GST life as of 1 April 2015 - Malaysia

http://clips.thestar.com.my.s3.amazonaws.com/clips/news/2015/apr/AlifefromApril1GSTnew.jpg

More from link of contacts and information directly from: http://clips.thestar.com.my.s3.amazonaws.com/clips/news/2015/apr/GSThelpdesk.pdf

Malaysia's External Debt - 2014

As at 4th quarter of 2014, the external debt raised to RM744.7 billion while the reserved money reserved is only RM124.7 billion



KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's external debt has swelled to RM740.7bil in the third quarter of 2014 from RM196bil in the final quarter of 2013, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also the Finance Minister, in a written reply said that the sharp increase was due to a new definition in debt reporting, in use since last year.

"The new definition was in line with international debt reporting. This includes external offshore loans, public enterprises and the private sector," he said to reply to a question by William Leong Jee Keen (PKR-Sepang).

Leong had asked the Finance Ministry to reveal the reason why the country's external debt stood at RM740.7bil and its impact on the country's economy.

Najib said the external debt, based on the new definition, showed the level of Ringgit denominator security debt held by foreigners, comprising two-thirds of the increase of external debt.

"This is because of the depth, openness and attractiveness on Malaysia's financial market," he said.

The Finance Ministry also reveal that the Government's debt as at Dec last year stood at RM582.8bil or 54.5% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

"From the total, 97.1% or RM566.1bil was domestic debt, while the remaining RM16.8bil or 2.9% was external debt.

"The Federal Government's financial debt remains manageable and can be categorised as at a modest position," he said.

The Government, he said, remains committed to ensure that the debt level remains under the 55% limit of the country's GDP.

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/03/11/Najib-Msian-debt-triple-definitions/

Do as Minion say

GST Effective 1 April 2015 (Malaysia)

GST is going to start on 1 April 2015, and this is calculate based on Government but not sure whether it is how it will be, we shall see then.



http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/02/04/Dont-fall-for-gimmicks/


Here is the list of goods which include GST of 6% or exempted:
http://gst.customs.gov.my/en/cp/SiteAssets/GST%20List%20of%20Sundry%20Goods%20(15%20JAN%202015).pdf

Caning as punishment for Children

"Radziah, who has three children, said she did not use corporal punishment to raise them, but used negotiation and justification instead.

She said parents often denied a child’s request for something, without explaining why.

“It is a matter of negotiation between parents and children. Don’t just say no to a child without a valid reason. When you reason with children, they will listen to you.

“However, this process must be instilled in children in the early years, otherwise it will be difficult to make them conform to acceptable behaviour,” she added.

Radziah said parents could still be strict with their children without resorting to caning.

“For example, they can maintain eye contact with the child when telling them not to do something and then justify why they should not be doing it,” she added.

Parent Action Group for Education (Page) Malaysia chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said it had never been in favour of corporal punishment in schools.

“Corporal punishment is the old way of thinking. Research and studies have shown that there is no benefit,” she said.

The mother-of-four said there were other, more effective ways of disciplining children."

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/01/26/Court-caning-of-minors-may-end-Ministry-clarifies-that-parents-and-teachers-not-affected-by-proposal/

I think it is how an adult cane a child and what is the reason the child being cane. It is quite common but it is getting less parent caning their children or teachers canning their student.

What I am against:

Some parents/adults just caning children each time they feel the child done something wrong as thinking it is the fastest method to discipline or educate a child. This is call abuse and being lazy parenting.

School grades not their parent expectation: 

This is common reason where some "KIASU" (sore loser) parents just cane their child non stop eventhough the child crying in pain when the child not performing well and getting average grades in school. Think caning will solve the child school grades instantly when the parent never even bother to spend their own time to teach their child. This I have seen quite common and this is I'm so against. 

Teachers who love to cane/abuse

During my school time, I seen some teachers who love to cane or beat student with slight reasons they got. They really got so minor mental issue or having stress in personal life but they might vent out to their students. Not sure whether this is still happening such scenario. However I been cane fairly during my school time by unreasonable and reasonable minded teachers. 

