No nation in the world has succeeded in a policy such as "Ketuanan Melayu" and therefore it is not surprising that Malaysia too has failed.
According to this malaysiakini article Zaid: Ketuanan Melayu has failed, such a policy
"It has resulted in waste of crucial resources, energy and time and has distracted from the real issues confronting the country,"
Strong words indeed from a prominent lawyer who a few months ago was the Law Minister in charge of judicial reforms.
But even as the UMNO party elections draws close, we can still hear strident voices that Umno must dictate government policy. Those who want a dictatorship for Malaysia now know where the truth lies.
UMNO has been the architect of "ketuanan melayu" and it has been the controlling party for the past 50 odd years. If this is still the philosophy of the party, voters should consider very seriously if they want to support such a party.
I salute Zaid for only if all Malaysians realise the dangers facing the nation, we cannot progress further. Instead we will definitely slide backwards.
Friday, October 31, 2008
malaysiakini Reader Proves How WE are SUBSIDISING the GOVERNMENT
The new age of transparency in government can be embarrassing as the citizens can easily tell when the emperor is wearing no clothes.
Maybe someone should pass a law stating the government cannot be naked?
This letter in malaysiakini Have we forgotten world crude oil prices have dropped?explains how oil prices have halved since that panicky day when fuel prices were drastically hiked in June 2008; barely five months ago.
Of course logically the price could be halved now but the government will face enormous budget difficulties like buying helicopters without opening the wrappers.
I suggest the Finance Ministry should create a special account for the surplus the government is collecting for the expensive fuel we are now paying for. Since the Consumer Minister wants to maintain fuel prices within a price band like say RM1.80 to RM2.20, the surplus should be channelled towards special projects in public transport and upgrading bus companies etc.
I am sure the public would not mind to buy a few helicopters later if they can enjoy better public transport.
Maybe someone should pass a law stating the government cannot be naked?
This letter in malaysiakini Have we forgotten world crude oil prices have dropped?explains how oil prices have halved since that panicky day when fuel prices were drastically hiked in June 2008; barely five months ago.
Of course logically the price could be halved now but the government will face enormous budget difficulties like buying helicopters without opening the wrappers.
I suggest the Finance Ministry should create a special account for the surplus the government is collecting for the expensive fuel we are now paying for. Since the Consumer Minister wants to maintain fuel prices within a price band like say RM1.80 to RM2.20, the surplus should be channelled towards special projects in public transport and upgrading bus companies etc.
I am sure the public would not mind to buy a few helicopters later if they can enjoy better public transport.
malaysiakini and the EUROCOPTER Test Flight
According to this malaysiakini article Wrong Eurocopter price now 'academic' the PM has apologised for the mistake in "rounding up" the Eurocopter deal and that admission is welcomed.
However the "academic" nature of the deal is not palatable as it is important for a responsible government to follow the proper procedures when committing the nation to such expensive purchases, especially when the security of the nation is at stake.
Hitching a joy-ride on a Eurocopter hardly qualifies as testing out the machine and I don't believe that even so-called experts can say much in 5 days about how the helicopter performs.
I watched a program on the Apaches and how the SAF spend months training their pilots in the USA.
Thanks to You Tube. Just like NURIs, EUROCOPTERS too cannot defy gravity
Thursday, October 30, 2008
malaysiakini on How We Bought the EUROCOPTERS?
The Internet is a wonderful tool and buying goods on-line is now a multi-billion dollar business.
So it is not too surprising to read in this malaysiakini article that No inspection done on choppers before the decision was made to purchase the EUROCOPTERS.
So what did the investigating team do on their study tour of the suppliers factory or testing ground?
Sorry they could not wait to get security clearance and besides there were more interesting things to do in Europe than look at helicopters.
After all, they all look alike - see that kit from TOYS R US looks just like what we are getting; only ours cost a few million ringgit more.
Photo: Thanks to http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08057b.jpg
malaysiakini : The FAILURE of the NEP
There are two articles in malaysiakini that indicate the failure of the NEP.
The first article PKNS - 'Get the best person for the job' gives the reactions of ordinary folks who are upset that the staff associations of PKNS do not want a Chinese to head the organisation.
The second article PAS Youth warns MCA not to harp on NEP is interesting that an opposition group still harps on the NEP that has not really benefitted the poor.
The NEP ended in 1990 but was not buried by the BN government - they just changed the name and rebranded it to continue with their cronyism so that the ruling elites gained at the expense of the really poor and marginalised.
