Changing Civil Service Working Culture

Deputy PM has been appointed as the new Finance Minister (FM)exchanging post with PM (who will take over the Defence portfolio). Hope things change for the better.

Today.. sunday 21/9/2008, I'm in the office had to prepare briefing slides/notes for my boss, who will be presenting the current economic situation and the 2009 Budget to the new FM. The preparatory meeting suppose to start at 11.00 am, then shifted to 12 pm. Then, I was told it will start at 1.00 pm. Now, I'm doubtful that it will start at 1.00 pm. This is how government machinery works. I'm not criticising but time and schedule always change and irritates the other officers who support us, especially those who have commitments. Moreover, today is a Sunday and it's a fasting month.

Hope things will change. Officers in the government should change working paradigm compared to the old regime. We should not make others wait at the expense of us. Senior officers often don't take into account the prior commitments of junior officers. For team spirit and better results there should be two-way cooperation and compromise on working schedules, as oppose to the the one-way direction of the current practice.

Note: Changing world and changing time should also bring to changing civil service working culture

Hari raya.... round the corner

It has been 21 days of fasting with one week more to go after which all muslims will be celebrating their Eid Mubarak or in Malaysia more popularly known as Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. Most of them will go back to their kampungs and celebrate with their family and friends.

The same goes with me and my family. Raya morning usually go the mosque for raya payers and then off to my wife's kampung in Melaka. First of all, we start spending some time at the cemetry - late father-in-law and relatives who have passed away. Then we visit our close relatives. Usually, stay overnight in Melaka. On the second day of raya back to KL. In KL, we will visit friends and relatives.

This year, may be again going to Melaka on the first day of raya. However, on the third day taking vacation with family to Hong Kong. I will write more about Hong Kong in my coming post.

Note: Happy Eid Mubarak to all Muslims and to my fellow officers Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

Personal Glory or Nation's Interest

Current world financial crisis in the world's largest economy has negative impacts on all the countries in the world, especially the developed and other developing economies including Malaysia. On 15 Sept 2008 (yesterday) yet another tumble in the US financial markets which led to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers and the buying over of Merill Lynch by Bank of Amerika. Share markets across the world fell sharply and the oil price were quoted under USD100 per barrel. All this developments have negative impact on the Malaysian economy except for the decline in the oil price. At the moment of uncertanity in the economic performance of the country, we have yet another uncalled for crisis i.e. in the domestic political arena.

The Prime Minster had already announced his transition plan to hand over the leadership to his deputy in mid-2010. However, there are quarters who feel that he should retire earlier. Then, there is this case of ISA arrest of three person (one of them released later) on the ground of creating instability in the country (among others due to religious issues and political accusations). One of the ministers (Minister of Law) tender his resignation on account of misuse of ISA. He argued that ISA should only be used for communist or terrorist activities against the country and not for political reasons.

Then, there is this case of opposition front (PKR) head by KeAdilan party(KeAdilan) declaring that they are going to take over the Government today (16 Sept 2008), commensurating the day Malaysia was formed. Keadilan even sent their leaders to persuade the Barisan Nasional parliamentarians who are on a study tour in Taiwan. The PKR are having a big gathering today at MBPJ stadium. Even the PKR among them (three parties Keadilan, PAS and DAP) they are not in full agreement in most issues except to topple down Barisan Government. How can they rule a country if they are not in one heart, one soul and one mind. It's more like a marriage of covenience.

With both the economic and political uncertanties clouding the country, it's a bit worrying. The political leaders should be aware of the seriousness of the situation and try to pull together their differences in the interest of the stability of the country. The economic strength and progress as well as political stability acheived thus far should not be lost just in a split second due to personal interest. We need sacrifices from some of these individuals and compromises among them. I would not want to elaborate as to who should lead or who should give in. It can be anybody, who puts the nation's interest before personal glory. Though he (whoever he is) won't be remembered as winner or successful leader in the local political arena but more importantly he will always be respected by many if not God alone.

Some personal quotes:

1.It takes 50 years to build success but it takes only a day to destroy it.

2.Personal glory is respected in this world but peronal sacrifices will always be honoured in the other world

3.Backing-off doesn't mean that you lose the battle, it's shows maturity, sacrifices and honesty.

It's time again - Individual Presentations

It's time again for my officers to make individual presentations. Last year we had this session, where all the junior officers had to make presentations on any topics related to economics. Most of them did well.

This year, I have divided them into two groups. One of the group consists of junior officers (PEs) and the second group is the mid-level officers (KEs). The junior officers can choose any topic related to economics, while the mid-level officers are allowed to choose topics related to economics which is pertinent to the division's work or the nation's economy.

The objective of this presentation session is not intended to punish officers or give them extra work (especially after budget and ER, most of them are a bit relaxed). It is also not merely for the sake of fun to watch them fumble in front of others.

The real objective is to train and polish junior officers to be confident and able to deliver presentations in front of a crowd. The other reasons, includes preparing good presentations, enhancing research capability, ability to crystallize information and transmit to others in simple and understandable manner.

I realize most of my officers will be cursing as to why we need this kind of presentations. It's time wasting. They may create hundred or thousand reasons but for me it's important and become part of the criteria to identify good officers.

