SOLO BACKPACKING-Discovering Sabah-Semporna and Mabul

Day 3: 20 July 2008

A Journey to remember...

The bus reached Semporna at about 4 a.m. The whole place was still dark. Lots of people was waiting for us to give us a ride for a sum of money. The jetty was just around the corner but I neither knew the direction of the sea nor had map with me (since i missplaced my stuff!). So the best was to ignore them, join the crowd and wait for sunlight.

Unfortunately they take NO for an answer and kept on bugging us. The moment they knew we were Malaysians, the more they chatted with us till there was glimpse of sunlight. Finally, at about 6 a.m. they gave in and departed. Luckily, they manage to tell me the direction of the sea as I only have them in my memory.

Along with us was another tourist, Claire who was also heading to the same destination. She was just hanging with the other two tourist avoiding the local’s harassment. The moment it was bright enough for us to walk, we headed straight to jetty with vision on my head and by simply asking for direction. Claire was so glad she was with us as it made her journey less scary.

Semporna's Bus stop

The loads people carry in the bus

Scuba Junkie was jut 2 minutes away and the reception was actually waiting or us to check in. The dorm cost us only RM15 each and it served breakfast. But unfortunately the place was fully booked so Claire has to go else where to find her accommodation. We simply waited till 7 a.m for our breakfast, which was more, like a feast.

Backpackers dream.. For RM15 each, Scuba Junkie provided us crammed mix dorm consisting of 10 beds, a heater bathroom and yummy American breakfast..what more a backpacker need :)

Our American breakfast consisting of egg, sausages, baked bean, hash brown, bread, coffee/tea, cereal, banana and even oats...

Later we went to Scuba Junkie office to acquire about our snorkeling trip to Mabul which I booked inadvanced. It cost us about RM80 for whole package inclusive of snorkeling things. There were almost 20 of us and half of them are staff. And all staff was whites except for the boat navigator.

The journey to Mabul took us about 45 minuets and it was scenic. The water was crystal clear with white sandy beach. It was like paradise. Out of 20 only 3 (including us and Kimberly-which is not her name so I just made up) went for snorkeling. We were dropped of at Mabul’s main jetty with no guide and luckily with lifejacket!

We didn’t waste any time and quickly jumped into the sea. There weren’t many fishes, but the corals and star fishes were spectacular, bright, colorful and real! Imagine spotting a blue starfish! Unfortunately there was something wrong with Kimberly’s mask that she had to stop but we continued till we got tired.

I died and went to paradise: MABUL ISLAND

We headed to Mabul Island ..the journey took us approximately 45 minutes in rough sea..cool!

The Snorkel to Remember..

To cut the long story short, we went for second snorkel and later third snorkel (between the second and third jetty) with Kimberly. The spot was best known for turtles.

Unfortunately, the water level there was really low, we were only inches away form the corals and fishes. It was dangerous. Guna not knowing how to control her self accidentally touched the spiked coral and hurt herself. We had no choice but to end our snorkeling and get back on the boat. It was long way back to the boat, so instead of swimming I snorkel all they way. Fortunately for me, it turns out to be the best snorkel of all time. I actually swam together with lots of beautiful bright colorful fishes that was just inches away from my nose, and my arms and my legs. The best part ever was to see real life turtle swimming happily below me. Sigh I thought I died and went to heaven. Sigh!

We quickly headed to the jetty to ask the Scuba Junkie instructor for help but to no vain. Many told different things but at the end, it was said that the spikes was not poisionous but best removed. So Guna sat quietly clipping away the remainder of the spike.

Also provided with free lunch ..noodles, rice and curry

The village....

The locals...

Their house...

Their transportation.. self made sail boat

We ate our lunch and went for our finally snorkel at the same spot, hopping to see turtles again. I jumped in first and followed by Kimberly. Guna stayed back looking for the missing mask under the sea. The water level was so strong. In just couple of minutes, we were drifted away to the third jetty. Realizing that, Kimberly and I quickly swam back to the boat. But it was so difficult as the current was so so strong and kept on pushing us back. Moreover, the boat could not approach us as the water level was really really low. So we had to choice but to swim. Kimberly was near by, so she quickly managed to get to the second jetty and was picked up by the boat.I on the other hand was stuck far away and was trying my level best to swim across the strong tight and made it to the boat. Never in my life have I swam like that. Moment later we picked up all the remaining divers and headed back to Semporna.

