unease over temporary licences for Swiftlet farms

Reading this news report cautiously, Temporary licences for Swiftlet farms? , I just cannot help but feel that the State Government is, at best, taking the lazy way out of a serious problem, and at worst, 'pulling wool over our eyes' legalizing an issue that potentially causes much harm to our environment, thus abrogating its social responsibility.

How much licensing revenue can the State Govt. hope to collect? It will be a pittance, compared to the profits that will be made by the swiftlet business operators. The more important question the public should ask regarding this licensing move, is "How long have these operators been doing this illegal business, and have they been conducting their businesses in a manner that does minimum harm to the environment, and does not destroy the peace and equanimity of the areas from which they operate?" If no guidelines on swiftlet farming have existed till now, does it mean the State govt is condoning such activites, even though they damage the environment, and cause distress to the rakyat living close to the businesses. What will happen to those outlets that are now covered by 'legal' licences, but which when the guidelines are promulgated in 6 months' time, they are found to be in breach?

If one was to make a trip to Muar, or to Sitiawan, for example, one can actually see some of those ugly blocks of 'swiftlet outlets' all around the town, with swiftlet songs being piped into those buildings 24 hours a day.... You wonder if such outlets actually comply with the basic health requirements of a local authority, and more importantly, if the rakyat staying around those outlets are affected by the droppings and filth emanating from those outlets.

Then there is also the issue that if the swiftlet outlets were built in remote areas, will they cause a danger to aircraft flying nearby, as we know that "bird strikes" on aircrafts landing or taking off can be disastrous...

Let's hope the Selangor State Govt will be more circumspect in this matter.

unease over temporary licences for Swiftlet farms

Factual errors in History books.

After reading the letter in your papers, very well articulated by Dr. Ranjit Singh re:Factual errors in History books. I really feel that, unless those senior officials in the Government, those who decide on policy and strategy comprise of enlightened people, who are completely devoid of DISTRUST of the other races, and more importantly, who do not feel insecure facing the facts of civilization, Malaysia does not stand an iota of chance for success in its efforts to make the country a united and progressive nation, not in this century, or the next.

We know the Constitution and the Rulers provide more than adequate protection for all, especially for the Malays and Islam. Nothing will change that. Why then should senior Govt officials feel so insecure that they have to "bend" the truth so that the future generation will feel comfortable? If History is taught with understanding and love for the country, there is no need for the distortion of facts.

Watching the Classic historical movies in TV, you can see that despots in History want to change it as they feel insecure facing facts. Do we have to talk about helping the deprived, whether they are Malays or others, by first distorting facts? Will the Malays feel that their country is being "run over" by others, if we recognize the deeds of Kapitan Yap or Tan Siew Sin? Respecting the roles of all heroes of Malaysia, regardless of creed, will surely breed respect in return.

When will we learn to be magnanimous?

Why should Malaysia involve itself so much in F1, which is just a millionaire's playground?

I was glad finally someone expressed his views on Malaysia's involvement in the F1 Proton's RM2.4billion 'joyride' is a bad idea as I feel that our country's leaders and decision makers are just using our taxes to have fun and to boost their own egos. 'Disappointed', the writer of this letter expressed it very well. " We are already paying a high price for Proton cars here, much higher than similar size cars in other countries ", he said. it's really sad and it's true.{I have read that the Suzuki Alto from Maruti India, will be imported CBT (completely built up) into Malaysia and will be retailed around RM 55,000, BUT this car RETAILS in India at only USD6000}.

However, what really amazes us, the poor citizens of the nation, is that, Malaysia, a developing country trying to achieve a high income and developed status, is doing it the wrong way. I am sure we would have noticed that NOT LESS than 3 Malaysian parties are now involved, overtly or covertly, in "sponsoring" the F1, namely, Proton with its Lotus brand, AirAsia also with its Lotus brand, and then there is Petronas pushing the Williams car...

Are all these expenditure necessary? Air Asia, maybe I can see that it is a part of its aggressive global branding strategy, but does Petronas and Proton need to spend so much of our money for the same purpose?

I think Petronas has been doing well even without such extravagance, and Proton? Maybe it should just send its executives to Perodua, to learn a thing or three from them, how to make a successful car for the rakyat. Having 'good' advisers does not mean it will make a profit.

Reading this news on a gloomy Monday morning, Evaporated milk to cost 30 sen more in Janauary 2011, I immediately thought of my two good friends who are retired and single, living on their own and depending solely on their pensions of about than RM1000 a month. My friends each rent a small room for RM400 a month in different parts of the city, and drive 25 year-old dilapidated cars, as public transport is woefully inadequate. In order to make ends meet, one of them buys a loaf of bread every three days, and that was his breakfast and lunch for the period. The other one skips a meal a day, preferring to wake up late in the morning, have a brunch of two Roti Canai and a glass of teh tarik, which will see him through until dinner time.

With the announced increase in the price of milk, and the expected increase in price of oil, you can imagine the cost of their basic requirements will further increase. I am not sure how they will cope, but I can understand their feelings of bitterness, having worked for the Govt for more than 33 years, and seeing their country "taken over" by millions of immigrants who will work for almost nothing, and seeing out the remaining days of their lives living just above the poverty line.

Please don't think these are isolated cases; If the Govt would just commission an independent research to survey public opinion on the streets it would come as a surprise to the Govt that many more people are out there suffering in silence, going from one hungry day to the next, praying for the Almighty to mercifully "take them away". Not only pensioners and retired teachers, but the small businessmen who cannot afford to save at all for their old ages. Talk to the fishermen, the farmers and the hawkers, do not just interview the senior executives, fund manager, and the CEOs to find out if such price increases will affect them.....

It's going to be a sad New Year for many

Happy New Year, anyway

Govt must realise how price hikes are hurting many retirees

Here we go again... Raping Forest Reserves!!!

It is indeed bad news on a Monday morning, when I opened The Star and read this report, Issuing Permits to Log forest RESERVES in Sabah! Two statements stand out, one each from the Sabah Environmental Protec­tion Association(SEPA) and a reply from the Forestry and Wildlife Departments(FWD). Allow me to quote them for clarity.

The SEPA expressed its deep concern that 4000 hectares of RESERVES are targeted for 'limited' logging and they said.. " Our worry is that allowing logging in a forest will result in the area being degraded to an extent that the authorities will eventually convert it into another oil palm plantation...."

The FWD replied that..." the department had appointed three trustees – the Tambunan District Officer, Tambunan Forest Office and the areas Native Chief – to issue permits for the area. and also said that those who want to log the area would be required to replant the area with trees once they had completed their operations....."

The issue of destroying our limited forest reserves have been debated in your papers for some time now, and what is really upsetting us is the same reply the authorities have dished out again and again to justify the approval to log from a forest reserve. Obviously the authorities think that, the rakyat believe in what is begin said, and more importantly to them, they have responded appropriately to the problem by giving a press statement.

Anyone who has an interest in the future of our country and the preservation of our unique forests as part of a global program of protecting its biodiversity, should pursue answers to the following:

• What is the intention of the Government to declare and designate an area a FOREST RESERVE? Can we then just destroy it with the issue of a simple logging permit from a local authority?
• How can the planting of a sapling ever replace a 100 year old tree, taken from the reserve?
  
• Will the "extraction" of the 100 year old tree be done in a manner that NO other part of the forest or the undergrowth will be destroyed? In other words, will the 100 year old tree be the ONLY plant that is "extracted" and killed, under the licence issued?
  
• Can the peripheral areas around the felled tree, which is the natural habitat of our precious wildlife and other valuable plants be replaced by planting of "imported" saplings and seeds? What about the escalation of soil erosion in the denuded areas?
  
• In order to fell and to extract the tress from a limited area of the Reserve, will it be essential for the permit holder to destroy other parts of the Forest in order to build roads and storage areas, and to bring in heavy equipment to do his job?
  
• Have the FWD calculated the "collateral" damage a permit holder will cause to the rest of the reserves, while he is supposed to be only removing the 100 year old tree, for example.?
  

I think the Govt and all responsible citizens should clamour for a detailed answer to these issues, and ask that a proper national strategy be drawn up to articulate our objectives to protect our forests and allow them to regenerate for our future generations, and also for the World.

Don't procrastinate anymore for political expediency. Can we eat sand, when the last of our trees and rivers have gone?

Act now to save our Forests!!!!!!!!!!!

