New Economic Model (Government of Malaysia, 2010)

The main goals of the NEM are that Malaysia
will become a high income advanced nation
with inclusiveness and sustainability by 2020
(Figure D). No one goal should be achieved
at the expense of the others.
[page 9]

They will live,
work and study in localities free from the
fear of crime, the indignity of discrimination,
and the anxiety of need. Inclusiveness will
enable all communities to contribute to and
share in the wealth of the country.

Ethnically divided societies are more prone to
violent conflicts. The multi-racial composition
of the Malaysian population is still its
outstanding feature and this ethnic diversity
will always be with us. But the excessive focus
on ethnicity-based distribution of resources
has contributed to growing separateness
and dissension.
[page 10]

Reduce ‘friction costs’
- Have zero tolerance for corruption
- Address underlying weak governance structures
- Codify best practices
- Implement an open, efficient and transparent process of government procurement at all levels
[page 23]

Promote equal and fair access to opportunities
- Emphasise equitable and fair opportunities for employment, health and education and access to business opportunities
- Apply government savings to wider social safety net for the bottom 40% of households prior to subsidy removal
- Create a Transformation Fund to assist distressed firms during the reform period
- Set up an Equal Opportunities Commission to deal with possible cases of unfair treatment and discrimination
[page 25]

Inclusiveness is the second goal and a
key part of the NEM. It is a prerequisite
for fostering a sense of belonging.
Not having the opportunities to benefit from
economic progress breeds resentment within
marginalised groups in the urban and rural
areas, especially those in remote locations
of Sabah and Sarawak. Inclusiveness will
enable all communities to contribute to and
share in the wealth of the country.

Reducing inequality is one of the defining
features of the NEM. Equality before the law
is safeguarded in the Constitution. A key
challenge of inclusive growth is the design
of effective measures that strike a balance
between the special position of bumiputera and
legitimate interests of different groups.

Malaysia is in a vicious circle of underperformance. Breaking that
circle calls for a big push, not incremental change
For the NEM to succeed, political leadership
must unite to break the logjam of vested
interests; it must overcome the scepticism
and convince the rakyat that Malaysia is
indeed embarking on a path that will improve
their lives and those of generations to come.
[page 110]

Some segments of the rakyat who no longer qualify for government
subsidies and grants might react strongly,
and those that have enjoyed secure jobs and
a stable lifestyle from protected firms may
feel threatened. Both these groups might
then turn to their political representatives
and politicians may then attempt to lobby
and water down the needed measures. The
resistance from these vested interest groups
must be dealt with fairly and transparently,
following genuine consultation.
[page 111]

Shortages of qualified bumiputera and capital have encouraged the
setting up of spurious fronts. Excessive use of ethnic quotas has encouraged the use of less qualified recipients and bred inefficiency.
Ethnic-based quotas have been imposed
extensively throughout the economy in the
past and currently some still exist. The quotas
for limited companies in certain industries still
require at least 30% bumiputera ownership
of share capital. Preferential pricing and
quotas have led to distortions.

Rent-seeking behaviour is market distorting
and has been a serious, undesirable outcome
of the past approach to affirmative action.
Rent-seekers do not really create wealth, or
add to economic growth. Rent-seekers are
engaged in unproductive activities and can
add sizably to the cost of doing business.
The growth of bribery and corruption is closely
associated with the growth of rent-seeking
in the economy.
[page 135]




You, rakyat Malaysia should know what your Prime Minister announced as the new economic policy (Tuesday, 30 March 2010)

Disclaimer: This is just the jeez of the whole policy. The selection is based on personal preference. For further information, read the whole report at http://www.neac.gov.my/node/235

this earth

we share with billions of people. borders and empires are built in separation to others.

now comes in new order. now we see segregation crossing over into a common cause. people never ceased to amaze me. some fight for money and power. some give lives away in pursuit of rights. some in stand still. some in blazed.

the earth hour. comes an hour in a day when we the occupiers of this earth may forget our differences and catch on one similar cause.

write. write and write. thats all i have on my mind. i wake up and i reach for the fonts on the screen. maybe i am losing my mind.

"last year, more than 50 million people around the globe participated. this year Earth Hour aims to reach out to one billion people in 1,000 cities" (the sun: march 16th 2009)
i dont own anything partial on this earth. i wonder why i would choose flight tickets over pieces of diamonds. maybe i am a drifter rather than a patent.

so encouragement for this earth hour, yes?

what comes and happens after. we go back to our lives and into our lands. what changed?
for mother earth's sake. lets hope for the best.

my wrong

where did i put things i wasnt suppose to? where did i say the words that hurt you? where did i not give my purest?

let me correct my wrong. let me fill in the gaps where it was left empty. let me do right by you. let me do it right for myself.

now youre gone. its all gone. something i probably will never get back. and im left here, not a victim to love but a triumph of war. you ignited something deeper than any of us anticipated. and it probably scared the both of us, perhaps thats why you left. i dont think you or i will ever know why. and that is through not fault on either of us.

i never wanted anything more but to drown in ur arms and warmth. that comfort from just being held. that calmness from just being close to u. that sincerity from hearing ur heart beat.

even though it was never meant to be. even though we never spent as much time. even though we knew it would be temporary. even though i knew better to not let my emotions cloud my thoughts. even tho. i still miss you. and i hate missing you. because i know you probably have moved on and forgot about me. i should have known better.

