Malaysian Budget 2009: Basket of goodies that may make a difference for Me!

1. 1% cut for middle income group in tax from 13% to 12% . 2. Tax rebate from RM350 to RM400 for taxable income of RM35K . 3. Tax exemption of income savings. 4. Tax exemption on employee benefits. 5. diesel vehicle similar to petrol road tax. 6. Road tax for public transport cut to RM20 7. toll reduction for public transport . 8. scrapped / reduce inport duty on certain food stuffs like beehoo... 9. reduce import duties on certain electrical goods 10. scrapped duties of solar photovoltaic system equipments & high efficiency motors 11. scrapped duties on local made solar heating systems 12. exemption on duties for hybird cars . . . . . .. . . . . . .the above items are those that may affect me and help . . 1. reduce cost of living . . . . 2. may increase my take home pay . . . . .3. improve public transport . . . . 4. reduce power bill . . . . 5. fuel efficient car. . . . it will all depends on the manufacturers, the retail shops, service suppliers, and so on, if they will adjust their price or for my employee to pay me more and if i can afford to puy this energy efficient items and so on. on the whole its a big basket of goodies..... just that how will it tickle down and help, we will have to see.

Your blog, malaysiansnapshots.blogspot.com, is worth $85,245.54

My blog is worth $85,245.54.
How much is your blog worth?

. . . . Any one what to buy?, no need in American Dollar, Ringgit Malaysia good enough. :-)

Crazy Idea, How to make money from the Petrol rebate!

A group of us were just lepaking, and "discussing" the Petrol Price increase over teh tarik at the mamak, when some one came up with this crazy idea.

Invest in old cars below 2kcc which many are below RM5K now (12 years +), just park it at home, do not use it, and pay the road tax, and just the minimum insurance, and claim the RM625 per year rebate. You will get better returns then the bank intreast, or speculating in the share market for your "capital" outlay!

LOL, ;-) any one have a old cheep car to sell?. Or are there conditions to the Rebate to prevent this thing from happening?

Scam? and Data Mining!

look like one of my e mail, have been hit by people doing data mining.

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They send e mail with notice of you winning lots of money and wants to know every thing about you, all your personal data etc.

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After that, they will start their scam, they will say in order for them to send the money, you must show proff as such must send money to them to release the big amout to you. When you send the first lot of money they will want more and more.

Fund Raising, Wesak Day and others

During my visit to Wesak Celebration at the Malaysian Buddhist Association, (Penang) at Burma Road and the Siamese Temple at Perak Road, i form a opinion, which was reinforce just a few days later.

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Why use school going kids to collect or raise funds? Are we trying to teach these children that begging works?

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On Wesak day, At the Malaysian Buddhist Association, (penang) at burma road, just as you enter the gates, you will be hit by a bunch of school kids in uniform asking for donations, as you walk further inside there are disable people on wheel chairs or even on the floor, then the "official" collectors for the various fund, in all it seems o me that there is around 200 or more person just to collect funds at this venue. What a contrast at the Siamese Temple at Perak Road, I saw one beggar, that all.

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A few days later, my kid came home with a request, "teacher say, we need to give money for the Myanmar people." My reply "Daddy already given", My wife later pass her RM1.

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What type of message are we trying to send to our children? That it is ok to go around begging for money?

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All those fund raising especially at the complexes, selling items etc? Not for me, I give directly to the source, that way i know that at least 50% of the fund i give goes to the people that really deserve it, not to some administrative fee or some other fee.

ATM & New RM50 Notes

What with our new malaysian RM50 note, ATM does not recognise them, and that has been going on for 3 months. The above photo is a explanation by City Bank that the New RM50 cannot be use for their Deposit Machine.

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Now if it is only one month after the new note is introduce, i can understand, but this is already 1/4 of the year, What up? Banks in Malaysia does not live up to the expectations. What it one has only the new notes, so we cant pay, but if we cannot pay the bank will penalise us right? I prefer bank with teller, not machines, we are human beings.

