Say "NO" to GST

The Rakyat should send a clear signal to Putrajaya that they are against the imposition of the GST (Goods and Services Tax-currently due for the 2nd reading in Parliment) as it will burden the poor,disabled and the elderly.

Some compelling arguments against the imposition of the GST:

• GST is more suited in a high-income economy.Malaysia is still a low income economy-85% of its income earners do not qualify to pay income tax .Singapore(a high-income economy) has implemented GST but workers there earns 15 times more than their counterpart here.
• Under the GST,everyone have to pay 4% for every item or services that they purchased regardless whether they are poor,jobless or retired.
• Wages are low against rising costs.Only 11% of the workforce are in a position to negotiate better wages through their union affiliation.The rest are not represented and are subject to supply and demand situation. Govt has introduced the COLA for public sector to alleviate the problems of the rising costs but have largely ignored the private sector.Without a minimum wage policy or govt intervention,real incomes are shrinking in face of rising costs.GST makes it worse.
• Impact of GST to a worker who earns RM 1000 is very much more significant than to a Manager who earns RM10,000.A lower paid person would end up pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes compared to a higher paid person.In effect, the poor are taxed more.In a progressive taxation method, a higher paid person would have to pay more tax.
• Reform of the government sectors can be a source of income rather than implementing GST which will only transfer the cost to the people. The Finance Ministry claimed that GST will increase the country's income to up to RM1 billion.On the other hand, the govt.'s income can also increase by RM2.4 billion if it decided to sell Approved Permits through open tenders.

GST implementation is a bread and butter issue for all Malaysians and should be seriously debated.No one can afford to be a fence sitter.

PERAK BY-ELECTION SOON?

The word out is that by-elections in Perak maybe held after the CNY holidays.

It seems that the Federal Court delay in delivering the judgment, on Nizar’s position as the lawful MB of Perak, is to allow UMNO /BN to strengthen their position in Perak. With UMNO/BN confident that the Malays have run back into its arm, it is said that judgment will be handed out in favor of Nizar.

As a “gentlemanly gesture”, Zamry maybe calling for dissolution of Perak DUN before the judgment is delivered.

It is said that the current hype on ketuanan Melayu and Kalimah Allah is very much designed to prepare the ground for the eventual by-elections in Perak. If true, they are using the same old trick-the fear factor (race and religion in this case). Desperate times call for desperate measures?

As if only UMNO can protect the rights of the Malays and Muslims? Let’s not forget that there was life before UMNO and there will be life after UMNO.

I hope that the people of Perak are smart enough not to fall for the same old trick…

KALIMAH ALLAH

There are many views on this hot issue. The reality is that the Arabs have been using Allah to describe the One God, the Supreme Being. This is true for both Arab Muslims and Arab Christians.In East Malaysia, they have been using this even before Merdeka.

But Allah is the ONE God for all mankind. Not one of many Gods. So, if we use Allah to describe the One God, then it is perfectly OK. So in this context, people of the Scriptures who believe in ONE God, are united in that they believe in one God.

In Malaysia, there is another name for GOD and that is Tuhan. In my view, those who believe in more than one God should refer to God as Tuhan and not Allah. Because ALLAH is ONE GOD FOR ALL MANKIND. Unless of course, they believe in One God for all mankind and in which case, they are partly a Muslim already....( two basic beliefs -belief in One God and belief that Mohammad is a prophet of God).

The above is my personal view and I stand to be corrected.

SEE MALAYSIAKINI REPORT BELOW ON HERALD MSIA (a Catholic Church publication):

Malaysiakini:What exactly did the High Court declare?

Let's be reminded that the Herald's application for a judicial review was only limited to have the home minister's prohibition on the use of the word 'Allah' in its Bahasa Malaysia section declared ultra vires.

Putting it in another way, the reason for the judicial review was to enable the word 'Allah' to be used in Herald's Bahasa Malaysia section for the benefit of East Malaysians.

Also too for other Bahasa-speaking Catholics who have since time immemorial used the term 'Allah' in their texts and prayers and is therefore their right to continue to do so under the constitution.

As such, the High Court's decision has wrongly been expanded by various sections of the public until it now appears that the Catholic Church has succeeded in getting the court to declare that the word 'Allah' can now be used by all and sundry for any old reason.

This was not the intention of the Justice Lau Bee Lan, Archbishop Murphy Pakiam, Father Lawrence Andrew or any other Catholic for that matter.

