Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Things are bad enough as it is. Do something....
by Independant Daily
As we celebrate the 50th Independence Day of Malaysia there are many questions that linger over the mind of its people. Not just a particular race but as a Malaysian, we should all be questioning the very basic constitution that collects and spends every single penny that the citizens of Malaysia contributes.
The question is not whether a Malay should be a leader or if the Chinese should be allocated more seat in the parliament, not yet at least, but the very common question of, is the current Government capable of running the country?
As more and more problems surfaces and kept being swept under the carpet it is only a matter of time this piece of carpet cannot continue covering these dark secrets of the country. Typical Malaysians tend to forget important issues that plagued the country and are in fact condemning us to catastrophe state. The government likes this and is depending on this to continue ruling.
While the opposition is sweating profusely getting answers to questions that never seem to get answered, the government is sweating blood avoiding these questions. One minister who cannot answer questions post by the public simply took 2-weeks off and jet away to an undisclosed location for ‘medical reasons’ were blatant enough.
The public wish to know what else can we, the citizens, the opposition, the people, Your Malaysians need to do to let you ‘monkeys’ know that enough is enough. As oil is running out, every single penny the government has should be well spent to develop the nation. It is time to move away from the narrow minds of one-time projects and pocket millions of tax-payers money.
It is not about the Chinese, it is not about the Indians or the Malays or the Rulers, it is about the country. The conditions are depreciating and as the Prime Minister of the Country, you should do what is best for the country not what is best for yourself or whatever your Islam concept is.
And as the citizens of the land, exercise your right, Vote!
As we celebrate the 50th Independence Day of Malaysia there are many questions that linger over the mind of its people. Not just a particular race but as a Malaysian, we should all be questioning the very basic constitution that collects and spends every single penny that the citizens of Malaysia contributes.
The question is not whether a Malay should be a leader or if the Chinese should be allocated more seat in the parliament, not yet at least, but the very common question of, is the current Government capable of running the country?
As more and more problems surfaces and kept being swept under the carpet it is only a matter of time this piece of carpet cannot continue covering these dark secrets of the country. Typical Malaysians tend to forget important issues that plagued the country and are in fact condemning us to catastrophe state. The government likes this and is depending on this to continue ruling.
While the opposition is sweating profusely getting answers to questions that never seem to get answered, the government is sweating blood avoiding these questions. One minister who cannot answer questions post by the public simply took 2-weeks off and jet away to an undisclosed location for ‘medical reasons’ were blatant enough.
The public wish to know what else can we, the citizens, the opposition, the people, Your Malaysians need to do to let you ‘monkeys’ know that enough is enough. As oil is running out, every single penny the government has should be well spent to develop the nation. It is time to move away from the narrow minds of one-time projects and pocket millions of tax-payers money.
It is not about the Chinese, it is not about the Indians or the Malays or the Rulers, it is about the country. The conditions are depreciating and as the Prime Minister of the Country, you should do what is best for the country not what is best for yourself or whatever your Islam concept is.
And as the citizens of the land, exercise your right, Vote!
With this cash I thee wed: here comes the bribe
by Michael Backman
Original article taken from his personal site
A NEW term has emerged in Malaysian political debate and it arose from a column I wrote at the end of last year.
In the column, I said that Malaysian government waste wasn't "Malaysia boleh" (the national slogan that means "Malaysia can") but "Malaysia bodoh" ("bodoh" translates as stupid.) The column was emailed pretty much to anyone in Malaysia with an email account.
Many in Malaysia have taken to referring to government waste and poor decision making as coming from "Bodohland".
But really the term is too strong because there's a lot that is good in Malaysia. And besides, Malaysia is still a developing country. Allowances need to be made for that, but then the Malaysian Government needs to be careful that allowances do not become excuses.
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi came to office in 2003 claiming he would tackle corruption. His efforts have been less than "boleh".
The man he appointed to head the anti-corruption agency was soon accused of corruption. At about the same time, a deputy police minister was accused of taking bribes to set criminal suspects free.
Abdullah did not require either man to step aside while investigations were made. Instead, he insisted that 85 per cent of corruption allegations proved baseless. But then, that is because most are inadequately investigated in the first place.
Probably, there's less top-level corruption than is commonly imagined. The most damaging corruption that eats away at the very foundations of Malaysia as a civil society relates to police corruption.
A recent survey by Transparency International found that the public and business nominated the police as Malaysia's most corrupt institution, far ahead of more obvious candidates such as public works authorities or land offices.
A royal commission established by Abdullah called for an independent police complaints body to be set up. But the police chiefs objected. So, one was not set up.
Last year, Malaysians were shocked by the particularly nasty murder of a Mongolian model who had claimed to have had a child by the head of the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre, a local think tank with links to ruling party UMNO and the Malaysian armed forces. The head was close to Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
The model was shot twice and her body blown up by hand grenades or explosives, presumably in an attempt to destroy evidence. Two members of an elite police unit were arrested for the murder. The unit is under Najib's administration.
