Do you know how many ministries are there in Malaysia? 10, 20? Nope, you're wrong! There are 27 Ministries in Malaysia. And, if you include PM's Department, there will be 28 ministries. That's one ministry for every one million population. Quite developed, aren't we?!
Next, how many ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries are there in Malaysia? Based on my calculation from http://www.gov.my/, there are 92 of them - including our PM and DPM. A ratio of 1 to 300,000 people in Malaysia.
Let us go down south - into Singapore (http://www.gov.sg/). There are 15 ministries there, including the PM's department. Well, there are only about 4.5 million people there!
How about a few more ministries? One for each economic region - Iskandar Development, Northern Corridor and Eastern Corridor...
26 September 2007
19 Ogos 2007
Missing EPF deductions - finally reflected in my account!
I wrote about this a while back and guess what? My missing EPF deductions are finally reflected in my account. My December 2006 to May 2007 deductions were finally deposited into my EPF account from as of end-July 2007.
I wrote quite a number of emails to EPF and they've stopped responding after the first three/four emails. So much about 'EPF Customer Service Charter', displayed prominently on their website.
I wrote quite a number of emails to EPF and they've stopped responding after the first three/four emails. So much about 'EPF Customer Service Charter', displayed prominently on their website.
17 April 2007
Been busy over the last few weeks…
I have not been updating my blog for quite some time as I have been really busy, mainly due to the fact that I have just moved to a new job. When I started blogging, I told myself that I must try to update the blog at least once every week. But that’s not the case for the last few weeks.
Moving to a new job means that you must be ready to face new challenges and be prepared for them. As for me, I must say that my new job has been very hectic and there are a lot of new things to be discovered. Managing a new team with diverse background is another issue to be dealt with.
I can safely say that communication and people skill are the most important aspect that anybody can have – particular in this knowledge economy!
Moving to a new job means that you must be ready to face new challenges and be prepared for them. As for me, I must say that my new job has been very hectic and there are a lot of new things to be discovered. Managing a new team with diverse background is another issue to be dealt with.
I can safely say that communication and people skill are the most important aspect that anybody can have – particular in this knowledge economy!
02 April 2007
Japanese Housewives Win Right to Share of Ex-Husbands' Pensions
Read this on Bloomberg just now.
Quotable quote: ``Japanese men remain workaholics even at home, making their wives and children miserable,'' Yamana says. ``They need to realize wives want some communication, an occasional `I love you' or even just a `Thank you' now and then.''
There you go guys - tell your wife how much you love her! Thank her for the tasty meal! Everyday!
Quotable quote: ``Japanese men remain workaholics even at home, making their wives and children miserable,'' Yamana says. ``They need to realize wives want some communication, an occasional `I love you' or even just a `Thank you' now and then.''
There you go guys - tell your wife how much you love her! Thank her for the tasty meal! Everyday!
Free Internet Access? Anyone...
As Aisehman would put it - THIS IS GOOD S**T!
If you're in the US and Canada, 'Google TiSP: Going With The Flow' will give you free internet access, well ... (thunderous applause!) via the TOILET!
If we have it here in Boleh land, we can safely say that comments posted on blogs have gone thru serious S**T!
28 Mac 2007
New Job
After spending slightly more than five years with my existing employer, I’m moving on to a new job.
My new employer has recently requested me to start work immediately – the very next day after my last day with my current employer. Was thinking of taking a few days off before starting – but that won’t be the case.
Another new beginning? I’m really hoping for the best – this time around.
Wish me luck!
My new employer has recently requested me to start work immediately – the very next day after my last day with my current employer. Was thinking of taking a few days off before starting – but that won’t be the case.
Another new beginning? I’m really hoping for the best – this time around.
Wish me luck!
26 Mac 2007
Cheap Flight To UK?! Wait till next year…
I was beaming with glee when I read this piece of news in January this year. Flying to UK for RM9.99 (or below RM 1,000 each, for that matter) will be a dream-come-true for most people. The thought of taking my wife and our four lovely boys to Europe has crossed my mind numerous times but the pocket doesn’t allow it.
