POLITICAL ECONOMY - Column: " from THE fringes "
Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
Tuesday, 20th October 2015
A really, really, really Unbelievable game of High Stakes Poker is being played in my homeland,
...even better than what was at stake in Casino Royale!
Amongst the chips on the table or power cards played are ...well...to quote the youngest chess master in Malaysia's 58 years of history i.e. CM(Candidate Master) Amir Faiz when he was 6 years old -
" ...I can't think anymore. If I think my brains will become smaller! "(NAG 2013, UTP-Perak).
On a Friday morning, almost a month back a legal practitioner and I met some VIPs from Sarawak in a KL hotel. The purpose of the meeting is for me to propose an economic initiative which can result in around 20-50 employment opportunities (if not more) to be created in mainly the state capital of Kuching. The jobs which can be created will predominantly be in the finance/securities sector. A spin-off from the initiative can also differentiate Sarawak from the rest of Malaysia during the state government's investment roadshows abroad. In a serious mode sprinkled with dosses of humour we talked about the reason(s) and possibility(ies) of Sarawak seceding and together with Johor, forming a separate nation. Various name combinations were offered and economic sectors and possible co-operations discussed.
Fast forward to October 2015 and who would have thought that the Crown Prince of Johor (fondly referred to as TMJ) would have suggested secession if the terms of the forming of the Federation of Malaysia are not met. There must have been strong reasons for TMJ to highlight the matter publicly. The way the country is being run might be one of them.
Less I be accused of being an agent provocateur - I am writing this for academic discussions and theoretical purposes as well as theoretically speaking, IF and that's a very BIG IF Johore were to leave Malaysia tomorrow, Ministers and Deputy Ministers like Hishamuddin, Azalina, Ahmad Maslan 3.85, Nur Jazlan (ex-PAC Chairman) as well as MCA's T.Y.Chua, J.S.Wee and MIC President Subramaniam will be out of a job automatically.
Economically, perhaps even Iskandar Malaysia(IM) can be reinvigorated. The following is the profile of the nationalities of consumers searching for property to be purchased in Iskandar released by the iProperty Group during its PC yesterday. Notice the absence of Arab nationalities? Perhaps, they are in the 2% unaccounted for?
( MORE to FOLLOW )
This is the second week in a row that I'd to change what was meant to be published.
Last week I intended to write about how despite the controversies surrounding some overseas purchase or investment made by certain government agencies or GLCs, the weak Ringgit would enable these investments to be pretty much profitable if divestments can be made and the money brought back to resuscitate the local economy. However, the decree by the Malay Rulers on 1MDB put a stop to my arguments.
The title for my column this week should have been simply " In Defense of Najib! ".
I would then proceed to outline how or what Najib should do to retain BN if not UMNO's failing and falling grip on power in the next GE. However, a threat of secession however remote is a plot that is too tempting to be passed over and needs to be written about especially since my discussions regarding this matter on the 11th of September with the Sarawakians.
My supposed article this week would have started with an analysis of the toll increase.
Though the decision is cursed at by almost all motorists, I take the stand that this is a move that I would have taken myself if I was the PM though it seemed to be a very unpopular move. Reason being is that a majority of tolled road users are not my i.e. BN's supporters as they tend to live in the urban areas. As most are aware the urban voters have not been kind to the BN coalition. With the exception of the parliamentary seats of the F.T.of Putrajaya and Johor Bahru, all other seats are in the hands of the now defunct Pakatan Rakyat.
I might as well use the amount 'saved' from subsidising the toll rates for urban motorists to reward my (BN) supporters which lives in the 'Malay heartlands'. The reward should normally take the form of targeted subsidies for specific demographics. An example is increasing the BR1M payouts or assistance or whatever one wishes to call it. Others will be increasing education opportunities via additional places in boarding schools and universities coupled with easy access to financing the studies like scholarships or PTPTN loans, giving grants and subsidies for the farmers/settlers and fishermen. The normal "frog in a coconut shell" thinking...but then again that's just me. A reason why I am not the PM.
( This week's column is based on amongst others a myriad of attendances at meetings, events or PCs held in the F.T. of K.L(Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery, Mid Valley & TTDI)., Selangor (Ara Damansara, Kelana Jaya and Sri Damansara) and the F.T. of Putrajaya. )
( An UNVERIFIED Merdeka Centre Survey being circulated on the Social Media )
Note: Confirmation of the Survey veracity is very much appreciated.
Note: Confirmation of the Survey veracity is very much appreciated.
( a purported post from the from Southern Tiger@Harimau Selatan fB? )
Note: Confirmation of the fB post is very much appreciated.
( Allahyarham Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Talib - former Mufti of FT passes away, Al-Fatihah )
Note: Confirmation of the fB post is very much appreciated.
A really, really, really Unbelievable game of High Stakes Poker is being played in my homeland,
...even better than what was at stake in Casino Royale!
Amongst the chips on the table or power cards played are ...well...to quote the youngest chess master in Malaysia's 58 years of history i.e. CM(Candidate Master) Amir Faiz when he was 6 years old -
" ...I can't think anymore. If I think my brains will become smaller! "(NAG 2013, UTP-Perak).