Mabul Cafe: Perfect Closure for a Night at Semporna..

It was pouring heavily so we waited till 8 p.m to get something to eat. Upon the recommendation by Scuba Junkie staff, we headed to Mabul café for dinner. The food was delicious and the price was reasonable. But the best part was their desert. Yummy!!!

We ended our day in Mabul Internet cafe printing my return tickets an dchecking mail. We were so tired, went back and slept.

My yummy fried Kew Teow

Guna's Chicken chop..

The yummy dessert...ice blended mango sago..

Yucky dragon fruit drink..not sweet at all and tasteless..

Note:

Accomodation

Scuba Junkie is not as posh as x plorebackpacker, but its cheap (bed as cheap as RM15), serves good breakfast and operates snorkeling and diving (snorkel is about RM80 ++) to all Island at semporna. Highly recomeded for backpacker!

PO Box 458 Block B Lot 36
Semporna, Semporna Seafront,
Sabah, 91308 Malaysia

Tel: +60 89 785372
Fax+60 89 785372
mobile phone+60 019 5846572

web: http://www.scuba-junkie.com/

Transportation:

To/from Semporna: 9-10 hrs, 58 MYR. Dyana Bus, leaves twice daily from Inanam station around 7:30AM & 7:30PM. Shuttle from KK city to Inanam is 1.50 MYR, 20 minutes, departs from bus station on Jalan Padang

Eat:

Mabul Café & Seafood Restaurant
Lot 39 & 40, Block G, 1st Floor,
Semporna Seafront New Township,
91300 Semporna
Tel: +6 089781785

reffer this blog: http://nicolekissdiet.blogspot.com/2008/03/mabul-caf-semporna.html

SOLO BACKPACKING-Discovering Sabah- KK Mountain (Part 1)

Day 1: 18 Jully 2008
Murphy's Law in Action ..

My journey started bad. Everything went wrong and nothing seems right. Murphy's Law was in action:

1. My boss was so reluctant to give me half day.

2. I could not get out of office as I was stuck in a course

3. Miss placed my return ticket and forgotten to print some other important stuff

4. Left my camera at home and had to buy new one on the spot

5. Was late for boarding and had to run (I really really run) to catch the plane

6.It was raining heavily and the plane was shaking and jerking really bad.

7. Got scolding for snapping the air asia plane upon landing

8.Almost didn't have the room at X'plore Bacpaker as we were late to check in.

Sigh!

Day 2: 19 July 2008
Mysterious Cheeky Taxi Driver!

Woke up as early as 7 a.m. undecided what to do. So many option :

Option 1: Get Semporna ticket and head straight to KK Mountain

Option 2: Go to Tengku Abdul Rahman Park

Option 3: Round KK Town and shopping

Nevertheless, it all depends on my confirmation for Laban Rata room at KK Park. So we started our day with very light breakfast of bread and tea at local kopitiam. After breakfast we walked to Sutera Sanctuary in Wisma Sabah but unfortunately the office only opens at about 9 a.m. So we decided to wait instead of heading to Inanam bus stop to get our Semporna tickets.

The famous roti khawin: bread with kaya and jam

I manage to change my accommodation form unheated Panar Laban Hut to heated Laban Rata hut for just extra RM20 as well as change my accommodation date to 26 July 2008. We were told that the Inanam (the long distance bus stop to east) was really far and it was best to taxi which was just opposite Wisma Sabah. Since it was already late, we decided to take cap anyway opposite Wisma Sabah to take us to Inanam bus stop.

Deng, deng, deng! Up came a taxi driver approaching us. His name was Samsir a.k.a Pak Cik Samsir. Not wanting to waste anytime, I quickly bargained the taxi fare to Mount KK and Inanam bus stop for a fair of RM200, through and fro. I thought it was pretty good. We hopped in to the taxi and headed to the mountain.

