And even the PWTC was not big enough as two other venues, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre, were incorporated to host the fair.  

Over 100 shuttle vehicles ferried 5,000 visitors comprising buyers, exhibitors and journalists from these venues to more than 10 participating hotels.  

Yet the event was only briefly reported by the media.  

Beyond the number of venues and exhibitors involved and the few words of wisdom from the minister that would most probably now be forgotten, the real excitement, was missed.  

Italian reporter Nicoletta Armenes was asked by her magazine to report about the exhibition, which she said was one of the best in Asia and featured the top four furniture makers in the world. 

“We are here to see and report what is being offered. We are talking big money here,” said the reporter from the Rima publication group, which has five magazines, including those published in English and Arabic. 

The Italians used to be number one in the furniture business but have now been dislodged by the Chinese.  

In 2004, Italy made US$10.5bil (RM36.8bil) against China’s US$10.3bil (RM36.1bil) but in 2005, China made US$13.5bil (RM47.3bil) against Italy’s US$10.2bil (RM35.8bil). It was a blow, and that fact was widely reported.  

Malaysia was in the 10th spot in 2004 with US$1.7bil (RM6bil) but climbed to the ninth position in 2005 with US$1.8bil (RM6.3bil). Closing in are the Indonesians and Vietnamese. 

For the first time in 2005, the Indonesians made it to the 10th spot, according to the World Furniture Review 2005. 

Organiser and MIFF chairman Datuk Tan Chin Huat walked up to as many participants as he could during the five days to shake hands and thank them personally for their support. 

“To keep Malaysia on the international map is my main concern,” said Tan, who started his career as a salesman selling sofa material to manufacturers. 

The fair is a feather in his cap because the powerful International Alliance of Furnishing Publications (IAFP), which has members worldwide, chose to celebrate its 10th anniversary here in conjunction with the fair. 

For those involved in the planning, there was another minor victory. Thailand had attempted to host a fair much earlier than Malaysia but failed. It started the fair after the KL event. 

Said one participant: “Timing is important because if you host it early, that means business would be done and sealed. Latecomers always lose out. It’s that simple.” 

But the competition continues to get stiffer each year. There are over 30 similar furniture fairs each year and in some cases, like in China, four are held simultaneously. 

Vietnam, for example, is said to be providing subsidy for the rubber wood used by its local manufacturers in a move to boost competitiveness. The low-cost of production has helped, too. 

But said Paris-based Jean-Jacques Dufour of Le Courier: “Low cost of production is only temporary. Even in China, wages have gone up and the same is reported in Poland. 

“Eventually, it will be the concept, design and quality that will make a country stand out. The growing affluence of people in Shanghai and Moscow, for example, will see upmarket clients looking for quality products.”  

He pointed out that over 300 Italian makers showed up in Moscow for an exhibition. 

Malaysia has so far been in a dominant position but more can be done if we wish to be more competitive. Support from the Government need not necessarily be in the form of subsidies. 

No doubt, agencies like Matrade have done their share by absorbing participation expenses for some manufacturers in overseas promotion missions and establishing a network for Malaysian businessmen. 

But more needs to be done by other government bodies in Malaysia.  

Malaysian businessmen who travel overseas will be able to tell you about the strong public relations exercise by many countries now. 

In China, it is not uncommon to see trade officials sending limousines right up to the tarmac to pick up investors and businessmen.  

Often, even police outriders are included for the VVIP treatment. For these people, there is no such thing as lining up for passports to be stamped.  

Nearer home, we have heard how Singapore offers permanent resident status and even places in university for investors and their children if they wish to do serious business there. 

For a start, Kuala Lumpur City Hall can waive the fees imposed on banners and billboards put up to promote such internationally endorsed events, which is being done in most countries.  

While such events are carried out by the private sector, there is increasingly a need for the Government to lend its support in a big way because ultimately, it's the country that benefits.  

But that aside, we need to maintain our turf, with Indonesia and Vietnam hot on our heels.  

We need to watch how we treat our rubber trees, the basis of our furniture industry. 

As they say, a piece of furniture is no longer just a piece of wood product but a multi-billion-dollar industry that needs to be selfishly guarded if Malaysia is to improve its position.  

Even if they did, they would likely be flops because they were not commercial movies. The two movies – Apa Khabar, Orang Kampung? by Amir Muhammad and I Don’t Want To Sleep Alone by Tsai Ming Liang – failed to get past the Censorship Board. 

The ban on Amir’s movie, which is a sequel to The Last Communist, came as no surprise. There is still much unforgiveness among families of soldiers and policemen who sacrificed their lives fighting the insurgents.  

Never mind if the stories of these dying ex-communists have been published as books in Malaysia; a movie would seemingly have a bigger impact. That would presumably be the fears of the Censorship Board. 

