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Showing posts with label On the Beat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label On the Beat. Show all posts

Sunday, June 2, 2024

Ties that bind Malaysia and China

Bustling metropolis: China has transformed tremendously since it began to open and reform its economy in 1978. Now more than 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty in the country. — Reuters

Let’s dispense with the Western narrative and embrace our centuries’ old friendship.

It’s mindboggling how quickly the Chinese government has successfully turned the country into an economic powerhouse with huge leaps into technological and digital realms including artificial intelligence.

TWO months following Malaysia Airlines’ maiden voyage to Beijing on March 31, 1991, I had my first trip to China.

I was invited by our national carrier as part of the media and government official team to experience its new route.

By then, Beijing had already become a big city with tall buildings and highways, but the streets were still filled with bicycles.

Over the last three decades, I have repeatedly returned to Beijing and other cities. Like many regular visitors, I can’t help but marvel at the pace of the economic transformation.

It’s mind-boggling how quickly the Chinese government has successfully turned the country into an economic powerhouse with huge leaps into technological and digital realms including artificial intelligence.

Their infrastructure, especially their super rail connections, are certainly the best in the world now. None of the European and American links can hold a candle to the Chinese rails.

As of 2024, it’s reported that China has more than 159,000km of railways, the second longest network in the world, and 45,000km of high-speed rail, the longest HSR in the world.

Of course, Western rail networks began much earlier while China played catch up, but with new facilities, they are more sophisticated since they can avoid the mistakes and poor maintenance practices of those in the West.

They’re certainly the envy of the world as they whizz between cities at speeds of about 320km per hour.

Those who’ve never been to China can’t ever fathom how far the republic has overtaken the Western world.

On my travels, I’ve had the misfortune of meeting many Americans and Europeans who still have flawed, if not archaic, views of China and many other parts of Asia.

The Americans are the worst because many have never travelled beyond the United States. I have given up explaining to them where Malaysia is.

On a trip to Antarctica in January, as my fellow Malaysian traveller Yusof Hashim and I held our Jalur Gemilang proudly, a passing American expedition member asked my wife if we were holding the Taiwan flag!

But of course, the Brits are familiar with most of us from the Commonwealth countries, obviously because they colonised us, and don’t parade such ignorance.

In any case, the Western narrative against China has been such a resounding success that many Western tourists have kept away from “communist” and “dictatorial” China.

Accusations of unfair dealings, falsified data and purported persecution of Uighurs in Xinjiang, and Tibetans, are also entrenched in their minds although most can’t pinpoint these places on a world map.

From my anecdotal engagements with my Western friends, it’s obvious they swallow what their politicians tell them and steadfastly refuse to have anything to do with China, which is a shame.

I’ve always told them that they need to see for themselves how China has advanced.

But what is conspicuously downplayed is Western politicians viewing China as the biggest challenge of any nationstate in the world against the US and its allies.

The US wants a big share of China’s consumer market, which has embraced Western products, but the image of the republic seeking leadership roles in many multilateral platforms remains unpalatable.

An article by Dr Zuliu Hu and

Mohsin Khan from the International Monetary Fund titled “Why Is China Growing So Fast” attributes the progress to capital investment, which has made the country more productive.

Basically, new machinery, better technology, and more investment in infrastructure have helped to raise output, they wrote.

Its economy may have once been in the doldrums, but since opening to foreign trade and investment in 1979, China has been among the world’s fastest growing economies and among the highest in terms of purchasing power parity.

After all, it had a growth rate averaging 10% for over 30 years.

Since it began to open and reform its economy in 1978, more than 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty. Across China, and especially its cities, you don’t see slums like in India, or colonies of vagrants, like in the US.

Basically, there have been significant improvements in access to health, education and other services.

Emphasis is given to schools, and even in the most remote areas where I’ve seen and been thoroughly impressed by the kinds of facilities available to school children.

