Friday, October 30, 2009

Google Maps Navigation: To Get A GPS Device Or Not?

Is Google Maps Navigation a satnav killer?

The news that Google is releasing free satnav software for Android handsets that will provide Street View images and turn-by-turn directions has sent the likes of TomTom and Garmin into a spin.

...
Google has just announced that its new Android 2.0 operating system will support Google Maps Navigation, a new tool, based on Google's existing road maps platform, that will provide turn-by-turn directions, automatic re-routing and 3D street-level views. In short, pretty much everything your satnav can do, but without the need to worry about an extra bit of kit when you load up the car.
...


Source http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/6462074/Is-Google-Maps-Navigation-a-satnav-killer.html


Related links
Google Android 2.0 'turns mobile phones in to sat navs'
Google Maps Navigation (Beta)

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Malaysia Budget 2010 : PriceWaterhouseCoopers Q&A

PriceWaterhouseCoopers answers some Malaysian Budget 2010 related questions.

Study on impact of GST

Sunday October 25, 2009
Source http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/25/focus/4971006&sec=focus

Understanding tax exemptions
Monday October 26, 2009
Source http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/26/business/4975646&sec=business.

Where Is Louis Pang's Website?

I entered Louis Pang's site address http://www.louispang.com and this is what I got.... kena hack?

Malaysia Budget 2010

Budget 2010: "1Malaysia, Together We Prosper
Friday October 23, 2009

Budget 2010 that would impact me directly or indirectly...

. Taxpayers will get tax relief on broadband subscription fee of up to RM500 from 2010 to 2012.

. Tax of 5% to be imposed on gains from the disposal of real property from Jan 1, 2010. Existing tax exemption will be retained for gifts between parent-child, husband-wife, grandparent-grandchild.

. To promote prudent spending, a service charge of RM50 a year to be imposed on each principal credit card and charge card; and RM25 a year on each supplementary card, effective from Jan 1, 2010.

. To ensure that fuel subsidies only benefit targeted groups, Govt will implement a fuel subsidy management system in early 2010, which will utilise the MyKad.

. The maximum income tax rate for individuals to be reduced to 26% from assessment year 2010. Personal relief increased to RM9,000.

To promote house ownership, Govt will launch a scheme that enables EPF contributors to utilise current and future savings in Account 2.

. Employees' EPF contribution to be increased to 11% again, on a voluntary basis, effective immediately. However, from Jan 1, 2011 employees' EPF contribution will revert to 11%.

. Personal relief for EPF and life insurance schemes to be increased to RM7,000.


The 2010 Budget Speech (pdf file) http://thestar.com.my/budget/budget10.pdf
List of Appendices (pdf file) http://thestar.com.my/budget/attachment10.pdf

Source http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/23/budget2010/20091023161104&sec=budget2010



PricewaterhouseCoopers answers some Budget 2010 related questions.

Study on impact of GST

Sunday October 25, 2009
Source http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/25/focus/4971006&sec=focus

Understanding tax exemptions
Monday October 26, 2009
Source http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/26/business/4975646&sec=business.

Real property gains tax and green tech incentives
Tuesday October 27, 2009
Source http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/27/business/4979771&sec=business.

Monday, October 26, 2009

MACC 1st EGM @ PJLA, Jaya One

Malaysia Got Talent... Got meh?

Yes got. I was privileged to have caught the MACC 1st EGM yesterday afternoon at PJLA Theatre. I was dead tired, but die die must go watch.

Sorry no pictures cause no cameras and recording equipment was allowed.



M.A.C.C. 1st EGM - Malaysian Association of Chinese Comedians 1st Easy Going Meeting.

This comedy act features Douglas Lim, Kuah Jenhan and Phoon Chi Ho. Unfortunately Chi Ho was down with Chicken Pox and was kind enough not to show up and spread it to the paying audiences.

Douglas looked familiar but I could not recall where I have seen him before, until he mentioned he was Steven the hairstylist in Kopitiam.

Both Douglas and Jenhan brought the full-house down yesterday. Doublas gave the crowd an additional 10 minutes of laughter since Chi Ho was absence from the EGM.

The jokes were very hilarious, best man.... and it was really funny as it was related to recent Malaysian news and happenings.

Near the end of the show, Douglas gave a touching tribute to his late-grandfather and shared a funny experience Douglas had with him.

Well Douglas, for someone tired who could nod off during an action filled movie, no I did not nod off during the show yesterday, I give you and the show two thumbs up. If I had more thumbs, I would give you more. This is so far the best live comedy performance I have seen.


*Picture from http://eatourbrains.com

For more information about MACC, go to PJLA website.

MACC @ PJLA http://pjla.com.my/index.php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=13045&Itemid=72&year=2009&month=10&day=17&uid=b0b331f280b82531333f31bb1ea92e21&catids=41|43|42 .

The Star : (Malaysia)Government losses can reach RM28bil a year

If this was The Apprentice, Donald Trump would tell the BN government.. You're fired!

We tax payers are like the shareholders of a company called Malaysia. And the Malaysian shareholders are not happy with the way things are run in this company. Can the CEO of Malaysia care to explain?