That police allegedly would not only commit a murder but then go to such gruesome lengths to destroy the evidence sums up for many Malaysians all that is rotten about their police force. The trial of the police opened on Monday.
Why have Malaysians had to put up with such rotten police for so long? It makes you ask who is in charge. The police are under the Home Affairs Ministry. And, who was home affairs minister under the last prime minister? Current Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.
Elsewhere a police minister in charge of such a corrupt police force would be fired, not promoted to be prime minister. But of course that would be to judge the Malaysian Government by the international standards from which it has long asked to be excused.
In more disappointing news for ordinary Malaysians, nine Japanese shipping companies that transport timber from Malaysia's timber-rich Sarawak state have been accused by Japanese tax authorities of failing to report $US9 million ($A10.6 million) income between 1999 and 2006.
The money was paid to a Hong Kong company, Regent Star, which is connected to Abdul Taib Mahmud, Sarawak's Chief Minister since 1981, and his family.
The Japanese authorities decided these payments were not legitimate tax expenses but bribes. Taib Mahmud has denied the allegations and has asked his administration's anti-corruption agency to investigate. He has not stood aside.
Not only is Taib Mahmud the Chief Minister, he is also Resource Management and Planning Minister. This means he is also Forestry Minister. And that is fortuitous because his brother, Moh'd Tufail bin Mahmud, is co-owner of Sanyan Group, one of Sarawak's biggest timber companies.
When the state-controlled cement and construction group CMS was privatised, it was sold to the Chief Minister's family. Two of the Chief Minister's sons are directors and CMS now gets the lion's share of state government road works and construction tenders.Wealth from CMS and huge timber concessions have helped the family to buy a bank in Malaysia, and many other assets.
The Malaysian media has reported, for example, that Taib Mahmud's wife and children control an Australian company, Sitehost, which owns the Hilton Hotel in Adelaide.
The wealth of Taib Mahmud and his family has long been an embarrassment to the Malaysian Government — but Taib Mahmud delivers votes and parliamentary seats.
As for the Japanese bribery allegations, no doubt Taib Mahmud and his family will be exonerated. Perhaps the Japanese are confused. Or perhaps bribes were paid and the independent investigation is not independent.
But it does seem unlikely that Taib Mahmud or his family would take bribes. They are already very wealthy and it's hard to imagine they could be that greedy.
Original article taken from his personal site
A NEW term has emerged in Malaysian political debate and it arose from a column I wrote at the end of last year.
In the column, I said that Malaysian government waste wasn't "Malaysia boleh" (the national slogan that means "Malaysia can") but "Malaysia bodoh" ("bodoh" translates as stupid.) The column was emailed pretty much to anyone in Malaysia with an email account.
Many in Malaysia have taken to referring to government waste and poor decision making as coming from "Bodohland".
But really the term is too strong because there's a lot that is good in Malaysia. And besides, Malaysia is still a developing country. Allowances need to be made for that, but then the Malaysian Government needs to be careful that allowances do not become excuses.
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi came to office in 2003 claiming he would tackle corruption. His efforts have been less than "boleh".
The man he appointed to head the anti-corruption agency was soon accused of corruption. At about the same time, a deputy police minister was accused of taking bribes to set criminal suspects free.
Abdullah did not require either man to step aside while investigations were made. Instead, he insisted that 85 per cent of corruption allegations proved baseless. But then, that is because most are inadequately investigated in the first place.
Probably, there's less top-level corruption than is commonly imagined. The most damaging corruption that eats away at the very foundations of Malaysia as a civil society relates to police corruption.
A recent survey by Transparency International found that the public and business nominated the police as Malaysia's most corrupt institution, far ahead of more obvious candidates such as public works authorities or land offices.
A royal commission established by Abdullah called for an independent police complaints body to be set up. But the police chiefs objected. So, one was not set up.
Last year, Malaysians were shocked by the particularly nasty murder of a Mongolian model who had claimed to have had a child by the head of the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre, a local think tank with links to ruling party UMNO and the Malaysian armed forces. The head was close to Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
The model was shot twice and her body blown up by hand grenades or explosives, presumably in an attempt to destroy evidence. Two members of an elite police unit were arrested for the murder. The unit is under Najib's administration.
That police allegedly would not only commit a murder but then go to such gruesome lengths to destroy the evidence sums up for many Malaysians all that is rotten about their police force. The trial of the police opened on Monday.
Why have Malaysians had to put up with such rotten police for so long? It makes you ask who is in charge. The police are under the Home Affairs Ministry. And, who was home affairs minister under the last prime minister? Current Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.
Elsewhere a police minister in charge of such a corrupt police force would be fired, not promoted to be prime minister. But of course that would be to judge the Malaysian Government by the international standards from which it has long asked to be excused.