Well! Delay the thought for a bit longer… At least until next year! Read here and here.
Well! Delay the thought for a bit longer… At least until next year! Read here and here.
22 Mac 2007
EPF: What Happen to My Money???
Recently took a visit to our friendly EPF office. Reason? My EPF deductions weren’t credited into my old-age-retirement-fund since December 2006. Given that our EPF is buying into a bank, my wife and I (plus a few millions other contributors) are a bit worried
Spent more than a few minutes there (more like two hours)! Not like the time I went to the nearest Post Office to change my ‘kawasan mengundi’. After seeing their friendly customer service officer on the ground floor, I was a given a piece of paper and was asked to go and have a chat with another officer on the second floor. Took the lift up to second floor but was told that ‘Bahagian Caruman dah pindah ke tingkat satu, Bang! (The Contribution Department has moved to the first floor)’ and I need to go down to first floor. Took the lift again (need to conserve my energy to talk to this ‘Bahagian Caruman’), passed the piece of paper to one of the two girls sitting leisurely at the first floor counter and was asked to take a sit.
Waited for about 30 minutes before an officer told me that there was something wrong with the diskette that was submitted by my employer and they have written asking my employer to resubmit the diskette. Seems that there are thousand of employers affected – deductions not credited into their employees’ EPF account – as EPF is currently upgrading their system. The thought of ‘Mana Ada System’ crossed my mind but this is EPF and not Malaysia Airlines.
Until today, my EPF deductions (plus millions others?!) are still not credited into my account. I have been login in into their i-Akaun almost daily to check on this. Tried calling their call center this morning and was told to ‘bersabar dan komplen Abang akan dipanjangkan ke Bahagian Caruman (Please be patient as we will forward your complaint to the Contribution Department)’.
*****
Just noticed this in EPF's website:
The EPF's Pledge To Customer
Payment Of Contributions
We will credit the payment of contributions into the member's account within 21 working days from the date of receipt of the payment.
I guess EPF has failed to uphold its pledge to customer as my contribution for December (i.e. November's salary) hasn't been credited to my account as of today eventhough the officer confirmed that EPF has received the payment in December 2006.
Spent more than a few minutes there (more like two hours)! Not like the time I went to the nearest Post Office to change my ‘kawasan mengundi’. After seeing their friendly customer service officer on the ground floor, I was a given a piece of paper and was asked to go and have a chat with another officer on the second floor. Took the lift up to second floor but was told that ‘Bahagian Caruman dah pindah ke tingkat satu, Bang! (The Contribution Department has moved to the first floor)’ and I need to go down to first floor. Took the lift again (need to conserve my energy to talk to this ‘Bahagian Caruman’), passed the piece of paper to one of the two girls sitting leisurely at the first floor counter and was asked to take a sit.
Waited for about 30 minutes before an officer told me that there was something wrong with the diskette that was submitted by my employer and they have written asking my employer to resubmit the diskette. Seems that there are thousand of employers affected – deductions not credited into their employees’ EPF account – as EPF is currently upgrading their system. The thought of ‘Mana Ada System’ crossed my mind but this is EPF and not Malaysia Airlines.
Until today, my EPF deductions (plus millions others?!) are still not credited into my account. I have been login in into their i-Akaun almost daily to check on this. Tried calling their call center this morning and was told to ‘bersabar dan komplen Abang akan dipanjangkan ke Bahagian Caruman (Please be patient as we will forward your complaint to the Contribution Department)’.
*****
Just noticed this in EPF's website:
The EPF's Pledge To Customer
Payment Of Contributions
We will credit the payment of contributions into the member's account within 21 working days from the date of receipt of the payment.
I guess EPF has failed to uphold its pledge to customer as my contribution for December (i.e. November's salary) hasn't been credited to my account as of today eventhough the officer confirmed that EPF has received the payment in December 2006.
VOTE! Exercise your rights...
