Standing the "test of time"?

Time has gone by extremely "fast" this year eventhough the fact is time is constant and never changing since the dawn of Creation.

However, the feeling of time "flying by" is directly related to events that are happening around you. Country, work, relationships with family, friends and colleagues, health ...etc are always in a "struggle" for your attention in addition to things we totally have no control over.

Things that means dearly to me seemed to be changes but it doesn't mean it has never been this way before. As a get older and older, I do pray and hope that I get wiser as well. I realize more and more that life is a "marathon" and not a "sprint".

Just like "blogging", everyone seemed to have lots of enthusiasm to blog about everything that happens around them and dear to them but as the years gone by, the enthusiasm dies down as well and it is even evident in my very own blogging patterns.

Perhaps, there was not enough "views or likes" on my blogs to feed my enthusiasm to blog more frequently but that's a the very nature of human beings - seeking attention always. Then I realize, perhaps one day after I am long gone, my thoughts would still be around on the Web and who knows someone else may be encouraged by some of the thoughts and words.

Nevertheless, many things that are dear to my heart remains there, only that they are sometimes and more frequently be buried by "worries", "material possession", "power/fame"...etc but we must give up in "spring cleaning" of our hearts and minds or we will be sucked into idleness, ignorance and one day our spirit and mind will not stand the test of time as like our physical body.

From the ancient past during the times of Egyption Pharoahs or Chinese Emperor, the idea of "standing the test of time" is synonymous to immortality and scientists are still looking for that "path of immortality" till today.

So, how do we really stand the "Test of Time?"

1. Building wealth? 

- (How many generations can it lasts?)

2. Building a statue? 

- (How to make sure it is not teared down after you are gone?)

3. Have many sons and daughters?

- (How do you know if your great-grandchildren can even remember your full-name?)

In fact everyone of us have a desire whether hidden or not to be able to "Stand the test of time" and majority of the youths today that would be a equivalent to "beauty, energy, smooth and fair appearance" and majority of senior citizens today it would means "health and energy" but these desires are pretty much just a delusion given the present logic and nature of life. This very "desire" alone reflects and in agreement with what C.S. Lewis has said that we were created with "desires" which "there are fulfillment" for those "desires".

“The Christian says, 'Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food. A duckling wants to swim: well, there is such a thing as water. Men feel sexual desire: well, there is such a thing as sex." ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

This explains why humans are in constant pursuit of "anti-aging" (also known as "immortality" in ancient civilization). So if this desire cannot be fulfilled, C.S. Lewis said the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. "― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

So, this desire of "anti-aging" or "immortality" whatever  you would like to call it can only be fulfilled in another "world".

"If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, never to despise, or to be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other, never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage. I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that country and to help others to do the same.” ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Therefore, I would like to encourage all readers to pause for a moment and think about life and of our loved ones, are we really made for another "world"?  Or should just carry on with our lives with our endless pursuit of material possession, wealth, power, fame which can never ever satisfies our desires?

Do have a great week ahead.

May God's blessings be with all of you always.

Joshua

Malaysia mourns one of its true son - Karpal Singh

Karpal Singh 

You'll be forever missed and your legacy and integrity will stand the test of time

The Economist: Karpal was rare gem of Malaysian politics

APRIL 18, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — Since his shocking death yesterday, the late Karpal Singh has been called “friend” by many that others would have thought to be irreconcilable foes.

At an emotive scene at the lawmaker’s home in Penang hours after his death, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin consoled a distraught Gobind Singh Deo, Karpal’s second son, when he went to pay his respects to the family.

Before that, contemporary and regular rival Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu had described the Bukit Gelugor MP as “good friend”, despite regularly crossing swords with Karpal when he had still been MIC president.

“Karpal Singh, who died in a car accident in the early hours of April 17th at the age of 74, was a rarity in the venomous world of Malaysian politics: a man respected by many of his opponents as well as those on his own side,” according to an obituary by The Economist today.

In the tribute titled “Burning Bright”, it noted that once-bitter rivals have lined to honour the man known as the “Tiger of Jelutong”, even those who tasted the acerbic sting of his tongue.

The business weekly pointed out that this included Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who was among the earliest to offer his sympathies to Karpal’s family.

