PayPal Accepts MYR and Why We Should Care

By Nora Ismail | November 2, 2009

Shopping bags, originally uploaded by richmondsquarephotos.

PayPal is the biggest e-currency on the internet that lets you make payments and transfer money online without having to expose your credit card or banking account details to merchants. It’s the most preferred payment method on eBay, which is expected considering PayPal is an eBay-owned company. D’oh!

However, PayPal didn’t make any sense to me – and most Malaysian businesses – before the end of last month. Although I’m a zealous online shopaholic, I’ve never given the popular e-commerce service a second thought and I’ll tell you why:

1. I don’t have a credit card
   For Malaysian users, signing up for a PayPal account requires a credit or debit card. Although I have a debit card, I refrain from using it in fear of suffering from an overdraft nightmare.
2. Most local web stores offer the quick funds transfer option
   Most local online businesses, especially the smaller ones, offer the funds transfer option, which is great owing to the fairly recent boom of internet banking – and soon, mobile banking – in Malaysia.

But with the recently added capability of accepting Malaysian Ringgit and letting users withdraw PayPal funds from local banking accounts, I see them in a whole new light – the kind that drives my online shopaholic hormones to, in the words of an Iron & Wine song, “such great heights”.

Here are 4 reasons why I personally think the new PayPal “revelation” could be great for Malaysian consumers and businesses:

1. You no longer need a credit or debit card
   PayPal now lets us link our banking account to our PayPal accounts, which means we can directly transfer funds from and to our banking accounts. That eliminates the need for a credit or debit card and youth-targeting businesses won’t have to worry about isolating their market.
2. It’s cheaper
   Withdrawing Funds
   Previously, you can only withdraw funds to your credit or debit card, which costs USD5 (now RM20) per withdrawal – that’s a lot of money, especially when you intend to withdraw a small sum. Withdrawing RM400 or more from your banking account is FREE and a reasonable RM3 is charged for withdrawing amounts less than RM400.
   Foreign exchange what?
   Because PayPal fees for Malaysian users are now charged in Malaysian Ringgit, we are better protected from foreign exchange losses.
   Free – and easy – to use
   If and when more consumers use PayPal, local business owners no longer need to spend on Internet merchant accounts to process credit and debit card payments, which are known to be rather costly. And customers with credit cards still can pay without having a PayPal account.
3. It’s safer than most of our options right now
   We no longer need to perform unregistered i.e. unsafe 3rd party fund transfers or enter our credit card information again and again. With PayPal, not only are we able to hide our financial information from merchants, we can also file payment disputes in case of fraudulent sellers with its fraud detection and prevention feature.
4. More international than international credit cards
   If you’ve shopped online, you would’ve also come across international web stores that don’t accept international credit cards. This is where PayPal comes in. As for sellers, that means you can open up your products or services to both domestic and international customers.

But as with most online services, there are always pros and cons. While it has received a share of disapprovals from sellers, buyers on PayPal seem to be more than happy with this payment gateway alternative.

I anticipate the day that more local offline businesses – especially small retailers and independent sellers – get online. But for now, I’m going to get me some David and Goliath t-shirts with my shiny new PayPal account.

Useful links:
Easy Steps to Create a PayPal Account
PayPal Accepts Over 20 Malaysian Banks
PayPal Accepts Ringgit Malaysia and its Benefits to Malaysian PayPal Users
How to Link PayPal to Your Malaysian Bank Account

SUMMARY MONDAY 30/11/09 - news of debt rescheduling

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله تعالى وبركات

News berkenaan dgn debt rescheduling, harga emas dijangka naik lagi.

