New Villages: Pandamaran always in my heart

NST,Sunday 20 May 2012

Thank you for the article “We resettled Chinese squatters in new villages” (New Sunday Times, May 6). I stayed at the teachers’ quarters behind SRJK (C) Pandamaran during my childhood and at Lorong Polis during my teenage years.

The former was a row of wooden houses with attap roofs and the latter a typical new village house my mother bought. She taught at the school until her retirement some 30 years ago. The article did not mention the airfield, which was sandwiched between Pandamaran and the road to the port in Klang.

The airfield was abandoned after the British had pulled out. The runway was later used for occasional joyrides by air and a favourite venue for circuses to pitch their tents and funfairs to erect their rides and games.

The industrial area between Pandamaran and Port Klang used to be a mangrove swamp. Land reclamation was carried out at the expense of residents staying along the road parallel to the airfield.

Thousands of lorry loads of laterite soil were transported from the hills to the swamp and the road was covered by spillage. On dry days, passing lorries churned up the powdery laterite and blanketed nearby houses like snow.

It was a spectacle to watch people dammed a big drain and scooped out the water to catch hundreds of catfish. During spring tides, these drains would be flooded with seawater and marine life.

I used to catch fighting fish in the water hyacinth ponds of pig farms and in the drains of nearby rubber plantations. There were plenty of guava fruits and sugar canes for young boys like me to steal.

Most of the houses in Pandamaran were similar to other new villages and not like ordinary farms as mentioned in the article. The land around the houses was planted with some coconut palms, fruit trees or flowers, not beds of vegetables.

The compound of one house was covered with Japanese roses in full bloom. The people living there were very poor but rich in spirits.

It was truly a sight to behold and probably contributed to the reason why I was able to dream in colours from young.

Many new villagers reared chickens or ducks. I enjoyed watching my ducks wolf down a can of earthworms that I have dug from underneath some lalang-covered soil.

Gang fights were common in many new villages and Pandamaran was no different. The Federal Reserve Unit would come regularly to sweep the town for young men loitering in the streets or at their turf in designated coffee shops. A owner of a coffee shop woke up one morning to find a huge dump of pig shit at his front door. The culprits were caught in a most unique fashion. A temple medium was engaged and in a state of trance marched from the coffee shop to the house of a perpetrator accompanied by a large entourage. My elder brother was a tiger general and passed away at an early age caused by beatings he received many years earlier from gangsters and in the lockup. He was 30.

As a teenager, I cycled everyday to relief boredom and a favourite destination was the harbour. With friends, I cycled to Morib for camping and to Kuala Lumpur for swimming at Weld Road (Jalan Raja Chulan).

My first job was a casual labourer at the port. Together with a friend, we were assigned to pull the barges with ropes and made sure they stayed together.

For that, we were each paid RM5 a day. We could have easily fallen into the sea and my friend could not swim.

When I was much younger and could not swim, I had no fear to lower myself into the water by holding on to a sampan while a friend is rowing in a mangrove swamp. When a schoolteacher showed me how to swim during a beach excursion, I learnt it instantly.

In Pandamaran, I learnt to ride a bicycle before my elder brothers could. I had burrowed a ‘cargo bike’ and with my left hand holding on to the handle, the right hand holding the horizontal bar and the bicycle seat tightly squeezed under my right armpit, I would pedal furiously to gain balance while the bicycle remained tilted.

Later, I would climb on to the seat and push the pedals down when they reached the top, as my legs were too short.

I remember a young boy shouting when I cycled passed his house: “Look ma, such a small boy, already can ride a bicycle!” That was the first praise I have ever received and remember it to this day. It was 57 years ago.

I have stayed in Kuala Lumpur throughout my working life but Pandamaran will forever remain close to my heart.

YS Chan

Kuala Lumpur

BR1M: Efficient from the start till the end

NSS,Wednesday 14 March 2012 

There were numerous reports of people queuing for long hours to receive their Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) cash vouchers at many locations across the country. 

I learnt that successful applicants in the Cheras parliamentary constituency (P.123) would receive theirs last Saturday morning and decided to get a firsthand look. 

The venue was held on the 15th Floor of Kenanga Wholesale City. Apart from the basement, parking was also available from the 8th floor upwards in this modern building. 

Upon arrival, I noticed a continuous stream of cars driven in and out of the car park and many workers were stationed at strategic locations to ensure a smooth flow. 

Motorists were directed to the 11th floor with ample parking. Elevators were within walking distance as they were installed at several locations. 

