The new MyKad

The image difference between the old (left) and new MyKad

The National Registration Department (NRD) will be issuing the new MyKad with the latest security features in stages from Jan 3.

NRD director-general Datuk Jariah Mohd Said said the process would start at the NRD offices in Putrajaya and Shah Alam on Tuesday and extended to other branch offices throughout country after Feb 15.

"The new MyKad is more durable as it is made of tougher polycarbonate material as well as a new and longer lasting chip.

'Apart from that, the MyKad has a "ghost image" which uses a new laser technology on the surface to prevent forgery," she told reporters.

Members of the public are encouraged to change to the new MyKad but it is not compulsory.

NRD branches in other states such as Kluang and Ipoh would be issuing the new MyKad on Jan 10, Johor Baru (Jan 14), Kuantan (Jan 15), Melaka (Jan 17), Kuching and Kota Baru (Jan 20), Kuala Terengganu and Penang (Jan 29).

Apart from that, she said the NRD office in Alor Setar would also issue the new MyKad on Feb 2, Miri (Feb 6), Kota Kinabalu and other branches on Feb 7 and branches in the Federal Territory on Feb 15. More..


Source: The Star.. New Mykad with anti-forgery "ghost image"

Driveway alarms and More

Safety is always a top priority both for the home and the office. If you are in search of a wireless driveway alarm for your home or business, DrivewayAlarmStore.com is your best source.

DrivewayAlarmStore.com features a wide array of long-range wireless driveway alarms, battery-powered remote sensors, loud ringing alarm systems, and even simple tone alert options. Their driveway wireless alert systems employ sophisticated infrared motion sensors, electromagnetic probes, compression hoses, and photoelectric beam kits. The most unique and specialized electronics are offered right here, at their easy-to-navigate website.

Browse their website for all products available relating to driveway alarms. You can find them all in their easy-to-access website in the following categories: Wireless Driveway Alarms, Motion Sensor Driveway Alarms, Electronic Probe Alarms, and Other Driveway Alarms.

Looking for a driveway vehicle detector or a remote car starter? You can find them here too. DrivewayAlarmStore.com offers a wide selection of wireless motion alarms and detector alert systems in a range of styles and detection ranges. They are perfect for adding security or notification to any area in your home or business ensuring peace of mind. Additionally, their Rubber Hose, Reflective Beam Sensor, and other Driveway Alarms are specifically designed to eliminate false signals.

At DrivewayAlarmStore, their most popular form of alerts are driveway alarms. Unlike compression hose and electronic probe sensors, these infrared assisted systems can be employed to detect both large vehicles and people, while they ignore most small animals, foliage movement, or blowing debris thus preventing alarm unnecessarily going off.

Communication via intercom in the home is a handy method to get in touch especially when the home is a sprawling property of multiple levels and wings. A reliable intercom system is a boon to home security. DrivewayAlarmStore has a good selection of home wireless intercom system sets. Check them out.

Why buy from DrivewayAlarm Store.com? There is no sales tax ouside of WA State. Orders placed before 10am ship the same business day ensuring that you get your items in the fastest possible time. All their products are genuine, authorized products. They do not carry any unauthorized or 'gray market' product of any kind. DrivewayAlarmStore is in good standing being a member of the Better Business Bureau. They have a great deal of experience and expertise in alarm systems having been in the industry since 1999. Last but not least, you can be assured of the security measure put in place. All online transactions on their website are processed with industry-standard SSL encryption. DrivewayAlarmStore.com is truly anyone's driveway alarm source.

Higher EPF contribution by Employers

The revised employers’ statutory contribution rate of 13% to the Employees Provident Fund for workers earning less than RM5,000 a month will take effect next month.

The 1% increase from the current 12% will benefit about 5.3 million working Malaysians, who make up 92% of EPF’s active members.

The employee contribution rate remains at 11%.

Employees who are 55 years and above and earning wages not exceeding RM5,000 will also benefit from the revised rates, as employers are now required to contribute at 6.5% – an additional 0.5% from the current 6%.

The rate increase was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in his Budget 2012 speech as a move to help those with insufficient savings to bear the cost of living upon retirement.


