Thursday, April 30, 2009

1st of May - Labor Day , its history & latest development here in Malaysia



As the Industrial Revolution took hold of the nation, the average American in the late 1800s worked 12-hour days, seven days a week in order to make a basic living. Children were also working, as they provided cheap labor to employers and laws against child labor were not strongly enforced.

With the long hours and terrible working conditions, American unions became more prominent and voiced their demands for a better way of life. On Tuesday September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers marched from city hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first-ever Labor Day parade. Participants took an upaid day-off to honor the workers of America, as well as vocalize issues they had with employers. As years passed, more states began to hold these parades, but Congress would not legalize the holiday until 12 years later.

On May 11, 1894, workers of the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago struck to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives. They sought support from their union led by Eugene V. Debs and on June 26 the American Railroad Union called a boycott of all Pullman railway cars. Within days, 50,000 rail workers complied and railroad traffic out of Chicago came to a halt. On July 4, President Grover Cleveland dispatched troops to Chicago. Much rioting and bloodshed ensued, but the government's actions broke the strike and the boycott soon collapsed. Debs and three other union officials were jailed for disobeying the injunction. The strike brought worker's rights to the public eye and Congress declared, in 1894, that the first Monday in September would be the holiday for workers, known as Labor Day.

The founder of Labor Day remains unclear, but some credit either Peter McGuire, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, or Matthew Maguire, a secretary of the Central Labor Union, for proposing the holiday.

Although Labor Day is meant as a celebration of the labor movement and its achievements, it has come to be celebrated as the last, long summer weekend before Autumn.



" INT'L LABOUR DAY: Malaysian Workers to March Against Privatisation "
By Anil Netto
PENANG, Malaysia, Apr 29 (IPS) - Malaysia's workers will mark International Labour Day on May 1 with a strong protest against globalisation, which they feel is gradually eroding away their rights and making poor Malaysians poorer.

Some 5,000 thousand trade union members are expected to gather on Saturday night at Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) to usher in Labour Day in one of the biggest workers' gatherings in recent times. They are expected to be joined by up to 3,000 political and grassroots activists as well as workers from marginalised sectors from across the country.

This year's theme is 'Globalisation erodes workers' rights'. And uppermost on the minds of workers will be their concern over the privatisation of water and healthcare services in the country.

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress, the main organisers of the gathering, is heading into unknown territory under the leadership of committed trade unionists who swept aside the national labour centre's previous leadership, which was widely seen as politically compromised.

For newly elected MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud, workers have reason to be worried about globalisation. ''We are concerned about privatisation, the right (which has been taken away) of civil servants to engage in collective bargaining, lack of security of tenure, (the struggle for) a minimum wage, and the occupational safety and health of workers,'' he told IPS.

Rani Rasiah, one of the coordinators of the Oppressed Peoples Network (JERIT), agrees that these issues are of major concerns to workers now. JERIT brings together five different coalitions of groups working among urban pioneers, plantation workers, factory workers, farmers and students.

''This year it's very stark,'' she said. ''We are feeling the effects of globalisation even more than we did last year.'' But she said the government was being shrewd. ''They are giving it to us in little doses.''

She said its actions were not much different from those of governments in Europe, where workers' rights and security of tenure are gradually being eroded. Apart from the issues Syed Shahir mentioned, she spoke of local workers being forced to face competition from migrant workers as well as worries about multinational companies relocating to other countries in search of cheaper labour.

But it is the privatisation of essential services like water and healthcare that is dominating concern in this year's gathering. ''It's a good thing that the MTUC is taking an interest in this issue (of privatisation).''

The MTUC has joined the newly set up Coalition Against Water Privatisation, which is opposing the privatisation of water supply management in the country amidst fears that it will lead to higher tariffs and burden the poor.

