Comments on: Learn from PSM’s annual asset disclosures http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/learn-from-psms-annual-asset-disclosures/ Let justice flow like a mighty river Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:47:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Iron http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/learn-from-psms-annual-asset-disclosures/comment-page-1/#comment-41637 Iron Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:19:16 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19581#comment-41637 Have you thought of the consequence, Anil? Let's say there is a very wealthy guy, but not many people know of his wealth. None of his wealth is off the ill-gotten kind, btw. The guy wants to serve the nation. By the standard of those in the picture above, that guy must declare to the world his wealth. You want him to be a target of kidnappers, Anil? Or are you saying that rich people have lost their right to serve the people, by default? Have you thought of the consequence, Anil?

Let’s say there is a very wealthy guy, but not many people know of his wealth. None of his wealth is off the ill-gotten kind, btw.

The guy wants to serve the nation.

By the standard of those in the picture above, that guy must declare to the world his wealth.

You want him to be a target of kidnappers, Anil?

Or are you saying that rich people have lost their right to serve the people, by default?

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]]> By: hancha http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/learn-from-psms-annual-asset-disclosures/comment-page-1/#comment-41592 hancha Mon, 22 Mar 2010 23:43:37 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19581#comment-41592 I commend PSM for the altruistic act, but if we are to view if from another perspective, how many people with considerable wealth will want to be in politics if this is what must be done. Without being disrespecful, PSM leaders have nothing much to hide because they don have `much' compared with those in other parties. Many countries required their elected representatives to disclose their assets to an independent panel and I believe this is the better way to go. It's a win-win for all the parties involved. I commend PSM for the altruistic act, but if we are to view if from another perspective, how many people with considerable wealth will want to be in politics if this is what must be done. Without being disrespecful, PSM leaders have nothing much to hide because they don have `much’ compared with those in other parties. Many countries required their elected representatives to disclose their assets to an independent panel and I believe this is the better way to go. It’s a win-win for all the parties involved.

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]]> By: KM http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/learn-from-psms-annual-asset-disclosures/comment-page-1/#comment-41546 KM Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:55:43 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19581#comment-41546 Why only target on LGE? Why only target on LGE?

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]]> By: kingkong http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/learn-from-psms-annual-asset-disclosures/comment-page-1/#comment-41498 kingkong Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:14:48 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19581#comment-41498 Ben How can you compare? PSM is also a socialist party like PAP or DAP but more on the left. We need dedicated people but if they have no talent and grey matter, the country will suffer. Look at Singkapore. In early days, the industries are manufacturing tires and textile. Then they have to change as Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, now Cambodia, China also take this route. If we do not have visionary leaders, how do they place rice on the table for rakyat like us? Ben

How can you compare? PSM is also a socialist party like PAP or DAP but more on the left.

We need dedicated people but if they have no talent and grey matter, the country will suffer. Look at Singkapore. In early days, the industries are manufacturing tires and textile. Then they have to change as Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, now Cambodia, China also take this route. If we do not have visionary leaders, how do they place rice on the table for rakyat like us?

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]]> By: Ben http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/learn-from-psms-annual-asset-disclosures/comment-page-1/#comment-41448 Ben Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:53:26 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19581#comment-41448 I am a Malaysian working overseas for the past 11 years and am sick and tired of most political parties and its leaders back home, who just talk and are not working hard for the benefit of the rakyat . I , however applaud PSM who seems to me may be small in its presence but with a lot of sincerity and great leaders such as Dr Nasir, Dr Jeya and Arutchelvem who do not care for personal glory but are simple human beings who just want to do good for the rakyat. I have been following their activities for a long time , since the days they were assiting the down rodden squatters in Sentul. With their declaration of personal assests, they have just proven again their sincerity in being the only true politicians that this country really has. Please keep up this good work and i pray god gives you all the energy to carry on.I have not met the leaders of PSM myself, but i understand from my friends who have ,that they are most simple,hardworking and down to earth individuals. This is what we need, not people who have the wealth from illegal means and then dare to flash it back to the simple, poor rakyat of the country!!!! Syabas PSM......please carry on the great work that you are doing with the most limited resources that you have....the rakyat is watching and are aware of your BIG presence!!!! Jessy Ho Chi Minh City, Socialist Republic of Vietnam I am a Malaysian working overseas for the past 11 years and am sick and tired of most political parties and its leaders back home, who just talk and are not working hard for the benefit of the rakyat .

