Tricia Yeoh

Get your brand-new Hiking Guide (no, not jungle trekking) hot off the press! A complete fuel-hike fact book is now available online. Facts of the case can be seen in numbers. That's the beauty of econometrics, statistics in economics which speak a million things. Profits of Petronas have been on a hungry increase, as based on this chart (courtesy of Malaysiakini.com)

As reported here, those who would like to know how to obtain a copy of the booklet are advised to call Protes Sekretariat at 03 4025 4740 or send an email to proteshargaminyak@yahoo.com.

A full copy of the booklet can be obtained at this website. Hatta also encourages concerned members of the public to make copies of the booklet from the website and distribute it to their friends and family.

Now this is called free information. Literally. Not having to pay RM80 for a hard copy of some other document, no we shall not mention names.

The other side of the coin, of course, is that our cousins in Singapore are probably the only ones worse off in terms of freedom of the press and freedom of information. Interesting, isn't it? The grass this time is greener on our side of the crooked bridge, I mean scenic bridge, I mean the Causeway, silly…

This time the white-suit men and women (PAP uniformity, you see) have something to worry about. Yawning Bread estimates that there were at least a 100,000 people on the huge field last night at the Worker's Party election open-air rally in Singapore. Of course, today's front page of The Star reported that there were only 10,000. Whatever the actual figure, it is refreshing to note that there is some political consciousness rising above the dusty musty air of Singaporean apathy. Now there is no excuse to be a blur-sotong, to borrow their very expression.

Roderick Chia, who is reporting on James Gomez's behalf during his hectic season, replied my mail and says this: I can't tell you much more at this stage, beyond what has been stated in the blog, or on the WP website (www.wp.org.sg), or reported by Singapore's responsible and impartial mainstream media 😉

He also wrote: I've used a part of your email (and slightly edited) in the blog, simply because you've made interesting comments. (you can find it at his blog, http://jamesgomeznews.blogspot.com Day 3 news)

The Internet is a beautiful thing, isn't it? At least in Malaysia the Printing and Publications Act, along with many other legislative Acts, do not yet apply to the online sphere. This blog has been set up especially to report on the Election Rallies in Singapore: http://sgrally.blogspot.com/

Now why am I so concerned about our neighbours down town? I suppose it's because any sort of fight for the truth and fundamental liberties excites me. It rubs me the right way, going along the path of choosing right, the democratic way. So, forget the fights on bridges and water and little unprofitable rocks… I agree that economic links should be made for the benefit of both parties. Till then, I'd encourage all Singaporeans to wake up to political realities. Look at the manifestos of Singapore Democratic Party, Worker's Party etc. before you merely brush them aside as incapable talkshop individuals madly flailing their flags red in the face. Yes, indeed some people other than the main government may at times be talking sense! Just listen carefully.

I've been accused of quoting Coleridge's line from the Rime of the Ancient Mariner one time too many, but here it is warranted once again…

Water, water, everywhere, but not a drop to drink!

The Water Bills will be debated in Parliament next week. It is not expected to be a pretty scene…as it is rife with controversy. 

This issue is part of a bigger issue of globalisation, a huge topic which I'm still mulling over. Part of me believes in the Friedman theory that there is no option but for nations to go full-gear into free trade, thereby following economic lowering of tariffs, removal of subsidies and protectionist policies. All these ensure productive and allocative efficiency, improving upon efficiency and allowing incentives as a pull factor for nations to buck up.

On the other hand, the activist side of me shouts out in protest for the poorer states, who obviously cannot survive on their own. With zero tax and subsidies, the reason most NGOs fight against globalisation and the WTO process is the lack of concern for poorer economies. The common picture painted is the fear of global MNCs sweeping down to take over and dominate local economies, resulting in the growth of the richest. As an economist, one would push for free market economies to inculcate a culture of competitiveness. As a socialist, one would likely be concerned for the welfare of the state and instead encourage a sustainable development. More of this to come.

For now, the water bills potentially means privatisation of water. It might affect the sovereignty of our country, as reported here. 

The Coalition Against Water Privatisation has come up with a comprehensive site to understand the matter further, here.  

The Press Statement here outlines briefly what CAWP feels. Some of the reasons why they believe water should not be privatised:

• Water is a basic human right
• Access to water is a legally binding responsibility of the State
• The state shall provide for safe, affordable and adequate water supply

The basic question arises for people who cannot afford to pay for their water = will they then be refused clean tap water? 

What a big fuss is being made over James Gomez, representative of Singapore's Worker's Party. Distracted by the million and one things to get done, he failed to submit his minority certificate. Of course, Singapore is currently making a big deal out of the whole saga. When really, this matters little as he is not even contesting his seat in the election as a minority candidate.

In his public apology, he says the following:

I refer to my claim over the submission of the Minority Certificate at the Elections Department on 26th April 2006.

I wish to confirm that I did not submit the said application on 24th April 2006 due to too much distraction caused by the busy schedule leading up to nomination day.

Please accept my sincere apologies if my actions on 26th April 2006 caused any distress or confusion to the staff of the Elections Department.

And there are more reports on his Campaign here (his blog), currently being reported by Roderick Chia during Gomez's busy period. I've e-mailed to Roderick to ask more about Gomez's opinions and any stories from ground level to get their personal insights. I had the privilege of discussing bits of Singapore politics with both of them earlier this year.

A bit of info: Singapore is having its elections very soon, on the 6th of May. The PAP, or People's Action Party, has traditionally held most of the electoral seats in the government. This time, there are 47 seats up for grabs. The opposition parties have been very weak, but of late because of new demands from the younger generation who are inclined towards opting for freedom of speech and a more equal check-and-balance system, more are turning their attention to an alternative. It's old news that Singapore one-family-government has not hesitated to draw law suits against "feisty journalists and opposition politicians", even when the people involved were merely revealing cover-ups of corruption, like the National Kidney Foundation fiasco, as reported by Asia Times Online here.

No ground-breaking results will occur here, and rest assured PAP will still fly high in its mandate. But perhaps for the first time in many years, the people will at least have a chance to listen to alternative viewpoints.