MALAYSIA, WHERE ARE YOU GOING????

Saturday, January 9, 2010

MALAYSIA, WHERE ARE YOU GOING????

Where is Malaysia heading? Where, I do not know, but for sure it is going down the hill towards a cliff. If the government is not going to muster the courage to tell its citizen to stop this kind of racial brinksmanship and taunting, a repeat of May 13 is not too far.

60 years ago, 13 fragmented states, most were ruled by Malay Sultans came together to form a single independent country called Malaysia which consist of 60% Malay majority. The Malays enjoy special rights enshrined in the Constitution. The ‘special rights’ has been the single most contentious and divisive issue.

This time, the court granting Catholics the right to use the word “Allah” was deem to have trampled and encroached on Malay special rights. As anticipated many politicians saw this as a direct challenge to the Malays and thus must be defended vigorously.

All these years, this issue have been manipulated and exploited by all political parties to boiling point. A few questions need to be asked, did the leaders of the past did anything to temper this emotional issue. Or have the past leaders find this issue politically expedient to uphold for their own political advantage? Have the past leaders failed in nation building? What nation-building did the highly respected statesman Mahathir did for Malaysia in his 22 years at the helm?

The recent spate of contentious, divisive and controversial events constantly gripped the news headlines are getting more bizarre and even scary. The government seem to be at lost, at times completely in a dilemma to act rationally without upsetting the racial balance and expectations.

The latest arsons of burning churches has attracted world attentions. Having so many embarrassing episodes occurring in this ever divided country, this one was one too many. The potential security risk cannot be underestimated. What if more churches are burnt? What if the Christian retaliated? What if mosques are burnt in revenge? What if a fight between Christian and Muslim is exploited by extreme quarters? How would an unstable Malaysia be impacted economically? This event is set to be the tipping point and the Malaysia government have to act fast and firmly. It may not have any choice left but to invoke the draconian ISA. Otherwise a racial and religious implosion cannot be ruled out and the consequences unimaginable.

The last GE saw BN losing its 2/3 majority since independence. With the spate of events unfolding the last few months, BN cannot expect to receive continued unconditional support from the non-Malays quarters. These recent chilling and unnerving events have further alienated more non-Malay who used to support BN. With eroding support of BN within its ranks as well as outside, the political landscape is bound to undergo seismic change in the next election. The recent lost of power by the LDP in Japan may be a case in point. If and when BN do lost its mandate in the next election, Malaysia will be in deep political malaise and agitated political tensions will fester for the subsequent years. This will not bode well for Malaysia socially and economically, especially at a time when it is struggling out of recession, losing direct foreign investment and as well as dipping oil revenues in the years to come.

If I am a Malaysian, doesn’t matter if I am a Chinese or Malay, I would be crying for my country. How did Malaysia end up so fragmented, so divisive and so insensitive. If we compare Malaysia as a big family, where was the 'family upbringing' of sharing and respect? It is a situation when every child fight for his own selfish interest. The elder demand more as if it is his birth right. The younger must fight for everything. No one give in and even prepare to see blood if needed. This is the problem with Malaysia today, no family upbringing or rather no nation building at all! Each race continues to fight for its own interest and nobody want to lose out!

As the fire burned the churches, the government scrambled into the fire fighting mode. This has been the mode of the government for all these 60 years, fire fighting. In its balancing act, the home ministers even defended the Muslim demonstrators that carried the bloody and severed cow head against the building of a Hindu temple. He said he understands the emotions of the demonstrators and even have a dialogue with them. Now in this church arson episode, he even tries to pacify the antagonists by allowing them to demonstrate. This is a situation when the head of the family fears his children and obliges even unreasonable demand; the outcome is certainly chaos and disharmony. UMNO has unwittingly trapped itself in this quagmire in its hunger and desperation to win election. UMNO leaders fear losing its members’ support. The price for this short sightedness and inaction will be very costly and painful in the next election. When the inevitable happens it may be too late for UMNO.

There are no winners in this episode and UMNO apparently will come out a bigger loser. It can only at best, mitigate this loss if the PM prepares to take a more rational and tougher stand.




