The Massive Outflow of Money from Malaysia

The Global Financial Integrity (GFI), a US-based watch-dog agency, recently reported that Malaysia ranked the fourth highest among developing nations in terms of illegal outflow of cash from the country.

GFI reported that in 2009 alone, the illegal cash outflow came to RM150 bn .and that  between the period from 2000 to 2010,  close to US338 bn ( RM1.08 trillion) fled from the country.

It is most alarmingly disconcerting to note that when our PM Najib was asked whether such massive illegal outflow of fund from the country would not impact the local economy, he replied that it would not as the Malaysian economy was still enjoying a robust growth rate of 5%!  As if the answer was not mischievous and stupid enough, he added the country’s domestic demand was strong.  Any economist would find such rationale highly illogical, frivolous  and baseless.

The average illegal cash outflow worked out to be RM108 billion per year during the period 2000 to 2010 and this would have wiped out or negated whatever GDP increase about which the  BN/UMNO PM so ignominiously boasted.  He could hoodwink most people in the backyard and remote areas of the country but definitely not the urban middle class.

The GDP averaged over the past three years from 2009 to 2011 worked out to be about RM552.3 bn and basing upon our PM’s remark that our economic would grow by 5% in the coming year we are talking about an increase of RM27.125 bn and basing say RM100 bn was smurfed out of the country, whatever GDP increase would have come to naught.

Had the illegal fund outflow been prevented from disappearing from the shores of Malaysia, our Government need not have to administer the country on a deficit budget for the past decade.

Let us consider the recent NFC case in point concerning the allotted public fund being misused for purposes other that those for which it was approved.  The ministry was allocated RM400 million for the development of cattle-breeding project but close to RM20 million had been siphoned out for ‘purchase’ of expensive and luxurious condominiums in Bangsar and Singapore.  The target of producing sufficient cows could not be met. This resulted in a ridiculous situation whereby the local beef cost just as much as the imported beef.  This invariably caused the consumers to bear the brunt of  economic inflation due to corrupt, avaricious and mal-management personnel who were entrusted with public fund.

Just imagine had the “vaporized” RM1.08 trillion been channeled for the proper socio-economic development within the country, the entire population would have by now a decent house to stay in with sufficient savings stashed up for the rainy day.

The local populace may not have to bear the brunt of the highly- inflated cost of fuel and energy, houses, transportation, consumer goods and services, cars etc.

Another  great surprise was the introduction of the Money Services Business Act 2011 (MSB) aimed at curbing illegal cash outflow and  strengthening safeguards against money-laundering and terrorist financing and illegal activities.

In my most considered opinion, I think that the passage of the MSB was another exercise in futility.; particularly, when there was in place  already the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act, 2001.  The conception of the MSB was another way of saying or confessing  that the authorities, that is, the regulators,  concerned had failed miserably in stamping out money laundering in the country.

The Government of the day must realize the importance of its role towards the public at large.  She is entrusted by the public at the election  to protect their interest including their socio-economic and spiritual well-being through proper and responsible optimization of the country resources.  
Victory in a general election does not give the winning party the carte blanche to squander the country’s resources like what the UMNO/BN leaders do.

It is imperative that civil servants and public leaders shoulder  and discharge their responsibilities well so that the people get the optimal benefits they so deserve from the sweats of their hard-work.  The money that they contribute to the country’s coffer through the income and corporate taxes they pay, the compulsory savings both the employers and employees contribute towards EPF, SOCSO and zakat should not be wantonly  utilized or expended for non-profitable, unproductive and futile investments and business adventures.  Corrupt leaders must be severely dealt with and if found guilty of corruption  be dismissed summarily from employment.
  The ill-gotten wealth should be confiscated and the guilty incarcerated for at least ten years.

Money laundering is a disease and if not checked will cause economic distortions in the country.  If not curbed, it may attract criminals to come to the country to embark on various deceptive and dubious  schemes to defraud  the public further.

My suggestion for the Government is to take a serious view on those who are corrupt and/or those who are  involved in illegally taking money out of the country or accepting bribes from the public.
  Unless you do this, the public will not trust the power that be.