In more disappointing news for ordinary Malaysians, nine Japanese shipping companies that transport timber from Malaysia's timber-rich Sarawak state have been accused by Japanese tax authorities of failing to report $US9 million ($A10.6 million) income between 1999 and 2006.
The money was paid to a Hong Kong company, Regent Star, which is connected to Abdul Taib Mahmud, Sarawak's Chief Minister since 1981, and his family.
The Japanese authorities decided these payments were not legitimate tax expenses but bribes. Taib Mahmud has denied the allegations and has asked his administration's anti-corruption agency to investigate. He has not stood aside.
Not only is Taib Mahmud the Chief Minister, he is also Resource Management and Planning Minister. This means he is also Forestry Minister. And that is fortuitous because his brother, Moh'd Tufail bin Mahmud, is co-owner of Sanyan Group, one of Sarawak's biggest timber companies.
When the state-controlled cement and construction group CMS was privatised, it was sold to the Chief Minister's family. Two of the Chief Minister's sons are directors and CMS now gets the lion's share of state government road works and construction tenders.Wealth from CMS and huge timber concessions have helped the family to buy a bank in Malaysia, and many other assets.
The Malaysian media has reported, for example, that Taib Mahmud's wife and children control an Australian company, Sitehost, which owns the Hilton Hotel in Adelaide.
The wealth of Taib Mahmud and his family has long been an embarrassment to the Malaysian Government — but Taib Mahmud delivers votes and parliamentary seats.
As for the Japanese bribery allegations, no doubt Taib Mahmud and his family will be exonerated. Perhaps the Japanese are confused. Or perhaps bribes were paid and the independent investigation is not independent.
But it does seem unlikely that Taib Mahmud or his family would take bribes. They are already very wealthy and it's hard to imagine they could be that greedy.
While Malaysia fiddles, its opportunities are running dry
by Michael Backman (pictured)
Copyright The Age
Original article from The Age - While Malaysia fiddles, its opportunities are running dry
MALAYSIA'S been at it again, arguing about what proportion of the economy each of its two main races — the Malays and the Chinese — owns. It's an argument that's been running for 40 years. That wealth and race are not synonymous is important for national cohesion, but really it's time Malaysia grew up.
It's a tough world out there and there can be little sympathy for a country that prefers to argue about how to divide wealth rather than get on with the job of creating it.
The long-held aim is for 30 per cent of corporate equity to be in Malay hands, but the figure that the Government uses to justify handing over huge swathes of public companies to Malays but not to other races is absurd. It bases its figure on equity valued, not at market value, but at par value.
Many shares have a par value of say $1 but a market value of $12. And so the Government figure (18.9 per cent is the most recent figure) is a gross underestimate. Last month a paper by a researcher at a local think-tank came up with a figure of 45 per cent based on actual stock prices. All hell broke loose. The paper was withdrawn and the researcher resigned in protest. Part of the problem is that he is Chinese.
"Malaysia boleh!" is Malaysia's national catch cry. It translates to "Malaysia can!" and Malaysia certainly can. Few countries are as good at wasting money. It is richly endowed with natural resources and the national obsession seems to be to extract these, sell them off and then collectively spray the proceeds up against the wall.
This all happens in the context of Malaysia's grossly inflated sense of its place in the world. Most Malaysians are convinced that the eyes of the world are on their country and that their leaders are world figures.
This is thanks to Malaysia's tame media and the bravado of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. The truth is, few people on the streets of London or New York could point to Malaysia on a map much less name its prime minister or capital city.
As if to make this point, a recent episode of The Simpsons features a newsreader trying to announce that a tidal wave had hit some place called Kuala Lumpur. He couldn't pronounce the city's name and so made up one, as if no-one cared anyway. But the joke was on the script writers — Kuala Lumpur is inland.
Petronas, the national oil company is well run, particularly when compared to the disaster that passes for a national oil company in neighbouring Indonesia. But in some respects, this is Malaysia's problem. The very success of Petronas means that it is used to underwrite all manner of excess.
The KLCC development in central Kuala Lumpur is an example. It includes the Twin Towers, the tallest buildings in the world when they were built, which was their point.
It certainly wasn't that there was an office shortage in Kuala Lumpur — there wasn't.
Malaysians are very proud of these towers. Goodness knows why. They had little to do with them. The money for them came out of the ground and the engineering was contracted out to South Korean companies.
They don't even run the shopping centre that's beneath them. That's handled by Australia's Westfield.
Next year, a Malaysian astronaut will go into space aboard a Russian rocket — the first Malay in space. And the cost? $RM95 million ($A34.3 million), to be footed by Malaysian taxpayers. The Science and Technology Minister has said that a moon landing in 2020 is the next target, aboard a US flight.
