Travel & Lifestyle Tips on JB Malaysia, BKK Thailand & SG Singapore - From A Foreigner (Asing) Living In / Commuting Between These Countries. AsingInJB is on INSTAGRAM & TWITTER. On FACEBOOK, it's "Asing Injb".
Human & Vehicle Traffic Throng The Causeway - GoogleImages
I salute the thousands who brave the heat and bureacracy just to make the crossing each day to put food on the table for their family. Reminds us to count our blessings and not to take life or our loved ones for granted. Kudos to all of these folks. As reported by Star Asia News, an average of 295,731 people use the two land crossings between Malaysia and Singapore daily - namely the newer Tuas Second Link and the very old Woodlands Causeway, the latter of which had been a bone of contention between the two countries over the issue of replacing the causeway with a new one or not.
Maddening Vehicle & Human Jam On Woodlands Causeway TodayOnline
State Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said Immigration Department records showed that some 107.9 million people used the Johor Causeway and Second Link last year - that has to one of the busiest in the world, after other heavy cross country customs like Shen Zhen and Hong Kong. What so shocking is that the nearly 108million is purely human traffic - not in the count are human traffic packed in cars, vans, lorries, buses and on motorcycles. It is no wonder observers are labelling both crossings as among the busiest in the world, and badly in need of government intervention and policy changes to overcome congestion at both links.
God Bless The Crowd Who Has To Wait For Hours Sometimes - GoogleImages
Among the steps was beefing up the Immigration Department with another 468 personnel by June this year to man the counters in both places, as previously highlighted in my post on the Sultan of Johor, who is the current King of Malaysia, weighing in on this congestion issue.
After the Sultan raised his concerns on the bad jams affecting commuters, Malaysia customs came on the news announcing they are ensuring that all 351 booths are manned, especially during peak hours, a feat achieved after a freeze on leave by immigration personnel.
Apparently the state government hoped to increase the frequency of the train service to Singapore and have additional bus services from Iskandar Puteri to Boon Lay and Jurong East on the island republic. There were also plans to have more direct flights from Senai International Airport so that locals would not need to travel to Singapore to take flights.
It was also suggested that the police could set up a mobile station on the Causeway, and later at the Second Link, to monitor and control the traffic. Another suggestion was that the Federal Government would allow tourists in tour buses to enter the country without having to bring down their luggage to aid in faster customs clearance. Let's keep our fingers crossed on the Singapore-Malaysia government retreat next month, during which this congestion issue will be raised in a cross-straits effort find an effective solution.
Meanwhile, Be Patient when you come Jalan Jalan in JB.
Which is cheaper to live in? Singapore or Malaysia? This is the news today on MSN when I first logged in this morning. Why did they leave out Thailand? I had argued the same several articles ago where I gave my 3-point strategy on retiring to a cheap locale to stretch that living budget. Singapore is by default not a retiree's best retirement destination especially when you want to stretch the dollar in your golden years. You can read the excerpt below wherein it reveals how investment funds are now buying luxury properties, deeming them "cheap" - certainly only by their standards!
Even Investment Funds Are Starting To Snap Up Properties In Singapore
These luxury apartments and condominiums are by no means "cheap" for regular retirees like me. So Singapore is not my preferred choice for living out the twilight years. However, for earning passive income, yes Singapore still remains my top choice, as explained in my 3 Point Strategy hyperlinke above. To reiterate, yesterday's Straits Times (click photo above for news link) opined that investment funds are buying into Singapore residential properties as the industrial sector has not come down enough for the funds to start snapping up the industrial bargains. The upscale private residential sector however bears sufficient bright sparks for the funds to jump in.
What is my point you ask? I am just reiterating what I had been propounding for awhile - that despite newspapers' sensationalized headlines of property market gloom and doom, there is a silver lining if we seek it out. Like they say, the proof is in the pudding (or some may say the devil is in the details?). I sure hope readers caught the seemingly inconsequential ending of the article above, where Straits Times stated that investment funds are buying into Singapore luxury homes as they are deemed undervalued.
That's the proof and the "devil" I had been alluding to. Rewind to my post Rent Rant, HDB or Condo and Singapore Realty Really? That was exactly the same point I was making in all these previous posts, that Singapore properties are worth snapping up now for future passive income. If you have been holding on to your pot of gold for buying your dream house, now is the time to invest in that property.
