"Let our track record speak for itself." This the the rallying cry coming from all Barisan Nasional candidates. Indeed, it is an impressive track record. Since independence, Malaysia has been transformed by successive Prime Ministers into a modern country with many achievements to be proud of. I am proud to be a Malaysian, and I stand in awe of the work and accomplishments that our leaders has brought to our nation.
However, lets not confuse past performance with future performance. Malaysians are generally avid stock punters, and those with long memories of the local stock market will tell anyone who would listen how they were burnt by a "darling stock" - a stock that was previously touted to be a blue chip investment based on its track record and strong fundamentals, only to be routed to penny stock status when the reality is exactly the opposite.
Apart from that, we need to ask, "Whose track record?" The present leadership of BN, under the current Prime Minister, has been in power for 4 years. To critically access whether it has been a successful one, we need to ask: whether the new administration has advanced the track record it has inherited from its predecessors; whether it has made positive changes to rectify obvious weaknesses in the previous administration; and finally, whether the new leadership has made any concrete changes in policies and governance that benefit the people.
PM Badawi got a landslide victory in 2004 because many people, myself included, believed that he is a breath of fresh air, a noble man who will fulfill the true destiny of Malaysia by being a PM to all races. A PM who will push Malaysians to reach their potential via hard work and intellect, not via connections. A PM who will strive to reward competence and success, and penalize mediocrity and failure. A PM who will lead a responsible and transparent government, one who will unite the various race, so we compete not with each other but against other countries (say Singapore) whom has exceeded our achievements.
However, what we have seen in the 4 years since PM Badawi's victory is disheartening. The pain is made worse when we have given such a strong mandate to the PM, only to see the mandate being squandered away. BN MPs are openly raking the May 13 incident, when we should be looking forward, not backwards. Zero marks for tolerance. BN MPs are openly humiliating women in parliament. Zero marks for respect. BN's elected representatives who broke the law are getting away with it, while ordinary rakyat are hauled up for the same offence. Zero marks for integrity.
Prices of essential goods have risen substantially. This cannot be blamed on the current administration, since it is a worldwide phenomenon as commodities prices surged. Yet, instead of practicing responsible governance, the current BN leadership espoused the rakyat to "change our lifestyles". Instead of tightening its pursestrings, the current leadership continue to splurge on prestige events (the Monsoon Cup), proposed to build a sports centre in a foreign land that costs hundreds of millions of ringgit, sending a Malaysian on a tour of space, to name a few. Low marks for prudence.
How about the promise to revamp the police force? Where is the independent commission recommended by the Royal Commision? Why has the ACA not produced any conviction?
PM Badawi asked for more time, and it is given that he will be given more time. With the formidable resources and organization that the BN has in this General Election against the Opposition, the outcome is heavily in the former's favour. With the mainstream media skewed to paint a favourable picture of the government, we will not get to enjoy the robust workings of democracy in action. In the US, the media is an integral part of the democratic system where investigative journalism and critical editorials let the voters decide if either side are speaking the truth. In Malaysia, the broadsheets display little independence from their business owners, who are the ruling political parties or affiliated to them.
The election will yield huge wins for BN. This is a certainty. However, lets hope there will be one or two major upsets, one or two surprises, one or two miracles. Lets send out a message, that we the people matters.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Hypocrisy
Every day, our learned politicians urged the people to "change our mindset"; "live in harmony"; "improve our skills", "practice tolerance". Our national newspapers are full of these slogans. No wonder more people are turning to blogs and international papers for real news and debates.
Mahatma Gandhi said, "We must be the change we wish to see in the world.".
To our leaders - please lead by example - have the courage to take the first step.
Mahatma Gandhi said, "We must be the change we wish to see in the world.".
To our leaders - please lead by example - have the courage to take the first step.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Defining the National Cake
All Malaysians, including myself, have been beneficiaries of the strong economic growth that Malaysia has enjoyed for the past few decades. Affirmative action in Malaysia, notably via the NEP, has never created any obstacles in my way – whether in pursuit of a good education or a good employment. If the NEP is designed to make Malaysia more equitable, without holding back any one particular group, I say, go for it. No nation can enjoy prosperity, hand in hand with peace, when the minority consumes a huge chunk of the national cake whilst the majority scrambles for scraps. Nor could any country claimed to be truly developed when a significant minority lives in squalor while the country can afford to build the tallest towers in the world or the most beautiful administrative capital.