Government losses can reach RM28bil a year – or more due to overpayment
Monday October 26, 2009

The Government could be losing billions of ringgit every year through excessive payments for contracts and procurements for a wide range of things ranging from water tunnels to IT contracts and purchase of computers....


Source http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/26/starprobe/4959984&sec=starprobe

Friday, October 23, 2009

Phasing Out RON 97 at Shell Section 17

I saw this notice at Shell petrol station in section 17 (Jalan 17/22) this morning. The demand for RON95 is more than RON97 at this station and they will gradually phase out RON97.


*Picture taken with SE K800oi.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

The Comedy Club Kuala Lumpur @ PJ Life Art, (PJLA) Jaya One

The Comedy Club Kuala Lumpur was held last night (21st October 2009) at PJLA, Lightbox Theatre in Jaya One.




This is the first time I am watching a live stand-up comedy performance. It was hilarious. This is a adult comedy, so no children allowed.

The comedians, international lineup...

Papi Zak (Malaysia).
Poked fun at the different Malaysian races.


David Smiedt (South Africa)
I like this act. David interacted with the audiences and made fun of them too, really funny.


Jeff Green (UK)


... and the hose... I mean host, Steve Northcott (Canada).


The 22nd and 23rd October shows will be held at Zouk Kuala Lumpur.

For more information goto the following websites...



Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Family: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

My family and I watched Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs last Saturday.



It was a fun family movie. The kids enjoyed it.

It would be scary to see food drop from the sky. Imagine getting knock on the head with lets say durian. The mess and smell once the food starts rotting would be urgghhh. I wouldn't eat food that has dropped on the ground... "Didn't your mother tell you not to eat food which has dropped on the floor?".

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Touch & Go Rebate

I received my Touch & Go rebate last Friday. Yup, I use the TnG to pay toll more than 80 times in a month.



Since I was on my way to Kajang, I just stopped by the Kajang PLUS Touch 'n Go Sales centre. I said I wanted my TnG rebate, and it was easy as touch and go. I got back around RM15, not much but better than nothing.

For more information on the 20% toll rebate for 80 transactions and more monthly, go to https://privilege.touchngo.com.my/

Monday, October 19, 2009

Malaysia Day A Public Holiday

Malaysia Day now a public holiday. says PM
Monday October 19, 2009

Beginning next year, Sept 16, which is Malaysia Day has been declared a public holiday...

Source http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/19/nation/20091019103509&sec=nation

In The News: PJLA MACC 1st EGM



It's a laugh, the MACC EGM
2009/10/18

HELLO, all you Ah Bengs, Ah Chongs and Ah Chais out there, the much-awaited MACC EGM, contrary to reports in the mainstream and downstream media and unbridled rumours, is scheduled to be held today.

Seriously, let me put this on record. The MACC is most certainly not the MCA, okay, and also not the anti-corruption bunch — two organisations that have been in the limelight of late.
What a laugh.

This MACC is the Malaysian Association of Chinese Comedians.
The MACC’s first EGM (Easy Going Meeting) is to discuss the fate of president Douglas Lim’s “intern”, Phoon Chi Ho, and the “sacked - but - pending - appeal” member Kuah Jenhan.
...


Source http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20091018123201/Article/index_html

More information on PJLA website.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

In The News: PJ LIVE ARTS (PJLA)

Bringing the arts to the people
Thursday October 15, 2009

PJ LIVE ARTS (PJLA), one of Jaya One’s latest features, is touted to be a unique arts centre and theatre for the community....

Read report at http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/10/15/central/4873923&sec=central

Who's that behind, setting up the lights...

For a good cause: Crew members getting the set ready for PJ Live Art’s first production called Wacky Bar. The play is one of the activities featured in Passionately You, a cervical and breast cancer education and awareness campaign.
*Pictures from The Star Online

The crew, still have time for a drink...

Jolly good time: Choong (seated, left) sharing a light moment with the crew members of PJ Live Art’s first production called Wacky Bar.
*Pictures from The Star Online

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The Canticle Singers: Broadway Musical Two From Galilee

NST Entertainment: A Biblical love story
2009/10/06

Caleb (3rd from left) as Joseph in the play.
pix_topright
*Picture from NST.

Source http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20091006091441/Article/index_html

The Canticle Singers website http://thecanticlesingers.servehttp.com/

Free Starbucks Coffee

Saw this advert in the papers today. Free coffee from Starbucks on 7th October 2009 (today la) from 10am till 12pm (Terms & Conditions apply).


*Advert from The Sun.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

The Star: Wacky Bar




Picture from http://www.pjla.com.my

Positively wacky
PJ LIVE Arts Theatre will be staging Wacky Bar, an interesting comedy set in a bar where people unwind and reveal their innermost feelings through various conversations.

The play is part of a fundraising activity for Passionately YOU, whose objective is to increase awareness of cervical and breast cancer and to support cancer victims.

The play, written by Maya Tan Abdullah and directed by Joanna Bessey, is filled with oddball characters, depicting funny encounters
....

Source http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/1/soundnstage/4805244&sec=soundnstage

PJLA Wacky Bar website



News update
The Star: Celebrities part of run to raise cancer awareness