“In politics, he was an implacable leader; in law, a committed advocate,” the prime minister said in a brief statement issued by his office.

“At this difficult time, our thoughts are with the families of those who have died in the accident. I extend my deepest condolences to them. We pray that the other passengers make a full recovery,” Najib added.

Karpal’s popularity was also not solely due to his courage and tenacity, The Economist said. Instead, it was the veteran lawmaker’s dignity, modesty, humour and courtesy that turned foes into friends, begrudging or otherwise.

But the weekly also made pains to point out the outpouring of sympathy and friendship now was as rare as the man receiving it.

“It was also a reminder that, though his death has been greeted with respect and regret (some nasty political jibes notwithstanding), that is not how Malaysia’s opposition politicians are treated when alive.

Karpal, 74, was killed after the Toyota Alphard MPV he was travelling in crashed following a collision with a lorry along the North-South Highway near Gopeng, Perak at about 1.10am yesterday.

Karpal, who was seated in the front passenger seat, was killed on the spot together with his long-time assistant, Michael Cornelius.

Karpal will receive a state funeral in Penang this Sunday.

My Appeal , this 13th Malaysian General Elections / Rayuan Saya untuk Pilihanraya Umum Ke-13 Malaysia (Part 2 / 5)

[English version after Malay version]

Warga Malaysia yang dikasihi, 5 Mei 2013, hari di mana semua pengundi Malaysia akan menentukan pimpinan negara yang seterusnya. Terdapatnya 5 perkara yang kita semua patut teliti dengan sepenuh minda dan hati yang murni apabila kita mengundi pada 5 Mei (505).

Bahagian 2: Menjunjung semangat demokrasi

Index Demokrasi  2011 dilaporkan oleh Unit  “The Economist”  dalam 167 negara, Malaysia berada di tangga 71, sama dengan Zambia dan di dalam index ini, Malaysia berada dalam kategori “Demokrasi cacat”. Walaupun Malaysia mengadakan pilihanraya pada setiap 5 tahun, pilihanraya Malaysia masih tidak cukup bersih dan adil.

Gabungan Piliharan Raya yang Bersih dan adil atau gabungan BERSIH merupakan satu respon kepada “Demokrasi Cacat” Malaysia. Gabungan BERSIH telah mengadakan himpunan besar sehingga ratusan ribu orang di seluruh dunia terutamanya pada Julai 2011 dan April 2012 minta pilihanraya yang bersih dan adil.

Walaupun Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya berjanji untuk memperbaiki system pilihanraya di Malaysia, pilihanraya masih mengalami kontroversi seperti senarai pengundi yang dipertikaikan, pengundi hantu, pemberian IC untuk undi seperti yang dibincangkan pada Suruhanjaya Siasatan Diraja di Sabah kebelakangan ni dan masalah dakwat kekal terkini.

Adakah kamu ingat Auntie Bersih? Kenapa Makcik ini keluar untuk disembur air pemedih mata?

-------

My fellow Malaysian brothers and sisters,  5th May 2013, a day when all Malaysian voters determine the next leadership of our nation. There are 5 issues that we can all ponder on with our mind, heart and conscience when casting our votes this 5th May (505).

Part 2: Preservation and respect for democracy

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index 2011 ranking of 167 countries, Malaysia was ranked 71, tied with Zambia and under this index, Malaysia is also categorized as a “Flawed Democracy”. Despite holding elections at a regular interval, Malaysian elections are still far from clean and fair. 

This “Flawed Democracy” has prompted the BERSIH coalition- a coalition for clean and fair elections in Malaysia. The BERSIH Coalition has held mass rallies of tens of thousands to hundred of thousands across the world in the past, notably in July 2011 and April 2012 demanding for clean and fair elections. 

Despite some reforms pledged by the Election Commission, the elections are still marred by several contentious issues such as fraudulent electoral roll, phantom voters, ICs for vote in Sabah as revealed by the recent Royal Commission of Inquiry and latest the indelible ink fiasco (happened with the advanced voters- mainly involving security forces and their spouse voted on 30th April).

Remember those times? Remember “Auntie Bersih”…why would she choose to be sprayed with chemical-laced water?