Now let's get back to where is it best to retire in? Of the 3 countries in my golden triangle (Singapore, Malaysia & Thailand), I would have to strike Thailand out as it does not allow my frequent driving to and fro easily between countries like I could if I were to retire in Singapore or Malaysia. So Thailand remains as my "playground" where I will frequently visit.
That leaves us Singapore and Malaysia. The MSN infographics which I had screenshot below easily help one make up his or her mind as the comparisons show the cost of living in Malaysia is almost always much less than that of Singapore's:
So with the above infographics - the choice is clear for me. I will retire in Malaysia, continue to earn passive income in Singapore due to the high rate of property investment returns for my passive income, and then I will frequently visit Thailand (and beyond if my budget allows) for health treatments and other rest & relax activities.
I hope you will also be able to find your own "Golden Triangle" for retirement bliss.
As a foreigner living in three different foreign countries, I have seen my fair share of cantankerous tourists imposing their recalcitrant ways on the locals - so much so that I feel the urbanite locals in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia nowadays are increasingly getting impatient with foreigners - and worse, reciprocating with rudeness too. The local customs in each of these countries that I have since called home, bear the hallmarks of true hospitality, kindness and warmth, and it disheartens me to see these cultural traits ebbing as the years pass by due to urbanization and internationalization.
As intruding tourists, we need to adapt as we travel so that we do not bring attention to ourselves, anger the local folks and in turn risk our safety - Read "How I Survive Asia all these years".
THAI ANGER
Respecting The Locals May Be The Best Policy
We have been reading in recent years how in Thailand, some local Thais had taken matters into their own hands when accosted by rude foreigners - be they tourists or expatriates living in their Land of Smiles. Thailand's age old tourism slogan was indeed a true reflection of the happy Thai people some twenty years ago when I started frequenting Thailand. When you were there then, one would indubitably be greeted with a Sawadee Ka or Kup from vendors along the streets - and even if you did not end up buying, smiley farewells were de rigueur. Nowadays, all you get is a cursory glance to see if you are an interested buyer - if not they would just go about their smart phone surfing or texting.
Click Photo Above To Find Out Why I Avoid Bangkok Taxi
The case of the American expatriate being stabbed to death some years back over his disrespect for his taxi driver and over a mere B51 (S$2 or MR6) taxi fare highlights the stress bestowed upon both locals and foreigners in Thailand as both groups struggle to co-exist and adapt with the country's fast globalization. This unfortunate societal change has also manifested in Singapore recent years when we see foreigners visiting or living in Singapore getting themselves on the wrong side of the law due to unruly behaviour.
SINGAPOREAN MISBEHAVIOR
Recently a video posted by an irate Malaysian went viral. The video documented his altercation with a matured Singaporean couple - the latter was filmed being berated for being inconsiderate to park in a handicap lot when they do not have the proper handicap label. What could have been settled amicably spiralled into a heated argument when the coupled reversed into the Malaysian's motorbike in an effort to drive away. To make matters even worse, the couple reneged on their promise to donate a sum to charity in lieu of paying damages for the downed bike. Again, where is the common courtesy which would have circumvented the entire saga if one has observed the right thing to do - especially in a foreign land? I must say the Malaysian's virtue is commendable, but attitude? Well, they say the road to hell is paved with good intentions!
MALAYSIAN GANGLAND KILLING
Sad news today from Kota Kinabalu when an innocent twin brother was caught in the middle of a gangland style assassination right during the morning rush hour in East Malaysia. I have always observed that local business owners adopt a very docile and non-confrontational attitude towards doing business in Malaysia. I have since realized that is because they know bad elements lurk in dark corners of our society, so the more you treat others with respect and integrity, the less trouble is steered your way. My supposition is that the intended victim - the driver of the car - ran into some business disagreement with the wrong element and was hence taken out gangland style in broad daylight. It is very unfortunate another innocent life was taken along during this hineous drive-by killing.
