I am not sure how many people have commented on this matter in their blogs or written to the relevant authorities but we, the rakyat are still finding it very difficult to find or purchase plain white sugar in the city.
More than 1 month ago, I read somewhere on the internet that the world is running short of sugar and the price of this commodity have risen drastically. We in Malaysian have been assured by our Domestic Trade Minister that we will not be affected and sugar are in abudance for the Hari Raya period as it is a controlled item. I ask now, what do we control if there is nothing to control?????
Only this morning, my daughter went to 2 sundry shops and 2 hyper-markets but sugar was out of stock. I hope the officers of this ministry will go around to the shops and do spot checks instead of just making statements from their offices or announcing their visits to these places.
Another case in point is the H1N1 flu problem......... when the problem first arised in Mexico, we relaxed and thought that it will not reach our shores BUT...................... Now, after 59 fatalities, we are still having inconsistent reports from the various government departments.
Our decision makers always have this syndrome called "It will not happen to us".......... However, when things happen, we are always not prepared..............
Thank You....
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
MATTA IS SEEKING MATA-MATA'S (Police) HELP
I read with great interest this early Sunday morning's paper. Other than the 'normal' chaotic situation in the country, which I prefer not to touch on at the present moment. There is this article which some of you in the travel industry might be interested.
"Police reports lodge against MATTA Senior Exco Members". (For those not in the travel industry, MATTA = Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents). See the accompanying story in the 'Star' http://ww.thestar.com.my today, Sunday - 2nd August 2009.
I have never been elected or offered myself for election as an Exco member or held any post in this association but through my appointment as a committee member and later as the Deputy Chairman for the bi-annual MITF (MATTA International Travel Fair) during the 2002/2003 season, I have come to know and have rubbed shoulders with most of the Excos, past and present.
I was also at the recent Annual General meeting held at the PWTC but I left early without voting because what I witnessed during that meeting saddens me. I said to myself, "This is not a meeting of an association but more like a political party where people were rushing to get elected".
I really wonder why so many of them wanted to be elected especially during this period of economic turmoil and the H1N1 epidemic. I am not being selfish in my thinking but don't you think that its better for these so called 'politicians' be talking or thinking of how to get through this problems instead of fighting for positions?
We must understand that when this industry was hit by the world economic downturn, we were afraid that the public will not travel because they wanted to keep their money but we were proven wrong as those with huge bank balances still travelled and the industry was still doing well until spring of this year when we were hit by the H1N1 epidemic. People were scared to travel overseas because they were afraid they will be infected with the flu when they come back. We concentrated on the domestic portion of our industry but it seems that this segment is also hard hit with the 5th death yesterday.
So, what now for this industry? Fight it out at association level to see who holds the influential posts? I get to thinking that maybe by having these posts, the holders can get closer to the Minister and the Tourism Malaysia people to get some kind of 1st hand news or handouts for their own companies? Well, your guess is as good as mine.
Our travel industry is really ill now. It is in the "Intensive Care Unit". We do not want to have the 'Doctors and Specialists' to fight. Due to this fighting, some of them any end up in lock-ups or even prison.
I noticed that after YM Tunku Dato' Iskandar (Mitra) stepped down as President (due to ineligibility to stand for re-election, MATTA has not ben the same as it was. Maybe all the members should unite and bring this man back to head this association as an interim measure until all the legal matters have been solved.
To all the people in the industry, if you are reading this and agree with me, please forward to all your friends.
If you do not agree with me, just treat it as a posting from someone who holds the travel industry very close to his heart.
"Hope that MATTA will be back at it's old time best and strength, respected by the members and bring back confidence to the public".
"Police reports lodge against MATTA Senior Exco Members". (For those not in the travel industry, MATTA = Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents). See the accompanying story in the 'Star' http://ww.thestar.com.my today, Sunday - 2nd August 2009.
I have never been elected or offered myself for election as an Exco member or held any post in this association but through my appointment as a committee member and later as the Deputy Chairman for the bi-annual MITF (MATTA International Travel Fair) during the 2002/2003 season, I have come to know and have rubbed shoulders with most of the Excos, past and present.
I was also at the recent Annual General meeting held at the PWTC but I left early without voting because what I witnessed during that meeting saddens me. I said to myself, "This is not a meeting of an association but more like a political party where people were rushing to get elected".
I really wonder why so many of them wanted to be elected especially during this period of economic turmoil and the H1N1 epidemic. I am not being selfish in my thinking but don't you think that its better for these so called 'politicians' be talking or thinking of how to get through this problems instead of fighting for positions?
