One Fingering the 10th Malaysia Plan

Who prepared the 10^th Malaysia Plan? It sounds so APCOish- another PR exercise meant to boost the PM's popularity. We must be living in the dark ages- easily suckered by the myth-making machinery.

Or it must be written by some people who get some kick out of rhymed thematic association. Hence 10 big ideas for 10^th Malaysia Plan. Next year, 11 big ideas for some other plan. Eleven being the PM's favorite number.

The high income economy depends of Malaysia getting a 6% growth in the economy. The TPM says this is doable. Private investments through the likes of Sapuras, Syed Mokhtars, Nazas, Gamudas, etc can give us the almost 13% growth rate in private investments. Not difficult- give them all the strategic business deals. Moreover they are Bumiputera- giving to them, over and over again is justifiable because it's done in the name of Malays. In the meantime, never mind if Felda, the plantation has to borrow from EPF. It's our father's money.

This kind of argument is demeaning to the Malays- I am sorry to give this analogy- it's like ignoring somebody else making love to your loved one. Never mind, as long as the loved one gets the sex. Rape in the name of BUmiputera.

So, if we Malays ignore and countenance this kid of condescending and by nature inherently exploitative argument, the Malays will be doomed. Syed Mokhtar for example started with selling rice or something. He has been given many other things. Last I heard, even the supply of tanks to the military is being done by Syed Mokhtar. Does he have the experience and expertise in doing that kind of business before he was given? None. He was given because of who he is not because of what he actually can do.

By citing this argument against the Syed Mokhtars, I am not forgetting those non Malays who hitched a ride of the privileged bandwagon. The Yeohs, the Kim Siews and of course the Vincent Tans. You are not serious in suggesting that these people are better upstairs are you?

The same people will now be rushing and tripping over each other making a beeline to the PM's office or maybe grovel at the feet of the PM's wife to get an early hearing. Services? Ah yes- health care is a gold mine. Education. Insurance for the government. Tony Fernandez is eying the hospitality and health care business. Give them licenses, monopolies etc. they can create the wealth which will enable to give us the coveted USD 15k PCI. That's the One Finger Malaysia way. Pointing in the right direction of course!

I am saying Ibrahim Ali has got it wrong. The 10^th Malaysia Plan is not going to incorporate his demands because if they are, the 10^th Malaysia Plan isn't going to succeed. Why? Because essentially, the 10^th Malaysia Plan depends on private investments. And private investors are not likely to be enamored with the incendiary calls by Ibrahim and his gang. PM Najib will of course be looking at the bigger picture. The sacrifice of Ibrahim Ali is part of a bigger picture of inducing private investments and realization of his USD15,000 PCI target.

How will it get to this? To create and ferment that attractiveness, the government will hit three areas - half its deficit, reshape the workforce and push for urbanization. The simplest way is to go on a cavorting binge with the private sector (read those names that I mentioned above) hence the increase in privatization by five-fold over the 9MP from twelve billion to almost sixty three billion with fifty two projects. It will also add twenty billion to mezzanine some of the PFIs.

• Redevelopment of Kg Abdullah Hukum- Setia 6 billion.
  
• MRT Greater Kuala Lumpur -Gamuda 35 bil.
  
• Gaming License Ascot/Vincent Tan 1 bil.
  
• Sg Besi RMAF Base Malton Group 15 bil.
  
• Pahang water transfer Loh&LOh 0.5 bil.
  

Everything's in the pipeline baby! Perkasa- we will support completely what this government is doing.