• Wall St down 1.5%, reacting to the news of debt rescheduling of some USD60bln owed by Dubai World and Nakheel. Concern over Dubai threat to US banks was mitigated by the cheer that the first day after Thanksgiving was greeted by shoppers that came in droves. Dollar gained slightly. Commodities eased on profit taking.
• Dow is at 10,309. Support is at 10,171. Resistances at 10,723, 11,000
• Dollar is drifting downwards to 86.8 yen. Support is at 86.3
• Euro/dollar is lower at 1.498. Longer term upside is at 1.53
• Crude oil is lower at USD76.
• Gold eased to USD1176 from USD1200, on technical correction. Strong resistance is at the USD1201-1209 region.
• Ringgit is slightly firmer at 3.38. With support at 3.45, it is on a long term upside of 3.34.
• S’pore ringgit is firmer at 2.448. With a pullback support at 2.42, the long term upside is at 2.52.
• Malaysia market closed lower at 1270. With strong support at 1262, it is targeting yearend 1292, and 1300.
• CPO Dec futures is RM2455, with support at RM2335. Upside remains at RM2500.
• Today’s trading range is between 1266 and 1274.

Regards,

JUPITER SECURITIES SDN BHD

RM8j lesap pajak gadai Ar-Rahnu diceroboh

Oleh Adha Ghazali
adha@bharian.com.my

ANGGOTA polis sedang memeriksa bongkah dinding konkrit setebal 12 inci yang ditebuk sekumpulan penyamun sebelum melarikan barangan kemas dan wang tunai bernilai hampir RM8 juta, di Kangar, semalam.

KANGAR: Perompak melarikan barangan kemas dan wang tunai bernilai hampir RM8 juta, dipercayai antara yang terbesar di negara ini, selepas memecah masuk kedai pajak gadai Ar-Rahnu milik Yayasan Islam Perlis (YIPs), di Taman Sena di sini, malam kelmarin.

Semua barangan kemas bernilai kira-kira RM7.7 juta dan wang tunai RM68,000 yang disimpan di dalam beberapa kabinet di dalam bilik kebal pajak gadai itu, dipercayai dilarikan antara tengah malam kelmarin dan 11 pagi semalam.

Kumpulan penjenayah terbabit memecah masuk premis itu selepas mengumpil pintu dan jeriji besi di bahagian belakang bangunan berkenaan.

Perompak itu kemudian dipercayai menggunakan gerudi menebuk satu lubang besar pada dinding bilik kebal pajak gadai berkenaan sebelum masuk ke ruang itu dan melarikan semua barangan kemas dan wang tunai yang disimpan di dalamnya.

Sebelum memecah masuk, kumpulan itu juga dikatakan memotong kabel penggera keselamatan dan talian telefon yang di-

pasang di premis berkenaan.

BONGKAH dinding konkrit setebal 12 inci yang ditebuk penyamun.

Mengikut sumber, lubang yang ditebuk pada dinding bilik kebal berkenaan boleh meloloskan badan bersaiz sederhana.

Ketua Polis Daerah Kangar, Superintendan Abdul Rahman Mohd Noordin, ketika ditemui mengesahkan kejadian itu tetapi enggan mengulas lanjut kerana kejadian itu masih dalam siasatan.

Berdasarkan maklumat awal katanya, pengurusan kedai pajak gadai itu menganggarkan jumlah kerugian dialami mencecah RM8 juta iaitu membabitkan wang tunai dan emas yang digadai pelanggan.

"Buat masa sekarang, kita sedang mengumpulkan maklumat mengenai kes ini, termasuk mengenal pasti identiti suspek berdasarkan persamaan dalam modus operandi dengan beberapa kejadian di negeri lain," katanya.

Kes kini disiasat mengikut Seksyen 457 Kanun Keseksaan kerana pecah masuk bangunan malam hari dan orang ramai yang mempunyai maklumat diminta menghubungi Rakan Cop Perlis iaitu 04-9711999.

Hujung tahun lalu, Ar-Rahn milik Kumpulan Permodalan Kelantan Berhad anak syarikat Perbadanan Kemajuan Ikhtisas Negeri Kelantan, dirompak barangan kemas bernilai kira-kira RM18 juta yang disimpan dalam 238 peti simpanan.

