KLIA Taxi - Scam or not?

NOVEMBER 5, 2013

KLIA Taxi - Scam or not?

I would like to alert travellers to an issue with taxi’s at KLIA.

The taxi system at KLIA is pretty confusing for most people unless you are a regular traveller to Malaysia and the very poorly design website www.klia.com.my doesn't offer any information regarding taxi services at the airport.

The main taxi company at KLIA who until recently held a monopoly is Airport Limo. This company provides a multi tired limo service by way of stating your destination, class of taxi and then purchasing a coupon for the journey.

The other system is what’s known as a city cab which is basically a standard meter taxi service which operates from level 1.

One of the frustrating problems with Airport Limo is the regular shortage of taxi’s especially at peak periods or owing to traffic congestion in KL. It is quite common for the coupon counter staff to tell you that there are no taxi’s or that there is a big queue.

I usually take a premier taxi which is between the budget and limo for a more comfortable ride and the fact that most of the drivers know the location of my condo.



The taxi coupons sold are valid for a month and owing to my weekly trips to and from Singapore I always have an option to use it another week if I change my mind and take the train or city cab.



Over the past few months I’ve noticed a trend whereby I’ve been told time and time again that there were no taxi’s and that I must get a limo or mini bus which costs significantly more than a premier taxi.

When I’m told that there are no taxi’s and I must get a limo/mini bus I simply request that they sell me a ticket. The counter staff look confused and usually don’t want to sell me one. When I firmly request a coupon the behaviour of the staff usually follows a similar pattern whereby a lot of time is spent on the radio chit chatting (about me) and generally ignoring me.

When I force the issue the staff act very sheepishly and begrudgingly sell me a coupon. Now the strange thing is that 9.9 times out of 10 when this happens I find little or no queue and at least several taxi’s available at the premier car area outside door 5.

The behavior of the staff and the fact that there isn’t usually more than one or two people queuing for the premiere taxi’s makes it appear that there is a scam taking place to rip off unfamiliar travellers. I have witnessed several other people encounter similar experiences at both the budget and premier services.

So is it a scam or are the unwelcoming counter staff simply out of touch with what is happening in the queue even though they have a radio?

The taxi service at the LCCT operated by a different company also tries this from time to time, however I haven’t found it quite so prevalent.

Perhaps it’s time raise a report to the authorities, not that SPAD will take any real action. 

http://www.maninseat12a.com/

Thieves eyeing metal water meters

Posted on July 28, 2013, Sunday

METAL water meters get stolen quite often these days.
The serious implication of such devices being stolen day and night is that residents as well as businesses are left without vital water supply, not forgetting the unnecessary losses through water wastage and replacement of stolen meters.
Indeed, many Malaysian households have been left high and dry by metal water meter thieves in recent times. In one case across the water, more than 10 meters were stolen from a row of shops over just 24 hours.
As hundreds of these instruments are reportedly stolen every month across the country, consumers have been urged to switch to plastic ones, considered ‘steal-safe’ because they have zero resale value.
It stands to reason that whenever the price of metal goes up, the number of stolen metal water meters goes up as well. Plastic meters, on the other hand, are a damn sight safer to use because they are worth next to nothing second-hand – so thieves are less likely to steal them, if not throw them away after taking the metal pipes. Talk about adding insult to injury!
Although the water authorities own all registered metal water meters, consumers are responsible for the meters’ safekeeping as long as they remain fixed on the service pipe even in a public area.
Isn’t such a situation ludicrous? Surely, we can all agree it is not only inconvenient but also impractical for people to keep their water meters under constant surveillance even if they are installed outside their compounds.
Now, the victim has paid a certain sum for a new plastic meter before supply can be reconnected, sparking calls from consumer groups, business concerns and home-owners for the costs to be borne by the water authorities as part of their corporate social responsibilities.
According to a recent survey, Miri has the highest number of water meter thefts at 287, followed by Sibu (168) and Kuching (142).  Admittedly, stolen meters are seldom recovered but tracing them is made easier by their engraved serial numbers. Recycling centres that buy these meters should be able to help identify the sellers.
Thefts of monsoon drain and manhole covers are also rampant. Not only is such thievery burning a big hole in the pockets of the local councils but also those of public utility companies, housing and private developers.
While metal thefts are committed at construction sites, electricity and telecom sub-stations, along public pavements and streets as well as residential homes, what’s disturbing is that the perpetrators are so unafraid of the law that they will strike at a time of their choosing – day or night.
One exasperated local council official had even likened replacing stolen metal covers to the Labour of Sisyphus – you replace the missing covers only for them to be stolen the next day – you replace them again and they get stolen again the next day – there is no end to it like poor Sisyphus rolling a boulder up the hill only to see it roll down again after reaching the top.
Given the situation, it makes a lot of sense to use ventilated cement blocks for all monsoon drains in place of metal ones as a deterrent and to cut losses. Scrap yard owners can help by not buying metal items they suspect to have been stolen. Periodical checks by the local councils and the police on scarp yards should continue to keep the culprits at bay.
One local council had reportedly spent about RM2.1 million over a three-year period just replacing stolen manhole and monsoon drain covers. The situation should improve significantly if the Second Hand Dealers Act 1964 is strictly enforced because buyers of scrap iron will then have to record the full particulars of the sellers. This will help the authorities control the movement and business transactions between scrap buyers and sellers.
Metal thefts, like all crimes, should be condemned. The public – and especially residents of housing estates – can help curb such transgressions by reporting any suspicious characters showing more than just a perfunctory interest in their water metres or drain covers.
Swift response by the authorities to such reports is equally important to wipe out metal thefts.
No one will be sorry to see the back of metal thieves who (for crying out loud) are able bodied people but apparently too lazy to work, preferring to steal and rob for a living.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/07/28/thieves-eyeing-metal-water-meters/#ixzz2hCqoqdNA

