Solar Hybrid For the Rural & Remote Areas of Sabah

The Solar Hybrid project in Kg Kalabakan, Tawau, shows that the use of renewable energy in Sabah rural areas that are far removed from the electricity network is technically possible and economically feasible. In the long run the regenerative energy supply systems will drive ahead sustainable and decentralised energy supply here. ( Picture above : -The Solar Farm in Kg Kalabakan )

As in the case of Kg Kalabakan, some 4,000 residents are expected to benefit from the solar hybrid project when it is fully operational in about two months time. For the record, residents in Kalabakan, which is located about 100 kilometres from Tawau, have been using generator sets to power electricity to their homes.

Energy is vital for sustaining life on earth. Energy was, is and will remain the basic foundation which determines the stability of economic development of any nation. It is needed to increase the quality of life. Supply of energy for both biotic and a-biotic life support systems, is only possible by exploiting natural resources. However, careless exploitations of these resources ultimately affect the environment on which such systems thrives. The energy problem is, thus, synonymous to elogical and economic problems. The present efforts should, therefore, be focused to find an optimal solution for guaranteeing sustainable energy supply.

( Pictures - left with the software engineers from KL during the site visit on the 18th July 2009 at the Kg Kalabakan main solar station and left after energising the control room at Kg Murut station in Kalabakan,Tawau )

( Pictures - left is the generator room and on the right is the controller panel )

Altough Solar Hybrid systems are not a universal solution for all energy problems, there are many applications all over the world where they have been established as the least cost option for providing basic electricity supply.

Proper design of systems to match user requirements is the most important factor to consider in planning such projects. Proper selection of proven and tested components is also an important aspect.

The on going policies by the Federal Ministry of Education and Ministry of Rural and Regional Development to introduce and use solar hybrid systems to provide and generate electricity to rural and remote areas of Sabah is commendable.

( The Solar Farm at Kg Kalabakan main solar station and the solar panel installed )

We hope the policies would continue to cover all the rural and remote areas of Sabah before the end of the 10th Malaysian Plan, so that the schools and villagers at these places could enjoy the benefits of electricity as their fellow citizens do in the urban areas.

Is CASH deregistered?

Since the publication of the news report concerning the deregistration of CASH ( Consumers Association of Sabah & FT Labuan ) by the Registrar of Societies today ( 17 July 2009 ) by all the local newspapers in Sabah, I have been stormed by many calls and sms wanting me to comment further on the issue.

I myself haven't read the news report yet. I was informed that it was made by our former secretary general Hashima Hasbullah Yahya. As I am writing this article, I'm somewhere in the Kalabakan area doing a site survey for a national utility company. When I left Tawau early this morning all the local newspapers from the state capital has not arrived. So, I don't know and have not seen the contents of the story yet to give comments.

At this point of time, I do not want to comment anything on the issue but will do so if need be upon my return to Kota Kinabalu. I am sure Hashima would not call for a news conference in the first place and made the announcement publicly if there is no evidence or notice made available to her by the Registrar of Societies on the deregistration of CASH.

The public has the right to know of whats going on since the investigations started by the relevant authorities on CASH in early February. The public can contact the Registrar of Societies to confirm or verify the matter in order to avoid confusion or being misled by CASH.

I would like to take this opportunity also to inform you that if you or your friends are having problems with any consumers related issues and would like me to help you to sort out the matter, please do not hesitate to contact me here or by email at aduan.awam@gmail.com

There is no charge for the services rendered but would be very grateful if you could please give me your contact details and the problem that you are having.

I would also like to hear from you or your friends if you had any bad experienced borrowing money from Ah Long or illegal moneylenders during the last few years.

All details given to me would be treated as strictly private and confidential and would only be released to a third party upon your approval and permission to do so.


Nordin Thani,
Former Deputy President I, CASH

Alternatively, you can send the details of your complaints by post to the address below :-

P.O.Box 20804,
Luyang, 88765,
Kota Kinabalu.

TIME TO ACT AGAINST THE MUSLIM AH LONGS

The relevant authorities dealing with Islamic laws and enforcement should consider taking action against illegal moneylenders or "Ah Longs" in the state for taking advantage of Muslims and other bumiputera in the kampongs in need of cash.

All of us are fully aware that majority of Ah Longs operating throughout the state are non-Muslims while those who are Muslims are mostly non-Malaysians from the Indian sub-continent.

