Online Passport renewal

Malaysians can now renew passports online via the MyOnline Pasport service by the Immigration Department.

The service promises customers a two-hour turnover period with minimal presence at any department office.

According to the department's webpage, applicants need only complete the online forms accurately and submit a digital passport-sized photograph taken within 3 months of their applications.

Photographs must have a light blue background and measure 5cm by 3.5cm.

However, incorrect information or applications that do not comply with the terms may result in rejection and the forfeiting of fees.

Currently, payment can only be made via credit card.

Applicants will have to pay RM300 for passports valid for five years and RM100 for a two-year passport.

Passports valid for five years for children aged below 12 years cost RM150.

Applicants may collect their passports in person only at the Immigration offices selected during the application process.

They will have to bring along their old passport, payment receipt and MyKad to collect their passports.

Applicants aged below 18 years must bring their guardian's MyKad, birth certificate and old passport.

More information can be found on the MyOnline Passport website at https://eservices.imi.gov.my/MyPassport.


Source: The Star

Doximity improves communication for healthcare professionals

Doximity is a communication platform for healthcare professionals that some say is long overdue. The application is available on the Web, iPhone, iPad and devices running on Android, Google's operating system.Physicians in the US can now network with their medical colleagues or get connected with their former or current medical school classmates and residents. All this is possible with much convenience with Doximity.

Doximity is something like LinkedIn or Facebook but for doctors only. Getting connected is easy, for example, if you are looking to connect with Jefferson Edwards MD, you simply type in the name and one or two other information such as Specialty or Languages spoken. If you are a member, you can connect with over 567,000 US physician colleagues in 87 specialties. You can exchange HIPAA-secure messages, send faxes, share private phone lists, pagers and back lines with fellow-physicians. Sign-up is free and takes just 1 minute.

Check out video for overview..

Planeclear private jet membership

Ever thought about travelling on a private jet on your next business or vacation trip? Planeclear takes private jet-travel to a whole new level, whether it is for business or leisure, individual travel, a family trip or a business group travel.

If you are looking to charter a private aircraft or take up fractional ownership or obtaining jet cards through membership, Planeclear Aviation Group is the company you are looking for.

As a member, you will have access to a completely transparent booking process and that you will be in contact with the people who actually own, maintain and operate the aircraft. You would even be in the know as to the fair market price of your charter.

Planeclear has been noted for their outstanding customer service, safety and convenience. You will take comfort that every detail of your flight from start to finish will be thoroughly covered and taken care of.

If you are a frequent flyer or whose family flies frequently for business or leisure or your company sends employees out on a regular basis, it would be to your and your company's advantage to have private air charter membership such as offered by Planeclear. Sign up and get your private jet cards today. You would be glad you did. With private jet cards you will get to enjoy membership and program options that work for you. Nothing is further from the truth, a Planeclear Jet Charter membership is an investment that will ensure you the comfort, safety and peace of mind you deserve for your business and family travel.

Driver's licence mutually-recognised in Taiwan and Malaysia

Here is good news for Taiwan and Malaysian drivers..

According to The Star:
Nanyang Siang Pau reported that effective Nov 1, it would be easier for Malaysians to drive in Taiwan.

It reported Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha as saying that Malaysia and Taiwan has agreed in principle to recognise their respective drivers' licences.

Kong said Malaysians could verify their driving licence at the Malaysian Friendship and Trade Centre before applying for conversion at regional commissioner offices in Taiwan.

Similarly, Taiwanese only need to verify their licence at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia and complete the conversion at Road Transport Department offices.

Popcorn has a positive effect on people

Popcorn is a healthy snack. Popcorn is good any time of the year and for many occasions - for when it's cold outside and you cozy up for movie marathons, or have pals over for video game tournaments, and for the holidays when friends and family gather to share stories, gifts, food, fun and laughter. A home popcorn popper can easily make popcorn available uplifting everyone's mood making everyone happy.

It is not very popular here yet but I understand that in the United States, popcorn machines are present in a lot of business premises including car dealerships, garages, pharmacies, home improvement centers, even churches and schools where free popcorn is given away.

Smells affect people in a very profound way. Smells can bring back memories as well has influence mood, even influence some of the body's physical responses to stimuli. So, when a customer walks into, say, a car dealership and smells hot, fresh popcorn, his brain generally defaults to an unconscious positive emotional response linked to his own history. Is it any wonder what activities are usually related to the smell of popcorn. Movies, carnivals, sporting events, parties and parades are all very positive links to the specific smell of hot buttered popcorn.