There's no indication of what the Americans will charge for this, assuming there's even a chance that they will consider it. But what is Malaysia getting by using the space programs of others as a taxi service? There are no obvious technical benefits, but no doubt Malaysians will be told once again, that they are "boleh". The trouble is, they're not. It's not their space program.
Back in July, the Government announced that it would spend $RM490 million on a sports complex near the London Olympics site so that Malaysian athletes can train there and "get used to cold weather".
But the summer Olympics are held in the summer.
So what is the complex's real purpose? The dozens of goodwill missions by ministers and bureaucrats to London to check on the centre's construction and then on the athletes while they train might provide a clue.
Bank bail outs, a formula one racing track, an entire new capital city — Petronas has paid for them all. It's been an orgy of nonsense that Malaysia can ill afford.
Why? Because Malaysia's oil will run out in about 19 years. As it is, Malaysia will become a net oil importer in 2011 — that's just five years away.
So it's in this context that the latest debate about race and wealth is so sad.
It is time to move on, time to prepare the economy for life after oil. But, like Nero fiddling while Rome burned, the Malaysian Government is more interested in stunts like sending a Malaysian into space when Malaysia's inadequate schools could have done with the cash, and arguing about wealth distribution using transparently ridiculous statistics.
That's not Malaysia "boleh", that's Malaysia "bodoh" (stupid).
Copyright The Age
Original article from The Age - While Malaysia fiddles, its opportunities are running dry
MALAYSIA'S been at it again, arguing about what proportion of the economy each of its two main races — the Malays and the Chinese — owns. It's an argument that's been running for 40 years. That wealth and race are not synonymous is important for national cohesion, but really it's time Malaysia grew up.It's a tough world out there and there can be little sympathy for a country that prefers to argue about how to divide wealth rather than get on with the job of creating it.
The long-held aim is for 30 per cent of corporate equity to be in Malay hands, but the figure that the Government uses to justify handing over huge swathes of public companies to Malays but not to other races is absurd. It bases its figure on equity valued, not at market value, but at par value.
Many shares have a par value of say $1 but a market value of $12. And so the Government figure (18.9 per cent is the most recent figure) is a gross underestimate. Last month a paper by a researcher at a local think-tank came up with a figure of 45 per cent based on actual stock prices. All hell broke loose. The paper was withdrawn and the researcher resigned in protest. Part of the problem is that he is Chinese.
"Malaysia boleh!" is Malaysia's national catch cry. It translates to "Malaysia can!" and Malaysia certainly can. Few countries are as good at wasting money. It is richly endowed with natural resources and the national obsession seems to be to extract these, sell them off and then collectively spray the proceeds up against the wall.
This all happens in the context of Malaysia's grossly inflated sense of its place in the world. Most Malaysians are convinced that the eyes of the world are on their country and that their leaders are world figures.
This is thanks to Malaysia's tame media and the bravado of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. The truth is, few people on the streets of London or New York could point to Malaysia on a map much less name its prime minister or capital city.
As if to make this point, a recent episode of The Simpsons features a newsreader trying to announce that a tidal wave had hit some place called Kuala Lumpur. He couldn't pronounce the city's name and so made up one, as if no-one cared anyway. But the joke was on the script writers — Kuala Lumpur is inland.
Petronas, the national oil company is well run, particularly when compared to the disaster that passes for a national oil company in neighbouring Indonesia. But in some respects, this is Malaysia's problem. The very success of Petronas means that it is used to underwrite all manner of excess.
The KLCC development in central Kuala Lumpur is an example. It includes the Twin Towers, the tallest buildings in the world when they were built, which was their point.
It certainly wasn't that there was an office shortage in Kuala Lumpur — there wasn't.
Malaysians are very proud of these towers. Goodness knows why. They had little to do with them. The money for them came out of the ground and the engineering was contracted out to South Korean companies.
They don't even run the shopping centre that's beneath them. That's handled by Australia's Westfield.
Next year, a Malaysian astronaut will go into space aboard a Russian rocket — the first Malay in space. And the cost? $RM95 million ($A34.3 million), to be footed by Malaysian taxpayers. The Science and Technology Minister has said that a moon landing in 2020 is the next target, aboard a US flight.
There's no indication of what the Americans will charge for this, assuming there's even a chance that they will consider it. But what is Malaysia getting by using the space programs of others as a taxi service? There are no obvious technical benefits, but no doubt Malaysians will be told once again, that they are "boleh". The trouble is, they're not. It's not their space program.
Back in July, the Government announced that it would spend $RM490 million on a sports complex near the London Olympics site so that Malaysian athletes can train there and "get used to cold weather".
But the summer Olympics are held in the summer.
So what is the complex's real purpose? The dozens of goodwill missions by ministers and bureaucrats to London to check on the centre's construction and then on the athletes while they train might provide a clue.
Bank bail outs, a formula one racing track, an entire new capital city — Petronas has paid for them all. It's been an orgy of nonsense that Malaysia can ill afford.
