Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Eyeing The Tactician and the Strategist

Some Things PKR's Tactician Did Not Foresee

The master strategist is never happy about winning battles. He is into winning wars. The tactician is only keen in running into skirmishes, like a guerrilla soldier, hitting at will to bruise the opponents. Except in case of Kajang, the one that will come out blue and black, wounded in pride is the poor tactician who called himself a strategist. When he advised Anwar to dismiss Lee from Kajang he did not foresee the following events:

1. Khalid's water deal with the federal government.

2. Khalid joining in the race for Deputy President to challenge Azmin.

3. Khalid's announcement of candidacy just ahead of Kajang by-election

4. MCA's return to BN government just before the by-election with two ministerial posts

5. MCA's chosen candidate for the mostly Chinese constituency of Kajang.

6. Zaid, the ubiquitous thorn in Anwar's side, jumping into the ring at Kajang by-election.

7. An uproar over ridiculous increase in rates of business licenses in Kajang municipality.

8. The wrath of the Chinese when Lee left without rhyme or reason.

The consequences are great. The strategists on Barisan's side were ahead of the tactician:

A. They persuaded MCA to return to the fold offering them four positions.

B. They allowed a Chinese lady to challenge the flamboyant, Bollywood singing PKR pretender to Putrajaya throne, Anwar. If she were to win, she would have the last laugh!

C. They agreed and in timely manner entered into the water agreement with Khalid to make the MB look better than others in PKR. Khalid really looked good on TV screens nationwide. BN ministers only smiled quietly in the background. They pulled off yet another coup, embarrassing Anwar to no end on his way to Japan. Rafizi, like his boss was left in the dark. And Azmin, "Well, Khalid will have to explain to Anwar why PKR was never informed".

D. They sacrificed all the water concessionaires belonging to some who have jumped ship and now back Anwar. A mistake by those who once were supported by Barisan. Now they are left in the cold. Khalid informed the press "You cannot disclose the terms of the water deals because concessionaires are public companies, listed on BSKL!"

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Eyeing Le Tour de Langkawi Stage 3 at Dataran Merdeka Kuala Lumpur

The Podium winners with the VIP's

The Guest of Honour at the main stage

Tea Break with M Kumaresan, Dato Kay Prakash and Datuk Astaman

Eyeing Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye

Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and Datuk Naim Mohamad

Friday, February 28, 2014

All eyes on Azizul, Fatehah

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Duo's recent form could translate into medals

THERE are some promising signs of a medal for Malaysia from the Track World Championships which begin in Cali, Colombia today following Azizulhasni Awang and Fatehah Mustapa's fine World Cup campaigns last month.

It will be 21-year-old Jupha Somnet who kicks off Malaysia's challenge in the women's scratch race today, having shown a consistent rise in the event at the three World Cup rounds leading up to this World Championships. She has had a good warm-up by winning a number of criteriums in Australia before heading to Cali.

Jupha's 11th place finish in the last round of the World Cup in Aguascalientes, Mexico, gave a strong indication that she will be the one to watch in the scratch race and the points race as she builds towards a medal-winning debut at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games this year.

A dry two years has left Azizulhasni more determined to make this World Championships outing count, particularly in his pet event, the keirin.

The two-time World Championships' silver medallist believes he has begun to rediscover the form that once made him the most exciting talent on the world stage, and his spot in the final at the Aguascalientes World Cup round showed he is back, despite being controversially relegated in that event.

"I can say that my form will be good this time as I am satisfied with the preparation work that we've done," said Azizulhasni, who enters the keirin tomorrow and the 200m sprint on Saturday.

"My target will be to first get myself into the keirin final. I'll have to achieve that first before I can start planning for a medal. Then in the sprint, I will have to make the knockout stages first, which is going to be difficult.

"It is difficult to describe my feeling as being confident because at this level, it is highly competitive unlike before, especially with the Australians, British, French, Germans and Dutch. So I enter competition these days with a lot of respect for the opposition.

"In any case, I am determined to return home with a medal in my pet event -- the keirin."

All eyes will be on Fatehah, who last month created history by winning Malaysia's first ever World Cup medal in a women's event, when she bagged a silver in the keirin in Aguascalientes.

