THE MALAY MAIL
friday 7 december 2012
NEWS
I
NATIONAL Of course, there is still room for improvement but the public transport system has improved by leaps and bounds Liew Wei Beng Selangor Residents Associations’ Coalition president
PETALING JAYA
Transforming Malaysia for a brighter future Three years on, the National Transformation Programme is gearing up a notch to further improve quality of life It has been 3 years since the Government of Malaysia rolled out the National Transformation Programme to crystalise the Vision 2020 roadmap. Led by the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) in January 2010 and subsequently, the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) in November 2010, a lot has been done to improve the lives of millions of Malaysians as well as to reinvigorate the sectoral economies in Malaysia. As the second phase of the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) is poised to take the helm of improving lives beginning next year, most stakeholders interviewed by The Malay Mail recognise that more needs to be done for continual progress. Selangor Residents Associations’ Coalition president Liew Wei Beng said efforts made to improve public transport have been forthcoming. “The light rail transit (LRT) service has improved a lot,” he said. “The government has given commuters incentives for taking public transport so that will help people from the poorer communities, especially now with the current economic condition.” Of course, there is still room for improvement but the public transport system has improved by leaps and bounds, he added. However, Liew said more is required from the police force when combating crime. He feels there is too much debate on the crime data. He lauds the fact that PDRM will be setting up a ‘Sistem Semakan Online’ system to enable the public to monitor the progress of their reports. “This will assure the public and critics that all reports make up part of the data. It’s transparent and refutes the argument that some police officers discourage the lodging of police reports for fear it would mar the records of the particular police station.” “Perception is more important than the index,” he said.
TANGIBLE RESULTS: Efforts to improve public transport, increase security and improve the quality of life in the rural areas have been noticed and felt by the rakyat
Parent Action Group for Education chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim noted the progress made by efforts to ensure quality education. “As far as Linus (Literacy and Numeracy Screening) programme is concerned, it is doing good,” she said. “Pre-school enrolment is
up to 90 per cent which is long awaited. They should have done that first a long time ago,” she added. She also said the inclusion of the English language component in the Linus programme should also be commended as it is an important aspect of the end goal of both pro-
grammes — Vision 2020. However, she said the efficacy of anointing schools as high performing schools (HPS) remains questionable. “There is a lack of transparency because the schools have no obligation to reveal how they are spending the money given
to them,” she said. “Also, the teachers and students are pressured to perform. So non-academic performance takes a back seat, which ironically is not conducive to honing well-rounded students,” she added. Despite the shortcomings, both programmes
have charted significant successes. Malaysian Institute of Development and Asian Studies (MiDAS) founding director Dr K.J. John said the ideas behind the transformation programmes are noble. • Continued on pgII
II
friday 7 december 2012
NEWS
THE MALAY MAIL
NATIONAL From the investors’ perspective, the ETP has contributed to Bursa Malaysia’s on-going efforts to revitalise the capital market, equity and debt Bursa Saham Malaysia
petaling jaya
ETP continues to chart growth Bursa Saham Malaysia says entry point projects (EPPs) are revitalising capital market THE Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) continues to steer the Malaysian economy, registering robust growths in the past few years. According to a statement from Bursa Saham Malaysia, various ETP initiatives via the Entry Project Points (EPP) have only galvanised the capital market. "This is recently evidenced with the KLCI stringing a record number of 26 all-time highs as at Oct 31 this year," the statement read. The financial regulator also said Malaysia’s capital market has been placed on the world map with two “hidden-gems” namely the acclaimed IPOs by FELDA Global Venture Holdings Berhad and IHH Healthcare Berhad as the world’s third and fourth largest IPO listings respectively this year as of Oct 19. It also noted that with such developments, Malaysia is fast gaining ground as a From pG i “I like it because it has brought discipline and change of perspective into the government structure,” he said. However, he said there is too much emphasis specifically on projects designed to deliver outcomes. However, the point of the projects is to deliver fast results for the people, which is the aim of the GTP and ETP. The larger aim of the GTP and ETP is to create a pathway for Malaysia to achieve developed and high-income nation status, as envisioned by Vision 2020. The Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) runs in tandem with the GTP, focusing on transforming Malaysia’s economy into a highincome, developed nation. The goal is to generate RM1.4 trillion in investment, RM1.7 trilion in Gross National Income (GNI) and create 3.3 million jobs by 2020. This would push the GNI per capita to USD$15,000 (RM45,715), catapulting us into a high-income nation. This would move the Malaysian economy from a resource- based one to a more services-oriented economy.
