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Respect for Loyal Opposition Essential for Democracy

Press Statements
Written by Administrator
Tuesday, 13 May 2008 01:00
The Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI-Parliament) stresses that a loyal opposition is a legitimate and necessary part of any system of democracy, including our constitutional monarchy. We strongly criticise the threatened use of the Sedition Act 1948 and the leveling of accusations of treason against anyone who has a critical view of our political system, regardless of whether the person is a parliamentarian, a member of the royalty or an ordinary citizen, especially by those who would take offence for purely populist or politically-partisan purposes. CSI-Parliament stresses that the democratic space for debate and deliberation on issues of national interest is now more important to protect as the country makes its ways through uncharted waters of deeper democratization and more extensive political plurality at the state government level. The initial sacking of Perak Religious Department Director Datuk Jamry Sury by the Pakatan Rakyat state government, the subsequent order by HRH the Sultan of Perak to reinstate him, and the consequent criticism by Karpal Singh MP of HRH the Sultan of Perak’s order have resulted in different perspectives of the law and constitutional convention brought to public attention. Let us not forget a similar situation faced by the Barisan Nasional in attempting to nominate its candidates for the post of Menteri Besar in Perlis and Terengganu. Political convention and processes in the latter cases - hitherto taken for granted - were then called into question by many, including Government and Barisan leaders. While at the end of the day there can only be one lawful position on the matter, there must be sufficient room for legitimate public discussion and deliberation of what exactly that position is. In connection with the new controversy over various statements of Parliamentarian Karpal Singh, CSI-Parliament condemns political manoeuvres which are bent on manipulating a complex though legitimate difference of opinion on constitutional law and the position of the Malay Rulers into a so-called stand-off between the palace and the opposition. Just as dangerous is the attempt by some quarters to portray this incident as a potentially seditious and treasonous questioning of royal prerogatives, and consequently a perceived slighting of the position of one particular community. CSI-Parliament is confident that wise counsel shall prevail and that the unacceptable attempt by certain parties to take advantage of this situation to promote ill-will and hostility between the races will fail miserably. It is these irresponsible parties who are the real threat to peace and stability in this country. To ensure an inclusive process of democratization and the liberty to engage in healthy and open debate free from threats of sedition and accusations of treason, CSI-Parliament takes this opportunity to echo the longstanding call by the Bar Council and other civil society organizations to abolish the Sedition Act 1948. More pertinent legislation to bring genuine threats against the public order before the courts of our land is already available in our statute books. Press Statement issued jointly by: Dr Lim Teck Ghee Wong Chin Huat Edward Lee Andrew Khoo Haris Ibrahim Kuala Lumpur, 12 May 2008

Rethinking Planning in the land of Plans

Development

Thursday, 15 May 2008 23:43

For a country that produces Plans for financial reform, human resource development, industrial development, capital market reform, automobile industry development and knowledge development, besides, of course, the Outline Perspective Plan and the regular Five-Year Plans, it is time that we reflect on the planning process.

Author: Nambiar, Shankaran. Publication: MIERScan, 9 January 2006. [Download]

Pulling Arab funds into Malaysian shores

Economics

Thursday, 15 May 2008 23:40

The size of global Islamic funds has dramatically increased since the incident of September 11. Investments particularly from Islamic institutions and wealthy Muslims have shifted from conventional based funds to Islamic funds. Back in 1999, these funds were estimated at about US$800 million and now up to US$200 billion. It is interesting to know who manages them or where they are now.

Publication: MIERScan, 27 June 2005.

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Moving Towards Gender Equality In the work place

Social

Thursday, 15 May 2008 23:37

The past several decades have seen much progress made to enhance the economic participation of women in Malaysia. Since the Declaration of the United Nations Decade for Women back in 1979, there has been a growing recognition that women play a crucial role in the country’s economic development.

