It has been a long time since I last wrote: too many hindrances along the way. The main obstacle had been a long paternity leave by my Network Administrator – his kids are in the exams year. The hindrances are over but then I felt like I am being out-dated : antiquated. Well, how not to feel so when flashing back to all those years gone by. When I started schooling, I need to go to ‘kutubkhanah’ for reference books or to borrow a book. Later I need to go to ‘perpustakaan’ for those things. And, years later it was known as ‘librari’. Then there is the item on spellings (in Bahasa Melayu, and later still in Bahasa Malaysia) – the way spellings are adjusted and readjusted along the years and then of course the problem of ‘E’ and ‘E tanda’. And, the unthinkable of all is the change of ‘air’ to mean water! In B.M. it was ‘ayer’ for water and in English ‘air’ is air. Now in B.M. its ‘air’ that means water. And, along the way too, the rename process took place: in my early years 7.00am is 7.00am. Later 7.00am came to be called 7.30am (time adjustment/time change or something?).
Things then are called differently too. In my early years our English teacher told us that the front part of the car (normally the engine compartment, except for a VW beetle) is called the “bonnet”. The rear end where spare tyre, begs, tools, etc are kept is known as the ‘boot”. Now, it seems the then ‘boot’ is known as the ‘bonnet’ too.
Figures increases and changes to new numbers. The 2-mile distance I use to cycle to school is now known as 3km. Height and weight changes too. Those pound and feet and inches gave way to kilogram, meters and cm.
Going global is the order of the day (not in any of my antiquated years). All seem to be trying to go global. Wonder when “the car for sale sign” (you know, the one where you find cars park along the roadside with empty plastic containers on the roof with scribbled phone numbers) is going global? Should we patent this unique ‘for sale sign’?
Yes, time really flies. But when ask what with 4 wheels that flies, do not say it’s a plane or helicopter. It’s the garbage truck.
Antiquated or not, one should keep on writing – not so much for others to read, but for the sake of writing itself. . . .
Monday, December 21, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
SAHAM PNB
Minggu saham PNB biasanya ghairah dikunjungi oleh terutamanya kaum Bumiputra. Ramai dari mereka sudah faham, yakin dan berminat dengan pulangan yang ditawarkan. Tetapi, penyudahnya ramai Bumiputra tidak membelinya. Ini jelas dengan adanya lebihan unit yang diuntukkan kepada Bumiputra. Keadaan ini sudah berpanjangan melebihi 2 dekad. KENAPA?
Halangan utama adalah tahap kecairan kewangan yang rendah dikalangan Bumiputra yang rata2 makan gaji. Pendapatan sebulan sekali atau 2-minggu sekali telah terikat dengan berbagai hutang atau bayaran yang akhirnya menjadikan Bumiputra seakan-akan "kais pagi . . . ." Dalam kontek pelaburan, ramai dari kaum Bumiputra bolehlah dikatakan sebagai gulungan yang "miskin". Jadi unit2 yang ditawarkan oleh PNB akan terus tersimpan sehinggalah pihak yang lain dan lebih mampu dibenar membelinya. Ini tidak mustahil tidak berlaku kerana sebagai contoh, lebihan rumah 30% yang diuntukkan bagi Bumiputra, dengan potongan 5%, akhirnya dimiliki oleh rakyat Malaysia dari kaum lain yang lebih berkemampuan.
Ramai juga Bumiputra dahulunya membeli saham PNB melalui pinjaman bank.Tetapi bila pulangan merosot, dan pihak bank meminta bayaran tambahan setiap bulan, dan ini seterusnya mengganggu-gugat agihan ansuran sediada kepada anika jenis bayaran dan hutang (mithalnya: rumah, pengangkutan, orang gaji, tadika/taska, bas sekolah, perubatan, saraan ibu-bapa, dsbnya), mengakibatkan saham2 PNB perlu dilupuskan. Wal hasil balik asal.
Jadi ramai juga dari mereka ini kini menjadi "penasihat" kepada anak2, saudaramara, jiran dan lain2 kaki sembang, supaya tidak membeli melalui pinjaman bank kerana adalah sukar diduga untung-ruginya kerana bayaran balik melibatkan tempoh yang panjang. Berbelas atau berpuluh tahaun. Munkin pulangan merosot dan bayaran tambahan diperlukan oleh pihak bank dan pada masa itu jika kita sudah terikat dengan bayaran2 lain, saham2 itu perlu dijual. Penat sahaja. . . .
Satu2nya penyelesaian (munkin) ialah bantuan pihak berkaitan dengan bank supaya bank2memberi pinjaman sehingga 95% dan BAYARAN BALIK HANYA melalui potongan 100% dari dividen dan bonus. Tempoh masa bayaran balik adalah flexible dan bergantung kepada pulangan yang diterima. Tinggi pulangan, cepatlah hutang selesai. Walaupun cara ini munkin memakan masa yang panjang, dan pelabur hanya dapat menikmati pulangannya jauh dimasa hadapan, tetapi setidaknya Bumiputra akan lambat laun dapat menambah equiti mereka, dan ini seterusnya mengurangkan jurang pendapatan antara rakyat Malaysia. Tidaklah Bumiputra ketinggalan terlalu jauh dimasa hadapan.
Munkin juga ada saluran lain yang lebih baik untuk mengatasi masaalah lebihan saham PNB yang tidak dibeli oleh Biumiputra. Sama2lah difikirkan dan dilaksanakan demi mengurangkan jurang pendapatan diantra rakyat Malaysia.
