I have never driven in Singapore, but in Jan 2010, I drove a few times in Singapore with the help of a GPS. In the past 30 years, I have been to Singapore a few times for but rarely travelled far from the hotel (only being driven in route between airport and hotels). The GPS performed very well in guiding me through various parts of Singapore.
Purpose of these trips in Jan 2010 were to bring my elder daughetr for interview in Sinagpore, and later (after being offered the job) to move her stuff from KL to her room in a HDB flat. She quit her KL job and took up appointment in late 2010. Another daughter (previous ASEAN scholar) came with us on these trips.
WOW, how amazing has Singapore developed. In morning, there are bad jams on the highway leading to town centre. We drove few times through the tunnel (my error in not following the correct instruction of the GPS), but I am never tired of admiring the beauty of thistunnel (in contrast to the Malaysian's SMART tunnel or the SPRINT tunnel). However, once within centre (Orchard Road, Exeter Road etc), there are no jams. Marvellous!! Poor me for past 25-30 years getting daily jam from outskirt into KL town centre and also jammed for hours within Ampang /KLCC/Bukit Bintang Road. Buses are on time, no rushing. MRT trains are clean. We went to East coast (Maine Parade/Singlap area)- what a beautiful sight of the trees- lined area; it is a pleasure and relaxing to see the people jogging or cycling in the park.. what a beautiful sight---
We went on the night safari tour where we saw the 'tribal dance' of the Borneo Island - seem Singapore has hijacked the best of the Borneo Dance from Malaysia-- I have never seen good performance in Malaysia Sarawak, Sabah or indonesia. What a shame that as a Malaysian, I have to see such a good show in Singapore. Each of the animal performance show was fullhouse - my session the last show and all seats were taken up ( I learned later from others who have seen similar shows in the Singapore night safari that every show has full attendance!). We then jumped on the train which took us through the 'tropical forest' - wonderful experience even though there are not a wide variety of animals as in other 'day zoo such as that in Zoo Negara Malaysia.
Once we have concluded our business in Singapore, we drove back to Malaysia via the CIQ. immediately departing the Malaysia CIQ and driving into Johor Bahru, and seeing the haphazard development, jam and dirty streets, one can feel we are back to 3rd world. AND welcoem to Malaysia-
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
LAM finally called me on my complaint of one of its Registered draughtsman
In mid December 2009, I sent email and letter to LAM (Board of Architects) to complain on a its member of registered draughtsman who has caused me sufferings on my inability to get the CF from DBKL on completed house renovation. The complaint was that this member has 'sold' its signature to other unregistered draughtsman in obtaining the 'oder to build' from DBKL. A lady from LAM called and asked me to fill in fomal forms of complaint available on LAM's web site.
The renovation works were completed 4 months ago, but during the renovation works, I kept asking this unregistered draughtsman to complete other processes required by DBKL. He refused to answer my call, so I called the registered draughstman who signed the plan as well as letters of submission to DBKL. DBKL has also replied/directed all its letters to this registered draughstman.
Unfortunately, this registered draughtsman refused to proceed, always used the phrase ' Dia makan tulang, lain makan daging' whihc means' 'He ate the bone while others ate the meat'. This already implied this guy 'sell his signature' to earn commission from the many other unregistered draughtsmen, and in my case, he considers he is NOT liable for any wrongdoings with regards to completing the processes to get a CF for my renovated double story house.
By this 'eating bone' for selling LAM signature on renovation plan, this guys is really 'eating lots of meat' . When he came twice to my house 'while my house was still WIP under renovation' following many of my complaint calls, he did not even know which 'project' I was referring to, and he does not have plans of my house. ALL works were done by the unregistered draughtsman.
I shall fill up the LAM complaint form later. LAM should rid of bad members in its list to prevent similar suffereings by the public
The renovation works were completed 4 months ago, but during the renovation works, I kept asking this unregistered draughtsman to complete other processes required by DBKL. He refused to answer my call, so I called the registered draughstman who signed the plan as well as letters of submission to DBKL. DBKL has also replied/directed all its letters to this registered draughstman.