Parliament passed the Constitution Amendment Bill in January transferring supply and management of water away from respective states to the federal level to pave the way for water privatisation. Two more bills - The Water Industry Bill and a bill to establish a regulatory National Water Services Commission - are expected to be passed soon. The government, meanwhile, is bypassing the need to set up a Parliamentary Select Committee to solicit views from the public and civil society groups.

The Coalition Against Water Privatisation, comprising 26 civil society groups, has been trying to raise awareness among workers and the public about the perils of privatisation.

''The privatisation of water resources is taking place at a time when the cost of other essential services such as healthcare, infant food, rental, food, petrol, transport and education is escalating,'' said Charles Santiago, the coordinator of the coalition, in a recent commentary. These rising costs are marginalizing the poor and low-income workers and increasing hardship to vulnerable groups, he added.

Other activists are campaigning against the privatisation of healthcare. Key services in state-run general hospitals such as maintenance, catering, procurement and supply of medicines have already been privatised. The result: expenditure on these services has soared.

To cope with rising costs, the government has just announced the setting up of the National Health Financing Scheme from next year. Under this scheme, Malaysians would have to make regular contributions for healthcare. This is in contrast to the situation now, whereby Malaysians have access to medical treatment at nominal costs from government hospitals and more expensive treatment at private hospitals.

''I think it is bad news,'' said Jeyakumar Devaraj, a respiratory physician-turned-activist who is on the steering committee of the Coalition Against Healthcare Privatisation. ''Overall, there is a tendency to shift the financial burden to the workers.''

He said this was done either by shifting the tax burden or by making them pay for services once provided by the state.

Devaraj mentioned the proposed Goods and Services Tax, a tax on consumer spending, as an example of the shifting of the burden of taxes to workers even as corporation taxes are kept low.

''What's more, they bring in migrant workers and allow contract workers to keep wages at low levels,'' he complained. ''All this puts economic pressure on the workers.''

Although a National Healthcare Financing Scheme would theoretically provide additional funds for general hospitals and allow cross-subsidies for the poor, Devaraj is worried.

He questioned the occasion the Health Ministry chose to announce the national scheme: at the launching of two private medical insurance schemes by a major insurance firm in Kuala Lumpur. ''The Health Minister should have told the firm to hold on, as the new national healthcare financing scheme was coming into force.''

''It's not a question of the idea (of a national healthcare scheme). Rather it has to be administered by a government that has the interests of the poor and workers at heart,'' he told IPS. ''Right now, I don't see any commitment towards improving healthcare services for the poor. In fact, the whole system of setting up a parallel private hospitals sector has bled the public (general hospitals) sector dry.''

MTUC's Syed Shahir is clearly concerned. ''We are taking the issue of privatisation seriously,'' he said, ''and we will go down to the grassroots to take serious initiatives to create awareness among workers.'' (END/2005)



" A call for workers to resist the might of capital "
By Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud (taken from Aliran)

Labour Day, or May Day as some may call it, renews the commitment of the working class to stand in solidarity against the exploitative nature of capitalism. Whilst in Malaysia we have seen the reduction of sweat-shops, exploitation has taken on a different and more sophisticated form.

As we celebrate Labour Day this year, it is imperative for us to reflect upon the challenges which we, the working class, are faced with.

Globalization, taken advantage of by the proponents of an uncaring form of capitalism, has been used as a tool to internationalize the exploitation of workers. Governments are increasingly playing a secondary role to Trans-National Corporations (TNCs). The objectives of TNCs are one and the same, which is to maximize profits. They have no qualms about doing it at the expense of the masses, and Governments are succumbing to the strength of the TNC dollar.

Call for workers to unite internationally

The divide between the haves and the have-nots has increased since the advent of globalization. There are many more people in the world who are being pushed to the fringes of poverty, all in the name of lowering costs to maximize profits.

Investors are portrayed as sacred cows, with the masses warned not to incur their wrath. Demands for wage increases, the legitimate and inalienable right of all workers, are being touted as ‘wrong’. Management would rather that Unions make their appeals with a whisper and allow discretion or charity to be exercised by those who own the means of production.

