Tun Mahathir is back in Proton...

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Rumours had been rife of Proton take-over by various parties. PEDA committee had our last meeting with Proton Chairman, Yg Bhg Dato' Nadzmi Salleh today before the next PEDA Annual General Meeting and election.

There are many uncertainties of the future direction of Proton. Many questions being asked if the present government under Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak will maintain the current Government Link Companies (GLCs) policy adopted by Tun Abdullah Badawi government or revert back to Tun Mahathir's privatisation policy.

The government too did not provide any clear indication although the industry is reacting as if the future direction is back towards privatising those GLCs... hence privatising Proton back to....... Kisai? Al-bukhary....?

Whichever direction the government is moving toward, I am relieved to see Tun Mahathir's new office as PROTON ADVISOR at the Proton Centre of Excellent.

Tun is scheduled to be at Proton twice a month every month to ensure Proton is on the right track.

With all the on-going speculations of Proton take-over, we believe in Tun Mahathir, Dato Nadzmi & especially Dato Syed Zainal Abidin to steer Proton back into its glory.......

PEDA OPPOSE AND OBJECT ATTEMPTS TO TAKE OVER PROTON

PROTON EDAR DEALERS ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA (PEDA)

PRESS RELEASE

PEDA OPPOSE AND OBJECT ATTEMPTS TO TAKE OVER PROTON

KUALA LUMPUR, September, "PEDA called on the government to put a stop on any negotiation and/or speculation on any attempt to take over Proton. Further speculation on take-over will destroy all the effort and initiative to revive Proton's goodwill, brandname and dealer's viability." Said Armin Baniaz Pahamin, Acting President PEDA.

Proton eco-system had suffered enough from various past speculation. The rumours on Proton take-over attempt has been rife on various blogs and local media by two giant corporation namely a collaboration between Yasmin Holdings and Naza Holdings led by Proton pioneer Dato Kisai Rahmat and the Al Bukhary group to buy majority Proton stakes from Khazanah.

The collaboration led by Kisai Rahmat to take over Proton was said to salvage the goodname of Proton from deteriorating further into industrial abyss. According to the source, the take-over attempt was necessary to replace the current incompetent management with the right people.

"PEDA vehemently object the move by Dato Kisai, Al Bukhary group or any other attempt to take-over Proton", said Armin Baniaz. The network is concern with any speculation that will affect and demoralise the dealers and vendors network that is currently slowly recovering from the recession and Proton sales downturn. The speculation will also affect Proton car sales when potential buyer "wait-and-see" for price revision or any new models expected from the new owners. Proton share price had also reacted to the speculation with an increase of more than 5.12% today.

Prior to the current management, Proton eco system suffered from alarming ex-stocks of more than 40,000 units that was not sellable due to the public's lost of confident in Proton, Proton car poor quality, lack of new model being introduced and the speculation of new buyer of Proton. Since then:

1. The 40,000 unsold stock was successfully reduced to the current manageable stock level despite the recession and automotive sales downturn.

2. Proton dealer's average sale has improved under the current management from less than 20 cars monthly sales average per dealer when Dato Syed Zainal took over Proton to currently more than 40 cars monthly sales average per dealer.

3. Proton market share from total industry volume had also improved from only 24% in 2006 and 2007, to 26% in 2008 and 30% YTD in 2009. Proton's forecast which is on track and a common goal shared by the dealer's network was to acquire 35% market share within 3 years.

4. Under the new management, 4 new model was successfully launched namely, Proton NEO (2006), Proton Persona (2007), Proton Saga (2008) and Proton Exora (2009). There were also various face-lift and upgraded version of existing models being launched to excite the market. Proton is also expected to launch the Perdana and Waja replacement in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

5. New Proton car quality had also improved from 4 highlighted concerns per car by customer (Concern-Per-Car or "CPC") during their car servicing to currently only 0.31 highlighted concerns. All concerns highlighted by customer via the dealers sales and service network are forwarded directly to Proton.

6. Proton does not need any new shareholders but a strategic alliance with a foreign partner that may provide better economies of scale in production cost and expand Proton market share abroad will be viable for Proton future planning. However, speculations, rumours or any attempt for take-over without any economic benefits to Proton network is damaging towards the network's recovery especially with the current rationalisation of the dealers network.

7. The government must stop further negotiation or any speculation for a take over and allow Proton, the dealers network and vendors to recover from the downturn via the continuation of current adopted policies.

8. It does not make sense to allow any group or giant corporation to take over Proton that is improving and on track with its KPI but it does make more sense for the current management to MBO Proton and stop further future speculation whilst steering Proton into becoming the number one national car maker.

http://arminbaniaz.com

Sent via BlackBerry from Maxis

PROTON TAKE-OVER ATTEMPT..... again?

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Proton for sale!! ....is an old news that was even capitalise by the opposition during the last general election. Everybody seems so eager to sell Proton and the public too seems receptive to the idea.

Thusfar, we have heard international automotive giant volkswagen, Mitsubishi amongst others whom are keen to buy Proton. Locally, the Al Bukhary Group, NAZA group are amongst the never ending giant that has been attempting to buy over Proton.

Yesterday, there was another Saga unfolded by Pasquale... another attempt or re-attempt to take-over Proton....... again.. by 2 giants. A collaboration by Yasmin Holdings and Naza Holdings led by Proton pioneer Dato Kisai Rahmat and an attempt or re-attemp rather by The Al Bukhary group to buy majorityProton shares from Khazanah.

According to the source, Dato Kisai is said to have obtained 'blessing' from Tun Mahathir whom was quoted as unhappy with how the automotive giant is being managed. This I can confirmed to be UNTRUE. A reliable source told me Tun Mahathir had diplomatically rejected both attempt; Kisai & Al Bukhary.

"The take-over is an attempt to salvage the good name of Proton and to revive Proton from the current management said to be a bunch of hypocrites with no balls." see: pasquale and rocky's bru for further details.

