Government finally start to admit of our economy crisis. For month our 'elite' government officials (public servants) has given out statement of our inpenetrable economi stability, despite of world financial market turmoil that we be left untouchable.
Only a few month ago, when the oil price at its peak, again our elite club was saying that we are in oil price crisis and had no choice but to increase the petrol price. Cost of living shot up and to date there are no sign of its getting lower. Today, the oil halves its value and now it became the loss revenue crisis. Oil palm and rubber price also slumped. Soon we will see the poverty rate will be on the rise.
Yesterday, RM5 billions, yes, billions was allocated to bail out the undervalue shares. Today, like nobody business, the number had doubled. Today, more than 100 millions ringgit paid out to felda settler announced. It is a good thing, don't get me wrong. Is it a genuine pay out or is it merely to calm the rural supporters whom are the backbone of their majority votes. It is huge sum by total, how much exactly would it translated to per household pay out?
Bailout suppose to only meant for necessity which eventually lead to the most important aspect, unemployment prevention, ultimatum of depression. Knowing Malaysia, would it be for real this time or will it only to keep the rich rich!? We could only hope.
Everyday our trustful media (not like there are freedom of media filteration) announcing all kind of our elite member voting for Najib for the top position. If only he is half as good as his father. But, these are the group of people where public trust lies upon. Were we stupid to let these group of people to represent our voice or had they turned stupid. I could only hope that the media is showing what they want to show and not the truth.
Vote count for our top position will reflect the wisdom of our chosen leaders. If Najib get landslide victory, then I will say that we are heading for the worse.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
Thursday, 16 October 2008
Nothing changed!!
It has been a while since my last posting. Political and diversion issues are really irritating and the stupidity and ignorance is just too humiliating to witness. The world is riding a hard financial wave.
All around the world, worries and measures had been taken. Bless Malaysia for its mighty leader, arose and say there is nothing to worry about. Today, proudly written in newspaper that USA & Europe is using ‘Malaysian style’ of bailing out failing companies. USA and Europe missing the most successful ingredient, which to make sure whoever that screwed up still get the wealth. That would be Malaysian style.
Then come the power transition issues. AAB want to step down and apparently everybody is voting on Najib to be the next in throne. Where are we going with this? Why do I want to vote for those MP whom willingly clap their hand for Najib? Do we need such weak character to lead our days to glory? Do we want Rosmah to be our first lady?
AAB insist that he have agenda to complete. Which are the corridors development I presume. Or is it merely want to get cash out of the reserve and pay for his ‘contractors’ as much as he could before the project get shut? And what do we do about it?? Nothing!!
All around the world, worries and measures had been taken. Bless Malaysia for its mighty leader, arose and say there is nothing to worry about. Today, proudly written in newspaper that USA & Europe is using ‘Malaysian style’ of bailing out failing companies. USA and Europe missing the most successful ingredient, which to make sure whoever that screwed up still get the wealth. That would be Malaysian style.
Then come the power transition issues. AAB want to step down and apparently everybody is voting on Najib to be the next in throne. Where are we going with this? Why do I want to vote for those MP whom willingly clap their hand for Najib? Do we need such weak character to lead our days to glory? Do we want Rosmah to be our first lady?
AAB insist that he have agenda to complete. Which are the corridors development I presume. Or is it merely want to get cash out of the reserve and pay for his ‘contractors’ as much as he could before the project get shut? And what do we do about it?? Nothing!!
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
What now? Kedai kopi?
As expected DSAI won the election and very soon would gain a clearance to parliament. Public had spoken, more voters jump ship signalling more dissatisfaction and perhaps distress to current government leadership.
BN is now in pressure to play their next cards. Let us look onto the possibilities:
1. Sodomy conviction
This might be the last card than Pak Lah would like to play. If the ‘evidence’ is strong, they should already been a private meeting with DSAI to limit his advancement to Prime Minister role. Looking at the current scenario, it is unlikely the evidence even exist. To convict DSAI on this charges itself will bring more chaos and instability from public anger and frustration. Then BN will be in total lost of control and defy all the harmony that they claimed they built.
2. Reduce fuel price
We know Malaysia have a lot of financial resources. Reducing price to RM2.00 as intended by DSAI can even be sealed at kedai kopi.
3. PAS
Malaysia already have shariah law in place. It is only a matter of mandate to PAS to manage and possibly PAS would be hooked to the proposal. BN would wait until the cross-over speculation really surfacing the truth.
4. More funding to Sabah
Typical strategy from BN. Again, Malaysia have a lot of resources to make this easily happen.
The political uncertainty in Malaysia is very entertaining indeed. No wonder we can’t wait to do our sembang kedai kopi for the possibility of speculation is endless.
What can we talk about in kedai kopi?
1. Leader tak sedar diri
Not even Pak Lah, Najib, Khairi, Saberi and Khir Toyo, even Samy Vellu does not accept that they are bringing down the party
2. Conspiracy
a. Pak Lah and DSAI are at the same team.
i. Pak Lah released DSAI
ii. Their home origin is not far apart
iii. Pak Lah purposely weakening BN
iv. Handover in 2010, can be done sooner to gain voters confidence, but no.
v. Let Najib surrounded with scandals.
b. DSAI and Najib are at the same team
i. Top position is not important to Najib. Having authority on defence deal is more important.
ii. Najib brought in the sensitive sodomy conspiracy, which clearly known that rakyat would not accept. This even give DSAI campaigning momentom to be continuosly victimized by dirty politics.
c. Saiful work for DSAI
i. Face it, a lot of so called muslim out there is a non-believer. If DSAI do the sumpah laknat as well, then one of them will be a non-believer. Until then, we wouldn’t know.
ii. The accusation is too lame that it works more on DSAI side rather than BN
iii. We see Najib at PP as well didn’t we?
d. Rise of Tun M
i. God of master planner.
ii. Pak Lah = weak + OFF scandal, Najib & DSAI both have scandals.
iii. He spoke of only the ‘truth’ through his blog.
3. How trustworthy is DSAI?
1. What exactly happened before that he pissed Tun M off so much?
2. Intervention by USA?
3. Is he going to lead us to another BLR spike? We are onto recession.
4. What will be left for Malay?
That is Malaysia truly Malaysia. Everybody have secret box of somebody else. Yet everybody claiming they are the ‘clean’ guy.
Friday, 22 August 2008
KESAS
It came to my attention that our force expenditure issue is far from a positive solution. I posted fact and figures about Plus and how there should be no reason for any excuses to not to reduce the toll. Today’s paper showing LDP, Kesas and NPE profitability and none of it been passed on to public.
Let us first look on the KESAS, which claimed to earn RM5.61 billions profit.
Shareholders:
PKNS (30%)
GAMUDA (30%)
AMDB (Arab Malaysian) (20%)
PNB (Permodalan Nasional Berhad) (20%)
Combined state (PKNS) and central (PNB) say to the company decision, 50% right already given to government combined. This has not been thoroughly deep for GLC equity in AMDB and GAMUDA. Combine both direct and indirect equity holding, I am sure government have the veto decision of the KESAS well being.
What possibly could justify the RM 2.20 per tollbooth charges?
R&R – I am sure KESAS is charging the stall/ shop keepers with rent
Toilet – how much does it need to facilitate and maintain toilet per R&R
Emergency line – it wouldn’t cost that much.
No traffic jam – is it?
The toll charges will keep escalating with the concession deal. The end of it is farsighted, and the 28 years 9 month concession would end on late 2021. Knowing our present government trend, like we observe on PUSPAKOM 15 years extension deal, government would hardly want to loose any revenue that each time mysteriously missing Malaysian public pocket.
There is no reason for optimistic thinking. The concession deal needs to be looked at immediately. Charges need to be reasonable and tax money should not be paid to the concessionaire on profit loss recovery.
Let us first look on the KESAS, which claimed to earn RM5.61 billions profit.
Shareholders:
PKNS (30%)
GAMUDA (30%)
AMDB (Arab Malaysian) (20%)
PNB (Permodalan Nasional Berhad) (20%)
Combined state (PKNS) and central (PNB) say to the company decision, 50% right already given to government combined. This has not been thoroughly deep for GLC equity in AMDB and GAMUDA. Combine both direct and indirect equity holding, I am sure government have the veto decision of the KESAS well being.
What possibly could justify the RM 2.20 per tollbooth charges?
R&R – I am sure KESAS is charging the stall/ shop keepers with rent
Toilet – how much does it need to facilitate and maintain toilet per R&R
Emergency line – it wouldn’t cost that much.
No traffic jam – is it?
The toll charges will keep escalating with the concession deal. The end of it is farsighted, and the 28 years 9 month concession would end on late 2021. Knowing our present government trend, like we observe on PUSPAKOM 15 years extension deal, government would hardly want to loose any revenue that each time mysteriously missing Malaysian public pocket.
There is no reason for optimistic thinking. The concession deal needs to be looked at immediately. Charges need to be reasonable and tax money should not be paid to the concessionaire on profit loss recovery.
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Fuel Price.
Malaysia is burdened by the subsidy when oil price increased but loss in revenue when the price decreases. There are no room for the public to enjoy the benefit of our own oil resources.
So we all know that we are net exporter of crude oil. We have refinery facility and we have distribution and marketing arm. All this chaotic equation caused by three factors:
Malaysia earned from trade, all our light sweet crude oil sold elsewhere and cheaper crude oil brought in for domestic market.
Petronas does not have the full right of our oil reserve. Shell has the most?
Controlled petrol/ diesel/ gas price. Subsidy not only to Petronas but other player as well.
How about if we use local oil resource for our oil refinery and Petronas to market it for domestic usage. Since it is all ours to begin with, the actual cost incurred is oil extraction, refinery process, additive and distribution. Since god does not charge us per barrel oil extracted from our soil/ seabed, then we can’t be tied up with the global price. Excess domestic requirement can be exported.
With that, then government do not have to give subsidy anymore. Petrol price will be governed by Petronas lead price. Shell will have the equal power, and Petronas – Shell competition will ensure price is reasonable.
When there is no subsidy, and then there will be no smuggling issues. Singaporean can fill their tank all their want and we will make money for the profit. Industry will bloom again because of lower cost. Even local businesses will get benefit from tourist.
As Petronas said, local petrol distribution only gives them a few percent to their revenues. Sure the opportunity loss from trading better oil for lower grade would be negligible. The important thing is, Petronas will still make money and government will not be at loss.
How about it? Kira cincai la.
So we all know that we are net exporter of crude oil. We have refinery facility and we have distribution and marketing arm. All this chaotic equation caused by three factors:
Malaysia earned from trade, all our light sweet crude oil sold elsewhere and cheaper crude oil brought in for domestic market.
Petronas does not have the full right of our oil reserve. Shell has the most?
Controlled petrol/ diesel/ gas price. Subsidy not only to Petronas but other player as well.
How about if we use local oil resource for our oil refinery and Petronas to market it for domestic usage. Since it is all ours to begin with, the actual cost incurred is oil extraction, refinery process, additive and distribution. Since god does not charge us per barrel oil extracted from our soil/ seabed, then we can’t be tied up with the global price. Excess domestic requirement can be exported.
With that, then government do not have to give subsidy anymore. Petrol price will be governed by Petronas lead price. Shell will have the equal power, and Petronas – Shell competition will ensure price is reasonable.
When there is no subsidy, and then there will be no smuggling issues. Singaporean can fill their tank all their want and we will make money for the profit. Industry will bloom again because of lower cost. Even local businesses will get benefit from tourist.
As Petronas said, local petrol distribution only gives them a few percent to their revenues. Sure the opportunity loss from trading better oil for lower grade would be negligible. The important thing is, Petronas will still make money and government will not be at loss.
How about it? Kira cincai la.
Monday, 18 August 2008
Sumpah
Secara zahirnya, pemilihan masa untuk membuat akuan lafaz sumpah ini di lakukan menjadi tanda-tanya dan sekali lagi rakyat menjeling ke arah puduk pimpinan UMNO. Spekulasi boleh di nafikan, tetapi dengan keadaan yang amat kritikal bagi kedua-dua pihak yang bertelagah di Permatang Pauh, susah untuk kita menerima dengan seadanya keadaan ini.
Kredibiliti penganut agama rasmi Malaysia di persoalkan. Sekiranya DSAI turut melafazkan sumpah menidakkan usul yang di tuduh kepadanya, terang-terang salah seorang dari mereka menipu. Salah seorang akan menempa tempat sebagai yang di laknat tuhan. Implikasinya besar. Keadaan sekarang ini seolah-olah DSAI tidak bersedia untuk bersumpah dan menidakkan sumpah yang di tuduh kepadanya. Saya rasa, DSAI banyak kerja lain yang lebih penting, cetek bagi kita untuk membuat kesimpulan sendiri.
Tapi, tak ada cara lain ka? Sodom menyodom pun nak membabitkan kitab suci dan nama tuhan? Bukan ke ada teknik poligrafi yang boleh digunakan. Ini mufti-mufti pun bertentang pendapat, kata isu islam itu sensitif?
Laporan kesihatan sudah ada. DNA repot ada. Kalau DSAI mahu di adapkan ke mahkamah, jangan lah tunggu sampai hari pilihanraya kecil. Sekiranya kes tidak wujud dan laporan kesihatan seperti tersiar di MalaysiaToday itu benar, tangkaplah yang memfitnah. Sekiranya laporan saintifik merujuk kepada DSAI sebagai tertuduh, jangan lah buang masa rakyat dan terus meletakkan senario politik Malaysia huru-hara dan menjatuhkan ekonomi kita yang sememangnya goyang kerana teras yang lemah.
Kredibiliti penganut agama rasmi Malaysia di persoalkan. Sekiranya DSAI turut melafazkan sumpah menidakkan usul yang di tuduh kepadanya, terang-terang salah seorang dari mereka menipu. Salah seorang akan menempa tempat sebagai yang di laknat tuhan. Implikasinya besar. Keadaan sekarang ini seolah-olah DSAI tidak bersedia untuk bersumpah dan menidakkan sumpah yang di tuduh kepadanya. Saya rasa, DSAI banyak kerja lain yang lebih penting, cetek bagi kita untuk membuat kesimpulan sendiri.
Tapi, tak ada cara lain ka? Sodom menyodom pun nak membabitkan kitab suci dan nama tuhan? Bukan ke ada teknik poligrafi yang boleh digunakan. Ini mufti-mufti pun bertentang pendapat, kata isu islam itu sensitif?
