Since the 12th General Elections, Malaysians have experienced all kinds of new challenges, from spiralling food and fuel costs, to political uncertainties of the national leadership and the most recent news - the news surrounding Anwar Ibrahim.
We read about the mid-term review of the 9MP in this malaysiakini article:
"PM could do better in 9MP review"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85192
After the PORR and monorail projects were "deferred" for Penang, the Second Finance Minister now declares:
"What is there to consult? These are federal projects," said Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/2281167/Article/index_html
I wonder if the state government would have been consulted if it had been under BN rule?
The statement smacks of sheer arrogance and reflects poorly on the good relationship that should exist between state and federal leaders; irrespective of whether the other belongs to the opposition if Malaysia is to compete for more foreign investments.
Of course if one were dabbling in forex markets with millions of ringgit at risk, one would not consult anyone as one's position needs to be concealed. Furthermore if the betting goes against you, no one else needs to know about your massive losses.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Anwar's Case - A Timely Denial by the PM but Surely Not the Best Choice of Words....
malaysiakini carries the story:
"PM: Gov't not involved in sodomy allegation"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85272
It is good that the PM has made a quick denial of any government involvement in the sodomy allegation but the words he is quoted appears to be rather inappropriate:
In the article, these words were quoted:
"It's always the case that those who are accused will deny it," he said.
Well, within the past 2 weeks, the PM himself was accused by Raja Petra in a SD and he took one week to deny the accusation.
It seems highly unlikely that the government is taking this action to stop Anwar in his political progress but there is a possibility that some leaders may be involved.
After all, Altantuuya was blown to bits by government servants who do not have any connection to her and also there is the mysterious deletion of the immigration records that has not been thoroughly investigated.
Malaysians can be excused a little if they doubt the ability of the police to solve politically motivated crimes since the IPCMC is still lying in the gutter or has it been C4-ed too?
"PM: Gov't not involved in sodomy allegation"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85272
It is good that the PM has made a quick denial of any government involvement in the sodomy allegation but the words he is quoted appears to be rather inappropriate:
In the article, these words were quoted:
"It's always the case that those who are accused will deny it," he said.
Well, within the past 2 weeks, the PM himself was accused by Raja Petra in a SD and he took one week to deny the accusation.
It seems highly unlikely that the government is taking this action to stop Anwar in his political progress but there is a possibility that some leaders may be involved.
After all, Altantuuya was blown to bits by government servants who do not have any connection to her and also there is the mysterious deletion of the immigration records that has not been thoroughly investigated.
Malaysians can be excused a little if they doubt the ability of the police to solve politically motivated crimes since the IPCMC is still lying in the gutter or has it been C4-ed too?
ANWAR, the IGP and the AG - Someone is Guilty of Something
We have all heard about the problems within the Judiciary as indicated by the Lingam Inquiry and now we hear that the IGP and the AG are being accused of "alleged misconduct during Anwar Ibrahim's trials in 1998-1999" as written in this malaysiakini article:
"Anwar to file report against IGP, AG"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85258
I recall one of Anwar's defence lawyer's mentioning on ChannelNewsAsia that the prosecution had fabricated evidence and I also recall that one of the dates in the case was totally wrong in that an alleged condo where the deed took place was not built at the time! And yet Anwar was adjudged "guilty" at the time.
Now this is what happens when "questionable people" are put in charge of important jobs like the IGP and the AG's offices. How do the police and the AG's offices investigate their own top guns?
"Anwar to file report against IGP, AG"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85258
I recall one of Anwar's defence lawyer's mentioning on ChannelNewsAsia that the prosecution had fabricated evidence and I also recall that one of the dates in the case was totally wrong in that an alleged condo where the deed took place was not built at the time! And yet Anwar was adjudged "guilty" at the time.
Now this is what happens when "questionable people" are put in charge of important jobs like the IGP and the AG's offices. How do the police and the AG's offices investigate their own top guns?
Saturday, June 28, 2008
FREE ADVICE from Lee Kuan Yew for BN and PR Leaders
After 100 days of the new opposition governments in 5 states, many interviews were conducted and comments made about the various problems like this article in malaysiakini headed:
"Opposition pledges yet to be fulfilled"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85158
No one expects everything to be honky-dory with the opposition states especially since the outgoing leaders were reported to have many important files destroyed as if state documents were their personal property. But so far no action has been reported on this destruction.
