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My mission is to solicit rides from touts to a hotel in Putrajaya.
The first step was to look completely lost and within minutes I was approached by a slim middle-aged man in a yellow shirt.
I told him my preferred destination and without hesitation he blurted out RM100.
A bit expensive, feigning annoyance.
"Outside, they charge RM150," he said, pointing to the airport taxis parked outside as drivers huddled in groups waiting for passengers who purchased tickets from counters.
It was a lie of course and he had the poker face to go with it. In actual fate, the airport limousines would charge RM60.
I followed him to the parking lot below where he had stationed the ever familiar red and white taxi.
Less than a minute after the car crawled out from the parking lot, I had my "Australian friend" call me to say he was at the luggage claim area and wanted to meet me.
I apologised for the inconvenience and handed him RM10 for his trouble.
I made my way to the arrival gate again, wearing a confused look and about 15 minutes later, another tout, this time with a kindly face, approached me.
He asked for RM120, explaining that he had to risk returning to the airport with no customers when asked if a discount was possible.
Some repeat tourists had complained to the airport limo drivers that they had paid up to RM450 to touts for a 40-minute trip to Cyberjaya.
The man, possibly in his late 30s, seemed nervous when I tried to coax him to pick me up from outside the airport.
Ten minutes later, I was hopping into an unmarked white van.
The tout said the vehicle belonged to a Kuala Lumpur-based hotel and he had to shuttle guests to and fro to the airport.
An affable fellow, he promoted some popular tourist sites during the 40-minute drive to Putrajaya.
When I said that I needed a local mobile phone line, he was quick to fish out from his pocket a SIM card which he sold to me for RM30.
It has RM5 worth of credit and I didn't need to register.
He apologised profusely when he lost his way to the hotel, and his advice on taxis was most memorable, if not ironic.
"Make sure you insist they use the meter, otherwise don't get into the cab," he said, insinuating that one could be cheated if a taxi does not switch on the meter.
A special officer to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the warm response boded well for the prime minister's initiative.
"We may start the session earlier than scheduled, but this is just a suggestion," he told the New Straits Times yesterday.
The roundtable discussions, which opened for registration yesterday, will see each of the 24 Malaysian subject matter experts or SMEX taking turns to moderate a particular topic of interest.
The one-week registration period is open to all Malaysians above 15 years old who are interested to participate in the discussion.
In his latest blog posting, Najib said the roundtable would allow online users to provide fair and constructive comments, suggestions or ideas to better the lives of Malaysians.
"(It will be) moderated by some of the most respected and celebrated individuals of our nation," he wrote.
Former national player and football pundit Serbegeth "Shebby" Singh will kick off the discussions next week on the topic "Cultivating a Healthy Lifestyle at School Level".
The www.1Malaysia.com.my website has carried Shebby's opinion on the matter, where he also posed several questions.
"Are there examples of successful health or sports programmes run in schools overseas that can be adopted in Malaysia?" he wrote among other questions.
Najib's officer said each discussion would last for a week and the SMEX has an option to respond to participants' comments, suggestions and questions every day.
"But we encourage them to respond as frequently as possible," he added.
He said at the end of the discussion, each SMEX would summarise and recommend the people's feedback to the prime minister.
Najib himself is expected to lead and engage in a discussion next month to generate ideas from the public for the 2012 Budget, following the sessions by Shebby and AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.
Those interested to participate in the roundtable can register online at www.1Malaysia.com.my. Each discussion has a limited number of participants.
An example or trial session of the roundtable can be found at the website under the topic "Leadership", moderated by Media Prima Group chief executive officer of television networks Datuk Seri Ahmad Farid Ridzuan.
Called "I'm Singles", the event was organised by Yayasan Salam Malaysia (Salam) in collaboration with the Space Tourism Society Malaysia Chapter, Shah Alam City Council, Demoplanet TV, Pentas Aksi and Giant.
Salam public relations officer Ahmad Hasni Mohd Jalilah said the concert's aim was to raise RM10,000. He said it was also an initiative to help indie-rock bands to show their talent and carry out their social responsibility to the younger generation.
Twenty-five indie-rock bands took part in the concert from 10am to 6pm.
There were also performances by amateur bands made up of students such as 4Times, Bowlfish, Roga and Flip Fall 90s.
