Now that election's uncertainty is over, we're clear of one thing: the international students market will be downsized whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Over the past few months, we have read news such as
AUSTRALIA has the highest proportion of international students enrolled in its tertiary institutions in the world, according to an international study.
It was also more reliant on students to pick up the bill for tertiary education than most other developed countries.
most other countries had been investing heavily in tertiary education while in Australia investment dropped from 1.6 per cent of gross domestic product in 1995 to 1.5 per cent in 2007.
He said Victoria - where international education is the biggest export industry, worth about $4.5 billion a year - had the most to lose.
For the first time, we're noticing significant downturns
The sector warned that the migration debate was further hurting Australia's attractiveness to students. "The received message in other countries -- among students, parents and others -- is that Australia doesn't value international students," the Go8 said.
Let's not forget the impact of Global Financial Crisis (GFC) last year or so. Normally we'll feel the impact 2-3 years later like how we did during 1997. The impact was obvious during 1999 and 2000 where the international students intake was low.
So, what's it gotta do with MiCasa8 (131 Pelham Street, Carlton VIC)? Lots of things! The whole building is probably 97% international students!!
This year (2010) we managed to achieve better than expected as we started earlier and before GFC is even famous! However, along the way, sadly, I have few tenants who had to leave the place as GFC has taken a toll of their financial situations.
For 2011, we have started accepting and processing applications. The responses are still coming in very quick and most apartments under $320pw are snatched up right after they have become available!
The quota for June 2011 leases has been filled all by renewals of existing tenants. So things are still "OK" for the moment.
An advice for all international students who are coming to Melbourne and wanting to stay in MiCasa8 is to start applying early!
Now, some of you might be wondering why the bad news earlier then asking us to apply earlier? Doesn't make sense!
Well, my message is, the cheaper apartment ($320pw) and below will be gone very quickly! So if budget is your concern, start earlier otherwise, don't be too worry!! :)
The good Oz witnessed or going to witness a hung parliament for the first time in 70 years! How good is that! The people have spoken...The leaders have learnt from their mistakes.
On 29/8/10, will we speak? I'm sure there'll not be a hung parliament.
I'm just hoping we are not hung by the end of the day. :)
KPI, KPI, KPI...it has become such a normal term in Malaysia these days after the introduction of KPIs to Goverment departments.
Who is the hardest working man in Govt now? Well, most people might say Najib as he's not the sleeping PM but just saw this in the paper today.
PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry has completed the mammoth task of clearing the backlog of over 140,000 applications for citizenship, entry permits and birth certificates — two months ahead of schedule.
It has processed 143,099 files — 32,927 citizenship, 16,812 entry permit (permanent residence) and 93,360 birth certificate applications — filed between 1997 and December 2006. More on The Star
It seems the employee of the year award might just go to Mr Keris! He He!!
Nonetheless, hats off for this guy for clearing the backlog created over the years.
We also hope to see more improvements in his Ministry as well as speeding up or relax the requirement a bit for the process of foreign spouse PR applications, etc.
We're not expecting a jump in performance, but at least move faster than what BN has been moving for 50+ years!
AGAIN, another blooper from BN's man. This time, Datuk Wira Ahmad Hamzah (Jasin-BN) who said the following:
Before the Auditor-General’s (AG) annual report is made public, the Government should filter it so that the country is not embarrassed by it.
“I support the AG’s report but what has happened now is that it gives a very bad impression and it is meloyakan (nauseating).
“If possible, the Government should filter the report before making it a public document,” he said on Tuesday during the Budget 2010 debate in Parliament
I guess he really doesn't understand what it means to be auditted or the audit process.
Instead of looking on how to improve and be honest about themselves, he wants the report to be "filtered". Alamak~!
Who would want to see a filtered audited report, especially being filtered by the person being audited? Doesn't make sense!
Be bold enough to accept your shortcomings and improve on it! Don't be a sissy! If you know what your Govt is doing is bringing shame to the country, GOOD!
