Memimpin Melalui Teladan

Leadership By Example or "Memimpin Melalui Teladan" was long taught since our younger years in primary school.

Our leaders have always managed to show extraordinary examples on how to become a "leader", a "politician", a successful "businessman" and most important of all, what "say one thing, but do another thing means".

It is more often than not that whenever you drive in the highway, you will see that the speed limit is 110km/j (110 kilometers per hour). However, you can always see the police escorting the politicians and diplomats driving more than 110km per hour. Not something unusual. When we are speeding, we are summoned, but when they did, the have police to escort.

But why do they speed in the first place if not because they failed to manage their time properly (ie late in their next function), abuse of power (any other reason for not following the speed limit passed by the parliament in which they are a member themselves?) and because this is the norms.

Something need to be done, if they intend to lead, they should set their own example by abiding to the laws. Otherwise, they should face the consequences and pay the summons like all the rest of us. But I don't remember any of them going to pay the summons themselves although they themselves (or their drivers) were caught speeding.

Forum (6) Part I - A Trip To China 中国之旅 (Update 2)

二零零八年九月十九日至九月二十七日，一连八天，小弟到中国的五个城市去旅游，包括上海，南京，福州，厦门和深圳。这是小弟首次的中国之旅，心里兴奋莫名，也非常紧张。对中国的印象和了解，平时只是透过报章，电视新闻台，抑或是相关网站的图片和报导而得之一二。俗话说：读万卷书不如行万里路。在中国旅游的那几天，小弟着实对中国今日的现代化发展所取得的成就是震撼的，印象深刻的。小弟对那里的一切人，事，物是新鲜的，在大马这里见所未见，闻所未闻。顿时，举起随身带来的数码相机，拼命的将眼前很多新鲜的景观和事物拍了起来。相关图片如下：


上海篇


这辆本田轿车的车后左上角的“广州本田”字样，主要传达的讯息是此辆本田轿车是在中国广州生产的。


上海市工人文化宫的外部建筑设计。


上海城市规划展示馆（1）


上海城市规划展示馆（2）：外部建筑设计。


上海城市规划展示馆（3）:上海城市的重要建筑物地标模型。


上海城市规划展示馆（4）：上海浦东和浦西现今的城市发展和规划模型缩影。


录像 （1） ：在上海城市规划展示馆内的其中一个角落，坐落着这个上海城市模型缩影，展示目前浦东和浦西现代化的与未来先进的城市发展及规划蓝图。小弟着实非常震撼及深刻的感受到上海人的创造力与无穷的活力。


录像 （2） ：延续录像（1）在上海城市规划展示馆内。


上海城市街道一隅的傍晚景观。


上海城市街道一隅的夜晚景观。此街道宽敞干净，人山人海。这里有许多各式各样的商店和小食馆，有许多年轻人于此溜达逛街，小弟第一次感受到上海城市的活力和热闹。


录像 （3） ：上海城市其中一条街道，夜晚繁忙的情景。


录像 (4) : 延续录像 （3）上海城市街道，夜晚繁忙情景。


上海朋友的公寓（1）这是客厅。猜猜看这间公寓目前的市值是多少?


上海朋友的公寓（2）前面就是主人房。右手边是一间中房（A)。左手边依序是一间冲凉房和一间中房(B)。


上海朋友的公寓（3）这就是中房(B)。


上海朋友的公寓（4）这就是主人房。


上海朋友的公寓（5）这就是主人房内的冲凉房。


上海朋友的公寓（6）这就是中房(A)。根据上海的这位朋友说，这间三房一厅的公寓，2000年的市值是40万人民币左右，2004年飙至大概150万人民币，2008年更是上涨至280万人民币。上海房地产价格的上涨幅度和速度，着实令上海普通上班族望屋兴叹，梦寐难求矣。


上海朋友的公寓外貌


上海公寓外貌


上海其中一条老街的旧商店


上海其中一条老街的旧商店


上海环球金融中心的观光厅。这是继东方明珠263米的主观光层，到金茂大厦88层341米的观光厅后，上海浦东小陆家嘴地区另一个登高观光景点 - 最高达474米100层的上海环球金融中心观光厅，是上海登高观光高度的新突破的纪录。欲详细了解上海环球金融中心，请参考此网站 http://swfc-shanghai.com/


在高439米的上海环球金融中心97层观光天桥上，俯瞰上海壮丽的风景。当天上海的空气素质非常差，所以上空朦胧一片的。

在环球金融中心97层观光天桥上面，俯瞰上海的风景。


图片中间的建筑物便是上海环球金融中心，以屋顶高度492米（101楼）为当今世界第一高楼，超过了目前屋顶高度世界第一的台北101大楼（480米）。


动车篇

黑人总统，奥巴马!

