Yesterday (08 June 2008) was the soft opening of the 1Borneo Hypermall. It was opened by The Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Musa Aman. Also present were the Head of State, Tun Sakaran Dandai and the CEO of Ramajuta Group of Companies, Datuk Raymond Chan.
About a week or two ago I received an invitation to attend the above opening ceremony. Several other executives from my company were also invited. So yesterday, of all the days, I had to dress up for the occasion. However, when I arrived at the 1Borneo, there was a massive traffic jam there. In spite of its opening, the project is not really fully completed yet—hence soft opening.
A sea of cars were parked at the roadsides, but since I was driving Mia's car, I didn't think it was such a good idea to park there. Mia is one of those paranoid creatures when it comes to her car, you see. She is constantly worried that some maniac driver will somehow end up ramming into her car. And if there is a scratch on her car, I'm sure she'd suffer the pain of a bullet wound. Of course it would've been much easier had I driven my own Ninja there, but unfortunately, I let them use it for the "test-drive" of the KK Challenge 4.
So anyway, I decided to get stuck in the long queue into the 1Borneo parking bays. But on the way into the basement car park, I noticed a vacant parking bay on the northern wing of the huge complex. So I quickly made a sharp turn and managed to squeeze into that space before another car was able to take it. I was very pleased with myself until I saw a parking attendant came running in my direction. He said I had to pay RM5 for that space. I showed him my so-called "Corporate" invitation card, but that didn't help. RM5 per admission, invitation card or not. So in the end, I decided enough was enough; I left the parking space and went straight home. I reckoned since there were so many people there it's not like the developer will miss me anyway (smile).
Well, to be quite honest, I wasn't expecting a red-carpet welcome from the developer. But RM5 parking per entry must be one of—if not the most—expensive parking rate here in KK. I wonder if this was supposed to have been the result of the recent rise in fuel prices?
5 comments:
It does raise some suspicions on why the parking spot cost RM5. Probably the parking attendant trying to earn a few quick bucks like the Segama 'valet boys'?
the rm5 must be the jockey parking la. the developer has already implemeted jockey parking for warisan square much earlier on and i suppose they are doing the same here. anyway, i'm sure your company would have no problem to subsidise the rm5 parking fee? hehe.
Not likely, Hinching. The parking attendants at 1Borneo had receipt books in their hands. I guess all payments would be issued with proper receipts.
I know about those Segama "Valet Boys" you wrote about. Who knows, one of these days when and if our Government really start taking action on these street boys, then we will be spared from such nuisance. I doubt it will ever happen though. This problem with the aliens have been around since I was a small boy.
I remember there was once I went to an amusement shop in Segama with my brother, Dennis, when I was about 13 yrs old. Dennis had a gold chain given by mom—a stupid thing to have on in a place like that. A bunch of those aliens crowded around Dennis and grabbed his gold chain. I shouted for help like crazy. Of course the 2 security guards in that shops wouldn't dare to move at all. Then one of those boys slapped me hard on my left cheek. Anyway, the gold chain snapped; a small portion fell to the ground. They got the rest of it and then they ran away.
That was about 30 years ago. If anyone tells you that we have solved our problems with the illegals, let me assure you that nothing is further from the truth. If anything, I foresee the problem getting from bad to worst.
Jockey parking? Well I don't know about jockey parking, but even then RM5 per car is a very expensive jockey service.
I will probably wait until weeks from now before attempting to go to 1Borneo again. All the excitement would have abated by then, and more shops would be open. The other attractions like the huge aquarium and rides would probably come much later.
Am just curious, did any of my readers take advantage of the free movie tickets over several days offered by the cinemas in 1Borneo? Care to tell us if there was anything special?
RM5 parking? wow..... i wonder how much one utama charge...
bt the free tickets? my fren who went said it's the festival of aliens.
Post a Comment