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 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]

50 lose RM1 million to ‘Mat Kiosk’; investors cry foul (1 Feb 2009)

More than 50 people thought they were investing in a dream machine that would give them a guaranteed monthly return, but they ended up losing more than RM12,000 each, writes SONIA RAMACHANDRAN.

IT was a dream investment, or so it was said to be, and more than 50 people took the bait, only to regret it later.

On offer, at RM43,160, was a “dream machine” touted as a “one-stop centre” where the public could pay their utility bills and even buy plane and cinema tickets.

It was almost like buying a “post office” business for a song.

The investor was promised between RM1,000 and RM4,000 monthly in commissions from the payment of utility bills, airline tickets and prepaid telephone top-ups.

After making the full payment, the investors were told to wait for 14 days for a full briefing on how the kiosk functioned and how the commissions would be paid.

However, no such briefings were held.

For George David, a telephone call and a short message service (SMS) in January last year was what prompted him and his family to attend a presentation on “Mat Kiosk” in Bangsar.

Little did the 48-year-old service engineer from Subang Jaya realise that the trip would cost him almost RM13,000.

At the presentation, which was attended by over 100 people, David and his family were told about the amazing machine called the Multi-Automated Touchscreen Kiosk (Mat Kiosk).

“A guy by the name of Aimi presented the marketing strategy and it was so convincing that even my wife, who is very careful, was convinced,” said David.

A 30 per cent deposit had to be paid upon signing up for the RM43,160 Mat Kiosk.

For subsequent machines, the deposit was 10 per cent each.

They were also told where the machines would be placed and the places listed included Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi Mara and Universiti Islam Antarabangsa.

The machine would be up and running within one month of the deposit being paid, they were told,

The salesman also assured the investors that there was a 14-day cooling off period during which those who were not satisfied could get their deposits back.

David was among 12 others, including professional people, retirees and unemployed, who turned up at the National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) to lodge their complaints.

One of them paid the full amount and received a machine that only dispensed mobile phone top-ups. It also continuously broke down.

The lure of a free trip to Bali was probably what persuaded some to sign up for the machines.

MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong said he had received complaints on this scam early last year.

“The companies selling this kiosk use the names of big companies like airline companies in their promotions.

“But when I checked with the companies concerned, they did not know anything about it,” he said.

One case referred to him, said Chong, involved many complainants because the first victim recruited many others to join this business.

“All these cases have been referred to the police.”

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

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.

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!

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!

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.

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?

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.

I think most people don’t bother to appreciate the numbers that the banks offer to their customers. Often, these banks just say this and that, and how good their rates are etc. Ordinary folks who know no better, just provide their IC, their proof of income (even this can sometimes be circumvented) and sign away to apply!

So ok, here we go guys; most banks offer a simple (nominal) yearly fixed rate of 18%. What this means is that, on a monthly basis your rate is 1.5% (i.e. simply 18%/12 months). This will be the rate that you actually pay on your monthly balances. Now, this maybe a bit confusing, but the 18% yearly rate is not your effective yearly rate if you keep rolling on your balances. Why you say? The answer to that is because compounding comes into play.

As an example, your principal balance incurs interest of 1.5% in say Month 1. In Month 2, you be paying interest of 1.5% on your principal AND interest! The same goes for Month 3, Month 4 etc. Hence, your effective yearly rate is actually to 19.56% or mathematically, [1+0.0015]^12-1. So, the banks may state a seemingly low rate, but in actual effect your are actually paying more! (FYI, Hire Purchase is the same. The bank may state say 4% HP rate, but the effective rate is double that!) There are not lying… just a little bit misleading yes. Maybe Bank Negara should impose a ruling to have banks state both nominal and effective rates for their customers?

Let’s have some numbers to prove the point that if you keep paying the minimum amount, it will take years before you finish repayment. At the end of the day, it will cost you much more in Ringgit terms that you earlier thought when swiping your credit card. For those who don’t know, the minimum payment is 5% of your outstanding balance or RM50 whichever is higher. I made a hypothetical purchase of RM5,000. Based on the above interest rates and minimum payment rules, you will see the following repayment profile.

The total amount repaid is close to RM7,000, i.e. RM2,000 more that the original price! That’s all interest dudes! Furthermore, it will take you 5 years and 10 months to fully repay it! Almost 6 years in debt for this particular purchase! Below, I’ve traced out the number of years till full repayment for various purchase amounts.

If you spent RM100, you’ll fully repay it within 3 months, but if you spent RM10,000; it will take you almost 7 1/2 years to fully repay it, incurring almost RM4,000 in cumulative interest. You’ll pay well over 40% more than the goods original price!

Guys, a credit card is just a facility to help manage your finances. But, if you don’t know your financial state and don’t monitor your spending, a credit card is a sure road to ruin. Keep track of your income and expenses at all times. Record your credit card expenditures. If you have one of those Windows PDAs or Palms or IPhones, use the varied softwares available for you to track these things. I promise, you will never be caught off guard!

BTW, the best thing to do is to think of credit cards as debit/charge cards – PAY OFF EVERYTHING AT END OF MONTH!

Good Luck!