Using newspapers to teach the English Language

The reports on the ongoing turmoil in PKR is a "mother lode" source for the teaching of English, more than, I would say, the "letters to the Editor" pages. When the 'fun' started, Zaid has been assailed as a "bull in a China shop" . If you look at these articles today, you will find more similes and metaphors, and will surely make the learning of English an enthusiastic and fun experience.. ... click here>> Zaid a thorn in PKR's flesh and Zaid is not Barisan's Trojan horse.. Other phrases of note are

• blue eyed boy
• get under the skin
• elections have been bastardised
• not a poodle to anyone

Using animals in the reporting seem to be the favourite, and in the coming days, you may find the inclusion of such phrases as,

• Zaid is jumping like a "cat on a hot tin roof" and not willing to "bite the bullet"
  
• behaving like a "dog in the manger" or "sour grapes"
• having a "bee in the bonnet"
• or casting "pearls before swine"
• tries to "hit while the iron is hot"
• screaming till the "cows come home"
• is a "snake in the grass"
• and is accusing the leaders of behaving like the three monkeys, "see ho evil, hear no evil and speak no evil"

hahahahahahah

Thumbs-up for Penang government

As expected, there is hue and cry over the decision of the Penang State Government to further ban the use of plastic bags next year, No Plastic rule may cost jobs.. but for once, i am happy to see that there is political will to do something right, for the long term good of the nation

Such unpopular decisions will come at a "political cost" but it is good to see that there are politicians willing to take the risk for the betterment of the nation. We cannot always fall back on the reason that people will suffer through the loss of jobs and employment opportunities, and even the closure of some businesses, just so that we can continue destroying the nation, and deplete it of natural resources that should be saved for future generations.

Our Government cannot maintain that it's striving to achieve a "green" status, but at the same time turn a blind eye to unethical practices and protests by selfish businessmen who will only look at short term profits and nothing else. Collectively, as a nation we must be proud to feel "ownership" of the country and must realise that hard work and sacrifice are needed to keep it safe and healthy for generations to come.

In this context, politicians must also not think parochially, but must react above political constraints and mutually agree to make further decisions to ensure all Malaysians enjoy living healthy and dignified lives. Some of the "unpopular" decisions that have to made are

• Reduce or stop the use of foreign menial labour in the country; encouraging such low wage earning labour (in many instances illegally acquired) only serve to pollute the environment, cause social problems, and cause our nation to be branded a "human trafficking" hub
• Promote the use of Internationally approved type of incinerators to dispose off and manage our waste; at the same time ensure all local councils enforce a uniform recycling policy for household and industrial waste
• Implement a National Forest Strategy to demarcate the size of our depleting Forest Reserves; the Policy must include independent and internationally verifiable procedures to ensure the Designated Forest Reserve Areas WILL NEVER be trespassed. This policy will elicit loud protests from many parties, not least among them timber tycoons and 'connected' politicians, but can we allow our dwindling reserves and Water Catchment areas to be abused anymore. The annually increasing severity of floods is testimony that we cannot flinch from our sacred duty to protect our nation and our forests.
  

Of course, there are many more areas that the governments can look into, many more unpopular decisions that will have to be made, but if the leaders of out nation believe in what they are doing, let the 'plastic bag ban' be the first step towards making our country great again...

Thumbs up for Penang Govt.

Is the Ministry of Transport working at all??

Yet another gruesome express bus accident and yet another heartfelt response from a reader, Punish Bus Operators too! Professor Hasman Shah Abdullah feels that with the almost daily occurrences of such tragic accidents, the public has become desensitized to these reports. The Government should heed his call that... " it could give the “People First” slogan real punch by forcing the installation of speed limiters in all buses to ensure no driver can, for whatever reason, place the passengers in jeopardy." he added, " Many Transport Ministers have tried but meekly conceded to the industry lobby. It is time to place the industry second and the “people (passengers) first.”

But what raised my heckles is another tame statement made by the Minister of Transport, who said after this gruesome accident, " It is the responsibility of bus operators and owners to ensure that the drivers they hire have valid driving licences,... “If they do not have a licence, they should not be allowed to drive.." The same Minister was reported to have said in the other horrible express bus accident near Simpang Ampat, Pedas, that "according to a Ministry analysis of the accident, if the bus has NOT speeded, the lives may not have been lost"

Come on Mr Dato Minister, we know that! Don't be so patronizing!! Professor Hazman has correctly pointed out that the one big reason that the Ministry seems to be so powerless, is that it always has acceded to the "requests" of the Industry. Even when the Ministry has ALREADY approved of speed limiting devices to be installed, nothing seems to be done.

How much more blood do you want on your hands, Minister, before we can see beyond "industry profits and slave labour" and give the rakyat the service they deserve?

In Japan, the Minister of Transport would have committed 'hara kiri'

Reckess Littering by foreign workers!

I REFER to the report “Villagers in Muar don’t want factories” (The Star, Nov 1). Once a tranquil and beautiful town, Muar has now turned into a busy industrial site with hundreds of heavy vehicles entering and leaving the area daily.

But what was more insidious and more revealing was the remark made by one of the villagers that “the drains are clogged because the foreign workers throw their rubbish there”... the more than 1,000 foreign workers “imported” to man the factories.

Read in conjunction with the other news in the same issue like “A heap of landfill woes,” the statement is portentous of the disaster we are going to have on our hands.

Just imagine more than three million foreign workers (and increasing daily) legally and illegally brought into the country to maintain Malaysia as a “low wage paying nation,” and what sort of rubbish mess they are creating.

It’s a daily occurrence that has happened right in front of my house. Foreign workers returning from their 16-hour shift work at a nearby restaurant drinking from plastic bags filled with teh tarik throw the empty bags into the nearest available drain.

Likewise, contract workers at nearby houses under renovation also use the drains for their empty plastic bags and plastic food packages.

No wonder the disease Leptospirosis is spreading like wildfire, with Dengue close on its heels.

Concern over littering by foreign workers

THE letter “Why Renovate? Just buy a Bungalow” (The Star, Oct 12) is very well written and has highlighted a host of problems and issues affecting indiscriminate “approvals” given to house owners to renovate their premises.

To illustrate this serious problem, I would like to describe the situation in Section 12, Petaling Jaya, which seems to me is undergoing a “keep up with the Joneses” in the renovation and upgrading exercise.

Jalan 12/14 and Jalan 12/12 used to be two rows of neat single-storey terrace houses in a quiet neighbourhood. Now every third house in Jalan 12/14 is undergoing renovations to see who can build the tallest house.

An old friend of mine had neighbours on either side of him in that area doing renovations at the same time. This friend is over 75 years old, a serious diabetic and living alone with his ailing wife. Can you imagine the torture they undergo? Now, my questions are:

> Are single storey terrace houses allowed to be converted to double-storey houses?

> Do the owners of the houses undergoing conversion need to get the signed approval of his neighbours before he can get the approval from the local authorities?

> What do the authorities do, when the nuisance of such renovation disrupt and affect the health of their neighbours? Can the neighbours claim medical expenses and hotel lodging for the period the houses are undergoing renovation?

Renovation of terrace houses a nuisance for neighbours

murder and mayhem on Malaysian roads.

The latest carnage on the Expressway, caused by a speeding rogue Express bus, 12 killed in Horror Crash & Bus was going way too fast has clearly demonstrated that the Ministry of Transport, and the Govt have failed miserably to eradicate this menace from our roads. Why do I say that? Since the year 2008, I have been writing to the Ministry and to the media to advocate that the only way to stop the "killing machines" was to install Speed limiting Devices on ALL express buses, as no amount of "Standard operating Procedures" and surveillance will do the job. The Police and the JPJ cannot be our Safety custodians for 24 hours 7 days a week, as we know that it's totally impossible, given the "criminal" attitudes of the bus drivers and owners alike.

During the lengthy discourses, the then Minister of Transport, promised to look into the speed limiting device's implementation, and asked for time, as he had to deal with some serious Intra party issues. We were subsequently told that the speed limiting device was being considered in stages, as some of the older buses may not take to the installation effectively. We were pleased, nevertheless, that the Ministry has finally agreed to take proper action on the only effective way to stop the marauding buses.

Much water has flowed under the bridge, and too much politics have also clouded and pushed to the background the important issue of saving lives on the Expressway.

