Now Everyone Can't Fly - JOE SAMAD

When I read this column, it does hit my head and the story can be related to my experience traveling to East Malaysia for work purpose back in the late 80s and current some four year in the 20s. I did experienced cruising in Feri Malaysia together with my motor cycle in 1988. It was an awesome experience reaching Kota Kinabalu from Kuantan. Watching the sun rise and sunset every day is amazingly soothing. Seeing yourself in the middle of the sea with out sighting of any land is chilling in some corner of your heart. 

This is how I was recalled when I m reading this column written by Joe Samad. Nothing more to say because it was said well by him. Enjoy reading.

For those in Sabah and Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia seems like a distant foreign country.

The cost of airfares between the two is like flying to London or Paris. Post-Covid relaxations may have released pent up travel demand, but instead of cheaper travel, the price of tickets has hit the skies.

With the current fares, nobody can fly. If you do want to fly, do not bother going to KL. Fly to London or Paris and enjoy a new country. Have Hari Raya in Europe for a change.

Our leaders sitting in Putrajaya still do not get it even as we approach 60 years since the formation of Malaysia. Human connection and interaction do not only depend on 5G. Physical connectivity is just as important.

I am not going to get into the debate between transport minister Loke Siew Fook and Wee Ka Siong. I have experienced high airfares myself in recent months when booking return tickets for Kota Kinabalu-Kuala Lumpur. I can tell them both my own experience.

The first thing the leaders in Putrajaya need to do is to be humble and ‘turun padang’ (go to the ground).

The matter should not be politicised. Many families, separated by great distances, have not been able to see each other for long periods of time as air travel is their only means of returning home.

Booking tickets has become such a chore that I now gladly pay a travel agent to do the grunt work.

If our leaders have some time, they should go online and try to book tickets between the Borneo states and the capital city.

You need to spend all day in search of an affordable fare, and when do you find a RM350 fare on Airpaz – the common platform for airlines – and get excited about it like you found a gold nugget in desert sand, you will find it includes an eight-hour layover before you reach your destination.

If I book that ticket it will take me 12 hours to reach KL. A direct flight from Singapore to London takes 16 hours.

Going to McDonald’s is so much easier. The picture menu is so helpful. Click double cheeseburger, add on fries and drinks, pay, and hey, presto, enjoy your meal.

Get on Airpaz and you will be confused by choices between the different airlines’ offerings, but they all add up to thousands of ringgit upon checkout, unless you are prepared for a long layover or some odd hours.

Book directly with the airlines and you will find the fares cost almost the same.

News of Sarawak setting up its own airline is a godsend. Kudos to them. The two Borneo states need to take care of their own affairs and not depend on Putrajaya for every solution. When our Putrajaya leaders talk about Malaysia, they are only talking about the peninsula.

Borneo is the third largest island in the world and the distance from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur is 1,009 miles or 1623.83 km or 876.8 nautical miles. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.

If the prime minister wants to unite the country, he should pay serious attention to physical connectivity as there will be political and socio-economic consequences if the matter is not addressed.

Due to lack of employment opportunities in their own state, more Sabahans are working in peninsula. Many come from the poorest regions in Sabah, where the poverty rate is the highest in Malaysia.

The high cost of air fares is an issue that crops up during every festive period, and exercising voting rights at general elections is not cheap.

Putrajaya should focus not just on the transportation woes in the Klang Valley but also on the air connectivity between the two points across the South China Seas.

There was a time when we had Feri Malaysia. Everyone who went on Feri Malaysia with his own vehicle had the adventure of a lifetime. It would be nice if we can bring our own vehicles to tour the whole of Malaysia and make new friends, without worrying about the high cost of airfares.

Take a drive from Kota Kinabalu to Kundasang, our world heritage site. Drive onwards through the many districts with the highest poverty rate in Malaysia, and then on to Sandakan.

While at it, count the number of potholes along every square metre of this single lane road which has very few overtaking lanes. Good luck if you end up behind a truck overloaded with goods and climbing a steep incline.

This is a major trunk road that carries everything between Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan – new cars, frozen foods, dry provisions, and other essential items. The cabotage policy makes land transport a viable option.

The journey is a rollercoaster ride which even seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton would find hard to navigate, even at low speeds. It is more like a world rally championship over potholes. The poor roads are accident prone and cause much damage to vehicles.

