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Tag: Malaysia

  • Exposing Half-Truths Behind Certis Cisco’s Taiwanese Recruitment

    Exposing Half-Truths Behind Certis Cisco’s Taiwanese Recruitment

    I refer to “Certis Cisco recruiting officers from Taiwan”. There’s more than meets the eye.

    Certis Cisco (CC), a subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, was supposed to have advertised, but probably did not, on the Jobs Bank.

    Temasek Holdings, which owns or is the major shareholder of government-linked companies, employs hundreds of thousands of cheaper (sometimes not) foreigners. So long as PAP continues to run Singapore as a corporation, Singaporeans should not expect our FT policy to be discarded.

    Our FT policy also generates revenue for the government, as in the case of CC’s Taiwanese recruitment.

    CC’s actual total cost – including the cost of levy and accommodation – of employing a Taiwanese officer with a degree is about $4000. Why CC is willing to pay so much to hire a foreigner is because part of its costs, eg S-Pass is in fact revenue to the government. Should CC employ a local, PAP earns nothing.

    CC is likely to house its foreigner workforce at accommodations managed by EM Services or other GLCs. Through PAP’s FT policy, the government, GLCs and Temasek are clearly the winners at Singaporeans’ expense.

    CC is willing to pay:
    – A monthly salary of $2675
    – Free accommodation (estimated cost $500)
    – Total bonus of $4000 upon completion of 2-year contract
    – $650 for S-Pass

    * $4000/24 months

    From the table above, it will cost CC at least $3991 per month to employ a Taiwanese. This excludes other miscellaneous costs such as return air ticket, additional overseas recruitment costs,etc.

    Hiring foreigners come with social costs and CC should actually offer a premium when hiring Singaporeans.

    CC spokesman was therefore telling an outright half truth when she said “The manpower shortage is a perennial situation in Singapore, and we have been working with the authorities to recruit from suitable alternative sources”.

    CC did not offer to hire Singaporeans based on the total higher amount it was willing to pay a foreigner, ie costs of levy and accommodation amounting to more than $1000 were excluded.

    A foreigner with a monthly levy of, say, $500 adds up to $6000 in yearly government revenue. Multiply this by 500,000 foreigners, PAP earns $3 billion yearly without generating any economic activity and at the stroke of a pen. Who really needs scholars to run Singapore when money drops from the sky?

    Monthly levy collection: $500
    Yearly levy collecion: $6000
    X 500,000 foreign workers: $3 billion
    X 1,000,000 foreign workers: $6 billion

    From the above, one should be able to understand clearly why Lau Goh’s FT policy will be here for good.

    For jobless and retrenched Singaporeans, you-die-your-own-business policy has always applied. But don’t say the PAP has no compassion – it has schemes such as WIS in place. So long as one is willing to accept any low-wage job and forego one’s dignity, the WIS recipient will receive a regular peanuts cash and CPF contribution.

    PAP must continue hiring foreigners to increase headcount because an increased population density supports increasing property prices. PAP’s economic growth model has always relied on foreigner population – not productivity – growth.

    Minister Shanmugam has also recently said that only Singaporeans, Singapore PRs and Malaysians are eligible to apply. Is CC, under Temasek CEO Ho Ching, able to suka suka override the Law Minister? Why were Taiwanese suddenly included in the hiring pool with no debate in Parliament?

    CC has obviously not advertised in Malaysian states as the response would have been overwhelming. From the same table above, the salary and bonus alone amounted to a monthly salary $2841 – equivalent to about 8700 Malaysian ringgit.

    Since lodging is provided, a Malaysian recruit can easily save $2000 every month, or about RM6000. CC wants to take Singaporeans for idiots – not a single Malaysian wanted the job and it has to recruit 120 officers from Taiwan.

    PAP’s FT policy generates revenue for the government through levy collection, eg S-Pass, increases revenue/profit for government-linked companies by lowering costs and ultimately increases Temasek’s profits. This is done at the expense of Singaporeans.

    It should therefore not have surprised anyone when a GLC like Certis Cisco engages in half truths to recruit foreigners living 3000 km away.

     

    Source: https://likedatosocanmeh.wordpress.com/

  • Kelantan’s Non-Muslims Happy With PAS Rule, But Worried About Slow Economy, Hudud

    Kelantan’s Non-Muslims Happy With PAS Rule, But Worried About Slow Economy, Hudud

    Malaysia’s opposition Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) has won the support of the ruling United Malays National Organisation (Umno) to strengthen the country’s Syariah Courts, in what looks like the start of cooperation between the traditional rivals ahead of the next general election, due in 2018. What is life like under a PAS-led, or at least PAS-influenced, government? TODAY spent three days talking to non-Muslim residents of Kota Bharu, Kelantan — where PAS has been in power for over 20 years — on living under the Islamist party and what possible changes in the Syariah law means for them.