Of course the new administration in 5 states find managing a state is different from street protests but they are learning fast. But what of the BN states? It seems to be the usual "same old, same old". Life carries on as if nothing is ever going to change.
Here are some words of advice from LKY on good governance. It is most apt as there are basically 3 important points. A sort of KISS for leaders.
(KISS is "Keep It Simple, Stupid")
Speaking at the first World Cities Summit and International Water Week, he suggests:
"LKY: One freak election result is all it takes to wipe S’pore out"
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/27/asia/21673627&sec=asia
The 3 main points for good governance are:
"Opposition pledges yet to be fulfilled"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85158
No one expects everything to be honky-dory with the opposition states especially since the outgoing leaders were reported to have many important files destroyed as if state documents were their personal property. But so far no action has been reported on this destruction.
Of course the new administration in 5 states find managing a state is different from street protests but they are learning fast. But what of the BN states? It seems to be the usual "same old, same old". Life carries on as if nothing is ever going to change.
Here are some words of advice from LKY on good governance. It is most apt as there are basically 3 important points. A sort of KISS for leaders.
(KISS is "Keep It Simple, Stupid")
Speaking at the first World Cities Summit and International Water Week, he suggests:
"LKY: One freak election result is all it takes to wipe S’pore out"
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/27/asia/21673627&sec=asia
The 3 main points for good governance are:
- A government that people have confidence in and will trust when tough decisions need to be taken.
- Leaders who are above board, who make decisions based on necessity, not how they will personally benefit. He said Singaporeans know they have such leaders because, over the years, “We have not got richer, Singapore has”.
- Most importantly, a country needs able men in charge.
So how do our leaders score on these 3 basic criteria?
If Selangor Government Gets 3 out of 10, What Score Do You Give Putrajaya?
To commerate 100 days of the new opposition state governments, the former MB of Selangor gives the new Selangor state leaders a 3 out of 10 as described in this malaysiakini article -
"Khir gives 3 out of 10 for S'gor gov't"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85179
Coming from someone with vested interests it should be considered a good rating and the proper score should be more like 6 out of 10.
But what about the federal government?
This letter will give a fair indicator of what some people think:
"How long are we to wait for BN gov't?"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/85178
Just to quote a short paragraph:
"One of the reasons for BN’s fall from grace at the elections was for not recognising and being out of sync with the needs of the people. Our memos, our voices, our cries, our fears were simply ignored and never heard by the leaders whom the people put into power".
So what do you think should be PUTRAJAYA'S score at the review of the 9MP?
Please add a comment or take the poll on the left if you have not done so.
"Khir gives 3 out of 10 for S'gor gov't"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85179
Coming from someone with vested interests it should be considered a good rating and the proper score should be more like 6 out of 10.
But what about the federal government?
This letter will give a fair indicator of what some people think:
"How long are we to wait for BN gov't?"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/85178
Just to quote a short paragraph:
"One of the reasons for BN’s fall from grace at the elections was for not recognising and being out of sync with the needs of the people. Our memos, our voices, our cries, our fears were simply ignored and never heard by the leaders whom the people put into power".
So what do you think should be PUTRAJAYA'S score at the review of the 9MP?
Please add a comment or take the poll on the left if you have not done so.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Why Pick on PENANG Folks or RM2billion is Small Change.
The RM30 billion extra budget for the 9MP may be necessary to offset rising costs if this had not been considered before.
However to "defer" the Penang monorail that is budgeted at RM2b appears to be rather petty and shows the vindictive nature of federal leaders especially as they promote public transport after the recent fuel hikes.
malaysiakini has the article headed:
"EPU: Penang monorail, Porr shelved"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85085
To quote the EPU Director-General,
"They have been deferred because the priority is given to the people-centred project," Sulaiman said
I guess someone thinks the monorail is just an expensive toy like railway sets for kids to play.
It seems that the EPU may not be the best body to decide on public transport issues in Penang as they are situated in the fairyland called Putrajaya.
This is a form of taxation without representation and shows a major weakness of central planning. Otherwise with all the Malaysia Plans we should have reached developed nation status by now.
To put things into some perspective, the government spends RM1.5m each month on contracts just to upkeep the grounds in Putrajaya. Now that is a "people-centred" project.
Perhaps one way to improve government accountability would be for the federal government to provide development funds to all state governments in the form of say a 15% refund of all taxes collected - such as income tax, company tax.
