I have been following the going-ons between Khairy Jamaluddin and Tony Pua over the latter's remarks alleging that the civil service has been “a dumping ground for the politically sensitive constituency of unemployed Malay graduates.”
Khairy said Pua’s comments, which implied that civil servants were the employees of last choice and unable to seek gainful employment elsewhere, were totally unacceptable and without basis.
I, for one, would personally say that both Khairy and Tony stand to be corrected in this issue. For the graduate of Oxford's Keble College, of which Tony is I would question where he had obtained the basis of such a claim, while for that academic offspring of Oxford's St Hughes I would say that an over-reaction should not have been in order as earlier deemed.
From observations and interactions on the ground with the group at the bone of contention, I have long found that most of them opted for careers in the civil service on the long-held assumption (myth) that the government is the best employer -- offering job security and prestige. Assuming that a majority of the graduates hailed from the Malay heartland and kampungs, it would come as no surprise if this belief was deeply entrenched in their minds.
Besides working the land or, in some cases, were themselves civil servants, the parents of these graduates were mostly ensconced within the confines of a civil service mindset. Even if their mainstay is to toil the land or harvest the seas, they cannot avoid facing up to the kerani, penghulu or Pegawai Daerah in the course of their lives. Being made to wait patiently along the corridors of powers that was the Pejabat Daerah & Tanah, they have long succumbed to this notion.
They saw the regimented lifestyle of the pegawai kerajaan as the ideal role model for their beloved sons and daughters.
And, as for the graduates themselves, the stint at the universities or colleges have caused them to absorb diverse thinking – from the “fundamentalist” to the right of the right wing. Yes, they may even have been rebellious in their quiet ways at campus but, still, deep within their mindset, the ideals of bagging a career with the civil service lurks.
Coming from an often-struggling rural family, I must say that these graduates are actually under the notion that they are acting sensibly. They look at their family’s station in life and would wish to ensure a certain continuum of security with the gaji bulan, kerja tetap and pencen that the civil service offers. They just do not wish to risk the future of their dependents otherwise.
Yes, I would agree that many might have difficulties in landing a job with top-notch private companies due to several factors that may range from an opposite mindset entrenched in the persons of the companies concerned or a culture that starkly differs from their much-polarised life at campus.
At the end of the day, what they aspire and wish for is to be with the civil service – not because of lack of ability to do otherwise or being the beneficiary of what Tony Pua alleged as the government’s aim to appease the politically sensitive constituency of unemployed Malay graduates, but to avoid taking unnecessary chances.
Henceforth, from such observations I would say both Khairy and Tony should wise up to the facts, too. Perhaps, they may want to do more homework before imparting their opinions?
Friday, May 25, 2007
May 13 "conspiracy" : hey! you invented it first!
So, James Wong in his blog (read his posting here) is of the impression that those who have not read the latest "interpretation" of the May 13 episode have a common train of thought. Of course, he would not hesitate to draw the focus to another "inventor" -- Hj Subky Latiff, no less. How convenient.
Regardless of who invented or who interpreted the incident and its causes, Malaysians cannot run away from the fact that it is something that ought to be given a rest. What is this new interpretation exercise for? From what I see it is just another political ploy of a near bankrupt alliance of opposition to stir up emotions. And based on some foreign intelligence sources at that, too!
No, I do not think that the book should be banned. Let it be freely available but just haul up the writer if he had transgressed upon the sacred area of racial sensitivities in Malaysia. The hell with following the right to freedom of expression as it is always to the advantage of the person who advocates it.
There are laws to look into these matters as much as one may just spend time in jail for uttering seemingly harmless remarks such as “I can hijack” this plane or “I have a bomb” to bring on board as a joke.
Yes, I wholly agree with Wong Sai Wan’s observations in “Learning to laugh again” – The Star, May 25). Perhaps, going by what he wrote we may have, indeed, lost our sense of humour, but for a good reason, too.
