MONEY

1. I wrote recently on the financial problems of Europe at the invitation of the Financial Times. Of course it is not erudite as would those who studied economics and finance would write. Strangely some people agreed with my views.

2. During the financial crisis of 1997-1998 I was forced to read up on the subject. Today I know a bit more about money and finance. But the most important thing about money which everyone of us knows without need to be an economist or financial expert is that if you spend more money than you have you will be in trouble. Simply put, if you have one hundred Ringgit but you spend one hundred and ten Ringgit, you will be in debt to the amount of ten Ringgit. But if you have 100 RM and spend 90 RM you will not face trouble.

3. No big deal. But when you have a million or a billion, your 10% overspending will put you in debt to a level which you may not be able to pay and the person you owe money to may not be so ready to forgive.

4. Greece is now bankrupt. The reason is simple enough, Greece overspent. It borrowed more money than it is able to pay. The sums are big, running into billions of Euro. The creditors cannot forgive.

5. Why did Greece borrow beyond what it could pay. Well, Greece is a member of the European Union, a collection of developed countries. So it must live by the standards of the European Union. It must practice the welfare state principles of the European countries.

6. The revenue of the Greek Government was not enough to support the high standards of living, the high pay, pension and other benefits of the Europeans. So the Government borrowed money to cover the high salaries, short working hours and days, early pensions, unemployment benefits and other perks that European Governments offered their workers.

7. The private sector had to follow the Government, which results in raising the cost of production until the products of their labour are no longer competitive and either they earn less profits or became unsaleable altogether.

8. Loans unfortunately have to be paid when matured. When the loans amounting to hundreds of billions cannot be paid, the Greek Government, the borrower, must be made bankrupt.

9. Somewhere in the story of Greece, there is a lesson for other countries. The lesson as I pointed out earlier is very simple. When you spend more than the money you have, you will become a debtor. And when you cannot pay your debt you will become bankrupt.

10. Once upon a time when I was Prime Minister I had the responsibility of approving the budget before it was presented to Parliament.

11. Roughly I knew I had to make provision for operation, for debt servicing and for development. Despite allegedly being profligate, I managed not to overspend. In fact the reason why we did not go down during the financial crisis was because we had no big debts to pay.

12. Of the three elements of the Government budget, only development spending can be reduced. Debt servicing and operations (salaries, pensions and other statutory expenditure must be paid on time if we are not going to default). If we increase salaries too much, and we have more than a million Government employees, there is a likelihood that we will not have enough for even minimal development.

13. We may announce a big development budget but there will simply be not enough money to implement them.

14. We may borrow. But there is a limit to borrowing. When you borrow the debt servicing charges will increase. A point will be reached when we will not be able to service debts or pay the lender when the loans become mature.

15. All these elementary things must be known to the Government. So we will not become like Greece. But people do not seem to know about this. Demands for pay increases, for higher non-taxable pensions, for abolition of tolls ( the Government has to make up for the loss of revenue by toll concessionairs), more holidays, more subsidies etc will continue to be made.

16. The opposition, wishing to become popular and win elections will always support these demands. Not having to be responsible for the overspending and the possible bankruptcy of the nation, it is easy for them to support. I hope the people will see through their lack of a sense of responsibility to the nation.

17. The incumbent Governments cannot be irresponsible and try to be popular always. The people must understand this.

18. When a demand is made the Government has to examine the implication not only to the Government in terms of its capacity to meet the demand, it must also consider the effect on the whole nation. If the Government cannot approve the demand it must be because it does not want to bankrupt the nation.

90 thoughts on “MONEY”

  1. this very good and simple practice of money management

    very impressive to know the great leadership and great management practice comes from kampung boy like you Tun.

    I wish you healthy always to monitor and advise our BN leaders how to lead in better way…rather than being populist in making statement and slogan

  2. Dear Tun,
    I pray for your speedy recovery from ‘the minor surgery’ as reported in the press

    Please allow me to quote and respond to Mr AndewTay85
    I quote

    “The big word of the 21th century is freedom. Freedom has a wide interpretation depending on each layer of society. The poor might consider FREEDOM to be an escape from the shackles of poverty. The Arabs want freedom from oppression. The industrialised West are desperate to rid themselves from dependency on oil. The younger population wants to express themselves without being weighed down by outdated laws and conventions which curtail their freedom of expression. Simply put it, the younger generations are hippies from your generation but with better intellect, technological tools and fashion style.

    I disagree that I am gullible as you had put it. I read books and articles and I form my own opinion thereafter. I am also interested in history. I have learnt from history that governments will do almost everything to stay in power. This includes the champion of democracy, the USA. Refer to Watergate scandal. Government stands the most to lose from a regime change. It has the means to crackdown on dissents. It also controls all the tools required to propagate their cause.

    If I am gullible as you have claimed, I would have not been able to endure all the propagandas that were thrown at me since young. If I am gullible, I would have been influenced by people of this forum who oppose my view. Nonetheless, I stood my ground. At the end, all was not in vain. The government has acknowledged that it misused the ISA to lock up dissent. andrewtay85 1 – 0 Amin Tan.

    It looks like you would have to eat your own words pops. Now my advise to you, stop believing everything the government says. Take it on its merits and not on face value.

    Mr AndewTay.
    You talk about freedom. You are contradicting yourself. You praise Singapore and you exhort and glorify freedom in the same breath. I have different values from yours I suppose. I believe in fate and destiny or the Muslim term it ‘HIDAYAH’ or divine guidance. I consider myself lucky to be a muslim and to have the courage and perseverance to withstand and weather all the negative remarks thrown at me, from literally both sides of the divide, non muslims like you who want to nuke the haj and the so called Muslims.
    I would not use freedom but restrain is a wiser approach. Singapore has a focus and dogged determination to create wealth whatever it takes including silencing the opposition, and opening up sinful casino to trap and fleece unsuspecting, innocent and yet willing so called gamblers of mostly Chinese businessmen. Many wealthy Chinese businessmen, whose money are hard earned, are made bankrupted over nights by these casino.Freedom to visit prostitutes means encouraging the spread of HIV and other sexual diseases. Freedom to bad mouth the legally elected government of the day and dancing according to the tunes of the Opposition who has sinister and ambitious agenda is literally termed as traitor to the nation. Freedom can be a curse, my friend.
    With the abolishment of ISA, you let loose the irresponsible criminal elements like BERSEH 3 organisers to create havoc in the streets unnecessarily. We cannot have stability, peace and modernisation like Singapore by tolerating dirty foreign funded BERSEH 3 TO AGITATE AND destabilise the country. Now we have a new score AndreyTay85 :0 versus 1 amin tan. How about that?
    It is not an issue of believing the propaganda of the government. I am defending the lies and falsehood propagated by the wilful opposition and the so called alternative media. We do not collude with hidden and crooked agenda of the evil parties. Like you, I too am against bribery and corruption of any kind. Recently my son was put in a police lock up for refusing to pay bribe for some minor traffic offence. But it has got nothing to do with UMNO OR THE GOVERNMENT. It was just a case of low level wayward policeman trying to earn some extra illegal income.

    amin tan

  3. Amin Tan

    I think you are the one gullible. You do not have a contemporary mindset which concurs with the flow of civilisation of the 21th century.

    The big word of the 21th century is freedom. Freedom has a wide interpretation depending on each layer of society. The poor might consider FREEDOM to be an escape from the shackles of poverty. The Arabs want freedom from oppression. The industrialised West are desperate to rid themselves from dependency on oil. The younger population wants to express themselves without being weighed down by outdated laws and conventions which curtail their freedom of expression. Simply put it, the younger generations are hippies from your generation but with better intellect, technological tools and fashion style.

    I disagree that I am gullible as you had put it. I read books and articles and I form my own opinion thereafter. I am also interested in history. I have learnt from history that governments will do almost everything to stay in power. This includes the champion of democracy, the USA. Refer to Watergate scandal. Government stands the most to lose from a regime change. It has the means to crackdown on dissents. It also controls all the tools required to propagate their cause.

    If I am gullible as you have claimed, I would have not been able to endure all the propagandas that were thrown at me since young. If I am gullible, I would have been influenced by people of this forum who oppose my view. Nonetheless, I stood my ground. At the end, all was not in vain. The government has acknowledged that it misused the ISA to lock up dissent. andrewtay85 1 – 0 Amin Tan.

    It looks like you would have to eat your own words pops. Now my advise to you, stop believing everything the government says. Take it on its merits and not on face value.

  4. Wajaperak,

    Do not take my comments in a black and white manner. I of course do not believe that all Malays are incompetent. I was merely going on about how our Chinese culture instills the importance of money and the drive to constantly succeed whilst I believe that Malay may lack that mentality. It has been said before that chinese lack religion and culture due to that cut throat attitude in life. I personally that it is a balance of both. I wouldnt want to be the extreme on any side. However, majority of the Malays are still stuck in the civil servants industry. Many of them pat their back at night and are satisfied. No amount of subsidy or policy can change that statistic. I bring this mentality up because it seems again, the local mentality and supporters in the rural malay area are extremely happy and satisfied. Ada yang kata compare apple vs apple. I have seen all the excuses available. Yes, again pat yourselves at night before you go to bed. Do what you do best. I will continue to question as long as I am a rightful citizen of Malaysia, and also give credit when it is due.

  5. Dear Amin Tan,

    I personally do believe that the alternative media may sound bias at times. I have came across numerous false news and facts from the alternative media. Of course, it is also no big secret that some alternative news media are funded by opposition parties. It is similar to our mainstream media (TV3) which is owned by Tun himself. I am not saying that is necessarily biased in reporting but perception says so. How do you expect a news channel to be negative towards its own owner or political party. To me, the alternative media is the lesser of two evils. It really is up to the reader`s themselves to judge accordingly. For example, the alternative media loves exposing corruption cases and scandals. You personally however believe that it is hot air spewed by the opposition arms. We all choose to believe whatever our minds chooses to process as right or wrong news.

  6. Dear Tun,

    Please allow me to address Mr juks

    Dear juks,

    You inquire whether I read alternative media and consequently whether I experience sleepless and restless nights. Yes occasionally when i feel bored and have time to kill. On the whole I find that alternative media have nothing positive to offer except, vengeful and bitter garbage. Just look at my posting in this blog under ‘oil’, the concocted fixed deposits of Tun Dr. Mahathir and family. Such audacious lies meant to defame our beloved former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir is published by Malaysia Chronicle and they call it news. Those people behind the alternative media and their financier should be arrested under ISA and banished to St Helena island or pulau Jerejak in perpetuity. Innocent and gullible people like AndrewTay and you, Mr juks, eagerly swallow the fabricated FD hook, line and sinker. Surely you would have nightmare after your mind has been poisoned daily by Malaysia Today with outlandish lies as big and as heavy as the sinker. If ever the opposition Pakatan Rakyat wins the general election, it will be by default, due to extremely dirty politics, dirtier than you and I can ever imagine. To legitimise their obnoxious politics, they call it BERSEH 3. You are a nice fellow juks. Don’t you get poisoned by dirty crooked opposition.

    amin tan

  7. Juks

    I have learnt a lot by participating in this forum. I learnt that what a Chinese wants (assuming you are a Chinese) does not necessarily translate to what a Malay Muslim or an Indian wants for this country. Everyone wants to see a better Malaysia but each viewed with a different pair of eyes. No one is right or wrong.

