Mental Poverty

Haven't been blogging for... a while. busy. well not THAT busy but haven't the opportunity to sit down and type.

Seems to me the GE is coming up. Public servants got a pay rise, cops and the army, suddenly a rush to finish the 9th Malaysian Plan projects, promises of development, the sorts. Lots and lots of ceremonies here and there, charity give aways, programs by uni kids, minnows caught for corruption as token sacrifices to please the public. Ah, Eric Chia was cut loose! Lucky him. So the question is, WHO embezzled the RM 76m? Case closed just like that. Thats the Malaysian Judiciary system for you. The past decade we've become the laughing stock of the world... shouting democracy, transparency. All posers.

The Altantuya case was fun to follow. The script was written even before Altantuya was blown up. Again another show of the system's incompetence, involvement of executive power and a mockery of justice. Even the most unintelligent homo sapien would think of:

1. where did the record of Altantuya's entry went? deleted? by whom?
2. C4 is not a plaything. it involves national security and integrity.
3. UTK's were involved, showing mis usage of the law enforcement.
4. Original defendants claimed of 'third party involvement' leading to withdrawal. No questions asked?
5. Transparency of the presiding judge. Hey, no ones above the law, so they say...
6. USD 500,000... asked by Altantuya... FOR WHAT? No mention whatsoever.
7. Witnesses, some totally a joke. I mean, if a UTK can blow up some one with C4 that easily, theres no reason not to consider the possibility of evidence tampering, blackmailing witnesses are there?

Lets just see what happens. Most probably it'll end up with the scapegoats getting the axe, while the masterminds smile... Same as the Perwaja scandal. As so other numerous scandals involving high ranking officials. In other words, they are invincible. Lets see what happens in the afterlife (for those who believe la).

Mental poverty. This is not really a new issue, but rather a result of government policy back firing. Recently, a few provinces were selected for a research funded by a gov ministry regarding the hard core poor. This supposedly fell under a different gov department's jurisdiction, but hey, the ministry didn't TRUST feedback from that department. See, even among gov bodies theres mistrust.

Can you just imagine, the research staff filling in questionnaires going home to home(list given by erm... not sure, maybe welfare dept or from DO's) with thoughts of meeting half naked under nourished kids, 'reban-like' homes... but finding acceptable houses (moderate size), PLASMA screen TV's, brand new Gen-2's/Wira's!!! Sheesh, even I dont have a plasma screen tv! Hard-core poor my arse!!!

So the question is, who selects these so called hard core poor? Who is responsible of monitoring , training (income generating activities) and giving feedback to the welfare dept? From my understanding, the jurisdiction of the welfare department is so lame and outdated, not integrated and centralized and full of bias.

A welfare officer will request names from JKK, Village Heads, DO's. These people who submit the lists... well... fill up the names with say.... their siblings? aunts? uncles? dua pupu belah mak mentua tuk sedara belah pok? Crazy. See what happens when Malays have an incy wincy bit of power? imagine those with real power. These people who have been accepting financial assistance from the welfare department, become DEPENDANT. They prefer to stay below the minimum wage just to get this welfare assistance. Hina tak hina orang Melayu, pikir sendiri la.

This has been going on for decades and it wont stop easily. Those in related positions would definitely deny, question the methodology of the research (which is hilarious since they have no farking idea what methodology means, and lets just say some Malay MP's are just plain DUMB), debate the issue... and in the end set up a totally dysfunctional board/commission/whatevertheycallit to look in the issue that ceases to function within a year and opinions farted at. Thats Malaysia.

There is (so far) no integrated system or program or policy that executes and monitors development of hard core poor, making them capable of being self sufficient by doing income generating activities. Even Amanah Ikhtiar does giveaways only. Gerakan Daya Wawasan was a flump. The policy was superb, the execution lousy. The related ministry should revive and make improvements. FOR THE PEOPLE. Give assistance, training, funding to the people to become entrepreneurs. Ally with other agencies for marketing and product development. All this while only superficial programs were done. This has to change. No other country is as irresponsible as Malaysia regarding this matter.

Private sectors should be more involved. Take example of Yayasan Bukhari. They too could do with more improvement. All MP's should make a study/research on income generating activities among the poor so customized activities and training could be done to cater villages individually; since most have differing locations, natural resources and specialties. MP's should be transparent in this issue, do not be ashamed or reserved in exposing problems within the community. Then again, MP's rarely visit their constituents. Most are busy securing monetary gain from their positions. Cant blame them, blame those who elect these people.

My personal view, revamp all the relevant authorities. Transparency. Honesty. Sincerity. Just handing out money is not enough. Especially when it becomes bait nearing elections.

Toodles