Someone's wine, another one's poison?!

A budget for big boys and civil servants

Sun, 17 Oct 2010 06:32

COMMENT There are several ways to analyse the budget. One is to take at face value what the prime minister has written in his blog just before his budget speech where he promised that it is “a budget by the rakyat”. By it, he explained that he had read through the more than 1,000 comments and suggestions from his readers and forwarded them to the Ministry of Finance to incorporate.

According to the PM, there were three key issues raised – employment, taxes and subsidies, and education.

In his words, “employment was the most frequently discussed with some of you calling for the implementation of a minimum wage policy”. Also, he noted that “comments from the youth requested for increased tax rebates for young families or ways to provide financial assistance in managing the rising cost of living”. As for education, the feedback on his blog related to concerns with education quality and the rising cost of education.

Now that the budget has been unveiled, it is clear that the civil servants preparing the budget have completely ignored the prime minister. Firstly, the implementation of the minimum wage policy has been further deferred for the umpteenth time. The only beneficiaries of wage reform appear to be security guards who deservedly see their minimum wages raised and female civil servants who will now have longer maternity leave.

As for education, whilst there is a substantial allocation to cater for recurring operational expenditure and some new infrastructural spending, there is nothing new in the budget that can allay the number one concern of middle-class Malaysians. Especially disappointing is the failure to grant relief for private higher education costs which are rising steeply. Given the trend, it looks like higher education will soon be affordable only to those that can get into the public universities or those who have wealthy parents - and also perhaps those that can draw on financing from family members and Ah Longs.

Affordable housing has been very much in the news even if there have been few letters to the prime minister on the topic. It is now beyond the reach of many in the younger age group living in the larger towns and especially in the Klang Valley. There is no evidence in the budget of any official concern to tackle the problem.

There are also no measures aimed at curbing the rising cost of living. Why is there a lack of attention to addressing the rising costs of housing, transport and health as well as food? Part of the reason is the government’s Alice in Wonderland estimate of inflation – it has projectedva figure of 2-3% for the year. Further, according to the government’s estimate, Malaysians will be quite a bit wealthier in 2011 compared with 2010. Per capita income is expected to go up by 6.1% to RM28,000, and income in terms of purchasing power parity will hit US$16,000.

This is of course data which does not reflect real life - just a hypothetical average. The majority of Malaysians will, in fact, not only feel but will indeed be poorer rather than richer in 2011 given the relentless rise in cost of living that is not reflected in the inflation data.

Returning to the era of mega high-status

One group though that will not be poorer will be the big guns benefiting from the slew of mega projects contained in the budget. They include the planned erection of a RM5 billion tower. This is a potential monstrosity which will serve little purpose except bring to a standstill traffic in that congested part of the city. It is obscene that this is being done in the name of honouring the country's heritage.

Hopefully citizen groups, residents in the area and heritage organisations can organise and bring pressure to bear on the government to stop this project before it gets off the ground.

As evidence of how poorly conceived the budget planning process has been, it should be noted that the budgeted amount for the year for all the corridor projects - which is supposed to help decentralise development and increase rural incomes and well-being in the other parts of the country - is only one-third of that allocated for this massive planned erection.

Other big ticket items such as the MRT may be economically more justifiable but they have to be closely monitored for the way in which project design, contractors and partners are selected. Already, there is talk of pre-determined winners even before the process of proper technical studies, evaluation and selection has commenced.

It is disappointing that the budget does not deal at all with the procurement issue which has resulted in wastage, inefficiency and higher costs to the average Malaysian in the last 30 years. Presumably we are going to see business as usual in the tenders for Private-Public Partnership projects and the continuation of “privatised gain and socialized losses”.

Another concern is that much of the budget continues to go into operating a bloated civil service. As much as three quarters of the national budget is spent on paying salaries and other benefits to over 1.3 million civil servants.

This means that of every dollar spent in the budget, 75 sen goes towards manning the civil service, leaving little left to carry out development work that can benefit the country's population. There is clearly something fundamentally wrong in the way the country's budget is being spent when so
much of the allocation goes to paying for a sector that is generally regarded as unproductive and standing in the way of efficiency.

Finally, this is a budget that is touted as being friendly to business. The question is not only which and what businesses will benefit but also whether the projects undertaken will benefit the country.

From the listed projects, it appears that we are returning to the era of mega high-status, expensive projects which will provide little value-added to the Malaysian economy. Projects such as the proposed RM5 billion tower should be scrapped, and the resources spent instead on the expansion of public housing, transport, health and other badly needed amenities and services that can truly benefit the ordinary people.

About the author:

Dr Lim Teck Ghee is the director of the Centre for Policy Initiatives

Comment :-

• Frankie Yeoh

  The PM wants the 5-bn worth skyscraper cuz of seeing the richest tycoon of India he could afford a 27-storey luxurious private super condo worth RM3.10-bn as his residence which caught his inspiration?!.. My question is - Can the rakyat afford another round of raping via this mega project like PKFZ which ultimately may become a white elephant?! Why can't the 100-storey mammoth be built by FDI and must all our hard-earned monies be plundered once more again?!...Again, if this project is financed by public funding, a couple of cronies will only be laughing away with thick doughs at the throes and wary of the tax-paying rakyat!