Source: The Star.. Higher EPF contribution for 5.3 million workers

A Site on Health and Fitness - Women's Health and More

Thanks to technology and the Internet we now have access to a lot more information, and within easy reach too. For students, doing research on the Internet is convenient and fast as opposed to having to pore over volumes and volumes of encyclopedias and reference books in the library. Though the latter may have more substantiated sources, the Internet can speed up the student's research time allowing more time for actual study.

For someone who never tires of new knowledge, the Internet has served me well. I am always on the lookout for news items to broaden my horizons and to understand things better. I was checking out arthritis and womens fitness advice to share with my co-workers the other day when I discovered a great source for women health. If you are looking for pregnancy advice, this site has a lot of it. Did you know there are foods that can enhance ovulation thus increasing fertility? Check out fertility-boosting foods on the site if you are planning to start a family.

HelthyWomen.org not only has pregnancy advice, the site also has advice and information for caring of children - from toddlers to teens - as well as family health and wellness. Practically everything you want to know about health, womens health particularly, is available on this site. From aging and memory, allergies and asthma, to cancer, caregiving, diabetes, diet and fitness, to eye health, flu and cold, to mental health, sexual health, skin health - information on these and more are available on this site. You can also find recipes on how to prepare healthy meals for healthy living.

Although information on Healthywomen.org may be more inclined for women, men can also benefit from the health information on this site. Want to know how to take care of your heart? Check it out here!

Affordable home decor accessories

Over here, it is next to impossible to find a home decorating store with nice and unusual home accessories and decor items at affordable prices. Thank goodness for the Internet, affordable home decor items are just a mouse-click away.

The Textured Element is an online store that offers home accessories and decor items for the home's bathroom, kitchen and office at affordable prices. Homeowners who are looking for unique home decorations have come to the right place. The Textured Element is one of Colorado's leading home decorating stores. They offer their customers tremendous value on home decor items that give homeowners exciting home decorating possibilities at an affordable price.

The Textured Element carries a wide selection of affordable home decor items. Their Home Decor range includes items such as Onyx soup dishes, Bath and Salt bottle sets, cast iron bath racks, countertop baskets, towel racks, candlelight holder sets, interesting wall clocks and more.

The Entertaining and Dining range includes Chinese cedar fruit bowls and plates, platters and trays. Cast iron door knockers, door stoppers, knobs and pulls, numbers and letters make up the Hardware section among other items. For Outdoor Entertaining, you will find pretty hanging utility bucket, drink holders and their terracotta tabletop beverage station.

Other categories include Organization & Storage where you will find baskets, boxes and bins. Decor items like antique Asian baskets and lunchboxes are available, so are chicken-wire basket sets. Children are not forgotten. Their Kids section has a variety of colorful blankets which are going for half the price at the moment. Do check them out. They would make great gifts for baby showers.

If you are a collector of gemstone eggs, you have to check out their Collections section where there is a selection of 100 different gemstone eggs, sure to get any collector excited.

Other categories include Gifts, Holidays and Accessories. Do check out the Bargain Bin too. There is also a section on Recycled, Refurbished and Reused Electronics in which there are wall clocks, wall hangings and such.

Looking for vintage-style towel racks or distinctive metal signs? They are available here too.

Affordable as the items here are, for more savings, The Textured Element is now offering items at much-discounted prices. Flexible payment options are also available to make purchases even more affordable.

Shopping here is convenient and hassle-free. The site is easy to navigate as their items are categorized accordingly for easy access. Their advanced shopping cart technology safeguards your personal information each time you shop with them giving you peace of mind. Their customer service line is always available should you have any query about your account or their products. Also, they charge a flat rate of just $4.99 for standard shipping for the entire order. The place to shop for affordable home decor is undoubtedly here at The Textured Element!

Female Rhino saved in dramatic rescue

According to a report in The Star,

Since 1996, the Sumatran rhino has been listed as “critically endangered”, which is just a step away from being extinct in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List.

On Christmas Day, a female rhino was successfully airlifted in a rescue bid to a rhino sancturay in Sabah, East Malaysia.

The rhino named Puntung, aged between 10 and 12 years, gives conservationists another shot at breeding the species in captivity. It is hoped Puntung would mate with a lone captive male rhino, named Tam.

