How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Friday, March 23, 2012

BR1M: Boon or bane?

BR1M seems a favourite topic of discussions in coffee shops because it affected most people: those who are eligible, those who are not eligible, and those in-between, either eligible but did not apply or ineligible but tried their luck. There were much confusion over whether it was meant for those 60 and above only, those who are below 60 but with dependents, and so on. The ambiguous conditions, if not, the lack of or poor definitions of the conditions, together with the poorly trained people in charge, had led to confusion of all and sundry. To those who know each other well, there were jealousies too, as to why some with means were acceptable while those who are genuinely poor and needy were rejected.

This is also the time for completion and submission of Tax Returns. There were some who did not apply for BR1M because of the fear of getting involved with the LHDN since they are not in their record. Some BR1M applicants were successful but got penalized for non-filing of tax returns or under-declared their incomes. Whether there was any connection between the two or mere coincidence, your guess is as good as mine. There were reports of tax officers going from one shop to another in Bercham, Ipoh recently. The LHDN employees must have been really busy these days, not only having to deal with the annual enquiries on tax returns, but those relating to BR1M recently. I believe they are also under pressure to find the money to fund our PM's generosity!

Many people who are employed are subjected to deductions of tax from their salaries. Their incomes are known and there is no room for evasion of tax, unless they have secret side incomes. They are naturally unhappy with those who are obviously making lots of money from their businesses, but judging from their acquisitions of properties and buying of luxury cars, are obviously under-declaring their incomes. It is obvious to those who know them but not necessarily those in LHDN. Some believe it is better not to declare and wait for LHDN to come after them and settle or 'kautim' with the officer in charge!

I believe BR1M appears to be good for the people but there might be an ulterior motive (besides trying to gain popularity for the GE) of adding more people to their database for the purpose of widening the tax net. In a way, this is good for the nation because those who are not paying income tax or under-declare their incomes are being unfair to those honest taxpayers.
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