Why? Because Malaysia's oil will run out in about 19 years. As it is, Malaysia will become a net oil importer in 2011 — that's just five years away.
So it's in this context that the latest debate about race and wealth is so sad.
It is time to move on, time to prepare the economy for life after oil. But, like Nero fiddling while Rome burned, the Malaysian Government is more interested in stunts like sending a Malaysian into space when Malaysia's inadequate schools could have done with the cash, and arguing about wealth distribution using transparently ridiculous statistics.
That's not Malaysia "boleh", that's Malaysia "bodoh" (stupid).
More democracy and transparency
by Datuk Zaid Ibrahim
Copyright The Sun
Original article from The Sun - More Democracy and Transparency
It is impossible to project with certainty the political changes Malaysia will undergo in the next 50 years because outcomes of political developments have defied predictions. However, there are constants that will influence our political landscape.
The entrenched Malay political culture, especially dominant in Umno, is one of patronage where in exchange for unquestioned loyalty, the Malays gain economic benefits and protection from their leaders.
However, the strength of the popular votes obtained by PAS in the last three general elections indicate that Malay support for PAS is still strong. This may be a reflection of yearnings amongst the Malays that whilst they value patronage, they also want Islamic values of justice, fairness and accountability.
The approach of the current PAS leadership to governance, focusing less on ideologies, suggests that they are adopting a middle ground for their Islamic constituents.
Whilst PAS may want to shed some of its extreme Islamic image and rhetoric to gain headway into the middle ground of Malay politics, the same may not be true for Umno. If Umno were to lose support – which appears unlikely in the short term – their likely response may be to be more ethno-centric and to champion the “Islamic agenda”. In the future, it is not inconceivable that PAS may sound more like Umno and Umno like PAS.
Already, we have heard repeated statements from Umno’s upper echelons that Malaysia is an Islamic state. I hope that race and religion, which have destroyed and divided other countries, will spare our nation.
The continued inequitable distribution of resources will cause a possible political backlash.
The economic condition of the East Malaysian states requires careful thought so that the fragile integration we now have will not deteriorate. Though poverty as a whole has been substantially reduced, the disparity within ethnic groups is worrying.
Economic issues will gain importance in the years to come and solutions by periodical handouts will have to be replaced by carefully structured planning and better utilisation of resources.
The Chinese-based parties will, in future, take on a more assertive stance in their political play unlike the spectator and supplementary role they now assume. In exchange for government positions, the parties are more focused on business and community issues. This does not, however, mean they contribute little to nation-building.
However, in the decades to come, the Chinese will be more politically active and assertive. Their strength in education, their ability to accumulate capital and know-how means they will have greater clout and involvement where decision-making is concerned.
Increasing foreign investments from China, Singapore and the influx of capital and investments from the Chinese diaspora will compel them to evolve into a political force of some reckoning.
The Indian community, too, will be more vocal and their politics will be emboldened by the growing strength of the economies of Indians.
Even the government has singled out the Indians as a target for more support in terms of increasing their equity in corporations. The emergence of India as an economic powerhouse, and their investments in this country, will have a significant trickle-down effect to the Indian community here.
So, we will see a more vigorous political stance from Malaysian Indians.
The real test of the maturity and resilience of Malaysia’s ethnic political parties will be known during that time.
Being such a dominant partner, Umno will need to adjust to and accommodate the growing assertiveness of the non-Malay political parties.
The younger generation’s lack of interest in politics will change as more will register to vote. With the increasing reliance on the Internet for news and information, this generation of voters will be better informed and their participation in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and political organisations will bring to the fore socio-economic issues that at present lie dormant. Women will also play a more dominant part in political organisations and NGOs.
The end result will be, the public will demand greater accountability. Consequently, a more vibrant civil society will emerge to monitor government.
So, Malaysian political norms will change albeit at a slower pace than one would like to see.
The prevailing political order will not be replaced easily but the nascent coalition of forces seeking changes to race-based politics will strengthen.
Cynics will assert that Malaysians will continue to choose “more of the same” but reforms in the institutions of government are inevitable. Market place demands, the dictates of the changing world political and economic order, and the need to be efficient and productive makes it necessary for the country to be more democratic and not less, and more reliant on transparent systems and less on discretion.
The Barisan Nasional government is mindful and fully cognisant of these matters. Hence, it has to implement these changes or face the wrath of voters.
Datuk Zaid Ibrahim is a lawyer and a Barisan Nasional Member of Parliament. He describes himself as a real Malay and a true Malaysian.
Copyright The Sun
Original article from The Sun - More Democracy and Transparency
It is impossible to project with certainty the political changes Malaysia will undergo in the next 50 years because outcomes of political developments have defied predictions. However, there are constants that will influence our political landscape.
The entrenched Malay political culture, especially dominant in Umno, is one of patronage where in exchange for unquestioned loyalty, the Malays gain economic benefits and protection from their leaders.
