The Devil is in the Details

We have recently read much about various problems in GLCs like Proton and MAS and the controversy regarding APs and also how the Customs allowed the tax structure of car imports to favor types like SUVs to undermine the sales of passenger cars.

We have also seen people ranting about the renewal of the NEP that has failed to eradicate poverty in that we still have tens of thousands of fishermen, farmers and petty traders all struggling to make end meet in a period of escalating price increases.

Perhaps the Information Minister after having spent so much energy and resources planning the usual flag-waving euphoria, can now spend some time providing much needed information on the criteria needed to qualify for programs to help eradicate poverty.

For example:

Is there any official publicized guideline on the means test to qualify for government assistance?
Once an applicant qualifies, is there any follow-up of what programs the family can be assisted by such as

 Schooling grants
 Low cost rental housing
 Small business schemes
 Health programs
 Welfare assistance

If such a scheme exists, are there any published data on how many families have been assisted under such schemes?
We appear to have many appeals for charity in the newspapers so it seems that the government does very little to help the real poor.

There appears to be a veil of secrecy on what happens to all the taxes collected by the government. No doubt the budget provides the breakdown, but the details on who gets assistance like scholarships is scarce.
For example, under allocations to help poor students, we may find that the wealthy or connected may have got most of the aid.

As for Proton and MAS, it is important that political leaders do not exploit these investments for personal gain or influence. Any CEO appointed should be given the authority and responsibility to run these companies as a commercial entity.

Perhaps Malaysia will progress more if the Official Secrets Act is subjugated by the Freedom of Information Act where ALL government matters, except perhaps security are available to the public after say 15 years.

That will be a definite check on any hanky panky that has been going on. We should also not penalize government officials who report crimes by their superiors.







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