The 24-year-old begins her competition tomorrow in the 200m sprint, where she aims for a top 10 finish but her attention should be on the women's keirin on Sunday.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Eyeing writings by Mike Adams on processed meat

Processed Meats Declared Too Dangerous for Us

By Mike Adams

The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has just completed a detailed review of more than 7,000 clinical studies covering links between diet and cancer. Its conclusion is rocking the health world with startling bluntness: Processed meats are too dangerous for human consumption. Consumers should stop buying and eating all processed meat products for the rest of their lives. Processed meats include bacon, sausage, hotdogs, sandwich meat, packaged ham, pepperoni, salami and virtually all redmeat used in frozen prepared meals.

They are usually manufactured with a carcinogenicingredient known as sodium nitrite. This is used as a color fixer by meat companies to turn packaged meats a bright red color so they look fresh.Unfortunately, sodium nitrite also results in the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines in the human body. And this leads to a sharp increase in cancer risk for those who eat them.

A 2005 University of Hawaii study found thatprocessed meats increase the risk of pancreatic cancer by 67 percent. Another study revealed that every 50 grams of processed meat consumed dailyincreases the risk of colorectal cancer by 50percent. These are alarming numbers. Note that these cancer risks do not come from eating fresh,non-processed meats. They only appear in people who regularly consume processed meat products containing sodium nitrite.

Sodium nitrite appears predominantly in red meatproducts (you won't find it in chicken or fish products). Here's a short list of food items to check carefully for sodium nitrite and monosodium glutamate (MSG), another dangerous additive:
* Beef jerky
* Bacon
* Sausage
* Hot dogs
* Sandwich meat
* Frozen pizza with meat
* Canned soups with meat
* Frozen meals with meat
* Ravioli and meat pasta foods
* Kid's meals containing red meat
* Sandwich meat used at popular restaurants
* Nearly all red meats sold at public schools, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and theme parks

If sodium nitrite is so dangerous to humans, why do the FDA and USDA continue to allow this cancer-causing chemical to be used? The answer, of course, is that food industry interests now dominate the actions by U.S. government regulators. The USDA, for example, tried to ban sodium nitrite in the late 1970's but was overridden by the meat industry. It insisted the chemical was safe and accused the USDA of trying to "ban bacon."

Today, the corporations that dominate American food and agricultural interests hold tremendous influence over the FDA and USDA. Consumers are offered no real protection from dangerous chemicals intentionallyadded to foods, medicines and personal care products.

You can protect yourself and your family from the dangers of processed meats by following a few simple rules:
1. Always read ingredient labels.
2. Don't buy anything made with sodium nitrite ormonosodium glutamate.
3. Don't eat red meats served by restaurants, schools, hospitals, hotels or other institutions.

And finally, eat more fresh produce with every meal. There is evidence that natural vitamin C found incitrus fruits and exotic berries (like camu camu) helps prevent the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines, protecting you from the devastating health effects of sodium nitrite in processed meats. The best defense, of course, is to avoid eating processed meats altogether.

[Ed. Note: Mike Adams, the Health Ranger a leading authority on healthy living -- is on a mission: to explore, uncover and share the truth about harmful foods and beverages, prescription drugs, medical practices and the dishonest marketing practices that drive these industries.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Eyeing the support for Car Free Morning in Kuala Lumpur

Thumbs up for car-free move

By C. PREMANANTHINI | streets@nst.com.my

LAUDABLE: City Hall’s ‘Go Green Car Free Morning’ programme encourages the people to use public transport, besides reducing the carbon footprints in the city

KUALA LUMPUR: CITY folk welcome the "Go Green Car Free Morning" programme announced by City Hall recently.

In the proposal, a 6km loop, starting from Jalan Dang Wangi to the Golden Triangle area via Jalan Ampang, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Imbi, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, will be closed to motorised traffic between 7.30am and 9.30am every first Sunday of the month.

Sharifah Nur Fasihah Syed Omar, 25, a food outlet manager, said she supports City Hall for introducing the campaign which can help to reduce the carbon emission in the city.

Sharifah Nur Fasihah said she has been driving for the past seven years and the increasing volume of vehicles in the city has worsened the traffic congestion.

"With this initiative, it would at least reduce the road congestion here and also the pollution in the city.

"The Golden Triangle area is one of the busiest in the city and now with the construction of the Mass Rapid Transit, it has only aggravated the traffic congestion.

"However, the car-free duration may be too short to have an impact. The council should at least extend it to a day and if it is successful, City Hall should implement this campaign on a weekly basis," she said.

Sharifah Nur Fasihah said although it may be just a trial run, she hoped City Hall will introduce the initiative in other areas like Central Market and Petaling Street.

