Kunjungan Hormat ke Pejabat KEMAS Yan

WORLD BANK: MALAYSIA MOVES UP IN THE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS

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WORLD BANK: MALAYSIA MOVES UP IN THE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS

PUTRAJAYA, 4 Nov 2010 - Malaysia moved up to 21^st position in the World Bank Doing Business Report for 2011. This Report, released on 4^th Nov 2010, ranks 183 countries in terms of the ease of doing business. It highlighted Malaysia’s improvements from its 23^rd position in 2010, signalling that the rigorous institutional strengthening in the public and private sectors has led to improvements in the business environment here.

Earlier this year Malaysia made a significant leap in its IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, moving up eight places and became the 10^th most competitive nation in the World.

In responding to the improved World Bank Doing Business Report ranking, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, the Co-Chair of PEMUDAH and the Chief Secretary to the Government said, “Whilst the improvement in this year’s ranking is encouraging, strengthening of our public and private sectors must continue even as rankings improve. We must set new benchmarks in our markets as events of the recent past have shown that even the most competitive of nations suffered significantly from the global economic crisis.”

These improvements in rankings come on the heels of Newsweek magazine’s recent announcement that Malaysia is the 37th Best Country in the world and Legatum Prosperity Index, a London-based analytical centre, ranking Malaysia the 43rd most prosperous nation. In September 2010, Malaysia was ranked 26th on the World Economic Forum (WEF) Competitiveness Ranking. Malaysia’s aggregate score remained fairly stable on this ranking up slightly to 4.88 from 4.87 last year.

It is also important that we take cognisance of the different indicators used in these rankings. The World Bank, The World Economic Forum (WEF) and the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook each guide us to different indicators for improvements. They do not measure exactly the same areas, Tan Sri Sidek added. “We must assess each ranking in its perspective and not just be transfixed by the numbers. It is imperative that we continue to improve beyond the benchmarks of the countries ahead of us and we should view rise and fall in rankings as an opportunity to institute bold changes in our market. This is the challenge both the public and private sectors must collectively rise up to”, he said.

The World Bank Doing Business Report recognised the initiatives Malaysia has put in place in enhancing its business environment. Specifically the report highlighted the significant improvements in enforcing contracts and that case disposals at the courts are moving considerably faster. Malaysia showed improvements in its on-line procedures for starting a business, speedy registration of properties and notable ease in tax procedures especially with the introduction of online tax submissions. The Report also highlighted that Malaysia ranked second best for importing, while for exporting it cost the least to move a 20ft container.

In echoing Tan Sri Sidek’s comments, Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon also the Co-Chair of PEMUDAH added, “The private sector has an enormous responsibility in the making of these rankings. The innovativeness of our industries and the efficiency of service delivery in the private sector must be comparable to global standards. Rankings are not solely dependent on public sector alone. It is a reflection of all market constituents”.

These rankings highlight where Malaysia must place more focus and we must collectively view these rankings as a continual push for Malaysia to be globally competitive, Tan Sri Yong added.

- END -

PEMUDAH

The Special Task Force to Facilitate Business

4 Nov 2010

Unquote

My letter to Editor of Star, NST

CIRCULAR BY KSN

STAR newspaper dated 26 July 2010 front paged KSN’s circular directing civil servants to report all ‘surat sokongan’ from politicians and well connected people for anything in the Government sector. It is said that all decisions will be based on merit.

A very high and mighty statement from the KSN. I would like to urge the KSN to clean his ‘house’ first, meaning his civil servants before issuing such statements or directive. As we know, last year 140 civil servants were caught by MACC and I assume many more went scot free due to non reporting. The same goes for the service rendered by the civil servants. Should they be perfect, no cronyism, no favours between themselves and so on, then we can accept KSN’s statement and circular. However, many public complaints still go unheard or unresolved. Who has not heard of the story where the public gets scolded or just told off rudely by the person manning the counter or answering the phone which is supposedly the hotline? And don’t forget the many times when the so called hotline is left unmanned with no one picking up the phone!

