First a sandal, then ....

The latest incident when a teacher loses her composure and lashes out a student seems symptomatic of our school environment at present. In this case, she flung her sandal at a seven-year-old boy for chatting when class was in session. Once upon a time, the boy would have been given a hit with a ruler on his knuckles for his misbehaviour or at least standing up on a chair for the duration of the lesson. Which would be the better punishment or is it even necessary?

The students of the internet age are a different kettle of fish compared to their parents' generation and definitely far removed from their grandparents' time. A different approach is sorely needed to rein in the naughty and inattentive students. Shall we look at the pedantic teaching methods or the less than palatable curriculum itself? The teachers training module has to be revamped to take into account the different challenges that face them when they are sent to schools.

There will be some students who will be talking among themselves and distracting the others in class but throwing a sandal at them is not a solution. The boy in this case was traumatised and has been transferred to another school. However naughty the boy might be, a teacher's role is to teach and not to throw things at their students. It is such a shame that the naughty boy has to be reprimanded in that manner.

Being naughty in itself should not be the reason for the punishment but finding out why the boy was naughty should be of more importance. It will take time to engage the boy to find the reason for his behaviour and the solution might just be a simple change in the way the lessons are being taught. That boy and every other student who are naughty or who are driving the teachers up the wall need guidance rather than punishment. They have the potential to better themselves with the help of the teachers. The education system at present seem quick to punish those who defy the norms but all these adolescent mischief are just what we seen on the surface. There must be reasons under the surface which will help us to better understand the situation and resolve any problem encountered. It is the duty of the teacher to find that cause rather than react to the effect.

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Malaysians do not read a wide range of subjects

The Pelangi Publishing Group Bhd sees good growth prospects in Indonesia and Thailand as people in the two countries are avid book readers. The executive chairman and group managing director Samuel Sum Kown Cheek said another major factor were the large domestic markets there. He also mentioned that Indonesians and Thais read books of a wider range of subjects unlike Malaysians who only go for examination and revision books.

Is that surprising? Whenever we visit those two countries, we would be able to see for ourselves the variety of subjects available in their book stores. There are sections for the examination and revision books but anyone interested in other subjects can find other selections there too. The book store becomes a treasure house of knowledge for the inquisitive mind. Students who might just be there to buy their school books are tempted by other titles outside of their required reading list. The titles might range from the latest fiction to discourses on philosophy and religion. That variety is an added attraction for the buyer to stay longer in the store and buy other books.

Compare that situation with what is available in our book stores. A few do have variety but they are so few and concentrated in the urban centres. Some might say that the internet has helped to close the gap between what is available in urban and rural areas but is that true? A further study is needed to ascertain whether the lack of book stores which carry a variety of titles in most parts of the country has contributed to our sometimes jaundiced view of certain issues. Exposure to just what is written in text books is not a good way to broaden the outlook of the reader. The reader needs variety as it is a part of human nature. The variety stimulates, instigates, questions the norm and seeks answers from all sources.

We have to supply that source whether through the traditional book store and library, or with a better approach in looking for the right material using what is available in cyber space. As readers become more mature with an arsenal of solid background material, he can make a better decision in many situations. The more he reads, the more confident he is that he is on the right footing when asked to justify his decisions.

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Does Malaysia need more than 76 creches?

The statement from Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Datuk Heng Seai Kei that the government provides a monthly subsidy of RM180 for public sector childcare centre fee for each child of parents with a household monthly income of below RM3,000 is a step in the right direction. The monthly income criteria is an increase from the previous maximum of RM2,000 set before 2007. She also mentioned that to date, 76 creches had been established and registered with the Social Welfare Department, comprising 60 at the private sector workplace and 16 belonging to the private sector. Unfortunately, the public and private sectors faced constraints in setting up creches at the workplace due to the lack of suitable space and a safe environment for children such as at factories, and the difficulty of getting trained staff or carers.

It is a pathetic figure when there are only 76 creches in the whole country with a population approaching 30 million. The government has to lead the way with better incentives for more creches either at or near workplaces and make it a priority in future development plans. The training programmes for the personnel that will manage the day care centres must also be put on the fast track. We must put this plan on top of our list of goals for the coming decade. We have to face the reality of scarce resources available from outside the country as evident from the many who are reluctant to come here and take care of our children.

The children are our human capital and the parents need to be assured that the day care centres are well managed. Day care centres which are easily accessible to the workplace that meet the minimum requirements of the law will gain the confidence of parents. The authorities must also be vigilant and ensure that these day care centres do not contravene the regulations. A rating system similar to food outlets might be of help and indirectly act as an incentive to the day care centres operators to continue maintaining high standards in taking care of the children.

The continuous monitoring of the centres must never be compromised so that employers realise that the day centres are not just for show or a means to get a tax break. We must also be on alert of the black sheep that might take advantage of any loopholes in the implementation of the regulations. One thing for certain, 76 creches is not acceptable.

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How many are proud that they are in the teaching profession?

How many in the teaching profession would be able to say “I'm proud to be a teacher”? As the writer in the letter to the editor mentioned, the list of tasks that he has to do as a teacher runs the gamut from being a traffic warden to a motivator. The varied roles that he takes does not daunt him rather the thought of making a difference in one student’s life at a time, keeps him going. He feels there is no point complaining or lamenting about the lack of parents’ support or the pupils’ lackadaisical attitude as he will do his part because he cares for them.

How many teachers care for their students in the face of so many challenges in the current teaching environment? In a random query of teachers that I know, a few of them are ambivalent on their feelings for the students. These teachers were in that profession because of circumstances and did not make teaching as their first preference when deciding on a career after their secondary school studies. Some do fall in love for the teaching profession and are aware of how much their effort will contribute to the betterment of society as they realise the future of the country depends a lot on the students and younger generation.

The dedicated teacher who loves his profession will play a key role in ensuring that their students will be equipped with a well rounded education. The teacher will definitely face a lot of hurdles in achieving this goal but with perseverance and dedication, he will be able to make a difference. These teachers are rare gems and not everyone has it in them to be in such a group. They find satisfaction when just hearing a greeting from their previous students. They are not asking for much, but an understanding from the society at large that their profession should not be blamed for all the ills of the world.

