April 26th, 2010 by Jeff

Marina Bay Sands is due to open its doors on Tuesday, located at Bayfront Avenue in Marina South in central Singapore. It will house Singapore’s second casino after Resorts World Sentosa.

Picture details:
Nikon D80 + Sigma 18-50@20mm
ISO100, f/22, 30.00s

RAW file processed in Camare Raw 4.0 and Adope Photoshop CS3

Completion of the Marina Bay Sands is expected for 2010. The casino and one of the hotel towers was expected to open in December 2009. However, on July 8, 2009, it was announced that the initial phase of the Marina Bay Sands will open early 2010. On February 23, 2010, Las Vegas Sands announced that the first phase of Marina Bay Sands will open on April 27, 2010.

 
Marina Bay Sands official website > http://www.marinabaysands.com/

April 2nd, 2010 by Jeff

First time to have my passport renewed at The High Commission of Malaysia, Singapore (301 Jervois Road, Singapore 249077). Sharing my experience here and hope I can help who are going to renewing their passport soon… Please feel free to make correction at the comments box below if there is any new rules to be updated and also in case I have miss out any important information…

High Commission of Malaysia, Singapore location map – by google maps

I went down to the place 3 times within a week in order to get the things settled… 

22 March 2010 (Monday) - arrived Malaysia High Commission at around 715am, there was already more than 100 people awaiting in the queue. About 45 minutes later we was told by the guard that system is in the process of upgrading, only 100 queue number will be issued. Unfortunately, some of us (I would said around 100 of us) don’t even have a chance to enter the main gate due to insufficient queue number ~ MISSION FAILED for my first try…

NOTE: New rules for passport renewal in High Commission of Malaysia
With effect from 15 March 2010
Submission of application:
Monday – Thursday 0800am – 12pm & 0200pm to 0400pm.
Collection of passport:
Friday only (time as indicated on collection slip)

220 queue number will be issued per day
160 submission in morning 8am-12am
60 submission in afternoon 230pm-430pm

25 March 2010 (Thursday) - with my first experience, I decided to wake up slight early and reached the place at around 640am. Not too bad,  there were only less than 50 people waiting to get their number. I told myself: “this time should be no problem for me to at least enter into the main gate”. As time passed by about an hour later, the queue was getting longer until I couldn’t see the end point. The same ‘Pakcik’ (the guard) come and tell us the same thing: “Today only 100 queue number will be issued, please don’t waste your time if you are not in the first 100″, this time the reason was because another 60 queue number already issued a day before, oh gosh! Obviously I am within the 100 even though, but still my heart starts jumping fast… I don’t want another try!! Shouting from my jumping heart… Finally my turns, happily ex-changed my entry pass (with my driving licence), look at those who have no chance to have their pass changed, seriously I know how they felt!

Wasting no time, I  headed for my next boring queuing project — photo taking… 4 pcs of blue back ground photos cost me SGD7 (which different from the info I got online), the automatic photo machine accepting notes SGD10, 5, 2 and also coins if I am not wrong, do prepare some small notes in advance. I spent about 20 minutes to have my photo taken and it was not the end… Another queue were waiting for me, the most important queue – to obtain my passport submission queue number, you have to get your form filled and make sure you have all necessary documents ready before you are “Qualified” for a queue number! By the time I got my number already around 930am.

Phew! finally I can sit down and wait for my number to be called, after submitted my passport/necessary documents and paid, I left High Commission of Malaysia at around 1015am. The receipt clearly written the collection times and date (which is the next day, 26 March 2010 Friday, 230-430pm).

26 March 2010 (Friday) – Reported to the guardhouse to have my pass ex-changed at around 225pm and I left the place at around 300pm. I spent about 35 minutes to get my passport… I would said it’s fast and efficient! The only trouble was I got to go down all the way from my house and my another half-day leave has gone!!

Passport renewal preparation and “Queue” flow

Step 1: Forms Filling
Advise you to print out IM-42 form and filled up in advance (A4 paper print on both side), this is to avoid last minute rushing and may cause unnecessary error, however, for whatever reason if you can’t do so, the form still can be purchase at the guardhouse at 50 cents per copy.
IM.42 form can be downloaded here >>http://www.imi.gov.my/images/Forms/Form_IM.42.pdf

Step 2: Documents
** Please ensure all documents front and back photocopies on the same page A4 size paper **
Adult
- Original & photocopy of Malaysia Identity Card (‘My Kad’).
- Original & photocopy of Singapore PR IC/Employment Pass/Dependent Pass/S Pass/Work permit/Student Pass/Long Term Pass.
- Expiring/Current Passports
** NOTE: Applicants need to submit the application and collect the passport personally.

Children
- Original & photocopy of Birth Certificate
- Original & photocopy of parents Identity Card
- Expiring/Current Passports
** NOTE: Applicants need to be present for submission of application, collection can be done by parents for baby age 6 months and below. Please confirm with the officer during submission of your application.

Step 3: Entry to the High Comm (First Queue)
Join the queue to the guardhouse to exchange for a security pass. Use any ID other than your Malaysia IC or Singapore PR IC as you need it later. Queue will be started at around 7AM in the morning. The guard issuing passes around 730AM to 8AM. IM-42 can be purchased here at 50 cents per copy.

Step 4: Take Photographs (Second Queue)
Blue background and total two photos are required for passport application. Recommended to have your photo taken at High Comm to ensure 100% usable. Cost $S7 for 4 photos (taken by instant photo machine).
** Note: do prepare  some small notes, the machine accepted notes $10, 5, 2 and also coins.

 Step 5: Obtaining Submission Number (Third Queue)
Before joining the queue, please make sure you have your form filled and all necessary documents ready (Original & photocopy). Proceed to queue up at counter 11, your documents will be checked by an officer before they issuing you with a queue number.

Step 6: Submit Application (Forth Queue)
Sit down and relax, your number will be called (display on the LED panel). Your documents will be checked once again and thumb print will be taken. After all verification done you will be asking to pay at another counter.  

Step 7: Payment (Fifth Queue)
Only Singapore Dollars are accepted, SGD$124 for 32 pages passport (some says it depends on currency exchange rate). After the payment you will be issued a receipt with your collection time and date.

Step 8: Return Security Pass
Don’t forget to return/exchange back your pass at the guardhouse before leaving High Comm.

Passport Collection
Recommended to go slightly earlier than the appointed time. Exchange your security pass at the guardhouse and remember to bring along your receipt.

 Transfer of Returning Permit (for PR)
Process can be done online, go to http://www.ica.gov.sg, under Permanent Resident section look for ”Renewal of Re-entry Permit” and then look for ”Electronic Re-Entry Permit System (e-REP)”, sign in with you Singpass and follow the step.

Malaysia High Commission, Singapore
Contact number: 62350111
Address: 301 Jervois Road, Singapore 249077

I have done my best to provide the information as details and accurate as possible, please care to share your experience or provide more information for others too, and of course if you have any question please feel free to comments. Thanks for reading~!