Sunday, November 11, 2018

Why the FundMyHome ‘property crowdfunding’ scheme is bad news


Press Statement by Agora Society on 11 November 2018 in Kuala Lumpur

The Agora Society has been closely following the Pakatan Harapan government’s commitment to provide affordable housing options to all, and is deeply concerned about the recently announced, government-backed P2P financing scheme ‘FundMyHome’ (described in the Budget 2019 speech as a ‘property crowdfunding’ platform). We feel that this scheme was rolled out too hastily and falls remarkably short of its purported priority of providing secure and stable long-term homeownership to aspiring first-time homeowners. While the prospect of moving into a, say, RM250,000 house – for five years – instantly with only a downpayment of RM50,000 (or 20%) might seem alluring at first glance, we are fearful that first time homeowners may be obscured from the scheme’s long-term implications.

For a start, buyers do not have full ownership of the property, and their rights as owner are only fully realized once they have fully paid for the property after the initial five-year period. According to our calculations, first-time homeowners intending to stay in the property for more than five years will be financially worse-off by the end of Year 5 (Figure 1). Row (f) of Table 1 and Figure 1 show that if the annual home value appreciation rate is 5% per annum, buyers would end up with an additional debt of RM37,911 relative to a scenario where they utilised a standard mortgage[1]. This additional debt figure rises to a staggering RM104,757, relative to a standard mortgage, if the annual home value appreciation rate is 10% per annum. This shows unequivocally that the price of refinancing – necessary to keep the house beyond the initial five-year period – is much higher than that of a standard mortgaged property. Buyers will need their household income to increase by at least 5.81%, or 1.19% in compound annual growth rate (CAGR), during the 5 years just to keep pace with the burgeoning home value. If a first time homeowner is not able to afford a standard mortgage for said property at the beginning, it is highly unlikely he or she will be able to afford a significantly higher refinancing cost five years later (see Rows (f) and (g) of Table 1).

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Non-Malaysian residents should also be entitled to the unlimited Monthly Pass

Press Statement by Agora Society on 8 November 2018

The Agora Society welcomes the Pakatan Harapan government’s announcement in the recent Budget that unlimited monthly travel passes will be made available to commuters in January 2019. This represents a right step towards encouraging a greater use of public transport in the Klang Valley and reducing the cost of living of the lower income groups.

We are, however, dismayed by the statement of Anthony Loke, the Transport Minister, that the two versions of the Monthly Pass, one costing RM100 to be used on all Rapid Rail and bus services and the other for Rapid bus services only at RM50, are limited to Malaysian citizens only. The decision practically excludes a large number of non-Malaysians who have been making significant contribution to the Malaysian economy.

Migrant workers, for one, would stand to lose as compared to Malaysians despite that the Malaysian economy has benefited tremendously from migrant labour. In an October 2017 report Migrating to Opportunity, the World Bank stated that a 10% net increase in low-skilled migrant workers raised Malaysia’s real GDP by 1.1%, and cheaper migrant workers helped lower production costs which resulted in more output and created more employment.

非大马公民的居民亦应获无限次月票

群议社文告,2018年11月8日于吉隆坡 


希望联盟政府在最近的财政预算案宣布,从2019年1月份开始,公共交通乘客可享有无限次乘搭公交月票卡,群议社对此表示欢迎。在提升巴生谷公交使用率和减轻低收入阶层的生活负担方面,这无疑是向前迈进一步。 


然而,我们对于交通部长陆兆福的以下说法感到错愕:两种月票服务——分别是价格100令吉无限次乘搭捷运和巴士,以及50令吉无限次乘搭巴士——只限马来西亚公民可享有。该决定实际上排除了许多为大马经济作出显著贡献的非公民。 


首当其冲的就是移工,尽管大马经济因为他们而受益匪浅。在2017年10月份的报告《迁往机会》(Migrating to Opportunity)中,世界银行指出,10%净增加的低技术移工使大马的实际国内生产总值提高了1.1%,而且廉价移工有助减低生产成本,带来更高产量并制造更多就业机会。   

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Stop Cross Over, Respect GE14’s Result!

31 Civil Society Organisations Joint Statement on 31 October 2018

We, the undersigned civil society organisations, are deeply troubled by the revelation of UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that the Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had allegedly demanded dissolution of UMNO (baru) and crossover of UMNO (baru) MPs to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) in a meeting. PPBM supreme council member Abdul Kadir Jasin also claimed that 40 UMNO (baru) MPs might join PPBM.

