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.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
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.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
South Johor - Venice of the East
Yet another round of flooding, and a worse one at that.
The government insisted all sorts of warning were given but it went unheeded during the 1st round.
In this 2nd round of flooding, there are reports of inadequate warning, insufficient food, and the last straw as reported in NST today," BREAKING POINT: Number of flood evacuees soars to over 100,000" (15.1.2007, relief centres are overwhelmed.
Shopkeepers who restock their shops saw their new supplies being destroyed again; families who have bought new furnitures for their homes looked in pain as the floodwater damaged their new ones; parents once again scramble to get their kids to safety after assuring them all is fine now.
The 9MP evisioned Johore to be a world class tranportation, medical and technology hub. Perhaps it should also promote this region as "flood city" of the world - the Venice of the East.
The government insisted all sorts of warning were given but it went unheeded during the 1st round.
In this 2nd round of flooding, there are reports of inadequate warning, insufficient food, and the last straw as reported in NST today," BREAKING POINT: Number of flood evacuees soars to over 100,000" (15.1.2007, relief centres are overwhelmed.
Shopkeepers who restock their shops saw their new supplies being destroyed again; families who have bought new furnitures for their homes looked in pain as the floodwater damaged their new ones; parents once again scramble to get their kids to safety after assuring them all is fine now.
The 9MP evisioned Johore to be a world class tranportation, medical and technology hub. Perhaps it should also promote this region as "flood city" of the world - the Venice of the East.
Friday, January 12, 2007
RM120mil to upgrade, repair sports complexes nationwide
Star 12.1.2007
Yet more money down the drain. We have the habit of building facilities, let it disintegrate into a state of disrepair, then announce a massive repair programme.
The Sports Minister also announced the construction of multiple sports arenas to further boost sports development. "We plan for these complexes to be managed by the local youths and will start a training programme to teach them to maintain sports complexes," she added.
Sounds odd, huh? We are building sports complexes for our youths followed by training programmes on maintenance. Looks like Malaysia is heading for a Olympic Gold in the 4x4 Maintenance Sprint.
Yet more money down the drain. We have the habit of building facilities, let it disintegrate into a state of disrepair, then announce a massive repair programme.
The Sports Minister also announced the construction of multiple sports arenas to further boost sports development. "We plan for these complexes to be managed by the local youths and will start a training programme to teach them to maintain sports complexes," she added.
Sounds odd, huh? We are building sports complexes for our youths followed by training programmes on maintenance. Looks like Malaysia is heading for a Olympic Gold in the 4x4 Maintenance Sprint.
Monday, January 8, 2007
1st Class PM, 2nd Class Government, 3rd Class Civil Service
The NST's tagline, "Held Up by Bloopers" (5th Jan 2007), that PM Badawi's excellent plans for the country is thwarted by poor implementation does not bring relief to the man on the street.
Batu Pahat MP, Dr. Junaidy stated that he “hoped executing agencies such as government bodies and civil servants will take the trouble to understand Abdullah’s aspirations for the country and would assist him in implementing the policies”. Come on, are we pushing the buck to our “world class” civil service here? Are we saying that should the PM’s “first class plan” fail because of “third class execution”, then it is not the PM’s ultimate responsibility but our civil servants’?
Lets take an analogy with Malaysia as a corporation, PM Badawi as the CEO, the Cabinet the Board of Directors, and Malaysians as the shareholders.
The CEO has the duty to lay out a vision and long-term plans for the company. His vision’s ultimate goal is create enhanced value for all stakeholders - the employees (the civil service) and the shareholders (the public).
The next crucial step is convincing the rank and file, i.e. his employees, of the critical need to turn his vision into reality. It is relatively easy to formulate a grand strategy, adorned with big words, big goals, grand potential rewards. The devil is in the details. The dirty work is getting it done. Afterall, a good plan implemented today is better than a perfect plan implemented tomorrow.
The CEO cannot expect employees to have the initiative to fully grasp the specifics of his vision. He has to walk the talk - go to the ground to explain his plans, let them understand why his vision is vital to the company’s survival, and make it very clear that it is in everyone’s interest to make his vision a reality. His employees (the civil service!) must be convinced that failure to execute his plan will mean “heads will roll” (including perhaps the CEO’s); successful execution leading to the desired results means better bonus for everyone. Communication of the vision, in this case, must be top-down.
Should the CEO’s words fail to be translated into concrete action and results within a reasonable period of time, the first “head to roll” is rightfully the CEO’s. He wields the greatest executive powers to get things DONE. Should the CEO hide behind his employees’ incompetence with the excuse that he was let down by poor managers, it is likely shareholders will soon vote him out of office, and next the Board. Rightfully so too, since the CEO fail to manage his managers.
