Death Penalty for Fatal Corruption?

 

The Klang road tragedy has become racialised online. The blame has turned into racial stereotypes of a “drunk Indian”, while forgetting he was also high on dadah, or drugs, which are normally typecast with another racial group. The video of the accident was horrific.

Now, some are calling for the death penalty. But let’s be consistent. What about other dangerous, negligent, and corrupt behaviour that causes death? 

Some are “high” on reckless riding or driving, while others are “drunk” on bribes. All have deadly consequences.

 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

1. Mat Rempit

Motorcyclists made up two-thirds of 6,537 road deaths in 2025, with those aged 16 to 30 at the highest risk, according to the transport minister. In contrast, there were only 69 cases of fatal drink driving over 10 years (2011-2021), according to police statistics. 

This is not to downplay the need to punish drunk drivers, but to ask: why isn’t there similar outrage against the notorious Mat Rempit? 

2. Logging and deadly landslides 

Five people were killed in December 2021 near Bentong, Pahang, after deadly landslides laden with mud and logs. Or is it ‘Tuhan punya pasal’, as late Samy Velu will put it. 

3. Dangerous lorry, bus drivers

We have become immune to news of bus and lorry accidents. A total of 203 bus-related accidents occurred in Malaysia from January 2023 to May 2026, resulting in 39 deaths and 68 serious injuries. The causes, said police, included overworked drivers chasing tight schedules, speeding on wet roads, brake failure, worn-out tyres, and yes, drugs. News reports also point to drivers being hired despite multiple past traffic violations. Biasa la (normal la). Somehow, these don’t raise the same level of indignation as alcohol.

 

In May 2025, nine FRU men near Teluk Intan were killed by a lorry driver with six past criminal cases for drugs, rape, and theft. The carnage continues. In March, a trailer lorry smashed into three cars in Penang, causing serious injuries. The driver tested positive for syabu or methamphetamine. 

A study revealed that fatal road accidents involving heavy vehicles like lorries have claimed 1,457 lives from 2019 to 2024. That’s one life lost every 36 hours. Luckily, deaths declined in 2025. 

Finally, let’s come to government responsibility. In June last year, a tragic accident on the East-West Highway killed 15 UPSI students. Six months later, a Transport Ministry special task force released its findings. 

Highways have guardrails to prevent vehicles from plunging into ravines. However, at the accident site, they acted not to save the bus, but as a giant “spear” piercing through the left side of the vehicle, causing 11 of the 15 deaths. How did this happen? The spacing between guardrail posts was 3.8m, far over the 2m limit. The guardrail panels were installed against the flow of traffic, and multiple bolts were missing. Instead of cushioning the bus, the end of the guardrail snapped and failed to fold upon impact, becoming a sharp, piercing object. 

So, if we’re calling for drunk drivers to be hanged, what about bus and lorry drivers on drugs? What about corrupt officers who enable this bloodbath on the roads? What about transport companies that hire drivers with multiple misdeeds? 

Reference:

COMMENT | Death penalty for fatal corruption, not just drink driving? Andrew Sia, Malaysiakini, 2 Apr 2026

10 Leadership Rules for Trust & Success

 

Reference:

10 Leadership rules for trust & success, post by Afizan Amer on Linkein

We’re Losing Our Doctors!

 

There’s a quiet crisis happening in Malaysia’s hospitals. And it’s not about equipment shortages or bed capacity. It’s about people—our young doctors who are quietly choosing to leave. Only 529 out of 5,000 housemanship spots offered this January were accepted. That’s just 10.5%. Think about that. Nearly 4,500 young Malaysian doctors said “no” to starting their medical careers at home. Not because they don’t love their country. But because they don’t see a future here. 

And Singapore? They’re ready. With open arms and contracts that offer S$110,000 (about RM385,000) to start—plus permanent jobs, pensions, and actual career paths. Recruiters are already talking to students before they even graduate. Our top medical schools—UM, UKM, USM—are becoming feeder schools for a foreign system.