ACT ON IT!
MACC, you can spend the next few years studying the report and investigate! Don't just try to cover up on Teoh's case and bully PR members.
Over the span for the past few weeks, we have witnessed a string of (by) elections & voting processes going on around us. It seems that everyone just loves the democratic process these days.
Recently it was the MCA Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) orchestrated by the sacked deputy president to try to bring down the president and climb back unto the ladder. Though he only barely "succeeded", at least he tore MCA into 2 parties now. Insiders are reporting a possible 3rd party in the leadership crisis too.
Now, the MIC also wants to bring down their president. Well, they versed it to sound more noble, to save MIC. Whatever the outcome is, one thing is for sure; There'll be even bigger divisions within MIC.
On the coming Sunday, CLMC will also have their annual Local Conference election for the stewards positions for next year. Instead of having the usual "fat heads" structures at the top, this year they have successfully reduced the number from about 16 to 9.
Anyway will the election process have the same effects as MCA & MIC? Definitely not.
Why? Because we are not capable of pulling such feat yet! We're still young & naive. So will the voting process runs smoothly? Yes & No.
Yes, because everyone will vote very quickly and all seems efficiently handled.
No, because of our "naivety", most of us are irrational voters. So to know what irrational voters do, please read my previous March posting in my blog.
However, sometimes we need to compare our passion for the church to those members of MCA & MIC. At least they really want to do something for their respective parties, though some are for their selfish ambitions, especially those over zealous ones.
The honest question we need to ask ourselves is, do you love your church?
If yes, it's not too late to show it by voting rationally this coming Sunday, 25/10/09.
If not, I'd recommend you not to show up or even forfeit your membership. It's better to wash your hands off any blood that you may draw so you may still be innocent. Having said that, I hope you'd make a wiser decision instead of choosing this path.
“I want to tell you that a lot of things don’t require monetary allocations. For example, changing from being lazy to become more hardworking,” said Najib.
Very brave in admitting their party are full of lazy bums, especially those benefited from the Govt's financial aids and special priviledges.
Not only the top level leadership needs to be more hardworking but the grassroot members!Can UMNO do it after their reform? It's still too early to tell but at least it's a sign forward.
Let's see how much followup works wil be done regarding this, not followup words.
Most successful businessmen would always want to achieve a win-win situation.
Most ordinary businessmen would always want to achieve a win-lose situation.
Most immature businessmen would always want try to achieve a win-lose situation but in actual fact, it's a lose-lose situation.
The same principle apply to politics and if we apply it to the news report below:
KUALA LUMPUR: Federal aid to the governments of opposition-ruled states should be reduced and be channelled directly to the people there, Selangor delegate Abdul Shukur Idrus said.
He said this was because opposition parties were getting mileage out of the socio-economic programmes in these states.
Abdul Shukur said the Pakatan Rakyat-ruled Selangor government gave RM1,000 to finance funeral arrangements to the people in the state while Umno provided RM300.
“The state government also provided RM1,500 to the elderly. The people in the state are talking about the opposition government giving aid to the people.
“Little do the people know that what the opposition government is giving comes from the Barisan Nasional Federal government,” he claimed when debating the president’s policy speech at the Umno General Assembly here on Friday.
Abdul Shukur said the Federal Government should reduce payments to the opposition state governments so that the people there could see which party provided greater assistance.More on The Star
Let's see what can we get:
Federal Govt gives to State Govt who then gives to the Rakyat (people). All good so it's definitely a win-win situation where everyone is happy. At least it shows the Federal Govt is fair, the State Govt is doing its' job in helping the needy and the Rakyat is taken care of.
Federal Govt stop giving to State Govt who then has to reduce aids for the Rakyat. The biggest loser is the Rakyat, State Govt cries foul & unfairness by Federal Govt. So the winner is actually State Govt while Federal Govt thinks they won but they've actually lost!
Federal Govt bypassing State Govt and go to the Rakyat directly. With all the incompetency & corruption practices by the previous BN State Govt, it's a lost cause anyway. So, it'll be a definite lose-lose situation to all parties.
