Proton Arena

Proton Arena, a sort of 'soft' truck sold as Proton Jumbuck in Australia has just been crash tested to the NCAP standards, and can only muster a 1 (one!!) Star rating.

This vehicle is basically a 'cut' version of the ever so popular Proton Wira in Malaysia, albeit the Wira having 4 doors and maybe a little bit more accessorized.

What this means is that, if the Wira is subjected to the same NCAP tests, it will most likely also receive a one star safety rating.

As if Malaysians are already getting a 'good' deal from the National Car Program, to be told we are also getting 'unsafe' cars, now, that is ridiculous.

Highlight of the Penang fishing trip (updated!!)

The person who lost his dentures to the sea called and asked me to remove all traces of his name and let everyone guess who he is since not many knew he wears dentures; and presumably, without dentures, he will look better!! So, I will have to remove all trace of his name and replace it with PTXXXX. Oh, and maybe add another picture as well.

I may get punched up for this posting, but i cannot resist it!!

One of the more senior member during the trip was PTXXXX, a sprightly, lean and fit person. He can probably outlast me at a game of badminton or squash. I think he is already 60 years old now.

Anyway, not many knew he wears dentures until this trip.

For some time now, every trip to sea, he gets a bit sea sick and invariably will start throwing out.

It was during one of this puking bouts late at night, he threw more than just the content of his stomach...

He lost his dentures into the sea as well!!


(PTXXXX sportingly smiling for the camera..)

So, if any of you ever fish up a barracuda wearing flase teeth, please be so kind as to contact and return to the owner!!



Picture of Mr PTXXXX on another trip when no one yet knew he wears dentures!!

Euro 2M diesel from Shell..Compliant????

early this week, i wrote to Shell to find out whether the diesel they now have at Shell's stations comply to the Euro 2M standards.

1. My Question:
Have Shell started offering Euro2M diesel? If not, when will this be available?

2. The first reply:
From: enquiries-my@shell.com [mailto:enquiries-my@shell.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 15 September, 2009 6:50 PM
To: dchong@senadiecasting.com.my
Subject: Re: Contact Us - General Enquiries

Dear David Vhong,

Thank you for contacting Shell.

Question is : who is right????

No, the Euro2M diesel have not been offered at any retail stations.
It's until further notice.

Thanks & Regards

KAMALANATHAN (KAMAL)
Customer Service Professional
Shell Shared Service Centre-Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd (503619-D), Bangunan Shell Malaysia, Changkat Semantan, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

3. reply from another person from Shell:
From: superkad@shell.com [mailto:superkad@shell.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 16 September, 2009 12:39 PM
To: dchong@senadiecasting.com.my
Subject: RE: Contact Us - General Enquiries - Euro2M diesel

Dear David,

Yes, certainly. Already available in all Shell stations effective 1st Sept 2009.

Thanks & regards,
Asher U'ren
Shell Card Centre.

4. I asked who was right:
From: David Chong [mailto:dchong@senadiecasting.com.my]
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 9:24 AM
To: MALAYTR Superkad 01; enquiries-my@shell.com
Subject: RE: Contact Us - General Enquiries - Euro2M diesel


Asher,

Who is correct?

You or KAMALANATHAN

5. Asher replied:
From: superkad@shell.com [mailto:superkad@shell.com]
Sent: Thursday, 17 September, 2009 9:57 AM
To: dchong@senadiecasting.com.my
Subject: RE: Contact Us - General Enquiries - Euro2M diesel

Dear David,

We apologize for the answer given by Kamalanathan. It has been confirmed that Euro2M diesel is available in all Shell stations effective 1st Sept 2009.

Thanks & regards,
Asher U'ren
Shell Card Centre.



The million dollar question :

Who is right??? Is Shell offering Euro 2M Diesel?

'Healthy Paranoia' by Khairil M Bahar - English subtitles - 15Malaysia

I wonder whether the Minister of Health actually 'starred' in this clip....

LOL

'Slovak Sling' by Woo Ming Jin - English Subtitles - 15Malaysia

i think all thinking Malaysians will like this... funny.

Fishing off Penang

This trip was originally planned to happen way back in April 2009. Those dates didnt happen because the boatman fell sick..down with malaria. The it was supposed to have been in July, again it did not happen because the boat was not ready..engine under overhauling and could not be completed on time.

So, a final date was set. 11th to the 13th Sept 2009.

We finally took off early at 4am on the 11th for Penang. The drive itself was uneventful.. as usual filled with hot aired banter in the car about the ones that got away. The Hilux was filled with ice boxes and other stuff. (useful car...)

We got to Penang island round about 1030 am after a rather long breakfast at Prai.. fried kuey teow, fish balls noodles among other stuff.

The boat was waiting for us when we arrived. A quick loading of our stuff plus a few ice boxes, and we were on our way.

We caught these...


Fishes on the deck of the boat

Ah Woo cleaning one of the fish for lunch (at a restaurant once we land)

Curry fish with the fish cleaned above

Dividing the loot back at USJ for the 9 fishermen

Overall, the trip was good except we had to moved a few times due to on coming commercial boats and those boats were a lot bigger than us! On one of the boat we saw some 20+ workers on board...!!

And on the final night, no fishing was possible due to a very heavy thunderstorm. Amid such sea condition, it was not wise to be outside...

Enjoyed.

Canopy for Hilux (updated)

The Toyota Hilux has been running around for a few months now with the truck bed 'uncovered'. Finally decided that a canopy would be good since this will enable goods to be carried securely from fast fingers.

The canopy will be installed today and hopefully the vehicle will still look good...

Will update photos later.


The Hilux with the canopy..

Josie..

Last month, our church celebrated her 50th anniversary with a dinner. Since it is not very often one gets to celebrate 50 years, there were performances by various groups.

The evening highlights were definitely appearances by Joanne Yeoh, Junita Suwito, Eddie Chin and his daughter Claris, added glamour and perhaps legitimacy towards the standards of the evening's performances. Joanne and Junita are definitely 'professionals'.

The 'highlights' to me was the fact that the wife and daughters too wanted to be 'presentable', well, more well dressed and groomed than normal. And so, there were new dresses plus hair saloon makeovers.

I dont think i will post photos of the wife and elder girl, but here are a few of Josie.




A close up

OK, the evening cost me a fair bit too....!!

But, it was worth it to see happy faces.

Taken for a ride ....again

Looks like all motorists in Malaysia will be taken for a ride by the government,again.

V Power by Shell, a supposedly premium/superior grade fuel was sold for RM2.05/l, while regular Ron 97 was at RM1.70/l.

well, guess what? starting 1st Sept 2009, the fuel priced at RM1.70/l will be a Ron 95 instead of Ron 97, while the 'regular' Ron 97 will now be sold at RM2.05/l.

What this all means is simply this:

- we are all being suckered again into buying inferior fuel at the old superior fuel price!!