    You see that this country can do better (I too) but they are happy with the way it is. Malays are easily content, the Chinese are not. The Malays think we are greedy (tamak and kiasu) but we see them as being lazy and uninspiring. We have to meet in the middle that is all. But no one knows that illusory middle point. Its like a g-spot. Wait..i think a g-spot is easier to find.

    Well good luck Malaysia. God know how much time and resources we have spent bickering amongst ourselves because of cultural difference. No wonder we are left in economic abeyance.

  8. Assallammualaikumwarahmatulahiwabarokatuh..
    Tun..moga dizinkan ruangan..

    [[Thats why they can be civil servants forever]]
    Now Juks..
    This have gone too far!!..
    First for all your smart comments must be initiated or commenced by..
    In my highly rated opinion..
    I stated that and you can swallow that by a gallon of water or whatever..
    Geez..What I have done to stand up with this people,inferior??
    And many many smart @#$% comments..
    For your information ( which is not short of course!!!)
    Civil servants is comprised by security personnel,medical and healthcare personnel..
    May….be….they does not serves you and your purpose but it does serves us and the nation…Sorry..I mean our nation that is our’s and not your’s…

    [[No amount of subsidy can get you out of that rot]]
    Surprise Juks..
    Don’t you realizes that our education too is subsidize?..
    And education gives you knowledge..
    Knowledges inspire proper policy and the skill to do wise??
    Er..sorry again..By our, I mean my country and not your’s…

    Tun..Terima kasih..

  9. Dear Amin,

    Just a quick question? Do you follow alternative news media by any chance? If so, how do you sleep at night? It seems that you are man of greater exposure to the world than I am. I find it hard to ignore issues that constantly in the media today. I am not too sure if you find the latest news of censoring or banning “pondans” from the media. To be politically correct, they are male born with insufficient testosterone. It is the natural way of how they were conceived. Now, the govnt is discriminating saying that if you are born a retard, then too bad for you. Your life is over. Instead of providing opportunities for its own citizens, the govn is now practising another form of discrimination. NOW, before you agree with your beloved government, I really do pray hard that none of your children or grandchildren will suffer the same fate. Coz god knows if that happens, I feel sorry for them. I also empathize with all Muslim LGBT for living in fear daily and feeling segregated from humanity due to disgusting practices from governments today.

  10. Dear Tun,
    Please allow me to address fellow commenters
    To eanisazman,

    Thank you for agreeing with me to be loyal to the legally elected government of the day, to live, defend and die for our beloved multi racial Malaysia. Highlight our country’s strong points and advantages and play down our weaknesses. Our struggles against the enemies of the nation is timeless. There are those traitors and detractors of our beloved motherland, who will constantly find fault with our success, insult our tolerances and kindness, speak ill of our religion and constantly provoke our anger and patience. These greedy people are always never satisfied with what ever they possess and they are never contented with whatever wealth or additional God given blessings. It is because they do not have a clue what God is all about. If they are clever or rich, it is because they think they are good. There is nothing to do with God. They are the world beaters, the bounty hunters or people of fortune, constantly trotting and scanning the globe in search for a better utopia. They have no loyalty whatsoever to anybody or any nation. They call themselves competitive and they sell their souls to the highest bidders. We are different. We have human value. We have religion. We hold dear to friendship and human values like kindness and generosity, helping out one another, smiling, praising, offering free food and sharing.

    amin tan

  11. Dear Tuntuah,

    Finally, you said something smart. Don`t be too somber. I am so against discriminating yet you choose to allow that to happen in the open. Espc. as a Malay majority supporting your own cause selfishly. You brought up taxes as a source of criticizing. Yet, you do not realize how you are a minority by saying so. It doesnt feel good to be stepped on for whatever reason does it? Nobody likes to be classified based on race or wealth.

  12. Andrew,

    Glad to see some people here who can rationalize and think more openly. The comments here shout BN and nothing more. While I don`t doubt that BN may end up winning the next GE, my intentions here are not to sway anyone`s mind about political parties. It seems that the BN supporters are extremely happy with the state of our country right now. All I can say is that anyone with some basic economics and social knowledge will know that Malaysia is far from the vision 2020 that Tun envisioned back then. In fact, we have taken 10 steps backwards from that vision. Of course the BN supporters will say, dont kutuk. We have taken 10 steps forward.
    That is why our national debt has increased. Corruption has increased through Transparency Index. Ketua Audit negara has exposed more leakage of cash through his reports. We had custodial deaths under cops. Clearly our BN people have never been pulled over by a cop. Pityful is all I can say as their price is a mere rm30 at times. Someone can be bought for that much. Our neighbours Indo and Phillipines are catching up. Kalau nak compare apple vs apple. Haha, I like that mentality of the Malays in fact. Quit aiming for the moon. Thats why they can be civil servants forever. No amount of subsidy can get you out of that rot. I understand the difference between being over ambitious and a realist. I know that we can achieve so much more.

  13. ANDREW
    I LIKE RATIONAL CRITISM
    YOUR CRITISM TO MY UNDERSTANDING IS MORE TO PIN TUN
    ABSOLUTELY MOST OF IT
    IT,S NOT OF TO DEVELOP IT,S MORE TO PINNING DOWN
    YOU DON,T LIKE HIM PERSONNALY

    YOU TALK OF TUN WRONG DOINGS
    OUR GOVT WRONG DOINGS

    LATE J.B JEYARATNAM EXPOSES SINGAPORE BILLIONS INVESTMENT LOST IN CHINA
    IF NOT HIM MUCH IS UKNOWN
    SO HOW MUCH MORE IS NOT KNOWN
    WHEN NONE CAN VOICE

    AND LETS COMPARE AN APPLE WITH AN APPLE
    WE TO THAILAND , PHILLIPHINES PERHAPS

    SINGAPORE WITH BRUNEI
    SULTAN MANAGE IT WELL
    HE PROVIDES HIS EVERY CITIZENS
    HIS CITIZENS ARE NOT SQUEEZED

    KLANG RIVER HAS A PRICE
    EVEN THE LOW HDB HOUSING IN SINGAPORE
    FOR COMMON PEOPLE
    IS A BIG UNAFFORDABLE PRICE

    FACTS IS
    YOU LIKE THE SYSTEM HERE
    YOU ARE SHY TO ADMIT
    REASONS FOR YOU ARE AROUND
    WELL YOU CAN MADE YR MOVES NOW
    YR AUNT HAV 2 CONDOS
    PERHAPS YOU CAN HAVE 4

  14. Juks.
    You r right. I m too old to debate on the silly argument that you have posted. As you said. We are living in the fr
    ee world. So you can say what you want. Why should i bother in the first place.

    Since i m living in one of the kampung in perak, so I have a lot of thing to be done so that i can be rich like you and your family.

    I need the money so that i can send my daughters to universiti. I need to work and leave your argument with you. I notice that no money were given to me for arguing with you. You earn taiwan dollar and i am not. So better i not argue with you at all for not wasting my time so that i can concentrate to earn ringgit malaysia.

    So juks. Why should i be bother now?

  15. AndrewTay,

    Well said indeed. You have basically raised genuine points about Singapore. However, the one part I have disagree is that average Sings lives comfortably. Your average Sing struggles and lives in HDB flats. From the sound of your aunt, I highly doubt she represents the average Singaporean with two condos and etc.

  16. Dear Amin Tan,
    Sorry for jumping the gun. After all that you just said, if you can still clearly believe that Msia trumps other developed nations on paper, then sir, the buck stops here.

    I would no longer bother trying to exchange views with you. You are trying to convince me that 2+2 = 8. Yes, clearly living in the moon. I can understand the difference between patriotism and being overly biased. I have highlighted both aspects of other countries both good and bad. Yes, it is important to be biased at times even if you are defending a murderer who is a loved one. Still a loved one nonetheless, but a murderer too. It is hard to swallow at times especially when ppl talk about our crime rate and corruption.

  17. Amin

    Supporting a particular party does not mean that you are patriotic. Being patriotic is to see a betterment of Malaysia as a whole.

  18. Dear Tun,

    Please allow me to address juks,
    Dear juks,

    Please don’t say I live in tempurung in Subang Jaya. I think I travelled the world more than you. I have been to Japan, I have been to the US, I have a son who graduated as an electrical engineer from Purdue University,USA. I have a son who graduated as an electrical engineer from Southampton University too. Another engineer son graduated from Imperial College. My daughter graduated as a medical doctor from Sheffield university, now working in Singapore. My fifth son is studying as a doctor fourth year in England. I have 5 children study overseas. I know what it is like living overseas.
    Mr juks, you must and you have to be patriotic and biased for your country, just like you have to be biased towards yourself, your friends, your families. Nothing like home,Malaysia. When I was in England, I always wished I won’t die there. I want to die in Subang Jaya or in Mecca if God permits.
    Please do not highlight our weaknesses and shortcomings and exaggerate other counties’ strong points. It is not very correct and intelligent to continue to criticise our own country and praise outsiders and opposition traitors who have sinister agenda. I know Mat Salleh are good looking but they are not your spouses. I know Singapore is rich, but are they giving you some money? Let us be sensible and practical, support Barisan National. Let us be patriotic to the government of the day. We live and defend the government come what may and die an honourable Malaysian, better still a muslim.
    amin tan

  19. juks,

    andrewtay said….

    “Owhh my Mr Mahathir. Can we talk about something else? This blame-it-on-the-West article is getting a little repetitive for my liking.

    Okay let me be critical once again”

    That is the reason why I responde like that. This is between me and him just like you told me before about you and Tun Tuah and Sudin. Remember aah? You just look yourself in the mirror. You are worst than andrewtay. You used the words like “stupid”, “fool”, “malay head”, “honey”, “gangsta” and many more. Yeah….this is your character. You can call names but others cannot. When people responded, you will not like it. And you start giving tuition about this. Please….

    I punya pasal lah I support Tun M anytime I want. What is it with you. I am a big fan so what? You seems to dictate Tun M and us here. You tell people how or what to do but you NEVER can accept when people criticize you !

    Just go away and stalk somebodyelse.

