My say...
With the exorbitant increase in food price, certain drastic measures need to be taken immediately to alleviate the hardship of the rakyat! It is predicted there will be serious shortage in Malaysia even before we hit the year 2010 if not already so from the sign of things currently. 2010 is barely two years away and its too close for comfort.
Chiefly, and this may be a crime against humanity when I mention this, is the need to control population growth. Detractors and critics will shout immediately that I am in favor of abortion and infanticide. Nothing is further from the truth. I am thinking more in line with "responsible re-population". That means the govt. needs to be proactive in educating the population about responsibility to the number in their households. Do not have children if they cannot manage it. The current food production may not be able to sustain the population growth at this rate. All nations then need to have equal amount of population vis-a-vis food supply. That means if a country has 25 million people, it must be within its capacity to produce from its own land for the sake of parity. This may be naïve in thinking no doubt, but another effective alternative I have yet to come across.
Secondly, any food series in TV ought to be banned for legitimized wastage. Series like Iron Chef or Hell's Kitchen shows nothing but excessive wastage of food in the name of art and commerce. more emphasis on educational series like crop farming, fish rearing and the likes has to be highlighted.
Thirdly, hoarding of essential foodstuff must be dealt with thoroughly once and for all. We have heard numerous times how suppliers tend to hoard these essential goods in the hope to create artificial shortages. This in turn will inflate the price due to public demand. This is basically treason in every sense of the word and punishment must be meted out in equal force. Smugglers should also be done away with using proper tracking methodology.
Mustapha Mohamed, the new minister in the helm of agriculture and agro-based ministry will immediately have his hands full to come out with a comprehensive scheme how to increase production and even sustaining it in today's unpredictable weather climate. Yes, its good to know Sarawak has many places earmarked for rice production and forecasted to even superceeding Kedah's output. But its barely just planning stages and more still needs to be done. With Mustapha's economic background, he may be just the man to understand the whole demand-supply requirements for Malaysia. Here’s wishing him all the best to remind Pak Lah of his agricultural thrust emphasized years ago when the PM first took office. All said, a Masterplan is required immediately for the rakyat's scrutiny.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Political Embroilment : A case with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed
My say....
Words cannot fully describe Tun Mahathir Mohamed. Some agree he is the greatest Prime Minister Malaysia ever had. To others like my Dad, he is simply a brilliant man. A lot agree he is a iconic visionary ahead of his time. Some may say he is eccentric or a rebel. Some even labeled him a bully, senile, tyrant and even a dictator. One thing that the nation fail or forget to see him is what is causing the current political turmoil. He has caused considerable tension and uneasiness within the political circles with his outbursts lately. For the record, even a recent heart attack is not slowing him down! For how do the politicians today address the grand old man of Malaysian politics? How do the politicians today, moulded in his era, come to terms with him from his recent political bickering among friends and foes? How do one challenge his might, who was once declared Asian's second most powerful man after Jiang Zimen? Hence, the embroilment with the current government and specifically, Pak Lah himself! No doubt, Mahathir's know-how, willpower and influence in the political circles are still potent. Truly his place in the annals of Malaysian history is secured. Why then would he stake everything he has earned in his course of service to the nation with his outbursts? What have we missed?
We need to understand that Mahathir is a nationalist at heart. He will still fight for what he believes is the right thing to do. He has charted a course for Malaysia and all Malaysians alike and circumstances and events are diverting the focus away, much to his chagrin. He has blamed Pak Lah's unabashed handling for it. Hence lies the tension and also brickbat accusing him of trying to control Pak Lah from behind the scene. It is in the whispers that Mahathir was upset of Anwar's release which was not part of the agreement he had with Pak Lah before his retirement. Some say this may have cost his children a prominent role in the future. Also, this writer had a feeling that when he made the threat to stepped down as Prime Minister, he was caught in his impromptu eagerness to awaken the lacklustre attitude of the Malays. Unfortunately, he cannot back out from his words thereafter. He has yet to finished his agenda. Whilst other claims that he is worried that Anwar Ibrahim will take over the reigns and be Prime Minister, those who are familiar with the processes will know that to be in governance, one needs to helm UMNO. It is still the bedrock of Malaysian politics. Mahathir understands that, being the seasoned politician that he is. He is not worried about Anwar, but more towards UMNO destroying itself. So his recent outbursts need to be seen in this light.
This writer is of the opinion that Mahathir should be given the allowance to have his say. Afterall, consultation is still the better option than being combative as it is certainly tearing the current government apart. Pak Lah has always been a gentleman and to take the first step on reconciliation would really be magnanimous. It is never a sign of weakness to do the greater good for Malaysia. Remember, today's foe may be your greatest ally tomorrow! In my opinion, it would not be too much to offer Mahathir an adviser's post in maybe the PM's council of advisors. Old Red Indians chieftains are revered for their wisdom that would unite tribes! Mahathir still have much more to offer Malaysia certainly. This role could be somewhat similar to where Sharizat is now. On Mahathir's part, he should allow Pak Lah a free hand to run the country as promised in non-interference by him. Yes, Mahathir can make his advices and misgivings known and let the nation then judge it according to its value on Pak Lah's next course of action, after being advised. Pak Lah certainly has done good like restoring the judiciary crisis Mahathir was not able to in his tenure, due to obvious circumstances. Whilst many Malaysians may not fully agree to all the actions, but we understood that Mahathir could not afford to have the judiciary stand in his way in his effort to modernize Malaysia. If not,we will have the scenario of every NGOs dragging the Malaysian government to court for even trivial matters. This will bring progress to a screeching halt almost immediately!
There is now an urgent need to end this embroilment. The last setback on the election certainly has the effect two tigers on the same mountain, much to UMNO's dismay and Barisan Nasional's losses. Even in the Malay saying has the deer caught in between of two elephants colliding. No prize for guessing then that the government is the metaphor of the deer in this case. This writer may have questions about Mahathir's ultimate motives from the hearsays above, but one must be clear that his nationalistic fervor and loyalty to UMNO is also very much evident. He must be respected for what he did and contributed to the progress of Malaysia. In fact, Mahathir had added that dimension of self-worth to every Malaysian I dare say. We will look one day from hindsight that Tun Mahathir Mohamed is a giant among men! There will never be another like him, faults and all.
