By al-Din on October 29, 2009 7:17 AM
The Malay dilemma. Governance. Corporate foul-ups of the highest order. Banyak musang berbulu ayam hitam. Many thorns in the flesh to be unpricked.
Who was the megalomaniac responsible putting together Guthrie, Golden Hope and Sime Darby. It flip-plopped from Synergy to Sime Darby. The three agriculture (mainly) based entities were on strong foundation and already giant enough to be efficient and chart their own ways. Put them together makes too bulky for good governance and fast decisions.
Whose idea is it that FELDA, FELCRA, and RISDA be put together. FELDA was (before Synergy-Sime Darby) the largest oil palm conglomerate. The three entities have somewhat different functions and responsibilities. Putting them together will cause confusion in foci and hence less efficient. What they can do is to fine tune for further improvements.
Size does matters but being over-sized? We hear none from the big-shots in the agriculture sector on this mega-mergers. They are just go-along gang, jaga periok nasi, or their voices muddled. Maybe I am wrong.
In-depth and comprehensive studies should be for such changes. There is no need to hurry to avoid costly mistakes. What is the hidden agenda?
Or we can just follow the leader, mumble and jumble our way. And you know who was the greatest mumbler of all!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Che Det on Buses for Rapid KL: comment 2
By al-Din on October 27, 2009 10:47 PM
We cannot be our brother's keeper anymore - Melayu tolong Melayu. Lebih banyak Melayu khianat Melayu. Lahap makan. Balun semua. Kacang lupakan kulit. Harap pagar pagar makan padi.
Baik kita jadi anau dalam belukar. Tetapi setakat mana lagipun ramai tak mampu. We need good governance for our wellbeing.
We have been given centuries of time. Time is no more on our side. We are desperate people indeed. We have been transformed into megalomaniacs. Go for the kill now. Sempat lagi bertaubat.
The masjid is becoming less of Rumah Allah. Members for the Jawatankuasa Masjid are UMNO appointed and usually the wrong people because of personal interests. In my (new) qariah, no general meeting has been conducted for the last 5 years. Friday collections amount to about RM1300 per month. No financial statement is made. People are disgruntled and groupings arise. Is UMNO for Allah!
Forewarned "Zaman beredar, pusaka bergilir" to quote Rais Yatim.
We cannot be our brother's keeper anymore - Melayu tolong Melayu. Lebih banyak Melayu khianat Melayu. Lahap makan. Balun semua. Kacang lupakan kulit. Harap pagar pagar makan padi.
Baik kita jadi anau dalam belukar. Tetapi setakat mana lagipun ramai tak mampu. We need good governance for our wellbeing.
We have been given centuries of time. Time is no more on our side. We are desperate people indeed. We have been transformed into megalomaniacs. Go for the kill now. Sempat lagi bertaubat.
The masjid is becoming less of Rumah Allah. Members for the Jawatankuasa Masjid are UMNO appointed and usually the wrong people because of personal interests. In my (new) qariah, no general meeting has been conducted for the last 5 years. Friday collections amount to about RM1300 per month. No financial statement is made. People are disgruntled and groupings arise. Is UMNO for Allah!
Forewarned "Zaman beredar, pusaka bergilir" to quote Rais Yatim.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Che Det on Buses for Rapid KL: Comment 1
By al-Din on October 26, 2009 7:06 PM
After Tun this country will go BUST. There are so many things not not right and getting worse. I am not saying that during Tun's time there were no man eat man.
At all levels in the country from the family unit to the governance of community, kampong, district, state, institutions, resources ... and to the highest echelon are in shambles.
Systems are there but simply abused mainly by greed. And greed is exemplified from the top that filters to the bottom.
The grand wastage starts from the district level because the DOs are incompetent or full of personal interests or both.If the districts are mismanaged then the state is bankcrupt. Name me any state in Malaysia which is not one. They can get dole from Federal anyway. Ultimately, the nation is bankcrupt. We get dole from IMF and we blame the Jews.
To cite an example (out of the many thousands I am sure) of sheer waste. Years ago in Cameron Highlands, the DO demolished the beautiful and solid district office building, a leftover of the British, and built a new one on the same spot. What a waste of rakyat's money (they forgot about that). The former building could be used for a library.
This the same in the corporate sector. Among the highest paid CEO is from a GLC bank. The staff may protest but who cares - let the devil take the hindmost.
The miscreants work (knowingly) hand in glove with the powers to be. They can escape punitive actions if ever taken. Still, the people who hold the cards are the government officials. They should be apprehended. Rarely we hear such actions taken.