We must understand that when this industry was hit by the world economic downturn, we were afraid that the public will not travel because they wanted to keep their money but we were proven wrong as those with huge bank balances still travelled and the industry was still doing well until spring of this year when we were hit by the H1N1 epidemic. People were scared to travel overseas because they were afraid they will be infected with the flu when they come back. We concentrated on the domestic portion of our industry but it seems that this segment is also hard hit with the 5th death yesterday.
So, what now for this industry? Fight it out at association level to see who holds the influential posts? I get to thinking that maybe by having these posts, the holders can get closer to the Minister and the Tourism Malaysia people to get some kind of 1st hand news or handouts for their own companies? Well, your guess is as good as mine.
Our travel industry is really ill now. It is in the "Intensive Care Unit". We do not want to have the 'Doctors and Specialists' to fight. Due to this fighting, some of them any end up in lock-ups or even prison.
I noticed that after YM Tunku Dato' Iskandar (Mitra) stepped down as President (due to ineligibility to stand for re-election, MATTA has not ben the same as it was. Maybe all the members should unite and bring this man back to head this association as an interim measure until all the legal matters have been solved.
To all the people in the industry, if you are reading this and agree with me, please forward to all your friends.
If you do not agree with me, just treat it as a posting from someone who holds the travel industry very close to his heart.
"Hope that MATTA will be back at it's old time best and strength, respected by the members and bring back confidence to the public".
Thursday, June 18, 2009
'The Star' Friday June 19, 2009
Parking space needed in Court Complex
I TAKE Jalan Khidmat Usaha daily from my house in the Dutamas area on my way to work.
It used to be a breeze until the opening of the Court Complex in 2007. For the last two years there have been many cars parked by the roadside and early morning traffic at the junction is terrible.
I could not help but wonder how motorists could break the law by parking on the roadside where, policemen, lawyers and judges pass through daily.
If there are law breakers right in front of these people every day and nothing is done about it, more people would break more laws without any action being taken.
I am sure that before building the court complex the relevant authorities would have thought of providing enough parking space for the people using this complex.
If there are not enough parking spaces, enforcement should be done so that no cars are parked by the roadside which could be a hazard to other road users.
If somehow, the parking space has been ommited in the building plans, please build it now. Until then, can the authorities ensure that these car owners temporarily park at the Matrade carpark and provide them shuttle service?
Enforcement is the word here. Clamp the tyres, if the owners want it to be unclamped, go to one of the counters at the courthouse and pay a fine.
End result, offenders would think twice about parking illegally, the Government makes easy money and the road will be cleared.
Of course, we need to spend a little on tyre clamps but it is only a small drop in the ocean compared with the RM290mil spent on the complex itself.
Hopefully driving in Kuala Lumpur will be a breeze again in the near future.
Syed Farieh Al-Yahya
Selangor
Parking space needed in Court Complex
I TAKE Jalan Khidmat Usaha daily from my house in the Dutamas area on my way to work.
It used to be a breeze until the opening of the Court Complex in 2007. For the last two years there have been many cars parked by the roadside and early morning traffic at the junction is terrible.
I could not help but wonder how motorists could break the law by parking on the roadside where, policemen, lawyers and judges pass through daily.
If there are law breakers right in front of these people every day and nothing is done about it, more people would break more laws without any action being taken.
I am sure that before building the court complex the relevant authorities would have thought of providing enough parking space for the people using this complex.
If there are not enough parking spaces, enforcement should be done so that no cars are parked by the roadside which could be a hazard to other road users.
If somehow, the parking space has been ommited in the building plans, please build it now. Until then, can the authorities ensure that these car owners temporarily park at the Matrade carpark and provide them shuttle service?
Enforcement is the word here. Clamp the tyres, if the owners want it to be unclamped, go to one of the counters at the courthouse and pay a fine.
End result, offenders would think twice about parking illegally, the Government makes easy money and the road will be cleared.
Of course, we need to spend a little on tyre clamps but it is only a small drop in the ocean compared with the RM290mil spent on the complex itself.
Hopefully driving in Kuala Lumpur will be a breeze again in the near future.
Syed Farieh Al-Yahya
Selangor
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Mind Your Language
I agree that Malaysians MUST be more proficient the in English language. The travel industry needs them. There was an incident some years ago where a tourist went to a travel agency to purchase a ticket to Bangkok but was sold a ticket to Pangkor instead.
This was because the counter sales person could not speak or understand English very well.
This was because the counter sales person could not speak or understand English very well.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Behave yourselves, Mr. Politicians
I am not one that writes to about political topics but after reading the newspapers and watching the news recently, I felt that I should write this on my blog.
A few years ago, I used to laugh when I saw politicians in foreign countries (Taiwan and a couple others) behaving like children and hooligans during their parliamentary sittings. I thought to myself, 'How can they behave like this? It will never happen in Malaysia with our culture and modest upbringing'. I now realised that I was terribly wrong.
