SATISFIED CONSUMERS SAYS WELL DONE TO TOYOTA!

J.D. Power has stated that Toyota improved across all six factors of the SSI namely:

1.delivery process,

2.delivery timing,

3.salesperson,

4.dealer facility,

5.paperwork

6.deal

I am aware that from yesteryears Toyota is highly successful at minimising problems!

According to the study, the industry average has dropped 15 points to 752, out of a possible 1,000 points.

Reversing a 22-point improvement last year, the national segment which included Inokom, Naza, Perodua and Proton, declined by 26 points to average 741.

In contrast, the non-national segment nearly recovered the 13 points lost last year with a 10-point improvement!

JG is advised that the said study found that satisfaction was eroded if even one problem was experienced by customers during the purchase experience.

Interestingly, small/limited selection of model in stock was the most frequently encountered problem, reported by 17 percent of customers at industry level.

Additionally, the study found that satisfaction fell among customers who experienced any form of sales pressure.

For the record this study was based on evaluations from more than 2,700 new vehicle owners at two to six months of ownership and included owners who purchased their vehicles between December 2005 and June 2006.

Once again well done Toyota!

WAR AGAINST DENGUE TIMELY SAYS JG!

News that we are mounting a dengue eradication campaign ahead of Visit Malaysia Year in 2007, after a recent spike in cases is really welcomed!

More so when the anouncement is made clear by none other but our beloved deputy premier, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak!(see pix above)

We are adviced that free larvicide will be distributed to schools and homes in a bid to curb outbreaks that could deter tourists after cases jumped to 800 per week from normal levels of 400 per week.

JG agrees with Datuk Seri that it is crucial that Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley in general is seen as clean and free from any dengue outbreak!

We must not forget that Tourism is Malaysia’s second-largest foreign exchange earner and the government is targeting 20.1 million visitors in 2007 which is expected to  generate US$12 billion in revenue if we do not screw it up!

CASSA WISHES JG A BLESSED BIRTHDAY!

The Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam Selangor (CASSA) wishes our President, Dr Jacob George (see pix below) ‘A Blessed & Happy Birthday!’

RED CROSS TO CLOSE OFFICES IN MYANMAR?

Aung San Suu Kyi (see pix left) who has been under house arrest for over a decade.

This was contained in a statement from its headquarters in Geneva where the Red Cross is reported to have deplored the decision, which effectively ends its ‘humanitarian operations in Myanmar!’

If this is true then in my mind humanitarian work for some of Myanmar’s most vulnerable people was now in jeopardy and this would compound the plight of the needy and poor!

The ICRC says it has worked to build constructive dialogue with Myanmar!

But the attempts - aimed at allowing the ICRC to carry out its humanitarian work in the country - have ended in deadlock.

I am told that this tensions are not new and that from  December 2005 the Myanmar government has refused to allow Red Cross prison visits.

Then it moved to the closure of five ICRC field offices.

The Red Cross statement described these restrictions as drastic.

It said it utterly deplored the Myanmar government’s decision because it would make it impossible to carry out assistance and protection work for those most in need.

In my mind and the mind of all peace loving people and human rights activists the closure of the offices means the organisation’s work in Myanmar is now limited to a few rehabilitation projects for amputees.

The end result those civilians living in ’sensitive border areas’ and ‘political prisoners’ would suffer.

I am advised that the United Nations estimates that there are over 1,000 ‘political prisoners’ in Myanmar and among them, the leader of the democracy movement, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for over a decade.

It is indeed sad!

I pray that the would be renewed dialogue between all the stakeholders and that the present problems of the ICRS resolved speedily!

RAPE BILL - WELL DONE PAKISTAN!

JG HAPPY AT NEWS OF PEACE PACT IN NEPAL!

