Archive for June, 2008
It is not easy to write about politics. Political materials on the web get scrutinized just like articles on newspapers. With information being communicated more rapidly and in a more timelier manner compared with traditional prints, the “Big Brother” presence in internet publication is getting more evident.
Politics is now a sensitive topic in Malaysia. A resounding result for the opposition party Parti Keadilan Rakyat (The People’s Justice Party) in the 2008 Malaysian election throws the country into a disarray. Barisan National (BN) holds the slender majority in the government mandate and this mandate can easily be snatched away by the very man who used to be the assumed successor to Dr Mahathir: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The latest news on Anwar is yet another sodomy charge on him, this time by a 23 year old former aide. This reeks strongly of the similar 1998 charges made against Anwar, which Anwar has vehemently denied. Conspiracy theories pointed to yet another plot by the Malaysian government to remove Anwar from politics, and effectively removing the threat posed by PKR. This latest development may yet define the political scene of Malaysia for the next decade.
Much has been promised by the Malaysian government - to weed out corruption, to lower the crime rate, to bring in efficient government as well as Read on…
June 30th, 2008
With the bad traffic conditions to Johor Bahru (Johor Baru, Johore Bahru, Johor Baharu), it might be a good option to walk in to JB instead of driving. Of course, walking really means walking from Woodlands Centre to the Woodlands Custom Checkpoint, taking Bus 160,170,950, CW1,CW2 or SJE across the causeway to Johor Custom, clear it and viola! You are through to Johor Bahru, and probably 1-2 hour(s) ahead of your friends who are driving. On a very bad driving day, they may even not touch the Woodlands Custom yet.
Common Driving scenario. Traffic jam at Woodlands Center. It will take you at least another 45mins before you can reach the Singapore custom.
Singapore Custom
On the Singapore side, walking conditions are bad on Friday nights, which is the peak period when most Malaysian workers return home. Between 7pm - 9pm on Fridays, the human queue at the Woodlands Checkpoint stretches all the way to the entrance. Ironically, the experience of cars cutting into your queue when you are driving applies even when you are not driving. In the midst of the crowd, you may find people cutting into your queue, the human queue. Saturday afternoons during 12noon-3pm are also a bad time to walk in due to the crowd.
Malaysia Custom
On the Malaysia side, clearing the Malaysian custom used to be bad. Very bad. In the “good” old days every Satudays, you need to take 2 hours to sweat it out at the poorly ventilated Malaysian custom before it is your turn to get your passport and your white form stamped. If you are in a hurry, the only option to speed things up is to approach some of the touts who park their cars just beside the immigration booths (for cars), pay them about RM$20 to get into the car and clear the Johor custom via the car route.
With the eradication of the white form for Singaporeans (there is no need for Singaporeans to fill up any forms now), things are much better now as the processing time/pax is effectively halved. On Saturdays during 12noon - 4pm, it may occasionally take 30mins to clear the Johor custom which is relatively acceptable. Some golden rules to note at the Malaysia Custom:
1. Always try to join the fastest queue, not the shortest queue. Take some time to look at the individual speed of the Immigration Officer at the clearing booth. A fast one can simply rubber stamp your passport without really taking a look at your face (10s). Another officer may scan your passport, look at your face, look at your passport again, flip to the page of the last stamped page of your passport, stamp your passport and give your a polite smile before returning your passport to you (45sec). A learning officer may do all that, clarify the procedures with his fellow colleagues (45s + 1min)… You will know which queue to join from this simple observation.
2. Do not at anytime try to sneak past the custom pretending you are a Malaysian. Some people do that by simply displaying their Singapore passport with a Malaysian cover and assuming they can just walk through the Malaysian queue unquestioned. The penalty for this is JAIL. Read on…
June 28th, 2008
Clear the Johor Bahru (Johor Baru, Johore Bahru, Johor Baharu) Custom, follow the exit road all the way straight for the next 8 km along the coastline, you will reach Danga Bay.
Touted as a family hunt when it first opened, Danga Bay comprises of a shopping mall, several international restaurants, amusement park and a beach (where events are commonly held). It is relatively quiet on weekdays and while the crowd has somewhat dwindled a little, it is still an interesting place to bring your family along during the weekends.
Shopping mall - Festive Street Mall
Open from 11am-10pm, Festive Street Mall consist of Read on…
June 25th, 2008
Getting married soon? Besides the purchase of a house and the selection of the wedding date and venue, another key task is to sign up a wedding package that provides rental of wedding gowns and photoshoots.
Johor Bahru (Johor Baru, Johore Bahru, Johor Baharu) has several Bridal House/Shops that offers attractive packages that are customisable to the different needs of couples. Bridal House (Bridal Shops) in Johor Bahru includes:
i. Fables Bridal Couture
Add: 95&95A, Jalan Keris Satu, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 07-3319595
ii. Venus Bridal Selection (Just across the road from Fables)
Add: No. 95&97, Jalan Perisai, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80250, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: 07-3359919
URL: http://www.venusbridal.com.my
iii. SG Bridal House
iv. Mona Lisa Bridal Palace
Add: City Square, Level 4
v. Printemps
Add: City Square, Level 4
vi. Dawn
Add: City Square, Level 4
vii. Superstar
Add: City Square, Level 4
Yes, you would probably observe that City Square houses most of the Bridal house listed above.
Current Recommendation List:
1. Fables
2. Printemps
3. Dawn
Fables Bridal Couture
And Venus Bridal shop just across the road from Fables.
Price:
For a going rate of about RM$3800, you will be able to get the following:
1. Rental of Wedding Gown (For Singaporeans, yes, you are allowed to bring this across the causeway)
2. Rental of Evening Gowns
3. Rental of Coats for Bridegroom
4. Make-up during photoshoots Read on…
June 23rd, 2008
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