Now that the show trial of Saddam Hussein has ended with the death sentence handed to the former dictator, some people are wondering why his accomplices are not tried. One of them was George Bush Snr who had secretly shipped arms to Saddam via third countries such as South Africa and Chile. In 1992 the Congressional Banking Committee headed by Henry Gonzalez said "...We found that Bush and his advisers financed, equipped and succored the monster....".
Douglas Hurd, the British Foreign Minister in 1981, also sold missile technologies to Saddam. So was Donald Rumsfeld who offered all sort of assistance to Saddam immediately after the gassing of the Kurd.
The biggest crime of all committed by America and Britain is to attack a defenseless country based on concocted threat.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Yellow Box Junction
I wonder if yellow box junctions built around cities and towns in Malaysia are properly regulated. There are so many of such junctions within a short distance of each other, a good example is along Jalan Ampang, that it has become a gridlock. You see the box not only at major junctions with traffic lights but also at almost every exit points from office buildings, private apartments and private schools into the main roads. Ironically you also get this boxes drawn five metres before a traffic light. All this certainly defeat the purpose of setting up a yellow box junction, which is to remove the traffic gridlock.
I learn that yellow box junctions was first introduced in UK to help clear traffic flow at major intersections. Vehicles may not enter the area unless their exit from the junction is clear except when one is prevented from doing so by oncoming vehicles.
Given the continuous flow of oncoming traffic along Jalan Ampang if you are turning right at any of this yellow boxes which is not part of a major junctions, you will get stuck in the box. This is why I believe you see traffic congestion on this road most of the time. The yellow boxes has become a traffic obstructions.
I trust that there is already a provision under our traffic law to require motorist to observe whatever is required when crossing the yellow box. I also hope that this law has been incorporated into a highway code and sufficient publicity is given on the correct way to use it.
The only question to be answered is how did the local authorities decide where to place this boxes. As it is now the yellow box junction creates more problems with the traffic flow and the motorist using it because the boxes are placed arbitrarily.
Removing this obstacles do not require huge investment and will go a long way towards improving traffic flow in KL and the services of Rapid KL too.
I learn that yellow box junctions was first introduced in UK to help clear traffic flow at major intersections. Vehicles may not enter the area unless their exit from the junction is clear except when one is prevented from doing so by oncoming vehicles.
Given the continuous flow of oncoming traffic along Jalan Ampang if you are turning right at any of this yellow boxes which is not part of a major junctions, you will get stuck in the box. This is why I believe you see traffic congestion on this road most of the time. The yellow boxes has become a traffic obstructions.
I trust that there is already a provision under our traffic law to require motorist to observe whatever is required when crossing the yellow box. I also hope that this law has been incorporated into a highway code and sufficient publicity is given on the correct way to use it.
The only question to be answered is how did the local authorities decide where to place this boxes. As it is now the yellow box junction creates more problems with the traffic flow and the motorist using it because the boxes are placed arbitrarily.
Removing this obstacles do not require huge investment and will go a long way towards improving traffic flow in KL and the services of Rapid KL too.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Another proof of American hegemony
Daniel Ortega is on the verge of winning the Presidential election for Nicaragua. International observers that include Jimmy Carter announced that the election was conducted fairly.
The American embassy on the other hand said it has received report of anomalies. They also announced that American aid to Nicaragua would be reduced substantially if Ortega eventually win the election.
Sandinistas, the party of Ortega, was the leading force that topple the dictatorial Somoza dynasty in 1979. However US under Reagan was fearful of the rise of leftist Sandinastas, and armed the Contras to fight them. The resulting war and conflict that ousted the Ortega government had caused great sufferings to the people of Nicaragua. It was all done by the American in the name of regime change and spreading democracy.
The American embassy on the other hand said it has received report of anomalies. They also announced that American aid to Nicaragua would be reduced substantially if Ortega eventually win the election.
Sandinistas, the party of Ortega, was the leading force that topple the dictatorial Somoza dynasty in 1979. However US under Reagan was fearful of the rise of leftist Sandinastas, and armed the Contras to fight them. The resulting war and conflict that ousted the Ortega government had caused great sufferings to the people of Nicaragua. It was all done by the American in the name of regime change and spreading democracy.
Khir Toyo and the rule of law
On Nov 4 2006 MB Selangor said if Zakaria Deros house is torn down, what bout the others? reported the Star
The arguments made by Menteri Besar Selangor against the demolition of illegally built mansions of municipal councillors was not only unconvincing but also full of contradictions. I would have expected him to make a politically correct statement and avoid using racially loaded justification for not taking action against them.
One major implication of the statement is that people in Selangor do not have to get approval from the local authorities for new building or its alteration. Their illegal structure is unlikely to be demolished because of our people friendly government. Another consequence of this statement is the dilemma it creates for the administrator of the local authorities in carrying out their duties.
