I REGISTERED A SOLE OWNERSHIP COMPANY

I have always dreamed of setting up my own company when I was still with the civil service. However, since I was in service, I was not allowed to get involved in business because it’s against the condition of service.

Now that I have retired all the opportunities is open and I manage to set up my own company. I start from scratch by registering a sole ownership company legally with the Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM).

The Kuala Lumpur SSM office is located at Level 16 of The Mall Shopping Complex in Jalan Putra, Kuala Lumpur. Its opposite the PWTC. Registering process is very simple and from my experience is quite a breeze. I spent just one morning and left the Commission’s office with a certificate to run a business legally according to Malaysian Law.

Application is required to fill in Form PNA.42 (Permohonan Kelulusan Nama Perniagaan) which can be obtained for FREE at the SSM’s office. This form is for Application of Company name. Three names can be applied but only one will be chosen. The choice of three names is for easy processing because if the first choice has been registered by someone’s else, the the next choice will be used.

Together with this, you will be given also Borang A (Kaedah-kaedah Pendaftaran Perniagaan 1957 [Kaedah 31] and this is the official business registration form.

After filling all the required particulars, applicants have to attach a photostat copy of MyKad and if shared, the partners. Take your number and take a seat. Your number will be called and submit the application form. Besides the photostat copy of MyKad, get ready RM70.00 as registration Fee for one address. If you are registering for a branch(es) then another RM5.00 for each branch. Company registration is actually RM 60.00 and RM10.00 for item 5 (i) as in the photo below.  

When your number is called to the respective counter, hand in your application form and the clerk manning the counter will first check the availability of your company’s name. If it is available, then you have to pay the registration fee. After all the  vetting has been done, checked and endorsed, sit down and wait for your Business Registration Certificate. Its all done and you can run your business right away, legally. 

Well, this is just a Business Registration according to Akta Pendaftaran Perniagaan 1956. The company has still to apply for other required licence to operate, run or sell specified item according to its law. For example licence from the Local Authorities to set up a shop. 

1 April

Everybody is aware that 1st April is April Fools day. A day for people around the world create pranks,  make fools out of friends and create hoaxes. Sometimes the pranks go out too far and ended up with casualties.   Its a blessing that the practice is diminishing in Malaysia.

This posting is not about April Fool but my experience. On 1st April 1995, I officially change my job and moved to Kuala Lumpur. Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia released me from my Pegawai Perkhidmatan Pendidikan to enable me to hold the post of Penolong Pegawai Belia dan Sukan with National Sports Council. Therefore I have to move to Kuala Lumpur and on this day I reported to the then Director of Institut Sukan Negara, Dr Jabar Johari. Today in 1995 was also the first day I stay in a hostel like accomodation at Keramat AU3. Renting a bed with three others in a room with four double decker bed.

This year 1st April too, I will move into a rented Apartment at Bukit Jalil after having to surrender the present apartment back to National Sports Council because I am retired.

Who Is The Real Slim Shady...Please Stand Up

I was reading benjicajess's blog that prompted to write this post. Con over the internet has been so rampant to the extend many unsuspicious victim were conned in broad daylight and the amount is quite exhorbitant. In thousands. It is that so easy for people to believe even with past cases highlighted over the media. 

I was in Langkawi last week and upon waking up one morning I checked my mail on BB and was shocked to know that my friend has been robbed. He was in UK and travelled there for a Volunteer Training Program. Pity him for the bad experience in UK. However it is lucky for him because the Embassy came to his aid by providing travelling documents but he has to find other needs by himself. 

He has no way to communicate because the hotel phone line was disconnected during the robbery and he only have access to email. He did not bring his phone, hotel phone line was disconnected but he has email access. What do you think?

This friend of mine needs my help seriously to lend him money to relocate to another hotel and get another flight ticket home even though the Embassy had cleared him with his ticketing. I was searching the email for his bank account account number so that I could send him the 1160 pound that he needed but the details are there. As a friend I have to help him. Pity for my friend to face the experience in a foreign  land. This is the screen capture of his email .............(sorry I have to cover up his name)

Now this is the best part. Read on.

This person who sent me the email is actually together with me where we are conducting a workshop. Is that not funny? When we met at the meeting room I showed him the email that I purportedly received from him. 

Who is the real slim shady please stand up, please stand up...............

Whats The Best Vehicle Insurance Coverage

Thats it just a simple question and the answer depends on the satisfaction level of the individual towards his/her insurance coverage. What I mean here is insurance coverage for your car. I am considering of changing my insurance coverage from AIG an American Brand to Malaysian product. I have been subscribing to AIG for a few years already and the reason being AAM is one of its agent. When I subscribe to AIG those days, I was provided with FREE towage in case of my car breakdown. But after THIS  experience and I promised the guy who answered me  on the  24 hour Toll Free  line that I will change my insurance coverage from AAM to another company. I am keeping my word so that AAM has lost another loyal customer. 

I know many of my readers have cars or motorbike and been using different insurance coverage. Hope my readers will response to this posting. Is it Etiqa, Kurnia or the many Takafuls. 

