Government is focused on economic development, says Abdullah
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/NewsBreak/20070629155224/Article/index_html
IPOH, FRI.:
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that the country continues to develop rapidly and is capable of facing challenges because the government has never deviated from its focus to develop the economy.
The country’s focus since attaining independence 50 years ago was on economic development and now, it was endeavouring to become a developed nation, said the Prime Minister in his speech at the simultaneous launching of the Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (PCCCI) 100th anniversary celebration and the 50th National Day Expo at the Indera Mulia Stadium, here today.
While I agree with the prime minister that our country's economic growth has been encouraging since independence, I feel that this is not 100% via the efforts of the government. If the citizens of Malaysia do not contribute productively, there will be no growth despite any government intervention. So, please, give some credit to the Rakyat!
Secondly, I don't think the statement that "the government has never deviated from its focus to develop the economy" is entirely accurate. The government has recently focused on developing Islam Hadhari (religious focus), condemnation of bloggers (control focus), censorship and repression of film and print material (media focus), and many other examples.
“The democratic government chosen by the people through an independent election process will continue to be chosen by the people as it is focused on important economic development programs,” he said.
If the election process is independent, why do we have perceptions of unfair gerrymandering, phantom voters, vote buying, media blackout toward opposition, no 3rd level (local government) elections, seat-vote disproportional distribution, and many more?
The government was also endeavouring on expanding the economy further by providing forward planing to face the global challenges and market compettion, he stressed.
“Your Prime Minister is not sleeping,” he said as he outlined various economic development programmes that have been planned, including the Iskandar Development Region and the Northern and Eastern Regional Development Corridor.
Oops. He shouldn't have said that he's not sleeping. Ever heard of the "pink elephant" syndrome? What happens when I ask you not to picture a pink elephant in your head?
After attaining independence, he said the country was depending on revenue from rubber and tin ore but with the plans drawn up by the government, the country was able to diversify its economy.
“The British did not teach us, but we planned to move forward... we became a producer of value-added rubber and palm oil. We also became an industrial country and we need to intensify efforts to increase products that can be marketed,” he said.
Abdullah, who is also the Finance Minister, said although the country’s trade had surpassed the record RM1 trillion mark, the volume should be increased with further development, not only in the Klang Valley but the whole country.
The Prime Minister is also confident that the country’s positive economic performance will be maintained because the Barisan Nasional (BN) government had never deviated from its two other important policies, namely unity and power sharing.
“Right from the start, the country’s leaders have emphasised on solidarity, the economy and power sharing... the BN maintains moderation because if any one race or religion runs the government, it will lead to problems. Now everyone is represented, this is our way and it must be maintained,” he added.
This lovey-dovey representation of the BN government is superficial and only skin deep. Everyone knows that UMNO rules, and the other compartment parties are merely there to make up the numbers. So why keep on harping on this so-called power sharing and unity?
BLA BLA BLA!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Move to inculcate reading habit
Move to inculcate reading habit
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/20070629083515/Article/index_html
GEORGE TOWN, Fri:
The state government will embark on a reading campaign soon to encourage public participation in reading activities.
State Education Committee chairman Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon said about 80 per cent of people read newspapers but more should spend time reading other sources of information, including novels, magazines and journals.
He said this when launching KDU College Penang’s Literary Day here yesterday.
The event was organised in conjunction with the National Reading Month.
I think that this effort has noble intentions. However, I doubt it will take flight for the following reasons: government arbitrarily banning publications from being distributed in the country; persecuting any author who writes in contrary to official government propaganda; political control of local MSM and denying publication license to alternative news providers; and of course our beloved trio of repressive laws: Printing Presses & Publications Act, Internal Security Act, Sedition Act.
So this is just another BLA BLA BLA!
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/20070629083515/Article/index_html
GEORGE TOWN, Fri:
The state government will embark on a reading campaign soon to encourage public participation in reading activities.
State Education Committee chairman Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon said about 80 per cent of people read newspapers but more should spend time reading other sources of information, including novels, magazines and journals.
He said this when launching KDU College Penang’s Literary Day here yesterday.
The event was organised in conjunction with the National Reading Month.
I think that this effort has noble intentions. However, I doubt it will take flight for the following reasons: government arbitrarily banning publications from being distributed in the country; persecuting any author who writes in contrary to official government propaganda; political control of local MSM and denying publication license to alternative news providers; and of course our beloved trio of repressive laws: Printing Presses & Publications Act, Internal Security Act, Sedition Act.