Nurfardilla Sukeman, a senior human resource officer from Putrajaya who works in a recruitment company, said this is the first time she has come across such a campaign.

She said it is a good move by the authority which will help keep the environment clean.

Nurfardilla said City Hall should have introduced such a campaign earlier as it would reduce the traffic congestion.

"This campaign may encourage more people to use public transport. It would be great if they can do this every week and with longer hours.

"I have been driving for six years and it is exasperating having to face the traffic crawl almost every day, and sometimes on a weekend, too," she said.

Nurfardilla hoped that the campaign can be expanded to other places like Puduraya and Wangsa Maju.

Architect, Foo Man Jack, 35, from Bukit Tinggi, Klang, said the effort taken by the City Hall was good.

He was happy to know that the authority has taken effective measures to reduce the carbon footprints in the city.

"We had introduced many environmental campaigns but many did not turn out well.

"The reason is because of our lackadaisical attitude towards environmental conservation.

"I believe this is the only way to marshal public support to help reduce the carbon emission in the country.

"This campaign should also be introduced to other cities and towns, especially where there is easy access to public transport," he said.

K. Thanavathi, who works in an accounting firm in Puchong, said although the move to reduce pollution is laudable, closing the roads for a few hours might, however, affect the business in the area.

She said the authority should discuss with the business operators there before implementing the move.

"However, it is certainly a good move to encourage the people to use public transport," she added.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Eyeing three years of the ETP implementation

ETP – COMMEMORATING THREE YEARS OF IMPLEMENTATION

Ladies and Gentlemen,

When I received the mandate as Prime Minister in 2009, I was faced with the challenging, if not daunting task to deliver on Vision 2020. Since 2000, Malaysia was mired in economic uncertainty as the country struggled to recover from three successive waves of global economic crises. On the home front, the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 adversely affected the economy as GDP growth contracted by 1.5 percent.

Caught between this tough scenario and the collective national aspiration to become a high income advanced nation by 2020, the only way forward was to transform the economy through bold and radical change, speedy decision-making and swift execution.

Hence, the Economic Transformation Programme. Designed with a very specific objective of bringing Malaysia to high-income status by 2020, our true north goals are clear, that is, to attain a GNI per capita of USD15,000, create 3.3 million additional jobs and attract USD444 billion worth of investments.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The ETP has dual objectives. It leverages on 12 targeted economic growth sectors. These 12 National Key Economic Areas or NKEAs have been earmarked to boost awareness of the most attractive economic prospects for potential investors in our economy. Through the six Strategic Reform Initiatives, policies and procedures have been put in place for businesses to compete and flourish.

The last three years have been a watershed period for the government. We have battled global headwinds and searing competition from ASEAN and the emerging markets. We have ramped up efforts to deliver our promises to the country and I must say we have been successful in bringing together the government and private sector to deliver results.

Let me give you some details. GNI per capita from 2009 to 2012 has steadily increased hitting USD9, 928 in 2012. Barring major unforeseen disruptions and based on the current growth trajectory, we are on track to achieve high-income status by 2020 if not earlier.

Despite the challenge of a slower global economic recovery, Malaysia’s real GDP grew from RM676.7 billion in 2010 to RM751.5 billion in 2012. This represents a significant increase of 11 percent. As of quarter three this year, GDP recorded a five percent increase year-on-year, outstripping forecasts. It is projected to hit 4.5 to five percent by year-end.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am especially pleased to say that the country is officially at full employment, with declining unemployment rates from 3.7 percent in 2009 to three percent in 2012. During my tenure, employment has increased by 1.8 million, as population growth held steady at 1.7 percent.

Meanwhile, we have tripled the annual growth rate of private investment since the start of the economic transformation in 2010. The baseline average of five percent a year from 2008 to 2010 has been lifted three-fold to 16 percent for the period 2010 to 2012. This year, private investment is forecast to grow at 16.2 percent, hitting RM135.8 billion.

This upward trend is testament to growing private sector confidence in our transformation initiatives, as evidenced by the widening gap between private and public investments. Private investment accounted for 65 percent of total investment in the first nine months of this year.

In addition, moving toward the revenue structure of a developed economy, we are not only becoming more efficient in our tax collection but are also broadening the tax base. This is important because strengthened revenue puts us in a better position to sustainably administer socioeconomic programmes geared towards narrowing income disparity. The results as you can see are an increase in government revenue of 14 percent for the period of 2010 to 2012, growing from RM160 billion to RM207 billion. We project to hit RM220 billion in revenue this year.