The Muslim Ah Longs are found to be concentrating on those in the lower income group such as petty traders and hawkers operating at the open markets and tamu areas such as Inanam, Menggatal, Tuaran and Papar.

These moneylenders are charging exorbitant interests and 45% of their customers income goes towards repayment of the loan. The relevant authorities dealing with Islamic laws and enforcement should consider taking action against them as this would not only stop them from conducting the illegal moneylending activities but also serve to remind Muslims that dealing with illegal moneylenders who practise usury is in clear violation of Quranic commandments.

The Quran forbids usury, not interest and the Arabic language also makes distinction between earning interest ( faedah ) and Usury ( Riba ) and that the Quran forbids Riba.

Usury or Riba is an excessive interest and the illegal Muslims moneylenders are charging usury or riba as they have entirely separate standards for making loans.

They have been operating since the early seventies and nobody has stop them. There is talk among the agents of non-Muslim Ah Longs that it is not fair to them that the authorities are after them while these Muslim Ah Longs are free to do what they like.

Perhaps the only difference between the two is that the Muslim Ah Longs will not turn nasty, impatient and intolerant if they could not collect money from their borrowers while the non-Muslim Ah Longs would resort to harassing, intimidating and threatening their borrowers if they are in default.

Baju Born to Rock Drink and F**K di Masjid.

Mungkin pemansuhan PPSMI ada kaitan dengan gambar di atas, di mana jemaah ini tidak faham apa ertinya "FxxK" yang tertulis di bajunya itu. Menteri dah buat komen mengatakan penguasaan Bahasa Inggeris dalam kalangan guru dan pelajar adalah sangat rendah dan terpaksa mengubah sistem yang sedia ada untuk memperkukuhkan kedudukan bahasa inggeris tetapi pada masa yang sama mendaulatkan Bahasa Malaysia.

Bagaimana pula penguasaan Bahasa Inggeris di kalangan masyarakat umum ? Atau dah faham tetapi buat pura-pura tak faham? Lihat saja baju yang ertinya dilahirkan untuk rock, minum dan xxx tu di bawa ke masjid untuk diperlihatkan kepada jemaah yang lain!

Saya berpendapat Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan harus mengharamkan penjualan baju-baju yang mengandungi kata-kata seperti ini dan yang berunsur jenayah, seks, dadah dan yang mana difikirkan tidak sesuai untuk dipandang oleh orang ramai.

CHECK FIRST BEFORE ENROLLED!!

Parents and school leavers should verify the authenticity of short courses offered through newspaper advertisements or leaflets distibuted at public places with the Ministry of Education first before they enrol.

Many parents and students whom had been misled by the gimmicks had lodged a complaint to me via emails and left messages in my "kontactr me" provided here.

As an example, one language learning centre in the city assured students that they could learn and speak English well within three months after enrolling. After the three months period over, the school then gave another excuse that the students should follow an advance or another intensive course before they could register for an English test inorder to qualify to sit for an external exam.

The school only mentioned about the three months period but never inform the parents or students that there would be another extra classes or courses to follow. Not only the students are being misled but also cheated by this unscrupulous organisation trying to make quick money from those innocent students and parents.

If you happen to hear any of these cases involving a college or any short courses on offered by a dubious business organisation please contact me. I'm in the midst of compiling a report for the relevant government agencies to follow up and take appropriate action against them.

BUKAN MUDAH UNTUK MARTABATKAN DIRI JIKA MASIH BERHUTANG

Pada masa ini bukan senang untuk siswazah mendapatkan pekerjaan jika dibandingkan dengan tahun lapan puluhan. Apabila sudah mendapat pekerjaan, banyak pula masalah yang hendak difikirkan.

Di antara masalah yang harus diselesaikan ialah hutang pinjaman pengajian daripada agensi-agensi kerajaan tempat mereka berhutang.

Rata-ratanya ramai anak-anak bumiputera Sabah meminjam daripada agensi-agensi kerajaan untuk melanjutkan pengajian mereka. Oleh sebab itu, sebelum mereka digelar siswazah mereka sudah pun mempunyai hutang.

Dengan gaji yang kecil, susah bagi mereka hendak berjimat, memiliki rumah dan kereta serta untuk mendirikan rumah tangga. Ada yang sentiasa memikirkan bagaimana hendak membalas budi ibu-bapa dan membantu adik-adik mereka dalam suasana terhimpit.