The debut of 1-Malaysia Budget....

2011 Budget: Big Malaysia is back

October 15, 2010

Najib’s 2011 Budget appeared reminiscent of those tabled during Dr Mahathir’s reign.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — Big projects. Big spending. Big business.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s Budget 2011 speech today confirmed the return of big Malaysia, with a slew of announcements headlined by the construction of a 100-storey tower in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and the widely-expected Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system for the city.

The prime minister appeared today to reach for the old mega-project playbook, particularly through real estate plays, in his bid to lift the economy towards high-income status.

This would disappoint Malaysians hoping for more radical reforms in terms of upgrading the nation’s productive and innovative capacities.

Among large construction projects that will kick off under the 2011 Budget are the RM43 billion new KL MRT project; the RM5 billion 100-storey Warisan Merdeka tower; the RM26 billion KL International Financial district; the RM3 billion integrated eco-resort in Karambunai, Sabah; construction of multiple new highways; and the development of the 1,084-ha Malaysian Rubber Board land in Sungai Buloh.

The 2011 Budget was deemed a dipstick of the current administration’s commitment to reform but the highlights appeared to be largely big-ticket construction projects rather than commitments to drastically restructure the economy by revamping efficiency, productivity and innovation.

Mega-projects also characterised Malaysia’s development under the 22-year Mahathir administration, which featured the construction of the RM25 billion Putrajaya administrative centre that has been panned as “extravagant”, and the troubled RM7.3 billion Bakum Dam.

Under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the country also saw the construction of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, which, when completed, was the tallest buildings in the world.

While Najib stressed today that the private sector should lead economic growth and the government’s bold moves to spend on infrastructure should boost investor confidence, some observers complained that there were no efforts cut down the size of government’s operational expenditure.

Chief executive of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs, Wan Saiful Wan Jan, noted that 75 per cent of the government’s budget — RM163 billion — was for operational expenditure.

“This means the government is committed to maintaining a bloated civil service, with civil servants devouring 75 per cent of the allocation!” he said in a statement to the media.

“I do not see how this Budget is coherent with the prime minister’s intention to let the private sector lead the economy. It seems like the size of government is going to be as big as ever, if not bigger.”

He added that the Budget looked very much like a preparation for a general election.

“There are promises for more money for JKKK, KAFA teachers, and imams, as well as price cap for PLUS tolls, and various other ‘carrots’ are being dangled to voters,” said Wan Saiful.

The prime minister insisted, however, the Budget was designed to meet the aspirations of the public and that the government would not take the easy way out or sacrifice the nation’s long-term interest for short-term popularity.

“We are not dreamers,” he said in his budget speech today. “We are realists. Our success is not mere coincidence but the result of clear and careful planning as well as firm implementation.”

Budget 2011: What’s up, what’s down

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today tabled his second budget for the country, raising it nearly three per cent — to RM212 billion — from his maiden attempt last year, in what analysts say point to a possible snap election soon.

Najib, who is also finance minister, did not raise sin taxes for alcohol as widely expected, although cigarette duties went up on October 1.

The only downside of the Budget 2011 proposals is a one per cent increase in service tax, from five per cent to six per cent, and a new six per cent service tax for paid television services.

At a glance, here are the ups and downs of Budget 2011.

UP

Budget total: Up 2.8 per cent to RM212 billion.

Service tax: Up to six per cent, from five per cent.

New service tax for paid TV broadcasting service: Six per cent.

Maternity leave: Up to 90 days, from 60 days.

PhD-qualified academic staff in research universities: Up to 75 per cent.

PhD-qualified academic staff in public institutions: Up to 60 per cent.

Minimum wages for security guards: Up to RM500-RM700, from RM300-RM400.

Monthly allowance for JKKK and JKKP chairman: Up to RM800, from RM450.

Meeting attendance allowance for JKKK committee members: Up to RM50, from RM30.

Monthly allowance for imams: Up to RM750, from RM450.

Monthly allowance for KAFA teachers: Up to RM800, from RM500.

Civil servant funeral arrangement assistance: Up to RM3,000, from RM1,000.

Loan for civil servants for additional works on low-cost houses: Up toRM20,000, from RM10,000.

Maximum loan eligibility for civil servants: Up to RM450,000, from RM360,000.

DOWN

Permanent residence application submission: Down to five years, from 10 years.

Property registration process: Down to one day, from 30 days.

Stamp duty exemption for first-time house buyers: 50 per cent for houses not exceeding RM350,000.

Stamp duty exemption on loan agreement instruments: Down to 50 per cent.

No increase of PLUS highways toll rates for the next five years.