The 15th floor was the highest and it was indeed an impressive sight. The covered rooftop was like a huge aircraft hangar. 

It was bright, airy and column-free. There was no air-conditioning but it was comfortable because of the high roof and good ventilation. 

Scores of people on duty were seated behind several long counters and some chairs were placed in the central open area for the weak to be seated while waiting. 

Although the crowd was large, no one appeared agitated. Those in a queue were making steady progress to the front. 

A number was given out at the first counter and the voucher issued at the second. Recipients could approach any of the many workers seated behind each counter. 

As a result, no queue was formed at these two counters and it took only a couple of minutes to complete this initial process. 

The only queue was at the third counter to cash the voucher, which took about 30 minutes. A breeze compared with other locations that took several hours. 

However, many of those who had just arrived hurriedly joined the queue, only to discover later that they needed to collect the voucher first. 

As there was no signage, it would have been better if they were ushered to the first counter. 

Those at the back of the queue went through some anxious moments, as it was disorderly. However, they soon discovered that everyone had to fall in line according to their numbers. 

Although BR1M is meant for the lower income group, many recipients travelled to the venue by car. 

It would be more caring to include in the notice that parking was free in this newly opened mall. Some cars parked illegally by the roadside were issued with summons. 

Overall, the arrangements were superb as the vouchers were smoothly disbursed and cashed. Many went home with smiles on their faces. 

Those who could not turn up on Saturday could collect their vouchers at the MCA Service Centre at Taman Segar as stated in the advice slip. 

I visited this centre on Sunday morning and found the workers friendly and efficient. The vouchers were issued within minutes and could be cashed at any of the three participating banks. 

However, the envelope and letter should have been returned to the recipients. Instead, the envelopes were thrown into a wastepaper basket and the letter retained by the workers. 

The voucher could have been placed in the envelope and the letter would serve as a reminder to the grateful recipients. 

It was heartwarming to see the joy in the faces of the poor, especially the elderly. Some felt as if the RM500 cash in their hands had just fallen from the sky. 

YS Chan 

Kuala Lumpur

BUS TRANSPORT: Consortium must help plug the leakages

NST,Monday 6 February 2012

The rescue effort by the Malacca government in taking over the bus service in the state ought to be lauded.

However, steps must be taken to ensure that it will not end up being a case of old wine in a new bottle, as the same workers and culture are transferred to a consortium.

Leakages are common in state-run enterprises and consortiums. They are difficult to plug after the rot has set in.

In the bus industry, leakages mainly occur in procurement, maintenance and fares collection. As such, preventive measures must be instituted early to act as a deterrence and bring things under control.

At the other end of the scale, the recent report of Australian Ken Grenda, 79, who operated a bus service in Melbourne, is inspiring.

He sold his company, ensured that all 1,800 employees kept their jobs and handed out RM48.69m in “thank you” bonuses to his staff.

State enterprises are no match with business run by passionate entrepreneurs.





YS Chan

Kuala Lumpur

HENG TUAH: History’s vital to our roots

NST,Friday 27 January 2012 

The part of 

history 

that has affected 

us most must be 

appreciated 

in order to live a 

more noble and 

meaningful life 

I refer to the letter “They are part of our Malay cultural heritage” (NST, Jan 25) and recall that 50 years ago, while in primary school, I learnt that the Malay annals were interwoven with myths and legends. 

Recently, I conducted a training programme in Melaka on community tourism development. While on a field trip, the tourist guide narrated that Hang Li Po came with a retinue of 500 maidens. 

When asked where the descendants of these 500 maidens were, she was dumbfounded. It is a good example of how superficial Malaysians take things at face value. 

If the retinue were that large, many would have married the locals, unless they were forbidden. The descendants, just like the locals that intermarried with Arabs, Indians and others, would be known as Malays. 

A participant ventured to guess that the Baba and Nyonya, also known as the Peranakan Chinese, are the descendants. However, similar Straits Settlement Chinese can also be found in Penang and Singapore. 

The 700-year-old Peranakan community remained Han Chinese although many of them, for several generations, spoke Malay. Their cuisine is laced with local spices and Nyonya food is popular among Malaysians. 

Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Khoo Kay Kim said the younger generation tends to place too much importance to personalities and objects without historical evidence. 

I would say that the elders are not much better as they can be oblivious to evidence before their very eyes. Worst, old buildings are demolished in the name of development, leaving many communities with little heritage and soul. 

If we are truly proud of our hometown, village or settlement, we would want to know its origin and the founders, the trials and tribulations of past generations and the current challenges so that we can move towards a better future. 

