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Showing posts from September, 2009

Info on EPF

If a member has more than one nominee and one of the nominees dies during the member's lifetime, only the portion that was bequeathed to the deceased nominee will be invalid. Should the member later dies without updating his nomination, the other nominees will receive their portion accordingly. Only the portion that was bequeathed to the deceased nominee will be subject to procedures under 'EPF savings without nomination' in which the first priority for the right to claim the member's savings goes to the appointed administrator of the deceased member's estate. Therefore it is not true that if you, as a member, have named more than one nominee, the entire nomination will be void if one of the nominee dies before you. It follows however that if you have named only one nominee and he or she dies before you, the nomination will be void unless a new beneficiary is nominated. Please note that you don't have to produce the death certificate of a deceased nominee to

Research on Starbucks

I'm not sure about the situation in US, but for Malaysia, I agree with the findings that there's no  community or "chit chat" feel at Starbucks. I see it's more of a place for executives to meet up for brief business discussion and people with laptop tapping the free wireless and power options offered. But it's still doing Starbucks good, ain't it? :) What's true cost of a Starbucks latte, author asks PHILADELPHIA: If Bryant Simon owned a coffee shop, it would not have conversation-killing Wi-Fi. But it would have a big, round table strewn with newspapers to stimulate discussion. That sense of community is what's missing from Starbucks, a conclusion Simon reached after visiting about 425 of its coffee shops in nine countries. And yet millions of people patronise the outlets each day. Simon, a history professor at Temple University in Philadelphia, has spent the past few years figuring out why. His new book, "Everything but the Coffee: Le

La La Chong Seafood Restaurant

La La Chong Seafood Restaurant (Relocated from near Terminal 3 Subang airport to Kayu Ara Damansara since Aug 2009) Lot 13556, Jalan Cempaka, Kayu Ara Damansara 47400 Petaling Jaya 03-7728 1906 Without a doubt, it is unusual dishes like wasabe-grilled salmon, super chilli crab, grilled lamb, baby squid with sambal belacan, crayfish kam heong style, steamed garoupa Thai style, claypot mutton with murungakka (drumstick) and bittergourd with salted egg that are the attraction.

Cervical vaccination for all 13-year-old Malaysians

I applaud this move. It comes in 3 doses at RM 500, from the original price of RM 1200. KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will provide annual HPV vaccination against cervical or cervix cancer to all 300,000 13-year-old girls in Malaysia beginning next year. It is up to the girls to take advantage of the vaccine. Currently, the vaccine costs RM1,200 for three doses per person. The Ministry hoped to negotiate with drug companies for as low as RM500 person as there would be economies of scale and others seeking the jabs in the private sector would benefit too, he said. Via The Star

New modus operandi by Ah Long using credit cards

I really hate Ah Long! They ruin people's life. Ah Long now offer quick loans via credit cards GEORGE TOWN: Loan sharks now have a hassle-free modus operandi involving the use of credit cards to issue money to customers while leaving the headache of debt collection to the banks. Posing as merchants and under the pretence of settling purchase transactions, these Ah Long would swipe the credit cards of customers for the amount loaned plus interest, said state Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Asst Comm Roslee Chik. "For instance, if a customer wants RM4,000, they will swipe his credit card for RM4,200, including interest. "The payment is supposedly for the purchase of items such as a refrigerator. When the bank calls up the customer to confirm the purchase, he will confirm it," ACP Roslee told The Star yesterday. ACP Roslee said the new tactic saved the loan sharks the hassle of going after debtors. "They get the money from the banks, which, in t

Very inspiring career move from US to China

BEIJING (AP): When the best job Mikala Reasbeck could find after college in Boston was counting pills part-time in a drugstore for $7 an hour, she took the drastic step of jumping on a plane to Beijing in February to look for work. A week after she started looking, the 23-year-old from Wheeling, West Virginia, had a full-time job teaching English. "I applied for jobs all over the U.S. There just weren't any," said Reasbeck, who speaks no Chinese but had volunteered at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In China, she said, "the jobs are so easy to find. And there are so many." Young foreigners like Reasbeck are coming to China to look for work in its unfamiliar but less bleak economy, driven by the worst job markets in decades in the United States, Europe and some Asian countries. Many do basic work such as teaching English, a service in demand from Chinese businesspeople and students. But a growing number are arriving with skills and experience in computers, finance and

