fair subsidy and mentality

Cowboy is back!

It has been more than 7 months since I last updated my blog. The last article being the Budget 2010 review and proposal and since then I have not written anything.  It was a busy period for me and frankly, I did not find anything (non-political) that was interesting enough for me to write about.  But today I am motivated to say something about the national subsidy policy which according to Idris Jala, will make Malaysia bankrupt by 2019!

My take on this whole subsidy issue is simple – its not just about the subsidy figures or items subsidized, its how we manage our overall finances and balance income vs spending. I concur that we need to reduce the subsidy and change the mindsets of the people but is it just about removing it? How do we increase revenue instead? How do we cut down on silly expenses and leakages? How do we remove the subsidy yet provide value added services so consumers don’t complain?

Engage the Opposition in a full blown manner to jointly discuss and formulate the subsidy revision policy. Trust me this is the single most important thing the govt should do first so that it will be presented to the rakyat without much negativism, sarcasm and (no pun intended) opposition! Focus the reduction of subsidy more towards the commercial and industry players as opposed to consumers.

Please see below for some simple and layman type ideas:

1. The average TNB bill for those consuming less than 400kWh per month is approximately (at 200kWh) RM40 per month based on a simple observation and calculation. This works out to slightly more than RM1 per day based on existing tariff (0-200 & 200-400kWh) of  21.8sen and 33.4sen respectively. To those consuming above 400 kWh per month is already paying tariffs reflective of comparable world prices but perhaps a fair price review can also be implemented. Comparatively in today’s world this is considered and accepted as very low so perhaps the govt should increase the tariff and get more revenue directly and not necessarily via TNB. The point is if electricity supply in this country is consistent and of good service (which it is) then its only fair that consumers pay for what they get.

2. There are approximately 5.5m school going children in One Malaysia based on a casual net research done. I could be wrong but the point is will it be too much for parents to pay RM30-50 per student per month if the parent’s combined household income is above rm3000 per  month? and limit these fees to only a maximum of 2 going school children per household so that those who followed Dr M’s 5 children policy will not be burdened.  Now parents can subsidize the schools that provide education for their children. I have written a concept article of “semi-private school” in my earlier posts and similarly, when parents pay they would expect better education, teachers and facilities which are already budgeted for anyway. So perhaps the govt can set up a special unit to oversee and manage this “student fee income” business model as a corporatised business unit.

3. Review all existing charges for permits, licenses, fees etc which may be outdated today. I am sure in some instances the govt can easily justify up to 100 if not 500% increase in these charges imposed on 1960′s prices some of them. Create a more creative and fair method of collecting these taxes, licences etc and don’t just expect to do a Robin Hood all the time. The rich are very small in numbers and if they are expected to subsidize the poor this is not the solution to the subsidy problem. The mindset has to change and the lower income must expect to pay more for better products and services. Road tax need not be cheap for cheap cars and expensive for expensive cars? We can change this concept to a more creative revenue earning scheme based on consumption statistics taking into account consumer’s sensitivity to cashflow vs capital expenditure. What is the point of charging the rich cars so much when there are only a few of them on the road to even make an impact on the overall revenue? Work out something more spread out across the board with a few incentives thrown in so that is fair to all. Government hospital bills is still at unbelievable 5th world rate perhaps and desperately needs a review and with that please throw in nice public hospitals and good doctors too.

4. Abolish APs once and for all dear govt! It does no one any good. This latest attempt in the last budget of charging RM10,000 per AP issued has only resulted in the price of AP “sold” and traded at a higher price much to the dismay of auto consumers. Govt should charge a registration tax for a new car and pro-rate the charges based on year of car that is to be registered. I have written about this in my earlier posts so the details are all there. Why should a few people enjoy the “buta” money from AP as if it is a “birth right” for some kelantanese when the industry as a whole does not accept it? Do we consider them warlords so much so that we are so afraid of them? If you think dealers will complain why not try it? I bet they would welcome this so much (the genuine car dealers that is) that they would even be willing to pay auction prices for selling licences just to be in the business. Extra revenue! Wake up dear govt!

5. Please stop all patronizing govt related events which almost all the time results in new batik shirts, custom t-shirts & caps, never used key chains, shoddy tents, colorful decorations, fake flowers and wasteful entertainment that costs the rakyat their money. I bet there are at least 200 of these events daily across the country and if each event spends at least RM50,000 we are looking at a total spending of billions per annum. Can we give all this up in the name of national politics and civil service wastage so that we the rakyat can continue to keep some of our subsidy?

6. The malaysia govt bends backwards to invite foreign direct investments into the country sometimes even at the expense of home bred industries. I think we should re-look at this policy. Should the govt waive taxes for certain foreign manufacturing and services companies operating here (taraf perintis) for up to multiples of 10 years just because they invest in operations here (which these companies own as their own assets) and hire thousands of workers (btw these are not local workers!) but they repatriate their profits back to their home country once their money is made? Are we assuming that the govt should do all these trade charity practices because as a business these companies would not spend the same amount elsewhere to operate and make a profit just the same? This is the failure of the malaysian hospitality specifically and asian heritage generally. If we need them so much to set up shop here on our shores then at least tax them for the profits they take out of our soil for their home country to enjoy.

7. Review the current income tax system. Create multiple tiers reflective of every level of society’s income and consumption of national benefits.

To implement some of the above, the govt must also allow the rakyat to see where and how money is spent. It is a two way responsibility and just as much as the rakyat need to be educated on how subsidies can make the country bankrupt, the govt should also show to the rakyat that wrong spending and leakages to the nation’s budget will get us to bankruptcy even faster than subsidies. I suggest the following:

a. Publish annually all govt macro and micro expenses in a public info portal and mainstream media as a comparison to new budget to be tabled. I beleive the rakyat will support what ever increase in payments required if they can see clearly how and where the money is going to.

b. Publish all tender details, award and companies involved in a public info portal. Govt should rate this companies so we can sleep at night knowing that these companies are not out to cheat (in some cases so easily) the govt coffers. Rate them based on capabilities and delivery so hopefully the smaller ones will aspire to be rated and grow accordingly based on merit instead of political patronage. This single culture has created the biggest leakages in Malaysia today unfortunately.

c. Big parcel contracts should be broken up into manageable smaller pieces managed by a special govt “project management” vehicle and this process would ensure that more deserving companies can do business based on merit and deliver quality products and services based on the actual that they are paid. It is truly a win win situation for all. For example, instead of awarding a RM3b contract to politically aligned company X, this special unit and can look at worthwhile components of this RM3b contract and create various parcels of sub-contracts ranging from RM20m above which could be awarded directly to over 100 sub companies and these subs can still pay a main project royalty to the great company X as a turnkey contractor. Nothing wrong as long as everyone is happy and the country gets the best deal in terms of price and delivery. No more cracked highways and falling roofs.

d. Monitor consumer retail prices closely and do not allow any of these “mamak persatuans” to con us all by asking to increase prices of teh tarik and roti canai just because gas prices are up. I recently paid RM1.60 for a simple glass of teh “o” ais and was wondering what excuse will they give to increase this even further? I can almost guarantee that the per unit cost is less than 30sen so what rubbish is this about not being able to cope with higher costs?

I hope to post more ideas as to how we can tackle this impending national bankrupt issue soon and I hope what ever you read above you take it in good light and faith as the point is never in the facts but more the approach as far as I am concerned.

shaik rizal

a creative 2010 budget – letter to the PM (part 3)

I am looking forward to a new budget that is truly “rakyat” friendly with an honest to goodness “people first” approach. To do this, the government has to really think out of the box with drastic yet creative measures to achieve such a proposal. Move away from traditional planning of budgets to create a win-win strategy for the Malaysian people at large so that they can see where and how their money is benefiting the nation as a whole.

Below are some of my personal initial ideas for consideration:

1. National “Community Chest” Charity Fund -  to be created and collections specifically channeled towards community and charitable projects that will be professionally managed for all Malaysians

• Impose 1% charity tax for companies on top of the annual corporate tax
• Impose 5% surcharge charity tax for “sin” products such as liquor, cigarettes etc

2. Personal Income Tax Rebate – to give tax relief for certain expenses that is directly linked to the nation building development of Malaysia undertaken directly by the people

• Rebate of up to 50% of the annual fees for private education (primary right up to university)
• Rebate of up to 100% for the annual charges for broadband services at the main home
• Rebate allocation (fixed) for support of Arts and Culture – to encourage the growth of local arts and culture
• No income tax for “professional” sportsmen and sportswomen accredited by the Govt as someone who dedicate their life efforts to the development of sports in the country and has demonstrated recognized victory on their full time sports profession with their sole income derived from sports

3. Approved Permits, Car Import Duties & Road Tax – revamp the current system of very high import duties and tiered annual road tax and create only 3 categories of cars (budget, standard and luxury) and such measures will result in government earning more income while consumers will benefit from cheaper purchase of cars

• Reduce import duties based on current format for new and imported used cars  (standard and luxury) by 50% but for budget cars, reduce import duties by 80%
• Abolish the “AP Approved Permit” system and introduce a “registration tax” payable to the government upon the initial registration of cars and subsequently, a greatly reduced rate of this tax for the onward sale of the said vehicle to the next buyers. For example, if the current AP market price attached to every imported car is RM50,000 (govt gets zero income) then this proposed registration tax can be for example RM15,000 payable directly to the govt and subsequently if this same car is sold to another buyer (depending on the years after the first registration), a reduced rate of for example RM5000 (if less than 5 years) and RM2000 (if more than 5 years) can be imposed on the subsequent registration (2nd hand sale)
• Impose a one off “special luxury tax” for luxury cars (it is proposed that any car above 3000cc and original selling price of at least “X dollars” based on an international rate card can be considered as luxury (Government can decide on a list)
• To protect the national car industry, government can give direct incentives for people to buy a Proton or a Perodua such as to abolish road tax for national cars (and 100% rebate of one road tax for the non national car owned if the same household owns a national car as well), 50% insurance rate, preferred financing rates etc
• Impose a one rate annual road tax for the 3 categories of cars ie RM150, RM500 and RM1000 respectively
• Reduce basic insurance rates for cars

4. “One Malaysia” Education Loan Scheme – Govt to establish a new scholarship and education loan scheme for all Malaysians through a fund that is contributed by the private sector

• Corporations that contribute more than rmX of annual tax to the government will be given a high tax rebate for an annual endowment contribution to this proposed education loan fund and hence, current own disbursement of scholarships by some of these companies can now be centralized and professionally administered.
• If 100 qualified companies contribute an average of RM10m per annum, this fund will have RM1 billion per annum worth of education loan and scholarships for all Malaysians
• This fund will be an extension of the existing PTPTN loan scheme for local IPTA/IPTS but managed independently and professionally with focus on special courses and quality internationally recognized and accredited education
• Applicants will be selected purely based on merit (flexible age limit) and those with successful targeted university placements
• Loan scheme to offer below market interest rates with interest, part principal or full principal waivers on offer depending on results with long term vs short term payment repayment incentives

5. Green Technology Incentives – Govt to strongly encourage the adoption of green technology by both the public and private sectors by giving financial incentives for the creation of “green” projects and activities

• Establish an express grant fund for private initiatives embarking on unique “green” efforts
• Free tax period for companies embarking on green technology related efforts as a core business
• Special interest rebate offered by financial institutions (subsidized by govt) for borrowings on projects that incorporate accredited green technology inputs for direct green benefits

shaik rizal sulaiman

one malaysia

1. In recent days we were all saddened by the death of a towering Malaysian and a “glokal” talent called Yasmin Ahmad.  For years she has given us much joy and tears from her great Petronas advertisements and enjoyable “Made in Malaysia” movies. I personally am a big fan.  She started the whole One Malaysia spirit even before it became a thrust policy of the new administration. Her One Malaysia makes us laugh, cry and smile.

