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Ration Cards for the poor?

July 2nd, 2010
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Those who are familiar with India will know about ration cards (or ration stamps). Its a method whereby folks can buy essential items at controlled prices.

The MHS (Penang Branch) is proposing a similar system in Malaysia.

Maybe in Malaysia, can implement using our MyKads. Set up “ration offices” or counters” at strategic location or make use of the existing shops by equipping them with MyKad readers.

The Penang branch of the Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS) wants the government to issue ration cards for essential commodities for the hardcore poor to help them cope with the rapidly rising cost of living.

Association deputy chairperson cum its social and welfare sub-committee chairperson P Murugiah told Malaysiakini that prices of essential foods items like rice, cooking oil , sugar and milk have jumped a mind-boggling 200 percent compared to 10 years ago.

He cited cases of mothers who, unable to breastfeed their new-born babies, opt for water mixed with sugar or condensed milk; young children dropping out of schools to work to help the family and those unable to settle their electricity and water bills, turning to oil lamps.

The hardcore poor survive on only one meal a day and that too non-nutritious food of either roti canai or nasi lemak.

He claimed that a some single mothers have been driven by financial desperation to vice to support their children .

He quoted the prices of some food like cheap fish which used to be between 30 sen to 50 sen per 600 gms about 10 years ago, now go for RM2 per 600 gms, ikan billis price has soared 300 percent, a loaf of bread once RM1, is now RM3 , eggs that cost 10 sen each now go for between 25-30 sen.

Murugiah (left) said the government should consider emulating measures taken by India to alleviate the plight of the poorest through ration cards.

The BPL or below the poverty line ration card is issued to the head of an Indian family whose total earnings is below Rs10,000 per annum (RM700) while those categorised above the poverty line (APL) with a total family income of more than Rs10,000 are each issued a white ration card annually.

A ration card is a very useful document as it helps save money by aiding in the procurement of essential commodities at subsidised rates.

According to Murugiah, the hardcore poor in India are entitled to free essential items every month.

On the government’s plan to phase out all subsidies because of depleting public funds, Murugiah criticised Putrayaja for wasting public funds on mega projects that brought little benefit to the public, especially those in the lower income group.

“The government’s top priority should be to ensure a social safety net for its citizens rather than building public monuments which are a waste of tax-payers’ money.

On its part the Penang MHS, through public donations, is providing monthly food rations to poor families comprising 32 Malays, 22 Indians and 10 Chinese.

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Darvena and Teoh get PSD scholarship

July 2nd, 2010
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Story of two students (Darvena and Teoh who managed to get PSD scholarships after intervention or appeal.

Having a paralysed mother made top student S. Darvena Pillay want to become a neurosurgeon so she could help other disabled people.

And she is now one step closer to fulfilling her dream thanks to a scholarship from the Public Services Department (PSD).

The 18-year-old, who scored 10As in the SPM, was initially unsuccessful but was awarded a PSD scholarship upon appeal to do a pre-medical foundation programme at the Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences and will later pursue a medical degree at a local university.

“After qualifying as a doctor, I will work in Malaysia because it is important that Malaysians serve our country,” she said.

“If we don’t step up to the plate and give back to the country that has given us so much, who will?” she said with a bright smile.

Darvena is an all-rounder who has over 50 certificates of co-curricular participation and achievement.

“I was a state-level debator and had took part in many competitions at school, district, state as well as national level,” she said.

Darvena’s mother became paralysed 11 years ago after giving birth to her youngest child.

Darvena’s father works as a water treatment plant operator and earns just enough to feed their family.

“This scholarship will greatly ease the burden on my family, particularly my dad as he has to take two jobs to support myself, my three schoolgoing siblings and my paralysed mother,” she said.

A student who failed to get a government scholarship twice to pursue higher studies is now rejoicing, thanks to the MCA.

Teoh Bee Kah, 18, who failed to get the scholarship earlier, has been granted a Public Service Department scholarship after she sent an appeal letter to MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

Teoh, who was born with the nystagmus condition (a form of involuntary eye movement), was awarded a full scholarship for an 18-month Foundation in Business Studies course at the University of Nottingham’s Malaysian campus in Semenyih.

The former Convent Pulau Tikus student, who is now studying in Form Six at St Xavier’s Institution, will start the course on July 8.

“I was verbally guaranteed a National Scholarship on March 19 when I went to Putrajaya to receive an award for being an outstanding student.

“However, the name list came out a week later without my name. So, I thought I would be accepted by the PSD. But my name wasn’t in that list either when it came out on May 21.

“I cried for two days after that because I was so disappointed,” she said after receiving a congratulatory letter from Bagan MCA division Youth chief David Chua on behalf of Dr Ng at the Penang MCA headquarters on Pahang Road here yesterday.

Teoh, who scored 4A+, 3As and 3A- in last year’s SPM examination, said although her first choice was Psychology, she was nevertheless grateful for the scholarship.

She said her nystagmus condition was made difficult with her short-sightedness.

“My eyeballs are constantly moving and it is difficult for me to focus. Doctors told me my condition cannot be corrected with spectacles or surgery,” she said.

Her father, Lye Chuan, 58, said she did not let her condition stand in her way.

“She didn’t attend any tuition classes. Her hearing and memory are excellent too,” said the fisherman.

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RM20 million available for Indians under TEKUN!

July 2nd, 2010
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This is a surprising news indeed because so far, I heard MIC people saying no money in TEKUN. But just days ago, TEKUN says got RM20 million. Maybe just allocated.

As for how to apply, well, you have visit MIC offices and collect the form. The forms are limited only, since the money also limited. Their logic is that why provide lots of form when the fund can cover, let’s say, 2000 applicants only (assume each applicant get RM10,000).

And starting from yesterday, you’ll need to attend a course if want to apply TEKUN loan.

The government has allocated RM20 million under Tekun (Tabung Kumpulan Usaha Niaga) for small-scale Indian entrepreneurs.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said about 700 small-scale Indian entrepreneurs throughout the country had been given loans to develop their business.

Tekun Nasional has received assistance from Yayasan Strategik Sosial (YSS) in providing such loans to Indian entrepreneurs, he told reporters after opening Tekun Nasional’s 2010 Excellent Service Awards here today.

Noh said Tekun Nasional had registered RM1.5 billion in profits till May 31, from the initial allocation of RM900 provided by the government, while 170,000 have benefited from such loan facilities.

He added that starting July 1, entrepreneurs who wished to take a loan from Tekun Nasional, must attend a entrepreneurs’ course to be eligible for loans.

“Those who do not attend the course without a valid reason, will not be considered for such loans,” he said. — Bernama

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ASW Bandar for the poor

July 2nd, 2010
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A good move, even though its not much. The return per year may be around RM600 to RM800 only, but still can be used to help families during start of school or celebrate festive season, or with medical expenses.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Amanah Saham Wawasan 2020 Bandar (ASW2020-Bandar) has been launched with an allocation of RM100mil to help the hardcore and urban poor.

The scheme, launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday, is aimed at benefiting 8,439 poor families who had been identified through the “eKasih” programme earlier.

Under the scheme, each family will be allocated a principal investment of RM10,000 of ASW2020-Bandar shares under the name of the head of the family. The unit trust is managed by Permodalan Nasional Bhd.

“The principal investment will remain the Government’s money but you will take home all other returns. The returns may be about RM600 and RM700 a year which may not be much but I am sure it will go a long way in improving one’s quality of life,” he said at the launch of the scheme at Tasik Titiwangsa here yesterday.

Najib said the allocation was for the life-time of a recipient and was not transferable to other family members in the event of his or her death.

In such a case, the principal investment would be offered to others in the group, he said.

He said although 8,439 families were eligible for the scheme, only 4,976 would receive it as the others had yet to be located.

“Maybe they are no longer under the hardcore poor category, have moved elsewhere or simply are not interested in the ASW2020 shares.

“Nevertheless, we will ensure that those eligible will benefit from the scheme. We are very committed to the Government’s inclusiveness approach outlined in the New Economic Model,” he said.

Najib also presented the ASW2020-Bandar account passbooks to 196 recipients.

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Reply from JPA on request to publish scholarship recipients names

June 22nd, 2010
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This was posted today at JPA website. I wonder why the bother replying to the initial comments published in newspapers because the reply doesn’t answer the question! People want to see the list on names and relevant details. Is that so difficult to understand?

The Public Service Department (PSD) specifically refers to the letter “Publish list of JPA scholars” published on 15/6/10 in The Star and other letters related on PSD scholarships generally.

The PSD had announced the application criteria for its 2010 Overseas Sponsorship Programme (PILN) in the major newspapers in January and February this year, in addition to posting these criteria on its website. On 6th April, in his press statement, Y.A.B. Deputy Prime Minister reiterated these criteria as well. Over 18,800 students applied, out of which 10,956 applicants fulfilled the minimum requirements and qualified for the interview process. Of the qualified applicants, 7900 scored all As, in all the subjects they had taken, including 214 students who scored all A+s.

As stated in the PSD website and the statement by YAB DPM, scholarships were given according to the following four categories:

  1. Category 1 : Academic Excellence
    Twenty percent of the scholarships were allocated for this category. Applicants under this category were assessed purely on merit based on academic excellence (85%), co-curriculum activities (10%) and performance at the interview (5%). The socio-economic background of the applicants was irrelevant under this category.
  2. Category 2: Racial Composition of the Population
    Sixty percent of the scholarships were allocated for applicants streamed under this category. Applicants under this category were assessed based on academic excellence (75%), co-curriculum activities (10%), socio-economic background (10%) and performance at the interview (10%). The selection of scholars reflected the racial composition of the population.
  3. Category 3 : Bumiputera Sabah and Sarawak
    Ten percent of the scholarships were reserved for Bumiputera applicants from Sabah (5%) and Sarawak (5%). The selection was done based on academic excellence (65%), co-curriculum activities (5%), socio-economic background (25%) and performance at the interview (5%).
  4. Category 4: Socially Disadvantaged Group
    Ten percent of the scholarships were allocated for applicants from schools that lack, or have limited, proper educational facilities and those that hailed from low-income families. The selection was done based on academic excellence (65%), co-curriculum activities (5%), socio-economic background (25%) and performance at the interview (5%).

Outstanding students who were not selected for the PILN 2010 scholarships (given the limited sponsorship of 1500) were offered additional 2000 scholarships to study in local private institutions of higher learning, including local campuses of foreign universities in Malaysia, such as, the Nottingham University, Monash University, Swinburne University of Technology and Curtin University of Technology. A notification to this effect was posted on the PSD’s e-SILA website on 16th June.

Apart from the PILN, the PSD will also be offering a local sponsorship programme (Program Ijazah Dalam Negara or PIDN). A total of 8,250 scholarships will be made available under PIDN. These scholarships are for students who have secured places at local institutions of higher learning.

Corporate Communications Unit
Public Service Department Malaysia
18th June 2010

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