Since Tengku Mahaleel's tenure as the Proton Managing Director... Dato Syed Zainal Abidin's authority as the Managing Director vested by the Board was drastically reduced.. to a point of being 'power-less' with most decision to be made by the Board. Perhaps if Dato Syed Zainal is empowered with more authority, then the 'hypocrite with no balls' statement is applicable. Nonetheless, problems faced by Proton management now is not created by the current management but it was an inherited legacy.. the left-over from Proton's previous management when Dato Kisai too was a Director.

Since his appointment, Dato Syed Zainal & his team had successfully sold the close to 50,000 Proton ex-stocks that was the most critical problem faced by Proton then. The new management had also successfully improved the quality of cars... we seldom hear anymore complains on defective parts, component or even poor quality. The sales demographic ratio from previously malay dominated, now comprise of a good mixture of malay and chinese car buyers... to say the least.

If Proton is as bad as the ugly picture painted.. then why would there be so many interested buyers of Proton? for national service and the good name of Malaysia? ..... I dont think so..!!

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Sneak preview and the launching of Haliza Misbun's "Andartu Terlampau.. 21 hari mencari Suami" the movie..

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Today's date 090909 or 9th September 2009 marked another historic moment for BIG Productions Sdn Bhd and Haliza Misbun, its Managing Director. I was invited by Haliza Misbun for a sneak preview and pre-launched of a malay romantic comedy "Andartu Terlampau... 21 Hari Mencari Suami"... or directly translated.. "Spinster too much.. 21 days hunting for a Husband".

The pre-launched began at 6pm with a sneak preview of the movie and was hosted at the Bora Asmara restaurant, Sungai Penchala... 2 minutes drive away from my house.

Haliza was her usual hyper self, running through every corner of the restaurant attending to all guests and was overly concern with making sure the VVIPS were comfortable. Amongst the VVIPs were my Parent, Dato Jalaluddin Hassan, Erra Fazira but the main VVIP is the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) Director General Mohd Mahyuidin Mustakim whom arrived 1 hour late.

The event although was delayed, began with a sneak preview.. which I pirated aka 'cetak rompak' as follows:



I like that part when Azhar was beaten up and bled in the toilet by a girl..? and he can still smile... of course its all an act but that part was hilarious.

The video was recorded with my BB Bold 9000 and was interrupted when the handphone keypad was automatically locked half way through recording.. as a result, it was split into 2 part and Part 2 is as follows:



Not bad for a movie clip recorded with a handphone.. maybe I should consider 'Piracy' or 'Cetak Rompak' as a business hah!

After the sneak preview, Haliza Misbun gave her speech welcoming the guest of honor, the media and other guests. She actually prepared a 3-page speech but the prepared text was lost in her hyper-ness rushing akin of 'lipas kudung?' that she spoke spontaneously without any written text... which was well said but what caught my attention was the part when she mention its been 18 years since her last acting performance with my brother in law Azhar Sulaiman in the movie 'Abang 92' which won many award. Haliza said, that was the first and the last movie she acted with Azhar until the birth of this movie "Andartu Terlampau..." which Azhar is one of the actor.
Haliza, after 18 years, surely anybody will be an Andartu..... heee joke lar. but if Andartu after 18 years... how to find a husband in 21 days? :-p find out soon when the movie is shown at the cinema!

I was surprise and shocked that the production of the movie only took 18 days!!! yes... only 18 days!!! that should leave other producers to shame... 18 days is very efficient by average standard. maybe it should be recorded in the Malaysia book of record.. or is there any other movie that was produced in less than 18 days?

The movie was acted by many prominent and popular actors & actresses namely... of course Haliza Misbun herself, Dato Rahim Razali, Erra Fazira, Ari Wibowo, AWIE, Azhar Sulaiman, Fahrin Ahmad, Fizo Omar, Azizi Chink Adnan, Cedric Lemaitre, Dato Jalaludin Hassan, Maimon Talib, Abby Abadi, Abon, Nilly Wahida Omar, Nik Sayyidah Mek and Fara Fauzana.

Haliza Misbun is a successful entrepreneur, an actress, a film producer and a good marketeer. Congratulation and well done to Haliza Misbun. I am always proud to see successful friends but Bora Asmara... food taste and service are relatively poor and there are rooms for lots of improvement.

The movie is Coming Soon to the cinema.. Stay Tune.


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Verify your Proton Showroom & sales personnel to avoid being cheated

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During my 12 years tenure as a Proton dealer and the Acting President of the Proton Edar Dealers Association Malaysia (PEDA), I have had endless complains from the public, dealers, Banks as well as Ministry officials.

Complains can be summed up in 3 categories, namely (1) Public being cheated of their booking fees, downpayment and traded-in cars (which is not Proton Dealer's activity) (2) Proton Edar's customers higher credit risk scoring due to 'Fraud cases' and alarming Non-Performing Loans (NPL) and (3) Dealer's being blacklisted by Banks due to their customer's fraud cases & NPL.

Item (2) and (3) above contributed to the higher credit risk scoring assigned to Proton customers, an inherited legacy that is hard to reverse and is damaging to the overall Proton sales.

To mitigate the three (3) items above, PEDA had proposed to the Association of Banks in Malaysia for Banks to only accept hire-purchase loan application (for all new unregistered Proton vehicles) ONLY from AUTHORISED PROTON NETWORK which comprised of 282 authorised Proton showroom nationwide with a total authorised sales personnel of 2,946 sales representatives.

Currently, non-authorised showroom or non-authorised personnel such as used car dealers or brokers (freelance salesmen that is not employed by Proton Edar or its authorised dealers) are able to submit loan application for new Proton vehicle that may further contribute to fraud & high NPL. Authorised Proton showrooms and those in the authorised network had to comply to stringent regulated corporate image and high investment requirement and will not engage in any unscrupulous attempt to destroy their investment in contrast to non-authorised network that may just want to make quick & immediate sales (and may compromise on customers legitimacy via falsification of documents etc, eg. fraud).

