Following court cases, esp. the high profile cases, one is bound to find argument on point of law, etc. One also can follow arguments which, it seems to lead to nowhere. Or, one will feel that they are heading to other areas or looks like they are purposely avoiding the main issue.
It’s so different with one unwritten law that my friend encountered in South Kedah. It happened on one fine, cool, breezy evening. My friend was taking a lonely drive from Sungai Petani to Kulim taking the former palm oil estate road, which is now smooth, straight 2-lane road. Not busy, but neither deserted too. It’s a good scenario for an evening drive – to waste some fuel and to stretch the eyes on the greeneries. With a low volume radio on, the not so busy road, the greeneries, the kampong houses, the half naked boys in the fields, and the atmosphere, and all these are the recipe for a good evening leisure driving. When out of nearby bushes and so suddenly a small herd of cows ran across the road. And, with my friend’s mind still in leisure mode, he was a little bit slow on the reflec action to braking and stopping the tank-like Swedish made car.
A big bang followed. He hit a mother of a cow right in the mid section. The cow, big and fat, was thrown and laid on the road just a few feet in front of his smashed bonnet. The cow was not moving but still alive and in his path, and the engine stalled. So, there is no way of him leaving the scene in a rush. No chance of a quick get-away. All shaken up, but he had to stay put to face whatever the consequences of his action invites. In the corner of his eyes he could see some movement. And, he senses people are coming to him in all direction. On closer scrutiny he found that all are welding long knives – with silver coloured blades. All sharpened and ready to use.
The first man that arrive to his hard-to-open right door is a well build man – looks like the leader or the spokesperson. The man asked, so very politely : “How much are you asking for the cow? We are ready to slaughter it”. Still in shock, my friend replied that the cow is not his and he has no right to sell it. The villages explain that – the practice here is for the car owner to sell the cow to help him repair the damage car. The owner of the cow will not put up any claim that the cow is his to avoid the trouble of being fined by the authorities for letting the cow on the road and to avoid being responsible for repair of the damages of the car. The cow owner, could be among the villagers, but he will not say that the cow is his. And, nobody will say who is the owner of the cow.
Wow, what a relief. The law, unwritten, is on his side. My friend told the villagers that he will repair his car and the cow they could have it for free IF the real owner says so.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
ZIARAH / UMRAH (Feb. 2010) : HOLY LAND REVISITED 25 YRS LATER
Most Muslims are very thankful to have been able to visit the holy land once in a lifetime as required of them. Some are luckier to be able to visit almost every year or every other year, and yet there are others whose visits could be term as very frequent. In my case, I am so very thankful to be able to revisit the holy lands (Mecca and Madina) once again for Umrah and Ziarah after a lapse of 25 or so years. I did my Umrah in 1984 and Haj + Umrah in 1985 (in the 20th century). And now it is 2010 - 21st century!!!. The 1985 visit was via an Arab package organizer by the name of Aziz Khooger.
I am so thankful of this 25yr-again visit. I felt I am luckier than others in many aspects because with such a long span between visits I am able to see the differences – the then and the now – and to be able to see clearly (in my own perceptions, at least) the developments - materially and religiously. And, of course, very thankful to Saudi Govt. for allowing us to visit the many museums and to travel far inland to Al-Ula where the landscape is different to nearby deserts with its shaped mountains and the bigger town of Prophet Salleh (Madain Salle) where the reuins of carved mountain houses of the curse Thamud people lay barren in al Hijr Archeological Site (which is thousands of acres of fence up land.)
The now holy land of Mecca is very much off-targets from what I am expecting. The serenity, the calmness, the properly behaved atmosphere, the mutual respects of being in one religion, etc, etc, is almost rarely found and could be said as almost non-existent (again I felt very lucky to be able to experience the then holy land, although I was then at the ‘ignorance and tender’ age of 38 or so).
MATERIAL DEVELOPMENTS:
The material development is now vast huge and is progressing at a faster rate – pulsing day and night, nonstop. Mecca is now one huge construction site – with new ultra modern buildings coming up (mainly hotels, with numerous stars) and of course the new extension of the Al Haram Mosque. The extension is gigantic in nature and when fully completed in years to come it could accommodate up to 5 million pilgrims at a time and will be The Eye of The World (and if you have not got the chance to see the proposed plan: search in Iqracsense.com – haram mosque extension project, by Thomson or someone with an English/American name. You will appreciate the gigantic nature of the extension project where phase one have been in progress. This aspect of material development, to me, is somewhat necessary in nature and should be welcome. This goes along with new and required space and facilities – to accommodate the needs of increasing numbers of worldwide pilgrims and Islamic visitors with modern demands for facilities and ease of doing the rituals - the acquired taste and demands that came along with wealthier than before way of life.
