Remembering Somethings

Let's Face It... sometimes when we are caught in many work... we have to forego many things and we are grossly reminded by it.

I lost my domain, AZRIN.NET , Geeks Lair.....many years back with the remembrance of my family, friends etc...and I've to remind myself here...that things do change for a better....

Today I receive the birth of a nephew to the world, Congrats Nurasyikin & Fazly on the arrival of your baby boy.... but a life in, a life out...


So in recap... I will reprint from what I have said before....

What changes....

So what has changed... nothing much other than the technical layout in terms of DNS , Hostnames, AAAA IPv6 records and doing some work there , here , every where and I'm based out of Singapore.....

Did I say it right... yes I am now Officially BASED out of Singapore...and job hopping again.

MyRepublic has been great to me tiding out the ripples in life after I got conned by Singtel... don't we all?? Cut it short.. I will not stand to let customers curse at me with the hidden charges...and I let em off free...at the cost to my own pocket... At least karma is kind to me..and fed me what I really needed......or when I really needed it to be...

So bottom line: MyRepublic.. many promotions.. if U want no setup fees.. $59 a mth, 5 months free..basic router... no frills 100mbps.... and eligible for MEMBER get MEMBER promo.. you get one month free... your friend also get additional month free....

Best package in town...

anything..call me 81196830....

Gong Xi Fa Cai

So I have been busy working about with a few projects of my own, namely some research into Hacking of WiFi , Installation of Open Net services to clients, setting up of my own Cooperative Society and helping members of the Zaira Coop with their GMBO Marketing grant.

Anyway, since everyone is gone for the Holidays.. I wish to extend my heartfelt and warmest regards to all and wishing you all a prosperous , healthy and wealthy Lunar New Year... Gong Xi Fa Cai... but don't go Chiak Chua too much eh....

Oh ya..do look out for the special deals on MyRepublic Knowledge Base.

Singapore Election Fever

Just to let you know..Singapore is having another by-election with the resignation of the former speaker of parliament, Micheal Palmer who was caught for extra marital affairs.

Politics aside.. I do mind that they have the Political Rallies near my place because they make a ton of mess noise nuisance (if it not enough that I have to tolerate the TPE revving of bikes etc) and that the police cordons etc and making me pissed with the traffic.

Those going to the rally ..please TAKE THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.. including the candidates and their heavy weights...

Opinion: Workers Party are there for show.. nothing new except that the Hammer is the face for the late JB Jeyaratnam, who the son Kenneth is contesting too under the Reform Party as he can't take the heat. The WP Candidate look too young like Tem-Peh-Leng ...and I don't trust em... and the SDA.. are there to spoil the show...

I expect PAP to win because the opposition are spoiling the whole market.... and I get on with my life...as normal....

My First Redemption ....

After 1 year of me using Punchtab... finally someone managed to redeem something from me.... A loyal visitor?? Maybe.. but in any other means, we got himself a RM5 topup voucher from me...

Seems pitons compared to the prizes other people give but hey...  Fadzil still won something from me...

To win more from me... comment...and follow my blogs OK???

Happy New Year

COE prices nearing $100,000!

Today, the COE price for the Open Category went sky high to $93,000 which works out to at whopping $9,300 license fee just to have the vehicle on the road and mind you, the prices are sky rocketing...

So what I would suggest to the Singapore Government is make the best of the situation and use a Robin Hood scenario where there are sure to make extra income.

For example, have just one COE rate for ALL Cars. Cars below 2000cc pays the same rate. Gas guzzlers or Dirty Technology Vehicles exceeding that (Sports Cars etc) must pay a hefty quantum of one fold for every 1000cc exceed 2000cc or part there of. So for example, a Mercedes 320 would have to pay 4 times the price of the normal COE and they would have their COE limited to 5 years use only, for 'health and safety' plus 'environmental issue' purposes. That would work out to as much as $2Billion or more worth of road duties for the car market. And limit the ownership to only Singapore Citizens. It's our privilege  If they lease it out.. their taichi lor. Foreigners can take the cab.

The Public Transport need a rework. Bus operators cannot have more than 500 buses. Thus the need to have more bus companies plying the route and without the need of a huge monopoly. Same principle applies to Taxis. Bring back the old Comfort Owner Driver scheme to help taxi drivers out of poverty.

