To YB, from your Boss
by Dr Hsu Dar Ren,
Published in Malaysia Insider
APRIL 15 –
Dear Yang Berhormat,
You do not know me although I know about you, since you are such a famous person.
I am just one of the millions of voters in this country we call our home. I am one of those who have voted regularly and, through this process of voting, selected our representatives to form the government.
You are one of the representatives elected by the people , even though the votes are secret and you would not know how each and every one of us voted.
You won because majority of the people in your area voted for you, and your party won the majority of the seats in Parliament, which is the place where all the representatives elected by people like me meet to think how to govern this country on our behalf.
Although you owe your position, your trappings of power and your wealth to our votes, you do not need to be grateful to us.
We do not ask you to be grateful to us. We just want you to do the job – the one that you wanted and asked for, and that we have given you – well.
Just like in a company, if a CEO and his team can do a good job and earn good dividends for shareholders, the shareholders will be happy and reward the team with another extension of tenure.
But, when the management team is not functioning well, and the company prospects are affected, the shareholders have the right to choose another team to replace the team.
The situation is the same here. We voted you and your team to power so that you can carry out projects and policies that benefit all of us.
It is our right, as your ultimate boss, to have schools built, and hospitals that are well manned, and roads well paved, and drains that flow.
It is our right to have protection against harm provided by the security forces which are funded by us.
It is our right to earn a decent living by having licences given to us by the very people that we put in place in the first instance.
It is our right to have a well-run civil service, since the civil servants are our employees, so to speak.
So, as the ultimate boss, we expect development; we expect progress. These development and progress must be continuous and should not be on an ad hoc basis.
Projects paid for with money taxed from us should not be used by your team as gifts to buy our votes or withheld as blackmail during elections, by or general.
As the ultimate boss, it is our right to throw out of office any representative who is not heeding the wishes of the people, who is not functioning well, and who is on the take. This is our right as citizens.
And please do not say we are not grateful if we did not vote you, since to function well is part of your job description, and you have to fulfil your job description in order for us to vote you in again, and not through using projects to exchange for our votes.
If you are too busy to remember all that I have written, just remember one thing.
The people – and I am one of them – are the real Boss. Your Boss.
Thank you for your precious time.
Hsu
(A boss)
___________________________________________________________________
Dr Hsu Dar Ren is a medical doctor and blogs on socio-economic issues; he believes that a fair and equitable society with good governance is the key to the future of this country.
Showing posts with label View and Opinion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label View and Opinion. Show all posts
Friday, 17 April 2009
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
Open Letter to PM & Minister from Lim Kit Siang
10 Challenges which Malaysia Cabinet must address
Open Letter to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet by Lim Kit Siang on Tuesday, 2nd September 2008:
First post-Permatang Pauh by-election Cabinet meeting tomorrow - an acid test whether Barisan Nasional government has learnt the lessons of the two "political tsunamis" in six months
YAB Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister,
YB-YB Cabinet Ministers,
Ten challenges which the Cabinet must address tomorrow to demonstrate that it has learnt the lessons of the two political tsunamis in six months
I believe the overwhelming majority of Malaysians have one common reaction when they read or learnt of the news of the announcement by Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukudu of his sudden resignation yesterday – when Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is going to resign as Malaysian Prime Minister despite his earlier announcement of the power-transition schedule in June 2010.
This may be unfair but this is a fact. Why is this so when four short years ago, the Prime Minister had won the country’s biggest mandate in the 2004 general election winning an unprecedented 91 per cent parliamentary majority?
This was one of my thoughts when I hiked up Penang Hill “48” this morning, which I had not done for a very very long time. The hour hike up and down Penang Hill “48” provided me with a very conducive atmosphere to think about the multiple crisis of confidence afflicting Malaysia – political, economic, educational, judicial, institutional and nation-building.
The idea to pen this Open Letter also came from this hike as the Cabinet meeting tomorrow is the first one after the Permatang Pauh by-election, presenting an acid test whether Barisan Nasional government has learnt the lessons of the two “political tsunamis” in six months to save the country from the multiple crisis of confidence confronting the nation.
