malaysiakini's article headed:
"PM makes RM2 bil cost cuts after fuel hike"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/84199
is yet another indication of the decision-making process of the current government.
I am sure we would have appreciated such measures more if it had been announced or debated during the last Parliament together with some warnings that the fuel subsidy system was going to be revised with assurances that the poor would be helped with some special grants.
Coming at this time after the shocking fuel hikes and the real public anger and despair, it appears to be simply an after-thought - somewhat like trying to fix a band-aid on a major bleeding wound.
I read elsewhere that we spend about RM400m each year on overseas scholarships and hardly any recipients come back to serve the government.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/84119
Isn't that a ridiculous waste of taxpayers' monies? It seems to warrant a Royal Commission to investigate this wanton waste of our human talents. The scholarship recipients and their results are not published so one can speculate that some of them will be the sons and daughters of "big shots" doing questionable degree courses. Does anyone know the types of courses of these 2000 students?
It is time we made better us of this money to grant scholarships 30% based purely on merit and the rest based on a means test of family income with scholarships granted to the best poor families - with the grants spread out among the most families; ie no family is given 2 scholarships unless there are no other qualified candidates.
Now if these 2000 foreign graduates are absorbed into the civil service and provided a proper career path, don't you think we should have an improved government administration?
Monday, June 9, 2008
Opening PETRONAS' Accounts and the Toll Agreements will Definitely Help Us Understand...
In this malaysiakini article headed
"PM: Understand reasons for fuel hike"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/84133
the PM urges
"the public would acquire the right information on the global fuel price hike phenomenon in order to really understand what the country was facing."
No one denies that oil prices have surged drastically during the past 12 months but since we are still a net exporter of oil, as far as oil is concerned Malaysian still makes a net profit irrespective of price. Furthermore our oil demands a premium as it is of low sulphur - we export top quality oil and buy the cheaper more polluting grade.
The question that needs to be asked is the details of the production sharing agreement. Did we commit our sales for many years in advance at much lower prices than the current market rates?
As far as TNB is concerned, our coal-fired generators are now using a commodity that has reached record prices recently and so TNB may be badly affected.
I agree with the PM that Malaysians should get the right information. How about opening up PETRONAS' accounts and all the secret toll agreements? That would be a step in the right direction.
"PM: Understand reasons for fuel hike"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/84133
the PM urges
"the public would acquire the right information on the global fuel price hike phenomenon in order to really understand what the country was facing."
No one denies that oil prices have surged drastically during the past 12 months but since we are still a net exporter of oil, as far as oil is concerned Malaysian still makes a net profit irrespective of price. Furthermore our oil demands a premium as it is of low sulphur - we export top quality oil and buy the cheaper more polluting grade.
The question that needs to be asked is the details of the production sharing agreement. Did we commit our sales for many years in advance at much lower prices than the current market rates?
As far as TNB is concerned, our coal-fired generators are now using a commodity that has reached record prices recently and so TNB may be badly affected.
I agree with the PM that Malaysians should get the right information. How about opening up PETRONAS' accounts and all the secret toll agreements? That would be a step in the right direction.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
More NATIONAL SERVICE Anyone?
There is a proposal in the NST to increase the number of trainees from 110,000 to 140,000.
"30,000 more for National Service"
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/2260955/Article/index_html
According to the article, the present budget for NS is RM500m and if the sum is prorated, the cost should be RM636m but should probably be less if recent food and fuel prices had not been increased.
There is also a proposal to set up a "forum" to review the NS program.
I would like to suggest with such recurring costs and the health/safety concerns of many parents, a "Racial Harmony Commission" should be set up to manage and control the NS scheme rather than a "meet for tea forum".
I also think ALL youths should take part in a OBS-style training that lasts not more than 30 days rather then the 3 months camps that really not achieve anything significant except to produce a few dozen happy campers.
Much of the damage to inter-racial relationships is done to our youths when we segregate them into racially dominant from secondary one and the whole education system needs serious re-thinking.
There is a very interesting letter in malaysiakini from an recent NS participant :
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/84077
Parents who are concerned about the program will get some useful insights into the program.
"30,000 more for National Service"
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/2260955/Article/index_html
According to the article, the present budget for NS is RM500m and if the sum is prorated, the cost should be RM636m but should probably be less if recent food and fuel prices had not been increased.