The position of the working class in our modern society has been cheapened to such an extent that Management can come up with various ingenious schemes to take the initiative away from organized labour.

Dilemma for labour

The protection accorded to workers in this country is being diminished, all in the name of giving greater leeway to capital to exercise its every whim and fancy freely.

The main areas which need to be given attention to are :

a. Recognition of unions

Recognition of unions is the pulse of trade unionism. Unfortunately, the Government bureaucracy is used as an excuse to delay claims for recognition by Unions to represent workers in Companies. It is not uncommon for such claims to be lying idle on the desks of Human Resources Ministry officials for years. I would venture to say that if no pressure is applied, the claims would not be processed.

The process for determining whether the Unions have a majority to represent workers in a Company, as prescribed by the law, leaves much to be desired. Very little protection, if any, is given to the more active members who are victimised under various guises by their Companies. The MTUC is calling for a more transparent and speedier system to deal with claims for recognitions by Unions.

b. Minimum wage

The absence of a minimum wage in this country speaks volumes for the status of the common worker in society. When less progressive nations such as Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam and even a supposedly low labour-cost haven like China have in place a minimum wage mechanism, there is no good reason why Malaysia cannot have one. A minimum wage, which is revised periodically, would ensure that no citizen would have to work at a wage level that does not allow him to take care of his and his family’s basic needs. It certainly cannot be too much to ask for. It is meaningless to have mega-projects, which often turn out to be white elephants when our social institutions cannot guarantee a decent living wage.

c. Lack of consultation

Workers in this country are in the majority. Yet, it would seem that decision-making powers are vested in the hands of a very few. This has given rise to an elitist form of governance, which is not in the interest of the general public. Workers’ representatives should be consulted on all issues affecting them, be it the issue of foreign labour, amendments to legislation affecting the workers and the like. Any decision made after consultation and deliberation would be democratic and palatable to the public at large.

There are many other matters to raise but it would suffice for me to raise these immediate and urgent issues on the occasion of this year’s May Day.

Call for solidarity

The need for workers’ solidarity is of paramount importance today as it was when our brothers and sisters from the trade union movements of bygone generations who fought for an 8-hour work day, a weekly rest day, healthy working conditions, etc. which we enjoy today.

We are today faced with the scourge of globalization, which depresses the wages of workers internationally. Outsourcing of work is one of the schemes resorted to in order to lower wages and maximise profit by shifting jobs to lower labour-cost countries. The shifts of this nature will continue to take place. If China is the place to be now to enjoy this benefit, we can be rest assured that there will be a similar shift away from China in time to come; when the cost of labour rises there. The bottom of the barrel is unknown. In the meantime, families struggle to make ends meet while their quality of life is being compromised by an uncaring and unfeeling capitalism.

We should all now redouble our efforts and resolve to increase the membership of Unions in order to strengthen the labour movement so that it can accord workers greater protection. An increase in numerical strength will allow for greater voice and better resistance to stand up against the might of capital and regain our rights.

Syed Shahir, the president of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress, delivered this message at the MTUC-organised Labour Day gathering held at Dataran Merdeka. Some 6,000 people including union members, marginalised communities and activists from Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT) joined in the celebration.



Merekah Fajar Sdn. Bhd. pays a "Tribute" to each and everyone especially those workers working in our local automotive industry. Keep up the good work, guys.

It's YOUR DAY, fellas! You should be standing tall because without your contributions to our economy, we won't be where we are today.

Today, Malaysia is slowly but surely heading towards industrialisation and globalisation, and you guys are in the forefront of it all!

Syabas, Pekerja-pekerja Malaysia! Kejayaan sekarang ini adalah kejayaan kamu semua.

Comment: Stephen Dass

"Thumbs Up for The NEW Exora model!"



