Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by aaronpang

Gated Community (GC)

aaronpang — Thu, 22 May 2008 11:05:30 +0800

The pros and cons of gated living why do Malaysians go for such developments and what could be considered as a best example in Malaysia?

Many so called gated housing in Puchong where I live occupy government land and bar access to public roads.

There is also the false sense of security, houses still get robbed on occasion and parks vandalised

Dutch airline in squirrel shredding row

aaronpang — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 22:03:48 +0800

Dutch airline in squirrel shredding row

Rare red squirrel: Staying clear of Amsterdam

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has apologised for killing more than 400 squirrels in a shredder at Schiphol airport, Amsterdam.
The consignment of 440 ground squirrels did not have the necessary health and import papers for their trip from Beijing, China, to Athens, Greece.

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

Sauce: The BBC

When I read this I just couldn't believe that all this while I flew and supported an airlines that cruelly slaughters animals in shredder...

They could have at least contacted the WWF or Zoo's for help before going ahead with wholesale and inhumane slaughter of rare wildlife

I'm boycotting KLM by flying back on a MAS flight instead of KLM after reading this I'm having my flight rescheduled.

Hope the surviving 20 squirrels organise a resistance and gnaw out the wiring of KLM's shredder machines. What would you do to ensure KLM doesn't repeat the same mistake again...??

I'm not sure if this belongs to Pets or RWI so mods please move if you feel it doesn't belong here

Damn it pecah rumah again!

aaronpang — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:22:56 +0800

Damn it it's happened again fourth time house got broken into and stuff stolen...

This time our TNB electric meter got stolen...

Before that they tried to steal our water filter

And before that they stole a new sink and our contractors tools...

<<<No pic - stuff got stolen>>>

Earlier they stole the copper wiring from the house and the developer installed sink...

I just don't understand why do they wan't to steal a TNB meter?? Now I'm thinking is an alarm and security patrol enuff coz we hired security patrol but we still get robbed...

I wanna beat up the person/persons already

What else can be done...

Fuming over renovations

aaronpang — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 02:14:41 +0800

Fuming over renovations

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

sauce

What really got my attention was this part...

Lim said some of the renovations were inappropriate and did not fit the concept of the neighbourhood.

and also this

"Now, the house is completed and the owner has moved in," he said, expressing fears that allowing such renovations would lead others in the neighbourhood to follow suit.

Should house owners be allowed to renovate their homes as they like?

Let's assume the neighbour has got approvals (means its permissible).

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Is it better to buy or rent own housing property?

aaronpang — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 16:00:31 +0800

The question as an offshoot of "At what age did you own your first property thread?" a few posts got my interest piqued below is the sauce posts:

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Given the posters comments above what would your choice be and the reasoning??

Feel free to post your personal experience, opinions, thoughts and advice is it better to buy or rent your own housing property... or you can simply vote buy or rent.

Also this is too awesome not to share, found it whilst browsing for research... a calculator to help determine if it's better to buy or rent based on the financial variables you've input. It will also calculate at what point or length of stay would buying or renting yield better saving.

In addition you can tweak the variables further by increasing your rent and property appreciation percentage %

The sauce or you can download the flash file and open it in IE or Firefox. You'll need to register for a login and password to use it at the NY Times link.

I hope you guys find it useful

[attachmentid=245247]

MALAYSIA PROPERTY EXPO 2007 (MAPEX)

aaronpang — Tue, 22 May 2007 12:22:39 +0800

MALAYSIA PROPERTY EXPO 2007

Mid Valley Exhibition Centre (MVEC) 25 - 27 May

Just a piece of news worth sharing with all property buffs and investors, upcoming property exhibit...

Anyone going there... do take some pictures and share your comments and thoughts... on any good buys

Location Hall 2 & 3, Mid-Valley Exhibition Centre
Date: 25/5/2007 - 27/5/2007
Organiser: Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (REHDA)

Remark:

Malaysia Property Exposition 2007 (MAPEX 2007)' is the premier property fair and the only nationwide roadshow in the country. MAPEX will continue to be a convenient one-stop centre for property developers and financial institutions in the country to showcase a wide range of innovative properties and financing packages on offer to potential investors and purchasers.

