Saturday, July 25, 2009

Affrimative action is not racism!

Affirmative action (or any social engineering) is contentious; but necessary when an 'anomaly' occurs in the course of the development of a nation in which disparity, a big disparity occurs.

The Chinese society, besides being part of an old civilization, thus more exposed to commerce, and structured with their associations, guilds and secret societies, were actually ‘aided’ by the colonialists.

The British or western colonialists adopted the ‘divide and rule’ policy, and by default the Chinese were given the role of being their local business lackeys. The colonialists wanted the schism to exist between the various ethnic communities! In the context of today’s 1Malaysia, the earlier chinese were already 'bought', used and complicit in the machinations of the colonialists.

With this advantage, they flourished.

With the continued flow of business from the colonialists and later after independence, from the British and western companies with legacy investments in the country; plus the already large accumulated capital, extensive business infrastructure and ethic-based networks(locally and offshore –the Chinese Diaspora) - they monopolized, cornered and dominated the market in a very racially exclusive manner.

They still operate to this day - to dominate the market in a very racially exclusive manner like the galactic ‘black hole’.

Whatever business procured, the spinoffs, the supply side will only be distributed within their exclusive business ‘black hole’, ie. amongst their own.

So they had market dominance in Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand.

So naturally the disparity grew and the grip tightened.

To have earlier called it an 'anomaly' is too polite! It is pure racism!

Amy Chua (Yale University, author of “World on Fire”) puts it:
“On the positive side, I think we have to find ways to spread the benefits of global markets beyond just the small group of market-dominant minorities and foreign investors. We need to find ways to redistribute the wealth, whether it's property title and giving poor people property, land reform .... Redistributive mechanisms are tough to have if you have so much corruption.
I discuss, not just wildly and enthusiastically, but there are "affirmative action" policies for the majority. It shouldn't be called affirmative action, but Malaysia and South Africa are exploring or have programs to try to spread the wealth to their majorities. There are a lot of economic costs to that. It's certainly not that efficient. You're going to lose some growth, but I think it might be the better way. At least, markets might be sustainable. It's more stable. So I advocate ways to spread the wealth, and I also ask for voluntary generosity on the part of the successful market dominant minorities.
…and also to just realize that their own safety and their own interests are at stake. A lot of times these market-dominant minorities, whether you're talking about Chinese in Southeast Asia, or the Lebanese in West Africa, or the Whites in South Africa, it's almost a feeling of invincibility. "We're so wealthy, we control everything." They forget that they're surrounded by a justifiably frustrated, very poor majority. And so I say, "Look at your own interests."
It costs money to hire bodyguards. All of my own relatives have bodyguards and barb-wired fences. Why not risk some of the money? Build a school. Build a hospital. Build infrastructure and try to fight against the image that you have of being an outsider. Demagogic politicians manipulate that [image]. They say, "These groups are outsiders; they're taking away our wealth" -- even if the groups have been there for four generations. So why not do some economic good? Show that you're a team player, a part of the country.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUrfo5cyeDA
http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people4/Chua/chua-con0.html

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Hidup dan aktifkan semula persatuan2, NGO2 melayu secara efektif dan dengan semangat juang!

Bagi orang melayu, banyak perlu dilakukan.

Antaranya orang melayu perlu kembali focus dan bergiat semula secara serious, ikhlas, semangat juang dan lillahita’ala - dalam badan2 persatuan dan NGO; atau menghidupkan-semula, mengujudkan yang baru - persatuan2 dan NGO2 dalam arena kepentingan masing2.

Dari situ kita akan mempunyai lebih banyak saluran, platform, dan juga akal, intelektualisma, feedbacks(permasalahan, perjuangan dan aspirasi) dan perspektif untuk menangani,merungkai dan mempertengahkan, melobi cadangan2 dan strategi2 tindakan kepada pimpinan melayu.

Kita ketika ini hanya berlaku passive dan reactionary terhadap perubahan dan gerak langkah kempimpinan apabila ia dicetuskan.

Kita mungkin sudah 'missed the boat' apabila kita tidak 'pro-active' atau meletak diri kita supaya mampu berlaku pro-active terhadap kempimpinan baru Datuk Seri Najib sebelum atau ketika beliau masuk ofis PM.

Ketika ini kita hanya berharap dan bertawakkal.

Berharap umpama seorang anak berharapan - ayahnya akan memimpin, mengatasi semua permasalahan dan krisis dengan kebijaksanaan ayahnya sorang. Menunggu dengan harapan dan keyakinan semata-mata.

