His article (published in the May 14 edition of your paper), on the government’s proposal to revive the project to lay undersea cables from Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia for the supply of electricity, raises serious questions on the need for mega projects that cost the country, and of course, the tax payers, enormous sums of money but bring little benefit to the people.

The nation is facing difficult times now. We are faced with rising fuel and food costs, and income that has generally stagnated or even regressed, in real terms.

The poor and the needy have been languishing and now have to brace themselves for tougher times ahead. It is therefore disturbing that in the midst of all this, the government sees fit to revive the undersea cable project that will further tax our nation’s resources and for which there is no apparent benefit to the people.

If indeed we have RM17 billion to spare, I am sure the money can be put to much better use in areas that will bring tangible and significant benefits.

One can think of numerous areas in which the funds can be utilised – healthcare, education and housing immediately come to mind.

As an illustration, RM17 billion can provide low cost housing for 340,000 families at an estimated cost of RM50,000 per house (340,000X50,000=17 billion). With an average of four persons to a family, which is a conservative estimate, this will positively impact more than 1 million Malaysians.

Think of how much this will truly benefit the people and the relief it will bring to their burdens, given that housing is normally the component that costs most in the average household’s expenditure.

This illustration shows, very simply, the scale of what it will cost us to lay the undersea cables. What of the learning institutions and hospitals that can be built and equipped? One could go on.

There is just no justification for the revival of the undersea cable project and it is hoped that the government will reconsider its decision in the best interests of the people.

J. Yap
via email

Source: The Sun – May 16, 2008

I was rejected by the Public Services Department (PSD), Public Institutes of Higher Learning (IPTA) and matriculation programmes, while Petronas, Bank Negara and the Telekom Malaysia Foundation did not even call me for an interview – all of which has started me wondering if we can really make a difference through education.

To put myself in the best position, I went all out in taking part in co-curricular activities. I represented my school in the national level Robotic Carnival 2007 and won the third prize in the national level Mathematics Carnival in 2006. I was a prefect in school, sub-editor on the school editorial board, homeroom president and Mandarin Club treasurer. In terms of community involvement, I was a student reporter at the Sin Chew Daily.

My parents are government servants nearing retirement age. My father, tormented by renal failure, continues to work for a meagre income, for this income sustains his medical bills, for this income keeps my siblings in school. It wrenches my heart to learn that I am anything but an extra burden. It saddens me deeply, for the price my father pays – his deteriorating health – is too dear for us to bear.

Two years ago, I took up the challenge of studying at Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM). The stay instilled in me tolerance, people skills and the importance of cherishing differences. After the pain of living far away from home and rising every time I fell, I arrived at my latest achievement – the Best Student award.

I saw hope on my reflection in the shimmering trophy, and now, it grieves me to find that I have nowhere to go. Besides, another non-bumiputra friend – the Best Student from another MRSM, having achieved a CGPA of 4.0 in three semesters out of four – and who is outspoken and active in co-curricular activities, was also denied by the PSD, IPTA, Petronas etc.

It kills me when my friends came to seek my opinion on whether to go for IPTA, matriculation or Mara (they have multiple choices). Being non-bumiputras, we are not entitled to any Mara-related scholarship. Yet, the PSD still has a quota (only 20%) for non-bumiputras, which is not commensurate with the ratio of the Malaysian population.

Out of 2000 PSD scholarships, only roughly 400 is for non-bumiputras. Please bear in mind that Mara offers various other scholarships, with many benefiting through the SPC (skim pelajar cemerlang) programme that uses trial exam results – which only bumiputras are entitled to – and others through SPM result. All Malaysians are the backbone of this land, so why distinguish bumiputras from non-bumiputras?

My faith diminishes with time.

I don’t understand why after the years at MRSM, and being financially needy, active in co-curricular activities and excelling academically, I still need to seek clarification on why I am still lacking. I have seen people with combined household incomes of RM15,000 getting scholarships. This only makes the rich richer, while the poor stumble at the financial barrier.

MRSM makes no difference for the non-bumiputra. Will I ever see a colour-blind society in my lifetime? Please don’t punish me because of my skin colour, this is where I live and this is where my loyalties lie.

Tan Jun Yen
Ampang

Source: The Sun – May 16, 2008

Not too long ago, we had certain political figures in Putera Umno trying to re-brand them into Mat Cemerlangs by organising activities for them. They even took a group of them, probably on government expense, to skydive from the North Pole. Did such a reformation exercise bring about any change in their behaviour?

The answer is obvious, judging from the various reports we continue to read in the newspapers of these louts terrorising other motorists on the road with their illegal activities. We should not be glorifying them. I don’t see why we should call them Mat Rempit at all. They are nothing but illegal racers and a road menace and should be treated as such. The only solution to illegal racers is to go down hard on them.

Compound and destroy their motorcycles if they are caught riding dangerously and performing stunts, disregarding the safety of other road users. If possible, a few days in the police lock-up should give them ample time to reflect on their form of “escapism” and “cheap thrill”. Only when the end result hurts their pockets and affects their personal freedom will these recalcitrants learn to obey the laws of this country.