Laporan kesihatan sudah ada. DNA repot ada. Kalau DSAI mahu di adapkan ke mahkamah, jangan lah tunggu sampai hari pilihanraya kecil. Sekiranya kes tidak wujud dan laporan kesihatan seperti tersiar di MalaysiaToday itu benar, tangkaplah yang memfitnah. Sekiranya laporan saintifik merujuk kepada DSAI sebagai tertuduh, jangan lah buang masa rakyat dan terus meletakkan senario politik Malaysia huru-hara dan menjatuhkan ekonomi kita yang sememangnya goyang kerana teras yang lemah.
Thursday, 14 August 2008
More on UiTM
Making an education institution with sole ethnic enrolment does not fit to any kind of reasoning and explanation. Not only the recognition of the institution itself is severely self-degraded, but also the value of the exposure that builds positive character of the student is totally prohibited.
Almost any proposal or remark with regard to Malay/ Bumi ‘right’ is condemn as racist slurs. It does not take a highly intellectual group to rationalize the necessity, enough with just two minutes thinking rather than emotionally driven acts.
Are we so inferior that we are scared of a little competition? Are we insecure for our allocation been taken away?
Let me share my experience for Malay to think about.
My early education school did not even have proper infrastructures. It was a new Felda area, so you could imagine that we were lack of everything. I was the top graduate back then. I was blessed with my parents work as a Felda executive, not settlers. Back then; Felda settlers were having a very rough ride. Not having a proper lighting to read books at night was not a myth but it was an absolute truth. With little competition and benefit from proper lighting, I soared to the top.
Based on my good primary school performance, I got a placement to Felda boarding boarding school program. The idea was to facilitate better environment and promote competitive edge to the students. From top graduate, my rank at this new town school skidded downhill. Ironically, this time I put more effort but the top seems far away. Somehow, the environment pushes me to do better, and I did. Not at the absolute top, but on the right side of the bell curve.
When I began my study in United States, again I was filled with inferiority. But, environment really changes your result. After first year, Malay student rose far above than local American. In fact, it was not a best option for them to be in the same class with a lot of Malay because we would raise the A par.
You see, we Malay are not inferior. We just never made aware of our potential, some of us did.
For the sincerity of our government to help Malay community, I give my full appreciation. Think again, is having UITM for Malay only is really helping? Even with Chinese, Indian and foreign students in the same institution, UMNO could always help Malay student on financial aid, self-confidence development, character building, extra English classes, extra Chinese and Indian dialect classes, and lots of other ways.
10%!. No harm. It is not even a political act to show respect to other ethnic education opportunity, but it is the least that you could do.
Systematic approach need to be in place to accommodate govenrment ‘sincerity’ on helping Malays. All this steps actually driven by the only factor of reducing economic diparities within ethnic especially for Malay as the majority population. The purpose of the act is to prevent any ethnic clash.
Now, to give full pledge of helping hand for a Malay to graduate with Degree in Diploma itself is not near sufficient.
Graduates with low score.
Graduates without job opportunity
Graduates with adequate score but with little recognition of the education instituition does not worth much either
Graduates with jobs but with double standard under-paid salary, not even enough to sustain living requirement and study loan repayment.
Graduates with low self confident?
Graduates with little or no communication skills?
The basis of this ‘aid’ still revert back to reducing ethnic economy diparities. What is the use of the degree when they can’t get a suffient job and make a good living from it? How do we expect Chinese and Indian employer to sincerely employ a Malay knowing Chinese/ Indian graduates had went on much tougher route and still successfully graduated.? Not even all Malay employer willingly employ a Malay. Most of the employment is coupled by lower salary pay.
Think!
Almost any proposal or remark with regard to Malay/ Bumi ‘right’ is condemn as racist slurs. It does not take a highly intellectual group to rationalize the necessity, enough with just two minutes thinking rather than emotionally driven acts.
Are we so inferior that we are scared of a little competition? Are we insecure for our allocation been taken away?
Let me share my experience for Malay to think about.
My early education school did not even have proper infrastructures. It was a new Felda area, so you could imagine that we were lack of everything. I was the top graduate back then. I was blessed with my parents work as a Felda executive, not settlers. Back then; Felda settlers were having a very rough ride. Not having a proper lighting to read books at night was not a myth but it was an absolute truth. With little competition and benefit from proper lighting, I soared to the top.
Based on my good primary school performance, I got a placement to Felda boarding boarding school program. The idea was to facilitate better environment and promote competitive edge to the students. From top graduate, my rank at this new town school skidded downhill. Ironically, this time I put more effort but the top seems far away. Somehow, the environment pushes me to do better, and I did. Not at the absolute top, but on the right side of the bell curve.
When I began my study in United States, again I was filled with inferiority. But, environment really changes your result. After first year, Malay student rose far above than local American. In fact, it was not a best option for them to be in the same class with a lot of Malay because we would raise the A par.
You see, we Malay are not inferior. We just never made aware of our potential, some of us did.
For the sincerity of our government to help Malay community, I give my full appreciation. Think again, is having UITM for Malay only is really helping? Even with Chinese, Indian and foreign students in the same institution, UMNO could always help Malay student on financial aid, self-confidence development, character building, extra English classes, extra Chinese and Indian dialect classes, and lots of other ways.
10%!. No harm. It is not even a political act to show respect to other ethnic education opportunity, but it is the least that you could do.
Systematic approach need to be in place to accommodate govenrment ‘sincerity’ on helping Malays. All this steps actually driven by the only factor of reducing economic diparities within ethnic especially for Malay as the majority population. The purpose of the act is to prevent any ethnic clash.
Now, to give full pledge of helping hand for a Malay to graduate with Degree in Diploma itself is not near sufficient.
Graduates with low score.
Graduates without job opportunity
Graduates with adequate score but with little recognition of the education instituition does not worth much either
Graduates with jobs but with double standard under-paid salary, not even enough to sustain living requirement and study loan repayment.
Graduates with low self confident?
Graduates with little or no communication skills?
The basis of this ‘aid’ still revert back to reducing ethnic economy diparities. What is the use of the degree when they can’t get a suffient job and make a good living from it? How do we expect Chinese and Indian employer to sincerely employ a Malay knowing Chinese/ Indian graduates had went on much tougher route and still successfully graduated.? Not even all Malay employer willingly employ a Malay. Most of the employment is coupled by lower salary pay.
Think!
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
UiTM -
I wasn’t aware UITM only meant for Bumiputra only. Frankly, I don’t see any reason why Chinese and Indian are not allowed to enter UiTM especially when limited to 10% only. At this age of modernization and toleration between ethnic, how could it be wrong.
I am not entirely with Malaysia for Malaysian concept especially on the stripping off Malay privilege part. Nevertheless, at certain aspect, the privilege does seem too much and a little flexibility wouldn’t hurt.
I do applaud to Tan Sri Khalid for his bravery on poking his finger into this ‘sensitive’ issue. I am also completely agree with the Datuk Seri Khaled criticism on the singular primary education system is more effective on racial harmony approach. In fact, I already voiced out my opinion on this on my previous ‘article’.
This issue however is not merely about racial harmony. Whilst our previous leadership see eye-to-eye on the importance of minimizing racial economic disparity, we now should embark on minimizing racial opportunity disparities.
Chinese and Indian have every right to enjoy at least a portion as oppose to none of our higher education opportunity. Malays on the other hand, have every right to earn a good job with good pays from Chinese and Indian company with lesser amount of double standard.
That is the truth about Malaysia system.
We know Malay proverb, ‘bertepuk sebelah tangan’ (clapping with one hand). It simply means just one side of table doing some action will not result to the desired outcome. On this Bumis versus non-Bumis, it is now in chicken and egg situation. Does Bumis waiting for non-Bumis opening up their tolerance and reducing double-standard perception or vice-versa. The truth of the matter is both side are surrounded with fear and insecurity of losing.
I am not entirely with Malaysia for Malaysian concept especially on the stripping off Malay privilege part. Nevertheless, at certain aspect, the privilege does seem too much and a little flexibility wouldn’t hurt.
I do applaud to Tan Sri Khalid for his bravery on poking his finger into this ‘sensitive’ issue. I am also completely agree with the Datuk Seri Khaled criticism on the singular primary education system is more effective on racial harmony approach. In fact, I already voiced out my opinion on this on my previous ‘article’.
This issue however is not merely about racial harmony. Whilst our previous leadership see eye-to-eye on the importance of minimizing racial economic disparity, we now should embark on minimizing racial opportunity disparities.
Chinese and Indian have every right to enjoy at least a portion as oppose to none of our higher education opportunity. Malays on the other hand, have every right to earn a good job with good pays from Chinese and Indian company with lesser amount of double standard.
That is the truth about Malaysia system.
We know Malay proverb, ‘bertepuk sebelah tangan’ (clapping with one hand). It simply means just one side of table doing some action will not result to the desired outcome. On this Bumis versus non-Bumis, it is now in chicken and egg situation. Does Bumis waiting for non-Bumis opening up their tolerance and reducing double-standard perception or vice-versa. The truth of the matter is both side are surrounded with fear and insecurity of losing.
Monday, 11 August 2008
Corridors development – Are we serious about this?
Whilst WAWASAN 2020 stressing on balance of economic power with cultural preservation, Corridors development focusing on development alone.
Looking at the project criteria, Iskandar Corridor namely, I simply can’t compute the actual benefit of this massive development plan to the local resident and Malaysian.
Understandably, three main government obligations to the public are job opportunity (unemployment prevention), eradicate poverty and provide infrastructure.
Ever since privatization era, our government seems passing all the development cost to the public. The public partially fund the project, a body raised the total financial obligations and the public is forced to be the customer with little or no option to alternative.
Iskandar (or AAB lead government) has taken this step even further. Based on my understanding, this project is self-finance project whereby the ‘sponsor’ or ‘investor’ is not limited to locals or with local partnership but done in more open opportunity to foreign power. The benefits through tax exemption, red tape cutting, expatriation and foreign residency is massive. Without our political turmoil, if I am a foreigner with money to spend, I will not have to evaluate much deeper but to participate in this development.
Back to the three government obligations to the public, yes, this project will benefit Malaysian and local resident on jobs, rising living standards and maybe profited by the infrastructures.
It is not the benefit that I am worried about, but the consequences.
Improved local living standard will be subdued by escalating local inflation with flooded ex-pats that are in spending spree when they are here. Look at Bangsar, Kota Damansara and other semi-flooded ex-pat areas and how much is the cost of foods and goods there.
>Social destruction. Massive count of wealthy foreign man looking for entertainments.
>Lost of land ownership by the locals
>Cheaper foreigners will conquer Job opportunity for lower income segment.
>Double standard on salary pays for middle-income group. Ex-pat will be paid lavishly as always and the balance from the human resource spending budget to be segregated amongst the local employee.
>Local will dismissed themselves from the area due to high cost of living.
>This development will eventually burdened the locals and the area will be capitalized by foreign residence.
On immediate effect the cost of land ownership had increased tremendously throughout Malaysia. As the corridor covers north, south, middle, east and west, there are no escaping from this perpetuate property inflation. Coupled with food supply crisis and rising of rubber and palm oil commodities, the escalation is inescapable. On this aspect, I am particularly disappointed for the chances of people like me to own a piece of land for project or future investment is made impossible.
Looking from a broader aspect, I can’t find a valid reason why our government is very keen on type of development. First of all, the total cost run up to billions ringgit and we have no resource to fund such scale, thus foreign investor is needed. Secondly, we are quite healthy on country revenue growth, why can’t we stick to our finance capability and execute any project with full benefit potential to Malaysian rather than outsiders? Most importantly, where is our so-called wealth disappearing until we are depending so much on foreigners? And why do we want to go to high-risk development plan with uncertainties of world economy performance.
Recap to our economy blooms:
>Light crude oil revenue has quadruple since 5 years ago.
>Fuel subsidy mostly removed creating more revenues to government. More revenue fuel user.
>Oil palm and rubber export revenue has at least tripled. Thousands of poverty bracket group has been removed.
>All agriculture products price has inflated. More poverty bracket group has been eliminated.
>Almost all the new infrastructure is paid by ‘private’ and public is forced to contribute lavishly on usage of the infrastructure and services.
>Vehicle excise duty and sales tax still high.
Come to think of it, I can’t extract of where our nation revenue being utilized?
>Education – we are out-ranked by our neighbouring country.
>Medical – my company have been paying for my medical bills.
>Security – we are far from 1:250 policemen: public ratio. A lot of suburb areas does not even have police/ mini police station. I wonder why crime statistic is high?
>Defence – what do we have? More money been spent on Nuri maintenance and compensation to Nuri’s unfortunate crashed patriots.
>Controlling media?
>‘Dividend’ to MPs, EXCO, etc?
>FRU?
>Tourism campaign?Cleanliness and health? Look at our river quality.
Looking at the project criteria, Iskandar Corridor namely, I simply can’t compute the actual benefit of this massive development plan to the local resident and Malaysian.
Understandably, three main government obligations to the public are job opportunity (unemployment prevention), eradicate poverty and provide infrastructure.
Ever since privatization era, our government seems passing all the development cost to the public. The public partially fund the project, a body raised the total financial obligations and the public is forced to be the customer with little or no option to alternative.
Iskandar (or AAB lead government) has taken this step even further. Based on my understanding, this project is self-finance project whereby the ‘sponsor’ or ‘investor’ is not limited to locals or with local partnership but done in more open opportunity to foreign power. The benefits through tax exemption, red tape cutting, expatriation and foreign residency is massive. Without our political turmoil, if I am a foreigner with money to spend, I will not have to evaluate much deeper but to participate in this development.
Back to the three government obligations to the public, yes, this project will benefit Malaysian and local resident on jobs, rising living standards and maybe profited by the infrastructures.
It is not the benefit that I am worried about, but the consequences.
Improved local living standard will be subdued by escalating local inflation with flooded ex-pats that are in spending spree when they are here. Look at Bangsar, Kota Damansara and other semi-flooded ex-pat areas and how much is the cost of foods and goods there.
>Social destruction. Massive count of wealthy foreign man looking for entertainments.
>Lost of land ownership by the locals
>Cheaper foreigners will conquer Job opportunity for lower income segment.
>Double standard on salary pays for middle-income group. Ex-pat will be paid lavishly as always and the balance from the human resource spending budget to be segregated amongst the local employee.
>Local will dismissed themselves from the area due to high cost of living.
>This development will eventually burdened the locals and the area will be capitalized by foreign residence.
