Thursday, November 22, 2007

Please mind your manners

Today I got a rude reminder of how uncivic-conscious Malaysians are. Coming back from the office on the LRT, I spied a seat and made a beeline for it, only to discover that some person (maybe a kid?) had left an empty paper cup that had contained pink syrup water which subsequently dribbled all over the seat. No one had bothered to pick up the cup and wipe the seat so now no one could sit there. Better yet, on the opposite row of seats, was wet with droplets of water. Who's betting that it was done by the same person?

We can aspire to have the best facilities and all, but if we still have a 'kampung' mentality, it will all be for nothing.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Malaysian 1 sen coin to be phased out

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The Malaysian government announced yesterday that by 01 April 2008, the ubiquitous 1 sen coin would no longer be legal tender. This effectively means that the consumer has about five months to get rid of whatever 1 sen coins they have lying around in their pockets, purses, cars and houses before it becomes a worthless copper coin. The Bank Negara says it will save RM18 million yearly on production of 1 sen coins with the implementation next year.

However, consumers are informed that ALL payment totals will be either rounded up or rounded down depending on the final total. I wonder whether the consumer will benefit from this move or will businesses stand to gain more? In the long run, I think businesses will stand to gain in the long run as I'm sure that prices of a lot of goods will be 'restructured' soon to take advantage of this situation. It's just another excuse for the prices of goods and services to go up again. Bah.