Words cannot fully describe Tun Mahathir Mohamed. Some agree he is the greatest Prime Minister Malaysia ever had. To others like my Dad, he is simply a brilliant man. A lot agree he is a iconic visionary ahead of his time. Some may say he is eccentric or a rebel. Some even labeled him a bully, senile, tyrant and even a dictator. One thing that the nation fail or forget to see him is what is causing the current political turmoil. He has caused considerable tension and uneasiness within the political circles with his outbursts lately. For the record, even a recent heart attack is not slowing him down! For how do the politicians today address the grand old man of Malaysian politics? How do the politicians today, moulded in his era, come to terms with him from his recent political bickering among friends and foes? How do one challenge his might, who was once declared Asian's second most powerful man after Jiang Zimen? Hence, the embroilment with the current government and specifically, Pak Lah himself! No doubt, Mahathir's know-how, willpower and influence in the political circles are still potent. Truly his place in the annals of Malaysian history is secured. Why then would he stake everything he has earned in his course of service to the nation with his outbursts? What have we missed?
We need to understand that Mahathir is a nationalist at heart. He will still fight for what he believes is the right thing to do. He has charted a course for Malaysia and all Malaysians alike and circumstances and events are diverting the focus away, much to his chagrin. He has blamed Pak Lah's unabashed handling for it. Hence lies the tension and also brickbat accusing him of trying to control Pak Lah from behind the scene. It is in the whispers that Mahathir was upset of Anwar's release which was not part of the agreement he had with Pak Lah before his retirement. Some say this may have cost his children a prominent role in the future. Also, this writer had a feeling that when he made the threat to stepped down as Prime Minister, he was caught in his impromptu eagerness to awaken the lacklustre attitude of the Malays. Unfortunately, he cannot back out from his words thereafter. He has yet to finished his agenda. Whilst other claims that he is worried that Anwar Ibrahim will take over the reigns and be Prime Minister, those who are familiar with the processes will know that to be in governance, one needs to helm UMNO. It is still the bedrock of Malaysian politics. Mahathir understands that, being the seasoned politician that he is. He is not worried about Anwar, but more towards UMNO destroying itself. So his recent outbursts need to be seen in this light.
This writer is of the opinion that Mahathir should be given the allowance to have his say. Afterall, consultation is still the better option than being combative as it is certainly tearing the current government apart. Pak Lah has always been a gentleman and to take the first step on reconciliation would really be magnanimous. It is never a sign of weakness to do the greater good for Malaysia. Remember, today's foe may be your greatest ally tomorrow! In my opinion, it would not be too much to offer Mahathir an adviser's post in maybe the PM's council of advisors. Old Red Indians chieftains are revered for their wisdom that would unite tribes! Mahathir still have much more to offer Malaysia certainly. This role could be somewhat similar to where Sharizat is now. On Mahathir's part, he should allow Pak Lah a free hand to run the country as promised in non-interference by him. Yes, Mahathir can make his advices and misgivings known and let the nation then judge it according to its value on Pak Lah's next course of action, after being advised. Pak Lah certainly has done good like restoring the judiciary crisis Mahathir was not able to in his tenure, due to obvious circumstances. Whilst many Malaysians may not fully agree to all the actions, but we understood that Mahathir could not afford to have the judiciary stand in his way in his effort to modernize Malaysia. If not,we will have the scenario of every NGOs dragging the Malaysian government to court for even trivial matters. This will bring progress to a screeching halt almost immediately!
There is now an urgent need to end this embroilment. The last setback on the election certainly has the effect two tigers on the same mountain, much to UMNO's dismay and Barisan Nasional's losses. Even in the Malay saying has the deer caught in between of two elephants colliding. No prize for guessing then that the government is the metaphor of the deer in this case. This writer may have questions about Mahathir's ultimate motives from the hearsays above, but one must be clear that his nationalistic fervor and loyalty to UMNO is also very much evident. He must be respected for what he did and contributed to the progress of Malaysia. In fact, Mahathir had added that dimension of self-worth to every Malaysian I dare say. We will look one day from hindsight that Tun Mahathir Mohamed is a giant among men! There will never be another like him, faults and all.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Article on the Star today
My say....
This is one of the most sensible write-up about how Malaysia should progress. The writer is echoing the sentiments of most Malaysians today. He is of the opinion that race-based sentiments are out and how UMNO building their moat around this policy should be done away. Oh yes, I do enjoy his countering this nonsensical "threat" allegations. Looks like UMNO has a long way to go from their racial undertone rehabilitation.
Thursday April 17, 2008 - thestar.com.my
BRAVE NEW WORLD
This is one of the most sensible write-up about how Malaysia should progress. The writer is echoing the sentiments of most Malaysians today. He is of the opinion that race-based sentiments are out and how UMNO building their moat around this policy should be done away. Oh yes, I do enjoy his countering this nonsensical "threat" allegations. Looks like UMNO has a long way to go from their racial undertone rehabilitation.
Thursday April 17, 2008 - thestar.com.my
Under threat? What threat?
BRAVE NEW WORLD
By AZMI SHAROM
Since the recent general election, voices have risen up in a shrill warning cry that the Malays are now ‘under threat’. But perhaps the real threat is the threat to Umno hegemony.
AND so it begins. Race-based rhetoric has raised its ugly little head in response to a democratic process. Over 49% of the people of Malaysia have voted for parties that have rejected race-based affirmative action in favour of a needs-based platform.
It did not take very long for voices, both common and royal, to rise up in a shrill warning cry that the Malays are now “under threat”.
“Under threat” from what, may I ask? Let’s take a bit of time to look at this so-called “threat”. Firstly, Malays are given special protection under Article 153 of the Constitution.
Article 153 is titled “Reservation of quotas in respect of services, permits, etc, for Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak”. Article 152 states that Malay is the National Language. The Supreme Head of the Federation, according to Article 32, is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a Malay ruler.
This is the foundation of Malay “special privileges”.
None of the Pakatan Rakyat component parties, including the DAP, have said anything about removing Articles 153, 152 and 32. They remain safe and secure with no sign whatsoever of any sort of threat.
Besides, in order to change it, you would need a two-thirds majority in the lower and upper houses of Parliament plus the support of the Conference of Rulers. The last time I checked, no one has a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
Secondly, due to simple demographics, it is unlikely that a totally non-Malay party is ever going to win absolute control of the government. Of the five state governments in the hands of the Pakatan, four are led by a Malay Mentri Besar.
Penang is an exception, but Penang has been led by non-Malays since the 60s. Why was there was no outcry before this?
Thirdly, the proposed doing-away with the NEP (or whatever it is called nowadays), I suppose, can be seen as a threat to the Malays.