 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

Our own system sends the wrong message. Contract after contract. Uncertainty after uncertainty. Young doctors are overworked, underpaid, and undervalued. They burn out before they’ve even begun. There’s little mentorship, unclear promotions, and barely any light at the end of the tunnel. Ending the contract system is a good first step. But it’s just that: a first step. We need permanent posts. Clear pathways. Real support. Housemanship shouldn’t be survival training—it should be a place to learn and grow. And, we can’t out pay Singapore. We shouldn’t even try. But we can compete on something deeper: respect. Purpose. The feeling that your work matters, and that you matter too. 

Young doctors want balance. They want to be recognised when they do well. They want to specialise, to research, to grow without breaking. They want public service to feel like an honour—not a trap. Forcing them to stay with bonds won’t work. Making them “want” to stay? That’s the only real solution. 

We also need to reach out to the thousands of Malaysian doctors already working abroad. Create real return pathways. Recognise their overseas experience. Let them come home without losing ground. Short-term exchanges, faster accreditation—these aren’t handouts. They’re investments. 

Here’s the hard truth: our doctors aren’t leaving because they’re disloyal. They’re leaving because the system keeps failing them. If we don’t build a healthcare system that respects, nurtures, and rewards talent, the bleeding won’t stop. 

This isn’t just about policy. It’s about people.  And it’s not about race. Even the M group is leaving. Why? No future! Madani doesn’t see it or choose to be blind. If you want good Malaysian consultants from overseas, you must create pathways. One local university offered a consultant RM60,000 p.a., when he is earning £100,000 or more in the U.K. What a joke! 

Reference:

We’re losing our doctors, but can we blame them? KT Maran, Focus Malaysia, 

31 March 2026

Retail Fuel Prices on the Rise?

 

The price of RON97 and unsubsidised RON95 petrol was increased by 60 sen nationwide from 26 March 2026, while the price of diesel in West Malaysia went up by 80 sen. The finance ministry said the price of RON97 will be fixed at RM5.15 per litre from RM4.55 per litre currently. Meanwhile, the price of unsubsidised RON95 fuel will be fixed at RM3.87 per litre, up from RM3.27. The price of diesel in West Malaysia will be fixed at RM5.52 per litre, up from RM4.72 per litre.

 

 

Subsidised RON95 petrol under the BUDI95 programme will remain at RM1.99 per litre, while diesel in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan stays at RM2.15 per litre. These prices are effective until April 1. 

The ministry said the prolonged conflict in West Asia has driven global crude oil prices up by more than 40%, surpassing US$100 per barrel, thereby increasing the risk of disruptions to global oil supply. 

The measures include maintaining the price for subsidised RON95 while retaining the price of RM2.15 per litre for diesel used by public transport and land logistics. 

The main impact on consumers will be indirect. Transportation of goods will be become more expensive. Some have warned prices could rise by up to 50%. Businesses may face a sharp increase in costs. FMM estimates production costs could rise by 6% to 10%. Several sectors are impacted – form good to construction. That’s not good news to a fixed wage employee. 

Reference: 

RON97, unsubsidised RON95 rise 60 sen, diesel up 80 sen in West Malaysia, FMT Reports, FMT, 25 March 2026

 

Malaysia’s Tourism Hit by Fuel Shock?

 

Malaysia’s tourism sector is bracing for a sharp jump in travel costs, with tour package prices expected to climb as much as 50 per cent. Surging fuel prices impact transport and operating expenses. Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA) president Mint Leong said the increase comes as the Middle East conflict disrupts travel flows and drives up global energy prices, compounding pressure on an industry already facing cancellations and weaker demand. If the situation (in West Asia) persists, tour package prices could rise by 30 to 50 per cent. 

Tourism sector felt the impact from early March, almost as soon as the Iran war broke out.  An estimated 2,800 tour packages were cancelled in the first week of the conflict.  Beyond cancellations, the sharp rise in diesel prices is emerging as a key pressure point, given that transport operators rely heavily on diesel, and so are facing surging operating costs.

 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

Renting a tour bus previously cost between RM1,040 (S$333.70) and RM1,205 a day when diesel cost RM3.04 a litre. The cost has now risen to between RM1,900 and RM2,200 – a nearly 83 per cent increase, with Malaysia’s diesel prices now at RM5.52 a litre. The spike is squeezing margins across the tourism value chain, from transport providers to hotels and F&B operators. Because tour packages are typically contracted months in advance at fixed prices, operators are unable to pass on the higher costs. Tourist buses, vans and ferries have been excluded from the national diesel subsidy since 2024, leaving those operators particularly exposed to price volatility. 

