MYDIN

I do my grocery shopping at Giant Supermarket. I had a issue with Giant previously and I decided to boycott them. But I have no choice to go back to them due to the proximity and choice of goods.

MYDIN USJ
Image courtesy of http://www.wahdi.blogspot.com/

Today, I found a better place to shop, its MYDIN Hypermarket USJ. The stuff there is really cheap! Some by more than RM 1 in difference than Giant. The parking is a bit of hassle but you don't have to queue at the counter, even on Saturdays. Counter people seems to be friendly as well. This will be my new place to shop for grocery. Screw you Giant!

The amazing part was since Giant USJ and MYDIN is side by side, I notice MYDIN parking is full and Giant parking was virtually empty. Buawahahahha!

Lesson to learn here :- Don't think that just because you're big and rich, thus you are high and mighty and can ignore the small people. Don't be a rent seeker either, because once someone else comes in with a better product, service and cheaper pricing, you are so screwed!

Look here for another review by an ex-Giant customer now a satisfied MYDIN customer.

Rent Seekers

What is a rent seeker in Malaysia's context. Read this. The past week I had my first experience with such a company. Sadly it was a Bumi company. Typical? You tell me.

I don't usually blog about work, but I have to this time.

I was awarded a project. I was forced to work with a rent seeking company who is buddy buddy with the client. Honestly, I am OK with all this cronyism as long you are able to deliver with spectacular result. I am perfectionist, so they say in the office. I expect quality in work. Of course I am paying for the service, don't I deserve the best in return?

Well, back to the story. I sent an email to confirm on certain task to be taken up. After 2 emails, no reply. As a prime contractor, I have to beg to a subcontractor company to get task done. Who is paying who here? After I threaten to give the project to another party if he doesn't comply, guess what? He actually sent a nasty email to me and blasting me! AH!? Got ah such thing? Only in Malaysia, man. The rent seeking mentality.

A Malay engineer who is a friend of mine, commented that these days those who do not deserve to get projects are getting it, simply because they know people. Even the deserving Malays are feeling marganlized with such corruptions.

In the email, along the lines, he claims he is the expert and deserves to be in the project. In the first place, I never wanted to work with them because in my past experience they sux! Documents are standard of a 5 year old. Slow and incompetent, hardly attends meeting or bother to reply emails. But I was forced to work with them. Understand the term Rent Seekers now?

Being in anger management therapy now, I just decided to ignore the dumb email from a very dumb person. Only in Malaysia, the rent seekers can thrive. How can MSC or Malaysia progress to the standards of international quality. If this co. were to go overseas, the Mat Salleh would have spit at his face and throw him out if they ever saw the type of documents produced.

All in all, I just kept quiet knowing, in 5 -10 years time, my company will go global due to the emphasis I make on quality and merit. This company, it will be where it was yesterday. How far can you go by being a crony rent seeker?

My father passed away

As unexpected it might seem, my father passed away on 4th March 2008. The cause of the death is probably due to liver sclerosis.

 

I got a called around 11 AM + that my father was fell down. Thinking he might have slipped and fell, I rushed with my friend to get him. We managed to find him and rush him PPUM. Then things started to take a turn, doctors were perplexed on his condition. His BP was low and he was complaining about abdominal pain. By 5PM+, doctor told me that he will not make it. I rushed home to fetch my mom and sis. I didn't tell them the actual situation. By the time I reached the hospital around 6.19PM, my father has passed away at 6.17PM.

Here is some notes I would like to share especially Muslims about burial procedures:-

• If death within 24 hours, doctors will insist that they perform an post mortem.
  
• If deceased has an insurance policy, the insurance company will insist on a post mortem report.
  
• As family, you can fight the post mortem if the Police is satisfied there was no crime involved.
  
• Body will be moved to mortuary. You need to get a burial permit from either DBKL or Police Selangor.
  
• The PIC will handover to you a JPN letter. Photocopy your burial permit.
  
• You will need to inform the nearest mosque to perform the religious rites. They will arrange the van, bath and prayers. You will need to go to the nearest burial office to get a burial spot. MPPJ's is near Jln 222. You handover your "ORIGINAL" burial permit to them. Without it, they will not conduct a burial. Burial cost is RM 120.
  
• My father was buried at Kota Damansara. A new burial area.
  
• Total burial cost will be below RM 600.
  
• On the 3rd day, visit the grave after Subuh, to read Yasin and doas.
  
• Go to JPN to get a death certificate. Please bring the photocopy of the burial permit, the JPN form and original NRIC of the deceased. They con me of paying RM 5.
  
• Read alot of Yasin and conduct tahlil for 3 nights. The more people, the better. Prepare some food for the guests.
  
• Perform a tahlil on the 40th day.
  
• Get a Imam or anyone to khatam a Quran within the 40 days.
  
