A few days ago, I heard on the tele that the tourism ministry will be introducing a group of premier taxi service called Taxi Executive in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2007. The plan is excellent to attract more visitors and to show them we are coutesy people.
However, the execution of this wonderful plan is in doubt. In fact, I'm not sure if it was carefully plan out. In the past, we have seen a few similar taxi services that fell after a while. Why, because there wasn't a proper planning for the poor taxi drivers and no follow up from the authorithies or company that came up with the idea/project. We had the GPRS premier airport taxi services that wasn't well thought and result in a lot of money wastage and unhappy drivers that the government had to interven to resolved the issues. Then we had the yellow taxi premier. The local as well as expats had experiences that the metre of the taxi is running super fast. Can you imagine going from Ampang Point to Semarak costed over RM30 on a not-so=busy traffic hours. Very few people would travel in it too.
I wonder how this taxi executive will work. It's great that they want to kick start with 300 taxis on the streets by 2007. As it is double the charges, is there a survey prior to the launch carried out? Did tourists prefer a double pay taxi ride in the city or standard taxi? How many percent prefers to walk and sight-seeing? How many percent has a family more than 4 travelling together? How many percent willing to pay the price? Where can the tourist call or find taxi excutive service? Will the taxi drivers only rely on passengers who can afford them? What happen to those taxi drivers during low tourist season? How many locals or expats working here would like to use this service at all times? How many percent of tourists visit Malaysia due to the low currency exchange? There are many more questions...
My point is that I don't want to see the 300 taxi drivers have to struggle later to find customers because the people responsible didn't do a proper follow up and planning after 2007. I won't want them to resort to the scene I see daily at KLCC Suria where a bunch of taxi drivers fishing for Middle East and Western tourist with a fixed price. Even the many guards in front of KLCC and a big signboard don't deter them from fishing expensive customers. I won't want to see the taxi executives ending up doing the same thing in famous mat-salleh areas. Everyone is trying to make a living and the fittest and toughest survive.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Rainy Drainy Day
At around three something this afternoon, the sky suddenly swift from a cloudy day to gloomy and dark within minutes. Rain started to pour. It was moderate in the beginning and I could see families trying to cross the bustling and busy road of Kuala Lumpur. Maybe they were trying to get back to their hotels or getting inside a nearby building. Cars started to jammed up along the Bukit Bintang Road and queueing tail to tail trying to get out the infamous jam area before the rain became heavier.
I saw a traffic policeman at the junction of Bukit Bintang and Sultan Ismail navigating the traffic flow as best as he could. Bikers didn't seem to care less of the traffic police. Most of them just squeezed through the long queue and maneuver themselves out of the bustling road. Occasionally I could heard the irritating hon-hon from impatience drivers. Everyone predicts that the pour was going to be heavy very soon. Sky was getting darker with the heavy clouds moving fast.
I just finished my errant for the day and was waiting for a taxi to go home. I, too hope to reach home before mother nature spitted out thunder storm. The anger felt after hearing Homo sapiens complainting of hot, humid and hazy weather for the last few days. There goes my wishful thinking. The down pour was getting heavier and lighting started. A few minutes later it followed by a loud thunder. I dreaded thunder storm, ever since I was a child I am always afraid of it. When I see lightings, I would hid under my sheets. If there was thunder storm at night, I would woke up felling scared. I would stayed awake under my sheet until it stopped. Even though I'm all grown up now, I am still afraid of thunder storm. So when I see lightings, my body language would tell I'm uncomfortable.
Water started to rised up after 15 minutes of heavy storm. The queue was getting longer. A few times, there were people trying to cut queue. Twice from 2 tourist familes and a young local couple. The first tourist family got away with it because some taxi drivers target middle east tourist thinking they would get big tips. The second tourist family wasn't so lucky. They were told off by a young girl who asked them politely to follow the queue. The same girl told the young couple to queue up too. Kudoos to her! I wish more Malaysian are like her; who knows her rights and bold.
It looks like the storm is not going to end soon. In fact, it was getting heavier. It's going to be a massive jam later when office workers clocked out. There was a guy in front of me and I noticed that he has some difficulty trying to get a taxi who is willing to send him to his destination. I listened carefully and found out he was going my way. Since it is difficult to get a taxi in this condition, I asked him if he was going to xxx Road. He replied yes. Without hesitating, I asked if he wanted to share the taxi as he was going my way and he agreed. After 2 more taxi turn down his destination, the third one agreed. He opened the door for me, I thought it was very polite of him. Trust me, men hardly open door for me. Period. I once asked my male friend and he said because of my strong personality. What a load of bs!
