20081112: Stuck in the Dubai Desert!

Our desert quest in Dubai begins after a 90 minute drive from Abu Dhabi!


Our trusty 4 wheel drive vehicle! A standard 2.5 litre Nissan Xtrail (only about RM 70,000 here!)

Discovering some familiar hoof patterns en-route, we noticed that the single humped herd was near by.

We explored further, and lo and behold, our discovery was made.

We then took a break under the fabled GHAF tree in the Arabian desert (somewhere in Dubai, UAE actually) to have a quick roast chicken sandwich lunch.


The 4 wheel drive trek went almost awry when the Xtrail got stuck in the desert today!


Amazingly, like an Angel descending from the heavens, a local dude was passing through in his Manual SUZUKI and assisted us in lifting out our woes!


After this grueling escapade, our attention turned to a new discovery in the desert.
Were these new plants sprouting out of the desert?

Nope, these were golf tees! The accessory to support your BALLS whilst you are driving.


Going home, we finally met up with a baby Oryx.

It was a bit shy, and sped away from us.


The final journey took us past a large camel farm along the highway.

Note: All photos taken on a Panasonic Lumix FZ28 which almost obtained 5 / 5 stars.
Read review here. The photos were not retouched in any manner. Only scaled down to 2 Megapixels from the original 10 Megapixels, and my Overlay trademark applied on the bottom right corner.

20080916: Superb Lego models

Since I was a kid, I've always been fascinated with LEGO. This is the only "toy" that is still MADE IN DENMARK. The current high value fo the Euro doesn't help much in increasing its market share in the Malaysian shores.

However, over the past year, a few models have really caught my eye, and if any good samaritan would like to present a gift for this years Christmas, please add these to your shopping basket.

10181: Eiffel Tower (RM 1,300) / USD 200

Batmobile: 7784 (RM 530) Ebay prices here

8275: Motorised Bulldozer: (RM 900) YouTube action

20080908: More Hybrid Headaches

Unless I failed my Standard ONE Mathematics, I can't really arrive at a figure that tallies with the purported "target price" by high end analysts from OSK in today's Star newspaper which anticipates that the Civic Hybrid will be about RM 120k down from the current 160k!

Here's my MATH:
ACTUAL Value: (A) = 63,205.12
100% import duty: (B = A*100%) = 63,205.12
50% excise duty: (C = A*50%) = 31,602.56
Selling price: (D = A+B+C) = 158,012.80

So, how on earth did they come up with 120k? If that were the ACTUAL value, then the Selling price would have been = RM 300k!

Even fellas like Premier Hybrid Cars Sdn Bhd "feel" that it would be about only 5% less than the CONVENTIONAL 1.8l model at RM 113k!

I don't mind booking one for about RM 65-70k. But if the profit margin is going to be about 100% then it's going to be ridiculous.
From further analysis, there are no more than a dozen HYBRID car manufacturers in the world as can be seen here.
From this "clean" dozen, only a third has the potential to make its inroads into our shores.
All these are from the Japanese camp, being: Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota.
The rest are mostly Americans and I strongly doubt they will create Right-Hand drive versions.
Since the government is only providing concessions to vehicles with 2 litres and below, the Lexus 400rh doesn't make the cut due to its gargantuan 4 litre engine. So much for luxury 4WD.

The USD pricing for the "4 heavenly gods" can be seen from the following links:
Honda Civic, Mazda Tribute, Nissan Altima and Toyota Prius.

I would strongly invite any person who can use a calculator to prove my calculation wrong!

20080829: 29 AUGUST 2008: BUDGET DAY

My wish list drafted on 6th June this year, did not FULLY make it.