There is an estimated of just 20 to 30 rhinos left in the wilds of Sabah.


Source: The Star..Rhino saved in dramatic rescue

I found my Quality office desk chairs at ChairHero

<--The ErgoFast Chair

Nowadays, office desk chairs are not what they used to be. People are more discerning about chairs. Not only does an office furniture chair have to be good looking, it has to be comfortable. Ergonomics is a factor that people consider when buying chairs both for the home as well as for the office.

The new year is just around the corner and if you are looking for an office chair or two to spruce up your office, ChairHero.com will have what you need. They not only have high quality chairs, they also have them at the very best prices. Being a chair specialist, ChairHero carries all kinds of chairs to meet every office need including conference room chairs, task chairs, leather office chairs, guest chairs, computer desk chairs, drafting chairs, reception chairs and more.

Check out the site. It is easy to navigate and their chairs are categorized accordingly for fast and easy access. You can also shop by Brand. ChairHero carries high quality office chairs from big-name, reliable brands including STO, Office Star, Boss, ErgoFast and others. Take Office Star for example. Office Star has been in the chair business for 29 years so you can expect the kind of quality when you shop at ChairHero.com.

Boss Office Products is a reliable manufacturer of value-oriented office seating. They specialize in manufacturing low price, good quality office chairs for the budget consumer. Their portfolio of products ranges from leather office chairs to ergonomic chairs, all within the budget price range.

What I especially like about the site is their scan feature. It allows you to zoom-scan every chair to view the details. All items sold have the manufacturer specific warranties. Customers can call in for more information. All items ship within a day or two of ordering as they are shipped from the manufacturers.

If you are looking for an office furniture chair, you won't go wrong shopping at ChairHero. You get the best quality and an equally best price. The featured chair at this moment is the ErgoFast - Milan Ultra Mesh Mid Back Task Chair. It is a chair with a modern designed mesh back with a supportive molded seat foam for comfort. It is made of non-abrasive black seat fabric with multi-function adjustable arms. To top it all up, this chair has an Ergo Office Lifetime Warranty and comes at an unbeatable price of only $190!

Check out the other chairs too. You would be amazed at what you can find especially at their Monthly Specials.

Holidaying in Majorca

The Mediterranean is a choice holiday destination. The summers are not too hot and the winters are mild making it ideal for people who wish to get away from the extreme cold in winter or the heat in summer. If you are looking for a holiday in the Mediterranean, Majorca is a wonderful vacation spot.

Majorca, also known as Mallorca, is an island located in the Mediterranean Sea, one of the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain. Beautiful white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, amazing landscapes, wonderful mountains and affordable Mediterranean food are all what make Majorca so attractive which accounts for 8 million tourist arrivals in high season according to WikiTravel.

Renting a villa is an excellent, if often inexpensive, way of enjoying Mallorca's more secluded locations. Apartments in Majorca are aplenty especially along the more than forty beaches on Majorca. However, you will find accommodation inland away from the beach cheaper than those along the beach. Whatever accommodation you are looking for, you will be sure to find your home away from home from the wide range of properties available. It is advisable to make reservations early to avoid disappoint, especially if you plan to go to Majorca in summer.

There are frequent flights to Majorca from many European cities to Palma de Mallorca airport. Many of the discount airlines have daily flights. While on the island, many spots are reachable by bus or you can hire a car and drive around the island at your own time visiting the many museums and cathedrals in various parts of the island. Joining a guided tour is also a good way to be shown around. That way, you will be sure to be covering the popular tourist places if that is what you prefer.

Palma de Mallorca, the island´s capital is worth a trip on its own. It is an old city of architectural wonders, culture and mediterranean food. When it comes to food, while in Majorca, Paella is recommended, especially the seafood version. Local dishes include Frit Mallorquí and Sopes Mallorquines (a simple, yet healthy vegetable soup with meat, wild mushrooms, etc.).

There is something for everyone here in Mallorca, no matter what the season. Besides spending time on the beach, you can go hiking on some fine trails, go cycling, play golf on one of the eighteen 18-hole golf courses, bird-watching at the salt marsh where large numbers of bird species can be seen, yachting, sailing, rock climbing and more. Whatever you do there, Majorca may yet be your best holiday destination!

