The real difference between Malaysia and Singapore today.

Source: Google

That's the difference.  Malaysians who go to Singapore, can't afford the night and Singaporeans who come to Malaysia, all enjoy themselves :'(

This is a very far-fetched hypothesis.  Please take it with a pinch of salt. Don't be too serious otherwise statistics becomes shitistics :)

Hotel: M Hotel, Singapore.

If you're traveling to Singapore, a good place to rest is M Hotel on Anson Road. Located near to Tanjong Pagar MRT station, it's also at close proximity to Orchard area (just a short taxi ride away). Rooms are clean with not much frills and the bed is a little hard but service is really good. Go here to check out more.

Yea, I hate it too when the minibar is located at knee-level :S Why would you expect your customers to bend over everytime they need a drink or have some peanuts?

Fighting a common war - enforcement and implementation will avoid greenwashing.

Our neighbour is serious about becoming a sustainable city state. And looks like they've got their vision in place and all the little that make up the big steps in achieving it. As I was studying the various ministries in Malaysia and how each one is fighting their own green war, in some cases, even rivalling with one another to achieve their own KPIs, I realised that this particular war can only be won if there is synergy and common understanding amongst the different ministries, themselves. Little did I know what was actually missing from our big picture of things is what Singapore has already kicked start in January last year. They've set up a working committee called the Inter-ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development which comprises of ministries of National Development, Environment and Water Resource, Finance, Transport as well as Trade & Industry - all the key players of environmental economics that is crucial to sustainable urban growth, if you noticed.

In a nutshell, their vision is crystal which is to boost resource efficiency, avoiding market failure at all cost by putting the greatest emphasis on expanding renewable resources which protects social welfare while achieving economic growth:

• Achieve a 35% improvement in energy efficiency from 2005 levels by 2030.
• Make optimum use of land.
• Attain a recycling rate of 70% by 2030.
• Ensure adequate supplies of water for future generations, and we aim to reduce domestic water consumption to 140L per person per day by 2030.

The above was tabled from extensive consultation with businesses, community leaders as well as the general public.

With Malaysia awakening to the importance of Green Technology, I'm sure it's just a matter of time we realised that we cannot fight isolated wars on climate change. Throughout the entire economic chain, the environment is hugely affected and it will not make any difference if one party decides to downplay the impact on environment over economic gains. It's time we look at not just what kind of battle we're in but how we're fighting it. But is the strength in numbers enough?

(original post here)

New law for Malaysian speeding ticket?

I've been thinking and comparing Singapore's drivers point deduction system with whatever existing traffic rule we have in Malaysia. A simple reason why probably Singapore's system will never be effective (or as effective) in our country is because of the rampant 'duit kopi' (in international language: bribery). Not that there's none happening in Singapore (I wouldn't know) but what I'm pretty definite is, none as rampant as Malaysia.

Well, then an idea struck me on how to duplicate this point system and yet keep it in a way that has the least inteference from our so-called law enforcers (and this I mean by majority of them. Not all but majority because we always have a few good men. Too few if you ask me). Imagine a system similar to Singapore's ERP and/or Japan's ETC equivalent. Imagine all Malaysians from now on have to pay an extra credit of RM200 into their driver's license account. Everytime one hit the red light or went over the speed limit, a certain amount of money will be deducted from this 200 bucks automatically. It could be really cheap, I mean RM20 for speeding compared to RM300 if you've really been sent the ticket. But what the positive points which I'd very much like to highlight are:
1) RM20 is BETTER than paying RM50 for you-know-what because in actual fact you never really have to pay that RM300
2) The 'beep' when money is deducted from your account will serve as a life time reminder to never speed when you're not supposed to. Ever
3) It really, really, and I mean REALLY makes you think twice about hitting that red light too
4) Equal treatment and equal punishment for all since the system must also be deployed using special set of traffic lights and speed trackers. This reinforces the importance of enforced law and not chance

Anyway, come to think of it. Instead of paying back the 'rakyat' (people) cash for the recent fuel hike, the government could use this system to reward citizens with good behavior. For those who never gotten their RM200 deducted, will earn interest. So in order to make more money, you've got to stay clean. If at the 11th month of your interest-earning period, you decide to go with the wind on KESAS, then so will your money.

Tell me if you think something like that would work here. Or in your country, wherever you are. Cause I think it's a pretty good idea, no?