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Tag: shopping

  • Malaysian Couple Allegedly Hypnotised By Pickpocket While Shopping In KLCC

    Malaysian Couple Allegedly Hypnotised By Pickpocket While Shopping In KLCC

    Recently, a netizen known as Muhamad Hafiz and his wife were shopping at Suria KLCC when a pickpocket stole his wife’s purse. He decided to share this incident on Facebook to caution other shoppers, simultaneously hoping to identify the culprits through the power of social media.

    This is what he said.

    “My wife’s purse, along with cash and important documents inside were stolen in the ZARA boutique at Suria KLCC. The CCTV clearly captured the culprit’s face and many similar cases have happened here before using the same modus operandi.”

    “They were very cunning and I believe my wife and I were hypnotised by the pickpocket as we honestly did not feel anything amiss although the woman was clearly closing in on my wife.”

    Hafiz also uploaded the CCTV footage, which clearly revealed the strategy of the women. It appears that the pickpocket has another accomplice who stood in front of the victims, acting as distraction.

    The pickpocket who was holding a blouse as cover approached the victim and stealthily retrieved her purse. Although the pickpocket was in such close proximity to the victim, the couple didn’t seem to be alarmed at all, which led the husband to believe that they’ve been hypnotised.

    Here’s the footage he uploaded.

     

    Source: http://www.worldofbuzz.com

  • Malaysia, Indonesia, Tighten Security Net

    Malaysia, Indonesia, Tighten Security Net

    KUALA LUMPUR • Malaysia is on high alert for the festive season – with armed soldiers making their presence felt at shopping malls, clubs and hotels – after its neighbour Indonesia foiled a planned Christmas Day bombing.

    Meanwhile, Indonesian police will deploy some 155,000 personnel to secure the country during the Christmas and New Year holidays, reported Agence France-Presse.

    Neither country is taking the terror threat lightly.

    In Malaysia, larger malls have deployed their own security teams, numbering more than 100 men each, to complement auxiliary police, according to The Star.

    “Certain malls go further by putting up notices to remind visitors about the steps they can take if they notice someone or something suspicious,” adviser to the Malaysia Shopping Malls Association H.C. Chan told The Star.

    The use of closed-circuit television cameras to keep an extra eye on crowded shopping spaces has also been stepped up.

    Still, Malaysia’s malls have stopped short of installing scanners and metal detectors at entry points, a common feature in Thailand and Indonesia.

    Malaysian police said on Tuesday that they had arrested seven people between Nov 3 and Dec 16 for suspected links to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and for planning attacks in Malaysia and abroad.

    Earlier this month, they revealed that they had prevented some 14 ISIS-linked attacks in the country.

    So far, the only successful assault by the Islamist group in Malaysia was a grenade attack in June on a bar in Puchong, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, which left eight people injured.

    In Indonesia, national police chief Tito Karnavian said security will be boosted at churches, entertainment venues and public gatherings during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. On Wednesday, the police discovered a cache of bombs on the outskirts of Jakarta and killed three suspected militants to prevent a suicide bombing.

    “Police will beef up security after these (raids)”, said national police spokesman Martinus Sitompul. Intelligence-gathering efforts and the monitoring of social media are also being intensified.

    While Indonesia routinely deploys security personnel for year-end celebrations, this week’s events have given the exercise an extra edge.

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com

  • Top 5 Tips To Staying Safe In Johor Bahru!

    Top 5 Tips To Staying Safe In Johor Bahru!

    Robberies, snatch-theft, carjacking and even attempted kidnapping – we have all heard our share of horror stories told by Singaporeans about their experiences in Johor Bahru (JB). Some are utter fantasy but (unfortunately) most have more than an element of truth to them.

    No, we are not saying JB is an unsafe place and that Singaporeans should avoid it altogether. By all means, if you want to lepak at JB, go ahead! it is the perfect place to find lepak spots to chill.

    But it would help you and your lepak buddies if you read these 5 tips to stay safe in JB!

    1     Know your terrain

    Don’t go in blind. Knowing what is in store helps keep you ahead of the game, or in this case, the muggers! Some areas in JB are more prone to mugging incidents than others.  The petrol kiosk near the CIQ is notorious for the spate of crimes involving Singaporean victims. Other places to avoid is the Taman Universiti and Taman Sri Tebrau.  You can find out more of such places to avoid here.

    The funny thing is, most of these places earned their notoriety because of the sheer numbers of Singaporeans flocking there. If you can, avoid these places. If you can’t, then you need to read the rest of the tips.

    2     Don’t take shortcuts.

    Whether traversing a mall, big open areas or driving from one place to another, never, ever take short cuts. No matter how many times you visit JB, just know, the robbers LIVE there. What you think you know, they know much, much, much better. In fact, even more betterer!  Keep to open, well-lit areas with a reasonable amount of vehicular or foot traffic.

    However, even this may not be enough. There have been cases of Singaporeans and Malaysians themselves who were robbed by thieves on two-wheels as they are walking on pedestrian paths along busy roads.

    So, what else can you do?

     

    3     Do not flaunt your wealth

    Especially for the Makciks, keep those gold chains/bracelets/necklaces for special occassions like your son’s wedding. No need to wear them if you only want to go shopping at pasar Larkin or Giant. The muggers can spot you from miles away…

    Don’t carry too much cash with you too! If you need plenty of cash, change your currency in Singapore instead of JB and keep it safe and close to you. Counting your cash out in the open will only make you become a target.

    4     Always be alert

    Sometimes you feel so high after a very satisfying grocery run or a seafood meal by the sea. You feel so high and happy while you are digesting that ikan pari bakar, that you let your guard down.  You walk but don’t notice the vultures moving in place before striking. Before you know it, your wallet and other belongings are gone.

