Top 10 Corrupt Countries

This list is taken from the Transparency International Corruption Index of 2006. The scoring is from 1 – 10 with the lower score being the most corrupt. The source of the index is polls and surveys from 21 independent institutions. Only verifiable data is accepted for inclusion. The index includes 163 nations.

10. Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is one of the smallest countries in continental Africa. The current president of Equatorial Guinea is Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. The 1982 constitution of Equatorial Guinea gives Obiang extensive powers, including naming and dismissing members of the cabinet, making laws by decree, dissolving the Chamber of Representatives, negotiating and ratifying treaties and calling legislative elections.
Diplomats and even ministers have been caught smuggling drugs, sometimes using diplomatic bags and even the president’s baggage on state trips. The incumbent president has never equalled the bloodthirsty reputation of his uncle, Francisco Macías Nguema whom he overthrew. On Christmas of 1975, Macías had 150 alleged coup plotters executed to the sound of a band playing Mary Hopkin’s tune Those Were the Days in a national stadium.


9. Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia, formerly part of the Soviet Union. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south. Uzbekistan possesses the largest military force in the Central Asian region, having around 65,000 people in uniform.
Much of Uzbekistan’s GDP growth comes from favourable prices for certain key exports, especially cotton, gold, and increasingly gas, but the revenues from these commodities are distributed among a very small circle of the ruling elite, with little or no benefit for the populace at large.


8. Bangladesh

The People’s Republic of Bangladesh is a country in South Asia. It is surrounded by India on all sides except for a small border with Myanmar to the far southeast and the Bay of Bengal, part of the Indian Ocean, to the south.

The Prime Minister, as the head of government, forms the cabinet and runs the day-to-day affairs of state. While the Prime Minister is formally appointed by the President, he or she must be an MP who commands the confidence of the majority of parliament. The President is the head of state, a largely ceremonial post elected by the parliament. However the President’s powers are substantially expanded during the tenure of a caretaker government, which is responsible for the conduct of elections and transfer of power.


7. Chad

Chad is a landlocked country in central Africa. It borders Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west.
Chad’s constitution provides for a strong executive branch headed by a president who dominates the political system. The president has the power to appoint the prime minister and the cabinet, and exercises considerable influence over appointments of judges, generals, provincial officials and heads of Chad’s para-statal firms. In 2005 constitutional term limits were removed. Most of President Deby’s key advisers are members of the Zaghawa ethnic group, although southern and opposition personalities are represented in government. Corruption is rife at all levels.


6. Democratic Republic of Congo

is the third largest country by area on the African continent. It borders the Central African Republic and Sudan on the north, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania on the east, Zambia and Angola on the south, and the Republic of the Congo on the west.

After 4 years of interim between two constitutions that established different political institutions at the various levels of all branches of government, as well as different administrative divisions of the country, politics in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are settling into a stable presidential democratic republic. The transitional constitution established a system composed of a bicameral legislature with a Senate and a National Assembly. The Senate has, among other things, the charge of drafting the new constitution of the country. The executive branch is vested in a 60-member cabinet, headed by a pentarchy of a President, and four vice presidents.


5. Sudan

Sudan is the largest African country by area. The country is situated at a crossroads between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the Northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the East, Kenya and Uganda to the Southeast, Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic to the Southwest, Chad to the West, and Libya to the Northwest.

A letter dated August 14, 2006 from the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch found that the Sudanese government is both incapable and unwilling to protect its own citizens in Darfur and that its militias are guilty of crimes against humanity. The letter added that these human rights abuses have existed since 2004. Some reports attribute part of the violations to the rebels as well as the government and the Janjaweed. The US State Department’s human rights report issued in March 2007 claims that “All parties to the conflagration committed serious abuses, including widespread killing of civilians, rape as a tool of war, systematic torture, robbery and recruitment of child soldiers”


4. Guinea

Guinea is a nation in West Africa, formerly known as French Guinea. Guinea’s territory has a curved shape, with its base at the Atlantic Ocean, inland to the east, and turning south. The base borders Guinea-Bissau and Senegal to the north, and Mali to the north and north-east; the inland part borders Côte d’Ivoire to the south-east, Liberia to the south, and Sierra Leone to the west of the southern tip.

