WHAT else do Chinese Malaysians want?

Another marvellous piece by Zaini Hassan, Utusan, April 28. Enjoy.

WHAT else do Chinese Malaysians want?
Let us put aside the reasons why they do not support the current government in Kuala Lumpur. Let us study first what else they want.

For that, we have to go back to history. The Chinese came to Malaya to seek opportunities. They had lived a hard life in mainland China for hundreds of years. Like the whites who migrated to the American continent because it was the land of opportunity, the Chinese migrated to Malaya to make their fortunes in this bountiful land.

The strategy of their forebears has borne fruit. The Chinese have attained what they wanted. They now live in the lap of luxury in this land of opportunity called Malaysia.

In fact, it is not only in Malaysia that they have attained what they wanted. They have even gained full control of Singapore.

Singapore is not their original country. The Singapore Chinese and the Malaysian Chinese were originally boat people. The difference is that those who landed in Singapore managed to gain full control of Singapore, but those who landed in Malaysia did not manage to control Malaysia.

In Malaysia, the Chinese live in peace with the Malays, the indigenous people and the Indians. In comparison, in Singapore, the Chinese control politics and the Government. In Malaysia, the Malays still control politics and the government.
The systems of both governments are the same, but it is vice versa: The Malays dominate in Malaysia while the Chinese dominate across the Causeway.

In contrast, the Malays in Singapore and the Chinese in Malaysia are very different. The Malays in Singapore lead ordinary lives while the Chinese in Malaysia lead lives that are 'more than ordinary'.

In fact, former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad once stated that if all the Chinese-owned buildings in Kuala Lumpur were lifted from the map, only the buildings in Kampung Baru, a Malay area, would remain in the city.

All the other buildings are owned by Chinese Malaysians. The well- known shopping centres in Malaysia are owned by the Chinese.

The Chinese Malaysians are fantastic. They control all the cities and major towns in peninsular Malaysia, as well as Sabah and Sarawak.

They produce the largest number of, and the most successful, professionals. The school system of the Chinese Malaysians is the best among similar school systems in the world.

The Chinese account for most of the students studying in the best private colleges in Malaysia. The Malays can gain admission into only government-owned colleges of ordinary reputation.

With regard to corporate and private organisations, it is the Chinese who dominate. The Malays number just a few; most of them are low-level employees.

In fact, knowing Mandarin is a pre-requisite for applying for jobs in these organisations.

Finally, an annual survey by the Malaysian Business magazine has found that eight of the 10 richest people in Malaysia are Chinese. The following is the list of the 10 richest people in Malaysia:

1. Mr Robert Kuok Hock Nien
2. Mr Tatparanandam Ananda Krishnan
3. Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng
4. Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow
5. Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay
6. Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan
7. Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary
8. Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua
9. Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King
10. Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun

This is the reality in Malaysia, my beloved country. Is the current government, which has been in power for 52 years, cruel and totalitarian?

What else do the Chinese Malaysians want?

马来西亚华人，你们还要什么？

这是个很有意思的话题。马来西亚华人究竟还要什么？先不谈他们不支持现有政府的原因，让我们先探讨他们到底还要什么。

　　这就得追溯历史了。华人是前来马来西亚寻找机会。他们几百年来在中国大陆过着贫困的生活。就像移居到机遇之地的美洲大陆的白人一样，华人前来马来西亚这个富足的地方，是为了追求财富。

　　他们的祖先的作法取得了成果。华人获得了他们所要的。他们现在在马来西亚这个机遇之地过着奢华的生活。

　　事实上，他们不止在马来西亚达到他们的目的，他们还完全控制了新加坡。新加坡不是他们原来的家园。新加坡和马来西亚的华人是远渡而来的船民。不同的是，那些在新加坡上岸的，成功地完全控制了新加坡，来到马来西亚的却没有办法控制马来西亚。

　　马来西亚的华人同马来人、原住民及印度人和平共处。新加坡的华人控制了政治和政府。相比之下，在马来西亚，政治和政府依然在马来人的掌控中。

　　两国的政府体制是一样的。相反的是，马来西亚是由马来人统治，新加坡却是由华人支配。
　　新加坡的马来人和马来西亚的华人有很大的差别。前者过着普通的生活，后者却是过着“绝不普通的生活”。

　　事实上，马哈迪医生曾说，如果把吉隆坡由华人拥有的建筑物全部从地图上除去，剩下的就只有甘榜巴鲁（Kampung Baru）的建筑了。也就是说，其他所有建筑物都是属于马来西亚华人的。