Segregating this non-authorised showrooms and personnel may not completely eradicate fraud and NPL or reduce the credit risk scoring but it will mitigate the problem and eventually self-regulate the network by reviewing the employment and sharing across the industry making-known all the sales representative with repeated fraud or NPL cases.

To identify Proton Edar authorised showrooms & sales personnel, please click: Proton Network or www.proton-showrooms.info for further information. The website is still a work in progress and will constantly be updated.

The display and updates of all authorised sales personnel online is also a recognition for them who are committed and believed in Proton.

I urge the public to always check the authorised dealer or the sales representative that they are liaising with on the PROTON NETWORK WEBSITE above to avoid being cheated. All sales representative employed by Proton Network is listed on the website under their respective showroom/dealer.

Proton sales representative that will be placed under 'review' for repeated fraud cases or high NPL and may be entirely blacklisted by the automotive industry.

I would also like to urge other car distributor to verify their sales representative to avoid any sales representative from being 'multi-employed'. There are many Proton Sales representative that is simultaneously being employed by Kia, Perodua etc.


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PAS Youth Exco EDUCATION background

Updates:

The followings 15 PAS Youth Exco members differs from my earlier list of PAS Youth Exco members:

1) Azreen Ab Majeed
2) Ahmad Zaidy A. Mutalib
3) Juhari Osman - Pengarah Jabatan Amal
4) Dr Marzuki
5) Dr Abu Ariff
6) Ustaz Zaharuddin Mohamad
7) Fitri Alias
8) Ahmad Yahya - KEDAH
9) Ustaz Mohd Yusni Mat Diah – PENANG
10) Us Suhaimi Md Saad - PAHANG
11) Ustaz Kamarudin Sidek - MELAKA
12) Abdul Latiff Abd Rahman - KELANTAN
13) Ustaz Hasbullah Mohd Ridzuan - SELANGOR
14) Us Mohd Nor Hamzah - TERENGGANU
15) Mohd Khairul Anuar Mohd Wafa - NEGERI SEMBILAN

The above changes and addition, added up the total number of PAS Youth exco from my earlier list of 35 members (see: PAS Youth earlier list) to now 43 youth exco members similar to UMNO Youth Exco 43 members (see: UMNO Youth).

Their academic background was also updated and only 7 PAS Youth Exco members with an unknown academic qualification. My source informed me he is still trying to obtain the academic background of the 7 exco and will provide updates accordingly.

Thus, there are 84% graduates in PAS Youth Exco members as oppose to 21% known graduates in UMNO Youth exco members.

See below for full updated list & details (although the write up may be abit obsolete given the latest update)..... and after 1 month of request (via FB email to YB KJ), I have NOT received any updates from UMNO Youth for their Exco members educational background.... pathetic? probably there is nothing to update?

Thank you Saudara Zamak for the updates and I look forward to any updates from Saudara Tun Faisal via my latest email request yesterday.

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It has been almost a month since my last posting on UMNO Youth Exco members academic background which was harder to collate than I thought. Gathering PAS Youth Exco educational background was even harder.

Although emails was sent to various youth exco members to seek their respective committee members' past educational Curriculum Vitae but only a few responded. I will assume those that that did not respond to be without any tertiary education or University degree. Being a University graduate is an advantage and a credential that one should be proud and made public especially in Politic when the product is the Politician himself... unless they themselve do not possess any education to announced.

Ironically, in politics, educational background of politician was never publicized and yet, people supported and voted for individual rather than the Party manifest or resolution upheld... or do they?

I am surprised with the outcome.... 40% or 10 PAS YOUTH EXCO members are University graduates whilst 25 other excos are unknown, compared to 0nly 21% or 9 UMNO Youth Exco (see: UMNO Youth Education) members whom are university graduates with 34 exco members without any known tertiary education.

The outcome and the result herein, will be regularly updated once i received further information. The source of information are direct from individual exco via email, the Youth exco party members, their facebook information, google search and university alumni.


1) PAS Youth Chief (Pahang Chief): Ustaz Nasruddin Hassan At Tantawi (Al Azhar Tanta University)

2) Dep Youth (Terengganu Chief) : Ustaz Azman Shapawi Abd Rani (Degree in Arabic Language, University of Kaherah)

3) Vice Youth Chief: Ahmad Sabki Yusof (MCL, LLB. International Islamic University (1996))

4) Secretary: Kamaruzaman Mohamad (Wilayah Persekutuan Chief)( Bachelor of Science (Education, University Putra Malaysia; Masters in Science, MIS)

5) Asst Sec 1: Khairul Faizi Ahmad Kamil (Johor Chief) (Degree in Political Science, University Science, Malaysia; Diploma in Engineering, University Technology Malaysia)

6) Asst Sec 2: Ustaz Kamal Ashaari (University Al Azhar)

7) Asst Sec 3: Ir Hj Muhd Khairil Nizam Khairuddin (Degree in Engineering, University Technology Petronas)

8) Treasurer: Adram Musa (Bachelor Degree, University Kebangsaan Malaysia)

9) Information Chief: Suhaizan Kaiat (Degree in Computer Science, Master in Computer Science, University Technology Mara 1994)

10) Election Director: Firdaus Jaafar (Not Available)

11) Ustaz Nik Mohd Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz (Degree in Syariah, University Al Azhar)

12) Ustaz Riduan Mohd Nor (Masters Art (University Kebangsaan Malaysia), B. Arts (Hons) University Malaya, Dip Ed. University Malaya, PhD candidate (Education) University Kebangsaan Malaysia)

13) Ustaz Mohd Nazri Chik (Master of Syariah (University Malaya) (2002-2004), Bachelor of Syariah (Fiqh & Usul) University Malaya (1996-2001)

