Politik, Legislatif, Dasar dan Tadbir Urus

Malaysians and the government must learn this bitter lesson today. The coronavirus is spreading like nobody’s business and it is continuing its vast spread to take more lives away from this world. Some say it is the will of God, but it is not. It is because we are lacking in action, so does the government inaction. The slow response and lacking in counter measures to curb the spread of this virus has in fact make things worse for the entire nation. Some will be wondering why is this coronavirus spreading like a rocket speed. First our nation’s government machinery has not been serious about curbing this virus even from the beginning. Much politicking has been played in the latest political scene. And our nation then experienced a very long period without a government which had made things even worst for everyone. The nation’s administration came to a complete standstill following a coup d’etat which caused the previous government to collapsed. Religious matter has been another big i...

Recently, the Perikatan Nasional government announced some “financial assistance” package in order to “reduce” the burden of our people’s livelihood who are affected following the Movement Control Order (MCO) implementation nationwide which saw all economic activities came to a standstill following the lockdown. We would like to ask the prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his cabinet ministers, what do you mean by financial assistance? Do you know the real definition of financial assistance? You are now allowing our people to withdraw from their retirement savings in the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) for about 12 month beginning from 1st April 2020 next month. This is not financial assistance. This is about taking out our live savings for our retirement to ease our current burdens today. So, how are we going to survive in our retirement age in the aftermath? Then in the end, you will definitely blame us for not having enough for our retirements in the future. Can a higher divi...

By Syed Jaymal Zahid When 26-year-old Dhanni was faced with retrenchment from his oil and gas engineering job, he decided it was time to pursue a master’s degree in supply chain management. For Dhanni, who was among the thousands of engineers culled by oil and gas firms as a result of the global oil price rout which left a trail of devastation across the globe, news that many of his colleagues in the management side were left unscathed by the mass layoffs meant it was worth spending another year in school — not to mention a lot of money — to get a master’s degree in the business side of his field. He felt this would give him more job security. But Dhanni could be in for a big disappointment. While having a sterling CV with a good MA may appear to be the best way to stand out from the growing number of degree holders competing for that high-paying job, the opposite seems to be the case in today’s work market. As the Malaysian economy decelerates at a record five-year rate, high-payin...

By Kumaran Ira Amid growing global economic gloom, including a slowdown in China and falling oil and commodity prices, major companies throughout Europe are announcing mass layoffs and job cuts. Last Wednesday, US multinational General Electric (GE) announced plans to cut 6,500 jobs in Europe over the next two years, including 1,700 jobs in Germany, 570 in the UK, 765 in France and 1,300 in Switzerland. According to comments from the head of GE’s power division last September, this is part of a plan to squeeze out $3 billion in cost savings over five years. GE acquired French engineering company Alstom in a €9.7 billion deal in 2014, promising to create jobs. GE France spokesman Laurent Wormser said job cuts in France will hit mainly administrative jobs in the Paris area, in human resources, public relations and the legal department. After reaching an agreement with the trade unions, French nuclear group Areva announced plans for 6,000 job cuts worldwide, including in Germany, the Uni...

By Vincent Kolo Global financial markets started 2016 with a bang! A reprise of last summer’s chaotic falls on China’s stock markets triggered panic selling of shares, commodities and currencies around the world. The first six trading days for China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen markets saw the total value of the market shrink by 15 percent, a loss of US$1 trillion. Worldwide, US$4 trillion was wiped from stock markets as China fears spread. The world’s biggest stock market, New York, fell 6.2 percent in the first week of the year, its worst start ever. Does this set the tone for the world economy in 2016? The capitalist George Soros is among those predicting another financial crisis like that of 2008. China is the world’s second largest economy and biggest trading nation. The sharp slowdown that started two years ago in the Chinese economy has already brought profound crises to several countries that depend on commodity trade with China. This is clear in Brazil, facing its deepest d...

By Doug Enaa Greene In 2008 one of the best-selling novels in Japan was an eighty-year-old novel: Kanikosen (Crab Cannery Ship) by the communist author Takiji Kobayashi. The book is a story about a crew of fishermen who rebel against the wretched working conditions on a Japanese crabbing ship by going on strike and attempting to take over their ship. Amid the global financial crisis, the novel, previously selling a moderate five thousand copies per year shot up to sales of five hundred thousand. Four new manga versions were also produced, and in 2009 Japanese director Hiroyuki Tanaka (Sabu) made a film based on the novel. Kobayashi’s work touched a nerve in contemporary Japan, plagued by growing inequality, insecurity, and the effects of a two-decade economic slump. Kanikosen laid bare not only the grueling reality of capitalism, but also the possibility of united resistance by workers. Although Kobayashi’s Crab Cannery Ship has been in English translation since 1933 (albeit as an...