This money would be used by the states to develop public transport, skills training and maintaining state roads and infrastructure.
The very least the PM could have done was to call the Penang CM to discuss which project he would prefer to defer. Cutting both projects is just being vindictive.
However to "defer" the Penang monorail that is budgeted at RM2b appears to be rather petty and shows the vindictive nature of federal leaders especially as they promote public transport after the recent fuel hikes.
malaysiakini has the article headed:
"EPU: Penang monorail, Porr shelved"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85085
To quote the EPU Director-General,
"They have been deferred because the priority is given to the people-centred project," Sulaiman said
I guess someone thinks the monorail is just an expensive toy like railway sets for kids to play.
It seems that the EPU may not be the best body to decide on public transport issues in Penang as they are situated in the fairyland called Putrajaya.
This is a form of taxation without representation and shows a major weakness of central planning. Otherwise with all the Malaysia Plans we should have reached developed nation status by now.
To put things into some perspective, the government spends RM1.5m each month on contracts just to upkeep the grounds in Putrajaya. Now that is a "people-centred" project.
Perhaps one way to improve government accountability would be for the federal government to provide development funds to all state governments in the form of say a 15% refund of all taxes collected - such as income tax, company tax.
This money would be used by the states to develop public transport, skills training and maintaining state roads and infrastructure.
The very least the PM could have done was to call the Penang CM to discuss which project he would prefer to defer. Cutting both projects is just being vindictive.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Maybe We Shouldn't be Too Harsh on our Immigration Officials?
malaysiakini has this story headed:
"Gov't to launch massive ops against illegals in Sabah"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85045
Sabah has long been affected by the influx of tens of thousands of illegal immigrants so much so that the locals reckon they have been outnumbered as some of these have managed to get proper ICs.
Suddenly after the SAPP upset, the authorities are once again embarking on a massive drive to weed out the illegals and deport them.
It seems that our borders with Indonesia and the Philippines are rather porous and hundreds can easily sneak into Malaysia. Don't forget that the Philippines has a stake to Sabah - maybe we may yet have to refer this to the ICJ sometime.
But this ops provides a good photo shoot for the defense agencies in terms of protecting national security - maybe a few million ringgit will be allocated here since the PORR and monoril have been deferred.
Unless the authorities do more to conduct continuous actions against illegals, it remains just that - more a glorified PR exercise than a sustained drive.
OK need to let up a little on our immigration people as many of them do a good job at our checkpoints - in JB many Malaysians can leave the country by just waving our passports as the idea is that the Singapore side will get you if you don't have the proper papers.
Not anymore. Did you read this story?
"Dad flies off using son's passport"
http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_250948.html?vgnmr=1
Now that's a case of getting egg on your face! No wonder there is this joke about the escapee, Mas Selamat. Singaporeans will tell you as a joke - "he must be in Malaysia. See the many signs with "Selamat Datang"!
"Gov't to launch massive ops against illegals in Sabah"
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85045
Sabah has long been affected by the influx of tens of thousands of illegal immigrants so much so that the locals reckon they have been outnumbered as some of these have managed to get proper ICs.
Suddenly after the SAPP upset, the authorities are once again embarking on a massive drive to weed out the illegals and deport them.
It seems that our borders with Indonesia and the Philippines are rather porous and hundreds can easily sneak into Malaysia. Don't forget that the Philippines has a stake to Sabah - maybe we may yet have to refer this to the ICJ sometime.
But this ops provides a good photo shoot for the defense agencies in terms of protecting national security - maybe a few million ringgit will be allocated here since the PORR and monoril have been deferred.
Unless the authorities do more to conduct continuous actions against illegals, it remains just that - more a glorified PR exercise than a sustained drive.
OK need to let up a little on our immigration people as many of them do a good job at our checkpoints - in JB many Malaysians can leave the country by just waving our passports as the idea is that the Singapore side will get you if you don't have the proper papers.
Not anymore. Did you read this story?
"Dad flies off using son's passport"
http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_250948.html?vgnmr=1
Now that's a case of getting egg on your face! No wonder there is this joke about the escapee, Mas Selamat. Singaporeans will tell you as a joke - "he must be in Malaysia. See the many signs with "Selamat Datang"!
Graphics: thanks to http://blog.omy.sg/ahfon/files/2008/03/selamat-datang.GIF (mind the English!)
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