Indeed the road was jamming up every where. I could hardly see the road in front of me due to the heavy pour. I wonder how the taxi driver drove in such weather. At least he was caution and drive slow. When we reached a tunnel, I noticed a few men on bikes were waiting for the rain to ease. I was a old chinaman concentrating lighting his cigarette. He needs a fix on a windy and wet weather. There was a guy squatting. Waiting for the rain to stop. His mind was somewhere else. Then, there were two men chatting. After that, I saw another man looking afar. I think he was hoping the rain to slow down as soon as possible so that he could go home to his wife and children.
After our taxi driver cleverly maneuver his way through the jam, we finally reach my apartment. Luckily the gate was open and the taxi drove into the shades. Again the nice gentleman open the door for me. When I wanted my share of fare, he refuse to accept it. Even though I insist, he still refused to accept my payment. I thought that was really nice of him. After that I found out he was one of my neighbours living on the same floor. I thanked him for his kindness.
I saw a traffic policeman at the junction of Bukit Bintang and Sultan Ismail navigating the traffic flow as best as he could. Bikers didn't seem to care less of the traffic police. Most of them just squeezed through the long queue and maneuver themselves out of the bustling road. Occasionally I could heard the irritating hon-hon from impatience drivers. Everyone predicts that the pour was going to be heavy very soon. Sky was getting darker with the heavy clouds moving fast.
I just finished my errant for the day and was waiting for a taxi to go home. I, too hope to reach home before mother nature spitted out thunder storm. The anger felt after hearing Homo sapiens complainting of hot, humid and hazy weather for the last few days. There goes my wishful thinking. The down pour was getting heavier and lighting started. A few minutes later it followed by a loud thunder. I dreaded thunder storm, ever since I was a child I am always afraid of it. When I see lightings, I would hid under my sheets. If there was thunder storm at night, I would woke up felling scared. I would stayed awake under my sheet until it stopped. Even though I'm all grown up now, I am still afraid of thunder storm. So when I see lightings, my body language would tell I'm uncomfortable.
Water started to rised up after 15 minutes of heavy storm. The queue was getting longer. A few times, there were people trying to cut queue. Twice from 2 tourist familes and a young local couple. The first tourist family got away with it because some taxi drivers target middle east tourist thinking they would get big tips. The second tourist family wasn't so lucky. They were told off by a young girl who asked them politely to follow the queue. The same girl told the young couple to queue up too. Kudoos to her! I wish more Malaysian are like her; who knows her rights and bold.
It looks like the storm is not going to end soon. In fact, it was getting heavier. It's going to be a massive jam later when office workers clocked out. There was a guy in front of me and I noticed that he has some difficulty trying to get a taxi who is willing to send him to his destination. I listened carefully and found out he was going my way. Since it is difficult to get a taxi in this condition, I asked him if he was going to xxx Road. He replied yes. Without hesitating, I asked if he wanted to share the taxi as he was going my way and he agreed. After 2 more taxi turn down his destination, the third one agreed. He opened the door for me, I thought it was very polite of him. Trust me, men hardly open door for me. Period. I once asked my male friend and he said because of my strong personality. What a load of bs!
Indeed the road was jamming up every where. I could hardly see the road in front of me due to the heavy pour. I wonder how the taxi driver drove in such weather. At least he was caution and drive slow. When we reached a tunnel, I noticed a few men on bikes were waiting for the rain to ease. I was a old chinaman concentrating lighting his cigarette. He needs a fix on a windy and wet weather. There was a guy squatting. Waiting for the rain to stop. His mind was somewhere else. Then, there were two men chatting. After that, I saw another man looking afar. I think he was hoping the rain to slow down as soon as possible so that he could go home to his wife and children.
After our taxi driver cleverly maneuver his way through the jam, we finally reach my apartment. Luckily the gate was open and the taxi drove into the shades. Again the nice gentleman open the door for me. When I wanted my share of fare, he refuse to accept it. Even though I insist, he still refused to accept my payment. I thought that was really nice of him. After that I found out he was one of my neighbours living on the same floor. I thanked him for his kindness.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Buzz of the day
Recently there was a lot of buzz about our beloved Tun Mahathir and the current PM Pak Lah. It seems to portray that the different ideology between the two leaders might affect our economic environment. Can they really have such an effects? From a layman point of view, if Tun is able to stir the economic environment, it shows that he still has great supporters. I'm not into politic but I have always admire Tun for his sharpness, witty, agressive, risk taker and intelligence. Ever since I read his book Malay Dilema as a child, I started to love history during my school days. In fact, my favourite subject was South East Asia History and I moved on to Islamic history later in the years.
