SPAD Officers - Where are you? (2)

Another letter to the editor which highlighted the RM15 fare charged by a taxi driver for a ride between the Central Market to the Methodist Boys’ School at Jalan Hang Jebat.







Where are the SPAD officers?

I REFER to “RM40 for short taxi ride” (Letters, July 18). Living and working in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, it is more like a miracle when I come across a taxi driver who uses the meter. A few weeks ago, I wanted to take a taxi from the bus stop in front of Central Market to the Methodist Boys’ School at Jalan Hang Jebat. It would have been a 20-minute walk uphill but I was tired.


The first taxi driver I approached rejected me, saying that he didn’t want to go through a jam. The second driver said that he was not planning to go to that area. The third driver said he would take me there for RM20. I thought I had no choice.


I bargained with him and brought the fare down to RM15. The ride through the clear road took five minutes. I had to spend almost 10 minutes to get a taxi and bargain over the fare for a five-minute ride.


Taxi drivers seem to have a pact. The first two in the queue rejected me and I was left with no choice but to accept the third driver’s terms. This is like bullying.


RoshMuni
Kuala Lumpur

SPAD Officers - Where are you? (1)

This is a letter to the editor of the Sun daily newspaper highlighting the RM40 charged by a taxi driver for the ride between Pavilion, Bukit Bintang to a hotel in Pudu:




RM40 for a short taxi ride


MY parents came to KL for a holiday and I took them to Pavilion KL to shop and have dinner. As they are elderly and unable to walk a long distance, we decided to take a taxi from the shopping mall back to their hotel in Pudu.


It's a short distance from Bukit Bintang to Pudu but the cabbie insisted on charging RM40. It sickened me but we had no choice.


KL cabbies have given the city a bad image, openly fleecing Malaysians and foreigners alike. The authorities should act fast and not continue to turn a blind eye.


This is bad for tourism, bad for Kuala Lumpur, and bad for Pavilion KL.


BL
Penang

The "helpful" Malaysian - an endangered species

Another letter to the editor highlights how “helpful” Malaysians are in light of the recent tragic snatch theft case in Penang. The writer felt that it is not too late to change and the act of helping others must be inculcated from young.

I'm still perplexed on the reasons why Malaysians have come to this “helpful” stage. Parents countrywide seem to go overboard giving the best that money can buy to ensure that their children are not deprived of the latest in their physical, mental and emotional development.

At first glance that should be enough preparation to give the child a head start and grow up being a responsible and caring adult. Responsible maybe but the caring part is a bit difficult. That part comes from examples set by the adults and practical lessons since young.

The nuclear family is becoming the norm with both parents working and the child left in someone else's care. The time spent with the child has become less and exposure to others in an extended family is rare. Meanwhile, neighbours barely acknowledge each other as time is money and each of us are in such a hurry to accumulate as much wealth as possible.

When would be the time for the child to observe and absorb that caring trait. Most probably from the mass media, the television, cinema and internet. All those flickering images, at most for about two hours are still images.

The reality is different. Has the child ever been thought to give precedence to those less fortunate? The aged or disabled? As far as I can see, most parents just tug the child away from this group of people so as to avoid any close contact. Those less fortunate are an anomaly to be cast away from the utopian view of a perfect world.

They might be willing to visit an old folks home or an orphanage during certain occasions but in their daily lives, the less fortunate are not in their world view. Images of poverty or hunger have become so common, that we have become immune and unable to relate to them. We switch to the denial mode.

We have not been thought how to react and show empathy or be compassionate when the situation warrants it. We can have as many lessons in school or at home but when we avoid giving that helping hand in real life, the “helpful” Malaysian comes to the fore.

Image from teamsnap

Pregnant lady kept standing

No one giving up their seat to a pregnant lady is not strange. It has become more and more common. Sometimes in the bus or LRT, even the women folk do not give up their seat for those more deserving.

The lady in the letter to the editor was seven months pregnant and was attending an investment seminar where she assumed the audience to be at least more enlightened on the predicaments of a pregnant woman. That was not to be.

She mentioned that “All attendees were educated and I would say were mostly highly educated and yet there was no compassion and human values.”

Yes, that is the crux of the matter. Compassion and human values are becoming less common compared to the pursuit of material wealth. A pregnant lady? Is that any concern of others?