Jadi tidak hairanlah jika kita dengar ramai kakitangan kerajaan (bekas pelajar tersebut) berhutang dengan Ah Long. Apa sebabnya mereka berhutang dengan Ah Long, ramai yang tidak dapat menjawabnya hanya mereka yang berhutang sahaja tahu jawapannya.

Bagi graduan yang menggangur pula tekanan yang mereka hadapi lebih berat lagi kerana mereka harus memikirkan soal perbelanjaan harian dan untuk membayar balik pinjaman pengajian mereka itu. Bukan senang untuk membayar balik pinjaman sekiranya tidak mempunyai sebarang pekerjaan.

Ada pihak pula mahukan golongan ini menceburi bidang perniagaan dan keusahawanan. Ada yang berminat tetapi malangnya apabila mereka memohon untuk mendapatkan pinjaman perniagaan mereka gagal.

Peluang untuk menjadi guru bahasa inggeris kini terbuka luas apabila kementerian pelajaran mengumumkan mereka memerlukan penambahan guru bahasa inggeris untuk memantapkan lagi mata pelajaran berkenaan setelah diumumkan dasar PPSMI digantikan dengan strategi memartabatkan Bahasa Malaysia dan memantapkan Bahasa Inggeris.

Jadi para graduan yang masih lagi menggangur rebutlah peluang ini.

Tetapi alangkah baiknya sekiranya pihak kerajaan dapat menukarkan pinjaman tersebut kepada biasiswa sebagai insentif sekiranya pelajar tersebut mendapat keputusan yang cemerlang atau luar biasa?

Sekiranya ini terjadi saya percaya ramai pelajar-pelajar kita yang meminjam daripada agensi-agensi kerajaan akan cuba sedaya upaya mereka untuk mendapatkan keputusan yang cemerlang di samping itu dapat membantu mereka memartabatkan diri untuk mencapai wawasan 2020.

BEWARE OF MEN PRODUCTS SOLD ON STREETS AND MARKETS

The Ministry of Health and other relevant enforcement agencies should check health products that are sold openly on the streets and at open market in the city vicinity and towns throughout the state.

These products are not even approved by the Ministry of Health. There is no ministry logo or any other approval agency registration number on its label. Amongst the products sold are weight-loss tablets which promise customers to look slim and Tongkat Ali special capsules which promise sex drive for men.

Majority of the sales person are foreigners knowing from their accent when trying to convince customers to buy. These products have not been tested and proven to be working by the authorities. It could be a fraud that could cheat customers of their time listening, money and most importantly their health.

There are also few salesman from China selling sex drive products on the streets showing testimonials from customers from other parts of the world that they have travelled to, proving that their products are genuine and working well.

All the products on sale and displayed includes "Delay Spray For Men", " Increasing Men Genital Parts by 3" in 3 months" and " Erection cream for Men "

They even assured customers that if the product doesn't work, their money would be returned but didn't inform the customers where and how to reach them except for a mobile number that's even not active given on a pamphlet.

A special surveillance and enforcement team is needed from the relevant agency to combat all these misleading and deceptive advertising and to confiscate the products for testing of their true and actual contents.

Perhaps a seminar or campaign could be organized to prevent innocent consumers from becoming victims of fraud by educating them on how to recognize authorized health products that are approved by the Health Ministry.

PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION - Why It's Essential

Thank you Mrs Greaves of Northamptonshire for reading my article on Satellite Television and contacting me to respond to your enquiries.

I am now based in Malaysia but I occasionally help to design SMATV for a company I used to work with and trained their technicians and engineers in Harrow, Middlesex.

For the benefit of other readers, I would like at this opportunity, to restate the need for an accurate professional dish installation to ensure good picture quality and to avoid interference from adjacent satellites.

A misaligned dish increases the risk of interference. The misalignment may be caused by wind or by the incorrect pointing of the dish during its original installation. Due to the close proximity of other satellites - approximately 3 degrees from ASTRA ( in your case ) - it is important alignment is accurate. This 3 degrees separation guarantees an interference free reception by dishes that are correctly pointed.

If I may recall, we had similar problems in 1995 where an ongoing technical co-ordination between EUTELSAT and ASTRA causes minor interference if the dishes are slightly misappointed. I'm sorry I cant help you much on the technical aspects of the problem you are facing, since i left UK I am out of touch on the matter.

