Visit Malaysia

MAS flights in and out of Heathrow to be retimed due to poor weather

2012-02-05T20:22:00.002+08:00

The Star reported that Heathrow Airport cancelled 30% of its flights Sunday to cope with heavy snowfall overnight and possible freezing fog at Europe's busiest passenger air hub.

The airport has worked out a revised flight schedule for Sunday with all airlines to minimise disruption caused to passengers by the poor weather as a result of heavy overnight snowfall.

Two MAS flights affected include its MH4 flight on Sunday, which was scheduled to depart KLIA for London at 10.45am. It has been re-timed to depart at 5.35am Monday (Feb 6) and arrive in London at 11.05am the same day.

“The return flight MH1 of Sunday, scheduled to depart London Heathrow for KLIA at 10pm, has also been re-timed to depart at 1.50pm Monday, and arrive at KLIA at 10.10am Tuesday.

“Customers are advised to log on to www.malaysiaairlines.com and view the UK travel alerts' updates or call Malaysia Airlines' 24 hours toll-free number 1300 88 3000 (within Malaysia) or +603 7843 3000 (from outside Malaysia) for the latest information on this situation,” the statement added.

Happy Chinese New Year!

2012-01-22T09:32:00.001+08:00

To All Chinese Friends and Readers,

Best wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Chinese New Year..

and may all your dreams and wishes come true in the new year of the Dragon which begins on January 23, i.e., tomorrow.

Auspicious days to start work in the Year of the Dragon 2012

2012-01-17T09:21:00.004+08:00

In less than a week, the Chinese community around the world will be celebrating the Spring Festival or more commonly-known here in Malaysia as the Chinese New Year.

The Chinese New Year festival begins on January 23 and lasts for fifteen days, the last day of which ends in yet another celebration. This celebration within a celebration is Chap Goh Meh, literally meaning the Fifteenth Night in the Hokkien/Teochew dialect.

This fifteenth day celebration is also referred to as the Lantern Festival which is also sometimes known as the Chinese Valentine's Day. In the old days, unmarried girls used to toss mandarin oranges into a body of water, a lake or a river, with the hope of getting a good husband. Here in Malaysia, this tradition is still being practised at a lake in Petaling Jaya, though as part of an organized fun activity to round off the Chinese New Year.

Everyone desires for good fortune flowing from start to end of every new year. Some people are proactively adhering to starting their first day of work at a designated auspicious day after the Chinese New Year celebration. Like in past years, this Year of the Dragon has days that are good and bad to start work for every animal sign. Tradition dictates that one can increase one's chances of a better year ahead by picking a good day to start work. You can find out here the auspicious days to start work. If you need help with finding out the animal sign you were born in, Wikipedia can help.

Image:Chinese lanterns in the night sky of Lijiang, Yunnan - Wikipedia

Kuantan is flooded

2012-01-13T21:32:00.004+08:00

KUANTAN: The total number of flood victims at relief centres in Kuantan and Pekan increased to 805 people from 409 Friday morning.

According to a Pahang Police Headquarters Flood Operations Room spokesman, as at 5pm today, the number of victims evacuated in Kuantan district to four relief centres increased to 545 from 153 families.

The Kuantan-Sungai Lembing trunk road is still under one meter of water at KM30 and is closed to all traffic. More.. Floods hit Kuantan, Pekan; 805 evacuated

A Gold Find in Johore.. or not

2012-01-11T13:32:00.005+08:00

The past few days have seen a flurry of activity for villagers in Kampung Melayu, a village in Johore, the southernmost state in Peninsula Malaysia.

Unfortunately, what you see on these stones is not gold. Read about it here.. All that glitters is not gold.

Image source: The Star

Massive floods hit Kuching, Sarawak

2012-01-05T12:10:00.002+08:00

In Kuching, Sarawak, continuous downpour over the last 12 hours coupled with the king tide phenomena has led to heavy flooding in various parts of the city, bringing the morning rush hour traffic to a standstill.

In Kuching, Sarawak, the morning rush hour traffic was brought to a standstill in various parts of the city caused by massive flooding after continuous downpour over the last 12 hours. More..Kuching hit by massive floods

This picture shows a car being caught in flood waters near the former government quarters area in Batu Lintang. Photo by Andrew Voon.