Guinea has had only two presidents since independence was declared on October 2, 1958. Retired general Lansana Conté took control of the country in 1984 in a coup d’état after the death of Sékou Touré. Conté was elected to rule as President in 1993, then again in 1998 and 2003 while promising to reform the country. But the validity of these elections is contested, since Conté has guarded his position and has not tolerated potential adversaries.


3. Iraq

Iraq, is a country in the Middle East spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the southern part of the Arabian Desert. It shares borders with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the west, Syria to the northwest, Turkey to the north, and Iran to the east.

Since the the invasion in 2003, a Multinational coalition of forces, mainly American and British, has occupied Iraq. The invasion has had wide-reaching consequences: increased civil violence, political breakdown, the removal and execution of former president Saddam Hussein, and national problems in the development of political balance, economy, infrastructure, and use of the country’s huge reserves of oil


2. Myanmar

Myanmar is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia. It is also known as Burma. Myanmar is bordered by the People’s Republic of China on the north, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, and India on the northwest, with the Andaman Sea to the south, and the Bay of Bengal to the southwest

Its political system remains under the tight control of the State Peace and Development Council, the military government led, since 1992, by Senior General Than Shwe. The Burmese military has dominated government since General Ne Win led a coup in 1962 that toppled the civilian government of U Nu. Several human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have reported on human rights abuses by the military government. They have claimed that there is no independent judiciary in Myanmar. The military government restricts Internet access through software-based censorship that limits the material citizens can access on-line. Forced labour, human trafficking, and child labour are common.


1. Haiti

is a French and Creole speaking Latin American country located in the Greater Antilles archipelago on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. A former French colony, Haiti became the first independent black republic and the only nation ever to form from a successful slave rebellion. Haiti became the second non-native country in the Americas (after the United States) to declare its independence, on January 1, 1804.

Haiti has recently undergone a state of transition following the forced ousting of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide on February 29, 2004. The circumstances surrounding his departure from office are disputed. René Préval was elected president in his place on February 7, 2006, and took office in May of that year. Préval has promised to bring peace and stability to the country.

Just out of interest, the top 5 least corrupt nations are Finland, Iceland, New Zealand, Denmark, and Singapore. The USA appears as number 20 least corrupt on the list with a score of 7.3.

How to service your car

To start with your car needs servicing every 15000 klms. but one of those services (every second one) can be done by yourself so that you can be aware of the things that are developing. You will need a pair of car ramps and a drainage bucket.

Make sure that service team that you require to do your work is licensed and belong to some sort of association that keeps an eye on quality and doesn't charge through the nose.

Also!, pick a service dealer that will do your service to the manual AND ALSO UPDATE YOUR COMPUTOR. They will be a little more expensive, but because you will end up doing every second service , you will be winning in the long run.

You could also pick a service dealer who also does transmission service so you don't go running all over the place to get your work done. The easiest way to pick a good auto transmission dealer is have a quick look into his workshop. If the area is neat and tidy with the floor extremely clean and parts neatly up on the wall , he probably has good work ethics and as long as he doesn't charge like a wounded bull ,you will probably be okay.

CONTENTS OF SERVICE
WATER

Make sure that the water level in the radiator header tank is in the full mode . You can check this by looking at the header tank and see that the water should be in between low and high . If it is low , make sure that the car engine temperature is cold , then look in the top of the radiator. If it is full replace the radiator cap, then top up the radiator header tank so its on the full mark. also, when changing coolant(once a year } use radiator coolant only.

Also check that the hoses that are connected to the motor are not soft and leaking. This will be shown by a powdery substance at the end of the hoses where the clip is situated . If it is not leaking but is soft ,you should replace it next service.

Next you should check out the fan belt for cuts and nicks that will develop into bigger cuts resulting in fan belt breaks that could end up in a breakdown

OIL.

The oil filter should be changed every service. That's my view anyway and its entirely up to you , but the main cause of wear and tear in a motor is dirt and sludge that comes with the running of the motor over a period of time. You don't change the filter , you end up with a motor that blows smoke and is hard to start because of low compression. Some car oil filters are in extremely hard spots and can be a nightmare for beginners , however most are accessible for servicing. You can obtain an oil filter removal tool from any auto accessory store.

The oil it self ,should be of highest quality and should be the same type as listed in your car service manual . If you don't have a manual, most auto parts stores have the specifications listed on their computers and will be able to tell you the exact amount of oil required. Make sure you don't over fill or under fill the capacity because too much oil is worse than not enough.