Halangan utama adalah tahap kecairan kewangan yang rendah dikalangan Bumiputra yang rata2 makan gaji. Pendapatan sebulan sekali atau 2-minggu sekali telah terikat dengan berbagai hutang atau bayaran yang akhirnya menjadikan Bumiputra seakan-akan "kais pagi . . . ." Dalam kontek pelaburan, ramai dari kaum Bumiputra bolehlah dikatakan sebagai gulungan yang "miskin". Jadi unit2 yang ditawarkan oleh PNB akan terus tersimpan sehinggalah pihak yang lain dan lebih mampu dibenar membelinya. Ini tidak mustahil tidak berlaku kerana sebagai contoh, lebihan rumah 30% yang diuntukkan bagi Bumiputra, dengan potongan 5%, akhirnya dimiliki oleh rakyat Malaysia dari kaum lain yang lebih berkemampuan.
Ramai juga Bumiputra dahulunya membeli saham PNB melalui pinjaman bank.Tetapi bila pulangan merosot, dan pihak bank meminta bayaran tambahan setiap bulan, dan ini seterusnya mengganggu-gugat agihan ansuran sediada kepada anika jenis bayaran dan hutang (mithalnya: rumah, pengangkutan, orang gaji, tadika/taska, bas sekolah, perubatan, saraan ibu-bapa, dsbnya), mengakibatkan saham2 PNB perlu dilupuskan. Wal hasil balik asal.
Jadi ramai juga dari mereka ini kini menjadi "penasihat" kepada anak2, saudaramara, jiran dan lain2 kaki sembang, supaya tidak membeli melalui pinjaman bank kerana adalah sukar diduga untung-ruginya kerana bayaran balik melibatkan tempoh yang panjang. Berbelas atau berpuluh tahaun. Munkin pulangan merosot dan bayaran tambahan diperlukan oleh pihak bank dan pada masa itu jika kita sudah terikat dengan bayaran2 lain, saham2 itu perlu dijual. Penat sahaja. . . .
Satu2nya penyelesaian (munkin) ialah bantuan pihak berkaitan dengan bank supaya bank2memberi pinjaman sehingga 95% dan BAYARAN BALIK HANYA melalui potongan 100% dari dividen dan bonus. Tempoh masa bayaran balik adalah flexible dan bergantung kepada pulangan yang diterima. Tinggi pulangan, cepatlah hutang selesai. Walaupun cara ini munkin memakan masa yang panjang, dan pelabur hanya dapat menikmati pulangannya jauh dimasa hadapan, tetapi setidaknya Bumiputra akan lambat laun dapat menambah equiti mereka, dan ini seterusnya mengurangkan jurang pendapatan antara rakyat Malaysia. Tidaklah Bumiputra ketinggalan terlalu jauh dimasa hadapan.
Munkin juga ada saluran lain yang lebih baik untuk mengatasi masaalah lebihan saham PNB yang tidak dibeli oleh Biumiputra. Sama2lah difikirkan dan dilaksanakan demi mengurangkan jurang pendapatan diantra rakyat Malaysia.
Delivery System
With every change of leadership, be it at federal, state, ministry or local level, one of the most talk about item is the 'delivery system' (sistem penyampaian dan bukannya sistem penghantaran, kerana hantar tak semestinya sampai). Tagging along the 'delivery system' is the 'red tape' problems. This often goes hand-in-hand.
The aim of the leadership is to make it as easy as possible for the people at large to benefit from whatever policy the government is implementing - and the government spent a huge sum and take pain to ensure 'it is delivered' to the masses with ease. The government, say eg. at federal level will study the proposed project and to ensure that as many people as possible benefited from the project or programmes, the govt will also ask the Implementors to do away with 'red tapes'. Taking away red tapes is easier said then done. The main reason, I think, is because the Implementors are trained and instill in them, the concept of accountability and the avoidance of hanky panky. So, the Implementors will somehow insist on bars and blockages to ensure accuntability, which in the end is their responsibilities. This is where the conflict between the two arises. And the people at large are the losers.
Just take these 2 simple cases:
1. Abolishment Of Roadtax For Motorbikes.
Long ago the then government announced the abilishment of roadtax for motorbikes. The kampungs and inhibitants of the interior esp are delighted. Although the amount of roadtax is small, but the sides benefits are many. No need to go to RTD Officers which are km away, no need to que at RTD, no need to pay runner if you are unable to go, can settle by just buying the needed insurance cover at some of the sundryshop nearby where there are insurance agent.The free hassle-day will give time to go rubber tapping etc which will give income to cover the need of one or two days. But, no sooner the abolishment was announced, the RTD came up with a RM2 disc which need to be getting at their offices. So, the end result is just a minor roadtax reduction.
With modern and costly IT equipment, computer connection to RTD offices and the availability of "portable readers", etc, can't someone think of ways and means to do away with the Rm 2 disc, and give the people more benefits then just a reduction in roadtax amount?
2. Farmacies At Government Hospitals.
Have you ever watch the crowd there? It started as soon as the doors are open! Wondering whether these are the patients just been examined this very morning by the doctors? The answer is NO! Most are patients examined by the doctors one or two months ago. Most of these patients are with 'choronic' dieseases such as HPT, DT or the likes, who needed medicines on a daily basis.
Normally the doctors will examine these patients on a 3-monthly basis, and prescribe medicine for next 3 months usage. BUT, for reasons best known to them, the farmacies will supply medicines only on a monthly basis. This means the patients will have to come back for medicines in exactly a month in future. This also means, if the doctors examine 800 patients on 1st of the month, the next 1st of the month there will be 2,400 patients lining up for medicines ( 800 patients for the day, 800 1-month old patients, and 800 2-month old patients).