That guy in UMNO is short sighted and a poor strategist. All he cares about is the credit and praises for the "good" works he has or trying to do. Exposing his immaturity to the public. Shame on him.
Instead of encouraging other BN states to do the same or better than the PR states, he wants to see those luckier Rakyat to suffer drawbacks in their lives. All for the sake of "credits".
I'm sure there're more funds allocated to the BN States, so the question is, what happened to the funds allocated to help the Rakyat? How are they using the funds?
Dear voters, please open your eyes and to see who you're voting for. Don't vote blindly!!
In another act out of desperations, the Victorian Govt has again breached the trusts of fellow Victorians.
Premier John Brumby has opened the door for a second casino in Victoria - just five months after the Government ruled out such a move.
In May Gaming Minister Tony Robinson told ABC Radio that the Government had no intention of allowing a second casino. ''It is not the Government's policy to have a second casino in Victoria,'' he said. ''We have a set policy on that.''
But yesterday Mr Brumby signalled a big shift in Government policy on a second casino following a proposal for a new casino complex in Mildura. More on The Age
Definitely, a new casino would create heaps of jobs and investments, which in turn will also boost tourism to Mildura and stimulate the local business.
Similarly, Las Vegas was just a piece of deserted land where birds won't even lay eggs before the building boom. We cannot deny the facts that Casino can bring in "prosperity" and developments but the question is, at what price?
Sin City is one of the famous nicknames for Las Vegas due to the acceptance of "adult entertainment". Whom but those sinners themselves would want their city to be labeled as Sin City? A place where people defiled themselves, breaking the moral standard to the lowest ever, and have no respect for the Greater Authority.
Will Victoria has its' own Sin City in the future soon? Are we going to sacrifice an innocent City for the sake of money? It's game of Money vs Moral and it's very obvious that Mr Moral doesn't stand a chance in hell against Ms Money.
Do they REALLY care about our next generation well being? They might have jobs but they'll be morally corrupted. What good will it be then? We're just encouraging a future full of individualistic and selfish greed minded people to emerge on a path of no return.
Ethically, the casino should not be built or any casino for that fact. The moral price is just too high to be beared by future Victorians.
A city that neglect God will be doomed. We need to do our part in preventing this from happening!!
There're a lot more better ways to earn money! Stop defiling ourselves!
INTERNATIONAL students are the key to paying off Australia's debt and caring for its ageing population, a leading demographer says.
Bernard Salt says the country should be embracing international students and encouraging them to stay on after they finish their degrees.
Only 20,000 of the 400,000 international students who are educated in Australia every year migrate here, he said. But that number needs to increase in order to counteract the growing number of baby boomers leaving the workforce and paying less tax.
"We are not likely to raise the tax rate substantially," Mr Salt said.
"So this means we need more people who can pay taxes, and they can only come from overseas."
A student migration program would not only help Australia pay off its massive debt incurred as a result of the global economic downturn but would also ensure a steady stream of skilled migrants.
"International students represent an outstanding source of skilled migrants - they're young, educated and keen to become Australians," Mr Salt said.
The reputation of Australia's $15.5 billion international education industry was damaged earlier this year following a series of attacks on Indian students in Melbourne.
An independent review of the sector is being carried out by former federal Liberal MP Bruce Baird.
Mr Salt, who will deliver his message to the Australian International Education Conference in Sydney next week, said the nation needed to lift its game if it was to compete in the highly competitive international student market.
========================================================================
At least they're smart in getting the money in elsewhere rather than keep getting out of their own people!
Suddenly this thought popped into my mind this morning.
'If God were the One seperated human into different races, speaks different languages & dialects and eventually different countries evovled, are we human going against what God has designed by trying to create the One World, One Nation, One Race mentality?'
The European nation has started on a common currency called Euro, English as common language platform, etc.
There was a slogan previously saying 'our children are colour blind, let's keep it that way'. Young people don't know what it meant by racism.
