Most Read
Most Commented
Read more like this
mk-logo
From Our Readers
12mil Malaysians denied of RM2,083 each in 2013

What use is the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BRIM) when we have lost RM2,083 each in 2013?

It was raised in Parliament by the Temerloh MP Nasrudin Hassan. RM25.1 billion left the Malaysian shores as millions of registered foreign workers remitted that amount back to their countries in 2013.

What it translates to is that 12 million Malaysian workers were denied of RM2,083 each of savings for that same year.

And if three members of a family are part of our 12 million working population, each family would have lost RM6,249. It is a tidy amount for a nice family getaway once a year. No?

Should we dismiss this interpretation as foolish and simplistic arithmetic? Should we not unravel the philosophy and ethics behind it which we need to take into cognisance and how it is being compromised and abused with blatant disregard and all in the name of profits and progress?

This is not even taking into account the billions of ringgit that left the country over the last 10 years as Malaysian employers and even foreign investment companies took advantage of the ease of securing foreign workers.

Of course the government has provided answers. The accusation from politicians was that Malaysians do not want to take up the jobs available in the agricultural and service sectors.

Some even went further. The political power brokers argued that we must be grateful because these foreign workers, who were prepared to work their bones at merger wages and pathetic work conditions, minus all the entitlements under sanctioned labor laws, increased the productivity of the nation.

Well that is slavery, is it not?

And the latest rhythm is “we are going to be a high income nation”. Seems like we are again being sent after another pot of gold at the end of the rainbow in the sky!

Ministers, politicians and sworn supporters of political mantras, please take a tour of our streets.

Do you know how many of the people lining up for free food are Malaysians?

Do you know that the many who sleep under bridges and alleys are denied jobs - even part-time work?

Do you know that there are many unwillingly retired Malaysians not because of their ill health or incapacity to work but because no employer is interested in retired Malaysians any more?

What is a greater ethical value that a nation must pursue? What is the philosophy upon which a nation’s progress must be anchored on?

Or is the mantra of any means will do to justify the end, the sole ultimate?

Is it development when we deny our very own citizens of opportunities to earn a living?

Is higher returns on investments (increased profiteering, actually) at the expense of letting RM25.1 billion to flee the country in just one calendar year a greater virtue?

A more caring society for all Malaysians

Vision 2020 has encapsulated nine challenges and of these, two of them are about creating a more caring society for all Malaysians.

How on earth can we even murmur that we are near to attaining developed status when our leaders and business captains continue to deny Malaysians of being able to have a fair share of the wealth of their nation?

In 2013 RM25.1 billion was siphoned out of this land for the benefit of families of foreign citizens. That does not include the billions more ringgit remitted by unregistered (or illegal) workers. What more of the billions of ringgit drained out over the last two decades.

What more if you take into stock the mushrooming massage parlors and seedy joints of prostitution that is serviced by foreign nationals - even in broad daylight, mind you.

 

In all likelihood, the 12 million of our working population could have saved nothing less than RM2,083 each in 2013 alone.

That amount could also translate to earnings or job opportunities for the forced-to-turn beggar society of Malaysians.

No. The forces that be will admonish that Malaysians are lazy people. They will tell you without winking an eye that Malaysians do not want to dirty their hands.

They will come, full throttle, with threats of ‘treason’ charges.

But take a honest look at our neighbouring countries.

Each of our neighboring Asean member nations’ foremost priority is to ensure that their own citizens have the first priority freedom and option to be gainfully employed. Every retired citizen can go on finding gainful employment as long as he or she can work.

Every youth is given un-encroaching opportunity to be gainfully employed or self-employed.

Can we say the same for us Malaysians?

Forget the labour statistics. Look at the street reality. Let Malaysians speak up without fear of harassment.

We need honest debates. We need truth in our hearts. We need to defend this nation’s suffering and lost-opportunity citizens amongst its 30 million population.

Who will speak up? Who will stand up? Who can lead this nation into deliverance?

Or shall we all dump this letter in the trash can and continue the way that things have been and shall be forever, amen?

ADS