SPIRITUAL DEGRATIONS:
The scene, physically I mean, once you are in the holy mosque, is almost a reflection of 25yrs ago. Nothing astound you, except of course the bigger than before praying floor space. The Kaabah stood as majestic and as appealing to the eyes and soul as before (and forever more). You are as then and now. Nothing changes. Nothing moves. The feelings are as then and as now. Time stood still, even after all these 25yrs, a quarter of century ago. May be these similarities are as then, as now and in as years to come, and till time ends. Only God knows. But, then these similarities encompass nothing else nearby or the surrounding atmosphere. Once you are out of the feelings, the degrading nearby features surfaces. The degrations . . .
Should any degrations be blame always on the Yahudis and their cohords? Many voices seem to be pointing to put the blame on them, on any degrations we face. E.g., the KFCs near the mosque entrance, the non-Muslims hotels like Hilton, Equatorials, etc. The serenity in the mosque is almost gone. Gone not in the sense of punctuated gone, but almost continuously going off, i.e. only puctuatingly we got back the serenity, the calmness of yesteryears. What I am pointing out here is to the disturbances, nuicences, of the noise of hand phones ringing tones, digital cameras clicking, camera flashing, and blockages of your path during tawaf by someone doing video streaming to his partners etc whilst he himself is doing the tawaf . . . . And, answering phone call in higher than normal voices, and the busy fingers on sms. A real degration to do ibadat in full concentration – with heart and souls. As compared to my 25yrs ago visit where camera is prohibited in the mosque or even in its vicinity. And now, during prayer times, it’s not impossible for you to hear your favorites ringing tones in the very vicinity where you stand to pray. And, then there are degrations too – in dress ‘code’, behaviors, mp3 emitting doas, etc, but nothing compared to the havocs cause by hand phones and its attached cameras for photos and videos. My sincere hope is that the gadgets will be banned in the mosque soon, or the very least the authority should put up deterrent signs and enforced them strictly : HAND PHONES EMMITING ANY SOUND IN THE MOSQUE OR ITS VICINITY WILL BE CONFISCATED AND SMASH AT WILL. ANSWERING OR MAKING OF CALLS IS BY SMS ONLY. If the hand phones phenomena are not check, we just don’t know what other disturbing of peace gadgets will in future surfaces in the mosque. To blame them on Yahudis too – well, we should firstly search our hearts and souls . . . .
May God continuously have pity on us Muslims.
(My regards to newfound friends in and outside Group 11 Feb, 2010 THTS)
I am so thankful of this 25yr-again visit. I felt I am luckier than others in many aspects because with such a long span between visits I am able to see the differences – the then and the now – and to be able to see clearly (in my own perceptions, at least) the developments - materially and religiously. And, of course, very thankful to Saudi Govt. for allowing us to visit the many museums and to travel far inland to Al-Ula where the landscape is different to nearby deserts with its shaped mountains and the bigger town of Prophet Salleh (Madain Salle) where the reuins of carved mountain houses of the curse Thamud people lay barren in al Hijr Archeological Site (which is thousands of acres of fence up land.)
The now holy land of Mecca is very much off-targets from what I am expecting. The serenity, the calmness, the properly behaved atmosphere, the mutual respects of being in one religion, etc, etc, is almost rarely found and could be said as almost non-existent (again I felt very lucky to be able to experience the then holy land, although I was then at the ‘ignorance and tender’ age of 38 or so).
MATERIAL DEVELOPMENTS:
The material development is now vast huge and is progressing at a faster rate – pulsing day and night, nonstop. Mecca is now one huge construction site – with new ultra modern buildings coming up (mainly hotels, with numerous stars) and of course the new extension of the Al Haram Mosque. The extension is gigantic in nature and when fully completed in years to come it could accommodate up to 5 million pilgrims at a time and will be The Eye of The World (and if you have not got the chance to see the proposed plan: search in Iqracsense.com – haram mosque extension project, by Thomson or someone with an English/American name. You will appreciate the gigantic nature of the extension project where phase one have been in progress. This aspect of material development, to me, is somewhat necessary in nature and should be welcome. This goes along with new and required space and facilities – to accommodate the needs of increasing numbers of worldwide pilgrims and Islamic visitors with modern demands for facilities and ease of doing the rituals - the acquired taste and demands that came along with wealthier than before way of life.
SPIRITUAL DEGRATIONS:
The scene, physically I mean, once you are in the holy mosque, is almost a reflection of 25yrs ago. Nothing astound you, except of course the bigger than before praying floor space. The Kaabah stood as majestic and as appealing to the eyes and soul as before (and forever more). You are as then and now. Nothing changes. Nothing moves. The feelings are as then and as now. Time stood still, even after all these 25yrs, a quarter of century ago. May be these similarities are as then, as now and in as years to come, and till time ends. Only God knows. But, then these similarities encompass nothing else nearby or the surrounding atmosphere. Once you are out of the feelings, the degrading nearby features surfaces. The degrations . . .