Unfortunately, this registered draughtsman refused to proceed, always used the phrase ' Dia makan tulang, lain makan daging' whihc means' 'He ate the bone while others ate the meat'. This already implied this guy 'sell his signature' to earn commission from the many other unregistered draughtsmen, and in my case, he considers he is NOT liable for any wrongdoings with regards to completing the processes to get a CF for my renovated double story house.
By this 'eating bone' for selling LAM signature on renovation plan, this guys is really 'eating lots of meat' . When he came twice to my house 'while my house was still WIP under renovation' following many of my complaint calls, he did not even know which 'project' I was referring to, and he does not have plans of my house. ALL works were done by the unregistered draughtsman.
I shall fill up the LAM complaint form later. LAM should rid of bad members in its list to prevent similar suffereings by the public
Friday, December 11, 2009
My sufferings to get CF for renovated house
A bit of history :
(1) In March 2007, I finally completed the S & P to take delivery of an old double story house in OUG, Kuala Lumpur.
(2) I then approached few builidng contractors on proper procedure to get approved renovation from DBKL and also quotation of the renovation. Contractors recommended few draughtsmen or architects. I gatherd some costing information (both DBKL approval and my required renovations) from the survey. Due to cost consideration as well as doubt on the backgroud of the recommended draghtsmen, I went to seek help from DBKL in July 2008.
(3) At DBKL, I asked for help and advice from the Technical Assistant (TA) sitting at the helpdesk at ground floor. The TA pulled cards from few name cardholders on his desk and asked me to discussed further with these guys whom he said know the approval processes on house renovation in DBKL. ( During the discussion, he never offered any direction to me to ask Board of Architect for the list of Buidling Draughtsman who can submit plans to DBKL!)
(4) I called few of these guys, and one of them, Afizul Bin Tajuddin (IC 790420-10-5335 H/P; 012-343 4766) answered and we discussed further at the project site (the house in OUG). We negotiated the price, scheduled payment and works. I took his particulars (IC, phone and photo). I then paid him the deposit as first payment.
(5) Afizul quickly came out with the plan and made further amendments to meet quirement. On 22/09/2008, I went with him to DBKL and submitted the plan to Planning Department (DBKL). At that moment, I realised the signature was 'Jamali Basir -Building Draughtsman at Pandan Jaya. I was concern and asked Afizul if he wotked for this Jamali. He did not answer but proceeded to submit the builing plan to DBKL which accepted the submission and gave me the receipt. He then smiled and said 'don't worry, the proof is here that I am genuine'
(6) On 13 Oct 2008, Planning Department (DBKL) issued a green form which is the approval for the submitted plan. Afizul then proceeded to prepare the strucural plan and later submitted the plan to Buiilding Department (DBKL) . (My fault for not noting there is a directive stated in the Green form of Planning Department that we have to submit a sanitory drawing!). I paid Afizul for the completed works to submit the sructural plan to Budiling Department.
(7) Problems started from here. Since the submission, we did not hear further from DBKL. Afizul did not answer all my phone calls. We then call the Jamali Basir who claimed he 'makan tulang, while others makan daging'. I then realised that Jamali 'sold his signature to Afizul!!.
(8) My wife managed to conatct a En Tahir of Building Department. En Tahir informed that his office had sent letter and contacted Jamali on a minor amendment on the submitted plan. However, Jamali did not respond. He said it was lucky we contacted him, as he was about to reject the plan due to non-action by Jamali. He advsied my wife to come to office to do the amendment herself. My wife called Afizul but again no reply. She then bought the necessary stationary and at that time Afizul retuned the call. He and my wife then rushed to DBKL yo make the amendment (just 2 short strokes of pencil on the gutter).
(9) Tahir reminded my wife on the sanitary plan infront of Afizul. She requested Afizul to complete the plan.
(10) Thereafter, we did not hear further from Afizul.
(11) On 27/03/09, We got the approval from Building Department (yelloe form). We engaged a contractor to execute the renovation. Meanwhile, we kept up contact with Afizul and Jamali. Afizul did not return our call, while Jamali came twice to building site.
