Hantu Laut
Although, many of us are appalled at the way UMNO youths try to rough up Karpal Singh in Parliament, he is not completely blameless. This combative old coot in a wheelchair is a ruffian.He is a lawyer and should know it was wrong of him, without proof, to accuse UMNO Youth as the culprit who sent him the bullets.Anyone could have sent it including those in Pakatan waging dirty war to discredit UMNO in the eyes of the people. His aggressiveness, uncompromising position and fondness for flabbergasting and abusive rants has earned him detention under ISA and suspension in Parliament. His aggressiveness and combative personality are the likely cause of his constant huff and puff.
His accusation without the burden of proof would certainly invite nasty responses from those who are short on fuse.
He might be wheelchair bound but he is no weakling.He should now be called the 'Lion of Bukit Gelugor".
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
What's Wrong With This Government ?
Hantu Laut
The government had no choice but to allow the toll hike because it was stated in the concession agreements said The Minister of Works Mohd Zin Mohammad.Wonder where this guy come from ?
He certainly doesn't have what it takes to be a minister. Completely clueless about the current state of the economy. He is probably another one of those who thinks Malaysia is not in a recession and there is no need to care for the welfare of the people.It is minister like this that makes the people hate the BN government. Sheer arrogance and no skill in dealing with the masses. Surely, we all know those things are in the agreement and we certainly don't need a dim-witted minister to tell us that was the reason.
In every business, no matter how tight the agreement is, there is always room for negotiations and in this particular case it is Mohd Zin responsibility to negotiate with the concessionaires to suspend or postpone the increase until the economic climate has improved.If such negotiation failed to bring the desired result than the government should pay the concessionaires the price increase.After all it's taxpayers' money that they are going to use.It's the government, not the people, that signed those lopsided agreements putting too much money in the concessionaire's pockets.Some are cronies of those in power.
To show how screwed up the system is.... the example of how the CEO of Tenaga Che Khalib Mohamad was chosen as 'CEO Of The Year 2008' when the company he manages posted huge losses of almost RM1 billion in 2008.The people at Business Times ought to have their heads examined.
This is the time when government must react to the people's problem and do it utmost to lessen the financial burden on the people.This is the time when government should take care of the interests of the masses not just the interests of a few towkeys or some manufactured Malay entrepreneurs who were there simply because of the goddamn policy rather than their own capability.
This is not the time to overtax the people with additional expenses which the government could well absorb itself.There is little doubt that the minister concerned lack experience and is probably too lazy to put in an effort to negotiate with the concessionaires.Of course, it is easier to say the government had no choice.
It appears that the Prime Minister either has no knowledge of this critical issue or flip-flop again, otherwise, he wouldn't call for a review. Like most of us he probably found out after reading the newspaper.Would you believe such an important issue that going to affect the livelihood of the people was not brought to the PM's attention?
This government must have the worst cabinet ministers as far back as I can remember.They are void of any talent and incapable of making intelligent decisions.In everything they do, the BN ministers, knowingly or unknowingly, sabotaged their own government.Already in a precarious position, having lost two by-elections and with three by-elections in the offing they still can't make sensible decision.
A government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. (Abraham Lincoln)
This one might.
The government had no choice but to allow the toll hike because it was stated in the concession agreements said The Minister of Works Mohd Zin Mohammad.Wonder where this guy come from ?
He certainly doesn't have what it takes to be a minister. Completely clueless about the current state of the economy. He is probably another one of those who thinks Malaysia is not in a recession and there is no need to care for the welfare of the people.It is minister like this that makes the people hate the BN government. Sheer arrogance and no skill in dealing with the masses. Surely, we all know those things are in the agreement and we certainly don't need a dim-witted minister to tell us that was the reason.
In every business, no matter how tight the agreement is, there is always room for negotiations and in this particular case it is Mohd Zin responsibility to negotiate with the concessionaires to suspend or postpone the increase until the economic climate has improved.If such negotiation failed to bring the desired result than the government should pay the concessionaires the price increase.After all it's taxpayers' money that they are going to use.It's the government, not the people, that signed those lopsided agreements putting too much money in the concessionaire's pockets.Some are cronies of those in power.
To show how screwed up the system is.... the example of how the CEO of Tenaga Che Khalib Mohamad was chosen as 'CEO Of The Year 2008' when the company he manages posted huge losses of almost RM1 billion in 2008.The people at Business Times ought to have their heads examined.