Beside, most of these patients are people who dont have the luxury of getting medicines from commercial units. So, they are 'poor' in this contact. As such, why make them pay for repeated monthly travel costs to GH farmacies and inconvinience them with travel problems as most are old people hard on hearing, weak knees, blurred visions and at minimum strength?
Somehow, somewhere, someone should look into this problems and find a better solution to help these old souls. (And, by the way we could also reduce the number of unfill pharmacists job).
The aim of the leadership is to make it as easy as possible for the people at large to benefit from whatever policy the government is implementing - and the government spent a huge sum and take pain to ensure 'it is delivered' to the masses with ease. The government, say eg. at federal level will study the proposed project and to ensure that as many people as possible benefited from the project or programmes, the govt will also ask the Implementors to do away with 'red tapes'. Taking away red tapes is easier said then done. The main reason, I think, is because the Implementors are trained and instill in them, the concept of accountability and the avoidance of hanky panky. So, the Implementors will somehow insist on bars and blockages to ensure accuntability, which in the end is their responsibilities. This is where the conflict between the two arises. And the people at large are the losers.
Just take these 2 simple cases:
1. Abolishment Of Roadtax For Motorbikes.
Long ago the then government announced the abilishment of roadtax for motorbikes. The kampungs and inhibitants of the interior esp are delighted. Although the amount of roadtax is small, but the sides benefits are many. No need to go to RTD Officers which are km away, no need to que at RTD, no need to pay runner if you are unable to go, can settle by just buying the needed insurance cover at some of the sundryshop nearby where there are insurance agent.The free hassle-day will give time to go rubber tapping etc which will give income to cover the need of one or two days. But, no sooner the abolishment was announced, the RTD came up with a RM2 disc which need to be getting at their offices. So, the end result is just a minor roadtax reduction.
With modern and costly IT equipment, computer connection to RTD offices and the availability of "portable readers", etc, can't someone think of ways and means to do away with the Rm 2 disc, and give the people more benefits then just a reduction in roadtax amount?
2. Farmacies At Government Hospitals.
Have you ever watch the crowd there? It started as soon as the doors are open! Wondering whether these are the patients just been examined this very morning by the doctors? The answer is NO! Most are patients examined by the doctors one or two months ago. Most of these patients are with 'choronic' dieseases such as HPT, DT or the likes, who needed medicines on a daily basis.
Normally the doctors will examine these patients on a 3-monthly basis, and prescribe medicine for next 3 months usage. BUT, for reasons best known to them, the farmacies will supply medicines only on a monthly basis. This means the patients will have to come back for medicines in exactly a month in future. This also means, if the doctors examine 800 patients on 1st of the month, the next 1st of the month there will be 2,400 patients lining up for medicines ( 800 patients for the day, 800 1-month old patients, and 800 2-month old patients).
Beside, most of these patients are people who dont have the luxury of getting medicines from commercial units. So, they are 'poor' in this contact. As such, why make them pay for repeated monthly travel costs to GH farmacies and inconvinience them with travel problems as most are old people hard on hearing, weak knees, blurred visions and at minimum strength?
Somehow, somewhere, someone should look into this problems and find a better solution to help these old souls. (And, by the way we could also reduce the number of unfill pharmacists job).
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Cultural Evolution
All things are dynamic in nature - nothing stays put. Things evolve. The very least it will be evolving to an end. From young to old and . . . . So are practices and traditions in culture. Take wedding receptions as an example. For a Malay wedding receptions it has somehow evolve from having it in the kampungs to halls and hotels.
Remember the old days where Malay wedding receptions are organised base on some form of 'berderau' and 'gotong royong'. 'Berderau' in this scenario means guests helping out the host with gift items that are needed for the receptions such as rice, sugar, coffee, milk and even goat or a cow. The giver somewhat expect the host to remember his gift (in term of type and quantity) and hope the host will return the favour, equally, when the time come for his sons or daughters receptions in years to come. The host normally record such 'berderau' items as he intends to help out too when the time comes (tit-for-tat). 'Gotong royong' is of course the helping hands given by guest (normally neighbours) to ensure the success of the reception (here too there is an element of tit-for- tat, ie nothing is free, even though it looks so).
On the reception day there are guest who still come bearing items needed for the receptions [joke: mithalnya gula dlm mangkuk tingkat setinggi Komtar, utk diisi kemudiannya dgn lauk dan nasi kenduri]and/or gift for the bride and groom. The host in return gave the guest 'bunga telor' as a thank you gesture. And to some, food items like the one serve in the reception, for close friend/relatives that are unable to attend because of illness, etc.
Later, this gift bearing guest in the 'berderau' evolve to giving of cash in packets, an amount of say, RM 1.00 to RM 5.00 per guest/family. And the host still give 'bunga telor, to the guest in return as a take home gift. Then, because of inflation or because the community is a bit well to do now, or for whatever reasons the packets grew to a new level of RM 10.00 - RM 50.00, and occasionally RM 100.00, and rarely to RM 300.00. The host in return give, not only the usual homemake handcrafted bunga telor, but bunga telor in ceramic holders, with titbit etc. And, because the host are also now well-off and since the amount gave by guest are attractive, the host gives, as an addition to 'bunga telor' in nice holders, and titbit, gives also paper begs with thank you wordings, and some have names or even photos of bride and groom on the begs.
These paper begs, to note, is not given to all Timah, Daud and Hamzah, but to guest with parcel wrapping gifts, and to relatives/close friends. But not to worry if you don't get the paper beg. From my experience, the contents are nothing more then 'bunga telor' titbits, the smallest of towel you ever saw, and one or too food item. Nothing to cry about. What I hope to see, and get if possible, one of these fine days, a paper beg that contain more valuable gifts. May be a pair of Rolex watches, complete with guarantee card and all.
