Incepting Inception

It began as a normal Thursday. After spending the preceding weekdays completing the interim claim for my current (temporary) company, I figured I could take the day off and catch a movie with Ben and Sui Jon - no other than the crazily-hyped Christopher Nolan film, Inception. It was set to be a cracking day.. to make sure things stayed smooth I even planned to reach Mid Valley almost 2 hours earlier to grab the tickets, and the best seats.

Just then my phone rang.. my boss had some last minute work for me. Of course, it took precedence and I figured I still wouldn't have trouble making it to Mid Valley in time. Once I finished up, I got dressed and headed out under overcast skies. About a hundred meters later, the clouds let loose. "No biggie," I figured. A short trip back to grab an umbrella and I was on my way again. Now as some of you may know, I do not drive yet since my probationary license expired when I was in the States. Hence, the KTM Komuter was to be my best option. Then again, I had forgotten how badly the KTM could screw my plans over. Upon tons of waiting (both inside and outside the train) I only managed to reach KL Sentral at 1.35pm, and the movie was to start at 1.45pm! The only positive was the price of the ride - 1 Ringgit (which should in fact give you an idea of how short the trip should have been). At this point I figured waiting for the connecting KTM train would most definitely end my hopes of making it for the movie in time, so I decided to exit in KL Sentral and switch to the Putra LRT.

I took the LRT to Bangsar, which was still quite a distance from Mid Valley. The time was 1.45pm. Not to mention I hadn't had my lunch yet. I glanced once at the station's exit - no buses or taxis in sight. I really didn't want to miss the movie. No.. not Inception. I wasn't going to depend on things out of my control anymore. It was time to take matters into my own hands. So.. I simply reverted to the infallible way of getting there - on foot! With the clock ticking on, I practically sprinted from the Bangsar LRT all the way to the Golden Screen Cinemas in Mid Valley. There was no hunger nor lethargy in my thoughts. In fact there was nothing in my mind, apart from the prayers for the pre-movie trailers and advertisements to be extra long. I managed to reach the theatres at 1.55pm - panting, yet somewhat proud of what I had just accomplished.

As we entered the theatre - myself still trying to catch my breath - we realized the movie had begun 5-10 minutes earlier. A minor setback though, for I was still able to follow the storyline, and truly enjoy it. What a movie it was.. A really simple idea when you think about it, yet the way Nolan brings it all together and presents it is truly wonderful. A masterpiece. Finally, a movie that is generous on food for thought.

There have been a few movies I stop watching halfway through (e.g: A Bee Movie).

There have been a few movies I watch to the end and repress the fact that I watched them (e.g: Monster House).

At the end of most movies I tell myself it was a movie.

At the end of some movies I tell myself it was definitely worth watching (e.g: The Prestige).

At the end of a select few movies, I tell myself it is one for the ages, forever remembered for what it was..

Of all the movies I have managed to catch at the theatres to date - Inception easily tops the list. As for my adventure that preceded the movie - I can say it made the whole thing all the more memorable..

A Rant Against KTM Komuter (Long Due)

"Posted: 2008-08-12 by Thepublic
It's all the bad remarks that you can give to an organization; no efficiency, no protocols, no professionalism and of course with an outstanding remark of an Awful Public Transportation service. At least 6 times a day, the train is late, at least 10 times a week you're stranded in the middle of your journey... it's always "we're sorry for the inconvenience" tone with KTMB. All their sorry's are being washed down the sewer. Something has to be done or it's going to cause KTMB great and it's a total humiliation to our tourism industry.

Wake up KTMB, wake UP!!!" - comment by a noticeably distressed commuter on Complaints Board.

That certainly tells quite a story, but being a regular user of the KTM Komuter service I'd have to classify it as quite an understatement with regards to the current situation.

First let me establish my credibility by detailing my dependence on the KTM system through the years. I began using the KTM during my time at Inti College Subang Jaya. As I live in the northern regions of KL, the most reasonable route was to take a KTM Komuter from Sentul to Subang Jaya. I did this on every weekday; week in-week out, to and fro. Train delays were quite frequent, so I often left home early (friggin 5.30am), normally getting on the first train that leaves the station. My return trips were generally on trains packed to the point of breathlessness, so much so I've seen a woman faint once during the ride.. all that didn't bother me too much though.. I figured the fares were cheap, most of the delays weren't beyond 10 minutes, plus there was a lot of construction going on at the stations and on the tracks.

More than a year of the same story, before I left to the US to pursue my degree. Almost 2 years after that (summer last year), I was back in Malaysia for an internship at Freescale Semiconductors in Sungei Way. My workplace wasn't too far from the Setia Jaya KTM station, so once again I was to depend on the services of KTM. 2 years on and not a single bit of improvement on their services! Train delays were even more frequent and longer. The fares though were still the same. During my 2-month stint, I was late to work a couple of times thanks to the "amazingness" of the KTM Komuter.. my return trips home - I don't even want to get started on it. At this point, I guess I'd honestly describe the services in a similar manner to what 'thePublic' has done above.

This year I'm back in Malaysia again for my summer break, and yes.. I'm yet again dependent on the KTM Komuter, mainly to get me to MidValley and Subang Jaya.. and here I was a year ago thinking it couldn't possibly get any worse. Surprise surprise! They've certainly cut down on the train delays these days, by simply CANCELLING THE ENTIRE TRAIN that's scheduled to run. A year ago they lady on the PA system used to announce the train delay and apologize for the inconvenience (like what the comment above mentioned). Nowadays, the lady simply tells us the train is cancelled, and the next train would arrive in 20 minutes!! I only use the KTM when I'm going to MidValley or Subang these days, and I can swear I've experienced a train cancellation on every trip! Oh and it doesn't stop there.. chances are the next train could be cancelled as well, as I and a quarter of KL's population experienced at the MidValley station once.

It sure seems like the staff of KTM Berhad need an introduction to common sense, because after they cancel the train, they don't even bother to run an extra train, and I guess they believe they've solved the problem by hiring traffic officers at every station who help stuff a few more passengers on every carriage. If you're waiting for a train during peak hours, you better be ready to force your way into the carriages like it's a bloody gold mine, else you would almost certainly be stranded at that station for hours to come.

For God's sake, the least you could do is run a special service between MidValley and KL Sentral (one station, just 2 minutes apart) every time a train get's "cancelled." At least you'd reduce the hordes of people at the stations. If you are indeed cancelling trains purposefully as a cost-cutting measure, then screw you KTM Berhad! I'd rather you increase the bloody fare than do that. I'm sure a whole lotta citizens are willing to pay more for the rides, as long as you provide proper service. We're talking about arguably one of the most extensive public transportation systems in the Klang Valley, so your every action casts quite an image on our country's identity. Not to mention, I've heard numerous foreigners complain about your services at the stations.

There! Alas I've finally ranted out all that pent-up anger and distress. Now I can sleep peacefully, till the petulence and indignance start building again come my next trip on the KTM Komuter..

P.S : I'm still surprised I couldn't find too many online rants against KTM though.. the one I posted above was the only one on Complaints Board by the way.