The Systems

I just don't get it when my Java guru from India told me that her husband likes(not loves though) Malaysia. I expected her to say the reasons he likes it here are because of the foods or the weather(doubt that) or the people(doubt that too) or maybe kasut Gombak(Gombak-made shoes) but instead, he likes it here because, drum rolls please... 'Malaysia is systematic'. The moment she said that, I puckered my brows, stared at my pc monitor and started to think. I don't even know whether to be proud of it or to laugh. Out loud. Ironically on the same day(it happens everyday, but I thought why not give Malaysia benefit of the doubt once in a while), I saw people in a very long queue to buy ticket from the counter at the LRT station. The ticket machines installed on the wall were mere ruins left behind by the Portuguese. When efforts were made to encourage people to utilise the public transportation, the people are ready to take up the challenge but their enthusiasms were hampered by sorry services and facilities. What is so systematic when we have to buy tickets from the only counter in the station because the ticket machines refused your second note? Systematic my arse!

To avoid from this dodgy system(I can't fully escape from this system because I'm in the system and I just have to bear with it), I try to resort to the Touch 'n Go card, hoping that the misery of being in a long queue will over. I thought I'd only have to touch and go away from the impotency. The funny thing about this system is you can use the card at any stations but you can only reload it at selected stations. Even a bustling station like Pasar Seni is neglected from acquiring such 'privilege'. I guess Pasar Seni Station had lost its bid. Bid higher next time you barmy!

The ticket machines won't be able to read your card's balance. Remember, they're relics. You can go to the counter(at the lucky stations of course) or you can squint your eyes and look at the hopeless screen installed on the auto gate while touching your card on the panel provided, to check the balance. Even then, you just have to bear with the misleading screen. The numbers appeared are open for debate at the Parliament. Number 3 could be 8 and number 8 could be 5. Ambiguity at its best. So you touch and growl.

I like to complain give feedback for the sake of mankind *clear throat* and that explains why I put this up. I went to the Touch 'N Go(Whore?) Hub in KL Sentral twice to ask them why I was overcharged and they give me the same answer each time. I was told at first that they'd be able to track them after 1 day but the clown retracts and change her mind a few seconds later. They won't be able to track my transactions until the next 2 or 3 days. My simple theory is, the clown made this kind of joke because she doesn't want to see my face the next day.

She expects me to buy her explanation that the server is not updating today's transactions until the next 2 or 3 days. See? 2 or 3 days. No definite answer. This only shows that they themselves are not convinced of their own services and system.-->She gave me the Careline number so that they don't have to see my monstrous pretty face again.

I asked them, "So this is your solution?". "Yes and they'd be able to check your transactions with their system.", the clown jested. "Don't you guys have the same system here?", the monster asked. Read again the line with an arrow if you're keen to know the answer. That's the purpose of the arrow. Instead of asking you guys to seek line 256 for the answer, I put an arrow for straight solution. See how technology works? See my system?

So, the cycle of violence continues. No wonder skinny people like me can suffer from a heart failure!

Imagine the number of complaints feedbacks that have gone unreported because of this dodgy system. How many people don't give a damn to go there because they know this is the kind of service they're going to get? You might asked why I didn't just write a letter to the newspaper. Ever wonder why your complaints on the Internet service never made it to the newspaper? Ahah. Better leave it to the political blogs to disclose.

OK, back to the Touch 'n Go Blow. They should have set up a pub there instead of the Touch 'n Go Hub. At least the bartender is willing to listen to my problem. At least I come in sober and I go home happy!

You hear and see lots of things on the train everyday. Perhaps I should start a blog like this, just to share a Malaysian's side of story. I even tried once to look for fashion victims on the train but then luck is not on my side. Maybe I should try again. Or maybe I should stick to what I do best, whining.

Oh ya, the other day, there was a quarrel between a bloke and this lady who cut his line at this station I forgot where. When the door is opened, I heard the bloke said something like "Everyone's late for work but you should get in the line!". Well, obviously the lady cut the line and jump into the train. I think the lady said she's a lawyer and the bloke retorted "No wonder our legal system is like shit today!". Wakakaka! I feel like clapping and give the bloke a pat on his back! He's right! Someone like-minded at last! I mean, even if you're a lawyer, it doesn't spare you the line! It is probably the simplest unwritten rule followed by civilised people all over the world, you fucker! Don't you feel ashamed when KL is ranked at no 33 out of 35 cities in Reader's Digest's Global Courtesy Test? I'm fucking ashamed. I mean, 33 out of 35! What happened to KLites? Bolehland strikes again? Where have all the good values gone? Don't even let me start on how we fair on the road. Oh, and just look at the House of Parliament(House of Circus?) where we have jesters jeering and made fun about menses. What kind of society are we building here?

50 years of Merdeka and some of us are still not. How I wish sometimes I wasn't born in this country. But then again, which country in this world had ever sent a gay happy visitor Angkasawan to the space?

You go Malaysia!

Happy Merdeka guys. ;P