New Post...17 Oct 2008

Well.. i was promoted on the 17 of October 2008. Its really a challenging and tough job taking care of the whole division. There are many kind of characters but i think i can manage them. Most of them are good and I should say knowledgeable in their respective fields.

Just when i took over, its global financial crisis due to the contagion effect of US subprime mortgage problems. Now it had turn into a world economic crisis. Most countries are experiencing difficulties and on or two had even approached the IMF for assistance. Luckily (touch wood) malaysian economy is still slightly affected but if the global slowdown persist longer then Malaysia too will be badly affected. In view of this, my team has been closely monitoring the situation and was tasked to prepare the strategic measures to strengthen the country's resilience against the challenging global economic environment.
Thank you guys and gals who stayed late nights to help me - esa, lim, azlan and others

I dont have much time to write in this blog so see u later in an another entry!!!!

Happy Deepavaly to Vicky, Nirmal, Sundaran, Giva and other indian colleagues

Trip to Hong Kong

I went to Hong Kong (hk) from 3 to 7 October with my family. Really enjoyed the trip. The transportation system is superb. You can use taxis, subway trains or buses.The cheapest mode is buses and they are efficient. The buses arrive on time as per schedule and no traffic jams. The MRT were superb too. There are no motorcycles on the road except for the high cc bikes like Harley Davidson.
The city is safe place to walk midnight and do our shopping or sight seeing activities. Every one hundred metres or so there are closed-circuit cameras on the side of the road and police men are present in all places.
Though some Chinese do speak little english, generally in most shopping malls and travel spots the staff speak reasonably good english.
My wife, daughter and son really enjoyed the trip visiting beautiful tourists spots including the stanley market, temple street (same as KL's Petaling street), disney land, victoria peak and lots of other places. They enjoyed the most - guess what? Shopping of course, cos they have the banker with them. They bought handbags, t-shirts, shoes, souvenir and bla..bla... yeah forgot perfumes too. I didnt buy anything on this trip. I told them dont worry about me. I travel alot and i can buy in other countries when i do travel later.

I think that's for now...

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