I registered as a voter sometime back, but only managed to vote once before. It was mainly due to the 'Reformasi' movement at that time and I thought I should contribute my one vote to a cause that I can relate to. Furthermore, I was in my kampung at that time and Abah told me that he can claim RM10 'duit minyak' each if all of us went to 'mengundi' that day.
Recently, after reading a posting in Rocky's Bru, I decided to move my 'kawasan mengundi' to where I'm staying at the moment. In the recent election, I didn't cast my vote as I didn't have the time to 'balik kampung'. This time around, I don't want that to be the reason why I didn't exercise my rights as a voter.
It was quite easy! Armed with my MyKad (what happen to the raflle draw? Was hoping that I will win something...), I went to the nearest Post Office and it took me less than five minutes to change my 'kawasan mengundi' to my current address.
Guys - please go and register. Let us all exercise our rights this time around and have a say in determining the power-that-be in Bolehland.
Recently, after reading a posting in Rocky's Bru, I decided to move my 'kawasan mengundi' to where I'm staying at the moment. In the recent election, I didn't cast my vote as I didn't have the time to 'balik kampung'. This time around, I don't want that to be the reason why I didn't exercise my rights as a voter.
It was quite easy! Armed with my MyKad (what happen to the raflle draw? Was hoping that I will win something...), I went to the nearest Post Office and it took me less than five minutes to change my 'kawasan mengundi' to my current address.
Guys - please go and register. Let us all exercise our rights this time around and have a say in determining the power-that-be in Bolehland.
19 Mac 2007
Number One
I couldn’t agree more with Datuk Ahmad A Talib. Being Number One means that you have to take responsibility for all actions of your subordinates.
I have written twice on promises made by senior management to employees. Final decision on the matter had been made, although it was communicated way after the deadline that was mentioned earlier. Anyway, the decision was the least that senior management can do. I have expected that much!
Moving on…
I always believe that some of us are cut out to be Number One. However, getting there can come about in various ways. For some, the road to Number One is easy stroll while others will have to work their asses off to get there. One thing for certain, you have to be answerable to everyone that reports to you. Your action, as Number One, will be watched – here in this world, and definitely in the hereafter.
I just wish that our Number One at the moment will have the strength to guide us through thick and thin – and not being tossed around by those around him called ‘advisors’. Let the final decision be made by the Number One himself, taking into account the advice of everyone around him, and not just the ‘advisors’.
I have written twice on promises made by senior management to employees. Final decision on the matter had been made, although it was communicated way after the deadline that was mentioned earlier. Anyway, the decision was the least that senior management can do. I have expected that much!
Moving on…
I always believe that some of us are cut out to be Number One. However, getting there can come about in various ways. For some, the road to Number One is easy stroll while others will have to work their asses off to get there. One thing for certain, you have to be answerable to everyone that reports to you. Your action, as Number One, will be watched – here in this world, and definitely in the hereafter.
I just wish that our Number One at the moment will have the strength to guide us through thick and thin – and not being tossed around by those around him called ‘advisors’. Let the final decision be made by the Number One himself, taking into account the advice of everyone around him, and not just the ‘advisors’.
08 Mac 2007
Married For More Than 10 Years …
How time flies! I have been married to my beautiful wife for more than 10 years - with its many ups and downs. Let me take this opportunity to ponder on a few things.
First: What did I get my wife for our 10 year anniversary? Well, nothing much really! Took her on a holiday using free tickets, courtesy of Malaysia Airlines Enrich points. Can’t afford anything nice (I have in mind a one carat diamond ring – wishful thinking!) as everything seems to be very, very, very expensive nowadays. Coupled with paying monthly for:
Second: Both of us are still working to make ends meet. It would be nice if my wife can quit and concentrate on the family. 'What the heck' we told ourselves recently. My wife has tendered her resignation and her last day of employment is end of March 2007. We’re not too sure whether we can get by with just my salary but we will definitely find ways!
