Malaysia's New Currency Series (4th Series): RM20 Collection

This will be my 4th and last post of the Malaysia's New Currency Series, do check out the previous 3 post if you missed it. Here are the links:

Malaysia's New Currency Series (4th Series): RM1 & RM5 Collection
Malaysia's New Currency Series (4th Series): Full Set Collection
BNM Launches Malaysia's New Currency Series (4th Series)

Anyway here's the preview of the RM20 collection which was sold for RM30. Similar to the RM1 and RM5 collection, there are only 500,000 copies available nationwide.

As mentioned this is the last post on the Malaysia New Currency, 4th Series. Hope these 4 posts which I've made gave you a better inside of how the limited edition looks like. If you are a currency note collector, do share your knowledge with me.

Malaysia's New Currency Series (4th Series): RM1 & RM5 Collection

Unlike all my long winded post, I'm gonna let the photos do the talking this time, here's preview of the RM1 and RM5 collection which was sold in an album for a premium price of RM15 for face value worth RM6. This limited edition, hence there are only 500,000 copies nationwide. I've got 4 extra sets for sale at a premium of couse.

Front Cover

Descriptions

The new RM5 (front)

The new RM5 (back)

The new RM1 (front)

The new RM5 (back)

Malaysia's New Currency Series (4th Series): Full Set Collection

As promise in my previous post yesterday, here's a preview of the Malaysia's new Currency Series Full Set looks like:

Basically the set comprise the full range of denomination starting from RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50 and RM100. There is only 50,000 sets available in the market which makes it limited edition thus the value could only goes up as time goes by. Anyway the I got bought the set for RM300, a slight premium compared to the actual face value.

You'll realise that there is no changes in design for the RM50 note, that's because it was the first new design denomination of the fourth series which was issued to commemorate Malaysia's 50th Anniversary of Independence in December 2007.

BNM Launches Malaysia's New Currency Series (4th Series)

Was at Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) @ Kuala Lumpur at about 2pm today to get my hands on the Malaysia's New Currency Series, 4th Series. The new currency was launched yesterday by Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Najib Razak. it will be available to the general public starting from 2nd quarter of 2012.

Anyway the queue was rather long when I arrived and it took me about an hour to get to the counter. According to the police on duty, there are crazy Malaysian who started to queue as early as 2am in the morning. BNM open its door since 9am in the morning. and by the time I leave at about 4.30pm, the queue is still getting longer.

With long queue like this, people could easily mistaken this for the iPhone 4 launch.

View of the Queue from another angle.

New Currency banner.

This is the queue and the counter. 

There is only 3 counter open to served the public, 2 for credit card purchase and 1 for cash purchase.

They have 3 collection as follows:

A collection of two banknotes (RM1 and RM5 denomination) - 500,000 sets priced at RM15.00 each.

A collection of a single banknote (RM20 denomination) - 500,000 sets priced at RM30.00 each.

A collection of six banknotes (RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50 and RM100 denominations) - 50,000 sets priced at RM300.00 each. For each set of this collection, all the banknote denominations will carry the same serial number.

To ensure that opportunist doesn't take advantage of this limited edition Commemorative notes sales, each person is only allow to buy 5 sets of RM1 and RM5 collection, 5 sets of RM20 collection and 1 set of the full collection. All the collection are packed nicely in an individual album complete with explanation on the notes features and design.

After queue for so long I decided to take up all allocated sets per person at RM525 and the crowd behind me follow suit. So yeah I have some extra for the single and 2 bank notes collection. Will be keep it till the right offer come by.

Meanwhile, here's my full collection:

The large one is the full set (only 50k sets), the bottom left (green) is the RM1 & RM5 set and the bottom right (brown) is the RM20 set.

Watch out for my next 3 post tomorrow where I'll give you a preview of how each individual album looks like inside.

Visa Signature by CIMB

If you have not notice, CIMB has been aggressively promoting the CIMB Visa Signature. Its not a totally new product but CIMB seems to have step up on its marketing effort lately. The marketing effort appear to have bear fruit as it has successfully convinced me to apply for one.