Therefore, a person who comes across the smell of popcorn is more likely to become jovial, relaxed, positive and prone to being amiable. This is a very good thing for a retailer who wants to keep his customers in a happy, friendly and approachable frame of mind.

Ready to get your own popcorn machine? ePopcorn.com is where you would want to look. They carry a wide selection of popcorn machines, popcorn supplies, gourmet popcorn and specialty popcorn makers. There are popcorn machines specially for home use and business use as well as different sizes to choose from.

ePopcorn.com offers a huge selection of movie theater quality popcorn machine supplies including pre-measured popcorn portion packs, popcorn buckets, popcorn bags, popcorn boxes, popcorn warmers, seasonings and oils and more.

ePopcorn.com is certainly the site to go to for everything popcorn! They are a wholesale and retail distribution company based in Washington State and has been in the concession business since 1999. Why buy from them? They don't charge sales tax (except orders shipping to WA State), 30-day money back guarantee, most of their products ship within one business day, they sell to the public at wholesale rates with NO minimum quantity requirements, they strictly sell professional movie-theater quality popcorn machine poppers and concession equipment. Most of their machines are 100% made in the USA, their company is a member of the Better Business Bureau. These are just a few points that put them ahead in the industry.

Check out the ePopcorn website. It has tons of information yet is easy to navigate. Looking for a popcorn buying guide? It's available on the website too and a host of other useful information and tips.

Looking for other fun machines? ePopcorn also carries hot dog machines, cotton candy machines, snow cone machines, nacho machines, pretzel machines, food fryer machines, caramel apple machines, soda and drink machines, jukeboxes and radios, buffet food server, mini doughnut makers and griddles, warmers and ovens.

Preserving Kuala Lumpur's Heritage - Jalan Sultan Mural

In the wake of intended acquisition for the MRT project and the need to preserve century-old buildings in Jalan Sultan, The Star, in partnership with Dulux, is joining forces with a group of 50 artists on an art installation. Amongst the artists are Sharifah Zuriah, Syed Thajudeen, Tew Nai Tong and Philip Wong.

Their canvas will be the wall, near the carpark on Lot 49, Jalan Sultan, which was exposed since the demolition of six pre-war shophouses including the iconic Chik Sin Thong funeral parlour about 15 years ago.

The artists will start to paint from 9am. Members of the public are welcome to see them at work and to support the cause. Several sessions of heritage walks around Chinatown have been arranged, but participation is only on a first-come-first-served basis.



Check out finished Jalan Sultan finished mural.

Source: Mural a way to preserve heritage

Improve security with Intercom and network camera ip systems

Close-circuit television sets installed at many places in cities across the country in the past couple of years have made our cities a lot safer. Police have also reported a reduction in the crime rate, from Penang in the north right down to Johor Bahru in the south, and in Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley in-between.

For added security and peace of mind, many homes are now set up with an ip network camera or two as well as driveway alarms and other home automation gadgets and equipment for general conveniences.

If you are in the market for security systems, lighting systems or home automation products, Gadget Shack has a wide selection of innovative and practical devices and gadgets for the home and office. They specialize in products that make life easier. Through their informative and easy-to-navigate website, you will find a range of items including wireless driveway alarm motion detectors and motion sensors, wireless home intercom systems, wireless doorbells, sunrise and ringing alarm clocks, pet training products and more.

Looking for camera surveillance systems with the plan to set up a reliable network camera ip system for your office? Gadget Shack will be able to meet your need and more. You will find that their Web Ready 4 Channel DVR Security System with Built-in 19" LCD Screen gives you one of the most advanced options available in a package that you can even set up yourself. This advanced all-in-one system has the DVR built right into the sleek LCD monitor, so you can monitor your property and save space.

Why would you buy from them? Here are reasons why:

- Firstly, there is no sales tax (except WA State orders)
- Most orders placed before 10am PST ship the same business day
- They are authorized retailer for every product they sell. They do not sell unauthorized or "gray market" products
- They are a Member of the Better Business Bureau and in good standing
- They have been in business and online since 1999
- All online transactions on their website are processed with industry-standard SSL encryption.

