Erti Kemerdekaan

PUISI PATRIOTIK 2000

ERTI KEMERDEKAAN

Dan jatuhnya hanya beberapa hari
lalu terbelenggu 400 tahun
suatu tempoh yang amat payah dan panjang
pengabdian dan kehilangan yakin diri
43 tahun kita berdiri menebus maruah
merdeka mentafsir diri sendiri dan bangga pada apa yang ada
masih mahukan harga itu diperjudikan?


Kita tidak akan mempertaruhkan nasib itu
di tangan kita masih panas
keringat, tulang belulang dan tenaga fikir
menghayun langkah membina wawasan
waspada harimau di matahari terbenam
tidak akan hilang belangnya
mengisytiharkan dirinya yam tuan tunggal sejagat
yang lemah longlai
yang gagah gergasi
akan meruntuhkan segala sempadan rimba
atas nama membina perkampungan dunia
mahukah kita biarkan
mereka menginjak-injak dan menghancurkan taman kecil permai ini?

Rimba tanpa sempadan
atas nama “kebaikan” menyelinap menusuk matafikir
hidupan dunia ketiga terpaku takjub dengan slogan
‘kasih alam
ketelusan hukum
keadilan timbangan
kesatuan warga dunia
kebebasan mutlak’
lalu beraraklah anak-anak bumi ini meraikan kesatuan alam
dengan sorak sorai
‘runtuhkan sempadan!
runtuhkan sempadan!
runtuhkan korupsi
runtuhkan kolisi’

dan di belakang mereka tidak melihat
bayang-bayang belenggu halimunan
yang lebih ganas daripada segala yang ganas
kita pun akan kehilangan harga dan erti diri
mengapa diundang mereka
dan mereka tiba-tiba berada di depan pintu rumah kita?
Kita telah bangun dengan segala kepayahan
membuka belantara dan mempertahankan warisan
kita tafsir merdeka mengikut acuan sendiri
merdeka kita dengan fikiran
dan kita pertahankannya dengan fikiran
dunia sudah melihat kita
dunia sudah menghormati kita
Timur dan Selatan mengharapkan kita
mereka datang berbondong-bondong mencari bumi ini
perlindungan dan erti hidup
mengapa kita sendiri masih belum mahu melihat
dengan tangan masih terbelenggu ke belakang
dan hanya sesekali menjulangnya
mengikut rentak genderang dunia matahari terbenam?
Bijak pandai pernah berpesan
‘mereka yang tidak belajar dari sejarah mereka didera
dengan mengulangi kesalahan-kesalahan mereka berkali-kali’
sejarah mengajar kita betapa kukuh sesuatu bangsa
akan tetap kecundang bila ditikam dari belakang
mengapa kita mula halalkan sejarah hitam berulang?

Nasib kita genggam
dengan tangan sendiri dan segala kudrat kurniaan
kita jalin kekuatan sulaman kasih bangsa
kita didihkan dia dengan tradisi semangat juang
maruah bangsa kita julang ke mercu alam
kita bangunkan suatu tamadun cinta damai
di sini kita ajar anak-anak kita erti sayang
di sini kita tawarkan dunia menaja kemanusiaan
dan bukan alat peperangan
dunia belajar erti merdeka sejati
mempelajari dan menerima segala perbezaan
merdeka menafsir hidup tanpa paksaan kuasa

Di sini kita yakin segalanya boleh
Di sini kita yakin segalanya boleh
Itulah erti kemerdekaan

Perjuangan ini mesti diteruskan.

DR. MAHATHIR MOHAMAD

Part-Time Work Regulations To Take Effect From Oct 1

Starting Oct 1, the government will enforce the Part-Time Work Regulations under the Employment Act 1955, which will ensure certain benefits to part-time workers.

Human Resource Minister Datuk Dr S.Subramaniam said the new regulations which were gazetted recently, were aimed at ensuring that the rights and protection for part-time workers in terms of employment were clearer and comprehensive.

The regulations comprised, among others, the formula to determine salary as well as contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Social Security Organisation (Socso), he told reporters after opening the ministry's Meet-the-Customers Day here Monday.

Subramaniam said the new regulations would benefit about 6.5 million latent workforce in the country who were willing to work part-time, including housewives, single mothers, retirees, people with disabilities and students.

He said the regulations were approved to help employers hire part-time workers, besides encouraging them to give priority to local workers.

Subramaniam also said the new regulations could prevent any disputes between the employer and the workers pertaining to part-time work.

Hence, he hoped that housewives, especially those with tertiary education, would benefit from the government's move to enforce the regulations.

Civil servants could also benefit from the regulations, especially if they wished to do a part-time job after their official working hours, he added.