Before you screw the oil filter on ,smear the rubber lip with a lubricant such as oil or a little grease for easy assembly and next time removal

Don't start by taking out the motor!!


AIR

All cars have air filters and if you want your car to run smoothly and what's more ECOMNICALLY, THEN THIS ITEM MUST BE CHANGED EVERY TIME THE CAR IS SERVICED.

Your petrol consumption rely on this very important point and that's why it is in capitals.

A lot of mechanics say you can get away with not changing the air filter , but it is in your best interest to do it every time you service the car . It usually is found on top of your motor and connected with snap down circ lips.

BATTERY

The battery should be checked for loose ends and terminals , the battery posts wiped and cleaned with a rag. Don't put any cleaners on these posts except when they are covered with green participles , then you can remove them with hot boiling water which will clean up the area and a small amount of Vaseline put around the bottom of the post. This is where the acid particles leak from.

The battery cells which are found under the battery caps have distilled water in them and this should just cover the top of the cells only , not completely full like some people suggest.

The terminals should be tightened firmly so they make a good contact.


TYRES

Tyres should be checked for wear ,especially on the inside of the tyre , and the spare checked for pressure every second service so when you get a flat , it is doesn't leave you stranded on the side of the road.

DOORS AND BONNET HOOD catches should be coated in dry lube which is purchased by the stick from your auto accessory store.

CHECK FOR ANY LEAKS .


AUTO TRANSMISSION should be carried out by a transmission specialist because of the cleanliness involved,. Any small particle that gets inside a gearbox will play havoc with the gearbox and for that reason I NEVER DO THIS MYSELF. It only needs servicing every 30000 klms. so stick this part on the service list that you can't do .


GEARBOX AND DIFF {MANUAL} The oil level should be just under the filler hole. If you take out the filler nut and you have oil pouring out all over the ground, it was too full.

BRAKES

MAKE SURE THAT THE FLUID LEVEL IS AT THE FULL MARK AND NOT OVER

Keep an eye on the brake shoes for wear and when it comes to doing a brake service ,I suggest that you put this also in too hard basket , mainly because , every car has different types of brakes and they all have to follow a certain procedure.


LIGHTS AND INDICATERS

Check all your lights and indicators and replace them if faulty.

EQ

A man bought a new pair of trousers for his primary school mates reunion dinner. When he tried out at home, he found that the trousers were too long by 10cm. He asked his mother to help him shorten the pants. His mother said she could not do it as she was not feeling well and would like to rest early.

So the man approached his wife to shorten his pants. His wife said she was very tired and had a lot of work to do that night, so she could not help him to shorten the pants that night. Then the man asked his daughter. His daughter apologized for not able to do it that night because she had agreed to go dancing with her boyfriend

"Ah well!" The man thought and decided he could wear his old trousers to the reunion.

Later that night, his mother thought to herself, "My son has been very nice to me. I'll just help him to shorten his pants before going to rest." So she shortened the pants by 10cm. Then his wife finished her work and thought," My husband knows I am always very busy and seldom asked me to help him. I would oblige him today." So she shortened the man's pants by another 10cm. His daughter came home from dancing, and thought, "Papa loves me very much and when I declined to shorten his pants, he was not angry at all! I would help him to shorten his pants." So she shortened her daddy's pants yet another 10cm.

On the next day, the three ladies told the man that his pants were shortened. He tried them on and found that his pants had become shorter by 30cm!

His reaction:

He laughed heartily, and said, "I must wear this pair of pants to show my schoolmates that my mum, my wife and my daughter are such loving people." At the dinner, his old classmates were very envious of his loving family. His mother, wife and daughter were very happy to learn about his classmates' reaction.

What would you do if it happened to you?

Very often, many would have lost their temper.

How many of us has the "EQ" of this man?

Many of us has "High EQ" when dealing with people outside the family,

"Low EQ" when dealing with our own family member!

Interesting Facts About Girls

1. Girls absolutely hate it when they are lied to. So if you must do so, ensure that you never ever get caught. Whether the lie is about her appearance, your compatibility, your ex-girlfriend or her family, tread these waters with caution. For if you get caught, there will be no escape.
2. Girls always consider actions greater than words. Even if, they wont accept it. So if you really wish to impress her, or get off the hook for something, do something that shows her how you feel, rather than simply talking about it.
3. One of the most interesting facts about girls is that they are all big drama queens. This may be something that is beyond your realm of understanding, but be patient and know that every girl will make a big deal about petty things. In their eyes this is not wrong, because they simply thrive on conflict.
4. Understand that girls are regular victims of PMS, and no matter how much we try to understand this, we never will. This is just the way it is, and the sooner we come to terms with this, the better it will be.