My car is an old faithful Proton Saga 1.5i ans has been on comprehensive cover ever since I bought it in 1997 and now my NCB is already at maximum. My present coverage will expire on 17 July 2010 and now I am looking for another insurance company. 

The criteria is not based on what gift they are going to give but the convenient and full after sales support. Vehicle owner buy insurance not because they need it but because it is compulsory. When it is compulsory, then insurance companies must also provide the much needed service by being their customer. 

Being an old car and i travel all over West Malaysia, my car will be susceptible to breakdowns. When a car breakdown most has to be towed from the breakdown location to a workshop. This tow charge is the most miserable problem for the car owner. He is thinking of how much to pay for the repair and the tow trucks operators are paractising their cut throat skills on these so called victims of car breakdown. You read my blog about this? A 20 metre tow will cost me RM80.00.

Which insurance provide FREE towage for breakdown and other after sales service?     

KLite Exodus, Ops Sikap, Lurking Dangers

Whenever one arrive back home from Kuala Lumpur during festive season nowadays, among the first question asked is "tak jam ke?". Highway being flooded with heavy traffic is not alien anymore especially on the eve of first holiday and last day of any national festivities or long weekends. Many blogger will blog about it. I have blogged about it and not worth blogging about the same thing.

However what I am going to post in this entry does not sway away from the festive season exodus of KLite. It is common every time the season came, there will be to Ops Sikap. I don't know what number is this Ops Sikap and most people (me inclusive) couldn't care less about the operation. Every time the operation came into effect, the number of accidents, deaths and summons will be highlighted. We are being told that there will be more police personnel on the road to take care of the Ops Sikap with the objective of reducing road fatalities and save life. I just don't understand what do they mean by more police personnel on the road because whenever I hit the highway, I hardly see any, either on their super bikes or patrol cars. Then there those lousy self interest bastard drivers zooming along the emergency laneswhen other drivers moving slowly in the queue and where are the police?

I use Route One on most stretches on my home bound to the North and also back to to KL. Reason : I have no money to pay for the toll and also as a protest lar........ Why pay toll when you are entering into the stress driving zone? Paying toll means getting a better journey and save time. But how do one get a better and fast journey when traffic is just a crawl. One will never have the opportunity to drive at the maximum speed of 110 Kmph. A normal 45 minutes journey from Bukit Lanjan to Tanjung Malim will take two hours and those bloody bastard drivers using the emergency lane makes the stress level raise.

This time around, I begin my journey using Route 1 beginning at 12.00 midnight from Batu Caves and I reached Alor Setar at about 10.00 a.m in the morning. Minus 4 hours of sleep at Padang Rengas Mosque, I still made an 8 hour journey and less than RM 20 for toll and its my normal travelling time. I would have taken a longer time if I were to use the PLUS highway all along at a crawling pace.

The authority should upgrade Route 1 to give alternative to road users and choose between using the highway or the Jalan Lama (like me). It's not the driver alone to be blame for road accidents. Road condition and adequate signages are one of the reasons for road accidents especially for night driving. Being a night user, I found out that the road condition is a bit dangeruous especially for once in a while drivers. You will not be aware of the turns unless one use the high beam but that will distract the oncoming driver. Dangeruous spots need to be properly marked with luminuous paint if not lighted. As an experience I missed a two feet high divider somewhere before the bridge if Sungai Kepayang before reaching Simpang Pulai. I only realise that there is a divider after passing it. There is no proper warning signage of the wide divider. If I were to hit it, my car could have turn turtle and worst still hit or run down by another user.

Somewhere along the stretch within the red circle is the about two feet divider that I missed at night.

No Help From AAM When I Needed It Most

It rained heavily in Sungai Besi two nights ago but when I return to Seri Petaling, the rain stopped and i decided to stop for supper at Restoran Mirasaa. I had a first worst  experience when my order for a roti canai did not arrive on my table. I was sitting facing the table where the Indian guy from I ordered was preparing the orders. He was preparing the tosai when I ordered a roti canai kosong. My teh o ais limau arrived, my sons Milo ais also arrived and my wife's capati arrived. I was watching the guy from whom I ordered busy preparing the orders. He too looked at me from time to time. However until I finished my drink, the roti canai I ordered did not arrive. Shit!

After paying for the food that came to our table, we left. Everybody entered the car and then I could not start the engine. All the lights on the panel are on but the starter did not click to get the engine running. After trying a few times, then I decided to call for help. First the mechanic who attended to my car and changing the starter about two months ago. He was at Genting Highlands. Then I called AAM. It was the Toll Free line. 

A guy attended to my call. After taking all my particulars including location and nature of breakdown, then he only gave the answer that was not called for. He told me my AAM membership expired in 2005. True it expired in 2005. But when it expired, I did not renew it because I was made to understand that because I am a  AIG Insurance policy holder that I bought from AAM, I need not become a member. Fine. It was true, because when my car broke down a few times, I called AAM and they send me the mechanic. So being that AIG Insurance policy holder I bought from AAM they attended to my needs. 

