Don't need opposition MPs?

The main function of the parliament is legislative i.e. the making of laws. Opposition MPs are needed to provide a robust argument to any proposed legislation. Ideally, the opposition should form at least 1/3 of the house so that it is not so easy for the ruling party to pass any new legislation.

Question time is just an accompanying function of the House. Opposition MPs are more free to raise questions, especially those on the policies of the government. Furthermore, what is said in Parliament carries more weight as it is the privilege of only the elected few. Ruling party MPs are not allowed to question government policies.

In Singapore, the number of opposition MPs is very small. The government there has resorted to apoint nominated MPs so as to have a more lively debate in the House.

Airlines good business?

MAS made a profit of RM242 million in the quarter ended December 2007. Not to be outdone, Air Asia reported a profit of RM246 million in the same period. One up is SIA which made S$610 million. That must make you think that airlines is a good business.

All of this happened in a period of stiff competition where some airlines were literally giving away free tickets. This is also the period where crude oil hit new highs. High demand has also pushed up the salary of pilots and other staff.

So, it makes you wonder why MAS was losing hundred of millions of dollars a year before mid 2006. MAS was virtually a monopoly in the domestic market then. Fuel prices were much cheaper then. So the problem must lie with the management. Were they utterly imcompetent or were they working for their own interest. You think about that.

Is Suharto good or bad?

The man has died. But his legacy is controversial. During his rise to power in 1966, there was a massacre of communist and ethnic Chinese. Then, there is the ample corruption and nepotism during his rule. Yet, there is a clarion call for him to be pardoned and made a hero in his home land. LKY has said that he is no given enough recognition. To be fair, he did bring stability and progress to his country during his 33 years rule.

So, can his good deeds obliterate his sins. It is said that you are remembered for your mistakes but your good deeds are all not recognised. This is certainly not true here. Rather, it is the short memory of the human being that is at play. Or is it his stature that the people are unable to regard him any ill.

This phenomenon is also prevalent in society at large. Fledgling business people used unscrupulous means to make money. After they have got rich, they become philantropic. It is as though they are seeking atonement for their past deeds. Very often, they are able to change their image for the better.

Taiwan people not Chinese?

For years now, the present Taiwanese government has been trying to dissociate itself from anything Chinese or China related. From history to language to official monuments, they try to obliterate any linkages or connections to the Chinese mainland. It is as though they really hate the Chinese.

But the reality is different. Taiwanese are investing heavily in China. They are reaping in the profits. Many of them stay in China to oversee their businesses. I don't think they hate China that much.

So, if you are born yellow, that means you are yellow. Painting yourself black or bleaching will not change that fact. In fact, it is not so so bad being a Chinaman. One quarter of the world's population is Chinese. Number means power. This will eventually prevail.

Election gimmicks

"Come the general election, there is an unusual degree of tolerance and flexibility in matters of race, language and religion as politicians try to woo the people. Why can't it be like this every day?" Wrote WCW in The Star.

Yes, election is near and the UMNO politicians have become especially nice. Suddenly, people are granted leases to the land they have been cultivating on for years. Chinese and Tamil schools are given funds to renovate their premises. The existence of the Chinese schools is reassured. Chinese schools with low student populations are allowed to relocate to urban area where the demand is greater. The politicians come down from their high pedestal, dressed down and greet & exchange niceties with every voter.

Once the election is over, as happened before, they would become arrogant and self-serving. At their annual party assembly, their would become racists and extremists. Don't expect free lunches then.

So, it is left for the voters to decide. Do we want hypocritical politicians who used small baits to hookwink voters. Think and act correctly. The decision is important for the future of the country.

Unico Holdings Bhd

UHB was formed in 1984 under the auspices of the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia. Its purpose was to pool the resources of the Chinese community for investment in the country. It was supposed to be run by reputable and experienced businessmen for the benefit of the 22,000 shareholders.

It has been 23 years since its formation. There has not been much success in its investments. The only successful venture is Unico-Desa Plantations Bhd. When UDPB went public, UHB shareholders were alloted some shares. Other than the above reward, UHB shareholders have not got much returns on their investment. There is only a paltry dividend of about 5% annually to speak of.

You wonder if the directors of the company really have the interest of the shareholders at heart. They are all successful business people. Why are they not able to make a success of UHB? Are they making use of their position in UHB to advance their own interest?

Now, there is a proposal to distribute the values in UDPB to shareholders of UHB. I think it is about time. However, the people involved cannot agree on how it should be done. Law suits have even been filed against some people for slander.

I think what is of upmost importance is the well being of the shareholders. They should be rewarded the maximum possible. Directors should not be selfish and greedy. Execute the matter amicably and expeditiously. Forget about the law suits. Otherwise, this issue may make the Chinese community the laughing stock again.

Auditor-General's report

The 2005 Auditor-General's report revealed massive abuse of fiduciary authority by the civil service officials. Items were purchased at up to ten times the market price. This is a blatant waste of the tax payers' money.

Why is there such a widespread abuse of the public funds. First, we must examine the culture and mentality of the civil service. Allocations are given to each department for development and maintenance. For maintenance funds, normally no specific projects are mentioned. The warrant-holder is free to spend the money as he deems fit. By a strange twist of thinking, maintenance allocations, which are non-revotable, are thought to be wasted if not utilized by the end of the year. Hence, there will be a big rush to spend this money comes Christmas. No emphasize is place on the quality of the expenditures. All is fine as long as treasury rules are followed.

Development funds could be abused too. Even though these funds are given for specific projects, many sundry expenditures could be hiden under the projects.

The politicians always lament that the allocations given are not fully utilized. The department heads will be pressuring the officers to finish the funds. At one time, one head of department told his officers that their performance appraisal would be based on the percentage of utilization of the allocations. Again, nobody bothered about the quality of the spending.

Given the wide power the government officers possess, for the more greedy ones, a stretch of their authority could result in further abuse of the public funds. As a result, we have the cases highlighted in the AG's report.