These two lovely ladies have the same opinion when I asked them for their comment on the Proton Exora.

Both commented, the MPV is "value for money, spacious and very practical for today's modern living."

Today, 29th April, 2009, MFSB is very proud to announce having sold its FIRST Exora H-Line that you see in this picture to Tuan Haji Bolhi, a 71 year old pensioner.

Tuan Haji should have his Exora the latest by next week and has "booked" an equally attractive number to be registered on his latest car!

CONGRATULATIONS, Tuan Haji Bolhi.

Happy driving to you, Sir.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Mitsubishi Eclipse GS (Coupe) 2009



Braking & Traction
Electronic Brake Force Distribution
4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes
Front Power 294-mm Ventilated Disc and Rear Power 262-mm Solid Disc Brakes

Transmission
5-Speed Manual Transmission With Overdrive

Remote Controls & Remote Releases
Panic Alarm
Multi-Function Remote Operates Anti-Theft, Door Lock/Unlock, Trunk and Panic Alarm
Keyless Entry Operated Via Key Fob

Engines & Emissions
2.4-Liter, I4, MIVEC 16-Valve, SOHC, MPFI Engine; Front Mounted With Horsepower Of 162@6000, Torque Of 162@4000, Cast Iron Block and Alloy Cylinder Head

* wonderin' if it will ever reach our market?

** and how much the price to pay?

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Automotive TIV still expected to fall-By AmResearch Sdn Bhd


April 27, 2009


TOTAL industry volume (TIV) for the automotive sector last month showed an improvement, but sequential growth was in line with historical trends given the shorter number of working days in February.

March TIV registered at 44,205 units – representing 20 per cent month-on-month (MoM growth).

However compared to the corresponding month last year, there was a five per cent decline, in line with the year-on-year (YoY) drop seen in February.

Toyota and Honda led MoM growth registering a 33 per cent and 34 per cent rise respectively, attributable to a pick up in sales across the board.

Honda in particular, saw sales of its City (launched in December last year) rising 35 per cent after flat MoM growth registered in the prior month.

Visits to showrooms revealed that Honda is offering up to RM2,000 discounts for its City model, which could have contributed to the sales boost.

So far, the nine per cent year-to-date (YTD) decline in TIV is still holding up better than our forecast of a 23 per cent YoY decline for the whole year, but we expect sluggish sales ahead as buying interest weakens further on weak consumer sentiment and uncertain unemployment prospects.

Moreover, tight lending facilities will prevail more significantly – going forward as banks strive to maintain a quality asset base – in anticipation of rising non performing loans (NPLs), which has already shown a five per cent uptick in the fourth quarter of the last financial year (4QFY08).

In addition, interest rates have been jacked up by almost one percentage point (ppt) for non-national cars and second-hand cars, which will have a dampening affect on car sales going forward.

More importantly, a hike in interest rates will translate into sluggish demand for second-hand cars – typically fetching even higher interest rates (of between three and five per cent) than new cars – which in turn will lead to drops in second-hand car values.

The spillover effect is such that replacement car buyers may hold back new car purchases given lower trade-in values and the higher down payment needed.

The likelihood of increased down payment requirements coupled with up to one ppt hike in interest rates – locked in over the loan tenure – effectively downsizes consumer’s financial ability to purchase new cars and could result in down trading to cheaper models or makes.

This would be especially true for the segment of buyers who would need to stretch their budgets, just to purchase a non-national brand car – contrary to the typical school of thought that tend to perceive non-national car buyers as having financial resilience.

Toyota, as an example, has seen sales contracting some 28 per cent YTD.

To recap, we project TIV declining 23 per cent YoY to 423,000 units for this year, before recovering slightly by one per cent next year.

We have forecasted Toyota to drive the decline by 29 per cent, followed by Proton at -22 per cent and Nissan at -18 per cent.

