Siri Pemikiran Kritis (Segmen Pertama), Sessi Pertama

A Lot of Frustrated People

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 11:50:30 +0100

The impression I gather having attended the series so far is that there are a lot of frustrated people out there. Frustrated because as the days and months go by, this country is being engulfed by a general snese of apathy and malaise. Many of the speakers on the night are no longer offering solutions but merely lamenting their frustrations. I think one way to improve the series in the future is to focus on the alternatives. I have no qualms with the current set up and topics as it is my view that the issues raised by the current speakers must be laid down and dealt with first. As a suggestion for the future, the focus could be on moving forward and how to deal with issues post NEP or without the NEP. Perhaps, we could start by advocating for the removal of the 7% discount or suggest a mechanism of ensuring only deserving individuals benefit from the 7% discount. All the same, the SPK is a boon for Malaysians who want a change for the better. Many thanks - Dipendra A/L Harshad Rai

NEP Outlived its Usefulness

Sat, 20 Jan 2007 17:04:18 +0100

NEP has really outlived its usefulness. It was supposed to help the Bumiputras but it has only prospered the Umnoputeras. I believe that we have to be honest with ourselves and think of the future of our country. Imagine Malaysia without racial based parties who only fight for their own races. I behove all the political parties to change their constitution to accept all Malaysians regardless of race. This is the first step to a truly Bangsa Malaysia. - Nicole Tan Lee Koon

PEMIKIRAN KRITIS

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 15:55:19 +0100

Continuing the siri pemikiran kritis, I must state that I am very upset with Pak Lah. No no, nothing to do with the DEB, but the manner in which Pak Lah is doing things. Last night I was particularly upset with Pak Lah when I saw him on TV3 news. Here he was, on the boat, with a few government officials, going around Kota Tinggi, (not Tinggi enough after all). He had had the audacity to wave and smile to the people in their flooded homes when passing by them.... Please, ..... let the waving be left to the royalties and Siti Norhaliza. He is the Prime Minister for heavens sakes. Not some glamourous royalty or pop idol. Even royalties like the Sultan Pahang doesnt wave to the flood victims when visiting them. Tuanku gets knee deep involved, literally. Pak Lah should have made sure that he went around and spoke to these victims in their homes. He should have given them encouragement and support. Its traumatic and I imagine, although it is a natural disaster, the least he could do was not to be afraid to get his feet wet. He could have gone in the waters. Feel what the rakyat is feeling. Given them some emotional and financial backing. OK so not all may benefit as it is impossible for him to reach out to all of them, but at least those with children who are probably feeling the most pain. When he arrives at the Flood relief centre, he should have eaten the same food as the victims,a nd not be whisked off to some hotel in JB by helicopter. He spent almost a whole day there yesterday. In the morning he was unveling some educational blueprint. I know he is a very busy man. Look at todays The Star newspaper, with a photo of the 5 boats accompanying Pak Lah, its like as if, they are so insensitive and actually imagining themselves in Venice. They seem to be enjoying themselves. What Pak Lah did was distasteful. I have all the respect for him, but I think he has lost it all.

- Nik Elin Bt Nik Rashid

Siri Pemikiran Kritis

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 15:30:41 +0100

Discussing sensative issues such as the NEP is worrying especially being a non bumi but the organizers prove me wrong. I met a Malay client who attended the first session with his wife and told me that it was an excellent discussion and also an eye opener to the both of them. From his mouth he says that the NEP is definitely unfair not only to the non malays but to the general well being of the malays as well as it benefit only the selected group for years. Therefore it should be abolished and probably be replaced to something more fair to the people as a whole. Or else it will be a Never Ending Problem. Therefore to the organizers, a job well done. Now whether a road show be a good idea like what Art 11 did? - Damian Yeo Shen Li

A lot of Comments!

