Deciphering Honks

This could be the most annoying sound, or the sweetest music; depending on how you interpret it.  Some turned road bully after being honked, where some gently gave way when being honked. 

Interpreting honks are sometimes more difficult than understanding baby talk.  There is no official guide to honk.  Googled and found one similar article talking about horn honking from Margaret Ross.  Read here.

I shared some of the common honk etiquette.  And love the honking terms used by Margaret, Tap, Toot, Horn, Blast.  To put into local Malaysia context, creating further honking guidelines.

• One Short Light Honk (Tap) - A polite courtesy reminder / call.
• Two Short Light Honks (Toot?) - Greeting to friends
• One Short Honk (Horn?) - Be Careful
• Continuous Long Honk (Blast) - Danger!  Watch Out!
• Continuous (Two Short Honks) Don't cut queue, get out of my way!
• Continuous Short Honk (Tap, Tap, Tap) - For motorcycle.  Motorcycle is coming in between the cars, cars do not cut out of lane.
• Continuous (One Short Honk, One Long Honk, One Short Honk) - Warning for motorist, suspicious motorcycle around, beware of robbers.  Similar to SOS in Morse Code.

Inputs are welcomed!

Malaysia GE13 - Moving Forward

Not going to talk about the hot topics of electoral frauds, hantus, gerrymandering, blackouts, tsunami ...  What I wish how Malaysia can move on after GE13.

For the Federal Government:
One common objective for both BN and PR is to move Malaysia out of middle income trap and gear towards a high income developed country.  However, from voting analysis, it's clearly shown that this is a government elected by rural folks. 

Question to ponder, how do we expect low/middle income group rural folks decide how to gear Malaysia towards high income and developed nation?

For today's globalized economy, 5 years is a very long time.  If we remain unchanged in the next 5 years, our neighboring country of Indonesia, Philippine, Vietnam can easily overtake us. Hence, I always wanted to see a new federal government that is also including the bright minds from opposition parties.  Choose who is qualified for the job, and not who has connection to you.  Let the bright minds lead Malaysia towards our common goals.

For PR Governed States:
The 3 states had MB from different political parties, DAP for Penang, PKR for Selangor and PAS for Kelantan.  All three has their own policies in governing their states.  e.g. Penang is a CAT government, Kelantan and Selangor are ??

For us, it's confusing.  Isn't that PR has a common national manifesto?  Can PR also has a common state government policy, and get all 3 PR lead states to govern under one single set of policy?  You need to prove to us that PKR, PAS and DAP are not loose coalition, and you can rule under one common policy.

For Gerakan/MCA/MIC/etc.:
DAP and PKR suffered even worse election defeat than you all in previous elections.  Did they give up?  What they did was they stood with the people, and passed people's voice to the federal government.  They had never left the people, and they speak for the peoples. 

If you want your dignity and respect back, earn it!   Your respect is not measured by how many minister / deputy minister posts that you held or don't held.  It's whether you have the guts to speak the truth and what is right.  Learn from Ong Tee Keat, if the government is wrong, speak out and bring justice.  Don't cover your BN colleagues faults.  Also, don't live in denial world anymore, with today's technology and social media, photo evidences are every where.

Believe in seeking the truth and speak for the truth.  People will be back for you.

To the Rakyat:
I'm glad that PR lost Kedah.  If I'm voting in Kedah, I'll cast the same vote.  We rakyat is telling the political parties, get lost if you don't perform.  It's one big step forward for democracy, where the political parties will now realize, the power is in the hand of rakyat.

We will continue to stand up and fight for what is right, via the right channels and the Ubah / Tukar choice is in our hands.

We also need to learn to be more mature is accepting and sharing information.  Don't take all online information came to us on face value.  Also don't let our emotion click the "Share" button for us, verify the information, understand the contents, make a conscious decision before clicking the "Share" button.

Identity Crisis (Ruling Party, Opposition Party)

When a PR DUN candidate in Selangor shouting UBAH UBAH on stage, what's do he want to ubah?  Change the state government?

When BN leaders shouting "Opposition is liar!" in Selangor and Penang, who are they referring to?

The BN poster said, "Please vote PM".  But is there any PM in this election period?

Why Selangor PR DUN candidate keep attacking the government and saying that the government is corrupted?

Why Selangor/Penang BN DUN candidates keep saying that the opposition cannot be trusted?

What do you call Pakatan Rakyat if Pakatan Rakyat is the new government?  People's Government or Pakatan Government?

