Be more circumspect rather than exploiting the current stock market rally

“KLSE CI is now only some 80 points away from its all time high of 1,314…

February 21st, 2007 by ronnieliutiankhiew

and surpassing this would seem to be a breeze.”

The above comment came from a local stock market specialist. But he cautions Malaysians to be more circumspect rather than exploiting the current market rally and be patting ourselves on the back.

He commented that “for the politicians and policymakers, stock market rally can be very ego boasting (when the market rallies, they would claim all the credits but when the market drops, they would pass the buck to people like George Soros).”

“Why?A stock market rally seems to be telling the whole world that everything is fine with its economy and that the government has adopted the right policies”.

“Generally speaking, this is true but the stock market rallies for all kinds of reasons and some times, the market rally can be self-deluding or what is worse, the rally generates complacency among the politicians and policymakers and painful but necessary decisions are not made or postponed until it is too late. Then, the market crashes. The Great Asian Crisis in 1997/98 is a classic example of how rallies in stock markets can camouflage structural problems until it is too late and the day of reckoning comes in full blast”.

The specialist opines that the way to manage a country or company is in a sense , very simple and commonsensical. ” When things are fine and dandy, do not become overconfident;instead get ready for the storms ahead. This way, when the storms come, which eventually they will, one will not be so wounded or so devastated that one cannot recover forever or that the recovery takes such a long time to come. The storms, like the bright sunny days, will eveuntually pass and the whole cycle repeats. Take advantage of the storms and and use them to ensure that the eventual bright sunny days do not get to be so blinding”.

The essence of this specialist criticisms was that the government under the leadership of the former prime minister implemented very short-term measures that greatly reduced or attempted to reduce the pain of the Great Asian Crisis. “In so doing, the government ignored the the adverse long-term implications of its actions and decisions. Instead of using the Great Asian Crisis to implement serious structural reforms, the government went for quickies. And we all know what quickies are like. Instead of using the crisis to prepare Malaysia for more and greater challenges, it went round blaming others for its follies.”

” In many respects, Malaysia has paid a heavy price for this and is still paying the price for ignoring long-term problems. By shielding Malaysia from the harsh and painful realities of market economy, we now have a Malaysian workforce that is hopelessly complacent and in the process, losing out to the many fast rising regional competitors.”

With the KLSE CI rallying, the specialist is deeply worried that our world-class complacency would become universe-class. “As the LKSE CI rallies, the politicians and policymakers would surely sit back and pat themselves for a job well done . Such self-prasing and complacency can be very infectious and soon Malaysians from all walks of life would fall into the same mental trap. Then, when the next crisis hits us, totally unprepared again. A few rounds of such a crisis, very quickly Malaysia would be in an economic quicksand”.

The specialist’s analysis is directed at the politicians and polymakers and Malaysians from all walks. Do not be seduced by the current market rally into thinking that we are on our way to developed status. Do not postpone the major structural reforms needed.

Lim Guan Eng : Malaysian First!