It saddens me and I am sure many Malaysians feel that way too. Seeing our elected representatives climbing on tables and acting worse than school children. These elected representatives, whether they are from the government or the opposition should act and behave like gentlemen and ladies befitting their stature.
They should be examples to the rakyat and the future generations. The speech by YTM Raja Muda of Perak touched on Mat Rempits, Global Economic situations and the Flu Epidemic that is affecting not only the world but also our great country. Already these are serious matters that needs to be looked into by our elected leaders but with these leaders acting the way they did at the Perak State Assembly, Who is going to look into them?
My overseas visitors are already asking me if my country is stable because it does not look that way on TV.
As a simple Malaysian who is trying to make an honest living during these tough times, I would like to ask these elected representatives, to behave themselves and work for the people. Your actions are worse than the Mat Rempits and the world is laughing at not only you but also at us, the simple Malaysians because we have elected incapable leaders who have acted like clowns in a circus.
Atleast at the circus, we laugh when we see clowns and their antics.
A few years ago, I used to laugh when I saw politicians in foreign countries (Taiwan and a couple others) behaving like children and hooligans during their parliamentary sittings. I thought to myself, 'How can they behave like this? It will never happen in Malaysia with our culture and modest upbringing'. I now realised that I was terribly wrong.
It saddens me and I am sure many Malaysians feel that way too. Seeing our elected representatives climbing on tables and acting worse than school children. These elected representatives, whether they are from the government or the opposition should act and behave like gentlemen and ladies befitting their stature.
They should be examples to the rakyat and the future generations. The speech by YTM Raja Muda of Perak touched on Mat Rempits, Global Economic situations and the Flu Epidemic that is affecting not only the world but also our great country. Already these are serious matters that needs to be looked into by our elected leaders but with these leaders acting the way they did at the Perak State Assembly, Who is going to look into them?
My overseas visitors are already asking me if my country is stable because it does not look that way on TV.
As a simple Malaysian who is trying to make an honest living during these tough times, I would like to ask these elected representatives, to behave themselves and work for the people. Your actions are worse than the Mat Rempits and the world is laughing at not only you but also at us, the simple Malaysians because we have elected incapable leaders who have acted like clowns in a circus.
Atleast at the circus, we laugh when we see clowns and their antics.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
My letter published in the Star on Monday, 6th April 2009
Monday April 6, 2009
Subject: CVLB, drastic situations need drastic measures
TOO much has been said about Kuala Lumpur or Malaysian taxis, and it gives a bad image to our country image.
It is ridiculous to read that someone in authority can say to the public that the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB) is losing a battle against the taxi drivers.
We always read that only a few taxi drivers are creating problems, but if only 15 out of 627 checked were found to be following regulations, this is an “epidemic” already.
Forget about being fair to the taxi drivers. What the CVLB should do is, give the drivers and companies a three-month grace period to get their act in order. Provide them with an acceptable fare scale.
After that, no more summonses or show-cause letters should be issued. The CVLB should be firm and serious about tackling this issue. After this grace period, even first time offenders should have their licences cancelled or even taken to court. We all know that cheating is an offence.
Once the rogue taxi drivers know that the authorities mean business, they will definitely get their act together.
What’s wrong with the whole thing is enforcement. The authorities are too lenient.
To the CVLB and JPJ officials, I would like to say that drastic situations need drastic measures. Don’t tell us that you have lost. If you cannot win, maybe someone else that can do the job right should be sitting in your place.
MALAYSIAN ARAB,
Kuala Lumpur.
Subject: CVLB, drastic situations need drastic measures
TOO much has been said about Kuala Lumpur or Malaysian taxis, and it gives a bad image to our country image.
It is ridiculous to read that someone in authority can say to the public that the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB) is losing a battle against the taxi drivers.
We always read that only a few taxi drivers are creating problems, but if only 15 out of 627 checked were found to be following regulations, this is an “epidemic” already.
Forget about being fair to the taxi drivers. What the CVLB should do is, give the drivers and companies a three-month grace period to get their act in order. Provide them with an acceptable fare scale.
After that, no more summonses or show-cause letters should be issued. The CVLB should be firm and serious about tackling this issue. After this grace period, even first time offenders should have their licences cancelled or even taken to court. We all know that cheating is an offence.
Once the rogue taxi drivers know that the authorities mean business, they will definitely get their act together.
What’s wrong with the whole thing is enforcement. The authorities are too lenient.
To the CVLB and JPJ officials, I would like to say that drastic situations need drastic measures. Don’t tell us that you have lost. If you cannot win, maybe someone else that can do the job right should be sitting in your place.
MALAYSIAN ARAB,
Kuala Lumpur.
Monday, March 9, 2009
I'm not an actor, I not a star
This is my letter to the Editor of the Star last week but it was not printed.
