Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by David83

American Express® Cards v2

David83 — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:51:16 +0800

A - Charge card

AMEX charged card gives rewards point (presently 2X if got Turbo 3X) for pumping petrol at ALL petrol stations.

B - Credit card

New AMEX Gold Credit Card
5x Membership Rewards points for every Ringgit spent on groceries, petrol, bookstores - Kinokuniya, Borders, Times and MPH - and telco charges via Express Autopay -Celcom, Digi, Maxis and Telekom.
2x Membership Rewards points for all spend elsewhere.

Details: http://www.maybank2u.com.my/mbb_info/m2u/p...sonal/CRD-Cards

Ikhwan AMEX from Maybank Islamic
5X TreatsPoints on all petrol spend
2X TreatsPoints on all other spend
Lifetime fee waiver
Non-compounding charges
Balance Tranfer facility
Express AutoPay facility
Worlwide offers with American Express SELECTS
Online shopping with globalshop
Automatic Touch 'n Go Zing Card reload facility (RM2 service fee per reload)

Ikhwan AMEX Platinum: http://www.maybank2u.com.my/mbb_info/m2u/p...sonal/CRD-Cards
Ikhwan AMEX Gold: http://www.maybank2u.com.my/mbb_info/m2u/p...sonal/CRD-Cards

Maybank (conventional) AMEX Credit Card
Annual Fee: RM 250 for gold; RM 60 for classic
2x TP on all purchases

Gold Card: http://www.maybank2u.com.my/mbb_info/m2u/p...sonal/CRD-Cards
Classic Card: http://www.maybank2u.com.my/mbb_info/m2u/p...sonal/CRD-Cards

SIA KrisFlyer AMEX Gold Credit Card
Annual fee of RM 250
2 KrisFlyer miles for every RM2 on tickets purchased online from http://www.singaporeair.com.my
KrisFlyer mile on every RM2 spent on other purchases

Details: http://www.maybank2u.com.my/mbb_info/m2u/p...sonal/CRD-Cards

HLB AMEX Credit Card
Details: http://www.hlb.com.my/pfs/cc/ccamex.jsp?flag=ccamex

C - Loyalty/Rewards Programme

Membership Rewards

All AMEX charge and credit cards that do not bear Maybank logo.
- AMEX Charge Card (Platinum/Gold/Green)
- AMEX Platinum Credit Card: 10x MR at selected merchants
- AMEX Gold Credit Card: 5x MR on petrol, groceries and books

URL: http://www.americanexpress.com.my/amx_info...mbershipRewards

TreatPoints

Other AMEX credit cards that bear Maybank logo:
- Maybank (conventional) AMEX
- Maybank Ikhwan AMEX: 5x TP on petrol and lifetime free waiver on annual fee

KrisFlyer miles
- SIA KrisFlyer AMEX Gold Credit Card

D - Important Links

AMEX website: http://www.americanexpress.com.my/amx_info...fo/home/home.do
AMEX promo info at M2U website: http://www.maybank2u.com.my/mbb_info/m2u/p.../PRO-Promotions

Previous version:
v1: http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/547867

Electric Kettle

David83 — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:27:39 +0800

Dear all,

I'm sure everybody who goes through campus life or renting out would have this handy popular electrical appliance. I'm wondering which material is hazardous to health. The reason I ask this because I saw a plastic based electric kettle is priced more expensive than steel/stainless steel based. The capacity is also smaller in comparison.

Feel free to feedback. Your opinions are highly appreciated.

Thank you.

Credit Card Thread V7

David83 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:31:37 +0800

One good site to add from http://www.bankinginfo.com.my
KNOWING YOUR CARDS (pls spend some time reading it up, especially for first time card user)

1. Visa
2. Mastercard
3. JCB
4. AMEX - Charge or Credit Card
5. Diners Club
6. China Union Pay(中国银联)
7. Etc.

1. Annual fee matters

No need to request for waiver
CIMB Direct Access Platimum and Gold - requirement Professional/Graduate. ---> http://www.directaccess.com.my/index.php?tpt=cimb_da
UOB Platinum - got to have BOTH MasterCard and Visa and swipe minimum 6 times/card.
Alliance Platinum - swipe 12 times a year or spend RM5,000/year.
RHB Evo - got to swipe once a month or RM8 is charged for that month.
OCBC Platinum Robinson - swipe 3x any amount even few ringgit also can at robinson from month on card expiry not following year basis (http://www.ocbc.com.my/personal-banking/Ca...Privileges.shtm)
MBB Flex -got to swipe twice a month or else charged RM3.95
Citibank Choice - 2 transactions in a month
CIMB Mastercard Paypass - free for life without conditions

2. Tap and Go - no signature required matters

Visa Wave - MBB, UOB
Mastercard Paypass - CIMB, CIMB DA, CIMB Islamic ---> http://www.mastercard.com/sea/personal/en/...rd/paypass.html
Visa payWave - MBB Petronas, EON, MBB Petronas Ikhwan ---> http://www.visa-asia.com/ap/sea/cardholder...a_paywave.shtml

