Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by ericthai

Maybank new website

ericthai — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 19:08:52 +0800

This Maybank force us to use new website but it is so difficult to use.

I tried to place a fixed deposit today at 7 pm but it only show me a page where there is an advert for a donation.
There is no page where I can make fixed deposit now from my savings account!

The old website was so much easy to use with no adverts but many functions are now disabled like placing FD.

I think they want us to see these silly adverts and make more money for themselves.

Condo mgmt water

ericthai — Sun, 04 Sep 2022 17:33:42 +0800

Does the condo management have the right to lock the water meter from owners?

Syabas actually send the bills to me and not the condo mgmt.

Serious and helpful replies please.

Bad experience at Toyota Service Center

ericthai — Sun, 21 Aug 2022 22:03:29 +0800

I had bad experience with Toyota Service Center in Puchong Jaya (near IOI mall), the service is bad, waiting time is very long, the charges is very expensive and also wrong car diagnosis.

I expected a Toyota Service Center to give good service and correct diagnosis but after going to another car workshop, they found out a lot of things Toyota said was wrong.

This is a warning for those who thinks that TSC is good.

The only good thing there is the air-cond environment where we can wait.

Skybus from KLIA 2

ericthai — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 15:03:48 +0800

What is the last bus departing from KLIA2?

I get two different times from two different websites.

Anybody got the accurate time from experience?

Do not buy car insurance from Etiqa

ericthai — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 09:33:29 +0800

This is a warning for people who don't know that Etiqa is a lousy insurance company.

I've been buying from Etiqa for many years, but recently I didn't renew my insurance for more than 1 year, they refused to renew my insurance unless I have Puspakom certification.

It was also very difficult to contact Etiqa staff to get more details so I really regret giving money to Etiqa for so many years.

I went to Puspakom and Puspakom staff said there is no need to have a test because it is under 3 years of non-renewal. Only cars above 3 years need to have a test.

At Puspakom, I managed to find another insurance company who is willing to renew my insurance without any car tests.

Having a test at Puspakom is a nightmare, the place is so crowded and a very long line of cars waiting to be tested and have to wait several hours even after booking a few days earlier. That's what I saw, luckily I found another insurance company.

Airasia value pack

ericthai — Wed, 11 May 2022 13:17:03 +0800

I just booked a flight today via Airasia website with value pack.

The value pack includes a free seat selection but I didn't see any seat selection screen popping up even after payment.

How do I select the seat without paying extra as it is supposed to be free in the first place.

Note: I have not checked in because the flight is more than 14 days later.

Ringgit dropped to rm 4.37 but govt still say ok

ericthai — Sat, 07 May 2022 01:19:14 +0800

[YOUTUBE]VRrstB0wCSo[/YOUTUBE]

Bus at KLIA2

ericthai — Thu, 05 May 2022 14:42:32 +0800

Does anybody know whether the bus at KLIA2 terminal is operational this month?

I mean the economical bus from KLIA2 to KL sentral.

Thailand is more advanced than Malaysia

ericthai — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 15:31:25 +0800

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/breaki...ated-travellers

Thailand plans to scrap its unpopular Test & Go entry scheme, opting instead to adopt the simplified categories of “vaccinated” and “unvaccinated” for international travellers arriving in the kingdom. The actual Thailand Pass – the online pre-registration system – will remain, although the paperwork has been vastly simplified by these changes.

The CCSA announced those major changes, among others, about the county’s Thailand Pass program during its meeting today.

International travellers, who have been fully vaccinated for Covid-19, will no longer need to take a PCR test on arrival. The removal of the PCR testing for vaccinated travellers effectively abolishes the unpopular Test & Go entry scheme, which had required travellers to book an SHA+ hotel for one night of quarantine while waiting for their test results. No more Covid test, no more 1 day quarantine hotel for the vaccinated.

However, the CCSA still recommends vaccinated travellers take an ATK test on Day 5, with the expectation that they’ll self-monitor their health while in the kingdom. But this recommendation will not be enforced, according to the announcements today.

Unvaccinated travellers, who have submitted a negative PCR test within 72 hours before departure via the Thailand Pass system, will be treated the SAME as vaccinated travellers, with no PCR test on arrival OR quarantine.

However, those who do not submit a negative PCR test prior to departure will still be required to quarantine for 5 days upon arrival, with a PCR test between days 4-5. Quarantine rules for unvaccinated travellers is the same at land borders as it is for those entering via international flights.