My card just arrived today, leas than 1 week since I submitted my application. Here's how the card looks like:

Here's some of the benefits:

1. No Annual Fee (waived for life for principle and up to 3 supplementary card)


2. 2X Bonus Point for oversea spending


3. Instants Recognition with CIMB Premier Club Rewards


4. Complimentary Airport Lounge Access (Plaza Premium Lounge)


5. Complimentary Movie Tickets (enjoy complimentary ticket of the same class at GSC Cinemas)


6. Dedicated CIMB Travel Desk


7. CIMB Bank Smart Rewards


8. 1 hour Card replacement


9. CIMB Visa Signature HotelClub (enjoy up to 75% at 55,000 hotel worldwide)


10. Visa Signature Exclusive Benefits

Personally i was attracted to 3 main benefit:

• Complimentary Movie Tickets, this is extremely useful especially useful as my girlfriend and I loves to watch movie. With this benefit, I get to watch movie at all GSC Cinemas, be it Gold Class, Premiere Class or Normal Class together with my girlfriend for the price of ONE.


• CIMB Visa Signature Hotel Club, while I'm not a travel addict, but I do travel and this offer could really help me save a lot when I go on holidays. For more info go to http://www.hotelclub.com/cimb/


• CIMB Smart Reward, this would be the most important benefit of the 3 because CIMB cards offer pretty good discounts at over 500 dining, retail and lifestyle outlets.

My complimentary tickets for Plaza Premium Lounge

With the rising inflation rate and weak economy outlook, its certainly good to be able to enjoy some discount be it wen we dine out, go for movies or even when we go for a holiday.

If you would like to enjoy some great savings just like me, do check out on the CIMB Visa Signature. I've done some comparison with several Visa Signature offering from other local and overseas bank and still find CIMB's offering to be the best.

Complimentary Drink @ Starbucks with American Express

If you love to drink and hangout at Starbucks, its probably time for you to apply for an American Express Card issued by Maybank. Make no mistake, this is not an advertorial for American Express or Maybank.

Why?

It's because American Express Card is currently running a promotion with Starbucks which entitle you to a complimentary beverage of the same value or less when you purchase a drink with your American Express Card. This promotion will be valid till 31st October 2011.

The Terms & Conditions

So if you have not got an American Express card, maybe its time to get one. Heard there are lots of other benefits and privilege coming soon too.

Maybank 2 Card

Finally got my Maybank 2 Card by Malayan Banking Berhad. It's one of a kind service which offers consumer the benefit of 2 card with one sign up, one service tax and once statement. Consumer can choose a combination of American Express and Visa or American Express and Master.

Schedule for an official launch in April 2011, I was one of the lucky applicant who applied for it during its pre-launch. Why did I signed up for it? Here are the 3 main reasons:

• Lifetime Annual Fee Waiver
• 5X treats point for every Ringgit spend on the American Express card (treats points collected will come in handy in the upcoming Maybank Treats Fair)
• 5% cash back during weekend (up to RM50/month, which is more than enough

There are of cause a host of other benefit which I will list down as i go on.

The introduction manual

My new card sealed in 2 separate envelope.

ermm, Maybank should consider using just one instead and help save the environment. After all the cards are being promoted as offering the benefit of 2 cards with one sign up, one service tax and one statement.

and here's my new Visa and American Express Card (I've covered up the card number and name for security purpose).

Will be making a trip to the bank soon to cancel off my existing American Express Card.

Anyway, here's the list of other benefit that comes along with the card which I don't find useful to me at the moment:

• Enjoy Low Finance Charges of 8.88% p.a.
• Travel Insurance Coverage (up to RM1,000,000)
• Retail Protection
• Golf Privilege (Complimentary Golf at selected golf courses around Malaysia)

Before you visit the nearest Maybank to register, here's the requirement:

• You got to be a Malaysian or expatriates and have a minimum income of RM60,000 (RM5,000/month)
• Between the age of 21 to 65
• Bring a copy of IC(both side)
• Latest 2 months salary slip / Latest BE form / Latest 3 months Saving /Current Account activity

So what are you waiting for, sign up one today and start saving like me when you shop on weekend and earn 5x rewards point at the same time.

For more info, visit Maybank 2 Card

Alternative Investments @ Investor Expo 2010

Disclaimer: I'm merely writing about wine as an alternative form of investment with the help of information obtain online. I'd like to make it very clear that I'm NOT in anyway associated or endorsing Premium Liquid Assets Sdn Bhd. I'm not paid write this post. Please do your own research before investing at your own risk.

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Have you heard of Alternative Investments?

