Saturday, December 29, 2012

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

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

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!


Saturday, November 17, 2012

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!




Wednesday, November 14, 2012

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


Friday, November 9, 2012

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"

poppyWhy 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.

poppyThe 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


Thursday, November 8, 2012

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.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Defensive Riding or Offensive Driving

This evening, I almost had my life ripped out by a silly idiot who claimed that he "did not realise the Pakcik was going to stop for the Red Light at the Pedestrian Crossing" and me being an ON-Time On-Target speed demon, whizzed in and swerving between the lanes only to find out the pakcik beside me was knocked off his machine.

The impact caused him to fall, fracture his ankle and also that the point of impact almost tore his helmet off, and the driver claimed that he was driving slow. The stretch of Yio Chu Kang Road in front of Jalan Napiri off Block 506 Serangoon North Ave 4 is a deadly zone with kids and shady trees.

 See the impact of the car crushing the motorbike directly into his bonnet. It was supposed to be me... as I was on the same lane.. just that I swerved to the other side.

The mess the guy made is terrible and I really feel sorry for the man. What is worse is that the driver just passed his license 2 years ago in Malaysia and is holding only a Malaysian license while working in Singapore, as it is against the law for Residents (workers alike) to own and operate foreign registered vehicle and they must convert their license after 1 year being in Singapore.


 So what caused this? Well, the road condition is NOT Raining and it is not wet at the time of the incident and no skid marks showing he slowed down or jammed emergency brakes.

Time of Accident: 1720Hours approximately.

Age of Motorcyclist: approx 50-60 year old Malay Man

Age of Driver : 27 year old Chinese Malaysian


For me.. I do ride recklessly ..but it saved my bacon many times.. this time.. it did again.. but it really brought me shivers.

From what I got ... the rider suffered MULTIPLE FRACTURES of the Femur and Leg and require multiple operations tomorrow morning.

May Allah bless him and wish him speedy recovery.

Monday, November 5, 2012

A little loading a unloading

That is the exact thing I saw stenciled across a parking lot which, mind you sits just across the Pasir Ris Punggol town council office here in sengkang.

Don't they ever learn that foreign talents can't spell or write in English language especially those from the mid Asia continent??

I leave you to your comments.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

What is so great of Windows 8?

The launch, the Hype and the Publicity. All the same with iOS, iPad Mini, Windows 8 and Android Nexus (Google own OS?). All the fanfare for as low as $17.99 for those who had Windows 7 to upgrade with.

Honestly, I have not fully tested out Windows 8 but from my POV, it's only for All-in-One PC and Tablets alike Or should I say smart devices as they deem it right now. So what about those laptops that are not touch based?

First off for me was the removal of the Windows Start Button. No more Windows. All Tiles and Scrolls. But then, why that format? Can't we stick to something like Apple's Lion X? All below? Or just plain Windows 7? I just don't get it why Windows is going after Android or iOS and this is for PC too.... Crap is more like it for me.

The Drop Point Requirements:


  • Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with support for PAE, NX, and SSE2 (more info)
  • RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
  • Hard disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
  • Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver

Additional requirements to use certain features:

  • To use touch, you need a tablet or a monitor that supports multitouch (more info)
  • To access the Windows Store and to download and run apps, you need an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768
  • To snap apps, you need a screen resolution of at least 1366 x 768
  • Internet access (ISP fees might apply)
  • Secure boot requires firmware that supports UEFI v2.3.1 Errata B and has the Microsoft Windows Certification Authority in the UEFI signature database
  • Some games and programs might require a graphics card compatible with DirectX 10 or higher for optimal performance
  • Microsoft account required for some features
  • Watching DVDs requires separate playback software (more info)
  • Windows Media Center license sold separately (more info)
  • BitLocker To Go requires a USB flash drive (Windows 8 Pro only)
  • BitLocker requires either Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 or a USB flash drive (Windows 8 Pro only)
  • Client Hyper-V requires a 64-bit system with second level address translation (SLAT) capabilities and additional 2 GB of RAM (Windows 8 Pro only)
  • A TV tuner is required to play and record live TV in Windows Media Center (Windows 8 Pro Pack and Windows 8 Media Center Pack only)
  • Free Internet TV content varies by geography, some content might require additional fees (Windows 8 Pro Pack and Windows 8 Media Center Pack only)

Which comes to this... if you want to watch DVD, you don't get Media Player.. or just get VLC etc. The hardware requirements in itself is a killer blow to the Atom Processor Computers. 1GB RAM, 1Ghz CPU. There is less than 1GB on most 1.6Ghz Atom CPU, so these is already out of the question... am I right???

16GB HDD SPACE for a TABLET?? You are kidding me right Microsoft?We want it as small as possible, not as huge as you can think of it. Though SSD is getting cheaper, memory space for Smart Devices start with 512MB or 1GB Ram with 4GB NVRAM (which is the Hard disk) and that expands depending on the stability of the TF Card (Micro-SD Card with SUPER HIGH SPEED Modules to us) and that is super costly.

Gosh.... the CPU will surely OVERHEAT and Burst like crazy reminding me of the first generation Creative churned out their ZuNe MP3 Player, which is bulky, lousy battery life ( I had to make an external one out of that) and super hot when it is operated on.

Having said that, I did test out some of the tablets that were running Windows 8 RT version which were shipped to the office from China for my consideration and mind you, mostly are running off Intel ATOM series , or some with AllWinner CPU which I have no idea what but they said it's Quad Core.

The verdict?? Sluggish. Slow, Hot, and I did not like the OS. Dual boot back to Android...and it's super fast, with many games etc.
They are killing the hardware with Windows 8... and you should not take it. It's not for Tablet or Smart Device but rather Windows 8 for Touch Based PC and Laptops.



Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Activated Google Adsense Filters

I did not much bat an eyelid over the advertising that Google Adsense or the associated networks over many years since it did not earn much for me, but of late, due to the Monetary Regulations and Advertising Laws in Singapore, Malaysia, Europe and US, I am quite displeased with the type of advertising I am getting from them, just the variety of things.

So I wanted to filter out some low earning adverts and those I classed as Haram or Syubaha which is in the Grey Area, like Kosher to the Jewish community. What I wanted to filter out are those Forex Adverts, Gold Schemes and MLM Related, specific to the certain regions, as they also do not pay as much as I feel is right  to me.

So what I did is activate the Ad Blocking Feature in Adsense.

I am getting rid of the Keywords FOREX, iForex, Gold Trading, Silver Trading, Futures, Insurance Mutual and Gaming related. Due to the fact that I am a Professional Financial Adviser, I can't sell them or promote them without a need of a license. Even to the layman, it's not allowed in ASEAN regions now.

Just that I am cleaning my act here... so bear with me.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Broadband Woes in Singapore

Some have been asking me what is the big fuss of the internet market in Singapore namely with SingTel, M1, Starhub, MyRepublic , Open Net and ViewQuest. They all provide the same service but what is so big of a fuss here??

First off, let us start with the incumbent Singapore Telecom, SINGTEL which call their service SINGNET, MAGIX and among other names. They offer 2WIRE MIO Service , via the Copper Telephone Cable and now Fiber Internet. As with copper, it's called in many countries as ADSL which has a maximum speed of 32Mbps download and 2 Mb upload speed depending on the duplexing. Together with their IPTV Service MiO Home HD TV, the TV Service requires very high bandwidth, usually at least 10Mbps to stream at an acceptable level, not withstanding the HD Service. In recent times where they were penalised due to the MiO failure to show the Premier League matches, it's just the same technology where you download and watch movies online via YouTube or any other service. If the Duplex Feeder (MDF) can pump up good internet connection, they will supply typically 15Mbps (Mega BITS per Second) to the user and saying or claiming speeds of up to 15mbps service, but in actual fact, they are stealing the customer's bandwidth from the Internet to the TV Service. The 2Wire modem has a VPN Connection to the net for the TV, Internet and Telephony at the same time, thus also causing you not able to tunnel into your home network using dynamic IP Address / Hostname due to this reason. Many complained the modem always hang.

Their typical packages for ADSL start from $26.95 / $44.90 / $47.90 for MiO + another $36.90 for 6Mbps / 10Mbps / 15Mbps (MAX) connection (Usually you get typical speeds of about 2Mbps / 5Mbps / 7Mbps or so). Their fiber service costs $49.90 on it's own for 150Mbps connection giving you about 20Mbps international and up to 130Mbps locally  and due to RJ45 CAT5e, you will get only at best 80Mbps or so and about 44Mbps over 2-Channel WiFi.

Pacific Internet now only offer Fiber Internet to Corporate Customers and do not offer any cable (SCV) Connection or so to End Users. This is accurate at time of writing.

M1 offers Fiber Services for the pricing of $39/$49/$59/$79/$99/$399 for their 15/50/100/150/200/1000Mbps services.  M1 do offer CABLE Broadband (Over SCV Connection) for $40.90 for a 10Mbps connection. This is a shared bandwidth which I will explain below.

