Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Subsidy :The Pro and Contra of it.

Malaysia: Subsidies or Bankruptcy?
MALAY MAIL
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 17:50:00
Dear Editor,

It was reported that subsidy cuts will be implemented from this month. The objective was to avoid bankruptcy due to accumulative debt caused by the subsidies. If not implemented immediately, the dooms day was predicted in 2019. If implemented now, a saving of RM103 billion within 5 years (2015) was forecasted.



The proposed cuts cover petrol, food items (sugar, flour and cooking oil), gas, toll rates, health care and education.



The intention is undoubtedly noble. Nobody wants the country goes to the drain. Therefore the subsidy schemes, currently stood at RM74 billion, should be revisited as they are largely expropriated by the undeserving rich people and big businesses. But the schemes ought to be continued for the deserving bottom 40percent whose monthly household incomes are below RM2,129.



But did Datuk Seri Idris Jala prudently choose the right word 'bankruptcy' and harshly put all the blame on subsidies? Does the mounting debt can only be tackled by cutting the subsidies? Did he give the government a comprehensive landscape and, hence, the right signal?



The sacred duty of any responsible government is to provide a better standard of living for its rakyat on a sustainable time frame. It should be achieved through prudent management of the economy. And 'prudent' does not necessarily means a balanced budget ALL the time.



The strengths (or weaknesses) of the government in managing the country's economy are measured by a few (basket of) indicators such as fiscal deficit, magnitude of debt, external debt service ratio and saving-investment gap.



The worst managed economy in the world is the US with debilitating budget, trade and balance of payments deficits. In the case of Malaysia, apart from a short period in the mid-1990s, the government has always run a fiscal deficit but nowhere close to that of the US. In fact, the government has managed to tame the fiscal deficit to 5.6 percent (as a percentage of GDP) in 2010, down from 7.4 percent in 2009.



At 5.6 percent, it is about half of that of UK's and Spain's and much lower than what Malaysia used to experience. In early 1980s, our fiscal deficit used to be at around 14 percent. And at the current rate the Prime Minister is driving the economy (10.1percent growth in first quarter), this year's GNP could be significantly above the target of RM499,690 million. Hence, the deficit in percentage terms would be reduced further.



Regarding the national debt that Idris was referring to, one has to look at its magnitude as well. It is normally measured as a percentage of GNP. In 2009, Malaysia's debt was 34.7 percent; about a fifth of what Japan is facing (192 percent) and 30 percent of Singapore (118 percent). Belgium and Italy used to experience about 180 percent.



Our country highest national debt ratio was in mid 1980s, at around 70 percent. What must be commended is that over the past few years, the Treasury has managed to pay almost all our foreign borrowings. This positive situation gives the government ample space to focus on tackling domestic borrowings which stood at RM321.5 billion in 2009; the lion share was government securities which constitute 7.1percent. It is important to note that domestic borrowings have negligible risk of impacting our foreign reserves. As at 14 May 2010 2010, it was RM314.2 billion and it can finance 8.3 months of retained imports.



Borrowing is one part of the equation; ability to pay is the other part. The later is normally measured in terms of external debt service ratio. In 2009, our debt service ratio stood at 6.5 percent; admittedly higher than the 2.6 percent recorded in the previous year.



Nevertheless, there is no reason to panic since our exports have shown a significant rebound of 31 percent during the first quarter this year. If the trend continues as forecasted, the percentage will definitely move south.



Additionally, by convention, the threshold is 20 percent; hence, we are much below that psychological line. Our worst case scenario was in 1986, when we had to service the debt at 18.9 percent.



Lastly let us look at the investment-saving gap. In 2009, our surplus was RM91.8 billion or 13.5 percent of GNP. It was higher than Germany's 10 percent saving rate, the biggest economy in the Euro Zone. Admittedly, it was lower than 2008 (18.1 percent). However, the surplus provided ample liquidity to finance domestic economic activities.



In terms of gross national savings, it was still at a comfortable level of 31.3 percent, albeit, 6.6 percentage point below the 2008 level. However, due to potentially strong economic recovery, it is projected that the savings will rebound to around 35 percent this year.