They are trying to the best of their ability to nurture and mould young minds into responsible adults. These adults can make intelligent choices for themselves after looking at an issue from all angles. They are the result of dedicated teachers who love being called a teacher and take pride in what they do. How many indeed are proud to be teachers?

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Jangan terlalu cepat menghukum remaja bermasalah

Saranan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom supaya masyarakat tidak terlalu cepat menghukum remaja yang bermasalah tetapi cuba mendekati golongan terbabit dengan menggunakan kaedah kaunseling patut direnung bersama.

Ibu bapa juga pernah melalui zaman remaja dan seharusnya sedar bahawa ketika itulah pelbagai dugaan dan cabaran melanda jiwa kita. Kita bukan sahaja berhadapan dengan alam persekolahan malah mungkin pada masa inilah perasaan mahu berpasangan timbul. Pendekatan yang lebih menyeluruh memang patut diambil supaya remaja tidak terasa diri mereka tersisih daripada lingkungan kelurga. Perubahan fisiliogi dan fizikal seseorang mungkin tidak difahami remaja itu dan dia bertanya serta berkongsi pengalaman bersama-sama rakan-rakan sebaya.

Memang sukar untuk ibu bapa merapatkan jurang perbezaan pendapat dan emosi apabila remaja sedang menggelodak jiwanya. Remaja lebih selesa dan yakin dengan teman-temannya yang mungkin membawa mereka ke jalan penyelesaian yang tidak menepati kehendak keluarga. Ibu bapa janganlah leka mengejar dan mencari nafkah sahaja. Permasalahan ini memang merupakan dilema masa kini, mencari keseimbangan di antara kerjaya atau anak=anak di rumah.

Ibu bapa mempunyai tanggungjawab yang berat memastikan anak remaja mereka tidak dipengaruhi anasir-anasir yang boleh membawa mudarat. Masa untuk bersama-sama anak-anak mesti menjadi keutamaan kerana kalau ibu bapa tidak ada sebagai panduan, remaja tersebut akan mencari jawabannya daripada sumber lain. Kita sudah tentu tidak tahu sama ada sumber itu boleh dipercayai atau tidak. Oleh itu, pupuklah suasana mesra bersama anak-anak supaya mereka rasa selesa dan yakin meluahkan perasaan kepada ibu bapa. Sikap terbuka, mahu mendengar dan tidak menghukun dahulu, bertanya kemudian mesti diamalkan. Anak remaja kita sekurang-kurangnya tahu ibu bapa mereka sentiasa bersedia mendengar luahan hati mereka. Ibu bapalah yang paling hampir dengan mereka dan lebih mengenali watak dan jiwa anak itu.

Remaja memerlukan ibu bapa yang lebih berkeyakinnan bahawa apa juga keputusan yang diambil oleh anak tadi dalam menghadapi sesuatu masalah, telah difikirkan masak-mask dengan mengambilkira pendapat dan pandangan ibu bapa terlebih dahulu.

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Scams thrive on ignorance and greed

It takes a lot of courage to acknowledge that we fell for a scam because of our ignorance and greed. Ignorance is not confined to any particular group since victims of dubious get rich quick schemes includes the whole spectrum of society. School children and teenagers might be tempted with the latest gadgets whereas the carrot stick for their parents would be astounding capital growth and profits with an initial "small" investment.

I guess greed does come into the picture whenever we fall for such schemes. Can we help it that such schemes are packaged in such a way that the chances of getting that pot of gold seem so near and it will just take a "small" initial payment? Of course we can say no, but the smooth talking operator with that glib tongue is so persuasive that we start imagining the riches that we'll get in the near future. It might be due to present circumstances when our take home is just enough to see us through the day. An extra windfall would help to alleviate that situation which might also explain why some continue to put a minimum bet on the sweepstakes and other gambling avenues. We are always looking out for any scheme that promise more than the usual legitimate investments available to us, so much so that common sense is set aside.

We are weaklings when given that one in a million chance to get rich even though others might warn us of the dubious nature of the schemes. What do others know, right? They have not participated in the scheme and see where they are now? Safe and sound definitely, but not rich. Here is my chance to show them that I can leap frog over them in terms of wealth with so much less effort. A “small” investment is just what it takes and if you haven't tried it, how would you know it is a scam?

Yes, no one is sure whether it is genuine or not until we get burned.

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Random harvesting of mobile phone numbers

How indeed do con artists get hold of our names and phone numbers as a writer asks. Fortunately for the writer, her experience as a journalist came in handy as a sixth sense told her that the call was not what it purported to be, and she just hung up. A lawyer in Sabah was not so lucky and lost RM3.2 million in an almost similar scam. The Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister stressed that there was no truth in allegations that telephone service providers sold or provided their clients' numbers to others. Many numbers, he said were “harvested randomly”.

I guess all of us should be pleased that whenever we get calls either from con artists with their ever fascinating variety of scams or the telemarketers, that we are the chosen ones. A call from a stranger should alert us on the possibility that something is amiss and it might not be genuine. Each person who has had the experience of receiving cold calls from the marketing personnel of numerous companies must be wondering, why was I the selected from among the millions of others in the country.

The information we give when applying for any service from the banks or other merchants is a treasure trove of data. The application forms would usually be a page or two with blanks requesting our identity card number, telephone number and address plus other questions that can pinpoint our preferences for certain products or services. Anyone getting hold of the telephone number and the other details in that form would be able to construct our personality profile and decide how best to approach us.

Then we'll get those calls and of course it was harvested randomly.

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Marmite and New Zealanders

How many of us have taken marmite? The marmite shortage in New Zealand brings to mind how attached we are to certain types of food. Some might find marmite disgusting as can be seen from its advertising slogan, “Love it or hate it”. I love it and can empathise with the New Zealanders sense of a marmageddon coming. Can you imagine a similar crisis in Malaysia?

