TwoSen

I AGREE with M.T.A. (”Let us not punish but rehabilitate” - NST, March 10) on his views about our rigid bankruptcy law. Times have changed and the world has changed but not our bankruptcy law. Businesses and entrepreneurship in this country cannot grow if we have laws that punish those who try and fail instead of those that encourage and support.

I would like to quote a research article written by Nathalie Martin, Dickason Professor of Law at the University of New Mexico, who recently served as the Robert M. Zinman resident scholar at the American Bankruptcy Institute.

She said: “Business failure in the United States, unlike in many other countries, is not regarded negatively. In fact, US bankruptcy laws are structured so that those who fail in business are encouraged to continue entrepreneurial pursuits. If a business fails, the individual can move on without living in shame or total poverty. The ability to start over is what makes some Americans willing to take risks in business, which can be good for the overall economy.”

Many famous Americans have become successful after failures, like John Henry Heinz of Heinz Foods, Henry Ford of Ford Motor, Walt Disney and many more. They were given a second chance and they made a great comeback.

In America, some employers prefer to take in employees from a failed company because they deem lessons learned from previous failed business ventures priceless.

In Malaysia, debts are not easily forgiven. Countries like Britain, Japan, Italy, France and Australia are starting to make their own laws more forgiving to fuel entrepreneurship.

A new bankruptcy law introduced by Britain’s Enterprise Act 2002 was passed on April 21, 2004 to help delinquent bankrupts.

The standard period of bankruptcy was reduced to 12 months and those who were bankrupt before that date were given a discharge as long as they have served the minimum of 12 months. Similarly in Australia, the law has been changed to help those who have failed.

The US research also shows that people who failed before do better in business if given a second chance. This is what makes the Americans willing to take risks in business, thus entrepreneurship is born.

If Malaysia wishes to progress economically, our bankruptcy law will have to be changed. People who became bankrupts due to business failures should not be punished so severely. Five years is a long time for an entrepreneur to waste away and a lot more for the country to lose.

C.Y.L., Kajang

Source: NST – March 18, 2008

FOR citizens like me, these are anxious times.

In the post-election period, people have said that the electorate has displayed maturity. We have no time to waste.

The state governments should put their shoulder to the wheel. They professed love for the country, saying they would improve conditions. Now’s the time to get down to work.

New leaders practise good governance by understanding history and the citizens. This is not the time to make disparaging statements.

This is a volatile period as emotions are raw. Do not rub salt into wounds.

The Barisan Nasional federal government should regard Kedah, Kelantan, Perak, Penang and Selangor as belonging to Malaysia.

This is not the time for revenge. Let us help them. By carrying on with projects, BN can show its maturity gained over the 50 years. Let us all work together for the future of our country.

PADMA CHEE, Johor Baru

Source: NST – March 18, 2008

IN the aftermath of the election, one man stood tall.

Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon was man enough to face the people, the press and the consequences like a gentleman, instead of hiding behind denials and accusations.

In so doing, he has gained the respect of opponents and supporters alike.

At the same time, there are signs that some of the victors have allowed their egos and arrogance to get the better of them.

The victors should not flaunt their new-found status. That is not a sign of strength and power but rather immaturity, for it would alienate them from reality and from the people.

It has been said that “the strength of man is not in how hard he hits but in how tender he touches; not in the weight he can lift but in the burden he can bear”.

Whichever side one is on is inconsequential, if we set our sights on making Malaysia a better place for all Malaysians.

TAM YONG YUEE, Muar

Source: NST – March 18, 2008

AS a local-born resident of Selangor, I am happy that the process of appointing the menteri besar and his swearing-in was concluded smoothly.

It is my hope that Perak, too, will witness a similar transition of power.

There must be goodwill and desire among the elected representatives to ensure the government machinery sustains and fulfils the interests of society.

Every politician must give priority to political stability and put his personal interests in the back seat.

More importantly, Barisan Nasional and opposition parties, both of which made promises in their election manifestos, must fulfil those promises.

Let us see good sense prevail and a commitment to serve the people who elected them to power. I would also like to thank the Election Commission and the police for making sure the election concluded peacefully.

RAGUNATHAN SUNDRAM, Petaling Jaya

Source: NST – March 18, 2008

THERE were winners and losers in the 12th general election. What is heartening to note is the manner in which voters carried out their responsibility as citizens of this nation.

The winners were happy and the losers were disappointed. However, they hope to do better in the next election.

I must congratulate the Election Commission headed by Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman and his officers, including his staff throughout the country, for doing an excellent job.

Threats, paint-throwing at his house and complaints about the EC’s performance did not deter it from carrying out its tasks.

I was a presiding officer at a polling station in Batu Gajah, Perak, and I am proud to say that the authorities - including the district office, police and others - played their part well.

I salute the officers manning election centres and also election agents who carried out their task with diligence and understanding.

Indeed, it was a transparent election and there were no hidden agendas. Congratulations to the prime minister for his victory and for his leadership, too.

