DIGI THE WORST MOBILE COMPANY IN MALAYSIA!

‘As I always say these corporations spend millions on their branding but all those millions are simply wasted when they fail to address the most fundamental issue that consumers want and seek!’ - Dr Jacob George

DIGI THE WORST MOBILE COMPANY IN MALAYSIA!

Over the years, I have heard repeated allegations on the extremely poor addressing of consumer grouses, the arrogance and incompetence shown by staff which involves their customer service, debt collection (which includes outsourced sources) but in this one – takes the cake!

Like all other corporations they are good at mottos, many of which are just poppycock!

We are told that DiGi is a leading mobile company. We are told that DiGi is always the smarter choice. Worst, we are also told that at DiGi your needs are the center of everything they do!

Let us start with the facts!

On the 16/10/2009 DiGi sends me an ‘Overdue hand-phone Bill’ - Demand Letter for the sum of RM102.63.

Fair enough – I must have overlooked the children’s hand-phone bills but then after checking, found out we have had no such statement sent to the mailing address.

Faithfully I call up the customer service and ask them why the strongly worded demand letter with threats as the bill, after all was, only RM102.63?

This Customer Service lad was very professional, he apologized and confirmed that based on his records on the computer system did not show any major problems with my account and that he will follow through on my grouses that it was just rude to send LODs for such a mere sums!

He agrees good for me!

Immediately I went over to their outsourced DiGi Service Provider/agent at Shah Alam Giant at Section 13 to make payments for the said sum.

Like all other reasonable person I thought that the matter was settled!

Two days later I received several calls on my land line demanding payments and once again I put on ‘my best behavior’ to the lady from the ‘credit department’ confirming that payments were already made!

I agreed to fax her the receipt and to a number she provided at 03-57216328 to the attention of her superior – one Pn Salmah!

Despite all this- I was shocked to find my children’s mobile line barred!

Like all other irritated consumer, I called upon DiGi and exhausted myself speaking to a butch of absolute idiots who failed to see the point that I was making!

The question was basic – why was the line barred when payments were already made?

Worst, they gave me another line to call this time at saying that this was the direct land line to Pn Salmah and I had to tell that fool that the number she quoted from the computer screen was indeed not On Salmah’s but my home land line!

She apologizes!

Finally I decided to go the DiGi’s website to seek contact information and finally got the number 03-57211800.

After several attempts I got through only to be told that the relevant staff was not around which includes that entire unit – good for DiGi!

As I always say these corporations spend millions on their branding but all those millions are simply wasted when they fail to address the most fundamental issue that consumers want and seek!

The dispute resolving facilitation!

The desire to speak to a responsible official who will assure them that their complaint/observation will receive immediate review and attention and that a follow up call will be made within a stated time line resulting in the matter professionally addressed and solved!

The pertinent question is why is the line barred when payments have already being made, a receipt given and the confirmation received in the mobile telephone?

Perhaps, the corporate giants among the DiGi management should answer me to justify their claim that DiGi is the smarter choice?

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ENSURING SAFE TRANSPORT OF HAZARDOUS GOODS ON OUR ROADS!

‘Most importantly, the above must be enforced with conviction, speed and without fear or favor!’ - Dr Jacob George

ENSURING SAFE TRANSPORT OF HAZARDOUS GOODS ON OUR ROADS!

It is embarrassing to see innocent young and old lives being lost in various road carnages - out of sheer unadulterated negligence, omission, stupidity and worst, when these things keep re-happening as if lives are just worthless!

January 21, 1997 will be a date many in the policymaking circles may have forgotten?

What with the short life span of Malaysian politicians thanks to recent political developments in Malaysia.

But I have not!

But if someone has been monitoring issues they will remember the horror that took place that day with the loss of two lives in Kuantan, Pahang, when a lorry carrying 100 gas cylinders exploded following an accident at Km21 Jalan Kuantan-Gambang which could have been avoided if there was a comprehensive law pertaining to the transport of hazardous goods.

The death toll in my mind could have been much higher!

If you thought that was bad and a first let me take you back to October 1994, when 10 people suffered burns and property damage when a tanker carrying 11,000 liters of premium leaded petroleum and 8000 liters of unleaded petrol was involved in another accident this time at Jertih!

Since those dates there have been numerous other similar accidents involving these vehicles to this date and if you are obsessed with the ‘statistical death count’ – I can assure you it will be rather high and vulgar!

If that was bad we have yet to deal with widespread reports of the parking of heavy vehicles carrying hazardous goods which includes petrol, toxics, acids, alkalis and solvents at housing estates or other densely populated areas!

That spurs to my mind what ever happened to the promise made by the then Transport Minister ‘Uncle’ Ling Liong Sik after the Jertih accident that there will be measures pertaining to lorries transporting hazardous materials which would be ‘synchronized with standards being drawn up by the European Union?”

All these are very confusing indeed.

We have a situation where questions are indeed being asked who is really responsible for this particular state of affairs?

I am aware that the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism issues licenses for the transport of petroleum products but it does not cover dangerous non-petroleum products and how they are transported!

The RTD on the other hand believes that the Road Transport Act covers only the construction and use of vehicles carrying dangerous goods and their power apply specially to the driver’s license and the roadworthiness of vehicles.

Interestingly, our Department of Environment is ‘known’ to have issued ‘guidelines’ on the transportation of dangerous goods but feel that they are powerless to prosecute in cases of dangerous cargoes?

All these to me and the ordinarily man on the Malaysian street means there are no laws governing the transportation of dangerous goods or volatile gases or that if there are - they are not being enforced and monitored with punitive surveillance and speed?

This is why the Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam Selangor (CASSA) calls for the setting up of a Select Committee to re-look at this issues and draw up an updated comprehensive law and power one that can be enforced with punitive speed to address the transport of hazardous and dangerous goods that include petroleum, toxics, acids, alkalis and solvents in the country!

It is my contention that my learned friends at these policy divisions will take into consideration the following in any re-look in the formulating of policies involving hazardous good:

1. Limiting the number of hours a driver should drive

2. Enforcing proper storage conditions for hazardous materials

3. Signs for heavy vehicles/tankers carrying hazardous materials.

4. Enforce ‘Escorts’ in the front and back of such vehicles.

5. Special training for heavy vehicle drivers.

6. Specialized licenses and stricter control of such licenses before issuance.

7. Banning such vehicles from taking routes that are densely populated.

8. Enforcing laws that will confine those vehicles to the extreme left lane at all times with speed limits below 70kph.

9. Enforcing drivers of such vehicles to undergo regular medical check ups and confining their age of such drivers to below 50 years!

10. Withdrawing the license of drivers and companies exposing them to punitive penal sanctions when tragedies occur and investigation reveal fault and negligence!

Most importantly, the above must be enforced with conviction, speed and without fear or favor!

Perhaps, that is where the Malaysian dilemma really is?

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NOW AIR ASIA – ROYALLY SCREWED BY CONSUMER!

NOW AIR ASIA – ROYALLY SCREWED BY CONSUMER!

Sometimes I really wish these corporate bodies would hire me instead to ‘trouble shoot’, lead their policy division, consumer mitigation and redress mechanisms!

I am serious!

It is a real shame that simple issues and consumer grievances when unsettled or addressed in a less than professional manner returning with a vengeance that destroys the image and credibility of an organization and all the millions they had spent on branding!

The consumer grievance (below – edited) addressed to me days after we slammed our national carrier – Malaysian Airline System (MAS) is a point in case!

‘Dear Dr Jacob,

Thank you very much for your views on the national carrier carried in your blog and award winning Malaysiakini!

Well done for speaking on behalf of Malaysian consumers!

I am writing to seek your kind advice and assistance.

Briefly, Air-Asia has issued me a credit shell account (RM 7035.00) on 23rd July 2009.

The offer is valid for 3 months and that I must utilize the account within this period to re-book my travel.

Base on the ‘reasonable man tests’ or norm, the 3 month validity is from 23rd July 2009 to 22nd October 2009.

However to my shock - on 22nd October 2009 when I went to Air-Asia sales counter at Subang Terminal 3 to finalize my flight bookings I was told that their system shows my credit shell account has expired on 21st October 2009!

Their justification was that my credit account was forfeited on 21st October because their system is set at 90 days and that automatically blocks my credit account.

I was told by the sales counter representative that they cannot do anything and that I have to refer to their customer service department who handles my account.

Please refer to my earlier correspondence with Air-Asia and their offer to me stipulating 3 months validity and their latest email to me stating my account is forfeited because quote “credit shell expires 3 months from the issuance date referring to 90 days.”

I must state here that this was not expressed to me in any of their correspondence to me before!

I will appreciate if you could kindly advice whether Air-Asia has the right to forfeit my credit account on the basis that their system refers to 90 days?

As you are aware the term ‘3 months’ is very ambiguous!

As a consumer I feel cheated as I strongly feel I have the right to claim the offer which to the reasonable man should extend to the 22nd October 2009!

I sincerely seek your kind help and assistance to resolve this matter with the Air Asia senior Management.

Please Help!