This is the time when government must react to the people's problem and do it utmost to lessen the financial burden on the people.This is the time when government should take care of the interests of the masses not just the interests of a few towkeys or some manufactured Malay entrepreneurs who were there simply because of the goddamn policy rather than their own capability.
This is not the time to overtax the people with additional expenses which the government could well absorb itself.There is little doubt that the minister concerned lack experience and is probably too lazy to put in an effort to negotiate with the concessionaires.Of course, it is easier to say the government had no choice.
It appears that the Prime Minister either has no knowledge of this critical issue or flip-flop again, otherwise, he wouldn't call for a review. Like most of us he probably found out after reading the newspaper.Would you believe such an important issue that going to affect the livelihood of the people was not brought to the PM's attention?
This government must have the worst cabinet ministers as far back as I can remember.They are void of any talent and incapable of making intelligent decisions.In everything they do, the BN ministers, knowingly or unknowingly, sabotaged their own government.Already in a precarious position, having lost two by-elections and with three by-elections in the offing they still can't make sensible decision.
A government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. (Abraham Lincoln)
This one might.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
The Economy:Great Minds Think Alike, Only Fools Differ
Hantu laut
Where are all the economic experts, the second Finance Minister, the governor of Bank Negara and all those in government that try to muddle Malaysians into believing that there will be no recession in the country. Even the trained economists got sucked into this body of lies.
Such presumptuous and vacuous advisory to the people should not be taken lightly. It has serious repercussions on the economic welfare of the people and could stall the engines of recovery.If all Malaysians believed there are no economic problems and no recession sould there be any reason for them to put in extra effort to tend to the cut and bruises of the economy. All those who had intentionally misled the people should do the right thing......... they should resign from their jobs. Saying it once is fine, people accept you probably have made a mistake, but to keep repeating it over and over again is inconceivably stupid.
That was just a month ago when our government witch doctors and bomohs prescribed a good bill of health for the nation.Of late they have woken up to reality and faced with the magnitude of the problems, decided to swallow their pride and came up with a stimulus package.
When I first saw the amount of the package it was a shocking disbelief, the bunch of dead ducks in the Ministry of Finance is worse than what I have imagined. Not only are they bad in making economic forecasts they can't even evaluate the financial needs and optimal amount of the rescue package.As I have said in my earlier posts the stimuli would need another stimuli.....the RM7 billion is a drop in the ocean.The package is just too small to stimulate the ailing economy.The situation will worsen by the middle of this year.
The Malaysian stimulus package is different from that of the US government. Ours is a general rescue package of the economy while the US rescue package are mostly bail-out packages for ailing corporations and specific industries.The incoming Prime Minister should seriously consider revamping the Ministry of Finance.
In my forecast of the economic outlook for 2009 here I have predicted as early as October 2008 that Malaysia's growth rate would be in the region of 2% and below with high possibility of going into negative territory. The situation has changed, the outlook is bleaker, negative growth is no more a mere possibility, it's a reality. Unless the government increases the stimulus package and apply them in the proper sectors the stimulus might end up as stimulated waste.
Funding the wrong sector may cause more damage than good. The government should limit its exposure in propping up stock market and currency speculation to defend the ringgit.It has to face the fact that its foreign exchange reserve would dwindle in value if the ringgit depreciated against the USD.In the same posting I predicted export would decline by at least 20% during the 1st quarter of this year. The decline will affect all sectors particularly the major contributors like electronic, palm oil and crude oil.
There are two sides to a coin.The depreciation of the ringgit may not be as bad as some people imagined it to be.It is good for export. The depreciation can help compensate the diminution in value of export commodities. It's also a deterrent for huge capital outflow.Malaysians should be contented to keeping their money at home. The weak ringgit would make overseas travel more expensive and domestic tourism as cheaper alternative.
Whilst the government inject more money to boost the GDP and thereby increasing export, it must also not ignore to control import of certain commodities that are considered non-essentials.Imports of this nature should be reduced, suspended or imposed with higher tariff as deterrent. The tariffs and duties on luxuries (something pleasant to have but not necessary) like cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and other luxury items should be increased. The issue of APs for high end luxury cars should be suspended and the overall AP volume to be reduced.Increase road taxes for high end luxury cars. Incentive to be given in the form of tax rebate for manufactured products with high local components/contents. Promote and encourage 'Buy Malaysia First' to reduce incidents of unnecessary imports.
