Billboards (2)
Stated in the STAR today, there is a move to regulate billboards in Selangor state(N33) as the percentage of the illegal one could be as high as 80%. Not surprised, as the article also mentioned the revenue generated by such billboard in Petaling Jaya could fetch as high as RM300K per annum. The land owner who allowed such structure to be built on their land could collect cool 30% of it.
Come to think of it, if authorities could not handle illegal billboards, such gigantic structures firmly planted on the ground, how are they going to handle pirated CD and imitation goods sold at night market. Sound familiar with illegal factories and illegal dumping sites? So it might takes sometimes for the authorities to sort out the legal aspects in the mean time those who want exploit the situation can make millions.

NEW AIRCRAFT FOR MAS.
Malaysia Airlines announced that they have ordered 35 Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes. The order is valued at more than $2.6 billion. The airline has also acquired purchase rights for an additional 20 Next-Generation 737-800s which will replace their existing 737-400 fleet, allowing expansion to points which were not economically viable currently.
Both Airbus and Boeing had been lobbying heavily to get this sale. MAS being one of the largest B737-400 operator in the world decided to continue using Boeing products. There are many angles to consider when making the decision and the most important one being the commercial considerations.

Politician billboard. One too many.

One or two along the highway may looked nice but when you have a jungle of them, it does not make the intended impact. It is understandable some product can be promoted this way but I find it ridiculous why some government ministry need to promote their minister’s face. Now every time there is a cabinet reshuffle, the billboard need to be updated. What make it worse is the size of the billboard. What a pity to see a miniature billboard featuring the minister sitting below a giant billboard promoting a car. May be those in advertising industry have a better understanding on this.

Video clip below is my first attempt. Are you Suzie Quatro fan? Enjoy the song if you are. It keep me awake during those otherwise boring journey to and fro to KLIA. I blog something about her book few months ago.BTW loading of video clip may take hours :-(

FREE WATER.
It was raining heavily yesterday. My bedroom sprung a bad leak so I had to use a pail to collect the water. In jest I was telling my daughter, "This must be the free water promised by the new MB of Selangor". She replied' "Not funny, dad, wait till you get free electricity". As soon as she finished her sentence there was lightening followed by thunder and the power tripped.

DESA INN.
I was surfing for accommodation in Kuala Pilah when I found this hotel listed in Virtual Tourist website but there was no contact or email address given. As we were approaching the town, I saw signage giving direction to the hotel. It was simple enough and we found the hotel somewhere near the bus station.
It has 29 air-conditioned rooms, each equipped with ctv and phone. Surprising it has no wi fi or even email address for that matter. I met the manager, Mrs. Lee. A very friendly lady. She was telling me the hotel rates has not been revised for many years now despite rising cost. It is so much easier to answer any enquiries on rate by saying ‘Harga dulu juga lah, tak de naik” Then she went on explaining the strategy she adopted to keep her overheads low. Wow! Mrs. Lee, with such expertise, you can run an airlines anytime. According to her, the owner had purchased a piece of land nearby and was planning to build a bigger hotel. She was hoping the new hotel will have on line reservation facilities.
I found the room very clean and the staff worked efficiently.
Address: Desa Inn, Lot 745, Jalan Chevalier, Kuala Pilah, 72000, Negeri Sembilan DK, Malaysia . Telephone: 606- 481 8033 Fax :606- 481 8213

The main junction.
Nicely painted shop house.
The main street.
Empty corridors.

KUALA PILAH.
I woke up early and decided to explore the town before checking out from the hotel, Desa Inn. The town looked deserted, small wonder, after all it was Sunday morning. So the town folks could still be in their dream land. Few shops were already opened conducting their business as usual. Surprisingly I saw several 4 digits shops full with punters trying or checking their lucky star. Most of the punters looked like Malays. I just wonder what happened to Islam Hadhari.
The road took me to the bus station where all the activities seemed to be taking place with coaches arriving and departing with full load of passengers each time. I saw this nicely painted corner shop house beside the station but since it was closed I could not guess what business there were in. An antique postal box can be seen in front the shop house. It seemed to be in people path. It was not as old as some colonial postal box, with royal mail logo which can be found in some old township.
As I was passing in front the food stall, the owner kept asking me if I would like to purchase something. They were so friendly, which is typical of small town folks.
Kuala Pilah is also famous for Minangkabau food as many Nasi padang food stall can be found.

Meeting an old friend.
Last week I received SMS from Zainal inviting me to attend his daughter wedding in Shah Alam. Well it looked like wedding card is getting out of fashion or is it curbing inflation is the order of the day where all the ‘nice to have’ have to go. Any way, it is a mammoth task trying to distribute wedding card personally. SMS is more practical as you might have last minute invitation to do. It might not be in this case but the lingering thought was there since I happened to know of the function through a friend earlier ( I hope you are not reading this).
Zainal and I was close during our boarding school days, the early part, then he left for Technical Institute in Penang after form three, together with few others like Yaakub, Najid and Saaid. I met him several time in Kuala Lumpur over the years but not in the last few years though.
So finally I met an old friend. He hasn’t changed much except extra kg here and there and slight graying on top. Since he had quite a few guests to take care, we could only talk for few minute. The rest of the time I was talking to Saaid who happened to bring his grand son along who cling to him like orang utan baby. Cute boy.
I spend some time talking to a boy who inspire to be a pastry cook. I could see from the parent face they did not agree with the choice. Their face light up when the son mentioned he also had an interest to become aircraft engineer but do not have much in formations on the subject. So I volunteered some info on the subject, even the parent join in. There were wondering how come I have so much information on the subject. So I told them….