WHERE EXACTLY IS MALAYSIA HEADING?.

For a random writer like me, to come up with another post this fast is considered abnormal LOL but I confess - having relationship issue at hand, writing helps to cushion-off the pressure, at least for couple of hours.

Is Malaysia really in it's right path towards achieving the status of a developed nation?.

Frankly, I don't have a direct Yes/No answer to that question, but to me - it appears to be a very long dark tunnel before we could see a light at it's end - if there's any.

As I have written before, when we talk about being a developed nation, we do not only talk of our sky-scrapers, but it spreads from managing our state resources to our people. Yes, even those walking on the streets.

The world knew, Malaysia is a country of multi-race and faith with tremendous potential and abundant wealth.

1. If only wealth are used to develop the economy of the needy irrespective of creed and colour. (BR1M is like giving a section of the people fish instead of teaching them to fish)
2. If only corruption, cronyism and nepotism were eradicated.
3. If only all-level of power abuse is at it's minimum.
4. If only the education system had moved another notch where quality thinking individuals are produced and not merely the so-called well-educated automatons.
5. If only we could have democratically erect a government that truly up-hold not only the principles but values of the rule of law and places uncompromising honesty in a spot where it belongs, not only the future of this land would appear more promising and secure for all of us, but the Vision 2020 mooted by our longest serving premier Tun Dr. Mahathir would probably - within reach.

At times I do wonder, just how many of us are indeed observant enough to see that our home is not getting any better from numerous aspects?.

Yes, the home that Ali, Ah Kow, Samy and Others together grew like brothers appears to be tearing apart, dismantled by the bigoted who went the extra-mile sparking tension which is detrimental to race and religious harmony and worsened by a government that is seen condoning all their deeds.

What it takes for the current regime to realise that in the absence of racial harmony, we could just say good-bye to status of a developed nation.

When inter-faith tension continues to brew, it would turn into racial tension and escalates into a racial crisis. When that happens, instability becomes inevitable which only hurts the nation in every bit of it's way.

The concern of bloated Malaysian civil service where 1.4 million civil servants in 28 schemes of service under the Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (Public Service Department) which include the federal public service, the state public services, the joint public services, the education service, the judiciary, the legal service, the police and armed forces has been a topic of conversation and debate by members of the public.  

Critics had all along argue that our civil service is bloated compared with the United Kingdom, but the pro-establishment defended and tried to clear up what they claimed a misconception that the civil service is bloated. To justify that, they said the UK defines its civil service rather narrowly as those report to ministers. The UK's National Health Service alone employs nearly 1.3 million people, quite close to our total number of civil servants of 1.4 million and that the UK does not count all these staff as part of their civil service where as Malaysia includes all doctors, nurses and support staff in our public health system and all teachers in our public schools as part of the civil service.

Let's leave the above comparison and the question whether or not it is a misconception aside and look at the increased size of Malaysian cabinet.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said a larger cabinet could not be avoided as MCA and Gerakan representatives had to be included.

"Historically, there has always been representation of all races in the Cabinet," and added, "Based on the concept of power sharing, we can say that it (the Cabinet) is now complete."

First and foremost, was the announcement made by Prime Minister Najib a Cabinet reshuffle or enlarging the present Cabinet?.

Since there were no changes at all to current Cabinet members, not even removal of departments and ministries, is he (Prime Minister Najib) not bloating the Cabinet?. 

The appointment of MCA President Liow Tiong Lai as Minister of Transport replacing it's acting Minister Hishamuddin Hussein is merely filling up of a post rather than a reshuffle. Hishamuddin is the current Minister of Defence.

It is ironic for the Prime Minister to have appointed Ministers before outlining their respective role and responsibility as if they are Ministers without portfolios.

Take Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department Wee Ka Siong and Mah Siew Kong for example. How could they immediately carry out their responsibilities without detailed role and responsibilities which are yet to be discussed with the Prime Minister?.

Personally, I'm rather disappointed with the Prime Minister's announcement as the so-called reshuffle is seen as obliging Barisan Nasional's (BN) component parties for political objectives than reshuffling the Cabinet for the purpose of turning ministries towards effective civil administration. 

I was hoping the Prime Minister would make bold decision to act against unsuitable Ministers who have demonstrated weaknesses on issues affecting their ministries which has placed public confidence at it's lowest. I anticipated too that the Prime Minister would drop under-performers, replace or at least change the powerful portfolios of Ministers with various controversies and that he would take the opportunity in implementing government reforms.

It is fundamental to have a capable Minister heading a particular ministry as only Minister who are competent (always alert of their role and responsibility) could ensure an effective ministry.

From 32-member, Prime Minister Najib now has 35, bigger than that of his predecessor, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. If bloated cabinet will not be an issue, rise the question of possible redundancy.

Whatever it is, the Prime Minister has certainly used his prerogative in all the appointments and whether or not it's bloated, redundant or even ineffective, the political effect will eventually be borne by Prime Minister Najib and his BN party comes 14th general election.   

Ramadan reminds us that our body is a base for the presence of Spirit. Experiencing the presence of the Spirit reminds us to appreciate the body as sacred as well as rediscover and reconnect the sacredness of nature. The combination of reestablishing our link with nature's ecology and a deeper God-consciousness foster a heightened awareness of the One present in all things. To ALL Muslim readers, I wish you Happy Fasting in the whole month of Ramadan.