Pendekatan kerajaan untuk meningkatkan pendapatan orang asli

My question on the benefits received by the natives in view of the measure announced by the government especially in my constituency was answered on the 16 June 2009. I received a written reply as follows;

Minta Menteri Kamajuan Luar Bandar Dan Wilayah menyatakan pendekatan yang diambil oleh Kerajaan untuk meningkatkan sumber pendapatan Orang Asli khususnya kepada Orang Asli di kawasan Labis.

JAWAPAN:

Tuan yang dipertua,

Sehingga kini, Kementerian menerusi JHEOA telah membangunkan kawasan Orang Asli di Labis iaitu di Kampung Juaseh seluas 65.15 hektar dan Kampung Segamat Kecil seluas 48.56 hektar dengan tanaman kelapa sawit yang dilaksanakan oleh RISDA dan telah memberi manfaat kepada 55 peserta.

Selain daripada itu, JHEOA dengan kerjasama Yayasan Pelajaran Johor (YPJ) telah melaksanakan pembangunan secara bersepadu menerusi program Rancangan Pengumpulan Semula (RPS) yang merangkumi lima perkampungan Orang Asli di kawasan parlimen Labis iaitu di Kg. Kudong, Kg. Sri Tembayan, Kg. Tamok, Kg. Kemidak dan Kg. Selai. Ianya melibatkan pembangunan tanah seluas 1,504 hektar dengan tanaman kelapa sawit serta memberi manfaat kepada seramai 188 orang peserta Orang Asli.

From my previous dialogues with the natives, I understand that the main grouses of the natives in my area is that they have not obtained their bonuses as promised. From the recent feedback that I have acquired from the officers and also the special assistant of the Johor Exco YB Tan Kok Hong, this matter has been resolved. Nevertheless, I understand that the government cannot guarantee the rate of bonus yearly and the amount will fluctuate depending on the profit obtained.

The next challenge ahead is how the government plans to train and provide the necessary skill sets for the native to self manage the plantation as currently it is managed by the state and any income earned is distributed by the state as well. Thus, we are not really educating the natives on how to be self-substaining. In fact, they will be more reliant and the productivity may also not be very high compared to owner operated plantations.

If the natives work as an owner operated plantation, there will be more incentives for the native to work harder as any increase in productivity would be their gains. The government can still play significant role in providing downstream support i.e. refining of current system and fair distribution to avoid the native from being exploited.

JPA scholarship yearly problem

The question on JPA award of overseas scholarship is the first question in parliament yesterday during the question and answer time. Based on the results of the 2008 SPM, three students scored 16 1A’s, two scored 15 1A’s, six 14 1A’s, 41 of them scored 13 1A’s while 229 scored 12 1A’s. Looking at the results only, all students that scored above 12 1A’s would have obtained overseas scholarship as the government awards 2000 overseas scholarship yearly.

However due to the scoring system which takes into account various factor some students were not eligible for the scholarship. As such to clear the air, it is important the Government handles the award of scholarship in a more transparent manner. Top students who are not able to obtain scholarship should be given an explanation. JPA should inform the student directly based on their scoring system why the particular student has failed to obtain the necessary score to obtain the scholarship. Also a proper avenue of appeal must be established so that students do not have to go through political channels to highlight their cases.

Placing the results of those who are awarded scholarship on the net would also give more light to the matter. Without all these, the yearly debate on whether top students are given the right treatment will continue. Some will use the issue to get political mileage. Everyone knows that a student with excellent reaults might only signify that he has good memory and it is a fact that no government in the world can give scholarship to all excellent students. Thus the crux of the issue of JPA scholarship is that applicants are unable to determine why they are not eligible especially when the successful candidate has results that are similar or lower than them.

In summary as long as the Government is consistent and transparent in handling the award of the overseas scholarship, this yearly issue can be avoided. Government must walk extra mile to convince the Rakyat that under PM Dato Seri Najib 'Satu Malaysia', there is fair treatment to all races.

Maklumat Tentang Perkhidmatan Kewangan Kerajaan 政府提供的资金及咨询服务

Memandangkan keadaan ekonomi global dalam keadaan yang tidak menentu, saya ingin memberi sedikit sebanyak maklumat tentang perkhidmatan nasihat dan bantuan kewangan yang ditawarkan oleh agensi-agensi kerajaan.

