2009 thus far has not been very good for the world. With the economy of most countries taking a dip, then came an outbreak of Swine Flu. In the late 1990's, when the economic crisis started in Asia, the 'SAR's and Avian Flu epidemic followed.
This time around, the economic crisis started in the American continent, followed by the Swine flu. As people becomes more mobile, it did not take long for the flu to spread toUnited States, UK and Spain.
Before the World Health Organization could investigate the root of origin of the flu, the flu has spread beyond Mexico where it started.
Poor Mexicans, an earthquake has followed the heels of the flu epidemic.Looks like Nature is vindictive of them.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, US(CDC) reported that as of Monday, April 27th, 2009, 40 human cases of this virus infection have been identified in the United States with 28 from New York and 7 from California. CDC is working very closely with officials in states where human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) have been identified, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. This includes the deployment of CDC personnel to aid epidemiological efforts in California and Texas and to support Mexico's Ministry of Health.
This time around, government around the world are taking pro-active steps to prevent a full blown outbreak.
So, just as in previous epidemics, we have to be vigilant in keeping to good hygiene habits.The CDC has issued the following advice (with Italics my own): 'Wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Eat nutritious, clean and well prepared foods and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid cold food and dubiously prepared hawker food. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active and manage your stress levels. Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick '.(Tough luck if you work in a hospital).
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Legal Crime Busters
The depressed economic situation certainly takes a toll on the people.Desperate conditions are fertile grounds for the seeds of crime to flourish. Shoplifting and robberies at knife point are no longer the purview of drug addicts.
It was reported in the Daily Mail, Great Britain that due to the high unemployment and hard economic times,crime rates in Britain has increased significantly.House burglaries went up by 4% in the final quarter of 2008.It was also reported that 4,283 burglaries were made at knife point every 30 minutes, up by 5% from the previous quarter.Personal thefts jumped by 25%. Personal thefts include pickpocketing when the victims were unaware that they were being robbed. Often no force is used.
Closer to home, the Star reported yesterday, that the Police started a crime blitz in Kuala Lumpur last week and will extend operations to Selangor, Penang, Perak and Johore this week. (Maybe because of this, we were caught in a police road block on Monday along the MRR2 near Kepong for nearly an hour ).
It seems that the Police will conduct crime deterrent patrols round the clock to catch criminals at work and also to drive away bad hats.The Immigration and Road Transport Departments will also be roped in to catch illegal immigrants,Mat Rempits ( illegal motorbike racers)as well as overloaded lorries.
I guess we have to bear with the inconvenience as it is for our common good in a long run.A safe city is conducive for business. We can sleep better knowing our neighbourhoods are safe too.
We can also prevent petty theft by being more vigilant.Make sure we don't open our wallets and purses and count our cash in public.We must also take good care that our personal bank account particulars do not fall into the wrong hands. Our Credit Cards,Cash ATM Cards, prepaid cards and all personal documents should be kept close to our chest, so to speak.It is better to be safe than sorry.
It was reported in the Daily Mail, Great Britain that due to the high unemployment and hard economic times,crime rates in Britain has increased significantly.House burglaries went up by 4% in the final quarter of 2008.It was also reported that 4,283 burglaries were made at knife point every 30 minutes, up by 5% from the previous quarter.Personal thefts jumped by 25%. Personal thefts include pickpocketing when the victims were unaware that they were being robbed. Often no force is used.
Closer to home, the Star reported yesterday, that the Police started a crime blitz in Kuala Lumpur last week and will extend operations to Selangor, Penang, Perak and Johore this week. (Maybe because of this, we were caught in a police road block on Monday along the MRR2 near Kepong for nearly an hour ).
It seems that the Police will conduct crime deterrent patrols round the clock to catch criminals at work and also to drive away bad hats.The Immigration and Road Transport Departments will also be roped in to catch illegal immigrants,Mat Rempits ( illegal motorbike racers)as well as overloaded lorries.
I guess we have to bear with the inconvenience as it is for our common good in a long run.A safe city is conducive for business. We can sleep better knowing our neighbourhoods are safe too.
