Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- A riposte to Mukhriz's defence of brain drain policies of the father
- Malaysia, a most expensive nation in South East Asia?
- Malaysia-Indonesia MOU: Complicity In Violence, Abuse And Trafficking
- People's Green Coalition : Memorandum To The IAEA Panel
| A riposte to Mukhriz's defence of brain drain policies of the father Posted: 01 Jun 2011 09:30 PM PDT He states that the NEP serves to "eradicate poverty, irrespective of race''. I believe we need to be convinced that the implementation matches the rhetoric. Sometimes it appears like "eradicate (some) race irrespective of poverty". By Ice Cream Seller Having got somewhat tired of the cesspool that has become of our politics, I found something to whet my appetite in reading Deputy Minister Mukhriz response to Shaun Tan's essay (World Bank 2011 - Brain Drain). Reading the writings of his (Mukhriz's) sister Marina, it is difficult to believe they are siblings! Maybe she took after her mother! Coming back to Mukhriz's article, he states that the NEP serves to "eradicate poverty, irrespective of race''. I believe we need to be convinced that the implementation matches the rhetoric. Sometimes it appears like "eradicate (some) race irrespective of poverty". He contends that 70 % of our economy is private sector driven and not affected by NEP type policies. Then why can't all private sector companies bid for government projects or contracts? Take for example private sector developers. Can they sell their houses without imposition of a percentage for Bumiputras by local councils? Take the MNCs. Can they employ their management staff free of quotas? When I got my first job in Malaysia, my expat MD told me that I got the job in part because they couldn't find a "chicken with teeth' (as he put it). That was in 1981!!!!! He writes that he is pained to see structural discrimination being practised by those in the private sector. No doubt, discrimination exists but let's look at the underlying reasons. After independence for 53 years, we are capable of looking at the larger picture. Private sector organisations are driven to make profits and they will employ people, consultants, systems that help meet that objective foremost. The ones most hungry, capable, honest, diligent, loyal and competent are always sought after. A competent Malay, capable Chinese, diligent Indian, loyal Eurasian put together in a team can be formidable. Even if one has one leg, 12 fingers or 3 kidneys, is he up to it and can he deliver? This begs the question - who are hungry, capable, honest, diligent, loyal and competent? I suppose it depends to an extent through which lens one looks through. In the case of Ibrahim Ali, the lens will be as opaque and dense as that between his ears. He attempts to have us believe that "the public sector (as the name implies) is open to public scrutiny whereas the private sector is 'kept nice and private'. For starters, the public sector is synonymous with the OSA to many. We would like to scrutinise the accounts for example of some of the ministries - eg what it costs to run the NS. Private (without govt. involvement) companies are not necessarily 'private' in many instances. Private sector companies which are listed are under very public scrutiny. On the contrary, 'public'corporations like Petronas are kept very private!! An assertion is made that the wealthiest 20 in Malaysia are dominated by one race but argues that this is because of the conducive environment created by BN. With due respect, it should be stated as "DESPITE the environment created by BN". As I see it, with all the obstacles put in the way , they made it. It should be remembered that many of our 'businessmen' make a handsome sum clearing 'obstacles'. Tellingly, he states that the big corporations that secured gaming and telecommunication licences SURELY DID NOT GET THEIR BIG BREAKS PURELY ON MERIT ALONE!!!!!! THEY WERE GIVEN IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR IDEAS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND TAXES. That says it all doesn't it? What great idea is there in gaming? Was the exchange just ideas, entrepreneurship and taxes? Deputy Minister Mukhriz refers to a pea to a durian example when relating to Singapore and Malaysia. To a degree he is right. But let's not forget that "pea'' was once part of our durian tree. In a biblical context, Jesus (Nabi Isa) asserted that if the tree bears bad/no fruit, cut the tree!!!! (Which is what I did to my durian tree at home after waiting for years for it to bear fruit. Should have called it the NEP tree!) Towards the end of his article, he postulates that the government has to help rural folk keep up with the Joneses. I do believe most want dignity, basic amenities that work, good education, health services more than keeping up with the Joneses - or the Zakarias and Toyos. Finally, he touches on the issue of corruption - by pointing the finger at the 'briber'. At least we agree that it takes two to tango. But let's stop the music and haul both the dancers into the sin bin. After all, the Mufti of Perak in his wisdom has outlawed the Poco Poco - let's extend it to the tango. Haramkan 'tango'! What say you Mufti? |
| Malaysia, a most expensive nation in South East Asia? Posted: 31 May 2011 12:52 PM PDT We build, build and build. We spend billions more promoting this and that ceaselessly. And the government has not stopped splashing even till this day.
By J. D. Lovrenciear
Living costs have always been on an upward trend. No doubt about that. As wages increase, so do living costs – although wage increases are always far slower and far in-between.