Themed 'Healthy Lifestyle', attractive events and programs related to healthy lifestyle eg. talks and demonstrations on health regime, the environment and products will be organized.

What age did you get your 1st house?

aaronpang — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:21:55 +0800

Mainly just for fun and to get to know the number of lyn members that have experience and purchased their 1st realestate...

PS: Great for sharing some stories too, just share share about your first buying experience etc... what property you bought ($$$ how much) and at what age did you decide to take the plunge

Worlds Top 10 Most Expensive Homes

aaronpang — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 11:09:16 +0800

Think property prices in KLCC are expensive think again... Here is an article in Forbes that I came across recently sauce

I may not be able to afford such a sweet crib but thanks to the miracle of the internet I can certainly afford to admire and drool

QUOTE

Along Australia's Gold Coast and across the French Riviera, they sit above the beach offering extraordinary views of the sea. In the U.K. they are palaces that humble the Queen's Belgravia mansions.

Others range from landed estates throughout continental Europe to nature preserves in Zambia.

These are some of the world's most expensive properties, and the prices are as unique as the homes.

Here a small list I got to whet your appetites

$100 million*
Tranquility Lake Tahoe, Nev.

Hamptons International $138 million*
Updown Court Windlesham, Surrey

For the rest of it go visit Forbes there is also a very interesting a top 10 list for the biggest malls on earth... see which mall rank is Malaysia's biggest. I won't spoil the surprise go see it yourself. sauce

Upcoming Twin Property Exhibitions - This Weekend

aaronpang — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 18:59:01 +0800

Hi all just thought I post an announcement for 2 upcoming property exhibits this coming weekend.

Here for all you property buffs, home owners, investors and kay poh chi alike:-

Malaysia Property Expo (MAPEX ) 2007
Date: 9 to 11 March 2007
Venue: Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Mid Valley Megamall.
Hours: 10:00 am - 9:30 pm
Admission: FOC
Organizer: Real Estate & Housing Developer's Association Malaysia
(REHDA Malaysia)

Mega Malaysia Property Showcase (MMPS) 2007
Date: 16 to 18 March 2007
Venue: Legar Putra, PWTC.
[B]Hours: 10:00 am - 9:30 pm
Admission: FOC
Organizer: Exhibition Guide (M) Sdn Bhd

I'll probably be heading to MAPEX in MidValley.

I suspect the Mega Property Showcase will be a too crowded coz MATTA Fair will be at the same venue so expect a big Big MEGA crowd!

It's a plus if you're looking for a property and a holiday at the same time

Overdue Defect Notice & Witholding Stakeholder Sum

aaronpang — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 17:43:28 +0800

I'm posting this separately coz I feel it deserves a topic of its own.

Anyway I hope I got it right if anybody is more experienced in this matter can comment and advice I'd really appreciate it!

1) Find out who is your stake holder?

You should have a letter from the developer informing who your stakeholders are.

2) Write a notice to withhold releasing the 5% stakeholders sum to the developer...

I don't warranty this letter to be correct because honestly I've never had to write one of these yet:-

A) Sample letter to the stakeholders. <<<Replace Information In Bracket>>>

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

3) Send a copy of this notice together to your stakeholder and developer.

Try to send to the stakeholder by registered mail or in person hand deliver it, also bring along extra copies and get the stakeholder lawyers to stamp, date and sign acknowledgment of receipt.

It's better if you send it in by hand rather than have our reliable post service "Hilang" such an important document.

Then attach a copy to your developer with a cover letter notifying the developer they're not getting any money unless they fix your defects or you will fix it yourself and deduct the repair cost from the stakeholders share. Include a quotation for the cost of repairs when you send it to the developer and CC your stakeholder.

You can get a formal quote from your friendly PCK contractor loitering around any new housing area or calling the phone number on banners hung in front of newly renovated homes. Heck I've received some very professional looking quotations even from those chinamen type contractor. Majulah IT!

