| Is it safe? Posted: 27 Dec 2013 08:57 PM PST A research arm of international business magazine The Economist has rate Malaysia as a low risk coountry in terms of social unrest. We are ranked among 31 countries with a low or very low risk of national instability, on par with Singapore which recently went through an unprecedented 'riot' involving some foreigners. Surverying 150 countries, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) placed Malaysia as among the 'safest' nations for foreign investors and tourists. What a 'soothing' report. I believe most Malaysians are happy with it, except for those who still want to plunge our position further to join the pool of 'most critical', namely Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia. PETALING JAYA: A research arm of international business magazine The Economist has rated Malaysia as a low risk country in terms of social unrest, a finding some experts here agree with.
Surveying 150 countries, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) ranked Malaysia among 31 countries with a low or very low risk of national instability, on par with Singapore.
In comparison, neighbouring Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines were marked as medium to high risk of social unrest.
EIU country forecasting services director Laza Kekic cited economic problems, coupled with poor political decisions and other factors, as leading to these risks.
Wide income inequality, poor government, ethnic tensions, low levels of social provision and a history of unrest were other contributors.
"Economic distress is almost a necessary condition for serious social or political instability, but it is not a sufficient one," he said on The Economist website.
The EIU, he said, noted a "deep sense" of dissatisfaction with the political elite and institutions in emerging markets.
Nearly half (43%) of the countries surveyed were set as high or very high risk, including Bangladesh and Cambodia. While most people enjoy peace and stability, a certain quarters (especially the opposition) would be overjoyed if they are able to proof to the world that Malaysia is not what they think - we are not that safe, its a police country, the crime rate is high while streets demo is on the rise. Hmmm.... streets demo... Malaysians are getting better and better... aren't we proud of it!  |
| We want that money too! Posted: 27 Dec 2013 02:59 AM PST Well expected! Since Perkasa made it public last week that it received funding from the government, other NGOs and organisations (some of which were established long before Perkasa) will not only question the motive but also the 'right' of others to the money. We don't have the exact figure of how many ' for-the-Malay groupings' are there in the country but the thing here is - if we give to one, we must give to others too. And today, at least two 'badan yang memperjuangkan hak Melayu' (defender of Malay rights groups) came out of nowhere to demand such 'fund'. With the funding sources of Perkasa disclosed, two Malay-Muslim NGOs, Martabat Jalinan Muhibbah Malaysia (MJMM) and Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), are crying foul over the government favouring the right wing Malay movement over them. The two NGOs, which are similarly involved in defending Malay and Muslim rights in the country, said they, too, want recognition and some of these funds.
MJMM president Abdul Rani Kulup Abdullah said they suspected that Perkasa had government backing, but it had not been made this clear before.
"Now, with it revealed that Perkasa has government funding... I feel it's not fair if only Perkasa alone gets the funds," Rani said in a text message to Malaysiakini today.
"We are moving along with our own pocket money... so I urge the government to carefully review again the funds for NGOs."
MJMM has been actively policing the social media, such as Facebook, and has filed several police reports against those allegedly insulting Muslims or Malays online.
It is also among the NGOs that in October called on police to investigate DAP MP Tony Pua for labelling Utusan Malaysia and the Registrar of Societies (ROS) as 'anjing Umno' (running dogs for Umno) in a online posting.
MJMM is also protesting against price hikes and higher cost of living, Rani said.
Isma: It's not Umno's generosity
Earlier this week Perkasa admitted that it had received funding from agencies such as the National Security Council (MKN), National Civics Bureau (BTN) and the Special Affairs Department (Jasa), which come under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry.
Isma is similarly unhappy that government funds are not handed out more evenly.
"Umno cannot bring it up as if it is their generosity (to fund Perkasa)," Isma's president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman ( right ) said.
"Until now, I have not seen the government truly acknowledge the role of NGOs in building up the community, especially Malay and Islamic NGOs."
Will there be more? The NGOs felt dejected and frustrated that Perkasa is being treated as a 'the most senior Malay rights defender' when many others have to move along with their own pocket money (I thought NGOs are non-profiteering and must raise their own fund). However, that's the problem about money. You can't be seen as giving to one or two and neglecting many others. Yes, it is normal that these NGOs get funding from various sources but when it comes to the government, everybody must be equally treated, right?  |
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