Perspective

An Opinionated View On The World

Sarawak's Capital Cronyism?

		Saturday, 21 March 09 - 05:30 PM (GMT +08:00) By Sing Chie Tie in Opinions & Commentaries

Two days ago, Allen IM-ed me and informed me about a programme in Al-Jazeera channel in ASTRO.  Allen, like me, is a Sarawakian and Sarawakians love their mother state. He informed me that CMS and James Masing is featured in the programme and it is something HOT.  Later the following day, he provided me with these two YouTube vids below.

OK, before you go an experience the vids, let's do a simple English vocabulary check.  What is the meaning of crony? Give it a thought.  OK? Good.

Now, what do you think 'environmental fallout' means?  Give it a thought also.  Done?  Let's experience the video:

Welcome back!

Pop Quiz:

What's the meaning of the word 'crony' according to James Masing?  Do a bit of recalling...now check here.

THE DUDE IS RIGHT!!!  Our interpretation of the word is wrong...so wrong for so long!  So cronyism means 'friendship'?  Let's verify here.  Hmmm...

Next question: What does 'environmental fallout' means?  Recall again what James Masing said and compared it to what you think 'environmental fallout' means.  Too bad the journalist did not pursue the question further by asking, "How do you categorize the cutting of trees, displacing indigenous ethnic groups or flooding of pristine Sarawak rainforests which is among the oldest in the world?" Or "Can you give me an example of an 'environmental fallout'?

Author's Note: I consider Christmas Tsunami 2004 or Hurricane Katrina 2005 as a natural disaster/catasprohe and not 'environmental fallout'.  'Environmental Fallout' to me means 'man's activty that upset the environment in a great scale which put a dent in the balance of the eco-system as a whole'. Too chim eh? For an average person?

It is time to act up my Sarawak cronies!  I know you are awake...just act up!

MLM Lexicon Explained

		Thursday, 11 September 08 - 01:58 PM (GMT +08:00) By Sing Chie Tie in Opinions & Commentaries

Here, I am to clarify some of the most commonly used MLM lexicons to get you started. It will be helpful to you one day:

1. Network Marketing = MLM = Multi-Level Marketing
2. Business Opportunity Meeting = MLM Recruitment Meeting
3. Independent Business Owner (IBO) = MLM Sales Professional/Recruiter
4. Invest in Your Own Business = Join my MLM company. Let me be your up-line
5. Up-Line = The person who recruited you
6. Down-Line = The person that the recruiter recruits or anyone who is directly underneath you in the ‘membership’
7. Financial Freedom = Sit at home and money keeps flowing in*
   
8. We are not selling = Err…then you are recruiting for profit?

Personal Note (*): That's a very shallow way to define financial freedom.

Blasting The First Malaysian To Space

		Thursday, 04 October 07 - 12:07 AM (GMT +08:00) By Sing Chie Tie in Opinions & Commentaries

It is indeed a proud moment for Malaysians.  Despite all the speculations, contradictions as well as a ridiculous reason (a minister actually suggested spinning roti canai in space sometime back in November 2006), finally a Malaysian in space. 

I never give that much of a thought actually.  To me, this is not the first time my country tries to achieve something major.  There's the tallest twin tower in the world which is of much pride I agree but there are numerous shoddy ones that never made it pass launching and wasted billions of ringgits if all of their expenses are to be added up.

Only recently do I give it some thought on this whole Angkasawan (Astronaut/Cosmonaut/Taikonaut) thingy.  A friend of mine - CCube - forwarded me three links:

1. SEAN-THE-MAN's Blog: Our Malaysian Astrocannot
   
2. NASA.gov: Expedition 16 Crew to Launch from Baikonur
3. NASA.gov: International Space Station Expedition 16

Should I Be Proud?

Frankly speaking, I only have one question to ask, "What are we (Malaysians) trying to achieve by spending millions of Ringgit to send a Malaysian to space?"

After some thought, I could not find a satisfactory answer to it.  Yeah, sure there will be experiments that the local scientists have come out with (some through collaboration with other nations) to be carried out by our Angkasawan but that does not seem to be a strong enough reason why we need a man in space!  Economically speaking, they (the local scientists) can spend a million or two Ringgit to have the experiments being carried out by seasoned astronauts or cosmonauts.  A million or two beats millions right?

Wait and Here's Something Worse...

Item 2 and 3 basically put me in a state of confusion.  When someone visits the final frontier, that particular someone is usually highly regarded by basically every appreciative soul on Earth as a hero...until space tourism comes in later in this decade or next.