We believe that any crossing over of MPs from an opposition party to a ruling party, or vice versa, is an act of subverting the collective democratic decision made by the Malaysian voters in the GE14 to bring about our country’s very first regime change in history.

Malaysian voters sent a clear signal in the GE14 that they rejected UMNO (baru)-led Barisan Nasional (BN) for returning to power and instead elected the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition who promised a series of institutional reforms. Therefore, the purportedly cross-over of 40 opposition MPs to the ruling coalition will be a betrayal of people’s mandate, serve only for the self-interest of PPBM and UMNO (baru).

停止跳槽,尊重第14届大选成绩!

31公民社会团体联署文告,2018年10月31日

我们,以下联署的公民社会团体,对于巫统主席阿末查希哈米地揭露,首相马哈迪要求他解散巫统,以及要该党国会议员跳槽至土著团结党,感到极为不满。土著团结党最高理事阿都卡迪再欣也声称40个巫统国会议员将过档土著团结党。

我们认为,任何反对党国会议员跳槽到执政党,或反其道行之,乃颠覆马来西亚选民在第14届大选中集体民主实现第一次政党轮替之举。

马来西亚选民在第14届大选发出一个清楚的信号,他们拒绝巫统领导的国阵重新掌权,反之选择承诺系列制度改革的希望联盟。因此,若据称的40个反对党国会议员跳槽至执政党之事如实发生,这将是对人民委托的背叛,并且只服役于土著团结党和巫统的利益。

Friday, October 26, 2018

承担责任,停止山地开发,还民第三票!

群议社文告,2018年10月26日

我们依然为着10月19日槟城垄尾米桶山(Bukit Kukus)所发生的土崩悲剧感到哀伤。目前一共寻获9具遗体,1人仍失踪。我们与那些为罹难者——无论他们是否马来西亚人——举行追思会的槟城同胞并肩而立。我们向那些痛失父亲、母亲和至爱的破碎家庭致以最深切的慰问。日子过去,但遗憾地,至今没有任何团体或单位为最近的这起事故负起责任——哪位当政者何曾向那些遭殃的家庭道歉?

就在这场悲剧发生的不过一周之前,同样的地点已有工地意外事故和结构坍塌的报导,且于10月11日收到暂停工程的命令。不幸的是,据报导有关承包商仍然继续进行操作,相信是一直到10月19日为止。低效的执行力明显亦是一大问题。违反命令的承包商必须受到公开指控,并在案件确立后受到最严厉的法律惩处。

这场惨剧让我们想起近一年前发生在丹绒武雅Granito房屋计划建筑工地的土崩。该事件也遭遇类似状况,即有关当局完全没有尽到「监督」和「管理」土壤侵蚀与斜坡完整性的职责。

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Take responsibility, stop hillslope development, return our third vote!

Press Statement by Agora Society on 25 Oct 2018

We remained saddened by the latest tragic landslide that happened at Bukit Kukus, Penang Island on19th October. A total of 9 bodies have been recovered and 4 are still missing thus far. We stand together with other fellow Penangites in the vigil for the victims who lost their lives, Malaysian and non-Malaysians alike, unnecessarily. We offer our deepest condolences for the families who are now left devastated without their father, mother or loved ones. Days have passed but, regrettably, not a single party or authority has taken responsibility for what had happened in the latest episode –did anyone in power ever say ‘Sorry’ to the affected families?

This tragic news came barely one week after the news that a worksite ‘mishap’ and structural collapse occurred at the same site, followed by a stop work order issued on 11th Oct. Unfortunately, it was reported that the contractor still went on their operation probably until 19th Oct. Clearly the weak enforcement was also a big issue. The contractor who went against the order must be named and shamed and, should the case be established, be made to face the most severe possible legal punishment.

This tragic incident reminds us of the landslide at the Granito construction worksite at Tanjung Bungah almost a year ago, which shares some similarities in that the authorities had failed utterly in their duty to ‘monitor’ and ‘control’ the soil erosion and slope integrity.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Could the by-election in Port Dickson be model for fair elections in the future?

Joint Press Statement by Malaysian Election Observers Network and Agora Society on 16 Oct 2018

The interests on the by-election in Port Dickson can be about the political, that is, how much mandate could Anwar get from the local electorates to push for his Prime Ministerial ambition. And also, in a longer term, about election conduct or fairness standards for instance irrespective of who win in an election, can it be obtained without abusing government/public facilities? That Anwar the candidate and PM-in-waiting reportedly promised to stay away from abusing government facilities –he actually claim this by-election to be the 1st election where government facilities will not be abused, focus considerable attention on the challenge!