It is needless for me to say that, if the Govt had vigorously and sincerely pushed for the requirement for express buses to be installed the speed limiting devices, the lives that were lost in yesterday's road carnage would have been saved. Should we now still bend towards the "needs' of the bus owners to save money and make a profit, and on a regular basis see innocent lives being squashed on the roads, just so that someone can make a buck?

When are we going to learn? :-(

Bus Accident: Fit speed limit devices
Carnage could have been prevented

Health authorities have to do more....

It's high time that we acknowledge the issue of dirty habits and selfish attitudes of hawkers and food outlet operators as being the prime reason for the rise in leptospirosis.cases in the country, and today's news Stop feeding the rats reiterated that throwing food and rubbish into gutters attract the rodents is a timely reminder that the Health Authorities should buck up. Also read Nasi Kandar seller bitten by rodent I have personally seen in my section in Petaling Jaya, Section 11, that all the restaurants there, [more than 10 of them], use the backlanes as the places to prepare food and wash dishes that have been used. The dirty water is conveniently drained directly into the drains, which flow around the residences. I am wondering if these are approved guidelines of the Health Authorities and MBPJ, that is, to allow food leftovers, curries and rice and other debris to flow direct into the drains and gutters. There was one instance, at the junction of Jalan 11/3 and 11/4, the water there is permanently stagnant and the colour of curry, where I saw a rat, as big as a large kitten, swimming in the drains. The situation has not changed for years.

If we are serious about halting the leptospirosis crisis in the country, we must address the root cause of the problem, and that is, the dirty habits and selfish attitudes of hawkers and outlet operators in the country MUST BE STOPPED. Designating the disease as a notifiable disease is only a partial solution to the problem.

Dirty eateries helping spread of leptospirosis

Consequences of unfettered Illegal Gambling

Reading the updates on the police investigation in the tragedy at the Cheras apartment 'bombing' Police Identify Cheras bomber what struck me most was the apparent reason for this senseless act. It was reported that the suspect was a big loser in gambling illegally in the Internet Cafe which apparently belonged to the target of his bombing attempt.

It has again raised the question as to whether internet cafes are actually fronts for illegal internet gambling, and why, in spite of many letters to the Editor protesting their stubborn existence, these illegal gambling outlets have persisted. It is obvious that these internet cafes, with their heavily tinted glass doors are doing something nefarious, and activities that they want to hide from prying eyes.

The larger issue that this has also brought up, is whether curbs to access to the Internet have to be made, though this maybe a distasteful thing to do, unfettered access to Internet gambling and Porn can only do more harm than good.

It has to be reminded that even social media websites like Facebook has also given our enterprising youth opportunities to indulge into some innocent gambling. Recently, I had a very young friend who confided in me that he managed to "sell" his million over points in a poker game that he won in Facebook to his friend for RM50 !! With most parents giving laptops to their children from as young as 8 years old, the Internet can be the source of all sorts of undesirable "learning" for these young impressionable minds.

Food for thought

put curbs on Internet Access.

Minimum Wage discussion must be clearly articulated...

The government today has announced that the minimum wage of "RM800 pay for maids can’t be enforced" and the Sunday Star has further published discussions on the issue in "Should bosses pay a minimum wage? " wherein pros and cons on the implementation of a minimum wage policy are highlighted.

This has been a longstanding discussion and there seems to be no 'light at the end of the tunnel" for a final decision to be made. The Ministry also seems to be vacillating on this matter, giving the reason that there is no minimum wage structure in the country to support a decision for a minimum wage and that wages should be decided by "market forces".

I find the reasoning a bit tenuous and more so when viewed against an announced Government Policy to make Malaysia a "high income" nation. It is only reasonable to subscribe to a "market force" policy on the payment of wages, IF, [and this is a BIG 'if'] the Government does not encourage or allow local industries to "import" cheap foreign labour into the country, in order to avoid paying locals an equitable salary. If, as it has been reported in the same feature, that some locals only get a salary of around RM550 per month, it is very difficult to see how many of our poor manage to survive with dignity.

More so, if the govt tacitly allows freely the 'import' of cheap labour from our neighbours, to work with less than 'livable' wages and in 'slave like' conditions, [eg. no off day, no medical coverage, and no bank account opened], it will really take a very naive person to believe that Malaysia is a country that we are proud to be associated with.

I also feel that some employers, when defending against the implementation of a minimum wage, should give valid reasons to do so. Two reasons quoted in your feature seems to show confusion among the employers, to say the least: I quote:

• A minimum wage will increase business costs and companies might have to resort to laying off workers as they rely on cheap labour to be competitive, he reasons.

How can employers lay off workers who are paid the minimum wage WHEN THERE IS A MINIMUM WAGE POLICY? If there is still cheap labour around after the policy is implemented, then those labour are all ILLEGALLY recruited

• A minimum wage, he adds, might attract youngsters to stop school.

How can that be, as we have laws and morals against employing "child labour". If I am not mistaken, most children finish SPM at around 18 years of age.

What I am trying to suggest is that, this is an important long term issue that will make Malaysia a progressive nation, or will keep it stuck in the backwaters of South East Asia, while the others move ahead. We need a sober and mature discourse, and a decision that is equitable for all parties, and for the long term good of the nation.

Let's see a clear policy on minimum wage

Reading the news that drivers can just show a MyKad to kiosk personnel in order to buy RON95 petrol for their foreign registered vehicles, Foreign car users can report if kiosk owners don't sell RON95 brings to mind that, again, another issue that has NOT been properly thought out or planned before jumping into execution. Knowing that Malaysians are quite "innovative" when it comes to making a quick buck, I think the flexibility of just showing the MyKad has the undesired effect of creating "jockeys" who are Malaysian, waiting at petrol kiosks near our borders, and "assisting" the foreign vehicle owners to fill up with the cheaper RON95.

With a price differential of 20sen per litre, filling up a 100 litre tank, for example, can be quite "profitable" for both parties.

Have the authorities thought of a way to counter this potential connivance or to monitor the potential controversy that this rule creates ?

Foreigners may use ‘jockeys’ to fill up tanks

Calcium supplements may raise risk of Heart Attacks

The Star (Saturday), also carried this news from Reuters, Calcium supplements may raise risk of Heart Attacks which reported a definitive study covering 12000 patients who were given calcium pills or placebos for their osteoporosis problems. The study concluded that there was a 30% increase in heart attacks for those patients randomized to receive calcium supplements.

This report from a reputed medical source has raised pertinent questions in our treatment of elderly patients with real or perceived porous bones or osteoporosis. I have seen many elderly friends who have been diagnosed with such problems, inevitably issued with those pills as a standard procedure. Some of my friends have also been asked to take an expensive annual injection, which besides being very painful, has also bad side effects like vomiting. In view of the questionable benefits that can be derived from the taking of such supplements whether orally or intravenously, and with the current report that such 'medication' can definitely increase heart attacks, should we not consider a change in the standard procedure of hospitals issuing such supplements? Even if they are given free of charge to retired civil servants, it can represent a waste of money, and a drain on the Health Ministry's budget, as also, some patients just discard the medicine on reaching home.!

It should be incumbent on doctors to encourage patients to take calcium rich foods like milk in any form or sardines and to take more load bearing exercises, like walking up slopes and stairs.

It would also be good, in light of such research results that the Ministry take appropriate action to instruct doctors and hospitals to warn patients of the risks of taking calcium pills, and the alternatives available, and to also counsel the public on the risks of naively accepting anything told to them by doctors and pharmacists

Consume Calcium rich foods

GIGO.... "Garbage in Garbage Out"

At first, when I read this letter, Why wasn't I asked ALL 51 questions?? :-( it struck me that this was a simply a case of of some incompetence. But, on reflection, I realised that the enumerators who came to 'interview' me also did not do much better, as she asked me only for our names, ages, religious affiliation, and profession. She then left hurriedly. I have since spoken with my neighbours, and it seems that only the basic 3 or 4 questions were asked.

Now, projecting this superficial work of the enumerators country wide, we can see that the effect of the results of this Census on Government strategy and planning can be disastrous! I remember in my days studying computer systems and programming, we were always told of the acronym "GIGO", and that is "Garbage in Garbage Out". I also read today the comments of the author of the book "Analytics" who said, and I quote.. ".. in cases where data is of the low quality, you have to trace it back to the source. If the person collecting the data has not paid enough attention to the quality, the company he is working for would then be unable to analyse them at all...... "

I am now wondering if the current census exercise is turning into an exercise of futility. What will these mainly incomplete and/or inaccurate data do the Government planning and analysis, (and we need to be right first time), when we have to plan for the country to move forward and to the next level of prosperity.