The media has welcomed the pact Friends, members of the Nepali Cabinet, diplomats all assure me that ubilation across Nepal has marked the signing of a landmark peace agreement between the government and the country’s Maoist rebels.There have been spontaneous public celebrations and the local media have welcomed the deal. The accord, signed on Tuesday, formally ended a 10-year insurgency that killed 13,000 people. Under the deal, the rebels will join a transitional government and their weapons will be under UN monitoring. There were spontaneous celebrations in Kathmandu People lit peace candles in public places immediately after Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and the chairman of the Maoist communist party, Prachanda, signed the agreement late on Tuesday. The government has declared a public holiday today to mark the success of the peace process that had been in place since April. I am really glad to hear of this peace pact! Now the government can concentrate of developing the country and providing a higher quality of life for its people! While Nepalese celebrate peace - we have fools, racists, fanatics and idiots in other parts of the world creating disorder by their political rethoric, threats, fanaticism, political killings and assasinations! Only when they lose the peace and disorder and calamity comes in these fools will learn a lesson! What is happening in Lebonan is a classic example! Mr Gemayel’s supporters want a large turnout at his funeral Large crowds have greeted the coffin of assassinated Lebanese Maronite Christian politician Pierre Gemayel after its arrival in his home village.Supporters carried the coffin through the village of Bikfaya, east of Beirut, at the start of three days of mourning.

CABINET RESHUFFLE? - WORKABLE ONLY IF IT IS LEAN AND OCCUPIED BY THOSE WITH BRAIN AND VISION!

 JG’s SNIPPETS:

Interestingly, Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi kept his cards close to his chest when answering questions on the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle following the appointment of Umno Information chief, Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib as a senator last week!

Well I do not want to dwell too much on it!

But, if there indeed is going to be a Cabinet Reshuffle and if indeed it is going to be an effective cabinet, it must be a ‘very lean and vision orientated’ one not the present XXL!

CONSUMER SLAMS THE PALMS @ SUNWAY LAGOON CLUB!

CASSA LETTERS - CONSUMER COMPLAINT!

 

 

Dear Dr George, 

I dined at “The Palms” @ Sunway Lagoon Club on the 19th November 2006.

I wish to file a formal complaint against the restaurant operator regarding an unhealthy practise of theirs.  

A footnote glued to the menu tells customers that any additional request for ketchup/chili sauce is to be charged RM0.50.  

I proceeded with ordering a plate of chicken chop with fries.  My order came, together with a tiny dash of chili sauce at the side. I told the waiter it is not enough for the serving i have, he then topped the sauce up for me.  

When the bill came, I have on my receipt RM0.50 charged to my bill!  

I requested to the manager to voice my displeasure, but I was told he was not in.

I then turned to the waitress to voice my grouse, as she was the most senior staff there at the moment. She told me the decision was made by the management and she had to abide to it.  

My displeasure primarily lies on why is the restaurant imposing additional charges to something that should be included sufficiently to the meal itself at the first place.  

On top of that, by providing me a meagre amount of sauce at the initial serving, they are practically “forcing” customers to purchase more sauce that the ridiculous price of RM0.50/dash.

Imagine the amount of profit they are going to make from a bottle of ketchup?  My contact number is XXXXXXXXX, and i am a project/geotechnical engineer with XXXXXX currently attached to the KL-Putrajaya Highway Project.  

I truly wish that my rights as a consumer is to be upheld by the Ministry of Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs. 

I trust the Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam Selangor (CASSA) will look into my claims and take the necessary action.   Thank you. LO CHANG SHEON 

CASSA REPLIES:

We have asked the CASSA Team to look into your allegations.  

PAGAR MAKAN PADI- - PENANG WAREHOUSE ROBBERY?

JG confident IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan will get to the bottom of all these and indeed nail those behind the heist!

The so called ‘warehouse robbery’ in Penang where two containers of microchips were stolen once again brings embarrassement to the nation that proudly boasts of its various credentials!

It is indeed joke of the highest order when we read that 4 robbers entered a warehouse, forced 17 workers there to drink a type of liquid and when they passed out, drove away with two containers of microchips said to be worth millions of ringgit.

Joke certainly not!

That is the state of security in bolehland!

Interestingly, State police chief Datuk Koh Hung Sun has stated the incident happened at about 2am at a bonded warehouse in Batu Maung, which belonged to an air delivery service company.

He said the robbers, dressed in the uniform of the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela), were believed to have entered the warehouse unnoticed by hiding in two trailers.

Yes that they were armed with parangs and assaulted the workers before forcing them to drink a liquid after which they are aleged to have “passed out”.

The incident is alleged to have happened when the workers, namely two officers from Malaysia Airlines Berhad and two Customs officers, were checking the cargo belonging to Bax Global.

Police believe the robbers were locals, aged between 22 and 40 years.

Not surprising that the robbers were alleged to have also taken the closed-circuit-television cameras that were installed at the premises.