Hence, PM Badawi should take heed. We know for years that our civil service is stifled by unnecessary red tape, held down by inefficiency and probably run by bureaucrats who are unqualified and unmotivated to serve the people. But we did not vote this people in. We voted for the PM (well, indirectly). If PM Badawi wants to be remembered as a great PM, he has the opportunity to do so by translating words into results. We do not want a situation where we have a “1st Class PM; 2nd Class Government; 3rd Class Civil Service”.
Batu Pahat MP, Dr. Junaidy stated that he “hoped executing agencies such as government bodies and civil servants will take the trouble to understand Abdullah’s aspirations for the country and would assist him in implementing the policies”. Come on, are we pushing the buck to our “world class” civil service here? Are we saying that should the PM’s “first class plan” fail because of “third class execution”, then it is not the PM’s ultimate responsibility but our civil servants’?
Lets take an analogy with Malaysia as a corporation, PM Badawi as the CEO, the Cabinet the Board of Directors, and Malaysians as the shareholders.
The CEO has the duty to lay out a vision and long-term plans for the company. His vision’s ultimate goal is create enhanced value for all stakeholders - the employees (the civil service) and the shareholders (the public).
The next crucial step is convincing the rank and file, i.e. his employees, of the critical need to turn his vision into reality. It is relatively easy to formulate a grand strategy, adorned with big words, big goals, grand potential rewards. The devil is in the details. The dirty work is getting it done. Afterall, a good plan implemented today is better than a perfect plan implemented tomorrow.
The CEO cannot expect employees to have the initiative to fully grasp the specifics of his vision. He has to walk the talk - go to the ground to explain his plans, let them understand why his vision is vital to the company’s survival, and make it very clear that it is in everyone’s interest to make his vision a reality. His employees (the civil service!) must be convinced that failure to execute his plan will mean “heads will roll” (including perhaps the CEO’s); successful execution leading to the desired results means better bonus for everyone. Communication of the vision, in this case, must be top-down.
Should the CEO’s words fail to be translated into concrete action and results within a reasonable period of time, the first “head to roll” is rightfully the CEO’s. He wields the greatest executive powers to get things DONE. Should the CEO hide behind his employees’ incompetence with the excuse that he was let down by poor managers, it is likely shareholders will soon vote him out of office, and next the Board. Rightfully so too, since the CEO fail to manage his managers.
Hence, PM Badawi should take heed. We know for years that our civil service is stifled by unnecessary red tape, held down by inefficiency and probably run by bureaucrats who are unqualified and unmotivated to serve the people. But we did not vote this people in. We voted for the PM (well, indirectly). If PM Badawi wants to be remembered as a great PM, he has the opportunity to do so by translating words into results. We do not want a situation where we have a “1st Class PM; 2nd Class Government; 3rd Class Civil Service”.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
EPF - SUCKERS ON THE JOB?
"...deal halted after several former directors alerted the EPF, but not before the fund had paid the RM1.5m deposit". The statement as highlighted in the Star (Jan 5 2007) suggests that the EPF panel in charge of performing initial due dilligence on the aquiree company must have been sleeping on their jobs.
The EPF has the cheek to say that "stringent procedures and guidelines are in place to ensure all investment transactions are carried out in the most effective and transparent manner.". Effective? Then how on earth did they they issue RM1.5m cheque to a director whose company is already defunct (on on the verge of it), and now they have to incur expenses to retrieve the deposit? As for transparency, how did the EPF part with such a large sum of money to one single person who does not even own the whole company but sold 100% of it to EPF? Who was involved in this particular negotiation from the EPF side? When can EPF retrieve the sum? Can it be retrieved?
Let us have the answers for the sake of transparency. This is the people's money, and it is sickening when a single person can walk up to EPF selling a company on the verge of collapse and walk away with RM1.5m.
The EPF has the cheek to say that "stringent procedures and guidelines are in place to ensure all investment transactions are carried out in the most effective and transparent manner.". Effective? Then how on earth did they they issue RM1.5m cheque to a director whose company is already defunct (on on the verge of it), and now they have to incur expenses to retrieve the deposit? As for transparency, how did the EPF part with such a large sum of money to one single person who does not even own the whole company but sold 100% of it to EPF? Who was involved in this particular negotiation from the EPF side? When can EPF retrieve the sum? Can it be retrieved?
Let us have the answers for the sake of transparency. This is the people's money, and it is sickening when a single person can walk up to EPF selling a company on the verge of collapse and walk away with RM1.5m.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)