PROTON EDAR DEALERS ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA
Press Release

“THE SECOND FINANCIAL STIMULUS DID NOT ADDRESS THE CURRENT PROBLEMS OF THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR”

MARCH 2009, KUALA LUMPUR. “PEDA is grateful the government recognized the importance of the automotive sector with the allocation of RM200m to the Automotive Development Fund. However, PEDA appeal for transparency and a fair distribution to the respective value chain in the network.” said Armin Baniaz Pahamin, Acting President Proton Edar Dealers Association Malaysia (PEDA).

1. Every stakeholder in the value chain from the manufacturer, distributor, vendor and the dealers made up the automotive eco system and are equally important. Any failure in the value chain will destroy the automotive eco-system.

2. .The RM200m allocation will support and strengthened the automotive eco system but it will not resolve the main issue facing the industry.

3. There are two major issues facing the automotive industry. The main issue is the Bank’s credit risk scoring system that is becoming more stringent for car buyer to obtain loan approval. Currently, car buyer rejection rate is still alarming at the highest 60% from total hire purchase loan submission.

4. The second major issue is the Low valuation of second hand car market. Second hand car valuation is significantly less than customer’s car existing balance loan amount especially if the car is still within the first 5 years of financing. During recession, majority cannot afford to service their monthly car loan installments and they cannot even sell their car (without having to pay the bank for the balance loan). This resulted in their cars being repossessed and they being declare a bankrupt. The low second hand car valuation also hinders customer from trading in their existing car. 90% of new car buyer will want to trade-in their existing car and 80% of customer cannot fetch a fair price to trade in their car, which then lead to various cancellations of new bookings.

5. Banks are profit making organization similar to other businesses. If they value car buyer at a higher risk now given the recession, they will continue to reject loan submission and this will further affect the automotive car sales.

6. PEDA proposed part of the budget allocated to be utilized for guaranteeing the banks on any increase in the aggregate NPL given the current economic condition. The government guarantee will ensure a less stringent and more flexible financing that can spur the overall automotive sales.

7. Government must establish a body that is independent from the bank to value the second hand car in Malaysia similar to other developed nation. The second car valuation should take into consideration the government policy in Bank’s margin and duration of finance, physical condition of the vehicles including any added accessories, accident history status, mileage of the vehicles, number of ownership, service and maintenance record and any history of criminal or fraud. There are various other factors that can be considered into the official valuation. The public will be less burden and the automotive sales will be in stronger with the inception of the independent body.

8. The RM5b Working Capital Guarantee Scheme should also be made available to Proton dealers whom are badly affected from the dropped in automotive sales. Most of Proton dealers shareholder equity are below RM5m

9. The tax refund for current year losses to be carried back to the immediate preceding year taxable profit will only provide some cushion to minority dealers. The majority dealers had already suffered losses since the previous years.

10. The auto scrapping policy for vehicles above 10 years old to be traded-in for the purchase of new Proton and Perodua cars may spur some interest but will not increase car sales significantly especially with the difficulty in getting customers loan approved.

11. Most 10 year old car owner will not trade in their vehicle for RM5,000 as they would have already fully paid the car loan. If they trade in the car to buy a new proton or a Perodua, they will end-up with an average monthly loan repayment of RM500 for 9 years, if they can get their loan approved. Given the current economic condition, it is doubtful the more than 10 years old car owners can afford the monthly loan repayment. However, the scrapping policy will be beneficial to the industry in the long run.

12. Unless the part of the 2nd financial stimulus is utilized to address the two main issues affecting the automotive industry namely the high loan rejection rate as well as the valuation of second hand car market, it is doubtful the second fiscal stimulus will spur the automotive sector.

FACEBOOK ETIQUETTE

Facebook Etiquette

Its Saturday night..!! i should be singing my heart out at the home karoeke room upstairs having invested in a state of the art karoeke system or unwinding enthusiastically on a DVD-thon or perhaps just laze in bed hopelessly.... but here i am writing yet.. another tag-notes on Facebook... a good FB etiquette sort of speak... thanks to my cousin SYERRY & FAZ. Although i could just ignore when tagged for notes like this, i decided to reply but on my blog instead... didnt want to be too rude and nonetheless, the blog needs to diverse away from the more serious government, Proton, Politics and current issues affecting our daily lives. The title of the tag-note is '2 THINGS'. I kind of over-done the questions with an essay assignment-sort of answer.