Skype lawsuit against eBay

The founders of Skype filed a lawsuit against EBay Inc. today, a step that could spoil EBay's $2-billion deal to sell a controlling stake in the Internet phone company to a group of private investors. The suit, filed in a Delaware court, was brought by Joltid Ltd. and Joost N.V., which are owned by Skype founders Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis . The lawsuit contends that former Joost chief executive Michelangelo Volpi used confidential information to sell a 65% stake in Skype to a private equity consortium. The deal was announced by EBay about two weeks ago. Volpi recently became a partner at Index Ventures Management S.A., one of the investors buying a majority stake in Skype. The lawsuit alleges that Volpi leaked Joost's company secrets and accuses him of "civil conspiracy." Volpi had a fiduciary duty to protect the information, the lawsuit charges, and not "use it for his own benefit." Index Ventures is also listed as a defendant in the suit. EBay bou

Australia also has 'Josef Fritzl'

Another tragic case. How could this man be so cruel to her daughter? In 2005, an Australian woman in her 40s gathered the bravery to approach police in the southern state of Victoria. With the encouragement of a concerned neighbor, she told the officer on duty at the Victorian police station that she had been kept a virtual prisoner by her own father for three decades. During this time,she said, he raped her repeatedly, fathering her four children, three of whom survived. Despite the gravity of her allegations, the police could not convince her to press charges. Fearing for her safety, she quietly returned to her life in the rural Latrobe Valley. The case is only coming to light now in Australia after the Herald Sun , a Melbourne daily, broke the story on Thursday. Two years after approaching the police, the victim filed a restraining order against her father, and in June 2008 she pressed charges. Seven months later, in February, the man now referred as the "Australian Josef Fritz

Maxis offers 30% stake to raise RM 9bil

Something to watch out. Will I get to buy their shares again? PETALING JAYA: Maxis Communications Bhd (MCB) is offering for sale 30% or 2.25 billion shares of Maxis Bhd's (Maxis) issued and paid-up capital, of which 2.33% is for retail investors and 27.67% for institutional investors as part of the celco's initial public offering (IPO). Maxis is the country's dominant cellular player, which as at mid-June had 11.4 million mobile subscribers and controls 40% share of the Malaysian cellular market. The offer for sale is expected to raise US$2.5bil or about RM9bil, which will be the biggest IPO in corporate Malaysia since 1995. The offer price was not revealed in the draft prospectus that was posted on the Securities Commission website on Thursday. Maxis will not issue new shares for the IPO and thus will not get any proceeds. The proceeds will go to the shareholders that are making the offer for sale. Prior to the IPO, MCB, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Binariang GSM Sdn Bhd,

Green Tea and caffeine

I was wondering if green tea does have caffeine. After some research , the answer is yes. Green tea has typical 30 - 50 mg of caffeine but is lower than coffee. A good substitute with other benefits like anti-oxidant. I will continue my consumption ...

Prevent H1N1

Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is. While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps - not fully highlighted in most official communications - can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu): 1.    Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications). 2.    "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat or bathe). 3.    Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate thi

"A disciplined mind can help the well-being of the entire body"

I wish I got inspired too from this quote of Tan Sri Lin See-Yan. The quality of life WHEN I read Tan Sri Lin See-Yan's article, I had a glimmer of hope. I am truly inspired by his words that "... a disciplined mind can help the well-being of the entire body ." I am 26 years old and suffers from scoliosis and, as a result, depression . Lin's success as a person and economist provides an extra push for me to believe that this ailment will not stop me from attaining my dreams of becoming a successful lecturer (I am an instructor at a local university) who produces high-quality research. Thank you. In Pain but still hopeful Via The Star

A review of Malaysia participating in F1 2010

Good review here. Though I'm a big fan of Tony Fernandes, I'm too skeptical on the outcome of this multi-million ringgit investment. F1 entry – good timing or big risk? By YEOW POOI LING EYEBROWS were raised when news broke that Malaysia is participating in the Formula One (F1) race next year via the Lotus F1 team. The team is a collaboration between the Government and a group of entrepreneurs linked to AirAsia Bhd and the Naza Group, with Proton Holdings Bhd's British subsidiary, Lotus as the constructor. Sceptics are many, especially since big names in the auto world such as Honda and BMW have withdrawn their participation from the sport due to the global economic crisis. As the United States and countries across Europe and Asia are still trying to revive their economies, why would Malaysia choose this time to join one of the world's most expensive sports? More importantly, who is forking out the money? Let's talk money F1 is well known for its huge spend

