Sekoyen’s

Proton have just launched a new FACELIFT of Proton Waja and Proton Savvy on January 19th 2007.

Yeah, it launched both of its on the same time.

Proton also said that it will introduce many model this year because of Malaysia 50th years of independence. I never heard any rumors about any new incoming models except one, which is the Proton MPV.

I guess Proton MPV’s price is just like the Naza Ria. The size is also about the same, but Naza Ria is Kia Carnival from Korea Proton MPV is Chery V5 Crossover from China.

Ok. Back to the topic about the new facelift for Proton Waja & Proton Savvy 2007.

I think, it is only minors facelift. Redesign the exterior and interior here and there.

A noticable change for both models are the infamous proton nose had gone! No more nose. The nose is already there from the begining of Proton. Proton Saga, Wira, Perdana, Gen2, Old Waja, Old Savvy all have a nose. But Proton is ‘dare to change’ so they change

Iswara have no nose, that was why some times ago I preferred Iswara from Wira.

Personally, I don’t like the new facelift Proton Waja. I find it uglier and look bulkier from the old one. The old design looks more sporty then the new facelift.

On the other hand, I very like the new Proton Savvy. It looks more cute. Other then the nose, Proton have change the grille and cut out the ugly V backside of this Savvy.

More infos at Proton’s web site

I’ve already activated my AmBank NexG MasterCard which I purchased last week.

For your information, to activate the card I have to call it’s service center at 03-21788888.

After a few minutes waiting, my call was answered by a bank personnel. He then asked me about my details which are the same things I filled on the registration form. After that, he confirmed that my new AmBank NexG Mastercard was officially activated. Horrayyy! Finally, I got the plastic money!

To clear my confusion about the card, I also asked him, what category is the card in. He said that just treat it like a usual credit card. If a counter accept a MasterCard credit card, it will also accept NexG Master card, he told me.

To top up the prepaid MasterCard, I have to make repayment to the card, like I took credit using the card. So, using the NexG Prepaid card, we have to make repayment first then use.

In my previous post, I mentioned that I have also opened an AmBank saving account and subsribed to online banking. So, I just use the online banking to top-up my MasterCard.

Like I told you before, we have to treat it as a credit card. So, in the AmBank online banking web site, I have to select repayment page then insert my NexG MasterCard details to top-up.

Seconds after my card was activated and topped up, suddenly I thought the Internet was opened wider infront of me. Ha ha ha..

The first place I surfed was of course, the E-Bay. Luckily, there was no interesting thing to shop there.

Then I went to the PayPal web site. Opened an account there so you guys may send me money anytime

FYI, I am not a verify PayPal member yet. I have to wait for my MasterCard PIN. After I get the PIN, I can create a Web PIN to view my billing statement online. Then find the PayPal charge number on it, and only after that I will be verified premium PayPal member.

While I was in KL last Thursday, I also bought an AmBank NexG Prepaid MasterCard.

What is AmBank NexG Prepaid MasterCard anyway?

I knew about this card from a forum, WangCyber.com. Actually, I just knew this forum after they organizing a SEO challenge about Melayu Boleh keywords.

In the forum, there is a post mentioning about Public Bank debit card which can be used in online shopping and also to activate PayPal account.

It’s for whom do not have credit card. If you do have credit card, I think you do not need a debit card. You can use your credit card to activate PayPal account and online shopping.

I do not have credit card, so I think a debit card would be just fine as long I can use it for online shopping and PayPal.

According to the posting in the forum, AmBank NexG Prepaid MasterCard is another card which can be used online.

The PrePaid Mastercard can be used to purchase goods just like a credit card but with spending limited to the amount of money you place on the card - like your prepaid phone card. Just present it to the outlets where MasterCard cards are accepted and it will be inserted into an EDC terminal (credit card terminal) for approval, just like a normal credit card transaction.

It is also worldwide accepted.

Like a prepaid phone card, it needs to be top up to use it if there is no money in it. You can top up the card at the AmBank counter, cash deposit machines or NexG top-up center. For me, I opened an AmBank saving account so I can top up the card using online banking or ATM machine. It’s easier.

If you interested with the card, just go to a nearest AmBank (or 7-Eleven), ask them that you want to buy an AmBank NexG Prepaid MasterCard. The price is RM25 only. They will ask for your mykad, to make a copy. You also have to fill out an application form.

The card only will be activated in one week. So, you only can use it after it is activated in a week time. But, do not forget to top up it first!

KYB or Kayaba? I think, it is the same.

What about KYB?

Actually, I just bought KYB shock absorbers. My car’s front-left shock absorber is leaking. So, while I am in KL, it was a right time to buy it. I bought it from SM Mechanical (M) Sdn. Bhd. No. 92, Jalan Ipoh, 51200 Kuala Lumpur.

If I buy the shock absorber in Johor, the price would be higher, especially if I buy from EON service center or Proton Edar service center.

I remember about 4 years ago, when I want to change all four shock absorbers for my car. The EON service center quoted me more than RM900!! The price is really crazy.

The shock absorbers I bought in KL are only RM115 per piece. I bought two - left and right. So the price for front’s set of Proton Satria Gti is RM230. The price for the rear set is RM100 for both left and right.

The part number for Satria GTi’s shock absorber:
Front right: 333M011
Front left: 333M012
Rear: 341M008

For your information, the price is special for Satria Gti Club member. If you are not a member, the price would be slightly higher. Might be just a few RM higher.

Till now, I have not yet installed the new shock absorber, because I don’t have time. I might send my car to the workshop in a week time. The labour cost for front’s shock absorbers installation would be around RM60-80.

Last Thursday, I went to KL and fortunately I got some free time so I went to Taman Tasek Titiwangsa. As I already knew from the paper and TV news, there is a huge ferris wheel which was launched on 6th January and open for public untill 31 December 2007.

Named as “Eye on Malaysia”, the launch of the 60m-high ferris wheel is also a mark of the beginning of Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

The Eye On Malaysia has 42 gondolas. 41 are regulars and one godola is for VIP which is completed with leather seats, DVD player, plasma screen, fridge and glass flooring.

The ticket price is not expesive, which is RM15 for adult and RM8 for children. And there is also a special package for groups.

Quote from TourismMalaysia.com.my

The Eye on Malaysia, the largest portable ‘observation wheel’ in the world, was unveiled by the Hon. Prime Minister of Malaysia on 6 January 2007 in conjunction with the grand launch of the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 celebration.

This giant ferris wheel allows visitors to experience a 360-degree panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur during a 12-minute ride that goes 60 metres high. It offers a magnificent view of Kuala Lumpur and over 20 kilometres of its surroundings including KL Tower, Istana Budaya and Petronas Twin Towers.

Similar in concept and style to the famous London Eye, the specially commissioned Eye on Malaysia is expected to be a hit among locals and tourists. There are a total of 42 gondolas comprising 39 units for the public, one for VIPs and two for disabled passengers. Each of the gondola can carry eight persons.

The Swiss technology used to make the giant wheel is the result of a strategic partnership between a Malaysian company, MST AD Suria Sdn Bhd, and an Australian enterprise.

Tickets are available at the sales counter in the Titiwangsa Lake Gardens. It costs RM15 for adults and RM8 for children aged 3 to 12 and senior citizens. The operating hours for the ferris wheel are from 10am to 10pm daily.

Titiwangsa Lake Gardens will be transformed into an audio-visual wonderland as four of the world’s largest and most high-tech water screens will show the faces and images of Malaysia combined with a fireworks display.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to ride on the wheel. I just shot a few photos of Eye on Malaysia.

From Eye On Malaysia