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Malaysia Boleh.. http://www.relax.com.sg/relax/news/530868/...port_stamp.html $2,600 fine for no passport stamp By Joyce Lim, The New Paper | Mon, Jan 10 2011 A couple was detained at Johor Bahru immigration for missing a passport stamp. $2,600 fine for no passport stamp THEY had planned to spend three nights in Malaysia as part of their new year celebrations. But Singapore expatriates (above) Thorsten Tatzki, 41, and Ni Hao, 21, were forced to spend an extra two nights - in detention. The couple were held by Malaysian immigration officers when they tried to leave Johor Baru and enter Singapore at the Causeway, by car, on Jan 2. The officers could not find any stamps on their passports. They spent two nights in separate cells at the immigration office before they were released on Jan 4, after paying a fine of RM3,000 (S$1,270) each and another RM100 (S$40) each for a special pass to leave Malaysia. When contacted, an officer from Johor's Immigration office, confirmed that the couple were detained, but declined further comment. Our queries were routed to the director of immigration, who could not be reached for comment at press time. On Dec 30 last year, Mr Tatzki who is from Germany, drove to Malaysia with his girlfriend, a Chinese national, in a rented Toyota Altis. "We drove past the Malaysia's immigration checkpoint at about 5.30pm and headed to Kuala Lumpur (KL) for the night," recalled Miss Ni, who has been living in Singapore for the past five years. "We did not realise that our passports were not stamped." The couple spent a night in KL and the following two nights in Port Dickson before heading back on Jan 2. Added Miss Ni, who works as a business development executive: "When we arrived at the Malaysian checkpoint, the officer told us that she could not find any stamps on our passport to prove that we have entered Malaysia legally. "We showed her our hotel and shopping receipts and also the receipt for topping up our Touch N Go card, hoping to convince her that we were there for a holiday and were not involved in any illegal activities." But things were not so simple. Said Mr Tatzki, general manager of an Australian company in Singapore: "We were led to a room where we waited for 45 minutes before another officer took us to another room. We spent another two hours in the room before one officer came in and told me that my girlfriend and I had been arrested." He added: "I asked him to explain why we were arrested and how long we had to stay there, but he wasn't very helpful. We had no idea what was going on." >>Next: In cell with women crying In cell with women crying The couple were allowed to make one phone call before they were taken to separate cells. Mr Tatzki called to inform his boss that he would have to miss work the following day. Miss Ni managed to make a call only the next day, informing a friend in Singapore of her plight. Said Miss Ni: "We had to remove all our belongings, like shoes, watches, mobile phones. The cell was very smelly and cold. There was also no proper sanitation. There were three other foreign women with me in the cell and two of them were constantly crying. It was very traumatising for me." Said Mr Tatzki: "(It was noisy) and the lights were left on the whole night. We couldn't sleep at all. "The next day, an officer told me that I could choose to pay a RM3,000 fine or wait to go to court. He said that if I didn't pay now, the procedure would take longer and maybe I would end up paying more later. I felt that I didn't have a choice." The officer told him that they only accepted cash and asked him to call a friend in Singapore to deliver the money by 6pm that day. Even though Mr Tatzki's friend met the 6pm deadline, he was not released. The officer told him that he would have to "submit a report to higher management for approval" before they could leave. The couple had to pay RM100 each for this special pass to leave Malaysia. So the couple were held for another night and were released at 4pm the next day, but only after a bit of drama over having to pay another RM200 for "special passes". Money Said Mr Tatzki: "One officer came into the cell and asked if I had the money. I said yes. "He then told me we needed to pay another RM100 each for a special pass to leave Malaysia. I was very angry because the day before I had asked him many times if it was just RM3,000 each. And he said yes. I had some Malaysian ringgit left in my wallet. But I was still short of RM40 (S$17). "I told them that it was very unfair to us as we were not going to stay in jail for another night because we were short of RM40." Fortunately the sister of Miss Ni's friend, whom she had telephoned the day before, visited her at the immigration office and paid the RM40. The couple were given back their belongings and left the checkpoint at about 5pm on Jan 4. Said Mr Tatzki: "I understand that we made a mistake by not checking for the stamps on our passports. "We hope that our horrible experience will warn visitors to Malaysia to check their passports before they leave the checkpoints." Said a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman: "Singaporeans should ensure that their passports are stamped at entry when entering Malaysia. It is within the jurisdiction of the country to impose a penalty when this rule is flouted. We do not keep a record of these cases." Photos: TNP, Jonathan Choo This article was first published in The New Paper.

hi bro, when i shift my car to reverse, having vibration?? Im using Toyoto Picnic 2006 With auto gear.. 1 ) Is the gear box spoil? How much if i change my gear box ? 2 ) My brake also got sound came out . but i just change my brake pad. what happen ? Thanks.....

