The return of Kucing Perak

Finally, I am free to write again :) I'm back.

What do youth want?

Politicians should take note:
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/12/6/business/2722728&sec=business

What is good governance?

Excerpts from UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific article of the same title:

Governance is "the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented)". Since governance is the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented, an analysis of governance focuses on the formal and informal actors involved in decision-making and implementing the decisions made and the formal and informal structures that have been set in place to arrive at and implement the decision.

The diagram above shows that the urban middle class are mostly uninformed (or misinformed) and the urban poor suffer the most. Both groups have less influence and participation in decision making especially to do with public policies. However, as they begin to get more organised and with the advent of technology, these two groups are becoming more active politically and wanting to participate in the process of decision making.

Participation
Participation by both men and women is a key cornerstone of good governance. Participation could be either direct or through legitimate intermediate institutions or representatives. It is important to point out that representative democracy does not necessarily mean that the concerns of the most vulnerable in society would be taken into consideration in decision making. Participation needs to be informed and organized. This means freedom of association and expression on the one hand and an organized civil society on the other hand.

Equity and inclusiveness
A society’s well being depends on ensuring that all its members feel that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the mainstream of society. This requires all groups, but particularly the most vulnerable, have opportunities to improve or maintain their well being.

Full text of article in http://www.unescap.org/pdd/prs/ProjectActivities/Ongoing/gg/governance.asp

The Rakyat demands.....

Yes, what do the people want? It's been more than a year since March 2008 GE and the government is still trying to figure out how to win back the hearts and votes of the people. Then again, is the answer that hard to find? No, I don't think so.

We have to begin by accepting/acknowledging that our society has progressed. The people want to know more. They want to be part of the action, take part in decision-making. They want to be heard, their interests taken into consideration.

Governments sometimes need to take extreme measures and implement unpopular public policies. In doing so, it is imperative for the government to be very transparent and make available as much information as possible to the people so it's action can be judged based on the raison d'être rather than emotions.

The need to justify public policies has been taken to lightly, too often.

Governments also have to learn to listen to its people. The administration should not unilaterally dictate how the people should live, should behave, should work, should do business and most important of all, how the country should be managed. A true government of the the people by the people should also be for the people. Promising to listen is not good enough.

A efficient communication channel will enable the masses to communicate with the administration thus creating a sense of empowerment among the people. Our country's current situation is brought about by too many years of suppression of thoughts and people with differing views are silenced. This also applies to political parties.

The frustration builds and then is let out on the ballot paper. What a pity. If only they started to listen earlier...... I've said it then. I'm saying it again now.

Fūrinkazan - Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain

風林火山 "Swift as wind, silent as the forest, fierce as fire and undefeatable as a mountain"

This is the battle standard of the Samurai but similar quote also appeared in Chapter 7 of Sun Tzu's Art of War:

故其疾如風, 其徐如林
侵掠如火, 不動如山

Both has the same meaning and what is more important, it's a good strategy. Not only for war, but imagine if we can apply the same at work, at home and in managing our lives - it'd be a very efficient world.

Timing, timing, timing

I'm going on a two-eek Chinese New Year leave and looking forward to spending the hols with family. However, for the past few days, I was asked not about my holiday plans but rather if I have heard that the general elections will be held soon. Very very soon... I was told.

I said NO WAY. It was logical to say no. It cannot be held now or anytime soon. It will be signing the ruling coalitions death order if they were to have it in the next few months.

Sentiments among the common folks don't seem to be in favour of the ruling government. People are feeling the pinch economically and there are heaps of unresolved issues. We have just had a few major street demos in the last few months. Feeling of anger and frustration is still burning. Not now.

The houses of political parties are still in a mess. Not the right time to go into battle.

Then again, it's CNY month - the most important time of the year for the Chinese. To turn the festive season into political fanfare would be detrimental. Whatmore, if the Chinese have to be resentful of the government for not doing enough for the economy (or raising their economic status), CNY is the worse time - when they will feel the pain most. It is the time for the Chinese to spend, not for what is needed, but on what others think they should have - it's customary thing. A festival steep in traditions. And this year, traders are already complaining about slow sales.

The economic fundamentals may be positive but there are not enough cash in people's pocket. Who is to blame? Who else.......

Arghh, let me enjoy my Chinese New Year!!!!!!! In peace....

WE SHALL NOT FAIL

~ Winston Churchill

Be Courageous

Challenge Convention

Be Magnanimous

Resist Bullies

Touch the Troops

Never Surrender

Build Hope and Confidence

Forge Alliances

Find Your Clementine

Follow Your Canvas

Winning The War

The inspiring leadership of Wisnton Churchill - from the book of the same title by Celia Sandys and Jonathan Littman.

The Churchill Centre http://www.winstonchurchill.org

In the days when I still had a dream...for this country

In 2001, it was younger and had a dream. A dream that this country will be different in the years ahead and there would be someone at the helm of the government who cared enough to listen. On 30 July 2001, the then Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi gave a media statement on the need to deal with youth delinquency. I responded with a letter. Here are the excerpts from the letter.


On schools & education:
.....School is no longer fun. Could that be the reason the number of crimes committed in school and the number of drop-outs each year? Instead of embarking on a journey of exploration, school children of today are being put through vigorous and streanous routine of monotonous lecturing, long list of homework, commuting from one tuition class to another and having to memorise the loads of information dumped on them....no wonder they find no joy in learning, as they don't have time to learn.

.....In a modern and civilised society, acts of suppression will only bring about greater retaliation.

.....the way children are taught in schools need to change - the syllabus, the method.

On the economy, society and culture:
.....we have to build charater and personality of our youth.

.....the strentgh of a people and the resilience of its economy depends on the quality/calibre of their younger ones - as they could make or break everything we build today.

.....the fabric of our society is stitched in a way that is hardly comprehensible to the younger generation be it at work or in the society. They seek their rightful place in this materialistic society but their path is blocked by walls of custom, tradition, seniority and "filters".

.....teenagers are energetic and annoyingly inquisitive thus trying to suppress them with rules and punishment is like pouring oil onto burning fire.

.....the younger generation wants to be heard but who can they talk to? They are the stakeholders of the country's future but their views are not taken into account when the government sets policies.

......the Prime Minister has a non-Malay advisor.....the government should encourage other senior officials to appoint an advisor below the age of 35 years to help close the age-linked communication gap between those who make the law/policies/sets the course of the nation and those that will be affected most by it.

On law enforcement:
.....law should be enforced through education and creating awareness. Punishment is the result of intentionally breaking the law despite knowledge of the consequences. But what I've seen is more of intimidation that anything else.


The letter was 9 pages long and yes, the DPM replied. Those were the days. I had hopes then. Now, I'm just different or just hope I still have a dream.

Beliawanis MCA Merdeka Treasure Hunt

Treasure Hunt: Kuala Lumpur to Melaka, 22 to 23 September 07

At least, we were not last....

9 August 2007

Today is very important to me (at work) and also the day my world came crashing down. I received a sms message in the middle of an important meeting in Putrajaya - one that crushed me and devastated all my hopes and dreams. Still, I had to put up a brave face and get on with work....