Thanking you in advance, your kind advice and assistance is much appreciated.

Regards

Angie Lee

(Contact number and address withheld for security reasons)

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DISGRACEFUL POLITICIANS AND UNFULFILLED PROMISES!

‘Fulfilling promises is just not the building of roads, highways, bridges, schools, clinics, providing computers, low costs housing all which may have been built or provided as a promise at ‘inflated prices’ and  worst if they were built not conforming to specifications and that ‘corners have been cut’ s – all the more ridicule!’- Dr Jacob George 

Scandal - Offense caused or experienced; reproach or reprobation called forth by what is regarded as wrong, criminal, heinous, or flagrant: opprobrium or disgrace. 

DISGRACEFUL POLITICIANS AND UNFULFILLED PROMISES!  

First order of the day is to the parents of the drowned pupils and the community now undergoing various forms of shocks and mourning in Kuala Dipang, Perak , I cannot but share my deepest condolences and heartfelt sadness!

If federal and state level politicians thought that this will just go away with the presence of the deputy premier at the scene with other politicians – they are indeed wrong!

The air at Kuala Dipang smells of death and of negligence and utter unadulterated corruption!

This tragedy has put the nation back after making great strides in recent weeks in fostering a new wave of sensitiveness and understanding!

It is sad this has happened and ‘heads must roll!’

The contractors behind this bridge, the powers that be that awarded the project to them and others who provided political support must be all hauled up to face liability!

I expect dear friend the no nonsense tolerating Attorney General to immediately look at this case if he has not already done so!

As I said – ‘heads must roll!’

You do not have to be a Professor Emeritus in Constitutional Law to say that as long as political expediency rules the nation instead of upholding blatantly that right is might and anything else no matter how it is relayed or spanned for political convenience is wrong we are never going to make strides in nation building!

Fulfilling promises is just not the building of roads, highways, bridges, schools, clinics, providing computers, low costs housing all which may have been built or provided as a promise at ‘inflated prices’ and  worst if they were built not conforming to specifications and that ‘corners have been cut’ s – all the more ridicule!

Fulfilling promises also means righting a wrong no matter how high up it goes!

Not just by dealing with unethical and tainted politicians who stand on a political party ticket and are elected then enticed by ‘other persuasions’ decide to betray that trust by joining another!

Or worst, other political shenanigans rejected coming into political power by plain political coup and behaving as if they have the people’s mandate!

Here we are dealing with all kinds and nature of flaws that must be dealt with if we want to move forward!

Issues that revolve around politicians and elected representatives ‘unfulfilled promises’ - a breach of people’s trust to be precise!

In true democracy, those who are in this class of people should honorably vacate their seats but do they?

Interesting thought, but is Malaysia ready for this?

Nay, I think and worst we are too forgiving!

As a result despite they disregarding our rights and interests and despite they being self serving we continue to vote and keep them in public office!

It is our mistake!

There are many kinds of unfulfilled promises and they all point to a common fact!

For example in October 1999, just days after ‘I made history’ of being the only employee to be ‘retrenched’ from a leading private hospital, with my personal life in tatters and my future plans all shattered and unknown, I remember organizing a Charity Dinner function at Holiday Villa Subang!

At that function, and, in the full view of over 2,000 people attending the function, a politician and serving Senator, promised us RM2,000 to off-set the costs.

For the record, despite repeated reminders and telephone calls made since October 1999, the money did not come.

I met the Senator at the office of a senior Federal Minister and I engaged him on the unfulfilled promise.

He had asked me to write to him, again, citing several excuses in embarrassment.

I brought this matter up to my friends they decided that we should “drop the issue”.

Fellow social workers at CASSA stressed that what was promised was made voluntarily.

However, they admitted it was a sad case to have made us look like beggars when all that we sought was the fulfillment of a promise made in public to help us off-set our costs!

Indeed, some of our politician’s ‘langsung tak tahu malu’ - too thick skinned!

In another case, several years ago, two politicians, one a serving Mayor and the other a sitting Member of Parliament, had both promised to donate RM5, 000 each to a primary school for its PIBG projects.

But the money had not arrived till I as a member of the PIBG chased them hounding them to fulfill their promise towards the school!

The money came finally!

In contrast, former Selangor MB Dr Mohd. Khir Toyo was also invited as the official guest at the same school for its 2001 PIBG AGM.

During the meeting, he delivered a “fiery and power-packed speech from his heart” that motivated all who were present, after which, he pledged to contribute RM10, 000.00 from his salary for the school’s IT and Library project.

I did not have to run around for that money!

I am pleased to say that money arrived in record three days after the speech was delivered!

If only more could have be like Mohd Khir Toyo who kept his promise to help!

Last week, a community social club’s installation ceremony and dinner, I was “high-jacked” by a large group of people made up of sensitive public spirited individuals, corporate figures, and leaders of Non Governmental Organizations, Service Groups, retired politicians and leaders of charitable organizations!

These people were upset and they tried to seek answers to several issues that had made the front pages of our electronic and print media recently.

Among the issues is the rather pathetic situation of the people in ‘squatter areas’ who were promised many things in the full glare of the electronic and print media but in many cases the promises remain unfulfilled!

These men and women I spoke to at that dinner wanted answers from me as if I was part of the policymaking team at Putrajaya!

I told them that the questions that they raised were all valid but it should be directed at the overdressed cigar smoking men in Italian silk suits and women in their BMWs and S classes – and other imported cars - those we call ‘YBs’ – who love to hog the limelight make promises to the grassroots but forget just as easily as they make one!

These luxury sun-glass wearing politicians come to town with the press in tow made their grand entry and exit and in those moments.

Undressed children, widows and the elderly are cuddled, uncollected garbage was pointed at, clogged drains were frowned upon, and immediate cosmetic changes were initiated, allocations approved, and… They leave!

But do they or the press that came in tow check if the promises they make are met or delivered as promised and along reasonable time lines?

The good news was that this group of people who “cornered” me was not just the ‘bourgeoisie type – the society pages flirts showing who they know and how rich they are!’

These individuals were also rich and powerful too – but - with a difference as they were committed to a cause and they were committed to giving sufficient financial and other support for any community project proposal that I may suggest addressing the long term interests and rights of marginalized communities!

There are many needs in many parts of Selangor despite being tagged the ‘most developed state’ in the country!

Community and social groups learn fast to meet these needs despite a shortage of resources.

What about politicians, especially the self serving ones?

Are they willing to change for the betterment of our community instead of indulging in acts or omissions that create political turmoil or worst, result in political chaos, power grabs and embarrassment for a nation that claims to be a democracy!

Are they willing to categorically state that the tragedy like this on in Kuala Dipang, Perak will not happen again on their watch?

Got my drift?

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CREDIT CARDS - TIME TO CHANGE THE CREDIT FLOW!

‘Far too many double standards in our marketplace left unregulated!’ - Dr Jacob George

TIME TO CHANGE THE CREDIT FLOW!

A RM50.00 have been levied on the usage of credit cards but I sincerely doubt the intentions of those behind this rather ‘muddy decision’ will find it plays out accordingly!

It was ironic in many ways and quite reflective of the way we do things in Malaysia!

We discourage borrowings or the use of credits but the nation itself and her expenditure stems from living a life of credit?

For example, we had one dictator obsessed with mega projects now suffering from ‘acute selective amnesia’ as he talks and carries himself as if he is the ‘male version’ of a ‘Mother Theresa?

This person built a city certainly out of credit and one that will not only haunt future generations but based on the reports and allegations that come out of shoddy work, ‘over-charging and pricing’ I am certain the jury is still out on this issue and wonder what future ‘thinking’ generation will say on its real and hidden costs!

But that will be a subject for another day and another time – perhaps?

Today, I am appalled by the non participation of Bank Negara and the many commercial banks behind the rather aggressive marketing of credit cards over the years!

Their absence shows their hypocrisy and the prevalent double standards in the marketplace of the credit card issuance and use!

Today uncontrolled aggressive advertising methods and packages are used by various financial institutions.

The use of payment cards will therefore continue to rise RM50.00 levy or not and also crimes related to it!

In fact, the price wars among leading hypermarkets all involved with one credit card player or another is a classic example of the prevailing hypocrisy of a nation and its policymakers wanting to ‘hunt with the hounds and run with the hares!’ – Something we have done so professionally over 52 years!

In this context, I am among those who firmly believe that the time is right to implement and equate measures to:

1. discourage reckless lending and borrowing
2. Provide for a more equitable relationship between card users , issuers and merchants and
3. Minimize card related fraud.

I have over the last 15 years stated that the first two objectives will be achieved by a comprehensive Credit Act for the supply of credit to individuals.

The time has come for the Ministry of Finance and Bank Negara to come out of their self enforced cocoons and spearhead the formulation and implementation of an in-depth Credit Act (CA) to cover all credit card payments!

Presently, it appears that all card issuers have been exempted from the stringent provisions of the Moneylenders Act 1951.

It must be seriously noted that the Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989 provides for Bank Negara to regulate the operations of credit card issuers and the contractual terms governing their relationship with card holders and the merchants who accept payments via payment cards!

