Tag Archives: Malaysia

Free Galaxy Ride : How To Get Free RM5 TNG Credit!

Find out how to get the free RM5 TNG eWallet credit through Samsung Malaysia’s Free Galaxy Ride offer!

 

Free Galaxy Ride : Get Free RM5 TNG Credit!

On 29 February 2024, Samsung Malaysia officially took over the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) Samsung Galaxy MRT Station – Malaysia’s largest underground interchange station. This brand takeover integrates Samsung into the network of 29 stations on the MRT Kajang and Putrajaya lines, on which over 220,00 daily riders make their daily commute.

In conjunction with its takeover of the TRX Samsung Galaxy MRT station, Samsung Malaysia is giving Samsung Galaxy users free RM5 TNG credit, which you can then use to purchase the RM5 MyCity Pass to get unlimited rides on the MRT for a whole day!

If you have not experience the convenience of using the MRT to get to The Exchange TRX mall, give it a try, and grab the free RM5 TNG credit from the Samsung Experience Store while you are there!

Recommended : Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review : Tech ARP Editor’s Choice!

 

Free Galaxy Ride : How To Get Free RM5 TNG Credit!

Here is what you need to know about Samsung Malaysia’s Free Galaxy Ride offer.

Location

The Free Galaxy Ride offer is only available at the Samsung Experience Store at The Exchange TRX Mall, from 10 AM to 10 PM daily.

Availability

The Free Galaxy Ride offer is only valid for the first 5,000 Samsung Galaxy users on a first come, first serve basis, from 29 February until 17 March 2024.

Eligibility

The Free Galaxy Ride offer is only applicable to Samsung Members who are Malaysian citizens, and residents of Malaysia, who are 18 years and above (as of 29 February 2024), based on the Malaysian MyKad or passport.

This offer is not applicable to Samsung employees, dealers, or agents, or their families, as well as anyone connected to this Promotion.

How To Get Free RM5 TNG Credit

Please follow these steps to get your free RM5 TNG credit through the Samsung Free Galaxy Ride offer.

Step 1 : Visit the Samsung Experience Store at TRX Mall, and look for the Free Galaxy Ride crew.

Step 2 : Comment “I want a Free Galaxy Ride” with the hashtags #GalaxyAI and #GalaxyS24 on this Galaxy Free Ride Facebook post.

Step 3 : Scan the QR code provided by the Samsung crew to redeem a voucher on your Samsung Members app.

Step 4 : Download the redemption voucher from your Samsung Members app, and present it to the event crew.

Step 5 : You will receive a RM5 TNG reload code, which you can then use to top up your TNG eWallet.

Please note that each Samsung Galaxy user is only entitled to one (1) redemption.

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Samsung Takes Over TRX MRT Interchange Station!

Samsung just took over the TRX MRT interchange station, which is now called the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) Samsung Galaxy MRT Station!

 

Samsung Takes Over TRX MRT Interchange Station!

On 29 February 2024, Samsung Malaysia officially took over the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) Samsung Galaxy MRT Station – Malaysia’s largest underground interchange station. This brand takeover integrates Samsung into the network of 29 stations on the MRT Kajang and Putrajaya lines, on which over 220,00 daily riders make their daily commute.

The TRX Samsung Galaxy Station is the largest interchange station between the TRX station and Putrajaya Line and directly serves The Exchange TRX, a world-class experiential lifestyle destination that sits at the heart of Tun Razak Exchange, Kuala Lumpur’s international financial district.

The new Samsung-branded TRX MRT station was officiated that day by Denny Kim (President of Samsung Malaysia), Elaine Soh (Chief Marketing Officer), Kevin Kim Tae Hoon (Business Director of Mobile eXperience) from Samsung Malaysia. Joining together with Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim (Chief Executive Officer), En Shahrul Fadli Omar (Chief Financial Officer) and Schrene Goh (Chief Commercial Officer) from Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp).

Recommended : Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review : Tech ARP Editor’s Choice!

The TRX MRT Station is a key station within the MRT network, as it has been designed to anchor the TRX International Financial District as well Kuala Lumpur’s latest major retail destination, offering great commercial value in advertising and marketing.

We are pleased to welcome the globally renowned Samsung Galaxy as our Station Naming Rights and Station Domination Advertising partner at this station, now named TRX Samsung Galaxy MRT Station. Commuters accessing the station will now be greeted by Samsung Galaxy’s striking visuals and catchy advertisement adorning the space.

– Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim, CEO, MRT Corp.

Recommended : Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra : All 4 Colours Compared!

The station’s direct connection to Malaysia’s newest and vibrant lifestyle hub ensures a seamless experience for both travellers and shoppers. The collaboration with MRT Corporation represents our shared vision for a more connected future, aimed at enhancing the convenience and accessibility for everyone

– Denny Kim, President of Samsung Malaysia

 

Free RM5 TNG Credit At TRX Samsung Experience Store!

As a special treat, Samsung Galaxy users will be able to redeem free RM5 TNG credit (while stocks last!) from the Samsung Experience Store at The Exchange TRX, with their Samsung Members app.

You can use the RM5 TNG credit to purchase the RM5 MyCity Pass to get unlimited rides on the MRT for a whole day!

If you have not experience the convenience of using the MRT to get to The Exchange TRX mall, give it a try, and grab the free RM5 TNG credit from the Samsung Experience Store while you are there!

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Is IJN Discharging All Civil Servants + Pensioners Due To Cost?!

Is IJN (Institut Jantung Negara) discharging all civil servants and pensioners, following an MOH directive due to government cost-cutting measures?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2024-02-27 : Added new section on KKM’s response to these claims
Originally posted @ 2024-02-26

 

Claim : IJN Discharging All Civil Servants + Pensioners Due To Cost!

A letter posted by CodeBlue has gone viral, in which a pensioner claimed that the National Heart Institute (IJN) is discharging all civil servants and pensioners, following a Ministry of Health (KKM) directive due to government cost-cutting measures.

Here is the anonymous pensioner’s letter (archive), which is rather long. So feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!

At a recent visit to our National Heart Centre (Institut Jantung Negara, IJN), I was shocked to be informed that I was being discharged. This happened despite 25 years of my receiving extensive care at IJN with many admissions and multiple procedures.

Recommended : KKM Refutes IJN Discharging Pensioner For Cost Reasons Claim!

 

No Evidence IJN Discharging All Civil Servants + Pensioners Due To Cost!

Fact #1 : It Was A Personal Opinion

Let me start by pointing out the disclaimer at the very bottom of the article, which states that the letter was published as a “personal opinion”.

This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.

Fact #2 : Letter Did Not Provide Any Evidence

I think it is also important to point out that the letter appears to be published “as-is“, without any additional context or verification. Unfortunately, the letter itself does not provide any evidence on its own.

Was the pensioner really discharged from the National Heart Institute (IJN) because of cost-cutting measures, or because he was deemed well enough to be transferred back to the referring hospital?

Is this a new KKM policy, or was it already in effect for some time? Did the other hospital really not have the necessary medicine he needed? Were the substitutes the pensioner received not the proper ones? Were his fear of allergic reaction to those substitute drugs well-founded?

It is simply impossible to tell, without knowing his full history, and what exactly he is talking about. He didn’t even mention what drugs he was on, and what substitutes he received! But let’s see what we can find out, shall we?

Recommended : Did Scientists Call For Global mRNA Vaccine Moratorium?!

Fact #3 : IJN Is Still Treating Government Patients

From what I can determine, the National Heart Institute (Institut Jantung Negara / IJN) is not discharging all civil servants and pensioners due to new cost-cutting measures. In fact, it is still treating civil servants and pensioners, because it is fully-owned by the government, under the Minister of Finance Incorporated.

In fact, IJN clarified this on 5 August 2023, when similar accusations by “Concern [sic] Pensioners” went viral on WhatsApp and social media, claiming that IJN has been privatised, and refuses to treat retired civil servants, and was instead transferring them to other hospitals.

As IJN clarified, while it operates privately under the Malaysian Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998, under the purview of the Health Ministry, its primary mission is to provide exceptional medical services to all Malaysians, including government employees, retirees, and citizens.

However, the Public Service Department (JPA) requires all civil servants and retirees (and their dependents) to get a referral from a doctor or cardiologist from public or private clinics / hospitals, before they can seek treatment at IJN because it is a cardiac tertiary hospital.

Patients with government GL may refer to the JPA circular Appendix SR. 2.1.1 (G) provided in the official MyPPSM portal or refer to their human resources on the process, as every government agency has its own terms and requirements on their employee’s eligibility and coverage when seeking treatment at our centre.

Back in August 2023, IJN said that about 84.7% of its patients came from the public sector – government employees, pensioners, and their dependents. Only 14.9% are private, paying patients, while just 0.4% were foreign patients.

Recommended : Did France Pass “Article Pfizer” Law To Ban mRNA Criticism?!

Fact #4 : KKM Issued IJN Follow-Up Circular In 2002

Interestingly, it appears that this Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) policy started in October 2002 – more than 21 years ago!

That was when the Office of the Director General of Health in Malaysia issued circular no. 12/2002, called (translated) Guidelines for Follow-Up Treatment at the National Heart Institute for Government-Dependent Patients (PDF).

Fact #5 : Government-Dependent Patients To Be Discharged After 12 Months

According to the October 2002 guidelines (officially called Pekeliling Ketua Pengarah Kesihatan 12/2002 Garis Panduan Rawatan Susulan di IJN untuk Pesakit Dibiayai Kerajaan), here is the pertinent section that I translated:

i. patients who are not undergoing surgery or invasive treatments in IJN do not require follow-up treatment at IJN, and should be transferred back to the referring hospital after consultation, examination, and treatment.

ii. patients who are waiting to undergo surgery or invasive procedure within 1 year can receive follow-up treatment at IJN until treatment is completed.

iii. the follow-up treatment period for patients who have undergone surgery or invasive procedure at IJN are:

  • 6 to 12 months of follow-up treatment at IJN after surgery / invasive procedure
  • 1 to 2 years of follow-up treatment after last surgery for paediatric patients with “complicated” heart issues that require multiple surgeries

iv. Patients with complications that need to be warded, or require intensive care, by cardiothoracic specialist, or cardiologist, will receive follow-up treatment according to their condition. Such patients will be transferred to their referring KKM hospitals when IJN specialists determine that they no longer need to be treated at IJN.

v. Patients who were referred to KKM hospitals can be referred back to IJN when necessary. The follow-up treatment will depend on the conditions stated above.

Recommended : KJ + Noor Hisham just sued by COVID vaccine victims?!

Fact #6 : Anonymous Letter On CodeBlue Was Criticised

In response to the letter being posted on CodeBlue, Datuk Dr. Christopher K.C. Lee – who was the former National Advisor for Infectious Diseases in the Malaysia Ministry of Health and a member of the Selangor Public Hleaht Advisory Council (SELPHAC), stated that only stabilised patients would be asked to return to cardiologists and doctors at other MOH hospitals for their follow-up. He also pointed out that this would free IJN to attend to other people who need more urgent care.

Only pensioners/civil servants who are stabilized will be asked to return to cardiologists/physicians at MOH for followup. This allows others who really need IJN care the opportunity to do; without clogging up IJN & running up the bill there. Pls see the Big Picture!

In response to a CodeBlue editor pointing out that the “issue is not about stability at the point of discharge, but complexity”, he responded:

Complexity can be subjective. In particularly complex cases, there can be discussions with the MOH cardiologists. However, most cases can be ably managed by the MOH cardiologists & shd be referred back. This has been in practice for a while & helps to keep the system sustainable.

Perhaps the anonymous letter should not have been posted “as-is”, without providing the necessary context as this isn’t a new policy – the circular was already in effect since October 2002.

Fact #7 : KKM Refutes Claims

On 26 February 2024, the Malaysia Health Ministry (KKM) issued a statement, refuting those claims, and clarifying the partnership between IJN and KKM hospitals.

I wrote a separate article on this, which you read for more context: KKM Refutes IJN Discharging Pensioner For Cost Reasons Claim!

 

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Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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KKM Refutes Claim IJN Discharging Pensioner For Cost Reasons!

The Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) just officially refuted claims by a pensioner that IJN discharged him for cost reasons!

 

Claim : IJN Discharged Pensioner Due To Government Cost Cutting!

Yesterday, a personal letter posted by CodeBlue went viral. In the letter, the anonymous writer who calls himself “Pensioner failed by the government” alleged that the National Heart Institute (IJN) is discharging all civil servants and pensioners, following a Ministry of Health (KKM) directive due to government cost-cutting measures.

In response to the letter, Datuk Dr. Christopher K.C. Lee – who was the former National Advisor for Infectious Diseases in the Malaysia Ministry of Health and a member of the Selangor Public Hleaht Advisory Council (SELPHAC), stated that only stabilised patients would be asked to return to cardiologists and doctors at other MOH hospitals for their follow-up. He also pointed out that this would free IJN to attend to other people who need more urgent care.