马来西亚华人真是了不起。他们控制了马来半岛、沙巴和砂劳越的所有城市和主要市镇。他们也培养了数目最多和最成功的专业人士。马来西亚华人的教育制度是全球类似系统中最好的。

　　马来西亚最好的私人学院的学生，大部分是华人。马来人只能进入声誉一般的政府学院。马来西亚知名的购物中心也是华人拥有的。

　　华人也垄断了企业和私人机构。马来人的数目很少，多为低层的员工。事实上。懂得华语是申请加入这些机构的先决条件。

　　最后，马来西亚一份商业杂志的年度调查显示，马来西亚的10大富豪中有8个是华人。以下是马来西亚10大富豪的排行榜。

1. 郭鹤年
2. 阿南达克里斯南（Tatparanandam Ananda Krishnan）
3. 李深静
4. 郑鸿标
5. 林国泰
6. 郭令灿
7. 赛莫达（Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary）
8. 李金花
9. 张晓卿
10. 陈志远

　　这就是我深爱的国家马来西亚的现实。已经执政52年的政党，是否是个残忍和极权的政府？

　　马来西亚的华人还要什么？我想我知道，我想你也知道。

原载《马来西亚前锋报》

Foreign Direct Investment

Was debating with some guy on FB and he questioned why FDI (foreign direct investment) in Penang plunged from RM12b to RM2b within 2 years (after Lim Guan Eng took over).

Never mind the numbers.

Because if more than 20 years ago, we are crying out loud for foreign investment, and today, we are still dependent on foreign investment, this country has a serious problem.

Mahathir coincided with my view as follows:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/23/nation/6113292&sec=nation

Barisan Nasional = Dimwit

'Govt hired Apco for protection'

Yes, the regime is at its wit's end to protect itself. That's the bad news.

The good news?

Don't worry! Because by spending some moola, Barisan Nasional can count on APCO to stage powerful comeback in the next general elections. As the parlance goes, "Any problem which can be solved with money is not a problem at all!" The only thing is that, the problem is solved at the expense of our money, the people's money. RM77million.

Nazri mentioned that APCO is the reason Najib is able to meet Obama. And now, Kota Belud MP Rahman Dahlan told Parliament today that BN “was forced to appoint” APCO to bridle and contain opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat.

"I want to say that RM77 million is the risk, the amount needed to rectify the damage triggered by Pakatan," he said.

The UMNO-dominated has totally got the wrong point as to why they suffered huge losses in the Mar'08 general election and barking up the wrong tree.

If RM77million can get Najib to meet Obama, surely Malaysians can cough up the same amount for Anwar to meet Obama.

So, do we really need the BN dimwits to lead our government now?

An Anonymous Letter

The most important asset of a country is not its natural resources, but rather human resources. This is especially true in a knowledge based economy, which of course will be the trend in future if not already the trend in most of the western countries.

My daughter, who is in her final year medicine in Auckland , told me that a team of Singapore recruitment officers have just visited Auckland and talked to the Malaysian students there, offering job and training prospect for the final year students once they graduate. My daughter also told me that over the last few years, quite a lot of her Malaysian seniors, after graduating from medical courses in NZ, have gone to Singapore to work as house-officers and subsequently stayed back in Singapore for their postgraduate training. Similar teams are sent to Australia and UK for recruiting Malaysians there to work in Singapore .

About a year ago, in one of the articles in Reuters, this was reported: Malaysia is counting on bright, ambitious people like Tan Chye Ling for its future, to lead it away from manufacturing and into the knowledge age. But the 32-year-old scientist, a post-graduate in molecular biology, is not counting on Malaysia to look after her future.

'I felt very suppressed in Malaysia ,' said Tan, who moved to neighbouring Singapore, the region's pace-setter for biotech investment, after a decade of study and research in Malaysia .

'I have benefited from the better research environment and salary scheme here. Things are much smoother,' she said by phone from the National University of Singapore where she is studying dust mites and allergies. Tan estimates that 60 percent of the research teams she works with in Singapore are from Malaysia , despite her country's efforts over several years to develop a biotech industry.

The Malaysian government unveiled plans last March to spend $553.3 million over five years to boost research, attract foreign investment and build new facilities. But its efforts are wasted unless it can retain more talented people like Tan.

'By the time we have the research environment in place, every other country would have taken a slice of the biotech investment pie,' said Iskandar Mizal, head of the state-run Malaysian Biotech Corporation which oversees the government's strategy.

There is a serious problem facing Malaysia and that is the problem of Brain Drain. Why are Malaysians overseas not coming back to work?

