blogging is not going to end and neither will I get bored with it. How can I get bored with it when the state of Pahang and Perak are getting themselves involved too. The respective state governments are hiring bloggers to make right the misconceptions made believed by respective opposition parties / mainstream media (who's always bias towards the present government).

In Pahang (ruled by the present ruling party in the government), the state will hire three bloggers who have retired. They'll be provided with paid allowances, computers and internet access in their homes. If these three are successful, more bloggers will be sourced. Pensioners / retirees - hear this - email your cv to Pahang's Information, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin (a state assemblyman of Lanchang).
Reading: Pahang govt recruits pensioners as bloggers - Star

In Perak (ruled by the opposition party), has up the challenge against Pahang's move. They have co-ordinated with the Perak Blogger Association to engage with twenty six bloggers. Tried to google for this association but to no avail. Is this association for real or just to show off to Pahang? Where to send your cv if you are interested? You could try your luck with Anuar Hashim, press secretary of the Perak Chief Minister.
Reading: Perak sets up blogger secretariat - Edge Daily

Really looking forward to read what this group of 'state bloggers' are going to post in their respective blogs. Or they just blog hop to scrutinise and report to police on malicious / defamation blogs? Ain't the blogosphere getting interesting day by day?
Tags: Blog, Blogosphere, Blogger, Personal Diary, Pahang, Perak, Blogger Secretariat, Perak Blogger Association

Actual Cost of Petrol Price

What sort of commercial price that the Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs was referring to? The commercial price is the price where the petrol stations has to pay to the oil depots as outlined below.

Oil depot price is the crude oil (at world price) that has been processed at oil refinery and it reflects the actual product price as produced by the oil refinery.

Commercial price on 15 Sept 2008 (there was a typo mistake in the chart) was at RM2.81, petrol stations were retailing petrol at RM2.55 and thus the actual subsidy was only RM0.26 per litre instead of RM0.30 as claimed by the government all the time. At least there were some subsidies as otherwise we would be paying more.

As you go down the chart, commercial price was cheaper than petrol retail price from 10 Oct 2008 onwards.

By 23 Oct 2008, the commercial price at oil depots was RM2.00 (at which the world crude oil price was at US$64.15) and with the claimed subsidised rate of RM0.30, the actual petrol price should have been retailing at RM1.70 but then the consumers were still paying the price of RM2.30. This was RM0.60 above the subsidised rate if there was any at all.

As had been revealed by the government, the petrol station would have earned RM0.12 per litre with the respective petroleum companies earning RM0.19 per litre too even at the retail price of RM1.92. It did mention that at RM1.92 less (RM0.12 + RM0.19) = RM1.61, the government would still have earned profits. Why? Because commercial price has dipped way below RM1.61 by now.

If the government was still earning profits, what was the government subsidising then? This question is being posed based on pre-June 2008 (the then 41% price increase) as even then the government was gladly saying that they were subsidising petrol price. Not that people or even me are asking for more subsidies but the government said it was subsidising all this while ................ who's bluffing who or what was missed out? What is the government's agenda in not telling truth?

Please bear in mind that the government did mention that effective 1 Nov 2008, the RM0.30 subsidy has ceased. By looking at the chart, we doubt so.

The current Deputy Prime Minister has prepared the hearts of all Malaysian citizens by saying "Don't expect pump prices to be constantly reduced". He has said that the government has to review whether to reduce the petrol price to match the drop in world crude oil price. Why must the government review when the prices drop but didn't even consider properly when they increased the price by 41% at one go in June 2008?

He mentioned that "We cannot afford this kind of volatility. The people may not be able to cope with these sudden changes." Please enlighten us, who are the "people" that you were referring?

Reading: Malaysians are now paying petrol tax - Malaysian Insider

Related post - Is Malaysia's Fuel Price Cheaper?
Tags: Petrol Price, Fuel Price, Oil Depot Price, World Crude Oil Price, Malaysia, Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Petrol Station

Less EPF Cut Means More Income?

Many people have been thinking of getting the extra income come 1 Jan 2009 when the mandatory Employees' Provident Fund ("EPF") deduction is reduced to 8% of the gross salary instead of the current 11%.

We take a case study to see the benefit that could be derived if your monthly basic salary RM4,000:-

- If your monthly EPF contribution is 11% (RM440), taxable income = RM3,560, income tax payable = RM77.