  20. 15 percent Singaporean are millionaires
    as presented by Andrew
    So how many percent are Bankruptcy living in misery as compared to Millionaires.
    See bankruptcy ads in The Straits Times

    By the way Singapore Revenues drives from their economy
    as much as ours
    Again how much revenue is collected through their fines and summonses of common minor human errors type of fines

  21. Much of foreigner Malaysian, indians, Philliphines,China
    Has left Singapore for good
    Initially they thought Singapore is a good place to live
    Gradually they seens live at home is much meaningful than lives in Singapore regardless of their good economy
    No one benefits from their economy not even their own citizens Singaporean,and sense their high paid Ministrial Pay,above the personal investment that fruits by holdings their posts
    Ask yr good friend that ever work in Singapore
    Why are they back here ..?
    They thought when they converts Sin Dollars to RM they can earn alot,but when one stay in Singapore one will realise how hard they work is never enough to survive in Singapore

    We pay Rm 2 for Mee Rebus
    Thay pay Sin 3 that near to RM 8.1
    And its the same food,we having a good meal,not much crowd that we can chat and eat at peace besides be prepared your
    mee rebus can cost u Sin 33 dollars if you do not put yr parking coupons,carp park fines cost u sin 30
    And its common fear among drivers in Singapore
    It,s like part of their culture to get fines

    Tell me anyone of you that drives yr vehicles to Singapore
    Never get fine out of yr ignorant and innocents

    Sinagpore Parliment they don,t barks on each other
    Like say Korea, Taiwan ,or us in Malaysia
    Because they dont,t have strong oppositons that can voice for us loudly in Parliment
    They Oppositions balls will be squeezes even before they can talk
    We have seen lots of their opposition being squeezes even their
    Own President runs away out of fear
    Did any of our Minister, nor our Sultan face this fate

  22. Amin

    I’m not exaggerating anything about Singapore. 15% of the population are millionaires based on assets they possess. I can’t say for sure if foreigners own the lot. It doesn’t say. But indigenous population enjoys a majority of the population so reckon they are more indigenous millionaires. The majority of foreigners are just workers in the manufacturing industry.

    I know it better because my aunt a perfect example. She has two condos. Those are easily worth over a million thus she is a millionaire. She has jewellery, cash, insurance portfolio, shares and land in Malaysia. Pretty impressive for a person who works her ass off (single parent) while raising 3 kids (my annoying cousins) and have never relied for anything from the Singaporean government (they don’t like giving aids apparently so I heard).

    A lesson most of you in this forum should learn. Don’t beg from the government. God gave you a brain, 2 hands and 2 legs. Make it work and stop being lazy.

    I’m not saying life is pretty and dandy in Singapore. When did I say that? I’m saying that their economic might is impressive. Mind you, it is a country with 5 million people, no natural resource and a economic strength as big as Malaysia and military might doubling that of Malaysia. That is a lot of money to go around with just 5 million people. There are somethings to be learnt from Singapore such as good governance and proper economic management. Don’t just sideline Singapore because it is Singapore. Admit it, they have outplayed and outclassed Malaysia in the last 30 years! It should be a case study.

    Cherry

    I don’t live in Singapore. God no. I am a resident of Australia.

    Botak

    It’s funny that you said that the people of Singapore is all work and no play and the prices of houses/flats are unaffordable. What about the Klang Valley region? Residence of Klang Valley work their asses off for a shitty salary while the prices of properties have been spiralling (some increase by double digits around KL in 2011 itself) and costs of living rising with no end in sight.

    This is what you call a metropolitan living. It is expensive (especially accommodation) and it is happening everywhere, Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, Melbourne, New York, London are of good examples of places I have been before that are expensive to live. Do you think a professional in one of those metropolitan city could make time to exercise every evening? They will be lucky to be home for dinner by 7pm and have the urge to have sex before bedtime.

    There is no coincidence that most overseas Malaysian dislike the way the government runs Malaysia. They see and they learn how others run a country. They make fair comparisons to the way things are run in Malaysia and see that wastage is prominent and rampant. The worrying thing is that the government is doing nothing to address the corruption and mismanage of the economy. Some ministers are trying to brainwash the people to think that Malaysia is living in its grandeur. Pfft, not true. You people need to experience the overseas life to know it. I’m not being condescending but it is how it is.

    I’m saying life in Malaysia in wonderful (I still keep Malaysia dearly in my heart) but it can be better, much better. Fortunes can be spread equally to the poor, giving good education to everyone regardless of race or creed and equal job opportunity. There is an inhibitor to all the above and it is unfortunately the government of the day.

  23. Mr OldMan Tuntuah,

    Isn’t this getting too old for you now? No pun intended. Glad to see you still back here everyday. Frankly, you dont see a need to harp on the issues at hand. Instead you love taking constant jabs at others. Something you cannot seem to get into your head is that my family contributes way more taxes than you do. My extended family are also in the palm oil business. So according to your principles, I have a bigger presence here than you do to kutuk my country. I love that word kutuk. Fyi, we earn in taiwan dollars. Your assumption is quite amusing for an old guy. I either picture you as a man who is decently educated and has seen the world or a man who still lives in some tiny kampung in Perak. Quit harping on the same issues old man. Give it a rest. Dahlah you throw around your principles about contribution espc tax. Do you think the chinese community is chump change? Look at the numbers. I should bring in more ppl over here to kutuk. We have more right than you in fact to even sit here and speak of our country.

  24. Mr. Botak,

    Fyi, every Sing citizen today owns a house due to the govn initiative and policy of house subsidies. Every HDB flat is sold to its tenants at a lower price. I think they may also have better mortgage rates if Im not mistaken. This was part of Lee Kuan Yew`s vision of Singapore saying that everyone should be a home owner.

    Sing is every much like Hong Kong. A small country which is running out of space fast. Hence, land is expensive. Anways, to hell with that. Citizens and people in the world today are not too understanding if we are the ones going through the problem.

    Nobody here is talking about personal thoughts or opinions but facts and stats. The young ones are moving out of the country and seeking better jobs and prospects. This is not about how life is better in Msia.

  25. Dear Amin,

    I have lived in Singapore for a few months with some relatives who are now Sing citizens. From what I have personally observed, yes there is discontent amongst the locals that they are losing their resources and identity to the foreign talent that the govn brings in. Most of them are angered and majority also live modestly while orchard road is filled with foreigners and their 3Million dollar apartments.

    With that being said, no developed or developing country is short of its issues. However, comparatively Sing is a developed country and Msia is not. Again, black and white now, Sing trumps Msia on paper. Yes, ppl can argue about its population and size which allows easier management and such. However, they are also a vulnerable nation as they are small. Look at its talent management model which has flourished its economy. It has its repercussions, but on paper you CANNOT deny its quality. Have you visited or lived in Singapore? Why dont ppl talk about time of independence now? Ppl like Cherry, who loves the metaphor of comparing apple to apple? They are even worse off after its separation from Msia. As said before, a small nation is vulnerable when it comes to its economy, security and more. They came up with a model which worked.

    Now, I am not really a fan of Lee Kuan Yew as his vision of a Singapore today came with a hefty price of authoritarian leadership. His own local bred of Singaporean who opposed his vision were locked up under ISA for many years. Please check out Dr. Lim Hock Siew.

    My point is Encik Amin, you clearly love your country as do I. But in the event of engaging in a debate, please remove your bias thoughts. You are sounding like Tuntuah who can still believe that developed nations like Germany is worse off than Malaysia. Its great to have fiercely patriotic ppl like you. But it is also extremely dangerous to have your opinions floating around in the world to foreigners. You have clearly not engaged with foreigners as much to still think that the world is and revolves around Malaysia. I have already given out stats to you. Our own Ketua Audit Negara publishes his report every year on the check and balance. Transparency International? We have lost out of vision 2020? What other signs do you need? Look at the rioting and noise everyday in the political scene? Ppl were almost once comparing Msia with Egypt and the revolution. You live too comfortably in your tempurung sir which is Subang Jaya. Also, have you seen our Parliament talks? It is embarrassing. We have MP`s going around in an official ceremony yelling and screaming OI and insulting other races. I will find you that video, dont worry. All parliament sessions are open to public viewing. Have you seen the House of Commons at all?

  26. Dear Cherry,

    It is nice to see you defending Tun at every possible moment. How nice with your gangsta replies like OI to everyone who has nothing nice to say to Tun. Do not forget that Tun is human after all. Also, you seem to speak a lot like Tuntuah. You keep going on about contribution. What is your definition of contribution to the country? Do we as citizens not play a role each in vision2020? This comes from the young all the way to the old. Are we all not part of a contributing society which will enable the country to greater heights? Even a hawker seller pays his taxes. He sends his kids to school to get an education. The younger generation who you spit at and dont pay tax are the future of our country. The number of overseas graduates have increased over the years. These are the creme of the crop and the bright ones who will eventually run and decide our social and economy status. Do they not deserve equal respect as well>

    It is also apparent from your statements that your personal contribution is quite high? Are you in the highest income tax bracket? What car do you drive? How many kids do you have?

  27. ANDREW
    DO YOU KNOW THAT SINGAPOREANS LIVES LIKE A
    HONORABLE MISERABLES SLAVES IN SINGAPORE

    THEY LIVES TO WORK
    NOT WORK TO LIVES

    THEY HAVE NO VOICE
    THEY CANNOT SPEAK UP LIKE US
    THEIR BALLS WILL BE SQUEZED BEFORE THEY CAN SPEAK UP

    YOU LIVE IN MALAYSIA
    YOU HAVE YOUR GARDEN,YOUR OWN PARKING
    REALLY MUCH SPACE

    YOU KNOW IN SINGAPORE
    3 ROOMS FLATS WITH ONLY 2 ROOMS
    COSTS SIN$300,000 OVER THOUSANDS
    AND IT,S STILL NOT YOURS
    IT,S PUBLIC HOUSING
    AND YET FOR A SMALL SPACE
    LIVES 2 OR 3 FAMILY WITH
    1 FAMILY SAY 4 PEOPLE
    IT FITS ABOUT 12 PEOPLE STAYING
    IN A HOUSE WITH WALLS, CEILINGS,FLOORS SHARED
    BETWEEN NEIGHBOURS

    OUR PIGEONS HERE STAYED A BETTER LIFE
    YOU SHOULD BE GRATEFUL TO TUN MAHATHIR
    WE PIGEONS HERE DIED ON PADI FIELD
    NOT OF HUNGER

    WE DON,T DIED OUT OF STRESS
    OUT OF THE FISTS OF OUR GOVT

    THEY SUCCES, YES
    BUT WHAT DO THE PEOPLE HAVE
    NOTHING BRO , EXCEPT DAYS TO SERVE THE GOVT

    SINGAPOREAN SAY THEY LIVE LIKE
    ( BARUAH TERHORMAT ) HONORABLE SLAVES

  28. andrewtay85,

    I believe your glorifying Singapore would not make Singapore accept your application for citizenship. They, like any other “better Countries” will never accept people like you who are good at criticising but NOT good at contributing. So make do with what you have here in Malaysia. Ha ha ha.

  29. andrewtay85,

    Oi ! What is wrong with you? You said “This blame-it-on-the-West article is getting a little repetitive for my liking”.

    Your liking ? Who do you think you are ? This is Tun M’s blog and NOT yours !!!! It is up to him to write anything he wants, OK ? He is not here to babysit you or to please ANYONE here including you.

