CAN WE AFFORD TO RETIRE?

The world is ageing. This shouldn't come as a surprise, with birth rates falling and life span increasing in countries across the globe. By 2018, there will be more 65-year-olds than those under 5. Think for a minute the profound changes an ageing population will have on the economy, for example. With the exception of a few, most countries don't seem terribly alarmed by the global ageing phenomenon. That is cause for serious concern.

Governments need to be spurred into action. They need to put in place policies that will sustain the needs of a rapidly growing older population without over-taxing the contributions of the young people. It's a delicate balancing act.

Baby boomers are probably the last generation to have it good. It's the Generation X, Y and Z that will end up with the heavy burden of supporting not only their children but their parents on both sides and two sets of grandparents as well.

Do the maths:

• 2 children (minimum)
• 2 (the married couple)
• 2 + 2 (the couple's parents on both sides)
• 2 + 2 (the couple's grandparents on both sides)

That makes a grand total of 12 family members to support! This should scare the living daylights out of young people today, and get them started on retirement planning right away.

The alarm bells have sounded. The message is loud and clear. It's not only our adult children who will have to start planning early for their retirement, but we too. It's never too late. We can no longer take it for granted that our children will look after us in our old age. They may not be able to. We must be prepared to fend for ourselves.

Work as long as we can, and save as much as we can. Have enough put aside to see us through the next 20-30 years. And how much is enough? A retired couple living in KL or PJ would require an average of RM2000+ a month to live decently. And pray for good health too. Medical expenses will kill us faster than old age. 

The French should be rejoicing, not protesting against their government's decision to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62. In Malaysia it's still 55 for the private sector, and 58 for the public sector.

The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) launched the Global Aging Preparedness (GAP) Index yesterday. You can download a copy of the report here.

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MALAYSIAN CITIZENSHIP - WHY THE LONG DELAY?

40-year wait for 69-year old Ujagar Singh (seated) before he finally received his citizenship award letter together with other successful applicants. (The Star)

It is not uncommon for people to wait decades for their Malaysian citizenship application to be finally approved. Take the case of Chen Shunhao, 57 (below). He has waited 45 years in vain to receive his citizenship paper. But he has not given up hope although he knows his chances of obtaining citizenship are slim. He has to pass the Bahasa Malaysia test first.

Born and bred in Malaysia, Chen has no problem communicating in colloquial BM, but with only a Standard Four education, he shouldn't be expected to answer questions about current affairs in formal BM, especially questions on names of royalties of the various states. I bet even the most educated among the citizenry would be hard put to provide the correct answers!

When our country gained independence on 31 Aug 1957, people born here (and in Singapore) aged 18 and above were required to apply for citizenship. My parents applied for and got their citizenship papers, but there were thousands who, either through ignorance or procrastination, did not send in their applications and ended up being issued with red identity cards. During the Emergency and the Japanese Occupation, many had lost their birth certificates and other documents, and were unable to apply for citizenship.

It has been 53 years since independence, and 47 years since the formation of Malaysia, but for many of these Malaysian-born elderly folks, their applications continue to be rejected for arbitrary reasons. They may re-apply but only after two years. That hasn't deterred seniors like Leong Chwee Chun, 64, (left, seen hugging the Home Minister) who has been re-applying since she was 28. She is among the lucky ones. Many have passed on while waiting. Others have given up or emigrated.

These seniors are accorded permanent resident status. They hold red identity cards which set them apart from Malaysian citizens who hold blue ICs or MyKads.

 The 92 new citizens taking their oath of allegiance at the National Registration Department in Putrajaya last year.

What problems do red IC holders face?

• they pay higher medical and education fees
• they have difficulty buying property, starting a business, opening bank accounts or getting credit cards in their own names
• they also face problems getting well-paid jobs
• they are not entitled to EPF retirement savings
• they are subjected to restricted travel
• they pay double for their passport which is valid for one year only

Lee Siok Bee, 91, finally received her Malaysian citizenship in June 2010 after 50 years!

Here's what the Constitution says:

Citizenship by registration (persons born in the Federation before Merdeka Day)

16. Subject to Article 18, any person of or over the age of eighteen years who was born in the Federation before Merdeka Day (31 Aug 1957) is entitled, upon making application to the Federal Govemment,

to be registered as a citizen if he satisfies the Federal Government—

(a) that he has resided in the Federation during the seven years immediately preceding the date of the application, for periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than five years;

(b) that he intends to do so permanently;

(c) that he is of good character; and

(d) that he has an elementary knowledge of the Malay language.

