Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Unhappy incident: XXX Asia

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Tuesday, August 26, 2008

A day at causeway with the good, bad, and evil.

Ladies and gentlemen. As previously promised, I give you, the good, the bad, and the evil of them all. I've received some emails from readers about my article on the IDs. Have some pictures too.

As a start, I'll post them here WITHOUT the car registration number. We always like to start slowly. Don't worry, I will run out of time to edit the pictures one day.

Enjoy.

This is on the way to Woodlands Checkpoint. At the junction where bus/lorries and cars separates.


On the bridge between Msia and Singapore custom.


Right outside City Square.

Thanks to the guys (you know who you are) who send me the photos. Appreciate and please keep them coming. All details of sender will be kept confidential. No worries about that.

If you have all these pictures, you can also send it to info@bolehlah.com.my. We're always ready for your email. Join our mailing list too, we'll keep you updated of any new 'entries'.

Good News: Prices are down

OK, over the past 2 weeks, I've missed so many. The implementation of white card, petrol prices movement and I actually saw some traffic control @ JB. Can you believe that.

Recently, Malaysian Government announced that prices at the pump will go down. Petrol is now selling at RM 2.55 for RON97 and RM 2.40 for RON92 and diesel RM 2.50. For more, please read here.

Government also decides to make prices at the pump more sensitive to the change in world oil price. Hence, it will be reviewed on monthly basis. Lets wait and see. Will keep you guys updated.

Cheers!

Back!

Ladies and Gentleman.

Sorry for the late update. Was away for 2 weeks on leave. Now that I'm back, we're back in business!

Friday, August 22, 2008

White Card

Confirm already lah. You NEED white card. Don't lose it.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Oh, white card

Do you really need it or not?

Called pejabat today to be sure. I was being told that the 15th August date to use the white card still remain as they were not notified of any changed. Another thing that they have not received, is the white card itself.

Better start asking around for some white card.

You'll never know....

If you want to have first hand news on this White Card, you can call pejabat directly. +6 07 223 5007.

I will try to check and update if there is any latest development on this.

Cheers

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Queue Cutters. Im still pissed

I took Tuas checkpoint today. The queue for cars was until the end of the bridge where cars will go right and bus/trucks on the left. For the record, such long queue only took me 20 mins for me to clear the custom. Im grateful. That makes me think. Why does the queue in Tuas always moves faster than Woodlands?

I was thinking of it when i was eating, showering, watching the Olympic opening ceremony and even when i was Poo Poo - ing.

It finally struck me when i was finishing my poo poo. Its the queue cutter. Damn the IDs. Everytime a car cuts into your lane, you are slower by 1 position. The more i think of it, the more im pissed.

Hence, I summon all the RDs to please, take the picture of these errant drivers when they are in the act. Be it video or photo. Send it to me. info@bolehlah.com.my.

Let me post them here. Lets teach them how to queue!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

6.30 am and pm at Woodlands Checkpoint

I hate the jam. Period.

Stuck in the queue for almost 2 hours today. On average, daily travellers of JB-SIN-JB spend 2-3 hours in the peak hour jam at Causeway. Bottleneck is normally at Woodlands Causeway. It wasn't like this last year, not even at the beginning of this year. Ever since 'mr safe' escaped, the jam has worsen.

Personally, I don't mind the jam. I don't mind queuing all the way from slightly after Woodlands Ave 3 exit or even further. However, I do mind one thing. QUEUE cutters. A**H***S. Pardon the language. Excuse the cap word. Cause I am really pissed.

It's really frustrating to see some errant and irresponsible driver, (termed ID from now on) swoosh pass you all the way from the motorcycle lane and try to cut into yours. Responsible drivers (RD) will then have to 'defend' their position and ensure these IDs do not get into the lane easily. This, however, is often easier said than done. Imagine this, you need to keep the front of your car about 1 centimeter away from the bumper of the car in front. Anything more than that will allow IDs ample space to squeeze their way in. FOrgot to mention all this need to be done in a short timespan of less than 2 seconds as the queue moves periodically. Else, IDs will pounce on the opportunity and cause you to fall back by 1 position. ROught estimate of IDs till date is about 200 to 300 per day.

I consider myself an experienced driver on the road. Hence, IDs will have less opportunity to cut into my lane. I always pity some of the RDs who are careful and dare not follow the car in front at such close distance. These RDs will then have to allow the IDs to move in, one by one. This will lengthen the travel time of all RDs behind this poor RD.