Allow Taxi Drivers to OWN their own Taxi Cabs. With the existing system, these cabs are limited to ONE DRIVER to One Lifetime of Free COE and Taxes, to relieve the current costs of rental etc. The Open Category is a huge measuring tape of the current cost of taxis and our fares. Each cab is rented out at $120/day or $306,000 over a lifetime of 7 years. This is more than the worth of a 4 room HDB Flat. COE is the huge cost in that chunk. So a Singapore Taxi Driver having driven 5 years or more, can apply for ONE FREE COE Taxi Cab Permit. No Parf or other fees. OMV of a Cab is about $25,000 so the cabby can pass down these savings to your lower fare of say $2.00 flag off? By constricting these means, we have remodelled the public transport by adding 10,000 more taxis and more buses on the street.

Oh yes.. limiting the current 50,000 buses on the street will lower the transport cost, without the need of COE. Savings passed on to the commuters and more income to the Government since fares are GST Chargeable.  That is also the same for the cabbies... so no more claims of $7,000 net earnings if not substantiated by the taxi meter.

In the end, we as citizens, save more money and the PAP...get more Pay! Which then when near elections , we get the freebies back again. Tax the foreign talents and the rich silly.. not us....nanti the vote lari!

American Express - Don't Leave Home Without It

That is the only think I could remember with AMEX Card and since 2000, they have so many co-branded cards or credit cards issued by banks and even Prepaid labels by individual operators. It's a sign of prestige and when it is co-branded with EZ-Link, it's more value for money since the actual cost of having such a card is less than $2 plus registered post fee.

The Imagine AMEX EZ-Link Card is an excellent choice for those who want to save up money  but since the exchange rates, interest rates that are super low and that of hidden fees by the local banks (yes.. I am talking about the $2 monthly charge plus other hidden fees)

Imagine is a far better card than of the M1 Prepaid Mastercard or the Fevo Card that is jointly issued by EZLink and it's partners.

You don't need to be a Singaporean or earning tons of money to be eligible for an Amex Black Card. Heee ...this is really nothing to do with a Charge Card but merely a Prepaid American Express Card.

So it's more for the people who HAVE MONEY and Want To Keep It Safe.....with a brand that is renowned worldwide...and that you can't draw cash out of it so you won't be silly and waste it or get robbed.

Color wise, and since this is my Ez-Link Card...it's an all in one. I am protected if some joker is to steal this card from my bike IU and they know it's a big issue if you use some one else's credit / debit card..... risking a hefty fine and jail sentence, plus the Ez-Connect feature insures me against fraud on my Ez-Link card.. so no skimming or RFID Pinching.....

To get it... get to the Imagine Card website and for a limited time offer, the cost is $50 +$3.50 postage with $40 inside the spending purse and while waiting for the card to be activated & registered (you do need a Passport or IC - FIN for registration) , you can use the card at Petrol Stations, Pizza Hut outlets (walk in only, not for delivery!) , Paypal, Air tickets (you can only have up to $1000 on the card btw!) and many more. You can load the EZ-Link up to $500 and use AutoReload facility if you need to do so.

And for a limited time.. they give a free Movie ticket worth $8 at Shaw...and that is the reason I want to get it. If you are OUTSIDE Singapore and want this... I can get it for you...for a small fee.. just email me your MyKad and PASSPORT Copy ok and the money....

Cheers!

Backing the wrong Green

Seriously, Malaysia changed the law for Electric Bikes in the Peninsular States overnight where they are mulling registration and licensing for the Electric Bike in the kingdom. To avoid some confusion, these are related to EN15194 EU Standards with laws read under the current Road Traffic Acts in UK and Singapore as a reference and press releases by the Department of Land Transport Malaysia (Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan) and not the Ministry of Transport.

Under the Malaysian definition, a Electric Bicycle is a bicycle with a pedal and motor powered using batteries not to exceed 250W (Approx 0.33BHp) of power and speed not to exceed 25KM/H. This is the same guideline and legal requirement for LTA Approved Bicycles in Singapore, where there MUST NOT HAVE A FOOT REST and / or A THROTTLE. If there is a foot rest or Throttle, the Traffic Police  will deem this as a Motorcycle or Motorised Cycle. The Bicycle must also not carry a load of exceeding 18KG (Did not know that either!)! It must also have headlights and rear reflectors, cycle only on the LEFT of the Road and the rider MUST BE AT LEAST 16 Years old and WEAR A HELMET (not specified of type but leeway of using a bicycle EC Approved helmet is acceptable by UK Standards). These are read with the Singapore Road Traffic (Power-Assisted Bicycles — Approval) Rules 2004 which do specify 200W as power of the motor.