The above basket of economic indicators showed that Malaysia's economic structure is much stronger than it was in the 1980s and is comparatively better than some of those countries. Combined with its prudent and accomodative fiscal and monetary policies, the risk of being bankrupt is quite remote.



Such a possibility is further reduced when the government broadens its tax base through the introduction of GST and aggressively implementing high valued added economic paradigm. The resultant outcomes would be more taxable income and a wider taxable base.



Idris should also realise that our GDP can improve, and hence government revenue will rise, if corruption is effectively reduced. Leakages and evaporation will stop.



Additionally, a study showed that an increase of one point in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) will attract FDI which is equivalent to 0.5percent of the GDP and pushed up the average income by 4 percent. Indeed the rakyat will benefit since the government is seen to be committed to fight corruption. The government revenue will increase accordingly.



Going back to subsidies cuts, before they are implemented, Idris should be reminded that the major economic factor contributed to the Alliance's big loss in 1969 was high unemployment rate (more than 8 percent). The main contributing economic factor to the 2008 political tsunami was inflation (5.4 percent).



Therefore, I believe the withdrawal plan would be judiciously implemented; less it may cost a government. Idris may win the battle (cut subsidies) but will lose the war (general election). From the violent reaction, I suspect Idris will be more tactful and politically sensitive in future.



He should have 100 percent confidence in the current government that it won't allow the country to go bankrupt. It has an excellent track record in effectively and efficiently managing it for the last 53 years.



Datuk Akbar Ali

Women And Beauty

Beauty Tips - 5 steps to looking presentable
JANIS SEET
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 13:45:00

LOOK EFFORTLESSLY GORGEOUS: Lend some colour to your face without looking over-the-top

We are all rushed for time. We women some times admire men who can languish that extra 30 minutes in bed as their daily routine does not include painting their faces.
Life is unfair. If a woman in a corporate envi ronment walks in bare-faced, people will surely stare. If a man walks in with not a smidgen of make-up on, no one will care, obviously!

Instead of complaining about the facts of life, we decided that the best way to go is to deal with it and improvise in whatever way we pos sibly can.

Today, we take a look at a quick make-up fix to give you some extra minutes in bed, perhaps? Either way it lends some colour without eating up too much of your time and is easy enough to do on the train while heading to work.

1. Start your face with a foundation. Use a tint ed moisturiser to save on time, after all, it is a little early to be layering it on! For a little ex tra coverage, brush on loose powder. This step should be done at home so that you don't have to carry a tonne of make-up around.

2. Decide which area of your face you want to focus on. Is it your eyes, your lips or your cheeks? If you have a little more time, go with the eyes. If you don't, then this needs to be done at home to avoid poking your eye out with your eyeliner.

3. If your focus is not the eyes, pick a neutral co lour like brown and apply it to your upper eye lid. Sweep a slightly darker colour near your lashes. Use a pencil liner and line your upper lash line, do not use liquid as you have no space or time for mis takes and pencil is more forgiving. Lastly, a quick application of mascara. This can be done in five minutes, tops.

4. Use a lipliner and line your natural lip line. Then apply a lipstick which should be the same co lour as your liner! If you wish to highlight your lips, go with a strong colour. If not, pick a neutral tone or if you are super pressed for time, a tinted gloss would be just enough to make sure you don't look dead.

5. Cheeks. If cheeks are not your thing, then forget the blusher tones and cheekbone-enhancing techniques. Instead of blusher, go with a bronzer to sweep it along the apples of your cheeks to wards your hairline. Slowly build colour till you are satisfied. Less is better! The bronzer doubles up to highlight your T-zone as well as add a little more definition to your jawline with just a quick sweep.

If done right, these five steps should take less than 10 minutes. Yes, we timed this - basically as much time as your man takes to shave!

Well, it does bring the divide between men and women slightly closer. Before we start complaining about how tough it is to be a woman, remember that we do have a choice and looking good is one of them!

