What lies beneath?

"Foreign investors will not have confidence in a Malaysia that is ruled by a government that is “terumbang-ambing” (unstable) and weak because it does not have more than two-thirds majority." This is what DPM Najib said to media yesterday. The news was published in the front page of SINCHEW paper. He also said investors would instead take their investment to more stable economies.

Is he correct? Or is he deceiving the people? Look at my yesterday post "2007 Investment Climate Statement-Malaysia", FDI to malaysia decreased by 14% in 2005 while FDI to South East Asia increased by 45% in the same year. Wasn't BN strong enough in the past few years? Wasn't BN received the strongest mandate from the people in 2004 election when BN won 91% of parliamentary seat? Our competativeness has been declining in recent years. Not because of our ruling coalition not strong enough, not because of our country economy not stable, but because of we are not ready to compete with the others in the era of globalisation. Look at Thailand, look at Vietnam, look at Cambodia, they are opening up their economies and moving up with very quick pace. Are they going to be like another South Korea? (The following fact is provided by PJ UTARA's DAP candidate TONY PUA during his speech on Monday night in his election campaign in SS2)In 1966, every Malaysian's average income during those days was 3 times more than the South Korean. After 24 years in 1990, we archieved parity. But in 2004, every South Korean earns 3 times more than us. What's wrong with Malaysia? Are our ministers-ministers telling the truth? What can Malaysia people do to change all this crap? We all shall think about it before 8th of March.

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2007 Investment Climate Statement - Malaysia

U.S DEPARTMENT of STATE study group used to produce annual investment climate report of all countries around the world to provide their investors with indept information of business environment of respective countries. The following is the summary of the report "2007 Investment Climate Statement - Malaysia". You can view the full report here.



1) The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reported that in 2005 global FDI increased by 29% and FDI to Southeast Asia increased by 45%. However, FDI to Malaysia decreased by 14% during the same period. A longer term outlook shows a similar trend. Total FDI inward stock for Southeast Asia increased by 42.4% from 2000 to 2005, while total FDI inward stock for Malaysia decreased by 9% over the same time period. UNCTAD ranked Malaysia as the sixth largest destination for FDI in 1995; based on final 2005 figures, Malaysia now ranks 62nd.



2) An in-depth study of the investment climate, conducted by the GOM in collaboration with the World Bank and published in 2005,[3] identified Malaysia’s top two economic constraints as 1) its regulatory burden, especially for services, and 2) its shortage of skilled labor. Two similar studies, one conducted by UBS and the other by the Institute of International Finance, reached similar conclusions.



3) One of the government’s racial preference policies is a requirement that foreign and domestic non-manufacturing firms take on bumiputera partners (with a minimum of 30% of share capital). If a company seeks public listing on the Bursa Malaysia (formerly Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange), it is required to reserve at least 30% of its initial public offering (IPO) for purchase by bumiputera. In 2003 the GOM ended a formal requirement that corporations issue additional stock to bring bumiputera equity back up to 30% if those shareholders had sold their stock. However, bumiputera equity remains a consideration when companies apply for an array of required permits and licenses -- many of which must be renewed either annually or biennially.



4) Malaysia’s requirements for the licensing and operation of direct selling companies include a provision that a locally incorporated direct selling company must allow for 30 percent bumiputera equity. The Ministry also “recommends” local content targets. Local companies that seek multi-level direct selling licenses require paid-in capital of RM 1.5 million ($423,700), while companies with foreign shareholders must have paid-in capital of RM 5 million ($1.4 million).



5) The Malaysian government also included local content requirements in "Guidelines on Foreign Participation in the Distributive Trade Services" that came into effect in December 2004. Among other provisions, department stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets are required to reserve at least 30 percent of shelf space in their premises for goods and products manufactured by bumiputera-owned small and medium sized industries. The guidelines also require that at least 30 percent of a store’s sales consist of bumiputera products, a rule that does not take into account discretionary behavior on the part of consumers.



6) The Ministry of Energy, Water, and Communications enforces broadcast content quotas on both radio and television programming. 80% of television programming must originate from local companies owned by bumiputera. However, in practice, local stations have been granted substantial latitude in programming because of a lack of suitable local programming. Radio programming also must consist of 60% locally originated content. Foreign ownership of radio and television stations is not permitted. Foreign investment in terrestrial broadcast networks is prohibited. As a condition for obtaining a license to operate, video rental establishments are required to have 30 percent local content in their inventories. Malaysia regularly censors movies and television shows deemed offensive on religious or sexual grounds.



