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55 people arrested in 24 hours. The scandal in Puskapom is probably tip of the iceberg.

A total of 55 people, including 28 Puspakom staff, believed to be earning up to an additional RM1,000 each a day “in takings,” have been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) in a nationwide blitz between Tuesday and Wednesday.

The other 27 are agents or runners who are allegedly in cohorts with the centre’s traffic wardens and vehicle examiners, who allegedly carry out inspections on “problematic” vehicles without following standard operating procedures.

They also allegedly approved tests on vehicles without actually sending them for inspection.

ACA director of investigations Datuk Shukri Abdull said the agency had conducted an “intelligence-based investigation” for months, which had intensified over the past two months and led to the arrests.

Codenamed “Ops Compact,” Shukri said based on investigations, it was believed the culprits charged vehicle owners RM80 to give the thumbs-up when inspecting problematic cars; it cost RM400 to “pass” a vehicle’s inspection without it having to be sent to Puspakom.

“We are still investigating and we believe there will be more arrests made against those involved in this illegal operation,” he told a press conference on Wednesday.

The nationwide blitz began at 3pm on Tuesday and the last arrest was made at 2pm Wednesday.

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I guess many people still not in the know about Service Tax criteria being raised to annual sales value of RM3 million since last July. This means less restaurants can charge Service Tax of 5%. So, how to check?

Go to Customs Department website and download their list of approved restaurants. From 4800, there’s now only 435 restaurant, and I bet that many of them are in Klang Valley.

So, do spread the news and don’t simply pay 5% extra!

The direct link to the restaurant list (PDF) is here.

According to Customs Department’s boss, there are only few complaints so far. He urged more people to complain instead of highlighting in media (I guess he’s talking about the opinions corner in papers).

To contact Customs Department, you can email them at cd@customs.gov.my or kastam@customs.gov.my

By the way, you don’t have to pay the 5% if no license is displayed. And make sure its a valid license

Also, you have the right to demand receipt or invoice showing proof of 5% service tax being paid.

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Last few days have been very taxing. And the condition of my house grilles didn’t help in any way.

I have grilles with gaps, bolts and plastic jutting out, incomplete soldering that leaves the inside of the bars exposed (they only solder on one said, the contractor claims).

Due to wrong measurements, now I have 3 places without grilles, so who is going to guarantee the safety of people and things in the house?

Aren’t renovation contractors supposed to advise us on the pros and cons of doing things? Or do they just make a quick buck and move on the next project?

Granted that houses nowadays are not perfectly built. The windows can be misaligned. But if contractors explain things properly and give us few options, it will have avoided the headache above.

And I think some of the exterior work on the house actually devalues it instead of enhancing the value. Probably have to demolish and reconstruct certain areas.

Advice to houseowners

- please ensure your supervisor is not a foreigner, but the contractor himself stays there and supervises the work everyday. Don’t take people who have three or more projects at hand.

- be prepared to take leave and time off so that the workers don’t do things wrongly.

And Then says - don’t trust people who wear the vibuthi and look/talk piously. Wonder where she heard that from!

Consumer Tribunal beckons if things doesn’t work out.

And guess what, I can buy tiles cheaper than the contractor I got it at RM3.25 while he said it costs RM3.50! Is that a crime?

Well, I guess my house won’t be in his portfolio.

OK, life goes on. I’m still smiling. Sometimes I laugh to myself seeing how people behave.

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