I do wonder whether Malaysians have any particular food that would elicit similar emotions. We have so much variety that we are spoilt for choice. That might explain why I doubt we will ever have a shortage of any particular favourite food item in future. Our favourites run the gamut of variety in the food palate, from the ubiquitous nasi lemak to the plain roti canai.

There will be a crisis of sorts if rice or flour is in short supply bur thankfully we have not had the occasion to go through such horror. The only exception was during the war and whenever a natural disaster disrupts the supply of the raw material from reaching consumers. There were occasions when limited supply meant higher prices for these products but with control over essential goods, we are in safe hands.

My sympathies to the New Zealanders in their moment of loss and hope they will be able to enjoy their version of marmite as soon as the factory is up and running.

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Abused husbands must seek help

An abused husband seems such a contradiction but unfortunately this particular group of victims do exist. An expert urges the victims to talk to someone before the situation turns ugly. The Malaysian Welfare Department reported that the number of domestic violence cases nationwide, in which men were the victims, registered at 12 in 2007, 13 in 2008, 14 in 2009, 26 in 2010 and 25 last year.

The increase might seem miniscule and not of major concern compared to those involving women, but the fact that it is happening should spur us to take a closer look at the root causes of the problem. According to the Women's Aid Organisation (WAO), domestic violence is an abuse of power. It is when one partner, usually a boyfriend or husband, attempts to control and dominate the other, usually a girlfriend or wife through violence, threat of violence, or by controlling the couple's finances and social life.

Is this definition of domestic violence applicable to men? On first glance it seems unlikely that a physically stronger male can succumb to the supposedly weaker female. We do not know as yet what exactly made these men accept the blows from their wives. That answer has to come from sessions with the experts, the psychiatrist.

Each person's mental and pscychological make-up determines how he handles any situation. The abused husband's situation might be a reflection of the way he handles his life outside of married life too. The faster he seeks help, the better to solve the problem. The stigma of being an abused husband has to be set aside.

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Should the men's salary be credited into the wife's account?

It is interesting or is it to be expected that Malaysian men do not support the idea of a ruling similar to that in an Indonesian province, which compels male civil servants to put their salary into the bank accounts of their wives, Most probably a majority of men will feel the same and as one man said, such decisions should not be institutionalised. Another man opined that the Indonesian ruling would not stop men from fooling around. That might be true, but at least there will be some money in the wife's account. That amount can be of great help in bringing up the couple's children. According to the article, the Government, however, had already adopted a somewhat similar step. In October 2009, it ruled that 10% of the wages of men in the Armed Forces would be credited into the wife’s bank account.

Marriages are such a gamble now that the financial details must be worked out before the couple sign on the dotted lines confirming them as husband and wife. The security of a monetary back-up if the marriage breaks down would be a confidence booster to the partner that decides to become the full time household manager. Women are inadvertently expected to sacrifice their jobs when the children comes along and be a dedicated wife and mother, especially with current difficulties in getting a maid.

There has been too many cases of husbands abandoning their responsibilities when they decide to seek a new partner, leaving the present family in the lurch. The wife who is left behind might be able to find a job to support herself and any children that the couple has but the financial support tend to be missing. Whatever the reason for the marital break-up, the children should not be the sacrificial lamb. They still need the support of both parents, and not just financially but emotionally too. Any decision made between a couple must always take into consideration the children. They are, for better or worse, your own progeny.

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Wean ourselves from depending too much on maids

The latest news that the new batch of Indonesian maids will only be doing one task for their employers seems so ludicrous if not for the seriousness of the situation. Many have urged Malaysians to change their lifestyle and habit of depending too much on the foreign maids. Either that or look to other countries for these maids. Unfortunately , as another writer mentioned, changing our lifestyle is not feasible if we do not have a good and reliable support system for families such as childcare centres or services and nursing homes for the elderly.

The Indonesians statement mentioned that the maids will be trained as cooks, babysitters, caretakers of elderly people and housekeepers. A live-in maid is a necessity when there are others, children and or the elderly living in the same house. These two groups of people need another person's care and having more centres catering to their needs will definitely help. A comprehensive plan to increase the number of childcare centres and places for the elderly is needed as soon as possible. Incentives must be given to organisations that provide these facilities for their employees. An employee who is secure in the knowledge that their loved ones are in good hands will be able to perform a job better.

Many are hesitant at present to drop off their children at daycare centres or the old folks at the homes for the aged as many horror stories are heard about the less than ideal conditions at these places. One solution to gain the confidence of the public is regular monitoring by the authorities which will ensure these centres adhere to the guidelines that has been put in place. The public that uses these centres will also be monitoring their performance and a grading system similar to those given to eateries will be one way to maintain the minimum standards. We can and must wean ourselves from depending too much on the maids.

Keep a look out for the young children

The letter to the editor today mentioned a little girl taking a train on her own without any adult accompanying her. The parents or guardian of the little girl must have their own reasons for letting her travel on her own. The little girl herself seems nonchalant about the whole set-up. Her guardian and she herself must be quite confident that no harm will come to her during the journey. The writer did wonder whether this is a daily routine and most probably it is.

We can only speculate the reasons behind this arrangement. Practical reasons maybe but in this age and time when we read of the many tragedies that has befallen young children, we just try and think positively. If circumstances in the family is such that no adult can accompany the child during her journey, what other options are there? Other adults who encounter young children on their own must keep an eye on them and be the eyes and ears on the parents' behalf.

I'm quite certain that the parents did not come to the decision to let the girl out on her own arbitrarily. It is a hard decision to make and the public should give the benefit of the doubt to them. We will not know until and unless we're in the same situation. In the meantime, keep a look out for any young children on their own. Treat them as your own and keep an eye on them. We can be their temporary guardian to minimise the chances of any harm happening to them.

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Victims might not belief that the crime rate is down

In January 2012 we read about a group of men who went on rampage smashing car windows at the Lobak flats, Seremban. At the moment, we haven't heard anything further on the case. Now in March 2012, we read about a group of men who went on rampage and smashed 16 vehicles parked in the compound of an electronics company at the Bayan Lepas industrial area.

