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!! :-(

Foreigners illegally harvesting tress from SABAH FOREST RESERVES

I read the report on the encroachment of our Forest Reserves by illegals Foreigners illegally harvesting trees from SABAH FOREST RESERVES with a deep sense of foreboding, and I think it is the lackadaisical attitude of the Senior officials in dealing with the timeless problem, that will sound the death knell for our fast dwindling forest reserves! In your report, you mentioned that the State Govt has instituted various efforts since 2004 to stop such illegal harvesting, but in spite of such efforts, as reported here, the illegals are still at it.. But what shocked me most was the statement made by the official, that the "incidences of illegal harvesting from the forest reserves have still not reached a serious level yet" I think it is the taking of such issues as the encroachment of forest reserves so lightly that is largely responsible for the problem NOT being contained. To my mind, any area that has already been designated a RESERVE should be treated as such, that is, it cannot be 'touched'. A forest area that has been 'violated' cannot be restored to its original pristine condition, no matter how many trees are replanted there. That is the reason why it has been protected in the first instance.

Unless the officials entrusted with the protection of our forests have a mindset change, and is convinced that ANY violation and encroachment of our reserves is a serious breach of our laws that protect our precious environment, we will never be able to save our forests and water catchment areas. It's as simple as that.

I hope we all will start to get serious about making REAL efforts to combat global climate change, and seriously look into efforts to change the mindsets of those who are responsible, if we really want to make one of the focus issues of the NEM work, ie Sustainability. Big words must be translated to tasks and objectives that the implementation agencies can understand. The first task, apparently, will be to make sure the country understands exactly what is meant when we define an area as a RESERVE.

At the moment, there seems to be too much 'tidakapathy"

Foreign workers, Refugees, and Business licences

I read the news reports in TheStar, Businesses want illegal foreign workers legalised in which it was reported that a request was made by a business group consisting of several associations, to legalise the approximately 40,000 foreign workers working in Malaysian restaurants without permits.

My question to the relevant Ministries responsible for the "import" of foreign workers, is, How did 40,000 foreign workers manage to enter the country illegally and work in the restaurants without permits? If the Govt then legalises such workers, would it not tell everyone that it is alright to get the illegal workers into the country first, then "legalise" them if they are caught subsequently? Sounds crazy to me.

In the second report Body willing to give loans to refugees.. it was stated that a NGO is willing to loan money to refugees, if The govt would give licences for them to operate businesses. That is a noble idea, but it has brought to my mind the question regarding your earlier reports that foreign businesses have taken over Klang alleys, and also reports of Jalan Silang and Petaling Street in KL, the Selayang Wholesale market, among others, are also filled with businesses operated by foreign 'workers'.

My question here is, If a business permit is required before the foreigners are allowed to operate, how come the local authorities have allowed such a large number of foreigners to take over the country's retailing business? Will there not be harmful social consequences of these foreigners crowding out the locals? Sounds also crazy to me

NEM : PREPARE FOR DISAPPOINTMENT??

On reading this report Nik Aziz denies donation needed for timber concession! that the State Government has denied that fees have to be paid for receiving Timber concessions, I feel that whatever that have been announced in the recent NEM Phase One Project will fall by the wayside, once again, a noble effort being the victim of parochial politics and corruption. I am also reading the NEAC site, which has one of its Key focus issues, Environment/Sustainability and I must say here that though this is a very commendable effort by the experts and consultants, it will not be understood by the rakyat, the politicians who are the "key" people affected by the implementation of measures to protect our environment and our biodiversity. In order to invigorate our rakyat, and to show that the Government mean business, the NEM has to be simplified and implementation made into steps that all, including the money crazed businessmen will understand. The NEM must be stated in simple sentences and not be clouded by verbosity, which, in our nation where English is not used as the primary language of communication, will be so much tougher to understand.

Coming back to to this issue of Timber concessions being awarded to timber tycoons year after year, by the various State Govts, (whether 'fees' are paid for them or not), if the Federal Govt really believes in sustainability of its natural forest Reserves and the benefits accruing from them, it must have the political will to come out with policies transcending parochial politics and big money businessmen to maintain and protect our biodiversity I would like to quote from the "The economics of ecosystems and Biodiversity" where the benefits that can be derived from a PROTECTED forest are:

• Medicines
• Erosion Control
• Carbon Storage (reducing our carbon footprint)
  
• recreation and forest products ,and may I add
• preservation of our potable water sources.
  