-- Aug 16 (Bernama)

MEF Tells SOCSO To Control Costs, Not Seek More Money

The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) today told the Human Resources Ministry to rein in the national social security agency’s ballooning operating costs and review its investments instead of raising the contribution rate.

Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Maznah Mazlan recently proposed for an increase in Social Security Organisation’s (Socso) rates due to growing expenses in recent years, claiming it had not revised its rates — 1.75 per cent for employers and 0.5 per cent for employees earning below a minimum of RM3,000 — since its inception in 1971.

“The administrators of Socso should control and reduce the costs of managing Socso instead of increasing its rate of contribution,” said MEF executive director Hj Shamsuddin Bardan in a statement today.

“Socso should explain to the stakeholders about the cost of managing the fund, particularly the percentage of annual collection that is used for administrative expenses,” added Shamsuddin.

He also said that Maznah made a mistake in claiming there was no revision in Socso rates for the past three decades and said that the scope of coverage for compulsory contribution was raised from RM2,000 to RM3,000 in 2007.

The MEF executive director pointed out that the extension of coverage had significantly expanded the pool of contributors to include all employees in Malaysia based on the principle “once in, always in”.

“Socso should share with the public on how it manages the funds on behalf of the employers and employees,” said Shamsuddin, adding that stakeholders were not given much information on its operation and administrative expenses.

Last year, Socso received a total of RM1.8 billion from employers and workers. However, it paid out RM1.3 billion in compensation and pensions to 58,600 workers or their next of kin.

Shamsuddin also slammed Socso for making failed investments in buildings throughout the country, noting that most of the organisation’s buildings were vacant.

“Socso should concentrate on its core business of providing social insurance instead of building more offices,” he said.

Socso was established in 1971 under the Human Resources Ministry to implement and administer the social security schemes under the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4), which is the Employment Injury Insurance Scheme and the Invalidity Pension Scheme.

Under this scheme, workers are protected against industrial accidents including accidents that occur while working, occupational diseases, invalidity or death due to any cause

The Malaysia Insider: August 19, 2010

Implementing a minimum wage policy

A look at the pros and cons of raising the standard of living.

MORE money in the pocket for low-income workers – that’s one of the main ideas driving the implementation of a minimum wage policy for Malaysia.

That way, proponents of such a policy argue, many households in the country can be kept out of poverty, and to a certain extent, be protected from possible exploitation by their employers.

Recent statistics provided by the Ministry of Human Resources have already revealed a shocking truth to many Malaysians.

Based on the National Employment Return study conducted last year, there were as many as 1.3 million workers, or 34% of the total workforce, in the country earning less than RM700 a month. And that’s below the national poverty line of RM720 per month!

One economist calls that a pathetic state of affair, which should be eradicated from a country with a high-income ambition.

But the question is, is minimum wage a policy – where employers are required by law to pay their workers at least a certain amount of money for the work they do – the answer?

As far as the Government and labour unions are concerned, it certainly is. Many economists, too, are thinking along the same line (with caveats, though), but there are also others, including the Malaysian Employers Federation, holding a different view.

In a poll organised by the Ministry of Human Resources through its blog to gauge the public’s opinion, 64% of the 547 participants are found to be in favour of a minimum wage policy for the country.

That’s not surprising, as a minimum wage policy tends to have a strong social appeal because of its noble intention of safeguarding the interests of the lower-income group that comprises factory operators, bus drivers, postmen and plantation workers.

According to Human Resource Minister Datuk Dr S Subramaniam early this month, the proposal for a national minimum wage would be tabled to the Cabinet by October.

He said the Government was agreeable to raising the wage levels in the country, especially in view of the rising cost of living.

Some economists welcome that stance.

“The time has come for a minimum wage policy to be implemented in Malaysia,” opines Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, chairman of ASLI Centre for Public Policy Studies.

“It’s a good measure that is in line with the New Economic Model to help restructure the country’s economy to move it up the value chain,” he argues.

Prof Tan Eu Chye of Universiti Malaya’s Faculty of Economics and Administration puts it as such: “Having a high per capita income would become more meaningful for a country when its workers receive higher wages, rather than having so many of them living in poverty”.

Proponents of minimum wage like to think that such a policy would encourage more locals, particularly the under-employed, to enter the job market and to be more willing to take up menial jobs.

This way, they believe, more foreign unskilled workers will be displaced and this will ultimately help reduce the country’s import for such labour.

The continuous influx of foreign cheap and unskilled labour over the years has its negative impact on the local economy. For one, the phenomenon has been one of the major factors stifling salary increments of many Malaysians.

According to the World Bank, the average annual salary increment in Malaysia for the last 10 years is only about 2.6%, even though the cost of living in the country has been increasing by 10% to 15% during those years.

So, there is an urgency for the country to reduce the number of foreign unskilled workers that have been driving the growth of low-value add and labour-intensive industries, particularly the manufacturing sector, in the country.

Such industries are what the country needs to abandon now to become more advanced, and some economists believe a minimum wage policy can be a useful tool, as it helps stem the inflow of cheap unskilled foreign labour.

The consensus, nevertheless, is that a minimum wage policy has to be accompanied by a corresponding improvement in productivity; otherwise, a minimum wage policy will do more harm than good for the economy in the long run.

For instance, without any improvement in productivity, a higher level of pay to workers as required by the minimum wage policy will only translate into higher costs for businesses.

And that will not only dampen the country’s competitiveness, but will also cause the cost of living to escalate further.

There are several arguments on the effects of minimum wage on the country’s level of productivity.

Some economists think that a minimum wage can motivate people to work harder to avoid being retrenched (as companies become more wary of their costs of hiring workers when the policy is in place), and this will increase a company’s productivity level.

In addition, some economists also think that a minimum wage policy will encourage companies to resort to automation, which can also help improve productivity.

This, however, strengthens sceptics’ belief that a minimum wage policy could possibly lead to higher unemployment.

For instance, Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Shamsuddin Bardan recently pointed out that companies could resort to retrenching their workers if they were to be legally compelled to pay their workers more than what they were willing to.

He also did not believe that a minimum wage system would have any positive effect on productivity levels.

Based on his observations of the experiences of other countries, Malaysian Rating Corp chief economist Nor Zahidi Alias, explains: “Minimum wages often come with a common side-effect – rising unemployment among the poor, the very group which we intend to help. This is understandable, as the higher cost of employees tend to make employers do one basic thing – fire those they can do without”.

Timing is crucial, Zahidi argues.

During a high-growth period, rising wages due to the imposition of minimum wage will not deter businesses from hiring, or encourage them to retrench, he explains.

“However, during a period when an economy is struggling to sustain its momentum (as it is now, when most economies are still struggling to recover from last year’s recession) due to volatility of global economic conditions, the imposition of minimum wage will likely make businesses extra cautious, leading to a cutback in the number of workers,” Zahidi opines.

Obviously, there is no one size fits all, no perfect system. But what’s essential, as most economists say, the minimum wage system for Malaysia has to be adapted according to the country’s environment, culture and work ethics.

The Government has to carry out a survey to find out which area requires minimum wage to attract and retain good workers, they say, adding that different industries and geographical locations will require different kind of treatments.

By CECILIA KOK
cecilia_kok@thestar.com.my

News: Maids from Timor Leste an option for Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 22, 2010): Recruitment of domestic maids from Timor Leste is one of the options available to the government, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam.

"That is one of the options which we are keeping...we did discuss (that) but we did not make (any) decision on this," Dr Subramaniam told Bernama today.

He was replying to a question whether Malaysia would consider recruitment of maids from Indonesia's neighbouring country Timor Leste, in view of the ongoing freeze imposed on the supply of the maids from the republic in June, last year.

Subramaniam, who is also MIC vice-president, said this after attending the 'kumbhabhishekam' or consecration ceremony of the 127-year-old Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Bandar here today.

Also present were party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, party officials and community leaders.

Subramaniam said currently, the focus was on countries which could send maids to Malaysia, like Cambodia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

He said the number of maids from Cambodia had increased from 9,000 to over 30,000 in the last three or four months.

"So, we are looking along that model before considering other countries," he said.

On the issue of Indonesian maids, Subramaniam said that Malaysian and Indonesian representatives would meet in Jakarta tomorrow.

Indonesia had frozen the supply of maids to Malaysia in June last year.

Recently, Malaysia had rejected an Indonesian request for a RM800 monthly minimum wage for its domestic maids because it did not have a minimum wage structure.

Subramaniam had said that this was one of the main reasons why the memorandum of understanding between Malaysia and Indonesia could not be signed.

Meanwhile, about 50,000 people, including foreign tourists, thronged the temple bordering Chinatown, to attend its sixth 'kumbhabhishekam'. The first was held in 1889.

A majestic three-tier temple roof, new-look 'Nadarajar Sabhai' and the grand temple frontier pillars were among the attractions unveiled at the 'kumbhabhishekam'.

Founded in 1873, and built in the South Indian style, the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is the oldest functioning Hindu temple in Malaysia.

A 'kumbhabhishekam' is a series of rites and rituals held either to formally consecrate a new temple, or re-consecrate an old one, usually every 12 years. -- Bernama

Source: The Sun http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=50949

Unpaid workers issue just the tip of the iceberg

By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ and BAVANI M

PETALING JAYA: Cases of Indonesian construction workers not getting their salary occur in many Malaysian project sites, said Indonesian embassy official.

Information, social and cultural affair counsellor Widyarka Ryananta said that based on observation and complaints received from workers, many contractors took advantage of the workers, many of whom did not have work permits.

He was commenting on The Star report on June 27 on the plight of the workers at the new Istana Negara construction site in Jalan Duta in Kuala Lumpur where workers claimed they were not paid for three months.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg. It also occurs in many other project sites,” said Widyarka, adding that most workers were helpless as they were illegal.

“They come in as tourists but join the work force.

“Employers keep their passports and exploit them due to their vulnerability,” he said.

Widyarka added that the embassy was working with the Malaysian Government to enable workers to hold on to their passports.

“This is one of the issues that we are planning to include in the next memorandum of understanding between the two countries,” he said.

Widyarka said in many cases, the problem arose when main contractors let out work to sub-contractors who hired foreign workers, resulting in the main contractor not dealing directly with the workers.

“That’s where the problem lies. Main contractors may pay the subs, but who is there to ensure that they pay the workers on time or pay at all?

“Perhaps the main contractors should be responsible enough to see to it that workers are duly paid by their sub-contractors,” Widyarka said.

Source: The Star
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/5/nation/6605872&sec=nation

Providing Service With a Genuine Smile

Seumas Tan Nyap Tek
Advocate & Solicitor

The last few days have been rather hectic for me as I have been visiting a close family friend in the Intensive Care Unit at one of the private hospitals located in the Klang Valley. What really surprised me in the hospital was the positive transformation in its service to the patients and visitors. You may call it “good people skills”.

I remembered some 6 years ago, my son was admitted to the hospital for pneumonia and frankly, I wasn’t impressed with the kind of service that we were getting then. This time it was different. The nurses were friendly and smiling. Every “thank you” said was met with “you are welcome” followed by a sweet smile. It makes a lot of difference when you are in a stressful environment. It calms down the patients and puts them at ease. I also noticed that the nurses actually converse, yes, converse with the patients in a cheerful way. It wasn’t a one line answer or question, it was a genuine conversation! Every question, however trivial it may be, was answered patiently and followed with a smile. Sometimes, the nurses would make small little jokes to get the patients’ spirit up. It reminded me of the movie, “Patch Adams”.

Politeness and cheerfulness were not only expressed by the nurses but it also came from the other hospital staff including the cleaners. What a marvelous and polite workforce that this hospital has in its employment! First impressions are always important and this hospital definitely presented the right one. Hopefully, this wonderful work culture which has arrived will remain in Malaysia.

I remember in 2005, my mother had undergone multiple by-pass surgery coupled with a patching of a hole in the heart at a public hospital in Australia. The doctors were excellent but what was equally important was the after care, especially the emotional support given to the patients. I remembered vividly, it was during the Christmas holidays, no doubt, everyone was in the Christmas mood but some patients knew they were not able to spend Christmas with their families, so the hospital decided to create a Christmas atmosphere by decorating the wards and playing soft Christmas music. The nurses would always come in with smiles on their faces and greetings with “Good morning dearie or sweetie, how are we this morning?” and along those lines. The hospital management knew that in order to get the healing process moving quickly, they needed to create a positive environment with an effective work force. The hospital management spared no effort to do just that, training and motivating the staff to get things moving. You may have the ambience of a nice place but you need good people to create a positive environment. At that time, I was thinking how nice it would be if we have the same work culture here in Malaysia. But now we have it! We have a hospital with its work force trained in “people skills”.

Back to the hospital in the Klang Valley. I managed to speak to one of the nurses about her training and about how impressed I was with the service. She told me that the hospital had no shortage of nurses as it has its own nursing school. Therefore, the training received by the nurses in the hospital is uniform, so to speak. Since everyone has the same type of training, they work very well with each other as they understand each other better and support each other much more effectively. When I asked the nurse about the politeness that I encountered with the “cleaner makcik” earlier, the nurse laughed and said that the management is well aware that the hospital is a service industry and made it a point to train the staff to be courteous at all times. The “cleaner makcik” was taught to say “you are welcome” in English. After spending valuable minutes talking to me, the nurse excused herself to attend to other patients. She gave a genuine sweet smile before leaving, a nice way to end a conversation.

Knowing your industry is important. As a medical service provider (i.e. hospital), healing is the keyword. The healing will come faster if the patient feels comfortable not only physically but emotionally. As a service provider, the hospital will need to have these healing catalysts present – i.e. a positive environment with a polite, courteous and dedicated staff. Just as the old saying goes, “A picture paints a thousand words” whereas here, “a patient’s experience in the hospital will remain for the rest of his or her life”. Therefore, how the hospital treats its patients will reflect on its future business and reputation.

This article is dedicated to Aunty Aini who is recovering in the hospital. Get well, soon!

---

Seumas Tan practices in the area of Employment Law covering issues dealing with human resource matters. He practices under the name and style of Messrs S. Tan & Co. and may be contacted at Seumas@STanLawyers.com.my.