That is the RM500,000 question that should be asked in the malaysiakini article 49 BN MPs off to Taiwan beginning today .
I wonder what one can learn in 10 days when the growing of crops usually takes a few months for a complete cycle from planting to harvesting.
Now if we deduct a few days of golfing so as to break the monotony of looking at food processing plants, we could have about 5 days when actual studying can be done.
But wait a minute - we do have some rice farmers in Perak who were struggling to keep their land even though they were the most productive farmers in Malaysia.
Instead of spending so much monies on a junket, those MPs should have been provided lap-tops with Internet access and ask them to do research instead. What next? Special trips to learn proper debate skills?
Oiyah some of you will protest - "How to enjoy golf like that?
No chance lah to get a hole in one!"
And not all of them play golf.
Monday, September 8, 2008
More from malaysiakini - Now ANYONE can be an AGRICULTURE EXPERT?
This of course refers to the planned "field trip" so that about 30 to 40 MPs can study the latest technology in agriculture according to the article in malaysiakini "Najib: It's just a field trip" .
The justification is that Malaysia now wants to increase food production in the 9MP and China and Taiwan have been chosen.
Closer home to Malaysia, Thailand is a major food producer but maybe the political message that can be learned over there may not be too conducive.
And "It would be a good opportunity to expose BBC members," though not necessarily restricted to agricultural practices!
Most observers will of course know that this trip is to prevent 916 the dreaded day when Anwar is planning to bring down the government by enticing MPs to crossover. Herding them abroad to avert 916 is akin to the old days when the end of the world was predicted and people used to hide in caves as if that would prevent disaster.
Though some feel that this is strictly not kosher, in order for Malaysia to get out of the political and economic doldrums it is a necessary inconvenience.
On a general note, surely it is not necessary to send all 40 MPs at once to the same places. Better to split them up and send perhaps teams of 4 to different countries where they can really learn how to improve government.
For example, Israel is a good place where the police have the b_lls to recommend that their PM Olmert be indicted for graft.
But seriously did you believe the so-called field trip is meant to improve Parliamentary debate? You're kidding surely!
The justification is that Malaysia now wants to increase food production in the 9MP and China and Taiwan have been chosen.
Closer home to Malaysia, Thailand is a major food producer but maybe the political message that can be learned over there may not be too conducive.
And "It would be a good opportunity to expose BBC members," though not necessarily restricted to agricultural practices!
Most observers will of course know that this trip is to prevent 916 the dreaded day when Anwar is planning to bring down the government by enticing MPs to crossover. Herding them abroad to avert 916 is akin to the old days when the end of the world was predicted and people used to hide in caves as if that would prevent disaster.
Though some feel that this is strictly not kosher, in order for Malaysia to get out of the political and economic doldrums it is a necessary inconvenience.
On a general note, surely it is not necessary to send all 40 MPs at once to the same places. Better to split them up and send perhaps teams of 4 to different countries where they can really learn how to improve government.
For example, Israel is a good place where the police have the b_lls to recommend that their PM Olmert be indicted for graft.
But seriously did you believe the so-called field trip is meant to improve Parliamentary debate? You're kidding surely!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
malaysiakini Reports on Possible Political MELTDOWN
The PM thinks that he has a magic wand that will put the racist genie back into the bottle, according to this malaysiakini article PM orders stop on tiff over race issues.
Sorry PM but I believe you are missing the point as your Deputy has committed the leadership's high ground by making that apology on behalf of UMNO and the Government and that represents all Malaysians - at least I hope so.
So the official stance is that the speaker has made some offensive remarks that require investigation and one cannot just blame the press for a wrong message.
The least that the government should have done was to double-check with other reporters like NST Star and even Utusan. I am sure many people, including the Special Branch do tape such speeches.
He should have avoided going to Penang untill the police had decided what action to take.
I think this incident will deal the kiss of death to BN as we know it.
Sorry PM but I believe you are missing the point as your Deputy has committed the leadership's high ground by making that apology on behalf of UMNO and the Government and that represents all Malaysians - at least I hope so.
So the official stance is that the speaker has made some offensive remarks that require investigation and one cannot just blame the press for a wrong message.
The least that the government should have done was to double-check with other reporters like NST Star and even Utusan. I am sure many people, including the Special Branch do tape such speeches.
He should have avoided going to Penang untill the police had decided what action to take.
I think this incident will deal the kiss of death to BN as we know it.
malaysiakini's Stories on the Political CRISIS in Malaysia
It is sobering that one speech in the Permatang Pauh byelections is becoming the catalyst that could result in the demise of the BN as reported in this malaysiakini article Koh, Ahmad trade verbal jabs.
We know that Ahmad made a speech on a sensitive topic, ie the position of the Chinese in Malaysia and quite a few reporters verified this.