My best bet is to contact and consult the Confederation of Aerial Industries asking them to recommend any of their members located near you to check on your system. I can assured you that all CAI members commands respect and shows that all their technicians and engineers are of the highest calibre and work to the highest standards. Alternatively, you can contact your nearest authorised Sky TV dealer and the citizen advice bureau office for action against your previous installer.

The only way to ensure accurate pointing of the dish to the targetted satellite is to use a signal strength meter. Make sure your installer use a good quality channel selective signal meter inorder to get optimum signal from the satellite.

By using the signal strength meter he can adjust the azimuth/elevation and polarisation to optimise the received signal strength and picture quality not by referring to the signal indicator in the receiver/decoder itself.

SCHOOL CHILDREN ACCESSING ILLICIT SITES FOR FREE

The relevant authorities should impose new regulations before issuing new licences or renewing existing licences to all cyber café operators in the state. The operator must install a filtering system as a requirement so that school children could be controlled and prevented from reaching the unwanted sites of the outside world.

These school children would normally play online games when they first entered the premises and later switch over to nude, pornography and other illicit sites that are available. They also gamble when playing these online games by placing money or other bets to satisfied themselves.

Some operators of these cyber café in the city area are still running illegal gambling fruit or slot machines. This has indirectly influenced those school children that happen to be in the premises ( watching the adults gamble ) to become gamblers in the future.

The authorities, when do the checking must check the wiring or cable attached to all the computers. It is known that the computer are connected to a main server placed inside the office.Others using a wireless router so that the software or link could not detected in the computer.

The local authority should also increase its monitoring and inspections more frequently to all the cyber cafes in the city to prevent this from happening. School children with their school uniform on should not be allowed to enter the premises as apart of the conditions for issuing licences.

If they are found running and operating not according to the terms and conditions for the issuance of such license, their licences should be revoked immediately.

On an another note, sometimes we wonder how come there's so many 4Digit special draws and the following questions lingers in my mind and need answers :-

1. Who decide and approve all the 4d operators special draws?

2. Why is there so many special draws?

3. Who benefited from these special draws?

4. Where does the 15% tax imposed by the state government goes to?

5. If it is for charity, how come the public is not inform about it?

6. To avoid too many special draws and compulsive gamblers placing bets on three operators on any drawn days....why not the government merged these operators so that there is only one operator and increase the amount of prize money? If they can do it with the banks and financial institutions, I'm sure they can do it with these 4D operators.

7. The sad thing is, sixty percent of those seen cueing during draw days are our muslim brothers. If the number of draws and outlets could be reduce, at least the authority can save these gamblers from patronising all the outlets. To save money on tax, many would look for those operators operating illegally mostly in coffee shops in town. Nobody can stop anyone from gambling but the least we could do is to reduce gamblings!!

Special draws as advertised on local papers

Ah Long bermaharajalela di Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan

Sejak cerita pasal Pajak Gadai dan Ah Long disiarkan di dalam blog ini, saya telah menerima banyak laporan dan aduan daripada mangsa melalui ruang "contact me".

Apa yang menjadi tumpuan dan perhatian saya adalah aduan dan laporan yang saya terima daripada seorang mangsa Ah Long di Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan. Beliau telah mengirim kepada saya semua salinan resit-resit, surat perjanjian, dokumen -dokumen dan gambar yang telah diambil untuk dijadikan sebagai bahan dan bukti sekiranya pihak berkuasa berniat untuk mengambil tindakan terhadap Ah Long di pulau tersebut.

Selain daripada Ah Long dan Pemberi Pinjaman Wang Berlesen, syarikat-syarikat menjual handphone dan kedai emas juga menjalankan aktiviti-aktiviti memberi pinjaman wang dengan mengenakan faedah 12%-20% sebulan atau 144% setahun tidak termasuk bayaran penalti yang akan dikenakan sekiranya
hutang tertunggak atau pembayaran tidak mengikut jadual yang telah ditetapkan.

Perniagaan seumpama ini bolehlah di anggap sebagai perniagaan skim cepat kaya kerana Ah Long mengambil kesempatan di waktu mangsa memerlukan wang.

Sebagai contoh pada tahun 2006 si penggadu telah meminjam wang daripada sebuah kedai handphone berjumlah RM12,400.00 untuk membayar yuran pengajian dan membiayi perbelanjaan dua orang anaknya yang menuntut di sebuah kolej swasta di Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.

Oleh kerana terdesak dan pihak bank pula tidak dapat meluluskan permohonan pinjaman beliau dalam tempoh yang diperlukan maka tidak ada pilihan baginya melainkan meminjam daripada Ah Long.