But there is a harsh reality that clearly defines that Malaysia may after all be the most expensive country to stay in compared to the rest of its neighbours. This is particularly true in the last ten years.
For a nation of only 28 million, and given its oil wealth and palm oil lead; for a nation that thrived from its tin and rubber blessings; for a nation that was well sheltered from the ravages of weather and natural disasters; a country that enjoys natural maritime pathways much sought after by the East and the West – how could this nation become a nightmare for its own citizens who are today struggling to meet bills, keep kids in school, and put quality food on the table everyday?
For a long, long time the government – in this case the ruling political party, has always made decisions all in the name of caring for the future stability of its rakyat. Many decisions were made despite the reservations of the populace.
So we went on an overdrive mode building all kinds of superstructures and facades. We had the Twin Towers at immense cost because the lesson drummed into us was it is necessary to put the nation on the world map and to draw tourists by the droves so that Malaysians can benefit from the tourist-dollar.
We have many more super-structures because the argument dished out was that it is better to build now than later as it would be more expensive over time and that the savings is in the interest of the rakyat.
We build, build and build. We spend billions more promoting this and that ceaselessly. And the government has not stopped splashing even till this day. It is always in the name of proting and attracting development and opportunities so that the rakyat can savour the sweetness of wealth created.
And we made the rakyat even pay more through taxes, tolls and tariffs. If you protested, the law would slam shut on your face. If you did not support all the decisions made by the government you will be labelled anti-government and all opportunities will be sealed from you and you would be lucky if the ISA did not bundle you off into oblivion.
Today, we all know that the cost of living in Malaysia is far more greater than in any of the neighbouring countries. They have the freedom of choice guaranteed by their democratic capitalism. But do Malaysians enjoy that option?
Either they pay the toll or get nowhere. Either they pay the tariff or live in darkness. Either they take the job and live with what is dished out or they are left with nothing.
Either they pay the monthly dues or end up holed up in some ashram. If they try to put up a hut somewhere the local authorities will descend like vultures. If they try to plant some vegetables and cash crop under some bridge or flyover, you bet just as the labour begins to yield some hope the authorities will make a clean sweep. So, again we lose out to the neighbouring countries.
You want a car, go get a Proton. If you do not like it, no problem, just pay through your nose for an imported or CKD model.
It is a pity is it not? When citizens in a neighbouring oil-rich nation are living a stress-free and easy life, Malaysians despite having so much oil can only look at the rising towers and superstructures and eat Maggi and Roti Canai.
Just take a quick count at the number of bankrupts in the country. Just take a look at how credit cards are becoming temporary solace only to be swallowed in a sleepless nightmare for even young executives today. Just look at the way housewives are doing their everyday marketing. Just count the number of fathers who eat less daily at work just to make sure the pay packet can stretch a little longer. Just listen to the rakyat tell you that their paypacket disappears within the first week of drawing their salaries. Is it not true that the commonly shared joke among the rakyat today is: "Korek sini, tutup sana; korek sana, tutup sini".
But the powers that be will say, "tighten your belts rakyat". But nobody asks why is the country suddenly so expensive to live in today. And everything from television to print, we will only hear such rosy pictures of fun and laughter; success and gains. Who will feature the tears and pains of the struggling rakyat?
Now with the rising tariffs and the looming revision of pump prices it is going to snowball further and the working rakyat can only groan. Or worst, make believe that they are doing okay. No wonder even the once loud-mouthed Consumer body has been silenced into a stuffed kitten.
What do we make out of all these really? Cry? Scream? Or just shut up and die a muted death? Sigh….
