Crime Rates

Back in 2011, Malaysia gained recognition with the Global Peace Index ranking 19th out of 153 countries. It was a big step for Malaysia because in 2009, it was ranked only at 26th.

Now, we all must be thinking, that it is a safe country. I'm not sure if that is what you want to think. According to the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin, the crime index of Malaysia had then decreased by 11%. I have friends and family in Malaysia. Better still, I live in Malaysia. Here's what I have to say about it. If security have improved, why do people worry about stepping out of their homes? Some people are even afraid of their own homes. Is 2009 really worst than 2011? Better yet, is 2011 better than 2012?

And if Malaysia is one of the safest country, I don't dare think about any other countries that are ranked below Malaysia. Just recently in May, before I return to Malaysia, a child, Nayati Shamelin Moodliar was kidnapped. Thanks to the public, Moodliar was safely returned to his home.

Since then, it was crimes after crimes, after crimes. Read this article and it is up to you to judge if Malaysia IS one of the SAFEST countries.

Violent crime rates in Malaysia by The Star (click the title)

Those aren't even all of it. How about the three ladies who were hit on their heads by 2 men in Jusco, Cheras Selatan; the lady who was attacked in Mid-Valley; the three snatch thief cases that happened in one day with only an hour gap; and the spikes left on Federal Highway nearby KDU ? Lets not even mention the psychotic criminal who went around throwing acid at people last year (2011) ! Ironic? YES!

I'm sorry, but there is no way I'm believing that Malaysia's crime index has reduced. If it is anything, the cases reported at police stations were ignored or not everyone reported their cases.

Now, with all that said, someone asked me if I think that crime rates correlate with unemployment. Honestly, if I have the stats, I will put it up. But here is what I think.

Crime rate is not only affected by unemployment. Government and citizens play an important role in affecting the crime rate. Honestly, who in Malaysia has not tried to bribe a police officer? Was the police officer bribed? We all know the truthful answer. Police officer holds a job, yet, isn't bribery a form of crime?

And in my opinion, the government could do better. Robbers and snatch thieves, all they want is money. WHY?! Cause everything in Malaysia is expensive. Yet, pay here is low. Lawmakers in Malaysia had recently amend the law saying that minimum wage for foreign workers has to be RM1500 while local workers has to receive a minimum wage of RM900 a month respectively. Let me break it down for you.

A plate of noodle is RM5. We have three meals a day, so that makes it RM15 a day. There is 30 days a month, which adds up to RM450. Rent is about RM400 a month. All that adds up to RM850. How about transportation? Transportation in Malaysia is bad. So, everyone owns at least a motorcycle. RM50 for gas a month isn't enough!

I'm not saying that employers should increase their employees' wages, but the government should really start subsidizing more on food and petrol, improvising public transportation, and control immigrant workers!

That's the government's part. As for the people, we should really stop complaining about the wages. Money is still money, little or a lot. No developed country gained prosperity by robbing and snatching.

So, does crime rate correlate to unemployment, yes, but it also correlates to inflation. People with RM900 a month can barely survive. So how do you want people with no jobs to survive? What more when there's inflation almost every other year??? ROB! SNATCH! KIDNAP! That's their only answer.

Conclusion:
1. Malaysia is the safest country in SE Asia as quoted by News Straits Times, 07 March 2012.
2. Unemployment does affect crime rates
3. Unemployment, Inflation and Crime Rates all correlates
4. Government plays an important role in keeping a country safe

I wanna hear from fellow Malaysians! All week I've been reading articles and all that is said is that Malaysia has a decreasing crime index but when I open newspaper everyday, I see crimes! Not only that, I see dissatisfaction towards the way crimes are being handled! Its your turn to voice out :)

Getting Paid

Welcome back to my lovely readers and as for new readers, welcome.