B) Sample notice letter to the developer. <<<Replace Information In Bracket>>>

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

edit: Updated the with notice letter to the developer & minor corrections

IRB imposes tax on allowances

aaronpang — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 12:31:13 +0800

IRB imposes tax on allowances

By M. KRISHNAMOORTHY

KUALA LUMPUR: Companies have started making deductions on transport and other allowances paid to their employees for income tax purposes.

Such allowances, which are considered perquisites or perks, are subject to Schedular Tax Deduction (STD) in line with the Income Tax Public Ruling.

Although the ruling came into effect last year, it is learnt that most companies are only starting to make monthly deductions from this month.

Inland Revenue Board Principal Assistant Director Rahimah Abdullah said that taxable allowances included those given for relocation, displacement, transport and parking, clothing, car wash, telephone bills and others.

However, she said taxpayers could claim tax deduction against the allowances if they had documented evidence to prove that the expenses were incurred as part of their duties or employment.

"The deduction is line with the Inland Revenue Board's (IRB) Public Ruling No. 1/2006 on Perquisites from Employment, issued on Jan 17, 2006," she added.

"These benefits are part of the gross income from employment, and therefore taxable."

Rahimah said perquisites referred to benefits in cash or in kind that were convertible into money received in relation to employment.

Sauce The Star

What the hell toll, water and petrol prices gone up, now the IRB wants to tax the money I used to pay the toll concessionaires, isn't it double taxing the same money?

Last year they decided to tax mobile phone allowance but its purely provided for office use so why must they put an arbitrary amount and tax us RM500 automatically it's even worst when my company has a limit on outgoing calls to RM250

Feels like I'm getting robbed
Minyak naik
Air naik
Tol naik

I get no personal benefit from these allowances they're for me to do a job, is the garblement bankrupt and seeking ever creative and imaginative means to go after cents and pennies

My car and petrol cost is already on par with the allowance, lets say I spend RM100 for petrol then the company pays me back RM100, how can the IRB tax my RM100

According to the IRB spokesperson quoted by The Star, "taxpayers could claim tax deduction against the allowances if they had documented evidence to prove that the expenses were incurred as part of their duties or employment."

Does anyone know what forms I need to fill out to ensure this @#$$% garblement keeps their grubby fingers out of my meager work allowance?

Home Defect Rectification Checklist

aaronpang — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 22:42:02 +0800

For all you first time homeowners and property investors, a guide to check your newly acquired property for defects and getting your monies worth out of your investment.

Part 1 - Introduction

After picking-up the keys to your new home/investment be it a house or condo, you should check for defects immediately and fill-out a defect rectification form.

Some developers will provide you with a standard form; others will just require you to list out the defects on a piece of paper and send it in.

The fist time I checked my first purchase the outcome was just a simple list of defects, BIG mistake!

Maybe the contractor just didn't bother with reading the defect list I painstakingly jotted down Or maybe I didn't pay extra attention into detailing where the defects are located. When the rectification work was done the contractor didn't fix everything, only the very obvious flaws.

I'm writing this for my second home, and I'll share what I've learned the hard-way!

PS: Mods I'm reserving a few posts for the remainder of this article and some pictures I hope it's all right!

One of the units mine is in the background

Mega Malaysia Property Showcase

aaronpang — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 16:52:58 +0800

News for Property Investors/Homebuyers:

The Mega Malaysia Property Showcase will be held at the PWTC this year. There should be quite a few interesting property showcase for the intrepid investor/homebuyer!

Details are as follows:

Mega Malaysia Property Showcase
Venue PWTC, Kuala Lumpur
Date 1/12/2006 - 3/12/2006 (Friday to Sunday).
Admission is FREE

There will also be seminar from HBA, it should interst owners of apartments or other high rise property

note: Source and img from Home Buyers Association. Pay them a visit for more details/fees on the seminar!

Bloody Affair - Haematoma In My Doggies Ear

aaronpang — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 17:40:17 +0800

I'm writing this just to share my experience and help dog owners identify the symptoms so they can seek treatment for their pet. By no means is this medical advice to try on your pet. Visit a trained vet if your dog has similar symptoms!