Then we had the DPM making an apology on behalf of UMNO and the government but the man himself is unrepentant and even claims to have the support of many followers.
The whole issue appears to have been badly managed and quicker action by UMNO could have reduced the fallout.
I guess the situation can come to a stage akin to a person suffering from diabetes. Amputate a gangrenous limb or risk your life.
You may be wondering why I seem to favor the continued existence of BN. To me with a revitalised leadership, the BN can be a worthy opponent in government.
There is no guarantee how PR will perform well once it forms the gvernment.
It is like climbing the mountain - once you reach the summit the view is totally different from what you expected.
Meanwhile this song from ABBA has some words that are quite relevant.
Thanks to You Tube. ABBA sings "The Winner Takes it ALL". There is great emotion in this song. He composed the song and his ex-wife sings it
Saturday, September 6, 2008
malaysiakini Describes the High Stakes in MALAYSIA'S Politics
I think many Malaysians are tired at the ongoing political hijinks as Anwar plots to takeover the government and the BN reacts with such measures as described in this malaysiakini article PM vows to thwart takeover plan .
The task is really tough for the embattled PM and even the orange poll at left shows very strong support for a change of government.
Meanwhile this song from ABBA has some words that are quite relevant.
Thanks to You Tube. ABBA sings "The Winner Takes it ALL". There is great emotion in this song. He composed the song and his ex-wife sings it
Investment Views - Slightly Different from malaysiakini
As investors are aware, the KLCI has been in the doldrums lately and even though the trade figures look very good, money is not going into the market.
Of course political uncertainties affect the market and according to the malayiskini article Malaysian investors brace for Sept 16.
Allow me to share some of my experience in the stock markets.
1.Markets are slow to pick up once they are down. It takes longer to build up than to come down. Going up may take 2 to 4 years but coming down requires a few weeks or months.
2.Don't borrow money to buy shares as that is how most people lose money in the share markets.
3.Buy shares in well-managed companies and be aware of companies with strong political connections. If PR government comes in, some of those lucrative deals may be lost.
4.Don't expect to buy at the very bottom or sell at the very top. That way you will be able to sleep well.
5.Don't place your life savings with so-called investment consultants. In the recent de-listing of BSDProperties, I received the so-called "independent advice" long after the offer had expired.
6.Simple rule of the contrarian player is "Buy when you hear cannon shots and sell when you hear trumpets sounding".
In the longer term if any reformed government is able to reduce the government expenditure and channel the funds into good projects that improve the business climate, the market should benefit as FDIs will increase.
I expect the market to take off after the next General Elections when it is really decided who is going to govern Malaysia.
Grapics: thanks to malaysiakini. Hopefully this is how the KLCI should trend.
malaysiakini a Harbinger of GREAT NEWS Too
Lately most of the articles have been rather serious, especially with the political instabilty after the March elections.
But the news in malaysiakini that the USM picked as Apex university shows that the government is still able to make some good decisions without political overtones.
OK I don't know if there were any political factors but Penang is an opposition state and it is good that the Higher Education Ministry was able to make this decision. I think USM started off as a teacher's training college the MTC as some of my school-mates were trained there as teachers.
Perhaps being far away from the political center has enabled the USM to develop more as an academic centre compared to UM that has more political activities.
This should be a good lesson for UM and perhaps UiTM to improve. The former is taking up the challenge as UM not deterred, to strive for global status .
The NST article mentions that
"One of the initiatives taken in this direction was the setting up of a RM30 million fund to send local UM students on foreign exchange programmes, she added.
"Our aim is to send 1,000 students a year supported by the fund." "
I always thought that to upgrade a university one needs quality lecturers and good teaching methods to attract better students. I think the money would be better spent to send some good lecturers overseas to improve their skills and then bond them for say two years for each year of study and a defined career growth path.
But the news in malaysiakini that the USM picked as Apex university shows that the government is still able to make some good decisions without political overtones.
OK I don't know if there were any political factors but Penang is an opposition state and it is good that the Higher Education Ministry was able to make this decision. I think USM started off as a teacher's training college the MTC as some of my school-mates were trained there as teachers.
Perhaps being far away from the political center has enabled the USM to develop more as an academic centre compared to UM that has more political activities.
This should be a good lesson for UM and perhaps UiTM to improve. The former is taking up the challenge as UM not deterred, to strive for global status .
The NST article mentions that
"One of the initiatives taken in this direction was the setting up of a RM30 million fund to send local UM students on foreign exchange programmes, she added.
"Our aim is to send 1,000 students a year supported by the fund." "
I always thought that to upgrade a university one needs quality lecturers and good teaching methods to attract better students. I think the money would be better spent to send some good lecturers overseas to improve their skills and then bond them for say two years for each year of study and a defined career growth path.
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