However, based on the numerous complaints from various quarters one suspect this is not effectively done resulting in card holders being subject to onerous terms and conditions!

I must emphasis that the proposed Credit Act must not only deal with those transactions under existing statutes (the Moneylenders Act, 1951, the Pawnbrokers Act 1972 and the notorious Hire Purchase Act 1976) but must extend to cover transactions previously unregulated or regardless of the type of institutions giving credit.

Banks, financial companies, insurance companies, money lenders, pawnbrokers, and cheque ocher traders, issuers of credit cards, mail order companies, retailers, service industries and mortgage companies must be among others covered by this ACT!

The Act I am proposing among others must:

REGUIRE the provision of specified information about the credit contract before after signing.

STIPULATE the maximum interest chargers that may be levied!

PROVIDE for a comparable method of calculating interest to be used in all contracts.

ALLOW for consumers who are unable to meet their obligations due to illness, unemployment, retrenchment by for relief! If refused, consumers must be permitted to turn to the courts to negotiate a settlement!

ALLOW consumers threatened with legal action to negotiate with the credit providers for a postponement.

ENSURE consumers get more warning about any legal action a month’s notice in writing and how to stop it!

ENSURE consumers are not forced to take out insurance and other ‘tie-in’ sales!

ENSURE guarantors are adequately protected!

PROVIDE stringent rules on false, misleading or deceptive advertising and ‘credit hustling’.

IMPOSE joint liability among all traders who has linked credit arrangement.

My wish in this matter is that the CREDIT ACT must empower the regulating authority to vet the terms and standard form contracts extended to borrowers and require the tenders to arrive at a ‘negotiated standard form contract’ that is equitable to both lenders and consumers!

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KPI MY FOOT – MAS SLAMMED AGAIN! (PART 2)

‘With such irresponsible corporate behavior in the age of globalization - MAS should just fold up. Padan Muka!’ - Dr Jacob George

KPI MY FOOT – MAS SLAMMED AGAIN! (PART 2)

The Malaysian Airlines invoice says – ‘More than just an airline code’

It continues - ‘MH is Malaysian Hospitality’

And if you thought only budget airlines perform with such incompetence, ‘twists and turns’ - bent on making their owners and other cronies multi millionaires at the expense of Malaysian consumers – check this story out!

Historically, both Malaysian Airlines System and Singapore Airlines had a common birth and they separated but see where SIA is today and where Malaysia’s beloved national Malaysian Airlines System (MAS) is!

Embarrassing and if you question this - you are told you are not patriotic!

Today, I take another crack at Malaysian Airlines System’s incompetence!

‘file picture’

October 14 - I was booked on MH1134 expected to leave KLIA for Penang where I was supposed to deliver several lectures in the morning and in the afternoon, participate and deliver the keynote address in Malaysia’s leading education group – INTI Education Group’s Award ceremony!

So like all other responsible individual, I got up at 4 am and was at the KLIA by 6am with my son Reuel, despite a heavy downpour and storm that morning, only to be told that the said flight was canceled and that I was re-booked into the next flight taking off at 9.25am!

Neither the counter staff that morning, their supervisors nor anyone else for that matter, knew why this happened and even if they knew, were not telling!

It was strange neither other passengers – several from other leading government institutions were also on flight with their respective schedules and worst, even a large group of foreigners - none were informed of this cancellation!

I remained calm and relayed the changers to waiting colleagues in Penang!

But the checking in staff and the supervisor were just brillant!

The next flight took off at 9.25am.

Just minutes before landing in Penang, we are told that we are sixth in the waiting tier up in the air, and the weather in Penang was bad and if the situation gets worse - we need to return to KLIA to refuel!

Being a Penang born, I thought it was all strange, more so, as only minutes before the Captain of the said flight, one ‘William Chew’, had indicated that the weather was nice and sunny and we are expected to land just 10 minutes pass ten!

To cut the chase – we returned to KLIA and despite landing and herded into the waiting lounge ‘like cattle’ we had just no updates or information given us!

By this stage ‘tempers are flying’ and the weather became the ‘lame excuse!’

By this stage, I had already communicated with my sources and had learnt that several airlines had landed in Penang and the only one to take this course of action was the flight I was on!

I could see that while we were waiting ‘furious activity at refueling’ taking place and it just struck me whether in  this case our flight had taken off without the ‘required extra fuel’ as required by aviation authorities?

I was aware MAS was reprimanded many years ago for the same offence abroad if I am not mistaken at Heathrow Airport!

I also wonder why safety and other regulators were not on the scene at KLIA - as would be required when a flight returns to examine the aircraft its fuel and other data to check for negligence or omissions of any kinds as required by International norms!

Worst, there was no professional or courteous gesture meted out to the passengers!

A coffee/tea cart with biscuits or plain mineral water would have softened anger and upset passengers!

No, all MAS staff be they the flight crew or the ground staff were walking around like ‘headless chicken’ unable to handle the situation!

None showed any independent crisis management skills or a public relations approach, at worst, despite all the rhetoric about the ‘golden service’ – my foot!

Finally, we boarded the same flight after it was refueled and took off for Penang landing hours behind our original schedule!

I noticed the absence of several in the original flight.

They must have got off and reschedule their travel plans thanks to such incompetence and lack of professionalism shown!

Worst, there were no apologies no regrets shown by any quarter on the return flight!

As far as I was concerned the national airlines is still run by a ‘butch of corporate idiots’ who in any other professionally run establishment abroad would have been sacked!

As far as I am aware – neither my fellow passengers nor I have received any letter of apology!

All of us were inconvenienced there were certainly economic loss to some and to others – other embarrassment and hurdles!

Of course, during my keynote address at the INTI College ceremony I slammed Malaysia’s alleged ‘golden service’ and utter incompetence!

That is the hallmark of the ‘golden service’ - Malaysian Airlines provide!

And worst, if indeed as the airline ‘public relations’ code says – this was Malaysian Hospitality – MAY GOD HELP US ALL – PERIOD!’

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RENOVATIONS AND MONEY LAUNDERING – QUESTIONS?

‘Property purchases and renovation costs - Where does these hundred of thousands/millions come from?’ - Dr Jacob George 

RENOVATIONS AND MONEY LAUNDERING – QUESTIONS?

I have always wondered where the hundreds of thousands, even millions of ringgit come from when certain individuals buy properties at prominent areas in Malaysia for hundreds of thousands, even millions then hack them all down and rebuild them into massive ‘Mahligais’ or mansion for many more millions!

million ringgit renovations?

Having concluded several observations exercises after tip-offs from neighborhood consumer activist in the Klang Valley for this pilot project, I ask several questions among them:

1. Where does this millions come from?
2. Is the Taxman and the anti corruption intelligentsia watching this trend?
3. Are there loopholes in the schedule for application for renovations today that does not capture this?
4. Can we add an addition set of questions to seek where the funds for those million ringgit renovations and other purchases are coming from?
5. Can this be extended to also business outlets, the collection of luxury cars or antique cars?

I am glad that my proposal to the nation’s leadership to initiate both the Whistle Blowers Act and the Money Laundering Act has been received cordially! (see earlier blog postings)

Now I pray that our legal intelligentsia at the Attorney Generals Chambers will invite recommendations and feedbacks from the civil society and other members of the intelligence community – including this writer, to fast track such an ordinance for the nation!

We can also look at several notable examples of the same statutes from neighboring countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, China, India and both the US and the European Union for starters!

Then set up a select committee to contextualize it for our purpose!

So my dear friends at the Anti Corruption Agencies - Now I hope attention will be focused on my observations.

To make things easier – check out housing estates in Petaling Jaya, Petaling Jaya SS22, Subang Jaya, Damansara Heights, Damansara Utama, Damansara Jaya, Bangsar, Kelana Jaya, and Bukit Jelutong for starters!

I had spoken to friends in the Malay Mail weeks ago to look at this issue but they have yet to come back ‘perhaps’ - being busy tracking politically connected and academically qualified ‘sewage rats’ trying to initiate perhaps another round privatization of community focused/people’s entities like IJN?

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KPI MY FOOT! MAS SLAMMED BY CONSUMERS!

‘MAS should set up a high powered select committee and not ’seat warmers and pencil pushing idiots’ to look at consumer grouses like this one! This is unbecoming for a national airline!’ - Dr Jacob George

CASSA LETTERS: CONSUMERS SLAM MAS! (Part 1)

Dear Dr Jacob,

The matter above refers.

Being a disgruntled consumer, we wish to bring to the attention of your association, our concerns regarding some issues pertaining to the terms and conditions of flight packages under Malaysian Airlines System (MAS).

In our first e-mail to MAS dated 6 October 2009 our firm kindly requested to MAS to substitute the names of certain persons under which bookings were made in relation to specific flights.

As we had stated in our e-mail, the need for change of flight booking had arisen due to the fact that it was a company event for which advance booking had been made on 5/08/09 and we did not foresee the problem of several staff having left the company without having served relevant notice of resignation thus causing our company to incur financial losses.