There are at least ten challenges which the Cabinet must address tomorrow:
1. Ahmad Ismail’s racist remarks
The Cabinet must sternly and unanimously censure the Bukit Bendera Umno chief, Datuk Ahmad Ismail for his offensive, insensitive, derogatory and racist remarks about the Malaysian Chinese during the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign.
By referring to the Chinese as pendatang, orang tumpang and totally untrustworthy Malaysians, and going into hiding after making the offensive and racist remarks, Ahmad had spoilt the 51st Merdeka anniversary celebrations and sabotaged the Prime Minister’s 51st National Day Message calling on every Malaysian to give importance to solidarity, as “it is the cornerstone of the country’s political stability, social harmony and economic competitiveness”.
The Prime Minister has also caused great dismay and distress among right-thinking Malaysians as he has chosen to demonstrate his “solidarity” with Ahmad when he should be an exemplar for Bangsa Malaysia.
Is there any Cabinet Minister who is prepared to point out tomorrow that the Prime Minister’s response in condoning Ahmad’s racists remarks is weak, unworthy and unacceptable?The Prime Minister’s statement: “I will tell him not to do it again…. I don’t think he meant it. I’ll make sure to tell him not to use it again” raises many questions.It means that the Prime Minister had neither met, discussed nor reprimanded Ahmad or he would not have used to future tense of “I will tell him not to do it again”.
How can Abdullah ensure that such offensive, insensitive, derogatory and racist language would not be used again when even in Parliament recently, Umno MPs could hurl racist abuses like “Balik Cina” without any censure by UMNO or BN leadership?
Or shouldn’t the Ahmad Ismail furore be raised and discussed in the Cabinet at all? In that case, let the Cabinet explain its double standards in rejecting the apology of Wee Meng Chee for the “Negaraku” rap video-clip just before the 50th Merdeka anniversary last year, with Umno Ministers competing with each other to demand all sorts of penalties including stripping him of his citizenship as compared to the case of Ahmad Ismail!
2. Declare Malaysia Day on Septembert 16 as a national public holiday
Sabah and Sarawak have suddenly become very important after the March 8 “political tsunami”, not so much to end the long-standing neglect and marginalisation of the rights of the people of Sabah and Sarawak as distinct from those of the leaders of Barisan Nasional in the two states but to ensure the survival of the Barisan Nasional power structure at the federal level.
This is just not good enough as the people of Sabah and Sarawak feel being made used of just to perpetutate the vested interests of the Barisan Nasional in Kuala Lumpur, without any change of heart by the Barisan Nasional leaders.
After 45 years, the people of Sabah and Sarawak must be made to feel that they are an integral part of the Malaysian federation with the Cabinet taking the first step in declaring Malaysia Day on September 16 as a national public holiday with effect from this year.
3. Commitment to establish IPCMC by end of the year
Despite increased budget allocations for the police, Malaysians today feel even more unsafe whether in the streets, public places or the privacy of their homes compared to five years ago when Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi became Prime Minister.
In Pasir Pinji in my parliamentary constituency of Ipoh Timur, there is a reign of fear following a sudden spate of violent thefts leaving the residents and the petty trading community worry for their lives.
This is not an isolated development in Ipoh but represents a worsening situation of law and order in the country, which has made Malaysia unsafe and insecure for its citizens, visitors and investors.
So far there is no political will to fully implement the recommendations of the Royal Police Commission, including the establishment of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to create an efficient, incorruptible, professional world-class police service to keep crime low.
Let the Cabinet make a policy decision tomorrow to establish the IPCMC by the end of the year.
4. Restoration of an independent, impartial, professional and meritocratic judiciary
The Cabinet has failed Malaysians in failing to set up a Judicial Appointments Commission to restore national and international confidence in the independence, impartiality, integrity and meritocracy of the judiciary.
There must be a Cabinet commitment that although such a Judicial Appointments Commission has not yet been set up, the Prime Minister will respect and follow the spirit of consultation intended in such a judicial reform when appointing the next Chief Justice as the current Chief Justice of Malaysia Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad will retire on 17th October 2008.
The Prime Minister and the Cabinet must be forewarned that it does not serve the cause of justice or the nation if the country is plunged into a new judicial crisis because of the appointment of the first Umno Chief Justice in the nation’s history in utter disregard of a proper consultation with the relevant stakeholders such as the Bar Council, the Parliamentary Opposition and the civil society, and in keeping with the principles of accountability, transparency and good governance.