I guess many have forgotten all of us have mothers and they did carry us in their wombs for nine months. Can't we forget for a moment our own tiredness and give up that seat for the pregnant lady.  

I don't have an answer on how to change this attitude of being uncaring to those in need. Education has always been held as the answer but as the lady said, she believed that those attending the event were educated. In that case, those in that room would be able to think and have some common sense and empathy for a pregnant lady. That did not happen.

Will it ever change? If the educated themselves do not lend a hand to those in need, there must be something wrong with the education that they received. A revamp is needed on what we teach our children. The emphasis should not be just that string of As, but also the human values and compassion necessary as member of a society. The moral or religious education classes might help but the adults' examples at home and in society at large is a great influence.

A change in the mind-set is needed or else the children will definitely grow up to be uncaring adults.


The letter in full:


I AM about seven months pregnant. I attended “Invest Malaysia 2012” which was held in Shangri-la recently.


I made the trip as I was interested to listen to our Prime Minister speak on “Capitalise on Asean’s multinational marketplace”.


The event was attended mostly by professionals or working people in the investment community.


I could not find a seat and it was just too crowded. I stood near all the seated attendees for almost half-an-hour (near the side entrance), hoping that someone would be kind enough to offer me a seat.


Unfortunately, no one volunteered.


As I could not stand any longer with my big belly, I left the event after half-an-hour. It was painful to think how our society has changed.


All attendees were educated and I would say were mostly highly educated and yet there was no compassaion and human values.


I guess perhaps it is time that our Government does something, e.g. emphasise more on moral values in our education system or to do some activities that encourage people to be more compassionate and courteous in treating others, especially the weaker ones.


All these can be done through the media and education system and it has to start from young.


TAN PM
Kuala Lumpur

Image from babytidings

The police should be the "mata-mata" again

The suggestion that police foot patrols will help boost security has its merits.

At the moment we see quite a few pondok polis in our neighbourhoods and we notice some policemen making their rounds on their motorcycles or cars. The ones on foot are not common.

I've only seen some at the Bukit Bintang shopping area and their presence does make us feel more secure. They seem approachable and always willing to give a helping hand. A positive image indeed. Nevertheless, the police beat base is still relevant as the most convenient one stop centre to ask questions or make reports.

Unfortunately the police force would not be able to accommodate all areas that need them. That would require more manpower which we could ill afford as their job is not just to patrol a certain area. Random walkabouts would be most welcomed and at least they will be able to get feedback on what is happening on the ground.

Once upon a time the police were also called “mata-mata”, literally the eyes. They can be seen making their rounds and was a part of the community. Children were even cautioned by their parents that the mata-mata will catch them if they misbehave. That threat is so old-fashioned and no longer carries any weight in this time and age.

The mata-mata is not in our midst any more so we are unable to have that emotional link with the police force. They are not just there to help us during troubled times but can be a dependable friend at other times as well.

The police should embrace the mata-mata spirit again and become our friend, a part of us.

Image from oldman40k2003

More employment means less crime

The opinion in the letter to the editor titled “How to bring the crime rate down” is food for thought. The writer believes that if everyone has a job then the crime rate will go down. I think this has some merit since a job would translate into money in the pocket which indirectly means the person would have less reason to commit a crime.

We are just talking about the numerous snatch thefts and break-ins that are reported daily in the media. These are preventable if everyone has an equal opportunity to have a decent wage instead of being sidelined by employers.

The official statistics might show the country has achieved almost full employment but more often than not ordinary folks are struggling to make ends meet especially those living in urban areas. The subsidies do help but it does not solve the basic problem of low wages compared to high daily living expenses.

The worst affected group are those ignored by employers even for menial jobs. They are the most likely candidate to try their hand at making a living from crime. The spate of physical attacks on the victims is a symptom of desperation to get whatever they can at whatever cost.

They have lost all considerations for the targeted victims as their main aim and ultimate goal is to get that handbag or anything of value on that person. The victim's struggle is a normal reaction from  anyone who has been surprised by an attack. Unfortunately the more the victim struggles, the more hard hearted and determined the robber would be. He changes to a totally different person in a split second and the victim gets the brunt of his outburst.

