KEEPING THEM HONEST - LEADERS PROVIDE SOLUTIONS, NOT FAN CONTROVERSIES NOR SELF SERVE!

WHILE POLITICIANS FIGHT OVER SPOILS – THE COMMON MAN FIGHTS TO PUT BREAD ON TABLE! 

One idiot in a northern state feels that he should have been the anointed one to receive a seat to contest in the forthcoming by-election there! 

When not chosen he shows all and sundry his true nature! 

Ironically this same by-election sees a number of others standing as independents and most without a track record of substance that can give hope to the masses in the area who need assistance! 

Perhaps the formula is try to win a seat then hop over for RM5 Million that may be offered by another butch of asses!

I am hooting for S. Ganesan (left), my dear friend from Sungei Petani. He has the education, track record and drive to make a difference! No apologies for this to any quarter!

As I always say – we can tailor our suites at London’s finest West End, or in Milan, dine at the finest French restaurants, smoke hand made Cuban cigars, drive the latest in high performance cars but still remain a total moron, the kind we see running several of our corporate organizations and as politicians today! 

Enough of morons - we need those who can actively work hard and deliver not give speeches even bad ones at that!

And all because we fail to read the sentiments on the ground of the struggling masses not knowing how to put food on the table with the escalating price of food, goods and services and the growing and impending retrenchments and pay cuts to come as the world economy takes a spiraling downwards! 

So big deal – the statement that the economic slowdown is biting hard even in the medical profession, causing keen competition in government clinics, with private practitioners also scrambling to get a share of overtime payments! 

This is nothing new – tell me sometime else that we know not! 

We had already seen these trends in 1998-99 – nothing new. 

But I would be more interested if there is an urgent shift to beef up manpower, supplies and support to address the sure increase in work load and patients all now looking to government hospitals and clinics for their health needs! 

I am already aware that the number of clinics will increase two fold soon to address this new reality! 

Adding to this list will be another 59 hospitals all working hard to serve and I pray that patients will be conscious of the pressure exerted on the public health system and act accordingly! 

We must remember that patients pay RM1 each for outpatient treatment at government clinics, which record more than 50 million such visits annually. 

Compare this with the private practitioners charging at least RM15 per visit! 

So it is time for all hands to work together during these trying times no matter which political divide you represent! 

This is the time for leaders to provide solutions, clarity, consistency and drive – not to be the confirmed ‘self serving’ staggering morons they have been!

My dear friend, newly minted deputy UMNO President, Muhyiddin Yassin is one who tolerates not fools - he is focussed and has always delivered! So I expect him to crack the whip soon to get things moving! Like I said over the TV network last night - enough of experiments and protests - time to put up individuals who can work and deliver!

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AUTHORITIES NEED TO WATCH THE WATER LEVELS AT SG.DAMANSARA!

File Picture: This was the scene in February 2006 at TTDI Jaya, Shah Alam, Selangor and that is our living room underwater!

Lately, it has been raining hard - and - we cannot but pray this does not happen again!

My daughter Talitha’s facial expression then, says it all!

I have been on mobile with the state authorities and the MB’s Office!

The relevant authorities tell me it will not happen again - as they have taken all the remedial steps!

But, we need to be vigilant, won’t we? 

After all - last week nearby areas near the Industrial area were ‘under water’ especially areas around a Temple!

We have decided to move out of TTDI Jaya after living here for more than 12 years and pray that in this transition period - our homes and streets do not become a waterworld!

No - not again!

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KEEPING PARENTS ALERT - PAY THAT EXTRA ATTENTION TO YOUR CHILDREN!

Tired, physically and mentally exhausted, all I can say at the beginning of this week is - let us all watch over our children as we reflect on the many unsolved crimes against the ‘little people!’  I have been on a one man crusade asking parents to watch over kids in public areas, in hypermarkets, and all places where there could be a predator (s) watching and waiting for that moment of chance to do a heinous crime! 

My dear friends, Drs Alex and Shoba in Penang, got a shock when for a moment they thought they lost their baby - only to find her standing behind some counter with dolls at GAMA Supermarket, the minding maid distracted and looking elsewhere - they were relieved and grateful and the first call was to me! I always tell children not to be angry at their parents being upset when they are late from school, from activities and functions – for – only a parent knows the anxiety one suffers until the child returns in view all the things that are happening in this cruel world of ours! 

These pictures are a grim, painful  and sad reminder of crimes against our children and parents please be aware, alert and always mindful! 

Malaysia has her sad events too - and - herewith a few that I had in archives!  

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KEEPING THEM HONEST - TACKLE COSMETIC SURGERY DEATHS!

The latest death of one Noraini Ghazali following a botched liposuction procedure - apparently as a result of an allergic reaction to the anesthetic is cause for great concern! 

The tragedy was carried in Utusan Malaysia yesterday and had reactions from me in the same newspaper today! 

The Director-General of Health, Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican, has already been also quoted saying that investigations revealed that the surgery was carried out by a surgeon. 

Several weeks ago, I had already written in my blog about the unnecessary loss of a very young man, a cousin to my very dear friend – Malaysia’s dedicated and caring lead Surgeon par excellence! 

But it is clear now that once again the wheels of justice and reaction cum action turns pretty slow in bolehland! 

The loss of lives in cosmetic surgery is one thing but the growing number of reports of severe scarring of the face and other serious adverse outcomes following ‘treatment’ at beauty salons is again alarming! 

It is time that my call to stop such procedures in beauty saloon is immediately taken! 

As far as private hospitals are concerned - review approvals and procedures and make certain that such procedures are undertaken by a qualified and accredited practitioner who is trained and with a track record in cosmetic surgery! 

I am calling for a national register with information on who is qualified and at which hospital to do procedures like liposuction, tummy tucks, eye bag surgery, administer botox injections, surgical lifts and other using and involving dangerous chemicals! 

The latest death reported in yesterday’s Utusan Malaysia is a sad reminder and I pray that my comments in Utusan Malaysia today will be entrenched soonest by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia! 

Malaysia is not a banana republic and as such, it is time we took punitive action to stop this rot!

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TOMORROW IS THE DAY BUT WATCH YOUR BACK WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OFF TOO!

It is a ‘global action’ in unity or put in another way ‘hypocrisy’ – no doubt! 

Like our multinational and transnational petroleum companies giving out scholarships for environmental research and development and grants for nature conservation!

Got the drift?