Felda has recently announced that they are planning to construct a stadium in order to accommodate the Felda settlers' "sports activities". The cost of the stadium's construction has been mentioned about RM100 million but excluding the other additional costs which may arise in due time. First of all, what is the sole purpose of constructing a "Felda Stadium"? Then, who will manage the stadium, the settlers or the Felda management team? In what way, would the stadium benefits the Felda settlers nationwide? Or will it only benefits certain parties or cronies from within the Umno circle and Felda management team? The Felda management under the chairmanship of the former Negri Sembilan menteri besar will have to spell it out clearly on the purpose of the stadium. What he says are too general, in such a way that an adult is merely talking to the kids around. Basically, if you are talking about the one, which will benefit the Felda settlers, in what way or me...

When the Penang state government announced that affordable home would be built in the state. However, the Penang BN chairman Teng Chang Yeow has brushed aside the state government's announcement by saying that those affordable home are no more affordable as they are now overpriced. First of all, why is the Penang BN talking about "affordable homes" right now? Before 2008, who was then ruling the Penang state since 1969? Who actually has turned Penang into an industrialized state? If the state has been industrialized, then is the state government able to control the land prices from shooting up once certain areas has been developed and industrialized? If the Penang BN chairman is trying to talk about "welfare" for the people, then we can certainly confirm that they are not fit to talk about it at all in the first place. During BN's rule in the state, did Gerakan, MCA or Umno come up with a mechanism to control and curb the rising land cost and property p...

(This article was originally published in the IRAS website) Malaysia, 55 years is over and now our nation is heading towards the 56th year, that is of course next year 2013. The New Economic Policy (NEP) was established and implemented immediately after the May 13, 1969 racial riots. The NEP was the brainchild of the then second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak who had taken over the country leadership from Tunku Abdul Rahman after the bloody riots in 1969 as the result of the Alliance's defeat in the general election during that year. What is NEP all about? Of course we all know that, but many of our new generations do not even know what was that. Many younger Malaysians today often view NEP as a tool of corruption, power abuse and an easy way to achieve power and wealth. Yes, the NEP has became like that. The NEP has in fact swayed from its original objectives. NEP was born out in aftermath of the May 13, 1969 riots in order to safeguard the social and economic interest of the Bum...

What got to know in disgust that the BN government is now taking some RM1.5 million from our Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) savings in order to finance some sort of government-linked housing scheme for the "poor" and under qualified house buyers. What does that all mean to us? Our concern is what we and our employers had contributed into our EPF savings from the decades of our hard working and earnings is now going into the hands of some company alleged to be managing this so-called housing scheme for the "poor". What right does this BN government have to rob off our savings from our EPF accounts? Does the EPF Act states that at any time or occasion, the government has the right to withdraw our savings to finance some projects out there? We could remember that when we wanted to withdraw our savings from the EPF to pay for our housing loans, reduce our medical bills, finance our education and as well as to support our own retirement, we saw all those hassles of ...

A landmark anti-discrimination law, described by one supporter as “a homage to equality,” was signed into law last month by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. For the first time, it levies prison sentences for acts of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation or nationality. The law is “a form of justice,” said President Santos. “It was time to get tough on this and to ensure the protection of the rights of those discriminated against.” The legislation was in large part the result of tireless efforts by two local NDI partners. A key figure behind the bill’s drafting and passage was Luis Ernesto Olave, national coordinator of Afro-Colombian issues for the Independent Movement of Absolute Renovation (MIRA), the political party that introduced the bill. Olave participated in NDI’s leadership program for emerging political leaders last year. The law will “settle an historic debt with the Afro-Colombian population, which continues to face racism,” sai...

Is the federal government trying to cheat their civil servants over the introduction of a less attractive new Civil Service Remuneration System (SBPA) option? Why are we saying this word, cheating? It is because the Public Service Department (JPA) had given the civil servants only a 16- day grace period, that is starting from 15 December t0 31 December 2011 to sign up of the new salary scale option without giving any proper details and documentations of the new option. Come on, that 16-day grace period is dam short and how can JPA expect all the civil servants to understand the contents of the new option (when it has not been provided at all) and have it signed immediately or within that stipulated period of time? Furthermore, it is year end now, and many of them had already gone on leave. So, what is the real intention of the federal government and the JPA in hurrying up the civil servants to sign up for the new option in such a situation to an extend that no details or documentations...

We are referring to a recent news report mentioning the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) board of management has decided to waive some part of the RM2.9 billion loan owed by the BN federal government. We are indeed gravely disturbed and disappointed with the EPF board's inaccurate decision to waive the billions of Ringgit in loan repayment from the government and we do not understand why it has to be like that. First, the money in the EPF is ours, as well as millions more workers out there and all those savings are mean for our retirement in future. Then, helping to reduce the burden of the Umno-led BN federal government by waiving their loan repayment is not the duty of EPF and certainly it is not our duty too as well. Government expenditures are overseen by these civil servants and they are guaranteed with a whole life pensions throughout their retirement age. To ease the government's financial burden or whatever financial deficit they are suffering from, these civil servants s...