In Guangzhou, I saw robotics, 3D printing and coding already being taught in a secondary school during a trip in 2017.

No doubt, as the economy grows, there will be disparity, especially in a country of 1.4 billion people.

There are the upper middle class as well as those struggling to earn a living in the big cities, where at least 40% of their income goes to rental fees.

Fast forward to 2024, and as I continue my journeys in China, I have begun to feel that as Malaysians, we are poorer.

The depreciating ringgit hasn’t helped in our declining purchasing power.

As most countries direct factory outlets away from the cities, which makes travelling unnecessary, I still visited one which was right smack in three building blocks in Beijing.

Looking at the wide range of products from the West and China, I wondered how the Chinese can afford such expensive items, and where their money comes from!

In Shanghai, where many of the city folks are often welldressed, I felt even smaller.

This doesn’t bode well for me as a third-generation Chinese.

My grandfather left Guangdong in China because they were almost trapped in famine and needed to come to Malaya to escape poverty.

And now, many of my friends who have relatives in Fujian and Guangdong, speak about how financially secure their relatives have become.

For Malaysia, as we celebrate 50 years of friendship with China, it’s imperative we leverage on the ties which bind both nations.

The special bond began in the 1400s when Admiral Zheng He visited Melaka several times, marking the state’s significance.

I tip my hat to Malaysia and China!

Wong Chun Wai

By Wong Chun Wai


Related post:

China extends a TVET helping hand to Malaysia


Related news:

DPM's visit deepens bilateral ties


Warm send-off: Ahmad Zahid (second left) bidding farewell to staff from the Malaysian Embassy in China before leaving for Malaysia. With him is Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad (left). — Bernama

THE 11-day official visit of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to China has not only helped bolster Malaysia-China diplomatic relations but also fostered meaningful collaborations for businesses and the people back home.

Despite a tight schedule that took him through Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, the Deputy Prime Minister always maintained a warm smile, especially during his numerous courtesy meetings with Chinese leaders and officials.

His joy and pride of being on the trip was palpable as he had on more than one occasion expressed his admiration for the responsiveness and openness of the Chinese government during the visit.

During an appreciation dinner, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who was part of the Malaysian delegation, hailed the visit as “fruitful and impactful”.


“The swift and comprehensive responses from Chinese leaders and institutions regarding our cooperation proposals are a positive sign for Malaysia, particularly in educational collaborations between the countries.

“We have strengthened ties in higher education, especially in TVET (technical and vocational education and training), and tourism following the 30-day visa-free travel ease, benefiting both nations.

“We are delighted that Mara and GiatMara will offer more valuable TVET opportunities for Malaysian students.

“This is also a good sign of more such positive tie-ups to come, as both countries move towards a new chapter of an even stronger friendship after this golden jubilee celebration,” he said.

Despite this being his first visit to China as Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, is no stranger to Chinese leaders.

During a courtesy call on China’s State Councillor and Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong, a warm and convivial atmosphere was prevalent as both leaders, who have been friends for a long time, shared laughter.

When Wang introduced his colleagues to his guest, Ahmad Zahid easily identified some of them.

Speaking to the media, Ahmad Zahid, also the National TVET Council Committee chairman, could not but marvel at China’s commitment to being a strategic partner in the TVET sector, an area close to his heart.

The bilateral discussions encompassed artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, renewable energy, and technology transfer.

Expectations are high for further cooperation between China and Malaysia, with the upcoming visit of Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Malaysia this month.

During engagements with the Malaysian diaspora in Tier 1 cities in China, Ahmad Zahid received a warm reception and commended the loyalty of Malaysians even when they were seeking opportunities abroad.

First-tier cities comprise Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen – the four most developed cities in terms of economic and infrastructure development.

A media veteran observed that the choice of Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing on Ahmad Zahid’s itinerary was because of their expertise in TVET, high technology, and knowledge transfer.

“These visits are seen as a continuation of the agreements reached between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Chinese counterpart last year.