However, items # 3, 17 & 19 actually came true in line with the 

National Energy Plan

* Exemption of import duty and sales tax on solar photovoltaic system equipment, import duty and sales tax on intermediate goods such as High Efficiency Motors and insulation materials; sales tax on locally manufactured solar heating system equipment; sales tax on locally manufactured energy efficient consumers goods such as refrigerators, air-conditioners, lightings, fans and televisions; and 100% import duty and 50% excise duty on new hybrid CBU cars, with engine capacity below 2,000 cc, be given to franchise importers. This exemption is given for a period of two years to prepare for the local assembly of such cars

MY POSTING on 06 JUNE 2008.

With all the BILLIONS Saved from fuel subsidies, the following 21 policies will be introduced.

1. 50% Cuts for income tax for those with taxable income of RM 150,000 or less
2. 50% Cuts for tolls at bottleneck toll booths (E.g. Sunway) and smart tags to be tax deductible to reduce congestions at toll booths (which burns unnecessary fuel)
3. ABOLISHMENT of any import duties for all forms of HYBRID vehicles (Give me my Civic Hybrid at RM 69k!!!)
4. Zero Road tax for Hybrid and NGV vehicles
5. Reduced insurance premiums for all SAFE vehicles with 2 airbags or more and those which meet NCAP 4 star and above
6. Full income tax rebates for installation of NGV engines
7. Full income tax rebates for installation of Streamyx of 1 Mb/s and above to promote SOHO activities, thus reducing transportation requirements
8. Full income tax rebates for membership fees of health clubs to promote physical activities and healthy lifestyle
9. Full income tax rebates for installation of solar panels in all homes and business establishments
10. All housing estates to have recycling bins installed.
11. Higher road tax for vehicles 2.5 litres and above, running on petrol
12. Govt to increase medical checkup tax rebates from RM 500 to 1000 to include cancer scans and dental care
13. Govt to give tax rebates to ALL petrol stations who install NGV pumps
14. Govt to give tax rebates to ALL companies involved in solar farms and associated and related activities
15. Govt to give tax rebates to ALL developers who adopt GREEN buildings meeting global standards
16. Govt to give tax rebates to ALL developers who include LRT infrastructure with feeder bus facilities in their new township developments (E.g. ALL Singapore HDB Towns!)
17. Govt to give tax rebates to ALL companies dealing in R&D in Biofuels & Solar technologies
18. Govt to convert and upgrade all current diesel supplies to meet EURO4 standards
19. Govt to proceed with Damansara and Puchong LRT extensions
20. Govt to sign MoU with Singapore Road transport authority to implement their advanced transportation system (which is about 20 years ahead of ours!) - to further study upgrade from LRT to MRT status
21. Govt to ban FOOD wastage from shopping malls and hotels who throw away food not sold at end of day. E.g. Jusco and 5 star hotels that have lavish buffets. Food to be distributed to all staff FOC to reduce food price burden.

Let's see what happens!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Petrol prices in Singapore and HK are higher than here, but they are more productive economically! WHY? Anyone care to comment and debate?

20080808: Beijing Olympics

The 3 hour opening ceremony commenced at 8pm (GMT+8) on a warm and humid evening in Beijing, China. Thie spectacular event was attended by over 91,000 attendees from various walks of life in the "Bird's Nest"

Performance repertoires included Lang Lang and Sarah Brightman, together with Liu Han.

The retired Chinese gymnastics Olympian, Li Ning, was carried through the air to light the Olympic cauldron.

Excellent photography footage can be found from Boston & National Geographic, Chicago tribune here , here and here

20080605: Petrol in Malaysia up to RM 2.70 / litre

Soaring costs are inevitable.
Increment of 72 sen / litre = 37.5%

This has ballooned my average monthly fuel costs by about RM150, based on my current driving patterns.

Let's see how the 2009 budget will be. Slash in income taxes?

Here's a photo of the previous price per litre which was RM 1.92 for nostalgic purposes

20080603: The Thais are smart!

They have to be smart!
They have excellent food!
They have the best rice in the world!
They have a tourism hospitality competence level of at least a decade ahead of us!
They have the best car manufacturers in the world, selling quality cars at low prices!
They are the only ASEAN country which has never been colonised by any western power!