Only pensioners/civil servants who are stabilized will be asked to return to cardiologists/physicians at MOH for followup. This allows others who really need IJN care the opportunity to do; without clogging up IJN & running up the bill there. Pls see the Big Picture!

I covered the letter extensively in a separate article, which you can read for more context : Is IJN Discharging All Civil Servants + Pensioners Due To Cost?!

Recommended : Is Red Cross Rejecting COVID Vaccinated Blood?!

 

KKM Refutes IJN Discharging Pensioner For Cost Reasons Claim!

On 26 February 2024, Malaysia Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad posted the official response from the Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM), which refutes the claims in the viral anonymous letter posted by CodeBlue.

Here are some salient points:

  1. IJN has been a government-owned private hospital since 1992, but continues to support KKM public hospitals through patient referrals.
  2. KKM itself has 10 hospitals offering cardiology services, and 7 hospitals offering cardiothoracic services.
  3. IJN serves as a referrer centre for patients requiring cardiology and cardiothoracic services, with the government covering treatment costs for civil servants, pensioners, and their dependents.
  4. Patients are only discharged from IJN when their conditions are stable, with a monitoring of at least 6 months to one year for adults, and one to two years for children (as I pointed out earlier).
  5. Stable patients are then referred back to their original MOH hospital for ongoing care.
  6. This policy allows about 4,000 new patients to be referred to IJN annually.

While not mentioned in its official response, I should point out that this policy isn’t new. It was implemented back in October 2002 – more than 21 years ago!

On top of that, patients can always be referred back to IJN if the cardiologist / cardiothoracic surgeon in KKM hospitals are unable to treat them.

You can read more about that in my previous article – Is IJN Discharging All Civil Servants + Pensioners Due To Cost?!

 

Full KKM Response To IJN Discharging Pensioner For Cost Reasons Claim!

Here is the full KKM response to the claims that IJN is discharging all civil servants and pensioners due to cost-cutting measures.

RESPONSE TO MEDIA – CLARIFYING MISCONCEPTIONS: MOH AND IN COLLABORATION FOR OPTIMAL HEALTHCARE ACCESS

26 February 2024

In response to the article published in the CodeBlue on 26 February 2024 titled “IJN discharging all civil servants, pensioners due to government cost-cutting measures – Pensioner failed by the government”, the Ministry of Health (MOH) would like to respectfully refute the misleading accusations made in the article.

 

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Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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CNY 2024 : No Highway Tolls + Speed Limit Reduction!

The Malaysian government just announced two days of toll-free travel and a speed limit reduction for the CNY 2024 holidays!

 

CNY 2024 : No Highway Tolls On February 8-9!

On Wednesday, 7 February 2024, the Ministry of Works announced that there will be no highway tolls from February 8 to 9, in conjunction with Chinese New Year 2024!

In a short public announcement, the Ministry announced that the toll-free travel would apply to all Class 1 private vehicles for two days, from 12:01 AM on Thursday, February 8, to 11:59 PM on Friday, February 9, on exiting the toll booths.

This toll-free travel will extend to all highways, except at the toll plazas at the national borders:

  • the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Toll Plaza
  • the Tanjung Kupang Toll Plaza

The expected financial implication of these two days of toll-free travel is estimated to be about RM42.99 million.

Recommended : Motorists Can Renew Licence + Road Tax Via MyJPJ App!
Recommended : 2024 Public + School Holidays For Malaysia!

 

CNY 2024 : Speed Limit Reduction For 6 Days!

In conjunction with the CNY holidays, the Ministry of Works also ordered a reduction in all speed limits on all roads.

For 6 days from 8 to 13 February 2024, the speed limit will be reduced from 90 km/h to 80 km/h, on all federal roads.

This speed reduction are amongst the moves made to improve safety and reduce the risk of accidents during the CNY 2024 festivities.

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Touch ‘n Go eWallet To Charge 1% Fee For Credit Card Reloads!

TNG Digital just announced a 1% fee for all credit card reloads to the Touch ‘n Go eWallet! Here is what you need to know…

 

Touch ‘n Go eWallet To Charge 1% Fee For Credit Card Reloads!

TNG Digital just announced a 1% fee for all credit card reloads to the Touch ‘n Go eWallet, from 24 February 2024 onwards!

Touch ‘n Go eWallet users will have to switch to DuitNow Transfer, and debit card, for their reloads.

TNG Digital say that it made this move to reduce the high cost of credit card reloads that it has been subsidising all this while, and to curb the cashing out of the credit card reloads to bank accounts.

This move is to curb excessive cashing out of credit card balance to bank accounts and offset the heavy cost of credit card reloads which TNGD has been subsidising since its inception.

Users are encouraged to use bank transfers via DuitNow which has exactly the same process as fund transfer among bank accounts.

– TNG Digital CEO Alan Ni

TNG Digital had earlier reduced the amount of credit card reloads that Touch ‘n Go eWallet users can transfer to their bank accounts. In March 2023, it reduced the amount of transferable credit card reloads to RM1,000 per month.

Upon exceeding that RM1,000 limit, users can choose to further use their credit cards for reloads with a 1% fee. The new February 2024 policy basically removes the free credit card reload for the first RM1,000.

Recommended : Free TNG RFID Bar Code Scam Fact Check!

 

How To Avoid 1% Fee On Touch ‘n Go eWallet Reloads

From 24 February 2024 onwards, the only ways to get free reloads on the Touch ‘n Go eWallet is to use DuitNow Transfer, or your debit card.

Reloading using your debit card is no different from using your credit card, so it should be easy for you to simply switch to your debit card.

Transferring using DuitNow Transfer is, unfortunately, not so straightforward with the Touch ‘n Go eWallet. For those who are not familiar with using DuitNow Transfer, here’s a quick guide:

Look For Your DuitNow Account Number

Step 1 : Open and log into your Touch ‘n Go eWallet.

Step 2 : Click on the Profile button at the upper right corner of the screen.

Step 3 : Under your name, you will see your 12-digit DuitNow account number. Write it down, or click on the copy button to copy it.

Reload Using Your DuitNow Account Number

Step 1 : Log into your preferred bank’s app or website.

Step 2 : Select the Transfers option.

Step 3 : Select the Transfer to other banks option.

Step 4 : Select Touch ‘n Go eWallet or DuitNow Transfer option.

Step 5 : Key in your Touch ‘n Go eWallet DuitNow account number.

Step 6 : Key in the amount you want to transfer, and click the Next or Transfer.

Step 7 : In the transfer summary page, verify the details and click Proceed. If you wish, you can also select “Add as Favourite” to make it easier to transfer more funds in the future.

As you can see, the DuitNow Transfer isn’t as user-friendly as using the credit card, which could put off many users. So a better alternative might be to use your debit card instead. Even so, I foresee many people switch to alternative e-wallets for payments.

 

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Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Have All Passport Collections Been Shifted To Shaftsbury PJ?!

Have all passport collections been shifted to the Malaysia Immigration office at Shaftsbury PJ?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : All Passport Collections Have Been Shifted To Shaftsbury PJ!

This message and photo is being shared on WhatsApp, claiming that all passport collection has been shifted to Shaftsbury PJ.

Do u know that for all passport via online application/ renewals .. the collection centre is now here at Shaftsbury PJ.

Recommended : How To Renew Malaysian Passport Online : 2024 Guide!

 

Truth : Passport Collections Have Not Been Shifted To Shaftsbury PJ!

This is yet another example of fake news circulating on WhatsApp and Telegram, and here are reasons why…

Fact #1 : It’s Shaftsbury Putrajaya, Not PJ

First, let me just point out that there is no Shaftsbury PJ (Petaling Jaya).

The new Malaysia Immigration passport office is located at the Shaftsbury Putrajaya – a 3-story shopping mall located in Presint 1, Putrajaya.

You can even see it in the viral photo above. It’s stated clearly – Pejabat Passport Shaftsbury Putrajaya. Why would anyone falsely claimed that the new passport office is called Shaftsbury PJ???

Fact #2 : Shaftsbury Putrajaya Passport Office Is Small

The Shaftsbury Putrajaya passport office is just a new branch office for the Malaysia Immigration Department. It also appears to be rather small in size, as the official Imigresen TV video below shows.

The Shaftsbury Putrajaya passport office is not designed to handle all passport collection across Malaysia.

In fact, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said in July 2023, that the Shaftsbury Putrajaya passport office will cater to people living around the Putrajaya area, such as Serdang, Sungai Besi, Dengkil, Cyberjaya, Bangi, and Cheras.

To be clear – passport collection has not been shifted to this new Shaftsbury Putrajaya passport office!

Fact #3 : Shaftsbury Putrajaya Limits Walk-In Passport Renewals

You cannot just walk into the Shaftsbury Putrajaya passport office to renew your expired / expiring passport.

As we explained since May 2022, the Malaysia Immigration Department limits walk-in renewals of passports to:

  • People applying for a new passport
  • Senior citizens (60 years and older)
  • Special needs individuals (must bring Social Welfare Department registration card)
  • Children who are less than 13 years old
  • People planning to perform the Haj (must bring the Tabung Haji offer letter)
  • Students (less than 21 years old) planning to study overseas
  • People who lost their passports (will require a police report)
  • People with damaged passports

Everyone else will have to renew their passports online! The official Imigresen TV video below also mentions this.

Recommended : Please DO NOT Walk-In To Renew Your Malaysian Passport!

Fact #4 : No Passport Office Can Handle All Collections!

In the first half of 2023 alone, the Immigration Department issued over 1.6 million passports. It would not be possible for a single passport office to handle the collection of all of those passports.

In fact, the Putrajaya headquarters of the Malaysia Immigration Department only processed and issued 68,416 of those 1.6 million passports!

It is also not logical to consolidate passport collection in a single office. Not only will people have to fly or drive from all over Malaysia to Shaftsbury Putrajaya to collect their passports, there would be massive queues of tens of thousands of people!

Fact #5 : Other Passport Offices Are Still Handling Passport Collection

If you go to the Malaysia Immigration Department’s official online passport application page, you can click on the list of available branches for passport collection.

As of 2 February 2024, here is the full list of available Malaysia Immigration Department offices where you can choose to collect your passport from:

Alor Setar
Batu Pahat
Besut

If you scroll through the list, you can see that Shaftsbury Putrajaya is merely one of the many passport offices available for you to select as a collection point.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | TravelTech ARP

 

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

STR 2024 Scam Alert : Can You Get RM1,000 Per Month?!

Watch out for the STR (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah) 2024 scam, and find out why you really cannot get RM1,000 per month!

 

STR 2024 Scam : Get RM1,000 Per Month For Free!

Many people are getting messages about getting RM1,000 in free cash through the STR (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah) scheme on WhatsApp and Telegram, from their family members and friends:

TERKINI: Permohonan untuk bantuan MySTR 2024 RM1000 sebulan
.
📒 Borang Permohonan (Online dan Manual)
📒 Kemaskini Maklumat kerajaan
.
Memohon secara online👇👇
https://xxxx-xxxx-xx-xxx-tunai2024.com/39/kerajaan

Recommended : Bantuan Rakyat Malaysia Scam Alert!

 

STR 2024 Scam : Don’t Fall For The RM1,000 Offer!

This is yet another scam circulating on WhatsApp and Telegram, and here are reasons why…

Fact #1 : STR 2024 Is Only Given Quarterly

First, let me just point out that the 2024 STR (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah) program is genuine. However, it is restricted to the hardcore poor, and is paid out quarterly.

STR 2024 Application Period Payment Date
Phase 1 1 to 30 Nov 2023 29 January 2024
Phase 2 1 Dec 2023 to 29 Feb 2024 April 2024
Phase 3 1 March to 30 June 2024 August 2024
Phase 4 1 July to 30 Sept. 2024 November 2024

In short – you won’t get the money on a monthly basis, as the scam websites are claiming.

Fact #2 : STR 2024 Scam Targets Your Data + Telegram Account

The real STR (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah) website will only ask you for your MyKad or user ID to check your STR 2024 status.

The scam websites, on the other hand, will ask you to submit your full name, and your mobile number.

They will send an OTP to your Telegram account, and ask you to key in the OTP to their website. This will allow them to hijack and take over your Telegram account.

To protect your Telegram account from such hijacking, please make sure you turn on Two-Step Verification!

Even if you don’t have a Telegram account, the scammers now have access to your full name and mobile number, which they can use in future scam attacks.

Recommended : PDRM Warning : Watch Out For MyBayar Scam!

Fact #3 : List Of Successful Applicants Is Fake

To convince you that their offer is genuine, the scam websites often show a scrolling list of successful applicants – each one receiving RM1,000. That’s a fake list.