So this is just another BLA BLA BLA!
Mayor: Be patriotic and fly the flag
Mayor: Be patriotic and fly the flag
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2007/6/29/central/18137534&sec=central
FLY the national flag if you are patriotic, urges the Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan.
“Also, adorn your properties with even brighter lights and better landscaping as the country is celebrating its golden jubilee,” he said.
These were the messages to the representatives from the 374 high-rise buildings in the city in a special briefing on the country’s 50th Independence Day celebrations.
Owners of all other buildings are also urged to do so.
Let me first say that this national flag flying fiasco does not symbolize patriotism. At best it is a superficial representation of love for king and country. Any tom dick and harry can fly the Malaysian flag and claim to be patriotic, but deep down, nobody knows if they will be the ones to commit the next criminal offense.
Next, while the world focuses on reducing energy wastage and curbing global warming phenomenon, our government seems intent on wasting as much energy as possible to shout to the world that we "memang boleh".
“Kuala Lumpur is like sugar. People flock here to do business or develop their career. They should be appreciative of the economic situation it offers,” Hakim said.
Typical of government servants to say this type of things. What exactly should we be appreciative of? The constant traffic snarls due to poor transport planning? The rising petty crime of metal theft? The ridiculous potholes and constant flash floods? Tell all, Mr. Mayor!
He said City Hall would also fly the Jalur Gemilang and put on a splash of lights at specific locations in the city, and encouraged properties owners to illuminate their buildings from Aug 16 to Sept 10 between 7pm and midnight.
Apart from that, there will be a competition to decide who does the best job while City Hall is still in the process of finalising the judging criteria, categories and prizes.
The Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry’s programme department assistant secretary Megat Adnan Megat Ridzuan said Merdeka celebrations would be carried out in Kuala Lumpur in a series of grand events.
Launching of the Merdeka Month celebrations falls on Aug 17 in Malacca.
Adnan said the climax of the events would be the Giant Merdeka Celebration (Perayaan Raksasa Merdeka) attended by the sultans, heads of states and the people on the evening of Aug 31 at Stadium Merdeka.
So now even our Royalty is being used to promote and advertise this "monster celebration" (I'm surprised that the word "raksasa" is used!). Tell me again, who was it that asked us to change our lifestyle not so long ago?
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2007/6/29/central/18137534&sec=central
FLY the national flag if you are patriotic, urges the Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan.
“Also, adorn your properties with even brighter lights and better landscaping as the country is celebrating its golden jubilee,” he said.
These were the messages to the representatives from the 374 high-rise buildings in the city in a special briefing on the country’s 50th Independence Day celebrations.
Owners of all other buildings are also urged to do so.
Let me first say that this national flag flying fiasco does not symbolize patriotism. At best it is a superficial representation of love for king and country. Any tom dick and harry can fly the Malaysian flag and claim to be patriotic, but deep down, nobody knows if they will be the ones to commit the next criminal offense.
Next, while the world focuses on reducing energy wastage and curbing global warming phenomenon, our government seems intent on wasting as much energy as possible to shout to the world that we "memang boleh".
“Kuala Lumpur is like sugar. People flock here to do business or develop their career. They should be appreciative of the economic situation it offers,” Hakim said.
Typical of government servants to say this type of things. What exactly should we be appreciative of? The constant traffic snarls due to poor transport planning? The rising petty crime of metal theft? The ridiculous potholes and constant flash floods? Tell all, Mr. Mayor!
He said City Hall would also fly the Jalur Gemilang and put on a splash of lights at specific locations in the city, and encouraged properties owners to illuminate their buildings from Aug 16 to Sept 10 between 7pm and midnight.
Apart from that, there will be a competition to decide who does the best job while City Hall is still in the process of finalising the judging criteria, categories and prizes.
The Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry’s programme department assistant secretary Megat Adnan Megat Ridzuan said Merdeka celebrations would be carried out in Kuala Lumpur in a series of grand events.
Launching of the Merdeka Month celebrations falls on Aug 17 in Malacca.
Adnan said the climax of the events would be the Giant Merdeka Celebration (Perayaan Raksasa Merdeka) attended by the sultans, heads of states and the people on the evening of Aug 31 at Stadium Merdeka.
So now even our Royalty is being used to promote and advertise this "monster celebration" (I'm surprised that the word "raksasa" is used!). Tell me again, who was it that asked us to change our lifestyle not so long ago?