Vote for democracy

Vote for leaders that uphold the sanctity of democracy

Vote to “Ubah”

Joshua

-

Documentary into the grand "corruption" of the Sarawak CM Taib Mahmud's ruling family

Corruption, abuse of power, oppression of the indigenous...and this leader comes from no other than the ruling coalition of Barisan Nasional.




A vote for Barisan Nasional
...is a vote for corrupt leaders
... is a vote for the oppression of the people

Bumiputera Bangsa Pendekar / Warrior Race

Anwar Ibrahim : "I am a Malay, I am Muslim, and I will fight for the rights of all Malaysians. I will defend the rights of the Malay, the Chinese, the Indians, the Kadazans, the Iban and all Malaysians."
(Saya adalah seorang Melayu, seorang Islam dan saya akan memperjuangkan hak semua rakyat Malaysia. Saya akan mempertahankan hak anak Melayu, anak Cina, anak India, anak Kadazans, anak Iban dan semua rakyat Malaysia)

(Anwar Ibrahim is a Malay warrior that fights for what is right, the PM-Designate when Pakatan Rakyat wins the upcoming 13th Malaysia General Elections)

 

 

Dasar Ekonomi Baru telah diperkenalkan dan dilancarkan oleh Barisan Nasional selama 40 tahun. Namun begitu, kebanyakan bumiputera Malaysia masih hidu...p dalam kemiskinan dan kurang berdaya saing. Hanya kroni-kroni BN sahaja yang berjaya mendapat kekayaan yang menakjubkan. BN menyebarkan perasaan benci dan dendam antara kaum dengan isu-isu perkauman yang tidak mendatangkan sebarang kebaikan tetapi merasionalisasikan dasar-dasar BN yang hanya mendahulukan kroni.

Nilai yang baik perlu menjadi ikutan. Yang buruk/kurang elok wajar diperbaiki. Negara kita menjadi maju bukan kerana parti politik rasuah tetapi nilai-nilai murni seperti saling membantu, bertoleransi, berdikari dan rajin. Marilah orang Malaysia bersatu-padu untuk membina Malaysia baru dan menghapuskan BN yang rasuah, perkauman dan tamak.

People's Uprising Rally- The winners and losers in KL112

The winners and losers in KL 112- People's Uprising Rally "Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat"

-Malaysiakini

The winners and losers in KL112

7:13PM Jan 13, 2013

For the past few decades, the authorities had placed numerous obstacles for opposition parties to gather en masse, citing security concerns and traffic as the usual reasons.

The People's Uprising Rally (KL112), in keeping with its revolutionary theme, saw the authorities essentially giving opposition parties free passage to do almost whatever they wanted.

Obviously, there was a political gamble at play in view that the 13th general election is around the corner. Malaysiakini examines who had most to gain from this high stakes gamble.

WINNERS

Pakatan Rakyat

Even before the rally was concluded, photographs of an overflowing Stadium Merdeka had gone viral over the Internet, proving to undecided voters that the coalition does enjoy mass public support and is a legitimate candidate for Putrajaya.

What Pakatan needs to do now is to take advantage of momentum and spread the central message of the rally - the ten point declaration - throughout the country.

Civil society

Several key civil society movements, especially for environmental causes, have grown exponentially in strength over the past years and command a sizeable following, which was displayed during KL112.

Evolving from the initial not-in-my-backyard (Nimby) philosophy, Malaysia's various green movements have now gone national as people begin to recognise the importance of civil society in shaping the nation.

Ismail Omar

In the run up to KL112, the police released several statements in an accommodating tone, to the extent of promising that they had set a ‘zero casualty' target.

The whole time, inspector-general of police Ismail Omar didn't say a single word, leaving the talking to his subordinates.

Had things turned sour, Ismail would have taken the rap as usual. But now, he will be remembered for the fact that his men stayed true to their word.

Traders near Stadium Merdeka

Save for one stall owner selling gas masks, traders who set up shop around Stadium Merdeka were all smiles because they were enjoying brisk sale of T-shirts, drinks and food.

Previously, one group of traders claimed Bersih 3.0 had cost them great losses. Perhaps they should sharpen their eye for opportunities.