choice destination for issuers, as reflected by Bursa's track record for the past few years. "From the investors’ perspective, the ETP has contributed to Bursa Malaysia’s on-going efforts to revitalise the capital market, both equity and debt, and this has been imperative for market growth as seen in its index outperforming the rest of the regional markets albeit weaknesses in worldwide exchanges and economies," the statement read. This is further aided by the establishment of ASEAN Trading Link opens up a single entry point access for the benefit of investors and brokers to tap into the marketplace of ASEAN with Bursa Malaysia, Singapore Exchange and The Stock Exchange of Thailand being the earliest connectors. "With this feature, Bursa Malaysia can leverage on this strategic platform to further raise the international
profile of Malaysia’s listed entities." Bursa said the ETP has also invigorated asset classes with the introduction of Exchange Traded Bonds and Sukuk (ETBS), which will allow access to retail investors to bonds that offer regular and predictable cashflow. It was previously limited to selected investors such as institutional and high net worth investors. The derivatives market has also garnered a lot of attention and interest on its own, hitting historical- high daily volumes of 78,401 contracts traded on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives (BMD) on Oct 29, it said. Bursa said on the whole, the ETP has continued to uplift and strengthen the capital market and is expected to be a major contributor to Bursa Malaysia’s momentum to elevate the exchange as a choice destination for issues in this region and international stages.
financial hub: Malaysia is fast gaining ground as a choice centre for the capital market
Background to the GTP and ETP The first three years of the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) focused on structural changes within the government. Seven key areas affecting people’s lives were identified and the ministries in charge of the areas were given targets to achieve. The seven areas were: addressing the rising cost of living, reducing crime, fighting corruption, ensuring quality education, raising living standards of low-income households, improving rural development and improving urban public transport. The goal was to initiate immediate and big changes to the government’s bureaucracy, addressing the decline in progress of several key areas affecting the people while renewing their faith. It was the performance culture of the civil service that took centre stage, and various ministries were challenged to step up and create ripples of progress where the rakyat’s lives were concerned.
The shortcomings of the first phase would be tackled in GTP 2.0, to take place from next year until 2015. This phase aims to churn broader and deeper changes within the civil service. This includes cutting out bureaucracy in order to create a more streamlined civil service. There will be a more holistic reporting chain starting from the grassroot levels right up to the top echolons of the government. Initiatives will also be implemented to hone a performance culture for the country’s further development. Cooperation from companies as well as NGOs will not be excluded, to ensure that the needs and concerns of all parties are taken into account. By the time the GTP 2.0 is completed, the two phases of the GTP would have created a solid foundation for the third phase to be implemented. There will possibly be another round of public
consulation and a series of labs before execution plans for GTP 3.0 are formulated. Clearly this best practice to listen is now slowly but surely entrenched in the government’s DNA to deliver.
Nonetheless, the general theme would be a focus on enabling technology and innovation to help tackle issues faced by the people. Launched in 2010, the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) aims to
transform Malaysia into a high-income nation by 2020 and is centred on two key premises – focus and competitiveness. Special focus is given to 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) where Malaysia is endowed with natural strengths, cutting across education to agriculture to the palm oil industry. In order to create conditions for competitiveness to flourish, six cross-cutting Strategic Reform Initiatives (SRIs) have been established. The ETP has already made positive impact on the Malaysian economy. Some of the milestones achieved are the enforcement of Competition Act on 1st January 2012, liberalisation of 15 out of the 17 subsectors targeted to allow 100 per cent equity by foreign companies, as well as a steady year-onyear reduction of the nation’s deficit to near zero by 2020. The country’s budget deficit stood at 5.6% in 2010 and this was reduced to 4.8% last year.