The NEP has some measure of success. Poverty rate is down, and sizeable middle-class families are created amongst the Bumiputera’s and across other ethnic groups. However, the NEP’s target of increasing Bumiputera’s ownership in the nation’s corporate wealth to 30% still falls short. The question is; is corporate wealth an appropriate yardstick of Malaysia’s economic wealth? Put it another way, is 30% of the nation’s corporate wealth equivalent to 30% of the nation’s economic wealth? Are there any other targets that the government should consider for inclusion?
Taking corporate wealth as the only yardstick is flawed. For one, it is “leaky”, i.e. shares and equity ownership is extremely fluid. It is difficult to ensure it stays within the intended beneficiary group, whether in bad times or in good times. In bad times, certain quarters are susceptible to liquidate their holdings even where the realized value is lower than the initial purchase price, in order to reap some temporary financial reprieve. In good times, some may sell equity/make redemptions to make quick profits, but the proceeds are not channeled to another class of assets which generates returns or capital gains. The fact that the Bumiputera’s ownership of share capital declined during the 1997 Asian financial crisis indicates that wealth retention in the form of corporate equity is inherently unstable. A more “sticky” class of assets needs to be included.
“Sticky” assets in this sense must fulfill two conditions: – Firstly, it must not only retain its value, but the value should grow steadily over the owners’ lifetimes. Secondly, it must equip the owners with the lifetime ability to secure more income and wealth. Home ownership serves the first purpose; whilst education fulfils the second. Indeed, the previous NEP has incorporated programmes to provide housing and education entitlements for the poor. What is lacking, however, is a visible, concrete target for each of these enabling factors. A new programme of poverty eradication must include setting targets for, 1) percentage of home ownership among the low-income groups; and 2) percentage of education participation among children from low income groups.
A home is a basic necessity that every Malaysian household must possess. Good homes provide a conducive environment to raise harmonious and productive family units, in addition to providing a sense of financial security to the household. House values tend to appreciate, at least in tandem with inflation over a lifetime. As house purchases easily constitutes the largest lifetime expenditure of any families, it is even more critical to assist poor families to attain this basic right. The poor has almost no access to bank loans; hence the government has to step in to provide cheap housing loans to the poor to widen home ownership. Bumiputera house discounts should also be restructured. For homes prices exceeding, say RM300, 000, Bumiputera purchasers should pay the full price, and the discount proceeds are channeled to a central housing fund for the less fortunate Bumiputera’s. It is surely an equitable and progressive move to ensure those who can afford expensive homes are not subsidized, whilst there are those who can’t even decent homes.
It is also important not to create clusters of cheap homes merely to fulfill the objective of increasing home ownership amongst the poor. Those from low-income groups also demand, rightfully, houses of adequate quality, and they do not wish to be segregated into “poor neighbourhoods” reminiscent of the ghettos and slums in the US. The government must integrate poor families into the mainstream Malaysian society, and not sidelined them into a separate environment where despair and low self esteem is allowed to fester.
A second target, the percentage of children from poor families enrolled in primary to tertiary schools, must be defined. Households who fall below the poverty line (or indeed, just above) tends to neglect education for their children. Poor families tend to have larger families, and thus have a high dependency on their off-springs to bring home some income to sustain the whole family. Hence, these underprivileged children will never have the opportunity to break free from their parents’ financial predicament. Generations to come are mired in a low-income trap as their job opportunities are extremely narrow without any solid academic credentials. The enrollment percentages must be continuously monitored, to ensure every underprivileged child completes his or her education all the way to attaining a university degree. This can be achieved via an assortment of full scholarships; incentives to parents for every child put through school; and if necessarily, reserved quota of university places.
John F. Kennedy once quoted, “a rising tide lifts all ships.” The fruits of strong economic growth are spread, though not necessarily equitably, among the low-income groups to the high net worth individuals. When the national cake is expanding, each citizen’s slice, though unequal in size, gets bigger. That keeps most happy. Nevertheless, there will come a time when the Malaysian economy stop growing strongly, or even contracts. When that happens, income and consequently wealth distribution will be even more skewed. Should the Malaysian economy stalls, then redistribution will be a zero-sum gain, a term economists coined which basically means someone else’ gain will be someone else’s loss. Poverty eradication works best when the economy is still expanding, and when measurable targets that matters to the man on the street are set. No Malaysians can be disenfranchised from the abundance of fruits that our blessed nation has to offer. The NEP, or any other poverty eradication programme, must be sustained until this poverty scourge is eliminated from our society, albeit with some serious policy changes.