And now, we know that their EDUCATION SYSTEM even teaches Bahasa Malaysia!


How else would they understand this signboard, right?

20080531: Klang Valley Property

Visited a few spots in Bandar Kinrara today.
What a convoluted place?
BK 1 to 3 is on one side of the highway (LDP) and the newer ones, BK 4 to 9, are on the opposite side.
Worst still is the darn highway (LDP) which FORCES you to WASTE 10km of precious FUEL to make a U-turn to return back to the same spot (at Giant Hypermart!)
Talk about SMART Highway planners! Definitely not environmentally friendly!

So, what was on offer?
First, a crummy 4 year old Semi-D in BK6! Looked like a sty to me! Reason for sale?Migration! Asking for 720k ono. Anyone know the Vice-President of Marketing and Communications, McDonald’s Restaurants, Malaysia?
Second Semi-D in BK4. Aging Malay family! Terrible architecture from a decade back which puts a fat 1 foot circular diameter column RIGHT in your face, as you enter the main door. And to make matters worse, one lousy car park in the porch. Asking for 560k ono.
Thirdly, a new semi-guarded corner lot 22x75 asking for a RIDICULOUS 700k!
Brand new, no occupants since CF from 1 year back! Facing main road, so quite noisy!
Fourthly, visited a nicely renovated house back in BK4. Owners want to "migrate" again. Shall visit the house this weekend and await the results.

So, back to the Classified Ads in the Star, and look what I found!

Bungalow lots at 36 psf. Only Caveat is that it is leasehold!

20080529: ASSTRO / AS400

The #2 richest man in Malaysia… and yet the database is *expletive* up!

Just some thoughts on this GOLD card swap fiasco, I finally got the replacement card, and it DIDN'T WORK!

I called us ASSTRO 3 nights in a row, the final one having to wait for about 10 minutes. Luckily I had my Bluetooth headset tethered to my ear! I couldn't imagine those poor souls who use a conventional phone and had the patience of a nun!

The conclusion. My card is functioning, but my SECOND Philips decoder, which was replaced for a ridiculour RM 169, is considered "wonky" and thus justifies a visit by the technican, who will charge another RM 50 for the visit!

I then got a call today form ASSTRO to confirm the technician's visit. I told them, OK, call me first. When they wanted to confirm my address, that was the STRANGE part, as they still had the OLD address, whilst, they were already happily sending the monthly bills to my current abode! What gives? A not talking to B? IT Support not using iSync?

To make this inconsistent database issue funnier, which happened just about 1 hour later, the credit card company (from a developed country) I visited, STILL had the SAME OLD address in the AS/400 system, whilst all the latest bills are sent to my CORRECT and CURRENT address!

I bet you that they are not using FileMaker Pro!

So much for the MSC & IT Multimedia corridor! Basic stuff like customers' addresses couldn't even be put in place properly!

RIDICULOUS!

20080501: May 2008

Happy May and Mother's Day.

Sadly, Labour day is not celebrated or recognised in the Middle East!

20080523: RICH = FINANCIAL WEALTH

In the eyes of Forbes Magazine, this is the criteria

So are you one of them?
If not, then look here if your are still in the list

20080502: Naza Group founder dies at 54 in Long Beach, California, USA

Tan Sri S.M. Nasimuddin S.M. Amin, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of the Naza Group, passed away of lung cancer in California at 1.15am (Malaysian time).

More info here. So this ends the fate of a star result of the NEP!
Is this fated? Earning billions, but not healthy enough to enjoy it into the evergreen years?
Is this because of ONE person given the chance by ANOTHER to get more profits PER car than the original car manufacturer?
THINK about it!

So from an AP related timeline perspective, for 2008:

March - Kak Pidah (Aunty Raffy) is out

May - Nasimuddin is out

Sometime in the near future: REALISTIC prices for cars in Malaysia? Look east perhaps? Middle East?

