No petrol sales to foreign cars in border towns

If you a visitor to Malaysia and has rented a car to drive in from Singapore, you may want to take note that you will no longer be able to fill up your gas tank within a radius of 50km from the border starting this Friday.

According to The Star today, petrol stations located in border states like Johor and Perlis will be barred from selling petrol and diesel to foreign-registered cars starting Friday.

Less Durians this season

These thorny fruits are called durians., They are a local fruit. To the locals, they are referred to as the king of fruits. However, to foreigners the smell of the fruit can be off-putting.

Durian orchard owners in Penang are experiencing a lean harvest this season, after heavy rains in December and January disrupted the flowering.

Durian trees flower during dry season and after between 90 to 120 days the fruits are ripe and ready to fall. But when excessive rains fall during the supposedly dry season, the tree don't bloom.

According to an orchard owner, “A dry season is needed in order for the trees to undergo stress, a process when the bark cracks, allowing green buds to emerge.” He added that

“It is important for the tree to undergo stress during its fertile period, which is when it produces hormones.

“After the fertile period is over, it is still possible for the tree to undergo stress and flower. However, with a late bloom, the fruits that materialise will not be so good,” Tham said, adding that durians dropped 90 to 120 days after the flowering.

In good times: The average durian tree can yield 50 to 70 fruits after flowering.

Source: The Star...Bad weather a thorny issue for orchard owners

Retirement age for civil servants now 58

The mandatory retirement age for civil servants has been extended from the current 56 years to 58, effective July 1. This was announced at the public sector Workers Day gathering at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre yesterday by Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Civil servants now have a choice of opting to retire at 56 or work until they reach 58. More..The Star

Dr Mahathir starts his own blog

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad joined the swelling ranks of politicians going online with his own blog simply named “Dr Mahathir Mohamad,” at www.chedet.com.

“This site is dedicated to publishing my writings as and when I am able to pen my thoughts and opinion,” he says. More...Dr M starts his own blog

Pay & Display parking system in KL next month (June)

THE Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will be introducing the “Pay and Display” parking system and extending parking meter hours to 10.30pm in June.

This is part of the local authority's effort to create more parking spaces in the city and to address existing problems concerning parking such as illegal car jockeys in busy commercial areas.

More...The Star..Pay & Display parking system in KL next month

Official Opening of Malaysian Parliament

Now that 222 new Members of Parliament have been sworn in, it is now time for Parliament to be officially opened. The official opening of the 12th Parliament was conducted yesterday

Solemn ceremony: Tuanku Mizan, followed by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, walking to Parliament House for the official opening on Tuesday.

A glimpse into the first proper Parliament sitting today.