Auto sales down in January Auto sales have fallen again in January, a familiar theme over the past few months. This is ample evidence that the economy is not exactly in the pink of health. Journalists should badger the politicians to explain why the economy is doing well if the people stay away from purchasing big-ticket items. Banks have already tightened the credit screws on consumers. If the economy is doing so well, why are the lenders still nervous? Right now, the politicians are hailing the rise in the KL Composite Index as the irrefutable proof that the economy is pulsating with life and vigour. Yes, the stock market is booming, with foreign funds doing most of the buying. With the US dollar weakening which conveniently helps strengthen the Ringgit, foreign fund managers, never one to miss out on chances to make a buck, are picking up local stocks. At any signs of the ringgit weakening, these stocks will be dropped and the foreign funds move away to another market to play. And despite the government's insistence that it is not articifially pushing up numbers, it remains to be seen if savvy investors, observers, really believe this line.  ¶ 3:02 PM 0 Comments

  Is the economy really doing that well? The government vehemently denies any election plans this year, from the Prime Minister to senior UMNO aides but I believe that Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will call for one this year. He has been describing the state of the economy as healthy, hinting broadly that this was due to his good management of the economy. Sounds just like how he took credit for the much-awaited South Johor economic zone plan, which was in fact a plan that was hatched during the Mahathir administration.

The mainstream newspapers have been busy spinning how wonderful the trade numbers have turned out, with the magical RM1 trillion number being bandied liberally on the front pages of all the main newspapers. That number, with a little examination, will reveal to anyone that it is just a sum of the total number of export value and import value. In reality, it does not really amount to much. The fact that this was on all the front pages means, editors were instructed to carry it, pretty much word for word, as dictated by the Prime Minister's aides. And they say that there is more freedom of the press under the current administration.

The latest spin being promoted on the front page of the Star newspapers is the fact that car dealers are offering huge discounts to would-be buyers. The Star has surmised that this is due to the fact that the industry has developed to such a progressive level (obviously under the current administration) that customers are now spoilt for choice. Never mind that auto sales in the last couple of years have dipped on a year-on-year basis, as the public remain cautious of buying big-ticket items, as the economy remains sluggish.

Is the man on the street confident about the state of the economy? How would news that total sum of international trade breaching the RM1 trillion mark create confidence on the ground, to the voters that matter? I for one, is very cautious with my spending habits. I consider myself someone who are earn a comfortable living and yet, I do not see the conditions out there as conducive for me to go out and splurge.  ¶ 10:34 AM 0 Comments

  Chastity belts anyone? We have done it again. When I say we, I mean Malaysia as a nation, striving very hard to get the most innane, stupid, proposals uttered by so-called experts, into the limelight of the international press. I could easily disavow any association from this Islamic scholar Datuk Abu Hassan Din from Terengganu, who opened his mouth and silliness spilled out, sticking like teflon on all Malaysians. Yes, I am not a Muslim (and I will never be one), but as a Malaysian, I am embarassed by my fellow Malaysian who have demonstrated a total divorce from the realities of life. I do not have to be Muslim to be embarassed by this man and his ilk, who believe that women should wear chastity belts when they go out, in order to protect their virtue from innocent men who should not be blamed by the "devious charms" of women. I suppose if the idea of chastity belts catches on, watch out for some UMNO politician to grab that lucrative manufacturing/distribution contract! By the way, the foreign reports are already revelling in the latest bout of stupidity to arise from Malaysian mouths. Does this man, Abu Hassan not realise that statements such as his, only perpertuates the perception that many non-Malays have that Islam is not progressive and ill-suited for the rigours of modern life? God bless Malaysia.  ¶ 12:44 PM 0 Comments

  Tribute to my father On January 27th 2007, the opposition political party Keadilan organised a low-key affair to remember activists who fought to make changes to the current political system. The evening was aptly called "A Tribute to Reformasi Heroes." Read the Malaysiakini report here.

My father, MGG Pillai was one of the people honoured that night with song and poetry. My family and I are deeply touched by this honour accorded to him. He has made a difference, albeit, a small imprint on the consciousness of this country which is fast losing its soul and direction.

While real changes in the Malaysian political system is still wanting, I am still optimistic that in due time, the political corruption which is causing great impediment towards the attainment of complete, holistic changes, will be eventually removed.  ¶ 2:47 PM 0 Comments

  Away too long I have been away from my blog for the last three weeks and that's an unacceptably long period. While I write this blog mainly for myself and have a few readers who visit my site periodically, I must re-affirm my need to continue writing and to update my site regularly. It is a responsibility that I must keep. Being away due to work committments is not a good excuse. A friend of mine reprimanded me for this slackness. And indeed, I am at fault. Like she said, it is pointless to keep a blog if updates are too far apart. I shall endeavour to be like clockwork from now on!  ¶ 5:45 PM 0 Comments