Inter racial marriages are very common these days. Soon, we'll have a 'world' race. No more Chinese, Malay, Iban, AustRalian, etc etc.
So the thing is, if God made it this way, why are we making it that way?
Everything was good in the beginning but we screwed it. Young pure minds are being polluted by selfish politicians who played the racial cards.
The concept will fail. What's happening today is just a reminder that the end time is near. Human are trying to change the future but in vain.
We need to appreciate every minutes we have and start giving back to God.
Again, another controversy from the Malaysian Govt by proposing an Internet filter system to filter "undesirable websites.
Apparently, either they're ignorant or too optimistic, the filter system will NEVER work. Try look at Australia? Google the news.
First, the Internet is just too big. It's not like a piece of ball where you can easily cover it by a piece of cloth! Unless they're going to be blocking websites by countries in general? Having said that, it'll be blocking ANY websites, good or bad, which is of course stupid in its own.
Second, it's not viable. IF they are really the world smartest programmers and manage to block their undesired websites, imagine the costs of building the filter? Building a filter for the water is cheap and easy because you can see the source and filter from it. However, Internet has multiple sources like the number of sands on the beach! Try filtering that! The whole world will go broke before we can even filter 10%!
Third, it'll slow down the Internet. Filters means layers. The more layers the connection has to go through means an extra millisecond or tenths of a second gone per layer. It's not going to make a hell of a difference to Malaysia as its' broadband is like a tortoise anyway! Perhaps that's what the Govt wants to do? Get people away from the Internet so people can't get any news of the opposition parties?
Fourth, Communism in a democratic country. Censorship, Govt approved websites only, cover ups, etc are acts of a communist country or a dictator! It'll drive people to be a lot angrier with the Govt, drive investors away and create more harm than good.
However, BN's concern is to dumb the people, not just numb the people. They only want a nation of slaves submitting to themselves, feeding us with candies whenever opposition arises!
Deputy Prime Minister Tan SriMuhyiddinYassin today said that the Government is planning to include pre-school as part of the national education system. Also, English will be an important part of it. He claimed to be impressed with some students who can grasp basic English after one year in preschool. <--Duhh~~ Those with Philipino maids at home also can speak basic English lah!
Now, preschool is normally for 5 years old or younger. If this has become compulsory in the future, all kids will add another extra few years of studying! It depends on which defintion of preschool they're referring to? Child care education or kindergarden.
Most of my friends only ever started to learn English around Primary 3 or so in my days. I was lucky to start around Primary 1 because I went to a national school, not those Chinese or private school. However, I was unlucky to never learn Mandarin! Even so, we already find the schooling years are too long! I nearly gave up around Form 4. Luckily, I managed to finish a year of Foundation studies and 4 years of Uni. No thanks to Master or PhD, I'll give it a pass!
Personally, I'd prefer the preschool system not to be compulsory but rather a voluntary system. Going to preschool also means more expenses for the parents, though some would argue it as an investment of the future. However, with young parents struggling to make ends meet, making something compulsory without further study of the implication can be a disaster.
Financial problem will affect relationships problem, which will affect socio problems, etc etc.
After all, they're still young! Let them enjoy life! Give them a break! Don't turn them into "stupid" kids! <-- Or maybe that's their plan after all? Turn all kids into future BN slaves? *Grin*
Maybe another flip flop in the future? Wouldn't be surprised!
Source: Malaysia Today The writing was already on the wall so long ago
Posted by admin
Thursday, 16 July 2009 23:49
This has been going on for far too long. The MACC acts like God. They kidnap families and torture those they arrest. They threaten those they interrogate with death if they refuse to talk.
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin
The writing was already on the wall very much earlier. Alarm bells were wailing like banshees. But this was largely ignored. It was ignored because it was Malaysia Today that had triggered the alarm bells. Malaysia Today is not the most reliable source. It does not offer the best of information. What Malaysia Today dabbles in are rumours and innuendoes.
