2015-06-12 I Am A Stranger In My Own City

By Lintang Bob Yong

As I need to tidy up some of my financial arrangements, I made a trip alone to Hong Leong Bank with the help of a GPS. HLB is situated at No. 288, Ground Floor of Menera Raja Luat (formerly known as Menara Eon Bank).

During these ten years of my retirement, I seldom venture out to other parts of KL City, other than those places I used to frequent. I must say today I found myself like a stranger in KL City where I once worked. The KL landmarks have changed beyond recognition and it would not be easy to locate places without assistance. The change of the traffic flows added to more confusion to driver like me. Besides the every day’s affair of traffic jams, the hassle of finding a parking lot will increase the stress in me. Fortunately, there were ample parking lots in this building and I had no problem of getting one easily.

I was happy to receive good service and assistance from the staff of HLB and within 20 minutes the matter was done.

Before getting to my car, I wanted to walk around the vicinity, but the rain came and stopped me from doing so. I parked my car at the 5^th floor of the building. After exiting from the parking lot, I realized I drove along an unfamiliar road but was lucky that my GPS came to my rescue and lead me home safely.

Now I understand why so many senior citizens need help to get home.

2015-06-10 Passport Renewal

Lintang Bob Yong

Yesterday, my wife and I went to Jabatan Imigresen at Kelena Jaya to renew our passports. We reached the passport office at approximately 10.00 AM and saw there were already a big crowd of about 200 people waiting to be served. Then I realized we were in a school holidays period. We went straight to the counter and told the personnel that we were senior citizens. We were given 2 numbers and told to wait at counter 3 and 4 for our turns.

Shortly afterwards, my number was called. After the necessary documentations, I was required to have my photo taken right at the serving counter. There was a special machine connecting to the computer next to my seat and the photo was taken right there. Next, I paid a sum of RM 100 (a reduced rate for senior citizen) for a 5-year passport at the next counter and was told to come back and collect my new passport at an hour’s time. I collected my passport at 1.00 PM after lunch at the same complex. The total time taken for the whole process (including lunch time) was just short of 3 hours which I considered to be quick and efficient.

My wife got her passport too and we went home happy that we did not have to wait a day to do this.

2015-03-02 How to park your car on a hillslope

Lintang Bob Yong

It is quite often we hear that drivers were killed by their own runaway cars. This happened when they parked their cars at the road shoulder on downhill or uphill roads.

When you park a car on a steep hill, gravity works against you. If you don't take the proper precautions, accidents can happen.

I noticed many a time our hashers parked their cars on uphill incline without being mindful that their cars may runaway due to mechanical failures or sheer negligence on their part. 

Here is a precautionary measure one can take when car parking on a slope.

Always ensure to turn the front wheels of your vehicle towards the curb of the road shoulder so that they are wedged on the curb. This is a better way than having bricks or other materials put under the wheels.

If there are no road curbs, it is still saver to have the front wheels turn to a certain degree either left or right when parked, to prevent the vehicle from rolling straight down the hill with great speed, and causing damage to property or injury.

 

Extremism is a devil in disguise

By Lintang Bob Yong

In a civilized society there is no excuse whatsoever to murder women, children and innocent people though they may not see eye to eye with you on various issues.

Any heinous acts committed on religious beliefs, by state dictators or rogues terrorists are murders.

We must be able to distinguish right from wrong and make the world a better place for all.

It is comfortable to learn that the countries are getting together and condemn terrorism.

The establishment of a Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) to drown out the voices of extremists and their ilk are commendable and it is now more than ever the international community must embraced itself to walk the talk.