Over the years, from such a laid-back society where we did not take so many things said too seriously, we have become one that is too sensitive at a drop of a feather. As far as I can remember, without having to refer to some foreign intelligence sources, such sensitive personality of Malaysians came to be wrought from the ashes of that fateful day in 1969.
Hence, if we truly believe that it is so hurting to all parties concerned, the publication of Kua’s book notwithstanding, why bother to dwell on it? Is it just a matter of racial pride to gloat over the success at pushing some people to apologise?
Regardless of who invented or who interpreted the incident and its causes, Malaysians cannot run away from the fact that it is something that ought to be given a rest. What is this new interpretation exercise for? From what I see it is just another political ploy of a near bankrupt alliance of opposition to stir up emotions. And based on some foreign intelligence sources at that, too!
No, I do not think that the book should be banned. Let it be freely available but just haul up the writer if he had transgressed upon the sacred area of racial sensitivities in Malaysia. The hell with following the right to freedom of expression as it is always to the advantage of the person who advocates it.
There are laws to look into these matters as much as one may just spend time in jail for uttering seemingly harmless remarks such as “I can hijack” this plane or “I have a bomb” to bring on board as a joke.
Yes, I wholly agree with Wong Sai Wan’s observations in “Learning to laugh again” – The Star, May 25). Perhaps, going by what he wrote we may have, indeed, lost our sense of humour, but for a good reason, too.
Over the years, from such a laid-back society where we did not take so many things said too seriously, we have become one that is too sensitive at a drop of a feather. As far as I can remember, without having to refer to some foreign intelligence sources, such sensitive personality of Malaysians came to be wrought from the ashes of that fateful day in 1969.
Hence, if we truly believe that it is so hurting to all parties concerned, the publication of Kua’s book notwithstanding, why bother to dwell on it? Is it just a matter of racial pride to gloat over the success at pushing some people to apologise?
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Penolong Editor Malaysia Today tanding Naib Ketua Wanita Keadilan
Berita mengumumkan Penolong Editor Malaysia-Today yang diterajui Raja Petra Kamarudin (24 Mei, 2007) di portal web tersebut jelas mengejutkan beberapa pengikut dan pemberi komen tetingkap berita "alternatif" maya itu. Mereka mula mempersoalkan pendirian Raja Petra dalam kancah politik negara. Ini kerana sebelum itu ramai yang masih jahil akan "tulisan pada dinding" yang jelas menujuk ke arah mana beliau berkiblat daripada segi politik.
Ramai yang dapat menerima peranan Raja Petra sebagai pembekal media alternatif melalui saluran Malaysia-Today, tetapi sejak kebelakangan ini, sikap pengunjung yang memberi komen bersifat jahat lantaran memperkecilkan agama Islam dan sebagainya telah menimbulkan tanda tanya. Mengapa beliau tidak lebih bertanggung-jawab dalam menangani hal ini?
Berikut ialah petikan laporan tersebut:
Penolong editor Malaysia Today, Haniza Talha, akan bertanding merebut jawatan Naib Ketua Wanita Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) Jumaat ini.
Beliau yang juga Timbalan Ketua Penerangan Wanita Keadilan Pusat dan juga Naib Ketua Bahagian Hulu Langat memperolehi pencalonan tertinggi dengan 44 pencalonan.
Haniza akan berdepan dengan empat calon lain, bagi mengisi tiga kerusi untuk jawatan tersebut.
Beliau akan bersaing dengan Dr. Zaliha Mustaffa, Noorsham Abu Samah, Rohani Bakar
dan Begum Jan Abdullah
Ketika dihubungi, beliau berkata perjuangannya antara lain adalah untuk meneruskan hasrat wanita parti yang mahu wanita lebih empowered, terlibat sama dalam membuat keputusan.
Pada tahun 2000, Keadilan telah meluluskan Usul 30 peratus penglibatan wanita dalam proses membuat keputusan di semua peringkat dalam parti.
Jelasnya parti perlu serius menunaikan usul yang telah diluluskan pada tahun 2000 dan tidak meletakkannya di atas sayap Wanita sepenuhnya.