Meanwhile, insurance coverage requirements will also be reduced from US$20,000 dollar to US$10,000.

Businesses also have plenty to celebrate. Restaurants that are SHA+ registered will be able to remain open until midnight, including businesses operating as ‘pseudo bars’. The ‘official’ requirement to stop alcohol sales by 11pm has been broadly flouted by tourists and locals alike in recent months, as nightlife owners have pushed to return to ‘normal’ operating hours and reboot their businesses.

The CCSA also discussed the re-opening of all land border checkpoints, and has reviewed the colour-coding of provinces based on their infection rates.

All this is expected to be enacted from May 1, next week. But a confirmed date has not been announced at this time. All the changes will need to be signed off and published in the Royal Gazette, expected to happen early next week.

Recommend monitor brand

ericthai — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 17:28:48 +0800

Can anybody recommend a good brand of monitor with following characteristics.

1. HDR color

2. More than full HD resolution

3. Long lasting monitor that does not fail after 2 years.

4. Medium price

I use the monitor for creating videos (not for gaming)

Beware of high paying jobs overseas

ericthai — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 09:21:36 +0800

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022...online-scammers

KUALA LUMPUR: Barely days after a group of Malaysians were rescued in Cambodia, another case of human trafficking has emerged involving two teenagers who were taken to Myanmar.

What seemed as a way to make quick money for the boys, aged 14 and 15, turned into a nightmare when they were smuggled into Myanmar.

The best buddies ended up slaving away for an online scam syndicate, with their captors subjecting them to long hours of work.

But when they could not perform or hit targets, the syndicate decided to hold them for ransom.

With the assistance of MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong, the duo have been released and are now in the care of a Malaysian businessman in Thailand.

“The captors initially demanded 300,000 yuan (RM198,951) from the family of the two boys. After some negotiation over the phone, they agreed to let the two go for RM10,000.

“It was likely they were also pressured by media coverage on the human trafficking issue, so they wanted to get rid of the boys as quickly as possible.

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“They took the boys into Thailand and placed them at a hotel in the border town of Mae Sot.

“A friend who is a Thai-based businessman is looking after them now and we are in contact with the Malaysian embassy to facilitate their return,” said Chong at a press conference at Wisma MCA.

However, there lies one issue with the return of the boys – both do not have legal travel documents on them.

The mother of the 15-year-old, Vuong Thi Hoa, said her son had said he and his friend had got a “lucrative” job offer in Johor working for an automotive company.

“On the morning of March 23, a few men picked him up from our house in Bera, Pahang. That night, I received a phone call from my son who was crying and said that he had been taken into Thailand and wanted to come home.

“However, by then it was too late as the captors would not let them go,” said Vuong.

When she found her son’s passport at home, she knew the boys had been taken out of the country illegally.

Chong said the two were victims of human trafficking syndicates based in Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia which smuggled people out through “rat trails”.

“These syndicates would advertise highly paid jobs, usually on Facebook. They would offer between RM6,000 and RM12,000, with no experience or qualification required.

“They usually target young and naive people from poor backgrounds, hailing from small towns or villages, who are more likely to fall for such offers,” said Chong.

Chong has been highlighting human trafficking cases involving hundreds of Malaysians over the past week.

Most victims think they would be working as customer service representatives with lucrative salaries, but as it turns out, they become part of online scam syndicates.

On Saturday, police said 16 Malaysians were rescued from a human trafficking syndicate in Cambodia with the cooperation of Cambodian and Malaysian police.

Chong said he had spoken to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, who vowed to put a stop to the human trafficking problem.

“The IGP told me he is saddened by the situation and pledged to look into the matter. My advice is for people to stay away from job offers that appear too good to be true,” he said.

Selling property & income tax declaration

ericthai — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 18:02:33 +0800

I signed S&P in Dec 2021 but buyer loan took several months to disburse. I am the seller.

In declaring income tax for 2021.....

There is this column 'disposal of asset under Real Property Gains Tax' and 'Disposal declared to LHDNM'.

What should I write for these two columns?

I bought property more than 10 years ago so there was no tax deducted.

Calls for Covid test to be removed

ericthai — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 13:29:54 +0800

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022...for-costly-test

JOHOR BARU: Most international travellers flying into the country have to take their rapid test (RTK-Antigen) at the airport upon arrival and there is no reason why it should be overpriced, says the Malaysia Tour Guides Association.