Nevertheless, in just less 15 minutes with him, he managed to dig out our 4 day schedule in Sabah and in less then 40 minutes he made bargain with us and closed the deal.

1. KK Mountain through and fro and a stop at Inanam bus stop : RM200

2.Sending Inanam bus stop in the evening : RM20

3.Picking us up on the 21 July 2008 and city tour RM80

4.Sending Guna to Airport: RM20

5.Sending me to Inanam bus stop on 23 July 2008 :RM20

All in he manage to bargain for RM340. Above all he even, helped us to get our bus ticket to Semporna, through and fro as well as my Sandakan tickets. Phew! Sleekly old man huh, and we got entrapped into his idea.

It took us approximately 1 ½ hors to reach Kinabalu Park. Upon our arrival, Pak Cik Samsir made us pay RM100 as deposit. He refuse to take us around in his cap so we decided to go for a walk up till Timphonan gate, the beginning of the Mount KK track. The walk was tiring but was fun.

Some of the high end guestrooms

The walk to remember..to Timphonan gate

Beautiful marigold..

Beautiful view of the mountain..

Timphonan gate

Our journey down was really fast. It took us only 30 minutes. We had to rush back as Pak cik Samsir need to get our tickets to Inanam bus stop and send us to Inanam bus stop later in the evening. We were both tired, Guna slept through out the journey, where else I tried to stay awake since i still didn't believe this cheeky old man.

We reached Inanam bus stop at about 4 p.m. The bus stop was ten times worst then Pudu Raya, middle man was practically bugging people to buy tickets from their agents. I was glad I gave the task to Pak Cik Samsir. He manages to get the Semporna tickets (through and fro) for RM260 (for both and Sandakan but unfortunately he refused to hand it over. And upon our arrival at X'plore backpacker, he made us pay all the money to him..and I did. Sigh! Cheeky old man.

We headed back, took quick shower, packed and headed for our dinner.

Our breakfast lunch and dinner...

Lemon juice was superb..sabah and sarawak always served ice lemon tea with lemon unlike peninsular with limau kasturi

My yummy stir fried vegetable

Guna's lemon chicken

Pak Cik Samsir picked us up at 6 p.m. even though our bus was only schedule to leave at 7.30 p.m. The moment our taxi stopped we were ambushed by many agents who wanted to sell us tickets. People were opening door, offering to carry our bags and if possible carry us to their bus stop counter! I kept on telling them that we have already purchased the tickets, but they don't take NO for an answer. I was suppose to pay Pak Cik Samsir another balance RM20. But looking at the crowd, I refuse to open my wallet in public and assured him that I will pay upon our arrival on 21 July 2008.

The people in the bus stop looked so scary that we deliberately hugged our begs. Even us, could tell that their all not Malaysian. Most of them are from Philippines or Indonesia and many was heading to Semporna and Tawau.

The bus only departed at about 7.45 p.m. Our journey to Semporna is approximately 9 hours and I was glad it departed late as I was not keen on arriving there that early. The bus was uncomfortable and I was hopping to get my on place to cuddle up. I did but only after an hour after the journey begin. As for Guna, the moment the bus started, she dozed off not waking up even when the bus stopped for police check up. It was a long journey to the south.

Note:

Accomodation:

X-plore backpaker

Explore backpackers staff was so awesome. The best! They were so nice to give us the whole room for our self plus, gave space to put our bags, gave us towel and place to bathe and had the most beautiful smile every time we walked in and out of the door. Besides, its cheap, clean and in the heart of the city.

1st Floor, 106/108,
Jalan Gaya,
88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Telephone:(6) 088 - 538780Mobile:(6) 012- 8375858
Fax:(6) 088 - 538781
Email:info@xplobackpackers.com
web: http://www.xplobackpackers.com/home.html

KK Park

Sutera Sanctuary
Lot G15
Ground Floor
Wisma Sabah
88000, Kota Kinabalu
Sabah, Malaysia

Phone: +60 88 243 629
Fax: +60 88 259 552
Email: info suterasanctuarylodges.com.my

Reffer this page:http://wikitravel.org/en/Kinabalu_Park

Reference:

Roti Khawin: Two slices of bread with jam and kaya (local jam made of cocnut and sugar)

Pak Cik: Uncle

Kopitiam: local old time cafe

How safe is safe!

