Don't Just "Swamp" Here, "Swamp" There!

Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRB) peak periods, which are the 4 or 5 days prior to the submission deadline 30th April 2005, we will see them working until 10pm even on Saturday. As this is concerned, peak periods for taxation firms as well as audit will see its employees staying in the office until the average time of 10pm-11pm everyday for 3 months, consecutively. In these dying days of the 3 months rushing up workpapers for the clients and the IRB, some of the accounting firms employees suffered various negative effects. Eyes blurred because of high concentration of working papers and computers, anxiety, occasional nausea, fever, migranes because of thinking too much, occasional moodswings, very demotivated, sleepless nights (those who worried too much), nightmares and something that I felt weird about - figure changes. Although the hazards may sound severe, but it's normal in accounting firms and great seniors should have already over it.

There are some of them who had no time for meals, therefore worsened their diets during peak periods, they lost weight - that's logical. However, some of them grew fatter! It was not that they have better time eating during work, or have had constant munchies during work, they did nothing extraordinary. Have you ever heard of people who is working hard brings prosper? How did they do that? ....Mesmerized.

Looking into current issue of submission of individual tax returns at IRB offices, news reported there were huge numbers of people "swamping the IRB offices" trying to submit their respective tax returns as early as 3 days before the due date.


Picture on Wednesday 28 Apr 2005 at an IRB office in Kelana Jaya, taken from The Star newspaper


IRB main submission centre/office at Pandan Indah, taken on Thursday 28 Apr 2005 by me

If you are submitting your tax returns, please "swamp" to IRB office at Pandan Indah 4th floor so that you can enjoy a peaceful environment there. Look at the picture - the woman with the IRB jacket and brown spotted baju kurung is supposed to guide people on directions, she was taking her time wandering around at the premise, I believed she was counting floor tiles. I spotted couple other staff counting floor tiles too but not captured in the picture. It seemed like it was a "supply over demand" there.

Funny but true, Malaysians are united. Anywhere's a hot place to be, it will be "swamped" by huge crowds all over the place. THAT'S THE SPIRIT! If you are the person that is scared to be alone, Malaysia is the right choice of country for you to live. Our culture is work hard to play hard - I think we are ...... swamps of intelligent bees!