2. Yasmin has always pictured us all as One Malaysia and showed us the true meaning of One Malaysia which was already in existence a long time ago. Ask your parents and they will tell you how life was a better bed of roses among different ethnic groups and races but we forget along the way as we become more insecure with our own kind. Yasmin often reminded us of what it means to live with mutual respect, love and honor among the various races (Bangsa Malaysia) that this country is truly blessed with.  Funny how just 2 weeks ago I had coined the idea to someone for the PM to engage Yasmin Ahmad as an icon to drive the One Malaysia message because she would have gladly done it  not for the money but for the love of integrated racial and economic societies which she truly believes in and most important of all, for the love of her country.  Very few fill such great shoes.

3. I remember the days as far back as 30 years ago when we never saw the need to distinguish ourselves by our skin color or racial background and we played together, studied together and enjoyed together as one multi-racial group let it be in school or in the neighborhood. Maybe its more apparent to me growing up in the city but my friends who grew up in the outskirts tell me the same thing.Today we see much less of that even in urban areas and let’s not even begin to talk about clearly segregated rural areas.

4. So then, if we were all harmonious before why are we talking about integration only now? After 50 odd years we should be fully integrated and mindful of our individual and racial roles in our country. One Malaysia to me means one country but with many racial ethnicity and eccentricities that have equal rights to what Malaysia has to offer. Is this what it is meant to mean?

5. If we are still talking about rights and equality then we can never have One Malaysia. The contradiction ridicules it. Let’s change the concept a bit. Let’s strive for a mutually agreed concept of what Malaysia should mean predominantly to the Malays and the others. If the Malays can agree that things have to be more fair and perceived to be done right, then the non-malays would not question our divine right in our own country. For as long as we continue to abuse the privileges and distribution of controlled wealth then we would always be subjected to scrutiny and even to the point of ridicule.  We even have a “One Malay” issue now where we are not united anymore in pursuit of common goals and ideologies that should make our “M” race a responsible and respected force in our own country. Frankly, from my own findings the non-malays have no issue with the “Kesultanan Melayu” or even the “Ketuanan Melayu” but they have a big problem with blatant abuse of power and selective prosecution.  We can all live with some abuse but since March 2008 even the general Malays are sick and tired of it. Now that is telling something!

6. There is no substitute for merit and any affirmative action of economic assistance must be carried out for the good of the mass and in this case, the majority group of the Malays regardless of origin, place and political affiliations. Merit is to be emphasized and political charity can take place in the form of minority equity participation innately infused into the distribution system. In other words as silly as it may sound, all major projects can have the BN (or BR) party own a default 20-30% equity so the professionals and entrepreneurs can be left alone to execute and manage a business that is cost efficient and of high quality. It is cheaper and better for everyone!

7. Education is another pillar of One Malaysia. Integrate all schools into One Malaysia schools! Have extra classes for vernacular studies or whatever but let us not confuse the future (and present) generation on what One Malaysia should mean but yet we go to different schools. I can’t think of an arguable excuse as to why we should not have just a one system education for One Malaysia.  Please put politics aside for our children sake.

8. The Prime Minister MUST take responsibility of all individual actions that tarnishes One Malaysia’s divine efforts to unite all Malaysians and if this means that he has to remove the cowboy individuals or institutions or even mini governments he must do it swiftly. Its not the PMs fault so why must he take the heat for it? The MACC case is one in point. Much have been speculated about the death of Mr Teoh but I am sure it is not the general policy of MACC for such things to happen. The fact that it did, then some individuals directly involved should be removed instantly even if they did no wrong.  Show that you mean business because perception in trying times means everything. Its for the good of the bigger group. The few must have screwed up somehow and somewhere even to have led to such a disastrous tragedy.  Honesty is not the best policy… it is the only policy but manage the impact professionally. Heck, even spin it like a gasing if they must but be transparent on the core issues. People don’t care for the frills anymore. Malaysia lacks this ownership of responsibility and transparency.

9. One Malaysia should also mean no more selective prosecution and I don’t necessarily mean “just” justice. If someone can be caught with a rm2000 bribe, then leaders should also be hauled up for rm24m or rm2.4b accusations etc. Don’t let the public ridicule the system that should never “pick and choose” because this is exactly why future election results is anyone’s guess. The people are no longer blind and accommodating.

10. These are indeed trying times for Malaysia and by hook or by crook, One Malaysia has to save the day with a comprehensive, holistic and a honest sincere plan to integrate all Malaysians on a single agenda.  People first! It’s a tough call but if such noble efforts can withstand differing political, racial, social and economical mindsets… only then can this blessed country be truly blessed.

Malaysia will miss you Yasmin Ahmad. Al-fatihah.

shaik rizal sulaiman

first impressions

I imagine myself to be a first time European tourist to Malaysia arriving at the KLIA coming from Singapore.

1. I walk out of the plane and notice that the aero passage bridge is dirty and worn out despite knowing that the KLIA is a fairly new airport having won airport awards year after year (I wonder from which publication) but as I approach the gate exit, I am impressed to see the modern steel and glass structure around me – the sign on a modern country.

2. I continue walking to see all the duty free shops bustling with customers and in this satellite terminal C, it almost feels like an unorganized shopping mall with make do stalls set up just for the sake of it and f&b outlets that are all over the place from proper outlets to floor type cafes. The chaos seems bearable but I wonder how a modern design airport can fail in this area of shop layout design and proper flow of commercial activities. I see a shop selling local sweets right in front of Hermes!

3. I feel like going to the toilet so I look around for the toilet sign and found one. I quickly head on to the modern airport toilet and as I enter, I see a Bangladeshi worker holding a mop and talking loudly on a handphone (probably to his co-worker girlfriend) and the stench is unbearable (both the toilet and the Bangladeshi) and much to my disappointment, I had to queue to pee. As I see before me, various people of different ethnic nationalities all pee in various styles and ways and all but the same, leaving stains all over the place hence the stench. I tried not to breath for a few minutes as I stand on the firing line hoping not to cause a stain like the predecessors before me! I don’t remember such an experience when I peed at the Changi airport just 2 hours ago. And there wasn’t even a cleaner in their toilets. Why is this so?

4. I proceed to the aero train to get to the main terminal and as usual there is a rush to get inside the train. There is plenty of space for everyone but humans being humans we rush! The train ride was short and sweet and as I got off to head to immigration, I notice that there are so many visitors waiting to pass through but only a few counters are open. Is it the “post lunch pre tea break” break I wonder? The KLIA is one airport where everyone and everything ends up at the same place so agitation can be a problem.

5. As I approach the baggage carousel, I wonder why my bags are still not out! I had gone to pee, took a train ride, queued at immigration and all in a good 30 minutes perhaps and my bags are still not out? Aren’t there supposed to be rules that when you design modern airports you must also provide modern service, modern hygiene and modern efficiency? What kind of ancient baggage handling system does this modern airport have?

6. Finally the bags are out and I stroll pass the green lane (actually I have lots to declare but this Ipoh guy sitting next to me on the plane told me don’t bother to declare because the customs are not bothered) and true enough there were 3-4 of them all clad in uniforms chatting and flirting with one another while we just pass through.

7. I see this Limo counter sticking out like a sore thumb at the narrow exit point and has somewhat caused a little jam because everyone is with their bags and trolleys. Limo they say? Do they know the meaning of Limousine? Taxi is more like it. But this is not the point. There is a queue and only one counter open but I see 3 other ladies behind the counter chatting away and exchanging costume jewelry and Tupperware. When a few customers showed their anger, then only one lady quickly opened another counter but with much disgust nevertheless.  I notice that despite the modern airport facade, this counter had ink jet print outs pasted on by cellophane tape for info on services etc. Some fake flowers were also eminent in view and the whole counter just looked like a misfit in the overall modern airport (I later found out that the limo concession was given to a political crony who perhaps had various shortcomings)

8. I then walk out and see many drivers holding name cards calling out names of passengers. Some were shouting and screaming and again this does not fit in the modern 21st century airport. As I try to find the exit pushing my trolley, I had to say no to at least 8 offers from illegal taxi operators (more often than not they look like thugs and I wonder who would actually dare to risk their lives to go on their illegal taxi). Why are these people allowed to solicit here? It gives a really bad impression to tourist arrivals in that there isn’t a proper system at the airport. I don’t remember Singapore’s Changi airport being like this at all. Is it so difficult for the airport authorities to wipe these people out? Apparently this is a problem since day one of KLIA!

9. As I stand outside the arrival hall exit, I notice how dark the place is despite it being 4pm in the afternoon. I see many lights are not working and the design of the roof is such that no natural sunlight can come through. I have heard of snatch thefts and even bigger robberies taking place here and with such a chaos situation outside plus the darkness, one would not be surprised.  The taxi queue is a make shift queue and the taxis are as confused as we are. It was just one big mess and with the humidity instantly taking over, one cannot help but to feel agitated.  It was dark, hot and chaotic. Why build such a beautiful modern airport and yet have all this nonsense taking place? I guess top government officials and ministers must be taking a different exit for them not to realize these things. I would ask Prime Minister Najib to go through exactly the path I took and experience it for himself.

10. I get into the taxi and find that the driver has his window down with one hand outside holding a cigarette. The taxi smelled of cigarette smoke and it was unbearable. Luckily the taxis are fairly new because just a few years ago, the older taxis were 20 year old cars that were safety hazards with constant breakdowns, loose seats, handles falling out and ceiling carpets being stapled. So this new taxis were quite refreshing (dirty but refreshing).

Why can’t we learn to do things right and have the will power to enforce it, maintain it and make it worthy of the name “Malaysia” that the world is talking about.  These first impressions count…

why oh why? part 1

1. Why does the media publish stories that stir up sensational issues in ways to corrupt our minds? Don’t we all have better things to worry about than worrying or speculating as to what will happen to the government, ministers, cabinet, parliament, opposition, monarch, etc?  Business people are still weary about doing business despite a new cabinet in place because we Malaysians just love creating rumors thus creating instability to the current government and country.  Smart opposition members are taking advantage of this media ride and to build up a momentum, one has to create sensations… there will be a few more by-elections before 2012 because these little victories will show (or confuse) the rakyat as to what it means to be part of change (for good or for worse is secondary but change is what people are inspired to “want”).  It is sad that we read about the financial reforms initiated etc courtesy of only half a page day news while the Perak saga has been reported longer than the Olympics games!  What do we really care about at the end of the day? Why the ex (now back to official!) MB’s Camry can’t be sold yet or  a progressive discussion on the future of our national education system so that we have a half a chance to see a better future for Malaysia that is different from the circus that it is in now.

2. Why can’t our government change policies that are not cast in stone to better their governance for the good of the rakyat? For example take the Approved Permit (AP) issue that has been long debated (and cursed by the industry too) and deemed very sensationally sensitive but nothing is done to correct this problem. What is so difficult for the government to implement a new policy that will champion merit and grow the auto industry (and at the same time still please the people that the AP system has been pleasing in the last 30 years or so)? Imagine if all APs are abolished but every individual imported or franchise car sold will be subjected to a special “MITI” tax as part of an invoice. This special tax can be less than half the amount of the current APs that are “trading” in the market today that are obtained “free” by a select group of individuals (of a certain race) and sold to a select group of trading individuals/companies/dealers etc (of a certain race) so the savings can be passed on to the consumers and the government will earn so much income.  Consumers are so used to paying such a high price for cars in the country even a small reduction in AP portion alone will come as a great bonus to all although the ideal situation is for us consumers to buy cars at zero AP cost and minimal duties/tax. But let’s not talk about an ideal world here.  There are 2 types of APs (franchise and open) and the highly priced traded ones are the open APs which apparently trades for around RM50,000 a pop (and it is added to the cost of the car obviously) so if there are 66,979 APs issued in year 2005 (i only managed to get this factual data as declared by the then Minister in Parliament), the government is looking at an AP income of approximately RM3-4b which it does not EARN! Can you imagine how much better our public transport system can be if just a fraction of this “lost” income is put to a budget to improve public transport on an annual basis?  Open up the AP policy and impose an AP tax to every bona fide car dealer that is in a genuine business of selling cars and when they sell a car, they will pay this AP tax (can be 50% less than the trading price of APs so consumers save from cheaper car prices) to the government directly instead of paying it to a few individuals who clearly do not value add or innovate the auto industry.  The figures and facts may vary here but the point remains clear – revamp the policy and reward those who are deserving. The NAZA Motor Group is an example of a big AP recipient but they have clearly demonstrated that they are the champions of the auto world and can build up a local industry.  This what governments of the world must appreciate and reward.  To the rest of the Ali Baba’s, you all should be ashamed of yourselves!