This Open Letter to the Prime Minister and Cabinet is still a work-in-progress. However, because of time factor, I am making public the first four of the ten challenges to give time for deliberation by the Cabinet while the rest of the Open Letter would be finalized and released before the end of the day.
This is one beauty of the Internet era of instant communication and there is no reason why Malaysians should not fully make use of such facilities opened up by the information age.
5. Zero tolerance for corruption
Let the Cabinet declare a new National Integrity Plan objective of zero tolerance for corruption – with Malaysia ranked among the top 10 countries which are least corrupt in the world.
Although there is a flurry of arrests by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), Malaysians are reminded of the earlier flurry of ACA activities in the first few months of the new Abdullah premiership which finally fizzled out into nothing – with Malaysia’s ranking in the annual Transparency International Corruption Perception Index plunging from No. 37 in 2003 to No. 43 in 2007.
Are the Prime Minister and Cabinet prepared to give full liberty and authority to the ACA to fight corruption even against Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers, Mentri-Menteri Besar and top Barisan Nasional leaders without getting any greenlight from the Prime Minister?
6. End the brain drain
Is the Cabinet prepared to admit that one fatal mistake of our nation-building policy which has led to our diminishing international competitiveness and why Malaysia has lost out to South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore in the past half-a-century and continuing to trail behind more and more countries is injustice and discrimination meted out to the best and brightest talents driving them overseas.
Is the Cabinet prepared to end this crippling denial syndrome to end the brain drain of the best and brightest talents overseas – in particular stemming the brain-drain to Singapore by reinstating the principle of meritocracy and ensuring that Malaysia’s best and brightest, regardless of race, can get the best educational and employment opportunities in their own country?
7. Admit failure of Malaysias education and higher education policies
Just refer to the advertorial of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn published in the New Straits Times of August 23, page 43 to commemorate the conferment of an honorary PhD in Education on Raja Zarith Sofiah if anyone still have any doubts of the failure of the Malaysian education system, whether primary, secondary or tertiary.
It is not just about the “murder” or may be more appropriate term “sodomy” of the English language but reflects the utter sense of irresponsibility of the educational authorities which could see Malaysia plunging from a nation with internationally-recognised high standards of English language to one where we can only hold our heads in shame.
The international repute of Malaysian universities have suffered similar decline.
Is the Cabinet prepared to take a policy decision that Malaysian universities should rank among the best in the world – with at least two among the World’s Top 100 and another two in the list of the World’s next Top 100. In other words, at least four Malaysian Universities among the World’s Top 200 Universities?
8. Usher in a new era of democracy and human
Is the Cabinet prepared to initiate action to usher in a new era of democracy and human rights with the repeal of draconian and undemocratic laws which violate human rights such as Internal Security Act, Official Secrets Act, Sedition Act, Printing Presses and Publications Act and the Police Act?
9. Parliament
Neither the Prime Minister, the Home Minister or any other Cabinet Minister has been able to explain why government has rejected the proposal for the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee on the DNA bill, raising questions about the government commitment to create a first-world Parliament.Is Cabinet prepared to demonstrate its seriousness to far-reaching parliamentary reforms including the establishment of a parliamentary select committee whereby every Ministry would be shadowed by a Select Committee?
10. Bangsa Malaysia and Ketuanan Rakyat
Finally, is the Cabinet prepared to totally revamp government nation-building policies in accordance with the concept and vision of Bangsa Malaysia, highlighting the principle of Ketuanan Rakyat and not Ketuanan Melayu, Ketuanan Cina, Ketuanan India, Ketuanan Dayak or Ketuanan Iban?
Yours sincerely,
Lim Kit Siang
DAP Parliamentary Leader &MP for Ipoh Timor
(Malaysia Alternative Voices have no assoiciation with any political parties but article which are relevant to Malaysian in a whole is published to attact attention and create awareness from more Malaysian)
Open Letter to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet by Lim Kit Siang on Tuesday, 2nd September 2008:
First post-Permatang Pauh by-election Cabinet meeting tomorrow - an acid test whether Barisan Nasional government has learnt the lessons of the two "political tsunamis" in six months
YAB Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister,
YB-YB Cabinet Ministers,
Ten challenges which the Cabinet must address tomorrow to demonstrate that it has learnt the lessons of the two political tsunamis in six months
I believe the overwhelming majority of Malaysians have one common reaction when they read or learnt of the news of the announcement by Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukudu of his sudden resignation yesterday – when Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is going to resign as Malaysian Prime Minister despite his earlier announcement of the power-transition schedule in June 2010.