There are more law abiding citizens in this country compared to offenders, irrespective of race or religion, and it is their respect and trust of your correct judgement that is worth fighting for. The government must take measures to correct mistakes made in the past and let offenders know that the law will catch up on them. Any action to be taken must begin with offenders already caught in the act. The next step is to announce to the public to make good any breaches of the local council by-laws within a reasonable period of time before action is taken on them.
It is no wonder that the corruption index of Malaysia by Transparency International, which is based on perception of corruption, has dipped, and we must take every opportunity available to reverse the trend.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Proton dilemma
Mahathir criticised his successor for failing to protect Proton. He argued that without protection the company will fail. The government responded by reducing tariff on cars made or assembled in Asean countries. This is a first step prior the complete removal of protective tariff by the government as part of the regional trade arrangement. As a result Proton is more exposed to foreign competition. Proton has no choice but to penetrate the export market if it were to survive.
Exposing Proton to competition is long overdue. It has cost the public too much to protect them. We pay dearly to buy our car, the only way Proton could cover its cost and accumulate huge surplus which was squandered on buying a heavily indebted motorcycle company from Italy.
Malaysia could learn from the experience of Estonia on how not to be paranoid about free trade. If Proton is not ready for competition after more than twenty years in business than they should close shop. The following is an article extracted from NYT:
Exposing Proton to competition is long overdue. It has cost the public too much to protect them. We pay dearly to buy our car, the only way Proton could cover its cost and accumulate huge surplus which was squandered on buying a heavily indebted motorcycle company from Italy.
Malaysia could learn from the experience of Estonia on how not to be paranoid about free trade. If Proton is not ready for competition after more than twenty years in business than they should close shop. The following is an article extracted from NYT:
[Estonia] transformed itself from an isolated, impoverished part of the Soviet Union thanks to a former prime minister, Mart Laar, a history teacher who took office not long after Estonia was liberated. He was 32 years old and had read just one book on economics: “Free to Choose,” by Milton Friedman, which he liked especially because he knew Friedman was despised by the Soviets.
Laar was politically naïve enough to put the theories into practice. Instead of worrying about winning trade wars, he unilaterally disarmed by abolishing almost all tariffs. He welcomed foreign investors and privatized most government functions (with the help of a privatization czar who had formerly been the manager of the Swedish pop group Abba). He drastically cut taxes on businesses and individuals, instituting a simple flat income tax of 26 percent.
These reforms were barely approved by the legislature amid warnings of disaster: huge budget deficits, legions of factory workers and farmers who would lose out to foreign competition. But today the chief concerns are what to do with the budget surplus and how to deal with a labor shortage.
Wages have soared thanks to jobs created by foreign companies like Elcoteq of Finland, which bought a failing electronics factory and now employs more than 3,000 people making phones for Nokia and Ericsson. Foreign investors worked with local software engineers to create Skype, the Internet telephone service, and the country has become so Web-savvy that it’s known as E-stonia.
“The spirit is so different here,” Benoit du Rey says. “If you come to the government here and want to start a company, they’ll tell you, ‘Good, do it right now.’ Then you can work free without being bothered by stupid things. Here I talk to my accountant once a month. In France, for every seven or eight workers, you need one full-time worker just to fill out the forms for taxes and other rules.”
Laar was politically naïve enough to put the theories into practice. Instead of worrying about winning trade wars, he unilaterally disarmed by abolishing almost all tariffs. He welcomed foreign investors and privatized most government functions (with the help of a privatization czar who had formerly been the manager of the Swedish pop group Abba). He drastically cut taxes on businesses and individuals, instituting a simple flat income tax of 26 percent.
These reforms were barely approved by the legislature amid warnings of disaster: huge budget deficits, legions of factory workers and farmers who would lose out to foreign competition. But today the chief concerns are what to do with the budget surplus and how to deal with a labor shortage.
Wages have soared thanks to jobs created by foreign companies like Elcoteq of Finland, which bought a failing electronics factory and now employs more than 3,000 people making phones for Nokia and Ericsson. Foreign investors worked with local software engineers to create Skype, the Internet telephone service, and the country has become so Web-savvy that it’s known as E-stonia.
“The spirit is so different here,” Benoit du Rey says. “If you come to the government here and want to start a company, they’ll tell you, ‘Good, do it right now.’ Then you can work free without being bothered by stupid things. Here I talk to my accountant once a month. In France, for every seven or eight workers, you need one full-time worker just to fill out the forms for taxes and other rules.”
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
The economics of parking space
Car park is a scarce commodity. The last time I went to Gombak Land Office in Selayang to pay my quit rent I have to go few rounds before I could get a space on the soggy, water logged road shoulder.
Few years back there was ample parking inside the office complex itself and when I asked why parking was not provided for the taxpayers, I was told that now they do not even have enough space for the staff.
The pressure for parking space is a universal problem in cities and towns in Malaysia. Even housing estates and apartment dwellers are not spared. I arrived at a relative apartment block in Sentul just before 8 p.m for hari raya gathering recently, and was able to get a decent parking but could not get out by the time we finish dinner. By late evening most apartment dwellers have returned home and it was just customary for them to park cars at any available space in rows and adopt the last in first out principle.