Whether you are looking for an ip network camera or a programmable thermostat, you will find that Gadget Shack has the product that meets your criteria for quality at the best price plus they provide excellent customer service.

In and Around Ampang, Kuala Lumpur

Township development inevitably expands and encroaches onto forest reserves and jungles so much so these wild boars could have been having difficulty finding food from their natural habitat or maybe they are taking the easy way out by being fed. This picture of wild boars was taken in Ampang, an eastern suburb of Kuala Lumpur.

Ampang has a rich history dating back to the Yap Ah Loy days of tin-mining in the mid-1800s. Ampang Road or Jalan Ampang locally called is sometimes referred to as Embassy Row due to the number of embassies and consulates located along this road and in the area.

Jalan Ampang is a long road. It starts from the junction at Jalan Raja Chulan in the city (where Muzium Telekom is) and ends at Ampang town where it is famous for its Yong Tau Foo, a local Hakka stuffed tofu dish. The world's tallest twin buildings, the Petronas Twin Towers are located along Jalan Ampang. Ampang is also home to Ampang Puteri Medical Center, Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre, Great Eastern Mall, Flamingo Hotel, DePalma Hotel, TESCO shopping centre, Ampang Point Shopping Complex, the International School of Kuala Lumpur as well as several other private colleges and international schools.


View Larger Map


Image sources:
- The Star
- Google maps

Need help with a Crestor lawsuit?

Crestor was marketed to treat high cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease and in February 2010, it was also approved to be used to prevent cardiovascular ailments by the U.S. FDA.

What consumers did not know at the time is that Crestor can result in serious injuries such as heart attacks and heart failure. Other side effects include cardiomyopathy (deterioration of the myocardium), rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle fibers), and ventricular dysfunction.

If you are suffering from Crestor-related injuries and are looking to file a Crestor lawsuit, expert and experienced attorneys at O’Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath will be able to help you with your case because they understand that your cardiovascular injuries may not be your fault.

Big Bad Wolf Book Sale, Oct 7-16, MAEPS Serdang

Here is a chance for a great bargain on books with discounts from 75 to 95% off the retail price. Check out The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale. Book Sale will be on until Oct 16 at the Malaysian Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS).

The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale 2012 is back! Check it out!

Unesco extends Langkawi status as geopark

Good news on the island of Langkawi.

The Star reads:

LANGKAWI: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has given its approval to extend Langkawi's status as a geopark, until 2015.

Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) public relations officer Ramizi Hasan said the approval followed, after a review by two Unesco officers in July.

He said the Langkawi Geopark was declared by the Unesco Global Geopark Network as the 52nd geopark on June 1, 2007.

"Many achievements have been recorded, including an increase in tourist arrivals since the declaration of the Langkawi geopark.

"We appreciate Unesco for the approval," he told Bernama here Sunday. - Bernama

Battery Mart - for everything Batteries

AA alkaline batteries are what I use a lot of at home. They go into the computer mouse, wall clocks and alarm clocks, tv remote controllers, etc. It is often said that prices online are a lot better than prices at the regular brick-and-mortar shops. I couldn't agree more when I spotted discount batteries at Battery Mart. Their 40-in-a-pack Varta AA Alkaline batteries are going for $9.95, 60% off retail price. No wonder these batteries are among their best sellers.

Here is a battery store with a difference! Battery Mart has one of the largest inventories of replacement batteries, alkaline and rechargeable batteries, sealed lead acid batteries, battery chargers and accessories for cordless phones, laptop computers, PDAs, cell phones, camcorders, digital cameras, and more.

At Battery Mart, you can find everything batteries and at discount prices. If you own motor and sports vehicles, you will find they have an extensive inventory of motorcycle batteries, watercraft and even electric scooter batteries. From batteries for your personal computers and laptops to cellphones and toys, you can find a wide selection for what you need here at Battery Mart.

Check out Battery Mart and be amazed at their wide selection of batteries and best of all their great prices!

Budget 2012 - PM's budget speech

Full text of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's Budget 2012 speech in Parliament Friday, Oct 7, 2011:

Mr Speaker Sir,

I beg to move the Bill intituled “An Act to apply a sum from the Consolidated Fund for the service of the year 2012 and to appropriate that sum for the service of that year” be read a second time.

I begin the 2012 Budget speech by reciting the holy kalimah Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

1. Alhamdulillah, Praise be to the Almighty for His blessings on the people and our beloved country. As citizens with different faiths we have more reasons to be grateful to the Almighty.