美国黑人总统，终于脱颖而出；
今后肩负重任，承载民众使命；
前路困难重重，未来改革艰苦；
内有金融危机，外有战争烂摊；
重塑美国形象，实是迫在眉睫；
稳住美国经济，乃是首要任务；
奥巴马当总统，世人引颈期盼；
呼吁全球群众，为其胜选欢呼!

America's First Black Elected President! What this tells us?

In the just concluded US presidential election result, the American people had made a great breakthrough. They had chosen an African American, “with a funny name” Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. With the promise to bring change to America, the 46-years-old Democratic Senator of Illinois won big with a landslide victory by winning electoral votes of 338 over McCain 163.

Before 4th November 2008, we can only see the African American President through the Hollywood's movies. But now it is real happening before our sight.

What this scenario tells us? The American people had once again been creating another great history in the world. They possess the wisdom, determination and capacities to constantly producing miraculous and remarkable greatness.

In the science and technology, the American had invented the internet which is initially being used for military purpose. Yet they had shared this technology out to the world and help to mould the different way people were being connected and promote a novel way of communication.

In the business world, there were Microsoft, Google, Dell, Amazon, Citibank etc whose successful brand names had implanted depth into our minds and integrated breadth into our daily life. They were all originated from the America.

And of course, the American people were smart and creative enough to popularize the securitized mortgage debts which were the major elements causing the current meltdown of the global financial markets and banking system.

Democracy, freedom, innovation and risk were those values connected to the American people. That is why they are able to create constant impacts to the world.

Utusan Melayu, the history?

Sejak kebelakangan ini, surat khabar Melayu tempatan -- Utusan Melayu telah terlibat dengan pelbagai isu politik yang melebihi fungsinya sebagai media massa untuk menyampaikan maklumat.

Kini, Ahli Parlimen Seputeh, Cik Teresa Kok telah memfailkan satu guaman fitnah terhadap Utusan Melayu dan seorang pengarang iaitu Mohd Zaini Hassan menuntut untuk RM30 juta sebagai gantirugi yang dikatakan menyebabkan beliau ditangkap dan dipenjarakan sebanyak 7 hari di bawah Akta Sekuriti Dalaman ("ISA").

Menurut laporan,beliau menuntut RM30 juta untuk satu artikel yang bergelaran "Azan, Jawi, Jais, UiTM dan ba-alif-ba-ya" yang diterbitkan oleh Utusan Malaysia pada 10 September 2008 yang dikatakan sebagai dengan niat jahat untuk menfitnah beliau.

Utusan Malaysia atau sebelumnya Utusan Melayu yang ditulis dalam jawi mula diterbitkan di Kuala Lumpur pada sekitar 29 Mei 1939 setelah ibu pejabatnya dipindah dari Singapura ke Malaysia.

Sebagai sebuah surat khabar kebangsaan Melayu, Utusan Melayu telah menjadi medan untuk menuntut kemerdekaan dan mengalakan idealisme bahasa dan sastera Melayu.

Dalam sejarah Malaysia, adalah dipercayai bahawa hanya wujud sekali sahaja demontrasi dan mogok yang melibatkan wartawan Melayu dan pekerja mereka iaitu pada sekitar tahun 1961.

Tindakan mogok ini yang mengambil masa lebih kurang 100 hari bermula pada tahun 1961 apabila para pekerja Utusan Melayu mogok demi mempertahankan kebebasan media dan berita.

Pada masa itu, Utusan Melayu yang kerap mengkritik Perdana Menteri pada masa itu, Tunku Abdul Rahman telah mendapati bahawa Ketua Editor dan CEO surat khabar tersebut yang bakal dilantik merupakan ahli UMNO.

Tokoh terkenal dan wartawan seperti Said Zahari, Usman Awang, Abu Zaki Fadzil, Awamilarsarkam dan lain-lain lagi telah dikatakan terlibat dalam tindakan mogok ini demi mempertahankan kebebasan media.

