I was at the launch of the government’s “Economic Transformation Programme: A Road Map for Malaysia” at PWTC this afternoon. Listening to the PM’s presentation and viewing the ETP video gave me a bad case of indigestion. Those astronomical numbers that he was throwing out were churning my stomach. Even when I tried to take […]
NUMBERS THAT NUMB THE MIND Read More »
The media in Malaysia and Singapore must start using the correct terminology when translating from Malay to English. Article 153 of the Constitution refers to ‘the special POSITION‘ of the Malays, and not ‘special rights’. I almost choked when I read these words in The Straits Times (22 Oct) report on Najib’s keynote speech at the UMNO
THE LAST NAIL IN THE COFFIN FOR BN Read More »
Straits Times 18 Oct 2010 Under the proposed changes to the Maintenance of Parents Act (Singapore), adult children may not be legally obliged to support their aged parents if they are undeserving of the support. Let’s admit it. Not all parents are role model material. Every so often we read about parents who are violent and
ROTTEN PARENTS, TAKE HEED Read More »
Retirement planning encompasses much more than just ensuring we have enough set aside to sustain our retirement. But for retirees and soon-to-be retirees, it is the bread-and-butter issues that concern us most. Given the longer life span of 75 and early retirement age of 55 (private sector) and 58 (public sector), will our retirement savings run out before we
PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT (Part 2) Read More »
Given that 9.5% of Malaysians will be above age 60 by 2020, the recent conference “Everyone Can Retire Well” couldn’t have been more timely. Organized by the Financial Planning Association of Malaysia (FPAM), the event also included an exhibition and free talks for the public. A good turnout of participants from the government and corporate sectors, financial institutions, universities, real
PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT (Part 1) Read More »
The world is ageing. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, with birth rates falling and life span increasing in countries across the globe. By 2018, there will be more 65-year-olds than those under 5. Think for a minute the profound changes an ageing population will have on the economy, for example. With the exception of a few, most countries don’t seem terribly alarmed
CAN WE AFFORD TO RETIRE? Read More »
40-year wait for 69-year old Ujagar Singh (seated) before he finally received his citizenship award letter together with other successful applicants. (The Star) It is not uncommon for people to wait decades for their Malaysian citizenship application to be finally approved. Take the case of Chen Shunhao, 57 (below). He has waited 45 years in
MALAYSIAN CITIZENSHIP – WHY THE LONG DELAY? Read More »
A gathering of civil servants in Putrajaya (Source: The Star) The civil service has been in the news of late – for all the wrong reasons. According to the Public Service Department, in the first three months of this year, about 600 civil servants faced disciplinary action for misconduct. That’s a 43.16% jump compared
THE CIVIL SERVICE – THE NEW UNTOUCHABLES? Read More »
Thanks to Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) in Jalan Imbi, the homeless, the jobless and the hungry now have a place to go to for a hot meal. Barely a month at its new premises, KSK is already drawing long queues every weekday from 11am to 1pm. The menu changes each day depending on what KSK
THE KITCHEN THAT FEEDS ALL WHO COME Read More »
Source: International Herald Tribune 2 Oct 2010 It’s easy to see why our country is suffering an acute haemorrhaging of young and talented professionals. From early 2008 to August 2009, more than 300,000 Malaysians have emigrated, with 40% opting for greener pastures in Singapore. This outflow is unlikely to slow down anytime soon. In recent
FROM BRAIN DRAIN TO BRAIN GAIN? NAH! Read More »