Pada mulanya, beliau hanya ingin meminjam RM10,000.00 tetapi oleh kerana ada potongan pentadbiran dan pengurusan yang harus dibayar, maka beliau terpaksa meminjam RM12,400.00 untuk mendapatkan RM10,540.00 tersebut.
( RM12,400.00 less 15% admin & management fees RM1,860.00 = RM10,540.00 )

Jumlah faedah yang dikenakan ialah 12% sebulan, ia itu RM1,488.00 daripada jumlah RM12,400 yang dipinjamkan. Jumlah bayaran balik yang harus dibayar pada tiap-tiap bulan ialah RM1,490.00 termasuk RM2.00 stamp duty.

Pada bulan September 2007 hingga November 2007, beliau tidak dapat membayar hutang beliau disebabkan ada seorang ahli keluarga yang terdekat jatuh sakit dan memerlukan wang pembedahan di Hospital SMC, Kota Kinabalu.

Tanpa ada perasaan dan balas kasihan, Ah Long tersebut pula mengambil kesempatan dengan mendenda beliau dan mengarahkanya supaya membayar RM16,864.00 termasuk penalti dan wang pengurusan mulai daripada bulan Disember 2007 hinggalah selesai hutang tersebut. Di manakah rasional dan justifikasinya? Sedangkan wang yang dipinjam bukannya digunakan untuk membeli barangan kemas tetapi untuk membiayi persekolahan anaknya dan orang kesayanganya untuk menjalankan pembedahan.

Apabila saya semak penyata kewangan beliau, dia telah membayar RM11,920.00 daripada bulan Julai 2006 hingga Aug 2007 hanya kurang RM480.00 untuk menjelaskan hutangnya. Oleh kerana takut diugut dan dikacau di tempat kerjanya, hutangnya pula semakin bertambah daripada RM12,400 menjadi RM28,664.00 ( RM12,400 + RM16,864.00 ).

Sehingga hari ini beliau masih lagi membayar RM500.00 pada setiap bulan seperti yang telah ditetapkan sehingga selesainya jumlah hutang tersebut. Mengikut rekod baki hutang beliau hanya tinggal RM7,864.00 lagi. Jumlah pembayaran balik sudah melebihi jumlah wang pokok yang dipinjam dan faedah yang telah ditetapkan .

Sebenarnya, saya tidak hairan perkara seperti ini berlaku di Labuan. Daripada pengalaman saya sejak tahun 2004 lagi mengendalikan kes-kes Ah Long di Sabah, modus operandi mereka semuanya sama.

Walau bagaimanapun, saya akan memaklumkan perkara ini kepada pihak yang bertanggungjawab dan berkaitan supaya tindakan undang-undang dapat di ambil terhadap Ah Long - Ah Long yang beroperasi secara haram di Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan dengan harapan ianya akan dapat membanteras kegiatan haram mereka itu.

Kedai handphone dijadikan tempat mengurus pinjaman dan pajak gadai

MYSTERY HOW MINISTRY PICKS SOLAR CONTRACTORS

AS REQUESTED BY MANY, AM POSTING THIS ARTICLE HERE FOR THE BENEFITS OF FRIENDS NOT RESIDING IN SABAH. THIS ARTICLE APPEARS IN TODAYS PAPER ( Sunday, 5 July 2009 -Daily Express ) UNDER COLUMN " WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY"

In a few weeks time , all contractors that have been awarded to design, supply and install solar hybrid projects to the rural and remote schools and villages throughout the state will commence their work according to the specifications and guidelines given by the respective Ministries.

The total value of the projects to be implemented by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Rural and Regional Development for this year alone are estimated between RM500m to RM600m. ( MoE RM450m + MRRD RM150m )

Solar Panel installed in a farm in South Africa to generate electricity for the villages

It is known that many contractors for the projects awarded by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development which go through the process of restricted tenders and negotiations has gone through a stringent selection process before the project is awarded.

This include registration with the the relevant authorities such as TNB ( Tenaga Nasional Berhad or Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd, PKK ( Pusat Khidmat Kontraktor ) and CIDB ( Construction Industry Development Board ) and the most important thing of all is the contractor's experience and proven track record.

Whilst with the Ministry of Education, nobody seems to know what is the basis for the selection of companies. The reasons are only known to them and JKR ( Jabatan Kerja Raya ). Majority of the companies that participated are Sabah-based local companies who have good track record and experience in the supply of the solar hybrid system but were not even shortlisted for the MoE restricted tenders or were not even considered.