To overcome the unemployment problem the government must create incentives for Malaysians to take over jobs of migrant workers.Malaysians shy away from such jobs because of low wages and zero benefits.There must be re-education, minimum wage and better benefits to attract them to this sector.From my experience as businessman with offices and factories in many locations in the country, locals, especially bumiputras, throughout the country have the notion that blue collar work is menial and degrading and many would prefer to be drivers or office boys even if the dirty job offers 3 times more salary.I remember a case where I offered a bumiputra boy a job as a storekeeper in the company's logging camp with a starting salary of RM950.00 which he refused and wanted an office boy job which only pays RM300.00.His only other benefits of being an office boy is he sits in an air-conditioned office and gets a company's motorcycle.The job of storekeeper was eventually taken by a new school leaver, a Chinese boy. That's why re-education and revamping of wages and employment benefits are imperative to bring about the change of attitude.
Those are just few of what the government can do, there are many more.I have not touch on how the stimulus package should be spent.I'll keep that for another day.
Although, I hate it as much as any of you, all my predictions of the economy have manifested and the government was wrong......there is going to be a recession in the country. In fact it is already here.
Where are all the economic experts, the second Finance Minister, the governor of Bank Negara and all those in government that try to muddle Malaysians into believing that there will be no recession in the country. Even the trained economists got sucked into this body of lies.
Such presumptuous and vacuous advisory to the people should not be taken lightly. It has serious repercussions on the economic welfare of the people and could stall the engines of recovery.If all Malaysians believed there are no economic problems and no recession sould there be any reason for them to put in extra effort to tend to the cut and bruises of the economy. All those who had intentionally misled the people should do the right thing......... they should resign from their jobs. Saying it once is fine, people accept you probably have made a mistake, but to keep repeating it over and over again is inconceivably stupid.
That was just a month ago when our government witch doctors and bomohs prescribed a good bill of health for the nation.Of late they have woken up to reality and faced with the magnitude of the problems, decided to swallow their pride and came up with a stimulus package.
When I first saw the amount of the package it was a shocking disbelief, the bunch of dead ducks in the Ministry of Finance is worse than what I have imagined. Not only are they bad in making economic forecasts they can't even evaluate the financial needs and optimal amount of the rescue package.As I have said in my earlier posts the stimuli would need another stimuli.....the RM7 billion is a drop in the ocean.The package is just too small to stimulate the ailing economy.The situation will worsen by the middle of this year.
The Malaysian stimulus package is different from that of the US government. Ours is a general rescue package of the economy while the US rescue package are mostly bail-out packages for ailing corporations and specific industries.The incoming Prime Minister should seriously consider revamping the Ministry of Finance.
In my forecast of the economic outlook for 2009 here I have predicted as early as October 2008 that Malaysia's growth rate would be in the region of 2% and below with high possibility of going into negative territory. The situation has changed, the outlook is bleaker, negative growth is no more a mere possibility, it's a reality. Unless the government increases the stimulus package and apply them in the proper sectors the stimulus might end up as stimulated waste.
Funding the wrong sector may cause more damage than good. The government should limit its exposure in propping up stock market and currency speculation to defend the ringgit.It has to face the fact that its foreign exchange reserve would dwindle in value if the ringgit depreciated against the USD.In the same posting I predicted export would decline by at least 20% during the 1st quarter of this year. The decline will affect all sectors particularly the major contributors like electronic, palm oil and crude oil.
There are two sides to a coin.The depreciation of the ringgit may not be as bad as some people imagined it to be.It is good for export. The depreciation can help compensate the diminution in value of export commodities. It's also a deterrent for huge capital outflow.Malaysians should be contented to keeping their money at home. The weak ringgit would make overseas travel more expensive and domestic tourism as cheaper alternative.
Whilst the government inject more money to boost the GDP and thereby increasing export, it must also not ignore to control import of certain commodities that are considered non-essentials.Imports of this nature should be reduced, suspended or imposed with higher tariff as deterrent. The tariffs and duties on luxuries (something pleasant to have but not necessary) like cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and other luxury items should be increased. The issue of APs for high end luxury cars should be suspended and the overall AP volume to be reduced.Increase road taxes for high end luxury cars. Incentive to be given in the form of tax rebate for manufactured products with high local components/contents. Promote and encourage 'Buy Malaysia First' to reduce incidents of unnecessary imports.