14) Zamakhshari Muhammad (MBA (2003) University Utara Malaysia), Bachelor in Science Pharmacy, Liverpool John Moores, UK (1996)

15) Mior Isfandy Mior Azizan (Degree in Fiqh and Polical Science, International Islamic University (2007)

16) YB Ustaz Nasir Zakaria (Degree in Syariah & Administration, University Malaya, Masters in Business Administration, University Technology Mara)

17) Ustaz Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah (Not available)

18) Zuraidin Abdullah (Degree in Engineering, University Technology Mara)

19) Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor (Degree in Administration & Development, University Science Malaysia)

20) Abdullah Abdul Karim (LLB (Hons), University Kebangsaan Malaysia)

21) Dr Raja Ahmad Al Hiss Yaakob (Degree in Information Technology, International Islamic University, Master in Information Management System, University Technology Mara, PhD Political Science, University Of Manchester)

22) Anuar Ali(Degree in Chemical Science, University Kebangsaan Malaysia)

23) Ustaz Yussaine Yahya (Degree in Syariah, Al Azhar)

24) Mohd Sany Hamzan (Degree in Political Science, University Kebangsaan Malaysia)

25) Ustaz Mohd Fuad Osman (Bachelor Degree, University Malaya)

26) Ustaz Mohd Nazri Din (Degree in Education, University Putra Malaysia)

27) Zulqarnain Luqman (LLB Law, International Islamic University)

28) Azreen Abdul Majeed (Masters in Education, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, B.A. (Hons) University Malaya)

29) Ahmad Zaidy A. Mutalib (Bachelor of Science (Hons0 University Malaya)

30) Juhari Osman- Director Welfare Dept (Institute Kemahiran Belia)

31) Dr Marzuki (PhD Political Science, University of Lampeter, UK; Masters in Art, University Malaya; Bachelor of Arts, University Malaya)

32) Dr Abu Arif (PhD Engineering, Tokyo; Masters in Engineering University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology (UMIST); Bachelor of Engineering, Imperial College, UK.)

33)Ustaz Zaharuddin Mohamad (Master of Arts UK, Bachelor of Arts, Jordan)

34) Fitri Alias (Bachelor of Arts, University Malaya)

35) Ahmad Yahya (KEDAH) (Bachelor of Arts, Al Azhar University)

36) Ustaz Ya'akub Abu Seman (PERLIS) (Not Available)

37) Ustaz Mohd Yusni Mat Diah (PENANG) (Bachelor of Art Usuluddin, Islamic University Islamabad)

38) Ustaz Suhaimi Md Saad (PAHANG) (Not available)

39) Ustaz Kamarudin Sidek (MELAKA) (Not available)

40) Ustaz Hasbullah Mohd Ridzuan (SELANGOR) (Not Available)

41) Mohd Khairul Anuar Mohd Wafa (NEGERI SEMBILAN) (Degree Usuluddin, Al Azhar University, Diploma Usuluddin ; KUSZA)

42) Abdul Latiff Abd Rahman (KELANTAN) (Masters of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Jordan)

43) Ustaz Mohd Nor Hamzah (TERENGGANU) (Not Available)




I had in mind initially, PAS exco members being primitif and fanatic bunch, and probably hope to conclude the blog with majority being graduates from 'sekolah pondok' but I was surprised with the outcome especially when PAS almost double the graduate exco members in total percentage compared to UMNO Youth.

Ironically, todate, YB Khairy too did not reply my email requesting his exco past educational background although he proudly wrote and made known of his excellent academic achievement. Maybe he is not proud of his exco educational background?

This webpage will be updated regularly when any of the exco members or the public responded..

so Stay tune....

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1st week of Ramadhan

Nasi kerabu is one of the various irresistable Kelantanese yummilicious meal and the whole week since Ramadhan, fans of Nasi Kerabu has been flooding with Nasi Kerabu pictures on Facebook challenging the desire for Nasi Kerabu during Puasa..... mengidam!

Picture from Azzah Amran's facebook profile

Today, I came home early at 5pm after various failed attempts to stay awake at work... and.... 'pucuk dicipta, ulam mendatang' (right phrase?), Nasi Kerabu was the main dish for breaking fast... !! Mum's home cook Nasi Kerabu.... and the last 2 hours before breaking fast was dreadful and longest.

Ramadhan is so magical... There was no urge for cigarette, food or no thirst for water or sex... But a major problem with staying awake... and a moody temperament.

It was a hard struggle from the regular daily few pack of 'ciggie' & jugs of daily coffee withdrawal syndrome and after days and nights of pure patients... I woke up to realise it is only a week of fasting with another 3 weeks to go......

Alhamdulillah, the one week only fasting thusfar went well although I appeared like a walking zombie with dark black ring around the eye.

It is customary every year during Ramadhan that we engaged Ustaz Khairullah everyday for isya' and terawih prayer at the house. The jemaah comprised of the siblings, nieces and nephews as well as all the off-duty security guards and maids as well as friends.

Ramadhan is also a month that foster closest of relationships between siblings, family and friends that get together everyday for breaking fast and prayer.

All the best and enjoy the beauty of Ramadhan.





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http://arminbaniaz.com

Sent via BlackBerry from Maxis

Damansara Perdana........ SOS..

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One of my corporate offices is located at the Damansara Perdana Business Centre that was developed by Saujana Triangle Sdn Bhd, a member of the MK Land Holdings Berhad Group of Companies. Damansara Perdana is a 750 acres intergrated township and is part of the golden triangle of Petaling Jaya that was first launched in 1996.

I bought a few shoplots, commercial properties as well condominiums at Damansara Perdana since its first launching. As a developer, EMKAY never failed to deliver its promise. Damansara Perdana is a good investment but at the rate the township is being maintained, current investors, the public as well as companies may soon dissappear and shy away from Damansara Perdana.