Every crew in a space expedition has a purpose - being it scientific or engineering.  If someone is to just blast up there and do some sight-seeing, that someone is known as a spaceflight participant.  Our angkasawan - the Malaysian Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, to NASA at least, is known as  a spaceflight participant. 


Photo: Our angkasawan is the one on the extreme right.  See the logo on his shirt?  Either that's how they differentiate a flight participant or just Malaysian's way of being outstanding in the crowd of professionals.

Now that's just rude...or is it?

Come to think of it, Expedition 16 consists of scientists or the like with some actual space experience saves one - the angkasawan.  NASA or their Russian counterpart do not usually blast off to space without a proper reason.  Oxygen, cargo space, and time spent in space is all but limited.  It is economically viable for both institutions to select the right crew and optimize every possible way to do the most while in space.  The only way they will allow a spaceflight participant (IMHO) is when someone pays them a lot of money.

With them will be spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor. He is a Malaysian flying under contract with the Russian Federal Space Agency.

NASA.gov

From this perspective, it makes sense.  Can you give one heck of a good reason to call him an Angkasawan for that matter when perhaps all he does is as an ambassador for scientific experiments in space and also perform space-robics.  I personally think that job title is too prestigious as well as hollow thus undeserving.  A flight participant is sufficient.

Oh, not forgetting that our Angkasawan does not contain any biography or interview.  He is just...there for the reason of being there!

So I am not Malaysian Enough-lah?

Do you really think so?  I am born, breed and live in Malaysia my entire life.  If Malaysian disowns me, where would I go?  I am just appalled by this whole angkasawan thing.  If such a poll exist whereby it asks people if they support the space program or not, I would have firmly voted no.  The rakyat is just informed of the program and have no authority to say NO to it anyway.  It is very much a FYI (For Your Information) that our country is doing this space program and we want your full support.

I voice it out because I am concern about the direction of the leadership of this country.  Malaysia is my home.

Now, here's my question to you: "Where do you stand in this?"  Take a stand.  Don't be in that 'tak-apa tak-kisah' attitude!

 

Hari Merdeka - Malaysia's Independence Day

		Friday, 31 August 07 - 03:12 AM (GMT +08:00) By Sing Chie Tie in Opinions & Commentaries

The Federation of Malaya (the entire Malay Peninsula) gained independence from the British through diplomatic means on 31 August 1957.  Today is 31 August 2007 - a good 50 years of independence.

However, every true Malaysian knows that Malaysia never came into existence until 16 September 1963 when The Federation of Malaya, Singapore (which will later be separated from Malaysia on 15 August 1965 due to political reasons), Sabah and Sarawak teamed up to form a new country.

The Malaysian Government recognizes 16 September 1963 as an important date but a huge chunk of the efforts are focused onto 31 August.  Unfair?  I don't think so.  Hari Merdeka is a very important symbol for Malaysia's sovereignty and identity.  As such we should all embrace it as a Malaysian

How about 16 September?  It has not been given much attention by the whole nation.  It is 'business as usual' in every sector within the country...with maybe a bit of a fanfare in Sabah, Sarawak as well as some government sponsored events.  Needless to say, it is not a public holiday.

 

Why Not? - Ego and Win-Win Situation

		Wednesday, 29 August 07 - 01:37 AM (GMT +08:00) By Sing Chie Tie in Opinions & Commentaries

Perhaps the most daunting question for me to answer is one pertaining to the 'choice-killer' (coined by ShadowJR) question of 'Why Not?' The dude is quite right!  Consider a snippet of Internet chat transcript below between ShadowJR and ME:

ME: "have u registered?"
ME: "oh why not?"
ME: the 'why not' is not a question!
ShadowJR: that's actually a subconscious command?
ME: i always hate this 'why not'...er...statement??
ME: it has the subject cornered
ShadowJR: well, yeah, the one who approach Jek-Kee's (Jek-Kee is not the person's real name or gender identity) collegue does give me a impression suspicious impression
ME: the question 'why not' is very probing...interrogative
ShadowJR:
ShadowJR: well, it's an intimidating question
ME: 'i dun go to church often' then followed by 'why not'?
ShadowJR: it's a question to kill choice
ME: yeah u put it right
ShadowJR: but u know what? u always have a choice
ShadowJR: just thought of it: the simplest answer: Cause i have a choice
ME: u answer like that u just make ur own life difficult
ME: u play by their rules u make ur life also difficult
ShadowJR: really? so what if u show u're errogant and stubborn?
ME: unless ur reason is solid enough, then u can get out easy. u're on the losing end and i dun wanna lose
ME: call it ego but looking from a different perspective, it can be said i want 'win-win situation'
ShadowJR: the thing is u dont' need a reason to make a decision, do u?
ME: no i dun
ShadowJR: there are those decision that u make them because u feel like it
ShadowJR: how do u explain that
ME: i need a reason for justification on myself why i make that decision
ShadowJR: in such situation, when asked, i always say, "cause I feel like it", "cause i feel that's the right thing",do ppl accept those reason? most of them don't...
ME: that sounds naive lah
ShadowJR: ok then...let me ask u, whe are u chatting with me right now? 
ShadowJR: dont' give me cause i started the conversation though
ShadowJR:
ME: coz i wish to confirm IF u feel the same like be on Jek-Kee or not
ShadowJR: hmmm
ME: and also not forgetting that i wanna find out if u get all the 3 ebooks
ShadowJR: very bad case...nvm....let's take it form the point of sales
ShadowJR: why do u buy XXX?
ShadowJR: say, why do u buy a car?
ME: coz i need one to get me from point a to b
ShadowJR: if u say u need it, do u really really need it?
ME: yes, in my condition i do really really need it
ShadowJR: motorbike, buses, taxi. u could get a bike, so why a car?
ME: if i use taxi it cost a lot. if i take motorbike to work i frequent the petrol station too much. if i take bus, i have to follow strict timing. getting a kenari 1.0 manual is the most economical way out saving me on rental and gain excess freedom
ME: it has been reasoned b4 a decision is made 
ShadowJR: right, that's the logical reason, so what if taxi cost a lot, u can afford it with ur salary, motorbike - inconvenient is a feeling, bus, so wat if u follow strict timing?
ShadowJR: forget that, the direct questions is, are those the true reason, or is there an emotional reason attached to it?
ME: that's a true reason and emotions r there of coz
ME: when do u make decision without a hint of emotion?
ShadowJR: exactly and not all emotional reason can be justified logically, dont' u agree?
ME: agree
ShadowJR: u've got ur answer there!

ShadowJR makes a good point to me.  It seems to me that 'Why Not?' can be answered with any one of the below:

• Because I don't want-lah! (Ego centric response)
  
• Because <give your most solid reason> (Trying to be firm on your decision)

So where's the Win-Win Situation? 

I still hold to my context that the question 'Why Not'" is probing and interrogative and has no 'win-win' quality in it.  There's no 'win-win' in 'Why Not?'.

When A Parliament Minister Plagiarizes, So Can You!

		Monday, 11 June 07 - 02:54 PM (GMT +08:00) By Sing Chie Tie in Opinions & Commentaries

Plagiarism is not something uncommon in Malaysia.  Most Malaysian students plagiarise.  They do it from assignments to research papers.  This is something to be frown upon.

Plagiarism seems not to be just a thing with students only.  A very senior parliament minister - Datuk Seri Samy Vellu Sangalimuthu - for almost over 25 years commited this crime of literature as well.  Colour-blind reports everything. 

This is Samy's poem as published in a local English newspaper.  I captured it here just in case the report got archived or worse...

From this day forward
You shall not walk alone.
Her heart will be your shelter,
And her arms will be your home.
A mountain needs a valley to be complete;
the valley does not make
the mountain less, but more;
and the valley is more a valley because
it has a mountain towering over it

The first four stanza were taken from  "From This Day Forward" by an anonymous.  The next five stanza were poached from "Blessing For a Marriage" by James Dillet Freeman.  The last five stanza are harder to detect as they are a portion of the complete poem by James Dillet Freeman.

So much for leading by example...

A Case of The Richer Rich & The Poorer Poor

		Friday, 01 June 07 - 07:10 AM (GMT +08:00) By Sing Chie Tie in Opinions & Commentaries

The topic of the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer ain't a taboo anymore.  In fact it never is to a lot of enlightened people. 

I read SillyGav's blog 'Only Rich Get Richer' and I am inclined to solidify my view in support of his.  SillyGav is an old buddy of mine from the same hometown.  We never get to meet each other in person in close proximity until we are both off pursuing our degree in MMU.

There are a lot of arguments on this point and I even have a debate with a close friend on this issue. However, manage to convince him after a lengthy chat, phew.

I did that too but after much saliva drenching session, I will just state my case, take my stand and let them convince themselves or ignore it.  Convincing them or not does not really make a difference to me or them if they are not doing anything about it.