What do you call Barisan National if Barisan National is no longer in national?  Barisan Rakyat?  Barisan Alternative?

iAES - itelligent Automated Enforcement System

From date of roll out, AES did not come shy of news coverage, be it the contractors, the offenders, the courts, the opposition, the government and now the AG.

While solving all the currently issues, I believe there is another area that can be improved in order to better meet the AES implementation objectives - to reduce traffic offends thus reducing road accidents.

What I think the AES still lack off now is the intelligence in a typical speed limit enforcement.  In typical 110km/h highway, the authority claimed that AES will only start enforcing at 120km/h.  However, different vehicles types have different speed limit on the highway.  Passenger cars 110km/h, but lorry and bus are only 90km/h.

Even at 100km/h, an over-speeding lorry / bus can pose considerable danger to other road users.  And the impact of an accident involving lorry / bus is usually higher than normal passenger cars.  Why they are not under the enforcement scope of the AES? 

From the AES "demo" shown by the authority prior to the implementation, AES would be able to capture the photo of x number of speeding cars simultaneously.  Why can't the scope be further expanded to profiling of vehicle e.g. large vehicle and small vehicle, and further enforce speed limit of different vehicle profile to 90km/h and 110km/h respectively?  Let's not forget the bike too.  Hardly see any big cc bike that is not speeding on the highway. 

I don't believe technology limitation to be used as the excuse for not enforcing vehicle type speed limit enforcement. The millions can be better spent for a Automated Enforcement System, that has a brain in it.

Driving To Singapore (from Malaysia)

Well, there are already a lot of information available on Internet regarding this topic.  However, if you want more detail information (as what I was searching for), this could be good help to you.

1. Disembarkation / Embarkation Form (Singapore Arrival Card / White Card / Immigration Form / IMM 27 Form)

• It is a challenge to find this form in KL (probably JB too).  Did ask some travel agencies, but none is willing to give it out though they do have daily KL-Singapore bus route.
• Some suggested it is available in JB hotels, but I not sure whether they will give it out to non-staying guests.
• The best option is to get it from friend who travel frequently between Malaysia-Singapore.  Singapore immigration officer will not hesitate to give out this form on request.
• Fill up this form prior to entering Singapore, you will have no time nor space at Singapore immigration to fill up this form.
• There are few variance of this form, all are acceptable.  (IMM 27E - English only; IMM 27F - English and Chinese; IMM 27G - English and Malay; IMM 27H - English and Japanese)

2. Crossing The Borders

• Fill up your petrol.  For second link, the last petrol stations are at R&R Gelang Patah, just a stone throw away from Malaysia checkpoint.  For causeway, I believe there are plenty of petrol stations at JB.  (Or you can choose to fill up petrol in Singapore at S$1.90+ / liter)
• Follow correct lanes at the immigration complex.  At Malaysia immigration checkpoint, the immigration officer will only scan your Malaysia passport without stamping it.
• After the immigration, it will be the Malaysia customs checkpoint.  Normally they won't check any outbound vehicles.
• Continue with a long drive across the Tebrau Straights and you will reach Singapore immigration checkpoint.
• Present all your passports with IMM27 immigration card to the officer on duty.  Also, wind down your rear windows as the officer will visually verify all passengers on board.  Your passport will be scanned and stamped.  The disembarkation portion of the IMM27 form will be stamped and returned to you with your passport.  (Note:  DO NOT LOSE this!)
• Every vehicle (It's vehicle, and not individual/driver) entering Singapore will need an Autopass.  An Autopass is like the passport for your vehicle.  Just tell the immigration officer that you do not have any Autopass, and he/she will advise you to purchase the Autopass AFTER the immigration clearance.
• At Tuas checkpoint, the Autopass counter is just immediately after the immigration checkpoint.  It's a only a very small counter, please don't overshoot!  There is also no designated parking for the Autopass counter, just park your vehicle at the road shoulder and turn on your car double signal light.
• Alight to the Autopass counter, and fill up a form to purchase the Autopass.  The officer will walk to your car to check the validity of your road tax, and you will need to present your ID of either Malaysia passport of Malaysia IC.  No other documents need to be presented.  The Autopass is cost S$10, which S$6 is for the card, with S$4 stored value.
• After the officer issue you the Autopass, they will read the Autopass card, and will mark your vehicle as entered into Singapore.  The officer will also remind you to top up your card before exiting Singapore.
• And finally, the Singapore customs.  Customs at entry point is always very strict.  Stop your car (need not stop the engine), open your car boot for the customs officer to check.  The officer sometimes will also check the drawers inside the car, and areas beneath the dash board.  Remember, no new unopened pack of cigarette, no chewing gums!
• That is it!  Welcome to Singapore!