Economy

Opinion 2010-06-02 18:22
By LIM SUE GOAN
Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE

Mao Zedong’s revolutionary theory of "surrounding cities with villages" propagated by the late Chinese Communist leader in September 1927 is no longer applicable in contemporary China.

Today, big cities in China are leading their villages in the development thrusts. Resources, including human skills and money, from the prosperous cities are mobilized to initiate and implement development in rural areas.

Deng Xiaoping's socio-economic reforms and liberal opening-up policy introduced 31 years ago included the establishment of four special economic zones to develop the country's coastal areas.

Today, there are 49 mega cities and 661 other cities in China. The urban areas are the engines of economic development and expansion in China as they are the source for wealth creation and growth.

The major development of western China was meant to mobilize and organize the rural people to provide them with better education, medical facilities, infrastructure and higher income.

Hence, it is understandable that the policy is to build more cities. Cities represent progress, openness and democracy. The urban life and lifestye will certainly contribute to improve and upgrade the people's quality of life.

The theme Better City, Better Life adopted for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 obviously has a profound meaning, and that is, to create a better urban living environment, there must be a people-oriented focus.

The admirable urban planning and development of Shanghai is perhaps a useful reference and guide for the cities in Malaysia.

In addition to being economically vibrant, a city must also have an aesthetic sense in its planning and development that will include concern with the appreciation of beauty of nature and pleasing appearance of the environment. It should also promote cultural, literary and artistic development, including the music and performing arts, the craft and fashion. Such a city will be a place where dreams are created and quality lifestyle is the norm.

If such is the character of our cities, the momentum of our country to march forward to an advanced developed nation status will certainly gather strength.

I was mesmerized by the beautiful marvelous night scene in Shanghai Pujiang when I toured the place in a boat. What a contrast to our disgustingly stinking, filthy and dirty Klang River! Such an unkempt state is simply a disgrace to our nation’s capital city.

Shanghai has a first-class public transport system with 11 subway lines, 266 stations and a 400km railway network. It has a really excellent and efficient transport network system.

In contrast, the poor and erratic transport network system in our national capital city Kuala Lumpur is giving its residents, especially those who depend on public transport to move around, a miserable life.

Shanghai will have its own Disneyland in the near future, and that will be another plus for this prosperous city of delight.

Beijing, Singapore, Hong Kong and other Asian cities have technologies and environmental-friendly features while democracy and pluralism are thriving in the western cities.

What about Kuala Lumpur?

In Malaysia, a city is simply a label without much acknowledge and respect.

Urban people are not much wiser than the rural folks, but they are exposed to information and opportunities which the rural people lack.

I believe the urban people want the New Economic Model (NEM) instead of the outdated New Economic Policy (NEP). But our politicians are more concerned with gaining electoral support than the real essential development values, in line with the globalization trend. Would the government go backward if the rural folks do not feel the need for change and transformation?

The authorities should take full advantage of the progressive force in urban areas to encourage changes in rural areas.

Today, Malaysians are still disputing over racial privileges as they dare not go beyond their comfort zone to dream, to imagine and to venture bravely and boldly into the new world of new opportunities.

The people of China have changed their mindset and have moved away from their old ways of thinking and doing things. Hence, the country is progressing dramatically.

What about Malaysia?

Sin Chew Daily

Sex And Education

What's love got to do with it?
Opinion 2010-06-02 18:28
By TAY TIAN YAN
Translated by DOMINIC LOH

I really had no clue how to give this article a proper title.

Should I just put it forthright: To be a good teacher, learn how to make love first?

Or: I'm a good teacher, and I make love every night?

If I did, I would have been smashed up by teachers and their spouses.

But what else could I say? This is the real thing! Kisah benar!

Two days ago, 41-year-old male teacher Alias Ismail, winner of the Tokoh Nilam award for outstanding teacher, revealed the secret recipe of his success. He said he derived his vitality and focus in teaching from, you guess, reading and sex!

Reading and making love every night, and the love-making always comes after the reading!