The question on safe is always subjective. One can never know when one can be safe. Sometimes the safest place on earth can turn out to be the most hazardous place.

I have just recently traveled alone to Sabah for 10 days. Along my journey, many have repeatedly asked the same question, “Why I choose to travel alone? Aren’t I afraid to travel alone and something might happen? Don’t your mom say anything that you are sleeping in mix dorm? Aren’t you afraid that something will happen or someone will do something to you?”

And I did realized for the fact that this questions was only posted on me for three main possibilities:

1. I am female
2. I am Malaysian (Indian) and its weird that my parents are allowing me to travel alone and sleep in mix dorm
3. I am female Malaysian indian in my late twenties and I should be traveling with my boyfriend/husband rather then traveling alone.

Then, I was in the jungle for three days and both foreigners as well as locals circulated the same question. Of course this time when the question was being posted in the middle of the jungle, at 2.00 a.m while your are animal watching, it does sound creepy all right! But yet, I had so much faith in everything that being afraid was not even an option. This is for the fact that

1. I was still in Malaysia and I speak the same language; and
2. I have been there before.

So being afraid seems unnecessary. And with god grace, nothing did happen.

Of course, the curiosity of people never end and the same questioned circulated once again upon my arrival. Just when i thought I have said enough about my bravery, my parents left 10 days to Egypt and i soon discover that i am not brave at all.

The 10 days turned out to be a real nightmare, nightmare that caused by dear old Rusty. Previously I use to just take him around my housing area, which was really safe. But due to some bad incidents with neighbors, we started to bring him away form my housing area to main road just couple of minutes way from my house where 99% of the time the street light fails to be on.

Usually I park my car at the corner of the street and take him for the walk. If he is really in hurry, he will just simply do his business near by. If not, we go for walk. And we walk and walk and walk away from my car, away from people towards an isolated place. At times it so quiet and dark, one will never know if a stranger is passing by. And at times they are so loud, Rusty refuses to get in the car and will wait till they walk by us. Luckily, many just walks away. At times I was afraid neither one will do something, so I started the habit of caring an umbrella.

Nevertheless, worst things did happen. People and police stalked at my car and myself; stranger, drunker and even little boys were disturbing and giving funny faces and even stray dogs decided to growl and bully us. The truth was that I was afraid for real. I was so afraid something will happen, I am not sure what to protect, my car for abandoning it, my dog that keen on jumping on strangers and bikes and my self. And I was afraid for the fact that if anything happens, I have no justification, as everything would be my fault. But I was helpless and my dog was useless. Poor thing, got so much of scolding and smacking from me.

The car...

Rusty...

or Me..

I realized, for the fact that I had no faith in past 10 dyas. Seriously, this is where the question of safe pops out. How safe is safe nowadays:

1. Is it safe being alone on backpacking journey;

2. traveling alone in the jungle

3. Sharing mix dorms

4. Driving to the airport; or

5. Simply walking alone late night with dog by your side just couple of meters away form home!

It sure sums on one thing, the city is not a safe place to live anymore.

Bye bye 2008

Never in my life have I wished for the year to end so quickly as I wished for the year 2008. From 365 days, it has been shorten to 180 days in my personal calendar. I am all done for this year. Just simply counting days, weeks and months….Sigh! another 180 days to go….

Some Brainless Malaysian!

I received this anonymous email and was rather annoyed that some people have got nerve to send such article to non bumi government staff to office email. I wanted to share that with my friends but unfortunately the email cant be send so i have post it on my blogs for everyone to see how stupid and ignorant some fellow Malaysian can be:

Salam shuba
Sumber - http://www.pembelamelayu.com/

Saya bukan hendak bermain politik atau menyokong UMNO di Permatang Pauh. Objektif saya ialah memastikan manusia yang bertopengkan syaitan seperti Anwar dan merupakan agen DAP kafir harbi (US, Yahudi dan DAP) ini dihalang daripada memasuki Dewan Rakyat.