Sounds straightforward enough. So what are the reasons for the long delay in granting or rejecting citizenship applications? I quote from the ministry's homepage:

• Each application shall be studied thoroughly
• Each application will undergo Security Clearance process by PDRM (Royal Malaysian Police Force)
• To ensure each application is genuine.

Note this: Citizenship status represents the highest award granted by the Federal Government to foreigners.

Foreigners? We are talking about people who were born and bred here. Do any of these grandmas and grandpas look like they are security threats to the country? What sort of criminal records might they have that would require the police 30-40 years to clear them?

Under the government's transformation programme, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, has given his assurance that the ministry would try to resolve every application between three and six months and not exceed more than two years.

Well, try and convince Ross Francis Xavier, 89 (above). He is still waiting to hear if his application is approved. Stricken with prostate cancer, he knows he does not have time on his side to wait indefinitely.

The number of stateless people in the country has reached the 90,000 mark. You will need a miracle, Mr Home Minister, to clear this huge backlog.

And so for these elderly applicants, the waiting continues... 

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THE CIVIL SERVICE - THE NEW UNTOUCHABLES?

 

A gathering of civil servants in Putrajaya (Source: The Star) 

The civil service has been in the news of late - for all the wrong reasons. According to the Public Service Department, in the first three months of this year, about 600 civil servants faced disciplinary action for misconduct. That's a 43.16% jump compared to the same period last year. Misconduct covers a wide range of offenses including drug usage, truancy, bribery, fraud, and more recently, making offensive racial remarks. If we were to throw in inefficiency, arrogance and rudeness as misconduct, the percentage would be even higher.

 

Gross inefficiency under the guise of teamwork. (cartoon by Antares)

What I find appalling is the leniency of punishment meted out to the guilty. 40.3% were given warnings; while 20.9% were fined. Only a small number were demoted or fired. The favorite disciplinary action is to transfer the guilty party to another department or town. What's to stop the miscreant from repeating the offense there?

When asked why no action has been taken against two school principals for allegedly making racist slurs, the number 2 most powerful man in the government said cabinet ministers cannot sack or suspend any civil servants who are categorized as "permanent government officers". That is like giving these officers free rein to do whatever they want. And what does the number 1 have to say about the matter? Nothing.

 Source: The Star 26 Sept 2010

You just can't touch these senior civil servants as Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng, recently found out when he chided an officer for incompetence over the handling of an alleged sand theft case. The officer shot back accusing the minister of impertinence and of being hostile to civil servants.

Strength in numbers?

Not when it comes to our civil service. It must be the most bloated in the world considering our population is only 27 million, yet we have 1.2 million civil servants. You would expect a high level of efficiency given the numbers. Well, far from it. We all have stories to tell of our less than happy encounters with civil servants. The Immigration Department is an exception and deserves our praise for raising the bar in efficiency.

I suspect one of the reasons for our inflated civil service is the government's willingness to absorb the hundreds of thousands of unemployable graduates and drop-outs. It is good PR for the government to be able to say that unemployment is 'under control'. Doesn't matter that it has now created a new problem - underemployment!

Let's not forget the huge financial burden of supporting these 1.2 million civil servants in terms of salaries and pensions. No wonder the government is all for raising the retirement age!

As taxpayers, we can grit our teeth and bear the cost, but at the very least give us some decent service in return. Is that too much to ask for?

The Chief Secretary to the government, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan has sounded the clarion call - "Change We Must", and the PM has repeatedly emphasized "People First, Performance Now". Will their words fall on deaf ears and closed minds?

I think you know the answer.

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THE KITCHEN THAT FEEDS ALL WHO COME

Thanks to Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) in Jalan Imbi, the homeless, the jobless and the hungry now have a place to go to for a hot meal. Barely a month at its new premises, KSK is already drawing long queues every weekday from 11am to 1pm. The menu changes each day depending on what KSK receives from the sponsors. On the day that I visited, each client received not only a generous portion of steaming hot rice with two vegetable dishes, but also a bag containing a loaf of bread, biscuits, a packet drink, a bottle of mineral water and a fruit.

 Volunteers busy preparing hot meals and food bags.