The recent Perak State Assembly sitting (illegal or otherwise) reminds me of the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee’s movie called “Laksmana Do Re Mi” where the Ruler from “Kerajaan Pasir Dua Butir” (Kingdom of Two Sand Grains) held audience under a tree.
This time, it’s the Speaker that did it. Whether he wants to be the ruler and start a new kingdom or trying to act out a remake of the film is best known to him.
As a concerned citizen, I wish to remind our elected representatives that we are facing hard times now. There is no room and time to be comedians. We the Raayat are not laughing. We need your leadership to get this country into calmer weather. Instead, you are thinning the resources of our police force and also of the courts with all the police reports, the suing and counter suing each other.
This is a lyric from a song by one of the Malaysian group (I can’t remember the group’s name) but the title is Ape ape aje (Whatever) and it goes something like this “Buat apa gado gado sama kita .. Malaysia kita ini kecik aje ... kalo semua gado sape nak jaga" (“Why do we need to fight among ourselves, our Malaysia is so small. If we all fight, who will be taking care of it?”
So, to all the leaders, if all of you want to be actors, who will be the singers?
The recent Perak State Assembly sitting (illegal or otherwise) reminds me of the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee’s movie called “Laksmana Do Re Mi” where the Ruler from “Kerajaan Pasir Dua Butir” (Kingdom of Two Sand Grains) held audience under a tree.
This time, it’s the Speaker that did it. Whether he wants to be the ruler and start a new kingdom or trying to act out a remake of the film is best known to him.
As a concerned citizen, I wish to remind our elected representatives that we are facing hard times now. There is no room and time to be comedians. We the Raayat are not laughing. We need your leadership to get this country into calmer weather. Instead, you are thinning the resources of our police force and also of the courts with all the police reports, the suing and counter suing each other.
This is a lyric from a song by one of the Malaysian group (I can’t remember the group’s name) but the title is Ape ape aje (Whatever) and it goes something like this “Buat apa gado gado sama kita .. Malaysia kita ini kecik aje ... kalo semua gado sape nak jaga" (“Why do we need to fight among ourselves, our Malaysia is so small. If we all fight, who will be taking care of it?”
So, to all the leaders, if all of you want to be actors, who will be the singers?
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
I am very honoured
This is a very happy new year for me. Even though I am not a Chinese, I have received an 'ANG POW' in the way of a response from (MTPB) Malaysian Tourism & Promotion Board. Their invitation for me to visit their office is something that I have been looking forward to and I am sincerely and truly honoured.
Some of you already know, I will be leaving my present job on an 'early retirement' I may be joining another company within the next couple of months. With this new company, although on an advisory capacity, Insya Allah, I would like to play my part in promoting Malaysia, not only to the foreigners but also to Malaysians.
Malaysia is a very beautiful country but how many of us have travelled its length and breadth to how fantastic this country is?
My first plan was to drive around the country and maybe write about Malaysia in my blog but then again, how many people read my blog?
Then, I was thinking of just writing and submitting my so called report to MTPB on how to promote Malaysia through the eyes of someone from the industry, a retired one at that. (Even if MTPM does not accept my recommendation, I will atleast know that I have done my part in doing something for Malaysia) - Nawaitu yang penting
To the person from MTPB who commented in this blog and sent me the personal invitation, I am truly honoured and willing to accept your invitation but would really appreciate more details on whom I should meet or call.
Before I started this blog, I was of the opinion that it will be just for fun and friends. Now I realise there are others that are reading it too.
I hope that this year of the Ox will make our country stronger and weather this economic uncertainty.
Some of you already know, I will be leaving my present job on an 'early retirement' I may be joining another company within the next couple of months. With this new company, although on an advisory capacity, Insya Allah, I would like to play my part in promoting Malaysia, not only to the foreigners but also to Malaysians.
Malaysia is a very beautiful country but how many of us have travelled its length and breadth to how fantastic this country is?
My first plan was to drive around the country and maybe write about Malaysia in my blog but then again, how many people read my blog?
Then, I was thinking of just writing and submitting my so called report to MTPB on how to promote Malaysia through the eyes of someone from the industry, a retired one at that. (Even if MTPM does not accept my recommendation, I will atleast know that I have done my part in doing something for Malaysia) - Nawaitu yang penting
To the person from MTPB who commented in this blog and sent me the personal invitation, I am truly honoured and willing to accept your invitation but would really appreciate more details on whom I should meet or call.
Before I started this blog, I was of the opinion that it will be just for fun and friends. Now I realise there are others that are reading it too.
I hope that this year of the Ox will make our country stronger and weather this economic uncertainty.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Response from Tourism Malaysia
This is ther letter printed in the Star today in response to mine that was published a few days ago.