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The Ugly Bleed

Articles adverse to DSAI have been proliferating in increasing intensity ever since the 2008 Tsunami General Election which saw in no uncertain term how the BN ugly heads were stumped into their filty collars.

The BN pride had been obviously and seriously dented and hurt; as such, we see all the UMNO ultraputras’ machineries are now bent and aimed at destroying the image of DSAI and PR before the next GE.

The rakyat are not blind to what had and have been taking place the past fifty years in the country. They know the evil scheming of the UMNO ultras to perpetuate their power at the expense of the other ethnic races in Malaysia by playing up the race and religion issues. Look at how the whole society had been subtly engineered. The non-Malays have been relegated to the status of pendatang or second class citizens. See the unfair race-based system of scholarship awards, awards or tenders, employment within the civil service, the inequitable distribution of national wealth to name a few.

One question recently posed to Dr MM as to what he had done to help improve the status of the so-called Malays? He had developed in them the obvious road and propensity to damnation. Through skillful manipulating of the NEP and the Education Policy, he had succeeded in giving birth to a new bleed of Malays whose leaders and their followers are corrupt, fraudulent, avaricious, self-fish, dishonest and belligerent. This can demonstrated by the way they squander the country resources by spending on non- essentials and items from which they could enrich their purses.

How long can these financial buccaneers going to be in power? Popular beliefs and views are rife they will go all out to stay in power regarding of whether the country is going to be bankrupt or not.

While speculation of the next GE is around the corner, officers are being sent out to corrupt the Malay voters in the rural areas particularly those government and semi-government servants who have been hounded at their work places and homes by these unscrupulous officers in an evil and devilish attempt to poison their minds and corrupt them into voting for UMNO at the next GE.

Cash and non-cash pledges have been offered with an intimidation that they are under CCTV and if they are found to be voting for parties other than UMNO, they would return to get back their dirty money. This also means that the election system is not fully confidential since the EC can identify who are those who voted for the opposition.

My fellow Malaysians, be careful that your voting slips are not being defaced and contaminated by any pencil marks at the back or anywhere on the voting slips.
UMNO can only thrive on its despicable deceitful and fear instilling methods of influencing the minds of the masses. They have been buying votes and corrupting the democratic system of government and this must stop. Only people’;s power can do that to remove them for the benefit of our children and future generations.

Be it known, none of the campaigns against DSAI and PR will affect the people’s determination to change the corrupt, deceitful and discriminatory government.

Fellow Malaysians beware the next time you vote. Make sure your voting slips are not defaced by the EC Officers at the polling stations which reveal who you vote for.
The election system is not confidential.

We Do Not Need Lynas Project

I begin to wonder why the Pahang State Government is so taken up in support of the Lynas Rare Earth Project. They went to the extent of silencing po[ular opinions from local inorganic chemistry lecturers and atomic nuclear physicists attached to the severasl local public universities. Instead we invited the so called experts from IAEA to come to our country to make an evaluation on the harmful effects of rare earth waste on the environment and the people residing in the vicinity of the dumping ground.

The State Government must be nuts in accepting the project from Australia when the local Government there refused to allow it to operate there. And, here we are nonchalent and indifferent to the long term harm the radioactive waste might have had on the health of the people of Gebeng.

Many countries are not attracted to developing the rare earth industry let alone investing in a refining. The biggest problem they face is how do dispose safely the radioactive waste. The easiest and most convenient method is to dig a hole and bury the waste and then cover it up with earth.

The little napoleons in Pahang are obviously turning a deaf ear to the potential problem that the rare earth industry may cause the country and its growing population. For those who know chemistry, they will be able to tell these meat heads about the risk such industry may bring about. This radioactive waste will contaminate the earth and environment and it will have a deleterious impact of the surrounding vegetation in Gebeng.

We do not need foreigners to tell us what to do; let alone the evaluators from IAEA. If we love our country, then it is prudent that we reject such industry in Malaysia. If Japan being such an advanced country cannot contain the nuclear proliferation due to the Tsunami, do we have the expertise locally to do so? If we do not have the knowledge and know-how, then it is only wise that we do not have such industry to destroy our motherland.

Take heed, those responsible in Pahang. The people will hate you for it and for life.