TRUE OR NOT?

handy tips October'10

Ants Problem : Ants hate cucumbers. Keep the skin of cucumbers near the place or ant hole.
To get pure and clean ice : Boil water first before freezing.

To make the mirror shine : Clean with spirit

To remove chewing gum from clothes : Keep the cloth in the freezer for an hour.

To whiten white clothes : Soak white clothes in hot water with a slice of lemon for 10 minutes

To give a shine to hair : Add one teaspoon of vinegar to hair, then wash hair.

The Top 10 Ways to Make Your Package Seem Bigger

Something I found funny and interesting in the internet. Maybe can be used as referece..haha. So for those who are open enough to continue reading, go on ahead.


We like big cars, giant flat screen TVs, and supersized meals. But what about the size of our "package"? While the saying, “It's not the size that matters, it's how you use it” is quaint and cute, it’s hardly manly. It’s no wonder some 45% of guys currently want a bigger package.


10. Lose Weight

Obesity is a huge problem in the United States with one third of men clinically obese. Losing weight won’t make your penis bigger, but it will surely make it seem bigger. This is because there’s a pad of fat that’s located at the base of the penis. For overweight dudes this area is large and provides the perfect place for the penis to hide when erect. If you lose this fat, your penis loses its hiding place and has no excuse to stay buried. It will magically look bigger and all you’ve done is take steps to improve your health and sex life. It is also one of the most cost-effective ways to beef up your bayonet.


9. Pop Some Pills

There are numerous pills and ointments sold by shady Internet shonksters that promise the world but most actually deliver very little. These pills contain an array of exotically named herbs and extracts, but according to scientific studies they have no effect on making your little soldier a big soldier.
Dr. Ira Sharlip, a spokesman for the American Urological Association, has said, “There is no such thing as a penis pill that works. These are all things that are sold for profit. There's no science or substance behind them.” Such pills could also make you sick. The University of Maryland studied 10 penis enlargement pills and found they contained “mold, yeast, dangerous E. coli bacteria, pesticides, and lead,” all which could make you very sick.
But while penis pills most likely don’t work, they may have a placebo effect and trick you into thinking you’re bigger. At the end of the day, being a man is all about having confidence. If popping a sugar pill makes you feel more virile, bigger, and less afraid of the bedroom or locker room, then why not try it?


8. Get Pumping With A Penis Pumper

 The Penis Pump has existed for well over a century. The device is mainly used by men who suffer erectile dysfunction, though it can also be used to make the penis temporarily appear bigger. It works by creating a vacuum around the penis, engorging it with blood. Tom Lue, MD, a professor of urology at the University of California San Francisco, says “if you use a pump regularly for a long time, your penis may get fatter. But if you stop using it, the swelling will disappear.”

Another study found that frequent use of a penis pump did increase penis size. The Institute of Urology in London investigated the usefulness of penis pumps to correct penile curvature and found that it actually increased length. Thirty-one men undertook two 10-minute pumping sessions per day for 12 weeks. The results of the study concluded “there was a clinically and statistically significant improvement in penile length, angle of curvature, and pain after 12 weeks of using the vacuum pump.”
But before you start pumping, be warned. Excessive pumping can cause vascular damage, burst blood vessels, leave blisters, and cause you to go permanently limp. And whatever you do, don’t try this with your vacuum cleaner.


7. Date Very Small Women

 It’s all about proportion—the smaller your lady-friend’s body is, the bigger you’ll seem. All joking aside, the majority of girls don’t even like big penises. Remember, women are not biologically built for a long penis. It makes no difference to them if you’re nine inches or five inches. This is because it’s only the first two inches of the vagina that can be stimulated and induce pleasure. So in reality your penis only needs to be a fraction bigger that two inches, anything more and it isn’t going to add much to her sexual experience. So stop worry about Mr. Harry Johnson and get working it.