They may use WTO's figure and definition of tourists but do they take into account of the number of Singaporeans that live in JB but work in Singapore?
Let us take a very conservative figure of 20 thousand Singaporeans that does it 200 days in a year. The figure will already be 4 million. This does not include their family members from Singapore that come over to Malaysia to visit them but stay in their Malaysian house. There is always a reason to inflate figures. This is to show that the industry is booming when it actually is not. Ask any travel agent or Hotelier or even restauranteur for that matter.
The Tourism Ministry officials should be going to the ground to find out. They should not just sit in their enormous offices and collect figures.
Friday January 23, 2009
No reason to inflate tourism figures
IN response to “Minister has given an inflated figure” (The Star, Jan 15), I would like to confirm that based on the official, audited figures released by the Treasury, tourist arrivals generated a revenue of RM46.1bil in 2007.
The revenue is expected to be higher in 2008, based on the 5.1% increase in tourist arrivals from 20.97 million to 22.05 million.
I would like to further explain that the figures announced were based on the World Tourism Organisation’s definition of “tourists”, which describes them as “foreigners travelling to Malaysia for reasons other than following an activity remunerated from and within Malaysia and staying at least a night but not exceeding a year”.
The numbers do not include excursionists, which are defined as “foreigners coming into the country for less than 24 hours without an overnight stay”.
The figures announced by the Tourism Minister on Jan 12, which states that Singaporeans are the largest contributors to Malaysia’s tourist arrivals, do not include excursionists. If they had been included, the figure would reach 16 million.
I would like to clearly state that there is no reason for Tourism Malaysia to inflate the figures. All calculations that were made in determining the figures were based on a formula endorsed by the World Tourism Organisation and applied by countries across the globe.
AMIRRUDIN ABU,
Acting Director-General,
Tourism Malaysia.
They may use WTO's figure and definition of tourists but do they take into account of the number of Singaporeans that live in JB but work in Singapore?
Let us take a very conservative figure of 20 thousand Singaporeans that does it 200 days in a year. The figure will already be 4 million. This does not include their family members from Singapore that come over to Malaysia to visit them but stay in their Malaysian house. There is always a reason to inflate figures. This is to show that the industry is booming when it actually is not. Ask any travel agent or Hotelier or even restauranteur for that matter.
The Tourism Ministry officials should be going to the ground to find out. They should not just sit in their enormous offices and collect figures.
Friday January 23, 2009
No reason to inflate tourism figures
IN response to “Minister has given an inflated figure” (The Star, Jan 15), I would like to confirm that based on the official, audited figures released by the Treasury, tourist arrivals generated a revenue of RM46.1bil in 2007.
The revenue is expected to be higher in 2008, based on the 5.1% increase in tourist arrivals from 20.97 million to 22.05 million.
I would like to further explain that the figures announced were based on the World Tourism Organisation’s definition of “tourists”, which describes them as “foreigners travelling to Malaysia for reasons other than following an activity remunerated from and within Malaysia and staying at least a night but not exceeding a year”.
The numbers do not include excursionists, which are defined as “foreigners coming into the country for less than 24 hours without an overnight stay”.
The figures announced by the Tourism Minister on Jan 12, which states that Singaporeans are the largest contributors to Malaysia’s tourist arrivals, do not include excursionists. If they had been included, the figure would reach 16 million.
I would like to clearly state that there is no reason for Tourism Malaysia to inflate the figures. All calculations that were made in determining the figures were based on a formula endorsed by the World Tourism Organisation and applied by countries across the globe.
AMIRRUDIN ABU,
Acting Director-General,
Tourism Malaysia.
The Star 23 January 2008
This below is the email I sent to the Star
Dear Sir,
I AGREE very much with Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye that it is good for the Cabinet to drop the idea of having the Race Relations Act. However, I feel it is right to say that after 51 years of independence, the people at the top who are our leaders MUST start to think of changing.
We should stop having UMNO (United MALAY National Organisation), MCA (Malaysian CHINESE Association), MIC (Malaysian INDIAN Congress), PAS( Partai ISLAM Se Malaysia - should have been PIS) and also many other political parties that sound communal or religious. We can have NGOs that are religion based but not political parties.
I remember during my school days, many of my friends were Chinese and Indians but now it saddens me to see the state of our racial interaction in schools and colleges.
In a few more years, those born pre Merdeka will not be around anymore. We should start from now to instill in our young, the hardship that our fathers went through to gain independence for all of us. Let not the distrust among our races be the downfall of what they have built.
To the leaders, I say, 'Please do something and do it fast'.
Thank you
Pseudonym: Malaysia Truly Malaysian
Friday January 23, 2009
This is the letter that has been printed.... some censorship but hope I got the message through...