As we had communicated with MAS vide the said e-mail, we were fully aware of the terms and conditions in relation to the booking of flights under the relevant package at the time of booking, however, we regretted the fact that they were unable to accede to our appeal to substitute the names.

We were not requesting for a refund of our monies but only for substitution of the names and yet our appeal was not entertained.

As a consumer, we are concerned about this kind of practice by the airline company which would undoubtedly be profiting them.

Although we fully understand the terms and conditions, we would like to know the rationale for it to be imposed strictly which at times seems unfair to the consumer.

If there were administrative costs involved in order to change the booking, we understand that we would have to bear this.

However, we fail to understand the reason for the airlines to totally reject our appeal to change the booking.

As a consumer, we believe that in attaching terms and conditions to products and packages, this must be premised upon a basis which is fair to the consumer and must also be flexible in certain instances where if treated strictly, would prejudice the rights of the consumer.

This should all the more be applicable for domestic flights where from our perspective; we fail to see the difficulty caused to the airline to accede to our request.

We are also concerned about the poor standard of service provided by the airline company as you may observe from the e-mails below, it took them about six days to revert with their unfavorable reply (citing the reason that they were flooded with e-mails - this is not the customer’s concern and it is an internal issue which they should resolve on their own instead of making up excuses for their poor standard of service)  although the matter required fairly urgent attention due to the proximity in time.

Furthermore, we were informed by their service personnel that there was no address and contact person to whom we could write to in order to have this matter resolved and that our only means of communicating the matter was vide the e-mail address.

Is this fair to the consumer?

What in the event that we fail to receive a reply at all?

It is our firm opinion that the airlines cannot take this kind of evasive approach towards the consumer and that they should not be running a business if they are unwilling to attend to the consumers’ needs.

We believe that your esteemed association would help us to address these issues with the airline company as at this juncture, we are dissatisfied with the reasons provided by the airline company. We believe in the efficiency and capability of your association in addressing this matter promptly and we await your early reply / action on the same.

Thank you.

Regards

Sumitra Woodhull

JR & ASSOCIATES

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

BUDGET DAY BLUES!

‘Economic prudence goes a long way!’ - Dr Jacob George

BUDGET DAY BLUES!

It is that time of the year again!

I am not at all fond of Budget Day for two reasons!

First there is always no audit on what happened to previous budgets and their performance or lack thereof!

Second all the psycho apple polishers will in tomorrow’s news print initiate a major ‘sucking up’ how fantastic the budget was!

No guesses to who are those political, business and even consumer organization psychos who would do so!

But I have my eye on just a few issues!

What ever is presented we need to address seepages, corruption and corrupt escalation of costs and plain wastages!

I need not go in there as the last Auditor General’s report has enough such citing!

I will just address a few concerns namely:

Implementing the GST was toyed with during the Mahathir administration, but it was shelved because there was not enough discussion.

To implement it now would be a mistake, because it is still a murky issue.

There is a need for more injections to jump-start the economy because the (benefits of the) first two stimulus packages have failed to trickle down to the man in the street.

The honest among us are asking – ‘What Stimulus packages?’

There are some issues that the government should focus on.

Firstly, consumers are worried about the escalating prices.

Secondly, their disposable income is shrinking.

The tax structure is something the government needs to look at with a view to increase disposable income. Lowering taxes will help do this.

We have yet to address a comprehensive transport system that is consumer friendly and not politicians, crony or contractor friendly!

That goes to other allocations for major infrastructure projects as well!

Let us cut out suit according to the cloth we have and not behave like rich emperors indulging in mega luxury projects and purchases that the nation can ill afford like we did during the Mahathir years!

Then look to ever ready Petronas to bail us out!

There is a need to do a post-mortem on our previous budgets.

Instead of just announcing the new budget, we should have a session to discuss the previous budget (to see) what worked and what went wrong.

The widening deficit is worrying; we don’t want to become like Argentina and Brazil.

I believe that the budget will shrink, with slashed allocations to most ministries and a smaller operating budget.

It would be good if we could lay off all that extra incompetent and obese civil servants that we have in most government ministries as that will be a savings!

Got my drift?

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

MALAYSIA GOING FORWARD OR BACKWARDS?

‘What happens in Malaysia is being watched the world over and our actions or lack of speaks volumes about us and the manner we govern or do not!’- Dr Jacob George

HOLISTIC JUSTICE, POLITICAL RECONCILIATION AND UPHOLDING CIVIL LIBERTIES THE KEY TO MOVE FORWARD!

Bad decision – really bad!

The decision to drop the most controversial VK Lingam case is already receiving sharp criticisms from all demographs in Malaysia be they the legal fraternity, politicians, the civil society and others!

You do not have to be a rocket scientist to note that this move rather careless will further cast doubt on the professionalism, integrity and efficiency and independence of our nation’s various institutions!

What happens in Malaysia is being watched the world over and our actions or lack of speaks volumes about us and the manner we govern or do not!

It is because of these ‘zig zags’ in governance, I was while in India recently (the IT capital of the world) repeatedly asked by a wide cross section of people comprising retired judges, diplomats, human rights and civil liberty lawyers, politicians and ministers, why my government had ‘transgressed a great sin’ by its decision to block access to the news portal deemed opposition!

They asked me whether this was another onslaught on civil liberties, tantamount to internet censorship, a desperate act by a government that was seeing repeated defeats and rejections by the vary demography that kept them in power for so long.

They wondered why the government refused to listen to the clear signals coming from the ground telling them that change was necessary – real change and one where the fundamentals of good governance, transparency, accountability, freedom of information, a rejection of racial, racist and religious bigotry is seen as a hallmark and pillar of democracy and one where political opponents are not targeted by newly coined legislation which is fast tracked and without the scrutiny of a select committee of independent legal and civil rights experts!

Yes, indeed quite a mouth full!

To understand their concern you must be in India – to see how politics and independence of the various organs of government operate!

You can witness how any ordinary Indian citizen has access to decision making processes, billion dollars tender and award documents and contracts thanks to India’s Rights to Information Act 2005!

A legislation that makes certain that one cannot hide by dubious claims of national security and other fictional excuses whenever one is asked to be accountable and transparent to decisions involving millions of dollars of state funds.

And more certain that in India - you cannot smear a website seditious without giving the accused an opportunity to defend itself/themselves – a vary act that in all legally trained, politically mature and cultured minds is ultra vires!

I wonder if our great legal intelligentsia and the intelligence community are keeping cognizance that the fact is once again we are showing the world that we show great contempt for the principles of fair play, accountability, good governance, transparency and natural justice for one’s political agenda and expediency!

It will also be an embarrassment if – the ‘government-backed watchdog’ instead of being a moderators and facilitators decides a role ‘otherwise’ which creates more controversy and could be interpreted then to be an act of lapdogs!

In Parliament, former Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar defended the ‘said move’ then saying that the ban was issued because certain portals published “libelous, defamatory and slanderous” content.

Those were ‘his claims’ but as trained lawyers, we are expected to show better judgment and needing to provide the evidence to prove our claims!

And in the mind of all law abiding and rational people, this can only be derived after an independent and  comprehensive investigation is done by an independent group of investigators selected for their credibility, independence, and proven track record!

And why fear – if those allegations are indeed true - Malaysia is packed with all kinds of laws already on the statute books to address such allegations and if the need be, we can ask our ‘boys and gals’ at the legal intelligentsia to immediately draft new laws?

And we should immediately stop targeting the messengers and the whistle blowers!

In fact I pray we can draft immediately a ‘Whistle Blowers Act’ and pass it speedily through Parliament and enact as law before the year end which will help in all these efforts!

It will show that we are moving forward and away from the ‘the over 22 years of a dictatorial and repulsive regime!’

The truth is as we have just celebrated the nation’s 52 Independence Day and we need to address issues in the country differently, if we want to win back the ‘hearts and minds’ of the electorate for the next General Election!

It cannot be ‘business as usual!’

It would look stupid if our politicians are continually bickering and initiating police reports like spoilt brats even over official speaker’s attires!

There are ‘bigger fishes to fry’ and larger issues to contemplate as the nation faces many challengers both within and from abroad!

Among them, making the nation really competitive!

It must be radically different from the way former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad addressed policy issues in this country!

Many still blame him for the ‘rot we are in today’ despite him singing ‘a different tune these days!’

We need to address domination, draconian and unjust laws, corruption, unclothe political behavior, racist tendencies and outbursts and a clear travesty of natural justice, and uphold civil liberties, internet freedom and access to portals providing alternative views and stands?

We must practice what we preach!

This is the  challenge facing Premier Najib Tun Razak as he presents his first budget speech tomorrow and initiates a plan of action addressing key concerns of the state in a manner undone before reflecting the rights, interests and aspirations of all in 1MALAYSIA!

Failure is not an option as we will be facing GE13 sooner than expected?

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

KEEPING THEM HONEST - FDA AND GENERIC DRUG TRADE IN MALAYSIA SLAMMED BY CONSUMER ADVOCATE!