Paypass limited to RM120
Visa Wave limit should be RM150

3. Credit Card linked to Petrol Giants

BHP-UOB
Shell-Citibank
AMEX charged card gives rewards point (presently 2X if got Turbo 3X) for pumping petrol at ALL petrol stations.
Petronas-MBB Visa Gold with payWave (free for life with no conditions) ---> http://www.mymesra.com.my/index.php?ch=mm_...omo_promo&ac=75
Petronas-CIMB Mastercard Gold (free for life) ---> http://www.mymesra.com.my/index.php?ch=mm_...omo_promo&ac=75
All petrol brands with CIMB DA Mastercard with rebate up to 2% monthly and 5% on the first day of the month.
Petronas-MBB Ikhwan Visa ---> http://www.mymesra.com.my/index.php?ch=mm_...mo_promo&ac=123
Petronas-CIMB Islamic Mastercard ---> http://www.mymesra.com.my/index.php?ch=mm_...mo_promo&ac=123
AMEX credit card generally offer 2X MR/TP at ALL petrol stations that accept AMEX. The newly AMEX credit card offers 5X MR.

4. Standard financial charge (interest rate)

Retails purchases: ~~18% p.a or 1.5% p.m~~ from statement date upon paying the minimum amount.

*Malaysia had adopted tiered pricing interest rate: BNM Press Statement

Cash advance: 18% p.a from the date of withdrawal.
Late payment: 1% of outstanding or RM 5 whichever is higher.
Minimum payment amount: 5% of outstanding or RM 25/RM 50 whichever is higher.

5. Complementary Cards

1) Citibank - Just deposit and maintain RM200k
2) UOB - Opening deposit of RM300k with maintenance of RM200k
3) Standard Chartered - Deposit & maintenance of RM250K effective 1st April 2009
4) OCBC - Opening deposit of RM300k with maintenance of RM200k
5) HSBC - Deposit & maintenance of RM200k

6. AMEX ---> http://www.americanexpress.com.my/amx_info...fo/home/home.do

A - Charge card

AMEX charged card gives rewards point (presently 2X if got Turbo 3X) for pumping petrol at ALL petrol stations. Another benefit AMEX have over others is that they presently have 6 months 0% installment for any transaction. AMEX is truly 0% as they is no handling or surchage fees as compared to DA and UOB.

B - Credit card

With the newly launched AMEX Gold Credit Card:
5x Membership Rewards points for every Ringgit spent on groceries, petrol, bookstores - Kinokuniya, Borders, Times and MPH - and telco charges via Express Autopay -Celcom, Digi, Maxis and Telekom.
2x Membership Rewards points for all spend elsewhere.

Link to AMEX thread: http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/547867

7. International Transactions

Mastercard and Visa charges a surcharge on top of the exchange rate. The banks also choose to charge an additional administration charge on top of that

Maybank: 0.5% -->verified by Hye

CIMB/DA: DA - 1% (starting April 2009 - by hye)

Hong Leong: 1%

PBB: 1.25% (thanks to the link by prasys)

QUOTE

Transactions incurred will be converted to Ringgit Malaysia using US$ as the base currency on the date the item is received and/or processed at such exchange and at such time as may be determined by Visa International/MasterCard Worldwide at its absolute discretion plus administration cost of 1.25%. The exchange may differ from the rate in effect on the date of the transaction due to market fluctuations. Such rate imposed shall be final and conclusive and the Cardmember shall bear all exchange risks, losses, commission and other bank charges which may thereby be incurred.

http://www.pbebank.com/en/en_content/perso...ates/cards.html

Citibank: 1% --> verified by tinkerbel

HSBC: 1% --> HSBC will also charge a Misc fee; bank isn't able to provide details on what that is but according to CS whom I spoke with, there's a small misc fee. (contribution by Tinkerbel)

EON: 2%

UOB: 1%

Standard Chartered: 1%

AMEX card: 2.5% (Item 13.5 of the T&C)

OCBC bank: (provided by kei18kun)
overseas transaction 1%
http://www.ocbc.com.my/personal-banking/Ca....shtm?bcid=M5_1

8. Credit Card Cancellation Letter

QUOTE

[Your name]
[Your address]
[Date]

Dear Sir or Madam:

Please let this letter serve as notice that I am terminating my credit card account effective immediately. Please close the following account:

Credit Card Company: ____________
Account Number: ________________

Please send me written confirmation that my account has been closed. Also, please confirm that you have notified all appropriate credit card bureaus that this account was closed at my request.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]

9. Cash Advance fees

Citibank: 5% of cash amount (min RM20), and 18% p.a. daily interest (N/A for Ready Cash)

UOB: The cash advance fee is charged to any withdrawal of cash made. This is imposed for each cash advance transaction. 5% or RM20, whichever is higher.

Maybank: VISA/Mastercard (Both Classic and Gold) | Flat rate of 5.00% of the total amount of cash advance | Min: RM10

CIMB DA: 5% of the amount drawn, subject to a minimum of RM15, whichever is higher.

