CIGARETTE OR VAPE?

 

One of the best pleasure in life is to have a cigarette after a meal, or coffee (oh my god, Heaven!!). I was a heavy smoker burning 3 packs of cigarettes a day for more than 20 years since my teens. 8 years ago I quit cigs and started Vaping. Now still vaping and one day, I shall quit Vaping too.

For all the smokers around the globe, I never thought of quiting cigs but I did. Your time will come when you too will quit.

AMAZING TECHNOLOGY AT PASAR MALAM/NIGHT MARKET

One of my favourite stress relief and weekend routine is taking a stroll at the Night Market as well as doing grocery shopping. When I was young, my mother always brought me to all sort of market, fish market, morning market [Pasar Tani], night market, Pasar besar, pasar borong yada yada.

Over the weekend, on my regular stroll at the Taman Tun Dr Ismail night market I was amazed by the effort and initiatives taken by the Boost team. This was the second time I met them. Once was last weekend. Boost is a mobile app, an e-Wallet of sort and they did a great job recruiting pasar malam sellers.

I bought a whole basket full of vegetables of all sort and only paid RM3 from otherwise RM15 and the grocery was paid through the app called Boost.

Being a technoprenuer and a start up myself, I could not resist to Vlog this mobile app called Boost. I wish and my prayer for the Boost App to be a great success. All the best. For more information on the Boost Apps click here -> http://bit.ly/2uu9eNJ

Who can ever imagine going to Pasar Malam and make payment through the handphone. Dont even need a credit card.

HOOYAH.

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BAHAI'I NAW RUZ

Being a Malaysian, I thought I knew most of the happenings in Malaysia but I had to Google to find out what Naw Ruz is when I received an invitation for a Naw Ruz open house from an old friend, Zoran (Class 1992, BBBSS).

Apparently I was not alone. On a random chat with at least 10 friends, none of them knew or have even heard of the word but one friend have heard of Bahai'i. He said it is a Learning Center (Ayoo Vinod).

This Vlog is especially dedicated to the Malaysian (like me. My apology for being ignorant), who knew very little of our own fellow Malaysians.

To the Bahai'i, Happy New Year.

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and Subscribed to my Youtube channel at http://bit.ly/armin-youtube

Stay Tuned and HOOYAH!

BIG BOYS TOYS - ABP_VLOG_002

Big boys toys used to be cars and watches, actually it still is for some but for the few more modern and techcy, its cameras and sticks. For the moment, mine centers more on Vlogging tools and equipments. A new hobby. This new hobby can actually be a bit costly but fortunate for me. I have sponsors (bukan dedak ya) or should I say, gifts (disclaimer) from my sisters on my birthday 1st March.
 
Melor Edina Pahamin, Teratai E Pahamin & Rose Emini Pahamin, thank you for the lovely gift that made this new hobby even possible. It was well spent on the latest Osmo Mobile 2, Comica and Rodes Microphone (havent used yet- dont know how to connect Haiya), Gimbal, Final Cut Pro X, some cables and upgrading of this 8 years old 15" Macbook Pro Retina.

AWKWARD MOMENT ABPVLOG 001

It turns out, Vlogging is actually alot more complicated than Blogging. Getting all the gadgets and the little equipment needed is complicated but its nothing compare to talking into a device with no one around. All the millions of ideas suddenly just went blank and the loud voice suddenly, buried. Do you know how awkward it feels to be talking alone to a device lol.

But a commitment is a commitment and here goes the first short introduction. Future Vlog will be between 1 to 3 minutes.

LIFE IS WHAT WE SHOOT, WRITES AND REMEMBERS

We can re-edit and re-structure all our words and thought while Blogging but Vlogging is a completely different world altogether. Whatever we write when we blog, we can always change and edit it later but whatever is spoken, we cant really change that word or the sentence unless we re-shoot the entire scene. When I started blogging, my writing and thought process became clearer. The ability to express and share my thought in writing (started with this blog) had won me various awards in my own business (I will share this episode later).

This first Vlog (coming soon) is more of an introduction in nature. The concept for this Vlog is about my life, passion, thought and inspiring people around me, the same concept I adopted for this blog. One day when I have left, my children and grandchildren can learn all about me from my Blog and Vlog.

