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Saturday, April 29, 2017

Saga BLM Steering Wheel Removal (How To)






The title translated to Bahasa Malaysia: Cara Buka Stering Saga BLM.


As with again, there is so little online information when it comes to Malaysian matters. Hence, this post...


Firstly, a great thank you to the good people at Proton.

For the longest time, I've had an annoying rattling emanating from the steering wheel of my Proton Saga BLM.

Warning: Do not attempt to pull out the steering wheel cover!

After failing to find any useful information on this subject, I decided to try my luck at removing the steering wheel cover to find and hopefully fix the cause of the annoying rattle.

Here's why you shouldn't pull out the cover, as is: The steering wheel cover is firmly attached to a backplate by plastic push in self locking pins. If you attempt to pull it out by force, it'll only result in broken pins and a costly replacement of the whole steering wheel!

A hex key, Allen key or Allen wrench is a tool used to drive bolts and screws with hexagonal sockets in their heads - the only tool you'll need for this job.



1. Remove the Horn Fuse, 4th one down on the left from the fuse box. When you open the driver side door, you'll see the fuse box at the side of the dashboard. Gently pull it open to access the fuse box. I actually used the fuse clip from the fuse box in the engine bay as it simplifies the work.

2. Using the hex key, break open the 2 screws local on the steering wheel. Do not fully unscrew! Unscrew only until you can take out the cover.

3. Gently remove the wire connector.

4. Adjust the screws at the 3 spokes of the cover. For some reason these screws are not secured with any lock thread and will loosen over time and the cover will rattle!

After adjusting the screws to NO free play, I didn't have any lock thread and used auto silicone sealant over each protruding screw to hopefully "lock" them in.

Reinstall the cover in reverse manner of steps explained above.

Enjoy and don't forget to thank Proton!

P/S: I also noticed a missing screw (see if you can spot it) where the steering wheel connects to the column...OMG!



Wednesday, April 19, 2017

What To Do When DBKL Makes A "Fine" Error, DBKL Salah Saman

Foreword: A Compound, Fine, Saman, or whatever you wish to call it must always be paid promptly - DO NOT ACCUMULATE! It'll only gather "interest" that's not in your favor.

Not many people love to be wrong but will still pretend as if they are right. That said, not many people want to be wrong and do nothing about it...

So what happens when you are wrongly accused of something that you didn't do? Do you keep mum and make amends, or do you attempt to undo the wrongful?


Here's my lesson from DBKL's Jabatan Penguatkuasaan:

Last week, I received a registered mail from the Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL). In it was a DBKL Compound Notice for a traffic offense. I noted the date, time and "location" of the traffic offense. While it was 100% impossible for me to be there at that time, I still paid the minimum RM100 Compound at Pos Malaysia the same day.

My reasoning (only later to be told as wrong?): Never owe others and make good what you do.

Of course, I did try to call the 03-40267200 contact number stated on the Compound Notice (before making my way to Pos Malaysia) but it went unanswered.

Since Pos Malaysia could only accept payment and nothing else, they suggested for me to check with the nearest DBKL office - which I did by calling them and was given another number for the Jabatan Penguatkuasaan DBKL (JPK).

[Trust me, it's not easy finding out on the Internet things you need to know especially if it's Malaysian. For some blessed reason, whether it's something about the national cars or in this case bila terima saman DBKL salah there's a fog in the Internet cloud]

In short, what I was told:

  1. Do not pay the Compound
  2. Email your dispute to jpk@dbkl.gov.my
  3. It's faster if you come directly to see the officer

So the next day, I went to the JPK. No parking lots at the front as told; possibly a sign of what's coming. Parked at the adjacent shop lots area for RM2. Was directed to the door next to the Kaunter Aduan. Met with the officer there (a soft spoken chap but apparently with a suspicious nature because he started with examples of how people lie to avoid the fines and etc!), to him the Compound is probably correct. Phew! Completed a Borang Rayuan and was told that if I wanted I could also make a police report but it was not necessary to give him a copy!?!

At the Balai Polis, the officer at the counter took down the details of my case and printed a copy of the Police Report. Her 2 colleagues sitting next to her advised me that since DBKL mentioned the police, a copy of the report should be given to them.

On my 2nd trip (the same day) to the JPK, I ended up paying RM2 for a RM1 parking ticket as the Parking Terminal was faulty. I truly wonder what happens to the excess money collected since it's not registered by the machine. Submitted a copy of the Police Report and requested a signed acknowledgement.

A week later, I received a call from the JPK's Proses Saman. The lady officer informed me that DBKL will refund the payment I made, but I would have to provide them with my bank account number and proof that the account is under my name vide a bank statement!?!

The next day, I went to the JPK's Proses Saman and filled up a Borang Pengesahan Maklumat and submitted it together with the original payment receipt and copy of bank statement. According to the lady officer, she cannot disclose more information on the investigation done as her role in the entire process is only to forward applications. All-in-all the entire ordeal should end within 3 months once the DBKL Bendahari transfers the RM100 into my bank account.

* no indication of any compensation from DBKL for causing the pain and suffering arising from this whole affair.

Quick Summary:

  1. Decide first whether to proceed with the below by weighing if the heartache, your time and travel costs, and patience is worth more than the sum of the Compound;
  2. Do not make any payment in trust/faith;
  3. Do not email DBKL, especially the Pengarah who has yet to reply any of the several emails I sent;
  4. Go direct to see/meet them;
  5. Make a Police Report before your trip to the JPK;
  6. At the JPK, proceed to the Kaunter Aduan located on the Ground Floor;
  7. You will be given a Borang Rayuan Kompaun. Complete it and submit together with any other substantial proof to support your claim besides the Police Report;
  8. You should receive a call from them within 7 days. If not, another visit to the JPK is necessary.
  9. In the event, you are unable to resolve the problem with DBKL -- your options are to pursue it at a higher level with the Federal Territory Minister. And if that fails, to seek legal counsel and action.
WARNING: This advice is only intended for those who are 100% sure that they have been wrongfully issued with a DBKL Compound. IF guilty of the offense, pay up!