Malaysia has a new King today

The 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia is being sworn in today. The new king is the Sultan of Kedah. This is His Majesty's second installation as the monarch, the first installation being in 1970. Read more about the new King.

Food Allergies & Vitamin Supplements

The kind of food one can stomach without any discomfort or allergy may not be the case for another. For optimum health, we will need to know what food to avoid should we have a reaction to it. But then again, we do not need to avoid totally the food we love. There are vitamin supplements that can help alleviate symptoms.

For example, histamine in food. Elelvated histamine levels in foods such as pizza, fish, wine, beer and many others can make eating them a miserable experience. With Histame, a food supplement, these foods no longer need to be avoided. Histame replenishes the body's digestive enzyme Diamine Oxidase to regulate histamine levels in the body thus reducing food intolerance unlike antihistamines which only block the histamine.

When it comes to nutrition, of course it is ideal to get natural vitamins from the food we eat. Due to busy schedules, some of us tend not to eat right, i.e., we may be in such a rush that we do not have time to eat proper meals. This can result in a shortage of vitamins that our body needs to function at optimum levels. Food supplements can fill the gap to ensure adequate levels of the nutrients our body needs. There are now organic natural vitamins that we can consume without worry of them contaminating our body systems. There are even natural vitamins for joint pain. Inflammation from joint pain can have adverse effect on one's heart.

Visit a Batik Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur

If you are in Kuala Lumpur right now and will be for the next two days and if you are interested in buying some batik products or even know more about this art-form, you may want to head on over to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre for the Kuala Lumpur International Batik Convention and Exhibition (KLIB) 2011. Admission is free of charge.

Some details below:

DATE AND TIME:
KLIB Convention 2011
9th - 10th Dec 2011:
10:30am - 6:00pm

KLIB Exibition 2011
9th - 11th Dec 2011:
10:30am - 5:00pm
The exhibition is open to the public and trade at all times.
Visit: www.expomal.com/klib

ADMISSION:
Minors of 16 years and below will NOT be admitted. All visitors must be in proper business attire. The organiser reserves the right to refuse entry to those deemed inappropriately dressed.

More about the Kuala Lumpur International Batik Convention and Exhibition (KLIB) 2011

Zaarly makes it easy to sell or buy a product or service

Here is a site with a difference. If you are looking to selling or buying a product or service, Zaarly is just the site to go to. Say, if you are looking for a personal assistant to help with taking your kids to baseball practice or picking up clothes from the cleaners, and you are based in San Francisco, just type in personal assistant san francisco on the Zaarly site, sit back and be surprised by the amount of offers coming in.

Zaarly is truly an infinite marketplace where items and services are available and where they were never known existed for sale. Zaarly works wonders for anyone with anything to buy or a service required. A simple posting of what you want, when you would like it and how much you are willing to pay will yield bids from other Zaarly members looking to fulfill your request. If you need anything from buying concert tickets to buying a tv from the store or need some painting done around the yard, or need the lawn mowed, just Zaarly it! It is as simple as that.

Watch video below to get an idea of how Zaarly works.

Flooding in Kajang

The monsoon has not only caused flooding in the east coast, Kajang, a town south of Kuala Lumpur, was also submerged in flood waters this afternoon after torrential rain that broke a river bank.

Read more about the Kajang floods here.

Image source: The Star

Military auctions are a great place to increase one's collection

There are some hobbies and interests that would need extra time and effort to secure the best collections or interesting pieces. Collecting guns and military paraphernalia are two such hobbies. Nowadays, it is no longer an obstacle to acquiring out-of-the-ordinary antique rifles, for instance. The Internet has taken care of that even if you are in the remotest part of the world.

There are gun gun auction sites available online that make increasing one's collection or selling an item easy and with little hassle. Affiliated Auctions & Reality is a top auction site for a variety of items including guns and military paraphernalia, toy war airplanes from an old era, real estate, business liquidations, gold and silver coins and more. Even if you are looking to sell jewelry, this is also the site to go to.