I will also need to mention IDs who act like a hooligan-wannabe and drives their vehicle so close to yours to force you out of position and he can take over your position. If only im driving a 4 wheel monster truck then, I'll make sure their vehicle will be as flat as my laptop.

Since the officers are unable to control these errant drivers even with the implementation of fine, I have decided to start a small campaign to punish these drivers. Lets make them famous. I'll try to take their picture(s) and post them here to let everybody knows who are the people who are always irresponsible and always cuts queue. You can help by sending me pictures of these IDs as well. But pls make sure you are taking it at a standstill position. (i.e car not moving). I do not want, at any point of time, to endanger anybody's life for this.

Now that you all know what to do, watch this space.

'Guide' to travel to Johor

With all the crime reports that we see from newspapers/internet, you must be wondering if Malaysia is truly unsafe for you to visit. The answer is……. Everywhere is the same, if you expose yourself to unnecessary risks. I have compiled a list of suggestions, with the intention of guiding you safely into Malaysia and back. If you are driving into Malaysia (especially in your Singapore Registered Vehicle), below are the 'golden rules' compiled from author's experience of driving in and out of Singapore in his Singapore Registered Vehicle.

1. When driving, ALWAYS lock the door and ensure windows are wind up and do not entertain any attempt by anybody that tries to get your attention. Lately, there have been few groups of 'sales person' standing by at the exit of the petrol station opposite City Square. No idea what they are selling as I always speed off after topping up my tank.

2. When topping up your petrol, I've seen cases when the driver is topping up the tank, the passenger will start to wander around the pump and do stretching. Passengers should not leave the vehicle and should lock up the vehicle when the driver is topping up fuel. If possible, get the pump attendant to do it and remain in vehicle. If it is really necessary to leave your vehicle to answer the call of nature, try to go to brightly lit petrol stations or go to the toilets in shopping complexes.

3. Avoid unnecessary stop at any badly lit road/highway/lane/ wherever you are. This rule applies to ALL types of vehicle. Highly recommended when you are walking.

4. While you may want to impress your friends/relatives that you are visiting with your 60 carat diamond ring or your 916 gold necklaces, you do not want to impress snatch thieves as well. DON’T wear them when you are shopping, eating at mamak stall or buying VCDs. Remove all visible valuable items and wear only when necessary.

5. Don't put all your eggs into one basket. Handle your cash the same way too. Keep some in your left pocket, right pocket, underwear (yes!), socks, shoe, car, bag or even inside your baby diaper.

6. When you are paying for your RM 10.00 purchase, only take out RM 10.00. I've seen people who tend to take out whatever amount they have from their pocket (sometimes I see whole stack of RM 50s), and then pay the amount required while keeping the rest back into their pocket. This attracts attention not only from the hot chick behind you, but also potential criminals.

7. Always have enough petrol in your car to reach your destination. You won't want to push your car to the nearest petrol station at 3 a.m won't you?

8. Familiarize yourself with the emergency numbers. You never know when you might need it.

With above, I wish you a safe and enjoyable trip to Malaysia!

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Jom, pump minyak petrol!

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific_business/view/364016/1/.html

Malaysia may cut fuel prices, says ministry official
Posted: 31 July 2008 1344 hrs

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia may reduce fuel prices in the weeks ahead if global oil prices continue to fall, a senior finance ministry official said Thursday.

The government hiked petrol prices 41 per cent in June to ease the burden of spiralling energy subsidies, but crude oil prices have fallen around US$20 from record highs above US$147 per barrel hit earlier in July.

The official said "if oil prices remain between US$120 a barrel and US$125 a barrel for two weeks," then Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi could announce a cut in fuel costs in the weeks ahead.

"The cabinet discussed about the fall in oil prices Wednesday. There is a possibility of pump prices coming down in Malaysia," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Abdullah's decision to hike fuel prices sparked angry street protests and triggered calls for the premier to stand down, compounding his woes after disastrous results in March elections.

Crude prices spiked upwards on Wednesday to US$126, underscoring the volatility in the global oil market.

Prices are still much higher than in recent history, having traded at less than US$10 per barrel in the late 1990s.

Malaysia's annual inflation rate soared to a 26-year high of 7.7 per cent in June due to the rise in fuel costs, echoing a surge in inflation across Asia that has stoked fears of slower regional economic growth.

- AFP/yb


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Well well well. Did I see some smiles there... Let's get ready for some causeway jam..