How Many Ministers Does it Take to Change a Light-bulb?

I am sure many of you have heard a variation of this joke. Please put in your own inflated number...

On the Mykad charge of RM10 I think it is a reasonable amount but for many poor people even RM5 is too much.

Some will argue that ample time was given but many Malaysians are recalcitrant and will always wait till the last minute.

It seems that the minister in charge of the NRD cannot make long term plans and even simple decisions like the charge have to be made at the Cabinet level. With dozens of minor decisions like these being made at the Cabinet meetings, it seems that the more important strategic and long-term plans are not been discussed.

One gets the impression that the Cabinet must make all the decisions. No wonder many top civil servants don't bother about their duties – the minister will always cover for their ineptitude.

I had quite a good experience with the renewal of Mykad; with special treatment accorded to “orang tua”.
The staff coped very well even with the madness of the last minute applicants. As one citizen observed, the NRD could have been more proactive and provided full information on the changes after 31st December 2005. This could have prevented high stress levels for both staff and applicants.

Even the present regulations do not address the matter fully and comprehensively. For example,

All Mykad applicants except those reaching the age of 12 have to pay a processing fee of RM10
This processing fee will increase to RM15 in 2007 and subject to annual review thereafter.

One convenience that will make life easier for Malaysians is an appointment booking system that charges perhaps RM1 for each appointment. This will cater for perhaps 80% of the capacity with the remaining 15% free for walk-ins and 5% could be allocated to urgent case applicants who pay perhaps RM5 extra.

I am sure many will be prepared to pay for the convenience of an appointment rather then go through the hassle of taking leave, paying tolls and parking charges and then find the numbers have run out.

Surely we have some bright sparks in the government departments who can work out such a system? This system would also be used for passport applications.