However, the strength of the popular votes obtained by PAS in the last three general elections indicate that Malay support for PAS is still strong. This may be a reflection of yearnings amongst the Malays that whilst they value patronage, they also want Islamic values of justice, fairness and accountability.
The approach of the current PAS leadership to governance, focusing less on ideologies, suggests that they are adopting a middle ground for their Islamic constituents.
Whilst PAS may want to shed some of its extreme Islamic image and rhetoric to gain headway into the middle ground of Malay politics, the same may not be true for Umno. If Umno were to lose support – which appears unlikely in the short term – their likely response may be to be more ethno-centric and to champion the “Islamic agenda”. In the future, it is not inconceivable that PAS may sound more like Umno and Umno like PAS.
Already, we have heard repeated statements from Umno’s upper echelons that Malaysia is an Islamic state. I hope that race and religion, which have destroyed and divided other countries, will spare our nation.
The continued inequitable distribution of resources will cause a possible political backlash.
The economic condition of the East Malaysian states requires careful thought so that the fragile integration we now have will not deteriorate. Though poverty as a whole has been substantially reduced, the disparity within ethnic groups is worrying.
Economic issues will gain importance in the years to come and solutions by periodical handouts will have to be replaced by carefully structured planning and better utilisation of resources.
The Chinese-based parties will, in future, take on a more assertive stance in their political play unlike the spectator and supplementary role they now assume. In exchange for government positions, the parties are more focused on business and community issues. This does not, however, mean they contribute little to nation-building.
However, in the decades to come, the Chinese will be more politically active and assertive. Their strength in education, their ability to accumulate capital and know-how means they will have greater clout and involvement where decision-making is concerned.
Increasing foreign investments from China, Singapore and the influx of capital and investments from the Chinese diaspora will compel them to evolve into a political force of some reckoning.
The Indian community, too, will be more vocal and their politics will be emboldened by the growing strength of the economies of Indians.
Even the government has singled out the Indians as a target for more support in terms of increasing their equity in corporations. The emergence of India as an economic powerhouse, and their investments in this country, will have a significant trickle-down effect to the Indian community here.
So, we will see a more vigorous political stance from Malaysian Indians.
The real test of the maturity and resilience of Malaysia’s ethnic political parties will be known during that time.
Being such a dominant partner, Umno will need to adjust to and accommodate the growing assertiveness of the non-Malay political parties.
The younger generation’s lack of interest in politics will change as more will register to vote. With the increasing reliance on the Internet for news and information, this generation of voters will be better informed and their participation in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and political organisations will bring to the fore socio-economic issues that at present lie dormant. Women will also play a more dominant part in political organisations and NGOs.
The end result will be, the public will demand greater accountability. Consequently, a more vibrant civil society will emerge to monitor government.
So, Malaysian political norms will change albeit at a slower pace than one would like to see.
The prevailing political order will not be replaced easily but the nascent coalition of forces seeking changes to race-based politics will strengthen.
Cynics will assert that Malaysians will continue to choose “more of the same” but reforms in the institutions of government are inevitable. Market place demands, the dictates of the changing world political and economic order, and the need to be efficient and productive makes it necessary for the country to be more democratic and not less, and more reliant on transparent systems and less on discretion.
The Barisan Nasional government is mindful and fully cognisant of these matters. Hence, it has to implement these changes or face the wrath of voters.
Datuk Zaid Ibrahim is a lawyer and a Barisan Nasional Member of Parliament. He describes himself as a real Malay and a true Malaysian.
Shoko Tendo - Beauty by Day, Gangster by Night
By Elaine Lies
Picked from Reuters
This is Shoko Tendo.
With her dyed-brown long hair and tight designer jeans, Shoko Tendo looks like any other stylish young Japanese woman -- until she removes her shirt to reveal the vivid tattoos covering her back and most of her body.
The elaborate dragons, phoenixes and a medieval courtesan with one breast bared and a knife between her teeth are a symbol of Tendo's childhood as the daughter of a "yakuza" gangster and her youth as a drug-using gang member.
Picked from Reuters
This is Shoko Tendo.
With her dyed-brown long hair and tight designer jeans, Shoko Tendo looks like any other stylish young Japanese woman -- until she removes her shirt to reveal the vivid tattoos covering her back and most of her body.
The elaborate dragons, phoenixes and a medieval courtesan with one breast bared and a knife between her teeth are a symbol of Tendo's childhood as the daughter of a "yakuza" gangster and her youth as a drug-using gang member.
Charges against Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros dropped
Picked from The Star
The Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) withdrew charges against Harvest Court Industries Berhad after a further inspection by its enforcement team found that the company had done nothing wrong.
Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros, who is one of the directors of Harvest Court Industries, had 37 charges against him and his five business partners in two companies dropped on Aug 24.