In the meantime, operators are exploring alternative strategies to mitigate disruptions, including rerouting travellers through China and tapping into regional demand. In 2025, Malaysia welcomed 42.2 million visitors, 11.2 per cent more than the year before. Tourism receipts came in at RM110.6 billion.  Building on this momentum, the country hopes to clock 47 million foreign arrivals and a record RM147.1 billion in receipts for the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign. Industry groups say the combined impact of rising costs and falling demand is beginning to strain cash flow. 

Malaysia’s tourism sector relies heavily on advance bookings from long-haul travellers, particularly from Europe, North America and the Middle East, said Wong. However, geopolitical tensions and higher airfares have led to postponements, leaving gaps in expected revenue. The crisis is also exposing longer-term structural challenges within the industry.

Tourism operators affected, hotels will be impacted, restaurants will have less customers and all-related enterprise will go down. Has there been an urgency to address issues for tourism and the many other sectors? I don’t see it yet! The MOF and the Economy Ministry need to draw-up a “survival” plan soon! 

Reference:

Malaysia tourism hit by fuel shock; tour prices may jump 50%,  Tan Ai Leng, The Business Times, 30 March 2026

Malaysia’s Automotive Industry in a Flux?

 

Malaysia’s automotive industry in now in a state of flux after it was reported the ministry of investment, trade and industry (MITI) imposed new requirements for BYD’s CKD local assembly plans, which the Chinese conglomerate did not agree to. According to The Edge, the government set a RM200,000 floor price as well as a target of 80% of its production volume to be made up of exports. 

This has caused progress on the Tanjong Malim plant, due to be operational in the second half of the year, to ground to a halt. At the centre of the dispute are, of course, Proton and Perodua, the protection of which was the reason behind these new requirements.

 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

MITI’s purported RM200,000 floor price for CKD EVs is poor policy at best. Every BYD model is priced below that mark; even the most expensive Sealion 7 Performance AWD slides under it with RM200 to spare. Only the company’s premium Denza marque has cars that cost more than that. 

MITI could argue that the floor price for CKD models is significantly below that of CBU EVs, which is now RM250,000. But if you’re BYD, why would you invest millions, if not billions of ringgit on an assembly plant. It only gets worse when you consider that other brands like Tesla and Chery seem to get preferential treatment. Not only has Tesla been able to continue selling cars at 2025 prices, but it has even managed to introduce a new version of the Model 3, the Standard, at under RM150,000. 

Will the RM200,000 floor price also applies to brands like Xpeng, or does this only apply to BYD? And will Zeekr which, like Proton, Geely owns a stake in – and is set to utilise Proton’s own Tanjong Malim plant – get special treatment? 

And what about companies that have already begun their CKD operations? Companies like Leapmotor and MG, the latter of which has only just opened the order books for the locally-assembled S5 SUV, complete with estimated pricing (obviously well below RM200,000). What about Wuling, which has already started deliveries of the TQ Wuling Bingo? 

We then come to the other requirement – that BYD has to export as much as 80% of its Malaysian production overseas. Last year, BYD sold 14,407 vehicles in Malaysia, and if it wants to achieve a reasonable return on its plant investment, it will no doubt want to sell more. But even with a conservative target of 15,000 annual sales, it will then have to export 60,000 units to other markets. Even Proton struggles to export a tenth of that figure, while BMW sent 11,400 vehicles from its plant in Kulim, Kedah to markets such as Thailand and the Philippines last year. 

The spectre of protectionism has loomed over the Malaysian automotive industry ever since the idea of a national carmaker was mooted in the 1980s. Still, the government has long sought to distance itself from such accusations. 