To overcome the unemployment problem the government must create incentives for Malaysians to take over jobs of migrant workers.Malaysians shy away from such jobs because of low wages and zero benefits.There must be re-education, minimum wage and better benefits to attract them to this sector.From my experience as businessman with offices and factories in many locations in the country, locals, especially bumiputras, throughout the country have the notion that blue collar work is menial and degrading and many would prefer to be drivers or office boys even if the dirty job offers 3 times more salary.I remember a case where I offered a bumiputra boy a job as a storekeeper in the company's logging camp with a starting salary of RM950.00 which he refused and wanted an office boy job which only pays RM300.00.His only other benefits of being an office boy is he sits in an air-conditioned office and gets a company's motorcycle.The job of storekeeper was eventually taken by a new school leaver, a Chinese boy. That's why re-education and revamping of wages and employment benefits are imperative to bring about the change of attitude.
Those are just few of what the government can do, there are many more.I have not touch on how the stimulus package should be spent.I'll keep that for another day.
Although, I hate it as much as any of you, all my predictions of the economy have manifested and the government was wrong......there is going to be a recession in the country. In fact it is already here.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Changing Of The Guard:The City Slicker And The Kampong Boy
Hantu Laut
So much and so many have been written about the Perak crisis. Maybe, we should now go back to more pressing problem and one that seems to take the back seat of the government's list of priorities, the ECONOMY !
Before I get there, let's ponder for a while and see what the government has been up to all this while.
At the apex of this list of priorities sits the UMNO elections due in March. The lobbying and jockeying for positions have intensified big time.The amount of cash changing hand is said to be reaching epidemic proportion, so much so, even the MACC had given up trying to nap the runners for the warlords.The MACC has now shifted its interest to the oppositions and is busy looking into the opposition's shenanigans.
Other than the president post there is no safe seat in this battle for supremacy.Unlike MCA where money may not get the respect of the rank and file as much as smut is, those in UMNO have not resorted to the smutty business yet.
If you are holding high public office and happened to be happily married but need to spice up you sex life, just be careful, the next time you have a tryst with your lover make sure you comb the entire room for bugs. You never know who is watching you.You can buy bugs detector, they are not expensive. Don't sting, buy the better ones.Chua Soi Lek could probably give you an advice or two after his dreadful experience of being caught on candid camera.The past has come back to haunt him.Maybe, he should change his middle name.
The only man that need not spend a single cent is Najib, the rest seem to have no choice, spend money or die! Muhyiddin is torn between the devil and the deep blue sea.If money speaks louder than word than Muhyiddin may have a chink in his armour.
Will Abdullah Badawi step down as prime minister ? The doyen of Malaysian politics former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad doesn't think so.This fiercest critic of Abdullah with his never ending admonition of him thinks Abdullah would just relinquish his post of President of UMNO and continue as PM.Is the former premier trying to rattle Najib's bones for him to stage a coup if Abdullah refused to step down? We have to wait and see how it will be staged in a few weeks time.
From the sublime to the ridiculous, even shit hot politician like Anwar Ibrahim wanted him to stay.This is the man who run the gauntlet on Abdullah just a few months back and attempted a vote of no confidence against him. After the failed attempt to throw Abdullah out it looks like Anwar contemplates Abdullah a weaker opponent and less dangerous to the oppositions. His fear of Najib seems greater than the man who sent him to the slammer about a decade ago. Najib's opening salvo has sent fear reverberating in the Pakatan's camp.The loss of Perak may be just the beginning.
Joining in the cry for the 'Save Abdullah' campaign is Nik Aziz of PAS. This religiously staunch and incorruptible Muslims leader is an enigma.His messages are equally enigmatic.The contradictions may have come with age.He seems to share Anwar's fear and dislike for Najib.Remembering old wounds could be another reason he was dead against PAS joining UMNO as coalition partner. Anwar against Najib, I can understand, but why is the Tok Guru worried of Najib becoming prime minister? Is he privy to something we don't know ?
Politicians can't get to where they wanted to go without sycophants, hangers-on and opportunists circling around them. Some are ridiculously out of sync just to curry favour with the bosses, without looking at the merit of their proposals.A government backbencher, one Mohd Aziz(BN-Sri Gading) proposed that Abdullah be made a senior minister after he stepped down as PM. Is Abdullah, who served only one full term as PM more deserving than Mahathir who had more than 22 years of premiership and a track record to go with it? It is not that Abdullah is less worthy but it would look absurd if he accepts the appointment after being forced out of office.