However on this night the guy told me that he can't send me a mechanic because I have no membership with AAM. I explain that I bough the insurance from them and from my previous expreince I still get the service from them  without becoming a AAM member. After all I am still their customer and being loyal with the insurance that AAM is the agent since 2000. I hold a comprehensive insurance cover eventhough my car is a 1991 Proton Saga and my had maximum NCB ever since.  

The guy told me he can send the mechanic if I am willing to pay RM225 for membership. I did argue for sometime with him wasting my call credit and I promise him that I will change my insurance policy from AIG to another Insurance company when it expires in July this year. After all AIG is an American Company. 

I had to leave the car overnight in front of the 24 hours restaurant. Safe uh? Yes very safe because it is just a few metres away from the big screen and diners always around. 

PART II

The next morning I went to Seri Petaling to call a mechanic from the workshop barely 100 metres away from wher my car is. A guy came and inspect the problem. I had guessed its the starter and I was right. He tried to to some magic by knocking it and I tried to start but to no avail. He told me that I have to change the starter and I agreed because thats the only solution. He went back to his workshop and came back later to tell me that there is nobody to help push the car to the workshop and it has to be towed. The towing charge will be RM 80.00. SHIT!!. Towing the car for less than 100 metres cost RM 80.00. Cut throat mechanic. 

Then I walk to my regular workshop two blocks away that I use to send my car for service. I came back with a mechanic and just in less that 1 minute he get my car's engine running using a direct connection from the battery to the starter. So I drive my car to the workshop for repair. 

What I learn?

ONE - The first mechanic knew he could start the engine by direct connection but decided to rob me with the towing charges and think I am a stupid guy to fall into his trap. 

TWO - Don't panic and think loud before making your decision when in trouble. 

THREE - Its so easy for thieves to drive away a car whenever he can open the door. 

I got my car fixed.   

I Divorced AMAX - Talak 1

Today last week I subscribed to AMAX Broadband service to test whether I can get a better signal for my internet connection. It was a RM 88 per month at 1 Mbps download speed. My house is just not more than 1/2 a km away from the base station at Technology Park and is on the fringe of the coverage area based on the map.

On the first day I laid out the modem and connect it to my router. The first signal I got was NETENTRY-RANGING. That shows I could not get log on to the internet because I must have the AWAKE status and my CINR must be at least 15,15 (please don't ask me about technicalities).

I called the customer service and I can give the customer a thumb up because the guy at the other end really did his best to guide me through my problem until I manage to get the AWAKE status and my CINR increased to 15,15 (minimum required). It was a landline and not the 1-800 line (eventhough there is for AMAX). He asked me to reposition the moden and what an awkward place to have to place it. It was in my daughter's bedroom that face the Technology Park across the Sungai Besi-Puchong expressway. That's the only spot where I can at times get CINR to register more than 15,15. Move a few inches away and the signal can get to negative. Luckily I can receive the signal from the router that I connect to the modem. Or else I have to buy lengthy cable and wire the house (which does not live up to wireless connection).

A few days after that, suddenly I couldn't get any connection and called the customer service again. Once more thumb up for him because he did really gave the service I needed. After some guide from him through the "technical maze", I found out that the amber light does not light up. And that's when he said, "Take your modem to AMAX for replacement." One day of trial goes bust, err...I mean cyberspace? So, I took the modem to AMAX at TTDI where the technician said he reboot it.

At home I juggle with the location and signal again. The whole evening until the wee hour of the next morning, I was meddling with moving the modem all over the house and even into the toilet. Remember Mr Bean having problem with his TV reception until he has to strip and cover himself with the carton box. It's lucky for him the box is big enough the cover most part of him. Just wonder I have to do that and cover my body with just that small modem box.

When I place the modem in its previous location, I just get an OUT OF ZONE status. Worse still, I can't use the router anymore to get connected to the internet. Then again I can't connect to the Wimax Gateway using my account on my netty. Whenever I key in 192.168.1.1 it answered with the Oops! This link appears to be broken and registered this URL 202.186.14.166 (what is this?) I have to use the Guest account.

After all those trouble, I guess why I keep my "marriage" with AMAX and stress my mind. Moreover, I might be moving back to Jitra in December which is just half of the contract term and still have to pay RM88.00 a month for another 12 months for nothing because there is no coverage there.

I made my final test on Friday noon and the most I can get the CINR is 12 and when it refresh, the CINR can decrease until it goes negative.

Finally i made up my mind, I have to divorce AMAX and get back my dowry...err..I mean refund instead of keeping it and face a stressful condition whenever I want to get connected to the internet.

Now I have to be just satisfied with what I have.

When will our broadband service live up to the Multimedia Super Corridor objective.

UPDATED

While surfing and reading blogs, I came across this interesting post and downloaded the attached photo.

Err99 - Canon Can't Solve IT?