Maka bila diwar-warkan polisi liberasi dan 1Malaysia oleh kempimpinan - kita jadi gusar, resah dan pitam.

Dalam menangani permasalahan dan krisis yang dimensinya begitu genting - adakah kita akan berlaku saperti perumpamaan anak dangan ayah tadi.

Tak boleh kah kita membantu ayah yang disayangi dan hormati itu dengan suatu semangat camaraderie? Tak kira lah hidung tak mancung, dia ayah kita!

Adakah kita telah atau akan "engaged" dengan kempipinan secara direct, aggresif (tapi hormat) dan pro-active dengan memgemukan cadangan2 strategi dan polisi secara bertulis-jelas lagi munasabah - untuk menjaga dan menuntut kepentingan kita?

Memang jelas kita belum melakukannya! Then can you blame Dato Seri Najib if his aspirations and visions is not congruent with ours?

Adalah sulit (jika tidak mustahil) bagi satu-satu badan (contoh: UMNO itu sendiri atau PM/JPM dengan berapa kerat penasihat2 ditingkat 3 atau 4, atau parti besar melayu lain saperti PAS atau DPMM) untuk membentuk satu cadangan strategi dan polisi menyeluruh untuk meliputi kepentingan semua – dari sudut agama, ekonomi, politik, pendidikan, budaya, social, dan lain-lain. Apatah lagi untuk meliputi sekaligus kepentingan dan aspirasi bangsa2 lain.

Permasalahan, aspirasi dan perpektif satu-satu aspek dan sector masyarakat perlu di’champion’kan oleh badan2 kepentingan masing2. Kerana hanya jauhari kenal dan reti mencarigali maknikamnya! Lihat masyarakat cina dengan beribu2 guild-guild dan persatuan mereka.

Maka bagi masyarakat melayu:

Persatuan Kontraktor Melayu (PKMM) harus mengenengahkan permasalahan, aspirasi dan perpekstif mereka bagi industry binaan.

Persatuan Pengilang Dan Industri Perkhidmatan Bumiputra Malaysia (PPIPBM) harus mengenengahkan permasalahan, aspirasi dan perpekstif mereka bagi industry pengilangan dan perkhidmatan

Persatuan Pengusaha Bas Ekspres Melayu Semenanjung Malaysia (PEMBAWA) perlu mengenengahkan permasalahan, aspirasi dan perpekstif mereka dalam industry bas ekspress.

Persatuan Nelayan Kebangsaan perlu mengenengahkan permasalahan, aspirasi dan perpekstif mereka dalam bidang industi perikanan.

Persatuan Ejen-Ejen Pelancongan Dan Pengembaraan Bumiputra Malaysia (BUMITRA) perlu mengenengahkan permasalahan, aspirasi dan perpekstif mereka dalam pelancongan.

Dan seterusnya…

Biarlah mereka kemudian (jika perlu) majukan kehendak, malah tuntutan dan masalah mereka kepada kempimpinan melalui badan2 induk peringkat nasional saperti Dewan Perniagaan Melayu atau Dewan Pedagangan Islam, GABEM atau PERSADA. Itu pun kalau badan-badan induk ini masih berfungsi dan belum dayus lagi… entahlah! Jika enggak, kita bina Dewan baru atau lantik dewan ‘defacto‘ baru. Yang lama kita robohkan!

Dan dari situ tuntutan-tuntutan dimoderasikan, dimajukan pula kepada kempimpinan secara lebih mantap dan ‘with whatever pressure and clout they could muster’…dan seterusnya memantau sejauh mana dipertimbangkan dan diambil-kira, diambil pakai oleh kempimpinan dan pihak2 berkuasa. Kerajaan kita kan?

Kita bukan lagi hamba-hamba serf atau rakyat pacal hina zaman feudal. Kitakan tahu siapa yang berkhidmat untuk siapa?

Contoh ini boleh kita lihat dalam usaha masyarakat cina apabila mereka ketengahkan tuntutan mereka secara bersepadu kepada kerajaan. ("Joint Declaration by the Chinese Guilds and Associations of Malaysia"). Tuntutan tersebut disokongi oleh 28 Chinese Assembly Halls persatuan2 dan guild-guild. Kalau mereka tak rasa mereka ‘kuli’ lagi dan berhak menuntut (kalau lihat bahasa dan telo dalam Joint Declaration itu, mereka bukan memohon dipertimbangkan, mereka menuntut!) - kenapa mesti kita merasa kita masih rakyat pacal hina lagi.

