Immigration dept: Celebrating nepotism
Oct 6, 2008 Rantings
I saw this news piece in The Star on Friday and meant to blog about it before but forgot about it until today.
It was headlined:
Immigration Dept to give priority to staff’s kin when hiring
That says everything already, and I’m surprised there wasn’t an uproar. Granted, the person who was quoted (only known as Mahmood in the article, although I *sheepishly* suspect that his name was edited out by mistake) never actually said what will the criteria be - and if this “priority” will only be given in the cases of equally qualified potential employees (yes, I am giving a damn very big benefit of the doubt).
But statements like that are dangerous because they reeks of nepotism. And that is never a good thing. He says that:
“In Japan, family members usually work in the same organisation and this helps them perform better as parents can share their experiences with children who are new at the job.”
I wonder if there was a recent research trip to Japan we don’t know about *heh*heh* (btw, a comment left on Charles Hector’s blog on this topic by someone who claims to be Japanese and familiar with Japanese work ethic said that “In Japan, companies normally DO NOT allow children of its employees, especially those in higher positions, to be employed.”).
Actually I wonder, in Malaysia, if having family members who usually work in the same organisation means that they will all have tea break kakis. ;)
What I found more alarming hilarious was the next line of the article, which read:
Mahmood said the department hoped to recruit more non-Malays as they made up fewer than 20% of the 10,000 workforce.
Curious.
Because if he actually implements the “priority for family” policy, then how would the percentages of non-Malays increase? Even if the number of family recruits are equal among all races, the percentage will remain the same.
Aiyo, I am so confused.
p/s NST had a similar report - about the numbers, not the “priority policy” - which refers to Datuk Mahmood Adam, Immigration Dept Director-General. I think it’s a safe assumption that the Mahmood reported by The Star is this Datuk-fler.
Sarah Palin = Average Joe Six-Pack?
Oct 1, 2008 Rantings
A few weeks ago, I was going to post some sort of Palin-bashing (yes, I hate that she is pro-rifle and anti-abortion among many other things) but then everyone was already bashing her so I thought why waste space.
Well, after reading this article - which I was alerted by Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees twitter - I just had to post it. CNN released part of the transcript from an interview the Alaska Governer did with Hugh Hewitt:
Hugh Hewitt: Governor, your candidacy has ignited extreme hostility, even some hatred on the left and in some parts of the media. Are you surprised? And what do you attribute this reaction to?
Sarah Palin: Oh, I think they’re just not used to someone coming in from the outside saying you know what? It’s time that normal Joe six-pack American is finally represented in the position of vice presidency, and I think that that’s kind of taken some people off guard, and they’re out of sorts, and they’re ticked off about it….”
Joe six-pack? Normal?
Waitaminute, doesn’t the United States have the highest obesity rate in the world? (heh heh) Couldn’t resist.
11.58pm Malaysian time (+8 GMT)
Tags: Anderson Cooper, Sarah Palin
Love thy neighbour (yes, including Singapore)
Sep 29, 2008 Rantings
I got a warm fuzzy feeling earlier when reading the newspapers. I know, I know, I never thought it would happen too but there’s always a first time for everything. :)
I am referring to an article in the sports section of today’s The Star headlined:
Singapore turns to Sepang for advice on organising F1
The headlines says a lot but you can click here to read the article, which reports on how Malaysia’s Fyreen Hanim Kamarul Ariffin has been in Singapore to advice the organisers there for their first ever formula one race (and the first ever night race) held yesterday in which Fernando Alonso won.
“I feel like a teacher. It is the first time for them. And we have had the experience.”
I think this is great. I remember at the beginning when there was talk about how Singapore was hoping to get onto the F1 calendar and some people were up in arms, saying that this would steal the limelight from the Malaysian edition.
I think it’s great of both parties to cooperate - after all, a successful event can only boost our region’s profile, bring more tourist in (which means more money) and show the world that we may not be big countries, but we are able to host and organise world class events.
And as much as Fyreen is able to “teach” them, I’m sure she will learn some things in return which can only be good for us.
More than anything, it shows that the “rivalry” between Malaysia and Singapore is merely politics, cosmetic and sarcastic and that we are able to see beyond all this for the sake of cooperation, collaboration and professionalism.
8.06pm Malaysian time (+8 GMT)
Tags: Formula One. Singapore
We’re all marginalised
Sep 21, 2008 Rantings
What a brilliant piece of writing in today’s StarMag, Stray Thoughts column. The standfirst - The various races of Malaysia are united in the belief that we’re the only victims. - in itself says it all. And then the article also reads:
Enough. We need to stop right now and look at this intelligently and without bias - “we” being both the people and the politicians we’ve invested with the authority to address these issues.
When I grow up, I want to be a writer like A Asohan.
Tags: A Asohan, StarMag, Stray Thoughts
1.30am, Sept 17. All is well.
Sep 17, 2008 Rantings
March 8 changed the political landscape of Malaysia.
Sept 16 promised a new Government.
It is now Sept 17. Not much has changed.
When will all the political games end, and when will anyone start focusing on those who voted for the politicians in the first place?
1.30am Malaysian time (+8 GMT)