CIMB: 5% of the amount drawn, subject to a minimum of RM15, whichever is higher.

HSBC:
The cash advance fee is 5% of the amount advanced or a minimum of RM15. Whichever is higher. This is imposed for each cash advance transaction
For HSBC Amanah Charge Card, cash advance is capped at RM1,000 per transaction and a fee of RM60 per transaction will be levied
For cash advances made over the HSBC banking counter, there will be an additional charge of the following:-
- RM50 on credit cards issued by local banks other than HSBC - RM20 on credit cards issued by non-Malaysian card issuers (including JCB)
- Cards issued by HSBC Bank Malaysia and the HSBC Groupare exempted from this charge

OCBC: The cash advance fee is 5% of the amount advanced or a minimum of RM15, whichever is higher. This is imposed for each cash advance/casino chips transaction.

10. Verified by Visa and Mastercard Securecode

Verified by Visa ---> http://www.visa-asia.com/ap/sea/merchants/...vbv_intro.shtml
Participating banks: EON, MBF , HSBC, PB, MBB (MSOS)

Mastercard Securecode ---> http://www.mastercard.com/au/personal/en/c...code/index.html
Participating banks: EON, MBF , HSBC, PB, MBB (MSOS)

11. Previous versions

Credit Card V2 Thread
Credit Card V3 Thread
Credit Card V4 Thread
Credit Card V5 Thread
Credit Card V6 Thread

12. Useful information
BNM issued guidelines in 2003 that limits consumer liability in cases of fraud to only RM250. See the actual document here, page 123 has the guidelines. (Courtesy of tishaban) (thanks awaynoway for the updated link))

Credit information:
CCRIS: http://creditbureau.bnm.gov.my/
CTOS: http://www.ctos.com.my/
BRIS: http://bris.com.my/index.html

13. FMB - Financial Mediation Bureau
http://www.fmb.org.my/index.htm

QUOTE

The Financial Mediation Bureau (FMB) is an independent body set up to help settle disputes between you and your financial services providers who are its members..

The FMB provides you with free, fast, convenient and efficient avenue to refer your disputes for resolution as an alternative to the courts. These disputes may be Banking/Financial related as well as Insurance and Takaful related .

14. AKPK - Agensi Kaunseling Dan Pengurusan Kredit | "We understand what you go through when you are financially distressed"
http://www.akpk.org.my/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

Financial Education | Financial Counselling | Debt Management

Link to AKPK thread: http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/876712

14. Other Links By Users:
Quite informative blog with links provided by Gen-X:
http://creditcardsmalaysia.blogspot.com/20...rds-cc-101.html

QUOTE(GHz @ Mar 15 2009, 12:23 AM)

If you are really interested in cash back credit card you may want to take a look this analysis of cash back credit card
[right][snapback]24354986[/snapback][/right]

Disclaimer: If there's anything one wants to update on this first page or if there's any information wrong, pls PM me and I'll update if it's relevant.

Code to add as 1st page: (click the spoiler, than copy and paste)

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA

David83 — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:37:24 +0800

MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA

In the highly-anticipated sequel to “Madagascar,” Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria, King Julien, Maurice and the penguins and the chimps find themselves marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar. In the face of this obstacle, the New Yorkers have hatched a plan so crazy it just might work. With military precision, the penguins have repaired an old crashed plane—sort of. Once aloft, this unlikely crew stays airborne just long enough to make it to the wildest place of all—the vast plains of Africa, where the members of our zoo-raised crew encounter species of their own kind for the very first time. Africa seems like a great place…but is it better than their Central Park home?

(Source: United International Pictures (Sdn))

URL: http://www.madagascar-themovie.com/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Coming soon this November 2008 (13th November). Nobody interested? The trailer is damn hilarious!

LYN Myvi Owner's Thread v12

David83 — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 10:51:37 +0800

LYN Myvi Owner's Thread v12

Owner Listing

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

Total owners: 166

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Specs Price
Myvi 1.0SR 1.0, Manual RM38,934.10
Myvi 1.3SX 1.3, Manual RM43,027.40
Myvi 1.3EZ 1.3, Auto RM45,932.40
Myvi 1.3SXi 1.3, Manual, Dual Airbags, ABS RM45,932.40
Myvi 1.3EZi 1.3, Auto, Dual Airbags, ABS RM48,455.60
Myvi SE 1.3ZHS 1.3 Auto, Dual Airbags, ABS RM51,792.00
Myvi SE 1.3GHS 1.3, Manual, Dual Airbags, ABS RM48,912.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