What I need to do now is to attend wedding receptions with parcel wrapping gifts (the content is of my choice, but that parcel must be big and impressive) and hope to get the Rolexes soon. I will and continue to keep hoping for that fine day . . . .
Remember the old days where Malay wedding receptions are organised base on some form of 'berderau' and 'gotong royong'. 'Berderau' in this scenario means guests helping out the host with gift items that are needed for the receptions such as rice, sugar, coffee, milk and even goat or a cow. The giver somewhat expect the host to remember his gift (in term of type and quantity) and hope the host will return the favour, equally, when the time come for his sons or daughters receptions in years to come. The host normally record such 'berderau' items as he intends to help out too when the time comes (tit-for-tat). 'Gotong royong' is of course the helping hands given by guest (normally neighbours) to ensure the success of the reception (here too there is an element of tit-for- tat, ie nothing is free, even though it looks so).
On the reception day there are guest who still come bearing items needed for the receptions [joke: mithalnya gula dlm mangkuk tingkat setinggi Komtar, utk diisi kemudiannya dgn lauk dan nasi kenduri]and/or gift for the bride and groom. The host in return gave the guest 'bunga telor' as a thank you gesture. And to some, food items like the one serve in the reception, for close friend/relatives that are unable to attend because of illness, etc.
Later, this gift bearing guest in the 'berderau' evolve to giving of cash in packets, an amount of say, RM 1.00 to RM 5.00 per guest/family. And the host still give 'bunga telor, to the guest in return as a take home gift. Then, because of inflation or because the community is a bit well to do now, or for whatever reasons the packets grew to a new level of RM 10.00 - RM 50.00, and occasionally RM 100.00, and rarely to RM 300.00. The host in return give, not only the usual homemake handcrafted bunga telor, but bunga telor in ceramic holders, with titbit etc. And, because the host are also now well-off and since the amount gave by guest are attractive, the host gives, as an addition to 'bunga telor' in nice holders, and titbit, gives also paper begs with thank you wordings, and some have names or even photos of bride and groom on the begs.
These paper begs, to note, is not given to all Timah, Daud and Hamzah, but to guest with parcel wrapping gifts, and to relatives/close friends. But not to worry if you don't get the paper beg. From my experience, the contents are nothing more then 'bunga telor' titbits, the smallest of towel you ever saw, and one or too food item. Nothing to cry about. What I hope to see, and get if possible, one of these fine days, a paper beg that contain more valuable gifts. May be a pair of Rolex watches, complete with guarantee card and all.
What I need to do now is to attend wedding receptions with parcel wrapping gifts (the content is of my choice, but that parcel must be big and impressive) and hope to get the Rolexes soon. I will and continue to keep hoping for that fine day . . . .
Monday, March 30, 2009
WIN-WIN SITUATIONS . . .. .and a WINDFALL to others. ! ! !
Malaysian Highway is one of the best in the region. Well kept with beautiful landscaping in most of the stretches. But this does not mean it's a smooth driving lane. It does not come free of hickups and problems. When opened, it was highly appreciated except by some opposition leaders. Then, the problems surfaced. First it was the problems of never ending rates increases, bad stretches, "vultures" and the unreasonable charges by tow truckers, etc. Now all are "under control". So, it seems.
Last week a friend of mine call from the highway saying that his car overheated and had just stopped the car to cool down. While talking I could hear the sound of a motorbike stopping by and asking whats the problem. My friend told me he'd call back later.
About 20 mins. later he called and said his problem is solved : win-win situations : the guy on the motorbike offered to tow his car to his workshop at RM 30.00 (very very reasonable and low rate) and the estimate of the repair ( flushing of radiator) is about RM 45.00. So, all in all, my friend could repair his car at less than RM 100.00 ( a sure win situation, remembering the cost of towing that normally cost between RM 150.00 to RM 300.00) and the guy on the motorbike is also winning because he gets some repair job and at the same time the use of his towtruck gives him instant cash. All seems fine. A real win-win situations.
At the workshop the guy's mechanic said that he had to check-up and find if everything is ok with the engine.Firstly he told my friend that overheated cars normally result in other damages to engine parts. After filling the radiator with a fresh tank of water, he tried and said the engine cannot be started. [And, the win-win situations stopped here]. After, opening the top part of the engine (to investigate the problems) , the pronouncement was: the pistons are wrapped (or something),the rings are broken, the valve need . . . . and so on with other mechanic's term which my friend have heard before but not sure whats all about. The short explanations was it needed overhauling and it cost RM1,600.00!!!. STUNT, BUT WITH NO OTHER ALTERNATIVES ( THE ENGINE IS PARTLY DISMANTLED, THE CAR IN HIS WORKSHOP, NO WHERE ELSE TO GO OR ASK FOR HELP AND MAY BE WHAT HE SAID WAS TRUE, so the only choice was to agree to the overhauling of the car at RM 1600.00. Discussions after discussions, my friend end up having to stay overnight before the car is fixed (and to hunt for RM 1,600.00).
Things became suspicious because whilst waiting for the car to be fixed, 2 more cars (overheated on the highways) arrived at the workshop with minor problems to be fixed, ie to flush the radiator and to change the caskets ( and their estimates respectively was a total of RM 75.00 and RM175.00). Both end up paying RM 1600.00 and RM 1,800.00. The RM 30.00 and the low estimate was a bait - a modus operandi of the workshop. Later I found out there 2 such workshops "specialising" in repairs for cars stranded on the highways. The other workshop is a place where cars towed by the highway operators are repaired. And the charges are almost identical to this workshop that my friend got stuck with (may be the same modus operandi too).
