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14 November 2019

Introducing..... I-Saraan

Recently I came across this initiative by EPF (KWSP), called I-Saraan. I found out really good about this initiative. Let's explore how good is it~



1. What
- The program called I-Saraan, in Malay : Caruman Sukarela Insentif Persaraan. It is a self-contribution in EPF.

2. Why
- There are getting more self-employed individuals (Grab, Food Panda, Property/Insurance Agent, Artist/ Actor, etc). This program helps the people to prepare for the retirement.

3. Who
- Everyone can save or deposit voluntary into EPF. However, salaried adults with monthly EPF deduction are not entitled for the extra RM250 'bonus' from the government.
- These people are encourage to participate this I-Saraan : Self-employed adults, government servants who opt for pension scheme and house wives.

4. How
- bring your MyKad and walk into any EPF branch
- more info please refer EPF website

5. Key Benefits
- 15% incentive (maximum RM250 per annum). Let's deposit minimum RM1700 to get this RM250 bonus. For 2018-2022. Perhaps the government will prolong this incentive~ :>
- Death benefit of RM2500
- Earn annual dividend as normal EPF account (around 6% in recent years)

Any question or suggestion? please leave your comment and discuss~


02 November 2019

Tax Relief 2019 in Malaysia

   Toward the year end, some people are looking ways to maximize the tax relief. Why we shall utilize the tax relief? Because it is win-win situation, whereby you are spending, saving or investing into yourself while getting additional 'saving' from your income tax. In the mean time the government  reduces some 'burden' of taking care of the people.

   For 2019, there will be some changes. I would like to  highlight 2 revised tax relief categories. Let's explore which category you can benefit.

1. EPF/ KWSP
- before 2019, the EPF category is always share with the Life Insurance category which mean you  can simply hit the max tax relief by your normal EPF deduction or your insurance policy (to cover for your whole family perhaps). The maximum tax relief was RM6000 for EPF/ Life Insurance.
- in 2019, this EPF/Life Insurance (maximum tax relief RM6000) category will splits into EPF (max tax relief RM4000) and Life Insurance (max tax relief RM3000) these 2 categories. 
- for private sector, this change may not so significant as EPF and Insurance is a norm for a professional and entrepreneur.
- there are 2 groups of people can benefit this. First, the low insured people. Some people may be get an insurance 10 years ago with premium RM100 until now. It's time to upgrade guys (around 5-10% of your gross salary is advisable).
- the second group will benefit this is government servants (permanent staff who opt for pension scheme). For your information, government servants who opt for pension scheme will not contribute to EPF. I met some government servants who may have life insurance policy more than RM6000 per year, but seldom to see a government servant deposit in EPF as extra saving. From 2019 onward, perhaps it is a good time to open a new EPF account (for those have closed their EPF account) and deposit RM4000 annually.

2019/11/14 Update~
- please walk in to the EPF branch to sign-up for the I-Saraan for those eligible~

2. SSPN
- before 2019, the maximum tax relief is RM6000. From 2019 onward, it increases to RM8000.
-  forthe past few year, the SSPN dividen is around 4%  which is not bad, plus the tax relief, the ROI is more than (4% + 1-28%) perhaps depend your income bracket.
- the condition is, there will be tax relief for SSPN saving IF the SSPN account is for your child. Hurry up for those is still single~

Now is November 2019, I will deposit RM8000 into SSPN and RM4000 into EPF, what about you?

13 August 2019

Going to KLIA/ KLIA 2 by public transport~ From Tampin ~

Since Grabcar is kinda common recently, it is still quite pricey compare to the public transport. I decided to give a try to take the public transport from Tampin to KLIA.

After checking the Google Maps, it is quite clear and simple for the route and direction :-
1) KTM Tampin to KTM Nilai by KTM (train) (RM8.10 by cashless, RM8.70 by cash)
2) KTM Nilai KLIA by Bus (RM3.20)



The overall experience is average. Inside the KTM train I noticed the station indication only shows up to Sungai Gadut. Hey, where is my dearest hometown, Tampin? :p


The train made in China? Value for money, why not? :>



From the KTM Nilai (seems like still under renovation), may follow the crowds and walk to the bus terminal which is around 5 mins away by walking. Along the way, the view as below photos :-







At the bus terminal. The bus seems is supported by SPAD?



Even AirAsia staff supports the public transport.




Finally, arrive KLIA. End of the journey.





Summary :-
1. The fair is reasonable (RM8.10+RM3.20=RM11.30) compare to the Grabcar RM80-100
2. It took approximately 2 hours. Still ok for me as driving takes around 1.5 hours
3. Can utilize the MyKad as the T&G card
4. The only bad experience is the bus accept only cash. (come on, this is year 2019!)

p/s : those from South (Melaka, JB, etc) can utilize and support the public transport from KTM Tampin~ Selamat datang ya~ :>


11 March 2019

1st Blood Donation Experience at Yokohama Leaf Blood Donation Room 横滨献血记

在大马捐血已经是N次了。 在日本还是第一次, 感觉蛮新奇。个人蛮喜欢这个献血中心, 横滨Leaf Blood Donation Room 除了免费饮料, 漫画(当然只有日语),WiFi,捐了过后,还送 Haagen Dazs 冰淇淋,甜甜圈等。不过还是这张献血卡最有纪念价值 。谢谢家人的陪伴以及耐心等待(顺便吃吃喝喝)

坐标
please search the key word 'Yokohama Leaf Blood Donation Room'
https://goo.gl/maps/u1zoeQTKSHm

Culture shock
- 每一位献血者都必须戴一个手环, 用来确定身份。
- 验血的时候,是从肱那里抽血的 (在大马是从手指头抽取的)。就是从一只手验血,另一只手献血。
- ‘被要求’ 喝完一支500毫升的运动饮料, 然后上厕所,才开始献血。
- 医护人员一直强调献血后,如厕时必须坐着。(我听了好多遍 )
- 每一个床位都有 电视+遥控。 (那么靠近了还有遥控 )
- 护士要检查血管时, 被要求用力‘抓拇指’,就是用其他四根手指紧握拇指然后放松, 一直重复。 (在大马都是有提供一个‘压力球’来握的)


 主要服务柜台

手环 + 颈环 (给第一次献血者)


 护士很贴心的用一块布盖着


每一个床位都有电视 + 遥控

献血后,必须休息至少5分钟 (还提供了小小的沙漏斗)

 献血后的战利品 (Haagen Dazs, 甜甜圈,可爱饼干~)

 有提供 Locker (感觉上日本到处都有locker) 

 任喝饮料机 


 临走前当然要自拍一下

阅读+咖啡处

 献血后的包扎

 护士再三的丁宁,在厕所也可以看到 (意思是献血后请坐着如厕)
还有紧急按钮呢

 入口处

 很有纪念价值的献血卡

这就是护士小姐示范检查血管时候的‘指握’方法