Monday, May 27, 2013
Saturday, May 25, 2013
'JB Lucky Draw' scam alert
10 fall prey to 'JB Lucky Draw' scam since April
Some 10 Singaporeans have fallen victim to the 'Johor Bahru Lucky Draw' scam since April 2013.
This is more than the total number of people scammed in the first three months of this year.
Most victims fall prey at the bridge linking Woodlands Customs and JB's City Square.
Scammers would approach the victims, telling them that they have won a lucky draw prize.
They would then ask the victims to withdraw money from their bank account to pay for taxes or administrative fees in collect the prize.
Some would offer victims a ride back to their country, where the victim can make the withdrawal.
'Madam Lee', a victim who lost S$12,000, said: "I told him that I had only a few thousand dollars in my savings account. I told him that I couldn't get any cash advance with my credit card.
"They said that they would only take a look at it, scan the card number, and then return the card to me. But they lied. I was told there wouldn't be any interest charged, that when I withdrew the money, they'd put it back immediately."
The police remind the public to be vigilant of "get-rich-quick" offers and lucky draws that come with payment.
Victims are advised to make a report at the nearest police station in the country where the scam took place.
~News curtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Some 10 Singaporeans have fallen victim to the 'Johor Bahru Lucky Draw' scam since April 2013.
This is more than the total number of people scammed in the first three months of this year.
Most victims fall prey at the bridge linking Woodlands Customs and JB's City Square.
Scammers would approach the victims, telling them that they have won a lucky draw prize.
They would then ask the victims to withdraw money from their bank account to pay for taxes or administrative fees in collect the prize.
Some would offer victims a ride back to their country, where the victim can make the withdrawal.
'Madam Lee', a victim who lost S$12,000, said: "I told him that I had only a few thousand dollars in my savings account. I told him that I couldn't get any cash advance with my credit card.
"They said that they would only take a look at it, scan the card number, and then return the card to me. But they lied. I was told there wouldn't be any interest charged, that when I withdrew the money, they'd put it back immediately."
The police remind the public to be vigilant of "get-rich-quick" offers and lucky draws that come with payment.
Victims are advised to make a report at the nearest police station in the country where the scam took place.
~News curtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Friday, May 3, 2013
Plans for Johor-S'pore rapid transit system in final stages
Plans for Johor-S'pore rapid transit system in final stages: Abdul Ghani
Outgoing Johor Chief Minister Abdul Ghani Othman says plans for the rapid transit system (RTS) linking Johor and Singapore are in their final stages.
Singapore's transport ministry said the architectural and engineering consultancy study for the Rapid Transit System (RTS) linking Johor and Singapore is currently on-going, and its first phase is nearing completion.
The Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) for Iskandar Malaysia (IM) will then decide on the option for the RTS Link to be further studied as part of the second phase of the study.
Both countries have agreed for both sides to co-locate their Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities at both the Singapore and Johor Bahru (JB) stations, so that cross-border commuters on the RTS Link need to clear immigration only once at either station.
This means that those who are taking the RTS Link from Woodlands in Singapore will clear both Singapore and Malaysian Customs before boarding the train and need not clear again when they arrive at JB.
A similar arrangement will also be in place for those from JB taking the RTS Link into Singapore.
Meanwhile, outgoing Johor Chief Minister Abdul Ghani Othman on Thursday took his electoral fight to Singapore - by taking a bus down to meet factory workers in the Republic.
Mr Abdul Ghani travelled by bus from Gelang Patah in Johor to Jurong East bus interchange in Singapore.
It was his first time travelling on the Causeway Link bus and he noted that the journey took more than an hour.
The Chief Minister wanted to experience what it was like for Malaysians who travel to Singapore daily.
And he said commuting will be more efficient once the Rapid Transit System is ready.
He said: "A lot more people can be moved with the RTS. The capacity with be enough, the speed will be fast enough, and people will be moved into Singapore and back more efficiently.
"So, that will definitely reduce congestion as a result of the daily usage of the causeway or the second link."
The Rapid Transit System is aimed at enhancing connectivity between the two countries.
It will also be integrated with public transport services in both Johor Baru and Singapore.
Some 100,000 workers in Johor commute to Singapore every day. To help commuters move more speedily, there is a possibility of making the CIQ facilities more efficient.
Caretaker Chief Minister Abdul Ghani Othman is suggesting to have a single CIQ complex for both countries.
He said: “Of course it should be enhanced with a joint CIQ; if that takes place then it will achieve the most optimum objective of an RTS."
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Outgoing Johor Chief Minister Abdul Ghani Othman says plans for the rapid transit system (RTS) linking Johor and Singapore are in their final stages.
Singapore's transport ministry said the architectural and engineering consultancy study for the Rapid Transit System (RTS) linking Johor and Singapore is currently on-going, and its first phase is nearing completion.
The Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) for Iskandar Malaysia (IM) will then decide on the option for the RTS Link to be further studied as part of the second phase of the study.
Both countries have agreed for both sides to co-locate their Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities at both the Singapore and Johor Bahru (JB) stations, so that cross-border commuters on the RTS Link need to clear immigration only once at either station.
This means that those who are taking the RTS Link from Woodlands in Singapore will clear both Singapore and Malaysian Customs before boarding the train and need not clear again when they arrive at JB.
A similar arrangement will also be in place for those from JB taking the RTS Link into Singapore.
Meanwhile, outgoing Johor Chief Minister Abdul Ghani Othman on Thursday took his electoral fight to Singapore - by taking a bus down to meet factory workers in the Republic.
Mr Abdul Ghani travelled by bus from Gelang Patah in Johor to Jurong East bus interchange in Singapore.