Michael Ng
Seremban

Source: The Sun – May 16, 2008

Many parents are overlooking their parenting role nowadays due to various commitments. Even lower-income and middle-class parents are failing in their duties.

What actually happens is that many parents do not play their role effectively right from childhood.

They only become concerned when the children end up with problems in their adolescent years.

Probably, the problems faced by children, especially adolescents, are due to this negligent attitude of parents.

Recently, a teenager’s mother phoned me. She inquired whether any hostel or home is available for her 15-year-old daughter. She wants a home that can discipline her child. What a pitiful state!

I believe the mother (and perhaps the father) did not play their parental role effectively during the daughter’s childhood.

How can someone other than parents be in the best position to raise a disciplined child?

This is crux of the problem today. Parents seem to pass the buck to someone when it is their responsibility and duty.

How to solve these problems?

I advocate more parenting programmes. I conduct parenting workshops in many schools. In this way, I believe I can assist in alleviating problems faced by parents to a certain extent.

In my programmes, through interactive activities, question-answer sessions and the like, I do manage to create some awareness among parents of the significant role they play.

Whatever it is, the role of parents cannot be substituted by others, be it other family members or maids. It is a responsibility parents cannot afford to neglect.

Children are the most precious treasure a community can possess, for in them are the promise and guarantee of the future.

Source: NST – May 16, 2008

We shouted ourselves hoarse when they vowed to make Penang the next Singapore and roared our approval when they proclaimed “Penang deserves better”. And on March 8, we “voted for change”.

Fast-forward to May 2008.

The new Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng, has achieved something that Penangites previously believed to be impossible — completely squandering the feelings of optimism and hope, and deflating the feel-good factor within the short span of two months.

The DAP and its Pakatan Rakyat partners, riding on a wave of anti-Barisan Nasional sentiments, have scored a stunning upset in the 12th general election.

The appointment of Lim and other stalwarts such as the highly respected academic, Prof P. Ramasamy, was warmly received by Penangites.

Malaysians had known how Lim, in the past, displayed boldness and tenacity in bringing up issues of justice and fairness, even at the cost of his own personal freedom and safety. His efforts in standing up for the ordinary rakyat, no doubt, played a big part in his huge electoral win.

However, almost from Day One, Lim has waded into controversy after controversy.

Hardly a day passes without the chief minister making the front pages for all the wrong reasons. He has been fighting and arguing with almost everyone, from the prime minister to the second finance minister, the former chief minister and his wife, and even his own party leaders.

Such populist tactics might work when you have no responsibility and are an opposition party leader. But when you are the chief minister of a state, you are expected to deliver your promises and lead the state to greater heights.

One of the key promises made by DAP was the introduction of local council elections and the representation by non-governmental organisations in the local councils.

However, just after becoming the CM, Lim made a 180- degree turn by saying that due to the logistical and cost issues, the local elections should be held to coincide with the general election.

This means that Penangites need to wait until 2013 for local council elections. To rub salt into the wound, he proceeded to appoint 43 politicians as local councillors. To pacify the rakyat, he originally promised 10 places for NGOs but in the end, seven of these places were given to powerful business interests. Only three went to NGOs. Even these appointments were made in an opaque manner, much to the dismay of many Penangites.

The CM claims he wants to work with the federal government but he keeps making highly antagonistic statements to upset federal leaders. He says he doesn’t believe in witch-hunts but hardly a day passes without Lim accusing the former administration of some wrongdoing (without providing any evidence whatsoever).

While the party has “Malaysia for Malaysians” as its slogan and meritocracy as its core principle, when it came to selecting the candidates for key governmental positions, again Lim failed miserably.

The composition of the state executive council (exco) was anything but based on meritocracy. The members were appointed based on their political affiliations and race rather than their abilities and track record.

The CM could have made amends by appointing as head of InvestPenang an apolitical candidate or through an open interview process. However, he decided to indulge in political machination by bringing in a member of the previous administration.

We hope that the new CM will just shut up and get to work. As leader of one of the important states in Malaysia, he is judged by his achievements and not by the number of press statements he issues.

Source: NST – May 16, 2008

It is rather ironic that parents, who work hard to earn and give the best to their children, get their priorities all mixed up. They miss being with their children during the crucial growing years to guide, nurture, nourish and provide a conducive, enriching and stimulating environment for the proper physical and mental development of their children.

The needs of growing children cannot wait; they have to be met as they arise.

It cannot be put off till the parents have earned enough money, by which time the damage done to the children may have become permanent and irreversible.

The quality of care given by a maid can hardly ever match the loving care and attention given by parents to their children.

The reality of the situation is that with rising cost of living, in most cases, it may not be possible for the earnings of one parent to meet the financial needs of the family.

Provision should be made for mothers to take no-pay leave or work part-time at a reduced salary for three years upon expiry of their maternity leave.

Besides flexible working hours, mothers should also, where possible, work online from their homes and attend meetings through video-conferencing.