Don’t waste efforts of our forefathers
I AGREE very much with Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye that it is good for the Cabinet to drop the idea of having the Race Relations Act (“Race Relations Act not the answer for unity” – The Star, Jan 22).
However, I feel it is right to say that after 51 years of independence, the people at the top who are our leaders must start to think of change.
We should stop having political parties that sound communal or religious. We can have NGOs that are religion-based, but not political parties.
I remember during my school days, many of my friends were Chinese and Indians, but now it saddens me to see the state of our racial interaction in schools and colleges.
In a few more years, those born pre-Merdeka will not be around any more. We should start from now to instil in our young the hardship that our fathers went through to gain independence for all of us.
Let not the distrust among our races be the downfall of what they have built.
To the leaders, I say, please do something and do it fast.
MALAYSIA TRULY MALAYSIAN, Kuala Lumpur.
Dear Sir,
I AGREE very much with Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye that it is good for the Cabinet to drop the idea of having the Race Relations Act. However, I feel it is right to say that after 51 years of independence, the people at the top who are our leaders MUST start to think of changing.
We should stop having UMNO (United MALAY National Organisation), MCA (Malaysian CHINESE Association), MIC (Malaysian INDIAN Congress), PAS( Partai ISLAM Se Malaysia - should have been PIS) and also many other political parties that sound communal or religious. We can have NGOs that are religion based but not political parties.
I remember during my school days, many of my friends were Chinese and Indians but now it saddens me to see the state of our racial interaction in schools and colleges.
In a few more years, those born pre Merdeka will not be around anymore. We should start from now to instill in our young, the hardship that our fathers went through to gain independence for all of us. Let not the distrust among our races be the downfall of what they have built.
To the leaders, I say, 'Please do something and do it fast'.
Thank you
Pseudonym: Malaysia Truly Malaysian
Friday January 23, 2009
This is the letter that has been printed.... some censorship but hope I got the message through...
Don’t waste efforts of our forefathers
I AGREE very much with Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye that it is good for the Cabinet to drop the idea of having the Race Relations Act (“Race Relations Act not the answer for unity” – The Star, Jan 22).
However, I feel it is right to say that after 51 years of independence, the people at the top who are our leaders must start to think of change.
We should stop having political parties that sound communal or religious. We can have NGOs that are religion-based, but not political parties.
I remember during my school days, many of my friends were Chinese and Indians, but now it saddens me to see the state of our racial interaction in schools and colleges.
In a few more years, those born pre-Merdeka will not be around any more. We should start from now to instil in our young the hardship that our fathers went through to gain independence for all of us.
Let not the distrust among our races be the downfall of what they have built.
To the leaders, I say, please do something and do it fast.
MALAYSIA TRULY MALAYSIAN, Kuala Lumpur.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Our Tourism Minister doing a David Copperfield
I am someone that is very critical with figures especially when it s being inflated to an unbelievable extent.
On 12th January 2009, the Star newspaper quoted our Tourism Minister saying:
"Singapore contributed the largest number of visitors to Malaysia, with 11 million arrivals last year followed by Indonesia (2.428 million), Thailand (1.493 million) and Brunei (1.172 million)."
However, today, 19th January 2009 it quoted her saying:
"A total of RM21.96bil in tourism receipts were recorded from more than 16 million visitors from Singapore last year, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said."
Although I doubt both figures truly reflects these people as tourists, how can the figure of 11 million visitors from Singapore changed to 16 million visitors in a matter of 1 week?
Is she talking about the same Singapore?
Can it be that the Minister has been misquoted by the journalists covering these events?
Are these figures being inflated so that the Tourism Ministry is able to obtain more fund for their marketing activities or to show Malaysians that the tourism industry is in a very healthy state?
Even if we want to inflated these figures further, "tunggu la dulu sampai pembaca dah lupa statement yang mula tuuuuuu......."
(There is an old saying - "When you lie, you tend to forget what you said earlier")
Some of these politicians think that we Malaysians are so gullible or stupid??????
Well, maybe we are..... Maybe that is why Barisan lost most of its seats in the election........ because Malaysians are so stupid that we mark our crosses at the wrong places.
On 12th January 2009, the Star newspaper quoted our Tourism Minister saying:
"Singapore contributed the largest number of visitors to Malaysia, with 11 million arrivals last year followed by Indonesia (2.428 million), Thailand (1.493 million) and Brunei (1.172 million)."
However, today, 19th January 2009 it quoted her saying:
"A total of RM21.96bil in tourism receipts were recorded from more than 16 million visitors from Singapore last year, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said."
Although I doubt both figures truly reflects these people as tourists, how can the figure of 11 million visitors from Singapore changed to 16 million visitors in a matter of 1 week?
Is she talking about the same Singapore?