However, there is little sense of belonging or accountability. Many Malaysians are quick to uproot and move to better neighbourhoods. Taking pride of our roots, conserving the ancestral home and upholding the family name are not held sacred. 

Pretty boys and girls in heavy makeup performing traditional dances in colourful costumes are portrayed as our Malaysian culture. Tourists quickly forget such entertainments, as they looked similar anywhere in the world. 

People are proud of their language, culture, customs, tradition and rituals which tourists find quaint. On the other hand, cultures that promote good human values would have an impact on tourists and locals alike. 

One good example is the Adat Perpatih brought over from Minangkabau to Negri Sembilan. Such rich cultures, among other virtues, promote courtesy – much lacking in uprooted societies. 

We should take pride of our ancestors and honour them by leaving a better world for our descendants. Instead, lessons from history are not learnt and most of us prefer to enjoy life to the hilt as if there is no tomorrow. 

The study of history should not be confined to textbooks. Assignments for students should include tracing their family tree, discovering the hardships their ancestors faced and recognising the sacrifices made by others in the community. 

The part of history that have affected us most must be appreciated in order to live a more noble and meaningful life. Sadly, this is not happening as most Malaysians lead superficial lives. Many dream to be royalties and adore celebrities. 

Myths and legends will always be popular as they are fascinating and many have been passed down for hundreds of years. They can be used to inculcate good values as they appeal to the emotions. 

On the other hand, intellect and logic are needed to understand history. Not many people can separate fact from fiction, more so when they are interwoven. Finding myths and legends in historical records does not make them real. 

YS Chan 

Kuala Lumpur

Public transport: Private bus firms will thrive

NST,Monday October 31 2011 

Since Oct 15, something new and bizarre has been taking place in Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin, Kuala Lumpur. 

A government-linked bus company is operating the Cheras route from the bus stand at Sinar Kota, which has long being used by a private bus company. 

Cheras commuters are happy as they have a choice of boarding RapidKL buses at Central Market or SJ buses at Sinar Kota. 

In a surprising show of force, RapidKL moved some of its buses plying the Cheras route to Sinar Kota, with enforcement officers and auxillary police in tow.

Such action is uncalled for as the private bus company is operating legitimately. 

It also raises the question about the roles of government and government-linked corporations (GLCs) on business and industry. 

As for public transportation, people appreciate government intervention in areas where the private sector are lacking. 

GLCs are expected to compete fairly in the market and use their resources wisely and not go eliminate private sector players. 

The government should allow private businesses to thrive. It should nurture firms. History shows that letting government appointees run bus companies has never been sustainable. 

Entrepreneurs who are passionate about bus services run SJ successfully. They even introduced new buses with engines running on natural gas. 

As the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has yet to unveil its 20-year master plan, it should include clear guidelines on the roles of GLCs and private enterprise in stage bus operations.

We should be mindful that having people who have no stake in the business operating a huge fleet of buses can be a recipe for disaster. 

But, all will be well if SPAD places national interests above all else. 

YS Chan, Kuala Lumpur

Well-bred: Hold more courtesy courses for them

NST,Thursday 20 October 2011 

Educating Malaysians 

There has been much debate on education and rightly so because of its importance. However, I seem to hold a different view on what constitutes an educated person. 

It may have been 45 years ago, but I still remember clearly the wise words of my school teacher. He explained that a learned person might not necessarily be educated 

Those who studied in higher learning institutions may have learnt something in their courses, but if they behave in an ugly manner, they are anything but educated. 

In my book, simple village folk with minimal schooling are educated when they are courteous to everyone and treat the environment with care and respect. 

The increasing number of ugly Malaysians is a clear indication that our education system has failed. Our colleges and universities are centred on academic studies and churning out graduates mostly lacking in skills needed by the industries. They also lack the language and communications skills. 

They may have spent several years pursuing a diploma or a degree but many graduates are not able to describe well in their own words what they have studied. 

Many graduates are unable to engage in intelligent discussions and lack moral and social values as emotional and spiritual development is accorded low priority in most educational institutions. 

Productivity and innovation will rise with the physical, emotional and spiritual development of individuals, apart from their technical expertise. 

What we have are many Malaysians with superficial views and values, detached from the surroundings and least concerned for the welfare of others. 

Much of our traditional cultures have been reduced to costumes, dances and quaint rituals as good family values and society etiquettes are seldom practised. 

The rise in number of ugly Malaysians has resulted in the degradation of our society and desecration of our environment. 

So how do we go about educating the “educated” ugly Malaysians? 