This may be unfair but this is a fact. Why is this so when four short years ago, the Prime Minister had won the country’s biggest mandate in the 2004 general election winning an unprecedented 91 per cent parliamentary majority?
This was one of my thoughts when I hiked up Penang Hill “48” this morning, which I had not done for a very very long time. The hour hike up and down Penang Hill “48” provided me with a very conducive atmosphere to think about the multiple crisis of confidence afflicting Malaysia – political, economic, educational, judicial, institutional and nation-building.
The idea to pen this Open Letter also came from this hike as the Cabinet meeting tomorrow is the first one after the Permatang Pauh by-election, presenting an acid test whether Barisan Nasional government has learnt the lessons of the two “political tsunamis” in six months to save the country from the multiple crisis of confidence confronting the nation.
There are at least ten challenges which the Cabinet must address tomorrow:
1. Ahmad Ismail’s racist remarks
The Cabinet must sternly and unanimously censure the Bukit Bendera Umno chief, Datuk Ahmad Ismail for his offensive, insensitive, derogatory and racist remarks about the Malaysian Chinese during the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign.
By referring to the Chinese as pendatang, orang tumpang and totally untrustworthy Malaysians, and going into hiding after making the offensive and racist remarks, Ahmad had spoilt the 51st Merdeka anniversary celebrations and sabotaged the Prime Minister’s 51st National Day Message calling on every Malaysian to give importance to solidarity, as “it is the cornerstone of the country’s political stability, social harmony and economic competitiveness”.
The Prime Minister has also caused great dismay and distress among right-thinking Malaysians as he has chosen to demonstrate his “solidarity” with Ahmad when he should be an exemplar for Bangsa Malaysia.
Is there any Cabinet Minister who is prepared to point out tomorrow that the Prime Minister’s response in condoning Ahmad’s racists remarks is weak, unworthy and unacceptable?The Prime Minister’s statement: “I will tell him not to do it again…. I don’t think he meant it. I’ll make sure to tell him not to use it again” raises many questions.It means that the Prime Minister had neither met, discussed nor reprimanded Ahmad or he would not have used to future tense of “I will tell him not to do it again”.
How can Abdullah ensure that such offensive, insensitive, derogatory and racist language would not be used again when even in Parliament recently, Umno MPs could hurl racist abuses like “Balik Cina” without any censure by UMNO or BN leadership?
Or shouldn’t the Ahmad Ismail furore be raised and discussed in the Cabinet at all? In that case, let the Cabinet explain its double standards in rejecting the apology of Wee Meng Chee for the “Negaraku” rap video-clip just before the 50th Merdeka anniversary last year, with Umno Ministers competing with each other to demand all sorts of penalties including stripping him of his citizenship as compared to the case of Ahmad Ismail!
2. Declare Malaysia Day on Septembert 16 as a national public holiday
Sabah and Sarawak have suddenly become very important after the March 8 “political tsunami”, not so much to end the long-standing neglect and marginalisation of the rights of the people of Sabah and Sarawak as distinct from those of the leaders of Barisan Nasional in the two states but to ensure the survival of the Barisan Nasional power structure at the federal level.
This is just not good enough as the people of Sabah and Sarawak feel being made used of just to perpetutate the vested interests of the Barisan Nasional in Kuala Lumpur, without any change of heart by the Barisan Nasional leaders.
After 45 years, the people of Sabah and Sarawak must be made to feel that they are an integral part of the Malaysian federation with the Cabinet taking the first step in declaring Malaysia Day on September 16 as a national public holiday with effect from this year.
3. Commitment to establish IPCMC by end of the year
Despite increased budget allocations for the police, Malaysians today feel even more unsafe whether in the streets, public places or the privacy of their homes compared to five years ago when Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi became Prime Minister.
In Pasir Pinji in my parliamentary constituency of Ipoh Timur, there is a reign of fear following a sudden spate of violent thefts leaving the residents and the petty trading community worry for their lives.