    You said “Okay let me be critical once again.” Wow ! You can be critical over and over again to your liking but others cannot being repetitive or whatever nonsense.

    If you do not like it here then do not visit this blog. Constructive criticism is what we need and NOT people like you who thinks they are smart but hardly contributed to the country…Go fly a kite.

  30. Dear Amin Tan,

    Are you aware of the report from the Ketua Audit Negara? There is wastage of money flowing out every year due to corruption. The numbers do not add up in the balance sheet. Also, the country is in debt at the moment. This is more of a BN issue and not about Tun himself. Are you also aware that we are no longer heading for the economic vision 2020? THis means that we would not be a developed nation economically through the numbers per capita by 2020 as set by Tun. How is Msia doing so well then? Stop looking at Europe because every country developing and developed has its own issues. Lets learn from them in terms of combating corruption and such. Let this be said that their economic model is of no use to us.

  31. Dear Tun,

    I concur with Ahmad Badri. The same thing is happening in other industries namely printing industry. With the hugh costs of labour and high labour turnover, most bumi printers are suffering from cut throat competition from Percetakan National Berhad. From invitation cards to high security printing, PNB pulls all the cables in every government printing jobs leaving almost nothing for other bumi printers. On the other side Chinese printers are more enterprising and resilient in the private sectors and many of them have been able to secure foreign jobs. Bumi printers are the weakest of the lot due to existence of predator fully government funded PNB, just like in the construction industry.

    amin tan

  32. Dear Tun,

    Please allow me to comment on andreytay85.
    Mr andrewtay85,

    You are exaggerating every thing about Singapore. You talk about wealth of Singaporeans as 15% being Millionaires. You must remember that these 15% are mostly foreigners shaving off the hard earned savings of ordinary Singaporeans, the indigenous Singaporeans. Every thing is not rosy in Singapore. They have zero growth in 2011 and their PM predicted negative growth in2012. Starting January 2012, they totally stop recruiting foreign talents. Their Temasek Holding was badly hit by the Subprime loan crisis in the US. Please stop praising Singapore as the Utopia. Singapore is a very regimented society that does not tolerate opposition or criticism. What happen to Lim Chin Siong? Do you remember Jeyaratnam?

    Malaysia is a nice country, compassionate, tolerant, cosmopolitan, inclusive and grateful. Malaysia is endowed with rich natural resources like petroleum so that we can afford to build our beloved national capital, PUTRAJAYA, a most modern and beautiful capital in the world. We are inclusive and tolerant, we accommodate the poor and we don’t hate the rich. If you say we don’t have good infrastructure it is not true. You cannot even access Tun Dr Mahathir’s blog in Singapore because it is censored.
    Don’t be greedy Mr Andrewtay85 by asking a 6 figure salary. Be compassionate and leave some to others as well

    amin tan

  33. Hey juks

    You said thay i have said ” oh i m a malay, you are minority”. You are lucky because i am not like the peliwat, your favourite, i not saman you 100 million punyer. Hehe.

    Fren. Dont spin la and try to get simpati. Old trick la. When i say like that? Show the proof la. Get your fact right boy.

    We are talking about money. You are a rich boy. You not contribute anything to the society of malaysia. You condemn the country heavily. You ask a lot of things. You really like parasite like i told you before.

    You contribute a lot to your lovely taiwan country by using the money that you get from malaysia. You spent n making taiwan economy prosper. However you never ask a lot of thing from you lovely taiwan country. Why u act double standard to you own country? I dont know. Only you know.

    It is regretted to have malaysian like you juks. You kill the country badly and try to make hell of income from it.

    Frankly, i love my chinese and indian fren down here in malaysia. They are really help to build malaysia compared to you juks. Pity. Pity. Pity.

  34. Cherry,

    I don`t doubt that all. That is the classic argument given for all developing nations. I do very much like the sound of that. Indians for one are quick to jump the gun on that statement when you talk about cows on their street and high poverty. No one ever mentions how corrupted the Indian govn is. Look at China, it is coming…However, in social terms, China is lagging behind. No point hiding or sugar coating that. Ppl spitting all over the streets of Beijing, or some kid taking a sh*t in the side of the city center is a common sight. Sounds foul doesnt it. It does not reflect the China we read or hear about in CNN or BBC. Then again, why should we bother about the negative when we can sit down and pat ourselves on the back.

    Cherry, I cant deny that excuse because it is facts. But also as a realist, we should be doing much more than we are today. Take a graph and Msia has dived down since our dear Tun left office. Of course it is due to many factors, uncontrollable and such but I will not sit down and pat myself. Speaking entrepreneurs as well, should you want to get into business, this constant attitude of accepting everything will not get you far. Majority of chinese are raised to be ruthless not just in business but also in our mindset. Please do not tell me for once that Malaysia is doing well. We have already lost out on our Vision2020 economically. If that is not a sign, I don`t know what is. No wait, unless you are happy with the meager life and economy, then maybe do vote for BN again.

  35. Dear chedan7644,

    First of all, I would never denied anyone their needs or benefit from the govn. Where did that statement come from? If you have been following my past comments, I am saying dont discriminate. It is the govn who is not truly not helping those in need. Are you not aware of that? I am trying to tell ppl here to wake up. But it seems only everyone here is Malay and only supports their Muslim brothers. As long as one of their own gets it, that is fine. I have no interest of being the ppl`s champion. Have a conscience and some sense. I try to do my part and spread awareness. Also, I am trying to learn from others espc when it comes to their views and take on the issue. But its absolutely ridiculous at times.

    Can I not criticize my own govn? Simple quintessential Yes or No answer.

  36. Dearest Tun

    1-Today with the bigger access of broadband afforded the Malaysians the more the mainstream would deny the opposition space to voice up the more people will only turn to the alternative media.

    2-Many have already shun completely the mainstream media for this one sided biased reporting or if they are still following would still read but with a pinch of salt only.

    3-Through this media people will be asked why is the Govt not allowing the opposition to defend themselves from all the accusations and slanders made against the opposition every single day? Is the Govt scared of something?

    4-If the ceramah of Anwar like the recent one at likut reaches to the masses..BN is indeed in deep trouble.This guy has a way in making his personal integrity secondary..the issues at hand as primary.

    5-Knowing how short term and self centred we humans are he knows just how to win our confidence.Toll free highways,subsidized petrol again..wow..that is most tempting just who doesn’t like these things.

    6-I think its best that the BN govt allow Anwar to prove to us in the mainstream media how he can afford to do that without bankrupting the country..so that who he really is could be exposed.

    7-If this can’t be done I think a hung parliament that Daim had mentioned is not too farfetched.

    Thanks Tun

  37. Owhh my Mr Mahathir. Can we talk about something else? This blame-it-on-the-West article is getting a little repetitive for my liking.

    Okay let me be critical once again.

    Preaching about cost-cutting measures? Preaching about living within our means? This government and its predecessors are equally wasteful. Please take some time off and read about the rampant wastages that were highlighted by the Auditor General’s report.

    What about the mega-million project scandals? Bakun project, Proton, Pewaja, NFC and what not. We don’t need the Auditor General to tell us about the wastages that were incurred by those projects. Those projects are so notorious for breeding wastage that it goes without saying.

    And here you are preaching about cost cutting measures? You are like a pot calling a kettle black. I suppose all politicians are the same.

    But there are differences about the EU’s policy and Malaysian’s. Gather around folks as I talk further. Grab that bag of chips and that bottle of cold Leffe.

    The EU disseminates wealth to its people. They tried to close the gap between the rich and the poor. They tried to mandate a higher standard of living. Some members succeed and some members unfortunately faltered. The lesson learnt from Greece is transparency. If the previous Greek government did not hide/scam/lie about its true national debt from regulators , it would not be in a dire position that it is currently enduring at the moment.

    Having said the above, have the standard of living of ordinary Malaysians increased since 1997 aka has our buying power increased? Yes emphasis on ORDINARY not elites. Capital investments of that sort should pay in multiple times their cost. If not, why bother building or initiating them at the first place. So what benefits do we directly obtain from those mega-million projects besides risking a higher public debt? Why has the public debt in this country shot up to worrying heights lately?

    We are doing things wrongly in Malaysia. We have an incompetent and delusional government who assumes that we are at the centre stage of the world but little do most people know, we are relatively unknown to the outside world. We have been shadowed by Singapore. Compare this fair land to the land across the Johore Straits. Grass is indeed greener on the other side. The people of Singapore are the fifth riches people on earth. More than 15% of them are millionaires. Yes, 15% of the population. That is unheard of at least to me. Don’t just take my word for it, read it up.

    Singapore will continue to grow and leave us stranded in our tracks. Why? Because they have the right policies in place. They are attracting talents. Why is talent so important? Because talent makes you stand out. Talent is the backbone of any company and country. A country grow with talent. A bad example would be Nazi Germany. A good example would be USA.

    Readers who hate me will know that I am never shy to applaud Singapore. It’s a no brainer. I appreciate success and all its glory. I see a success story in Singapore. Good governance, strong mentality for success, top notch education and a dark history to avoid repeat. Those are all important traits we should encourage ourselves. We live for no one. We control our destiny. Sounds like an Aryan chant hey? Lets just leave it there as it is.

    Malaysia has talents although the numbers are limited and most of the time the government are off convincing them that Malaysia has the potential for greatness. I think the government is trying to convince itself that Malaysia has potential for greatness. Well, sorry to say, but not in this sticky situation we have to tackle head-on.

    As a Malaysia living abroad and looking at Malaysia from a standpoint of a foreigner, it is bad to do business in Malaysia. It is getting better I’ll give Malaysia that.

    The infrastructure is unfortunately lacking. Broadband rules the way we do business in the future. But a glance at Malaysian’s broadband penetration we need not think in great depths to comprehend that it is a complete utter fail and rubbish. To top that up, it is also expensive considering the snail-paced speed we are forking out.

    Bureaucracy and red tape – investing a country with the mindset that you need bribes to run a business. We cannot blame the investors. All the statistics point to a corrupt and mismanaged Malaysia. Transparency = fail. Corruption = champion. Developed nations are just not used to it. It is like living in the 70s or the 80s for most of them. You know, the bad cops in Miami Vice, yeah, they don’t look so badass if they spend a night in Malaysia. People are scared of committing their investments in Malaysia and they are not to be blamed. We have to blame ourselves for lacking in competition, reluctance to reform and more importantly, good governance.

    I digressed. Well back to talent. Unlike goods, talents have a mind of their own. They wonder around looking for lucrative jobs overseas because they know that they are well-equipped. Talent is universal. It will land you a job at anywhere in the globe and if God allows, Malaysia. But we are all so used to seeing the many talents Malaysia attracts namely maids, bangla workers, prostitutes, and pinoys. Most of them redundant unless you are contemplating an illegal enterprise. So what do we learn from this shameless writing? Pay us 6 digit salaries and we will come back and love you long time. That or just reform.

  38. Dear Tun,

    You wrote
    “1. I wrote recently on the financial problems of Europe at the invitation of the Financial Times. Of course it is not erudite as would those who studied economics and finance would write. Strangely some people agreed with my views.”

