I READ with delight that from Feb 19 to June 18 this year, there will be a competition aimed at increasing public awareness of consumerism.

This is an excellent measure to not only inform consumers of their rights but also to educate them on how to shop and avoid pitfalls when buying.

THE Malay Mail will be selecting the best letters this week in which the winner stands a chance to win a Tune Talk handphone.

Each letter must carry the sender's full name and contact number to be eligible. We welcome readers to write in but The Malay Mail reserves the right to edit the letters accordingly.

DALJIT of Petaling Jaya is upset with the alleged lack of security at the Nissan Service Centre in Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur.

On Jan 19, DALJIT sent his Nissan Urvan van for regular service at the centre at noon. When he later picked up his vehicle at 4.30pm, he accidentally left his bag at the reception desk.

IN reference to the article '14 Secondary and three primary schools recognised as SBTs (high- performance schools )', I am appalled by it for the reason that these schools will be granted RM1 million each.

IT is sad and heartbreaking to learn of yet another tragic accident involving students, this time, off Penang.

Our heartfelt sympathies to the families of the five students and the teacher, who happened to live near my parents' house in Bagan Jermal, Butterworth, who perished in the dragon boat accident. May they rest in peace.

Once again, there will be a round of finger-pointing by some, alleging that the school and the teachers or the organisers did not give due consideration to safety and security when holding events of this nature.

THE use of 'super' MyKads or MyIDs for government dealings is a good move to simplify cumbersome bureaucracy and improve the public delivery system.

The new mechanism might also be able to reduce corruption, and wastage of people’s precious time and money.

This is a good example by the government to put the people’s interest first. We should have more such  reative and sensible initiatives.

IT’S good that Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin has accepted the appeal by nightspots on Jalan P. Ramlee to be allowed to continue engaging DJs and live bands.

The road is undoubtedly Kuala Lumpur’s most popular entertainment strip. Also at stake is the employment of close to 1,000 people, mostly Malaysians in their 20s.

SLOW service and a 'missing' pepperoni pizza were among the highlights of CHANDRA's spoilt Christmas eve dinner.

He brought his family-of-six out for the special occasion at the Supremo Deli outlet in Ampang on Dec 24.

"What a terrible dining experience. To make matters worse, it was my mother's birthday."

CHANDRA says he and his family arrived at the restaurant at 8pm but they had to wait for 10 minutes before their order was taken.

If you ask them separately, you'd perhaps get two different pictures.

However, pay a little bit more attention and you'll realise that Cikgu Eton and Cikgu Kadir are painting the same picture from different angles.

I REFER to the statement by Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner, Datuk Abu Kassim Mohammed, who vowed that he would take steps to restore the credibility of the organisation when he takes over the top post from Jan 1, 2010.

PRESENTLY, the retirement age in Malaysia is at 55 years for the private sector and 58 years for government employees. Except for the additional three years of service for government employees, the mandatory retirement age for employees has not changed since our independence more than five decades ago.

Life expectancy has increased tremendously over the years to 73 years today compared to when we became an independent nation in 1957. So, on average, a Malaysian will have almost 20 years of no work and no pay.

I REFER to your front page report on Monday and was taken aback after reading that Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, a well-known spiritual leader of Pas, called on the people to pray to the Almighty to bring bad luck to our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

I have high respects for the Tok Guru but after reading about this bad luck prayer call, I have virtually lost my respect for him.

GERALDINE from Kelana Jaya has a problem with her next door neighbour's poor attitude towards
cleanliness.

The house next to hers at SS7/8 is rented out to a tenant, who runs a catering business. It is occupied by the tenant's workers and they basically operate their business there — preparing and cooking food for clients.

The tenant himself sometimes stays at the house and they have been living there for the past five or six months, GERALDINE says.

AFTER happily settling all the main details to go on a holiday trip with her friend next month, RENISA from Bangsar is now worried as she has just found that her passport will be expiring in two weeks.

I HAVE been living in Bandar Country Homes for the past 15 years and have noticed that the traffic congestion here has been getting from bad to worse as the years have gone by.

The traffic congestion is so bad throughout the day and during peak hours, getting home in the evenings is like going through hell.

Part of the reason is due to the access road from the Rawang toll plaza to Bandar Country Homes, Bandar Tasik Puteri, Kundang, Emerald and many other new housing projects being only a single lane road.

I REFER to the article in the Malay Mail on Oct 14 advising residents to overlook neighbourhood security
matters themselves.

The same concerns have been shared by many of my friends in the neighbourhood since I moved to Section 11, Bayu Damansara two years ago. We were forced to hire security guards to protect ourselves.

THE Ministry Of Natural Resources and Environment appreciates the concerns highlighted by S. M. Mohd Idris of Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), in his letter “Take care of all zoos in Malaysia” (Malay Mail, Nov 3, 2009).

The ministry is aware of the growing concern among public and SAM on the well being of wildlife kept at zoos.

ANNA said she usually uses the table to work on her laptop until around midnight.

Beyonce, it is understandable that you refused to perform here in 2007, for that decision was not in your power. This time around, you are well aware of strict rules.