Now that the by-election has come to an end, did Anwar keep his promise? Regrettably there are well-documented reports from credible observers that there were numerous instances where government facilities were indeed abused to advantage Anwar the candidate! This does not cast doubt on his capacity to pull off a victory otherwise, but simply means that we are still facing a future where our election system, while unreformed, is open to such abuses and its integrity is less than even how a regular football game is refereed!

波德申补选是否可成为未来公正选举的典范?

马来西亚选举观察员网络与群议社联合文告,20181016

波德申补选的趣味在于安华.伊布拉欣能从当地选民之间获得多大的政治委托,以协助实现他的首相梦。但是长久而言,这是关乎选举行为是否有公正的标准,候选人可否滥用政府公器,无关谁在选举中胜出。报导指出,作为候选人和候任首相的安华承诺避免滥用政府设施 他声称这场补选将是第一场政府设施不被滥用的选举,他将关注竞选期间的这个挑战。

现在,补选已经结束,安华是否信守承诺?遗憾地,许多可信的报导和观察员已指出,政府设施在许多场合被滥用,以让候选人安华从中获利。虽然这并不表示,安华没有能力获得选举胜利,但是我们将面对一个选举制度没有改革及公开被滥用的未来。这个制度的仲裁的诚信甚至比一场足球赛的裁判来得低!

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Mahathir Mohamad must recuse himself from the MA63 Committee

//Press Statement by Agora Society Malaysia on 12 October 2018//
The Agora Society is shocked at the announcement by Liew Vui Keong, Law Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, that the committee set up to review the 1963 Malaysia Agreement will be headed by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
We are of the view that, for over 20 years as prime minister, Mahathir undermined the democratic and electoral processes in Sabah, and connived at the plunder of Sarawak’s wealth and natural resources by corrupt politicians, all at the expense of the Sarawak people. It would therefore not be too far-fetched to say that Mahathir is the root cause of the various problems and the inequality gap between East and West Malaysia today.
Given Mahathir’s lack of moral credentials to assume such an important role, the pledge by the PKR, DAP and Amanah leaderships to promote democracy, integrity and clean politics will ring hollow should the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government give its approval.

马来西亚契约特委会 马哈迪必须自我规避

//群议社文告,2018年10月12日//
群议社对于首相署法律部长刘伟强宣布首相马哈迪即将领导1963年马来西亚契约特别内阁委员会感到震惊。
我们认为,马哈迪任内20多年内破坏沙巴民主选举程序,纵容砂拉越贪腐巨鳄收刮民脂,是当今东马诸多问题及东西马不平等的始作俑者。
鉴于马哈迪缺乏道德凭据担当如此重要的角色,若希盟政府允准此事,也显示公正党、行动党、诚信党领袖多年来倡议的民主、诚信和廉政价值付之阙如。

社長林奕慧說故事

The story of Agora Society, written by the Agora Society Chairperson Lim Yi Hui.

群议社的故事
魏月萍老师的这篇文章提到群议社是「反马派」的代表,在感慨之余,我不禁想要说说群议社的故事。当然,这纯粹是我的个人观点,并不是组织的立场。
在发表「马来西亚拒绝贪腐与独裁领袖」声明之后,我和一群朋友认为,马来西亚的公民社会普遍失去了自主性,因着急切改变政局的渴望而选择拥护马哈迪回归,并且失去了对于政党应有的批判性距离。所以,我们决定成立一个超越政党的独立组织。
要在狂澜中作砥柱,谈何容易。如果不愿被排山倒海的大局论吞噬,就要禁得起寂寞。那一阵子,我们无论在公在私,都受到各种讥讽和挞伐。尽管如此,我们还是以有限的能力去分析政党宣言、发表文告、举办政策改革讨论会等等。明知道群众的激情是抗衡不了的,但我们还是秉持原则,发出理性的诉求。

Monday, October 8, 2018

《對症下藥:改革公共交通》講座-社員分享

以下是社員林志翰博士在10月8日的講座里所作的分享,感謝當今大馬的報道:


希盟政府宣布最迟2020年推出第三国产车,但公共交通倡议者反对第三国产车,不仅与鼓励使用公交及减少使用私家车起矛盾,更不符合时代背景及浪费钱。
群议社社员林志翰昨晚在“对症下药:改革公共交通”论坛上质疑,若第三国产车的销售以本地市场为主,则将与政府推动公交的努力有所冲突。
“第三国产车是要卖出去还是卖本地是关键,若不是卖给国外而是卖给本地人,这代表与推广公共交通是有矛盾。”