I , however applaud PSM who seems to me may be small in its presence but with a lot of sincerity and great leaders such as Dr Nasir, Dr Jeya and Arutchelvem who do not care for personal glory but are simple human beings who just want to do good for the rakyat. I have been following their activities for a long time , since the days they were assiting the down rodden squatters in Sentul.

With their declaration of personal assests, they have just proven again their sincerity in being the only true politicians that this country really has. Please keep up this good work and i pray god gives you all the energy to carry on.I have not met the leaders of PSM myself, but i understand from my friends who have ,that they are most simple,hardworking and down to earth individuals. This is what we need, not people who have the wealth from illegal means and then dare to flash it back to the simple, poor rakyat of the country!!!!

Syabas PSM……please carry on the great work that you are doing with the most limited resources that you have….the rakyat is watching and are aware of your BIG presence!!!!

Jessy
Ho Chi Minh City, Socialist Republic of Vietnam

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]]> By: abc http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/learn-from-psms-annual-asset-disclosures/comment-page-1/#comment-41386 abc Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:36:14 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19581#comment-41386 ong, go ask your toyo and rosmah to disclose first lah. aiya. RM3.5m mansion only. i also want to buy lah... ong,

go ask your toyo and rosmah to disclose first lah.

aiya. RM3.5m mansion only. i also want to buy lah…

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]]> By: nick http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/learn-from-psms-annual-asset-disclosures/comment-page-1/#comment-41374 nick Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:42:41 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19581#comment-41374 ask me....Rob as much as u want but do what is right for the country and economy.Buy bringing up these u can rob more.yet don't forget to revert it.It's just a cycle.All the politicioan in wealthy country does this but they don't forget to keep the economy up and keep some of it to the people and country. ask me….Rob as much as u want but do what is right for the country and economy.Buy bringing up these u can rob more.yet don’t forget to revert it.It’s just a cycle.All the politicioan in wealthy country does this but they don’t forget to keep the economy up and keep some of it to the people and country.

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]]> By: Dr. Rahman Ghani http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/learn-from-psms-annual-asset-disclosures/comment-page-1/#comment-41363 Dr. Rahman Ghani Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:24:10 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19581#comment-41363 Point taken, Anil. Point taken, Anil.

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]]> By: Ken http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/learn-from-psms-annual-asset-disclosures/comment-page-1/#comment-41345 Ken Sat, 20 Mar 2010 06:52:03 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19581#comment-41345 Dear anil, I'm sure it's unfair to compare politicians to tycoons and billionaires. For a start, these wealthy people do not lead as public lives as politicians. They also know how to protect themselves with bodyguards, security systems and high gates. Politicians have to be accessible to the public and attend innumerable public functions. Revealing their wealth may also subject them to all manners of pressure for charity including undeserving cases. Put yourself in their shoes, Anil. How would you like to declare all your assets to to your friends, relatives and colleagues? How would you like to do that every year so they can see how much you are saving or losing every year? Would you like to be hit for loans? Will the IRS come knocking? Scary isn't it? I think there are other ways to check corruption than public asset declaration. If all you have is an old car, a terrace house under loan and RM5,000 in the bank, by all means declare it publicly. It's different if you have substantial assets from your own hard work. Do you feel comfortable declaring to the world? Jealousy and prejudice creeps in. It's not an advantage at all if good people are deterred from serving in public office because of public asset declaration. Dear anil,

I’m sure it’s unfair to compare politicians to tycoons and billionaires. For a start, these wealthy people do not lead as public lives as politicians. They also know how to protect themselves with bodyguards, security systems and high gates. Politicians have to be accessible to the public and attend innumerable public functions. Revealing their wealth may also subject them to all manners of pressure for charity including undeserving cases.