The NEP has some measure of success. Poverty rate is down, and sizeable middle-class families are created amongst the Bumiputera’s and across other ethnic groups. However, the NEP’s target of increasing Bumiputera’s ownership in the nation’s corporate wealth to 30% still falls short. The question is; is corporate wealth an appropriate yardstick of Malaysia’s economic wealth? Put it another way, is 30% of the nation’s corporate wealth equivalent to 30% of the nation’s economic wealth? Are there any other targets that the government should consider for inclusion?
Taking corporate wealth as the only yardstick is flawed. For one, it is “leaky”, i.e. shares and equity ownership is extremely fluid. It is difficult to ensure it stays within the intended beneficiary group, whether in bad times or in good times. In bad times, certain quarters are susceptible to liquidate their holdings even where the realized value is lower than the initial purchase price, in order to reap some temporary financial reprieve. In good times, some may sell equity/make redemptions to make quick profits, but the proceeds are not channeled to another class of assets which generates returns or capital gains. The fact that the Bumiputera’s ownership of share capital declined during the 1997 Asian financial crisis indicates that wealth retention in the form of corporate equity is inherently unstable. A more “sticky” class of assets needs to be included.
“Sticky” assets in this sense must fulfill two conditions: – Firstly, it must not only retain its value, but the value should grow steadily over the owners’ lifetimes. Secondly, it must equip the owners with the lifetime ability to secure more income and wealth. Home ownership serves the first purpose; whilst education fulfils the second. Indeed, the previous NEP has incorporated programmes to provide housing and education entitlements for the poor. What is lacking, however, is a visible, concrete target for each of these enabling factors. A new programme of poverty eradication must include setting targets for, 1) percentage of home ownership among the low-income groups; and 2) percentage of education participation among children from low income groups.
A home is a basic necessity that every Malaysian household must possess. Good homes provide a conducive environment to raise harmonious and productive family units, in addition to providing a sense of financial security to the household. House values tend to appreciate, at least in tandem with inflation over a lifetime. As house purchases easily constitutes the largest lifetime expenditure of any families, it is even more critical to assist poor families to attain this basic right. The poor has almost no access to bank loans; hence the government has to step in to provide cheap housing loans to the poor to widen home ownership. Bumiputera house discounts should also be restructured. For homes prices exceeding, say RM300, 000, Bumiputera purchasers should pay the full price, and the discount proceeds are channeled to a central housing fund for the less fortunate Bumiputera’s. It is surely an equitable and progressive move to ensure those who can afford expensive homes are not subsidized, whilst there are those who can’t even decent homes.
It is also important not to create clusters of cheap homes merely to fulfill the objective of increasing home ownership amongst the poor. Those from low-income groups also demand, rightfully, houses of adequate quality, and they do not wish to be segregated into “poor neighbourhoods” reminiscent of the ghettos and slums in the US. The government must integrate poor families into the mainstream Malaysian society, and not sidelined them into a separate environment where despair and low self esteem is allowed to fester.
A second target, the percentage of children from poor families enrolled in primary to tertiary schools, must be defined. Households who fall below the poverty line (or indeed, just above) tends to neglect education for their children. Poor families tend to have larger families, and thus have a high dependency on their off-springs to bring home some income to sustain the whole family. Hence, these underprivileged children will never have the opportunity to break free from their parents’ financial predicament. Generations to come are mired in a low-income trap as their job opportunities are extremely narrow without any solid academic credentials. The enrollment percentages must be continuously monitored, to ensure every underprivileged child completes his or her education all the way to attaining a university degree. This can be achieved via an assortment of full scholarships; incentives to parents for every child put through school; and if necessarily, reserved quota of university places.
John F. Kennedy once quoted, “a rising tide lifts all ships.” The fruits of strong economic growth are spread, though not necessarily equitably, among the low-income groups to the high net worth individuals. When the national cake is expanding, each citizen’s slice, though unequal in size, gets bigger. That keeps most happy. Nevertheless, there will come a time when the Malaysian economy stop growing strongly, or even contracts. When that happens, income and consequently wealth distribution will be even more skewed. Should the Malaysian economy stalls, then redistribution will be a zero-sum gain, a term economists coined which basically means someone else’ gain will be someone else’s loss. Poverty eradication works best when the economy is still expanding, and when measurable targets that matters to the man on the street are set. No Malaysians can be disenfranchised from the abundance of fruits that our blessed nation has to offer. The NEP, or any other poverty eradication programme, must be sustained until this poverty scourge is eliminated from our society, albeit with some serious policy changes.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Malaysian-born appointed Cabinet Minister in Australia
This is indeed a proud moment for Malaysians. An inspiration to all aspiring politicians.