Maka usahalah kita bukan sekadar meminta-minta permit taxi dan lori, lessen pasar malam, minta AP, minta subsidi, minta kontrak rundingan terus dan seumpamanya (saperti peminta-sedekah!)

Pendek kata bukan sekadar mintak ikan kembong dan selar kuning beberapa ekor … TAPI mintaklah joran, kapal-lautdalam, sungai, tasik dan laut sekali.

Dan pastikan kita akan terus bina masyarakat dan bangsa yang kuat! (Itu satu hal lain dan akan wajib bincang lebar masa lain!)

Saperti Tun Mahathir mengingatkan kita – usah hanya kuatkan parti – kuatkan bangsa!
Jangan menang sorak parti, tapi bangsa tergadai!

Parti politik tu cara (means) bukan matlamat (ends).

Dalam hal sama, usah megah pencapaian GLC, megahkan pencapaian bangsa. GLC bukan kita punya!

For that matter RTM, TV3 buan kita punya. TM, Celcom bukan kita punya. Tapi Maxis, Astro tu memang depa punya. MAS bukan kita punya, tapi Air Asia tu memang depa punya. PLUS bukan kita punya tapi SPRINT, KESAS tu depa punya!

Jangan megah betapa besar dana PNB kalau ianya adalah ‘in reality’ sebuah bank termurah faedahnya(interest-free) dari segi sumber kewangan bagi syarikat2 gergasi bukan melayu (dimana sebahgian besar dana itu dilaburkan). Kalau dividen semata matlamat kita, then we’re missing the point! – jika dana PNB tu tak dapat menjana perkembangan bisnes melayu; atau jika syarikat dimana dana dilabur tak memberi apa-apa bisness spin-offs kepada usahawan dan vendor melayu kecuali diboloti selamba oleh bukan melayu!

Modal main kutu kita diPNB yang tak seberapa tu pun dimanafaati gila oleh mereka.

Tapi KPI score execs-execs syarikat GLC tinggi-tinggi belaka, saperti juga pakej gaji mereka. Agenda melayu yang bukan factor KPI, entah kemana. Syok sendiri-lah mereka..kita pun sama tumpang syok, entah kenapa.

Menang sorak GLC, bangsa tergadai!

Artikel ini bukan artikel politik maka kita tak mahu tanya apa orang2 UMNO yang colonel, sarjan dan koporal dok buat? Kita tak mahu tanya tu. Kesian, dia orang belum atasi gusar, resah dan pitam sejak 2004. Bukan takde cerdik pandai sana.

Itu yang dipercayai kita tak boleh gembeling terlalu ramai intelligentsia dan pendekar melayu sebok-sebok dalam parti – ramai jadi ‘comatose’ dan ‘zombie’ dengan ketaatan dan kesusilaan.

Anyway, masalah2 logistic dan pecemaran alam yang dihadapi para nelayan, masalah2 unilateral EOT dan keberengsekan JKR203 yang dihadapi para kontraktor2, masalah kekurangan dana untuk capacity building para pengilang – mana orang politik nak faham secara halus – maka perlulah persatuan2 mereka memperjuangkan sendiri.

Insya allah belum terlambat lagi, nasi belum jadi bubur (harap-haraplah!)

Jom kita gerakkan dewan, persatuan dan NGO!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Do We Push Policies or Be Pushed by Policies?

Do the Muslim business associations get involved actively/effectively in budget dialogues or discussions (or lobbies)? Were they referred to at all? Did they try hard to be invited to the dialogues and discussions or make written proposals to the relevant ministries or agencies?

The following Budget 09 incentives accorded to the real estate and construction industry - were they the handiworks of the Persatuan or Dewan? I doubt..

There would be policy changes also - to make operational aspects of those sectors tighter or more relaxed… Would we be the prime movers of those changes or mere bystander? Worse, we may not be even aware of the changes until they hit us.


Budget 2009 Incentives for the Property Sector
The following are the incentives related to the housing and property sector announced in the 2009 Budget on 29 August 2008:
Reduction of Withholding Tax for Dividend Income from REITs
Withholding tax for dividend income from Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs) is reduced from 15% (Individuals) and 20% (foreign institutional investors) to 10% respectively. The proposal iseffective from 1 January 2009 until 31 December 2011.
Providing Low Cost Housing
Some rm330 million are allocated to build 39,500 units of low cost housing by various agencies nationwide under the People’s Housing Program in 2009.
50% Stamp Duty Waiver
50% stamp duty exemption to be extended to loan agreements for purchase of houses up to rm250,000 during the period of 30 August 2008 to 31 December 2010.
Improving Government Housing Loan
Tenure on new government housing loans is extended from 25 years to 30 years to encourage homeownership among civil servants. Additionally, housing loan facility will be provided for renovation works on houses not purchased through government loans. The housing loan insurance panel, previously limited to five, is expanded to include all eligible insurance companies.

