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?
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