Well, pay may be part of the reasons but is not the main reason. Singapore recruitment team offered Malaysian students there a salary which is a few times they would expect to get in Malaysia : S$40,000 a yr for houseman after tax (equivalent to RM86000) which is about 5 times the pay of a houseman in Malaysia . But, as I say, pay is not the main problem. The living expenses Overseas is high. And for a person working overseas, the loneliness and the stress level is also high. So not everyone opts to work overseas because of pay. Many would not mind to work for lesser pay if they can stay near to their loved ones.

Why do people choose to work overseas, away from their loved ones?

Malaysia has many state-of-the-art hospitals and research centres, which may even be the envy of many countries. But hardware alone would not attract these experts to come home. In the medical fields, I have so many friends /classmates working overseas, many in world renowned centres.

Why do they do that?

Some of my classmates and friends did come back as specialists. After working a few years (many lasted a few months), most get disillusioned and went off. There is really not much prospect of career advancement. How many can hope to become a professor, even when they are an acknowledged expert in their field? On the other hand, lesser beings are being promoted to professorship for doing much less.

How many of them can have any say about how things are to be run? How many of them can blend into the local team where the work attitude is vastly different from that overseas? There is an unwritten rule that even if the person is very good, the head of the team has to be someone from a certain ethnic group who may not even be half as good as him.

In everyday life, some become disillusioned with the corruption, the red tape and tidak apa attitude of the officialdom. For an overseas doctor applying to work home, the application can take up to 6 months to get approved, whereas, Singapore sends teams overseas to recruit them on the spot, giving them forms to fill and offering them jobs immediately as long as they pass their final examination. See the difference?

It is the sense of being wanted and being appreciated that make these people stay overseas. Back here, they are often made to feel that they are of a lower class; they do not feel wanted and they do not feel appreciated. That is the main reason.

For those with children, the education system puts them off. Even school children can feel being discriminated; one glaring example is the 2 systems in Pre-University education.

All these make them pack their bags and off they go again, leaving behind their parents perhaps, siblings, friends they grew up together, favouite food that is often not available overseas. No one likes to be like this; circumstances and a sense of being recognised for their worth make them go away. It is really sad.

Parents spend huge amount of money educating them, but the ones who benefit are the Singaporeans, the Americans, the Australian, the British and so on. As long as race politics is not done away with, this problem of brain drain will continue and Malaysia will always lack behind the advanced countries, no matter how many twin towers and Putrajayas we build.

A Lame Joke

周杰伦（周董）爱车大家众所周知，尤其是跑车。但是又有没有人知道周杰伦是不步行过马路的的呢？我有幸针对此事访问了周天王：

我：为什么你不在马路上走路的？

周杰伦：不行啊！每次在马路上行走，交警就会开罚单给我。

我：咦？为什么哩？

周杰伦：不知道啊！他们都说我“Jay walking”！

For Dummies

My dear friend, Akunamatata, one of the author of the For Dummies series recently finished his write-up on "Name of Large Numbers and what they really mean For Dummies". Thinking that there's a potential large market in Malaysia where most people can't differentiate between million and billion, he sent me a copy of his book and sought for my opinion.

"My ol' friend, not all Malaysians have this problem. But if you were to market this book to the government sector, I think they will surely pay you handsomely for solving one of their major problems. And maybe once they understood the numbers, they would probably spend the rakyat's money with care." I told Akunamatata via the telephone.

"What about the price? How much should I tag this book?" Akunamatata asked.

"Any price, just add more zeroes. As you know, they still can't tell whether 6,500,000 is 6.5 million or 6.5 billion. If you are lucky, they may think that 6,500,000,000 is only 6.5 million. All the best and good luck, mate!" and I hung up.

Echo

APCO: Course of Event

March 17, 2010 - Anwar claimed that the Barisan Nasional Government had engaged the services of international management consultancy firm Apco to create the 1Malaysia concept and aspirations. He said Apco was engaged by then Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak to create the One Israel concept in 1999.

March 18, 2010 - Apco issued a statement the next day to deny the allegation by Anwar, that they did not create the 1Malaysia concept and did not work with the Israeli government. Puzzlingly, Najib’s response in Parliament did not deny Apco’s comprehensive involvement, and not specifically to the 1Malaysia concept only.

March 31, 2010 - Apco issued a statement to Bernama yesterday, reiterating that it had neither worked with the Israeli government nor helped to create the 1Malaysia concept.

April 1, 2010 - The CEO and top officials of Mindteams were also the same people who had signed agreements on behalf of Apco with the Malaysian Government to help burnish the country’s image overseas, Anwar claimed, holding up papers which he alleged were evidence which showed Malaysia’s links with Apco. The same day, Khairy claimed that Datuk Seri Najib Razak coined “1Malaysia” 11 months before the Government signed a contract with Apco Worldwide.

