Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by contestchris

Non stop thunder and lightning in KV

contestchris — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:21:41 +0800

Woah it's been a while hearing non stop thunder and lightning. Massive rainstorm!!!

At 4.00pm the sky turned pitch black...a sudden turn within 5 minutes.

Costs/fees to settle loan or dispose of property?

contestchris — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:42:04 +0800

I'm trying to research my options and can't seem to find much information on this online.

Some background:

- 5+ years since S&P, so no RPGT should be applicable
- 5+ years since loan disbursement, so no lock-in or early settlement penalty
- Sole owner and sole name on loan
- Purchase price around RM450k, loan remaining around RM400k, market value around RM500k
- Purchased as a sub-sale unit with perfected title
- No outstanding payments for utilities, maintenence, assessment/taxes etc

My question is simple - how much would it cost me to:
a. Settle the loan with the bank (but keep the property); or
b. Outright sell the property

I am aware that for selling there is an agent's fee of 2-3%, what else? How about early settlement with the bank?

Does HR pro-rate dental, optical and medical?

contestchris — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 17:44:18 +0800

I'm just curious, if your entitlement for each is RM1k and you resign on June 30th, will HR pro-rate your entitlement to 50% and recover the balance from your final salary?

Jam so bloody bad

contestchris — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 18:34:00 +0800

No rain wtf is this jam about from Damansara to KL

Local plane travel with child

contestchris — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 13:59:45 +0800

I'm thinking of a local travel to expose the young children to aircraft.

Options include Langkawi in Peninsular or Kuching or KK in EM.

I've personally never been to Kuching but am inclined to it. I presume it is less touristy but also calm and safe enough for young children.

Airplane trip is just under 2 hours.

Just for a different experience for young child, not looking for anything happening.

Lots of walking with stroller within city area.

I'm less inclined to Langkawi as it is touristy.

KK is interesting but an hour longer flight and also the city area might be a bit more fast paced compared to Kuching

Anyone have any feedback?

Super jammed

contestchris — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:17:45 +0800

Heading from Damansara to KL it has been super jam for the past 2 days. The jam staring much earlier on the highway

How come?

Why do we need to pay to replace faulty MyKad?

contestchris — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 23:04:09 +0800

I can understand paying a fine to replace it if you have displaced it, or caused damage due to your own error.

But what about the chip just getting faulty after 10+ years?

Now with Budi95 and Sara100, shouldn't the government offer free MyKad replacement in cases of faulty chips?

If no, why not?

Can you negotiate salary if they meet your asking?

contestchris — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 22:55:42 +0800

Let’s say you asked for RM15k in the application form, which is filled prior to the interview. The company also offered you RM15k verbally after the interview, and you accepted. In this example, assume I am earning RM12k.

However, when you get the offer in black and white, you realise that the overall package increment is just single digit.

- lower employer EPF contribution
- lack of parking benefit
- lower medical coverage and lower limits (both GP/outpatient and hospitalisation) for self and dependents
- lack of additional benefits such as dental and optical
- lower average performance bonus, e.g. 1 month vs 3 months in existing company

The benefits are not discussed during the interview, and at the point of verbal offer, the headhunter say they cannot disclose the detailed benefits.

In such a situation, what is your opinion of reaching out to negotiate a higher base salary, since the benefits are significantly inferior to current company?

Note: In this example, assume that I am gainfully employed and not desperate to leave. At the same time, if they can offer just an extra 5% (i.e. RM750), it would be easier to justify making the move - if not, I’m inclined to decline the offer.

Maybank Yippie Account - Fees and Charges

contestchris — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 14:44:24 +0800

I've look at the Maybank webpage, however some things are unclear.

https://www.maybank2u.com.my/maybank2u/mala...gs_account.page

1. Is there a minimum balance required?

2. Is there any dormancy if account is unused for prolonged period of time?

3. Is a debit card mandatory, and if yes, can we select a zero annual fee variant of the debit card?

Appreciate if someone with knowledge and experience can share the answers for this.

Mekdi Filet o Fish price increased!

contestchris — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 12:50:12 +0800

Beautiful surprise for the new year, it is now 13.70 per regular set

Why renew ins and roadtax from Shopee, Tng, Boost

contestchris — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:42:35 +0800

I saw so many posts online about buying from these platforms, my question is WHY?

1. You are buying from a 3rd party / middleman who does not add anything of value. Unlike say a physical agent, who could help you by guiding with claims etc.
2. It is CHEAPER to buy directly from the insurance company, and the policy is sent to your email address straight away.
3. For Roadtax, renewal via MyJPJ/MySikap is instantaneous and has ZERO FEES.

I always wonder which waterfishes fall for this stupid trap. Even after taking into account some discounts, from my comparison the insurance is always most costly when buying via third-party platform, and there is always some kind of fees for the roadtax renewal which is free via MyJPJ.