I guess this would not be counted in the statistics which showed that the crime rate in Malaysia recorded a 15.4% drop during the first two months of 2012. A group of men going on a rampage is totally unexpected and we would not know the reasons behind their act until they are brought to justice. Sometimes, crimes such as the rampaging act puts a dampener on published statistics which affects the perception the public has on other crimes. The incidents of snatch thieves for example, might be less but it is perceived as still being rampant. The reality on the ground and the given figures do not seem to match when we had past experiences being victims of a crime.

The feeling of being violated whether being the victim of a snatch thief or a house robbery will linger long after the culprits are caught and given their dues. That insecure feeling will be related to others and those sympathetic to us will spread the tale to the next person. There will then be more people who know that in reality something is amiss. The figures which shows that there is a drop in the crime rate will fall on deaf ears. A general sense of disbelief would most probably be the reaction of any crime victim reading the statistics. Figures would remain just numbers on a piece of paper until the victim has regained his confidence that he will no be violated by another criminal in future.

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Tread with caution when deciding on big projects

A letter to the editor which appeared in Utusan Malaysia today with suggestions on how the development in Penang should be handled seem reasonable in light of the current hectic pace of mega projects on the island. The writer would like to see a more balanced and sustainable form of development that will be enjoyed by all the residents of the state. This is in line with what S.M. Mohamed Idris, the President of the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) said on the mega roads and undersea tunnel projects that was recently announced by the Chief Minister, in spite of an upcoming transport master plan.

Those in power do seem to have a weakness for big projects, irrespective of which side of the political bench they come from. Big projects will on the surface benefit everyone with its purveyors pointing out the rewards that will trickle down to all and sundry. The biggest slice of the cake will go to the developer, which goes without saying and the crumbs can be had by the hordes. Don't forget to add the as yet unforeseen side effects of the development, during and after it is completed.

For example, building more roads to ease traffic congestion seems such a waste of time. Just look at the myriad of highways in Kuala Lumpur. Every new highway built does not reduce the traffic or reduce the time taken from point A to B but more of than not, become bottlenecks during peak periods. A much better approach is needed and a master plan that is strictly followed would be of more benefit than mere big, mega projects.

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Perseverance might not be for everyone

How much perseverance does someone need to pursue a goal? In the case of the Sun's editor, he persevered for ten years to have the accounts of the 1998 Commonwealth Games to be made public. Alas, it is not a happy ending as the directors of Sukom98 who were in charge of the Games have decided to dissolve the company and the public will still not be able to see the accounts. Was it worth all the effort and time to come to the end of the saga in this fashion? Would he choose to pursue such issues in the same manner in future? He answered in the affirmative to both questions as he felt the bigger picture of accountability wins the day hands down. He consoles himself by saying that you lose some and win some.

How many would persevere in other situations? There must be many unknown and unrecorded instances of the ordinary who pursue their goals quietly and doggedly through many years and even decades. That goal to achieve what you believe in keeps you going despite the odds. Would you be desolate and down in the dumps if you have not achieved that goal at the end of the day? Of course you will be disappointed, to say the least but you have to carry on to the next day.

Anyone worth his salt would begin that journey with fiery enthusiasm but tempered with the hard facts of reality. The notion that the rewards would be handed to you without an effort has to be set aside. Be prepared to be sidetracked along the journey since there are others and circumstances that might put a dampener on reaching that goal within your expected time frame. Perseverance in pursuing a worthy cause needs lots of patience and fortitude to see it to the end. Undoubtedly, it can be a long journey and we might not get what we expect. A decision on whether we do have the perseverance to even begin the pursuit has to be made before we take the next step. Once that is decided, the fun begins.

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Steel Magnolia versus Iron Lady

Vintage Rafidsh who does not mince words is seen in the headlines again. Rafidah pointed out that Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil is not resigning as a minister on April 8, but the post is no longer hers as she is no longer a senator by that date. The minister's post is automatically void unless the senatorship is renewed. Shahrizat was appointed a senator after she lost in the 2008 elections and by virtue of that position, made a minister. It might just be a matter of semantics perhaps but it does give an impression that Shahrizat is sacrificing herself for the good of the party.

Shahrizat, the steel magnolia against Rafidah, the iron lady? The winner is? Not of immediate consequence to the majority of Malaysians except for those aligned and who might gain something by being seen as one or the other's supporter. That is how leaders and supporters feed on each other. The leaders' character might even be impeachable and untainted but sometimes the antics of the supporters and family bring down the whole edifice crumbling down.

In this case, Shahrizat for the better good of the party and in cognisance of the coming next general elections decided that she is better off being the sacrificial lamb. The “resignation” is a breather to the ruling party after all the noise over the Natioanl Feedlot Corporation issue. It is anyone's guess whether Shahrizat's decision would be taken positively by the majority of the electorate.

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Do businesses care about their customers?

The problem faced by a consumer in his dealings with an broadband ssrvice provider seems to be symptomatic of the ways businesses handle their customers. It is only after repeated queries amd insistence would the company relent and give an off -handed concession that the consumer has his rights too in the situation. The fine print in any contract is always used to justify not paying the consumer his dues when there are differences of opinions regarding a faulty service. There will be lots of correspondence and queries to secure the disputed amount from the company.

Sometimes the case needs to be highlighted in the media before the consumer can see any results. My guess is some businesses follow the maxim, that once the consumer has bought the goods or service from them, their responsibilty to the consumer ends. So any request for the money to be paid back to the consumers who made the businesses what they are in the first place, is met with a lackadaisical attitude. At a glance, delays are part of the procedures when dealing with consumers' request. What is important to some would be that initial signature from the consumer but the after sales service would be handled later and put as low priority. Don't they realise that keeping the customers is a long haul process?  