Dont Test the Malays' Patience

The cannon from Penang, Ibrahim Ali, just shot another imflammatory ball that was aimed at causing the Christians to get emotional. Hey, when did we ever lose our patience and test the Malays' patience.

It has always been skunk like IA that frequently tests the patience of the Christians. Every time when such incitation occured, the Christians keep their cool and calm and see what imbeciles in UMNO are doing.

The Sarawak CM just said that the defacement, serialisation and desecration of the impounded BM bibles could only be done by stupid bums like IA and those who ranks were below that of the PM. How right was Taib Mahmud.

The dual policy conceived by the "stupids" did not take into account the National Language Policy for Malaysia nor did they think through enough before uttering their big gaps. In trying to expediently solve one problem, it created two other problems. One having a country with two different policies governing the printing, importation and distribution of the BM Bibles in East and Peninsular Malaysia; and secondly, causing a greater racial rift between the people of the East and Peninsular Malaysia.

IA only knows how to utter controversial matters through his A-hole. Nothing comes out of his A has ever been deemed to be reasonable and rational. His remarks have always the effect of causing public commotion, disorder and unrest. In so doing, he actually stirs up racial overtures and disharmony among the peoples of Malaysia.

How could the BM Bible be classified under the ISA as being prejudicial to the security and interest of the country? The BM Bibles are not for the muslim Malays to read or to convert their faith into Christians.

The BM Bibles are meant for every Malaysian Christian or anyone who desire to know more about what is contained in the text or the Christian religion.. It is never meant for the muslims! So do not try to put words into the mouth of the Church leaders.

The protest by the Christian community is to retrieve their freedom and legitimate right of worship - nothing less and nothing more in accordance with Section 11 of the Malaysian Constitution and Section 18 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

Look at the Christian community throughout the country. Land is rarely allotted or given out; the church to be built has to comply with and conform to various ridiculous conditions. Please visit some of the churches set up in Bandar Sunway. The churches look more like factories. The Christian community has been tolerating the nonsensical policies of the imbecilic KDN. We just want now to restore our rights to be able to decide on our way of worship. We need no advice from IA who is definitely not qualified to do so. We just wish that he just shuts up.

Betrayal for 30 Pieces of Silver

Obviously the Hon. Minister in Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala did not consult CFM nor CCM for their opinions on the recently announced 10-point solution to the bible issue.

Instead, he chose to seek out the opinion and comment of BSM and the "Custodians of the Catholic Faith" from Malacca which comes under the Majodi (Malacca Johore Diocese) of which Bishop Paul Tan, in my views, is the true diocesan catholic faith custodian and certainly not the pocketful of Portuguese Catholics in Malacca, which the Star Paper reported on Monday 4 April 2011.

Christians of salt will instantly smell a rat in the divisive 10-point solution to the bible issue that was so expediently conceived and decided probably in view of the Sarawak State Election on 16 April 2011. How we wish the "Allah" issue could be that rapidly resolved.

No loyal and patriotic Malaysian who is particularly a true and discerning Chrisitan, would want to associate with the views of the BSM. If I may opine, in a figurative sense, what BSM did was likened to the betrayal to the Christian community for a mere 30 pieces of silver.

Until now I cannot see how an Al Kitab printed on its cover with a cross and the words "For Chrisitainity" be any more prejudicial to the security and interest of the country than one without!

Now the Home Minister on sensing the barrage of negativities being hurled at Idris Jala quickly came out with a statement pursuading the Christian masses not to jump the gun as the matter was still not finalised. A more comprehensive solution was in his sleeves.

Our Home Minister was just treating Jala like a yoyo without giving him the due regard and respect as a Minister.

In my view, in the interim, CCM should take a serious view on the "jumping the gun" attitude and conduct of recalcitrant BSM.

Let us fight in concert for the unity and harmony of the country consistent with the constitutional rights for practicing our religion freely.

The 10-Point Flawed Solution

I refer to the article under the caption “Solutions to address Bible Issue” appearing on Page N8 of your Sunday Star of 3 April 2011.

The ten-point solution announced by The Honorable Minister in the Prime Minister Department, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, would be well-received and welcomed by adherents of all religions in the country if not for Point No. 5.