On immediate effect the cost of land ownership had increased tremendously throughout Malaysia. As the corridor covers north, south, middle, east and west, there are no escaping from this perpetuate property inflation. Coupled with food supply crisis and rising of rubber and palm oil commodities, the escalation is inescapable. On this aspect, I am particularly disappointed for the chances of people like me to own a piece of land for project or future investment is made impossible.
Looking from a broader aspect, I can’t find a valid reason why our government is very keen on type of development. First of all, the total cost run up to billions ringgit and we have no resource to fund such scale, thus foreign investor is needed. Secondly, we are quite healthy on country revenue growth, why can’t we stick to our finance capability and execute any project with full benefit potential to Malaysian rather than outsiders? Most importantly, where is our so-called wealth disappearing until we are depending so much on foreigners? And why do we want to go to high-risk development plan with uncertainties of world economy performance.
Recap to our economy blooms:
>Light crude oil revenue has quadruple since 5 years ago.
>Fuel subsidy mostly removed creating more revenues to government. More revenue fuel user.
>Oil palm and rubber export revenue has at least tripled. Thousands of poverty bracket group has been removed.
>All agriculture products price has inflated. More poverty bracket group has been eliminated.
>Almost all the new infrastructure is paid by ‘private’ and public is forced to contribute lavishly on usage of the infrastructure and services.
>Vehicle excise duty and sales tax still high.
Come to think of it, I can’t extract of where our nation revenue being utilized?
>Education – we are out-ranked by our neighbouring country.
>Medical – my company have been paying for my medical bills.
>Security – we are far from 1:250 policemen: public ratio. A lot of suburb areas does not even have police/ mini police station. I wonder why crime statistic is high?
>Defence – what do we have? More money been spent on Nuri maintenance and compensation to Nuri’s unfortunate crashed patriots.
>Controlling media?
>‘Dividend’ to MPs, EXCO, etc?
>FRU?
>Tourism campaign?Cleanliness and health? Look at our river quality.
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
Hire Purchase - should we surrender our car to the bank?
I bought a new car 3.5 years ago and now I am stuck with it. The car acceptable values the market worth about 20k but I have 25k on my outstanding hire purchase balance. During the acquisition, I paid 3.9k for the down payment.
I need a bigger car. I want to sell this car but I still have to pay extra 5k to the bank for the full settlement and down payment to the new car. Plus 6k for the new car down payment, I am exposed to 11k financial catastrophe to make it better for my family.
Part of the reason is the second-hand car value is crashing down. Ever-changing NAP does not help. 9 years loan still resulting me to pay quite excessively but the effect on principal knock down is far under the car depreciation.
3 financial institutions made a press statement for their intent to reduce our burden by extending the hire purchase term. As a result, our monthly instalment would be reduced but we would be further sink with the car to the grave. If this is the ideal car for my family, I would be very happy. I am sure a lot of people are in the same shoe as me, we can’t straight away buy a big car, and instead we have to climb the ladder. Now the ladder is broken.
The bank also stating that they are re-posses as much of 2500 cars a month. This equate to losses. The car re-sale value is low, lots of it in poor condition and there are costs of re-possession of hiring the bouncer to take away the key. This also represent 2500 potential customer being black listed. Minus figures for their liking. Not to mention the cost of storage and tender out the cars.
In the newspaper it was also stated that we could surrender our car back to the financial institution. After all, that would be what Hire Purchase mean to me. Whether our name will be blacklisted too by surrendering the car, I am not quite sure. Nevertheless, that is the solution that I am seriously considering at the moment.
Extending the term is not a solution for me. As I said, I need a bigger car.
I am more acceptable to interest reduction or elimination. The bank would have choice to reduce the instalment based on the reduced/-eliminated interest or giving us a fair chance to cope up with the depreciation.
A wise thing to do is to have the bank to make a better offer to us as I mention above. First, each of us need to do some survey of how much cash would you get by selling off the car. First, contact the bank to ask for outstanding amount, then go to a few second-hand car dealer to see how much they would take the car for and go to free advertisement column in newspaper or website to see the perceived market values. It might be worth to call a few of the private advertiser to see whether they manage to sell their car at reasonable timeframe, or that would their hope price for the car only.
Should the cash come out negative, I would like to call for unity on this activity. We need to start calling the bank again and state our intent to surrender the car, say in October after raya. By having high statistic, they have to re-evaluate their offers and bound to meet to our proposal. As we know, the car value is less and re-possession would create losses to them. What we are asking is for them to cut our losses and make less money on us without actually making losses on their end. Fair.
Actual surrendering the car in mass would create a big loss gap in the financial institution. For our economy sake, I wouldn’t want that to happen. But they must be conscious about our issues too. Therefore, a compromise is needed. We are thinking of them and they have to think of us. Should they ignore us, and then it will leave us little choice on mass surrendering the car despite the negative effect of their cash flow.
It is my family that I want to feed first, not our government, economy and bank.
I need a bigger car. I want to sell this car but I still have to pay extra 5k to the bank for the full settlement and down payment to the new car. Plus 6k for the new car down payment, I am exposed to 11k financial catastrophe to make it better for my family.
Part of the reason is the second-hand car value is crashing down. Ever-changing NAP does not help. 9 years loan still resulting me to pay quite excessively but the effect on principal knock down is far under the car depreciation.
3 financial institutions made a press statement for their intent to reduce our burden by extending the hire purchase term. As a result, our monthly instalment would be reduced but we would be further sink with the car to the grave. If this is the ideal car for my family, I would be very happy. I am sure a lot of people are in the same shoe as me, we can’t straight away buy a big car, and instead we have to climb the ladder. Now the ladder is broken.
The bank also stating that they are re-posses as much of 2500 cars a month. This equate to losses. The car re-sale value is low, lots of it in poor condition and there are costs of re-possession of hiring the bouncer to take away the key. This also represent 2500 potential customer being black listed. Minus figures for their liking. Not to mention the cost of storage and tender out the cars.
In the newspaper it was also stated that we could surrender our car back to the financial institution. After all, that would be what Hire Purchase mean to me. Whether our name will be blacklisted too by surrendering the car, I am not quite sure. Nevertheless, that is the solution that I am seriously considering at the moment.
Extending the term is not a solution for me. As I said, I need a bigger car.
I am more acceptable to interest reduction or elimination. The bank would have choice to reduce the instalment based on the reduced/-eliminated interest or giving us a fair chance to cope up with the depreciation.
A wise thing to do is to have the bank to make a better offer to us as I mention above. First, each of us need to do some survey of how much cash would you get by selling off the car. First, contact the bank to ask for outstanding amount, then go to a few second-hand car dealer to see how much they would take the car for and go to free advertisement column in newspaper or website to see the perceived market values. It might be worth to call a few of the private advertiser to see whether they manage to sell their car at reasonable timeframe, or that would their hope price for the car only.
Should the cash come out negative, I would like to call for unity on this activity. We need to start calling the bank again and state our intent to surrender the car, say in October after raya. By having high statistic, they have to re-evaluate their offers and bound to meet to our proposal. As we know, the car value is less and re-possession would create losses to them. What we are asking is for them to cut our losses and make less money on us without actually making losses on their end. Fair.
Actual surrendering the car in mass would create a big loss gap in the financial institution. For our economy sake, I wouldn’t want that to happen. But they must be conscious about our issues too. Therefore, a compromise is needed. We are thinking of them and they have to think of us. Should they ignore us, and then it will leave us little choice on mass surrendering the car despite the negative effect of their cash flow.
It is my family that I want to feed first, not our government, economy and bank.
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Chinese holding the key for new government formation
PKR de-facto leader is about to make a re-entry to parliament. Chances of him losing the seat on the re-election are very slim.
BN have nothing to offer to the voters. Since the election, BN had failed to show or even focus to develop this country. All that public saw were Penang were punished by denial of the 4 billions worth project, Kedah with the lodging funds issue, Terengganu never ending royalty disappearance issue, Sabah no-confident votes awarded with multi-billions funding, Najib scandal and recently resurfaced MRR2 link.
As a conscious public, we have every reason to deny BN popularity and commitment. All we need is somebody else that would have greater offer to the public, not a threat.
PKR coalition were success simply because public does not want to vote for BN. Last election featuring Chinese and Indian voting for PAS and Malay voting for DAP. Without BN as the not to vote party, this would never happen, at least not to the scale.
PKR on the other hand were also filled with imperfection and far from purities. From nomination of DSAI brother opposing the no-crony concept, personal tender recommendation, RM100 millions pig farm and DSAI scandals clouded PKR integrity. Most concern is the significance of PAS-DAP coalition that seems out of the picture. Furthermore, ‘muqabalah’ and possible ‘muzakkarah’ with UMNO stir up PKR strength and DAP especially got very nervous.
The outcome of the re-election to me is inevitable. Regardless of PKR ‘issues’, UMNO issues and not moving forward attitude outweighed PKR issues by miles. BN know this and so is PKR. DSAI will be in Parliament (unless if the Sodomi case successfully fabricated). Winning is not even an option for BN as that will trigger more anger and question of government integrity on the election process. What UMNO would aim is merely reducing the majority count so that they could use that in their future campaign.
Back to the Chinese that hold the key, I truly belief the success of this new intended government is on the Chinese shoulder. Malay had shown their sincerity and willingness to compromise their biggest asset of bumiputra status and benefit, PAS had ease up on their Islamic country approach, and that left is the Chinese.
Precisely, I think it would mean a lot to Malay if Chinese (DAP) can do the following:
Oppose RM 100 million pig farm
Drop ‘fluent Mandarin speaking’ in their job requirement
Promote Halal food
Do not double standard Malays in job segregation and remuneration package
Stop viewing Malay as lazy and less intelligence
Where do I stand? I do not favour BN under Pak Lah. I think he is full of sh*t and care very little about the public. Malaysia made more money than ever and he is going to waste that money on the over-ambitious Corridor project, project that benefits outsiders much more than locals. I prefer Tun Dr. M above other leader or current future leader candidates, for his accurate vision (development, not people) and firm execution. Yes, he is not perfect but I think he scores between 8 to 9 out of 10, which is good enough for me. I can’t be fanatic about PKR for the reason previously described. I like PKR numbers in the parliament but WALKOUT for not agree with something is just too childish and that have to stop immediately. You can’t be a part of a decision if you are not in the decision making room.
May god bless our country and all Malaysian. For a country rich with natural resources, blessed with highly values crops and public that are willingly be ripped-off on ensuring highly profitable GLC, we just need a true and honest leader. Who can it be?
BN have nothing to offer to the voters. Since the election, BN had failed to show or even focus to develop this country. All that public saw were Penang were punished by denial of the 4 billions worth project, Kedah with the lodging funds issue, Terengganu never ending royalty disappearance issue, Sabah no-confident votes awarded with multi-billions funding, Najib scandal and recently resurfaced MRR2 link.
As a conscious public, we have every reason to deny BN popularity and commitment. All we need is somebody else that would have greater offer to the public, not a threat.
PKR coalition were success simply because public does not want to vote for BN. Last election featuring Chinese and Indian voting for PAS and Malay voting for DAP. Without BN as the not to vote party, this would never happen, at least not to the scale.
PKR on the other hand were also filled with imperfection and far from purities. From nomination of DSAI brother opposing the no-crony concept, personal tender recommendation, RM100 millions pig farm and DSAI scandals clouded PKR integrity. Most concern is the significance of PAS-DAP coalition that seems out of the picture. Furthermore, ‘muqabalah’ and possible ‘muzakkarah’ with UMNO stir up PKR strength and DAP especially got very nervous.
The outcome of the re-election to me is inevitable. Regardless of PKR ‘issues’, UMNO issues and not moving forward attitude outweighed PKR issues by miles. BN know this and so is PKR. DSAI will be in Parliament (unless if the Sodomi case successfully fabricated). Winning is not even an option for BN as that will trigger more anger and question of government integrity on the election process. What UMNO would aim is merely reducing the majority count so that they could use that in their future campaign.
Back to the Chinese that hold the key, I truly belief the success of this new intended government is on the Chinese shoulder. Malay had shown their sincerity and willingness to compromise their biggest asset of bumiputra status and benefit, PAS had ease up on their Islamic country approach, and that left is the Chinese.
Precisely, I think it would mean a lot to Malay if Chinese (DAP) can do the following:
Oppose RM 100 million pig farm
Drop ‘fluent Mandarin speaking’ in their job requirement
Promote Halal food
Do not double standard Malays in job segregation and remuneration package
Stop viewing Malay as lazy and less intelligence
Where do I stand? I do not favour BN under Pak Lah. I think he is full of sh*t and care very little about the public. Malaysia made more money than ever and he is going to waste that money on the over-ambitious Corridor project, project that benefits outsiders much more than locals. I prefer Tun Dr. M above other leader or current future leader candidates, for his accurate vision (development, not people) and firm execution. Yes, he is not perfect but I think he scores between 8 to 9 out of 10, which is good enough for me. I can’t be fanatic about PKR for the reason previously described. I like PKR numbers in the parliament but WALKOUT for not agree with something is just too childish and that have to stop immediately. You can’t be a part of a decision if you are not in the decision making room.
May god bless our country and all Malaysian. For a country rich with natural resources, blessed with highly values crops and public that are willingly be ripped-off on ensuring highly profitable GLC, we just need a true and honest leader. Who can it be?
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
What is world perception toward Malaysian
Do we really think that the world is looking highly upon us? Do we think that we are a respectful nation? Do we think that anybody is looking up upon us?
1. Great Britain is imposing 6-month observation on our nation and thinking about mandatory entry visa for any kind of entry to UK. Our country is vision as the third world country and associated with forgery, overstay, etc.
2. A Malaysian student in Melbourne, Australia was beaten senseless a few days ago for unknown reason.
3. European Nation is thinking of banning our marine product forcing us to voluntary suspend our marine export that worth a few billions to our revenue.
4. United States is observing our juristic system and our enforcement on human right on recent Anuar sodomy allergation.
5. Singapore is putting up 12 miles nautica claim of water area around Pulau Batu Puteh without further consultation with Malaysia.
6. International Court awarded PBP to Singapore disregarding our rightful ownership of the piece of rock.
7. Korean and Chinese is dumping their cars in Malaysia at rock bottom price to acquire market share and weaken our local automotive industry.
8. We are the end-user of low class pharmaceutical product and still among the highest medicine dependant user in the world.
9. Our car is hardly recognized anywhere and not even at UK area where Proton own Lotus and sustaining Lotus existence in the market.