Rapid KL and Penang Transit debacle. Can MACC or Najib really fathom this out? I doubt. There is too much of I rub yours and you rub mine going on. I know what skeletons you hide and you know mine. Let's shut up.
Only Allah knows what's the plan for the Malays in their own homeland. Only after a century plus of Chinese presence we are still begging for 30% take!
Greed is the driving force of man eat man. Live simply and let others simply live.
After Tun this country will go BUST. There are so many things not not right and getting worse. I am not saying that during Tun's time there were no man eat man.
At all levels in the country from the family unit to the governance of community, kampong, district, state, institutions, resources ... and to the highest echelon are in shambles.
Systems are there but simply abused mainly by greed. And greed is exemplified from the top that filters to the bottom.
The grand wastage starts from the district level because the DOs are incompetent or full of personal interests or both.If the districts are mismanaged then the state is bankcrupt. Name me any state in Malaysia which is not one. They can get dole from Federal anyway. Ultimately, the nation is bankcrupt. We get dole from IMF and we blame the Jews.
To cite an example (out of the many thousands I am sure) of sheer waste. Years ago in Cameron Highlands, the DO demolished the beautiful and solid district office building, a leftover of the British, and built a new one on the same spot. What a waste of rakyat's money (they forgot about that). The former building could be used for a library.
This the same in the corporate sector. Among the highest paid CEO is from a GLC bank. The staff may protest but who cares - let the devil take the hindmost.
The miscreants work (knowingly) hand in glove with the powers to be. They can escape punitive actions if ever taken. Still, the people who hold the cards are the government officials. They should be apprehended. Rarely we hear such actions taken.
Rapid KL and Penang Transit debacle. Can MACC or Najib really fathom this out? I doubt. There is too much of I rub yours and you rub mine going on. I know what skeletons you hide and you know mine. Let's shut up.
Only Allah knows what's the plan for the Malays in their own homeland. Only after a century plus of Chinese presence we are still begging for 30% take!
Greed is the driving force of man eat man. Live simply and let others simply live.
Che Det on Lingam Tapes: Comment
By al-Din on October 24, 2009 11:20 PM
Would I shake hands with Lingam? Surely I would for old times sake. I suppose that's the gregarious Lingam I knew during 6th Form in Seremban. He was in the Arts and I was in the Sciences.
Only Tun knows the hurtache of being insinuated over the Lingam tapes. Current events and the Net has vindicated Tun to some extent. Who were the culprits behind the ill-intended Commission? Beware PRU13.
Now that a Commission job 'completed' what about a Royal Commission of Inquiry to look into possible abuses of power by the nefarious one*:
i) was public money involved (if so how much?) when he made 33 visits to the Los Angeles cancer clinic?
ii) was cronyism and conflict of interests involved with his overtures as a Premier to Scomi, his son-in-law's business concern?
iii)how much public money spent during his tenure to print and place his signature posters and billboards all over the country?
iv) when he signed the "Oil for Food" deal for the hungry and dying Iraqis, was there ex gratia of any kind in return?
v)what were his interests really during the many years as Minister of Foreign Affairs?
* pardon my language. He started it all with his devious acts to his predecessor PM Dr Mahathir (the country suffered too), and bullshitting such as "Be My Friend", "Anwar got the best lawyers", Tak Nak ....
Would I shake hands with Lingam? Surely I would for old times sake. I suppose that's the gregarious Lingam I knew during 6th Form in Seremban. He was in the Arts and I was in the Sciences.
Only Tun knows the hurtache of being insinuated over the Lingam tapes. Current events and the Net has vindicated Tun to some extent. Who were the culprits behind the ill-intended Commission? Beware PRU13.
Now that a Commission job 'completed' what about a Royal Commission of Inquiry to look into possible abuses of power by the nefarious one*:
i) was public money involved (if so how much?) when he made 33 visits to the Los Angeles cancer clinic?
ii) was cronyism and conflict of interests involved with his overtures as a Premier to Scomi, his son-in-law's business concern?
iii)how much public money spent during his tenure to print and place his signature posters and billboards all over the country?
iv) when he signed the "Oil for Food" deal for the hungry and dying Iraqis, was there ex gratia of any kind in return?
v)what were his interests really during the many years as Minister of Foreign Affairs?
* pardon my language. He started it all with his devious acts to his predecessor PM Dr Mahathir (the country suffered too), and bullshitting such as "Be My Friend", "Anwar got the best lawyers", Tak Nak ....