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AMERICAN WAR ON TERRORISM NEED CHANGE

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

AMERICAN WAR ON TERRORISM NEED CHANGE

For American to win this war on terrorism, it must have a comprehensive plan. Most importantly, it needs to rewrite its rules on engagement with terrorists, both at home and abroad. The statutory framework based on current law is outmoded. It needs to remove obstacles that impede its operations to eliminate terrorists and terrorist suspects. Currently, it is restrained and curtailed by its righteous principles and limited by the need to be transparent in all dealings. The greatest weapons fighting terrorism is secrecy and covert operations.

The current justice system of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ cannot be accorded to terrorist suspects or terrorists planning an attack. To apply such rules, it may be fatal and too late. It is impossible to prove an intention to ‘terrorize’ in court. It is time for politicians to justify that it is better to erroneously jail a few innocent person than to put thousands of innocent lives in harm way. American should adopt the Singapore style ISA and jail potential terrorist without trial.

America needs to create an anti-terrorist agency solely for the purpose to conduct secret and covert operations worldwide to eliminate and destroy terrorists. This agency is answerable only to the President. The agency must have the tentacles to reach even the remotest corner of the world. Agents must have the stealth to penetrate the core of the terrorist networks. It must have financial strength to conduct complex operations deep behind enemy position, hire and deploy network of informants and agents to achieve its mission objective. In no times a worldwide group of bounty hunters will emerged on this agency payroll. These mercenary hunters will be paid commensurate with the status of the terrorists compromised or eliminated. News coverage of all operation should not be allowed.

America is already involved in two wars. It cannot afford to go to Yemen, Sudan, Somalia or Ethiopia to open new fronts. It will be bankrupted by these costly wars. An anti-terrorist agency will be far more flexible, less costly and effective than to send in conventional army. Secret operations will reduce collateral damages and killing of innocents. American soldiers need not die in vain too.

The use of UAVs and drones should be increased. Using drones enable targets deep in extreme terrain to be destroyed. Striking the targets constantly can ‘terrorize’ the terrorists, in turn demoralize the ranks and files. This also disrupts their bases and denies them from secured bases for training and planning attacks. In order to achieve this, more local agents are needed to provide intelligence and they should be rewarded handsomely for the info provided.

Across the Muslim world from Pakistan to Yemen, loyalty to tribal rulers has been a norm since time immemorial. Historically, these tribes or clans are more loyal to clans than to their countries. Inter tribes or clan rivalries are common. This is where covert operations can exploit rivalries to gain cooperation to help in anti terrorist operations by providing valuable intelligence or secured sites for Special Forces to carry out secret operations. Ironically, that was how US help the tribal Afghanis defeated the occupying Soviet army. If the price is right, certainly there will be takers to do the dirty job for America.

In the non-Muslim free world countries where terrorist cells exist, special and covert operations must neutralise known terrorists. As arresting and charging these terrorists by western judicial system can be fruitless, an alternative is to have secret squads to make them “disappear”. High profile and radical clerics too can be made to “disappear”. American can learn this skill from former “police states” of Soviet Union or East Germany. With enough of disappearing radicals, no one will dare to flout the rule of freedom of speech?


America politicians need to muster political will to create special law to fight terrorism. The law should exempt American and indemnify itself for any human right abuses. Protecting human right and freedom of speech should be completely ignored where fighting against terrorism is concerned. American must acknowledges that it cannot provide human rights protection to those committed to American destruction.

Congress and the Senate must muster the courage to unilaterally denouncing human rights for terrorists and stop berating the world on human rights. It needs to change its mindset that every human is entitled to justice. That is naively stupid. Do the perpetrators of 9/11 deserve human right protection? It is for American to justify such stand to NGOs that champions human rights. For America to make a U turn on this principle and ideal that has championed for so long and fundamentally so dear to America, is, I think almost an impossible call. But if a few more 9/11 hit American, then America will realise it have no choice.

In other non-Muslim free world countries where terrorist cells do exist, special and covert operations must neutralize known terrorists. As charging these terrorists by western judicial system will be fruitless, it is better to have secret squad to make them “disappear”. High profile and radical clerics too can be made to “disappear”. American can learn this skill from former “police states” of Soviet Union or East Germany. With enough of disappearing radicals, no one will dare to flout the rule of freedom of speech.

On its own home ground, radical clerics are preaching ‘jihad’ against American using the internet technology as well as sermons in parks and mosques. It is preaching hatred and alienating Muslims against non-Muslims. Unfortunately, these people are protected by American freedom of speech and religion. American law makers should repeal this law. All these activities should be banned and those that continue preaching hatred and ‘jihad’ against the west should be locked up. Perhaps American should follow Singapore ISA. By acting this way, it also encourages and motivates all its allies in Europe and the rest of the world to adopt the same stand. I can bet you, all this radical clerics will disappear in no time.