Of course the said workers sustained cuts and bruises and were given outpatient treatment at the Penang Hospital.

Macam biasa - ”a special committee had been formed to probe the case.”

Actualy this is a joke of the highest order which is a classic case of what is happening to the country as a whole - with - members of the public asking who is in charge?

Is this another case of the ‘pagar makan the padi’ thingy?

Afer all in Malaysia boleh macam macam ade!

PRESENT RAIN SPELL CAUSING FEAR AMONG TTDI JAYA SELANGOR RESIDENTS!

 Actually, the last few months since the Feb 26 flood that destroyed our homes, property, vehicles and caused RM800 Million economic loss has hardly being forgotten!

Of course, it hit the headlines which showed apathy at all levels, that shortcuts were taken, that thanks to aggressive and ‘unaccountable construction patterns’, we at TTDI JAYA, SHAH ALAM and the surounding areas are ‘paying the price of others greed and stupidity’, are being sacrificed at the ‘altars of obese profits’ and ‘kick-backs’ and our homes being made ‘retaining ponds’ everytime there is a heavy down pour and flood!

The developers are laughing all the way to the banks, the politicians behind the approvals no different and we wait for justice but from whom?

Thanks to the Highland Towers decision Malaysian consumers are ‘royally screwed!’

Many of us have still to repair our homes, I included, several have moved out, others put up their homes for sale and those with the ‘financial might and discounts available’ have taken up board in housing estates in Bukit Jelutong and other nearby residential plots and estates!

A very senior Minister who visited me during the days after the flood asked be to move out too, perhaps to Petaling Jaya or Bukit Jelutong area but I told him that I could not afford the move!

I wish I too had Godfathers who would give this social worker of a 35 year track record a ‘gentle push, a leg up, and hand in assistance’?

But?????

And so when the weather man says that thunderstorms and heavy rains are set to continue, I am not excited but continue to live in anxiety,stress and fear as my neighnorhood and I have done for the last 15 years!

And states/places affected will now include - Mukah, Bintulu, Miri and Kapit in Sarawak, as well as Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Selangor!

SINGAPOREANS TOLD TO BE TOLERANT WITH FOREIGN WORKERS!

 News is aplenty that the Singapore government has asked its citizens to be more tolerant with foreign workers as more of them are expected to arrive over the next few years to cater to the manpower needs of the island state’s booming construction sector.
For the record - we are told that Singapore already has about 420,000 work permit holders who live in the city state, excluding maids, and as many as 50,000 more are expected in the next five years to work in major construction projects such as the multi-billion dollar casino resort and a host of other projects ranging from office towers to shopping malls.

I believe the multi million dollar casino resort will be a brillant “pull” as even qualified workers from Malaysia would be pulled in leaving a huge manpower shortage in Malaysia!
The salaries offered would be better too and the procedures more efficient without having to cater to the greed of various “rent seekers” in the various tiers - both professionals, politicians and their ‘runners’ we see in other countries!
In Singapore - National Development Minister, Mah Bow Tan incidentally has called for understanding from Singaporeans who might be concerned over the presence of a big number of immigrant workers in their midst.
I believe their (Singaporean) concern is over the possibility of crime and other law breakages but they indeed have a sophisticated system in place which is utterly effective!
And this was reflective when the same Singaporean Minister stated that:
“If they commit crime, the police will take care of it, in the same way when a Singaporean commits a crime. But to automatically assume they are going to be a nuisance or commit crimes, I think that’s not fair,”
I am advised that the Singapore Government will also be releasing more land for construction of dormitories to house the foreigners, preferably away from housing estates which is a brillant idea.
I am advised that several well placed safety features on their movement and mobility on the island state would also be featured.
I am really pleased to hear the same Minister state that foreign workers deserved a decent life and their employers should house them in purpose-built dormitories with recreational facilities.
This is important as I have repeated stated in many local and foreign fora as I find this being an issue in several countries who preach one thing and do another!
As Minister Mah Bo Tan stated:
“When they come here (Singapore)you cannot expect them to live in a slum or in some corner somewhere,”
For the record, most construction workers in Singapore are from China and India but I am advised that from November next year they will no longer be allowed to rent flats in the Housing Development Board (HDB) estates - a move I believe was in response to complaints from HDB dwellers.
From then on, HDB flat owners will be allowed to rent out their flats only to foreign workers from Malaysia.
Well done Singapore!