林冠英：“大马人优先”思维打造全民平等 07年2月17日 下午1:27 民主行动党秘书长林冠英2007年农历新年献词：我们必须让市场与政治体系同时运作，并且使出最好的成效。政治过程强调全民皆可享受公平参与的机会，市场机制则确保有效能的资源分配，以改善生产力及交付效率。我们必须从最重要的资源，即人力资源释出其潜能，并交出我们最好的成绩。这就是“大马人优先”的经济精粹－－－赋予全民经济自由与平等的机会，以确保每个人皆有平等机会，并以个人心力来实现伟大的马来西亚成功梦想。 政治过程强调全民皆可享受公平参与的机会，市场机制则确保有效能的资源分配，以改善生产力及交付效率。我们必须从最重要的资源，即人力资源释出其潜能，并交出我们最好的成绩。 对国人而言，丁亥火猪年将是非常重要的一年。一方面，我国将庆祝独立建国50周年，另一方面则是全国大选极可能提早今年举行。在新的一年，国人正寻找他们的方向与灵感。人民需要领袖激励他们对美好的未来产生信心，同时向他们所信赖的领袖，尤其是那些无私为国家奉献的廉正者寻求一些指引。 独立50年迄今，我国若要继续前进，并摒弃妨碍国家建设、削弱国家潜能与发展的恐慌政治，那么就不能没有希望和信念。 独立50年后，现在是时候要大家唾弃以种族及宗教来分化人民的领袖。民主行动党坚决反对任何马来西亚人，必须先以马来人、华人、印度人、伊班人或卡达山人自居的主张。 独立50年后，我们必须以“大马人优先”，反而以马来人、华人、印度人、伊班人、卡达山人、基督教徒、回教徒、佛教徒或兴都教徒居次。 “大马人优先”就是“马来西亚人的马来西亚”及“马来西亚国族”。民主行动党能够接受前任首相敦马哈迪医生将“马来西亚国族”定义为“人民能够认同自己属於国家的一分子、口操国语及遵循宪法”。因此，没有任何种族或宗教有权支配其他的种族或宗教。 民主行动党的建国愿景就是通过“大马人优先”催生马来西亚国族，而这个共同的身分认同与真正的国民精神将能让我国实现全民共享的经济繁荣。国人应本着“大马人优先”的精神强化我们追求全民共荣的信念。 随着许多小规模商家与员工无法分享到所谓经济好景的喜悦时，那么“大马人优先”对经济的主张显得尤其重要。如果马来西亚去年的经贸交易总额突破一兆令吉，但国人却无法从中受惠，反而要面对通货膨胀、百货腾涨，加上没有花红或实质加薪等压力，这又有什么意义呢？ 我们强调通过经济赋权人民。通过经济赋权人民，就必须确保整个体系有效运作。我们并不是从强调全民皆可享受公平的政治过程，或强调效能和效率的市场体系两者择其一。 我们要让市场与政治体系同时运作，并且使出最好的成效。政治过程强调全民皆可享受公平参与的机会，市场机制则确保有效能的资源分配，以改善生产力及交付效率。我们必须从最重要的资源，即人力资源释出其潜能，并交出我们最好的成绩。 这就是“大马人优先”的经济精粹－－赋予全民经济自由与平等的机会，以确保每个人皆有平等机会，并以个人心力来实现伟大的马来西亚成功梦想。 经济繁荣对促进国民团结的意义同样重要。其实，国民团结与经济繁荣是相辅相成的。只有国民团结，我们才能有条件取得经济繁荣；而只有经济繁荣，我们才能让国民更加团结。 按各取所需、各使其能的原则，共同实现及分享繁荣与昌盛是我们共同的目标。让我们从每个马来西亚人的身上取得灵感，共同为更美好的未来开创新希望。就让所有国人只对廉正的领袖有信念，以确保彼等都朝着正确的方向寻觅民主、公正、和平与人类尊严。 新年快乐！恭喜发财！祝愿大家心想事成、今年有个好预兆！ Thinking Malaysian First:- Empowering Malaysians With Economic Freedom And Equal Opportunity To Achieve The MALAYSIAN DREAM of Success Through Personal Effort   2007 Chinese New Year Message by Lim Guan Eng   (Petaling Jaya, Saturday): The Year of the Fire Boar would be a momentous year for Malaysia celebrating both our 50th Merdeka Anniversary and the possibility of early general elections. In the year of the Fire Boar, Malaysians are searching for direction and inspiration. The people want to be inspired that there is hope for a better future. And seek direction from leaders they have faith in, particularly those with integrity who work selflessly for the nation’s interests. After 50 years of Merdeka, hope and faith are essential if our country is to move forward and leave behind the politics of fear that has hampered nation-building, crippled our country’s potential and development. After 50 years of Merdeka, the time has come to reject those who seek to unite Malaysians by dividing them according to race and religion. DAP firmly rejects the proposition that to be a Malaysian, one must first be a Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban or a Kadazan. After 50 years of Merdeka we should be Malaysian First, – Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Kadazan, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or Hindu second. Malaysian First is akin to Malaysian Malaysia and Bangsa Malaysia. DAP can accept former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad definiton of Bangsa Malaysia as “a people being able to identify themselves with the country, speak Bahasa Malaysia and accept the Constitution”. There is no race or religion as the pivotal race over other races or a dominant religion over other religions. DAP’s vision of nation-building is through Malaysian First based on forging a Bangsa Malaysia where this common identity and genuine national spirit allows the country to achieve economic prosperity that is shared by all. Malaysians must feel empowered by being Malaysian First. This economic aspect of Malaysian First is important when many small businesses and workers feel left out by the country’s so-called good economic performance. What is the point of having annual trade volume of RM 1 trillion ringgit when many have not benefited and find difficulty in bearing the financial hardships of inflation, rising prices coupled with no annual bonuses nor real wage increases this year? We are talking about empowering the people economically. Empowering everyone economically requires a system that works. The choice should not be exclusively either relying solely on a political process that stresses on equity or completely on a market system that stresses on efficiency and effectiveness. We must permit both the market and political system to operate and do what it does best. The political process stresses on equity that can guarantee access for all, whereas the market system ensures efficient allocation of resources that improves productivity and effective delivery. We must free up the potential of our greatest resource – our human resources- to do the best from our abilities. This is the economic essence of Malaysian First- empowering Malaysians by giving economic freedom and equal opportunity to all so that every individual has an equal chance to achieve our great Malaysian Dream of success by the dint of our personal effort. Economic prosperity brings meaning to national unity. National unity and economic progress are interdependent. Only with national unity can we secure the basis for economic progress. And only with economic progress can national unity be sustained. This is our common destiny – achieving and enjoying prosperity together, from each according to his abilities to each according to his needs. Let us find hope for a better future by finding inspiration from each other as Malaysians. Let all Malaysians find faith only on leaders with integrity to ensure us that we are going in the right direction of democracy, justice, peace and dignity. Happy Chinese New Year! GONG XI FA CAI! (17/2/2007)

