The fasting month is here again

Blessed this Ramadhan month and thank you god that we manage to be alive to experience it once more. The first day of Ramadhan has so far been a good one. And yes! This blog or rather the writer is still here… sorry for the long absence.

Last year, I managed to spend the first few days of the fasting month in the holy city. It was certainly an experience to observe this deed there. The breaking of fast at the great mosque was simple; dates, zam zam and tea. By the way, you can’t just bring food the mosque as the guards would stop you. Every day the food has been given by someone; and has been pre-arranged in advance.

The laying out is quick and efficient; and so is the cleaning up! Amazing! Just as I find it amazing how the workers clean the mosque with such rapid activity.

I hope I get to spend the whole Ramadhan month next time, if the opportunity arises.

Best of luck to rest of the month and happy fasting!

Legal Action against Mat Kiosk company

Here is another related article on NST: -

Legal action against four companies (1 Feb 2009)

SIX directors of four companies dealing in Multi-Automated Touchscreen Kiosks (Mat Kiosk) and vending machines were charged in court on Jan 22 for carrying out direct selling without a licence.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry enforcement division director-general Mohd Roslan Mahayudin said the companies were Waterdrops Ventures Sdn Bhd, Waterdrops Holding Sdn Bhd, Waterdrops Corporation Sdn Bhd and Waterdrops (M) Sdn Bhd.

He said a person found guilty of this offence could face a sentence of up to three years jail or a fine of a maximum of RM1 million, or both.

A corporate body could be fined a maximum of RM250,000.

Roslan said there were 17 cases involving 10 companies which had been caught selling Mat Kiosks and vending machines without a direct selling licence.

“Action has been taken against all these companies. We received many complaints from the public in connection with cheating and embezzlement by the companies selling these kiosks and vending machines.”

Roslan said there were 138 complaints against companies selling Mat Kiosks and vending machines between 2007 and this year.

Representatives of these companies would get people to buy the machines, with a guarantee of an income of up to RM1,000 a month.

A Mat Kiosk or vending machine costs at least RM20,000 and payment could be made with credit cards or bank loans.

“Their method of doing business is by contacting the buyer through telephone calls or by making house calls and this falls within the definition of direct selling under the Direct Sales Act 1993.

“Thus, they must have valid licences to carry out such businesses.

“However, the action taken by the enforcement division in charging these companies will not be able to help those who lost money in these scams.

“The victims also do not have a remedy at the Consumer Claims Tribunal as they do not fall within the definition of ‘consumer’ as they had entered into a business,” Roslan said.

He suggested a tripartite solution agreed to by all parties.

This arrangement could be handled by a committee chaired by the head of the consumer protection unit in his ministry.

On banks providing credit facilities to companies without valid licences, Roslan said:

“We have been talking to Bank Negara about stopping credit facilities being extended to scratch-and-win companies. Maybe we can extend this to these kind of companies as well.”

[© Copyright 2009 The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad]

Memories of Mat Kiosk

Today after reading the articles on NST Online; it brought me back to my own experience on the subject. While I count myself lucky in being able to settle to my satisfaction, I do believe a lot of people out there may not have had the same good luck. All I can say is; buyers beware! Do you research on the company, really ask questions – probing ones, do not feel that you have to take the deal now, walk away if you feel uncomfortable, check with the authorities if possible (e.g. if it involves direct selling; they must have a licence). Anyway, thought if you guys are still following on the subject, read on: -

Yoga Fatwa

There is a recent update on the Star Online since I posted this. Read here

I read on the The Star Online today that yoga is ‘haram’ if it involves physical movements, worshipping and chanting. What I take this to mean is that if all these three elements are in play would yoga be not permissible to Muslims. I always take from the point of view of intent, or ‘niat’. I believe if our intentions are pure, Muslims have nothing to worry about ‘corruption’ of their faith.

Yoga I believe has been around for thousands of years. While its origins may be linked to spiritual practice of the past, the current manifestations, especially those that are practiced in the west and in Malaysia, have been purely for keeping fit and healthy by utilising various poses or ‘asanas’.

I do believe Yoga now is such a commercial thing, it has actually been divorced of all spiritual and meditational origins and links of its past. It’s a billion dollar industry in the west, and I’m sure it’s a multimillion Ringgit business in Malaysia.

My point is this – if you are doing yoga for purely health reasons – then be confident of your faith and god is ever knowing. Go and do your yoga! Religious orthodoxy in Malaysia may be the bane of our existence.

I think it is far better in finding out why it gives practitioners vitality and good health; then maybe some other improved exercise methods can be developed. Maybe the academia may better divert their attention to this scientific endeavor. It’s the curiosity of the mind that encourages progress, not the closed and parochial views of ‘ignorant’ people.