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Che Det on Sound Bites - the US Dollar: Comment 2
By al-Din on October 20, 2009 12:59 PM
The problem of ideas - too many people giving too many dead ideas. Dead ideas bring wastage apart from other detrimentals to the country. The leaders (think) just sock them to the rakyat and they can take it even if bitter. What can they do? Now the opposition is coming strong and the rakyat go to the streets. Fed up.
Examples of dead ideas:
KJ - proposed youth bank; wanted to be the youngest PM (deadly); did he personally sent the international passport to Anwar?; etc
Kalimullah - KJ's promoter, NST's demise etc.
UUM - giving award to the destroyer
Terengganu (MB) - common toilet in schools, holiday for problem couples, collapsed stadium etc
Khir Toyo - broom master, pharonic residence ...
Nazri - proposed Mahathir to resign UMNO, Minister of Parliment (if head count is the responsibility measure than every kampong should have a Minister) ..
Isa - ADUN N31, pelandok=babi
1Najib - 1Malaysia (1suara, 1lagu, 1pemikiran ...), Akuinas, army town, 2nd bridge (got kicked in the arse by the Sultan), approved visit by Mr Bloodied Hands...
Police - watch towers along roadways (even monkeys don't climb them!)...
Pak Lah - too many to list
Dr Mahathir - appointed Lah as PM!
The problem of ideas - too many people giving too many dead ideas. Dead ideas bring wastage apart from other detrimentals to the country. The leaders (think) just sock them to the rakyat and they can take it even if bitter. What can they do? Now the opposition is coming strong and the rakyat go to the streets. Fed up.
Examples of dead ideas:
KJ - proposed youth bank; wanted to be the youngest PM (deadly); did he personally sent the international passport to Anwar?; etc
Kalimullah - KJ's promoter, NST's demise etc.
UUM - giving award to the destroyer
Terengganu (MB) - common toilet in schools, holiday for problem couples, collapsed stadium etc
Khir Toyo - broom master, pharonic residence ...
Nazri - proposed Mahathir to resign UMNO, Minister of Parliment (if head count is the responsibility measure than every kampong should have a Minister) ..
Isa - ADUN N31, pelandok=babi
1Najib - 1Malaysia (1suara, 1lagu, 1pemikiran ...), Akuinas, army town, 2nd bridge (got kicked in the arse by the Sultan), approved visit by Mr Bloodied Hands...
Police - watch towers along roadways (even monkeys don't climb them!)...
Pak Lah - too many to list
Dr Mahathir - appointed Lah as PM!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Che Det on Blair the Bloody Hand - comment 1
By al-Din on October 19, 2009 11:19 AM
Our sensitivities have been dulled (by the media, manipulated) by war and human suffrage that we resigned in helplessness and let the world into brinkmanship. The greatest proponent of brinkmanship is US.
The Perdana Global Peace Organisation's tribunal to try war criminals is definitely a step in the right direction.
Candidates to be brought to court, include:
- the bloody joker who approved Blair's visit.
- the Malaysian zionist who signed "Oil for Food".
- the make-peace Arroyo, pretending to offer the olive branch (as a front of do-gooder to Malaysia and others) but shoot the Moros at the back. Allah is Great (in retribution).
Our sensitivities have been dulled (by the media, manipulated) by war and human suffrage that we resigned in helplessness and let the world into brinkmanship. The greatest proponent of brinkmanship is US.
The Perdana Global Peace Organisation's tribunal to try war criminals is definitely a step in the right direction.
Candidates to be brought to court, include:
- the bloody joker who approved Blair's visit.
- the Malaysian zionist who signed "Oil for Food".
- the make-peace Arroyo, pretending to offer the olive branch (as a front of do-gooder to Malaysia and others) but shoot the Moros at the back. Allah is Great (in retribution).
Che Det: Sound Bites - the US Dollar: comment 1
By al-Din on October 19, 2009 9:56 AM
The problem of ideas is good, dead or deadly. Fiat money is deadly. Tun's idea of the dinar is good.
Good ideas stand to ridicule in a dead community of thoughts. The incubation period to register and impress the brain and hence acceptance varies according to the state of knowledge and circumstances.
In a falsified world ideas must seem to emit from the few. Anyhow, we like to dance, the dance of the few in power.
The bubble is bursting. The country should be thinking and doing the next thousand steps though somewhat late in many cases. Cut the politicking and rhetoric.