If you check the source code, you can see that the scammer merely created a manual list of fake names. Here is a small segment with the fake details highlighted in bold, to show you what I mean:

<!— record berjaya box —>
<div class=”_record-box”>
<div id=”list” class=”list-box”>
<div class=”list” style=”margin-top: -3.1345px;”>
</div>
<div class=”center”>
<div class=”h1″><span class=”name”>Kaamil bin Haarith</span></div>
<div class=”h2″>Berjaya RM 1.000,00</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”item”>
<div class=”record_logo”>
<img src=”assets/masterweb/avatar.png” alt=””>
</div>
<div class=”center”>
<div class=”h1″><span class=”name”>Fat’hi bin Jaasir</span></div>
<div class=”h2″>Berjaya RM 1.000,00</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”item”>
<div class=”record_logo”>
<img src=”assets/masterweb/avatar.png” alt=””>
</div>
<div class=”center”>
<div class=”h1″><span class=”name”>Ibrahim bin Khaalid</span></div>
<div class=”h2″>Berjaya RM 1.000,00</div>
</div>
</div>

Fact #4 : STR 2024 Does Not Give RM1,000 Per Month

To help the hardcore poor handle the high inflation in 2024, the Malaysia Ministry of Finance announced an increase in the amount of STR cash aid.

However, even with the increased STR 2024 cash aid, you won’t receive RM1,000 per month. That’s just insane. Here is what the government is giving for STR 2024, in quarterly payments:

Qualifying
Categories
STR 2024 Cash Aid
Household Income
≤ RM2,500
No Children : RM1,000
1-2 Children : RM1,500
3-4 Children : RM2,000
≥5 Children : RM2,500
Household Income
RM2,500 – RM5,000
No Children : RM500
1-2 Children : RM750
3-4 Children : RM1,000
≥5 Children : RM1,250
Senior (Single)
≤ RM5,000
RM600
Single
≤ RM2,500
RM350

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Did 17th Agong Bash Arabisation Of Malay Culture On Day 1?!

Did Sultan Ibrahim bash the Arabisation of Malay culture on his first day as the 17th Agong of Malaysia?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : 17th Agong Bashed Arabisation Of Malay Culture On Day 1!

People are sharing this message on WhatsApp, claiming that the Sultan Ibrahim bashed the Arabisation of Malay culture on his first day as the 17th Agong of Malaysia!

The First Day of work DYMM YDP Agong gave a hard hitting no-holds barred royal “bashing” of the Arabidization of Malay culture. I suppose the right wing green wave politicians were squirming on their seats. Daulat Tuanku.

The message was shared with a link to an article (removed for reasons I will explain below) by The Coverage, with the title “Stop Trying To Be Like Arabs, Johor Ruler Tells Malays“.

Recommended : PADU Central Database Hub : What You Need To Know!

 

Truth : 17th Agong Did Not Bash Arabisation Of Malay Culture On Day 1!

This appears to be yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Sultan Ibrahim Made Those Comments In 2016

First, let me point out that Sultan Ibrahim of Johor did call on Malays not to discard their unique culture, in favour of the Arab culture. However, he made those comments in March 2016 – almost 8 years ago!

If there are some of you who wish to be an Arab and practise Arab culture, and do not wish to follow our Malay customs and traditions, that is up to you. I also welcome you to live in Saudi Arabia.

That is your right but I believe there are Malays who are proud of the Malay culture. At least I am real and not a hypocrite and the people of Johor know who their ruler is.

Sultan Ibrahim also said that he preferred to use terms like Hari Raya, instead of Eid al-Fitr, as well as buka puasa, instead of iftar.

I have been using these Malay terms since I was a child and speaking to my late father for the past 50 years. I have no intention of replacing these terms with Arabic.

To be clear – Sultan Ibrahim did not make those comments on his first day as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. He made them almost 8 years earlier.

Recommended : How To Renew Malaysian Passport Online : 2024 Guide!

Fact #2 : The Coverage Article Was Originally From NST

It is unknown why anyone would actually share the article by The Coverage, since it was not written by them. It was originally written and posted by The Star on 24 March 2016, and syndicated by New Straits Times.

Even worse – The Coverage appeared to have posted it on 31 January 2018 – almost 2 years after it was originally posted by The Star and NST.

Instead of supporting websites that copy and paste other people’s work (and old news at that!), why not support journalism by sharing the real source of these articles?

Fact #3 : The Coverage Refreshed Their Article Today

It is unknown why people would start sharing the article from The Coverage, when it was not written by them, and was posted 5 years ago on 31 January 2018.

But interestingly, it looks like The Coverage updated their article today, likely replacing the original photo with one posted on the Sultan’s Facebook page on 22 November 2023.

Why would The Coverage update this 5 year-old article on Sultan Ibrahim’s first day as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia?

Recommended : Is Food Being Fried With Plastic To Last Longer?!

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Can Malaysia Hospitals Now Use Ivermectin For COVID-19?

Is the Malaysia Ministry of Health now allowing hospitals to use ivermectin “off-label” against COVID-19?

Take a look at the viral message, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2024-01-24 : Refreshed for the revival of this old hoax
Originally posted @ 2021-07-07

 

Claim : Hospitals Allowed To Use Ivermectin To Treat COVID-19!

This is the viral message that is circulating on WhatsApp, with a link to a FreeMalaysiaToday article, called “Hospitals can apply for ‘off-label use’ of Ivermectin, says health ministry“.

Woohoo!! GOOD NEWS!! IVERMECTIN is being recognised!!

Malaysia bucks the tide of heavy Pharma lobby and Approves IVERMECTIN!!

 

Truth : Hospitals Must Apply To Use Ivermectin To Treat COVID-19!

The viral message is using an actual FMT article to convey a FALSE narrative. Here are the facts…

Fact #1 : Hospitals Must APPLY To Use Ivermectin To Treat COVID-19

The Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) did not “allow” hospitals to use ivermectin as an “off-label” treatment of COVID-19.

They only said that hospitals can APPLY to the Drug Control Agency (DCA) for the “off-label” use of ivermectin.

KKM also said that the use of off-label medication “must be done in a monitored environment“.

Fact #2 : Off-Label Application Has Long Existed

The ability for hospitals to apply for off-label use of medications have long existed.

This permission to apply for off-label use isn’t something new, or exclusive to ivermectin.

Fact #3 : Patient Consent Is Also Required

As off-label use of medicine can be detrimental to the patient, it is important for the doctor to inform the patient of the risks and obtain his/her consent.

In 2012, KKM started introducing a patient consent form, which was updated in 2016, with the latest version issued on 11 March 2019.

The treating physician in the hospital is required to fully explain the risks to the patient, who must then consent to the off-label use of the medication before it can be administered.

The signed consent form is then kept as part of the patient’s record.

Fact #4 : Ivermectin Mechanism Of Action Has Not Been Determined

The person who wrote the fake message claimed that ivermectin acts against COVID-19 in 3 ways. Its mechanism of action is currently unconfirmed.

It has been PROPOSED that ivermectin acts by these mechanisms :

  • inhibiting the host cell’s importin alpha/beta-1 nuclear transport proteins
  • interfering with the attachment of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
  • exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties

There is no evidence that ivermectin will disrupt virus replication, which occurs after the cell is infected.

There is also no evidence that ivermectin will “flush out the viral debris”, or that it is the dead virus that causes a cytokine storm.

And there is also no evidence that the (proposed) anti-inflammatory properties of ivermectin can heal tissue damage.

Fact #5 : COVID-19 Breathing Difficulties Caused By Pneumonia + ARDS

The fake news writer claims that ivermectin helps to “ease the air duct congestion“. It suggests that he/she falsely believes that COVID-19 creates asthma-like breathing difficulties.

Breathing difficulty in COVID-19 is caused by pneumonia and/or ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome).

COVID-19 causes damage to the blood vessels, causing them to fluid into your lungs. The fluid fills the air sacs in your lungs, which limits their ability to take in oxygen.

You start getting breathless and ARDS develops, leaving you unable to breathe on your own. This is when you require oxygen support, or mechanical ventilation.

Photo Credit : Oxford University

Fact #6 : Ivermectin Has Not Been Proven To Work Against COVID-19

Ivermectin has been shown to work against COVID-19 in vitro studies (labs studies), but does NOT improve clinical outcomes or prevent transmission.

That is why the WHO and practically the vast majority of health authorities around the world do NOT advocate using ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19.

Recommended : Latest Ivermectin COVID-19 Study : What Does It Really Say?

Fact #7 : Ivermectin Has Not Been Tested Against COVID-19 Variants

The fake news writer claims that with ivermectin “all those scary new variants don’t have to be scary anymore.

What he/she left out was the fact that ivermectin has NOT been tested against COVID-19 variants!

On the other hand, vaccines are being tested against COVID-19 variants, and we know that the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines offer robust protection against the Alpha and Delta variants.

Recommended : UK COVID-19 Vaccines Very Effective Against Delta Variant!

Fact #8 : Ivermectin Isn’t Necessarily Safe

The fake news writer claimed that “In 30 years of using ivermectin for humans, there have been minimal reports of adverse reactions.

That’s probably because no one has been stupid enough to self-medicate using ivermectin!

In February 2021, Julie Weber, President of the American Association of Poison Control Centers and the director of the Missouri Poison Center warned that people are getting poisoned by fake COVID-19 cures like hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin.

The Missouri Poison Center also issued a warning :

There have been reports of intentional ivermectin overdoses which can cause serious symptoms such as seizures, coma, lung and heart problems.

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Does Indocafe Instant Coffee Contain Harmful Drugs?!

Was Indocafe instant coffee mix found to contain harmful drugs?! Take a look at the viral video, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : Indocafe Coffee Mix Contains Harmful Drugs!

People are sharing a video clip on WhatsApp, TikTok, and social media, claiming or suggesting that Indocafe instant coffee mix was found to contain harmful drugs!

WhatsApp example #1 : Please viral to all your family and friends in your group

Discovery of sachets in Indocafe 3 in 1 coffeemix from Indonesia, mixed with harmful drugs??

Recommended : Is Food Being Fried With Plastic To Last Longer?!

Here is the rough English translation of the commentary in Indonesia / Bahasa Malaysia:

Here are all the drugs. From Indonesia. New coffee from Indocafe, which I will open now. This is new okay, now we open.  Let’s throw this first okay. Empty. Okay. Let’s open. Let’s see if there are still reddish drugs. Oh my God… Oh my God… There’s a lot.

 

Truth : Indocafe Coffee Mix Does Not Contain Harmful Drugs!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS being shared on WhatsApp and online platforms like TikTok and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Many Indocafe Customers Disputed Claim

The video appears to have been posted on TikTok by @dianaz780 on 26 November 2023 (archive).

Many people who commented on the video pointed out that they have never seen such pink-coloured drugs or dangerous substances in their Indocafe coffee mixture, even though some have been drinking it for many years.

Personally, I have also made and drunk this particular Indocafe instant coffee mix, and have never seen such pink-coloured substances before.

Fact #2 : Indocafe Labelled Video As “False”

On the same day, Indocafe advised people on Instagram not to fall for the “hoax”, stating that it has more than 38 years of experience in the industry. Then on 29 November 2023, Indocafe issued a statement (archive) through their lawyer, labelling the video as “false” and “fake news”. Here is the English translation:

In connection with the video currently circulating on social media regarding our product, namely Indocafe Coffeemix, which contains drugs, we hereby deny in the strongest possible terms that this is false and is fake news.

The statement also pointed out that the Indocafe Coffeemix product is monitored by the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM)

Recommended : Can Bak Kut Teh Herbal Soup Cause Liver Damage?!

Fact #3 : Unknown What Those Pink Substances Are

Unless the person who created that video sends the samples to Indocafe (or an independent laboratory) for testing, it is impossible to know what those pink-coloured pieces really are.

Could the instant coffee mix sachets have been tampered with? Or is it possible that these are counterfeit Indocafe coffee mix sachets?

Fact #4 : Pink Substance May Be Annatto

Assuming the sachets were not contaminated or tampered with, what could those pink pieces be? Short of a laboratory test, it would be quite impossible to know.

That said, the ingredients (archive) of this particular Indocafe Coffeemix 3-in-1 product may offer us a clue:

Sugar, Non-Dairy Creamer [Glucose Syrup, Hardened Vegetable Fat, Sodium Caseinate (contain milk protein), Stabilizer (E452ii, E340ii) and Emulsifier (non-animal origin) (E471), Anti-caking Agent (E554), Colour (160b)], Indocafé Instant Coffee.

The three key components of this coffee mix are sugar, non-diary creamer, and coffee. But one of the components of the non-diary creamer is 160b (E160b), also known as Annatto – orange-red food colouring from the seeds of the Bixa orellana tree.

It is possible that the annatto powder may have clumped together with the other components of the creamer, caking them into large pieces in the presence of excessive moisture.