For Ameerul Rais Ismail, 21, a first-year computer science student at Universiti Selangor and the frontman of Flip Fall 90s, the band's participation had given them the opportunity to help the tsunami and earthquake victims in their own way.
New Straits Times Press Bhd was the official media partner for the event.
It is in this manner, a Buddhist monk and two of his disciples will be reaching Johor Baru; a journey on foot covering a distance of 850km over a period of six months.
"The Journey of Awakening", as the walk is called, is initiated by Pure Karma Buddhist Centre's abbot Bema Dechian Doche Rinpoche who began his peace and prayer mission from Georgetown, Penang, on May 22.
"We may never be able to change the world in which we live in drastically, but we can certainly effect changes within ourselves with prayers and positive thinking.
"Each of us through prayers has the ability to make a difference -- inwardly and outwardly.
"It starts inwardly and slowly, the positivism manifests itself outwardly, thereby changing the world we live in bit by bit and collectively, making our journey on earth a pleasant one," said the 54-year-old spiritual leader on reaching Jalan Kota in Lake Gardens here at 8am here yesterday.
He and his disciples -- William Tan and Leong Wei Jie -- will continue to walk 5km daily until they reach their final destination at Pure Karma Buddhist Centre in Johor Baru.
"We start our walk everyday at 4am and finish the 5km distance in about four hours and we hope to complete the journey in six months' time," said 28-year-old Tan, who acts as an interpreter for the Rinpoche.
The trio hope to complete their mission by Dec 31.
He said they would be covering the entire 850km journey via trunk roads through Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Malacca and finally, Johor.
"We encourage people of all backgrounds to join us during the walk. Of course, they are not required to prostrate.
"If they wish they can say some prayers according to their own beliefs when the abbot prostrates on the ground."
According to Tan, more than 500 people had joined them along their walk since they left Penang.
The Rinpoche's mission of peace has also received support from the Malaysian Interfaith Network, Malaysian Muslim Youth Movement and Sri Sathya Sai Central Council of Malaysia.
Details on the walk can be obtained on journeyawakening.wordpress.com or The Journey of Awakening on Facebook.
KUALA LUMPUR: Kemudahan berhubung secara dalam talian dengan Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yang dilaksana menerusi portal 1Malaysia Pengguna Bijak (1MPB) bermula semalam, gagal dimanfaatkan pengguna tempatan sebaik mungkin.
Sesi soal jawab yang diadakan selama sejam mulai 6 petang, sepatutnya dijadikan medan bertanya mengenai isu kepenggunaan, malangnya disalah guna dengan mempersoal kos keseluruhan pembikinan portal berjumlah RM1.4 juta itu.
Pemerhatian Harian Metro mendapati, meskipun sesi bermula dengan baik pada awalnya tetapi ia melencong jauh daripada landasan sebenar apabila beberapa minit berikutnya beberapa pengguna ‘menyerang’ dengan soalan yang bukan-bukan secara bertubi-tubi.
Lebih teruk dakwaan sesetengah pihak yang menyelar kos pembikinan portal berkenaan sebagai satu pembaziran dan tidak masuk akal, memaksa Ismail Sabri menjelaskannya secara terperinci termasuk mengemukakan maklumat pemberian tender yang dilaksana secara terbuka.
Katanya, nilai RM1.4 juta untuk membangunkan laman web yang dilancarkan kelmarin dan maklumat pelbagai guna di dalamnya adalah sangat wajar, malah beliau menegaskan jumlah berkenaan termasuk promosi serta urusan penyelenggaraan secara keseluruhan. “Pembangunan portal 1MPB ini kita harap akan menggalakkan perang harga antara peniaga (tempatan) kerana pengguna tentu akan memilih kedai yang menjual barangan dengan harga yang lebih murah (berdasarkan maklumat yang diperoleh mereka). “Maka, RM1.4 juta adalah wajar, ia juga termasuk promosi dan penyelenggaraan. Kalau ada (pihak) yang boleh bangunkan laman web secara percuma, datanglah bawa proposal (kertas cadangan) kepada saya.
“Sebabkan ada (pihak) yang persoalkan mengenai kos itu (pembikinan portal) maka kementerian sudah membuat tender. Sekarang ini semua ‘open’ tender, mana ada runding terus lagi (jawab apabila ada yang persoalkan ketulenan tender),” katanya pada sesi soal jawab di 1MPB, semalam.