On the internet, web sites on ‘jihad’ should be censured or shut. Service providers are to ensure that or else their licenses will be revoked. Special intelligence officers should tapped phones of potential terrorists and monitor and scrutinize the internet. With modern technology, it should be able to trawl for sympathizers, radical converts as well as terrorist perpetrators. America needs to learn that many countries who adopt these anti-terrorism measures are far more effective in capturing terrorists.

The most effective means to eliminate terrorists is secrecy and covert actions. Terrorists operated under the same mode too. American too often is bogged down by negatives news media reports and excessively high numbers of commentaries from ‘experts’. When the war is debated on TV too often, public support wanes. Many operations are also hampered and restricted due to the need for transparency. It is time for American to hide behind the curtain of transparency just like the terrorists hiding behind the skirts of women and the sanctity of the mosques.

Terrorists need funding, weapons, and human capital. Coverts operations to limit and disrupt the flow of funds and weapons can choke off the terrorist life line. Following this trails also lead to valuable leads and intelligence.

From the political perspective, America must work hard to create a two states solution in the Israeli Palestinian conflict. It has to stand up to Israel and not allowed to be arm twisted by the powerful Jewish lobby in US. If that can be achieved, American can prove its impartiality and will win worldwide Muslim support. Then the moderate Muslims will not be perceived as American lackey when they isolate and denounce Muslim radicals like Al-Qaeda.

On foreign policies, America must adopt principle of mutual respect for others culture, tradition and religion. It must not assume the role of guardian of moral principles and enforce America’s ideals on others. America must acknowledge that nation take time to evolve, just like America itself. How one nation chooses to manage its citizen is that nation’s prerogatives. Whether it is stoning, caning or hanging, it is not America business. Whatever political process one nation chooses, or if the nations mistreat its own citizens, they too are not America business. That way, America can get even rogue government to cooperate on anti-terrorism.

So Obama, please bring home all your soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan. It is doomed the same way as Vietnam as this war is unwinnable. All America need to do is to change tactics. Any tactics is better than conventional war.





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AMERICA LOSING THE WAR ON TERROISM

Monday, January 4, 2010

AMERICA LOSING THE WAR ON TERROISM

More than 8 years has passed since 9/11. Al-Qaeda, a Muslim and anti-American group under the leadership of Osama Bin Laden claimed responsibility for 9/11. America under Bush retaliated, launched a global war against terrorism. He bombed Afghanistan where Osama is based and also went on to invade Iraq.

The terrorists are winning, not militarily, but psychologically. No longer can Americans enjoy peace and bliss in their own home. American has incurred more money to safeguard their security and waste so much time everywhere just to be safe. The cost of launching war in Afghanistan will further burden the already stretched budget.

Instead of lessening the risk of terrorism, American action has instead heightened the paranoia. Across the globe, security checks have become irritating, time consuming and costly routines. The queues at US airports are getting longer due to tougher scrutiny. Bush war on terrorism has been a complete failure. Today there are more terrorist cells that stretch from Asia, Europe, and now even Africa today. The war on terrorism has also breed individual self motivated terrorists. The terrorists have become more innovative as well as more emboldened. Obama has agreed to his general to send more troops to Afghanistan to fight terrorists.

The radical and anti American Muslims are also harnessing the internet technology to spread their propagandas and convert more sympathetic followers. Radical Muslim clerics in US and UK have free hand to actively preach anti-West sermons and ideologies openly in the mosques and parks because the western value of free speech condones it.

I honestly think the American has got this anti terroism strategy wrong from the very beginning. The means, modes and methods deployed in the war of terrorism are incompatible and not pragmatic when dealing with an invisible enemy that do not own a government or a country. Many soldiers from both America and NATO countries had lost their lives in vain. Historically, no power has beaten the Afghanis in their own country.

The American war against terrorism has alienated Muslim against non-Muslim. America intention is perceived as only protecting the interest of the Americans and this resulted in the loss of valuable support from friendly countries from the rest of the world. American unbinding support for the state of Israel and the war in Iraq had definitely dented its international creditability. Many Muslims in the Muslim world has become more anti-American. Because of mounting anti-American sentiment, it becomes easier to radicalise moderate Muslims and churned out more suicide bombers.