The new requirements were put in place to safeguard Proton and Perodua – claimed to include over 50% of local content in their cars – as well as the jobs of some 700,000 people within the wider local automotive ecosystem. But that argument falls on its face upon the slightest scrutiny. It may be true that most of Proton’s combustion-engined cars have over 50% local content, but the same cannot be said of its eMas EVs and plug-in hybrids. Just one model out of the three – the eMas 7 – is currently assembled in Malaysia, and even this is classified as a semi knocked down (SKD) product, not a completely knocked down (CKD) one. That means the car is simply assembled in Malaysia without much in the way in the local content, and right now, Proton’s much-vaunted EV plant does not even have a paint station. 

Proton and Geely’s advantage are compounded by the fact that their eMas EV models are all able to be sold at under RM100,000. This includes the eMas 5, which is still fully imported and benefits from a special CKD bridging programme, allowing Proton to sell thousands of CBU units at CKD-level pricing, instead of the mere hundreds that other companies are limited to.

Plus, Proton is free from any real expectations of exports. While the eMas 7 is technically exported to small markets such as Nepal and Mauritius, Proton currently exports cars that are made in China, not Malaysia (although this will soon change). Also, Proton is shut out from major markets such as Thailand and Indonesia, because Geely operates its own plants there – contrary to past promises. 

As for Perodua, it promises that its new QV-E will have 50% of local content early this year, and up to 70% a full four years from now, in 2030. That’s better than most Protons, but it’s still a long way off from the company’s usual standard of around 95%. 

Proton and Perodua do not operate in a vacuum. They are part of a massive global ecosystem currently undergoing a seismic shift, and even experienced players are finding it tough out there. Killing off their rivals at home may improve sales in the short term, but it only seeks to make them less competitive outside of Malaysia. Why do companies require 35-40 years of protection? Because they are incompetent? Because they exploit the market as a duopoly? Because they are pure capitalist? 

Those 700,000 workers that MITI wants to protect, they all benefit from a vibrant, thriving economy that feeds off of investment both local and foreign. 

Perhaps most important is the perception that Malaysia is portraying to the world with these new requirements. It shows that the government is willing to forgo foreign investment in service of its own agenda, even at a huge cost to itself. It also shows that this country may not be such a reliable partner. 

Reference:

BYD CKD EV saga – where does the auto industry stand with MITI’s RM200k floor price, export criteria? Jonathan Lee, March 30, 2026, paultan.org

Core Christian Days

 

Recently, I met several people who were interested to understand the essentials of Good Friday and Easter. This short article is an attempt to explain briefly Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter and Christmas. 

The Christian faith is an invitation to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It is not an “earning salvation” religion but by pure grace – an unmerited favour of God to rescue us (Eph. 2:8-9). No one can come to Christ unless the Holy Spirit convicts them – and that too from repentance of one’s heart and believing that Jesus Christ is Lord. 

The five key days represented below form the core narrative of the Christian faith: Ash Wednesday begins a 40-day, reflective Lenten season (repentance, fasting), while Maundy Thursday (Last Supper/servant leadership), Good Friday (crucifixion/sacrifice), Easter (resurrection/victory) form the “Triduum” (three days) climaxing in the celebration of new life, and Christmas (birth of Jesus Christ). 

Ash Wednesday (Starts Lent): Christians receive ashes on their foreheads to mark the beginning of a 40-day period of fasting, repentance, and self-reflection in preparation for Easter. It symbolizes mortality ("dust to dust") and the need for spiritual renewal. 

Maundy Thursday (Last Supper): Commemorates Jesus’ last supper with his disciples before his betrayal. Significance includes Jesus washing his disciples' feet to teach humility, and the institution of the Holy Communion/Eucharist [Maundy is from the Latin word mandatum or command – “Love one another as I have loved you (Jn 15:12)]. 

Good Friday (Crucifixion): A solemn day focusing on Jesus’ crucifixion, suffering, and death on the cross. It is considered "good" because it represents the sacrifice Jesus made to pay for the sins of humanity, leading to salvation. 

Easter (Resurrection): The celebration of Jesus rising from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. It is the most significant Christian celebration, marking victory over death, sin, and the promise of eternal life. 

Christmas (Incarnation/Birth): The celebration of Christmas is the incarnation of God on earth. Jesus was born to save mankind.

To know more and explore the meaning of life, please do the Alpha Course.