In my view, as a staunched Christian, Point 5 should be taken out from the solution. It tends to contradict and vitiate, in my humble view, the true spirit of 1 Malaysia Policy. Besides, it was an expedient attempt to provide a short term solution to the current impasse; but, unfortunately in the course of seeking a solution , it inadvertently created an insidiously divisive double standard policy of religious practice among Christian Malaysians in East Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia.

It is timely and opportune that we standardise the BM Bible publication and circulation policy for all states in the country and avoid creating further the geographical divide in a sincere effort by all concerned to create a better, united and harmonious Malaysia.

The Minister had admirably cited Matthew 18:21-22 in connection with the season of Lent exhorting Christians and people at large on the need for sacrifice, reconciliation and forgiveness. While appreciating the Minister’s effort, any future workable or sustainable religio-policy, should be free from any impediment, prohibition and restriction . In this regard, I would go so far as to suggest that we and all when proposing or intending to propose any religio- policy should be guided by Matthew 22:21 which states “Render back to Caesar what that belongs to Caesar and to God what that belongs to God”.

The BM Bible issue in my view is a non-issue if only those in authority really under stand fully the purport and import of Article 11(1) of the Federal Constitution and Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Government leaders and civil servants in various ministries and Islamic organizations should be encouraged to freely participate and engage in interreligious dialogue with leaders of other religions in the country so that they might better understand their respective teachings and practices; and, so that they could conceive and formulate sounder policies on religions that are fair, just and congruent to the tenets of Rukunegara and prevailing laws of the land.

The Christian community and others were dismayed and disappointed at the unwarranted hasty impoundment of the 35,000 copies of the BM Alkitab two years ago and the subsequent unilateral imposition of the release conditions and desecration of the said bibles.

This had antagonized the Christian community, who felt that they had been denied or seemingly denied of their freedom and right to religious freedom. The resultant tension, frustration and disharmony so caused was rather if not most unfortunate.
The Government should not be worried about people reading any holy books because all of them have the common message of teaching or encouraging to teach the readers to become better individuals– more understanding, loving, charitable, helpful, merciful, kind, patient, reasonable and thoughtful. For sure, they do not teach nor encourage anyone to be belligerent, kill, cheat, be sinful or immoral or harbouring any evil intent to hurt or injure another human being.

From my personal experience, I have read and will continue to read available holy books of any religion whether the Holy Bible, the Koran, Bagavad Gita, books and literature on or relating to Taoism, Sikhism, the Bahai faith etc. My faith is or has never been shaken. In fact, by exposing myself to the knowledge of other religions, my faith and spirituality have over the years been greatly edified and strengthened. By knowing more about my neighbours’ religions , I have become more aware of how little I know of my own religion. This in a great way provides me the impetus to read, learn more about and fortify my own faith.

I do not see nor understand the rationale or the necessity of having the cross and the cautionary phrase “Christian Publication” etched on the covers of the BM Alkitab printed or imported for West Malaysians.

Anyone who opens a holy book will automatically realise that it belongs to or is meant for either Christians, or Muslims, or Hindus, or Sikhs, or Bahais , or Taoists etc.

My point is: why have them etched on the cover of BM Bibles for particular circulation in West Malaysia and exempt this ruling from application to the BM Alkitab for Sarawak and Sabah. All religious adherents should read or be encouraged to read their respective or other holy books written in or translated into the language in which they are proficient or that they can best understand. Would this ruling not be contrary to the Bahasa Malaysia policy of the country?

In a similar vein, if one were to proffer me a Koran written in the Arabic language, I would not be able to read it. But, I will read the English translated version (By Abdullah Yusuf Ali) to find out about the Islamic teachings and exhortations by Prophet Mohamad (PBUH) governing among other things the relationship between the Christians and Muslims pursuant to Surah 29:46 which reads and I quote:

“And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better than mere disputations, unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong and injury: but say, “We believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; our God and your God is one; and it is to Him we bow”.

By understanding teachings of other religions and/or faiths, I have learned to be more respectful, understanding and better fellowship with adherents of all faiths.
As exhorted, in this season of Lent, let us remove Point 5, bury the hatchet, forgive what had happened in the recent past regarding the impoundment and desecration issue.

Let us work together with magnanimity and in greater harmony for a better Malaysia tomorrow. To which, my congregation and I shall pray.