Imagine the many newspaper reports that we read about how a person was not accepted into university or get a scholarship or was not granted citizenship even after 20 years applying. How did it get solved? Through the intervention and support of the politicians who wanted to help and service the rakyat. For example, YB Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein managed to help many deserving people get their citizenship, and with his resolve and commitment, managed to solve all old applications for citizenship that have been delayed for 10 years and more. The same goes for application to enter universities for example. I know for a fact many politicians, YBs and position holders in political parties will write in supporting applications of aspiring students in their constituency. UMNO and MCA for example, on a yearly basis collect details of students who are applying or appealing to enter matriculation, iptas or for jpa scholarships for them to support and appeal to the relevant ministries and agencies. I am sure all political parties and politicians, regardless of BN or PR do this for the sake of their constituents.

The rakyat go to politicians for help because of the failure in the civil service system to handle all these. The folks in kampungs do not have access to government offices in Putrajaya or the ministries or the state offices. That is why they look for their “WAKIL RAKYATs” or political parties. In fact, the term itself is Wakil Rakyat, meaning they are representatives of the people even with matters dealing with all matters, including the Government offices. If the KSN feels that he has enough officers on the ground, then explain why the Rakyat still feels the need to ask for assistance from the politicians.

It is also the Prime Minister’s directive for all Wakil Rakyat and political parties to go down the ground and service the Rakyat. When one goes down the ground, there will be many requests for assistance from the Rakyat. What are they supposed to with these requests? Throw them into the bin or drain? Or just refuse to accept them? I am sure this is not what the PM wants. As far as I am concerned, KSN’s circular runs contrary to PM’s directive for politicians to go to the ground and service the rakyat. It runs contrary to “Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan”.

What KSN is doing is effectively shutting down an arm that services the Rakyat for the Government especially in rural area, in kampungs and so on. If the KSN feels that his officers are all over the place and should be sufficient for the kampung folks,

I can understand and accept that politicians should not support or be in any way involved with supporting any projects or tenders. That is true and correct. If the KSN were just referring to that, I agree and support. However, do not amputate the part of the Government ‘arm’ that has effectively been supporting and linking the Rakyat to the Government.

Surat kepada Utusan dan Berita Harian

Hari Guru

Guru di kenali juga sebagai Cikgu,Ustaz / Ustazah, Sifu, Vathiyar, Teacher.

Guru – pendidik, pembimbing, pengisi ilmu.

Guru – ibu dan bapa yang melindungi dan menjaga kita di sekolah.

Guru yang akan mencorakkan dan mewarnai kain kanvas yang putih dengan ilmu, budi dan bahasa.

Tidak akan kita sampai ke tahap kita kini, yang berjaya atau sedang dalam perjalanan untuk berjaya tanpa guru memberi ilmu, menyediakan landasan kukuh di bangku sekolah dan universiti.

Saya amat terhutang budi kepada guru-guru saya – baik di sekolah, tuisyen, ,mengaji mahupun semua yang telah memberi ilmu kepada saya. Budi yang tidak dapat ku balas, selain mendoakan bahawa supaya mereka senantiasa diberkati dan dilindungi. Ilmu yang akan kugunakan sepanjang hayatku.

Itulah betapa mulianya guru yang ikhlas dan telah meberiku ilmu kepadaku.

Maka saya membantah sekeras-kerasnya arahan Kementerian yang telah mengarahkan guru-guru untuk bergotong – royong mencuci tandas dan sebagainya di sekolah. Walaupun saya bukan seorang guru, namun saya berpendapat arahan ini amat salah malah tidak langsung mempunyai elemen yang menunjukkan penghargaan kepada guru-guru. Bagaimana guru-guru akan rasa dihargai atau ingin menyambut hari khas untuk mereka apabila mereka dikerah untuk membuat kerja gotong –royong di sekolah dan bukannya hari yang meraikan penat lelah mereka.