Put yourself in their shoes, Anil. How would you like to declare all your assets to to your friends, relatives and colleagues? How would you like to do that every year so they can see how much you are saving or losing every year? Would you like to be hit for loans? Will the IRS come knocking? Scary isn’t it?

I think there are other ways to check corruption than public asset declaration. If all you have is an old car, a terrace house under loan and RM5,000 in the bank, by all means declare it publicly. It’s different if you have substantial assets from your own hard work. Do you feel comfortable declaring to the world? Jealousy and prejudice creeps in.

It’s not an advantage at all if good people are deterred from serving in public office because of public asset declaration.

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]]> By: Sean http://anilnetto.com/governance/accountability/learn-from-psms-annual-asset-disclosures/comment-page-1/#comment-41344 Sean Sat, 20 Mar 2010 06:32:49 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19581#comment-41344 The arguments against asset declaration are deeply flawed. It isn't called the 'public sector' for nothing. These people don't compete in industry to get these positions, they ask the people for their permission to represent them. It's only natural to ask "who are you?". Asset declaration has nothing to do with idealism. The reason why a public representative should declare their assets is that they are given a level of control over policy, law and planning which can greatly change the wealth of the individuals they are supposed to represent. The natural temptation is not to change laws, policies and plans for the greater good, but for the selfish good. If assets are disclosed, voters can make an informed decision about in whose interest their elected officials are acting. Campaigning and influencing the media is expensive. It is inevitable (even under a regime that doesn't abuse the law to achieve the same thing) that richer and better-connected individuals will get better exposure than a potentially more intelligent and conscientious candidate who has less money. I believe asset declarations should be made well in advance of elections so that apparent marketing disparity can be seen in the light of ability to induce. The excuse of 'danger from extortion' is ridiculous to the point of being repulsive. We are all at threat from crime in Malaysia - who do you believe is at greater risk and less able to defend themselves against crime: the rich or the poor? In some ways, PSM's declaration has little meaning beyond their own circle of supporters, some people who will read about it on Anil's site, and perhaps both of the people who visit parti-sosialis.org, but we dream of a Malaysia where we can buy newspapers that point out how much so-and-so spends on songket toilet paper, don't we? We want to see comedy shows on the TV ridiculing "the kampung people's choice" going to drink champagne at an exclusive Selangor restaurant with 80 bodyguards, don't we? The root of Malaysia's problems lies in people pretending to be something they're not. Let's get the facts on paper. We need to know exactly what we're being asked to support. The arguments against asset declaration are deeply flawed. It isn’t called the ‘public sector’ for nothing. These people don’t compete in industry to get these positions, they ask the people for their permission to represent them. It’s only natural to ask “who are you?”.

Asset declaration has nothing to do with idealism. The reason why a public representative should declare their assets is that they are given a level of control over policy, law and planning which can greatly change the wealth of the individuals they are supposed to represent. The natural temptation is not to change laws, policies and plans for the greater good, but for the selfish good. If assets are disclosed, voters can make an informed decision about in whose interest their elected officials are acting.

Campaigning and influencing the media is expensive. It is inevitable (even under a regime that doesn’t abuse the law to achieve the same thing) that richer and better-connected individuals will get better exposure than a potentially more intelligent and conscientious candidate who has less money. I believe asset declarations should be made well in advance of elections so that apparent marketing disparity can be seen in the light of ability to induce.

The excuse of ‘danger from extortion’ is ridiculous to the point of being repulsive. We are all at threat from crime in Malaysia – who do you believe is at greater risk and less able to defend themselves against crime: the rich or the poor?

In some ways, PSM’s declaration has little meaning beyond their own circle of supporters, some people who will read about it on Anil’s site, and perhaps both of the people who visit parti-sosialis.org, but we dream of a Malaysia where we can buy newspapers that point out how much so-and-so spends on songket toilet paper, don’t we? We want to see comedy shows on the TV ridiculing “the kampung people’s choice” going to drink champagne at an exclusive Selangor restaurant with 80 bodyguards, don’t we?

The root of Malaysia’s problems lies in people pretending to be something they’re not. Let’s get the facts on paper. We need to know exactly what we’re being asked to support.

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