Latest news with #RM59
The Star
7 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Smooth rides start here
Muhammad Rusyduddin says there is a steady demand for good quality bike care products to cater to cyclists of all calibers. OUT on the trail or weaving through city streets, the bicycle chain is the unsung hero of every ride. Strip it away and the bike becomes little more than a fancy sculpture. But give it some care and it will return the favour with smooth and efficient rides for years to come. The trick here is to keep it clean after each adventure; whether a muddy off-road romp or a sweaty urban sprint, give the bike a quick rinse. Focus on the chain; that is where the grime builds up. Use a proper chain cleaner and a decent degreasing solution, as this matters when it comes to gunk-fighting power. Applying dry lubricant to the chain after a clean-up. A good chain brush will help scrub off oil, mud and whatever else the road throws at you. The bristles snake between the links, hitting every greasy crevice. For those who live for the details, there's a mechanical chain cleaner, a nifty device that clamps onto your chain. Just crank the pedals and let the machine work its magic. A humble old toothbrush does the job just fine if you're trying to watch your budget. Once the muck is gone, let the chain dry out to be lubricated. There are two types of lubricants: wax-based and oil-based. Wax lube is cleaner. It sheds dirt naturally once it dries. Oil lube, while effective, can turn your calves into a Jackson Pollock painting if you go overboard. For the gearheads and meticulous riders, there's a growing ecosystem of chain-care products. 'You can get chain lubricants to complete care kits for between RM59 and RM499. 'The most basic lube should last you four to six months, depending on how often you ride,' said USJ Cycles Lifestyle Boutique's assistant manager, Muhammad Rusyduddin Rosli. A clean, well-lubricated chain doesn't just run better – it lasts longer. Muhammad Rusyduddin notes that chains typically need replacing every 2,000km, depending on terrain and usage. A reputable chain can cost anywhere between RM35 and RM170, depending on the brand, material and the number of gears your drivetrain supports. So next time, after your next ride, don't just lean the bike against the wall and call it a day. Give the chain a little TLC. It's a small habit that guarantees a big return, especially when you're halfway up a hill, the sun is setting and everything's working like clockwork.
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Court awards RM86k to ex-aircraft refueller over unjust dismissal
KUALA LUMPUR: A former aircraft refueller has been awarded RM86,450 in compensation and back wages by the Industrial Court after it ruled that his dismissal by Petronas Dagangan Berhad (PDB) was without just cause or excuse. Industrial Court chairman Zalina Awang @ Mamat also found that Mohd Taufik Mohd Aris, who served the company for nearly nine years, had committed misconduct by submitting recreated training records and signing on behalf of others. However, the court held that the company's decision to terminate him was disproportionate. According to court documents, Mohd Taufik was dismissed in December 2022 after a domestic inquiry found that he had falsified a refuelling log to show he was on duty on a day he was on leave, and had signed On-Boarding Programme (OBP) forms on behalf of colleagues. He argued that he had done so based on information from the company's system, and only after repeated instructions from his superior, following a grievance he had filed over a poor performance rating. The court acknowledged that Mohd Taufik's actions constituted misconduct, but ruled that they did not justify dismissal, citing mitigating factors including emotional stress following his father's death, workplace pressure, and a clean service record. "The court accepts that falsification of official documents and signatures constitutes serious misconduct. "However, it is also established that these actions occurred in the context of the claimant (Mohd Taufik) attempting to support a grievance appeal, under emotional strain following his father's passing, and under perceived pressure from his superior. "There is no evidence that the claimant stood to benefit financially or acted with malicious intent. "Therefore, the court must consider the proportionality of the penalty imposed," the ruling said. Zalina said the court was satisfied, on a balance of probabilities, that the company had failed to prove that the termination of the claimant was with just cause or excuse. "The claimant did not have any history of misconduct proven by the company. "The company's decision to terminate the claimant's employment was procedurally unfair and carried out in an unjust manner. "There was no evidence at all to show that the company had suffered any financial loss or that its reputation was tarnished as a result of the claimant's alleged misconduct," she said. Zalina added that the company had dismissed the claimant hastily and arbitrarily, with the allegations raised suddenly and in bad faith. "The company could have dealt with the allegations (if proven) in a less severe manner, such as through proper management action and/or understanding of the issues affecting its employees, particularly the claimant in this instance," she added. The court awarded Mohd Taufik RM59,850 in back wages (after a 10 per cent deduction for proportionality) and RM26,600 in compensation in lieu of reinstatement. Petronas Dagangan was represented by lawyers Vijayan Venugopal and Peter H. Santiago, while S. Mariappen appeared for the claimant.