Selamat Hari Raya!

Today we celebrate Hari Raya Aidifitri in Malaysia. So, a lot of folks out there will be celebrating with their family and friends. I would like wish all Muslims in Malaysia and beyond a blessed Raya. Let us us seek forgiveness for I’m sure we have done or uttered words which may be hurtful. So, to all I seek your forgiveness and blessings for anything wrong that I’ve done either intentionally or not.

Sorry guys, I did’t even send out any cards nor did I first initiate any smses! But, to those who did send me their cards and smses, thank you! As for the rest, well that’s why I put it on Facebook! Wait, did I? Hahaha. But to those who know me well, it is not that I don’t remember nor that I do not care, it’s just so many of you guys in this blog I reach out to all!

Ok, got to go! I’ve got a lot of ketupats, kuah kacang and rendang ayam to eat. I’ve lost a few kilos, so I need to regain them! Hahaha. I know, not the best of reasons! But heck it is one of many!

See you guys! And be safe the roads!

It has been awhile…

I’ve been rather quiet as I’ve been very busy with work. A lot has happened since my last post, DC has won, earthquake in China, monsoon in Myanmar, Malaysian politics is well… colourful to say the least, lost an island but gain a rock, Euro2008 has started and fuel cost has gone up!

That last one is burning a hole in my wallet. I’ve been expecting it. But, what bothers me most is that they lied to us saying that it wouldn’t rise until August. Why must they do that? I can understand if they use words like “soon”, “coming”, “inevitable”, “in the future” – something vague. They had to utter a specific date and then announce something to the contrary.

Now my fuel cost is like 30% more – this would undoubtedly lead to price increases elsewhere. I’m already bracing for a rise in interest rates. Looks like I have to pay more on my mortgage!

Double or even triple whammy at that! Oh hell, the only thing that is not going up is your pay packet. Looks like we have to work longer, harder and faster – so that we can improve productivity and hopefully  gain more $$.

That’s enough venting for today and I’ll see you in two months time!

David is the man!

OK, I been following American Idol relatively religiously. Honestly, David is the most consistently original singer I have ever had the pleasure to hear and see. And, somehow I’ve been coming back to this particular rendition over the last few days. It’s quite amazing. This guy is going to be great with or without winning American Idol 7. Further, I have always said this from the very beginning… in this season the guys are way better.

Good luck to all of the Idol finalist. It will be an interesting couple of months.

I so want this car!

List price for this car in Malaysia – RM668,800.00. Oh God! Whylah the tax!

Anyone has one? Can you give me a 15-min ride?

Malaysian General Elections 2008

Wow, what an exciting week it has been and I think it will continue to be exciting in the weeks to come. Be it in opposition states (i.e. Perak and Selangor) or BN states (i.e. Perlis and Terengganu), the fight for power is in play. Now, I must wonder if all these things are a good thing? At least at first glance; politics be it opposition or the alliance are the same!

As for me, an “anak Selangor”, I am officially in an Opposition state. But, I have to agree that it certainly looks that the Opposition is a weak coalition – a marriage of convenience. They targeted to deny 2/3 majority and got more that they bargained for, and now realised that they had to govern together! For the sake of the people please get your act together. Oh! Don’t forget your promises to the Selangor people. I need to search the election promises that they made to the Selangorians if the Opposition wins.

And now, the letter by YB Mukhriz Mahathir calling for the PM to take responsibility will definitely stir emotional sentiments. The coming days will show how certain quarters will defend AAB. But, I wonder if the silent majority agree with MM. Losses at GE, State rulers against PM’s named MB, internal UMNO bickering – it does highlight a weak leadership at the top. UMNO leaders showing support is an empty one I think – most probably trying to just brown nose and “jaga periuk nasi sendiri”.

Dear PM, naming your Cabinet is crucial on how serious you are in tackling not only the peoples issues, but also among the many first steps to actually gain back the people’s trust in BN. Don’t make the mistake of choosing weak and non-performing ministers. Take this election message to clean-up the party, BN and the Government. I’m afraid if you don’t, then BN and UMNO may be irrelevant in years to come.

Easy credit, easy spending

I read with much interest today’s main page article in TheStar. It is quite disturbing that more than 40% of our 8.8 million credit card holders only manage to pay the minimum balance. And apparently, based on the article, it has gotten worse! I must wonder if these credit card holders appreciate the amount of debt that they are collecting and how much more they are actually paying for their purchases, if they continue to service their debt only by paying the minimum amount. As such, I have done some brief calculations and would like to share the results here for those who care to read or take action in strengthening their money management.