SPEED and SPEED TRAP

Akhir tahun 2009 ni saya nak cerita tentang SPEED TRAP/PERANGKAP LAJU di jalan raya dan lebuhraya. Sebelum, boleh ada PERANGKAP LAJU mesti ada HAD LAJU.

HAD LAJU berbeza ikut tempat dan jenis jalan. Paling rendah yang saya perasaan dalam kawasan perumahan dan dekat sekolah ialah 30KMJ dan diketahui umum HAD LAJU maxima yang dibenarkan di Lebuhraya untuk kereta persendirian adalah 110KMJ. Bagi kenderaan berat dan komersil rasanya maxima 80-90KMJ yang ditampal dengan 'sticker' dibelakang kenderaan tersebut.

Persoalan nya ialah :-

1. Berapa ramai yang mengikut HAD LAJU tersebut?

2. Had tertentu tu logik atau 'practical' ke?

3. Apa sebenarnya 'objective' HAD LAJU?

4. Penguatkuasaan masa kini dengan "PERANGKAP" ni realistik ke?

Ada masanya di berberapa Lebuhraya ada AMARAN PERANGKAP LAJU siap dengan gambar kamera lagi. Jadi selalunya pemandu tekan brek sekejab, lepas tu bawa laju balik.

Kerana masa tertentu bukan rasa sangat, tiba tiba dah lebih HAD LAJU, kena pula kereta yang canggih canggih, 170-180KMJ tak rasa apa pun. baru sekejap tadi saya perasan ada 'SPEED TRAP' dekat denga PUSAT SAINS NEGARA, kawasan tu HAD LAJU hanya 80KMJ, memang kena punya, pengalaman sendiri bawa kereta cabuk pun tak perasan dah lebih 90KMJ dapat saman RM300.00 lepas diskaun terbang RM200.00. Lebihnya 10KMJ tapi laju tetap laju, kalau tahu baik bawa 200KMJ, baru berbaloi bayar. Itu pasal yang punya kereta canggih tu dia buka peduli pun, tekan habis habisan, kalau kena saman sama juga maxima RM300.00, nasib baik dapat diskaun 50%.

Katalah saya nampak ada pihak traffik PDRM sedang buat "SPEED TRAP", saya beri info pada pemandu lain (nak tolong mereka), adakah itu satu kesalahan? Niat saya nak tolong mereka supaya bawa pelahan dan kedua selamat lah duit dari kena saman.

Kalau tak melanggar undang2, saya ada berberapa idea yang hendak diketenggah kan, boleh jadi 'business' kot? Ini kerana, PDRM hanya dapat mereka yang bawa laju semasa operasi sahaja, masa tak ada operasi bawa laju macam mana pun, jadi samseng jalan macam mana pun, bawa Bas Express gila gila pun "NO PROBLEM".

Bukan lah saya minat sangat ada Pegawai PDRM Trafik setiap masa, tapi ada masanya, nasib tak baik baru laju sikit, bukan perkara biasa pun, disebabkan masa tu ada "SPEED TRAP" kena. Ini yang dikatakan TIDAK ADIL. Masa kita tengok ada keperluannya tak nampak pula batang hidung.

Kita perlu memikirkan cara lain, alternatif terbaik bagi menghadapi masaalah sebegini bagi memastikan setiap penguna tahu tanggung jawab mereka dan yang paling penting selamat.

Tapi apa juga kita tidak boleh lupa tentang QADA dan QADAR, kita ikut semua peraturan, dik sebab kesilapan atau ketidaksengajaan orang lain kita mungkin jadi mangsa.

Selamat menyambut Tahun baru 2010 dan Tahun Baru Hijrah 1431.

What makes US great?

US here does not means United States, though we can learn quite a lot from them, the good I mean. My topic originally was suppose to be Please FOCUS Malaysia, but I thought this is quite catchy. Anyway us means us as an individual, organization and yes Malaysia as a country. And in the end people will compare us with others.

As much as we like, we want to be the one on top, top 5 or top 10, top 100 etc. We would like to be acknowledge to be in Times Magazine, Forbes 500 Nobel Prize Winner and so on and so on. If we cannot get into any of the list sometime we go to the extend of creating one for us.

SAMSENG JALANAN

Bayangkan sekumpulan penunggang motosikal membawa motosikal mereka dengan laju tanpa memperdulikan penguna lain. Ini selalunya berlaku pada waktu siang, tetapi apabila mereka berlumpa dengan aksi mereka yang merbahaya pada waktu malam sehingga 3-5 pagi, mereka telah mengganggu orang yang hendak tidur juga.

You Tube ni classic, disini

Situasi ini telah berterusan kerana "samseng-samseng" ini yang juga terkenal dengan "mat rempit", itu pun ada yang satu ketika beri idea nak tukar nama ke 'mat cemerlang' konon, ada juga yang dapat 'chance' kalau tak silap pergi 'terjun khutub utara.

"Serious" mana kita nak benteras masaalah ini. Ini memerlukan banyak pihak terlibat, tak boleh lepas pada Polis sahaja, tapi kalau dengan Polis pun diorang ni tak takut, atau main-mainkan, kita orang biasa ni lagi di buat tak kesah, silap haribulan, kereta kita kena pecah, rumah kita kena baling, keluarga kita kena kacau. Ini yang ramai buat tak kesah walaupun kena marah.