Torn Flags

I hate the sight of torn flags being flown. In general, we put up flags to show our loyalty, our respect, to instill loyalty. Torn Flags show disrespect, It is a disgrace. I feel that those who put up flags must be responsible enough to take them down when the flags show sign of ware. For me Flags must be taken down at dusk and place up at Dawn, at least in place where I was the manager in charge.

Photo of a Dragon Fruit Orchard

Photo of a Dragon Fruit Orchard, Some where in Seberang Prai Selatan

The Ruckus have Started again.

I got a rude shock this morning when I when on line.

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As per NST online,

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Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, who was dropped from the Cabinet, has resigned his position as Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general.

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Datuk Anifah Aman sprang a surprise tonight by turning down his appointment as Deputy Transport Minister.

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Two deputy ministers -- Datuk Seri Tengku Azlan Abu Bakar and Datuk Anifah Aman -- have thrown a tantrum and declined to take up their appointments, claiming they are "senior enough" to be made full ministers.

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What Childish Behavior, Not Selected, resign party post , Selected but not given full post, decline, Hoi! Who do you think you are. That just shows, that the party they represent is full of Childish Persons! What important is their own needs and whats, Not the Country and Rakyat. It the PM prerogative to select you for which ever position. Appointment to Cabinet to be a Minister or a Deputy Minister is not a Reward, it is National Service of the Highest Order!

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PM, just chuck them out will you, re select those who really what to work!

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And further to that

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Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who was dropped from the cabinet yesterday, found herself "back" in the administration hours later. As advisor!

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That nice, I understand that it has all the perks of a minister but none of the responsibility, I want that too.

Election Photo, March 8th 2008

Was checking through my handphone camera memory, and i found these pictures taken on the election day.

Dap Flying High! Polling Station, Batu Ferrighi, Penang

Polling Station, Sek Tg Bungah, Penang

Penang News : - Opposition Party, Opposition Reps & GLC Company Sulks

Read a report in the Star / NST (14th & 15th March 2008), that

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. 1) the 11 Opposition Reps will call the Federal Government to scrape all the Mega Projects Plan for Penang as the Rakyat have chosen no development as they have voted other parties in.

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2) the Penang Port Sdn Bhd, is suffering losses of RM14M a year, and wants the Federal Government to.

a. Transfer the Ferry Services to the State Government to bear the loss.

b. Increase Price of the Ferry Services to reduce the loss.

c. Close Down the Ferry Services.

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3) Pro NEP, Demonstration by 1000 persons at Komtar.

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Snapshots wonder; 1) Does voting for other parties by some of the Penangites means that the entire Penang, including those who voted for you, and did not vote at all, do not want any Development? Do you want to deprive those that voted for you as well. Kindly Refer to our PM, Your Party Chief, and State Chief, He said otherwise last night on National TV.

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2) How did you guys a Private Company under the Finance Ministry get the contract to Run the Entire Port, its there some thing involve in like the understanding of running the Ferry Services? Or are you guys thinking of giving up the entire port operation or just the Ferry Services Only? By the Way, who use the ferry? Who runs business around the Ferry? Where is the Railway Located?

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3) Did the Demonstration have a Permit? Don’t you guys know the law?

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Snapshots think .

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1) I think The People voted for a no corruption, better transparency, caring, meritocracy, malaysian government in the state, As the PM him self have stated, in NST 15th March 2008.

2) The Penang Ferry, (an Icon of Penang, Just like Komtar) is part and parcel of Penang Port from ages ago. You have been appointed to run Penang Port take the good with the bad. Don’t be like one airline, which accepted a responsibility and then after a while ran out.

3) Oh the law is meant for the other parties only, Sorry! Snapshots Conclude:

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All this remind me of my children sulks, (merajuk) when they don’t get their way. They scream, shout, cry etc, that no way for any reasonable adults to act and behave.

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Either way you guys have done us the rakyat a great favor, Now we know how you want! .

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Mean while In Perlis and in Terengganu the cat fight continues on who is to be their MB, It’s a circus, and it’s all in a single party, Not like Perak and Selangor which involve 3 separate parties.

What the Latest News in Perlis!