However, the good news is that after the design and specifications problems were highlighted and exposed by Daily Express, MoE decided to appoint new consultants for their projects. But, we must remember that appointing inexperienced contractors withoutproven track records would not help and do the job properly. The important component is the equipment and product used for the supply and installation of the system itself. An independent body should be appointed to audit and check records of equipment supplied and that whatever brand of products used during the last two years of the project are working properly.

They should ask for a detailed report of the commissioning of all the equipment before approval is made. There are plenty of solar companies from abroad and their agents in Malaysia since the last few months trying to introduce and sell their products and systems but not many had given complete data and proven track records.

There is also talk that the phase one MoE solar hybrid projects completed few months ago had encountered many technical problems where the solar panel doesn't work and the system are too dependent on generators to supply electricity instead of from the sun via the solar panels and cells.

The Government already lost several hundred million ringgit few years back on the solar stand alone projects which until today all the equipment installed had become obsolete. The Government must and should learn from these mistakes.

The Government must also work very closely with other foreign agencies that specialised in renewable energy so that this industry could be established to our very own standards and accreditation scheme which will fall in line with the latest international trends.

The renewable energy industry is currently quite fractured and the hope is that through this initiative, our own national standards and accreditation will be established.

As it is for now, there is no such standard to enable the designers and technicians to confidently and competently design a Hybrid System using Photo-Voltaic modules for the solar industry in Malaysia.

SELEPAS AH LONG GILIRAN PENGUSAHA PAJAK GADAI PULA...

Majoriti Peniaga Meminjam dpd Ah Long

Tahniah diucapkan kepada Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein kerana berani mengisyhtiharkan perang terhadap Ah Long. Kini tibalah masanya untuk giliran Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan pula untuk menyerang kedai-kedai pajak gadai di Sabah.

Ini kerana hampir semua kedai pajak gadai di Sabah beroperasi tanpa kelulusan atau lesen yang sah di bawah Akta Pajak Gadai 1972. Mereka beroperasi hanya menggunakan lesen perniagaan yang dikeluarkan oleh majlis daerah atau pihak berkuasa tempatan sahaja.

Selama ini mereka bebas daripada sebarang gangguan daripada pihak berkuasa oleh sebab itu perniagaan ini tumbuh bagaikan cendawan selepas hujan. Misalnya, kedai yang sepatutnya menjual telefon bimbit, reload card dan peralatan gantian handphone mengambil kesempatan untuk menjalankan aktiviti-aktiviti meminjamkan wang dan pajak gadai secara haram.

Para pengguna dikelirukan dengan iklan-iklan seperti "Handphone boleh menukar wang", " Kami bagi bunga paling rendah khas untuk kakitangan kerajaan" " Black list dan Golongan berpencen 1% satu bulan" dan sebagainya untuk menarik perhatian orang ramai supaya berhutang.

Mengikut Akta Pajak Gadai 1972, kadar faedah yang dikenakan seharusnya tidak melebihi 2% sebulan atau 24% setahun tetapi kebanyakan kedai pajak gadai emas mengenakan di antara 15% hingga 30% sebulan. Bagi kedai-kedai yang menerima handphone sebagai cagaran mereka mengenakan di antara 10%-15% sebulan.

Sehingga hari ini kita belum lagi mendengar pengusaha-pengusaha pajak gadai dan pemberi pinjaman wang berlesen di siasat atau pun di dakwa dan di bawa ke muka pengadilan atas kesalahan mengenakan jumlah faedah yang tinggi dan beroperasi tanpa lesen yang sah.

Saya juga belum lagi mendengar atau mengetahui bahawasanya ada kedai pemberi pinjaman wang berlesen atau pajak gadai memberi pinjaman wang mengikut peraturan dan peruntukan undang-undang yang sedia ada dengan mengenakan jumlah faedah yang sepatutnya.

Untuk makluman rata-ratanya pemberi pinjaman wang berlesen mengenakan faedah yang tinggi ia itu 15%-35% sebulan dan bukannya 12%-18% setahun yang di benarkan.

Ini bermakna mereka juga boleh di gelar "Ah Long" kerana berselindung di sebalik lesen yang sah untuk menjalankan aktiviti-aktiviti kurang sihat dan tidak mengikut peraturan-peraturan di bawah akta pemberi pinjaman wang 1951 ( Moneylenders Act 1951 ) apabila memberi pinjaman.