The answer has to be holistic education and continuous training, apart from more effective enforcement. Instead of limiting education to academic pursuits or professional skills, there should also be personal development. The undergraduates ought to acquire the necessary social values and skills. 

Working adults should attend training on courtesy. They will then learn to raise their awareness and value the importance of courtesy. 

I have conducted several training workshops on courtesy and have noticed many participants are oblivious to the rude behaviour that is common in our society today. 

Perhaps they have grown accustomed and treat such behaviours are normal and would do the same if they too can get away with it. 

Many participants can recall the fifth tenet of the Rukunegara as “Good Behaviour & Morality” but some have absolutely no clue on how to be more courteous. 

It can be as simple as giving others a smile including family members and colleagues. Religion and morals seem more for academic knowledge rather than practice. 

Similarly, we should walk for about 30 minutes regularly if not engaged in any other aerobic exercise. Almost everyone can walk but how many of us take the trouble? 

If we are to achieve the target of attracting 36 million tourists and RM168bil in revenue by 2020, we will need to shore up our human capital. Stretching ourselves thin might cause an implosion. 

The number of graduates does not measure human capital but by productivity and innovation, which rise with the physical, emotional and spiritual developments, apart from technical expertise. 

Active retirees can also be roped in to conduct training on courtesy. Anyone who is observant, caring and with good communication skills can be a facilitator for a group size of between 10 – 25 people. 

Non-governmental organisations can seek grants for such training from various government agencies as it can raise productivity and quality of life for all. 

It will be a meaningful and fruitful exercise for large corporations to sponsor such training as part of their corporate social responsibility.

Courtesy is the responsibility of every individual and organisation. There is no courtesy if it is not shown or displayed. 

It is heartening to note that many of those who lack courtesy are friendly by nature. Many do not realise that some of their everyday behaviours can be perceived to be rude or inappropriate. 

As such, concerted efforts are required to promote and nurture more courteous Malaysians. 

YS Chan 

Kuala Lumpur

Motor insurance premium: The system is outmoded

NST,Wednesday 12 October 2011 

In responding to the 2012 Budget, Datuk Aslah Abdullah, president of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Taxi Operators Association, was reported to have said that the exemption on excise duty and sales tax would ease the burden on taxi owners. 

However, Aslah said the abolishment of the road tax for individually owned taxis would not help much as it cost only RM15 every year. 

“It is not the road tax that is burdensome. It is the insurance premium every year that is expensive. Many of them cannot afford it,” he was reported to have said. 

Many attempts have been made to revise the motor tariff but were unsuccessful. A new approach is needed to break the deadlock. 

What all parties should strive for is a more equitable method to determine the motor insurance premiums for cars. 

Excluding the first RM1,000 sum insured, the motor tariff for a taxi is RM69.80 per thousand of the insured value, compared to only RM26.00 for private cars. As a result, taxi companies normally insure their vehicles under third party cover. 

Should a taxi be stolen or totally wrecked in an accident, the driver need not settle the balance of instalments but loses out all payments made, including the deposit. The risk is borne more by the taxi company initially, until it shifts to the driver. 

Drivers with own permits are required by the banks to insure their taxis under comprehensive cover to obtain financing. If they fancy operating a presentable taxi, insuring one for RM71,000 would incur an annual premium of RM5,942, including for flood and civil commotion.

This RM600 monthly cost is just for the basic premium without loading, windscreen cover and excluding other charges. Imagine the insurance costs for those operating executive taxis using engines of 2.0 litres and above. 

However, operators using cars licensed under limousine taxis will gladly pay the rate charged for public taxis. Illogically, their cars attract a premium of RM102.50 per thousand or 47 per cent higher when they are actually at lower risk. 

Some insurance companies would argue that high-value passengers travel in limousine taxis. It does not hold water because there is a mandatory insurance called “passenger risk cover” which must be paid for each passenger seat, at RM19.50 per year. 

Passengers for vehicles licensed under “hire-and-drive” can be similarly insured under “legal liability to passengers” at a higher cost, at RM60 for each passenger seat per year. Insurance premium for these vehicles under comprehensive cover is RM122.10 per thousand or 4.7 times higher than private cars! 

Contrary to popular belief, most self-drive cars are not hired out over a weekend whereby customers clock hundreds of kilometers traveling outstation. They are mainly rented by large corporate customers for their senior executives. 

Many are expatriates and they clock lesser mileage than the locals. On weekends, they tend to fly off for their holidays around the country or region. As such, “hire-and-drive” cars are not high-risks as falsely perceived. 