3. Why is it when the whole world is serious of the new “swine” disease threat with intense checks at entry points etc, we the Malaysian government seem to be rather relaxed about it? Do we wait for a few cases before we over react and scare the hell out of people? I came back from Singapore on Thursday night via KLIA and on the plane I was asked to fill up a “Kementrian Kesihatan Health & Quarantine Form” so I thought to myself my government must be serious in combating this issue.  So as I unboarded the JetStar aircraft (which by the way sold me a ticket at just 30% of what our national airline sells for the same route) and headed out I did not see any health screening taking place. The time was only 8.30pm and none in sight were any medical stations or anyone at all that would at least take my health form and check it!  Eventually I left the airport building and jumped into a taxi with the form still in my pocket.

4. Why do we constantly take the easy way out without realizing the entire concept or substance behind it? We have the tallest and perhaps the most beautiful building KLCC in the world but we still see the need to place ugly plastic/rubber cones around it’s entrance areas to prevent people from parking!  This is a pathetic sight and such a monument does not deserve such horrible “make do” actions that are limited to those small working minds who does not share the same inspiration as the architect or the leader of the nation that wanted to put Malaysia on the world map!  We accept things the way they are just because they are like that. When we exit another national monument the KLIA airport departure, do you realize how many lights are not working inside and outside? Don’t you get irritated sometimes with the Limo counter girls who are rude and not bothered about customer service? Do you feel like as though you are in a Myanmar bus station with many odd looking characters approaching you asking if you need an (illegal) taxi? Outside at the (legal but questionable) taxi area, the situation is almost chaotic with make do partitions and cones (again!) in  a dark and hot surroundings (most of the lights are not working and funny enough the security cameras too are not working) and these are all the 1st impressions a visitor gets when they visit Malaysia.  Welcome to Malaysia.

5. Why do all the government aided Small Medium Industries (SMI) funding programs take more than 1 year in certain clear cut cases to disburse a small amount of growth or capital funding to SMI companies when it is only logical that such small companies need these funds urgently to survive even another year!  The Government talks about active assistance but the little napoleans kill those aspirations and in many cases, SMIs have been known to lose business or suffer greatly waiting for their approved disbursement.  The Government needs to create an independent agency to swiftly handle this growth sensitive process and it should not be the Credit Guarantee Corp.  Banks will always be banks and the SMI Bank is no different so why all the buzz about helping the SMIs? Why put traditional bankers in these agencies? Such programs are not for traditional lending where collateral, assets, track record etc are all required.  Even those who obtained government contracts take a long time to get approval! What a waste of money, patience and time.

shaik rizal sulaiman

unity and heritage

1. A few weeks ago, I had attended a friend’s much awaited wedding ceremony. He is an Indian man who married a beautiful Indian doctor (lucky guy!) and the ceremony dinner was held at a prominent hotel in Petaling Jaya.  I always get confused as to what would be appropriate to wear to these events because you can either be over dressed or too simple and not blend in with the desired pomp and grandeur your host would be expecting. Personally I don’t like to be overly dressed up.

2. Finally I decided that it would be safe and proper to don a suit and off I went to the wedding with my wife.  We were late because the card stated 7pm but how can we be there by 7pm when the “maghrib” prayer at that time was approximately 7.30pm! But luckily enough the ceremony had not really started yet when we arrived just around 8.15pm.  I must note here that the guest of honour was one particular malay muslim deputy minister so I would imagine that he too would have been in the same predicament about arriving on time as required by the card.  So the point I am trying to make here is that it should be common courtesy and practise to invite guests to any event (corporate or social) expecting them to arrive at 8pm the very least taking into serious consideration the muslim “maghrib” prayer time which ranges from as early 7pm to as late as 7.30pm plus minus depending on the time of year.  This should not be seen as compliance to any islamic rule but merely an act of goodwill and tolerance to accommodate the muslim guests that one would definitely have in one’s guest list. However, if there are no muslim guests then I guess any time is appropriate and up to the host’s choice.  But I have not found a social ceremony (unless it is a religious affair) where we don’t see a nice racial mix of guests.  This is what our country is blessed with.  Such goodwill is indeed a sign of unity among the races and the same consideration should also be given by the malays or the chinese vice-versa to the best of our ability to accommodate our guests.

4. So in my nice dark suit and all, I literally waltzed in the hall and much to my surprise, I found that most of the guests that night be it the minority malays, the majority chinese and indians were dressed in batik! Yes the men (at least 80% of them) were so naturally dressed in batik as though it was the dress code! funny enough batik was NOT the dress code for the night so this made me think… hmmm, such a simple unplanned “unity” led me to believe that if we let nature takes its course without force or propaganda, the natural instinct would ultimately work towards a comfortable zone common to and for all.  Batik was a unifying factor that night and I felt very happy to see people from all racial background and even walks of life don the batik as a sign of unity and acceptable decorum. It is after all comfortable and most importantly elegant enough to add the desired class and grandeur to any event. It did not matter if one guest was wearing a jalan masjid india rayon material batik while another donned an award winning piala endon exclusive batik in silk because the hall looked beautiful that night with all the colors and designs. Needless to say, the predominantly indian crowd had their ladies in colorful sarees that night. I almost did not see the bridegroom in his boring black tux!

5. I think the government can look at little things to foster and demonstrate unity.  It is always nice to be hopeful and draw up big policy plans on racial polarization strategies bla bla bla but sometimes it is the little things that can be easily adopted and be the unifying factor for all the races to come together.  Batik is one small example and I personally think it is a terrible waste of good sense to not promote batik as a MALAYSIAN iconic dress be it for local use or international branding. Yes I know that batik is already a widely accepted dress code for special events but what about batik for everyday use professionally and socially? We keep talking about batik as a malaysian “thing” but efforts are not fully committed to make it part of malaysian “life”.

6. Batik should be our national dress code.  Let it be a shirt, sarong, skirt, blouse or dress, the batik can symbolize a malaysian identity that unifies all citizens onto a common platform.  After all, batik is beautiful art! Imagine a saree or cheongsam in a relevant batik print? This is where we can distinct between “batik kebangsaan” and “pakaian resmi kebangsaan” where the former describes my notion of batik in almost everything on a daily affair for government or private sector use while the latter dictates that for official functions relating to government protocol, the palace etc it would be required to don the invidual race national costume ie the baju kain and baju melayu, songket etc.

7. But when I say batik, I don’t just mean the grand silk boutique type designs which must cost so much! We should find ways to commercialize batik “designs” and not so much the batik “medium” so that it’s application can be varied and adopted as an affordable means of national clothing.  We can have batik in all sorts of fabric and permutations and its design identity can also be altered to adopt key significant and iconic culture symbols of all races in Malaysia. Although batik was traditionally malay culture but today, modern batik designs are acceptable to all.  But NO we don’t want designers in selfish pursuits of winning awards to lose themselves and create suits in batik for example! This is not the point I am getting at.

8. I would even go one step further and propose that school children wear comfortable cotton batik uniforms and this is a great display of all arts, heritage, culture and unity into one.  It is important that the new “unity relations” ministry chart their plans in the schools.  Unity begins at home and in schools.  Commercially and professionally, especially with service oriented government and private sector interface, batik can be used as the service image of Malaysia.  We are colorful people with colorful cultures so why spoil it with a boring shirt and tie? It is not our national identity.

9. The Phillipines, Indonesia and even Thailand have a distinctive image to their national identity when it comes to clothing.  It is a sign of heritage and unity. It shows the character of a nation in one unifying image.  What else is unity in its purest and easiest identifiable form? I realized that our former first lady, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah only wore batik in whatever event or functions that she attended publicly. I don’t remember her in anything else but batik so even if she did not wear batik 100% of the time, the perception is that she does.  Perhaps for more formal events, the songket would have been of choice and this is appropriate. She was very proud of our batik because it is uniquely malaysian. It is these uniquely malaysian traits, events, rituals, products, habits, culture etc that would be the natural stimulus for natural unity integration across all racial platforms.

10.  I think this is the right malaysian thing to do and if all of us do it, then this is one small but clear cut unity achievement we can strike off the 1Malaysia list…

shaik rizal sulaiman

a new cabinet – letter to the new PM (part 2)

Dear “new” Prime Minister,

1. It is important that as the new Prime Minister for ALL Malaysians, you must make your mark and dictate a new “modus operandi” for your own style of administration.  Take the good from the past and include better things for the future. We do not need to lean on the past just for the sake of it. Revolutionize the way things are done and I think most Malaysians will see the change that they all think they deserve or want.

2. For starters, revamp the cabinet and this means not only the people but also the overall scope, function, purpose and usefulness. Times are changing and so should organizational structures because expectations and levels of importance change too.  The difference between the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister should be their focus (and responsibility towards a group of portfolios) and this would create a more dynamic scenario of a cabinet with 2 effective top leaders.  For example, the PM will be overlooking ministries that are relevant to trade, economy, finance, education and infrastructure while the DPM can oversee ministries that are relevant to social & integration, nation affairs, services etc. We need to adapt to the needs of the current scenario.

3. Deputy Ministers, if you need to retain these positions you would need to empower them with bigger responsibilities and this means, while a ministry is led by a minister but a subset of that ministry is empowered to the deputy minister who reports to the minister. For example, the Ministry of Trade & Industry can have just one minister but there are two deputy ministers who look after international trade and the other, domestic trade respectively.  Deputy Ministers need not be in the weekly cabinet meetings but is empowered to “work” the important divisions of a particular ministry like that of a divisional director. Some existing ministries do not need to exist the way they do and some can be merged. This is where the role of Deputy Ministers come into effect and will be effective. It is also a brilliant way for you to introduce new and fresh blood into your administration (by appointing more deputy ministers) and testing them for overall effectiveness instead of mere political gratitude. They should do more than just cut ribbons.

4. Cluster portfolios are proposed so that relevant and synergistic ministries can work together and even be allocated shared budgets due to their common goals.  These cluster portfolios should be under the purview of the Deputy Prime Minister.  It is important for you to devise a structure where the Deputy Prime Minister is not a deputy to the Prime Minister but rather, an important “most senior” minister that is responsible for certain ministries directly under his/her office.  This drastically reduces the politics of the number 2 position as well, I reckon. But let’s not fret, the PM is still the overall commander in chief!

5. I also call for you to invite the opposition to form a shadow cabinet of each respective portfolio and the government should officially recognize them.  This will strengthen the people’s perception on your administration and give you the support as their Prime Minister.  This newly “restructured” cabinet is not just for the ruling party but most importantly, for the rakyat to have sincere hope moving forward.  Be a Prime Minister to all malaysians.

I have taken the initiative of proposing a sample (and perhaps plausible) structure of how a new cabinet should look like and the reasons behind it. The proposals are as follows:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Prime Minister’s Office

1. Prime Minister

2. Deputy Prime Minister

3. Minister – Govt Linked Companies & Agencies and Malaysia Plan

4. Minister – Information & Unity Relations

5. Minister – Human Resources & Public Administration

a. Adviser – Economy, Commerce & SME Enterprise

b. Adviser – Ethnic Minorities

c. Adviser – Religious Affairs

d. Adviser – Science & Environment

e. Auditor – Cabinet Performance & KPI

6. Finance & Treasury

This ministry should have up to 4 deputy ministers not from different parties representing interests but rather to be responsible for a particular scope important to the ministry of finance – treasury, central procurement, project implementation and Entrepreneurial Development/SME’s. The minister will be a senior minister in status.