‘In Malaysia - are certain companies and groups enjoying a monopoly thanks to their political connections and sine biotic relationships laughing all the way to the bank at the Malaysian consumers’ expense?’ - Dr Jacob George

KEEPING THEM HONEST - FDA AND GENERIC DRUG TRADE IN MALAYSIA SLAMMED BY CONSUMER ADVOCATE!

The Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor (CASSA) has been receiving complaints from Malaysian patients and members of the medical community from time to time about the ineffectiveness of the generic drugs which are now being prescribed by all public hospitals!

Does the FDA have constraints monitoring the generic trade in Malaysia?

If so can they enlighten me just what is the mechanism of quality control / surveillance in Malaysia?

If you took a prescription pill recently, odds are it was generic: Nowadays, generics constitute almost 70 percent of all the prescriptions dispensed worldwide racking up $58 billion in sales in 2007.

Anxious to cut costs, health insurers and certain governments’ are stampeding to switch patients to drugs that are cheaper to make, test and ultimately buy because their manufacturers can piggyback on the research and marketing already done by brand-name-drug companies.

But we all agree that generic drugs cost 30% to 80% less than their brand-name counterparts and most people feel safe taking them because the FDA requires that both types of medications provide the same active ingredients and level of effectiveness.

But is this a fact?

I am advised that a 2006 survey found that about 25% of 300 doctors throughout the US do not believe that generics are chemically identical to brand-name drugs!

Worst, nearly one in five believe those generics are less safe and more than one in four believe that generics cause more side effects.

So what is the truth about generic drugs?

I am advised that since 1976, thanks to the book the People’s Pharmacy was originally published as a consumer guide to drug and health information, thousands of patients have contacted them about their experiences with medications.

I am advised that in the last few years, they have received hundreds of letters and E-mails and sadly most of them complaints about generic drugs, including pain relievers, antidepressants and blood pressure medicines.

Sadly the number of such complaints has increased dramatically in that time.

I am advised by reliable sources that some patients who switched from a brand-name to a generic drug did report a decline in effectiveness!

Let me explain - for example, blood pressure that is not controlled or a case where there is a worsening of depression.

Others using generics complain of developing rashes or other types of allergic reactions!

According to some sources this could be because of one of the inactive “filler” ingredients in generic drugs.

There are also claims that there are problems with the timed-release mechanism of some generics.

For example there were allegations of there being more than 100 complaints about a generic version of the long-acting anti-depressant Wellbutrin XL.

I am advised that at least one manufacturer’s timed-release generic formulation appears to be different from the brand name and may be releasing too much of the drug too quickly (known as “dose dumping”).

As a result patients consuming such generics suffer side effects such as headaches and anxiety which the same patients do not experience when they take the brand-name version.

I cannot but wonder what the FDA is doing about such claims and complaints and whether they are also monitoring laboratories across the globe namely in China and India including independent laboratories to analyze this formulation.

It is my contention that the FDA is simply not doing enough!

I am certain in mitigation the FDA will tell me that drug companies must apply to the FDA to sell generic versions of drugs.

And that to attain the FDA approval a generic drug must contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications and meet the same criteria for such factors as quality, strength and purity.

If this is the gospel truth than why are the fuss and feedbacks and nightmarish complains?

I maintain that the possible problems with generic drugs are as follows:

Periodic checks for impurities. True the FDA monitors generic drugs, testing for such things as proper dosing and active ingredients. But the agency only checks about 300 “dosage forms,” such as tablets and capsules, among brand-name and generic products a year out of a total of more than three billion prescriptions.

Infrequent inspections. For example in the US the FDA is supposed to inspect each US drug manufacturing plant every two years but the truth is they do not and the excuse is that they lack the resources to meet that requirement.

Overseas manufacturing. An enormous percentage of drug ingredients and raw materials for drugs (primarily generic and over-the-counter) come from India, China and other countries where quality assurance is not as rigorous as in the US and where drug counterfeiting has been a problem and so how does the FDA track this issue or attempt to contain it?

I am certain that the overseas manufacturing plants like those in Malaysia are not inspected or if done certainly less frequently than those in the US!

So common sense will concur that without testing there is no way to tell whether drugs and drug ingredients derived from these plants have impurities or come in “subtherapeutic” doses (for example, a drug labeled as 10 mg may be only 6 mg)!

So my call would be how does a consumer stay safe?

Most of the evidence for problems with generic drugs is based on anecdotal reports.

However, research published in Neurology in 2004 reported that people with epilepsy who switched from the brand-name form of the antiseizure drug phenytoin (Dilantin) to the generic form of the drug began to have higher-than-expected rates of seizures.

Investigators found that in many patients, blood levels of the active ingredient had dropped by 30%.

So should patients give up on generic drugs?

What with the cost savings which may be considerable?

And since there is no conclusive evidence so far that the majority of generic drugs will cause problems for most patients?

A difficult call indeed!

In this kind of situation what does a consumer do?

Stick with one manufacturer. This is particularly important if you’re taking a drug with a narrow therapeutic index (NTI), such as the anticoagulant warfarin, the antipsychotic lithium or the anticonvulsant carbamazepine.

NTI drugs, which typically require periodic blood tests to measure blood levels of the medications, have a very thin margin between an effective dose and a toxic dose. If you are taking a generic form, ask your doctor for the name of the manufacturer and request that the pharmacy stick with that company, if possible to avoid variations between products.

Track your numbers. Many conditions, such as hypertension or high cholesterol, do not cause obvious symptoms. The best way to tell whether a drug is working is to monitor your numbers by taking daily blood pressure readings, tracking blood-sugar levels and keeping track of cholesterol levels with frequent blood tests at your doctor’s office.

Important: Ask your doctor to give you copies of your test results. Check them periodically to make sure that you are maintaining adequate control particularly if you had recently switched from a brand name to a generic or the reverse.

Trust your instincts. Some medications affect the body in subtle ways. A patient taking a thyroid drug, for example, might feel slightly run-down if it is not working exactly the way it should, even if test results appear to be normal.

Pay attention. If you’ have just switched to a generic and notice a difference either in effectiveness or side effects, immediately inform your doctor.

Do a “challenge, re-challenge” test. If you suspect that a generic drug is not working the way it should, write down changes in how long the drug works and side effects.

Then, ask your doctor to switch you to the brand-name equivalent and see if there’ is an improvement.

In most cases it will be apparent in about two weeks. Under the close supervision of your doctor, repeat the test, going back and forth until you have a clear idea which drug is more effective for you.

I hope the FDA would do more than it is at the moment!

The FDA in my contention should respond to complains by analyzing generic drugs to determine if they contain the stated amount of active ingredient.

And if there was misrepresentation punitive action and sanctions must be the order of the day in the public interest!

An advice to consumers addressing complains.

Before you report a drug to the FDA/MOH ask your doctor/pharmacist to provide the name of the manufacturer, the lot number and exactly when the drug was dispensed to you it will be helpful!

I am advised in Malaysia where there is a monopoly given - generics are commonly used and I cannot but wonder who is really doing the serious transparent and accountable check and balances in the public interest?

Or are certain groups enjoying a monopoly thanks to their political connections and sine biotic relationships laughing all the way to the bank at the Malaysian consumers’ expense?

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

THE VULGAR ORGAN TRADE THAT MUST BE STOPPED (Part 2)

‘Speaking of Malaysia can some please enlighten me what happened to Malaysia’s version of the Organ Transplantation Act which was proposed years ago, received enough input and discussion sessions and was ready by the draftsman?’ - Dr Jacob George

THE VULGAR ORGAN TRADE THAT MUST BE STOPPED (Part 2)

In the film John Q, Denzel Washington plays a working class dad who holds a hospital

Room at gunpoint to get a transplant for his 9 year old son!

The film is a classic critique of modern day healthcare not just in the developed countries like the United States, Britain, and the European Union but across the globe from South Africa to Brazil, from India to China, From Japan to West Asian countries and not forgetting the Asia Pacific Region and interestingly even Singapore and 1Malaysia!

The overpowering theme in the film John Q is hard to miss – the poor, the marginalized, those having no political Godfathers, crafty health ministers even if they are the worst in the nation’s history – or worst the pariahs of the modern world – the greedy profiteering Insurance companies without whose coverage even with curtails and riddled with exclusion clauses without which organ transplants would be sacrificed at the altars of greed and obese profits!

I sincerely pray all these raises some very unsettling theological, ethical and moral questions about Malaysia’s short and long term agenda and vision towards accessible and affordable healthcare, our ability to prolong life and who really deserves that opportunity!

Speaking of Malaysia can some please enlighten me what happened to Malaysia’s version of the Organ Transplantation Act which was proposed years ago, received enough input and discussion sessions and was ready by the draftsman?

Is it gathering dusts in someone’s personal library or under some other heaps of other legislation much needed but certainly not the politician’s priority now?

It is perhaps better to concentrate on more acts and legislation drafted with fury to contain our opposition politicians rather than address these national humanitarian issues?

We need to address this issue and need soon!

Only a few weeks ago a surgeon in California killed a patient to harvest an organ which does not surprise me given the absurdly long waits for donated organs.