From single items to large collections, estates and business liquidations, Affiliated Auctions has the venue to best service your needs. They regularly conduct scheduled full-color print catalog auctions and with their vast collector-buyer base, Affiliated will help you achieve the highest price possible through auction or private treaty sale. If you are a gun or military rifles collector, their military auctions are just what you are looking for. Check out the Affiliated Auctions & Realty website. You will not be disappointed.

Indonesian maids to arrive from mid-January

This is good news for households who need a maid. The long-awaited domestic help is imminent as some 50,000 Indonesian maids are due to arrive in Malaysia from mid-January after the lifting of the moratorium on their employment on Dec 1.

According to Labour director-general Datuk Sheikh Yahya Sheikh Mohamed, the delay was due to the compulsory 200-hour training (about a month) they had to undergo before they can work in Malaysia.

The one-off agency fee to recruit an Indonesian maid is now set at RM4,511, of which RM2,711 has to be paid by the employer and the remaining RM1,800 by the maid. The recruitment fee was not fixed before, and could be as high as RM8,000.

The stipulation is that only private recruitment agencies that are registered with the Immigration Department and Labour Department and which had agreed to abide by these conditions are allowed to recruit maids from Indonesia.

The authorities would act against recruitment agencies or employers breaking the rules. Recruitment agencies will have their licences suspended after the first offence, and revoked upon the second.

Employers who use their maids for purposes other than domestic work may be charged under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, which carries a jail sentence of up to 20 years and a maximum fine of RM1mil.


Source: The Star..50,000 Indonesian maids to arrive from mid-January

Green Fundraising for the Environment

Are you planning to organize a fundraiser and looking for ideas and products? How about making it a nature fundraiser? Nowadays, with people being more aware of environmental issues, green fundraising not only generates the funds for their favorite charities or causes but also creates awareness at the same time. Companies who sell fundraiser products do also channel part of their proceeds to organizations tackling green issues.

Nature's Vision Fundraising is one such company that channels a portion of their profits to environmental causes including donating to Gulf Coast restoration projects, nature conservation projects and efforts to support a sustainable future for our planet.

Nature's Vision Fundraising carries top quality green fundraising products, a breathtaking array of environmentally-themed products with universal appeal including soft cotton t-shirts and hats, towels & towel ponchos, candles, jewelry items, wallets, bags, mugs & sports bottles, handmade gift items, candles & diffusers, flower bulbs & seed mats. Most of these items make great goodybag items if you are organizing a fundraiser that involves giving away a goodybag to each participant such as in a Charity Walk or a Charity Run. Their quality green fundraiser tee shirts are made from premium quality pre-shrunk 100% cotton. Their Animal Planet tees are a giant hit with people or all ages.

Need ideas for fundraisers for schools? You can find them here too on the Nature's Vision Fundraising website. With a 30-year experience in the green fundraising industry they have earned a sterling reputation as a leader by helping thousands of organizations meet or exceed their fundraising goals.

More flee from floods in Kelantan

Each year, the north-east Monsoon brings heavy downpour and with it the floods in the north and north-eastern states. This year is no exception.

The number of flood victims in Kelantan has risen to 1,892, from 1,420 on Thursday as a result of continuous rain. Pasir Mas remains the worst affected district with 16 evacuation centres opened with the number of evacuation centres in the state being increased from 28 yesterday to 32 this morning.
More..

Mahogany dining room table sets

Even though Malaysia may be a big exporter of timber, it is not easy to find furniture stores that carry formal dining room table sets off the shelf, so to speak. It is even harder to buy antique dining room furniture let alone fancy and designer furniture. So if one is looking for a nice, upscale dining room table set for your beautiful new home, it can be quite a challenge. But all is not lost. These days almost anything can be purchased online including luxury or traditional or even reproduction furniture.

AntiquePurveyor.com is where you would want to look if you are in the market for a new formal dining room furniture set for your new home, a set that will meet your requirements in every respect.

If mahogany furniture is what you are looking for, you certainly have come to the right place! At Antique Purveyor, mahogany dining room furniture is their specialty, the source for high-end furniture, mahogany dining furniture and higher-end formal dining room furniture. You will be spoilt for choice as they carry all types of luxury furniture, traditional furniture, reproduction furniture, fancy and designer furniture, plus classic and antique style furniture. If you are looking for a conference room table to make a bold statement, they have that too, in addition to mahogany dining room table and chairs as well as hand-crafted mahogany Indonesian furniture that you will not find anywhere else in quality and design.