I am glad Abdullah has more sense than the balls carrier who made the proposal. He has affirmed his intention of not getting involve in government after he stepped down. He said he is basically a kampong boy and wish to go back to planting vegetables and fruits and play more golf. Unlike Mahathir, he says he wouldn't do anything to embarrass the government.
I believe Abdullah will keep his word.
You see, just like the government, I got carried away, I forgot about the economy.
I'll save it for another day.
So much and so many have been written about the Perak crisis. Maybe, we should now go back to more pressing problem and one that seems to take the back seat of the government's list of priorities, the ECONOMY !
Before I get there, let's ponder for a while and see what the government has been up to all this while.
At the apex of this list of priorities sits the UMNO elections due in March. The lobbying and jockeying for positions have intensified big time.The amount of cash changing hand is said to be reaching epidemic proportion, so much so, even the MACC had given up trying to nap the runners for the warlords.The MACC has now shifted its interest to the oppositions and is busy looking into the opposition's shenanigans.
Other than the president post there is no safe seat in this battle for supremacy.Unlike MCA where money may not get the respect of the rank and file as much as smut is, those in UMNO have not resorted to the smutty business yet.
If you are holding high public office and happened to be happily married but need to spice up you sex life, just be careful, the next time you have a tryst with your lover make sure you comb the entire room for bugs. You never know who is watching you.You can buy bugs detector, they are not expensive. Don't sting, buy the better ones.Chua Soi Lek could probably give you an advice or two after his dreadful experience of being caught on candid camera.The past has come back to haunt him.Maybe, he should change his middle name.
The only man that need not spend a single cent is Najib, the rest seem to have no choice, spend money or die! Muhyiddin is torn between the devil and the deep blue sea.If money speaks louder than word than Muhyiddin may have a chink in his armour.
Will Abdullah Badawi step down as prime minister ? The doyen of Malaysian politics former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad doesn't think so.This fiercest critic of Abdullah with his never ending admonition of him thinks Abdullah would just relinquish his post of President of UMNO and continue as PM.Is the former premier trying to rattle Najib's bones for him to stage a coup if Abdullah refused to step down? We have to wait and see how it will be staged in a few weeks time.
From the sublime to the ridiculous, even shit hot politician like Anwar Ibrahim wanted him to stay.This is the man who run the gauntlet on Abdullah just a few months back and attempted a vote of no confidence against him. After the failed attempt to throw Abdullah out it looks like Anwar contemplates Abdullah a weaker opponent and less dangerous to the oppositions. His fear of Najib seems greater than the man who sent him to the slammer about a decade ago. Najib's opening salvo has sent fear reverberating in the Pakatan's camp.The loss of Perak may be just the beginning.
Joining in the cry for the 'Save Abdullah' campaign is Nik Aziz of PAS. This religiously staunch and incorruptible Muslims leader is an enigma.His messages are equally enigmatic.The contradictions may have come with age.He seems to share Anwar's fear and dislike for Najib.Remembering old wounds could be another reason he was dead against PAS joining UMNO as coalition partner. Anwar against Najib, I can understand, but why is the Tok Guru worried of Najib becoming prime minister? Is he privy to something we don't know ?
Politicians can't get to where they wanted to go without sycophants, hangers-on and opportunists circling around them. Some are ridiculously out of sync just to curry favour with the bosses, without looking at the merit of their proposals.A government backbencher, one Mohd Aziz(BN-Sri Gading) proposed that Abdullah be made a senior minister after he stepped down as PM. Is Abdullah, who served only one full term as PM more deserving than Mahathir who had more than 22 years of premiership and a track record to go with it? It is not that Abdullah is less worthy but it would look absurd if he accepts the appointment after being forced out of office.
I am glad Abdullah has more sense than the balls carrier who made the proposal. He has affirmed his intention of not getting involve in government after he stepped down. He said he is basically a kampong boy and wish to go back to planting vegetables and fruits and play more golf. Unlike Mahathir, he says he wouldn't do anything to embarrass the government.
I believe Abdullah will keep his word.
You see, just like the government, I got carried away, I forgot about the economy.
I'll save it for another day.
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