new myvi price list

1.0(M)Solid RM38924.10
1.0(M)Metallic RM39447.30
1.3(M)Solid RM43400.00
1.3(M)Metallic RM43900.00
1.3(A)Solid RM46400.00
1.3(A)Metallic RM46900.00
1.3(M)Premium solid RM46200.00
1.3(M)Premium metallic RM46700.00
1.3(A)Premium solid RM49200.00
1.3(A)Premium metallic RM49700.00
RM400 for special metallic colour(Pearl White)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/U]
How an overdrive unit works[U]
The overdrive consists of an electrically or hydraulically operated epicyclic gear train bolted behind the transmission unit. It can either couple the input driveshaft directly to the output shaft (or propeller shaft) (1:1), or increase the output speed so that it turns faster than the input shaft (1:1 + n). Thus the output shaft may be "overdriven" relative to the input shaft. In newer transmissions, the overdrive speed(s) are typically as a result of combinations of planetary/epicyclic gearsets which are integrated in the transmission. In these cases, there is no separately identifiable "overdrive" unit. A number of such transmissions and transaxles are manufactured by Aisin, for use in vehicles produced by many different manufacturers. In older vehicles, it is sometimes actuated by a knob or button, often incorporated into the gearshift knob, and does not require operation of the clutch. Newer vehicles have electronic overdrive in which the computer automatically adjusts to the conditions of power need and load.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overdrive_%28...anics%29]Source
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

fuel consumption (gkl83)
auto around 15km /L
mannual around 16km/L
(good for reference)

------------
auto 1.3 -- timing chain
manual 1.3 -- timing chain
1.0 -- timing belt
(these shall put in coz cant found in spec, & many ppl donno also)
-----------
spec
http://www.perodua.com.my/index.php?sectio...vi&action=specs
-----------
award
http://www.perodua.com.my/index.php?sectio...&page=fnsawards
and others more details infor......
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

__________________________________________________________________
V10 Click here

____________________________________________________________________
gallery

[right][snapback]19230702[/snapback][/right]

Olympics: Beijing 2008

David83 — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 21:22:12 +0800

Are we going to have a sub-forum or dedicated section for Olympics summer game - Beijing 2008 like Euro 2008?

6 more days to go ... 8 August 2008.

http://en.beijing2008.cn/

Grand opening at National Stadium, Beijing, 8.08 pm, 8 August 2008.

SunPower in Malaysia

David83 — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:12:50 +0800

US solar cell maker to set up plant in Malacca

MALACCA: A solar cell manufacturer in the United States will set up a fabrication plant in Rembia, Alor Gajah in an investment worth RM2.3bil.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the SunPower Corporation plant would be constructed on a 52ha site at the Rembia Industrial Zone and was expected to create at least 4,000 jobs for locals.

“The initial investment will total RM2.3bil. The construction of the plant is scheduled for completion in August next year and it will reach full operational capacity within five years,” Mohd Ali said after witnessing the signing ceremony between SunPower and the State Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) recently.

“It has been a long-awaited project and I hope Rembia will emerge as the Solar Valley of Malaysia,” he said.

Robert Vinje, SunPower’s Fab 3 managing director, said this was the company’s first foray into Malaysia following the establishment of two smaller manufacturing facilities in the Philippines.

URL: http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?f...1461&sec=nation

Competition hots up in local telecoms sector

David83 — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:04:53 +0800

Competition hots up in local telecoms sector

THE competition within Malaysia's mobile space has turned up many notches over the past quarters and is expected to intensify further.

The biggest talk this time is the impending launch of DiGi.Com Bhd's third generation (3G) services and the implementation of mobile number portability (MNP) next month.

“DiGi has been very innovative in terms of offerings and marketing, therefore all eyes will be on DiGi late this year when it rolls out the 3G services,” an analyst said.

DiGi was the only mobile operator that did not receive a 3G licence or a WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) operating licence.

However, it has since formed an alliance with TIME dotCom Bhd for the provision of 3G services.

Analysts said the much-anticipated liberalisation could shake up the whole mobile industry, shrinking customers' monthly bills and pressuring the profit margins of the mobile phone operators.

“With the increased competitive pressure, telecommunication companies (telcos) might lower the tariffs further to stimulate stronger call elasticity and be more innovative without pressuring their margins,” an analyst said.

With MNP coming into the picture, DiGi and rivals Maxis Communications Bhd and Celcom (M) Bhd are aggressively launching new services and promotions in the postpaid segment, hoping to retain customers and grab new ones.

“Although there could be a slight delay in the implementation of MNP, mobile operators have wasted no time. Mobile operators have repackaged and introduced new packages to entice customers,” an analyst said.

“The mobile market is showing a decline in growth, with operators focusing on the migration of customers from prepaid to postpaid. The implementation of MNP in the mobile sector could pave a growth path for the industry,” he added.

DiGi has recently launched four new postpaid plans – DG250, DG150, DG50 and DG20. The DG250 gives customers free local voice calls and text messaging to any network at anytime for RM250 a month.

Maxis Communications Bhd, which has been leading the very competitive industry with over 41% market share, has also repackaged its postpaid plans and introduced a new service, Hotlink 365, recently to cater to a segment of users with low usage.

Aseambankers Equity Research is optimistic on DiGi, as the mobile operator would have more potential to grow its postpaid segment when MNP is implemented.

Although U Mobile Sdn Bhd is a relatively new 3G service provider, the operator has managed to acquire 100,000 subscribers since its launch in April.

