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Some statistics on income tax payers

June 15th, 2008
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If you earn less than RM2950 and still unmarried, you don’t pay income tax. True?

If you are married, the cut-off value is RM3200.

We have 10.5 million workers, with only one million paying tax. Our population is about 27.4 million. This indicates that less than half (~38%)of our population are salaried workers.  If we estimate another 40% as being below working age and retired, that leaves roughly 22% of the population running businesses (and some not declaring their income) who pay tax via their companies/businesses.

Only 38,000 individuals are taxed at the highest bracket (28%), meaning they should be earning above RM20,000 per month or RM250,000 per year. I suppose about 30 of them are in the cabinet. Then we can look at top management of MNC, GLC, prominent companies, etc.

The revenue from income tax comes to about RM10 billion, increasing steadily, especially since IRB revamped their systems and increased their staff.

sourced from The Star.

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Interview with Malim Nawar Assemblyman Keshvinder Singh

June 15th, 2008
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Summary: Keshvinder (lawyer by training) wants to focus on land issues and activities for youths.

BTW, Malim Nawar had developed a lot compared to 20 years ago. The railway station had been closed since double-tracking project started. I still remember taking train from KL station years ago.

Know your state rep: Squatters depending on him to secure land titles
By : Jaspal Singh
MALIM NAWAR: The odds may have been against Keshvinder Singh in the general election but he proved his detractors wrong by winning the Malim Nawar state seat.  The 37-year-old father of two who joined DAP in April 2005 was seen as a political greenhorn with little chance of taking over the seat from the Barisan Nasional.

“Many, including friends and relatives, did not expect me to win as they considered me a greenhorn but that did not dampen my resolve to do my best to win the seat,” he told the New Straits Times. However, Keshvinder, who defeated Barisan Nasional’s Chai Song Poh with a majority of 1,362 votes, acknowledged that the next four or five years before the next polls will not be easy for him.

Just two months into his new job, he has already received close to 1,000 appeals from constituents to help them to either get new land titles or renew old ones.   Many of them have been squatting on state land for two generations or more and, so far, have failed in their attempts to apply for land titles.  Some of those whose titles have expired have been trying to get them renewed for more than 20 years. » Read more: Interview with Malim Nawar Assemblyman Keshvinder Singh

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164 PSD scholarships awarded to Indians

June 15th, 2008
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Something fishy. Samy said that number of scholarship awarded to Indians this is year (161) is more than double of last year, but Dato S.Subra said last year it was 120 students. Anyways, it has been clarified that 164 students had been given scholarships, up to Friday noon. Meaning more to come?

Out of the 164, 53 obtained medical seats.

Rather than resting on its laurels, MIC better start a pressure-cum-thinktank group to ensure this problem does not repeat next year. Perhaps they can set-up a clearinghouse or one stop centre for students to submit their application via MIC. As long as it does not create avenues for cronyism or corruption within MIC (wishful thinking?) Obviously the preferred solution will involve revamping PSD’s selection procedure, something quite impossible given the current political scenario.

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MIC complaints about civil service intake

June 15th, 2008
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Same old story, yet again. I think if we analyse the issues discussed by MIC for last two decades, it centers around the same topics only. Sign of stagnation, inaction, inability, or continuous improvement? Which is it?

Samy:

You can hardly find an Indian employee in the state civil sector.

Anyway, this time Samy says that “Indians are grossly underrepresented even at the district and municipal council levels”. At least, those days we can find drivers, office boys, gardeners, etc in these places. But with changing times, the community may not be interested in these kind of menial jobs which lack career prospect. Having said that, even those who apply for these low-salary positions face stiff competition from the majority race.

Samy wants to meet the menteri besar and chief ministers from BN-held states to solve this problem. if I can offer a solution – force 50% of position to be given to other races (let MIC champion other communities too) for the next 5 years. this positions (ranging from all levels of jobs) cannot be filled by the privileged community under any circumstances. this will force the states to find innovative ways to promote the vacancies. No point MIC or other NGOs waste money doing more surveys and roadshow to try promot career in public sector. Let the state departments do it. End of the day, XX number of people must be hired. Make it part of the KPI of the directors.

He says that he won’t approach Pakatan-held states and says that it will be easier to work with BN states. Well, we have seen how “easy” it is to work with BN states for last few years. I think it will be easier to work with Pakatan states. Maybe Samy should give it a try indirectly, using his connections.

Meanwhile, CWC member Murugesan highlighted in his blog that:

On 8th June, 2008, the Road Transport Department or Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) published the list of successful candidates for ‘Jawatan Pembantu Penguatkuasa Gred N17′ in Mingguan Malaysia.

It is alarming to note that out of 751 successful candidates, only 15 were non-Bumiputras. It constitutes less then 2% of successful candidates. Out of this, only 10 candidates or 1.3% were Indians. » Read more: MIC complaints about civil service intake

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Fathers Day at Istana Negara

June 14th, 2008
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Following is report from Malaysiakini on the HINDRAF-organised Father’s Day gathering at Istana Negara today. Earlier, it was reported that YB Manikavasagam and YB Sivarasa were among the 6 people arrested at the gathering.

Interestingly, Ronnie Liu ACCEPTED the bear on behalf (of the KING?). I’m not sure who he is representing, definitely not the King.

I think Hindraf have to look beyond flowers, teddy bears and other gifts, as it may be shunned if seemed to be not effective. There should be some brainstorming session to ensure it gets continuous support from the Makkal. Makkal will forget the suffering and sacrifices of the Hindraf 5 if not constantly reminded, but there should be variety of ways to maintain the momentum. Perhaps some sort of branding and merchandising strategy – T-shirts, caps, car stickers, badges could be created. They can get support in the Pakatan states, so that’s a good starting point.

The intention of 48 children of ISA detainees to present Father’s Day gift of teddy bears to the Agong was dampened by the police and a no-show from palace representatives.

Chanting “Daulat Tuanku”, the children carrying teddy bear bouquets accompanied by about 30 adults were stopped from approaching the palace by police who formed a barricade 500 meters from the palace gates at around 10.40 this morning.

Policemen, already alert after an earlier arrest of three opposition parliamentarians, were quick to gather around the crowd. A senior police officer approached event leaders who were Hindraf leaders – RS Thananenthiran (national coordinator), S Jayathas (national information coordinator) and A Vathemurthy (Perak state coordinator) – requesting that the crowd to disperse immediately.

Thananenthiran then shouted that “We are Malaysian citizens who would like to present a gift to the father of all Malaysians.”

There were continuous pleas from the crowd which argued that as Malaysian citizens they should have the right to gather in front of the palace without a permit.  “Tourists are allowed to gather and present gifts, so why can’t we? This must be changed. We have all the right to rally peacefully,” said Vathemurthy.

The heat under the strong sun caused some of the children – from five to 15 years of age – to begin crying in discomfort.

Thananenthiran then asked the police to be compassionate with the children. The police officer fired back that although he loved children, they were being only being ‘utilised’ by Hindraf leaders. » Read more: Fathers Day at Istana Negara

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