US Congress - to finally recognise Malaysia

https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?ui=2&ik=ea95ea0a8a&view=att&th=13eb2ef6a2bb92f5&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P8LjcpFbxXmS7TAcviOZwB6&sadet=1368930432381&sads=iQMNRC5WPXWELYYAlvJ0dzlPfog&sadssc=1

42 ‘stranded’ Viets get help

Sunday March 18, 2012
42 ‘stranded’ Viets get help

GEORGE TOWN: The 42 Vietnamese women “stranded” in a house here will be sent to a women's protection centre in Kuala Lumpur.

OCPD Asst Comm Gan Kong Meng said they had obtained an interim protection order from a magistrate's court here to send the women, aged between 31 and 50, to the centre.

He said the case was being investigated under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2007.

ACP Gan said an initial investigation showed that the women had not been paid for two months, adding that police had gone to the house and taken a statement from Tran Thi Hai, 31, who used to work as a cleaner in a hospital.

Sad plight: Some of the Vietnamese women sobbing uncontrollably while eating rice and vegetables donated by Malaysians who went to their aid upon learning about their plight in the newspapers. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI / The Star

“We were told they have been on their own for about one month. They have to buy food and daily necessities using their own money.

“We have informed the Immigration Department, the Vietnamese Embassy and Interpol. We will complete investigations soon.”

Meanwhile, several caring Malaysians sent food items such as cooking oil, vegetables, beverages and rice to the house in Jalan Tull off Jalan Residency while some have shown interest in hiring the women as domestic maids.

Pulau Tikus assemblyman Koay Teng Hai said he had contacted the embassy, which was aware of the problem faced by the women.

“The embassy has contacted the Immigration Department and a meeting will be held tomorrow,” he said.

It was reported that the women survived on white rice for the past few months while their agent would send 20kg of rice every three months.

Meanwhile, 34 Nepalese and Vietnamese men, aged between 20 and 40, who are in the same situation as 42 Vietnamese women, would also be sent to a protection centre in Kuala Lumpur, said Koay.

He said they used to work as cleaners at Penang Hospital and claimed they had the same agent as the Vietnamese women.

State Immigration assistant director Mustaffa Kamal Hanaffi said investigations would be carried out to trace the agent responsible for the 76 Vietnamese and Nepalese men and women.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/3/18/nation/10941888&sec=nation

How would a RM7b highway with 60 years toll benefit public?

How would a RM7b highway with 60 years toll benefit public? – DAP
January 30, 2012

Lim Guan Eng, the secretary-general of DAP is demanding an explanation from the prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on how a RM7 billion highway will benefit the public.


This is where the highway will be tolled for 60 years, a national record which will incur up to RM5 billion in taxpayers’ money. Europlus Bhd (KEuro), whose primary business is in granular and powder-activated carbon production announced that they have been awarded to build the highway that links Banting with Taiping that stretches across 316km. They will receive a soft loan from the government of RM2.24 billion government with a 3% interest subsidies on commercial loans for 33 years with RM980 million in land acquisition paid out by the government. Guan Eng questioned the need to pay the RM980million as it is a privatized project. On top of that, the Prime Minister’s Department has granted a 60 year concession to the company.
http://malaysiatoday.com/2012/01/how-would-a-rm7b-highway-with-60-years-toll-benefit-public-%E2%80%93-dap/

Guan Eng says Umno using his children as political targets

Guan Eng says Umno using his children as political targets
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
January 28, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 — Lim Guan Eng has accused Umno of using his children as political targets, and charged that his daughter has become the victim of attacks by Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The defence minister had said that the National Service (NS) training programme was now widely accepted and trusted by parents for the positive effect it has on their children, and used the Penang chief minister’s daughter as an example.

Guan Eng dared Umno and BN leaders to take him on but leave his children alone. — File pic
He had reportedly said that even DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang had seen how his granddaughter, who went to the Balik Pulau camp, had changed for the better after attending the programme.

“His (Kit Siang’s) son and Penang chief minister (Lim Guan Eng) also told me of the positive effect of the programme and thanked me for it,” Zahid was quoted by Bernama as saying.

