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.