But how it can be a threat is beyond me, because the replacement suggested by the Pakatan is not some sort of laissez-faire capitalist economy. Instead, it is an economic system with affirmative action promised to those in need.
If the Malays are the largest group of people in Malaysia who are in the most need, then they will get the most help. If they are not in the most need, then why on earth do they need help then?
This is the point where I will get angry letters about how the NEP is needed; because in the business world – the real world which I know nothing about because I am just a lowly-academic trapped in my ivory tower – Malays are discriminated against by the Chinese. So we need a policy like the NEP to provide some balance.
I disagree.
If there are racist business policies being conducted against the Malays, then you face it head on with anti-discrimination laws.
If some person feels he is being discriminated against, no matter what his race, then let there be a law to help him, and let us punish the racists with a hefty fine or jail term.
You do not meet racism with racism; you challenge it by destroying all traces of it.
The problem with the NEP, as I see it, is that it breeds a mentality of entitlement based on race and not merit. This mentality seeps into governance, and it creates an atmosphere of mediocrity. One example of this is how the Constitution has been disregarded in relation to employment issues.
The Federal Constitution states that you can set quotas at the entry points of government services, for example, the civil service and public universities. However, this is counter-balanced by Article 136 that says all federal employees must be treated fairly regardless of race.
This means that once inside a service, everyone is to be treated equally based on merit. In such a situation, only the cream will rise to the top.
However, since the introduction of the NEP, the practice in government services has been to promote Malays mainly. This has in turn led to a drop in the number of non-Malay actors in the service of the public.
Taking my profession for example, the closeted unrealistic world of academia, I look down south and I see that 30% of the staff in the National University of Singapore Law School are Malaysians.
How come these clever fellows who are good enough to teach in a university that is among the top 20 in the world are not here in the land of their birth? Why are the blinking Singaporeans enjoying our talent? Is it because that talent is all non-Malay and they feel they have better opportunities there than here?
This is a complete waste, and in the end this loss of talent means a loss for the university, the country and the people of this country, including the Malay students who miss out on the best possible teachers.
Perhaps the real threat is the threat to Umno hegemony, in which case my answer to that is this: clean up your act, live up to your promises and listen to what the people are saying.
Make yourself electable by proving that you can create good government.
That is called democracy.
Dr Azmi Sharom is a law teacher. The views expressed here are entirely his own.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Be Fair to Pak Lah
My say....
The attacks against Pak Lah are getting more vocal with the latest being the Johor UMNO side joining the fray. Why is this so? Already the top leadership of UMNO has mentioned that it is wrong to solely blame Pak Lah alone for the losses in the General Election. It was a collective responsibility in failing to read the misery of the rakyat. As mentioned earlier in my posts, it was a protest vote no doubt by concerned rakyat to the fiscal crunch on their livelihood. The opposition is merely making an inroad taking advantage of the aggrieved situation of the rakyat. Ever the responsible leader, he took the blame and the loss in his stride even though one can witness the emotional setback against himself. Pak Lah has not helped his cause by being quiet when the UMNO youth's supreme council member, Mukriz Mahathir asked him to step down after the disaster showing in the last election. This is indeed very un-Malay nor UMNO-like. No reprimand was shown against Mukriz. Mukriz is seen acting on the advice of his father. Rumours that Pak Lah doesn't want to get involved to avoid entanglement the former premier again added to the weakling calls. The run-in of the Menteri Besar of Terengganu tussle with the palace also contributed to the deterioration of confidence of party supporters of Pak Lah's inability to influence the royalties. Now the perception that Pak Lah as a weak leader initially in spurts is starting to take shape with earnest. His style of a more softer and accomodative approach has split Malaysians so used to his predecessor's handling of politics. Remember, even Goh Chok Tong had it tough in his first term in the Singapore premiership after taking over from Lee Kuan Yew. He recalled being verbally abused from his constituents months after taking office and approached an open society policy. This does not happen in Kuan Yew's time! In the end, Chok Tong passed with flying colours with Kuan Yew even admitting it. Singaporeans then deserved a break from his hard-nosed and breakneck pace of progressing Singapore, Kuan Yew added. Chok Tong has charted the course for Singaporeans to be an even more civil and open society. Lee's son, Hsien Loong, learned a thing or two definitely from Chok Tong with his all-encompassing and level-headed policies today.
So is Pak Lah really a weak leader? This writer begs to differ. Pak Lah recently only started to answer all allegations and attack against him which is long overdue. This is only right in this writer's opinion. Pak Lah has a tough side many tend to forget. He advocated shooting the pirates if they ever take hostage again in the Sipidan case much to the aghast of foreign journalist covering the incident. This was also televised in national television. He is a survival of UMNO's Team B is the Mahathir and Razeleigh fights and now he has made certain he is still in the leadership of UMNO after the political tsunami and not one to run away as many claimed. He said he will only relinquish his hold of the premiership after the party is healed and will not overstay his tenure. These are indeed words of a strong man and not a weakling. In fact this is the mark of a good leader actually. We should be grateful that we have a responsible Prime Minister who does not shirk away from his duty and responsibilities.
Pak Lah is actually an agent of change. Change is never easy but it is in my opinion Pak Lah's changes are more beneficial to Malaysians and not detrimental. There is much more in terms of unity and openness today. Solid reforms can be seen and abuses in authority can no longer get away as easy as it once did in his predecessor's time. To the Judiciary, it seems that it will be given its role back again without interference by the Executive. Judiciary never had a soul previously as the Lingam scandal testifies. Yes, he has a weak handling of the economy currently and bad information dissemination to the rakyat. Mind you, some of these weaknesses are beyond his control such as global increase in price of basic commodities. These are what other nations are facing too! These weaknesses do not equate to abuses from his leadership. Abuses were aplenty previously like in the case of BMF scandal for example before Pak Lah. Why was there no attack on the leadership then? The level to speak out and speak against the leadership now by disgruntled UMNO members and even the rakyat only reaffirms that reforms, transparency and liberty are indeed being put in place. To be fair, there is indeed nothing in the policies and administration of Pak Lah that seriously merits a call for his resignation. He deserves a chance to manage Malaysia with a free hand for once. Stay your hand Pak Lah, you have this writer's support!