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 11:42:43 +0100

I am glad to see so many speaking up on this particular topic thread. Very exciting indeed! ;) - Fahri Azzat

Not about race

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 11:29:41 +0100

SPK on NEP is not about which race being affected and deprived. It is a talk about social and economic issues. It is a talk that will mark our invaded boundary of tolerance of the 'cancer' that is crippling our economy and crumble our society. It is a talk that will ignite our conscience that was surpressed and ignored by most of us for a very long time. Let us be guided by vision and not by race and temptations. All of us play a part in this society, in this nation. - Lee Chooi Peng

Lead The Initiative NYLC!

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 18:55:46 +0100

I was unable to attend this talk. I now wish that i had. It is absolutely encouraging to know that the turnout was exceptional and the auditorium was packed to capacity. This augurs well for further dialogue and debate of purported "sensitive issues" which has long been the bogeymen of Malaysian society and its plurality. The time is ripe for serious discussion. Affirmative action policies for a segment of society can no longer be the order of the day in the wake of globalisation. The world order has changed. From the fall of the Soviet Union, there are no longer blocs (Eastern andWestern) by which a country bases its economic policies to. The byword now is competition. Inability to compete would inevitably mean an inability to survive. Hence, this series of talks are indeed timely. Well done NYLC for leading the initiative! - Dinesh Nair a/l Krishnan Kvuav

NEP and young Malaysians

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 15:02:49 +0100

I just want to concentrate my comments on the impact of NEP against young Malaysian that has caused the sense of disillusioned and disenchantment among many of them. To me NEP alone is not enough to be discussed when we talk about young Malaysians. There are several acts that restrict the intellectual way of thinking among young Malaysians. Take for example the introduction of Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA/AUKU), which curbs the students’ freedom to participate in the political activities, deemed unacceptable by their academic institutions. Much has been said about the government ideas to produce the first class mentality graduate or world class university but it’s funny when the UUCA/AUKU discourage the student to be politically intellectual while other young Malaysian who are working in factory have more freedom! Why deny these bright young students their political rights when everything from petrol prices and toll hikes issues could be considered political! Is this the way of producing the concerned citizen? My conclusion is this; any improvement or even abolishment of NEP must come together with a review of the UUCA/AUKU otherwise young Malaysians will still be living with disillusioned and disenchantment! - Shahrizal Bin Mohd Zin

LOOK AGAIN AT RAZAK'S PHILOSOPHY

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 02:24:09 +0100

It is perhaps very pertinent for one of the later speakers to go into the philosophy and working ethics of the late Tun Abdul Razak, the Prime Minister who propounded the New Economic Policy that has now had a change of name but not of emphasis. The late Tun was known as a very cautious man. It was never his style to be pompous. He was almost always unassuming, walking very softly with a big stick that he rarely used. Above all, he worked very hard, monitoring the implementation of rural development projects under his portfolio, most times knowing their actual progress better than the civil servants, including the District Officers, on the ground. That he rewarded hark work can be seen from the number of civil servants who made it into his and subsequent Cabinet. I am sure there are many stories among civil servants about how he never tolerated sloppiness in government service. Given the above pen portrait of the late Tun, it cannot be that he envisaged the NEP to be a Never Ending Policy. He was aware of the twin-prongs of the policy, one of which was to eradicate poverty. He was also aware that the policy will never be used "to rob Peter to pay Paul," since it was predicated on the growing economic cake. Yes, the policy was predicated on the growing economic cake. Can we see the policy, as it is being implemented right now, promoting economic growth? Please make your own honest assessment. That he never envisaged it to last forever can also only be speculated since he was taken away from us in his prime years of 54 in 1976, a year after the NEP was implemented. But with great respect to this great man and his legacy, I do not think that the late Tun expected the policy to be implemented for more than 30 years or one generation. Of course, flaws in implementation appeared only after the demise of this great patriot when he was no longer around to preside over it. - Stephen Tan Ban Cheng

Never Ending Policy Breeding Asian Pussy

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 23:39:19 +0100

The benefits of the NEP, once given can never be revoked for fear of losing popularity and reprisal from its own community. This is yet another good example of how a policy which is supposed to brige the gap of income disparity be manipulated and converted to a manifesto to gain popularity and votes causing the country to "purr" with contentment. ;D - Lai Chee Hoe