U Mobile chief executive officer Oh Kwang-Jin said the company was the only 3G operator in Malaysia that offered per-second billing across all its plans. “We want to keep our customers happy and we intend to continue to listen to them intently as part of our ongoing mission to provide the best value in the industry,” he said.

U Mobile now offers three postpaid plans. Although its coverage is centred in the Klang Valley, it is expanding its network to cover all major cities and towns nationwide.

OSK Research does not see any threat from U Mobile's newly-launched per-second billing prepaid plan on its competitors, although it believes the telco would have its niche appeal.

The brokerage said while U Mobile's prepaid plan offered the lowest charge at 0.8 sen per second, it would only be cheaper if calls lasted less than 24 seconds, whereas DiGi’s inhouse prepaid brand Happy, which is capped at 99 sen per call, would actually save more money for calls exceeding 125 seconds.

OSK said it was difficult for U Mobile to price its tariff too competitively, as it purchased wholesale minutes from Celcom at a higher rate.

On a different development, Maxis is said to be bidding the first right from Apple Inc to bring the iPhone into the local market.

Analysts said if Maxis successfully introduced the iPhone in Malaysia, the telco could gain an even bigger edge over rivals.

“If Maxis could secure the rights to bring iPhone in, it will be the perfect lure for mobile users to switch service providers. This will give Maxis access to a wider business user segment,” another analyst said.

As competition heats up and the date of MNP draws nearer, analysts expect more activities and roadshows by mobile operators in a bid to lure customers from competitors

URL: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?f...63&sec=business

Honeywell

David83 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:26:30 +0800

Anybody works or heard about this company? How is it?

They took over old Seagate site at Perai.

Kindly share. Thank you.

Inward Remittance

David83 — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:02:59 +0800

I have a foreign cheque in USD from Citibank US. I'm wondering which local bank offers the lowest processing fee or is there better way to cash out the money in RM even though the amount is not very big.

Any suggestion is highly welcomed. Thank you.

MS Office 2007 FAQ

David83 — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:47:23 +0800

Microsoft Office has been launched and in the market for quite some time. However, not many prefer to use it since the interface is totally different from its predecessor. In addition, it also slow loading and resources/memory hogging as compared to Office 2003.

Version of Office 2007

Office Home and Student 2007
Familiar programs with essential tools to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations

Office Standard 2007
New tools to manage e-mail and create great looking documents, spreadsheets, and presentations

Office Small Business 2007
Productivity tools to help small businesses accomplish routine tasks quickly, manage information, and produce quality marketing materials

Office Professional 2007
Productivity and information management tools that help workers save time, stay organized, and focus efforts on sales, marketing, and customers

Office Professional Plus 2007
Powerful tools for creating, managing, analyzing, and sharing information

Office Enterprise 2007
Comprehensive tools that help enterprises collect and consolidate information, quickly find what they are looking for, and share critical information, online or offline

Office Ultimate 2007
New programs for collecting, consolidating, and easily sharing information across boundaries

To know more about Office 2007, go to: http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/FX100647...=CL100569831033

The purpose of this thread is to have a sharing on problems encountered with Office 2007 and to discuss on quick fix or turn around. It also could serve to share ways to optimize Office 2007 and experience sharing avenue among the users.

Moderator, please pin this thread.

Rohde & Schwarz

David83 — Sun, 18 May 2008 14:15:56 +0800

Anybody hears or works at this company? Mind to share the working environemnt, benefits and etc.

How many branches or sites they have in Malaysia? I know at Damansara.

Thank you.

Fund Investment Corner v2

David83 — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:06:45 +0800

(Disclaimer: There is not a recommendation on the examples being discussed in this particular thread(OR mentioned in any posts here) and I am (or anyone is) not responsible if any loss is suffered by any person due to this thread. As we all knew, Investments are with risks.)

-Information displayed might be obsoleted by the time you reading here. Hence, please keep yourself updated from time till time.

-I'm not any Public Mutual funds agent at all. Nor I got any employment relationship to Public Bank(and any banks globally). Some members who reading this thread might got an WRONG impression that I'm promoting Public Mutual funds. As a matter of fact, I'm an investor out of millions in the market. I responsible for what i saying here. Notwithstanding the aforesaid, I'm not guarantee myself to anyone here that, one day I could not be a Public Mutual fund agent in the future. Personally I invested quite a lot of funds. Since Public Mutual fund quite reliable, may be there is why me or anyone keep mentioning that. The fact is simple as that. Believe or not, is up to individuals here.

Guess, I would need to spend much time in this section. I do play some investment. Problem is I doing that by agent. Thus, still many stuffs I'm unaware of. Just listening to the agent/unit trust. Recently I got some $ invested in Public Savings Fund. Was quite a big amount. Therefore,... what is this actually. I'm still quite blur. However yesterday I receive a RM 180 cheque already. Is this fund good?

