Blog | MRS Training Provider In Malaysia

Why Do Malaysians Drive the Way They Do

Jul 25, 2019 | Blog

Malaysians have much to boast about – our food, dashingly good looks, abundance of creatives and rich culture being some of them. One thing we lack as a country overall however, is honourable driving habits. As Malaysians, we may find ourselves getting frustrated almost daily with another driver on the road and while we may not want to admit it, we could be that annoying driver on the road who honks at the car in front of us the moment the light turns green!

So, why do Malaysians drive the way they do? Most say the real issue lies with the attitude of most Malaysian drivers. According to Murad 2014, while dangerous road conditions and vehicles that are in an unsafe condition are some of the reasons highlighted as leading to a high road fatality rate in Malaysia, the biggest factor perceived to contribute to it is the bad attitude of Malaysian drivers on the road. Citizens often cite the ignorance of road signs, speed limits, traffic lights and the use of seat belts as evidence of such an attitude.

Some also attribute the blame to the less than optimal condition of many of our Malaysian roads which tend to be uneven and come with potholes of all sizes. In fact, all of us reading this may have our own opinions about why Malaysian driving is in its current state. However, how often have we reflected on our own driving habits and identified areas requiring improvement on our part.

A lack of awareness of the severe consequences bad driving habits can have on Malaysian road users may play a bigger part than we often think. While we may be tempted to blame this on the road examination structures and systems currently in place, we need to tackle the issue as it is today through ways that are in our immediate control if we truly want to see positive change.

If everyone made the decision to reflect and take steps to change where necessary, I believe that we could positively impact the current condition of Malaysian driving and even help to lessen the number of road accidents that affects us in one way or another. This would include reading up on good driving habits as recommended by the experts and even attending seminars or workshops that highlight good driving tools that have been proven to be effective.

Here at MRS, we believe in this too. Not just for the average Malaysian driver who drives to and fro from work but the Malaysian who is required to drive off road due to work or other reasons.

This led to the birth of our two well-established and prestigious programmes that are now ISO-certified, the Effective Defensive Driving: Light Vehicle & Basic 4 X 4 and the 4 X 4 Off Road training. Participants have the privilege and golden opportunity of being personally coached by our highly experienced lead trainers who are experts in the field. This could be the next step you take to contribute to a better Malaysian driving experience.

References

Andres, L 2017, ‘Monster drivers need attitude change’, New Straits Times, 26 November, viewed 27 June 2019, <https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2017/11/307557/monster-drivers-need-attitude-change>.

Murad, D 2014, ‘Bad attitude of drivers to blame for high fatality rate on Malaysian roads, say netizens’, The Star Online, 22 February, viewed 27 June 2019, <https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2014/02/22/malaysian-drivers-to-blame-for-high-fatalities-netizens/>.

Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi & Ayisy Yusof 2019, ‘Fewer road deaths in 2018 but outlook is still worrying, says Anthony Loke’, New Straits Times, 1 February, viewed 27 June 2019, <https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2014/02/22/malaysian-drivers-to-blame-for-high-fatalities-netizens/>.

‘Distraction on wheels’ 2017, New Straits Times, 14 November, viewed 27 June 2019, <https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2014/02/22/malaysian-drivers-to-blame-for-high-fatalities-netizens/>.

Murad, D 2014, ‘Malaysia has 17th most dangerous roads in the world, according to Michigan university research’, The Star Online, 22 February, viewed 27 June 2019, <https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2014/02/22/malaysian-drivers-to-blame-for-high-fatalities-netizens/>.

‘Why do Malaysian drivers get such a bad rep?’ 2017, New Straits Times, 28 June, viewed 27 June 2019, <https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2014/02/22/malaysian-drivers-to-blame-for-high-fatalities-netizens/>.

About the author

Melissa Ann Liew holds a Degree in Bachelors of Business (Accounting) from Swinburne University of Technology (SUTS). She is currently pursuing her postgraduate studies at SUTS, in ACCA, to progress further in her journey to becoming a Chartered Certified Accountant. She is currently also doing content writing for MRS Management.

Malaysia Memilih SST!

Sep 7, 2018 | Blog

In what seems to be a radical shift in Malaysia’s history, the newly installed Malaysian government under the leadership of comeback Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad, is getting rid of the old and bringing in the new. Ironically however, the government is getting rid of the recently enforced GST and bringing SST – an old and familiar system – onto the tax scene again!