    KOTA BHARU — A steady stream of Muslim men converge on the Muhammadi Mosque built almost 150 years ago. Some are seen performing the ablution in the mosque compound, while those unable to get a spot in the hall lay out prayer mats on the pavement outside. One feels like one is in a city in the Middle East, and that feeling extends beyond the mosques. There are no cinemas in Kelantan. In supermarkets, men, women and families have to line up at the cashiers in three separate queues.

    Yet despite the outward appearance of Kelantan as a state governed strictly by an Islamist party, the non-Muslims here say they are generally happy with life under PAS rule and enjoy harmonious ties with those from other races and religions.

    The east coast state is home to 1.8 million people. Malays make up 95 per cent of the population, with the minority made up of Chinese, Indians and Thais. The main religion is Islam, but there are also many Chinese and Thai Buddhist temples.

    Kelantan has been under the rule of opposition Islamist party PAS for more than 20 years despite the state having one of the slowest economic growth rates in the country. PAS won Kelantan comfortably in the last general election in 2013, winning 32 seats out of 45 seats contested in the state legislative assembly. It did even better in the 2008 contest, sweeping 38 seats out of 45.

    PAS has also long made it a goal to introduce the Islamic criminal code in the state, and last month, party president Abdul Hadi Awang filed a controversial private member’s Bill in Parliament to strengthen the powers of Syariah courts.

    The Bill proposes to increase Syariah punishment caps to a maximum of 30 years’ jail, a RM100,000 (S$32,400) fine and 100 strokes of the cane. (The maximum penalties now are a jail term of three years, a fine of RM5,000 or six strokes of the cane.) Mr Hadi’s motion has been deferred to the next parliamentary sitting due in March 2017.

    The Bill has been supported by the ruling United Malays National Organisation (Umno), prompting an uproar from non-Muslims and politicians from minority parties. These include the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), an ally of Umno in the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

    Both Umno and PAS leaders have stressed that the Bill does not apply to non-Muslims and has nothing to do with Islamic criminal law, or hudud.

    Despite this, Kelantan residents interviewed by TODAY said they are concerned about how the proposed law might affect their daily lives.

    “If it applies only to the Muslims, then I will be less worried. But there is also fear in us that things may take a different route,” said Mr Gan Yeong Shuoh, 30, a hotel manager.

    Another resident, Ms Lin Mei Li, 44, said the state government should explain more about the Bill and its position on hudud.

    “Most of them (local people) do not understand the Bill or its implementation even though they know that it is related to Islamic laws. Personally, I feel that our nation is developing to be a progressive nation. I am not willing to see the Islamic penal code being implemented, even though it is limited to the Muslims only,” she added.

    Punishment under hudud law includes the cutting off of one’s hands for theft, as well as stoning to death for extramarital sex.

    There is also concern among some Malaysians that Mr Hadi’s Bill will create a two-tiered legal system.

    “How will punishments be carried out if it involves a Muslim and non-Muslim?” said Mr Wee Pock Sun, president of The Federation of Hokkien Associations of Malaysia, raising a common concern of non-Muslims in the country.

    Mr Wee, 55, said that the Kelantan government should focus more on measures to develop people’s livelihoods instead.

    “They need to look at problems that involve the people. Find measures to tackle social ills and uplift the Kelantanese people. We have problems such as school dropouts and our education standard is still low. These are the problems that they need to address.”

    Mr Yap Cher Leong, 62, a businessman dealing with hardware and construction materials, agrees and said that two areas the PAS government can focus on are ecotourism and agrotourism.

    “Half-a-million Kelantanese are living in other cities because of employment. This itself speaks of the economic situation in the state,” he added.

    Kelantan recorded economic growth of 3.5 per cent last year, lower than the 5 per cent nationally. It was the third-slowest-growing state in the country, doing better only than Terengganu (3.3 per cent) and Perlis (2.3 per cent).

    It is reliant on services and agriculture. The services sector in Kelantan is driven mainly by the public sector, wholesale and retail, food and beverages, as well as hotel and accommodation. Agricultural products include paddy, palm oil, and fruit and vegetables.

    Kelantan MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau representative Ong Han Xian, 56, said that while relations between the various races and religions in the state have been good, investments have been hard to come by.