We can also prevent petty theft by being more vigilant.Make sure we don't open our wallets and purses and count our cash in public.We must also take good care that our personal bank account particulars do not fall into the wrong hands. Our Credit Cards,Cash ATM Cards, prepaid cards and all personal documents should be kept close to our chest, so to speak.It is better to be safe than sorry.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Cheating Cabbies
http://www.mmail.com.my/content/use-meter-rm6-use-coupon-rm18
Check out the latest scam exposed by the Malay Mail.
Personally I'd rather walk than take a cab in Kuala Lumpur or Petaling Jaya.The last time I took a cab,the driver told me that he was from KL and didn't know PJ roads.At first I wanted to go to the nearest LRT station in PJ but changed my mind when the taxi driver said he was from KL, and asked him to take me to the nearest LRT in KL instead.Because it was a Saturday and the roads were jammed, I ended up paying three times more.
I remember reading in the papers how the cabbie would click on a hidden button to speed up the meter.My heart would jump every time the meter tripped.You see, it tripped at every lamp post which was not even 50m apart.
Often I take a cab because I have no other choice.
I do not know whether it is the system or the cabbies themselves who paint a bad image of Malaysian taxis.Even with the 'Welcome and Please Enter" sign on their taxis, passengers are often denied access into the taxis for 'the roads leading to the destination is jammed','it is my lunch break', or 'the taxi don't go that way' excuses.
I am still waiting for the day when catching a taxi in Malaysia is like taking a cab in Singapore or London.Not the fares,of course. Just the courtesy and the confidence that you won't be fleeced.Maybe, it is like waiting for the cat to grow horns, quoting a Malay proverb.Not in this lifetime, perhaps.
Check out the latest scam exposed by the Malay Mail.
Personally I'd rather walk than take a cab in Kuala Lumpur or Petaling Jaya.The last time I took a cab,the driver told me that he was from KL and didn't know PJ roads.At first I wanted to go to the nearest LRT station in PJ but changed my mind when the taxi driver said he was from KL, and asked him to take me to the nearest LRT in KL instead.Because it was a Saturday and the roads were jammed, I ended up paying three times more.
I remember reading in the papers how the cabbie would click on a hidden button to speed up the meter.My heart would jump every time the meter tripped.You see, it tripped at every lamp post which was not even 50m apart.
Often I take a cab because I have no other choice.
I do not know whether it is the system or the cabbies themselves who paint a bad image of Malaysian taxis.Even with the 'Welcome and Please Enter" sign on their taxis, passengers are often denied access into the taxis for 'the roads leading to the destination is jammed','it is my lunch break', or 'the taxi don't go that way' excuses.
I am still waiting for the day when catching a taxi in Malaysia is like taking a cab in Singapore or London.Not the fares,of course. Just the courtesy and the confidence that you won't be fleeced.Maybe, it is like waiting for the cat to grow horns, quoting a Malay proverb.Not in this lifetime, perhaps.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Asian Stimuli Packages
Everyone was eager to see the outcome of the Asean+3 summit in Pattaya, Thailand last weekend but it was not to be. (Asean + 3 are the 10 South Sea Asian countries plus China, Korea and Japan). The Thaksin's (the former Thai Prime Minister) supporters created a mayhem and caused the Asian leaders to evacuate from Pattaya. The Malaysian Prime Minister on his debut summit as PM had to take the flight home too.
The protesters succeeded what their counterparts in London failed to do at the G20 Summit earlier this month. Now what will happen to Thailand? All the intending tourists will seek alternative vacation places and the Thai economy will surely not see a quick recovery soon.
Prior to the failed Summit, I learned that consumers in Asia saves more than they spend. For Japan, being the largest economy in Asia and second in the world, its private spending in 2007 was US$2 trillion, followed by China, a miserly US$1 trillion.Compared to US$10 trillion and US$9 trillion for the US and Euro countries respectively.My, my,my the Americans and Europeans sure are big spenders!When they go broke, the whole world suffers. Asking the Chinese with their over 1.3 billion people to increase their private spending could not offset the loss in spending from the Westerners.
Looking in another way, the Asians have perfected their economy by depending on their exports.Asia became prosperous by selling to the West. The export-drive model is no longer useful. Now, Asia has to look inwards to stimulate their economy, hence the need of the Asean+3 Summit in Thailand. All countries have come out with their own stimulus packages to boost their domestic economy as stability would depend on a strong domestic market. And the Asean+3 countries need to forge for greater regional cooperation to ensure that their stimuli would succeed.
