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As readers may know, 3 people are fighting for the Deputy President position of UMNO. That person will become the next Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, barring any moves by opposition to peacefully take over the Dewan Rakyat with the consent of the King (or something like that).

Those three candidates are Muhyiddin Yassin, Ali Rustam and Muhammad Muhammad Taib.

Now, it makes me wonder if a person like Ali Rustam or Muhammad Muhammad Taib becomes the Deputy President, what can we do to reject them as Deputy PM in the future? One issues threats (humiliated PPP at their own AGM!) and racists statements all the time. Another is well known for his $1.7 million story (and RM17 million worth of properties). There’s no election in the near future, so we can’t do much.

I’m not supporting Muhyiddin for the matter. UMNO’s elections is their own internal matter. If the members practice bribery (also known as money politics in UMNO-speak), that’s their problem. But what worries me is that the future Deputy PM is chosen by being virtue of Deputy President of UMNO. Meaning those few thousand people in UMNO who is less that few percent of the country’s population is going to make the decision.

So where does that leave people like you and me who are not in UMNO? If someone don’t like the future Deputy PM, can he/she not vote for BN regardless of who campaigns in that person’s area? Would that Deputy be a bigger liability to BN coalition partners? Can the coalition members oppose the appointment of Deputy President of UMNO as Deputy PM? Would UMNO members consider this while voting?

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I’m sure the public is well aware of statistics on income according to races as revealed in Mid Term review of 9th Malaysian Plan. Specifically the average income for Malays and Indians were listed as below:

• Bumiputera’s mean income
  increased by 5.2% to RM3,156 in 2007 from RM2,711 in 2004.
• Indians’ income rose 3.2% to RM3,799 from RM3.456

That means the Indians on average earned 20 percent more than the Bumiputras in 2007 (RM3,799 versus RM3,156). The acceleration rate is 5.2 percent for Bumiputra against 3.2% for Bumiputras. If this continues, its possible that in next 5 years, the Bumiputras will earn more than the Indians, on average.

I’ve always asking why the term Bumiputra (and not Malay) is used. What would the statistics be like?

Thanks to MP Charles Santiago’s question in the Parliament, we get more details as below. It makes me think why those fellows in MIC never asked for such details before in the last decade (at least to my knowledge).

The statement and tables below show that the Malays in Peninsular earned RM3,311 on average in 2007 while those in Sarawak Rm3,503 and Sabah RM3,089. That means it doesn’t a genius to know that actual poverty is among the real Bumiputras (averagebetween RM2,063 and RM2,857). Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia are the worst with income around RM1,397.

That means, in 2007 the Indians earn on average only 14 percent more than Malays in Peninsular Malaysia (Its a fairer comparison as most Indians live in the Peninsular). Given the benefits and privileges the Malays get, is it fair to say that Indians are doing better than Malays? Shouldn’t the non-privileged communities be given handicap?

Reply on Average Income Breakdown

Reply on Average Income Breakdown 2

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As more people become aware of their rights and multiple channels for complaints are created, its bound to happen. Due to things like HINDRAF rally, more Indians dare to stand up for their rights. The wins by opposition parties in some states also provides another voice for public to highlight their grievances.  The Internet through forums, blogs and websites provides more motivation and information for people to complain. Add to that the gun ho antics of Deputy Minister Murugiah who oversees the public complaints bureau, we have a spike on complaints received.

We have a civil service populated and ran mainly by people purportedly strong on religious values (praying 5 times a day should make me more God-fearing). So, what went wrong? Is it the system? Is it the employees? Is it isolated cases? Is it just a sign of times where people complain at the slightest excuse? Or is it that the civil service need to be revamped?

Complaints on public services have more than doubled in the past three years, especially those pertaining to abuse of power, corrupt practices and late or non-action by the officers concerned.

Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam said the Public Complaints Bureau received 5,347 complaints last year, a big increase compared with 2,707 in 2005 and 3,397 in 2006.

“For the first nine months of this year, 6,059 complaints have been recorded,” he said in his speech at the opening of the Public Service national Quality Control Circle convention at Crowne Plaza Riverside Hotel here yesterday. Ismail’s speech was read out by his deputy Datuk Dr Ismail Alias.

Ismail expressed concern over the increasing trend of customers being dissatisfied, which marred the image and reputation of the public service.

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