Being a cancer survival (next year I will be celebrating my 30th years anniversary), I see life completely differently than others. When others take things at their own pace, I feel like I am always running out of time. When others wake up and slowly starts their day, I always wake up rushing to do something.. anything. When others take things superficially, I take everything so deep down into the bones; be it family, values, work, friendship, business, fitness and love.

10 YEARS OF BLOGGING

This year is my blog Stay Tuned's 10th year anniversary and I want to take it a step further by having a Vlog. Blog post is not as challenging anymore and I need to find a substitute to feed my appetite for a challenge. I have never shot any video and is only equip with my iPhone 7 plus. On my birthday, my sisters Dr Teratai Pahamin and Rose Emini Pahamin bought me this gadget; an Osmo Mobile 2 stabilizer and a Comica CVM VS08 microphone especially for my mobile phone which should complete my list of equipment as a beginner.

I CHAIRED MY LAST PEDA AGM AS THE PRESIDENT

 

PROTON was recently back in the limelight and again for the wrong reason or maybe for the right reason depending on which side you are viewing it from. From the dealer's view, its ugly. The public feels the dealers are pampered and needed to bulk up and from the Proton's new management point of view, the dealers are the caused for Proton's low and drop in sales. 

I would have written this blog a lot earlier but I was busy handing over the association that I was at the helm for almost 20 years, to the new President. I was the third elected President for the Proton Edar Dealers Association Malaysia or better known as PEDA and I did not offer myself for re-election at the recent annual general meeting. 

By constitution, PEDA holds an election for the post of President, Deputy President and 13 committee members every 2 years. PEDA had just completed our Annual General Meeting on 23rd February 2018 and we (and I am personally) were grateful to my dear friend Dato Madani Sahari, the Chief Executive Officer Malaysia Automotive Institute for hosting our 19th AGM.

Dato Madani has always been a good friend to PEDA and to me and is always interested in the update that we have.  

I have a lot to say on the recent spat and public outcry on Proton, not as PEDA President but as a dealer who have been with Proton for more than 20 years but that will be a topic in another blog. 

PEDA WELCOMES ABDUL RASHID MUSA, PROTON EDAR 13TH CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Proton Holdings Berhad has appointed Abdul Rashid Musa as the new Proton Edar Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 February 2017 replacing Rohime Shafie. Abdul Rashid Musa is the 13th Chief Executive Officer since Proton Edar's inception and the 4th CEO since DRB-Hicom took over Proton. 

We officially met the new CEO today on his second day in office to welcome him onboard and to introduce PEDA committee members line-up. Rashid is no stranger to PEDA and the dealers. When he was Proton Chief Technical Officer, we frequently brainstorm and exchange ideas.

Since my first encounter with Rashid, I have always thought he was in the wrong department (in Proton). A man who knew Proton cars inside out, Rashid is more of a sales man than an engineer. The 52 years old, soft spoken but firm gentleman speaks with strong enthusiasm and passion about Proton cars better than the best sales man in Proton.  

The fourth in a sibling of 10 has worked at 7 automotive factories before assuming his latest position as the Chief Executive Officer of Proton Edar. Rashid has been with Toyota, Proton, Mitsubishi Japan, Lotus UK, Mercedes-Benz, Suzuki and Volkswagen.

WONDERS OF SUNGAI PENCHALA: DAGING MASAK MERAH LOQSTAQ

Pergh.. Tobat sedap baq hang!! It is as sedap as the tagline literally writes. I first noticed this food stall in February when it was first open. There were such a long queue along the main entrance into Sungai Penchala that it was so hard to missed the prominent red signage shop that had made a name for itself for the longest of queue.  I am not the type that would queue and try but I will queue if I know for sure that the food is good. 

Daging masak merah Loqstaq was originated in Jalan Sultanah, Alor Star Kedah 30 years ago and was formerly known as Nasi Azmi Jalan Sultanah. Sungai Penchala is their first branch and they are opening another branch in 2 weeks at Mutiara Damansara. The Daging Masak Merah Loqstaq adds to the wonders of Sungai Penchala list of delicious affordable food alongside Sambal Hijau, Ewa, 123 corner,  Muhibbah as well as dozens of others.