Mobile phones now exempt from 10 per cent sales tax.

Five to 30 per cent import duties on 300 goods preferred by tourists and locals to be abolished.

Exemption of import duties and sales tax on broadband equipment extended until 2012.

Exemption of import and excise duties on hybrid, electric cars and motorcycles.

Tax exemption on income from trading of Certified Emission Reductions certificatea extended until 2012.

Excise duty exemption on national vehicles for the disabled: 100 per cent, from 50 per cent.

The Big Malaysia is back....

Budget 2011 highlights

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:55

KUALA LUMPUR: The Budget 2011 emphasises on efforts to transform the nation into a developed and high-income economy with inclusive and sustainable development.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said the government took into consideration views from the public and private sectors, focus groups, media, 1M blog and lab sessions.

Below are the salient points as tweeted by the Prime Minister's office:

* The deficit for 2011 is expected to further decline to 5.4% of GDP, compared with 5.6% in 2010.

* Government revenue collection is estimated to increase 2.3% to RM165.8 billion in 2011, up from RM162.1 billion in 2010.

* RM45.6 billion will be allocated for development expenditure, RM15.5 billion for the social sector.

* RM212 billion allocated for Budget 2011, which is 2.8% higher than the allocation for 2010.

* Civil servants' burden in coping with schooling expenses to be reduced by providing a Special Financial Assistance of RM500.

* The government agrees to abolish the Competency Level Assessment/PTK and replace it with a more suitable evaluation system by June 2011.

* 1Malaysia Development Fund Bhd (1MDB) will provide RM20 million to the 1Malaysia Youth Fund. This fund will be utilised to instill the 1Malaysia spirit.

* To assist children, particularly from low-income families, excel academically, the 1MDB will provide multi-vitamins for primary school pupils.

* RM1.9 billion allocated to environmental preservation, including implementing the River of Life Programme and KL greening.

* RM70 million allocated for programs with select NGOs to help the government strengthen the family institution and address social ills e.g. baby dumping.

* RM350 million allocated to implement various programmes to combat crime, including burglary, motorcycle and car thefts.

* The government will provide an additional 25 1Malaysia clinics. Since 2009, 51 1Malaysia clinics are in operation.

* RM15.2 billion allocated to build new hospitals, increase the number of doctors and nurses as well as to obtain supplies of medicines and equipment.

* Toll rates in four highways owned by Plus Expressway Bhd will not be raised for the next five years, effective immediately.

* RM100 million allocated to implement various programmes, including resolving Orang Asli land rights and border settlement issues.

* The monthly allowance for KAFA teachers will be increased to RM800, an increase from RM500, starting January 2011.

* Effective January 2011, the monthly allowance of imam will be increased from RM450 to RM750.

*Allowances for JKKK, JKKP, JKKK Orang Asli chairmen and Tok Batin increased to RM800.

* Government to establish a 1Malaysia Smart Consumer portal to help the rakyat keep abreast with price movements of retail goods.

* RM974 million allocated as price subsidy for paddy, fertilisers and paddy seeds. RM230 million for production incentives and increasing paddy yield.

* Build and upgrade rural roads in Sabah and Sarawak with an allocation of RM2.1 billion and RM696 million in Peninsular Malaysia.

* RM2.1 billion allocated to build and upgrade rural roads in Sabah and Sarawak.

* RM6.9 billion allocated to implement basic infrastructure such as water and electricity supply as well as rural roads.

* First-time house buyers will be given stamp duty exemption of 50% on instruments of transfer on a house price not exceeding RM350,000.

* Government will extend tax relief of up to RM5,000 to help parents with expenses such as daycare, caretakers and other daily needs.

* Government will launch assistance programme to benefit 80,000 disabled individuals with an allocation of RM218 million

* In 2011, the government will allocate RM1.2 billion to the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.

* To develop football, the government will establish a Football Academy in Pahang with RM20 million to produce quality football players.

* For sports development and management, a sum of RM365 million is allocated to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

* Government will allow flexibility to self-determine fully-paid maternity leave, not exceeding 90 days from the current 60 days.

* Government will provide 40 1Malaysia Taska (nurseries) to assist women to obtain quality childcare and early education for their children.

* RM30 million allocated to introduce the Single Mother Skill Incubator Programme and the Prime Entrepreneur and Women Activist Award.

* Government will enforce basic minimum wages for security guards, to between RM500 and RM700 a month depending on location.

* RM200 million from the Human Resource Development Fund to be used by companies to fund specific training programmes for their employees.

* RM200 million allocated to conduct part-time training in the evenings and weekends in selected training centres nationwide.

* 1Malaysia Training Programme will commence in January 2011 with an allocation of RM500 million.

* RM474 million provided to enhance productivity and skills of non-graduates.

* Government will also allocate RM50 million to Multimedia Development Corporation to train graduates in ICT.

* RM60 million allocated to further intensify the Industrial Skill Enhancement Programme in state skills development training centres.

