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.
Tuesday 31 August 2010
Sunday 8 August 2010
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:
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
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.
- A minimum wage, he adds, might attract youngsters to stop school.
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
Thursday 5 August 2010
Foreigners may use ‘jockeys’ to fill up tanks
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 ?
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
Sunday 1 August 2010
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
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
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