But while all this is going on - I wonder just how many burglaries and other serious crimes may take place? 

Have we taken score of these and made the necessary preparations so that our ‘enforcement operatives’ are sure and ready for any eventualities during this ‘lights off moment?’ 

No, I am not a naysayer but just been cautious as usual! 

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SUNSETS AT LENT TIDE - WHAT IS THE MESSAGE LORD?

Of late, the sunset are really pretty as I found out while in Penang last week. There were many shades and colors too as my children, Reuel and Talitha pointed out as we did a ‘walk-a-bout!’ 

I am reminded of another susnset - a portrait I first saw in the 70’s when I was undertaking my practicals in Western Australia!

Certainly appropriate, as we continue to fast, pray and reflect as we move deeper into the holy week in Lent tide!

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THANK YOU - ‘PAK LAH & JEANNE’ MAY GOD BE WITH YOU BOTH ALWAYS!

Once again, I distance myself from the self righteous and arrogant attack of certain bloggers aligned to a former Malaysian Prime Minister who had gone into overdrive to belittle outgoing Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi! 

But whatever said, I still maintain that having listened to PM Abdullah’s UMNO Presidential speech I cannot but maintain that he has again confirmed in my mind that he is a very decent and humble person who unfortunately could not translate his good instincts into government policy, measures and actions resulting in his being prematurely and ignominiously forced out by his own party and becoming the shortest-serving Prime Minister of the country! 

It was not his fault! 

In all fairness, I hold - the blame upon all those who held leadership positions in the Barisan Nasional leaderships for gravely failing to assist ‘Pak Lah’ initiate the kind of mindset and other changers that would have won much acclamation from all and sundry! 

If only had they given their untimely and undivided support without actively sabotaging him in the past five years to frustrate his national reforms Malaysia will be in a better position today! 

Whatever said and done – ‘Pak Lah’ will remain in my mind a very decent man indeed! 

I will not do justice if I do not cite also his wife Jeanne Abdullah who has been a very loving, sensitive, caring and supportive person! 

In my mind, she was the best thing that could have happened to ‘Pak Lah’ and I did say that to her after the announcement of their marriage! 

I will always remember their SMS especially the one that I received during ‘my hour of pain and anxiety’ – which ended this way - 

‘******************************. May God watch over you always!’ Pak Lah and Jeanne.

Thank you Pak Lah and Jeanne! Look forward to running into both of you again, in Butterworth?

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KEEPING THEM HONEST - WITH THE RISING CRIME MAY GOD HELP US ALL!

Out going Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says that the Royal Malaysia Police must step up their capability in all aspects to strike fear into criminals who are becoming increasingly sophisticated!

My  pertinent question is - will it ever happen?

We may just have to refer to the rising crime index of the nation or just look at the following cases caught live on CCTV to note how brave criminals have become!

Case 1: On CCTV, May 22/08: A woman gets her bag snatched from her shoulder as she checks her car engine by two men on a motorbike while she is at a petrol station in broad day light and in the presence several petrol assistants and mechanics!

(check out the link below)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJvfGiXXN9w

Case 2: I am advised that this particulat house is just behind the Balai Polis Taman Malur! The incident caught on CCTV shows how daring these criminals have become! In this incident, a couple of guys in full face helmets rushes to the gate while the maid closes the gate and robs the household!

http://www.lepak.tv/play.php?vid=3861

Case 3: This is a classic joke! I am told that in this robbery the irony was that the said robbers returned to the scene but our PDRM boys had yet to arrive?
http://www.lepak.tv/play.php?vid=2568

Case 4: This one is for all of us who think that we are safe reaching home and failing to see if we are trailed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6ELyard25k

Case 5: This happened in Pernas Jaya!And I am advised not the first in that area! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW_UjthpTjI

Case 6: Theft at petro station again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX8iBVGcIns

Case 7: I was really pissed off watching this one that I called my dear friends at Bukit Aman ’stat’ telling them that it is time we threw away the law books and the statutes, set up a ‘hit team’ and just gun down these lowly and degenerated lives!

Look at the scenes and the pain and shock these people are causing such defenceless people who could be someone’s wife, mother, sister, or daughter!

Look at the way the women was dragged and got her handbag snatched by a robber who seems to have a gun (fake?) - again this incident was in broad daylight and in the presence of a guard who seems to more interested in his own safety!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY_jl0WFKOs

Those visiting my blog and these entries - please do not take things for granted - please do stay safe! Watch your back!

Trust you got my drift!

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KEEPING THEM HONEST - MMC TAKES ACTION! MORE TO COME?

Malaysia’s Leading Consumer Advocate JG says:

It is certainly not my intention to ‘rub salt into the wounds’ of any of these doctors, at least two, I know personally from the days in the 80’s, I smashed the ‘politicians’ who then ran the newly built 500 bed Terengganu hospital and state health services with incompetence and mismanagement!

But this saddens me deeply!

But standards are expected in any profession and we must never assume or take things for granted - not - when we are always in the public eye and ‘have a duty of care towards our profession and patients!’

But this should convince ‘all and sundry’ that Tan Sri Dato Dr Ismail Merican, Director General of the Ministry of Health, Malaysia tolerates no nonsense and expects the highest professional standards from those in the profession!

I fully endorse his actions and call upon him to continue this vital clean-up of the medical profession in this country!

I hope this will send the message that standards of professionalism are expected from those in the profession and that this is just the beginning of a long awaited clean up in the profession!

All of them have the right to appeal. 

DISCIPLINARY PUNISHMENT BY THE MALAYSIAN MEDICAL COUNCIL
AGAINST ERRANT REGISTERED PRACTITIONERS IN THE YEAR 2008
BY
Y. BHG. TAN SRI DATO’ SERI DR.

HJ. MOHD ISMAIL BIN MERICAN
THE PRESIDENT
MALAYSIAN MEDICAL COUNCIL
16 MARCH 2009. 

1. The Malaysian Medical Council meets every month to inquire into complaints againstregistered practitioners under its disciplinary jurisdiction.

2. Complaints are inquired under a two tier system where a Preliminary Investigation Committee initially investigates and if its finds that there are sufficient grounds to support the charge that it frames, it recommends to the Council to hold an inquiry.

3. It is the Council’s earnest endeavour and desire to bring to book any errant practitioner who falls foul of the Code of Professional Conduct and any other related guidelines
endorsed by us in relations to medical ethics. However the public are hereby informed that issues related to medical negligence does not fall within the realm and jurisdiction
of the Council and are best settled through civil action in the courts.