Sadly, it looks like another botched job for a Govt department, and I wonder how this will impact its KPIs and KRAs .

I hope to be corrected.

In computer terms, it's garbage in, garbage out

Cameron Highlands, soon to be renamed Cameron Lowlands..

The letter by Rev.Dr Vijendra Daniel Stop the desecration of Cameron Highlands... is a cry from the heart, and it really pains me to see that it will again fall on deaf ears! Why do I say that? I have the chance to follow TV3's progam "Aduan Rakyat" helmed by Karam Singh Waliah and in the 2 episodes that was aired a few weeks ago, it was clear that the Highlands is fighting a losing battle with selfish vegetable farmers and nonchalant politicians to preserve its virginity, or what's left of it. In the second episode of the program, it was disgusting to see the farmers who have encroached on reserve land, shouting down the TV crew, and at times seemed to be threatening violence. At the same time, the govt officials seem to be so helpless, and had on their faces 'tidakapa' looks. Of course the debacle would not be complete without some politicians jumping into the 'fray', on the side of the "aggrieved". In the backdrop of this 'drama', I can see bare brown earth exposed to the scorching sun, carcasses of cut trees waiting to be dragged away, and streams of brown polluted waters, flowing morosely

Unless the State and Federal Govts. take a uniform step towards the preservation of Cameron Highlands for the future of this nation, very soon we will have to change its name to Cameron Lowlands, not to mention to suffer the loss of a huge water catchment area, and a rest and recreation place for our folks.

Why can't we stop thinking politics for a second, and do something for the country?

How does "trauma" center treat a Dengue case

My wife and I went to visit an old friend (Florence) Chang Yin Yoke at the Assunta Hospital in Mariam Ward room#4316 as we heard she is recovering from a Dengue attack since last week. We found her up and about, and is recovering quite nicely, but she almost lost her life due to apparent abject negligence on the part of some medical personnel at the Trauma Section in UMMC, also famously known as the University Hospital Petaling Jaya.

Let me relate her story. Sometime early last week, Florence was down with fever and went to her family physician for the normal check up. When the fever did not subside and she began to suffer excruciating pains, especially around the shoulders, the family physician took a blood test and found that her blood count was low, and getting lower. Being a retired Govt servant (Intan), and also the wife of a retired Police Officer, she went to UMMC(UH), on Thursday I think, and was sent back with some medicine. On Friday evening, when she started vomiting, and still in agonizing pain, she went to UH again this time to the Trauma centre, armed with a letter from the family physician saying that she is likely to have the Dengue and her blood test showing that her blood count was dangerously low. The doctor in charge, apparently of a Middle Eastern countenance (observed through pain filled eyes), told her she was ok, no need for further blood tests and prescribed her 5 types of medication and sent her home! Florence knew she was in bad shape, and vomiting all the way, her daughter drove her to Assunta Hospital, the nearest hospital around. Immediately on examining her, the doctors at the emergency section of Assunta warded her and gave her blood transfusion, and also sent word to the health authorities to fog the location where she purportedly got the dengue (Subang Jaya).

Today, when I saw her at noon, she is fit and chirpy. But I dread to think, if she had followed the instruction of the doctor at the UH Trauma centre on Friday, and went home, would she be too late to be saved??

Quite a harrowing thought for us Government Pensioners, who have no medical Insurance :-((

near death experience for patient

Ineffective Raids on Cybercafes.

Zari Malaysiana in her letter Ineffective Raids on Cybercafes... raised some important issues on the continuation of the "cybercafe" business which the Govt should address. The fact that these cybercafes are continually raided means that they are a haven for illegal internet gambling, and the other fact that in spite of these frequent raids, these cybercafes still suffer from the "closed today, open tomorrow" syndrome, as eloquently described by the writer. Are the authorities so powerless to stop the illegal gambling menace? Again, as I have written to The Star previously, why are these cybercafes using dark tinted glass as doors? Is it to keep the "business" from curious eyes?

From my own experience, I have seen computers and furniture being carried out of a "internet cafe" in Section 11 during a daylight raid by MBPJ, only to observe such computers, monitors being carried back to the cafe a few days later. We assume the business has been deemed legal now..

It would be good if someone in the Govt or the local authorities give a written answer to the issues raised by Zari Malaysiana, to dispel any ambiguity. In my personal view, we really seem to be drifting around like headless chickens.

Shady business at cybercafes

Powerless to stop illegal gambling

IRB owe taxpayers RM10billion

It is indeed a 'shocking disclosure' on reading your column Does the Govt owe me money? by P. Guna and the news Taxpayers cry foul over delay that taxpayers, in spite of diligently paying their taxes and on time, do not have their refunds made to them with the same alacrity. We understand that the IRB is indeed doing its best, but a reported case that a taxpayer who is owed RM15000 by the IRB still received a demand from the department to pay RM3000, conjures up images of total confusion in the IRB. Surely it's not impossible in these days of the Internet and ICT, for the assessment and collection systems of the department to be 'communicating' with each other instantaneously, and not have to depend on phone calls and onerous paper trails from the various units in order to obtain a complete 'picture' of a taxpayer and his debt position? It seems to me, up to today, in spite of millions spent on the latest technology and e-filing, what a taxpayer is assessed for and what he pays are under the control of two discrete entities, each not knowing exactly what the other is doing? As a corollary, what will a person think of his Bank, if the manager tells him his credits and debits cannot be shown in one statement?

A Divisive Call: Halal and non-halal revenue

Regarding the call by MCA that tax revenue from legalised betting sources be channeled to a separate fund Separate account needed for non halal revenue.. and the statement that the Finance Ministry is looking into it, I would like to suggest that the Govt think this out seriously before rushing into it, and then waste everybody's time backtracking, when the suggestion is found to be impractical, and may be even a divisive step towards nation building.

If we read the Call by MCA correctly, it was only in relation to its support for legalised sports betting, which now the Govt has seen its disadvantages more than its purported merits. The Government will need to consider the following issues before even putting up the idea to the Cabinet:

• Do we need a change in the Federal Constitution before Federal revenue can be classified as halal and non-halal?
• Though the suggestion to create a separate Fund was meant to address the Sports Betting revenue (which is now moot), need the Govt also consider that ALL revenue derived from ANY gambling source be channeled to this separate Fund, only to be used for "among others to educate people not to gamble"
• If the Government sees fit to classify the Consolidated fund as halal and non-halal, would it not bring to mind all other revenue from non-halal sources? That brings into questions other sources of revenue derived from sources that CAN be classified as non halal, e.g.,
  
• hotels selling alcoholic beverages
• Restaurants selling non halal food and/or alcoholic beverages
• sources that derive income doing business with non halal sources, e.g. supplying paper and computers to Toto or Magnum?
• sources with revenue derived from illegal activities, like pirated CDs, fake cigarettes, etc
• revenue generated by the Govt from the disposal of confiscated alcoholic beverages, illegally imported non halal meat, and other sources of confiscated non halal materials.
• If the non halal revenue is restricted for use for certain purposes, it will certainly give rise to calls by intolerant members that Muslims cannot utilize such revenue, for religious and moral reasons. In the long run, this will not augur well for the nation, which is facing deep divisive issues even just discussing the NEP.
  

These are some of the preliminary questions that will be raised and will need detailed analysis of the political repercussions of making such a move. In the midst of the Government trying to build a United and Inclusive nation, based on mutual respect and tolerance, will not the effort to "divide" revenue into halal and non-halal at this stage provide further reasons for altercations later on, based on the known 'political immaturity' of most of our politicians.

Think about it

Malaysia's unsavoury reputation confirmed??

Reading the headline news in The Sunday Star concerning foreign workers being totally exploited in the New Palace construction Foreigners work lke Slaves building the NEW PALACE.. and also more news inside about foreigners forced to work illegally 8 filipinas rescued from Night Club.... it is not surprising at all the Malaysia has big problems trying to live down its image of a country that is becoming the hub of illegal human trafficking and worse, is practicing and "encouraging" slave labour. If in the construction of a project "fit for a King", we seem to ignore the basic rights of human beings, what will the global community think of us? On the other hand, the Police have their hands full in the almost daily raids at entertainment outlets all over the country, where inevitably, female foreign workers are found, most working against their will. How can such large numbers of "human traffic" pass through our country each day, apparently undetected?