Why The Affluent Becomes More Affluent

I will do a quick summary of SillyGav's commentary on the subject matter.  He brought up the following:

• A lot of the more lucrative investment and business opportunities are for the affluent.  The lower income bracket people will either sit by and miss the opportunities because the capital investment is too high or they are not even informed of such opportunities
• Lucky Draws are for the affluent.  The most common requirement for lucky draws is "Spend <this> amount of money and win".  Therefore the more you spend the better your chances.  We do get genuine lucky cases but the idea of 'the luckier you are the more you spend' is not really a noble thing to do.  If you look at it from the angle of marketing, I will give it a pass.

I will expand on it to include the below:

• The laws are made by the affluent.  I have yet to come across a financially humbled minister, parliament member, senator, policymaker, president, CEO and/or judge.  These people make the rules.  The rules are for the good of everyone as well as for the betterment of themselves too.  This is human nature.  Kings and conquerors had been doing so for ages.  Even the Catholic church too at some point in history.
• Better quality education are for the affluent.  Though scholarships are available for the qualified lower income people, the bulk of those in the institute of higher learning that are renown for their qualities are generally occupied by the affluent.  The affluent gets a head-start in education.  This is not to say commoner's education institutions are bad.  I am comparing the subject of equal opportunities here.  Scholarship awards are not an equal opportunity approach to boot.

Rays of Hope

Hoever not all things are doom and gloom.  There are ordinary people who achieve extraordinary feats in their financial wellness category.  The lower income citizens can be wealthy.  The zen of the world works its wonders. 

SillyGav mentioned the following would help:

• Connections: Know the right people with the right mindset.
• Opportunities: Don't shy waya from opportunities even when they are out of reach.  Seek them out and find a way to get to them
• Supports: Emotional and mental support are important for your quest for financial wellness
• Daring: Willing to take up the challenge and go for a better finacial future
• Smart: Outsmarting affluent communities is not the best action to take.  Instead, educate oneself and seek co-operation with them

The Missing Catalyst

I agree to every single point of it.  I will add one last point of which I think is the catalyst of all the above.

The catalyst is called Mindset.  If you think you can't  then you really can't.  If you think you can't afford it then you will never afford it.  If you think life is cruel then it is.  Our mindset is the captain of our being.  To be financially well, one needs to have the mindset of the affluent.

"Poor is a state of mind", they say.  Yours truly is still a humble student to developing a wonderful mindset.  The result has been very welcoming.  I may not be getting all what I wanted but I am getting a feel of it.  They do materialize.

Think Over This

When you wish to change your mobile phone frequent enough, do you change it at the end of the day?

When you want a car badly won't you think about it and find a way to get one?

When You Are Affluent...

When you are rich, do not forget the poor (figuratively speaking).  Reach out and improve the financial wellness of the lower income people.  Nurture them but not propel them.  Guide them but not spoil them.  Everyone has to go through the exercise and preparation for financial wellness in order to know what it truly means.  It is earned not given.

Internet Investment Scheme and the Malaysian Securities Commission

		Thursday, 17 May 07 - 03:04 PM (GMT +08:00) By Sing Chie Tie in Opinions & Commentaries

A posting at Sabahan.com caught my attention recently.  Though I had heard on the radio and read it from the papers as well as did my own little research (which I captured at 'The Most Honest HYIP - Please-invest', my thanks will be extended to Sabahan.com for the hard facts that he/she posted on his/her blog.

The list of Internet Investment Scheme scams can be found here.

The way I look at it, the list is too short.  It is not always easy to identify what is a scam and what is not.  The general rule of thumb is to not involve in one no matter how attractive it is. 

I guess the best listing is at the place where people are championing the HYIP.  I will list a few here:

• Hot HYIPs
• Top100HYIP Monitor

Don't get tempted and scammed.  Anything that say 'Guaranteed 7% daily' or the far-fetched '110% a day' are too good to be true and should be ignored.  There are, of cause more professionally concealed type of scams but the whole idea of it is the same.

Before you get all too excited and lost your cool, do the following:

• Ask how does the the company/website make its profit? HINT: You will newer get a satisfying/convincing answer from the site administrator...if you get any.
  
• Who is running the program? HINT: If they reveal themselves to you, you still won't know them anyway or their actual background...so why bother.
  
• Are there any endorsements from any legal institutional firms? HINT:  Most common answer will be incorporated in some Caribbean countries or none at all.  Even if there is, chances are you never heard of the company before.
• Google the web for any comments on the program.  HINT:  You won't find them mentioned in any reputable journals like WSJ, Business Week, Newsweek, The Economist and etc...
  
• Finally, run the whole thing through your common sense.  HINT: If you have the slightest of doubt, then do not go forward.  Don't part with your money that easily.

... More items are available in my News Archive