After the Elections (08), First, we had problems in Perak and Selangor, with the Loose Coalition of DAP-Keadilan-PAS, now we have trouble up in Perlis. Among The Last BN held State to announce and swear in their MB.

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In the NST today,

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"The Raja Perlis has consented to the appointment of Bintong assemblyman Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu as the new Menteri Besar of Perlis, replacing the embattled Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim"

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and After that.

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"PERLIS MB SAGA: Shahidan insists he has PM's mandate to be MB, rebukes successor "

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look like BN and even the BN top party is just like DAP-Keadilan-Pas grouping. Fighting over positions. (worst for them, having been in power for so long, should be united by now)

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I thought That the Circus have gone home, but it is still here in Town, and look like it will be here for a much longer time. Even our PM has been call to step down, together with MCA and MIC president among others.

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Poor Tan Sri Koh, He wants to step down, but it seems that Gerakan want him around for a longer time. I respect Tan Sri Koh, he a real gentleman, a very rare breed. May be that why Gerakan want him.

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Update: Just in from NST on line.

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"KUALA TERENGGANU: Umno is still undecided as to who should become Mentri Besar after Datuk Idris Jusoh seemed unable to garner support to continue with his stewardship."

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Say, What going on? I think it's getting worst. Winds of Change indeed!!

In Penang Some People are saying

I am hearing very funny things from all arond in Penang that with our new gomen that the following is going to happen as a reward, That this has been promise. Some of it also have came out in a chinese paper. Most of it is via SMS or People are talking about it.

. 1. No More / Reduce Penang Bridge Toll. . 2. No More / Reduce Sg Nyor Toll. . 3. No More Water Bill. . 4. Reduce Petrol Price in 5 States. . 5. RM600 bonus for Gomen Workers in Penang .

6. No More Charges for Penang Ferry

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. ????????!!!!!!!!! What the h@#%!

Latest News On Penang!

I went surfing on what Happening in Penang, Am Curious on the Policys that is to be inplemented, Not Much Details in Star and NST till i stumble on this at The China Post which carry much more details.

New Penang government announces economic reforms after election victory By EILEEN NG, AP, PENANG, Malaysia --

The new leader of Malaysia's Penang state announced major reversals in policy Tuesday, including open bidding for government contracts, after his opposition party won elections for the first time in four decades.

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Lim Guan Eng, sworn in for a five-year term as chief minister of the northern state Tuesday, also said his government will review a a 25 billion ringgit project to develop the city center of Penang island, which has raised concern among residents.

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Lim's opposition Democratic Action Party won control of Penang in Saturday's election, unseating the National Front coalition that had been in power since 1969, in one of the biggest electoral upsets in Malaysia's history.

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The reforms are part of the new government's "agenda for change to re-establish rule by the people," Lim said in a statement released soon after he took control of the state, the site of many multinational electronics companies such as Intel and Dell. Besides being the country's industrial heartland, the island of Penang is also known as its tourism jewel. .

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It is the first time the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party has come to power in any state in Malaysia, where 12 of its 13 states have always been under the National Front, a coalition dominated by the Malay-based party representing the country's majority ethnic Malay Muslims.

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Besides Penang, the National Front also lost in four other states to a three-party opposition coalition of which the DAP is a member. At the federal level, the National Front's traditional two-thirds majority in Parliament was reduced to a simple majority as the opposition alliance boosted its strength from 19 seats to 82 in the 222-member house.

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Lim said in a statement that his government will do away with the New Economic Policy, an affirmative action program for Malays, in awarding state contracts. .

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"We will run the government administration free from the New Economic Policy that breeds cronyism, corruption and systemic inefficiency," Lim said in the statement, which effectively pledges to turn upside down most of National Front policies. .

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"We will implement an open tender system for all government procurement and contracts," he said, referring to the practice of state contracts being awarded only to ethnic Malay-based companies in secret tenders.

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"We will also practice transparency by uploading information of such tender bids in an Internet portal to be set up in future for public access," he said. .

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In other reforms, Lim said all state government members and civil servants will be required to publicly declare their assets. .