It seems all towns along the highway have such "specialise" workshops!!! And the bait / modus operandi is almost similar.
So, the questions are:
1. what do we do when stranded on the highways so that we are not the victim of such workshops?
2. whom do we trust?
3. any organisations or body to protect highway users?
For the time being, its better not to trust anyone and trust ownself by ensuring the vehicle is regularly check, service, and change parts, esp beltings when due. And, pray for the best.
Last week a friend of mine call from the highway saying that his car overheated and had just stopped the car to cool down. While talking I could hear the sound of a motorbike stopping by and asking whats the problem. My friend told me he'd call back later.
About 20 mins. later he called and said his problem is solved : win-win situations : the guy on the motorbike offered to tow his car to his workshop at RM 30.00 (very very reasonable and low rate) and the estimate of the repair ( flushing of radiator) is about RM 45.00. So, all in all, my friend could repair his car at less than RM 100.00 ( a sure win situation, remembering the cost of towing that normally cost between RM 150.00 to RM 300.00) and the guy on the motorbike is also winning because he gets some repair job and at the same time the use of his towtruck gives him instant cash. All seems fine. A real win-win situations.
At the workshop the guy's mechanic said that he had to check-up and find if everything is ok with the engine.Firstly he told my friend that overheated cars normally result in other damages to engine parts. After filling the radiator with a fresh tank of water, he tried and said the engine cannot be started. [And, the win-win situations stopped here]. After, opening the top part of the engine (to investigate the problems) , the pronouncement was: the pistons are wrapped (or something),the rings are broken, the valve need . . . . and so on with other mechanic's term which my friend have heard before but not sure whats all about. The short explanations was it needed overhauling and it cost RM1,600.00!!!. STUNT, BUT WITH NO OTHER ALTERNATIVES ( THE ENGINE IS PARTLY DISMANTLED, THE CAR IN HIS WORKSHOP, NO WHERE ELSE TO GO OR ASK FOR HELP AND MAY BE WHAT HE SAID WAS TRUE, so the only choice was to agree to the overhauling of the car at RM 1600.00. Discussions after discussions, my friend end up having to stay overnight before the car is fixed (and to hunt for RM 1,600.00).
Things became suspicious because whilst waiting for the car to be fixed, 2 more cars (overheated on the highways) arrived at the workshop with minor problems to be fixed, ie to flush the radiator and to change the caskets ( and their estimates respectively was a total of RM 75.00 and RM175.00). Both end up paying RM 1600.00 and RM 1,800.00. The RM 30.00 and the low estimate was a bait - a modus operandi of the workshop. Later I found out there 2 such workshops "specialising" in repairs for cars stranded on the highways. The other workshop is a place where cars towed by the highway operators are repaired. And the charges are almost identical to this workshop that my friend got stuck with (may be the same modus operandi too).
It seems all towns along the highway have such "specialise" workshops!!! And the bait / modus operandi is almost similar.
So, the questions are:
1. what do we do when stranded on the highways so that we are not the victim of such workshops?
2. whom do we trust?
3. any organisations or body to protect highway users?
For the time being, its better not to trust anyone and trust ownself by ensuring the vehicle is regularly check, service, and change parts, esp beltings when due. And, pray for the best.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Kuatkan Hujah Menggunakan Istillah Popular
Kerapkali kita dengar penghujahan dikuatkan dengan istillah2 yang mudah difahami, biasa didengari, positif, dan diterima ramai. Namun sejauh manakah penggunaan istillah2 itu benar2 tepat, iaitu meliputi keperluan2 dan syarat2 yang berkaitan dengan maksudnya? Kita lihat contoh berikut:
1. Turun Padang - Sering digunakan dan membawa maksud yang positif, iaitu penglibatan pihak yang tertentu dengan mengambil berat dan menyaksikan sendiri apa yang ada dan berlaku dipadang. Mithalnya ada masaalah yang dihadapi petani berkaitan banjir lumpur dan putusnya hubungan jalan raya yang membataskankan pergerakkan petani untuk membawa keluar hasil pertanian mereka. Lawatan pihak2 yang berkenaan merupakan perkara positif (turun padang). Tetapi, jika lawatan itu dibuat beramai2 (macam pesta), dengan kenderaan yang menjalar, dan dengan pakaian kasut yang berkilat, bertalileher dan bercoat, adakah ini memenuhi msyarat turun padang. Bolehkah pihak2 berkenaan benar2 turun padang?
2. Prioriti - Terdengar akhir2 ini bahawa prioriti akan diberikan kepada pesakit tempatan dan tidak kepada warga asing, terutama dihospital kerajaan. Sekali imbas kita (warga Malaysia) akan berasa lega dan berpendapat inilah yang selayaknya! Namun, kita seakan2 lupa bahawa warga asing itu merupakan pekerja kita, kerapnya pula serumpun seagama dan juga merupakan tetamu kita. Bilakah hilangnya pekerti terpuji kita sebagai majikan yang perihatin, menghormati tetamu dan saudara seagama? Padahal, diwaktu yang sama kita sanggup pula menghantar kakitangan, perubatan dan berbagai keperluan lainnya kenegara2 yang bergolak, dengan menggadai nyawa orang2 kita dan perbelanjaan yang tinggi, demi keperhatinan kita. Sementara tetamu dan pekerja kita kita anggap orang 'asing' yang perlu diketepikan dengan asas prioriti. Prioriti disini sepatutnya digunakan untuk membuat pilihan, jika perlu, seperti berikut:
(i) memilih diantara warga asing diluar negar atau warga asing didalam negara.
