FAX Ground for Rural Area Services

Fly Asian Xpress (FAX) took over the Fokkers 50 from Malaysia Airlines (MAS) last August 2006 under rationalisation domestic flights. MAS has offered to FAX with 10 Fokkers which it had leased from Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad (PMB). However, only 7 Fokkers delivered to FAX.

FAX Chief Operating Officer, Raja Mohd Azmi Raja Razali informed on 15 June 2007 that FAX had to use 7 Fokkers to serve destinations that were served by 10 Fokkers., then make more rounds and carry more load due to decrease in the number of Fokkers.

He said FAX has no choice but to ground these aircraft so that they can put exch of them hhrough exra-intensive checkup and repairs.

The Fokkers are used to serve – among others, Sibu, Kapit, Bintulu, Mukah, Miri, Limbang, Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan – an area equal to about 70% of peninsular Malaysia in size.

UM Relocation

The property developer, Goucoland (M) Bhd controlled by Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan, who owns the Hong Leong Group, had made a bid for the UM grounds for its commercial development project and residential hub worth RM10 billion. The offer is to relocate the university with Guocoland's land area in Sepang, as part of their agenda to build seafront villa and and waterfront bungalows which later to be offered to the university staff, if it succeeds in relocating UM.

Earlier, the company’s proposal to relocate UM had met with objections and arouse the anger of various parties including former vice-chancellor Royal Prof Ungku Aziz. The Government should realise that the entire commercial development project purposes will enrich only a handful few who are already extremely rich (3rd richest man in Malaysia). I feel that this should be strongly opposed by all.

RM5 for 20's Pack Cigarette

The Ministry of Healthy of Malaysia has proposed that the minimum price for a of 20's cigarette should be at least RM5 to discourage price war among the tobacco firms and smoking habits among the teenagers.

It was reported that almost 3 million Malaysian are smokers, and 30% is between 16 to 18 years old. Most of them are being exposed to subtle forms of cigarette advertising, where this includes watching movies of their favourite actors or actress smoking.

The minimum price can't be to high as this will lead to cigarette smuggling into this country. The anti-smoking campaign is still weak in this country same as the enforcement of law, to adopt more smoke-free areas as being in place by our near neighbour, Singapore. Their pack displays how bad the smoke to our healthy.

SMART Tunnel Toll Begins

Today, Friday 15 June 2007, all the users of the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) will be charged a RM2 toll one way. SMART is open only to cars, taxis, MPVs and SUVs not exceeding 2 meter in height. No motorcycles, buses or lorries are allowed. Touch 'n Go and SmartTAG facilities are available for paying toll.

The 9.7km SMART project is meant to divert rain water away from the city centre to prevent flash floods and alleviate traffic congestion along Jalan Sungai Besi to Jalan Ampang. The project is jointly carried out by MMC Corporation Berhad and Gamuda Berhad.

The SMART is the world’s first dual purpose tunnel (double deck), and among the largest in the world with a diameter of 13.2 meters. The construction cost is RM1.9 billion. Road users have been using the motorway for free since 14 May 2007 and they had the option of using the road tunnel for speedier or other roads.

Why RM2 and not below RM2? Should the publics blame SMART for the flash floods which hit areas in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday 10 June 2007, as apart from the motorway, the infrastructure was not fully operational!!.

SMART Tunnel Only Designed for Storm Flood Not Flash Flood

The most recent came at an incongruous time which created some wisecracks in its wake. Sunday’s flash flood hit the city when traffic was already passing through the billion ringgit SMART Tunnel (Storm water management and road tunnel project). It didn’t have a ‘tidal flow’ system yet.

The one thing that went through many people’s mind was why wasn’t the SMART utilised? In fact, motorists who used the tunnel to get home on Sunday found themselves stuck in a bumper-to-bumper crawl after exiting the tunnel to Sungei Besi.

Motorists found their Sunday drive through KL a nightmare. Some who parked their cars for a Sunday outing were pulling at their hair upon seeing their vehicles submerged or floating like boats.

It seem like the SMART flood tunnel is not designed to handle and prevent all floods. A chance viewing of the Discovery Channel programme on the Smart tunnel gave me a dose of national pride that we had finally outwitted nature for a flood-free KL.

Well, Mother Nature had the last laugh on Sunday.

Roti Canai Increase

The recent announcement by Pak Lah on increase in pay and cost of living allowance (COLA) for all government staffs even though it will take effect in July 2007 but already, the prices of goods had gone up after the pay rise announcement.

After the announcement, we can see in the news paper increase in all purpose wheat flour rice, and hence resulted increase in roti canai at all major kasi kandar outlet in Klang Valley.This major traders and food outlets are greedy, and take advantage against current situation. Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal told that the consumer should exercise their rights by boycotting shops that raise prices indiscriminately. What else the consumer can do, if the Government don't look forward to put more people patronizing all those outlets.

A380-800

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is taking the world's first A380 in this December 2007. What is so great of this aircraft, until it takes longer times to deliver this aircraft to its buyer.

The A380, the passenger model, is the largest passenger airliner in the world, superseding the Boeing 747-400.

The world largest customers for this aircraft is Emirates of 47, where the aircraft will cost around USD300 million each. Upon completion all the transaction, where should these aircraft be? Surely its will require huge spaces to accommodate the aircrafts.

The A380 can carry 555 passengers in a three-class configuration or up to 853 passengers (538 on the main deck and 315 on the upper deck) in a single-class economy configuration.

Rural Service Back to MAS

What actually makes Fly Asian Express (FAX) to hand over the rural service to Malaysian AIrline System Berhad (MAS)? What is the rational behind that. Earlier under rationalisation of domestic flights signed in July 2006, for rural area services (RAS) in Sabah and Sarawak have been surrendered to Air Asia from MAS. After MAS had announced its wholly-owned subsidiary, Firefly who offers daily service out of Penang to Kota Bharu, Langkawi, Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu, then FAX has informed to Government its intentions to hand over back RAS to MAS.

Actually, the rural services in Sabah and Sarawak is not really profitable route to any operator. The wost thing is during nine months with FAX, the state authorities always criticised to FAX of not having adequate flights to serve the demands. Was FAX trying to wash its hand by handing over the loss-making rural air services to MAS?

Out of 10's Fokker 50 delivered to FAX in July 2006, only 2's left in 'good condition' at redelivery to MAS, while the remaining can be described as '1/2 Fokker 50', most of the parts being 'robbed' in order to run their daily operation. Fokker 50 spare parts are ceased from any manufacturing. This bad boy always make 'kacau' every where by having backup from  '4th Floor' interference . 

Reshedule Football Match With Man. United

Malaysia is still bargain with Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to ensure that the football match between national team and MU continues as scheduled. Why this issue has became more complicated after the Gov. of Malaysia (our Prime Minister) decided that the match to continue in conjunction of our 50-year independent day.

Since both parties look like still arguing with each other, why not we come out with some amicable settlement that the top people never thought before. Make it easy, just delay the game to a later day. If not, just cancel the game, because it is costly to bring this team to Malaysia. Who will sponsor this thing? It's is our own money, we are the one who pays the tax to government.

Actually, this game is nothing to do with our independent day, and of course this year is Visit Malaysia Year. There a lot of ways to bring more visitors to our country. We can do something that can be benefited to our country, rather than this team. Btw, what so great about MU after lost to Chelsea today in the final FA game 1-0.

Kaizerz

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