When the Anti-Corruption Agency, now called the MACC, kidnapped the family of a police inspector, Malaysia Today raised the alarm. They had kidnapped the wife and child of a police inspector who had investigated a Chinese underworld boss on the instructions of a higher-up with the rank of ASP.
The inspector was just doing what his boss had ordered him to do, and that was to open a file and launch an investigation into the activities of the Chinese prostitution, loan shark, drugs and gambling syndicate. And this resulted in the detention of three syndicate bosses.
What the MACC wanted the police inspector to do was quite simple. They wanted him to change his report so that the three underworld bosses can be freed from detention. And he would have to do that if he wants to secure the release of his family.
The police inspector refused to do that. Instead, he made a police report. And so did his wife. But nothing was done about the matter. The MACC officers were not arrested and dragged to court on kidnapping charges.
The MACC then leaked information to the media that they are investigating a very senior police officer, the Director of the CCD, for the crime of not declaring RM27 million worth of assets. The fact that MACC investigations come under the Official Secrets Act was not a hindrance. After all, the OSA is only used against opposition supporters and not against those who serve those who walk in the corridors of power.
Nevertheless, the Director of the CCD was finally not charged for not declaring RM27 million in assets. He was charged for using police property for his personal reasons, something that all government officers, ministers and politicians do blatantly every day of the week. But his real crime is that he detained several Chinese underworld bosses who control the prostitution, loan shark, drugs and gambling business all over Malaysia.
Then they arrested the lawyer who acted for the CCD Director. The MACC officers came to his office on the eve of Hari Raya and handcuffed him after roughing him up like one would do to an armed bank robber. To ensure that the lawyer suffered the greatest embarrassment this Hollywood-style arrest was done in full view of the entire office.
Malaysia Today wrote about all this. Malaysia Today not only wrote about all this but Malaysia Today repeated the stories again and again to make sure no one would say they somehow missed the story. But still nothing was done. No one denied the story. More importantly, no one did anything about what Malaysia Today revealed.
The MACC has been a tool of those who walk in the corridors of power for a long, long time. Officially, Barisan Nasional has 14 component members with Umno as the lead partner. Unofficially, Barisan Nasional has seventeen component members. The Election Commission is the fifteenth component member of Barisan Nasional, the Malaysian police the sixteenth, and the MACC the seventeenth. They all serve the interests of Umno and the Prime Minister.
The writing was already on the wall very much earlier. Alarm bells were wailing like banshees. But this was largely ignored. It was ignored because it was Malaysia Today that had triggered the alarm bells. Malaysia Today is not the most reliable source. It does not offer the best of information. What Malaysia Today dabbles in are rumours and innuendoes.
“Where is the smoking gun?” they ask. “Show me the body!” they demand. No gun, no body, then no crime has been committed.
Well, today, there is a body. It is the body of a most unfortunate Chinese opposition member who was arrested and tortured by the MACC officers. Yes, he was tortured. And he was tortured because the MACC wanted him to talk.
But he could not talk. He could not talk because there was nothing to talk about. The MACC wanted him to finger his comrades in the opposition. They wanted him to implicate his friends in the opposition for various crimes that the MACC alleges had been committed by those in the opposition.
He tried to explain that he is not being stubborn. He tried to explain that no crime had been committed. He tried to explain that he could not possibly implicate his comrades in the opposition for various crimes if these crimes are merely a figment of the MACC’s imagination.
So they continued to torture him. And he could no longer stand the torture. After all, he is not the macho type of man. He is but a gentle man who only wanted to get married this weekend. That was all that he wanted.
They threatened to kill him if he refuses to talk. With tears running down his cheeks he begged for mercy and pleaded with them not to harm him. They threatened to throw him off the top floor if he refuses to talk. Sobbing like a baby he went down on his knees and begged for his life.
They dragged him across the room and opened the window. Then something went terribly wrong. It was supposed to be just a threat. They just wanted to put fear in him. They did not really want to throw him off the top floor. They just wanted him to see what the ground floor looks like from the top floor.