WORLD OIL PRICES COMES DOWN - WILL MALAYSIA BRING DOWN HERS?

It was indeed good news that the cost of oil has stabilised after output concerns sent global prices down 4% to their lowest point for a year.We are advised that US light, sweet crude traded down three cents at $56.23 a barrel in Asia, having fallen $2.50 on Thursday, while Brent crude gained one cent to $58.55. Interestingly, it must be mentioned that production cuts by Opec members, allied to slowing demand for oil in the US, have dampened market sentiment. The predicted mild winter in the US - the world’s top consumer - has also led traders to sell off oil. Thursday’s Energy Department report - showing that the US inventory of natural gas had grown again - had also pushed prices lower. If you remember that oil prices hit record highs of more than $78 in July, against the backdrop of the conflict in Lebanon. Some analysts feel that there is enough geopolitical instability in oil-producing nations such as Iran and Nigeria for prices to rise again as such this present dip may be a ‘false relieve.’ So with the dip - will we in Malaysia see a drop of the oil prices?

PAPA BUSH DELIVERS KEY NOTE ADDRESS IN SINGAPORE!

Mr Bush will be keen to reassure partners after his mid-term losses seen here with pretty Singapore Indians! Brillant photos I must add! Well done Singapore! US President George W Bush has delivered a key foreign policy speech in Singapore on his first overseas trip since heavy mid-term election losses.The US President is on a three-nation tour that will take in an important Asia-Pacific economic summit in Vietnam. JG is advised by foreign ministry and diplomat sources that the key issues on Bush’s menu will be liberalising trade, tackling North Korea’s nuclear threat, terrorism and promoting democracy. But analysts say his main task will be to reassure partners his role on the international stage has not weakened, more so thathe is a lame duck president after the recent mauling his party got where they lost control of both houses - the Senate and Congress! I tend to agree with the global thought that Mr Bush must also demonstrate US leadership in Asia at a time when its influence is being steadily eclipsed by China and India! Interestingly, after heading on to Hanoi for this weekend’s 21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Bush will visit Indonesia where he is expected to receive a “mixed reaction”. Next week, Bush travels to Europe for a Nato summit. Seems he has given Malaysia a miss….again!

TSUNAMI ALERT CAUSES RIPPLES IN THAILAND & EAST COAST!

  

A ’tsunami alert’ has being issued thousands of miles away in Japan’s northern coast but I am advised that residents in the southern provinces facing the Gulf of Thailand and the east coast of Malaysia are also fearful that it may affect them as well.

I am advsed that their concern was largely due to the unusual landing of thousands of sea cucumbers (gamat) on the east coast shores of the peninsula last week (Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang) which to many were a sign of some kind an omen?

Incidentally, the ’same signs’ were present in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, before the last Tsunami hit Malaysia on Dec 26 2004 - I was there in its midst in Batu Feringhi, Penang!

In fact, I was the person who gave out the ‘first warnings’ and report to the local media, including, the setting up of a media room at Casuarina Hotel Batu Feringhi in that process!

When I was in Kuantan recently I was again alerted by my  relatives warning me to take extra care after news about the earthquake in Japan was broadcast.

I am told that in nearby Songkhla, locals and Malaysians there were also on alert when news of an impending tsunami in Japan was flashed over television channels, including CNN which carried live coverage from a Japanese broadcast station.

For the record, the tsunami alert was issued after an 8.1-magnitude earthquake hit at 8.14pm deep under the Pacific Ocean near Japan’s northern coast.

However, fear of another Indian Ocean tsunami that killed more than 500,000 people two years ago, including in Indonesia and Thailand, faded after a wave measuring about 40 centimetres (16 inches) struck on some eastern Pacific coastal areas of Japan.

This is far below the height of the wave at almost two metres that had been predicted by Japan’s Meteorological Agency.

But, we must be always vigilant and not be caught napping like the last time!

I am being harsh?

Certainly no - I was there and I know from first hand experience!

DOSH WORK ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE WELCOME SAYS JG!

I am glad to learn that the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is carrying out a five-month study on the Code of Practice for Prevention and Eradication of Drug, Alcohol and Substance Abuse at the Work Place in the private sector.