Terangnya, Wanita sudah cukup bersedia dan bagi mencapai sasaran minima 30% tersebut, 3 jawatan Naib Presiden yang dipertandingkan, Wanita mengemukakan seorang calon iaitu Fuziah Salleh dan sembilan calon bagi 25 ahli Majlis Pimpinan Tertinggi (MPT) yang akan dipilih.
“Jangan tolak calon wanita yang kredibel, hanya untuk nampak cantik calon Melayu, Cina dan India bagi mengisi jawatan tersebut.
“Parti perlu melihat ke depan, negara-negara maju malah Indonesia telah meletakkan syarat mandatori bagi parti-parti politik yang terlibat dalam pilihan raya mempunyai sekurang-kurang 30% calon wanita. Wanita Keadilan tidak percaya kepada tokenism, dengan itu kami sudah melatih dan menyediakan wanita dari tahun 2001, untuk sahut cabaran tersebut. Kini, Wanita sudah cukup bersedia untuk pikul tanggungjawab tersebut. Jangan lihat wanita berasaskan pandangan steriotaip yang ada.”
Setakat ini, katanya hanya kira-kira 15 peratus sahaja wanita dalam parti itu yang terlibat dalam peringkat menggubal dasar parti.
Sumbangan wanita dalam parti itu telah terbukti; pengukukuhan struktur sayap parti.
“Salah satu ukurannya ialah berjaya mengadakan mesyuarat agung tahunan Wanita bahagian (MATWB). Pada tahun 2005, bahagian Wanita seluruh negara yang berjaya adakan MATWB hanya 62, dan berkembang menjadi 92 bahagian pada 2006, seterusnya mencapai 109 bahagian pada tahun ini.”
Malah, tegasnya ‘pengaruh wanita’ juga boleh dilihat, apabila kira-kira 52 peratus rakyat negara ini ialah wanita, dan kira-kira 54 peratus yang keluar mengundi ialah wanita.
Katanya, dunia sedang melihat sebuah parti yang pada satu hari akan menerajui kepimpinan negara, apakah pendirian serta usaha parti terhadap penglibatan wanita dalam arena politik. Kami mendapat tahu bahawa ada pertubuhan-pertubuhan dalam dan luar negara yang sedang mengikuti dan menunjukkan minat terhadap perkembangan ini.
Menurut senarai kehadiran, mereka telah mengesahkan kehadiran wakil mereka ke Kongres Nasional Tahunan Wanita kali ini.
Haniza juga akan terlibat mengendalikan siaran langsung Kongres dari Seremban yang akan disiarkan melalui Malaysia Today dari 26 dan 27 Mei ini.
Ramai yang dapat menerima peranan Raja Petra sebagai pembekal media alternatif melalui saluran Malaysia-Today, tetapi sejak kebelakangan ini, sikap pengunjung yang memberi komen bersifat jahat lantaran memperkecilkan agama Islam dan sebagainya telah menimbulkan tanda tanya. Mengapa beliau tidak lebih bertanggung-jawab dalam menangani hal ini?
Berikut ialah petikan laporan tersebut:
Penolong editor Malaysia Today, Haniza Talha, akan bertanding merebut jawatan Naib Ketua Wanita Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) Jumaat ini.
Beliau yang juga Timbalan Ketua Penerangan Wanita Keadilan Pusat dan juga Naib Ketua Bahagian Hulu Langat memperolehi pencalonan tertinggi dengan 44 pencalonan.
Haniza akan berdepan dengan empat calon lain, bagi mengisi tiga kerusi untuk jawatan tersebut.
Beliau akan bersaing dengan Dr. Zaliha Mustaffa, Noorsham Abu Samah, Rohani Bakar
dan Begum Jan Abdullah
Ketika dihubungi, beliau berkata perjuangannya antara lain adalah untuk meneruskan hasrat wanita parti yang mahu wanita lebih empowered, terlibat sama dalam membuat keputusan.
