Justice in the PM's Office

It was a dark and stormy... err day!

First, the police - in their congenital stupidity - tried to stop buses and private cars this morning from entering Putrajaya for the Walk with Justice march to protest and send a memorandum on the state of the Malaysian judiciary not least with exposure of a video on alleged judicial appointments conspiracy.

But that did not stop some 2,000 of us - most in de rigeur black and white - from walking from the Palace of Justice in the hot midday sun - like the March of the Penguins - into the rain outside the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya.

No, it didn't. Neither did the setting up of a three-man panel to investigate the authenticity of the video.

Be that as it may, it made me proud to see so many lawyers making their way to the Palace of Justice and walking down the entire avenue to the circus - in more ways than one - just before the Prime Minister's Office for the protest.

The funny part of course is that the lawyers were chanting "We Want Justice" in front of the Prime Minister's Office which I can only presume to mean that justice is wanting in the Palace of Justice.

Touche!

But the riot police - in their infinite wisdom and congenital stupidity again - decided to cordon off the entrance to the Prime Minister's Office, presenting the image of a government under siege from the multitude of Happy Feet that marched to the circus next to the mosque.

Well. the memo was sent while the rest of us were soaked to the bone, first drenched in sweat and later with rain, during the standoff between the riot police and the parade of lawyers and supporters, most of whom were also dressed in black and white.

With the rain, the riot police did not have to use their water cannons but it also cooled the white balloons that were meant to be released to symbolise justice. Maybe, it was just ice!

No matter. The lawyers made their point!

As for the Siber Party of Malaysia (M), we would like to put on record our support for a full inquiry into the matter and punishment for the guilty. That would be stating the obvious.

Also, we think the police should learn to just let things be. None of us there were security threats to the nation and the unnecessary show of force shows what a farce the police are.



Just remember, we are a democracy and have a right to assemble peacefully and say our piece. Whether in America or Malaysia!

Fuel Fools

Finally, what the Siber Party of Malaysia (M) has been saying about fuel prices has received support from none other than Petronas CEO Hassan Marican courtesy of a Bernama news report.

Business
September 18, 2007 20:59 PM

Fuel Subsidies Unsustainable, Says Hassan Marican

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- Petronas president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican warned today that paying out fuel subsidies is unsustainable over the long term as the skyrocketing global oil prices have made it inefficient to correct the economic imbalances they are meant to address.

He also hit out at some companies which exploit the gas price subsidised by Petronas to achieve cost savings and consequently their financial targets.

"Who are we subsidising? Can we continue to afford that? There will come a time when our country cannot subsidise so many things," he stressed.

Petronas is pushing for a hike in gas charges, as it is only charging RM6.40 per mmBtu (million British Thermal Units) to local industries since 1997 although the subsidised gas costs about RM40 per mmBtu.

"Indirectly, we are subsidising the world," he told an editors' briefing on the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) here.

Oil prices shot to an all-time high of above US$81 a barrel on Tuesday on concerns of a winter supply squeeze in the United States.

Hassan also said the amount of total subsidies, even excluding oil and gas, paid out by the government is already "horrendous."

Subsidised gas so far this year has cost Petronas some RM15 billion. Since 1997, the national oil corporation has provided close to RM50 billion in gas subsidy.

Subsidies given by the government to gas and petroleum should cost Petronas more than RM35 billion for the whole of this year.

Despite the high oil prices, he said, the margin has been squeezed due to escalating costs in extracting the commodity.

Hassan reasoned that the subsidised gasoline and diesel had actually benefited the rich people - They have three BMWs each and leave their air-conditioners on in their mansions all the time.

For gasoline, he said, at the existing price RM1.92 per litre, the actual price should be RM3 per litre.-- BERNAMA

Yes, world oil prices are on the up and up and we are paying pittance for it at the pump but it still costs us plenty from our tax ringgit. Not that many of us pay tax but for those who do, they are basically underwriting all that oil that is fuelling our vehicles and industries and utilities.

Time for us to wean ourselves from such subsidies.

Yes, we advocate fuel prices at real cost but vehicles sold without the additional taxes. At least then, the economy will not be that distorted and motorists will figure out the exact cost of owning and using a vehicle.

Heck, we will even include a fossil fuel tax incorporated in the pump price with that money going to ameliorate the effects of pollution in the environment.

And for taxi drivers and operators who want to raise flag rates and fares, even if gas prices do not go up, we agree but with the caveat of stricter enforcement to ensure that the taxis use the meters, are clean and taxi drivers courteous and willing to pick up all fares.

You want to make money but you have to follow the rules, that's what we say!

Also, stage buses and all other buses will have to be gas-powered to reduce the effect on the environment. Buses will have right of way in two lanes in any three-lane roads within any city limits during rush hour.

For those who are in cars during that time, too bad! Use mass transit systems instead!

Now what do you think of that? If you say yes, vote for the Siber Party of Malaysia (M). Especially in our frontline area of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.

Otherwise, you can always hum along to this!

Malaysia Money Makers

Selamat Hari Malaysia!

And though we in the Siber Party of Malaysia (M) issue this greeting with thoughts of furthering Malaysia's progress, other people just have ideas to make money at our collective expense.

First is the scheme called e-kesihatan, which both the medical authorities and those in the public transport sector have opposed with some pretty good reasons.

While all doctors are registered with the Malaysian Medical Council under the Ministry of Health, the Road Transport Department is also registering doctors for the scheme which has been privatised to Supremme Systems Sdn Bhd based in Petaling Jaya.

The e-kesihatan people promise a better method of medical checks which basically means a more comprehensive medical check up with the report being sent electronically to the road transport authorities.

This is to prevent cheating and collusion between those being checked and the medical personnel doing the checks. All fine, dandy and reasonable.

But why can't government hospitals do the checks?
Why do doctors need to register with the scheme? After all, all one needs is an internet connection to send the report.
Why does it need to be privatised?
And if so, how come the system was not put to public tender?

These are some of the questions we are asking. And we want the answers. Because land transport is a serious issue with the number of deaths and accidents on Malaysian roads.

After all, statistics show that an average of 17 people are killed on Malaysian roads daily.

So something has to be done. But not taking advantage of the situation for someone to make a bucketful of money out of it.

Second is the education loan scheme called the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) which disburses students loans through poor administration and not really getting back in repayments.

While the authorities sort that out - and that will take time, the altruistic idea of giving student loans has actually spurred the growth of private education in Malaysia and hence the need for a Ministry of Higher Education.

With some 515 private institutions of higher learning in 2006, which is actually down from 790 in 2001 mainly due to competition, our taxpayers' money is going to underwrite all these students who are unable to get places in public universities.

Well and good. The question is, do these institutions have qualified academic staff and facilities to educate the aspiring graduates in many fields specifically engineering, medicine, nursing and others.

Why? Because those who graduate will have to pay their loans but might not have the requisite qualifications that they signed up for due to shoddy education. And the only ones making money from this will be the private institutions.

The authorities need to check on these institutions and ensure they have good staff and facilities as we have no trust in having too many medical, engineering or nursing colleges. They might have the paper qualifications but the real world requires more than that.

After all, what kind of Malaysia do we want? A good one on paper or a great one in the real world?

Selamat Hari Malaysia! Rock on, Malaysia!