So America needs to rethink in military approach, relook at its foreign policies especially in its dealing with the Israeli Palestinian conflict as well as the way it handle its foreign policy with Asian countries that are growing economically.

But America biggest weakness and enemy is itself. Its self righteous moral on human rights, freedom speech and religion, democratic practices is its Achilles’ heel. Politicians in American constant lecturing the world on human rights and democracy may be good for their domestic popularity but may be viewed negatively as insincere and arrogant interference in countries abroad. The support it needs to combat terrorist from these governments it criticises is crucial but has been unwittingly compromised.

Commonsense will tell us terrorist attacking its targets do not abide and fight by international accepted rules. It respect no human rights, it do not differentiate between military or civilian. It even disregards its fellow Muslim. To fight terrorists, American politicians must not be naive to believe the sheer might and power of its military is capable of defeating any adversaries. It must not forget the history of the Vietnam War. A crocodile hunter will know the consequence if he walks into the river to hunt for crocodiles. The hunter will become the hunted! Sending a conventional army to take on the Taliban or terrorists in the mountains is no difference from the crocodile hunter hunting in the river.

Modern communications also bring war to our home. While instant news brought to our bedroom may be exciting and informing, any mistake committed by troops can be magnified and exploited by many anti-American quarters that can erode support for this war.

Will continue my second part another day.







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STARTING A NEW DECADE 2010

Friday, January 1, 2010

STARTING A NEW DECADE 2010

Traditionally, at this time of the year, predictions and forecasts for the financial future springs to life. As the world is flushed with so much investible wealth, there is a compelling need to peek into the financial future. With thousands of MBAs in economics and finance, being paid handsomely, there need to put their intellect to good use. Even geomancers and ‘fengshui’ masters, unable to avoid the temptation, too, jump into the forecasting bandwagon. The truth is simple, in economic jargon, it is about wealth creation. In layman term, it is to make money.

“Crystal Balling” the future is an art. Because the economy is affected in so many ways and there are too many variables and unknowns. Even religion and politics can have severe impact on economy. Sometimes forecasting correctly is just plain luck. So what is my take on the economy? I too am entitled to my amateurish views on Singapore economy. Right or wrong, it cost me nothing.

Singapore is officially out of the recession and is expected to grow moderately with GDP around 3 to 5%. Unemployment rate will naturally drop as economy picks up. Most sectors are headed for modest recovery.

What is exciting for Singapore in 2010 is the opening of the two integrated resorts. It is a milestone in the remaking of Singapore. The host of conventions and meetings expected in the 2 IRs will certainly create many jobs in the service sectors. Universal Studios will pull in more tourists for Singapore, thus propping up the transport and communication sectors. With the opening of the casinos, many more associated economic activities will definitely kick-start the services sectors. The F1 race held annually in September will add more buzz and vibrancy to Singapore. The hotels and shopping malls too will benefits from the two IRs and F1 race
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The property sectors will remain stable with upward bias. It will not rocket as the government is keeping a very vigilant lookout for overheating, and will not hesitate to cool it. Property bubble is very harmful and has negative effect to any economy. The mass market condominiums may even test the $1000psf threshold if the high- end segment continues its upward surge. With government allowing more foreigners to immigrate to Singapore; I can’t see the HBD sectors softening.

On investment, I think it is anybody guesses. Market will remain volatile as the financial crisis is not really over. Investors having been burnt badly in 2008/09, are now very focus and vigilant. Any slightest rumours or impending bad news will trigger them to scamper and take cover for safety. This is the reason for the expected volatility. As the market has move up strongly over 2009, many felt that it has already factored in the growth expected in 2010. I see the market to remain as a trading market. Market will trend up in anticipation of good news and dive down when expectations are not made.

I favoured the oil & gas related companies as well as the commodities sectors. Singapore will benefit from any increase in commodities prices. Next, some select properties companies with overseas exposure may benefit strongly from the growth in Asia. One unknown will be any companies associated with clean energy. Such companies may attract punters. One need to thread very nimbly in this market as indices are expected to be range bound. Timing for traders is paramount in this volatile environment.