Third: Our beloved country – Malaysia. Can’t help but to think about leaving this country with its many shortcomings – quality of education, political situation with existing bolehland leaders and cost of living, just to name a few. Just compare buying a car in this country (we have two cars – paid a bomb for them over the last five years) to any other country in the world. The price for an entry level car (e.g. a Proton Wira) is equivalent to two years salary of a fresh graduate in Malaysia! Should I talk about quality, etc.?
Fourth: Accountability. Our bolehland leaders always make promises but do they actually keep their words. I will just leave it at that…
How I wish that I could have provided more for my lovely wife and four boys over the last 10 years! Not to mention, my parents, my in-laws and all Malaysians - hopefully in my own small way!
Thanks for taking time to read my ramblings!
First: What did I get my wife for our 10 year anniversary? Well, nothing much really! Took her on a holiday using free tickets, courtesy of Malaysia Airlines Enrich points. Can’t afford anything nice (I have in mind a one carat diamond ring – wishful thinking!) as everything seems to be very, very, very expensive nowadays. Coupled with paying monthly for:
- a housing loan,
- petrol for the two cars (and you know the price of petrol nowadays),
- school/transportation/tuition fees for the boys (I have four boys – two in primary school and one in kindergarten),
- utilities – water, electricity, phone bills, Streamyx, Astro, Indah Water, etc.,
- a maid (to take care of the four boys), and
- a paltry sum for our parents (although, I must admit that we tend to miss every now and then);
Second: Both of us are still working to make ends meet. It would be nice if my wife can quit and concentrate on the family. 'What the heck' we told ourselves recently. My wife has tendered her resignation and her last day of employment is end of March 2007. We’re not too sure whether we can get by with just my salary but we will definitely find ways!
Third: Our beloved country – Malaysia. Can’t help but to think about leaving this country with its many shortcomings – quality of education, political situation with existing bolehland leaders and cost of living, just to name a few. Just compare buying a car in this country (we have two cars – paid a bomb for them over the last five years) to any other country in the world. The price for an entry level car (e.g. a Proton Wira) is equivalent to two years salary of a fresh graduate in Malaysia! Should I talk about quality, etc.?
Fourth: Accountability. Our bolehland leaders always make promises but do they actually keep their words. I will just leave it at that…
How I wish that I could have provided more for my lovely wife and four boys over the last 10 years! Not to mention, my parents, my in-laws and all Malaysians - hopefully in my own small way!
Thanks for taking time to read my ramblings!
Another Dateline Not Met
As a follow up to my earlier post on promises made by senior management to employees, I would like to add that the second dateline promised - after the first dateline of 30 days was not met - was also missed. As an employee, we would like to believe that senior management do actually care about their employees and one of the most important thing will be for senior management to keep their promises. But, this is not the case. Who can we blame?
Furthermore, there are various ways that senior management can communicate with employees but the reason for the delay - this second time around - was not communicated. Hmmm, maybe they were busy - as always the case.
Furthermore, there are various ways that senior management can communicate with employees but the reason for the delay - this second time around - was not communicated. Hmmm, maybe they were busy - as always the case.
28 Februari 2007
Janji Tinggal Janji
Bercakap mengenai janji... (ini berlaku di tempat kerja)
Amat mudah apabila berjanji namun untuk menepati janji tidaklah semudah yang dijangka. Berbagai alasan diberi, termasuk:
Amat mudah apabila berjanji namun untuk menepati janji tidaklah semudah yang dijangka. Berbagai alasan diberi, termasuk:
- memerlukan masa yang lebih kerana tidak menyangka yang ianya memerlukan pertimbangan yang lebih mendalam; dan
- dipanggil untuk tugas lain secara tiba-tiba.
Jika ini yang berlaku di pihak atasan, apalagi pihak bawahan. Mungkin, kita boleh mengatakan bahawa kita tidah dapat menyiapkan sesuatu tugasan kerana terpaksa bermesyuarat atau berbagai alasan lain.
Namun, tarikh baru telah diberi. Kita tunggu dan lihat!
26 Februari 2007
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