Crime rate at Damansara Perdana is increasing every month. People at Damansara Perdana are being mugged, burglared, robbed almost daily. I was one of the first few business owners in Damansara Perdana and I have had countless burglaries.

If you ever visited Damansara Perdana, you can see EMkay Security Guards in white uniform crowding the township from the moment you enter the Damansara Perdana.. but i take it, the Guards' principal responsibility is only to block and reserve parking space for EMKAY group Bosses & Management.... and some road traffic activity.

With the increasing crime rate, we can only wonder the actual function of those security guards in white ala white elephant... redundant.

Public area cleanlines, lift maintenance and other services at Damansara Perdana was outsourced to theAllied Group Property Services Sdn Bhd. Every business or property owner at Damansara Perdana had to pay service charge to this company for the maintenance and if you ever walked using the staircase or took the lift at the business centre.......... you will notice the filthy, dirty and NOT-maintained area! but the monthly maintenance fees are diligently reminded and collected!

Allied Group Property in turn appointed HPL Elevator Sdn Bhd for the maintainance of the lift & elevators.... and what maintaintance did the HPL Elevator Sdn Bhd undertook....? when the lift breakdown a few times a week!

I am provoked to blog EMKAY's poor service and maintainance at Damansara Perdana when my pregnant staff, Zura was stuck in the lift alone and was stucked for an hour although she pressed the emergency bell (located on the panel in the lift) without any answer or response from HPL, Allied or any members of EMKAY group. Giving up pressing the yellow emergency bell, Zura then called the emergency telephone number at the sticker pasted in the lift below:


The call was picked up by a lady name NORA but NORA failed to send any rescue team or technician!!! ........ although she assured the rescue team will be there..

After another hour of waiting and crying for help, my office with the help of the neighbour FORCED OPEN THE LIFT door to rescue the poor lady.

The rescue team never came nor appear at the scene and when my office complained the following day, they say they could not locate their technician or rescue team. Zura, although pregnant but was lucky that she can use her handphone during the incident. Most of the time, there is no handphone network in the lift. She was also lucky the incident took place during peak hours but if the incident happen at late nights when there are nobody around to help?

I am disturbed by this incident. It happen to a pregnant lady..... It can also happen to me, my associate, customer or family members or anybody!!!!! a complain letter was submitted to EMKAY, Allied Property and HPL but todate, there is still no reply.

Damansara Perdana is not what it used to be......... crime rate, cleanliness and now health and welfare hazard....... !! Buyers Beware

Love is blind...? now it is only partially blind with a visit to the medical centre & Bank Negara...

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I recently met four old friends whom regrettably went through a divorce or break-ups; two were married with children and the other two were engaged. Although infidelity was partly the trigger point, the break-up was also ignited by financial traumas and dramatic health deterioration.

The four friends were 2 guys and 2 ladies. Three divorced were sought by the women and only one divorced was filed by the husband but all four couples did not know both their spouse's physical and financial health... pre-marital. in short, they were married into or inherited once married, an ocean of debts and problems.

In a capitalist world of the new millenium, being geared is almost inevitable but being too highly geared may be irreversible and can affect the marriage.

Similarly, we always take for granted our health and accepted the spouse in whichever and whatever form the partner is, in the name of love... and became a widow later without any preparation when she discovered the spouse had cancer. One of the three friends that I recently met, filed a divorced when they discovered the spouse had Herpes... ? I knew both of them quite well and they both are not a 'born-angel' sort of speak.. they could have been infected in their previous relationship. It was a lame excuse.

I do not mean, everybody should leave out anybody with STDs, or anybody suffering from cancer or those that survived cancer otherwise, being a cancer survivor, I too will be a bachelor for the rest of my life but at least, get to know each other's health condition the moment you are involved in a relationship and the pledge 'till death do us apart' would really apply since both then knew and accepted each other's actual health condition before marriage. Nonetheless, an early discovery is always good to prepare for the worse.

Nonetheless, with a thorough blood check that includes Sexually Transmitted Disease, you can be assured of your spouse's cleanliness, rather than accused each other in the future akin of my friend without even knowing that point of 'exposure' could have been in the past relationship.

More importantly, it is imperative to have a financial check done before taking a step further into the relationship. Not many are aware but the Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank of Malaysia) do provide this service. Unlike in Europe when everybody can check anybody's financial status (subject to some conditions), in Malaysia only the Bank Negara provide such a service. It is called the Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS).

Walk to the Bank Negara and informed the Bank reception counter that you would like a CCRIS check done. For only RM10 (Ringgit Malaysia Ten only) you can have the details of ALL EXISTING FINANCIAL INSTITUTION CREDIT under your name or your name joint with another person, your name under a sole proprietor, under a partnership or professional body. The report will also informed all outstanding credit facilities under "close supervision" by financial institutions as well as any application for additional credit facilities within the last 12 months (for more details click: Info). CCRIS also provide a credit patterns or historical loan repayment trend... hence a good or poor paymaster.

You can ONLY check YOUR OWN (or your company's) financial record and not for others and the report will only state the gearing or the credit facilities (example: credit card, car loans, housing, overdraft etc) under your name.

The report will not display your assets (example: fix deposit, investments, share holdings, fully paid properties etc) so you cannot go 'fishing' at Bank Negara but if you have a partner and love each other, you should include Bank Negara as a compulsory dating point and get to know each other's financial background... There are alot of fraud cases too where your name was used for unknown loan application or used to buy a car that you never knew existed... and this is one problem best known early to avoid inevitable legacy.

A date or a walk to the Bank Negara before marriage may also save your future. You can only dream of buying a new house or a new car or travel oversea on holiday if you & spouse are credit-worthy but if your spouse is banckrupted or blacklisted by financial instutions? ...you cant even leave Malaysia.


Be wise... do the blood and CCRIS credit check before its too late.......................

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The craving started even before Ramadhan.....