BLA BLA BLA!
‘No’ to varsity change
‘No’ to varsity change
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/29/nation/18163106&sec=nation
NILAI: The Higher Education Ministry will not entertain appeals from students who want to change their university.
“We will only consider appeals from those who did not obtain a place or were offered courses which they had not listed in their application form,” minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said.
He added that students could not change the course they were given if it was among the eight choices listed in the form.
Clearly, the minister does not want to admit that the current system of centralized university placement is flawed. How can a top STPM scorer be denied his first choice, instead is delegated to his fourth or fifth choice? Surely the minister is aware that the reason why those choices are filled up is because of fear that the applicant may not be granted any university place at all if the first or second choices were denied!
Of the 68,110 applications for degree programmes offered by local public universities for the 2007/ 2008 academic year, only 40,116 students obtained places.
Does that mean that there are now 28,000 more places for degree programmes offered by local public universities? Care to elaborate if these places are among the first or second choices of the applicants? Mr. Minister?
Mustapa clarified that not all the applications met the minimum qualification of Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0.
“We will consider appeals from those who qualify (but did not get a place),” he said...
In the first place, there should not be any case where anybody "qualify but did not get a place". This shows the inadequacy and inefficiency of the centralized Higher Education Ministry.
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/29/nation/18163106&sec=nation
NILAI: The Higher Education Ministry will not entertain appeals from students who want to change their university.
“We will only consider appeals from those who did not obtain a place or were offered courses which they had not listed in their application form,” minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said.
He added that students could not change the course they were given if it was among the eight choices listed in the form.
Clearly, the minister does not want to admit that the current system of centralized university placement is flawed. How can a top STPM scorer be denied his first choice, instead is delegated to his fourth or fifth choice? Surely the minister is aware that the reason why those choices are filled up is because of fear that the applicant may not be granted any university place at all if the first or second choices were denied!
Of the 68,110 applications for degree programmes offered by local public universities for the 2007/ 2008 academic year, only 40,116 students obtained places.
Does that mean that there are now 28,000 more places for degree programmes offered by local public universities? Care to elaborate if these places are among the first or second choices of the applicants? Mr. Minister?
Mustapa clarified that not all the applications met the minimum qualification of Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0.
“We will consider appeals from those who qualify (but did not get a place),” he said...
In the first place, there should not be any case where anybody "qualify but did not get a place". This shows the inadequacy and inefficiency of the centralized Higher Education Ministry.
BLA BLA BLA!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
ABDULLAH: Media has helped govt immensely in nation-building
ABDULLAH: Media has helped govt immensely in nation-building
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/NewsBreak/20070628134035/Article/index_html
KUALA LUMPUR, THURS:
The Malaysian media has been responsible in their reports particularly in helping the government maintain peace and harmony among multiracial Malaysians, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today.
Without the sense of responsibility by the media, especially among the editors, journalists and media owners, the peace and racial unity enjoyed by the nation today would not have been possible, he said.
I'm not surprised by the editors', journalists' and media owners' "responsibility", or shall we call it "compliance". After all, their annual publishing license depends arbitrarily on the government's discretion. Self censorship is so prevalent, so much so that they couldn't even report on the PM's recent wedding without the instructions from the government!
He said history had proven the media had helped the government immensely to create a stable environment through their responsible reports, taking into account the sensitivities of the country’s plural society.
“Without the cooperation and understanding between the government and media practitioners surely the country will not have progressed to what it has achieved today,” he said when opening the 2007 Mass Media Conference organised by the Internal Security Ministry.
Abdullah, who is also Internal Security Minister, said looking back at history, it was clear that the Malaysian media had played a pivotal role in helping the government boost patriotism spirit, forge racial unity and self-esteem especially when the country was facing challenges, problems and crises.
So why not grant Malaysiakini a printing license? Why not grant party publications such as The Rocket permission to be distributed to the general public?
BLA BLA BLA!
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/NewsBreak/20070628134035/Article/index_html
KUALA LUMPUR, THURS:
The Malaysian media has been responsible in their reports particularly in helping the government maintain peace and harmony among multiracial Malaysians, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today.
Without the sense of responsibility by the media, especially among the editors, journalists and media owners, the peace and racial unity enjoyed by the nation today would not have been possible, he said.
I'm not surprised by the editors', journalists' and media owners' "responsibility", or shall we call it "compliance". After all, their annual publishing license depends arbitrarily on the government's discretion. Self censorship is so prevalent, so much so that they couldn't even report on the PM's recent wedding without the instructions from the government!