As for Starhub, they are the incumbent CABLE OPERATOR using DOCSIS Connection and previously known as SCV or Singapore Cable Vision. Using a Motorola Surfer Modem, they pump up speeds of up to 100Mbps on their cable tv point using speed boosts or what ever they call it now. Usual speeds will be at best 30Mbps and this is SHARED ACROSS THE WHOLE BUILDING. So if someone in the block of 400 residents is downloading heavily, then the speed will drop to as low as 1Mbps. Think of it as you paying road tax for a 5000cc car but a motorbiker of 1000cc is hogging your highway, which I find it quite disgusting.

Prices for Starhub SCV Internet (Cable Internet) are $56.20 and $80.60 for Premium 50/100Mbps and basic services of $25/$35/$45 (round off figure) of services up to speeds ranging from 3-6-16Mbps. You also have to pay for your own modem costing about $80 or more. Silly right?

Their Starhub Fiber Services cost around $68, $82, $102, $395 for 100Mbps, 150Mbps 200Mbps and Gigabit Internet. Typical International speeds are about 22% of the promised speeds. This was published by IDA recently and due to the nature of the content and classification, I can't put it up. Their assured international traffic is only 15Mbps and 100Mbps for Gigabit MaxInfinity Supreme.

This is quoted from their fine print:

^^Assured typical international speed of 15Mbps 95% of the time during peak hours. + Typical local download speed: MaxOnline Premium (30Mbps – 50Mbps), MaxOnline Ultimate (60Mbps – 95.2Mbps), MaxInfinity Ultimate (60Mbps – 96.3Mbps), MaxInfinity Elite (90Mbps – 144. 5Mbps), MaxInfinity Platinum (120Mbps – 185.2Mbps) & MaxInfinity Supreme (566Mbps – 755.5Mbps). Typical international speed: MaxOnline Premium (15.4Mbps – 17Mbps), MaxOnline Ultimate (19.3Mbps – 30Mbps), MaxInfinity Ultimate (15Mbps), MaxInfinity Elite (15Mbps), MaxInfinity Platinum (25Mbps) & MaxInfinity Supreme (42.6Mbps – 100Mbps).

What about MyRepublic? I am an authorised partner and I do check on the services once too often. Testing from their 100Mbps no frills service (100Mbps Download, 50Mbps upload), their typical speeds are about 80Mbps and this is even lower for the WiFi connection since the regulatory protocols cap it to around 41Mbps. I tested on their own office (busy office) with me downloading the whole pack of MSDN Windows 8 Enterprise file (Akamai) and NTL AS4700 Network, the network is stable and similar tests have been down across a few customers around Singapore and the promised rate is within acceptable tolerances like the router on 2nd Floor and I'm at the car park with 2-3 Bars of WiFi, getting almost similar results. Their cost? $59.90 a month or $69.90 a month for Gamer packages.Add-on of  $40 a month if you want static IP!

Lest not forget Ethernet Protocols of 8-N-1 so there is about 5-17% loss due to the overheads and bit CRC Checks.

ViewQuest is more of a Hosting company. Their sales are not aggressive as any of the competitors, and they claim to provide IPTV, and basic packages cost  $59.95 with speeds varying from 30Mbps to 97Mbps. Servers and Services are provided by Hurricane Internet via Equinix.

So what is Open Net, Nucleus Connect and NGN? Open Net is a consortium of ISP , Companies to provide the Fiber Internet Infrastructure to your home or office, and connected to the backbone of the Singapore Internet Exchange, and your service is diverted to your respective ISP namely SingTel,M1,Starhub,MyRepublic,ViewQuest. Their infrastructure ends at the white box called the OpenNet Fiber TP Point and from there, the fiber connects to a device similar to a modem provided by Nucleus Connect, a Starhub Company (WTF right??) and they act as a router and WAN Connector to your ISP just like their SCV Modem. From there, it's connected to your own router provided by yourself or ISP. Think of them as a Tunnel Provider.

So who will you choose?? If possible, Fiber but then not all homes are connected. Those just completed in 2011 and later are not part of the 95% Open Net Promise for connectivity, so in retrospect, many in Teban Gardens, majority of Punggol and Sengkang are not connected or the infrastructure not available yet.

Their excuse?? Not enough Banglas to fix it up.. no joke... they are only promising 3000 homes to be fibered up each week and 2900 to be activated / switched on per week.

So much for progress.

You decide.


Monday, October 22, 2012

Updated my Punch tab rewards

For those who are loyal customers, readers and hated me...stalking me all about, I am happy that you drop by and a comment by someone saying they needed the points make me wonder and apologise for not blogging as often as before.