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Career choices, decisions to be made

The ever present dilemma, pursue your dreams or buckle down to society's expectations. The choice for some boils down to the monetary returns, as the money that goes with the highly regarded professions can be very high and worth the effort put in while studying at university. When you folloow your heart's calling, your career choice might see you stuck in the middle income group forever. It might even be worse if no one appreciates what you do..

The arts has never been promoted as a first choice when any student goes to carrer and jobs fairs. The sciences are a bit better off but nothing beats the highly sought after business and accounting degrees which can be a good stepping stone to a more bountiful material wealth.

Some opt for a compromise and pursue a carrer path that rewards them handsomely. These group of people use the gains as a reserve when they decide to pursue their real life ambitions. Others take the more difficult path of pursuing their dreams from day one. They might make it big in the end but the gestation period could be quite long unless they talents are exceptional and much sought after by others.

The dilemma continues and each of us have to decide whether the dream is worth pursuing as any hardships along the way might be just too much to bear.

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Free legal aid for those who cannot afford it

The Malaysian Bar hopes at least 40% of its members would provide free legal aid to those who are arrested or held in remand and this would be in line with the formation of the National Legal Aid Foundation (NLAF) last year.

Wonderful news indeed and a welcome assurance to anyone brought to court that there would at least get some help from the legal profession. The legal profession has always been associated with the good life as evidenced when we see the gleaming mansions and cars that is owned of some of the top legal minds in the country. They do deserve the riches in return for their work. Nevertheless, some of us could not afford the best with their high fees.

What recourse do we have? We would turn to the not so famous legal help with more reasonable fees within our limited budgets. Unfortunately, there are groups of people who cannot even afford the reasonable fees and with this latest move, at least they will have a chance to have their say in court. This approach would help to see a fairer distribution of legal help to those who can and those who cannot afford the current fees.

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Warranty period for maids?

A working mother found the solution to the perennial maid problem with the help of willing neighbours. She was fortunate that she had helpful neighbours but what about others? Social norms have changed a lot since the neighbourly atmosphere of days gone by prevalent in housing estates. At most, neighbours would just greet each other when they see each other going and returning from work. Qute often, neighbours do not know each other except during an event in the neighbourhood. There does not seem to be an effort among us anymore to get to know each other. Time is always a factor, with everyone “busy” with their careers.

In that situation, the hardship faced by another working mother is understandable. She laments the high cost of having a maid, with a deposit of at least RM9,000 for an Indonesian on top of a monthly salary of RM650. She questions why the warranty period is only three months compared to for example, an electrical item costing RM100 which has a guarantee period of one year. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

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Employer at the mercy of maids

My sympathy goes to the working mother who finds herself at the mercy of her Indonesian maid who is now demanding more pay for the little that she does around the house. The problem started when the maid returned from her leave. The writer who has given so much freedom to the maid is now held at ransom and is now at wit's end trying to find the right balance of authority and kindness. Some may dismiss this as of no consequence but it hits hard on those who depend on the maids.

The never ending problem of maids has put a strain on many households especially those with children. How are working parents going to have some peace of mind when the safety of their children is suspect. We have been depending too much on outside sources for maids and there has not been any incentive for the locals to take over the job. Would creches or day care centres nearby help? The recent reports on deaths at a nursery and child care centre has put that solution at risk too.

Those without immediate family members are putting their children at risk with the maids, nurseries and day care centres. But what other choices do they have? A better supervison of those who care for the children is needed but implemening rules and regulations does take time and effort. There would be loopholes and black sheeps will appear now and again. It is a dilmema for the parents. Would full time housewives be a solution? The proliferation of online businesses helmed by mothers might be a positive sign but not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur.

Everyone has their own calling and interest, so the mothers who have to depend on the maids have to grit their teeth and bare with the inconvenience of sulks from maids until the children can fend for themselves.

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Cigarettes at Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia

They shouldn't sell cigarettes at Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) urges a reader in his letter to the NST. His suggestion is valid considering cigarettes are not necessities and the price has always been increasing with almost every budget proposal tabled in parliament. KR1M was set up to help everyone keep a lid on their expenses and cigarettes has never been included in the basker of basic goods for any household. It is an anomaly to have cigarettes on the shelves of a KR1M.

KR1M was set up due to to the Prime Minister's concern over the increasing cost of living affecting the low income rakyat living in the urban areas. Based on a mini market format, Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia provides various basic necessities at low prices in convenient urban locations. The key word here is basic necessities.

Are cigarettes a necessity? Yes, to those who want it and they can find it quite conveniently elsewhere even at that hole in the wall shops that share precious little pedestrian space along the roads in Kuala Lumpur. Would selling cigarettes bring a profit to KR1M? That is a given as it is a highly sought after product. Those who crave for it are willing to pay and seem to know how to manipulate their budget whenever there is a price increase in order to continue smoking the cigarettes.

Discontinuing selling cigarettes at KR1M will reduce the profits at the end of the day but at least the stores are making a statement that their products remain in the basic needs category.

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Two M’sian writers in the running for world’s richest book prize

Two books authored by Malaysians are among 149 books long listed to win the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2012, the world's richest book prize. the two books, "21 Immortals" by Rozlan Mohd Noor and "Days of Change" by Chuah Guat Eng were selected and submitted by the National Library to be in the running for the prestigious award.

This is a good effort by the authorities in promoting Malaysian writers world wide. At least it will spur the curiosity of readers here and abroad on what those books have to say. The process of writing and publishing takes a lot of effort and trying to make it to the world stage takes a further leap of faith. Not all writers can be successful and recognised internationally, so this approach is one way of encouraging others to write for not just a Malaysian audience but for the whole world. Each tome is a personal experience, very subjective and influenced by the reader's own preferences. A reader anywhere will choose and pick what he likes based on his own perspective of the subject.

That book on the shelves in a Malaysian book store might not receive the same enthusiasm abroad. Nevertheless, a positive move and at least more English speaking non-Malaysians now realise that we have authors writing in English. 

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Minimum wage for Malaysian workers soon?