“Both sides are happy that he (Ahmad Zahid) is here, as assurance that the agreed projects are being implemented, the media veteran said.

Ahmad Zahid also emphasised the importance of setting a timeline for turning memoranda of understanding into action and reality.

It is clear that he is committed to ensuring that the collaborations and partnerships forged during his visit will produce tangible benefits for both Malaysia and China.

With continuing hard work and dedication, this solid relationship can only grow and prosper in the 50 years ahead – and beyond.

50 years of enduring Malaysia-China friendship




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Sunday, April 21, 2024

A cobbler with a big heart: Give, you shall receive

 Heart of gold: Bohari, who plies his trade at Eastmoore Commercial Centre, is always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

Aw: He didn’t hesitate to help us even though we were strangers

KUCHING: Seven years ago, cobbler Bohari Ariffin lent a helping hand to Aw Joo Lee and her wheelchair-bound mother even though they were strangers to him.

Last month, Bohari and Aw reconnected in a touching encounter that subsequently brought well-deserved attention to the cobbler’s kindness.

That day in 2017, Bohari was mending shoes at his usual spot at the five-foot way of Eastmoore Commercial Centre here when he saw Aw with her mother, who was an amputee.

“They wanted to go up the stairs, but her mother was unable to do so. I felt sorry for them, so I approached them and helped to carry her mother up the stairs.

“I did not think of anything, I just carried her up and then carried her back down again, that was all,” Bohari told The Star when met at Eastmoore.

What motivated Bohari to help Aw and her mother was his spirit of humanity.

“Our humanity causes us to sympathise with others. We are all fellow human beings.

“Whatever religion or race we may be, we can help others because it’s for the good of everyone. I didn’t expect anything in return, I just sincerely wanted to help them,” he said.

For Aw, Bohari’s kindness was particularly meaningful as it came at a difficult time for her family.

“At that time, I was there with my mum and my father, who were both in their 80s. I was the only able-bodied person bringing my parents to meet somebody urgently.

“When we got to the building, I was very frustrated because there was a steep flight of stairs and no lift,” she recalled.

“Suddenly this man came up to me. He didn’t say much, but I understood immediately that he was going to help.

“My mum had only one leg, she wasn’t a small woman and she was quite heavy. But Bohari just lifted her and took her up the stairs while I carried the wheelchair.

“When we came down, I said thank you, but we were all pretty distracted by our family issues and left quickly.”

Aw, who is from Kuching but has been living in Singapore for many years, never forgot Bohari and would think about him every time she came back to visit relatives.

On her last trip here at the end of March, he was still on her mind and a friend encouraged her to try looking for him.

“When someone, especially a stranger, helps you at a difficult time in your life, you can never forget.

“It really leaves an indelible mark in your heart.

“Even though I had said thank you, I wanted to know more about that kind stranger and thank him properly,” Aw said.

So she went to Eastmoore and was very happy to find Bohari still there. And Bohari also remembered helping her mother.

“I was really emotional when I saw him again and tears sprang to my eyes.

“When I asked why he had helped us, he said ‘Kita orang sama manusia’ (We are all fellow humans).

“Bohari is really the hero we all need in our lives,” Aw said.

She subsequently wrote about Bohari’s kindness on the Sarawak Public Feedback Facebook page and encouraged people to seek his services.

“I wanted to help him in his business as well, so that’s why I decided to write a simple post about him.

“Being a cobbler is not an easy job, yet for such a humble profession he has a big heart.

“I hope that after this he will be blessed in many other ways and have more supporters,” she said.

Bohari was also moved by his recent meeting with Aw and the Facebook post she wrote.

“When she came to meet me, I shed a few tears myself. She remembered my small good deed, but I would like to thank her too because she thought about it even though it happened so long ago, and she was willing to look for me,” he said.

With the Facebook post, Bohari hoped that Malaysians would become more aware about helping others.