However, over in Kuala Lumpur, the weather is hot with temperatures hovering around 90deg F, blue skies and a gentle breeze, all signalling the approach of the Chinese New Year or the Spring festival which falls on Jan 23 which also begins the new lunar year of the Dragon.

The new MyKad

2011-12-31T08:33:00.006+08:00

The image difference between the old (left) and new MyKad

The National Registration Department (NRD) will be issuing the new MyKad with the latest security features in stages from Jan 3.

NRD director-general Datuk Jariah Mohd Said said the process would start at the NRD offices in Putrajaya and Shah Alam on Tuesday and extended to other branch offices throughout country after Feb 15.

"The new MyKad is more durable as it is made of tougher polycarbonate material as well as a new and longer lasting chip.

'Apart from that, the MyKad has a "ghost image" which uses a new laser technology on the surface to prevent forgery," she told reporters.

Members of the public are encouraged to change to the new MyKad but it is not compulsory.

NRD branches in other states such as Kluang and Ipoh would be issuing the new MyKad on Jan 10, Johor Baru (Jan 14), Kuantan (Jan 15), Melaka (Jan 17), Kuching and Kota Baru (Jan 20), Kuala Terengganu and Penang (Jan 29).

Apart from that, she said the NRD office in Alor Setar would also issue the new MyKad on Feb 2, Miri (Feb 6), Kota Kinabalu and other branches on Feb 7 and branches in the Federal Territory on Feb 15. More..

Source: The Star.. New Mykad with anti-forgery "ghost image"

Higher EPF contribution by Employers

2011-12-30T20:18:00.003+08:00

The revised employers’ statutory contribution rate of 13% to the Employees Provident Fund for workers earning less than RM5,000 a month will take effect next month.

The 1% increase from the current 12% will benefit about 5.3 million working Malaysians, who make up 92% of EPF’s active members.

The employee contribution rate remains at 11%.

Employees who are 55 years and above and earning wages not exceeding RM5,000 will also benefit from the revised rates, as employers are now required to contribute at 6.5% – an additional 0.5% from the current 6%.

The rate increase was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in his Budget 2012 speech as a move to help those with insufficient savings to bear the cost of living upon retirement.

Source: The Star.. Higher EPF contribution for 5.3 million workers

Female Rhino saved in dramatic rescue

2011-12-27T14:33:00.002+08:00

According to a report in The Star,

Since 1996, the Sumatran rhino has been listed as “critically endangered”, which is just a step away from being extinct in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List.

On Christmas Day, a female rhino was successfully airlifted in a rescue bid to a rhino sancturay in Sabah, East Malaysia.

The rhino named Puntung, aged between 10 and 12 years, gives conservationists another shot at breeding the species in captivity. It is hoped Puntung would mate with a lone captive male rhino, named Tam.

There is an estimated of just 20 to 30 rhinos left in the wilds of Sabah.

Source: The Star..Rhino saved in dramatic rescue

Holidaying in Majorca

2011-12-15T10:02:00.004+08:00

The Mediterranean is a choice holiday destination. The summers are not too hot and the winters are mild making it ideal for people who wish to get away from the extreme cold in winter or the heat in summer. If you are looking for a holiday in the Mediterranean, Majorca is a wonderful vacation spot.

Majorca, also known as Mallorca is an island located in the Mediterranean Sea, one of the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain. Beautiful white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, amazing landscapes, wonderful mountains and affordable Mediterranean food are all what make Majorca so attractive which accounts for 8 million tourist arrivals in high season according to WikiTravel.

Renting a villa is an excellent, if often inexpensive, way of enjoying Mallorca's more secluded locations. Apartments in Majorca are aplenty especially along the more than forty beaches on Majorca. However, you will find accommodation inland away from the beach cheaper than those along the beach. Whatever accommodation you are looking for, you will be sure to find your home away from home at holiday-rentals.co.uk with their wide range of properties available. It is advisable to make reservations early to avoid disappoint, especially if you plan to go to Majorca in summer.

There are frequent flights to Majorca from many European cities to Palma de Mallorca airport. Many of the discount airlines have daily flights. While on the island, many spots are reachable by bus or you can hire a car and drive around the island at your own time visiting the many museums and cathedrals in various parts of the island. Joining a guided tour is also a good way to be shown around. That way, you will be sure to be covering the popular tourist places if that is what you prefer.