    Economics is a logical science. You are a medical doctor. A medical doctor normally is far more intelligent, many times more I should say, than an economics graduate. I guess you could master any economics topic very easily. Your intelligence is far above average and you live a very disciplined life.
    Economics generally is divided into Macro Economics, the big picture and Micro Economics or theory of the firms and competition. Money and banking comes under another topic.
    Normally, those who know very little economics like Anwar Ibrahim or Nik Aziz or Mat Sabu talk about economics or doomsday economics under BN. They fear mongering among equally illiterate rural folks. They talk about national debts whereas they are Malay language or arabic language graduates. Theirs are economics song sang or haywire economics.

    amin tan

  39. Very Important to our Peaceful World
    When United States Hailed For Democracy and Human Rights
    To a Nations Not in their Favor
    It is not Democracy their Intentions
    It is an Instrument, A Weapons to Create Chaos to these Nations
    A Tools to Trigger the Oppositions to starts a Conflicts

    They have tried to trigger China, Burma , Malaysia
    Iran, Libya, Syria, and many parts of the Nations not in their Favor and to deliver their United States Personal Interests
    Personal Agenda at the expense of Innocents Lifes
    With the pretext of Good Intentions
    Proven They did not Hailed Democray internally within
    with the Blacks of their own citizens
    United States did not Hailed Democracy, Human Rights
    To Greek , France , Britain , Israel which
    The people is having Demostrations for Human Rights
    US knows if they hailed Human Rights at these Nations
    At these junctions of Time
    It will weakens the Ruling Government and creates Chaos to
    these Nations

    They also ask China, Soviet to interfere with North Korea
    Iran of their Nuclear Ambitious
    Instigating Friction between China And North Korea
    Iran and Soviets, sheilding US fear of their own enemy
    At the expense of others

    We the World Cannot allow these happenings
    And cannot be a Fool to United States Interests

  40. Salam TUN,

    TUN did very well during your tenure as PM.
    No need to humble yourself against these so called economists and financial experts.
    Most of the times their ideas and reccomendations dont works at all.
    Testimony to that,see this list of worst finanacial crisis in US history.
    (10)the oil crisis of 1973
    (9)Panic of 1875
    (8)Kennedy slide
    (7)2001-2002 Recession
    (6)Panic of 1819
    (5)Panic of 1873
    (4)The bankers’panic of 1907
    (3)Panic of 1893
    (2)Mortgage crisis of 2007
    (1)Crash of 1929 / Great Depression

    They are paid big bucks for hawking bad ideas,what a great jobs.
    At list, TUN’s bakers at The Loaf can make perfect breads all the time.
    As long as the Orang Puteh are courting the Credit Rating Agencies they are in good hands.
    Even though their economy are in a doldrum they will over come it with ease.
    The irony of this farce,the first of them was set up in 1909 by J Moody after he went bankrupt in the 1907 crisis.
    He himself went bust,but later was entrusted the job to rate others.
    In 1922 merged with Fitch and Standard,experiencing quantum leap in wealth hawking their rating to enthusiastics investors.
    They are not even aware as the financial crisis are looming,still hawking untill the crisis hit.
    Sound like a fiary tales with happy ending.

  41. Salam,

    ************************************************************
    Gaji kecil, kos sara hidup tinggi. Ada jalan Penyelesaian?
    ***********************************************************
    Negara perlu pemimpin dan pegawai tinggi kerajaan yang amanah dan fatanah.

    Gaji perlu dinaikkan secara berperingkat2 sesuai dengan pendapatan negara. Masalahnya kenaikan gaji tahunan bagi kebanyakan penjawat awam terlalu kecil berbanding kos sara hidup yang meningkat secara mendadak.

    YAng gaji tingi2 tu tak payah lah naik tinggi macam gunung, naik sikit2 cukuplah. Yang gaji rendah macam kerani,buruh dan lain2 yang terdesak. Gaji kecil hutang bertimbum, macam mana buat?

    ***********************************************************
    Harga rumah melambung tinggi
    **********************************************************
    Dulu ramai duk komplen rumah tak siap/terbengkalai tapi nak kena bayar bank tiap2 bulan . Ada yang terbengkalai bertahun2. Kerajaan berusaha selesaikan, tapi banyak juga masalah .

    Saya tak mau cakap banyak2. Tapi nak bagitau sikit, kadangkala banyak masalah Barisan Nasional bukan berpunca dari ahli politik sahaja tetapi juga kelemahan dan kecuaian penjawat awam.

    Masalah utama penjawat awam ialah pemantauan!!! Yang atas tu pantau yang bawah, jangan duk pantau yang lebih atas. jangan turun padang golf selalu tetapi turun padang rakyat sentiasa. Jangan tengok jadual pergerakan bos2 tetapi tengok jadual tugasan masing2. Jangan fikir nak naik pangkat saja, fikir lah tanggungjawab masing2. Yang sihat wal’afiat tapi malas nak bekerja, baik berhenti kerja dan jadi Nujum Pak Belalang.

    Ingatlah dunia ini bukan boleh hidup selamanya.
    Wallahu ‘Alam.

  42. To all ungrateful Malaysians and “you know who you are”,

    Please read 24-3-2012 A T Mutalib (thanks a million, A T Mutalib !).

    Compare Malaysia to other developing countries fairly. We have to be true to ourselves first. You cannot have one leg in Malaysia and the other leg in UK and kutuk mercilessly. Malaysia has done well after only 55 years of Independance from errr UK. Look inside your heart.

  43. Salam Tun,

    Saya setuju dengan penjelasan tun tadi. Sebagai negara yang dikatakan demokrasi dan telus, peranan Audit Negara penting dalam menilai perbelanjaan yang ada. Jabatan tersebut hendaklah bebas daripada gangguan yang tidak sepatutnya dalam menilai setiap perbelanjaan yang di buat oleh kerajaan. Hasil penemuan mestilah di maklumkan kepada rakyat melalui media yang ada samada bercetak atau boleh dicapai secara “on line”.

    For juks,

    The way how you talk maybe to put our govrn down. If your family able to spend a money to get well educated out there, just do it. Let those needed an aided from govrn get the benefits. Don’t put every burden to your head. If you are interested in Malaysia politics please come back here and be the people champion (Work for people more than politic activity).

  44. Assalamualaikum Tun.

    Memang benar saya kembali berniaga kerana permintaan sendiri melalui satu surah dalam Al Quran.

    Saya tidak mintak berniaga,cuma mintak yang terbaik untuk family.

    Sudah tentu setelah 6 bulan berniaga di kampung halaman,saya selesaikan report di pejabat agama daerah dan memuji pengalihan pengurusan mpk di kompleks.

    Suatu yang tak terduga hari ini adalah kiosk saya dialihkan keluar di kaki lima bangunan.Suatu lokasi yang tak saya terfikirkan sebelum ni.

    Saya tertanya tanya pasal perkara ganjil seperti ini.

    Kekadang kuasa Allah swt tidak kita tergambarkan.Saya lebih takutkan kuasaNya sebenarnya dari pindah keluar.

    Adakah Tun pun sama?

    Terima kasih Tun.

  45. Is anyone here reading the garbage that is being spewed up by our old man Mr. Tuntuah? He is truly implying that one is not allowed to comment or oppose if one does not pay taxes. All the young non-working generation should be insulted by his comments. This is another form of discrimination he chooses to practice besides his popular `oh I am a Malay, you are minority.` Diam saja. Absolute ridiculous and you can only speak of such statements out in a pro-govn blog. Try stating that in openly. You should have also gone to the Lynas demonstrations and tell all the non-working class to go home. If this is the sort of Msian that we have bred over the years, it is good that your time is coming up. We cant be having the younger generation think like you do, although I do fear for your children. Another day and another hindrance towards our goals of achieving Vision 2020.

    Also, Tun I cannot believe that this spat has been going on long enough now that you continue to sit aside and allow this. I know you may not be as liberal or open to the idea of constructive criticism, however, as an ex-leader I do hope that you find this worrying that there are indeed people out there who still continue to discriminate. This may not be in the form of race, but worst still,a blatant outright disregard for the younger generation.

    On second thoughts, you did support AUKU saying that kids should focus on their education and not worry about govn policies and such. Then again, I should be paying taxes soon enough. Till then.

  46. Dear Tun,

    Apparently juks has appointed himself to be Opposition spokesperson much like Mr Lim Kit Siang or Malaysia kini. Juks has shown deep disrespect and indeed bad manners to criticise our beloved prime minister and the first lady without actually knowing what is going on. What dinner in Shangri la costs rm500,000.? Besides that you claim the bill was paid by the Prime Minister department. I think juks is a real loose cannon and absolutely out of control. Mr juks, please be sensible and have some sense of decency and decorum. Don’t get involved in gutter gossips.

    amin tan

  47. Assalamu’alaikum wr wb.
    YAB Tuan Guru Tun Dr Mahathir Yg DiRahmati Allah swt.

    1. Oleh sebab bersifat tamak maka jadi hamba duit.

    2. DiMsia sendiri, sifat tamak nak berkuasa, nak jadi sangat Yang Berhormat menjadikan orang politik banyak tidak jumpa pintu syurga. Mereka membenarkan apa yang salah

    3. Mereka yang ambil nasihat TGDrM, insyaAllah mereka selamat.

    Jazakallah TGDrMahathir.

  48. Where does this attitude that less work is better come from? This attitude creates it’s own problems. How can we pay for ourselves if we don’t work. At root, this is the problem and basis of Pakatan’s idealistic promises and payouts.

    BN govt now is hastily aping Pakatan payouts instead of designing imaginative vision-driven payouts like the ASN.

  49. To Cherry,

    Why thank you. How nice and kind of you say that. Why are you listening to me anyways? Better yet, are you even reading my replies? Read it in the context of how it was replied to my dear old man Tuntuah. The guy was saying lets practice how much tax we pay vs giving out our opinions. Well, really dont talk unless you pay tax. Point is, you clearly agree with him or are just pro-govn blindly to point where if it was a murderer, biarlah because hes a supporter of BN. He is one of us kan? Ridic.

  50. OBAMA RECENT SPEECH TO CHINA OF
    1. HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA
    2. ASKING CHINA , SOVIETS ON NUCLEA AMBITION
    OF NORTH KOREA AND IRAN

    1. IS LIKE ASKING THE CHINESE CITIZENS TO GO AGAINST THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT WHICH CAN TRIGGERS TO A NATION CHAOS

    2. TO CREATE CHINA , RUSSIA TO HAVE A HEAT RELATIONS WITH NORT KOREA AND IRAN AS SUCH TO PROTECT
    UNITED STATES FEAR AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER

    WHY DON,T CHINA , SOVIET ASK UNITED STATES
    TO ASK ISRAEL ,UNITED STATES TO PUT DOWN THEIR NUCLEAR AMBITIONS AND PRACTICE THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS IN THEIR VERY OWN COUNTRY

    THE BLACKS ARE HAILING FOR THESE HUMAN RIGHTS

    MAKE SENSE HA !