“I hope everyone will show sympathy to others in need. Don’t think that you are better than other people but help where you can,” he said, adding that he had also helped other people who came his way.

“It doesn’t matter who they are. I may not have much, but I will help anyone in need even if they don’t ask.”

Heartwarming tales such as this are promoted and encouraged by the “Maaf Zahir Batin Hari Hari” campaign (#MZB365), which was launched on April 6. The campaign stands strong with support from major media organisations and civil society organisations (CSOs).

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Giving is receiving

It takes a village: The generous act of Ladang Bikam villagers, who recently helped some Hari Raya revellers to beat the balik kampung jam with a shortcut through the plantation (below), touched the hearts of social media users. — Sinar Harian

FEW stories warm the heart quite like our plural society coming together for the greater good.

Usually, these acts of kindness go unnoticed and unreported because they’re expected. But truth be told, we know this is a commodity.

And as with true generosity, these good folks don’t do it for publicity.

It was a week ago when the media reported on a group of Chinese villagers answering the call of travellers using back roads to avoid the nationwide snarl following the end of the Hari Raya holidays.

Commuter Zairul Annuar Zain, relying on Google Maps, thought his smartphone would solve his problem by getting off the highway while heading south. Unfortunately, he found himself on an isolated path in Ladang Bikam, Perak, instead.

Several cars explored the same off-the-beaten-track route, but the journey soon became bumpier because of the bad, hilly road conditions.

Enter a group of 15 Chinese men who approached the stranded vehicles and told the passengers to wait while they set to work.

Armed with a backhoe to excavate and level the road, they managed to ensure the path was flat enough for the vehicles to pass through within 15 minutes.

— Video Screengrab from Zairul Annuar’s FB

“They could have chosen to sleep. Instead, they were willing to take the trouble to help us continue our journey there that night,” said Zairul, who recorded a video of the helpful villagers.

We’re indebted to Zairul for sharing the incident – which went viral – on his Facebook. It’s perfect timing because the nation desperately needs an endearing story, and in the month of Syawal with the nation still celebrating Hari Raya, no less.

Then, there was another wonderful video of a young Chinese man embracing his adopted Malay mother on Hari Raya.

Despite looking very different from the rest of the brood, and knowing he was adopted, the emotional man expressed his gratitude to his mum for raising him and treating him like she did his siblings.

In the last month, Malaysia has been gripped by disconcerting reports, a situation exacerbated by agitating and provoking politicians and netizens. Their insensitive comments on social media have certainly broken our hearts.

That said, there are many unsung heroes in Malaysia, too. These are the people who dedicate their lives to helping their countrymen without deliberating one’s skin colour or religion, and they ask for nothing in return.

Star Media Group and Gamuda Bhd have worked together for nearly 10 years to recognise and reward the kindness with the Star Golden Hearts Award. Our task gets harder with greater competition and nominees becoming more impressive every year. The nominations are submitted to the judges and as chief judge, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, says Malaysia is never short of unsung heroes.

Like when insurance agent Abdul Muhsi Ramlan saw teenager Teh Rui Yuan lying motionless next to his motorbike after an accident and instinctively stopped to help.

He acted fast and asked onlookers to help him load the 17-year-old boy into his car before rushing to the hospital. There, he admitted the boy and even extended himself by trying to get in touch with the teenager’s parents through social media.

Teh eventually recovered and visited Abdul Muhsi with his family after that year’s Hari Raya with a hamper in hand, not only to register their gratitude but mark the festive occasion as well.

“When I saw his face, I just wanted to save him,” said Abdul Muhsi when recalling the accident, revealing that they are still in touch to this day.



Of course, there’s also the heart melting story of one of 2016’s Star Golden Hearts Award winner Mohd Yusuf Rohani caring for diabetic friend R. Doraisamy for four decades.

They are neither related nor from the same cultural background, but none of that matters to them.