Their extensive selection of dining room furniture includes formal dining room tables, mahogany dining tables, long dining tables, extending dining tables, large round tables and even difficult to find oversized tables. They also have an eclectic line-up of luxury chairs to match their premium selection of dining tables. You will find antique dining chairs, mahogany shield back chairs, Chippendale chairs to name just a few. There are also bookcases, hutches, secretary desks and additional items sure to accentuate the beauty of any formal or business setting.

Buying high-end dining room furniture, mahogany dining tables and luxury dining chairs on-line may seem a little intimidating or daunting initially, but with their top-notch personalized service and expert knowledge, their most customer-friendly satisfaction guarantee and their pricing, any customer would be put at ease placing an order or two with them. All of this together with their worldwide shipping is just a mouse-click away. When top quality products, great customer service and reasonable pricing are what you are looking for, the place to do business with is unmistakably AntiquesPurveyor.com. I know they would be my choice.

North-east Monsoon season is here again

The north-east monsoon season is here again this time of the year. Schools were out for the year last Friday, so final exams will not be affected. In fact, the government has moved final exams forward so as to avoid them being affected by the floods which usually happens in the north-eastern states of Kelantan and Terangganu.

The Met Department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms in Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang and Kedah. The yellow alert is the first of three warnings where a monsoonal surge is possible in the next 24 to 48 hours.

A first category warning was also issued of which strong winds and rough seas expected to occur over the waters off Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, East Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.

The department also warned that intermittent rain from today to Thursday may cause flooding in low-lying areas and also strong winds and flash floods.

Strong northeasterly winds of 40 to 50 kph with waves of up to 3.5m were expected over the waters off Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, East Johor, Sarawak, Labuan, Sabah (Interior, West Coast and Kudat), Samui, Condore, Reef North, Layang-Layang, Tioman, Bunguran, Reef South and Palawan until Nov 29. These strong winds and rough seas are dangerous to small craft and recreational sea activities. Source: The Star..Weatherman issues monsoonal surge alert for four states

In Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, heavy rains have triggered landslip and flooding.

High Quality Prototype SMT Stencils

Stencilling takes the tediousness out of coding. Not only that, stencilling ensures quality, uniformity and speed in completing the job, a boost to mass production.

If your company is looking for stencils and/or stencilling products, Fine Line Stencil, which is part of FCT Assembly, is the company you are looking for.

FCT Assembly is one of the electronics industry’s leading manufacturers of lead-free solder products, superior quality stencils, and precision cut parts. If you are in the market for Prototype SMT Stencils, Prototype Foils or even a complete Prototype Stencil Kit, you can find them all at FCT Assembly. They are committed to delivering the highest quality laser stencils in the industry.

New visa ruling to visit Sri Lanka

Come January, a visit to Sri Lanka for Malaysians would mean having to apply for a visa in advance replacing the visa-on-arrival currently and that too involves no payment.

A visa in advance can be applied online on the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.

A Sri Lanka High Commission visa official said the fee is RM15 for a single-entry 30-day visa; RM45 for multiple entries valid for three months; and US$50 (RM187.50) for a 30-day tourist visa. Transit passengers would also be required to apply for a visa. This new ruling applies to 78 countries, Malaysia being one of them.

There are many Malaysians here who are Sri Lankan immigrants and who still have family in Sri Lanka. This new ruling will pose some inconvenience for those who frequently visit their relatives in Sri Lanka.


Source: New visa rule to visit Sri Lanka. The Star

Lost IDs? No need to tell cops now

Good news for the people that Government departments no longer need a police report for lost or stolen documents such as MyKad (Identity Card or IC) and passport when applying for a replacement.

According to Immigration director-general, Datuk Alias Ahmad, those who lose their passport need only to lodge a report with the Immigration department. The lost passport will then be blacklisted.

In addition to passports and MyKad, it was also reported that the public no longer need to lodge a police report for lost or damaged birth, marriage, academic and vehicle registration certificates, driving licences and land grant.

The fee to replace a first-time lost/stolen MyKad is RM110; RM210 for the second time. However, the fee to replace a damaged MyKad is RM10. The spoilt card will need to be presented upon application. The old card will be considered void and will not be able to be used in transactions.