10. Amongst the wanted in the world for DVD piracy is a Malaysian.
11. We gave no threat in the world of sports. Name any sport and that is not a single nation in the world have worries about losing to us. Yes, there is Nicole, our only world top rank, but she was not Malaysian produced athlete, she work for it herself.
12. We are no strangers on drug transportation business. We possess good count of man and woman nabbed at the foreign airport for carrying drugs.
When you walk around and you see a tourist pass you by. What do you think is these peoples thought of you? What was their expectation to visit our country? Should you entertain them and show our hospitality? Should we prove them wrong or they just have to correct it themselves? Should you give them the racist eyes, the same look that they are giving you when you are in their country?
Maybe we should beat them senseless like they did to our student in Melbourne. Maybe we should give them enough drugs and call police to nab them instead. Give them enough to be convicted to our feared death penalty.
Not even Singaporean that share our ethnic and blood give us the proper respect. From no chewing gum and legal prostitution country, often flashing their headlight telling us to get out of their speeding way. Rubbish disposed from car window. Talking with tone like they are better.
How about Nepalese, Indonesian, Bangla and all these foreign that take our job and accept low pay in our industrialization and development? What about the desperate foreign woman that shaken a lot of local family stability and marriage? What about the man that now openly courting our woman and even possess threat to our woman’s safety? What about these white people, Japanese, Germans, French, etc that keep stealing our better rank position in company?
Perhaps, what we should do now is to be racist more than we ever been before, more than now. Perhaps by being racist and hate all the outsiders living in Malaysia, whether they are cheap labour or highly paid ex-pat, then we could be united and forget about this political racism among us three ethnic group.
1. Great Britain is imposing 6-month observation on our nation and thinking about mandatory entry visa for any kind of entry to UK. Our country is vision as the third world country and associated with forgery, overstay, etc.
2. A Malaysian student in Melbourne, Australia was beaten senseless a few days ago for unknown reason.
3. European Nation is thinking of banning our marine product forcing us to voluntary suspend our marine export that worth a few billions to our revenue.
4. United States is observing our juristic system and our enforcement on human right on recent Anuar sodomy allergation.
5. Singapore is putting up 12 miles nautica claim of water area around Pulau Batu Puteh without further consultation with Malaysia.
6. International Court awarded PBP to Singapore disregarding our rightful ownership of the piece of rock.
7. Korean and Chinese is dumping their cars in Malaysia at rock bottom price to acquire market share and weaken our local automotive industry.
8. We are the end-user of low class pharmaceutical product and still among the highest medicine dependant user in the world.
9. Our car is hardly recognized anywhere and not even at UK area where Proton own Lotus and sustaining Lotus existence in the market.
10. Amongst the wanted in the world for DVD piracy is a Malaysian.
11. We gave no threat in the world of sports. Name any sport and that is not a single nation in the world have worries about losing to us. Yes, there is Nicole, our only world top rank, but she was not Malaysian produced athlete, she work for it herself.
12. We are no strangers on drug transportation business. We possess good count of man and woman nabbed at the foreign airport for carrying drugs.
When you walk around and you see a tourist pass you by. What do you think is these peoples thought of you? What was their expectation to visit our country? Should you entertain them and show our hospitality? Should we prove them wrong or they just have to correct it themselves? Should you give them the racist eyes, the same look that they are giving you when you are in their country?
Maybe we should beat them senseless like they did to our student in Melbourne. Maybe we should give them enough drugs and call police to nab them instead. Give them enough to be convicted to our feared death penalty.
Not even Singaporean that share our ethnic and blood give us the proper respect. From no chewing gum and legal prostitution country, often flashing their headlight telling us to get out of their speeding way. Rubbish disposed from car window. Talking with tone like they are better.
How about Nepalese, Indonesian, Bangla and all these foreign that take our job and accept low pay in our industrialization and development? What about the desperate foreign woman that shaken a lot of local family stability and marriage? What about the man that now openly courting our woman and even possess threat to our woman’s safety? What about these white people, Japanese, Germans, French, etc that keep stealing our better rank position in company?
Perhaps, what we should do now is to be racist more than we ever been before, more than now. Perhaps by being racist and hate all the outsiders living in Malaysia, whether they are cheap labour or highly paid ex-pat, then we could be united and forget about this political racism among us three ethnic group.
Sunday, 27 July 2008
Proton needs to produce own gearbox
NAP almost synonym with Proton from public view. Proton is still viewed as overly priced car with little quality values. New Proton management had taken drastic approach on regaining public confidence on the brand and significant improvement had been achieved, but not quite enough.
I personally can’t disagree with the public opinion. After all, I am the end user who have to put up with the long term loan, live with all kind of abnormal component noises and have little option to move up to a foreign brand.
Have Proton done enough to ensure their continuous existence and benefit the public with good and reasonably priced car?
If you read my previous article, I did mention about the ‘locality’ of the material and technology of making a car. Our automotive need to be architecture to meet those entire requirements to ensure our global competitiveness. Then our government need to ease up on the tax to ensure affordability.
Looking at the customer perspective, most of Proton buyer with Proton own Campro engine has major issues with the engine performance. Unfortunately, CAMRPO is the only engine that Proton own. How about the transmission? We do not manufacture our own transmission. Putting this into global competitiveness aspect, we will not stand a chance to have to outsource one of the major vehicle components.
As an immediate step, I would strongly suggest Proton to look onto second-generation engine and manufacture own transmission. Along the way, a new breed of suppliers need to be nurtured on producing high precision machining and forging as part of essential ingredient for engine and transmission.
Government can’t hide Proton under NAP forever. The public are not to shoulder Proton forever. It has to end and soon.
To prepare for the inevitable future, measures need to be taken on reducing the loan term. This 9 years loan is not healthy for automotive industry. Gradually, the loan term ceiling needs to be reduced. Second-hand market is hurting and new car buyer is further constricted.
To have Malaysia to be the automotive centre of this region is too late and not worth to fight for. Thailand is well too established with that. Thailand offers consistent local labour, higher range of technology availability, cooler climate, more food and better entertainment. Malaysia on the other hand offers unpredictable policy, prepaid quality recognition, high transportation cost, political intervention, self-interest and ever-changing foreign labour.
I personally can’t disagree with the public opinion. After all, I am the end user who have to put up with the long term loan, live with all kind of abnormal component noises and have little option to move up to a foreign brand.
Have Proton done enough to ensure their continuous existence and benefit the public with good and reasonably priced car?
If you read my previous article, I did mention about the ‘locality’ of the material and technology of making a car. Our automotive need to be architecture to meet those entire requirements to ensure our global competitiveness. Then our government need to ease up on the tax to ensure affordability.
Looking at the customer perspective, most of Proton buyer with Proton own Campro engine has major issues with the engine performance. Unfortunately, CAMRPO is the only engine that Proton own. How about the transmission? We do not manufacture our own transmission. Putting this into global competitiveness aspect, we will not stand a chance to have to outsource one of the major vehicle components.
As an immediate step, I would strongly suggest Proton to look onto second-generation engine and manufacture own transmission. Along the way, a new breed of suppliers need to be nurtured on producing high precision machining and forging as part of essential ingredient for engine and transmission.
Government can’t hide Proton under NAP forever. The public are not to shoulder Proton forever. It has to end and soon.
To prepare for the inevitable future, measures need to be taken on reducing the loan term. This 9 years loan is not healthy for automotive industry. Gradually, the loan term ceiling needs to be reduced. Second-hand market is hurting and new car buyer is further constricted.
To have Malaysia to be the automotive centre of this region is too late and not worth to fight for. Thailand is well too established with that. Thailand offers consistent local labour, higher range of technology availability, cooler climate, more food and better entertainment. Malaysia on the other hand offers unpredictable policy, prepaid quality recognition, high transportation cost, political intervention, self-interest and ever-changing foreign labour.
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Do we really need 100 mil pig farm?
Malaysia is populated by 67% Malays which are Muslim by default. Chinese accumulated about 73% of the remaining population.
At the age of modernization, socio economy contribution by these two races is very significant.
Per capita, Chinese probably out perform the Malays by miles. Chinese also played a major role on this country economy growth.
Pig is considered very dirty in Muslim perspective. It was told to me that pig was originated on the Noah ship sent from god, born by elephant with purpose no other than to clean the waste on the Noah ship. This ship hold a pair of all animals and you could imagine the waste produced by this animal and human on board.
I also read that pork meat contained a type of worm that has long-term effect on human health.
Pig was also blamed for JE spread years ago. But it was only pig associated with diseases; there are also threat of bird-flu from chicken and mad cow disease.
There are many negative ideas when it comes to pork consuming. Bottom line is that Muslim can’t accept pig in any form of anything that has to do with pig because pigs are ‘najis’. Pig scent itself already offended Muslim/ Malays. To have Malays to drink water filtered from a river that have pig farm on the other end would disgust the society. We can’t even compensate Malays with royalty such oil royalty on the profit sharing because it will be deemed ‘haram’.
Therefore, Malay can’t accept pig, as much as Chinese love to consume them.
How do we move forward with this issue? How do we apply what we are fighting for, democracy and equality? Is there a toleration point that would benefit us all?
Being a bumi, I felt the heat from these equality ideas. Being an educated man, I felt the unjust. Honestly, I do think somewhere of this unjust, there are strong reason for it to be carry on. The line might have to be shifted in term of pro-Malay segregation, nevertheless it can’t be totally eliminated.
To get Malay buy in require toleration by the non-bumis at some extend. Live your life like ours would make you more ‘us’. Continue separating our way of life would extent the racial differentiation among us.
On this particular issue, I believe disregarding our ethnic, all of us consume similar poultry product except pork. Imagine a country that one has not to worry about halal/haram as all the poultry sources in Malaysia would be halal. Chinese and Indian have never had any problem dining in a Malay restaurant or go to Malay wet market, but Malay just have to go to the halal source. Chinese consumer base is more restricted compare to Malay.
Can we live without pig product in Malaysia? Can we ensure all the poultry product halal in Malaysia? Can we be more Malaysian (Malay as majority)?
As long that we eat at different restaurant, shop at different market, study at different school and living in different areas, we can’t ever be as one. We are different in skin colour, eyes, hair and religion, but that can be the only separation that we have. You see, big sacrifice required from non-Bumis in term of way of life, almost as big as what Bumis is asked to sacrifice
At the age of modernization, socio economy contribution by these two races is very significant.
Per capita, Chinese probably out perform the Malays by miles. Chinese also played a major role on this country economy growth.
Pig is considered very dirty in Muslim perspective. It was told to me that pig was originated on the Noah ship sent from god, born by elephant with purpose no other than to clean the waste on the Noah ship. This ship hold a pair of all animals and you could imagine the waste produced by this animal and human on board.
I also read that pork meat contained a type of worm that has long-term effect on human health.
Pig was also blamed for JE spread years ago. But it was only pig associated with diseases; there are also threat of bird-flu from chicken and mad cow disease.
There are many negative ideas when it comes to pork consuming. Bottom line is that Muslim can’t accept pig in any form of anything that has to do with pig because pigs are ‘najis’. Pig scent itself already offended Muslim/ Malays. To have Malays to drink water filtered from a river that have pig farm on the other end would disgust the society. We can’t even compensate Malays with royalty such oil royalty on the profit sharing because it will be deemed ‘haram’.
Therefore, Malay can’t accept pig, as much as Chinese love to consume them.
How do we move forward with this issue? How do we apply what we are fighting for, democracy and equality? Is there a toleration point that would benefit us all?
Being a bumi, I felt the heat from these equality ideas. Being an educated man, I felt the unjust. Honestly, I do think somewhere of this unjust, there are strong reason for it to be carry on. The line might have to be shifted in term of pro-Malay segregation, nevertheless it can’t be totally eliminated.
To get Malay buy in require toleration by the non-bumis at some extend. Live your life like ours would make you more ‘us’. Continue separating our way of life would extent the racial differentiation among us.
On this particular issue, I believe disregarding our ethnic, all of us consume similar poultry product except pork. Imagine a country that one has not to worry about halal/haram as all the poultry sources in Malaysia would be halal. Chinese and Indian have never had any problem dining in a Malay restaurant or go to Malay wet market, but Malay just have to go to the halal source. Chinese consumer base is more restricted compare to Malay.
Can we live without pig product in Malaysia? Can we ensure all the poultry product halal in Malaysia? Can we be more Malaysian (Malay as majority)?
As long that we eat at different restaurant, shop at different market, study at different school and living in different areas, we can’t ever be as one. We are different in skin colour, eyes, hair and religion, but that can be the only separation that we have. You see, big sacrifice required from non-Bumis in term of way of life, almost as big as what Bumis is asked to sacrifice
Monday, 21 July 2008
Datuk Ahmad Said and his E200 Kompressor
Can somebody whip this bloke senseless? How could Mercedes E200 Kompressor be any cheaper that Perdana V6? 50k were spent on Perdana V6 maintenance in two years. I am really hoping ACA is taking this public statement and start to look into it. This is daylight robbery. How could he justify that payment and how could he willingly sign off RM3.43 mil to spend on 14 cars??
What this Datuk meant, in the long run they can ‘buy’ back the car from Terengganu state at the price of a SAGA. They can drive it and practically personal cars at the mean time. Aren’t we talking about people difficult time with economy uncertainties, inflation and poor living standard?
I am not going to say much on this matter. I am just truly frustrated of this event. This probably the only highlight of UMNO leadership after acquires Terengganu from PAS. Each of those who receive the car should take a drive to Tasik Kenyir and stop by at each sagging wooden house and get these families to test drive the car. Maybe if they got a taste for it, it would make a better living out of them.
What this Datuk meant, in the long run they can ‘buy’ back the car from Terengganu state at the price of a SAGA. They can drive it and practically personal cars at the mean time. Aren’t we talking about people difficult time with economy uncertainties, inflation and poor living standard?
I am not going to say much on this matter. I am just truly frustrated of this event. This probably the only highlight of UMNO leadership after acquires Terengganu from PAS. Each of those who receive the car should take a drive to Tasik Kenyir and stop by at each sagging wooden house and get these families to test drive the car. Maybe if they got a taste for it, it would make a better living out of them.
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Malaysian development in the hand of foreign labour - Part 2
To have more local force and depleting foreign labour count need a serious consideration from both potential employer and employee.
Employer will face the most difficulties on undermining the fact that more effort needed to attract local labours. Needless to say, there are also financial obligations on proper wages and associated benefits. Furthermore, the employer will also face operation inconsistency risk with staff absents.