Since Condo got more lots than cars, why the MC must impose such charges? This should only apply to those condo with more cars than lots! ====================================================== http://www.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story...129-249798.html Parking woes spark a parking war at Sea View condo The car's owner, Mr Sia Kong Wah, used his car (above) to block the entrance of Sea View condominium to show his frustration over the estate's new parking rules. By Hedy Khoo FOR more than an hour on last Wednesday afternoon, a silver Nissan was parked at the entrance to this condominium estate on Amber Road. The car's owner, Mr Sia Kong Wah, 55, refused to move his vehicle, which was blocking cars from entering the 546-unit private estate, The Sea View. Mr Sia left the car's bonnet open and switched on the hazard indicator lights. Asked why the vehicle was there, Mr Sia, who is retired, claimed that his car was "sick" and that his mechanic was on the way from Johor Bahru. The incident resulted in the police having to be called in to settle the matter. But Mr Sia's antics were the culmination of anger simmering since October among a group of residents at The Sea View towards the condo's management committee (MC) over car parking issues. The MC comprises 14 owners who volunteer their time to manage the estate. When The New Paper turned up at the estate on Wednesday, Mr Sia was standing near a lift lobby, about 6m from his car, saying he "had no choice" but to do so. He said he had applied with the management office for a temporary carpark slip for his sister-in-law who would be visiting from Malaysia on Sunday. He claimed that the management had demanded that his sister-in-law produce the log card for her car on arrival. He said: "For two years, she has been visiting us frequently and stayed over almost every weekend. There has never been an issue over the parking. Suddenly there are all these new regulations." Saying the MC chairman wouldn't meet him, he said: "This is the only way to get her attention. I wanted her to solve my problem." Sick car can't move Click on thumbnails below to view more photos. Story continues after photos. (Photos: TNP) On the dashboard and back windscreen of Mr Sia's parked car were four A4-sized copies of an unsigned handwritten note. The notes were attentioned to the "residents of Sea View (with or without grievances)". They said that the vehicle "is very angry" with the management of The Sea View "for setting ridiculous carpark rules". The note ended with an apology: "Sorry for the inconvenience caused." As a result of Mr Sia's car blocking the driveway, the condo security guard had to divert incoming traffic via the exit driveway. One resident who came downstairs to see the commotion was Mr Dawson Lim, 32, a senior executive with a bank. He said that while the obstruction at the barrier gates was inconvenient, there was an alternative entrance along East Coast Road. At 4.30pm, two policemen arrived and spoke with Mr Sia. Another three policemen arrived on the scene. They spoke with Mr Sia and staff of the management office. Mr Sia, who owns two units in the estate, was overheard telling the officers that he wanted to see the MC chairman. A staff member from the management office, who only identified himself as Mr Pung, showed up. He spoke with the condo security guards and the policemen. He later told this reporter to leave and even raised his voice. A police officer advised him to calm down. Mr Sia finally moved his car at 5.15pm. However, he stayed around the area and continued speaking with the policemen. Thursday's drama wasn't the first incident last week. On Wednesday, 10 residents including Mr Sia, tried to submit a petition signed by 159 residents, each representing one unit. The petition called for transparency in the way that the council has decided to impose the carpark charges, as well as a removal of the charges. The group gathered outside a meeting room in the basement carpark where the MC was having a meeting. Mr Sia gave his name to a security guard stationed outside the room and entered the room to ask who the chairman was. He also wanted an update on the status of his visitor lot application. When told by the chairman that he was not allowed to speak, Mr Sia demanded to see the rules. A heated exchange ensued. Two security guards were then called in to escort Mr Sia out of the room. In the end, the residents who were waiting outside the room to submit the petition were turned away. Frustrated, a few of them tried to prevent the council members from leaving. Others whipped out their camera phones and took videos and photographs. New charges, but residents say there are enough lots ON OCT 7, residents at The Sea View received a letter from the condo management informing them of new parking charges for their second, third and fourth cars. Residents were advised to apply for new car decals and pay by Nov 1. The rates are $120 for the second car, $300 for the third car and $400 for the fourth car. The circular stated that as of Sept 1, the number of issued carpark labels was 115 per cent of the available lots at the estate. The New Paper spoke to six residents with more than one car, who feel there are more than enough lots in the estate. In the letter, the council stated that each unit is given one carpark lot. There are another 30 lots for emergency vehicles, the handicapped and visitors. The letter said the council had agreed during the first annual general meeting (AGM) held last year that "should the allocation of parking spaces go above 85 per cent, the MCST would act to restrict the allocation of second, third and fourth car lots using a combination of parking fees and outright restrictions"." Council chairman Tan Lee Keng told The New Paper: "The management reserves the right to impose the charges or any other amount that may be decided. "So, there are no conditions attached to how we can exercise this by-law, but we just have to do it for the best benefit and best interest of the estate." When asked for the numbers of cars issued with carpark labels, Ms Tan replied: "We do not have to give absolute numbers because they fluctuate all the time." Several residents who refused to pay the fees found their vehicles wheel-clamped from Nov 8 They had to pay $160.20 per car to have the wheelclamps removed. Resident Madam Sim Kain Kain, 45, who runs a real estate business, was one of them. She owns three cars together with her husband but parks only two at the condo. She leaves her third car at her office carpark. On Nov 18, she drove the third car as the car she usually drove was sent for servicing. She claimed she had explained that to the guard and got a temporary parking slip. Said Madam Sim: "They have my unit number and name. The security could have easily contacted me via the intercom and let me know if there is any problem before putting the wheelclamp on my car." Mr Ken Lum, 31, an operations manager at a bank whose family owns three cars, feels the carpark charges are unjustified: "This is absurd. There is no reason for the fees because there are more than enough lots available for residents and visitors." On Nov 15 and Nov 18, at 1am, his mother and other residents counted the number of cars parked in the estate. The tally was 368 cars for the first day, and 383 cars for the second. Residents say there are 570 lots in the estate. Their findings and petition were submitted to the council on Thursday morning when the residents made a second attempt to hand it in at the management office. On Friday the council chairman, Ms Tan, said a resolution had been passed to reduce the carpark charges to $70 for the second car, $250 for the third car and $350 for the fourth car, from February. Rules, fees depend on estates DIFFERENT estates each have their own policy when it comes to issues like parking. However Mr Francis Zhan, 65, the chief executive of the Association of Management Corporations in Singapore, said having parking charges set at $400 per month for a resident's fourth car is quite unusual and exorbitant. In estates where there is a shortage of lots, it is common practice to charge residents a nominal fee of $50 per month for parking a second car and $100 for a third car. Said Mr Zhan: "Usually there is no parking charge set for a fourth car because the assumption is that if a resident can be allowed to park a fourth car, it means there are sufficient lots which would not justify the high charges."