The attacks against Pak Lah are getting more vocal with the latest being the Johor UMNO side joining the fray. Why is this so? Already the top leadership of UMNO has mentioned that it is wrong to solely blame Pak Lah alone for the losses in the General Election. It was a collective responsibility in failing to read the misery of the rakyat. As mentioned earlier in my posts, it was a protest vote no doubt by concerned rakyat to the fiscal crunch on their livelihood. The opposition is merely making an inroad taking advantage of the aggrieved situation of the rakyat. Ever the responsible leader, he took the blame and the loss in his stride even though one can witness the emotional setback against himself. Pak Lah has not helped his cause by being quiet when the UMNO youth's supreme council member, Mukriz Mahathir asked him to step down after the disaster showing in the last election. This is indeed very un-Malay nor UMNO-like. No reprimand was shown against Mukriz. Mukriz is seen acting on the advice of his father. Rumours that Pak Lah doesn't want to get involved to avoid entanglement the former premier again added to the weakling calls. The run-in of the Menteri Besar of Terengganu tussle with the palace also contributed to the deterioration of confidence of party supporters of Pak Lah's inability to influence the royalties. Now the perception that Pak Lah as a weak leader initially in spurts is starting to take shape with earnest. His style of a more softer and accomodative approach has split Malaysians so used to his predecessor's handling of politics. Remember, even Goh Chok Tong had it tough in his first term in the Singapore premiership after taking over from Lee Kuan Yew. He recalled being verbally abused from his constituents months after taking office and approached an open society policy. This does not happen in Kuan Yew's time! In the end, Chok Tong passed with flying colours with Kuan Yew even admitting it. Singaporeans then deserved a break from his hard-nosed and breakneck pace of progressing Singapore, Kuan Yew added. Chok Tong has charted the course for Singaporeans to be an even more civil and open society. Lee's son, Hsien Loong, learned a thing or two definitely from Chok Tong with his all-encompassing and level-headed policies today.
So is Pak Lah really a weak leader? This writer begs to differ. Pak Lah recently only started to answer all allegations and attack against him which is long overdue. This is only right in this writer's opinion. Pak Lah has a tough side many tend to forget. He advocated shooting the pirates if they ever take hostage again in the Sipidan case much to the aghast of foreign journalist covering the incident. This was also televised in national television. He is a survival of UMNO's Team B is the Mahathir and Razeleigh fights and now he has made certain he is still in the leadership of UMNO after the political tsunami and not one to run away as many claimed. He said he will only relinquish his hold of the premiership after the party is healed and will not overstay his tenure. These are indeed words of a strong man and not a weakling. In fact this is the mark of a good leader actually. We should be grateful that we have a responsible Prime Minister who does not shirk away from his duty and responsibilities.
Pak Lah is actually an agent of change. Change is never easy but it is in my opinion Pak Lah's changes are more beneficial to Malaysians and not detrimental. There is much more in terms of unity and openness today. Solid reforms can be seen and abuses in authority can no longer get away as easy as it once did in his predecessor's time. To the Judiciary, it seems that it will be given its role back again without interference by the Executive. Judiciary never had a soul previously as the Lingam scandal testifies. Yes, he has a weak handling of the economy currently and bad information dissemination to the rakyat. Mind you, some of these weaknesses are beyond his control such as global increase in price of basic commodities. These are what other nations are facing too! These weaknesses do not equate to abuses from his leadership. Abuses were aplenty previously like in the case of BMF scandal for example before Pak Lah. Why was there no attack on the leadership then? The level to speak out and speak against the leadership now by disgruntled UMNO members and even the rakyat only reaffirms that reforms, transparency and liberty are indeed being put in place. To be fair, there is indeed nothing in the policies and administration of Pak Lah that seriously merits a call for his resignation. He deserves a chance to manage Malaysia with a free hand for once. Stay your hand Pak Lah, you have this writer's support!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Muhyiddin Yassin
My say...
This MP from Pagoh is really an affable guy. Hardworking, quiet and never one to court controversies is what catapults him to the forefront of UMNO and Malaysian politics today. Perhaps his quiet trait strikes a chord with the Malaysian voters: one that shuns the limelight but could be entrusted with whatever task given to him. In short, he is an excellent public servant. Since his appointment of the important Ministry of International Trade and Industry, it is affirmed he is a valuable asset to his party. His likable manner probably won the leadership over.
Recently, he has been more vocal in his thoughts and imputs to the activities in politics. His preference on the nomination process be scrapped could be a potential timebomb. The nomination process has it that a candidate has to secure at least 30% of divisional nominations to be eligible to contest for certain party post. He did well to parry potential flaks by saying its his personal view and not an attack on the current leadership. His concern of internal squabbling in the party is also highlighted recently. Now the latest salvo is against Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. Razaleigh is probably going all out for the UMNO presidency post which he has coveted since his battles with Mahathir Mohamed. This is very well his last chance to go for it! It is not surprising that Razaleigh even may have his old adversary's vote today since Mahathir scathing criticisms of Pak Lah's leadership and also the latter's abhorrance of the thought of Anwar Ibrahim's possible return to the party fold. So why is Muhyiddin against this MP from Gua Musang? This is probably aligned with his thinking of status quo in UMNO leadership and not to split the party. This writer opines that it was a balanced answer from him as not to further weakened the morality of the party since the election setbacks. His recent moves may also indicate a precursor to the run up of party election. He is set to defend his vice presidency in UMNO.
Come what may, I think the inputs and comments of Muhyiddin lately is not uncalled for. it strikes me as a good response for a seasoned politician worth his salt. this may risk the ire of his old boss and certain comrades, but it must be seen in the context that this is one leader who loves the party above all else and dares to speak it out! this is against the backdrop of what is at stake to his political career. Yes he risks a backlash but Muhyiddin is to be commended for his stance and not condemned. He gets this writer's vote as a model leader and in his vice president candidacy.
This MP from Pagoh is really an affable guy. Hardworking, quiet and never one to court controversies is what catapults him to the forefront of UMNO and Malaysian politics today. Perhaps his quiet trait strikes a chord with the Malaysian voters: one that shuns the limelight but could be entrusted with whatever task given to him. In short, he is an excellent public servant. Since his appointment of the important Ministry of International Trade and Industry, it is affirmed he is a valuable asset to his party. His likable manner probably won the leadership over.
Recently, he has been more vocal in his thoughts and imputs to the activities in politics. His preference on the nomination process be scrapped could be a potential timebomb. The nomination process has it that a candidate has to secure at least 30% of divisional nominations to be eligible to contest for certain party post. He did well to parry potential flaks by saying its his personal view and not an attack on the current leadership. His concern of internal squabbling in the party is also highlighted recently. Now the latest salvo is against Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. Razaleigh is probably going all out for the UMNO presidency post which he has coveted since his battles with Mahathir Mohamed. This is very well his last chance to go for it! It is not surprising that Razaleigh even may have his old adversary's vote today since Mahathir scathing criticisms of Pak Lah's leadership and also the latter's abhorrance of the thought of Anwar Ibrahim's possible return to the party fold. So why is Muhyiddin against this MP from Gua Musang? This is probably aligned with his thinking of status quo in UMNO leadership and not to split the party. This writer opines that it was a balanced answer from him as not to further weakened the morality of the party since the election setbacks. His recent moves may also indicate a precursor to the run up of party election. He is set to defend his vice presidency in UMNO.