Putrajaya still does not understand why Sabah and Sarawak have the highest number of 4WD pick-ups in the country. The bad state of our roads makes it a common sight to see East Malaysian women driving 4WD pick-ups to send and fetch their children from schools and run household errands.

Let us not score political points over an important matter like public transport.  Instead, let’s deliver the promises of the ‘Madani’ government.

Anwar’s Madani motto should be, “now everyone can fly – cheaply.”

All comments are good comments. There are no bad comments or good comments. So everyone have the right to comment. How about you?

Commuication

Communication between two people can take many forms, such as verbal, nonverbal, written, or electronic. Some tips for effective communication between two people include:

1. Active listening: Give the other person your full attention and focus on what they are saying without interrupting or thinking about what you want to say next.

2. Clarification: Ask questions or paraphrase what the other person said to ensure that you understand their message.

3. Empathy: Try to see things from the other person's perspective and validate their feelings.

4. Respect: Show respect for the other person's opinions and avoid belittling or dismissing their thoughts.

5. Nonverbal communication: Pay attention to the other person's body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions, as they can convey a lot of information.

6. Timing: Choose the appropriate time and place to communicate, as well as the appropriate medium (e.g. face-to-face, phone, email, or text).

   
   

   

   
   

By following these tips, you can improve your communication with another person and build better relationships.

Communication between husband and wife is crucial for maintaining a healthy and happy relationship. Here are some tips for effective communication between spouses:

1. Listen actively: Give your partner your full attention and listen to what they are saying without interrupting or judging.

2. Express yourself clearly: Clearly communicate your thoughts, feelings, and needs to your partner.

3. Avoid criticism and blame: Use "I" statements instead of "you" statements to express how you feel without blaming your partner.

4. Show empathy: Try to understand your partner's perspective and validate their feelings.

5. Take responsibility: Take responsibility for your own actions and avoid playing the blame game.

6. Resolve conflicts constructively: Work together to find a solution that satisfies both partners, rather than trying to "win" the argument.

7. Practice gratitude: Express appreciation for your partner and the things they do for you.

8. Schedule regular check-ins: Set aside time to talk and check in with each other regularly to stay connected.

By practicing effective communication, you can build a strong and loving relationship with your spouse.

All comments are good comments. There are no bad comments or good comments. So everyone have the right to comment. How about you?

Sosial Harmony Better Nation

Economic progress and social harmony can be achieved simultaneously if a country implements policies that balance economic growth with social equity and environmental sustainability. Here are some steps that a country can take to progress economically while maintaining social harmony:

1. Foster an enabling business environment: A country must create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. This involves providing regulatory and legal frameworks that encourage investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship. However, these policies should be balanced with regulations that ensure social and environmental sustainability.

2. Invest in education and skill development: Education and skill development are essential for creating a workforce that can participate in and benefit from economic growth. A country should invest in quality education and vocational training to ensure that its citizens have the necessary skills to compete in the job market.

3. Promote inclusive growth: Economic growth should benefit all citizens, not just a select few. A country should implement policies that ensure that the benefits of growth are shared equitably across society. This could involve implementing progressive taxation, providing social safety nets, and investing in infrastructure and services that benefit all citizens.

4. Prioritize environmental sustainability: Economic growth should not come at the expense of the environment. A country must prioritize environmental sustainability by implementing policies that protect natural resources and reduce pollution.

5. Encourage social dialogue: A country must encourage social dialogue and create platforms for citizens to participate in policymaking. This helps ensure that economic policies are aligned with the needs and aspirations of citizens.

By implementing these steps, a country can progress economically while maintaining social harmony. However, achieving this balance is a complex task that requires political will, strong institutions, and active participation from citizens.

Yes, maintaining social harmony can lead to a better nation in many ways. When a society is harmonious, people are more likely to work together towards common goals, and this can lead to increased productivity, innovation, and economic growth. Additionally, a harmonious society is more likely to be stable, peaceful, and secure, which can create an environment that is conducive to progress and development.

Social harmony also promotes social cohesion, which is essential for building strong communities and reducing social inequalities. When people feel a sense of belonging and connection to their community, they are more likely to participate in social and civic activities, which can lead to increased social capital and stronger social networks.