we all have dark secrets we keep in the closet. for ourselves but also secrets on others. i certainly have mine.

the greatest love

maybe one day ill figure it out.
maybe not.
maybe it is today.

i never thought of this before though. perhaps with the climatic setting, and the song, and the writing of marcell, and the person whom im having this conversation with. perhaps i am not meant to find that great love people speak of. that great love people write about. that great love people sing about. perhaps my greatest love will be for God. for Allah.

maybe thats why i am who i am, maybe thats why i am the way i am. somehow, this is a comforting thought. somehow i feel calm. somehow.

maybe there can be no one to take me as who i am, besides Him. maybe i should devote all my love for Him.

maybe i should try.

how do i though? i am not that religious. i am not equipped with enough iman. i dont wear a hijab. i know not nearly enough knowledge of the religion. i have more sins than i have deeds. maybe i can start with faith. the believe of what happens in our lives were meant to happen the way it happened, no matter. that faith i have. the believe in God and His amazingness. that faith never left my being. the believe in life and death and what comes after. that faith is a constant reminder.

maybe its about time.

siapa kamu?

dimana ianya bermula dan dimanakah penghujungnya?

tiada makna jika bertungkus-lumus aku berterangan tetapi suara ku masih tidak kedengaran. tiada makna jika aku yang bersendirian pabila ia ditolak dengan segalanya. tiada makna jika aku saja yang mahu dan tidak sebaliknya. sia-siakah usahaku untuk menolong anak bangsa ku. anak didik ku. tidak pernah terlintas di fikiranku untuk meninggalkan perjuangan demi bangsa dan negaraku. pasrah hatiku melihat sebaliknya di kalangan anak muda yang tidak mengerti.

apakah yang harus aku lakukan. apa lagi yang harus aku perjuangkan. apakan daya ku mengubah keadaan. sayu hatiku melihat keadaan di sekeliling. segala yang ada, dijadikan mainan. segala yang telah berzaman diperjuangkan, dicemuh dan dicabar. keamanan tidak lagi menjadi kepentingan. kuasa adalah penghujung yang dipermainkan untuk mempergolakkan keharmonian. kuasa yang dipentingkan tanpa menghiraukan apa yang termusnah dalam perjalanan.

bukankah kita semuanya duta dan penghuni tanah air. mengapa menjatuhkan kedaulatan dan kemerdekaan yang telah dibayar dengan maruah dan ketumpahan darah. sudah lupakah kita dari manakah asalnya. sudah lupakah kita keadaan yang digempurkan di tanah Palestin, di tanah Iraq, di Bosnia dan di semua tanah yang berperangan untuk kuasa. Kemiskinan, kelaparan dan kehausan di Somalia, di India, di Afrika dan di semua tanah yang berjuang untuk hidup dari hari ke hari.

anak bangsa. apa dan siapakah kita. anak, mengertikah kita akan pertalian ini. bangsa, dimanakah penghormatan yang dimaksudkan.

kongkongan yang pernah ku lalui seperti kembali menghadapku. hampir semua tindakan ku dipersoalkan. dari semua sudut, keluarga, kerja, sahabat, anak didikan, orang dikasihi, orang disayangi dan orang yang membenci.

mungkin telah tiba masanya untuk aku berangkat dan meninggalkan segala kehampaan. dimana salah, silap dan kekuranganku, aku memohon maaf. mungkin telah ternyatakan buat ku untuk bersendirian selamanya. mungkin itu adalah penghujungku. tiap hari ku berjuang dan bertempur dengan diri ku sendiri mengharapkan iman. maafkan aku buat segala kekurangan ku Tuhan. mungkin aku tidak mampu menjadi insan yang Kau didikkan.

aku letih.
aku tidak mampu.
aku tidak mahu lagi.

marriage

what is it with the society's perception on benchmarking life's success on marriage? atleast to the eastern culture as we know it (all too well than agreed)

the becoming of age. the age when ure suppose to get married. and then the years ure suppose to have babies. doesnt it seem like the stages of live then is dictated by what the society thinks is best rather than what we think is best. (by society i mean our close relations that we can barely even contest to)

i do wana see myself settle down. start a family. but as of at this age (where im already supposed to be sumone's wife) i cant even take care of myself let alone a spouse or a family. i barely know myself in oppose to letting sumone else get to know me that close.

somehow that image i have of a family never came with a partner. maybe i am not meant to find that great love. for those who have it, hold on to it.

nothingness

u speak of truths that were pure of heart. u speak of pain through ur despair. u speak of hope from acknowledging the past. so i gave the moment a chance.

you picked out flowers from the garden. you ate the fruits from labouring pains. you crossed rivers on the borders. you made reservations to share your passion. you enjoyed the sunsets and views from the oceans. it was ridiculous. it was wonderful. it was wonderland. you were in wonderland.

now in wonderland it seems quiet. now that youre gone. now that youve filled that satisfaction. the flowers die without exclaiming its glorious scent. the fruits seem as if they refuse to peek from its labour. the rivers dry up into smaller streams. your wondered on my backyard. your explorations were through the paths of my forest. there are no signage through wonderland. there are no expectations in wonderland. it is wonderland. thank you for stopping by.

but it was your wonderland. not mine. your wonderland was my reality.

i decree isolation, at times. what is it in solitude i find comforting? or is it a destination i seek to hid from all other. "you're just lonely sometimes" .. "i actually embrace solitude. i like being alone. but then again alone doesn't mean lonely"