The statistics are overwhelming.

Some 96,825 patients are waiting for an organ donation in the United States, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.

In 2002, more than 6,000 people died during their wait.

It is the same everywhere – and – unless you have a relative or some other highly motivated and altruistic donor, there is no legal way to improve your chances in the painfully slow race against death.

The shortage of organs available for donation from unrelated donors has led to the macabre black market that exists today.

National Geographic reports that a poor neighborhood in India is known as “kidney village,” since residents illegally sell their kidneys for about $800, far less than the $100,000 that some recipients have been willing to pay.

In other words - a whole new industry, ‘transplant tourism’ has emerged to meet the needs of the wealthy patients creating demand.

Current patients face a choice between two extremes:

1. Wait for a fundamentally broken system and risk death, or

2. Venture into the unregulated Wild West of the black market for organs.

The time has come for the international community to act as one to address this issue cross geographical boundaries and under international law!

We need a regulated system that save lives, reduce the shortages that promote the black market, and level the playing field, by helping all potential recipients, not just those who can afford a trip to Kidney Village!

We must declare a war against international rings and cartels be they South Africans, Brazilians, Indians, Chinese or Malaysians dealing in this illegal and repulsive organ trade!

We need not continue to hear of some poor unfortunate individual who groggily comes to in a hotel room either in India, China or some South American or African state writhing in pain with a huge set of stitches down his back, usually in a bathtub full of ice!

The last thing he remembers was sitting at the bar drinking with a leggy blonde.

It turns out that he is missing one of his kidneys!

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

NAJIB WILL SPEARHEAD POLITICAL RECONCILIATION, CIVIL LIBERTIES FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD AS A NATION!

‘We should not go backwards into the dark days of a past dictatorial and repulsive regime!’ - Dr Jacob George

TIME TO BRING ABOUT POLITICAL RECONCILIATION, SPEARHEAD CIVIL LIBERTIES AND MOVE FORWARD AS A NATION!

While in India recently (the IT capital of the world) I was repeatedly asked by a wide cross section of people comprising retired judges, diplomats, human rights and civil liberty lawyers, politicians and ministers why my government had ‘transgressed a great sin’ by its decision to block access to the news portal deemed opposition!

They asked me whether this was another onslaught on civil liberties, tantamount to internet censorship, a desperate act by a government that was seeing repeated defeats and rejections by the vary demography that kept them in power for so long.

They wondered why the government refused to listen to the clear signals coming from the ground telling them that change was necessary – real change and one where the fundamentals of good governance, transparency, accountability, freedom of information, a rejection of racial, racist and religious bigotry is seen as a hallmark and pillar of democracy and one where political opponents are not targeted by newly coined legislation which is fast tracked and without the scrutiny of a select committee of independent legal and civil rights experts!

Yes, indeed quite a mouth full!

To understand their concern you must see and be in India – to see how politics and independence of the various organs of government operate!

You can see how any ordinary Indian citizen has access to decision making processes, billion dollars tender and award documents and contracts thanks to India’s Rights to Information Act 2005!

A legislation that makes certain that one cannot hide by dubious claims of national security and other fictional excuses whenever one is asked to be accountable and transparent to decisions involving millions of dollars.

And more certain that in India - you cannot smear a website seditious without giving the accused an opportunity to defend itself/themselves – a vary act that in all legally trained, politically mature and cultured minds is ultra vires!

I wonder if our great intelligentsia and intelligence community are keeping cognizance that the fact is once again we are showing the world that we show great contempt for the principle of fair play, accountability, good governance, transparency and natural justice for one’s political agenda and expediency!

It will be a pity if – the ‘government-backed watchdog’ instead of being a moderator and facilitator decides a role otherwise which creates more controversy.

In Parliament, former Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar defended the said move saying that the ban was issued because certain portals published “libelous, defamatory and slanderous” content.

Those were ‘his claims’ but as trained lawyers we are expected to show better judgment and needing to provide the evidence to prove our claims!

And in the mind of all law abiding and rational people this can only be derived after an independent and  comprehensive investigation is done by an independent group of investigators selected for their credibility, independence, and proven track record!

And why fear – if those allegations are indeed true - for Malaysia is packed with all kinds of laws already on the statute books to address such allegations and if the need be we can ask our ‘boys and gals’ at the legal intelligentsia to immediately work on another law just to ‘trap our political foes?’ (Pun intended!)

But that will be going backwards into the dark days of a past dictatorial and repulsive regime!

The truth is as we have just celebrated the nation’s 52 Independence Day and we need to address issues in the country differently if we want to win back the ‘hearts and minds’ of the electorate for the next General Election!

It cannot be ‘business as usual!’

It must be radically different from the way former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad addressed policy issues in this country!

Many still blame Mahathir for the ‘rot we are in today’ despite him singing ‘a different tune these days!’

This means we need to address domination, draconian and unjust laws, corruption, unclothe political behavior, racist tendencies and outbursts and a clear travesty of natural justice, and uphold civil liberties, internet freedom and access to portals providing alternative views and stands?

I believe ‘hands on’ - Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has started to address these issues unlike previous administrations and I am certain the pleas of this writer will soon be reflected in the nations’ ordinances as we move forward as 1MALAYSIA!

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

THE VULGAR ORGAN TRADE THAT MUST BE STOPPED!

‘To me this is a repugnant trade that must be stopped by a legislation that is effective across borders!

We need a Organ Transplantation Act!’ - Dr Jacob George

‘its all for sale?’
THE VULGAR ORGAN TRADE THAT MUST BE STOPPED!

We need to remind all readers that:

Fifty thousand Americans are waiting to receive organs and ten of them die everyday.

Waiting time for organs vary widely from one region to the next.

US Federal government is trying to nationalize the distribution network to make availability more equitable.

In retaliation, several states legislatures have outlawed the export of body parts across state lines.

Pennsylvania in the USA recently became the first state to compensate donors for organs, fudging the federal law that prohibits organ sales.

I am aware that not only in the US but elsewhere - large medical centers and small hospitals are vying for the lucrative transplant trade.

All these raise many ethical, moral, religious and legal questions that need conclusive answers in the light of greed that knows no boundaries!

I am raising these issues in the first of a three part series after being alerted of new reports that the crime of trafficking organs is gaining momentum in several countries unhindered.

Worst today the traffickers are not just brokers but people with a professional standing in society among them doctors, lawyers, politicians and priests!

I was shocked to be alerted by colleagues in the US that five rabbis were indicted in July after an investigation in New Jersey stumbled upon a pipeline apparently involving poor Israeli Jews being trafficked into the United States to sell their kidneys.

I was really saddened and shocked that one such rabbi allegedly paid $10,000 to the kidney seller and pocketed $100,000 as his fee.

There was further shocks waiting to all who dealt with that case when investigations revealed he had been in the organ business for a decade.

If that was not shocking enough a North Carolina tissue bank was involved in a recall of tainted tissues obtained from funeral homes, whose directors were allegedly paid $1,000 a body.

These are not just the odd reports that surfaces as I always believe for each reported or identified case more than ten get away be they rape cases, incest, forgeries, trafficking in drugs, counter bands, arms or women!

As far as trafficking of body parts for hard cash are concerned I am aware of many such reports in Sri Lanka, India, Germany, Latvia, Egypt, Brazil, the Philippines, Moldova, Albania, China, and many other nations.

I believe the estimate that says bought kidneys are used in up to 5 percent of transplants to be rather conservative!

To me this is a repugnant trade that must be stopped by a legislation that is effective across borders!

It must be engineered at The Hague, cosponsored by the United Nations and heavily endorsed by the US, the European Union and Russia!

To put in a nut shell I see two main provisions that need to be spearheaded.

As professionals in a calling - we must behave as such!

First legislation must be carefully worded, monitored and enforced with punitive sanctions that put fear into transplant teams and hospitals involved in organs and tissues transplant.

There is no excuse for incompetence or greed and they should be responsible for making sure that the requisite consent is in place and that middlemen, brokers, and others from various professional disciplines be they attorneys, doctors, specialists are not exploiting people for their body parts.

Second it is plainly unethical, really repugnant to try to make one’s living by the maiming and suffering of another who already is poor, marginalized and in need!

So in my book certainly there is no place in the transplant world for profiting from organs and tissues. The buying of body parts leads to organs and tissues of poor quality from sick sellers. It also leads to exploitation of the poor and the marginalized!

Many reading this article will say I am a boy scout an idealist unaware of the realities of life!

To them I say you will be surprised what ‘this boy scout’ has endured from a young age of 7!

I am aware that eliminating trafficking in human organs and tissues would be difficult in any part of the world without cross border legislature and hard core support from the UN, the European Union, the US, Russia and several other countries!

I am aware the real shortages around the world makes this trade extremely lucrative with the haves exploiting the have not!

But for the world to stand by and not react to this repulsive trade and business makes us all culpable of a sin and betrayal that will not wash – period!

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

LESSONS FOR US FROM TERRORISTS ATTACKS ON CIVILIAN POPULATION!

