THE KUALA LUMPUR TRIBUNAL ON WAR CRIMES
Nov29 2011 7 Comments
Written by chedet
1. Not many Malaysians are aware that from 19th November to 22nd November a trial on war crimes was held in Kuala Lumpur.
2. Many would say what is the use of a trial by a tribunal which is not recognised by any Government. And in addition the accused persons were not present although the summons were legally served on them.
3. But think again.
4. It is a legal and moral principle that everyone must be equal before the law. In Malaysia even the reigning Sultans are not above the law.
5. It follows that no one, no country should be above international law.
6. In the charter of the United Nations no country is accorded the privilege or status of being above the laws, rules and regulations of the UN.
7. We frequently read reports of tribunals being set up by the UN and also by the victors in war to try war criminals. In Nuremberg and Tokyo the “war criminals” were sentenced to death by the tribunals.
8. However, it has become obvious that the powerful countries and their leaders have never been tried for the crimes they have committed. They are clearly above the law.
9. Do we accept this? If we do then we would be accepting what is a travesty of justice.
10.The general assembly of the United Nations and the weak nations of the world have found no way for applying the laws, international or otherwise, against powerful leaders of powerful countries who are clearly involved in international crimes.
11. The UN and the international community have failed.
12. The world should not accept this failure. Somehow some punishment should be meted to countries and leaders guilty of international crimes. Their deeds must be put before a court of law and the verdict pronounced, After that the world body would be informed as will the different agencies concerned with the maintenance of world peace.
13. This is the age of the NGOs, the Non-Governmental Organisations. Like it or not the Government must recognise the NGOs seriously and consider their views.
14. The Tribunal set up by the people is an NGO. It behoves Government and international institutions like the UN to take srious note of the Tribunal as an international NGO.
15. The general public also should take note of the verdict of the Tribunal. Otherwise they will, in one way or another, be honouring criminals, international criminals.
Comments by azizfikry December 1, 2011 at 9:14 pm | Permalink Your comment is awaiting moderation
As noted in http://www.masjidma.com/2011/11/29/ and http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth: ‘A Permanent Peoples Tribunal publication can sometimes prove to be surprisingly influential in book form, given the extensive factual basis it presents in reaching its verdict’. An e-book transmitted via the electronic media could ensure instant global coverage, thus giving the accused no excuses not to submit their defence.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Conversations Over Sunday Breakfast
Conversations Over Sunday Breakfast
Posted in Blog • Community on October 22nd, 2011 by Najib Razak | View Comments
If I had one wish for Malaysia’s future it would be this: that we stopped thinking about which group, or which state, is up or down, and we all thought about what is in the best interests of Malaysia’s future.
Of course, I do not mean we should abandon our policy of ensuring that the proceeds of economic growth are shared fairly amongst all the people of Malaysia, or that we correct the historic imbalances. But I do mean that we should not think of policies designed to do that as anything but in the interests of all Malaysians.
On Sunday 9th October, I went out for breakfast with my wife and daughter at Village Park, Uptown Damansara Utama. I didn’t do this as some sort of big media event, but because I wanted to try some popular breakfast eateries in The Klang Valley, and because I wanted to hear the views of people on the ground.
When I meet the Rakyat in such informal settings I find their concerns often are very different from some of the issues raised in Parliament. In there, where the emphasis is on point scoring, the focus can often be on trivial matters that really do not matter so much to people in our towns, cities and kampungs.
People I meet are clear about what really matters. They are worried about the impact of global economic uncertainty on the cost of living. They are working hard to give their children the best start in life and want to know what more they can do to help their kids get along in a world that is changing faster than ever before. And while they see our elders live longer and healthier lives they are also concerned about what burdens that may place on them and how they can help their parents live independent and happy lives for as long as possible.
It is a pity we do not discuss these issues from these perspectives rather more in parliament. Then people might have a greater respect for politicians. But I guess for some politicians the only way they can operate is to run the country down and focus on whatever issue, no matter how petty, they can find to advance their sectional cause. That is their right, of course. In a democracy politicians set out their stalls and the voters make a choice.
In any case, I hope the 2012 Budget shows that we were listening to what the Rakyat said about the big issues. It is not a give away Budget, as some have suggested, because, in fact, we aim to cut the level of government borrowing.
But it is a Budget that targeted help to those who needed it most. To families with low incomes. To schoolchildren and to sixth formers and university students. And to rural areas that need to share in our economic strength.
Fundamentally, though, the Budget is about Malaysia’s future. I announced new opportunities for foreign investment, a big reform in our civil service and new partnerships with the private sector to develop our infrastructure.
The people I spoke with during that Sunday breakfast said that they were pleased about my Budget plans. But they also wanted to see me follow through on them. Promises are easy to make in politics, it is delivery that is the tough part of the job. I have made it very clear to my office, ministries and agencies implementation is key to the success and harmony for the rakyat.
I know that very well, but my pledge to people on that Sunday and my pledge to all of you is that while distractions come and go, I am fully focusing on delivering this transformation Malaysia needs.
Tags: Budget 2012, Government
Azizfikry 28 October 2011 01:03 AM
It is of course the hope of the rakyat in general - actual delivery speaks louder than political promises. While the ministers and elected YBs who made such promises may be subjected to the normal tear and wear of Malaysian politics, a promise is still a promise. For each promise or pledge, there must be a clear instruction as to the line of authority or chain of command which identifies the actual person or agency responsible and accountable for each stage of its implementation/delivery. Following through each promised budget allocation can be frustrating, especially for a big sum intended to achieve an abstract macro level target, and hence more prone to the 'Bangau oh bangau kenapa ...' syndrome. A mechanism akin to PEMUDAH is deemed appropriate.
Posted in Blog • Community on October 22nd, 2011 by Najib Razak | View Comments
If I had one wish for Malaysia’s future it would be this: that we stopped thinking about which group, or which state, is up or down, and we all thought about what is in the best interests of Malaysia’s future.
Of course, I do not mean we should abandon our policy of ensuring that the proceeds of economic growth are shared fairly amongst all the people of Malaysia, or that we correct the historic imbalances. But I do mean that we should not think of policies designed to do that as anything but in the interests of all Malaysians.
On Sunday 9th October, I went out for breakfast with my wife and daughter at Village Park, Uptown Damansara Utama. I didn’t do this as some sort of big media event, but because I wanted to try some popular breakfast eateries in The Klang Valley, and because I wanted to hear the views of people on the ground.
When I meet the Rakyat in such informal settings I find their concerns often are very different from some of the issues raised in Parliament. In there, where the emphasis is on point scoring, the focus can often be on trivial matters that really do not matter so much to people in our towns, cities and kampungs.
People I meet are clear about what really matters. They are worried about the impact of global economic uncertainty on the cost of living. They are working hard to give their children the best start in life and want to know what more they can do to help their kids get along in a world that is changing faster than ever before. And while they see our elders live longer and healthier lives they are also concerned about what burdens that may place on them and how they can help their parents live independent and happy lives for as long as possible.
It is a pity we do not discuss these issues from these perspectives rather more in parliament. Then people might have a greater respect for politicians. But I guess for some politicians the only way they can operate is to run the country down and focus on whatever issue, no matter how petty, they can find to advance their sectional cause. That is their right, of course. In a democracy politicians set out their stalls and the voters make a choice.
In any case, I hope the 2012 Budget shows that we were listening to what the Rakyat said about the big issues. It is not a give away Budget, as some have suggested, because, in fact, we aim to cut the level of government borrowing.
But it is a Budget that targeted help to those who needed it most. To families with low incomes. To schoolchildren and to sixth formers and university students. And to rural areas that need to share in our economic strength.
Fundamentally, though, the Budget is about Malaysia’s future. I announced new opportunities for foreign investment, a big reform in our civil service and new partnerships with the private sector to develop our infrastructure.
The people I spoke with during that Sunday breakfast said that they were pleased about my Budget plans. But they also wanted to see me follow through on them. Promises are easy to make in politics, it is delivery that is the tough part of the job. I have made it very clear to my office, ministries and agencies implementation is key to the success and harmony for the rakyat.