Well traditionally when we speak about investments, people will tend to think about conventional investment option such as properties, stocks, futures, precious metal(Gold), bonds and Forex. That's what I usually thought so.

However my recent maiden visit to the Investor Expo 2010 held @ Kuala Lumpur, gives me a different perspective on variety of options available when it comes to investment. Read on to find out why.

What I'm about to share with you might not be totally new to you but it sure is new to me. The alternative investment in the form of liquid but mind you, it's not easy to liquidate when you are in need of cold hard cash.

This alternative investment option is actually Wine. Something most of us love to drink during special occasions or when there is something worth celebrating. I've been drinking wine for quite sometime now, most of the time during corporate functions, company events and sometimes with my acquaintances. I knew the rich and famous loves to drink and collect wine, in fact a lot of people buy wine as gifts these days, but little did I know that people actually invest in it and make a profit out of it.

If you are not from the ultra rich and elite Malaysian families, then this may probably be the first time you are reading about this because its still quite new to the Malaysian mass. So far the only company offering such investment option in Malaysia today is Premium Liquid Assets Sdn Bhd.

Premium Liquid Assets booth @ Investor Expo 2010

According to the company's website, it claims to be Asia's leading fine wine wholesaler with presents in Bordeaux(France), Malaysia, Singapore, China and Hong Kong. The company currently offers about 8 type of premium wines for investment, namely the Château Margaux 1986, Château Mouton Rothschild 1995, Château Haut Brion 1989, Château Margaux 1990, Château Mouton Rothschild 1995, Château La Mission Haut Brion 2000, Château Lafite Rothschild 2003, and Château Haut Brion 1989.

A picture of the wine storage in France.

Each investment has to be made in a minimum and multiple of 12 bottles of 75cl(Centiliters) wine which is equivalent to 1 case. If you are wondering how much it cost for a minimum investment in ringgit and sens, here are some example; 1 case of Château Mouton Rothschild 1995 is about €4,600 or RM18,596.45 while 1 case of Château Haut Brion 1989 cost roughly € 15,280 or RM1 772.55(€ 1 = RM4.04). Yes it's quite pricey but definitely a good option to invest as a form of hedging against conventional investment options such as properties and stock which are much more volatile and sensitive toward economic and political development around the globe.

This is how the case of 12 bottle looks like.

If you are interested to explore further kindly visit Premium Liquid Asset Sdn Bhd or contact:

PREMIUM LIQUID ASSETS SDN BHD
Suite 13-03, Centrepoint SouthMidvalley City,
Lingkaran Syed Putra59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: (603) 2297 4855
Fax: (603) 2297 4999
Email: info.my@premiumliquidassets.com

Oobey.com 1st Anniversary Celebration

The VIP having casual chats. The second person from the left is Kenny the COO of Key Elite Sdn Bhd. I don't know who the others are, so don't bother asking me.
The VIP's getting ready to officiate the event with a click of a mouse.

Today I attended Oobey.com's 1st Anniversary Dinner which was held at Cititel Hotel @ Mid Valley. Was actually introduce to this company by Koh Pek, who was once my colleague when we were working with Genting Group. She happen's to be with this company now and thus extending an invitation to me.

For your information Oobey.com is a locally founded e-commerce company which sell gifts online, a local version and smaller scale of Amazon.com. Its managed by Key Elite Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of CNI Holdings Bhd. For more info, kindly visit http://www.oobey.com/

Some of the Merchandise were on display at the event. A percentage of the sales proceed will be donated to the 2 orphanages that were invited to join the event.

Though the event wasn't that great, the food were so so, the presentation was lack of professional touch, I find the event to be quite meaningful as the company practices Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) by inviting 2 Orphanages to join in the Dinner and presented some gifts to those cute little kids. I think this was one of the selling point which attracted a number of pressman do a coverage on this 1st Anniversary Party of this little start-up company. I guess these people are still pretty fresh to the world of technology or maybe they aren't that IT savvy as I notice the lack of video editing technology being used in its presentation. Anyway, I must still give credit to Key Elite Sdn Bhd team of people who share the same dream doing something different and work towards it.

Oobey's Birthday Cake. Happy Birthday Oobey

The VIP cutting Oobey's Birthday Cake

Life stops when you stop dreaming, so if you have a dream, try living up to it, no matter what people says about it, never ever give up. Happy 1st Anniversary Oobey.

Ex-Genting Group Staff: Myself, Koh Pek and Khian Sin