Yes, employment would definitely give at least some hope to those in dire situations. They would at least be assured that they will be able to afford their daily meals. Sad to say but employment would not be the solution to white collar crimes. That is another story.

Image from jonpackapproves

Malaysian taxi drivers must use the meter

The heading in the letter to the editor says it all, “Start by insisting they all use meters”. All the subsidies that are given to the taxi operators whether it is the fuel subsidy or recently launched tire subsidy would not make a dent in improving the taxi services in this country unless and until all taxis use meters.

I'll quote some paragraphs that I like:

“In Kuala Lumpur, the taxis have meters and display signs on the doors about "no haggling" but it's all "face" as most taxis refuse to turn the meter on.” This is so so true.

“The driver usually starts quoting a fixed fare of twice the normal amount "because of heavy traffic" or "because it's raining" etc. The abuse of the system is endemic.” Most often that not even if there is no heavy traffic and the sun is shining brightly, the taxi drivers will still pick and choose whether they want to take the passengers.

“Compare the situation here with that in Bangkok, Manila and Jakarta. In all these cities, the drivers turn on the meter without question and rarely try to cheat.” I have not been to Manila but I can vouch that in the other two cities which has a bigger population and worse traffic condition that in any city in Malaysia, the taxi drivers automatically use the meter, come rain or shine, irrespective of the traffic conditions.

“I may be wrong, but I don't think the tourism minister or SPAD chairman had ever tried to hail a taxi in the street. If they did, they would see a different reality.” I would like to give the benefit of the doubt here. Yes, maybe the tourism minister or SPAD chairman had tried hailing a taxi in the street just like the rest of us. At the moment both of them might be working diligently trying to find a solution to the perennial bad image of our taxi services. I am hoping and praying that they really did hail a taxi in the street and had the same experience as the public.

I just love the last paragraph:

“Perhaps the way to start is to go to Bangkok and find out how the system there works and why in Malaysia it is horribly broken.” Of course I'm biased, since every visit to Bangkok has been pleasant, and even during the period when they had different factions fighting to be the ruling government, the taxi drivers will still take you to your destination using the meter.

The key point has to be emphasised again: Malaysian taxi drivers must use the meter.

Image from killingtimewithijahamran

The staircase at KL Sentral station

I could not agree more with the sentiments in the letter to the editor which highlighted the pasar malam atmosphere at the KL Sentral station. The letter mentioned the rows of temporary kiosks filling the concourse area at Level 1 which not only obstructs the flow of commuters using the station, it is also a definite hazard in times of emergency. The huge signage for the other conncting modes of transport are also hidden by some of the kiosks.

I feel one of the major flaws of the station is the exit for passengers going to Jalan Tun Sambanthan. I'm not sure why there is only one staircase and an elevator catering to the thousands who use that route daily.

The station was originally planned without the buses waiting at the ground level. That in itself should not have been the reason for having only one staircase for a central station. At present I can see work being done to have a bridge to the next station. When it is completed we still have just one staircase to go to the ground floor if we want to take the bus to the airport or taxis to other parts of the city.

I do wonder how the architect envisioned the whole KL Sentral complex. Was that one staircase not to be used at all? If that is the case, pedestrians would use the road meant for motor vehicles which goes downwards to Jalan Tun Sambanthan.

I am a pedestrian and having that one staircase has always been the bane of any visit to KL Sentral. At least I can still walk but I can see the disappointed faces of those with problems when they see that staircase.

That staircase deserves the accolade of being the most unfriendly path at a public building in Kuala Lumpur.

Image from wikipedia

Air Asia's female pilots

I've always had a love hate relationship with AirAsia from day one due to the numerous flight delays during the early days and now the not so friendly booking online system. They deserve a pat on the back nevertheless for their equal opportunity policy in terms of employment.

This fact is highlighted in the article on female pilots working with the airline. AirAsia currently has 21 female pilots. Twelve of them fly with AirAsia operating the Airbus A320 while the remainder fly for AirAsiaX, operating the Airbus A330. According to one of the pilots interviewed, she even had the experience of being on a flight manned by an all female crew. Now, can anything beat that?