Pusat Hubungan Bersepadu Bank Negara Malaysia berperanan memberi maklumat, khidmat nasihat serta sebagai saluran aduan dan pengantaraan kepada orang ramai mengenai hal-hal berikut:

a) Perbankan
b) Insurans dan Takaful
c) Laporan kredit (CCRIS report)
d)Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana; dan
e) Lain-lain hal yang berkaitan kewangan

Maklumat lanjut boleh didapati di:
BNMTELELINK
Jabatan Komunikasi Korporat
Bank Negara Malaysia
Peti Surat 10922
50929 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 1-300-88-5465
Faks: 03-2174 1515
e-mel: bnmtelelink@bnm.gov.my

Orang ramai juga boleh melayari laman-laman web berikut untuk mendapatkan maklumat-maklumat tambahan:

www.bnm.gov.my
www.bankinginfo.com.my
www.insuranceinfo.com.my
www.creditbureau.gov.my
www.fmb.org.my
www.akpk.org.my
www.smeinfo.com.my
www.abm.org.my

Selain itu, kerajaan juga menyediakan dana dan khidmat nasihat bagi perusahaan kecil dan sederhana. Maklumat boleh didapati di: http://www.mdb.gov.my/mdb/documents/dana.pdf

Di samping itu, agensi kerajaan dan institusi kewangan menyediakan pelbagai khidmat nasihat kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) dalam bidang pengurusan perniagaan dan kewangan, di samping khidmat nasihat teknikal. Berikut ialah khidmat nasihat untuk PKS yang sedia ada:

Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC)
CGC menyediakan khidmat nasihat kepada PKS berkaitan langkah-langkah yang efektif dari segi kos untuk menguruskan perniagaan mereka.

Pusat Khidmat Pelanggan
Credit Gurantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad
Aras 2, Bangunan CGC, Kelana Business Centre,
97, Jalan SS 7/2, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Tel: 03-7880 0088
Faks: 03-7880 0088
E-mel: csc@cgc.com.my

Panel Penasihat Pakar PKS SMIDEC
Panel Penasihat Pakar PKS (SME Expert Advisory Panel, SEAP), di bawah Perbadanan Pembangunan Industri Kecil dan Sederhana (Small dan Medium Industries Development Corporation, SMIDEC) mengendalikan bantuan di premis oleh pakar industri untuk PKS, dengan tujuan memindahkan pengetahuan technologi dan pengalaman. SEAP menyediakan akses kepada bantuan teknikal dan khidmat nasihat untuk PKS.

Perbadanan Pembangunan Industri Kecil dan Sederhana (SMIDEC)
Aras 20, West Wing, Menara MATRADE,
Jalan Khidmat Usaha, Off Jalan Duta,
50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-6207 6000
Faks: 03-6201 6564
Talian Bebas Tol: 1-300-88-1801
E-mel: info@smidec.gov.my
Laman Web: www.smidec.gov.my

Unit PKS di Institusi Perbankan
PKS boleh menghubungi Unit PKS yang khusus di bank perdagangan dan bank Islam untuk mendapatkan maklumat tentang pelbagai sumber pembiayaan yang disediakan, memudahkan proses permohonan pinjaman, menangani masalah yang dihadapi dalam mendapatkan pinjaman daripada institusi kewangan, di samping mendapatkan khidmat nasihat.
Maklumat lanjut boleh didapati di Portal SMEinfo: www.smeinfo.com.my

Pusat Khidmat Nasihat SME Bank (SAC)
Pusat nasihat SME bank bekerjasama dengan Agensi lain yang berdaftar dengannya untuk memberikan sokongan dan khidmat nasihat kepada PKS. Pusat ini memberikan sokongan dan nasihat kepada PKS dalam semua peringkat kitaran perniagaan bagi membantu mereka berkembang, berinovasi dan mencapai kecermelangan dalam aktiviti perniagaan mereka, di samping dapat mengatasi kekangan kewangan mereka. Nasihat pakar tentang pemasaran, pembangunan perniagaan, operasi dan khidmat pelanggan turut disediakan kepada PKS.

