Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by zest168

Ask Medical and Life Insurance Claims

zest168 — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 16:11:50 +0800

Hi all,

I would like to start a thread to review and discuss Life and Medical insurance claims especially claims which were declined/ rejected due to falling under policy exclusion, non disclosure, limits of claim is reached, etc.

This will allow us to share experiences and also provide advice on possibility of claims appeal with much more solid grounds.

Apart from that those claims related to SOP or Procedures for sharing may also help ourselves handle the claims in a much smoother manner.

The Malay boy who lived among the Chinese

zest168 — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 08:55:50 +0800

Malaysia is such a unique country in which its citizens from different races and religions live harmoniously in a land enriched with many natural resources such as petroleum, palm oil, rubber, etc.

However, underneath a seemingly peaceful country there seems to have an undercurrent that is dividing its warm and humble citizens by race and religion.

This article comes very timely so that we can rub off the suspicion against one another and team up work hard for the healthy growth of our beloved nation for the love of our children and grand children.

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The Malay boy who lived among the Chinese

By Tajuddin Rasdi - January 10, 2019 7:00 AM

In this article, I want to share about my days at Hua Lian secondary school in Taiping, particularly the first of my five years there. It was a matter of fate that I ended up in a Chinese public school. But my time in that school helped make me what I am today: a Malay Muslim who has lived among Chinese Malaysians and who has come to know and love many of his friends there.

This article serves as a reminder to my many Malay friends and relatives that what they think they know about the Chinese is simply false – images and constructs created by unscrupulous politicians, questionable religious leaders and their own arrogance and ignorance.

I lived among the Chinese and I never felt any anger towards me, nor did they cause me to fear them. This article is also a tribute to my old school, SMJK Hua Lian, and all my teachers from 1976 to 1980 before I left to further my studies in the US under a government scholarship.

In June 1976, I found myself at SMJK Hua Lian. I was an Industrial Arts English medium student at St Marks, Seberang Prai, Penang, on transfer and it was the only school that would take me. There were 2,000 Chinese pupils in the morning and afternoon sessions and only three Malay students.

As I had come from a Form 2A class, I was offered a place in the Form 2A1 class. The school had a system where all those in Form 2A1 were boys, Form 2A2 were girls, Form 2B1 were boys, Form 2B2 were girls, and so forth. When I asked the headmaster, Mr Chong, which class had the most Malays, he said there were only two other boys and that they were in the last class – Form 2D1. So just imagine a small, scrawny Malay boy of 14 in a class of big, burly 15-year-old Chinese boys. Thus, my adventures began.

Once, a Malay teacher was so angry with the boys over what he thought was rudeness, though I did not see it, that he punished the whole class by making us stand under the sun in the school courtyard where all the Form 2 students could see us for a full class period. It was the first time I had been punished like this, but I found out from the other boys that this was normal for them.

Then I found out that the Chinese loved gambling on almost everything. They would bet on national football matches and a boy once held a thousand ringgit in RM10 and RM50 notes while calmly writing in his exercise book. I had never even seen two RM50 notes in my entire life till then, so it was an experience for me. The boys would invite me to bet on games and football matches but my father taught me never to bet and I did not have much money to bet with anyway.

Every day, I got 50 sen from my mother. I would spend RM2 buying my favourite Battle and Action comics from the Taiping book store every week. Whatever savings I had would be spent on second-hand comics and Enid Blyton storybooks from “kaki-lima” book stalls. But my friends were generous and would always “belanja” me ais kacang at Taiping’s casual market stalls.

When monthly exams came, the boys would crowd at my table for answers whenever the teachers went to the toilet. I just let them copy my answers. I was good at English, to the point that I could spot the teacher’s grammatical mistakes. I could do that after having read hundreds of Enid Blyton books and comics.

I also played football with the boys in my class. Betting with money was still on, but I played in my fullback position without putting up any cash. The boys would show their kicking and karate prowess by destroying school furniture but they would always look out for me and would warn off other students if they suspected anyone of trying to bully me. Although all the boys were backward in lessons and rough in their boisterous ways, they never said a racist or bad word against me. I learned to sing Chinese songs from my friends and picked up a few Mandarin and Hokkien words. I noticed that the Chinese loved to eat and that my friends would spend many ringgit at the canteen.

One of the most memorable occasions for me occurred during school assembly one day, when the results of the final exam, including for each subject, were announced. When the marks for the whole of Form 2 were read out, the highest scores went to either Form 2A1 or Form 2A2. When the headmaster announced the highest marks for English, shouts rang out, and there was almost pandemonium that morning from the whole of Form 2D1 because I had beaten the nerds in Form 2A1 and 2A2! I stole a glance at my form teacher who was beaming with happiness at being congratulated left and right by the other teachers. It was a sweet retirement present for him.