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"This is a government that is based on democracy. This is also a government that believes in equal opportunity and social economic justice. We are here to build a dynamic Penang for all," he said.

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He said he will also seek to restore elections to appoint local government councils, which until now were appointed by the government. .

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Lim pledged to remain investor friendly and take steps to woo foreign investment that creates high paying jobs.

DAP's Penang pledge.

Penang pledge by DAP's 23 parliamentary and state candidates in the Penang Esplanade on Thursday, 6 Mac 2008:

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We, the DAP candidates for both state and parliamentary constituencies in Penang, make the following individual pledges if elected on the 8th March 2008:

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1) Uphold the Federal and Penang State Constitutions as the highest laws of the land and defend our nation's democracy at all times.

2) Adhere to the highest level of integrity in doing our job and to uphold the trust of the people placed in us as their elected representatives.

3) Abhor all types of abuse of power, corruption, racism, sexism, violence and crime.

4) Reinstate local government election to promote greater efficiency, accountability and transparency at the local government level.

5) Establish our respective service centre to provide community service to all our constituents without fear or favour.

6) Ably represent and speak up for the people in both state assembly and parliament on issues concerning their interests and needs.

7) Provide a credible check-and-balance in both state assembly and parliament to ensure people’s interests are put at the top priority and not political interests.

8) Champion for justice, fairness and equality for all regardless of race, gender, creed, status or belief. .

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Further we stress that both state and parliamentary candidates contest in this general elections and move forward as a team.

A DAP team that makes five additional pledges:-.

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1. We make a pledge that we will not submit to UMNO’s political dominance.

2. We make a pledge to move forward and make Penang dynamic again that is not dependent on BN or UMNO but on the will of the people.

3. We make a pledge to be fair and just, especially for the poor and disadvantaged regardless of race, creed, religion or gender.

4. We make a pledge to be your voice, your dreams, your hopes where the nation’s wealth must be shared, the diligent rewarded and those who do wrong and are corrupt be punished.

5. We make a pledge to make Penang a bastion of democracy, integrity and opportunity. .

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Penang voters have always shown their courage to seize the opportunity and lead Malaysia in both economic development and democratic reforms. Let us all join together and show that beneath our differences in race, religion and background we are one people intent on bringing about dynamic change for Penang. Let March 8 2008 be recorded in history as the people’s victory for a functioning democracy with checks and balances over the one-party state of BN and UMNO's political dominance.For a Dynamic Penang!

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As extracted from DAP Web Site.

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DAP You are now the New Penang Leaders and Government, Now that the shoe is on your feet. Last time you criticise and look for mistakes now you will be criticise. .

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As Tan Sri Koh say, let work together, and let get to work for a Better Penang. Dont forget your Pledge, and Do update us what you are doing, via your blogs or web etc. Take a look at the Penang Gov Web site, Who is the Chief Minister and who are the Exco also cannot find.

Ok, Circus is over.

Winds of Change? Nope its a Tsunami! Nation Wide, In Penang it's Firework's, it look like the people want a stronger voice in Parliment but not Voice the Cabinet? My analisis say that the People think that a stronger voice in Parliment, is better then a voice in the Cabinet.

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Overall, I have to say this, I think this election were loss or won during the last 4 years, not in the last 2 weeks.

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And to think 5 States have been loss by BN, Well......

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Any way now it's time to clear all the Road Decorations that have been put up , Get down to it.

New Bomba Boats in Action

Since the time blogger have place the enbed video tool in to their web site, I have always wanted to use it, but never did I find some video worth to be place. Well my search finaly Ended.

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A friend of a Friend got this Video Clip, around 7 mim in length, around 20.1mb and have kindly gave permission for me to use it, with the condition of placing his company name on this post. I agree as it will promote a promising malaysian company with a international product.

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So what so special about this clip? In response to the Floods in Johor in 06, The Malaysia Government have place a order for rescue boats (very shallow draft, but with good seagoing capabilities, high speed capeable for rapid transit, and robust) from a local company. The Clip is about the testing of this boats, with a actual real live fire fighting invloving this boats at a place call “Tanjong Lembong”.