7. Trade & Industry

This ministry should have 2 senior deputy ministers responsible for international and domestic trade respectively.  The minister is the overall person responsible for all trade and commerce affairs related to the country domestically or internationally and will be of a senior minister in status.

8. Defense

This ministry does NOT need a deputy minister because the 3 Generals (Army, AirForce & Navy) are already assisting the minister on the overall issues related to defense of the country.  The defense minister need not be a minister of senior status as the Prime Minister is effectively the deFacto defense minister.

9. Law & Security

This ministry combines the current ministries of law & parliament (previously under PM’s dept), internal security and home affairs.  The Attorney General and the Speaker is effectively assisting the minister in matters of the law and parliament so there is a need to have only one deputy minister responsible for internal security and home affairs. The minister will be a senior minister in status that has a legal background.

10. National Education

Set a policy for a ONE national education system and schools and revamp the syllabus for both primary and secondary system.  Appoint a senior non-malay as a minister because the task of creating a national type school system lies very much on the approvals of the non-malays.  The education ministry historically has been a domain of the malays because politics centered around teachers who were the early politicians. Times have changed and so should perceptions.  By appointing a non-malay to this position we will perhaps see half a chance of a single education system implementation in Malaysia because the minister has to make it work.  This minister will be of senior minister in status.

A “commissioner” for education is to be appointed and he/she then creates an exco committee to undertake the task of revamping the educational syllabus reporting directly to the PM and a special cabinet committee set up. There can be a 2nd minister or even a senior deputy minister responsible for higher education and private learning but keep national education as one ministry.

11. International Relations & Policies

The minister need not be an active politician holding positions in party politics but rather a credible statesman who is familiar and accepted by the global community.  There is no need for a deputy minister because a post for a domicile chief ambassador can be created to assist the minister.

12. Public Health Service

It is important to focus on the public aspect of health with emphasis on service.  This ministry is also in need of a new direction and a complete overhaul of its function and usefulness to the rakyat.  It can have up to 2 deputy ministers responsible for rural health and medical services respectively.

13. Public Utilities, Transportation & Infrastructure

This ministry will be responsible for entities like JKR, TNB, Water, Highway Authorities, Sewage etc plus the airports, road transport authorities and licensing bodies. There can be up to 3 deputy ministers to oversee these entities by unique divisions. This merger makes sense because infrastructure issues should be a focused and common goal in achieving a developed nation status.

14. Communications & Technology

This ministry will be responsible for entities involved in telecommunications, public and private media, information technology, new technologies and science.  This portfolio will be a very “dynamic” portfolio and the minister should be assisted by an EXCO of industry advisers that are of deputy ministerial status.  This is one area of business that we cannot afford to be left behind and nothing short of proven, capable and respected personalities should be roped in.

15. Environment & Rural Development

Environment should be a major thrust of your new administration while rural development can synergize and collaborate with the PM’s dept for an effective blueprint of an integrated rural development policy in every malaysia plan that would involve rural development in one way or another. This ministry can have 2 deputy ministers to assist the minister.

16. Tourism, Arts, Heritage & Culture

This is probably going to be one of the most important ministries responsible for domestic and inbound tourism strategies and the arts, heritage and culture which is largely fused and linked to tourism activities. The Minister should be one that has the personality for it. This ministry should have a deputy minister 1 for tourism and another 1 for the arts and heritage & culture.

17. Agriculture & Commodities

All matters of the soil will be managed in this newly merged ministry and the minister can have 2 deputies assisting for areas of agro business and commodities.

18. Women & Family Affairs

This ministry should have up to 4 deputy ministers representing the prominent political parties and ethnic races in Malaysia.  Why? we should not make this ministry “malay” centric and to have representation from all key components of the coalition will allow for programs to be balanced.  An aspect of unity relations would be synergized and collaborated with the functions of the Minister in Prime Minister’s Office in charge of information and unity relations. In fact, it can even be the same minister because this ministry will have up to 4 deputy ministers assisting.

19. Social Development, Youth & Sports

This ministry will also collaborate with the Information & Unity Relations Minister AND the Women & Family Affairs Ministry as a cluster portfolio that reports directly to the Deputy Prime Minister.  These 3 ministries are important and crucial towards nation building moving forward.  There is only a minister for this ministry and there is no need for a deputy minister. After all, I believe the government has appointed a sports commissioner a few years ago.

20. Local Government & Urban Development

This ministry combines the Federal Territories, City Hall and all Local Councils under one administration.  It will collaborate and synergize with the Environment and Rural Development Ministry as a cluster portfolio and report directly to the Deputy Prime Minister.  2 deputy ministers shall be attached to this ministry if necessary.  Also, I think it is important that we have an “elected” mayor for Kuala Lumpur at least.  The Director of City Hall can still be a government position.

________________________________________

This proposal will see the existing cabinet of 34 ministers shrink to only 20 ministers and introduce new hopefuls as “working” deputy ministers (an evolving cleansing mechanism to the cabinet!) and aspire to be more effective & honest and work as a hardworking team overall that serves the rakyat and shall be judged by the rakyat.  Change is hard but it is not as hard when it is desperately required…

shaik rizal sulaiman

“fait accompli”

1. It is quite amusing to see this never ending circus regarding the teaching of science and mathematics in english in our local schools.  Why is it so difficult to come to a decision? In fact the decision was already made by the the former PM (endorsed by the cabinet on the 19th of July 2002) who knew exactly how such a long awaited move would benefit the Malaysian children (he dares to do what is right but not necessarily popular) but politicians today fall to unfounded pressures by certain quarters who claim that teaching these subjects in english will put the malay children at a disadvantage position especially those who come from the rural areas.  What is your opinion based upon? gut feeling? own insecurities? and most important of all… why only bring it up now?

2. How dare they belittle these malay students before they even attempt it?  The ministry revealed that results were actually better when it was taught in English.  So who is advising these people?  Is this another branch agenda of the ketuanan melayu folk tales which will make the malays less of a malay if they mastered the “foreign” language?  Even if their gut feeling tells them so, dont they think that perhaps we should change this “curse” and get back into the race?  Or do they fully subscribe to the notion of “fait accompli”?

3. I remember when i was enrolled in the pre-university college with the rest of the student headed for the USA or UK, I was from the “minority” group that would speak and think in english.  And those who did not (the village “samseng cowboy” types), would make it very uncomfortable for us city kids when we spoke in english even among ourselves. Actually now i realize it was their own little way of hiding their own shortcomings.  Funny enough as we went through the course, these “cowboy” students dropped out one by one because when you are heading to the US or UK, you learn in english! I think those who benefited from overseas education would appreciate the importance of mastering the english language as a life tool to succeed.  It is not just another language but the means to an end.

4. So it does not matter how many A’s you scored in your exam that earned you the “right” to be chosen to go abroad in the name of furthering one’s education, if you can’t master the english language then the furthest you will go is to the bus station heading back to your home where chances are it was those surroundings that made you a “language racist” to begin with? And it is this same surroundings today that is haunting the politicians day and night to fight the ruling on teaching maths and science in english.  Why put the politicians at ransom? They know what is best for the children but at the same time they also need your votes!

5. I was from the unfortunate era where EVERYTHING was taught in malay (I did my SPM in 1989) and it was also during my time (80′s) that the numbers of predominantly malay students were given scholarships to study abroad in bigger numbers than earlier years. My point is this, why do we bother to uphold the bahasa malaysia when in reality, the bangsa melayu will die standing when they face the real world out there? It’s ironic isn’t it?

6. If the sole aim of our education system deeply soaked in bahasa malaysia is to create only the Samad Said’s of this world then fine but if we hope to see leaders worthy of global competition or even of local use, then please drill hard into our students and their PARENTS (even from Kokdiang in Kedah) that without english, we will be handicapped for the rest of our lives.  No one can argue this.  Please see (www.ninitalk.wordpress.com) on the same subject matter which inspired me to write on this.  One is better off speaking broken english than perfect bahasa for most things in life that would earn that person an income to live and feed his family and hopefully buy english books for his children so they don’t suffer the same fate as he does.

7. I was lucky to be in a top city school Victoria Institution and grew up in KL where my parents were english speaking and thinking people. I “think” in english and i think this is the most important reason why I am what I am today. Let’s not kid ourselves. Enough of this jaguh kampung aspiration and maruah “bahasa nasional” crap because in reality, malaysians especially the malays will be left OUT of the race due to their non ability to “think” in english! Not left behind but left out.  The world is an english world and not a malay world.

8. The issue here is bigger than just teaching maths and science in english.  The issue is how to make our education system prepare us for the global world.  English as a language is just a medium of communication but the substance of knowledge that Malaysian children must be equipped to be at par with the rest as they progress through life is not carefully thought about and taken into consideration.  Education is not what we memorize but it is what we remember…

9. We will never forget our bahasa malaysia no matter how hard we try. So if it makes it any better for us to stand a remote chance of becoming a “cemerlang, gemilang and terbilang” Malaysian equipped with a mind that “THINKS” in english, then please for god’s sake continue what Tun Dr Mahathir had already carefully thought of for the sake of our nation’s future.  Let’s all make it a different “fait accompli”…

shaik rizal sulaiman

negaraku

Negaraku, tanah tumpahnya darahku
Rakyat hidup bersatu dan maju
Rahmat bahagia Tuhan kurniakan
Raja kita selamat bertakhta  x2

Its idiomatic translation is:

My country, my native land
The people living in unity and progressive
May God bestow blessings and happiness
May our Ruler have a successful reign  x2

1. “Negaraku” simply means that this country Malaysia is for all us Malaysians who regard this honorable and blessed land we call home as our home. It starts off with this one strong line to emphasize that it is our country and we must honor it with much pride and love.  If the anthem wants us to call it “negaraku” then it would also imply that this country will be “fair” and “just” to all its rakyat.  Conditional justice that is. Yes… it has to be conditional because Malaysia is essentially “tanah melayu” and the Malays (eventually bumiputeras) have a divine rule and historical ownership of this “negara” perhaps just a tiny weeny bit more than the others.  However, in saying and stating this fact we must always remember that those who rule and reign must be responsible.  Justice is for all even in a country dominated by some.  It is a “right with a privilege” and there are many loose definitions in our constitution which speaks of the general concept of what and how a country should be governed for the good of all. If only there were clear cut provisions and definitions, perhaps there would be very few questions arising now.  Our early Malay leader(s) were very forgiving on clear definitions and rules which otherwise would have set the right momentum of sincere and pure harmony in Malaysia.

2. “Tanah tumpahnya darahku” means this country is our birthplace.  If we are born in Malaysia, then it is our duty to be good citizens of the country regardless of race, religion and political affiliations.  So all Malaysians have an equal right to this birthplace? Yes and No.  Strange but true.

3. “Rakyat hidup bersatu dan maju” reflects the great Malaysian story in the last 50 years.  Its the story that we love telling the world. The different races, religions and even ideologies have managed to live in some form of respectable peace and harmony with equal if not great tolerance towards one another. Harmony is synonymous with Malaysia but the notion of bangsa Malaysia has been a long term aspiration NOT yet achieved! What is the big deal about Chinese and Tamil schools when in an ideal situation, we should only have ONE type of NATIONAL schools with ONE type of official language for all to adhere to. As it is the Malays are already one step behind for being able to only speak Bahasa Malaysia and struggling in English (2 languages… let’s not count “gohyak kelate” as another language!) while the Chinese and Indians speak an extra language which is their own. So why not we create schools where everyone learns all the 3 languages? If you ask me, this is a fair solution and a progressive one too.  I hate it when the Malays look stupid in front of a Chinese or Indian crowd that is belittling him in a language he does not understand! But when we talk about closing the Chinese/Tamil schools for the sake of a united nation, there is almost a war like hue and cry by these same non-Malay races that demand equality and same status? Surely we can’t have our cake and eat it too right?