Organ donors should receive preferential status

contestchris — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 15:48:38 +0800

I came across this article on Codeblue, where the Health Minister says that organ donorship is going to be a main item on the national agenda for next year.

https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2025/12/dz...ational-agenda/

While I myself and my immediate family members have all signed up to be organ donors, I understand that certain religions and cultures are against this practice. But - and this is the kicker - their religion or culture does not forbid them to receive an organ transplant should the need ever arise.

Seeing that the pool of organ donors is so small, I am wondering, would it be fairer to ensure that where practicable, people who have pledged to donate their organs are always at the front of organ transplant recipient list.

Why must my cornea, kidney or liver go to selfish people who take but never give (even in death)?

There may be exceptional cases, but by and large, why can't this policy be put in place? If anything, it will ultimately boost people who pledge to be organ donors.

Why has nothing happened to 1MDB bribe receivers?

contestchris — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 11:19:35 +0800

Najib has been found guilty. However, he did not do this alone. He needed help (or people to turn a blind eye) from various institutions in Malaysia to pull this off and then cover it up - people in the Ministry of Finance, people in BNM, people in MACC.

According to the US DOJ report, various officials in Malaysia received bribes from funds laundered via 1MDB.

Why has nothing been done against the people who conspired to steal the rakyat's money?

One example is Zeti Aziz's husband, who received multiple fund inflows in Singapore from companies linked to Jho Low. How come nothing has happened?

These people were treasonous to the country, they ought to face just as harsh a punishment as Najib.

Solution for creaking door when open and close

contestchris — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 08:46:16 +0800

A few months ago, a few doors in my house is creaking heavily when open and close. Surprisingly, the incident is very isolated to just 3 doors, the rest in my house are fine even though they are all the same type and around 20 year old now.

I read in Lowyat to use WD40, and voila the sounds was gone. But now for all 3 doors, the sounds are back and worse than ever.

Short of replacing the doors, anything that can be done?

What is the logic of the new 3-storey townhouses

contestchris — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 21:53:27 +0800

These days, they're building triple storey townhouses, split into 2 - left/back side of the house to Family A, and right/front side of the house belong to Family B. The porch is "longish" and split in half, 2 cars can park in tandem for each family.

What the fuck is the purpose of these houses?

I went to friend's Christmas celebration at one such newly VP-ed house, and I kept questioning myself, what in the fucking world is this nonsense. The house is cramped and narrow, and it seems like you're losing half your usable area to the staircase. The living room is on the first floor, but it is so small and cramped.

Please explain the logic of this nonsense, it's worse than living in a 1,200 sqft condo.

Note: And it isn't even cheap, this cost around RM520k net and it is located beyond Shah Alam area, so nowhere near KL.

What's your experience with uHome 5G?

contestchris — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:05:50 +0800

My Time Fiber contract is ending and they're not giving me any offer, so my 200mbps plan goes back to RM99/month.

I've used Time Fiber for 5 years, no issues. But recently I came across 5G plans from YES and Umobile and am considering moving to them in a bid to save RM30/month or so.

I am aware that the performance may not be as consistent as home fiber, but the truth is I only use Wifi at home casually on my PC and TV. No serious gaming, even WFH is rare these days.

In general though, on my current Maxis 5G plan, I get minimum 50mbps at peak hours, but usually close to 100mbps.

Should the uHome 5G speeds be better? Even excluding the second ULTRA5G network, is it fair to assume that the router will get better 5G speed than the phone because it has got larger antennas etc?

Also, how are the latest stock routers (especially the Huawei model), compared to aftermarket routers?

Please do share your experiences folks!

Ookla: High initial median 5G speeds trending down

contestchris — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:27:09 +0800

This is an interesting study performed by Ookla, which shows that Malaysia initially had high median 5G speeds that have since deteriorated every single quarter. This trend is not noted in other countries from the region.

Link to report: https://www.ookla.com/articles/malaysia-tra...-network-q32025

Negative 12.12 Purchase Experience - Nike Shoes

contestchris — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 21:15:27 +0800

I bought a pair of shoes on 12.12 from their official Lazada store.

But the shoes they sent, are defective and seem used. The surface of the shoe seems to be cut in a few areas, but one cut is very prominent. The sole of the shoe has markings. The inside of the shoe doesn't have any crumpled paper. The shoelaces are tied like normal, doesn't seem like the new type.

Is Nike selling used/defective shoes as "new" on their Lazada store? Does anyone have a similar experience?

I've raised a refund and will send it back tomorrow, but I am wondering if I should pursue something further with KPDN eAduan cause it seems like they are intentionally selling a defective/used good as "new" on their store.

DELETE

contestchris — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:20:25 +0800

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What is the logic of swearing in at 3.11am?

contestchris — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 21:30:35 +0800

It makes the whole thing look shady.

Why can't the wearing in take place at a normal hour with ample notice in advance?

What is the rush?

Are the staff of the Istana on standby 24/7?

Is this normal for a parliamentary democracy?

Sooo many questions, please add your insights dear fellows.

Link: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...in-sabah/200182