Often complainants are left disappointed when the Council rules that matters complained of are not within
the disposal of the Council and solutions have to be sought elsewhere.

Nevertheless every complaint is investigated in its own merit before a decision is made.

4. In 2008, a total of 87 complaints were received making a grand total of 223 complaints with a spillover from the previous years.

5. The five Preliminary Investigation Committees formed under the Council and the Council itself resolved 97 complaints during the year leaving a balance of 126
complaints at the end of 2008. Of this 17 complaints are still being inquired at the Council level.

6. The following were the outcomes of the inquiries held by the Council in 2008 where the practitioners were found guilty and sentenced:

6.1. Two practitioners had their names Struck Off from the Medical Register maintained by the Council under the Medical Act 1971.

They were:-

a. Dr. Nusyirwan bin Mohd Syukur, Registration No. 23520 of Pusat Perubatan Keluarga Shukran, Kuang was found guilty for falsely claiming to be a graduate of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia although he was actually a graduate of University of North Sumatera, Indonesia and repeatedly absconding from his place of practice and making false
accusation of wrongful dismissal against his employers and subsequently demanding monetary compensation.
He had appeal to the High Court.

b. Dr. Zubaidah binti Zabidin, Registration No: 25757, in spite of possessing several addresses were not contactable during a substantial part of the inquiry. Innumerable attempts were made to communicate with her through the post, through advertisements in the local newspapers and personal delivery of documents. In spite of these attempts, she did not turn up at the inquiry by the Council. She was found guilty for associating herself with an unqualified and unregistered person, by allowing him to attend, treat and prescribe scheduled drugs to a patient, without her or any other registered practitioner’s immediate personal supervision. She did not appeal and the sentenced was carried out.

6.2. 11 other practitioners were found guilty and punished as follows:

a. Dr Kesaven a/l Thiagarajah, Registration No. 27914 of Kumpulan Perubatan K.V.S was suspended from the register for a period of 6 months for having employed and associated himself with an unqualified and unregistered person and permitting the said person in his absence or without
his or any other registered medical practitioner’s immediate supervision to attend, treat and prescribe scheduled poisons to a patient in breach of the Poison’s Act 1952.

b. Dr. Ng Kok Kwang, Registration No. 28599, of Leisure Bay Condo, Tanjung Tokong, Pulau Pinang was suspended from the register for a period of one year but the suspension was suspended for a period of 2 years for disregarding and/ or neglecting his professional responsibilities
in:-
i. Despite being informed of the patient’s specific election for an open procedure, went against the wishes of the patient and performed a who happens to be her mother Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy;
ii. Did not explain the risks to the patient, did not give prior notification to the patient nor seek the consent of the patient; and
iii. Failed to carry out competent and considerate inquiries post surgically to ascertain the well being of the patient and failed to provide appropriate and prompt action upon confirmation of the perforation of the patient’s large intestine.

c. Dr. Thangarajo a/l Ponnusamy, Registration No: 24978, of Klinik Shah Alam, Selangor was reprimanded for disregarding and neglecting his professional duties by employing and/or associating himself with a person not qualified and not registered by permitting him, in his absence and without his or any other registered medical practitioner’s immediate personal supervision to attend, treat and prescribe scheduled poisons to a patient in contravention of the Poison’s Act 1952.

He had also been charged and pleaded guilty at the Shah Alam Magistrate Court for conspiring with and permitting the said person to attend, treat and prescribe scheduled poisons in contravention of the Poison’s Act 1952 to a patient in his absence and without his and any other registered medical
practitioner’s immediate personal supervision.

d. Dr. Samsuddin bin Rahmat, Registration No: 24462 of Poliklinik Penawar, Bandar Baru Bangi was suspended from the register for a period of six months for disregarding and neglecting his professional duties by employing or associating himself with a person not registered as a
medical practitioner under the Medical Act to attend, treat and prescribe scheduled poisons to a patient in contravention of the Poison’s Act 1952.

He was also charged and pleaded guilty and was convicted and fined RM3,000 in default of imprisonment for abetting with the said person to perform the abovementioned illegal act.

e. Dr. Lakha Singh a/l Teja Singh of Jalan Bidor, off Jalan Landasan , Taman Summir , Klang was reprimanded for disregarding and neglecting his professional responsibilities for on his own admission for employing and associating himself with an registered person to attend and treat a
patient at his place of practice without his supervision.

f. Dr. Ravindran Ramasamy, Registration No: 29018 of Klinik Ravi & Surgeri, Nilai Negeri Sembilan was suspended for 6 months and the suspension suspended for 2 years for employing and/or associating himself with a person not qualified and not registered and permitting the said person to prescribe and supply scheduled poison to a patient.

g. Dr. Kong Sui Ming, Registration No: 22628 of Klinik Kong & Rakan- Rakan of Cukai, Kemaman was suspended for 6 months and the suspension suspended for 2 years for abuse of professional privilege and disregard of professional responsibilities for pleading guilty and being convicted of an offence for breaches of the Poisons Act 1952 and fined RM
2000 and RM 3000 respectively, in default of 3 month imprisonment by the Kemaman Magistrates Court, Terengganu.

h. Dr. Kamalavathi a/p Nadarajah, Registration No: 29562 of Petaling Jaya Selangor was suspended for 6 months for abuse of professional privilege and skills by producing reports which were untrue misleading and improper and by not taking the most scrupulous care in issuing documents in relation to medical examination carried out on foreign workers.

i. Dr. Ng Ah See, Registration No: 25045 of QHC Medical Centre, Subang Jaya, Selangor was reprimanded for disregarding and neglecting his professional duties in failing to inform a patient that he was going to start a vaginal digital examination after a Pap Smear examination and failure to
obtain and procure the patients valid consent as well as failing to inform the patient of his intention to do a vaginal and digital examination.

j. Dr Cynthia Mary Miranda, Registration No: 25880 of Clinic Medic Louise, Paka, Dungun, Terengganu was suspended from the register for a period of 3 (Three) months for using the complainant’s Medical Report,
who happens to be her mother, as an exhibit in her affidavit in a civil suit at the High Court Terengganu without obtaining the consent of the patient when such information can only be released or disclosed on the strict instruction of the patient and this being a particularly serious dishonest act
committed in the course of her professional practice.

k. Dr. S. Paramaswaran, Registration No: 15356 of Sabah Medical Centre, Kota Kinabalu and Pantai Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur was reprimanded for neglecting and disregarding his professional responsibilities when he failed to provide competent and considerate professional management by neglecting to explain the details of the procedure performed, other possible alternatives and the complications that many arise taking into consideration that the patient is a foreigner. The patient subsequently passed away.

