File 45 : I want to be a domestic helper [a.k.a maid] too!!!

Sometimes, people who give ideas never think of the pros and cons of their ideas. Once, there was an idea, to cap the minimum wages for domestic helper at RM 600 a month. Now, there is an idea to increase that RM 600 to RM 800 per month. We are talking big money here, man! RM 800!

I think, ideas that come nowadays have become more and more absurd. RM 800 nett! Wow! I think I want to be a domestic helper too. Hahaha...

It's not that I am jealous with that high salary or unable to give that much of money. No... I understand that sometimes, there are cases where the employer treats their domestic helper like slave. The problem is, I don't think that all domestic helpers are eligible to be paid RM 800 per month.

Just bear in mind, RM 800 is not a small amount of money. RM 800 per month nett. Which includes free meals everyday, free bills, free everything. So, when there are domestic helpers who do not know how to do their work, should they be paid RM 800 too?

There are domestic helpers, like from Indonesia, who don't even finish their SMA [Sekolah Menengah Atas or Upper Secondary School]. They don't know how to read, how to write. Sometimes, there are cases where the domestic helpers were not given extensive courses which resulted in their inabilities to do certain jobs. They don't know how to iron clothes, how to operate the washing machines...

If they don't even know how to do their basic works properly, is RM 800 per month acceptable?

Photo is my property.

File 44 : Absurd!

I understood that public transports, especially buses and taxis, were given green light by the government to increase their fares. This is due to the fact that it was long ago that the fares were reviewed. However, if the fares are absurd, can it be tolerated? [This post made special reference to Rapid KL buses' fares].

Before the new fare structure is implemented, the fare for Bas Utama daily pass was RM 2 per day. E.g, from Section 2 Shah Alam to KL = RM 2. It was RM 1 per day for Bas Tempatan. E.g, from Section 8 Shah Alam to Section 28 Shah Alam, the fare was only RM 1 for the whole day.

However, after the implementation of the new fare structure, the fare for Bas Utama is according to zones, which means that now, the bus fare for Section 2 Shah Alam - KL route is RM 3 for a one way trip. So, it's now RM 6 including a return ticket. I don't mind with Bas Utama. What pissed me off a lot is the fare for Bas Tempatan.

With the new structure, the fare for Bas Tempatan is still RM 1. But it's not a daily pass anymore. Instead, it's RM 1 for a one way trip. So, to illustrate this, if a passenger is going to take a bus from Section 8 Shah Alam to Section 28 [which means, he has to take 3 buses], he has to pay RM 3. So, it's so absurd that the passenger needs to pay the same fare as if he is going to KL!

The government always give us statistics that the users of public transports in Malaysia are very few. What they don't realize is that, the users are actually turning away from public transports as they need to fork out A LOT of money for a VERY BAD service...

Photo is The Digital Awakening's property.

File 43 : What a provocation!

What a provocation!

What had happened at Bangunan SAAS last Friday shocked me like hell. Unbelievable that thing like this happened 52 years after Merdeka. I am ashamed and angry over what had happened especially coz' it happened at my hometown, Shah Alam. It's true that all religions have right to build their worship places in Malaysia. This is enshrined in Article 11(3)(b) of our Federal Constitution which states that every religious groups have their right to establish and maintain institutions for religious or charitable purposes. However, when there is a dissatisfaction by the people in Section 23, the state government should explain to them the rational behind the relocation. If this had been done, maybe such incident will not occurred.

Nevertheless, the protesters should be condemned and their act was a stupid provocative act, done by people who do not understand the multiracial concept that we embraced. We all know, every Malaysians know, and should know, that cow is a sacred animal in Hinduism. Since we were kids, we were told and exposed to the believes and cultures of others, and we all know how sacred a cow is to Hindus. So, it was so provocative when they protested by bringing a dead cow's head in front of Bangunan SAAS. Even while eating, we often tell our Hindu friends that this food contains beef, so they cannot eat it. But when it comes to emotions, all the respects gone. Why?!

So, action must be taken by the authorities before it's too late. We have been independence for half a century and this is not the way it should be. Respect each other and live harmoniously together. We don't want a repeat of May 13 1969, do we? We should be glad that we live in Malaysia, a golden land for everyone. Don't let a stupid act of a small group of people change this golden land to a dumping site...

Photo property of: Malaysiakini.