LOSERS

Najib Abdul Razak

In the past, Pakatan wasn't able to fill half of the 25,000 capacity MBPJ Stadium in Kelana Jaya. Was the prime minister hoping for the same this time round, so he could ridicule them later?

Internally, Umno die-hards are probably curious to know why their president allowed the event to proceed when it could have been dealt with, by many old and proven methods.

More importantly, the public will also be questioning Najib and his party on whether they can pull off a similar spectacle without paying the participants.

Umno and BN

From sodomy to a Christian conspiracy to eroding Malay rights, Umno and BN component parties have slung mud in every shape and size at Pakatan since 2008.

If the turnout was an indicator of reputation, nothing appears to be sticking.

Mainstream media organisations

Save for Sinar Harian and all the Chinese media organisations, the focus was not on turnout nor the message of the rally but the various infractions chalked up by the rally organisers.

Unfortunately for them, videoclips and photographs - in particularly an aerial shot by AFP capturing the scene in and around Stadium Merdeka - are being widely circulated online, helping the public to have a clearer understanding of what transpired.

- adapted from Malaysiakini news portal at www.malaysiakini.com

Happy New Year 2013!

Happy New Year 2013 to everyone. Major cities across the world celebrate the arrival of 2013 with a big bang, extravagant party and fantastic fireworks display. The scale of celebration across major cities like Sydney, Taipei, Hong Kong, Dubai, Paris, London, New York, Rio are ever increasing with a hope of a better year. Hope is not measured by scale of New Year's celebrations but by the true meaning of life that each of us live daily for the next 365 days of 2013.

Perhaps to some of the earth's 7 Billion human population, the feel good factor kicks in at 00.00 1st January 2013, and to most, it is just another ordinary public holiday and ordinary day and to some, they continue struggle to meet ends need of food, shelther and a good night sleep, and some fighting off for their lives on bed.

Let all of us put greater hope and faith in 2013, that we are able to see more in ourselves the image of a loving God as we are all created in His Image. Just as the moon shines brightly reflecting the Sun's mighty light, may we also better reflect God's love in our lives.

Let all of us make a universal New Year resolution to love God better, love our neighbours better, love the poor and the needy better and love our loved ones better. Be lovers of peace, justice and truth and shun hatred, lust and greed.

As for my fellow Malaysian citizens, 2013 will be a year of hope, a hope to see a better country, a more secure future. A year to ensure that leaders that embrace justice, accountability, transparency, democratic values and corrupt-free practices to lead our nation to greater heights.

May God Almighty bless each of us a stronger will to love others better and bless each of our lives with love, compassion, faith, peace and hope (& some good doses of laugther every now and then ;)

Joshua

So, here's to the Birthday Boy Jesus who saved our lives

Christmas is about Christ,

and Christ was born to save you and me.

Whether you are a Christian or not,

God loves us all and joy to the world;

 and peace on earth and good will to mankind.

 



This year's Christmas will be different from last year's of 2011 but I am still thankful for all that God has blessed me with. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed Christmas and each heart to be filled with hope, peace and joy.

Remember that Christ was born unto us to save us from the death due to sin. As so, let's us celebrate His birth  by sharing His love to our loved ones.

Have a cheerful and peaceful Christmas to everyone and cherish on things that truly matters in life.

God bless us all.

Joshua

Quench your real "thirst"

It's been a while since I last posted something. Work has been keeping me occupied most of the time, but being working over-time or stressed about it does not help in finding true satisfaction and fulfilment in life. At the end of the day, a healthy relationship with God is all that matters in addition to healthy relationships with people around us.

I'll spare the audience of this blog  from Malaysia and its political situation at the moment, and share with all of you an article will touch each of our hearts and search for a true meaning in life.

Joshua

BERSIH 3.0- The Conspiracy (Part 3)

The cause and the spirit for clean and fair election in Malaysia must be respected and given a fair coverage in the media. If local media has no room for ordinary village and rural malaysians, then we will let the world know what is truly happening in Malaysia.

The rally is not called to overthrow the government through civil riot but to call for government to commit and reform for a clean and fair up-coming general election.