* RM20 million allocated to increase PhD qualified academic staff to 75% in research universities and to 60% in other higher learning institutions.

* RM213 million allocated to enhance proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia, strengthen the English language.

* RM576 million allocated in the form of scholarships for those wishing to further their studies.

* RM250 million allocated for development expenditure to schools: religious, Chinese-type, Tamil national, missionary and government-assisted.

* The government will also strengthen the curriculum and appoint 800 pre-school graduate teachers.

* Government will increase pre-school enrollment rate to a targeted 72% by end-2011 through an additional 1,700.

* RM213 million is allocated to reward high-performance schools.

* RM6.4 billion is allocated for development expenditure to build and upgrade schools, hostels, facilities and equipment.

* Government will establish a Talent Corporation under the Prime Minister’s Office in early 2011.

* RM29.3 billion allocated for Ministry of Education, RM10.2 billion for Ministry of Higher Education and RM627 million for Ministry of Human Resources.

* The government proposes that the rate of service tax be increased from 5% to 6%.

* RM200 million is allocated to purchase creative products such as high quality locally-produced films, dramas and documentaries.

* For Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy, RM93 million is allocated for facilities.

* RM178 million is allocated for the East Coast Economic Region projects.

* RM133 million is allocated for the Northern Corridor Economic Region.

* For Iskandar Malaysia, a sum of RM339 million is allocated.

* Corridor and regional development will be accelerated. The government has allocated RM850 million for infrastructure support.

* The government proposes that sales tax be exempted on all types of mobile phones.

* Import duty and sales tax exemption on broadband equipment are also extended for two years until 2012.

* Multimedia Development Corridor programme allocated RM119 million. Focus is on creating an innovative digital economy.

* RM127 million to be allocated to support domestic oleo derivatives companies and RM23.3 million to expand downstream palm oil industries.

* Measures include encouraging replanting activity to replace aged trees with high quality new clones through RM297 million.

* In efforts to propel the palm oil and related products industry, several measures will be implemented.

* The government proposes that import duty on approximately 300 goods preferred by tourists and locals, at 5% to 30% be abolished.

* To support the tourism industry, the government will allocate RM100 million.

* RM3 billion eco-nature resort Nexus Karambunai in Sabah to commence in 2011.

* Infrastructure facilities to be allocated RM85 million to facilitate construction of hotels and resorts in remote areas.

* The government allocates RM3.8bn in 2011 to increase productivity and generate higher returns in the agriculture sector.

* The government will implement the Programme on Blending of Biofuels with Petroleum Diesel (B5 Programme) in June 2011.

* Malaysia is committed to reducing carbon emission intensity to preserve the environment.

* Tax exemption on income from trading of Certified Emission Reductions certificate to extend until year of assessment 2012.

* Hundred percent import duty and excise exemption for hybrid vehicles. To further encourage ownership of hybrid cars, import duty and excise duty exemption will be extended until Dec 31, 2011.

* The government is committed to develop green technology to ensure sustainable development.

* The government will allocate RM146 million to support the oil, gas and energy industry.

* A sum of RM857 million is allocated for local E&E companies to compete at the international level.

* Existing income tax relief of up to RM6,000 for employees contributions to EPF will extend to Private Pension Fund contributions.

* To revitalise capital market activities, the government will launch a Private Pension Fund in 2011.

* The Malaysian Technology Development Corporation will be provided a start-up fund amounting to RM100 million to provide soft loans.

* The government will provide Entrepreneurship Enhancement Training Programme to train 500 technopreneurs and attract more angel investors.

* Efforts will be taken to strengthen Malaysia's position as a premier Islamic capital market.

* The government will implement bold measures to revitalise the domestic capital market.

* A new landmark, Warisan Merdeka, expected to be completed in 2020, will include a 100-storey tower, the tallest in Malaysia.

* Another major project is the development of the Malaysian Rubber Board land in Sungai Buloh covering an area of 2,680 acres.

* Greater KL MRT to be implemented from 2011. When complete, public transport utilisation rate expected to rise to at least 40%.

* Another project identified is the Academic Medical Centre. This project involves private investment of RM2 billion.

* Development of International Islamic University Malaysia Teaching hospital in Kuantan; Women and Children's hospital.

* Construction of a 300-megawatt Combined-Cycle Gas Power Plant in Kimanis, Sabah.

* Construction of highways such as the Ampang-Cheras-Pandan Elevated Highway.

Also Read:-

• Government revises growth rate for 2010 to seven per cent from six per cent previously.
  

• Income per capita to increase 6.1 per cent to RM28,000.

• Private investment to expand 12.5 per cent to RM86 billion.

• Twelve National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) to generate over RM1.3 trillion in investment and create 3.3 million job opportunities.

• Government to provide allocation as a tipping point for infrastructure support to ensure viability of private sector-led projects.

