We are so hard up for Indon maids!

Indonesia asked RM700 per month for their maids. Like it or not, we need to haggle. However, I believe we are going to lose. Why? We are so hard up for them!

To Human Resource Minister, why don't you and your officers find other avenues to solve this 'maids' problem, rather than having to play beggar to Indonesia.

What is the role of 'Jabatan Tenaga Manusia' or JTM under the ministry? At the same time, we have so many learning institutes to provide local students with training in various disciplines, especially technical and services.

Why can't we consider setting up a special academy to train locals as maids? We won't regret having to pay them between RM700 and RM1000 per month.

Introduce a special course under your 'hospitality' arm. After all, those who work at hotels, clubs and restaurants are not called 'maids' although they do maids' work such as making up the bed, cleaning the hotel rooms, etc.

Give it a special name. Hospitality is becoming an asset to certain industries. Some colleges do offer hospitality courses for locals and foreign students. The Segi College, for example.

Its better to give a higher salary to our locals because they are familiar with our surrounding. The also speak the same language and understand local cultures.

And the best part is, we know where they came from. So, its easy to tackle them should they 'escape'. Employers too will find it comfortable having a local and professionally-trained maid in their house.

Besides, we will be able to save millions of ringgit from leaving the country.

The Indonesian government is playing hard to get, actually. As our priority and preference are the Indonesian maids, we are bound to agree to whatever conditions they put forth.

So, Mr Minister, this is not a dead end. We have options here. The only problem is, some people make big bucks from importing the maids. Among them are politicians. And when politic is added to the matter, it becomes a MUST business.

Think about it, will you?

Come on lar... 54 years after Independence, we still need to import toothpicks?

To this officer, I AM WATCHING YOU!

This 'special officer' to a senior minister is getting to my nerves! Some believe he decides everything for his boss.

Every since joining the ministry's media team a couple of months back, he seems to mess around with all departments, dictating others, including the seniors. He even caused someone to 'lose' his job.

So powerful he is that even the press secretary, the political secretary and senior private secretary have to listen to him, bow to him and become yes-men to him.

The way this special officer carries himself around make others blase! He even calls and presides meetings on new media just to present rubbish to them.

And he himself is a non-performer. The minister did not notice this because as he boss, he likes anyone who scrubs his balls. A performer or not, what's important is to have a pool of good 'macai' around his waist all the time.

I think that's why the minister hires him, not for his performance but for being an a**h**e! But sooner or later, people like this will bring the boss down.

I am watching you, bro... and your boss too! So, stop fooling around with me!

30 years since Look East policy...

When Dr Mahathir launched the 'Look East Policy' in 1982, he caught the West by surprise. Not that he was against the developed US and Europe but the values and work ethic of the Japanese and Koreans were more suitable for a new economy like Malaysia.

While his 'Buy British Last' did caused minor diplomatic collision with the UK, his approach in dealing with the capitalist did gain recognition world over, especially among the developing and the non-aligned groups.

The South-South Commission and the Langkawi International Dialogue and the South African International Dialogue, among others that he initiated, were deemed by the West as a premier challenge to their world economic dominant.

While Japan and South Korea were also emerging as the new economic power horse, the more developed West were at their very best to contain such an emergence from getting so much closer to their standard. However, it was the work values of the Japanese and Koreans that steered them to a point beyond the expectation of the West.

And today, such values are still very much in practice - not only in the two countries but in many, including Malaysia.

It has been 30 years since the Look East Policy was introduced. Malaysia has benefited well from it. And thanks to Prime Minister Najib and his Japanese counterpart Mr Yoshihiko Noda who acknowledged Dr Mahathir's policy as the driving force behind our achievement today.

And the policy continues to open up more doors to rapid development of the country.

I remember what Dr Mahathir said when addressing the Third Langkawi Islamic Finance and Economics International Conference (LIFE3) in October last year that Malaysia and other Islamic countries should look to other Eastern countries and not the West as a model for their development.

He said he believed of making the right decision in introducing the Look East Policy of emulating work ethics and business techniques from Japan and South Korea during his tenure as the prime minister

"Right now, there are so many problems with Western countries. The problem in the West is that they have borrowed too much and cannot repay. You cannot have that kind of a country as a model. If you see countries like (South) Korea, Japan and China in the East... China has US$3.2 trillion in reserves. They are swimming in money. Korea can come up with major products better than that produced by companies in the West.

