Dying corals.

Pulau Perhentian Kecil.

Photos by Anas.

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PETALING JAYA: How far will you go to get your car fixed? In these day of light-speed emails, instant messages and cellphones, an irate car-owner decided to adopt an old-school method of seeking redress — by placing stickers all over his problematic car.
And the message on the stickers read: "My Honda Tak Guna" (My Useless Honda).

To make sure he got the full attention of the car manufacturer, this sticker-adorned vehicle was parked outside the Honda Malaysia sales and service office here in Section 13 — much to the amusement of many pedestrians and motorists.
As to why he had resorted to such measures, events executive Jess Ross said his car brakes kept failing despite several repairs.
"Three months after buying the car, the rear brakes started giving way.After having these replaced by Honda, the same problem occurred three months later with the brakes giving way in the middle of the road.

"Luckily, I wasn't hit by another car when it happened."

After sending the 15-month old car to the Honda authorised service centre, Sumber Auto, Ross claimed to have been told the car had its rear brake callipers fitted wrongly during the original assembly.

Even after the brake calipers were rectified, Jess' woes continued with the calamitous Honda Accord he bought for about RM140,000.

Three months later, after getting his disc brake pads replaced for the second time, his Honda Accord started juddering again.
This time Honda mentioned the brake discs needed to be skimmed.

"On June 20 , there was a screeching sound from my front wheels and the car started juddering again. This time, I decided enough was enough. The car was towed to the Honda service centre for a fourth check on this particular screeching issue."

Claiming manufacturing defects, Ross said: "My demands are simple, firstly I want Honda to fully rectify the problems on my car and include a manufacturer's guarantee that such defects will not recur.

"Secondly, Honda could replace my car with another guaranteed problem-free unit. If all else fails, I want Honda to buy back the car at the purchase price.

"Honestly, I am still open to negotiations and a win-win situation I feel, is the best for both parties," he said, stressing he has no plans to remove the eye-catching stickers from his car.

A Honda Malaysia representative said the company remained committed to inspecting, servicing and repairing the problematic vehicle.

"The company would like to assure Ross the affected vehicle will be serviced and repaired to his satisfaction." Still unhappy with this response, Ross asked: "Why is it Honda Malaysia can't guarantee their parts, which serve a basic function of braking, to function properly?

"Is it too much to ask for a guarantee for their supposedly original parts which they recommended we use?"

Mean food

The meanest ABC ever, taste so much of the chemical colorings. What were they thinking ? As for the fried stuff... too oily. Not going to that little nice stall by the beach again.

Senibong, JB

Just enter Senibong in your GPS POI. It should take you to the seaside seafood center in Johor. Parking may be a hassle. Just enter any one of the restaurants there. Should be equally good. Go for the set menu - for four range from RM115 upwards. Even the lowest range should satiate. The set menu includes a large fish, squids, clams, soup, veggies, rice, a pitcher of drinks and cut fruits.

We added chili crab (3 large whole crab) which is quite good but added RM70 to the bill.

Recommended.

Photos by Akmal.

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As my dear friend Nizam survived the Paris Metro, I too managed to survive the causeway albeit with a major faux pas. Vehemently, it is not entirely my fault for missing the autopass stage of the journey. The immigration guy told me to move forward and the customs guy said its up ahead, the signage had its yellow arrow pointing forward. Before I knew it, I was out on the highway in the land of the Merlion. Nary a sight for turning around.

Few phone calls later confirmed that the autopass is mandatory not just for moving around but more so for parking. We asked and looked all over to solve the matter. Most Singaporean does not even know what it was - can't blame them, they don't drive. Even the Post Office were not sure. By the time someone suggested to go to their road transport department or whatever, its already too late.

We had to cross the causeway back into Malaysia and was nearly fined for entering without the autopass. Weird, they let you through then fine you for not having something that you were supposed to have before going through. However, the lady was reasonable and nice and let us off as apparently our car was not in their system. Turns out, the autopass can only be bought at the entry point. In between the immigration and customs checkpoint. Wouldn't it be easier to issue it at the immigration counter itself ? Or at least have proper signage or directives for all first time entrant instead of one big sign that says "Have your autopass ready". How the hell are you supposed to have it ready if you don't even know what the thing is.

Its annoying and really is out of character for such a systematic and modern city such as Singapore.