Ini kerana jika Anwar berjaya memenangi Pilihanraya Kecil Permatang Pauh, maka dia akan menggunakan wang yang akan disalurkan oleh Yahudi dan US melalui syarikat Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad (KDEB). Wang-wang daripada Yahudi dan US yang ingin melihat kejatuhan kepimpinan umat Islam ini akan dibawa masuk sebagai satu bentuk pelaburan untuk mengaburi mata rakyat. Hakikatnya ianya adalah salah satu cara "money laundering" untuk membeli ahli-ahli parlimen BN yang mata duitan.

Tidak dinafikan juga ada juga di kalangan ahli-ahli BN bukan Melayu dan bukan Islam akan mengambil peluang ini untuk melompat parti demi menguatkan bangsa mereka serta mula menuntut segala hak-hak istimewa orang Melayu dan Bumiputera dihapuskam. Mereka akan mengambil kesempatan daripada pepecahan bangsa Melayu dan umat Islam untuk menghancur kita. Ini tentunya didalangi oleh DAP kafir harbi yang sememang sejak awal penubuhan mereka anti Melayu dan Islam. Mereka ini sememangnya tidak pernah senang dengan kemajuan yang telah dicapai oleh bangsa Melayu dan agama Islam sejak kemerdekaan.

Seterusnya, jika Anwar anak Ibrahim ini berjaya membayar ahli-ahli parlimen BN untuk membentuk kerajaan baru dengan majoriti mudah.Kemudian, Anwar akan mengisytiharkan dirinya sebagai Perdana Menteri yang baru. Maka, kita akan melihat bertapa kejinya manusia bernama Anwar anak Ibrahim ini menggunakan politik wang demi kepentingan peribadi. Dengan wang daripada Yahudi dan US ini, Anwar akan membentuk kerajaan paling korup kerana kerajaan dibentuk menggunakan ahli-ahli parlimen mata duitan yang sanggup menggadaikan segalanya.

Anwar anak Ibrahim ini akan mula melantik di kalangan pemimpin DAP kafir harbi memegang jawatan penting seperti Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Menteri Kewangan, Menteri Pertahanan, Menteri Pendidikan dan Menteri Dalam Negeri. Dengan jawatan penting ini, DAP kafir harbilah yang sebenarnya menguasai negara Malaysia. Mereka akan meminda dan menggubal polisi pendidikan yang baru, memastikan lebih banyak peruntukan untuk pembangunan agama selain Islam dan bukan Melayu.

Seterusnya, mereka akan menggunakan kuasa yang ada sebagai Menteri Pertahanan dan Menteri Dalam Negeri untuk melemahkan angkatan tentera dan polis supaya mereka tidak memberontak. Ini termasuk melantik golongan bukan Melayu pro-DAP kafir harbi untuk memegang jawatan penting dalam kedua-dua badan beruniform itu. Mereka akan mula mengurangkan peruntukan dan menjual asset-asset penting yang dilihat mungkin dapat digunakan untuk mengulingkan kerajaan boneka DAP yang dipimpin oleh Anwar anak Ibrahim.

Anda tentu tertanya-tanya kenapa Anwar selaku Perdana Menteri akan membiarkan perkara ini berlaku? Hakikat yang sebenarnya semua rahsia Anwar anak Ibrahim ini berada dalam tangan Karpal Singh semasa dia menjadi peguambela Anwar dalam perbicaraaan kes liwat yang terdahulu.