Tapi, kita tidak ada pilihan kerana kita kena mula. Pertama, ialah kita perlukan undang undang yang ketat. Olih itu, pembuat dasar (MP kita kat Parlimen) kena luluskan satu rang undang undang yang antara lain membuatkan setiap yang terbabit berfikir bukan sekali atau dua, tetapi 100 kali.

Contoh contoh apabila terbukti merempit mereka kena ...

1. Hukuman Penjara 5 tahun atau lebih (kalau ada orang mati 10 tahun atau lebih).
2. Ibu bapa kena 1 bulan.
3. Motosikal dirampas dan lesen dibatalkan serta merta.

ada lagi ke ???

Jadi sekarang, bagaimana nak arahkan tenaga yang tengah hot nak tunjuk "terror" ni, kita kena ada alternatif yang menarik, jangan sibuk nak "motivasi" aje.

Dia orang ni nak orang tenggok, jadi kita kena beri peluang juga tapi undang undang kena cepat. Menteri Dalam Negeri, jangan lama lama sangat NKRA ke KPI ke, jadikan ini tanggung jawab nasional, tentu semua MP kat Parlimen tu sokong, (yang tak sokong tu mungkin ada kaitan dengan "samseng Jalanan/Mat Rempit" kot).

Rasanya kalau ada 222 ahli Parlimen, dan semua hadir sidang Parlimen, jadi sejarah semua sokong 100% tak ada yang menentang.

Apa kata Ketua Pembangkang?

SEA GAMES GOLD-VIENTIANE 09

Sehingga semalam 17hb Disember 2009, Malaysia telah meraih sebanyak 139 pingat, iaitu 40 emas, 40 perak dan 59 gangsa. Diantara 40 pingat emas yang diraih, 1 sangat digembar gemburkan, iaitu dari bolasepak. ini adalah kerana, kali terakhir Malaysia berjaya mendapat pingat emas adalah 20 tahun yang lampau.

Kalau difikirkan, apalah sangat, yang 39 lagi tak dapat pun siaran langsung, ini separuh akhir pun siaran langsung (Malaysia 3 - 1 Laos). Tetapi memandangkan yang sukan Bolasepak adalah sukan yang telah berjaya mempeharuhi ramai peminat, buruk baiknya sentiasa mendapat tempat dalam media dan akan sentiasa menjadi topik perbualan.

Punyalah semangat, sampaikan anak saya (Adam) sempat tukar jersy pasukan Malaysia masa tengok perlawanan tersebut.

Sememangnya sukan adalah salah satu acara yang dapat menyatupadukan rakyat, lebih lebih lagi bila menang. Adalah diharapkan, agar kita dapat memilih dan terus mengembangkan sukan sukan tertentu yang kita mempunyai daya saing untuk terus berjaya ditahap yang lebih tinggi di persada antarabangsa seperti Sukan Asia, Sukan Komanwel, Sukan Olimpik dan mana tahu bolasepak berjaya ke Piala Dunia.

Bila agaknya emas di Olimpik dan Berjaya menjadi salahsatu wakil Asia di Piala Dunia bolasepak FIFA ya???

Malaysian Made and Made in Malaysia

Sometime time people in general are not aware, but most of the time they are confused, however there are those who just doesn't seem to bother.

What is the different between Malaysian Made and Made in Malaysia. I am not sure whether there are specific percentage (%) or standard for such classification. Anyway in logical terms we can agree that Malaysian Made refers to anything MALAYSIAN and produced by Malaysian or Malaysian Expertise. A clear example can be BATIK, although sometimes we wonder if the fabric used are also Malaysian produced. There could be other examples, even food base like kerepek, keropok lekor.

As for Made in Malaysia, the above rule still applies, however we might have foreign investor producing their products for local consumption or export purposes and yet uses foreign labour and expertise.

In the end, what matter most should be QUALITY. Way back during the earlier years, people will always say anything continental (American/European) are always better then Japanese. Although some of those kind of statement is true, things had change, the so call good products are Made in Malaysia or other countries.

This does not necessarily applies to just products manufactured, now it could be services and its people. QUALITY in general has no boundries.

PROTON CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY

The Sun - November 20th, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR : To kick off the first weekend of the school holidays, PROTON is holding a special customer appreciation event called Proton4You at all Proton Edar and EON outlets nationwide this Saturday and Sunday. There will be a variety of family-oriented programmes planned, such as colouring contests, family quizzes and games with many exciting prizes to be won.

Besides entertainment for loyal PROTON customers and their families, there will also be free 20-point car inspection services at the outlets by Proton iCare team, to help families prepare for any long trips they wish to take during the school holidays. PROTON will also introduce the Exora basic, the base-line model of its first homegrown MPV. Customers who decide to book the Exora Basic, or any other PROTON car during the two-day event will also get free personal assurance worth RM10,000.


****

Yesterday I was at EON Glenmarie Service Centre to do the 5000KM service for our PERSONA. However it seems this promotion was not at all publicize and that seems funny., more awkward. Probably since EON is not the main player anymore, they seems not be bothered.