Note: Goodluck to all of you (my officers who reads this blog)

No human beings is perfect

No man is perfect. Being created as human in itself shows that man is not perfect. No man is God. They can play God but they are not God. Man are susceptible to commit mistakes. He is just a creature with emotions, feelings and lust. He make decisions based on his judgements and of course, sometimes based on crude analysis or even driven by his emotions. As such, those decisions can't be the best.

In the journey of life, man encounter many crossroads, where decisions need to be made as to which path he ought to follow. If he has the luxury of time and he is in no hurry, he will analyse thoroughly the situation and may end-up making the right choice. Most often, man has limited time and decisions need to be made fast. With limited time and knowledge, often decisions made are sub-optimal.

Once decision is made, there is no turning back. It may cost you alot. You have to live and cope with the decision you have made. If your decision is sub-optimal, then you have to make adjustment to suit the new environment and try to gain the maximum.

No decision is perfect. Each decision has its own shortcomings and defects. In life we have to make decisions everyday. Big decisions and small decisions. The right decision made may bring you good outcome and on the other hand, bad decision may cost you alot.

Whether you like it or not, it doesn't matter, you still have to make decision. Well, we sometimes pray to God so that whatever decision we make brings the maximum benefit and the least cost.

Note: I often make decisions first and deal with the outcome later

Its fasting month again....

The whole of September (Ramadhan month in muslim calendar) Muslim communities all over the world will be fasting starting before sunrise to sunset in the evening. Nothing can be consumed. The fasting month is not a test of just staying away from eating and drinking for the whole day. It is a test in every single aspect of the way of life of Muslims from the word they utter, the way they behave and their state of mind, especially on whatever they are thinking as well as each and every part of their body's behavior. God knows whatever each of us think and even intend to do.

That's why most of the pious Muslims don't speak much during fasting month. They rather spend most of their time in mosque praying to God. Thinking of God at all times protects each of us from going into the wrong path.

After break fasting and after performing Magrib and Isyak prayers, Muslims will carry out Solat Terawih. This solat (prayers) is not compulsory (wajib) but a Sunnah ( choice given, if you do you will get reward (pahala) and if don't do you will get nothing). The solat terawih differs from mosque to mosque, some will carry out prayers for 20 + 3 raka'at and some places 18+3 and some 8+3. Again in some mosques the shorter surah of the Holy Quran will be recited during prayers where as in some mosques they recite from the starting verses until the end of the Quran within the 30 days of the fasting month (complete reciting the whole Quarn in 30 days).

Some do extra fasting for six days starting the second day of Syawal after they have celebrated eid mubarak on the first day of Syawal (muslim month).

The fasting although a religious duty (ibadah) scientifically, pyschologically, culturally and socially is a good pratice for any individual either he is a Muslim or non-Muslim. The human body can rest a certain period of time in a day during that one month, resulting in less work or cooling-off period for the body. The perosn can aslo reduce his weight if he is overweight. Mentally and culturally you tend to do good deeds and avoid all the bad things.

Note: To all muslim readers - a happy and prosperous eid-mubarak

Interpretations

Word brings thousand meanings. So does the tendency to make wrong interpretations. This usually happens when you talk over the phone or send sms to friends. You meant to say different things and they interpret differently. All brings to misunderstandings and accusations.

How to avoid those kind of misinterpretations which leads to wrong conclusion. The best way is ask the person concerned. If he is the sender of the sms. Ask him what he really meant. Of course, sometimes he may twist things that he didnt meant that way but meant something else. However, since he is the owner and sender, he knows what he meant.

One may communicate over the phone and somehow, some information are not rightly communicated and leads to wrong interpretations. In this case, you may call the caller again and ask him for clarifications.

Why am i talking about interpretations in this entry. Mind you, the right interpretation is very crucial. One may lose his relationship because of wrong interpretations. Others may suffer unnecessarily due to wrong interpretations. A nation may be in trouble arising from wrong interpretations.

Note: Me, Always interpret things in 360 degrees

who's right? who's wrong?

Most individuals as human beings have feelings that they are always right. Whatever actions they do or take is either the best for themselves and others. Of course, this is what they feel. In a complicated world with complicated relationships among various variables, the outcome of certain actions may vary with different actions. This may sound complicated in itself. Only those who can read my mind may understand this.

Each action or decision one makes have implications. Some decisions are made after thorough analysis and thinking process. Some are taken in a sudden manner without studying the implications.

As human beings we are not perfect. Our minds are limited. We can see and perceive certain things but with limitations. So with this kind of limitations, how can one make a perfect decision.

As such, there is no perfect decisions. Some decisions turn out to be perfect just as a matter of luck or coincidence. Most decisions are not perfect. There bound to be someone who benefits and some don't.

So, is there so-called perfect decisions. If one makes a decision, can we say he made the right decision. If some get hurt or are unhappy with that decision, then who is to be blamed.

However, having said whatever i wanna say, human beings as human beings, as we know, seldom will they say that they have made the wrong decision. They will try to prove they are right. Same goes to thousands and millions and billions of decisions made everyday. What is the right decision and What is the wrong decision.
Who is right ? and Who is wrong?

Note: Think!! Have u made the right decision today???
Have u ever made a wrong decision???