• Several public-private partnership (PPP) projects under the 10MP to be implemented in 2011 via a RM12.5 billion private investment.

• The Academic Medical Centre, a joint-venture between Academic Medical Centre Sdn Bhd and John Hopkins Medical International as well as Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, is another identified PPP project with RM2 billion private investment.

• Government to consider special incentive packages to attract investors to the Kuala Lumpur International Financial District (KLIFD).

• The Mass Rapid Transit project will be implemented beginning 2011 with private investment of RM40 billion and to complete by 2020.

• The Employees Provident Fund to undertake mixed development at the identified Malaysian Rubber Board land in Sungai Buloh with an estimated cost of RM10 billion, to be completed by 2025.

• To support financial liberalisation policy, the government will implement bold measures to revitalise the domestic capital market particularly diversifying investment products, liberalising equity holding requirements and investment limits, providing attractive incentives as well as enhancing cooperation with foreign bourses.

• Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLIC) to divest shareholdings in major companies listed on Bursa Malaysia and are allowed to increase investment in overseas markets.

• Bursa Malaysia to launch Sukuk and conventional bonds to meet retail investors' demand for fixed income instruments.

• Securities Commission to offer three new stockbroking licences to eligible local, foreign or joint-venture companies.

• Bursa Malaysia to develop an international board to enable foreign securities to be listed including syariah-compliant products.

• Tax deduction on expenses for the issuance of Islamic securities which adopt the principles of Murabahah and Bai' Bithaman Ajil based on tawarru.

• Double tax deducation on takaful contributions for export credit.

• Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) to provide a start-up fund of RM100 million to provide soft loans which allow loan repayments only after the companies generate income.

• Bumiputera Property Trust Foundation (BPTF) to launch a syariah-compliant Bumiputera Property Trust Scheme of RM1 billion.

• Private pension fund to be launched in 2011 to benefit private sector employees and the self-employed.

• Existing income tax relief of up to RM6,000 for employees' contributions to the EPF will be extended to the contributions made to the Private Pension Fund, including the self-employed. Employers will also be given tax deduction on contributions made on behalf of their employees.

• A sum of RM857 million allocated for local companies to invest in high value-added activities, particularly in Penang and the Kulim High-Tech Park in Kedah.

• Government allocates RM146 million to support oil, gas and energy industry. Among projects to be implemented include the establishment of the Oil Field Services and Equipment Centre in Johor with private investment of RM6 billion over a period of 10 years.

• Petronas will implement a regasification project with an investment of RM3 billion in Melaka and will be operational in 2012.

• Pioneer Status and Investment Tax Allowance for the generation of energy from renewable sources and energy efficiency activities to be extended until Dec 31, 2015.

• Import duty and sales tax exemption on equipment for the generation of energy from renewable sources and energy efficiency to be extended until Dec 31, 2012.

• Tax exemption on the income derived from trading of Certified Emission Reductions certificate to be extended until year of assessment 2012.

• Import duty and excise duty exemption duty to franchise holders of hybrid cars will be extended until Dec 31, 2011 with excise duty to be given full exemption. This incentive is also extended to electric cars as well as hybrid and electric motorcycles.

• Government will implement the Feed in Tariff (FiT) mechanism under the Renewable Energy (RE) Act to allow electricity generated from RE by individuals and independent providers to be sold to electricity utility companies.

• Government will extend the investment allowance period for the last mile broadband service providers. In addition, import duty and sales tax exemption on broadband equipment are also extended for two years until 2012.

• A sum of RM91 million is allocated for capacity building in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services industry, aerospace and aeronautical engineering training programmes as well as promotion of business outsourcing services.

• Government allocates RM850 million for infrastructure support for corridor and regional development. Iskandar Malaysia (RM339 million), Northern Corridor Economic Region (RM133 million), East Coast Economic Region (RM178 million), Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (RM93 million), Sabah Development Corridor (RM110 million).

• A sum of RM411 million is allocated for the research, development and commercialisation activities.

• A sum of RM71 million is allocated for Special Innovation Unit (UNIK).

• The new Insolvency Act will consolidate the Bankruptcy Act 1967 and Part 10 of the Companies Act 1965, including introduction of provision relating to relief mechanism for companies and individuals with financial problems. The review will also involve amending the current minimum bankruptcy limit of RM30,000.

• A sum of RM200 million is allocated to purchase creative products such as high quality locally-produced films, dramas and documentaries.

• Allocation of RM212 billion for Budget 2011 of which RM162.8 billion is for operating expenditure and RM49.2 billion for development expenditure.

• Federal government revenue collection to increase 2.3 per cent to RM165.8 billion in 2011 and its deficit to decline to 5.4 per cent of GDP compared with 5.6 per cent in 2010.

A letter to Mr Lee Kuan Yew — Chee Soon Juan....

OCT 10, 2010.

To : Mr Lee Kuan Yew Minister Mentor

Dear Mr Lee,

As you grieve over the loss of Madam Kwa Geok Choo, many Singaporeans grieve with you. Everytime someone dear to us passes away, the pain is deep. Losing a loved one is the cruellest act that life can inflict on humans.