6. Clamping

This technique is considered advanced in the penile enlargement world and is not intended for beginners. Clamping is a risky and dangerous way to increase your wiener’s girth. The technique involves trapping blood in the penis. An everyday clamp, the sort you can pick up at your local hardware store, is attached to the base of the erect penis. Think of it as a sort of tight cock ring.
The clamp restricts blood leaving the penis, while still allowing some blood to flow into it. The technique engorges the penis, expanding it beyond its normal erection state. By continually expanding the penis with this method, the expansion will supposedly become permanent.

Each clamping session should last five to 10 minutes. It's important to keep a high level of arousal during this time. If your member starts to feel pain, numbness, tingles, or turns an extremely dark color, the clamp should immediately be removed.

5. Weights

Using weights to make your pecker bigger is one of the oldest penis enlargement practices in the world. Heck, the Pharaohs in Ancient Egypt apparently tied weights to their member in the hopes it would add size. This method was also used by African tribes 2,000 years ago. Yep, since the dawn of time men have tried to make their members bigger.
Using weights on your Johnson is not like pumping iron at the gym. The penis is not a muscle and this practice does not involve lifting the weight. Rather the weights are used to stretch the tunica albuginea and other tissues of the penis, making it hang better and allowing more blood to flow when engorged. A device made of rope or a strap is attached to the penis gland and weights are attached. The weights range from 1/16 pound to the heaviest which are usually 1/4 pound or more. The weights are not cheap and retail for around $1,000.
According to tests carried out by penile weights manufacturers (if you can believe they’re impartial) men wearing penile weights 12 hours a day, 7 days a week for 4 ½ months gained 1.25 inches in length. Using weights on the penis will not increase the girth of the penis. In fact it may actually reduce it. Using weights can also be extremely dangerous and can actually cause more harm than good, such as nerve damage, chronic pain, and impotence.


4. Jelqing

Jelqing is a form of penis massage that folklore has it originated in the Middle East and resulted in men “growing” their penis up to 20 inches. Now this is most likely fairy dust and the only scientific evidence that it works consist of a bunch on guys on the Internet who swear by it. The method apparently increases penis length and girth by forcing more blood into the corpora cavernosa, which is the spongy tissue that makes up the penis.
The exercise is strange and seems more like a half-hearted attempt at masturbation. The first step of the exercise is to apply a hot compress to your crotch. Once you've sufficiently warmed up the area, begin by making an OK sign with your hand. Then apply lubricant to your semi-erect penis. For some reason, under no circumstances should you jelq a fully erect penis. Then proceed to “milk” the penis by grasping it at the base near the pubic bone and moving in an upward direction to the base of the penis head. Do not jelq the penis head. The exercise should be performed 100 – 200 times a day.
Scientifically the effects of this exercise are unknown, though one study is routinely touted online. It was apparently conducted by a Dr. Brian Richards and published in the British Journal of Sexual Medicine, though the article is suspiciously missing from journal’s website. The study, apparently conducted in the 1970s, found that jelqing increased the penis size of 87 percent of the men participating in the study, with each gaining an average of 1.4 inches in length and up to one inch in girth.


3. Use A Penis Extender
A penis extender may resemble a medieval torture device, but it’s actually a medical apparatus that’s attached to the penis and stretches it. It keeps the penis in a constant state of traction. This supposedly causes cells in the penis to divide and expand. It’s suggested the device be worn daily for five to eight hours for a minimum of six months.
Some research shows that this method actually works. A study conducted at the University of Turin and published in 2009 in the British Journal of Urology showed that men gained about an inch of penis length over a six month period using a penis extender. It should be noted that the male candidates involved in the study all had below average penile dimensions. It is not scientifically known whether the method produces a similar result for average-sized men.


2. Surgery

Having your penis surgically enhanced is a drastic but increasingly common procedure. It is also the only measure to make your member permanently larger. There are two types of surgeries men can have performed, one to make the penis longer and the other to increase girth.
The penis is made longer by cutting a ligament that holds the penis to the pubic bone and utilizing man’s “hidden penis.” It is said that one-third to one-half of the penis exists inside the body. This procedure can add one to two inches. Increasing the girth of the penis is a little more complicated. The girth procedure involves injecting skin tissue into the penis. This course of action can increase girth by staggering thirty to fifty percent.

According to Philadelphia’s Dr. Mark Solomon the surgery costs roughly $6,000 a procedure. He should know. Philadelphia is reportedly the penis enlargement surgery capital of the world.