Output of work should be measured by the quantity and quality of work produced, regardless of whether it was done at home or at the office, rather than by the number of hours spent at the office.

Source: NST – May 16, 2008

If the government intends to increase food production and ensure food security, this kind of call must be heeded.

The request for the price of padi to be increased from 65 sen per kg to RM1 per kg is not unreasonable.

A call to a padi farmer in Selangor revealed that the farmers in Selangor had their padi priced at around RM1,130 per tonne recently.

It is only reasonable for rice farmers to get this new rate after so many years and after all, the price of fertilisers doubled last year.

Therefore, the ceiling price of 65 sen per kg is not reasonable any more.

The amount of subsidies provided by the government also can no longer withstand the impact of rising costs that farmers have to incur.

They need farming incentives or subsidies, but it is important to channel the kind of incentives that directly help them to produce and secure a good income.

Subsidies can only be meaningful if farmers have a good margin (low production costs) and farm-gate prices.

For many years, all parties — the government, the private sector and consumers — have not paid much attention to rice farmers, even though we know they are the ones who feed us.

Farming has become an obsolete vocation that nobody in their right mind would go into.

Ironically, it is this kind of vocation that should be paid highly.

Farmers can be considered professionals in their own right.

The farming communities serve a noble role in feeding the world and the urban population has become dependent on food producers.

It is unfair to expect sacrifices from the hands that are feeding the nations.

Source: NST – May 16, 2008

It is our hope to eventually retire here to enjoy the diverse culture, the culinary delights, the beautiful scenery and warm weather that Malaysia has to offer. Unfortunately, there is still a great deal of apathy with regard to health and safety issues.

Last weekend, we decided to have a holiday on Lang Tengah island, off the coast of Terengganu.

When we arrived at Merang jetty, there was the normal hustle and bustle as people waited to board boats to the various resorts on the island.

We are familiar with the East Coast islands, having spent many a memorable stay on most of them. Regrettably, the jetty facilities and the quality of the boats that ferry passengers to the islands leave much to be desired. This particular trip was no exception.

At the jetty, my companion and I both needed to use the toilet facilities. Our expectations were not high, having sampled many rural outlets over the years.

However, the toilets at the jetty were some of the worst we had experienced in Malaysia.

Then, at the jetty itself we had to navigate our way past planks laid over holes and rotten floorboards.

We eventually boarded the boat that was to take us to Lang Tengah. There was a pile of poor quality “safety vests” on the deck that passengers had to sort out for themselves.

It was not mandatory to wear a vest; nor were any safety instructions issued by the “crew” (one old man and a young boy), who incidentally did not bother wearing safety vests.

About 20 minutes into the journey, one of the two engines of the ferry started to splutter. Black smoke spewed out from the stern of the boat and the hatch over the engine housing.

Unperturbed, the “pilot” of the boat proceeded to lift the hatch and peer down at the engine as smoke continued to pour out.

Not until the engine caught fire did he finally switch off the power. With no fire extinguishers on board, he finally found an old can and wandered off to the stern of the boat to fill it with sea water to douse the flames.

After a half-dozen trips, the fire was extinguished and the boatload of frightened passengers who had been effectively imprisoned behind the engine hatch were able to “escape” to the deck of the boat.

All the passengers, including ourselves, were eventually rescued by two boats despatched from the island resort. Fortunately, there were no injuries.

It is a poor reflection on Malaysia and, in particular, the tourist industry that basic health and safety standards are ignored.

While many foreign travellers would not wish for Malaysia to lose its unique character and charm, the least that should be expected is adherence to basic safety and hygiene standards.

We hope this letter will serve as a wake-up call to the authorities to make a concerted effort to upgrade facilities and ensure that those responsible, who flagrantly disregard basic rules and regulations, are punished.

Please make an effort now to ensure the success of Visit Terengganu Year 2008.

Source: NST – May 16, 2008

Even one death is totally unacceptable and the people accountable for such a tragedy should be made to face the music.

The programme and personnel should be assessed and evaluated to find out if even an iota of negligence had been the cause of the tragedy. All shortcomings should be addressed before proceeding with the next intake.

If no one less than the director-general of the National Service programme himself can say in the face of such a tragedy that the programme, “will not be scrapped just because of one or two deaths”, what does it tell you about the people in charge of it.

It is not one or two deaths, it is 16. I say scrap the programme. I don’t have any children of National Service age but I come into contact with hundreds of children of that age and have met many.

Perhaps someone or some group not involved at all with this project should interview all those who have gone through this programme to find out what actually goes on when a person reports sick. If I had a child of National Service age, I would not allow them to attend this programme.

Source: NST – May 16, 2008

However, the government also needs to consider the welfare of government servants who opted for the EPF scheme.

They are not entitled to a gratuity upon their retirement and not eligible for free medical treatment at public hospitals after they retire.

I suggest the government extend these two privileges to them. If not, allow such civil servants to switch back to the pension scheme.

Source: NST – May 16, 2008