Even as you mourn the loss of Madam Kwa, I am certain that you think of the happier moments that the both of you shared and that you, of all the people in this world, were the one to have had the pleasure of spending a lifetime with her. That, at least, is to be celebrated.

But while you had Madam Kwa on whom you cultivated your affection, there were others who were deprived of that very same joy. They were not separated from their loved ones by that surly grasp of death, but by political power with which you wielded, and wielded so ruthlessly and unjustly.

You had Mr Chia Thye Poh locked up for most of his adult life. He was incarcerated when he was only 25 and regained his freedom only when he turned 57. Even Nelson Mandela spent less years under detention. The best years of Mr Chia’s life were so inhumanely taken away. He had a girlfriend who could not wait for him and who left him when he was still in prison.

Dr Lim Hock Siew married Dr Beatrice Chia. When I met them recently, I saw the love — unspoken but abiding — that they had for each other despite the fact that you had kept them apart for 20 years.

Then there is Mr Said Zahari whom you also imprisoned for years, 17 years to be exact. He spoke lovingly of his late wife, Salamah, whom he adored. She faithfully and lovingly tended home while waiting for her soulmate to return and to hold her and to talk with her. She struggled with their four children, running a foodstall to eke out a living while Said languished in prison. Their children often had no money to go to school.

To this day, he asks for God’s forgiveness for breaking the oath he made with Salamah to be together when they married each other. When she died in 2004, his heart must have broken into a thousand pieces, just like yours is breaking into a thousand pieces.

While you loved your wife, they loved theirs too.

There are scores of others who cannot be reunited with their families because you have made it so. Ms Tang Fong Har, who was detained in 1987 and who subsequently fled to Hong Kong, has been wanting to return to Singapore to see her ailing mother. But she cannot because there is still the threat of her being re-arrested if she returns.

Others like Mr Tang Liang Hong are also separated from their families because they cannot return to Singapore without facing incarceration.

I, too, have family. My wife wishes for me to return to Taiwan with her to be with her family. I cannot fulfil that obligation because you have made it so. I did go to Taiwan last year, but only to attend my father-in-law’s funeral. He had asked about me before he died but by the time I got to his bedside after I managed to get the Official Assignee’s approval to leave the country, he had lost consciousness. I never got to say goodbye.

It pains me to think that the only time I can be with my wife and children in Taiwan is when someone in the family dies.

You have taken away much of what I have but despite all that you have done to me and mine, I bear you no ill-will. As I said to you during our trial in 2008, you are an intelligent man, I only hope that you will become a wise one. I meant it then and I mean it now. Love and the relationships we have with family and friends are what matter most. Riches and power mean little when those dearest to us leave us.

I extend to you my deepest sympathies on the demise of Madam Kwa. I want to express my condolence in the sincerest manner I know how. While I commiserate with you on your loss, I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to tell you, if you don’t already know, how much pain you have inflicted on your political opponents and whose families you have torn apart, the same kind of pain that you presently feel.

In the remaining time while you still walk this earth with us, turn from your ways.

Free yourself from the prison of wealth and power that keeps you from cherishing that most precious of life’s qualities — humanity. It is still not too late.

Sincerely,

Chee Soon Juan

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.

A mini tsunami in Party Gerakan....

04-10-2010 16:20

特别报道！对于民政党顾问敦林敬益突然宣布辞去顾问职，党内领袖纷纷对其突如其来的宣布，表示震惊，希望他重新考虑辞去顾问的决定！

在民政党双十特大如火如荼的筹备之际，民政党顾问敦林敬益忽然宣布辞去顾问职，像征着民政党陷入多事之秋的局面！

林敬益指出，由於现任主席许子根多次不愿聆听其劝告，对於他的表现感到意兴阑珊和失望，并对“倒丁双十特大”感到痛心，于是决定辞去党顾问职。

《辣手网》针对上述课题，电访数名民政党领袖及党员，他们不约而同表示，对林敬益的决定感到诧异，惟他们还不清楚造成林氏辞职的决定。

马袖强：感到惊讶
民政党全国副主席马袖强受访时指出，他对林敬益突然宣布辞去顾问职，感到惊讶，惟他希望林敬益能够继续出任该党的顾问，引领党继续发展。

“党很需要他的领导及他所提供的意见，希望他能再新考虑有关决定，继续留任党顾问职。”

询及林敬益的突然辞呈，会否意味着党内出现分歧或造成党分裂，他表明，现阶段他还不能进一步评论此事，因为也是刚刚收到有关通知。

“我还不知道辞职的原因，暂时不便评论此事。”

郑可扬：不知情
另外，民政党署理主席郑可扬则表示 ，自己并不知情，暂时不便做出进一步的评论。

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Keng Yaik to quit as Gerakan advisor amid worsening crisis

UPDATED @ 06:54:45 PM 04-10-2010

October 04, 2010

Koh’s non-confrontational lead has been blamed for Gerakan’s woes. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — Former Gerakan president Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik today said he would be resigning this week as the party advisor because of disappointment over Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon’s tendency to “bury his head in the sand.”