On a Friday morning, almost a month back a legal practitioner and I met some VIPs from Sarawak in a KL hotel. The purpose of the meeting is for me to propose an economic initiative which can result in around 20-50 employment opportunities (if not more) to be created in mainly the state capital of Kuching. The jobs which can be created will predominantly be in the finance/securities sector. A spin-off from the initiative can also differentiate Sarawak from the rest of Malaysia during the state government's investment roadshows abroad. In a serious mode sprinkled with dosses of humour we talked about the reason(s) and possibility(ies) of Sarawak seceding and together with Johor, forming a separate nation. Various name combinations were offered and economic sectors and possible co-operations discussed.
Fast forward to October 2015 and who would have thought that the Crown Prince of Johor (fondly referred to as TMJ) would have suggested secession if the terms of the forming of the Federation of Malaysia are not met. There must have been strong reasons for TMJ to highlight the matter publicly. The way the country is being run might be one of them.
Less I be accused of being an agent provocateur - I am writing this for academic discussions and theoretical purposes as well as theoretically speaking, IF and that's a very BIG IF Johore were to leave Malaysia tomorrow, Ministers and Deputy Ministers like Hishamuddin, Azalina, Ahmad Maslan 3.85, Nur Jazlan (ex-PAC Chairman) as well as MCA's T.Y.Chua, J.S.Wee and MIC President Subramaniam will be out of a job automatically.
Economically, perhaps even Iskandar Malaysia(IM) can be reinvigorated. The following is the profile of the nationalities of consumers searching for property to be purchased in Iskandar released by the iProperty Group during its PC yesterday. Notice the absence of Arab nationalities? Perhaps, they are in the 2% unaccounted for?
( Nationalities of Consumers Searching for Property in Iskandar Malaysia "
* source iProperty Group H2 2015 - Consumer Market Sentiment Survey, 19th October 2015.
* source iProperty Group H2 2015 - Consumer Market Sentiment Survey, 19th October 2015.
Historically, UMNO's track record in preserving Johor have been nothing to shout about. Though Johor is often seen as a Fixed Deposit of sorts for the ruling coalition of BN and its Alliance predecessor, 2 UMNO Presidents had in one way or another 'allowed' Johor lands to be reduced. The Father of 2 Countries allowed it (read from THE fringes 8th September "2 Countries but 1 Father" Column HERE) while later on PM Abdullah Badawi allowed the case of Pulau Batu Puteh to be tried at the ICJ. We all know what happened next - Rais Yatim declaring the ICJ decision as a 'Win-Win' decision for both countries!
( MORE to FOLLOW )
This is the second week in a row that I'd to change what was meant to be published.
Last week I intended to write about how despite the controversies surrounding some overseas purchase or investment made by certain government agencies or GLCs, the weak Ringgit would enable these investments to be pretty much profitable if divestments can be made and the money brought back to resuscitate the local economy. However, the decree by the Malay Rulers on 1MDB put a stop to my arguments.
The title for my column this week should have been simply " In Defense of Najib! ".
I would then proceed to outline how or what Najib should do to retain BN if not UMNO's failing and falling grip on power in the next GE. However, a threat of secession however remote is a plot that is too tempting to be passed over and needs to be written about especially since my discussions regarding this matter on the 11th of September with the Sarawakians.
My supposed article this week would have started with an analysis of the toll increase.
Though the decision is cursed at by almost all motorists, I take the stand that this is a move that I would have taken myself if I was the PM though it seemed to be a very unpopular move. Reason being is that a majority of tolled road users are not my i.e. BN's supporters as they tend to live in the urban areas. As most are aware the urban voters have not been kind to the BN coalition. With the exception of the parliamentary seats of the F.T.of Putrajaya and Johor Bahru, all other seats are in the hands of the now defunct Pakatan Rakyat.
I might as well use the amount 'saved' from subsidising the toll rates for urban motorists to reward my (BN) supporters which lives in the 'Malay heartlands'. The reward should normally take the form of targeted subsidies for specific demographics. An example is increasing the BR1M payouts or assistance or whatever one wishes to call it. Others will be increasing education opportunities via additional places in boarding schools and universities coupled with easy access to financing the studies like scholarships or PTPTN loans, giving grants and subsidies for the farmers/settlers and fishermen. The normal "frog in a coconut shell" thinking...but then again that's just me. A reason why I am not the PM.
( PC by Dato' Dr. Zulkifli Mohamad - the Mufti of KL
on Friday, 16th October 2015 at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery around 3.15pm )
on Friday, 16th October 2015 at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery around 3.15pm )
In concluding this week's column, I would lkie to pay tribute to the former Mufti of the Federal Territory (1991-1997) and also former Imam Besar of the Putrajaya mosque i.e. Allahyarham Tan Sri Dato' Abdul Kadir Talib who passed away at the age of 86 on the morning of Friday, 16th October 2015 after subuh(dawn) prayers.
It was my first PC at a Muslim cemetery or any cemetery area for that matter. Many would have notice that the clouds were covering the cemetery area in Bukit Kiara but perhaps many may not have notice that not only were the clouds covering the area but also the fact that in the middle of the clouds there was an opening with a ray of sunlight coming through to lit the area. Immediately after what was a fast burial, the heavens opened up and it started to drizzle just as the remaining attendees were leaving the area. AL - FATIHAH to Allahyarham Tan Sri Dato' Abdul Kadir Talib.
( This week's column is based on amongst others a myriad of attendances at meetings, events or PCs held in the F.T. of K.L(Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery, Mid Valley & TTDI)., Selangor (Ara Damansara, Kelana Jaya and Sri Damansara) and the F.T. of Putrajaya. )
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