Pusat Khidmat Nasihat
Tingkat 7, Menara SME Bank,
Jalan Sultan Ismail,
Peti Surat 12352,
50774 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2615 2888
Faks: 03-2691 0727

Khidmat Nasihat Kementerian Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani (MOA)
Kementerian Pertanian menyediakan khidmat nasihat dan perkhidmatan perundingan teknologi kepada PKS tentang pelbagai aktiviti pengeluaran pertanian dengan memberikan tumpuan khas pada peningkatan produktiviti dan daya saing dalam perniagaan asas tani seperti hortikultur, ternakan, akuakultur dan perikanan.

Agri-food Business Development Centre (Agri-food BDC)
Tingkat Bawah, Wisma Tani,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,
No. 28, Persiaran Perdana Presint 4,
62624 Putrajaya.
Tel: 03-8870 1970/1971/1404/1402
Faks: 03-8888 6532
E-mel: raihan@moa.gov.my, zeckhasan@moa.gov.my, shima@moa.gov.my
Laman Web: http://agrolink.moa.my

Saya berharap maklumat-maklumat ini boleh memberi manfaat dan bantuan kepada orang ramai yang memerlukannya.


目前，许多人民正受到世界经济放缓的影响。实际上，政府有通过国家银行等机构，为公众提供资料、资金援助和咨询服务。

其中，国家银行一站式中心可为公众提供资料和咨询服务，同时也接受公众投诉，范围包括：
a) 银行
b) 保险及回教保险
c) 信贷报告
d) 中小企业
e) 其他金融相关事务

欲知详情，可联络:
BNMTELELINK
Jabatan Komunikasi Korporat
Bank Negara Malaysia
Peti Surat 10922
50929 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 1-300-88-5465
Faks: 03-2174 1515
e-mel: bnmtelelink@bnm.gov.my

公众也可以浏览以下网址获取更多资料：

www.bnm.gov.my
www.bankinginfo.com.my
www.insuranceinfo.com.my
www.creditbureau.gov.my
www.fmb.org.my
www.akpk.org.my
www.smeinfo.com.my
www.abm.org.my

此外，政府也为中小企业提供资金和咨询服务，详情可浏览: http://www.mdb.gov.my/mdb/documents/dana.pdf

目前，政府机构及金融机构为中小企业提供许多咨询服务，包括商业管理、金融管理和技术咨询，这些机构包括：-

信贷担保机构（Credit Guarantee Corporation，简称CGC）
这家机构为中小企业提供节省成本，以有效进行商业管理的咨询服务。

Pusat Khidmat Pelanggan
Credit Gurantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad
Aras 2, Bangunan CGC, Kelana Business Centre,
97, Jalan SS 7/2, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Tel: 03-7880 0088
Faks: 03-7880 0088
E-mel: csc@cgc.com.my

中小工业发展机构中小企业专业顾问团（Panel Penasihat Pakar PKS SMIDEC）
中小工业发展机构（SMIDEC）属下的中小企业专业顾问团，为中小企业提供工业和技术方面的咨询及协助。

Perbadanan Pembangunan Industri Kecil dan Sederhana (SMIDEC)
Aras 20, West Wing, Menara MATRADE,
Jalan Khidmat Usaha, Off Jalan Duta,
50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-6207 6000
Faks: 03-6201 6564
Talian Bebas Tol: 1-300-88-1801
E-mel: info@smidec.gov.my
Laman Web: www.smidec.gov.my

银行中小企业部门
中小企业可以联络各商业银行和回教银行的中小企业部门，获取贷款详情和咨询服务。详情可浏览: www.smeinfo.com.my

中小企业银行咨询服务中心
中小企业银行咨询服务中心和其他机构合作，为中小企业提供支援及咨询，包括商业周转、发展、创新方面的咨询，以及解决财务问题。该中心也提供市场、商业运作及客户服务。

Pusat Khidmat Nasihat
Tingkat 7, Menara SME Bank,
Jalan Sultan Ismail,
Peti Surat 12352,
50774 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2615 2888
Faks: 03-2691 0727