Recommended : Can Bak Kut Teh Herbal Soup Cause Liver Damage?!

Fact #5 : Narcotics Are Expensive

While contamination or counterfeiting might be possible, it is absurd to claim, without evidence, that the pink substances are “dangerous drugs”. For one thing – narcotics are expensive. Who would be so stupid enough to put narcotics into cheap instant coffee mix?

Fact #6 : World Population Is Now Over 8 Billion

Claims that these “dangerous drugs” are being used to kill people and depopulate the world is a ridiculous conspiracy fantasy. Anyone who opens a sachet would immediately see the large pink pieces, thus foiling the dastardly plans of an incompetent evil cabal that has hitherto failed to stop the world from expanding to 8 billion people!

A real “Deep State operative” would have blended the poison to mix evenly with the coffee mix. And a real evil depopulation cabal would have done a better job of stopping population growth! This is nothing more than a silly conspiracy theory.

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Students Can Wear Sports Attire For 2024/2025 School Term!

The Malaysia Minister of Education just announced that students can wear sports attire for the 2024-2025 school term!

 

Students Can Wear Sports Attire For 2024/2025 School Term!

On Friday, 19 January 2024, the Malaysia Minster of Education announced that students will be allowed to wear sports attire for most of the week for the 2024-2025 school term.

From March 2024 onwards, students will longer be required to wear their school uniform for two days per week. They can then wear sportswear for two days, and co-curriculum attire for one day.

  • School uniform : two days per week
  • Sportswear : two days per week
  • Co-curriculum attire : one day per week

This decision was made after consulting stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and the community. The Education Ministry had earlier announced that students and teachers could wear sports attire due to the hot weather.

The school attire from the 2024/2025 academic year will be … two days of school uniform, two days of sportswear, and one day of co-curriculum attire.

She also said that further details will be provided later, in the announcement letter that will be sent to schools.

Recommended : 2024 – 2025 Malaysia School Term + Holiday Calendar!

For reference, the 2024-2025 school term in Malaysia begins in March 2024 and ends in January 2025:

Group A

Group A states are Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

  • Group A : 2024 – 2025 school year will last from 10 March 2024 until 15 February 2025
Group A School Starts School Ends Days
Term 1 10 March 2024 23 May 2024 48
Term 1 Holiday 24 May 2024 2 June 2024 10
Term 2 3 June 2024 12 September 2024 71
Term 2 Holiday 13 September 2024 21 September 2024 9
Term 3 Part 1 22 September 2024 19 December 2024 63
Term 3 Holiday 20 December 2024 28 December 2024 9
Term 3 Part 2 29 December 2024 16 January 2025 15
Year End Holiday 17 January 2025 15 February 2025 30

Group B

Group B states are Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.

  • Group B : 2023 / 2024 academic year will last from 11 March 2024 until 16 February 2025
Group B School Starts School Ends Days
Term 1 11 March 2024 24 May 2024 48
Term 1 Holiday 25 May 2024 2 June 2024 9
Term 2 3 June 2024 13 September 2024 72
Term 2 Holiday 14 September 2024 22 September 2024 9
Term 3 Part 1 23 September 2024 20 December 2024 62
Term 3 Holiday 21 December 2024 29 December 2024 9
Term 3 Part 2 30 December 2024 17 January 2025 14
Year End Holiday 18 January 2025 16 February 2025 30

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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How To Renew Malaysian Passport Online : 2024 Guide!

Find out how to renew your Malaysian passport online through the MyOnline Passport service in 2024!

 

You Must Renew Your Malaysian Passport Online!

MyOnline Passport is a service by the Immigration Department of Malaysia, which allows you to renew your Malaysian passports online.

On 11 May 2022, the Immigration Department stopped allowing most people to walk-in for their passport renewal. Except for a selected group of people, everyone else must renew their passports online.

Read more : Most People Cannot Walk-In To Renew Malaysia Passport!

 

How To Renew Your Malaysian Passport Online!

The MyOnline Passport service was originally designed by the Immigration Department of Malaysia as a convenient, online way for people to renew their Malaysian international passports.

However, it is now the only way to renew your Malaysian passport for most people, from 11 May 2022 onwards. Here is what you need to know about the process.

Only For International Passport Renewals

The first thing you must be aware is that MyOnline Passport can only be used to renew existing international passports issued by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

You cannot use it to apply for a new passport, or to replace a stolen or damaged passport. You also cannot use it to renew special or restricted passports.

To apply for a new passport, or to replace a stolen / damaged passport, or renew special or restricted passports, you must walk-in.

Children who are less than 13 years old, special needs individuals, and those performing the Haj, must also walk-in to renew their passports.

Who Can Apply For Online Passport Renewal?

The MyOnline Passport service is only open to applicants 13 years and older, with existing Malaysian e-passports (passport with microchip).

Underaged applicants (13-18 years old) must have the consent of their parent(s) / legal guardian(s) to apply online, and the parent(s) / legal guardian(s) must be present during the collection of passport.

Can Overseas Citizens Use MyOnline Passport?

This service is also open to Malaysian citizens living overseas, with collection centres in these countries :

  • Australia : Canberra, Melbourne, Perth
  • China : Beijing, Kunming, Guangzhou, Shanghai
  • Hong Kong
  • Indonesia : Jakarta
  • India : Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi
  • Singapore
  • United Kingdom : London
  • United States : New York

Recommended : Malaysia Digital Arrival Card Required For Foreign Visitors!

How Soon Can You Collect Your Passport?

If you submit the online application before 3 PM on a working day, you will be able to collect the new passport on the same day.

If you submit the online application after 3 PM on a working day, or anytime during a holiday, you can collect the new passport after 10 AM on the following working day.

Where Do You Collect The Passport?

Applicants can collect their renewed passports from a Passport Recipient and Issuance Office of their choice, from a list in the system.

The collection date and time will be provided, depending on the date and time the application was submitted.

How Much Does It Cost?

The MyOnline Passport service is free. You only need to pay for the standard Malaysian international passport renewal fees :

  • 13 to 59 Years Old : RM200
  • Above 60 Years Old : RM100

Payment must be made via a credit card or debit card / direct debit (FPX) on the website.

Read more : Please DO NOT Walk-In To Renew Your Malaysian Passport!

Please Check Blacklist Before Applying!

Every online passport renewal application will be vetted against the Immigration Department’s blacklist.

So please check if you are on the Immigration Department’s blacklist before you even apply.

  1. Go to the Immigration Control Status Checking page.
  2. Key in your 12-digit MyKad identity card number (without dash).
  3. Click on the Check button.

If you get the green No restriction result, then you may apply to renew your passport online.

What Is Required To Submit An Application?

Here is what you need to have, before applying for online renewal of your Malaysian international passport.

  • an existing Malaysia e-passport (passport with microchip) that is not defaced or water-damaged
  • a digital passport-sized photo with these specifications :
    a) background must be white, and without shadows (coloured backgrounds will not be accepted)
    b) applicants must wear dark clothing that cover the shoulders and chest.
    c) applicants who wear a scarf or hijab must wear dark-coloured scarf / hijab, and it must not cover the face.
    d) uploaded photo must have been taken at a professional photo studio, in the format provided by the photo studio. Polaroid photos will not be accepted.
    e) applications that do not meet these specifications will be put on-hold, resulting in delayed issuance and collection.
    f) you may have your passport photo taken at the Passport Recipient and Issuance Office you selected to collect your passport, if your passport photo does not meet the required specifications
  • a valid credit card / debit card / online bank account to make the required payment

In addition, you must be sure that :

  • you are able to physically collect the new passport in-person (a representative may not collect for you)
  • for underaged applicants : both applicant and parent(s) / legal guardian(s) must be present to collect the new passport

Passport Photo Specifications

Here are the latest specifications for online submission of passport photos (source | source):

  • Background must be white and without shadows. Coloured backgrounds will not be accepted.
  • Applicants are required to wear dark clothing that cover the shoulders and chest.
  • Applicants may wear dark-coloured scarfs or hijabs but they must not cover the face.
  • Applicants must not wear glasses, coloured contact lenses, or hair/head accessories. Hair should not cover the face.
  • Applicants must look directly at the camera, with both eyes open, and the mouth closed.
  • You must take the photo at a professional photo studio, and upload the soft copy in the format provided by the photo studio. Polaroid pictures will not be accepted.

If the photo you upload do not meet the specifications, your application will be put on-hold, and you will be asked to resubmit the photo, or get one taken at a passport office.

Recommended : 2024 – 2025 Malaysia School Term + Holiday Calendar!

What Is Required To Collect Passport?

Finally, when it’s time to collect your renewed passport, please make sure you bring :

  • your MyKad identification card
  • your existing Malaysian international passport
  • the payment receipt issued by the system
  • for underaged applicants : your parent(s) / legal guardian(s) must bring your Birth Certificate

You cannot send a representative to collect your passport. If you fail to bring the necessary documents, or collect your passport in person, the renewed passport will not be released.

Underage applicants must be accompanied by their parent(s) / legal guardian(s), or their renewed passport will not be released.

How Do You Start The Process?

You can start the process on this MyOnline Passport page.

You may make multiple passport renewals, but you must submit one application per person.

Please avoid registering from 10:55 PM to 12:30 AM, because that’s when the system undergoes daily maintenance and no payment can be processed during that time.

If You Get An Error Message…

If you get an error message while making payment, please contact your bank for further instructions.

If your photo was rejected, you can upload a new photo, or have your passport photo taken at the Passport Recipient and Issuance Office you selected to collect your passport.

If you get this error message – “Kindly contact the Immigration Department of Malaysia”, it means your online application was unsuccessful for one of these reasons :

  • The file containing your fingerprint was damaged or deleted. You will be required to go to the passport office to have your fingerprint taken again, to avoid problems at the airport arrival / departure gates.
  • Your application does not meet with the specifications listed on MyOnline Passport.
  • The information provided was inaccurate, and/or contradicts the information in the Immigration Department system.

How To Resubmit Photo / Supporting Documents

If you need to resubmit your photo or supporting documents, please use these links :

How To Check Application Status

Please use this link to check your passport renewal status.

 

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Is Food Being Fried With Plastic To Last Longer?!

Are food vendors selling fried food coated with plastic to make them crispy for a longer time?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : Fried Food Are Being Coated With Plastic!

People are sharing messages on WhatsApp and social media platforms, claiming or suggesting that some food vendors are coating their fried food in plastic, so they will stay crispy for a longer time!

PISANG GORENG WILL MAKE YOU SICK

Recommended : Is Seafood In Europe Highly Radioactive According To IAEA?!

Fried food vendor | Photo credit : Time Out

 

Truth : Fried Food Are Not Being Coated In Plastic!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS being shared on WhatsApp and social media platforms, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : No Evidence Of Fried Food Coated In Plastic

Camera phones and smartphones have been around for some 20 years now, allowing people to snap photos and take video clips of everything that catches our eyes.

Social media is full of people posting photos and videos of everything from purchases and holidays, to acts of crime or tragedies. Yet no one has ever taken a photo or video of a food vendor adding plastic to their cooking oil, or selling fried food coated in plastic.

Fact #2 : No Food Vendor Was Ever Reported For Such Crimes

It is ludicrous to believe that any food vendor would publicly add inedible plastic to their frying oil in full view of their customers. If that actually happened, their customers would have reported them to the authorities.

Yet, no one appears to have ever made such a report. There has been no verified news report on such a crime either. That’s because it never happened.

Fact #3 : Plastic Smells When Melting / Burning

If you have ever accidentally burned or melted any plastic item, you will recall how melting or burning plastic stinks.

If any vendor melts plastic in frying oil, it is very likely their customers would be able to smell the melting plastic. It would be quite impossible for food vendors to get away with melting plastic in their frying oil.

Recommended : Did Bill Gates Create Lab-Grown Meat That Moves?!

Cheese chocolate fried bananas | Photo credit : Denai.my

Fact #4 : Many Plastics Are Heat Resistant

The fake news creator claimed to have personally witnessed a plastic bottle melting in the frying oil. But is that even possible?

Cooking oil and bottled water are stored in plastic bottles made from PET (Polyethylene terephthalate)., which melts at 260°C (500°F).

Palm oil – the most common oil used for deep frying, has a smoking point of just 232°C / 450°F. In other words, the cooking oil will break down and start smoking before the plastic bottle even begins to melt!

The only cooking oils that are stable enough above 260°C are refined safflower oil and avocado oil. They are the only cooking oils that are remotely capable of melting PET plastic bottles. Needless to say, they are both much harder to find and A LOT more expensive than palm oil.

Fact #5 : Plastic Coated Food Is Impossible To Eat

Even if you successfully coat your food with plastic, it won’t be crispy as you might expect. In fact, plastic coated food will be quite impossible to eat.