Amid a party revolt in Penang, the Barisan Nasional (BN) party’s former stronghold, Lim’s announcement today could spark a major revolt against Koh’s leadership of the party.

“He is someone who hates getting involved in solving conflicts for fear of offending people,” Lim told reporters at a press conference today.

The former Cabinet veteran said Koh’s attitude of speaking no evil and burying his head in the sand had brought about many problems in the party.

Lim blasted Koh for planning to skip Sunday’s EGM.

Lim was referring to Koh’s seemingly non-committal stand on the ongoing leadership tussle in Penang, where a group of detractors have launched a revolt to oust state party chief Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan.

The group had last month successfully kicked-off a signature drive to summon for an extraordinary general meeting this Sunday, where they plan to table a motion of no-confidence against Teng.

Despite the heavy media attention the Penang EGM has received, Koh, the state’s chief minister prior to Election 2008, said over the weekend that he would not attend the meeting.

Shocked by this, Lim today slammed Koh for his decision, ridiculing him for opting to stay out of his own party’s crisis and being willing instead to attend the MCA’s annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur, which is slotted for the same day.

When announcing his decision last weekend, Koh had reportedly claimed that his absence from the EGM would not cause any impact.

“I believe the Penang Gerakan leaders and delegates are mature enough to ensure that the meeting will proceed in a smooth an orderly manner,” he had said.

On top of announcing his absence from the meeting, Koh also only expressed hope that the group of dissidents would reconsider their methods in trying to reform the party.

Additionally, Koh tried to play down the revolt by denying that the party’s central leadership had formed a mediation panel to resolve the crisis.

He further claimed that the revolt was merely a “party matter” that involved only the state’s 393 delegates and refused to comment on the grassroots’ response on the matter.

The Malaysian Insider understands from a revolt leader that the proposed EGM agenda had already been presented to Koh prior to the commencement of the signature campaign.

According to the leader, the president had insisted on staying out of the fracas as he did not want to be seen as taking sides.

Koh had also allegedly been nonchalant about the matter, and had not moved to stop the revolt when it was still in its infancy.

He had apparently only elicited a promise from those involved that the party would be united after the revolt and that a proper succession plan was put in place.

Shortly after Lim’s announcement, an aide to Koh said the minister has yet to decide on a response to the latest development in his party.

The Malaysian Insider understands that shortly after news began trickling today on Lim’s decision to quit this Wednesday, both leaders were engaged in a lengthy telephone conversation to discuss the matter.

It is likely that Lim’s bombshell today may trigger an open revolt against Koh, whose leadership has been rumoured to have caused discontent among grassroots leaders.

Earlier this year, there were even speculations that Lim, who helmed Gerakan for 26 years before handing over the reins to Koh, has been quietly masterminding a revolt to oust his successor.

Party sources even claimed that the veteran leader was doing this to pave the way for his son, Gerakan Youth chief Lim Si Pin.

A source close to Koh recently told The Malaysian Insider that the president was even preparing to face an ouster and was willing to step down if the voices of dissent were unanimous.

The source also claimed that Koh’s detractors had already fashioned a succession plan, designed to set Si Pin on his journey to the top.

Gerakkanlah Gerakan, or gG, a pressure group in the party, was also touted to be the brainchild of Lim but this was later denied by one of its co-founders, Yeap Ban Choon.

Yeap had instead claimed that gG was formed by a group of “like-minded” party members who wanted badly to see Gerakan become a stronger force in the Barisan Nasional.

The group is also said to be among the detractors behind Teng’s potential ouster.

Comments:-

Rutheran Sivagnanam If it is KTK's leadership that is the issue, I think his ability was well known before he actually took over. The former President supported him with his eyes and ears open. IN the context of Penang, I do wonder how much the former President... actually weighs in in terms of the support structure for Gerakan. Having lived in Penang between 1989 - 1996, I had the impression that no one individual really monopolized the Gerakan image in Penang. Gerakan succeeded, in one part due to UMNO's strength and in another due to the way they ran the state and due and social order. Penang was a place where volunteerism flourished, NGOs grew, academics saw it as a haven, it was a picture of racial tolerance in comparison with other west Malaysian states, the state civil servants seemed that much more polite and helpful and the state government has a picture of modesty. IT was never one person. Having been defeated, a total solution is needed to convince voters that they have erred and that they should correct that error.

Frankie It's easier said than doing it. Not like the leaders in Taiwan or Korea, when they erred, and serious enough to cause public odium, some heads would roll! Can we see this kind of scenario happen in our Bolehland politics? We all know the answer well to be - Never!