Thursday, September 13, 2018

《509後,朝野下一站在哪?》講辭


社員林志翰博士昨天晚上(9月13日)在隆雪華堂民權委員會舉辦的《509後,朝野下一站在哪?》講座里,發表的演說講辭:

《509後,朝野下一站在哪?》是今天的主題。

起初我還沒成為主講人之前,我乍看題目,覺得有一點不對勁…我想,除了要考慮朝野的下一站,到底公民社會或者我們人民現在在哪輛列車,能不能下站決定自己要去哪裡?剛才聽了書琪和健南的分享,我還不清楚朝野的下一站到底要去哪裡。
我不在朝也不在野,我第三個主講,不想談政治博弈,而是想要大家把關注點拉回到公民社會的政治參與。

Friday, April 20, 2018

BN Manifesto: The Promise of a Dim Future of Divided Society, Dysfunctional Nation and Flight of Human Capital

Press Release by Agora Society in Kuala Lumpur on 20 April 2018

The newly released Barisan Nasional Manifesto for the 14th general election on 7 April 2018 is a great disappointment for Malaysians. As this election is supposed to be a close contest between the ruling and the opposition parties since independence, the reluctance of BN to directly tackle political and social turmoil plaguing the country suggests that BN is either incapable of overcoming these problems or there are benefits to be gained from perpetuating these problems.

The BN manifesto promises Malaysians status quo, as it offers very little significant improvement in governance. Instead it is embellished with distracting election goodies. This raise the questions about effectiveness of the government transformation programmes and economic transformation programmes that have cost Malaysian tax payers millions of ringgits. Have these programmes failed to deliver what they were designed to do? Where will TN50 actually lead the country, with policies which do not deliver results?

Saturday, March 31, 2018

The Constituency Redelineation Exercise is Opaque and Undemocratic

Press Release by the Agora Society on 31 March 2018

The Agora Society condemns the recent redelineation exercise undertook by the Election Committee, and passed by the Parliament that further aggravate the malapportionment and gerrymandering of electoral constituencies in our country. Similar malpractices in the past has essentially tilted the scales of our election in the GE 13 where the popular votes won by the Pakatan Rakyat failed to translate into a majority in the parliamentary seats. It is extremely sad to see that the new redelineated electoral boundaries were already gazetted with an unprecedented speed yesterday.

The redelineation exercise is opaque and undemocratic. Despite many valid and fair objections, as well as constructive counter-proposals have been raised by our civil societies, especially by Bersih 2.0, the EC had decided to turn a deaf ear and submit a flawed amendment to the parliament nonetheless. This decision had necessitated multiple corrections subsequently.

Monday, March 26, 2018

公民社会呼吁恢复地方议会选举


(请大家点击阅读3月23日政策改革讨论会所通过的26个提案)
 
公民社会政策改革连线新闻稿,2018年3月26日

第14届大选来临之际,一群公民呼吁联邦政府和所有州政府恢复地方议会选举,归还人民的第三票。

他们强调,地方议会是与一般人民最息息相关的政府机构,人民能否遴选符合资格和有能力的代表服务人民,这非常重要。不幸的是,联邦政府于60年代剥夺人民遴选地方议会代表的权利。

“目前的市议员委任制缺乏问责精神,因为被委任的市议员不必面对社群的不满与压力,若市议员表现差劲,当地的居民没有办法可以制衡他们。纳税人也无法决定地方的策划与发展,这对他们极不公平。”提呈议案的隆雪中华大会堂青年团代表李淑炜说。

Saturday, March 17, 2018

希盟族群化改革议程 促设转型正义委员会

群议社文告,2018年3月17日

群议社恭贺希望联盟公布其大选宣言《希望之书》。我们正面肯定《希望之书》内倡议的重要改革如下方联邦政府的权力、废除恶法、选举改革、推出妇女公积金和反性骚扰法案等等。

然而,我们遗憾地注意到,《希望之书》拥有民粹主义、福利主义、改革主义和种族主义的混合性格,并在所有政策中将人民分割成不同的族群。在203页的《希望之书》,提及25次土著、35次马来人、5次华人、48次印度人和24次原住民,并公开注明许多针对土著的社会经济差别待遇政策。

反之,2013年大选民联推出的《橙皮书》却呼吁将政策焦点从增加土著股权,改成增加所有大马人的家庭收入。《橙皮书》也强调,扶弱政策应该根据需求而非族群身份。虽然《橙皮书》捍卫宪法的保障条款如伊斯兰教、马来语、马来人特别地位和皇室,大多数政策是根据全民的普世权利和阶级来制订。

Racialisation of Pakatan Harapan

Press Statement by Agora Society on 17 March 2018

Agora Society congratulates Pakatan Harapan for releasing the GE14 manifesto Book of Hope that embodies significant reforms such as the decentralisation of federal power, abolition of draconian laws, electoral reforms, introduction of EPF for housewives and anti-sexual harassment bill.