Should any degrations be blame always on the Yahudis and their cohords? Many voices seem to be pointing to put the blame on them, on any degrations we face. E.g., the KFCs near the mosque entrance, the non-Muslims hotels like Hilton, Equatorials, etc. The serenity in the mosque is almost gone. Gone not in the sense of punctuated gone, but almost continuously going off, i.e. only puctuatingly we got back the serenity, the calmness of yesteryears. What I am pointing out here is to the disturbances, nuicences, of the noise of hand phones ringing tones, digital cameras clicking, camera flashing, and blockages of your path during tawaf by someone doing video streaming to his partners etc whilst he himself is doing the tawaf . . . . And, answering phone call in higher than normal voices, and the busy fingers on sms. A real degration to do ibadat in full concentration – with heart and souls. As compared to my 25yrs ago visit where camera is prohibited in the mosque or even in its vicinity. And now, during prayer times, it’s not impossible for you to hear your favorites ringing tones in the very vicinity where you stand to pray. And, then there are degrations too – in dress ‘code’, behaviors, mp3 emitting doas, etc, but nothing compared to the havocs cause by hand phones and its attached cameras for photos and videos. My sincere hope is that the gadgets will be banned in the mosque soon, or the very least the authority should put up deterrent signs and enforced them strictly : HAND PHONES EMMITING ANY SOUND IN THE MOSQUE OR ITS VICINITY WILL BE CONFISCATED AND SMASH AT WILL. ANSWERING OR MAKING OF CALLS IS BY SMS ONLY. If the hand phones phenomena are not check, we just don’t know what other disturbing of peace gadgets will in future surfaces in the mosque. To blame them on Yahudis too – well, we should firstly search our hearts and souls . . . .
May God continuously have pity on us Muslims.
(My regards to newfound friends in and outside Group 11 Feb, 2010 THTS)
Monday, December 21, 2009
Just For The Sake Of Writing . . . .
It has been a long time since I last wrote: too many hindrances along the way. The main obstacle had been a long paternity leave by my Network Administrator – his kids are in the exams year. The hindrances are over but then I felt like I am being out-dated : antiquated. Well, how not to feel so when flashing back to all those years gone by. When I started schooling, I need to go to ‘kutubkhanah’ for reference books or to borrow a book. Later I need to go to ‘perpustakaan’ for those things. And, years later it was known as ‘librari’. Then there is the item on spellings (in Bahasa Melayu, and later still in Bahasa Malaysia) – the way spellings are adjusted and readjusted along the years and then of course the problem of ‘E’ and ‘E tanda’. And, the unthinkable of all is the change of ‘air’ to mean water! In B.M. it was ‘ayer’ for water and in English ‘air’ is air. Now in B.M. its ‘air’ that means water. And, along the way too, the rename process took place: in my early years 7.00am is 7.00am. Later 7.00am came to be called 7.30am (time adjustment/time change or something?).
Things then are called differently too. In my early years our English teacher told us that the front part of the car (normally the engine compartment, except for a VW beetle) is called the “bonnet”. The rear end where spare tyre, begs, tools, etc are kept is known as the ‘boot”. Now, it seems the then ‘boot’ is known as the ‘bonnet’ too.
Figures increases and changes to new numbers. The 2-mile distance I use to cycle to school is now known as 3km. Height and weight changes too. Those pound and feet and inches gave way to kilogram, meters and cm.
Going global is the order of the day (not in any of my antiquated years). All seem to be trying to go global. Wonder when “the car for sale sign” (you know, the one where you find cars park along the roadside with empty plastic containers on the roof with scribbled phone numbers) is going global? Should we patent this unique ‘for sale sign’?
Yes, time really flies. But when ask what with 4 wheels that flies, do not say it’s a plane or helicopter. It’s the garbage truck.
Antiquated or not, one should keep on writing – not so much for others to read, but for the sake of writing itself. . . .
Things then are called differently too. In my early years our English teacher told us that the front part of the car (normally the engine compartment, except for a VW beetle) is called the “bonnet”. The rear end where spare tyre, begs, tools, etc are kept is known as the ‘boot”. Now, it seems the then ‘boot’ is known as the ‘bonnet’ too.
Figures increases and changes to new numbers. The 2-mile distance I use to cycle to school is now known as 3km. Height and weight changes too. Those pound and feet and inches gave way to kilogram, meters and cm.
Going global is the order of the day (not in any of my antiquated years). All seem to be trying to go global. Wonder when “the car for sale sign” (you know, the one where you find cars park along the roadside with empty plastic containers on the roof with scribbled phone numbers) is going global? Should we patent this unique ‘for sale sign’?
Yes, time really flies. But when ask what with 4 wheels that flies, do not say it’s a plane or helicopter. It’s the garbage truck.