Extension of Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme
Additional rm100 million fund is allocated for the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme to guarantee loans amounting to rm2 billion. Approximately 40,000 borrowers are expected to benefit from this scheme. They can obtain housing loans from all local financial institutions for purchases of low and medium cost houses.
Training for Skilled Construction Workers by CIDB
In 2009, at least 100,000 industrial training opportunities in technical fields such as wielding, management and safety will be provided by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). The cost for such trainings for local workers will be borne by CIDB.

What the Chinese Guilds & Associations Are Capable Of

See the power and influence of the unified components of the chinese business community.

They not only are able to articulate a credible, substantive and wide-ranging spectrum of demands, they are able to demand collectively....perhaps even unanimously.

Check out the "Joint Declaration by the Chinese Guilds and Associations of Malaysia"

Where are thou?

I have listed in the foregoing the various Muslim-based business associations I could find. The list is by no means exhaustive, but I imagine we are almost there. I have categorized them in according to sectors.

Wonder how much each of the sectoral and state-based associations are affliated and coordinated by the national-level chamber and natioanal association?

We can also note that there are a number of national-level mother associations like Dewan, GABEM, Dewan Perdagangan Islam, Perdasama, etc. Do they have any form of collaboration between them..or are they rivals to each other competing for the national level leadership.


Help me make the list more complete, please anyone..

General Business
National

• Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia
• Perdasama
• GABEM
• Dewan Perdagangan Islam Malaysia
• Gabungan Persatuan-persatuan Penjaja dan Peniaga Kecil Melayu Malaysia (GPPPKMM)
• Persatuan Usahawan Wanita Bumiputera Malaysia (USAHANITA)
• Dewan Perniagaan Bekas Tentera Malaysia
• Persatuan Warisan Perba
• Persatuan Usahawan Wawasan Wanita Malaysia (WAWASANITA)
• Koperasi Al-Taqwa Berhad
• Yayasan Muamalat Belia
• Kongres Indian Muslim Malaysia (KIMMA)
• Institut Usahawan Muda
• Majlis Usahawan Malaysia
• Nasional Association Of Women Entreprenuers Of Malaysia
• Pertubuhan Usahawan Melayu Malaysia (ARKIM)
• Persatuan Firma-Firma Akauntan Bertauliah Melayu Malaysia
• Yayasan Usahawan Wanita (YUSNITA)
• Malaysia ChamberOf Company Directors
• Dewan Usahawan Industri Desa Malaysia (DUID)
• Peniagawati
• Persatuan Peniaga Dan Usahawan Melayu Malaysia
• Malaysian Global Business Foundation
Regional/State
• Kelab Usahawan Muda Bumiputera Tanah Merah
• Koperasi Pesara Kerajaan Malaysia Negeri Pulau Pinang
• Persatuan Belia Melayu Padang Serai, Kedah
• Badan Perniagaan Melayu Lipis Pahang
• Gabungan Persatuan Usahawan Melayu Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan
• Pertubuhan Kebajikan Peniaga - Peniaga Bergerak Negeri Sembilan
• Persatuan Belia Melayu Padang Serai, Kedah
• Kelab Kerjayanita Daerah Kuantan
• Persatuan Kebajikan Peniaga-Peniaga Dan Penyewa-Penyewa Bangunan Hentian Puduraya
• Persatuan Peniaga Kecil Melayu Daerah Kuala Muda
• Koperasi Bekas Tentera Muar Berhad
• Persatuan Penjaja Dan Peniaga Kecil Melayu, Johor Darul Takzim
• Persatuan Melayu Pulau Pinang (PEMENANG)
• Persatuan Peniaga-Peniaga Melayu Pasar Malam Negeri Pulau Pinang
• The Penang Muslim Merchants' Society
• Persatuan Usahawan Taman Negara,Jerantut Pahang
• Persatuan Pengusahawan Kayu-Kayan Dan Perabot Bumiputra Malaysia
• Persatuan Ejen-Ejen Pelancongan Dan Pengembaraan Bumiputra Malaysia (BUMITRA)
• Persatuan Kontraktor Buku Malaysia
• Persatuan Pengusaha Industri Perabot Bumiputra Malaysia (PETRA)