Much interest

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 22:23:59 +0100

Obviously there is much interest in the NEP. Look at the number of comments this post is getting. Well done to the organisers who braved the challenge. I look forward to attending the one on the 25th. Edmund, perhaps this siri pemikiran kritis should even extend beyond the NEP.... - Nik Elin Bt Nik Rashid

Excellent

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 20:50:52 +0100

I was astound by the turn up of the people... at first I was expecting only about 50-60 young people to which our learned friend Mr. Edmund had invited. But, the event was more than just any gathering, it was a communion between the school of thoughts. Various Malaysian that share the same passion in uplifting Malaysia to a high ground in the face of the world. I am amazed by the various crowd, mostly younglings, although some to which you can see experience lies in their eyes. The presentation was great, the talk was fruitful and knowledgable though many who are in the government would not agree... We need to have more of these stimulating talks to promote more awareness of current issues in Malaysia. Lastly, Well Done NYLC. - Darren Teo Sze Hoong

Excellent Job NYLC!

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:14:44 +0100

The SPK series is a reflection of what matured thinking can achieve. The SPK series show that with a proper agenda we can all move forward progressively and with a view of improving our socio-economic conditions. This country needs a huge shift in its thinking especially if we are to survive the coming decades. We have been held back far too long and its time all Malaysian took it upon themselves to push for a better Malaysia. The SPK series is one sure way to go forward. Well done NYLC! - Dipendra A/L Harshad Rai

A Timely 'Inquest'

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 18:21:26 +0100

It is indeed timely the SPK series on the issue of the New Economic Policy took place. Much has been said about the governance, planning, and policies of the government of Malaysia, it is about time a post-mortem be held on what had gone wrong that produced the current state of discontentment and chaos, for problems and issues such as the continuous toll hikes, the red-tape in new foreign set-up, etc which could probably has the point of origin traced back to this NEP. A salute to the speakers of the SPK, for their time, effort, the analysis and the mind opening, particularly Dr. Lim Teck Ghee, who not only stood on what one believes, but had acted and spoken without fear and favour. - Kho Yieng San

Web streaming?

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 16:21:15 +0100

Eh. Given the calls from our brethren from the North and South for a reprise of the talk, could we perhaps broadcast the next lecture through web cam? - Shanmuga Kanesalingam

Well done!

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 16:16:22 +0100

The session had provided a most suitable forum for a public discussion of the NEP, which some termed as the "Never Ending Policy". In this new millennium, when nations are focusing on wealth creation, Malaysia must not be sidetracked by issues of wealth distribution. The SPK series demonstrate the maturity of today's youth in tackling tough and sensitive issues affecting the country. Well done! - Wong Fook Meng

Syabas

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 14:10:21 +0100

Perhaps not only Penang, what about down south? A good effort made to create awareness and allow open discussions regard the NEP. - Desmond Ho Chee Cheong

Job well done

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:49:47 +0100

Well done to the organisers! A relevant and stimulating series. May the coming segments be even more stimulating. - Gavin Tang

Siri Pemikiran Kritis

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:46:44 +0100

Thanks Dara for the informative writeup on the first talk. I was unable to attend, but it is indeed heartwarming to see the amount of healthy debate it has already generated. I look forward to attending the other talks in this series. - Lee Shih

Siri Pemikiran Kritis

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 09:28:52 +0100

The National Economic Policy should be critically analysed. Open discussion should not be stifled by viewing it in the wrong context. The said policy was meant to bridge the gap between poor and the rich, to create more middle class income earners. It was successful initially, but the people that benefited from this initiative refuses to acknowledge it. Try giving a kid a lollipop and later to snatch it back. I am in full agreement that the economic pie should be shared and the poor, whatever their race, this group of people should be given priority. But, if the priority is to feed the rich and continue to prosper those that doesn't need any further aid, this policy breeds contempt. We are talking about competitiveness with the global players in light of globalisation but within our country, economic opportunities are only given to the privileged few, here being the rich and powerful. Can we survive if we continue to be short sighted? - Ng Chung Yee