To me a policy like the NEP should have been used for 15 years tops. During those 15 years, a program to ensure that every Malaysian family produced at least one graduate in a useful/needed occupation would have eradicated poverty and built vital manpower.
But because the NEP deviated from its intended purpose, we now have thousands of unemployable graduates who still clamour "Give us MORE!"
The first article PKNS - 'Get the best person for the job' gives the reactions of ordinary folks who are upset that the staff associations of PKNS do not want a Chinese to head the organisation.
The second article PAS Youth warns MCA not to harp on NEP is interesting that an opposition group still harps on the NEP that has not really benefitted the poor.
The NEP ended in 1990 but was not buried by the BN government - they just changed the name and rebranded it to continue with their cronyism so that the ruling elites gained at the expense of the really poor and marginalised.
To me a policy like the NEP should have been used for 15 years tops. During those 15 years, a program to ensure that every Malaysian family produced at least one graduate in a useful/needed occupation would have eradicated poverty and built vital manpower.
But because the NEP deviated from its intended purpose, we now have thousands of unemployable graduates who still clamour "Give us MORE!"
malaysiakini and the PKFZ SCANDAL....
It is good that the PKFZ Scandal is being investigated but the terms of reference leaves some doubt about the findings being pursued to the ultimate end of bringing the culprits to book.
According to this malaysiakini article, Audit underway into PKFZ scandal it will be "up to the Transport Ministry to reveal findings".
That smacks of damage control and it is preferable that such an audit should be published for all taxpayers to see.
Given the amount of money involved, a public inquiry would have been more appopriate to delve into the wheelings and dealing for such mega-projects.
I have no doubt this is another case of land speculation involving power brokers and connected political cronies.
It is the simplest of deals. Someone in authority decides the authority wants to start a mega-project that requires land and then the gravy train starts.
The land is passed through a few exchanges with each party getting a share of the transactions as the value escalates untill the taxpayers foot the ultimate bill.
In the good old days the government will acquire your land for a public purpose and pay you the unconverted land price of say RM2 per square foot. Now it will pass through various connections and the land will passed through a few deals and will "appreciate" from RM2 to RM15 to RM50.
As long as the deal is underwritten by the authorities, it does not take much genius or effort to churn out multi-millionaires.
Of course politicians do need lots of dinero to survive party polls.
According to this malaysiakini article, Audit underway into PKFZ scandal it will be "up to the Transport Ministry to reveal findings".
That smacks of damage control and it is preferable that such an audit should be published for all taxpayers to see.
Given the amount of money involved, a public inquiry would have been more appopriate to delve into the wheelings and dealing for such mega-projects.
I have no doubt this is another case of land speculation involving power brokers and connected political cronies.
It is the simplest of deals. Someone in authority decides the authority wants to start a mega-project that requires land and then the gravy train starts.
The land is passed through a few exchanges with each party getting a share of the transactions as the value escalates untill the taxpayers foot the ultimate bill.
In the good old days the government will acquire your land for a public purpose and pay you the unconverted land price of say RM2 per square foot. Now it will pass through various connections and the land will passed through a few deals and will "appreciate" from RM2 to RM15 to RM50.
As long as the deal is underwritten by the authorities, it does not take much genius or effort to churn out multi-millionaires.
Of course politicians do need lots of dinero to survive party polls.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
malaysiakini and the MELAMINE Warning
There is an article in malaysiakini Ministry: Check website for info on melamine-tainted products that tells consumers to stop buying "biscuits sold in night markets, pasar tani and elsewhere which does not have labels".
Furthermore the advice goes on:
“Consumers are advised to always read labels on food packaging before buying it,” read the statement.
Excuse me but do you think the suppliers are going to on their packaging "melamine enriched"?
Those cheap biscuits are bought by poorer folks who prefer not to buy branded good as they can avoid the high costs of advertising, promotions and packaging.
I think that the rural folks also have little access to the Internet and the Health Ministry has to go to the ground to educate the poorer folks.
In fact the Health Ministry should work more closely with local authorities and MITTI to inspect those smaller factories to ensure all food produced is wholesome.
Furthermore the advice goes on:
“Consumers are advised to always read labels on food packaging before buying it,” read the statement.
Excuse me but do you think the suppliers are going to on their packaging "melamine enriched"?
Those cheap biscuits are bought by poorer folks who prefer not to buy branded good as they can avoid the high costs of advertising, promotions and packaging.
I think that the rural folks also have little access to the Internet and the Health Ministry has to go to the ground to educate the poorer folks.
In fact the Health Ministry should work more closely with local authorities and MITTI to inspect those smaller factories to ensure all food produced is wholesome.
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