As a result of these experiences I am becoming conscious of the problem facing car owners everytime I drive around a housing estate at night or during weekend, and the solutions are nowhere near. Land available for parking is limited and expensive and there will never be enough. Suddenly I am beginning to notice a lot of cars parked by the road side at most residential areas at night. Now you see multiple car ownerships by resident in housing estates including apartment dwellers. It is common to see one family that have five cars while the house they live in provide only for one car park.
How do we solve this problem? Obviously the government, especially local government, must take the lead. In some cities in UK, residents are issued with parking permits. Firstly it is to protect residents rights and secondly it is a form of rationing and thus those with commercial vehicles or too many vehicles are deny the right to the limited space. There is now a proposal to link parking space availability to global warming by making it expensive to have the right to a parking space on the road curb.
The time has come for Malaysia to discourage car ownerships, accelerate investment in public transportation and make it user friendly too, and invest in bicycle lanes instead of motorcyle lanes. These measures will not only improve the quality of life for Malaysian as a group but in the long run will also save the government money. The benefits to the community as a whole shall be far greater than the potential loss to a few individuals.
Few years back there was ample parking inside the office complex itself and when I asked why parking was not provided for the taxpayers, I was told that now they do not even have enough space for the staff.
The pressure for parking space is a universal problem in cities and towns in Malaysia. Even housing estates and apartment dwellers are not spared. I arrived at a relative apartment block in Sentul just before 8 p.m for hari raya gathering recently, and was able to get a decent parking but could not get out by the time we finish dinner. By late evening most apartment dwellers have returned home and it was just customary for them to park cars at any available space in rows and adopt the last in first out principle.
As a result of these experiences I am becoming conscious of the problem facing car owners everytime I drive around a housing estate at night or during weekend, and the solutions are nowhere near. Land available for parking is limited and expensive and there will never be enough. Suddenly I am beginning to notice a lot of cars parked by the road side at most residential areas at night. Now you see multiple car ownerships by resident in housing estates including apartment dwellers. It is common to see one family that have five cars while the house they live in provide only for one car park.
How do we solve this problem? Obviously the government, especially local government, must take the lead. In some cities in UK, residents are issued with parking permits. Firstly it is to protect residents rights and secondly it is a form of rationing and thus those with commercial vehicles or too many vehicles are deny the right to the limited space. There is now a proposal to link parking space availability to global warming by making it expensive to have the right to a parking space on the road curb.
The time has come for Malaysia to discourage car ownerships, accelerate investment in public transportation and make it user friendly too, and invest in bicycle lanes instead of motorcyle lanes. These measures will not only improve the quality of life for Malaysian as a group but in the long run will also save the government money. The benefits to the community as a whole shall be far greater than the potential loss to a few individuals.
Monday, October 16, 2006
The Last Mughal
William Darymple the author of The Last Mughal: the fall of a dynasty(Delhi 1857) wrote in New Statesman that the westerners, especially the Christian extremists, in 19th century India radicalised the moderate Muslim into extremism. He said the venom of one provide the lifebloods of other. He argued that those who fail to learn from history are destined to forever repeat it.
It was, according to him, the same type of madrasah in India (Pakistan was part of India then) that produce Alqaeda and Taliban of today. The rise of wahabbism during that period in India was the result of British aggressive policy of regime change, removing the moderate Muslim Mughal emperor on the excuse that they were morally weak.
Today the evangelical Christians politician regards Muslim as an "incarnate fiends" or evils that needs to be crushed. It is history repeated itself by radicalising moderate Muslims to become extremists believing that an offence, like suicide bombing, is a form of defence against the aggressive Christians.
It was, according to him, the same type of madrasah in India (Pakistan was part of India then) that produce Alqaeda and Taliban of today. The rise of wahabbism during that period in India was the result of British aggressive policy of regime change, removing the moderate Muslim Mughal emperor on the excuse that they were morally weak.
Today the evangelical Christians politician regards Muslim as an "incarnate fiends" or evils that needs to be crushed. It is history repeated itself by radicalising moderate Muslims to become extremists believing that an offence, like suicide bombing, is a form of defence against the aggressive Christians.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Little Napoleon of Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya
Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya or MPAJ is well known for the wrong reasons: abusive, inept, corrupt, ignorant or just dishonest. They are quick to pounce on alleged offenders. However when you ask them to exercise their authority to solve common problems facing residents they are not available or incapacitated. It is inevitable that the public sense of trust on MPAJ is very low, and consequently the public is likely to ignore them or their bylaws.
As ordinary law abiding citizen I employed an architect to design and submit building plan for the renovation of my house to MPAJ.The plan was approved and the work was completed almost a year ago. The certificate of fitness was also issued which signified my compliance with the building bylaw. My architect paid on my behalf a processing fee of RM 120 and a returnable deposit of RM550 when submitting the plan for approval.