(12) On these 2 visits by Jamali, I urged him to submit the sanitary plan and asked him to help to complete the last process (Form F) to get CF (from DBKL) for my renovated house. This Jamali always stated ' dia makan tulang, while others makan daging'. I did say ' so, give me quotation and we would then discuss further on an agreed price'
(13) Alas, this Jamali never responded. I went to Building Department DBKL to seek advice. Their view is ' the builing by-law does not permit me to change Building draughtman on my renovation' . feedback form staff of DBKL indicated this Jamali is a 'rouge' Building Draughtsmand with problems similar to mine (i.e. selling names to submit plans, but no follow up). I then wrote to Jamali Basir (by AR letter) asking him to release himself. He did not reply despite acknowledgement of my letter. I then wrote to DBKL to ask DBKL to release this Jamali Basir.
(14) 01/12/09, DBKL issued me a letter to release Jamali Basir. Upon the receipt of this letter, I googled the web page of Board of Architects (as advised by a friend) to look for registered Building Draughtsman (BD) . I called up few of these BD to seek their service. Their responses were (a) DBKL letter to me to release Jamali Basir ias the BD of my house is not valid for the other BD to take over the works I requested, i.e prepare the sanitory plan and later to complete the Form F to get CF, and (ii) They consider other basis such as responsibilty, legal, etc which are not advisable for them to take over the work of Jamali Basir as the BD.
All my sufferings !!!! Due to one man - this Jamali Basir who lent his signature to draughtsman.
On 11/12/09, I have written a letter to tell the Board of Architect on my present sufferings and chronology of the events listed above
Public beware---- This Jamali Basir is still on the registered list of BD in the Board Of Architects.
(1) In March 2007, I finally completed the S & P to take delivery of an old double story house in OUG, Kuala Lumpur.
(2) I then approached few builidng contractors on proper procedure to get approved renovation from DBKL and also quotation of the renovation. Contractors recommended few draughtsmen or architects. I gatherd some costing information (both DBKL approval and my required renovations) from the survey. Due to cost consideration as well as doubt on the backgroud of the recommended draghtsmen, I went to seek help from DBKL in July 2008.
(3) At DBKL, I asked for help and advice from the Technical Assistant (TA) sitting at the helpdesk at ground floor. The TA pulled cards from few name cardholders on his desk and asked me to discussed further with these guys whom he said know the approval processes on house renovation in DBKL. ( During the discussion, he never offered any direction to me to ask Board of Architect for the list of Buidling Draughtsman who can submit plans to DBKL!)
(4) I called few of these guys, and one of them, Afizul Bin Tajuddin (IC 790420-10-5335 H/P; 012-343 4766) answered and we discussed further at the project site (the house in OUG). We negotiated the price, scheduled payment and works. I took his particulars (IC, phone and photo). I then paid him the deposit as first payment.
(5) Afizul quickly came out with the plan and made further amendments to meet quirement. On 22/09/2008, I went with him to DBKL and submitted the plan to Planning Department (DBKL). At that moment, I realised the signature was 'Jamali Basir -Building Draughtsman at Pandan Jaya. I was concern and asked Afizul if he wotked for this Jamali. He did not answer but proceeded to submit the builing plan to DBKL which accepted the submission and gave me the receipt. He then smiled and said 'don't worry, the proof is here that I am genuine'
(6) On 13 Oct 2008, Planning Department (DBKL) issued a green form which is the approval for the submitted plan. Afizul then proceeded to prepare the strucural plan and later submitted the plan to Buiilding Department (DBKL) . (My fault for not noting there is a directive stated in the Green form of Planning Department that we have to submit a sanitory drawing!). I paid Afizul for the completed works to submit the sructural plan to Budiling Department.
(7) Problems started from here. Since the submission, we did not hear further from DBKL. Afizul did not answer all my phone calls. We then call the Jamali Basir who claimed he 'makan tulang, while others makan daging'. I then realised that Jamali 'sold his signature to Afizul!!.
(8) My wife managed to conatct a En Tahir of Building Department. En Tahir informed that his office had sent letter and contacted Jamali on a minor amendment on the submitted plan. However, Jamali did not respond. He said it was lucky we contacted him, as he was about to reject the plan due to non-action by Jamali. He advsied my wife to come to office to do the amendment herself. My wife called Afizul but again no reply. She then bought the necessary stationary and at that time Afizul retuned the call. He and my wife then rushed to DBKL yo make the amendment (just 2 short strokes of pencil on the gutter).