Its about a month now that my Canon 1000D camera was sent back to the service because it can't Auto Focus and the Err99 keeps hogging everytime I press the shutter. Went to the shop last week after getting a call that the is being repaired. It costs me RM340 for faulty of the camera lens and the shutter release. That is for a camera that is still under warranty. I am not sure whether its the manufacturer's fault or the users fault.  

How shiok I was when I can get back my camera and the following day is Jomheboh at Bukit Jalil. Now I can go and snap more pictures for the Blog4FT contest. I took the camera around Bukit Bintang and did a few shots to test and suddenly the Err99 message like this appears again. This message was captured when the first time I experience it last August.

 I have complained about that Err99 when sending in but it seems the problem has not been solved. So, my assumption is the technician did not do anything about this error. When I send in the camera the first time the guy behind the counter said that its human error and not camera's fault. Human error? Did I change any setting? BTW, I insist that he let the technician check and rectify the problem.

So, after I get that message again (less than hour later), I called the guy and he said that, Error99 cannot be repaired? What? This is a Canon camera. And Canon is not just any brand that has been manufactured in the backlanes of Puchong or Jalan Pasar. Canon is a reputable brand and a world brand. I asked him whether this problem specific to Canon and he said yes. So, is he correct? That Err99 is a Canon problem? If he is right, then Canon camera's is not a good investment after all. Its a technical problem and don't tell me Canon technicians do not know how to overcome Err99.Taking by that guy's word, I am beginning to loose faith in Canon now and if I were to buy a new camera I would go for other brand.

Blogging for Blog4FT

Yesterday I went to The Pavillion in Bukit Bintang to claim my TGIF voucher that I won during the Nuffnang Project Alpha blog contest. I have to do that fast because the validity date is 16th November 2009. I wrote a post about this trip but am not going to post it here since I have published it as an entry for the Blog4FT blogging contest. The entry was posted at my travel blog As I Travel.....

You can click on the banner below to go straight to that posting and if you are generuous enough, please also vote for me. And, not only this particular blog but also all the other blogs that I had entered so far.

After the Nuffnang Project Alpha ends, now I turn my concentration to the Blog4FT contest that will end on 5th January 2010. While concentrating on the NPA contest, I do neglect a few days the Blog4FT. 

When I log in to the website again, I found that there is some improvements where there is a Top 10 contributors. After coming back from Bukit Bintang yesterday, I sit in front of my computer and start blogging. All the effort paid and I manage to put my name as the top 10 contributors. Today I published another blog and at the time of writing this post, I have made to the 5 rank with 19 blogs so far. I still have another blog in draft and hope to get published soon. 

I know it will be very difficult to make it to the top three but I hope to make it to at least better than 5ft rank. However there is no prize for top contributors but by being listed as the Top 10, will make my blog always be visible on the front page and hope will get votes coming in. I just can't depend on being listed in the random blog entries because there are times when my blog is not on the list.  

Today, I go out to KL again and this time to Pertama Complex. I sat at the Beriani Bistro facing the MARA Building and posted one blog. I surf using the FREE wireless@KL network. Of course the speed is faster than my Maxis Broadband that I use to get connected at home and way way way much better than P1Wimax. For the last 5 days I can't even get any page loaded using that network. 

Today I published another series of my blog Walking Walking Kuala Lumpur and click the banner below to read it.

Err 99 On My Canon

At first I was wondering why my camera did not click when I pressed the shutter release button. On flash mode, the flash signal keeps blinking but the shutter was not released.However one I found out that the autofocus is not working and thats the problem for the shutter not released. Problem one detected.

A few days ago another message pops up on my viewing screen. OMG, I have been loosing what I snap prior to the Err 99 message.

Posted the question on twitter with the hope some camera enthusiast will read and response. Also posted on Facebook and at the time of writing this entry there has been no repsonse. Perhaps I must change my name and profile picture to a voluptuous sexy lady with boobs showing the deep cleavage. Hahaha, just joking. After sending a direct question to a paintball friend mojosh, did he replied that he had that error on his camera before. Thanks mojosh (when going to ASTAKA to shoot paint again?).

However when the error message flashed on the screen, I do follow the instruction but just can snap one or two more times before the error message pops up again. So lucky that both problem arises when the camera is under warranty. Oh....its just a Canon EOS 1000D

Then I decided to google and found some answers that cool down my stress level a bit with the solution for Err 99. Read HERE. Another site worth visiting regarding this message is HERE.

Nitrate In Urine - What?

It has been one week that my youngest son was complaining of stomach pain and had been vomiting especially after consuming food whether its liquid or solid. This is his second experience, the first happens about a months ago but recovered after visiting the clinic for medication.

The second wave hit him during the night on the eve of Deepavali (luckily I do not celebrate) and took him to a private clinic past midnight. Luckily there is a 23 hours clinic at Sri Petaling and is on the list of my organisation's panel clinic. He was prescribed with Maxalon, Buscopan and Mixture of Magnesium Trisylicate.