(ii) memilih diantara dua kes perubatan berdasarkan keseriousannya - antara yang parah dan yang kurang parah. Mithalnya seorang pekerja asing yang remuk kakinya dihempap keluli semasa pembinaan sebuah masjid patut didahului (diberi prioriti), berbanding seorang (warga tempatan, rakyaat Malaysia) yang terseliur,mukin juga patah, kakinya akibat terjatuh di hypermarket akibat tingginya tumit kasut yang dipakai.
Ada banyak lagi contoh penggunaan istillah yang pada imbasan pertama dirasai bersesuain dengan keadaan, tetapi sebenarnya ianya boleh dibincangkan lagi. Pendeknya, kita kerapkali kuatkan hujah2 kita dengan istillah2 yang mudah diterima untuk keperluan kita sendiri, tanpa berlandaskan maksud dan keperluan sebenar istillah2 itu.
1. Turun Padang - Sering digunakan dan membawa maksud yang positif, iaitu penglibatan pihak yang tertentu dengan mengambil berat dan menyaksikan sendiri apa yang ada dan berlaku dipadang. Mithalnya ada masaalah yang dihadapi petani berkaitan banjir lumpur dan putusnya hubungan jalan raya yang membataskankan pergerakkan petani untuk membawa keluar hasil pertanian mereka. Lawatan pihak2 yang berkenaan merupakan perkara positif (turun padang). Tetapi, jika lawatan itu dibuat beramai2 (macam pesta), dengan kenderaan yang menjalar, dan dengan pakaian kasut yang berkilat, bertalileher dan bercoat, adakah ini memenuhi msyarat turun padang. Bolehkah pihak2 berkenaan benar2 turun padang?
2. Prioriti - Terdengar akhir2 ini bahawa prioriti akan diberikan kepada pesakit tempatan dan tidak kepada warga asing, terutama dihospital kerajaan. Sekali imbas kita (warga Malaysia) akan berasa lega dan berpendapat inilah yang selayaknya! Namun, kita seakan2 lupa bahawa warga asing itu merupakan pekerja kita, kerapnya pula serumpun seagama dan juga merupakan tetamu kita. Bilakah hilangnya pekerti terpuji kita sebagai majikan yang perihatin, menghormati tetamu dan saudara seagama? Padahal, diwaktu yang sama kita sanggup pula menghantar kakitangan, perubatan dan berbagai keperluan lainnya kenegara2 yang bergolak, dengan menggadai nyawa orang2 kita dan perbelanjaan yang tinggi, demi keperhatinan kita. Sementara tetamu dan pekerja kita kita anggap orang 'asing' yang perlu diketepikan dengan asas prioriti. Prioriti disini sepatutnya digunakan untuk membuat pilihan, jika perlu, seperti berikut:
(i) memilih diantara warga asing diluar negar atau warga asing didalam negara.
(ii) memilih diantara dua kes perubatan berdasarkan keseriousannya - antara yang parah dan yang kurang parah. Mithalnya seorang pekerja asing yang remuk kakinya dihempap keluli semasa pembinaan sebuah masjid patut didahului (diberi prioriti), berbanding seorang (warga tempatan, rakyaat Malaysia) yang terseliur,mukin juga patah, kakinya akibat terjatuh di hypermarket akibat tingginya tumit kasut yang dipakai.
Ada banyak lagi contoh penggunaan istillah yang pada imbasan pertama dirasai bersesuain dengan keadaan, tetapi sebenarnya ianya boleh dibincangkan lagi. Pendeknya, kita kerapkali kuatkan hujah2 kita dengan istillah2 yang mudah diterima untuk keperluan kita sendiri, tanpa berlandaskan maksud dan keperluan sebenar istillah2 itu.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Eco Tourism And Friend With Principles (Part 2)
ii. Friend With Principles:
Last weekend our group (about 35 of us - ex Tunku Bendahara's Special Malay Classes) went to Tasik Kenyir. I have heard of the place but never been there although its in Malaysia. The trip there with old friends was enjoyable and the long distant was covered without a hitch.The Tasik Kenyir is a man made lake (for hydro electricity purposes) and its a huge lake covering an area about the size of Negri Sembilan. And in it you could find about 360 islands (previously these are mountain peaks). At the Gawi jetty one could see boathouses moored by the side and in nearby islands one could see chalets, government research buildings, etc. In its haydays thousands visits the lake weekly and tourism related business was roaring then. The place is cool, calm and inviting. Its a beautiful place.
But, whats interesting to us was that we met a long time friend there. Almost all of us have not seen him for a long time. The last time we were together was way back after LCE examination in 1964. This friend of ours had a colourful and sorrowful episode in life - i.e. careerwise.
After LCE he got married and join an organisation to begin his career. Years ago we heard he was doing very well in his career - being promoted now and again and reached the top of the scale in record time. He still is holding the record now. After 18 years of productive work, contributing heart and soul to the organisation, and producing creative assets that are being use and exported till today, he was asked to leave the organisation "for your own good" and for "the good of the organisation" He left and got only the EPF money to his name. Nothing else what-so-ever.
This led to his second career as a Restaurant Operator to keep his wife and kids alive. This business lasted a few years. Stiff competition and undercutting drove him to closure.
Next, he left KL and move far inland to Tasik Kenyir. Living on a self build boathouse he slowly develope a business evolving arround eco tourism. After a few years, he was a succesful operator, in fact the most succesful operator at Tasik Kenyir, complete with a few speedboats, boathouses, jetskies, and the like. His speciallity was to take small group of tycoon for Kelah fishings. Those were the days.
We talk with him for hours on our first night at Tasik Kenyir. But, what interest me most is his principles. I just want to summarise here some of his principles.