I do wish other organisations can take a leaf from AirAsia and give equal opportunity to the females in their fold. It is a waste of talent and resources if a woman is sidestepped from a position just because of her gender. When all things are considered and the woman is suitable for the post, there should not be any qualms in putting her in that job.

At the end of the day, any organisation has targets to achieve and if the most capable to do the job is a woman, so be it. It might be a man's world for some job categories, such as the airline industry but when it comes to the crunch, the ability to deliver is what counts.

In that sense, kudos to AirAsia.

Image from NST

Will the taxi service in Kuala Lumpur ever improve?

The headline “Taxi drivers not using meters nothing new” in a letter to the editor is a fact of life in Kuala Lumpur. The writer mentioned his experience when working in the city in the mid-90s and  he is taken aback that nothing has changed during his recent visit.

The mid-90s until now would cover a period of at least 20 years and since the situation has remained the same, is there any hope at all that it will change in the immediate future? The chances of an improvement in the service seems very dim even with the recent tyre subsidy and personal accident scheme under the Teksi Rakyat 1Malaysia (TR1Ma) programme.

Has any officers from the Land Transport Commission (SPAD) gone to the ground and tried using the taxis in Kuala Lumpur?

Anyone going down the staircase at KL Sentral towards the area where the buses and taxis are waiting for passengers would be able to see and hear the haggling that continues between the taxi drivers and their potential customers. The same scene is repeated at many other taxi stands eg, Pasar Seni, KLCC and the LRT stations.

That has not stopped even with the no haggling and metered taxi stickers plastered on the taxi doors. Those notices are just for display after so much promise that the situation will improve after the grand launch of the stickers. The majority of taxis have that sticker but it does not mean anything.

Passengers are usually advised to just open the door and get into the taxi when they are successful in attracting the attention of the taxi driver that is driving along a road. Unfortunately, in reality the passenger will be asked first where is his destination and if it is to the agreement of the taxi driver, then and only then can the passenger get inside the taxi.

Most often the passengers will try to persuade the taxi driver to take them to their destination even if he is at first reluctant to do so. That is the time when the bargaining starts. The fare quoted would be at least double the metered fare as the taxi driver knows that even after bargaining, he will still make a profit.

I've also never understood why the traffic conditions has been used umpteen times as an excuse not to take passengers to a certain destination. The traffic conditions in Bangkok and Jakarta is worse but the taxi drivers still take the passengers and use the meter.

I do not foresee any improvement in our taxi service in the foreseeable future until a major revamp of the whole system has been implemented. That would be another story.

Image from hotelkualalumpur

How much does it cost to get the Malaysian halal certification?

I'm glad that the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said that food outlet operators are not compelled to apply for the halal certificate and logo. He gave examples of hawkers such as the nasi lemak, nasi dagang and keropok lekor seller who would have to close shop if this group of traders are compelled to apply for the halal certification.

I do wonder how much does it take to get the certification to the point that an ordinary hawker has to close shop. According to the e-halal portal, applicants have to list all the ingredients used in their food preparation before proceeding with the application.

As an example, the keropok lekor seller will list the fish, oil, flour and other ingredients used in making his delicacy. I'm unsure what other details are needed since any applicant who wants to use the portal must first register with Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM).

Would the cost of submitting this information and other checks be so exorbitant that the trader has to close shop? Or is it only the big businesses that can afford the certification.

I have always had more faith in the small traders as some of them are my neighbours and friends. I've seen them prepare the food and know where they get the supply. I'm uncertain what actually happens during the certification process such that only big businesses can afford the checks.

As I said, how much exactly does it cost to get the certification?

Image from knizam

Housebuyers in China are spoilt for choice

Those with money do get lots of perks, don't they? Money makes money as the saying goes and the news that those who buy a house in China will get a free home in Malaysia is testimony to it.

The catch is buyers will have to purchase a RM10mil residence in China to get their free luxury home valued at RM500,000 in Malaysia. I guess if you can afford a RM10mil home, RM500,000 is just peanuts.

Those who have made it to the rich league in China are definitely a sought after group. This might just be a sampling of other schemes that will entice the newly rich to part with their money. Malaysia is not complaining of course since we get the benefit of these foreign funds coming onto our shores.

What might be of concern is the impact on the local home buyers. How many can afford houses in the RM500,000 price range? That price range is not in the average income earner's horizon in the immediate future.