Anyway for all its worth, all "players" concern with regards should really buck up if they ever wants to compete with the bigger player starting with continuous quality products and services.

Kalashnikov designer is now Russia's hero

The Star, November 12, 2009

MOSCOW: The designer of the Kalashnikov was named a "Hero of Russia" by president Dmitry Medvedev who lauded him for creating "the brand that every Russian is proud of".

"In our country, such phenomena do not happen every day," Medvedev told Mikhail Kalasnikov after decorating him with a gold medal at a lavish reception dedicated to the rifle's creators 90th birthday.

"I mean not only the Kalashnikov rifle but also the national brand created by you, which makes every Russian proud, makes him feel he is part of history."

"Hero of Russia" is the nation's highest honorary title.

Dressed in a general's parade uniform decorated with two Soviet-era "Hero of Socialist Labour" gold stars, a frail-looking Kalashnikov clinked champagne glasses with Medvedev.

Created in 1947, the Kalashnikov, also known as the AK-47, is known for its reliability and simple design. It is officially in service in 55 countries and adorns several national emblems.

Millions of counterfeit versions are thought to exist and the rifle is so widespread that it is often said to have killed more people than any other weapon.

"This is not my fault that this weapon is not used where it should", Kalashnikov, his voice trembling, said at the Kremlin ceremony. "This is the fault of politicians, not designers, I made it to defend the borders of the fatherland." - Reuters


***

Now isn't that nice, being recognised as a hero. His invention being use for the wrong and right reason. Here in Malaysia and just about any country in the world, somehow politicians seems to be making the news, and most of all sometimes for the wrong reasons.

I read this from the late Capt Yusof Ahmad aka The Ancient Mariner, way back (wed, Feb 25th, 2009) and felt it appropriate to add on to this issue, a story related by his friend ...

My old friend Capt. Gian Singh Sehmi sent me this old joke which I think is still relevant and funny:

One day a florist goes to a barber for a haircut. After the cut he asked about his bill and the barber replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week." The florist was pleased and left the shop.

When the barber goes to open his shop the next morning there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.

Later, a policeman comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week." The cop is happy and leaves the shop.

The next morning when the barber goes to open up there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.

Later that day, a college professor comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week." The professor is very happy and leaves the shop.

The next morning when the barber opens his shop, there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen different books, such as 'How to Improve Your Business' and 'Becoming More Successful.'

Then, a Member of Parliament comes in for a haircut, and when he goes to pay his bill the barber again replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week." The Member of Parliament is very happy and leaves the shop.

The next morning when the barber goes to open up, there are a dozen Members of Parliament all lined up waiting for a free haircut!

And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the Members of Parliament.

***

MP,ADUN, Politicians, how I wish they do what the are suppose to do, this world probably will be a better place for all of us

.. may Allah SWT place you accordingly...

Banjir

Sekarang ni dah masuk musim tengkujuh. Seperti biasa, kebanyakan negeri di utara dan timur negara kita mula menghadapi banjir. Ada dah kemalangan jiwa. Setiap tahun, kita menghadapinya, selain dari kehilangan nyawa, banyak harta benda yang rosak. seteruk mana kita, apabila kita teropong diseluruh dunia, di negara lain, seperti Filipina, Indonesia, lebih teruk lagi.

Untungnya jadi rakyat Malaysia.

Ramai yang masih tak bersyukur lagi.

Malaysia - Tanah air ku

Hari ini (sejak sekian lamanya) kita memasuki era yang sunggoh mencabar. Setelah kita MERDEKA dari British, 31 OGOS 1957, kita masih bercerita tentang perpaduan. Baru-baru ini, PM mengumumkan 16hb September tahun depan kita cuti lagi, kerana pada tarikh itu Malaysia terbentuk (Persekutuan Tanah Melayu, Singapura, Sabah dan Serawak). Lepas tu PM pertama Tunku Abdul Rahman MENYINGKIRKAN singapura.

Suka atau tidak (kalau tak suka...pergilah cari negara lain)inilah negara kita. Kita berhak mencoraknya, walau tak semudah yang kita harapkan. Sistem yang ada hari ini agak baik, tetapi sentiasa ada ruang untuk diperbaiki.

Saya nak pinjam senikata lagu Sudirman bertajuk WARISAN.

Disini lahirnya sebuah cinta
Yang murni abadi sejati
Disini tersemai cita cita
Bercambah menjadi Warisan

Andai ku terbuang tak diterima
Andai aku disingkirkan
Kemana harusku bawakan
Kemana harusku semaikan cinta ini

Betapa
Dibumi ini ku melangkah
Keutara selatan timur dan barat
Ku jejaki

Aku
Bukanlah seorang perwira
Gagah menjunjung senjata
namun hati rela berjuang
walau dengan cara sendiri
Demi cinta ini

Ku ingin kotakan seribu janji
Sepanjang kedewasaan ini
Ku ingin sampaikan pesanan
Aku lah penyambung warisan


Maksud senikata lagu tersebut perlu dihayati. Kita mungkin tidak sama, dalam satu keluarga ada bermacam rupa, yang kembar pun ada perbezaannya, yang ketara dan yang tidak. Warna, tinggi rendah, kurus dan berisi,agama dan sebagainya.