Pada tahun 2000, Keadilan telah meluluskan Usul 30 peratus penglibatan wanita dalam proses membuat keputusan di semua peringkat dalam parti.
Jelasnya parti perlu serius menunaikan usul yang telah diluluskan pada tahun 2000 dan tidak meletakkannya di atas sayap Wanita sepenuhnya.
Terangnya, Wanita sudah cukup bersedia dan bagi mencapai sasaran minima 30% tersebut, 3 jawatan Naib Presiden yang dipertandingkan, Wanita mengemukakan seorang calon iaitu Fuziah Salleh dan sembilan calon bagi 25 ahli Majlis Pimpinan Tertinggi (MPT) yang akan dipilih.
“Jangan tolak calon wanita yang kredibel, hanya untuk nampak cantik calon Melayu, Cina dan India bagi mengisi jawatan tersebut.
“Parti perlu melihat ke depan, negara-negara maju malah Indonesia telah meletakkan syarat mandatori bagi parti-parti politik yang terlibat dalam pilihan raya mempunyai sekurang-kurang 30% calon wanita. Wanita Keadilan tidak percaya kepada tokenism, dengan itu kami sudah melatih dan menyediakan wanita dari tahun 2001, untuk sahut cabaran tersebut. Kini, Wanita sudah cukup bersedia untuk pikul tanggungjawab tersebut. Jangan lihat wanita berasaskan pandangan steriotaip yang ada.”
Setakat ini, katanya hanya kira-kira 15 peratus sahaja wanita dalam parti itu yang terlibat dalam peringkat menggubal dasar parti.
Sumbangan wanita dalam parti itu telah terbukti; pengukukuhan struktur sayap parti.
“Salah satu ukurannya ialah berjaya mengadakan mesyuarat agung tahunan Wanita bahagian (MATWB). Pada tahun 2005, bahagian Wanita seluruh negara yang berjaya adakan MATWB hanya 62, dan berkembang menjadi 92 bahagian pada 2006, seterusnya mencapai 109 bahagian pada tahun ini.”
Malah, tegasnya ‘pengaruh wanita’ juga boleh dilihat, apabila kira-kira 52 peratus rakyat negara ini ialah wanita, dan kira-kira 54 peratus yang keluar mengundi ialah wanita.
Katanya, dunia sedang melihat sebuah parti yang pada satu hari akan menerajui kepimpinan negara, apakah pendirian serta usaha parti terhadap penglibatan wanita dalam arena politik. Kami mendapat tahu bahawa ada pertubuhan-pertubuhan dalam dan luar negara yang sedang mengikuti dan menunjukkan minat terhadap perkembangan ini.
Menurut senarai kehadiran, mereka telah mengesahkan kehadiran wakil mereka ke Kongres Nasional Tahunan Wanita kali ini.
Haniza juga akan terlibat mengendalikan siaran langsung Kongres dari Seremban yang akan disiarkan melalui Malaysia Today dari 26 dan 27 Mei ini.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Perhaps, some thoughts on this...
Four richest Americans are Israel-lovers or Jewish
"Two Israel-lovers and two Jews are the richest people in America, according to Forbes magazine. The top spot is traditionally occupied by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, 50, whose personal wealth is estimated at more than USD 53 billion.
Gates visited Israel about a year ago and lavished many words of love and praise on the country. The total Microsoft investment in Israel thus far is estimated at more than one billion dollars."
Read full story here:
Maybe just out of curiosity we may want to read the above in the context of this:
Government approaches Microsoft for halal food hub venture
PUTRAJAYA (The Star, 23 May, 2007): The Government has approached Microsoft Corporation to help build up the information technology infrastructure to support Malaysia’s bid to be a halal food hub.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis said ICT applied research and development organisation Mimos Bhd would now start discussing with Microsoft the details of the project.
“We told Microsoft that the Malaysian Government, especially the special Cabinet committee on high impact industries chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, is willing to consider various incentives should it decide to jointly develop our country as the halal food hub.