7) The government owns approximately 36% of the value of firms listed on the Bursa Malaysia through its seven Government-Linked Investment Corporations (GLICs), including a majority stake in a number of companies. Only a minority portion of stock is available for trading for some of the largest publicly listed local companies. After the economic crisis of the late 1990s, the government began to re-acquire a number of entities it had privatized earlier, including the national air carrier, MAS, and Kuala Lumpur's light rail transit system. The government has given no indication of interest in restarting its privatization efforts. Khazanah, the government’s largest GLIC, handles many of the country’s major infrastructure projects, typically through companies in which it owns a majority stake. The Prime Minister and the Central Bank Governor sit on Khazanah’s Board of Directors.



And many many more...full report.I tried to search for the 2008 report but it's seems that Malaysia is missing out from the 2008 list. You can find the 2007 list here. Can you find Malaysia in 2008 list? I think they are giving up on Malaysia!

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Phantom Voters

No wonder opposition said in order for them to win a seat, they must at least gain 55% of the votes. So please walk out from home and vote intelligently. Every vote counts!
try to put any of these numbers kat senarai semak pemilih SPR at http://daftarj.spr.gov.my/daftar.asp

801018775059
800311086231
811028045577
830416610017
841207065917
851222740019
850513106435
851117106729
850802106378
850916086838
860320145365
861101105077
860208145701
860320145357
861217145011
860126145839
870914105781
870418105790
871016146308
881231100432
881103750027
880505066047
880906087033
881030136332
891102740096
891129740088
890520610089
890112146416
890920076065
890403615016
910609755079
920622710069


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We all can be "THE ONE"

After 50 years of independent, we are still being differentiated by bumiputra and non-bumiputra. Why can't we the malaysian be seen as only 1 race, 1 identity disregard of colours, religions and mother tongue to become the true Malaysian?

UMNO represents the malays, MCA represents the chineses and MIC represents the indians. Are these the perfect combination of the ruling coalition in our country? Or is it just a tactic of divide and conquer?

Malaysia-a holy land blessed with affluent of natural resources. Unfortunately, all these resources have never been equally distributed among all fellow malaysians as it supposed to be. There is a small group of people has been making stories to make everyone of us to believe that they have been doing great jobs to give us better life. In fact, they are the one who smuggling our butters to feed themselves and their cronies behind us.

Something is wrong with our country. After more than 30 years of the introduction of NEP, there are still plenty of bumiputras living under hard core poverty. Though the general per capital has increased but the gap of rich-poor is widening. This means bumiputra is getting much much lesser than they supposed to be getting. Why? Because those they are believing have been taking too much. But yet, they are still telling fairy tales.

To all malaysian, this is our last chance. After this there is no turning back.

You take the blue pill - the story ends you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe.

You take the red pill - you stay in wonderland and i show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.

Make your choice on 08/03/2008. A choice not only for the next 5 years but the next generation!

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A BIG U-TURN from FONG PO KUAN

FONG announces that she will continue to contest parliament seat in BATU GAJAH for the 3rd consecutive term in a press conference that she called in today afternoon.

I believe both LIM KIT SIANG and LIM GUAN ENG are the key persons in her U-TURN to the coming election.

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Gun n Roses

Why didnt we see all these in papers or TV news?

16th February 2008, Malaysia police brutally dispersed a peaceful ethnic indians based gathering who seeking to deliver roses to our prime minister YAB Abdullah Bedawi by firing chemical-laced water and tear gas toward them. These people included women and children surely did not impose any danger to the public security but yet still being ill-treated.







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Cili Padi,YB Fong Po Kuan steals the show

Cili Padi,YB Fong Po Kuan announced yesterday that she will not be offering herself to contest in the coming general election. Already 2 terms elected as Batu Gajah parliament member, Fong's self withdrawal definitely a big loss to DAP moreover people of Malaysia. As chinese proverb says "Good news never spread from home but bad news travel along thousand miles". As expected, Fong's outburst yesterday has caught the front page of today papers. Full coverage story is provided today in all mainstream newspapers. Finally, Malaysia media never been so good toward opposition until today...Syabas!

Below is the latest post by Fong in her blog named "CHAMBER OF THOUGHT"


Thank you, Voters of Batu Gajah Parliamentary Constituency

Time really flies. The second term as elected representative of Batu Gajah has just ended. It was a term with lots of ups and downs. What a challenge and experience in life!

Dear voters of Batu Gajah Parliamentary constituency, thank you so much for all the support which you have given to me and DAP. I would also like to apologise if I have done or said anything which hurt you during this two terms as your elected representative.

The power is now returned to the people. Let us deny Barisan Nasional 2/3 majority for a better Malaysia for all Malaysians. Please vote for DAP!

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It's time to claim back our pride as an Malaysian

Yeah, maybe you will say inflation is inevitable in today regardless of country. But tell you what, corruption has crippled this country due to infinite desire of our impotent leaders greediness. In this holy land, people see politic as the key to unlimited resources and power while the benefit of people only comes second to their thought. ISA, OSA have replaced freedom and democracy in this country. Police forces have been busying in confronting ppl on the street while our children are being abducted. We have no freedom, no protection, no money but yet they still claim themselves the only one in the country who can lead us. Fortunately, we do have election despite the fact our election is dirty, unfair, injustice...so every vote counts. Malaysian shall walk out from home in 8th March 2008 and use our vote to claim back our pride, money, freedom, justice, security and most importantly our children future. SAY NO TO BN!




