An experience with robbery...

Update:

Active discussion going on here (still no news on mainstream media) and

explicit photos here (PG strongly advised).

Original post:

This post by Kit is so relevant to what I'm about to relate now.

There we were, shopping in Subang Parade at approximately 8.30pm. We were walking around LG floor, near The Chicken Rice Shop, when suddenly I heard a loud boom. My initial thought was that there was some renovation work and someone dropped something. Then the second boom came, and I saw around me people ducking and running away. I knew then that there was something wrong happening, possibly gun shots, possibly a robbery in progress. I ducked and told my wife to do the same. Moments later, we ran as fast as we could and hid the World of Sports shop.

Overall, more than 10 shots were fired. The Poh Kong (I think...) jewelry shop was robbed. According to hearsay, 2 security guards and 1 robber were shot dead.

It's despicable, isn't it? Violent crimes happening in such public places as a shopping complex!

I truly hope that the perpetrators will be caught and punished to death.

Monster 18x Optical Zoom camera from Olympus!

Typical compact cameras have 3x optical zoom lenses.

More sophisticated compacts have slightly more, such as the 3.8x offered by the Canon IXUS 850IS.

Mid sized zooms will offer 4x to 6x optical zoom, such as the Canon Powershot A710IS.

Bridge cameras typically top the zoom range with 10x to 12x zooms, such as the Canon Powershot S3 IS.

Now, a new monster from Olympus, the SP-550 UZ, offers an 18x optical zoom lens together with CCD-Shift image stabilizing mechanism!

While image quality is yet to be seen and proven, the mere thought of holding such a powerful tool will be too much to resist! Imagine, having the full convenience of anything from a moderately wide angle lens to a full telephoto, all in compact body! The 28mm-504mm equivalent lens will please any photographer, from wide landscape and architectural perspectives, to normal view, to mild telephoto for portraiture work, to telephoto for landscape and creative composition, to super telephoto for sports and wildlife application! All this without the fuss to change between lenses or bodies.

I eagerly await similar contraptions from established makers Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Panasonic, Sony, et al...

Fixing IKEA Furniture

I spent last Thursday fixing up the MALM 4-drawers chest, which took about 1.5 hours and 2 people. The result was quite satisfying, except that some drawers were quite tight.

Yesterday night, we fixed up the HOPEN queen sized bed frame, which took about 2 hours and 4 people. The bed was much more difficult to fix compared to the drawers. The size of the planks, the minuteness of the screws, and the lack of proper tools led to a very interesting assembly session indeed.

Nonetheless it is a very satisfying experience to fix up my own furniture, and IKEA furniture provides the opportunity for some good old DIY action.

EF 50mm : f/1.4 & f/1.8

I had the opportunity to get hands-on impressions of these 2 lenses. Also took some pictures and previewed on the 1.8" LCD, which was not much of help. Anyhow, here are the impressions:


1) Build quality - the f/1.4 certainly looks and feels more well built compared to the f/1.8. Metal lens mount, larger focusing ring and filter thread complete the look. The f/1.8 looks like a cheap toy.

2) Focusing action - the f/1.4 benefits from a larger focusing ring, Micro USM silent focusing, and full time manual override. The f/1.8 is limited by the small and awkwardly positioned focusing ring, micromotor focusing mechanism, and no full time manual override.

3) Picture quality - not that I could perceive picture quality using the 1.8" LCD, but overall the effect from the f/1.4 is more pleasing than the f/1.8. Maybe my perceptions were biased, since the four-fold price premium was ringing in my head.

4) Maximum aperture - f/1.4 vs. f/1.8 will really show its advantages in low light indoor ambient light photography, e.g. wedding banquets. It also benefits casual "snapshot" photographers, where most of the action takes place unplanned.

5) Filter size - The f/1.4 also has a 58mm filter thread, which allows me to reuse the UV filters from my kit lens. The f/1.8 on the other hand uses a 52mm filter thread, which is quite a funny size.

6) Price - The f/1.4 retails at RM1350, while the f/1.8 retails at RM320. That's a 4x price difference. However, I look for durability and keepability. Most likely I'm going for the f/1.4, but I'll see if this takes precedence over a Speedlight.

Why would anyone buy a Honda Jazz when they can get a Honda City for RM19,000 less?

The Honda Jazz and the Honda City are derived from the Fit platform. Other than external differences, both are actually the same vehicle, as explained further:

1) Same chassis
Both cars use the same chassis, i.e. the Fit platform. Both enjoy small exterior dimensions with large interior space. Both employ central fuel tank location. Both are cab-forward designs.

2) Same dashboard and interior fittings
Both cars use the same dashboard, steering wheel, gear stick, seats, seat belts, door trims, wing mirrors, etc.

3) Same engine
Both have either the i-DSI variant or the VTEC variant. The same engines are used in both cars.

So why does the Jazz cost RM19,000 more than the City?

Differences as follows:

1) Country of assembly
The Jazz is assembled in Thailand, while the City is assembled in Malaysia.

2) Form factor
The Jazz is positioned as a mini MPV, while the City is positioned as an entry level sedan.

Still, I don't think that these differences justify the large price difference.

Retail prices as follows:
City VTEC :: RM84,800
Jazz VTEC :: RM103,800
difference : RM19,000

City iDSI :: RM79,800
Jazz VTEC :: RM94,800
difference : RM15,000

Unit trust performance

14 months into the investment, my unit trust NAV has increased approximately 16%.