Right now, I am upping the ante for Malaysian based readers.I am giving away RM5 Prepaid Top-up for the first 10 Bloggers who can reach 2000 points. You get 100 points for just registering or coming in here... and you get points for commenting and much more if you share on your facebook.

I have no idea (forgotten about it more likely) of the current points system, so do test out....

As such, one lucky person will get RM5 topup here by dropping a comment, sharing and re-posting on your social media network. If you are in Singapore or somewhere else, I may just pay you in Paypal.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Fake Notes in and about

This is written without any legal representation or binding, but of late, sources do indicate that there is a scam involving fake currency in the city area. What I was been told was that the bank note scam modus operandi is using real $10 notes, but cut into two and taped up with a fake half.

As we all know, the new plastic series of $10 is tested to be so durable unlike the Malaysian RM5 which is very brittle. It is known to withstand heavy use and tested to rigorous destructive testing such as abuse inside the cash deposit machine. Usually we hear fake $50 note scams, but $10... is really taking the piss.

Knowing this, anyone in possession of a fake currency can be jailed at least 3 years and caning, and as such we must not pass it on, except to call the police and hand it over.

If you happen to get one of those... if you are just plain lazy... you may get away with it by destroying it. But then I am not a lawyer as I don't want to be hustled into filling out paperwork and going down the Police Station to answer silly questions.

My POV is , if you feel the money is not right, don't take it. If it's torn or the serial number is tampered, don't take it, and FYI, there is a 9A Series but the color is a little bit purplish, commonly known as the Replacement Note (Previously known as the Z-Series) or the Cop Sting Money (used to catch crooks with dirty money).

I just hate to be out of pocket, but the time saved is more than the hassle of dealing and getting caught in possession of a fake note.
For your info, the BRUNEI Bank Note is LEGAL TENDER in Singapore but then we tend to take only up to $100, as we don't commonly see the $500, $1000 or even the $10,000 Titan notes about what more of the Brunei.

The last time I saw these notes was in Temburong during NS and Reservist days and in East Malaysia.

These bank notes have a common reverse side, s there is no TWENTY DOLLARS Dua Puluh Ringgit on the back. It's a commemorative $20 series.

Oh ya... last I saw a $20 was 1985 which had the Concorde on it!



Quoted from MAS Website about torn notes:


Under Section 19(1) of the Currency Act, no person is entitled to recover from MAS the value of any mutilated note and coin. MAS is empowered to award value at its absolute discretion as an act of grace under Section 19(2). Under Section 19(3), notes and coins that have been illegally dealt with shall be repossessed by any officer of MAS when tendered for assessment.
Notes and coins are considered illegally dealt with if they are impaired, diminished or affected otherwise than by fair wear and tear. Notes that have been defaced by writing or impressing with any mark, word, letter or figure or by perforation, cutting, splitting or in any other manner, are also deemed as illegally dealt with and command no value.

So don't say I do not warn ye!

PS: Did you know we only have $26.5 billion dollars worth of currency in circulated of which $11 Billion are the titans ($1000 & $10,000) ...surprise eh???

Monday, October 15, 2012

Of FCUK and FUKC

Oh F***, we said it again. Oh This and Oh That. We see it every day and if we commoners say it... it's all right ain't it Guv? But for someone of stature , holding top post, it's a big no-no.

The American FCC fines a broadcaster up to $325,000 for every vulgarity said on the air during prime time, with kids about and you get suspended from work if you boss is the BBC, but if you are Homer Simpson, it's really all right.

Here in Singapore, we spend over 2 years of our lives saying vulgarities, in more than one language. I remember my days in the army, during those nasty BMT days, where we do it at the old Yishun Camp (Transit Road Camp for many of you guys) and the good morning for everyone is KNN B CCB U F***ing Maggots, get up and go mandi....well, that is way we get it from the CSM or RSM before reveille and you are sure gonna get that if your platoon is not up by 5am! Then you get the 5BX and all the XXX.

Having said that, it's darn all right to verbally say it but you do not cuss and swear over the Internet. What you say can and will be used against you and under the ITU / CCITT Regulations read under the 1984 regulations, is that we shall not use the Network for Public Harm or cause any discomfort to others.

What the heck right???

Point it, don't cuss online. Period. You get sacked for that.

Unless you are worst blogger of all time!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Singaporean in Malaysia

There are more than 200,000 Singaporeans in Malaysia. Many more if you count the day trippers crossing over the Causeway and Tuas Second Link amounting to over 100,000 a day, more during the weekends or long holiday periods.

But did you know, there are many things we as Singaporeans do not know.