Full Story
The Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) withdrew charges against Harvest Court Industries Berhad after a further inspection by its enforcement team found that the company had done nothing wrong.
Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros, who is one of the directors of Harvest Court Industries, had 37 charges against him and his five business partners in two companies dropped on Aug 24.
Full Story
The closed of the most important window in English Football
by Independant Daily
31st August apart being Malaysia's Independance Day it is also the closing day of the English Premierleague's Transfer window. This season have seen some interesting transfer including the return of Owen Hargreaves to English soil and the introduction of yet another 'Ronaldo' for the form of Nani all in Manchester United.
As usual the top 4 teams have made some significant signing (1) Fernando Torres for Liverpool; (2) Florent Malouda for Chelsea (3) Eduardo da Silva for Arsenal and (4) Arguably, Carlos Tevez for Manchester United. As Chelsea and Manchester United already begin dropping points and Liverpool steam rolling everyone else they play against and Arsenal, well, doing well but not fantastically well this season it appears at this moment, to be a four-way battle.
What about the rest of the 16 teams? Check out what's in and what out in what seems to be the most exciting Premiership in a long time. More...
31st August apart being Malaysia's Independance Day it is also the closing day of the English Premierleague's Transfer window. This season have seen some interesting transfer including the return of Owen Hargreaves to English soil and the introduction of yet another 'Ronaldo' for the form of Nani all in Manchester United.
As usual the top 4 teams have made some significant signing (1) Fernando Torres for Liverpool; (2) Florent Malouda for Chelsea (3) Eduardo da Silva for Arsenal and (4) Arguably, Carlos Tevez for Manchester United. As Chelsea and Manchester United already begin dropping points and Liverpool steam rolling everyone else they play against and Arsenal, well, doing well but not fantastically well this season it appears at this moment, to be a four-way battle.
What about the rest of the 16 teams? Check out what's in and what out in what seems to be the most exciting Premiership in a long time. More...
Right Royal Role
Copyright The Sun
Original Article taken from The sun
The monarchy has a role to play as the guardian of good governance and the democratic process as mandated by the Federal Constitution, the Raja Muda of Perak said.
"It is an often overlooked or under-appreciated fact that the monarchy in Malaysia is supposed to play a productive role by being a healthy check and balance in the system of governance," Raja Dr Nazrin Shah said.
"The Federal Constitution mandates the monarchy to be the guardian of the just rule of law, an impartial arbiter in the democratic process and an overseer over the pillars of state.
"Some believe that the rulers are supposed to do so only in a purely ceremonial sense, but I would argue that this contradicts the true spirit, if not the letter, of the Federal Constitution."
Raja Nazrin said this in his public lecture to inaugurate the Khazanah National Development Seminar in Kuala Lumpur last night. A copy of the lecture was given to the press. The one-day seminar today is part of Khazanah Nasional Berhad's series of events to celebrate the 50th Merdeka anniversary.
"While the monarchy is required to act on the advice of the executive, it must also uphold the principles of good governance and the rule of law, with credibility and impartiality," Raja Nazrin said.
"To do otherwise would be to undermine its integrity, as well as that of the Federal Constitution."
He said for the monarchy to be able to discharge its responsibilities effectively, it would need avenues for "genuine and in-depth consultations" with the executive.
"This should pose no problem, however, given the common and unswerving aim of advancing the interests of the nation.
"This unity of purpose will also help ensure that the relationship will be cooperative and not marred by open confrontation," he added.
Raja Nazrin noted that contrary to some opinion, "the Malaysian monarchy is not all form and no function".
"The monarchies that have survived - and I include Malaysia's among these - have done so because they have evolved in line with social progress and contribute to public life.
"They have evolved by accepting the reality of, and placing themselves above, partisan politics," he said.
He said the monarchy contributed to public life by redefining its role to help in upholding justice, maintaining peace and resolving conflicts between contending parties.
"They function as the voice of reason, moderation and good governance, especially if there is extremism or chauvinism.
"In this way, the monarchy strengthens the institutions of governance and enhances, rather than detracts from, the democratic process," he said.
He explained that Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, which operates on the basis of parliamentary democracy.
"The monarchy in Malaysia is an integral part of the country, a symbol of identity, continuity, unity and strength.
"It is a symbol of identity because it is a national institution, one that distinguishes this country from all others," he said.
"It is a symbol of continuity because the monarchy in Malaysia is an old institution and provides a sense of historical significance to the people.
"It is a symbol of unity because it is a focal point for citizens of all races, religions and political persuasions to rally around. And it is a symbol of strength because it exemplifies the virtues of justice, mercy and honour."
Earlier in his lecture, Raja Nazrin noted that development should instigate progressive change - in the way the economy generates and distributes value and wealth, the way public institutions serve their constituents, and the way the citizenry think, behave and act.
He pointed out that the measure of development was not merely in monetary wealth and physical structures.