I know that very well, but my pledge to people on that Sunday and my pledge to all of you is that while distractions come and go, I am fully focusing on delivering this transformation Malaysia needs.
Tags: Budget 2012, Government
Azizfikry 28 October 2011 01:03 AM
It is of course the hope of the rakyat in general - actual delivery speaks louder than political promises. While the ministers and elected YBs who made such promises may be subjected to the normal tear and wear of Malaysian politics, a promise is still a promise. For each promise or pledge, there must be a clear instruction as to the line of authority or chain of command which identifies the actual person or agency responsible and accountable for each stage of its implementation/delivery. Following through each promised budget allocation can be frustrating, especially for a big sum intended to achieve an abstract macro level target, and hence more prone to the 'Bangau oh bangau kenapa ...' syndrome. A mechanism akin to PEMUDAH is deemed appropriate.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Budget: Bebanan Rakyat
From Lee Lam Thye (posted on http://yayasan1malaysia.org) October 6, 2011
In The News
Jawapan Kepada Bebanan Rakyat
ShareBELANJAWAN 2012 semakin hampir, dan rakyat memandang kepada Perdana Menteri yang juga Menteri Kewangan, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak untuk melihat apakah bentuk bajet yang akan dibentangkan esok.
Apa yang paling utama bermain di fikiran rakyat kini adalah kadar kos hidup yang semakin meningkat yang memberi kesan berbeza terhadap majoriti penduduk.
Mereka yang mempunyai kadar pendapatan RM3,000 hingga RM5,000 sebulan di kawasan bandar turut merasai kesulitan untuk menguruskan kewangan masing-masing, apatah lagi mereka yang berpendapatan rendah, paling merasai bahangnya.
Dahulu, RM100 cukup untuk membeli-belah di pasar raya untuk tempoh seminggu tetapi kini paling lama ia bertahan tidak lebih dua hari. Harga makanan dan lain-lain keperluan asas turut melambung tinggi walaupun kerajaan berusaha untuk mengawal kadar harga. Kadar utiliti seperti elektrik yang meningkat menambah lagi beban kewangan kebanyakan masyarakat.
Warga emas juga tidak harus diketepikan dan amat memerlukan bantuan yang sewajarnya. Kebanyakan mereka sudah bersara wajib dan tidak mendapat peluang pekerjaan lain dan hanya bergantung kepada pencen KWSP untuk meneruskan kehidupan masing-masing.
Hidup menjadi lebih sukar untuk mereka dan ada yang bergantung hidup dengan anak-anak yang masing-masing turut mempunyai kesukaran dalam menjalankan kehidupan seharian.
Subsidi masih diperlukan, tetapi usaha harus ditegaskan supaya ia lebih efektif dan efisien, contohnya untuk melindungi kepentingan golongan berpendapatan pertengahan dan rendah. Umpamanya subsidi kepada petroleum RON 95 perlu dikekalkan tetapi pihak kerajaan boleh mengenakan cukai jualan/eksais yang lebih tinggi terhadap kenderaan mewah. Langkah ini juga dapat membantu mengurangkan kadar pencemaran dan pembaziran minyak.
Kerajaan telah lama berhajat untuk menambah baik perkhidmatan pengangkutan awam tetapi hasilnya masih tidak merangsangkan. Ia masih dibelenggu masalah tidak menepati masa dan sistem penghawa dingin tidak berfungsi.
Salah satu alternatif yang boleh diamalkan oleh kerajaan adalah memberi subsidi atau geran kepada kerajaan tempatan untuk menjalankan perkhidmatan bas. Langkah lain termasuklah menambah laluan bas, pas bulanan yang lebih murah, dan sebagainya. Pada masa ini, banyak syarikat bas membayar pemandu berdasarkan bilangan perjalanan. Secara tidak langsung, ini akan menggalakkan mereka untuk membawa bas dengan laju serta bekerja lebih masa tanpa mengambil kira daya tahan mereka.
Dengan itu, pemandu bas perlulah dibayar berasaskan gaji asas ditambah dengan komisen berdasarkan penumpang yang dibawa dan bukannya berdasarkan bilangan perjalanan untuk mengelakkan pemanduan melebihi had laju.
Untuk menjadikan Malaysia sebuah negara berpendapatan tinggi, gaji penjawat awam seharusnya dinaikkan. Bagaimanapun, ia memerlukan satu kajian yang dibuat dengan terperinci. Namun demikian, produktiviti dan kecekapan penjawat awam perlulah meningkat dengan kenaikkan gaji. Dalam pada itu, proses kerja patut dikaji semula ke arah pengurangan birokrasi serta mempertingkatkan multitasking.
Di samping itu, inovasi dan kreativiti perlu digalakkan dalam budaya kerja dengan memberi ganjaran yang sewajarnya kepada penjawat awam yang berinovasi dan kreatif. Dalam hal ini, ia bukan bergantung kepada pemberian anugerah inovasi. Langkah lain yang patut diambil kerajaan adalah menjadikan proses mematen sesuatu inovasi atau ciptaan lebih mudah dan murah. Pada masa ini, proses ini terlalu rumit dan mengambil masa lama serta melibatkan kos yang agak tinggi.
Salah satu NKRA yang ditumpukan kerajaan adalah pada golongan miskin di kawasan luar bandar. Malangnya, golongan miskin di kawasan bandar telah diabaikan. Oleh itu, kerajaan tidak boleh mengabaikan mereka dan mereka perlu dibantu melalui program khusus untuk meningkatkan pendapatan dan kebajikan mereka.
Pembiayaan pendidikan kanak-kanak terutamanya di kalangan berpendapatan rendah biasanya menelan sebahagian besar pendapatan mereka. Apa-apa usaha untuk mengurangkan perbelanjaan mereka akan dihargai.
Dari segi perumahan pula, Program Perumahan 1Malaysia untuk pembeli rumah kali pertama dengan pendapatan tertentu (iaitu antara RM3,000 hingga RM5,000) adalah idea yang amat baik. Kita seharusnya mendapatkan lebih ramai pemaju perumahan untuk terlibat dalam program ini dengan memberi insentif seperti pelepasan cukai atau membekalkan tanah yang lebih murah kepada mereka. Dengan penglibatan lebih ramai pemaju, lebih banyak rumah kos rendah dan sederhana akan dapat disediakan untuk golongan berpendapatan rendah dan sederhana. Kedai 1Malaysia merupakan satu konsep kedai yang perlu diperluaskan.
Pelepasan cukai peribadi perlu dinaikkan dari RM9,000 ke RM10,000. Ini akan memberikan lebih manfaat kepada golongan berpendapatan pertengahan. Golongan ini tidak sepatutnya diabaikan ketika kerajaan cenderung membantu golongan miskin.
Pada masa ini, kos prasekolah persendirian adalah tinggi. Biasanya, mereka yang mempunyai anak di prasekolah terdiri daripada pasangan muda yang tidak berpendapatan tinggi, yang mana memberikan implikasi terhadap kedudukan kewangan mereka. Pelepasan cukai untuk mereka yang mempunyai anak di prasekolah perlu ditingkatkan, contohnya, di antara RM1,000 – RM2,000.
Memandangkan barangan makanan merupakan salah satu isu utama kenaikan harga, kerajaan perlu bersedia melabur lebih di dalam sektor pertanian dan pengusahaan makanan bagi menyelesaikan masalah makanan yang makin meruncing di Malaysia.
Pihak kerajaan juga perlu menggalakkan rakyat dengan menyediakan benih dan lain-lain insentif membantu mereka menanam sendiri sayur-sayuran bagi mengurangkan permintaan barangan makanan yang tinggi di pasaran.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE
Pemegang Amanah Yayasan 1Malaysia
Utusan Malaysia
6 Oktober 2011
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Comments (1)
aziz mohammad says:
2011/10/06 at 3:11 pm
Selain dari golongan miskin tegar & miskin dan penganggur yang akan menjadi lebih menderita, fokus budget hendaklah di sasarkan kepada golongan yang menerima ‘fixed income’. Perbelanjaan berasaskan pendapatan kecil yang malar akan susut nilai dengan kenaikan harga sehingga golongan ini secara diam-diam(kerana selesa dengan pendapatan tetap) akan tergelincir ke dalam jurang kemiskinan.