Can my Honda Hybrid finally be a realistic RM 58,000 rather than RM 158,000? (OK, Langkawian's get to enjoy and save the environment at RM 100k!) I doubt Honda Japan gets RM 100,000 for each 1.3 litre car they sell. f they do, then US / UK MBA programmes can "terbang layang-layang!"NOt
Note: US SRP = US$ 22,600 (or RM 72,320 at 3.20)

My final word of advice to young budding entrepreneurs. Profit all you can in this world of material wealth. But never forget to give back to mother nature and your community.

Pain is felt more intensely via silent curses as compared to physical hurt.

20080419: Cars in Malaysia are cheap!

Just spotted these UNREGISTERED CAR Ads in the S**R newspaper today: All currency in RM thousands

( US Approx Equivalent @ RM 3.20 )

Aston Martin VIZ?? (v12 I think) 6.0l, 6 speed, paddle shift - 2005 / 6: 1,400 (438) [012-268-6337 / 019-222 9886]

Bentley Flying Spur Twin Turbo, 552hp, Black / Beige - 2006: 1,550 (485) [012-268-6337 / 012-207 6229]

Ferrari 360 Modena V8, Red / beige leather interior - 2001: 999 (312) [012-297-5538 / 019-270-1513]

Lamborghini Gallardo 5.0l, V10, 500hp - 2005: 1,490 (466) [012-207-6229 / 019 270-1513]

Porsche C2S UK Spec dark blue / beige interior - 2005: 750 (234) [012-285-7205 / 019-320-7207]

TOTAL Cost = RM 6,189,000 (USD 1,934,000 / UK 986,103)

Noticed any similarities in the mobile phone numbers?

Sad thing is that if got money now, still can't get my Lancer GT with Paddle shifts!

Current UK prices for the above (NEW) are: (GBP '000) Exchange rate at: RM 6.27622 to the pound.

Aston Martin DB9 V12 5.9l: 114

Bentley Continental Flying Spur: 118

Ferrari 360 Modena 2001: (Out of production). Cheapest is now a 2 door 430 coupe at 139

Lamborghini Gallardo: 126 (Spyder at 136)

Porsche (997 or 911?) C2S: 132

TOTAL 629K pounds. The Unregistered ones above at 986k means the difference is 357k GBP!

SO, our Government makes LOADS of money from transportation!

20080326: Madonna's new album announced

The world's top Diva is at it again. After a successful year from her Confessions Tour (The DVD which can be sold in Dubai, but not Malaysia!), she had the energy to release another album, just in time before her 50th birthday this year!

Mark your calendar for April 28th for the launch of HARD CANDY. Sweet name indeed for her 11th studio album (no pun intended!). The will be Maddy's last album from WARNER Bros Records. American fans will only get it a day later on the 29th!




This will be sold in 2 versions, a Standard and a DELUXE version.
If you use iTunes (which I strongly recommend), you can get to purchase FIRST single out NOW, i.e. 4 Minutes. This track was done in collaboration with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland.

The track listing for the Standard version (US$ 11.99) are as follows:

1. Candy Shop
Written by: Madonna and Pharrell Williams
Produced by: The Neptunes

2. 4 Minutes
Written by: Madonna and Justin Timberlake
Produced by: Timbaland
Background Vocals by: Justin Timberlake

3. Give It 2 Me
Written by: Madonna and Pharrell Williams
Produced by: The Neptunes

4. Heartbeat
Written by: Madonna and Pharrell Williams
Produced by: The Neptunes

5. Miles Away
Written by: Madonna and Justin Timberlake
Produced by: Timbaland

6. She’s Not Me
Written by: Madonna and Pharrell Williams
Produced by: The Neptunes

7. Incredible
Written by: Madonna and Pharrell Williams
Produced by: The Neptunes

8. Beat Goes On
Written by: Madonna and Pharrell Williams
Produced by: The Neptunes

9. Dance Tonight
Written by: Madonna and Justin Timberlake
Produced by: Timbaland
Background Vocals by: Justin Timberlake