4. “Rahmat bahagia Tuhan kurniakan” states very clearly that God plays a very important role in our lives here in Malaysia. Notice that the word “tuhan” is used and not “Allah” so i guess we all must accept that “Tuhan” is the generic work for all gods here in Malaysia at least.  It is clear here in the national anthem so lets put to rest the misplaced great desire to use the word “Allah” outside the context of Islam. What is the big deal anyway for all you non-Muslims to use the word “Allah” when the word Tuhan is known to mean the same? Unless we are devious and lack sincerity then perhaps we might continue to insist this dead end pursuit.  This line in the anthem also means that God gives us all his great blessing and happiness.  It is important that we realize no matter what we do in good ol’ Malaysia, we are subservient to our God. We may have different Gods but the fact remains we cannot do as we please. For me, Allah guides me and hopefully the rest of my Muslim brothers and sisters in Malaysia towards the right path.  It’s up to us to stay on it or deviate from it. If we have this fear then we will continue to be blessed.

5. “Raja kita selamat bertakhta” sums up all the confusion and misjudgements about the Malays and their “rights” or rather, “privileges” in a harmonious and multi-racial country called Malaysia.  This last line in the anthem is repeated twice.  I am crystal clear now. What about you?

shaik rizal sulaiman

letter to the new PM

Dear (new) Mr. Prime Minister,

1. Malaysia is a blessed country. Despite it all, we have managed to live quite happily, peacefully, decently and if I may also say, without much hardship. But Malaysia needs a radical change and Malaysians are ready for this change. The “rakyat” demands this change as a matter of fact. What I mean by change is not necessarily a change of government but most importantly, a change in how the government is run and managed.  This challenge as the new Prime Minister is indeed a very big and responsible one for you. You must be our PM regardless of race, religion and party. Give politics a rest because it is not getting us anywhere in fact, it is regressing us.  We are politicizing everything and the culture and structure is such. We need to change this. As our new PM,  I hope and pray that when you assume office, you will focus on us the rakyat, in making these radical changes to “change” the way Malaysia has been governed in the last 52 years.  Change for the better. We need to transform Malaysia and you need to show us that you mean business. Not politics.

2. One good way to restore confidence in the rakyat is to focus clearly on what you want to achieve as our new PM. Let us in on your master plan for the country – short term, medium term and long term.  Tell us what your dreams and aspirations are and why it will be a dream that we can make our own. Your communication strategy is key and you must be able to make us work with you to bring Malaysia to the greatest height yet.  We want to be responsible and accountable just like you in this pursuit. It is time for a strong and willful action plan that will be executed in utmost transparency and accountability.  May I also add, to be executed in a creative win-win manner.  You must get the rakyat involved in your premiership. This is the only way you will get everyone regardless of political affiliation to support you. There is no reason not to.

3. Change the way your cabinet is structured and how it functions. Your appointed ministers are more often than not NOT professionals who are experts or knowledgeable in their own ministries. Lets call a spade a spade. I strongly suggest you create a private sector exco committee employed for every ministry comprising of reputable field experts and industry captains that will co-manage these ministries as if they were world class companies and organizations.  You need to energize government administration and get the civil service excited about this proposition.  Appoint a professional CEO representing the exco that will work with the Minister on the day to day operations. The Secretary General shall remain for the sake of the civil service.

4. Increase the salaries of Ministers to RM5-10 million per term of 5 years.  Give them a life that will make them more than comfortable and not seek opportunities for corrupt practices. It is far cheaper to pay the cabinet ministers 5m each or even 10m compared to all the money we could have saved from bad deals, bad decisions  and corrupt practices in the past. As crazy as this may sound, please see the merit of it.  Watch them (the ministers) like a hawk and there must be a special body that audits the KPIs of ministers and ministry performance. If they are found guilty of corruption, send them to jail. No compassion or political protection.  This would apply even to the Prime Minister himself.  Abolish the posts of Deputy Ministers. This is not the time to reward politicians with positions that does not carry any REAL power but instead, focus on bringing on board the best brains related to any particular Ministry. You must show the rakyat that you are a PM of change and the change is for Malaysia. These aspiring politicians must get back to basics in wanting to serve the rakyat without expecting any reward of perceived importance and power.   The more posts you have of perceived importance, the more intense the politics would be hence contributing to money politics.  Similarly, reduce the posts in the party and reduce the supreme council seats. The rakyat will support you because we can’t afford anymore financial leakages and sub-standard governance.  Yes I know this is too idealistic but the point is clear – leadership is by example and the cabinet leads by this principle.

5. Limit the tenure of every minister to 5 years only (1 election term) unless he or she is able to sustain the top 5 position in their respective parties then they can remain a cabinet minister.  With the role of a professional exco team in each ministry, there is less impact on the arrival or departures of ministers. The policies must be somewhat independent of the ministers and be more relevant to the objective of the ministry. We need to put a stop to this extreme change of regime (business, contracts, service provider etc) every time a ministry has a new minister. It is bad for business and overall stability.  Every politician’s main ambition is to rise to be a member of the cabinet. This way, many more will get the chance to become a minister in your cabinet and prove their worth. in the  time that they get.  Personally I feel this will help eradicate money politics in some way because merit will be judged and merit will always prevail. You can change the ministers every 5 years without the sensitivity of keeping any outdated cabinet member who has expired his or her benefit for the rakyat. The senior ministers shall be retained if they continue to be in the top 5 positions as decided by the respective political parties.  This will create a senior cabinet portfolio.  There is no substitute for MERIT.  It should be the thrust “branding” of your executive administration.

6. Create a shadow government for the Opposition. They may have contributions that your government can benefit from and this will create the biggest confidence in the rakyat. Why battle like small children when both parties can actually work together where applicable. They have good people too.  By doing this, you are also giving them a sense of importance which otherwise they will fight you for it.  Its just a shadow cabinet without any powers and we must never be afraid of our shadows.

7. Race unity is not very healthy currently. How do you address this issue so that we don’t see the bad of each race and instead work with the good of each race harmoniously? Does racial based politics help or make it worse? Are we ready for Barisan Nasional (or Barisan Rakyat for that matter) to be a single political party? If addressed properly I am sure a formula can be worked out.  Such a move will not alienate the need to protect or improve any particular race but more so, the betterment of all Malaysians. The individual parties within BN can still champion the goals and desires of their race, religion and culture in a subset form which is part of the bigger formula – A Bangsa Malaysia.  The Malays need not worry because UMNO will continue to fight and protect the Malay Supremacy. But the Malays must also showcase such “Supremacy”.  If either “Barisan” can successfully achieve this, then this would be the political platform Malaysians would go for.  Yes radical times call for radical measures.

8. Revamp the education system in entirety. We seriously worry for the future of our children in facing the global world if we do not prepare them for it now.  Where does our syllabus stand in competition with 1st world countries? How can we assess the current state of affairs? Our schools are in bad shape physically and such an environment will never promote a healthy growth of the mind. We even lack basic requirements that should make a school an education playground.  How many schools are equipped with a proper library or computers? How do we implement ICT in schools independent of supply contracts etc? The quality of teachers today are more that of administrators (and even politicians) as compared to before where teachers were a unique group of committed and dedicated individuals passionate in providing knowledge and wisdom.  You should extend the retirement of teachers to age 65 because they still have plenty in them to dispense beyond the current retirement age. Call back the older teachers who I believe are still from the “old school” of education as compared to the younger timid ones who treat it merely as a paying job. Perhaps the interaction between the 60′s year old teachers and these young 20-30′s year old rookies will create an overlap of style and wisdom. It is not too late. I left school about 20 years ago and my teachers then are very different from the teachers now.  Likewise the teachers during your time would be superior and different from my time.  But the point is that the quality is sliding downwards and we need to stop it.  A period of 20 years is not that long and we can still bridge the gap. Principals of great schools should not be administratively driven civil servants from the Ministry. In fact for selected schools, it would be wise to let an old boy or old girl to be the principal of their Alma Mater if they qualify.  This will ensure a continuous style of tradition that makes a good school a great school. My earlier article about the concept of a semi-private education system should also be considered seriously as this will elevate the standards of selected schools and give parents a choice. The issue about language should be addressed once and for all.  Lets not get emotional about national language but lets be practical about the childrens’ future.  If the world accepts English as a common language platform, then lets go for it!  How do we improve the standard of English in all schools in Malaysia? Employ up to 20,000 Indian nationals who master English as a language and make them English teachers in the rural schools.  This is a cheaper task compared to dreaming and waiting for our own TESL graduates (majority of them) to learn and be comfortable with the English language.  The syllabus and teaching system overhaul needs an independent commission to look at its new objectives.  We need to benchmark with proven success.  If foreign help is required, let’s get them too.  Lets not take this subject of education lightly because in this rapid world of change and globalization, we cannot afford to see our children the future generation left behind.  Currently, we seriously risk that.

9. Improve healthcare. I am not a doctor so I will not say much on this topic. But suffice to say that our public hospitals must start looking like a place where wellness is the paramount objective.  A 1st world country must have 1st world healthcare services and policies. Where are we with regards to this?  Please devise and revise a national healthcare policy for both the public and private sectors. Have a common insurance panel platform for economies of scale and efficiency.  Let us share this benefit so that as a big group, we reduce the burden of quality personal healthcare.  The government should also go into joint ventures with private sectors to build new and co-manage government hospitals.  We need smaller hospitals in more places.  “Budget” hospital proposals by the private sector should be greatly encouraged by the government and free land should be allocated for it.

10. As the new PM, you should take the bold step of completely changing the way the government spends its annual budget.  This is the most important aspect of change that you can bring about. We should not be adding a subtracting from a standard template anymore. Ask the rakyat what the priorities are?  Access current priorities without any bias.  Have independent consultation on this matter and make it transparent. A new Prime Minister must have different “wallet habits” from his or her predecessors.  Why follow what has been practiced in the past?  Be radical and show us that money will be well spent creatively, wisely and prudently.  We need better schools and hospitals instead of new palaces or new planes. Public facilities and infrastructure which benefits public directly like transportation must be improved.  We are not spending enough on public infrastructure.  Tax payers money must be spent on public benefit first. Government can work with private sectors even in areas that were predominantly the domain of government administration. My earlier article on a National Scholarship Fund is an example of this.

11. Revolutionize tender policies that can help to curb corruption by creating a “mothership” concept when allocating mega projects and even small tenders. Create a central National Project Management Unit (NPMU)  with sub-units focusing on below RM100m, 100-500m, 500-1b and above 1b projects awarded  regardless if direct tender or concession/PFI.  The government must be in its own right, an efficient project manager to avoid all the hazards of wasting money through improper awarding of projects and the implementation of it. The “mothership” concept promotes a joint effort turnkey implementation decided upfront which structures the many levels of service and product providers and with individual scope of work clearly spelled out. Direct contract awards are then given to each individual level of provider. Not forgetting NPMU must obtain the “best prices” for every job with a structured audit policy of quality and time performance. The NPMU must set clear criteria for all levels of contracts and manage the panel registration of ALL providers of service and products.  The NPMU must be a key corporatised  and independent government organization that will monitor all the government contracts regardless of the ministries it is awarded by. Award contracts, concession ideas, privatization ideas in a structured manner.  Make it clear what the different roles are between the promoter, expertise provider, financier and organizational partnership models.  Why should an individual promoter individual or company get the majority stake in major government contract awards?  Make it compulsory for promoters and expert partners to work in equity collaboration with a Government linked company, a recognized foundation and even a charity organization.  We are killing 2 birds with one stone here. Yes another crazy idea but if it works why not.