1. Manscape

 

For guys, shaving “down there” is still somewhat of a taboo. While society deems it perfectly okay for women to go completely bald, men feel they need to encase their member in a bushy forest. Apparently only 15 percent of men admit to pruning their pubes. Guys have the choice of either manscaping or going the porn star route by removing all hair. By clipping the hedges you can make your member look one to two inches longer.

There’s an added advantage to manscaping-- it will also make sex feel better. By removing the extra padding you’ll help expose the sensitive skin around the base of your shaft which will help heighten sexual intercourse. Also it’s highly likely that your partner will like your cleaner, smoother, and better smelling heat-seeking love missile—and we all know what that means.

If you are going for a close shave or taking it all off, be sure to apply a soothing cream afterwards to avoid pimples and itches. After all, you don’t want your partner thinking you have an STD.

If after all this you’re still worried about what’s between your legs, the real problem probably exists between your ears.

Peugeot EX1

If the BMW 6 Series Concept was basically an early look at an upcoming production model, the Peugeot EX1 ($TBA) is the polar opposite: a wild creation that lets the car's designers stretch their imaginations with out worrying about pesky topics like actual production cost or real-world feasibility. Still, the EX1 is every bit as intriguing, with its open-cockpit mix of car and motorcycle, it's world-class acceleration, dual electric motors cranking out the equivalent of 340 hp, and its all-time four wheel drive. Just don't expect it in dealerships any time soon.

Do we Malaysians know how to appreciate & value a car?

The new 2012 BMW 3 series

The fact is that Malaysia is the only country in the world where the price of a car is equivalent to buying a house. We also go into the world record books for having the highest car prices in the world!

Mahathir bin Mohamed on the pretext of developing a local automotive company imposed a 300% duty import tax on all foreign cars. As a result the tax collected by the government on the imports are approximately RM2 billion to RM4 billion per year. That is a lot of money to the govt's coffers! Now do you see why the government won't even think of reducing the taxes on imported car brands even if they decide to let Proton or Perodua si ka bo chi teh (die with nothing left).

Feel like vomiting blood? Read on.

Toyota Altis sells in Indonesia for roughly RM46,000. The same car sells in Malaysia for about RM112,250. That is 3x times more expensive (300% tax)

Consider this Honda Jazz selling at ~RM36,000 in Indonesia. Same car sells here for around RM109,800. Also 3x times more expensive. (300% tax)

BMW 535i sells in the US for RM178,000 while we have to pay a hefty price tag of RM450,000! With RM178,000 the best is that we could get a Toyota Camry 2.4L in Malaysia :(

We are paying the highest car prices in the world just to support Proton or Perodua and not to mention the stupiak AP policy to cronies, yet Proton is still struggling overseas while Perodua doing slightly better in the domestic front. Back to the question, do Malaysians know how to value a car after so many years of manipulation? Give you some comparisons:

• Buying a Toyota Altis for RM112,250 while he/she lives in a decent condominium of about RM350,000. Is a house worth only 3x times a car? Most families will settle down on a house only once but many will change car every 10 years on average. If he/she continues the same buying spree, the house is worth the same as the cars in 30 years. Tak masuk akal (makes no sense) to me.
• If you have only RM20 (50% disposable income RM40000/yr salary). Will you choose to eat Char Koay Teow for RM3.50 (Perodua Viva RM36,500) or say Western Food for RM10 (Toyota Altis RM112,250)? With 2/3 of the Malaysian population surviving with less than RM4,000 a month, it takes like RM1000/mth to pay off the Altis for a 9 years loan alone with 20% downpayment. 25% of income is used to buy a car? This also makes no sense lo.

Financial planners often say that your car loan payment should ideally constitute <20% of your net income while the house should be ~35%. It is in my opinion that a house is worth a zillion times more than paying for a car. A car does not appreciate in value, a property such as house does. Having a shelter is a long term good commitment while a car is a repeating medium term liability.  

I'm writing this because I am lucky enough to made a right decision to buy a Char Keoy Teow instead, my 1.3cc Perodua Myvi back in April 2007 during college years and I want to share my experience with others. Currently it only setbacks me 18% of my net income and I will get rid of this burden in April 2012, just a shy 1.5 years away. I gladly pay my current landed residence in Penang which also houses 2 more CKTs; Perodua Kancil and Kenari which means I am more than happy to live in a nice spacious place than to weave through traffic using a big car.

