Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, marks the triumph of good over evil, the victory of light over dark.

I wish all Malaysia Hindus a very Happy Deepavali!

I stumbled upon an article on "Education system not picking up" by Dr. Nungsari Ahmad Radhi, an economist and ex-MP, which appeared in TheEdge (September 12 - September 18, 2005).

"The ‘dumbing down’ of higher education produces neither technical competency nor entrepreneurial behaviour," he said.

Excerpt:

"Malaysia […] is endowed with decent though not excellent human capital, sizeable reserves and even a vibrant entrepreneur class especially among some well-connected Chinese, Malay and Indian business communities.

Yet, the education system has failed to gel these disparate cultures into something resembling a national identity. A ‘whole’ that is larger than the sum of its parts never materialised. As with many public policy initiatives, education has in recent years been driven more by the procurement incentives rather than the developmental imperatives — thus the proliferation of large university campuses populated by poor superstructures that end up turning whatever cheese they get into milk. The ‘dumbing down’ of higher education produces neither technical competency nor entrepreneurial behaviour.

Level of human capital in the country today is so uncompetitive that foreign capital and entrepreneurship is not coming in, where the nearly crisis state of university has thus far not attracted the attention it deserves.

Unless we put in radical changes into the way we educate and train our people, the country outlook is quite alarming, to say the least.

What you think?

[UPDATED VERSION] Last week, I was made to take a closer look at Adam Air, Indonesia’s based boutique carrier (include certain amount of frills such as providing light snacks) which has been given the green flight to fly into Singapore, surpassing AWAIR’s prior application for the same route.

AWAIR, which was incorporated in September 1999 as a privately owned domestic company, dropped its application after Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) delayed giving it the greenlight in March.

Media reported that AWAIR is believed to have failed to provide additional documents in its bid to get approval. However, Singapore’s Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong claimed that it’s still unable to give approval to AWAIR due to Indonesia restrictions on foreign low-cost carriers are still in place and that Adam Air operates under different business operating model. Quote:

"If you talk to Adam Air, I think they will tell you quite clearly that they’re very different from a low-cost carrier."

Currently, Adam Air is flying daily to Penang and plans to start Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur services by next year. It’s only a matter of time before Adam Air growing presense poses major challenge to AirAsia, in which the all time low-profile AirAsia’s CEO Tony Fernandes voiced his frustration and shouting for discrimination over the landing issue.

As for budget flyers, when comes to select a low-cost carriers (LCCs), it’s very much on its low pricing which determines the acceptance level. If it’s cheap enough, I can’t see any logic that public is going to deter Adam Air, though some might be skeptical towards its Indonesia origin.

Don’t get me wrong, I love AirAsia, for the fact that it’s one of the most thriving LCCs in South-East Asia, if not in the Asia region.  However, one must understand that competition is good, especially for those who get competed with as competition encourages the creation of better services and in a long run, it will be doing more good to the aviation industry, to say the least.

On additional note, LCCs are sprouting fast for now and years to come. If national carrier like Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is not prepared to buck-up, even though one may argue that MAS is targetting a different niche market, however to say that MAS is not going to be affected by the onslaught is a bit insensitive.

We shall see, do-or-die.

Now, Tiger Airways is keen to join in the fray too.

… the world is scratching head and left scientists guessing on the proper medication of H5N1 bird flu virus, those who slaughtered hundreds of sick birds when the virus was raging, did not fall ill.

I’ve to admit that it was a long time ago since I last watch RTM on screen.

But, when Information Minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir was saying that RTM isn’t interested to compete with local private TV stations but to provide the best satisfaction to the customer, I was stunned. Quote:

"We have to be number one and the best. I have seen positive development since I took over this post."

"RTM’s share of TV audiences has increased by four per cent, from 34 per cent to 38 per cent. This is very good since we have to air heavy programmes such as live telecast, Debat Perdana and Fast Forward."

While I’m not in the position to question how precise the viewing percentage is, however does higher percentage mean viewers are satisfied? Any idea?

My question to the dear minister: You’re not interested to compete yet you want to become #1? Measurable by its own yardstick?

What say you, Kadir? It’s just not that right, somewhere somehow.

[UPDATED VERSION] During the parliament session, Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang was questioning on how successful the Government effort in attracting 20,000 to 25,000 top K-workers to work in Malaysia for the past four to five years. Quote:

"I just came across an article mentioning that there are approximately one million information technology (IT) professionals now employed in India and "the number is rising rapidly". One million IT professionals in India and 26,434 K-workers in MSC, proclaimed at one time as Malaysia “gift to the world” – this should be serious food for thought not only by the policymakers but by all Malaysians."

Apparently, the gap is really huge!

Then again, Kit Siang is dead wrong for not knowing the fact that, India has the second largest population in this world at 1.08bil. while Malaysia with a population of 24mil. OK, let’s do some maths now:

India: 1 mil / 1.08 bil = 0.0009%

Malaysia: 26434 / 24 mil = 0.0011%

While the Minister of Technology and Innovation Jamaluddin Jarjis was merely reporting on the figure and being critisized for the growth factor of K-workers in Malaysia among 1354 MSC status companies, he has only himself to blame for not learning how to utilize the power of "Internet at your finger tips" and reduced to endure the blatant attack by Kit Siang.

As for Kit Siang, just one question: 0.0009% or 0.0011%, which is higher?

Next time, learn how to get your facts right before you decide to convince MPs and public which is right or wrong, or else a laughing stock you’re.

So Kit, what say you now?

Related Link:
- Brand New Malaysia | Weapons of mass discussion - gone awry

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s wife Endon Mahmood may have passed away, however I’m sure she must feel relief that her wishes have been left upon on the trusted hands of her beloved husband.

She is such a loving, kind, caring first lady to look after the welfare of her busband’s support staff until that the PM vows to continue the good gesture. Quote:

"I feel so deeply honoured to have the opportunity to present them to you. It was her hope to personally do so but it was not meant to be."

At the same time, he would like to see works in promoting batik and songket continued in order to improve livelihood and burnish the country reputation internationally. Quote:

"She created her own niche, her own speciality. She had been passionate about those things since ages ago, not just after she became the First Lady"

The list goes on and this means so much to cancer patients in Malaysia, where the Prime Minister himself intends to seek cheaper treament for those who are unfortunate. Quote:

"The cost of cancer treatment is very high and I know the medicines are really expensive. It is my intention to make cancer treatment affordable to all.

"This should be our aim and this is what I want to work towards."

I’m so glad that the Prime Minister has not only recovered, but I dare to say that he is now much stronger than ever.

[UPDATED VERSION] When Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s wife passed away last Thursday, public is concern on how the PM is going to handle the loss.

Simon Elegant of TIME Asia Magazine has this to ask: Can Malaysia’s Prime Minister recover the will to lead?

Well, answers can be found here and here.

Yesterday, Mack was saying that politics is about perception and here he explained why.

There are people who get things done and then there are people who needs people to think that they can get things done.

One is a success if he does things well and that applies to people like you and me. The other is a success if people believes what he says is correct and those are politicians.

I can’t agree more.

….. Jerai MP Badruddin Amiruldin calling Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang "damn bloody stupid old man" and Kubang Kerian MP Salahuddin Ayub referred to Gerakan president Lim Keng Yaik as "kurang ajar".

I wouldn’t be surprised when parents’ name and human organ will be called upon in the future.

Read more here.