Under the National Registration Act, those found with more than one MyKad could be sentenced to three years in jail or fined RM20,000 or both.

For application to replace a driver's license, applicant just need to present his Mykad, a photograph and a fee of RM5. The abolishment of the need for a police report has been implemented since 2005.


Source:
Lost IDs? No need to tell cops. The Star

Diabetes on the rise

Malaysia like everywhere else, is growing by leaps and bounds. In line with development, our lifestyle has also evolved to one that is akin to developed nations. Inevitably, our health is also affected due to our changing lifestyle to one that is rushed and sedentary at the same time.

It has been reported that diabetes cases are on the rise here in Malaysia. Thanks to advanced medical breakthroughs, diabetes can be controlled.

However, not all drugs or medications come without some risk or side effects. Actos, a diabetes drug, comes with severe side effects ranging from blood in urine to possibly fatal heart attacks, even death. If you are in the US and are experiencing symptoms such as blood in urine or frequency of urination or bladder cancer or liver damage, you may be able to file for compensation with the help of actos attorneys who are experienced in such pharmaceutical cases. These lawyers have been actively pursuing claims across the US for Actos users with extremely successful results.

Importance of Nominating your EPF beneficiaries

According to EPF public relations general manager Nik Affendi Jaafar, only around 40%, or 4.71 million of their 12.9 million EPF members have nominated their beneficiaries (as of June 2011). This can cause a lot of heartache for the family or next of kin when the member dies.

Without a nomination, the family of the deceased EPF member would have to produce a Letter of Administration, Letter of Probate or Distribution Order from the relevant authorities to substantiate their claim on the savings. This can be a hassle.

By comparison, completing a nomination takes only minutes. What is needed is to fill up the KWSP 4 Form and submit it to the nearest EPF branch. With a nomination in place, there is no necessity to go through the inconvenience of having to produce the aforementioned documents.

When a member nominates his/her beneficiary, he/she is given a notification slip, which should be kept safely or pass it on to his next-of-kin.

In the case of Muslim members, the nominee is supposed to act as an “administrator” (wasi) who will then be responsible for distributing the savings in accordance with the Faraid Law (Islamic law of inheritance and distribution). More details can be obtained on this article, Name EPF beneficiaries before it is too late. You can also find information on Unclaimed Monies.


Source: The Star

Versai is the Place for Luxury Bedding

It is often said that the design of our home reflects our personality. Besides providing a reprieve from the stress of day-to-day living, a home that is furnished well with the best furnishing adds that extra luxury and comfort level only discerning homeowners are able to appreciate and enjoy.

Luxury bedding at Versai is what every home needs. With 500 designs and 100 colors, Versai offers the most complete selection of fine linens and luxury bedding in the world. They have the largest library of luxury linens for every taste, be it simple tone or stripes, plaids, jacquards, or modern. Perhaps, you desire the ultimate quality classic embellished Italian linens. Versai has that too.

Versai takes luxury linens very seriously because the people at Versai understand that every fabric, every piece of furniture, every throw pillow that is chosen is a reflection of the customer's personality. Versai aims to help every customer create something spectacular and unique from the choice of buttery soft Versai sheets to embroidered/lace bedding to the finest quality blankets, down comforters, pillows and bed covers.

When it comes to luxury bedding, embroidery and lace top the list. At Versai, they specialize in delivering their customers the very finest in luxury sheets, linens, and bedding. If you do not find exactly what you need in stock, their experienced design staff and their in-house custom workrooms will design and complete your special order in just days at absolutely no extra charge. This specialized customer service alone separates Versai from the rest in the industry. I'd check Versai out if I were looking for luxury bedding, luxury sheets or luxury linens.

Nicol David wins Sixth World Crown

From The Star..

ROTTERDAM: World No. 1 Nicol David created history by outplaying long-time rival and world No. 2 Jenny Duncalf of England to become the first woman player to win a record six world championship squash titles at the Luxor Theatre here on Sunday.

Nicol played superbly to win 11-2, 11-5, 11-0 in just 29 minutes.

It was her sixth appearance in the final of the world championships and she has won all now.