7. It is the Council’s ardent hope that medical practitioners from the mistakes of others and avoid making the similar mistakes in future.

8. Based on the number of actively practicing practitioners from the 20,280 Annual Practising Certificates issued in 2008, the complaint per 1,000 registered medical practitioners was 4.3.

Though the number is small, yet it is not acceptable. Being professionals, medical practitioners are expected to abide to ethical practices at all times.

9. For the majority of the registered practitioners who have and always strived to provide their best for their patients, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every
one of them for their hard work and dedication on behalf of the Council.

10. Thank you.

Yours sincerely,
(TAN SRI DATO’ SERI DR. HJ. MOHD ISMAIL MERICAN) 

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CRISIS IN THE PENANG ENVIRONMENT? LISTEN WHEN CHILDREN SPEAK THEIR MINDS!

CRISIS IN THE PENANG ENVIRONMENT?

TALITHA & REUEL JACOB’S OBSERVATIONS: STOP THE HILL SLOPE PROJECTS! 

Dear friends and policymakers of Penang,

Greetings!

Please do take note that every time we visit Penang, we see that the natural charm that she possesses slowly diminishing.

We really feel so sad! Once gone it cannot be replaced and that is a fact we all know far too well!

Such example exist all over the country which is a shame!

Last week, we were in Penang again (our favourite venue) for a holiday and to see the huge hill slope construction and environmental destruction was heart breaking.

Huge areas around the island’s coastline and hill slopes was now the site of multi million ringgit construction projects that were destroying the natural green of the island, threatening the water catchments areas, and a sure threat in time to come of flash floods and landslips!

We are certain that due to the destruction of the green, most of the flora, fauna and those whose habitats are threatened there will be soon be extinct because their natural habitats is being slowly destroyed!

We use to see many species of birds, wild life, squirrels but did not the last time!

Why?

There is so much dust in the air? Why?

We see heavy vehicles emitting thick smoke still on the road and worst still, on the route on the coastline near the tourist belt!

Why?

Tourists come to Penang certainly not for the hill rise buildings, for Casinos, for hill slope construction or other mega projects but for the natural habitat and the greener the forests and cleaner the beaches!

Today all these are under threat and the sooner we address this rot the better! 

We speak for the next generation – the children - please safeguard the environment and say no to hill slope and other destruction of our natural habitats!

Please preserve what is left of the beauty of Penang!

We know Penang is no longer the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ – but we can still stop the rot!

Please do your part for the Penang environment!

Cordially,

Talitha & Reuel Jacob

If you know issues of environmentalism, then you will also know that young Talitha and Reuel addressing environmental concerns is not new but deeply steeped in history as - environmentalist, Severn Cullis-Suzuki, then 12, addresses the Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro in 1992:

 SAVE PLANET EARTH FOR US!

‘NICE MEETING YOU MINISTER SIR – TALITHA DINAH JACOB TO DATUK SHAHRIR ABDUL SAMAD!

‘NICE MEETING YOU MINISTER SIR – TALITHA DINAH JACOB TO DATUK SHAHRIR ABDUL SAMAD!
‘So this is 12 year old Talitha Jacob – Well done on your recent success at the Elocution contest.

The next time speak on the value of choosing Malaysian products!

(Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad – Minister of Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs, Malaysia)

‘Thank you Sir. We have also heard a lot about you too from our Dad!’

(Talitha Dinah Jacob)

And so it was a day that young 12 year old Talitha will never forget as she met not only the Minister but the entire Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs top leadership and HODs at the launch of the Malaysian Products Carnival at TESCO yesterday afternoon and she was ’captured’ on all prime TV network ’shaking hands with the Minister!’

This brave 12 year old also walked alongside them during their ‘walkabout’ of the exhibition stalls tasting all the various food and drink products and certainly chatting with the team as the Dad stood silently watching the next generation in action!

Not forgetting the heavy dinner spread that was prepared for all of us of Malaysian cuisine to consume!

The Carnival attracted certainly a few hundred thousands and I was surprised at the choices of Malaysian products that we had that I mentioned to Ministry’s KSU and TKSU that we may need to come out with a brochure on all Malaysian products to promote them extensively!

This afternoon we launch another campaign – to lower dependence on Sugar!

‘One Utama’ being the venue for the launch!

And it is those in Talitha’s generation that must take the lead - a statement that was articulated by none other but the honorable Minister!

So next – Selangor will see a series of similar campaigns to address the Health & Wellness of Malaysian Consumers!

Next:

CONSUMER ADVOCATE JACOB GEORGE LOOKS AT:

1. IJN,

2. the manipulation and interference of politicians in doctor/surgeon transfers in the country and

3. the allegations that ‘morons’ are selected to run ’9 Bio’ and the talk among ’sponsors’, stakeholders and of pull-outs! (Will be extremely interesting believe me! JG always gets his man!)   

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MAY THIS INSPIRATIONAL POEM UPLIFT YOU TOO!

I sincerely want to thank the ‘group of persons’ who sent me several encouraging and inspirational verses!

My children and I read and re-read it as it was very heartwarming.
Thank you very much!
And I share one, among them with all of you, hoping like us, you too would be touched by its strong inspirational message - more so this Lenten Period as we reflect on HIS SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS FOR US!

‘The measure of love is when
You love without measure

In life there are very rare chances
That you’ll meet the person you love and loves you in return

So once you have it don’t ever let go,
The chance might never come your way again.

It’s better to lose your pride to the one you love,
Than to lose the one you love because of pride.

We spend too much time looking for the right
person to love or finding fault with those we already love.

When instead we should be
Perfecting the love we give.

When you truly care for someone,
You don’t look for faults,
You don’t look for answers,
You don’t look for mistakes.

Instead you fight the mistakes,
You accept the faults,
And overlook the excuses.

Never abandon one you love
You will never find the one who can take his place.

No one can ever go back and make a brand new start,
Anyone can start now and make a brand new ending.

God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow,
Sun without rain,
But HE did promise strength for the day,
Comfort for the tears,
And light for the way

- PROVIDED WE SEEK HIM!’  - AUTHOR UNKNOWN

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IN HIS FATHERS STEPS – REUEL JACOB ON YOU TUBE!