Come what may, I think the inputs and comments of Muhyiddin lately is not uncalled for. it strikes me as a good response for a seasoned politician worth his salt. this may risk the ire of his old boss and certain comrades, but it must be seen in the context that this is one leader who loves the party above all else and dares to speak it out! this is against the backdrop of what is at stake to his political career. Yes he risks a backlash but Muhyiddin is to be commended for his stance and not condemned. He gets this writer's vote as a model leader and in his vice president candidacy.
Lips service..
My say...
Its very easy for Ong Ka Ting to accuse Pakatan Rakyat, the opposition front, of lip service. He said they must deliver now what they had promise. What about Barisan Nasional? Ting Chew Peh, the former MCA secretary general and ex-MP of Gopeng, drew a conclusion that Pakatan Rakyat actually did something by issuing permanent land titles to all planned villages barely two months into their administration in Perak. Ting said he was ashamed that this shows the Barisan Nasional government, and this includes himself, did not do enough for the community to-date. What is irritating is Ong just brushed aside Ting's assessment as merely Ting's own opinion. Ting is also the former Housing and Local Government Minister. Whenever a veteran sounds the alarm about shoddy contributions from the present government, shouldn't it be taken seriously?
Allow me to raise my grouse. I bought a defective house not too long ago in upscale vicinity in Kuala Lumpur. I took the developer to the tribunal court. The tribune president said it needed the technical team to inspect. The technical guys came and inspected I believe somewhere in August 07. The technical committee said we will probably get our results by January 08. It is now April and we have yet to get a response. repeated calls is now proving to be a futile exercise. In fact, some had cases tried much earlier and are still waiting for a judgement. It is almost two years for some of them. It is very obvious that the build-up was not according to specifications. One of the problem in our unit type is we were given a room with the door only 6 feet in height. This was a result of a lowered stairways which is fronting the door to another room. The by-law states that door heights should be at least 6'6" for obvious safety reasons. Some house owners even obtained letter from the Lembaga Arkitek (Architect Board) agreeing that the build was defective and not done according to the by-laws. What more could be clear-cut than this? And did i mention that the developer's spokesperson tried to bribe some of us into withdrawing our tribunal case? Some were offered wooden-panel partitioning in their vague mitigation attempt. Some were offered house in other phase at steep discounts in return for their silence. In any case, it really looks like our case will be swept under the carpet. Why? its easy to guess. This developer is under a big conglomerate from Miri. The same group is also one of MCA's most ardent financial supporter. And of course, the local housing minister is helmed by a minister from MCA. A rational person could draw the obvious conclusion then which i believe will not be unlike the other owners suffering similar fate like me.
Ong claimed before the election that MCA always work behind the scene and never one to blow their own trumpet. I guess the rakyat didn't buy the story judging from the election results. Granted that the minister is always busy but I wonder how long before this behind the scene working claim will help produce a feedback for my case? Another 5 years into the next election? And no, this writer does not believe in running after the Minister in charge for remedy when he was fishing for vote before the election. I hope Ong Ka Chuan is listening. I have since came to the same premise as Ting. So who is paying lip service now?
Its very easy for Ong Ka Ting to accuse Pakatan Rakyat, the opposition front, of lip service. He said they must deliver now what they had promise. What about Barisan Nasional? Ting Chew Peh, the former MCA secretary general and ex-MP of Gopeng, drew a conclusion that Pakatan Rakyat actually did something by issuing permanent land titles to all planned villages barely two months into their administration in Perak. Ting said he was ashamed that this shows the Barisan Nasional government, and this includes himself, did not do enough for the community to-date. What is irritating is Ong just brushed aside Ting's assessment as merely Ting's own opinion. Ting is also the former Housing and Local Government Minister. Whenever a veteran sounds the alarm about shoddy contributions from the present government, shouldn't it be taken seriously?
Allow me to raise my grouse. I bought a defective house not too long ago in upscale vicinity in Kuala Lumpur. I took the developer to the tribunal court. The tribune president said it needed the technical team to inspect. The technical guys came and inspected I believe somewhere in August 07. The technical committee said we will probably get our results by January 08. It is now April and we have yet to get a response. repeated calls is now proving to be a futile exercise. In fact, some had cases tried much earlier and are still waiting for a judgement. It is almost two years for some of them. It is very obvious that the build-up was not according to specifications. One of the problem in our unit type is we were given a room with the door only 6 feet in height. This was a result of a lowered stairways which is fronting the door to another room. The by-law states that door heights should be at least 6'6" for obvious safety reasons. Some house owners even obtained letter from the Lembaga Arkitek (Architect Board) agreeing that the build was defective and not done according to the by-laws. What more could be clear-cut than this? And did i mention that the developer's spokesperson tried to bribe some of us into withdrawing our tribunal case? Some were offered wooden-panel partitioning in their vague mitigation attempt. Some were offered house in other phase at steep discounts in return for their silence. In any case, it really looks like our case will be swept under the carpet. Why? its easy to guess. This developer is under a big conglomerate from Miri. The same group is also one of MCA's most ardent financial supporter. And of course, the local housing minister is helmed by a minister from MCA. A rational person could draw the obvious conclusion then which i believe will not be unlike the other owners suffering similar fate like me.
Ong claimed before the election that MCA always work behind the scene and never one to blow their own trumpet. I guess the rakyat didn't buy the story judging from the election results. Granted that the minister is always busy but I wonder how long before this behind the scene working claim will help produce a feedback for my case? Another 5 years into the next election? And no, this writer does not believe in running after the Minister in charge for remedy when he was fishing for vote before the election. I hope Ong Ka Chuan is listening. I have since came to the same premise as Ting. So who is paying lip service now?
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Notable Quote
His say....
Ah politics, where greed wears the mask of morality ~ Inspector Jacques Cleauseau
Ah politics, where greed wears the mask of morality ~ Inspector Jacques Cleauseau
Friday, April 4, 2008
Role of the Executive
My say.....
