Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

To all Muslims who read this blog, I wish you:

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri and Maaf Zahir Batin

Happy holidays too to other Malaysians.

Malaysia Day Celebration, Kelana Jaya

Yes, I was there (first time I have been to a rally). Since 8 pm yesterday night. When we first arrived, there were less than 5,000 people and the crowd swelled to about 20,000 by the time the speakers (Selangor MB, Penang MB, DAP chairman, PAS Sec-Gen and Keadilan's Anwar Ibrahim) gave their speeches.

It was a multil-racial crowd, from all walks of life. Sitting in the stadium, one can hear English, Malay, Cantonese, Tamil being spoken. There were motorcycles (even saw a Harley), small cars (Kancil) as well as big cars (BMWs, four wheel drives) at the parking lots near the stadium. Muslims were performing their prayers in the stadium itself

All were given free Malaysian flags and wrist bands to wave/wear, in support of our love for the country. Everyone rose and sang the national anthem (before the series of speeches began and at the end of the night). Lots of journalists/cameramen.

Traffic was not as bad as expected, perhaps due to the location, time of event and fact that today is a working day. What a night.

Genting during Super-peak period

I went up to Genting Highlands with my family during the Aug 31 Merdeka holiday weekend. The whole place was really packed.... with people, cars, buses etc.

Even checking into the hotel took a long time - more than 3 hours (We only managed to check in slightly after 4 pm). Then we also have to stand in the queue for quite a long time to go into the toilets, to get food, to take the fun rides etc. Basically most of our time were spent waiting in the queue. Not to forget that we paid much more (than low / normal weekend season) for the hotel rooms.

My advice for all is to avoid going there during the super peak periods.

Taking the LRT

This is my first blog entry...and my topic will be on the LRT system in KL

I normally drive but a few weeks ago, I took the Putra LRT downtown to run some errands.
Completed errand at about 6++ pm, peak period.

The Masjid Jamek LRT station was packed with people, queuing to purchase tickets from the ticketing machines and counter.
It took me more than 15 min to get my ticket (and that too, because I have coins with me) and another 15 min to get into the train
It was unpleasant experience for me - the concourse area was hot and filled with "human" smell. The train was no better.
I really symphatise with commuters who have to go thru this every working day

I dont think it will cost a lot to improve the situation at major stations, esp during the peak period.
For e.g., it would greatly help if there were more ticket vending machines and air-conditioning in the councourse area.
Afer all, this is a major station, with most commuters. If I remember correctly, there were less than 10 ticket vending machines
at the MJ station and a few of the them spoilt, and some only accept coins.

Add say a few more machines that accept both coins and notes at major stations like Masjid Jamek, KLCC, Ampnag Park
and install air-con for the concourse areas. The capital cost of ticket vending machine is probably USD 50-60K per machine (see link http://english.seoul.go.kr/today/news/traffic/1247519_3327.html ), depending on complexity of fare structure and other factors. Say another 15 machines are added at various major locations. This will cost Syarikat Prasana Negara (the owner of Putra LRT) some USD 750K or RM 2.5m. Say installation cost is about another RM1-2 mil. Total cost ~ RM 5 mil.

Surely a budget of RM 5mil to somewhat improve the comfort of commuters (who still have to wait for the trains) is NOT too much to ask?

Come one, Syarikat Prasana Negara ! Do something for your customers