Tahniah Dato' Seri Najib! Now.... the hard part.

First of all, congratulations are in order for Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak for getting enough nominations to win the post of UMNO president without contest. Now that it's over, Dato' Seri Najib (DSNR) has probably begun planting strategies and getting prepared mentally for the post of UMNO president and Malaysia's 6th Prime Minister.

The first thing on the list would be of no surprise, which is to spur the economy due to the massive global financial system meltdown. Capital injections are making headlines in the US and Europe, including rescue packages from IMF for those in need of some moolah. I reckon more money should be channeled to small and medium enterprises to reinvigorate the retail business in the country. I disagree with the proposal to reduce the EPF monthly reduction so that people would have more money in their pocket. Reducing your bird's nest for retirement is not the answer, especially when that money is not even enough! For the poor and the needy, I wonder where we could get data of zakat money distribution in KL and Selangor. Selangor earlier reported of a collection close to a couple of hundred million ringgit. I wonder if zakat collection centers have some sort of an audited report of their yearly distribution. These funds should be able to help out (there is a distinct difference between the poor and the needy, both of which are entitled for zakat).

Urban folks in KL and Penang have not forgotten about the plans to expand the LRT network, increase the number of coaches and feeder buses. This should be implemented immediately and covered in main stream media extensively. Otherwise, this would be the silver bullet in the next general election. The savings from reduced subsidies were planned to be channeled here. The funds utilized in this area should be transparent so that it won't create a ruckus in Parliament and in public forums.

The next agenda should be energy. Malaysia is set to become a net-importer of oil in a couple of years and a clear blue print and implementation of strategies should be set in stone. Whether it's nuclear, biodiesel, electric cars or wind farms, the public should be kept informed (this is a more substantial cover story, rather than covering stories of MPs swearing and calling each other monkeys, who would want to read about that???). Subsidies are not the way to go and it would deprive the Government from channeling that money for better usage. Subsidies blatantly create complacency and lack of competition (isn't that what MCA wants!).

To be continued...