The unfortunate young man panicked. He went ballistic when he saw the distance he would have to travel before hitting the ground floor. He struggled. They could not hold onto him. Gravity took over and the life of this young man was prematurely snuffed out.
The MACC then announced that they had released him the night before. They failed to announce that they had not released him from custody but released him from this world. Then they suddenly found his body the day after. He jumped. He committed suicide. He took his own life. He was never tortured. He was not dragged to the window with the threat that they would teach him how to fly.
This has been going on for far too long. The MACC acts like God. They kidnap families and torture those they arrest. They threaten those they interrogate with death if they refuse to talk.
And now one young man has really died. But no one will be punished. No one will be punished because they will say the young man took his own life. Why he took his own life no one knows. He was never tortured. He was never threatened with death. He was not made to look how far down the ground floor is. He was not accidentally dropped when he panicked and struggled and they could not get a good grip on him.
That is what they will be telling you and me later today.
Headlines in Malaysia now is no longer the recession of the world economy but rather a death of a secretary of a politician in the hands of the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC). Teoh Beng Hock whom was supposed to get married today was found dead around 1pm after interrogation by the MACC.
Of course the stupid BN Govt, police and MACC is trying to shut down the media and public from know what has actually happened. They're trying to say no foul play lah, he might have fall off himself lah, suicide lah, etc.
Are you sure MACC is not hiding any information? A organisation that's supposed to clean out corruption couldn't even come clean themselves!
Sources said MACC officials remained tight-lipped, saying they were under instructions not to say anything.
If really clean, then why are they under instructions not to say anything?
Let's also look at how the MACC interrogate people:
A Kajang municipal councillor who was also interrogated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) alleged commission investigators hurled racist remarks at him during questioning at the state MACC headquarters here.
"They called me a stupid Chinese... Are you from China? You can't speak Malay?” said Tan Boon Wah.
“I was shouted at: 'This is my place, you better believe that I can hit you',” said Tan.
“I was then asked to stand and look straight. I was not allowed to rest my head. I was made to stand for four hours,” he added.
Tan said the MACC officials also threatened to arrest his wife and detain his children .
He denied that detainees were provided with beds to sleep on after interrogation.
He said that while under detention, he met Teoh Beng Hock early yesterday morning at the MACC office pantry and he looked tired.
Tan added that he was also told by an MACC investigator not to talk about the interrogation, before he was released yesterday afternoon.
“The MACC officer said don't bring the matter outside, but one life has ended, so now I have to,” said Tan. Source
Does that sounds like guantanamo bay of Malaysia??
Do we really think our ever "efficient" police (PDRM) can do their work? My ass! They only know how to be a bully and a thug!
Here they're shouting "polis ganas" meaning "brutal cops"!
In the end, I think no one will be charged or the "true" culprit will not be caught due to cover ups and getting a scapegoat to bear the sin. Another reason is, the person who died is a member of Opposition party and a Chinese!
Also, another article regarding this: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: The Malaysian Insider
JULY 17 — Teoh Beng Hock mysteriously “jumped” to his death, leaving behind a million question marks on the MACC.
Interrogating Ean Yong Hian Wah (and detaining his assistant Teoh Beng Hock), searching Lau Weng San, investigating Teresa Kok, Elizabeth Wong, Hannah Yeoh, Cheah Wing Yin and Edward Lee Poh Lin.
Of course, the MACC has this power. But the question is: Is the power exercised appropriately?
Given the "coincidence" that all the targets of investigation are Pakatan state assemblymen — and Chinese — I'm sorry but have to say something: These are the elected representatives least likely to be corrupt in the eyes of the voters!
People who have even the slightest knowledge of these people should know that they are the thriftiest and hardworking people around.
For example, Elizabeth Wong does not have huge assets to her name, only mortgage and credit card debts.
Or perhaps the MACC would say the investigations are carried out based on the information it has obtained, nothing to do with a person's political affiliation or background.