The demands of the BERSIH 3.0 as also in previous BERSIH 2.0 or BERSIH 1.0 rallies are plain simple:

1. Clean the electoral roll 2. Reform postal ballot
3. Use of indelible ink
4. Minimum 21 days campaign period
5. Free and fair access to media
6. Strengthen public institutions
7. Stop corruption
8. Stop dirty politics

On the recent BERSIH 3.0, additional demands have been put foward:

1. The Election Commission must resign, as it has failed in its responsibility and has lost the confidence of the public.
2. The electoral process must be cleaned before the 13th General Elections.
3. Invite international observers to observe the 13th General Elections.

Of all the demands, only one demand has been pledged by the Election Commission:

3. the use of indelible ink

Palm Sunday- The Triumphal Entry



Mark 11: 7-10 (NIV)

"When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

"Hosanna!"

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"

"Hosanna in the highest"

Animals and moral of the society



A recent talkshow in Singapore about animal welfare has recaptured my attention on the issue. One of the talkshow guests has mentioned about how the moral of the society can be seen in its treatment of the animals around. This statement resembled closely of what I remembered that the great Mahatma Gandhi of India once said "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which animals are treated"  it followed by "I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man."

I believe that a moral status and progress of a society can truly be evaluated by its treatment of the animals, and so does how the society treats its senior citizens and the elderly.

Eventhough I don't go as far as everyone must be vegetarians but I do strongly believe that all animals must be treated well and taken good care of whilst they are living under our care and responsibility.

While pet animal welfare is by far getting the most attention and greatest awareness, farm animal welfare and laboratory animal welfare still have a long to go for some developing nations and societies.

I think I have posted an article in my blog somewhere sometime ago about the correlation of statistics between the numbers of domestic violence and animal abuse. The higher the numbers of animal abuse correlated positively with the number of domestic violence.

Anyway, thats all for now. As human created in the image of God, we shouldn't take for granted and abuse all creatures of God whether big or small.

God bless us and all the He has created :)

Joshua

Rare Earth Refinery Plant in Kuantan, Malaysia

Perhaps Lynas should turn back

— Tay Tian Yan

The Malaysian Insider
February 24, 2012

Feb 24 — I recently met director Tan Chui Mui. She told me she had moved her studio from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

KL is too small in the world of film-making; Beijing is somewhat larger. Tan needs a bigger space to develop her career and fulfil her dreams.

She has won several awards in international film festivals. She is so young and there are lots of potentials she could exploit outside the country.She does come back to her native Kuantan every now and then, not so much for making a movie, but for her hometown.

Lynas Corp plans to set up a massive rare earth refinery plant in Kuantan, and Putrajaya has issued a conditional temporary licence to the Australia-based firm.Waste materials from the processing of rare earth could be radioactive, everyone knows that. Both the Malaysian government and Lynas have reassured the public that necessary precautions would be adopted to ensure zero leakage of radioactive substances. Kuantan residents do not feel assured. They are not willing to stake their health and safety. Tan took the lead in opposing the proposed plant by making a short documentary “Survival Guide in Radioactive Village,” which has been screened at the Rotterdam Film Festival and soon at other film festivals worldwide.

During the Chinese New Year, she organised a candlelight vigil at Teluk Chempedak near Kuantan to protest against the rare earth plant. Despite her age, her powerful resolution and determination have moved the hearts of many. Indeed, the world outside is indefinitely large while her hometown is so small. Just because it is small, and is the one and only, it has to be protected at all costs. Even if the rare earth plant is certified safe, unforeseen circumstances could still happen. And if it does, it could wreak dreadful havoc on the little town.

Australia spans 7.7 million square kilometres. It is the sixth largest landmass in the world and about 20 times bigger than Malaysia, although it only has 22 million inhabitants, fewer than us.

With such a so much land and much of uninhabited, it wouldn’t be hard for Lynas to pick a place to set up a rare earth plant in Australia. In the event of a leakage, the destruction could be contained to minimum. Kuantan is just a small town of about 30km in diameter but inhabited by some 700,000 people who have nowhere to escape if any untoward incident takes place. By choosing Kuantan over Australia and transporting the raw rare earth ore over more than 5,000km across the sea, Lynas will have to incur much higher costs and time. Australians should have a keener business sense than this, I believe.