We are all inspired by any tales that has the underdogs overcoming the hot favorites, the challengers taking on the champions, the Davids versus the Goliaths. In modern world, we see some of this examples. We cheer when Google manage to break the stranglehold of Microsoft in their own field which the behemoth software giants ruled the roost for over two decades. In the process, we are amazed of the renumeration that such classic battles do to their owners, who were catapulted to the realm of billionaires almost instantly. But whilst we enjoy these testaments, we must not overlooked a certain truth that is now enveloping the business circles everywhere: giants are everywhere and swallowing up everything!
Most countries' government, of the Executives, are wooing these giants for economics of scale that served them well. Its easy to manage large corporations than individuals. Its easier in terms of categorization, such as Oil & Gas or Entertainment categories for example. Its even easier to collect taxes and revenues from a handful of giants rather than individuals. Heck, give the Corporations everything: licenses, capital, lands, tax-breaks, concessions, well, everything! Even bending the rules to suit them has slowly creep into the scene today as we witnessed with Long-Term Capital Management, the rogue bond trading company. So now the playing field is really enjoyed and dominated by giants in the corporate world. Indeed, one sneeze from these giants, and the whole corporate circles, if not the world, gets the flu!
This scenario is same here in Malaysia. Whilst it is good that giants to come forth in terms of employment potentials, technology or knowledge transfers and Foreign Direct Investments, this writer believes the major responsibility of the Executive is lost in the effort to chase and court these giants. What is it then that the Executive should focus? If this writer may suggest, there is but one responsibility that this present Administration of Pak Lah should concern itself. it must make again Malaysia a level playing field for all individuals both large and small. Adam Smith's invisible hand will do the rest in capitalism, but it is the government to ensure that a neutral ground is presented in the first place. Also, it must ensure that this level playing field stays level, i.e. proper monitoring and enforcement is in place despite all the benefits of having these large corporations mentioned above. Malaysian Administration must not always play the role of a salesman, but an arbitrator as well. For too long the smaller players are hurting.
This presents a challenge to the current Executive. Balance is needed. On one hand, they will need all the support that these larger corporations can give being a small trading nation. Yet it must not neglect its own smaller players or individuals as well. The bigger pictures says, if the Executive are only concerned about big corporations, then the smaller stakes and individuals will face a certain bleak prospect. Many talented and bright individuals will not be able to cope without jobs from these master corporations. To many individuals and small players today, its already a death prospect! For small businesses, they are crushed at the stiff competitions of these juggernauts. For individuals, these big corporations today hire and fire at will based solely on quarterly reports, short-termism projections and business expediency. Today's individuals, as Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew rightly observed, are just digits in the game. We are pawns that is dispensable in the whole scheme of things. It should not be. Provide all the necessary help like dispensing license, capital, tax-breaks, expertise and even land as per the same given to larger corporations and allow the individuals and smaller businesses to rise. Too often, individual or smaller businesses have to make way for larger group in the name of capitalism. The so-called Favored Capitalism!
Individuals and not corporations are what makes a nation. In Wealth of the Nation, Adam Smith's concept of capitalism revolves around individuals' output. We are certainly not lacking then in individual talents and outputs. Malaysians are talented people as we have some of the best and brightest in every corner of the world. Some are world famous surgeons and others brilliant technopreneurs working Disney and the such. In the local scene, we have Dave's Deli, a local restaurant who made it good. Some are even leaders of industries like Robert Kuok who once controlled one-fourth of world's sugar supplies. Surely this give rise to the fact that individuals and even small businesses have their place in the world of commerce. The Executive needs to be reminded for a level playing field and ensure playability for all again! Pak Lah said work together with me in his rally to the nation previously. It is this writer's hope he meant not only corporations but individuals as well!
We are all inspired by any tales that has the underdogs overcoming the hot favorites, the challengers taking on the champions, the Davids versus the Goliaths. In modern world, we see some of this examples. We cheer when Google manage to break the stranglehold of Microsoft in their own field which the behemoth software giants ruled the roost for over two decades. In the process, we are amazed of the renumeration that such classic battles do to their owners, who were catapulted to the realm of billionaires almost instantly. But whilst we enjoy these testaments, we must not overlooked a certain truth that is now enveloping the business circles everywhere: giants are everywhere and swallowing up everything!
Most countries' government, of the Executives, are wooing these giants for economics of scale that served them well. Its easy to manage large corporations than individuals. Its easier in terms of categorization, such as Oil & Gas or Entertainment categories for example. Its even easier to collect taxes and revenues from a handful of giants rather than individuals. Heck, give the Corporations everything: licenses, capital, lands, tax-breaks, concessions, well, everything! Even bending the rules to suit them has slowly creep into the scene today as we witnessed with Long-Term Capital Management, the rogue bond trading company. So now the playing field is really enjoyed and dominated by giants in the corporate world. Indeed, one sneeze from these giants, and the whole corporate circles, if not the world, gets the flu!
This scenario is same here in Malaysia. Whilst it is good that giants to come forth in terms of employment potentials, technology or knowledge transfers and Foreign Direct Investments, this writer believes the major responsibility of the Executive is lost in the effort to chase and court these giants. What is it then that the Executive should focus? If this writer may suggest, there is but one responsibility that this present Administration of Pak Lah should concern itself. it must make again Malaysia a level playing field for all individuals both large and small. Adam Smith's invisible hand will do the rest in capitalism, but it is the government to ensure that a neutral ground is presented in the first place. Also, it must ensure that this level playing field stays level, i.e. proper monitoring and enforcement is in place despite all the benefits of having these large corporations mentioned above. Malaysian Administration must not always play the role of a salesman, but an arbitrator as well. For too long the smaller players are hurting.
This presents a challenge to the current Executive. Balance is needed. On one hand, they will need all the support that these larger corporations can give being a small trading nation. Yet it must not neglect its own smaller players or individuals as well. The bigger pictures says, if the Executive are only concerned about big corporations, then the smaller stakes and individuals will face a certain bleak prospect. Many talented and bright individuals will not be able to cope without jobs from these master corporations. To many individuals and small players today, its already a death prospect! For small businesses, they are crushed at the stiff competitions of these juggernauts. For individuals, these big corporations today hire and fire at will based solely on quarterly reports, short-termism projections and business expediency. Today's individuals, as Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew rightly observed, are just digits in the game. We are pawns that is dispensable in the whole scheme of things. It should not be. Provide all the necessary help like dispensing license, capital, tax-breaks, expertise and even land as per the same given to larger corporations and allow the individuals and smaller businesses to rise. Too often, individual or smaller businesses have to make way for larger group in the name of capitalism. The so-called Favored Capitalism!