Many of us still remember the ruckus following a complaint by an entertainment editor who had not even seen The Last Communist but his article was powerful enough get the officials to prevent its screening.  

When a special screening was made for some Members of Parliament and the media, not many found the movie appealing. Most were confused by the contents but my colleagues, who watched it, agreed that even the retired Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) leaders would have complained that the show had nothing about them. 

Then, there is Sarawak-born Tsai who returned to Malaysia to make a movie about this country after spending 15 years in Taiwan, where he is a prominent filmmaker. The movie, shot in Kuala Lumpur last year, won him several nominations for the prestigious Golden Horses awards. He even received a standing ovation when the movie premiered at the Venice International Film festival. 

But our Censorship Board had different views. The street brawls, air pollution, poverty and menacing foreigners depicted in the movie were said to be bad for the image of Malaysia. They were not convinced by Tsai’s argument that the film is about human relationship and the need to find love and someone to depend on. 

And since there is unlikely to be a special screening for MPs and newsmen, we would probably be unable to pass our judgment on the movie. It is highly unlikely that pirated versions would be sold, as again, the film would have little commercial value. Except for the arty types, those of us who would rather settle for Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Hustler would pass it over for sure. 

But the arguments put up by the Censorship Board seem weak. As the young would say, it’s lame. Like all movies, Tsai’s work is just a work of fiction. There are plenty of Hong Kong movies about triads and street fights but visitors to Hong Kong can tell you that it is one of the safest cities in the world.  

Mat Rempit, a movie about illegal racing, free sex and drugs, was passed with little snips from the Censorship Board and was even screened on Astro during the festive season.  

Now, that’s strange because we can also argue that the film put Malaysia in a bad light. Most of us do not race illegally and neither would we look for stolen bikes to claim prizes from Putera Umno. 

We really have to do away with this hypocrisy. The offensive but supposedly humorous movie Borat would never make it to Malaysia but we can bet that it is easily available at the pasar malam. Some even say you can get his earlier work Ali G, which is equally repulsive but more entertaining, from the pirates.  

And those of us who have never heard of actress Rosmah Mat Aris until her controversial remarks on TV3’s Sensasi can still watch her blunder over and over again on the video search engine, YouTube. That’s the Internet age for you. Someone forgot to tell the authorities that you could also download a movie from the Internet, burn it into a DVD and pass it around. 

Times have changed. The use of sledgehammer treatment no longer works as many so-called banned materials, whether in the form of a book or a film, can be easily obtained through the Net. 

Many of our existing laws governing the media such as the need for printing permits have become obsolete and ineffective when uncensored articles can be posted on the Net. Continuing with such laws would serve little purpose.  

There is another illogical law – a person cannot take a Malaysian newspaper across to Singapore and vice-versa but with the availability of the online versions, why is such legislation still required?  

But the point is this: we talk of world-class universities but how can the minds of our young and not so young grow if we restrict materials which can hardly be regarded as sensitive from the communal or religious aspects.  

Don’t tell me Karl Marx’ Das Kapital, first published in 1867, is still banned when you can download it in full from the Internet? But for sure, the book by the founder of communism won’t be a bestseller in Malaysia except for those who need it to cure their insomnia problems. 

The NS to bring Malaysian youths together is a noble idea but obviously the implementation has not been good. 

Review need not necessarily be a bad word. No one is talking about scrapping the project. But like any project, we need to find out where we can improve on it and right now the NS needs plenty of that. 

For a start, the NS may want to consider scaling down the number of trainees for subsequent camps and the duration. It is a long-term project and surely there is no rush. 

The National Service Training Council is right in pushing for mandatory pre-entry medical check-ups. 

The Health Ministry’s concern of having to administer tests to batches of 35,000 trainees is understandable but if the yearly numbers are smaller, there will be less financial and logistics constraints. 

But surely a more thorough medical job can be carried out. We are talking about human lives here and with 12 deaths, including seven health-related ones already reported, the authorities better sit up and listen. 

Parents have every reason to demand the best. No parent would want to send their teenage children for NS, no matter how much spin the authorities want to make through the media, if a living hell awaits them. 

The Health Ministry’s role is crucial in the running of these camps. 

Obviously, the council must include the ministry’s representatives as trainers themselves need to have the skills to handle emergencies. 

There must be enough personnel, including paramedics with access to facilities such as ambulance services, at every camp. There can be no compromise when it comes to human lives. 

It is assuring to hear council chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye saying that he would revive an old request by the council to post a doctor in each camp. 

Although he has been on the receiving end, those who know him understand that he has put in plenty of time and effort for the NS. So has NS director-general Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil, who is a handson official. 

But the public has the right to know the circumstances and details of these deaths — were they caused by illness which could be detected or prevented had there been compulsory medical check-ups? Or they were due to stress, over-strenuous exercise, unhealthy food or other contributing factors? 