• You need to ensure whether the deceased as a Will. It will be easier with it.
  
• In order to close a bank account, bring Mom, with marriage certificate, passbook, IC, and death certificate.
  
• There is alot of work to be done once a person has passed away. The burden lies on the living. Thus, now I realise that we can go anytime. A Will is important and a list of items to be done in case of death, should be prepared earlier by everyone, so the living can proceed the task with ease.

My father and I, we were not close but he was a good man. He took care of the family and me, no matter what and even the old age, he still worked. He didn't ask money from me, but I am happy that I am managed to give him during his time alive.

My father was a nobody, but even that, he knew the right people. He ensure that I got everything I needed although we were poor. I remember he had to beg the shop owner to reduce the price of the bicycle I wanted so badly, although he didn't have money to pay. He got me into University. He helped me for a government job. He brought me to the library in his motorcycle, while he worked at a stall. He bought me my first car and paid all the installment until I got my first job. He paid for my wedding with his KWSP. All these sacrifice of a father. I am sad that I am unable to repay fully his efforts.

He thought me a few things in life,

• Be always punctual
• Carry a pen
• Drive slowly
• Work for the government
• How to change tyres and mechanical stuff

But as a stubborn kid, I didn't always listen.

Regrets that I have:-

• Unable to go to Umrah together
• A family photo
• Provide him everything so that he can rest at home instead of working

As the saying goes, you don't know what you have until you lose it. All those chain email was right. Do it know, say you love them, provide for them. Don't wait until its too late.

I am strong now, I have to be. Now I have to work hard, so I can provide my Mom and sis a better life. Time is running short, life is tough.

Al-Fatifah.

Raoul boutique - Only for the super rich?

I needed to get some shirts, so I headed to 1-Utama today. After looking through Padini store, nothing interested me, so why not drop by Raoul and see what they have. I hate going to these kindda store because the salesperson there always give me the that look "Another window shopper who can't afford Raoul shirts" since I always come with T-shirt and jeans. Luck as it, I met another one here.

A Raoul Store

I looked around and saw one nice shirt and I asked the "Idiot" how much was the discount. He gave me the look "You still want to buy ah? Some more ask for discount ah?" and said "30%". OK, then I asked, what can I get with my OneCard (Since I just got it from the Microsoft seminar last week). Idiot said "I dunno" and walked off. He passed some remarks to his colleague and both giggle.

Actually from the OneCard directory there is a discount for Raoul. So I guess this "Idiot" not only a uninformed idiot but a total moron as well. I am not that rich, but I have enough to buy shirts from Raoul.

Too bad for him, I walked off and went to G2000 and splurged there. G2000 customer service was so good and they called me "Sir" all the time. How's that for respecting a consumer, regardless how he/she looks.

For retailers, please don't judge the book by its cover. For God's sake its 1-Utama, you expect me to shop around with a Tux?

Being a Tech Freak!

My first post for the year 2008. I am going to start the year by being a tech freak. Below are the items that I want to buy NOW!

iPod Classic

I don't want iPod Touch. I just want this. It has 160 GB of storage. Now, I just need to test it whether it will work better than my Windows Media in my Dopod.

Amazon Kindle

This is God-sent device to me. I am so in love in this machine. I want one but life is ever cruel. This item is only sold in US.

I don't understand why Americans loves to tease and torture us by taunting us with videos of such marvelous device yet unattainable. I freaking migrating to US. My dream of completely disposing paper is here. The e-books reader of all time. Save the trees, save the world. And no, Hiro didn't came back from the future and told me this.

Sony Reader Digital Book

Kindda lame name for a ebook reader. I thought since I couldn't get Kindle, this would be it but yet again, the Japs screwed us. This product is not sold in Malaysia and the eConnect website is only available to Americans.

I just don't get it, did we do something wrong? I mean, we let you run our country for few years and then we forgive and we drive your cars, we buy your tvs, fridge, aircon, washing machine, laptops and we worship your anime and what else did we do wrong? Tell me!?

Nokia N95

No, I haven't gave up on my Dopod and defected to Nokia. Planning to get this for my wife. But of course in the same time, I get to play with it as well.

Seems like a pretty good phone with all features that you can think of jammed into one tiny box. The price has dropped since the initial price of RM 3K. It has GPS, WiFi, 3G, 5 Mega pixel Carl Zeiss Optic lens and etc... very cool.



Garmin Nuvi
This is a GPS navigation tool. Why do I need it? Its like a chicken and egg situation, you don't need all the time, but when you need directions, you go like "Damn, I should have bought the GPS thing!".

I am not sure what model I am looking at but in the US it seems they have more range than the one I saw in Digital Mall (why I am not surprised?). And the bugger tried to pull a fast one on me, when he tried to sell me a Nuvi 750 for 3K and in Lelong its only 2K++. Bugger....