Though the country is still enjoying a zero-rated GST period which began on the 1^st of June 2018, the time of enforcement for SST is now here and there are differing opinions on the effects of bringing such a tax back. While history was made in the recent election, everyone including individuals and businesses are now on their toes concerning the implementation of SST and there are those who wonder if such a change or rather, a reversal of change, is the best move for Malaysia in the long-run.

Only time will tell if SST is in fact the best choice for the country. However, individuals and businesses need not wait passively for SST to be in full force before learning how to handle its implementation. Instead, now is the time for getting sufficiently equipped, trained and prepared to fully understand SST and ensure that we avoid any unnecessary hurdles.

It is a known fact that even under the reign of GST – an arguably more transparent form of tax according to many – there were many who were left in the dark about its implementation and consequentially, found themselves being victims of those who knew the GST mechanism inside and out! In such a period of transition, there are even more opportunities for such cases and Malaysians need to ensure they are well-aware and prepared to maneuver through such a period to reap its potential benefits and save themselves from unnecessary costs.

Although many are reassuring the people of SST and its comparative advantages to GST, let’s get ourselves ready to ensure it is implemented rightly and to determine if it truly is the better option. Only those who are well-prepared will be able to do this so let’s do our part to ensure we are not left behind!

References:

Elalingam, S 2018, ‘How GST and SST work’, New Strait Times, 20 July, viewed 7 August 2018, <https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2018/07/392556/how-gst-and-sst-work>.
Amarthalingam, S 2018, ‘MoF: new SST will involve less manufacturers than GST’, The Edge Markets, 7 August, viewd 8 August 2018, <http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/mof-new-sst-will-involve-less-manufacturers-gst>.
Zainudin, F 2018, ‘Guan Eng admits GST more transparent than SST’, Free Malaysia Today, 19 July, viewed 8 August 2018, <http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/07/19/guan-eng-admits-gst-more-transparent-than-sst/>.

About the Author

Melissa Liew has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Swinburne University of Technology and is now pursuing her postgraduate studies in ACCA there. She is currently also doing content writing for MRS Management.

MRS takes participants Off-Road, Off-Grid for a truly-immersive experience.

Aug 1, 2018 | Blog

4×4 Off-Road Driving Skills Training takes participants into a whole new unfamiliar environment, without cellphone reception.

The MRS Training Team took participants to an unfamiliar, rough terrain without phone-reception, to fully experience the “Off-Road, Off-Grid” life, on one of our 4×4 Off-Road Driving Skills Training Courses.

Corporate Team Building Techniques

Jun 19, 2016 | Blog

Corporate Team Building generally refers to the selection and motivation of teams for fulfillment of organizational goals. Our society is increasingly becoming a multi-cultural one and you are required to work with different groups of people and expected to get along with them as a team. Corporate Team Building Techniques are methods to help people adapt to these new requirements. Your corporate team building skills are critical for your effectiveness as a manager. Even if you are not a manager, your understanding of team building makes you an effective member of the corporate team. Corporate Team Building Techniques can make your team accomplish objectives as a team rather than working on their own.

There are certain factors that are critical to Corporate Team Building. You may have a strong fusion of individual contributions. Diversity of skills and personalities are quite effective in Corporate Team Building. When all members of the team contribute to their full strengths, they compensate for each other’s weaknesses also. Different personalities and skills complement each other. Corporate Team Building Techniques involve good communication between the team members as well as harmony between the members.

Corporate Team Building – Versatile Practical Tools

Putting a group of people together does not automatically equal a team. Corporate Team Building starts with getting the people in the team to know each other. The technique involves in learning to get along with each other, develop interpersonal trust, and communicate well. This helps build team spirit. On a daily basis, members of a corporate team need to develop habits to function as an effective team.

There are a number of ways to Corporate Team Building. Each member of the team could take a course on how to work collaboratively. This is an individualistic approach and may, or may not, help in forming a cohesive unit. One other way could be to employ Corporate Team Building professionals to help train your corporate team in functioning as a cohesive unit. This is a great idea, but may not fit into your budget.

You could find your own techniques for Corporate Team Building. Put your corporate team members into new challenging fun activities that will require contact and communication between them. Organize events where they get together for fun activities, such as fly-fishing, sailing regattas, road rallies, interactive seminars, etc.