Tun has his unique ways of leadership and so as Pak Lah. Both can't be compare because they are unique in their own way. Yes, Tun has been our beloved country leader for 22 years. So it is not strange if he continues to give his views on current economic situation. I, for one would respect him for that. After leaving politic, he still love his country with passion and wants the best for her. We as the younger generation, shouldn't ignore him. Aren't our parents tell us to respect our grandparents? In school, are we not told to respect the elders and our teachers? Shouldn't we show this example to our children? It's sad that Tun and Pak Lah are being put in the middle of this unpleasent situation. We should never forget all the contribution Tun gave to Malaysia.
I still remember when I was young, when I travel overseas and tell people where I'm from, no one knows Malaysia. But if I say it's near Singapore, the reation was "Oh, yes I know Singapore". So I have to explain that my country is above Singapore. Believe me, no one was interested what's above Singapore. That was then. Now everywhere I go, everyone knows where exactly is MALAYSIA. Tun has put Malaysia into the world map. Tun changed our country from an argo-based industry to what we are today. Our voice is strong in the OIC and UN. We won't make it this far without Tun love for the country and the time he sacrifice over 20 years.
I am proud to be a Malaysian because of Tun Mahathir and all that he has done for my lovely country. God Bless You Tun.
Tun has his unique ways of leadership and so as Pak Lah. Both can't be compare because they are unique in their own way. Yes, Tun has been our beloved country leader for 22 years. So it is not strange if he continues to give his views on current economic situation. I, for one would respect him for that. After leaving politic, he still love his country with passion and wants the best for her. We as the younger generation, shouldn't ignore him. Aren't our parents tell us to respect our grandparents? In school, are we not told to respect the elders and our teachers? Shouldn't we show this example to our children? It's sad that Tun and Pak Lah are being put in the middle of this unpleasent situation. We should never forget all the contribution Tun gave to Malaysia.
I still remember when I was young, when I travel overseas and tell people where I'm from, no one knows Malaysia. But if I say it's near Singapore, the reation was "Oh, yes I know Singapore". So I have to explain that my country is above Singapore. Believe me, no one was interested what's above Singapore. That was then. Now everywhere I go, everyone knows where exactly is MALAYSIA. Tun has put Malaysia into the world map. Tun changed our country from an argo-based industry to what we are today. Our voice is strong in the OIC and UN. We won't make it this far without Tun love for the country and the time he sacrifice over 20 years.
I am proud to be a Malaysian because of Tun Mahathir and all that he has done for my lovely country. God Bless You Tun.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Renew My Passion
For the first time in many years, I am free for 3 days. Although I need to go to few agencies to make a reports about wrong-doings, I am free to explore my passions that I have been putting on hold for quite a while.
Everytime I plan to self-improve my knowledge, there is always something more important that requires my atmost attention. Soon my creative passions are left aside; waiting with patience. I would like to continue my ONHOLD passion such as fineart - onhold for 4 years, photography - onhold for 2 years, reading - onhold for a year. For the first time last Friday evening, I had time to re-examine my passion. In fact I did that in my tiny but cosy room in Glade Eagle Hospital. I was there for an over night observation due to my heart condition. Funny thing is I heart was fine till an idiot stupidly trying to be clever and announced bad news to few of my staff without approval and direction from his immediate boss, who was here to evaluate him.
His un-rational action made me very angry for the first time in many years. I believe he sense a need to proof himself that he is a capable superior. Unfortunately without proper information, he dive into the sea and piss off the shark. Later I found out that he wasn't being involved in the restructuring and this makes him worry about his future with the company. As a worried freak, his immediate boss action would have cause him sleepness nights. Anyway, I will publish more about the old worried freak in my next post.
Back to the hospital, yes I was able to think about my passions which I put onhold while trying to chase my career and making money for the kwai-loo aka mat-salleh. So when I discharge myself the next morning, I started to do some searching about Nikon and photography. I'm a Nikon user since my school days and am a vivid follower too. I told my teddy bear that I want to start my photography passion again. However he was sceptical about it because I often not able to commit to myself. This time I will proof him wrong. I hope. Besides that, I found a nice url over the website where I can get tips about photography and the best part is that it is using the same digicam as mine. How cool is that.
http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGall2.asp?camID=1530
I have quite a few photography I did over the past year that I haven't any time to upload or print it out. All are filed in folders and burned into CDs. It's time to check those folders for some nice photos to published. On the other hand, I should be getting some new photos after i learnt the tips and post'em here.
Okidokie, signing out.