Pada masa sama, arahan mengerahkan murid-murid untuk bergotong royong pada Hari Guru juga adalah salah. Apa signifikannya secara langsung membershikan tandas, mengutip sampah dan sebagainya dengan sambutan Hari Guru?

Hari Guru sepatutnya disambut dengan meraikan guru-guru yang telah banyak berjasa di peringkat sekolah dan masyarakat. Hari Guru sepatutnya diraikan dengan ucapan setinggi terimakasih kepada guru-guru. Saya mengalu-alukan malah gembira bahawa kepimpinan tertinggi negara, PM, TPM dan seluruh cabinet telah mengambil masa menandatangani kad ucapan Hari Guru selepas mesyuarat Kabinet Rabu lepas. Ini menunjukkan bahawa pemimpin-pemimpin negara mengakui dan juga menghargai pengorbanan dan usaha guru – guru yang ikhlas yang merupakan barisan hadapan utama serta paling penting dalam membina modal insan.

Sepatutnya sambutan diadakan disetiap sekolah untuk menyambut hari guru dengan pelbagai cara – pertunjukan pentas oleh pelajar, majlis makan, kenduri, baca tahlil untuk yang telah meninggal dan sebagainya. PIBG juga seharusnya memainkan peranan penting untuk menggerakkan sambutan hari guru.

Saya berasa amat kecewa dengan pegawai yang telah memberi idea dan mengeluarkan arahan untuk guru-guru bergotong-royong membersihkan sekolah. Kita inginkan guru-guru bersama kerajaan. Adakah ini caranya?

Hari Guru telah hilang sinarnya dengan arahan surat pekeliling tersebut.

AHMAD IKMAL ISMAIL

NAIB KETUA UMNO JERAI

Get It Right!

Please get your act right! In the morning , YB Datuk Ir Md Zin announced that toll rates will be hiked up. In the afternoon, YAB Pak Lah says that he wants the toll rates to remain. He said that although the decision was made two or three weeks ago in the cabinet meeting, he has had a change of heart about the rates because of the economic scenario presently.

First and foremost, with due respect, even if Pak Lah has had a change of heart, he should have informed the Works Minister early before the announcement was made. Don’t get me wrong, I applaud and greatly appreciate Pak Lah’s change of heart. This shows that Pak Lah has the rakyat’s well being in his heart, but I just wish he had managed the whole issue better. The minute that Pak Lah felt the hike was not right, even after cabinet had made the decision, he should have called Ir Md Zin to re-table it in the following cabinet meeting.

Now it is like Pak Lah and Ir Md Zin do not communicate with each other. That is bad. But whatever be the case, I thank you Pak Lah and the entire cabinet in advance for reviewing this announcement. The hike is really at a bad timing. It shows that for whatever faults there are on the process arriving to the final decision, the Cabinet members will always have the Rakyat’s well being in their hearts.

Cuti-cuti Malaysia....Nak Cuti Lagi???

I was reading the STAR (18 September 2008) and came across this report on page N18 - Govt Staff Seek Salary Advance, Extra Holiday.

It was reported that Cuepacs president sent a letter to the Chief Secretary (KSN) asking for salaries to be paid a few days earlier so that they would have money for Raya celebrations and the holiday. It was also reported he further requested for October 3 2008 to be a holiday so that civil servants can enjoy a longer break.

Now, I can understand the request for advance payment. In fact I would like to suggest that these advance payments are made not only for Hari Raya Aidilfiti but also for Chinese New Year, Deepavali and whatever else major religious celebrations.

But to ask for a day off??!! Just so that they can enjoy a longer break? To be honest and direct about it, I am appalled and totally disappointed with Omar Osman (Cuepacs President) and I assume the committee for requesting it. Have we not way too many holidays already as it is. In all fairness, if we were to calculate properly and taking out the weekends, national and state holidays including Hari Raya, Chinese new Year, Deepavali, Agong's birthday, Merdeka and what nots, we are probably officially working about 220 days to 240 days out of 365 days a year. Don't forget the annual leave (some 14 days others more or less), medical leave (if any), we are probably looking at about 200 days +- a few days in a year that we are actually working.