He said history had proven the media had helped the government immensely to create a stable environment through their responsible reports, taking into account the sensitivities of the country’s plural society.
“Without the cooperation and understanding between the government and media practitioners surely the country will not have progressed to what it has achieved today,” he said when opening the 2007 Mass Media Conference organised by the Internal Security Ministry.
Abdullah, who is also Internal Security Minister, said looking back at history, it was clear that the Malaysian media had played a pivotal role in helping the government boost patriotism spirit, forge racial unity and self-esteem especially when the country was facing challenges, problems and crises.
So why not grant Malaysiakini a printing license? Why not grant party publications such as The Rocket permission to be distributed to the general public?
BLA BLA BLA!
Tap resources from Internet, teachers urged
Tap resources from Internet, teachers urged
http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2007/6/28/technology/20070628114925&sec=technology
Teachers are encouraged to tap into the Internet resources to get supplementary notes for their students.
Penang Education director Ahmad Husain said teachers should keep up with time and incorporate new ways of doing things in view of the information and communication technology (ICT) age.
"Teachers too need to improve themselves. They have to value the pursuit of lifelong learning and continue to upgrade themselves.
"They should equip themselves with skills, knowledge and understanding on when and how to use ICT effectively in the classroom," he said in his speech during the island district level Teachers Day celebration at Dewan Sri Pinang in Penang yesterday.
Try telling this to our information minister, who repeatedly told journalists not to pay attention to websites, and also called bloggers unemployed women who will incite racial discord.
Ahmad also said teachers should continue to sharpen their thinking in terms of substance, creativity and quality.
"They are the role models for students. Whatever they do, children will follow.
Really, this sums up our education system. Our young generation is being brainwashed into mindless robots, who will only know how to follow orders from the top.
BLA BLA BLA!
http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2007/6/28/technology/20070628114925&sec=technology
Teachers are encouraged to tap into the Internet resources to get supplementary notes for their students.
Penang Education director Ahmad Husain said teachers should keep up with time and incorporate new ways of doing things in view of the information and communication technology (ICT) age.
"Teachers too need to improve themselves. They have to value the pursuit of lifelong learning and continue to upgrade themselves.
"They should equip themselves with skills, knowledge and understanding on when and how to use ICT effectively in the classroom," he said in his speech during the island district level Teachers Day celebration at Dewan Sri Pinang in Penang yesterday.
Try telling this to our information minister, who repeatedly told journalists not to pay attention to websites, and also called bloggers unemployed women who will incite racial discord.
Ahmad also said teachers should continue to sharpen their thinking in terms of substance, creativity and quality.
"They are the role models for students. Whatever they do, children will follow.
Really, this sums up our education system. Our young generation is being brainwashed into mindless robots, who will only know how to follow orders from the top.
BLA BLA BLA!
All govt buildings to have plaster ceilings
All govt buildings to have plaster ceilings
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/20070628075241/Article/index_html
KUALA LUMPUR, THU.:
All government buildings will have plaster ceilings in the future to avoid further embarrassing incidents of faulty ceilings.
Fed up with the numerous incidents of cracked or leaky ceilings, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the present acoustic ceilings were too thin.
And for how long has the PWD been constructing government buildings? And it took them this long to figure out that present acoustic ceilings are too thin?
"I will tell the Public Works Department not to use the acoustic ceilings any more as it has caused a lot of problems and shame for the PWD.
"I don’t think I can bear the shame of these incidents any more. I do not want to take the blame for someone else’s mistakes. In the future, we will spend a bit more and use plaster ceilings which will be better," he said.
Look at how the minister is speaking. Read between the lines and you will see he's merely saying "it wasn't me!" and instead pointing fingers to everyone else except himself.
Samy Vellu was commenting on yet another mishap at the Jalan Duta court complex yesterday, this time involving a bent ceiling.
A High Court (Commercial division) Judicial Commissioner had to postpone a hearing about 11.15am after she noticed from her bench that a decorated square piece of the ceiling was a little bent in the middle.
Samy Vellu said the ceilings at the Jalan Duta court complex and ceilings of other buildings displaying similar problems would be replaced with plaster ceilings.
I wonder how much this plaster ceiling contract will be worth. I wonder why the amount wasn't mentioned in this report.
BLA BLA BLA!