Aged 38 year old, born in Sabah and migrated to Australia at the age of 8, Penny Wong was made Climate Change and Water Minister by the new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd. Penny was described as a brilliant strategist in the Labour Party, playing a part in the downfall of incumbent Prime Minister John Howard's government.
The appointment illustrates the political maturity of Australia. A foreign-born woman is elevated to the top ranks of the Australian political house based on merits. No fuss about race, colour, gender or background.
Lets look at Malaysia's political landscape. The government always tout Malaysia's multiracial diversity as the country's attraction, yet, it continues to pretend that the racial harmony is strong. It refused to debate the issue, labelling any attempts to openly discuss the NEP, the power-sharing formula, religious issues, etc. as either seditious or a threat to national unity.
UMNO is the big brother, the political elite. It's decisions is de facto government's decisions. MCA, MIC and other smaller component parties that make up the ruling National Front Party, has no real bargaining power with UMNO, which meant that frequently, new legislation that are unpopular with the minority races are pushed through without proper consultation. These weak component parties are then pushed to do the dirty job of explaining the "merits" of these new laws to their supporters and to the electorate to whom they were supposed to be fighting for.
The damage to Malaysia will not be immediate. If the minority races cannot have an equal opportunity in education, work and politics, there are other countries which will gladly take them. "Bring on your well-educated, your strong, your brightest," they will call out. And the brightest minds will certainly move. Penny Wong is a good example. She may not have left Malaysia because of frustration. But she is a good case of Malaysia losing precious human resource to another country when it should have actively sought the return of these Malaysian born talents.
Well done, Penny.
Aged 38 year old, born in Sabah and migrated to Australia at the age of 8, Penny Wong was made Climate Change and Water Minister by the new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd. Penny was described as a brilliant strategist in the Labour Party, playing a part in the downfall of incumbent Prime Minister John Howard's government.
The appointment illustrates the political maturity of Australia. A foreign-born woman is elevated to the top ranks of the Australian political house based on merits. No fuss about race, colour, gender or background.
Lets look at Malaysia's political landscape. The government always tout Malaysia's multiracial diversity as the country's attraction, yet, it continues to pretend that the racial harmony is strong. It refused to debate the issue, labelling any attempts to openly discuss the NEP, the power-sharing formula, religious issues, etc. as either seditious or a threat to national unity.
UMNO is the big brother, the political elite. It's decisions is de facto government's decisions. MCA, MIC and other smaller component parties that make up the ruling National Front Party, has no real bargaining power with UMNO, which meant that frequently, new legislation that are unpopular with the minority races are pushed through without proper consultation. These weak component parties are then pushed to do the dirty job of explaining the "merits" of these new laws to their supporters and to the electorate to whom they were supposed to be fighting for.
The damage to Malaysia will not be immediate. If the minority races cannot have an equal opportunity in education, work and politics, there are other countries which will gladly take them. "Bring on your well-educated, your strong, your brightest," they will call out. And the brightest minds will certainly move. Penny Wong is a good example. She may not have left Malaysia because of frustration. But she is a good case of Malaysia losing precious human resource to another country when it should have actively sought the return of these Malaysian born talents.
Well done, Penny.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Is there a future for us in Malaysia?
Let me start off by saying that I love Malaysia. I love Malaysia for its food, or more precisely, its cheap food. Unhealthy it may be, nothing beats a cuppa of teh tarik with a crispy roti canai to start your day off. The variety of food, the fusion of tastes, is simply amazing.
I love Malaysia for its tranquility and peace. Compared to our other South East Asian neighbours, we have had an almost uninterrupted era of harmony among the major races since Independence. Our Prime Ministers, from the princely Tunku Abdul Rahman to the eloquent Dr. Mahathir, has done a commendable job in building this nation into a economic powerhouse with a strong middle class.
I love Malaysia because I am Malaysian. I was born here, bred here and definitely will be buried here when I leave this world. Whislt I was pursuing my education overseas, not a day goes by where I do not miss home. Malaysia is my home.