 Continuous stream of people queuing up for food at the soup kitchen.

  KSK's modest medical consultation cum counselling room.

 

Here's KSK Project Director Justin Cheah doing the laundry for the homeless. This is truly service beyond self.

On Saturday nights, KSK volunteers go out in teams of 3-5 to pre-designated areas e.g. Chow Kit, Pudu Market, Petaling Street, Brickfields and Bukit Bintang, to distribute meals and food packages. Last Saturday blankets were also among the items distributed to the homeless. That night it was cold and wet after hours of heavy rain. The blankets were heaven-sent to those who received them.

 Many hands make fast work. Volunteers busy preparing the food items for the Saturday night distribution routes.

Almost ready to go. Note the blankets to be given away as well.

For these homeless street people their beds are cardboard pieces, and the clothes on their backs are the only ones they have. None of those that I gave food to asked whether the food was halal, whether the sponsors were Christian, Muslim or Buddhist, or whether the gift packages were bought with money from gambling revenues. These were of little significance to them.

The hungry, poor and homeless don't ask questions. They are grateful for what they receive. Neither do KSK volunteers ask the clients for their personal particulars. They are happy to serve all, regardless of race, creed or religion. (Note: KSK serves only vegetarian meals.)

The story behind Kechara is closely tied to its founder and spiritual guide H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche who first visited Malaysia in 1992. Today, 18 years down the road, Kechara continues to grow from strength to strength. It now has 13 departments ranging from publications to lodgings, and has plans to add more over the next few years. KSK's long-term goal is to set up a Nurture Centre where the homeless will be trained and equipped with skills to enable them to find jobs.

Volunteers listen to a briefing before setting off on the night rounds. They are taught how best to approach the homeless, and how to offer assistance if required.

Kechara's website is a veritable treasure-house of everything you may want to know about the organization, and more. Check it out and be amazed at what Kechara has achieved in such a short period of time.

If you would like to help out at the soup kitchen or on the food distribution routes, please contact Justin Cheah at +6012 203 2135 or email him at justin.cheah@kechara.com. Kechara also welcomes sponsorship for its food programme. Click here for Kechara's wish list.

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FROM BRAIN DRAIN TO BRAIN GAIN? NAH!

Source: International Herald Tribune 2 Oct 2010

It's easy to see why our country is suffering an acute haemorrhaging of young and talented professionals. From early 2008 to August 2009, more than 300,000 Malaysians have emigrated, with 40% opting for greener pastures in Singapore. This outflow is unlikely to slow down anytime soon.

In recent years, the government has introduced several measures to lure these professionals home. You might recall the “Returning Scientist Programme” launched in 1995 and abandoned three years later. It attracted only 93 researchers, scientists and engineers, 70 of whom were foreigners and only 23 were Malaysians.

This was followed by the “Returning Expert Programme” in 2001 which has attracted less than 600 returnees to date. Then there is the "Malaysia My Second Home" launched in 2004 as part of a brain-gain effort to attract foreign talents and high net worth individuals into the country.

All these initiatives have either flopped miserably or met with very limited success.

 Source: The Star 5 Oct 2010

The latest is the Talent Corporation that is scheduled to begin operations in January 2011. A look at the incentives offered will give us an idea whether this progamme will work or will end up by the wayside like all its predecessors.

I quote from the New Straits Times 5 Oct.

• Talent Corp will provide an integrated skilled human capital blueprint with the cooperation of the public and private sectors. 
• It will be a one-stop centre to coordinate with relevant government agencies, including immigration matters, for the entry of skilled workers into the country. 
• Open-ended visas will be issued to foreign workers earning more than RM8,000 a month and ease restrictions, allowing them to buy cheaper homes costing RM250,000 and above.
• They will also have the flexibility to change jobs in Malaysia. 
• They will be allowed to bring in foreign maids. 
• Their spouses will be allowed to work.

These incentives may attract foreigners, but certainly not Malaysians residing overseas. There are currently about 700,000 of them working abroad. The government hopes to attract at least 70,000 of them to return from overseas over the next 10 years.

Will it succeed? I honestly have my doubts. As long as the real causes for the diaspora are not addressed, there is little hope of welcoming home many of our lost talents. Our loss is another country's gain, especially Singapore's.