Termasuk dalam kategori tersebut ialah:
1. Pesara dan pekerja kontrak yang tidak di beri ‘increments’ atau kenaikan.
2. Penerima bantuan Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat secara berkala (termasuk Ibu tunggal, orang tua, OKU, kanak-kanak miskin).
3.Penuntut yang bergantung sara hidup kepada biasiswa dan pinjaman pelajaran.
Penyelarasan perlu di buat kepada pendapatan malar tersebut untuk mengambilkira kenaikan kos hidup.
In The News
Jawapan Kepada Bebanan Rakyat
ShareBELANJAWAN 2012 semakin hampir, dan rakyat memandang kepada Perdana Menteri yang juga Menteri Kewangan, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak untuk melihat apakah bentuk bajet yang akan dibentangkan esok.
Apa yang paling utama bermain di fikiran rakyat kini adalah kadar kos hidup yang semakin meningkat yang memberi kesan berbeza terhadap majoriti penduduk.
Mereka yang mempunyai kadar pendapatan RM3,000 hingga RM5,000 sebulan di kawasan bandar turut merasai kesulitan untuk menguruskan kewangan masing-masing, apatah lagi mereka yang berpendapatan rendah, paling merasai bahangnya.
Dahulu, RM100 cukup untuk membeli-belah di pasar raya untuk tempoh seminggu tetapi kini paling lama ia bertahan tidak lebih dua hari. Harga makanan dan lain-lain keperluan asas turut melambung tinggi walaupun kerajaan berusaha untuk mengawal kadar harga. Kadar utiliti seperti elektrik yang meningkat menambah lagi beban kewangan kebanyakan masyarakat.
Warga emas juga tidak harus diketepikan dan amat memerlukan bantuan yang sewajarnya. Kebanyakan mereka sudah bersara wajib dan tidak mendapat peluang pekerjaan lain dan hanya bergantung kepada pencen KWSP untuk meneruskan kehidupan masing-masing.
Hidup menjadi lebih sukar untuk mereka dan ada yang bergantung hidup dengan anak-anak yang masing-masing turut mempunyai kesukaran dalam menjalankan kehidupan seharian.
Subsidi masih diperlukan, tetapi usaha harus ditegaskan supaya ia lebih efektif dan efisien, contohnya untuk melindungi kepentingan golongan berpendapatan pertengahan dan rendah. Umpamanya subsidi kepada petroleum RON 95 perlu dikekalkan tetapi pihak kerajaan boleh mengenakan cukai jualan/eksais yang lebih tinggi terhadap kenderaan mewah. Langkah ini juga dapat membantu mengurangkan kadar pencemaran dan pembaziran minyak.
Kerajaan telah lama berhajat untuk menambah baik perkhidmatan pengangkutan awam tetapi hasilnya masih tidak merangsangkan. Ia masih dibelenggu masalah tidak menepati masa dan sistem penghawa dingin tidak berfungsi.
Salah satu alternatif yang boleh diamalkan oleh kerajaan adalah memberi subsidi atau geran kepada kerajaan tempatan untuk menjalankan perkhidmatan bas. Langkah lain termasuklah menambah laluan bas, pas bulanan yang lebih murah, dan sebagainya. Pada masa ini, banyak syarikat bas membayar pemandu berdasarkan bilangan perjalanan. Secara tidak langsung, ini akan menggalakkan mereka untuk membawa bas dengan laju serta bekerja lebih masa tanpa mengambil kira daya tahan mereka.
Dengan itu, pemandu bas perlulah dibayar berasaskan gaji asas ditambah dengan komisen berdasarkan penumpang yang dibawa dan bukannya berdasarkan bilangan perjalanan untuk mengelakkan pemanduan melebihi had laju.
Untuk menjadikan Malaysia sebuah negara berpendapatan tinggi, gaji penjawat awam seharusnya dinaikkan. Bagaimanapun, ia memerlukan satu kajian yang dibuat dengan terperinci. Namun demikian, produktiviti dan kecekapan penjawat awam perlulah meningkat dengan kenaikkan gaji. Dalam pada itu, proses kerja patut dikaji semula ke arah pengurangan birokrasi serta mempertingkatkan multitasking.
Di samping itu, inovasi dan kreativiti perlu digalakkan dalam budaya kerja dengan memberi ganjaran yang sewajarnya kepada penjawat awam yang berinovasi dan kreatif. Dalam hal ini, ia bukan bergantung kepada pemberian anugerah inovasi. Langkah lain yang patut diambil kerajaan adalah menjadikan proses mematen sesuatu inovasi atau ciptaan lebih mudah dan murah. Pada masa ini, proses ini terlalu rumit dan mengambil masa lama serta melibatkan kos yang agak tinggi.
Salah satu NKRA yang ditumpukan kerajaan adalah pada golongan miskin di kawasan luar bandar. Malangnya, golongan miskin di kawasan bandar telah diabaikan. Oleh itu, kerajaan tidak boleh mengabaikan mereka dan mereka perlu dibantu melalui program khusus untuk meningkatkan pendapatan dan kebajikan mereka.
Pembiayaan pendidikan kanak-kanak terutamanya di kalangan berpendapatan rendah biasanya menelan sebahagian besar pendapatan mereka. Apa-apa usaha untuk mengurangkan perbelanjaan mereka akan dihargai.
Dari segi perumahan pula, Program Perumahan 1Malaysia untuk pembeli rumah kali pertama dengan pendapatan tertentu (iaitu antara RM3,000 hingga RM5,000) adalah idea yang amat baik. Kita seharusnya mendapatkan lebih ramai pemaju perumahan untuk terlibat dalam program ini dengan memberi insentif seperti pelepasan cukai atau membekalkan tanah yang lebih murah kepada mereka. Dengan penglibatan lebih ramai pemaju, lebih banyak rumah kos rendah dan sederhana akan dapat disediakan untuk golongan berpendapatan rendah dan sederhana. Kedai 1Malaysia merupakan satu konsep kedai yang perlu diperluaskan.
Pelepasan cukai peribadi perlu dinaikkan dari RM9,000 ke RM10,000. Ini akan memberikan lebih manfaat kepada golongan berpendapatan pertengahan. Golongan ini tidak sepatutnya diabaikan ketika kerajaan cenderung membantu golongan miskin.
Pada masa ini, kos prasekolah persendirian adalah tinggi. Biasanya, mereka yang mempunyai anak di prasekolah terdiri daripada pasangan muda yang tidak berpendapatan tinggi, yang mana memberikan implikasi terhadap kedudukan kewangan mereka. Pelepasan cukai untuk mereka yang mempunyai anak di prasekolah perlu ditingkatkan, contohnya, di antara RM1,000 – RM2,000.
Memandangkan barangan makanan merupakan salah satu isu utama kenaikan harga, kerajaan perlu bersedia melabur lebih di dalam sektor pertanian dan pengusahaan makanan bagi menyelesaikan masalah makanan yang makin meruncing di Malaysia.
Pihak kerajaan juga perlu menggalakkan rakyat dengan menyediakan benih dan lain-lain insentif membantu mereka menanam sendiri sayur-sayuran bagi mengurangkan permintaan barangan makanan yang tinggi di pasaran.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE
Pemegang Amanah Yayasan 1Malaysia
Utusan Malaysia
6 Oktober 2011
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Tags:
Comments (1)
aziz mohammad says:
2011/10/06 at 3:11 pm
Selain dari golongan miskin tegar & miskin dan penganggur yang akan menjadi lebih menderita, fokus budget hendaklah di sasarkan kepada golongan yang menerima ‘fixed income’. Perbelanjaan berasaskan pendapatan kecil yang malar akan susut nilai dengan kenaikan harga sehingga golongan ini secara diam-diam(kerana selesa dengan pendapatan tetap) akan tergelincir ke dalam jurang kemiskinan.
Termasuk dalam kategori tersebut ialah:
1. Pesara dan pekerja kontrak yang tidak di beri ‘increments’ atau kenaikan.
2. Penerima bantuan Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat secara berkala (termasuk Ibu tunggal, orang tua, OKU, kanak-kanak miskin).
3.Penuntut yang bergantung sara hidup kepada biasiswa dan pinjaman pelajaran.
Penyelarasan perlu di buat kepada pendapatan malar tersebut untuk mengambilkira kenaikan kos hidup.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
One Trillion
ONE TRILLION
by Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad on Saturday, 06 August 2011 at 05:43
1. Obama, according to their own news reports, is trying to raise the ceiling for borrowing by the US Government.
2. The US Government is in debt to the tune of US$14 trillion. He wants to borrow more in order to repay the loans. If he cannot repay he will be in default. When a country fails to repay loans, it will be declared bankrupt just like anyone else.
3. What is one trillion dollars? We write it down as one billion with three additional zeros after it. Thus 1,000,000,000,000. It is not such a big figure. You add three zeros or three nothings and the figure increases by 1,000 times. But if we write down one billion as 1,000,000,000 one thousand times, we will have a better idea of what one trillion means. We would be horrified at the size of one trillion if we write the figure 1, one trillion times, which really is what one trillion means.
4. We now talk about these huge sums of money without really appreciating the real amount. Even in Malaysia we talk of billionaires now, not millionaires who are dime a dozen. We are losing our sense of proportion.
5. Just consider $14 trillion in Rupiahs or even in Yen. The figure would spill over the edge of a million sheets of A4-sized paper.
6. Malaysia is one of the countries which lent money to the US. When we buy US bonds we are in fact lending money to the US. Now the US dollar has depreciated from 3.8 Ringgit to one US Dollar to 3 Ringgit per US Dollar. We have lost 80 Malaysian sen for each dollar we lent to the US, if we redeem our bonds. Incidentally we will not be allowed to redeem all our bonds as the US has no money.
7. However, if we keep gold we would be rolling in wealth. Gold was fixed at US$35 per ounce by Bretton Woods in 1943. Now it is US$1,400 per ounce. Even at the depreciated US Dollar of 3 Ringgit we would have 4,200 Ringgit worth of gold for every ounce. Even if we had bought gold say 10 years ago we would have made a pile.
8. A US report says that the US war in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan has cost the US more than US$3 trillion. This is being financed by the loans given by other countries through buying US bonds.
9. The US shows no signs of cutting back on military expenditure. Billions of Dollars are spent on researching, developing and producing more efficient means of killing people. Some 60 military bases are maintained all over the world.
10. By all accounts the US is a debtor nation which will never be able to settle its US$14 trillion debt. In other words the US is a poor debtor country, unable to discharge its loans. And it will remain a poor debtor country unless it is willing to cut back massively on its expenditure, particularly its military budget. When one is poor one lives like a poor men.
11. I remember reciting Humpty Dumpty when I was a child. That is the US today. And not all the Nobel laureates in finance, economics and accounting can put it back together once it falls.
12. Far better to admit you are poor and behave like a poor man than to wear flashy suits and throw your weight around. People will soon learn what you really are.
Aziz Fikry Mohammad:
Of course, it is high time for us to take a cool hard look at our 'investment' in US bonds.The assessment must be objective; it should not be unduly influenced by the diplomatic 'understanding' between the two leaders.It has been said that in politics, Longterm loyalty is risky business.
by Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad on Saturday, 06 August 2011 at 05:43
1. Obama, according to their own news reports, is trying to raise the ceiling for borrowing by the US Government.
2. The US Government is in debt to the tune of US$14 trillion. He wants to borrow more in order to repay the loans. If he cannot repay he will be in default. When a country fails to repay loans, it will be declared bankrupt just like anyone else.
3. What is one trillion dollars? We write it down as one billion with three additional zeros after it. Thus 1,000,000,000,000. It is not such a big figure. You add three zeros or three nothings and the figure increases by 1,000 times. But if we write down one billion as 1,000,000,000 one thousand times, we will have a better idea of what one trillion means. We would be horrified at the size of one trillion if we write the figure 1, one trillion times, which really is what one trillion means.
4. We now talk about these huge sums of money without really appreciating the real amount. Even in Malaysia we talk of billionaires now, not millionaires who are dime a dozen. We are losing our sense of proportion.
5. Just consider $14 trillion in Rupiahs or even in Yen. The figure would spill over the edge of a million sheets of A4-sized paper.
6. Malaysia is one of the countries which lent money to the US. When we buy US bonds we are in fact lending money to the US. Now the US dollar has depreciated from 3.8 Ringgit to one US Dollar to 3 Ringgit per US Dollar. We have lost 80 Malaysian sen for each dollar we lent to the US, if we redeem our bonds. Incidentally we will not be allowed to redeem all our bonds as the US has no money.
7. However, if we keep gold we would be rolling in wealth. Gold was fixed at US$35 per ounce by Bretton Woods in 1943. Now it is US$1,400 per ounce. Even at the depreciated US Dollar of 3 Ringgit we would have 4,200 Ringgit worth of gold for every ounce. Even if we had bought gold say 10 years ago we would have made a pile.
8. A US report says that the US war in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan has cost the US more than US$3 trillion. This is being financed by the loans given by other countries through buying US bonds.
9. The US shows no signs of cutting back on military expenditure. Billions of Dollars are spent on researching, developing and producing more efficient means of killing people. Some 60 military bases are maintained all over the world.
10. By all accounts the US is a debtor nation which will never be able to settle its US$14 trillion debt. In other words the US is a poor debtor country, unable to discharge its loans. And it will remain a poor debtor country unless it is willing to cut back massively on its expenditure, particularly its military budget. When one is poor one lives like a poor men.
11. I remember reciting Humpty Dumpty when I was a child. That is the US today. And not all the Nobel laureates in finance, economics and accounting can put it back together once it falls.
12. Far better to admit you are poor and behave like a poor man than to wear flashy suits and throw your weight around. People will soon learn what you really are.
Aziz Fikry Mohammad:
Of course, it is high time for us to take a cool hard look at our 'investment' in US bonds.The assessment must be objective; it should not be unduly influenced by the diplomatic 'understanding' between the two leaders.It has been said that in politics, Longterm loyalty is risky business.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Kemasukan UiTM: Quality versus Quantity?
Dato' Prof. Ir. Dr. Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar VC UiTM 31 July 2011 17.29 pm
Ada yg menanggap dgn kuantiti kurang kualiti.Org tak faham urusan kualiti menganggap kuantiti tidak berkualiti.Kualiti uitm sejak 55 thn terjamin.Ada MqA & pemereksa luar negara utk setiap program dan badan2 professional yg mengawal kualiti.Setiap Fakulti berasingan. Uitm mendahuli univ2 lain keboleh pasaran. Univ termuka dunia k/sama dgn uitm.Ini menunjukan kualiti.Jangan ragu2 lagi & buat andaian yg kurang pintar.
Aziz Fikry Mohammad
Saya amat bersetuju dengan ketegasan perjuangan Dato' untuk tidak mengurangkan pelajar Uitm. Dengan menghadkan kemasukan hanya kepada yang cemerlang melepasi syarat kemasukan, seperti disarankan oleh pihak-pihak tertentu, kita menafikan pel...uang kepada yang mengalami handicap atau kurang bernasib baik di peringkat awal. Jika di perhatikan latarbelakang tokoh korporat dan profesyenal berjaya yang di hasilkan oleh UiTM(dulu ITM), kita akan dapati bahawa kebanyakannya mempunyai pencapaian akademik persekolahan yang sederhana sebelum di beri 'second chance' oleh Uitm. Resipi kejayaan ini adalah kekuatan UiTM, yang membezakannya dari IPTA lain.