2. Malaysia is a successful nation. In a short period, we have changed the face of the nation from being an agricultural and low income nation to a modern industrial upper middle income country. This success did not come easy. It was a result of hard work between the Government and the people who toiled together and held firmly to the principle of systematic planning and effective implementation. This is the blessing to a country with a responsible Government since independence. This is not a Government that makes empty promises but a responsible Government which always place the interest of the people above all and carries out policies for the benefit of the people and well-being of the nation.

3. This is not a norm but an extraordinary success. Looking back, there are many countries in the world which had more potential to succeed than Malaysia at the early days of their independence. However, they faltered midway even though they have vast natural resources and were not subjected to ethnic and socioeconomic differences as well as physical separation.

Full text of PM's Budget speech..

Employee Recognition and Incentive Program ideas

Incentive programs can come in many forms and in various scenarios. Employee recognition through incentive programs is a common form of motivating employees and giving recognition. An organization with a culture that engages in reward and recognition for employees will be able to keep their valuable employees. Recognition and rewards reinforce good performance and behavior subsequently better results for the company.

Service awards is one form of employee recognition. Celebrating anniversaries strengthens employee relationships and reduces turnover. It could also help the organization attract top talent.

There are many ways an organization can attract talent and keep employees. Besides recognition for good performance, safety standards can also be maintained with incentive programs. An effective safety incentive program can instill a healthy work ethic in the workplace. Less accidents mean better performance and better productivity for the company.

Companies that recognize employees for good attendance encourages health awareness. A healthier workforce makes a happy workforce and in turn better results and performance for the company.

If you are looking for incentive program ideas, check out Online Rewards. This company has a wide selection of incentive reward ideas and options be it for employees or school children. Their repertoire includes incentive programs for Customer Loyalty, B2B and Dealer Incentives, Sales incentive, Employee recognition, Safety Incentives, Safety Awards, Health and Wellness incentives, and more. You will be totally spoilt for choice from their boundless program options.

Check out their millions of merchandise choices including gift cards from leading US National retailers, hotel rooms from around the world, airline reservations and custom travel, digital gift certificates and much more.

Online Rewards is the industry leader in incentive and loyalty marketing program design. The Company's breadth and depth of expertise is applied to each of their client's programs to ensure they are best-in-class and designed to maximize client returns from their program.

PM tables bills to repeal Restricted Residence, Banishment Acts

From The Star today:

PM tables bills to repeal Restricted Residence, Banishment Acts

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tabled the Restricted Residence (Repeal) Bill and the Banishment (Repeal) Bill in Parliament for the first reading at 11.45am Monday.

This is the first in a series of political reforms he had promised on Sept 15


At the same time, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz tabled a motion in Parliament Monday under Standing Order 81 to set up a parliamentary select committee on the electoral process.

More updates to follow..

Bacchus Selections for the Best Wines

How much did I know about wine and wine brands? Practically nothing, until I came across this wonderful site on wines, Bacchus Selections. Bacchus Selections provides Quality Wines from Top Producers, i.e., the source for the finest types of wine from vintage years of the top wine brands.

They are a members-only source for many of the world’s most renowned wines. They search the world over, finding just the right wine brands to offer their members and at the best pricing. They take the time to taste and rate each one and only select the types of red wine that are worthy of purchasing. Only the top 2% gets selected on offer to their members.

A little about wine, french wine, for instance. As the name suggests, French wine is produced in several regions of France, and the country boasts the second largest total vineyard area in the entire world, second only to Spain.

The thing that makes French wines so popular is their range. French wines have an enormous range of flavors, colors, and experiences. They can go from marvelously dry to delectably sweet. They can go from the purest white to the deepest crimson. They can be relatively cheap or incredibly expensive. In short, you can find whatever you are looking for in a French wine and that makes French wines so much in demand.

What do we know about burgundy wine then? Burgundy wine refers to the wine that comes from the Burgundy region in eastern France. The best known wines from this region are Chardonnay which is a buttery white wine ideally paired with fish. Pinot Noir, on the other hand, is a robust red wine that is easy to pair with any seasoned meat. That is because this particular region of France has the ideal climate – extremes of hot and cold – for producing the grapes needed to make Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The grapes that produce these wines tend to be heartier, and can stand up to extreme shifts in temperatures.