IGP claims that politicians asked police to close one eye

Tan Sri Musa Hassan claims that some politicians at higher places “campur tangan” with the police force. Musa’s confession confirms what we used to know for a long time. Many detainees in Simpang Renggam were released soon after money has changed hands between their familiesand the Chinese-based BN party.

But we expect Musa to take actions instead of just telling us the truth. Likewise, the Prime Minister must act immediately to find a remedy unless he himself was guilty of such “sin”.

Musa has also admitted that “because of closing one eye, the police has failed to curb crimes effectively”. 

He also expressed his concern that the Custom has in the past let in foreigners “too easily”. Musa has indirectly saying that many Custom officers were on the take.

SinChew has the story…

總警長：叫警方睜隻眼閉隻眼 政治人物干預查案

推薦給朋友    列印

updated:2007-02-16 20:00:00 MYT

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■慕沙哈山：有些政治人物會要他“睜一隻眼閉一隻眼”。(放大)

（吉隆坡訊）全國總警長丹斯里慕沙哈山今日（週五，16日）感嘆，警方打擊犯罪問題時，有時會面對身不由己的情況，因為有些政治人物會要他“睜一隻眼閉一隻眼”。

他說，要是警察貪污，就會讓壞份子伺機而入犯案，是警察睜一隻眼閉一隻眼所致。
“但有時政治人物也會叫我們睜一隻眼閉一隻眼，這又是一個問題。”

慕沙哈山週五受國家語文出版局之邀，主講“大馬罪案與社會價值觀的改變”課題時，提出他的觀點。

關卡松懈犯罪份子易入境

“警察是保護社會與國家安全的人，若因犯事或貪污而被人民投不信任票，整個國家都可毀掉，鄰國就有這種例子。”