Ada yg menanggap dgn kuantiti kurang kualiti.Org tak faham urusan kualiti menganggap kuantiti tidak berkualiti.Kualiti uitm sejak 55 thn terjamin.Ada MqA & pemereksa luar negara utk setiap program dan badan2 professional yg mengawal kualiti.Setiap Fakulti berasingan. Uitm mendahuli univ2 lain keboleh pasaran. Univ termuka dunia k/sama dgn uitm.Ini menunjukan kualiti.Jangan ragu2 lagi & buat andaian yg kurang pintar.
Aziz Fikry Mohammad
Saya amat bersetuju dengan ketegasan perjuangan Dato' untuk tidak mengurangkan pelajar Uitm. Dengan menghadkan kemasukan hanya kepada yang cemerlang melepasi syarat kemasukan, seperti disarankan oleh pihak-pihak tertentu, kita menafikan pel...uang kepada yang mengalami handicap atau kurang bernasib baik di peringkat awal. Jika di perhatikan latarbelakang tokoh korporat dan profesyenal berjaya yang di hasilkan oleh UiTM(dulu ITM), kita akan dapati bahawa kebanyakannya mempunyai pencapaian akademik persekolahan yang sederhana sebelum di beri 'second chance' oleh Uitm. Resipi kejayaan ini adalah kekuatan UiTM, yang membezakannya dari IPTA lain.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Are we doing enough to address poverty and marginalized communities?
yayasan1malaysia's Poll:
Are we doing enough to address poverty and marginalized communities?
Comments (1)
AZIZ FIKRY MOHAMMAD says:
2011/07/19 at 5:09 pm
ARTICULATING THE CONCEPTS
Abject poverty is demoralizing, while relative poverty motivates the target group to keep running to be ahead of the moving poverty line.
IDENTIFYING THE POOR
I suppose, with available technology(e.g GIS) and by integrating various sources of data (e.g. surveys, censuses, registration) the government machinery could easily identify and locate the pockets of poverty across the nation.
DRASTIC ACTIONS
A more drastic approach is to round-up the beggars; their population is expected to swell during the fasting month, particularly around the mosques. Keep and feed them for the duration of the fasting month. While in ‘captivity’ (they should be allowed and encouraged to perform their religious duties, guided by government approved religious teachers), an intensive study could be conducted to determine whether they should be included under the ‘hard-core’ poor category. The genuine should be assisted, and their particulars recorded in a proper database for follow-up programmes.
On the other hand, the imposters who are spoiling our image (portraying us as a nation of beggars) and eroding confidence in our statistics (their presence in droves in public places could induce scepticisms of our poverty figures among journalists, social activists and foreigners) shoud be remanded and blacklisted from government assistance. If they have been wrongly classified in our previous data collection exercises, then adjustments should be made to our national poverty statistics.
A MATTER OF INTERPRETATIONS
Maybe, the imposters are adopting the relative measure, while the authorities are intent on using the absolute measure.
Are we doing enough to address poverty and marginalized communities?
Comments (1)
AZIZ FIKRY MOHAMMAD says:
2011/07/19 at 5:09 pm
ARTICULATING THE CONCEPTS
Abject poverty is demoralizing, while relative poverty motivates the target group to keep running to be ahead of the moving poverty line.
IDENTIFYING THE POOR
I suppose, with available technology(e.g GIS) and by integrating various sources of data (e.g. surveys, censuses, registration) the government machinery could easily identify and locate the pockets of poverty across the nation.
DRASTIC ACTIONS
A more drastic approach is to round-up the beggars; their population is expected to swell during the fasting month, particularly around the mosques. Keep and feed them for the duration of the fasting month. While in ‘captivity’ (they should be allowed and encouraged to perform their religious duties, guided by government approved religious teachers), an intensive study could be conducted to determine whether they should be included under the ‘hard-core’ poor category. The genuine should be assisted, and their particulars recorded in a proper database for follow-up programmes.
On the other hand, the imposters who are spoiling our image (portraying us as a nation of beggars) and eroding confidence in our statistics (their presence in droves in public places could induce scepticisms of our poverty figures among journalists, social activists and foreigners) shoud be remanded and blacklisted from government assistance. If they have been wrongly classified in our previous data collection exercises, then adjustments should be made to our national poverty statistics.
A MATTER OF INTERPRETATIONS
Maybe, the imposters are adopting the relative measure, while the authorities are intent on using the absolute measure.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Budget 2011 QUICK COMMENTS
From PM's 1Malaysia Blog
Follow the Tabling of the 2011 Budget Live
Posted in Blog • Economy • Government/Policy • News/updates on October 15th, 2010 by Najib Razak | View Comments
As many of you are aware, my office has recently joined Twitter to interact with Malaysians and provide regular updates on government policies and development. Today, @PMOMalaysia will be live-tweeting as I table the 2011 Budget in Parliament. You can follow the tweets at http://twitter.com/PMOMalaysia.
You can also follow the highlights of the Budget here in my blog post, which will be updated regularly during the session.
SOROTAN BAJET NEGARA 2011
With the theme “Transformation Towards a Developed and High-Income Nation”, the 2011 Budget amounting RM212 billion will centre on the following key strategies:
First : Reinvigorating Private Investment;
Second : Intensifying Human Capital Development;
Third : Enhancing Quality of Life of the Rakyat; and
Fourth : Strengthening Public Service Delivery
Reinvigorating Private Investment
1. Intensifying Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Projects.
a) Several PPP projects identified under the 10MP will be implemented in 2011 through private investment of RM12.5 billion.
b) A PPP Project identified is the Academic Medical Centre involving private investment of RM2 billion.
2. Strategic high-impact projects such as the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) in Greater KL (Klang Valley) will be implemented beginning 2011, with an estimated private investment of RM40 billion.
3. Revitalising capital market. Among these:
a) Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLICs) will divest their shareholdings in major companies listed on Bursa Malaysia.
b) GLICs will be allowed to increase investment in overseas markets.
c) Bursa Malaysia will launch sukuk and retail bonds.
d) The Securities Commission will offer 3 new stock brokering licences to local, foreign and joint venture companies.
4. To strengthen leadership in Islamic capital market, Bursa Malaysia will develop an international board to enable the listing of foreign securities including syariah-compliant products.
5. Venture capital, especially high technology sectors.
a) the Government will provide Entrepreneurship Enhancement Training programme to train 500 new technopreneurs.
b) Start-up fund amounting to RM100 million to provide soft loans.
6. A syariah-compliant Bumiputera Property Trust Scheme Skim will be launched under the the Bumiputera Property Trust Foundation, valued at RM1 billion.
7. A Private Pension Fund will be launched in 2011 to benefit private sector employees and the self-employed.
8. An allocation of RM857 million will be set for local companies investing in high-value activities in the Electric & Electronic industry (E&E).
9. Oil, gas and energy industry:
a) An allocation of RM146 million to develop the industry, in downstream activities.
b) Petronas will implement a regasification project with an investment of RM3 bilion in Melaka, which will be operational in 2012.
10. Advancing green technology including:
a) Extending Pioneer status and Investment Tax Allowance for the generation of energy from renewable sources and energy efficiency activities until 31 December 2015.
b) 100% import duty and sales tax exemption on hybrid cars.
11. Invigorating agricultural sector including:
a) Allocating RM252 million to develop large-scale integrated Aquaculture Zones in Sabah and Sarawak.
b) RM235 million allocation to enhance paddy productivity.
c) Encouraging farmers to participate in high-value agriculture activities, with RM135 million allocated for basic infrastructure.
d) RM80 million allocated to foster partnership between small-scale fruit and vegetable farmers with anchor companies.
e) Building an International Centre for the Crops of the Future.
12. Energising tourism industry, which includes:
a) Allocating RM80 million for infrastructure facilities to attract tourists to remote areas.
b) Constructing several shaded pedestrian walkways in the KLCC-Bukit Bintang vicinity.
c) Abolishing 5% – 30% import duty on 300 goods preferred by tourists and locals.