IN HIS FATHERS STEPS – REUEL JACOB ON YOU TUBE!
There are many simple things in life that brings you joy and happiness!

And when you are a father whose two children are taking up from where you left off in public speaking in school you cannot but be overjoyed at their continued success even at this young age and stage!

So I was truly happy to learn that my son, Reuel Jacob (16) recent success in the Inter School Elocution Contest was uploaded over YOU TUBE under the heading of – Public Speaking Competition (SMK Seksyen 7, Shah Alam).

It is nice to see him in action and see glimpses of ‘young JG’ somewhere there in all that! 

see: www.youtube.com - Public Speaking Competition (SMK Seksyen 7, Shah Alam)

See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdlihaEY28o

I have now told them to also focus and excel in their studies, for at the end of the day, only one’s academic standing and performance matters!

So stay focused on to the big picture kids!

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KEEPING THEM HONEST - SERDANG HOSPITAL DIRECTOR TOLD TO SHUT UP!

This case has all the hallmarks of a confused if not failed state!

Sadly, the division between ‘right and wrong’ and of morality, let alone ethics, has been thrown out of the window for political expediency!

Even political parties and MPs are stating from the onset what is sadly and legally wrong – in tagging the deceased a ‘criminal’!”

You have to forgive them for ‘they know not what they do and say’ neither have they heard of the expectations and tenets of natural justice!

They are all graduates from ‘Bean’s School of Law’ from downtown Soho!

At the time of writing all we know is that Kugan was first arrested on Jan 15 for suspected involvement in the theft of luxury cars in Sungai Chua, Kajang and died at the Taipan police station in Subang Jaya five days later!

To those who have become themselves lawyers, judge and executioners ‘instantly’ and for reasons and for agendas best known to them – the operative word is – ‘suspected involvement’

A video clip taken at the Serdang Hospital mortuary revealed severe lacerations on the body of the deceased, prompting the family to allege foul play.

Typically in Malaysian fashion post March 8 tsunami the incident also sparked off a huge public outcry with various quarters, including political parties holding demonstrations.

The circus has come to town again!

So for some inexplicable reasons or strange and misplaced ‘religious insight’ - even an NGO has filed a police report against dear friend, Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail for classifying the death of police detainee Kugan Ananthan as murder without taking into consideration the views of the magistrate and pathologist?

The report was filed at the Sentul district police headquarter!

What was their interest in all these? And why target the AG of all people?

I have remained silent hoping that justice will take its course in the rather sad Kugan episode!

But I was wrong and it seems that the powers that be are making one mistake after another!

A common trend arising out of arrogance or plain stupidity when you have mis-judged or underestimated your opponents and their wide tentacle reach!

First, you need not be a rocket scientist to know that Serdang Hospital’s Director Dr Mohd Norzi Ghazali must be kidding when he said that Kugan’s body was ‘tampered with’ by the people who went to the morgue.

He must be told to shut up! 

Is he implying by his absolute hilarious and stupid statement that someone in the crowd must have brought along an electric iron (the V-shape marks found on Kugan’s body) and then asked the hospital staff to allow him/her to plug it in to an electrical outlet and have it heated up?

And with all the fanfare, high tech hand phones with cameras and other equipment around flashing away that person (s) proceeded to make the V-shape marks on Kugan’s body.

I thought the days of having absolute stupid and incompetent individuals as hospital and state directors are over but I was wrong!

My take is simply this.

There is no need for another round of these evaluations for I am certain any expert and worth his salt can state the obvious that is staring us straight from the two reports – period!

And just move from there! 

In the meantime – if you cannot remove Dr Mohd Norzi Ghazali from Serdang hospital just tell him plainly to just shut up!

A SMS from me to the ‘boss’ citing this will leave my handset seconds from now!

A page from Mission Impossible you know! 

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JG ON NAJIB STIMULUS PACKAGE OVER ASTRO MARCH 10TH 6.30 PM!

JG ON ASTRO BUSINESS NEWS ON ASTRO PRIME TIME! 

Although many analysts agree that the RM60 billion stimulus package or mini budget tabled by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will help the country’s economy cope with the global recession, there are doubts on whether it will be effectively implemented and its benefits be felt by the people who need it most.

 Just like the first RM7 billion stimulus package, questions are being raised on the implementation process of such packages, which invariably involve huge sums of money. 

Will the ordinary people on the streets - struggling to make ends meet in a climate of skyrocketing prices - really benefit this time? 

It is a comprehensive budget taking into cognizance what the man on the street is talking about as well as critics of the government. There is equitable distribution of allocations, checks and balances, prioritization of projects, identification of delivery system and audits. In that sense it is well-rounded and comprehensive. 

Now what we need to know is how all this is going to be implemented. 

Will it be fast tracked? 

Will our ever civil servants suddenly ‘wake up’ and work at break neck speed to initiate a response or will the wheels of such change never take place? 

Ultimately it is not about a well presented and comprehensive budget but about how fast the ‘goodies’ comes to the man on the street! 

Previously, I have appealed for independent auditors to monitor the implementation of projects. I hope the government appoints independent auditors to ensure that the objectives of this mini budget are met. 

For Joe Public, the bigger subsidies will offset their living cost. But their lifestyle is unlikely to change within the next eight months to a year. Joe Public is worried. He is saving and not going to spend big despite the perks announced. They are still going to be extremely cautious. 

We can’t tell them that it is a fantastic budget and just go ahead and spend. Whatever Najib announced will take time to be translated on the ground and the balance sheets. 

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms! 

JG ON ASTRO AWANI - TODAY TUESDAY MARCH 10TH - 6.30 PM!

INCOMING PRIME MINISTER AND PRESENT FINANCE MINISTER DATUK SERI NAJIB TUN RAZAK PRESENTS THE SECOND STIMULUS PACKAGE AT PARLIAMENT ON TUESDAY MARCH 10!
INVITED TO PROVIDE A RUNNING ANALYSIS  (LIVE) OF THE SSP IS MALAYSIA’S LEADING CONSUMER ADVOCATE JACOB GEORGE OVER ASTRO AWANI CHANNEL 501 AT 6.30 PM!
CATCH  HIM LIVE ON ASTRO TUESDAY MARCH 10TH - 6.30 PM!

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

KEEPING THEM HONEST - INDAH WATER KONSORTIUM UNDER FIRE!