It was his first time travelling on the Causeway Link bus and he noted that the journey took more than an hour.
The Chief Minister wanted to experience what it was like for Malaysians who travel to Singapore daily.
And he said commuting will be more efficient once the Rapid Transit System is ready.
He said: "A lot more people can be moved with the RTS. The capacity with be enough, the speed will be fast enough, and people will be moved into Singapore and back more efficiently.
"So, that will definitely reduce congestion as a result of the daily usage of the causeway or the second link."
The Rapid Transit System is aimed at enhancing connectivity between the two countries.
It will also be integrated with public transport services in both Johor Baru and Singapore.
Some 100,000 workers in Johor commute to Singapore every day. To help commuters move more speedily, there is a possibility of making the CIQ facilities more efficient.
Caretaker Chief Minister Abdul Ghani Othman is suggesting to have a single CIQ complex for both countries.
He said: “Of course it should be enhanced with a joint CIQ; if that takes place then it will achieve the most optimum objective of an RTS."
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Thai-Lao meet to mull border links
Thai-Lao meet to mull border links
Thailand and Laos will hold talks over cross-border railway links and the introduction of a single visa during a joint cabinet meeting in Chiang Mai next month.
The meeting will take place on May 19 on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Water Summit.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisulit agreed on the arrangements at the 18th Thai-Lao Joint Commission meeting in Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday.
Mr Surapong said the joint cabinet meeting would be an unofficial one and only related ministers from both countries will attend.
It would be the second Thai-Lao cabinet meeting after the first one was held eight years ago.
Ministers from both countries would discuss cross-border transport of goods, a railway linkage from Thailand via Laos to China, and the introduction of a single visa.
Thailand was ready to develop the railway and would like Laos to hold talks about the issue with China, the minister said.
Border demarcation between the nations is now 93% complete, and will be discussed by senior officials early next month before going to the Joint Boundary Committee meeting in August, Mr Surapong said.
Mr Thongloun said the border problem was a sensitive issue which must be handled carefully.
"It might take time to tackle because the land and water borders are quite long, but I believe the negotiations will come out in a good way," Mr Thongloun said.
Mr Surapong said the countries are planning to upgrade the two temporary border checkpoints at Ban Phudu in Uttaradit province and Ban Huay in Phu Sang district of Phayao province to permanent checkpoints while the process of crossing the border will also be relaxed.
He said Laos is encouraging Thais to invest in the country. Thai investment currently ranks third in Laos after China and Vietnam's.
~News courtesy of Bangkok Post~
Thailand and Laos will hold talks over cross-border railway links and the introduction of a single visa during a joint cabinet meeting in Chiang Mai next month.
The meeting will take place on May 19 on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Water Summit.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisulit agreed on the arrangements at the 18th Thai-Lao Joint Commission meeting in Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday.
Mr Surapong said the joint cabinet meeting would be an unofficial one and only related ministers from both countries will attend.
It would be the second Thai-Lao cabinet meeting after the first one was held eight years ago.
Ministers from both countries would discuss cross-border transport of goods, a railway linkage from Thailand via Laos to China, and the introduction of a single visa.
Thailand was ready to develop the railway and would like Laos to hold talks about the issue with China, the minister said.
Border demarcation between the nations is now 93% complete, and will be discussed by senior officials early next month before going to the Joint Boundary Committee meeting in August, Mr Surapong said.
Mr Thongloun said the border problem was a sensitive issue which must be handled carefully.
"It might take time to tackle because the land and water borders are quite long, but I believe the negotiations will come out in a good way," Mr Thongloun said.
Mr Surapong said the countries are planning to upgrade the two temporary border checkpoints at Ban Phudu in Uttaradit province and Ban Huay in Phu Sang district of Phayao province to permanent checkpoints while the process of crossing the border will also be relaxed.
He said Laos is encouraging Thais to invest in the country. Thai investment currently ranks third in Laos after China and Vietnam's.
~News courtesy of Bangkok Post~
Fanta-stic discounts for Legoland Malaysia
Fanta-stic discounts await Legoland visitors
FANTA is offering RM40 discounts on tickets to the Legoland Malaysia theme park in Johor through purchases of any 1.5l or 2l bottle of any flavour.
Fanta producer Coca-Cola Refreshments Sdn Bhd was recently named as the theme park’s official beverage partner.
From now until April 30, consumers need to present a label from a 1.5L or 2L bottle together with the promotional voucher which can be redeemed from supermarkets or hypermarkets.
With the new partnership, visitors at the park can now enjoy a wide range of beverages under the Coca-Cola portfolio including Fanta, Sprite, A&W Sarsaparilla, Heaven & Earth, Dasani mineral water, Vanilla Coke, Coca-Cola Light and Coca-Cola.
The 76-acre Legoland is the sixth in the world and features seven themed areas with more than 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Nok Air unveils Myanmar routes
Nok Air unveils Myanmar routes
Nok Air plans to operate two new routes from Tak's Mae Sot district to Myanmar in preparation for the establishment of the Mae Sot special economic zone and the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
Nok Air’s fourth B737-800, named Nok Naanfah, joins the fleet in July 2012. (Fiile photo)
Nok Air board director Somchainuek Engtrakul and chief executive Patee Sarasin on Sunday led 20 airline executives to board a Nok Air survey flight from Mae Sot to Myanmar's Mawlamyine (formerly Moulmein) ahead of the airline's plan to operate services on that route.
The budget airline also plans to introduce flights between Mae Sot and Yangon.
The move follows a recent agreement between Thailand and Myanmar to permanently open the Mae Sot border checkpoint to boost cross-border trade and tourism. It also aims to capitalise on the 2015 launch of the AEC.
~News courtesy of Bangkok Post~
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