A. TWO NAMES YOU ARE CALLED THAT ARE NOT YOUR REAL NAME:

My real name is ARMIN BANIAZ.... unlike other names that bears a translated meaning of other languages (mostly arabic) or religion associated but Armin Baniaz is really a self-created name...... A.R.M.I.N.... AR is actually my granddad initial Abdul Rajab and MIN is my dad's abbreviated name PAHAMIN. BANIAZ is truely my mum's name read from the back ZAINAB. Although my name was not from my creativity but that of my father but I love my name. My name is perfect... especially when it is only ME that appeared when Armin Baniaz is Google. but what i am less fascinated, is the pronunciation by ‘oghe kelatae’ (a State in the East Coast Malaysia, Kelantan) being a kelatae-nis (kelantanese). The dialect pronounced my name as AHMENG BARNIAH...... over and above the dozens of other nicknames or commercial names being conferred upon by siblings, friends and relatives... the two other than the real names are:

1. YAZ (made popular by my mum), pronounced as iyah by Kelantanese dialect
2. Bonenzo (made popular by my sista Ta)

B. TWO THINGS YOU'RE WEARING NOW:

Now, in a cold air-condition room, on Saturday, I should be in pyjamas or naked under the duvet but here i am writing Facebook tag-notes on my do-nothing night..... a default & a must wear on all occasion including now will be:

1. Tag Heuer spec that is now my daily wear having busted my eye Cornea after using an expired contact lenses!!!
2. Phiten bracelet which carries the myth of extra added energy for gym or bed activities haa..


C. WHAT ARE 2 OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO?

When Faz tagged me this note, her first paragraph reads.. "It does not need much brain power so just give this a go"... and here I am cracking my head to shortlist the 'only' 2 names or things to write... everything I do is a favourite to me.. or else i will not be doing it at all..... but the best of the favourite things that I do is..

1. wrestling with aaraf :-o oh god.. he is indeed a wrestler and he should have learn sumo instead of taekwando especially with his size…
2. pissing-off the spouse ;-) kikiii


D. TWO THINGS YOU WANT VERY BADLY AT THE MOMENT:

God forbid.... there are so many things that I will die to have, especially now.... but currently, the most crucial is the extra hours to complete this tag-note.. ;-) :-p and still have my normal hours to 'do-nothing'.. Saturday is supposedly a day without obligation... henceforth, i badly need:

1. 28 hours a day/8 days in a week
2. prison break season 5!! eh.. or is it S6?


E. TWO OF THE PEOPLE WHO WILL FILL THIS OUT AND RETURN:

Ironically, i have 5 siblings and countless relatives when my grandad's real fulltime job is making love, babies and getting married and re-married.. i have too many cousins and relatives that even i cannott remember some of them. With so many siblings, relatives and friends.... I actually have problem thinking of 2 names that would fill out and return the tag-notes.. All of them including beloved yours truely are very shy to write and alot less sporty.. so the only two that i think will correpond and is a polished FB etiquette are:

1. Cuz Syerry
2. Sista faz
Yes.. the two person that i cant say NO to return the tag.. I always thought that lawyers are handy in writing but if I take sampling of 10 lawyers which comprise half of my siblings and most of my circle of friends, almost 100% sampling of the 10 known sibling and friend lawyers only writes affidavits, SDAs and statutory declarations. None, would actually participate in blogs or facebook tag-notes.


F. TWO THINGS YOU DID YESTERDAY:

On friday, i should write i performed my friday prayer and went to work but that will be boring. i should also say i poo and pee but hey... who doesnt. I should write my daily run and gym routine but i have written that before so what did i do yesterday that is interesting to know... perhaps something extraordinary..... i need extra coffee and cigs (to wake up the lazy brain cell) but that too did not work too. After a cup of coffee and 4 cigs, i can only say, yesterday i...

1. Started with this tag-note
2. Visited my dentist!! (horror?)


G. TWO THINGS YOU ATE YESTERDAY:

i wanted to have a feast breaking all the dietary i have been strict with the whole of this year but yesterday was one of those days that food was a routine menu. A combination of Atkins and Dr JD Adamo blood type diet, i had:
1. 10 eggs
2. Tomyam soup

H. TWO PEOPLE YOU LAST TALKED TO:

Pathetically or frantically sometimes I talked to myself and to a few imaginary friends that debated and argued with me alot.. sort of rebelling against my thinking.. but I have not given the imaginary friends any names yet.. and doing this tag-notes actually reminded me to prioritize giving them names.. any suggestions? (they are all sexy female - my imaginary friend that is). but the real person that i last spoke to was:
1. Aaraf
2. Mama
Most communication with others were done via sms.. funny how technology evolves and sms became the official form of communication even at home..!! mm...