I was told by the agent. It's 40% for saving. 60% for investment only. I was given two choice that time. One is Public Savings Fund, the other is Public Islamic Dividend Fund. He said that Islamic Dividend Fund is much more safer than Saving. As the value only at 0.2585(buy) 0.2752(sell). While Public Savings Fund is 0.6715(sell) and 0.7151(buy). I invested at about 0.68(if not mistaken)

Anyone got funds investment?! Please share your opinions...
Tomorrow would get back here again. Thanks for viewing.
edited:
Layman's notes:
I like to make my own notes while reading. In this way, it's more efficient than just reading it. Of course, I'm just a beginner.

-The 3.75% charges make me hold the bond as long as possible. Thus, once and before any fund or bond to buy. Think carefully first. Once invest, then must wait for a long time for it to recover.

-Investment is better than fixed term deposits because of the factor of inflation. Nonetheless, as we knew, investments itself got Market risks, Particular Stock Risk, Liquidity Risk, Interest Rate Risk, credit Risk, Manager's risk, Loan financing risk, Risk of non-Compliance, Risk of Non-Compliance with Syariah Requirements, Currency risk and country risk.
Never list down, i also dun know got so many risks...

-Some people who working might need to buy a car, or a house. Everyone needs that. But these stuffs not cheap. That is why Fund and bond exist for people to plan saving in a period of time, say 3 or 5 years with HIGH interest rate yet lower risked. In a way, it indeed much better than the ordinary Fixed term deposit in our bank. Bond, Fund investment method could be 2 types, one can invest in one big amount and wait for 3 or 5 years to get high interest(this normally are just extra money). Another one is by investing monthly, it's actually a type of saving. For us to fulfill our dream.

-For the first time I heard that mutual fund/unit trust is more risk than market shares. If and when anyone listen or read this stuff. Be more careful to those people who said above. Perhaps they never buy any shares and do funding yet.

-Experiences hunt,... please refer to
Post# 65 by vincecyc
Post# 107 by stmu
Most posts by khoong25
Post# 705, 712, 713, 721 by rexis
Post# 962 by low yat 82
Post# 963 by Geminist

-Some words to keep in mind when me playing with fire(shares? Fund? Forex?)
*Risk no more than you can afford to lose, and also risk enough so that a win is meaningful. If there is no such amount, don't play. by Ed Seykota

-Basically, when you investing in Funds or so called Mutual Funds. The first day launching is the best day for hunting. As normally there will be 1% of free bonus units to be offered or some sort of other offers. Thus, please pay attention to the newspaper. or talk to your bank friends closely. It's where and how to put you at a more beneficial stage. Early birds always got something to eat.

-
edifgrto: "I just make phone call to the Fund agent, being told that, as for the charging is only one time for purchasing only. While reinvesting, there is no charges at all. I'm a bit puzzled on this, what to do now is, to wait for the Fund Statement arrived. Currently I do got one fund having this case..."

-Indeed, why me so interested in these Mutual fund also known as Unit Trust(You might ask this?). Because share market is for someone much more clever than me. I made a huge lost that enough to be a lesson for me to stick with what suitable for myself(Simple as that). Just let those soldiers go to the battle field. Me more interested in lower risk, lower profits only... if any...

-Reading people make money from Share market is so easy, but people playing share market seems no one never make any lost before. My first investment made my RM 16,000.00 went down to drain. Nothing gain back,... not even one cent!

-For general information of market, economic of Malaysia
http://www.pwc.com/pdf/my/eng/publications/mamy.pdf
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTEAPH...sia-March06.pdf
Post #1175 by whtrader in Investment thread regarding Forex scams

-Some related websites that I might need to dig out information. Indeed, somehow... case like we went KFC for fried Chicken but we seldom(or never) visited KFC website perhaps. Therefore, same case here. Does not mean I always do reading from the sites. Then, I(or anyone) would surely make money. Just for reference, perhaps...(more to be added...) Some mutual agents inside the spoiler. Since it keeps growing. I decided to put them in Spoiler, for better viewing.

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

-Added some Fund Pricing attachments, collected from bank websites for pricing references. I'm not so sure if this fine?! If it's not permitted, I would take it out. Please let me know if it's not appropriate.

-dreamer101: What people did not tell you is in stock trading, if you do not do margin and stock option, you only lose the money that you invested in. In Forex, because of leverage and you must do levarage to make real money in forex, you can lose up to 20 times the money you put in.
Post# 1227 in Investment thread.

-louislim2: before you invest,make sure you can save your money like coins,that is the hardest part,and the most important part!!do you believe i can buy a motor cycle by cash just only i save my coins??i save until full of a big long bottle.when i count is around 6000.omg...i save for 4years,everyday throw in all my coins that if have.that it,this is the started point.you want to invest,just invest your attitude!!
Post# 1340 in Investment thread.

-luqmanz: It depends on how much return you expect to get. If your are hoping to get 25-30% ... that's almost impossible. ...
A good performing mutual fund can give return up to 15-18%.
Post# 1419 in Investment thread.