The problem of ideas is good, dead or deadly. Fiat money is deadly. Tun's idea of the dinar is good.
Good ideas stand to ridicule in a dead community of thoughts. The incubation period to register and impress the brain and hence acceptance varies according to the state of knowledge and circumstances.
In a falsified world ideas must seem to emit from the few. Anyhow, we like to dance, the dance of the few in power.
The bubble is bursting. The country should be thinking and doing the next thousand steps though somewhat late in many cases. Cut the politicking and rhetoric.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Che Det on Malaysian Industries - comment 1
By al-Din on October 6, 2009 8:52 PM
We remember your "Buy British Last" and "Look East" policies. You put the brave stand and in that way helped propel the country's industries.
Yes, we heard comments in the past by none other than the simpleton that Proton cars not up to standard. We hear Proton begging for partners. We know who is not up to standard!
We hear about liberalisation and globalisation. If the government is not supportive of marketing local industries then they cannot be competitive. What can we offer at cheaper price then?
The global arena is not a level playing field. Might is right. By that itself we cannot take the onslaught. Being weak, surely we will be enslaved in our minds and loose our freedom. That is the face of 21st century colonialism.
Our leaders are embedded in city life and have forgotten the living conditions in the rurals. The already developed urbanites benefit most from the Iskandar Regional Project. Those poor souls in the kampongs are only taken care of when elections come. Imagine, the road whic leads to my kampong house (which is just half kilometer away from the Tampin-Gemas trunk road) is still lateritic!!
As you said before the politicians know nothing. For some reasons of their own making, their hands are tied at the back. If the government that we elect cannot give support to the business of its citizens then they are in no business to be the government. Time for change!
We remember your "Buy British Last" and "Look East" policies. You put the brave stand and in that way helped propel the country's industries.
Yes, we heard comments in the past by none other than the simpleton that Proton cars not up to standard. We hear Proton begging for partners. We know who is not up to standard!
We hear about liberalisation and globalisation. If the government is not supportive of marketing local industries then they cannot be competitive. What can we offer at cheaper price then?
The global arena is not a level playing field. Might is right. By that itself we cannot take the onslaught. Being weak, surely we will be enslaved in our minds and loose our freedom. That is the face of 21st century colonialism.
Our leaders are embedded in city life and have forgotten the living conditions in the rurals. The already developed urbanites benefit most from the Iskandar Regional Project. Those poor souls in the kampongs are only taken care of when elections come. Imagine, the road whic leads to my kampong house (which is just half kilometer away from the Tampin-Gemas trunk road) is still lateritic!!
As you said before the politicians know nothing. For some reasons of their own making, their hands are tied at the back. If the government that we elect cannot give support to the business of its citizens then they are in no business to be the government. Time for change!
Che Det on Open Houses - comment 2
By al-Din on September 29, 2009 9:59 PM
If having celebrations is the pathway to bangsa Malaysia by all means we should party Tun! Well, we all know it is a complex, never ending road to achieve a moving target.
Obama says "We are one", Najib says "1Malaysia". What are the ramifications of such slogans? The former implies among others:
i) Reinforces unity and support as in a bundle of sticks tied together;
ii) Number one in the world;
iii)Differences do not make any difference.
For the latter if I could interpret correctly:
i)Is Najib trying to imitate Obama? If so it is a whimper;
ii)There are 2 or more Malaysias. In fact there are - W Malaysia and E Malaysia. I spent 7 years in Sarawak and could see the vast differences between the two. There is no road to reach the upland interior, until quite recently the road leading from Mukah to Selangau was in terrible conditions, and we heard the plight of the Penans. It is as if E Malaysia di anak tirikan.
iii) Unity seems to be the chief aim but doesn't having 1lagu, 1budaya, 1pemikiran? If everybody think the same then no one is thinking. We must nurture diversity of ways of life and harvest its potential.
If celebrations lead to greater interactions and more mix-matrimonials then it is good for heterotic effect. My genes are of Minangkabau, Peranakan and other wild descendents. The Chinese often speak to me (in their tongue) but I can't understand. What a pity I said to myself. As an excuse jokingly I would say "Saya Cina sudah lama masuk Melayu!
Peranakan patun( by Si Melata. 1894. Pantun penganten)
Hal nikah tepok rebana,
Perkara baik bukannya hina.
Karangan burok tiada guna,
Buat ramai tambah warna.
Bilik cantek berbagei bagei,
Dalam kelambu berbau stanggi.