Antara sebab-sebab lain yang dikatakan menyebabkan tindakan mogok ini adalah polisi yang dikenakan terhadap wartawan dan pekerja Utusan Melayu di mana mereka dipercayai bahawa polisi tahun 1959 yang bakal dikuatkuasakan oleh ahli UMNO terlibat bakal menjejaskan kemerdekaan wartawan dalam menjalankan tugas mereka.

Untuk mempertahankan kebebasan media dan surat khabar mereka, adalah dikatakan bahawa Said Zahari telah memimpin wartawan-wartawan dan pekerja-pekerja kilang penerbitan membantah perlantikan ahli UMNO yang berkenaan dan meminta agar orang yang tidak mempunyai latar belakang politik dilantik sebagai Ketua Editor dan CEO.

Adalah tuntutan mereka agar pihak pengurusan menyelesaikan masalah berkenaan sebelum 21 Julai 1961 atau mereka akan mogok.

Pada 21 Julai 1961, mereka telah memulakan mogok yang bertahan sebanyak 93 hari dan berakhir pada 21 Oktober tahun yang sama.

Semasa mogok, mereka mendirikan khemah di luar pejabat Utusan dan menjaga di situ. Pada mulanya, mereka yang menyertai mogok cuba menghalang pekerja yang berniat bekerja untuk memasuki pejabat, walaubagaimanpun, mereka kemudiannya berhenti tindakan sedemikian.

Setelah lebih kurang satu bulan, Said Zahari telah dihalau ke negeri Singapura di mana beliau kemudiannya dikatakan telah ditahan sebagai banduan politik di situ.

Ada yang kata bahawa beliau telah diarahkan balik ke Singapura semasa dalam perjalanan balik ke Kuala Lumpur setelah melawat pekerja Utusan di Singapura yang menyertai morok yang berkenaan.

Setelah kehilangan ketua mereka, campurtangan daripada pihak polis juga menyebabkan pengikut-pengikut yang terdiri daripada pekerja dan wartawan berpecah belah. Atas dasar pihak pengurusan yang bersedia untuk menerima mereka yang mogok dan membayar gaji mereka telah menyebabkan mereka yang mogok berpecah pandangan dan apabila khemah-khemah mereka dirosakkan, pihak jawatankuasa mogok terpaksa menghentikan tindakan mereka.

Adalah dikatakan bahawa pihak politik masih menguasai surat khabar ini sehingga hari ini.

Rujukan: terbitan Strategic Info Research Developmen - Kuasa Rakyat- tradisi yang tidak berhenti
- laman web yang berkenaan di bawah carian "Utusan Melayu" atau "Utusan Malaysia".

Is Malaysia located in another planet? Are we talking about planet earth?

Under the backdrop of the current global financial crisis which is originated from the US and spread to the Europe and now starting to affect the other parts of the world including Asia.A simple analysis of Malaysia 2009 economic outlook from the perspective of an ordinary working man.

As we all know that Malaysia’s major revenue sources are from the export of the crude oil and crude palm oil, specifically the crude oil export contributed nearly 40% to 46% to the nation’s revenue.

The US is still the leading export market of Malaysia, followed by European Union, South East Asia and the fourth is Japan.Overall manufacturing products accounted for 75 percent of Malaysia's total exports followed by crude oil and other minerals at 14 percent and agricultural products at 9.5 percent, as at 31 December 2007. While the exports of electrical and electronic goods accounted for 44 percent of total exports, with the US is the biggest consumption market.

For the last two weeks, the stock markets worldwide had been experiencing the severe bottomless spiral southwards. Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur Composite Index , year to date, had been tumbling more than 30% since the early of the year 2008.

What the above statistics tell us?

As at 11 October 2008, the global crude oil price was tumbling to below USD 80.00 per barrel as compare to its record high of above USD 140.00 per barrel, while the crude palm oil price was recording below RM 2000.00 per tonnes for December 2008 order as compare to its record high of above RM 4000.00 per tonnes. This means that the country is going to experience the budget deficit if the government is not intending to review its already presented 2009 National Budget. We must be questioning where would be the funding sources for the mega projects such as the Iskandar Malaysia (formerly known as Iskandar Development Region or IDR) and the other Economic Corridor Region?The Iskandar Malaysia and the other Economic Corridor Regions had been hailed as the major engine of the Malaysian economic growth in the future.