(9) Tahir reminded my wife on the sanitary plan infront of Afizul. She requested Afizul to complete the plan.
(10) Thereafter, we did not hear further from Afizul.
(11) On 27/03/09, We got the approval from Building Department (yelloe form). We engaged a contractor to execute the renovation. Meanwhile, we kept up contact with Afizul and Jamali. Afizul did not return our call, while Jamali came twice to building site.
(12) On these 2 visits by Jamali, I urged him to submit the sanitary plan and asked him to help to complete the last process (Form F) to get CF (from DBKL) for my renovated house. This Jamali always stated ' dia makan tulang, while others makan daging'. I did say ' so, give me quotation and we would then discuss further on an agreed price'
(13) Alas, this Jamali never responded. I went to Building Department DBKL to seek advice. Their view is ' the builing by-law does not permit me to change Building draughtman on my renovation' . feedback form staff of DBKL indicated this Jamali is a 'rouge' Building Draughtsmand with problems similar to mine (i.e. selling names to submit plans, but no follow up). I then wrote to Jamali Basir (by AR letter) asking him to release himself. He did not reply despite acknowledgement of my letter. I then wrote to DBKL to ask DBKL to release this Jamali Basir.
(14) 01/12/09, DBKL issued me a letter to release Jamali Basir. Upon the receipt of this letter, I googled the web page of Board of Architects (as advised by a friend) to look for registered Building Draughtsman (BD) . I called up few of these BD to seek their service. Their responses were (a) DBKL letter to me to release Jamali Basir ias the BD of my house is not valid for the other BD to take over the works I requested, i.e prepare the sanitory plan and later to complete the Form F to get CF, and (ii) They consider other basis such as responsibilty, legal, etc which are not advisable for them to take over the work of Jamali Basir as the BD.
All my sufferings !!!! Due to one man - this Jamali Basir who lent his signature to draughtsman.
On 11/12/09, I have written a letter to tell the Board of Architect on my present sufferings and chronology of the events listed above
Public beware---- This Jamali Basir is still on the registered list of BD in the Board Of Architects.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
East coast Peninsular Malaysia will 2nd flood on 29-30 Nov 2009
For many years, I have been monitoring the changes of wind flow, resultant high waves and rain for Malaysian region /other areas (overseas) of interest.
On first week of Nov 2009, A strong NE monsoon surge coupled with a incoming 'weather system'. brought heavy rainfall (and resultant flood) to the NE coast and Kedah/Perlis.
On 21-23rd Nov 2009, a weather system ('low pressure' which was advised by Guan Typhon Centre as a possibility to develop into a more severe weather system) developed in-situ off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and brought heavy rain again to east coast states. This pressure system was advised by the Malaysian Weather Department to hit the land of east coast to result to more rain /thus flood , but I preferred movement away (to East towards central South China Sea) from Peninsular Malaysia. Indeed, this weather pattern moved away to East and We in Peninsular Malaysia has beautiful sunshine from 25/11/09 (and relatively calm sea for fishermen to get their catch).
Alas, this weather system is now making a U-turn tn head back towards Peninsular to bring strong winds, high waves and heavy rain again (and thus flood to east coast states) by 29-30 Nov 2009.
I attach a image of the path of this weather system (a 'low pressure')
Monday, November 23, 2009
Police's resources should be used diligently by its men
What is the purpose of police patrol cars? They enable mobility of policement to deter crimes, right? Between 10am till 1pm on Sunday 22/11/09, 3 patrol cars parked by the road between Kesas Highway and OUG. The men put cones to narrow passge to one lane- few of them checked on motocylists (mostly) and motorists, while one stood to direct traffic. Their action did not look an 'operation', more adhoc type. Even if they intend to deter crime, why 3 patrol cars parked at same spot, back-to-back at this spot? These men wasted expensive and useful assets to deter crime in OUG and surrounding areas!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Check your medical insurance policy and the underwriter
BEWARE of your medical insurance policy!