The pair met in Ladang Selabak, Perak, when Mohd Yusuf was a Standard Three student and Doraisamy a 28-year-old odd job worker with failing eyesight. Although 19 years separate them, a friendship was forged in which Mohd Yusuf has dedicated himself to helping his friend after learning of his health issues.

Over the years, Doraisamy not only lost his sight, but the lower half of both limbs, too, due to his illness.

“It may be difficult, but I don’t see it as a burden at all because he can’t see, and he has no legs. Who would take care of him if I’m not around to do it?” argues Mohd Yusuf.

His care of Doraisamy runs the gamut of financial aid to cleaning the older friend after his bathroom runs. They may both struggle to make ends meet, but hardship has fused them together for life. From his primary school days through to his marriage and birth of six daughters, Mohd Yusuf has remained resolute in helping his friend, who lives with his younger sister and her husband.

Friendships like these may seem strange, but compassion and kindness cut across all boundaries. After all, it’s the giving that makes us what we are.

Having been involved in the selection process for Golden Hearts before, I can vouch that most Malaysians are compassionate.

From a Chinese-speaking Malay fireman who used his linguistic skills to coax a woman from jumping off her flat, to nurses, doctors and helpers who risked their lives to care for Malaysians during the Covid-19 pandemic, there are many such stories.

There are also groups of youngsters who sacrifice their Saturday nights to distribute food to the homeless in Kuala Lumpur. No one is ignored and no questions are asked either.

As Lee said, the fact that they have been nominated by so many Malaysians vividly attests to the recognition of their good work.

Then, there are caregivers who voluntarily work to help the elderly and disabled, too.

These are tedious jobs which require immeasurable patience and dedication, and again, these volunteers have never asked for coverage to bask in social media glory.

Some are mere individuals while others belong to non-governmental organisations with greater manpower, but the bottom line is, they’ve positively impacted all of us in Malaysia through their commitment.

Let’s be honest, many of us have grown tired and weary, and even given up on our country, going as far as to encourage overseas based friends and family to remain there for a brighter future.

However, the stories above serve to remind us that Malaysia is truly unified, barring egotistical and selfish politicians whose vocabulary barely extends beyond the word boycott.

In truth, it’s us who should turn away from them. Although race and religion routinely take the rap, the world is ultimately divided into good and bad people.

The “Maaf Zahir Batin Hari Hari” campaign (#MZB365), launched on April 6, is also promoting heartwarming tales of unity in Malaysia. The campaign stands strong with support from major media corporations and civil society organisations. Check out the stories on TheStar.com.my.

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Sunday, August 21, 2022

Forces face farce, the controversy surrounding the purchase of six littoral combat ships (LCS)

 

Under construction: One of the controversial littoral combat ships at the Boustead Naval Shipyard in Lumut.

 

THE current controversy surrounding the purchase of six littoral combat ships (LCS), which is burning RM11bil of taxpayers’ hard-earned money, isn’t the first discrepancy and alleged corruption, incompetence and mismanagement involving the Defence Ministry (Mindef).

In the name of national interest, details relating to procurement are often shrouded in secrecy, with information branded classified.

Last week, the government announced that it plans to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the LCS issue, which has now been presented to the Cabinet.

It’s certainly a good follow-up to the detailed findings by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the de-classification of a report which highlighted the poor financial management and cash flow issues ailing Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS), the company embroiled in the LCS fiasco.

Hopefully, the setting up of the RCI will expose Mindef’s shortcomings and reveal it to the public while establishing a proper procurement process.

The RCI shouldn’t be another panel with a glorified name which delays its deliberation and has its report collecting dust at the end of it.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has already stepped in, and Malaysians want to see the case expedited with the Attorney General hauling up the culprits responsible for the inflated costs.

This could include powerful political personalities who directed those implicated in the PAC report.

The sad reality is that the LCS issue is yet another shameful blot on Mindef’s long and never-ending series of scandals over the last 40 years.