Blogger's Comment : The extract above and its pairing with a take from today's Star (may 23, 2007) pertaining to JJ's request from Microsoft to consider helping Malaysia to setup the ICT part of the halal food hub is merely a teaser. It is no big deal that an Israeli website paid tribute to Bill Gates in such a manner as, elsewhere, it has been reported by Microsft that the company was not interested in the politics or protracted state of war, in which the country is in.
However, back home in Malaysia, we just would like to remind JJ that embarking on developing an ICT platform for the envisioned halal hub is quite a no-brainer. There are many IT companies (even small ones) that can come up with good job at that. It is just like sometime back when it was reported that JJ went abroad to scout for companies to help build and place the tsunami/earthquake warning mechanism in Malaysian waters. That, too, can be done by Malaysians.
"Two Israel-lovers and two Jews are the richest people in America, according to Forbes magazine. The top spot is traditionally occupied by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, 50, whose personal wealth is estimated at more than USD 53 billion.
Gates visited Israel about a year ago and lavished many words of love and praise on the country. The total Microsoft investment in Israel thus far is estimated at more than one billion dollars."
Read full story here:
Maybe just out of curiosity we may want to read the above in the context of this:
Government approaches Microsoft for halal food hub venture
PUTRAJAYA (The Star, 23 May, 2007): The Government has approached Microsoft Corporation to help build up the information technology infrastructure to support Malaysia’s bid to be a halal food hub.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis said ICT applied research and development organisation Mimos Bhd would now start discussing with Microsoft the details of the project.
“We told Microsoft that the Malaysian Government, especially the special Cabinet committee on high impact industries chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, is willing to consider various incentives should it decide to jointly develop our country as the halal food hub.
Blogger's Comment : The extract above and its pairing with a take from today's Star (may 23, 2007) pertaining to JJ's request from Microsoft to consider helping Malaysia to setup the ICT part of the halal food hub is merely a teaser. It is no big deal that an Israeli website paid tribute to Bill Gates in such a manner as, elsewhere, it has been reported by Microsft that the company was not interested in the politics or protracted state of war, in which the country is in.
However, back home in Malaysia, we just would like to remind JJ that embarking on developing an ICT platform for the envisioned halal hub is quite a no-brainer. There are many IT companies (even small ones) that can come up with good job at that. It is just like sometime back when it was reported that JJ went abroad to scout for companies to help build and place the tsunami/earthquake warning mechanism in Malaysian waters. That, too, can be done by Malaysians.
Government approaches Microsoft for halal food hub venture
PUTRAJAYA (The Star, 23 May, 2007): The Government has approached Microsoft Corporation to help build up the information technology infrastructure to support Malaysia’s bid to be a halal food hub.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis said ICT applied research and development organisation Mimos Bhd would now start discussing with Microsoft the details of the project.
“We told Microsoft that the Malaysian Government, especially the special Cabinet committee on high impact industries chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, is willing to consider various incentives should it decide to jointly develop our country as the halal food hub.
“To steer Malaysia forward, we will need the necessary infrastructure because all the standard work processes will have to be carried out on IT platforms, other supporting computer software as well as suppliers.
“We hope Microsoft will consider helping us in this venture,” he told reporters after meeting with Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmer at his office yesterday.
At the same time, Jamaluddin said Microsoft should also consider that they would be partnering Malaysia in entering the halal food business which was estimated to be worth billions of ringgit a year.
He said Ballmer had promised that Microsoft would consider Malaysia’s proposal.
Jamaluddin added that the incentives could include tax rebates on the opening of regional offices in the country.
“We will have to match our incentives with what other countries are offering or else we won’t be able to attract investors,” he said.
On the call by International Advisory Panel members for more Malaysian students to be placed as interns in multinational corporations overseas, he said the Multimedia Development Corp had been writing to all the firms.
“We want to replicate the experience of our students in Infosys in Bangalore, India, with other companies,'' he said.