12. Key social and nation growth areas such as the arts, sports, heritage and culture should be independently run from the civil service. We are destroying these important nation building aspects by letting civil servants run their programs.  Each of this important pillars of nation building must be governed by an independent foundation assisted by government funds and subsidy.  Let passionate and knowledgeable personalities manage this organizations.  Government can provide special tax rebates to private sector companies that support these foundations in excess of a certain amount. Selected companies can also be asked to “adopt” a particular area of sports for example and if they can commit money to this particular sport and nurture its growth, the government should give them a tax deduction for the entire amount committed.  It is still tax payer’s money but because it is funded directly, chances are there will be more transparency in execution.  CIMB is a good example of being focused in supporting a particular sport like Squash.  But their commitment to the sport can go beyond what they are currently doing if there is a structured policy on this which supports it.  Likewise heritage preservation and the arts, it can be severely detrimental to let civil servants decide its overall policies.  Our National Art Gallery is a fine example of this lack of proper guidance and management.  It takes a different breed of people to run such organizations.  Even the National Art Gallery board is not representative of the desired group which one would expect to see.  Another example – The KLPac was founded and initiated by YTL and championed by 2 talented and passionate individuals  who have demonstrated what divine greatness private sector participation and guided passion can do.  If your win-win policy encourages YTL to do more for the arts than what it can afford to do now purely as a CSR project, then I am sure we can see success in these few areas thus realizing a hope in creating world class talents for Malaysia to showcase to the world.  Sometimes we need to address this “Ketuanan Malaysia” issue first.

13.  Create world class brands that compete globally.  Retail brands are often the benchmark of a nation’s  perceived success and consumer sophistication.  We must have our own Samsungs and Sonys if we want Malaysia to be a force in the consumer world market.  There are companies that have reached the level of success locally and government must devise an investment policy to take these companies out of Malaysia.  The Government should invest in the locally successful Secret Recipe or Habib Jewels and take them globally! If not, others will and there goes another Jimmy Choo that we can only talk about but not benefit from.  Khazanah, please take note.

To be continued in part 2.

shaik rizal sulaiman

fuel and fares

1.  Kudos to MAS for finally realizing that they cannot continue to ridiculously charge for fuel surcharge when the price of oil is below USD40 per barrel! I just hope that there won’t be any other special fee imposed after the removal of this fuel surcharge because we are not stupid.

2.  I notice that not all of 100% of the fuel surcharge is removed. Why is this? Excessive profit withdrawal symptoms?

3.  MAS must be competitive if they want to continue to stay relevant but no necessarily afloat. There are so many other airlines that offer far better competitive packages for the same type and class of travel and such competition is healthy. I took a MAS economy flight recently to Kota Bharu and paid RM691 for a return trip. I only got a glass of juice and a packet of nuts on board. I later found out that Firefly (100% subsidiary of MAS) flies to Kota Bharu from Subang and the average ticket price is only around RM300! I felt like a fool for assuming that there were no other alternatives. I wonder what would have been AirAsia’s fare that same day for the same route? If I was given a foot reflexology and a Shangri-La buffet meal on board for that RM691 i think I would not complain. We all have choices don’t we?

4.  Are the MAS ticket prices high in general or is it just high in Malaysia so that all government and government corporate related travel pays full overpriced fares? I find it hard to imagine that despite the premium high fares, some flights are still full. Is everyone paying the same fare?  I have heard before that the bundling of packages on MAS say from London to Sydney is cheaper than the London to KL flight but i have not confirmed this. With free booze on board its no wonder the Europeans choose to fly cheap on Malaysia Airlines! Their return on investment on booze alone in that long haul flight covers their fare cost! So if it is true then it is a sad state of affair because these passengers are not even coming to Malaysia as tourists.

5. An isolated example to prove my point – I just confirmed today with Malaysia Airlines 1-300-883000 that a business class return fare from Hanoi to London for March 15 travel is USD2406 which is approx RM8,400 per passenger! I then confirmed that a return trip business class from Kuala Lumpur to London is about RM23,000! This is true.

6.  The appalling fact here is, it is the SAME plane from Hanoi that comes to Kuala Lumpur on route to London! Logically speaking the extra distance from KL to Hanoi and vice versa should make the fare more expensive than RM23,000! If we are using logic that is. If we are not using logic, then i stand to be corrected.

7.  Are we Malaysians subsidizing the world market to ensure MAS flights are not empty? I can accept discounts for travel from other countries but RM8,000 to RM23,000 is a big “makes no sense” commercial gap! How is the pricing and bundling policy executed and audited at Malaysia Airlines?

8. On both counts, MAS has committed a serious social crime. One is to the Malaysian People for overcharging all of us so that the rest of the world can travel cheaply. And secondly, to the shareholders of MAS for commercially and purposely creating an opportunity revenue loss!

9. I think all Malaysians who want to fly business class to London please book your ticket on the internet for a Hanoi-London route and pay the rate on the internet of RM8400.

10.  Then take AirAsia from LCCT to Hanoi if you are lucky for RM99 per way (you only need a one way ticket because on the way back you can get off at KLIA without proceeding onwards to Hanoi! if without luggage that is)

11. This finally solves how Tony’s AirAsia can now strategically collaborate with Malaysia Airlines for the optimal benefit of all Malaysians!

are you sleeping?

Of  late I have been having trouble sleeping well at night due to reasons which I myself am not able to explain nor comprehend. It is now 5am and with only 5 hours sleep earlier I am now wide awake! My body is tired from the daily activities and it needs the much required rest but my mind is still active so even when I do sleep, very rarely do I enjoy a fulfilling rest. I wonder why I think too much and why I even bother to. Some of the reasons as to why I don’t enjoy a good night’s rest are the following :

1. I think my age and body is going through this process of change where the type of mattress and pillows have suddenly become important. I must be getting old! I have been in a divine search for the perfect mattress trying every model and brand hoping to find the perfect one soon. Perfect here means the optimal balance between care, comfort and price! Plus something that both me and wife can agree on. Marketing is the root of all evil.

2. I wonder why and how the Israelis can justify what they are doing in Gaza. Even animals won’t do this.

3. It saddens me to think that this new wind of change in Malaysian politics may well be standing on the wrong footing. People want change not necessarily because they want the new change but perhaps they want the old to change. But the process and result is the same hence the wrong footing. The people power now play an integral role in government and governance but do the politicians realize this? I refer to the blog “ninitalk” which talks about the demise of BN & UMNO post the KT by-election and it saddens me to think that the end might be near as described. How can an institution of more than 50 years be in the state that it is in now? Even the Malays are rejecting the institution that fought for their role in Malaysia. What happened? Maybe 50 years is indeed too long and perhaps the “RAHMAN” prophecy will end with N? Or will N bring about a new prophecy and hope moving forward? It saddens me because despite all the setbacks and writings on the wall, very few leaders recognize the need for a serious overhaul of the institution while many are just embracing more tightly the culture of corrupted arrogance and selfishness even as the ship sinks.  The mission is only about them disguised as a fight for their race. To these groups of people I beg for all of you to realize that the end could be nearer than you think and it’s not because the people want the alternative. It is a situation of anything but you! Frankly I worry for my Malaysia because we have been a contented nation for the last 45 years and I doubt we are ready to see such change we think we are emotionally ready for.

4. I want the best education for my daughter and I wonder if the local education system is good enough for her? It was good enough for me then but the world has changed so will it be good enough for her? A good education in my opinion is not about the 9,10 or even 20A’s.  I don’t wish for her to obtain all that and still be an “average” human being with average thinking and prejudices and with no positive role in society. I want my Ariadna to be passionate about seeking knowledge to expand her mind and expose herself to positive traits that will make her a better person. Will she have good teachers that are passionate about teaching these invaluable knowledge having experienced it themselves? Will she learn to excel in her exams or to excel in her life? Will she be exposed to other cultures and civilizations only to be contented with her own? I can’t sleep well worrying about her future.

5. At the back of my mind I may be awake because I fear for the safety of my family. When I go to sleep at night, I pray that crime does not find its way to our home. With all the horror crime stories that we hear happening to society today, how can we sleep peacefully at night or for that matter even as we go through the day? Lately I worry about this more. All the cameras and security in the house still can’t give me a peaceful sleep at night. What can Malaysia do about this?

6. I worry about the current economy in Malaysia. We seem to be denying everything until it comes knocking at our door. Recession is already here and i suspect it will be worst than the ones we had in 1987 and 1998 we just don’t know it yet.  We do not have a strong domestic economy which can sustain us through this period with minimal impact (on hindsight this is why we need 70m people! economically viable ones!) and it worries me how  local businesses will suffer. It does not help that while stimulus policies are to be implemented, the intense raping of the national coffers continue to prevail. I just pray that we have a new Prime Minister that can successfully see us all through this difficult times and take us to a prosperous level again very soon.

7. My Chinese and Indian friends probably cannot sleep well at nights too these days thinking that one day the racial tension bubble might burst. We don’t need to worry about such things and we don’t want to see this happen. We are kidding ourselves if we think that all are ok. Politicians beware! Don’t play with fire. I hope my new Prime Minister will make Malaysia good again where we will love each other as Malaysians respecting each and every role we each have in this blessed society.  Now you know why I want my daughter to have the best education!

8. I wonder if we will ever see a total overhaul of our annual budget? Can we change the way we spend our money for the people considering that traditional ways of spending no longer keep up with the changes in the world? Can we spend the money in ways that directly contribute to the nation’s progress as opposed to the progress of politics? Can we get help on a systematic way for Malaysia to carefully allocate its resources strategically and auditing the processess and results for proper governance? I would be happy if the government asks the rakyat how best to spend the money as a format for national discussion.

9. As I reach my 37 years of age this year, I realize that I can no longer be idealistic about my values, my expectations, my aspirations, my government and my friends. I just have to take the best out of what I have and hopefully it is more than the bad that comes with it.

10. I need more holidays so that my mind will want to sleep and rest more but all of the 9 issues above will come haunting back almost instantly the moment my AirAsia touches down in Labu!

shaik rizal sulaiman

can the boycott work?

1. I have received so many sms’s and emails asking to boycott American products as well as products of companies that support or give money to Israel.

2. A whole list of products and companies were highlighted. I have my doubts if such a move will tell the Americans anything because the majority of the people I think would not really care. Yes they would forward the sms’s and emails but to actually boycott? How many of us would take the great challenge to do away with products or services that has been part of our daily lives?

3. It would be good if cohesively all of us 5 billion people make such a move but this would never happen. Even if 10% of us decide to do so, for how long can we sustain it and what would the real impact be?

4. The American economy and industries affects most nations in some way or another. A consumer type boycott is fashionable and perhaps the most emotional form of disagreement. I agree that we should all still attempt to do it in whatever little way we can but let’s try to address the real issue.

5. I think what would really work is for the UN to call at least 80-90% of all world leaders together and all of them collectively give a single voice warning to Israel and America that if they do not stop what they are doing to the Palestinians civilians in Gaza, the world will collectively and urgently take drastic actions against these 2 countries.

6. Will this happen? Who can gather and undertake such a mammoth task? If someone can do this, then i think such a move will make both Israel and America realize that what they are doing is wrong and that they should stop it.

7. Then i believe terrorism will cease to exist. It’s all an action and reaction activity dating back to god knows when. I strongly believe that the root of global terrorism is directly linked to these 2 countries.

8. Who shall be that one person or one nation that can command such a collective decision? One thing for sure it is not the United Nations! They have failed to be our voice no matter how hard they try.

