Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by amandalim

How to buy 3rd Party Only Car Insurance?

amandalim — Fri, 22 May 2026 11:42:11 +0800

My old car which my parent is using once in a while just past the 15 years mark and up for renewal, and since I've already transferred my NCD to my new car, I don't think it's worth getting comprehensive insurance for it anymore, where cheapest also cost over RM800. But most of the platform doesn't seems to provide 3rd party coverage renewal online.
What do you guys normally do with cars over 15y? Do you still buy comprehensive insurance? Where can I get the cheapest 3 party insurance for car?

Astro CTO Sued Company and Lost

amandalim — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:16:08 +0800

TLDR:
1. Astro CTO worked 26 years kena VSS
2. Monthly salary slightly above 30k
3. Initial VSS offer RM275k kena rejected than raised to RM428k
4. Sued company for more and lost

Honestly, for a company CTO who worked 26 years and getting less than half a mil is quite little, I've seen those in MNC who worked similar years getting more than half a mil, and those are are director or senior managers only, not even C-level.

Medical report from Doctor need 2-3 months?

amandalim — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 17:29:10 +0800

I'm helping my father submit his insurance claim for critical illness after he suffered from stroke last Dec'24. For the claim, a medical report from doctor (Attending Physician Statement) is needed. I was told by the hospital (Private hospital in Penang) that the report can only be completed in 2-3 months time, as this doctor who attended my dad is a busy doctor.

I wondering if anyone have experience with critical illness insurance claim and how long does yours take? Is it the norm for doctor to take such a long time to prepare a report?

Property Rental in Penang

amandalim — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 22:12:05 +0800

I've rented out my condo before in KL and it's always the tenant that pays the tenancy agreement fees. This is my first time renting out a commercial unit in Penang and my agent told me both tenant and owner have to pay half the tenancy agreement fees each, which is on top of the 1 month commission I'm already paying to the agent. Is this the norm in Penang?

Government Hospital Cost for Stroke

amandalim — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 16:29:54 +0800

My father got admitted to hospital recently for stroke, thank goodness he has medical insurance which covers him until 80 (he's 78), so we admit him to Pantai Hospital in Penang. The final cost is still be tallied, but I estimate we need to fork out around 6k for his 3 weeks stay in hospital, which is 10% of the total cost while insurance company will cover the 90%.
I'm wondering how much will Government Hospital cost for the same treatment? Anyone knows how much stroke treatment cost in GH for non-civil servant?

Another case of ex-employee winning over employer

amandalim — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 16:24:29 +0800

Former Maxis Broadband employee wins over RM700,000 for unfair dismissal

KUALA LUMPUR – The industrial court here has awarded a former Maxis Broadband Sdn Bhd employee RM703,664 for unfair dismissal after finding discrepancies in his performance evaluations.

The July 19 decision by industrial court chairman Mohd Zulbahrin Zainuddin awarded Ng Keng Seng, who had worked for the company for 25 years, RM305,644 in back wages and RM398,000 in compensation in lieu of reinstatement.

The RM398,000 was derived from Ng’s last drawn salary of RM15,920 multiplied by 25, being each month for each completed year of service, the court’s written decision stated.

Ng was dismissed on February 28, 2021 while he was holding the position of project manager specialist.

His dismissal followed three failed “ad-hoc performance improvement plan” (PIP) evaluations, each PIP lasting a month from September to November 2020.

He took his dismissal to the industrial court in September 2021.

Industrial court chairman Zulbahrin in his decision said scrutiny of Ng’s performance evaluation results, including those in the early part of his career before he began the ad-hoc PIP, showed conflicting information which was unfair and confusing to the claimant.

The court also noted that Ng was dismissed without a warning or show-cause letter, which cast doubts on the actual reasons for his termination.

Citing performance evaluations from the years 2017, 2018 and 2019, the court said Ng’s supervisors and evaluations had acknowledged and thanked him for his contributions, commitment and efforts to his assigned tasks.

Despite this, Ng was still rated with a “partially meets expectations” (PME) ranking for each of those years.

He was even given a “token of appreciation” bonus of RM26,132 for his performance in 2019 as stated in a letter in February 2020 from the company in recognition of his efforts.

Under questioning by Ng’s lawyers, Maxis Broadband’s head of compliance and employee relations, Sheila Subramaniam, who was a witness, agreed that a PME was not the same as “total unsatisfaction”.

The court’s judgment also took note of Maxis Broadband’s criteria of eligibility for staff to undergo a PIP, whereby employees rated “unsatisfactory” would be automatically enrolled, while those like Ng could be placed in an ad-hoc PIP by their manager if they are deemed non-performing.

Noting that Ng’s performance was never once rated “unsatisfactory” or “non-performing” throughout his career, the court said it was of the view that Maxis Broadband had not applied its PIP policy consistently with regard to Ng.

The court also noted evaluations on Ng’s performance in the last two years before his dismissal under his last supervisor, Macy Ho, who had agreed with the appreciation bonus given to him for his 2019 performance, and who had never highlighted poor performance issues despite his PME ratings.

“The court is of the view that the company has failed to prove on the balance of probabilities that the claimant’s dismissal from his job was on fair grounds,” Zulbahrin said.

Ng was represented by lawyer Patrick Tan Yan Hong from Messrs Tang and Hong, while Maxis Broadband was represented by Janice Anne Leo, Adrienne Sena and Gurjeevan Singh Sachdev from Messrs Steven Thiru and Sudhar Partnership. – July, 25, 2024

Source: https://www.scoop.my/news/219013/former-max...fair-dismissal/

Midnight in KLIA2

amandalim — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 09:27:41 +0800

Stupid AA reschedule my flight from 11pm to 2am. I noticed most shops and restaurants in KLIA2 closes at 10/11pm. Who recently spent the night in KLIA2 can share which shops or restaurants still open pass midnight? Before or after immigration doesn't matter.
Before covid, a lot of shops opened 24hours, now I'm not sure, haven't been to KLIA2 for a long time.