"Japan, as you know, is a country which lost a war... totally destroyed but as it rebuilt itself, it become the second biggest economy in the world. If you want to copy or learn something, learn from the successful people, not from the failures," he said.

True enough. One could not learn much from the West because it was a total failure, and as such we should continue to look to the East and not to the West.

"The West is going bankrupt," Dr Mahathir said.

However, Malaysia will not go bankrupt. The Opposition's claim that the economy would burst and gets overheated by the year 2020 was a political gimmick to attract attention. Anwar Ibrahim actually knows the actual situation of our economy but he has to politically ride it.

If he (Anwar) gets to Putrajaya after the next general election, I don't think he will scrap the policy. He will pursue it...or is there anything better than that?

So, Najib is 'chief of criminals'?

I tend to agree that when low-ranking policemen commit a crime or mistake, their bosses would spare no time in taking action. If there is a need to suspend, sack or send them to jail, it will be done without prejudice as 'the law must be upheld'.

However, when senior police officials are involved in wrongdoings, including graft, their subordinates and top brass are bound to provide them with cover ups. Although a few big cases were leaked out and ended up in courts, I (and many others) believe the 'devils' are still at large.

The police force is also plagued with politics, internal politics. When favoritism is at its thickness, personal feud among top personnel cannot be avoided. Adverse reports and poison-pen letters become a common avenue for back-stabbing.

But its even more ugly when retired senior police officers began to make open statements to the media about others, including the government and the Prime Minister. It is well understood why they took such an opportunity in retirement to say such things. Had they did it during service, for sure they would end up in cold storage.

Its becoming a trend of late. I have seen and heard ex-senior policemen, former Members of Parliament and retired judges and top-ranking government officials making derogatory remarks about almost anything - from politics to the manner PM administers the government and the country.

I have seen some retired top brass government officers joining the opposition immediately after retiring. Had they done it while in service, their chance to elevate their position would possibly put to a halt.

And they still enjoy getting government pension.

Back to this police melodrama. I was having coffee with a few friends at a hotel in PJ last night when a text message came in. It reads: "Ramli Yusof (ex-CCID chief) says Musa Hassan (ex-IGP) provided protection to Johor kingpin Goh Cheng Poh aka Tengku Goh. Former KL CID boss Mat Zain Ibrahim also asked the govt to reopen investitagion into the murder of Altantuya..."

I immediately showed it to my friends, one of whom is a diplomat who had a good laugh. He said: "We don't trust people like this, Jay (he's fond of calling me by that name). Listening to them is wasting time. And when they are on the opposition bench, better not listen at all.

"If they are honest, they wouldn't be caring too much about their position and opportunity to rise when they were still in service. They should have made such exposure there and then and not wait until retirement."

Good points.

So, that's why Malaysiakini and its in-house commentators were fast in hammering at the government and the police force when the duo came up with such statements. If you read the comments, all came in similar or 'more or less' the same tempo, which reflects those who left comments are the ones 'inside' Mkini.

I am also of the opinion that Ramli and Musa are having personal vendetta. Those at Bukit Aman and the media (even the public who have been following Ramli's case) are aware of it. So, no excitement about it.

And from what I heard, the former KL CID chief is (or has he?) joining the Opposition. Of course, Mkini like going hunting for people like these to help sensationalise their stories.

But Mkini aside, I think the respective authorities still need to take a look at it. We don't want to be accused of being ignorant, right? Unless we like Mkini heading "Our country is run by criminals".

All ears and eyes on Shahrizat

Let's listen to what Shahrizat Jalil has to say. The blogger was tipped off that she will make an announcement either later today or tomorrow.

Whether she will resign as a Cabinet minister or relinquish all positions, its up to her to decide. However, pressure is mounting for her to leave the Cabinet over the National Feedlot issue.

But still, its also up to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak whether to accept her resignation or not. After all, the PM was the one who appointed her a Senator after losing the Lembah Pantai parliamentary seat to Nurul Izzah of PKR in 2008.

The NFC has put the Wanita Umno chief in a dilemma. Although she denied of having any involvement in the project managed by her husband, the rule of logic still points to her having some kind of a 'hands on' in it.