However, Asia's recovery would not succeed if Europe and the US do not put their act together courageously, to synchronise their packages to stimulate and stop the global economy from slipping into a deeper recession.
The protesters succeeded what their counterparts in London failed to do at the G20 Summit earlier this month. Now what will happen to Thailand? All the intending tourists will seek alternative vacation places and the Thai economy will surely not see a quick recovery soon.
Prior to the failed Summit, I learned that consumers in Asia saves more than they spend. For Japan, being the largest economy in Asia and second in the world, its private spending in 2007 was US$2 trillion, followed by China, a miserly US$1 trillion.Compared to US$10 trillion and US$9 trillion for the US and Euro countries respectively.My, my,my the Americans and Europeans sure are big spenders!When they go broke, the whole world suffers. Asking the Chinese with their over 1.3 billion people to increase their private spending could not offset the loss in spending from the Westerners.
Looking in another way, the Asians have perfected their economy by depending on their exports.Asia became prosperous by selling to the West. The export-drive model is no longer useful. Now, Asia has to look inwards to stimulate their economy, hence the need of the Asean+3 Summit in Thailand. All countries have come out with their own stimulus packages to boost their domestic economy as stability would depend on a strong domestic market. And the Asean+3 countries need to forge for greater regional cooperation to ensure that their stimuli would succeed.
However, Asia's recovery would not succeed if Europe and the US do not put their act together courageously, to synchronise their packages to stimulate and stop the global economy from slipping into a deeper recession.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Grand G20 Recovery Plan
I watched with interest Gordon Brown's speech followed by Barack Obama's speech at the G20 press conference a few days ago.
The British PM did not have a Q&A session but Obama was very accommodating. As this was his first official trip to Europe, he wanted to create a good impression that his administration is willing to listen and work with the rest of the world unlike his predecessor who was very kiasu.
The 20 richest nations on Earth were there to dole out a $5trillion fiscal stimulus package to bring the world out of the current economic downturn. They promise to help poorer countries through the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. No specific details were drawn out. In fact the leaders will meet again in New York in the autumn to finalise finer details.
Generally, the plan was to restore confidence, and create more jobs through a radical change to the rules of capitalism. The IMF and World Bank will be restructured to open up credit lines.
The leaders believed that the ailing banks must be bailed out. They will do what Malaysia did by creating Danaharta to which all bad assets are transferred out from the Banks. The NPL(non-performing loans) are termed toxic assets(Everyone wants to use green terminology these days!) and toxic assets must be detox from the Banks in order for their health to be restored.
Internationl financial institutions would be reformed and additional funds would be injected. This would go to fund emerging markets and poor economies.
Even in the U.S., winning the approval of Congress – with its historic aversion to international institutions – could be difficult.
But, alas, no one can predict confidently when the economy will pick up.
The British PM did not have a Q&A session but Obama was very accommodating. As this was his first official trip to Europe, he wanted to create a good impression that his administration is willing to listen and work with the rest of the world unlike his predecessor who was very kiasu.
The 20 richest nations on Earth were there to dole out a $5trillion fiscal stimulus package to bring the world out of the current economic downturn. They promise to help poorer countries through the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. No specific details were drawn out. In fact the leaders will meet again in New York in the autumn to finalise finer details.
Generally, the plan was to restore confidence, and create more jobs through a radical change to the rules of capitalism. The IMF and World Bank will be restructured to open up credit lines.
The leaders believed that the ailing banks must be bailed out. They will do what Malaysia did by creating Danaharta to which all bad assets are transferred out from the Banks. The NPL(non-performing loans) are termed toxic assets(Everyone wants to use green terminology these days!) and toxic assets must be detox from the Banks in order for their health to be restored.
No direct measures were proposed as the G20 wanted the task of detoxing the banks to individual countries.
All nations are to conform to universal laws and /or change national laws in order to strengthen the banking and financial systems and rebuild trust. They would have to regulate and tighten loop holes that led to the collapse of the banking and securities structures.Internationl financial institutions would be reformed and additional funds would be injected. This would go to fund emerging markets and poor economies.