Yet I an distressed at all the opportunities foregone to make Malaysia a truly developed nation. The Malaysia that I love is increasingly being tainted by a bunch of inept people whom we know as politicians. A bunch of politicians who cannot debate a proper motion in Parliament without uttering sexist remarks. A bunch of politicians who should be strategizing on how to counter the might of China and India, whom is threatening our traditional manufacturing base, but instead spend their time ridiculing divorcees and single mums. A bunch of politicians who are bickering over scraps of the national pie where over the straits our neighbour is concentrating on enlarging the pie. This bunch of politicians is dividing Malaysians by projecting the notion that we are unable to prosper unless at another person's expense, when they should be uniting Malaysians to compete and win against other countries with vastly inferior economic well-being.
We are a nation with immense potential. However, the air is filled with too much negativity, fuelling an undercurrent of disatisfaction and discontent. We are made to believe we are living in good times, yet petty crime appears to be rising. And winning. The interpretation of what constitutes religious freedom is not allowed to be debated openly. Politicians are flouting the rules blatantly and allowed to go scot-free. Corruption, abuse of power, unjust judicial process - are painting a bleak picture of where Malaysia is heading. This discontent is causing many Malaysians to rethink Malaysia as their home. In an era where might is represented not by the nation's weapon of mass destruction but by its people intelectual prowess, Malaysia is suffering from an acute people flight. Maybe not now, but if I read the sentiments right, many young professional parents are looking to uproot so their their children can have a fairer playing field.
When our natural resources run dry (which they will); when our financial resources run dry (which it will); our politicians will come to realize that they have neglected to energize a resource that never runs dry, the People. Once thing is for sure, we sure will never run out of incompetent politicians.
I love Malaysia for its tranquility and peace. Compared to our other South East Asian neighbours, we have had an almost uninterrupted era of harmony among the major races since Independence. Our Prime Ministers, from the princely Tunku Abdul Rahman to the eloquent Dr. Mahathir, has done a commendable job in building this nation into a economic powerhouse with a strong middle class.
I love Malaysia because I am Malaysian. I was born here, bred here and definitely will be buried here when I leave this world. Whislt I was pursuing my education overseas, not a day goes by where I do not miss home. Malaysia is my home.
Yet I an distressed at all the opportunities foregone to make Malaysia a truly developed nation. The Malaysia that I love is increasingly being tainted by a bunch of inept people whom we know as politicians. A bunch of politicians who cannot debate a proper motion in Parliament without uttering sexist remarks. A bunch of politicians who should be strategizing on how to counter the might of China and India, whom is threatening our traditional manufacturing base, but instead spend their time ridiculing divorcees and single mums. A bunch of politicians who are bickering over scraps of the national pie where over the straits our neighbour is concentrating on enlarging the pie. This bunch of politicians is dividing Malaysians by projecting the notion that we are unable to prosper unless at another person's expense, when they should be uniting Malaysians to compete and win against other countries with vastly inferior economic well-being.
We are a nation with immense potential. However, the air is filled with too much negativity, fuelling an undercurrent of disatisfaction and discontent. We are made to believe we are living in good times, yet petty crime appears to be rising. And winning. The interpretation of what constitutes religious freedom is not allowed to be debated openly. Politicians are flouting the rules blatantly and allowed to go scot-free. Corruption, abuse of power, unjust judicial process - are painting a bleak picture of where Malaysia is heading. This discontent is causing many Malaysians to rethink Malaysia as their home. In an era where might is represented not by the nation's weapon of mass destruction but by its people intelectual prowess, Malaysia is suffering from an acute people flight. Maybe not now, but if I read the sentiments right, many young professional parents are looking to uproot so their their children can have a fairer playing field.
When our natural resources run dry (which they will); when our financial resources run dry (which it will); our politicians will come to realize that they have neglected to energize a resource that never runs dry, the People. Once thing is for sure, we sure will never run out of incompetent politicians.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Sexist MPs...
No wonder it is said that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. Groups slam MPs for making sexist ‘joke’ against women (Star May 12th 2007), highlights the gross misconduct of 2 so-called parlimentarians who is allowed to go unpunished by the House Speaker. Responding to an issue concerning leaks in government buildings, 2 backbenchers, the "distinguished gentlemen" for Jasin and Kinabatangan made a completely distasteful remark on women's menstrual cycle: "member for Batu Gajah also leaks once a month".
How can any Malaysian women allow them to get away with this? Vote these 2 sexists out. They turn a valid issue on poor maintenance of government buildings into a farcical circus. Word play? Come on.