Sememangnya, DAP kafir harbi ingin Anwar Ibrahim menjadi Perdana Menteri Malaysia kerana dengan rahsia yang dipegang oleh Karpal, dia akan menjadi PM boneka sahaja. Anwar akan menjadi PM boneka yang takut rahsia sebenar yang dipegang Karpal terbongkar. Sifat Anwar yang suka menjadi popular dikalangan rakyat memudahkan lagi DAP kafir harbi menguasai dan memperkudakan Anwar. DAP melihat Anwar adalah pemimpin Melayu yang mudah diperbodohkan kerana kelemahan IQnya serta sikapnya yang terlalu gelojoh untuk menjadi pemimpin no 1 Malaysia dengan apa cara sekali pun.

Ini sebenarnya percaturan dan strategi yang telah lama dirancang oleh DAP kafir harbi. Mereka sedar amat mustahil untuk mereka menguasai Malaysia sekiranya bangsa Melayu dan umat Islam bersatu. Satu-satunya cara untuk menguasai politik di Malaysia ialah dengan memastikan pepecahan bangsa Melayu. Mereka mempelajari perkara yang sama daripada Yahudi yang berjaya menguasai Palestin kerana rakyat dan pemimpin mereka berpecah. Begitu juga, Amerika berjaya menguasai Iraq dengan menggunakan alasa kekejaman Saddam Hussien untuk meraih sokongan daripada rakyat Iraq. Lihatlah apa yang berlaku di Palestin dan Iraq hari ini, dan cara yang sama sedang digunakan oleh DAP kafir harbi untuk menguasai Malaysia.

Anda mungkin tertanya-tanya mengenai pemimpin PAS. Tidak mungkin PAS akan hanya berdiam diri melihat keadaan ini. PAS yang hanya menang 16 kerusi Parlimen hanya akan ditawarkan jawatan Menteri yang tidak penting seperti Menteri Belia dan Sukan serta Menteri Perpaduan Rakyat dan Wanita. Dengan jawatan di kementerian yang tidak penting ini, tiada apa yang dapat dilakukan oleh PAS untuk memulihkan keadaan. Sikap sesetengah pemimpin PAS seperti MBB Nizar dan Hassan Ali yang gilakan kuasa akan menyebabkan PAS semakin goyah dan akan berlaku pepecahan di dalam PAS sendiri. Antara mereka yang benar-benar ingin berjuang atas nama Islam dan pemimpin yang gilakan kuasa seperti MBB Nizar dan Hassan Ali.

PAS yang mungkin tidak puashati dengan keadaan itu dan cuba keluar daripada Pakatan Syaitan. opps Pakatan Rakyat. Tetapi disebabkan PR sudah makin kuat dengan sokongan MP bukan Melayu daripada BN yang melihat kejayaan DAP kafir harbi mengawal dan membonekakan Anwar Ibrahim serta melakukan banyak pembaharuan yang memihak kepada bangsa dan agama mereka. Saya tidak hairan jika MP daripada Gerakan, MIC dan MCA akan turut sama menyertai Pakatan Rakyat kerana desakan oleh pengikut mereka yang mudah terpengaruh dengan dakyah DAP. Kejayaan DAP mengubah dasar dan polisi yang selama ini hanya dalam mimpi sahaja Gerakan, MIC dan MCA serta parti komponen bukan Islam Sabah dan Sarawak sekiranya mereka terus berada dalam BN. Pada masa tersebut, Pakatan Syaitan. ops Pakatan Rakyat tidak akan hairan jika PAS yang hanya memenangi 16 kerusi Parlimen meninggalkan mereka. Jika ini berlaku, maka DAP kafir harbi telah berjaya menguasai politik Malaysia sepenuhnya. Mereka akan mula meminda dan menggubal mana-mana perlembagaan yang memihak kepada agama Islam, bangsa Melayu, bahasa Melayu dan hak keistimewaan orang Melayu. Pada ketika itu, orang Melayu Islam hanya dapat berputih mata kerana tidak dapat berbuat apa-apa pun. Jika hendak melakukan pemberontakan tentera pun mungkin akan susah kerana DAP kafir harbi sudah pasti akan meminta bantuan Singapura, US dan Yahudi untuk membantu mereka mengekang kebangkitan pihak tentera.