There is also a proposal to set up a "forum" to review the NS program.
I would like to suggest with such recurring costs and the health/safety concerns of many parents, a "Racial Harmony Commission" should be set up to manage and control the NS scheme rather than a "meet for tea forum".
I also think ALL youths should take part in a OBS-style training that lasts not more than 30 days rather then the 3 months camps that really not achieve anything significant except to produce a few dozen happy campers.
Much of the damage to inter-racial relationships is done to our youths when we segregate them into racially dominant from secondary one and the whole education system needs serious re-thinking.
There is a very interesting letter in malaysiakini from an recent NS participant :
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/84077
Parents who are concerned about the program will get some useful insights into the program.
Friday, June 6, 2008
HELLO....is there ANYONE Minding the Malaysian Cabinet?
No I don't mean the furniture as in a bookcase.I am referring to the group of Malaysian Ministers who can came out with dastardly schemes to make life miserable for its citizens.
Just read the various articles in malaysiakini and you will get a good idea of the quality of their thought process especially with respect to the fuel hikes.
Read this article entitled
"Business group: Petrol hike too drastic"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/84014
and you will understand why I wrote in an earlier article that the government does not seem beyond a one-week time frame - is it from one Cabinet meeting to the next one?
I don't care what our economists keep proclaiming that inflation is well-contained at about 4% - for the real people who struggle to survive, the inflation rate is more like 15% with the new price hikes. For many families it is the tipping point into the monthly struggle to keep out of perpetual debt and the loan sharks.
If one reads the various comments on fuel subsidies and the various actions they took; especially the banning of sales to foreign-registered vehicles, the only conclusion to be made is that plans are poorly thought through and badly coordinated.
We all know that oil prices have risen drastically in the past year and it seems the government too has been complacent and hesistant about raising the fuel price. With their control of MSM, they should have embarked on more programs to make Malaysians aware of the situation years ago and encouraged us to be more prudent with our consumption habits.
However, the government has been too lavish with its own spending and PETRONAS monies has been used for the grand scheme of PUTRAJAYA that probably has not been designed with energy-efficient buildings so how does one persuade ordinary folks to "change their life-style"?
Each time the PM changes, some millions of ringgit must be spent to suit the new taste of the new inhabitant?
I am sure you can list a few more ideas on how the government can cut costs.
My last critique will be on the subsidy refund scheme.
The Pejabat Pos has been given the task to handle this transaction. My guess is that none of those ministers have been to this place for umpteen years.
According to the PP CEO who was shown on TV3, the payment will be made by cash if you go in person or cheques will be mailed to you. Is this not a wasteful and inefficient way to make refunds?
Why not do it as an immediate off-set for car-owners when they renew the road tax? Those who are then entitled to the rebate must submit their bank particulars to JPJ who will arrange e-payment to the individual's bank accounts.
As motor-bikes can get a RM150 rebate, I think there will be a market for scrapped motor-bikes as the registration cards can be used to claim some monies. For example, pay RM20 road tax and claim RM150 rebate?
For thing for sure about the double whammy on fuel and electricity hikes - the government has effectively killed the BN brand - it is forever etched in the minds of the people as the BARANG NAIK government. Maybe it is a strategic move by some think-tank that by making the government really unpopular, those who are clamouring to get the PM to resign will know they stand no chance in a snap election?
Photo: thanks to malaysiakini
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Common Folks Can Tackle the High Oil Prices Better than the Government...
malaysiakini has many articles on the fuel price hikes and many are really unhappy about the way Malaysia's wealth has been managed or many will say mismanaged.
This article from malaysiakini headed:
'Let me pay market price for cars too'
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/83966
has many interesting points.
Cars in Malaysia are very expensive because of import duties and other tariffs like the much coveted APs.
APs we all know is a scheme restricted to special cronies and is a major subsidy program only for the very rich.
Each AP is valued at about RM20k average and some are given a few hundred each year.
Maybe the government should wean these AP holders of their addiction? No, better still cold turkey may be more effective.
That is the method the government has chosen to get everyone off the fuel subsidy. If we have to take it, why not abolish APs and slash car import duties too. After all, Proton the car baby is still wallowing in pampers.
