For Survival: Proactive infusion

Yes, 4th June 2008, the oil price in Malaysia shoots up 40% overnight. It is exactly the reason why we, all
Malaysians in general regardless of race, language, religion, social group, political affiliation, age; see a grounding
to initiate a political advocacy for efficient public transportation system nationwide. To start off a vehement
analysis, I would like to lay down an overview on the political, economical, social, technical, environmental and
legal landscapes in Malaysia.

Political

Malaysia is a country that comprises 13 states and 3 federal territories in Southeast Asia with a total landmass of
approximately 330,000 square kilometers and a population stands of over 25 millions. The capital city is Kuala
Lumpur. The federation of Malaysia recognizes as an independent nation in 31st August 1957, gaining independency
from the colonization of the United Kingdom. In 16th September 1963, Singapore, Sarawak, British North Borneo
and Federation of Malaya joined to form Malaysia. Malaysia has been governed by a multi-party coalition known as
Barisan National until the outbreak in 8th March 2008 when opposition party weighs on a massive change. In
December 2005, the global arena recognizes our effort by nominating Ex Prime Minister Malaysia Dr Mahathir
Mohamad for Nobel Peace Prize 2007 Award in terms of managing diversity, foreign policy and his initiative on
Criminalize War in Perdana Global Peace Organization (PGPO).

Economical

The well endowment of natural resources have enabled the Malaysians on the whole a luxury of survival for the past
decades, ranging from tin, rubber, palm oil, fruit, rice, mines, plantation, and oil. Manufacturing economy plays a
pivotal role too. It is categorized as a newly industrialized country. Despite economic steady growth, Malaysia, once
suffered from Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, the value of Ringgit once dropped from RM2.50 = USD1 to RM 4.50
to USD 1. The controversial incident of sacking Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim also triggered off a resolution of
currency pegging at RM3.80 =USD 1 once. Over years, the domestic economy is concluded at neither helped nor
hurt sort of phase, survived Asian Financial Crisis 1997 and Y2K slump 2001. The fixed exchange rate is
abandoned in July 2005 in favor of a floating system; Ringgit is expected to appreciate further in conjunction with
free capital market advocacy. Chinese population is regarded as the backbone of economy, although, many essential
industries such as agriculture, petroleum retailing, transportation are in favor to the bumiputras

A History of petrol price hikes

before the 90's - RM 0.89
1990 - RM 1.10 (increased RM 0.21) + 23.596%
01/10/2000 - RM 1.20 (increased RM 0.10) + 9.091%
20/10/2001 - RM 1.30 (increased RM 0.10) + 8.333%
01/05/2002 - RM 1.32 (increased RM 0.02) + 1.538%
31/10/2002 - RM 1.33 (increased RM 0.01) + 0.758%
01/03/2003 - RM 1.35 (increased RM 0.02) + 1.504%
01/05/2004 - RM 1.37 (increased RM 0.02) + 1.481%
01/10/2004 - RM 1.42 (increased RM 0.05) + 3.650%
05/05/2005 - RM 1.52 (increased RM 0.10) + 7.042%
31/07/2005 - RM 1.62 (increased RM 0.10) + 6.579%
28/02/2006 - RM 1.92 (increased RM 0.30) + 18.519%
05/06/2008 - RM 2.70 (increased RM 0.78) + 40.625%

Oil price in oil producing countries

UAE RM1.19/litre
Egypt RM1.03/litre
Bahrain RM0.87/litre
Qatar RM0.68/litre
Kuwait RM0.67/litre
Saudi Arabia RM0.38/litre
Iran RM0.35/litre
Nigeria RM0.32/litre
Turkmenistan RM0.25/litre
Venezuela RM0.16/litre
MALAYSIA RM2.70/litre

Social and Cultural

Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multilingual country. As of February 2007, the population
stratification is 62% Malays, 24% Chinese and 8% Indians, with other minorities, indigenous people and
immigrants. The Malay language is the official language; English, Chinese (Hakka, Cantonese, Teochew, Mandarin
and Hokkien), Indian languages and dialects are widely spoken here, too. Malaysia is also a multi-religious country
and Islam is the official religion. Everyone enjoys freedom of religious choice except the Muslim group.

In general, the Malaysian government maintains a policy of quota system that is on the basis on Malay favoritism, or
one may nicely terms it populist policy and/or protectionist policy, in which partisan treatment predominates in
all matters ranging from employment, education, scholarships, business, housing discounts, to assisted savings, etc
in which sparking off a racial tension expedition between Malays and the non-Malay. The occurrence of May 13
1969 issue still leave the general public an haunting scar especially in the memory of the Chinese community.
Throughout the year, different cultural/ethnic group celebrates their own holidays and festivities in harmony, the
holidays are observed differently in each state.

The general population enjoys free education until year of 18, secondary school, then everyone is allowed a freedom
of choice in Education System either studying at Public or Private Universities abroad. Throughout governmental
primary and secondary schools, mathematics and science subjects are taught in English so that students would not be
hindered by the language barrier during their tertiary education in fields such as medicine and engineering. In the
Malaysian Chinese communities, there are also 61 Chinese Independent High Schools whereas most subjects are
taught in Chinese language. It is monitored and standardized by the United Chinese School Committees
Association of Malaysia (UCSCAM). There is also existence of other international education systems.

Technical and Environmental

It is compulsory for doctors to perform 3 years service with public hospitals in the Malaysian Health Care System so
that manpower is ensured. There is a shortage of medical workforce, especially highly trained specialists, expertise
and advanced equipment. Private hospitals with latest diagnostic and imaging facilities are available in urban areas.
The government is recently focusing on health tourism industry. Currently, private Malaysia hospitals are sourcing
for International healthcare accreditation from Australia, British or USA, too.