Sadly, these cases in the news are just the 'tip of the iceberg' of a situation that is happening all over the country with the Govt seemingly helpless to stem the tide.

Admittedly it is very very difficult for the Govt to stamp out human trafficking and slave labour in our country, if big businesses, as well as rich individuals think that treating a fellow human badly in the name of profit and expedience is a natural thing to do, and too bad for those who are deprived. Under such circumstances, only punitive laws will stop such selfish and barbaric acts, ALONG WITH SWIFT AND INCORRUPTIBLE ENFORCEMENT

It is a sad day indeed for Malaysia if we allow our efforts to move our country forward to be driven by the continuous 'infusion' of such exploitative labour, and our "entertainment" industry to be fueled by "slaves" imported by heartless Slave traders.

Despicable--treating foreigners like Slaves

Football betting: Let's make a quick final decision, and move on.{Episode 2}

I wish to refer to the report Rais, allow Sports Betting wherein the Honourable Minister justified the legalisation of Sports Betting by saying that the Govt should recognize the rights of the Chinese and non Muslims! I find this reason to be very frivolous, and I feel that the Hon Minister is assuming that the rakyat are somewhat naive. We ought to answer the doubts regarding the issue of this licence seriously, and in this respect, it would clear the air and enlighten the public, if the Govt could answer accurately the following issues relevant to the discussion:

• If the Sports Betting Licence is eventually issued, will the public be allowed to bet on any Sports events in Malaysia too, or will the licence be restricted to betting on those Sports events Outside the country?

Will the Legal Sports Betting Operator be able to entice the public from betting illegally? That is, will the legal Operator be able to provide the same "conditions" for the growth of legal sports betting? The illegal bookies can provide 'credit' themselves or through 'Ah Longs", cash payments on the spot, bets using the laptop, mobile phones and even by word of mouth.

When the sports betting business is legalised, can the illegal sports betting business be stamped out? We all know that in spite of having 3 numbers forecast operators in the country, we still find the illegal 4D business thriving.
• Whether Sports betting is made legal or not, people will still BORROW to bet on games, especially on football, and also all the other Sports events, which will be a year round affair. How can legal betting stamp out the wicked activities of loan sharks, and the disastrous effects it has on the social network of our country.
Will the Police have the time and resource to continuously monitor and harass the illegal operations, like what they are doing at the moment?

Will the Government, most importantly, be able to block and prevent global internet sites from offering all sorts of Sports Betting to Malaysians?

I am not for or against the legalisation of Sports Betting in the country, but let us do it with a clear mind.Using all sorts of flimsy reasons to "soften the ground" for the launching of legal sports betting is wasting everybody's time and it is getting tiresome. If there are good reasons to do it, then just do it, if not, let's also be firm. We have so many other important things to do to bring a better life to our citizens, like improving the economy, eliminating corruption, and reducing racial polarization. Giving out silly reasons for a sports betting licence to be issued will only discredit the Govt further, and distract it from more important matters of the Nation.

Football betting: Let's make a quick final decision, and move on

If not for the seriousness of the issue under the spotlight at the moment, ie., the virtues and evils of Football Betting, I would be vastly amused at the hundreds of spins and stories raised in your papers in the last few weeks, ostensibly in support of the issue of a Legal sports betting licence in Malaysia. Just today 22nd June, the Paper has carried out more of such news and reports ie., VIP bookies on the run after cops close in on their illegal WCup betting business where it was disclosed that even well known VIPs find the illegal betting business very lucrative. The Paper also reported that even Students rake in big bucks from the bookies, and even involve in getting loans from loan sharks, and finally, in the Dewan Rakyat, spinning like a 'broken record' ANOTHER MP has come up to support the legalisation of Sports Betting

All such frequently issued news articles only serve to cloud the real issue from the poor public, who has to bear the brunt of fervour of football betting. And it's a waste of everyone's time to keep on reading such 'mush' to 'rationalise' the legalisation of football betting in particular, and SPORTS BETTING in general. It's time we try to see the "forest" and not be confused by the arguments of each "tree". Here is what I think we should publicly receive answers from experts and the Govt, before we agree that a legal sports betting business is good or bad for the country:

• Will the Legal Sports Betting Operator be able to entice the public from betting illegally? That is, will the legal Operator be able to provide the same "conditions" for the growth of legal sports betting? The illegal bookies can provide 'credit' themselves or through 'Ah Longs", cash payments on the spot, bets using the laptop, mobile phones and even by word of mouth.
  
• When the sports betting business is legalised, can the illegal sports betting business be stamped out? We all know that in spite of having 3 numbers forecast operators in the country, we still find the illegal 4D business thriving.
• Whether Sports betting is made legal or not, people will still BORROW to bet on games, especially on football, which is a year round affair. How can legal betting stamp out the wicked activities of loan sharks, and the disastrous effects it has on the social network of our country.
• Will the Police have the time and resource to continuously monitor and harass the illegal operations, like what they are doing at the moment?
  
• Will the Government, most importantly, be able to block and prevent global internet sites from offering all sorts of Sports Betting to Malaysians?
  

I am not for or against the legalisation of Sports Betting in the country, but let us do it with a clear mind.Using the Mainstream media to spin, and to "soften the ground" for the launching of legal sports betting is wasting everybody's time. If there are good reasons to do it, then just do it, if not, let's also be firm. We have so many other important things to do to bring a better life to our citizens, like improving the economy, eliminating corruption, and reducing racial polarization. Arguing about the pros and cons of a sports betting licence seem to me like making a mountain out of a molehill.

Blatant Govt profligacy

The doubling of the cost of building a new Palace seems to be in most minds as observed in the column Squeezed in the Middle where the author expressed his doubt whether the increased cost of building the New Palace will endear the Govt to the public who are already being asked to bear increased costs of living by the imminent removal of most subsidies.

Likewise, the confirmation that the Govt did not resort to open tender procedures to award the 800 million New Palace job, New Palace to cost more
is a clear indication of continuing Govt profligacy in spending the country's hard earned wealth.

It is indeed hard for the 'man in the street' to accept that he has to face much higher costs of living, while the Govt continues to spend on what is perceived as 'redundant' projects, like the building of a new palace, or a New Parliament building.

In this respect, let me tell a story. When I was working in a Norwegian company a few years ago, and had to go to Norway (Trondheim) for management meetings, I was proudly shown a simple and old wooden building that was the summer palace of the King. It was such a simple structure, situated humbly in the middle of the town without much security and was open to the public most days, and to see that, one would not realize that Norwegians have one of the highest living standards in the World, and that the Norwegian Sovereign Fund is the world's richest. Substance seems to matter to them, more than form.

It is correct for the rakyat to demand that, for the Govt to institute reforms to the country that call for the rakyat to make huge sacrifices, the Govt must be seen to also make large steps in the same direction. Canceling the construction of the Parlaiament House and the King's Palace and maintain the present ones as part of our National Heritage is a big first step

Does anyone in TNB do any work?

Reading the news headlines in TheSunday Star Zapped by Charges [tenants give landlords "electric shock"], I must admit I am surprised at the level of inefficiency that the TNB has fallen to now. Let me explain why I say that. During my secondary school days in Muar (1960's), I was tasked by my father to cycle and pay the TNB (then called the NEB) bill every month, as the Station was situated out of town. My father being quite poor, and who had to support a large family, always waited for the RED reminder to arrive from the TNB, which gave him 7 days to pay failing which the electricity supply would be cut off. That was a most effective measure, and it made my father beg or borrow (but not steal) enough cash to settle the bills. This drama was always played out, until I finished schooling got a job, and helped him pay his bills on a regular basis.

Which makes me wonder now, why am I reading this headlines in the papers today. That TNB, being a blue chip corporation, practicing good governance in its affairs should be able to allow such debts to accumulate, and which is clearly not the fault of the landlords, is a very shameful disclosure by the media. In my opinion, if anyone in the operations and management control function has been doing his job, it would be a cinch to ensure such chronic debts do not accrue and are collected in a timely manner, and not endure the landlords to so much unnecessary trouble and unwarranted liability. The management would very easily be able to:

1. determine those households who habitually fail to pay their bills, say for more than 3 months, or whose debts have risen to more than 3 times the amount of deposit received for the household or business premises
   
2. issue a 'RED' reminder with a deadline to cut off supply in 14 days, if bills remain unpaid
3. Action to cut off electricity supply to the respective households, and even business premises.