I made the request for the return of my deposit on 25 July 2006. The next day an employee of MPAJ by the name of Fazillah phone to ask if I have used their bin for the disposal of the building debris. My spontaneous reply was I did not use their bin because the disposal of the debris was all handled by my building contractor who in turn contract it out to a company specialising in debris disposal called Jiwa Arif. She said that since I did not use MPAJ's bin I have committed an offence and therefore shall be subjected to a penalty. I told her that I am not aware of this rule since there was nothing in writing and she said it is my duty to ask!
MPAJ phone on 18 September 2006 informing me that the check for the deposit was ready for collection. A surprised was waiting for me when I discovered that the amount return to me was only RM 39, i.e. I was fined for RM 511. I consulted my architect who told me that she was not aware of the requirements and later she followed it up with the town planning department of MPAJ. The latter gave the architect the impression that the rule is made by another department and they do not see eye to eye with each other. It was also told to me that MPAJ do not have the bin but make use of the bin from a company registered with MPAJ. It seems there is only one company registered with MPAJ for this purpose.
It is quite obvious that MPAJ operates their business at the whim and fancy of their employees.They do not even understand their own objective and the laws under which they operate. The lack of transparency such as this could only lead to corrupt practices. I feel that they were established not to help residents but to help themselves conduct illicit business. They should be concerned about the disposal of the debris itself instead of which bin I made use of. Imagine if I have my own lorry or a relative has a lorry help to clear and transport the debris, and will this not be sufficient? It could help me reduced my cost of the renovation.
At the rate MPAJ introduced hidden rules to the public I will not be surprised that they may in future ask residents to employ only professionals like architect, engineer, contractor etc. that are registered with them.
As ordinary law abiding citizen I employed an architect to design and submit building plan for the renovation of my house to MPAJ.The plan was approved and the work was completed almost a year ago. The certificate of fitness was also issued which signified my compliance with the building bylaw. My architect paid on my behalf a processing fee of RM 120 and a returnable deposit of RM550 when submitting the plan for approval.
I made the request for the return of my deposit on 25 July 2006. The next day an employee of MPAJ by the name of Fazillah phone to ask if I have used their bin for the disposal of the building debris. My spontaneous reply was I did not use their bin because the disposal of the debris was all handled by my building contractor who in turn contract it out to a company specialising in debris disposal called Jiwa Arif. She said that since I did not use MPAJ's bin I have committed an offence and therefore shall be subjected to a penalty. I told her that I am not aware of this rule since there was nothing in writing and she said it is my duty to ask!
MPAJ phone on 18 September 2006 informing me that the check for the deposit was ready for collection. A surprised was waiting for me when I discovered that the amount return to me was only RM 39, i.e. I was fined for RM 511. I consulted my architect who told me that she was not aware of the requirements and later she followed it up with the town planning department of MPAJ. The latter gave the architect the impression that the rule is made by another department and they do not see eye to eye with each other. It was also told to me that MPAJ do not have the bin but make use of the bin from a company registered with MPAJ. It seems there is only one company registered with MPAJ for this purpose.
It is quite obvious that MPAJ operates their business at the whim and fancy of their employees.They do not even understand their own objective and the laws under which they operate. The lack of transparency such as this could only lead to corrupt practices. I feel that they were established not to help residents but to help themselves conduct illicit business. They should be concerned about the disposal of the debris itself instead of which bin I made use of. Imagine if I have my own lorry or a relative has a lorry help to clear and transport the debris, and will this not be sufficient? It could help me reduced my cost of the renovation.
At the rate MPAJ introduced hidden rules to the public I will not be surprised that they may in future ask residents to employ only professionals like architect, engineer, contractor etc. that are registered with them.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Dick Cheney's hunting accident
Can't help laughing out at jokes by US comedians and satirist about Cheney's quail hunting accident in which he fired shotgun pellets at a lawyer friend Harry Whittington.
David Letterman:
Jay Leno:
David Letterman:
Good news, ladies and gentlemen, we have finally located weapon's of mass destruction: it's Dick Cheney.
Jay Leno:
When people heard he shot a lawyer, his popularity is now 92%.
And here is something I just found out today about the incident. You didn't know this. Turns out Cheney tortured the guy for half an hour before he shot him.Andy Borowitz:
Mr Cheney acknowledge that the man he sprayed the pellets on Sat was not Ayman al-Zawihiri but rather Harry Whittington...........blaming the mixup on faulty intelligence.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Driving crazy 3
Almost two years since I wrote about the high cost of owning automobile in Malaysia. Since then so many related issues have cropped up, most prominently was the squabbles between Proton and MITI about the Approved Permits for imported cars. It has gone to Parliament where issues of abuse of power by MITI for granting APs only to a few individuals was raised, and the lack of patriotism for letting Proton market share decline against the onslaught of this imports was also pointed out. The debate was so convoluted that the way the government cool it off was to issue an outline of National Automotive Policy(NAP) with details to be announced later.
In the meantime the Minister of Transport revealed in his Press conference recently that there are now 15 million vehicles registered compared to 7.6million in 1976. It is projected to grow at 20 percent per annum and at this rate the number of cars will reach 25 million in four years time. I wonder where will the trend lead us: more road fatility, less mobility due to congestion, worsening pollution, car junk yards everywhere etc.