Tapi apabila kita kata ini TANAH AIR KU, maka kita mesti mencari cara menjaganya. Setiap orang yang bergelar Warganegara Malaysia perlu bersumpah taat setia kepada Tanah Ini. Yang susah dibantu, yang senang dan berkemampuan membantu.

Kita tidak perlu setuju dengan pemerintah, tetapi kita perlu terima hakikat bahawa pada ketika ini, mereka dipertanggung jawabkan oleh kita secara sistem "DEMOKRASI BEPARLIMEN, RAJA BERPELEMBAGAAN".

Marilah kita cari cara memperkukuhkan negara ini, saya pinjam kata-kata hikmah ini, kita tidak mewarisi alam ini, kita meminjamnya dari anak-anak kita.

Setiap dari kita ada peranan tersendiri, fikir fikirkan lah.

Budget 2010 ...

Apa yang menarik ya ???? Fikir punya fikir, saya rasa saya pinjam sayalah dari blog lain ... Outsyed the Box

Towards Higher Income ? 1Malaysia Together We Prosper?

By Syed Akbar Ali

Here is an obvious contradiction : whenever the Government gets more income it almost always comes at the taxpayers expense. This is Rule No 1. So lets bear this in mind.

In this Budget, the Government has decided against selling cheap APs. Why? I thought the idea is to move Malaysians towards higher income? Together we prosper and all that? The Government will now impose RM10,000 for each AP to Open AP holders. This will definitely be passed on the public in terms of higher prices.

Why not just remove the APs – abolish saja.

So Rule No 1 again – when the Government makes more money, the public gets poorer.

Then the Budget says income tax will be reduced from 27% down to 26% for those earning RM100,000 pa. Firstly just how many people are involved here? Just how many million Malaysians are in this RM100,000 tax bracket? Ini nak tolong orang kaya saja kut?

Here I see only the “CCC Class” benefiting. The CCC Class are those who can at least buy the Mercedes Benz C Class. They include the Chinese business class, the Corporate class (better spelt ‘korporat’) and the Crony class. Put together they become the “CCC Class”.

Other than this the ordinary Chinese working class, the ordinary Indian and Malay need not worry too much about calling their tax accountants just yet. They can go back to watching Awani, Thangathirai or Wah Lah Toi.

And yes I too would like to know the justification for the 15% tax for all income earned in Iskandar. What is so special about Iskandar? I have got nothing to do with Iskandar. The same goes for about 27 million other Malaysians.

The fact is Kuala Lumpur, the Klang Valley, Penang and other places generate huge chunks of our GDP. Why not give some real tax breaks to us hardworking folks? My wife and I work seven days a week. And why 15%? Who and how did they come up with this magic number? Why not 25% or 20% or 18% or 16.555%? Ada logic ke?

And this also creates huge amounts of room for cheating. You can open a “name plate” office in Iskandar – just an office, a table and chair with a fax and phone. Then do all your business in KL but issue all your invoices, receipts, cheques addressed from Iskandar. Close your accounts in Iskandar. Then you pay only 15% income tax. In fact I think many of the businesses in KL are considering this already. Tak terpikir ke?

And the only bumiputera who may benefit from this is the multi billionaire Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Bukhari who has extensive business operations in the area.

Just like the Labuan Offshore Financial Centre or LOFC. For the past 20 years the Labuan OFC has actually been operating from the UBN Tower in KL beside the Shangrila Hotel. Because that’s where many of Japanese offshore banks operate from. They maintain a simple office, fax machine and telephone in Labuan just for appearances but most of the business is done from KL. Big deal.

And those who will benefit most from this 15% tax in Iskandar will also be those who pay taxes - again mostly the CCC Class only. What about the ordinary Malay, Indian and Chinese? 1Malaysia Together we prosper – remember ?

The majority of Civil Servants are Malays. So are wage earners. So how will they benefit much from this 15% tax rate? This Budget can kick up greater economic divisions among the people.

The idea to impose a RM50 fee on Credit Cards is also quite mind boggling. Who is the genius who thought up this little nugget? Firstly the Banks can easily award bonus points, give fee waivers etc that can overcome this extra RM50 fee. But again Rule No 1 applies here. This RM50 tax per credit card makes us poorer . Only the Government moves to a higher income bracket.

First of all lets state clearly what is the desired outcome? What does the Government want to achieve? If the idea is to reduce the abuse of credit cards and prevent people (especially the middle and low income) from incurring unnecessary credit card debt, here is a suggestion, a simpler method : Just tell the Banks ‘No Cash Withdrawals Using Credit Cards for Malaysian Citizens inside Malaysia’ (or something like that).

Malaysians on genuine travel overseas can still withdraw money using Credit Cards and foreign tourists and travellers inside Malaysia can also withdraw money using Credit Cards. But the 25 year old Malaysian who has got five credit cards will be prevented from withdrawing RM2000 cash from each and every one of his five credit cards and then default on his payments in two months.

I think there are other ways too, to skin this cat instead of walloping everyone with a blanket RM50 per credit card to enrich the Government. And it may still not work. Its just Rule No 1 again. It certainly does not move us to higher income. Only the Government gets richer. Lip service saja bang.