1) Our motor insurance only cover mostly 3rd party coverage if we get into an accident, irregardless of who is at fault. If you loose your vehicle, especially motorbikes, they cover only 50% if within the 50KM of Johor Baru.

2) Goods vehicle may be driven into Malaysia. These G-Plates can be driven if you have business in Malaysia for Combi Vans, SUV. You DO NOT NEED to get a Malaysian GDL or Malaysian Driving Permit.

3) Singaporean can apply to drive in Malaysia. Especially good if you want to save money and if your kid is under age of 21.

4) Cheaper to pay by Debit Card than just to change money at the money changers. Don't use a credit card, because if you kena scammed, you cannot claw back. Debit card maximum withdrawal is usually $1000 or $5000 max even if you have 100k in the account. Carrying huge amount of cash can cause you to get ROBBED!

5) Cheaper to have a prepaid Sim Card (Hotlink best coverage) to avoid roaming costs. Using a dual sim phone, you can see who call you, and call them back on local network.

6) Contrary to what you hear, their WiMax 4G Network (YES) is faster than anyone else. Pay-as-you-go or Prepaid is cheap considering the RM68 Valuepack which gives you phone calls too. Get the huddle for maximum use. You can also get Post Pay services. Just ask me. I can get it done. No ID needed.

7) Don't worry about kena saman. They do chase you....but you get discount for being FOREIGNER. Just don't give kopi money. CPIB (SPRM lah stupid) may be there. Not worth the hassle. Just pay if you kena clamp!

8) Your Weekend Car (OPC) is not legal to be in Malaysia during restricted hours. Some state JPJ can detain and seize your car.

9) Most machines can be used to draw money in Malaysia except Bank Islam, Koop Bank and the Government Banks. Maybank, CIMB, BSN are good banks.

10) Keep a spare phone. Just in case if you kena sabo. Keep your wallet safe somewhere else, carry one credit/debit card and some cash only, so if you kena pick pocket... only a little bit kena.. no need to pay so much for replace IC , License etc.

More?? There is more.. check out our Business Talk websites.

Monday, October 8, 2012

NTUC & Amy Cheong Saga

I am a Singapore Citizen and as a Citizen, I am the country's ambassador where ever I will be, be it in Singapore locally or in London or freezing myself in the highlands of Scotland. Where ever it may be, I am proud to be a Singapore citizen, and despite we Singaporeans are just like noisy small cat, it sure can irritate the hell of the world with our potence.

However, having said that, I am truly appalled by the actions of one silly individual within our society. Being a small fry and posting such racist comments can cause you serious harm along side with the family, what more of an Assistant Director and the damage is really like pouring petrol onto the employer and releasing a Nuke on the whole society.

As a professional,be it anyone, we are bound by what we say. With vulgarities posted on Facebook is a big no-no, what more of you trying to tell another whole race of their way of life, to get a do a proper wedding so there is less divorce etc. What about herself? Does she reflect that the Chinese is ignorant immigrants? Or that the government is so shallow to allow facebook into the workplace?

In all, IDA , MDA and Govt agencies must step in to curb this cyber nuisance. Whatever you do will reflect on the employer too. In fact, with my work policy, you understand as a public corporation, there are so many things you can NOT do... and in this case, the damage is done. Repairing it is another bugger.

You have caused hurt to me as a Malay, and telling me and the whole world that WE MALAYS HAVE NO MONEY TO HOLD WEDDINGS?? We are here, telling the world to follow GOOD ASIAN VALUES, Thrift and Shy ourselves from any sin, especially ADULTERY. We do not go outside and have sex with anybody we like, we do it with our spouse celebrate our Union with a Modest Celebration, and not having to beg, borrow or cause our families to sell their house to fund the lavish wedding like the Chinese do...which cost at least $100,000 !!!!

Please have some sense....

But in all, I am quite hurt by this. I as a Unionised Member feel hurt as we are their employers, we pay their wages. The ministers are responsible to rectify this.

Remember all, think before you post.

:P

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Super Slow Singapore Internet

Recent IDA survey shows that Singapore is the 2nd WORST in consumer satisfaction with the Broadband and Internet Service worldwide and that is MY GOD... a real eye opener since we have full 3G, 3.75G, Fiber NGN and many more...
Just look at this!!! It really disgusts me.. I hacked and tested many cable connections (Singtel, M1, Starhub, Pacific Internet, ViewQuest) and I really find that DSL is not even up to 2Mbps on many networks.Starhub...can claim many things but in real life.. only about 5mbps for international traffic. Come on lah.... even my 4G network which I am currently in RIVERVALE CRESENT, SINGAPORE and I am piggy backing through the Malaysia Network.. is 8Mbps... Kind of make me super pissed when my subscription is super expensive....and the service.. super sucks!!!! As for OPEN NET.. they will take forever to fiber up the whole block... and what they say..it's going to take ages.. come on.. it's a necessity now to have a good internet connection. Just as how we need Electricity and Water.. Internet is the core of the business nowadays. So please.. Dear beloved Mr Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong.. tell these buggers to get their act together ..or else.. give them a few million dollar fine for every day they fail to get it going.... We deserve to be faster than CELCOM and many others ...heck even those in FELDA get faster internet.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Hari Malaysia