  51. i got fed up when people talk that our country has been governed badly. if so, why we are not like somalia, like zimbabwe, like indonesia, like North America?

    Are these people really sure that our country has been governed badly or just cakap because peliwat said so?

    Are these people really understand that North America has been printing a lot of her paper money happily and requested you to finance it?

    Are these people really have a brain to think?

  52. My fren.

    You have been subsidised by the government.. eerrrr by me (through my incometax). Tell you this, your school bus, land of your school, your family income (dont tell me that your family kekayaan inherited from your grandpa and grandma from the mainland), which all has been subsidied by the government through harga kawalan for some foods, the road that your school bus used, the gasoline for your family car, etc etc etc. and you still want to talk bad about this country? what a shame!!!

    incometax… are you really sure that i pay less incometax than what your family has paid?

    Have you been in sudan during the war? have you been in Batam during riot of kaum? have you seen in your own eyes people mati di tepi tepi jalan akibat this war? you are not see it. You know what, at this time, how rich you are, how much money do you have, its nothing!

    go and get your first degree, then work, then pay ur incometax, then you can make hell of noises. if not just shut up because you are not understand on what you are talking about. You may regret on what you have said.

  53. Ok juks,

    you are the smartest guy in Malaysia and errr UK. pls come and rule us here in Malaysia. Please come back. please….Anyway, what do you really want here ? You are not living in Malaysia. You said you have never benefitted anything from Malaysia. Your family must be crazy for remaining in Malaysia. The government and the Malays are stupid and not smart like you so…….do you want us to listen to you who is NOT living in Malaysia and never benifitted anything from Malaysia???

    Please, i want to vote for you. Please come back and show yourself. I hope you are happy now.

  54. Salam Tun and All,

    I agree fully with you and also Mubarakchan. I actually knew it all along that it is just the opposition’s propaganda. They themselves knew that is not going to work. Just want to get in power first, sell any story available, buku jingga? more like insulting people intelligence.

    This is the power of deception. They think that the pyramid of society is made up of laymens who know nuts about anything in this world and they fool them so that they can get in power and take revenge.

    I’m not going to be just a tool for somebody’s lust for power and take everyone and the country as ransom.

  55. Salam Tun,

    We often hear the phrase “if America coughs, we go down with flu” ( kalau Amerika batuk, kita demam ). Now America is in ICU. Coupled with that is the current European debt crisis. And our government says our economy is doing fine. Wow.

    Hardworking people struggling to survive watch on TV how government personnel spend and how they live, and they witness the ceremonious style of the government of the day dishing out handouts to “helpless” people when the hardworking struggling ones are told to queue up and shut up.

    In general this is a land where mismanagement and mistakes are rewarded while good management and ideas are taxed until death. And i have not entered into the religious realm, where anything religious is deemed right, corruption included.

    I can however understand the dilemma of the government. I watch around me the sheer number of people dependent on “charity” jobs and salaries, jobs which would otherwise not even exist, which were created simply to provide handouts to people to live. The job is simply to be present and nod. If the system is changed, we will have a large population wandering about lost in the economic storm. So the government has to maintain status quo. It has to allow and continue to reward mismanagement. Should the government even attempt to put things right, the might of the “right” populace will strike at the government. And therein lies the limit.

    So the way of the government of the day has not changed since i was born. The song is “Let it be”.

    Thank You Tun

  56. Assalamualikum Tun

    Memang benar sekiranya kita berbelanja melebihi pendapatan, maka akan susahlah kita dan bankrup menjelang.

    Bagitulah nasib syarikat-syarikat bas swasta di Malaysia. Tambang bas dikawal olih Kerajaan, kos-kos saperti bahanapi, kos beli bas, gaji, penyelenggaraan terus menerus naik dari masa kesemasa.

    Kerajaan mengawal tambang bas bagaikan kenaikan kos tidak perlu diambil kira sahingga kemuncaknya banyak syarikat-syarikat gulong tikar.

    Benar sekali kata Tun, kalau kos tidak dikawal – habislah kita. Untuk syarikat-syarikat bas ini, kos mereka tidak dapat dikawal kerana ‘market forces’ yang menentukannya! ia bagai masak air dalam periok yang ditutup rapat! tiada injap utk melepaskan tekanan yang terbina didalam – akibatnya MELETUP! itulah agaknya cerita perniagaan bas negara!

    Kerajaan ambil alih sahaja syarikat-syarikat bas ini dan lepaskanlah sengsara yang dirasa. TAPI kesengsaraan ini akan dipikul olih Kerajaan kerana kos tetap akan berubah dan naik bukan turun.

    RWA (Ready, Willing & Able) – mampukah kerajaan memainkan peranan ini?

  57. When United States Hails Democracy
    It is NOT Demcracy They Hails For
    They expect Oppositions to React
    To create Demonstrations that will leads to Killings
    Killing will narrow to Unrest
    Unrest leads to Chaos
    Chaos results to more divided Civil Unrest
    Divided Civil Unrest results to A Nation Downfall
    These is What is they want it to be
    To A Nations Not In Their Favor

    They did not Hails these Democracy To British
    Nor to France that is now having problems
    They know if they ignite it the flames will sparks

    We World has to know the right thing
    We cannot just listens to Lies
    Organise Lies by United States
    Umbrelled by United Nations

  58. Dearest YAB Tun,

    1. I agree with Tun. Those with COMMONSENSE know that “we must always spend within/below our means”. If we spend beyond our means, then of course sooner or later we will be in trouble…

    2. We need to save (pay ourselves first) at least 10% of our income and invest the saved money wisely. Jauhi “Skim Cepat Kaya”.

    Thanks Tun.

    *** May Allah SWT bless Tun and family ***

  59. Dearest Tun

    1-It seems that the present Govt really enjoy creating traffic jams for us in the city.Not only do we have to endure massive jams everytime it rain dogs and cats or if the SMART tunnel had to be closed ,the Govt must add more with all these activities in the city.

    2-Why must you hold the F1 related concerts and the Police day parade in the city?What is the Multi billion PUTRAJAYA for?I thought PUTRAJAYA is a great success..or is it not?

    3-Tun do our present leadership know how miserable it is to get stucked hours in the traffic?When You get stucked for hours you can turn cuckoos..

    4- Maybe they don’t know because when we rakyat get stucked in these jams they have created for us..the PM and his ministers get whizzed pass us with the help of the police escort who would often arrogantly kicked our cars just to make way for them.We are already stucked with no room to move and these guys ask us to crack our heads to give space so that these VIPs can go home early to their wives.Kerajaan berjiwa rakyat my foot.

    5.You were not like this when you were the PM.You are the only leader who is qualified to declare being berjiwa rakyat.You have suffered the hardship of life and you have never forgotten your roots.

    6-That must also be the reason why you made sure that Tun Dr Hasmah don’t behave like the Queen of this country.

    7-I really miss you Tun.

    Thanks Tun

  60. PS : In the proper management of any dept, company, organization, country, one must bear in mind that
    “A POPULAR MANAGER MAY NOT BE A GOOD MANAGER,
    AND A GOOD MANAGER NEED NOT BE POPULAR.”
    When it comes to managing our country, always remember that AI is just a dickhead kiss *ss aspiring to be a popular manager promising his blind followers everything under the sun as in “cakap tak serupa bikin !”

    Whereas our PM Najib is managing just fine and must continue to do so for our children’s children’s future.

  61. Dear Tun

    To all Malaysians
    If you want to continue enjoying the good life in the most subsidized society / country on this planet, DON’T BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU.

    Be grateful that we are born Malaysians and appreciate what we have. Try living in some other country in Asia where gasoline costs almost RM 4 / liter and you pay world market price for foodstuff and necessities. Try living in the West where taxation is so high, you take home just over 40 Sen for every RM you earn. I have traveled almost world-wide in the past 30 years and have been told by my foreign friends and associates who have “experienced” Malaysia that Malaysia is a “heavenly” place.

    If what we already have is still not enough, I do not know what would be enough for some. I saw a bumper sticker in the States which said “Love America, or else we will bring democracy to your country !” I like America and the West but not to the point of giving up our country. But for AI, that is not a concern because his prime objective in life, until he dies, is to be PM !

    “GOD save the King
    GOD save Malaysia”

    Thank you, Tun, for your vision which we are sure will be carried on by our PM Najib.

  62. Dear Tun,

    Honestly I can’t be bothered with the financial problems they are having in Greece, USA, and soon in Spain and Portugal or UK. These European people are supposed to be very intelligent, and with far more superior brainpower than everyone else, especially us in Asia. So let them sort their problems out. They don’t need our advice.

    What’s more important is the financial situation we are in, and will be in for the next many years. Far more important is how our economy is right now. I don’t know about all others, but in the construction industry where I am in, it is very sick, unless you are one of those favoured by the Great Lords who are pumping in billions into your companies with more and more projects even though you have more than enough.

    A RM20billion project given to one company benefits only friends of the company, who selects their own engineering consultants, architects, QS, sub-contractors, suppliers etc. We the small fries are supposed to watch the event and be proud of our “billions of dollars for national development” and vote for BN again. Those who are suffering right now are mainly Bumi small fries with no connection, not proxy to any politicians or cronies of somebody big.

    I hate to repeat, but the same problems of fair distributions remain the same. But then who are we to advise the government? They have brainy economic advisors. Fact of the matter is the small guys, especially the Bumis are suffering, and that include many professionals – engineers, architects etc. And then there are the lawyers and banks chasing after the small fries, and so many small firms are winding up.

    Not only that, even the LHDN feels they ought to put us is prison if we don’t find the money some where to pay taxes, and even the EPF people feel they ought to pay us surprise visits all the time. For some strange reasons, LHDN suddenly loves taking people to court with the smallest excuse they have in the name of efficiency. And as for the banks, they behave more like pirates – maybe pirates are better, they don’t kill us so that they can come and rob again. Banks don’t care if you become a bankrupt. Banks, LHDN and all these money grabbing institutions are no more humans. Their CEOs take home millions of Ringgit of salary, they can’t understand an empty stomach. And where are we supposed to go to find help?

    Tun, a hungry man is an angry man.

  63. Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
    Salam Hormat

    Money And Halal Trade
    (ringgit malaysia and dinar emas for now)

    17. The incumbent Governments cannot be irresponsible and try to be popular always. The people must understand this.

    Is it about Maaf and rebuilding as the two billion bahts compensation for victims of violence in Southern Thailand is about popularity while Italian Government Approves Major Labor Reform and World Bank Announces Candidates For Presidency is about the economic situation Wall Street capitalism has brought about.

    One was reading Bernama’s http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsgeneral.php?id=654511 with Dr. Mahathir’s Productivity, Minimum Wage and Money in tow while the mind’s thought lingers still on Kallim Jamal and Halal Trade and the list of things to do and how to arrange a meeting with Dr. Mahathir after his arrival in Pulau Pinang on April 5th.