And as general election is coming, Najib too has to reconsider her position and the impacts on Barisan Nasional.

Since the issue errupted late last year, Shahrizat and the government got continuous bashing both from the Opposition and BN lawmakers.

Let's see what happens after this...

We need a better KTM

On Tuesday, Express Wau of Keretapi Tanah Melayu 'chooed off' from KL Sentral Station at around 8.30pm for Tumpat in Kelantan. It went south to Gemas before changing its engine (locomotive) to north.

The journey usually takes between 14 to 15 hours, depending on the weather and rail traffic. For regulars, it is normal to reach Wakaf Baru Station at 9.30am or 10.30am while travelers to Tumpat will take an extra 20-30 minutes.

However, on Wednesday, Wau Express reached Wakaf Baru at around 3.30pm, much to the disappointment of the passengers. The reason given was 'technical problem'.

Such a problem is getting more acute of late. Not once but a few times already. Complaints were lodged to KTM headquarters in Kuala Lumpur but no 'real' action was taken.

While KTM is proud to have a modern fleet of coaches and engines for its KTM Komuter service and north and south bound express, little attention was given to the East Coast sector. In some stretches between Lipis-Merapoh-Gua Musang, the train has to be at a low speed to negotiate with the instability of the track.

I like traveling on trains - in Malaysia, India, South Korea, Netherlands and other countries. It gives you total freedom and the feeling of well-secured.

KTM has undergo a period of modernisation since 1998 which saw it adding new locomotives and coaches to its fleet. The number of passengers has also multiplied ever since. And today, we are proud of its achievement.

However, I do hope KTM will enhance its service quality to the East Coast. Many tourists go to Kelantan from KL and from Thailand. An improved service will not only attract more passengers but will provide KTM with a good image.

Appreciate the peace and security

We should be glad and proud. Being the most safest country in Southeast Asia and 19th in the world puts Malaysia at the envy of many. To the eyes of foreigners, its a warranty of security - from betting their money on our booming economy to the fearless mind of walking alone to any part of the country.

I personally would like to congratulate the government of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the Home Ministry, the police, armed forces and other related agencies for contributing to such a high mark.

The news came when I was with Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein in his visit to the new immigration complex in Setia Tropika, Kempas, Johor Bahru yesterday (picture). I saw him smile on the news but what crossed his mind then was his personal domain.

He could be happy about it but he knew its not an easy task to lead a ministry in charge of national security. While the media and the opposition often threw tantrums at him over specific issues, he overturned it in a very moderate way.

The Opposition and those who have been trying to promote politics of extremism should take this as a reminder - that there is no discount on national security. It takes a concerted effort to achieve such a benchmark and any effort to stir it will not augur well for the people, the economy and any faces of politics.

National peace, stability and security cannot be achieved overnight. We have been through numerous turmoils that saw our unity been ripped apart. There was a time when we looked at each other with askance. We were afraid to walk alone and talk to strangers.

We should be thankful to all policies introduced by the ruling party in promoting greater inter-racial understanding. We must be grateful to the security forces for carrying out their duty without prejudice although a minor error will be deemed as a disaster to the opposition.

This is a country for everybody. We are not alone. There are about 7 million foreigners living in the country, a testament that we not only offer them work, good salary and a hefty returns from their investment but a level of security that their own respective countries cannot provide.

Tell me - as Malaysians - where on earth would you like to go and migrate for no reason? I believe the Opposition should answer this.

I have been to many countries and regions - from the most hostile to the most peaceful. I have seen people being killed in Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Eritrea and Lebanon; and I have felt the soothing calm of Luxembourg, Norway and Botswana. But these are one-race nations. And I still can't find another peaceful multiracial Malaysia.

A progressive, peaceful and stable nation is based on its good politics and level-headed leaders. Managing a country like Malaysia needs full tolerance and mutual respect. But if politics of bipartisan and extremism take to the minds of its leaders, then the whole country would collapse.

The new immigration complex in Setia Tropika is yet another effort undertaken by the government to beef up our security level, especially from abroad.

So much money was allocated to provide Malaysians and foreigners with a higher level of security. So, appreciate it. Unless you are more comfortable to live with street demonstrations, racial unrest, looting and uncontrolled crime...