Will we ever see corrected car prices in Malaysia? The answer is NO. Here is a news clip from our dear DPM Tan Sri Muhyudin Yassin about our nation's car policy. Muhyiddin assures govt support for automotive parts and component sector.

1. KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 – The deputy prime minister said special focus
   will be given to “facilitate and encourage” the development of the
   automotive parts and component sector despite the current global and
   regional economic downturn.
2. He pointed out that . .. . the motor vehicle sub sector in Malaysia
   will not be directly impacted because of its heavy dependence on the
   domestic market. 
3. “The Malaysian government recognises the contribution of the
   domestic automotive industry towards the development of the country.”

Point 2 and 3 basically says that the Malaysian motor car industry will continue to be protected. This means we will continue paying the highest car prices in the world for automobiles. Our local automobile players are not national assets, they are national liabilities! 

You can see that a large proportion of Malaysian income is spent on car installment. The government just knows to protect car manufacturers’ profit, but who is to protect consumers’ pocket? No choice la, you have to DIY by knowing how to value a car properly. For a rough car price guide, check it out at TheStarMotoring.

The bottom line is that Malaysians will have to work harder than the rest of the world in order to purchase the same luxury vehicles. No wonder all wanna buy lottery ticket la. I understand that some families do buy for safety reasons for their child while some do have the financial means but the message to convey here is remember to think thoroughly first before you sign it. To be wise in your finance is not just about making a binary decision (BUY or NO BUY), it is to be able to make multiple decisions by asking questions or seek alternatives; What If I buy something cheaper instead? Can I buy 2nd hand car instead? Why foreign and not local? and etc...

How to get first car for FREE (credits to whow i plagiarized it from)

Before making a down payment for a new car purchase, please consider getting a used vehicle. The secret is to take advantage of the no-claim discount or NCD. The tactic here is to use a very cheap old car and pay low insurance premium for the first five years. When you've reach the maximum no claim discount, only then would you pursue your dream car.

NCD for Private Car

Example:

Buying a 15 year old proton sage 1.5l (automatic, power steering)

Cost: RM5,000 (pay cash)

Insurance: RM277.50 (comprehensive) or 3rd party which is cheaper.

Maintenance cost for an old car is much lower than the interest payment for a new car. After 5 years, buy your dream car.

Example:

Buying a new Honda Civic 1.8 iVtec

Cost: RM113,800

Insurance: RM3,225.90

After a NCD, you get a 55% discount. This means you only need to pay RM1,451.65 and you save RM1,774.25 every year onwards for car insurance premium alone!

RM1,774.25 x 3 = RM5,322.75. With only three years, you already save that much assuming you did not kiss other people's car and enjoy the full NCD, and did not make a claim. So you can consider your 1st car FREE!

Diaphonous

 

1. Of such fine texture as to allow light to pass through; translucent or transparent.

2. Vague; insubstantial.

 

Sentence Example:

• The curtains are thin, a diaphanous  membrane that can't quite contain the light outside.-- Eric Liu, The Accidental Asian

• She needed more that diaphanous hope, more than i could give her.-- Tej Rae, "One Hand Extended", Washington Post , August 12, 2001

5 Painless Ways To Save More Money!

In a world where there is always a new gadget to buy or candy to try, saving money isn't easy. The good news is there are several ways that you can save money without turning yourself into a miser. In fact, you won't have to change your behavior at all. In this article we'll explore five handy tips that don't involve canceling the cable TV or downgrading your Italian vacation into six nights on your grandmother's sofa. You may be surprised how a few simple changes can really add up.

1. Virtual Piggy BanksIt used to be that when we had change in our pockets at the end of the day, we'd toss it on our dresser or put it in a bowl or piggy bank. Budding scrooges rejoiced at how this loose change could quickly add up to a few hundred dollars that could then be used on groceries, entertainment or even placed in a Roth IRA.

The problem is that fewer and fewer of us actually use real money to buy things. Plastic has become the norm, and piggy bank makers have been forced into early retirement. There is an easy solution to this problem however: Keep The Change accounts.

Bank of America came up with an account that allows plastic addicts to create a virtual piggy bank. When you use your check card to make a purchase, the bank rounds the total purchase price of the item up to the nearest dollar. The difference is then transferred to your savings account. For example, if you buy a deluxe Warren Buffett action figure for $7.25 for your nephew, a purchase price of $8.00 is charged to your checking account. The 75 cents is automatically popped into your savings account, and you get a chance to create savings and disappoint your nephew all at the same time.

