The global economic landscape has changed after the 2008 financial crisis

I have always looked forward to your articles as they present a good insight into World conditions without the hyperbole. Reading the latest,The global economic landscape has changed after the 2008 financial crisis, and the New Normals I have several question to ask your view. The global economic strategies for ALL countries big and small have always been based on the assumption of continued growth, and even 'new normal' economic landscapes are discussed premised on different patterns of growth. Balanced budgeting and stagnation are 'dirty words'

In the current era of rising oil, food and commodity prices, depleting forests and rare earth resources, irreversible global warming and climate change resulting in great floods and severe drought occurring at the same time, it seems to me that Global economic modeling based on continuous growth in our World of finite resources (unless we have found a way to mine the Moon?) is, to put it mildly, a very irresponsible act. Can we afford to assume that the world's economic systems can grow continuously without reaching its 'peak'? A peak situation in any resource or commodity means the stage where consumption or demand exceeds supply. Are Governments and the United Nations turning a blind eye to this imminent catastrophe?

Instead of discussing World economy based on 'eternal growth' demands, economists and politicians should begin to chart economic situations based on "peak" conditions, ie, for each resource, asset or commodity, declare when that peak situation will be reached, what will its maximum productivity be, is there a sustainable way to maintain growth in this area, what are the alternatives if a certain resource is completely depleted, etc etc. Peak Oil has been extensively discussed already, but have we wondered for example, can we survive without forests, if timber and wood based companies continue to chart continuous growth in forest products? Or, what is the maximum number of vehicles we can put on Earth without permanently and fatally clogging our systems, and what can we do if Rare Earth resources are depleted?

Because we lack the political will to do the right thing (eg Pres Obama refused to let GM, Ford and Chrysler "die", and we allow oil and food prices to be speculated on), we are now seeing a world of continuous strife, where in some countries today, the proverbial straw has broken the camel's back (Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen). Expect to see more trouble ahead of us in 2011.

Human Greed will be the death of Earth.

Foreign workers staying in Slums!

This morning, after my usual morning walk at the Bukit Kiara Park and Arboretum, (part of Taman Tun Dr. Ismail), I chanced on a sight that maybe is portentous of the deterioration of the quality of our living areas in the years to come. At the edge of this Park, I have been noticing a large area hidden by a high zinc fence, and accessible only though a closed gate. As I passed by, a Bas Kilang blocked my way, waiting for the gate to open. When the gates opened, I saw what was inside, and was horror struck. There were rows and rows of those 20-foot Containers that have been converted into living quarters. I could not see more, as I have to drive on again, as the bus drove inside the fenced area, but these questions came to my mind:

• Is this the way employers of large numbers of contract foreign workers are housing their migrant staff?
• Have the amenities been properly constructed with adequate water and sanitation facilities? For example, have the sewage maintenance of the area been properly taken care of?
• Even though the whole area is hidden from public view, do the residents around the location know of the area being used as a "hostel" for migrant workers?

If my observations are correct, then I think we as Malaysians have a lot of thinking to do, and ponder if our massive dependence on foreign workers and maids are having a serious deleterious effect on the environment and the social fabric of our nation. In trying to keep wages and costs of employing migrant workers down to a minimum, to maximize profits, are we not in turn, creating large pockets of slums and sleazy residential areas in the country. Are we also ensuring that these contract migrant workers, on completion of their projects actually return to their native countries? The ever increasing number of illegals plying their businesses in all parts of the city is testament to the view that most of them stay back. These slums created to house them just encourage them to do so, what more if they have started families here already. At last 'count', almost 3 million foreigners are in Malaysia, working in construction, security, restaurants and homes, and doing illegal businesses.

Foreign workers staying in Slums!

God save our Forests

I read with utter dismay, the news report that our dwindling forest reserves are again being threatened Preserving K. Langat South peat swamp forest . What makes this issue even more upsetting is the fact that the State Govt has apparently turned back on its policy of banning any further encroachment in this area. Orders made in 2008 prohibiting logging from this reserve have now apparently been revoked, and greedy businessmen, with only an eye for profits have been active since, asking for logging licences again.

Unfortunately, efforts made by State and Federal Govts to protect the environment, like the banning or limiting the use of plastic bags, will come to naught, if with the stroke of the pen, the same State Govts approve forest reserves to be exploited for plantation and other projects. What is the use of designating these areas as Reserves then?

Looking at the big picture, there is no end in sight for these destructive policies, as under the Constitution, Land, Forests and Water are matters of the State. What our leaders and politicians have to do is to agree to that these matters should be treated as part of our Heritage, and to be protected as such in a bi partisan manner, not as at present, when these priceless resources and assets are used to reward cronies and for short term monetary gains. Change we must, if we want to leave our valuable flora and fauna for our future generations. To me, allowing a Timber corporation to cut down a 100 year old tree from a virgin forest for immediate gain is like allowing murder to be committed in front of our eyes. Do our leaders have the courage to change?

I don't think so.... God save our Forests

Are we decent enough?

I tried dutifully to read through your column, Are we decent enough? and I must express my appreciation at the noble ideas propounded therein. However, it was heavy reading, and all the while that I was going through it lugubriously, I kept remembering reading in TheStar recently of an Indian foreign worker, whose student daughter committed suicide in Chennai, because the mother was conned wholesale while being tricked into working in our beloved nation. It seems, according to the Star report, the poor lady came to work for a family, was not paid for several months, then was driven out of the house, still unpaid for her labour. She managed to find work in a restaurant, at below minimum wage, and she was conned there too, and was again driven out. She managed to contact some social workers who are arranging for her to go back to India, penniless, and finding out that working in Malaysia has been her worst nightmare. Worse still, her daughter, having enrolled in a local college was hounded for her tuition fees, and when she found out that her name was on the list of delinquent non paying students, she was so ashamed she took her own life. Can you imagine what her mother is going through now, and we ask our fellow Malaysians, "Are we decent enough"?

There are many many stories that I can relate to foreign maid/worker abuse, and even just in my neighbourhood, I can give you sufficient examples that we Malaysians, as a rule, are NOT decent at all. I will just run through some examples... no day off, no minimum wage, washing 3 cars daily, before 7 am, with no breakfast, not allowed to meet other friends, maid tasked to be a caregiver, house cleaner, gardener and grass mower, house painter, and so on and so forth.

It's a sad time to be Malaysian, and the politics don't make it better...