That all major car rental companies insure their vehicles under third party cover is testament to this fact. The difference in premiums between comprehensive and third party is more than sufficient to cover the costs of all stolen and damaged cars for the year. 

This proves that the existing motor tariff, unrevised since the 1970s, is an archaic, outmoded table of premiums lacking in logic and basis. 

Actuaries are mathematical wizards and their precise calculations have made insurance affordable and insurers afloat. However, the motor tariff does not appear to be the work of any actuary. Anyone with a good head of figures would have done much better. 

Comprehensive premiums for limousine taxis and hire-and-drive cars were swapped and rectified later. The engine size for all cars is classified under eight categories is another clear indication of its irrelevance. There are for below 1400cc, 1650cc, 2200cc, 3050cc, 4100cc, 4250cc, 4400cc and over 4400cc. 

The last four categories represent less than one percent of the cars on Malaysian roads. There is no need for such classification as calculation will be more consistent on a straight-line basis. In fact, just three simple formulas are sufficient to arrive at a fair insurance premium for all cars. 

The formula for third party premium is 10/20/30. Based on engine size, private cars at 10 sen per cc, taxis including limousines at 20 sen and hire-and-drive cars at 30 sen. For engines with exactly 2,000cc, it will work out to RM200, RM400 ad RM600 compared the current premiums of RM90, RM342, RM389 and RM1,197 respectively. 

The formula for comprehensive cover for the first RM1,000 sum insured is 20/30/40. This will work out to RM400, RM600, RM800 for the same three categories compared with the current premiums of RM277.90, RM523.10, RM767.80 and RM 915.50 respectively. 

The formulae for subsequent RM1,000 insured is 25/40/50. To cover for RM100,000, the premiums will be RM2,500, RM4,000 and RM5,000 compared with the current premiums of RM2,600, RM6,980, RM10,250 and RM12,210 respectively. 

For private cars, the current no claim discount after one year is 25 per cent, rising to 30 per cent, 38.33 per cent, 45 per cent and 55 per cent after five years. They are much lower for commercial vehicles. 

It should be standardized for all cars, starting at 10 per cent, rising by 10 per cent yearly capping at 50 per cent, all without an excess clause. 

However, an excess amount of RM300 can be imposed after a claim in addition to the forfeiture of no claim discount. The excess to be increased by RM300 for every year when claims are made, capping at RM1,500. For every claims-free year, the excess amount is to be reduced by RM300 per year. 

Drivers would be more mindful when the carrot-and-stick method used is clear and simple. However, it is unlikely for the stakeholders to accept these new proposals. The insurers will contend that such a revision is still too low to sustain their business whereas the insured will argue it is still too high. 

It will be up to Bank Negara, the neutral party and regulator, to put the foot down. To continue using a financial instrument that was badly designed in the 1970s does not bode well. 

Insurers that run a tight ship and plug leakages will find the motor portfolio profitable. For this, the various authorities must also work with the motor assemblers and insurers to reduce thefts and accidents. 

YS Chan 

Kuala Lumpur 

Screen “Gandhi’ yearly to propagate his ideals

NST,Friday 7 October 2011 

Millions of people around the world recently paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. To further propagate the ideals of this great man, I propose that the movie “Gandhi” be screened every year to commemorate his birthday. 

The most profound part of the movie, to me, was when a distraught and remorseful man who wanted to atone for his senseless killing, approached Gandhi. 

Gandhi’s reply, as embedded in my mind, was “Go find a boy who has lost his parents in the mayhem. Make sure he is a Muslim, and raise him as one”.

Imagine if this was done; the boy would surely have grown up to be a great Muslim, raised by a Hindu. 

Gandhi has shown that a human being, however bad, is still capable of accomplishing great things if one truly loves God. 

People may adopt various faiths and practices but all of them believe in the same Almighty. 

YS Chan 

Kuala Lumpur

Travel industry: Need to transform business

NST,Thursday 29 September, 2011 

Malaysia will host the 46th United Federation of Travel Agents Association Congress next year. 

This will be exactly 40 years after the 1972 Pacific Area Travel Association Conference held in Kuala Lumpur, which was a watershed in the local tourism industry. 

Our government earmarked 2013 as the next Visit Malaysia Year. However, other countries may host similar events. 

Therefore, the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (Matta) ought to be congratulated for bringing the congress back to our shores so soon as it had hosted it before in 2002. 

The size and influence of the association is enormous. Matta has 2,800 corporate members and it is just one of 100 national travel associations in the group. 