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/20070628075241/Article/index_html
KUALA LUMPUR, THU.:
All government buildings will have plaster ceilings in the future to avoid further embarrassing incidents of faulty ceilings.
Fed up with the numerous incidents of cracked or leaky ceilings, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the present acoustic ceilings were too thin.
And for how long has the PWD been constructing government buildings? And it took them this long to figure out that present acoustic ceilings are too thin?
"I will tell the Public Works Department not to use the acoustic ceilings any more as it has caused a lot of problems and shame for the PWD.
"I don’t think I can bear the shame of these incidents any more. I do not want to take the blame for someone else’s mistakes. In the future, we will spend a bit more and use plaster ceilings which will be better," he said.
Look at how the minister is speaking. Read between the lines and you will see he's merely saying "it wasn't me!" and instead pointing fingers to everyone else except himself.
Samy Vellu was commenting on yet another mishap at the Jalan Duta court complex yesterday, this time involving a bent ceiling.
A High Court (Commercial division) Judicial Commissioner had to postpone a hearing about 11.15am after she noticed from her bench that a decorated square piece of the ceiling was a little bent in the middle.
Samy Vellu said the ceilings at the Jalan Duta court complex and ceilings of other buildings displaying similar problems would be replaced with plaster ceilings.
I wonder how much this plaster ceiling contract will be worth. I wonder why the amount wasn't mentioned in this report.
BLA BLA BLA!
Hisham: Be proud of our diverse cultures
Hisham: Be proud of our diverse cultures
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/28/nation/18155823&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should be proud to be blessed with a wide variety of performing arts which reflect the diverse cultures and heritages of this country, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said last night.
The Education Minister was speaking at the gala charity night of the Festival of Cantonese Opera, that featured the world-renowned Guangdong Cantonese Opera Academy First Troupe which performed “The Power of Passion”.
What use is such diversity if it's not treasured by the ruling party UMNO, as evident in their racist outcries of bathing the keris in Chinese blood?
Hishammuddin said Malaysians should share the diverse culture and heritage and look beyond material wealth.
“Acquiring artistic skills is not easy, it needs a lot of training and discipline,” the minister said, adding that Malaysians need to acknowledge that arts bind them all together, cutting across all borders.
Perhaps UMNO cronies should also look beyond material wealth then?
Hishammuddin added that appreciation of the diverse cultures must start in school.
“Excellent academic results are not enough. Parents must also look at the importance of instilling in their children the knowledge of various cultures and heritage, and artistic skills.”
This coming from the education minister, whose ministry is embarking on nation-wide islamisation of public schools, imposing arbitrary dress codes, disallowing non-muslim canteen operators, etc.
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/28/nation/18155823&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should be proud to be blessed with a wide variety of performing arts which reflect the diverse cultures and heritages of this country, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said last night.
The Education Minister was speaking at the gala charity night of the Festival of Cantonese Opera, that featured the world-renowned Guangdong Cantonese Opera Academy First Troupe which performed “The Power of Passion”.
What use is such diversity if it's not treasured by the ruling party UMNO, as evident in their racist outcries of bathing the keris in Chinese blood?
Hishammuddin said Malaysians should share the diverse culture and heritage and look beyond material wealth.
“Acquiring artistic skills is not easy, it needs a lot of training and discipline,” the minister said, adding that Malaysians need to acknowledge that arts bind them all together, cutting across all borders.
Perhaps UMNO cronies should also look beyond material wealth then?
Hishammuddin added that appreciation of the diverse cultures must start in school.
“Excellent academic results are not enough. Parents must also look at the importance of instilling in their children the knowledge of various cultures and heritage, and artistic skills.”
This coming from the education minister, whose ministry is embarking on nation-wide islamisation of public schools, imposing arbitrary dress codes, disallowing non-muslim canteen operators, etc.
BLA BLA BLA!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Drop demand for RM900 minimum wage, MTUC told
Drop demand for RM900 minimum wage, MTUC told
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/27/nation/18139163&sec=nation
SEREMBAN: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress should be practical and drop its demand for a RM900 minimum wage for all private sector employees, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Fong Chan Onn.
Yes we still have people earning less than RM900 per month in Malaysia.
He said that if the Government were to comply with the demand, the country would lose its competitive edge.
I wonder how, by introducing minimum wage policy, will the country lose its competitive edge. The minister does not elaborate.
“Let’s be reasonable, we cannot allow our economy to be too rigid,” he said, adding that a blanket ruling could not be applied to workers in all sectors.