They definitely do. But they also place their homeland’s safety above monetary gains. To set up a rare earth plant in Australia, Lynas may need to pass the rigid environmental evaluation as well as acceptance from the general public. While Malaysia has proposed that the radioactive waste be transported back to Australia, the same might not be practical as cross border transportation of industrial waste is strictly prohibited under the international law, while Canberra has made it very clear that it will not take back the waste.

Malaysia is neither a rare earth producer nor a major consumer. To make the country a transit point for international rare earth supply will only do Kuantan more harm than good. Perhaps Lynas should turn back and look inward, given the fact that its homeland is blessed with such an enormous land mass. — mysinchew.com

Minimum wage law? YES or NO?

The previous article presents the minimum wage dilemma. Eventhough many middle-class and low-income group may favour a minimum wage policies, goverments of emerging economies (a.k.a. developing countries) may delay introducing a minimum wage policies due to the fact "As an emerging country, the pressure to maintain low wage policies has been considered as an unfortunate – but necessary — outcome in order to achieve low unemployment rates and steady job growth. Overseas manufacturing-based industries will automatically seek out the most efficient labour market for their plant locations. Thus, we should not misguide and sacrifice workers’ wages in a “race to the bottom” and compensate with foreign direct investment inflow. "

Goverments with no minimum wage policies (low wages policies) are often seen good on the record with low unemployment rates and up-to-expected foreign direct investment inflow. The author of the previous article posted on this blog calls for "improving infrastructure, enhancing labour productivity and labour movements, establishing better vocational training, eliminating political influence over the minimum wage avoiding drastic increases, and implementing good governance policies."

 

In my opinion, minimum wage should be implemented with the objective of eradicating hardcore poverty and cushion the effect of stagnant wages and rising cost of living. There should be a general minimum wage policy, followed by fine-tuned conditions under it. For example, a labourer may have a lower minimum wage if lodging/ accomodation and/or meals/ and/or transportation are provided by the employer, reflecting the current rising cost of living.

 

Minimum wage policy should be determined by the purchasing power of the residents of the country/ state. (United States has a federal minimum wage, and state minimum wage which the higher wage is enforced). For example, a day's minimum wage (8 to 12 working hours) must exceed the ability of the employee to pay for three descent meals and other basic cost of livings. In a more detailed manner, for a month's minimum wage, an employee is able to pay for 5kg of rice, 2kg of flour, 500gm of sugar, 20 eggs, 2 chickens, 500gm of oil, 200 liter of crude oil and have at least 70% of the wages left for access to healthcare, education, family, savings, and accomodation.

 

It would be undeniable that by enacting a minimum wage policy (in a country without that policy) will lead to a higher unemployment rate because it means a higher production cost for the employers. By setting a minimum wage policy, a goverment may provide options for employers to implement the policy or face a higher corporate tax rate, which it's higher tax revenue will be used to improve workers' skills, vocational training, productivity and quality of education.

 

Remember, enacting a minimum wage policy is not a one-off solution to hardcore poverty and curb inflation but one of the crucial steps to prevent the poor getting poorer and offer an opportunity for hard-working people to improve their standard of living.

 

In the end,

 

1) a good government must serve its people!

2) if the government cannot serve its people, then it should be changed!

3) if a government said that a minimum wage will lead to higher unemployment permanently, then it is not thinking enough! Because the growing population of a country and the world will means a higher demand for food! clothes! education! healthcare! services! Don't tell me you cannot create job opportunities on these sectors, then it should be changed!

 

In Malaysia (year of 2012), I would said an employee without food, accomodation and logistic provided by the employer must get at least RM 1000 or USD$ 320 per month (Federal mimimum wage):,

 

1) RM 300 (Food, RM 10 a day for 30 days)

2) RM 200 (Accomodation, an average room rent-rate per month)

3) RM 90 (Healthcare, insurance)

4) RM 90  (Utility bills, communication bills)

5) RM 90 (Transportation: fuel, maintenance, tickets..etc)

6) RM 120 (Clothing, shoes, savings)

7) RM 110 (Deduction for Employee's Provident Fund for retirement)

 

+ Goverment must strengthen Welfare Insituitions/ Agencies to help poor families with dependent children or elderly, after all RM 1000 is only barely liveable for a single person with no debts or family responsibilities and would still be tough for those who lives in urban areas.