Many of us do not know that the actual Malaysia Independence is that of the 16 Sept 1963 when Singapore, North Borneo and Sabah merged with Malaya (Federation of Malay States) but not of the 31 Aug 1957 when Malaya gained independence. Those of from the Borneo States (Sabah, Sarawak) remember that by calling it Hari Borneo or some sort and not of the day the incumbent Malaya's day of independence. But what is Independence? Freedom? Freedom from being a Slave or Owned by a Master? Here, 47 years on, we are still not independent. Slaves in the Ancient Days are when we owe money and cannot pay up, we are sold as Slaves , similar to what we have Bankruptcy and Illegal Immigrants or Human Trafficking. Here, ourselves and Children are still at the mercy of our LORDS, the Banks and Institutions, such as MARA, PTPTN and other "Foundations". How can we be free? Those who are poor are totally free. They own their own land, without any caveat or what sort, and everything they buy are in cash. In the matter of fact, these people are those who , what we called Free and Independent. Selamat Hari Malaysia everyone, Singaporeans, Malayans, Sabahans and Sarawakians alike.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Selamat hari raya 2012

Wishing all a joyous Eid Mubarak and seeking forgiveness from all.

Thanks Timothy Tiah from Nuffnang for my Hari Raya Angpow... Which I just got.

Not bad ah... RM57.52 since I am not that active now.....

Now I wait for MyRepublic fiber broadband cheque.... How much??? A lot for Singaporeans.

Oh ya... I got to work during raya... Dang...

Kids at work

This post is compliments of my impish kids trashing my fone...

Sunday, June 24, 2012

PUB Electricity Tariff to go up...

So that is normal news where we continue to pay more and more for our utilities. They give you $500 in U-SAVE rebates, but they whack you 25% increase (or so) just as how they do things back in Malaysia Bolehland.


So what to do?? Fret? Kao-Peh-Kao-Booo?? No use lor.. I think it's time we do something about it??


Heard of Solar PV Cell? The solar panel in your calculator??? Yes.. that will actually kind of save alot of money for you. Despite the fact that it cost about 80c per watt to buy the cells, I find that having 5 panels up to 1200W will justify the fact that you can save as much as 200KW per month (based on 1KWx8x30) or about $50 a mth. That is usually the average of 30% of a HDB Flat user. Want to save more?? If you do drive... then carry an extra battery pack (Lorry Size 12V), you can collect the excess charge from your car and use it on an inverter at home for your PC or what nots. One normal car battery discharges about 700W for one hour.


In all, these little things do save... and a solar panel will shade your home from the sunshine, thus cooling it a bit. You can try place it outside the flat.. but it is a safety issue.


Cost wise?? $1000 will allow the investment be used for the next at least 10 years given good care. Free Energy from your car... will set you extra free power... savings passed on the petrol costs and ERP etc.Not to mention the exercise of carrying about the battery up and down the house.... heeeee..... If you stay at 2nd or 3rd floor and the car is parked near.. you stand to earn more.... or save more.


Time to be a lot more kiasu now.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Death Season

Apparently, this is the end of Rejab, the Haram Months. And to this end of the month, I have received over 36 news of friends, acquaintances, relatives dying or passed on, some tragic and some to a ripe old age.

The start of the month, I faced an eerie gruesome death scene where a family which I just met a few mins before, before I took a much needed nap on the PLUS Highway, perished when their car was side swiped by another sleepy head or drunk causing their car to fish tail, hitting the granite hill wall, kids flew out of the car with the driver, spinned around again, hit the center divider, careered into the middle of the road, with the wife slewed up in the highway, and then burned down. If not for a quick thinking Singaporean family, more will perish in the fire when the NGV tank gave way. They took the 2 kids to the hosp from KM 184.7 to Melaka without waiting for the medics, as they will take too long.

Sadly, the wife perished on scene, and the driver along the way. They were from Kampong Bendahara , Johor Baru when we went thru their whatever ID we can find on the way to Kuala Lumpur. That stretch was an eerie one... too many deaths, esp at 3.30am! Yes ... I was on the road at wee hours of the morning, trying to get home after a tiresome shift.