A few days back I noticed that my dog Toby has been scratching and tossing his head back and forth and not his typical playful self. I knew something was wrong!

On closer inspection he had a very plump ear, warm to the touch and full of excess fluid. His ear was extra thick with fluids...

I recognised it because this is the second time Toby has this condition and so did his dad. According to vets it's very common in floppy/long ear dogs!

Dogs usually get haematoma from accidentally hitting their ears or vigorous scratching which results in ruptured blood vessels.

Quick description/medical terms for the condition:

Aural Hematoma: This manifest when a bloody fluid accumulates between the skin and cartilage of the ear pinna, usually the concave surface and usually the result of self-trauma (scratching, head-shaking)

Hematoma of the Ear Flap means blood has accumulated in the ear flap (pinna). Vigorous head shaking, scratching or trauma to the ear area result in damage to the blood vessels, often set off by infection, mites, fleas or debris.

Treatment Options:

Left untreated, the hematoma will resolve in a few weeks time, usually resulting in a permanently wrinkled "cauliflower" ear.
Treatment options include:

1) aspirate (using a needle),
2) surgically open up the ear flap, drain the space and remove clots, then tack the ear down, or
3) place an indwelling cannula in the ear to drain away fluid as the ear heals.

Aspiration has risks -- the possibility of introducing infection, and the possibility of reoccurring.

Surgery is the quickest way to resolve the hematoma, and will hopefully reduce the wrinkling, but once an ear has had a hematoma, there is often some wrinkled scar tissue present.

Not many dogs tolerate the cannula option, so this is not as common of a treatment.

The severity of post-hematoma wrinkling of the ear depends on how large the hematoma originally was.

"aspirate" the hematoma:

I chose to "aspirate" since it doesn't involve surgery (anaesthetics, cutting and stitching) and it helps reduce surgical scarring (actually there is none). Further more Toby is getting old, I didn't want to traumatise and stress him.

However the method I used is slightly different from the quoted source, instead of puncturing the ears and draining the fluids. I use syringes to drain the excess fluids.

Syringes help because I can reduce the risk of infection and reoccurring haematoma. As opposed to making an open wound with a very large needle and possible rupturing more blood vessels!

Supplies available over the counter at pharmacies:
1) Needles about 1inch
2) Syringe from 5ml to 10ml
3) Surgical Spirit
4) Dermal Cream (I don't what they call it? The pharmacists recommend I use it)
5) Cotton wipes
6) Antibiotics (Pharmacists recommended)

1) I continued to observe the haematoma for a few days (3 days) to make sure that it did not get any worse and to give the ruptured vessel time to heal. Otherwise if I've drained it too quickly it will just fill back up again!

Pictures of my Toby's ear, you can't see all the way into his ear canal because the haematoma is obstructing it from view.

2) Before sticking Toby's ear, I made sure it's disinfected and clean by wiping his ears with the surgical spirit and cotton... also gave him a bath earlier and washed my hands with Dettol antiseptic wash!

3) Start by pointing the needle downwards from the tip of his ears parallel to the haematoma... this will help avoid the cartilage. Don't stab it in!

See my simple diagram (I know it's crappy!)

4) Drain the blood until syringe in full and repeat until ears are flat!

I don't have pictures of the procedure because I put the camera down, I need both hands.

Here is the first syringe!

5) Once finished draining the excess blood, I applied the dermal cream and antibiotics until the full course is finished. I also made sure to pay close attention to his ears during the first few days!

6) There will be some wrinkling due to the stretched skin; repeat draining fluids if the ear fills back! (I didn't have to repeat)

Overall I've drained about 4 syringes full of blood!

Thankfully throughout the procedure Toby remained calm and still... and I always kept talking to him and reassuring him! Such a good boy!

Quote and references:

http://www.newmanveterinary.com/Ears.html

http://www.medi-vet.com/canineearcare.aspx

http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/cataf/a/earinfections.htm

I hope this helps all you mommy and daddies out there keep your furkid healthy

* All quoted references are coloured in blue, mine in black!
* I hope this is useful for new and experienced owners.
* Dog owners that aspirate using a needle, IMHO (non-PhD advice) a syringe is better!