Pengeluaran Akaun 1 KWSP untuk Trade Saham di BSKL

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله تعالى وبركات

Kepada sesiapa yang berminat bermain saham di BSKL, ini adalah peluang menggunakan akaun 1 KWSP anda dan trade secara online di Jupiter Security.

Untuk makluman, saya ada akaun di Jupiter Security ini dan ia adalah antara Security yg menggenakan fee yg murah.

Do you know that you can withdraw from your EPF Account 1 to invest directly in the stockmarket at very low brokerage rates?

Jupiter Online brings you another new product and service. Now, you can easily withdraw money from your EPF Account 1 to invest directly in the stockmarket. Jupiter Online partners with Amara Investment Management Sdn Bhd (“Amara”) to bring you this EPF Scheme.

The benefits of doing this are:

1. You can invest a portion of your EPF money into stocks of your choice.

According to analysts, it would be challenging for EPF to sustain dividend payouts of above 5% in the coming years. This is mainly due to the EPF’s huge fund’s size and strict mandate. In the longer term, the EPF’s performance will also be determined by its returns in investing in low-risks assets such as government bonds. EPF invest some 40% of its funds in bonds and loans as at last year. These asset classes have been experiencing dwindling yields. (Source: The Star, EPF returns on the slide, 19 March 2009).

If you are market savvy and wish to manage your own investment portfolio instead of hoping to earn 4%-5% returns on your EPF monies, we would like to encourage you to take advantage of this low cost investment scheme that may help you achieve higher returns.

1. One time draw down fee.

There is only a 3% one time draw down fee incurred, unlike Unit Trust investment. After the first drawdown, you can “buy” and “sell” as many times as you like without incurring another levy of draw down fee. In the case of Unit Trust investment, you will be charged repeated drawdown fee or Unit Trust charges every time you invest in a fund. When you sell Unit Trust funds, the sales proceeds will be returned to your EPF account on the due date. Hence, it is not easy to “trade” Unit Trust investment to make profit in view of the high transaction costs involved. The fund’s performance is very much dependent on the skills and experience of the fund manager. Good fund managers also change jobs for better remunerations and it would be difficult to follow good fund managers.

2. Time your Investment.

When you draw down your EPF money, the amount will be credited to a Client Trust account maintained with Jupiter Securities Sdn Bhd. You have the flexibility of making the investment immediately or time the market entry. All un-invested money in your Trust Account earns interest as well. You have total control of setting up your portfolio of stocks to maximise returns. Over diversification as in certain funds will compromise the rate of returns for your investments.

3. Very competitive brokerage rates.

For this EPF scheme, Jupiter Online offers very low brokerage rate of only 0.1% or min RM10 on per contract basis.

4. Save RM300!

Waiver of Establishment Fee of RM300 by Amara.

5. Reduction in initial minimum investment.

For Jupiter Online clients, Amara has agreed to reduce their initial minimum investment requirement from RM30,000 to RM25,000.

For full details on how the EPF Scheme works and the complete fee structure, please do not hesitate to contact your dealer representative or email servicecentre@jssb.com.my.

Wishing you success in life and profitable online trading experience with Jupiter Online.

Gold Price Forecast 11st November 2009

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله تعالى وبركات

Update terbaru Gold Price Forecast pada 11st November 2009

* Sekiranya merujuk kepada forecast di bawah nampaknya harga emas akan semakin meningkat selepas ini.
* Tawaran menarik kepada sesiapa yang ingin menjadi agen Public Gold yg mana tiada modal sebanyak RM30K, sila hubungi saya secepat mungkin.

Gold Price Forecast

London Fix. US Dollars per troy ounce.