It's also the death of my laptop. Funny Screen. And the more news of my poultry (turkey) dying and my relative/neighbour few days ago. After so many near misses of me smacking someone on the road, I decided to call it quits and take a real breather. Seems Azrail is too busy now collecting his dues before the Ramadan sets in where one will be given Paradise in death of the Holy Month. No Afterlife Questions etc.

Another relation passed away last night, Myocardiac Infarct. The funeral is quite far away and since I do not have my car with me... I stay put. Life cycle. Trade a life for another. My Aunt passed away the day Danial Irfan was born. My Cousin's Father, when my Niece is born.

Karma? I don't know. As for me.. I'm trying to shy way from Azrail.... My Debt is way overdue... but I don't want him to collect any installments as yet... And oh ya.. Block 8 Lot 1926 Lim Chu Kang Cemetery is where I will be reunited if I pass on in Singapore... Funny I got that NEA Exhumation Notice for the "LIVING DEAD".... That is another story I got to tell later on.....



Better be safe than sorry

Friday, May 25, 2012

So I'm a cheapskate

OK, you caught me there. I was with Irfan Khairy tonight watching him present his new thing on aEu. One point he make me remember and rekindle is that know what is your weaknesses and strengths and do it quick.

So I am a cheap skate. Which Singaporean is not? Am I not wrong, we are always running after something, rushing and rushing, but forgetting to be kind to others. Tonight, too I managed to pass on my knowledge of a skillset to a guy called Rafiq who is going to study medicine, that is, we doctors are a bunch of incompetent fools, so sell us things that make us save time, remember faster and without the need to rewind, read up and well, make it snappy : A DUMMY'S GUIDE!

I am always up to something. So my next up will be buy a domain from me and I'll host your site for free. Well, nothing is so much for free. There are some catches and rules such as there is no such thing as unlimited hosting etc etc, so I will specify it as a reasonable site space, under 500mb (which is more than enough!!)

Ok, there is a Powweb Offer : $1 for one whole year, and it's valid till end of May 2012.

Anyway, I will say more later on, I need a break since I am still recuperating from the motorbike accident I encountered last week at the Woodlands Customs JB Bound...my back and shoulder is giving me the pains. Again. And I need my meds. Nite All!

Monday, May 21, 2012

4G Network ...

I am not paid to do testing for the Malaysian market, but then, I must try out the YTL Yes Broadband since it came to KUALA PILAH!! Yes!! Yes 4G is now in Kuala Pilah! Boasting over 20Mbps at peak speeds, and I am quite pleased to say, it does do what it said. Though I may not get that 20Mbps at peak, with 8Mbps on a local and international circuit, I must admit, it is FAR FASTER than UNIFI Basic VIP5. Don't believe me??? See these screen shots yourself.. and these are in Kuala Pilah (one on the road PLUS Highway was not captured

This is taken a few mins ago..... well, it is not that great right but do check the other snaps....

Peering towards Packet One in Petaling Jaya... is nothing if you just have local bandwidth right?? Here I managed to snap from the NS KM120km/h (on the bus) after Pagoh heading north few days back.
The speed is peering into Singapore Tai Seng Datacenter which is hosted on QALA-Starhub backend. So what you think?? Is this for real... I say Yes! But at what cost? You don't expect to drive a Mitsubishi Evo, speeding away and the comfort etc while spending at the cost of a Perodua Kancil 660 right?? Price wise: Starter Pack with the Go Pack cost RM100. It is quipped with RM50 in rebate which works to about 1.5Gb in data. Or you can spend it on calls or SMS. The Value Packs are better for RM68 gets you 3.5GB and RM150 gives you 10GB data. On top of that, it gets you 150 SMS and Mins calls whereas the RM150 gives you free 250 Mins and SMS respectively. If you want to be on the Postpaid plan, you should get the starter pack and then go forth and get the RM238 Eclipse plan. Gets you a nice smart phone too! You can share your ID with the dongle as Yes uses NO SIM CARD!! The Eclipse has a SIM Slot so YOU get 4G data and phone plus you can use a Prepaid line (or not) as a backup!! More or less... I say goodbye to UniFi and Telekom Malaysia... you wait too long to roll out the Fiber Optic to the rural areas...and too expensive...for RM250, I get for better service bro.....and a good device. What is your choice?? POTONG!!!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Dead Sim

hi Guys
just to let U all know if U need to call me, please sms my SG number instead at 81196830 as my Malaysian number is currently dead. After 8 years, my SIM CARD gave way .....and I will need to find the MAXIS Center to get it done.

regards

Monday, April 9, 2012

Abandoned BN tourism project??