This is not an isolated development in Ipoh but represents a worsening situation of law and order in the country, which has made Malaysia unsafe and insecure for its citizens, visitors and investors.
So far there is no political will to fully implement the recommendations of the Royal Police Commission, including the establishment of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to create an efficient, incorruptible, professional world-class police service to keep crime low.
Let the Cabinet make a policy decision tomorrow to establish the IPCMC by the end of the year.
4. Restoration of an independent, impartial, professional and meritocratic judiciary
The Cabinet has failed Malaysians in failing to set up a Judicial Appointments Commission to restore national and international confidence in the independence, impartiality, integrity and meritocracy of the judiciary.
There must be a Cabinet commitment that although such a Judicial Appointments Commission has not yet been set up, the Prime Minister will respect and follow the spirit of consultation intended in such a judicial reform when appointing the next Chief Justice as the current Chief Justice of Malaysia Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad will retire on 17th October 2008.
The Prime Minister and the Cabinet must be forewarned that it does not serve the cause of justice or the nation if the country is plunged into a new judicial crisis because of the appointment of the first Umno Chief Justice in the nation’s history in utter disregard of a proper consultation with the relevant stakeholders such as the Bar Council, the Parliamentary Opposition and the civil society, and in keeping with the principles of accountability, transparency and good governance.
This Open Letter to the Prime Minister and Cabinet is still a work-in-progress. However, because of time factor, I am making public the first four of the ten challenges to give time for deliberation by the Cabinet while the rest of the Open Letter would be finalized and released before the end of the day.
This is one beauty of the Internet era of instant communication and there is no reason why Malaysians should not fully make use of such facilities opened up by the information age.
5. Zero tolerance for corruption
Let the Cabinet declare a new National Integrity Plan objective of zero tolerance for corruption – with Malaysia ranked among the top 10 countries which are least corrupt in the world.
Although there is a flurry of arrests by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), Malaysians are reminded of the earlier flurry of ACA activities in the first few months of the new Abdullah premiership which finally fizzled out into nothing – with Malaysia’s ranking in the annual Transparency International Corruption Perception Index plunging from No. 37 in 2003 to No. 43 in 2007.
Are the Prime Minister and Cabinet prepared to give full liberty and authority to the ACA to fight corruption even against Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers, Mentri-Menteri Besar and top Barisan Nasional leaders without getting any greenlight from the Prime Minister?
6. End the brain drain
Is the Cabinet prepared to admit that one fatal mistake of our nation-building policy which has led to our diminishing international competitiveness and why Malaysia has lost out to South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore in the past half-a-century and continuing to trail behind more and more countries is injustice and discrimination meted out to the best and brightest talents driving them overseas.
Is the Cabinet prepared to end this crippling denial syndrome to end the brain drain of the best and brightest talents overseas – in particular stemming the brain-drain to Singapore by reinstating the principle of meritocracy and ensuring that Malaysia’s best and brightest, regardless of race, can get the best educational and employment opportunities in their own country?
7. Admit failure of Malaysias education and higher education policies
Just refer to the advertorial of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn published in the New Straits Times of August 23, page 43 to commemorate the conferment of an honorary PhD in Education on Raja Zarith Sofiah if anyone still have any doubts of the failure of the Malaysian education system, whether primary, secondary or tertiary.
It is not just about the “murder” or may be more appropriate term “sodomy” of the English language but reflects the utter sense of irresponsibility of the educational authorities which could see Malaysia plunging from a nation with internationally-recognised high standards of English language to one where we can only hold our heads in shame.
The international repute of Malaysian universities have suffered similar decline.
Is the Cabinet prepared to take a policy decision that Malaysian universities should rank among the best in the world – with at least two among the World’s Top 100 and another two in the list of the World’s next Top 100. In other words, at least four Malaysian Universities among the World’s Top 200 Universities?
8. Usher in a new era of democracy and human
Is the Cabinet prepared to initiate action to usher in a new era of democracy and human rights with the repeal of draconian and undemocratic laws which violate human rights such as Internal Security Act, Official Secrets Act, Sedition Act, Printing Presses and Publications Act and the Police Act?