Affordable homes are getting fewer in number especially in the urban areas. Wage earners save and tighten their belt to buy their dream home. Sometimes the goal posts are changed just as the buyer nears his target.

The influx of foreign buyers indirectly makes house prices rise even higher. Higher and higher it goes until locals will be left with just crumbs. That is a depressing scenario indeed.



The news item that appeared in the Star, 3 July 2012 is shown below:

BUY a house in China and get one free in Malaysia.


Developers are using this innovative marketing approach to boost property development in both countries, Nanyang Siang Pau reported.


However, buyers will have to purchase a RM10mil residence in China to get their free luxury home valued at RM500,000 in Malaysia, the paper said.


The local developers would maintain and rent out the property for the foreign owners and, at the same time, help them apply for the Malaysia My Second Home programme.


Many Chinese developers have purchased a large number of properties in Malaysia, which they give away as gifts to customers who buy houses worth between RM10mil and RM20mil.

Image from piz013

All the best to Firefly

I am happy reading the news that Firefly is to launch two new routes. They will also increase the flight frequency on certain routes starting from 10 August 2012. I do hope this good news will continue and also cover routes to and from the Peninsular to Sabah and Sarawak.

I've always believed that we need competition in order for incumbents in any industry to give better value to consumers. The consumers are the ones who made certain brand names what they are now and any upstart to their dominance is not a threat but more of a challenge.

The proof of a great organisation will always be shown when it manages to bring its own services to the next notch in attracting customers. Sometimes when success gets to your head, we tend to forget the basics and ride roughshod on others.

When Firefly started, no one gave it a second chance as AirAsia was the leading low-cost carrier at that time and still is now in the region. No one expects Firefly to be in the same league as AirAsia but at least consumers have another choice when making decisions. The recently aborted share swap and consolidation plan between MAS and AirAsia put Firefly in a tight spot.

AirAsia for all its strengths must acknowledge that the field is wide enough for another carrier to enhance services that can be provided to travellers. Remember when AirAsia started and took over the rural services in Sabah and Sarawak? That was a big mistake as the AirAsia setup was not capable to cater for the different needs of those in the rural areas.

That is a different segment altogether and there should be more flights from the Peninsular to Sabah and Sarawak. We must not be taken hostage by flight cancellations or delays. As consumers we must be vocal that we need those services or else how do we even bridge the gap between the two. The internet might be a solution but there is nothing like actual face to face communications.

In that sense Firefly feels a void where consumers are concerned. I hope Firefly will be another success story for the nation in the steps of its big brothers, MAS in its heyday and AirAsia.

Image from flylcct

Another plan to ease the burden of the poor from our benevolent government

The latest aid from the federal government in the form of free Cityliner stage bus tickets, worth RM1.6mil, to the poor and needy in Kelantan for a year beginning this month seems to follow the examples of the book subsidies and the more recent tire subsidies for taxi drivers.

The subsidy is only for a year and those entitled to the bus tickets have to struggle again after that period ends. This is definitely a temporary measure and does not go to the roots of the problem. The people are still poor and cannot even afford the bus fare.

Should not the adage, teach them how to fish and not just give the fish be the mantra? Or are we kept in the dark on some future plans that has been approved to upgrade the livelihoods of this group of people?



The full news item that appeared in the Star 1 July 2012 is below:

KOTA BARU: The federal government is giving away free Cityliner stage bus tickets, worth RM1.6mil, to the poor and needy in Kelantan for a year beginning this month.


International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the programme was the first ever implemented in the country to help ease the burden of the targetted group.


Under this programme, 10,000 pre-paid tickets for the Cityliner stage bus service would be distributed to the poor and needy, including persons with disabilities (OKU), single mothers and orphans, in Kelantan every month, he told reporters after the launch of Cityliner's first eco-friendly bus in Kelantan here on Sunday.


Cityliner, which runs the stage bus owned by Konsortium Transnasional Berhad (KTB), has a fleet of 150 buses operating in Kelantan. About 20,000 people use the bus service daily.


Mustapa, who is also Kelantan Umno liaison chairman, said the Social Welfare Department would determine those eligible to receive the free bus tickets. - Bernama

Image from abgteror