他承諾若有警察被發現貪污，他一定會採取行動，並已發出警告。自他上任以來，有許多警察被採取行動對付甚至革職。

另一方面，慕沙哈山認為大馬邊境、機場及港口等關卡的系統過於松懈，以致犯罪份子有機可乘，前來大馬犯案，因此警方將與移民局及關稅局合作加強執法。

他說，非法外勞、外國妓女甚至犯罪份子可輕易出入境，他認為關卡的檢查工作不夠嚴格。

建議設立外勞集中居所

“有些入境者沒有受到查問就輕易過關，移民局人員應該詳問他們所攜帶的款項數目及落腳處等問題。”

不過，他表示已有一個加強執法的良方，並已在週四與移民局及關稅局高層開會討論，以緊密合作。

“我週五早上也會見了首相拿督斯里阿都拉提出這個建議，首相同意我的看法。”

在建築工地聘用外勞的問題上，他說，事實上他曾向政府建議強制承包商準備一個集中居所給這些外勞，並且嚴加控制他們的出入，這種有系統的做法將易於警方進行監控。 （星洲日報‧2007.02.16）

Restructure police force to put more men and women in blues to fight crimes in the streets

In my opinion,  poor and sluggish economy and inefficiency of police force were the two main factors for escalating crime rates in the country.The  rosy picture of economic health was the work of spin-doctors. The real market on the ground is sluggish and the employment rate is on the rise. Many of these unemployed who were of weak characters will take chances and risk their lives in criminal activities for survival.Inefficiency of the police force would have indirectly “encouraged” more criminals to take the streets. We cannot wait for the government to recruit another 60,000 officers by 2010. What we need is an immediate restructuring of the police force. PDRM should cut down the number of officers in departments such as the Special Branch, FRU and outriders in order to place more men and women in blues to to fight crimes in the streets. Do you know that only 6,661 out of 100,000 police officers were involved in fighting crimes at the moment?On the other hand, gangsterism and Mat Rempit have been haunting Malaysians in general and we need the police to take actions to curb their activities. They have already gone outof hand in recent years.We were very concerned with politicians who lend their support to Mat Rempit and gangsters in this country. They were , of course, leaders of the ruling Barisan Nasional parties. DAP Selangor will be meeting the Selangor CPO some time in March. We will be organising an English forum on fighting crimes in PJ immediately after the CNY holidays. We will also hold a few more forums in Klang and other areas. A special leaflet on fighting crimes is also in the pipeline.It will be launched in conjunction with the Women’s Day on March 8 this year. Malaysiakini has the story… 昔日打击罪犯英雄成受害者 政府受促妥善分配警队人力

实习记者马绍伦、刘国伟 07年2月14日 傍晚7:13 调整字体大小:

雪州行动党呼吁政府调整警队现有的资源，同时提升警队的执行效率，以保障马来西亚人民的安全。雪州行动党主席欧阳捍华在一场记者会上，针对前槟州总警长马骐骝遇害事件提出了两大疑问： （一）如果前警察总长都能成为罪案的受害者，一般普通百姓如何能够豁免？ （二）警方是否能够有效打击高居的犯罪率？ 成立“反对罪案运动小组” 雪州行动党决定成立一个以秘书刘永山为首的“反对罪案运动小组”，同时将在今年3月与雪州总警长依斯迈奥玛展开对话，并举办两场讲座会，呼吁民众提高警惕。 欧阳捍华认为，马骐骝事件不是单独个案，因为类似案件在过去也曾发生。 “昔日打击罪犯的英雄，今日成为罪案的受害者，这对马来西亚的治安来说，是一大讽刺。” 雪州行动党领导层今早于该党雪州总部召开记者会，其他出席者是非政府组织局主任刘天球、雪州副秘书张菲倩，以及双溪威支部主席甘南（T Kanan）。 镇暴队和贵宾保镖浪费警力  刘永山指出，我国拥有十万名警员，但是只有6661名警员属于罪案调查组（CID），与总数不成正比。因此，该党要求政府重新分配警队人手，加强打击罪案的警力。 他补充，虽然首相曾表明将增加6万名警员，但是目前的问题并非警力不足，而是人手分配不均的问题。 对此，刘天球指出，将大部分的警员分配到镇暴队及充当贵宾保镖，是一种资源的浪费。 “我们出去示威，需要那么多镇暴队来“照顾”我们吗？我国的治安不去维持，却用大批警员来镇压示威行动，这合理吗？” 士拉央八打灵巡逻车不获使用 刘天球也举出一些具体例子，“我们可以发现士拉央及八打灵警局目前仍存有近50部巡逻车，没有获得妥善使用，假设加以使用这些警车，就能加强警员的巡逻，对人民来说是百利而无一害”。 “我观察这两间警察局很久了，不明白为何不曾有警员驾过这些巡逻车，一直将它们停泊在警局内，我在猜想他们是不是不够人手？” 经济低靡引发罪案 刘天球表示，国家经济与治安息息相关。虽然我国2006年的贸易额突破1兆令吉，政府宣称经济大有好转，但实际上经济依然处于低潮，失业问题也日益严重。 “通常当一个国家的经济出现问题时，犯罪率就会增加，因为当人们开始失业或生活紧逼时，就会铤而走险去做犯法的事。相反的，如果一个国家经济稳定，人人有工作的话，安居乐业，犯罪率自然减少。” 刘天球也对警队的工作效率感到不满，因为据马骐骝侄女所说，在马骐骝案件中，虽然其家人立即打电话报警，但匪徒却能大摇大摆，慢条斯理地离开现场，警员在报警30分钟后才姗姗来迟。

Sometimes, it is the City Hall who makes crime worst

Sometimes, it is the City Halls or Local Councils to be blamed, if crime worsening in a particular area.

This is an uncompleted Community Hall in SS1, Petaling Jaya. The then Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ) started building it in 2003 without knowing that the building is sitting on a piece of private land and now it is not only an eyesore but also a popular place for drug addicts.

Who would want to stay in a place when there is a popular place for potential lawbreakers nearby?

It’s time for the Council to act!

A BIG, FAT “Fu” for your CNY

« Dr Mavis Puthucheary is correct…

 

A Big, Fat “Fu” from me for your CNY, my fellow Malaysians

“FU” or “Fook’ (in Cantonese or Hakka) or ‘Hock” (in Hokkien)  is always translated as Prosperity in English. But its real meaning is much more than just prosperity. It also connotes luck, fortune, blessed offerings or enjoyment.

May this Year of the Fiery Piggy fires up your imagination, making it the best of your years in your life.

“Gong Xi Fa Cai”.  From Ronnie The Liu.

Former Selangor CPO Datuk Fauzi new victim of crimes

Former Selangor CPO’s home in Shah Alam was broken into last night. Datuk Fauzi lost some watches worth RM5,000 according to a news report in Nanyang today. Datuk Fauzi , 56, was also the Federal CID chief before he retired last year.He and his family were not at home during the ransack.又一前警官住家遇窃 这一回：前任全国刑事调查总监弗西 2007/02/13 18:53:17 ●南洋商报Nanyang Siang pau

（莎阿南13日讯）在我国首位华裔州总警长拿督马骐骝早前因抗匪逝世后才12小时，我国前任全国刑事调查总监拿督弗西的住家星期一也遭匪徒破门行窃，损失约5千令吉财物！
损失约5千元

位于莎阿南7区的双层排屋今日遭人破门行窃，所幸当时未有人在家，窃匪只偷走手表和金饰，损失估计近5千令吉。

目前已退休的弗西（56岁）自2000年开始，便与妻子拿汀弗吉雅（53岁）居住在该处。据了解，该间房屋才刚完成粉刷，只有两人居住。

弗西也曾担任雪兰莪州总警长，他今日受询时向媒体证实住家在昨日被爆窃，并怀疑窃匪至少超过两人，相信是从其屋后的厨房爬上屋顶后，再掀开屋瓦入屋干案。

他说，他在星期一中午约12时30分与妻子外出，在晚上约11时返回家中后，才发现住家遭人爆窃，两枚手表和金饰不翼而飞，损失近5千令吉。

“从现场的情况来看，我相信当我抵达家门时，窃匪还在屋内。他们是听到电动篱笆门打开的声音后，才急忙拿了我放在家中的长梯，从之前潜入的屋顶逃离现场。”

他相信这是该住宅区首次发生破门行窃案件，并已向警方报案。

Datuk Albert Mah passed away

Former Penang CPO Datuk Albert Mah passed away today at the Universiti Hospital. He was attacked by 5 robbers who broke into his home in Gasing, PJ last Friday. Our deepest condolences to his family.