I sincerely hope Omar Osman's and his committee's views are not shared by the majority of the civil service. We need more effective working hours, more effective working days for Malaysia, not less. How do you want to develop Malaysia if we have civil servants more concerned about holidays and leaving the office right on the dot rather than being concerned with finishing their work.

I want to put in my personal experience though, which I find very gratifying. I have interacted closely due to my nature of work and political involvement with several ministries, amongst which are Education (MOE), Higher Education (MOHE) and Agriculture (MOA). I find the officers there very committed to work and do not care about leaving on the dot. I know of officers who work til late, way after the normal office hours and those who even go in during weekends and holidays just to finish their work properly. To these officers and I know for a fact there are many of them, I salute you and pray that God will reward you.

This is what the country needs. Commitment and dedication, perseverance and a will to succeed individually and collectively as a nation, for the nation.

To Omar Osman and his committee ie those who want this extra day off - just go apply using your annual leave allocation. As the malay saying goes ' (Jangan)kerana nila setitik, habis rosak susu sebelanga'.

I leave you for today with an article from YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir from his blog www.chedet.com on this matter titled Cuti-Cuti Malaysia....

Cuti-Cuti Malaysia

1. There are only 365 days in a year. Take away 104 days of Saturdays and Sundays weekends and we have left 261 working days. But Malaysia is multi-religious and we must not work during Raya, Chinese New Year and Deepavali. But we must also not work on Wesak Day, Taipusam, Christmas, New Year, Federal Territory Day, various Muslim holy days and I do not know what else.

2. But we must not work on by-election polling day also. Then there is the Agong's Birthday and the birthdays of all the Sultans and Governors.

3. We seem to find more reason for not working. If the holiday falls on a weekend, then have a long vacation beginning the day before Saturday and the day after Sunday - four days in all.

4. I love all these. Kuala Lumpur is cleaner when people leave the city for balik kampong on Raya and Chinese New Year. It is exhilarating to drive on streets which are almost deserted.

5. But I ask myself are people like me, a pensioner being paid and not working? Or is the country on automatic - administering itself? Or is it that there really is not much work to do that we can close up for one-third of the year?

6. We are still a developing country. Developing requires work. Rich developed countries can afford not to work. August holidays see the cities like Paris and London bereft of traffic.

7. I believe, but I may be wrong, that when you are trying to catch up with someone running ahead of you, you must run faster than him. We have this great ambition to become a developed country. If we move slower than our objective can we catch up? I think we cannot.

8. A developed country today and a developed country in 2020 is not the same. In 2020 it will be far more advanced and richer than in 2008. The developed status is not static. It is moving.

9. Even if it seem to be growing slowly percentage-wise, but its one percent is bigger than our 5 or 6 percent. Our base is lower. To catch up we must really grow faster.

10. Can we grow faster by not working? I think not.

11. Lets look at the implication of having holidays. If workers have to work on holidays they have to be paid twice their daily wage. If they work beyond working hours they have to be paid four times their wages. And many industries just cannot stop operating.

12. All these add up to higher cost of production and therefore we will be less competitive. For a trading nation which depends on exporting goods, raw material and services, the cost of our exports is important. We will not be competitive especially against low-wage countries. But not to worry. The Government will make us competitive by withdrawing subsidies and giving them back again under different headings in the budget or off-budget.

13. Its a bit early but I would like to wish everyone Happy Hari Raya. Please drive slowly. We want you to come back after a very relaxing 4 - 5 days holiday. Do not worry about unfinished work. It can take care of itself.

P.S. I think the Government and the private sector should consider retreats. It's not a holiday of course but comes very close to a holiday. Besides you can become a savvy agriculturist.