by : bumno Politics, Society

What do we wish for Malaysia?

As a country, we are constantly faced with race and religion based narratives. This constant in the national and social discourse is so pervasive that it is never far from any conversation, be it in business, politics, crime, and even seemingly harmless social matters.

Bringing race and religion into many of these discourse has been quite destructive as sentiments of them versus us tend to prevail; or concerns about security; about distribution of wealth; or just a general fear of being suppressed by others. These sentiments prevent constructive discussion from addressing real problems affecting the country regardless of race or creed. Thus we get stuck in a rut.

To some, this thinking is alarmist and is only a minor issue – an exception in some quarters, while the large majority are living in true harmony. I beg to differ. Get yourself into any testy conversation of any current issue, and you will certainly find race and religion not far. The presence is subtle, but it is there.

How do we get out of this unhealthy spiral?

How do we start with bringing people who are divided?

by : bumno Economy, Energy

Govt keeps electricity costs low. But suppressing prices is not good for the economy and your income.

Nice to read that the Government has decided to keep electricity costs low. Good that Government is talking about targeted subsidies.

This is welcomed in the short-term, but we all need to be wary of the long-term effects.

Electricity costs are driven by global energy supply and demand factors. I’m not an economist, but I don’t think anyone can propose an alternative to how energy costs are priced. Of course, this can be subsidised but the costs can run into billions of dollars. Quite expensive.

The danger of continuous energy subsidies is perpetuating the expectation that energy costs can be “adjusted” by the Government. This is not a realistic situation in the long run. As consumers of energy, we need the right price signals to ensure behaviour changes when it comes to consumption of energy.

When there is no incentive to save energy, then there is not opportunity to invest into new technologies that can drive energy efficiencies, alternative sources of energy etc. And this in the long-run creates an economic system that becomes increasingly more stagnant which will hurt income growth.

by : bumno Economy, Politics, Society

I don’t like the potong gaji solution our powers that be are hinting at

I don’t like the potong gaji solution as mooted by our powers that be. I don’t mind Ministers being paid well as long as they add value to the country and society. I believe that you pay for the value people bring.

This potong gaji solution strengthens the employers position when dealing with workers. Not a great position.

The other reason I don’t like the potong gaji solution is the subtle hint that all of us should also potong gaji. Absolutely not. Our gaji in the global sense are low. It is not fair to further hint on suppressing this. It is not like we can keep the costs of goods low when the global prices are high, right?

Please fight for higher pay! Don’t take easy short cuts!

Please someone help explain why lower wages is the solution for Malaysia’s economic problems?

by : fazz27 Economy

Beware of those who propose to cut their own salaries.

Those who come out with public-pleasing statements such as cutting their pay, are insidious and subtle inference that you should also consider reducing your own pay so to help the economic problems we are facing in Malaysia.

Unfortunately cutting pays is not going to solve our economic problems. It is also incorrect in Malaysia’s case to focus on salaries and wages as an economic lever.

The real issue for Malaysia is the economy is stagnating. There are very little growth catalysts, not many new future-ready sectors as compared to the many old economy sectors that dominate the market.

Training the focus on salaries and wages also completely ignores that fact that costs of goods, such as commodities, finished goods globally are high, or represents a higher portion of one’s income than in many other countries.

It is better to focus attention on helping create or facilitate more economic activities especially in the future ready sectors to really help Malaysia get out of its middle income trap!

by : fazz27 Uncategorized

Cutting own pay to solve economic issues?

It’s election time again.

And with elections, it’s time to see politicians promise the sun and the moon. Time for sweet platitudes to win your votes. It’s time to show they understand your problems and make themselves relatable.

Unfortunately, we also live in a time where ideas to improve the country’s economic situation are severely lacking. The best we can see is putting in price controls, dishing out subsidies and cutting salaries (of the Ministers, MP etc, of course).

Sadly neither of these are really going to solve the country’s economic problems. It merely serves as pain killers to soothe the pain.