We reaffirm our NEUTRAL call on the auto sector given the sluggish prospects of auto sales, muted earnings outlook, volatile currency and prospects of margin contraction amid diseconomies of scale of manufacturing operations and price discounting.

We retain our HOLD call on Tan Chong [fair value (FV): RM1.18 per share], while our BUY call on UMW (FV: RM6.35 per share) has been put under review.

Proton remains a BUY given prospects of structural improvements, favourable policies leaning towards national carmakers and hugely depressed valuations – we are in the midst of reviewing our earlier FV for Proton of RM3.20 per share.

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=50934

Saturday, April 25, 2009

TOYOTA ALPHARD (ROYAL LOUNGE)









TOYOTA ALPHARD (ROYAL LOUNGE)

CHASSIS NO.: MNH10

ENGINE CAPACITY: 3000C.C.

YEAR: 2006 (facelift)

EQUIPMENT: Sunroof, 2xAuto doors, Power rear gate, Maker TV with front rear view camera, Rear 20” TV, Panasonic sound system, DVD, 4x Full leather seat power seat special relax seats, Parking sensor

PRICE RM

Thursday, April 23, 2009

March Sales Up by 20%

LOCAL NEWS: April 22, 2009 Author: Chips

New vehicle sales in March were 20% higher than the February numbers with 44,205 units registered. Compared to the same month in 2008, the Total Industry Volume (TIV) was 5% down though the commercial vehicle segment actually rose slightly. After 3 months, the TIV is 118,681 units, 1,319 units short of the 120,000 units that would need to be achieved monthly to meet the MAA's forecast of 480,000 units for the year.

Source: MotorTrader

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

More Mercedes cars sold in Q1 2009

April 21, 2009 Author: Chips found in MOTORTRADER
http://www.motortrader.com.my/NUS/articles/article_1888/page_m.asp

E-Class continues to sell well even though this is the final year for the current generation.
C-Class is the company's top seller.




Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has bucked market trends to register a modest 3.5% sales growth within its passenger car segment for Q1 of 2009, with 908 units delivered.

The C-Class posted a 124% sales growth in Q1 with 420 units delivered and part of its growth came from the addition of the C230 Avantgarde version in June 2008. The smaller B-Class also achieved impressive sales with more than 90 units sold in Q1, up by 60% compared to Q1 in 2008. 300 units of the E-Class, in its final year for the current generation, were delivered. Meanwhile, the company’s flagship, the S-Class, remained one of the top choices in the luxury segment with more than 70 units sold in the first quarter.

According to Peter Honegg, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, despite the ongoing financial crisis, several Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s passenger car models have performed better than expectations resulting in the company’s first quarter sales growth.

“I am delighted with the performance in view of the economic challenges we are facing currently. Demand for our C-Class and B-Class cars has been very encouraging while customers have maintained a strong interest in the rest of our fleet. This performance is definitely encouraging for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia as it is the perfect antidote during these gloomy market conditions. Our sales achievement bears testament to the exceptional quality of our cars in spite of the lower consumer sentiment and conservative spending patterns. We must acknowledge the robust efforts and commitment of our dealer networks to deliver unparalleled service to our customers.”

With the newly-appointed Prime Minister and his government’s active engagement in introducing stimulus packages, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is hopeful the local economy will be revitalised, Mr Honegg said.

“These positive measures should gradually result in regaining consumer confidence and spur spending again. With the government impetus to stimulate the economy, we are confident the automotive segment should pick up in the months ahead,” he added.



On the global front, Mercedes-Benz Cars division delivered a total of 244,800 units of Mercedes-Benz, AMG, smart, and Maybach brand vehicles to customers from January to March 2009 (2008: 318,700). However, month-on-month sales to date in 2009 showed a steady increase; sales in March 2009 were 110,400 units compared to 72,200 units and 62,200 units in February and January 2009, respectively.

