Phew! The last 2 days was extremely busy for me. Did not get the chance to update or post anything on my blog. It is not over yet though. Will be extremely busy until 5th September 2008. Anyway, that is life I suppose, better busy than nothing better to do.
So, today is the Budget 2009 day. What do we civil servants always hoped for? Yeah... you guessed it right. The bonus! Last year, civil servants did not receive any bonuses due to the restructuring of the salary by the government in which resulted to the increase in monthly salaries. I think that is fair enough as the increase is quite substantial. As for this year, I think most civil servants are putting their high hopes on the Prime Minister to announce a bonus for this year. This year has been a very challenging year. The economy of the country were affected by the increase in global fuel prices as well as food prices and the slowing down of the world economy. General public would also want something from the Budget 2009. I believe that the Budget 2009 will be positive taking into accounts the need of the people and providing solutions to improve the economic situation. Well, at least that is what I am hoping for. Let us see today.
29 August, 2008
26 August, 2008
Malaysian Drivers, Crrrazzy Drivers??
"Hoi Bodoh! Buta ka?!"
(Hoi Stupid! Are you blind?!")
"Oi! Ingat ni babak ko punya jalan ka?!"
(Oi! Do you think this is your father's road?!)
"Hoi! mana singnal?! Lesen kopi ka?!"
(Hoi! where's the signal?! You 'bought' your license is it?!)
"Cilaka punya driver! Bawak kereta murah ko jauh-jauh sikit!"
(Damn driver! Drive your cheap car elsewhere!
How many of you have heard or used the above 'beautiful' phrases? I have to admit, I have heard and used them before. And some are even worst! Not suitable mentioning here..hehehe. I strongly believe almost everyone had used bad languages on the road at least once in their life. Nevertheless, I do solute people who does not. Hey, we are all humans, "born to make mistakes".
Anyway, one thing I really do not understand with Malaysian drivers is most of them are simply selfish people. Is it because this is the way it should be driving in Malaysia? So tense, pressure and not so enjoyable. I just do not understand why some people dislike to use the signal lights or blinkers when turning into a junction or what not. Is it to heavy to lift your finger and switch the indicators/blinkers? Or perhaps they bought their cars with a huge discount and it does not come with blinkers. Many times had I encountered such experience. Well... to certain extent, I might have forgotten to switch by blinkers too once in a while. But, I will and shall be at all time use the blinkers when it is required.
I have been to some other countries outside Malaysia and compare the driving etiquette of the people there. Mostly, developed countries, the drivers are more polite and respects the others. They are not selfish and always at most of the time give way to others especially to pedestrians. In Malaysia or any developing countries, you can forget about that. Do not simply cross the road even via the zebra crossing in Malaysia. In countries like UK, Germany, Australia and the likes the cars will have to look out for pedestrians crossing the roads and immediately stops when they see one. In Malaysia, it is to totally the opposites, whereby the pedestrians have to look out for the cars and stop before crossing any roads with or without zebra crossing.
Malaysian drivers also likes to use their honk. It is a way to show their anger I suppose. I have been to Jakarta and Bangkok. I have to admit that the traffic there are even worst than in KL and some other countries. However, one thing that amazes me especially in Jakarta, you seldom see any road accidents even though they drive like 'mad' fellas there. Like one of my Indonesian friend said, "If you are looking for stunt men/women to do racing/car movies, please come to Indonesia, we have plenty of them here...hehe". He was absolutely right! I have been to Jakarta several times and have never seen any road accidents. The cars and motorcycles criss crossing each other at junctions where there have no traffic lights.. simply amazing! To be honest, I do not dare to drive in Indonesia. Its Crrraaazy!!
(Hoi Stupid! Are you blind?!")
"Oi! Ingat ni babak ko punya jalan ka?!"
(Oi! Do you think this is your father's road?!)
"Hoi! mana singnal?! Lesen kopi ka?!"
(Hoi! where's the signal?! You 'bought' your license is it?!)
"Cilaka punya driver! Bawak kereta murah ko jauh-jauh sikit!"
(Damn driver! Drive your cheap car elsewhere!
