Unacceptable! Malaysia's score in TI corruption index slipping further

Datuk Seri Nazir Razak: "Malaysia must overcome corruption and carry out more market-oriented reforms if it is to move up from being a middle-income economy."

Nazir said this during an interview with Financial Times, and admitted that corruption remains a problem, and it is something that needs to be combated. It is easy to concur with a man of his calibre. But wait, if taking one's opinion is hard for you, just look at the following statistics made available by Transparency International.


* Datuk Seri Nazir. Photo credit: The Malaysian Insider


Corruption perception index slipping for the fourth year running

Malaysia’s score in Transparency International’s corruption perception index is slipping for the fourth year running; on a 10-point scale, where 10 represents no corruption, Malaysia dropped from 5.1 in 2008 to 4.3 in 2011? One can always argue about the methodology used in obtaining these figures, but this can at least give us some indicators:

2008 : 5.1 out of possible 10.
2009 : 4.5
2010 : 4.4
2011 : 4.3   [By comparison, Singapore index is 9.2]

The country’s ranking also fell to 60 out of 183 countries — between Saudi Arabia and Cuba — from 56 out of 178 last year. Malaysia remained the third-least corrupt nation in Asean after Singapore (9.2) and Brunei (5.2), with Thailand (3.4) and Indonesia (3.0) following in fourth and fifth places respectively.

If you ask me for figure, I'd say 3 to 4 but this is purely based on perception. No hard facts and don't ask me to show one. Perception is derived from daily experience and impression so these are all subjective.

What do you think?


Reference:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/litee/print/malaysia/corruption-blocking-malaysias-leap-into-higher-income-status-says-nazir-razak/

Philippine crocodile 'Lolong' is declared largest

Guinness World Records recently declared a giant reptile known as Lolong, the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity in the world. Prior to its capture in September, the crocodile was believed to have attacked and killed people in the farming town of Bunawan. The small town has a population of about 37,000.

Lolong measured more than 20 feet long. Photo credit: celeinfo.blogspot.com

As reported by AP, the huge crocodile has brought mixed feelings of pride and fear, as well as bringing in tourism revenue and attention to the remote southern Philippines town where it was captured. While people take pride of the rich biodiversity in Bunawan, they also fear that Lolong may not be alone and bigger crocs might be lurking.


Tourists attraction

Lolong has become the star attraction of a new ecotourism park and research center in the outskirts of Bunawan and has drawn thousands of tourists since news of its capture spread. Mayor Edwin C Elorde said his town has earned 3 million pesos from the modest entrance fees at the park, with most of the money being used to feed and care for the crocodile and maintain the park.

The announcement by Guiness would help people realize the biodiversity of their surroundings and the need to protect it. For this reason the Environment and Natural Resources department would recommend that the government help Bunawan to become an ecotourism destination.


About the crocodile

Lolong: named after a govt environmental officer who died during the course of capturing the reptile.
Length: 20.24 feet (6.17 metres)
Weight: more than 1 tonne
Earning: ₱3 million so far (US$72,000)
Capture: captured after a 3-week hunt
Record breaker: re-write previous record by Australian crocodile, 17-feet weighing nearly a tonne.


Our Sarawak's Bujang Senang a contender?

If you recall, there was a documented capture of a white-backed killer crocodile in Malaysia called Bujang Senang (Happy Bachelor) that has attacked and killed villagers in Sarawak town of Sri Aman. Bujang Senang measured 19.25 feet and was killed by villagers at Sungai Pelaban in Lingga Batang Lupar, Sri Aman on 20 September 1992? Google "Bujang Senang" and you will find quite a lot of interesting information about it.

That's almost comparable to Lolong and is definitely larger than the one in Australia but it was not recorded by Guiness.

Australians brace for carbon tax impacts

Australia Prime Minister Julia Gillard hailed the move to bring in a carbon tax in a bid to tackle climate change. The tax on corporate pollution will force about 350 major polluters to pay A$23 (RM81.00) for every tonne of carbon emissions they produce.

Video grab from 7News. Power plant is one of the top industrial polluters that will be hit hard by the Carbon Tax implementation

    File picture by voanews.com. Australians are not happy with the introduction of carbon tax.

What is Carbon tax?

It's a tax on the carbon content of fuels or, in effect, a tax on the carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels. It levies a fee on the use of fossil fuels based on how much carbon their combustion emits. Sometime people call it pollution tax.


Australia did it on July 1

Many large users of carbon resources in electricity generation are resisting carbon taxation. Some notable examples are the United States, Russia, China and Japan.

PM Julia Gillard said that Australia has been debating on putting price on carbon and tackling climate change now for many long years. With the scheme, it is hoped that by 2020, Australia's carbon polution will be lesser by 159 million tonnes per year than it would be otherwise. This is equivalent to taking 45 million cars off the road.

Fixed carbon tax is for the first 3 years, followed by market-based carbon trading scheme after that.

Certain parliamentarian claimed that this 'flawed' policy will rake in $36 billion for the government over four years, and many small business as well as families are dreading its implications. Many believe that the cost of living will soar and it will hurt the industry.


Will we (Malaysians) be affected?

One of the industries that is bracing for the carbon tax implications is cattle production.

Beef Central Australia claimed that direct on-costs for producers will include a widely anticipated 9-10c/litre increase in the cost of aviation fuel, which affects the many larger-scale operations that reply upon helicopter and fixed wing-aircraft for mustering and property management.

We import large amount of cattle products from Australia as well as New Zealand, as such, we could perhaps also be on the receiving end.


Are we paying Carbon tax too?

Indirectly, yes.

Under the Renewable Energy Act 2011, there are four clean energy sources that are entitled to the FIT program, namely Biomass, Solar PV, Small Hydro and Biogas. Energy produced from these clean sources are paid premium rates and is funded by the 1% levy on consumers consuming 350kWh of electricity and above.

What this means is that the more energy you use -  which is primarily generated from fossil fuels - the more fees (or tax, if you like) will be levied on you. This is almost the description of Carbon Tax.

So, yes, in a way we are paying tax for similar purpose.