    Money is a wonderful invention and Halal Trade is the best innovation a muslim could want; barakah is felt.

    Sekian

    Sekian.

  64. Salam Tun,

    But Tun…

    If the government of the day do not throw the billions now, i can see no other indicators that they can win the votes, despite the sheer power of the government machinery.

    And the billions would have to be recouped in the usual ways of course. Most hardworking Malaysian public do not know this, we all all busy working making ends meet so it’s rather safe for the government to do that i think.

    Chances are people will be so thankful to have a very sympathetic government they will give a blank vote this time ( the political equivalent of a blank cheque ) and allow UMNO & BN to rule forever and ever.

    Only Tun, remind them to print more money please. Lots more.

    Thank You Tun

  65. Tun

    I thought I seek your kind indulgence to explain one wee bit about my 3 Attributes to be fulfilled for consideration to be a Prime Minister.

    I have been an apolitical student of the galazy ofpersonalities involved in politics in Malaya/Malaysia and Singapore due to a significant event which happened in my family in October 1951. This aroused my curiosity. You may say this was my awakening to life and all that went with it.

    Since the 1950s until now, I found that I had gathered a treasury of the strengths and weaknesses of the good and the great on both sides of the Causeway. I took the academic approach with no bias. Everything which was laid before me had to substantiatied by facts. Gossips did not add the icing to the cake.

    And arising from the ding-dong of recent Malaysian politics and their leaders and foreign leaders who proclaimed they were great and superb, I slowly began to realise maybe I could try to categorise them whether they were fit for the leadership of a country or a corporation or even a business by drawing upon my knowledge culled from over 50 years of experience in the helter-skelter of Malaysian life at ground zero.

    Hence, the 3 Attributes :-

    1. Commonsense.

    2. The ability to think out of the box e.g. creativity, innovativity, and vision.

    3. Compassion.

    The application of these 3 Attributes to any personality will reveal a rough guide to his/her characteristics concerning their performances in
    the top post or otherwise.

    Simply put, in your case Tun, you have 100 marks each for Commonsense and Ability to think out of the Box. And for Compassion ? I am sorry to say it is more than 100%. Why ? Any doctor is brainwashed and motivated to serve Humankind. That is the doctors’ lot, no more no less. And how do I know ?

    I knew because I saw Tun Siti Hasmah and your goodself walking around the Kuala Lumpur Malls with only a bodyguard in the evenings during the 22 years of your Administration, quite often. If you were not really interested in us to uplift our standards, you would not waste your time in this activity. Imagine the tremendous power and the money at your disposal and yet you spent time finding out for yourself the real Malaysia ! And no fun and games for you !

    And what did I find when I applied these 3 Attributes on some of the good and the great around us, I found to my horror that some of them have zero compassion. It was just do the fellow down attitude all the way, bang bang bang – a sort of caveman behaviour in the Jurassic Age.

    Tun, the choice is theirs with humble apologies !

    Money ! Money ! Money !

  66. Dear Tun,

    I am sad that young man juks has appointed himself to be Opposition spokesperson much like Mr Lim Kit Siang or Malaysia kini. Juks has shown deep disrespect and indeed rough and bad manners to criticise our beloved prime minister and the first lady without actually knowing what is going on. What dinner in Shangri la costs rm500,000.? Even if they serve live monkey brains or elephant genitalia also may not cost that much and on top of that you claim the bill was paid by the Prime Minister department. I think juks is a real loose cannon and absolutely out of control. Mr juks, please be sensible and have some sense of decency and decorum. Don’t get involved in gutter gossips.

    amin tan

  67. salam…

    mismanagement tun…cakap susah,tak cakap pun susah…

    gomen byk habih duit pada benda yg tak patut…itu yg org bawah banyak dan selalu nampak…

    kalau cerita ‘mark up’ pulak, dari atas sampaila ke bawah…belum cerita2 lain lagi…

    kos bertambah…taktaula org gomen cemana…tapi golongan swasta, bekerja sendiri cukup terasa…

  68. YABhg Tun,

    ..sometimes desperate measures are
    needed at desperate time, and now are
    desperate times…

  69. Tuntuah,

    When I finally get a job back home, I will be back here with my income tax forms. I will also make sure that I get taxed on the highest income bracket to ensure that I have sufficient rights to insult our government as you claim. Till then, my family contributes more taxes than you do. Without making this a racial issue, so do the minorities. No wait, 99 percent of minorities alr do contribute majority to our country. So please, What good life are you talking about??? I have never asked anything from our govn. Everything has been paid for in full by my family. Kalau nak pergi UK, jangan harap on anyone else. If you are a begger in Msia, jangan harap the govn is going to help you. That is the reality of the world we live in today.

    Btw, stop putting words in my mouth. I have never stated anything about not paying tax. At the end of the day, no one likes it. But its what we do. Go get a real job instead of continuing to spew garbage again. Mr. Amsterdam, clearly I have hit a real nerve somewhere. It seems my nickname comes up pretty often here epsc from my fav like cherry, and Sudin.

    Btw, you talk the good talk espc when it comes to being absolutely pro-govn. Im guessing if pro-govn, then it doesnt matter how much taxes you pay? More discrimination huh?

  70. I’m sure if somethings wrong with the present government, Tun will sniff it out..

  71. Salam Tun and fellow bloggers,
    You’re right Tun, all the way you’d delivered beautifully…what other proofs do people need? For more than 20 years you had brought us developments, higher standards of living, more income, etc. All your policies benefited all, but as usual, those iblis@satans who instigated the ignorant rakyat are the real enemies of this country.
    But sad to say, only those blessed by Allah to have brains can see clearly the real ‘anugerah tuhan’ (meaning you Tun),and avoid the destroyers.
    Bangsa Melayu, sad to say, believed more to their feelings, rather than their akal., that’s why the iblis and satans whispered thru their feelings.

  72. YABhg Dr. Mahahthir Mohamad
    Salam Hormat

    Short question
    (asean logo represents 1997)

    What would happen should if Malaysia default ala Greece or in the position similar to Italy locally and the impact on ASEAN?

    Or we dare not say in daylight for being proactive muslims and neutrinos were caught speeding illegally.

    Sekian.

  73. Dearest Tun

    1-Najib had announced Idris Jala vision 2019 a few years ago.In this great vision Malaysia is definitely going the way of Greece if we do not cut on subsidies.Now instead of actually affecting these cuts Najib had given out even more through all these ad hoc handouts which Najib said may be continued if the Nations’s economy would permit.

    2-What happened? Has our economy improved tremendously already under Idris Jala’s PEMANDU/ETP initiatives?Are we out of the woods already that we now could not only keep the subsidies but to even give out more?

    3-So is Idris Jala vision 2019 real or not?If it is an actual threat our nation is only seven years away from this very grave danger and that is not a very long time at all.Going the way of Greece is not a something a multi ethnic society like Malaysia can afford to be.Its the setting up a timebomb!

    4-This is the problem with democratic countries .Telling the truth to the people is not easy to do esp when election is just around the corner .In a democratic system whatever you give you cannot take back.Pak lah withdrew the petrol subsidies we all see the political tsunami it caused in 2008.

    4-The champion of democracy,the US is now heading for a very imminent economic colapse because of this same problem.There is no way the Govt can withdraw whatever it has promised her people.

    5-Her debt situation is spiralling terribly out of control now that it has entered its exponential explosive level.It took Obama only a term to accumulate a debt of additional USD5 trillion what Bush required two terms to ‘accomplished’.It won’t be too long when a US president would be able to double this debt within just one term.

    6-Soon enough too,just the interest payment would be a trillion a year.That is how bad the situation of the USA is but there is nothing anybody could do.Their politicians are only happy to continue to spend so that their voters would continue to keep them in office.

    7-This is the strength of China in this 21st century.She can change however she likes to be relevant and strong and why she is definitely going to rule the world very soon.This is also the reason why Tun had advocated a very strong Government like the one Singapore still has until today.

    8-For 22 years under Tun we were then quite like under the rule of China too, the reason why we once an economic powerhouse.Tun then don’t need to buy votes like Najib desperately does now.

    9-Maybe democracy is not so great a system after all.

    Thanks Tun

  74. You are right Tun but government servants and employees association do not understand.They always think of the increase of pay and never take into account the prices of goods will increase too plus the borrowing by the government. If their pays increase, the amount of work will still remain the same. So why need the increase? The government should work to reduce the prices of consumers commodities instead. For example, the very high increase of the prices of fish, instead of numerous subsidies is not acceptable at all. The main reasons behind this the deep fish licences are granted to only Tan Sris and Datuks. They instead lease them to Thai fisherman who secretly unload the catch to other fishing boats in the sea and sent to Thailand. We surfer the shortage in supplies which push the prices high up. The licences nowadays have become inheritage property, transferred to next of kin if the original owner passed away. Another products like rices, The licence first held by LPN and later transferred to BERNAS controlled by Hongkong’s party. We should have Crown Agent to control the prices of commodities.

  75. Dear Tun,

    I agree 100% to what you explained about the management and wisdom of financial management for the country. No doubt you personally have experienced challenges during your tenure and have the credence to speak on the matter.

    Having said that Tun, we can also learn one key lesson from the challenges we faced in the past and that lesson is – we must have capable and credible administrators in the Government machinery.

    You were a strong leader Tun despite you do have flaws, but your strength clearly benefitted the country; though many are arguing now that your success did ignite a whole new generation of ‘greedy UMNO’.

    I think this is the part that we see now that is swaying the rakyat mind for a change of Government. Despite all the logic the Government is spreading currently, the fact remains that the rakyat can see that those in power now are too obsessed with personal wealth.

    Yes the country is still not bankrupt but obviously these kinds of leaders won’t benefit the country from any view we choose to look at it.

    Then the question now is… can Dato Seri Najib really be as strong as you have and bring the change that is necessary?

    A good example of poor governance that many are not aware : the MOF have so many companies wholly owned by it and how many are actually making money? How many are run by UMNO linked individuals who most of them are getting away with mediocre or downright bad governance?

    Who will change this ?

    I personally do not wish to hear the promises for more incentives or salaries but instead I want to see real change happening in all areas that change must be made.

    Many do not subscribe to the point that UMNO/BN need time anymore because UMNO/BN was given 52 years.

    I hope if BN still wins in the coming election then it will change for the better.

    If however BN were to fail to be in power then I hope it will learn the lesson once an for all and come back stronger for the good of this nation and its people.

  76. Dpp: human race… till we reach our end.

    Salam Tun,

    I hate so much this one programme under Bank Negara for those who unable to manage debt.. damn hate so much though i am ‘was’ one of the one with so much debt. i believe we are already in the ‘plastic’ system but why we must make our self worse by being trapped in it? why we have deliberate the ‘plastic’ world to ‘fiber’? can i, beg you to persuade those who has power in management of money to create a complete opposite – of this plastic to fiber to world.. can we just move backword to paper system of mayber like ‘qarun’ with his keys?
    so that everything is visible rather than ‘invisible but there’ eating our mind and souls?