Palma de Mallorca, the island´s capital is worth a trip on its own. It is an old city of architectural wonders, culture and mediterranean food. When it comes to food, while in Majorca, Paella is recommended, especially the seafood version. Local dishes include Frit Mallorquí and Sopes Mallorquines (a simple, yet healthy vegetable soup with meat, wild mushrooms, etc.).

There is something for everyone here in Mallorca, no matter what the season. Besides spending time on the beach, you can go hiking on some fine trails, go cycling, play golf on one of the eighteen 18-hole golf courses, bird-watching at the salt marsh where large numbers of bird species can be seen, yachting, sailing, rock climbing and more. Whatever you do there, Majorca may yet be your best holiday destination!

Malaysia has a new King today

2011-12-13T14:03:00.004+08:00

The 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia is being sworn in today. The new king is the Sultan of Kedah. This is His Majesty's second installation as the monarch, the first installation being in 1970. Read more about the new King.

Visit a Batik Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur

2011-12-10T13:32:00.001+08:00

If you are in Kuala Lumpur right now and will be for the next two days and if you are interested in buying some batik products or even know more about this art-form, you may want to head on over to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre for the Kuala Lumpur International Batik Convention and Exhibition (KLIB) 2011. Admission is free of charge.

Some details below:

DATE AND TIME:
KLIB Convention 2011
9th - 10th Dec 2011:
10:30am - 6:00pm

KLIB Exibition 2011
9th - 11th Dec 2011:
10:30am - 5:00pm
The exhibition is open to the public and trade at all times.
Visit: www.expomal.com/klib

ADMISSION:
Minors of 16 years and below will NOT be admitted. All visitors must be in proper business attire. The organiser reserves the right to refuse entry to those deemed inappropriately dressed.

More about the Kuala Lumpur International Batik Convention and Exhibition (KLIB) 2011

Zaarly makes it easy to sell or buy a product or service

2011-12-04T23:13:00.003+08:00

Here is a site with a difference. If you are looking to selling or buying a product or service, Zaarly is just the site to go to. Say, if you are looking for a personal assistant to help with taking your kids to baseball practice or picking up clothes from the cleaners, and you are based in San Francisco, just type in personal assistant san francisco on the Zaarly site, sit back and be surprised by the amount of offers coming in.

Zaarly is truly an infinite marketplace where items and services are available and where they were never known existed for sale. Zaarly works wonders for anyone with anything to buy or a service required. A simple posting of what you want, when you would like it and how much you are willing to pay will yield bids from other Zaarly members looking to fulfill your request. If you need anything from buying concert tickets to buying a tv from the store or need some painting done around the yard, or need the lawn mowed, just Zaarly it! It is as simple as that.

Watch video below to get an idea of how Zaarly works.

Flooding in Kajang

2011-12-02T22:22:00.006+08:00

The monsoon has not only caused flooding in the east coast, Kajang, a town south of Kuala Lumpur, was also submerged in flood waters this afternoon after torrential rain that broke a river bank.

Read more about the Kajang floods here.

Image source: The Star

Indonesian maids to arrive from mid-January

2011-11-25T14:33:00.003+08:00

This is good news for households who need a maid. The long-awaited domestic help is imminent as some 50,000 Indonesian maids are due to arrive in Malaysia from mid-January after the lifting of the moratorium on their employment on Dec 1.

According to Labour director-general Datuk Sheikh Yahya Sheikh Mohamed, the delay was due to the compulsory 200-hour training (about a month) they had to undergo before they can work in Malaysia.

The one-off agency fee to recruit an Indonesian maid is now set at RM4,511, of which RM2,711 has to be paid by the employer and the remaining RM1,800 by the maid. The recruitment fee was not fixed before, and could be as high as RM8,000.

The stipulation is that only private recruitment agencies that are registered with the Immigration Department and Labour Department and which had agreed to abide by these conditions are allowed to recruit maids from Indonesia.

The authorities would act against recruitment agencies or employers breaking the rules. Recruitment agencies will have their licences suspended after the first offence, and revoked upon the second.

Employers who use their maids for purposes other than domestic work may be charged under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, which carries a jail sentence of up to 20 years and a maximum fine of RM1mil.

Source: The Star..50,000 Indonesian maids to arrive from mid-January

More flee from floods in Kelantan

2011-11-25T13:23:00.002+08:00

Each year, the north-east Monsoon brings heavy downpour and with it the floods in the north and north-eastern states. This year is no exception.