Possible to use an aquarium chiller in a WC setup?

aaronpang — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 16:31:21 +0800

Hi All,

I'm not much into OCing or extreme cooling but I was wondering if anyone is aware of the possibility on using an Aquarium Water Chiller in a Water Cooling setup...

The subject came about because I'm selling my chiller and a friend just threw this suggestion to me... however since I can't find such a setup on this forum I thought it would be a good topic for discussion...

I've read up online on DIY WC by cannibalising parts from a fridge.

So whats an aquarium chiller?

It's basically setup like an aircon with a compressor, fan and heat exchange element typically titanium. Aquarium chillers in general are used for marine (aka saltwater setup) to chill and lower the water temprature so that fish and coral can thrive.

Aquarium Chillers can range anywhere from 1/8hp to 1hp and can cool water temp several degrees below room temp.

Examples of chiller brands are Resun, Teco, Articoo...

What do OC taiko's/brothers think it's feasable/possible?

Anybody here wanna try?

SPCA Contact Information

aaronpang — Sat, 03 Dec 2005 01:03:41 +0800

SPCA Selangor
Address Jalan Kerja Air Lama, 68000 Ampang, Selangor.
Tel 03-42565312, 42535179

PAWS Animal Welfare Society
Address Pilmoor Estate, Subang Airport Road, 47200 Subang, Selangor.
Tel 03-7461087

SPCA Ipoh
Address Lot 38642, 4th Mile, Jalan Gopeng, 31300 Ipoh, Perak.
Tel 016-5608905

SPCA Malacca
Address 5 km, Jalan Semabok, Semabok, 75050 Melaka.
Tel 06-2686261

SPCA Johor
Address P.O. Box 186, 80720 JOhor Bahru
Tel 07-2263808

SPCA Penang
Address 10, Jalan Jeti, Jelutong, 11600 Penang.
Tel 04-2816559

SPCA Seremban
Address 16, Jalan Dato Kelana Ma'amor, 70200 Seremban.
Tel 06-7622212

SPCA Kuching, Sarawak
Address Lot 1787, Block 233, 61/2 mile Penrissen Road, 93748 Kuching,
Sarawak.
Tel 082-618200

I hope nairud would pin this info up.

The information would be useful for adopters and to report animal abuse complaint.

If the information is wrong or needs updating PM me.

Food Run to the SPCA or PAWS. Uploaded latest pics

aaronpang — Mon, 14 Nov 2005 17:39:42 +0800

I understand most members are working, furthermore it's sensible to car pool and deliver with 1 car than 10 cars. So I'll volunteer my car and personal time on a weekend.

Edit: Based on the results of the polls and suggestions received....

Members could donate online to an MBB account... proceeds would be used to purchase the following pet food.

Dogs:

Cats:

Pictures and price are taken from Carrefour for reference, it's cheaper in Giant.

Account Details:
Name: Aaron Ang
MBB: 112343042021
Email: aaronpang@time.net.my
Mobile: 012-379 2719

Please PM me with your name, contact number and donation total for book-keeping. I promise to only use the information and monies for this donation drive only.

Sent my personal contact details/IC/address to Moderator nairud for safe keeping and I'll scan the receipt of purchases into this post.

Donation total is cap to RM500.

Donor List
1) aaronpang - RM100
2) Gazard7 - RM100
3) providence - RM300
Total = RM500

Our goal has been reached.

Photographs/pics to follow

Update 22-Jan-05 02:00am:-
Purchase receipts are here. sorry the Tesco receipt is a little blur the printing on the back shows up after scanning

Update 22-Jan-05 02:30pm:-
Thanks to members generosity PAWS cats and dogs won't go hungry today (perhaps for the next days too)

Here's a photo showing how much pet food we're sending over.... 100kg of pet food.

I'll just post this first before I leave and I'll upload more to come....

Edit: 25-Jan-06:- Uploaded pics from our food run to PAWS come and have a look. Hope it will inspire more help for those that can't speak or fend for themselves