I have been renewing a family medical insurance (with Sihat Rakyat (SR) / Jerneh Insurance JI) for the last 4 years (annual renewal). I first bought this insurance when I was working as a contract staff with a company where I was introduced by other contractor staff to the agent who was selling the medical insurance. The man introduced himself as an agent of SR and my collegues had expressed satisfaction using the insurance policy. The agent /colleagues told me that SR is an appointed agent of JI and this huge company will take care of my medical needs. I checked with JI to confirm SR is its agent to sell the medical insuarance. I then signed up and later received a medial card cum policy from JI. The logo and name of JI appeared prominantly on the medical card and policy document. I have called JI which confirmed the validity of the policy number on the card and document.
In the past few years, I have used the medical card for my wife and daughter at private hospitals. Each time, Jerneh Insurance guaranteed the payment, and thus I have been very happy with the medical insurance of SR and JI.
Alas, this October 2009, I receievd a letter from JI that upon the expiray of the policy on 01/01/2010, JI shall NO LONGER support (or underwrite ) the same medical policy of its agent SR. I was thus confused, and made inquiry with both JI and SR. The representative at JI replied that its own discretion of underwriting the risk of its agent (in this case, it decided NOT to continue to underwrite the agent's medical policy), while SR said it could not do anything with JI. Then I became more confused as JI has acknowledged SR as its agent to sell its (JI) policy and thus undetaking the risk of JI policy sold by SR, but now by refusing to underwrite, JI had effectively cancelled its own JI medical policy (and been sold by SR) to the public
I am now retired and this is the time when I/my wife require medical coverage. By refusing to continue to underwrite the same medical policy of its agent SR, we cannot get the medical coverage which will impose extra loading (for senior citizens) as well as restriction on existing medcial conditions.
I have been renewing a family medical insurance (with Sihat Rakyat (SR) / Jerneh Insurance JI) for the last 4 years (annual renewal). I first bought this insurance when I was working as a contract staff with a company where I was introduced by other contractor staff to the agent who was selling the medical insurance. The man introduced himself as an agent of SR and my collegues had expressed satisfaction using the insurance policy. The agent /colleagues told me that SR is an appointed agent of JI and this huge company will take care of my medical needs. I checked with JI to confirm SR is its agent to sell the medical insuarance. I then signed up and later received a medial card cum policy from JI. The logo and name of JI appeared prominantly on the medical card and policy document. I have called JI which confirmed the validity of the policy number on the card and document.
In the past few years, I have used the medical card for my wife and daughter at private hospitals. Each time, Jerneh Insurance guaranteed the payment, and thus I have been very happy with the medical insurance of SR and JI.
Alas, this October 2009, I receievd a letter from JI that upon the expiray of the policy on 01/01/2010, JI shall NO LONGER support (or underwrite ) the same medical policy of its agent SR. I was thus confused, and made inquiry with both JI and SR. The representative at JI replied that its own discretion of underwriting the risk of its agent (in this case, it decided NOT to continue to underwrite the agent's medical policy), while SR said it could not do anything with JI. Then I became more confused as JI has acknowledged SR as its agent to sell its (JI) policy and thus undetaking the risk of JI policy sold by SR, but now by refusing to underwrite, JI had effectively cancelled its own JI medical policy (and been sold by SR) to the public
I am now retired and this is the time when I/my wife require medical coverage. By refusing to continue to underwrite the same medical policy of its agent SR, we cannot get the medical coverage which will impose extra loading (for senior citizens) as well as restriction on existing medcial conditions.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Gall bladder stones - why specialist doctors are so inhuman ?
In late Sept 2009, my wife went to a gastroenterologist at a private hospital in PJ for a scope on the stomach and colon. My wife has been treated for H Pylori by this Gastro man for past months. The last scope indicated no more H Pylori but instead acute esophagus (as explained by this gastro man). At that time, the specialist attributed the cause of this ‘ new discovery’ as too much treatment on the H Pylori. Of course I inquired then which is the devil- H Pylori or the ‘acute esophagus’. He just laughed it off. We left the hospital and I goggled for treatment on acute esophagus. I later bought marshmallow (recommended as a cure for acute esophagus)
This time (late Sept 09), the scope shows colon is clean while there is recurrence of the H Pylori. The gastro man prescribed medicine (antibiotic with other medicine) to treat H Pylori again. I posed the question that in last session where ’ you advised my wife has acute esophagus due to too much treatment. Is this wise to treat the H Pylori?’ The doctor insisted he did not said too much treatment caused acute esophagus, but rather H Pylori caused the acute esophagus. I was really pissed off with this specialist.