However his condition did not get any better. So I decided to take him again two days later to Serdang Hospital emergency clinic at night. Of course the wait was terrible. We arrived at 8.30 and at about 10.30 only he was called in for consultation. He was diagnosed as having General Stomach Pain and was prescribed the same medication but this time the Magnesium is in tablet form.

He did not get any better too.

I was thinking of going to the private hospital since I am holding a Ceupacs care membership card. So I enquire at their emergency contact number and found out it is not easy to get  treatment at their panel hospitals because all treatment have to be given the green light by Ceupacscare first. They have to see whether the particular hospital can diagnose and treat that particular case.  Now I am wondering whats the purpose of me paying monthly until infinity and not getting back any proper service when I needed them most. If I were to meet with an accident and on emergency alert, I have to get the OK letter from CEUPACSCARE first before getting any treatment. It means I die first before CEUPACS CARE give the permisison to the hospital to treat me.

I then decided to take him to HUKM Primer at Bandar Tasik Selatan instead. Luckily there was not many patient and treatment is quite swift. He went for some clinical test including urinalysis and the result showed that he had urinary infection. There is excess of nitrate in his urine. He was only given antibiotics.

What is nitrate in urine? I made an internet search and found this So now I learn something new and further reading I read THIS.

Excitement Of A Winner

I was so excited to have won a prize from my blogging activity and this morning I head to KL to go to Nuffnang and claim my prize. Its my first time going to Nuffnang's office according to the address located at Heritage House in Jalan Yap Ah Shak. Yap Ah Shak must be related to the Kapitan China and founder  of Kuala Lumpur during mid 80s, Yap Ah Loy. I copied this picture of Yap Ah Loy from Wikipedia. There is also a street named after him at Chinatown, nearby where Kuala Lumpur was set up.

This is the first time I hear the name Yap Ah Shak and asked my friends the whereabout of the street and Heritage House where Nuffnang's office is. One of my friend then ask me to use GPS when I go looking for  the place. however I do not have GPS and then he showed me his GPS. This is his GPS........

However I do check on the internet the where about of Jalan Yap Ah Shak and found out its just connected to Jalan Doraisamy. Who Dorai is,I have no idea. Jalan Doraisamy is off Jalan Sultan Ismail. What a nice blend of three major names belonging to three major races on Malaysia. A Melayu, An Indian and a Chinese. All these have connection with the heritage of Kuala Lumpur and no wonder the area is called Heritage Row.

This is where Nuffnang's office is, The Heritage House. Itis behind the Sheraton Imperial on Jalan Sultan Ismail.

Another Heritage building opposite Heritage House.

This row of single storey building house the night life activities. Its Asian Heritage Row.

I found out I was the first winner to claim my prize. The prize was handed over by this Nuffnang staff. Coincidentally, I have visited and read his blog a few times.

These are my prize

This win is a motivation for me to keep blogging and there are more contest on the line.

Bloggers Contest - Blog4FT

I received a very good news in my gmail this afternoon. Its from Nuffnang. I paste below what I copied from the email. However that does not mean I am a computer slave of the popular 'copy and paste' culture.

Dear Nuffnanger,

Congratulations as you've won the Consolation Prize for Project Alpha Blogging Contest Week 1!

You've won the following items;

- Adidas A3/ Rimmel London/ Montagne Jeuneese Pack worth RM150
- 5 tickets to Pyramid Ice worth RM100
- 2 tickets to all Sunway Theme Parks for a day worth RM180

Kindly collect your winnings from Nuffnang office located at;

12B-5 & 12B-6, Heritage House,
33 Jalan Yap Ah Shak,
50300 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
Office No : +6 03 2694 8828

We're open on working days from 9am till 6pm. If you're coming over during lunch hours, do give us a call in advance. Kindly collect your prizes as soon as possible as some of the prizes have expiry dates by the end of the year.

Once again, congratulations!!

For the list of all winners, check out the Contest page.

Cheers
Blogger Relations Department
Nuffnang Sdn Bhd


Yes!! Yes!!, I've won the first week, weekly prize for my posting about Nuffnang's Project Alpha. The results mentioned that my post won 4th prize and what I should receive;

Adidas A3/ Rimmel London/ Montagne Jeuneese Pack worth RM300

5 tickets to Pyramid Ice worth RM100

2 tickets to all Sunway Theme Parks for a day worth RM180

Can you spot the difference that I highlighted in red? Definitely I will enquire about it when I go and claim my prize. This is my second winning from this blog after I posted a pre event blog for the Bloggers "K"arnival event last June. 

Yesterday afternoon 5th October, I was invited and attended the launching of another blog posting contest Blog4FT. This contest is organised by Ministry of Federal Territories and officiated by the Minister himself. It was held at Pavillion in Bukit Bintang, KL. Blog4FT is an effort to promote the three Federal Territories. The contest will end on 5th January 2010.  Bloggers are free to write about these:

Attractive prizes are up for grabs and the preview of them is as below:

There will be four categories - general public, juniors(below18), Malaysian media and International (Non Malaysians). Winners will be determined by public voting (30%) and panel of judges (70%). The judges are Ahiruddin Atan (Rocky'sBru), Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes and Tan Sri Dr Lim Kok Wing.