But Lim Guan Eng denied this, saying that Zahid’s assertions were wholly “untrue”.

“My daughter is a good kid and is the same before and after joining the NS camp. Both my father and I had never told the defence minister as claimed by him and neither had we thanked him for it,” Lim said in a statement today.

He urged Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders to not use his children as political capital to boost the federal coalition’s credentials, saying that his entire family was “upset” by Zahid’s remarks.

“My family and I love our daughter and want to protect her privacy. We have shielded her from the glare of publicity so that she can grow up and enjoy life with her friends as a normal kid.

“We hope that Datuk Seri Ahmad can respect my daughter’s privacy and not drag her into his political games to justify the NS programme,” added Lim.

The DAP secretary-general stressed that this was not the first time his children had been “unfairly targeted” by Umno, and pointed out how his 15-year old son had been defamed by Umno leaders for allegedly molesting a schoolmate.

Umno blogs also claimed Lim paid RM200,000 to cover up the scandal and transfer his teenage son to another school.

School authorities have since then confirmed that there was no such instance of sexual molestation as alleged by Umno blogs.

The picture of the alleged molest victim published online turned out to be a chess champion who lives in Hong Kong and who has never even met Lim’s son.

“I urge Umno and BN leaders to throw your lies at me if you must but please leave my children alone. They are still studying and are not in politics.

“Have BN and Umno leaders run out of ideas and ideals that their only political capital is to preach lies and hate not only against PR leaders but also at our children?” Lim asked.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/guan-eng-says-umno-using-his-children-as-political-targets/

Rahsia Ramuan KFC Terbongkar!!

Rahsia Ramuan KFC Terbongkar!!
Posted on Saturday, June 11 @ 09:37:15 PDT
Dilulus untuk paparan oleh KetamBatu

Berita NEW YORK – Siapa tak kenal ayam goreng Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)? Rahsia lazatnya tersimpan di 11 bumbu racikan rahsia milik Kolonel Sanders. Sayangnya bukan rahsia lagi, sebab seorang warga AS berhasil memecahkan kombinasi itu. Lelaki itu bernama Ron Douglas dan dia bukan seorang tukang masak professional. Dia terobsesi membongakar 11 bumbu dan rempah rahsia KFC yang diciptakan Kolonel Harland David Sanders pada 1935 itu dan meninggalkan pekerjaannya sebagai Manager Kewangan di JPMorgan di Wall Street pada 2007. Akhirnya, perjuangan tahunan itu membuahkan hasil.

“Akhirnya saya menemukan kombinasi yang identik dengan racikan KFC atau Kolonel Sanders,” ujar Ron gi, seperti dikutip news.com Dan kini, dia telah menerbitkan sebuah buku khas yang membongkar rahsia terdalam franchise asal AS tersebut. Eksperimen Ron tak mudah, dengan ratusan bumbu serta rempah yang dikenal dunia, dia harus mencampur jutaan kombinasi untuk mendepatkan rasa yang tepat.

Pada suatu masa, Ron merasa sangat putus asa dengan isi Original Recipe KFC itu. “Tapi dia tak mahu mengatakannya kepada saya,” lanjut Ron. Namun saat melakukannya, dia mengetahui ada banyak orang di internet yang mencuba melakukan hal sama dengannya. Sejak itulaha ia membuka sebuah web khusus yang berdedikasi untuk membongkar rahsia KFC.

Ron membuat beberapa ereksperimen dengan bumbu-bumbu tersebut. Buku yang dia terbitkan, America’s Most Wanted Recipes, yang memuat resepi rahsia KFC pun menjadi bestseller di AS./BK

Sumber KliK

Special police team to probe dumping of pig heads at mosque

Published: Friday December 30, 2011 MYT 8:30:00 PM
Updated: Friday December 30, 2011 MYT 8:32:33 PM
Special police team to probe dumping of pig heads at mosque

JOHOR BARU: A special team has been set up by Johor police to investigate the dumping of several severed pig heads in plastic bags near the Al-Falah Mosque in Taman Desa Jaya here.

State police chief Datuk Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said the pig heads were found by the mosque's congregation early Friday when they turned up for the dawn prayers.

"The team, which is headed by Johor deputy police chief Datuk Ismail Yatim, will seek the culprits until they are found," he said.

Mokhtar, who visited the scene of the incident, urged all parties to be patient, refrain from speculating about the incident and not to take the law into their own hands.

The mosque's committee chairman, Kassim Darim, 62, said residents in the area initially found a plastic bag believed to contain pig parts near the rear fence of the mosque at 5pm Thursday.

He said it was the first time such an incident had occurred in the area.

A police report was lodged at the Desa Cemerlang Police Station, he said.

Meanwhile, about 100 people, including from non-government organisations, held a peaceful gathering in front of the mosque to protest against the act. BERNAMA
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/12/30/nation/20111230204127&sec=nation