Who is Rajini Narayan? Having goreng pisang in Autralia? http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/I...how/3945599.cms http://search.wn.com/?version=1&templa...rch&first=0

Hoho, I never had a chance to meddle with a car's ECU till these few days when I decide to hook up my PC to my Celica's ECU. There are so much things to tune and so many information. Never knew that an ECU actually controls that many things! Here is a screen shot of the interface. Pretty generic but quite interesting. It even plot graphs of my Engine RPM, my boost etc..... quite fun.

Ok so 'fess up....who's dropping a sprog this year? And for those that have bred oreddy - what birthcert number did you get? (lucky one or not?) My number two due in August (2 days after anniversary of our first date ..I got fingers crossed baby come 2 day early, then one less date to remember)

Hi, Went to Shell website and found this : http://www.shell.com/home/content/sg-en/sh...oct09promo.html Understand it will definitely cause jam outside Shell Petrol Station.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNew...ory_413176.html

Info, video and pictures here Damn sad. Seems like Viet brides can't be trusted and this one is not even that pretty.

Just received an SMS, MM opening a new svc centre at 315 Alexandra Road. Is that not the former BMW...seems like going back to old times for me

http://www.gv.com.sg/promodetails/gv_promotions_2585.jsp In celebration of China National Day, buy 3 The Message tickets and get 1 FREE! For People Republic of China citizens only.

Hi, just check if anyone of u is having problem with hotmail? When u click on the new email, it appear below and not open a new page like b4. Is there something wrong? Also cant attach file when composing new email. Could it be the cable being damage by the typhoon?