Larger members of Matta are in the small- and medium-scale enterprise category. The travel industry is driven more by passion than professionalism. 

MATTA members are mainly involved in airline ticketing, hotel reservations, outbound and inbound tours, rental of tour buses, vans and cars. 

They are also involved in management of events such as meetings and conferences, and sale of cruises and other travel related services. 

The government introduced licensing of tourist guides in 1975 and Tour Operating Business and Travel Agency Business regulations in 1986. 

These measures ensured some control but there has not been much progress in the travel industry. Take road transport for example. 

During the 1972 Pata Conference, the low-deck monocoque buses used were fitted with air-suspension. They were much more stable, solid, safer and comfortable than double-decker buses of today. 

In 1975, the bus charter rate was RM500 per day and it has yet to double after 35 years whereas the prices of a new Mercedes–Benz car or a double-storey linked house have risen by more than 15 times. 

Some of the licensing conditions for tour buses, vans and cars have been a hindrance to the industry and have not helped to raise safety standards or service quality. 

Although MATTA engaged with the authorities and resolved some of the issues, thorny problems remained. This is hardly surprising as new officials tackled the old problems by starting from scratch.. 

It is well known that the most effective way to transform an industry or country is to raise the human capital through education and training. 

If we remain complacent, other countries with citizens who are more willing to work, learn and embrace English will soon race past us. 

Today, many tourist guides may have university qualifications, but I dare say that in 1975, when I was among the pioneer batch of licensed tourist guides, my English was better, although I studied only up to Form 5. 

The first step in transforming the industry is to harness and compile ideas into a list. 

The next step is to set policies on issues. 

We will achieve a quantum leap when the authorities follow suit. Our aim of becoming a high-income nation will become a reality. 

We have nothing much to show after forty years. For the love of our nation, let us do something concrete that will leave a legacy. 

YS Chan 

Kuala Lumpur 

Practise Rukun Negara in daily life

NST,Wednesday, August 10, 2011 

I refer to “Uphold the tenets of Rukun Negara” (NST, August 4). I fear that the writer’s call may be in vain simply because many Malaysians have only a superficial understanding of the values, including our national philosophy. 

We may need to find ways to narrow the huge gap between knowledge and practice. 

For example, many of us are aware of the importance of exercise and a healthy diet but lack the discipline to lead a healthy lifestyle. 

Some drive recklessly or dash across a busy street in a daily game of death. If life-threatening situations are given scant regard, values are often set aside for convenience and expediency. 

Superficial knowledge of values would not lead them to practice them, and this includes the principles in Rukun Negara. 

Calling on Malaysians to live by the five tenets of our national philosophy can be akin to pouring water over the duck’s back. 

Let us start with “Belief in God” True believers choose to do only the good for the love and fear of God. 

Ironically, many who pray in houses of worship have a greater love for money and are more fearful of the police or anti-corruption officials. 

How can those who profess to love God have such disdain for His most sacred creation, that is, fellow human beings? 

There must be a reason or purpose for the diversity of people, languages, beliefs and practices in this world. 

“Loyalty to the King and Country” is best tested in times of war, and patriots have emerged from all ethnic groups to regain the peace and helped achieve independence for our country. 

During peacetime, patriotism should go beyond flag-raising ceremonies or cheering on national teams during sporting events. 

National Day should not be treated like any other festival celebrated once a year and marked by a holiday. It should go beyond feeling of national pride and flying the Jagur Gemilang. Patriotism is best measured by contributions to the country. 

Such patriotic acts include studying and working hard; being productive and innovate; leading a healthy lifestyle and not be a burden to the country’s resources; generating income and paying taxes; donating to charity and doing voluntary work; contributing to society and helping those in need; fighting against corruption and pollution; checking degradation of society and desecration of the environment; doing a good job and being proud of our work, and not being proud of ourselves. 

Upholding the Constitution” can be a bridge too far when it is not understood or appreciated. The birth certificate of our nation needs to be explained and embraced by citizens. 

If it is not held sacrosanct by politicians, it would be a tall order for the people to do so. 

“Rule of Law” relates to the people, as everyone is wary that lawlessness would lead to anarchy. In any case, laws are made to serve the people and are not to be used against them for an ulterior motive. 

“Courtesy and Morality” should be promoted as they are easily seen and felt. 

Sadly, the failure of our education system is clear. Apart from a mismatch between academia and industry, there is little emphasis on personal development, such as communication skills and courtesy. 

As such, graduates may be learned something in their respective fields, but if they are unable to communicate and connect to the real world, they are anything but educated. 