13. Revitalisng palm oil and related industries:
a) Encouraging replanting activity with high quality palm oil clones.
b) Allocating RM127 million to support domestic oleo derivatives and RM23 million for downstream palm oil industries.
14. Creating an innovative digital economy.
a) Implementing a MY Creative Content programme with an allocation of RM119 million.
b) Extending the investment allowance period for last mile broadband service providers, and exemption of import duty and sales tax on broadband equipment to 2012.
c) Exemption of sales tax on all types of mobile phones.
15. The business services industry will be developed to meet the increasing demand for repair and maintenance of aircraft and helicopters, with an allocation of RM91 million.
16. Corridor and regional development:
a) RM339 million allocated for the Iskandar Development Region.
b) RM133 million for the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) and RM178 million for the East Coast Economic Region.
c) RM93 million for the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) and RM110 million for the Sabah Development Corridor.
17. Research, development and commercialisation (R&D&C) activity will be intensified with an allocation of RM411 million.
18. A new Insolvency Act will introduce a provision relating to relief mechanism for companies and individuals facing financial difficulties, including reviewing the current minimum bankruptcy limit of RM30,000.
19. An allocation of RM200 million to acquire high quality locally-produced content from the creative industry covering animation, advertising, films and others.
20. Increasing the rate of service tax to 6%, including paid television broadcast services.
21. Reinforcing the nation’s financial position by strengthening the revenue collection system.
Intensifying Human Capital Development
1. Increasing the number of talented and quality workforce by establishing a Talent Corporation in early 2011.
2. Revamping the national education system, including:
a) Allocating RM6.4 billion to construct and upgrade schools, hostels, facilities and equipment, a well as uphold the status of the teaching profession.
b) Allocating RM213 million as reward to high-performance schools and as remuneration to Principles, head Teachers and Excellent Teachers.
c) Providing an additional 1,700 classes, strengthening the curriculum and appointing 800 graduate teachers for pre-schools.
d) Allocating RM111 million for the PERMATA programme.
e) Providing allocation of RM250 milion as development expenditure for religious schools, Chinese-type schools, Tamil schools, missionary schools and Government-assisted schools nationwide.
f) Providing assistance per capita to praimary and secondary rakyat religious schools through an allocation of RM95 million.
g) Scholarships worth RM576 million provided to teachers to further their study and enhance their skills.
h) Allocated RM213 million to enhance proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia, strengthen the English language, and streamline the Standard Curriculum for Primary Schools, including recruiting native-speakers from English-speaking countries.
3. Strengthening institutions of higher education such as:
a) Increasing the percentage of PhD qualified academic staff to 75% in research universities and 60% in other public institutions of higher learning.
b) Improving opportunities for promotion of lecturers in public institutions of higher learning to the highest grade of Staff III, II and I as well as conferred Premier Professors.
4. Enhancing the skills of graduates including:
a) Intensifying Industrial Skill Enhancement Programme in State Skills Development Training Centres for engineering graduates and technical employees.
b) Allocation of RM50 million to train ICT graduates.
c) Allocation of RM200 million for a variety of programmes to develop the competency and employability of graduates in other fields.
5. A provision of RM474 million to enhance productivity and skills of non-graduates.
6. Implementing a 1Malaysia Training Programme to enhance knowledge through upskilling and reskilling, with an allocation of RM500 million.
7. Enhancing productivity of Employees which include:
a) Establishing the National Wage Consultation Council as the main platform for wage determination and the introduction of a minimum wage plan beginning January 2011.
b) A gradual increase of levy by sector on all foreign worker intake, as well as imposing mandatory ruling for employers to procure health insurance for their foreign workers.
8. Women:
a) Allocated RM30 million to encourage participation of women in entrepreneurship.
b) Implementing a pioneer Small Office Home Office programme for disabled women for 3 months.
c) Rebranding 40 1Malaysia TASKA for women to obtain quality childcare and early childhood education for their children.
d) Provide flexibility for female civil servants to self-determine fully-paid maternity leave up to 90 days, subject to the current total of 300 days.
9. Sports development and management will receive an allocation of RM365 million and RM20 million allocated to establish a Football Academy.
Enhancing Quality of Life of the Rakyat
1. The less fortunate will be looked after with an allocation of RM1.2 billion, which includes:
a) RM166 milion for welfare programmes for senior citizens.
b) RM121 million for assistance programmes to benefit 97,000 children.
c) RM218 million for assistance programmes to benefit 80,000 disabled individuals.
d) 100% sales tax exemption on the purchase of one national vehicle for disabled individuals.
e) Construction of an intervention centre for the homeless by providing employment opportunities, housing facilities and counselling.
2. The electricity bill rebate programme will be continued for those with monthly consumption of below RM20.
3. Extending tax relief on medical expenses for parents to a maximum of RM5,000.
4. Housing facilities, including:
a) A provision of RM568 million to build homes under Projek Bantuan Perumahan Bandar, Program Perumahan Rakyat Bandar and Projek Bantuan Sewa Rumah.
b) Skim Pembiayaan Perumahan Kos Rendah will be provided for estate workers through Bank Simpanan Nasional.
c) Introducing Skim Rumah Pertamaku with the Government guarantee on the 10% downpayment for first-time house buyers on property below RM220,000.
d) Exemption of 50% stamp duty for first-time house buyers on instruments of transfer on a house price not exceeding RM350,000.
5. For the rural population, a sum of RM6.9 billion is provided to implement basic infrastructure development, including:
a) Building and upgrading rural roads in Sabah and Sarawak at RM2.1 billion dan Peninsula Malaysia at RM696 million.
b) Providing water and electricity supply with an allocation of RM1.5 billion in Sabah, RM1.2 billion in Sarawak and RM556 million in Peninsula Malaysia.
c) Housing assistance programme consisting of 12,000 units for the poor and hardcore poor in rural areas with a sum of RM300 million.
d) Providing a Unit Khas Bergerak by the National Registration Department to register the citizenship of the rakyat in remote areas.
6. Allocation of RM974 million for paddy subsidies and RM230 million for incentives to increase paddy production and yield. A sum of RM170 million is provided as incentive to increase fish landing.
7. Consumers
a) Allocating RM200 million for the Distribution of Essential Goods Programme to standardise prices of goods.
b) Establishing a “1Malaysia Smart Consumer” interactive portal for the rakyat to track price movement of goods in almost 7,000 business premises nationwide.
c) Introducing the Retail Shop Transformation Programme, Automotive Workshop and Community Market projects.
8. Contiuing the implementation of PIA and PIAS projects with an allocation of RM500 million.
9. The contribution of community leaders are recognised by:
a) Increasing allowances for Chairpersons of JKKK and JKKP, Tok Batin dan Chairpersons of JKKK Orang Asli, and Chairpersons of JK Kampung Baru to RM800 from RM450.
b) Increasing meeting attendance allowance for all committee members from RM30 to RM50.
c) Increasing the monthly allowance of Imam to RM750.
d) Increasing the monthly allowance of KAFA teachers to RM800.
10. To enhance the socioeconomic status of the Orang Asli and Pribumi, a sum of RM100 million is provided to formulate a new development model for Orang Asli. Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli will be transformed into Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli.
11. Toll rates at 4 highways owned by PLUS Expressway Berhad will not be raised for the next 5 years with immediate effect.
12. To ensure quality health:
a) An allocation of RM15.2 billion to build new hospitals, increase the number of doctors and nurses as well as medical supplies and equipment.
b) Adding another 25 1Malaysia Clinics.
13. A sum of RM350 million is allocated to implement various programmes for public safety.
14. The role of NGOs is recognised with a provision of RM70million to implement integrated social programmes with Government agencies.
15. An allocation of RM1.9 billion to fund environmental conservation projects.
16. To assist in implementing Corporate Social Responsibility:
a) 10 Trust Schools will be given established and receive financial contributions from Khazanah Nasional Berhad.
b) Primary school students nationwide will receive a supply of multi-vitamins.
c) A 1Malaysia Youth Fund will be established with RM20 million start-up.
d) 4 1Malaysia Mobile Clinics will be provided for the rakyat.