Its president Jimmy Leong said the price for an RTK test at international airports in the country was too high, both for foreign travellers and Malaysians returning from overseas but they were left with no choice but to cough up the money and take the mandatory test.

“We should be transparent with the RTK test price.

“It should be standardised at all airports that have international arrivals and must be similar with the price set by clinics,” he said.

Leong questioned why some RTK tests were very expensive at certain airports compared to those offered by clinics.

He urged the government to immediately look into the matter as health issues should not be turned into a profit-making scheme.

Leong said those entering the country via international airports were required to do the RTK test within the airport premises.

Even the sample is processed at the airport and not transported to a lab.

“The purpose of reopening our borders is to welcome tourists back into Malaysia,” he said, adding that having to pay for an overpriced RTK test upon arrival would only leave tourists unhappy.

“The government should lower the cost for international travellers to encourage more people to come to Malaysia,” he added.

In early March, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said visitors and Malaysians who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 would no longer have to quarantine when they enter the country.

They must, however, undergo a RT-PCR test two days before departure and a professional RTK test upon arrival.

“They can do the RTK test at the airport or at a health facility outside, but it must be done within 24 hours,” he said.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang also said it was not necessary to have on-arrival testing for passengers.

“Travellers should be allowed in as long as they produce PCR test results and a ‘fully-vaccinated’ certification. The country’s standard operating procedure needs regular review in line with medical facts and in tandem with other countries’ practices to stay competitive,” he added.

Malaysian Tourism Council president Uzaidi Udanis concurred, saying that there should not be too much red tape at airports.

“We must make it easier for all parties, especially for travellers, and we should follow the best practice approach.

“Of course we want a good SOP, but it must not hinder people from coming into the country,” he said.

“We have to live with the virus and we must make decisions based on data and science,” he said.

Malaysians complain about expensive Covid test

ericthai — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 10:44:01 +0800

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022...ty-upon-arrival

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian travellers arriving in the country are fuming that they have to pay for an expensive professional RTK-Antigen test at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) when they had already done a pre-departure PCR test.

They also questioned the need for the on-arrival test when Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines have stopped it or have announced that they will halt doing so soon.

Cindy Foo, 35, who returned from Jakarta, said she had to do the RTK-Antigen test at the airport on April 1.

“We had to wait for the test at KLIA. I don’t understand why we have to be tested again when we had already taken the pre-departure test,” she said yesterday.

Another traveller from Singapore, Muhamad Hamid, 39, also questioned the need to do the test again.

“It would be easier for us if they scrap the on-arrival testing just like other countries in the region,” he added.

There are several types of on-arrival Covid-19 test options available at KLIA and klia2, with the professional RTK-Antigen (nasal) test costing RM100 for Malaysians and RM160 for foreigners.

The normal cost in a clinic would be around RM60 to RM70.

It takes between 15 and 30 minutes for the test results to be out.

For the Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test, Malaysians are charged RM250 while international travellers pay RM350. It usually costs between RM180 and RM250.

As for the rapid RT-PCR test, it will cost RM370 for Malaysians while foreigners pay RM470. The usual price is below RM350.

Private Covid-19 screening provider BP Healthcare is the sole company handling Covid-19 RT-PCR screening services, which is mandatory for all incoming travellers at KLIA and klia2.

Malaysian Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB), however, has denied claims that the RTK testing at international airports was monopolised by one company.

A senior official said there were four different health service providers at four international airports – KLIA, Penang International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Kuching International Airport.

From April 1, fully vaccinated travellers entering Malaysia are required to undergo a PCR test two days before departure and will also have to undergo a professional RTK-Antigen test within 24 hours upon arrival.

AirAsia Malaysia chief executive officer Riad Asmat said that while it welcomed the reopening of international borders, many Asean countries have made the journey easier by simplifying testing regimes for travellers.

“Cambodia, for example, has completely removed any testing requirement, while travellers to Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines are required to undertake one Covid-19 test (either pre-departure or on-arrival),” he said.

He noted that in Malaysia, although the pre-departure PCR test requirement remains, travellers have to undergo the RTK-Antigen test within 24 hours of arrival.

“This provides greater flexibility and eases the travel process.

“As the pandemic situation continues to evolve, travel processes and regulations such as the number and type of tests could also be reviewed periodically to ensure their relevance, without burdening travellers,” he added.

He said as Covid-19 tests become increasingly essential for travellers, the affordability of the mandatory testing would also affect the attractiveness of Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination.