Presently, a trainee has to make a self-declaration as to his or her medical condition. The problem is not all trainees can read because we are not dealing with college students but dropouts as well. 

Some, according to those familiar with NS camps, do not even know how to fill up questionnaires. In one case, the trainee did not reveal he had frequent fever because of tonsil problems. 

We may also want to reconsider sending our children to other states. The inter-state integration is good but in terms of practicality, it is another thing. 

Beside the logistics fiasco that has been widely reported in the media, for many low-income families, it is impossible to take the day off to travel on the road for eight hours or fly to Sabah or Sarawak to see how their children are coping with NS. 

If trainees are placed in camps where the driving time is between an hour and two hours, parents would be able to make at least a visit. 

It is essential, as Lam Thye has suggested, to study the physical training module. 

The problem with our NS concept is that no one seems quite clear what it should be, at least in the eyes of many Malaysians. 

It is certainly not the militarystyled NS like in Singapore where trainees know they can expect serious drilling and shooting with live bullets. 

For the less healthy ones, they are assigned to handle administrative duties to allow them to complete the service. In fact, there are no female NS trainees in Singapore and Taiwan. 

But let’s not fool ourselves. There have also been reported fatal cases involving trainees there. 

If our NS camps are not bootleg camps with drill sergeants, neither are they Outward Bound or boy scout camps as they involve strenuous exercises and weapons training. 

Last week, the canteen of a NS camp was shut down after food poisoning was reported. We have a right to know the number of food poisoning cases. The late Prema Elenchan, for example, told her parents before she died that she lived on burgers as she often complained about the food served. 

The post mortem showed that Prema had suffered from fits and drowned in the bathroom, according to reports. 

Surely, camps which are built and managed by the private sector should be run professionally and with sensitivity. 

It is understandably not easy catering food to trainees from various backgrounds. Some like their food spicy while others do not. But instant noodles should not be the option for trainees. 

Discipline is also a crucial area which the police can assist as there have been cases of thefts such as lockers being broken into as well as fights. In fact, a number of commandants and trainers have been dismissed for disciplinary problems. 

But there is no reason to adopt a knee-jerk reaction as the NS has successfully turned out over 265,000 trainees since 2004 and the deaths numbered only 0.002%. 

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, for example, is meeting NS officials on March 15 to discuss ways on how to assist the programme to be more effective. 

Let’s give the NS a chance. We must help make it work.

Former Sabah ACA chief Mohamed Ramli Manan has accused his former boss of amassing properties disproportionate to his wealth, including allegedly owning six houses in Pagoh, Johor. 

He has also been accused of operating two petrol stations. Both types of properties are said to be registered under his sons’ and sister’s names. Worse, Zulkipli has been accused of sexual crime and assault against a woman with police reports made in Kuala Lumpur and Negri Sembilan. 

The whistle blower, Ramli, is not an ordinary graft buster as he has been credited with completing the case against former minister Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam, whose graft case is ongoing. 

The case has grabbed national attention because Ramli claimed he was put in cold storage until his retirement on Dec 8 last year.  

Investigations into corruption are the work of the ACA but in Zulkipli’s extraordinary situation, the police have been entrusted with the job. It would be difficult for the ACA officers to investigate their boss.  

Zulkipli has also been summoned to appear before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity on March 12 where he can expect to be grilled by its 12 members, including Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang. 

But as much as Malaysians are angry at these developments, we need to adopt an open mind in this case. Allegations of sexual assault and crime against Zulkipli were first made 10 years ago when he was the Johor police chief but he was cleared of the charges.  

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has also said Zulkipli had been subjected to background vetting prior to his appointment as ACA director-general in 2001 and again in 2005 when his term was extended for two years.  

In short, the allegations against Zulkipli didn’t stick. It could either be due to lack of evidence or they were baseless allegations. In all fairness, it is easy for anyone to lodge police reports or make allegations but they need not be the truth. 

Personality clashes, rivalry and office politics could also be contributing factors that led to this controversy. 

Zulkipli must be given every opportunity to redeem his image and clear his name as the integrity of the ACA as an institution is now being questioned. 

No one can deny that the faith of the public in politicians and civil servants has been eroding for a long time. For us to hear these allegations is surely another blow. 

But the twist now is that the police would zero in on whether his properties tallied with his declaration of assets and financial position.  

The police probe is crucial because it is doubtful whether the parliamentary panel carries sufficient clout to act. Ultimately, it would be the police investigations that would determine the outcome.  

Civil servants and politicians must understand that when they live pompous lifestyles, the public cannot help but question their seeming wealth. They should not send out the wrong signals – job applicants should not perceive that joining the Immigration, Customs or the police is a lucrative career move because one can make easy money. 

Neither should a political party membership be seen as a passport to securing lucrative projects or at the very least a sub-contract. There must be something seriously wrong when someone joins a party, not for its political belief and struggle, but to amass wealth, be it in a big or small way. The same applies to joining a particular government department for the wrong reasons.  