 

States/ Territories (year of 2012) like Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur should have a State/ Council minimum wage of RM 1200 or USD$ 385 per month.

 

MINIMUM WAGE POLICY = OBJECTIVE TO ERADICATE POVERTY + CURB THE BURDEN OF RISING COST OF LIVING

 

That's all I have to say for now :)

 

God bless us all

 

Joshua

 

The minimum wage dilemma — Iwan Ungsi.

ADAPTED FROM THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER.

FEB 15 (2012) — “Labour was the first price, the original purchase-money that was paid for all things. It was not by gold or by silver, but by labour, that all wealth of the world was originally purchased.” (Adam Smith) The recent series of labour strikes in Bekasi marked the end of the euphoria that followed the Indonesia’s achievement of investment grade. It took 14 years for Indonesia to arrive at this level, yet disputes between employers and labourers remain unabated. Invariably, these disputes are so easily predicted that the public seems to be more apathetic to the workers’ cry for their basic rights through their only weaponry: labour strikes, ranging from peaceful demonstrations at local government (or legislative council) buildings to occupying and paralysing major city roads. Equally, employers counteract with their own version and weapon of choice. Where mobility of capital is fluid in the increasingly globalised world economy, relocation could be one option to consider if businesses view profits as no longer viable due to increases in labour costs. Typically, cost-cutting exercises in organisations rely on redundancy measures, but this is no longer a workable alternative due to restrictions in the present labour regulation, established in 2003, requiring employers to pay huge severance packages to laid-off workers.

Analysing the situation at hand, both employers and workers are trapped in a zero-sum game, with each party appearing to emulate the “prisoner’s dilemma” game theory model, whereby both parties appear to choose to not cooperate even though it is in their mutual interest to do so. In this instance, the workers use strikes to halt companies’ productions with the aim to hurt the company’s bottom line, and in turn, the employers might resort to relocation in order to ensure business continuity albeit with a price. The impact of this relocation signifies unemployment for the majority of the company’s workers. In the final analysis, everybody hurts, nobody wins. Ironically, within the “prisoner’s dilemma” context, the option to choose to collude will provide a far greater benefit to each party as opposed to focusing on their own self-interests. The key to this game theory model is to establish communication between the parties and find common ground in order to seek shared perspectives. Relating to the companies and their workers, the logical win-win scenario (otherwise known as Paretto optimal solutions) would be for both parties to settle their disputes such that the workers obtain their demands of higher wages, and in theory, incentivising the laborers to achieve higher output. The first minimum wage legislation was endorsed by the New Zealand government in 1894. Since then, minimum wage laws have drawn debate all over the world.

Based on International Labour Organization (ILO) reports, 90 per cent of countries implement minimum wage laws. The UK, Australia, Netherlands, France and the US are among the countries that adopt the highest minimum wage; other countries like Singapore choose to enact foreign worker levies as a form of an implicit minimum wage (Chew Soon Beng, Business Time, 2010). In Indonesia, the term became familiar in the 1960s, but it was only introduced in late 1979.

There are two opposing views on minimum wage legislation. The first is concerned with empowering low-income workers and strengthening their bargaining position in salary negotiations amidst the widely available pool of cheap labour due to the abundance of human capital in Indonesia. Workers have no choice but to agree to unacceptably low wages where competition for jobs is stiff. Insufficient job creation to absorb the available labour force is one of the causal factors of the imbalance in the demand and supply in the labour market. On the other hand, the opposing opinion perceives the minimum wage as too limiting and inflexible, concluding that it would inevitability hurt the labour market and consequently harm the country’s international competitiveness. Most of the conflicts over minimum wages have roots in the basic premises of these two opposing views. The remaining discourse is always about labour exploitation vis-à-vis the unemployment rate. As an emerging country, the pressure to maintain low wage policies has been considered as an unfortunate – but necessary — outcome in order to achieve low unemployment rates and steady job growth. Overseas manufacturing-based industries will automatically seek out the most efficient labour market for their plant locations. Thus, we should not misguide and sacrifice workers’ wages in a “race to the bottom” and compensate with foreign direct investment inflow.