During the labour day weekend, after a get together with my senior COBC bootcamp instructors, Corporal Wong (in purple tee, cover picture above) suggested we should try the Daging merah loqstaq which he gave a two thumbs and two toes up!! We could not resists. Corporal Amir and Sarge Chun had never tried it too and was eager to taste it. Sarge Suresh whom had it with Wong once before, attested to the delicious meal.

The stall is open at 11am every day and we arrived sharp at the opening hour. There weren't so many people when we arrive (thank god) and we ordered our meal. The stall served two meal set, daging masak merah and ayam masak merah. All of us red meat carnivors had the beef. Each meal cost us RM6.50 per set with a free flow water. There were 4 types of water served (including H20).

GOOD NEWS FOR PROTON DEALERS NETWORK

Dato' Muhammad Ibrahim appointment as the Central Bank Governor is a positive news to Proton Eco system. When he was the Assistant Governor, we had a few fruitful engagements in particular on the slow approval period averaging more than 7 days by Banks for Proton buyer's hire purchase loan application which Mohammad Ibrahim personally find it unacceptable. Other past engagement we had with Dato Muhammad Ibrahim includes those period when Banks uniformly charged higher interest rate on Proton car buyer compared to those interest rate charged on non-national cars and when there were cases of discriminating treatment on Proton car buyer's loan application compared to non-national car buyers.

We lauded and look forward to further engagement with the new Governor. There are various policies that can further improve our ecosystem, that is totally dependent on support from Banks for car buyers end-financing.

PROTON EDAR DEALERS CONFERENCE 2016: REFORMASI

Dato Ahmad Fuaad Kenali leading his team for a dialogue and Q&A forum with the dealers. 

These has been missing over the past many years.

23 April 2016. PUTRAJAYA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE. PROTON EDAR held its annual dealers convention for all its 4S / 3S / 1S + 2S dealers nationwide including Sabah and Sarawak. The registration starts as early as 730am. At 830am Dato Ahmad Fuaad Kenali, Dato Radzaif Mohamed, Rohimee Shafei, the board of directors and Proton Edar management was at the door to greet and welcome all the dealers into the hall.

The conference started at 845am sharp, have to give it a thumbs up for event punctuality. The Emcee took the floor and we started with a doa selamat followed by a welcoming speech by Rohimee Shafei, the new Proton Edar Chief Executive Officer. After Rohimee's speech, the much awaited Dato Fuaad Proton Holding Chief Executive Officer began his speech. 

Dato Ahmad Fuaad's speech was well structured, organised and eloquently delivered portraying his professionalism and a person of details. He put a good word for YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir thanking Tun for all his contributions and and his appreciation for former Proton Edar Chief Executive Officer Norzahid Zahudi. Most importantly, he acknowledges and assured PEDA's issues and requests will be accommodated and plead for all dealers to be united and champion a common goal. This was the second engagement we had with Dato Ahmad Fuaad. The first engagement was barely two weeks ago and he did leave quite a good impression. We know we are in good hands.

The dealers conference took the whole day from 8am and ends at 10pm. Part of the program was the viewing of the new Perdana, Persona and Proton Saga. I fell in love with all the cars. Have it my way, I would want to own all of it. These new models were built to be faster in 0-100 acceleration, cheaper cost of ownership in term of both fuel consumption and pricing and last but not least a more awesome design. 

CRADLE TV FIRST BUSINESS TALK SHOW

I was invited by Amir Afif Azmi, the creative producer for Cradle TV to participate in a business talk show called the Start it up ala Jimmy Fallon. Cradle TV is an online video platform that records seminars, talks, event and news on technology. The Start It Up business talk show will be the first business talk show series in Cralde TV with 13 episodes. I am on the 11th episode.  The talk comprised of 2 segments with the first being a casual and a fun short interview followed by a game show. 

The only game I have played my whole life was the board game monopoly & scrabble (and chess as well as the malay board game called 'dam haji'). I am not too fond of this game but heck, of course I will try. What is better than to try out new things. The downside for losing, the loser will be showered with bubble foam recorded on TV.  The host, Razif Hashim was the only person I knew (or probably in Malaysia) that actually graduated with a degree in Acting. No doubt he was very natural, funny and hilarious.