1. He was once flying in a heli with our belove exPM - Tun Mahathir. He was at the rear and making an arm-throw type fishing net (jala). Tun asked him whats he is doing and commented that he is good at making it. His reply - taklah pandai sangat Datuk Seri, tapi ada sedikit asas dan setelah berulang kali membuatnya, lama lama pandailah juga. (jika kita membuat sesuatu berulang kali lama-lama kita akan jadi pakar membuatnya).
2. Education - should be followed until the end, ie PhD's level. Even if you are good or the best at doing something, without paper qualification to back you, you will not be listened to.
3. Careerwise - be your own boss. Never be a servant to others.
4. Property - (amat malang jika ada ketika nanti orang Melayu di Tanah Melayu tidak lagi mempunyai tanah sendiri). Do your utmost to own property, esp land and landed property. Don't just be satisfied with inheritted property.
5. Birthdays - its wrong for parents to celebrate sons/daughters birthdays with gifts, cakes, parties, greeting cards etc. The sons/daughters birthdays should be the day the sons/daughters remembers their mother and the argonies she went through then: the life-death battle to deliver, the pains that accompany pre-deliveries, the abstaintion period of limited eating and drinking, the sleepless night to nurture the babies, etc etc. The mother schould be remembered, respected and honoured by the sons/daughters on their birthdays by asking for forgiveness, giving of mothers favourite food, gifts etc. The mother who delivered 5 kids for example, should be able in her twilight days to enjoy at least 5 times a year the memory of the bond of love between them, and the happiness of receiving rememberance gifts, etc from the sons/daughters.
(In Islam : syurga dibawah telapak kaki ibu).
Suffice for now. Plan to visit my Tasik Kenyir friend again. Soon may be.
Last weekend our group (about 35 of us - ex Tunku Bendahara's Special Malay Classes) went to Tasik Kenyir. I have heard of the place but never been there although its in Malaysia. The trip there with old friends was enjoyable and the long distant was covered without a hitch.The Tasik Kenyir is a man made lake (for hydro electricity purposes) and its a huge lake covering an area about the size of Negri Sembilan. And in it you could find about 360 islands (previously these are mountain peaks). At the Gawi jetty one could see boathouses moored by the side and in nearby islands one could see chalets, government research buildings, etc. In its haydays thousands visits the lake weekly and tourism related business was roaring then. The place is cool, calm and inviting. Its a beautiful place.
But, whats interesting to us was that we met a long time friend there. Almost all of us have not seen him for a long time. The last time we were together was way back after LCE examination in 1964. This friend of ours had a colourful and sorrowful episode in life - i.e. careerwise.
After LCE he got married and join an organisation to begin his career. Years ago we heard he was doing very well in his career - being promoted now and again and reached the top of the scale in record time. He still is holding the record now. After 18 years of productive work, contributing heart and soul to the organisation, and producing creative assets that are being use and exported till today, he was asked to leave the organisation "for your own good" and for "the good of the organisation" He left and got only the EPF money to his name. Nothing else what-so-ever.
This led to his second career as a Restaurant Operator to keep his wife and kids alive. This business lasted a few years. Stiff competition and undercutting drove him to closure.
Next, he left KL and move far inland to Tasik Kenyir. Living on a self build boathouse he slowly develope a business evolving arround eco tourism. After a few years, he was a succesful operator, in fact the most succesful operator at Tasik Kenyir, complete with a few speedboats, boathouses, jetskies, and the like. His speciallity was to take small group of tycoon for Kelah fishings. Those were the days.
We talk with him for hours on our first night at Tasik Kenyir. But, what interest me most is his principles. I just want to summarise here some of his principles.
1. He was once flying in a heli with our belove exPM - Tun Mahathir. He was at the rear and making an arm-throw type fishing net (jala). Tun asked him whats he is doing and commented that he is good at making it. His reply - taklah pandai sangat Datuk Seri, tapi ada sedikit asas dan setelah berulang kali membuatnya, lama lama pandailah juga. (jika kita membuat sesuatu berulang kali lama-lama kita akan jadi pakar membuatnya).
2. Education - should be followed until the end, ie PhD's level. Even if you are good or the best at doing something, without paper qualification to back you, you will not be listened to.
3. Careerwise - be your own boss. Never be a servant to others.
4. Property - (amat malang jika ada ketika nanti orang Melayu di Tanah Melayu tidak lagi mempunyai tanah sendiri). Do your utmost to own property, esp land and landed property. Don't just be satisfied with inheritted property.
5. Birthdays - its wrong for parents to celebrate sons/daughters birthdays with gifts, cakes, parties, greeting cards etc. The sons/daughters birthdays should be the day the sons/daughters remembers their mother and the argonies she went through then: the life-death battle to deliver, the pains that accompany pre-deliveries, the abstaintion period of limited eating and drinking, the sleepless night to nurture the babies, etc etc. The mother schould be remembered, respected and honoured by the sons/daughters on their birthdays by asking for forgiveness, giving of mothers favourite food, gifts etc. The mother who delivered 5 kids for example, should be able in her twilight days to enjoy at least 5 times a year the memory of the bond of love between them, and the happiness of receiving rememberance gifts, etc from the sons/daughters.
(In Islam : syurga dibawah telapak kaki ibu).
Suffice for now. Plan to visit my Tasik Kenyir friend again. Soon may be.