The consumers' confidence level in US and the Europe had been dipped into the decades low following the subsequent collapse of their banking and financial institution. This will have huge impacts onto our export. With the external demand reducing, the manufacturing companies will abandon their existing expansion plan and tightening their budget. While the fear of massive manpower laid-off in the manufacturing sectors will soon dominate the Malaysian market. Then the possible rising of the unemployment rate will certainly pose a significant impact to the social instability which had been ailed by the political instability since Malaysian historical 308 political Tsunami.

The severe bearish market had dampened the households’ confidence level and their spending sentiment. They will finally tightening their belts and cut back on consumption. Hence, the slow growth of the domestic consumption.

With the internal and external negative development, we might tend to ask where the country’s economy is heading to?

The globalization seeds had long been taken root in this world for decades. This means, nowadays, the economies of the countries across the continents, in breadth and depth, are interconnected and interdependent.

Yet lately, we still heard our country’s leaders unanimously expressed confidence that Malaysia’s economy is still resilient given the current global financial crisis. They boasted that the country have a stronger economic fundamentals, sufficient foreign reserves and sound financial and banking system.

Hullo, Is Malaysia located in another planet of the universe? Not in planet earth?

Equality, Justice, Issues and Policies

Today, in Sin Chew Daily (13 October 2008, Monday) headline, is the statements by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on the topic that UMNO needs to make changes and that there should be review of the economic policies and distributions of the wealth in the Country.

It was stated that UMNO must make the changes on the distribution of the country's wealth, review the issues that were perceived to be injustice (to certain quarter in the society) including education, language, religion, judiciary, execution of law and so on.

In life, we recognize that all of us are different, whether it is in physical forms such as the colour of the skins, the height and weight of our bodies, or in our spiritual forms such as the way we think, the religion we believe in and the culture that we practise.

In a society or even a country, we are also different through the systems we practise, the laws that we uphold and the language that we used.

All of us are different, there is no doubt about it.

We are different in all ways, that is the fact and the easiest way to proof is the different fingerprint that we all have and the different genes that we carried.

According to the Biblical story, men in the city of Babel, was a city that united humanity, where all spoke a single language and share the same goal. It was said that they wanted to build their city with the tallest building that would have top of the tower in the heavens. This Tower of Babel was dedicated to the glory of men. God saw what people have done and gave each a different language to confuse them and scattered the people throughout the earth.(Refer Genesis 11:1-9 ).

We are different and yet we all seek for equality. In the famous Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, it was stated that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

No doubt, there will never be equality amongst gender on the basis of physical strenghts and hormon difference. No doubt there will never be equality to chances as each one has his/her own destiny and there is no equality in democracy politics where the one with the majority voters will have control over the government especially when a candidate come from the majority ethnic group in that society.

In short, the dominant (in numbers) will always prevails. However, we cannot say that it is wrong as logic will draw to the same conclusion. The minority should adapt to the needs of the majority. It would be against the norm if ten person needs to learn the language or styles in living of one in order to communicate (the question of why many should submit to one arise). As such, the dominant in resources, knowledge, weapons, technology and wealth will always take precedent over the rest.

It was with this principle that our laws were made. The dominant should have the biggest shares first before the minority can be given the rest. Even the Darwin theory doesn't put equality as a part of nature. It was always about balance and not equality. For example, Arthur needs to eat 2 pizza per meal while Bob needs to eat 1 pizza per meal, to give 1 1/2 pizza in equal will be a waste in resources for Bob and suppression of needs to Arthur. There will never be equality.

To overcome the principle of the dominant comes first, the human civilizations adopt the principles of justice and equality. It was with these principles that all needs of the society be controlled and the basic needs of all be provided but not until the suppression leads to revolutions or war.

The idealogy of having a just and equal society is necessary to maintain stability and sustainable progress. However, it is always easier said than done. For the dominant UMNO to give up its rights when it is still gigantic cannot bring anything except chaos. The only option available is to increase the size of the cake and reduce the ratio of growth of the dominant and to bring up the minority. Only changes at the right timing will we have the dominant remaining relevant but would not be ignorant to the needs of the minority.

Only at the right timing will our society progress on merits and all these depends on policies that the government is willing to take and make. All said and done, it will require a lot of political wisdom should Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin intends to ensure a sustainable and progressive Malaysia. However, if he manage to do so, there will be no distance between him and the premiership.