I have the slightest hint what these two things have got to do with each other.

For other people, the following might be the reality:

"Darling, what're you reading now?"

"I'm reading XXX. What about you, babe. Are you reading something?"

"Put that down, honey! Roll over quickly!"

So, to ordinary people, reading and love-making do not seem to get along so well with each other, unless you are holding a hard porn in your hands before going to bed.

But with the advent of CD, DVD and things like that, even this remaining possible linkage is now annulled.

It is not easy to emulate Mr and Mrs Alias for a number of reasons.

Firstly, people usually drift into dreamland having flipped a few pages, too exhausted for anything else including sex.

Secondly, if love-making is in the agenda, there is absolutely no place for reading mood.

As if that is not enough, these two things are physically and mentally exhausting, and the engagement in either of them could potentially kill the second day's vibrance.

But our Cikgu Alias accomplishes both these daunting tasks, and still stays physically and mentally active over time.

Wait a minute! It shouldn't go this way. Alias is a role model among teachers, someone the students should emulate and learn from.

But he is telling everyone that half his achievement has been attributed to his daily love-making routine.

Should other teachers and his pupils take cue from him?

As a teacher par excellence, a prominent figure in the education sector, he should have shared his teaching experience instead, for example, how to advance holistic education and how to prevent our schools from turning into "hell schools" like the one in Rawang, among many other things.

What he must not divulge to the public is the contribution of his daily night-time feats towards teaching excellence.

If he has some special liking in certain fields, that will constitute wholly his personal undertaking.

Common sense tells us that there is no correlation between these two things.

Alias' logic has been built upon the society's misconception about sex. Many people are only partially informed of regular sex, resulting in a lot of exaggeration, distortion and misinformation.

Ubiquitous love potion ads on lamp posts and road signs, the aphrodisiac effects emphasised by coffee drinks, the open sale of X-rated pornography and cheap and fanciful love that abounds in our midst. And to top it all, we now have a model teacher turned sex sales master.

Perhaps, Alias should take up an offer to speak for Tongkat Ali products, but where education is concerned, he has been talking nothing but trash. And from the medical perspectives, he should consult a physician, or a psychologist, to get his indulgence fixed up.

Sin Chew Daily

MySinchew 2010.06.02

PDRM

Khairil Shafie WARISAN DARAH PERWIRA

- Antara pasukan anti-gerila yang terbaik didunia.

- VAT 69 (Very Able Troops 69)- ditubuhkan pada 25 Oktober 1965 ilham daripada Allahyarham Tun Dr. Ismail, Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri pada ketika itu.

- Objektifnya adalah berdasarkan keperluan pasukan polis perlu untuk mempunyai sebuah pasukan kecil yang berupaya untuk bekerjasama dengan pihak Cawangan Khas dalam menjalankan operasi di negeri-negeri yang diancam oleh PKM.

- Diawal penubuhan, sebahagian besar keanggotaan VAT 69 adalah dari anggota Pasukan Polis Hutan.(Dulu PPH dan pada waktu sekarang lebih dikenali sebagai PGA)

- Seramai 1,600 orang pegawai dan anggota PPH telah menghadiri pemilihan awal yang dikendalikan oleh 22nd. Regiment British Special Air Service secara sukarela, tetapi Cuma seramai 60 orang sahaja yang lulus untuk mengikuti kursus asas komando di Fort Kemar.

- Setelah latihan berakhir, hanya seramai 28 orang pegawai dan anggota sahaja yang layak terpilih menyertai unit baru ini.

- Sebagai pasukan elit PPH; VAT 69 memiliki kecekapan dalam selok belok peperangan hutan, gerakan ofensif dan operasi sulit.

- Apa yang menarik, VAT 69 telah mengekalkan pemakaian beret berwarna coklat keperangan (sand colour) yang dianugerahkan oleh pasukan British Air Service (SAS) yang bertanggung jawab melatih embrio awal VAT 69 pada 23 Oktober tahun yang sama iaitu 1969 bertempat di Fort Kemar di kawasan pendalaman Hulu Kinta Perak.