How many of you have heard or used the above 'beautiful' phrases? I have to admit, I have heard and used them before. And some are even worst! Not suitable mentioning here..hehehe. I strongly believe almost everyone had used bad languages on the road at least once in their life. Nevertheless, I do solute people who does not. Hey, we are all humans, "born to make mistakes".
Anyway, one thing I really do not understand with Malaysian drivers is most of them are simply selfish people. Is it because this is the way it should be driving in Malaysia? So tense, pressure and not so enjoyable. I just do not understand why some people dislike to use the signal lights or blinkers when turning into a junction or what not. Is it to heavy to lift your finger and switch the indicators/blinkers? Or perhaps they bought their cars with a huge discount and it does not come with blinkers. Many times had I encountered such experience. Well... to certain extent, I might have forgotten to switch by blinkers too once in a while. But, I will and shall be at all time use the blinkers when it is required.
I have been to some other countries outside Malaysia and compare the driving etiquette of the people there. Mostly, developed countries, the drivers are more polite and respects the others. They are not selfish and always at most of the time give way to others especially to pedestrians. In Malaysia or any developing countries, you can forget about that. Do not simply cross the road even via the zebra crossing in Malaysia. In countries like UK, Germany, Australia and the likes the cars will have to look out for pedestrians crossing the roads and immediately stops when they see one. In Malaysia, it is to totally the opposites, whereby the pedestrians have to look out for the cars and stop before crossing any roads with or without zebra crossing.
Malaysian drivers also likes to use their honk. It is a way to show their anger I suppose. I have been to Jakarta and Bangkok. I have to admit that the traffic there are even worst than in KL and some other countries. However, one thing that amazes me especially in Jakarta, you seldom see any road accidents even though they drive like 'mad' fellas there. Like one of my Indonesian friend said, "If you are looking for stunt men/women to do racing/car movies, please come to Indonesia, we have plenty of them here...hehe". He was absolutely right! I have been to Jakarta several times and have never seen any road accidents. The cars and motorcycles criss crossing each other at junctions where there have no traffic lights.. simply amazing! To be honest, I do not dare to drive in Indonesia. Its Crrraaazy!!
25 August, 2008
Weekend at Shangri-La Putrajaya
Last weekend (23-24 August 2008) my wife and I spent a night at the Shangri-La Putrajaya Hotel. We got a free 1 night stay voucher for becoming a member of the Shangri-La Putrajaya Spa and Health Club in mid April 2008. We figure out that since the month of Ramadhan is getting near and the validity of the voucher expiring soon, so why not just spend the weekend at the hotel.
Overall the stay was hmmm... okay. Nothing to shout about really. We brought our DVD player and watch couple of DVDs during the stay. It was meant for to be a relaxing stay anyway. We also went to the spa for some relaxing massage. We have to admit though that the massage was not as good as the ones we both had in Bali last month. I have to also admit that having been to many parts of Indonesia for many times, in terms of the service quality, the Indonesians are much better. Their services are absolutely brilliant and they really know how to treat and pamper their customers. As for Malaysians.... well I can safely say that the service quality sometimes or many times rather.. to be bluntly honest.. really SUCKS!
How many times have you been to shops, restaurants or hotels in Malaysia? What will the customer service rating be from the scale of 1-10 (1 = worst, 10 = best)? For me, sad to say, based on my experience I could only give Malaysian customer services a mid 5. Malaysians really need to improve their customer service skills. Some and many of these sales assistants in Malaysia are rude, does not even bother to entertain customers and etc. They will first stare at you. See what you wear and how you dressed like. If you wear something 'flashy' and 'rich' looking, they will certainly give you the 5 star treatment. However, when you wear a simple and casual dress that is not 'flashy' and 'rich' looking they would not bother to say hello and welcome you. If you do not believe me, you can experiment it yourself.
Well, unlike when we were in Indonesia, the people there will mostly treat you well and with utmost respect. The way they speak to you will be very polite and humble. Most of the time they will treat their customers like kings and queens. Malaysians has a lot to learn from Indonesians even though majority of the people there are not as well off as the Malaysians. I guess it was due to the hardship that these people learn to be extraordinary in their services.
