Reducing Subsidy or Reducing Corruption?

On last week, Idris Jala revealed the fact that we are heavily subsidized and that if the country continues to be run that way, it will face bancruptcy by year 2019! (full details in http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/27/nation/20100527171008&sec=nation
Yes, we have to be awared that we are given the highest subsidies - 4.6 per cent of GDP even higher than Indonesia (2.7 per cent) & Philippines (0.2 per cent). What Idris failed to adress is the fact that the government operating expenditure has been soaring over the past years and that the deficiencies in the delivery system has caused billions of ringgit losses to the country.
Few recent examples are the PKFZ scandal and the huge overrun of Bakun Dam project. There were certainly misconduct by certain party which Rakyat ended up have to foot the bill.
On the other hand, what had government done in curbing corruption? Millions of Ringgit can be salvaged and channeled to even allowing greater subsidy for the poor if there is politically will to curb corruption. I felt ashamed to claim myself as Malaysian when looking at the deteriorating standing of us in the Corruption Index
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BFM 89.9

Yes, I am going to talk about Radio Station.
I recently came across this station when performing my random "seek" at the FM frequencies on my boring drive to work in one morning.
It was the voice of Caroline Oh the ex Lite FM DJ that induced me to listen on. Then that was these funny slogans such as "Best Footfall Moment", "Bribe Free Malaysian", "Busy Finding Money" that attracted me to stay on. Out of curiousity, I was trying to find out what on earth is this station is all about.
Well, BFM is actually the first and only one Business radio station in Malaysia. Its main focus is obviously business news, market summary, exclusive interviews with corporate figures, etc. Sounds dry isn't it, but not really. The good thing about this station is that it strike a balance between business and entertainment. Segments such as sports, lifestyles, and entertainment info serve in between the music and business segments.
It is not my favourite station yet mainly due to the fact that the songs do not go too well with me. But the market snapshot at 9:15 am is a must listen for me as it starts my day up with some brief market info around the world.
BFM 89.9 is only available in Klang Valley, Seremban, and certain parts of Pahang though.

Credit Card

I have been thinking of cutting down the number of credit cards that i am holding ever since last year. I am holding 5 cards and only 2 of them are frequently used. Though i have been thinking of cancelling some non active cards, but i have procrastinated that for a while as there is no harm of keeping the additional cards "in case they will be needed one day".
with the budget 2010 announcement of having to pay RM50 each card as government charges, I really have to put my thought into action soonest I can.
Though I am enjoying discounts or rebates from some of the cards, but the amount of rebate will never be accumulated to RM50 per year. There is no point paying the extra to government without getting the real benefit of it.
I don't care about the rational behind the RM50 charges. I only care about the amount that i need to fork up in owning the cards. It is just not worth it.
I am glad that our leaders have found out a new way of increasing country's income. RM50 per card X 1 mil cards in circulation, it would be RM 50 mil sum of money.