The Malaysian is the first Women’s International Squash Players Association (Wispa) player to win six world titles, since the inception of the tournament in 1976.

The 28-year-old Nicol, who turned pro in 2000, won her other world titles in Hong Kong (2005), Belfast (2006), Manchester (2008), Amsterdam (2009) and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt last year.

Well done, Nicol David!

Beresford for badge printers and id photo cards

Are you in the market looking for id photo cards or an id printer? You are in the right place. Beresford Company Knows Security Identification being in the business since 1975. They specialize in security identification products and represents over 30 suppliers in the identification marketplace.

Based in the Midwest, Beresford provides sales and service coverage in the area and comprehensive worldwide sales and depot service. Theirs is a management team with over 100 years of experience in the identification industry. Beresford provides not only product, but service that end-users expect and demand.

A go-to company for all your security identification needs, you will find at Beresford products including badge printers, lanyards, badge holders, id photo cards and a host of other products associated with security identification including readers and scanners, laminating supplies, cameras and accessories.

If you are looking for lanyards or badge holders, Beresford carries a wide selection of lanyards and badge holders. You will have a choice of flat woven lanyards and broadloom neck cords. Both breakaway and non-breakaway designs are available. Some of their products come with clip fittings, while others have hook fittings, swivel fittings, or ring fittings. Their id lanyards can be either 3/8 or 3/4 of an inch wide. Their lanyards come in batches of 50 or 500 depending on the design chosen. Custom-printed lanyards are also available. As for their badge holders, they come in almost as many designs as their lanyards. Options include from clip-on, magnetic, pin-on, flap and zipper, or arm band badge holders, among many other styles.

If it's a printer you are looking for, be it a badge printer, an id badge printer or an id printer, Beresford has a wide printer range from a range of different brands including Zebra, Evolis, Magicard and Fargo. Their product selection includes printers that will print encrypted Smart Cards as well as printers that can print, laminate and encode a badge, all at the same time. Various printer sizes are available to meet specific needs. Check them all out. There will be one that meets your specifications.

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.

Indonesia to send domestic helpers to four countries only

Good news for Malaysian employers as Malaysia is among the four countries that Indonesian domestic helpers will be allowed to be sent to. The other three countries are Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. More..Indonesia to send domestic helpers to four countries only

Book Fair on board MV Logos Hope at Port Klang

Here is a chance to visit a floating book fair on board a ship.

MV Logos Hope will be docking in Port Klang on Sept 28. Members of the public can go on board and visit the book fair, the international cafe as well as interact with the international crew. It is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am to 10pm and Sundays from 1pm to 10 pm.

Logos Hope can hold up to 800 visitors at any time, with capacity to host an additional 700 in the Hope Theatre and Logos Lounge. This publicly accessible deck offers visitors an introduction to the vessel and the organization, a book fair featuring around 7,000 different titles, a visual presentation called the Journey of Life and the International Cafe.

MV Logos Hope is operated by the German non-profit organization GBA Ships e.V. All crew members are volunteers.

How to get there? To get there without hassle and not having to drive there yourself, Plusliner Travel & Tours is providing bus services to visit the floating library. There are two departure points, one at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan-Bandar Tasik Selatan (TBS-BTS) and the other Port Klang KTM commuter station.

The service costs between RM8 and RM21. For more information, you can call 1-300-888-KTB (528).

Following is a schedule of upcoming ports MV Logos Hope will be visiting or is now docked at:

* Penang, Malaysia – August 18th, 2011 – September 27th, 2011
* Port Klang, Malaysia – September 28th, 2011 – October 24th, 2011
* Kuching, Malaysia – October 27th, 2011 – November 15th, 2011
* Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia - November 17th, 2011 - December 13th, 2011
* Singapore, Singapore - December 16th, 2011 - December 28th, 2011
* Cebu, Philippines - January 13th, 2012 - February 14th, 2012
* Manila, Philippines - February 16th, 2012 - March 14th, 2012
(Source)

Update: Sep 30
---------------
Biggest floating book fair in town - The Star

Ticket cost is only RM1 each and admission is free for children under 12 who are accompanied by an adult.

Related article:
Biggest Book Sale in the World - Big Bad Wolf Book Sale