I. TWO THINGS YOU ARE DOING TOMORROW:

Tomorrow, Sunday, I have a long list of to-do things including the naming of my imaginary friends above (which added up to the already long to-do-day list on a to-not-do anything day with supposedly no list). but if I do not want to do anything on Sunday (although it would adds up to the to-do list), the must do on Sunday list must be:
1. bodypump gym (kick ass workout)
2. Religious class with Ustaz Dr Juanda Mufti Perlis (ehem.. )


J. TWO FAVORITE HOLIDAYS

I actually do not like holidays... but the holiday that I take and enjoyed is always on my birthday. Every year for the past 5 years, I made my birthday a holy-day... but second holiday that i enjoyed most must be the General Election that is very entertaining especially of late.
1. Birthday!!! (a day to reminisce)
2. General election day! (an entertaining day)


K. TWO FAVORITE DRINKS: (NON-ALCOHOLIC)

Coffee is ultimately an addicted and a must have drink every morning, afternoon and even at night but it will be boring to just write coffee akin of writing plain water as a favourite drink. Surely, plain water must be the favourite since everyday we will drink plain water. My favourite beverage is my gym drink that will blow the vein out of the muscle before pre and post workout. My favourite gym drink is then the..

1. nitrotech hardcore protein drink
2. nitric oxide explode by BSNonline

WHEN TODAY IS MORE THAN JUST A BIRTHDAY...

When today is more than just a birthday.... (1 March 2009)

I sat alone in my study room ignoring the dozens of work emails and sms’s received that I would otherwise reply. My maid brought my hot coffee. The time now is 430 in the morning. I sipped the hot coffee and was wide awake. It is routine to start the day early with morning gym or cardio exercise, but today, I sat quietly thanking Allah swt for yet, another year to see my birthday.

A birthday seemed so much commercialized akin of a shopping day for presents instead of heart-fully celebrating the special meaning of the day. Such capitalist our society has evolved.

I am blessed to have such a darling family, siblings and friends… whom lavished me with endless gifts and presents. Every year, dad happily give designer watches, 5 figure cash or whatever that is desired as a birthday present whilst mum would shower those designer diamonds, jewels and any other luxurious items. Birthday gifts from siblings and friends will usually replaces half of my wardrobe with new designer clothing, belts, shoes etc…. I appreciate and am thankful for all the past gifts and presents from family and friends but this year, 2009 as part of my New Year resolution, I WON'T accept any presents and gifts for my birthday. Instead and indeed, I am blessed and indebted beyond word for the love, support, wonderful relationship and friendship that I have. My appreciation for family and friends are beyond presents and gifts however much the value is.

Particularly for my birthday, I am thankful to my parent (not for the watches, diamonds and wealth) but for having the right genetic recipe in giving birth to me..

My dad has been my pillar in strength, the shoulder when I am in need and the comfort and security when I am lost (quite frequently in the past). Raising a son like me (oh god) is far from challenging (almost impossible) but you never gave up (though I am sure you must be cursing at time). I have been both a pain with endless childhood rebels and notoriety as well as endless sickness. You sacrifices everything (except for your new ASTON martin DB9) and make me the person I am today. Tirelessly, you gave your love, support and the confidence in me to proceed with my dream. Having that from you is the best birthday gift any son can get. It means more than any designer watches or wealth...and car.

My mom, no matter how fat, sick, bad, naughty, disgusting and obnoxious that I can be… will always see me as the most handsome, an angel and the perfect son (though I don't think she is wrong..hehee). When I was sick and in ICU isolation for many months, you stood by my bed without leaving me for a second or a day (for the whole of 3 months in a solitary confinement of the ICU room!).. you were beside me every day and every moment. As I grew up, I became rebellious and had at time even neglected and was even rude at you taking for granted the love of a mother.. but you never sulk nor took any offense. Instead, you showered me with more love and care. This is a priceless gift from a mother and values more than any diamonds and jewels. Your love and care is a lifetime gift that I ever wanted, not diamonds and jewels. I am grateful to Allah swt for having another year with you as my mother.

With my medical history, and both dad and mum’s old age, we sometimes jokingly bet who will ‘go’ first….

My lifetime soul mate.. my one and only darling... Thank you for the non-exhaustive ideas to learn and cook various recipes for my everyday meal. Being me, although I am not fussy with food but the perks of being me comes with cholesterol, diabetic, gout and stone to say the least, over and above the blood type diet that I strictly follows. Thus limiting the choices of food that is available, but you never gave up and kept changing the menu (within the limitation) so i don’t get bored (though at times, maybe you purposely wanted me to be fat haa! :-p). Although we are very open and liberal in many ways, you always care for our pride and dignity. Your beautiful voices when singing cheered me everytime I am down and your endless encouragement (and nagging!!) in health motivates me to wake up as early as 4am to exercise everyday. I appreciate your endless and tireless care for your physique and look to always beautify yourself for me. Your patience and understanding coping with my mood and temperament kept us strong and happy together. you are perfect in every sense and it is an eternal gift that any man can ever prayed for. I am a lucky man.. the perfect you is all that I ever wanted for my birthday….