My actual returns to date would be 10%. Much better than fixed deposit rates of around 4%.

I plan to leave this investment to grow for another 2 years. I estimate my nett returns (minus management and sales fees) to be around 25%.

When emails cause more problems than they solve

I made the terrible mistake of sending a rather harsh email to a Buddhist friend regarding a serious issue, and now have to bear with the consequences of my action. I was labeled "rude", "ungrateful", and "disrespectful".

I realize that I should have made the initiative to at least clarify with him regarding the situation, before actually launching into the full blown email attack.

However, the damage has been done. I'm sure that my actions have somehow marred his perception of our group as a whole. Yes, it isn't fair, but life is like that.

I only hope that I will be able to mend this friendship with him, so that our endeavours may continue in future.

As for now, I know I screwed up, and I screwed up big. Emails are dangerous, especially when either party responds emotionally to the message. Not everyone can be detached and professional about the emails they receive. Words on the screen can mean so many different things to different people. Body language, voice tone and pitch, facial expressions - all these are missing from emails. Their absence makes it hard for the reader to truly understand the intentions of the sender.

My lapse of judgment may have jeapordized our bonds with this Buddhist friend. However, I will do my absolute best to mend this broken bridge.

Wish List

My wish list to complement my existing system...

*Note: images used without permission

Standard zoom lens:
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Alternative for standard zoom lens:
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC


Standard prime lens:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

Alternative for standard prime lens:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II


Ultra wide zoom lens:
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

Alternative to ultra wide zoom lens:
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM


Super zoom lens:
Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS


Flash gun:
Canon 580EX Speedlite E-TTL II

Air Asia Complaint (part 3)

This is the reply that I sent to Air Asia on 26 September 2006 after their initial unsatisfactory response. I am still waiting for their response to this letter.


ATTENTION: Mr. Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of Air Asia

Thank you for your reply dated 25/09/2006. Unfortunately, your reply did not address the points in our letter of complaint, specifically:

1) Why was there inconsistency between the information provided by your customer service hotline and the execution of hand luggage policy by the ground crew of flight AK6315, PEN-KUL, 14:55?

2) Why was there double standard and blatant discrimination when your ground crew operating flight AK6315 allowed a foreign gentleman to bring his guitar into the cabin, and even helped him place it into the overhead compartment, while we were rudely disallowed from doing so?

We wish to remind you that only after we had confirmed twice with your customer service hotline had we brought the guitars to be placed into the cabin. If we had known that you practice inconsistent policy execution and blatant discrimination, we would have arranged alternative transportation means.


Furthermore, you did not provide detailed explanation nor any formal apology for your ground crew's rudeness and poor customer service, specifically:
1) Openly threatening us with closing the gates
2) Giving multiple and ridiculous excuses which do not address the actual issue
3) Being unreasonable and inflexible to the situation
4) Total disregard of basic courtesy to your passengers

Please note that we are extremely dissatisfied with the way we were treated on that day. Your ground crew made no effort to help us address the situation. Instead, we were being treated like criminals. The crew acted like police officers, defending only their "policy no matter how unreasonable", and not finding ways to help us.


Thus we deem your reply dated 25/09/2006 as unsatisfactory, henceforth we expect a satisfactory response to the above queries, in addition to the demands stated in the original letter of complaint, failing which subsequent action will be taken.


Sincerely,

Khoo Nee Sern
o/b The Undersigned

Air Asia Complaint (part 2)

This is the reply from Air Asia regarding our complaint, sent on 26 September 2006. Compare the length of their reply to the length of the original letter of complaint. Compare the points made in their reply to the points raised in our original letter of complaint. See for yourself whether or not this type of reply can be considered satisfactory!


Greetings,

Dear Mr. Khoo Nee Sern,

Thank you for writing and letting us know your concern. We regret for the inconvenience caused on Flight AK 6315 Pen – Kul on the September 17th, 2006.

We have now completed a detailed investigation in respect of this matter and wish to advise you that as stated in our terms and conditions of carriage, only one (1) piece of baggage is allowed to be carried on board provided that it does not exceed the dimensions of 56cm X 36cm X 23 cm and provided that it does not weigh more than 7 kg. It is our policy and discretion if the item is small and the flight is light, your guitar may be taken on board as hand carry, however Flight AK6315 Penang to Kuala Lumpur on September 17th, 2006 was full load and we determine that offloading your guitar was necessary for reasons of safety.

The above terms and condition was also advised to you personally by out Captain on duty on that day as AirAsia is committed to “Safety First” and maintains consistently high standards to ensure the safety of our crew and guests.

On a separate note we are extremely concerned to learn your disappointing experience with our staff at the Penang Station. We apologise for the inaccuracy of information and miscommunication given to your good self. All our staffs are repeatedly reminded to be courteous, attentive and professional towards our guest and we are indeed disappointed by such lapses in service.

In view of the above, we regret we are unable to meet your claim. We fully appreciate your loyal patronage of our airline and thank you for your understanding.

We hope this incident does not deter to fly with us in the future and look forward to welcoming you on our flights again in the near future.

Thank you,

Warm Regards

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Guest Support Executive
AirAsia Berhad
Guest Support Malaysia
LCC Terminal
Jalan KLIA S3
Southern Support Zone
64000 Sepang, Selangor
Malaysia
Email : xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@airasia.com



(For now, I have removed the name of the person who replied. This may change.)