Poor Malaysian have been hoping for better public transportation for years so that they don't have to own a car. But no one will help them, since the politician who lead them cannot make any money from running public transportation. Corrupt politician continue to govern Malaysia with no end in sight.
In the meantime the Minister of Transport revealed in his Press conference recently that there are now 15 million vehicles registered compared to 7.6million in 1976. It is projected to grow at 20 percent per annum and at this rate the number of cars will reach 25 million in four years time. I wonder where will the trend lead us: more road fatility, less mobility due to congestion, worsening pollution, car junk yards everywhere etc.
Poor Malaysian have been hoping for better public transportation for years so that they don't have to own a car. But no one will help them, since the politician who lead them cannot make any money from running public transportation. Corrupt politician continue to govern Malaysia with no end in sight.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Opinion of W. Scott Thompson on US and Israel
Article by Thompson on NYT was reprinted in the New Straits Times today entitled "Like Sharon, the cabal is gone". How interesting to note that under Bush administration the neoconservative cabal, mostly in the Pentagon, prepared strategies to demolish Israel enemies using American resources. The cabal argued that whatever is good for Israel is good for America. Secret intelligent documents in the Pentagon being passed to Israel. Political figures are always at the mercy of Aipac, the Jewish lobby group. For example when in 1980 the presidential candidate John Connoly called for a just peace in the Middle East was regarded as anti-Semitic and they went all out to demolish him. Thompson argued that there should be a real debate about what constitute American interest as opposed to Jewish interest. It could start by stopping the US 5billion annual subsidy to Israel.
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Formula One and the developing country
Just finish watching interview with author of Pit Stops: The life of formula one racing, on Bloomberg. The author cannot fathom the logic of the existence of grand prix event surrounded literally, by dire poverty in Brazil. Personally I wonder what is the costs to Malaysia, especially in foreign exchange losses, for staging similar events. The academics at Universiti Malaya, it was reported a few years ago, was commissioned by the local promoter to conduct the cost benefit analysis of staging grand prix in Malaysia. I have yet to see the final product of the research.
In the meantime I thought we could pick up a bit of lesson from Britain as the hub of formula one industry. There is a cluster of developmental activities from design to manufacturing of components, located to the north of London. It is also dubbed as the silicon valley of motor racing. Many of these activities, since 1950's, was the result of individual creativity from people like Colin Chapman, who eventually established Lotus. Others like Chapman also began to build their own car. They form clubs to organise racing. They also design their own engine. With all these activities they attracted highly motivated young engineers. One such product was in the form of Cosworth engineering. With constant competition they would require contant innovation and development which in turn would require new engineering specialties like aerodynamics etc. One study estimated that the income generated by these activities was not less than 2 billion pound and export worth more than 200 million pound.
In the meantime I thought we could pick up a bit of lesson from Britain as the hub of formula one industry. There is a cluster of developmental activities from design to manufacturing of components, located to the north of London. It is also dubbed as the silicon valley of motor racing. Many of these activities, since 1950's, was the result of individual creativity from people like Colin Chapman, who eventually established Lotus. Others like Chapman also began to build their own car. They form clubs to organise racing. They also design their own engine. With all these activities they attracted highly motivated young engineers. One such product was in the form of Cosworth engineering. With constant competition they would require contant innovation and development which in turn would require new engineering specialties like aerodynamics etc. One study estimated that the income generated by these activities was not less than 2 billion pound and export worth more than 200 million pound.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Living beyond the means
Recently Malaysians have been writing to the local newspapers expressing their concern of the adverse impact of foreign labour to the local society. Even Ministers acknowledged that the number of foregners in this country has become a burden to the nation, and if nothing is done now their number will reach 5 million by 2010. The Minister of Health also reported that on the average foreigners have been owing govt hospitals about RM 8 million a year and the maternity wards of hospitals in major town are inundated with foreigners.
The proposed measures by the government like structural adjusment to the manufacturing industry, using more capital instead of labour will take some time to materialise. Besides with the current pegging of MYR to USD will make capital expenditure expensive in Ringgit terms. Malaysian in the meantime cannot afford to subsidise foreigners for their healthcare, education etc. I think the immediate measure would require the imposition of compulsory health insurance to all foreign workers before granting them the work permit. Schooling fees for foreigners in govt school must be raised as a disincentive for them to bring their entire family to Malaysia.
The proposed measures by the government like structural adjusment to the manufacturing industry, using more capital instead of labour will take some time to materialise. Besides with the current pegging of MYR to USD will make capital expenditure expensive in Ringgit terms. Malaysian in the meantime cannot afford to subsidise foreigners for their healthcare, education etc. I think the immediate measure would require the imposition of compulsory health insurance to all foreign workers before granting them the work permit. Schooling fees for foreigners in govt school must be raised as a disincentive for them to bring their entire family to Malaysia.