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Test done on the boats, were, overload test, stability test, High speed test, tight turns, beaching, shallow water, durability etc during actual operations. This boats are made from aluminum.

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Those of you that are thinking of getting a boat for what ever purpose should look in to this boat which is multipurpose civilian use, (fishing), military use (assault boat) or as a rescue boat . If I am not mistaken each boat cost around RM50K and that is inclusive of a environmental and fuel friendly 60Hp engine, a trailer for you to move the boat around, safety equipment as well as the boat it self.

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. Further information contact, They will do local and foreign orders from a min of one boat. . . . ..

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En Kamarul Hisham (Company Owner and Designer) Baung Utara Sdn Bhd

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E mail At Baungutara@yahoo.com

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Handphone : 0194777891

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Office is in Alor Star, Tel : 604 - 731 8201, 731 8746 Fax : 604 - 730 4320

Nokia BH-320 Bluetooth Handfree ear phone

Some time in November, After much research and along wait i finally got my self a Bluetooth Handfree via lelong.com as a companion to my SE K750i hand phone.

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When i first started my research, at the handphone shops, the listed price for any bluetooth hands free is all above RM100+, which is a bit out of my budget. I then shifted to Lelong where i found out that there are those above RM100+ and those below RM100. Checking out the forum i found out that those below RM100 are call "Made in China" and give a lot of problems. Unfortunately for me Budget call for a below RM100. To cut the story short after a few fail bids on a large verity of Bluetooth Handfree i finally manage to get the Nokia BH-320, for RM60 plus postage.

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The Package was neat, and it came compleate with a Manual, a Ear Hook, and of course the charger.

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The Manual, in english while informative, does not cover all, I was left guessing but perseverance paid off and i finally manage to switch it on and pair it to my K750i after about 2 hours.

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Clarity, well it is much better then the handfree, at least on my side,

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Overall, Having use it for a few months now, when i am on the road, i have to say that it is convenient, though a times my ear hurts, the power cell life span is good (for me with my occasion calls) but the relief in not getting fine for answering a call make the purchase worth while.

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Verdict , i am keeping my fingers cross, that this purchase will last, with the reputation of "Made in China" but then 1) most OEM are from china actually, (the HP printer is made in china) 2) it is a matter of luck, but experice with Made in China genaric brands have been good so far. I am happy with it

Kong Hai Fatt Choy

There are many spelling to Wish a person Happy Chinese New Year, I am using the Cantonese "spelling"

Unuse Buildings

Having an abandoned or a partially use building in a area in general does not reflect well to a area. I am of course refering to Comercial Buildings that are either unuse currently after opening for a short time or compleately unuse, not houses.

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If i am not mistaken, in general terms, before a Cormercial Building can be built, the developer have to get it approve by the Authorities concern. And the developer being profit orientated should look into the viability and profitability of a cormecial building if he want to get sales. .

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In Seberang Prai, Penang, this area seems to be littered by unuse or even abandoned cormercial building, with even more being build (though at other locations). If there is only a few such building, one can make the assumption that that partiqular developer make a mistake in the fesibility study, but if there is a number of such building, then what assumption can one draw?

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Can all the developers be too optimistic about a certain area? What were they thinking off in planning such a building here? Why did the cormercial building were / is not successful? A certain Building in area come to mind. A Hotel, with a complex podium, with the Hotel Reception is at the 8th floor, A Very steep ram to the car park, This building is long time unuse and infact Danaharta is trying to sell it. I have seen a few advertisment on this building over the years with lower price and with no takers. Not to far a way is a another shopping complex, with a hotel and a office block, it is still surviving, as it is the Offical and principal Bus Stop/depot of the area. The Office Block is empty, and unuse except for the operator offices. The Shop in the complex open and close and as i understand it, this bus depot is surpose to be move some where else in the future to ease congestion. . . In general I wonder, how things are done. If I am ask to invest money in new cormercial/ shopping complex in this area, as thing stand right now, i dont think i will do so. I may be proven wrong in the future, but i dont think i will rue the chance.