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| Malaysia-Indonesia MOU: Complicity In Violence, Abuse And Trafficking Posted: 31 May 2011 12:07 PM PDT By Dr Irene Fernandez, Teganita There is nothing domestic workers from Indonesia can celebrate over in the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed (on Monday) between Malaysia and Indonesia. This new MOU has further dimmed the lights on the protection of basic human rights of domestic workers. The two-year moratorium by Indonesia, has therefore failed to result in effective changes to increase the protection of its workers' rights. In January 2006, after the deaths of two Indonesian domestic workers, the then Prime Minister of Malaysia, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, released a joint statement during a consultation at Bukit Tinggi, Sumatra, whereby it stated that the MOU on the placement of domestic workers to Malaysia will promote the protection of human rights. The Indonesian government was clear at that consultation that domestic workers' rights should be guaranteed under Malaysia's labour regulations. There was then, a glimmer of hope for domestic workers. In June 2009, Malaysia's Minister of Human Resources, Dr. S. Subramaniam, announced that a new provision will be made to the Employment Act which will provide a mandatory one-day off a week for all domestic workers. Two years later, this has not materialized. The newly signed MOU, however, states that 'a one-day off can be compensated with overtime payment'. The ambiguity of this is frightening – how will the Ministry monitor that such payments are made to the domestic worker? Our experiences in handling cases of domestic workers demonstrate clearly that even monthly wages are often not paid, what more with overtime work? As long as domestic workers are not recognized as workers under the Employment Act, domestic workers will continue to be treated as servants without any rights, and the State remains complicit in creating slavery-like practices. In the past 4 years, Tenaganita has handled more than 380 cases of domestic workers with over 3400 human rights violations. This situation reflects that one domestic worker goes through multiple forms of rights violations including rape and other forms of violence. In the past 4 months, out of the 28 cases handled, 40% of domestic workers have alleged sexual abuse and rape. The issue of rape is at an incredibly serious state in Malaysia, especially with the recent announcement by Polis Diraja Malaysia that every 2 hours, a woman in Malaysia is raped. As horrific as that is, the actual figure may in fact be a lot higher when factored in the number of unreported cases of domestic workers who are kept hidden in private homes, raped and eventually deported. Tenaganita is also very disappointed that the Indonesian government has not kept to its commitment to ensure its citizens are protected in Malaysia. Domestic workers work in isolated and individualized work environments, which facilitate a plethora of rights violations and bonded labor. It is critical, therefore, that the State ensure their full protection of rights through a standard contract of service, and a decent wage structure. It is ridiculous for the Indonesian government to justify its failure to negotiate for better wages by stating that wages in Malaysia are acceptable as long as they are not lower than Indonesia's minimum wage, of RM212/month. It is a bitter irony that Deputy Minister of Human Resources, Maznah Bt Mazlan, has recently stated the Malaysia government will soon introduce a minimum wage as 38.8% of Malaysian workers currently earn less than RM750/month (which is below the poverty line), while we systematically discriminate against domestic workers from poor communities whom we depend on highly in this country. The Malaysian government's refusal to a basic decent minimum wage for domestic workers is a clear sign that the government wants to maintain this acute exploitation of domestic workers in the country. Malaysia's Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (2007) clearly states that servitude, long working hours and debt bondage are all elements of labour trafficking. The newly signed MOU, however, by failing to state proper terms and conditions for the recruitment and employment of domestic workers has failed to take cognizance of this Act. It is highly disturbing that both Malaysia and Indonesia in its MOU continue to support practices of modern-day slavery. As the world community sits down together on the 1st of June for the 100th International Labour Conference in Geneva, with a focus on determining a new Convention for Domestic Workers to address the needs and rights of one of the most exploited and abused labour sectors (consisting mainly of women and children), the silence and invisibility by both Malaysia and Indonesia is both deafening and deeply concerning. It is with utmost urgency that Malaysia must awaken itself to the call to establish international standards of rights for domestic workers through the new Convention. It is indeed a sharp contradiction that while Malaysia seeks to hold on to its seat on the UN Human Rights Council, it continues to deny domestic workers the realizations of basic human rights and dignity.
DR IRENE FERNANDEZ is the Executive Director of Tenaganita |
| People's Green Coalition : Memorandum To The IAEA Panel Posted: 31 May 2011 11:46 AM PDT The People's Green Coalition The risks to the community far outweigh the benefits which will largely be gained by Lynas since it will enjoy a period of 12 years of tax exemption. The employment opportunities purported is facile if the risks to the workers were taken into account.The People's Green Coalition met with the IAEA Panel to register its strong objection the the LAMP Project located at Gebeng Industrial Estate Pahang on the 31st of May 2011. _____________________________ Memorandum To The IAEA Panel Investigation on The Public Nuisance of the LAMP Project in Gebeng Industrial Estate Pahang Malaysia dated 31 Submitted by The People's Green Coalition Malaysia. Introduction
2. The toxic chemicals emitted during the manufacturing process and the radioactive waste products will severely damage the health and well-being of the population of Pahang and Malaysia. 3. A severely damage ecology will affect fishing, agricultural and animal husbandry industries whose products will be contaminated and hence will be rejected by both the local and international markets. 4. Once contaminated, the palm oil exports will not be accepted by the international communities with the dire consequences of causing a possible collapse of the palm oil industries in Malaysia resulting in irrevocable damage to the national economy. 5. The property prices in and around Kuantan have already seen a sharp decline due to the fear of chemical and radioactive contamination of the environment. The tourism industries will similarly experience a decline as tourists avoid visiting a contaminated environment. The risks to the community far outweigh the benefits which will largely be gained by Lynas since it will enjoy a period of 12 years of tax exemption. The employment opportunities purported is facile if the risks to the workers were taken into account. Malaysia has endured a tragic experience when Mitsubishi Corporation established the Asian Rare Earth Plant in Bukit Merah Perak about 30 years ago. It is an undeniable fact that the people of Bukit Merah suffered grievous bodily harm till today as Mitsubishi is still attempting to clean up the radioactive waste in the region.
Submitted by The People's Green Coalition Malaysia
Watch the video of the Anti-Lynas gathering held on 31st May 2011.
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