Malam berchakap sampai pagi,
Chuchi muka kiasai pergi.
If having celebrations is the pathway to bangsa Malaysia by all means we should party Tun! Well, we all know it is a complex, never ending road to achieve a moving target.
Obama says "We are one", Najib says "1Malaysia". What are the ramifications of such slogans? The former implies among others:
i) Reinforces unity and support as in a bundle of sticks tied together;
ii) Number one in the world;
iii)Differences do not make any difference.
For the latter if I could interpret correctly:
i)Is Najib trying to imitate Obama? If so it is a whimper;
ii)There are 2 or more Malaysias. In fact there are - W Malaysia and E Malaysia. I spent 7 years in Sarawak and could see the vast differences between the two. There is no road to reach the upland interior, until quite recently the road leading from Mukah to Selangau was in terrible conditions, and we heard the plight of the Penans. It is as if E Malaysia di anak tirikan.
iii) Unity seems to be the chief aim but doesn't having 1lagu, 1budaya, 1pemikiran? If everybody think the same then no one is thinking. We must nurture diversity of ways of life and harvest its potential.
If celebrations lead to greater interactions and more mix-matrimonials then it is good for heterotic effect. My genes are of Minangkabau, Peranakan and other wild descendents. The Chinese often speak to me (in their tongue) but I can't understand. What a pity I said to myself. As an excuse jokingly I would say "Saya Cina sudah lama masuk Melayu!
Peranakan patun( by Si Melata. 1894. Pantun penganten)
Hal nikah tepok rebana,
Perkara baik bukannya hina.
Karangan burok tiada guna,
Buat ramai tambah warna.
Bilik cantek berbagei bagei,
Dalam kelambu berbau stanggi.
Malam berchakap sampai pagi,
Chuchi muka kiasai pergi.
Che Det on Open House - comment 1
By al-Din on September 30, 2009 3:35 PM
If our "open house" is strictly for local festivities there is no danger.
The danger is "open house" at the global level especially when Najib is jettisoning the country towards that direction. If he is making unpopular statements and actions on national matters then we fear his capability internationally.
Singapore is having an open house at the tail end of the Peninsular - dirt cheap water, plenty of sand (to narrow the Straits), housing and land for its citizens. I first commented on this while Muhyiddin was still the MB.
Yet, this neighbour tells you what and want not to do. This bridge no that bridge yes. To relate this to a layman situation, when I want to entent my kitchen ( to have more space for open house) within the compound, I don't have to ask approval from the neighbour.
The Defense Minister nonchalantly said Indonesia had illegally entered our airspace 13 times. What should he think he should do when someone broke into his house in Bagan Datoh or elsewhere even once?
Enough of the open houses held here by the foreigners in the past - Portuguese, Dutch and British. The next one meng-antu-ya is Uncle Sam who is Jewish now.
Our ignorance, state of technology, incapable leadership is an open house for plunder under the pretext of globalisation.
If our "open house" is strictly for local festivities there is no danger.
The danger is "open house" at the global level especially when Najib is jettisoning the country towards that direction. If he is making unpopular statements and actions on national matters then we fear his capability internationally.
Singapore is having an open house at the tail end of the Peninsular - dirt cheap water, plenty of sand (to narrow the Straits), housing and land for its citizens. I first commented on this while Muhyiddin was still the MB.
Yet, this neighbour tells you what and want not to do. This bridge no that bridge yes. To relate this to a layman situation, when I want to entent my kitchen ( to have more space for open house) within the compound, I don't have to ask approval from the neighbour.
The Defense Minister nonchalantly said Indonesia had illegally entered our airspace 13 times. What should he think he should do when someone broke into his house in Bagan Datoh or elsewhere even once?
Enough of the open houses held here by the foreigners in the past - Portuguese, Dutch and British. The next one meng-antu-ya is Uncle Sam who is Jewish now.
Our ignorance, state of technology, incapable leadership is an open house for plunder under the pretext of globalisation.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Memorandum to the Minister Concerning Rice
Memorandum to the Minister Concerning Rice
Rice is now becoming a Malthusian nightmare. For a long, long time we refused to believe that such a phenomenon could not happen. Many people especially the politicians held the view that is easier and cheaper to import. The fallacy is that it is only valid for a short term policy.
Barely six months ago, Eastern Times kindly published my first article entitled “Our rice equation and food security”. The date to be exact was September 24, 2007 under Reader’s View column to what is now Avant Garde. The article was actually a condensed version of a paper presented at the PWTC, Kuala Lumpur a year before.