Construction & Engineering - Contractors & Consultants
• Persatuan Kontraktor Melayu Malaysia
• Guild of Bumiputra Contractors
• Persatuan Kontraktor Elektrikal Melayu Malaysia
• Persatuan Kontraktor Elektrik Bumiputera Kelantan
• Persatuan Usahawan Dan Vendor Telekom Malaysia
• Persatuan Kontraktor Mekanikal Bumiputera Kelantan
• Persatuan Kontraktor Telekomunikasi Bumiputra Malaysia (PKTBM)
• Gabungan Jurutera Perunding Melayu Malaysia (GJPMM)
• Persatuan Kontraktor Elektrikal Dan Mekanik Melayu Malaysia

Manufacturing
General

• Persatuan Pengilang Dan Industri Perkhidmatan Bumiputra Malaysia (PPIPBM)
• Persatuan Pembatek - Pembatek Melayu Pantai Timor (PPMPT)
• Gabungan Pengilang-Pengilang Negeri Kedah Darul Aman
• Persatuan Inovasi Dan Kreativiti Bumiputera Kuala Lumpur Dan Selangor
• Persatuan Pembatek - Pembatek Melayu Pantai Timor (PPMPT)
• Konsortium Industri Kaca Dan Aluminium Sdn Bhd
• Persatuan Pengilang Beras Melayu Malaysia

Automative Industry & Transport
• Persatuan Pengusaha Otomotif Bumiputra
• Persatuan Pengimport Dan Peniaga Kenderaan Melayu Malaysia (PEKEMA) •
• Persatuan Pengusaha Bas Ekspres Melayu Semenanjung Malaysia (PEMBAWA)
• Koperasi Teksi Melayu Terengganu Berhad
• Persatuan Pengusaha Kenderaan Perdagangan
• Persatuan Tuan-Tuan Ampunya Kereta Sewa Bandar Kulim
• Persatuan Pengusaha Teksi Bumiputra Malaysia (PERBUMI)
• Persatuan Pemandu Bas Melayu Semenanjung Malaysia
• Persatuan Pengusaha Bas Sekolah Bumiputra Ipoh
• Persatuan Pemandu-Pemandu Pelancong Bumiputra Malaysia
• Persatuan Pemandu Dan Pemilik Kereta Sewa Melayu Daerah Kemaman
• Persatuan Pengusaha-Pengusaha Lori Tangki Bumiputra Malaysia
• Persatuan Pengusaha Teksi & Kereta Sewa Wilayah Persekutuan Dan Selangor
• Persatuan Industri-Industri Bengkel Malaysia
• Persatuan Pengusaha Logistik Bumiputra

Medical & Health
• Persatuan Homeopati Dan Biokimia Malaysia
• Persatuan Pembekal-Pembekal Alatan Perubatan Dan Makmal Bumiputra Malaysia (PERUTAMA)
• Persatuan Kecantikan Dan Spa Bumiputra Kuala Lumpur

Food & Restaurants
• Persatuan Pengusaha Restoran Muslim Malaysia

Energy

• Persatuan Usahawan Tenaga Malaysia

Agriculture & Agribusiness
• Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan Gunong Semanggol / Selinsing
• Koperasi Pekebun Kecil Getah Nasional Berhad
• Persatuan Belia Usahatani Kg Padang Pulut
• Persatuan Pembiak Baka Lembu Brahman Negeri Pahang
• Persatuan Penternak Sri Makmur
• Persatuan Peserta Projek Pertanian Berkelompok Tanah Abang Baru Mersing Johor

Nelayan
• Persatuan Nelayan Kebangsaan (NEKMAT)

Education & Publishing
• Persatuan Penjual, Pembekal Buku Dan Alat Tulis Bumiputera Malaysia Wilayah Utara Malaysia
• Koperasi Pendidikan Islam Malaysia Berhad
• Percetakan Melayu Malaysia
• Persatuan Kontraktor Buku Malaysia

Info Technology


Finance & Insurance
• Persatuan Agen Takaful Ikhlas Semalaysia
• Persatuan Remiser Bumiputra Malaysia (PRIBUMI)
• Persatuan Usahawan Takaful Kebangsaan Malaysia (PUSTAKA)

Hotel & Tourism
• Persatuan Francaisi Hotel Seri Malaysia
• Persatuan Ejen-Ejen Pelancongan Dan Pengembaraan Bumiputra Malaysia (BUMITRA)

Media & Advertising
• Persatuan Agensi Pengiklanan Bumiputera Kuala Lumpur Dan Selangor

Logging & Timber
• Persatuan Pembalak Bumiputera Negeri Perak
• Persatuan Pengusahawan Kayu-Kayan Dan Perabot Bumiputra Malaysia
• Persatuan Pengusaha Industri Perabot Bumiputra Malaysia (PETRA)

Malay Writers
• Gabungan Persatuan Penulis Nasional (GAPENA)
• Angkatan Sasterawan Nasional Kedah (ASASI)

Action Plan - Establish More Credible & Effective Business Associations !