In fact its deputy director-general Amir Yahya has gone on record to state that the study was to ensure that the implementation of the code launched in May was being carried out effectively.

I understand that the said code of practice is not compulsory but encouraged employers to adopt it because it is a useful ‘preventive measure’ to overcome such problems at the work place!

After all, we are all too well aware that there was still a high percentage of drug addiction among workers in certain sectors.

I am told that general workers topped the list with 23 per cent, followed by workers in services sector at 13 percent, sales 13 per cent, construction (12 per cent) and transportation (7 per cent) and a a large proportion of them were between the ages of 20 and 49 years.

EUROPEANS ARE OVERWEIGHT?

The average European is overweight Just fancy that - the Maltese and the Greeks are the heavyweights of Europe, figures from the European Commission reveal.We are told that the Italians and French the most trim, while the average Briton - like the average European - is slightly over the ideal weight. Obesity, which is linked to a range of health problems, including heart disease, is a growing problem across much of the developed world. And Malaysians have their own share of this too! The Commission plans to launch a strategy to tackle obesity next year. Obesity is measured by calculating body mass index (BMI). A BMI of between 18.5 and 25 is considered healthy, between 25 and 30 overweight and above 30 obese. The latest figures show that the average citizen in 20 EU countries, including the UK - where the average BMI is 25.4 - is overweight. The average person in the other five, including Italy and France, is officially healthy. The Maltese recorded the highest average BMI at 26.6, the Italians the lowest, at 24.3. Despite the figures, only 38% of EU citizens consider themselves to be overweight, according to the poll of about 1,000 people in each of the 25 EU member states. Most blamed a sedentary life for restricting their scope to be healthier. Less than one third said they engaged in regular “intensive” physical activity. And a large majority - 85% - said public authorities should play a stronger role in fighting obesity. EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner, Markos Kyprianou is reported to have said: “This survey provides us with valuable insights into the concerns of EU citizens on health and nutrition.”

TUN - SIR PLEASE GET WELL SOON!

WE CONTINUE TO UPHOLD IN PRAYER OUR  FORMER PREMIER TUN DR MAHATHIR MOHAMAD FOR SPEEDY RECOVERY!

NATIONAL URBANISATION POLICY MUST BE FAST TRACKED AND IMPLEMENTED SERIOUSLY!

 JG is glad that the National Urbanisation Policy (NUP) aimed at creating visionary cities through sustainable urban development was launched by Housing and Local Governments Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

The policy, which was approved by the Cabinet on Aug 2, outlines the thrust, measures and implementation plans to coordinate and manage the urbanisation process in the county.

Basically I am advised that the NUP has taken into consideration the people’s wish, concerns and professional views in making cities liveable and develop them with efficiency and sustainability” - with the operative words I hope being - “sustainability!”

The six thrusts outlined by the NUP are:

1. Towards an efficient and sustainable urbanisation

2. development of a resilient, dynamic and competitive urban economy

3. towards an integrated efficient urban transportation system.

4. providing quality urban services

5. infrastructure and utility - creating a conducive urban living environment within a distinct identity and

6. effective urban governance.

JG sincerely hope this is not ‘political rethoric and poppycock’ but that the NUP would also become the main thrust for all urban planning and development activities in Peninsular Malaysia including development plans at the state and local level.

If implemented without compromise as we often have (thanks to the lobbists!) it will guide and coordinate planning and urban development in the country to be more efficient and systematic particularly in managing the increase of urban population by 2020, with emphasis on balancing the social, economic and physical development within urban areas.

Now let us hope this is implemented without any compromise!

Got my drift?

JG PRAYS THAT DR M WILL BE ALRIGHT!

  

I am really ‘upset and disturbed’ that former premier, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (see pix above) has been admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) early this morning after suffering a mild heart attack.

We are advised that his son Mukhriz has confirmed that Dr Mahathir was rushed to the IJN at 3.30am this morning is stable but asked to remain for observation for a week.

According to a statement by IJN, Mahathir was admitted into the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) for observation.Mahathir is advised to rest and thus, will only receive visits from immediate family members IJN stated!

I appeal to all to remember Dr Mahathir in their prayers and for his speedy recovery!

EXXONMOBIL DEALERS NEED HELP!

 

I hope this matter is being monitored by the MDTCA top brass and more so that its minister will bring the parties herein to a fair and reasonable settlement to protect innocent consumers!