Where is this “cowboy” that we have all been waiting for? Enough is enough.

shaik rizal sulaiman

school toilet revolution

1. There are 9825 schools in Malaysia (both primary and secondary) with a total of approx 5,464,751 students (sources from Ministry of Education as of Jan 30, 2008 )

2. Each school I would imagine to have an average of 2 toilets each for boys and girls which totals 4 per school, and in some cases another one for teachers. So we can assume here that we are talking about approximately 50,000 toilets all in all.

3. Hygiene is something that the Malaysian schools take very lightly and no matter what is printed in the school books about hygiene education, the reality is that almost all toilets in schools are in such a disgustingly dirty and “last” world condition.  It’s current state is a haven for germs and bacterias.

4. Yours truly went to primary and secondary schools in the city and I would even say that these schools are some of the top schools in the country but despite the glowing list of alumni they produce, their toilets reflect a state of disaster literally. Why is it like this? I dread to imagine school toilets in rural areas or smaller towns!

5. The reason why public toilets (even in the best buildings in town such as the KLCC and KLIA) are dirty, smelly and guaranteed unhygienic is probably due to the fact that when we were small and easily impressionable, we grew up with dirty toilets in school. We expect toilets at home to be clean but when it comes to the toilets in school, it would be a miracle if it was just 30% clean. Why?

6. Does the Ministry allocate a budget for overall cleaning and hygiene maintenance in all the 9825 schools? If so, how much spent annually per school? Is it executed through cleaning contracts or does the responsibility lie squarely on the respective school itself?

7. How can we overcome this lifelong problem on shameful school toilets? Do we expect students to clean it? I remember most of us had to do this in school one time or another (some more than others!) and i think it is unacceptable. Not because we should not learn the discipline of cleaning toilets BUT to expose children to a high grade of unhygienic and disease prone surroundings are just as good as committing a crime!

8. If the Ministry of Education can propose in the next budget for an international (proven) hygiene cum cleaning company to undertake the revolutionized makeover of each toilet on a maximum budget of RM10,000 per toilet x 50,000 toilets amounting to a total cost of RM500m where the Govt would only spend 50% of that budget from its coffers and the balance RM250m is borne in part by the Parents Teacher’s Association PTA (say RM2,000 per toilet) and the remaining by the chosen international company (provided they agree!) and compensated by a long term cleaning contract of up to 20-30 years at RM10,000-15,000 average per year per school PERHAPS. I am just making very simple financial assumptions because my point is not on the contract details but more so, the urgent need to address the toilet cleanliness and hygiene issue in schools the most efficient and innovative way.

9. This results in a Govt OPEX spending of RM100m per year for all 9825 schools. For that international company undertaking this “concession”, even though RM100m sounds like a staggering amount to most of us, it is not even sufficient to cover the cost at all! The RM10,000 (approx RM833/mth per school) would have only resulted in approx RM166 per month per toilet!

10. How do we make up for the “below cost” situation and upfront CAPEX capital on their part? Even if the Govt can spend the entire amount to “overhaul” toilets in schools, it should never award via tender to local companies. This is one case where economies of scale will really help. And the highest level of cleaning services cannot be compromised. The sheer volume of usage in schools require a hardcore maintenance policy and not the current once a week or every two weeks cleaning (i am assuming).

11. The Govt should take the bold move of allowing “progressive advertising” in toilets. 50,000 spaces with a captive reach of approx 5.5m should interest a large number of advertisers who see children as their prime target market. And the concept of advertising here can be somewhat flexible and interactive in the sense that it can change according to message offering (to reflect the timing it appears), focused subject matters and also territorial mix (to reflect different target markets) praying very hard to not be subjected to vandalism!

12. What do i mean by progressive advertising? I am sure many here are already saying “we cannot allow commercialism in schools” but i beg to differ. Whether we allow it or not, children these days are exposed to all types of advertising and commercial propaganda outside of the school. Even school busses today outsource their space to advertisers. So why not exploit it for the good of the students? At least in a systematic and controlled way, we can censor what is marketed. Progressive advertising here need not mean “buy bubblegum” or “come play the latest sony play station” but rather, we can have advertisers that promote elements of health, self help, educational activities, leisure etc. Banks can start their mind share efforts in educating children to save, media/tv stations can promote educational and scientific programs, colleges can promote courses and career choices post school and many more benefiting type approaches.  Guidelines can be set, audited and monitored.

13. The reason is simple. We expect a proven international company to renovate the toilets to certain minimum standard of cleanliness with modern facilities at partly their own cost (so that Govt saves money and need not waste through “con” tenders by local contractors etc) and also to MAINTAIN the toilets at a minimal fee. So we need to compensate it by allowing additional revenue streams to supplement and complement it.  Media companies  can pay rent to the toilet concession holder or go on revenue sharing.

14. If implemented properly, we can smartly assume that toilets will actually start looking bright and nice, clean and modern. Most importantly, toilets would be working and hygiene would have improved by 10 million percent!

15. To be a developed country, Malaysia must also take into account little important things like this. God knows if this simple idea will work but i just want to tickle your mind and get everyone to start thinking outside the box. A progressive Malaysia moving forward must do away with stale old ways and start adopting creative “crazy” ideas that are practical and win-win.  I am all for clean toilets. All those who agree please stand up!

shaik rizal

a national education fund?

1. Imagine 200 top companies in Malaysia given a tax deduction rebate of RM5-10million each by the Government for a direct contribution to a newly set up “National Education Fund” focusing on various scholarship programs for Malaysian students embarking on tertiary education. RM5million is just a benchmark proposal and it can vary.

2. Imagine the government topping up 1 to 1 for every RM raised annually for this fund. We will see approximately RM2-4billion or more per year in a fund that can benefit thousands of deserving young malaysians more effectively.

3. The existing scholarship programs by the selective govt agencies and private corporations should be merged into this proposed National Education Fund Corp (NEFC) for an efficient and focused management of value adding malaysian students’ higher education pursuit. NEFC in addition to its financial role, should also be positioned as an independent resource institution that integrates a full model of academic excellence through collaboration and joint programs with the best known universities globally.  This would value add the career matching and placement objective of prospect Malaysian students for a better Malaysia

4. A quota system can be implemented as a general policy for the general type of basic tertiary requirements (according to racial percentages may be seen as the most effective and fair way) but for the “special” top university and post graduate programs, NEFC must search for the “towering malaysian” regardless of race and religion.

5. NEFC can also spin off a unit to manage student aid requirements (as a percentage of the fund) for primary and secondary students in need of financial assistance. There should be a regional type task force that would micro manage such programs.

6. NEFC given its aggregrate strength as an organization focused on higher/tertiary education, should be able to attract the best brains to run the business with the advisory help of accomplished educationists so that the proposed RM2-4billion or more per year is fully utilized to its best potential. There should be a transparent audit on how the money is and should be spent. It is after all at the expense of tax revenue money.

7. NEFC should have representation in its advisory council existing corporations that are active in scholarship programs such as Petronas, Bank Negara, Telekom, Sime Darby, Shell etc as well as relevant govt reps BUT the management of NEFC should be left to the professionals. They are assisted by the academics to a certain extent and their KPI is the effective number of students placed and graduated. The Ministry of Education should play an advisory role only.

8. NEFC can also adopt a loan system for local university placement to applicants that fall below the mark.  Local placement need not be local govt universities only but also selected panel of private universities and colleges that are accredited.

9. NEFC can colloborate with a panel of local banks for this “organized” education loan funding by creating a shared loan product with some minimal guarantee from the govt so as to ensure a low “token” interest rate like only 3% per annum over a loan period of 10 years payable post graduation.

10. Lastly, parents who decide to spend their own funds to pursue the tertiary educational pursuit of their children locally or abroad should be given a tax deduction of up to RM50,000 per child per year. The government should appreciate their effort in the same spirit that they tax incentivise the participating corporations. After all the total amount in mention is not that exhorbitant. Parents who are serious about giving the best education to their children should be compensated.

In short, this proposal does not aim to dent the government by taking away its tax income because there is a budget for scholarships annually anyway. But more importantly, this proposal aims at creating a more effective, efficient, direct and transparent way of “managing” this honorable policy of educating malaysians for the future.

Just a thought to tickle yr mind…

shaik rizal

semi private govt school?

Do you think that if parents had to pay RM100 per child per month in this proposed “semi private govt school”, there will be an uproar by the public? a march protest by umno, mca and mic youth walking down putrajaya?

I am being practical here. If we assume each class has an average of 30 students and there are 6 classes per year, we can expect a school to have an average of 1500-2000 students for both sessions. At RM100 per student, the school will collect approximately RM2.5m per year! The Ministry will still cover all teacher salaries and infrastructure costs related to development and existing budget for maintenance and support.

Not all schools will and should be transformed into this semi private concept and perhaps a ratio of 1 out of 20 schools only should adopt this system so parents have a choice. For parents who think that RM100 is too much for a decent education environment for their children and that their government must do everything, then they can opt for the normal schools. We all have a choice.

What will these semi private schools offer that is different? here are some ideas:

1. A more comfortable teaching environment – renovated air conditioned classrooms with better furniture and teaching equipments

2. Additional qualified teachers/professionals for sports, performing arts, music, language etc

3. A fully equipped wireless internet technology center with latest PCs for “real” learning by “real” technology experts

4. A better cafeteria with a standardized menu and central kitchen outsourced to a known entity like Secret Recipe! and a swimming pool because Malaysian kids must learn how to swim

5. Additional subjects that value add the current “one size fits all” syllabus and introduce knowledge such as world history, communications, foreign language etc

6. An advisory teaching panel of retired prominent teachers on a consulting type fee arrangement to guide, motivate and encourage the current batch of young teachers supplied by the MOE. Perhaps also teach them English as a 2nd and survival language!

7. Organize outside speakers to come and talk to the children on various knowledge subject matters. Can negotiate a package deal for nearby regional schools!

8. Build a proper library and employ a librarian (have we ever seen a school in Malaysia with a proper library?)

9. Build a simple clinic in the school premise with 1 nurse on full time employment with a standby doctor (private clinic) covering at least 5 schools in the same region

10. Open the schools at nights and weekends for free general tutorials and to encourage group study time and extra curricular activities if need be. The school should be the focal point for student interaction so they avoid wasting time hanging out at shopping malls etc

As crazy as this idea may sound, I think it is something worthwhile thinking about and definately needs fine tuning. However, lets set up an Education Advisory Council consisting of top notch proven educationists and strategist (not the MOE) to develop a better primary and secondary schooling concept for Malaysia. Hopefully they will have time to look at the syllabus overhaul too. But that story is for another time!

SRS

50 days

When i was told that this book was finally out, i searched at a few places but none of the big stores had it surprisingly. Distributors still celebrating the festive holidays i guess!

The author, Dato Marina Mahathir was also helping me to locate stores that had it and finally on friday evening i found it at Pustaka Bangsar in Lucky Gardens of all the places!

This book details the 50 days when our beloved Tun Mahathir was in IJN last year for his 2nd heart bypass operation in the eyes of his daughter Marina. Heartwarming and touching. I recommend it to anyone who appreciates family bonding or those who have gone through a similar experience. We often take for granted what the family goes through during such an ordeal. In the case of Tun, it was not just another medical procedure and this book shows how miraculously he survived the operation at age 83 and recovered after that.

Congratulations Kak Marina… your dad should be very proud of you!

srs

first day of school

After such a long holiday filled with festivities, kids go back to school today.  My daughter Ariadna is already in standard 4 and we just cant believe how fast time flies. It only seems like yesterday my dragon baby was born in 2000. Children grow up very fast these days but i wonder if our education system catches up with them.

Papa wishes you well my dear princess and make sure you do well this year! My love and kisses to Eznyeta and Aminah and its a good thing your 2 bestfriends are still in the same class.