Here is what I think the muslim business community should do:-
1. We should already have effective business associations in all the fields the we are involved in, if not - establish them quick!

Why quick?

The window of change is getting narrower and at a fast rate - globalization, FTA’s, etc. etc and of coz PRU13!

Do you think the grievances and wishes of the Muslim businessmen and associations are being heard.

The issues of the Non-muslims indeed are. Even when what they asked for is against court decisions.

Malays, on the other hand, tend to be tolerant, very politically correct and respectful of the law

2. Besides the micro-management of our individual business ( which we should obviously mind ourselves) we should also organize our business at macro-level.

This can be done through the business associations and guilds.

You cannot go far on your own-lah, Abang! Bersatu dan berangka-rangka (structured) teguh, bercerai atau bersatu-tapi-selambak bodoh!

3. Collaborative and collective actions are necessary. If we don’t we will be in a very disadvantaged position.

The government, for one, doesn’t listen to individual companies (lest you are a close crony!), they hear associations especially the credible ones. (Dewan Melayu can’t even get their rep into the Pemudah committee ).

4. Government policies are being changed very fast under Najib present administration and some legacy of Pak Lah. We don’t even know what to comment or ask! Only to moan…

We seemed to be asking for the same old thing – licenses, AP’s and ‘negotiated contracts’.

When asked if we want any of the government policies to be improved, we’d just be dumbfounded and would simply ask the practice of giving out AP’s and ‘negotiated contracts’ be continued (were they enacted policies, anyway?)

Is it a enacted policy to give priority to the 100% Bumi companies too, I wonder? So when Pemudah changed definition of the Bumiputra-ness to just mere 51% - it is not exactly changing a ratified policy, it’s just changing a traditionally accepted practice.

We should thus get together and get together we must fast – to formulate what must be and must be not!

Is the great Dewan Melayu and the Persatuan Kontraktor feeling anxious about anything?

Sunday, July 12, 2009

How Many Muslim-based Business Associations Are There?

Business associations are established under various registration with the government.

Although many are registered under Registrar of Societies Malaysia or R.O.S, there are quite a number which are registered as companies under the Registrar of Companies (R.O.C.)

The ROC is now Companies Commission of Malaysia or more widely known as SSM (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia).

There are currently 114,000 bodies registered under the R.O.S. Not all of them are business associations, of course. Many are non-profit, non-business related oragnisations - now more popularly called NGO's.

I wonder how many are business associations and trade guilds - of the 114,000 registered under R.O.S.

And how many of the business associations and guilds are established by the Muslims, for the Muslims? Not many, I'm pretty sure.

I have come to the conclusion that a measure (or an indicator) of the level of development of a community has attained is by the numbers of associations and guilds it has formed. The more associations it has formed, the more highly-developed, structured and sophisticated the community tend to be.

Otherwise, it would be a big amorphous and sluggish lump of people - most likely solely organised by a dominant political party.

Everything then is expected of the party to do for the community - be it its social, economic, educational, religious or political issues; and thus power and control become very centred with leadership of that political party.

And if the leadership of that party is compromised for its own self-interest - the whole community suffers and deprived of proper representation (pembelaan) and leadership.

Why eDewan ?

eDewan, is a platform for muslim entrepreneurs and industries in Malaysia to organize themselves on.
It shall start with this blog and hopefully shall evolve into a proper website with more features and flexibility as it gets more attention, support and recognition.
We have of course several (not many, actually!) dewans and persatuan established by the muslims in Malaysia. The muslims especially the Malays are inclined to having ‘persatuan’ for the glamour of leading one where in their ‘functions’ they can rub shoulders with their political masters, and from which they will access to potential business for themselves.
Seldom are there ‘persatuans’ whose leadership devotes selflessly for the interest of the industry it represents, and to develop the particular industry.
It is with that reality in mind that this eDewan blog is created.