As we are greatly dependent on trade, any slump in the major economies will impact us deeply. And on the contrary, a strong pick up will also augurs well for Singapore but I don’t expect that to happen. What is unsettling will be a natural disaster like big earth quakes in Japan or USA, or another 9/11 incidents or if Israel decide to unilaterally take military action against Iran, then the consequences will be far reaching. Politically, the larger countries like China, India, Brazil and Indonesia remain stable and any imploding from within are unlikely. There other worry is the strength of the US dollars. Unless the US government do something stupid, it will remain stable for the foreseeable future as there is no other reserve currency to replace it as alternative.

This in a new decade and the only constant in a globalised world is change. Knowledge is the common currency for all. Those that can anticipate and embrace change will stay ahead.

I look forward to the next decade 2010. I am optimistic that we will be better off than the last.





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SINGAPORE IN 2009

Thursday, December 31, 2009

SINGAPORE IN 2009

If you ask me how I would describe Year 2009, my answer will be one word. ‘’Boring’’.

There was no shattering news or events that kept any Singaporeans on tenterhooks, to be traumatised or to pray for divine intervention. Unlike other countries, there were no demonstrations or terrorism scare or any major fatalistic accidents in workplaces. There was no tunnel, scaffolding or building structures collapse. It must be a journalist honeymoon year and delight that didn’t require them on 24/7 covering news with no sleep or shower.

Other than AWARE saga and the capture of Mas Selamat in Johore, I find it difficult to even remember a few domestics’ news. Perhaps my memory is failing as I officially joined the old man club this year.

But the first quarter of the year is best described as an economic scare arising out of the subprime crisis from America. No doubt our government has gone overdrive to provide the stimulus packages to get us out of recession. But Singaporeans rightfully have reason to be worried even though the situation was not one of despair and hopelessness. We know the government has the economic pulse at their fingers tip. Aware of the massive reserve that Singapore has, Singaporeans are primed and geared up for the ‘raining days’ resulting from this ‘passing thunderstorm and shower’. By the middle of the year, the sky was clearing up. Although not completely clear, more passing showers or drizzles are anticipated occasionally next year.

Singapore organised the APEC forum and see many world leaders ascending on our shore. It was an orderly event with no foreign NGOs demonstrating to grab world headlines. I think most of the would-be international demonstrators from NGOs have decided to give it a miss.

On the world front, Obama became the first black president of America. As time passes, he is just another American president trying to solve American recession and the world's problem. I think to date he has yet to produce any tangible result.

There rest of the world news are really nothing new. News from Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Taliban, Iran and its nuclear ambitions, North Korea and it missile tests, suicide bombings, terrorism acts help filled the pages of print medias. This will be the same news next year and years to come. None of this news has a global dimension that needs the world must act urgently.

The single most covered news for the year was the Copenhagen Climate Conference. In my opinion, it was a failure but on the positive note, at least the world largest emitters of greenhouse gasses have started talking. It was a first step.

Of course, there were so many news from Malaysia after the March 8 General Elections. We can write a book on the domestic squabbles between political parties, between different races and between different religions. And the single biggest and loudest critic is Mahathir. His tirades against his opponents and adversaries were definitely not lacking in tenacity for his age.

In Malaysia, the single most controversial, bizarre and heart breaking event was the death of Teoh Beng Hock, and political aide to an opposition MP. He died in to early hours at the premises of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency on the day he is to register his marriage to his pregnant fiancée. The agency and some senior government officials were quick to speculate he committed suicide. His death certainly touch the raw nerves of Malaysian from all races and walks of life. The remarks further erodes the creditability of the ruling Barisan National. Time permitting, I would love to write about Malaysia in 2009 on all the scandals, endless rumours, political infighting and all the controversies.

I hope 2010 will be a better year.




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END of 2009

Monday, December 28, 2009

END of 2009

ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT

It is time to say farewell to the first decade of this new millennium. The first quarter of 2009 will be best remembered for the unprecedented financial crisis that gripped and consumed us. This tumultuous meltdown from USA is so contagious and seem that no nation were immune. It almost bankrupted the world and cause unimaginable hardship unheard off especially for those like me, born after WW2. No nations had the immunity to escape this contagious economic plague. Governments around the world worked frantically to implement economic stimulus packages to avert this impending financial catastrophe. Never in the history of the world did leaders from every nations simultaneously and spontaneously pumped in enormous amount of money into the financial system. Even with all the governments working overdrive, the public were not spared the fear of unemployment as the economic is predicted to go into deep recession.