Strengthening Public Service Delivery
1. The MyCoID Gateway initiative will be expanded to more ministries and Government agencies.
2. Application for Permanent Resident (PR) status can be submitted after 5 years.
3. The Stamp Act 1949 is amended to enable the valuation of properties after the payment of stamp duty.
4. For civil servants:
a) The Government abolishes the Competency Level Assessment (PTK).
b) Special financial assistance amounting to RM500 is granted to civil servants from Grade 54 and below, contract officers and retirees.
c) Increasing the rate for Funeral Arrangement Assistance to RM3,000.
d) Extending the services of Pegawai Khidmat Singkat ending 31 December 2010 by 1 year.
e) Allowing the purchase of properties from parents, children and siblings.
f) Raised the loan amount to RM20,000 for additional works on low cost houses for Support Group II.
g) Raising the maximum housing loan eligibility to RM450,000.
Tags: Budget
________________________________________________________________________________
AZIZFIKRY Today 08:59 AM 12 July 2011
QUICK COMMENTS
First : Reinvigorating Private Investment
Encourage growth of IPTS. Instead of stifling them with stringent MQA requirements at an early stage, allow them pioneer status to produce their first batch of graduates, irrespective of the number of students graduating.All IPTS under the state governments, including those in opposition controlled states, should be assisted to facilitate adherence to MQA requirements. No students should be victimized in the process.
Second : Intensifying Human Capital Development
Allocation for MYBRAIN15 should be increased to rm30,000 per year per masters student. It is hard to live and study fulltime on the present rm10,000 per year.
Third : Enhancing Quality of Life of the Rakyat
1).Facilitate land subdivision for building houses on individual plots, especially in the rural areas. 2).Give incentives to provide access roads in kampungs.3) Resolve the Taxi & Toilet(public) problems in KL.
Fourth : Strengthening Public Service Delivery
1)Make heads of departments answerable/accountable to complaints from the public, including those conveyed through the website/internet. A copy of each response should be displayed on the website of the public complaints bureau.
2)Regular inspection raids (for corruption, cleanliness, safety, discipline and efficiency) should be made to district level (e.g district office, welfare office,clinics,schools) offices.
Follow the Tabling of the 2011 Budget Live
Posted in Blog • Economy • Government/Policy • News/updates on October 15th, 2010 by Najib Razak | View Comments
As many of you are aware, my office has recently joined Twitter to interact with Malaysians and provide regular updates on government policies and development. Today, @PMOMalaysia will be live-tweeting as I table the 2011 Budget in Parliament. You can follow the tweets at http://twitter.com/PMOMalaysia.
You can also follow the highlights of the Budget here in my blog post, which will be updated regularly during the session.
SOROTAN BAJET NEGARA 2011
With the theme “Transformation Towards a Developed and High-Income Nation”, the 2011 Budget amounting RM212 billion will centre on the following key strategies:
First : Reinvigorating Private Investment;
Second : Intensifying Human Capital Development;
Third : Enhancing Quality of Life of the Rakyat; and
Fourth : Strengthening Public Service Delivery
Reinvigorating Private Investment
1. Intensifying Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Projects.
a) Several PPP projects identified under the 10MP will be implemented in 2011 through private investment of RM12.5 billion.
b) A PPP Project identified is the Academic Medical Centre involving private investment of RM2 billion.
2. Strategic high-impact projects such as the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) in Greater KL (Klang Valley) will be implemented beginning 2011, with an estimated private investment of RM40 billion.
3. Revitalising capital market. Among these:
a) Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLICs) will divest their shareholdings in major companies listed on Bursa Malaysia.
b) GLICs will be allowed to increase investment in overseas markets.
c) Bursa Malaysia will launch sukuk and retail bonds.
d) The Securities Commission will offer 3 new stock brokering licences to local, foreign and joint venture companies.
4. To strengthen leadership in Islamic capital market, Bursa Malaysia will develop an international board to enable the listing of foreign securities including syariah-compliant products.
5. Venture capital, especially high technology sectors.
a) the Government will provide Entrepreneurship Enhancement Training programme to train 500 new technopreneurs.
b) Start-up fund amounting to RM100 million to provide soft loans.
6. A syariah-compliant Bumiputera Property Trust Scheme Skim will be launched under the the Bumiputera Property Trust Foundation, valued at RM1 billion.
7. A Private Pension Fund will be launched in 2011 to benefit private sector employees and the self-employed.
8. An allocation of RM857 million will be set for local companies investing in high-value activities in the Electric & Electronic industry (E&E).
9. Oil, gas and energy industry:
a) An allocation of RM146 million to develop the industry, in downstream activities.
b) Petronas will implement a regasification project with an investment of RM3 bilion in Melaka, which will be operational in 2012.
10. Advancing green technology including:
a) Extending Pioneer status and Investment Tax Allowance for the generation of energy from renewable sources and energy efficiency activities until 31 December 2015.
b) 100% import duty and sales tax exemption on hybrid cars.
11. Invigorating agricultural sector including:
a) Allocating RM252 million to develop large-scale integrated Aquaculture Zones in Sabah and Sarawak.
b) RM235 million allocation to enhance paddy productivity.
c) Encouraging farmers to participate in high-value agriculture activities, with RM135 million allocated for basic infrastructure.
d) RM80 million allocated to foster partnership between small-scale fruit and vegetable farmers with anchor companies.
e) Building an International Centre for the Crops of the Future.
12. Energising tourism industry, which includes:
a) Allocating RM80 million for infrastructure facilities to attract tourists to remote areas.
b) Constructing several shaded pedestrian walkways in the KLCC-Bukit Bintang vicinity.
c) Abolishing 5% – 30% import duty on 300 goods preferred by tourists and locals.
13. Revitalisng palm oil and related industries:
a) Encouraging replanting activity with high quality palm oil clones.
b) Allocating RM127 million to support domestic oleo derivatives and RM23 million for downstream palm oil industries.
14. Creating an innovative digital economy.
a) Implementing a MY Creative Content programme with an allocation of RM119 million.
b) Extending the investment allowance period for last mile broadband service providers, and exemption of import duty and sales tax on broadband equipment to 2012.
c) Exemption of sales tax on all types of mobile phones.
15. The business services industry will be developed to meet the increasing demand for repair and maintenance of aircraft and helicopters, with an allocation of RM91 million.
16. Corridor and regional development:
a) RM339 million allocated for the Iskandar Development Region.
b) RM133 million for the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) and RM178 million for the East Coast Economic Region.
c) RM93 million for the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) and RM110 million for the Sabah Development Corridor.
17. Research, development and commercialisation (R&D&C) activity will be intensified with an allocation of RM411 million.
18. A new Insolvency Act will introduce a provision relating to relief mechanism for companies and individuals facing financial difficulties, including reviewing the current minimum bankruptcy limit of RM30,000.
19. An allocation of RM200 million to acquire high quality locally-produced content from the creative industry covering animation, advertising, films and others.
20. Increasing the rate of service tax to 6%, including paid television broadcast services.
21. Reinforcing the nation’s financial position by strengthening the revenue collection system.
Intensifying Human Capital Development
1. Increasing the number of talented and quality workforce by establishing a Talent Corporation in early 2011.
2. Revamping the national education system, including:
a) Allocating RM6.4 billion to construct and upgrade schools, hostels, facilities and equipment, a well as uphold the status of the teaching profession.
b) Allocating RM213 million as reward to high-performance schools and as remuneration to Principles, head Teachers and Excellent Teachers.
c) Providing an additional 1,700 classes, strengthening the curriculum and appointing 800 graduate teachers for pre-schools.
d) Allocating RM111 million for the PERMATA programme.
e) Providing allocation of RM250 milion as development expenditure for religious schools, Chinese-type schools, Tamil schools, missionary schools and Government-assisted schools nationwide.
f) Providing assistance per capita to praimary and secondary rakyat religious schools through an allocation of RM95 million.
g) Scholarships worth RM576 million provided to teachers to further their study and enhance their skills.
h) Allocated RM213 million to enhance proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia, strengthen the English language, and streamline the Standard Curriculum for Primary Schools, including recruiting native-speakers from English-speaking countries.