The government has reached an agreement with the private sector on the minimum wage issue. Hooray! Good news for all workers, or is it? We do have to wait for the full disclosure of the details before we can really rejoice at the news. Does this mean that the current spell of one off aid to those below a certain salary will be discontinued? The funds being allocated for schemes such as BR1M could be better used to improve the network of reasonably priced goods sold nationwide.

That would be ideal as the minimum wage should take into account the different hardships faced by those living in urban areas where the cost of living is much higher. The basic needs of food and shelter will always take a big chunk of one's take home pay. If that portion of the monthly expenses could be managed prudently with prices within each family's means, there would be more surplus to save for a rainy day.

All workers especially those struggling in urban areas would definitely benefit from a comprehensive minimum wage policy. We have to wait for the details to find out whether it is really a boon or bane.

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Husbands' salary goes to wives

In one province in Indonesia, the male civil servants' salary will be transferred to their wives' accounts in order to minimise the possibility of the money being used on mistresses. A novel idea? Maybe not, since in general, women have been known to be better at managing the household finances. Just take a look at full time housewives who manage to keep the family well fed and clothed from the monthly allowances given by their husbands. The more enterprising, manage to supplement that stipend by venturing into their own business.

The multi-level marketing industry has quite a large number of housewives participating and women do have their own network of friends that they can depend on to generate another source of income for the family. The husband's pay packet in the wife's account does help to assure the women that at least, the household expenses are well taken care of. It might not prevent the husbands from having extra-marital affairs but the men have to find other sources of income to support that particular lifestyle.

The Malaysian authorities might want to look further into this solution as one way to ensure that at least the basic needs of a household is met even if the men of the house goes astray.

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Erykah Badu concert banned

It is interesting that Erykah Badu is banned from performing in Malaysia but there is no such action in Indonesia where she is slated to perform at the Java Jazz Festival. Indonesia is acknowledged as the world's most populous Muslim country. I guess the Indonesians do not follow to the letter the tenets of Islam compared to the Malaysian Muslims.

A few years ago Beyonce postponed her concert in Kuala Lumpur, effectively a nod to an unspoken ban on her performance but she continued with her tour in Jakarta. Indonesiaan Muslims' faith must have been shaken to the core from these artistes continuos onslought on them. Fortunately, the Malaysian Muslims have all the Islamic agencies and parties, working hard to save the faithfull from plunging into hell.

This latest episode definitely confirms that Malaysian Muslims are a priviledged lot. Shall we assume that there is a guaranteed place for them as they have been well protected from all the “evils” present in this world?

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The elderly

A letter regarding the treatment of the elderly at homes reminds us that this group of people are often neglected. All of us will eventually become old in future but most have forgotten this fact of life. Some of us due to circumstances will not be able to fend for ourselves and have to depend on others. Those without familial support will be taken care of by strangers. The lucky ones might get good caregivers who will do their utmost to make the lives of the elderly under their care as comfortable as possible. Alas, Uncle Tony who is mentioned in the letter does not seem to be in that group.

As the elderly become more numerous in society, a more holistic approach is needed to cater for them. Some of them need help physically but more than that, the attention given to them as a person would be the most important aspect in caring for them. Time spent with them, is more precious than just the daily routine of feeding and clothing them. They are cranky, uncooperative, stubborn, and some would be going through their second childhood but despite all these negatives, they still deserve better treatment.

They are in their golden era and should be treated as such, priceless. 

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New coins

The blame game begins as the headline says “BNM faults autopay vendors”. At the moment, machines that uses coins will still accept old coins but not the new ones as they have not been recalibrated to accept the new coins launched from 16 January 2012. The Bank Negara said they had given operators and vendors of autopay machines more than six months to upgrade to accept the recently introduced new coins. Meanwhile, the Malaysian Association for Shopping and Highrise Complex Management president, H.C. Chan said the authorities had not informed them about the need to upgrade the machines.

Who is right? Even if Bank Negara had given notice a year ago, should not the onus be on the authorities to ensure that most machines have been recalibrated before the launch? The public are not against the new coins but when so much of our daily lives involves machines and coins, a more effective implementation of the ruling would be beneficial to everyone. A much more thorough and smoother process to ease the transition to the new coins is missing. As it is, there will be grumbles and frustrations adding unnecessary stress on ourselves. The authorities have the experience and expertise to make this exercise painless but the reality is not following their script.

People First, Performance Now?

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Debate between the races

The headline said it all: “Debate between races won't bring any benefit: Mahathir”. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said debates between the races will not bring any benefit because each race will continue to hold on to their own stand. Is that so bad? A debate would certainly be able to highlight the differences as well as similarities between the races. The warts and all of each race would be open for scrutiny. This would be a better approach than the usual way of treading gingerly around sensitive subjects, especially those pertaining to religion and culture.

We have to make the first step to confront the boogeyman, the all encompasing sensitive issues. Any issue can be deemd sensitive in the manupulative hands of those who do not want to see a united nation forged among the populace. The divide and rule method is used relentlessly by these leaders as a cover up in maintaining the present status quo. These leaders will be the first to feel the brunt of a truly united nation if and when all races in the country rise up to the occasion. Each of us have a decent streak and in reality are able to look at sensitive issues objectively if given the chance. When all facts are laid out and civil exchanges are the norm, the benefit will flow naturally.

A debate between the races will definitely benefit everyone.

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Gracious and Compassionate

Two articles appeared in the wake of the deportation of Hamza Kashgari from Malaysia back to Saudi Arabia. Both lamented on how Muslims have forgotten the true meaning of their religion. Hamza, 22, had sparked outrage for an imaginary conversation with the prophet Muhammad on his Twitter account, in which he addressed him as an equal, amongst other lines were: "I will say that I have loved aspects of you, hated others, and could not understand many more."

The article by Farhana Abdul Halim equated the reaction of some Muslim demanding Hamza's death to the characters in the movie “The Twilight Saga”, She lamented that Muslims have turned Islam into a religion of punishments where all wrongs are dealt with severely. Muslims have forgotten that Allah is most forgiving and compassionate. Even if Hamza is guilty of insulting the prophet, is it impossible or wrong to forgive him? As long as we are still alive, there is is always room for forgiveness from God. So who are we, mere mortals to ignore Hamza's apology?