On this very special Monday, we'll talk about the working people and their pay. Of course we're not going to talk about a pay of a part-time student or freelancer. We're going to be discussing the pay of the lovely ministers in Singapore. I know this has been a long debated issue. And since 2010, lawmakers of Singapore have pushed for a pay cut. And even with the pay cut, the dear Prime Minister of Singapore has the highest paying salary of US$1.7million (S$2.2million) while the President has a pay of S$1.54million.

If you're wondering why I sound upset, let me share a little something with you.

The President of United States only gets paid US$450,000 including his expenses.

Here's a list of Prime Ministers and their pay (these countries are said to have one of the highest paid politicians):

Germany: US$298,480

South Africa: US$283,595

Canada: US$296,400

Australia: US$365,065

France: US$304,746

Ireland: US$287,900

Hong Kong: US$554,545

To quote Bloomberg, here's what is written on the January 4, 2012 news:

'“An entry-level minister will still make more than President Obama but you can’t please everyone,” said Eugene Tan, a political commentator and assistant professor of law at the Singapore Management University.'

Of course you can't please everyone. But the pleasing should be towards the people, no? Government is there not so the people could please them! It is just plain ridiculous. And when Mr Eugene Tan stated that 'an entry-level minister will still make more than President Obama', he was no where near kidding cause an entry level minister makes S$1.1 million (US$869,340) a year! That's more than two times of Obama's pay (without the expenses).

Now, enough with the minister. Let's talk about an average worker in Singapore. A full-time employee. To be fair, let's compare them to other government workers shall we? For instance, teachers. Government is the guidance to a country. Teachers are guidance to the young generations. To me, they do almost the same amount of work. Except, the ministers have more little minions to help them complete an assignment. Whereas teachers only got themselves to correct all assignments, set exam papers, teach, prepare lectures and everything else ! Teachers' starting salary is only S$39,000 (US$30,822) a year. And that is only, and only if, the teacher mentioned holds a degree with HONORS. I guess working for a private company will get you more pay than that. 

I'm not complaining about a teachers' pay being too high, but I say that's too low. I've seen how some of my teachers worked back when I go to school in Singapore. They barely even close their eyes for a 4-hour sleep! I dare say more than 75% of the ministers to take home S$1.1million a night, goes to bed happily every night. I knew politics was dirty all along. But I just wanted to make a point in this post.

The pay used to pay these entry-level ministers, is it really needed? They have yet to prove themselves useful even. And dear Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, I don't mean to insult you, but honestly, do you really not feel bad taking that much of money? And these money, are hard earned money by your people. I'm not saying you shouldn't be paid, but I'm saying, with your 36% cut, this is still a lot! People get taxed the moment they earn above S$22,000 a year of 2%. The 2% looks like a small figure. But it honestly isn't. 

Transportation in Singapore is convenient, but expensive. Food is yummy, but then again, its expensive. School is said to be subsidized, but then again, its expensive. To raise a child in Singapore is not easy. There is the Baby Bonus plan. But that only apply to the third child. The problem is, before having the third child, a family might have already break apart due to the high price of HDBs, education, etc (which I'll talk about later next week or so). 

Then, your answer to our troubles is to take a loan. Honey baby, do you really want your young generation to start the working world in debts? And when we tell you things are expensive and that the government could subsidize more, there you go increasing the price for bus fare. And when we complain about immigrants and PRs, you tell us we don't want to have children. Well, its not that we don't want to. Waitresses and waiters, to executives all wants children. But we're all stressed out for our career because we need money! We need money to first have a shelter over our heads before we could even start a family. 

Take another pay cut, put it into education, housing, or transportation, and you can and will see a difference. Maybe not instantaneously, but surely you will. 

P/S I do not dislike Singapore. I love my country more than ever, but someone gotta see the flaws and polish it to make it move forward. We can't be little minions and just follow. We study history for a reason. To learn from it. 

That's all I have for you guys today! Please share if you think its worth reading, or sound off at the comments area below. 

Have a blessed week ahead!