MF's Comment: Not everyone in Malaysia is affected by this global economic downturn, if you look at this Report. Maybe the country's wealth is not properly distributed except to the selected few, I dont know? As we go around the country, we can see the hardship faced especially the townfolks. Though the prices of oil is controlled, but the essential needs of the prople must be under controlled as well. Prices of these items is getting higher and its not coming down. Those in business will greatly benefit, whatever the world conditions may be in....

Pls share your thoughts on this.

Cheerio!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Only on Week Days in Desa Ilmu Kota Samarahan








We bought a property here in 2006 but business wasn't as challenging as it now.
Now, we have the hawkers occupying one side of the road leading into the housing estate. Motorists parking their vehicles hap-hazardly is causing the jam in the area.

There are those selling fresh fish, vegetables, cakes, local/imported fruits, even "salai ikan" is found here. And of course, drinks, satay & BBQ stalls.

O'yes! One thing I want to comment here, the motorists are not following exactly the Highway Code when driving here. So, if you're new around here, please be very alert and careful. They may enter the "No Entry" road and still feel not guilty at all, isnt that great?? hahaha! And there are Universities namely Unimas, UiTM here, but people dont think much about that at all. Amazing!

I wont emphasize so much on what I just said, being the kid from this block.....

Pandai pandai lah bawak diri, brader!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Our Sunday in Pictures 10/04/09


Borneo Convention Centre

Khatulistiwa Cafe & Restaurant Jln TAR

Panoramic view of Jln TAR, view from Kpg Boyan

To reach Kpg Bintawa, across river

Terminal One Garden

The Holiday Inn, view taken from Kpg Boyan

The Riverbanks Suite

Villages or Kampungs

The Barok, Kpg Boyan

Zecon's Toll Office

Toll

new DUN BUILDING

old DUN BUILDING

The TYT's Astana from afar

Malay Houses along river banks

Main Bazaar Road

Hotels along Jln TAR

A typical Malay kampung

A Stall along the KG Waterfront

Comment by MF
MF, LJ & adMF went driving around in our Kancil after 12 noon to take these pictures. Never thought that Kuching would look so beautiful in pictures, though taken through a cellphone camera. I told LJ, " we must do this more often" and we intend to take more pictures next time around. I may buy myself a better set of equipment so I can take better, clearer pictures than these pictures you saw.

If you have pictures that you want to share with us, please e-mail it to my add. Its merekahfajar@yahoo.com

Cheerio, folks.

Have a productive week to you guys.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Untaken loan facilities:Workshops to the rescue




The following excerpts is taken from the local papers, The Borneo Post Edition 11th Apr 2009

The Ministry of Industrial Development (MID) and Small & Medium Industries Development Corporation (Smidec) in colloboration with Dayak Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) will be organising a series of workshops in several locations in the state between April & December.

....the workshops are opened to all Dayak entrepreneurs/professionals, but priority is given to DCCI members.

Those interested are requested to contact DCCI's office at 082-425821.

The key objectives of this programme is to create greater awareness among DCCI and Dayak entrepreneurs and professionals as well as members of the Dayak business community, of the readily available financial facilities offered by Smidec and other agencies.

MF's comment: This is for the good of all the Dayak community especially to those in business or intending to set up a business in the future.

I, personally is looking forward to attend this kind of workshop though Merekah Fajar Sdn.Bhd. is still not registered with DCCI at the moment.

To our fellow Dayaks in today's business world , let us shift our focus from our usual politicking (talks) to these workshops which will give benefit to our small community some day.

Please contact the number given above to know more about the coming workshop in your area.



Please share your comment on this with me.

Thank you.

Cheerio.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

God's Gift to You: Sunset Strip



I can't help taking these beautiful scenery of our beautiful at times unpredictable weather after the rain came down this evening.

I took these using my cellphone camera, how I wish I had a better piece of equipment in my hand to record all these.

It was around 6:15pm when I took it, as you can see the traffic is not heavy as we drove back heading towards Kuching city...

To God the glory, in the Highest!