Antiquated or not, one should keep on writing – not so much for others to read, but for the sake of writing itself. . . .
Thursday, April 30, 2009
SAHAM PNB
Minggu saham PNB biasanya ghairah dikunjungi oleh terutamanya kaum Bumiputra. Ramai dari mereka sudah faham, yakin dan berminat dengan pulangan yang ditawarkan. Tetapi, penyudahnya ramai Bumiputra tidak membelinya. Ini jelas dengan adanya lebihan unit yang diuntukkan kepada Bumiputra. Keadaan ini sudah berpanjangan melebihi 2 dekad. KENAPA?
Halangan utama adalah tahap kecairan kewangan yang rendah dikalangan Bumiputra yang rata2 makan gaji. Pendapatan sebulan sekali atau 2-minggu sekali telah terikat dengan berbagai hutang atau bayaran yang akhirnya menjadikan Bumiputra seakan-akan "kais pagi . . . ." Dalam kontek pelaburan, ramai dari kaum Bumiputra bolehlah dikatakan sebagai gulungan yang "miskin". Jadi unit2 yang ditawarkan oleh PNB akan terus tersimpan sehinggalah pihak yang lain dan lebih mampu dibenar membelinya. Ini tidak mustahil tidak berlaku kerana sebagai contoh, lebihan rumah 30% yang diuntukkan bagi Bumiputra, dengan potongan 5%, akhirnya dimiliki oleh rakyat Malaysia dari kaum lain yang lebih berkemampuan.
Ramai juga Bumiputra dahulunya membeli saham PNB melalui pinjaman bank.Tetapi bila pulangan merosot, dan pihak bank meminta bayaran tambahan setiap bulan, dan ini seterusnya mengganggu-gugat agihan ansuran sediada kepada anika jenis bayaran dan hutang (mithalnya: rumah, pengangkutan, orang gaji, tadika/taska, bas sekolah, perubatan, saraan ibu-bapa, dsbnya), mengakibatkan saham2 PNB perlu dilupuskan. Wal hasil balik asal.
Jadi ramai juga dari mereka ini kini menjadi "penasihat" kepada anak2, saudaramara, jiran dan lain2 kaki sembang, supaya tidak membeli melalui pinjaman bank kerana adalah sukar diduga untung-ruginya kerana bayaran balik melibatkan tempoh yang panjang. Berbelas atau berpuluh tahaun. Munkin pulangan merosot dan bayaran tambahan diperlukan oleh pihak bank dan pada masa itu jika kita sudah terikat dengan bayaran2 lain, saham2 itu perlu dijual. Penat sahaja. . . .
Satu2nya penyelesaian (munkin) ialah bantuan pihak berkaitan dengan bank supaya bank2memberi pinjaman sehingga 95% dan BAYARAN BALIK HANYA melalui potongan 100% dari dividen dan bonus. Tempoh masa bayaran balik adalah flexible dan bergantung kepada pulangan yang diterima. Tinggi pulangan, cepatlah hutang selesai. Walaupun cara ini munkin memakan masa yang panjang, dan pelabur hanya dapat menikmati pulangannya jauh dimasa hadapan, tetapi setidaknya Bumiputra akan lambat laun dapat menambah equiti mereka, dan ini seterusnya mengurangkan jurang pendapatan antara rakyat Malaysia. Tidaklah Bumiputra ketinggalan terlalu jauh dimasa hadapan.
Munkin juga ada saluran lain yang lebih baik untuk mengatasi masaalah lebihan saham PNB yang tidak dibeli oleh Biumiputra. Sama2lah difikirkan dan dilaksanakan demi mengurangkan jurang pendapatan diantra rakyat Malaysia.
Halangan utama adalah tahap kecairan kewangan yang rendah dikalangan Bumiputra yang rata2 makan gaji. Pendapatan sebulan sekali atau 2-minggu sekali telah terikat dengan berbagai hutang atau bayaran yang akhirnya menjadikan Bumiputra seakan-akan "kais pagi . . . ." Dalam kontek pelaburan, ramai dari kaum Bumiputra bolehlah dikatakan sebagai gulungan yang "miskin". Jadi unit2 yang ditawarkan oleh PNB akan terus tersimpan sehinggalah pihak yang lain dan lebih mampu dibenar membelinya. Ini tidak mustahil tidak berlaku kerana sebagai contoh, lebihan rumah 30% yang diuntukkan bagi Bumiputra, dengan potongan 5%, akhirnya dimiliki oleh rakyat Malaysia dari kaum lain yang lebih berkemampuan.