3. Strengthening institutions of higher education such as:
a) Increasing the percentage of PhD qualified academic staff to 75% in research universities and 60% in other public institutions of higher learning.
b) Improving opportunities for promotion of lecturers in public institutions of higher learning to the highest grade of Staff III, II and I as well as conferred Premier Professors.
4. Enhancing the skills of graduates including:
a) Intensifying Industrial Skill Enhancement Programme in State Skills Development Training Centres for engineering graduates and technical employees.
b) Allocation of RM50 million to train ICT graduates.
c) Allocation of RM200 million for a variety of programmes to develop the competency and employability of graduates in other fields.
5. A provision of RM474 million to enhance productivity and skills of non-graduates.
6. Implementing a 1Malaysia Training Programme to enhance knowledge through upskilling and reskilling, with an allocation of RM500 million.
7. Enhancing productivity of Employees which include:
a) Establishing the National Wage Consultation Council as the main platform for wage determination and the introduction of a minimum wage plan beginning January 2011.
b) A gradual increase of levy by sector on all foreign worker intake, as well as imposing mandatory ruling for employers to procure health insurance for their foreign workers.
8. Women:
a) Allocated RM30 million to encourage participation of women in entrepreneurship.
b) Implementing a pioneer Small Office Home Office programme for disabled women for 3 months.
c) Rebranding 40 1Malaysia TASKA for women to obtain quality childcare and early childhood education for their children.
d) Provide flexibility for female civil servants to self-determine fully-paid maternity leave up to 90 days, subject to the current total of 300 days.
9. Sports development and management will receive an allocation of RM365 million and RM20 million allocated to establish a Football Academy.
Enhancing Quality of Life of the Rakyat
1. The less fortunate will be looked after with an allocation of RM1.2 billion, which includes:
a) RM166 milion for welfare programmes for senior citizens.
b) RM121 million for assistance programmes to benefit 97,000 children.
c) RM218 million for assistance programmes to benefit 80,000 disabled individuals.
d) 100% sales tax exemption on the purchase of one national vehicle for disabled individuals.
e) Construction of an intervention centre for the homeless by providing employment opportunities, housing facilities and counselling.
2. The electricity bill rebate programme will be continued for those with monthly consumption of below RM20.
3. Extending tax relief on medical expenses for parents to a maximum of RM5,000.
4. Housing facilities, including:
a) A provision of RM568 million to build homes under Projek Bantuan Perumahan Bandar, Program Perumahan Rakyat Bandar and Projek Bantuan Sewa Rumah.
b) Skim Pembiayaan Perumahan Kos Rendah will be provided for estate workers through Bank Simpanan Nasional.
c) Introducing Skim Rumah Pertamaku with the Government guarantee on the 10% downpayment for first-time house buyers on property below RM220,000.
d) Exemption of 50% stamp duty for first-time house buyers on instruments of transfer on a house price not exceeding RM350,000.
5. For the rural population, a sum of RM6.9 billion is provided to implement basic infrastructure development, including:
a) Building and upgrading rural roads in Sabah and Sarawak at RM2.1 billion dan Peninsula Malaysia at RM696 million.
b) Providing water and electricity supply with an allocation of RM1.5 billion in Sabah, RM1.2 billion in Sarawak and RM556 million in Peninsula Malaysia.
c) Housing assistance programme consisting of 12,000 units for the poor and hardcore poor in rural areas with a sum of RM300 million.
d) Providing a Unit Khas Bergerak by the National Registration Department to register the citizenship of the rakyat in remote areas.
6. Allocation of RM974 million for paddy subsidies and RM230 million for incentives to increase paddy production and yield. A sum of RM170 million is provided as incentive to increase fish landing.
7. Consumers
a) Allocating RM200 million for the Distribution of Essential Goods Programme to standardise prices of goods.
b) Establishing a “1Malaysia Smart Consumer” interactive portal for the rakyat to track price movement of goods in almost 7,000 business premises nationwide.
c) Introducing the Retail Shop Transformation Programme, Automotive Workshop and Community Market projects.
8. Contiuing the implementation of PIA and PIAS projects with an allocation of RM500 million.
9. The contribution of community leaders are recognised by:
a) Increasing allowances for Chairpersons of JKKK and JKKP, Tok Batin dan Chairpersons of JKKK Orang Asli, and Chairpersons of JK Kampung Baru to RM800 from RM450.
b) Increasing meeting attendance allowance for all committee members from RM30 to RM50.
c) Increasing the monthly allowance of Imam to RM750.
d) Increasing the monthly allowance of KAFA teachers to RM800.
10. To enhance the socioeconomic status of the Orang Asli and Pribumi, a sum of RM100 million is provided to formulate a new development model for Orang Asli. Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli will be transformed into Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli.
11. Toll rates at 4 highways owned by PLUS Expressway Berhad will not be raised for the next 5 years with immediate effect.
12. To ensure quality health:
a) An allocation of RM15.2 billion to build new hospitals, increase the number of doctors and nurses as well as medical supplies and equipment.
b) Adding another 25 1Malaysia Clinics.
13. A sum of RM350 million is allocated to implement various programmes for public safety.
14. The role of NGOs is recognised with a provision of RM70million to implement integrated social programmes with Government agencies.
15. An allocation of RM1.9 billion to fund environmental conservation projects.
16. To assist in implementing Corporate Social Responsibility:
a) 10 Trust Schools will be given established and receive financial contributions from Khazanah Nasional Berhad.
b) Primary school students nationwide will receive a supply of multi-vitamins.
c) A 1Malaysia Youth Fund will be established with RM20 million start-up.
d) 4 1Malaysia Mobile Clinics will be provided for the rakyat.
Strengthening Public Service Delivery
1. The MyCoID Gateway initiative will be expanded to more ministries and Government agencies.
2. Application for Permanent Resident (PR) status can be submitted after 5 years.
3. The Stamp Act 1949 is amended to enable the valuation of properties after the payment of stamp duty.
4. For civil servants:
a) The Government abolishes the Competency Level Assessment (PTK).
b) Special financial assistance amounting to RM500 is granted to civil servants from Grade 54 and below, contract officers and retirees.
c) Increasing the rate for Funeral Arrangement Assistance to RM3,000.
d) Extending the services of Pegawai Khidmat Singkat ending 31 December 2010 by 1 year.
e) Allowing the purchase of properties from parents, children and siblings.
f) Raised the loan amount to RM20,000 for additional works on low cost houses for Support Group II.
g) Raising the maximum housing loan eligibility to RM450,000.
Tags: Budget
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AZIZFIKRY Today 08:59 AM 12 July 2011
QUICK COMMENTS
First : Reinvigorating Private Investment
Encourage growth of IPTS. Instead of stifling them with stringent MQA requirements at an early stage, allow them pioneer status to produce their first batch of graduates, irrespective of the number of students graduating.All IPTS under the state governments, including those in opposition controlled states, should be assisted to facilitate adherence to MQA requirements. No students should be victimized in the process.
Second : Intensifying Human Capital Development
Allocation for MYBRAIN15 should be increased to rm30,000 per year per masters student. It is hard to live and study fulltime on the present rm10,000 per year.
Third : Enhancing Quality of Life of the Rakyat
1).Facilitate land subdivision for building houses on individual plots, especially in the rural areas. 2).Give incentives to provide access roads in kampungs.3) Resolve the Taxi & Toilet(public) problems in KL.
Fourth : Strengthening Public Service Delivery
1)Make heads of departments answerable/accountable to complaints from the public, including those conveyed through the website/internet. A copy of each response should be displayed on the website of the public complaints bureau.
2)Regular inspection raids (for corruption, cleanliness, safety, discipline and efficiency) should be made to district level (e.g district office, welfare office,clinics,schools) offices.
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