Indah Water Konsortium - company number (211763-P) is wholly owned by Minister of Finance Incorporated.

They are entrusted to provide seewage treatment for a fee!

So it is fair to expect a service of quality!

But …no that was not the case as a dear friend of mine and the nation’s top Surgeon found out!

So when he shared his grouses with me - you can imagine what I did do!

Now the entire organization led by its senior policymakers are running around trying to address a problem that should have been addressed with clarity and speed!

It is just embarrasing!

But having said that, let me also tell Indah Water and others like them what I expect from them in their Customer Service Units! 

If you pay peanuts – you get monkeys so most of the customer service outfits in the nation are run by a butch of monkeys, believe me!

Do not blame the monkeys - blame the organization for paying peanuts for a unit that is crucial! - Dr Jacob George CASSA CHIEF

These are just 10 Jacob George pointers for effective Customer Service!

1. Make a commitment to service.

The return on investment for companies that impress their customers with value added service can be staggering. These returns are not the result of providing excellent service but of customers perceiving that a company delivers service that is unique.

Achieving quality service takes a serious commitment from every employee in the organization to remove the “s” word (satisfy) from service goals and instead work to exceed customers’ expectations to the point that customers are willing to tell others.

2. Develop a proactive recovery strategy.

I am not saying this because I am a ‘Guru’ Consumer Advocate but believe me the quickest way to improve your service reputation is to improve your recovery process. Customers are impressed by companies that make an empathetic, ‘hassle free’ effort to recover when customers perceive that they received less service than they expected.

No point having empty but impressive reading slogans like ‘We Care, We Serve” when that is clearly missing and all poppycock!

But, if followed through with dedication these efforts dramatically communicate to customers that the company cares, that it is sensitive to the customer’s business and that it will stand behind its product or service - no matter what.

An effective recovery strategy requires going all out to find and satisfy disgruntled customers.

3. Ensure continuous improvement.

Effective service improvement is the cumulative effect of a thousand small improvements made daily at every level in the organization.

It often requires changing the culture from one that accepts the status quo to one that is excited about change and continuous improvement. Innovating service practices and redefining service delivery must be everyone’s job -start small and demand improvement from everyone. Define success as continually improving in all areas, including service, first-time quality, cost reduction, productivity and development of human resources.

4. Listen to customers.

Hello – I speak from experience too! I have learnt from my mistakes of not listening can you too? Listening is the foundation of all good relationships and a prerequisite to business success.

But few companies systematically listen to customers, suppliers, employees and competitors. The radical service improvements needed in this decade will require better customer information systems.

The more we know about a customer’s business, the easier we can form strategic partnerships. This is because service professionals spend so much time with customers and thus this should help in the developing and updating the system.

5. Facilitate change.

Service problems are leadership problems, often resulting from management’s unwillingness to change structures, reduce the number of inflexible policies and procedures, set higher service goals for themselves and their work groups and spend more time on customer-related issues.

Service improvement efforts fail more from ineffective management practices than from lack of front-line effort. Yes, the front-line people are often unwilling or unable to take risks necessary to embrace their changed role and enthusiastically deliver service that consistently exceeds customer expectations.

But this happens because leaders fail to ensure that:
1) Desired service outcomes are well defined;
2) the service delivery process is clearly communicated and perceived to be flexible;
3) guiding principles and core values are established; and

4) everyone understands their role in the delivery of quality service or the addressing of issues professionally!

6. Define the playing field.

I have always said that the front line employees are the most important! Front-line employees must understand the rules of play and how to win before they can successfully customize service for the customer.

There must be a clearly defined direction (a goal-line that indicates how to score) and predefined parameters (the “rules” or boundaries) that outline the limits of responsibility and decision making.

In the past, outlining boundaries has been accomplished primarily by correcting mistakes. Unfortunately, this does not communicate what is desirable, only what is out of bounds.

When employees are not secure, they focus on avoiding problems and mistakes and not on creativity and customization.

This uncertainty often results in such responses as “I’d like to help you but it’s not my job,” “I just work here, “or “It’s just our policy.”

Or worse, as I found out when I called Indah Water Customer Service to ask them to send a team to my dear friend and the nation’s top Surgeon’s home after his numerous efforts failed!

The Customer Service is run by novices! Instead of addressing the complaint – they reply saying their boss is out and will revert when he/she gets back! Brilliant!

These responses are the responses of idiots and the consequence of a risky service culture created by uncertain boundaries and inconsistent goals and staff with absolutely no customer service background or training!

7. Provide autonomy.

Creative, dedicated, enthusiastic service professionals who routinely make business decisions and improvise when necessary are the foundation of excellent service.

Yet many companies ignore the benefits of engaging the talents of their work force or to pay them the kind of salary and perks that they should do!

If you pay peanuts – you get monkeys so most of the customer service outfits in the nation are run by a butch of monkeys, believe me!

Do not blame the monkeys - blame the organization for paying peanuts for a unit that is crucial!

Too often they ask front-line employees to park their brains at the front door, or even in the toilet, and blindly obey pre-determined policies and procedures.

Serious service improvement involves people meaningfully in every aspect of service delivery, including service planning, innovation and process improvement.

It means replacing many “rules” with judgment, allowing for greater flexibility in front-line decision-making within well defined parameters.

It requires more trust between leaders, employees and their unions, a greater sharing of information and an unprecedented commitment to continuous education.

The heroes in a customer-focused culture must be highly trained, enthusiastic front-line service professionals who make hundreds of decisions daily to deliver a customized product or service, trouble shoot faster than ever before.

8. Measure Peformance

Managers must educate everyone to routinely measure all of the responsibilities crucial to success.

Cost-reduction measures should be balanced with measures of service, quality and leadership, employee flexibility and continuous improvement.

The most valid measures of service quality are the subjective opinions of customers.

Only customers can evaluate service in light of their unique expectations. Consequently, responsibility for measuring and demonstrating continuous service improvement should be focused closer to the service professional.

Only when service teams are actively involved in every facet of the service business, including measurement of quality, can organizations capture the creativity and enthusiasm needed to radically enhance service delivery.

Got my drift – Mr. /Ms CEO or CFO?

9. Hold everyone accountable.

When we ask, “Who is responsible for service improvement in your organization?” we are usually given the names of several people whose responsibilities cross many functional areas.

When a service problem surfaces, these people point out that the root cause of the problem exists with another group.