Bloggers can can get more details at the official website HERE or HERE. 

I have submitted my first blog HERE and please

The Earthquake Today

Suddenly I was woken up and at first thought it was a dizziness due to my sleep. My wife asked whether I feel the house is swaying. Yes, I could feel it. However I stayed calm and when she asked whether we should go down, I said not necessary. We are not in the earthquake zone or the vulnerable Ring of Fire and Kuala Lumpur (in fact Malaysia) is quite safe. We will only feel the wave of the quake and the further away from the epicentre, the intensity gets lower. I am confident with my house. So we stayed all the time the tremor swayed the building.

I looked from the bedroom balcony and saw this. Neighbours have already evacuated to the ground floor but at where they congregate they are still not in the safe zone. So its no point too, to evacuate and stay next to the building. They should have moved far away from the building.

After the tremor end I too went down just to be with the crowd and take some pictures of the event, I mean the evacuation. Just to share the excitement of the tremor.

 Still not a safe place to to "run to higher ground". This space is just about 10 metres between two blocks  of apartments.

Second Day Aidil Fitri 2009

catitanalamaya.blogspot.com/2009/09/2-syawal-1430.html

Hari Raya Aidil Fitri is a two day public holiday for Malaysia. It mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan. This year for those states with Sunday as weekend have Tuesday as a replacement since first day of Hari Raya falls on Sunday.

My second day of Aidil Fitri is filled with family gathering. Its a big gathering of the Tok Naidin descendants. Tok Naidin was from Southern Thai who migrated to the state of Kedah and settled in Kubang Pasu. It is believed that his grave has been located near a place called Paya Pahlawan in the Kubang Pasu District.

 

The Paya Pahlawan can be seen on the left of Kampung Alang Lama in the Google map below.

We arrived quite late because of the most popular reason whatsoever, woke up late. Then the jam also contribute to us being late and this is on a rural road. One reason being those stupid, selfish drivers overtaking on the left (considered emergency lane) at long queues. These are the drivers that create jams because of their selffishness and no discipline at all. I pray that these type of drivers will meet with nasty accidents on the road. I swear because I never did that. When are they going to learn to respect others.

Read more of my second day of Aidil Fitri activities HERE.

Di 1 Syawal 1430

19th September 2009

Travelling back to Alor Setar for the Aidil Fitri this year is not much better than previous years. Especially  on the highway. It was 3.30 a.m that we left our house in Bukit Jalil. First we "lost" our way in Kuala Lumpur. Imagine that staying in Kuala Lumpur for the last 15 years and still can't find the way out  of Kuala Lumpur. OMG. The nightmare started when we miss the junction to Bukit Lanjan junction after the Tun Razak hockey stadium in Jalan Duta. We drove into Bukit Damansara, then towards TTDI. Thinking the route might take longer and more toll have to be paid, we made a U turn and then go towards Bukit Kiara leading towards Penchala Link, Bandar Sri Damansara and then only found the way into Sungai Buloh. I think that was a merry go round. Just imagine if it was during the day with heavy traffic things will will be worse.

Upon entering the North South highway at Sungai Buloh, I thought it was a relief because the traffic was not that heavy. However it was shortlived. Traffic start to get slow after the Rawang RnR. Even cars going into the RnR has to queue from the highway into it. The never ending bumper to bumper traffic crawl was showing red tail lights of cars as if going into infinity.

As usual we decided to exit at Tanjung Malim. It is also my usual route whenever going back to Alor Setar to avoid the "torturuous" toll rate. Remember I have blogged that I spend less than RM 20.00 on toll from KL to AS.

It was 4.40 when we stop at a restaurant at Tanjung Malim for the sahur. We took off again at about 5.30 and I has to drive this time because my daughter feels sleepy. The situation on the road seems just a bit better than the highway. There was a slight jam before the traffic light into Bidor. The early morning and balik kampung rush might be the contributing factor.

Since it is already daylight, I thought the trunk road traffic will make my journey slower. So I decided to enter the highway again at Tapah. I was dead wrong. The nightmare......errrr.....can I call it daymare?, begins. Its about 6.30 in the morning and trafic is crawling. Not worth paying for the toll to get stuck in the  jam. The "herronous" jam continue all the way and get worse after the Jelapang upon climbing the road towards Menora Tunnel. It was bumper to bumper all the way. Just a bit of relief at the exit of the tunnel but not for long. It gets back crawling about 300 meter away and all the way to the Sungai Perak RnR. No  way to stop at RnR unless one want to get tensed and stressed on this last day of Ramadhan. Queing to enter the RnR, finding parking space and then queue again to get into the toilet. After relieving, have to queue again to get out of the RnR. Not worth.

However we stop at Bukit Gantang RnR to go to the loo. Jammed again. After this traffic is a bit relaxed until the exit at Juru toll plaza.

