Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by wb4j

Home loan refinance - how long does it take?

wb4j — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 16:33:02 +0800

I am hearing different story. The bank officer told me 2 to 3 months but my friend told me his took 6 months.

Anyone here with refinance experience please share:

1. how long does the whole process take from the day you sign the loan agreement ?
2. which bank?

-Thanks-

wts: Samsonite Outlab Laptop Bag Pack in Black

wb4j — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:11:27 +0800

Item(s): Samsonite Outlab Laptop Bag Black

Samsonite makes very good and lasting laptop bags. This outlab series is 1 of the best looking. Samsonite is as good as Targus, Victorinox Swiss Army.

Package includes: the bag and warranty card

Price:RM 190; retail selling at RM230 nett

Warranty: 2 years by international by Samsonite

Dealing method: COD

Location of seller: Mid Valley

Contact method/details: PM

Age of item: New

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Item(s) conditions: Brand New

Picture:

[attachmentid=2581641]

[attachmentid=2581642]

sold: Sony MDR EX38IP ear bud

wb4j — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:41:47 +0800

Item(s): Sony MDR-EX38iP Black color
*Control your iPod® or iPhone® and look good doing it with these high-quality EX earbuds.

Package includes: Original sealed package

Price: Rm150 nego

http://www.sonystyle.com.my/ProductListing...el=MDR-EX38iP/W

Retail RM 199

http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/se...r=MDREX38IP/BLK

Dealing method: COD at Midvalley

Age of item: New

A dissapointing NAP review

wb4j — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:42:23 +0800

Saturday October 31, 2009
A disappointing review of the NAP
A QUESTION OF BUSINESS
By P GUNASEGARAM

Key measures of the automotive policy simply don’t address the most serious issues facing the motor industry.

TOP of the list of problems facing the Malaysian auto industry is that, after almost a quarter of century of protection, it remains uncompetitive. The only reason it makes money is that Malaysians are stopped from buying cheaper, better cars through high tariffs.

The cornerstone of the National Automotive Policy or NAP, when it was introduced in March 2006, was “to promote a competitive and viable domestic automotive sector, in particular the national car manufacturers.”

Unfortunately, not a single move announced makes any significant progress in this direction at all. Instead, the series of moves announced support and extend the protection given to the local car industry. And – why are we not surprised? – this comes at the expense of the car buyer.

If, as we expect, local industries are going to be made more competitive, then import and excise duties must come down and be made more uniform with imported vehicles. That’s what liberalisation is about and it will inevitably bring car prices down. But no such thing happened. The Trade and Industry Minister says that obligations under the Asean Free Trade Agreement or AFTA will be met but it is difficult to understand how that can be done with differential duties which favour national car manufacturers.

Yes, manufacturing licences have been liberalised for cars in the “luxury” segment – above 1,800cc. But what is it that can be offered to international players when they are closed off to the most lucrative middle-market segment?

Originally, it was envisaged that the notorious and widely abused approved permit or AP system, under which preferred holders were given the right to import cars, would be done away with by next year.

Instead, this has been extended to 2015 for “open” APs, which apply to imports by non-franchise holders. For franchise APs, the deadline is over 10 years down the line to 2020. Thus, a tool for the dispensation of patronage is still very much with us despite its adverse affect on the industry.

Moves to stop the import and sale of second-hand parts will push up the cost of replacing parts for a range of models. For some cars, the only parts that are available are only second-hand parts.

The only people it will benefit are local – and foreign parts – manufacturers. Car buyers may be forced to move to more popular models due to unavailability and cost of parts, again forcing the motoring public to subsidise the profits of inefficient car manufacturers.

The move to scrap cars over 15 years old, starting with inspections before road tax licences are given, is a further burden to the public and forces them to change cars even if they maintain them properly. The public should not be compelled to change cars which are still roadworthy.

I have a continental car over 15 years old which I dare say is much safer than any national car and which still runs pretty well.

Until we can find the political will to make serious changes to the auto industry once and for all, we are going to be saddled with an inefficient one which all of us will pay for.

The basic changes required are very simple. We should announce a phased and substantial reduction of taxes to bring car prices down and relieve the considerable burden on the Malaysian public. That will provide more money for other more productive activities.

We should gradually – not more than five years – also remove all other protective barriers. That way, national manufacturers will quickly forge the international alliances necessary to become viable and will no longer be a public burden.

Finally, it almost goes without saying that APs should be immediately done away with. Whoever wants to import any car from anywhere should be allowed to do it, provided they pay all applicable taxes.

Now, that’s competitive liberalisation. Let’s hope some day soon, we will have the courage to do that. Other countries have and benefited – ask Australia.

● Managing editor P Gunasegaram realises our officials know what competition and liberalisation is. The problem is politics.

P Gunasegaram speaks the mind of the rakyat. I cannot understand why the government cannot do away AP?

AP system extension until 2020?

wb4j — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:13:03 +0800

This is absurd!

Bumiputra motor traders ask for AP system extension
By JOSEPH CHIN and YUEN MEI KENG

KUALA LUMPUR: The International Trade and Industry Ministry has received requests from bumiputra motor traders that the approved permits (APs) system be extended until 2020.

Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Government had plans to review the bumiputra motor traders’ industry and a five-year plan was in the works to help them improve their operations.
tan sri Muhyiddin Yassin

The plan, which would be implemented this year, would focus on developing more successful companies to drive the industry, he said at a briefing for senior editors yesterday.

According to sources, the Government had tentatively approved for the APs to be extended to 2020. Under the National Automotive Policy (NAP), the AP system is to be phased out by Dec 31, 2010.

Earlier, at the ministry’s staff assembly, Muhyiddin said the ministry would take the initiative to lead errant AP holders back on track.

“Through our checks, we discovered that some permits were sold to certain parties who shouldn’t be owning them,” he said, adding that some AP holders also had insufficient capital and did not manage their businesses well.

“If AP holders refuse to comply with regulations, we shall ask them to withdraw from having the permit. We will also take action against them as we have comprehensive reports,” he said.

Muhyiddin said the five-year plan was to assist the bumiputra motor traders improve their operations, increase their working capital and ensure the viability and sustainability of their operations.

Source: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?f...77&sec=business