Later, I moved to Form 3B1 and after the Lower Certificate of Examination (LCE), I made it to Form 4 Science 1. After that, I was placed with all the nerds in Form 5 Science 1. I was the only Malay boy in the science stream until my Malaysian Certificate of Examination in 1979. My nerdy Chinese friends helped me with my Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry for which I was scoring average marks. I finally learned how to study like them and finished off with distinction A1 and A2 for all three subjects.

I finished the MCE with 6As and made it to the top 10 among the 160 candidates from the school that year. I was the only student to get a distinction in English 122 for overseas qualifications. I had beaten the head prefect who usually scored almost perfect marks in all subjects.

I left for the US with a JPA scholarship in the middle of my Lower Sixth Form in 1980. Most of my 2D1 classmates never made it beyond the LCE and I never met them again after Form 2.

This article is meant to put some questions and thoughts to Malay society in this country. What does it mean when a small Malay boy in a sea of Chinese students goes through five years of schooling without once being bullied or having a racist word uttered against him?

When my Malay friends who have been educated overseas and in local universities and have become high ranking officers in the government and GLCs as well as professors in the academia look at the Chinese with disdain, suspicion and hatred, I wonder why they think like that.

Where is this hatred coming from? Is it from politicians in Umno, PAS, their ustazs or perhaps from their own stupidity, arrogance and malice about a society they think they know a lot about but truly have not the faintest idea at all? If only they had lived a few years among the Chinese like I did.

While digesting that thought, think again about how a slightly above-average Malay student made it to the top 10 with his teachers being mostly Chinese. Think also about the Chinese friends who helped him in Science and Mathematics until he became a top scorer. What does it mean when a boy is taught as a boy of one nation and not of one race?

In closing, I wish to thank all my Chinese teachers and friends who made my life at SMJK Hua Lian a most enjoyable, productive and formative one.

I stand today accused by my Malay friends of being a Chinese sympathiser and a disloyal Malay for defending a race considered by some as the enemy of Malays and Muslims. I stand apart from some of my friends in their mistrust and hatred of the Chinese because I lived, played and studied among this race for five long years. Most Malays can’t say the same.

Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...ng-the-chinese/

How can Malaysia move forward as a Nation

zest168 — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 10:19:48 +0800

By Mariam Mokhtar

Some people claim that the winners in the anti-ICERD rally were the conservative Malay-Muslims, and the losers Pakatan Harapan (PH) and to a lesser extent Umno.

I beg to differ.

The real winners are the bullies and racists who threaten violence simply to get their way. Ketuanan Melayu or Malay supremacy tactics were paramount at the rally, with displays of silat groups and banners reminding everyone that Malaysia belongs to the Malays.

Prayers at the rally for the destruction of the PH administration were childish and showed that these bullies lacked creativity and brains. If their taunts and threats fail, God’s name is invoked to perpetuate a culture of fear.

The true losers are Malaysians, particularly the Malays. Here was a golden opportunity for Malaysians to rebuild the nation as a united people, through meritocracy. But fear triumphed.

Malaysians are now forced to play second fiddle to a handful of insecure Malay-Muslims who cannot grow up and cannot tolerate others being their equals. These insecure, belligerent people are determined that Malaysia should live in a toxic atmosphere. Think of the jealous boyfriend or husband who says, “If I can’t have you, no one else can.”

If these insecure people cared to read history, they would find that the foundation of Malaya/Malaysia was built on the blood, sweat and tears of all races. PAS leader Hadi Awang said non-Malays should be grateful that the Malays allow them to live in Malaysia. But he is misinformed. The original settlers of both East and West Malaysia were the Orang Asli – and Malay-Muslims repay their generosity by trampling on their rights.

Bullies and racists may have triumphed this time, but the Malays should heed the hidden messages from the anti-ICERD rally.

The rally served only to distract Malaysians, especially the Malays. Over the past few weeks, several Malay leaders were arrested and charged with money laundering, abuse of power, and stealing from the people. The rally allowed them a brief respite where they tried to be heroes once again.

Individuals such as former prime minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor may have felt like they regained their relevance, if only for an afternoon. They needed to remind the Malays that they champion their rights. The rally gave them ample opportunity to garner moral support from their sympathisers.

Interviews with people who attended the rally showed that some had no clue what ICERD means while others said the gathering was a relief from their day-to-day routines. The coach was free. They were allegedly given a small allowance, but it was still money in their hands. They were given free food and a chance to tell the folk in their villages that they had visited Kuala Lumpur.

The Malays in Malaysia are the poor relations of their cousins overseas. The Malays who have left Malaysia are confident and successful; they do not need crutches to survive. In the days before the ICERD issue, I met many middle-class and wealthy Malays who denounced the treaty as they believed ratifying it would mean the Malays losing their right to education. Have they been to schools where the dropout rate of Malays is high? Have they asked how the children perform at some Felda schools?