MCA EGM: Ong Tee Keat vs Chua Soi Lek

10 Oct 2009, is the day to watch out for. It's a do or die for both OTK and CSL. The five resolutions to be tabled are to move a motion of no-confidence against Ong; to anull the decision to expel Dr Chua; to reinstate Dr Chua as MCA deputy president; to revoke any appointment made before the EGM; and that no disciplinary action to be taken against the requisitionists. Via The Star

Bali hit by earthquake

Being a major tourist spot, I'm sure it does affect Bali. I myself will re-considering if I were to re-visit Bali anytime soon. Yeah, I fell in love with Bali since my first visit 3 years ago and had then vowed to go back in the future :) Indonesian quake injures 7 on Bali resort island BALI, Indonesia: A strong earthquake shook the popular Indonesian resort island of Bali early Saturday, injuring at least seven people and sending panicked tourists and residents fleeing out of homes and hotels. No tsunami warning was issued and there were no immediate reports of major damage. The magnitude 5.8 quake hit just after 6 a.m. local time (2300 GMT) 45 miles (75 kilometers) south of Denpasar, the island's capital, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Indonesia's Meteorological and Geophysics Agency put the quake at a more powerful 6.4 magnitude. Seven people were treated for head injuries and broken bones at Sanglah Hospital in Denpasar, said Dr. Ken Wirasandi, adding that women an

MAS Promo: Everyday Low Fares (Sept 2009)

Europe deal seems good. KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines' (MAS) 'Everyday Low Fares' offers are back with the best deals for domestic and international travel in conjunction with Hari Raya celebrations. In a statement, MAS said the travel deals were offered from now until Sept 18, 2009. It said Turkey-bound travellers could take advantage of its 'Everyday Low Fares' and fly to Istanbul for as low as RM1, 078 one-way. For travel within Peninsular Malaysia, the all-inclusive one-way fares would start from as low as RM69, RM228 for Asean destinations, and RM438 to China and RM428 to the Indian sub-continent, it said. "Guests can fly one-way from Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, at fares starting from RM1, 148 one-way and Dubai from RM768 while the popular 'kangaroo' routes were going from RM618 to Perth and RM988 to Melbourne," it said. MAS said the travel period were between Oct 14, 2009 and Aug 20, 2010 f

LRT extension proposal display for public feedback

I'll go and have a look. Idrose said the Ampang LRT extension would cover 17.7km, and start from the Sri Petaling Station, passing through areas like Bukit OUG, the Bukit Jalil Golf and Country Club, and into Puchong before ending at Putra Heights. It will have 13 new stations. "There will be seven stations with park and ride facilities, six of which will be developed as multi-storey car park complexes," he said. The Kelana Jaya LRT extension starts from the Kelana Jaya station, passing through Subang Jaya and USJ, before ending at Putra Heights. It covers 17km with 13 stations. The line will also have five stations with park and ride facilities. Prasarana will display the proposed extension and alignment of the two LRT lines, as well as the facilities provided at the stations for three months starting today until Dec 14. Members of the public are invited to give their feedback on the proposed lines at the locations. Idrose said once they had received feed

Passport at RM 100 valid for 2 years

BUKIT KAYU HITAM: If you seldom travel abroad, you can now save on your passpart and pay RM100 instead of RM300 for the Alternative International Malaysian Passport. From Oct 1, Malaysians can ap­­ply for the alternative passport which is valid for two years, announced Home Minister Datuk Seri Hisham­mud­din Tun Hussein. Via The Star

AirAsia to fly to more destinations in India

Time to save more $ for more travel destinations! According to a UNI report, AirAsia is in talks with the Government of India (GoI) to introduce direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to various cities in India including Chennai, Kolkata, Trivandrum, Kochi, Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar . Moses Devanayagam, Head (Operations), AirAsia said that efforts were on to introduce a direct flight to Abu Dhabi from Kuala Lumpur from October this year. The airline is also planning to introduce direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and UK, US, Australia, China, Japan and Korea . Devanayagam mentioned that the company initially launched operations with three aircraft and in a short span this has increased to 70 aircraft. He added that during the recently concluded Air Show in Paris, the company had placed order for procuring ten new version of A350 wide bodied and long-haul aircraft, which will be delivered to them in 2015-16. He also informed that after the ongoing renovation of the existing terminal at Kua

6.3% dividend for ASW 2020

Still looks good to me. KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) on Wednesday announced an income distribution of 6.3 sen per unit for Amanah Saham Wawasan 2020 (ASW 2020) for the year ending Aug 31, 2009 as against 7.0 sen per unit in the previous year. Via Bernama