Everytime I plan to self-improve my knowledge, there is always something more important that requires my atmost attention. Soon my creative passions are left aside; waiting with patience. I would like to continue my ONHOLD passion such as fineart - onhold for 4 years, photography - onhold for 2 years, reading - onhold for a year. For the first time last Friday evening, I had time to re-examine my passion. In fact I did that in my tiny but cosy room in Glade Eagle Hospital. I was there for an over night observation due to my heart condition. Funny thing is I heart was fine till an idiot stupidly trying to be clever and announced bad news to few of my staff without approval and direction from his immediate boss, who was here to evaluate him.
His un-rational action made me very angry for the first time in many years. I believe he sense a need to proof himself that he is a capable superior. Unfortunately without proper information, he dive into the sea and piss off the shark. Later I found out that he wasn't being involved in the restructuring and this makes him worry about his future with the company. As a worried freak, his immediate boss action would have cause him sleepness nights. Anyway, I will publish more about the old worried freak in my next post.
Back to the hospital, yes I was able to think about my passions which I put onhold while trying to chase my career and making money for the kwai-loo aka mat-salleh. So when I discharge myself the next morning, I started to do some searching about Nikon and photography. I'm a Nikon user since my school days and am a vivid follower too. I told my teddy bear that I want to start my photography passion again. However he was sceptical about it because I often not able to commit to myself. This time I will proof him wrong. I hope. Besides that, I found a nice url over the website where I can get tips about photography and the best part is that it is using the same digicam as mine. How cool is that.
http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGall2.asp?camID=1530
I have quite a few photography I did over the past year that I haven't any time to upload or print it out. All are filed in folders and burned into CDs. It's time to check those folders for some nice photos to published. On the other hand, I should be getting some new photos after i learnt the tips and post'em here.
Okidokie, signing out.
In the name of business
Today is my first day of relaxation after i resigned from my last company. Many ups and downs i experienced and indeed I will treasure it as a life learnt experience. I was with this company for about 6 years, technically.
You see, i started off as a graphic designer in this amazing company located in one of world tallest buildings. The office environment was great and everyone I met was my cup of tea. We click instantly and times flys like a time machine. Then 9/11 happened and it affected this company directly because all our clients are US based. So you can imagine the horror. Since then, this company is just going down hill. Of course not forgetting a decision it made by going towards IPO when at the same time the .com bubble burst!
The chairman tried its best to pull the financial situation though this trying times and i must day he did something right. However, while doing it, i believe there are sacrifices he has to live by. For example, retrenchment, legal batter from the ex-employees to get back what's owning to them. Moving from a grant office to a small, made-do office, and this happened all over the world. Legal cases that lasted till today.
Then there is this funds loan from my govenment. It's a huge millions of funds that was grant to promote R&D for the country. But Alas! the funds goes 'puffff' within a year. What's left is a salary delay for over a year already and staff leave the organiasation one by one. Like dead flies drop one by one. I guess being a businessman, there are a lot of tactic ones must learnt and mastered - not to mention lots of exploitations. Now, not only our salary is delay, our EPF, scheduled tax, socso are also delayed. I've been through this twice and I tell you it's no fun game. Your financial planning is all screwed, you owe bank your installment, you owe your credit cards money with super high interest, you quarrel with your wife or husband for not being able to support the family, you put your education planning on hold and many more.
All this in the name of globalisation and it's just business, no hard feelings.
You see, i started off as a graphic designer in this amazing company located in one of world tallest buildings. The office environment was great and everyone I met was my cup of tea. We click instantly and times flys like a time machine. Then 9/11 happened and it affected this company directly because all our clients are US based. So you can imagine the horror. Since then, this company is just going down hill. Of course not forgetting a decision it made by going towards IPO when at the same time the .com bubble burst!
The chairman tried its best to pull the financial situation though this trying times and i must day he did something right. However, while doing it, i believe there are sacrifices he has to live by. For example, retrenchment, legal batter from the ex-employees to get back what's owning to them. Moving from a grant office to a small, made-do office, and this happened all over the world. Legal cases that lasted till today.
Then there is this funds loan from my govenment. It's a huge millions of funds that was grant to promote R&D for the country. But Alas! the funds goes 'puffff' within a year. What's left is a salary delay for over a year already and staff leave the organiasation one by one. Like dead flies drop one by one. I guess being a businessman, there are a lot of tactic ones must learnt and mastered - not to mention lots of exploitations. Now, not only our salary is delay, our EPF, scheduled tax, socso are also delayed. I've been through this twice and I tell you it's no fun game. Your financial planning is all screwed, you owe bank your installment, you owe your credit cards money with super high interest, you quarrel with your wife or husband for not being able to support the family, you put your education planning on hold and many more.
All this in the name of globalisation and it's just business, no hard feelings.
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