    “There is no economic development and investment from companies. Investors are afraid because of the negative perception they have of Islamic rules. Instead of focussing on religion only, PAS must think of ways to develop Kelantan,” Mr Ong said.

    He hopes that the upcoming East Coast Rail Link — a RM55 billion railway project that will span four states on the east coast and ends in Kelantan — will give a boost to the state’s economy when it is completed in 2022.

    Despite slower economic growth and uncertainties over hudud, Kelantan presents a picture of multiracial harmony for now.

    It is common to see Chinese and Malays dining together in halal Chinese-owned coffee shops.

    At the Pokok Pinang market in Kota Bharu, rows of open air stalls sell pork alongside businesses run by Malays.

    Residents say that when the state was under BN rule, pork sellers were constantly harassed and the trade was hidden from public view. The Chinese were also not allowed to purchase houses built on Malay reserve lands.

    However, when PAS took over, all these changed — Chinese markets were improved, and 30 per cent of houses built on Malay reserve land were allocated for sale to the Chinese community.

    Local businessman Michael Ong, 58, said that he feels proud of being Kelantanese and that relations between Muslims and non-Muslims are good because of mutual respect.

    He added that, as a non-Muslim, he does not feel restricted living under a PAS government even though there are some restrictions when it comes to entertainment.

    “We are used to leading a simple life and our entertainment is in the form of interactions with our neighbours and friends. For example, attending dinners or joining various associations — these keep us occupied,” Mr Ong said.

    Residents say another key factor in the good communal ties in Kelantan is a common local dialect known as “Bahasa Kelate” (Bahasa Melayu Kelantan). Everyone in the state, regardless of their race, is able to converse fluently in it.

    Mr Oie Poh Choon, president of the Federation of Chinese Associations Kelantan, said that people who have not visited Kelantan may have a somewhat distorted view of life under a PAS government.

    “Once you have experienced and visited Kelantan, you will know that it is different from what has been reported (in the media). The PAS government has taken good care of all the races living in the state,” said Mr Oie, 57.

    Another reason for the strong support for PAS is the huge respect the non-Muslims have for the late chief minister Nik Aziz Nik Mat, fondly known as “Tok Guru” (Grandmaster). Despite his conservative outlook, the humble lifestyle of the PAS spiritual leader — often dressed in a simple turban and white robe — won the hearts and minds of Kelantanese.

    Mr Michael Ong, the local businessman, said: “Tok Guru took care of everyone under his governance. He used Islamic values to care for the well-being of the people.”

    Politically, PAS has also practised mutual tolerance, said Kota Bharu Islamic City Municipal Council councillor Lim Guan Seng. “During muktamar (the PAS annual general assembly) the leadership would never voice out their dislike for the non-Muslims or play the race card,” he said.

    “Tolerance for other races came from the teachings of the late Tok Guru. The government has truly administered the state with true Islamic values.”

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • Malay Music Legend, Tan Sri SM Salim, Passed Away, Aged 88

    Malay Music Legend, Tan Sri SM Salim, Passed Away, Aged 88

    PETALING JAYA: Legendary singer Tan Sri SM Salim has died at his home in Kuala Lumpur. He was 88.

    His son Shamsul Salim confirmed the news when contacted by mStar Online (The Star’s Bahasa Malaysia portal).

    Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he would be remembered for his contributions and extended his condolences to the family of the revered singer.

    “Condolences to the family of TS SM Salim. The late SM Salim has contributed greatly to the arts and heritage of the Malay world. May Allah bless his soul. Al-Fatihah,” said Najib in a post on his Twitter account.

    Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hailed the singer as a contributor of the arts and broadcasting.

    “I knew him from the time he was an announcer at RTM (Radio Televisyen Malaysia). I was then a student at Universiti Malaya and worked part time at RTM,” he told reporters after paying his respects.

    Malaysian singers who had the chance to work with Salim are devastated with the news of his passing.

    Zainal Abidin, who sang a duet called Satu with Salim in 1992, said the singer was like a father figure to him.

    “I feel like I’ve lost a father. Working with him is something I will never forget,” said Zainal.

    “To this day, I still remember the advice he gave me, which was to be humble and nice to people, because no matter how many awards we get or what we achieve, at the end of the day, we will still be returned to the earth.”

    Datuk Siti Nurhaliza was also affected by Salim’s death.

    “He was like a father to me, giving me advice, setting a great example and sharing his knowledge.