I accompanied the Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang and few other CEC leaders to pay respect to the late Datuk Mah at the Nirvana Memorial Hall in Sg Besi a few hours ago. His niece confirmed that the police turned up only after about half an hour after the phone call. She also said that the emergency number 999 was engaged all the time.

It’s very sad indeed, that a man who contributed so much in fighting crimes and helped maintaining law and order during the darkest hour of the nation ( May 13 in Penang) had to died in the hands of the criminals. The police and the government had failed miserably in protecting Datuk Mah and many other victims of crimes.

We must not allowed Datuk Mah to die in vain. The PDRM and and the Prime Minister, who’s also the Home Minister, should wake up the fact that they must act quickly to restore security and safety for the people. The people in this country deserve to live in  a crime-free environment, instead ofliving in fear all the times.

Former Penang CPO Albert Ma still in coma

Crime rate is rising everywhere and the former Penang CPO Datuk Albert Ma is a new victim of crime. He is still in coma after a serious attack bythe robbers who broke into his home in Gasing PJ. He’s now in Universiti Hospital.

Albert Ma is a household name in penang in the sixties and seventies. He is always remembered as someone who came out strongly to quash any attempt of racial riots after the May 13 Incident. He succeeded in keeping Penang under control.

A comprehensive Crime Prevention Action Plan is needed for PJ

A comprehensive Crime Prevention Action Plan for Petaling Jaya is urgently needed to prevent PJ from becoming a criminal city.

Assistant Officer of Command for Police District (AOCPD) of Petaling Jaya Superintendent Sugu on 28th January 2007 claimed that crime index in Petaling Jaya rose 22.6%, an alarming rate which not only surpassed Selangor’s 14.3% but also national average of 15.7% last year.

The increment of crime index by 22.6% last year as compared to 2005, a percentage even higher than the state and national level clearly shows that PJ is heading to be a city of crime.

There have been efforts from various parties and stakeholders in PJ, i.e. political parties, residents associations, rukun tetangga, business communities, enforcement units like Police Force, City Hall and other government agencies like RELA to fight crime but these efforts, if left uncoordinated, will not be optimized to fight crime in PJ.
The 22.6% increase in crime index in PJ is an alarming signal that it shows that police efforts to fight crime have not achieved any success. Several dialogues between the police and the residents held by local elected representatives have not been very effective in reducing crime rate in the local level. In fact, the situation has been worsening for the past two to three years.

Musa had even made a commitment to the public to fight crime especially the 3 priority areas of snatch thefts, armed robberies and drug trafficking. He had even attended a dialogue with PJ residents last year but unfortunately nothing effective took place after the dialogue to enhance social security in PJ.

Insufficient manpower to fight crime in the police force is also another major factor contributing to the worsening situation in PJ. When Christopher becomes the CID Director, he claim that he is taking charge of only 8,000 criminal investigation department officials protecting the public from criminals throughout the country. With only 8000 CID officers, how many of them are deployed to safeguard PJ folks?

The ratio of 1 policeman for every 5,500 citizens in PJ is a ratio too high from international standard of 1 to 250 citizens.

A Crime Prevention Committee of Petaling Jaya must be formed with the initiatives from various government authorities i.e. Petaling Jaya City Hall. This committee shall work as a working committee whose membership encompasses various stakeholders in PJ to formulate a long-term crime prevention action plan. Would this be more meaningful compared to just organizing countless dialogues with the police?