This article from malaysiakini headed:
'Let me pay market price for cars too'
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/83966
has many interesting points.
Cars in Malaysia are very expensive because of import duties and other tariffs like the much coveted APs.
APs we all know is a scheme restricted to special cronies and is a major subsidy program only for the very rich.
Each AP is valued at about RM20k average and some are given a few hundred each year.
Maybe the government should wean these AP holders of their addiction? No, better still cold turkey may be more effective.
That is the method the government has chosen to get everyone off the fuel subsidy. If we have to take it, why not abolish APs and slash car import duties too. After all, Proton the car baby is still wallowing in pampers.
What Makes Malaysians Special.....
I am tempted to write more about the heartless action of the government to raise fuel prices and discriminate against my 10-year old 2.2 litre Camry but I will pass for today.
Malaysians still have a good heart as seen in this story printed in the Star.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/5/nation/21450575&sec=nation
It shows the caring nature of most ordinary folks who can reach out across the racial divide and see only a fellow traveller in life who may need our help.
Now I don't think this caring person and his friend were enrolled in any NS program.
Malaysians still have a good heart as seen in this story printed in the Star.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/5/nation/21450575&sec=nation
It shows the caring nature of most ordinary folks who can reach out across the racial divide and see only a fellow traveller in life who may need our help.
Now I don't think this caring person and his friend were enrolled in any NS program.
Bitter Medicine to Swallow but a Major Loophole Remains
It seemed like petrol was becoming extinct this evening as petrol stations had cars queueing up by the score until midnight or until the pumps ran empty.
I received an SMS at about 6pm with a brief message that petrol would be up by 70sen. If I had not been going out I would have stayed at home, rather then make a special trip to save RM3 or RM4 as I had just filled my tank during the week-end.
I had a meeting and on my way home, it was bedlam at the petrol stations with multiple queues, with one lane blocked on the road into the station.
So the government has taken the bold step to slowly get rid of our subsidy mentality and it is quite a big shock as previously the PETRONAS coffers were left unprotected with so much wanton spending - just go visit PUTRAJAYA and see for yourself the opulence and how much money can be spent on frivolous structures.
It is also naive to think that the cost of living is going to remain static as I expect the purchasing power of the lower income to be reduced by at least 25%.
Of course as our PM says in the malaysiakini article,
"Abdullah: We can't satisfy everyone"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/83959
(Thinking: "As long as I can still fly my executive jet at 25litre/km and spend RM1m on the next election campaign, I will continue in this tough job")
But they should have plugged a major leakage at the Thai border. Now that they will lift the ban on sales to foreign registered cars, they should impose the 3/4 tank rule on cars entering Malaysia. Otherwise one will see some cars being converted to mini fuel tankers with 2 or 3 trips each day.
But this fuel price and electricity increase means one thing. The government will not call for elections for at least 6 months unless it is going to be defeated by a vote of no confidence in Parliament.
I received an SMS at about 6pm with a brief message that petrol would be up by 70sen. If I had not been going out I would have stayed at home, rather then make a special trip to save RM3 or RM4 as I had just filled my tank during the week-end.
I had a meeting and on my way home, it was bedlam at the petrol stations with multiple queues, with one lane blocked on the road into the station.
So the government has taken the bold step to slowly get rid of our subsidy mentality and it is quite a big shock as previously the PETRONAS coffers were left unprotected with so much wanton spending - just go visit PUTRAJAYA and see for yourself the opulence and how much money can be spent on frivolous structures.
It is also naive to think that the cost of living is going to remain static as I expect the purchasing power of the lower income to be reduced by at least 25%.
Of course as our PM says in the malaysiakini article,
"Abdullah: We can't satisfy everyone"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/83959
(Thinking: "As long as I can still fly my executive jet at 25litre/km and spend RM1m on the next election campaign, I will continue in this tough job")
But they should have plugged a major leakage at the Thai border. Now that they will lift the ban on sales to foreign registered cars, they should impose the 3/4 tank rule on cars entering Malaysia. Otherwise one will see some cars being converted to mini fuel tankers with 2 or 3 trips each day.
But this fuel price and electricity increase means one thing. The government will not call for elections for at least 6 months unless it is going to be defeated by a vote of no confidence in Parliament.
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