Ramai juga Bumiputra dahulunya membeli saham PNB melalui pinjaman bank.Tetapi bila pulangan merosot, dan pihak bank meminta bayaran tambahan setiap bulan, dan ini seterusnya mengganggu-gugat agihan ansuran sediada kepada anika jenis bayaran dan hutang (mithalnya: rumah, pengangkutan, orang gaji, tadika/taska, bas sekolah, perubatan, saraan ibu-bapa, dsbnya), mengakibatkan saham2 PNB perlu dilupuskan. Wal hasil balik asal.
Jadi ramai juga dari mereka ini kini menjadi "penasihat" kepada anak2, saudaramara, jiran dan lain2 kaki sembang, supaya tidak membeli melalui pinjaman bank kerana adalah sukar diduga untung-ruginya kerana bayaran balik melibatkan tempoh yang panjang. Berbelas atau berpuluh tahaun. Munkin pulangan merosot dan bayaran tambahan diperlukan oleh pihak bank dan pada masa itu jika kita sudah terikat dengan bayaran2 lain, saham2 itu perlu dijual. Penat sahaja. . . .
Satu2nya penyelesaian (munkin) ialah bantuan pihak berkaitan dengan bank supaya bank2memberi pinjaman sehingga 95% dan BAYARAN BALIK HANYA melalui potongan 100% dari dividen dan bonus. Tempoh masa bayaran balik adalah flexible dan bergantung kepada pulangan yang diterima. Tinggi pulangan, cepatlah hutang selesai. Walaupun cara ini munkin memakan masa yang panjang, dan pelabur hanya dapat menikmati pulangannya jauh dimasa hadapan, tetapi setidaknya Bumiputra akan lambat laun dapat menambah equiti mereka, dan ini seterusnya mengurangkan jurang pendapatan antara rakyat Malaysia. Tidaklah Bumiputra ketinggalan terlalu jauh dimasa hadapan.
Munkin juga ada saluran lain yang lebih baik untuk mengatasi masaalah lebihan saham PNB yang tidak dibeli oleh Biumiputra. Sama2lah difikirkan dan dilaksanakan demi mengurangkan jurang pendapatan diantra rakyat Malaysia.
Delivery System
With every change of leadership, be it at federal, state, ministry or local level, one of the most talk about item is the 'delivery system' (sistem penyampaian dan bukannya sistem penghantaran, kerana hantar tak semestinya sampai). Tagging along the 'delivery system' is the 'red tape' problems. This often goes hand-in-hand.
The aim of the leadership is to make it as easy as possible for the people at large to benefit from whatever policy the government is implementing - and the government spent a huge sum and take pain to ensure 'it is delivered' to the masses with ease. The government, say eg. at federal level will study the proposed project and to ensure that as many people as possible benefited from the project or programmes, the govt will also ask the Implementors to do away with 'red tapes'. Taking away red tapes is easier said then done. The main reason, I think, is because the Implementors are trained and instill in them, the concept of accountability and the avoidance of hanky panky. So, the Implementors will somehow insist on bars and blockages to ensure accuntability, which in the end is their responsibilities. This is where the conflict between the two arises. And the people at large are the losers.
Just take these 2 simple cases:
1. Abolishment Of Roadtax For Motorbikes.
Long ago the then government announced the abilishment of roadtax for motorbikes. The kampungs and inhibitants of the interior esp are delighted. Although the amount of roadtax is small, but the sides benefits are many. No need to go to RTD Officers which are km away, no need to que at RTD, no need to pay runner if you are unable to go, can settle by just buying the needed insurance cover at some of the sundryshop nearby where there are insurance agent.The free hassle-day will give time to go rubber tapping etc which will give income to cover the need of one or two days. But, no sooner the abolishment was announced, the RTD came up with a RM2 disc which need to be getting at their offices. So, the end result is just a minor roadtax reduction.
With modern and costly IT equipment, computer connection to RTD offices and the availability of "portable readers", etc, can't someone think of ways and means to do away with the Rm 2 disc, and give the people more benefits then just a reduction in roadtax amount?
2. Farmacies At Government Hospitals.
Have you ever watch the crowd there? It started as soon as the doors are open! Wondering whether these are the patients just been examined this very morning by the doctors? The answer is NO! Most are patients examined by the doctors one or two months ago. Most of these patients are with 'choronic' dieseases such as HPT, DT or the likes, who needed medicines on a daily basis.
Normally the doctors will examine these patients on a 3-monthly basis, and prescribe medicine for next 3 months usage. BUT, for reasons best known to them, the farmacies will supply medicines only on a monthly basis. This means the patients will have to come back for medicines in exactly a month in future. This also means, if the doctors examine 800 patients on 1st of the month, the next 1st of the month there will be 2,400 patients lining up for medicines ( 800 patients for the day, 800 1-month old patients, and 800 2-month old patients).
Beside, most of these patients are people who dont have the luxury of getting medicines from commercial units. So, they are 'poor' in this contact. As such, why make them pay for repeated monthly travel costs to GH farmacies and inconvinience them with travel problems as most are old people hard on hearing, weak knees, blurred visions and at minimum strength?