On the other hand, potential local employee having issues on the wages earning. Since the locals need the money here and make a permanent living here, similar salary standard for foreign workers deemed unfit to sustain living requirement. If the basic remuneration offered at RM700 a month, even poverty line set at RM1000 a month has not been exceeded.
By this simple fact, we know that our country is facing a serious problem, employment taken by cheaper foreigners, there are local unemployment rate to be resolve and employed local workers still within poverty bracket.
This is when government intervention is highly needed. We can’t afford to allow our job allocation taken by foreigners, huge cash outflow from country and high numbers of local in poverty bracket and unemployed.
The big question raised, is our economy be able to be sustained without this foreigners? To answer this, we can’t singularize all the sectors as one. One sector behave differently that the others.
Manufacturing sector have the severest impact. Since we are exporting lots of goods and up against other competitive exporter such Thailand, China, Taiwan and India, the survival key is to keep the cost at minimum. Still, with the foreign labour, we are barely competing with them. Tun Mahathir had commented on this, and I truly agree that we need to come up with other selling point to foreign investors to invest in our manufacturing sector such integrity and quality. Integrity prevent fund leakage and quality spells premium. Higher branding premium made sellable price higher and the gap would be able to compensate higher cost of labour.
Construction sector would also be affected. However, the effect is much reduced. Malaysian construction sectors offer a very good profit margin. To attract locals means more pay and these companies should be able to live with smaller margin.
If the government could protect a lot of concessionaire, national car, national airline, and other corporate bodies, I don’t see any reason why the government can’t impose something to protect the local job. We are very good at subsidies, incentive and exemptions; this is one of the aspects that those words can be put to good use
Employer will face the most difficulties on undermining the fact that more effort needed to attract local labours. Needless to say, there are also financial obligations on proper wages and associated benefits. Furthermore, the employer will also face operation inconsistency risk with staff absents.
On the other hand, potential local employee having issues on the wages earning. Since the locals need the money here and make a permanent living here, similar salary standard for foreign workers deemed unfit to sustain living requirement. If the basic remuneration offered at RM700 a month, even poverty line set at RM1000 a month has not been exceeded.
By this simple fact, we know that our country is facing a serious problem, employment taken by cheaper foreigners, there are local unemployment rate to be resolve and employed local workers still within poverty bracket.
This is when government intervention is highly needed. We can’t afford to allow our job allocation taken by foreigners, huge cash outflow from country and high numbers of local in poverty bracket and unemployed.
The big question raised, is our economy be able to be sustained without this foreigners? To answer this, we can’t singularize all the sectors as one. One sector behave differently that the others.
Manufacturing sector have the severest impact. Since we are exporting lots of goods and up against other competitive exporter such Thailand, China, Taiwan and India, the survival key is to keep the cost at minimum. Still, with the foreign labour, we are barely competing with them. Tun Mahathir had commented on this, and I truly agree that we need to come up with other selling point to foreign investors to invest in our manufacturing sector such integrity and quality. Integrity prevent fund leakage and quality spells premium. Higher branding premium made sellable price higher and the gap would be able to compensate higher cost of labour.
Construction sector would also be affected. However, the effect is much reduced. Malaysian construction sectors offer a very good profit margin. To attract locals means more pay and these companies should be able to live with smaller margin.
If the government could protect a lot of concessionaire, national car, national airline, and other corporate bodies, I don’t see any reason why the government can’t impose something to protect the local job. We are very good at subsidies, incentive and exemptions; this is one of the aspects that those words can be put to good use
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
TNB - Power generation and tariff
Quoted:
Why tariff review is NECESSARY?
Basically, TNB have to supply more power based on demand expansion from industrialization. TNB also have to curb or control domestic demand to overcome demand variable, which led to further infrastructure expansion requirement.
TNB have to generate electricity based on highest expected demand. Failure to do so will led to power overload and tripped the system. Power production is the key running cost and excess power supplied is deemed inefficient, as the power can’t be stored at high scale.
Domestically, TNB should first evaluate multi usage tariff systems. 200kWh usage that consumer enjoys lower tariff is not sufficient to cater daily basic requirement. TNB is saying otherwise as air conditioning is considered luxury even in a nation with over 30 degrees Celsius ambient temperature climate. This is absurd.
To move forward and benefit both party (TNB (Government) and domestic consumer), serious consideration of expanding the lower tariff usage quota is needed. Basic requirement list require expansion and ‘home business’ element need to be considered at our cost of living increase situation.
Secondly, TNB need to consider alternate charging. In industrial rate, there are peak and off-peak rate applies. Such application needs to be expanded for domestic consumers to benefit both parties. To have off peak rate will promote usage during off-peak and reduce excess electricity loss for TNB. Consumer will eventually limit A/C usage to off-peak period and so are other domestic electrical appliances such washing machine, rice cooker, kettle, iron and the list would go on.
Consumer shall not be burden of the requirement expansion from industrial and business requirement that give government direct benefits from tax revenues. Instead, a smarter system needs to be in place for the public to enjoy benefits from government enrichment.
Dam approach for electricity generation however should be less sensitive of variable output rate. Dam generate electricity from water flow that directly revolute the turbine and generate electricity. There are long start up procedure and cost for typical oil, gas or coal power plant that involve hours heating and priming before electricity to be generated. With vast rainfall per year in Malaysia, it would be the best long-term sustainable approach for electricity generation with lowest possible operational cost.
There is also other alternative worth pursuing such wind turbine. Detail study required on the wind pattern to see if the location fit for the application requirement. To have wind turbine on inshore area would benefit not only sustainable energy production but also provide a protective habitat for marine life thus boost marine output yield.
Even nuclear reactor seems reasonable to move forward to with quite substantial savings on the long term, the active material cost would escalate through time due to limited supply with expansion demand world wide. It would potentially be similar to NGV application now which is fairly cost effective to have NGV vehicle but eventually the NGV cost will go up and cost advantage would become insufficient.
Since TNB profitability is very biased to shareholders benefit only while losses are a subject for government protection, we as the aware public must look into curbing TNB wastage for our benefits.
Why tariff review is NECESSARY?
Cost of supplying electricity has increased since the last tariff review. Most of the cost of supplying electricity has increased beyond TNB’s control. To ensure sustainable electricity supply reliability:
-
Large capital expenditure is required to maintain and enhance electricity supply infrastructure - Benefits from operational efficiency alone is insufficient to support the demand growth for electricity
- A reliable electricity supply system is a prerequisite for the nation’s economic growth.
- Low tariff leads to inefficient use of electricity and national resources.
Basically, TNB have to supply more power based on demand expansion from industrialization. TNB also have to curb or control domestic demand to overcome demand variable, which led to further infrastructure expansion requirement.
TNB have to generate electricity based on highest expected demand. Failure to do so will led to power overload and tripped the system. Power production is the key running cost and excess power supplied is deemed inefficient, as the power can’t be stored at high scale.
Domestically, TNB should first evaluate multi usage tariff systems. 200kWh usage that consumer enjoys lower tariff is not sufficient to cater daily basic requirement. TNB is saying otherwise as air conditioning is considered luxury even in a nation with over 30 degrees Celsius ambient temperature climate. This is absurd.
To move forward and benefit both party (TNB (Government) and domestic consumer), serious consideration of expanding the lower tariff usage quota is needed. Basic requirement list require expansion and ‘home business’ element need to be considered at our cost of living increase situation.
Secondly, TNB need to consider alternate charging. In industrial rate, there are peak and off-peak rate applies. Such application needs to be expanded for domestic consumers to benefit both parties. To have off peak rate will promote usage during off-peak and reduce excess electricity loss for TNB. Consumer will eventually limit A/C usage to off-peak period and so are other domestic electrical appliances such washing machine, rice cooker, kettle, iron and the list would go on.
Consumer shall not be burden of the requirement expansion from industrial and business requirement that give government direct benefits from tax revenues. Instead, a smarter system needs to be in place for the public to enjoy benefits from government enrichment.
Dam approach for electricity generation however should be less sensitive of variable output rate. Dam generate electricity from water flow that directly revolute the turbine and generate electricity. There are long start up procedure and cost for typical oil, gas or coal power plant that involve hours heating and priming before electricity to be generated. With vast rainfall per year in Malaysia, it would be the best long-term sustainable approach for electricity generation with lowest possible operational cost.
There is also other alternative worth pursuing such wind turbine. Detail study required on the wind pattern to see if the location fit for the application requirement. To have wind turbine on inshore area would benefit not only sustainable energy production but also provide a protective habitat for marine life thus boost marine output yield.
Even nuclear reactor seems reasonable to move forward to with quite substantial savings on the long term, the active material cost would escalate through time due to limited supply with expansion demand world wide. It would potentially be similar to NGV application now which is fairly cost effective to have NGV vehicle but eventually the NGV cost will go up and cost advantage would become insufficient.
Since TNB profitability is very biased to shareholders benefit only while losses are a subject for government protection, we as the aware public must look into curbing TNB wastage for our benefits.
Malaysian development in the hand of foreign labour - Part 1
I actually find this quite disturbing. We have poverty at one hand and not enough local labour on the other. As such we imported lots of foreigners (Indonesians, Bangladeshi, Nepalese, etc) to fill in the labour requirement gap. We have excess engineers and still we are importing ex-pat from Japan, German, United Kingdom, United States, etc.
Foreign labour considered cheap. They are. They can work long hours, expandable, dependable and replaceable in term of numbers. Locals however is more difficult to manage, more expensive and perhaps a bit more nuisance to the employer.
We are seeing foreign labours being utilized in almost all sectors, manufacturing, construction, agricultures and fisheries. The idea of employing these foreign labours is to minimize cost and maximize profits. The necessity of cost minimization is most important when we are dealing with goods (manufacturing) to be exported and we have to be up against the other bigger player such China, India, and Taiwan.
The remaining sectors however have higher returned margin and less bounded to this competitive environment.
Giving the options, it is natural for the employer to go for the cheaper and easier option, thus the foreign. This foreigner however is not cheap forever. Lots of them had realized their role and importance of the participation in our local development and started demanding for more. Simplest example is out maid sectors whereby it is harder to source for Indonesian maid and cost to have a maid kept escalating each year.
Prolonged dependency to the foreign labour will eventually led us to long-term negative impacts. Even if we look at ‘now’ scenario, we already seeing the following:
Depletion of local skilled labour
Huge amount of money transferred to foreigner country of origin – in exchange rate strength, this action is weakening our currency
Less cash being re-circulated back within the country – affecting local economic growth
Crime rate, tuberculosis back into the picture, gang, social value destruction, etc
The key principal to move forward to have more numbers for local labour and lessen the number of foreigners.
*** to be continue…
Foreign labour considered cheap. They are. They can work long hours, expandable, dependable and replaceable in term of numbers. Locals however is more difficult to manage, more expensive and perhaps a bit more nuisance to the employer.
We are seeing foreign labours being utilized in almost all sectors, manufacturing, construction, agricultures and fisheries. The idea of employing these foreign labours is to minimize cost and maximize profits. The necessity of cost minimization is most important when we are dealing with goods (manufacturing) to be exported and we have to be up against the other bigger player such China, India, and Taiwan.
The remaining sectors however have higher returned margin and less bounded to this competitive environment.
Giving the options, it is natural for the employer to go for the cheaper and easier option, thus the foreign. This foreigner however is not cheap forever. Lots of them had realized their role and importance of the participation in our local development and started demanding for more. Simplest example is out maid sectors whereby it is harder to source for Indonesian maid and cost to have a maid kept escalating each year.
Prolonged dependency to the foreign labour will eventually led us to long-term negative impacts. Even if we look at ‘now’ scenario, we already seeing the following:
Depletion of local skilled labour
Huge amount of money transferred to foreigner country of origin – in exchange rate strength, this action is weakening our currency
Less cash being re-circulated back within the country – affecting local economic growth
Crime rate, tuberculosis back into the picture, gang, social value destruction, etc
The key principal to move forward to have more numbers for local labour and lessen the number of foreigners.
*** to be continue…
Friday, 11 July 2008
A bit of facts on PLUS
Amongst the biggest shareholders for PLUS:
UEM (indirectly, Khazanah): 40%
Khazanah: 24%
EPF: 10%
ASB: 4%
As it stand on 2007 financial report:
Toll collection: RM 1.82 billions
Profit before tax: RM 1.31 billions (72% of toll revenue)
Liabilities: RM 10 billions
Asset: RM 15.9 billions
Tax exemption: RM 400 millions
PLUS have to publish this because they are a public listed company. The numbers speak for themselves.
Agreement between PLUS and G’ment is G’ment to G’ment.
Toll charges is ridiculously high
EPF only gave out 5% dividend.
We been forced to feed Khazanah, EPF,… but return to us is insignificant
Further tax exemption on highly profitable organization taking out further public money to enrich government and their high pays corporate figures.
PLUS do not have nett liabilities instead nett asset worth 5 billions.
….
There will be talk about reviewing concession clauses and reducing toll price for consumers. Will there be further compensation from public fund to PLUS for profit loss? Will the charge truly reduced to benefit the public and country economic growth (imagine small business can emerge on substantial reduce on transportation cost).
We can’t help to ponder if the toll still necessary. Are we seeing Khazanah to collapse without toll collection and eventually crippled economy growth? Or will be seeing more economic growth since transportation is amongst the biggest private and SMI spent? What is the effect of charging RM 0.01 or less per km compare to RM 0.14 per km to PLUS, Khazanah, Malaysia, SMI, and public?
I am stating again and again about wealth distribution. Last year we are seeing 5% EPF dividend, 7% ASB, low increment for GLC and yet we are the main contributors to this organization profitability. This organization (government) in no loss business and making tonnes of money directly from our pocket. The money does not circulated back to our wealth growth but disappear elsewhere.
We are paying a lot to own a car because of Proton (GLC), pay high fuel price because of Petronas want to export domestic output (GLC), high toll because of PLUS (Khazanah, GLC),….. The minute I buy a car, I would pay about 10,000 on excise duty and tax go to government, pay 100 on a full tank that bulk of it go to Petronas profitability and government tax, pay RM 100 to make a visit to my parents to PLUS that is own by GLC, barely left with anything by month end and still have to pay yearly income tax, road tax, licence renewal, …
Who is helping whom??
UEM (indirectly, Khazanah): 40%
Khazanah: 24%
EPF: 10%
ASB: 4%
As it stand on 2007 financial report:
Toll collection: RM 1.82 billions
Profit before tax: RM 1.31 billions (72% of toll revenue)
Liabilities: RM 10 billions
Asset: RM 15.9 billions
Tax exemption: RM 400 millions
PLUS have to publish this because they are a public listed company. The numbers speak for themselves.