Blogger's Comment: Duh! I can't believe this. JJ actually asking Microsoft to consider to help build up the information technology infrastructure to support Malaysia’s bid to be a halal food hub?
No, I'm not being blindly sceptical (inspite of the slogan "Malaysia Boleh!" or what not) but, hey! lets be realistic. I just can't fathom the rationale for Microsoft wanting to do so for Malaysia, which has among the highest piracy rates in computer software at one time or another (software piracy is not halal, see!).
On another note, telling Microsoft that Malaysia will consider several incentives for them to accept its halal proposal is beyond my comprehension. You reckon that mega corporation, which can buy up almost the whole of Malaysia, will agree? Lets see, then.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis said ICT applied research and development organisation Mimos Bhd would now start discussing with Microsoft the details of the project.
“We told Microsoft that the Malaysian Government, especially the special Cabinet committee on high impact industries chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, is willing to consider various incentives should it decide to jointly develop our country as the halal food hub.
“To steer Malaysia forward, we will need the necessary infrastructure because all the standard work processes will have to be carried out on IT platforms, other supporting computer software as well as suppliers.
“We hope Microsoft will consider helping us in this venture,” he told reporters after meeting with Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmer at his office yesterday.
At the same time, Jamaluddin said Microsoft should also consider that they would be partnering Malaysia in entering the halal food business which was estimated to be worth billions of ringgit a year.
He said Ballmer had promised that Microsoft would consider Malaysia’s proposal.
Jamaluddin added that the incentives could include tax rebates on the opening of regional offices in the country.
“We will have to match our incentives with what other countries are offering or else we won’t be able to attract investors,” he said.
On the call by International Advisory Panel members for more Malaysian students to be placed as interns in multinational corporations overseas, he said the Multimedia Development Corp had been writing to all the firms.
“We want to replicate the experience of our students in Infosys in Bangalore, India, with other companies,'' he said.
Blogger's Comment: Duh! I can't believe this. JJ actually asking Microsoft to consider to help build up the information technology infrastructure to support Malaysia’s bid to be a halal food hub?
No, I'm not being blindly sceptical (inspite of the slogan "Malaysia Boleh!" or what not) but, hey! lets be realistic. I just can't fathom the rationale for Microsoft wanting to do so for Malaysia, which has among the highest piracy rates in computer software at one time or another (software piracy is not halal, see!).
On another note, telling Microsoft that Malaysia will consider several incentives for them to accept its halal proposal is beyond my comprehension. You reckon that mega corporation, which can buy up almost the whole of Malaysia, will agree? Lets see, then.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Zam: Few people read blogs
KUALA LUMPUR (from The Star, 23 May, 2007) : Political web blogs have a very small following of about 20,000 people, Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin said.
“Only that number out of the 11 million Internet users in the country are actively involved in political blogs. The political bloggers just write for each other to read; they are not a threat,” he added.
Zainuddin reminded bloggers of their responsibilities in maintaining harmony among Malaysia’s multiracial society.
“They should not try to incite the people,” he said after launching the Malaysian Press Institute’s (MPI) new logo and witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the institute and the United Kingdom’s Thomson Foundation.
The foundation works to-wards improving communication around the world.
MPI was represented by its acting chairman Datuk Chamil Wariya and Thomson Foundation by its head of regional partnerships Russel Lyne.
He said bloggers, being the so-called “citizen journalists,” must not abuse the freedom given by the Government and must be responsible in their writings and actions so as not to jeopardise unity among the people.
Zainuddin advised the public not to be influenced by the negative views of certain bloggers about the Government.
Earlier in his speech, Zainuddin said media practitioners and bloggers had their own roles in developing the nation through their writings.
“Lately, I found that most of the bloggers have the tendency to question the basis of the social contract which had been agreed upon by our forefathers,” he said.
On the publication of a book on May 13 by former Petaling Jaya MP Dr Kua Kia Soong, Zainuddin said the book would only serve to arouse anxiety among multiracial Malaysians.