April 7 ,2010 - Earlier in the Dewan, Anwar claimed Israeli’s military intelligence agents were working in Bukit Aman through a company, a matter which first came to light in 2008. He alleged that the police had carried out a project known as Apco P25 (a Police Reporting System) costing RM980mil which was contracted to the company.

April 14, 2010 - BY July, the Government would have paid Apco Worldwide Sdn Bhd’s subsidiary Mind Teams RM76.8mil for work done from last June. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, the payment was for services in public affairs, government affairs services and strategic communications, public relations and press outreach.

If you really want to know if Malaysia has progressed for the better since March 2008, don't solely rely on the headlines in mass media.

I am not being cynical, just a little reserved judging at the way Barisan Nasional has led us so far. They came up with the correct slogan, announced imminent favorable reforms and stressed on purging the venom which has deeply poisoned the nation for many decades. And, with all the deliberate publicity in praise of the current cabinet, especially the premier, who is in the limelight for photoshots with the US President and the Vice, the peasants are starting to believe that the rhetoric regime is beginning to change. Yes, the euphoria of reform fills the air.

Like I said, I still have my reservations.

I think that if one really wants to gauge the determination of the government to walk the talk and the level of propaganda translated into firm and resolute actions, the best way is to talk to people who are dealing with the government bodies and government servants. And, indeed, I happened to talk to a few.

"During Hari Raya, they wanted to take extra days off and we (non-Malays) would take up extra shifts to relieve them. But when it's Chinese New Year, they wouldn't allow us to apply for leaves because they too wanted to take extra days off! This is too much! Is this what you'd called 1Malaysia?" from government servant A.

"We had to do most of the work, because we are the only ones who are able to handle the task, to extract the numbers, interpret them and analyse. And we had to summarize the story for the big shots in the meeting. I applied for a transfer, but they wouldn't let me go because I am the only one who knows how to do it." from government servant B. B and his wife are in the public sector. Subsequently when their applications for transfer have been approved after multiple submissions, they had to reject the offer. The offer will transfer B and his wife to 2 separate towns which is 200km apart.

"Don't hope that your own kind will help you. They are busy smarming up to them (Malays) so that they can be promoted. Mind you, they are the ones that are exploiting you instead!" government servant C on his Chinese superior. Sounds like MCA and Gerakan to me.

"Last time, the medicine given out was tiptop. But now since the government is really out of money, we are buying drugs from secondary suppliers for a cheaper price. Everytime, when I prescribe drugs for patient, I felt that I am cheating because the effect of the medicine is as good as not taking any." a doctor in a general hospital expressed his worries.

"Do you think that the SMEs are really getting any financial aids? Don't be naive. You see my stall here? It's been a year since I started my business, I haven't receive the f*cking 3000 ringgit I applied for." from a business owner.

Oi Cinapek, please reduce shark fin consumption!

A Threat To Our Future

View more presentations from Shark Rescue.

魚翅湯 - 一碗一碗威脅我們的未來 (Shark Fin - A Threat To Our Future) by Shark Rescue

View more presentations from Shark Rescue.

The Ultimatum as Promised

For those who has been following my blog all along, you'd know that it has been a rocky boat ride for me to use Maybank's online trading system.

Every now and then, I would have trouble logging into the system or loading the page due to site maintenance (during active trading hours) or server problems, again and again. I had tried numerous ways to feedback and hope that the issue will cease once and for all, emails, call ins... To my dismay, no one heed my call.

And so, before my blood pressure shoots up beyond the uncontrollable threshold. I think, I better pull the plug. Today, I transferred all my equities to Public Bank.

Bye bye, Maybank! Without me, you still have the "67%" to support you. So, please keep on with the lackadaisical attitude. They're lovin it!

ps: Oh, did I mentioned that when I wanted to transfer my money today, it took me more than an hour when I am the only one doing telegraphic transfer at the Maybank's Taman Universiti branch? And I had to fill up 4 forms, because I cannot transfer more than X grand in one form. Good job, Maybank!

Mini-CIQ for pedestrians to be built next year (2011)

Good news for Malaysians working in Singapore.


Nonetheless, let us not be overjoyed just yet. If Barisan Nasional wants to fish their votes, they better put words into deeds.


Let me keep this in my checklist and see if BN actually cash the cheque by 2011.


Mini-CIQ for pedestrians to be built next year


By FARIK ZOLKEPLI



April 11, 2010


JOHOR BARU: Construction of a mini Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex dedicated to pedestrians is expected to start early next year, says Johor Baru MP Datuk Shahrir Samad.