Month	Date	Forecast Value	50% Correct +/-	80% Correct +/-
0	Oct 2009	1,043.2	0	0
1	Nov 2009	1,059	55	123
2	Dec 2009	1,077	68	152
3	Jan 2010	1,082	76	171
4	Feb 2010	1,080	83	187
5	Mar 2010	1,062	89	200
6	Apr 2010	1,047	94	211
7	May 2010	1,062	99	221
8	Jun 2010	1,111	103	230

Updated Wednesday, November 11, 2009

All forecasts are provided AS IS, and FFC disclaims any and all warranties, whether express or implied, including (without limitation) any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Click Here to get the rest of the story with the Long Range forecasts

Gold Prices

Past Trend Present Value & Future Projection

London Fix. US Dollars per troy ounce.

Other Links of Interest:

• Gold Price Historical Data
• Gold Price Extended Forecast by subscription
• Crude Oil Price Forecast
• U.S. Consumer Price Index Forecast
• London Bullion Market Association's Website for Gold and Silver Prices

Siri Bijak Wang TV3 - Pelaburan Emas

Baru2 ini saya ada menyaksikan siri Bijak Wang di TV3, antara topic yang dibincangkan adalah pelaburan emas.

Sebelum ini banyak juga siri Bijak Wang tersebut keudara tetapi apabila topic emas, ini sudah menjadi minat saya.

Antara isi penting yang saya ingat ialah:

1. Perbandingan yang dibuat di antara ASB iaitu 8% tetapi sejak 5 tahun kebelakang ni, harga emas semakin melonjak naik sehingga 250%. Purata kenaikkan setahun emas adalah sebanyak 50%.

2. Sekiranya anda mengikuti pergerakkan harga emas ianya berlegar2 antara +-USD1100. Bekas Pengerusi BSKL pula meramalkan kemungkinan harga emas akan mencecah USD2000

3. Salah satu cara untuk menjatuhkan nilai USD adalah jika semua masyarakat antarabangsa mula melakukan urusniaga dlm bentuk emas dalam jual beli dan import eksport.

4. Emas dalam bentuk wafer mengandungi 99% ketulenan berbanding jongkong emas. Oleh itu digalakkan membeli emas yang tinggi ketulenannya.

Banyak kelebihan yang boleh didapati daripada emas ini selain drp di atas. Kelebihan kepada sesiapa yang dapat mengesan atau mempelajari pergerakkan harga emas seperti TA(Technical Analysis) & FA(Fundamental Analysis)

Rancangan Bijak Wang – TV3 Siaran Tayangan 7 November 2009

Rancangan Bijak Wang - TV3 Siaran Tayangan 7 November 2009

November 8th, 2009

Tetamu Jemputan ialah Dato' Mohd.Salleh Bin Abdul Majid - Bekas Presiden BSKL.

Antara intipati dari Rancangan Bijak Wang pada malam semalam.

Dalam ruangan Bijak Wang di TV3 pada 8 November 2009.

Beliau menyatakan bahawa pada kenaikan emas sejak 5 tahun lepas hingga sekarang ialah sebanyak 250%. Ini bermakna kenaikan purata setiap tahun ialah 50%. Anda semua bolehlah membuat perbandingan dengan skim-skim pelaburan yang terdapat di Malaysia. Adakah berbaloi jika anda melabur dalam emas? Ya, sudah tentu.

Harga emas dunia pada hari ini mencecah kepada USD1100/oz. Jangkaan emas akan meningkat dengan mendadak sekali pada masa terdekat ini. Jangkaan harga tersebut bukan USD1300/oz, bukan USD1600/oz malahan mencecah kepada USD2000/oz. Hal ini berlaku kerana banyak negara telah membeli beribu-ribu tan dari IMF. Termasuklah China dan India. Jadi, adakah kita nak tunggu lagi harga emas jatuh mendadak? Saya berani kata tidak mungkin ia jatuh mendadak.