- If your monthly EPF contribution is 8% (RM320), taxable income = RM3,680, income tax payable = RM109.

Conclusion: If you choose to contribute 8%, you will end up paying more income tax to the government, which will make the government richer.

Finance Minister Najib said this measure is meant to boost up the slow-down market, but from this example we see that the money does not go into the market. Instead the money goes direct into the government's pocket through the greater amount of income tax that we will have to pay. Obviously this measure does not help the market at all.
Tags: EPF, Employees' Provident Fund, Taxable Income, Malaysian Income Tax

New Seatbelt Law in Malaysia

JPJ (Road Transport Department) has done extensive testing on a newly designed seatbelt. Results show that accidents can be reduced by as much as 45% when the belt is properly installed.

This is also in view of the reminder call to all motorists to get use to the idea of getting their rear seat passengers to buckle up as well. Malaysian police will be stopping cars from now onwards if they noticed that your rear seat passengers did not buckle up. By 1 January 2009, they will be issuing summonses when the new ruling is enforced.

If you don't practise it now, you will surely forget by 1 January 2009 and thus giving a chance to bribery again ............... in this case, who caused bribery in the first instance then? The motorists of course.

It's for your own (and others) safety! I do ensure it even if it's for a short distance.

And if you were caught with four rear seat passengers, what will be your recourse?

Anyway, correct installation for the seatbelt is illustrated below .......


Reading: No sure decision yet on whether extra passenger needs to belt up or pay up - Star
Tags: Malaysia, Seatbelt, Motorist, JPJ, Road Transport Department

Lower Price for Goods & Services?

With the looming threat of a recession in Malaysia, the cost of living in the capital city is still high. Majority would agree that their salaries do not move in tandem with the cost of living (it's always never enough though).

The government did the unthinkable by raising the petrol price by a whopping 40% at one go in June 2008 and immediately after the increase, providers of various goods and services took the opportunity to raise their fees, fares or prices.

Subsequently, we saw prices being increased for food ....... where the general public has to purchase no matter what. Secondly, the materials used for the housing industry went up in tandem which caused getting a roof over our head even harder to achieve. Thirdly, transporters have no qualms in increasing their charges.

The Malaysian government, in seeing that petrol price has dropped as much as 60% from its highest level of US$147 per barrel, has decided to reduce the price of petrol down to the current pricing of RM2.30 per litre. With this lower petrol price, the government would be thinking that generally all other products and services would see a lower pricing and curb the inflation one way or another.

The government did mention that price will be adjusted if the world crude oil price has stayed below US$72. It did but government is always slow in reacting.

I guess the politicians sitting in those top level government ministries are not well equipped with the happenings around the world. Professionals in their respective fields are finding it hard to adjust to the current financial meltdown. Cost is rising but economy is dwindling. Don't tell me that our government has not heard of this quote before - "when the prices for goods and services go up, it will stay up forever".

Then the Prime Minister has the guts to tell us, the citizens and the consumer associations / groups, to assisnt the government in reducing the prices for the goods and services. How in the world do you think we can do that? If your government ministries are not functioning as it should be in enforcing the right price to be transacted, how do you expect the poor citizens to command that?

A company where the government has a strong say has not even buck in decreasing their charges. That company is Tenaga Nasional Berhad ("TNB"). Their recent price increase effected in July 2008 was due to higher generation cost especially with the increase in the price of fuel and gas. Now that both of this energy products' prices have reduced significantly, we are still waiting for the government to get TNB to reduce the electricity charges.

Everyone is already complaining that prices are still going up or staying where they are despite the reduction in petrol price. What's happening?

When food and retail outlets were questioned as to why their prices were maintained and do not reflect the reduction in petrol price, the reason given was - "suppliers didn't reduce their prices". You see! Short, sweet and simple reply. That's all they will tell you and the government can't do anything.

The Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association and Pan Malaysian Lorry Owners Association had already mentioned that they can't absorb the cost of other goods and services and therefore unable to pass down the savings in terms of petrol price. The government didn't foresee this?

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association has mentioned that there is nothing to celebrate on this petrol price reduction as they don't think the prices of other goods will also be reduced. These three associations are telling truth and it's a fact.