Jawapan Ahli Parlimen Bera itu bagaimanapun belum meredakan ‘isu’ hangat pengguna hingga memaksa beliau mencabar mereka yang meragui ketelusan pemberian tender supaya memberi alamat dan maklumat diri untuk dihantar maklumat berkenaan secara menyeluruh.
“Sila berikan nama dan alamat kepada sesiapa yang meragui mengenai ketelusan tender untuk membangunkan website ini, saya akan hantarkan ‘detail’.
“(Apabila tidak menerima maklum balas beliau menambah) takut ke? Macam mana saya nak berikan makluman tender itu kalau saya tidak dapat nak kirimkan maklumat, jadi saya cabar kepada sesiapa yang tuduh pemilihan tender tak telus berikan alamat supaya saya boleh poskan,” katanya.
Keadaan menjadi semakin celaru apabila ada pihak mendesak maklumat dikemukakan segera menerusi ‘link’ tertentu dan akhirnya diputuskan Ismail Sabri dengan berkata, “Untuk dapatkan maklumat mengenai keputusan tender ini , sila rujuk ke laman web www.kpdnkk.gov.my, menu perolehan & pilih arkib - tender KPK(T)2/2010”. Beliau turut melahirkan kekesalan berikutan pengguna yang menggunakan sesi soal jawab itu secara tidak matang dan berperwatakan seperti budak-budak.
Mengakhiri perbualannya Ismail Sabri menjelaskan, “OK semua, walaupun saya tak berpuas hati dengan tahap perbincangan yang dibuat hari ini, sekurang-kurangnya saya tahu bagaimana mentaliti sesetengah pengguna. “Bagaimanapun saya gembira kerana ada yang rasional seperti (pengguna) Kevin ,OTL dan beberapa yang lain. Insya-Allah minggu depan kita jumpa lagi. Kepada yang bertanya mengenai tender, semak maklumat melalui website yang saya sebutkan tadi. Salam,” katanya.
PETALING JAYA: “Segelintir pengguna yang menyertai sesi soal jawab di portal 1Malaysia Pengguna Bijak (1MPB), semalam (kelmarin) sememangnya sudah berniat untuk ‘menyerang’ kementerian, bukannya membincangkan isu kepenggunaan.
“Kalau beginilah pemikiran masyarakat, tiada gunanya kita (Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan) mewujudkan portal berkenaan. Tapi kita akan tengok bagaimana perkembangannya minggu depan,” kata menterinya, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Beliau mengulas laporan Harian Metro, semalam, mengenai sesi soal jawab beliau bersama pengguna portal 1MPB di www.1pengguna.com, sejam bermula 6 petang, kelmarin.
Berdasarkan laporan, Ismail dikatakan ‘diserang’ dengan soalan bertubi-tubi daripada pengguna yang mempersoalkan kos keseluruhan pembangunan portal berjumlah RM1.4 juta, hingga memaksa beliau memperjelaskannya terperinci termasuk mengemukakan maklumat pemberian tender yang dikatakan secara terbuka.
Menurutnya, sesi berkenaan sewajarnya dimanfaatkan pengguna untuk membincangkan isu dan masalah berkaitan kepenggunaan seperti harga, bukannya ‘menyerang’ kementerian.
“Sebelum ini, saya menganggap masyarakat kita mempunyai pemikiran rasional dan sudah bersedia membincangkan isu yang serius namun sebaliknya. Malah ada rakan portal menggunakan nama samaran berbentuk lucah,” katanya dalam sidang media selepas merasmikan Majlis Pelancaran Program Akademi Peruncitan, di sini, semalam.
Ismail Sabri turut menafikan kos keseluruhan pembangunan 1MPB sebagai pembaziran berikutan ia digunakan bagi penyelenggaraan portal termasuk sistem SMS, integrasi data dan penambahbaikan sistem.
Selain itu, pengguna boleh memanfaatkan kemudahan disediakan termasuk ‘price watch’ bagi tujuan perbandingan harga barang di pasaran malah dijangka bakal mewujudkan ‘perang harga’ antara peniaga, sekali gus memberi kebaikan kepada pengguna.