We were gravely shocked to learned that based on the recent audit report, it has been found that the Employees Provident Fund or EPF has approved a large amount of about RM55.1 billion in loans which are not backed by government guarantees. The management of EPF is gambling with our money by giving out insecure loans. What we were informed that some of the loans given to debtors also had some standard operating procedures skipped just because these loans were disbursed to federal and state governments, government linked organizations, government linked companies (GLCs) and one incorporated body of the finance ministry. Just look at most of the government departments and agencies, all with blatant misadventures in their procurement and spending, like nobody's business. The costs of purchases were also mostly above that of the market value and some pricing and tenders were just simply being approved without even have the market price or value being analyzed. We all knew that under th...

Well, Pakatan Rakyat which consist of PKR, PAS and DAP had just released their Shadow Budget for 2012 recently in order to counter the upcoming BN's election Budget which is scheduled to be tabled this coming Friday. As soon as Pakatan's shadow budget was released for public viewing, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad without fully going into its contents, immediately condemned the opposition front's alternative budget as "empty pocket". It clearly demonstrates that Dr Mahathir's immediate condemnation of the opposition's effort was too childish. Being an elderly statesman and former premier of this country, he should have been observing his characteristic properly as a retired top leader instead of still continuing his role like a some sort of de facto prime minister stepping over the current premier Najib Razak. Pakatan's Shadow Budget 2012, although it is still shadowy, but it provides an alternative for the people in this country to view what the ...

By Kamilia Sharifuddin I read with interest the report and claims that there is a secret "underground" mission to target hard-up Muslims and entice them into Christianity. While the truth of this claim is not established, the statement is a slap on Muslims in more ways than one. Firstly, it shows how vulnerable Muslims in this country are, despite all the assistance and encouragement given to them. On television, there is no end to religious shows and so-called Islamic series. The mosques are getting bigger every year and the amount spent by the government on anything to do with Islam (of course, as interpreted to suit them) is also astronomical. So what has gone wrong? Muslims should think: how come Islam is attractive in the West where there is no government funding at all to Muslim organisations, where mosques are scarce and where there is always some level of Islamophobia, whether at an individual level or institutional level? And here in Malaysia, we stil...

By Chong Lip Teck The incident in which an excellent SMJK Yu Hua student jumped to his death in Kajang must serve as a wake-up call to all of us. Besides disseminating knowledge, we must also identify whether schools are placing emphasis on students’ psychology development and nurturing at the same time. When the Franco-Prussian War came to an end in 1871, someone asked how Prussian army managed to emerge as the winner of the war. Moltke, the chief of the Prussian military staff said, the Prussian victory had been pre-determined dating back to primary education. The rise or fall of a nation is depending on education while national strength lies in the level of knowledge. In addition, principles like morality, courage, confidence, determination…… must be cultivated. Teachers playing the role of educationists must always seize the opportunities to instill good habits and values in students, as this will help them establish positive attitudes and subsequently reflect them in their everyda...

By Soong Phui Jee It was reported that the Cabinet might consider reducing the overseas scholarships for Sijil Penilaian Malaysia (SPM) students. Students who score well in the SPM examination might have only be awarded the Public Service Department (PSD) overseas scholarships after they have completed a pre-university course and admitted by one of the world's top 50 universities, such as the eight private institutions of higher education of the US Ivy League, the Oxford University and the eight leading universities in the United Kingdom. The reports have again triggered a debate as the new rules of the game seem to be irrelevant to perfection, transparency and fairness. The only advantage is, it seems to have made things easier for the PSD. Another debatable issue is, what is the best timing to award the scholarships? We always think of neighbouring Singapore when we talk about scholarships. Since the early 1970s, Singapore has been offering the Asean Scholarships to outstanding M...

Bekas Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Tan Sri Ani Arope menyalahkan Unit Perancang Ekonomi kerana menaikkan tarif elektrik. Laman web The Malaysian Insider memetik Ani sebagai berkata, TNB dipaksa menandatangani perjanjian berat sebelah, sejak hampir 20 tahun lalu. Ani, yang menyifatkan EPU sebagai ‘Economic Plundering Unit’, memaksa TNB membeli tenaga elektrik daripada Pengeluar Tenaga bebas (IPP), Genting Sanyen sebanyak 14 sen kilowatt sejam (Kwj) walaupun wujud tawaran 12 sen kemudiannya. IPP lain kemudian mengenakan caj 16 sen/kwj. “Kamu tidak perlu pergi sekolah perniagaan untuk memahami mengapa perlu kenaikan tarif elektrik- hanya melihat semula syarat diberikan kepada beberapa IPP,” kata Ani yang menerajui syarikat utiliti itu antara 1990 hingga 1996 dalam status di laman sosial, Facebook. “Dengan fasal ambil-dan- bayar, dan dengan 40 peratus rizab berlebihan yang kita ada hari ini, satu pihak hanya perlu menghasilkan setengah keupayaan pihak lain dan dibaya...