Mereka ini harus juga di siasat kerana banyak aduan-aduan yang saya terima daripada mangsa Ah Long mengatakan mereka ini bersekongkol dengan Ah Long. Mereka bertindak sebagai agent dan mengambil kesempatan daripada peminjam yang bermasalah untuk mendapatkan pinjaman dengan memberi kelulusan pinjaman "serta merta" terutamanya kepada kakitangan kerajaan.

Oleh hal yang demikian, saya mencadangkan agar pihak yang berkuasa sebelum memperbaharui lesen pemberi pinjaman wang harus mengambil kira jumlah aduan yang dibuat terhadap mereka, semak resit-resit, laporan kewangan dan surat perjanjian pelanggan.

Tinjauan saya ke beberapa buah pasar malam di sekitar ibu negeri baru-baru ini mendapati masih ramai lagi peniaga bumiputera meminjam wang daripada Ah Long kerana syarat pinjaman mereka tidak begitu susah berbanding dengan yang dikenakan oleh pihak bank.

Ramai peniaga terutama sekali penjaja bumiputera ini tidak mempunyai rekod perniagaan dan malah ada antara mereka yang tidak mempunyai akaun bank. Ada juga di antara mereka yang tidak tahu menulis apa lagi untuk mengisi borang permohonan pinjaman? Jadi cara yang paling mudah bagi mereka untuk mendapatkan pinjaman perniagaan adalah melalui Ah Long.

Lagi pun para peniaga ini membayar hutang mereka pada tiap-tiap malam selepas berniaga. Faedah yang dikenakan ia lah 15% sebulan. Maksimum pinjaman dibenarkan ia lah sebanyak RM2,000 dan tidak boleh di tambah selagi hutang sedia ada masih belum selesai.

Banner yang ini khas untuk golongan bumiputra sahaja

Banner yang ini pula khas untuk golongan orang islam sahaja

TAK CUKUP SATU TAMBAH LAGI BAH.........

WARNA BANNER SERUPA..................PEKERJA ATAU AGENT ORANG YANG SAMA........CUMA NAMA SYARIKAT SAHAJA YANG LAIN - TAKTIK KOTOR AH LONG!!!!!!!!

Kegiatan Ah Long dapat di lihat beroperasi di seluroh pasar pasar di sekitar kawasan ibu negeri. Mereka juga mempunyai kawasan yang tertentu dan pelanggan yang khas. Setakat ini terdapat ada tiga buah kumpulan beroperasi di pasar-pasar tersebut. Tetapi yang sering kita lihat adalah Ah Long yang datang daripada benua India. Mereka ini bukan sahaja meminjamkan wang untuk perniagaan tetapi boleh juga di runding untuk memberi pinjaman untuk membeli barangan kemas, alat-alat elektrik dan yang terkini motosikal modenas.

Pinjaman yang paling popular di kalangan masyarakat peniaga pasar malam adalah di panggil 10-3. Ia itu pinjam RM1000 dapat RM700. RM300 di tolak sebagai wang pengurusan. Pembayaran semula sebanyak RM20 di kenakan selama 60 hari. Gagal membuat pembayaran harian di denda RM5. Gagal untuk menjelaskan dalam tempoh yang telah ditetapkan denda RM300.

BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF A MOTORISED SATELLITE SYSTEM

To view the programmes from more than one satellite a motorised dish system is required. This includes a dish able to point at different parts of the Clarke belt in the sky where the satellite are situated and a positioner unit to control the dish monitor.

Left, an installer is installing a twin LNB system to view two satellites from one dish by using additional bracket for the LNB. ( Low Noise Block, is the gadget that is placed in front of the dish to receive microwave signals ) Right, a 12" actuator arm is fitted behind a 1.0 metre wall mounted dish to move it from left to right to receive various satellite signals from the sky.

We need at least a 1.0 metre wide for reasonable multi-satellite reception and 1.5 metre dish is recommended. Its easier to buy a motorised system with the receiver and the positioner integrated in one box.

However, technology has grown a great deal over the years that consumers are able to have a small dish to receive a signal from space to transmit broadcasts. One doesn't need to install a 3.0 metre dish anymore to operate a fully motorised system.

The range of formats and standards on all the satellites is enormous so multi-satellite systems must be more flexible than those intended only for Asiasat, Chinasat and Thaicom to name the few. Almost all of the satellites that broadcasting in C & Ku band are popular because they are in the clear with many state television channels from different countries are available here.