The plastic coating would be hard to chew through. Try placing a food item inside a plastic bag, and chewing the whole thing. Not much fun, is it?

Fact #6 : Melted Straws Won’t Dissolve In Oil

Most drinking straws are made of polypropylene, which has a melting point of 130 to 171 °C (266 to 340 °F). So it is possible to melt them in frying oil.

However, the melted plastic won’t actually dissolve in the oil, which is what most people expect. Instead, it just becomes a misshapen clump of soft plastic, as this video shows.

Recommended : Can Bak Kut Teh Herbal Soup Cause Liver Damage?!

Fact #7 : Plastic-Coated Food Will Be Waterproof + Last Forever

Plastic-coated fried foods, if they do actually exist, will be quite easy to spot. They will be waterproof and won’t spoil even if you leave them in open air for many days.

Fact #8 : Plastic Cannot Be Digested

Plastic cannot be absorbed or digested by our body. So any fried food coated with plastic, if they do exist, will pass through our gastrointestinal system intact. For example, if you fry anchovies and coat them with plastic, they will pass out in your stool in pristine condition!

The only danger of swallowing these plastic-coated food items is that they may cause intestinal obstruction. That’s why turtles die when they chew on plastic bags.

Please help us fight fake news – SHARE this article, and SUPPORT our work!

 

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Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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How To Register For Your PADU Account!

Find out how to register for your PADU Central Database Hub account, so you can check and update your information!

 

PADU Central Database Hub : What Is It?

Malaysia introduced the PADU Central Database Hub – on Tuesday, 2 January 2024. Developed in just 7 months, PADU is designed to give the government a better way to distribute subsidies, and make other policy decisions going forward.

PADU accomplishes this by combining data from over 400 government agencies, and related organisations, into one central database, hence its name – Pangkalan Data Utama (PADU), or Central Database Hub in English.

The Malaysian government has currently made PADU open to Malaysian citizens and permanent residents, who are 18 years and older. However, it is not mandatory for anyone to register for a PADU account.

Registering for a PADU account will allow you to check and update your information in the system. But even if you do not register for an account – PADU will automatically consolidate your data from multiple government agencies.

Recommended : PADU Central Database Hub : What You Need To Know!
Recommended : Is PADU Being Used To Monitor All Your Personal Data?!

 

How To Register For Your PADU Account!

It is pretty easy to register for your PADU account, but you will need to at least have a smartphone. Here is the step-by-step process.

Step 1 : Register for a new account at the official PADU website at https://www.padu.gov.my/auth/daftar.

Step 2 : Key in your basic information in the registration form:

  • Nama Penuh / Full Name
  • No. Kad Pengenalan / Identity Card Number
  • Poskod / Postcode
  • No. Telefon Bimbit / Mobile Telephone Number
  • E-mel / Email address

Then click on the Seterusnya / Next button.

Step 3 : The PADU system will send your mobile number a One-Time Password (OTP). Key in the OTP number, and click on the Seterusnya / Next button.

Step 4 : You will now be asked to create a password for your PADU account. Make sure your password meets these minimum requirements:

  • it must have at least 8 characters
  • there must be a combination of capital and small letters
  • you must include at least one special character like @$!%*$?&

Step 5 : Key in the same password to make sure it’s correct. You can click on the eye button to view the password. Then click on the Seterusnya / Next button.

Step 6 : The PADU system will generate a QR code, which changes over time. Open your smartphone camera app, and aim it at the QR code.

Alternatively, you can use a QR code reader on your smartphone to read the generated QR code.

Step 7 : When the link pops-up in your smartphone’s camera app or QR code reader, click on it to launch the e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer) process.

Step 8 : You will now be asked to take and upload photos of both the front and back of your MyKad identity card.

  • Please make sure you do this in a bright area, as you should not use a flash.
  • You need to avoid glare – light reflecting off the plastic MyKad.
  • You need to make sure the MyKad is within the dotted-line frame, when you take the photos.
  • You also need to make sure the MyKad is in focus when you take the photos.

Note that there is a magnification feature at the upper right corner, that allows you to zoom in at up to 2.5X. This is actually a very useful feature.

After trying it out, I found that the best way to avoid shadows is to use the maximum 2.5X magnification feature to take the photo of the MyKad from a distance.

Reflections on the plastic MyKad is a problem. But you can avoid the glare by taking the photos at a slight angle.

Step 9 : Next, you will be asked to take a selfie using your smartphone, and upload it.

Even though there is the same option to zoom in with a magnification of up to 2.5X, don’t use it. Keep it at 1X.

There is no requirement to take the photo with a white background. You just need to make sure you take the selfie in a bright area, so there is no need to use a flash (to avoid glare).

You will need to make sure your face is within the dotted line frame, before you take the photo. Make sure you are looking forward, with your eyes opened. If you are wearing glasses, please take them off to avoid glare.

Note : Samsung smartphone users may notice that the system hangs with the “Trying to access lens” message. You can either wait a few minutes, or click on the Tukar Lens (Change Lens) option at the top left corner of the screen.

That’s it! After you upload photos of your identity card, and your selfie, you will receive a message stating that PADU will need up to 3 days to verify your identity, and will inform you when your account has been successfully created.

All you need to do is wait for the email or SMS notification. Once you receive the notification, you can proceed to log into your PADU account using the password you registered at https://www.padu.gov.my/.

We hope you found this guide useful. Please SHARE this article with your family and friends!

 

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Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Did COVID-19 Vaccines Cause 17 Million Deaths?!

Did researchers discover that COVID-19 vaccines were “causally linked” to 17 million deaths?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2024-01-09 : Refreshed for the revival of this claim on social media
Originally posted @ 2023-10-03

 

Claim : COVID-19 Vaccines Caused 17 Million Deaths!

People are sharing an article by The Epoch Times which claims or suggests that COVID-19 vaccines did not save lives, but instead, resulted in 17 million deaths in 17 countries!

Here is an excerpt of The Epoch Times article. Feel free to skip to the next section for the facts:

Researchers Find COVID Vaccines Causally Linked to Increased Mortality, Estimate 17 Million Deaths

Recommended : Did FDA + CDC Hide Data On Failing COVID Vaccines?!

 

Truth : COVID-19 Vaccines Did Not Cause 17 Million Deaths!

In this article, I will go through some of their points, and show you what the facts really are!

Fact #1 : It Was A Self-Published Report

First, let’s start by pointing out that the paper in question (PDF download) is not a published scientific report, but a self-published report by Correlation Research in the Public Interest.

As far as we can tell, it has not been submitted to any scientific or medical journal for publication. Even if a scientific report has not been peer-reviewed, it would be available as a pre-print.

Fact #2 : It Has Not Been Peer-Reviewed

There is also no indication that this report has undergone even the basic peer review process. In fact, The Epoch Times confirmed this at the end of their very long article.

It’s important to note the scientific report has not yet been peer-reviewed. Articles that are ultimately accepted by peer review are often revised prior to publication, indicating potential for improvement.

In other words – subject matter experts have yet to inspect their data and findings, never mind verify and authenticate them. Perhaps this should have been mentioned right from the start?

Fact #3 : World Mortality Dataset Covers 103-124 Countries

The World Mortality Dataset (WMD) is a public database maintained by two researchers – Ariel Kaplinsky and Dmitry Kobak, that has been tracking the mortality rates of 103 countries since January 2021. They later expanded their data to cover 124 countries.

It is peculiar that Correlation Research in the Public Interest would focus only on 17 countries, out of 103-124 countries in the World Mortality Dataset. Why not look at ALL countries covered by the WMD data?

Recommended : Did Japan Order Investigation Of COVID-19 Vaccine Deaths?!

Fact #4 : There Was No Causal Link To Vaccines

The World Mortality Dataset is a big and critical tool for tracking all cause mortality for many countries around the world. However, it is ultimately just a database of all-cause mortality.

There is no way it can be used to demonstrate the causality of any particular cause of death. After all, it only tracks all-cause mortality! It doesn’t differentiate between death from a car accident or a fall, from death from COVID-19, or death from a vaccine injury.

Hence, if you go through the long Correlation Research report (180 pages!!), you don’t see an actual causal link between those spikes in deaths, and COVID-19 vaccines (or any other potential cause of death).

Fact #5 : Eurostat Data Shows Vaccination Reduced Excess Mortality

Perhaps the reason why the European countries were left out of this Correlation Research report is because the Eurostat data showed a strong correlation between high COVID-19 vaccination rates and low excess mortality.

In this chart provided by @dobssi, you can see that the 2021 excess mortality is much lower in countries with high vaccination rates, than countries with low vaccination rates.

Interestingly, two of those highly-vaccinated countries are Australia and New Zealand, both of which had low excess mortality rates in 2021.

The Eurostats data appear to show that Australia has only a small spike in excess death, while New Zealand actually had LOWER excess deaths after vaccinating its population. Imagine that…

Recommended : Why Adverse Events of Special Interest Are NOT Side Effects!

Fact #6 : Those Countries Have Seasons

The report claim to look at 17 equatorial and Southern Hemisphere countries because they have “no summer and winter seasons”, so there won’t be “seasonal variations” in their mortality patterns.

But the truth is – countries in equatorial and southern hemispheres have at least two seasons, instead of four seasons typically seen in the Northern Hemisphere.

Take Thailand, for example – a tropical country that evokes images of sandy beaches and warm weather. Well, Thailand actually has three seasons:

  • a wet season that runs from May to October,
  • a cool season that runs from November to February, and
  • a hot season that runs from March May

Its capital, Bangkok, itself experiences wide variations in temperature throughout the year – from as low as 21°C in the winter, to as high as 37°C in the summer.

And how exactly does proximity to the equator affect the SARS-CoV-2 virus or the COVID-19 vaccine??

Fact #7 : Those Countries Have Different Vaccination Rates

It is hard to understand why those 17 countries were chosen out of 103-124 countries in the World Mortality Dataset. Especially when they have different vaccination rates.

Yes, the report states that these countries comprise 9.1% of the global population and 10.3% of all COVID-19 vaccine injections. That gives us the impression that they are all highly-vaccinated countries.

That’s really not the case. These countries have very different vaccination rates, ranging from 44% to 97%!

Country 1 Dose ≥ 2 Doses
Argentina 14% 77%
Australia 2% 95%
Bolivia 60%
Brazil 6% 82%
Chile 2% 90%
Colombia 12% 72%
Ecuador 85%
Malaysia 2% 84%
New Zealand 1% 95%
Paraguay 56%
Peru 6% 83%
Philippines 79%
Singapore 1% 92%
South Africa 46%
Suriname 3% 44%
Thailand 5% 78%
Uruguay 5% 83%

If they did not select those countries for their high vaccination rate, then why choose those countries and not the dozens of other countries located near the equator?

Why not pick large countries like Indonesia or India? Why not pick small countries like Brunei or Maldives? Why pick South Africa when there are many other African countries much closer to the equator?

Did they cherry-pick those countries because their data fitted the narrative, or was it something else?

Recommended : New Study Proves Pfizer mRNA Vaccine Causes Turbo Cancer?!

Fact #8 : World Mortality Dataset Study Identified COVID-19 As Cause

The two researchers who maintained the World Mortality Dataset (WMD) actually published a peer-reviewed study in the eLife journal, on 30 June 2021.

Unlike this Correlation Research report, this was an actual peer-reviewed study, published in a journal and the NIH National Library of Medicine. It was also written by the two people who knows the WMD database best – the very people maintaining and updating it!

Both Ariel Kaplinsky and Dmitry Kobak used their WMD data to look at the impact of COVID-19 on the all-cause mortality from 103 countries, and here was what they found:

We found that in several worst-affected countries (Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Mexico) the excess mortality was above 50% of the expected annual mortality (Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Mexico) or above 400 excess deaths per 100,000 population (Peru, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia). At the same time, in several other countries (e.g. Australia and New Zealand) mortality during the pandemic was below the usual level, presumably due to social distancing measures decreasing the non-COVID infectious mortality

Summing up the excess mortality estimates across all countries in our dataset gives 4.0 million excess deaths. In contrast, summing up the official COVID-19 death counts gives 2.9 million deaths, corresponding to the global undercount ratio of 1.4.

In other words – many people were likely being killed by COVID-19 infections, which appear to be undercounted by some 40%.

To be clear – their data do not show COVID-19 vaccines causing those deaths, never mind 17 million deaths!

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Don’t forget to protect yourself, and your family, by vaccinating against COVID-19!

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Is PADU Being Used To Monitor All Your Personal Data?!

Is the government using PADU – the Central Database Hub – to collect and monitor all of your personal data, including your banking information?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : PADU Lets The Government Monitor All Your Data!

People are sharing this message on WhatsApp and social media platforms, which claims or suggests that the new PADU Central Database Hub allows the government to collect and monitor all of your personal data, including your banking information!