Perceptions are important. When a low-level politician builds a mansion without council approval, ignore assessment fees and shows off a fleet of luxury cars, we have a right as voters to ask whether his wealth is due to his business ingenuity or political power.  

Similarly, when we see civil servants leading lifestyles beyond their salaries, we have a right to ask why the ACA isn't carrying out investigations and why formal reports need to be made first.  

It is also essential for the ACA, which now comes under the Prime Minister’s Department, to be made an independent body which reports to Parliament if we truly want to combat graft. 

The police and the attorney-general need to prioritise the investigations on Zulkipli because the nation is holding its breath.

The Malaysia Tourism Board had invited 190 journalists from all over the world to cover this special event. The media invite included 17 Indonesian journalists including representatives from three television stations.  

They enjoyed the Floral Fest and the hospitality but Nila Tanzil, the host of Melancung Yuk, had plenty of complaints and with good reason too.  

She blogged (nilatanzil.blogspot.com) that she had asked for a letter from the Tourism Board confirming her as a guest of the country and allowing her easier movement.  

But an official told her that he needed two weeks to get that letter. 

Indonesia is bad when it comes to red tape but this reply was enough to astonish, if not disgust, the young Indonesian reporter.  

Having only six days to spend in town, more frustrations awaited her.  

The crew was barred from shooting at two shopping malls, which bewildered her because she assumed that Malaysia wanted to promote the country as a shopping destination.  

But still, she was prepared to keep an open mind because shopping complexes, even retail outlets, are sensitive over fears they would be exposed to rivals or copycats.  

The ban continued further when she went to the revolving restaurant at the KL Tower, the fourth tallest tower in the world.  

Luckily, Nila managed to get the public relations officer to help her, even though it was a Sunday. As a resourceful reporter, she obtained her phone number from a French journalist based in Kuala Lumpur.  

By this time, according to her blog, feathers had been ruffled and the Tourism Malaysia board representative in Jakarta was not amused. There was a loss of face, as expected.  

Nila was told that she should not call any parties directly from then on. For any journalist, who is only interested in getting the job done, this bureaucracy is a waste of time.  

In short, the whole episode of incompetence and low-level red tape left the Indonesian with a poor impression of our country.  

We do not know whether other journalists had similar complaints. We can only hope that Nila’s experience was an isolated one.  

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, his deputy Datuk Donald Lim and secretary-general Datuk Dr Victor Wee have all worked hard for the campaign.  

The last thing they need is poor execution from low-level officials.  

What’s missing are obviously guides trained to fulfil the requirements of the media. There are still 10 months before Visit Malaysia 2007 ends and hiccups like this need to be rectified.  

More importantly, the ministry must hear from the reporter and the officials involved as to what had actually taken place.  

It must be taken seriously because her complaints have made its rounds among Jakarta’s press fraternity and bloggers who have become a new but important and powerful alternative media source. 

Someone in the ministry has to explain to Nila and certainly to Malaysians who’ve read her complaints.  

Male spectators were banned, including male members of the press. It made no difference if daddy wanted to cheer his daughter; he would have had to shout from outside the stadium. 

The only exception was Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who was present at the opening ceremony.  

Being the state’s top politician does have its privileges. The gender-segregation rule applied to everyone else. 

This is an extension to the lights-on ruling in cinemas and the requirement for supermarkets to have separate checkout counters for male and female customers.  

The same ruling applies at concerts sanctioned by the Islamist government. 

But the Nisa’ Games was nothing more than just a political event.  

With the general election coming up, the PAS government is again playing the religious card to project its conservative image. 

The thrust of the event was to showcase the need to wear the tudung (headscarf), as the leadership emphasised in the party newsletter Harakah. 

According to Kelantan Women Development, Youth and Sports Committee chief Abdul Fattah Mahmud, the state had started to design special sportswear for its participants in the Sukma Games 2008. 

Specially invited for the Nisa’ Games was Asia Games 200m champion Ruqaya Al Ghasara, who captured world attention by winning the sprint event wearing a tudung, which the PAS government wants to promote. 

It is, of course, within the right of PAS politicians and women athletes who want to wear headscarves. No one should oppose that right. 

Similarly, no one should be coaxed or pressured into wearing a headscarf, especially non-Muslims, for ceremonial purposes and in the name of uniformity. 

It is the same with women athletes who wish to wear light clothing for the sake of comfort as well as for health reasons, especially in our humid weather. 

The strangest, if not the most hypocritical, reason given by PAS was to protect the dignity of women. 

This is from a party that banned its women members from standing as candidates in elections “to guarantee their safety and dignity,” to quote Nik Aziz himself. 

The ruling of March 1999 was to prevent women from bergeser (coming in contact) with men, and that there were groups out to “disturb” women campaigners during elections. 