The number of flood victims in Kelantan has risen to 1,892, from 1,420 on Thursday as a result of continuous rain. Pasir Mas remains the worst affected district with 16 evacuation centres opened with the number of evacuation centres in the state being increased from 28 yesterday to 32 this morning.
More..

North-east Monsoon season is here again

2011-11-21T09:38:00.002+08:00

The north-east monsoon season is here again this time of the year. Schools were out for the year last Friday, so final exams will not be affected. In fact, the government has moved final exams forward so as to avoid them being affected by the floods which usually happens in the north-eastern states of Kelantan and Terangganu.

The Met Department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms in Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang and Kedah. The yellow alert is the first of three warnings where a monsoonal surge is possible in the next 24 to 48 hours.

A first category warning was also issued of which strong winds and rough seas expected to occur over the waters off Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, East Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.

The department also warned that intermittent rain from today to Thursday may cause flooding in low-lying areas and also strong winds and flash floods.

Strong northeasterly winds of 40 to 50 kph with waves of up to 3.5m were expected over the waters off Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, East Johor, Sarawak, Labuan, Sabah (Interior, West Coast and Kudat), Samui, Condore, Reef North, Layang-Layang, Tioman, Bunguran, Reef South and Palawan until Nov 29. These strong winds and rough seas are dangerous to small craft and recreational sea activities. Source: The Star..Weatherman issues monsoonal surge alert for four states

In Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, heavy rains have triggered landslip and flooding.

High Quality Prototype SMT Stencils

2011-11-19T13:08:00.004+08:00

Stencilling takes the tediousness out of coding. Not only that, stencilling ensures quality, uniformity and speed in completing the job, a boost to mass production.

If your company is looking for stencils and/or stencilling products, Fine Line Stencil, which is part of FCT Assembly, is the company you are looking for.

FCT Assembly is one of the electronics industry’s leading manufacturers of lead-free solder products, superior quality stencils, and precision cut parts. If you are in the market for Prototype SMT Stencils, Prototype Foils or even a complete Prototype Stencil Kit, you can find them all at FCT Assembly. They are committed to delivering the highest quality laser stencils in the industry.

New visa ruling to visit Sri Lanka

2011-11-19T10:18:00.003+08:00

Come January, a visit to Sri Lanka for Malaysians would mean having to apply for a visa in advance replacing the visa-on-arrival currently and that too involves no payment.

A visa in advance can be applied online on the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.

A Sri Lanka High Commission visa official said the fee is RM15 for a single-entry 30-day visa; RM45 for multiple entries valid for three months; and US$50 (RM187.50) for a 30-day tourist visa. Transit passengers would also be required to apply for a visa. This new ruling applies to 78 countries, Malaysia being one of them.

There are many Malaysians here who are Sri Lankan immigrants and who still have family in Sri Lanka. This new ruling will pose some inconvenience for those who frequently visit their relatives in Sri Lanka.

Source: New visa rule to visit Sri Lanka. The Star

Lost IDs? No need to tell cops now

2011-11-17T13:23:00.006+08:00

Good news for the people that Government departments no longer need a police report for lost or stolen documents such as MyKad (Identity Card or IC) and passport when applying for a replacement.

According to Immigration director-general, Datuk Alias Ahmad, those who lose their passport need only to lodge a report with the Immigration department. The lost passport will then be blacklisted.

In addition to passports and MyKad, it was also reported that the public no longer need to lodge a police report for lost or damaged birth, marriage, academic and vehicle registration certificates, driving licences and land grant.

The fee to replace a first-time lost/stolen MyKad is RM110; RM210 for the second time. However, the fee to replace a damaged MyKad is RM10. The spoilt card will need to be presented upon application. The old card will be considered void and will not be able to be used in transactions.

Under the National Registration Act, those found with more than one MyKad could be sentenced to three years in jail or fined RM20,000 or both.

For application to replace a driver's license, applicant just need to present his Mykad, a photograph and a fee of RM5. The abolishment of the need for a police report has been implemented since 2005.

Source:
Lost IDs? No need to tell cops. The Star

Diabetes on the rise

2011-11-16T10:38:00.002+08:00

Malaysia like everywhere else, is growing by leaps and bounds. In line with development, our lifestyle has also evolved to one that is akin to developed nations. Inevitably, our health is also affected due to our changing lifestyle to one that is rushed and sedentary at the same time.

It has been reported that diabetes cases are on the rise here in Malaysia. Thanks to advanced medical breakthroughs, diabetes can be controlled.