Have a good year to all the school going children of Malaysia!

malay rights – part 2

Malays Must Take Responsibilities

Published in malaysiakini October 15, 2008

I am glad that my first article “Malay Rights – A Mystical Myth?” was posted by Malaysiakini ( June 23, 2008 ) and subsequently I found many blogs who “borrowed” this article and posted it on their own site as an interesting topic for sharing. I am touched that my writing debut has been well received with many positive comments although I have seen some negative comments posted too. Well I would like to think that even I should allow such democracy! As happy as I am about this writing debut, it also worries me that some quarters are using it to prove their own unheard point. And considering that a Malay man wrote this article, it became a much talked about piece.

This is why I feel the need to write the 2^nd part of this article because I may have been misunderstood in some ways in the earlier one. Perhaps my point was not very clear. Perhaps my sarcasm was out of context and perhaps I was not compassionate enough. I am not an anti Malay or whatever privileges that the Malays are entitled to. I just feel that the Malays are “running on the spot” in its endeavor of being privileged. What are we fighting for when we say Malay Rights? What rights do we want? Do we even know what we want?

I am not oblivious of the fact that the disparity between the urban Malays vs the rural Malays can be quite diverse. But this disparity is also the same for the Chinese and Indians varying only in the degree of it. So it is fair to say then that the rural life standards in Malaysia for all races are very different from their urban counterparts. So where would Malay rights play a role here? If the Chinese and the Indians in the villages and small towns can make it, what about the Malays then? The support vs the sustain system is indeed a paradox because one does not seem to compliment the other. We continue to have subsidies favoring one race while supplies are being controlled by another race! So who is helping who at the expense of whom?

I stand to be misunderstood again here when I say this but the point I am trying to make is that the objective of a good government is to balance the economic and wealth distribution of their people and hence the NEP was created to “attempt” to eradicate the poverty among the Malays. Perhaps at that time it was much needed because Malaysia would not be what it is today if those poverty issues were not addressed then. But did the NEP achieve its objectives? When we define “rights” to me, it simply means that each and every Malay must be able to have it. If we want to think that this country belongs only to the Malays, then practice the policy of “rights” in the true sense of the word… give every Malay a scholarship regardless, give every Malay a job regardless, give every Malay a home regardless, give every Malay subsidies, give every Malay the opportunity to own Malaysia Airlines! Right?

Yes, the Malays are the dominant political force in Malaysia but we need to audit the progress of our race vs the policies implemented to help us. It is this audit that will slowly change the concept of Malay Rights to a progressive “pseudo affirmative action” type policy to eradicate the wealth and economic disparity among the races and not just the Malays. We the Malays need to move on with the times too. Why are we scared to face the world naked like everybody else? We should not feel insecure. What is the point of obtaining a contract to only pass it on to non-Malays to implement it? The bigger pie lies in the award of the contract or the execution of the contract? This is why we can never control the supply base economy because we don’t directly use it. And since when does strong affinity with a political party ensure government contracts regardless of merit and credibility?

I am of the opinion that the BEST way for the Malays to succeed moving forward is to make the arena more competitive. Assign policies in accordance to the percentages of the races in the country and with affirmative action, assign a premium to these percentages to reflect the need to elevate any particular race that needs to “catch up”. Assigning a premium would mean to reduce the pie elsewhere so this concept would create a harmonious balance. The Malays by the mere fact that it is the biggest race will automatically receive the biggest attention and allocation of this new policy without depriving the Chinese and the Indians of what they deserve. This distribution based on race percentages is perhaps the most transparent any government can achieve and we all can agree up front what is the premium percentage we add to it as a catalyst for the “catch up” effort. If we agree then no one should debate it anymore and we all must live in harmony forever after! Politics would be better organized too!

Maybe I am being too simplistic in my approach but I am not here to create or implement policies. I just want to drive home a strong message. The Malays must take the responsibilities that come with power and create wealth in the true sense of the word. The concept of wealth creation is a noble policy. Creating wealth is not just simply making money, worst still making a fast buck. Politics and economics should complement each other and not at the expense of one another. Strategic creation of wealth leads to a successful developed nation and not individuals.

The culture of racial based politics is no longer desired by Malaysians because while we are thought to live in a multiracial country in peace and harmony, the political and economy structure tells us otherwise. This paradox will always create “flammable conflict” and it is this hidden racial sentiment that is more dangerous than the explicit racialism that we all often describe. For as long as politics in Malaysia is racial based, there will always be a racist in all of us. Only the degree of it makes us different from one another. Let’s accept this fact and face the reality.

Malay rights must “right the Malays” in more ways than just what the policy can provide. Government can only do so much. A weak government can do nothing. It is so easy to start a racial tension in this country and the biasness is getting obvious by the day. If we really want to help the Malays then let’s focus on putting the Malays on a level playing field first. Make sure the Malays are educated up to tertiary level. The less fortunate ones should be given vocational or technical training. We must develop survival skills so that we know how to feed ourselves. If need be, provide loans in ways that would help raise the competence level of the Malay entrepreneur and not just disburse money for the sake of fulfilling a promised UMNO policy. For every RM1 to be given out, let the Malays have 60% of it. The other races should have access to the balance 40%. But after that, we must all swim and sink together. Once a level playing field is created, then only sheer hard work, dedication, merit and God can help us! This is why only the best do well.

Ownerships of national assets should not be given to handpicked individuals. Professional managers should be given a chance to own these assets in management groups and encourage spin offs either from existing or new business models that is grown successfully from the main “jewel” organization. Let them be tested first and they should be disciplined enough to be focus in that one particular industry or business. Expand the “mother ship” and not try to own the kingdom! This way at least we stand a chance to see Malaysian companies compete globally like the Samsungs of this world. Only then can we see a bigger number of carefully trained and experienced groups of people owning a piece of the economy. Politics should be independent of it! I would go further and say that these groups should not predominantly be of a single race. If an opportunity such as this is given, then let’s encourage common shareholding. Who leads is a different matter. It may be wishful thinking but why make it so easy when such a great opportunity is given? Let the best man win.

Affirmative action should aim to create balance and equilibrium in the economic standing of every group and not antagonize or steal what generally belongs to the common people. The policies may have had a good objective and by all means if the objective has to be met, then continue it but the problem lies in the execution of it, the politics of it, the arrogance of it. The Malays can govern this country but let’s be fair to every Malaysian. Let’s work in a harmoniously led policy that benefits everyone.

The “Malay Rights” cause is no longer relevant in my opinion because the execution of the policy does not even support all Malays. Forget about it being a fair policy to all Malaysians, it is not even fair to most Malays. We need to fine tune it, to uphold the true substance of it for the good of everyone and for Malaysia to truly prosper as a developed country. If we as a country can be a model to the world why can’t we be a model to ourselves? As I had strongly said in my last article, I do not want to see my Malay race be artificially powerful. I do not want my Malay race to “run on the spot” for the next 50 years. We must be hungry for true success that no one can take away from us. By all means educate us to the best of our ability so that we can stand on our own two feet to face all of world’s challenges. So that we can be the “towering” Malaysian known globally.

We need to revolutionize our minds and thought process with education, expertise and passionate knowledge. We have to change. We may not see the benefits in our life time but god willing we will create a good platform for our future children to be truly successful in whatever they aim to do. Such noble aspirations deserve serious attention. God willing it will.

shaik rizal sulaiman

malay rights – part 1

Malay Rights – A Mystical Myth

Published in malaysiakini June 23, 2008

The very “need” for transparency, openness and tolerance in its current practice in Malaysia today defeats the divine “efforts” of preserving and championing Malay rights and Bumiputera privileges we all are disillusioned to believe is the right way of life for us Malays today, and in the last 50 years. The Malays are “technically” in power governing the country but it is also this same controlling group that demands the rights for correcting economic imbalance and disparity for its race. It is indeed a very unique situation unlike in other countries where the “majority” politically controlling group promotes similar type affirmative action as a policy to elevate the lives of the minority. So what does this say about the “majority governing” Malay race for the last 50 years?

I dare say that most mature Malaysians (regardless of race) would like to see opportunities be spread amongst those who deserve it on meritocracy. We do not need the keris anymore to tell others to be careful of what they say and do because in the survival of the fittest, the “Keris” is of very little relevance! If we continue to hide under the Bumiputera “tempurung” as most Malays have been in the last 50 years or more, the catch up game will just get harder and hence, making the gap wider. If we continue to expect without earning it, we will never learn how to be a race that succeeds on merit. There is no substitute for merit.

The Malay politicians continue to shout about Malay rights and bumiputera rights because the very nature of our local politics is sadly racial base. Politics promote this racialist agenda going against the principle of the much talked about “Bangsa Malaysia”. This paradox, funny enough has been the silent policy for the last 50 years. In this day and age, a great nation is built upon joint success stories, meritocracy and combined hard work amongst its people without any fear or favor for racial based politics governing our daily policies.

I am a Malay (in its simplest definition!) and I belong to the post Merdeka generation and as much as I love the “idea” that Malaysia is “tanah tumpahnya darah orang melayu”, I can’t help but to also feel that this country is for all Malaysians alike including the Chongs, the Kumars, the Xaviers, the Kaurs etc who were born on the same day in the same hospital as me here in Malaysia. Yes, the Malays should be privileged in some ways but if we feel that we deserve this country more than the rest, then we should have shown them a long time ago that we deserve the “controlling all” status. We have to earn it.

The Malay rights policies failed because the very concept of Malay rights or the NEP/DEB is like a double edge sword, on one hand it aims to eradicate wealth disparity but on the other, it has made the Malays oblivious of what reality is. Our success is only reflected in the “perceived” political power which today can collapse in matter of minutes. It is true that the rural Malays are still far behind but the NEP has not and will not do much for these groups if it continues to be implemented in its current manner. Have we ever wondered how the non-Malay rural folks fare and survive their lives?

Personally, I would also like to see my children succeed in their country Malaysia for reasons that true success should be based upon, which is merit and hard work, not because they are Malays or “loosely defined” Bumiputeras. For as long as the Malays don’t see this, there is very little point in fighting the Malay rights. It just makes us lot look more ridiculous and helpless over time. We have taken this notion of being privileged a bit too literal in that it now simply means we want this country and its fruits all to ourselves without accepting the responsibilities that come with it.

The Malay politicians contribute to these problems because they want to only fight the cause without strategizing the true substance and need of the cause. They fight this cause only on the surface because in a racial based political system, such crude ways wins the votes. What do they really hope to achieve? Or shall I say… abuse? We have been given fish all the while under the pretext of being thought how to fish.

It’s funny how 2 different generations can be so diverse in their thinking and the recent elections proved just that. We are not only concerned with rising racial problems but more so the never ending Malay agenda issues! In the last general elections, the so called common goals are no longer common. The Rakyat has spoken loud and clear and such maturity shows the intense need for a common Malaysian society, the concept of Bangsa Malaysia.

The landscape has drastically changed much to the shock of current policy makers but is this change welcomed? Is it good? The answer is NO because we the Malays were caught with our pants down… we are still not ready to compete on any level playing field (we can’t even compete on advantageous grounds!) and even with 3 or 5 more continuing policies of Malay rights/bumiputera privileges over the next 50 years will still put us exactly in the same position we are in today. We would be running on the spot! The truth hurts and the truth will always prevail. And the truth of what’s to come will not go away.

I am cynical perhaps because personally I feel that the fight for Malay rights is not relevant anymore. The right to be safe, to be treated fairly, to have world class healthcare & education, to enjoy competitive prosperity, to have good governance, to live in a clean and healthy environment and to be free of war is what I want for my Malaysia. Not for my Malay race to be artificially powerful. If we want the Malays to fail, then by all means continue the fight for Malay rights. Go and polish your Keris!

shaik rizal sulaiman

big welcome to the world!

Welcome to the cowboy malaysia blog!

It was my 2009 new year’s resolution to start blogging and i hope to amuse all of you with my rantings about everyday life in Malaysia specifically. I will start off by posting the 2 controversial articles i had written a few months ago which was published in malaysiakini.com titled “malay rights – a mystical myth”.