Tax relief of RM500 for broadband subscription. Firstly this only applies to those who pay taxes. The CCC Class will again benefit most from this. But how many Malays pay taxes in the first place (to benefit from this)? If they don’t they will not benefit from this. And how many Malays or Indians or Chinese have broadband connections ? We need statistics. So to me these are just Christmas tree decorations to decorate the Budget. They don’t really move many people towards “higher income.” What we need most is better broadband connection.

First Class Honors Grads will get their loans converted to scholarships. Again can we have some numbers? How many grads get 1^st class Honours in the first place? 100? 1000? 10,000? Can we see some numbers? I can say straight off that over 99% will be non Malays. Which is fine. I hope more Malays will also work hard and get 1^st Class Honours too.

But how does this move the rest of us 28.0 million Malaysians (especially the Malays and Indians) towards higher income? How does this have an effect on the economy as a whole?

I feel this idea about the 1st Class Honours grads should have just been announced by the Minister of Higher Education or the Government without having to include it as part of the Budget.

I have this feeling the Goverment ran out of ideas for the Budget and is just throwing in more Christmas tree decorations to make the Budget sound good. I remember when I was a student, we used to add extra pages on our answer papers in our written examinations to “bagi berat” ie make our answers look longer. We could not fool the teachers though. That was in the 1970s.

The same can be said about adding eight new EMU coaches by Keretapi Tanah Melayu and building covered walkways linking LRT stations to activity centres. I find it strange that little things like this were also included as part of the Annual Budget. These are operating items which can be announced by General Manager of KTM or the LRT folks.

I certainly hope the covered walkways do not become mega projects (like the RM110 million now being spent to build a flyover and road works in Jalan Travers).

The same goes for the 30 top students getting scholarships. This is a very, very good thing but does it have to be part of the Budget? 30 students will have a chance at a better life but how does that move the rest of us 28 million not so clever ones to a higher income?

The RM2.3 Billion infrastructure spending in Sabah and Sarawak is good. It is long overdue. Build big and build fast. But don’t waste money to only benefit the “cahaya mata” cronies. Thats an entire "C" class by itself. Spread it out to others too.

The RM6.0 Billion allocated under Agriculture can be a huge sinkhole. We must get maximum bang for each Ringgit spent. Lets face it : Agriculture spending is just handing out subsidies and dole to the farm folks.

But there is a new player now : agricultural corporations linked to GLCs. They are goofing up big time. (Like spending RM200.0 million on losing prawn farms). I hope we dont lose too much money there. GLC = Government Losing Concern?

But what is the big deal about the 20% stamp duty exemption on Islamic Financing instruments? Why discriminate based on religion? Money is still money. And there is really no such thing as Islamic Banking or Islamic Financing in the first place.

The point I am trying to make? The point I am trying to make is we are dealing with the real world here. We are dealing with 28.0 million Malaysians and we need to move the real economy of the whole country – and not just the Islamic Financing part of it (which is imaginary anyway because there is no such thing as Islamic financing).

If you want to give a 20% tax break on financing instruments then do it across the board – and not just on Islamic Financing.

This will really move us all together towards a higher income. Since the Government has taken away the exemption from RPGT (Real Property Gains Tax) then at least ease up a little lah on the stamp duties. Kasi kat semua orang la. Ini nak kasi Islamic Financing saja not fair lah. How does this fit the 1Malaysia Concept ?

I do hope the Government will review the Moneylaundering and Anti Terrorism Financing Act. At the same time please also put a stop on a lot of the hot money that is flowing into the country, especially from the Middle East. The Government may want to pay more attention to where much of the Arab money originates from. Some of it usually comes from very “sheikhy” hands. Lets not make our country a haven for “hot money” under the camouflage of Islamic networking, Islamic financing, Islamic Bank licenses etc.

There is already talk that with Pakistan breaking up, Pakistani generals, warlords, politicians etc will be moving out their money to other countries. They too may soon be looking for “Islamic brotherhood”. Jangan kita jadi kaldai.

The tax exemptions for the Green Building Index may also be minimal in its effect. It is a good thing – no doubt about it and I don’t disagree with Green Buildings. But it is like giving a tax break for Outer Space Exploration to Malaysians. Just how many Malaysians will benefit?

First of all Green Buildings are expensive. Green actually adds cost, it does not save cost. So it does not move anyone towards higher income.

My son just finished his Diploma in Architecture and is now working for an Architect where they are into Green Buildings. To go Green, you need new materials, new designs etc all of which cost more.

But here is something else : according to The Star’s front page, the construction sector only makes up about 1.6% of the economy.

In contrast The Star also quotes from the Economic Report 2009/10 which says that the size of the Malaysian Economy will be RM1.026 TRILLION in 2010. Syabas and Alhamdulillah. This is a tremendous achievement.

Out of this RM1.026 Trillion, 40.2% (RM412 Billion) is the Import Sector and 45.4% (RM465 Billion) is the Export Sector. This is where our economy really thrives : imports and exports.

So where are the Budget Incentives to help these very important sectors of our economy? Faster Customs clearance for Importers, less red tape, duty exemption, tax incentives for more export etc? Green Buildings will only benefit 1.6% of our economy.