One professional Malay living and working in Malaysia claimed the special privileges of the Malays would be lost and Islam would be phased out if the ICERD were to be ratified. This person is perhaps oblivious to the fact that Malays who are spoon-fed become lazy and demotivated. Malays do not enjoy special privileges or a special position. There is nothing special about having a millstone around one’s neck.

A Malay engineer visited Dataran Merdeka in the early hours of the morning, before the rally started, to take a selfie. He disagreed with ICERD because he enjoys an Ali Baba work relationship. Others see him as a successful engineer, but would he agree to meritocracy and equality in the workplace?

After PH won GE14, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad stood by his decision of Tommy Thomas as the attorney-general. He was equally adamant that Lim Guan Eng should be the finance minister, yet when Malay extremists threatened to wreak havoc, he faltered. Why? Was he reverting to his Umno heredity or was this a politically expedient move?

PH carried the hopes and ideals of Malaysia Baru, but when it came to ICERD, it failed the people.

Why aren’t the Malays informed that ICERD is not the end of their little world? ICERD would have been the key to a more exciting future in which they would continue to play a positive role alongside other Malaysians. And their success would have been achieved under their own steam, through their brilliance and hard work.

SOURCE:

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...ti-icerd-rally/

Be Positive - Rate Best Performing Minister

zest168 — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 14:49:29 +0800

Rate your leaders

Lai, Lai, Lai, Guess how much is my breakfast

zest168 — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 09:34:10 +0800

Today feel like eating mee hoon because have been eating nasi lemak few days already, how much do you think this cost without GST?

Guess Price of Watch in 4K box

zest168 — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 16:09:02 +0800

Brand new Titanium bracelet with solar powered energy watch, sold in 4K box, guess how much.

Sate Hj Samuri P16 Putrajaya

zest168 — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 11:56:57 +0800

Thought of bringing some visitors to eat satay in Putrajaya, anyone knows if it is still operating?

What will be News Headline when Red > Yellow ?

zest168 — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 12:47:11 +0800

So what would you think the headlines would be?

Renovation Contractor/Designer in Nilai

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 07:30:00 +0800

Renovation Contractor/Designer in Nilai

zest168 — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 14:51:40 +0800

hi all,

I am looking for renovation contractors/ interior designer around Nilai/ Pajam area, anyone has honest and good contractors/ IDs, kindly recommend.

Thank you.

Malaysia Climbs 42 spots up

zest168 — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 11:28:05 +0800

Mujur Malaysia masih aman...

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...isms-watchlist/

Original XiaoMi PB 10400mAh available

zest168 — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 13:26:07 +0800

Item(s):

ORIGINAL XiaoMi 10400mAh Malaysia Set Silver (Brand New)
Malaysia set
Brand new stock ready

Package includes:
All accessories comes with it.

Price: RM50 per unit

Warranty:
6 Months from xiao mi malaysia

Dealing method:
PosLaju add RM6 /COD Puchong area

Location:
Puchong

Contact method/details:
PM here
---

Item(s) conditions:
Brand new

Recond Cars

zest168 — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 15:01:20 +0800

HI all,

I am planning to buy a recond merc year 2011 probably a C-Class as my budget is somewhere below RM200K.

Any advise on pros and cons; things to be aware of; good dealer to recommend please feel free to comment and PM me.

Thank you.

Maxis Home Fiber vs Unfi

zest168 — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 18:17:00 +0800

Hi all,

I am thinking about upgrading my Unifi to Maxis Home Fiber, however I am not sure about Maxis website restriction whether they are stricter than Unifi i.e., many websites are banned or unable to download files.......

Any experience to share? Thank you.

Working in Hong Kong Financial Sector

zest168 — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 00:14:41 +0800

Hi all,

I may be getting an offer for a job based in Hong Kong however I am not sure how much monthly salary range for a Senior Manager in Hong Kong.

Anyone can share some experience?

Thank you.

Senior Manager in Financial sector in Hong Kong

zest168 — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 00:04:08 +0800

Hi all,

I may be getting an offer for a job based in Hong Kong however I am not sure how much monthly salary range for a Senior Manager in Hong Kong.

Anyone can share some experience?

Thank you.

Service Mitsubishi Air Con

zest168 — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 20:36:01 +0800

Hi my house Mitsubishi air con 1HP Mr Slim is not cold.

Anyone has good serviceman to intro and knows Mr Slim model, because those who does not know the model may not know how to open up the unit and clean it accordingly.

Thank you.

Parking Ethics at landed property areas

zest168 — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 17:24:46 +0800

As neighbours staying in landed property areas, everyone has more than one car, some 4-5 cars and there is lack of parking space. Should we park at any of empty space available or should we be more considerate to leave space in front of neighbours for them to park their cars?