But, the MACC must explain why so much more information, including what has already come to public knowledge and triggered tonnes of controversies, has not sent the MACC into action.
For instance, has the MACC done anything on "Istana Khir Toyo"? Has it carried out any investigation, search or interrogation?
Or perhaps big cases should be handled slowly, until they have vanished from the people's memories?
The investigation of cases should be carried out in accordance with their severity or priority. I don't see any priority in dealing with these few Pakatan reps.
Of course, no one can prove that the MACC's moves are politically motivated. That said, what they have done has brought up many guesses among the public, as well as uneasiness among opposition politicians.
This reminds me of McCarthyism in the United States during the 1950s. The reckless actions of a power engine generated a political scare and widespread social panic.
There was this extreme rightist Republican politician named Joseph McCarthy back in those days. He banked on the anti-communist sentiment during the Cold War to openly declare that the United States government had been infiltrated by several hundred communist spies, and that America was sinking into a state of great danger.
His declaration shocked Washington and American society.
With the support of rightist House representatives, he headed the "Un-American House Committee" and probed, accused, framed and persecuted leftists, from politicians, diplomats, scholars to artistes, all in the name of national security.
His black list included people like George Marshall, physicist Robert Oppenheimer and actor Charlie Chaplin. Some were thrown into the jails while others took their own lives.
During McCarthy's time, the United States was plunged into a dark age of unrighteousness, until American society could tolerate such acts of terror no more and rose up against him.
The US government and Congress joined hands in impeaching McCarthy, and restored the freedom and esteem of the country.
This historical event warns us that government organs should not abuse the power entrusted to them to kill political freedom and violate human rights in the name of national security.
Controversies have popped up ever since the inauguration of the MACC. Its reputation is in tatters.
And now, it needs to explain to the nation how Teoh Beng Hock died! — mysinchew
Again, the flip flop government of Malaysia is mucking around. This time the education sector is the victim.
A few years ago, the govt decided that science n other importance subject were to be taught in English. Of course with the lack of quality English teachers (as my mum always said), it's not beyond any doubts that the students, especially from rural areas will be hugely disadvantaged by it.
Of course during that time, the Govt is too happy that they have move a large step forward in country developments that they have no time to worry about its implementations. This resulted in a deadlock.
No good English teachers, can't produce good students who can master English, meaning even less good English teacher in the future.
A lot of parents I assumed of Chinese and Indians background are crying foul by the decision of the education minister. I believe those who can afford will be sending their children to nearby countries or more English tuition.
As for me, I'd prefer most of the subjects to be taught in English. Having said that, lots of investment would need to be put into this.
Getting good quality English teachers, exchange programs, have those English speaking tourist to come for a few months to stay and teach english, etc. A lot of developing countries are doing the same thing. They know the risks of being incompetent in English.
What I think happened now in M'sia is politicians playing politics. The Malays are divided into 2 big groups now: pro UMNO and pro PR.
So the decision made so quickly without adequate consultation is most likely aimed in winning support from the Malays for the next by-election in a few days time.
The Govt is trying to promote the Malay language, well at least that's what they claimed. However, how many countries other than M'sia, Brunei and Singapore knows Malay? It's a language heading into extinction. Most people would rather learn Indonesian as the population that can speak Indonesian easily outnumbered Malay speaking people. Even Malays overseas don't even speak Malay!
All in all, Malaysia is going backwards again for the sake of short sighted goals. Flip flopping around like a bunch of clowns.
Just as we thought everything's going to be fine and good, suddenly a shocking news hit us! The new Chief Executive of MTM, is actually a not-so-good leader!!
THE chief executive of Melbourne's new train operator also headed a British rail company that went into administration at a huge cost to taxpayers.
Andrew Lezala, whose Metro Trains Melbourne will soon operate the city's trains, was chief executive of the British rail maintenance company Metronet from May 2005 until it went into administration in July 2007.
It collapsed with £1.7 billion ($A3.5 billion) in debt, forcing the British Government to bail it out.