Innocent Twin Killed
Business Owner Killed In His Car While At Traffic Light
So to all tourists in a foreign land - do as the locals do - be respectful and go Jalan Jalan without bringing your high-horse standards of your motherland to others' homeland. When we steer clear of trouble, trouble tends to steer clear of you.
Johor adds manpower
to keep more immigration counters open
Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar (Free Malaysia Today)
I am sure all of you read recently
what the Sultan of Johor - the current King of Malaysia crowned last year and
who will be King for the next 6 years in accordance to the rotation of the
throne among the state Sultans in Malaysia - said about how he is empathetic
towards those like us who are increasingly frustrated by the Singapore-Malaysia
customs crossing. The jams used to be only at the Woodlands Causeway, but
ever since the influx of Singaporeans living in Johor, and the equalizing of
tolls fees with Woodlands, the Tuas 2nd Crossing has experienced horrible jams
of between one to three hours of waiting in the scorching sun.
It is therefore with great welcome when news today said the state immigration
department is beefing up its numbers at the two land crossings into Singapore
so soon after public criticism that the immigration booths are not open
especially during peak hours, and just days after the Sultan made his remarks.
King of Johor in a Meeting (Malaysia Chronicle)
Additional manpower from other
parts of the state and the headquarters is being deployed at the Bangunan
Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex (CIQ) and Sultan
Abu Bakar CIQ complex at the Second Link.
Besides the bigger deployment, leave
for almost 1,700 officers at these two locations has been frozen to ensure
adequate manpower at the counters.
The CIQ in Johor Baru is
currently manned by about 1,200 officers and there are 500 at the Second
Link. The customs had previously given the excuse that they were short of
manpower and hence less booths were manned.
Johor immigration director
Rohaizi Ibrahim said the new measures were taken from early this month.
The good news to everyone's ears - especially those who had to travel back and
forth between Singapore and Malaysia for work - is that the customs are
opening almost all the counters all the time.
With this latest development, the
traffic situation had improved but there were also other factors that
contributed to the congestion, which I think the governments in Singapore and
Malaysia have to sort out quickly to prevent escalation of the
congestion. The crossings into Singapore are important for Johor's economy
and both the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Johor Mentri Besar
Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin were also concerned - which probably explains this
quick turn of events.
So a big thank you to Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum
Sultan Iskandar for urging the customs and relevant departments to keep
all the booths open always. It goes to show that the people’s Sultan has heard
the mounting complaints from us that many of the booths were not open during
peak hours and holidays.
And for the Ruler to say that he
felt sorry for the thousands of Malaysians and Singaporeans who were stuck in
traffic jams at the Causeway due to congestion, especially during holidays and
the festive season - I say what a great compassionate King and how lucky
Malaysians are to have a ruler such as Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar!
Lastly, for those of you out
there who had been procrastinating that trip over the two Causeways, we hope to
see you here in JB very soon.
I know its a day old news but seeing our Johor Sultan allegedly on the list is quite surprising - but perhaps there is an explanation for off-shoring wealth legally? Many however are probably also shocked that not 1 or 2 but 3 of Malaysia VVIPs' scions are also listed!
I had irreverently once joked to my partner about having to watch my back in a foreign country, what with my European features coupled with increasing lone wolf attacks on innocent citizens in America, Europe and the Middle East. I even inadvertently started sitting away from sidewalks of cafe as seated in the open leaves my back unprotected.
As paranoia seeps in, I now almost prefer to sit within the air-conditioned confines of any dining establishment - yes al fresco is over-rated anyways in near 40 degree heatwave!
And then this news nugget came out today...may the poor soul rest in peace and may our society take care of its own mentally inept - especially with the rise in the level of stress in our daily lives.
The ISIS South East Asia Caliphate threat is real...Let's keep our eyes peeled and ears trained for any suspicious activities and do our citizen vigilence duties. This is the only way to keep our beautiful homeland free from extremism and acts of terror.
And then we can continue to Jalan Jalan at our own free will. PEACE!
UPDATED MAY5, 2016 STRAITS TIMES, Singapore:
Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said yesterday that the discovery of a terror cell here is a strong signal that Singapore cannot let its guard down.
Singapore could well have been one of the group's targets, he noted.
"They were prepared to attack anywhere," he said. "If they had been directed to attack in Singapore, they would have attacked in Singapore."