He said the greatest enemy of development was apathy and indifference. "For the past 50 years, this has colloquially been known as the 'tidak apa' attitude. Every level of leadership in government, every educator, captain of industry, parent or private citizen who does not care about high standards being set and maintained is infected with this deadly virus.
"And they condemn this country to a state of mediocrity. Indifference and apathy cause us to seek to achieve only the bare minimum."
He also noted that there were those who were hostile to change because their livelihood or interests were threatened. While it would be easy to dismiss their concerns as illegitimate, he said this would not be the mark of a developed country.
"It would violate the spirit of inclusiveness. We must treat each other with civility. We must seek to understand and give due respect to each other's interests and, as far as possible, attempt to negotiate mutually agreeable outcomes," he said.
Read the speech by His Royal Highness Raja Nazrin Shah, Raja Muda of Perak Darul Ridzuan
Original Article taken from The sun
The monarchy has a role to play as the guardian of good governance and the democratic process as mandated by the Federal Constitution, the Raja Muda of Perak said.
"It is an often overlooked or under-appreciated fact that the monarchy in Malaysia is supposed to play a productive role by being a healthy check and balance in the system of governance," Raja Dr Nazrin Shah said.
"The Federal Constitution mandates the monarchy to be the guardian of the just rule of law, an impartial arbiter in the democratic process and an overseer over the pillars of state.
"Some believe that the rulers are supposed to do so only in a purely ceremonial sense, but I would argue that this contradicts the true spirit, if not the letter, of the Federal Constitution."
Raja Nazrin said this in his public lecture to inaugurate the Khazanah National Development Seminar in Kuala Lumpur last night. A copy of the lecture was given to the press. The one-day seminar today is part of Khazanah Nasional Berhad's series of events to celebrate the 50th Merdeka anniversary.
"While the monarchy is required to act on the advice of the executive, it must also uphold the principles of good governance and the rule of law, with credibility and impartiality," Raja Nazrin said.
"To do otherwise would be to undermine its integrity, as well as that of the Federal Constitution."
He said for the monarchy to be able to discharge its responsibilities effectively, it would need avenues for "genuine and in-depth consultations" with the executive.
"This should pose no problem, however, given the common and unswerving aim of advancing the interests of the nation.
"This unity of purpose will also help ensure that the relationship will be cooperative and not marred by open confrontation," he added.
Raja Nazrin noted that contrary to some opinion, "the Malaysian monarchy is not all form and no function".
"The monarchies that have survived - and I include Malaysia's among these - have done so because they have evolved in line with social progress and contribute to public life.
"They have evolved by accepting the reality of, and placing themselves above, partisan politics," he said.
He said the monarchy contributed to public life by redefining its role to help in upholding justice, maintaining peace and resolving conflicts between contending parties.
"They function as the voice of reason, moderation and good governance, especially if there is extremism or chauvinism.
"In this way, the monarchy strengthens the institutions of governance and enhances, rather than detracts from, the democratic process," he said.
He explained that Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, which operates on the basis of parliamentary democracy.
"The monarchy in Malaysia is an integral part of the country, a symbol of identity, continuity, unity and strength.
"It is a symbol of identity because it is a national institution, one that distinguishes this country from all others," he said.
"It is a symbol of continuity because the monarchy in Malaysia is an old institution and provides a sense of historical significance to the people.
"It is a symbol of unity because it is a focal point for citizens of all races, religions and political persuasions to rally around. And it is a symbol of strength because it exemplifies the virtues of justice, mercy and honour."
Earlier in his lecture, Raja Nazrin noted that development should instigate progressive change - in the way the economy generates and distributes value and wealth, the way public institutions serve their constituents, and the way the citizenry think, behave and act.
He pointed out that the measure of development was not merely in monetary wealth and physical structures.
He said the greatest enemy of development was apathy and indifference. "For the past 50 years, this has colloquially been known as the 'tidak apa' attitude. Every level of leadership in government, every educator, captain of industry, parent or private citizen who does not care about high standards being set and maintained is infected with this deadly virus.
"And they condemn this country to a state of mediocrity. Indifference and apathy cause us to seek to achieve only the bare minimum."
He also noted that there were those who were hostile to change because their livelihood or interests were threatened. While it would be easy to dismiss their concerns as illegitimate, he said this would not be the mark of a developed country.
"It would violate the spirit of inclusiveness. We must treat each other with civility. We must seek to understand and give due respect to each other's interests and, as far as possible, attempt to negotiate mutually agreeable outcomes," he said.
Read the speech by His Royal Highness Raja Nazrin Shah, Raja Muda of Perak Darul Ridzuan
iPod + Toaster = iPoaster?
This could be the coolest toaster to have in your house. Its just an idea and no one has so far to mass market this but, the least one could do is to make sure it could toast multiple bread at the same time and maybe some auto-cleaning mechanism. Or maybe just stick to your current one...
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