Anyway, I am not saying that all Malaysians have bad customer service. There are some shops, restaurants and hotels which trained their staffs well and in return they treat their customers well. For my wife and I, it is simple, if the shop, restaurant or hotel treat us both well, then definitely and surely we will be back and do not mind spend time and money there. But a BAD service.. is a NO..NO.. for both of us. Same goes to everyone out there I believe. Just remember this mantra and I strongly believe any business will be more successful: "Treat your customers like how you want to be treated like a customer."
Overall the stay was hmmm... okay. Nothing to shout about really. We brought our DVD player and watch couple of DVDs during the stay. It was meant for to be a relaxing stay anyway. We also went to the spa for some relaxing massage. We have to admit though that the massage was not as good as the ones we both had in Bali last month. I have to also admit that having been to many parts of Indonesia for many times, in terms of the service quality, the Indonesians are much better. Their services are absolutely brilliant and they really know how to treat and pamper their customers. As for Malaysians.... well I can safely say that the service quality sometimes or many times rather.. to be bluntly honest.. really SUCKS!
How many times have you been to shops, restaurants or hotels in Malaysia? What will the customer service rating be from the scale of 1-10 (1 = worst, 10 = best)? For me, sad to say, based on my experience I could only give Malaysian customer services a mid 5. Malaysians really need to improve their customer service skills. Some and many of these sales assistants in Malaysia are rude, does not even bother to entertain customers and etc. They will first stare at you. See what you wear and how you dressed like. If you wear something 'flashy' and 'rich' looking, they will certainly give you the 5 star treatment. However, when you wear a simple and casual dress that is not 'flashy' and 'rich' looking they would not bother to say hello and welcome you. If you do not believe me, you can experiment it yourself.
Well, unlike when we were in Indonesia, the people there will mostly treat you well and with utmost respect. The way they speak to you will be very polite and humble. Most of the time they will treat their customers like kings and queens. Malaysians has a lot to learn from Indonesians even though majority of the people there are not as well off as the Malaysians. I guess it was due to the hardship that these people learn to be extraordinary in their services.
Anyway, I am not saying that all Malaysians have bad customer service. There are some shops, restaurants and hotels which trained their staffs well and in return they treat their customers well. For my wife and I, it is simple, if the shop, restaurant or hotel treat us both well, then definitely and surely we will be back and do not mind spend time and money there. But a BAD service.. is a NO..NO.. for both of us. Same goes to everyone out there I believe. Just remember this mantra and I strongly believe any business will be more successful: "Treat your customers like how you want to be treated like a customer."
Testing From PDA
Testing sending message from PDA phone to see if it works.
Sent by:
Ahmad Soffian
via PDA Phone
Sent by:
Ahmad Soffian
via PDA Phone
It has been ages!
My goodness me! Looking at my first posting on the 15th March 2006, it surely has been ages since I wrote something on my blog! I guess I might have forgotten all about it! Well... I better buck up and write something... like NOW!
Sigh... perhaps I have to apologise to myself for not being able to write. Do I need excuse for not writing? Perhaps being extremely busy is the best excuse that everyone from now and then could come out with. Hmm... I should then use the same excuse even though I do have some free time to at least surf and write something!
Ok..ok.. maybe I should not pressure myself so much about writing in my own blog. Writing in my own blog should be an enjoyable experience. Should be less stressful and tense. I should be able to write freely and go with the flow. However, being a Government Officer I must also ensure that what ever I wrote must comply to the rules and regulations of the country. Must set examples to the public. No touching on the sensitive issues and etc. I will and shall be free from any influence and be objective in my thinking and writing!
Sigh... perhaps I have to apologise to myself for not being able to write. Do I need excuse for not writing? Perhaps being extremely busy is the best excuse that everyone from now and then could come out with. Hmm... I should then use the same excuse even though I do have some free time to at least surf and write something!
Ok..ok.. maybe I should not pressure myself so much about writing in my own blog. Writing in my own blog should be an enjoyable experience. Should be less stressful and tense. I should be able to write freely and go with the flow. However, being a Government Officer I must also ensure that what ever I wrote must comply to the rules and regulations of the country. Must set examples to the public. No touching on the sensitive issues and etc. I will and shall be free from any influence and be objective in my thinking and writing!
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