Furthermore, a harmonious society can lead to better health outcomes. Studies have shown that social cohesion is linked to better health outcomes, including lower rates of mental health problems, reduced stress, and improved physical health.

In summary, keeping social harmony is crucial for creating a better nation. It can lead to increased productivity, economic growth, social cohesion, and better health outcomes, among other benefits.

All comments are good comments. There are no bad comments or good comments. So everyone have the right to comment. How about you?

Team Building

Team building refers to the process of creating a strong and cohesive team that works together effectively towards achieving common goals. It involves developing team members' interpersonal skills, fostering trust and communication, and encouraging collaboration and cooperation.

There are many activities and approaches that can be used to build a successful team. Some popular team building activities include:

1. Icebreakers: Activities designed to help team members get to know each other and feel comfortable working together.

2. Problem-solving exercises: Activities that require team members to work together to solve a problem or overcome a challenge.

3. Trust-building activities: Activities that help team members build trust in each other, such as blindfolded exercises or trust falls.

4. Communication exercises: Activities that help team members improve their communication skills and learn how to listen to each other effectively.

5. Team bonding activities: Activities that are designed to help team members bond and have fun together, such as team dinners or outings.

Effective team building requires careful planning and execution. It's important to tailor activities to the specific needs of your team and to ensure that all team members feel included and engaged. With the right approach, team building can be an effective way to improve team dynamics, boost morale, and enhance overall team performance.

Leave me a message to get team building for your team. You will see the changes.

All comments are good comments. There are no bad comments or good comments. So everyone have the right to comment. How about you?

Prime Minister For All (Part II)

All comments are good comments. There are no bad comments or good comments. So everyone have the right to comment. How about you?

Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Part I)

Never in my life, I heard a PM say such soothing words for the rakyat to feel safe.

Prime Minister for all 

All comments are good comments. There are no bad comments or good comments. So everyone have the right to comment. How about you?

Good Leader For All

Racial tension refers to the social, political, and cultural conflicts that arise between different racial groups. These conflicts may stem from differences in beliefs, values, cultural practices, and experiences, and can be expressed through prejudice, discrimination, and inequality.

Racial tension can manifest in many different ways, such as hate crimes, social exclusion, unequal access to resources, and institutionalized discrimination. It can also lead to polarization, division, and conflict within communities and societies.

Addressing racial tension requires acknowledging and understanding the underlying causes and working towards promoting inclusivity, diversity, and equality. This can involve promoting dialogue and understanding between different racial groups, creating policies and programs that address systemic inequalities, and actively challenging discriminatory attitudes and behaviors.

Racial tension requires a multifaceted approach that involves individuals, communities, institutions, and governments working together to promote inclusivity, diversity, and equality. Here are some strategies that can be used to address racial tension:

1. Education and Awareness: Education and awareness are critical in addressing racial tension. This can involve teaching people about the history and culture of different racial groups, promoting cross-cultural understanding, and challenging stereotypes and biases.

2. Dialogue and Communication: Dialogue and communication between different racial groups are essential in promoting understanding, empathy, and cooperation. This can involve creating safe spaces for people to share their experiences, opinions, and perspectives.

3. Advocacy and Activism: Advocacy and activism are crucial in promoting social change and challenging systemic inequalities. This can involve supporting organizations and initiatives that promote racial justice, speaking out against discriminatory policies and practices, and engaging in peaceful protests and demonstrations.

4. Policy and Legislative Changes: Policy and legislative changes can help address systemic inequalities and promote equality and justice. This can involve implementing affirmative action programs, promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and ensuring that laws and policies are fair and impartial.

5. Community Outreach and Support: Community outreach and support can help build strong, resilient, and inclusive communities. This can involve providing resources and support to underserved communities, promoting social programs that address the needs of marginalized groups, and working to improve access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

Overall, addressing racial tension requires a sustained effort and commitment from individuals, communities, institutions, and governments. By working together and promoting inclusivity, diversity, and equality, we can build a more just, equitable, and harmonious society for everyone.

DSAI is the person to is qualified to address harmony among Rakyat. As a Malaysian 10th PM, I look at it as no other leaders in this nation can be a best person than him though in years to come. 

PM for all

All comments are good comments. There are no bad comments or good comments. So everyone have the right to comment. How about you?