When I heard about complaints of high prices and that it will go up even higher, I will give a them a reprieve. I will say don't worry, the prices will definitely come down. To which they will respond "How can? It won't already". That will be the typical respond.

But it will go down definitely. Come recession, where demand for goods and services will reduce, the economics law will set in. Lesser demand will cause the lowering of prices. In order to see the prices going down, are you prepared for a bad recession? It will go down but our life will be affected as well. Some people you know will be retrenched, deemed redundant, put into 'cold storage' and so forth during a recession, maybe you.
Tags: Recession, Financial Meltdown, Economics Law, Malaysia, Petrol Price, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, TNB, Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association, Pan Malaysian Lorry Owners Association, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association, FOMCA

Government Guarantees 100% of Bank Accounts

With the global financial markets going havoc in USA and Europe, governments in countries such as Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand have provided guarantees on all bank accounts.

To safeguard Malaysian bank accounts, there is this deposit insurance system that was established since Sept 2005 to protect Malaysian bank accounts up to RM60,000 per depositor per bank. This insurance scheme is protected via a scheme arranged by Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia ("PIDM"). To see how much your bank account is protected in case your bank fold up, you can refer to PIDM's insurance coverage on the respective bank accounts.

In providing further assurance to all bank account holders, the Malaysian government has now announced that a blanket guarantee will be provided for all ringgit and foreign currency deposits with commercial, Islamic and investment banks, and deposit taking development financial institutions that are regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia, the central bank. Now everyone can breathe easily up to 31 Dec 2010, the last day of the blanket guarantee by PIDM.

Why did the Malaysian government give such a blanket guarantee? Something wrong somewhere that we, the bank depositors, have not been made aware of?

The Association of Banks in Malaysia gave an assuring statement that Malaysian banks are safe and sound.

I would say that it is a good step taken by the government to prevent any unwanted panic situation. Imagine receiving this message via sms or emails - "this xxxx bank will be closing its operations in the next few days and you are advised to withdraw all your money before other depositors do it". It may cause mayhem in Malaysia.

There are exceptions and they are as follow:-
- Deposits not payable in Malaysia
- Foreign currency deposits
- Negotiable instruments of deposit (NIDs) and other bearer deposits
- Repurchase agreements
- Money market deposits
- Stocks and bonds
- Unit trusts

If, I'm saying a big IF, your bank was to fold up in Jan 2009 ............ like the Origami Bank in Japan, what are your chances in retrieving all those monies in the bank? Well, it's guaranteed till 31 Dec 2010 for now and you will get all your money back within three months ........ starting from which particular date, that I don't know.

Reading: Malaysia and Singapore to guarantee all bank deposits - Star
Tags: Malaysia, PIDM, Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia, Malaysian Banks, Bank Negara Malaysia, Association of Banks in Malaysia, BNM, Bank Account, Individual Depositor Account, Joint Account, Trust Account, Sole Proprietor Account, Partnership Account, Professional Practice Account, Savings Account, Fixed Deposit Account, Ringgit Currency Deposit, Foreign Currency Deposit

No Inglish But Can Deputy Prime Minister

Traditionally, the top two ranking persons in the UMNO political party would also be the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.

It's very important to see the outcome in each UMNO party election that could also decide the fate of Malaysia. The next UMNO party election will be held in March 2009. The present Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak has offered himself for the position of UMNO President since the incumbent President, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, has decided not to defend his position.

As Datuk Seri Najib Razak is moving up the political ladder, the number two position, Deputy President, will be empty. This position has been eyed by a number of aspirants who are as follows:-
* Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib
* Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam
* Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
* Jazlan Mohamad

Nothing personal against Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib but this was the same guy that was acquitted in a Brisbane court of Australia in 1998 for failing to declare foreign cash when entering and leaving Australia. One of the reasons that he was acquitted - "I know no inglish so ahhhh I dunno and cannot read signs or rules that said must tell people how much I got."

Now, he's going for the number two position that could make him the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. His reason for offering himself, I like it lah - "because I want to help the party president strengthen and rebuild Umno.”

Uncle, we are talking about the nation here .......... not just your political party.

Reading: Umno may see big battle for No. 2 slot - Star
Tags: Muhammad Muhammad Taib, UMNO Party Election, UMNO Deputy President