Beliau juga menyatakan bahawa setiap pelaburan mempunyai risiko. Tetapi tidak perlu fikir risiko ketika membuat pelaburan dalam emas. Beliau juga memesan kepada para penonton supaya jika anda mempunyai perhiasan emas dalam simpanan anda, maka anda tidak perlu menukar emas tersebut kepada perhiasan emas yang baru. Ini kerana akan merugikan semula kepada kita. Contohnya jika kita mempunyai gelang tangan yang dibeli pada tahun 1999. Pada ketika ini tahun 2009 anda merasakan rekabentuk gelang tangan tersebut telah ditelan zaman. Jadi anda merasakan untuk tukar kepada gelang yang baru.

Kaedah membuat pertukaran emas yang baru tersebut sebenarnya adalah rugi. Ini kerana pihak kedai emas akan membeli barang kemas yang kita ada dengan harga diskaun yang sangat tinggi. Boleh mencecah sehingga 20%-40% dari harga semasa. Jadi ini akan menyebabkan barang kemas tersebut telah susut nilai. Jika kita ingin membeli barang kemas yang baru pula, anda sebenarnya akan mengalami kerugian sekali lagi. Kerugian yang tidak langsung ini sebenarnya berlaku apabila kita membeli, penjual akan membuat tambahan caj ‘upah buatan' rekabentuk emas tersebut. Jika harga asal gelang emas tersebut ialah RM1000.00 pada harga emas semasa, apabila dikenakan ‘upah buatan' kemungkinan harga gelang emas tersebut telah mencecah RM1100.00. Itu secara tidak langsung. Walhal peniaga kedai barang kemas tersebut telah mengambil untung yang sangat tinggi kerana beliau telah menjual stok lama kepada para pelanggannya.

Pergantungan kepada nilai matawang USD juga akan merudum selepas ini kerana banyak negara telah memilih untuk mula berurusniaga dalam emas. Walaubagaimanapun negara US tidak terlalu bimbang kerana mereka boleh sesuka hati mencetak wang mereka ketika nilai matawang mereka sedang susut. Tetapi dengan adanya emas, kita tidak lagi bergantung nilai matawang kepada US.

Oleh yang demikian, jika anda berhajat untuk membuat sedemikian, anda bertukarlah kepada melabur dengan membeli jongkong emas.

US gold closes strong, off $1,100/oz, on weak jobs

 NEW YORK, Nov 6 (Reuters) - U.S. gold futures finished
Friday moderately higher, pulling off from the $1,100 per ounce
all-time high, but remaining strong as investors sought their
safety after the October U.S. labor market data came in much
weaker than expected, traders said.

 For the latest detailed report, click on [GOL/].

 GOLD

 * COMEX December gold GCZ9 ended $6.4 higher at $1,095.70
an ounce.

 * Range spanned $1,086.50 to a new record at $1,101.90

 * Gold alone among metals rose to a new all-time high as
investors sought a safe-haven investment after the dismal U.S.
employment reading suggested more economic weakness - traders.

 * "Gold rallied early on the unemployment numbers being
higher than expected. It fueled thoughts of additional stimulus
and reinforced the concept that the Fed will not be able to
raise rates any time soon," said Frank McGhee, head precious
metals trader at Integrated Brokerage Services in Chicago.

 * U.S. employers cut 190,000 jobs in October greater than
the 175,000 forecast. The unemployment rate rose to 10.2
percent, a 26-1/2-year high above average forecasts of a 9.9
percent rate. [ID:nN06178752] and [ID:nN06177960]

 * Dollar declines against the yen and the euro over worries
about the U.S. economy following slack jobs figures helped
bolster gold purchases - traders. [USD/]

 * Gold was also underpinned by expectations of renewed
central bank interest after an IMF sale of 200 tonnes of gold
to India this week - traders.

 * COMEX estimated final volume at a healthy 164,334 lots.

 * Spot gold XAU=, by 2:35 p.m. EST (1935 GMT), was higher
at $1,095.15 an ounce than the $1,088.95 quote late in New York
on Thursday, but below the $1,100.90 record hit after the U.S.
jobs data.

 * London's afternoon gold fix XAUFIX=  was set at
$1,096.75 an ounce.