Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email PM was talking about equality, or the lack of it, that the Penang government plans to adhere to by using open tender system and pledging to be transparent. He says equality is not same as fairness. Yes, true to a certain extent. However, the opposite of being equal (using discriminative evaluation), means unfairness if the factors considered are irrelevant or not able to improve on the quality of work. My take is forget on worrying about equality or fairness. What the rakyat wants in quality. That should not be compromised. There should be some programs to help the under-privileged, the poor, the disabled, the budding entrepreneurs etc, but not at the expense of other groups or by sidelining others. If not, the programs will be misused by selected few , resulting in more unfair distribution.
Pak Lah: Ensuring equality not enough
KEPALA BATAS: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said ensuring equality in administering Penang would not mean fairness if only the rich continued to benefit.
Taking a swipe at the new DAP-led Penang Government’s pledge to be transparent and implement an open tender system, the Prime Minister said: “I have heard many statements and reports. This all sounds very good and fair and is also very nice to hear. But please remember that equality does not always mean fairness.
“Equal distribution is not necessarily fair if the fate of the underprivileged is not taken care of and their rights not defended. “I am not just talking about bumiputras. I am also referring to the Chinese and Indian communities.”
Abdullah, who was speaking at a thanksgiving dinner attended by about 2,000 people in Sungai Dua which is within the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary constituency won by Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcob, said the Barisan Nasional was committed to improving the people’s lot.
“Much has been said about the New Economic Policy and I want to stress that we want to eradicate poverty regardless of race, ensure equal opportunities for all races and work to improve the economy and ensure equal distribution of wealth,” he said, adding that Umno representatives would play an effective role as the state’s Opposition.