Dr Fong said the Government was prepared to discuss the matter with the MTUC but adopting a confrontational approach would not benefit anyone.
Yesterday, the MTUC organised one-hour pickets at several locations in the country. The biggest was held outside the EPF headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut in Kuala Lumpur in which some 1,000 workers participated.
I'm sure that these low wage earners are already being reasonable by organizing pickets and going through proper channels. If they were unreasonable, they would already be resorting to criminal activity to support their lives. Again, the minister does not elaborate what he means by the economy being too rigid.
Apart from the minimum wage, the MTUC is also demanding a RM300 cost of living allowance (Cola) for private sector workers.
“If we have a minimum wage of RM900, we would have to pay foreign maids as well as part-time workers the same amount. We can’t do that for everyone,” said Dr Fong.
Why is paying RM900 to foreign maids and part-time workers a problem?
The minister, however, admitted that a minimum wage could be introduced for workers in certain sectors such as dock workers and cargo handlers.
The minimum wage for most other sectors should be left to market forces, he said.
Why only these sectors? The minister again does not elaborate.
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/27/nation/18139163&sec=nation
SEREMBAN: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress should be practical and drop its demand for a RM900 minimum wage for all private sector employees, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Fong Chan Onn.
Yes we still have people earning less than RM900 per month in Malaysia.
He said that if the Government were to comply with the demand, the country would lose its competitive edge.
I wonder how, by introducing minimum wage policy, will the country lose its competitive edge. The minister does not elaborate.
“Let’s be reasonable, we cannot allow our economy to be too rigid,” he said, adding that a blanket ruling could not be applied to workers in all sectors.
Dr Fong said the Government was prepared to discuss the matter with the MTUC but adopting a confrontational approach would not benefit anyone.
Yesterday, the MTUC organised one-hour pickets at several locations in the country. The biggest was held outside the EPF headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut in Kuala Lumpur in which some 1,000 workers participated.
I'm sure that these low wage earners are already being reasonable by organizing pickets and going through proper channels. If they were unreasonable, they would already be resorting to criminal activity to support their lives. Again, the minister does not elaborate what he means by the economy being too rigid.
Apart from the minimum wage, the MTUC is also demanding a RM300 cost of living allowance (Cola) for private sector workers.
“If we have a minimum wage of RM900, we would have to pay foreign maids as well as part-time workers the same amount. We can’t do that for everyone,” said Dr Fong.
Why is paying RM900 to foreign maids and part-time workers a problem?
The minister, however, admitted that a minimum wage could be introduced for workers in certain sectors such as dock workers and cargo handlers.
The minimum wage for most other sectors should be left to market forces, he said.
Why only these sectors? The minister again does not elaborate.
BLA BLA BLA!
The First Bla
Why does Malaysian mainstream media sound so... repetitive? Boring? Condescending? Patronizing? Why don't we have quality, engaging, independent and intelligent news sources printed in Malaysia? Why do we always have to rely on internet news, foreign press, and blogs to provide us with readable material?
Well, the reason for this is that the mainstream media (MSM) is owned by the Malaysian government, specifically by the political parties that make up the false alliance BN. Due to this, the news reported by these papers generally become propaganda pieces which glorify the mediocre, and whitewash the relevant. Stories are heavily self-censored or editor-censored. Newsworthy items are embargoed by the government. Opinion editors have no courage to step out of the official line. All this stifles the journalistic development in Malaysia.
Doesn't it bore you when headlines scream "Change Your Lifestyle", or "Economy is Doing Well", or "RM90m for Leaking Buildings"? Doesn't it make you cringe? I'll tell you what effect the headlines have on me.
They make me go "Bla Bla Bla"....
Well, the reason for this is that the mainstream media (MSM) is owned by the Malaysian government, specifically by the political parties that make up the false alliance BN. Due to this, the news reported by these papers generally become propaganda pieces which glorify the mediocre, and whitewash the relevant. Stories are heavily self-censored or editor-censored. Newsworthy items are embargoed by the government. Opinion editors have no courage to step out of the official line. All this stifles the journalistic development in Malaysia.
Doesn't it bore you when headlines scream "Change Your Lifestyle", or "Economy is Doing Well", or "RM90m for Leaking Buildings"? Doesn't it make you cringe? I'll tell you what effect the headlines have on me.
They make me go "Bla Bla Bla"....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)