9. Parliament
Neither the Prime Minister, the Home Minister or any other Cabinet Minister has been able to explain why government has rejected the proposal for the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee on the DNA bill, raising questions about the government commitment to create a first-world Parliament.Is Cabinet prepared to demonstrate its seriousness to far-reaching parliamentary reforms including the establishment of a parliamentary select committee whereby every Ministry would be shadowed by a Select Committee?
10. Bangsa Malaysia and Ketuanan Rakyat
Finally, is the Cabinet prepared to totally revamp government nation-building policies in accordance with the concept and vision of Bangsa Malaysia, highlighting the principle of Ketuanan Rakyat and not Ketuanan Melayu, Ketuanan Cina, Ketuanan India, Ketuanan Dayak or Ketuanan Iban?
Yours sincerely,
Lim Kit Siang
DAP Parliamentary Leader &MP for Ipoh Timor
(Malaysia Alternative Voices have no assoiciation with any political parties but article which are relevant to Malaysian in a whole is published to attact attention and create awareness from more Malaysian)
Thursday, 17 April 2008
Next steps for Pakatan Rakyat (Part 1)
Next steps for Pakatan Rakyat Part 1 of 3
- Reason for People Unhappiness
- What need to be done
- An opinion written to Malaysiakini by Derek Law
DEREK LAW is a chartered accountant and retired banker. His ultimate dream is for politics in Malaysia to rise above religion and race. Congratulation to the DAP, PKR and PAS (Pakatan Rakyat, PR) on their success in the 12th general election.
(Note : The article was extracted from
I hope that the leadership acknowledges that a number of seats were won by a slim majority. It is crucial that the BR works four times as hard as they did, as the Barisan Nasional (BN) will work twice as hard to win back the minds and hearts of the people.
Reasons for the People Unhappiness
The unhappiness of the people is rooted in the rising cost of living, rising corruption, rising crime rate, the New Economic Policy, and creeping Islamisation.
For PR to repeat its success in the next general election or to even perform better, it must tackle these as well as countless other issues. The first three would be easier to tackle as it affects all Malaysians whereas the last two may be deemed sensitive.
However, with consensus, changes can be made to benefit all segments of society.
Rising cost of living
Many Malaysians have been hit by the rising cost of living since 2004. The prices of petrol, water and electricity - three basis necessities - have risen significantly and with a domino effect, prices of various goods and services have followed suit.
The PR leadership must introduce various initiatives that will address the rising cost of living instead of publishing impressive GDP growth rates that have no meaning for the average citizen.
Reduce charges imposed by state/local council
PR state governments could address some of the issues by reducing some charges imposed by state governments (and local councils) such as quit rent, assessment and parking charges. The Kedah government must be applauded for announcing a 30 percent reduction in quit rent and assessment rates.
However, PR state governments should ensure that revenue collection is sufficient for sustainable development and emergency purposes, or they would have to run to the BN-led federal government for aid.
Reduce cost of doing business
The PR state governments could reduce the cost of doing business. Many traders and small businessmen have complained about the high cost of doing business, in the form of ‘under the table’ paid to the local council. As the new administrators, it is vital that the PR eradicates corrupt practices in local councils. It is said that ‘when there is too much discretion, corruption will follow’. For the PR to eradicate corrupt practice, clear rules must be laid out.
Take for example, alfresco dining and whether this should be allowed. In my opinion, this has become part of the Malaysian culture and would be very difficult to ban. What local councils need to do is regulate it to make it safer; at the same time, this would add revenue to the state coffers.
The same goes for illegal hawkers/petty traders. The solution is proper regulation and not constant harassment and collection of duit kopi. The government must give opportunities to the average citizen to earn an honest living. Illegal hawkers and petty traders should be licensed and regulated to ensure proper hygiene and safety; at the same time, they will contribute to state revenue. Suitable venues with adequate facilities and reasonable rental rates should be provided, so that hawkers and petty traders can operate in peace and customers can shop in comfort.
With reduction of cost in doing business, the savings can eventually be passed to consumers, thus reducing some of the rising costs.
Reduce charges imposed by utility companies
To reduce the cost of utilities such as electricity and water, PR should apply pressure on the federal government. The 2007 Annual Report of Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) reveals that in 2003, it made a profit before tax (PBT) of RM1,648.5 million. In 2007, this increased to a whopping RM4,765.9 million - by 289 percent, or an average of 57.8 percent year-on-year.