A damning report on Metronet's failure, released just three weeks ago by Britain's National Audit Office, found the company's management had wasted millions of pounds of public money.
"The main cause of Metronet's failure was its poor corporate governance and leadership," the report said. "We estimate that the overall direct loss to the taxpayer arising from Metronet's administration is between £170 million and £410 million, in 2007 prices."
The report was highly critical of the "inefficient" spending practices of the company.
Sounds very unpromising to start for MTM. However, an explanation was given as below:
However, Metro Trains Melbourne spokeswoman Leah Hayward later issued a statement saying that Mr Lezala had been the third chief executive at Metronet in two years and had worked hard to restore the business.
"Within two months … Andrew uncovered structural and internal business issues," Ms Hayward said.
She said Metronet had "been placed into voluntary administration, instigated by Andrew as it was in the best interests of the business and the people".
Now, whom do you trust? Some people would say leave it to the professionals or "the consultants" we normally called it. Guess what?
Victorian taxpayers paid $25 million to consultants to assess the tenders of the five companies that bid to run Melbourne's trains and trams.
$25million and all we got is a CE with a lousy background? You can pay me $2500 and I'll choose MTR and a better director any day!!
I smell something fishy going on here. Corruptions? Favoritism? Why can't a Hongkie run MTM?
The Government needs to be more accountable to the people! It's our tax money you're spending there, chap!
Most people would have preferred the good times when the economy is booming, everyone has money to spend, etc but I don't really like it. At least for now!
What it means is that during the good times, everyone is spending like crazy, which drive prices up like houses, etc. Because of that as well, the demands are also increasing but supply aren't coping fast enough, which normally after that, causes inflation.
Normally, your salary doesn't go up as fast as inflation rates though, keep that in mind. So, why is everyone so happy about the good times?
You're getting left behind in actual sense! The value of your money becomes smaller and smaller by the day. Think about it, how many candies can you buy in Malaysia about 15 years ago with RM 0.10? You can get 2 minimum, if lucky 4!! How many candies can you buy with RM 0.10 now? 1? Or not even 1.
With rapid inflation comes with recessions. In general terms, things just gone way too fast and recession is to do little "resetting". A lot of the world Governments today are trying to cushion the impacts of recession by having stimulus packages, bail outs, tax cuts, etc but is it doing real good? In the short term, yeah it's good but in the long run, personally, I think it's damaging more than it's benefiting! Most of the prices, economy data and indicators are artificial numbers now. They do not represent actual state.
In recession, people like to call it the "bubble burst". With cushioning of recessions, the bubble are not really bursting. It just deflates smaller but not small enough. How many trillions can the Governments used to bail outs those banks and companies? How much trillions do the Govt has to stimulate its' people?
Where do the money come from? It's not like Governments around the world has a huge safe holding trillions and trillions of cash in case of emergencies! There're all debts, or in other words, they created money out of nothing. This is a big problem for future generations.
So me personally, I rather see bad times hit us harder. We need corrections in our lives to have it balance.
Malaysia really amazes me everyday, no kidding! Everyday it can come up with very funny and strange news!
Look what I read today:
Dressed in black, the colour of protest, 200 activists sat at cafe tables quietly drinking coffee — black, of course. Bewildered, police stood outside and watched the coffee drinkers without interfering.
This time, police will be waiting for them. “We are monitoring the targeted outlets and if necessary will arrest any person wearing black as they approach the outlets,” a police spokesman said. More
So if you're in Penang or KL and thinking of going to Old Town Cafe for a drink, remember not to wear black! You might be arrested! In case you're wondering why so. Well, the police in Malaysia has nothing else better to do or are not compentent enough to do other stuffs. So they're targetting those "sitting ducks" then make lots of headlines, trying to show the world they're "maintaining" peace in the country!
For those who wants to listen in Mandarin. This is an interview to Wong Chin Huat. He was made famous by M'sian Government for arresting him for asking people to wear black T Shirt! LOL!!