“Some issues raised in the book can harm the social contract that has been well-received by the Malays, Chinese and Indians,” he added.
Blogger's Comment : Hello, Zam. Where in the world did you get that number from? Sounds like a recall of someone who once said that there were thousands of apostates in Malaysia now, but when asked for his source, meekly admitted from some 'report' on the Internet!
By the way, if the 20,000 number that you mentioned is not threatening, enough, why then the hoo-haa over wanting to register bloggers, ban bloggers, and other threats? So, they are harmless, why bother, then?
Zam, why not instead of your unreasonable confrontational stance, you get your information people off their backsides and start coming out with sensible options like coming out with blog takes that may help turn around this country into the positive? Don't you see? There are lots to be learned from the opinions voiced-out by the bloggers, too. For many of them Malaysia is their country, too. They do this because they want things to change.
Public quarrel over Parliament repairs unacceptable, PM tells Samy
TOKYO (from The Star 23 May, 2007 ): Just do it – that’s what Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu over the maintenance of Parliament House, which has a leaking roof and faulty wiring.
Pointing out that a public quarrel between two government organisations over who should be maintaining the august House was unacceptable, Abdullah said whoever was responsible must execute their duties and take action when needed.
“Don’t wait to be told, (if) that is your responsibility, just do it,” Abdullah told Malaysian journalists covering his five-day state visit to Japan yesterday.
Abdullah, who had earlier met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was asked to comment on Samy Vellu’s claim on Saturday that the Public Works Department, which is under his ministry, was not responsible for maintaining Parliament House.
Samy Vellu was quoted as saying that the maintenance had all along been under Parliament itself and not the PWD, adding that the department could not interfere as Parliament was independent and could not be ordered around.
The 44-year-old building, which was renovated two years ago at a cost of RM90mil, suffered from, among others, cracks and water seepage on the concrete roof, clogged gutters, defective waterproofing and sewerage pipe leaks at VIP and other toilets.
Abdullah said he had already told Samy Vellu that he would have to oversee all works relating to the maintenance of public buildings.
“So stop the public quarrel over the matter,” said Abdullah. “It is shameful that government departments have to quarrel over their respective responsibilities.
“Isn’t it better if departments cooperate with each other?
Lamenting the lack of maintenance culture, the Prime Minister said Malaysians should try to emulate the Japanese who are highly disciplined and have a high sense of civic consciousness.
“Look at how they queue. Irrespective of how long the queue is, and there is obviously a space where they can do it, they never jump queue. This is something that we can learn from,” he said.
By SA’ODAH ELIAS
Pointing out that a public quarrel between two government organisations over who should be maintaining the august House was unacceptable, Abdullah said whoever was responsible must execute their duties and take action when needed.
“Don’t wait to be told, (if) that is your responsibility, just do it,” Abdullah told Malaysian journalists covering his five-day state visit to Japan yesterday.
Abdullah, who had earlier met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was asked to comment on Samy Vellu’s claim on Saturday that the Public Works Department, which is under his ministry, was not responsible for maintaining Parliament House.
Samy Vellu was quoted as saying that the maintenance had all along been under Parliament itself and not the PWD, adding that the department could not interfere as Parliament was independent and could not be ordered around.
The 44-year-old building, which was renovated two years ago at a cost of RM90mil, suffered from, among others, cracks and water seepage on the concrete roof, clogged gutters, defective waterproofing and sewerage pipe leaks at VIP and other toilets.
Abdullah said he had already told Samy Vellu that he would have to oversee all works relating to the maintenance of public buildings.
“So stop the public quarrel over the matter,” said Abdullah. “It is shameful that government departments have to quarrel over their respective responsibilities.
“Isn’t it better if departments cooperate with each other?
Lamenting the lack of maintenance culture, the Prime Minister said Malaysians should try to emulate the Japanese who are highly disciplined and have a high sense of civic consciousness.
“Look at how they queue. Irrespective of how long the queue is, and there is obviously a space where they can do it, they never jump queue. This is something that we can learn from,” he said.