- Ia adalah satu-satunya unit pasukan khas dinegara ini yang diberikan penghormatan untuk menyarung beret yang sama warnanya dengan beret SAS.

- Secara asasnya VAT 69 boleh disamakan sebagaimana anggota GGK yang merupakan pasukan elit daripada cabang unit infantry dalam tentera darat.

- Secara amnya mereka melalui corak latihan yang hampir sama dengan mana-mana pasukan komando lain termasuk perlu memiliki kemahiran sebagai anggota payung terjun.

- Pada peringkat permulaan , unit ini dikenali sebagai nama diantaranya Charlie Force, Special Project Unit (SPU) dan Very Able Troop 69 (VAT 69)

- Pada tahun 1972, Kerajaan telah bersetuju dengan rasminya unit ini dinamakan sebagai 69 komando.

- Pada tahun 1983, bersesuaian dengan keadaan dan corak pergolakan dunia, British SAS kembali melatih semula unit ini dalam kemahiran serta selok belok operasi menentang pengganas (Counter terrorism) di kawasan Bandar dan penempatan.

- 69 komando mengungguli semua pasukan khas dinegara ini dalam menghapuskan petualang Negara, sehingga ada sesetengah pengkaji berpendapat antara sebab-sebab gerila komunis bersetuju memeterai perjanjian untuk meletakkan senjata mereka pada tahun 1989 adalah kerana kekuatan mereka hampir lumpuh digempur oleh unit ini berulang- ulang kali.

PERHATIAN : Ini bukan VAT 69 sengal dari Indon ye
April 21 at 6:18pm · Report

Khairil Shafie SUMBANGAN, KEJAYAAN DAN PENCAPAIAN

UNIT 69 KOMANDO

Dipertanggungjawabkan untuk melaksanakan operasi khas, menghadapi insurgensi, Krisis jenayah berat, bencana, sebagai ‘last resort’ dan ‘Final option’ dalam apa jua tugas yang tidak mampu dilaksanakan oleh unit ‘regular’ lain. Kejayaan dan pencapaian unit ini boleh dibahagikan kepada 6 bidang operasi.

- Pertempuran di hutan

- Menentang jenayah berat dan penculikan

- Menentang lanun di perairan

- Mencegah rusuhan yang bertukar menjadi krisis

- Tugas mengiring dan mengawal keselamatan VIP

- Mencari dan menyelamat.

PERTEMPURAN DI HUTAN

Semenjak ditubuhkan, 69 komando telah melaksanakan gerakan dihutan dan pencapaiannya adalah seperti rekod di bawah :-

- Pertempuran dengaan pengganas komunis – 50 kali.

- Pengganas dibunuh – 36 orang

- Pengganas ditawan – 82 orang

- Pengganas dicederakan – 34 orang

- Senjata pengganas yang dirampas – 372 laras

- Bom-bom yang telah dirampas – 203 set

- Khemah pengganas yang berjaya ditawan - 84 buah

- Tempat rehat pengganas dijumpai – 236 tempat

Kejayaan yang ditempa 69 komando dalam pertempuran di hutan adalah sangat membanggakan. Kejayaan menangkap hidup-hidup seramai 82 orang pengganas adalah rekod tertinggi dikalangan unit komando di seluruh dunia.

Kejayaan melancarkan ‘delibrate ambush’ dalam ops Indera XII di Bentong yang menumpaskan 9 orang pengganas tanpa sebarang bencana di pihak sendiri juga merupakan catatan yang membanggakan unit. Walau bagaimanapun 69 komando telah kehilangan 6 wira mereka dihujung senjata musuh dan jerangkap samar sepanjang penglibatan mereka dalam operasi pertempuran hutan ini.

MENENTANG JENAYAH BERAT DAN PENCULIKAN

Setelah Parti Komunis Malaya meletakkan senjatanya pada tahun 1989, 69 komando mula beralih arah menggunakan kemahiran tempurnya membantu pihak ‘Special Branch’ menentang penjenayah bersenjata di Bandar dan situasi tebusan.