Two months later, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Hadi Awang said the party did not want to expose women “to the crudeness of the campaign trail because we want to protect their dignity.” 

In August, another PAS leader Subky Latif said it would be “strange” for women politicians “to leave their husbands at home” while they “move around campaigning or serving the people.” 

But there was a change of heart in the 2004 general election. PAS fielded a woman candidate, Rohani Ibrahim, in the Tanjung Mas state constituency, which she won. Another woman candidate Kalsom Othman lost in the Pasir Putih parliamentary constituency. 

Since then, the party has allowed young professionals such as Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar and Datuk Husam Musa into the leadership but they have to struggle against the clerics who still cling on to power. 

These upstarts understand the reality of having to shed their ultra-conservative image and policies if they want to win more seats but the older leaders seem to adopt a safer approach by playing up the holier-than-thou image among their followers in Kelantan and Terengganu. 

Besides needing the decisive votes of non-Muslims, PAS leaders have to grapple with modernity. 

As Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman said, PAS had been looking down on women. “They don’t allow their women to wear lipstick. They say women must stay at home, listen to their husbands and not go out because they would attract vice.” 

Puteri Umno chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad correctly questioned the purpose of banning men from the Nisa’ Games when Nik Aziz was present and that video cameras were recording the event. 

The decision by PAS to field two women candidates in the 2004 general election appeared to be a reluctant one. Even when a woman candidate won a seat, she wasn’t good enough to head the state committee for women development. 

Let’s see whether PAS leaders like Hadi and Nik Aziz will be more sporting in politics in the next election. 

The well-known alim said this was to thwart rape and incest and to protect women “from sex maniacs”.  

A day after the ensuing furore, Abu Hassan reportedly said his comment was merely a joke and not to be taken seriously.  

Unfortunately, the joke is now on Malaysia. Like some of our politicians and bureaucrats who suffer from “foot in the mouth disease”, Abu Hassan has again made a Malaysia a laughing stock.  

News of our improved economy and the bullish stock market should have occupied the attention of Malaysians and foreigners. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be that way.  

It’s not the kind of news one would expect from Malaysia. Maybe Afghanistan, when the Talibans governed it.  

There seems to be no end to this kind of news relating to “sex obsession”. Surely, politicians and government servants have more urgent matters to handle.  

For example, the numerous projects under the 9th Malaysia Plan, worth billions of ringgit, need to be carried out as the economy becomes more upbeat. 

But wait. The Terengganu Religious Department has initiated a plan where “Mat Skoding” or spies would be recruited to tip off the department of immoral activities.  

These “Mat Skoding,” who are sometimes dismissed as mere peeping toms, will be part of a voluntary squad under the guidance of the state religious department.  

These vigilantes, as the department authorities have called them, could be waitresses or janitors at hotels who would act as auxiliary undercover agents for the department, it was reported.  

According to state Islam Hadhari and Welfare Committee chairman Datuk Rosol Wahid, these trained “spies” would be on the lookout for unmarried couples behaving suspiciously or engaging in vice throughout the state.  

I had a tough time explaining to foreign friends during CNY that Terengganu is a conservative state. There can’t be that many sex offenders and the state is no longer run by PAS ulama, right?  

And surely this is not what the Prime Minister has in mind when he talks about Islam Hadhari.  

Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, a moderate leader, is also not in the mould of Datuk Seri Hadi Awang, the former firebrand PAS mentri besar.  

Surely, we must have learnt from the khalwat raid in Langkawi by religious officers on an elderly American couple, which led to the Tourism Ministry being flooded with protest letters from across the world. 

Or, the on-going court case involving a young non-Muslim couple arrested by Kuala Lumpur City Hall enforcement officials at the KLCC Park.  

I would like to believe that these are isolated cases involving a few eccentric figures but we have reason to be concerned with such influential and powerful personalities in government institutions.  

A dean from the business faculty of a top Malaysian public university, for example, makes alleged spot checks during lectures to check on the dressing of female students.  

Students who he perceives are wearing tight T-shirts or blouses are singled out. At least on one occasion, they were asked to bend down to see whether parts of their bodies would be exposed.  

Fortunately, this senior lecturer, who has just returned from overseas, is the odd one out in the university. The other faculties have not had any complaints about students being pulled out of examination halls by invigilators.  

But the university authorities have to stop him immediately. It would be an embarrassment if the university were named later.  

A university is not a high school and it is not the dean’s job to worry about students’ dressing.  

It’s their academic performance and his – whether he has produced enough research and articles for international journals – he should be worried about.  

Last week, PAS reportedly issued a statement objecting to the celebration of Valentine's Day on religious grounds.  

The celebration of love for decades has been merely for fun, and mostly commercial reasons, but never for religion.  