The sad thing is that women politicians from the ruling party hardly made a dent in their protests. Wanita UMNO and Wanita MCA demonstrated clearly why they are bullied and received no respect from their male counterparts. If they do not raise their fists and bang on tables, it is likely their dignity as MPs and assumed leaders of Malaysian women will continued to be trampled on by our oh so refined gentlemen MPs.
Malaysia Boleh!
How can any Malaysian women allow them to get away with this? Vote these 2 sexists out. They turn a valid issue on poor maintenance of government buildings into a farcical circus. Word play? Come on.
The sad thing is that women politicians from the ruling party hardly made a dent in their protests. Wanita UMNO and Wanita MCA demonstrated clearly why they are bullied and received no respect from their male counterparts. If they do not raise their fists and bang on tables, it is likely their dignity as MPs and assumed leaders of Malaysian women will continued to be trampled on by our oh so refined gentlemen MPs.
Malaysia Boleh!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Nanny State or Ninny State?
Women, Family and Community Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil today commented that it is not the time yet for the government to punish those who abandoned their parents. (The Star, 12th April 2007)
Wow - not the time yet? Has the government really given serious thought on this policy? Or this is yet another press statement that is carelessly uttered to win support from the elderly electorate? Several MPs called for those who abandoned their parents to be produced in court or have their salaries deducted (I am laughing as I am typing this). Certainly, these people may have thought that their suggestion is a noble one, however, it is overwhelmed by their sheer naivety.
The government, or any government for that matter, has no business in family management. Encroaching itself into family affairs is certain to cost the country hefty resources while achieving nothing.
Without even going into what is defined as "abandoned", how are the government going to enforce the policy? Are we going to create a squad of "Parents' Police", who will go around checking on old folks around the country? If we do find elderly folks who are "abandoned", are we certain to be able to trace their children? And even if we are able to trace the children, which children are we going to prosecute if there are more than 1? All of them? The eldest?
How much are we going to deduct from their salaries? Will the government then be responsible for these elderly folks? Are we going to have a National Old Folks Home in every town and city? Or are they going to coerce the children to "un-abandon" their parents? And if they refuse? Are they going to jail?
There are a thousand complications on implementation and enforcement. What is the Minister thinking when she mooted this idea?
A simpler idea would be giving subsidies or tax incentives to those who are taking care of elderly parents. Those who have to shoulder their parents' expensive medical expenses can be given full tax deductibility off their income tax. Or those supporting their parents livelihoods can be given a tax-deductible allowance, depending on the age and number of parent(s). Children who buy medical insurance for their parents can enjoy tax deductions for premiums paid.
The Malaysian government should think carefully before they recommend any policies in public forums. I shudder to think that our Malaysian MPs is making our country a laughing stock by uttering anything under the sun which they perceived to be clever or popular without thinking it through first.
Please, Malaysian MPs, think before you speak.
Wow - not the time yet? Has the government really given serious thought on this policy? Or this is yet another press statement that is carelessly uttered to win support from the elderly electorate? Several MPs called for those who abandoned their parents to be produced in court or have their salaries deducted (I am laughing as I am typing this). Certainly, these people may have thought that their suggestion is a noble one, however, it is overwhelmed by their sheer naivety.
The government, or any government for that matter, has no business in family management. Encroaching itself into family affairs is certain to cost the country hefty resources while achieving nothing.
Without even going into what is defined as "abandoned", how are the government going to enforce the policy? Are we going to create a squad of "Parents' Police", who will go around checking on old folks around the country? If we do find elderly folks who are "abandoned", are we certain to be able to trace their children? And even if we are able to trace the children, which children are we going to prosecute if there are more than 1? All of them? The eldest?
How much are we going to deduct from their salaries? Will the government then be responsible for these elderly folks? Are we going to have a National Old Folks Home in every town and city? Or are they going to coerce the children to "un-abandon" their parents? And if they refuse? Are they going to jail?
There are a thousand complications on implementation and enforcement. What is the Minister thinking when she mooted this idea?
A simpler idea would be giving subsidies or tax incentives to those who are taking care of elderly parents. Those who have to shoulder their parents' expensive medical expenses can be given full tax deductibility off their income tax. Or those supporting their parents livelihoods can be given a tax-deductible allowance, depending on the age and number of parent(s). Children who buy medical insurance for their parents can enjoy tax deductions for premiums paid.
The Malaysian government should think carefully before they recommend any policies in public forums. I shudder to think that our Malaysian MPs is making our country a laughing stock by uttering anything under the sun which they perceived to be clever or popular without thinking it through first.
Please, Malaysian MPs, think before you speak.
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