What pissed me off is that the renovation works are making things worse off than before and it is way over the agreed time period.

Just look at the toilet, it is now home to squatters or even drug junkies.

Will the Bentong council answer this as I am really pissed after driving 300km to find out my favorite place to chill is in ruins.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Finding peace

I'm right now at changi airport where this used to be one of my hideouts if I need some simple peace of mind. It still is and that looking through the window, makes me want to be back free.. Going places, flying to many destination and exploring places despite with the least of budget.

Gone were the days and I still miss this place for this is where I spent the best time of my childhood days, at Tanah Merah Besar... Now a condo.

I had many fond memories, and of those friends I have left behind. Still, this is a part of me.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Wishing all my Chinese friends and readers a prosperous new year. May this year of the dragon be filled with joy and happiness to you and the who family.

As always, drive safe, don't drink if you want to drive. Take a cab instead.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

CGPA grades or the grade of life??

A question I pose to those academician and hiring managers alike of whether the academic grade of a 4.0 is worth more than of a graduate who thinks out of the box and work smart which can work to the expectations and independently?
I have always a believer of street smart people who can achieve many things rather than of those who think they know they can of it , only just on paper rather than no real physical skill themselves.

For the past many years,Singapore have been emphasizing on the academics but lacking on the development of the thinking mind and took the short cut of just importing cheap foreign talents from India , Philippines and the sort and not heavily investing on the locals itself. Locals like the dominant sound blaster Creative Technologies will not be so of the standard unless he is without a thinking mind, not even a scholar. Why am I raising this matter up is that our GLC companies are wasting tax payers money on useless and outdated technology that even back dated England had used 5 years back. Technologies within the home team are so critical of the 3G technology that if an act of sabotage, they will be out of communications just as SingTel always screw up the 3G services. So what if there is a power outage or some china man used a cellular disrupter which you can buy off eBay for $29.95?? Where is the secondary system?? Lives would have been lost.

I just ask to take a few steps back and think out loud. Are we going back to the stone age and rely on foreign thwarts for everything and blame them for all the fuckups?? Or are we allowing Singaporeans fly out and never come back and be drained of the brain cells???

Friday, January 6, 2012

Another Singapore financial scam

The recent highlight of over 200 victims who had their debit visa and MasterCard ATM combo cards cloned and misused in Malaysia is just to show that cheap skate Singapore banks just don't listen to the reality of new age fraud and still using backdated technology in the name of saving money.

They just don't get the fact that magnetic technology which is super cheap don't work anymore. Everyone else is using EMV compliant technology, reading cards just off their data stored on the smart chip. I used it more than 10 years back in uk where we found the security loophole and here we are, Singapore stuck with the same old problem. Why?? Because they wanted to save money and still be able to charge you $2 a month for service fees. So what is the ultimate resolution for these faults??

Firstly, scrap all the existing cards. Replace all of them with NETS visa wave and embossed cards. This will deter clones and faults.

Replace all ATM machines with smart technology such as a combo cash recycler and cheque image deposit. Touch screen is pretty useless actually.

Update all the crypto keys with 4096 SHA2 SSL3 technology on all machines. All nets terminal to use wireless payment as mandate. The machines must accept all other card services such as diners club,Amex and Malaysian MEPS bank card as ocbc and uob are member banks there.

Automatic call notification of foreign transactions and especially ATM withdrawals. Locator services can see if customer is outside the country and manual checks done.

Now the customers suffer. Time for you to think if our Singapore banks are up to scratch.




Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy new year!!!

Happy new year to all my friends on this first day of 2012.many are still hung over from yesterday's party and to those who were at the Marina Bay Float to usher in the New year, I just hope it was well worth it.

Well from what I know Siti Nurhaliza was there performing live till 3am in the morning. But I just stop to ponder as to why Siti,a multi millionaire and married to a super rich DATOK K had to stoop so low to a concert which she labeled 'with improper moral values' and with tickets at $25 a pop which she usually performs for nothing less than $100 and costing organisers at least $4million in performance fees alone. And why as a married woman stay out so late than rather spend time with her husband?? Are these signs of financial constraints or marital issues or are the rumors of her husband took on another wife which was said to be a Singaporean stewardess?? These are here say but her actions are portraying such.

As for the Samoans, they are enjoying the benefits of having to celebrate the new year twice since they swapped time zones last night, loosing the eve and head out to the eastern time zone instead.

Just that is my ramblings and wish u good health and great fortunes ahead

Salam always
Azrin