This “fragmented accountability” is no accountability at all, until a single person is accountable for service improvement and until serious personal consequences are set for failing to achieve service goats, continuous service improvement is unlikely.

Lack of individual accountability allows leaders to avoid focusing on ineffective managerial practices, such as adhering to time-wasting routines, attending endless meetings, having marathon coffee discussions, meetings, but all failing to set goals that test their talents and failing to change ineffective reporting and promotional structures.

If all employees were held personally accountable for influencing the perception of the customer, customer service would be perceived as a part of the strategic plan instead of a “slogan” or theme program.

10. Celebrate success.

Every organization must develop a culture of celebrated discontent - a simultaneous feeling of accomplishment and a desire to improve.

Too often, though, organizations create an almost schizophrenic “either/or” mentality celebrate one minute and be emphatically discontent the next.

People find these environments confusing and uncomfortable. Organizations must celebrate often, making the celebrations sincere and spontaneous.

Those who consistently demonstrate improvement must become the heroes.

These 10 Jacob George fundamentals will help create a culture of continuous service improvement. Companies must define success for everyone in the organization as continually improving everything -everyday.

Nothing less will do.

In my analysis – INDAH WATER KONSORTIUM the nation’s sewage treatment monopoly has sadly failed my expectations!

Let me more constructive – perhaps, the organization should invite me to conduct a series of in-house training for all their customer service executives and senior policymakers – that includes the Chief Operating Officer! 
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FLASHBACKS - SIR RICHARD HARRIS AND HIS MACARTHUR’S PARK (1968) REMEMBERED!

MacArthur ParK

(Sir Richard Harris)

Spring was never waiting for us, girl
It ran one step ahead
As we followed in the dance
Between the parted pages and were pressed
In love’s hot, fevered iron
Like a striped pair of pants MacArthur Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don’t think that I can take it
‘Cause it took so long to bake it
And I’ll never have that recipe again
Oh, no!

I recall the yellow cotton dress
Foaming like a wave
On the ground around your knees
The birds, like tender babies in your hands
And the old men playing checkers by the trees

MacArthur Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don’t think that I can take it
‘Cause it took so long to bake it
And I’ll never have that recipe again
Oh, no! [break]

There will be another song for me
For I will sing it
There will be another dream for me
Someone will bring it
I will drink the wine while it is warm
And never let you catch me looking at the sun
And after all the loves of my life
After all the loves of my life
You’ll still be the one

I will take my life into my hands and I will use it
I will win the worship in their eyes and I will lose it
I will have the things that I desire
And my passion flow like rivers through the sky
And after all the loves of my life
After all the loves of my life
I’ll be thinking of you
And wondering why

[extended break]

MacArthur Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don’t think that I can take it
‘Cause it took so long to bake it
And I’ll never have that recipe again
Oh, no!
Oh, no
No, no
Oh no!! 

You may never have known but truly there is another side to this Consumer Advocate, one which many may not know and let us look at that, this morning free, from the political and other depressing and controversial issues that this blog had dealt with prior!

Let us look at a magnificent heart warming song above - that was a classic then in the 60’s and still is today, as we remember the late Sir Richard Harris!

It was a song first written by Jimmy Webb and song sung in 1968 by the late Sir Richard Harris! 

Since that spring, many have re-sung it from Wayne Newton, Donna Summer with her high pitched voice and by popular Glen Campbell! 

Being a Guitarist myself, how can I forget Glen Campbell especially his fingers doing the ‘lead run’ in the middle of the park – Wow! 

But it could not match the emotions neither the pitch of feelings and voice that Sir Richard Harris put into that song! 

No - NEVER!

The song by Richard Harris brings back many memories both good, sad and bad over my years! 

I cannot forget that I sang this number both while at Trinity College and at the ‘Lost Horizon’ at Singapore’s Shangri-La in the 70’s when my uncle and his popular top Singapore band played there! 

I remember the ‘positive stir’ I caused at the ‘Lost Horizon or the many ‘reviews I got’ that night from a group of Australian and Americans guests.

Many could not believe that it was a teenager ‘theolog’ singing and playing the guitar supported by the then Singapore’s top band! 

But it was inexplicable, strange, those flashbacks and memories of old that came back last night over a quiet dinner we (my 2 kids and I) had with a dear friend - and - brother, Malaysia’s top and dedicated surgeon when by the strange intervention of a hidden hand, perhaps, of GOD this number was played as we ate! 

Sir Richard Harris – as – we remember you – we remember this song that was sung at the Albert Hall and the various emotions it brought about then and does even today, in all of us! 

The truth is there somewhere! Just perhaps! Thank you!

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

JG LIVE OVER ASTRO AWANI TUES-6.30 NEWS -SECOND STIMULUS PACKAGE ANALYSIS!

INCOMING PRIME MINISTER AND PRESENT FINANCE MINISTER DATUK SERI NAJIB TUN RAZAK PRESENTS THE SECOND STIMULUS PACKAGE AT PARLIAMENT ON TUESDAY MARCH 10!
INVITED TO PROVIDE A RUNNING ANALYSIS  (LIVE) OF THE SSP IS MALAYSIA’S LEADING CONSUMER ADVOCATE JACOB GEORGE OVER ASTRO AWANI CHANNEL 501 AT 6.30 PM!
CATCH  HIM LIVE ON ASTRO TUESDAY MARCH 10TH - 6.30 PM!

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms! 
 

KEEPING THEM HONEST - WHY WE NEED A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT!

“Sunshine is said to be the best of disinfectants.”
– Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis

Have you ever imagined how a private business entity’s marketing executive could call or SMS you and address their business plan with you on what you thought was your secure and private line?

Were you shocked that they had details of your residential address, your land line, your vehicle number, your banks, your travels and dinning habits – worst in some cases, whether you had a RAT for a lover, a spanish toad, cat or dog for a pet! (No just joking!)

Private information is today in Malaysia made available because my repeated calls for a comprehensive and detailed Privacy Act has still not materialized.

So till that happens – all private and personal information are today made available in data form to business predators out there for a fee!

Ultimately all of us are compromised for a price!

As such, I have recently started investigation into this matter seeking the DNA trail who, how, where, why, when, what price, who controls and how to address it scheme.
I am looking at various schemes where all of us faithfully and trustingly put our private details – it could be a loan application, it could be a calling card, it could be in a hotel registration, travel ticket purchase or even in personal columns, and the many high society social networks over the internet!