Agreement between PLUS and G’ment is G’ment to G’ment.
Toll charges is ridiculously high
EPF only gave out 5% dividend.
We been forced to feed Khazanah, EPF,… but return to us is insignificant
Further tax exemption on highly profitable organization taking out further public money to enrich government and their high pays corporate figures.
PLUS do not have nett liabilities instead nett asset worth 5 billions.
….
There will be talk about reviewing concession clauses and reducing toll price for consumers. Will there be further compensation from public fund to PLUS for profit loss? Will the charge truly reduced to benefit the public and country economic growth (imagine small business can emerge on substantial reduce on transportation cost).
We can’t help to ponder if the toll still necessary. Are we seeing Khazanah to collapse without toll collection and eventually crippled economy growth? Or will be seeing more economic growth since transportation is amongst the biggest private and SMI spent? What is the effect of charging RM 0.01 or less per km compare to RM 0.14 per km to PLUS, Khazanah, Malaysia, SMI, and public?
I am stating again and again about wealth distribution. Last year we are seeing 5% EPF dividend, 7% ASB, low increment for GLC and yet we are the main contributors to this organization profitability. This organization (government) in no loss business and making tonnes of money directly from our pocket. The money does not circulated back to our wealth growth but disappear elsewhere.
We are paying a lot to own a car because of Proton (GLC), pay high fuel price because of Petronas want to export domestic output (GLC), high toll because of PLUS (Khazanah, GLC),….. The minute I buy a car, I would pay about 10,000 on excise duty and tax go to government, pay 100 on a full tank that bulk of it go to Petronas profitability and government tax, pay RM 100 to make a visit to my parents to PLUS that is own by GLC, barely left with anything by month end and still have to pay yearly income tax, road tax, licence renewal, …
Who is helping whom??
Thursday, 10 July 2008
How competitive is our national automotive industry
The fact is we are paying a lot for our cars relative to our generated income. It is also a fact that we are bounded to 5 to 9 years high liability on hire purchase, which 9 years is most likely suited our affordability for the reasonable car.
Having our own car manufacturing plants and labels had put this fact into disgust prospective. Nowadays we are hearing those company was making losses instead of profit and sustainability of this local industries is in doubt.
What makes our car prices is so expensive locally? Are we victimized by the government policy that supporting this industry at our expenses? Is our car competitive elsewhere whereby the local excise duty protection eliminated? Numerical data on export success of our proven poor thus conclude that we either does not met up the consumer expectation or that we are less competitive elsewhere too.
To build a car not only involves assembly plant. To have a successful automotive industry require a total industrialization from developing the car, developing the components, manufacturing those components, process raw materials to make those components, logistic and human resources.
Typical and most sensible starting point to develop a local automotive industry is to have our own label and a donor car. This stage usually recognized as re-badge, which make the cars ours. This can be done with taking the car as it is or with minimal alteration (example 206, RIA,..) or critical components such platform and engine (example: Proton Wira, Saga, Perdana). This stage involve minor development which mainly consist the part to be changed, badge and certain validation requirement. Few suppliers were born on this stage.
Second stage is localization. Localization can be very beneficial for the manufacturer and local suppliers. Manufacturer acquires good level of cost benefits and the supplier would enjoy good margin. This resulted from imported component cost to locally manufactured cost. With local low cost labour in various government incentives on infrastructure, the suppliers’ manufacturing cost is relatively low.
Government plays a major role on this stage. It includes machinery and technology incentives, tax exemption and local industry protection. The mission is to accelerate the industry growth, expanding infrastructure and developing local experts.
From my observation, we did quite well on this stage. To date, we are capable of processing plastic, sheet metal, tooling fabrication, material compounding, glass manufacturing and lots more. The industry provides thousands job opportunities and raised hundreds if not thousands corporate figures.
We however failed miserably on the later phase. Our automotive industry always at threat of elimination and worse of all, our brands is the least appreciated by public.
One of the major sources of this failure is our dependency to global commodities and incapability of producing key high tech or safety components. With our relatively weak currency and have to import most of the material required prior to process them here make the cost relatively high and putting us out of competitive prospective.
In general, following are some of key ingredients requirement and its local availability:
Plastic
1. Polypropylene – Commonly used for common plastic part. Cheapest material. Widely used. Locally produced by Titan Chemical. Automotive usage usually requires compounding with additional substance.
2. Polyethylene – also produced by Titan
3. ABS (sheet or grain) – imported
4. PC (high clarity, usually used for headlight) – imported
5. Glass fibre – imported
6. Isocyanate/ polyol (to make foam) - imported
Sheet metal – Imported
Metal – Imported
Some of essential process requirement of components making:
Injection moulding – widely available
Thermoforming – widely available
Stamping – widely available
Casting (gravity/ pressure) – widely available
Forging (essential for transmission and high power engine component) – not available
Rubber extrusion – widely available
Just by looking at some of the core process and material, we know that our automotive industry is still lacking on the competitiveness. The idea of competitiveness is to be as close as possible to the source of the cost. This would mean getting the raw material at cheapest possible cost and cheapest possible process cost.
Plastic material derived from petroleum. We are petroleum producer country. We should be able to fully exploit these raw plastic material sectors. I don’t think that we done enough. Selling price of this material however in different scenario. Again global commodity price is the factors. This will eventually lead us to ‘subsidizing’ kind of solution to keep the cost down and stimulate local plastic industry growth.
Metal sheet that is the basis of stamped parts that makes the car structure, body panel, brackets and others is not available locally. We imported in roll form which put us in quite a distance to the its natural source states. We had Perwaja once that should drive itself to produce sheet metal, but the industry was loss without even started to this stage of application.
Machineries and facilities required to process these material was given significant advantages by our government before. There were grant system enable the supplier to have the machineries almost free. Thus, depreciation/ recovery element is almost insignificant and gave them the manufacturing cost advantage edge. Labour acquired overseas and cheap. Utilities especially electricity is abundance in Malaysia with IPP existence. Still manufacturer have to pay high cost on energy requirement. Having said that, I am sure we still have to competitive edge on this element is we want to.
What actually happened within this industry in Malaysia is greediness. There is also another element of import tax exemption. We need to understand the criteria to know the snowball effect to our industry.
No tax for component/ material that is not available locally. Imported goods but option available locally is exposed to tax.
There are two thing happened from the above criteria:
Locally produced goods can be more expensive relative to global price due to import tax imposed will usually make imported goods more expensive
Continuous trading for non-available local goods is more profitable and manageable compare to locally developed and produced.
Both of these effects have negative impact to our automotive industry. We tend to develop more traders rather than producers. Traders is just an extended middle man and we are not sure how many layers of middle man is there before we get the goods here. Each stop point will have its own management cost and profit taking.
Back to the greedy factor, this industry were started by giving out opportunities to ‘nobody’ and corporate figure for high prospect business, high-level assistance from government and strong profit margin. The industry did not evolve fast enough and the authority gave more incentive and protection. This resulted on easy-profit low risk taking by the suppliers. To leave this industry and loss its competitive momentum through protection had proven unwise. This sector grows with business opportunity but lack of technology acquisition and ownership. We develop bunch of profit lover kind of businessman with dollar sign on the forehead. We rarely saw automotive enthusiast figures, which prolonged the negative consequences of this effect.
So we had lots of money loving company owner with pocket full of money. Instead of re-investing to the industry on technology acquisition and continuous improvement, lots had diversified the business. Some turn out good and some turnout bad. Important thing is that the money had been driven away from the total industry development.
In conclusion, our automotive industry as it is now is not competitive. We are lacking of core infrastructure especially on raw material production. We are lack of technology availability that limited us from producing certain vital component on our own. We are not technology driven but profit oriented.
Cheap or expensive of a car is not actually the tag price itself, but affordability. Affordability is our purchasing power and for most of us we do not have the purchasing power. There were a few thing that the industry could do differently especially in wealth distribution. Should the wealth distributed more fairly and these corporate figures could live with less number that would give us more purchasing power. More buying will accelerate economic growth. Bear in mind that this industry provides thousands of jobs. These thousands income-earner also helping the parents. The parents will have better purchasing power and further economic growth. It could make a huge different and the chain effect would be outstanding.
I think I will stop here. I was just analyzing our situation now. Knowing that we could design a good way to move forward. I shall discuss about that in my next posting.
Having our own car manufacturing plants and labels had put this fact into disgust prospective. Nowadays we are hearing those company was making losses instead of profit and sustainability of this local industries is in doubt.
What makes our car prices is so expensive locally? Are we victimized by the government policy that supporting this industry at our expenses? Is our car competitive elsewhere whereby the local excise duty protection eliminated? Numerical data on export success of our proven poor thus conclude that we either does not met up the consumer expectation or that we are less competitive elsewhere too.
To build a car not only involves assembly plant. To have a successful automotive industry require a total industrialization from developing the car, developing the components, manufacturing those components, process raw materials to make those components, logistic and human resources.
Typical and most sensible starting point to develop a local automotive industry is to have our own label and a donor car. This stage usually recognized as re-badge, which make the cars ours. This can be done with taking the car as it is or with minimal alteration (example 206, RIA,..) or critical components such platform and engine (example: Proton Wira, Saga, Perdana). This stage involve minor development which mainly consist the part to be changed, badge and certain validation requirement. Few suppliers were born on this stage.
Second stage is localization. Localization can be very beneficial for the manufacturer and local suppliers. Manufacturer acquires good level of cost benefits and the supplier would enjoy good margin. This resulted from imported component cost to locally manufactured cost. With local low cost labour in various government incentives on infrastructure, the suppliers’ manufacturing cost is relatively low.
Government plays a major role on this stage. It includes machinery and technology incentives, tax exemption and local industry protection. The mission is to accelerate the industry growth, expanding infrastructure and developing local experts.
From my observation, we did quite well on this stage. To date, we are capable of processing plastic, sheet metal, tooling fabrication, material compounding, glass manufacturing and lots more. The industry provides thousands job opportunities and raised hundreds if not thousands corporate figures.
We however failed miserably on the later phase. Our automotive industry always at threat of elimination and worse of all, our brands is the least appreciated by public.
One of the major sources of this failure is our dependency to global commodities and incapability of producing key high tech or safety components. With our relatively weak currency and have to import most of the material required prior to process them here make the cost relatively high and putting us out of competitive prospective.
In general, following are some of key ingredients requirement and its local availability:
Plastic
1. Polypropylene – Commonly used for common plastic part. Cheapest material. Widely used. Locally produced by Titan Chemical. Automotive usage usually requires compounding with additional substance.
2. Polyethylene – also produced by Titan
3. ABS (sheet or grain) – imported
4. PC (high clarity, usually used for headlight) – imported
5. Glass fibre – imported
6. Isocyanate/ polyol (to make foam) - imported
Sheet metal – Imported
Metal – Imported
Some of essential process requirement of components making:
Injection moulding – widely available
Thermoforming – widely available
Stamping – widely available
Casting (gravity/ pressure) – widely available
Forging (essential for transmission and high power engine component) – not available
Rubber extrusion – widely available
Just by looking at some of the core process and material, we know that our automotive industry is still lacking on the competitiveness. The idea of competitiveness is to be as close as possible to the source of the cost. This would mean getting the raw material at cheapest possible cost and cheapest possible process cost.
Plastic material derived from petroleum. We are petroleum producer country. We should be able to fully exploit these raw plastic material sectors. I don’t think that we done enough. Selling price of this material however in different scenario. Again global commodity price is the factors. This will eventually lead us to ‘subsidizing’ kind of solution to keep the cost down and stimulate local plastic industry growth.
Metal sheet that is the basis of stamped parts that makes the car structure, body panel, brackets and others is not available locally. We imported in roll form which put us in quite a distance to the its natural source states. We had Perwaja once that should drive itself to produce sheet metal, but the industry was loss without even started to this stage of application.
Machineries and facilities required to process these material was given significant advantages by our government before. There were grant system enable the supplier to have the machineries almost free. Thus, depreciation/ recovery element is almost insignificant and gave them the manufacturing cost advantage edge. Labour acquired overseas and cheap. Utilities especially electricity is abundance in Malaysia with IPP existence. Still manufacturer have to pay high cost on energy requirement. Having said that, I am sure we still have to competitive edge on this element is we want to.
What actually happened within this industry in Malaysia is greediness. There is also another element of import tax exemption. We need to understand the criteria to know the snowball effect to our industry.
No tax for component/ material that is not available locally. Imported goods but option available locally is exposed to tax.
There are two thing happened from the above criteria:
Locally produced goods can be more expensive relative to global price due to import tax imposed will usually make imported goods more expensive
Continuous trading for non-available local goods is more profitable and manageable compare to locally developed and produced.
Both of these effects have negative impact to our automotive industry. We tend to develop more traders rather than producers. Traders is just an extended middle man and we are not sure how many layers of middle man is there before we get the goods here. Each stop point will have its own management cost and profit taking.
Back to the greedy factor, this industry were started by giving out opportunities to ‘nobody’ and corporate figure for high prospect business, high-level assistance from government and strong profit margin. The industry did not evolve fast enough and the authority gave more incentive and protection. This resulted on easy-profit low risk taking by the suppliers. To leave this industry and loss its competitive momentum through protection had proven unwise. This sector grows with business opportunity but lack of technology acquisition and ownership. We develop bunch of profit lover kind of businessman with dollar sign on the forehead. We rarely saw automotive enthusiast figures, which prolonged the negative consequences of this effect.
So we had lots of money loving company owner with pocket full of money. Instead of re-investing to the industry on technology acquisition and continuous improvement, lots had diversified the business. Some turn out good and some turnout bad. Important thing is that the money had been driven away from the total industry development.
In conclusion, our automotive industry as it is now is not competitive. We are lacking of core infrastructure especially on raw material production. We are lack of technology availability that limited us from producing certain vital component on our own. We are not technology driven but profit oriented.
Cheap or expensive of a car is not actually the tag price itself, but affordability. Affordability is our purchasing power and for most of us we do not have the purchasing power. There were a few thing that the industry could do differently especially in wealth distribution. Should the wealth distributed more fairly and these corporate figures could live with less number that would give us more purchasing power. More buying will accelerate economic growth. Bear in mind that this industry provides thousands of jobs. These thousands income-earner also helping the parents. The parents will have better purchasing power and further economic growth. It could make a huge different and the chain effect would be outstanding.
I think I will stop here. I was just analyzing our situation now. Knowing that we could design a good way to move forward. I shall discuss about that in my next posting.