His comments come a day after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced that eight Bangladeshi workers were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) late last month for plotting terror attacks back in their country.
The men had called their group Islamic State in Bangladesh (ISB), and had a list of targets and bomb-making manuals, and raised funds to buy firearms. Mr Shanmugam said: "You and I don't go in search of these things and collect money, identify people you are going to target, so there is concern."
Speaking to reporters yesterday before a closed-door forum on religious extremism at Temasek Polytechnic, he noted that the latest arrests, along with recent attacks in Paris and Jakarta, showed the terror threat is serious and that it is here to stay.
There are at least two more ISB members in Bangladesh. Mr Shanmugam said the fate of those men depended on the Bangladeshi authorities, adding that the Government was cooperating with them.
Yesterday, MHA also revealed that the eight men, who are aged between 26 and 34, were arrested between late March and early April, and given two-year detention orders in late April.
All had worked here for between three and 10 years, and when they first came to work, were not known to be radicalised or involved in terrorism-related activities.
The group's leader, Rahman Mizanur, 31, worked as a draftsman in a local construction firm, and had worked on and off in Singapore since 2007. He returned here last December, and there was no information to suggest that he had radicalised views.
MHA also named the five other Bangladeshi nationals picked up in the case. They were not involved in ISB, but owned or spread jihadi-related materials, or promoted armed violence. All five have been deported, and arrested in Dhaka. They are: Evan Galib Hassan Chowdhury, Rana Masud, Pailot Md Rana Miea, Islam Tanjemul and Alomgir Md.
MHA said the ISB members had met largely in open parks or fields.
They are still under investigation, and are not known to have acted on plans to buy firearms yet, it added.
"Several of them are liable to be prosecuted for terrorism financing. Investigations are still ongoing and we are not able to comment further on this matter," the ministry said.
The ISB is the first group comprising all foreigners to be detained under the ISA for terrorism-related activities in Singapore.
There are 23 people currently detained under the ISA for terror activities. The other 15 are Singaporeans.
MHA stressed that there was "no indication" that these ISB members were also part of the group of 27 Bangladeshi men arrested last year, all of whom have been deported.
Efforts to reach out to foreign workers have also been stepped up.
How many times have we left the car engine running for the comfort of our family or other passengers who wanted the air condition blowing - while you the driver run off to do some banking errands or the snack shop to get drinks and tidbits?
We have all been guilty of doing that I am sure. Lately in Johor Bahru and Singapore alike, I am seeing more and more of such occurence due to the current heatwave plaguing the countries. I do not blame them, for there is also a lack of local legislation against leaving the car engines running while in stationary position. In Malaysia, such incidents are even more rampant because the cost of petrol or gasoline for vehicles are almost half that of Singapore, so drivers are not as conscientious in turning off the engines when they run off for errands - leaving sometimes sleeping babies or children and pets in the comfort of the air conditioned vehicles.
News today said a man died in his car after his car engine, which was left running while he napped, caught on fire and burnt him to death. This is very unfortunate and perhaps in some ways serves as a reminder for us to be more environmentally friendly by turning off the ignition. Apart from helping to save the world from more emissions, it just might save our lives too.
The above news also reminded me of how recently, more and more local cars in Malaysia, as well as vehicles from Singapore, are going to car workshops to have their cars modified and all tricked out so as to get a few more horsepower out of the stock engines the cars come with.
It looks from the photo above that the victim was driving a sports car which may or may not have been modified. My guess is if it were a JB plate car, there will be some modifications on it. With many drivers coming to JB to have their ride modified, there is a real risk of engines overheating....especially when the drivers are not great in their automotive mechanics knowledge and leave their machines to the whims and fancies of the mechanics.
While I am just as guilty of the above, I think drivers should be aware that they should at least research online what they are doing to their rides before handing the cars over to the workshops for modifications. More importanly, they should go only to reputable workshops and not just any one of hundreds which have popped up recently in Johor Bahru. The best ones are those which friends have recommended because of good quality service.
This is a lso a good reminder to all of us to keep up with our car maintenance and repairs...and for me to share my good and reasonably priced car mechanic shops in JB for bodyworks, maintenance and repairs....so that you guys can Jalan Jalan in JB safely.
