My SinChew
by Lim Mun Fah/ translated by Soong Phui Jee
by Lim Mun Fah/ translated by Soong Phui Jee
Not long ago, the Prime Minister’s approval ratings among Malaysians have sharply risen. Perhaps, it was closely related to a series of good news and people-friendly measures announced by him. However, it is undeniable that after Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak took the office, one after another good news and people-friendly measure has been announced, it seemed like Santa Claus was giving away gifts that made us too busy to make proper responses.
Ultimately, however, everything has to return to the fundamentals. All new measures and policies have to face the tests of time and practices. The next three and a half years will be the performance check season and the effect will be reflected on the ballot papers.
The new trust fund, Amanah Saham 1Malaysia, with a maximum size of 10 billion units did not cause a mass fervor. To a certain extent, it might have reflected that the public’s passion to “receive gifts” has begun to subside. They no longer follow the trend but have calmed down and think about the potential risks, advantages and disadvantages of the investment. From the positive point of view, it is something good.
Reform does not mean only to shout out pleasant slogans or just focus on doing good in economy. Of course, economy is one of the most important components of the people’s lives. But never forget that in addition to economy, the people are concerned about education, cultural and political issues, too.
Really, Malaysians today are worried not only about the economic crisis, but as well the confused social order, ever-changing education policies and the racial polarization tendency.
The “One Malaysia” concept is good, but to really achieve the objective of “One Malaysia”, it requires not only economic improvements or it does not mean that the more special economic zones the better. Take China as an example, instead of hastily taking the second and the third steps, China first had a successful experience from Shenzhen Special Economic Zone before taking the following step of reform to open up.
“More” requires “better” as a basis. In other words, quantity is not the most important element. More importantly, we must have excellent quality, follow-up works, the ultimate practical effect, as well as whether the principle of fairness is truly reflected along the process.
There's no such thing as a free lunch. Instead of distributing “red packets” to the people during the economic downturn, it is better to find out a way to create more job opportunities for them. Instead of giving them a cane, it would be better to teach them how to be self-reliant. Therefore, whether it is the BN Federal Government or the Pakatan Rakyat State Governments, they should think twice before giving away any present to gain the people’s support and never make an “economic mistake” that brings endless flow of disastrous aftermath just for “political correctness”. (By LIM MUN FAH/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)
(The opinions expressed by the writer do not necessarily reflect those of MySinchew ) MySinchew 2009.08.07
Reform does not mean only to shout out pleasant slogans or just focus on doing good in economy. Of course, economy is one of the most important components of the people’s lives. But never forget that in addition to economy, the people are concerned about education, cultural and political issues, too.
Really, Malaysians today are worried not only about the economic crisis, but as well the confused social order, ever-changing education policies and the racial polarization tendency.
The “One Malaysia” concept is good, but to really achieve the objective of “One Malaysia”, it requires not only economic improvements or it does not mean that the more special economic zones the better. Take China as an example, instead of hastily taking the second and the third steps, China first had a successful experience from Shenzhen Special Economic Zone before taking the following step of reform to open up.
“More” requires “better” as a basis. In other words, quantity is not the most important element. More importantly, we must have excellent quality, follow-up works, the ultimate practical effect, as well as whether the principle of fairness is truly reflected along the process.
There's no such thing as a free lunch. Instead of distributing “red packets” to the people during the economic downturn, it is better to find out a way to create more job opportunities for them. Instead of giving them a cane, it would be better to teach them how to be self-reliant. Therefore, whether it is the BN Federal Government or the Pakatan Rakyat State Governments, they should think twice before giving away any present to gain the people’s support and never make an “economic mistake” that brings endless flow of disastrous aftermath just for “political correctness”. (By LIM MUN FAH/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)
(The opinions expressed by the writer do not necessarily reflect those of MySinchew ) MySinchew 2009.08.07
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