农业及农基工业咨询服务
农业及农基工业部为中小企业提供农业生产方面的咨询服务，特别是园艺、畜牧、水产养殖和渔业。

Agri-food Business Development Centre (Agri-food BDC)
Tingkat Bawah, Wisma Tani,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,
No. 28, Persiaran Perdana Presint 4,
62624 Putrajaya.
Tel: 03-8870 1970/1971/1404/1402
Faks: 03-8888 6532
E-mel: raihan@moa.gov.my, zeckhasan@moa.gov.my, shima@moa.gov.my
Laman Web: http://agrolink.moa.my

我希望以上资料，可以帮到正寻求相关协助的公众。

Presentation Proposal to EPU: benefits of the acquisition of PLUS

Subsequent to my speech in parliament on 26 February 2009 and presentation to the MCA Presidential Council on 3 March 2009 on the proposal to acquire PLUS, I had a chance to present the proposal to Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop (head of EPU) on the benefits of the acquisition of PLUS on 09 June 2009.

The presentation was done together with the team that was tasked to put forward the proposal to EPU to look at the benefits of acquiring PLUS.

In summary, the presentation lasted for approximately 45 minutes including discussion and I am pleased that the Government is taking steps to reach out to gain more feedback and different viewpoint on the issue.

As I have stress previously, acquiring PLUS would be beneficial as it could used as a benchmark and guideline to see if the take over could be done for the benefit of the rakyat, at the same time not straining the government financial position. The remaining free float shares of PLUS should be acquired as I have previously proposed at RM3.50 considering that the price of the share has now moved up. Assuming Government would like to have full control of PLUS it would require an outlay of approximately RM6.32billion.

Seem a lot in the short term but in the long run the Government would also stand to benefits. The following is a summary of benefits that I have previously mentioned;

a) Good returns

- The accumulated profit after tax from financial year end 2004 to 2008 is RM5.265billion and RM2.706billion if toll compensations are excluded.
- Good profit margin after tax ranging from 16% and above.

b) Avoid toll hike
- The concession agreement was signed in 1988 and is for 50 years thus ending in 2038 unless there are extensions.

- Currently the Government is bound contractually to allow the toll increase. From the financial aspect, PLUS have been generating a profit of RM350million to RM600million yearly from the financial year 2004 to 2008, even if the gross compensation from the Government for not increasing the toll is excluded.

- This clearly shows that if PLUS is taken over and held by the Government the possibility of waiving toll increase can be carried out both financially or legally

c) Costly toll compensation

- Current the Government has been compensating PLUS yearly and the amount has been increasing yearly from RM295million in 2003 to RM730million in 2008.
- Acquiring PLUS would enable the Government to reduce or avoid toll compensation.

d) Reduction of toll

- As at 31/12/08 the long term borrowings of PLUS amounts to RM9.4billion and if the yearly dividend announced and received is assumed to RM800million PLUS can settle the long term borrowing in 12 years MAXIMUM based on the financial results as at 31 December 2008.
- With the reduction in borrowings the cash flow savings and expenses is estimated to be RM645million yearly based on 2008 financial figures. This would reduce the cost of operations of PLUS and hence a reduction of toll fee is possible.

In conclusion, there are benefits in exploring this proposal and I hope that the Government would acquire the remaining shares in PLUS to ensure that the rakyat are not burdened due to 3 yearly adjustment of toll rate. The current three years toll hike issue needs to be addressed as any increases in toll should be based on operational needs rather than contractual obligations. Politically, it would signify a significant change in the Government and shows that the Government cares and listen to the rakyat.

文告：拉美士华小新校舍动工

（拉美士讯） 马华拉美士区国会议员蔡智勇说，拉美士华小4层楼新校舍工程已动工，预料在2010年完成。

他今日发表文告说，根据了解，新校舍只有6间课室，他会继续与校方合作监督学校工程，确保新校舍工程拥有足够课室，让学生都在上午班上课。

“我会与拉美士华小董事部和校长密切联系，确保工程如期进行。新校舍的工程原本耗资144万令吉，如今增加到568万4千700令吉，工程除了新校舍之外，也包括了学校前门。 ”

蔡智勇说，在内阁改组后，他曾与卸任拉美士区国会议员拿督斯里蔡细历医生亲自会见现任教育部长丹斯里慕尤丁反映拉美士华小的问题，而慕尤丁认同面对白蚁问题的拉美士华小面需要紧急处理，他表示将亲自了解拉美士华小的情况，以提供帮助。

