Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia

Continuing my last article on reasons why I do not like Malaysia.

I have never flown with Air Asia but I knew the story from people closed to me. In Malaysia regardless of MAS or Air Asia you will be treated well only if you are somebody. Both airline cabin crews would only treat foreigners well compared to fellow Malaysians.

I remember when I flew with MAS in 1987. The cabin crews didn't even smile at me. Furthermore with dozens of Vips in the same flight those cabin crews would waste their time serving me because I am nobody. Instead they would treat those vips well with the intention of being a vip's wife or husband. This is a fact! I observed both MAS and Air Asia cabin crews when I was at KLIA once a while. The truth is I have never seen them smile. International organizations which awarded MAS cabin crews as world's best cabin crews is not acceptable to me.

So if you want to go to Malaysia or leave Malaysia fly other airlines instead. MAS or Air Asia deliver lousy services.

Destination and Readers Digest

Many Malaysians asked me why I like Canada so much compared to my country Malaysia. There are many reasons.
1) I was denied any form of finance for my air fare
2) I was black magic so I would forget Canada and its charming people
3) There is no freedom in Malaysia at all. I cannot do what I loved to do as in Canada
4) I was not allowed to obtain proper employment. I feel as if I am a beggar. People said I will a beggar in Canada but things is pretty much the same in Malaysia
5) I'm the target for someone else mistake, for instance since I came back from Canada empty handed I was labeled a non Muslim who consume alcohol and rely on drugs
6) I don't think I could even go to Mecca for my pilgrimage. I have been a prisoner in my own country since October 15th 1990

To Malaysians I MUST stay in Kuala Pilah Malaysia for the rest of my life.

But since my father died, there has been some music to my ears. Oh! How good my English was and how well I managed my father's modest estate through my Finance background. I learned English by hard. Initially I read local English newspapers then the Readers Digest. Since Readers Digest is expensive in Malaysia I read past issues instead.

One day I will go to Canada for good!

ITs Ramadan Again

Muslims in Malaysia would begin the holy month of Ramadan soon maybe on 21st August. It has been a year since I started blogging yet I know no one reads my blog. Whatever it is I will not write anything rubbish.

At 7.30 am August 7th, I started my annual journey to KL from Kuala Pilah. Since 2002 at least once a year I would make a trip to the National Heart Institute KL with my parents for my father's follow up check. This year is no difference. Although my father is dead I must make that trip to delete my memory for the last 6 years. Took the PLUS highway from Seremban. Have breakfast at one of the R&R's, go through the Smart tunnel then to IJN. I thought I would be in tears but nothing came out from my eyes.

Instead I went to the other side of IJN i.e. the National Library. Read a few Finance magazines such as Harvard club and The Economist. I know what I did was right!

Remembering Commerce Law

I still remember vividly the old Commerce Law building University of Saskatchewan. In particular there was this lady who always at the same spot at the same floor at the same time each day reading story book. Then, I never really care why she was there each day at the Law entrance but now 21 years later I truly understand why.

I remember talking to her once i.e. the time when I screwed out one of my midterms. Though it was just a small talk she did remind me about my parents and family.We both liked watching Robert Wagner and Stephanie Powers "Heart to Heart".

One day I will go to University of Saskatchewan again for good!

July 10th

I'm now in Putrajaya. Is it coincidence or God's will that it was July 10th 2009 General Motors emerged from bankruptcy. Now that GM is owned by the governments of America, Canada and Ontario I guess GM could focus to rebuild itself and be a strong automobile leader again. Since the new entity would retain only Chevrolet,Cadillac,Buick and GMC , I guess the Pontiac brand is truly a confirmed history.

July 10th 2002 was a great day for me when I took possession of my Perodua Kancil. Since I have installed a cd mp3 player inside my Kancil, recently I bought a Mozart cd i.e. the first cd I bought since 1991.

Cheer up GM!

Teaching Mathematics and Science in English

I could not hold my tears when I learned that commencing 2012 Mathematics and Science will be taught in Bahasa Malaysia again. No offense to my own mother tongue but I think the Najib administration had made a terrible decision.

The argument is that pupils from rural areas cannot cope with learning Maths and Science in English. I came from a rural area. During my secondary school days I learned Maths and Science in Bahasa Malaysia but when I did my matriculation I learned Maths in English. Initially it was difficult but as time went by it was ok.

To my critics, I got through with my Canadian studies and it was in English. I am still a Malay, I wear the sarung, I take off my shoes when I entered my house. The only thing which I have none is a Malay girlfriend.

The New Economy

1) Focus change
1a) From manufacturing base to high technology and modern services
1b) From semi skilled to skilled labor
1c) From low labor cost to highly paid workers

2) Previous announcement on liberalization of 27 services sub sector and financial sector

3) Fund Management
3a) Ownership of wholesale segment liberalized to 100% for foreigners
3b) For retail segment foreign ownership limit increase from 49% to 70%

4) Existing Stock broking companies
4a) Foreign ownership increase from 49% to 70%

5) Bumiputra equity only 2.4% in 1970's

6) Review of Foreign Investment Committee (FIC)
6a) Malaysian companies seeking listing at Bursa Malaysia must allocate 50% of the public shareholding spread to Bumiputra BUT there is NO post listing condition.

7) Ekuiti Nasional Berhad (Ekuinas)
7a) Set up as private equity fund to help Bumiputra invest in companies with no public listing.

8) Enhancement of Government-linked Companies (GLCs)

Those were backbone of the New Economic Model announced by Datuk Sri Najib,Minister of Finance and Prime Minister of Malaysia recently. To me Najib has really kept his word. To him the 30% Bumiputra allotment is out of date. In addition, PM Najib has answered the call for meritocracy.

For instance for any IPO, Bumiputra allotment of 50% only applies for pre listing. Thus after listing the Bumiputra equity may dilute to zero. BUT I have nothing to worry. The New Economy justifies the the wisdom of those voters who voted against Pak Lah and Najib during the last General Election.

Bumiputra in Malaysia are now in the middle income range. Since they were smart enough during elections thus they may also show their intelligence in equities and the economic pie.

Remembering Bukit Kepong

I was at Bukit Kepong Johor yesterday. Although I arrived late in the evening, I could still see the remnants of the Police Station attacked by the communist in February 1950. Seeing the surroundings, I could not figure out the place called Bukit Kepong in 1950. Even in 2009 Bukit Kepong is still a remote area.

Al Fatehah!

Chin Peng Has No Place in Malaysia

New Economic Model

As promised Prime Minister Najib unveiled the new economic model also on June 30th. Among other things the quota for Bumiputra is restructured. For instance any Initial Public Offer must be allocated 50% to Bumiputra.

Since I am not a graduate and to avoid those people who criticize me for writing about Finance while I ain't got nothing, I would put my comments on hold because I need to study this new economic model thoroughly first. Then only the then Education Minister in October 1990 would be satisfied.