Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by 22

Awning Leaking/Silicone Issues

000022 — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 20:41:45 +0800

Trying my luck here - does anyone know if this is a common issue with paint being peeled off by the adhered part of the silicone to the wall?

So context is that before even a year of completion, my awning started leaking rainwater at the base where the awning connects with the wall.

The contractor came to check, and from the video, they're saying that the paint job on the wall was bad, which caused it to flake off when held with silicone. According to him, the silicone is there to fill and prevent water from seeping through gaps between the wall and the awning.

I'm not too convinced, since there is not other part of the building where the paint flakes like this. It seems as though there was a constant load on the awning which caused the silicone to be pulled and therefore pull of the paint. Because it's not just the paint which was pulled off, some parts of the cement flaked off as well which is worrying

Anyone knows about Myelofibrosis or Ruxolitinib?

000022 — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 12:05:28 +0800

So guys, am asking, as someone I know has myelofibrosis. He's saying that the doctor mentioned that the only way to keep his spleen from enlarging so much is to take a medicine called jakavi Ruxolitinib. But according to him, it's super expensive, a pack with 56 tablets of 20mg dose, is about 16-17k, and can only last 3 months, if not mistaken. The medicine only reliefs the symptoms, and does not cure the root causes (bone marrow cancer). Does anyone know more about this? or if it's available at public hospitals?

On that note, anyone knows any doctor/specialist to recommend?

Freelance Taxation and HSBC USD Savings account

22 — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 02:54:19 +0800

Hi guys, recently have been working on a couple of freelance jobs, most of it are oversea clients based outside of Malaysia. Their products and services are not available in Malaysia as well. I've read from an ringgitplus blog that these income are not taxable:

QUOTE

However, with effect from the year of assessment 2004, income received in Malaysia from outside Malaysia is exempted from tax. Hence, an individual, either or non-resident, is taxable only on income accruing in or derived from Malaysia.

given the source: http://www.hasil.gov.my/bt_goindex.php?bt_...sequ=2&bt_lgv=2

Is this accurate? I would say the sum is pretty big, and I am considering dropping my fulltime employment, therefore, I would not be paying the LHDN through form BE as well, next year, if this goes through ( or very little ). I'm just curious as to how LHDN would react to this. Or would you people suggest opening a sole proprietorship to declare taxation on these services, I personally, of course, would not want to pay tax if it is not applicable to me, but I understand that a visit from LHDN can make my day sometime next year really really bad. Also, if I do go sole proprietorship, will I be able to offset my voluntary EPF payment to myself (I wont be registered as an employee though) as business expenses? Or will it only fall to the standard 6k permonth + life insurance.

On a side note, I'm considering opening a HSBC USD savings account, because I'm mostly paid in USD for these jobs, thinking of hedging a little. Anyone has any feedback on this?
https://www.hsbc.com.my/1/2/personal-bankin...nations-account

[WTA] Insurance Savings Investment Plans VS FD

22 — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 08:54:03 +0800

I don't know about most of you guys, but I am being approached by loads of insurance sellers who, are trying to sell me this "savings investment plan" offered by their company. For an example, Prudential's Pru cash double reward. I think most insurance companies more or less sells the same product with minor tweaks and what not.

So I did a little calculation here :

let's say I pay a premium of RM1000 monthly, 5 years payment term and the policy matures after 20 years

According to the projected earnings ( from the insurance anyway, non guaranteed),
best case scenario ( A) : RM 125190 surrender value after maturity of policy
standard case scenario (B) : RM 103979 surrender value after maturity of policy

I find it weird that they don't offer percentage rate in return, but rather whole sum, so I did a simple annualized return on investment calculation

Total expenditure = 1000*12*5 = 60000

Let's say A happens after 20 years :

Simple return = (125190-60000)/60000 = 1.086%

Annualized return = (1.086+1)^(1/20)-1 = 0.037%

So best case, my yearly return rate would be 3.7%

and in worst case, it would be 2.7% or so, which is worst than any FD board rate out there

If my calculations are right ( feel free to point out the mistakes, I suck at this), then why would I go with their plan, when FDs are offering better rates nowadays? And it also offers more flexibility too (relatively, since it's typically placed a year or so or even less), as, if you're committed to this plan, until it matures, you are not to surrender this policy or you'll be getting far less than what I calculated.

Comments, opinions, anyone?

EDIT: Hadn't even taken into account of all the hidden service charges that they do too, in case you pay by credit card

Desktop display screen suddenly blackens out

22 — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 22:56:25 +0800

My desktop is quite old...2 years old in fact, for some reason, it started to go "black" on me at random intervals. Black as in , the display screen doesn't show anything, nothing infact, yet, if i force shutdown it (via pushing the power button), the shut down confirmation sound actually comes out. It's confusing really, so what is the problem here? i've checked the cable from LCD to cpu, it's in good condition.

is this because of the ram, maybe? or the hard disk itself? because i kinda get the "cant detect OS" thingy ,seldomly though, as if it cant detect the c drive anymore, i've checked the ribbons, they're doing fine, is this a sign of my HDD going kaput?