These young people, many of whom have spent years studying and working abroad, are reluctant to return because they see no future for them in their country of birth. They are aware they won't be the first in line for promotions or post-graduate scholarships because these are not based on meritocracy but on the government's race-based affirmative action policies.

At the same time, better career opportunities and higher earnings overseas are magnets attracting our best brains to seek employment elsewhere and eventually to settle in their adopted country.

With both the pull factors and the push factors at work, it is hard to see how the government can succeed in their brain-gain efforts. Malaysians, especially the Chinese, will continue to leave in droves unless the government takes some bold steps to address the root causes, starting with the dismantling of race discrimination policies in awarding contracts, scholarships and promotions.

Each time someone raises this matter, interest groups immediately lodge protests over their 'special rights' being threatened. The PM is then forced to retreat and withdraw his grand plans for the country's economic and industrial development. We have seen this drama being played so many times that many of us have given up hope of seeing a real transformation in our country during our lifetime.

The government's current Transformation Programme will remain nothing more than an expensive multi-million ringgit PR campaign as long as pressure groups continue to hold the government to ransom, and minority groups are treated as second-class citizens.

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A FORMER FIRST LADY OF THE HIGHEST ORDER 1920-2010

As they say, behind every successful man is a great woman. And the late Mrs Lee Kuan Yew was one such woman.

Excerpt from The Straits Times

Mrs Lee, a brilliant student who came out top in her Senior Cambridge year, and who went on to build a successful law practice at Lee & Lee, was the intellectual equal of Mr Lee, but she saw herself first and foremost as a wife and mother, in keeping with her upbringing in a conservative Straits-Chinese home.

In public, she was a traditional Asian wife who metaphorically walked two steps behind her husband, as she once quipped.

In private, she was a devoted mother, a caring, gentle woman, and a quick-witted conversationalist who loved literature, classical music and botany. She was a 'tower of strength' to her husband and family, emotionally and intellectually. She believed in the same causes as Mr Lee did - independence from colonial rule in the early years, and later, a multiracial, meritocratic Singapore.

She saw Mr Lee through the nation's toughest moments in 51 years in office, 31 as Prime Minister, girding him for battle the way only a wife can. She helped him through the anguish of separation. She shared with him her instinctive grasp of character among the people they met. She helped him draft and polish his speeches, memoirs and even legal documents.

She engaged him in heated debate on policy matters like the rights of women and was wont to chide him if she thought him too demanding of others.

An intensely private woman who shunned the limelight, Mrs Lee trod softly through Singapore's history. She was a pioneer in her own right, but she chose to remain on the sidelines in public, content to play a supporting role.

May she rest in peace. Our condolences to Lee Kuan Yew.

Below are images taken from The Straits Times special tribute to Mdm Kwa Geok Choo.

WAKE FOR MRS LEE

For those who would like to pay their last respects, the wake for Mrs Lee Kuan Yew will be held at Sri Temasek, official residence of the Prime Minister and located within the Istana grounds, tomorrow and on Tuesday from 10am to 5pm.

Members of the public may call 6835-6614 if they have any queries.
The family requests that no obituaries and wreaths or flowers be sent. All donations will go to the National Neuroscience Institute Health Research Endowment Fund, Singapore.

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OCT 1 - INTERNATIONAL OLDER PEOPLE'S DAY. SO WHAT?

Yesterday was International Day of Older Persons. The theme this year was ‘getting and staying active in later life’.

I scanned ALL the local papers for some mention of this special day. I was so sure Singapore would have a list of activities lined up to celebrate the occasion, given that it's light years ahead of Malaysia in its active-ageing campaign. But my search drew nothing. Not a word in the media or a whisper about it anywhere.

But elsewhere, in the UK for instance, there were 1000s of activities lined up to mark this day, most of them organized by local community groups. Older people could take their pick from a wide range of events, viz:

•theatre performances

•tea dances

•fitness and healthy eating classes

•intergenerational events

•information fairs

•fun days

•talent shows

•forums on ageing

We have Children's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, but no Grandparent's Day. Are older people considered persona non grata, remembered mostly on festive days like Chinese New Year or Hari Raya?

Rather sad, don't you think?

Message for International Day of Older Persons (2010)

"On this International Day, I call on governments to do more to address the needs of older persons. The key interventions are well-known: granting universal access to social services; increasing the number and worth of pension plans; and creating laws and policies that prevent age and gender discrimination in the workplace."

~UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon~

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