A reorganization of the IMF will see countries such as China getting some say in decisions.
The G20 is putting forward $250billion to promote global trade and has pledged to avoid protectionism.
Leaders are promising to ensure that public spending projects are focused on green sustainable investment and are offering $50billion of help to poor states such as Africa to alleviate poverty. This coincidently is the 'Enrich Thy Neighbour' concept practised by Asean countries taken from our former Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir's idea. Previously, the rich countries would advocate the 'Beggar Thy Neighbour' concept because by doing so, they will be dependent on the rich nations which in turn will 'enslave' them after giving Foreign Aid. The rich nations then continue to exert their power over the poor nations.
The euphoria over the G20 communique, however was shortlived.
People were wary that individual parliaments will not ratify the IMF and World Bank reform in due time. They were also uncertain as who will be the watchdog to oversee compliance.
Even in the U.S., winning the approval of Congress – with its historic aversion to international institutions – could be difficult.
A financial stability board could be set up to oversee the world financial system, and a crackdown on tax havens is planned.
Personally, I need the world situation to heal quickly so that trade can be up and about. All projects can get the green light to proceed. Malaysian companies will get to export again and people who lost their jobs will work again. Crime rates will diminish when the economy is good.But, alas, no one can predict confidently when the economy will pick up.
However, the symbolism of 20 nations coming together to lend their support to radical international action was indeed a good psychological booster. Meanwhile, we wait impatiently for the measures to take shape.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Bloody Siege at the Bank Of England
Watching the news on BBC and CNN earlier today gave me the shivers as our local media only give one sided reports of street demonstrations if it happens in Malaysia, and always play down what actually happens.
Blood spills in the streets of London today as US President Obama had tea with the Queen. Earlier he was at Downing Street having breakfast with PM Gordon Brown.
The mob had converged at the Bank of England and branches of the Royal Bank of Scotland earlier after emerging from the Underground.At first it was like a carnival but when people get drunk and high on drugs, bad things follow.The intense situation turned ugly and as the crowd got bigger, the people shoved and pushed. Their anger were directed at the Banks for bringing the economy to the brink of collapse. Some were frustrated and had lost their jobs.
Meanwhile the G20 summit starting tomorrow must be seen to agree on solutions to the world's messy economic situation. The last crisis in 1997 originated in Asia and stayed in Asia, but this year's crisis was caused by unscrupulous, greedy, corrupt and imprudent bankers and business leaders in America and Britain. The result of their ills easily spread to the whole world.
Meanwhile, Malaysians are not feeling the impact of the world economic chaos yet even though there are lay-offs at Dell, Intel and other manufacturing concerns as exports dwindles. Malaysians are still caught in the political turmoil caused after the General Elections in March last year. With the eyes focused on 3 bi-elections come 7th April and a new Prime Minister, Malaysians have not really come to terms with the realities of the economic downturn, let alone unite to brace themselves to face the situation with the right, honest and incorruptible strategies.
Blood spills in the streets of London today as US President Obama had tea with the Queen. Earlier he was at Downing Street having breakfast with PM Gordon Brown.The mob had converged at the Bank of England and branches of the Royal Bank of Scotland earlier after emerging from the Underground.At first it was like a carnival but when people get drunk and high on drugs, bad things follow.The intense situation turned ugly and as the crowd got bigger, the people shoved and pushed. Their anger were directed at the Banks for bringing the economy to the brink of collapse. Some were frustrated and had lost their jobs.
Meanwhile the G20 summit starting tomorrow must be seen to agree on solutions to the world's messy economic situation. The last crisis in 1997 originated in Asia and stayed in Asia, but this year's crisis was caused by unscrupulous, greedy, corrupt and imprudent bankers and business leaders in America and Britain. The result of their ills easily spread to the whole world.
Meanwhile, Malaysians are not feeling the impact of the world economic chaos yet even though there are lay-offs at Dell, Intel and other manufacturing concerns as exports dwindles. Malaysians are still caught in the political turmoil caused after the General Elections in March last year. With the eyes focused on 3 bi-elections come 7th April and a new Prime Minister, Malaysians have not really come to terms with the realities of the economic downturn, let alone unite to brace themselves to face the situation with the right, honest and incorruptible strategies.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