Internet Infrastructure remains to be that of the standard in third world country, it is reported that there are only near
to 1% of the population of Malaysian has broadband access and the rate is growing. The intercity telecommunication
service is provided by microware radio relay and internationally through submarine cables and satellite. The near-
monopoly of fixed line phone service, mobile and internet in the country is predominant served by Telekom
Malaysia (TM).

Transportation System in Malaysia has not been of any satisfactory level. There is, namely, Highway: Malaysian
Expressway Network, North-South Expressway
Train service: Malayan Railways, Sabah state railway
Major seaport: Port Klang and Port Tanjung Pelepas
Airport: Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Penang International Airport,
Kuching International Airport, Langkawi International Airport and Senai International Airport.

Legal
Malaysia is a federal constitutional elective monarchy; the head of state is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commonly
referred to as the King of Malaysia. The government system is closely modeled on that of Westminster
parliamentary system, a legacy of British colonial rule. In practice, however, there is a concentration of vested
power in the executive branch of government over legislative; the judiciary branch has been weakened during the
Mahathir era too. There is a division of legislative power between federal and state legislatures; the bicameral
parliament consists of 222 members of the Lower House (House or Representative or Chamber of the People) and
70 members of the upper house (the Senate or Chamber of the Nation). Each states has a unicameral state legislative
chamber whose members are elected from single-member constituencies. In each of the states with a hereditary
ruler, the Chief Minister is required to be a Malay Muslim, although such rule is subject to the rulers discretion.
Parliamentary elections are held at least once every five years. As a rule, the Civil court is unable to overrule any
decision made by the Sharia Courts, not even the Federal Court. The Sharia Court enjoys similar hierarchy to the
Civil Court in Malaysia.

Analysis

After an extensive overview of the PESTE landscape in Malaysia, it is time for us to move forward to discuss on
how an efficient transportation system, be it public or private held, is a resolution for survival.

The vagaries of the real world are shown upon Malaysian in a striking and unprepared way. No longer cheap oil,
electricity and water and savings subsidies, price inflation of food (rice, flour), and product at macro environmental
level, persistence of electricity tariffs, municipal council taxes, passport fees, road tolls, parking, utility charges,
Indah Water, car tax, phone and internet charges, postage, etc, Malaysians have to tighten its belt to endure price
hike period as of now.

Regardless of corruptions at public, private, political, governmental or individual level, there is no justifiable
economic return. We want to speak the word adaptability and advocate the mentality of Survival of the fittest.
Malaysians, at best possibility, do not want to become another Indonesia in which its economy is a mere showcase
of American backed kleptocracy.

Singapore, a minuscule island with no natural resources, survived miraculously with free capital economy and
human talents after having separated from Malaysia for 40 years and more. As of today, Malaysian PerCapita
Income is USD 5,000 whereas Singaporean PerCapita Income is yielding USD25,000, a difference of 5 times
leverage and foresee to be growing at steady rate. Malaysians, to put in blunt words, have been spoiled with the
abundance of natural resources and all kinds of governmental subsidies.

Per Capital Income and Earning power is one issue, standard of living and cost of living is another concern. The
basis infrastructure such as transportation system, pedestrian walking and cyclist pathways, is not providing the
general public a necessary platform for living.

In lieu to recent price surge, there are a few alternatives are being stifled although it only bring forward a tint of
humor and positive thinking instead of constructive solution. These are the followings:
1. Impeach Prime Minister of Malaysia
2. Import and/or turn to alternative fuels such as hydrogen fuel, diesel, natural gas
3. Start a research project on oil alternatives
4. Replace Finance Minister
5. Change our lifestyle ( eat less, walk more, less shopping, more saving, less driving, more working)
6. Launch protest
 7. Improve on self development so to increase job mobility and financial freedom
8. Shunning work aside to stage strike

The policy division in the cabinet and ministerial level is out of reach by the general public, there are a few clauses
that are in vehement contradictory to the welfare of the general public.
1. Protectionist automobile policies which favors proton.
2. Special right for Bumiputra
3. Sweeping powers to the Prime Minister to control downstream activities
4. Petroleum act that comprises of petroleum advisory council but the appointment depends solely on Prime
Ministers decision.

Gathered from alternative media and opinion, other than Shell being the market leader with approximately 35% of
the market share, PETRONAS holds about 30% and the rest are made up of Esso, Mobil, Caltex and BHP. The
account department of PETRONAS is reported to be earning revenue; however, the domestic economy does not
reflect it. It is deduced as following on how the earnings could have been spent.

1. Governmental administrative cost (salary, allowance, etc)

2. UMNO and General Election
3. JKKK ( Jeane Kamaludin, Khairy, Kalimullah)
4. Pariah (MCA, MIC, PBB, Gerakan)
5. Crony businesses ( Scomi, Astro, Airasia)
6. Corruption ( honeymoon, aircraft, bungalow, etc)

A Case Study: does every clown have its silver lining?

http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/holiday_type/rail_travel/article645220.ece

The high-speed train link between France and Germany since early 80s has made the livelihood of both countries a
lot easier. The timing efficiency has advocated a shorter commuting time in which reduces traffic congestion that
boosting domestic economy on an everyday life basis. Whilst there is easiness in transportation, the general public is
motivated to work. There will be then subsequent development in the suburban areas in which bring in foreign
investment, independent business, tourism and hospitality industry at greater scale and in later time.