Friday, June 25, 2004
Key performance indicator for civil servants
Attempt to measure civil performance is not new in Malaysia. They have the annual performance evaluation to measure where the employee stand in terms of productivity, creativity, initiative etc. It is no different from the private sector. It is reported today that the govt want to introduce KPI as an added tool to separate the performers from the non performers. It is definitely a good measure if they could identify the various outputs/services as target for each employee. It is a difficult task because it is not just about quantity, which in itself in the service sector is not a tangible measure, but also about looking at customer satisfaction. How do we obtained the indicator of customer satisfaction? Perhaps from surveys or complaints submitted!
The proposed measure require a radical change in the employment terms of civil servants. Top management could perhaps be recruited from the private sector on contract basis, that should include engineers in JKR, IT staff in various dept., and various categories of civil servants in the local authorities. Without this changes KPI will just add to the workload.
The proposed measure require a radical change in the employment terms of civil servants. Top management could perhaps be recruited from the private sector on contract basis, that should include engineers in JKR, IT staff in various dept., and various categories of civil servants in the local authorities. Without this changes KPI will just add to the workload.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
MAS: privatisation gone bad
Malaysian Airlines is a classic case of privatisation gone bad. It all started with its flotation exercise in 1985 resulting in the govt offering its shares to the public while retaining control. Following the flotation exercise the company was able to reduce its debt and obviously quite attractive for a takeover. A new owner bought it from the govt at RM 18 per share and a few years later it accumulates sufficient debt to go under. The govt has to bail it ought by buying back the shares at the same price it was sold. Nobody in the financial market understand the business logic of the Malaysian govt: many attribute it to cronyism at its best. The Minister of Finance then argued in Parliament that the rescue is necessary because of national interest and the company's future prospect justify the value paid for by the govt. In Malaysia, the culture is, the govt action is always in the interest of the public, and if they have been wrong they would not have been reelected.....so it goes on and on with criminal practise with impunity.
MAS has always presented the view that the domestic operations is a loss contributor until Air Asia emerged in the domestic aviation scene.
Suddenly they sing a differenttune.
MAS has always presented the view that the domestic operations is a loss contributor until Air Asia emerged in the domestic aviation scene.
Suddenly they sing a differenttune.
Monday, June 21, 2004
Acting rich: every household has a maid
Malaysian generally live in luxury: many own expensive cars,many own more than one car,and according to local newspaper there are 250,000 domestic helpers to assist them in their lifestyle. This figure represent only the maids that are legally registered with the immigration dept.
If you go to richer countries like Australia, US, UK or any European country, you either can't afford it or the govt will not allow the luxury of importing these kind of labours.
In three months time, it was reported, the Human Resource Ministry will set up training program to train locally source domestic helpers and put them in a more organised labour market. This is a long overdue measure and at the same time the govt must discourage the employment of foreign domestic help by Malaysians. This will save the country huge foreign exchange leakage and in the process help strenghten our economy. Malaysians themselves must change their lifestyle: live in houses that is easier to maintain, send kids to neighbourhood schools, organised better day care nurseries (perhaps employers and govt could collaborate on its establishment).
In three months time, it was reported, the Human Resource Ministry will set up training program to train locally source domestic helpers and put them in a more organised labour market. This is a long overdue measure and at the same time the govt must discourage the employment of foreign domestic help by Malaysians. This will save the country huge foreign exchange leakage and in the process help strenghten our economy. Malaysians themselves must change their lifestyle: live in houses that is easier to maintain, send kids to neighbourhood schools, organised better day care nurseries (perhaps employers and govt could collaborate on its establishment).
It is also time to slow down our construction driven economy so that we can get rid of many foreign construction workers. The govt plan introduction of prefab houses to reduce dependency on foreign labour is also a timely move.
If you go to richer countries like Australia, US, UK or any European country, you either can't afford it or the govt will not allow the luxury of importing these kind of labours.
In three months time, it was reported, the Human Resource Ministry will set up training program to train locally source domestic helpers and put them in a more organised labour market. This is a long overdue measure and at the same time the govt must discourage the employment of foreign domestic help by Malaysians. This will save the country huge foreign exchange leakage and in the process help strenghten our economy. Malaysians themselves must change their lifestyle: live in houses that is easier to maintain, send kids to neighbourhood schools, organised better day care nurseries (perhaps employers and govt could collaborate on its establishment).
In three months time, it was reported, the Human Resource Ministry will set up training program to train locally source domestic helpers and put them in a more organised labour market. This is a long overdue measure and at the same time the govt must discourage the employment of foreign domestic help by Malaysians. This will save the country huge foreign exchange leakage and in the process help strenghten our economy. Malaysians themselves must change their lifestyle: live in houses that is easier to maintain, send kids to neighbourhood schools, organised better day care nurseries (perhaps employers and govt could collaborate on its establishment).
It is also time to slow down our construction driven economy so that we can get rid of many foreign construction workers. The govt plan introduction of prefab houses to reduce dependency on foreign labour is also a timely move.