Though all have claimed to keep personal information secret they do not! Leakages and seepages do occur and all for a huge fee!

But before we move in this course, let us look at a subject in several parts which I have been addressing and advocating for years!

My call for a Freedom of Information Act!

This is public information!

Why?

If you look at various developed and developing nations not totally engrained in halls and corridors of corruption shame – most have a FOIA!

So it is no exaggeration to say that until enactment of the Freedom of Information Act in 1966, the American people did not truly know their own government.

Secrecy, collusion among self-selected elites, and public relations hocus-pocus were common practices among the governing class. For all but a few enterprising reporters and well-connected lawyers, government decision-making was a mystery like the UFO saga!

Any citizen wanting to learn more about the conduct of government would be rebuffed with the standard line, “Who yaar with?”

In Malaysia we are told – “Hello that is confidential or under the Official Secrets Act!”

So put plainly it was a government of insiders.

But history tells us that in such a furtive climate, President John F. Kennedy could seriously consider keeping the existence of the early manned space orbits entirely secret.

The Civil Aeronautics Board, charged with setting airfares, routinely negotiated rates with industry representatives in secret sessions; the public, press and even inquisitive Members of Congress were denied access.

In the Nixon years, the Office of Economic Opportunity refused to release its annual report. In another celebrated case, the Navy claimed that its telephone directories should not be made public.

Nowadays in the US most government information is readily available to those who seek it, a dramatic shift in public expectations which has made government far more open and accountable.

Much of this change can be traced to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which has helped uncover hundreds of cases of government waste and fraud, unsafe environmental practices, dangerous consumer products, unethical behavior and assorted wrongdoing.
Perhaps, now with President Barrack Obama more could be done in this direction!

For example - The FOIA has been used to reveal the dangerous defects in Firestone 500 steel-belted radial tires and the exploding gas tanks of Ford Pintos.

It disclosed the Navy’s lavish decoration of admirals’ quarters on naval destroyers, drug abuse among NASA workers and the CIA’s investigations of John Lennon.

An NBC reporter using the FOIA confirmed the existence of the FBI’s COINTELPRO operation, which spied on and harassed domestic political dissidents in the early 1970s.

Public Citizen’s Critical Mass Energy Project uses the FOIA to compile a comprehensive annual list of safety “mishaps” which occur at the nation’s nuclear power plants. (Nearly 3,000 occurred in 1987.)

But where did it start?
I am advised that the presumption that the public’s business ought to be conducted publicly — and that the burden to justify any secrecy rests with government — owes much to Congressman John E. Moss (see pix left), a tenacious California Representative who made it his personal crusade to revamp the government’s information (i.e., secrecy) policies.

Even though the Administrative Procedures Act of 1946 theoretically provided standards of public accountability and due process, Moss held hearings from 1955 to 1966 to show just how easily federal agencies could thwart the law.

Moss himself frequently had trouble obtaining information from government agencies, particularly the Department of Defense. Moss and the other Members of Congress saw the FOIA not only as a tool for empowering the public but as a tool for empowering themselves. Congress smarted from the executive branch’s high-handed refusals to share its information with Congress; the FOIA offered a double-barreled solution to executive secrecy.

Somewhat miraculously, Moss’s FOIA bill passed through Congress in 1966 without attracting much attention, and was signed into law by Lyndon Johnson without fanfare.

The new law established three basic principles:

1) Government documents must be made available to any person upon request, regardless of why they are sought, and certain records, such as agency decisions, must always be disclosed.

2) Nine specific varieties of sensitive government information (classified documents, trade secrets, records of ongoing investigations, material that would violate a person’s privacy, among other categories) are explicitly exempted from disclosure.

3) Information-requesters are authorized to sue in federal court to force recalcitrant agencies to disclose documents.

Yes – it did indeed cause horror!

Mostly for the crooks!

And Why Sir Consumer Advocate?

As I see it the FOIA – was an inexpensive yet highly effective new means of holding government and business accountable for their conduct.

While the law clearly had an impact, yes we indeed have over 80 tagged under ‘consumer interest’ directly or indirectly but to what effect?

And it is because simply many federal agencies and business entities soon found ways to subvert its requirements by delaying their responses to information requests; by requiring requesters to pay large fees to search for and copy records; and by giving overly broad interpretations of what constituted “investigatory” records, thus exempting many documents from the law.

And for a government to be truly open, transparent and accountable you need the FOIA!

With the FOIA in place – all government bodies be it federal or state will be required to reply to requests within two weeks; search and copying fees could be waived if the disclosures could be seen as “primarily benefiting the general public”; requesters who were forced to sue agencies in order to obtain documents and “substantially prevailed” in court could recover their attorneys’ fees from the agencies; and the definition of what constituted “investigatory” or ‘in Malaysia - Sulit’ would be clarified and narrowed!

In many countries, including India which is in the forefront, the last fifteen years have seen a blossoming use of the FOIA, government proceedings that are far more open, and a new empowerment of citizens.

In the US for example - No longer can Washington insiders and regulated industries exploit their illicit back channels to obtain government information, a common practice which allowed them secretly to manipulate policymaking.

Agencies must now share their records with all comers, a reform that gives citizen activists a more equal basis for influencing agency decisions.

Through such groups as the Reporters’ Committee for Freedom of the Press, journalists too have become sophisticated users of the FOIA, creating yet another force for open, accountable government.

Certainly in my mind there is no doubt that the said act – the FOIA helps uncover wrongdoing is perhaps best illustrated by the types of information that remain exempt from the Act, such as banking records.

Protected by a shroud of secrecy, dozens of scandals in the savings and loan industry are allowed to fester and grow to massive proportions, eventually resulting in an equally scandalous taxpayer bailout.

We saw a few of them in the US and Britain lately and in Malaysia certainly a few more!

But I agree fully that the Freedom of Information Act is only a tool. Its real value lies in how aggressively it is actually used.

That has been the ongoing challenge for the citizen movement — to encourage use of the FOIA, ensure that it works properly, and maintain and strengthen its provisions.
To me once the FOIA comes into play – it will helps us consumer advocates to help countless individuals obtain government documents of vital public interests – they can be concession agreements, Power and Water deals, tender documents for billion ringgit purchase of arms and other forms of multi billion deals using tax payers monies and the nations vital cash reserves!

Only crooks and scavengers need to fear the FOIA! Got my drift, yaar?

Next – Will an Open Government dream be ever realized?
 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!