Somehow, somewhere, someone should look into this problems and find a better solution to help these old souls. (And, by the way we could also reduce the number of unfill pharmacists job).
The aim of the leadership is to make it as easy as possible for the people at large to benefit from whatever policy the government is implementing - and the government spent a huge sum and take pain to ensure 'it is delivered' to the masses with ease. The government, say eg. at federal level will study the proposed project and to ensure that as many people as possible benefited from the project or programmes, the govt will also ask the Implementors to do away with 'red tapes'. Taking away red tapes is easier said then done. The main reason, I think, is because the Implementors are trained and instill in them, the concept of accountability and the avoidance of hanky panky. So, the Implementors will somehow insist on bars and blockages to ensure accuntability, which in the end is their responsibilities. This is where the conflict between the two arises. And the people at large are the losers.
Just take these 2 simple cases:
1. Abolishment Of Roadtax For Motorbikes.
Long ago the then government announced the abilishment of roadtax for motorbikes. The kampungs and inhibitants of the interior esp are delighted. Although the amount of roadtax is small, but the sides benefits are many. No need to go to RTD Officers which are km away, no need to que at RTD, no need to pay runner if you are unable to go, can settle by just buying the needed insurance cover at some of the sundryshop nearby where there are insurance agent.The free hassle-day will give time to go rubber tapping etc which will give income to cover the need of one or two days. But, no sooner the abolishment was announced, the RTD came up with a RM2 disc which need to be getting at their offices. So, the end result is just a minor roadtax reduction.
With modern and costly IT equipment, computer connection to RTD offices and the availability of "portable readers", etc, can't someone think of ways and means to do away with the Rm 2 disc, and give the people more benefits then just a reduction in roadtax amount?
2. Farmacies At Government Hospitals.
Have you ever watch the crowd there? It started as soon as the doors are open! Wondering whether these are the patients just been examined this very morning by the doctors? The answer is NO! Most are patients examined by the doctors one or two months ago. Most of these patients are with 'choronic' dieseases such as HPT, DT or the likes, who needed medicines on a daily basis.
Normally the doctors will examine these patients on a 3-monthly basis, and prescribe medicine for next 3 months usage. BUT, for reasons best known to them, the farmacies will supply medicines only on a monthly basis. This means the patients will have to come back for medicines in exactly a month in future. This also means, if the doctors examine 800 patients on 1st of the month, the next 1st of the month there will be 2,400 patients lining up for medicines ( 800 patients for the day, 800 1-month old patients, and 800 2-month old patients).
Beside, most of these patients are people who dont have the luxury of getting medicines from commercial units. So, they are 'poor' in this contact. As such, why make them pay for repeated monthly travel costs to GH farmacies and inconvinience them with travel problems as most are old people hard on hearing, weak knees, blurred visions and at minimum strength?
Somehow, somewhere, someone should look into this problems and find a better solution to help these old souls. (And, by the way we could also reduce the number of unfill pharmacists job).
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Cultural Evolution
All things are dynamic in nature - nothing stays put. Things evolve. The very least it will be evolving to an end. From young to old and . . . . So are practices and traditions in culture. Take wedding receptions as an example. For a Malay wedding receptions it has somehow evolve from having it in the kampungs to halls and hotels.
Remember the old days where Malay wedding receptions are organised base on some form of 'berderau' and 'gotong royong'. 'Berderau' in this scenario means guests helping out the host with gift items that are needed for the receptions such as rice, sugar, coffee, milk and even goat or a cow. The giver somewhat expect the host to remember his gift (in term of type and quantity) and hope the host will return the favour, equally, when the time come for his sons or daughters receptions in years to come. The host normally record such 'berderau' items as he intends to help out too when the time comes (tit-for-tat). 'Gotong royong' is of course the helping hands given by guest (normally neighbours) to ensure the success of the reception (here too there is an element of tit-for- tat, ie nothing is free, even though it looks so).
On the reception day there are guest who still come bearing items needed for the receptions [joke: mithalnya gula dlm mangkuk tingkat setinggi Komtar, utk diisi kemudiannya dgn lauk dan nasi kenduri]and/or gift for the bride and groom. The host in return gave the guest 'bunga telor' as a thank you gesture. And to some, food items like the one serve in the reception, for close friend/relatives that are unable to attend because of illness, etc.
Later, this gift bearing guest in the 'berderau' evolve to giving of cash in packets, an amount of say, RM 1.00 to RM 5.00 per guest/family. And the host still give 'bunga telor, to the guest in return as a take home gift. Then, because of inflation or because the community is a bit well to do now, or for whatever reasons the packets grew to a new level of RM 10.00 - RM 50.00, and occasionally RM 100.00, and rarely to RM 300.00. The host in return give, not only the usual homemake handcrafted bunga telor, but bunga telor in ceramic holders, with titbit etc. And, because the host are also now well-off and since the amount gave by guest are attractive, the host gives, as an addition to 'bunga telor' in nice holders, and titbit, gives also paper begs with thank you wordings, and some have names or even photos of bride and groom on the begs.