Oleh sebab itulah, saya merayu agar setiap umat Islam dan orang Melayu berjuang memastikan Anwar anak Ibrahim ini gagal dalam Pilihanraya kecil Permatang Pauh. Anda boleh menyumbang dengan menulis artikel yang berguna dan menggunakan PembelaMelayu.com sebagai medium untuk menyampaikan idea anda.

Not enough with that they have this as well:

The current governemnet goes around condeming about blogs, what do they have got to say to this? It seems the opposition have better quality readable blog then them. Sigh!

PS: For those who dont understand Malay Language, i am glad as i dont want you guys to know how stupid some Malaysian can be!

Seriously Need Time Off!

I think I am going bonkers and clueless. I am unable to think or do my work at the office at all as my mind is blank. There have been too many things going through my mind; so many disappointments, so many frustration, so many lies, too many bended rules, too many unanswered question..bla..bla..bla..yada..yada yada...

The moment one solves, another appears.

On top of all this frustration, my stupid computer goes on and off enabling me to even finish one piece of memo peacefully. I am so lost, for the past two days, I have been listening to “Brass Greatest Hits” over and over again and I am actually loving it.

I think i really need time off and need to be in solitary for sometimes. I cant wait for my back packing journey!

Sabah, here me come! To beyond and infinity!

Anxious!

Ha I feel so anxious. Six months of rough ride and not knowing the outcome was really hard. Life is always a mystery and god always have different plan for all. Now everything seems to be so perfect.

Last weekend, my sis and I and together with her friend went to Fortune Park to bring baby Rinesh for swim. He was so happy. I have never seen anyone jump with joy in that cold water playing with my sis. And then I kept looking at my sis. Actually really looked at her and looked and looked and looked. For the first time in many years she was actually happy. Really really happy. The laughter was so genuine just like baby Rinesh. It just seems like the missing pieces was found.

As a result of that I finally agreed to meet the mysterious person that brought changes to all. Its going to be most awkward day in my life. Its is so creepy that I have to consult my friend for do and don’ts! So pathetic huh!

Must change lifestyle

Change! Change! Change! Wow, this is going to be my third topic on changes in less then 2 weeks! Even my sis did article on this called "The "New" Hannover Re". Isn't it bizarre(said with the effect of x-files)!

Ok, enough with that! Lets get serious. The topic of my discussion today is of course "change" and has some links with my previous topic "Cutback! ". Couple of days ago, i came across this article written by Mohsin Abdullah on (Must Change Lifestyle). The article is simply superb! He actually penned down what been bugging on every Malaysian 's mind. Ok not all, most Malaysians. The best part of the whole article is the naive remarks from the daughter as quoted below:

“But dad, that’s what’s we been doing all this while. Mum goes to the market and buy the cheapest goods possible. We eat low-grade rice. We don’t watch TV or play computer much. Our house don’t have air con. We don’t use electricity much. We seldom eat out and it’s been years since we go for holidays. We have never been overseas. And we drive a Kancil. Isn’t that small enough already? So what’s there to change?" she asked.

Government has urge the rakyat to save and spend less. But isn’t that what we have been practising for the past 11 years ever since the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis breakdown. Even though the fact and figure show improvement in our financial state but the facts is, we are merely surviving. Ask the middle class rakyat, they tell the story behind their sufferings and survival.

Let say, hypothetically, an educated middle class man earns about RM3,500 per month. His income will be roughly spend as stated below:

RM750 for rental or housing loan
RM500 of car
RM500 for toll/petrol,
RM400 for insurance and other payment
RM300 for phone, electricity, water and astro bill
RM300 for study loan
RM300 to eat

RM 200 credit card
RM250 groceries

The question now is, how will he survive when he get married to homemaker and has 3 kids? Something to ponder right? This is how some fellow Malaysian been surviving.

Firstly, despite having less money, the government has urged the rakyat to spend to improve our economy. Hence, started with the mega sales 3 times a year urging people to spend more. Nevertheless, the motion seems silly when there isn’t any money left to spend? Even if we choose to shop, the only items on sale are merely t-shirt, jeans (and its not even branded) and funny looking flat sandals from Thailand/China. Unless, the government changes the current policy of allowing the civil servant to wear jeans, T and sandals on Friday, I don’t see a point of buying one when either you get free or buy while you go for holiday!