“Cheaper PCR and RTK tests will reduce the cost for travellers and support a more effective recovery of the tourism and aviation industry, without compromising public health.

“Allowing more health service providers to offer testing services at Malaysian airports will encourage competition and increase efficiency of test services available,” said Riad.

Malaysia Aviation Group said that it stands guided by the government’s directives and appreciates its intervention to simplify the SOP so that travellers are able to enter Malaysia safely.

Member trolling

ericthai — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 10:42:09 +0800

I have put somebody on ignore list but that shameless person still troll me.

How can I complain to moderators?

Member trolling

ericthai — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 00:15:30 +0800

I have put somebody on ignore list but that shameless person still troll me.

How can I complain to moderators?

Close utilities (electric, water, sewerag) account

ericthai — Sun, 03 Apr 2022 10:50:53 +0800

If I already sold my apartment, can we close the existing Indah Water account online?

What about water and electricity?

Sinovac recipients will not lose their fully vacc

ericthai — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 22:07:52 +0800

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022...ccinated-status

PETALING JAYA: Sinovac recipients and those aged above 60 who have not received their booster doses and have contracted Covid-19 previously, will be given a three-month grace period to get their booster vaccine dose before losing their fully vaccinated status.

However, MySejahtera, in a post on their Facebook page on late Thursday (March 31), encouraged those in this group to receive their booster doses to retain their fully vaccinated status.

It added that recipients could choose the time and venue to receive their booster doses.

Previously, the Health Ministry had said that Sinovac vaccine recipients and those aged 60 and above would lose their fully vaccinated status on April 1 if they do not receive a booster dose by March 31.

The deadline for the group had been extended from Feb 28 before.

In a statement on Wednesday (March 30), Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that although the group would lose their fully vaccinated status on April 1, they would still be allowed to dine-in at eateries and enter malls.

Many don't want to take mrna booster

ericthai — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 09:02:30 +0800

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022...ccinated-status

GEORGE TOWN: Some of the Malaysians who will lose their vaccinated status for failing to take their booster shots do not really care about the government’s move.

Some could not be bothered by the fact, while others said they were too scared to take the booster jab.

Many of those interviewed said they were willing to put up with the inconvenience of being marked as “not fully vaccinated” on their MySejahtera app.

Businessman Mohd Kamal Shah, 51, said he had terrible side effects from his first two shots.

“I am afraid to take the booster after the horrible experience,” he said, adding that said he was afraid the booster jab might give him something bad.

The Ipoh-based businessman denied he was against vaccination, as he did take two doses, and insisted his hesitation over the booster jab was over its potential side effects.

“I hope the government can make an exemption for people like me, especially those over 50 and who have experienced bad side effects from their earlier vaccinations,” he said.

A senior citizen, who wanted to be known only as Muthu, said he did not mind losing his vaccination status as he only stayed at home with his family.

“I am too weak to move. My children tend to my needs,” he added.

The 72-year-old grandfather of three said he hesitated to take the booster after hearing stories of “nasty side effects”.

He said with his uncertain health condition, he decided to stay safe by avoiding people other than his family members.

Mohd Iqbal Hamdan, 29, missed his booster dose appointment after contracting Covid-19 last week.

“I was planning to walk in for the jab but got infected,” he said.

The part-time photographer said he hoped the government would let those who missed their boosters, like him, get the dose next month through special appointments.

A check on several vaccination centres on mainland Penang and the island yesterday saw no last-minute rush to get booster doses.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) virologist Dr Kumitaa Theva Das noted there were many who believed that vaccines other than CoronaVac would cause more side effects.

“But getting boosted means that if anyone is infected, the infection will be less severe, and the duration of the infection will be shorter.

“Not only will being infected be less disruptive to our lives, but it also means there is a lower chance of transmitting the virus to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, those with comorbidities and children,” she said.

With restrictions being relaxed and borders opening up, Kumitaa said booster doses are important now more than ever.

A state Health Department official said statistics have proven that adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) of booster doses are lower than the vaccination of early doses.

“In Malaysia, there are only 0.1 cases of light AEFI for every 1,000 booster doses administered compared with 0.4 cases per 1,000 with earlier doses.

“For severe AEFI, there are only 0.005 cases per 1,000 booster doses administered,” said the official.

Claim water deduction when vacant 6 months?

ericthai — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 00:02:56 +0800

Can we claim water and electric deduction if our apartment is vacant for more than 6 months?

Why do we have to pay if we don't use it?