Individuals and not corporations are what makes a nation. In Wealth of the Nation, Adam Smith's concept of capitalism revolves around individuals' output. We are certainly not lacking then in individual talents and outputs. Malaysians are talented people as we have some of the best and brightest in every corner of the world. Some are world famous surgeons and others brilliant technopreneurs working Disney and the such. In the local scene, we have Dave's Deli, a local restaurant who made it good. Some are even leaders of industries like Robert Kuok who once controlled one-fourth of world's sugar supplies. Surely this give rise to the fact that individuals and even small businesses have their place in the world of commerce. The Executive needs to be reminded for a level playing field and ensure playability for all again! Pak Lah said work together with me in his rally to the nation previously. It is this writer's hope he meant not only corporations but individuals as well!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Notable Quote
His say...
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not ~ Thomas Jefferson
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not ~ Thomas Jefferson
Global warming
My say.....
Global warming is at hand. we cannot ignore its effects today due to many years of human abuse to the natural environment. Climate change has taken its toll on human life. Nature, if not respected, will one day devastate our civilization as it once did with the dinosaurs in prehistoric age. Long stretch of heat waves, prolonged summers or heavy rainfalls when you least expect it, tsunami, iceberg meltdown, rising sea level that will engulf islands, freak snowstorms, super hurricanes are but some of the carry-on effects caused by Human's march towards the notion of industrialization. Human civilization today may be the straw that breaks the Mother Earth's back. From the looks of things, global warming stems from over-utilizing the fossil energy resources such as gasoline and the likes and this releases greenhouse gas. The gas destroys the ozone layer which filters out harmful ray from the sun. This dangerous unfiltered sun ray in turn scorches the earth to unprecedented level today whereby creating global warming. Greenhouse gas also creates an insulation and traps the heat whereby we have now the effect of global warming. The cutting down of the greenbelt and trees also contributes to the thinning ozone layer. Trees produces the vital oxygen level needed to rebuild this tempered ozone layer. The funny thing is, we crank up our aircon to keep the heat away, yet the cranking up of aircon generates more heat released to the atmosphere. We can see now its a vicious cycle that will bite us back eventually. Irony now is our rapidly shrinking "globalized" world is measured by global destruction and global warming!
In fact, today's call by the Regent of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah highlighted the cautionary fragility of our water sources. it is true from His Majesty's observation in that 1.2 billion people are already without access to safe drinking water. This is but a tip of the iceberg (no pun intended) as it is a symptom of global illness of human abuses and indifference.
The recent "Earth Hour" asking countries to switch off lights for 60 minutes in attempt to conserve energy must be commended. But this is only a nominal attempt in this writer's opinion. If we were to calculate the atmospheric temperature change, it doesn't represent much. at most it only contributed to 0.0008% of climate heat reduction. Too small for comfort! At the very least, it is commendable for bringing awareness to a world now obsessed with rapid industrialization.
Malaysia should play a more important role since it has now established itself in the international arena. Its current chair of OIC and also a respected voice in UN should move Malaysia to play a greater role in the name of combating global warming. I would like to see Malaysia proposed that we have a "Non-Carbon Emission Day". By this, this writer would like to suggest that Malaysia takes the lead and asks the world that we have a day where no automobiles hitting the streets. If permitted, let factories also cease their operation for one day. A total ceasing of transportation and factories operations will certainly bring the heat level down drastically even for one day. Of course this is easier said than done as many businesses may not comply. I should think Mother Earth deserved her break! Global warming is now our perennial reminder of these abuses for the last 80 years. Our remedial actions are needed urgently.
Let's get active Malaysia, and let us unite to voice our stand against global warming.
Global warming is at hand. we cannot ignore its effects today due to many years of human abuse to the natural environment. Climate change has taken its toll on human life. Nature, if not respected, will one day devastate our civilization as it once did with the dinosaurs in prehistoric age. Long stretch of heat waves, prolonged summers or heavy rainfalls when you least expect it, tsunami, iceberg meltdown, rising sea level that will engulf islands, freak snowstorms, super hurricanes are but some of the carry-on effects caused by Human's march towards the notion of industrialization. Human civilization today may be the straw that breaks the Mother Earth's back. From the looks of things, global warming stems from over-utilizing the fossil energy resources such as gasoline and the likes and this releases greenhouse gas. The gas destroys the ozone layer which filters out harmful ray from the sun. This dangerous unfiltered sun ray in turn scorches the earth to unprecedented level today whereby creating global warming. Greenhouse gas also creates an insulation and traps the heat whereby we have now the effect of global warming. The cutting down of the greenbelt and trees also contributes to the thinning ozone layer. Trees produces the vital oxygen level needed to rebuild this tempered ozone layer. The funny thing is, we crank up our aircon to keep the heat away, yet the cranking up of aircon generates more heat released to the atmosphere. We can see now its a vicious cycle that will bite us back eventually. Irony now is our rapidly shrinking "globalized" world is measured by global destruction and global warming!
In fact, today's call by the Regent of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah highlighted the cautionary fragility of our water sources. it is true from His Majesty's observation in that 1.2 billion people are already without access to safe drinking water. This is but a tip of the iceberg (no pun intended) as it is a symptom of global illness of human abuses and indifference.
The recent "Earth Hour" asking countries to switch off lights for 60 minutes in attempt to conserve energy must be commended. But this is only a nominal attempt in this writer's opinion. If we were to calculate the atmospheric temperature change, it doesn't represent much. at most it only contributed to 0.0008% of climate heat reduction. Too small for comfort! At the very least, it is commendable for bringing awareness to a world now obsessed with rapid industrialization.
Malaysia should play a more important role since it has now established itself in the international arena. Its current chair of OIC and also a respected voice in UN should move Malaysia to play a greater role in the name of combating global warming. I would like to see Malaysia proposed that we have a "Non-Carbon Emission Day". By this, this writer would like to suggest that Malaysia takes the lead and asks the world that we have a day where no automobiles hitting the streets. If permitted, let factories also cease their operation for one day. A total ceasing of transportation and factories operations will certainly bring the heat level down drastically even for one day. Of course this is easier said than done as many businesses may not comply. I should think Mother Earth deserved her break! Global warming is now our perennial reminder of these abuses for the last 80 years. Our remedial actions are needed urgently.
Let's get active Malaysia, and let us unite to voice our stand against global warming.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Ministry of Hell
My say.....