These paper begs, to note, is not given to all Timah, Daud and Hamzah, but to guest with parcel wrapping gifts, and to relatives/close friends. But not to worry if you don't get the paper beg. From my experience, the contents are nothing more then 'bunga telor' titbits, the smallest of towel you ever saw, and one or too food item. Nothing to cry about. What I hope to see, and get if possible, one of these fine days, a paper beg that contain more valuable gifts. May be a pair of Rolex watches, complete with guarantee card and all.
What I need to do now is to attend wedding receptions with parcel wrapping gifts (the content is of my choice, but that parcel must be big and impressive) and hope to get the Rolexes soon. I will and continue to keep hoping for that fine day . . . .
Remember the old days where Malay wedding receptions are organised base on some form of 'berderau' and 'gotong royong'. 'Berderau' in this scenario means guests helping out the host with gift items that are needed for the receptions such as rice, sugar, coffee, milk and even goat or a cow. The giver somewhat expect the host to remember his gift (in term of type and quantity) and hope the host will return the favour, equally, when the time come for his sons or daughters receptions in years to come. The host normally record such 'berderau' items as he intends to help out too when the time comes (tit-for-tat). 'Gotong royong' is of course the helping hands given by guest (normally neighbours) to ensure the success of the reception (here too there is an element of tit-for- tat, ie nothing is free, even though it looks so).
On the reception day there are guest who still come bearing items needed for the receptions [joke: mithalnya gula dlm mangkuk tingkat setinggi Komtar, utk diisi kemudiannya dgn lauk dan nasi kenduri]and/or gift for the bride and groom. The host in return gave the guest 'bunga telor' as a thank you gesture. And to some, food items like the one serve in the reception, for close friend/relatives that are unable to attend because of illness, etc.
Later, this gift bearing guest in the 'berderau' evolve to giving of cash in packets, an amount of say, RM 1.00 to RM 5.00 per guest/family. And the host still give 'bunga telor, to the guest in return as a take home gift. Then, because of inflation or because the community is a bit well to do now, or for whatever reasons the packets grew to a new level of RM 10.00 - RM 50.00, and occasionally RM 100.00, and rarely to RM 300.00. The host in return give, not only the usual homemake handcrafted bunga telor, but bunga telor in ceramic holders, with titbit etc. And, because the host are also now well-off and since the amount gave by guest are attractive, the host gives, as an addition to 'bunga telor' in nice holders, and titbit, gives also paper begs with thank you wordings, and some have names or even photos of bride and groom on the begs.
These paper begs, to note, is not given to all Timah, Daud and Hamzah, but to guest with parcel wrapping gifts, and to relatives/close friends. But not to worry if you don't get the paper beg. From my experience, the contents are nothing more then 'bunga telor' titbits, the smallest of towel you ever saw, and one or too food item. Nothing to cry about. What I hope to see, and get if possible, one of these fine days, a paper beg that contain more valuable gifts. May be a pair of Rolex watches, complete with guarantee card and all.
What I need to do now is to attend wedding receptions with parcel wrapping gifts (the content is of my choice, but that parcel must be big and impressive) and hope to get the Rolexes soon. I will and continue to keep hoping for that fine day . . . .
Monday, March 30, 2009
WIN-WIN SITUATIONS . . .. .and a WINDFALL to others. ! ! !
Malaysian Highway is one of the best in the region. Well kept with beautiful landscaping in most of the stretches. But this does not mean it's a smooth driving lane. It does not come free of hickups and problems. When opened, it was highly appreciated except by some opposition leaders. Then, the problems surfaced. First it was the problems of never ending rates increases, bad stretches, "vultures" and the unreasonable charges by tow truckers, etc. Now all are "under control". So, it seems.
Last week a friend of mine call from the highway saying that his car overheated and had just stopped the car to cool down. While talking I could hear the sound of a motorbike stopping by and asking whats the problem. My friend told me he'd call back later.
About 20 mins. later he called and said his problem is solved : win-win situations : the guy on the motorbike offered to tow his car to his workshop at RM 30.00 (very very reasonable and low rate) and the estimate of the repair ( flushing of radiator) is about RM 45.00. So, all in all, my friend could repair his car at less than RM 100.00 ( a sure win situation, remembering the cost of towing that normally cost between RM 150.00 to RM 300.00) and the guy on the motorbike is also winning because he gets some repair job and at the same time the use of his towtruck gives him instant cash. All seems fine. A real win-win situations.