Say you have a 4 seater as a daily driver... would you get a pure track biased car for weekend fun and once-in-a-while drive to work? Below are the assumptions for the question above: 1) Track biased car price maxxed out at $180,000 thereabouts AND Which track biased car would you get from the list below ??? 1) Lotus Elise S 2) Used Evo 8 MR 3) Honda S2000 I'm day dreamin again as usual Edited contradicting options

can anyone confirm this? I've been trying to log in for the pass few days but got problem. Thanks

DHL Express

If you have difficulty understanding the current world financial situation, the following should help... Once upon a time in a village in India, a man announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10. The villagers seeing there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest and started catching them. The man bought thousands at $10, but, as the supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their efforts. The man further announced that he would now buy at $20. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again. Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer rate increased to $25 and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch it ! The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at $50! However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now act as buyer, on his behalf. In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers: 'Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has collected. I will sell them to you at $35 and when he returns from the city, you can sell them back to him for $50.' The villagers squeezed together their savings and bought all the monkeys. Then they never saw the man or his assistant again, only monkeys everywhere ! Now, welcome to WALL STREET. And now that is what's happening to the world finance crisis.... causing a big giant bubble brust....in thin air....... Cheers!

they are having an x'mas sales or what?... need cash to fill up holes somewhere else?... http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNew...ory_309768.html http://business.asiaone.com/Business/News/...202-105054.html im wondering, who is next on the sale list...

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singapor...d=42520#comment

Hi All, I'm new to ICE. Just wondering if its possible to just add tweeters to my stock speakers(non-component speakers)? If its possible, is it just simply connecting the +ve and -ve wires of the tweeters to the stock speakers? Please advise. Cheers Orac

Just curious. Not flings but true stuff. Be frank!

is there any alternatives instead of employing a maid? as we know, some of them comes with unwanted baggage be it socially or otherwise. and funny thing, not much protection are given to employers on this wayward maids but there are tonnes of law that protects them.... very weird. eg, if they are pregnant, run away....employers are to blame?? what part are we involved in getting them pregnant or run away? by giving them off days that are required by law? whose law was that in the first place? sigh.... in dilemma now.

Before you think the h*****(is hard-on),. Now that I got the attention, here's the serious part. Was just thinking, if for some reason a member who is having a heart attack and he choose to announce it here - what help can we HERE rendered. The victim could be online reading, chatting and the hp could be out of reach or the first thing he can think of is logging on to www.mycarforum.com.

just fr fun.

Drivers panic as Mazda 3 cars recalled to fix wiring glitch By Daniel Schmil Tags: Israel It's the biggest car recall in Israel's history and garages are reporting incessant calls from frightened drivers of the Mazda 3, the best-selling car in the Holy Land. Some drivers didn't bother phoning; they drove straight to the nearest Mazda repair shop. Not too many, though - some car repair shops say that while their phones are ringing off the hook, drive-ins remain reasonably packed. But company officials insist that the problem is a minor one and does not comprise a safety hazard. "My switchboard is collapsing," says Moshe Somekh, manager of a garage licensed to handle Mazdas. "I have to turn down clients who came for repairs because I can't handle them all. The panic here is unnecessary." Despite an announcement urging drivers to bring in their cars "without delay," following a somewhat panicky reaction in the street, importer Delek Automotive Systems urges calm. The cars do need preventative repairs, but there is no urgency in doing so, clarifies deputy CEO Shachar Shemesh. Advertisement "The reports created utter hysteria," Shemesh said. "There is no urgency in the preventative treatment, and there is a very small chance that anything will happen." Asked to clarify that directive in letters to car-owners to bring in their cars "without delay," Shemesh says: "We wanted to prevent a stampede at the garages and allow the car owners to undergo this in an orderly manner." Evidently, that strategy didn't work. The recall involves about 50,000 Mazda 3 automatics manufactured between 2003 and November 2006, after which time the cars were upgraded to solve the problem. The preventative measure involves insulating the wiring of the engine computer from the engine block. Friction between the heated wiring and the engine block can lead to short circuits. In any case, the problem does not render the car less safe and cannot cause much damage to the engine. Contrary to certain media reports, the problem cannot cause the driver to lose control of the car, say company officials. At worst, the engine will stall, and can then be restarted. Customers will not pay for the preventative treatment, which takes about 40 minutes. The cost will be borne not by Delek Automotive, a Yitzhak Tshuva company, but by the global Mazda corporation. Assuming that the work costs NIS 160 per hour, Mazda is looking at a bill of about NIS 4 million plus the cost of the insulation material, which should run at a few shekels per car. "It's peanuts for a company like Mazda," says Shemesh. Leasing companies with large fleets of cars were more relaxed about the whole thing than private car owners. Cal-Auto leasing manager Eldad Koren commented that all they're doing is programming the needed treatment into the car computer, so the next time the car is taken for a tune-up or any handling by a garage, the job can be done. Car recalls are not rare, and the reasons tend to be hazardous problems. There have been recalls in Israel before, but of much smaller scope, no more than a few hundred cars at a time. Source extracted from : [link]http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=955577&contrassID=2&subContrassID=2[/link]