The Ministry of Health, called the Ministry of Hell has seen its share of big-scalp casualties. Many heavyweight ministers have fallen on the wayside in this particular ministry. Names like Ng Kam Poh, Lee Siok Yew, Chin Hon Ngain, Mak Hon Kam, Chan Siang Sun, Ng Cheng Kiat, Lee Kim Sai, Chua Jui Meng and latest casualty Chua Soi Lek all have seen their political careers curtailed since joining this particular Ministry.
The question now is, is the Ministry of Health really jinxed? I should think not. In fact, its only curse is its mundane and relatively unexciting portfolio among the cabinet ministries, unlike Finance, or Foreign or even Education. in fact, Health Ministry only comes about whenever there is an outbreak of disease and all the negative new surrounding it. Little wonder then why this ministry is place in the back burner of the rakyat's fancies. In short, the curse or jinx if you like, is the ministry being totally ignored by the rakyat or no attention attached to its importance. The current view is that the Ministry of Health or government doctors or hospitals must be there if and when the rakyat needs it! Little wonder why the Minister gets the same treatment with this perception of the rakyat!
Liow Tiong Lai, the latest minister incumbent, regards it as a passionate Ministry. He likes to quip it as Heal-thy Ministry whereby it attributes its quality of saving lives and caring for people's health. with all the flaks the ministry has been receiving, this could represent a challenge for the nutritionist turned politician. Liow is considered an up and coming politician, but a lightweight nonetheless. He may be handicapped without a medical degree, but his inquisitive nature and boldness to take certain unpopular steps will put him in good stead. Also not to be left out is the able Director-General, Ismail Merican, whom much credit is due. I do think both of them will make a very good combination.
For Liow, he would immediately need to repair the morale of this vibrant and increasingly important ministry, since the disaster of Chua Soi Lek. Malaysia may be heading to our very own post baby-boomer stage and with medicine on an ever rising cost spiral, it will be a challenge to dispense affordable medicine and medical services. Discipline among doctors to follow proper procedures and guidelines must also be maintained. Also lately, a host of bogus and medical scams like cosmetic surgeries and diet pills have mushroomed and that needs to be tackled too. Actions are also needed against these bogus practitioners immediately. Both generic and non-generic medicines are also getting readily available locally through the internet and this has to be screened carefully. Of late also is the cases of flagrant disregard to the stipulated chemical composites of food production by errant foor manufacturers in effort to reap quick profit. for example the case of boric acid in noodles, food colouring and Rhodamine B in belacan just to name a recent few. He will also need to spearhead sanitization programmes and pre-empt against any future outbreak of deadly diseases like the Nipah case, FMD or Bird-flu. Chief among all, he has to reduced medical jargons and disseminate information in layman's term to the public, if this ministry is to go forward again. Ismail Merican's example of information dissemination during the outbreak of the Nipah virus what this writer is talking about. For this is indeed a less respected ministry,though no fault of theirs, but due to the rakyat's ignorance of its dynamism. It may not be as rosy or "passionate" as he thinks it is.
Nonetheless, it is without a doubt he is a new man with dedication in the job and could only make the ministry better from its all-time low now. with capable assistance from the staff, let's hope for a dynamic and quality Health Ministry henceforth. A lightweight minister without all the medical or political riff-raff may just be the man to break whatever jinx there is!
The Ministry of Health, called the Ministry of Hell has seen its share of big-scalp casualties. Many heavyweight ministers have fallen on the wayside in this particular ministry. Names like Ng Kam Poh, Lee Siok Yew, Chin Hon Ngain, Mak Hon Kam, Chan Siang Sun, Ng Cheng Kiat, Lee Kim Sai, Chua Jui Meng and latest casualty Chua Soi Lek all have seen their political careers curtailed since joining this particular Ministry.
The question now is, is the Ministry of Health really jinxed? I should think not. In fact, its only curse is its mundane and relatively unexciting portfolio among the cabinet ministries, unlike Finance, or Foreign or even Education. in fact, Health Ministry only comes about whenever there is an outbreak of disease and all the negative new surrounding it. Little wonder then why this ministry is place in the back burner of the rakyat's fancies. In short, the curse or jinx if you like, is the ministry being totally ignored by the rakyat or no attention attached to its importance. The current view is that the Ministry of Health or government doctors or hospitals must be there if and when the rakyat needs it! Little wonder why the Minister gets the same treatment with this perception of the rakyat!
Liow Tiong Lai, the latest minister incumbent, regards it as a passionate Ministry. He likes to quip it as Heal-thy Ministry whereby it attributes its quality of saving lives and caring for people's health. with all the flaks the ministry has been receiving, this could represent a challenge for the nutritionist turned politician. Liow is considered an up and coming politician, but a lightweight nonetheless. He may be handicapped without a medical degree, but his inquisitive nature and boldness to take certain unpopular steps will put him in good stead. Also not to be left out is the able Director-General, Ismail Merican, whom much credit is due. I do think both of them will make a very good combination.
For Liow, he would immediately need to repair the morale of this vibrant and increasingly important ministry, since the disaster of Chua Soi Lek. Malaysia may be heading to our very own post baby-boomer stage and with medicine on an ever rising cost spiral, it will be a challenge to dispense affordable medicine and medical services. Discipline among doctors to follow proper procedures and guidelines must also be maintained. Also lately, a host of bogus and medical scams like cosmetic surgeries and diet pills have mushroomed and that needs to be tackled too. Actions are also needed against these bogus practitioners immediately. Both generic and non-generic medicines are also getting readily available locally through the internet and this has to be screened carefully. Of late also is the cases of flagrant disregard to the stipulated chemical composites of food production by errant foor manufacturers in effort to reap quick profit. for example the case of boric acid in noodles, food colouring and Rhodamine B in belacan just to name a recent few. He will also need to spearhead sanitization programmes and pre-empt against any future outbreak of deadly diseases like the Nipah case, FMD or Bird-flu. Chief among all, he has to reduced medical jargons and disseminate information in layman's term to the public, if this ministry is to go forward again. Ismail Merican's example of information dissemination during the outbreak of the Nipah virus what this writer is talking about. For this is indeed a less respected ministry,though no fault of theirs, but due to the rakyat's ignorance of its dynamism. It may not be as rosy or "passionate" as he thinks it is.
Nonetheless, it is without a doubt he is a new man with dedication in the job and could only make the ministry better from its all-time low now. with capable assistance from the staff, let's hope for a dynamic and quality Health Ministry henceforth. A lightweight minister without all the medical or political riff-raff may just be the man to break whatever jinx there is!
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