Before we pore over its “chequered” history of the past decades, fresh in my mind is the 2019 news reports of the non-delivery of six helicopters worth RM300mil that were ordered in 2015.

Bernama had reported that a Mindef representative filed a complaint at MACC, saying the McDonnell Douglas MD530G lightweight combat helicopters were to be handed to Malaysia in 2017 and 2018.

It reported, quoting sources, that approval for the November 2015 purchase of the helicopters was not done according to procedures, with the government’s interests not properly protected.

The source told Bernama that the Malaysian government had paid up RM112.65mil for the acquisition, or 35% of the total cost.

We haven’t heard from MACC since 2019, when it said it was investigating 14 controversial land swap deals involving Mindef.

The list of dodgy procurement deals is long. It includes the 1981 purchase of 26 units of the British Alvis Scorpion tanks.

According to Consumer Association of Penang president, Mohideen Abdul Kader, the tank’s recommended Rolls-Royce gasoline engines were replaced with slower diesel ones, and the guns with heavier ones.

He said the modifications made the tanks heavier and slower, a sitting duck in any military encounter, and eventually in 2018, they were scrapped.

“The 186 SIBMAS armoured personnel carriers purchased by Malaysia in 1983 were found to lack combat effectiveness.

“Malaysia bought 18 Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKM Air Superiority Fighters, taking delivery of three in 2007 and the rest in 2009.

He said the deal, worth RM3.2bil, was made through a Russian state company whose local agent was paid 12% of the purchase price, amounting to RM380mil.

Mohideen said by 2018, most of them had become unserviceable, with only four of the 18 fighter jets still able to fly. The rest were under repair and the ministry eventually fired the contractor, apparently for failing to maintain the jets in airworthy condition.

“In 2002, the ministry negotiated through a Kuala Lumpur-based local company Perimekar Sdn Bhd to buy two Scorpene submarines and a used Agosta submarine produced by the French government at the price of RM4.5bil.”

Mohideen said a whopping commission of RM510mil was paid, 11% of the purchase price of the submarines.

He also claimed that in 2004, the PSC-Naval Dockyard was contracted to deliver six patrol boats to the Malaysian Navy, but only two were delivered in 2006, neither of which were fully operational.

He said by 2007, the original cost of RM5.35bil ballooned to RM6.7bil, a 26% increase.

Mohideen said the auditor general reported that the ministry had paid RM4.26bil, although only RM2.87bil worth of work had been completed, implying an overpayment of 48%. He said the Cabinet also waived late penalties of RM214mil.

A comprehensive list can’t be contained within this space because, sadly, it’s never-ending.

To take consolation, similar malpractices are reported all over the world.

Dr Zia Ul Haque Shamsi’s report on July 19, 2021, described India as having the most corruption scandals when it comes to buying arms and equipment.

He said India was plagued with scandals of military transactions despite stringent and painstaking bureaucratic processes for the approvals of defence procurements.

It will only be a matter of time before similar specialist writers on defence use Malaysia as a case study, especially when our approval process can hardly be described as rigorous.

As lawyer Mohideen rightly said, “the incestuous relationship between politically connected local agents of foreign arms manufacturers and the ministry must be ended.”

Enough is enough. It’s time we clean up our act and stop the country being looted through Mindef.

This entry was posted in On the Beat on August 21, 2022 by wcw. 

http://wongchunwai.com/2022/08/forces-face-farce/

 Wong  Chun Wai

Wong Chun Wai

Wong Chun Wai began his career as a journalist in Penang, and has served The Star for over 35 years in various capacities and roles. He is now group editorial and corporate affairs adviser to the group, after having served as group managing director/chief executive officer. On The Beat made its debut on Feb 23 1997 and Chun Wai has penned the column weekly without a break, except for the occasional press holiday when the paper was not published. In May 2011, a compilation of selected articles of On The Beat was published as a book and launched in conjunction with his 50th birthday. Chun Wai also comments on current issues in The Star.

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