However, TNB still claims that it desperately needs to increase the tariff-rate in order to survive. Excessive profit-taking by GLCs is obscene when it is at the expense of the people. The tariff agreement with TNB should be renegotiated downwards.
TNB pays dividends to its shareholders, which includes the government but what about the people, who are its biggest stakeholder? It should give an annual rebate, equivalent to say 1 month’s electricity bill, to both consumers and corporations.
Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has said that the state government intends to renegotiate the water agreement signed earlier with Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd and to declassify the document from the ambit of the Official Secrets Act 1972. This is a welcome move.
Puncak Niaga’s 2006 Annual Report reveals that it made PBT of RM180.11 million in 2002 and RM367.28 million in 2006; or an increase of 203.9 percent or 40.8 percent year-on-year.
Increase revenue through training programmes
The PR must provide training programmes to increase the knowledge and skills of the people. Khalid has announced a special programme for youths with a “guaranteed minimum salary” upon graduation. This should be extended to other groups badly hit by rising costs, such as single mothers and retirees. It would help reduce the country’s dependence on foreign labour.
Increase revenue through Foreign Direct Investment
Penang and Selangor enjoy the lion’s share of FDI in Malaysia. PR should ensure that FDI is retained and news sources are attracted into its states. Investors should be encouraged to employ locals - in this respect, Khalid’s proposal to impose a levy on foreign workers could be seen as investor-unfriendly or discriminatory. Incentives should be provided to investors to hire locals. These could be in the form of lower quit rent and assessment rates.
Revamp management
John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton (1834–1902) said “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men".
The PR must revamp the way their states are managed and allow civil servants to serve. When the latter see the wisdom of the new policies, they will give their full cooperation.
These governments will be able to review all past contracts and report any wrongdoing to the relevant authorities. They must obtain sound legal advice before rescinding contracts or they may be exposed to payment of compensation, as the ‘crooked bridge’ fiasco in Johor amply illustrates.
Changes are also needed in the way local councils are managed, including making financial statements public for inspection. This will ensure greater accountability and end the days of ‘sports club donations’.
The process of awarding contracts or the practice of introducing ridiculous rules should be reviewed as well. For instance, a certain local council wants pest-control companies registered on its ‘panel’. There are already laws regulating such companies, so why create additional rules?
Local councils must give adequate notice and take into consideration the concerns of affected residents before approving projects that are likely to cause controversy - such as designating areas for a cemetery or incinerator or hillside projects.
The above article is extracted from
Malaysiakini
http://malaysiakini.com/opinions/81319
as Part 1 of 3
- Reason for People Unhappiness
- What need to be done
- An opinion written to Malaysiakini by Derek Law
DEREK LAW is a chartered accountant and retired banker. His ultimate dream is for politics in Malaysia to rise above religion and race. Congratulation to the DAP, PKR and PAS (Pakatan Rakyat, PR) on their success in the 12th general election.
(Note : The article was extracted from
I hope that the leadership acknowledges that a number of seats were won by a slim majority. It is crucial that the BR works four times as hard as they did, as the Barisan Nasional (BN) will work twice as hard to win back the minds and hearts of the people.
Reasons for the People Unhappiness
The unhappiness of the people is rooted in the rising cost of living, rising corruption, rising crime rate, the New Economic Policy, and creeping Islamisation.
For PR to repeat its success in the next general election or to even perform better, it must tackle these as well as countless other issues. The first three would be easier to tackle as it affects all Malaysians whereas the last two may be deemed sensitive.
However, with consensus, changes can be made to benefit all segments of society.
Rising cost of living
Many Malaysians have been hit by the rising cost of living since 2004. The prices of petrol, water and electricity - three basis necessities - have risen significantly and with a domino effect, prices of various goods and services have followed suit.
The PR leadership must introduce various initiatives that will address the rising cost of living instead of publishing impressive GDP growth rates that have no meaning for the average citizen.
Reduce charges imposed by state/local council
PR state governments could address some of the issues by reducing some charges imposed by state governments (and local councils) such as quit rent, assessment and parking charges. The Kedah government must be applauded for announcing a 30 percent reduction in quit rent and assessment rates.
