Thaipusam, Speculators, Toyota $ Honda and Fuel Subsidy.

THAIPUSAM

Hindus in Malaysia celebrate Thaipusam this week end. This is the festival where Hindus redeem their sins for the past year.

1997 Currency Crisis

Some people ask me if I really learned Finance instead of Engineering why I did not write something about the 97 crisis. I will write about the speculators etc one day provided I meet two persons I dearly missed,one an Asian women who hailed from Johor and the other a Caucasian women whose family came from Outlook Saskatchewan Canada.
The fact is I don't remember many things. I cannot remember the day I left Saskatoon in Oct 1990 or the airline I flew from Saskatoon to Vancouver (either Air Canada or Canadian).I cannot remember the flight from Vancouver to Hong Kong,the hotel I stayed in Hong Kong 14th Oct 1990 or even the person I talked to then.I don't think it was Japanese Airline which flew me from Vancouver to HK and obviously I talked to a Caucasian blond lady while in Hong Kong.
But one thing which was certain, in 1995 The Malaysian Economy was in bad shape although the GDP was 7% or 8%. I was working for a month at the Golden Arches then...
I can be as blunt as Tun Dr Mahathir but the fact is I passed my Finance course.I did three years of business school and I was NOT A DROP OUT in October 1990.
I remember during an interview between 1991-1995 the women laughed when I told her about Lotus 123 spreadsheet or NCSS (Number Cruncher Statistical System). So maybe she will laugh again if I mention Excel formulas.


TOYOTA

I presume it is really painful for Mr Akio Toyoda to apologize to Toyota owners regarding the recall. But on behalf of my late father who went to a Japanese school during 2nd world war, I accepted his apology.


HONDA

Now that Honda too have to make some model recalls, I wonder if other car makers will follow suit.


NEW FUEL SCHEME

Commencing May 2010, the Najib administration will introduce a new fuel subsidy scheme. Fuel would be sold according to engine cc and Malaysians have to show their My Kad I/C everytime we refuel. This showing of My Kad is NOT a good idea. Even the Petronas Mesra Card can easily be swapped with the lower point cards.
Obviously if you can afford to buy a big cc car then you are not entitle to the fuel subsidy.

The Proton Persona 1.6 Automatic is a good car. To me LOTUS handling is non comparable.


Happy VALENTINE Day to my Valentine $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Gong Xi Fa Cai to my Chinese readers