So again – how many people will benefit from going Green? And how many Malays are in this sector? (I am not being prejudiced or racist folks but we really have to do things to move as many people forward together and not just some people . And the Malays make up the largest number of folks who need to be moved forward in a hurry). To me this thing about Green are just more Christmas tree decorations on the Budget.

And why remove the RPGT exemption? Its just Rule No 1 again : it only enriches the Government but makes the citizens poorer. The RPGT exemption was just helping the property and construction sector turn around. Now with the RPGT reimposed, it will certainly dampen some activity in this area. The Government gets richer but the public gets poorer. How to move to higher income? Apa sudah jadi "1Malaysia together we prosper"?

The financial and non financial rewards for headmasters is unclear. What exactly are they? RM10 for every ‘A’ scored by students in PMR and SPM?

The Deputy PM Ustaz Muhyuddin Yassin says it is a new ‘bai’ah’ or New Deal which the Government will introduce for principals and head teachers. Brader, pasai apa cakap Arab ? Apa itu bai’ah? Kalau “New Deal” maksudnya ‘Perjanjian Baru’ pun boleh. But Perjanjian Baru is also the name for the New Testament !

How are the Guru Besar going to get the teachers (who may not get the bonus) to work harder so that the Guru Besar can collect his bonus? Even if the teachers dont work harder, they still get paid. The KPI does not potong gaji for non performance. There is no such thing. And teachers salaries are according to Government salary scales. This bonus for the Guru Besar scheme may promote more budaya hasad dengki in school.

I feel it is better to cut down on guru ponteng sekolah. By this I mean the number of days teachers are NOT IN CLASS because they are away on kursus, away on leave, away on naik haji, umrah, more kursus, away attending meetings etc. If teachers spend more time teaching in class, our students may make better grades.

The biggest problem I see in this Budget is the plan to remove fuel subsidies but give it to “needy” target groups. Some crazy scheme about using MyKad etc, starting sometime later. I assume those in the target group will get a special classification that will be tagged inside their MyKads. Then when they buy gas, they may have to swipe their MyKads at the gas station to get the subsidised price.

We have forgotten a fuel subsidy fiasco that is still going on in Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah, Terengganu and other places. The Government decided to let inshore fishermen buy diesel subsidised at RM1.00 per litre (I dont know what is the price now but it is still subsidised).

This has created a new class of instant “oilmen” among our fishermen. They fill their tanks (including plastic containers etc) with subsidised diesel and then sell it to Chinese offshore men (or behind the lorong in the fishing villages), Thai trawlers etc on the high seas. And they have also stopped fishing. Why fish when you can sell subsidised diesel and make more money?

And the Customs Department has had to spend hundreds of Millions of Ringgit buying new speed boats to chase down this new ‘oilmen’ on the high seas. What a dumb idea that was. And it is still going on.

So this is now going to happen throughout the country. I can imagine the Mat Rempit boys standing just outside the petrol stations ready to ‘rent out’ their MyKads for a fee. Pay them some Ringgits, they ‘pinjam’ their MyKad to you, you go to the station and swipe it and get cheaper petrol.

Or the Mat Rempits may buy cheaper subsidised petrol, put it in tanks and go around the housing estates selling cheap petrol. ‘Minyak Murah, Minyak Murah’. Its bound to happen.

Then to curb the abuse the Police or Domestic Trade boys will be asked to increase their ‘enforcement’, buy new equipment, new procedures etc. More time and energy wasted.

Here are some ideas : impose a standard 20% Corporate and Personal Income Tax rate. Then waive the Personal Income Tax rate just for this year, since the economy is bad.

Remove the RPGT.

Reduce Stamp Duty for land transactions to a standard RM100 for all land title transactions below RM5.0 million. (Ok can tweak the figure lah).

Give real money incentives to industry and businesses for employment creation for Malaysian citizens (not Bangla factory workers or Indon contstruction workers).

Give more tax breaks to parents for paying college and university fees.

***

Berapa ramai yang dapat atau akan dapat manafaat ya????

16 September ... CUTI lagi

Seronoknya ... dapat cuti lagi.

Cuba kita kira berapa banyak cuti kita dah ada .... "NATIONAL HOLIDAYS"

001 Hari Tahun Baru - 1 Januari
001 Keputeraan Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agong - Sabtu Pertama Jun
001 Hari Buruh
001 Hari Wesak
001 Hari Kemerdekaan - 31 Ogos
001 Hari Malaysia - 16 September
001 Hari Deepavali
002 Tahun Baru Cina
001 Christmas - 25 Disember
002 Hari Raya Aidil Fitri (1 & 2 Syawal)
001 Hari Raya Aidil Adha (10 Dzul Hijjah)
001 Maal Hijrah (1 Muharram)
001 Kelahiran Nabi Muhammad SAW (12 Rabiul Awal)
===
015 Hari
===
Negeri Negeri juga ada cuti sendiri.

Contoh : Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

001 Keputeraan Sultan Selangor /Hari Wilayah Persekutuan
001 Taipusam
001 Nuzul Quran
===
003 Hari
===

Jumlah jadi 18 hari, tapi jangan lupa setiap minggu, kita ada 52 hari Ahad/Jumaat dan kepada yang dapat cuti hari sabtu tambah lagi 52 hari. jadi keseluruhannya kita cuti berapa hari???