The Malaysian law amendment proposal does not require you to register your cycle if it meets the criterion. The British Law (DVLA DOT) read this as the new regulatory Moped Amendment Laws which requires the Q or AM entitlement on their driving license. It's darn expensive BTW and cumbersome to get one. Older entitlements are amended with A1(Tricycle) to allow the Motability Cycles or Scooters to be on the road. In the olden days, a Moped is a bicycle with a 50cc grass cutter engine attached.

However, if your cycle is NOT meeting the above, meaning it does not have a pedal or it's totally battery powered or the speed exceed 25KM/H...then it is classed as a MOTOR CYCLE.  The image below from the Star Dated 14 Nov is a classic example of a clear cut violation.

Disallowed in Singapore, (C) The Star 14/11/12 and a real nuisance.

Singapore does not allow this type of cycle in Singapore so it is also banned in Malaysia as per the Road Traffic Acts (Federation of Malaya Act 1957). The image above is a real clear cut violation as there is no protective shield in front, no headlamps, no proper motorcycle helmet and this is not EN19154 approved despite this imported from New Zealand. This Ang Moh is surely courting death with the roads in Malaysia IMHO.

So the Malaysian Government is not wrong banning the Electric Bikes but the wording is twisted and turned as usual. If you use a Singapore LTA SEALED CYCLE, then you are not in the wrong as it's APPROVED for ROAD USE.

For a Guide:

Electric Bicycle  ( APPROVED Power-Assisted Bicycles )
Pedals and Must be moved by CYCLING.
No Throttle. EN19154
Must have headlights.
Must Wear Helmets.
Rider must be over 16
Power not to exceed 250W in Malaysia (200W in Singapore)
NO NEED LICENSE. If riding into Singapore, require LTA Approval Seal. (Seal # Displayed on Plates)

INCLUDES Mobility Scooters.


Electric BIKE (Electric Motorcycle)
ILLEGAL IN SINGAPORE!!!
Power & Battery Pack not to exceed 11KW.
Require A B2 Driving License in Malaysia.
Cannot exceed 50KM/H
Require a registration license and Plates.
As per regulations of a Motor Cycles
Require Road Tax and INSURANCE.

This is not the law but guide for your use of E-Bikes.

Sources: DVLA UK; Dept of Transport UK; Singapore AGC ; Land Transport Authority (E-Bike); OneMotoring; Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Malaysia JPJ

Remembering those who perished

This is quoted from ANZACDAY.ORG.AU in rememberance to those who perished in the Wars and Any conflicts that had caused a loss of life.

I have lost a handful of friends and to those who perished, to their families, my deep felt condolences.

May God give their Souls Peace....

A Poem for Remembrance Day

"The inquisitive mind of a child"

Why are they selling poppies, Mummy?
Selling poppies in town today.
The poppies, child, are flowers of love.
For the men who marched away.

But why have they chosen a poppy, Mummy?
Why not a beautiful rose?
Because my child, men fought and died
In the fields where the poppies grow.

But why are the poppies so red, Mummy?
Why are the poppies so red?
Red is the colour of blood, my child.
The blood that our soldiers shed.

The heart of the poppy is black, Mummy.
Why does it have to be black?
Black, my child, is the symbol of grief.
For the men who never came back.

But why, Mummy are you crying so?
Your tears are giving you pain.
My tears are my fears for you my child.
For the world is forgetting again.

Author Unknown

Friday Blues

Fact of a Malaysian life:

You go borrow from PTPTN or MARA to go to university for usually about RM45,000 to RM200,000 just to find out your degree is useless and get you a job less than RM3000 a month.... so eventually you have to pay till end of your youth till pensioning age to settle the debt.

WTF rite? So eventually many try super get rich quick scams only to get more stuck with Credit Card Bills etc etc and they get more depressed. 

Compare the guy who never passed SPM, jual burger, everyday work hard.. still make and take home more than the Degree Holder....and without any debts.....

Tribute to my friends and relations who is riddled with MARA , PTPTN loans of up to RM650,000 (those study overseas like US, UK etc).... so don't blame us for not returning back only to work to pay off the debt.

tagging all my friends who are in debt....

So the moral of the story is.. a degree gets you no where....unless you have good experience to work on....else.. go sign on and get the Dole mate.

This is not meant to insult anyone or organisation... just that I feel we are being victimised by the paper chase that we forget the meaning of life and other things that are more important to us, like health, life, family and enjoying yourself.

Run your own business...then the rewards are more than you deserve.

Friday is here.. Happy Deepavali and Salam Maal Hijrah to all.