蔡智勇也曾多次致函向前任教育部长拿督斯里希山慕丁反映拉美士华小的问题，包括拨款不足设立新校舍及购置足够设备的问题。

“虽然目前经济放缓，政府也同样关注学生的学习环境需求。我对政府了解拉美士华小的问题，决定增加拨款进行工程感到高兴。”

新校舍建竣后除了有6间课室，也包括其他设施室。

蔡智勇说，协助拉美士华小设立新校舍是他在去年大选期间对拉美士的承诺，如今承诺已经兑现，他对拉美士华小有足够建校基金感到欣慰。

他说，适逢学校假期，当局还没有与学校开会，15日开学时国会下议院也同时召开会议直到6月30日，不过，他会尽快到拉美士华小了解工程的进展。

基于拥有超过900名学生的拉美士华小是拉美士区内主要华小，他希望工程局委任可靠的承包商，确保工程如期完成。

虽然政府已在第九大马计划下，批准拉美士华小建立一座4层楼的新校舍，不过，因为突然爆发的金融危机影响所有建筑计划和维修工作，导致拉美士华小的新校舍计划过了超过1年都还没有开始动工。

“现在，拉美士华小的工程已经开始动工，说明政府了解拉美士人民的需求和希望，重视落实承诺，同时也不分源流地协助学校。”

蔡智勇说，接下来，他将极力协助双溪加叻华小的两层楼新校舍的计划。

他指出，双溪加叻华小需要70万令吉，设立一座两层楼的新校舍，包括8间课室、一间科学实验室、一间生活技能及技职课室、一间音乐室，还有新校舍需要用到的桌椅等设备，另一方面，校方也希望提升现有的图书馆等设备。

他说，他在去年特别拨款6万令吉给双溪加叻华小，购买新桌椅和提升图书馆设施，之前，他已移交其中的5万令吉，另外1万令吉将在近期内发出。

蔡智勇说，蔡细历卸任前，曾经向教育部申请30万令吉拨款作为双溪加叻华小的重建基金，本身也曾拨出2万令吉给校方；虽然蔡细历医生已卸任，他会继续跟进这笔拨款。

POSSIBILITY OF MORE SCAMS EMERGING 行骗伎俩层出不穷

Regardless of whether there is an economic boom or economic recession, the possibility of people falling victim to scams is always there. More so during the economic slowdown, people will become more vulnerable to financial tricks and scams. But even when a person has a stable job or is living comfortably, they can still fall victim to scam and sometimes it is so convincingly done that you do not realise until it is too late.

The media constantly highlight the different type of scams that are used to trick victims into parting away with their hard earned money ranging from few hundred to millions. I was also targeted numerous times through email, phone calling and even letters.

Thankfully, I have managed to avoid the traps laid out but there was once where I nearly did give in and believe that by parting away with some money I will be able to gain manifolds in return. Luckily, I thought through the whole thing and realize that it was a scam.

As such, I hope to share and provide some of the type of scams that are common in Malaysia:

Deceptive lucky draws

There are two types of prize draw scam. With the first type, you receive a letter saying you have won a large prize. However, you are asked to send a fee to receive it. If you read the small print, it says you are only being entered into a prize draw.

The second type says that you have won a prize but have to order something from a catalogue to receive it. Again the small print makes clear that you are just being entered into a draw.

There are variations, sometimes it maybe through phone. I myself have encountered it and find it very well planned. Firstly someone would call you saying you have been chosen to be in a lucky draw. Few days later, you have ‘won’ and would be required to meet a lawyer to get release letter to obtain the prize. However, the lawyer happens to be outstation the prize will expire when the lawyer comes back. Hence to circumvent the rule, you would have to pay a fee and bank in direct into an account.

Scratch and win

This scam is so widely spread that it was banned to more victims. However lately, there seem to be reemergence of this scam again. Generally, the victim is being persuaded to try her luck and pick one of the envelopes that and upon scratching would win a prize. Then the victim would be guided to an office to collect the prize but would be required to pay a certain sum to settle government taxes and sign an agreement. Upon paying, the victim would realize that the victim has actually paid for the prizes.