18 + 52 + 52 = 122 hari. (365 - 122 = 243). Jadi hari yang sepatutnya kita produktif adalah 2/3 dalam masa setahun. Pada pekerja seronoklah ... Majikan ????

Oops ... jangan lupa cuti tahun dan yang paling tak disangka .... CUTI SAKIT.

Nak kira masa tidur pula dan masa rehat pula ke???

Siapa yang tak seronok cuti, tapi akhirnya kita juga yang RUGI.

PR STATUS

1. Why do people give up their citizenship???
2. Why do people apply for PR status???

I am not so sure, but I THINK, the main reason for No.1, are because they felt their present country is not worth it, and the country of their choice will be better for them and their family. There are possibility that they had no choice ... and so could be other reason as well.

As for No. 2, it could be due to requirement, or the first step to getting citizenship. Now, to me as long as someone feels that a/any country could fullfill his needs, he should make a choice that will be good to him/her and their family.

Suddenly, our Envoy to the US wants to offer those people who gave up their CITIZENSHIP, even if he feels that they NO LONGER WANT TO BE ...

Is PRIDE to CHEAP ????????

Briefs - The Sun, tuesday 20th October 2009

Envoy : Give PR status to former M'sian citizens

ROMPIN : The government should consider offering permanent resident (PR) to more than 200,000 former Malaysian nationals who are now US citizens to create a strong economic network between both countries, said Malaysian ambassador to the United States Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis.

He said this was because most of the former Malaysians worked in various professional fields and held important posts in multi-national companies, which could benefit Malaysia. "Although they are no longer Malaysian citizens and no longer want to be, their heart still lies in Malaysia"

Jamaluddin told reporters yesterday the presence of former Malaysians in the country would also inject foreign currency into the economy each year. He said if one of them spend as much as US$10,000, (RM38,000) in the country, US$2 billion (RM7.6 billion) would be channeled into Malaysia annually.

Jamaluddin said the suggestion to offer PR status would be brought up to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak who is schedule to have a meeting with US President Barrack Obama by year end. - Bernama

When someone wants something, let them ask nicely, if it is worth it, and benefit Malaysian why not, but PLEASE Mr Envoy don't make us look so desperate, we deserve better.

Remember Malaysia FIRST.

1 JUTA / MILLION

Rakyat Malaysia dianggarkan seramai 27 JUTA orang. Katakanlah tolak 10% dari keseluruhan rakyat di negara ini bertaraf jutawan atau lebih, maka bakinya seramai 24.3 juta bukan dalam kategori yang eksklusif itu.

Bayangkan KERAJAAN yang memerintah bersetuju mengagihkan setiap orang dari 24.3 juta itu 1 JUTA/MILLION ringgit. Maka secara "automatic" setiap rakyat malaysia menjadi jutawan. Maka dengan sendirinya, tanpa berfikir lebih jauh, setiap mereka yang bergelar warganegara akan merasakan bahawa mereka dihargai.

Agaknya, ada tak orang yang tidak bersetuju???

Apakah caranya???

Adakah dalam bentuk tunai atau sebagainya???

Ada lagi subsidi ke, agaknya???

Renung-renungkanlah ....

PROTON OK IN UK

This news is an interesting story for PROTON, recently we decided to get Proton Persona, and really after our last Proton which was the original SAGA with the registration BCG 2020, which serve us well. I must try to locate a photo for that car.

Jualan Proton UK lepasi sasaran
Daripada NIZAM YATIMnizam.yatim@utusan.com.my

NORWICH, United Kingdom 1 Okt. - Utusan Malaysia

Jualan kereta Proton di United Kingdom sudah berjaya melepasi sasaran yang ditetapkan untuk tempoh setahun di sebalik berlakunya penurunan permintaan di negara itu. Jumlah jualan itu kini 10 peratus lebih tinggi berbanding sasaran sebanyak 1,000 buah. Pengarah Urusan Proton Cars (UK) Ltd., Brian Collier berkata, peningkatan jualan itu disumbangkan oleh minat penduduk untuk menggunakan kenderaan yang dijana oleh gas petroleum cecair (LPG) kerana bahan apinya lebih murah sebanyak 50 peratus berbanding petrol.

''Proton merupakan satu-satunya syarikat di negara ini yang memasang tangki LPG pada kenderaan secara terus di kilang dan kemudian menjualnya pada harga sama dengan model yang menggunakan petrol. ''Sehingga kini, Proton telah menjual 600 kenderaan menggunakan LPG termasuk jualan pada tahun ini sebanyak 200 buah yang kebanyakan pembeli terdiri daripada kalangan syarikat kecil, pengusaha teksi dan polis," katanya kepada wartawan Malaysia di sini semalam.

Beliau berkata, pengguna tidak menghadapi masalah untuk mendapatkan bekalan LPG kerana setiap satu daripada empat stesen minyak di UK menyediakan bahan api itu. Kini terdapat kira-kira 6,000 stesen minyak di negara itu. Kata beliau, faktor lain yang menyebabkan peningkatan jualan adalah kesetiaan pelanggan yang memilih kenderaan keluaran Proton apabila menukar kereta baru.