‘Malaysians cannot but be thankful to the government and the law and enforcement divisions here for the peace and stability we enjoy!’ - Dr Jacob George

LESSONS FOR US FROM TERRORISTS ATTACKS ON CIVILIAN POPULATION!

The terrorist attack on Mumbai, India, on 26 November was a huge shocking event for the world (above left)

There is no denying that millions of television viewers around the world were devastatingly shocked as they witnessed the cruel and heinous attack on civilian centers and a military installation in the United States of America or the recent attacks in Mumbai which resulted in unnecessary civilian and non combatant’s deaths!

Many thousands of lives are believed to have been lost in such brutal and calculated attacks be they at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon, the hub of United States Military, using civilians and American airlines as “human Bombs” or at embassies, market places, places of worship and hotels!

No one doubts that there was extensive planning and coordination before all these brutal and inhuman feats were perpetrated on each and every nation targeted!

The huge loss of civilian lives, injuries and the destruction of property by such unprecedented terrorist attacks cannot but be condemned by all peace loving and law abiding international community!

As a result today these despicable actions bring an element of immense fear and terror on ordinary peace loving people, not only in the United States of America, but across the world.

This brutal and horrendous attack on mostly civilian population continues to confirm that there is no security as long as there are evil individuals and groups obsessed in enforcing their views and political philosophy on the masses.

The attack clearly proves that militant and fundamentalist religious groups will not hesitate to take innocent lives, destroy property and threaten the lives of millions of people to enforce their political and religious views and agenda on the masses!

hotel in Peshawar, Pakistan also a target.

With the United States of America and more recently in India and Pakistan mourning her loss, and imposing a national and military alert, it is hoped that her intelligence and federal enforcement units would conduct immediate postmortems on it national security measures.

Today, as her friends, all Malaysians share India’s and Pakistan’s loss and sorrows.

In reflection, it is moment like this that all Malaysians cannot but be thankful to the government and the law and enforcement divisions here for the peace and stability we enjoy, despite attempts by certain groups to undermine the security of this nation.

It is moment like this that we cannot but be prepared to support the government’s preventive actions to protect the peace and security of our nation from those bent on enforcing their will and political affiliations on the silent majority who treasure living in harmony endowed with religious, racial and cultural diversity.

It is moment like this that we in Malaysia must advise our government and our security and intelligence units to undertake all efforts to safeguard the peace and security of our nation, and to ensure that Malaysia will not become a hub, target or a transit point for sleeper agents, local or international terrorists groups!

We must forever be vigilant and our intelligence gathering capabilities made sharper and provided all the needed financial support and resources to be at par with their counterparts in the US, Germany, the UK and even Israel!

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

CON & SCAM ARTISTS NOW INFILTRATE INTERNETS’ SOCIAL NETWORKS!

‘These con artists are now already operating in Malaysia and under various guises so please do be careful!’ - Dr Jacob George

CON & SCAM ARTISTS NOW INFILTRATE INTERNETS’ SOCIAL NETWORKS!

I went undercover and managed to help retrieve Sarah’s (not her real name) monies in an internet dating scam but you may not be that lucky - so read on and be alerted!

In the following case the predator is a female but the ‘modus operandi’ is the same using the same network!

If you had monitored the scam letters regarding ill stashed millions of generals, dead presidents, oil ministers or deposed regimes you will noticed many similarities herein!

In another case involving a Singaporean, the trickster this time a woman claims to be 44, divorced, a Christian but Indian Orthodox of French descendants but now living in Kingston Upon Hull in the UK.

And she wrote the following in a popular marriage website having clients the world over!

Her said introduction is reproduced here unedited.

‘My DEAREST ONE
Greetings to you and your family in the name of God.

In my search for a reliable and God fearing person and having gotten your contact through prayers and painstaking efforts I have decided to seek your help in carrying out my last wishes.
As you read this, I don’t want you to feel sorry for me, because, I believe everyone will die someday. My name is Mrs. Anna Dash. I am a merchant of France nationality but presently residing in London. I have good health with attractive look.
I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this, as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world.
I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that God has called me, I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few close friends.
I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul, so I have decided to give almost to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds.
I am looking for trustworthy man who can give me love & will make me happy which i lost in my life.
I wish to live remaining life with him, travel around the world & enjoy every moment with him.
So please contact me if you smart, trustworthy, loyal, well educated & willing to settle with me.

Mrs Anna Dash’

How it all started?

It all started after I was tipped off after a member of my church ‘Sarah’ who frequented the same website and was tricked of a few thousand ringgit by the same con (similar letter and phrases used except in that the candidate was a male Caucasian) after the said proposal/friend claimed to have arrived in KLIA and called her mobile informing her that he was detained by the Immigration for bringing into the country Pound Sterling 50,000.00 and wanted her to part with RM15, 000.00 to help free him from his alleged captors who had allegedly detained him at KLIA and wanted a kickback!

Poor woman did not have so much money but all the same she sent by telegraphic transfer part payment of a few thousand ringgit after that said Caucasian and the alleged captors spoke to her numerous times with all kinds and nature of threats and inducements.

After sending the monies she calls me and alerts me and in fact was extremely rude demanding that I use my contacts in the Home Ministry to get him released.

She showed me his photograph which she carried in her mobile but failed to answer intelligently the questions I had raised!

She was adamant that the entire episode was not staged – silly and foolish woman!

Though I knew it was a con and that she had being tricked she was adamant that her ‘friend’ was ‘innocent’ and in trouble.

I advised her to lodge several police reports which she did. I followed through with alerting the said bank to which the monies was transferred successfully getting the account frozen.

I got the mobile company to track the number and with friends in important places set the stage to detain them.

They even had the audacity to call me, speaking in unadulterated English and Bahasa Malaysia instructing me how they wanted the payments made.

When they failed to withdraw the monies through the ATM - they knew their game was up!

They escaped before the authorities could detain them and in most cases they do - strange which makes them all the more bolder as they run this kind and other scams the world over, including Malaysia!

The bank was extremely cordial and assisted us all the way and eventually the said monies were retrieved but I am certain there are hundreds of similar cases that were not so lucky!

I checked with sources in the Home Ministry and found no such detention was in place more so under the claims of which it was cited.

As such we repeat herein our advice.

Please be extremely careful as there are a mixed bag of con artists at work as you can see from the manner the above script is written.

A careful analysis of the said writing, the key and common phrases used should alert even the adventurers and foolish amongst us!

Sarah (not her real name) was lucky but you may not be so stay smart and safe!

These con artists are now already operating in Malaysia and under various guises, so please do be careful!

They come in all nationalities, professions and are very slick so be warned!

They frequent where ‘high society perverts’ hang out usually flashing their ill gotten wealth while tracking their next prey!

Time and speed is of the essence!

Alert the police if you suspect anything out of the ordinary!

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

HIGHWAYS AND TOLLS TAKEOVER – ARE ‘CORPORATE BARBARIANS’ AGAIN AT OUR GATES?

‘The manner privatization is initiated in Malaysia is vulgar’ - Dr Jacob George

HIGHWAYS AND TOLLS TAKEOVER – ARE ‘CORPORATE BARBARIANS’ AGAIN AT OUR GATES?

I was not surprised that my comments were omitted in a newspaper report which ran a story about a group behind the audacious RM50 billion plans to take over toll highways in Malaysia!

And why should they not after I called the entire scheme – ‘extremely vulgar!’

‘Vulgar’ because instead of addressing pertinent issues about the still concealed concession agreements and the arrogant manner highways, tolls and concessionaires are managed - we are getting a new story spin in our face about another venture, again by a third force dangling a carrot to gain consumer support by promising cutting rates by 20 per cent while not spending a single sen of government money?

Same tune but different outfit!

The plan is for the said group to buy all 22 highway concessions and place them under one holding company.

Then using their jargon – ‘economies of scale’ - to consolidate and reduce operational costs?

But where will they get that 50 Billion in the first place?

And – no - the said plan is not the renegotiation of a one sided deal which gave notoriously politically connected individuals and their political Godfathers a cash cow!

It is not about discussing why we in Malaysia are using public funds to make private individuals vulgarly rich, giving them access to peoples’ funds, financial and collateral support, an agreement that absorbs them from the financial challengers, pitfalls and liabilities of any private business deals and assures them a ‘win win situation’ where profits are assured unlimited!

Here again in discussion is not a nationalization of the highway assets but instead a normal private sector acquisition initiative!

First and for most – lessons have not being learnt!

Second - roads are public amenities and the government must never wash their hands away from their responsibility to have control over it!

Third – the manner the concessionaires have behaved it is pertinent that the government instead of allowing a third private entity to gain control of it should herself initiate a takeover of all the 22 privatized roads using perhaps the EPF!

We keep forgetting the fundamentals of governance and a government’s responsibility in having locus in the running and managing a country’s infrastructure which contributes to the social and economic development of the people not just for those who can afford to pay to use it!

In this case – it is clear that those behind the plot are politically connected players and I can smell the presence of a subtle force of perhaps a ‘former finance minister of Malaysia’ involved herein?

