Under the new Admin...

Tuesday 27th May 2008

It's been...what...almost 3 months since Kedah had a change in who's in control of the state govt. Previously under BN (Barisan Nasional) but now, since the "Political Tsunami" , under PAS...the Islamic Party!
Ever since that day, everyone in Kedah, esp the non-Muslim population, has been waiting & waiting to see what changes would be made to their existing lifestyle. Would it be like it has been in Kelantan, another state that has been under PAS's rule for quite a while? Or would it remain the same? Most felt that changes are but surely to come...

Yup, it appears that Kedahans are in for changes...slowly but surely! Changes for good & changes for what the present Admin feels it's for the good of the Kedahans...a swing towards similarities in Kelantan.

The good?
So far there has been a couple of monetary gains from the change in Admin. Those who had past summonses from the City & Town Councils would have their fines issued before the recent elections rescinded. Not everybody gained from that! Kinda tells everyone that it does NOT pay to settle your summonses early...not pay to be law-abiding citizens!
In reality, that has been what Malaysians have been kinda indoctrinated to feel...from police/traffic offenses (those who pay promptly had to pay the full sum whereas those who only paid when there is a special operation, get a discounted sum!) to now council summonses...that it does NOT pay to pay promptly any fees/fines due...one might be offered a discount when the number of offenders increase overwhelmingly!! So maybe one should hold on to one's hard-earned cash? Be brave? You might be rewarded for your patience...Haha!

The other was an announcement by the new Admin that Quit Rent (Land Assessment Tax), which was raised by the BN Admin before the elections, would be lowered! Ours had been going up from its original RM18.80 in 1980 to RM25.80(1986) to RM33.80(1995) to RM53.80(2007) and finally, supposedly to an announced RM60 in 2008!!
With the takeover by the PAS Admin, there was an election promise to lower this Quit Rent payment. Everyone has been patiently awaiting the reduced sum.
This morning, we went to pay our dues...for 2008. RM48.80 is now our land tax. So it was a mere RM5 from our last paid amount. A savings of only 8.5%! Not much, considering it's a whole year but still something...and considering the fact that there was supposed to be an INCREASE by the old BN Admin! Btw, I happened to overhear exclamations by someone there at the payment office that he had a reduction of RM20!! Probably a business premise...they had tentatively larger increases.

The bad?
It has been announced that the PAS Admin is considering implementing the separation of the sexes at tourist spots around the state. This kind of action has long been taken in Kelantan. Even separate counters for males & females were set up at Malls & Hypermarkets. If not mistaken, separate buses for men & women is being implemented there! As if one can live without the other...Phew!

Well, that is a taste of what is to come...more to be expected in the coming months. Probably the progressive cancellation of existing licences for previously legalised betting establishments eg Magnum, 3-D, Toto, etc. Sincere apologies to those poor Kedahans hoping to get something through the little "back door" of riches...
However, to lil ole me...same diff la...hehe...but there's gonna be lots of "underground" bet-takers in the making soon! Without legalised betting, the "good" ole days of my parents' time are gonna be here again!

Anyway, as the morning was still "young" after paying our Quit Rent, we took the opportunity to have breakfast at another of our fav coffee shops...Boon Lee...for Hokkien Mee!

Well, it's mid-week now and with a few more days to go before the next weekend. How the days would turn out is as good your guess as mine. Sincerely hope life would be kind to us...the usual would be good enough for me!

UPDATE : Later in the evening...

Just took an evening walk around our "garden" and first to catch my eyes was the latest development of the new orchid blooms! Looking good...see for yrself...No more buds but blooming orchids!! Nice, eh?

And the not-so-nice view the moment one looks out in the direction of our gate...a concrete jungle in the making!

To the right & to the left...same concrete structures...gone is the serene greenery that used to greet us every morning & evening! Gone is our view of Gunung Jerai on clear days...

Well, what can I say...but progress is not all good. However, life is...accepting the bad with the good, right? Can't complain tho...me enjoyed that nice view for the past 29 years liao! Yup, we should "enjoy the moment..." before it's taken away from us!