For the first three months Bank of America even matches your virtual change deposits, and after this period it matches 5% per year - up to a limit of up to $250 per year.

2. Education Matching AccountsIf you have kids, an easy way to add to their education savings is through a "Upromise Account". Membership is free and it will allow you to effortlessly squirrel away savings just by making regular consumer purchases. Retailers participating in the program agree to match a portion of the purchase price and contribute it to an education savings account. Currently more than 550 companies participate including McDonald's, eBay,  Barnes & Noble, JC Penney and Office Depot. After you buy from a participating merchant, you then receive 1- 25% (depending on the purchase) of the money. The only catch is that the money doesn't come back to you, but rather into a 529 account reserved for your child's education.

The merchants like the program because it provides cheap advertising and breeds customer loyalty, but what's really important to consumers is this is essentially free money if you were going to make the purchase anyway.

3. Be Smart With Your CarMaintenance manuals for many cars suggest you should fill the tank premium (93+ octane rating) fuel. Often you can get away with a lower grade without hurting your engine or your performance. Check with a mechanic to see if you can downgrade; the savings of 10-20 cents per gallon can easily add up to $100 or more for the year. One hundred bucks for pressing the "89" button instead of the "93" seems like a pretty good deal.

There are several other things you can do with your car to save money too. These all require virtually no effort on your part and can add up to a hefty savings over the span of a year. Here are some tips from the Car Care Council: 

• Properly inflate your tires - This simple move can help prevent an accident and provide you with better traction. It could also give you better gas mileage. Underinflated tires can cost you 1-2 miles per gallon.
• Replace your air filter - A dirty air filter causes an improper fuel-to-air mixture, which ruins fuel efficiency. Replacing your dirty filter can improve mileage by as much as 10%, or 15 cents per gallon.
• Don't drive aggressively - Hard accelerations and aggressive driving can cost you as much as 33% of your efficiency on the highway and 5% in the city. That adds up to 7-49 cents per gallon.
• Keep it under 60 - Gas mileage suffers badly at speeds above 60 mph. Every 10 mph above 60 mph costs you an additional 10 cents per gallon.
• Clean out your trunk - Those golf clubs you pack around every day (despite the fact there is snow on the ground) cost you. Every 100 pounds of extra weight costs you 1-2% fuel efficiency.
• Check your gas cap - About 17% of vehicles have a gas cap that is either damaged, loose or missing the Car Care Council estimates. Without a proper cap the gas in your tank vaporizes, and so, too, does your money.

Bottom LineUsually saving for the future means a sacrifice in the here and now. This can make saving feel like a chore, and no one likes chores. However, there are easy ways to save that require virtually no effort at all. The trick is to watch for things in your everyday life that can be made easily more efficient or to watch for deals and promotions that already coincide with your current spending habits and allow you to get something for nothing. 

One of the biggest expenses that comes with owning a home is the utility bill. The good news is that there is a way to save a bundle on your electric, again, without really trying.

By simply replacing your existing light bulbs with energy-saving compact florescent bulbs, you can save a surprising amount of money in the long run. These bulbs use up to 75% less energy than a normal bulb. In addition, they are said to last anywhere from 5-10 times longer than the more traditional bulb. The initial cost can be a downer; they cost anywhere from $2-8 a piece depending upon the merchant. But think of it as an investment, as over time they can save the homeowner a lot of green.

Other simple tips include turning the lights off when you leave a room and purchasing a thermostat with a timer that will automatically adjust your house's temperature when you are sleeping or at work.

5. Give To CharityIn addition to helping people in need, giving can be a great way to obtain a tax deduction. Every year consider going through your attic or your basement and giving away old toys or clothes to a registered and qualified local or national charity such as the Salvation Army. It's what the IRS calls a charitable donation, and donating something you no longer need or want is much better than simply tossing it in the trash.

Always take a picture of the things you donate in case you are asked to provide documentation. In addition always obtain a receipt from the charity itself in order to support the deduction on your tax return. If you are giving for the sake of the deduction, it is important to make certain that the charity you are donating to is legitimate and that you will receive a deduction for your donation  - before you actually donate anything.