''Proton kini mempunyai 80 pengedar di UK dan setiap enam orang daripada 10 pelanggan yang telah membeli kenderaan daripada pengedar terbabit akan kembali memilih jenama berkenaan," ujarnya. Sementara itu, kata beliau, sejak tahun 1989, Proton telah menjual 150,000 buah kenderaan di UK dan model terkini yang ditawarkan ialah GEN.2, Persona, GEN.2 Ecologic (bagi versi LPG), Satria Neo and Savvy.

''Model paling laris ialah Savvy yang merupakan 40 peratus daripada keseluruhan jualan. Pada tahun ini sahaja kita menjangkakan akan menjual 400 buah model ini sahaja," katanya. Sementara itu, kata beliau, jumlah keseluruhan jualan kenderaan melibatkan semua syarikat di UK pada tahun 2007 adalah sebanyak 2.4 juta buah tetapi bilangan itu dijangka menurun kepada hanya 1.7 juta pada tahun ini.

''Penurunan ini disebabkan oleh pengguna mahu mengurangkan kos berikutan kegawatan ekonomi dan cadangan kerajaan untuk meningkatkan kadar cukai jalan kenderaan sebanyak sekali ganda pada tahun 2010," katanya.
Mengenai sasaran jualan Proton di UK pada tahun 2010, Collier berkata, perkara itu masih belum dimuktamadkan lagi, tetapi beliau berpendapat sasaran 1,000 unit adalah munasabah.

Time wait for no one ...

29 days of Ramadhan, and it pass without much of us even realizing it, except that for all those who can't wait for Hari Raya Aidil Fitri and balik kampong.

And today is already the11th day of Syawal, just how time flies. week after next, our Hindu friends shall be celebrating Deepavali, and then the Christians shall be celebrating Christmas, as New Year 2010 approaches. Before long the Chinese New Year.

What have we accomplish actually???

GOOD GOVERNANCE

My daughter asked me today, what party do I support?

I told her that I support GOOD GOVERNANCE, which means the government of the day must undertake to govern, manage and administrate for the best benefit of all of us the rakyat. In a democracy we have in Malaysia, which very much parallel the British system, where the party with the Majority in Parliament or the State legislature, forms the government of the day.

Therefore, in Malaysia, the Federal Government is Barisan Nasional, together with Perlis, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak for the state legislature. Since the 12th general election however, except for Kelantan, Kedah, Penang and Selangor are now govern by Pakatan Rakyat (a loose grouping by PKR, PAS & DAP). In fact Perak was actually Pakatan lead, until three (3) of the "ADUN", decided to be independant, and openly support BN. Until or unless there are any changes by Appeal to the Federal Court, or a fresh election, the government of the day shall be BN lead.

So as easy as ABC, each government of the day shall perform to the best of their ability, and their performance shall be judged by the Rakyat, who shall only have an outright say with their vote comes the 13th General Election, except for the recent by election and the coming Sarawak State Election.

Any right loving MALAYSIAN, will defend this beloved country, and all we want is PEACE to do our things as long as it is within the confine of the Constitution.

The recent happening in Indonesia, does not make us Malaysian proud, when one of the person identified or blamed is our citizen (is he still) although from another angle, the happening gave dieheart Manchester United fan, a chance to watch them play in Malaysia again.

In Hibernation since ...

Its been awhile since I've written in cyberspace, and all the happening home in Malysia as well as overseas. The best of, the good and the ugly. Any how, looking for the "BEST OF MALAYSIA" shall always be what this SPACE will provide.

The intention shall be clear, if its good for MALAYSIA than it will be good for all of us, no matter where we come from, what race or religion. what is the tone of the skin colour. Respect and freedom as provided by the Federal Constitution.

ON POLITICS :

Perak is still very much ???. The Penanti, Penang by election has just ended, and it is status quo. Next, it shall be Manik Urai, Kelantan. It will be best if BN allow this to pass as well, lots of money can be saved. All elected goverment should continue to focus on the economy. With that it will be also status quo.

ON SPORTS :

Other than Nicole David in Squash, Some good news in Badminton, a pinch of good news for Hockey during the recently concluded Asia Cup, there are nothing much to talk about. Oh not to forget some great news from cycling. Hopefully, the new Sport Minister can come out with new ideas and strategy. Politics in MOM ... will there be a new President ??? Olympics London 2012 ... will there be the gliter og GOLD ???

ON EDUCATION :

Hopefully the new Education Minister who is also the DPM will settle the PPSMI (Teaching Science and Mathematics in English) will be settle, and let it stay in English. The decision on 10 maximum subject is just what it should be all along. Opportunity to study is the key, that means all should be given a chance, next those given a chance should be help according to certain criteria, because not all start exactly the same. Some need more help that others due to numerous reason, be it social, culturat and or financial.

ON SMOKING :

Yesterday 31st May 2009, was STOP SMOKING day, it will be great if everyday is NO SMOKING DAY. Sorry smokers ... it is for your own good, not that you all really care, and this goes to all involved in the industry, go find other business, you are involved in MASS MURDER ...knowingly.

So today, 1st June 2009, how can we love this country better ... Only we shall decide. Have a nice day.