3. Some FAQs on Autopass Card

 

• The Autopass card is tied to the car, and not transferable.  If you sold your car, then you need to write in to request for refund.
• The Autopass card is valid for 5 years only.  As there is a Manufacturing Date and Expiry Date on the Autopass card itself, I guess the expiry date will follow the life span of the smart card itself, rather than from the date of Autopass issued to you.
• If you lose your Autopass card in Singapore, you will need to make a police report or else the immigration will not issue another replacement card to you.
• If you lose your Autopass card in Malaysia, you are advise to make a police report, and attach it to apply for new Autopass card.  (However, from casual chat with the officer, the police report is mainly to safe guard you to prevent someone else using your Autopass to gain entry to Singapore.  If you misplace it, you can always apply for a new card.  Just that you won't be able to claim back the  stored amount in the previous Autopass.)
• If your old Autopass card is expired, you can still use it at the immigration.  The system will show that your card is expired, and you will be asked to renew your Autopass card at the counter.
• If your old Autopass card is expired, and you did not bring it to Singapore, you can just apply a new Autopass card, no question asked. 
• [Added in July 2013]: Started from November 2012, Singapore was issuing the CEPAS Autopass, which is contactless. Hence some information available here on the use of smart card type Autopass is no longer valid.

4. Parking in Singapore

• Most (my experience is all) parking at shopping complexes, sight seeing spots only accept Autopass card (or Cashcard) for parking fees.  Not like Malaysia car park, you won't see any AutoPay counter, or human manned booth at the exit.  All car parks entry and exit "humanless" and accept Autopass card / Cashcard only.
• So, first thing to do after entering Singapore is to top up your Autopass card.  You can do it at 7-Eleven, which you will be charged a $0.50 fees per transaction.  If you intend to drive to visit a lot of places , you should top up more.
• Most Singapore cars will have an IU (In-Vehicle Unit), something like Malaysia Smart Tag.  (And the Autopass card / Cashcard are like our Touch N Go.)  So the parking entry / exit mechanism is designed in such a way that it will first try to detect your IU.  
• When you reach a parking entrance / exit, you will see words read "Please wait ..."at the card reader small LCD panel, DO NOT immediately slot your Autopass card into the card reader, the card reader will not accept the card.  Wait until the LCD panel shows "No IU Detected, Please Insert Your Autopass Card".  Only then the card reader will take in the card, read it and eject it with a message "Please use the same Autopass card when exiting the car park." 
• When you exit the card park, the card reader LCD panel will show the car park amount charged.  Some (not all, only some) will show your Autopass card remaining stored value.
• [Added July 2013]: Most of the parking in Singapore are still DO NOT accept CEPAS Autopass.  You probably will need to get one additional smart card type CashCard for parking purpose. 

5. Driving in Singapore

• There are slightly different traffic light rules in Singapore as compare to Malaysia.  When there is green light and no Red Arrow,  turn right when the incoming traffic is clear.
• If there is a standby box at the traffic light junction, you can drive further up and wait at the standby box, wait till the incoming traffic is clear or Green Arrow.  If there is no standby box, just wait behind the line at the traffic light.
• For left turn, when you see the sign "Left Turn On Red", you can turn left when the traffic is clear.
• Do not make illegal U-Turn at traffic light, there are plenty of designated U-Turn areas.
• Most expressway speed limit is 90km/h, where most roads are 60km/h to 70km/h.
• When you turn into an expressway, you will normally cross a bus lane.  Please be careful of incoming buses.
• Singapore traffic rules required every passengers inside the car to fasten their seat belt, which translate to every passenger car can only fit a maximum of 5 passengers.  Children below 135cm is required to be seated in child car seat or child booster seat.  You can't do the Malaysia way of packing few passengers into the rear seats.
• However, there are are still some exceptions where "Traffic Police will exercise flexibility in these cases".   Wish you lots of luck if you don't want to follow the traffic rules.

6. Navigation

• If you have a GPS with a latest map, navigation should be very easy and straight forward.  I was using a Garmin GPS and latest Malfreemap with POI, the result is almost perfect.
• The time when GPS failed me was that I set my destination at an indoor car park.  When I exited the car park, the GPS was still locating the satellite and there is already a junction in front of me.
• Lesson learned: Don't solely depend on GPS.  Study the main roads and have some sense of direction.