"A consumer can receive up to 500 video and radio channels or more depending on the system installed. But one must remember that in Malaysia getting and buying a satellite motorised system is illegal and they are liable to prosecution. A motorised systems are also widely known as parabola " There many consumers bought the system from abroad and have to take the risk for not only the law are against them but also the warranty of thye product doesnt cover here. So buy and installed at your own risk.

Depending on the systems installed, one can position the dish to receive the first available satellite that is Insat 4CR located at 74 degree east and up to 171 degree west for the TDRS 5. From 171 degree west to 74 degree east there are more than 130 satellites available depending on the foot print it covers and the scrambling systems it used.

Apart from watching the normal commercial channels on other satellites, the public or satellite TV enthusiasts can also watch raw live news feed, news collection and distribution service. There are also downlink and uplink programs and activities by broadcasters around the world sending news materials to their respective destinations.

So, why limit yourself to watching just one satellite when you can have the entire world at your finger tips? I mean, you can still watch most of the programmes on internet tv and listening to your favourite radio stations there anytime you like at your own sweet time!

SYABAS dan TAHNIAH SESB

Syabas dan tahniah diucapkan kepada Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) dan anggota polis tambahan kerana telah berjaya mengadakan gerakan operasi untuk membanteras kegiatan mencuri elektrik yang bermula pada hari isnin (29 Jun) dan selasa (30 Jun) di beberapa buah kawasan setinggan di sekitar ibu negeri.

Dengan adanya ketegasan daripada pihak SESB maka para pencuri elektrik akan dapat dikurangkan. Lebih-lebih lagi jika pihak SESB bercadang untuk mengambil tindakan undang-undang terhadap mereka yang di dapati bersalah. Selagi tidak ada sebarang tindakan undang-undang di ambil, maka kegiatan mencuri elektrik ini akan berterusan dan berleluasa.

Gejala ini bukan mudah untuk dibendung. Setakat merampas alat-alat yang telah digunakan untuk mencuri bekalan elektrik tidak mencukupi kerana ianya boleh di ganti semula. Sekiranya pesalah didakwa di mahkamah dan di hukum untuk membayar denda berkemungkinan mereka yang tinggal di kawasan setinggan tersebut akan berfikir terlebih dahulu sebelum melakukan jenayah ini.

Saya pernah mencadangkan di dalam salah sebuah program wawancara tv terbitan rtm Sabah tidak beberapa lama dahulu, agar hukuman yang sedia ada di gubal semula. Ia itu dengan menaikkan jumlah denda maksimum yang sedia ada daripada RM100,000 ke RM300,000 dan penjara mandatori selama enam bulan dikenakan sekiranya di dapati bersalah.

Dengan adanya kegiatan mencuri bekalan elektrik ini, maka adalah tidak adil kepada pengguna elektrik yang lain kerana mereka membayar untuk mendapatkan bekalan dan secara tidak langsung pula membiayi bekalan yang dicuri itu.

Gambar semasa rakaman rancangan wawancara terbitan RTM Sabah bertajuk " Sabah Everyday Sure Blackout " bertempat di Sandakan Harbour View bersama dengan Encik IR Peter Lajumin wakil SESB.

Sementara itu, pihak SUWARTA ( Suara Warga Kota ) telah menerima aduan daripada orang ramai bahawa sebuah LIVE " Fuse, Switch and Meter Box " tanpa pintu berhampiran dengan sebuah tadika di Likas adalah sangat merbahaya sekiranya pihak yang bertanggung jawab tidak menggantikan pintu kotak tersebut dengan segera. Ini kerana kotak itu terletak di tepi jalan utama berhampiran dengan sekolah rendah St Agnes dan ramai murid-murid sekolah menggunakan jalan tersebut untuk ke kedai Kosan. Kemalangan jiwa akan berlaku sekiranya tersentuh wayar-wayar di dalam kotak itu.

Wayar hidup berselerak di dalam kotak tersebut

Kotak yang di maksudkan, terletak berhampiran dengan Tadika Ji Ren, Likas

Untuk makluman, aduan ini telah pun diajukan kepada pihak yang bertanggung jawab untuk tindakan segera. Sekiranya saudara mempunyai sebarang aduan yang berkaitan dengan warga kota, sila kemukakan aduan saudara melalui email ke :- aduan.awam@gmail.com