Secondly, many claims that people today are spending lavishly on food. But are we? Those days, we can easily buy roti chanai and tea in less then RM1.00 or small packet of peanuts for RM0.50 or water for RM0.10/free. Nevertheless, today one full set Indian meal with drinks can easily goes up to RM15 per head. And above that, all items that are given as courtesy such as peanuts and papadum and water being charged. Hence, the rakyat today have opt for something yummier and cheaper like western food such as McD’s and Pizza hut which will cost lesser. For example, 6 set of large pizza, 4 set of cola and side dishes cost about RM150 at domino's or rice dhall and 2 lousy vege and chicken curry for RM150 for 10 people! So which one will you prefer?

Of course some of you might suggest to stay in the house and eat. But my friend, cooking at home is not cheap as all Malaysian made products are expensive. The prices of chicken, mutton fruits and even vegetables has raised up though they are produced locally. It seems the vege's and fruits that come from Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and china are a lot cheaper then what produced locally. Not only that, all locally manufactured food are expensive and low in quality. Many of the products today taste awful because they are not genuine. The skimmed milk taste like oil, butter taste like nothing, the flour (when made to kuih) taste and feel like bubble gum, the rice are fat, sticky and tasteless, the oil are reused oil, the bread smells more of yeast and above all even the Maggie sucks despite the whole lots of MSG in it. May be, even the MSG is not genuine today and need be flavored up. Sigh! Above that, the essential imported food such as onion, various dhals, nuts and spices are also highly priced. So with the increase in electricity and gas, the only other option we have is to go back to basic, "rice, ketchup and ulam/ hot chilies".

As for leisure, many Malaysian despite having less money in their pockets, opt to go for holiday and spend quality time with family. With our friend Dato’ Tony (CEO of Air Asia) and his cheap flight, now everyone can fly abroad. But it doesn’t mean that flying abroad indicates that cost of living has improved. It simply means we Malaysian has finally learn to survive and make smart decision. Most of the time the flight booked are cheaper then the fuel and toll when travel by road. Many times lodging, food and tour abroad are cheaper compare to Malaysia. Many believes that to spend RM1,000-RM2,000 going to Sabah, Sarawak, Langkawi etc, they opt to go to Thailand or Indonesia to shop, where things are way cheaper then Malaysia!

So to say that we are not affected by the economically down turn is not true. We are merely surviving. The most effected of all are the middle incomers especially the lower middle income which have just enough money, but are exposed to the materialistic world and have little to spend. The poor wouldn’t realize and the rich wouldn’t mind with price hike, but the middle incomers will suffer.

So what happens when what we earn is not enough specially with the price hike? The educated family man of RM3,500 pay will soon have 3 to 4 set of credit card to spend on groceries and eating out, don’t pay 2-3 months rent, cut on the insurances, frequently go for open house or party for free food and at times open nasi lemak stall at housing area. And when even that fails, need be afraid as we have our mighty big brother “ALONG” to loan us money.

So how to stop this nonsense? Its all depend on the decision makers. The first intelligent step would be by cutting away road taxes, tolls and all subsidies crap. Why impose on subsidy when others are getting benefit out of it. Almost half of residents in Malaysia are foreigner. So the only way to stop this is to have ration card as impose in India. It’s a redeemable paper coupons where every family will be issued a set number of each kind of stamp based on the size of the family, ages of children and income to get essential items such as “ rice, wheat, sugar, edible oils and other non food products such as kerosene, coal, standard cloth at below market prices to consumers. Or even practice fuel ration cards imposed in Germany.

So mean while waiting for that to happen, this is what can be done:

comics taken from: http://www.cartoonstock.com/

note:

Along- illegal money lender

Rakyat: the civilian

Ulam: type of Malay salad

kuih: various type of Malaysian desert

nasi lemak: coconut rice with peanuts, cucumber and spicy gravy eaten mainly for breakfast

roti canai: Indian pancake/paratha