Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by imtrobin

Ridiculous range for quotes for home repair

imtrobin — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 17:25:34 +0800

I was looking for electrician to rewire my house (in JB). I contacted a few electricians, half of them don't reply even thought they are very active in promoting themselves on facebook. Half of those that replied didn't show up for appointment.

Then I was given quotes for ridiculous various range, needing to replace electrical panel to hacking walls etc taking over a week. I was quoted from RM 5k to over RM10k (a few Malay electricians gave me this quote). Finally I got a recommendation from my mum's friend. He quoted only RM 1.5K and could reuse the old electric panel. So I used him, got it rewired in a day, and everything is working well again.

Unfortunately, he only does electric, and I still have many other house issues to repair.

Help convert JB residential to commercial for fnb

imtrobin — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 19:02:30 +0800

Hi, I have a residential property (nearly fully paid) in JohorBahru that I like to convert to do fnb. I don't have any immediate neighbours cos their houses all abandoned for many years.

I have asked (mostly property agents), they told me it's not commercial zoned but there are various bungalows nearby in next streets doing fnb for many years.

I also heard there is temporarily license that can renewed yearly? Anyone or runner can help with this?

Bungalow to nursing home requirements

imtrobin — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 22:23:24 +0800

Hi, I'm considering to convert one of my bungalow in JB to a nursing old folk home. A friend doing this tells me there is a requirement for bungalow size to be 8k sqft and double story. Is there such a requirement? I couldn't find any info about this online.

Inherit now or will?

imtrobin — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 09:22:53 +0800

Hi, my mum is over 70 now, and consider whether to transfer the property to children now or do a will? My siblings don't have Malaysian citizenship anymore, so I know there's are more steps and fees when doing a will to my sibling, so we are trying to minimizes the fees when inheriting.

2 properties under 1M each, we can transfer to either of us (3 siblings)

Is she able to transfer property now as inheritance? What are fees involved in doing transfer now vs executing will?

DIY Rent to Own

imtrobin — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 15:44:41 +0800

Hi, I have a property, full paid, which I'm considering to sell. The property uses very high quality construction material, however bank value does not recognize it becos my neighbour units are abandoned property so the bank value is very low. Which is annoying cos the valuer did not even come to see the house, so they value it like a slum.

I'm thinking instead of the buyer loan from bank, why don't I do the rent to own and be the "bank" since its fully paid? I've asked some property agents contact, they advise me not do, but I'm here to get more opinions.

Cannot draft Tenancy Agreement yourself anymore?

imtrobin — Wed, 22 May 2024 11:21:32 +0800

Hi, my existing rental TA, all done by privately, but my agent says there is a new rule since March 24, all TA must be drafted by lawyer, and they are charging me RM650 for it. Is that true? Sounds like a lot of money for simple cut and paste job.

5G router q

imtrobin — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 14:30:51 +0800

Hi, I planning to get 5G router no contract plan. I see only UMobile/Celcom available in my area. I want to ask what's a good 5G router to get and if there's any compatabililty issue.

WTH Model for corporate event exhibition PJ

imtrobin — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 08:20:03 +0800

Job Completed. Thanks to those who applied

Hi, I’m looking for 2 lady model to assist in a corporate event exhibition. Please email your info/portfolio to ******
Job Location: PJ
On Site: Yes
Salary: RM150
Start Date: 26-07-2019 Friday
Working Duration: 9am to noon
Working Hours: 3 hrs

WTH Model for corporate event exhibition this Fri

imtrobin — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 22:52:31 +0800

Job Completed

Hi, I'm looking for 2 ladies model to assist at a corporate event exihibition 26 July (Friday), 3 hour, 9am to noon.

Remuneration:RM150

Job Location:PJ

Attire: T shirt provided

Contact Person:Please send your info/portfolio to ******

Is this normal? RM100 to rent BBQ Pit in condo

imtrobin — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 06:09:37 +0800

I was recently trying to book the bbq at my condo , and I was told there is a RM100 charge (and other refundable RM100) so total RM200. I've been staying in condo at other countries, and they only usually ask for refundable deposit.

Is that normal for condos in Malaysia? I find it ridiculous that I'm already paying the management fee monthly.

P1 users, is this normal experience?

imtrobin — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 16:01:22 +0800

I just signed up P1 (again after a long time). I get very frequent slowdown and disconnect at certain time of the day. E.g 3pm.

Then the next speedtest,

I'm on a 5MB download line, upload 2MB. Certain times I can achieve that, but mostly very frequent dc, slowness.

P1 Dx230 connect as DHCP automatic not working

imtrobin — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 19:19:17 +0800

Hi, I just signed up P1 package. It's works fine. Now I'm trying to use my own wireless modem as their range is only 20m.

I set my router to DHCP automatic.
p1 Dx230 modem: Changed IP to 192.168.0.2, turn off DHCP, UPNP, NATPMP. Plug the Lan into WAN on my router.

I have tried with 2 different brand routers, both not working. Any step I'm missing?

Season 3 IconApps Iskandar

imtrobin — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 22:52:47 +0800

Season 3 of IconApps Iskandar is back! Learn to develop mobile games/app, free course sponsored by Iskandar for Malaysians.

https://www.facebook.com/iconapps.iskandar.malaysia

Insurance + investment are bad financial decisions

imtrobin — Fri, 01 May 2009 22:29:01 +0800

I see a number of insurance topics and I just wanted to share my experience about buying investment linked insurance, which I feel is a very poor financial decision.

My mum bought a investment linked life policy about 20 years ago. The agent told her she would get back 60K++ upon maturity. We still have the paper document on that. My mum is illterate, so she trusted the agent who was her friend and bought it. Luckily, all was well we didn't need to make any claims. Fast forward to now, she received a letter stating the policy would mature in two more years, but she would only get back 18K.

I can understand if the amount is 50K even 40K but at 18K, it is 70% difference. I wrote in to the bank asking them why the amount differed so much. Their explanations was due to poor investment made in 1997, that's why it was so low. I don't buy that, I gonna write to Bank Negara and maybe sue them for false selling (anyone can help?).

Anyway, personally I do buy insurance but without investment. I pay a fixed sum yearly which covers everything in case of hospitalization to death. My premium is only 15% compared to an investment linked policy. My insurance agent always try to psycho me to buy investment linked polices, saying one must always invest. No thanks, I will use the 85% of not paying the premium and invest on my own. The insurance companies can't invest better, and the only reason they want to sell you investment is besides comission, they get 5% of the investment performance. Look at my mum's case, they got all their comission all these years, and the losing end is people like my mum.

If you have any investment linked insurance, check your maturity value. You can probably do a lot better financially than to leave it to the "experts". For those who will ask anway, the insurance policy is from Hong Leong Assuarance.

Maxis broadband block ports

imtrobin — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:51:32 +0800

Hi

I just signed up for Maxis Power RM98 plan more than a week ago, it works fine but I couldn't get quite a lot applications up. I thought it was my problem until I found that Maxis is blocking ports, even MSN port 1896. What is the point of broadband if they only allow port 80? Made a support complain but still not respone, thinking of canceling to another provider, anyone got any recommendations for one that doesn't block ports?

Johor broadband improved?

imtrobin — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:55:33 +0800

Hi

I'm relocating back to JB soon, Tarom area (near Hyatt Hotel, close to city). Previously a year ago using Streamyx, and it was quite horrible service. It can disconnect a few hours frequently, and when rain, service is affected. I'm wondering if there's are other providers around now?