One aspect that gives me great satisfaction is our performance in reducing fiscal deficit. Where many governments fail to deliver, Malaysia by contrast, is strongly on track to a balanced budget by 2020. We continue to slash back our fiscal deficit as a percentage of GDP. From 6.6 percent in 2009, we will reach four percent this year, and further reduce the deficit to three percent in 2015.

Private consumption is spurred by growing consumer confidence, supported by stable employment and higher wage growth especially in the domestic sector. Private consumption held steady since 2010, growing from six percent to 7.7 percent in 2012. In the first nine months alone this year, we grew at 7.7 percent.

Investors showed confidence in the Malaysian stock market, as can be seen by the FTSE-KLCI’s upward trend, hitting 66 historical highs in the last three years. On 10 December 2013, the market scaled another record high at 1,843.85 points.

Independent global agencies have also recognized the improvements we have made. In the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index we have climbed steadily from the 18th position, to 12th and we recently catapulted to sixth position in 2014, surpassing the UK for the first time. This reflects real improvement to the business environment, and my commendation goes out to the dedicated efforts of Pemudah, Pemandu, MITI and MIDA.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This year alone, significant investments have been committed by businesses and facilitated by the various agencies. MIDA’s first nine months saw RM137 billion worth of investments from 3,908 projects, creating 127,000 jobs. Meanwhile, the Corridors as drivers of regional growth have launched new projects, with committed investments of RM53.4 billion. These are impressive numbers thanks to the tireless work from the various teams driving investments and growth and kudos to all!

Among the many projects that come to my attention, I am particularly moved when private and public sectors collaborate to bring real results to the very heart of local communities. As an example, local dairy farmers in Johor, with the help of private companies and government agencies, successfully increased their productivity levels by 50 percent. Consequently, they have upped their selling price by 50 percent from RM1.70 per litre of milk to RM2.40, contributing directly to their household income.

We also see a similar improvement for our ‘rice bowl’ in Muda, covering 15,000 hectares in the northern region of Kedah and Perlis. The farmers are now enjoying a 12 percent increase in their overall income from paddy farming activities, as a result of centralized management, improved irrigation infrastructure and farming techniques.

In urban development, we will see Malaysian wholesale and retail operations catching up to the trend of integrated mega-retail, which is characteristic of the developed consumer markets. Known as the “Big Box Boulevard” projects, an example is the upcoming connected multi-theme retail components in Ara Damansara. Developed by Sime Darby Brunsfield Group to meet Malaysia’s growing demand for large-scale retail experience, this project is expected to exceed RM 1.5 billion in investment, creating 2,409 jobs.

On a larger front, Petronas has recently awarded RM10 billion worth of service contracts to six local service providers, recognizing the capabilities of local service providers including Bumiputera companies.

I have asked MIDA, MITI, Pemandu and the Corridor Authorities to work together to drive and monitor investments in Malaysia. MIDA was re-designated from the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, to be the first port of call for investments into Malaysia.

In order to secure a strong investment portfolio for the country, it is imperative that the various agencies collaborate together. I have asked Dato’ Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Dato' Sri Idris Jala and the Corridor Authorities to work together, to institute a discipline of action by placing these projects – where relevant – directly under their monthly Steering Committees. These projects will be rigorously monitored to ensure successful implementation and results.

Ladies and Gentlement,

Coming back to the ETP, our overall KPI results for NKEAs are on track with 89 percent achieved on average, while the Strategic Reform Initiatives recorded 85 percent of KPI achieved. This demonstrates that both projects and initiatives are tracking well and I am confident of meeting our targets this year.

The NKEAs continue to play a significant role in the national economy, contributing 68.3 percent of total GNI for the first nine months of this year, or RM474 billion.

The NKEAs have also contributed to employment, with 1.3 million in new employments recorded from 2010 to 2013 year-to-date. Currently total employment sits at 13.66 million.

While our committed investment figures are optimistic, the real challenge is in realizing these investments. It is heartening to see that 69 percent of the amount committed for 2013 has been realized as of the third quarter. The NKEAs are on target to mirror their achievements of the previous two years.

As we conclude 2013 and take stock of the three years of the country’s economic transformation, I am happy to announce that 195 projects have been launched under the NKEAs since 2010. Their total committed investments of RM220 billion are projected to contribute RM144 billion to GNI, create 435,000 new jobs, and generate a knock-on effect that will catalyse the larger universe of economic activity in the country.