He said discussions between Home Ministry officials, state non-governmental organisations, the police, state assemblymen in Johor Baru as well as city councillors show positive signs in implementing the project.


Shahrir said closed-door discussions, which had been held three times, were chaired by Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam. Others who attended were himself and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan.


“In the latest meeting, the IGP had concluded that the mini-CIQ would not pose any security threat to the state or the country.


“We are optimistic that the project will get under way after we iron out some technical issues,” Shahrir told newsmen yesterday.


He said that among the technical matters were the issue of land near the Causeway, which is owned by the state government, the size and design of the complex, cost as well as whether the complex could cater to both in-bound and out-bound traffic.


He added that the proposed mini-CIQ for pedestrians was first brought up in 2008 after the public complained about traffic congestion and the lack of facilities for pedestrians.


“Most Johore folk and businesses want this facility. It can also revive businesses in the Johor Baru city centre which took a drastic hit when the new CIQ opened,” he said. Presently, traffic via the new CIQ flows to the Stulang area.


Shahrir said the mini-CIQ would afford convenience for pedestrians travelling to and from Singapore via the Causeway.


Currently, public transport commuters leave the CIQ through Johor Baru Central and City Square, requiring a long walk to the nearest bus stop.


In January last year, Shahrir, who was the then Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, had proposed utilising the old CIQ for pedestrian traffic, which could be the solution for the long walk public transport users had to endure at the new CIQ.

Shark Tale

After UN meeting rejected proposal to regulate shark fin trade.

Millions of hammerhead and whitetip are extracted from seas each year, mainly to satisfy a burgeoning appetite for sharkfin soup, a prestige food in Chinese communities around the world. The demand for fins has slashed populations by 90 percent in several regions.

The fish are often tossed back into the water after their precious fins have been sliced away.

Flipper

Recently watched The Cove's trailer on Facebook and I was deeply saddened by the fate of this lovely creature exposed in the documentary.

"The Cove exposes the slaughter of more than 20,000 dolphins and porpoises off the coast of Japan every year, and how their meat, containing toxic levels of mercury, is being sold as food in Japan and other parts of Asia, often labeled as whale meat."

Of course, I am aware that dolphin butchering also happens elsewhere in Europe. But like what Ric O'Barry said in the documentary, if we can't stop it in this little body of water, then there is no hope to stop the slaughter in any place on earth.

If you want to see dolphins, watch them in their natural habitats.

Every divers' dream

Please watch the documentary and take part to save the dolphins here.

Photo of the Week

Who let the dogs out?

"Bumiputeras should own 67 per cent of the country's wealth, in accordance with the population ratio." ~Ibrahim Ali, President of PERKASA.

33% of population sustaining and creating more than 80% of the nation's wealth, only to be shared by the other 67% of people?

As far as I am concern, the non-bumiputeras have never ever attempt to control the nation's economy. The non-bumiputeras, especially the Chinese, slogged tirelessly day and night to earn a living. First, they eke out a meagre living. Penny by penny, they accumulated and they strived unflaggingly to protect and to grow their wealth. Because, they believe that Heaven is fair and will award those who work hard to earn an honest living and that diligence is the key from rags to riches. With that said, surely, the non-bumiputeras wouldn't hinder other ethnic groups from sharing the economic pie as long as everyone works for it.

Furthermore, when there is a bumiputera-dominated government (Malay-dominated to be exact) and a Pro-Malay policy for more than 5 decades, and only a handful have benefitted from the New Economy Policy (NEP), who is to blame?

Open your eyes, my dear friends. You do not need to beg because you are not as weak as the government wants you to think.

And think again, 33% of population sustaining and creating more than 80% of the nation's wealth, only to be shared by the other 67% of unproductive people just doesn't make any sense. And to distribute the country's wealth by population ratio? Imbecilic.

菩萨

昨晚，在两个roti prata和两杯teh tarik之后，CM终于领悟了朋友和法侣的分别。在公车上回家的15分钟车程里，我上了一堂佛法课。

发现

昨天，CM发现她喜欢华文的原因。

I am sorry...

To those speculators and investors lurking out there, waiting for me to take up the shares that you all eagerly wanted to sell...

I am sorry.

To those people out there waiting to buy the blue chips from my portfolio...

I am sorry.

Because, once again, Maybank has done it again. I'd been stucked at this stupid page multiple times today. No matter what I tried, the trading page just wouldn't load.

Who am I to blame but my stupidity to stay with this horrible system?

Wait for my ultimatum, you SOB. 1Malaysia Boleh!