These activities go a long way in improving communication and interaction, and help Corporate Team Building.

4 Rules For New Entrepreneurs – Practical Tips For Starting Right

May 3, 2016 | Blog

It’s a great time to be an entrepreneur in the last decade, technology has leveled the playing field and propelled an entrepreneurial revolution. As an entrepreneur, you now have more access to information that enables you to make more intelligent choices more quickly. You have an advantage over big businesses in that youíre lighter, more flexible, and faster on your feet. You can target new markets more quickly, and you can turn on a dime.

But being a successful entrepreneur requires that you look at the big picture and follow a plan through from beginning to end. Rieva Lesonsky, editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur Magazine gives some practical guidelines that can help you when beginning your own enterprise:

1.Don’t Quit Your Day Job.

Consider starting your business part-time, especially if it’s online, while you’re working and have a steady income. It usually takes six months to a year to get a business going and you donít want your ability to make your house payment to hinge upon your company being an overnight success. Start with what you can manage, financially and time-wise, and scale up as your business grows.

2.Find Your Niche.

The days of general stores are over. Particularly online, consumers are looking for stores that specialize. You have to find a need something a specific group of people want, but can’t get at the big chain stores and fill it. Advises Lesonsky, You can’t compete with the big guys, so you have to find where the big guys aren’t and go into your niches.

3.Have an Online Presence.

Even if you’re not planning to start an online retail business, consider that the internet can still play a valuable role in your company. Having an online presence eliminates the limitations of physical location and broadens your customer base by, literally, millions. It’s also a great tool for promoting yourself and letting people, even in your own area, know that youíre there, and what you’re doing.

4.Refuse to Quit.

Successful entrepreneurship requires creativity, energy, and a drive to keep going when you fail. Few people realize that before Bill Gates created the extremely successful Microsoft 3.0, he created a Microsoft 1.0 and 2.0, both of which flopped but he kept at it. And that determination and refusal to give up is what will separate successful entrepreneurs from unsuccessful ones. Says Lesonsky, Arm yourself with optimism to get beyond the trouble. There’s nothing wrong in failure, just don’t repeat the same mistake!

5 Tips to Prepare for that First Real Job Interview

Apr 12, 2016 | Blog

You have graduated high school or college and now you’re ready for your first real job. You’ve mailed out resumes and have been called in for your first interview. How can you do well at the interview so you wind up being offered the job?

1. Dress professionally.

No midriff shirts, low-cut blouses or flip-flops because you’re going to work and not the beach. While it’s not necessary to buy a suit, it is particularly important to look professional. If you’re trying to get a job in a conservative office such as an accounting firm, don’t dress as if you were going to a concert. If you are applying for a retail position, you have a little more freedom. Rather than list what clothing is and is not acceptable, I would tell you to dress as if you were going to meet one of the most important people in your life- because you are!

2. Make sure you are well-groomed.

Don’t look as though you just rolled out of bed and couldn’t bother to take care of basic personal hygiene. Nothing will make the HR Manager bring the interview to a close faster than unwashed hair, dirty fingernails or body odor. As an employee, you will be a reflection of the company and no customer wants to do business with an unkempt person.

3. Be aware of your body language.

A firm handshake at the start of the interview shows you are self-confident. Maintain eye contact, stay relaxed and be attentive to the interviewer. Ask questions and listen thoughtfully to the answers. Think before you answer questions from the interviewer- don’t ramble and keep the conversation on the topic.

4. Be prepared for the interview.

Research the company beforehand- every business now has a website where you can learn what they do and who their customers are. This shows the interviewer you are interested in the job and took the initiative to find out all you could about the company.

5. Be present in the interview.

I’ve interviewed candidates who acted as if they were waiting for a bus. They didn’t ask questions, but instead just listened to me, and I wasn’t really sure if they were paying attention. Be enthusiastic, ask questions and participate in the interview. After listing all the duties required of the position, I asked one candidate if this sounded like something she’d be interested in. Her reply was a quiet, I can do the job. She didn’t answer my question, she seemed indifferent, and she didn’t get the job. If you can’t be excited in the interview, you’re not going to be energized in the workplace either.

First impressions count, and you want to let the interviewer know you want the job, are willing to work hard and will do your best. You might not necessarily be the most qualified candidate, but still land the job because you were the most outstanding one. Good luck!

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