Why does PAS have to complicate matters – and the party still harbours ambitions of running this country. Get real!  

The point is that Malaysia is a plural country enriched by different faiths, cultures and ideas. More importantly, we are a tolerant people who place importance on moderation and modernity.  

We cannot accept bureaucrats in government offices and universities who want to impose their narrow-minded beliefs on others.  

Nobody elected them and certainly the self-appointed guardians of morality must know their limitations.  

What is the message we are trying to send, when “spies” are appointed at restaurants, hotels and parks, and even get paid for their tip-offs?  

We have been reading in the newspapers about the country's numerous economic successes but the trickle-down effect has yet to be felt. Ordinary Malaysians will tell you that their biggest worry is the increasing cost of living. 

For many wage earners, it is a daily struggle to keep their bills down as they juggle with their expenses. 

Still, the series of feel-good announcements is important because it is an indicator of the country’s economic performance. 

Last week, it was reported that a record RM46bil was invested in 1,077 approved projects last year by local and foreign investors, a 48% jump from the RM31bil invested in 2005. 

Last year’s figure was the highest chalked up to date, exceeding Malaysia’s Third Industrial Plan target. The projects approved are expected to create about 90,000 jobs. 

Foreign direct investments (FDIs) have also soared with the Japanese investing RM4.4bil last year, followed by the Dutch, Australians, Americans and Singaporeans. 

Last year, Malaysia attracted prominent players to set up regional headquarters in the country, including General Electric (US), Eppendorf AG (Germany), Aker Kvaerner Group (Norway) and Nippon Electric Glass (Japan). 

Before this, the Government announced that Malaysia’s trade figure hit RM1tril, reportedly the highest in the country’s history. 

While government leaders have highlighted the figure as a big achievement, critics have dismissed it as a gross simplification because import numbers were not stated. 

But the fact is the stock market has been bullish. It has continued to chart new heights over the past weeks as foreign funds pour into Malaysian stocks. 

There are reasons why foreign fund managers are eyeing Malaysia. Bangkok is no longer on their radar screen following the flip-flop decision on currency control by the military regime. 

More importantly, there is no bad news in Malaysia. Yes, we can do without some of the silly, foot-in-the-mouth statements by some of our politicians but generally Malaysia is a stable country. 

We are often too critical of ourselves. We tend to overlook our successes and when the slew of upbeat stories is published, it is received cynically. 

The private sector, the driving force of the country’s economy, has done well in terms of corporate earnings and in transforming itself. 

While there are concerns that foreign hedge fund managers will pull out once they have made their profits, most analysts believe that the bullish trend will continue until next year. 

There are no good reasons why foreign funds should leave Malaysia if there are profits to be made. 

Another point is that the ringgit has become stronger. 

However, we should not be too quick to claim that the good times are back – many restaurants and retail outlets are not exactly doing fantastic business. 

Let’s not kid ourselves, lest we lose credibility. The small and medium enterprises still face problems, including getting loans, and many have expressed concern over the low purchasing power of consumers. 

Small businessmen – and not only gamblers – have had to turn to loan sharks because of cash flow problems. 

Second-hand car dealers will tell you how bad they have been hit while taxi drivers quite willingly share their unhappiness with passengers. 

Graduates find it hard to get jobs because businesses are careful about hiring new staff to keep costs under control. 

It would be more appropriate to say that better times are ahead. The many projects worth billions of ringgit under the 9th Malaysia Plan will begin soon and the spill-over effect will follow. 

Once the physical structures are up, Malaysians will be able to see and feel the development that has been planned. 

Economists have predicted a growth of between 5.3% and 5.5% for the country, which is considerably good. 

To sustain this economic drive, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has correctly set up the 23-member task force to promote quicker reform of the delivery system. 

If we do not improve our delivery system and cut down on red tape, we will lose our competitive edge. It does not make sense for a developer to seek approvals from 144 government agencies or wait three to five years for a building plan to be approved. 

Even Vietnam, which is a socialist state, has gained a reputation for being fast and efficient while in Dubai, builders are told within two weeks whether their plans have been approved. 

The weaknesses have been identified and new mechanisms are being put in place to make Malaysia more attractive to investors. 

Malaysians expect more good news in the coming months leading up to the National Day celebrations.  

As Malaysians celebrate the Chinese New Year, they can toast each other for better times ahead. 

For the Chinese community, the daily showers for the past few days have been a relief during this season of hot weather. For many, lok sui (rain in Cantonese) rhymes with money. 

Gong Xi Fa Cai!  

Henry and Choo, like many celebrities in London, are regulars to the restaurant owned by Malaysian Eddie Lim. 

“This is a very nice restaurant. You must meet the owner, he is from Kuantan and very proud that he is from Malaysia,” Choo half shouted, competing with the loud music blaring out from two speakers at the bar.  