Advance fee fraud

This is very common and anyone with an email account would have received it once. It maybe in the form of a letter, fax, e-mail or telephone, and usually concerns an amount of money that your correspondent needs to get out if their country. The victim is offered a large sum of money as a reward for helping with the transfer that is supposedly stuck. Some how the emails address seems weird; they might have gotten your name wrong and the letter is at times badly written.

Typically, the sender would claim to be a senior government official, a senior bank officer, an accountant with a state owned corporation, or perhaps a relative of a deposed or dead politician. It will also be marked “Strictly Confidential” or “Urgent”, and that the sender is writing to you at their own risk sincerely hope to share the returns.

Work at home/business opportunity scams

This scam tends to hit those seeking for part time jobs and is likely to be more popular because of rising unemployment. Typically theses scams are advertise in newspapers at times as an alternative income and usually stress the advantage of working from home ‘when it suits you’ or provide flexible work time.

In order to be eligible you need to spend money for registration, at times for training or to make photocopies, take out newspaper ads or buy software. If you buy craft kits and make items you may find the promoter will not pay out because your work does not come up their standards.

At times it be also similar to a pyramid selling scheme and the only money available is by getting other people to sign up. The distinction between a scam and Legitimate work-at-home promoters is that the latter would have start up costs and the work should not be so easy that it seems unbelievable no one has discover this gold mine. Before entering into any financial commitment check whether you can verify information with other workers, obtain as much data on the company and others.

The list above is not exhaustive but I hope this would provide some information on the type of scams used frequently in Malaysia. Nevertheless, I believe if we follow the below thought process it may help in identifying possible scams;

1. Is the competition too simple?
2. Does it seems too good to be true?
3. Are you are required to part with some money before you could claim your prize or reward?

If it is a yes to the above, please be very suspicious of the offer or the person giving the offer especially if it is not from a reputable firm. I hope and urge the public to be wary and to be extra cautious as there will be more scams due to the economic slowdown.

Lastly, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Walk away if in doubt and always think twice before you part with your money.

###

不管经济成长或衰退，都有人会掉入行骗者的陷阱而成为骗局的受害者。在经济放缓时刻，人们更容易陷入财务陷阱和骗局。即使是有稳定工作或生活舒适，都会有可能受骗，而且察觉时恐怕已经太迟。

媒体经常报道受骗者将血汗钱双手奉给行骗者的新闻，从数百令吉到数百万令吉都有。我也收过不少“幸运抽奖”骗局的电邮、电话或信件。

有一次，我也差一点相信一个只要付出一点就能获得高回酬的骗局，不过幸好我想通了，知道这只是骗局，才没有上当。

因此，我希望和大家分享我国常见的行骗伎俩：

蓄意欺骗的 “幸运抽奖”

常见的“幸运抽奖”有两种，第一种“抽奖”的形式是你收到一封通知你赢了大奖的信，条件是必须先给钱才可以拿到这份大奖。不过，信件下方的小字体却写明付钱只是获得抽奖的机会。

第二种“抽奖”骗局是，你收到一份信件通知你赢了奖，不过必须先订购货品才可以拿奖，同样的，信件下方的小字体说明：你只是获得抽奖机会。

行骗者有不同的招数，包括通过电话行骗。我本身就曾遇过，我还发现这些骗局还真是经过精心策划的！举个例子，有人打电话来说你中了奖，必须向律师索取信件才可以领奖，不过，那位律师目前人在外坡，奖品在律师回来之前已经失效，所以你必须先直接汇款到银行户口以领奖。

刮刮乐

刮刮乐已经传得很广，政府也已经禁止，不过最近有卷土重来的趋势。一般上，行骗者开始说服受害者碰碰运气，只要抽出一个信封，刮一刮卡就赢奖，然后就指示受害者去拿奖，不过拿奖之前必须先付政府税和签合约，最后受害者发现原来自己根本就是付款领“奖”。

通过先进科技的金钱骗局

这招很常见，我相信有电邮的人士都有收过，而且不论是信件、传真、电话都有类似骗局。举个例子，发电邮者说他们要离开本身的国家，希望获得你的协助，而他们会提供一笔钱作为回酬。不过，类似电邮地址一般上都很奇怪，要不然就是写错你的名字，文句也不通。