Pray tell the long suffering public and taxpayers, with computerization and online billing, etc., how difficult will it be for TNB to enforce discipline among the users of electricity? In particular, I feel the Internal Audit and the Statutory Auditors must be asked to clarify this mess..

It is inefficiency in the operations to raise and collect debt, along with cost of fuel that give rise to higher costs, and TNB must do better than just to take such a 'tidak apa' attitude towards debt collection.

TNB has the power,--- so do it!

Savior of Cameron Highlands

I am watching TV3's Prime time program "Aduan Rakyat", and for 2 weeks Karam Singh has been awesome in his exposure of blatant abuse and corruption in the giving of lands illegally for agriculture and housing. The program has exposed the blatant disregard for the environment and even for the existing laws in place to protect the Highlands from further irreversible destruction. As Karam Singh mentioned in the beginning of the program 2 weeks ago, he has re-visited the site after 12 years, only to find that our treasured Highlands has been terribly abused, and raped beyond recognition. The authorities, when confronted, and in front of TV cameras have vowed to stop the carnage, but I am afraid, the minute TV3 finishes the program, the carnage will continue.

Can we hope that the good work done by TV3 can be protected, and the Highlands saved for our future generations?

Please carry on the good work TV3, and we the public must also join in with our support to protect our Highlands. We must campaign the Government to declare Cameron Highlands a Heritage Site, to be fully protected by law. Violation of the land should be declared a crime against the Nation.

Three Issues , One answer..!

Reading through this Sunday's Star, I found that the issues raised on "Stateless Malaysians", "Brain Drain" and "Unskilled Local Labour", can, surprisingly be answered with one word. Allow me to elaborate.

In the first news report, Number of Stateless Malaysians stun even Hishamuddin it was reported that the Home Minister said that the National Registration Department's mobile units had found that as many as 30,000 people did not have MyKad, 96,000 people did not have birth certificates and more than 60,000 people were holders of red identity cards, mostly in Sarawak..."

In the Sunday Star focus column Tracing the brain drain trend .. Dr Fong Chan Onn was reported to have said, "..As I have elaborated at the beginning of this article, under Malaysian law, a child born overseas to a Malaysian mother, whose husband is a non-Malaysian, is not entitled to Malaysian citizenship or even permanent resident (PR) status. This large pool of talent is just kept out of our shores. I vividly remember Datuk Syed Norulzaman (a retired Malaysian ambassador) lamenting to me last month over dinner about how his daughter, a JPA medical scholar at Dublin, worked hard over the years to qualify as a medical specialist. She unfortunately could not return to serve Malaysia because she married her Norwegian classmate, and their children are classified as non-Malaysians. With tears in his eyes, he said he had never felt so helpless as an ambassador because he could not explain to his daughter why Malaysia does not accept her children. And of the thousands of talented foreign spouses who have returned to Malaysia with their Malaysian husbands, what is happening to them? Medical experts, top-notch scientists or experienced teachers they may be, but they are not even accorded PR status and are not allowed to work here, their adopted home..."

And finally, in the Sunday Editorial,Shift Gear to Higher mode Senior Editor Wong Chun Wai said,".. Recently, I decided to hire a Malay­sian who had migrated to New Zealand as a trainer under a one-year contract. There were so many obstacles along the way that we finally gave up. It was easier hiring a foreign toilet cleaner... "

One word suffices to explain the reason for those issues raised above, the the word is "Distrust". Why is it so, after more than 50 years of Merdeka, that those entrusted with the formulation and implementation of Govt policies still distrust anyone who is a non Malay, or who is even associated with a non Malay? A look at the full stadium of Malaysians cheering our Thomas Cup Badminton team in their match against Denmark show that there is nothing wrong with Malaysian unity in diversity. And I personally think also there is nothing wrong with the 1Malaysia concept, if articulated with sincerity. Coming back to those issues raised in the papers today,

• why is it so tough for Malaysians born in Malaysia to get their Birth certificates and subsequently MyKads? It's a shameful thing for a citizen to have to hold on to a Red card, and treated like a 'pariah'
  
• Why do we distrust spouses and children who are married to Malaysians? If we don't even respect a Malaysian's choice of spouse, and expect him to treat his family again like pariahs, what would he think of his own country?
• If a Malaysian, who is qualified and wants to return to contribute to his country, why treat him with the same status as a foreign toilet cleaner? What is wrong with him having worked overseas, if his own country did not have provide the same opportunities at that particular time?

The Government can only succeed in its objective of an inclusive 1Malaysia, if it sincerely embraces all citizens, and accepts them as equals. And the first thing it has to do, is to actively eliminate all forms of actions that show and sow distrust among its citizens. Will citizens vote for a Government that treats them like other foreigners?

We must WALK THE TALK, but at the moment, it's more like balancing on a tightrope

Distrust the reason for one of our major woes

Root canal politics, and lessons to be learnt

I never miss Thomas Friedman, syndicated by your Paper, and today's column ROOT CANAL POLITICS,or the Death of the Tooth Fairy is also very good reference to the ills in our country. While the column specifically addressed the current turmoil engulfing Greece, and the imminent crisis that can hit Britain, in fact largely due to the excessive spending of the baby boomers, who believe that wealth can be infinitely created, and political stability maintained by pandering to the narcissistic needs of the populace, the current and future generations will be left heavily in debt, and with the environment destroyed, and resources heavily depleted. Some of the examples he has mentioned bear repeating here:

• Our parents were “The Greatest Generation,” and they earned that title by making enormous sacrifices and investments to build us a world of abundance. My generation, “The Baby Boomers,” turned out to be what the writer Kurt Andersen called “The Grasshopper Generation.” We’ve eaten through all that abundance like hungry locusts.
  

• Greece, for instance, became the General Motors of countries. Like G.M.’s management, Greek politicians used the easy money and subsidies that came with European Union membership not to make themselves more competitive in a flat world, but more corrupt, less willing to collect taxes and uncompetitive. Under Greek law, anyone in certain “hazardous” jobs could retire with full pension at 50 for women and 55 for men — including hairdressers who use a lot of chemical dyes and shampoos. In Britain, everyone over 60 gets an annual allowance to pay heating bills and can ride any local bus for free. That’s really sweet — if you can afford it. But Britain, where 25 percent of the government’s budget is now borrowed, can’t anymore.

• Here is how The Financial Times described it {British elections} “The next government will have to cut public sector pay, freeze benefits, slash jobs, abolish a range of welfare entitlements and take the ax to programs such as school building and road maintenance.” Too bad no party won a majority mandate in the British elections to do this job.

• After 65 years in which politics in the West was, mostly, about giving things away to voters, it’s now going to be, mostly, about taking things away. Goodbye Tooth Fairy politics, hello Root Canal politics.

Of course Malaysia is not in such dire straits, but if we do not stiffen the political spine and take hard decisions, that may be hugely unpopular, it would not be too far away before events witnessed in Greece might be happening on our doorsteps. For example, we talk about wanting to achieve a high income status, but is increasing the salaries of only civil servants without demonstrable improvements in their productivity be just akin to 'subsidizing' a high standard of living? The NEM seeks to assure all races of their rights and lives being protected, but can a certain quarter continue to clamour for assistance based on merely being a majority in the country, without the need to contribute the same amount of effort and productivity to drive the country forward? Can a minority be taxed and burdened to support the demands of the majority, which in effect, it should be the other way around?

It's not easy to make strong decisions being surrounded by parochial politicians, but we must learn from the mistakes of the others, and not wait for the mistakes to be repeated here. As Friedman said to the Americans, ...." Sitting in America, it’s hard to grasp the importance of the British elections and the Greek riots. Nothing to do with us, right? Well, I’d pay attention to the drama playing out here. It may be coming to a theater near you....."

Look out Malaysia!!

Stick with English

Reading the letter to TheStar by DR ABU BAKAR ABDUL MAJEED, DR MEGAWATI OMAR, of the Research Management Institute, UITM, Shah Alam -->Stick With English I was struck by what he said, that our children lament that the moment they are out of school, they discover that they need English in almost every aspect of their daily and academic lives, especially if they live in cities. They have been so handicapped that, even in the day to day functioning of their lives, these students and graduates seem to be dysfunctional. Switching back to Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of teaching the important subjects will only serve to aggravate the situation, leading to future Malaysians unable to challenge and compete in the global arena.