  77. Dear Tun,

    Congratulations to you Tun for a well thought out and brilliant essay on economy and national debts. However, I totally disagree with donplaypuks who has a negative political agenda to besmear or humiliate the prime minister of the day and the Barisan National
    government. Current Barisan National government is doing very well as our country is endowed with rich national resources like petroleum, hard working and productive population. Our EPF MONTHLY contribution alone runs into billions. Please don’t say the government spend on cronies, Mr Opposition.
    The government has the welfare of the people in their heart by spending the money we have, not the money we do not have, so that plus the multiplier effects, they create employment of resources and wealth among Malaysians.

    amin tan

  78. Assalamualaikum,
    If we do practice what you are saying here, we’ll never be in trouble

  79. Salam Tun,

    A popular leader is never a good leader. And in our nation political scenario nowadays, when people hear what they want to hear from a leader, they will vote for him. Even it means turning our nation into Greece. Malaysian will sacrifice the country because why…they know Government always there to back the rakyat and historically proven….

  80. Good Morning TUN.

    Malaysian love to have all for free. i also want that as well.

    Even people like juks likes to have full coverage of NHS but dont want to pay taxes.

    However we must remember one thing. we cannot have only one sided winning because at the end both are losers.

    I do like higher pay. but as well i will pay higher taxes.
    what we dont want is people like to have higher pay but dont want to pay taxes. Example our fren, Juks.

    So if we have plenty of people that have same behaviour like our fren here, we will be like greek.

    however, if we have people like idris jala, only showing slide, we will be like MAS situation now.

    For me, it is a mistake for the kenaikan gaji for the goverment servent. big mistake. y? because it will increase inflation to the country. and its happenning now.

    Last times around i do not like GST to be implementated. but after knowing that a lot of people like our fren here, not paying incometax but demand a lot of things, i really gesa government to introduce those GST ASAP.

    At least, it is fair for those taxpayers that really contributed for the betterment of life in our country.

  81. Why the public sector cannot afford to buy A4 papers? Something is very wrong with the budget for the government agencies. Why must give away money to the people just like that? Are we following the examples of Greece? Please explain Tun.

  82. Apa guna Pembangunan
    Kalau Pembanguna itu bukan milik kita
    Kita masih berTuan

    Kan lebih baik hidup beratap rumbia
    Berkaki Ayam
    Pohon Kelapa Pohon Nangka tetap milik kita

    Jangan kita hanya menang shiok saja
    Orang Asing yg kita pertuankan

  83. Tun

    Money is the most difficult commodity to handle.

    From my limited experience, I have seen time and time again how a person’s character and personality changed completely overnight when he/she came into possession or control of money especially, I hate to say this, those who come from a very poor background or had nothing beforehand. Things like these do happened in Malaysia and in a way these underlined the opportunities your Administration and preceding ones which gave them a chance to make good, very good.

    What you mentioned in your latest points on Money are so valid because these concern with the elements of character building, the strengths, the flaws and the weaknesses. As you would agree Tun, I am sure you would have observed the antics and the character flaws of personalities which were unmasked in a person sooner or later through the span of life’s quirks especially in Malaysian politics in which some believe this would be the road to riches.

    Indeed, I have personally noted astute personalities with hardly any education became billionaires overnight in our beloved country. I am not grumbling but the only disappointed because none of them establish a university, a hospital, schools, libraries or even a kidney dialysis chain etc. etc. in their names.

    And so it is with a private individual and his/her wealth. And also as you put it simply how a country performs financially and economically in the national interest/s of a country.

    As a veteran politician once told me ‘ A person in politics with power and responsibilities to the country and all its inhabitants must have a proper background to do so.’

    Like the contractors in Malaysia, any person can be a politician given the will and the inclination to take part in this noble profession.

    I have always said that the 5 Attributes of your successful Administration in a diverse country like Malaysia, are :-

    1. You have not used money as an instrument of foreign policy to kill, maim or harm the innocents, men, women and children. You have no blood on your hands.

    2. You have not lost US$ 108 Billions of our citizens Trust money in a jiffy on Wall Street.

    3. You have always safeguarded the Sovereignty, National Interest and Self-esteem of our beloved country. This is the most important of all.

    4. You practised Humanity and Multiculturalism like the Royal Sultans and successive Governments at present and in the distant past.

    5. You did not line your pocket, legally or illegally.

    The 5 Attributes all concern money.

    It is so important that when a Government spends money, the most careful consideration needs to be taken and relevant questions need to be asked like, ‘ Is it in the national interest ?’ or ‘ Does it affect our Sovereignty ?’ or and naturally ‘ Do the consequences eventually affect our Nation’s self-esteem ?’

    Hence, your points on the financial bankruptcy of Greece should remind us of an earlier episode of international financial derring-do in 1997 when a honourable nation’s President signed a document with the paid employee fo this particular international Agency standing arrogantly by his side with his arms akimbo. I hope in our hearts that such a thing will not happen to Malaysia. And you made the right decision in 1998.

    Flattery is a common tool used by the sly, cunning and astute to pry money from rich countries or people. It is the same because countries are managed by people of flesh and blood like anybody else.

    In the events leading up to the cataclysmic crash of 2008, the international newspapers of repute were praising the so-called ‘sovereign funds’ sky high as if they could do no wrong and placed on the pedestal to be worship. After the crash, the yea-sayers could not be found and all became silent. And who carried the can ? Those sovereign funds who thought they were like ducks with water falling on their backs and no harm could happened to them. Of course, the magnificent commissions pocketed by the erstwhile advisers were never mentioned !

    It is always best not to listen to outsiders especially patronising ones who loved to tell Malaysia what to do when they themselves were ruined by the very people they worshipped without questions. As it is said ‘ Charity begins at home ‘. And ‘ Beware of Greeks bearing gifts !’

    As you are aware, Tun, as I have also said that for a person to be a Prime Minister, 3 Attributes have to be fulfilled :-

    1. Commonsense

    2. The ability to think out of the box for creativity, innovativity, and vision.

    3. Compassion

    You have shown to the world that you have these 3 Attributes of leadership which are of utmost importance in the management of public money.

    You were right not to do Houdini Economics by not plucking whatever from thin air and treat these as the truth. Whatever decision a Government takes must be done only after careful considerations and reports from real experts based on holistic statistics.

    You made the job of Prime Minister looked so easy. So those who came after you or near you thought they could do it too. But they failed to find the secret of how to govern Malaysia successfully.

    Nothing happened to the country since you retired in 2003. Nothing exceptional. And we are now toying with a Minimum Wage Policy when we need some exceptional moves to uplift our spirits and economy!

    Money, money, money ! You have clearly shown to all that ideas make money. Not money makes money !

  84. i think you should tell Najib/BN directly since he have his facebook and twitter. I bet he can explain to you.

    Dark of the moon

  85. no worry Tun, we have enough money …

    since we can give away multi-million soft loan to a family to raise lembu, we can always give salary increment to the poor farmer, since it costs only peanuts compared to the soft loan ….

  86. Assalamualaikum Tun.

    Maksudnya tak payah jadi pakar ekonomi pun boleh pikir kalau belanja lebih maka berhutang la kitanya.

    Tak belajar hadith pun kita tahu nak ambil kata kata sumber dari siapa yang jujur dan boleh dipercayai.Bila ada sedikit bohong,maka pengetahuan kamu akan dinilai kembali.Sama syarat yang dikenakan oleh perawi hadith.

    Kekadang kita dipengaruhi oleh ulasan luar pasal ekonomi Malaysia.Tapi saya melihat pengurusan ekonomi negara amat express,boleh bertukar bentuk dalam keadaan yang amat pantas bagi mengatasi masalah kritikal.Seperti krisis 1997.

    Kerana masa tu Tun masih jadi PM.Tapi saya kira Malaysia ada team ekonomi yang jujur bekerja untuk negara walaupun selepas Tun bersara.Syabas saya ucapkan.Semoga mereka sekeluarga dirahmati Allah swt.

    Saya yakin Malaysia boleh.

    Terima kasih Tun.

  87. Dear Tun,

    Speaking of money, while this may be slightly out of topic…I was wondering if you are aware of the spending habits of our current PM. Both personal and govn funds. Let this be said that our current PM and his wife live a lavish life indeed. It is their money and their business some may argue. However, going back again to perception, this has sent a wrong message out to the public when the PM makes statements like life is tough today with the economic conditions. Everyone knows that Rosmah our first lady loves HERMES> Recently, a bill has been circulating around the net to the tune of RM500,000 for their daughter`s wedding at Shangri la. Now, ppl may say that it is none of my concern. It is when the bill states that the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) footed the bill. The hotel has now come out to refute those claims. Issnt this sending out a completely wrong message to the public? Look at the PM own budget for spending. This is self rightoues nonsense making cuts while they live lavishly in their palaces. How would it look if the Greece PM was living large right now? Moreover, ppl demand the right to know how they can indeed afford such lavish lifestyles. It is no secret as to how much Prime Ministers and civil servants are paid today. I am not claiming the truth here nor am I spreading lies. I am merely implying that people`s perception towards him right now is completely the opposite of what you and your humble wife portrayed back then. Even during the financial crisis of 98, takkan Tun will be prancing around living lavishly while the common man is suffering. Even if he has the money, this is just plain wrong. It seems his image consultant has forgotten to advise him against such doings.

    Also, it is everyone`s right to judge as once you become a politician, you are out in the public. A guy called Emmanual Rahm who is now the mayor of Chicago also shot himself in the foot when he was asked if his own kids attends public schools. The man himself speaks extraordinaly highly about public schools in the states but then decides personally to send his kid to some expensive pvt school. This again is none of our business in a way, but quit acting self righteous then.

  88. I agree 100% with everything you say about income, debt and prudence.

    My question is , National Debt now stands at over $450 billion or 53% of GDP, which is the highest in the history of Malaysia. No doubt 96% of this is local with 4% foreign, with which we can take a little comfort.

    But nevertheless, Najib and UMNO/BN are burdening future generations and beyond with their carefree spending. The Prime Minister’s Office alone has an annual budget of $13 billion – never heard of before and under which a lot of dubious expenses, like that of PEMANDU, are hidden. Note they paid APCO over $100 million for so-called PR ‘advice” and FBC $50 million to plant favourable stories about Malaysia and Taib in the international TV, press and magazines.

    So, how do we make Najib and UMNO/BN Govt responsible to the Rakyat so we don’t encounter the Greek problems and sink to 4th world status like Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Somalia?

    What do we do when everyone’s perception is that Govt funded projects the $7.3 Klang-Taiping toll highway, $2.2 billion Kidex toll highway and the $ 1.7 billion Maju Highway sale, are flawed and fraudulent, but Najib and the UMNO/BN Govt goes ahead with them anyway, more than likely to benefit cronies?

    Dpp
    we are all of 1 Race, the Human Race

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