另外一个例子是，他们假冒高级政府官员、高级银行人员、政府机构会计师，甚至是被免职或逝世政治人物的亲戚，信件打着“高度机密”或“紧急”，发电邮者声称自行负责，只是希望和你分享回酬。

在家工作或商业机会的骗局

这种骗局主要对象是正在找兼职的人士，而且因为失业者增加而越来越盛行。一旦上他们是刊登报章广告，以额外收入和工作时间自由为诱饵。

如果要获得这份“工作”，你必须花钱注册、受训或买软件。如果你不是向他们买工具，你就会因为不符合他们的标准而不能获得工资。

这种骗局类似金字塔销售计划，也就是只有通过招收会员来赚钱。这种骗局和真正的在家工作的不同是后者需要先付成本，工作也不是那么容易，而且在还没有投入金钱之前，你可以和其他员工确定或者获得相关公司的资讯。

上述例子并不能涵盖所有行骗伎俩，我纯粹希望向大家提供一些常见骗局的形式供参考。我相信，如果我们根据下列的方式来判断，应该可以分辨骗局：

1. 形式是否太简单？
2. 一切太美好，令人难以置信？
3. 在领奖之前是否要先付一笔钱？

如果以上皆是，请大家一定要小心，这可能就是骗局，特别是如果有关公司没有信誉，欺骗的成数就更高。我希望公众小心警惕，尤其是经济放缓期间，骗局相信会更层出不穷。

天下没有白吃的午餐，如果有所怀疑就马上抽身，在付钱之前也必须要三思。

Revamped taxi service to benefit drivers and public 调整德士收费，让司机和公众都受惠

Adapted from malaysianinsider.com

It was recently reported that taxi drivers may soon get their long awaited fare increase. It was not too long ago, in 2008, that the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) issued a stern warning to taxi drivers that they risked losing their licences if they increased fares without approval. The proposed fare increase is expected to be a raise in the starting base meter fare from RM2 to RM4 and a rate review on the fare charged per km travelled.

The reason for the hike is due to increases in operation and maintenance cost of vehicles, and also that most taxi drivers are not earning enough. If we remember, in November 2008 there was even a proposal by the then Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister to allow taxi drivers to sell packet drinks and phonecards to passengers as a side business to increase their earnings.

The proposal was not well received and I believed it did not take off. The fact the ministry suggested such a proposal shows that the government is probably trying to resolve the issue plaguing the taxi industry in terms of the ability of taxi drivers to earn a decent living. However the approach is not correct. We know that the part of the reason why the cost of operating a taxi is high is because taxi drivers are unable to obtain the permit themselves.

That could also be the reason why in January the first batch of cabbies, about 1,000, was given individual taxi permits. It is quite ludicrous that a taxi driver is unable to obtain an individual permit when he is the operator of the business. With company-owned permits, they have to work and pay off the companies first before they pay themselves. No wonder we always hear constant complaints of taxi drivers who do not use the meter and flaunt regulations. Tourists and the public do not have good things to say of our taxi drivers.

Since 1987, the CVLB has issued a total of 259,000 taxi permits, and individual permits represent a very small percentage of this figure.

A fare increase will help to alleviate the frustrations of taxi drivers, but if most of them are no individual permit holders, it is the permit holders who will benefit and not the taxi drivers. It is quite certain that with a fare review, the companies holding the permits will probably rent out the permits at a higher rate.

At the end the vicious cycle continues, the taxi drivers will continue to suffer and in return we passengers will bear the brunt and worst still we have to pay higher fares. I believe that if taxi drivers are able to earn a reasonable income monthly they will not resort to unscrupulous tactics to fleece passengers or tout at our international airport.

Talking about touts, it baffles me why this issue cannot be resolved. It is not as if it is difficult to carry out sting operations by posing as tourists to nab touts. But this will only address the symptom and not resolve the crux of the problem.

I believe the underlying issue is because taxi drivers ferrying passengers to the airport are unable to pick up passengers at the airport. They have to return empty. It is does not make economic sense.