Any contact to install metal parking barrier

amandalim — Sun, 14 Nov 2021 18:05:41 +0800

My parking spot at my current vacant apartment keeps getting occupied by others, especially when the spot is left empty for some time. The last straw came when an idiot who parked at my spot didn't even bother to leave a contact number, and had to cheek to challenge management for clamping his car and refuse to pay the fine.

I would like to install this kind of metal barrier which I've seen others installed at their parking lot, anyone has any contact? (Preferably in Puchong area)

Thanks!

Amazon Gift Card

amandalim — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 08:25:24 +0800

So I just received a USD 30 Amazon gift card from my company for a project I completed. What can I use it to buy on Amazon? The shipping to Malaysia won't be cheap right? Are there any digital products worth buying to avoid shipping charges?
Never bought anything from Amazon before.

Is there a minimum payment for TNB monthly?

amandalim — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 14:41:08 +0800

My tenant left a few months ago but due to MCO, I'm unable to travel interstate to check on the unit. I noticed my monthly TNB bill is still around RM15 with around 75 kWh of usage, even though the unit is vacant. I'm wondering if my tenant left the fridge or some electrical appliances running, or is there a minimum payment that TNB charges monthly?
My water bill is clearer as it indicates there's a minimum charge of RM6 monthly.

27 yo lost US$50 million in trading

amandalim — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 10:19:06 +0800

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/bill...on-trading-loss

Most people can't even achieve 1% of that amount working their whole life

How much damage is worth to claim car insurance?

amandalim — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 16:29:21 +0800

Just want to get some advice, I accidentally knock someone's car on the side. The damage is not major, scratches and a bit dent on the side door, the total cost for repainting we asked is about RM700++.
Is it worth claiming insurance for this amount?
If claim insurance, most likely I'll be losing my NCD of about RM500++ and might need to pay fine for police report since it is my fault.

Normally how much is consider worth claiming insurance?

Thanks!

Travel Insurance Question

amandalim — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 14:31:09 +0800

I'm planning to purchase travel insurance for my US trip, where my flight departs from Penang on 13-Sep and return to Penang on 14-Oct. Can I purchase my travel insurance from 14-Sep instead(which is the date I actually arrived in US)?
Because according to Tune Protect website, the one day difference will exceed their 30 day package and put me in a higher bracket which cost more.

Must we follow the exact flight departure and return date for the travel insurance to be valid?

Did you pay your AES summonses?

amandalim — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 11:29:15 +0800

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2017/11/...xt-year-traffic

So only those who got caught under AWAS from May'17 will be brought to court for now. What about those who got caught under AES from 2012 to Apr'17? Did you pay your AES summonses?

Any device that can download movie to watch on TV?

amandalim — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 15:44:29 +0800

Sorry for noob question, but I'm wondering if there are devices like TV box which can download and store movies files directly on the device and watch it on TV?

Currently what I'm doing is downloading the movies to my PC, then connect my PC to the TV using HDMI cable, which can be quite troublesome as I have to move my PC around the house all the time

I tried google around but most people are talking about TV box or streaming devices which is good if you want to stream the movies online without downloading it. But I prefer to download and watch it offline. Something like an external storage that can store huge video files which connects to the TV so that you can watch from it anytime

Can I use company ESPP account for buying shares?

amandalim — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 14:24:13 +0800

Hi, I'm working in a US MNC so I already have a trading account under Fidelity Netbenefits which was used to purchase my company shares under Employee Stock Purchase Plan, question is, can I use the same account to purchase other US shares on my own?

Anyone tried this centre snorkel for snorkeling?

amandalim — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 14:28:19 +0800

Came across this kind of front snorkel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nCXFM2Llkw) and wonder if anyone have tried using it for snorkeling?
From what I googled, this type of snorkel is mainly used by swimmers for training. I'm planning to buy one for snorkeling with my prescription goggles, as I don't plan on buying a snorkeling mask with prescription, nor do I want to wear contact lenses.
Normal snorkel will be shaky if clip on swimming goggles

Any limit for number of passengers per car?

amandalim — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 13:46:23 +0800

Is there any limit to the number of passengers per car for GrabCar and Uber? We are 4 adults planning to go to Penang airport next Raya weekend. Short trip so only minimal luggages.
Can we pre-book or do advance booking few days before the trip?
Also, is it easy to get a ride early in the morning around 5 - 5.30am?

Thanks.

Do we need Music Permit License?

amandalim — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 14:57:01 +0800

I noticed in my wedding confirmation letter from my Hotel that there's a clause that says "MACP permit licence fee, PPM license fee and PRISM license fee" is required for event held in the ballroom should there be any performance of music either laptop, mobile machine, dee jay or live performance by artistes.

Does this mean I need to apply and pay for a licence if I were to play my wedding slideshow with background songs during event?

Sending Wedding Invites during Ghost Month

amandalim — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 11:32:33 +0800

I'm getting married next month end and have started sending out wedding invites so that my guests have time to RSVP, however I was told by one of my aunty that it is actually not appropriate to send out invitations during this month. Is this true? I thought we are only not allowed to have actual wedding during this month, how about just sending invitations? Both my family and my fiance's family are Christians so we actually don't mind, but we just don't want to offend anyone.