Monday, 7 July 2008
Subsidies, economic growth and dependency
Malaysian lifestyle had been blended in with all kind of subsidies enjoyed by all layers. Some get more benefits and some less nevertheless everybody was benefited. Recent fuel charge hike shown the criticality of Malaysian dependency towards the subsidies.
While in the rural, farmers are subsidized with growth substance (baja), chemical control agent, seeds, etc plus exemption of tax, higher layers enjoys permits/rights, tax incentive, etc and all layers enjoys price control subsidies.
The root of this subsidization is to generate economy growth. While keeping the cost low for the public, government would enjoy the end tax return that would be greater relative to subsidy investment. Malaysian government had taken a step further of becoming the trader for most of the subsidized items/ elements. Agriculture product distributed by FAMA, RISDA, FELDA, etc. We see organization such LKIM for marine output. Crude oil by PETRONAS and the list would go on.
Malaysia actually operating like a big manufacturing plant whereby government placement at the top of the organization, not only as tax beneficiaries but the operational benefit itself.
Looking at Malaysia from ‘manufacturing plant’ perspective would reveal a new paradigm. As a ‘company’ called Malaysia, it is important to keep the labour and manufacturing cost low. Higher cost would mean less return for the same price. Having the total control of the ‘industry’ and supply network-making Malaysia as the sole body of local provider and enable itself to sell at premium without disrupting local demand elements.
Direct result from this action is high level of dependency of the public to government incentive. I am not sure whether it is the government failures on increasing the Malaysian living standards or they would like to keep this way to retain control to our dependant mindset.
Should we enjoy better standard of living, we would have greater purchasing power and less affected by rising cost of living. To make that happen, government should have a master plan on doing so. Countries revenues should be re-invested to the betterment of the public and benefit the public economic growth rather than stagnant and deteriorating living standard alone. Nevertheless, similar corporate bodies, individuals and foreigners are the largest beneficiaries of the re-investment.
Take Terengganu as a good example. Government is enjoying the crude oil sales profit, tax and royalties from Petronas. A large sum of the royalties belongs to Terengganu states and its people. Until today, Terengganu still lack of proper infrastructure, poor industrial growth and under-exploited tourism sectors all due to the royalties money did not came through fully as it should. Drive to Tasik Kenyir and you will see the ‘forgotten’ people of the royalties. Go to Kemaman and you will see the ‘great’ Pasar Payang and poor jetties. With the amount of money that should be there to develop Terengganu, I would expect to see full bloom agriculture industries, countless shopping mall with local people ownership/ partnership, free highway access to boom trading and tourism, marina for tourism, hi-tech fisheries jetties and high-tech marine processing industries. All these would create job and local wealth and with tourism sectors would add premium to local product and generate higher living standard throughout the local people.
What we are seeing in Malaysia is pretty much the opposite. Wealth distribution focused on individuals. Mega project benefit individuals and foreign contractors. High rank position monopolized by foreigners. Same group of people becoming directors to most of companies. Whilst actual funding to the public limited to ‘survival’ and further promotes dependency to the government.
Having said that, subsidization in Malaysia is merely to promote public dependency to government, keeping the cost low for the government by limiting public personal economy growth, ensure government role in distribution, and distracting public from government failures of total public economy growth.
To prove and express the level of our dependency to our government is the common phrase that we heard, asked and have to use for our betterment, ‘ada lubang’? Somehow, for whatever small or big scale business that we want to get ourselves into or even trying to get a job, the same question being asked or asked by ourselves of the existence of ‘lubang’. What is that actually tells you? You have to know somebody for you to move forward and most of the time that somebody is government people or linked to government people. No lubang mean 80% failures chances and that shows the level of manipulation that we have undergone to.
To sum up, do we actually require subsidies? The answer is no. But we need a better standard of living, fairness in wealth opportunities, better wealth distribution, better salary for working class, better return for local products to the producers, better infra-structure and low cost, toll free road and better government. Until then, we kind of depend on subsidies.
While in the rural, farmers are subsidized with growth substance (baja), chemical control agent, seeds, etc plus exemption of tax, higher layers enjoys permits/rights, tax incentive, etc and all layers enjoys price control subsidies.
The root of this subsidization is to generate economy growth. While keeping the cost low for the public, government would enjoy the end tax return that would be greater relative to subsidy investment. Malaysian government had taken a step further of becoming the trader for most of the subsidized items/ elements. Agriculture product distributed by FAMA, RISDA, FELDA, etc. We see organization such LKIM for marine output. Crude oil by PETRONAS and the list would go on.
Malaysia actually operating like a big manufacturing plant whereby government placement at the top of the organization, not only as tax beneficiaries but the operational benefit itself.
Looking at Malaysia from ‘manufacturing plant’ perspective would reveal a new paradigm. As a ‘company’ called Malaysia, it is important to keep the labour and manufacturing cost low. Higher cost would mean less return for the same price. Having the total control of the ‘industry’ and supply network-making Malaysia as the sole body of local provider and enable itself to sell at premium without disrupting local demand elements.
Direct result from this action is high level of dependency of the public to government incentive. I am not sure whether it is the government failures on increasing the Malaysian living standards or they would like to keep this way to retain control to our dependant mindset.
Should we enjoy better standard of living, we would have greater purchasing power and less affected by rising cost of living. To make that happen, government should have a master plan on doing so. Countries revenues should be re-invested to the betterment of the public and benefit the public economic growth rather than stagnant and deteriorating living standard alone. Nevertheless, similar corporate bodies, individuals and foreigners are the largest beneficiaries of the re-investment.
Take Terengganu as a good example. Government is enjoying the crude oil sales profit, tax and royalties from Petronas. A large sum of the royalties belongs to Terengganu states and its people. Until today, Terengganu still lack of proper infrastructure, poor industrial growth and under-exploited tourism sectors all due to the royalties money did not came through fully as it should. Drive to Tasik Kenyir and you will see the ‘forgotten’ people of the royalties. Go to Kemaman and you will see the ‘great’ Pasar Payang and poor jetties. With the amount of money that should be there to develop Terengganu, I would expect to see full bloom agriculture industries, countless shopping mall with local people ownership/ partnership, free highway access to boom trading and tourism, marina for tourism, hi-tech fisheries jetties and high-tech marine processing industries. All these would create job and local wealth and with tourism sectors would add premium to local product and generate higher living standard throughout the local people.
What we are seeing in Malaysia is pretty much the opposite. Wealth distribution focused on individuals. Mega project benefit individuals and foreign contractors. High rank position monopolized by foreigners. Same group of people becoming directors to most of companies. Whilst actual funding to the public limited to ‘survival’ and further promotes dependency to the government.
Having said that, subsidization in Malaysia is merely to promote public dependency to government, keeping the cost low for the government by limiting public personal economy growth, ensure government role in distribution, and distracting public from government failures of total public economy growth.
To prove and express the level of our dependency to our government is the common phrase that we heard, asked and have to use for our betterment, ‘ada lubang’? Somehow, for whatever small or big scale business that we want to get ourselves into or even trying to get a job, the same question being asked or asked by ourselves of the existence of ‘lubang’. What is that actually tells you? You have to know somebody for you to move forward and most of the time that somebody is government people or linked to government people. No lubang mean 80% failures chances and that shows the level of manipulation that we have undergone to.
To sum up, do we actually require subsidies? The answer is no. But we need a better standard of living, fairness in wealth opportunities, better wealth distribution, better salary for working class, better return for local products to the producers, better infra-structure and low cost, toll free road and better government. Until then, we kind of depend on subsidies.
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Racial Harmony - are we on the right direction?
Racial harmony needs to be nurtured from early days. Dialect, skin colour, body shapes, eyes, hair and each cultural trait distinguish us from each other. We can’t run away from this and forever we will not be the same.
We however could choose to be harmony with each other. We chose to tolerate each other’s weakness, embrace on each other’s strength and enjoy each other’s celebration.
But how do we achieve that in the system that design to fail us? Why are socio-economy and our early education system separating us from one another? Is this what we wanted and at the same time enchanting the work of no racism and Malaysia is for Malaysian? Is it worth to carry this in the names of politics?
In particular, I am really upset and annoyed with our early education system. How could we have ‘normal’, agama, Chinese type and Indian type school for our children? Why there is strong demand from political parties to keep having this system and separate our kids from one another? Where are we leading our country with racial harmony on this approach?
To me, there should be only one system. That one system require a bit of fine tune to make it works for everybody. There are religious study, languages and also availability of certain type of food is deemed important to each. This of course can be altered to meet each personal racial interest.
What could be the failure mode of the single stream education system?
1. Language barrier that led to performance of students especially for non-Malay students
2. Food barrier, which mainly around halal and non-halal food served.
3. Viable performance differentiation between ethnic groups
4. Ethnic grouping that led to inter-ethnic bullish, fighting, discrimination (either ethnic or religion biased) and favouritism.
The point of the matter is, these ethnic differentiation and racial harmony that we are seeking still best to be accomplished from the beginning. There are compromises needed for us to execute this singe-stream education system and achieve better standard of racial harmonies.
Nevertheless, we also need to look at the current multi-stream early education system pro and cons.
Pro:
1. Freedom to choose. (Only by principal, because most of the time it relates to majority ethnic group on the society and most likely only one type is available at each)
2. No language barrier for teaching.
3. Ethnic food serving on canteen.
Cons:
1. Additional 1 year on ‘peralihan’ class for secondary school. Which actually led to bigger issues for ‘Tingkatan 1 onward students due to 1 year older ego for ex-peralihan students, not to mention body size, hormones, etc.
2. More schooling expenditure for additional year on secondary schooling.
3. Ethnic biased students with deeper ethnic based mentality
4. More ethnic base clash at bigger scale and greater physical strength thus more damaging
Looking at some of this simple sample of pro and cons, I really don’t understand the importance of having this optional and yet very much ethnic biased early educational system in Malaysia. Why must we are separated from each other and yet claimed for racial harmony of the ethnic mentality being planted to us from the beginning. Is this truly what we need and wants, or it is merely political interest of each ethnic party to show that they are doing this for the benefit of the people and by not having this system is a discrimination to the ethnic group.
By having some simple ground rules and a bit of tweak to the education system, namely the subjects, we could protect each core values and interest.
Language
Bahasa Melayu still be the base language. However, it is worth to have the Malay to learn Indian and Chinese dialect, as these are the common language used in Malaysia. If Chinese and Indian have to put up with Malay language and accept it as the primary language, why can’t Malay be push a bit to learn Chinese and Indian.
Rather than only teaching the fundamental of each languages (including English), reading and speaking habits need to be pushed. Heavy weight on the ‘karangan’ need not to be enforced to allocate the time required
Food
Primarily, Malays concern most of Halal Haram food. If the non-Malays would be able to accept serving only Halal food, that would resolve the situation. In fact, I think all the food serve in Malaysia should be Halal based. I would love to just walk in to any restaurant disregarding Indian or Chinese type and enjoy each others cooking style.
Ethnic based clash
Kids will be kids. Only by growing up together that they will acquire mutual respects to each other.
Ethnic based class based on performance
I am worry about this line. Based on my experience, on majority of the school will have highly performed students in top class and others on the lower class. Most of the time it is required to fit the way of teaching to intellectual and achievement level of the students. However, the majority of the students, will be more Chinese on top class and more Indian on the lower class. Malays student will be around the middle class. I think this is the most worry that we or the government have. Do we have to remain apart so that we will not be measured against each other or shall we face the fact and motivate ourselves and our kids to reduce the gap? Eventually, this will take us to bigger picture of job, wealth and living standard segregation within the ethnic groups.
Subject and performance measurement system
I think we are way behind in our system. Our schooling system still ‘generalized’ and yet there are lot of weight on Bahasa Melayu. We need to do some check and balance, introduce new subjects, eliminate unnecessary subjects, have core and elective subjects, review scheduling (repetitive subject on daily basis, no room for reading in between), pendidikan jasmani versus extra co-curricular activities, math and science content standards, positive activities and experiments, moving away from ‘memorizing’ type to more diversify of comprehension, iq enhancement and creativities. Rather than only measuring performance through exams, some practical element need to be added such science project, literature based on reading… Make the school a bit lively and intelligence provoke.
We however could choose to be harmony with each other. We chose to tolerate each other’s weakness, embrace on each other’s strength and enjoy each other’s celebration.
But how do we achieve that in the system that design to fail us? Why are socio-economy and our early education system separating us from one another? Is this what we wanted and at the same time enchanting the work of no racism and Malaysia is for Malaysian? Is it worth to carry this in the names of politics?
In particular, I am really upset and annoyed with our early education system. How could we have ‘normal’, agama, Chinese type and Indian type school for our children? Why there is strong demand from political parties to keep having this system and separate our kids from one another? Where are we leading our country with racial harmony on this approach?
To me, there should be only one system. That one system require a bit of fine tune to make it works for everybody. There are religious study, languages and also availability of certain type of food is deemed important to each. This of course can be altered to meet each personal racial interest.
What could be the failure mode of the single stream education system?
1. Language barrier that led to performance of students especially for non-Malay students
2. Food barrier, which mainly around halal and non-halal food served.
3. Viable performance differentiation between ethnic groups
4. Ethnic grouping that led to inter-ethnic bullish, fighting, discrimination (either ethnic or religion biased) and favouritism.
The point of the matter is, these ethnic differentiation and racial harmony that we are seeking still best to be accomplished from the beginning. There are compromises needed for us to execute this singe-stream education system and achieve better standard of racial harmonies.
Nevertheless, we also need to look at the current multi-stream early education system pro and cons.
Pro:
1. Freedom to choose. (Only by principal, because most of the time it relates to majority ethnic group on the society and most likely only one type is available at each)
2. No language barrier for teaching.
3. Ethnic food serving on canteen.
Cons:
1. Additional 1 year on ‘peralihan’ class for secondary school. Which actually led to bigger issues for ‘Tingkatan 1 onward students due to 1 year older ego for ex-peralihan students, not to mention body size, hormones, etc.
2. More schooling expenditure for additional year on secondary schooling.
3. Ethnic biased students with deeper ethnic based mentality
4. More ethnic base clash at bigger scale and greater physical strength thus more damaging
Looking at some of this simple sample of pro and cons, I really don’t understand the importance of having this optional and yet very much ethnic biased early educational system in Malaysia. Why must we are separated from each other and yet claimed for racial harmony of the ethnic mentality being planted to us from the beginning. Is this truly what we need and wants, or it is merely political interest of each ethnic party to show that they are doing this for the benefit of the people and by not having this system is a discrimination to the ethnic group.
