Malaysia For Survival: Proactive infusion
Posted on June 19, 2008
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Yes, 4th June 2008, the oil price in Malaysia shoots up 40% overnight. It is exactly the reason why we, all Malaysians in general regardless of race, language, religion, social group, political affiliation, age; see a grounding to initiate a political advocacy for efficient public transportation system nationwide. To start off a vehement analysis, I would like to lay down an overview on the political, economical, social, technical, environmental and legal landscapes in Malaysia.
Political
Malaysia is a country that comprises 13 states and 3 federal territories in Southeast Asia with a total landmass of approximately 330,000 square kilometers and a population stands of over 25 millions. The capital city is Kuala Lumpur. The federation of Malaysia recognizes as an independent nation in 31st August 1957, gaining independency from the colonization of the United Kingdom. In 16th September 1963, Singapore, Sarawak, British North Borneo and Federation of Malaya joined to form Malaysia. Malaysia has been governed by a multi-party coalition known as Barisan National until the outbreak in 8th March 2008 when opposition party weighs on a massive change. In December 2005, the global arena recognizes our effort by nominating Ex Prime Minister Malaysia Dr Mahathir Mohamad for Nobel Peace Prize 2007 Award in terms of managing diversity, foreign policy and his initiative on Criminalize War in Perdana Global Peace Organization (PGPO).
Economical
The well endowment of natural resources have enabled the Malaysians on the whole a luxury of survival for the past decades, ranging from tin, rubber, palm oil, fruit, rice, mines, plantation, and oil. Manufacturing economy plays a pivotal role too. It is categorized as a newly industrialized country. Despite economic steady growth, Malaysia, once suffered from Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, the value of Ringgit once dropped from RM2.50 = USD1 to RM 4.50 to USD 1. The controversial incident of sacking Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim also triggered off a resolution of currency pegging at RM3.80 =USD 1 once. Over years, the domestic economy is concluded at ‘neither helped nor hurt’ sort of phase, survived Asian Financial Crisis 1997 and Y2K slump 2001. The fixed exchange rate is abandoned in July 2005 in favor of a floating system; Ringgit is expected to appreciate further in conjunction with free capital market advocacy. Chinese population is regarded as the backbone of economy, although, many essential industries such as agriculture, petroleum retailing, transportation are in favor to the bumiputras
A History of petrol price hikes
before the 90′s – RM 0.89
1990 – RM 1.10 (increased RM 0.21) + 23.596%
01/10/2000 – RM 1.20 (increased RM 0.10) + 9.091%
20/10/2001 – RM 1.30 (increased RM 0.10) + 8.333%
01/05/2002 – RM 1.32 (increased RM 0.02) + 1.538%
31/10/2002 – RM 1.33 (increased RM 0.01) + 0.758%
01/03/2003 – RM 1.35 (increased RM 0.02) + 1.504%
01/05/2004 – RM 1.37 (increased RM 0.02) + 1.481%
01/10/2004 – RM 1.42 (increased RM 0.05) + 3.650%
05/05/2005 – RM 1.52 (increased RM 0.10) + 7.042%
31/07/2005 – RM 1.62 (increased RM 0.10) + 6.579%
28/02/2006 – RM 1.92 (increased RM 0.30) + 18.519%
05/06/2008 – RM 2.70 (increased RM 0.78) + 40.625%
Oil price in oil producing countries
UAE – RM1.19/litre
Egypt – RM1.03/litre
Bahrain – RM0.87/litre
Qatar – RM0.68/litre
Kuwait – RM0.67/litre
Saudi Arabia – RM0.38/litre
Iran – RM0.35/litre
Nigeria – RM0.32/litre
Turkmenistan – RM0.25/litre
Venezuela – RM0.16/litre
MALAYSIA – RM2.70/litre
Social and Cultural
Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multilingual country. As of February 2007, the population stratification is 62% Malays, 24% Chinese and 8% Indians, with other minorities, indigenous people and immigrants. The Malay language is the official language; English, Chinese (Hakka, Cantonese, Teochew, Mandarin and Hokkien), Indian languages and dialects are widely spoken here, too. Malaysia is also a multi-religious country and Islam is the official religion. Everyone enjoys freedom of religious choice except the Muslim group.
In general, the Malaysian government maintains a policy of quota system that is on the basis on Malay favoritism, or one may nicely terms it ‘populist policy’ and/or ‘protectionist policy’, in which partisan treatment predominates in all matters ranging from employment, education, scholarships, business, housing discounts, to assisted savings, etc in which sparking off a racial tension expedition between Malays and the non-Malay. The occurrence of May 13 1969 issue still leave the general public an haunting scar especially in the memory of the Chinese community. Throughout the year, different cultural/ethnic group celebrates their own holidays and festivities in harmony, the holidays are observed differently in each state.
The general population enjoys free education until year of 18, secondary school, then everyone is allowed a freedom of choice in Education System either studying at Public or Private Universities abroad. Throughout governmental primary and secondary schools, mathematics and science subjects are taught in English so that students would not be hindered by the language barrier during their tertiary education in fields such as medicine and engineering. In the Malaysian Chinese communities, there are also 61 Chinese Independent High Schools whereas most subjects are taught in Chinese language. It is monitored and standardized by the United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia (UCSCAM). There is also existence of other international education systems.
Technical and Environmental
It is compulsory for doctors to perform 3 years service with public hospitals in the Malaysian Health Care System so that manpower is ensured. There is a shortage of medical workforce, especially highly trained specialists, expertise and advanced equipment. Private hospitals with latest diagnostic and imaging facilities are available in urban areas. The government is recently focusing on health tourism industry. Currently, private Malaysia hospitals are sourcing for International healthcare accreditation from Australia, British or USA, too.
Internet Infrastructure remains to be that of the standard in third world country, it is reported that there are only near to 1% of the population of Malaysian has broadband access and the rate is growing. The intercity telecommunication service is provided by microware radio relay and internationally through submarine cables and satellite. The near-monopoly of fixed line phone service, mobile and internet in the country is predominant served by Telekom Malaysia (TM).
Transportation System in Malaysia has not been of any satisfactory level. There is, namely, Highway: Malaysian Expressway Network, North-South Expressway
Train service: Malayan Railways, Sabah state railway
Major seaport: Port Klang and Port Tanjung Pelepas
Airport: Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Penang International Airport, Kuching International Airport, Langkawi International Airport and Senai International Airport.
Legal
Malaysia is a federal constitutional elective monarchy; the head of state is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commonly referred to as the King of Malaysia. The government system is closely modeled on that of Westminster parliamentary system, a legacy of British colonial rule. In practice, however, there is a concentration of vested power in the executive branch of government over legislative; the judiciary branch has been weakened during the Mahathir era too. There is a division of legislative power between federal and state legislatures; the bicameral parliament consists of 222 members of the Lower House (House or Representative or Chamber of the People) and 70 members of the upper house (the Senate or Chamber of the Nation). Each states has a unicameral state legislative chamber whose members are elected from single-member constituencies. In each of the states with a hereditary ruler, the Chief Minister is required to be a Malay Muslim, although such rule is subject to the rulers’ discretion. Parliamentary elections are held at least once every five years. As a rule, the Civil court is unable to overrule any decision made by the Sharia Courts, not even the Federal Court. The Sharia Court enjoys similar hierarchy to the Civil Court in Malaysia.
submitted by Wendy Loh (second from left) for www.indiantvtoday.com
About Wendy
Feminist| Socialite| Reserved | Imperturbable| Goal and plan- oriented| Respectful| Versatile| Straightforward| Hate bickering, drunkards, irrational racist, chauvinist| Having a trait of prima donna and bureaucracy in me, though, i am generally a earth-toned person. |
wendykdu@hotmail.com
will be continued………
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