Can it be that the Minister has been misquoted by the journalists covering these events?
Are these figures being inflated so that the Tourism Ministry is able to obtain more fund for their marketing activities or to show Malaysians that the tourism industry is in a very healthy state?
Even if we want to inflated these figures further, "tunggu la dulu sampai pembaca dah lupa statement yang mula tuuuuuu......."
(There is an old saying - "When you lie, you tend to forget what you said earlier")
Some of these politicians think that we Malaysians are so gullible or stupid??????
Well, maybe we are..... Maybe that is why Barisan lost most of its seats in the election........ because Malaysians are so stupid that we mark our crosses at the wrong places.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Malaysia had 22million Tourists in 2008
Below is the statement of the Honorable Minister of Tourism Malaysia in the Star, Monday January 12, 2009
More tourist arrivals, says Azalina
By FLORENCE A.SAMY
"HANOI: Tourist arrivals in Malaysia increased by 5.1% to over 22 million last year, compared with the 20.9 million in 2007.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Asean Tourism Forum here, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said despite the current global economic challenges, the tourism industry still managed to grow due to intensified promotional efforts.
»The Cabinet Committee for Tourism had set a 20 million tourist target for this year.
Tourist arrivals last month also reached a record high of 2.058 million, a 9.2% increase from December 2007.
Long-haul tourists showed the highest increase in arrivals, with Canada registering a 65.6% increase, followed by the Netherlands (63.3%), Russia (56%), France (44.4%), Norway (43.9%) and Germany (41.9%).
In the short and medium-haul markets, there was a 132% jump in the number of Iranian tourists, followed by Cambodians (52.9% increase), Indonesians (34.6%) and Indians (30.4%).
Singapore contributed the largest number of visitors to Malaysia, with 11 million arrivals last year followed by Indonesia (2.428 million), Thailand (1.493 million) and Brunei (1.172 million).
Azalina said the Cabinet Committee for Tourism had set a 20 million tourist target for this year and was banking on arrivals from Asean countries.
She said RM50mil would be allocated for the Asean market this year compared to RM30mil last year and more roadshows would be held in China and the Middle-East.
She said the focus this year would be on unknown markets and cities instead of capital cities. At the forum, Asean members signed a mutual recognition agreement to enable mobility of tourism professionals across the region.
The agreement enables member countries to exchange information on best practices in competency-based education and training of tourism professionals while providing capacity building opportunities across the region".
If you read it carefully, you will realise that Malaysia has the most 'tourist' arrivals compared to all other its other ASEAN counterparts.
SYABAS - Malaysia Boleh!!!!!!
Now, read it again............
Let us analyse it and take the Singapore arrivals as an example.
With less than 3 million people, Singapore can have 11 million tourist arrivals into Malaysia???? That will mean that every Singaporean will have to come over to Malaysia almost 4 times a year.
Maybe these figures include those Singaporeans that come over to Malaysia or rather JB to do their weekly or monthly groceries or Singaporeans that live in Malaysia but commute dailiy to Singapore to work. (They should not be taken as tourists because they are NOT)
Now, if those figures were taken into account for Singapore, the Ministry must have taken the same type of statistics for Indonesia (Workers & Maids), Thailand (daily commuters)
If we were to add up all the 'tourist' arrivals from ASEAN countries, it will come up to slightly more than 16 million. We are therefore left with another 6 million arrivals who I can safely classify as TOURISTS although some of them may only be business travellers.
Add that to 20% of the ASEAN arrivals of 3.2 million, we come up with a more realistic figure of about 9million.
Why do I say 9 million is a more realistic figure? Indonesia, with its population of 240 million were finding it hard to hit the 9 million tourist arrivals.
We on the other hand can boldly shout that we hit more than 22 million.....
Can you imagine that if we had 22 million tourist in 2008 and on the average they spend RM2000 per visit. That's a WHOOPPING (I dont know if my calculator can take it.....) RM440,000,000,000 (is that RM440Billion????). With so many zeros, I may be wrong.................
With this sort of income, its not a wonder that the people in power are saying that Malaysia will not be hit by recession.
We must remember that when we inflate or 'play' with a figure to show what is actually not there, we create a sense false happiness and satisfaction everywhere. This will inturn create a tsunami effect to the country where people will be thinking that "We dont have to work hard anymore to promote this country as we have more than achieved our target."
When this happens, it will be a very sad day because we will be a welfare nation.
More tourist arrivals, says Azalina
By FLORENCE A.SAMY
"HANOI: Tourist arrivals in Malaysia increased by 5.1% to over 22 million last year, compared with the 20.9 million in 2007.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Asean Tourism Forum here, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said despite the current global economic challenges, the tourism industry still managed to grow due to intensified promotional efforts.
»The Cabinet Committee for Tourism had set a 20 million tourist target for this year.