Catatan pencapaian 69 komando dalam tugas berkenaan adalah seperti berikut :

- Jumlah gerakan – 31

- Penjenayah yang dibunuh – 15 orang

- Penjenayah yang ditangkap – 35 orang

- Senjata api yang dirampas – 23 pucuk Pistol, 3 raifal, 2 submesingan, 31 butir bom.

- Jumlah dadah yang dirampas – 427 kg Ganja

- Hasil rompakan yang dijumpai – melebihi RM 1 juta

- Tebusan yang dibebaskan – 3 orang.

Salah satu kejayaan terbesar 69 komando ialah dalam ops subuh di mana pegawainya telah berjaya menyusup masuk ke kubu musuh di Bukit Jenalek dan telah merampas beratus-ratus pucuk senjata milik Angkatan Tentera dan menawan 3 orang tebusan. Pegawai berkenaan mengambil masa lebih 2 jam memujuk kumpulan berkenaan kemudiannya bersetuju menyerahkan dirinya kepada pihak tentera.
April 21 at 6:19pm · Report

Khairil Shafie MENENTANG LANUN DIPERAIRAN

69 komando juga memiliki kemahiran di perairan. Sebagai bukti2 rekod cemerlang operasinya di perairan Sabah mencatatkan :-

- Jumlah gerakan – 2

- Jumlah lanun dibunuh – 3 orang

- Jumlah lanun yang ditangkap – 23 orang

- Senjata yang dirampas – selaras raifal AK 47, Selaras raifal Garrand, Selaras Shotgun dan 5 pucuk pistol.

- Ops Rambo yang dilaksanakan pada 1994 adalah satu kejayaan besar melumpuhkan pengganas antara bangsa dari Filipina yang dipimpin oleh Rizal Aleh. Kumpulan ini adalah sepihan dari MNLF yang telah membunuh seorang pegawai tinggi polis di sana yang berpangkat Brig. Jeneral. Setelah diburu mereka telah melarikan diri ke Sandakan Sabah. Mereka beroperasi di kawasan bakau dan perairan dengan menggunakan taktik lanun.

- Usaha menangkap mereka hidup-hidup telah berjaya walaupun mereka bersenjata api.

- Seorang pegawai 69 komando yang memimpin Ops berkenaan telah cedera di tembak dan kemudiannya telah dianugerahkan dengan pingat Panglima Gagah Berani.

MENCARI DAN MENYELAMAT

- Operasi menyelamat mangsa nahas udara sebanyak 3 operasi termasuk Ops Piper di Genting Bidai di kawasan Janda Baik

- Operasi menyelamat mangsa tanah runtuh tertimbus sebanyak 5 kali dan berjaya menyelamatkan mangsa seramai 5 orang.

- Operasi menyelamat dan mencari mangsa lemas sebanyak 6 kali dan seramai 12 orang dijumpai.

SUKAN

- Johan Marlboro Adventure Team pada tahun 1996 dan 1997

- Muncul juara Asia dan mendapat tempat kelima dunia dalam iron man echo challenge international di Hong Kong.

- Menjuarai dan mengungguli echo challenge international di Taiping.

- Mewakili PDRM dan menjuarai pertandingan mendaki Gunung Tahan dan Orienteering. Pasukan yang diwakili oleh pegawai dan anggota unit sering muncul juara atau mencapai keputusan yang memberansangkan samada di peringkat kebangsaan mahupun antarabangsa.

- Dalam sukan payung terjun, pasukan PDRM yang diwakili unit ini telah membolot tempat pertama acara kebangsaan 4 kejohanan berturut-turut. Di peringkat antarabangsa , pasukan ini mencatatkan keputusan membanggakan dalam acara canopy formation.

- Dalam pertandingan menembak pula, 3 tahun berturut-turut menjadi juara keseluruhan pertandingan tembak di International Full Bore Challenge LISRAM Langkawi dan 5 orang penembak ini dipilih mewakili Negara dalam acara tersebut
April 21 at 6:20pm