By SA’ODAH ELIAS
The public sector deserves raise and Government can afford it now, says PM
TOKYO (from The Star, 23 May, 2007) : Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi refuted claims that his announcement of a hefty pay increase for the public sector on Monday was indicative of an early general election.
The Prime Minister said it was the nature of the opposition to always look for ulterior motives whenever the government did something good for the people.
“It is as if we only work to prepare for the election. We work for the development of the country because we want to make sure that the people will always be with us and continue to support
us to achieve Vision 2020 and beyond.
“We want to do the best for the people. We are giving this to the public sector because they really deserve it, because they have been waiting a very long time for it.
“I have already explained the reasons why we did it, and now that we are financially capable of raising their salaries, why should we not do it?” he said to Malaysian journalists covering his five-day state visit to Japan yesterday.
Asked if the private sector should also consider following the government’s footsteps considering the increasing cost of living, Abdullah said that decision should be left to the respective employers.
“I don’t want to say anything, because then people will say: ‘That Pak Lah, he went and increased the public sector’s salary, now he is telling the private sector to do so as well.’
“It should be based on each company’s ability – that they should understand,” he added.
The government announced on Monday a pay increase of between 7.5% and 35% for public servants nationwide and the doubling of cost of living allowances (Cola) effective July 1.
BY SA’ODAH ELIAS
Govt pay rise: public to judge civil servants
PUTRAJAYA (from The Star 23 May, 2007): It is for the public to judge whether the performance of civil servants will rise in tandem with their pay increase, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan said.
He said the public would be able to e-mail their judgment directly to him at sidek@pmo.gov.my and he promised to read them.
“I may not reply to each one. I will however forward the e-mails to my officers and the related ministries and departments for follow-up action,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters here a day after the Government announced huge pay increases for civil servants.
Mohd Sidek said he had empowered his officers to carry out the follow-up actions.
He said the public, as the main customers of the Government’s services, should exercise their rights in demanding better work quality and more productivity from civil servants.
“In fact, we have been improving all the time and implementing various measures to enhance our performance and delivery system,” he said.
He said civil servants “formed a good crop of people” but there must be monitoring and enforcement across the board to ensure work was done promptly and policies were implemented.
On whether he expected a drastic change in line with the “drastic pay” increase, Mohd Sidek said he would expect civil servants to be motivated by it.
“We have been making changes before the announcement and we will continue to do so,” he said, adding that Cuepacs had given the assurance that its members would work harder.
He said he would not be directing civil servants who were working second jobs to make ends meet to give up their part-time work.
Asked if there would be more recruitment drive now that the pay packet for management posts have become more attractive, Mohd Sidek said government appointments were carried out based on requirement.
However, he said he could expect a better crop of candidates in the future.
He said the public would be able to e-mail their judgment directly to him at sidek@pmo.gov.my and he promised to read them.
“I may not reply to each one. I will however forward the e-mails to my officers and the related ministries and departments for follow-up action,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters here a day after the Government announced huge pay increases for civil servants.
Mohd Sidek said he had empowered his officers to carry out the follow-up actions.
He said the public, as the main customers of the Government’s services, should exercise their rights in demanding better work quality and more productivity from civil servants.
“In fact, we have been improving all the time and implementing various measures to enhance our performance and delivery system,” he said.
He said civil servants “formed a good crop of people” but there must be monitoring and enforcement across the board to ensure work was done promptly and policies were implemented.
On whether he expected a drastic change in line with the “drastic pay” increase, Mohd Sidek said he would expect civil servants to be motivated by it.
“We have been making changes before the announcement and we will continue to do so,” he said, adding that Cuepacs had given the assurance that its members would work harder.
He said he would not be directing civil servants who were working second jobs to make ends meet to give up their part-time work.
Asked if there would be more recruitment drive now that the pay packet for management posts have become more attractive, Mohd Sidek said government appointments were carried out based on requirement.
However, he said he could expect a better crop of candidates in the future.
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