:: Power ::

"Power is something you, and only you,  are able to understand when it is bestowed upon you.

By the time it is understood, you have probably lost it."

-a@-

:: Malaysians and GST ::

The latest uproar on this side of the world is the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) by the Malaysian government. The social media newsfeed has been flooded with complaints and pictures of receipts.

Personally, judging from my own Facebook newsfeed, a lot of people are still pretty confused about GST. A clear example would be in the case of Mydin and Al-Ikhsan retailers, who became gentlemen by "absorbing" the GST (in other words, not reflecting them to the consumers).

Receipts from Mydin USJ

The absorption of tax by Mydin does not literally mean that the GST is not charged. It simply means that the price of goods/services are "reverse-engineered" so that the price of goods stay the same, before and after the implementation of GST. Retailers, like Mydin and al-Ikhsan are previously imposed with the Sales and Services Tax (SST) and Import Duty Tax prior to the new tax implementation. This has been lumped in together with the price of goods/services but not stated in the receipt. With the new tax system, the retailers MUST produce receipts showing a brief GST calculation, together with their GST identification. The SST has been abolished and replaced with GST. 

Hence, considering this case where the public is assuming that Mydin has "cheated" consumers is ABSOLUTELY WRONG.

The selling price of goods stays the same. The difference is only that the final selling is deducted by a rate of 6%. That is what they meant by absorption. However, compared to old SST system, they have to show how the GST is charged to the consumers in the receipt.

Despite the negativity out there, I believe this new tax system is the way to move forward. Simply by charging 6% across the board, tax distribution is even-ed. The more you spend, the more tax you pay. It is rather fair to consider that if you are earning more and able to spend more than your peers, you should be taxed more. Your relief despite spending more will be from your personal income tax.

For the slightly "less generous" income group, who usually spends on everyday goods, are paying less tax or exempted from GST. Most everyday goods are zero-rated GST products. You can get more information from the link I shared below:

http://www.gstmalaysia.co/gst-zero-rated-exemption-supply-list/158/

Taxes are alien to most people, and surprisingly, that includes the personal income tax. Before we start complaining, put up a little bit of effort to read and understand the basic of taxes implemented in Malaysia. Hopefully by doing so, you would understand where I am coming from by stating that it is the way to move forward.

Cheers.

-a@-

:: Dr Cermin PJ: Outstanding Service ::

My car windscreen is cracked.

Well, it is a little embarrassing to share how it happened in the first place, but here goes.

It was about 7-8 months ago, scorching sunny day. I was driving around with my girlfriend looking for a place to eat. She was nagging. About something. Non-stop along the way (I still love her despite your constant pot-pet!).

I was attempting to seek some info with my then Samsung Galaxy S3 (let's just leave your lecture about texting while driving some other time) when a call came in from my office simultaneously. We all know how jumpy our data coverage is along Klang Valley highways. And that s3 has not been up to my (impossible) performance standards as of late.

As you can guess, the dumb phone froze. I was not able to answer that call nor did I get any info I was seeking earlier. My girlfriend was still ranting on the passenger seat. All these at the same time, while being stuck in a congested traffic environment. 

I snapped. A split-second moment of rage got me (I am known for my temper bursts). I threw my phone across the windscreen. Of course, the silent moment finally set in.

Funny thing is, I totally forgot that I was using a high-impact housing for my s3. My phone was intact with no damage whatsoever, but there was a crack on my windscreen.

I have sworn off Samsung or Android devices since then, for their performance instability (please note that this is an Apple fanboy's personal experience).

And of course, shortly after the silence, i just gave my partner a new topic to nag on.

Fast forward to yesterday, i decided I should get my windscreen replaced. I made a call to Dr Cermin PJ branch asking the procedures and what is needed for the process to go thru.

A friendly guy gave me a list of documents I should be bringing to the outlet for processing.

1. Copy of insurance policy cover note (which states that I have my windscreen insured). 
2. Copy of updated vehicle registration card (widely known as geran kereta).
3. Copy of IC and driver's license (both front and back).

Windscreen insurance coverage is charged separately from your car insurance. The usual rate is 15% of your total windscreen replacement cost, which in my case of Toyota Vios 2008 (dugong) model, is RM180 a year for a coverage of RM1200.

So, earlier this morning I went for my appointment at Mayang Industrial Park, SS25. The team was friendly enough to greet me when I arrived and went straight to process my documents. They made a few calls for verification purposes, and after about 15 minutes, my car was on its way to restoration.

A few photos were snapped prior to the removal of my old windscreen. And they kept me informed on why it has to be done.

Photo snapping for claim verification process by one of their personnel

Much to my surprise, the whole course only took slightly more than an hour. And my car was ready. One of them approached me at the customer seating area to explain the do's and do not's while the glue is still fresh. The glue will dry off perfectly after a week.

The end result

Another round of snapping photos went on for the final result and I was good to go. Due to my insurance coverage, I did not have to fork out a single cent today. Choose your battles wisely, my dear "prudent warriors".

Wow. It never occurred to me it was going to be brief. I was under the impression that it was going to be a long process, hence why I have been holding off going for replacement all these time. Plus, this car of mine has been "slightly" neglected since a new favorite took over. The reception received was exceptionally warm (most will know the boring and lengthy hours being stuck at a workshop).

To those of you who would like to go for windscreen repairs or replacements, here is the address:

Dr Cermin Sdn Bhd (Petaling Jaya Branch)

20, Jalan SS25/34,

Mayang Industrial Park,

47301 Petaling Jaya,

Selangor.

Tel: 016 212 8690

Fax: 03 7887 6772
Webpage: www.drcermin.com

A round of applause to the Dr Cermin team in the PJ outlet. I shall be back here if I happened to succumb to another moment of rage again. :-|

Cheers.

-a@-

:: Malaysians, Buskers and Heroes ::

Malaysians recently have discovered a newfound appreciation towards buskers or 'seniman jalanan'. This is due to the powerful performance of Romancinta by special beings known as Caliph Buskers at the recent AJL. These physically-challenged individuals were discovered by another local artist, namely Edry from the KRU group (one of my favorite homegrown bands).

Caliph Buskers performing at AJL-29

Edry KRU with Caliph Buskers vocalist, Azmi Saat

Both KRU and Caliph Buskers have both showed us that talents, or heroes (as I would like to call it), exist in any social community level. Local genius Edry, championing the whole cause, has breathed life into the group of people often labeled as "unfortunate" by the community. The latter, Caliph buskers, have successfully confused Malaysians on who is really unfortunate today.

How shallow of us.

Anyone can be a hero. Anyone. To anybody. Or anything. Simply by performing good deeds and fulfilling wishes.

Thank you Edry. Thank you KRU. Thank you Caliph Buskers.

Go out there and be someone's hero today. Make them smile. Come back and share how you feel right after. If you have made someone (or something) smile today, I thank you too. :-)


Do check out their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/caliphbuskers.

Cheers.

-a@-