Since 308, leaders in the Party are still in the naivety of recapturing the State instead of doing the aftermath soul-searching of what they had done wrong, and why all the dissents and resentments which translated into votes by the Penangites?! Only until lately, the State Chief gave a poor edition of open speech that seemed to be demoralizing, hence causes all these ruckus from Umno and his own comrades pre-empting such as an opportunity to topple him by reason of desecrating the Party image! Whereas many have believed in what he was trying to narrate and he was speaking with substantial elements of truth!

Infighting was not never happen in the Party. Most of the time when it happened, the top fella was able to pacify it with some kind of offer or horse-trading, mostly in terms of future candidacy of Adun, senior positions in the Party or whatnots as the baits! This time round, there's little that the top dogs could have likely to offer, so be it, the EGM proceeds, 101010 is marked as the D-Day!

It looks ugly though, but it's inevitable to happen! The resignation of the national adviser if he were to cite as his public apology giving consent to the failure of the Party due to his blunder of bolstering up a successor of mistake, i may give more respect to him as the old doyen who errs!

To err is simply human. Right?

Time to deliver, the 3rd force asks...

Anwar and RPK clash over pace of reform

LONDON, Oct 3 — Which comes first? Change or popular support? Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was forced to state his case for the support of civil society after maverick blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, who is a figurehead for various grassroots movements in Malaysia, challenged Pakatan Rakyat (PR) over their commitment to reform.

In a dialogue with Malaysians here yesterday, Raja Petra (picture, second from left), commonly known as RPK on his controversial Malaysia Today website, threatened to pull out from supporting PR in the upcoming Galas by-election as PR had failed to deliver on promises agreed before the March 2008 elections.

In that historic elections saw the fledgling opposition pact sweep into power in five states and gain 82 seats in Parliament, denying Barisan Nasional (BN) their customary two-thirds majority in the legislative house.

But Anwar pleaded for understanding as many of the reforms could not be implemented without control of federal government and insisted that civil society should help PR come into power so that these reforms could come to past.

Raja Petra said that “prior to March 2008, we sat down for months and formulated the People’s Declaration which was an improved version of an earlier document, Agenda for Change whose author was Anwar himself when he was in prison,” the blogger who is in self-imposed exile in the UK said, referring to the former deputy prime minister’s time in prison after being sacked and then charged with sodomy and abuse of power.

The maverick blogger described how the declaration, which encompasses a wide range of issues from the economy, education, healthcare and politics, was presented to the three parties that make up PR and other opposition parties and claimed that “it was accepted more or less as an election manifesto. Because of that we went to the ground, we campaigned and criss-crossed Malaysia.”

However, he expressed his unhappiness that PR had yet to deliver on the promises in the manifesto despite being in power in several states for over two-and-a-half years. He cited examples such as the lack of newspapers, especially in Malay, by the state governments controlled by PR as it was necessary to fight the media battle leading up to the next general elections.

He compared the pace of reforms to the UK, where the Liberal Democrats only agreed to a coalition government with the Conservatives after being promised wide-ranging reforms would be implemented within two years.

“We have given PR two-and-a-half years but not a single reform has been implemented. Some can be done immediately, some two years, some 20 years. At least let us see some, then we will be quite happy and we will continue to support PR in every by and general election including Galas,” he said.

He said that PR’s huge gains in the elections was due to the support from civil society who were a genuine “third force” and cited examples such as the Bersih and Hindraf rallies in 2007 which championed free and fair elections and lobbied for Indian rights respectively.

Raja Petra reminded PR that “we the people are the boss” and the coalition needed to thrash out issues with civil society if it wanted to form federal government.

But Anwar responded by stating that PR recognised the clamour for change from the electorate and that “our friends in civil society must continue to work with us as a team. We need civil society as we cannot rely on Umno-controlled media.”

However, the PKR de facto leader insisted that the alliance’s hands were tied as much of the power to implement reform were centralised in the federal government.

Nonetheless, the Permatang Pauh MP listed several changes that have been implemented including the replacement of direct tenders with open tenders, a policy he said, had allowed Kedah to reduce quit rent to an amount totalling RM15 million but maintain revenue as it was getting better prices for timber in the state.

He also cited the Freedom of Information bill that was being enacted in Selangor, although it was still subject to the federal-level Official Secrets Act.

Anwar also added that Selangor was in the process of preparing Selangor Kini, a daily newspaper that had a targetted print run in the hundreds of thousands to be distributed to households in Selangor to combat Umno-controlled media especially among the Malay electorate.

Raja Petra also expressed his frustration at the calibre of candidates that PR had run in the last general election and offered “credible and reliable” candidates to run under PR.

He cited the fact that many PR leaders had to run for Parliament and state assembly seats as well as the fact that several legislators had defected or left PR since March 2008, most notably resulting in the BN take over of Perak in early 2009.

"When my wife saw some of the candidates she said 'I wouldn't even trust him to walk my dog let alone be my representative,'" he quipped.