10. Spanish Lessons
Written by Madonna and Pharrell Williams
Produced by: the Neptunes

11. Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You
Written by: Madonna and Justin
Produced by: Timbaland
Co-Produced by : Danja
Background Vocals by: Justin Timberlake

12. Voices
Written by: Madonna and Justin Timberlake
Produced by Danja
Co-Produced by: Timbaland
Background Vocal: Justin Timberlake

The DELUXE version (US$ 13.99) will get you the following 3 additional tracks

13. 4 Minutes (Remix)
14. 4 Minutes (Remix 2)
15. Secret Bonus (Remix)

Both versions will come with a Digital Booklet AND another bonus track if purchased from the iTunes Music Store.
The bonus track is: Ring My Bell (Non-Album Track) [Exclusive] - Pre-Order Only


One of life's lessons which I have learnt from Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone some 2 decades back was the answer to this relevant question posed by her:

Do you know why most people don't get what they want in life?
It's because they DIDN'T ASK FOR IT!

20080318: New Malaysian Cabinet is out (revised)

Yay! Aunty Raffie is OUT! Does this mean the END of AP?
Uncle Sam is also out, so have to make ends meet with the new Works Minister, crucial if you are to attend the CIDB Awards 2008!

Here's the new line up sorted by 26 Ministries in a LOGICAL alphabetical order (unlike other sites which just copy & paste), after the PM's Dept.:

Prime Minister (PM)
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM)
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department
Tan Sri Bernard Dompok
Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz
Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim (resigned 20080915)
Datuk Amirsham Abdul Aziz

Deputy Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department
Datuk Johari Baharom
Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim
Datuk K. Devamany
Datuk Hassan Malik

1 1 Agriculture and Agro-based Industry
1 2 Minister - Datuk Mustapa Mohamed
1 3 Deputy - Datin Paduka Rohani Abdul Karim

2 1 Defence
2 2 Minister - Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (DPM - swapped with PM w.e.f 2008-09-22)

2 3 Deputy - Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop

3 1 Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
3 2 Minister - Datuk Shahrir Samad
3 3 Deputy - Jelaing Mersat

4 1 Education
4 2 Minister - Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
4 3 Deputies - Datuk Wee Ka Siong, Datuk Razali Ismail

5 1 Energy, Water and Communications
5 2 Minister - Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor
5 3 Deputy - Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum

6 1 Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development
6 2 Minister - Datuk Noh Omar
6 3 Deputy - Datuk Saiffuddin Abdullah

7 1 Finance
7 2 Minister - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (DPM - swapped with PM w.e.f.  2008-09-22)

7 3 Second Finance Minister - Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop

7 4 Deputies - Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, Datuk Kong Cho Ha

8 1 Foreign Affairs
8 2 Minister - Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim
8 3 Deputy - Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri (Kudat MP) replacing Tengku Azlan Abu Bakar (vacant from 2008-03-27 til 04-21)

9 1 Federal Territory
9 2 Minister - Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique
9 3 Deputy - M. Saravanan

10 1 Health
10 2 Minister - Datuk Liow Tiong Lai
10 3 Deputy - Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad

11 1 Higher Education
11 2 Minister - Datuk Khaled Nordin
11 3 Deputies - Khoo Kok Choong, Datuk Idris Harun

12 1 Housing and Local Government
12 2 Minister - Datuk Ong Ka Chuan
12 3 Deputies - Datuk Robert Lau , Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin

13 1 Human Resources
13 2 Minister - Datuk S. Subramaniam
13 3 Deputy- Datuk Noraini Ahmad

14 1 Information
14 2 Minister - Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek
14 3 Deputy - Datuk Tan Lian Hoe

15 1 Internal Security and Home Affairs
15 2 Minister - Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar
15 3 Deputies - Datuk Chor Chee Heong, Senator Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh "

16 1 International Trade and Industry (Kak Pidah is out!)
16 2 Minister - Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
16 3 Deputies - Loh Wei Keong, Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan

17 1 National Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage
17 2 Minister - Datuk Shafie Apdal
17 3 Deputy - Datuk Teng Boon Soon

18 1 Natural Resources and Environment
18 2 Minister - Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas
18 3 Deputy - Datuk Maznah Mazlan, (Muadzam Shah MP), a Pahang assemblyman and executive council member, replacing Datuk Abu Ghapur Salleh (who resigned on 2008-03-26)

19 1 Plantation Industries and Commodities
19 2 Minister - Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui
19 3 Deputy - Senator A. Kohilan

20 1 Rural and Regional Development
20 2 Minister - Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib
20 3 Deputy - Tan Sri Joseph Kurup

21 1 Science, Technology and Innovation
21 2 Minister - Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili
21 3 Deputy - Fadilah Yusof

22 1 Tourism
22 2 Minister - Datuk Azalina Othman
22 3 Deputy - Datuk Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abu Taib

23 1 Transport
23 2 Minister - Datuk Ong Tee Keat
23 3 Deputy - Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin (Beaufort MP) replacing Anifah Aman (who declined 2008-03-08 and vacant until 04-21)

24 1 Women, Family and Community Development
24 2 Minister - Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen
24 3 Deputy - Noriah Kasnon

25 1 Works Minister (Samy is out!)
25 2 Minister - Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamad
25 3 Deputy - Datuk Yong Khoon Seng

26 1 Youth and Sports
26 2 Minister - Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaacob
26 3 Deputy - Wee Jack Seng

20080308: Malaysian Election Day

What a gruelling day! After departing Dubai the day before at 6pm to transit in Manama, Bahrain, the flight was delayed 2 hours. After the prompt departure at 1030pm on Gulf Air GF 280, the captain announced that there were technical problems and had to U-turn. So there we were, over 200 Malaysians, stuck in Manama, overnight, missing the elections!
So much for maintenance crew for the Airbus A340! The flight was delayed until 8am, and we didn't reach back to KL until 915pm! We didn't even get any compensation or hotel rooms! All we got was a late night chicken rice supper in the airport restaurant, some coffee breaks and an appalling breakfast. Rest was offered by the way of blankets, and we slept on the floor!

20080221: Abu Dhabi here I come

My final day in Doha, rushing around in the left hand drive Proton Waja!
Boarded Qatar Airways to AUH (the airport code for Abu Dhabi).
Flight was quite punctual and arrived in a cool evening of 15C!
Immigration was the easiest by far, as the airport is miniscule compared to Dubai!
Went through immigration in 5 minutes, asI was in the front of the queue! Unbelievable!
Stayed at the company villa in Khalifah City. Humungous in size!
After the heavy lunch at Ponderosa, Doha, I managed to skip dinner and went straight to bed after a nice warm "CEDOK" style shower / bath to catch up on all the much needed missed rest!

Photos soon!

20080219: Off to Doha again

Middle East. Is this in my blood?
Anyway, back here for a couple of days in a much calmer weather!
Cool breeze of 18C with sunny skies.
Had a few sandstorms too!
Managed to use the MAS Business lounge for the penultimate time before my Qatar Airways Silver Card expires by the end of this month! In fact, the Qatari buggers have downgraded me to Burgundy!
I need another 5 return flights before they can reinstate my Silver Status.
Well, all good things must come to an end, as they say!

20080211: Last day of CNY

Today is the last day of my week long holidays!
Back to work tomorrow!

Managed to clean up some filing though!

20080210: Fo Guang Shan Temple visit

Finally visited this colourful spot in Kuala Langat, Selangor, after meandering through all the trunk roads in Kelang!

Website here in Mandarin.

Loads of beautiful photos taken. Had a vegetarian dinner there.

Photos soon!