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Najib’s “liberalisation” could open Pandora’s Box

Anil Netto
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Pardon me for raining on Najib’s sweeping economic “liberalisation” parade.

For one thing, I don’t think the government fully understands the ramifications of its gung-ho approach to liberalisation in the services sector, especially the financial services sub-sector. Still beholden to the FDI-driven model of economic growth, the government is obviously hoping that its “liberalisation” will result in hordes of foreign investors stampeding into the local market. Sure, more big investors might come in – but at what price to the local economy and small-timers?

The Chinese Malaysian business sector might welcome the removal of bumi quotas. Fed up with paying high prices for “protected items” such as locally made cars, many ordinary Malaysians too might actually welcome “liberalisation” – and I can understand where they are coming from.

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Fried chicken, anyone?

Anil Netto
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18

We live in a globalised world that is full of inequalities. Unfortunately, these inequalities are not always visible to most of us.

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IMF: Malaysian economy to shrink by 3.5% this year

Anil Netto
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10

The International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook report for 2009 is just out here.

It projects the Malaysian economy to contract by 3.5 per cent in 2009 (compared to -2.8 per cent for the US and -1.3 per cent for the world). The Malaysian government, for its part, has been sticking to its -1.0 to +1.0 per cent range, which in the light of the IMF’s projections, seems hopelessly optimistic (as ever). The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research’s latest projection is a contraction of 2.2 per cent.

Not only that, the IMF warns that all the risks are on the downside, i.e., hugely dependent on what happens to the US. In addition, Malaysia is also dependent on Europe, Japan and China.

My own forecast for Malaysia is grimmer than the IMF’s projection.  Just a casual look at the sharp drops in our exports and manufacturing sales is enough for me to say GDP could be minus 5 per cent this year.

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80% don’t want Mahathir to lead BN’s Penanti campaign

Anil Netto
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Will he take the hint?

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Why our education system is in trouble

Anil Netto
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The raging debate surrounding our education system seems to be over the medium of instruction for maths and science.

Sadly, however, not enough attention is being paid to the content and approach we have adopted, which straitjackets and stifles young minds.

Let me relate an anecdote told to me by the parents of a 11-year-old boy, J:

J was asked by his school teacher to write a short karangan (composition) about a Malaysian hero he admires and to give reasons for his choice.

The boy promptly penned a few lines about Anwar and Nizar and to support his choice, he said they had korban (sacrificed) a lot for the country, etc.

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Is the Tg Bunga Residents Association anti-Pakatan?

Anil Netto
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Here’s a comment by blog reader madmonkey that I thought should be highlighted for discussion.

Dear Anil,

Came across some more (Tanjung Bunga Residents Association) TBRA-bashing in (a blog) and some kind but deluded soul was saying poor Anil has been taken in, has had the wool pulled over his eyes by this BN-loving, LGE-hating, self-serving ogre called TBRA…

To those who would believe TBRA has a secret anti-Pakatan Rakyat agenda, please go to their website. You will see that, in early 2007, TBRA had taken the former CM, KTK, to task, (alleging) he was responsible for the “sell-out of Penang”:

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Dayaks “lack element of smartness”?

Anil Netto
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13

What does James Masing mean when he condescendingly says the Dayaks “lack the element of smartness” and are thus easily politically manipulated?

Does he mean that the rural Ibans who voted for the BN are lacking the element of smartness? Or were the Dayaks in Batang Ai who voted for the BN lacking the element of smartness?

Who are these leaders who are manipulating the rural Dayaks with projects and promises of development especially during an election campaign? Who are these individuals who have promised the Dayaks fantastic returns under the Salcra plantation development scheme.

I suppose the Dayak leaders from the BN like Masing consider themselves smart and clever. But the question is smart in what?

Dayaks lack element of smartness: Masing

20 April 2009

SRI AMAN: Dayaks are easily politically manipulated because they lack the element of smartness, said Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Dato Sri Dr James Masing.

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“You are not green unless your food is green”

Anil Netto
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8

More people are now talking about the need to reduce our carbon footprint. But the discussion is largely focused on improving public transport, avoiding plastic bags (a commendable move which the Penang government is now implementing) or recycling and re-using.

But that is not enough. A study of the population in Cardiff, Wales has shown that the biggest impact on the environment comes from the choices we make in the following areas (in this order):

  • the food and products we buy
  • the energy we use
  • our mode of travel
  • the infrastructure which surrounds us
  • the waste we produce

Of course, underlying all this is our oil-guzzling profit-driven corporate economy, which does not factor in environmental losses.

The Natural News website insists that “you are not green unless your food is green”. It says our philosophy on food should be: “Eat LOCAL food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

This is why it is absolutely vital for each state in Malaysia to grow as much of its food requirements locally, preferably organically. We don’t have to wait for the government to see the light. We can do what we can locally by exerting pressure through the choices we make.

Natural News suggests five ways we can go about this:

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Pesticide lobby shudders at Obamas’ organic garden

Anil Netto
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The public campaign for an organic farm on the grounds of the White House…

flotus_garden4909_blog

… bears fruit – Photo credit: White House blog

The White House garden has gone organic.

That’s enough to get Big Agrobusiness – also known as the pesticide or genetically modified food lobby – worried.

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Pakatan leadership to deliberate on Penanti

Anil Netto
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penanti-iii-004

Anwar in Penanti last night, flanked by Penang PKR chief Zahrain Mohamed Hashim (left) and Penang Pas commissioner Mohd Salleh Man – Photo by Kalvin

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