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I went to Jusco after a BIG BUFFET lunch with a few Proton dealers at the One World Hotel to replenished my organic oat bran that I consumed for breakfast daily as staple food... soon for 'Sahur' too. I was distracted away from the organic oat counter by the strong Durian aroma which unhesitatingly, I grabbed 2 boxes of their best durian... I have low resistant for Durian. "I want to eat now!!" ...I said to the sales attendance. He laughed, passed me the price sticker and asked me to pay first at the counter which I did and I ended up eating the whole RM50 per pack durian instantly.

Perhaps I was hungry.. again.. although lunch was extraordinarily a bigger portion barely 4 hours ago. This cravings are common as it get nearer to the Fasting month and it gets worse during the fasting month.. but I reckon its worth craving for Durian now than during fasting. It didnt help when my cousin Ervin, earlier today, happily listed all the food he ate in preparation to Ramadhan.

As though the Durian did not satisfy the cravings, we drove 2 hours to the Sepang Gold Coast for more food.....

Well of course, the 2 hours drive was for an initial site-visit to see our investment there. The development was expected to be completed this year end... and so far, everything on schedule.

It is a beautiful piece of development barely 1 hour drive from KLIA.

The developer's price was barely RM1 million per unit but the current market price had appreciated to almost RM2million.

At the Sepang Gold Coast, I was informed the development was 95% sold and 80% was sold to foreigner. Only 15% buyer were local Malaysian.

I was bored with all the updates and my thought went wild when I saw the sign that read "The Sunset Beach Restaurant".... cravings!! cravings!! cravings!!

We sat and I had one of the best medium-well cooked Lamb Rack, button mushroom and other varieties.... The official photographer my sis Emi, took so many photos but then being under training (forever).. and almost a week later, those photos are still comfortably sleeping in the camera SD memory card.

This was only the synopsis of the various cravings I had.. a friend of mine was highly recommending Horse Meat in Rawang... I am quite adventurous with food but Horse meat? I wanted to try until I was told the Horse that was slaughtered were all "RETIRED-RACE" horses... I would rather have a young, fresh & virgin horse... but daging Kuda Pencen? :-D


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Once upon a time a decade ago with umno.........

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I attended the launching of Prof Khairil Anas's first book of a series of 4, on the Evolution of Leadership Theories & studies by the Deputy Prime Minister YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the Shangri La Hotel, Putrajaya today on 18 August 2009.

At the function, I met some old and made many new friends, mostly from UMNO. I also met many 'Facebook Friends' for the first time although we regularly interacted on Facebook.

I discovered many politicians whom are my regular blog followers... thank you for the support.

Everybody at the function are UMNO loyalist and being a loyalist, some were quite offended with some of my blog posting... which I am grateful for the sincere remark... unlike some hypocritical politicians whom acted as a 'bro' in front.. then back-stabbed or threw stone then hide akin of anonymous blogger.

I am glad those that knew me (although for the first time), approached, spoke and clarified with me on some of my sensitive blog posts. My blog post was never meant to be offensive and if taken positively, it can be in capitalised in our favour.

A more diplomatic friends that came forward, asked which UMNO division am I attached to? but a more blunt question threw at me was... "if I am for or against UMNO?" "Reading through my blog, I do not sounded UMNO..." A few friends further added. Looking at both the defensive and offensive mode of some friends, I will avoid mentioning their name and will only refer to him as HE or Them.

There are so many questions and issues that needed clarification but to understand, we have to travel a decade back. I never thought of becoming active in UMNO until I met Dato Seri Dr Mohamed Khir Toyo whom was then the Selangor Chief Minister and his aide Datuk Dr Karim Hj Mansor at an official Proton function almost a decade ago. A day after that function, I received a call from Dr Karim, whom asked me to meet him at the Chief Minister's office the following day.

At the Chief Minister's office, I was asked to be actively involved in politic which I hesitated as I knew little about politic but after an hour, I was made to belief that UMNO needed younger leaders and barely 26 years old then, I fit his criteria... and so said Dr Karim but I declined diplomatically citing lack of exposure in politic as the main reason and asked for a grace period to deliberate.

I called and met a good friend, Dato Farid Ariffin (President MAKNA) and seek his advice. Farid strongly advised against going into Politic and asked to concentrate in business instead. I spoke to other close friends and other politicians as well as my dad and many encourages it though some strongly objected.....

After much deliberation, I called, met and spoke over and over again with Dr Karim. I said, I do not have any ambition in politic but I want to serve UMNO which Dr Karim explained the many ways to serve. Being in UMNO branch is a long process to be in power, explained Dr Karim. There are shorter way but I needed to be at the division level which again I hesitated. I did not want to create any unnecessary enemy, I did not have any ambition to be a politician. I just wanted to serve UMNO being a product of UMNO/Barisan Nasional government's policies.

Disappointed with my decision, Dr Karim suggested that I should at least open up my own UMNO branch, which although reluctant, I said yes. Dr Karim said, 'if I have no immediate ambition to be at division, then I should be in Puchong and support YB Dato Satim Diman whom was a very established Division chief, and controls one of the most stable division'. Dato Satim is a legend in UMNO and undefeated for many years in Serdang/Puchong and I should support him. Having a small business in Puchong, I agree to support Dato Satim.

And so the birth of my first direct exposure in political circle... via Dr Karim & Dr Khir Toyo whom first adopted me into UMNO circle almost a decade ago. I quickly gathered most of my family members, relatives, staff and business associates in Puchong to be registered as an UMNO member under my soon to be established UMNO branch with a simple resolution to eradicate 'Unemployment' in Puchong. Within less than a month, I submitted the application to set-up a new branch with the list of 111 young and eager professionals as a new members at the new proposed branch. Their membership was fully paid with the application. 90% of the names submitted was not yet an UMNO member.

Until today, I cant find any UMNO division that could stood proud to claim their division or constituency has zero unemployment. In fact, I do not think the division even had or monitors the unemployment statistic. I brainstormed and completed a 1-5 year plan to achieve the resolution. I cannot disappoint Dr Karim whom had invested alot of his time then to make me understand politic, I thought to myself... and thought further, it was the least that I could do for UMNO.