But the fashion icon has little privacy in London. Malaysians know Choo as an internationally renowned couture (custom made) shoe designer and master craftsman, but few have an idea how big he is in London. 

It was an eye-opener for this writer, who joined him for dinner, together with Lim, his wife Joyce and Afghan-born Haleena Rashid, the wife of Jermaine Jackson. 

Jermaine, who now calls himself Muhammad Abdul Aziz, is the elder brother of Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. He was in town to take part in the hit reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother, where he was voted second after Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty in the final. 

Hot favourite: Choo with Haleena Rashid (next to him) and some of his ardent fans at the Mango Tree restaurant in London.

As Choo sat down for the dinner, a group of young women diners walked over to ask for his autograph. He sportingly posed for pictures with them, even though his meal was being interrupted. 

Heads turned, hands waved, and approving smiles and nods were directed at Choo as word went around the restaurant that he was present. 

After all, the Mango Tree is known not just for its good food but also as a hangout for rock stars like Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin. It is a place to see and be seen. 

“We must always be humble and polite at all times. I bear that in mind like any Chinese gentleman,” Choo said. 

Having made his name in his legendary shoes, Choo preferred to speak about what he could do for Malaysia, which he kept referring to as home, and how he could inspire the young. 

As a British Council-appointed education ambassador, Choo travels regularly in Commonwealth countries to talk about his career. However, that role has now extended to include non-Commonwealth nations in Asia, including China. 

“I like to impart my knowledge to the young. I am committed to promoting education,” he said, maintaining his silence when I asked whether he would like to see himself as a sifu (master). Of course, his humble personality does not permit him to even say it. 

Still, Choo said he was ready to accept selected interns to be trained by him at his shop at Connaught Street. 

The young, especially teenagers, idolise him. He has received more attention following the recent release of the movie The Devil Wears Prada, a film about life in a New York fashion magazine. In the movie, actress Meryl Streep wore Jimmy Choo shoes. 

His shoes have also been featured on the hit TV series Sex And The City where the character Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, was addicted to the brand. 

The late Princess Diana was a client, and so are Madonna, Beyonce, Lindsay Lohan, Gwyneth Paltrow, Uma Thurman, Naomi Campbell, Elizabeth Hurley, Nicole Ritchie, Natalie Imbruglia and Cherrie Blair. 

Besides several websites from fans dedicated to Choo on the Internet, there are over 1.5million postings in Goggle and 480,000 entries in Yahoo, the world's two largest search engines, on the man and his work.  

Madonna’s husband, English film-maker Guy Ritchie, was once quoted in newspapers saying that he had to buy her a pair of Jimmy Choo’s to appease the diva after a row. 

There’s even a hit song about the man and his shoes by hip hop artiste Shyne featuring Ashanti titled Jimmy Choo. 

Education is a favourite subject for Choo these days as he talked excitedly about the recognition now given to the industry. 

It was not easy for him. Much has been written about his humble family background in Penang, especially how he learned to make shoes at the age of 11 from his father, who was a cobbler. 

He studied in England, struggling through the lean years, and returned to Penang. But he soon set his sights on London again, knowing well that his future was in the fashion city. 

Despite his achievements and celebrity lifestyle, his heart is very much in Malaysia, and he insisted upon this writer to update him on the politics and economy back home. 

Said Lim: “Jimmy talks endlessly about Malaysia at functions here. He is always promoting Malaysia. We are really lucky to have him here because, as an icon, he can do a lot for the country. I regard him as a national treasure.” 

These are certainly flattering words from Lim, who has made a name for himself in the restaurant circuit and also owns the nearby Awana Chelsea restaurant serving top notch Malaysian and Asian food. 

However, few can dispute Choo’s commitment to two projects he has pledged to do, one of which is to train students of Universiti Teknologi Mara following a meeting with Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed in London recently. 

“The apprenticeship of the UiTM students would be good as the exposure in London would be really beneficial. I believe there are many talented students at UiTM and certainly they deserve to be given a chance,” he said.  

Under the university’s Young Lecturers’ Programme, three students would be sponsored for training under Choo. 

UiTM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah has also agreed to appoint Choo as a visiting professor and academic adviser, which is surely another feather to his cap. 

Choo himself attended a shoe college in London, the Cordwainers Technical College, now known as the London College of Fashion, where he is a professor. 

But that’s not all. Choo also plans to set up a shoe design institute, and he intends to make Malaysia the first country to house it.  

“I am Malaysian and I want to give something back to the people for the respect and support they have shown me over the years, that is the right thing to do,” he said. 

Aspiring shoe makers must understand that the talent to design alone is insufficient as they need to know about marketing, trends, promotions, accounting and business, which are all important parts of the industry, he said. 

“I want the young to understand respect for the elders, especially their employers and clients. They must always uphold confidentiality and be down-to-earth. 