At the workshop the guy's mechanic said that he had to check-up and find if everything is ok with the engine.Firstly he told my friend that overheated cars normally result in other damages to engine parts. After filling the radiator with a fresh tank of water, he tried and said the engine cannot be started. [And, the win-win situations stopped here]. After, opening the top part of the engine (to investigate the problems) , the pronouncement was: the pistons are wrapped (or something),the rings are broken, the valve need . . . . and so on with other mechanic's term which my friend have heard before but not sure whats all about. The short explanations was it needed overhauling and it cost RM1,600.00!!!. STUNT, BUT WITH NO OTHER ALTERNATIVES ( THE ENGINE IS PARTLY DISMANTLED, THE CAR IN HIS WORKSHOP, NO WHERE ELSE TO GO OR ASK FOR HELP AND MAY BE WHAT HE SAID WAS TRUE, so the only choice was to agree to the overhauling of the car at RM 1600.00. Discussions after discussions, my friend end up having to stay overnight before the car is fixed (and to hunt for RM 1,600.00).
Things became suspicious because whilst waiting for the car to be fixed, 2 more cars (overheated on the highways) arrived at the workshop with minor problems to be fixed, ie to flush the radiator and to change the caskets ( and their estimates respectively was a total of RM 75.00 and RM175.00). Both end up paying RM 1600.00 and RM 1,800.00. The RM 30.00 and the low estimate was a bait - a modus operandi of the workshop. Later I found out there 2 such workshops "specialising" in repairs for cars stranded on the highways. The other workshop is a place where cars towed by the highway operators are repaired. And the charges are almost identical to this workshop that my friend got stuck with (may be the same modus operandi too).
It seems all towns along the highway have such "specialise" workshops!!! And the bait / modus operandi is almost similar.
So, the questions are:
1. what do we do when stranded on the highways so that we are not the victim of such workshops?
2. whom do we trust?
3. any organisations or body to protect highway users?
For the time being, its better not to trust anyone and trust ownself by ensuring the vehicle is regularly check, service, and change parts, esp beltings when due. And, pray for the best.
Last week a friend of mine call from the highway saying that his car overheated and had just stopped the car to cool down. While talking I could hear the sound of a motorbike stopping by and asking whats the problem. My friend told me he'd call back later.
About 20 mins. later he called and said his problem is solved : win-win situations : the guy on the motorbike offered to tow his car to his workshop at RM 30.00 (very very reasonable and low rate) and the estimate of the repair ( flushing of radiator) is about RM 45.00. So, all in all, my friend could repair his car at less than RM 100.00 ( a sure win situation, remembering the cost of towing that normally cost between RM 150.00 to RM 300.00) and the guy on the motorbike is also winning because he gets some repair job and at the same time the use of his towtruck gives him instant cash. All seems fine. A real win-win situations.
At the workshop the guy's mechanic said that he had to check-up and find if everything is ok with the engine.Firstly he told my friend that overheated cars normally result in other damages to engine parts. After filling the radiator with a fresh tank of water, he tried and said the engine cannot be started. [And, the win-win situations stopped here]. After, opening the top part of the engine (to investigate the problems) , the pronouncement was: the pistons are wrapped (or something),the rings are broken, the valve need . . . . and so on with other mechanic's term which my friend have heard before but not sure whats all about. The short explanations was it needed overhauling and it cost RM1,600.00!!!. STUNT, BUT WITH NO OTHER ALTERNATIVES ( THE ENGINE IS PARTLY DISMANTLED, THE CAR IN HIS WORKSHOP, NO WHERE ELSE TO GO OR ASK FOR HELP AND MAY BE WHAT HE SAID WAS TRUE, so the only choice was to agree to the overhauling of the car at RM 1600.00. Discussions after discussions, my friend end up having to stay overnight before the car is fixed (and to hunt for RM 1,600.00).
Things became suspicious because whilst waiting for the car to be fixed, 2 more cars (overheated on the highways) arrived at the workshop with minor problems to be fixed, ie to flush the radiator and to change the caskets ( and their estimates respectively was a total of RM 75.00 and RM175.00). Both end up paying RM 1600.00 and RM 1,800.00. The RM 30.00 and the low estimate was a bait - a modus operandi of the workshop. Later I found out there 2 such workshops "specialising" in repairs for cars stranded on the highways. The other workshop is a place where cars towed by the highway operators are repaired. And the charges are almost identical to this workshop that my friend got stuck with (may be the same modus operandi too).
It seems all towns along the highway have such "specialise" workshops!!! And the bait / modus operandi is almost similar.
So, the questions are:
1. what do we do when stranded on the highways so that we are not the victim of such workshops?
2. whom do we trust?
3. any organisations or body to protect highway users?
For the time being, its better not to trust anyone and trust ownself by ensuring the vehicle is regularly check, service, and change parts, esp beltings when due. And, pray for the best.
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