Soon for everyone….. Government new method to monitor All Malaysian assets and income.. it’s called PADU.. it links all personal information from your Mycard to your passport to all your officials document’s , including insurance , property & land titles, Electric and water bills to JPJ vechical grant.
All your bank transitions, From PDRM summons including bank loans, credit cards, Business registration and accounts. even your phone SIM card.. In the future a Malaysian can’t even fart, Without the government’s knowledge

Recommended : PADU Central Database Hub : What You Need To Know!

 

Truth : PADU Does Not Let Government Monitor All Your Data

This appears to be yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp, and social media platforms, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : PADU Combines Existing Data

Malaysia introduced the PADU Central Database Hub – on Tuesday, 2 January 2024. Developed in just 7 months, PADU is designed to give the government a better way to distribute subsidies, and make other policy decisions going forward.

PADU accomplishes this by combining data from over 400 government agencies, and related organisations, into one central database, hence its name – Pangkalan Data Utama (PADU), or Central Database Hub in English.

The data that PADU stores was always there, just split up into databases owned and managed by different government agencies, and related organisations. All that PADU does is consolidate data from all those different sources into a central database.

Fact #2 : You Are Not Required To Register For PADU

The Malaysian government does not actually require you to register to access PADU. Registering for a PADU account is not mandatory.

In fact, the government has set a deadline limiting public access to PADU. Those who register for a PADU account can check, update, and add information, until 31 March 2024.

Whether you register your account or not, PADU already has your data. The data remains in PADU, even if you refuse to register for an account.

Recommended : How To Appeal Rejected eMADANI Application!

Fact #3 : PADU Has No Access To Banking Data

While PADU is designed to determine whether you qualify for subsidies and other government assistance, there are limits to what the PADU can collect.

Claims that PADU will give the government access to all of your “bank transactions” and data, including “bank loans, credit cards, business registration and accounts”, etc. are false.

That’s because the PADU Central Database Hub is forbidden from collecting banking data by the Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989 (BAFIA).

Fact #4 : PADU Has No Access To Your SIM Card

Just to be clear – PADU has no access to your SIM card. It only has your mobile phone number.

For more information about the PADU Central Database Hub, please read our FAQ.

Please help us fight fake news – SHARE this article, and SUPPORT our work!

 

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Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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PADU Central Database Hub : What You Need To Know!

The government just introduced PADU – the Central Database Hub for managing subsidies more effectively in Malaysia! Here is what you need to know…

 

PADU : Malaysia’s Central Database Hub

On Tuesday, 2 January 2024, Malaysia introduced Pangkalan Data Utama (PADU) – the Central Database Hub in English.

Developed in just 7 months, PADU is designed to give the government a better way to distribute subsidies, and make other policy decisions going forward.

The PADU Central Database Hub will combine data from over 400 government agencies, and related organisations. However, it will not include your private banking information.

Here is what you need to know about PADU, and whether you should register for an account.

Recommended : Is PADU Being Used To Monitor All Your Personal Data?!

 

PADU : What you Need To Know

Here is a quick summary of what you need to know about the PADU Central Database Hub:

What Is PADU Used For?

The PADU Central Database Hub consolidates data from government agencies in order to create more accurate household profiles for “the targeted reassignment of subsidies”.

The information stored in the database will be used as a reference to determine how to distribute subsidies, and other government assistance in the future.

Who Controls PADU Data?

Data in the PADU Central Database Hub is managed by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM).

What Data Is Stored In PADU?

PADU will store nearly 300 types of data from federal government agencies, and will gradually include data from state and local governments. There are currently eight data categories:

  • Basic personal information
  • Address and residential status
  • Education level and field
  • Household information
  • Business or career information
  • Income for the past 12 months
  • Monthly financial commitments
  • Government aid received in the past 12 months

Will PADU Collect Banking Data?

No, the PADU Central Database Hub will not collect banking data, as that is forbidden by the Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989 (BAFIA).

Who Can Apply For A PADU Account?

PADU is currently open only to Malaysian citizens and permanent residents, who are 18 years and older.

Is It Mandatory To Register For PADU Account?

No, it is not mandatory to register for an account, or update their information in the PADU system.

Recommended : Malaysia Adopts Digital Driving Licence In MyJPJ App!

What If You Don’t Apply For An Account?

The Malaysian government does not actually require you to register for your PADU account, as the Central Database Hub will automatically consolidate your information from multiple agencies.

Refusing to apply for your PADU account will merely mean you may not be able to update or correct the information in the system. This may affect your eligibility for future subsidies or government aid.

Is There A Deadline To Apply For A PADU Account?

The public will allowed to register, check and update their information on PADU, from 2 January until 31 March, 2024.

What Do You Need To Register For A PADU Account?

Registering for a PADU account requires you to have at least a smartphone with Internet connectivity.

The process is straightforward and pretty simple:

  1. Register using your full name, MyKad number, and the postcode. These details must match your MyKad.
  2. Submit your mobile number to receive a One-Time Password (OTP).
  3. After verifying your mobile number, you can create a password for your account.
  4. Then you need to use your smartphone to take photos of the front and back of your MyKad, as well as a selfie.

That’s it! You then have to wait up to three days for your details to be verified. Then you can access your account, and make any necessary changes or corrections.

We will have a comprehensive guide up shortly, so please check back for a link later.

What If You Don’t Have Smartphone Or Internet?

The government will deploy an outreach team to cover locations which lack Internet connectivity.

The government will also open registration counters at selected locations like district offices, federal and state government agencies, as well as Pusat Internet Desa.

You can also register for your account at DoSM state offices, and any Pusat Economy Digital (PEDi) offices.

How Many Times Can You Edit Your Information?

You will have until 31 March 2024 to edit and update information in the PADU Central Database Hub.

In addition to the deadline, it appears that the PADU system will only allow you to make just one submission. That’s it – you can only submit any amendments / changes / updates to your data once.

According to the official website, you will not be allowed to edit your information once you confirm your submission. So please go through your information and make sure they are all correct before you submit it!

What If I Made A Mistake?

According to the official website, after submitting your changes, you will not be allowed to make any further changes until the next update window in the “upcoming phase”.

It is unknown when the next update window, or the “upcoming phase”, is scheduled to occur. So it is best to ensure that all of your PADU data is accurate before submitting.

We hope you found this FAQ useful. Please SHARE this article with your family and friends!

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Motorists Can Renew Licence + Road Tax Via MyJPJ App!

Motorists in Malaysia can soon digitally renew their driving licence and road tax through the MyJPJ app… with a discount too!

 

Motorists Can Renew Licence + Road Tax Via MyJPJ App!

On Tuesday, 2 January 2024, Malaysia Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that, effective 1 February 2024, motorists will be able to digitally renew their driving licence and motor vehicle licence (Lesen Kenderaan Motor, or LKM for short), which is colloquially known as the “road tax”.

The digital renewal of driving licence and road tax through the MyJPJ app will be carried out in stages. Initially, this feature will only be available to privately-owned vehicles belonging to Malaysian citizens.

These new features will make it easier for motorists in Malaysia to renew their driving licence and road tax digitally, saving time and costs, as well as reduce traffic and congestion at JPJ counters.

Recommended : Malaysia Adopts Digital Driving Licence In MyJPJ App!

 

RM5 Discount If You Renew Digital Driving Licence!

On top of that, Anthony Loke also announced that for the year 2024, motorists who opt for the digital driving licence will receive a RM5 discount!

This RM5 discount or rebate applies to those who renew their digital driving licence, from 1 February until 31 December 2024, through:

  • the JPJ counter,
  • the mySIKAP portal,
  • the MyJPJ app, or
  • JPJ partners like Pos Malaysia or MyEG

However, this initiative to promote the use of digital driving licence is limited to Malaysian citizens. Foreigners, or pass holders, long-term permit holders, or people with MyKAS or MyPR cards will not receive this RM5 discount / rebate.

This initiative is only for Malaysians, and is not extended to to foreign nationals on any pass, long-term permit, MyKAS Card, MyPR Card holders.

– Malaysia Transport Minister Anthony Loke

As nice as this discount is, I should point out that motorists who plan to drive overseas should still request for a physical driving licence. Otherwise, you may face issues with foreign law enforcement officials!

Recommended : PSA : You Still Need Physical Driving Licence Overseas!

 

Physical Licence + Road Tax Still Available For Those Who Renew In 2024

Anthony Lok also announced that the physical driving licence and road tax will still be available for motorists who renew them in 2024.

However, JPJ will no longer provide them in their previous plastic forms. Instead, they will be printed on security paper, for those who prefer a physical copy.

As announced earlier, motorists are no longer required to display the road tax sticker on their vehicles. This applies to the new paper road tax.

 

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Malaysia : Free Highway Tolls For Christmas 2023!

The government of Malaysia just announced free highway tolls for two days for Christmas 2023! Here is what you need to know!

 

Malaysia : Free Highway Tolls For Christmas 2023!

On Thursday, 21 December 2023, Malaysia Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan announced free highway tolls for two days:

  • Saturday, 23 December 2023
  • Tuesday, 26 December 2023

The toll-free travel will apply to all types of vehicles travelling on all highways in Malaysia, except the toll plazas at the national borders in Johor:

  • the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Toll Plaza
  • the Tanjung Kupang Toll Plaza

The toll-free period will begin at 12:01 AM and end at 11:59 PM on the two days – Saturday, 23 December 2023, and Tuesday, 26 December, 2023.

An estimated 2.1 million vehicles are expected to use the highways during the Christmas 2023 season, with the free toll costing the government RM20 million per day, for a total cost of RM40 million.

Recommended : 2024 Public + School Holidays For Malaysia!

It is hoped that this toll waiver will reduce the burden on those who are planning to return to their home towns to visit their families and celebrate Christmas together.

This is in line with the intention of the unity government to help ease the burden of the people across the religious diversity and beliefs

Highway users should take advantage of this opportunity and plan their journeys as best as possible while observing the recommended travel time advisory schedule.

He said that the dates were chosen to avoid traffic congestion, and optimise logistics. He also advised highway users to observe the safety limits, signages, and regulations.

 

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How To Appeal Rejected eMADANI Application!

Find out why your eMADANI application may be rejected, and how to appeal!

 

6.5 Million Malaysians Received Free RM100 eMADANI Credit!

On 27 July 2023, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Malaysian government will give a special, one-off RM100 eWallet credit under the eMADANI programme.

The eMADANI programme kicked off on 4 December 2023, giving 10 million Malaysian citizens the opportunity to receive the RM100 eWallet credit.

As of Wednesday, 6 December 2023, some 6.5 million people have had their eMADANI applications approved. According to the Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, another 1.8 million eMADANI applications are being processed.

However, many reported they failed to get the free RM100 eWallet credit. Find out why your eMADANI application may be rejected, and how to appeal!

Recommended : How To Get Free RM100 eMADANI eWallet Credit!

 

Why Your eMADANI Application May Be Rejected!

First, it is important to find out why your eMADANI application may be rejected.

You May Not Qualify

The eMADANI programme is limited to some 10 million Malaysian citizens, who meet these requirements:

  • you must be a Malaysian citizen who is 21 years or older, as of 1 January 2023
  • you received the Rahmah Cash Assistance (Sumbangan Tuna Rahmah) as of 7 November 2023,
    OR
    you have an annual income of RM100,000 or less, based on LHDN records as of 15 July 2023

Those who do not meet those qualifications won’t be able to receive the free RM100 eWallet credit.

You Received eBeliaRahmah

Those who received the eBeliaRahmah assistance earlier are automatically disqualified for the eMADANI programme, because they have already received eWallet cash to promote the use of cashless payments amongst the youth.

You Did Not Submit Your Tax Return

Unfortunately, the eMADANI programme is using your LHDN tax return for the 2022 assessment year to determine your income level, if you are not receiving the Rahmah Cash Assistance.

People who did not file a 2022 tax return will, unfortunately, not qualify for the free RM100 eWallet credit, even if they earned too little to require filing taxes with LHDN.

Recommended : eWallet May Be Blocked If eMADANI Credit Is Transferred!

 

How To Appeal Rejected eMADANI Application!

After applying for eMADANI, your application will be approved and rejected within 1-5 days. Unfortunately, if your application is rejected, the notification will not tell you WHY it was rejected.

The good news is – there is a dispute process. Sort of.

Contact The eWallet Service Provider

The first thing you can try is to reach out to the eWallet service provider you registered with, to find out why your application was rejected.

MAE: 1300-88-6688 or email mgcc@maybank.com.my

Setel: Email to hello@setel.com or click here

ShopeePay: +603-2777 9222 or click here

Touch ‘n Go eWallet: +603-5022 3888 or click here 

It is possible that you may need to submit additional information, or documents, like a copy of your identification card for verification.

If you are using the Shopee app, you can raise a dispute with their customer service.