If I am not mistaken, one of those reasons given by the Education Ministry to switch back to Bahasa Malaysia as the teaching medium, was that the rural students have been unable to cope with English and have been marginalized in Examinations. In this instance it can be said that the "mountain" [ie. the rural students poor command of English] cannot come to "Mohamad", then "Mohamad" must go to the "mountain". Putting it in another way, do we want our rural students to continue to lack behind even in the day to day living in Malaysia, not to mention that they will be severely handicapped when they leave the country? Upgrading the education system to ensure the rural students can cope should be the objective of a caring Government.

Do we want to see Malaysians, especially the rural children, fall behind and live lives filled with insecurity and inferiority because of the deficiency in the English Language? Do we want to remain in the backwaters of progress, while even countries like Indonesia and Vietnam forge ahead?

We should re-think this issue. Can our leaders rise above parochial politics, or do they waver at the first sound of the naysayers? Malaysia's diverse mix of races will have more than its fair share of sycophants and self styled champions of 'race and culture', but the Govt has to be able to rise above such bigotry if our future generations is to have a chance in this challenging World

Think about it

We cannot afford to ignore the importance of English

How NOT to follow Greece

In his timely column on the continuing world economic turmoil now roiling Europe Malaysians must learn from Greek Crisis, excessive loans no good and the dire consequences it is bringing onto the countries affected Greek Crisis: 3 die in violent protests the writer Jagdev Singh has observed, that in order for Malaysia not to 'follow in" the path of the Greeks, it has to start removing the major bulk of the subsidies given the the people, and that is in the energy sector. I quote with thanks:

"..It’s the middle class that is the foundation to consumer demand and striking a balance between reducing such subsidies and keeping people happy will be a tricky task.

Appealing to people’s season of reason and articulating the consequences of not doing so may work.

People have to know that the precious resource the country is blessed with should not be frittered away. And while conservation and efficient use of energy resources will help reduce wastage and help the environment, people also need to be shown that their efforts are helping to build something worthy for the future.

Any programme of reducing energy subsidies should be met with a similar programme that will improve the economic welfare of the people...."

I would like to add here that, appealing to the sense of reason will not work, unless the Government has continuously demonstrated its desire to keep down extravagant and wasteful spending. For example, would it not be better for the Govt to, say, drastically reduce its expenditure on the Military and defense, and show that the reduction of that expenditure will be channelled towards improving the logistics and transport system of the country, and for example, make the LRT accessible to all regions, regardless of ridership? It would then make the removal of the fuel subsidy less "painful"

The Govt must also actively pursue the departments and officals who have spent their budgets in extravagance and on projects that have subsequently failed or have tremendously overshot its budget. In this respect the respected AG's report should be pursued to a meaningful end. At the moment, the middle class know that after the initial hullabaloo, inevitably the AG's report is left to collect dust. What a waste of trees chopped down to write the Report. Questions by the Auditor General still unanswered.

What I am trying to say is, Malaysians are reasonable by nature, they will accept that hard times are ahead of them, and that the Govt needs to do the necessary to keep the country safe and "healthy". But can they tolerate a continuing regime of extravagance and nugatory expenditure, and watch as the politicians continue to "roll in the fat" while they are asked to tighten their belts for the good of the country?

Let the present violent turmoil in Greece be a potent reminder of the "deep hole" we can dig ourselves in...

Thanks Jagdev

Is Asas Serba's proposal really workable?

Good analysis--> Is Asas Serba's proposal really workable? I find your 'concerns' quite reasonable. Though Ibrahim Bidin is an experienced Toll Expert and entrepreneur, [I know him well from our Manila days], taking over the toll business from disparate parties with their own reasons for desiring their own toll business, consolidating various suppliers of equipment, technology may present more problems than solutions. it may also be seen that the Govt is 'trying to twist' the arms of the smaller players, and drive the smaller suppliers out of business? Reducing the toll by 20% is commendable, but more can be given.

However, the reply that was given to the concern that Asas Serba may not maintain the roads well is patronising. I quote... ".. There’s also concern that Asas Serba may not maintain the highways as well as the current operators. Asas Serba director Ibrahim Bidin said market forces would dictate that they would. “If we don’t, the number of highway users would drop and our toll collections will decline. Our bondholders would then come after us.....” To me, it would be a horrible time for Malaysian road users, if in the near future, Asas Serba really neglected to maintain the roads in the same condition as now, what will be the traffic situation on the roads if the road users avoid potholed tolled roads and use the free Federal Roads? Can you imagine the jams that we will be having? The whole country will be gridlocked!!! It would be better for the Govt {in the event it accepts Asas Serba's offer} to write into the takeover agreements some form of punitive punishment for Asas Serba in the event of non compliance of conditions, and not accept such a flippant reply.

Indonesians show of violence at Stadium, with offensive weapons!!!

This report of yours really give us the creeps [it is also the 'most viewed' news online] Indonesians show of violence at Stadium, with offensive weapons!!! Many letters have been published voicing concern that there are too many foreigners working in the country, and total dependence on such lowly paid unskilled labour can only have long term deleterious effects on our society. Looking at the pictures of the Police showing to the Press, the large number of weapons 'captured' from the foreigners show frighteningly that these harmful effects have arrived. And will continue to be a major dilemma for our Govt to deal with. If we do not find a solution to stemming the need for cheap foreign labour soon, it will not be long for us to see the day, when large groups of foreigners* from the South Eastern countries clash with each other for "territorial" control and gang rights. What will become of civil society then?

Malaysia's Path to Destruction..

I must commend the Star for another very good effort in exposing the seeming nonchalant attitudes taken by the Govt in protecting the assets of the country, in the feature >>PATH TO DESTRUCTION but I must say, even the Star seems to be knocking its head against a very hard rock. The perils that you rightfully warned the readers against, ie loss of catchment area, nasty run offs, destruction of forests, less drinking water etc.appear not the be the concerns of the authorities at all. Reading through the column slowly, I appreciate the details that you have managed to piece together to make a very worrying read. In particular, I must ask the authorities the following questions which I hope The Star would be able to get a response:

• It was mentioned that the new highway would cut through the Gombak, Ampang ahd Hulu Langat Forest Reserves.. My question is.. If these areas have already been designated as a Reserve, who has the legal as well as moral authority to destroy them? If Reserves are designated precisely with the reason to protect them for posterity, why are they being destroyed now? Are we enacting such legislation, JUST FOR FUN and for immoral politicians to make use of? Why do we have to sign petitions and beg the Prime Minister to intervene? Until we begin to treat violation of Forest reserves a a crime against the nation, we will not see the end of all such dastardly acts.
  
• It would be nice, if The Star could detail what the EIA study has concluded on the impact of the construction of the highway on the water catchment capacity of the area. It does not require any expert on environmental study to observe that the removing or trees and vegetation from the reserve will just reduce its capacity to act as a holding storage for rainwater. Trees and vegetation hold a tremendous amount of water during heavy rains, and slowly release it to the rivers and the reservoir. Lack of such vegetation will cause, as you have mentioned it, nasty run offs, besides, losing much valued potable water. My question here is, can the EIA study have ANY OTHER CONCLUSION, other than construction of the highway will be highly dangerous for the future of the water supply of our Selangor denizens.
• What about the trees that are cut? Who owns them and the revenue they bring in as Logs.??

You know Mr Editor, I have to take my hat off to your staff for soldiering on and doing such excellent investigative journalism, but it will look again to me, this will be another drop of water off a duck's back!

People First, Performance Now?.... Hah

Going Green

Reading the cover features, Going Green, Mindset change needed to reap the benefits of green technology and Reducing our carbon footprint make a lot of sense, but something seems to be troubling my mind. I was wondering how those businesses and corporations involved in destructive use of the Earth state in their mission statements the efforts or steps they take to reduce the effects of their businesses on the environment, that will comply with internationally acceptable standards of carbon footprint reduction or staving off the effects on global warming. Generally all companies and corporations exist to make money and to give profit to its shareholders, based on an ongoing concern and increasing profitability. Based on such a world wide business premise, for example:

• How would a Timber company reconcile the need for continuous and sustained profits with sustainable practices? We know in Malaysia, it is a foregone fact that annual concessions of virgin forests (sometimes from a part of the forest reserve) are applied for by companies, and often approved by various State governments, for the extraction of valuable hardwood. The companies, whose core business is timber extraction, need regular infusions of new forest lands so that its profits can be maintained. Replanted forests do not have the kind of wood that virgin forests produce, and anyway, replanted forests are unable to fulfill the voracious demand for hardwood only found in our forests in Borneo. I wonder if these companies can ever be classified as companies that will comply as "Green" companies, if one day we wake up suddenly to the fact that we do not have any forests left?
  