My concern and conviction that our country is not doing enough and doing it right with rice has been bugging me since early 1990’s. At one point I asked the Deputy Director, MARDI why we are neglecting hill or dry padi research. His answer was that the yield of dry padi was too low compared to wet padi. He missed the point that is what MARDI is for - to carry out research and develop technologies to overcome problems. One should not forget that there are communities in the interior which are so dependent on hill padi and they need help.
During an evening session conducted by members of the Agricultural Institute of Malaysia (AIM) with Datuk Effendi Norwawi, who was the Minister of Agriculture then, I raised the issue on rice supply. I said that the country need to jettison strategically for a 100% self-sufficiency. There was an urgent need to review policy and revamp rice research, production, marketing, and other ancillary functions and activities in a wholesome approach.
Rice planting in many states especially Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, and Johore has declined to almost non-existent. Padi cultivation is a tradition. Embedded with it is culture, passion, excitement, willingness to be out there in the open field rain or shine - get muddy, bitten by leeches, razed by the sharp edges of padi leaves. It is still a back-breaking way of life though machineries have taken away much of the drudgeries. Part of culture is gone when we do not plant rice. The Kadazan of Sabah can rightly celebrate their rice festival ‘Keamatan’ because they still plant rice.
Last October, Sustainable Living Institute (SAVE) sent a memorandum along with a twenty page write-up (power-point format) as attachment to the former Minister of Agriculture. We did not receive any reply. We are not sure whether the memorandum reached him for by the look of it his personal secretary was not convinced of the urgency we put forth. Herewith was the memorandum in toto.
Dr. Shaharudin Saamin
Sustainable Living Institute (SAVE)
MI-02-09 Taman Bukit Mutiara
43000 Kajang, Selangor
Tel/fax: 03-87392446, Hp: 013-3763858
Email: shaharudin_saamin@hotmail.com
2 Oktober 2007
YAB Tan Sri Muhyidin Yassin
Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani
Pejabat Menteri
Aras 17, Wisma Tani
No 28, Persiaran Perdana
Presint 4, 62624 Putrajaya
Yang Amat Berhormat Menteri,
Per: Memorandum untuk Menubuhkan Agensi Khas Penyelidikan Padi dan Beras Malaysia
Merujuk perkara diatas kami dari pihak Sustainable Living Institute (SAVE) ingin mengemukakan memorandum kapada pihak Kementerian Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani agar mengambil langkah untuk meningkatkan teknologi dan logistik kesemua aspek pengeluaran, pemprosesan, pemasaran padi dan beras negara secara menyeluruh digembelingi oleh satu agensi/institusi/lembaga ditubuhkan khas memajukan sektor padi dan beras.
Strategi menubuhkan agensi khas di jangkakan lebih berkesan untuk mencapai matlamat pengeluaran beras negara mencukup 100% mahupun lebih. Kita mengambil contoh tanaman seperti getah, kelapa sawit dan koko yang telah pesat maju selepas diwujudkan institusi penyelidikan atau lembaga masing-masing.
Diunjurkan bahawa daya pengeluaran negara-negara pengeksport beras akan berkurangan kerana bilangan dan keperluan penduduk sentiasa meningkat. Tanaman padi pula menghadapi cabaran dalam ekosistem dari aspek iklim, kesuburan tanah, pencemaran, pengairan, banjir, musuh dan lain-lain faktor yang kian meruncing dan tentu akan mengurangkan kadar hasil dan keluasan tanaman padi. Dalam keadaan tersebut Malaysia
tidak seharusnya bergantung kapada import terutamanya untuk keperluan generasi akan datang.
Bersama ini dilampirkan juga hujah-hujah dan maklumat-maklumat lain yang berkenaan agar memorandum ini mendapat perhatian dan tindakan dari pihak Kementerian Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani.
Sekian dan terima kasih.
Yang benar,
(signed)
DR SHAHARUDIN SAAMIN
Director,
Sustainable Living Institute (SAVE)
Rice is now becoming a Malthusian nightmare. For a long, long time we refused to believe that such a phenomenon could not happen. Many people especially the politicians held the view that is easier and cheaper to import. The fallacy is that it is only valid for a short term policy.
Barely six months ago, Eastern Times kindly published my first article entitled “Our rice equation and food security”. The date to be exact was September 24, 2007 under Reader’s View column to what is now Avant Garde. The article was actually a condensed version of a paper presented at the PWTC, Kuala Lumpur a year before.