Chempaka Emalin, my one and only older sister is nothing but a perfectionist and systematically meticulous (sometimes absurdly :-p) with the smallest details that she is. For as long as I can remember, she will never fail to be punctual (at the stroke of midnight) with greeting cards, branded and boutique presents on my every year birthday although I have to admit that sometimes (or always rather), I never gave her any compliments, birthday cards or any present for many years (sssh.. she may not remember and she is not on FB or internet). BUT she, being the caring sister that she is, NEVER took offense, held any grudges and continued to generously lavish me with support, care and branded gift. The generosity, care and responsibility, is a gift that I can never repay….suffice with being what you are, I don’t need any other presents and gifts…

Azhar Sulaiman although a brother- law but is the elder brother I never had.. Since the day I knew you, until the day you married my sister, you have been very accommodative with the temperament of my family, especially me, may not be easy but your patience, endless compromise and understanding make you the best older brother I can ever dream to have. Thank you and that is indeed the best present from you………. No other material gift can ever be a substitute.

Melor Edina almost a twin sister to me (being the same age for 3 days every year and is less than a year apart from me) is the sister that I am most over-protective during childhood. Although she had to live a hard life with an over-protective brother, restricting her every movement but she had never complained (actually she had no choice.. :-D). Truthfuly, rhiza is the only real boyfriend you ever had.. and you married him (unless behind me, you happily dated other guys Grrr). In fact, she is ever-forgiving and is always there everytime I am down although my problem was never spoken to her. She knew (akin of a twin sister feeling my pain) and would appear at my house in a sudden. Thank you for being such a darling and for always been there for me. Indeed that is the best ever present from you.

Rhiza Ghazi, is more a family than ever an in-law. Having you as part of the family is a great comfort. Having a responsible brother that is always protective and family-centred has gained every sibling's trust. you being you… is already an invaluable gift than any material present can ever replace. Although I don’t accept any present, I will still claim the RM1,000 betting if I win the 6-pack contest.. kikiiii Thank you brother.

Teratai Edithy (Dr, Puan, Mummy, Mekta) is indeed the best Koya’ing partner anybody can have. Your forever concern for every sibling and friends’ welfare, makes your career as a doctor the best choice… and also a good mummy. I am very proud to have you as a sister. Your endless concern, care, love and ‘gossips’ is the best birthday gift i ever wanted from a sister. No matter how good London sale is, please shop for yourself and not for me..

Wawa Asari is a dream in-law any brother can imagine. Being forever helpful, fun, humble, adaptable to all kind of temperament and the best partner to sing out of tune karoeke makes you a great brother. That is in itself the best birthday present I can get..

Rose Emini (baby sis, chik, mek cewi) although you were 70kg.. you are still my baby sister. You are the baby-iest sister and my life saviour… you were 7 years old... although you had no choice but you voluntary and happily sacrifice your bone marrow (for my Bone Marrow Transplant) when you knew I was dying. That meant the world to me. Your patience, undivided love and dedication is the best gift you have given me beyond any other present.. thank you

Amnan Bazli, my one and only brother…… at 23 years old.. is still acting a baby.. the ‘bongsu’ syndrome.. hehee I prayed for a brother everyday during my childhood and my prayer was heard… I got you…. although you never gave me any birthday present except for a yellow tie 6 years ago, your happy-go-lucky and fun to be with, always leaves me smiling especially during most ‘mengumpat’ session about you with our sisters… hehee Having you around is the best gift and suffice without any other present. You are the best. Thank you

Last but not least, the endless list of cousins and friends that stood by me for years sharing my worst and best moment without ever seeking for anything in return but continued to lavish me further with endless presents. You know how much I have always appreciate your presence in my life.. Enough without the need for any more gifts and present, your endless support, non-hypocritical friendship, and prayer for my well being, health, wealth and joy is already the best

Every year for the past 5 years, I always take leave on my birthday with a sole objective of mesmerizing and appreciating another year of life. Every year too except for this year, I failed to do that… this year… I did just that (the whole day!!)……… and I am filled with joy to be blessed with wonderful family and friends. Life can never be as perfect even with the most money, without a wonderful family, relatives and friends. Thank you all for being what you are.. Which is the best ‘presents’ for my birthday!!! May Allah blessed and return the invaluable present that you have given me. Allah Huakbar..