20th September 2009

Today its Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. It is a day much awaited by all Muslims eventhough though who skipped the Ramadhan fasting due to personal and cooked up reasons. Islam is not a religion that make things difficult for its followers. Fasting during the month of Ramadhan is compulsory because it is one of the five pillars of Islam but there are exemptions for some quarters as those who are undergoing serious medical treatment and there is still hope to revocer, travellers for a good cause, people who are too old and weak, women breastfeeding infants etc. Read MORE......

I perform my Aidil Fitri prayer at a mosque in my kampong as I have been doing for the past year.

Before You Jump Into Tunetalk

I bought a starter pack for Tunetalk and I learn a lesson tonight. I understand that subscriber can change to a preferred number. After purchasing the SIM pack I log in to Tunetalk website to change  the number to  my preferred number. I was advised by the sales assistant at the dealer that I can log in to Tunetalk website to do it. However when I log in to self-care, that I get is a registration page that I have to register but nowhere for me to change my number. I was only asked to book my preferred number which I did, thinking that when the dealer submitted my registration form when I purchase the SIM pack, Tunetalk will trace my Mykad number to the registration that I did online. Then they will change my number to the preferred number that I booked. I was wrong.

Tonigt after sending an email to Customer Care, I found out that the "Option to change your number anytime" might not be valid and just to lure prospective subscriber. I sent an email to Tunetalk Customer Care enquiring about the preferred number I had booked with the intention to "change your number anytime".

This is the advertisement at Tunetalk website

Change your Mobile Number Anytime!

Don't like your Tune Talk mobile number anymore? Getting too many annoying calls? Change it without even having to change your SIM card. Your entire account information, including credit balance and history will be retained. Just login to your Self Care account or visit any of our authorized dealer.

Customer Care's reply; "You have activated this on 15^th Sept 09 and have made two calls with this. As this is an active card, there is no issue with the dealer’s registration.

As for your booking, you would need to get a new SIM card for the reserved number.

Tune Talk Customer Care"

It seems that everytime I want to "change your number anytime", I have to buy a new SIM and now I am wondering whether the RM 100,000 Personal Accident Insurance Coverage, another benefit of being a subscriber to Tunetalk, is valid or not. 

Nuffnang's Project Alpha

THIS BLOG ENTRY WON FOURTH PLACE IN NUFFNANG PROJECT ALPHA BLOG WRITING CONTEST FOR WEEK ONE

It rain this morning and I arrived at the office early. As usual around 7.00 o'clock because I opted for the 7.30 -4.30 working hours during the fasting month. Towards the Aidil Fitri holidays this weekend, the mood is already melting towards the celebration. Its just another four days of fasting. Workload at the office is not that heavy and I found out that after opting to switch to another duty, I have more free time. Life at the office is not hectic anymore.

Switched on my netbook, a personal netbook, mind you and of course going on my routine- check email, log in to tweeter and blogger and facebook. I was reading redmummy's posting on my facebook when I decided to walk into her blog and read about her date with Adidas Action 3 Road show for Nuffnang's Project Alpha (NPA).

I have been visiting her blog many times and love to read her simple informal writing relating her life, her family and her experiences. She has created an identity of her own with being everything red. She has been among the popular mums in blogosphere with many followers and I am one of them.

What is more interesting is that her blog does not only turn her into a blogging mum but helps drag her kids along especially gegirl and her husband too into the limelight. And now with her appearance in Project Alpha, it will further surge her popularity among bloggers.

I copied this picture from her blog to accompany this write up about NPA. Hope she will not turn red because, "You will not like it if I am angry." Then she might turn red instead of green. Hahaha.....

There are altogether 7 top bloggers featured in NPA season 1. Besides redmummy there are also Kennysia, Budiey, Nicole, Beautiful Nara, Huai Bin and Audrey.

I first knew about this NPA when I visited Nicole Kiss

a blogger that I never miss to drop-by an ask how she is felling today. Nolah!! I actually love to see the beautiful photos posted in her blog capturing her travel experience and last not least admire her beauty in the photo oso la. She write in simple informal English too and her writing can be influential in coaxing her readers to visit places that she write and post in her Nicolekiss

Around the world.

Reading her blog I not only admire the blogger but her lifestyle full of travel. How I wish I can travel just like her and I will have lots of things to write about. Errrr, but I wish I am a parrot. No!, not the one on the branch.

I am fivefeetsix but this little "princess" is fourfeetnine. She calls herself Princess Aud and at Fourfeetnine. Hope whe will not wear a 6 inches heels if I were to stand beside her.

Huai Bin is the sixthseal and blogs about travel. Another contender to Nicolekiss. However I seldom read sixthseal because Huai Bin is a man. I am not gay.....hahahaha.........but reading blogs has nothing to do with sexual preference. It is just that I did not find his blog before hearing about NPA. As travel is part of my interest, I might go and read his blog after this. It will be a good experience for would be traveller especially for those going on a shoestring travel. So on NPA there's a pair of travel blogger.