It is time to do away with the monopoly on taxi services at the KLIA or any airport. I do not understand the need to have an exclusive taxi company to operate at an airport. I have yet to see any benefits of the current coupon system. In fact there are times at peak hours where you are required to take a premier taxi as a budget taxi is not available. To ease the situation and for more cost-effective travel, the government should allow taxis to pick up passengers freely without restriction. This could eliminate the tout problem and it would also help to increase the income of taxi drivers.

On the same matter, I have also heard grouses about different coupon fees charged by taxi companies. Apparently, the fare for a budget taxi from KLIA to the LCCT is higher than from the LCCT to KLIA even though distance is the same. The only reason I can think for this is that the taxi company feels that passengers from the LCCT passengers should get a cheaper rate since it is the LCCT.

The coupon system was implemented to counter profiteering by taxi drivers who refused to use meters but the effectiveness of this system is unclear. The rates should be transparent and clear like using the taxi meter. That way it would ensure that the coupon system is not abused.

Ultimately with better incomes, I believe taxi drivers would provide a better service to the benefit of everyone.

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最近报道指出，政府将批准调涨德士车资，这是德士司机引颈长盼的好消息。商业车辆执照局曾在2008年严厉警告德士司机，如果擅自调涨车资，该局将吊销他们的执照。德士司机建议基本车资从原本的2令吉调高到4令吉，同时也重新检讨里程收费率。

德士司机是基于运作成本和汽车维修费提高，收入微薄而要求调高车资。去年11月，企业及合作社部长允许德士司机在车上售卖包装水和电话卡给乘客，以赚取外快的新闻，相信大家记忆犹新。

虽然这项建议没有获得广泛响应，不过我相信政府并没有因此而取消。这项建议显示政府正设法解决德士司机的生计问题，可是方法并不正确。要知道，德士运作成本高是司机无法获得本身的执照导致的。

这也是政府在今年1月发出约1千张个人执照给德士司机的原因。驾驶德士的司机无法获得个人执照的现象真是荒谬。以公司执照开德士的司机必须先把血汗钱交给公司，剩下的才是自己的。这也难怪我们经常会接到德士司机不使用里程表和不遵守条例的投诉，游客和公众对德士司机也没有好感。

1987年以来，商业车辆执照局从发出25万9千张德士执照，个人执照只占一小部分。

提高德士车资可以减轻司机的生活负担，不过，大部分司机没有个人执照，所以受惠的其实是执照持有者而并非德士司机。而且，重新调整收费率，持有执照的公司可能会以更高的费用出租执照。

如果继续恶性循环，德士司机同样会受苦，而乘客除了首当其冲，还得付出更高的费用。我相信，如果德士司机每月可以获得合理的薪金，就不会用伎俩欺诈乘客，或在国际机场招徕乘客。

谈到招徕乘客，我对当局一直无法解决德士在国际机场招徕乘客的问题感到迷惑。在取缔行动中假扮游客，揪出这些德士司机并不是难事，不过这只能暂时减少这个现象，不能真正解决问题。

我相信，目前的问题症结在于德士司机载送乘客到机场后，无法在机场接到新乘客，回程时必须驾着空荡荡的车，不符合经济效益所致。

我认为，现在是撤除特定德士公司垄断机场德士服务的时候。我不明白为何当局需要一家指定德士公司在机场提供服务。我也看不到目前的固本制度有什么好处。实际上，如果是繁忙时段，普通德士很难找到，你通常要使用豪华德士。为了缓解这个现象和减低路程费用，政府应该取消目前的限制，批准德士在机场自由载客，以解决德士在机场招徕乘客的问题，同时也可以增加德士司机的收入。

此外，我也听到一些人投诉德士公司有不同的固本收费。即使距离一样，从吉隆坡国际机场到廉价航空终站的的德士费，却比从廉价航空终站到吉隆坡国际机场的德士费低。我能想到的唯一原因，就是德士公司认为廉价航空终站的乘客应该享有廉宜价格。

虽然固本制度可以杜绝德士司机不用里程表的问题，不过其有效性仍有待观察。固本制度的收费率应该更透明化，就像使用里程表一样，当局也应该确保这项制度不会被滥用。

我相信，如果有更好的收入，德士司机会为公众提供更好的服务。