  • Select eMadani Claimants as your user type.
  • Select “eMadani Unable to claim
  • Fill in your personal details.
  • Upload any necessary photos or screenshots.

Contact The Ministry Of Finance

If you cannot resolve the problem through the eWallet service providers, you can try contacting the Ministry of Finance through these dedicated channels of eMADANI:

Email : emadani@treasury.gov.my

Telephone : 03-8882-4565

Toll-free : 1 800 88 2747

If you found this article useful, please SHARE it with your family and friends!

 

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PDRM : 50% Discount On Traffic Offences For 3 Days!

The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is offering up to 50% discount for selected traffic offences for just 3 days!

Find out how you can get the 50% discount on your traffic offences from PDRM!

 

PDRM Offers 50% Discount On Traffic Offences For 3 Days!

On 6 December 2023, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) announced a special 50% discount for selected traffic offences for just 3 days!

From 8 December until 10 December 2023, motorists will be able to get a 50% discount for selected traffic summonses at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium:

Date : Friday, 8 December until Sunday, 10 December 2023

Location : Tent no. 2, Bukit Jalil National Stadium (behind the main stage)

Recommended : Is There A RM300 Seat Belt Fine On PLUS Highway?!
Recommended : Traffic Lights Now Have CCTV Cameras To Catch Drivers?!
Recommended : Warning – PDRM Parking Fine Scam Alert!

 

PDRM 50% Traffic Summons Discount For December 2023

This special PDRM offer only applies to traffic summonses issued in 2022 and earlier. It does not apply to traffic offences committed in 2023, or active warrants for court trials. This limited 50% discount offer also does not apply to:

  • summons for traffic accidents
  • court cases which involve arrest warrants or ongoing trials
  • non-compoundable offences, like driving without a licence, careless driving, expired driving licence, uninsured vehicle, etc.

Motorists who want to take advantage of this discount programme are advised to check their outstanding traffic summonses through the PDRM MyBayar website and/or mobile app before heading over to the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

Please note that you cannot get the discount by paying online. Unlike earlier online discount offers, this programme requires you to be physically present at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium between 8 to 10 December 2023.

 

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eWallet May Be Blocked If eMADANI Credit Is Transferred!

Be warned – your eWallet account may be blocked, if you attempt to transfer your free RM100 eMADANI credit! Here is what you need to know…

 

eMADANI : 10 Million Malaysian Citizens To Get Free RM100!

On 27 July 2023, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Malaysian government will give a special, one-off RM100 eWallet credit.

On Wednesday, 29 November 2023, the government announced that the eMADANI programme will benefit some 10 million Malaysian citizens and 2 million businesses, with a total budget of RM 1 billion.

The eMADANI programme is a new initiative that is designed to stimulate the micro, small and medium enterprises (PMKS), as well as promote cashless payments, and alleviate inflationary pressures on the rakyat.

From 4 December 2023 until 20 February 2024, eligible Malaysians can register and receive RM100 in one of these four eWallets:

  • MAE
  • Setel
  • ShopeePay, and
  • Touch ‘n Go eWallet

Please note that these four eWallet providers will also be offering additional incentives in the form of vouchers, cashbacks, discounts, reward points, and coins. So be sure to “shop around” for the best offers, before deciding on which eWallet to use!

Recommended : How To Get Free RM100 eMADANI eWallet Credit!

 

eWallet May Be Blocked If eMADANI Credit Is Transferred!

On Monday, 4 December 2023, the Malaysia Ministry of Finance issued a statement warning that your eWallet may be blocked if you attempt to transfer your free RM100 eMADANI credit out!

This is partly because the eMADANI programme is meant to promote the digital economy, and the use of cashless payments in Malaysia.

The RM100 eWallet credit must be spent physically in retail stores and businesses using the the eWallet of your choice, except:

  • peer-to-peer transfers
  • cash redemptions
  • bill payments through the eWallet
  • government fee payments through the eWallet
  • telco postpaid payments and prepaid reloads through the eWallet
  • game payments through the eWallet
  • parking and toll payments
  • investment activities through the eWallet
  • e-commerce or online transactions

On top of that, the Ministry is aware of online scams offering “cash out” services to people. To avoid people being tricked into transferring their eMADANI credit out, the Malaysian government may order the blocking of eWallet accounts used in such activities, as well as the eMADANI credit involved.

So please make sure you do not transfer your RM100 eMADANI credit out of your eWallet. Do not fall for scams offering you the option to “cash out” the money. Instead, use the eMADANI credit to purchase at retail stores.

Please SHARE this article out, to warn your family and friends!

 

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Old Voice Note On COVID-19 Deaths In Malaysia Gone Viral!

An old voice note on staggering COVID-19 deaths in Malaysia from a new African variant has gone viral on WhatsApp! Here is what you need to know…

 

Voice Note On COVID-19 Deaths In Malaysia Goes Viral!

An old voice note on staggering COVID-19 deaths in Malaysia has gone viral on WhatsApp. It claims that a new African variant has caused a massive surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths, with many people in Malaysia “brought in dead” (BID).

The voice message is sometimes accompanied by warnings like this:

START WEARING MASK IN THE PUBLIC… ADVICE FROM HOSPITAL BESAR… K. LUMPUR TEAM… DAILY HUNDREDS PATIENTS ADMITTED N MANY DIED.. VIRUS INTO LUNGS.. LISTEN TO ABOVE.. NO CURE

The voice note claims that hospitals in Malaysia no longer have beds for patients who are 70 years or older, and 48-60 people are dying every day in Kuala Lumpur.

The man on the voice note claims that the new African variant enters the lungs directly, and cannot be detected by COVID-19 tests. He also claimed that many younger people – 30 to 40 years old – have been infected by this new variant.

The man also claimed that the DG Health of Malaysia said that by next week, there will be ten thousand infections a day.

Recommended : Did Iceland Ban COVID Vaccines After Sudden Deaths?!

https://www.techarp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Malaysia-old-COVID-19-voice-message.m4a?_=1

 

Viral Voice Note On COVID-19 Deaths In Malaysia Is Old!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Voice Note Is From 2021

When I was first asked to fact check the viral voice note, I immediately remembered that it went viral in 2021 – more than two years ago!

Fact #2 : KKM Says Voice Note Is Fake News

On Sunday, 3 December 2023, the Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) publicly labelled the viral voice note as fake news (archive). Here is the English translation of their post:

There is a recording of a ‘Voice Note’ that went viral recently claiming that the beds in hospital wards are full and not enough, and commenting that the death rate is increasing in ‘brought in dead’ (BID) cases, as well as the spread of new epidemics from African countries has caused sudden death at one time.

The Ministry of Health would like to inform you that this voice note went viral in 2021 and is now widely distributed through the WhatsApp application to cause public anxiety.

Accordingly, the public is requested not to spread this false news that can cause panic in the community and to always be vigilant against the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic that is still around us. Make sure you take public health preventive measures by always practicing 3W, Avoid 3S, do a COVID-19 test if you have symptoms, get the COVID-19 vaccine including a booster dose, and get early treatment and the antiviral Paxlovid if you test positive for COVID-19.

Recommended : KJ + Noor Hisham just sued by COVID vaccine victims?!

Fact #3 : African Variant Is Omicron Variant

The African variant mentioned in the viral voice note is actually the B.1.1.529 variant that was identified in 2021. The WHO identified it a variant of concern on 26 November 2021, and renamed it as the Omicron variant.

Fact #4 : Omicron Variant Is Less Virulent

Omicron and its sub-variants have been the dominant COVID-19 variants worldwide for the past two years. They have proven to be highly infectious, but fortunately, much less virulent than the original virus and the Delta variant.

Hence, the claims that the (South) African variant (which is now known as Omicron) are killing many people isn’t true. Thanks to mass vaccination, and the lower virulence of the Omicron variant, hospitals are no longer filled with dying patients.

Fact #5 : COVID-19 Tests Can Detect Omicron Variant

The claim that the (South) African variant (which is now known as Omicron) cannot be detected by current COVID-19 tests is nonsense. The current COVID-19 tests are more than capable of detecting Omicron variant infections.

In fact, these tests have not changed fundamentally – we have been using the same COVID-19 lab and home tests to detect Omicron infections for the past two years.

Recommended : COVID-19 Vaccines Estimated To Cause 17 Million Deaths?!

Fact #6 : COVID-19 Is Increasing In Malaysia

That said, it is important not to be complacent. COVID-19 infections are actually trending upwards in Malaysia.

On the same day the old voice note went viral, the current Malaysia Director-General of Health Dr. Muhammad Radzi said that there gas been a 57.3% increase in COVID-19 cases from November 19-25, compared to the week earlier.

Fortunately, the vast majority of the cases (98%) are only showing mild symptoms. Even so, we should all take precautions, to avoid getting infected.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

 

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Malaysia Digital Arrival Card Required For Foreign Visitors!

Foreign visitors are now required to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) prior to arrival in Malaysia! Here is what you need to know…

 

Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) Requirement

From 1 December 2023 onwards, the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) requires foreign visitors to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) prior to their arrival in Malaysia.

The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) replaces the physical white arrival card that foreign visitors usually complete before or on arrival in Malaysia.

This new rule applies to all foreign visitors, except:

  • people transiting / transferring through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance,
  • Malaysian Permanent Resident, and
  • Malaysian Automated Clearance System (MACS) holders

As an added benefit, foreign visitors from 10 countries can register their fingerprint at the immigration country, and will thereafter be able to use the Autogate (Egate) at Malaysian airports and other ports of entry to quickly get through immigration!

  • Australia
  • Brunei
  • Germany
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • New Zealand
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • United States
  • United Kingdom

But please note that the MDAC is not a visa. Neither is it an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) that some countries use to pre-register visitors for multiple entries.

Recommended : 2024 Public + School Holidays For Malaysia!

 

Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) Steps

For The First Time

All foreign visitors (except those who were explicitly exempted above) will need to register for the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) for the first time.

  1. Enrol for the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) at this official link.
  2. Complete and submit the MDAC within three days (3) prior to your arrival in Malaysia.
    You will be required to fill in these information:
    a) Full name
    b) Passport number
    c) Nationality
    d) Sex
    e) Date of Birth
    f) Date of Passport Expiry
    g) Email address
    h) Mobile Number
    i) Date of Arrival : Must be within 3 days (including date of submission)
    j) Date of Departure
    k) Mode of Travel : Air / Land / Sea
    l) Last Port of Embarkation
  3. On arrival in Malaysia, you will need to enroll and verify your passport manually at the Malaysian Immigration Department counter.
  4. After that manual enrolment, you will be allowed to use the Egate autogate system when you depart Malaysia.

On Subsequent Visits

On subsequent visits, foreign visitors will need to:

  1. Complete and submit the MDAC within three days (3) prior to your arrival in Malaysia.
  2. Use the Autogate system on arrival and departure

As you can see, the new Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) does more than just eliminate waste and improve efficiency through digital transformation of the physical arrival card. It also streamlines the immigration process for foreign visitors, and allows some of them to breeze through using the Egate system!

But again – please note that you can only submit the MDAC within 3 days of your trip, and this includes the date of submission.

 

Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) : Other Important Things

Here are other things about the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card that may be important:

  1. You can check the status of your MDAC registration information here.
  2. You can check the visit pass record for the latest 3 months here.
  3. You can check your Egate eligibility status here. *

* Please note that Egate eligibility is only open to business and social travellers from these 10 countries, who have an e-Passport, and will only start after you have enrolled your fingerprints (biometric verification) at the immigration counter.

 

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China Visa-Free Travel For 6 Countries Starts Tomorrow!

From tomorrow onwards, citizens from 6 countries will start enjoying visa-free travel to China for 15 days! Here is what you need to know!

 

China Offers Visa-Free Travel For 6 New Countries!

China will start offering visa-free travel to 6 additional countries on a trial basis, starting on 1 December 2023.

On Friday, 24 November 2023, China announced that citizens from these 6 countries will enjoy visa-free travel for up to 15 days:

  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • The Netherlands
  • Spain
  • Malaysia

These six countries will join Singapore, Japan, and Brunei, whose citizens already enjoy visa-free travel to China for up to 15 days.

According to Chinese government spokesperson Mao Ning, China has taken this step to help “promote the high-quality development of Chinese and foreign personnel exchanges and high-level opening up to the outside world“.

This visa-free travel for those 6 countries, however, is a trial that will last from 1 December 2023 until 30 November 2024. This trial program may or may not be extended after that.

Recommended : 2024 Public + School Holidays For Malaysia!

 

China Visa-Free Travel To Hopefully Revive Tourism

Travellers to China are generally required to apply for a visa. China is hoping that offering visa-free travel to certain favoured countries will help to revive its tourism industry that has been hard-hit by strict COVID-19 measures in the past 3 years.