Menurutnya, biarpun 1MPB cuma beroperasi selama dua hari bermula Rabu lalu, hits pengguna yang melayari portal berkenaan sudah mencecah 3.54 juta biarpun mengalami beberapa masalah ketika menggunakannya.
Sebelum ini, beliau hanya menganggarkan kira-kira 300,000 pengguna akan melayari 1MPB pada hari pertama ia dilancarkan namun tidak menyangka portal berkenaan mendapat perhatian ramai, selain mengambil kesempatan untuk mengucapkan terima kasih sebagai tanda penghargaan.
Dalam majlis yang sama, Ismail Sabri turut menerangkan penawaran tender 1MPB terbuka dan telus kerana dipilih jawatankuasa tender mewakili beberapa kementerian dan agensi.
Katanya, sebelum projek berkenaan diberikan kepada Sand Consulting Sdn Bhd, kementerian sudah menyiarkan penawaran tender menerusi surat khabar.
KUALA LUMPUR: Niat seorang warga emas untuk membeli-belah di sebuah kompleks komersial terkenal di sini, Sabtu lalu, terbantut apabila mendakwa dihalau keluar oleh pengawal keselamatan yang mengesyakinya ingin mencuri gara-gara berlegar hampir sejam di situ.
Lee Lai, 55, ketika ditemui di Balai Berita di sini, kecewa dan malu apabila pengawal keselamatan terbabit meninggikan suara serta menepis topi dipakainya, selain peristiwa berkenaan diperhatikan pengunjung lain.
Katanya, sempena cuti umum dan hujung minggu, dia keluar sendirian dan memasuki pusat beli-belah terbabit untuk mencari barang keperluan kira-kira jam 1.30 tengah hari.
Ketika membelek-belek harga barang, Lee dikejutkan dengan pertanyaan kasar pengawal terbabit yang menanyakan apa yang dia lakukan selama hampir sejam di pusat beli-belah itu.
“Saya terkejut apabila pengawal terbabit mengaku mengekori saya sejak masuk ke pusat beli-belah itu.
“Lebih mengejutkan, dia (pengawal) menyatakan peraturan pusat beli-belah itu tidak membenarkan pelanggan berada terlalu lama di dalam premis.
“Saya yakin dia menganggap saya ingin mencuri barangan di situ sedangkan ia sebaliknya,” dakwanya.
Katanya, selepas bertelagah hampir beberapa minit, lelaki terbabit mengugut akan menghalaunya keluar jika masih berdegil.
Menurutnya, dia meminta pengawal terbabit menyelesaikan masalah berkenaan di pejabat, selain ingin membuat aduan kepada pihak pengurusan, tetapi lelaki itu enggan dan menjerit menghalaunya keluar.
Akibat tidak tahan apabila disyaki mencuri, Lee menanggalkan jaketnya untuk membuktikan tiada barang diambil, namun pengawal terbabit tidak puas hati.
Dia kemudian pergi ke pejabat pengurusan untuk membuat aduan sebelum membuat laporan di Balai Polis Brickfields, semalam.
Sementara itu, pihak pengurusan pusat beli-belah itu memohon maaf kepada pelanggan berkenaan dan mengakui perkara itu terjadi akibat salah faham pengawal terbabit.
KOTA BHARU: Hanya dengan bayaran RM2 untuk sekali masuk, parkir sebuah pasar raya, di sini, tidak ubah seperti ‘parkir asmara’ apabila dijadikan sasaran suami dan isteri curang untuk melampiaskan nafsu ketika keluar dari pejabat pada waktu makan tengah hari.
Mereka membawa kenderaan secara berasingan untuk mengelak gerak-geri dihidu kenalan atau keluarga masing-masing sebelum melakukan aksi terlarang di kawasan gelap di dalam kereta mereka.
Difahamkan, walaupun waktu rehat hanya sejam, pertemuan singkat terbabit digunakan sebaik mungkin untuk melepaskan rindu.
Perkara itu didedahkan seorang kakitangan pasar raya berkenaan yang mengakui terkejut melihat gelagat suami dan isteri curang yang menjadikan parkir pasar raya itu untuk bermadu kasih.
Dia yang enggan dikenali berkata, bukti perlakuan tidak senonoh itu kerap kali disaksikannya bersama pekerja lain menerusi rakaman kamera litar tertutup (CCTV) di setiap ruang tempat meletak kenderaan itu.