    For the drivers, always lock your vehicle. If someone knocks on your car window, don’t bring down the window fully.  It’s not being rude. It’s being safe.

    Those of you who are constantly glued to your smartphones or tablets, you need to get off your mobile devices! Put that phone down and look up and around you. Any strangers acting suspiciously? It pays to err on the side of caution but don’t  go around looking like the whole of JB is trying to go out with your girlfriends.

    5     Stay humble and keep a low profile

    Finally, smile. For the Muslims, smiling is a form of sedekah (giving alms). Smiling is a sure way to disarm a tense situation and to form allies with the people you meet there. If you act like your father owns the restaurant, scolding the wait staff or making excessive demands, no one will help you if you get robbed in front of the restaurant.

    When shopping, no matter how much you want to go, “Wah cheap ar!” when you spot the latest bargains, don’t! Just get it and go.

    Before you do, remember to smile at the staff that served you.

     

    Have any other tips to stay safe in JB or any other places? Write in to [email protected] or go to our Facebook page.

  • Activities To Do In Malaysia Over The Weekend

    Activities To Do In Malaysia Over The Weekend

    The main difference between Singaporeans and Malaysians is this: One is “divide by 2.5”, the other is “multiply by 2.5”. Any other aspect is almost similar: the language, the complaints about the weather, the “got free gift?” face we show to the sales assistant.

    Every weekend, the causeway will be jammed because Singaporeans head north to Malaysia. No matter what their purpose is, there are the things that, despite how early or late it is, Singaporeans will definitely do.

    Have breakfast, bunch, lunch, tea, dinner, supper and late-night supper

    Whatever you can find in Malaysia, you can find in Singapore. The only difference is the “divide by 2.5”. While taste is very subjective, the “divide by 2.5” is absolute. Therefore, we can conclude that the “divide by 2.5” is the main reason why we do that, not because of the taste.

    But to be fair, sometimes, the food at Malaysia better lah.

    Buy groceries

    Have you seen those middle-aged women stocking up on discount stuff in NTUC? Well, if they’re in a Malaysia supermarket, they’ll stock up everything in the supermarket, because after “divide by 2.5”, everything becomes a discount item. If possible, they might even buy the entire shopping centre.

    Buy chewing gum and cigarettes

    The law says that we can’t buy them. But honestly speaking, if one doesn’t buy one bottle of chewing gum and one pack of cigarettes back to Singapore, people would wonder whether you go to the City Square at Farrer Park MRT Station (Singapore) or the City Square at Johor Babru (Malaysia).

    Pump petrol (for drivers)

    You don’t just do the “divide by 2.5” with petrol. You just pump without looking at the price. You don’t even give a damn about what card have what discount. You just pump, for you know it’s always cheaper. Even when you just need to pump one litre, just do it. Even if it cost more to drive into a petrol station, you just do it. Pumping petrol in Malaysia is in Singaporeans’ blood.

    Wash car (for drivers)

    Let me illustrate this for non-drivers:
    A car wash in Singapore is about SGD$7 and they just throw soap and water at the exterior of your car and wipe them off—all done within five minutes.

    A car wash in Malaysia is about RM 8 (do the “divide by 2.5” now!!) and they take about forty-five minutes to clean everything—including your seat. Sometimes, after a wash, you might not recognize your car.

    Bonus: one thing Singaporeans don’t do in Malaysia
    Have a meal in McDonald’s. I mean, what the hell?

     

    Source: www.lowkayhwa.com

  • Malaysia Likely To Price VEP At RM20

    Malaysia Likely To Price VEP At RM20

    The prospect of having to pay more than double what they are currently forking out to drive across the Causeway has jolted Singaporean motorists into saying they will drastically reduce the frequency of their trips up north.

    Although the RM20 (S$7.55) Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fee that Malaysia plans to charge for foreign-registered vehicles entering the country from around the middle of next year is less than half the RM50 figure bandied about previously, drivers say cost savings from shopping in Malaysia — already slashed as a result of toll hikes imposed by both countries since Oct 1— will be negligible with the latest VEP charge.

    Malaysian daily New Straits Times, quoting the country’s Deputy Transport Minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi, reported last Saturday that the details of the VEP fee implementation for foreign vehicles, including the installation of charging devices, are being worked out. Once completed, the fee will be levied at the Causeway and the Second Link, said the minister, adding that Malaysia is also mulling over the implementation of the fee for vehicles entering from Thailand and Brunei.

    The charges for Singaporean drivers crossing the Causeway recently increased by more than five times from RM2.90 to RM16.50, after higher toll rates kicked in on Aug 1 at the Johor Baru Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex.

    Two months later, Singapore raised the toll charges at the Woodlands Checkpoint to S$6.50.

    With the new VEP fee imposed by Malaysia, Singaporean drivers would have to pay more than S$20 for a round trip to Johor.

    Freelance videographer Edwin Cheng, 32, who drives to Johor at least once a week to buy groceries and pump petrol, said he was shocked and disappointed by the third round of hikes.

    “I used to be able to save up to 40 per cent for a full tank of petrol and up to 20 per cent for groceries in Johor. Now, it would make no difference if I pumped petrol and did my grocery shopping in Singapore,” he said.

    Mr Cheng added that he would cut back on trips to Johor once the new VEP fee kicks in and would also stay there for longer periods so he can do more things.

    Student relations officer Rosnah Hussain, 30, shared the same sentiment. Before the toll hikes, she would drive to Johor at least thrice a week to buy groceries, go for massages and pump petrol.

    Ms Rosnah added: “After the (toll) hikes, I go (to Johor) only once every two weeks. Once the VEP fee is imposed, I don’t think I will go so often, it is too expensive.”

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com