-pidah: when the Composite Index going higher, the Fund Manager will switch the Equity fund to Bond fund/Money Market Fund (Fixed Deposit) where as here you will gain more RM. But when the KLCI going down, the FM will switch back the fund frm Bond Fund to Equity Fund. (here u gain more units). As i mention before, source of U.Trust - Rise of Unit Price (Capital appreciation).
Post# 1432 in Investment thread.
edifgrto: I think I seriously would have to call my agent to ask about this switching stuff.

-pidah: and also you must remember that there are 3 type of source of return from UT which are:

1. The rise in unit price (We call it capital appreciation)
2. The annual dividend/distribution/bonus declared
3. The unit split declared.
Post# 1423 in Investment thread.

-Post# 1457 by Drian was something about Fund. However, he has not read pidah's post in 1423(which was in his previous page). Hence, his calculation becoming not accurate. To thoroughly get the calculation... you just need to throw RM 1000(probably) since the first year. Then, you would know how much income generated over the period. Drian did his work without invested real money in. And the most important thing is, not all funds are good. As luqmanz stated, not all funds are bad either. Else, there is no risk. Money would just fall from the sky. And, I won't create this thread here.

-To check the latest fund prices. It's to go to the each fund manager website to check. Alternatively, we can use The Star or OSK188. Which they allowing the public to check freely. Though me got the account with OSK188. But it's quite convenient for me to know the price without logging in. The advantages of OSK188, perhaps it allowing me to put all my invested funds in my favorite. Please note the price dated.

-For whom might interested in funding, getting high profit yield like 25% per month is impossible. However, by picking the right ones, the ranges for return on investment(ROI) for 4 weeks(1 month) are,

For selected best equity funds, higher risk
ROI, 1.13% to 3.29%

For selected best Mixed Asset funds, moderated risk
ROI, 0.55% to 3.88%

For selected best bond funds, lower risk
ROI, 1.31% to 3.50%

-Thanks to Oriental Daily News that giving me this set of information of Capital Guaranteed Funds performance as at year 2006. I have attached it for members that might interested in full capital protection fund type. Please pay attention to their average yield in 1 year. At least 6.27% annually is higher than our saving in banks.

-27th Feb 2007 is an interesting day. As when the CI dropped over 50pts what gonna happen to the funds I invested?! I better note this down for my reference here.
-to be continued later,...

Source: Note ideas from prospectus, and also some of my own opinions.

Some off-topic stuff in the SPOILER

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

[right][snapback]9167598[/snapback][/right]

v1 link - http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/367939

Microsoft Cuts Price for Boxed Vista

David83 — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:32:33 +0800

Microsoft Marks Down Vista Premium, Ultimate Sold at Retail

SEATTLE (AP) -- Microsoft Corp. will cut the price of some versions of Windows Vista, the software maker said late Thursday.
The move came a day after court filings revealed internal dissent over which Windows XP computers would be considered capable of running the new operating system -- and a feeling on at least one executive's part that the company had "botched" the marketing of computers as "Vista Capable."

Only copies of the year-old operating system that are sold in boxes directly to consumers are affected by the price cuts -- not the versions pre-loaded on personal computers. The cuts will range from 20 percent to 48 percent.

The reductions are to coincide with the late March release of Vista Service Pack 1, a collection of security fixes and other improvements.

Microsoft said the new prices will apply to the Home Premium and Ultimate versions of Vista, in both their full editions and the editions that upgrade an older or more basic operating system.

Both versions serve the tiny percentage of users who install an operating system on their own; most people get the latest version of Windows only when they buy a new PC.

Windows Vista's January 2007 launch was plagued by delays. To keep consumers buying PCs in the holiday season of 2006, Microsoft and PC makers promised free Vista upgrades later to shoppers who bought Windows XP computers.

At the launch, Microsoft was widely criticized for offering too many versions of the operating system -- including Home Basic, which didn't have the snazzy new signature look called "Aero" -- and for setting the price too high for the high-end versions.

Brad Brooks, a corporate vice president for Windows marketing at Microsoft, said in an interview that the company has since tested lower prices and found "product was moving much, much faster."

Brooks said he expects so many customers to buy Vista at the new prices that the price cuts will increase Microsoft's revenue, not subtract from it.

A federal judge recently said consumers could pursue a class action suit against Microsoft for labeling PCs as "Vista Capable," even though many were not powerful enough to run all of Vista's features, including the Aero interface.

Company e-mails produced in court chronicle Microsoft settling on a plan to market a wide range of XP-based PCs as "Vista Capable" after company officials realized in early 2006 that 30 percent or fewer of computers on the market could run the full-fledged version of Vista with Aero.

That realization apparently caused computer makers like Dell Inc. to worry that people would stop buying PCs for almost a year -- until Vista launched.

The e-mails also showed Microsoft lowering the bar for "Vista Capable" to protect Intel Corp.'s sales of some widely used chips that weren't powerful enough for the full Vista experience.

Microsoft employee Anantha Kancherla was particularly blunt in his March 2006 response to a question about whether a certain PC configuration would be considered "Vista Capable."

"Based on objective criteria that exist today for "capable," even a piece of junk will qualify," he wrote. "For the sake of Vista customers, it will be a complete tragedy if we allowed it."