Tourist arrivals last month also reached a record high of 2.058 million, a 9.2% increase from December 2007.
Long-haul tourists showed the highest increase in arrivals, with Canada registering a 65.6% increase, followed by the Netherlands (63.3%), Russia (56%), France (44.4%), Norway (43.9%) and Germany (41.9%).
In the short and medium-haul markets, there was a 132% jump in the number of Iranian tourists, followed by Cambodians (52.9% increase), Indonesians (34.6%) and Indians (30.4%).
Singapore contributed the largest number of visitors to Malaysia, with 11 million arrivals last year followed by Indonesia (2.428 million), Thailand (1.493 million) and Brunei (1.172 million).
Azalina said the Cabinet Committee for Tourism had set a 20 million tourist target for this year and was banking on arrivals from Asean countries.
She said RM50mil would be allocated for the Asean market this year compared to RM30mil last year and more roadshows would be held in China and the Middle-East.
She said the focus this year would be on unknown markets and cities instead of capital cities. At the forum, Asean members signed a mutual recognition agreement to enable mobility of tourism professionals across the region.
The agreement enables member countries to exchange information on best practices in competency-based education and training of tourism professionals while providing capacity building opportunities across the region".
If you read it carefully, you will realise that Malaysia has the most 'tourist' arrivals compared to all other its other ASEAN counterparts.
SYABAS - Malaysia Boleh!!!!!!
Now, read it again............
Let us analyse it and take the Singapore arrivals as an example.
With less than 3 million people, Singapore can have 11 million tourist arrivals into Malaysia???? That will mean that every Singaporean will have to come over to Malaysia almost 4 times a year.
Maybe these figures include those Singaporeans that come over to Malaysia or rather JB to do their weekly or monthly groceries or Singaporeans that live in Malaysia but commute dailiy to Singapore to work. (They should not be taken as tourists because they are NOT)
Now, if those figures were taken into account for Singapore, the Ministry must have taken the same type of statistics for Indonesia (Workers & Maids), Thailand (daily commuters)
If we were to add up all the 'tourist' arrivals from ASEAN countries, it will come up to slightly more than 16 million. We are therefore left with another 6 million arrivals who I can safely classify as TOURISTS although some of them may only be business travellers.
Add that to 20% of the ASEAN arrivals of 3.2 million, we come up with a more realistic figure of about 9million.
Why do I say 9 million is a more realistic figure? Indonesia, with its population of 240 million were finding it hard to hit the 9 million tourist arrivals.
We on the other hand can boldly shout that we hit more than 22 million.....
Can you imagine that if we had 22 million tourist in 2008 and on the average they spend RM2000 per visit. That's a WHOOPPING (I dont know if my calculator can take it.....) RM440,000,000,000 (is that RM440Billion????). With so many zeros, I may be wrong.................
With this sort of income, its not a wonder that the people in power are saying that Malaysia will not be hit by recession.
We must remember that when we inflate or 'play' with a figure to show what is actually not there, we create a sense false happiness and satisfaction everywhere. This will inturn create a tsunami effect to the country where people will be thinking that "We dont have to work hard anymore to promote this country as we have more than achieved our target."
When this happens, it will be a very sad day because we will be a welfare nation.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Boycotting of American/Israeli Goods?
I would love to boycott American made goods. This is to support the call from our Government to show my disgust towards the atrocities done by Israel to the Palestinians. However, looking at the above, it is only a very small part that I can play.If the Malaysian government would like the people to boycott all these and play our very small part, it should also look into playing the BIG parts like below..........
Why did MAS buy Boeing when they could have bought Airbus?
Why did we buy the F18 Hornet when we could have bought all MIGs
Whe did we buy the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) for our VIPs when we could have bought the Airbus 319?The Government should lead by example if the want this to succeed. How many cans of coca cola does it take for us to boycott to be equivalent to one F18 Hornet?
We must also remember that things like KFC, McDonalds, Coke and many more so called 'American Enterprise in Malaysia are owned by Malaysians and not by Americans. Therefore boycotting these 'American Products' as the government is encouraging us to do will only be creating hardship to the people that are workign in these company.... In Malaysia.
On the contrary, Boeing Business Jets are not made or assembled in Malaysia but in Seattle in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
The fighter planes are also not made in Malaysia. This is the way to to it. Not just rousing up the population by saying boycott.
Do not say that buying all those planes and expensive assets from USA are business decisions because for me, buying a can of cose from the convenient store is also a business decision.
As for boycotting of Israel goods, Dont we know that we do not have any relations with Israel... Economic or otherwise. How can their products get into Malaysia? Unless we have a BIG loophole somewhere in our system that produce from that country can come in here maybe through a third country............... (Food for thought?)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