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Driving crazy2
Mingguan Malaysia on 20 June reported the total number of motor vehicle registered in Malaysia is 14.3 million units. Forty percent of the vehicles are motorcyles and the balance of about 8 million are cars. With growth of new vehicle registered at about 6 percent per year we will soon be running out of roads and space. The demand for roads according to economist is an inverse function: it grows even though the average cost of using the road is higher. It will reach equilibrium when the demand intersect with the average cost of road usage. To discourage this unhealthy growth the economist will say price the road usage at marginal social costs, which is much higher than the average cost. The concept of externality take into account the external costs such as pollution and congestion into account, whose costs are external to that of the car owner.
Even at the current average cost of using a car in Malaysia, already quite high relative to the services offered in return, the govt has collected substantial sum without putting it back to the motorist. Just assume that the average road tax per vehicle is RM200 per annum and multiply it say with 10 million vehicles, the road tax revenue per annum will amount to about RM 2 billion. This exclude the other charges that the car owner must bear: with excise duty on petrol your total cost grow with the mileage you travel. There are also duty on parts and tyres and also the progressive rate of excise duty on vehicles at time of purchase. If the govt collect say RM 10 billion in revenue from car owners per year and put it back in expenditure of only RM 2 billion, and the bulk of it goes to toll highway concessionaires, then the govt has robbed the poor to give it to the rich. On the average motorist also incur additional charges of, on the average, RM 200 toll per month. Imagine how much car owners has to pay year in year out to the rich concessionaire holder, usually described as cronies,who cheated consumer by building highway at inflated costs.
Even at the current average cost of using a car in Malaysia, already quite high relative to the services offered in return, the govt has collected substantial sum without putting it back to the motorist. Just assume that the average road tax per vehicle is RM200 per annum and multiply it say with 10 million vehicles, the road tax revenue per annum will amount to about RM 2 billion. This exclude the other charges that the car owner must bear: with excise duty on petrol your total cost grow with the mileage you travel. There are also duty on parts and tyres and also the progressive rate of excise duty on vehicles at time of purchase. If the govt collect say RM 10 billion in revenue from car owners per year and put it back in expenditure of only RM 2 billion, and the bulk of it goes to toll highway concessionaires, then the govt has robbed the poor to give it to the rich. On the average motorist also incur additional charges of, on the average, RM 200 toll per month. Imagine how much car owners has to pay year in year out to the rich concessionaire holder, usually described as cronies,who cheated consumer by building highway at inflated costs.
Sunday, June 13, 2004
Non bumi to head glc
The govt have decided to recruit capable non Malays to head the glc, perhaps to inject new culture in the corporations, so that it is capable of surviving global competition if there is such a thing. However this is not a new initiative. The first CEO at MISC and MAS was ethnic Chinese, and the appointment was never controversial then. Later we have colourful corporate figures like Abdullah Ang and Eric Chia who were appointed to lead govt companies and the outcome was disastrous, and both were shady character even prior to the appointment. Later when some govt companies was privatised, the Malay management was cleaned out (some called it ethnic cleansing), although nominally the shareholders was majority owned by the Malays. These companies have since been bailed out by the govt. The key to successful public enterprise management does not only depend capable manager, irrespective of race, but also on the integrity of the manager. Their ability to manage must not be compromised by political interference.
The Minister also demands that non Malay firms, especially those listed on KLSE, not to discriminate against the Malays in their recruitment, and this is highly contentious. It will take a long time before attitude and prejudices of the Chinese towards the Malays changed. It may take a least one generation for the change to take effect, and that must start from the school system. Secondly the Malays, should have pride not to accept position as stooge especially as director, who sometimes not even aware that they have been used for illegal activities like related party transactions etc. Professional firms like the accounting firms, normally affiliated to international firms, are the worst practisioner in what the Minister described as tokenism. A firm like Price Waterhouse Coopers is noted in making sure that the Malay trainee is demotivated and eventually leave the firm, and quickly confirm that the Malays cannot work under pressure. This problem is a vicious circle. Only a strong political will can break this practice of demolishing the Malay professionals right in the bud.
The Minister also demands that non Malay firms, especially those listed on KLSE, not to discriminate against the Malays in their recruitment, and this is highly contentious. It will take a long time before attitude and prejudices of the Chinese towards the Malays changed. It may take a least one generation for the change to take effect, and that must start from the school system. Secondly the Malays, should have pride not to accept position as stooge especially as director, who sometimes not even aware that they have been used for illegal activities like related party transactions etc. Professional firms like the accounting firms, normally affiliated to international firms, are the worst practisioner in what the Minister described as tokenism. A firm like Price Waterhouse Coopers is noted in making sure that the Malay trainee is demotivated and eventually leave the firm, and quickly confirm that the Malays cannot work under pressure. This problem is a vicious circle. Only a strong political will can break this practice of demolishing the Malay professionals right in the bud.