The global outlook continues to be uncertain as developed markets grapple with their challenges. Despite this, Malaysia is targeted to achieve between five to 5.5 percent GDP growth for 2014, with private investment expected to grow 12.7 percent to RM153 billion.

For 2014, Malaysia will see exciting developments in the pipeline, in support of our pursuit to become the center for global operations, services and trading. We have set our sights on attracting 13 large multinationals to base their operations here in Kuala Lumpur. Six international trading companies, with a projected minimum of total turnover of USD600 million, will potentially establish their trading operations in the country. In the financial markets, we are set to see an increased value in new listings, with a targeted market capitalization of RM18 billion.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very glad to see all of you here, representing the business and investment community. We welcome your continued support as we move into 2014. It is my wish that everyone, rich or poor, rural or urban, regardless of race, can participate in the journey to transform the economy and take the country to high-income.

I wish all of you Seasons Greetings and a very happy New Year.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Eyeing the constructive engagement between the Malay Consultative Council Representatives and Petroliam Nasional Malaysia

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Eyeing the unification and collaboration between Hamas and Fatah in Palestine

Datuk Naim with Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau Khaled Mishal (centre)

Datuk Naim with H E Abdullah, Deputy Commissioner General

of Fatah International Relations

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Eyeing the GOOD NEWS: City Hall will be holding dialogue sessions with residents and business owners in 11 parliamentary constituencies in the city from January to March

KUALA LUMPUR: CITY Hall will be organising dialogue sessions with residents and business owners in 11 parliamentary constituencies in the city on the assessment rate hike for next year.

The sessions, which are expected to take place from January to March next year will be chaired by City Hall's advisory board and its valuers. The sessions will be organised by City Hall's branch offices in all 11 constituencies.

A City Hall spokesman said that the new rates will only be revised in the second assessment bill (July to December 2014).

Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib said the sessions will take place after City Hall has received all the objections from ratepayers.

"We are still in the midst of collecting the objections. We have also asked the members of parliament to inform their constituents on the proposed assessment rate hike," he said after launching the route of the OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2014 yesterday.

According to City Hall's recent revaluation of properties, ratepayers who have received their notices have until Dec 17 to submit their objections.

Phesal reiterated that the proposed assessment rate hike is crucial for the development of the city.

He said that fees collected will be used for city maintenance such as cleanliness, road and river infrastructure maintenance, pedestrian facilities, green areas, public health, security, house renovation application process, public housing maintenance, affordable housing and petty traders development.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng welcomed the move by City Hall to engage the ratepayers on the rate hike.

"We are glad to hear that City Hall will be having a dialogue session with the ratepayers. This indicates that the new rates will not be implemented in January," he said.

Bukit Bandaraya Residents' Association president Datuk Mumtaz Ali praised City Hall for their proactive measure. "We are grateful to hear that City Hall is organising a dialogue session. We hope that they will listen to our grouses and take into consideration our feedback on the rate hike," he said.

Bangsar Baru Residents Association secretary Prem Kumar Nair said that it was a good move by City Hall to organise dialogue sessions with the ratepayers. "This shows that City Hall is transparent. We also hope that City Hall will address the ratepayers concern on the valuation notice," he said.

Prem also said that it was fair for City Hall to raise the fees provided that the percentage is reasonable.

The city council came under fire recently when it sent out the proposed valuation notices to property owners in the city.

Residents around the city were upset with City Hall for proposing to raise the rates drastically.

Meanwhile, Phesal welcomed the OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2014 event, which is being held for the third consecutive year. "We are delighted to host this event for the third time. Now, Malaysians can appreciate our iconic landmarks on their bicycles. The routes will show the world what a beautiful city KL is and hopefully be a catalyst to encourage more locals to use alternative modes of transport," he said.

The route, which spans 12.1km, will start at Dataran Merdeka and pass through Jalan Parliamen, Jalan Tun Ismail, KL Tower, Golden Triangle and back to Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad.

Phesal said that 6,200 cyclists from all over the country are expected to take part in the event. "There are still slots open for the event, which will take place from Jan 17 to 19. There will be a night ride on third day of the event. We hope that more people will come out to ride with us," he said.

Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib (centre) and Spectrum Worldwide managing director Chris Robb (second from right) at the launch of the OCBC Cycle Malaysia. Pic by Salhani Ibrahim