However, we regret to note that the Book of Hope also shows complex characteristics of populist, welfarist, reformist and racialist that compartmentalise Malaysians along racial lines. The 203 pages of manifesto has mentioned in total 25 times the term Bumiputera, 35 times Malays, 5 times Chinese, 48 times Indian and 24 times Orang Asal. Many preferential social and economic policies for Bumiputera were openly stated.

On the contrary, the PR’s Orange book back in 2013 vowed to shift the focus of the government policies from ones that are based on Bumiputera equity to ones that aim at the increment of household income of all Malaysians. It also stressed that affirmative actions should be need-based rather than race-based. While the Orange Book also upheld the constitutional protection of Islam, Malay language, special position of Malays and the Monarchy, most of its policies were based on universal rights for all citizens and classes.

Friday, March 16, 2018

Citizens Call for Restoration of Local Council Election

(26 motions passed in the policy reform discussion are listed at below)

As the 14th General Election is looming, a group of citizens called upon the federal government and state governments to restore local council election and return the third vote to the people.

They argued that the local council is most relevant to the daily life of ordinary people, it is crucial for a community to elect qualified and competent representatives who can serve the people.

Unfortunately the right to elect people’s local representatives was usurped by the federal authority in 1960s.

Friday, March 2, 2018

公民社会政策改革连线

12公民组织联合文告,2018年3月2日

第十四届大选即将来临,遗憾的是我国的主要政党依然忙着争夺议席,议论一些无关痛痒的琐碎事务,或搞毫无意义的媒体宣传噱头。

我们12个公民社会组织,认为国内主要政党的权力斗争,已经乖离政治与经济改革议程。

纳吉政府治理之下,民主空间前所未有萎缩。政府制订诸多恶法以限制公民自由,滥权舞弊案件更是数不胜数。一党独大的国阵也拒绝落实任何改革政策以推动民主化。

Civil Society Caucus for Policy Reform

Joint Statement by 12 Civil Society Organisation in KL on 2 March 2018

When the 14th general election is just around the corner, it is sad to see that the major political parties are either busy squabbling over seat allocations or trivial issues or making contentless media gimmicks.

We, as the civil society organisations, hold the view that the current power struggle among major political players has derailed from the political and economic reforms agenda.

Under the Najib administration, democratic space has been shrinking, draconian laws were enacted to stifle freedom, and corruption is rampant. The one-party state has been refusing to initiate any policy reform to democratise Malaysia.

Thursday, January 4, 2018

联合声明:马来西亚拒绝贪腐与独裁领袖

公民团体与个人联署声明,2018年1月4日

我们——以下联署的17个公民团体与107名关心公民——认为即将来临的第十四届全国大选,非但不是民主进程的催化剂,反而将会成为「逐底竞争」,进而锐挫自2008年政治海啸涌现的公民运动。

有鉴于此,我们就目前的民主斗争与政治领袖的廉正问题作出以下联合声明:

Joint Statement : Malaysia Free of Corruptors and Dictators

Joint Press Statement on 4 January 2018

We, the undersigned 17 NGOs and 107 concerned citizens, are of the view that the upcoming 14th general election (GE14), instead of serving as a catalyst for democratization, will be a ‘race to the bottom’, with severe implications for the civic activism that emerged in the wake of the 2008 political tsunami.

With this in mind, we would like to issue a joint statement on the current democratic struggle and the integrity of political leadership as follows:

Kenyataan Bersama: Malaysia Bebas daripada Perasuah dan Diktator

Kenyataan Media Bersama 4 Januari 2018

Kami, 17 Pertubuhan Bukan Kerajaan (NGO) dan 107 warganegara prihatin yang menandatangan di bawah, berpandangan bahawa Pilihan Raya Umum ke-14 (PRU-14), daripada berfungsi sebagai pemangkin demokrasi, akan menjadi “perlumbaan ke paras terendah” yang membawa implikasi buruk kepada aktivisme sivik yang muncul selepas tsunami politik 2008.

Dengan ini, kami ingin mengeluarkan sebuah kenyataan bersama tentang perjuangan demokrasi semasa dan integriti pemimpinan politik seperti berikut: