Chow Kon Yeow: 曹观友

The following e-mail was sent by a frustrated parent to the DAP. “Is there a chance in Malaysia”, he asked in desperation.
Is he unpatriotic if he choose not to come back to serve the country after his graduation?

mymessage: Yes, it is pitiful to lose talents and the government should
> know that superior human capital will determine the success of nations
> now and in the future.
> I believe the way forward in the wealth of nations go beyond trade,
> economics and politics…it is research and cutting edge knowledge.
> I am glad I have sent my son overseas for his undergraduate studies, on my
> own pocket and doing his PhD in Biomedical Engineering under the
> invitation of a leading Australian university. I do not think he will be
> given a chance here as he has tried to no avail. I suppose when his
> research has a breakthrough, our government will declare he is Malaysian
> born as if sponsored by our government. Will he come back to serve here?
> I do not have to tell you. You know the answer. Is he unpatriotic? I do
> not know. what I know is that he is given a chance there competing with
> Australians and other nationals. Is there a chance in Malaysia? I think
> the standard here is higher than MIT in USA. Most Malaysians cannot be
> admitted. the only way is to go to world class universities overseas.
>
> If this situation continues, Malaysia will lack behind in human capital
> development and live in dark ages until the end of the world.
>
> frustrated parent
>
>

Minister in charge of Energy, Lim Keng Yaik had said that Tenaga Nasional will be allowed to raise electricity rates very soon.

The reasons for the proposed hikes are untenable. What on earth has caused Tenaga’s financial problem and a RM30 billion debt burden?

One of the reasons is the high electricity reserve margin of 40% compared to international benchmark of 20%.

It is reported that Tenaga would be able to save a few hundred millions each year if the reserve margin is reduced to 20%. This action is deemed necessary to save the utility company from bankruptcy.

The reason for the high reserve margin is the contractual supply of electricity by the Independent Power Producers to Tenaga, which are not used.

To save Tenaga, there is a great need now to review the agreement with the IPPs.

Keng Yaik had said Malaysia is not a banana republic and therefore the government must honour agreements signed by the government.

I say Malaysia will become a banana republic if we do not get the agreement renegotiated.

So many concessionary agreements were signed by the previous administration and the rakyat is burdened by them.

There is no way out, Keng Yaik. Review the IPP agreements or consumers will suffer.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said in Bintulu yesterday that the Barisan Nasional cannot afford to lose even one seat to the Opposition in this Sarawak polls.

He said the people of Sarawak must give 100% support to the Barisan Nasional.

Do you actually need a 100% sweep for the ruling parties to bring development to the State?

Najib’s now famous “Change your lifestyle” statement is apt. Sarawakians need to change, to allow the Opposition some seats to provide the necessary checks and balances to the BN government.

Najib must know by now, it is impossible to get a 100% popular mandate. No government could. In any election, there would be alternative voices waiting to be heard.

In the last Parliamentary election in 2004, BN under Pak Lah have secured 92% of the seat but over 40% of the votes went to Opposition candidates.

The BN may well win 100% of the seats but never can they win 100% of the popular votes

Malaysia practices the “first-past-the-poll” electoral system which allows the candidate with the highest votes to win even if he does not have the majority votes in a 3-cornered contest.

Put together gerrymandering and the urban-rural disparity, we may get results that does not reflect the true sentiment of the voters.

Back to the 2004 polls, the Opposition won more than 40% of popular votes but ended up with only 8% of the seats.

Najib can rest assured that the Sarawak government will not drop dead even if ten seats are won by the Opposition. BN has still 61 seats and in this event, we would surely see a more healthy and competitive democratic environment in the Land of the Hornbills, for a start.

I am keeping my fingers crossed and I pray candidates like Wong Ho Leng, Chew Chiu Seng, Chong Jen Chieng, Voon, Ting and the three women aspirants would create a great impact in this Sarawak polls.

All the best, my comrades.