THE MALAY MAIL
friday 7 december 2012
NEWS
III
NATIONAL I think changes like these take time. For me, the government’s initiatives to improve the quality of teachers and education standards are good Mohd Khairul Azim, 24 Lawyer
kuala lumpur
Significant impact felt by many People on the street laud GTP's initiatives and expect more to come THE second phase of the Government Transformation Programme, GTP 2.0, will begin next year and last until 2015. The Malay Mail recently spoke to people on the street to get their views on the efforts carried out so far under the first phase of the GTP, and how it has affected their lives. While there is still room for improvement, most were supportive of the various efforts.
The police in our area (Section 6, Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya) is very good. They conduct frequent patrols. They respond to calls for help quickly. They also hold regular dialogues with the residents
I find the government’s assistance for students really helpful. I have a 16 year-old son and it relieved some burden off me. We used the money to get books for him so I could reserve my salary for other expenditures
Sheila Naidu, 45 Homemaker
Saidi Masko, 36 Hawker
I do see improvement in education. I do see an increase of police presence in my housing area (in Sri Petaling) so I think that’s good. They patrol the area quite frequently. On corruption however, more can be done to address it
I think the government’s intentions are good but the execution could be better. I think they need to broaden the initiatives to affect a larger section of society. That being said, changes take time so maybe the government needs more time
I think changes like these take time. For me, the government’s initiatives to improve the quality of teachers and education standards are good. It’s the starting point for changes in the nation to take place
I see more police presence in my neighbourhood. I think that is good as crime is on the rise. I think the rising cost of living is a bit worrying though. It would be helpful if the government can solve that issue
Sivarishvin Rajasingam, 27 Self-employed
Aina Liyana, 25 Intern
Mohd Khairul Azim, 24 Lawyer
Ermayani Bahrom, 21 Nurse
The GTP's initiatives to help the poor are very timely. The handouts will help them to sort their lives a bit. They would be able to spend the cash on vital things so they can use their meagre salaries on more important things. They would not need to find other illegal means to earn cash.
I am a recipient of the BR1M programme. I know some poor people who could never dream of holding RM500 in cash in their hands. So it is good that the government helped them in that way. Even though it is a one-off payment, they can use it to improve their lives in any manner, whether it is buying equipment to start a baking business or to help pay for their children’s education.
In Tawas where I am from, more roads have been built which helped to open the area for further development. There has been construction of houses for the poor as well. It is really helpful to these people, especially since most of them can’t even dream of owning a house.
Moon, 30 secretary
Noraini Salleh, 40 entrepreneur
Amirudin Rsake, 43 self-employed
As a whole, the programme has benefited a lot of people. It is the best we have received so far. The poor have been helped a lot and they deserve it. In Yan, Kedah, the federal government has fixed lights to brighten certain areas in the town. It has helped to make people feel safe, especially factory workers who return from work late at night.
The efforts to help build homes for the poor is commendable. Some of them really cannot afford to rebuild their homes. It has improved their lives by making sure they have a comfortable environment to live in. I am a recipient of the BR1M programme. I spent it on buying books, stationary paid fees for my children.
I am happy with the transformation programmes to increase the quality of education. As a teacher, I feel that it is timely as kids nowadays are getting smarter thanks to technology. So, the programmes are in line with the changing times. It also helps the rural children as well, which increase the level of education they receive.
Azhar Ahmad, 47 teacher
Hasmah Ampala, 41 kindergarten teacher
Zalinah Jamal, 47 teacher
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FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER 2012
THE MALAY MAIL