7. Coming Back to Malaysia

• If you are coming back to Malaysia via Tuas checkpoint, make sure that your Autopass has at least S$3.20 to pay for the exit toll. (S$1.20 for Woodlands checkpoint)  Before reaching the checkpoint, there are booth along the road for you to top up your Autopass card.  Just look for the signboard.
• Stamp your passport at Singapore immigration.
• Singapore customs normally won't check exiting Malaysian cars.
• Back to Malaysia immigration, get your passports scanned to mark return.
• Malaysia customs occasionally will check inbound vehicle.  If you are doing massive shopping in Singapore, good luck then!
• The first petrol station is located at R&R Gelang Patah, fuel up and go home.

8. Others

• VEP - Singapore Vehicle Entry Permit.  Each foreign registered vehicle will be given 10 days / calender years free entrance into Singapore during weekdays 0200 to 1700.  Once you exceed the 10 days grace period, S$20 will be charged per entry.
• ERP - Singapore Electronic Road Pricing. In short, peak hours toll to enter city center.  It's ok if you do not have an IU, there is a number plat detection mechanism at the ERP to record your car plat number.  Foreign registered vehicle will be charged S$5 flat rate / day if you enter city center during ERP enforcement hour.  You need to pay this when you exit Singapore, so make sure your Autopass has sufficient balance.

Debate 2.0 (LGE vs CSL): Is It Relevant?

The debate 2.0 titled "DAP & MCA: Whose Policies Benefit the Community Better?" is scheduled at this Sunday July 8.  But the question to ask is, is this another political show?  Or a constructive debate that could benefit the community?

At Federal level, it's BN vs PR.  BN policies are perceived to be UMNO policies, and PR policies are promoted via Buku Jingga.  MCA, being a component party of BN, do not have full say in BN policies.  MCA's stance does not necessary represent BN stance.  Similarly, DAP, a component party of PR, claimed to be the equal partner in PR, neither has full authority in deciding PR policy. 

At State level, it is supposed to be BN vs PR too.  However, for PR, it's more like PKR policies (for Selangor), PAS policies (for Kelantan & Kedah) and DAP policies (for Penang).  We can hardly see a uniformed Buku Jingga policies across all PR states.

Back to the debate title, whose policies benefit the community better,  is this title debatable?  I believe Federal & State government have authority in different areas, and some areas are non-overlapping.  MCA has participation records at Federal and State level, but not a MCA policies reference site; where DAP can only reference Penang at State level, but nothing to show at Federal level.   How can we expect a good factual debate when both debaters are debating with so much constraints.

My verdict is that Debate 2.0 will end up as DAP State Policies vs BN State Policies & MCA Promises; and PR Buku Jingga Policies and DAP Promises vs BN Federal Policies & MCA Promises.  What do we want again?  POLICIES and not PROMISES.

Happy Birthday! Happy Rebirthday?

Was writing this post at the month of October, my birthday month, and kept it as draft for two months now, till a friend ask this question, what does 13-Dec-2011 means? 

Usually for birthday, birthday cake from love one; greetings from friends; replies of thank you to all the greetings; will mark the birthday ocassion.  Year after year, mode of greetings changed, birthday cake favour change, way of celebration change.

But day after birthday, wake up as usual, and go through the same life cycle over and over again.

This year I have different perspective of birthday, after the death of Steve Jobs.  I asked my friends, do you remember when is Steve Jobs' birthday?  None knew about it.  Do you care when is Steve Jobs' birthday?  None.  Do you know what iPhone and iPad are?  Yes, almost all do.

We don't care when is Steve Jobs's birthday.  But we care about the invention brought to us by Steve Jobs, we care about how Steve Jobs helped us in making our life better.

I believe Steve Jobs wasn't borned to be whom he was and routinely celebrated his birthday every year.  He went through his life stories of connecting the dot, love and loss, and death.  Which is short, i call this rebirth.

Birthday is a good date to be remembered, of which you were borned to this world.  Rebirthday should be the date to celebrate, for which you find your love of life, and live everyday with passion.

Back to the question of the meaning of 13-Dec-2011, the date is written this way too, 13-12-11....(-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1)  Yes, 13-Dec-2011 is a countdown date.  And I will remember this date as the countdown date to rebirth.  Happy Rebirthday!