The ‘Guardians’ Who Have Betrayed The Nation’s Trust

Their “bebalism” — or collective stupidity, as coined by another great Malay intellectual, Professor Syed Husin Alatas, has grievously tarnished the reputation of their cohorts, and the younger generation. Kerana nila setitik rosak susu sebelanga

Bumi Unit Trust Holders — A Tale Of 2 Classes

Majority of Bumiputeras, or specifically the bottom 72% of ASB unit holders, only recorded average savings of RM536 in their ASB accounts last year, a measly amount that is not even near RM1,000.

Not only is the number miniscule, it is also decreasing, by 12% since 2012, which is in reverse of the rising trend in overall savings of total ASB unit holders.

Berani jika bersalah, Kecut takut kerana benar

In this turbulent times, perhaps it is worth reflecting this  sajak by the great Usman Awang 

Melayu - Usman Awang

Melayu itu orang yang bijaksana

Nakalnya bersulam jenaka

Budi bahasanya tidak terkira

Kurang ajarnya tetap santun

Jika menipu pun masih bersopan

Bila mengampu bijak beralas tangan.

Melayu itu berani jika bersalah

Kecut takut kerana benar,

Janji simpan di perut

Selalu pecah di mulut,

Biar mati adat

Jangan mati anak

Melayu di tanah Semenanjung luas maknanya:

Jawa itu Melayu,

Bugis itu Melayu,

Banjar juga disebut Melayu,

Minangkabau memang Melayu,

Keturunan Acheh adalah Melayu,

Jakun dan Sakai asli Melayu,

Arab dan Pakistani, semua Melayu,

Mamak dan Malbari serap ke Melayu,

Malah muallaf bertakrif Melayu

(Setelah disunat anunya itu)

Dalam sejarahnya

Melayu itu pengembara lautan

Melorongkan jalur sejarah zaman

Begitu luas daerah sempadan

Sayangnya kini segala kehilangan

Melayu itu kaya falsafahnya

Kias kata bidal pusaka

Akar budi bersulamkan daya

Gedung akal laut bicara

Malangnya Melayu itu kuat bersorak

Terlalu ghairah pesta temasya

Sedangkan kampung telah tergadai

Sawah sejalur tinggal sejengkal

Tanah sebidang mudah terjual

Meski telah memiliki telaga

Tangan masih memegang tali

Sedang orang mencapai timba

Berbuahlah pisang tiga kali

Melayu itu masih bermimpi

Walaupun sudah mengenal universiti

Masih berdagang di rumah sendiri

Berkelahi cara Melayu

Menikam dengan pantun

Menyanggah dengan senyum

Marahnya dengan diam

Merendah bukan menyembah

Meninggi bukan melonjak

Watak Melayu menolak permusuhan

Setia dan sabar tiada sempadan

Tapi jika marah tak nampak telinga

Musuh di cari ke lubang cacing

Tak dapat tanduk telinga dijinjing

Maruah dan agama dihina jangan

Hebat amuknya tak kenal lawan

Berdamai cara Melayu indah sekali

Silaturahim hati yang murni

Maaf diungkap sentiasa bersahut

Tangan dihulur sentiasa disambut

Luka pun tidak lagi berparut

Baiknya hati Melayu itu tak terbandingkan

Selagi yang ada sanggup diberikan

Sehingga tercipta sebuah kiasan:

Dagang lalu nasi ditanakkan

Suami pulang lapar tak makan

Kera di hutan disusu-susukan

Anak di pangkuan mati kebuluran

Bagaimanakah Melayu abad kedua puluh satu

Masihkah tunduk tersipu-sipu?

Jangan takut melanggar pantang

Jika pantang menghalang kemajuan;

Jangan segan menentang larangan

Jika yakin kepada kebenaran;

Jangan malu mengucapkan keyakinan

Jika percaya kepada keadilan

Jadilah bangsa yang bijaksana

Memegang tali memegang timba

Memiliki ekonomi mencipta budaya

Menjadi tuan di negara merdeka.

-end-

The Gods and The King of Fruits

Good read. Nature Contained: Environmental Histories of Singapore : Timothy Barnard (Author, Editor). 2014.

I find this part interesting. Luckily I don't eat durian.

Low wages linked to fewer, weaker unions

The goods and services tax (GST) which kicked in on April 1 has turned the spotlight once again on the country’s low-wage rut, with economists pointing at the weakening bargaining power of workers, influx of migrant labour and national economic policies as the main causes.

A long-standing problem, experts have said low wages were the result of Malaysia's industrialisation policy, which has long focused on the manufacturing sector.

But it also correlates with a steady fall in union membership, in part caused by dependence on foreign labour.

In fact, an economist at a recent forum on the welfare of Malaysians, said better bargaining rights for workers, such as through unions, could ensure better wages and benefits.

Public Forum : Redesigning an Inclusive Future.

                                                               All are welcome

Public Forum : The First Malaysian Human Development Report: REDESIGNING AN INCLUSIVE FUTURE

The Department of Development Studies & Centre for Poverty and Development Studies (CPDS),

University of Malaya

Welcome all to a public forum 

The First Malaysian

Human Development Report: REDESIGNING AN INCLUSIVE FUTURE

• Tan Sri Dr. Kamal Salih , Adjunct Professor, University of Malaya 
• Dr. Muhammed Abdul Khalid, Director of Research, Khazanah Research Institute 
• Dr. Lee Hwok Aun, Senior Lecture, University of Malaya

    Date : Wednesday, 25 March 2015
    Time :    3:00 – 5:00pm
    Venue:   Lecture Hall 3 (Dewan Kuliah 3), Faculty of Economics & Administration, Uni Malaya

For decades, Malaysia generated economic growth, transformed its profile from a 

primary goods producer to a manufacturing exporter, reduced income poverty and 

inequality, raised education and health attainments, and moderated ethnic disparities. 

Growth has been sustained and shared through consecutive implementation of a series 

of development policies. However, socioeconomic progress has slowed down since the 

1997 Asian financial crisis. Notably, contemporary Malaysia sees persisting inequalities, 

especially of regional, gender and ethnic dimensions, and lagging development of human 

capability, of institutions fostering inclusiveness and of effective governance. Social 

exclusion, barriers to social mobility and economic insecurity stand in tension against the 

objective of greater inclusiveness woven through all development visions and plans.

Malaysia’s first Human Development Report defines inclusive growth as comprising 

equitable distribution of benefits of economic growth and of social spending across 

distinct income groups and the poor irrespective of their group membership; robust 

generation of broadly accessible opportunity for economic participation and safeguards 

for the vulnerable; and inclusion of citizens in policy formulation and implementation, 

towards minimizing social exclusion and increasing social cohesion. In accordance with 

the breadth of inclusive growth, we adopt a multidisciplinary and multidimensional 

approach encompassing economic, social, political and legal elements, highlighting 

regional, gender, ethnic and aspects of relative deprivation.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC