新年回乡期间，这一年一次的“春运”，游子的感触总是特别多，心血来潮之际写下了这首自创的诗，也只有这首诗能传达这些年来所体会到的身边人事的变迁、景物的变化：
去年此时回忆中，人面桃花相映红，
今年今时故地游，杨柳依旧笑迎送；
慨叹时光来去匆，往事如云一场空，
人面不知何处去，桃花依旧笑春风。
唯这世上难寻的是知音，纵然有人看到这首诗，却又有多少个能深切明白其中的道理？
改编自：
唐·崔护《题都城南庄》诗：“去年今日此门中，人面桃花相映红。人面不知何处去，桃花依旧笑春风。”
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
M'sian court rejects overseas vote bid
04:46 AM Jan 07, 2012
KUALA LUMPUR - A court yesterday rejected a bid by several Malaysians to secure voting rights for some one million citizens living abroad in a general election widely expected this year.
Malaysia's High Court ruled that the Election Commission made a "perfectly valid" decision in refusing to register six Malaysians working in the United Kingdom as voters.
Malaysian laws prohibit citizens living abroad from casting ballots, except government workers, military personnel and full-time students.
The six Malaysians took the commission to court last year, alleging the restrictions banning citizens living abroad from voting amounted to discrimination.
The six, who formed a group called "My Overseas Vote", said they wanted to end discrimination against the estimated one million citizens who live and work abroad, of whom 60 per cent are in Asia.
But in its decision yesterday, the court described their attempt as "ludicrous" and warned it bordered on abuse of court process. The six were not immediately available for comment.
Demands for more electoral transparency have spiked over the past year, prompting tens of thousands of Malaysians to stage one of the country's largest street rallies in nearly four years in Kuala Lumpur in July.
Many activists accuse Prime Minister Najib Razak's ruling coalition of manipulating election rules and other laws to remain in power.
The Barisan Nasional has governed since 1957, but complaints about corruption and racial discrimination caused it to win 2008 elections with less than a two-thirds parliamentary majority for only the second time in history.
Mr Najib subsequently announced the overhaul of decades-old security laws and set up a parliamentary panel on reforms to regain public support.
The Election Commission also recently said it would consider extending voting rights to all citizens living abroad, but offered no timeline.
National elections are not due until 2013 but are widely expected to be held this year.
'Yes' to pro-Anwar rally
by Bloomberg
Malaysian police have given supporters of Anwar Ibrahim permission to rally near Kuala Lumpur's High Court on Monday as it delivers a verdict in the opposition leader's sodomy trial.
The organisers must ensure, however, any gathering is held peacefully without disrupting public order and safety, KL police chief Mohmad Salleh said in a statement released via Facebook.
Anwar faces as many as 20 years in prison if found guilty of sodomising a former aide. A conviction may deprive the opposition coalition of a unifying figure ahead of a general election that must be called by June 2013.
Mr Azmin Ali, deputy president of Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat, earlier called for 100,000 supporters to peacefully gather at the court, the New Straits Times reported.
Via: http://www.todayonline.com/World/EDC120107-0000050/Msian-court-rejects-overseas-vote-bid
Activists have stepped up pressure on the Malaysian government for reform
KUALA LUMPUR - A court yesterday rejected a bid by several Malaysians to secure voting rights for some one million citizens living abroad in a general election widely expected this year.
Malaysia's High Court ruled that the Election Commission made a "perfectly valid" decision in refusing to register six Malaysians working in the United Kingdom as voters.
Malaysian laws prohibit citizens living abroad from casting ballots, except government workers, military personnel and full-time students.
The six Malaysians took the commission to court last year, alleging the restrictions banning citizens living abroad from voting amounted to discrimination.
The six, who formed a group called "My Overseas Vote", said they wanted to end discrimination against the estimated one million citizens who live and work abroad, of whom 60 per cent are in Asia.
But in its decision yesterday, the court described their attempt as "ludicrous" and warned it bordered on abuse of court process. The six were not immediately available for comment.
Demands for more electoral transparency have spiked over the past year, prompting tens of thousands of Malaysians to stage one of the country's largest street rallies in nearly four years in Kuala Lumpur in July.
Many activists accuse Prime Minister Najib Razak's ruling coalition of manipulating election rules and other laws to remain in power.
The Barisan Nasional has governed since 1957, but complaints about corruption and racial discrimination caused it to win 2008 elections with less than a two-thirds parliamentary majority for only the second time in history.
Mr Najib subsequently announced the overhaul of decades-old security laws and set up a parliamentary panel on reforms to regain public support.
The Election Commission also recently said it would consider extending voting rights to all citizens living abroad, but offered no timeline.
National elections are not due until 2013 but are widely expected to be held this year.
AP
'Yes' to pro-Anwar rally
by Bloomberg
Malaysian police have given supporters of Anwar Ibrahim permission to rally near Kuala Lumpur's High Court on Monday as it delivers a verdict in the opposition leader's sodomy trial.
The organisers must ensure, however, any gathering is held peacefully without disrupting public order and safety, KL police chief Mohmad Salleh said in a statement released via Facebook.
Anwar faces as many as 20 years in prison if found guilty of sodomising a former aide. A conviction may deprive the opposition coalition of a unifying figure ahead of a general election that must be called by June 2013.
Mr Azmin Ali, deputy president of Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat, earlier called for 100,000 supporters to peacefully gather at the court, the New Straits Times reported.
BLOOMBERG
Via: http://www.todayonline.com/World/EDC120107-0000050/Msian-court-rejects-overseas-vote-bid
Friday, January 6, 2012
Highest-Paid Asian Leaders
Darren Connell and Ansuya Harjani, On Thursday 5 January 2012, 17:23 SGT
Multi-billion dollar corruption in India and a whopping 36 percent cut in the salary for Singapore's Prime Minister have once again raised the question: how much should politicians be paid?
We've tallied up a list of Asia Pacific's highest paid politicians based on figures from a number of publicly available sources including The Economist.
Some of Asia's fastest growing and largest economies, such as India and China, have the lowest salaries for their leaders.
India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for example takes in just $36,200 per year, according to the AFP.
8. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of Indonesia
Annual Salary: $124,000
President Yudhoyono, the leader behind Indonesia's newfound status as Asia's "economic golden child", pulls in $124,000 a year.
This sum amounts to over 25 times the country's GDP per capita, according to The Economist. The leader is working on narrowing the wealth gap in the country by raising the salary of civil servants by 10 percent in 2011.
The former army general is credited with initiating a crackdown on corruption.
7. Lee Myung-bak, President of South Korea
Annual Salary: $162,000
Keeping tensions under control on the Korea peninsula is no easy task.
Lee Myung-bak's annual salary which is set to rise to $162,000 this year, according to the Chosun Ilbo newspaper, from $156,000 in 2011, puts him at 7th place amongst Asia's top paid politicians.
However, Mr. Lee clearly isn't in the job for the money. Shortly after he was elected president, the former CEO of Hyundai Construction & Engineering pledged to donate his full salary to the underprivileged during his five-year term.
He was said to be the richest presidential candidate in South Korea's last election, with personal wealth exceeding 35.3 billion won or $31 million.
6. Ma Ying-jeou, President of Taiwan
Annual Salary: $184,000
Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou rakes in a salary of $184,000 per year.
The Hong Kong-born, U.S.-educated lawyer has played an instrumental role in improving cross-strait relations.
Ma has raised the country's permit quota for Chinese tourists, eased restrictions on Taiwanese investment in China and approved measures to open Taiwan's equity markets to mainland investors.
5. John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand
Annual Salary: $310,000
Fifth on the list is the Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key.
He takes home an annual salary of around $310,000, according to the Wall Street Journal. Impressive for some, but probably not for Mr Key.
Prior to politics, the Kiwi PM amassed a personal fortune of around $40 million, working as a foreign exchange trader with Merrill Lynch, where he earned as much as $2.25 million per annum.
He is now New Zealand's wealthiest Member of Parliament and one of the region's wealthiest leaders.
4. Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister of Japan
Annual Salary: $316,000
Japan's Yoshihiko Noda makes an annual salary of $316,000, according to The Asahi Shimbun newspaper. If you add in the regional allowance of 18 percent, he makes around $384,000 per year.
The rising strength of the Japanese yen has helped boost his earnings in dollar terms.
To put the number into perspective though, it's a mere fraction of the $10.7 million earned by the CEO of Nissan in 2010.
Still, with 6 prime ministers in 5 years, the Japanese leader might not be expecting to be on that salary for very long.
3. Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia
Annual Salary: $495,000
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard just got a significant 31 percent pay hike, taking her salary to $355,000 per year.
The Prime Minister however may have reason to cry poor because shadow ministers are getting pay hikes of 64 percent, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
But with retirement perks including a fully staffed office, unlimited free first class travel and a permanent driver for the rest of her life, the Prime Minister might not complain just now.
2. Donald Tsang, Chief Executive, Hong Kong
Annual Salary: $550,000
The salary of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong would probably be causing a few eyes to roll in Beijing.
Donald Tsang earns around $550,000 a year, according to Reuters. That's roughly 30 times the size of the $18,000 salary earned by Chinese President Hu Jintao.
But the perks of the job haven't come easily for Mr Tsang. He's been working in Hong Kong's public sector since 1967 and some might say no amount of money would be enough to compensate for that.
1. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister, Singapore
Annual Salary: $1.65 million
The Prime Minister of Singapore just took a salary cut of a whopping 36 percent, but he still makes a basic salary of $1.65 million (S$2.2 million).
That makes him far and away the highest paid politician anywhere in the world.
His salary is still 4 times the salary of President Barack Obama, who reportedly makes around $400,000 a year.
But it's not just the Prime Minister in Singapore earning big bucks. The Singapore President, who just had his salary cut by 51 percent, will make $1.2 million a year and new ministers will get salaries of $840,000 after the pay cut.
Via: http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/Highest-Paid-Asian-Leaders-cnbcwp-1335402347.html
Multi-billion dollar corruption in India and a whopping 36 percent cut in the salary for Singapore's Prime Minister have once again raised the question: how much should politicians be paid?
We've tallied up a list of Asia Pacific's highest paid politicians based on figures from a number of publicly available sources including The Economist.
Some of Asia's fastest growing and largest economies, such as India and China, have the lowest salaries for their leaders.
India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for example takes in just $36,200 per year, according to the AFP.
8. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of IndonesiaAnnual Salary: $124,000
President Yudhoyono, the leader behind Indonesia's newfound status as Asia's "economic golden child", pulls in $124,000 a year.
This sum amounts to over 25 times the country's GDP per capita, according to The Economist. The leader is working on narrowing the wealth gap in the country by raising the salary of civil servants by 10 percent in 2011.
The former army general is credited with initiating a crackdown on corruption.
7. Lee Myung-bak, President of South KoreaAnnual Salary: $162,000
Keeping tensions under control on the Korea peninsula is no easy task.
Lee Myung-bak's annual salary which is set to rise to $162,000 this year, according to the Chosun Ilbo newspaper, from $156,000 in 2011, puts him at 7th place amongst Asia's top paid politicians.
However, Mr. Lee clearly isn't in the job for the money. Shortly after he was elected president, the former CEO of Hyundai Construction & Engineering pledged to donate his full salary to the underprivileged during his five-year term.
He was said to be the richest presidential candidate in South Korea's last election, with personal wealth exceeding 35.3 billion won or $31 million.
6. Ma Ying-jeou, President of TaiwanAnnual Salary: $184,000
Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou rakes in a salary of $184,000 per year.
The Hong Kong-born, U.S.-educated lawyer has played an instrumental role in improving cross-strait relations.
Ma has raised the country's permit quota for Chinese tourists, eased restrictions on Taiwanese investment in China and approved measures to open Taiwan's equity markets to mainland investors.
5. John Key, Prime Minister of New ZealandAnnual Salary: $310,000
Fifth on the list is the Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key.
He takes home an annual salary of around $310,000, according to the Wall Street Journal. Impressive for some, but probably not for Mr Key.
Prior to politics, the Kiwi PM amassed a personal fortune of around $40 million, working as a foreign exchange trader with Merrill Lynch, where he earned as much as $2.25 million per annum.
He is now New Zealand's wealthiest Member of Parliament and one of the region's wealthiest leaders.
4. Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister of JapanAnnual Salary: $316,000
Japan's Yoshihiko Noda makes an annual salary of $316,000, according to The Asahi Shimbun newspaper. If you add in the regional allowance of 18 percent, he makes around $384,000 per year.
The rising strength of the Japanese yen has helped boost his earnings in dollar terms.
To put the number into perspective though, it's a mere fraction of the $10.7 million earned by the CEO of Nissan in 2010.
Still, with 6 prime ministers in 5 years, the Japanese leader might not be expecting to be on that salary for very long.
3. Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of AustraliaAnnual Salary: $495,000
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard just got a significant 31 percent pay hike, taking her salary to $355,000 per year.
The Prime Minister however may have reason to cry poor because shadow ministers are getting pay hikes of 64 percent, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
But with retirement perks including a fully staffed office, unlimited free first class travel and a permanent driver for the rest of her life, the Prime Minister might not complain just now.
2. Donald Tsang, Chief Executive, Hong KongAnnual Salary: $550,000
The salary of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong would probably be causing a few eyes to roll in Beijing.
Donald Tsang earns around $550,000 a year, according to Reuters. That's roughly 30 times the size of the $18,000 salary earned by Chinese President Hu Jintao.
But the perks of the job haven't come easily for Mr Tsang. He's been working in Hong Kong's public sector since 1967 and some might say no amount of money would be enough to compensate for that.
1. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister, SingaporeAnnual Salary: $1.65 million
The Prime Minister of Singapore just took a salary cut of a whopping 36 percent, but he still makes a basic salary of $1.65 million (S$2.2 million).
That makes him far and away the highest paid politician anywhere in the world.
His salary is still 4 times the salary of President Barack Obama, who reportedly makes around $400,000 a year.
But it's not just the Prime Minister in Singapore earning big bucks. The Singapore President, who just had his salary cut by 51 percent, will make $1.2 million a year and new ministers will get salaries of $840,000 after the pay cut.
Via: http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/Highest-Paid-Asian-Leaders-cnbcwp-1335402347.html
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
M'sia the 4th most corrupt nation in the world but not a sound from Najib
Friday, 16 December 2011 08:50
Written by Maclean Patrick, Malaysia Chronicle
For the first decade of the new century, Malaysia has lost a staggering RM1.08 trillion (US$338 billion) in illicit outflows which is the fourth highest in the developing world.
In the period 2000-2009, China lost US$2.74 trillion in illicit financial outflows and was the developing country with the largest illicit outflows, according to a country ranking published in the report. Mexico ranked second, with US$504 billion and Russia third with US$501 billion while our closest-ranked regional neighbour is the Philippines, who at 13th place lost US$121 billion.
Illicit outflows can be taken as a benchmark or indication of the scale of corruption. This means Malaysia has the most corrupt set of leaders in Southeast Asia, who are also the 4th most corrupt in the world, stashing the massive amounts of money they plunder overseas.
The Global Financial Integrity (GFI) reported in January that RM930 billion flowed out of Malaysia from 2000 to 2008, growing to RM218 billion per year from an initial RM71 billion in that period. Malaysia lost RM150 billion in illicit outflows in 2009. The report elaborated further by stating that the increase was “at a scaled seen in few Asian countries” and continued added, “The volume of illegal capital flight from Malaysia has come to dwarf legitimate capital inflows into the country in recent years.”
Bribery, theft and kickbacks
The warning bells were sounded as early as January 2011 by the likes of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, who questioned the apathy shown by the government towards the problem of illicit outflow via corruption and tax evasion practices.
Corruption – bribery, theft and kickbacks – accounts for the other half of illicit flows and dominate the Middle East, North Africa and developing Europe, the report said.
The falsification of import/export invoices, known as trade mispricing, accounts for just over half of all illicit financial flows and is particularly prevalent in Asia and the West.
To stem the tide, Bank Negara Governor, Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, tabled the Money Business Services Act in March; an act that has since came into effect on December 1st. The new law supports the development of a more dynamic, competitive and professional money services business industry, while strengthening safeguards against money laundering, terrorist financing and illegal activities, according to Bank Negara.
Half-hearted Act
Yet, the Act seems too little too late, since it is a mere knee-jerk reaction to a decade old problem. After a decade where Malaysia has lost RM1.08 trillion, in-action by the Barisan Nasional government has cost us dearly. This is a governement that has been bleeding money for the longest time and is prime for an economic implosion that would default the country.
With inflation clocking in at 3.4% in September after touching a 27-month high of 3.5 per cent in June, food inflation remains the biggest concern, increasing to 5% year-on-year in September from 4.6 per cent in August. Malaysians are headed for hard times with less value for the ringgit in their pockets as opposed to the cost of living. And what has been the Finance Minister’s response to this?
None.
Not a sound, only grandiose announcements from Najib
Instead, we have had a grandiose announcements to make Malaysia a high income society and the further abuse of public funds to sponsor failed projects such as the NFC, a national cattle livestock project. The sudden rush to have a revision of the public service pay-scheme is a veiled attempt at soliciting more tax money yet at the same time to secure the civil service as the “fixed-deposit” for the upcoming 13th General Election. The arresting measures that were rushed into place have merely been a means to secure an election win, whilst the whole country steams towards default.
The fact that annual illicit outflows from Malaysia has grown from RM71 billion to RM218 billion per year points to the ineffective counter-measures placed by the Finance Ministry and Bank Negara to stem the problem. Put bluntly, the measures failed. Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also the Finance minister, has nothing to show for his time in office, despite having taken over the top job in April 2009.
The silence of the Finance Minister is telling. One cannot help but ask if Najib, the person responsible for the financial health of the nation, is on top of things. Is it a priority of the Finance Minister? Is the Barisan Nasional government working hard at fixing the financial state of the nation?
Such issues concerning Malaysia’s financial state only enforces the notion that Malaysia is truly heading towards default much like Greece, and as forecast by Minister in the PM's Department, Idris Jala, who predicted bankruptcy by 2019 due to inability to service ever growing debt.
Via: http://malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=24650:bribery-theft-and-kickbacks-make-msia-the-4th-most-corrupt-nation-in-the-world&Itemid=2
Written by Maclean Patrick, Malaysia Chronicle
For the first decade of the new century, Malaysia has lost a staggering RM1.08 trillion (US$338 billion) in illicit outflows which is the fourth highest in the developing world.
In the period 2000-2009, China lost US$2.74 trillion in illicit financial outflows and was the developing country with the largest illicit outflows, according to a country ranking published in the report. Mexico ranked second, with US$504 billion and Russia third with US$501 billion while our closest-ranked regional neighbour is the Philippines, who at 13th place lost US$121 billion.
Illicit outflows can be taken as a benchmark or indication of the scale of corruption. This means Malaysia has the most corrupt set of leaders in Southeast Asia, who are also the 4th most corrupt in the world, stashing the massive amounts of money they plunder overseas.
The Global Financial Integrity (GFI) reported in January that RM930 billion flowed out of Malaysia from 2000 to 2008, growing to RM218 billion per year from an initial RM71 billion in that period. Malaysia lost RM150 billion in illicit outflows in 2009. The report elaborated further by stating that the increase was “at a scaled seen in few Asian countries” and continued added, “The volume of illegal capital flight from Malaysia has come to dwarf legitimate capital inflows into the country in recent years.”
Bribery, theft and kickbacks
The warning bells were sounded as early as January 2011 by the likes of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, who questioned the apathy shown by the government towards the problem of illicit outflow via corruption and tax evasion practices.
Corruption – bribery, theft and kickbacks – accounts for the other half of illicit flows and dominate the Middle East, North Africa and developing Europe, the report said.
The falsification of import/export invoices, known as trade mispricing, accounts for just over half of all illicit financial flows and is particularly prevalent in Asia and the West.
To stem the tide, Bank Negara Governor, Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, tabled the Money Business Services Act in March; an act that has since came into effect on December 1st. The new law supports the development of a more dynamic, competitive and professional money services business industry, while strengthening safeguards against money laundering, terrorist financing and illegal activities, according to Bank Negara.
Half-hearted Act
Yet, the Act seems too little too late, since it is a mere knee-jerk reaction to a decade old problem. After a decade where Malaysia has lost RM1.08 trillion, in-action by the Barisan Nasional government has cost us dearly. This is a governement that has been bleeding money for the longest time and is prime for an economic implosion that would default the country.
With inflation clocking in at 3.4% in September after touching a 27-month high of 3.5 per cent in June, food inflation remains the biggest concern, increasing to 5% year-on-year in September from 4.6 per cent in August. Malaysians are headed for hard times with less value for the ringgit in their pockets as opposed to the cost of living. And what has been the Finance Minister’s response to this?
None.
Not a sound, only grandiose announcements from Najib
Instead, we have had a grandiose announcements to make Malaysia a high income society and the further abuse of public funds to sponsor failed projects such as the NFC, a national cattle livestock project. The sudden rush to have a revision of the public service pay-scheme is a veiled attempt at soliciting more tax money yet at the same time to secure the civil service as the “fixed-deposit” for the upcoming 13th General Election. The arresting measures that were rushed into place have merely been a means to secure an election win, whilst the whole country steams towards default.
The fact that annual illicit outflows from Malaysia has grown from RM71 billion to RM218 billion per year points to the ineffective counter-measures placed by the Finance Ministry and Bank Negara to stem the problem. Put bluntly, the measures failed. Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also the Finance minister, has nothing to show for his time in office, despite having taken over the top job in April 2009.
The silence of the Finance Minister is telling. One cannot help but ask if Najib, the person responsible for the financial health of the nation, is on top of things. Is it a priority of the Finance Minister? Is the Barisan Nasional government working hard at fixing the financial state of the nation?
Such issues concerning Malaysia’s financial state only enforces the notion that Malaysia is truly heading towards default much like Greece, and as forecast by Minister in the PM's Department, Idris Jala, who predicted bankruptcy by 2019 due to inability to service ever growing debt.
Via: http://malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=24650:bribery-theft-and-kickbacks-make-msia-the-4th-most-corrupt-nation-in-the-world&Itemid=2
Ministerial pay should be cut by 37%: panel
By Elena Torrijos | Yahoo! Newsroom – 7 hours ago
Updated (6.24pm)
Singapore ministers, among the highest-paid in the world, should have their salaries cut by 37 per cent to S$1.1 million and their pension benefits stripped, the panel to review political pay said in a press release to the public on Wednesday.
According to the release, the panel recommended that the annual salary of the President be brought down by 51 per cent to S$1.54 million.
It also advised that the Singapore Prime Minister’s salary, the highest of all elected government leaders in the world, be reduced by 36 per cent to S$2.2 million.
The committee, headed by National Kidney Foundation chairman Gerard Ee, said that the new salaries are based on its recommendation that the formula for pegging ministerial pay be changed to the median income of the top 1,000 Singaporean earners less 40 per cent "to signify the ethos and sacrifice that comes with political service".
Currently, ministerial pay is benchmarked to two-thirds of the median income of the top eight earners in six professions: banking, accountancy, engineering, law, managing local manufacturing companies and multinational corporations.
Ministerial pay came under fire from opposition parties during the watershed general election in Singapore last year during which the ruling People’s Action Party lost a group representation constituency for the first time.
Acknowledging the public’s concern over ministers’ high pay, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the creation of the salary review committee after the election.
On Wednesday, Lee reportedly said the government would adopt the panel’s recommendations. He earlier said ministers' salary changes would be effective retroactively from 21 May last year. The change in salary of the President will take effect from the start of President Tony Tan’s term on 1 September last year.
Removal of pension scheme
Aside from suggesting changes to the level of salaries, the committee also recommended that the pension scheme for all political appointment holders be removed, and that only the Central Provident Fund system, which is the basic retirement scheme for Singaporeans, be adopted.
"With this recommendation, political appointment holders appointed on or after 21 May 2011 will not receive any pension. For office holders who were appointed before 21 May 2011, they will have their pension frozen, i.e. they will only be eligible for pension accrued up to 20 May 2011. The frozen pension will be paid when they step down or retire from office," the committee said.
Regarding benefits, the panel recommended that current medical benefits for political appointment holders, which are the same as for civil servants, be retained.
Under the Medisave-cum-Subsidies Outpatient scheme, political appointees do not receive hospitalisation benefits but receive S$70 per month in their Medisave account, which can be used to buy Medisave-approved medical insurance.
Changes in bonus components
Based on the recommended salary package, an entry-level grade minister stands to earn up to $1,100,000 (20 months at S$55,000 each month) but at least $715,000 as fixed salary (covering 13 months) as the rest is based on variable components.
The committee proposed changes to the variable component of the ministers’ annual salary so that it links to the socio-economic progress of average and lower-income Singaporeans and not just the country’s economic performance, according to the report.
It recommended that the GDP bonus component be replaced with a National bonus component wherein ministers can receive up to three months bonus only if the targets – to be set by the Cabinet -- are achieved.
The targets will be measured in terms of Singaporeans’ real median income growth, Singaporeans’ unemployment rate, real growth rate of the lowest 20th percentile income of Singaporeans, and real GDP growth.
Apart from the national bonus, the variable component of the salary will also include a typical one month annual variable component and a three months individual performance bonus.
Meanwhile, the committee did not suggest any changes to the fixed component of the salary which usually comprises 12 months pay and the 13th month bonus.
Under the prime minister’s salary package, the committee suggested he should no longer receive a fixed service bonus and instead be given a higher national bonus of six months.
The committee also proposed that the salary framework should be reviewed every five years to ensure it remains “appropriate” over time. An independent committee whose members can be anointed by the prime minister should conduct the review, it said.
Additional reporting by Faris Mokhtar
Via: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/ministerial-pay-should-be-cut-by-37---panel.html
The committee headed by Gerard Ee recommended the President's salary be cut by 51 per cent. (Yahoo! photo)
Updated (6.24pm)
Singapore ministers, among the highest-paid in the world, should have their salaries cut by 37 per cent to S$1.1 million and their pension benefits stripped, the panel to review political pay said in a press release to the public on Wednesday.
According to the release, the panel recommended that the annual salary of the President be brought down by 51 per cent to S$1.54 million.
It also advised that the Singapore Prime Minister’s salary, the highest of all elected government leaders in the world, be reduced by 36 per cent to S$2.2 million.
The committee, headed by National Kidney Foundation chairman Gerard Ee, said that the new salaries are based on its recommendation that the formula for pegging ministerial pay be changed to the median income of the top 1,000 Singaporean earners less 40 per cent "to signify the ethos and sacrifice that comes with political service".
Currently, ministerial pay is benchmarked to two-thirds of the median income of the top eight earners in six professions: banking, accountancy, engineering, law, managing local manufacturing companies and multinational corporations.
Ministerial pay came under fire from opposition parties during the watershed general election in Singapore last year during which the ruling People’s Action Party lost a group representation constituency for the first time.
Acknowledging the public’s concern over ministers’ high pay, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the creation of the salary review committee after the election.
On Wednesday, Lee reportedly said the government would adopt the panel’s recommendations. He earlier said ministers' salary changes would be effective retroactively from 21 May last year. The change in salary of the President will take effect from the start of President Tony Tan’s term on 1 September last year.
Removal of pension scheme
Aside from suggesting changes to the level of salaries, the committee also recommended that the pension scheme for all political appointment holders be removed, and that only the Central Provident Fund system, which is the basic retirement scheme for Singaporeans, be adopted.
"With this recommendation, political appointment holders appointed on or after 21 May 2011 will not receive any pension. For office holders who were appointed before 21 May 2011, they will have their pension frozen, i.e. they will only be eligible for pension accrued up to 20 May 2011. The frozen pension will be paid when they step down or retire from office," the committee said.
Regarding benefits, the panel recommended that current medical benefits for political appointment holders, which are the same as for civil servants, be retained.
Under the Medisave-cum-Subsidies Outpatient scheme, political appointees do not receive hospitalisation benefits but receive S$70 per month in their Medisave account, which can be used to buy Medisave-approved medical insurance.
Changes in bonus components
Based on the recommended salary package, an entry-level grade minister stands to earn up to $1,100,000 (20 months at S$55,000 each month) but at least $715,000 as fixed salary (covering 13 months) as the rest is based on variable components.
The committee proposed changes to the variable component of the ministers’ annual salary so that it links to the socio-economic progress of average and lower-income Singaporeans and not just the country’s economic performance, according to the report.
It recommended that the GDP bonus component be replaced with a National bonus component wherein ministers can receive up to three months bonus only if the targets – to be set by the Cabinet -- are achieved.
The targets will be measured in terms of Singaporeans’ real median income growth, Singaporeans’ unemployment rate, real growth rate of the lowest 20th percentile income of Singaporeans, and real GDP growth.
Apart from the national bonus, the variable component of the salary will also include a typical one month annual variable component and a three months individual performance bonus.
Meanwhile, the committee did not suggest any changes to the fixed component of the salary which usually comprises 12 months pay and the 13th month bonus.
Under the prime minister’s salary package, the committee suggested he should no longer receive a fixed service bonus and instead be given a higher national bonus of six months.
The committee also proposed that the salary framework should be reviewed every five years to ensure it remains “appropriate” over time. An independent committee whose members can be anointed by the prime minister should conduct the review, it said.
Additional reporting by Faris Mokhtar
Via: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/ministerial-pay-should-be-cut-by-37---panel.html
M'sian officers 'can collect RM5,000 in bribes daily'
04:47 AM Jan 04, 2012
PUTRAJAYA - An investigative report by the New Straits Times this week said that corrupt officials on the Thai border are making up to RM5,000 (S$2,045) a day from bribes.
NST reporters recently joined several surveillance operations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at border checkpoints in Kedah and Kelantan on the Thai border, and in Sabah and Sarawak in east Malaysia.
They found cars, vans and lorries ferrying goods such as cooking oil, RON 95 petrol and liquefied petroleum gas out of the country without any interference from four levels of security checks.
At the Rantau Panjang checkpoint in Kelantan, reporters on MACC surveillance discovered that "rates" start at RM10 for the first line of security manned by General Operations Force (GOF) officers.
As the van stopped at the first checkpoint, a GOF officer walked up to the window and whispered "sepuluh ringgit, cepat cepat" ("RM10, hurry, hurry"). The undercover MACC officer paid the bribe and the van was waved through.
At the Customs checkpoint, the undercover officer placed a RM50 note on the pillowcase stuffed with rice in the back of the van. The Customs official pretended to inspect the illicit cargo but pocketed the money with a bit of sleight-of-hand, according to the NST report.
Next were the "bosses" of the Road Transport Department who charge between RM100 and RM250 for a green sticker to indicate clearance and to indicate "to his men on the ground that we were one of the 'untouchables'," the report said.
The fourth hurdle was the Anti-Smuggling Unit checkpoint, where officers took RM50 but have been said to accept as little as RM10.
Depending on the traffic flow, NST estimated that these officers would collectively make between RM3,000 to RM5,000 a day from bribes.
Surveillance at the Rantau Panjang border showed between 50 and 100 vehicles freely moving goods in and out of the country between 6am and 10pm daily.
Via: http://www.todayonline.com/World/EDC120104-0000050/Msian-officers-can-collect-RM5,000-in-bribes-daily
PUTRAJAYA - An investigative report by the New Straits Times this week said that corrupt officials on the Thai border are making up to RM5,000 (S$2,045) a day from bribes.
NST reporters recently joined several surveillance operations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at border checkpoints in Kedah and Kelantan on the Thai border, and in Sabah and Sarawak in east Malaysia.
They found cars, vans and lorries ferrying goods such as cooking oil, RON 95 petrol and liquefied petroleum gas out of the country without any interference from four levels of security checks.
At the Rantau Panjang checkpoint in Kelantan, reporters on MACC surveillance discovered that "rates" start at RM10 for the first line of security manned by General Operations Force (GOF) officers.
As the van stopped at the first checkpoint, a GOF officer walked up to the window and whispered "sepuluh ringgit, cepat cepat" ("RM10, hurry, hurry"). The undercover MACC officer paid the bribe and the van was waved through.
At the Customs checkpoint, the undercover officer placed a RM50 note on the pillowcase stuffed with rice in the back of the van. The Customs official pretended to inspect the illicit cargo but pocketed the money with a bit of sleight-of-hand, according to the NST report.
Next were the "bosses" of the Road Transport Department who charge between RM100 and RM250 for a green sticker to indicate clearance and to indicate "to his men on the ground that we were one of the 'untouchables'," the report said.
The fourth hurdle was the Anti-Smuggling Unit checkpoint, where officers took RM50 but have been said to accept as little as RM10.
Depending on the traffic flow, NST estimated that these officers would collectively make between RM3,000 to RM5,000 a day from bribes.
Surveillance at the Rantau Panjang border showed between 50 and 100 vehicles freely moving goods in and out of the country between 6am and 10pm daily.
Via: http://www.todayonline.com/World/EDC120104-0000050/Msian-officers-can-collect-RM5,000-in-bribes-daily
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