To nurture courtesy and unity, it will have to start within a family before the same can happen in the workplace and society. 

We could do with more stories of people building successful families. For that to happen, we must start with the basics, like learning to love and not spoil ourselves. 

We must learn to respect ourselves and be courteous to others, whether they deserve it or not. 

Young children should learn to say “good morning”, “thank you”, “please” and “sorry” when they are greeted, thanked, asked and apologised to, the same way as adults.. 

Lack of courtesy is the root cause of frequent quarrels among family members, relatives, neighbours, acquaintances, colleagues and politicians. 

Arguing who is right or wrong has never ended quarrels. Showing courtesy can. 

Being right does not confer on us the privilege to vent our anger. Instead, showing compassion may bring peace and tranquility. 

Courtesy can be as simple as giving a smile or as complex as working out a customer-friendly procedure. The biometric registration exercise of foreign workers fails on this score. 

Graduates may have access to or may be able to compile a huge amount of knowledge, but they lack comprehension to put them into practice. This may explain why millions of Malaysians can memorise the Rukun Negara but don’t act on it. 

As we approach the 54th Merdeka anniversary, leaders have made the clarion call to make our country great. Those convinced also need to be shown how, as many of them may need to take one baby step at a time. 

YS Chan 

Kuala Lumpur

Taxis: 10 reasons cabbies say no

NST,Wednesday 27 July 2011 

Taxi drivers continue to choose passengers or trips although they have been repeatedly warned not to do so. 

Here are 10 reasons why they do so. 

1. They feel that the passenger or trip is not worth their trouble and prefer to wait for a ‘bigger or better fish’. They seem oblivious to the fact that holders of the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence are required to serve the public without discrimination. 

Moreover, the PSV licence hardly serves any purpose as many of them are renewed annually with forged medical certificates. 

Many drivers would also fail the written test needed to obtain the licence to drive a taxi. As such, the authenticity of many PSV licences is in doubt. 

2. It is wise to refuse passengers who are drunk, high on drugs, appear aggressive or dangerous, as taxi drivers have been robbed, injured or even killed. 

3. A driver proceeding to a destination would refuse passengers that are out of his or her way

4. A driver wanting to take a rest, meal or toilet break has to decline a long trip, such as to the airport. 

5. Drivers can be under heavy pressure rushing passengers to a destination, especially to catch a flight, and in the process, risking accidents and speed traps. 

6. It is possible that the driver does not know a residential or factory address, more so in a remote area, and would decline if the passenger does not know the way either.

7. The number of passengers may exceed the maximum allowed, or the cargo may be too large, heavy or foul up the taxi, such as durians

8. Some passengers board the taxi while holding on to their unfinished drinks or food. Some ask to smoke inside the cab.

9. Those who wish to hire the taxi on an hourly basis but refuse to pay a deposit. Some passengers do not return as promised while the drivers wait for them indefinitely.

10. Quarrelling passengers getting into the same taxi can continue their fights, which can lead to physical and mental assaults to all occupants inside the cab.

Nevertheless, taxi drivers with good reasons to decline a passenger or trip should be courteous. Those who are rude, for whatever reason, should not be allowed to continue spreading discourtesy. 

Conducting counselling sessions on a daily basis is one of the most effective ways to rein in errant taxi drivers. The fear of being hauled up by the authorities and possible rehabilitation can make them fall in line. 

As a good preventive measure, those with heightened aggression should be tested for mental health. Drivers who threatened or injure passengers should be arrested for intimidation or battery. 

Equally important, the authorities must find ways to protect taxi drivers and not leave them vulnerable and subject to public abuse and ridicule. 

There must be a mechanism for these ‘lone rangers’ to seek redress as some passengers can be unreasonable and vexatious. 

For example, the shortest route is not always the fastest or the cheapest due to heavy traffic, and the return trip can be much longer because of one-way streets. 

Some passengers become angry with the driver for choosing a longer route that they curse and swear inside the taxi and while getting off, even though they have been offered a lower charge than the registered fare. 

Being right does not confer us the privilege of humiliating others and we lose credibility for blowing our top. This applies to all of us, taxi drivers and passengers included. 

YS Chan 

Kuala Lumpur

Social progress: We need soul for a real life

NST,Friday 15 July 2011 

Our social progress has not kept pace with economic development 

In the pursuit of material possessions and personal enjoyment, the wellbeing of others is given lesser importance. 