This specialist further made a quick remark; we did a ultrasound scan and detected a stone. Right away he recommended us to see another doctor. We had no chance to inquire further. My wife got worried and insisted to see the recommended doctor in the same hospital.
Within 30 minutes, we go to see this specialist, and it turned out that he is a surgeon. He read the report by the radiologist (on the ultrasound scan) on one stone 7mm with irregular wall of gall bladder. The Radiologist termed it as chronic cholecystitis. We said my wife had never complained of any pain in the abdomen where the gall bladder is located (non –symptom stone). This surgeon painted a very bleak picture of no immediate action to remove by surgery (lapro cholecystitis) and my wife got worried.
We left the hospital and googgled on gall bladder stones. Indeed, it is common for human (especially women ) to have non-symptomatic gall bladder stones. The Web does advise actions to remove stones that show symptoms less there are complication to pancreas, livers and bile ducts. The Web also give alternatives such as ‘blasting’ and ‘dissolution’ by medicine.
We finally went to see a family GP for further advise. He perused the blood test to confirm no tests was done to determine concentration of H Pylori (the gastro man only did a biopsy on one poly he clipped during scoping; In previous sessions with this specialist, my wife had to exhale into a bag to determine H Pylori concentration). The GP recommended 3 months session to try ROWACHOL, a medicine which I have googgled previously. We took this option, rather than to remove the gall bladder.
(P.S the gastro man is a very ambitious man- his takes in patient without appointment and clinic daily finished till 7pm; by 5.30 nearly all other specialists would have closed their clinics in this private hospital. NEVER go to see a specialist who worked ‘hard’ to receive many patients)
This time (late Sept 09), the scope shows colon is clean while there is recurrence of the H Pylori. The gastro man prescribed medicine (antibiotic with other medicine) to treat H Pylori again. I posed the question that in last session where ’ you advised my wife has acute esophagus due to too much treatment. Is this wise to treat the H Pylori?’ The doctor insisted he did not said too much treatment caused acute esophagus, but rather H Pylori caused the acute esophagus. I was really pissed off with this specialist.
This specialist further made a quick remark; we did a ultrasound scan and detected a stone. Right away he recommended us to see another doctor. We had no chance to inquire further. My wife got worried and insisted to see the recommended doctor in the same hospital.
Within 30 minutes, we go to see this specialist, and it turned out that he is a surgeon. He read the report by the radiologist (on the ultrasound scan) on one stone 7mm with irregular wall of gall bladder. The Radiologist termed it as chronic cholecystitis. We said my wife had never complained of any pain in the abdomen where the gall bladder is located (non –symptom stone). This surgeon painted a very bleak picture of no immediate action to remove by surgery (lapro cholecystitis) and my wife got worried.
We left the hospital and googgled on gall bladder stones. Indeed, it is common for human (especially women ) to have non-symptomatic gall bladder stones. The Web does advise actions to remove stones that show symptoms less there are complication to pancreas, livers and bile ducts. The Web also give alternatives such as ‘blasting’ and ‘dissolution’ by medicine.
We finally went to see a family GP for further advise. He perused the blood test to confirm no tests was done to determine concentration of H Pylori (the gastro man only did a biopsy on one poly he clipped during scoping; In previous sessions with this specialist, my wife had to exhale into a bag to determine H Pylori concentration). The GP recommended 3 months session to try ROWACHOL, a medicine which I have googgled previously. We took this option, rather than to remove the gall bladder.
(P.S the gastro man is a very ambitious man- his takes in patient without appointment and clinic daily finished till 7pm; by 5.30 nearly all other specialists would have closed their clinics in this private hospital. NEVER go to see a specialist who worked ‘hard’ to receive many patients)
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