China had the world’s strictest COVID-19 measures, maintaining them long after the rest of the world reopened. Even when the Chinese government decided to reopen its borders, it required inbound travellers to quarantine, which discouraged travel

It was only in March 2023 that China began issuing all types of travel visas again, and in July that it restored the 15-day visa-free travel for Singapore, Japan and Brunei. In August, China finally scrapped all COVID-19 test requirements for inbound travellers.

With visa-free travel removing the onerous application for a Chinese travel visa, it is likely that there will be tourists and business visitors who will take opportunity of the one-year trial to visit China. The only question is whether it is a surge, or merely a tiny bump.

After all, potential travellers would need to worry about the lack of access to essential apps like Google Maps, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. as well as popular apps like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube. There is also the risk of being detained in China, and prevented from returning home.

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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EPF “Flexible” Account 3 : What We Know So Far!

What exactly is the EPF “flexible” Account 3, and how does it affect your retirement plans? Here is what we know so far…

 

EPF Account 3 To Be Implemented In April 2024

When Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim tabled the 2024 Budget on 13 October 2023, he also announced that the government will introduce a flexible EPF account, which would allow people to withdraw their retirement savings immediately.

On 21 November 2023, the Deputy Finance Minister I, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, announced that the “flexible” EPF Account 3 will be implemented in April 2024:

EPF will announce its dividend in February 2024, and the Finance Ministry will then announce a detailed plan on the flexible account. The third account will be implemented starting from April next year.

EPF Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Amir Hamzazh Azizan said that it is fine-tuning details of the “flexible” third account:

We are looking at all possibilities, whether it (withdrawals) is free for all or whether it should be guided.

The concept at the moment is to have a flexible account because we have learned during Covid that sometimes there would be circumstances that make it difficult to go from day to day.

Recommended : 2024 Public + School Holidays For Malaysia!

 

EPF “Flexible” Account 3 : What We Know So Far!

Here is what we know so far about the EPF “flexible” third account, or Account 3:

EPF Account 1 Won’t Be Affected

Currently, EPF contributions are divided into two accounts:

  • Account 1 : 70% of monthly contribution
  • Account 2 : 30% of monthly contribution

EPF chief strategy officer, Nurhisham Hussein, said in July 2023 that the percentage of contribution for the proposed “flexible” Account 3 has yet to be determined, but would be about 5% to 10% of the monthly contribution.

He also said that Account 1 would remain with its 70% contribution, and that contribution to Account 2 would be reduced instead, to fund Account 3. When implemented, the ratio would look something like this:

  • Account 1 : 70% of monthly contribution
  • Account 2 : 20% to 25% of monthly contribution
  • Account 3 : 5% to 10% of month contribution

EPF Account 3 Will Apply To All

When introduced, Account 3 will apply to all EPF contributors. This was confirmed by Deputy Finance Minister I, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, on 24 October 2023.

It can be accessed by all members, be they from the B40, M40 or T20 groups.

EPF Account 3 Will Have Lower Dividend

While there was speculation that the flexible Account 3 would have no dividend, EPF chief strategy officer Nurhisham Hussein, dispelled that notion on 11 July 2023.

However, the proposed EPF Account 3 is expected to have a lower dividend rate when implemented. The lower dividend rate has not been revealed.

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You Can Transfer To Account 1/2

The lower dividend rate for Account 3 will be a real concern for contributors who want to save for their retirement, and do not plan to withdraw their savings early.

Even a small reduction in the dividend rate will make a big difference, because of the snowball effect of compound interest over time.

Fortunately, Nurhisham said that members will have the option to transfer their Account 3 savings into Account 1 or Account 2, if they prefer to avoid the lower dividend rate.

Hopefully, this can be implemented with a single opt-in registration, and would not require the money to be transferred on a monthly basis.

EPF Account 3 Will Offer Immediate Withdrawals

In the past, contributors can request to withdraw from their Account 2 to fund certain large purchases:

  • To pay for education
  • To purchase or build a house
  • To pay for a housing loan
  • To cover medical expenses

Unlike Account 2, the proposed “flexible” third account will function like a savings account, and allow contributors to withdraw, as and when they wish.

EPF Accounts To Be Renamed

When EPF introduces Account 3, it will also introduce new names for the three accounts, to better reflect their purposes:

  • Account 1 : Retirement Account
  • Account 2 : Value-Added Account
  • Account 3 : Flexible Account

The renaming will help people better understand the use and purpose of each account.

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EPF “Flexible” Third Account : Is It Useful?

Personally, I feel that the EPF “flexible” Account 3 is like swatting an elephant with a lidi stick.

EPF contribution amounts to 23% to 24% of your monthly salary. Even if Account 3 receives 10% of that contribution, that amounts of just 2.3% to 2.4% of your monthly salary.

Account 3 is targeted at the informal sector workers, many whom earn minimum wage or close to it. Let’s say you earn RM3,000 a month – TWICE the minimum wage of RM1,500.

  • Your Account 3 will only receive RM72 a month.
  • After 1 year, your Account 3 will only have RM864.

As you can see – that is not a lot of money, even for people who earn twice the minimum wage. Yes, it is better than borrowing money from loansharks, but the small percentage that funds Account 3 means you don’t really have much to work with.

On top of that, you are actually “losing” money even if you don’t actually withdraw any money. Parking all the money in Account 3 will garner lower dividends. It may be small, but the difference snowballs over time because of compound interest.

As it is, EPF announced in mid-November 2023, that some 48% of its contributors – 6.3 million people – have less than RM10,000 in their accounts!

If you can afford it, you should transfer all money stored in the “flexible” third account, to Account 1 or Account 2, when this scheme is implemented.

 

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eMADANI : How To Get Free RM100 eWallet Credit!

Ten million Malaysian citizens will soon receive a special RM100 eWallet credit through the eMADANI programme! Here is what you need to know!

 

eMADANI : 10 Million Malaysian Citizens To Get Free RM100!

On 27 July 2023, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Malaysian government will give a special, one-off RM100 eWallet credit.

On Wednesday, 29 November 2023, the government announced that the eMADANI programme will benefit some 10 million Malaysian citizens and 2 million businesses, with a total budget of RM 1 billion.

The eMADANI programme is a new initiative that is designed to stimulate the micro, small and medium enterprises (PMKS), as well as promote cashless payments, and alleviate inflationary pressures on the rakyat.

Here is what you need to know about the eMADANI programme, and the one-off RM100 eWallet credit…

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eMADANI : How To Get Free RM100 eWallet Credit!

Here is what you need to know about the eMADANI programme, and how to get the free RM100 eWallet credit:

Who Qualifies For eMADANI RM100 Free Credit?

The eMADANI programme, and the free RM100 eWallet credit, is open to Malaysian citizens who are 21 years and older as of 1 January 2023; and have either:

However, those who received the eBeliaRahmah contribution earlier will not qualify for the eMADANI programme, as they have already received eWallet cash to promote the use of cashless payments amongst the youth.

The government estimates that 10 million Malaysians will qualify for the eMADANI free RM100 eWallet credit.

When Can You Redeem The RM100 eWallet Credit?

Those who qualify for the RM100 eWallet credit will be able to redeem it through selected eWallets (see below) from 8 AM on 4 December 2023 until 11:59 PM on 20 February 2024.

Which eWallets Do You Need?

You will need one of these four eWallets to receive the free RM100 credit through the eMADANI programme:

  • MAE
  • Setel
  • ShopeePay, and
  • Touch ‘n Go eWallet

Please note that these four eWallet providers will also be offering additional incentives in the form of vouchers, cashbacks, discounts, reward points, and coins. So be sure to “shop around” for the best offers, before deciding on which eWallet to use!

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How Do You Get The Free RM100 eWallet Credit?

To obtain the free RM100 eWallet credit, follow these steps:

  1. Download the eWallet of your choice (from the list of four above) from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or HUAWEI AppGallery.
  2. If you have not registered and verified your eWallet account, please do so first.
  3. In the eWallet of your choice, tap on the eMADANI redemption link.
  4. Key in the required information in the eMADANI redemption page, and tap on the Send button.
  5. You will be informed if your application is successful.

If successful, the RM100 will be credited into the eWallet, and you can use the money immediately.

Please note that you can only redeem the RM100 eWallet credit from one eWallet provider.

Where Can You Spend The RM100?

The RM100 eWallet credit must be spent physically in retail stores and businesses using the the eWallet of your choice, except:

  • peer-to-peer transfers
  • cash redemptions
  • bill payments through the eWallet
  • government fee payments through the eWallet
  • telco postpaid payments and prepaid reloads through the eWallet
  • game payments through the eWallet
  • parking and toll payments
  • investment activities through the eWallet
  • e-commerce or online transactions

When Must You Spend The RM100?

Please note that the RM100 eWallet credit must be spent by 11:59 PM on 29 February 2024.

From 1 March 2024 onwards, any unspent eMADANI credit will automatically expire, and be removed from the eWallet.

 

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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IBM To Fuel AI Digital Transformation In Malaysia!

IBM is offering IT infrastructure with a new level of security and reliability to fuel Malaysia’s AI digital transformation!

 

AI Digital Transformation In Malaysia Needs Better IT Infra!

Malaysia is at a pivotal point in its digital journey, with businesses future-proofing their organisations by leveraging AI and automation.

The digital economy is now a cornerstone of Malaysia’s economy, contributing 23.2% of the nation’s gross domestic product in 2021. The Malaysia Minister of Communications and Digital, Fahmi Fadzil, anticipates that this will increase to 25.5% by 2025, with a value of RM382 billion. The National Tech Association of Malaysia is even more optimistic, and believes that the digital economy will hit that economic contribution much earlier.

The increased urgency in adopting cutting-edge technologies like AI is driving demand for better IT infrastructure. Better not just in terms of performance and availability, but also security and reliability.

An IDC report forecasted that AI spending in the Asia Pacific region alone will skyrocket to US$78 billion by 2027. And these AI investments are predominantly being funnelled into infrastructure provisioning. That’s because ultimately, digital transformation in any nation is reliant on its IT infrastructure.

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IBM To Fuel AI Digital Transformation In Malaysia!

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to AI infrastructure. Organisations must provision the right infrastructure for the AI task at hand.

They have to not only look at the size and scale of the AI models and tasks, they also have to consider security and privacy issues, as well as regulatory compliance. A resilient infrastructure by design is also critical, with AI workloads becoming essential backbones to mission critical applications and workloads.

To that end, IBM Power Systems offer a secure and reliable platform for enterprises to perform inference, and run AI algorithms on their most sensitive data and transactions.

IBM Power Systems run on the Power10 core, which is designed for AI acceleration. Each Power10 core on the IBM Power S1022 can process up to 42% more batch queries per second than a comparable x86 server with a peak load of 40 concurrent users, while running large language AI models.

IBM Power10 systems also offers enterprise out-0f-the-box low-latency transactional capabilities and throughput, resiliency, continuous availability (99.999%) and concurrent replace and repair.

The IBM Power10 is also designed for greater efficiency. The Power E1080, for example, offers 3X the capacity with 52% lower power consumption for the same workload, compared to the Power E880C. It also offers 33% lower power consumption than the Power E980 for the same workload.

IBM claims that, in general, Power10 systems offer 6X more throughput per container cluster, and 40% to 50% lower cost than comparable x86 solutions.

On top of that, the IBM Power Systems are built to be secure by design, with a fully-integrated secured stack from processor chip to operating system, offering quantum-safe encryption and fully homomorphic encryption (FHE).

 

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Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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China Announces Visa-Free Travel For 6 Countries!

China just announced that citizens from 6 countries will enjoy visa-free travel for 15 days! Here is what you need to know!

 

China : Visa-Free Travel For 6 Countries!

On Friday, 24 November 2023, China announced that citizens from these 6 countries will enjoy visa-free travel for up to 15 days:

  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • The Netherlands
  • Spain
  • Malaysia

These six countries will join Singapore, Japan and Brunei, whose citizens already enjoy visa-free travel to China for up to 15 days.

According to Chinese government spokesperson Mao Ning, China has taken this step to help “promote the high-quality development of Chinese and foreign personnel exchanges and high-level opening up to the outside world“.

This visa-free travel for those 6 countries, however, is a trial that will last from 1 December 2023 until 30 November 2024. This trial program may or may not be extended after that.

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Travellers to China are generally required to apply for a visa. China appears to be trying out this visa-free travel option to revive its tourism industry that has been hard-hit by strict COVID-19 measures in the past 3 years.

China had the world’s strictest COVID-19 measures, maintaining them long after the rest of the world reopened. Even when the Chinese government decided to reopen its borders, it required inbound travellers to quarantine, which discouraged travel

It was only in March 2023 that China began issuing all types of travel visas again, and in July that it restored the 15-day visa-free travel for Singapore, Japan and Brunei. In August, China finally scrapped all COVID-19 test requirements for inbound travellers.

 

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Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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