My concern and conviction that our country is not doing enough and doing it right with rice has been bugging me since early 1990’s. At one point I asked the Deputy Director, MARDI why we are neglecting hill or dry padi research. His answer was that the yield of dry padi was too low compared to wet padi. He missed the point that is what MARDI is for - to carry out research and develop technologies to overcome problems. One should not forget that there are communities in the interior which are so dependent on hill padi and they need help.
During an evening session conducted by members of the Agricultural Institute of Malaysia (AIM) with Datuk Effendi Norwawi, who was the Minister of Agriculture then, I raised the issue on rice supply. I said that the country need to jettison strategically for a 100% self-sufficiency. There was an urgent need to review policy and revamp rice research, production, marketing, and other ancillary functions and activities in a wholesome approach.
Rice planting in many states especially Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, and Johore has declined to almost non-existent. Padi cultivation is a tradition. Embedded with it is culture, passion, excitement, willingness to be out there in the open field rain or shine - get muddy, bitten by leeches, razed by the sharp edges of padi leaves. It is still a back-breaking way of life though machineries have taken away much of the drudgeries. Part of culture is gone when we do not plant rice. The Kadazan of Sabah can rightly celebrate their rice festival ‘Keamatan’ because they still plant rice.
Last October, Sustainable Living Institute (SAVE) sent a memorandum along with a twenty page write-up (power-point format) as attachment to the former Minister of Agriculture. We did not receive any reply. We are not sure whether the memorandum reached him for by the look of it his personal secretary was not convinced of the urgency we put forth. Herewith was the memorandum in toto.
Dr. Shaharudin Saamin
Sustainable Living Institute (SAVE)
MI-02-09 Taman Bukit Mutiara
43000 Kajang, Selangor
Tel/fax: 03-87392446, Hp: 013-3763858
Email: shaharudin_saamin@hotmail.com
2 Oktober 2007
YAB Tan Sri Muhyidin Yassin
Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani
Pejabat Menteri
Aras 17, Wisma Tani
No 28, Persiaran Perdana
Presint 4, 62624 Putrajaya
Yang Amat Berhormat Menteri,
Per: Memorandum untuk Menubuhkan Agensi Khas Penyelidikan Padi dan Beras Malaysia
Merujuk perkara diatas kami dari pihak Sustainable Living Institute (SAVE) ingin mengemukakan memorandum kapada pihak Kementerian Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani agar mengambil langkah untuk meningkatkan teknologi dan logistik kesemua aspek pengeluaran, pemprosesan, pemasaran padi dan beras negara secara menyeluruh digembelingi oleh satu agensi/institusi/lembaga ditubuhkan khas memajukan sektor padi dan beras.
Strategi menubuhkan agensi khas di jangkakan lebih berkesan untuk mencapai matlamat pengeluaran beras negara mencukup 100% mahupun lebih. Kita mengambil contoh tanaman seperti getah, kelapa sawit dan koko yang telah pesat maju selepas diwujudkan institusi penyelidikan atau lembaga masing-masing.
Diunjurkan bahawa daya pengeluaran negara-negara pengeksport beras akan berkurangan kerana bilangan dan keperluan penduduk sentiasa meningkat. Tanaman padi pula menghadapi cabaran dalam ekosistem dari aspek iklim, kesuburan tanah, pencemaran, pengairan, banjir, musuh dan lain-lain faktor yang kian meruncing dan tentu akan mengurangkan kadar hasil dan keluasan tanaman padi. Dalam keadaan tersebut Malaysia
tidak seharusnya bergantung kapada import terutamanya untuk keperluan generasi akan datang.
Bersama ini dilampirkan juga hujah-hujah dan maklumat-maklumat lain yang berkenaan agar memorandum ini mendapat perhatian dan tindakan dari pihak Kementerian Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani.
Sekian dan terima kasih.
Yang benar,
(signed)
DR SHAHARUDIN SAAMIN
Director,
Sustainable Living Institute (SAVE)
Friday, May 22, 2009
About Sustainable Living Institute (SAVE)
Sustainable Living Institute (SAVE) is a privately run entity with a theme towards nurturing nature. It was registered (Registration no. 41/2004) on 16 June 2004 at the District Office of Mukah, Sarawak, East Malaysia. Mukah is the heartland of the Melanaus, a western coastal district in Borneo facing the South China Sea.