Well that is my tech wish for this year but not limited just the above. I just hope I can get my hands on all of them.

Maybank blunder yet again

Update:
Gloria called me up and said the money was refunded on Wednesday evening itself. Today she was rather chirpy and nice. Hmm... well thank you Maybank for returning back MY money.

I am seriously getting sick and tired of Maybank now. Once upon a time, they screwed up my bill payment. Now they are screwing with my money.

Yesterday I withdrew RM 300 from account at Kelana Jaya ATM. The money did not came out from the dispenser. Then I check on my account. RM 300 was deducted. It happen before, and they manage to refund me but this was like 5 years. So I was not too worried and filed in a complain.

I called up this lady Gloria and she told me that her report is fine and they don't need to refund me. What the hell? I said yeah, my account was deducted but the money did not come out. Of course your report will look ok. They are sending this issue to the ATM vendor. My God, I can't believe this. Its very simple

1. Why would I want to cheat Maybank RM 300 when I have more than that in my account. You think I go no better things to do in life? I am a honest person.
2. Simple logic, if the report say X amount of cash was withdrawn on that day, compare against the cash that is in the dispenser say Y. Take Y - X, I am sure there will be extra RM 300.
3. There are few bloody CCTV all around the ATM, check lah and see whether I actually absconded the cash.
4. Lastly make Police report lah, that I cheated Maybank. I am willing to take the lie detector test. If I pass, I am suing Maybank RM 1,000,300 for making false accusation, humiliation and distress.
   

Bloody hell. I am moving to CIMB or Al-Rajhi.

A "Happy" golfer

I just purchased a Happy mobile package for RM 5. Now I can talk for up to 45 minutes at only RM 0.99. How cool is that? For more information check out www.happy.com.my.

My Happy Prepaid

I started my new year resolution ahead of schedule. Had my first try out of golf today. I got a friend to teach me the ropes a bit. First day was not too bad, I managed to keep my golf club intact in my hand. I also managed to hit it right a few times. With more practices, I should be able to take on Tiger Woods

I really like the watch

2007 is coming to a close

Time to reflect over the year. What has happen? Unfortunately I don't keep a diary, maybe I should. What did I accomplish this year?

• Celebrated the new year in a foreign country
• Promoted to COO role
• Learned how to swim
• Celebrated Songkran in Thailand!
• Bought my first PDA phone after years of dreaming
• Bought my first foreign car.... but for my wife
  
• Bought my first golf set

Hmm.... exciting but nothing really great. These days 18 years olds are accomplishing for more things. OK time for 2008 resolution.

• Travel to Europe, Egypt, Maldives, Bali and Australia.
• Learn to scuba dive
• Play golf actively
• To swim actively
• Start a diary
• To have a body like a Spartan
• Read a book a month
• Learn another language
• Try karaoke
  
• Achieve my financial target
• Maybe do my MBA
• etc....
  

Check out http://www.43things.com/ if you are pondering about your future as well.

PC Fair

PIKOM PC Fair is back. I need few things, so I head down to KL Convention Center. I parked my car in Avenue K and made my way to KLCC. I didn't know exactly how to get to KL Convention Center, but then I use the technique called "Follow the herd of nerds". This kinda PC fair is a nerd magnet center. How to spot one?

• Skinny pale looking youth with spectacles
• Over sized t-shirts and jeans
  
• Must carry a knapsack
• Must be in a group of 5 or more all looking as listed above
• No offense, but its really true.

Its was really crowded as if it was another BERSIH event. The hall is quite large and split into 2 section. I didn't realise that I was shopping for about 3 hours until my back pain was acting up again. I got some good buy I hope. I bought

• Canon laser printer - RM 350
  
• 160 GB external HDD - RM 270
• A bulky weird looking mouse - Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser Mouse - RM 290 (This mouse suppose to help my wrist, but it seems to be making it worse. And the bloody receiver is huge - bad buy)

Not so ergonomic

• Total - RM 910. ouch..... getting deeper into debt.

A word of advise - never bring your plastic into this kindda place.

Disaster - I dropped my Dopod

I just dropped my 9 month old Dopod 838 Pro. I was just finish talking and was juggling around with my letters in the other hand and ooops... it slipped and crashed hard on a concrete cement. The cracking sound didn't sound nice. As I picked it up, I saw similar to what we often see in a dark storm - lightings streaking across. My LCD is cracked. The touch screen is not working anymore.

A badly bruised PDA phone..

The problem with this Dopod model is its quite slippery. Maybe that's the reason why HTC TyTN II has a rubber grip around the phone for better gripping. Read it here.

Rubber grip

Sob sob... my baby is injured. Now there is only 2 choice. Either I get a new phone - the HTC :) or get it repaired. I hope it will not cost that much to fix it. I will be the first person tomorrow at SIS office. Sending the phone for a major facelift.