    “Duetting with him on Pandang-Pandang Jeling-Jeling and Bergending Dang Gong was an unforgettable experience,” said Siti, who is currently in Jakarta.

    Datuk Sheila Majid, who recorded Entah Jadi Entahkan Tidak, said Salim’s legacy will live on.

    “I’m truly honoured to have had the opportunity to record a duet with him.

    “He may have left us but his light, his legacy will always shine in our hearts,” she said.

    Datuk M. Nasir, who composed the 2003 song Seloka Cak Kun Cak for a duet with Salim, recalled fondly how Salim complained the song was too difficult for him.

    “It was quite funny because he had a laid-back style, and the song had a fast rhythm.

    “But he’s a master, so of course, he got it perfect when we went into recording.”

    Salim’s career as a singer began in the early 1950s and he was famous for classic Malay songs such as Pasir Roboh, Pantun Budi, Kenang Daku Dalam Doamu and Apa Dah Jadi.

     

    Source: www.thestar.com.my

  • TransMalaya Ekspres: We Segregate Male And Female Passengers For Their Own Safety

    TransMalaya Ekspres: We Segregate Male And Female Passengers For Their Own Safety

    KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 ― Male and female passengers who board long-haul bus operator TransMalaya Ekspres will be expected to sit separately if they are not family or married, even when they are non-Muslims.

    Speaking to Malay Mail Online, the company said it made the decision to provide comfort and safety for female passengers, following concerns over sexual harassment against the group.

    “The point of this is to give an advantage to our female passengers because we have heard and read reports of how female travellers get molested by strangers, so we took this effort to give them a greater sense of security and comfort.

    “This is for both Muslim and non-Muslim. We simply want to avoid any untoward incidents,” said Noorlini Ramli, the owner and co-founder of KRZ Management Sdn Bhd that manages the TransMalaya fleet.

    Noorlini said the initiative was taken following her own negative experience as a lone traveller, and witnessing couples act in buses in ways she deemed inappropriate.

    “I used to travel alone when I was a student at UiTM Jengka, and at that that time, I had to witness some couples behaving inappropriately in the bus in full view of other passengers and I had to sit beside a foreigner who started acting funny with me.

    “These were the basis of our initiative today. Single female travellers are usually exposed to more danger. We put ourselves in our passengers’ shoes,” she added.

    Despite that, Noorlini said none of TransMalaya’s passengers had complained of harassment prior to the move.

    Noorlini said she and her husband Amir Khairul Amri Budiman Khairuddin, who is the chief executive officer and co-founder of the firm, came up with the idea and started implementing it from February last year.

    She also claimed that the move was well-received by customers from all racial and religious backgrounds.

    According to her, TransMalaya’s ticketing counter staff would first ask their female customers whether they are travelling alone, and subsequently offer them the appropriate seats.

    In their buses, women will sit on the right, while men on the left.

    “When our customers buy tickets from us, we would explain to them the seatings available. Some will say they are okay with having a male sitting beside them while most will opt for the female seats,” Noorlini said.

    Noorlini said Muslim couples who buy tickets together will be asked to produce their marriage certification.

    Despite that, she conceded that some customers do resist against their condition and demand to be seated together.

    “When that happens, we will usually give them the front seats. We will try advising them against it, but if they do not accept our advice, then we give them the front seats so we can keep an eye on them,” she added.

     

    Source: www.themalaymailonline.com

  • Nazem Suki: Security Companies Should Consider Hiring More Malay-Muslim APOs From Malaysia

    Nazem Suki: Security Companies Should Consider Hiring More Malay-Muslim APOs From Malaysia

    May I refer 7 of my uni grad friends to Cisco Certis or any other security companies. They are keen to be a auxiliary police officers or security officers in Singapore. For obvious reasons of the good SGD salary and currency exchange rates.

    Graduated from :

    Australia Uni
    1) Queensland Uni of Technology
    2) Uni of Adelaide
    3) Griffith Uni

    Canada Uni
    4) Uni of Western Ontario
    5) Uni of Toronto

    England Uni
    6) Uni of Warwick

    USA Uni
    7) Uni of Pittsburgh

    Nationality : Citizen of Malaysia (Bumiputera)
    Gender & Age : Male in late 20s
    Employment : Employed and semi-employed
    Race : Malay
    Religion : Islam

    They are seriously over qualified but they believed the prospects and career in Singapore as security personnel is fulfilling.

    All of them, and myself discussed this prospects 2hrs ago and concluded that once they get accepted, many more will join them.

    What say you?

     

    Source: Mohamed Nazem Suki