The Sun
03-05-2025
- The Sun
Cops smash drug syndicate with arrest of four men in Melaka
MELAKA: Police have busted a drug trafficking syndicate after they raided a house near Taman Krubong Perdana and seized methamphetamine worth about RM320,000. Melaka Tengah district police chief ACP Christopher Patit said four men aged between 19 and 50 were arrested in the raid at 11.30 pm on April 30. 'Further inspection of the suspects led to the seizure of 10,000 grammes of methamphetamine. 'This syndicate is believed to have been actively operating since early this year. The seized drugs were believed to be intended for markets in a neighbouring country and could have been used by as many as 33,333 addicts,' he said in a statement today. Christopher added that police also confiscated a car and three motorcycles belonging to the suspects, estimated to be worth RM59,000. He said initial urine tests on all four suspects came back negative for drug use. 'Background checks revealed that one of the suspects, aged 50, had two prior cases — one under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and another under Section 6(1) of the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985. 'All the suspects have been remanded for seven days from May 2 to 8, and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,' he added.
New Straits Times
03-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Melaka cops bust drug syndicate with arrest of four men
MELAKA: Police have busted a drug trafficking syndicate after they raided a house near Taman Krubong Perdana and seized RM320,000 worth of methamphetamine. Melaka Tengah district police chief ACP Christopher Patit said four men aged between 19 and 50 were arrested in the raid at 11.30pm on April 30. "Further inspection of the suspects led to the seizure of 10,000 grammes of methamphetamine. "This syndicate is believed to have been actively operating since early this year. The seized drugs were believed to be intended for markets in a neighbouring country and could have been used by as many as 33,333 addicts," he said in a statement today. Christopher added that police also confiscated a car and three motorcycles belonging to the suspects, estimated to be worth RM59,000. He said initial urine tests on all four suspects came back negative for drug use. "Background checks revealed that one of the suspects, aged 50, had two prior cases — one under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and another under Section 6(1) of the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985. "All the suspects have been remanded for seven days from May 2 to 8, and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," he added. – BERNAMA
The Star
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Robotic hair washer to enter Hong Kong market in June after gaining interest on mainland
A hair-washing robot, which has attracted widespread attention in southern China, will enter the Hong Kong market in June, according to its maker. Faxiaoka AI Hair Care, which runs roughly 40 stores in the southern Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Fujian and Hunan, offers innovative hair-washing services that can also examine hair quality and skin health. The machine consists of a massage table with electronic massagers and a helmet-shaped module at one end for washing hair. Inside the module are high-pressure water tubes that can wash hair from all directions. There is also a therapy system inside the helmet, which uses low-level wavelengths of red light to help treat skin conditions. The basic package, which costs less than 20 yuan (RM12 or US$2.70), lasted about 16 minutes, according to a Post reporter's experience in mid-April in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province. However, the machine is not able to dry hair. Customers must sit on a separate chair to dry their hair themselves or have a shop assistant do it. It was not fully automatic either, as it required the assistant to start the machine and adjust the temperature and strength based on the customer's requests. The team is working on a second-generation system that would add a drying function. It would also allow users to start the machine by scanning a QR code with a smartphone. The new system would be ready in June, said He Qiufeng, founder and chairwoman of Guangdong Sheng Tai Health Technology Group, which owns the Faxiaoka brand. The company plans to expand to Hong Kong and other overseas markets. The first shop in Hong Kong, scheduled to open in June, would be equipped with six of the second-generation hair washers, and charge HK$99 (RM59 or US$12.70) for a basic hair-washing service, He said. Across the mainland, the company's network would more than double to reach 100 stores by the end of June. Meanwhile, some hair salons have ordered the machine to replace human shampooers, He added. It recently shipped two machines to Canada to test that market, while importers in the US, Japan and South Korea have been in touch about the product. He said she is not worried about the tariff hikes imposed by the US because that cost would be covered by the importers. Overseas markets are optimistic about the autonomous hair washer because human labour is expensive, she added. The 45-year-old businesswoman, who previously worked as a waitress and ran a roadside barbecue restaurant, made her first fortune with the skincare brand Qianweina. After the Covid-19 pandemic, she founded the body care brand Zhengnianqing, as health had become a priority among consumers. Both brands are now owned by Sheng Tai. As China's consumer market remained weak after the pandemic, He realised that new opportunities would be in products or services that were cost-effective. She saw that the need for hair care was strong, but its cost was high, and that some hair salons in China do not wash hair any more. The Faxiaoka brand was created last year to bring down the cost of providing hair care. Although one type of machine sells for 23,900 yuan (RM14,191), equal to 60% of last year's average disposable income in China, it enables the operator to charge only 19.9 yuan (RM12) for a basic hair wash. There have been complaints, though. A Guangzhou resident surnamed Lin, who tried the more expensive herbal treatment at a discounted 39.9 yuan (RM24), said she preferred human shampooers because the machine was not powerful enough when massaging the scalp. Founder He said she does not expect everyone to be a potential customer. 'There must be people who prefer human service over robots ... what we do is to help cut labour costs via technological innovation, which is scalable', she said. – South China Morning Post