Being eager and enthusiastic, within less than a month later, with the help of Amir Shafi I met almost all of Dato Satim's Division & Youth exco members and communicated the plan to achieve the 'zero unemployment' resolution under my proposed UMNO branch... via business and employment opportunity capitalising from the government assistant for SMEs.

Unfounded rumours quickly spread and existing exco felt unease and threatened. I only wanted my own small umno branch having agreed with Dr Karim to serve umno. The rumours brought a few division, youth exco members and supporters seeking for my clarifation if I had any intention to go forward to division. Some unnecessarily pledged support which I immediately brushed out but some too came to threat, pre-warned and re-clarified my stand (again and again), including the Deputy Division chief then, Dato Hasnan Wahid. I re-clarified and re-iterate my only interest is in my small umno branch and none at division.

After various inquiries and follow up on the status of my new branch formation without success, Ir Rosly who was then in-charge of new branch application and membership (now Dato Satim's division Vice-Chief) ran out of reasoning to give.. At one junture, he said the division had endorsed my application and my Branch file was forwarded to UMNO State office and a week later he changed his statement and said my application was still under review....? Weeks and months passed by and finally, a year after submission, I was informed that both the application file and the membership fees submitted to formed the new branch went missing and dissappeared. I spoke again to both Dr karim and Dato Satim without success and gathered mine and the new members as well as the establishment of my new branch was not welcome. I did not re-submit my application but that marked the end of that episode. Since then, it has been all about business and had lost contact with all friends from UMNO Serdang/Puchong including Dr Karim... except for Ariffin Osman and Amir Shafi whom I occasionally contacted.

Now, almost a decade later, and for already a decade, I became an enthusiast observer and a strong 'external' supporter instead. I am still passionate with UMNO and Barisan National election manifest and resolutions. If there existed any weaknesses within UMNO, it should be debated within UMNO and should not be politicized by the opposition whom standalone, does not even have any pragmatic future direction.

So to answer those inquires from many friend's email, on Facebook and those that I met at Prof Anas's book launching.... yes, there is no doubt of my support for UMNO and will not join any other party although I had my share of very bad experiences with setting up an UMNO branch... but bygones remain bygones. It is a decade later but I am with UMNO and always will. There is no future in the opposition... they are good at picking on UMNO's weaknesses without any pragmatic or own vision... unlike the Vision 2020 that I am still very passionate about.

and again, my apology for almost a decade of silence to those whom supported me in opening up the UMNO branch way back in 2002... I never had the opportunity to clarify and apologized individually to all. When I check @ UMNO ONLINE REGISTRATION via the IC number submitted during the branch application submission, majority are still a non-umno member. I trust you have remained neutral and did not join the opposition.... or did you?

Although my branch file was lost with Dato Satim's official, copies of all documentations are still intact. Am I still interested to open an umno branch..? No, I am not interested but I will be a strong and aggressive supporter to UMNO though I wont blindly agree on everything. Some of the members in the proposed branch was unknown to me but was brought in by other pro-tem committee members. The list of 111 members that was previously submitted is as follows:

	PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF UMNO CAWANGAN PUSAT BANDAR PUCHONG 2002
1	ARMIN BANIAZ PAHAMIN
2	NOOR ARMAN PUTRA MAHADI
3	NOOR ERVIN SHAHRIZ DATUK NORDIN
4	F. R. RAZDEAN
5	KHAIRUL ANNUAR HASHIM
6	AHMAD KHAIRIE ZULKIFLI
7	JOHAN NASIR
8	AL JAZZURA KHAN
9	MOHD SOBRI BIN JAAFAR
10	AHMAD NAZMI BIN ABDUL RAHMAN
11	AZHAR SULAIMAN
12	AZAIDI BIN MOHD LAZIM
13	ZARIR SALLEH
14	IZHAM BIN ISMAIL
15	OSNY SHU-HARRY SHUIB
16	YUSRI NASIR
17	MOHD IDHAM BIN ISMAIL
18	SHARFATEN ANIZA BINTI MD KASSIM (via Apeq)
19	AZIZAN BIN ABDUL AZIZ (via Apeq)
20	CHEMPAKA EMALIN
21	SHARIFAH RAFIAH BINTI SYED YAHYA
22	NAWAL RAFEZA BINTI ZULKIFLI
23	HAFIZ BIN KAMMEL RIZA
24	MOHD KHAIRUL ANUAR
25	ROSE EMINI
26	JUNAIDAH BINTI YUSOF
27	ZAINAB MOHAMAD
28	MUZAFIQ AFFYULZAIFUZAN BIN MUHAMMAD (via Apeq)
29	DATO' PAHAMIN A RAJAB
30	AZHAR SULAIMAN
31	NORKIYAH IBRAHIM
32	MAHMUD BIN ABDULLAH
33	ISKANDAR ZULFIKAR ALI BHUTTO
34	TERATAI EDITHY
35	JEFFRI OSMAN
36	TREESNA AZURA DATO' JOHAR
37	MALYANNA ABDUL MALIK
38	MASWADY RAKION
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39	JAILANI MAMAT
40	ZAHARAH BINTI ABU JOHAN
41	TG MUZZAMMIL TG MAKRAM
42	JAMAL BIN JOHARI
43	MOHD FAIZUL SIDI AHMAD
44	TENGKU FAIRA EDNA TENGKU ISKANDAR
45	BISRAFEL BIJURI
46	ROSMAZA RAMLI
47	NORAZLIA BINTI AHMAD
48	MOHAMED @ MAHMOOD BIN MOHD NOR
49	WAN ZAHARI BIN HANAF
50	MOHD NAZRUL IZAM BIN MANSOR
51	WAN ROSMADIY BIN WAN YUSOF
52	MOHAMAD AZAM BIN YUNUS
53	AZMI BIN MOHAMAD
54	ENA NOOR RASHIDA BIN ABDUL RASHID
55	FAKIRUDDIN ALI AHMAD BIN ABU BAKAR
56	NORHAIZAN BINTI ABD SHUKOR
57	ABDUL MUHAIMIN BIN NASIR
58	MOHAIZAR BIN MOHAMAD
59	NIK IZYAN BT NIK ISMAIL
60	MARWAN BIN MOHD NOOR
61	MOHD FAIDZHIR IDRIS
62	MOHD LUQMAN HAKIM BIN ABDULLAH
63	NAWAL AINI BINTI ZULKIFLI
64	NURAZURA BINTI KHALILI
65	HUSIN JALI
66	ADNAN JALANI
67	NIK MOHD IZAFIZAL BIN HAJI NIK ISMAIL
68	JOHAR MOHD YUSOFF
69	MOHD ANAZIM
70	SYED HASRIL ALYAHYA BIN SYED SAPIAA
71	MOHD RHIZA DATO' GHAZI
72	CHE NOR HAYATI BTE CHE BACHIK
73	NOOR SYAHIRA SURYA DATO' NOORDIN
74	HAR ZANI AZMI PROBITAS
75	AHMAD RAFIQ ZULKIFLI
76	AZLIN AZIZ
77	ED SIMOR KHAN
78	MOHD HAZLI ZAKARIA
79	ZAHARI BIN HANAFI
80	TG ASMARUL
81	DR AZHAR ISHAK
82	MOHD AZMI HJ SIDEK
83	MOHD AIDIL BIN DAUD
84	RAZI KHAN BIN RASHID
85	MOHD ZULKIFLI ABD JALIL (MENS REVIEW)
86	RIZAL CIMB
87	MOHD ZAIDI BIN ALI (via arman)
88	MOHD ZAKI ALIAS (via ARMAN)
89	RAFIQ KHAN BIN AKBAR KHAN (via DR AZHAR)
90	TABIRA BIN TAHIR (via DR AZHAR)
91	NIK SAZHANI RAJA ABDULLAH (cia DR AZHAR)
92	AZLI BIN NORDIN (via dr azhar)
93	MOHD AINUL HAKEEM BIN RAMLEE
94	ZAI MUNIRA ABDUL RASHID
95	NURIN MOHD NOOR (via osny)
96	ADE KADRIS ABDUL RAHMAN
97	KHUSAINI ZAKARIA
98	NIK AIDIL MARIA NIK SAPEIA
99	FARIHAN HATMI BIJURI
100	MUHAMMAD FARID SULAIMAN
101	NOOR HISYAM B. SABRALMULISI
102	MOHD ZAINI AHMAD
103	ANIS HAFIZA HASSAN
104	NOREEN RASLINDA RASHID
105	ROSMAN MUSA
106	MOHD KHAIRI HASSAN
107	ABDULLAH ABDUL WAHAB
108	KHAIRUL AMRIE
109	MOHD HAFIZOL OMAR
110	NURUL HISHAM B. ISMAIL
111	GHAZALAINI BIN GHAZALI

Although it has been almost a decade, it is never too late to apologize... I hope. I apologized to the above friends for that time wasted.

Last but not least, a special CONGRATULATION to Prof. Hj Khairil Anas on a well written book. The launching was smooth, well-planned and well-organised. It is great to meet old friends from the same circle. I had known Anas for almost 15 years since we were in United Kingdom and although successful, he remained as humble. I am always proud to see my friends and peers succeed in their field and specialty. I am still writting my books but was delayed by endless work and business schedule.... ya ya yaa... i know.. same reason.

The "educational background" of other politicial party Youth exco members are still a "Work In Progress" but is on my list of priority.

Stay Tune..........

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Bvlgary....? Burglary..... burglarrrriiii... BURRRGLAAARY!!!! ...... its not funny!

Bvlgary....? Burglary..... burglarrrriiii... BURRRGLAAARY!!!! ...... its not funny!

My first experience being burglared was during teen.... I rented a small 180 sq ft hostel room during undergraduate study at the University of Buckingham for STR230 a month paid with a STR291 MARA scholarship a month. I entered my room after a good clubbing night out to discover all the new assets that I still owe my credit card were all missing... HiFi stereo, notebook, alarm clock (the reason why I missed so many lectures since), watches, rings, even my brand new socks.....

16 years later... todate, I have been burglared and robbed (even with parangs) more than 20 times. All the burglaries except for that teenage student life, was within the last 2 years at Fasfik outlets at various locations in Petaling Jaya except today. Today, Fasfik Corporate Office and my office at Damansara Perdana was burglared.... a clean sweep sort of speak, the 49" plasma TVs that connects and displayed all realtime cctv videos of all my businesses, about a dozen Computers and other items including various foreign currencies that I safe-kept at office for travelling.

The day before my office was hit, the Mamak store below my office was robbed by a few Indians with Parangs. A few months ago, my dad's law firm Pahamin & Pahamin (Advocate & Solicitor) was burglared.. also at Damansara Perdana.

Barely 3 weeks ago, on the 27th July 2009, Home Ministry via its website started a poll to gauge the public's view on the Country's level of safety and the government's performance in safe guarding the people's safety and security. According to the poll, 97% of the total respondence felt unsafe due to the current high crime rate and 95% respondent felt the government had not done their best to ensure the best safety to the public (see: the Star).

I consider myself part of the 95% statistics that felt more could be done to combat crime and part of the 97% statistic that do not feel safe.

But bitching alone would not reduce the crime rate... thinking outloud and brainstorming on counter measures ... I like the recommendation from my Fasfik Head of Manpower Development, Kamarul Arifin Zainal's suggestion to enrol 100 of fasfik crew as part of People's Volunteer Corporation (RELA)... in fact, I might volunteer to be one too.


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