In the longer term, low-wage labour policies would not sustainably benefit the country’s competitiveness, as Carolina S. Guina (2009) argued that in the context of global competition, labour regulations and standards emerged as critical factor in attracting foreign direct investment, and low wages could result in low productivity and lower skill levels which would be disincentives for investors. We must strive to reconcile differences between employers and the labour force, seeking all possible solutions. One alternative is to emulate global best practices, which elevate the demand curve by increasing labour productivity and attracting new foreign direct investment. Hence, higher wages come in the same package as higher employment. This is no unrealistic view, as Singapore already did it in the 1980s. Following Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping’s visit in 1979, Singapore PM Lee Kuan Yew forsaw the potential of China and concluded that no country could afford to contend with China if they opened up. Hence, Lee commenced an agenda to divert Singaporeans from the low wage trap. Initial steps were taken such as reforming wage structures, mobilising macro-focused labour unions, establishing the Skill Development Fund and improving the function of the National Wage Council (Chew and Chew 2005). These steps resulted in a nation competitive edge and pushed the country to full employment.

Yet, how do we compare the situation in Singapore with a population of 5.1 million people, from which 1.4 million are foreigners, to the Indonesian context with 240 million people and a 119 million-strong labour force? Presume we multiply the difficulties 50 times, will this be settled? Unfortunately, what Lee predicted more than three decades ago has materialised now that the Chinese dragon has awakened, and currently holds the second largest economy in the world.

We should begin by improving infrastructure, enhancing labour productivity and labour movements, establishing better vocational training, eliminating political influence over the minimum wage avoiding drastic increases, and implementing good governance policies. None of these steps are achievable without tripartite collaboration, but by working together we can compete internationally. — The Jakarta Post

* The writer is a civil servant and graduate student at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.

Whitney Houston passes away...

Today, the world mourns its lost of another person blessed with a gift of powerful and angelic voice, Whitney Houston. We do not know how or why she dies yet, but one can only hope that it is not substance/ drug abuse related or it will be a very very very sad ending. It doesn't really matter how she dies now, but what is more important that we must not lose faith, continue to believe in hope in the world despite despair, knowing that God Almighty still loves you and me dearly.

While radio stations and news pay tribute to Whitney Houston by her famous song "I'll always love you". I personally pay tribute to her through another song which it "When You Believe" featuring Mariah Carey as well.

The song sung by two gifted beautiful person reminds us of a miracle of epic proportion, when God led Israelites out of the land of slavery, Egypt (>2000 B.C) in the movie "THE PRINCE OF EGYPT". Remember, the God today is the SAME God that led the Israelites out of Egypt, so my friends, BELIEVE.

Rest in Peace, Whitney.

God bless us all.

Joshua

Nobel Peace Laureate Suu Kyi goes to election...

Myanmar's Aung Sang Suu Kyi calls for changes to constituition

Aung Sang Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate who is released from house-arrest in November 2010 after spending 15 of her last 23 years in her house. She is now contesting in a by-election for her National League for Democracy (NLD) on 1st April in a rural township Kawmuh in Burma to seek a place in the Military-ruled Parliament house of Burma/Myanmar.

The world, particularly the Burmese people will look at the election contested by Suu Kyi this April 2012, hoping to see the democratic icon blooming back into the political scene of Myanmar.

We will be watching.

In the mean time, for the younger generation who does not know how important and passionate the icon is, probably you can spare an hour or two to watch the movie "The Lady" based on the true story of Aung Sang Suu Kyi who had to choose between the love for her family and the love for her country.

People of Myanmar, Vote Suu Kyi in and Vote oppression out!

God bless us all.

Joshua

Syria Crisis

I have not been following the crisis in Syria closely but the crisis is far too disturbing and long. I believe that Dictator Assad of Syria fear of ending up like former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak if he gives up power now.

One life lost is too much to lose!

Here's a link to follow on the latest news:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16769156

Dictators and oppressive rulers have no place in leaderships neither in public or private offices.

Joshua