• Similarly companies in the Americas and elsewhere that destructively mine for copper, aluminum, diamond, etc. To be successful ongoing concerns providing sustained profit streams to its shareholders, these companies must necessarily destroy more land, and often have to evict natives from the spot as those poor denizens are sitting on literally pots and pots of gold. Again, my question. How will these companies ever meet with the criteria to be called "green"

Or, do we practise double standards? Allow "destructive" companies to carry on, because we don't what to do otherwise? If so, what is the point of talking about "going green" then? :-(

Malaysians, Good & Ugly..

Reading this report in The Star Hearing impaired girl's call for help heard loud and clear! surely warms the heart strings, makes you feel that all is right with the world, and in spite of being the world's worse litterers, Malaysians have hearts of Gold! However, even in good news such as this, there is something amiss, something that also shows up the heartlessness of some Malaysians, who, though they appear in the best position to help the poor little girl hear again, chose to be deaf to the heart rending appeals. If the public could so spontaneously respond to offer what assistance that they could afford, why has there no similar gesture from the doctors or the hospital involved in the imminent operations? Would it hurt a specialist's finances, or the hospital's eventual profitability, if they magnanimously offer some discount? Or have they steadfastly held on to that cost of RM110,000 knowing full well they can always milk the kindness of Malaysians to the hilt.

This episode has also reminded me of a recent letter by a Star reader who claimed that a certain hospital hugely overcharges a patient, once it knows that the hospitalization costs are to be covered by Medical Insurance.

Surely we expect our doctors to have hearts too? Are we expecting cows to jump over the moon?

It's time the Govt stand firm..................

I would like to thank you for publishing the letter, [The Star] Don't buy the excuse and [NST] Investments: make firms hire Malaysians
by the same writer, in which he has expressed some important issues such as :

• Firms opt to hire foreign workers in spite of Govt levies.. " Why? Because it is cheaper and easier to hire and retain trained foreign workers from under developed countries than to do the same for our people..."
• " Why should the government provide incentives to these companies only to see them employ foreigners?..."

The writer further maintained that the Govt should call the bluff of these multinational companies on pulling out their investment or not re-investing.

I think the letter has addressed the urgent need to re-look into our now defunct policy of attracting foreign FDI investments into the country mainly through the apparent availability of cheap LOCAL labour. in the 70s, when the policy was introduced, incentives like tax holidays and cheap infrastructure and utility costs were given so that huge investments can be channelled into the country to help develop it, and more important, these foreign investments provide a significant source of employment for our nascent labour force, which then boasted of low wages, and a general proficiency in the English language.

Since Malaysia has now lost out in this area, ie our local labour are no longer cheap and our mastery of the English language has also plummeted, does the Govt still want to attract such FDI, when they have to IMPORT foreign labour to keep wages down? Why should we continue to provide incentives like tax holidays, cheap infrastructure and cheap resources like electricity, diesel and water, when all we get in return besides some Capex expenditure, are the increasingly negative effects of a burgeoning foreign labour force.

We should ask ourselves, what is the way out of this mess, and what must we do to spur our country to achieve a "high income" status. How will the NEM address this?

Definitely not by pandering to the selfish motives of these multi nationals, who have only profit in their hearts.

No Returns for us
Don't pander to the selfish motives of the multi nationals

Arrange discounts for Seniors

MGD of Kuala Lumpur, in his timely letter to you Arrange discounts for Seniors has again highlighted the issue of the plight of retirees and senior citizens. He said, " THE rising cost of living is especially distressing to senior citizens who depend on their fast depleting life savings to survive..." He also suggested that "Nascom, the umbrella body for senior citizens’ organisations in this country may be in a position to bring some relief to members of these affiliated organisations".by negotiating with corporations to offer discounts to senior citizens in an effort to help them manage their meager budgets.

However, I think in the light of the Govt's pronouncements to make our nation a "high income" society, with higher levels of earnings driving the growth of our economy, I think asking NACSOM to beg for discounts is woefully inadequate. In our push for the country to attain the level of high income and consumption, it will sadly have to ignore the plights of the senior citizens who are already retired and by and large, except for the lucky few Govt officials, will not be earning incomes. Furthermore, the population of the aged is increasing fast, as we provide better health services and amenities. In short, driving the nation to attain high income and a developed status will only serve to isolate, alienate and push the senior citizens further below the 'poverty line'.

In light of this, providing amenities, discounts and other assistance to the elderly SHOULD BE PART OF GOVT POLICY, to be mandated through laws passed in Parliament. It should not be a matter of choice but it should be a subject of social conscience for the Govt and companies claiming to practice social and corporate responsibility to proactively provide more significant assistance to the seniors.

Helping them should be Govt policy

A quiet sense of optimism rules...why Cebu and not KL?

A quiet sense of optimism rules(Story of Cebu success)

Quote: "...Cebu is also an example of how the Philippines is slowly moving forward. There’s a quiet sense of optimism. The city’s economy is supported by its services sector – something that the Filipinos do well....."

Hello Karim,
A good read, and I hope our politicians have taken the time to read it too. I can relate to much that you have written, having spent almost 10 years in that lovely country, organizing start up joint venture companies with the Philippine Govt Corporations. Philippines' growth has been and is still being stunted by corrupt politics with strong nepotistic tendencies, an administration bogged down by serious bureaucratic inefficiencies, and a totally egoistic legal profession. I thought then, Malaysia was a shining model in SE Asia, but now sadly, we are "closing" up on our neighbors. What the politicians cannot grab through legal and ethical means, they resort to using "nationalistic pride" as the excuse..Manila Hotel and Terminal 3 are two examples where foreigners have invested heavily in Philippine landmark projects and have subsequently lost due to 'nationalistic' reasons as ruled by the courts.

Back to your story about Cebu's success. I would like to add one more reason why Cebu seemingly is able to, as you said, slowly move forward, its economy supported by the Services sector (Call centres, software development, etc). Underpinning the success has been the Philippine ready acceptance of the English language as the language of business and and the judiciary and even in all walks of life. In spite of its being colonized for more than 400 years by Spaniards, Filipinos took the the English language like ducks to water, after a short 50 rule by the Americans. It is because of their average proficiency in the English language that made the difference. You were wondering in your column, what happened to Malaysia's Cyberjaya, supposedly touted to be the Services Hub of South East Asia...

Yes, we need to take a hard look at ourselves, a very hard look. I may suggest here, look beyond race, religion, and throw away the blinkers and the NEP crutches.

Am I sanguine? I am afraid not... Susmaryosep !!! (Oh my God in Tagalog)

Factor behind Cebu's success

Joint move to refute Plywood dumping claim... or why are we "throwing away our forests"??

Reading this piece of news Joint move to refute Plywood dumping claim bring to my mind some questions, the main one being, are we really practicing 'sustainable' forest harvesting, or are we actually throwing away our precious asset in search of short time "growth and profits"? Answers to the 'bullets' below would help to clear the air:

• It was stated that a petition was received from the Korean Wood Panel Association, which alleged that nine Malaysian plywood suppliers (eight in Sarawak and one in Peninsular Malaysia) had been selling their products at about 88% below the local market price. While there is no smoke without some plywood burning, so to speak, it would be relevant for us to wonder why it is so hugely important for us to export such huge volumes of processed wood to those countries who are so hungry for them.
  
• Are we doing so for short term profits without consideration that Malaysia too has only limited forest reserves. If the allegation is true, why do we have to sell such prized products at such low prices?
  
• Are we turning a blind eye to forest conservation, just to keep the bottom line and the share holders happy?
  
• If Oil cartels can limit oil supply to combat falling prices, why don't we limit our forest extraction to patently sustainable levels, and also give a time-line when the country will totally wean itself off from "harvesting" our Reserves, and only depend on Replanted trees.?
  

At the moment, and from the Press report, it would seem to me that the Timber business is just practicing the policy of "everyman for himself"

May God save our trees!! :-(