Tag: Malaysian elections

Categories
Economics Politics & government

[1522] Of PAS wants a welfare state but we already are one

PAS earlier said that it wanted to turn Malaysia into a welfare state:

On Saturday, PAS said that it turn the country into a welfare state should it win the coming general election. [PAS Should Explain Welfare State – Muhyiddin. Bernama. January 23 2008]

But our favorite minister said that Malaysia is already a welfare state.

SUNGAI PETANI, Jan 23 (Bernama) — The Barisan Nasional (BN) government has already made Malaysia a welfare state, Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin said Wednesday. [Malaysia Already A Welfare State, Says Zam. Bernama. January 23 2008]

Sadly, I agree.

PAS or BN, either way, we are already screwed. In fact, it is hard to find a local political party that would move away from the idea of welfare state, which usually comes together in a package with central planning policies. But if PAS does not think that Malaysia is already a welfare state, I could only shudder at its definition of the concept, which would probably sit far farther to the left.

Categories
Activism Politics & government

[1459] Of letter to Titiwangsa MP

Dear Sir,

I am a resident in the area of Titiwangsa and I would like to thank you for the work you have done for the area so far. I have written to you before and I would greatly appreciate it if you could invest in some time to read this email.

I write to you to express my concern regarding a proposed amendment to Article 114 of the Constitution of Malaysia to extend the retirement age of EC members from 65 to 66 that is currently being discussed in the Parliament. I would like to kindly encourage you to vote no to the amendment.

The amendment is being proposed to accommodate one person at a particular point in time and nothing else. It is no accident that the current EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman is nearing his mandatory retirement age.

Amendments of this nature is very damaging to our country’s institutional structure. It gives the impression that our institution and our Constitution are easily made undone at a moment’s whim. I strongly feel that for any law to be respected, it shouldn’t be easily amended to suit a very short-term goal. It is hard to have respect for the law when the law is being formed, modified and unformed in a very discretionary manner. The Constitution is the document that governs us and it worries me that the Constitution is being considered for an amendment with clear disregard for the future in favor of instant gratification.

Greater consideration that firmly keeps a long term view on the integrity of our institution must prevail over any short-term amendment such as that in question.

I kindly hope you are able to agree with me and vote no to the amendment.

Thank you.

Kind regards,
Hafiz Noor Shams

Categories
Earthly Strip Politics & government

[1429] Of Earthly Strip: Your Choice

Some rights reserved. By Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams

Categories
Economics Politics & government

[1364] Of off with fuel subsidy, but what about election?

At 10 per cent — the official estimate — of the fuel subsidy, the Economic Planning Unit in 2005 characterised the illegal outflow as “akin to giving to foreigners the subsidies intended for Malaysians”. Now that our neighbours have reduced their fuel subsidies, it is perhaps time to stop subsidising them and to take away the incentive to smuggle out our diesel by aligning our prices closer to theirs. [Narrowing differentials. New Straits Times. September 11 2007]

Finally, it sinks in one of the local mainstream media. But does this mean there would be a fuel price hike in the future?

I refuse to believe that the NST says such thing out of “mere” economic rationale. The possibility of somebody higher up told them so simply appeals to me. The NST is a government’s mouthpiece after all. If that is so, it would definitely be an odd move however since the general election expected to be just around corner. Or maybe, election is not so close after all!

The recent budget in my opinion itself might not be as populist as the previous ones, despite what I wrote preemptively. Hmm…

I have stated earlier that the government of the day has missed its chance to ride on positive sentiment due to slowing economy. There has been talk of having the election in November but given the latest news from Japan.

If I were BN, I would somewhat favor to have the general election at later dates, perhaps after the release of economic reports for the third or even the fourth quarter are out. I would ride out the bad news and wait for a better time. Maybe, after Chinese New Year in February when economic activities, local and abroad, are up due to seasonal demand. Therefore, from being too late, November now seems too early.

Categories
Economics Politics & government

[1223] Of Malaysian budget in May?

Man. It is just May and the Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcob has already mentioned the “b” word.

KUALA LUMPUR: Budget 2008 will hand out more benefits to wage earners, Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said.

He said the Government would ensure that the prices of common consumer items would be affordable and not burden the lower-income segment of society. [Budget 2008 benefits to help lower-income group. The Star. May 16 2007]

This talk of a people’s budget so soon publically is weird. For goodness’ sake, we have not even past the second quarter yet. Talk about forward planning!

Maybe it is a sign that election is coming?