If ‘HE’ is involved you do not have to be a ‘rocket scientist’ to guess where the 50 billion is coming from!

But putting it bluntly – this scheme proposed has nothing new in it except that boast of a 20% cut in toll rates and even that circumvented by a longer concession tenure which I agree will lessen Government’s subsidies by some RM114 billion but offers nothing else new!

But knowing how politics, politicians and politically connected big business operates in Malaysia I am sure we have not heard the last of this venture!

More so if my suspicion is correct that – ‘HE’ – is involved!

But I remain confident that Premier Najib Tun Razak (above left) having ‘price sensitive information, intelligence and data’ on how Malaysians feel ‘about these things’ will make certain that consumer interests remains paramount in all future ventures!
 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

BLESSED DIWALI 1MALAYSIA

‘Blessed Diwali 1MALAYSIA!’

Wishing all a Blessed Diwali 2009!

May this day bring all of us GOD RICHEST BLESSINGS AND FAVOR!

May our beloved nation experience peace, cordiality, the outpouring of efforts of transparency, good governance, accountability and zero tolerance to corruption and every act that is evil!

May good always prevail over evil!

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

THE ENVIRONMENT – MAKING A DIFFERENCE - CAN 1MALAYSIA LEARN A THING OR TWO FROM THIS EPISODE?

‘If only more governments around the world ‘walk the talk’, that includes, the US, the European Union, China and India this world of ours will be a lovely place to live in!’ - Dr Jacob George  

THE ENVIRONMENT – MAKING A DIFFERENCE - CAN 1MALAYSIA LEARN A THING OR TWO FROM THIS EPISODE?

If you had thought that the ‘big and mighty’ among the international renowned environmental policy makers, draftsmen, negotiators and analysts of the developed or developing nations will make that ‘crucial and pinpoint difference’ in the ‘UN CONFERENCE ON CLIMATIC CHANGE in Bali, Indonesia – many of us were dead wrong!

That brilliant position went to - the delegate from Papua New Guinea, Kevin Mark Conrad (see above left), who calmly leaned into his microphone and said coolly but with commitment and drive to the most powerful country in the world - the United States of America :

“We seek your leadership,”  “But if for some reason you are not willing to lead, leave it to the rest of us. Please get out of the way.”

The result that U.N. climate conference exploded with applause, the U.S. delegation backed down after an earlier rejection and ‘hard line approach’, and the way was cleared for adoption of the “Bali Roadmap.”

That was for me was ‘the hallmark’ of the 2 weeks of international climate talks marked by bitter disagreements, emotional breakdowns and tears and angry accusations which culminated in a last-minute U.S. compromise and an agreement to adopt a blueprint for fighting global warming by 2009.

Now comes the real hard part.

Delegates from about nearly 190 nations will have to get their ‘act together in one mind and course’ fixing goals for industrialized nations to cut their greenhouse gas emissions while helping developing countries cut their own emissions and adapt to rising temperatures.

The said negotiators need to consider ways to encourage developing countries to protect their rapidly dwindling forests — which absorb carbon dioxide.

As far as I am concerned, it is going to be - complex, long and difficult negotiations filled with all forms and shapes of challenges!

For the record – those who had gathered on the resort island of Bali to launch negotiations to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012, had gathered with hope for a miracle breakthrough!

Knowing fully well that what they decide in the next two years will help determine how much the world warms in the decades to come.

It is with knowledge and fact that without sharp cutbacks in emissions of the industrial, transportation and agricultural gases we are set for an environmental nightmare!

Among the severe consequences — from rising seas, droughts, severe weather, species extinction and other effects!

I am advised that to avoid the worst case scenario present emissions should be reduced by 25 percent to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020.

And Greenhouse and other heat-trapping gases should be reduced at least by half by 2050!

But we must thank Papua New Guinea and one Kevin Mark Conrad for ‘that difference’ a ‘miracle breakthrough’ when all seem lost, in the face of an American hard line approach!

Also for the kind of truthful and dedicated leadership, one admires the world over which was without fanfare, media built ups, the kinds of spins, fabrication, distortions, half truths, lies, blatant lies, ‘distorted statistics’ and an absolute abuse of the power which we have become so used to and tolerate!

In that international event – one small nation called Papua New Guinea not a superpower had showed dedication, drive and an honest faithful leadership they braved all to ‘walk the talk!’

There are serious lessons to be learnt here and as I indicated in my keynote address ‘Consumerism, Environmentalism and Human Rights’ and ‘Reflections of a Consumer Advocate’ at the INTI College, Penang Award Presentation ceremony on Wednesday Oct 14, 2009, a few weeks earlier with University Malaya and UiTM Students on the same!

INTI Education Group has done very well introducing and participating in many social concerns with their realistic, dynamic and heartfelt form of teaching and at this program and thanks to my friends at the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) and The Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam Selangor (CASSA) who participated in this day long session to raise awareness and commitment to make a stand for the environment and for consumer rights!

As was indicated by the action and response of a tiny nation Papua New Guinea not a superpower where she showed dedication, drive and an honest faithful leadership and they braved all to ‘walk the talk!’

There are lessons to be learnt here for 1MALAYSIA!

Size really does not matter but the commitment and drive to make a difference and ‘walk the talk!’

I sincerely hope we can all learn a thing or two from this episode?

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

ON RISING DEATHS, BLOTCHED SURGERIES AND UNQUALIFIED FOREIGNERS PERFORMING OPERATIONS IN OUR HOSPITALS?

‘I am seeking an answer not just on the background of the persons but also the very rational whether the decision to perform the invasive procedure was necessary?’ - Dr Jacob George

ON RISING DEATHS, BLOTCHED SURGERIES AND UNQUALIFIED FOREIGNERS PERFORMING OPERATIONS IN OUR HOSPITALS?

How much does the average patient or the respective families know about those who are treating their loved ones in Malaysian public hospitals?

These could be surgeons performing the said operations, of the assisting anesthetist and others supporting during an episode.

Truly, how much do we know about these individuals?

I am seeking an answer not just on the background of the persons but also the very rational whether the decision to perform invasive procedure was necessary?

My first concern has always being who is the person who is performing the operation and is that person really academically and clinically qualified (certified by peers) – my two important qualification and limbs?

Having academic qualifications alone is not sufficient!

If anyone out there thinks that I am not qualified to raise that question think again!

As a consumer advocate with over 38 years experience and addressing all kinds of consumer grouses and policy deliberations and having personally monitored all Malaysian public hospitals from 1977 and its issues raised repeatedly in the mainstream media I think I know what I am talking about!

Now – are there individuals mostly doctors and surgeons operating in Malaysia without qualified certification and in some cases blatantly using powerful politicians and members of Royal families to endorse this endeavor?

Let me get specific!

Are there foreigners from unrecognized medical colleges employed to teach in Malaysian teaching hospitals run by the Higher Education Ministry who are also performing surgeries and other procedures?

If this is so why is it happening?

There are also allegations of blotched surgeries, of deaths or worst the attempt to cover up such misadventures?

There are allegations of blotched surgeries from private hospitals ending up for review and damage control at public hospitals, cases from within public hospitals repeating itself because action has not been taken or worst when those brought in to only teach at our medical faculties decide to also practice!

This must be addressed and those involved dealt with!
I maintain that all doctors and surgeons from what ever disciplines must be regularly accredited by the select committee of lead surgeons in this country before they are allowed to participate in any operations within!

I maintain that there should also be a review of mortality rates in all government and private hospitals in this country undertaken by another select committee comprising not only the accredited local experts, but renowned authorities from abroad, local consumer advocates and others periodically!

When there are cases of blotched surgeries there is no question why the person (s) involved should be also suspended and sent for retraining and review before being allowed to operate again by the select committee of experts!

My pertinent question is this happening in Malaysia today?

Since I know only too well that it is not let me get on to the next question?

Can we start now?

First we need to immediately suspend all doctors and surgeons from unrecognized medical colleges or universities from performing surgeries in all three kinds of hospitals in Malaysia – public, teaching and private!

And second it is time we had a nationwide register on mortalities in the country’s hospitals be it public, teaching or private.

It is time to put into cold storage and review all those who are not qualified and the need more so in the public interest!

As far as I am concerned whether it is a teaching hospital, private or public – the prerogative and power must be with our Ministry of Health to decide – period!

Many have forgotten the golden rules of what I will call ‘Jacob’s 9 Patient Charter Principles’ namely:

1. RESPECT: Respect, dignity and consideration always being the hallmark.
2. SAFETY: We should promote safe and competent care
3. ACCESS: There should be equity of access to public healthcare.
4. COSTS: The costs should be fair and reasonable leaving no room for profiteering!
5. COMMUNICATION: Communication is paramount and should be the trade throughout the period of patient care!
6. INFORMATION: Information on treatment, services, care should be constant and periodically updated!
7. PARTICIPATION: This facilitates informed decisions and choices
8. PRIVACY: There should an assurance that personal data and information is secure!
9. REDRESS: There should be a professional mechanism having care and concerns addressed!

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!