Eco Tourism And Friend With Principles (Part 1)
1. Eco Tourism:
A fortnight ago I asked some friends about eco tourism and mentioned my plan to go to one. The immediate response was " are you going overseas or in Malaysia. If in Malaysia I don't know where to suggest. Besides, I know that you often go back to your hometown in Kedah. Thats to me is eco tourism enough. Your kampong still have birds that sings in the trees and bushes arround your compound. The well near your house is still well kept and the water taste better then some mineral waters. I also know from old visits that some plots of padiland near your house was not irrigated by government irrigation project, and uses rain water for planting and bats droppings as fertiliser. Well, thats eco tourism and organic padi at its best. And, of course I still remembers that vipers and cobra roam your backyard after the first rain of the season."
Well, come to think of it,lots of what my friend said is true. And, economically thinking - Kedah, the rice bowl of Malaysia, just a few decades ago, was producing organic padi (rain water for planting and natural waste from bat droppings as manure). The production was once a year. But even once a year,with the demand and high price for organic foodstuff, the return ie RM wise, could be better than todays return of double or tripple croppings. This is so because, the present double or tripple croppings demand very high input cost in term of chemical fertilisers, chemical pesticide, and the continuos R&D and other efforts to fight the ever resistant pests, etc. And, of course healthwise too. Ignorant farmers nowdays are expose to x number of unknown chemicals which they handle just like mineral waters ( of course not to the extend of drinking it, except for a few isolated instances).
In short, technological and R&D advances in term of chemical pesticides, chemical fertilizers, diesel tractors,etc, result in much more produce, but moneywise, after taking into account the seen and unseen costs, does it fetches more RM than the organic padi of years gone by?
A fortnight ago I asked some friends about eco tourism and mentioned my plan to go to one. The immediate response was " are you going overseas or in Malaysia. If in Malaysia I don't know where to suggest. Besides, I know that you often go back to your hometown in Kedah. Thats to me is eco tourism enough. Your kampong still have birds that sings in the trees and bushes arround your compound. The well near your house is still well kept and the water taste better then some mineral waters. I also know from old visits that some plots of padiland near your house was not irrigated by government irrigation project, and uses rain water for planting and bats droppings as fertiliser. Well, thats eco tourism and organic padi at its best. And, of course I still remembers that vipers and cobra roam your backyard after the first rain of the season."
Well, come to think of it,lots of what my friend said is true. And, economically thinking - Kedah, the rice bowl of Malaysia, just a few decades ago, was producing organic padi (rain water for planting and natural waste from bat droppings as manure). The production was once a year. But even once a year,with the demand and high price for organic foodstuff, the return ie RM wise, could be better than todays return of double or tripple croppings. This is so because, the present double or tripple croppings demand very high input cost in term of chemical fertilisers, chemical pesticide, and the continuos R&D and other efforts to fight the ever resistant pests, etc. And, of course healthwise too. Ignorant farmers nowdays are expose to x number of unknown chemicals which they handle just like mineral waters ( of course not to the extend of drinking it, except for a few isolated instances).
In short, technological and R&D advances in term of chemical pesticides, chemical fertilizers, diesel tractors,etc, result in much more produce, but moneywise, after taking into account the seen and unseen costs, does it fetches more RM than the organic padi of years gone by?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
SONG SUNG BLUE
Oldies normally brings back memories - good or bad, sad or happy. Memories of years gone by. Memories of eras once we go thru. Songs we once hum thru or live by it. Remember those blue songs?
Then there are songs sung to the occasion - song composed and sung for Princess Diana's funeral. And there are songs in Malaysia too that are written and sung for the occasions. One such song was the Shabra-Shatilla in response to the massacre of Palastinian refugees in theose camps. Then followed by the Bosnians (young and old) singging Kosovo Kosovo ( during their placement here to wait for peace in Bosnia). Now the Bosnians are back in their own motherland - building a civilazation after the traumatics of war gone by. They are 'lucky' in a way because they sang their own song - ie they are arround to sing then. But, then what about the Palastine. The song Shabra-Shatilla was sung by the Malaysian composer, not the Palastinians. There are no Palastinian placement in Malaysia to sing such songs. May be the thinking for placement is a temporary kind of arrangement - waiting for the war to end. But in the case of Palastine its not a war - its just another massacre like the Shabra-Shatilla, only now on larger scale: a whole Gaza land. And worst still there are no signs that the massacre will ever stop - its just growing on to bigger and fiercesome scale with bigger and more efficient weapons of mass distructions.
The Palastinians are not out here to sing any song on Gaza. And, will there ever be anymore Palastinians to sing such songs after this and many many more massacres that seems to be coming?
Ethenic cleansings never work before and its not likely to work now!!!! God bless Palastinians.
Then there are songs sung to the occasion - song composed and sung for Princess Diana's funeral. And there are songs in Malaysia too that are written and sung for the occasions. One such song was the Shabra-Shatilla in response to the massacre of Palastinian refugees in theose camps. Then followed by the Bosnians (young and old) singging Kosovo Kosovo ( during their placement here to wait for peace in Bosnia). Now the Bosnians are back in their own motherland - building a civilazation after the traumatics of war gone by. They are 'lucky' in a way because they sang their own song - ie they are arround to sing then. But, then what about the Palastine. The song Shabra-Shatilla was sung by the Malaysian composer, not the Palastinians. There are no Palastinian placement in Malaysia to sing such songs. May be the thinking for placement is a temporary kind of arrangement - waiting for the war to end. But in the case of Palastine its not a war - its just another massacre like the Shabra-Shatilla, only now on larger scale: a whole Gaza land. And worst still there are no signs that the massacre will ever stop - its just growing on to bigger and fiercesome scale with bigger and more efficient weapons of mass distructions.
The Palastinians are not out here to sing any song on Gaza. And, will there ever be anymore Palastinians to sing such songs after this and many many more massacres that seems to be coming?
Ethenic cleansings never work before and its not likely to work now!!!! God bless Palastinians.
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