The article by Tehmina Kazi also questioned why some Muslims immediately demand the death penalty for Hamza. The writer mentioned that those who threatened Hamza should stop and re-examine their motives and remember what Islam is actually for. It is a belief system to purify the heart and the writer quoted a hadith, "Verily, in the body there is a piece of flesh. If it is sound, the body is all sound. If it is corrupt, the body is all corrupt. Verily, it is the heart."

This brings us back to the most repeated phrase in a Muslim's life, Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim, which is usually translated as "In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate". Gracious and compassionate, that must be our guide in whatever we do. We must never forget the depth of meaning or inspirational message that the phrase conveys. It is not meant to be repeated parrot-like but to be practiced and in Hamza's case, that compassion is sorely missing from some Muslims.

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Malaysia Singapore rivalry

The latest headline that Malaysians enjoy sex more than Singaporeans is another episode in the continuing saga of sibling rivalry between the two countries. The Malaysian media loves to highlight the successes that we have achieved as a nation vis-a-vis our southern neighbour, that little dot down south. I'm unsure whether the media in Singapore does the same but a cursory glance at any topic highlighting our neighbour would show a definite bias on our part. Nothing wrong with being patriotic but sometimes sentiment clouds the judgement.

I guess the results that show Malysians enjoy sex more is a fact to be savoured. We do have to be cautious though with survey results, as in this case only 506 Malaysian participants took part. A bias in the composition of the group would give the results published. A different group might give a different result which would show the opposite, ie, Malaysians do not enjoy sex more than Singaporeans.

When results are not in favour of us, I'm quite sure the news would not be on the front page. In this case results on sexual satisfaction might not seem of importance to the country, but every little win against that irritating neighbour is worth highlighting.  

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EPF helping the poor?

Two letters from readers regarding the loan to the Federal Territory Foundation which will help provide housing for the poor appeared in the Sun 15 February 2012 and does highlight a major issue with the whole scheme.

One of the letters reminded us that EPF's mission statement is to provide retirement savings for Malaysians and not addressing social problems like housing for the poor which should be the government's job. The other letter reiterated that since money from the EPF is hard earned for retirement and not part of the income tax revenue, it should never be used or directed to be used by the government. Alas, in a round about way, the government is using the EPF's money through an indirect order. The stated reason is to help the poor, so I guess it would make the EPF members feel a bit better contributing to a good cause.

No one begrudges the scheme for the poor but taking the money set aside for the members retirement has touched a sore point. The details of the scheme does not seem to have additonal benefit for those who need it since at the end of the day, they still have to pay a high interest rate for the loan. As one of the letters pointed out, would the authority chase out those who are unable to pay? That definitely defeats the purpose of the whole scheme.

Further details should definitely be forthcoming and the short period of time between the proposal and the annoucement does point to a rushed job. Or maybe it has been hatched for quite some time but the nitty gritty has not been finalised. Initial statements that need to be backed up later is not the correct way to assuage the public. It is their hard earned money.

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Wealth and power

The article which appered in the Star 13^th February 2012 mentioned that for many people wherever they are,“the ultimate goal in life is the acquisition of greater wealth and power”. Looking at a glance the current pursuit of material wealth, what the author said is very true indeed. The struggling masses in the poorer parts of the world are struggling daily and constrantly just to eke out a living. They are lucky if they can get a meal once a day. The tremendous effort to uplift themselves from poverty to a more sustainable life would need not just their own efforts but a lot of help from the their governments.

China as mentioned in the article has mamaged to leap frog to become a new wealthier nation after taking the plunge into a much freer market economy. The increasing number of millionaires from China is testimony to its success. The standard of success in this case is material wealth. Once someone has managed to leave poverty behind, the goal in enriching oneself seems to be an obsession. What is the ultimate aim?

It might be said that the millionaire has done his social duty if his business set-up has helped to increase the number of job opportunities for others. In his own way, every businessmen has contributed to uplift another person's economic situation. We can't dismiss the fact that some have exploited their workers and the rules and regulatons of the country are supposed to prevent such cases.

The succesful men, either self-made or with the help of others, are not satisfied with their status quo. Most often than not, they will be unstoppable in their quest for greater wealth. Even though the wealth accumulated can be put to good use but sometimes it is just to increase their own coffers and to enable them to continue indulging in their opulent lifestyle.

Examples of past and present successes will continue to fascinate the general public and be a catalyst for others to strive to be the same. A succesful man, with much wealth and power seems at ease with his achievements but whether he is contented with what he has is another question.

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Mobiles nuisance

The article on mobiles being everywhere struck me as very true since what the author said reflects a common scene found in every nook and corner of the country. Whenever a group gathers for a meal, almost always the first action as they take their seats would be taking out the mobile to check the latest updates on their social networking sites. What exactly is the point of meeting each other if there is no conversation amongst them? They might as well be at home or somewhere else and continue their communicatons with others using their mobiles. At least, there will not be as much stress on themselves making the effort to come to the designated place at the appointed time. The traffic conditions especially in the urban centres are not to be sniffed at. So why not forego the motions of meeting each other and just enjoy the mobiles at home. Saves energy, time and fuel.

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More like these, please

Are they still man like Toh Chin Boon in our midst? He was highlighted in the Star 6 February 2012 under the “Be Inspired” series. A 90 year old man who for the past 54 years has scoured the obituaries of government servants in the local newspapers and helped the widows on how to make their pensions.applicatons to the Public Service Department (PSD). He will send a comprehensive pack which contains a hand written letter that outlines the steps, a sample letter to the PSD and photocopies of all necessary forms for the application.

Toh became aware of the difficulties widows faced when filing claims for their spouse's pensions while he was a legal assistant before his retirement.He wanted to help but during the bereavement period, any advice given might have just fallen on deaf ears. He used another approach by writing to them instead. His helpling hand since 1957 has seen some who thanked him through letters or even meeting him personally. He himself just continues with his routine and many more hopefully will benefit from his selfless act in the future.

