Foul!

We boast to be a so-called soon-to-be developed nation, have some of the tallest and biggest structures in the region and world. Yet, we can't even get basics right - like enjoying uninterrupted water and telecommunication services. Water disruption occurs on a daily basis in the Klang Valley. Why must we subject ourselves to such incompetence? Are we expected to console ourselves by saying: "Oh this is Malaysia lah" or brush issues aside by cynically saying "Malaysia Boleh"? Are we supposed to whine and rant only to forget about such matters the next day? Are we to adopt the 'tidak apa' attitude, hoping someone else will do the job? Are we to leave the future of the nation to a bunch of incompetent individuals? Are we to keep quiet if we were given certain forms of incentives (may it be cold hard cash or projects)? Are we to allow our children to grow up in a confused, greedy and selfish environment? Malaysians are bigger and b...

As published in Malay Mail today   By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my PETALING JAYA — The prolonged heatwave is taking a toll on farmers as they face low yields compounded by water shortage.   The situation may force the government to import agricultural produce as demand is expected to surge ahead of Ramadan, which will be observed in June, and the Hari Raya celebrations the following month.   “Right now, most of the produce are from the earlier stock, so the prices are still ok. My worry is the new stock, especially in the next month or two,” said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.   “Farmers are not producing as much as they want and this is disrupting supply. Naturally, when demand is high and the supply is low, prices will increase.”   He said his ministry is in the midst of compiling information regarding the output of local farmers to see if they are able to meet the demand of traders and consumers, especi...

As published in Malay Mail today   By Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos FIRST of all, we should be fully aware that political stability is of utmost importance for the general well-being of the citizens. No country in the world which is politically unstable is able to develop economically or plan for the future general well being of its citizens. Political instability will not only frighten away investors but may also cause capital flight from the country by its own corporate players. Prolonged political instability will have immense negative practical impact on the ordinary citizen in terms of rising unemployment, increased cost of living, lowering of the quality and standard of living and so on. These in turn will certainly cause other social problems such as increase in crime rate, increase in corruption and wastage of national resources. In short, when the politicians fight, we suffer. We have been having political instability for far too long. The second factor wh...

As published in Malay Mail today By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and several other enforcement agencies will launch a massive crackdown on government offices soon following allegations of corrupt practices that have resulted in excessive clearing of land and influx of illegal immigrants in Cameron Highlands. MACC will also station officers at the plantation and highland resort immediately with the objective of setting up an office there permanently. Insiders claim investigations were underway as MACC “has been pressured” to tackle the issue after mud floods killed five people and injured five others on Nov 5. Homes and vehicles were also destroyed. Last October, four people were killed in a similar incident that caused heavy damage to property. Environmentalists blamed it on uncontrolled land clearing. On the planned swoop, a source said: “This crackdown will be as big as the one against...

Haresh Says, as published in Malay Mail today. This is in no way trying to poke fun or ridicule our civil service. However, it does not help that several black sheep within government agencies and ministries tend to be bosses, even at times trying to outdo their ministers. As a journalist I have come across interesting civil servants, some of whom have been extremely professional in their dealings. But I met a sports journalist last week who said a particular civil servant “owned Malaysian sports”. “He is even more powerful than Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin,” the reporter said sarcastically. I could only smile. There also those who are known to abuse their positions. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department deputy director (intelligence and operations) Datuk Abdul Jalil Hassan said police are looking for a key member of a syndicate involved in fake work permits, believed to be an Immigration Department officer.  This jogs my...

There have been instances where high ranking government servants and ‘advisors’ dictate terms beyond their jurisdiction. And there are little Napoleons who have the audacity of spending tax-payers money to file frivolous legal suits against third parties.   To them, flying business class and spending nights in luxurious hotels are “perks of being in the government”. Such antics reflect badly on the minister and the administration. The press will take the ministers to task but ministers hardly tick off their subordinates for fear of rocking the boat. Even UK newspaper The Guardian , had last Sunday, reported that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak ( pic ) will not risk downsizing the bloated civil service when he presents the 2014 Budget on Friday. Trust me, sir, you don’t need some of them for they have only tarnished your reputation. Read more in The Malay Mail today. HD says: Tired of dealing with mere government SERVANTS trying to act all high and mighty at the expen...

Consumer groups want the government to make a stand over the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which has now been shelved pending further studies. The groups claim thorough studies should have been conducted before the government’s announcement to introduce GST. “Why propose something if no proper studies were done in the first place? It is akin to testing waters,” said Muslim Consumer Association Malaysia (PPIM) executive secretary Nadzim Johan. “We are not against the GST but we need to know the details and till today we don’t know what are the mechanics of the GST that will be adopted in Malaysia. Are we going to use the Singapore model? What is the percentage of GST? So how can we agree to something which remains unclear till today?” he asked. Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) secretary-general Paul Selvaraj admitted the GST was important for the nation to generate income. “But the importance and relevance of the GST must ...

There are four ways you can spend money, according to American economist and statistician Milton Friedman. Among the four is when you spend money from another - say the government's money which is actually the tax payers money. View the short video for what Friedman has to say about the four ways YOU can spend money - especially when it is not yours. HD says : Some people enjoy the perks of causing a mess only to flee abroad.   

To: Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek. Dear sir, I do hope you're in the best of health. It has certainly been awhile since we last met. I am writing to you after reading a Bernama report about a call for comprehensive study on term limit for sports association leaders. Judging by the contents of the report, I would like to share my thoughts with you and hope it is received with an open mind. I don't know who advices you on such matters but for your information sir, the government - especially through the Youth and Sports Ministry - does not have a right to impose any such 'regulations' on sports associations. I would like to quote point 5 of the Olympic Charter which reads;   "Recognising that sport occurs within the framework of society, sports organisations within the Olympic Movement shall have the rights and obligations of autonomy, which include freely establishing and controlling the rules of sport, determining the structure and go...