All the above information and more can be obtained on the Bacchus Selections website. A membership on Bacchus Selections will ensure you get up-to-date information on the best wines available. They are currently offering great deals on Burgundy, Italian, and New Zealand Wines, and in the future may offer some of their favorite Moscato Wines and other French Wines.

The site stresses selection, simplicity, privacy, and ease - allowing you to see the current wine recommendation and buy. There is nothing like enjoying a good red wine while dining or just relaxing. Bacchus Selections does all the leg work and brings you only the best. So, pop the cork, sit back and enjoy.

In Vino Veritas

Space travel, anyone?

All a Malaysian needs to do to book a trip to space is merely to enter his name and e-mail into the booking section of the Virgin Galactic website.

According to the website, those interested would need to put down a deposit of US$20,000 (RM63,800) for the tickets, which cost US$200,000 (RM638,000) each.

To book directly with Virgin Galactic, they are required to provide their name, gender, date of birth, country and mobile phone number.

Malaysians are among the 450 customers worldwide who were reported in Wall Street Journal to be snapping up tickets for a private space tour with the Virgin Galactic for US$200,000 a seat.
More..The Star - Fork out only RM638,000 for a few minutes in space

Coconuts and Monkeys

The coconut is a fruit with many uses. Here in Malaysia, coconut trees can be seen growing everywhere other than city centers. Young coconuts like the ones in the picture above are harvested for the coconut drink value. Old coconuts however are more for the coconut milk for cooking and for oil and copra on an industrial level.

Copra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut. Coconut oil extracted from it has made copra an important agricultural commodity for many coconut producing countries. It also yields coconut cake which is mainly used as feed for livestock. (Wikipedia)

On a domestic scale, usually, monkeys are the ones trained to pluck the coconuts from the trees. The monkey in the picture is one such 'employee' and this is a common sight in towns - of monkeys riding around town after a day's harvest. Picture was taken by Isa Mohd Zain in Terengganu.

LED lighting is energy-efficient

Everyone is helping one way or another to save the environment. Saving energy is one of the most common ways and one that is easy to accomplish. Institutions and homes alike are taking initiatives on conserving energy and in the process saving energy costs for the company or the home.

Saving energy can come from the good habit of switching off appliances, equipment and lights when they are not in use. The annual Earth Day is a wonderful collective effort at saving energy. Even though this event is encouraging and has proven to be effective in saving energy across the world, more needs to be done or energy-saving habits need to be continued throughout the year, not just for an hour in a year. With the advent of energy-efficient lighting, this has become possible. There is no excuse for wasting energy now that there is available a wide selection of energy-efficient lighting including LED Landscape Lights for your surroundings.

When it comes to lighting solutions, Alcon Lighting has access to over 300 lighting manufacturers, 80% of which focus solely on energy efficient lighting. Alcon Lighting has become highly recognized as a leading energy efficient lighting distributor. So if you are looking for lighting solutions from fluorescents to LED Can lights to Gotham Lighting, this is the place to look. Wholesale lighting is also available.

For saving energy and energy costs, LED Lighting is the final step in energy efficient lighting solutions and the ideal replacement for all lighting applications. An LED light bulb can reduce heat and energy consumption by 90% while increasing color rendering and light quality. At Alcon Lighting, there is a wide selection for your lighting solutions.

Alcon Lighting has professionals with experience in energy-efficient lighting sales, manufacturing, distribution, and design - practically an organization that is truly in touch with the lighting industry. They keep current with the latest trends in energy-efficient lighting and interior design and carries products specially suited for every lighting need be it for the home, office or warehouse. Their client base includes hotels, office & medical buildings, restaurants, property management companies, apartment complexes, retail stores and more. Why buy from them? At least you know that you will be paying the lowest price guaranteed because they will beat anyone's advertised price.

Browse their website for a full catalog of their lighting products. You will be amazed at their wide selection. Starting a factory or a restaurant and need help with lighting design? Alcon Lighting provides lighting design service. Energy consultation is also available if you would like to retrofit your office or home. They are also Product Research Specialists for hard-to-find parts of fixtures.

Do check out their website. Not only will you find their wide array of lighting products, lots of other lighting information is also available. There is a wealth of information and tips on it which clearly shows their expertise and commitment to provide excellent service to their customers. Go check it out. I have bookmarked it for future reference.