Yes, how many are like Toh? Maybe there are others unknown to us bringing cheer and hope, kindness and inspiration to those who need them. These are members of society who are the backbone and pillars of strength, giving themselves in the service to others, without any thoughts of rewards. They are the ones who should be highlighted and put up as examples to emulate. Not just the millionaires, high academic achievers or political big wigs. Some might feel the contributions of these good samaritans do not merit a second mention as their deeds only affects a few. Even though those who benefit from these deeds are few in number in comparison to national level projects, at least some members in our society are taking the initiave without any help from the government. Real life stories like these are inspiring and can have a domino effect. If and when the act of helping others becomes part of our psyche and just another altruistic act, imagine the impact on the whole nation.

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Well read

According to the letter to the editor that appeared in the New Straits Times 7 February 2012, we need to be well read persons in order to regain the lost art of conversation. This might be true for certain types of conversations but sometimes those who have experienced life might be better conversationalists.

Conversations may cover a variety of topics and those that touch on life is the most relevant to anyone irrespective of his work or academic background. Observations can also contribute to the wealth and depth of a conversation. A well read person has to ponder and digest what has been read. If the words are just mere words to the reader, what has been read would not bring any positive benefits to any aspects of his life.

A passive reader will be able to read countless number of books but at the end of the day, the active reader will be the better receipient of the knowledge contained in all those treasures. An inquiring, inquisitive, questioning mind will enhance the pleasures of reading and subsequently contribute to a more meaningful conversation. Quiet moments to reflect on what has been read and observations would also add to a heightened pleasure during a conversaton.

The art of good conversation will still be around as long as we put in the effort to be active in our pursuit of knowledge whether by reading or experiencing first hand what life has in store for us.

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Racism

A timely letter to the editor appeared in the Star, 6 February 2012 notwithstanding all the sloganeering we are bombarded with from the ruling government of the day. The heading of the letter “No place for racism here” is most appropriate and must be repeated continuously until it becomes a natural part of our lives.

The writer mentioned a teacher who said that the word racist does not exist. This statement was in response to an incident in her class. How does the word not exist if the action perperated by a group of people continue to emphasise the differences between the races. If the word does not exist, there will be other words to describe that charcteristic of a group of people who feel superior to other groups.

Differences between groups of people are part and parcel of human diversity. The difference does not make one group superior to the other but it is more of a marker of where and how each group acclimatised itself to its environment. History shows communities growing in places which might not be hospitable at first glance and the effects of adjusting to different locales would produce a different approach to living.

Malaysia as a melting pot of so many groups would host a myriad of colours and creed, each bringing their past history and adjusting to the new landscape. Later generations would still have that link to the their ancestors in the way they perceive and approach an issue. These differences are a positive addition to the nation's collective memory. A basis to foster unity and strengthen the bond between the people.

The combative approach does not bode well for the nation's progress. The better way would be to embrace the plurality which is a fact of life of the nation and emphasise the positves that each group can contribute to the nation.

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Kad laporan bajet

Surat daripada seorang pembaca kepada editor the Star pada 10 Oktober 2011 yang bertajuk “Report card on previous Budget is what's required” memang dihargai. Intipati surat itu menyatakan bagaimana saban tahun rakyat dihidangkan dengan bajet yang pelbagai tetapi setelah pembentangan bajet, tidak ada pula maklumbalas tentang sama ada langkah-langkah yang telah diambil melaksanakan bajet berjaya atau tidak mencapai matlamat yang diidamkan.

Sebagai contoh dipetik satu perenggan daripada bajet 2012 yang berkaitan dengan Skim Persaraan Swasta:

“Skim Persaraan Swasta

108. Dalam Bajet 2011, bagi mempastikan pekerja swasta dan mereka yang bekerja sendiri mempunyai simpanan mencukupi semasa bersara, saya telah mengumumkan pelepasan cukai sehingga 6 ribu ringgit untuk caruman kepada KWSP dan insurans hayat diperluaskan bagi meliputi caruman kepada Dana Pencen Swasta, kini dikenali sebagai Skim Persaraan Swasta. Bagi terus menjamin kesejahteraan rakyat di usia persaraan di samping mempromosi skim persaraan swasta yang dijangka dapat merancakkan pembangunan pasaran modal, saya mencadangkan:

Pertama: Pelepasan cukai baru sehingga 3 ribu ringgit ke atas caruman dalam Skim Persaraan Swasta dan anuiti insurans selama 10 tahun. Dengan ini, pelepasan cukai sedia ada ke atas Skim Persaraan Swasta dan anuiti insurans dirasionalkan.

Kedua: Potongan cukai ke atas caruman majikan bagi pekerja dalam Skim Persaraan Swasta; dan

Ketiga: Pengecualian cukai ke atas pendapatan dana Skim Persaraan Swasta.”

Dana Pencen Swasta? Hmmm, apa yang kita tahu tentang Dana ini? Setakat ini perancangan dan pelaksanaannya masih kabur dan belum ada maklumat yang lebih terperinci. Dalam masa setahun semenjak Bajet 2011 apakah yang telah dilaksanakan, siapakah yang telah mendapat manfaat dan adakah keberkesanannya menyeluruh, meliputi sejumlah besar pekerja swasta? Itulah soalan-soalan yang harus dijawab dalam Bajet 2012. Adakah insentif yang diberi dalam Bajet 2012 membuktikan bahawa apa yang dijalankan dalam tempoh setahun dahulu telah berjaya atau sebaliknya.

Jika dilihat setiap bahagian Bajet 2012, pasti ada kesinambungan daripada bajet-bajet terdahulu. Itu sudah sepatutnya kerana apa yang baik harus diteruskan dan yang kurang berfaedah ditiadakan. Setiap bajet juga akan cuba memperuntukkan sejumlah dana untuk perancangan masa hadapan. Jangan lupa, dalam keghairahan mengejar impian, jangan pula apa yang dikendong keciciran.