However, not all drugs or medications come without some risk or side effects. Actos, a diabetes drug, comes with severe side effects ranging from blood in urine to possibly fatal heart attacks, even death. If you are in the US and are experiencing symptoms such as blood in urine or frequency of urination or bladder cancer or liver damage, you may be able to file for compensation with the help of actos attorneys who are experienced in such pharmaceutical cases. These lawyers have been actively pursuing claims across the US for Actos users with extremely successful results.

Importance of Nominating your EPF beneficiaries

2011-11-13T11:08:00.005+08:00

According to EPF public relations general manager Nik Affendi Jaafar, only around 40%, or 4.71 million of their 12.9 million EPF members have nominated their beneficiaries (as of June 2011). This can cause a lot of heartache for the family or next of kin when the member dies.

Without a nomination, the family of the deceased EPF member would have to produce a Letter of Administration, Letter of Probate or Distribution Order from the relevant authorities to substantiate their claim on the savings. This can be a hassle.

By comparison, completing a nomination takes only minutes. What is needed is to fill up the KWSP 4 Form and submit it to the nearest EPF branch. With a nomination in place, there is no necessity to go through the inconvenience of having to produce the aforementioned documents.

When a member nominates his/her beneficiary, he/she is given a notification slip, which should be kept safely or pass it on to his next-of-kin.

In the case of Muslim members, the nominee is supposed to act as an “administrator” (wasi) who will then be responsible for distributing the savings in accordance with the Faraid Law (Islamic law of inheritance and distribution). More details can be obtained on this article, Name EPF beneficiaries before it is too late. You can also find information on Unclaimed Monies.

Source: The Star

Nicol David wins Sixth World Crown

2011-11-06T22:30:00.005+08:00

From The Star..

ROTTERDAM: World No. 1 Nicol David created history by outplaying long-time rival and world No. 2 Jenny Duncalf of England to become the first woman player to win a record six world championship squash titles at the Luxor Theatre here on Sunday.

Nicol played superbly to win 11-2, 11-5, 11-0 in just 29 minutes.

It was her sixth appearance in the final of the world championships and she has won all now.

The Malaysian is the first Women’s International Squash Players Association (Wispa) player to win six world titles, since the inception of the tournament in 1976.

The 28-year-old Nicol, who turned pro in 2000, won her other world titles in Hong Kong (2005), Belfast (2006), Manchester (2008), Amsterdam (2009) and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt last year.

Well done, Nicol David!

Online Passport renewal

2011-10-23T13:10:00.002+08:00

Malaysians can now renew passports online via the MyOnline Pasport service by the Immigration Department.

The service promises customers a two-hour turnover period with minimal presence at any department office.

According to the department's webpage, applicants need only complete the online forms accurately and submit a digital passport-sized photograph taken within 3 months of their applications.

Photographs must have a light blue background and measure 5cm by 3.5cm.

However, incorrect information or applications that do not comply with the terms may result in rejection and the forfeiting of fees.

Currently, payment can only be made via credit card.

Applicants will have to pay RM300 for passports valid for five years and RM100 for a two-year passport.

Passports valid for five years for children aged below 12 years cost RM150.

Applicants may collect their passports in person only at the Immigration offices selected during the application process.

They will have to bring along their old passport, payment receipt and MyKad to collect their passports.

Applicants aged below 18 years must bring their guardian's MyKad, birth certificate and old passport.

More information can be found on the MyOnline Pasport website at https://eservices.imi.gov.my/MyPassport.

Source: The Star

Doximity improves communication for healthcare professionals

2011-10-22T10:27:00.001+08:00

Doximity is a communication platform for healthcare professionals that some say is long overdue. The application is available on the Web, iPhone, iPad and devices running on Android, Google's operating system.Physicians in the US can now network with their medical colleagues or get connected with their former or current medical school classmates and residents. All this is possible with much convenience with Doximity.

Doximity is something like LinkedIn or Facebook but for doctors only. Getting connected is easy, for example, if you are looking to connect with Jefferson Edwards MD, you simply type in the name and one or two other information such as Specialty or Languages spoken. If you are a member, you can connect with over 567,000 US physician colleagues in 87 specialties. You can exchange HIPAA-secure messages, send faxes, share private phone lists, pagers and back lines with fellow-physicians. Sign-up is free and takes just 1 minute.

Check out video for overview..