Reasonable to be cane: 

When I was not paying attention to my teacher when she was teaching, she pinched me so hard but did not cause any internal injury. After that I really paid full attention to her teaching as I'm scared of her pinch as her nails also quite long. But I know all she wanted was me paying attention to her class.

Also when children are too misbehave or done something against what adults has told them not to do but still never listen, Definitely telling the child prior the reason he/she will be cane before physical cane lightly on body areas where do not embrass them in public. 

I also have encountered some incidents where I was punished in school with not justified reasons where I do feel I should NOT be cane or punish at all. I do still remember the teacher who punish me for such stupid reasons.

Caning as punishment can be good and bad. But it is really depend on who is the person punish and how they punish is important. 

However children are growing up faster than our generation. Caning as punishment should be the very last resort, not the fist resort to educate a child. Nuture, not punish as the foundation of bring up a child.

Base Rate (Malaysia Property Loan)

Effective January 2, 2015, the Base Lending Rate (BLR) structure was replaced with a new Base Rate (BR) system. Under BR, which will now serve as the main reference rate for new retail floating rate loans, banks in Malaysia can determine their interest rate based on a formula set by the central bank.

Under the previous BLR, the rate was set by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) based on how much it costs to lend money to other financial institutions. Meanwhile, the cost to borrow money was determined by the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) set by central bank.

With the new BR, interest rates are determined by the banks’ benchmark cost of funds and Statutory Reserve Requirement (SRR). Other components of loan pricing such as borrower credit risk, liquidity risk premium, operating costs and profit margin will be reflected in a spread in the new BR framework.

Why the change?

Instead of a fixed rate under BLR, BR are determined by banks without intervention by the central bank, and should differ from bank to bank depending on their own efficiencies in lending. Banks with a strong niche in consumer financing such as Maybank and Public Bank will have the initial edge of being able to offer more attractive and competitive BR and effective lending rates (ELR) for their customers.

The new framework encourages greater transparency from banks and will enable customers to make better financial decisions. Previously, calculations of BLR lacked transparency and some banks were lending below the BLR to attract customers and boost loan growth. Under the new system, customers cannot borrow below the base rate.

How does it affect you?

https://www.imoney.my/articles/all-about-that-base-how-does-base-rate-work

Quotes: i-no-longer-have-patience-for-certain-things-not-because

“I no longer have patience for certain things, not because I’ve become arrogant, but simply because I reached a point in my life where I do not want to waste more time with what displeases me or hurts me. I have no patience for cynicism, excessive criticism and demands of any nature. I lost the will to please those who do not like me, to love those who do not love me and to smile at those who do not want to smile at me. I no longer spend a single minute on those who lie or want to manipulate. I decided not to coexist anymore with pretense, hypocrisy, dishonesty and cheap praise. I do not tolerate selective erudition nor academic arrogance. I do not adjust either to popular gossiping. I hate conflict and comparisons. I believe in a world of opposites and that’s why I avoid people with rigid and inflexible personalities. In friendship I dislike the lack of loyalty and betrayal. I do not get along with those who do not know how to give a compliment or a word of encouragement. Exaggerations bore me and I have difficulty accepting those who do not like animals. And on top of everything I have no patience for anyone who does not deserve my patience.”

― Meryl Streep

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/1362289-i-no-longer-have-patience-for-certain-things-not-because

Driving with mobile became a trend without any fear being caught

Each time I'm on the road, I see more people looking at their mobile phone and devices while driving as if it is norm. It is so unsafe and no policeman ever bother to look into this situation anymore as most of the time the police only check road tax expiration date of each car.

Years ago, people are very careful not to be seen using their phone while on the road by the police officers. Now, just seem it is normal to see drivers just concern their checking their social updates on the road than really drive safely.

The main problem in driving here is getting dangerous like people driving way too slow on the highway, forgotten the traffic light has turn green as too busy chatting through apps on their phones, forgotten to turn on their headlight while driving at night as busy looking down at their phones at all times, taking selfies, turning into a junctions or into the main road with single hand as their mobile phones are more important than driving safely. 

This is getting so annoying as some even play GAMES on their phone while driving. This is really most unsafe trend happening here.

This article even epic as need to go the flood affected areas and to take photos and shared to all.
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/01/06/Gawkers-getting-in-the-way/