However, PR state governments should ensure that revenue collection is sufficient for sustainable development and emergency purposes, or they would have to run to the BN-led federal government for aid.
Reduce cost of doing business
The PR state governments could reduce the cost of doing business. Many traders and small businessmen have complained about the high cost of doing business, in the form of ‘under the table’ paid to the local council. As the new administrators, it is vital that the PR eradicates corrupt practices in local councils. It is said that ‘when there is too much discretion, corruption will follow’. For the PR to eradicate corrupt practice, clear rules must be laid out.
Take for example, alfresco dining and whether this should be allowed. In my opinion, this has become part of the Malaysian culture and would be very difficult to ban. What local councils need to do is regulate it to make it safer; at the same time, this would add revenue to the state coffers.
The same goes for illegal hawkers/petty traders. The solution is proper regulation and not constant harassment and collection of duit kopi. The government must give opportunities to the average citizen to earn an honest living. Illegal hawkers and petty traders should be licensed and regulated to ensure proper hygiene and safety; at the same time, they will contribute to state revenue. Suitable venues with adequate facilities and reasonable rental rates should be provided, so that hawkers and petty traders can operate in peace and customers can shop in comfort.
With reduction of cost in doing business, the savings can eventually be passed to consumers, thus reducing some of the rising costs.
Reduce charges imposed by utility companies
To reduce the cost of utilities such as electricity and water, PR should apply pressure on the federal government. The 2007 Annual Report of Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) reveals that in 2003, it made a profit before tax (PBT) of RM1,648.5 million. In 2007, this increased to a whopping RM4,765.9 million - by 289 percent, or an average of 57.8 percent year-on-year.
However, TNB still claims that it desperately needs to increase the tariff-rate in order to survive. Excessive profit-taking by GLCs is obscene when it is at the expense of the people. The tariff agreement with TNB should be renegotiated downwards.
TNB pays dividends to its shareholders, which includes the government but what about the people, who are its biggest stakeholder? It should give an annual rebate, equivalent to say 1 month’s electricity bill, to both consumers and corporations.
Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has said that the state government intends to renegotiate the water agreement signed earlier with Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd and to declassify the document from the ambit of the Official Secrets Act 1972. This is a welcome move.
Puncak Niaga’s 2006 Annual Report reveals that it made PBT of RM180.11 million in 2002 and RM367.28 million in 2006; or an increase of 203.9 percent or 40.8 percent year-on-year.
Increase revenue through training programmes
The PR must provide training programmes to increase the knowledge and skills of the people. Khalid has announced a special programme for youths with a “guaranteed minimum salary” upon graduation. This should be extended to other groups badly hit by rising costs, such as single mothers and retirees. It would help reduce the country’s dependence on foreign labour.
Increase revenue through Foreign Direct Investment
Penang and Selangor enjoy the lion’s share of FDI in Malaysia. PR should ensure that FDI is retained and news sources are attracted into its states. Investors should be encouraged to employ locals - in this respect, Khalid’s proposal to impose a levy on foreign workers could be seen as investor-unfriendly or discriminatory. Incentives should be provided to investors to hire locals. These could be in the form of lower quit rent and assessment rates.
Revamp management
John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton (1834–1902) said “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men".
The PR must revamp the way their states are managed and allow civil servants to serve. When the latter see the wisdom of the new policies, they will give their full cooperation.
These governments will be able to review all past contracts and report any wrongdoing to the relevant authorities. They must obtain sound legal advice before rescinding contracts or they may be exposed to payment of compensation, as the ‘crooked bridge’ fiasco in Johor amply illustrates.
Changes are also needed in the way local councils are managed, including making financial statements public for inspection. This will ensure greater accountability and end the days of ‘sports club donations’.
The process of awarding contracts or the practice of introducing ridiculous rules should be reviewed as well. For instance, a certain local council wants pest-control companies registered on its ‘panel’. There are already laws regulating such companies, so why create additional rules?
Local councils must give adequate notice and take into consideration the concerns of affected residents before approving projects that are likely to cause controversy - such as designating areas for a cemetery or incinerator or hillside projects.
The above article is extracted from
Malaysiakini
http://malaysiakini.com/opinions/81319
as Part 1 of 3
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