Some of the activities of SAVE are:
1. Submitted a memorandum to the former Minister of Agriculture, Muhyidin Yassin, on the critical rice situation in the country and proposed to set up a rice research institute. We have not received any feedback and will pursue this matter with the new Minister.
2. Book publishing. Three books, bibliographic in nature (my forte) have been published and being sold mainy to libraries of universities. The titles of the books are:
i) 2005. Bibliograhic Enumeration of Four Centuries of Agriculture and Nature Conservation in Malaysia, 1570-1970. 2nd edn. Published in collaboration with MYAGRI, Nilai. Price RM180*
ii) 2006. Bibliographic Compilation of Medicinal, Herbal, Aromatic, Pesticidal & Poisonous Plants of Asia and Oceania: Biodiversity, Ethnobotany & Pharmacognosy. Published in collaboration with UPM. Price RM120*
iii) 2007. Bibliography on Research and Development of Sago, Peatland, Associated Soils and Crops. Price RM80*
* includes postage and handling in Malaysia; in US$ for oversea orders
Four books are in the works, almost completed and bibliographic on - i) rice, ii) ethnology, iii) highlands, and iv) compilation of newspaper articles
3. SAVE used to contribute half-page articles concerning agriculture, history to The Eastern Times, Sarawak
4. Book editing with UPM Press
5. SAVE is experimenting on jatropha (and other plants) planting on a 10ac used tin mining land with deep sand and infertile in Tg Tualang, Perak. Ten accessions of jatropha has been collected for evaluation.
6. Experimenting on medicinal plants for anti-cancer, diabetic etc.
7. Recycling to take care of the environment
8. Running holiday apartments at Cameron Highlands (Tanah Rata) and a vegetable farm on the way up to Gunong Brinchang.
Since its inception the Institute is run solely by myself. If I could introduce myself. I have worked in MARDI (20yrs), as a cocoa and later fruit breeder, IPGRI (International Plant Genetic Resources Institute) for 3 yrs at Serdang, CRAUN Research, Sarawak for 3 years, and UPM, Bintulu as Associate Professor and Head of Department for 2yrs. Retired since 2006, life has never been better and freer- has time to blog!
Tel: 013 3763858; Fax/phone: 05 3713845
Email: shaharudin_saamin@hotmail.com
Some of the activities of SAVE are:
1. Submitted a memorandum to the former Minister of Agriculture, Muhyidin Yassin, on the critical rice situation in the country and proposed to set up a rice research institute. We have not received any feedback and will pursue this matter with the new Minister.
2. Book publishing. Three books, bibliographic in nature (my forte) have been published and being sold mainy to libraries of universities. The titles of the books are:
i) 2005. Bibliograhic Enumeration of Four Centuries of Agriculture and Nature Conservation in Malaysia, 1570-1970. 2nd edn. Published in collaboration with MYAGRI, Nilai. Price RM180*
ii) 2006. Bibliographic Compilation of Medicinal, Herbal, Aromatic, Pesticidal & Poisonous Plants of Asia and Oceania: Biodiversity, Ethnobotany & Pharmacognosy. Published in collaboration with UPM. Price RM120*
iii) 2007. Bibliography on Research and Development of Sago, Peatland, Associated Soils and Crops. Price RM80*
* includes postage and handling in Malaysia; in US$ for oversea orders
Four books are in the works, almost completed and bibliographic on - i) rice, ii) ethnology, iii) highlands, and iv) compilation of newspaper articles
3. SAVE used to contribute half-page articles concerning agriculture, history to The Eastern Times, Sarawak
4. Book editing with UPM Press
5. SAVE is experimenting on jatropha (and other plants) planting on a 10ac used tin mining land with deep sand and infertile in Tg Tualang, Perak. Ten accessions of jatropha has been collected for evaluation.
6. Experimenting on medicinal plants for anti-cancer, diabetic etc.
7. Recycling to take care of the environment
8. Running holiday apartments at Cameron Highlands (Tanah Rata) and a vegetable farm on the way up to Gunong Brinchang.
Since its inception the Institute is run solely by myself. If I could introduce myself. I have worked in MARDI (20yrs), as a cocoa and later fruit breeder, IPGRI (International Plant Genetic Resources Institute) for 3 yrs at Serdang, CRAUN Research, Sarawak for 3 years, and UPM, Bintulu as Associate Professor and Head of Department for 2yrs. Retired since 2006, life has never been better and freer- has time to blog!
Tel: 013 3763858; Fax/phone: 05 3713845
Email: shaharudin_saamin@hotmail.com
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