The other participant on episode 11 with me was Jazz Tan from YouthsToday.com. Youthstoday.com is a platform that connects over 40,000 youth events with corporate brands reaching out to millions of youth across the world. For corporate companies or businesses that wants to reach out to the youth, you can contact youthstoday.com.

IT IS MORE THAN FITNESS AND HEALTH

If we can measure health and fitness in monetary term, many people would be in overdraft or in great debts. Yes, that is how we had neglected our health. Likewise, there are these bunch of people whom are multi-millionaires (in health and fitness) having consistently workout for years at the Chief's Original Bootcamp. 

To make sure everyone is in the right path and direction, COBC organized a quarterly get together with recruits and the first partyfor this year 2016 was held at the Chef & Brew on 17 April 2016. This event was originally organised on a monthly basis the soonest we completed our 1 month of training. Heck.. in those days, not many can survive the whole month consistently without missing a session and that calls for a celebration (Actually we just want to party) but as time passesby, 80% of recruits every monthh are returning recruits and the one month of consistent training felt abit too easy. So we started celebrating it every quarter. We deserves to party after being discipline and consistent with our training.

This party too was organised so recruits can get up close and personal with COBC trainers from other platoons, acquainted with recruits from other platoons and as well as get to know those behind the scene, COBC admins. There are in total 10 platoons in total.

It was great to see Anna Chai, Danny, Surani and others whom has been working out at the Chief's Original Bootcamp as early as its inception in 2010. There were a few recruits whom had just join the bootcamp less than a month and I do hope you all were inspired to hear the success stories of the otais. Success is in term of discipline, weight lost, fat lost and as well as athletic performance. The oldest recruit in our bootcamp network are in their 60s and the youngest recruit is 17 years old. Todate, we have trained more than 9,000 recruits and majority of them are now avid runners, marathoners, ultramarathoners, cyclists and as well as triathletes.

Everyone shared their experience and journey towards a better health and fitness. At the Chief's Original Bootcamp, it is not always about health and fitness, it is all about friendship and a strong support community.

PEDA FIRST ENGAGEMENT WITH NEW PROTON CHIEFTAINS

 Proton Edar Centre of Excellent 15 April 2016

15 April 2016. Proton Edar Dealers Association Malaysia (PEDA) had our first engagement with the new Chieftains of Proton. The meeting was chaired by Proton Holdings Berhad Chief Executive Officer Dato Ahmad Fuaad Kenali, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Dato Radzaif Mohamed, Proton Edar Chief Executive Officer Rohimee Shafie, heads from manufacturing and Proton Edar new heads of departments reappointed after some internal restructuring.

The meeting was held at Proton Edar Centre of Excellence in Shah Alam at 3pm. PEDA met for a short pre-council meeting at 2pm shortly before the scheduled engagement while the Chieftains received visits from the Minister of International Trade & Industry, Dato Sri Mustapa Mohamad whom was accompanied by Dato Sri Idris Jala, Dato Sri Wahid Omar together with other officials from the Ministry. 

It was heart warming to see all the important stakeholders at Proton but we could not help but to miss Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad whom was always at Proton the whole day for at least 3 times a week during his tenure as the Chairman.

The engagement was held at the Board room and PEDA committee took our seat at the same spot where we were always seated for more than a decade. Tuan Haji Razak Aziz, PEDA Vice President was right to highlight our corner of the table were seated by the same people, same dealer while the chair and those in the opposite table kept changing.

We cant really speak on the details of our engagement but we can share our first impression of the new management. All the new Chief were humble and seek to understand the network's predicament. A trait which is scarce of late but a few in the board room were still on a defensive mode. A few of inherited policies were immediately reverse to enable dealers to began maximizing their sales (thumbs up).  Dato Ahmad Fuaad was pro-actively taking notes with his thin red Lenovo notebook while others were armed with papers and pens. Coffee was served with popiah, curry puff and a kueh.
 .

KERETA PROTON TETAP MENDAPAT SAMBUTAN

 Utusan Malaysia 12/04/2016

KUALA LUMPUR 11 April - Persatuan Pengedar Proton Edar (PEDA) berkata, sambutan orang ramai terhadap kereta-kereta Proton adalah masih tinggi, dengan setiap pengedar mempunyai sekurang-kurangnya 50 Surat Akujanji (LOU) daripada bank-bank untuk pembeli kereta.

“Jualan kereta Proton sebenar­nya masih laris. Model Iriz, Preve, Exora dan Persona terutamanya, masih menjadi pilihan ramai walaupun Proton diselubungi isu negatif pada masa ini,’’ kata Presidennya, Armin Barniaz Pahamin kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Malah kata beliau, jualan dijangka rancak dengan pelancaran tiga lagi model baharu Proton termasuk Proton Perdana yang gambarnya sudah tersebar meluas di dalam Internet.

Bagaimanapun ujar beliau, pihaknya berdepan masalah iaitu bekalan kereta yang rendah dan polisi dalaman yang pelbagai sehingga mengakibatkan jualan kereta terbantut.

“Jualan kereta semakin teruk disebabkan oleh tiga perkara iaitu da­sar-dasar Proton Edar yang lebih ketat telah membantutkan usaha pe­ngedar untuk menjual kereta; bekalan ke­reta yang per­lahan dan tidak ada bekal­an tepat iaitu model atau warna yang dipilih pembeli,’’ ujarnya.

Semasa zaman kegemilangan Proton katanya, pengurus dan pengurus besar boleh membuat keputusan yang membabitkan jualan kereta asalkan jualan laris.

“Keputusan boleh dibuat semasa mesyuarat PEDA dengan pengurusan tengah. Sekarang GM dan CEO pun tidak ada kuasa. Kena jawatankuasa yang bersidang mungkin sekali sebulan yang putuskan. Apabila jawatankuasa bersidang, dan telah mendapat kelulusan, pasaran telah pun dah berubah,’’ katanya.

LOTUS AND MV AGUSTA WAS NOT A MISTAKE.

Image from Malaysia-Chronicle

I read with interest Mohd Khairil Azman posting in FMT at HERE that had gone viral and I made references in this article to his 3 questions but first let us go back to the fundamental of the national car project.

It is interesting to observe how Malaysia national car projects had evolved from first the Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Berhad, PROTON in the early 1980s and then Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Berhad (Perodua) in 1992. Both national car projects were mandated to achieve 1 clear objective; to be able to design, develop and produce our own car as part of our industrialization program to achieve the vision 2020.

Proton's journey has always been in that direction, Perodua which was also Tun Mahathir's project that was approved by cabinet in 1992 was given the same mandate as Proton. This was clearly stated in Tun Mahathir's speech as the Prime Minister then, when he launched Perodua manufacturing plant in Rawang; 2 years after the cabinet approves the 2nd national car project. Tun Mahathir's speech can be read at HERE.

With both Proton and Perodua non-competing in different category, there were sufficient sales volume for both companies to slowly acquire technology and engineering capability to achieve the government's vision and objective. With the proceeds received from those sales, Proton reinvested by acquiring technology through Lotus and MV Augusta and build its RM1.8 billion Tanjung Malim plant.

Proton acquired Lotus in October 1996, a year before we were hit with the worst recession in 1997 which halted whatever plan Proton had for Lotus. When the economy recovers, Lotus engineering has been part of Proton cars ride & handling but not many had driven the lotus to actually feel it in Proton. The Lotus engineering too is the catalyst behind the new engine nicknamed Volcano that was recently launched in January this year. (More information at HERE). Lotus was acquired for its engineering capabilities as well as support and it has contributed to the development of Proton cars. Whether Proton did have a turn around plan for Lotus cars itself remain unknown when the architect of its acquisition, Tan Sri Yahya Ahmad died of helicopter crash (more information at HERE).

LOOKING FOR A CAR WORKSHOP? This Local App Will Find One That Won't Overcharge You

This article was first published at Says.com by John Lim (On behalf of CarBengkel team, thank you John & Says.com)

Looking for a reliable car workshop is not an easy feat in Malaysia. Many car workshops are known for overcharging and providing poor quality parts.

 Image via Auto World

Remember the last time you were overcharged for a repair? Yeah, me too.

The good news is you don't have to fret anymore! Car Bengkel, a local app set up in collaboration with the Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI), aims to help motorists survive this ultimate road challenge.

KHAZANAH NASIONAL TO BE BLAMED FOR PROTON'S DOWNFALL

Dato' Abdul Rahman Dahlan said in an article posted by the Star, (an extract of which, was posted at the bottom), that Dr M must answer for Proton's colossal failure; I feel the need to clarify.

1. Proton was the no 1 car maker when Tun Mahathir was the Prime Minister. 

2. Proton went downhill under Tun Abdullah Badawi premiership whom was also the Minister of Finance, the holding company of Khazanah Nasional whom was at that time, the biggest shareholder of Proton Holdings Berhad. Dato Mohammed Azlan Hashim was appointed by Khazanah Nasional as Proton Chairman and was tasked to remove Tengku Mahaleel as Proton Managing Director.
3. Dato Mohammed Azlan Hashim succeeded in removing Tengku Mahaleel when his predecessor, also a Khazanah Nasional appointee Dato Abu Hasan Kendut had failed. When Tengku Mahaleel was removed, he left Proton with RM4b in cash reserves.

4. Proton lost to Perodua as the number 1 car maker under Dato Mohammed Azlan Hashim when Khazanah Nasional was the biggest shareholder and in control of Proton.

5. Khazanah Nasional, via Dato Mohammed Azlan Hashim had reversed Tengku Mahaleel's decision to terminate EON as Proton distributor when EON refused to contribute to the R&D funds requested by Proton after the government stopped giving R&D grants for proton development. 

6. This resulted in a sales network with more than 400 dealers representation in Malaysia. This was the most destructive decision that weakens the once a strong dealership network and the start of a series of catastrophe.

SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT BAIL OUT PROTON?

Proton Edar Sdn Bhd (PESB) has appointed 52 years old Rohimee Shafie as its 11th Chief Executive Officer. Most of Proton Edar Dealers Association Malaysia (PEDA) committee members have been around since the first Proton Edar Sdn Bhd (formerly known as USPD) Chief Executive Officer, Dato Rashid Rahim. As PEDA President, I have served under 6 of the former 10 CEOs and have served all 10 CEOs as PEDA committee member, Vice-President and Deputy President. We have also been under former Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton) Managing Director Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel, Proton Joint COO Dato Kisai Rahmat & Dato Kamarulzaman Darus, Proton MD Dato Sri Syed Zainal Abidin, Proton CEO Datuk Lukman Ibrahim and Dato Harith Abdullah. PEDA welcomes and look forward to work closely with Dato Ahmad Fuaad as the new Proton CEO.

We have seen various policies that destroys the dealers network and policies that really improved our total sales. Unfortunately, everytime a new CEO was appointed, we have to start the same bad and the good policies all over again. Ironically, arrogance and ego took the best of any newly appointed. Despite the promises made by Tan Sri Khamil Jamil when DRB-Hicom first bought over Proton, to be dealercentric, in reality Proton & PESB Management took the dealers network (except for a few favorite dealers with special treatment), akin of a thorn in a bed of roses. With plummeting sales (up to the point where dealers can hardly break even), stricter parameters were introduced restricting further dealers whom are hungry for business, to do sales.

Since DRB-Hicom took over Proton in 2012, Proton car sales has been downhill from a total sales of 141,120 in 2012, 138,753 in 2013, 115,782 in 2014 and last year 2015, Proton hit its lowest sales record of only 102,175.

Personally, I don't think DRB-Hicom management style works at Proton. There is no empowerment and decisions took longer than in the past. Reaction and responses to market sentiment is poor and do not get me started on the production deliverables of cars to be delivered to Proton car buyer. The mismatching of customers order to manufacturing production worsens on the backdrop of non-availability of cars for the dealers to sell. The communication channel from top management to the middle management and to the dealers were distorted. Whatever that was resolved and discussed between PEDA and top management was not properly minuted and communicated to middle management as well as the dealers network. With an already over congested dealers network, the addition of 29 Suzuki dealers adds on alot more burden.