USA HOLIDAY

My family and I visited USA during the Xmas holidays. It’s my fourth visit and each time I came back, I acknowledge America’s position as the No. 1 Country in the world. Why do I say this? Firstly, they have a system and the system works for them. In most places, we work for the system.Secondly, they encourage diversity (backgrounds, beliefs and views).

This is clearly demonstrated in their education system. During my visit, I spoke to some 7-10 year old Malay children who only moved to a US school some 6 months ago.( Parents from Kg background) . They spoke good English and have so much knowledge. They can even talk about US politics with me, wow! In Malaysia, only kids from well to do families would have that kind of exposure. And the schooling is free!

In terms of beliefs, everything is on the table for all to see. The only downside to me as far as the “everything is cool attitude” is when it comes to religious and sexual orientation. As a Muslim, this is where I draw the line. Otherwise, I can’t fault them.

There is still a lot that we can learn from America.

All is not well in Malaysia-old news indeed!

At long last , after a decade of denial, the BN govt says the obvious( see press excerpts from Finance Minister 2 ,Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, at an Economic Conference recently):

• Malaysia's economy has been stagnating for the past decade and is now trailing badly behind its neighbours
• Malaysia economic growth over the last 3 years is the 2nd lowest in comparison to
  China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand .
• Singapore and Korea's nominal per capita GDP grew within the last three decades by 9 and 12 times respectively against 4 times for Malaysia.
• Malaysia is trapped in a low-value-added, low-wage and low-productivity structure
• Our private investment has been steadily in decline
  

What needs to be done to put the economy back on track?

According to the Minister , we must emphasise on meritocracy and ensuring all Malaysians are given equal opportunity to participate in the economy and we must gradually dismantle the protectionist policies of specific sectors and industries ,which have introduced a climate of complacency and artificial levels of supply.

Many Malaysians know that these measures are not good enough.There must be good governance,there must be serious effort to address corruption and increase transparency.There must be proper checks and balances and democractic institutions allowed to function freely.

The question is whether the current BN Federal Govt can do this? Its really a tall order especially since many are of the opinion that they are the root cause after 52 years of power.If they can't do it, Malaysia fate is sealed and life will become harder for Malaysians

Minimum Pay and employment

Pay and employment in on the agenda of many Malaysians, especially young adults and those with growing children.

As for pay, incomes have not risen in tandem with rising prices. 25 years ago, a University graduate was paid RM 1700.Today, 25 years later, after the economic bubble have deflated, many graduates are being offered RM 1,700 for entry positions.Worse, there are graduates working as Factory Operators, something unheard of 25 years ago.

After paying for lodging, transport and living expenses, there is nothing left for the employee.In a way,not much different from the master and servant(slave?) relationship - servant works and the master take care of everything else.

While there many ideas on the way forward,the govt. must ensure that Malaysians be given priority over foreign workers. The govt. must regulate the intake of foreigners into the job market.This will ensure that wages are not artifically held down by employing foreigners who are prepared to accept lower pay.

Secondly, it is important for the govt to introduce a minimum wage system. This was introduced in many countries including the newest superpower, China.It has succeeded in raising living standards whilst maintaining competitive edge.Minimum wage in part complements the tripartite relationship of unions , employers and workers by ensuring that workers can live decently.

During PRU 12, the Opposition’s manifesto included the introduction of a minimum wage system but they failed to wrest power at the Federal level.That was the last we heard of the minimum wage system.

Since there is a lack of will from the BN Federal Govt on this matter, it is only logical for voters to vote them out and install a new Federal Govt that have the political will to introduce such a system.

Workers and those joining the workforce should seriously consider this point before they put a cross on the ballot paper in next General Elections.

Anwar's warning to PKR

During his key note address at the PKR Perak Convention on 14th November 2009, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim gave party members a stern warning - support the party's vision and struggle OR Leave the party.

In his 1-hour hard hitting speech, he said that he orginally remained silent when there were vocal opposing views from party members as he felt that such debates were part of a healthly democratic process.

He however felt that such open discussion had become counter productive when some members started to question the very basic struggles of the party and the country.

Anwar said it clear- PKR members must support the party position for a just Malaysia.Divisive views based on racial and narrow religious politics have no place in PKR.Members must conform OR leave.

Multiracialism and moderates are in. Racial politics and hardliners are out.Value based members are welcomed,dollar based members are out!Reformists are in, politicians are out!UMNO style politics have no place under the PKR's sun.

Kudos to Anwar. This is what the people want to hear and its good to hear it direct from him. Better late than never.

Lets see if the hard talk is backed by hard action.