Friday, June 11, 2004
Driving crazy
Driving around Kuala Lumpur is getting more stressful. It is also true in other towns in Malaysia. Congestions grow everyday as a result of rapidly growing car population. This is despite the fact that cost of car ownership and its operating expense is one of the highest in the world. As to why car prices is so high compared to Japan or Korea, the adviser to Proton said it is to discourage more people from using cars . "He also defended the government's high taxes that made cars in Malaysia more expensive than those in Japan and South Korea, saying it was partly to prevent traffic jams."
The total new car registered annually is about 450,000 or say about 35,000 per month. If the average length of the car is about 5 meters and if half of the newly registered car s are on the road at any given time on any day, it will add approximately 50km long of cars monthly. Where will this end?
Just before the recent general election a group of high school students were interviewed by New Straits Times on what they expect their newly elected govt to do for them. One student answered that she would like to see the govt provide better public transportation system. I wonder if our current political leaders are as savvy as this young lady. I personally feel that this is a priority if the overall health of the economy is to be preserved. The first step is to divest Proton because it sucks the economic resources of a small country like Malaysia. Proton car prices is so high not because it want to save Malaysia from congestion and pollution, but to fulfill the dream of its founder. You don't have to be an economist to know that, to remain in business it must be profitable and that is why Proton is having relatively huge cash surplus: the subsidy from the public. Even a world clss partner of Proton, Mitsubishi, cannot achieve the same feat.
The total new car registered annually is about 450,000 or say about 35,000 per month. If the average length of the car is about 5 meters and if half of the newly registered car s are on the road at any given time on any day, it will add approximately 50km long of cars monthly. Where will this end?
Just before the recent general election a group of high school students were interviewed by New Straits Times on what they expect their newly elected govt to do for them. One student answered that she would like to see the govt provide better public transportation system. I wonder if our current political leaders are as savvy as this young lady. I personally feel that this is a priority if the overall health of the economy is to be preserved. The first step is to divest Proton because it sucks the economic resources of a small country like Malaysia. Proton car prices is so high not because it want to save Malaysia from congestion and pollution, but to fulfill the dream of its founder. You don't have to be an economist to know that, to remain in business it must be profitable and that is why Proton is having relatively huge cash surplus: the subsidy from the public. Even a world clss partner of Proton, Mitsubishi, cannot achieve the same feat.
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Currency Choke
It was the title of Philip Bowring article on Asia's currency published in New Straits Times on Wed, June 9. No url is available for me to link it to. It also covers the Malaysian currency which he said is also in need of revaluation. The exchange rate in Malaysia, like that of other Asian countries, is a barrier to consumption led growth which the country needs.
He observed that with the rising oil price, which is denominated in USD, has caused alarm to Asian countries although, he said, it is less felt by Malaysia. I think Malaysia is also not spared by the oil price increase, despite having own petroleum resources, because the oil is in USD and that is the world market price. If you are a buyer you have no choice with the price and if you are the seller you will not sell it at lower than market. It will definitely be translated into higher fuel cost for Tenaga, airlines operator etc, and perhaps it will result in less revenue for the govt if retail prices of petroleum products is not revised upward. With the lower exchange rate the impact on domestic price is exarcebated. Also Malaysia imports a lot of foodstuff for public consumptions and the exchange rate affect the cost of living of ordinary Malaysian. Since the introduction of exchange rate pegging domestic prices has been rising and it will be a matter of time before it will explode into a political issue.
Also in the letter from a reader entitled "Don't rush to open medical schools" he said the availability of sufficient quality lecturers has been a problem since the establishment of the first medical school (at Universiti Malaya). He said the ringgit then was good value for the international recruitment. Obviously it is even more unattractive now for prospective foreign lecturers to offer their services, even if pay is tripled that of the local lecturer.
Our high value added exports are not the manufacturing products but continue to be contributed by primary commodities like palm oil and crude oil. Revaluation of the ringgit therefore is unlikely to unfavourably affect our export earning.
He observed that with the rising oil price, which is denominated in USD, has caused alarm to Asian countries although, he said, it is less felt by Malaysia. I think Malaysia is also not spared by the oil price increase, despite having own petroleum resources, because the oil is in USD and that is the world market price. If you are a buyer you have no choice with the price and if you are the seller you will not sell it at lower than market. It will definitely be translated into higher fuel cost for Tenaga, airlines operator etc, and perhaps it will result in less revenue for the govt if retail prices of petroleum products is not revised upward. With the lower exchange rate the impact on domestic price is exarcebated. Also Malaysia imports a lot of foodstuff for public consumptions and the exchange rate affect the cost of living of ordinary Malaysian. Since the introduction of exchange rate pegging domestic prices has been rising and it will be a matter of time before it will explode into a political issue.
Also in the letter from a reader entitled "Don't rush to open medical schools" he said the availability of sufficient quality lecturers has been a problem since the establishment of the first medical school (at Universiti Malaya). He said the ringgit then was good value for the international recruitment. Obviously it is even more unattractive now for prospective foreign lecturers to offer their services, even if pay is tripled that of the local lecturer.
Our high value added exports are not the manufacturing products but continue to be contributed by primary commodities like palm oil and crude oil. Revaluation of the ringgit therefore is unlikely to unfavourably affect our export earning.
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