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Donate today-Vote later for a better tomorrow

Pak lah has dissolved the parliament today. SPR is going to announce the nomination and polling day tomorrow. I seen this http://dapmalaysia.org/english/2008/jan08/bul/bul3433.htm in LimKitSiang blog. And i decided to make a little contribution. Oppositions do not have those mega campaign machinary like BN does so we as fellow malaysian let's help opposition to fund their election campaign.

是华团不安分守己；还是政党功能失灵？

林玉唐（前排左六）率領眾華總領袖前往首相署拜會首相，並與首相會談約1小時半。前排左起為劉志文、黃秀金、符芝萬、方天信及葉健超；前排右起為巫潤平、劉景國、陳達真、許綜文、黃東山、藍武昌、賴益盛、鄭榮興及黃漢良；后排左起為郭隆生、陳友信及李日文.


前两天，华总一行领袖一同拜访了首相并向他传达了一些华社关心的课题。这一次的拜访基本上体现了两种意义。

第一，华团希望首相籍着在来届大选华社在吹反风的情况下给予华社更多糖果。
第二，在朝华基政党功能的失灵。

首先，华团基本上已经失去了当初在85年<华团宣言>以及99年<华团大选诉求>的那股魄力以及斗争精神。由于前两次的失败，甚至被种族极端分子骑劫，我相信华团不多不少已经质疑类似的诉求能够带来的成效有多高。关键不在于华团做得不足，而是由种族主义挂帅的国阵模式几乎不能被给予任何希望以实行开放，公平以及正义的政策。虽然如此，纵然对执政党失望，华团却也不敢公然的支持在野党，推行政改。因为大马不像台湾以及西方国家，拥有强大的反对党。只要执政党做的不好，选民可以随时叫他滚蛋。而在野的政党也准备随时替代执政。我们的在野党没有此能耐。因为选民给予国阵过大的支持，以至反对党甚至连生存都有问题更蒙说执政了。基于现实的考量下，华团就只有希望以更实际的方法，就是在大选前能讨多少糖果就讨多少；至少好过被政治化结果什么都没有。

第二，看看这次华团开出的菜单：

1.全球化與競爭力
■呼吁政府逐步落實績效制，並讓私營化工程公開招標。
■公平錄取及擢昇各族公務員，並鼓勵更多非巫裔加入公共服務領域。

2.通貨膨脹
■呼吁政府繼續提供日常必須品津貼，並嚴厲對付必需品囤積與走私活動。

3.治安課題
■建議政府和警方提昇專業水平，添購先進儀器，同時設立警察投訴及違例行為獨立委員會（IPCMC）。

4.土地交易欺騙案
■要求政府修改相關法令及加強執法，保障地主和外國投資者權益。

5.教育課題
■恢復以母語作為華小數理科教學與考試媒介語，並從英文科的教學與師資著手，提昇英語水平。
■要求政府在華裔人口密集區撥款及撥地建華小

6.爭取批准將南方學院和新紀元學院昇格為大學。首相已要求獲得更詳細資料。

7.吁請政府制定明確的養豬業政策，並批准豬農在原地養豬。政府也應解決土地和基本設施問題。

以上相比起马华推行的‘终身学习’ 是不是更像政党议程 ?而后者的‘终身学习’ 是不是多过像由华团推行的民间活动? 除此之外，

(一) 提高国民的公共意识应该由民间团体来办。不管是反家庭暴力、还是教导如何促进家庭幸福美满、还是推广儒家思想，这些都是应该让民间团体来做。由政党做的话不是不好，只是功能与角色不协调，浪费政治资源。

(二) 合理化教育政策、制度化增建华小、透明化政府工程批发、独立化司法制度、自由化市场经济、平等化各族权益、效率化政府部门。。。还有

(三) 立法照顾弱势群体、提高医药保健、实行高等学府学术自由、津贴环保科技、改善公共交通系统。。。
这些政党若不做就是自我逃离政治



这种政党、民间团体角色扮演大对调的乱像追根究底始于在朝的华基政党自我逃离政治以至于政党功能失灵。民间团体被迫于无法安分守己而兼顾起额外的社会以及民族责任。然而，苦于民间团体本来就没有政治资源却还得承担起政治使命，结果很多时候两头不著岸。如此下去，华社怎能不汗颜？




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新年快乐2008

Malaysia PM's sweetdream

This one is real classic!




He was really tired i think. Let's get him retired so that he can rest and play with his grandson at home.




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