In order to come up with measures to protect our forests, the Govt is required to state clearly the achievable and measurable steps so that implementaion by all parties will not be ambiguous, and which will be enforceable, legally and administratively. Example:

• Reduce the acreage of forests approved for timber extraction by 10% annually
• Increase the area of planted forests by 10% annually
• Designate and preserve Forest Reserves (and water catchment areas), to be decreed as part of our National Heritage
• Violation of the Forest reserves and water catchment areas to be declared a crime against the Nation
• Security and Surveillance of Forest Reserves to be conducted by an Independent body, reporting independently to the Govt
  
• Timber Extraction companies to employ fully trained extractors and operators, so that collateral damage to the uncut timber and saplings is minimized.
• Export of timber and logs to be certified internationally to be from sustainable

The above list is not complete, of course, but clearly articulated policies, leaving no doubt as to its intention will give us the assurance that the Govt means 'business'. Obviously, effective enforcement of the policies will be vital.

I remember Andrew Sheng, a consultant of the NEAC saying that for the NEM to succeed, we need political will and a mindset change. Do we have them?

Logging: Clear policies, political will important

Pro-Active on Climate Change Leaders Party List

Hi Angel,
Thanks for the Party List.. ProActive on Climate change.. I feel this is the right issue to campaign on, PROVIDED these issues are to be backed up by SINCERE political will, AND more importantly, detailed in quantifiable and measurable steps to achieve the goals. Vague statements like change in land use and reduction of carbon emissions are not acceptable, and are totally futile, in my view.

For example, to contain the catastrophic effects of deforestation, this party must set achievable targets that can be monitored and enforced by law:

Reduce the acreage of forests approved for timber extraction by 10% annually
Increase the area of planted forests by 10% annually
Designate and preserve Forest Reserves (and water catchment areas), to be decreed as part of our National Heritage
Violation of the Forest reserves and water catchment areas to be declared a crime against the Nation
• Security and Surveillance of Forest Reserves to be conducted by an Independent body, reporting direct to Malacanang
Timber Extraction companies to employ fully trained extractors and operators, so that collateral damage to the uncut timber and saplings is minimized.
• Export of timber and logs to be certified internationally to be from sustainable sources.
  

Of course, the above is not an exhaustive list, but you know the drift...

The PCL Party could also frame up similar lists for the reduction in the use of petrol driven vehicles, and vehicles that are beyond economic use, eg, jeepneys that are over 25 years old? Match this with the increase in use of vehcles driven by renwewable energy sources, like electricity.

Another area the PCL could formulate a statement is a policy to reduce and stop the manufacture and use of plastic water bottles, and move towards the deployment of water stations and renewable water containers. There are many things you can campaign on a "Climate Change" platform, just don't be vague. Dare to Win and Walk the Talk!!!!

Simple, my dear Watson! (Animal Story)

Reading this article with some amusement Councilor surprised at the number of Strays caught (even though I also read that the councillor Gladwin Gomes was not amused,) I feel that not everyone is being upfront with answers to the "missing" 20,000 stray dogs caught in one(1) month. The trick to sniff out the truth, and to get to the bottom of this dogged issue, is for Councilor Gomez to get the answer to this question:

• Where are the dogs?
  

Short of the strays being sold to some foreign nationalities as dinner, they cannot go missing. And if the Council has NOT yet awarded the space for the dog pound, WHERE ARE THE CANINES BEING KEPT? You cannot keep them in a drawer, can you?

I also think that the suggestion made by the council President that ALL the councillors join in the hunt for strays a little bit silly, don't you think so? Imagine, 25 councillors chasing two dog catching contractors in the dark nights looking for stray dogs and bitches!!!

What a sight!


PS... In my personal view, this issue of the missing dogs seem to be fishy, and I hope the honorable councilor has not opened up a can of worms, or, as we like to say, let the cat out of the bag... :-))