Emigration and urban migration may be a worldwide phenomenon but it has also rendered many Malaysians not taking ownership of the community they live in 

When the neighbourhood deteriorates, they move away to a better one instead of tackling the problem with other residents. 

Those with expanding incomes keep moving to newer and bigger houses, much like they change cars. There is little attachment and engagement with the community they live in. Neighbours are but strangers in their midst, within a condominium or down the street. 

Sadly, hometowns and kampung are forgotten and left desolate. On the other hand, I am warmed by the efforts of a successful tour operator who conduct meaningful activities for the kampung folk around Segamat – his hometown. 

Instead of the usual publicity-seeking corporate social responsibility exercise, he chose personal social responsibility on a low-profile basis but achieved far greater results than many government-organised functions. 

What we need are more people like him who are proud of their history and traditions, much like many parts of Europe where people have lived in their ancestral homes for hundreds of years. 

There is strong connection to local history, culture, traditions, roots and family name. This core group of locals gives the place its character and soul. 

A fine example in Malaysia is the adat perpatih brought over from Minangkabau, Sumatra, and found in Negri Sembilan. Such rich culture, among other virtues, promotes courtesy, which is very much lacking in uprooted societies. 

Culture should be the way of life and beyond cultural dances. 

The Citrawarna or the Colours of Malaysia festival, may be impressive with thousands of dancers performing in colourful traditional costumes, but it is just a tourist show held once a year and has no impact at other times. 

As such, the 12th Adat Perpatih Festival to be showcased at the Seri Menanti Royal Museum in Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilam, tomorrow and Sunday should generate beyond academic interest. 

First-hand accounts by model practitioners sharing their personal experiences and insightful essays on how society has benefited would help ensure the perpetuation of adat perpatih for posterity. 

For centuries, the royal houses in the peninsula have united the people of various races, religions, languages, cultures and traditions while politicians clamouring for power have succeeded in doing the reverse. 

We ought to connect to the past, taking in both the tragedies and the triumphs of our families, our communities and ourselves. 

They are very much a part of our life, our soul. 

It would be more meaningful to trace ancestral lines and ponder over the trials and tribulations of past generations. When the descendants are respectful of their ancestors, they will plan their contributions better for future generations 

We can live by default but we need to have soul to get a real life. We should take pride in our roots and carry the torch passed by our ancestors to our descendants 

YS Chan 

Kuala Lumpur

Taxi service: Touts a menace at KLIA

NST,Friday, April 8, 2011 

I refer to the letter, “Millions wasted on return trip from airports” (NST, April 6) and wish to point out that these touts are not taxi drivers. 

Those who often meet passengers arriving at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) he same group of people touting there. 

KLIA is plagued by touts and they come in many different forms. I have seen one wearing a jacket and name tag operating in the arrival hall. 

Those who have unsuccessfully tried tackling the menace believe that these touts work in cohorts with those in charge of airport security. 

The airport authorities have wisely got rid of many counters outside the arrival hall operated by tour, transport and car rental companies and hotels. 

Touts have no qualms charging a princely sum for a trip to the city. They make use of a pool of pirated taxis and whenever they are short of cars, they will approach licenced taxi drivers dropping off passengers. 

YS Chan 

Kuala Lumpur 

Pay public for evidence of illegal acts

NST,Thursday, April 7, 2011 

I wish to respond to the article “Need to catch litterbugs in the act” (NST Streets, March 30) on the statement that local authorities should not be blamed for the lack of enforcement. 

The common excuse of our enforcement agencies is to either cite shortage of manpower or that their officers cannot be present everywhere. 

One must bear in mind that there are several stages in enforcement, beginning with surveillance, issuing of summons, collection of compound fines and prosecution, when necessary. 

The surveillance part of enforcement can be privatised without compromising on the powers and authority of the various agencies, which they so jealously guard. 

Private firms can be engaged to hire and train camera crews to videotape offenders caught in the act such as littering, illegal dumping, open burning, excessive smoke emitting from vehicles and factories and various traffic offences. 

The enforcement agencies should pay when clear evidence is submitted and issue the summons. 

There will be no shortage of camera crews on the streets and they are bound to be hardworking and efficient, as it involves private enterprise. 

To be fair to the public, the camera crews must wear bright colour uniforms and be in full view of the public. Their presence can also deter street crimes such as snatch thefts. 

Hard-core violators such as litterbugs, reckless drivers and those who park indiscriminately will be caught in the act. 

Continuing with the status-quo allows offenders to get away with impunity, which angers the public and could lead to others following their bad examples. 

YS Chan 

Kuala Lumpur