By having some simple ground rules and a bit of tweak to the education system, namely the subjects, we could protect each core values and interest.
Language
Bahasa Melayu still be the base language. However, it is worth to have the Malay to learn Indian and Chinese dialect, as these are the common language used in Malaysia. If Chinese and Indian have to put up with Malay language and accept it as the primary language, why can’t Malay be push a bit to learn Chinese and Indian.
Rather than only teaching the fundamental of each languages (including English), reading and speaking habits need to be pushed. Heavy weight on the ‘karangan’ need not to be enforced to allocate the time required
Food
Primarily, Malays concern most of Halal Haram food. If the non-Malays would be able to accept serving only Halal food, that would resolve the situation. In fact, I think all the food serve in Malaysia should be Halal based. I would love to just walk in to any restaurant disregarding Indian or Chinese type and enjoy each others cooking style.
Ethnic based clash
Kids will be kids. Only by growing up together that they will acquire mutual respects to each other.
Ethnic based class based on performance
I am worry about this line. Based on my experience, on majority of the school will have highly performed students in top class and others on the lower class. Most of the time it is required to fit the way of teaching to intellectual and achievement level of the students. However, the majority of the students, will be more Chinese on top class and more Indian on the lower class. Malays student will be around the middle class. I think this is the most worry that we or the government have. Do we have to remain apart so that we will not be measured against each other or shall we face the fact and motivate ourselves and our kids to reduce the gap? Eventually, this will take us to bigger picture of job, wealth and living standard segregation within the ethnic groups.
Subject and performance measurement system
I think we are way behind in our system. Our schooling system still ‘generalized’ and yet there are lot of weight on Bahasa Melayu. We need to do some check and balance, introduce new subjects, eliminate unnecessary subjects, have core and elective subjects, review scheduling (repetitive subject on daily basis, no room for reading in between), pendidikan jasmani versus extra co-curricular activities, math and science content standards, positive activities and experiments, moving away from ‘memorizing’ type to more diversify of comprehension, iq enhancement and creativities. Rather than only measuring performance through exams, some practical element need to be added such science project, literature based on reading… Make the school a bit lively and intelligence provoke.
Monday, 30 June 2008
Mega project, mega money, mega corruption
Regardless of whatever position we are in any measured Corruption Index, we Malaysian know better the level of corruption in this country. It happen in all levels and most of the time we are seeing things got probed on the lower level at which if we consider index and statistic, it merely involves fraction of percentage of the total corrupted money that goes around.
How does the big shark got away from this stats? The answer is simple; simply by declare it in the open. Put it in the economy plan or declare certain company awarded with the big project and ironically, we are seeing the same link of personalities to most of the awarded bodies.
The major differences but equally similar traits between this regime and before is the cost of the project. This new regime we are seeing and hearing numbers in billions and numerous amount of mega projects. Government increased public cost of livings by subsidy removal claims and at the sake of government revenues. At the same time, government also increase the budget that already in billions by another couple of billions.
This scenario is actually stunts me. It stunts me because at the same time we know for a fact that this regime was always talking about fighting corruption.
The key of why corruption exists is because of the presence abundance money. When the money ‘afloat’ is abundance and one want to have a piece of it, it happened. It is not hard to become a millionaire in Malaysia, you only need to get one project and you are set. The hard part is to get a hand in that project if you are not part of the ‘family’.
Due to amount of cash offered per project making the competition is actually on acquiring the project. There are no worries about the cost, revenue surpass the cost by miles. There are plenty of cash to go around.
The answer of reducing this corruption act is actually by reducing the profitability amount, relatively speaking, the pie. Smaller pie mean less people to share, small enough pie will only fill a few. But why can’t our government apply this simple step at which actually will save them millions if not billions and at the same time reducing the outflows and potentially enable them to have more meaningful development? Negatively speaking, they would like to have a piece of that pie or positively but equally negative is they don’t know. They don’t know how much a project should cost. They don’t know the cost of metal beams, bricks, concrete, workforce, etc.
To move on the right direction, our government institution needs to start establishing a cost study group. This group should consist of professionals (local please) with knowledge of the commodities, process, profit-loss calculation, nationalistic and honest. This group should look in depth of what it takes to build anything and be able to simulate what is the actual cost of delivering such project. Then the tender shall be out accordance to simulation with adequate profit in mind. The tender process need to be done professionally with all cost and profit declared up front.
Only by this we would be able to create a competitive environment. Distribution of wealth will become more meaningful, jobs for local will be created, monopolize and cronyism issue will be reduced (cronies is more interested on easy money, not the money that they have to really work for).
Perhaps the local job creation need a bit more explaining. On my knowledge and experience seeing, analyzing and scrutinizing all kind of cost data, I often encounter similar pattern of cost declaration. Workforce declared as locals and cheap foreign workers hired instead. Hiring cheap foreign workers is merely an act on profit optimization. It is the option that our government should drive to reduce. Our locals are all talented and much needed of income. We work more hours per day for most of other developed country with the lousiest pays in return. Should we be paid fairly, we don’t really need cheap foreigners to fill in the job spot. It does require a bit of enforcement body to make sure that we are fairly treated. More locals and less foreigners on job meaning less money outflow and more domestic purchase power and activities. Most of us is not like the rich in Malaysia that do the shopping overseas and keep their money in offshore account. We shop here, keep the money circulated here are the pillars of the economic growth in Malaysia and frankly need a good level of attention from the government.
Back to the principal of pies, I do believe that we are overspent on our entire projects. The cost and profit elements of this project need to be scrutinized. It is good to have numerous amount of mega project if we know how to balance the cashflow, knows the values for money, not wasting public fund and properly executed in healthy and meaningful manners. All this development is meant for the public and public benefits need to be ensured at all time. It definitely not supposes to be on the interest of certain individuals, shareholders and corporate bodies that are repeatedly gain the most benefit of any development project there.
How does the big shark got away from this stats? The answer is simple; simply by declare it in the open. Put it in the economy plan or declare certain company awarded with the big project and ironically, we are seeing the same link of personalities to most of the awarded bodies.
The major differences but equally similar traits between this regime and before is the cost of the project. This new regime we are seeing and hearing numbers in billions and numerous amount of mega projects. Government increased public cost of livings by subsidy removal claims and at the sake of government revenues. At the same time, government also increase the budget that already in billions by another couple of billions.
This scenario is actually stunts me. It stunts me because at the same time we know for a fact that this regime was always talking about fighting corruption.
The key of why corruption exists is because of the presence abundance money. When the money ‘afloat’ is abundance and one want to have a piece of it, it happened. It is not hard to become a millionaire in Malaysia, you only need to get one project and you are set. The hard part is to get a hand in that project if you are not part of the ‘family’.
Due to amount of cash offered per project making the competition is actually on acquiring the project. There are no worries about the cost, revenue surpass the cost by miles. There are plenty of cash to go around.
The answer of reducing this corruption act is actually by reducing the profitability amount, relatively speaking, the pie. Smaller pie mean less people to share, small enough pie will only fill a few. But why can’t our government apply this simple step at which actually will save them millions if not billions and at the same time reducing the outflows and potentially enable them to have more meaningful development? Negatively speaking, they would like to have a piece of that pie or positively but equally negative is they don’t know. They don’t know how much a project should cost. They don’t know the cost of metal beams, bricks, concrete, workforce, etc.
To move on the right direction, our government institution needs to start establishing a cost study group. This group should consist of professionals (local please) with knowledge of the commodities, process, profit-loss calculation, nationalistic and honest. This group should look in depth of what it takes to build anything and be able to simulate what is the actual cost of delivering such project. Then the tender shall be out accordance to simulation with adequate profit in mind. The tender process need to be done professionally with all cost and profit declared up front.
Only by this we would be able to create a competitive environment. Distribution of wealth will become more meaningful, jobs for local will be created, monopolize and cronyism issue will be reduced (cronies is more interested on easy money, not the money that they have to really work for).
Perhaps the local job creation need a bit more explaining. On my knowledge and experience seeing, analyzing and scrutinizing all kind of cost data, I often encounter similar pattern of cost declaration. Workforce declared as locals and cheap foreign workers hired instead. Hiring cheap foreign workers is merely an act on profit optimization. It is the option that our government should drive to reduce. Our locals are all talented and much needed of income. We work more hours per day for most of other developed country with the lousiest pays in return. Should we be paid fairly, we don’t really need cheap foreigners to fill in the job spot. It does require a bit of enforcement body to make sure that we are fairly treated. More locals and less foreigners on job meaning less money outflow and more domestic purchase power and activities. Most of us is not like the rich in Malaysia that do the shopping overseas and keep their money in offshore account. We shop here, keep the money circulated here are the pillars of the economic growth in Malaysia and frankly need a good level of attention from the government.
Back to the principal of pies, I do believe that we are overspent on our entire projects. The cost and profit elements of this project need to be scrutinized. It is good to have numerous amount of mega project if we know how to balance the cashflow, knows the values for money, not wasting public fund and properly executed in healthy and meaningful manners. All this development is meant for the public and public benefits need to be ensured at all time. It definitely not supposes to be on the interest of certain individuals, shareholders and corporate bodies that are repeatedly gain the most benefit of any development project there.
Friday, 27 June 2008
Road Malaysia
What a ridiculous price to pay to own a car and commute. How could somebody idiotic mind led us to this rubbish system. The minute we bought ourselves a car (which is actually essential purchase) is the minute that we enslaved ourselves to this irrational systems. First, we have to pay RM900 at least to obtain a licence and RM 30 annual licence cost. Then, 140% is charged on excise duty on top of ‘declared’ total cost for the car in Malaysia. 10% sales tax on top of the grand total. Insurance which is ridiculously expensive comparative to the return (processing time to claim and re-valuation of the car during claims). Then, come road tax which government keen on reducing mostly to ignore necessity to build more PUBLIC road. Later, come the ridiculous fuel cost and tollbooth that are mostly impossible to avoid.
Yes, somebody made a mistake on the toll concession deal. 10% increases every 3 years plus government commitment to back every cent for losses made. Now there are ‘discussion’ between concessionaire and government on possibilities of reducing the toll. But in the press statement, the two main element of 10% increase and no-loss assurance was mentioned. I am not sure what sort of agreement would be concluded and if there actually rakyat’s money will not further wasted by government on making some individual wealthier.
Most likely, we would never rid of the stupid clauses that was agreed and endorsed by the empowered body before without the expense of our money to make sure some individual wealth growth not to be interfered. But, I am really sure that somebody in the office there would have some level of intelligent to use some other method. In business, supply and demand rules always applied. Each year, more than half million vehicle registered in Malaysia and the figure will keep increasing on exponential rate (due to low vehicle disposal rate). The more packed and jammed the highway, the more government have to pay the concessionaire with our money. Ironically, it is a trend now to put tollbooth on most of the new road developed. What had happened to public road development? Are we ignoring this development? What happened to all the charges that we paid? Only with alternative but reasonably fast route would enable us to have a choice to avoid this tollbooth and still arrived at destination and timely order. Aren’t that what out government should provide. Then the toll charges will not matter and they can charge any amount that they want and a single cent will not come out from our pocket. Demand will drop and supply demand rule will supersede the price and eventually will become more reasonable through time.
Personally, I don’t think government move on reducing the road tax as an incentive to reduce our burden was necessary. It was merely burdens that our government themselves intelligently created. I will not mind to pay the original amount providing that I have a free road to drive on. I want alternative free and quality road. I want government to stop awarding new road development to privatized concessionaire that will eventually and proudly build a tollbooth in the expense of our money anyway.
Summary:
1. Make good alternative public road.
2. Use transportation related revenue for transportation related development. Not to central government and spent at central government discretion
3. Review cost thoroughly to reduce over-payment to contractors
4. Stop confusing people with this road tax reduction bullsh*t
5. Stop awarding highway development that will eventually have more tollbooth
6. Sue those ‘intelligence’ that allow the concessionary deal sign-off. Shift government (rakyat’s) liability to personal liability.
7. Toll should be charged (if any) in cents not Ringgit. Charges should only cover cost of maintenance.
8. Review all the contract include R&R toilet cleaning contract. Somebody is sitting on sh* t load amount of money there.
Yes, somebody made a mistake on the toll concession deal. 10% increases every 3 years plus government commitment to back every cent for losses made. Now there are ‘discussion’ between concessionaire and government on possibilities of reducing the toll. But in the press statement, the two main element of 10% increase and no-loss assurance was mentioned. I am not sure what sort of agreement would be concluded and if there actually rakyat’s money will not further wasted by government on making some individual wealthier.
Most likely, we would never rid of the stupid clauses that was agreed and endorsed by the empowered body before without the expense of our money to make sure some individual wealth growth not to be interfered. But, I am really sure that somebody in the office there would have some level of intelligent to use some other method. In business, supply and demand rules always applied. Each year, more than half million vehicle registered in Malaysia and the figure will keep increasing on exponential rate (due to low vehicle disposal rate). The more packed and jammed the highway, the more government have to pay the concessionaire with our money. Ironically, it is a trend now to put tollbooth on most of the new road developed. What had happened to public road development? Are we ignoring this development? What happened to all the charges that we paid? Only with alternative but reasonably fast route would enable us to have a choice to avoid this tollbooth and still arrived at destination and timely order. Aren’t that what out government should provide. Then the toll charges will not matter and they can charge any amount that they want and a single cent will not come out from our pocket. Demand will drop and supply demand rule will supersede the price and eventually will become more reasonable through time.
Personally, I don’t think government move on reducing the road tax as an incentive to reduce our burden was necessary. It was merely burdens that our government themselves intelligently created. I will not mind to pay the original amount providing that I have a free road to drive on. I want alternative free and quality road. I want government to stop awarding new road development to privatized concessionaire that will eventually and proudly build a tollbooth in the expense of our money anyway.
Summary:
1. Make good alternative public road.
2. Use transportation related revenue for transportation related development. Not to central government and spent at central government discretion
3. Review cost thoroughly to reduce over-payment to contractors
4. Stop confusing people with this road tax reduction bullsh*t
5. Stop awarding highway development that will eventually have more tollbooth
6. Sue those ‘intelligence’ that allow the concessionary deal sign-off. Shift government (rakyat’s) liability to personal liability.
7. Toll should be charged (if any) in cents not Ringgit. Charges should only cover cost of maintenance.
8. Review all the contract include R&R toilet cleaning contract. Somebody is sitting on sh* t load amount of money there.
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