According to the e-mails, Jim Allchin, the executive in charge of Windows at the time, wasn't involved in the decision to brand a wide swath of XP computers as "Vista Capable."

Upon learning the details, Allchin wrote, "We really botched this."

URL: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080229/microsoft_v..._price_cut.html

Rear seat passengers have to buckle up

David83 — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 10:52:29 +0800

Rear seat passengers have to buckle up

KUALA LUMPUR: People should start wearing rear seatbelts now instead of waiting for the law to be enforced, as it concerns their safety, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said.

"There is no excuse (not to buckle up) as 91% of cars in Malaysia have rear seatbelts," he said after the launch of the Chinese New Year integrated road safety enforcement campaign yesterday.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, who was also present at the function, said the wearing of rear seatbelts would be made compulsory once it becomes law in the near future.

He said the relevant agencies such as the Road Transport Department (JPJ), police, the Road Safety Department and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research would study the best way to implement it and produce a report.

"Once implemented, it will be compulsory to wear," he said.

Launching the campaign yesterday was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's wife, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah.

She said the majority of motorists were adults and that they had to think for themselves and not be impatient or irresponsible on the road.

"The responsibility of road safety is not the Government's alone. Parents must also play their role in educating their children," she said.

On the campaign this festive season, Chan said there were about 5,000 enforcement officers who would be on duty.

He said there was a huge reduction in both the number of deaths and accidents on the road over the past 10 years but reminded all parties not to be complacent.

"Although the number of vehicles has increased, the number of accidents leading to injuries has fallen from 55,693 in 1998 to 33,999 in 2007.

"As for the number of deaths, it has gone down from 8.4 for every 10,000 vehicles in the 1990s to 3.7 for every 10,000 vehicles last year," Chan said.

Musa noted that whenever integrated enforcement operations were carried out, there was a significant reduction of motorcyclist deaths.

"From Dec 31 last year till today, there were 2,500 accidents with 17 deaths. During the same time last year, there were 40 deaths," he said, adding that he had proposed to the JPJ to always carry out operations together.

URL: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=...5557&sec=nation

PB launches a wholesale Islamic money market fund

David83 — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:34:10 +0800

Public Bank will launch a wholesale Islamic money market fund, PB Islamic Cash Plus Fund (PBICPF) on 30 January 2008. The fund is managed by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Public Mutual.

Public Mutual's Chairman Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr. Teh Hong Piow said PBICPF which is a low risk Islamic money market fund, is suitable for sophisticated investors who wish to enjoy liquidity and current income, while maintaining capital stability. The investment focus of the fund is geared towards short-term Islamic money market instruments that are highly liquid and mature within 365 days or 1 year. "PBICPF will strive to distribute income on a monthly basis," he said.

According to Tan Sri Teh, as prescribed in the Capital Market and Services Act 2007, 'sophisticated investors' are individuals whose total net personal assets exceed RM3 million or its equivalent in foreign currencies; or corporations with total net assets exceeding RM10 million or its equivalent in foreign currencies based on the last audited account; or unit trust schemes or prescribed investment schemes.

Tan Sri Teh added that PBICPF provides a safe option for sophisticated investors with low tolerance to risk who wish to park their monies on a short-term basis. The minimum initial investment of the fund is RM250,000 and the minimum additional investment is RM100,000. Its issue price is RM1 per unit with a service charge of up to 0.25% of net asset value (NAV) per unit. Annual management fee is fixed at 0.375% per annum of its NAV.

Interested sophisticated investors can visit any Public Bank branch nationwide or call free-phone at 1-800-88-3323 during normal working hours to find out more about PBICPF.

The manager of the fund, Public Mutual, which is the largest private unit trust company in Malaysia, manages 56 funds for more than 1,650,000 accountholders. As at 31 December 2007, the total net asset value of the funds managed by the company was RM28.3 billion.

URL: http://www.publicmutual.com.my/article.aspx?id=6475

First Solar

David83 — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:36:59 +0800

Anybody heard of First Solar at Kulim? Should be a US-based MNC who is manufacturing thin film solar? They're recruiting staffs (especially engineers) for overseas training now and building a quite big plant at Kulim.

http://www.firstsolar.com/

REBOUND FRNID

David83 — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 20:11:55 +0800

The REBOUND Floating Rate Negotiable Instrument of Deposit (FRNID)

The REBOUND FRNID targets a rebound of Citibank, Merill Lynch, UBS AG and Morgan Stanley's stocks which has been negatively affected by the U.S. sub-prime crisis and pays a fixed return at maturity if the Target Performance is met.

URL: http://www.cimbbank.com.my/index.php?ch=ba...4&tpt=cimb_bank

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May I know what's this?

Thank you.

The Apprentice [Season 8]

David83 — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 21:23:59 +0800

Season 7 premieres today in US.

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Season 8 has started since March 1, 2009.

Current episode is on episode s08e07.

Stock Market V8

David83 — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 07:55:19 +0800

As of 3 December 2007, DJIA closed the day with:

13,314.57 -57.15 -0.43%