“It’s about hard work and not just glamour. They won’t become millionaires or become celebrities overnight, so they must be prepared for the tough work ahead of them after they get their diplomas. 

“I want the young to work passionately, and it must not be just about money. It must be love for the work that will eventually help them become successful.” 

Choo spoke fondly of respect for his family members, his regular telephone calls to an octogenarian sister who lives in Prai, Penang, and his elderly in-laws in Hong Kong.  

More importantly, Choo, a devout Buddhist, said he believed in doing good for people and society, and stressed on the importance of karma and spirituality. 

As the dinner ended, Choo got up from his seat and walked towards the restaurant’s entrance, only to be stopped, again by other diners who wanted to be photographed with him.  

That was not all: even the waiters, who included several college students, wanted to be photographed with him even though he is no stranger there. 

Jimmy Choo is still as hot as ever.

It started with Malcolm Glazer’s buyout of Manchester United for an estimated US$1.4bil (RM4.76bil) in 2005. 

Former investment analyst turned businessman Randy Leaner, the owner of the NFL side Cleveland Browns, bought Aston Villa last year for US$130mil (RM442mil) and last week, tycoons Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr Hicks bought Liverpool for US$900mil. 

In the case of MU, there were some initial misgivings from the fans of the world’s richest football club who held demonstrations, but the purchase has been largely accepted. 

What all this means is that foreign participation is not seen in a negative light by the English. They see the foreign talents as being good for the future of the EPL and that the American buyouts may lead to a bigger and more lucrative market in the United States. 

They see business opportunities with huge economic returns, and do not take a narrow nationalistic view. 

The world has changed and the tide of globalisation simply cannot be stopped. Businesses are functioning without borders and many countries have become one big economic space. 

Insular politicians who continue to cling to their myopic views will not help the country become more competitive. Malaysia, or for that matter any country, will risk disappearing from the radar screen of investors simply because many countries are trying to make themselves more attractive and more competitive. 

In one country, officials go to the extent of securing places at universities for the children of investors and offer permanent residence status to induce them to come to their country. 

Take the case of Danga Bay in Johor, a massive waterfront project that will be developed over the next 15 to 20 years. The city-within-a-city project, which was launched by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in August, encompasses residential, commercial, recreational and social amenities. 

When completed, Danga Bay will be three times the size of Singapore. But Malaysia alone cannot ensure the success of the project. 

Johor needs Singapore as much as the city-state needs Johor. Danga Bay can only be successful if Singaporeans and foreigners are prepared to invest in and support the project, which will see more than 800,000 jobs being created. 

Johor politicians, however, often send wrong signals to their neighbours. The leaders in Putrajaya understand and appreciate the strong bilateral ties with Singapore. 

The statistics tell the story: of the 16.4 million tourists who visited Malaysia in 2005, 9.6 million or 58% were Singaporeans. More than 1.7 million passengers travelled by air between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore in 2005, similar to the number reported in 2004. 

Investments from Singapore came up to over S$1.3bil (RM2.96bil), especially in the manufacturing of electrical and electronic parts, with more than half of the projects located in Johor. Malaysia-Singapore bilateral trade accounts for almost 70% of total intra-Asean trade. 

It does not help Malaysia when Johor politicians blame Singapore for the massive floods in the state, particularly when the arguments are unconvincing. The state should just look at its drainage problems first before they look for a scapegoat. 

Neither does it make much sense when accusations are levelled at Singapore investors who put money in Malaysian institutions. 

Similarly, there should be some caution at the manner by which some Malaysian politicians have bashed the Bush administration. The United States, with its 297 million consumers, is Malaysia’s biggest market. Let us not deceive ourselves – we need the US. 

We should not over-react to a statement by one US Congressman who called for the suspension of talks because a Malaysian firm signed a US$16bil energy deal with Iran. 

The US cannot dictate who we do business with but we should always bear in mind, as with all negotiations, there will be areas of agreement and disagreement. 

Malaysia is America’s 10th largest trading partner. The volume of trade has quadrupled over the last 15 years, from US$8.7bil in 1990 to more than US$44bil in 2006. 

To suggest that the Sept 11 attacks on the Twin Towers was the work of Americans themselves and not the evil plot of terrorists is going too far in attacking Bush. 

To call for the halting of the Free Trade Agreement is also irresponsible because a comprehensive pact will surely benefit both countries in the long run. It may have hit a snag but both sides need to iron out the problems. 

Malaysian politicians must realise that their ludicrous statements will be reported internationally. They may assume that they will gain some points with their constituents and supporters but they need to see the damage they cause. 

From making khalwat arrests to banning models with pan-Asian looks, we have continued to make international news for the wrong reasons. And what do our politicians tell us when we shoot ourselves in the foot? The standard line is that the foreign media is jealous of the Malaysian success story. 

For Malaysia’s sake, let’s not lose the game by scoring an own goal.