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.
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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.

MAI-CARBENGKEL INTRODUCE YOUR FAVOURITE WORKSHOP CAMPAIGN

CYBERJAYA, 18 JANUARY 2016. “The campaign was launched to recognize trusted workshops in Malaysia as part of MAI’s effort to modernize and improve the services in the automotive aftermarket sector”, said Dato Mohamad Madani Sahari, Malaysia Automotive Institute Chief Executive Officer.  “There are RM5,000 prizes to be won by the public and as well as the car workhops.

1)            The Grand cash prize RM1,000 will be awarded to the public that successfully introduced the most workshops. The first runner-up will win Cash Prize RM500 and 2^nd Runner up cash prize RM300.

2)            The public that shared his/her selfie infront of the referred workshops on either Facebook or Instagram with a hashtag: #carbengkelworkshop and have the most like will win cash prize RM300 each (Facebook and Instagram), RM200 for 1^st runner-up and RM100 for 2^nd Runner up.

3)            Workshop that is referred the most on facebook and Instagram will win RM1,000 advertising credit on CarBengkel.

4)            There are many drivers in Malaysia with their own trusted mechanics and workshops and there are more drivers, mostly ladies whom are completely ignorant on where to bring their car for service or repair. With this campaign, we can enroll more trusted workshops in addition to the the 2,800 workshops that had already registered with CarBengkel mobile application for the benefits of other drivers.

5)            There are 15,000 car workshops registered with local authorities nationwide servicing more than 23 million vehicles on the road.

6)            Public can introduce any car workshop, tyre outlets, accessories shop as well as tow truck.

7)            All workshops introduced will received a sponsored CarBengkel training on how to increase traffic & profit and a credit worth RM1,000 for advertisement on CarBengkel.

8)            Public can also refer any OEM authorized workshop such as Proton, Perodua, Toyota, Honda, Nissan or any other OEM authorised workshops to cater to more than 2million cars on the road that is still under the manufacturer’s warranty.

9)            This campaign is launched in conjunction with the forthcoming Chinese New Year festive season as we expect many will visit the workshop for their car maintenance and repair before going on holiday. This is the best time for the public to refer the respective workshops.

10)         CarBengkel mobile application provides a more convenient way to service, repair and/or obtained a cost estimate for any repair or spare parts. This will enable the public to save time, reduce expenses for car maintenance and have a better experience dealing with mechanics and workshops.

11)         In 2015, CarBengkel won the prestigious VISA Retail Innovation Award in December, selected as Top 7 best startup at the SME Innovation Challenge and won Top 5 best at the Echelon Thailand.

12)         Expenses for car maintenance are never budgeted by any household unlike housing and car loan and can be a big burden to the public.

13)       Public only need to download CarBengkel App which is available in three languages (Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin) and is compatible on both Andriod and iOS handphones and introduce their favourite workshop by tapping on referral button in the app.

14)         The workshop will then receive an SMS with a link to download. The workshop needs to tap on the download link and follow a simple step by step guide to register. Once the workshop had registered, the referral will get a point.

15)         Those with the most points for successfully referring the most car workshop, tyre outlets, accessories shop or tow truck combined, will win RM1,000 cash reward.