Budiey (picture left) is also another new blogger in my list. Budiey writes sensational stories about local artists. Maybe I am not much of an entertainment buff, I did not find his blog before this. From time to time I do drop on such blogs but not a regular visitor unless there is something hot and sizzling issues of local artist or entertainer. I'd rather go to gutteruncensored because its warmer and the pasture is greener over there. LOL.

Another blogger featured in NPA season 1 is Beautifulnara. The name sounds Siamese. Nara sounds Siamese. Beautifulnara's tagline "marilah bergosip secara berhemah" As the name goes, Beautifulnara confess that his blog collects pictures of beautiful artists along with hot gossips.

Last but not least another blogger with a celebrity tag in its own world. Kenny is well known in the blogosphere and has been appearing on different stages. Having the presence of Kenny is a crowd puller especially among youngsters who blog and do not blog. I remember reading about Kenny in a magazine but not sure of the name. After visiting his Kennysia, I had listed it as the must read blog. I like the way he write in a jovial and humorous style that make reading fun. Among cebrities blogger, Kenny is one of the blogger that I had met personally and this is it. Tadaaaa............

Credits: All pictures of bloggers (except Keny's) in this posting was taken from their respective blogs. Pay a visit and you will revisit them.

Meanwhile go and visit Adidas to learn what is Action 3.

Subscribe To A New Prepaid

Today I bought another prepaid. The latest mobile prepaid card in town - Tune talk. Now I have tried all the prepaids. Hotlink for my son, Celcom for wife and myself and this latest for myself. The word Tune must might not be aline anymore because we have heard of Tune money and Tune hotel. So this new kid must be from the same Tune family.

After I read about the arrival of this new mobile prepaid, I try to ask one mobile communication outlet in Seri Petaling about the starter pack. He said his shop do not have the pack but was wo ndering that many people came and inquire about the service. What makes him wonder is why a new player in the market can give such a good offer when the more established players can't do it. I just tell him to look at Airasia and MAS. When Airasia enters the market, they offer such low fares to fulfil their tag line "Now Everyone Can Fly". That drags MAS into their marketing strategy and now MAS is also offering lower fares. So with the introduction of the new prepaid that offer calls at 22 cents per minute to all operators besides the 5 cents per SMS, might create another war among the telcos which will benefit the consumers.

The starter pack was sold at dirt cheap price of RM 4.90 and comes with a RM 5.00 credit for making immediate calls. So you get an extra 10 cents to make calls. Besides subsribcers will also automatically gets opportunity to win Airasia e- gifts voucher, FREE RM100,000 Personal Accident Insurance coverage, and number change anytime. Read more HERE.

Thailand: Land Of Smile

Thailand is graced with Land of Smile because of the smile of their beautiful fair ladies and the beautiful ladyboys ever popular at the tourist resort beach in Pattaya. However negative reports of scams and corruption among uniform personnel is nothing to be surprised about. Malaysians who use to cross the borderinto Thailand has been paying 'forced bribe' since time unknown.

Everybody who cross the border into Thailand with a valid travel document has to pay the so called petition writer stationed at booth set up just before the immigration booth. These petition writers who were not uniformed will register the travel document with a sum of fee. If you don't want to pay, he will just ignore you and you are not going to get your document stamped from the Immigration officer. Don't you think that is bribery? Just imagine how much money the officers gets daily from thousands tourist who enter Thailand at border towns. That is just bribe of the lowest form.

Mahaguru posted in his blog a case of Suvarnabhumi International Airport scam involving two British IT expert , Stephen Ingrim and Xi Lin. They were accused of shoplifting a wallet from a duty free shop. When the Thai authority approached them to check their baggage for the supposedly shoplifted wallet, their ordeal starts. Read the story HERE as reported in BBCNews.

Sometimes ago I received an email from a friend relating the same modus operandi scam also at the same airport. That scam involves Malaysian tourist to Bangkok. The incident also begins at the Duty Free shop. Read about it at If You Go To Thailand.

The two indicents might only be the tip of the iceberg. Phuket Wan has more to tell.

Just sit back and ponder. If you or any of your relatives or friend were to be the unlucky victim of the scam, how much help can you get from the Thai enforcement authorities when they themselves are part of the plot. Whichever way it goes the victim will still be the cucumber while the Thai authorities are the durian.

I have no intention whatsoever to scare tourist to Thailand or to spoil tourism to the Land of Smile but, just to share and warn about what others had been experiencing when travelling to foreign countries. It will take ages to clean up dirty tactics like corruption because it is already part of a lifestyle just like in Malaysia. However the government has to take serious action to safeguard and respect tourist since their visit helps the economy of the country.

A reader who visited my blog left a comment on my blog exposing that her husband too was a victim to such scam but happens in Medan, Indonesia.

This is what she posted in the comment; Suami saya menerima nasib yang hampir sama, tapi di Medan. Dia meringkuk di penjara selama lebih kurang 6 bln (?). Berpuluh ribu RM terpaksa dibayar kepada polis, negotiator dan juga hakim dalam usaha membebaskan beliau.

Malangnya, walaupun telah beberapa tahun berlalu, paspotnya masih ditahan oleh PDRM?