By March, most markets in the world have collapsed to 10-year low. The mood, needless to say, was one of outright doom and pessimism. Across the world, all sectors of business slumped abruptly. Trillions of dollars were wiped off the markets. Our own government too lost billions when they decided to cut loss in their portfolios. No one dare predict the future. Analysts were divided whether it was going to be L, V or U shaped recovery. Some say even double dip recession.

By June, the stock market showed signs of recovery. This was in anticipation that the worst was over and stock markets continue to recover till the end of the year. Most markets have exceeded the 12 months high. It was really unexpected that the speed of the stock market recovery was so phenomenal. For the brave, huge gains and windfalls were made. What a paradox! the midst widespread pessimism at the beginning of the year and now. Many cautious investors were left high and dry, missing the opportunity of the decade.

The sub-prime crisis was supposed to be manageable US$1 trillion debt. It was believed by many economic analysts that US alone can withstand a massive default from the debts of this housing bubble. Even the FED chairman Bernanke admitted that he did not anticipate the severity and danger of this crisis. It also certainly reinforces the interconnectivity of this globalised world. The electronic and internet age spared no one and the speed of the financial tsunami that spread throughout the world left people with very little breathing space. As US market closes, market in Asia-pacific opens, followed by Middle East and then Europe and back to US. The domino effects of the falling markets were nerve wrecking.

In this crisis, many new terms was coined. The one that capture the most attention was “too big to fail”. Citibank, AIG, and GM were rescued at enormous cost with tax payer money.

Politically, this crisis has many implications especially on USA. It may marks the end of USA domination as the world sole economic power. It has become a net debtor nation. On the contrary, China with is hefty reserve may has perched up the hierarchy of world economic powerhouse. We now see the G8 may lose it relevance to G20.

more to follow




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Copenhagen Climate Conference

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Copenhagen Climate Conference

While the leaders and the people of the world are fully aware if we fail to act, the world will be environmentally unsustainable for the human race. All the worry for our children’s children’s children future is nothing but rhetoric hot air if no one is prepared to take a meaningful and painful sacrifice. The west and the rich have plundered the world in the last few centuries. Now these people are standing from the moral high ground to lecture the world what need to be done to save the world. They had conveniently forgotten the environmental damage and pollution they had inflicted on the earth as they become developed countries.

These are the major contentions that are obstacle to an agreement on how to cut carbon emission. The poor and developing countries want to develop but are very concern the new rule on carbon emission demanded by the richer countries will hinder its progress. The rich countries are not prepared to provide a meaningful financial assistance. There is unhappiness that the rich and developed countries do not fully acknowledge and account for the destruction of the earth committed in the past.

The UN Copenhagen Climate Conference is supposed to address all the issues of climatic changes and to provide a framework to make the world more sustainable, and also bridging the gap between the various countries. It is an uphill battle to get consensus between the rich and the poor and among the big countries like China, India and developed countries like the USA and Europe. At the rate the talk is proceeding and the world leaders are supposed to meet in a few days time, agreement is nowhere near. Looks like it will just end with agreement for more talk!

It boils down to each countries fighting for their immediate interest. Each government need to protect its own interest as well as to guard their political interest. What the points of agreeing on climate change but lose the election. How many elected government has the political will to ask its citizen to drive smaller cars, use less air-conditioning or eat less meat. Will company willing to spend more for environmental protection and tell shareholders that they will make less profit. For the developing countries, tell its farmers not to burn waste in open, cut down trees or clear forest for agricultural plantations.

Then there are the problems of implementation on agreed emission cut on greenhouse gas. Who will monitor the compliance of the agreed emission cut? How can we trust the fund paid by rich countries did not go to wrong hands and funds are properly used for the right purposes? What if the rich countries renege on the agreement? How will countries like China and India enforce the agreement on its factories where they are unscrupulously motivated by profit rather than clean environment? Corruption in developing countries will be the greatest obstacles to monitoring compliance.

As I see it, there is just no compelling motivation and fear from the bottom up. That is, the citizens of the world are unable to see the urgency and the need to take immediate actions to save the world as it does not affect their present lifestyle. The globalise world have driven people to be materialistic. And human being by nature are selfish, will not see the urgency to do something that will not affect them in their life time. How many are so magnanimous and really care for the children’s children’s children's future! And deny themselves and their children the luxury and comfort that we work so hard to afford these.

The world will be very green if we can live with only the bare necessities. Can we?

More....