Author: Wong, ChayNee. Publication: MIERScan, 14 August 2006. [Download]

Taking a Closer Look at Inflation

Economics

Thursday, 15 May 2008 01:00

Following the hike in fuel prices, interest rates and, more recently, electricity rates, there has been growing concern about the return of the inflation spectre. They crimp consumer confidence, while businesses attempt to balance their books by passing the burden of higher costs to the consumers.

Publication: MIERScan, 17 July 2006. [Download]

Tackling Urban Poverty

Social

Thursday, 15 May 2008 23:18

Since the introduction of the New Economic Policy 1971-1990 (NEP), Malaysia has achieved outstanding progress in poverty eradication. During this period the poverty incidence has dropped from 52.4 percent in 1970 to 15 percent in 1990. This index remains in a declining trend with the latest figures showing a drop from 8.5 percent in 1999 to 5.7 percent in 2004.

Author: Musalmah Johan. Publication: MIERScan, 27 November 2006. [Download]

Productivity Gains Crucial For Growth

Economics

Thursday, 15 May 2008 23:13

Our obsession used to be about producing at the lowest cost, but we have since passed that stage. Now, it is about increasing productivity, by delivering better quality products and services in the most efficient way by using less labour and capital resources. A commitment towards high productivity will reduce wastages and increase efficiency.

Author: Azidin Wan Abdul Kadir. Publication: MIERScan, 15 August 2005. [Download]

Monetary Institutions in Malaysia & the Transition to Independence

Economics

Thursday, 15 May 2008 23:06

The end of the colonial era did not mark the end of the close economic and financial relations that had developed among Britain, Malaysia and Singapore. Both Malaysia and Singapore continued to maintain their pegged exchange rate to sterling until June 1973, and to hold the bulk of their reserves in sterling even after the devaluation of the pound in 1967. Along with other developing economies, Malaysia was caught up in the turmoil of the collapse of the Bretton Woods fixed exchange rate system and the retirement of sterling as a major reserve asset. Although Malaysia’s robust balance of payments allowed it to weather these global storms, they did pose challenges for the national government and formed part of the transition to a truly independent international monetary policy, presaged by the introduction of a national currency in 1967 and then activated by the controlled floating of the Malaysian dollar from 1973. During this period, Malaysia also played a distinctive role in the determination of how the international monetary system evolved, because of Malaysia’s importance to the development of sterling policy in London.

By Catherine R. Schenk, University of Glasgow. Prepared for The Economic and Social History of Malaysia: Celebrating 50 Years of Independence at an International Conference Organized by the Nottingham University Business School on 15 -17 November 2007 at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus. [Download]

Joint-Venture Financing For Islamic Banks

Economics

Thursday, 15 May 2008 22:58

The banking sector is poised to face new challenges from high interest rates environment in the coming years. With higher cost of borrowing, the public may postpone their purchases. Not only that, current concern with inflation is making many banks worried about interest-rate risk. Floating rate loans can easily absorb any increase in the overnight offer rate (OPR) but fixed-rate loans such as car loans may not. The same applies to Islamic banks. Those offering fixed al-bai-bithaman ajil (BBA) and al-ijarah thuma albay (AITAB) may soon face difficulties, unless they have a floating-rate option to work with.

Publication: MIERScan, 15 May 2006. [Download]

Reducing the Regional Gap

Development

Friday, 16 May 2008 14:53

One of the key objectives of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) is to implement more development in less developed regions and states, with the aim of dispersing the benefits of growth while narrowing economic disparity among regions. The regional areas mentioned in the 9MP included the east coast and the southern Johor in Peninsular Malaysia, and Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia.

Author: Azidin Wan Abdul Kadir. Publication: MIERScan, 3 July 2006. [Download]

Raising The Retirement Age

Economics

Friday, 16 May 2008 14:44

For one, employees aged 55 and above may still be very efficient, able and productive to the organisation they are attached to and the country as a whole. It is only logical then that those who are still productive may prefer to continue working, if not for the mandatory age of retirement. In fact, the retired work force represents “a huge pool” of “overlooked talent” for short-term projects.

Author: Yee, Siew Lin Elayne. Publication: MIERScan, 19 September 2005. [Download]

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