K.L., Ipoh

Source: NST – March 18, 2008

I REFER to “Recognise women’s role as homemakers” by M.B.A. (NST, March 12) in response to “Women’s groups want end to sexism, more female MPs” (NST, March 8).

The All Women’s Action Society (Awam) has never undermined the importance of bringing up children and looking after the home.

What we have always emphasised is that those roles must be played by husbands and fathers as well.

This is because both men and women crave for families of their own - not just women. So the responsibilities must be borne equally.

It is this “work/life balance” - for men and women - that is difficult to achieve.

It is not entirely correct to relate the increase in social ills to women working away from home. Part of the reasons includes men not playing a bigger role in bringing up children or doing the housework.

More often than not, women need to work to make ends meet. We also live in a society that is dominated by men and male values.

We suggest that life for men and women need not be an ultimatum of stay at home or work outside. There are other paths.

There are flexi-hours, part-time work, working from home options that men and women should explore.

The government must play a bigger role by making cheaper childcare alternatives available or giving an allowance to parents for childcare.

We also do not measure success only through career and political achievements. M.B.A. should note that we have never looked down on the crucial roles homemakers play, and do not make the assumption that housewives stay at home, watch TV and wait for the return of their husbands.

Many of our members are housewives and contribute greatly to Awam.

I am a housewife and also the president of Awam.

In Awam, we do not value women according to whether they work at home or outside of it. Everyone has something different to contribute.

The differences make us strong. We embrace diversity.

JUDITH LOH KOH, for All Women’s Action Society

Source: NST – March 18, 2008

MAY we use the letters page of your newspaper to thank the people of Kuala Lumpur for being so kind and courteous when my wife and I visited the city on our world trip recently.

We visited many cities in many countries but the people of KL were by far the most helpful we encountered.

I am 60 years old and have to use a wheelchair but this did not stop us visiting the Central Market and other attractions travelling by light-rail transit most of the time.

Occasionally, we got lost but there was always someone there offering to help with directions.

We also appreciated the help we were given crossing the incredibly busy roads.

Thank you very much indeed to everyone we met.

J.M. GARSIDE, Leeds, Britain

Source: NST – March 18, 2008

Dear Editor, IT saddens me to read about 11-year-old Muhammad Asmawi Jalaludin Mohd, who is believed to have been kid napped while playing at a playground near his house last week.

After the the cases of Nurin Jazlin Jazimin and Sharlinie Mohd Nashar, are these criminals targeting boys now? What are their intentions?

I believe the abductors are mentally ill as it seems that they enjoy seeing other people suffer. They do not care about the feel ings of the children’s parents and families.

My sympathy goes to Asmawi’s mother. No mother would want their children to be abducted.

We must co-operate with police to ensure that such incidents will not recur.

We cannot rely on the police alone as our safety is also our responsibility.

The government should do something to attract more people to join the force.

I believe by having more po licemen, we can put a stop to the rising crime index.

I hope that Asmawi’s abductor will return him to his mother.

Georgiana

Shah Alam

Source: Malay Mail – March 17, 2008

Dear Editor, AKADEMI Fantasia is back with new faces and a new agenda.

With AC Mizal and Sarimah Ibrahim as hosts, I believe AF6 will have many changes, especially with the presence of controversial contestant, Mama Rina, a 44-year-old grandmother, and Siti Nurhal iza’s elder sister, Siti Nur Saida.

I believe AF fans will be expecting something different from these two contestants as both of them have never been seriously involved in the mu sic industry except for Rina, who started her career as a club singer.

Apart from being a platform for a singing career, AF also teaches the contestants other skills required in the enter tainment industry such as dancing and acting.

For young people, AF is an opportunity for them to pick up some skills without paying any fees.

If they are lucky, they might have a chance to be come a phenomenal act like AF3 champion, Mawi who was just an ordinary Felda boy, but after joining AF, became one of the most popular per formers in Malaysia.

I believe all the contest ants want to achieve what he has.

For them, AF is an oppor tunity to realise their dreams.

I believe AF is a good plat form for people to show their talents and prove to them selves and everyone around them that they can do it.

It is not only a glamorous reality TV show but also one that teaches people things that we cannot get from oth er TV shows.

It teaches us about friend ship and the importance of being united.

For those in the show, seize the opportunity to aim for the best.

Farhana

Cheras

Source: Malay Mail – March 17, 2008

Dear Editor, IT is important for us to be con cerned about the environment.

Each year, the ozone layer be comes thinner due to the use of chlorofluorocarbons.

Chlorofluorocarbon, also known as freon, is used in air-condition ers and refrigerators and the sub stance is also widely used in elec tronic items in factories.

Whenever these machines are switched on, we inadvertently pollute Mother Nature.

The ozone layer is important because it absorbs ultraviolet ra diation from the sun.

Without it, humans will be ex posed to deadly diseases.

Let’s keep the Earth pollu tion-free.

Fatiha

Kuala Lumpur

Source: Malay Mail – March 17, 2008