How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Hands-on perspective

Imagine an oil palm estate sold, awaiting completion of sale. During the expected wait of a few months, seller would even apply fertilizers to the palm trees with a view of harvesting every 2 weeks. The attractive price of fresh fruit bunch meant close supervision during harvest because once the fruits have been cut, even motorcyclists are tempted to steal one bunch at a time which is valued at Rm20-30 each. It is therefore important that owner has someone to ensure the fruits are all transported to the harvester's store to be weighed and a receipt given.

Close to completion date, the purchaser of the estate questioned the seller's representative, 'Why after selling the land, you are not willing to give up on the fruits even for the last few days?'

Now, the question should be directed back to him as, 'Why, if it is not of value, are you particular about those fruits?' Further to that could be another good question, 'Why do you think we continue applying fertilizers after signing the S&P Agreement if not for the harvest?'

It is important to note that if the last harvest was done on the day which coincides with the completion date, then the new owner would have to wait for another fortnight before the fruits can be harvested.

It all has to do with the value involved and whether it is worth the trouble. An absentee owner would not have bothered with applying more fertilizers after signing off, and forget about getting back anything while waiting for completion.

The moral of this story is that by extension, we can imagine the responsibilities of those in charge of giant plantations like Sime Darby and Felda. There are so many avenues for leakages involving purchase and delivery of fertilizers and weed-killers, harvesting, road maintenance and so on. Then there are purchases or sales of land which even commissions (overtly or covertly) can be substantial. If the officers are corrupt, then deals can be arranged to be favourable to the outside party at the expense of the company!

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