Thursday, 5 January 2012
Malaysian making the leap into 2012 Doomsday?
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Image via Wikipedia
LIKE the start of all years, 2012 began on a cheerful note, but don’t expect the goodwill to last for long, though. Unlike the usual 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes and 12 seconds taken by the Earth to complete its orbit around the Sun, this one is a leap year with 366 days.
A leap year occurs every four years when an extra day is included at the end of February.
There are some interesting traditions linked to leap years. Apparently, according to the Irish, it is okay for a woman to propose marriage to a man on Feb 29.
The practice has been traced to the 5th century after St Bridget – the patron saint of blacksmiths, boatmen and chicken farmers among others – complained to St Patrick (patron saint of Ireland) about women having to wait too long for men ask for their hand.
The tradition spread to Scotland with Queen Margaret’s decree in 1288 that a woman could demand any man she fancied to wed her on Feb 29.
It seems the men were prevented by law from turning down such a proposal. Fortunately for the reluctant grooms, the penalty was not a custodial sentence – only a fine in the form of a forced kiss, a dress made of silk or a pair of gloves to the rejected woman.
An unpopular girl then might not have gotten hitched but at least she would have had the chance to stock up her wardrobe by proposing to as many disinterested suitors as she could corner.
Such stories are unlikely to amuse the millions of Doomsday theory believers today who are sure that the end of the world is finally nigh.
Yes, it is the anticipated year of the apocalypse for those caught up in the much-prophesised end of times.
The common date earmarked by the Doomsday believers citing the Mayan calendar – the anticipated alignment of planets, solar flares, super volcanoes and polar magnet shift – is this Dec 21.
Periodic predictions of apocalyptic scenarios are not necessarily new. They have been regularly foretold by religious preachers, pseudo-scientists, fiction writers and such. Time and again, all of them have been proven wrong.
Among the notable predictions was that by William Miller who in 1840 warned of the second coming of Jesus Christ and impending end of the world between March 21, 1843, and March 21, 1844.
About 100,000 of his followers sold their belongings and went up the mountains to wait for the end. Nothing happened. He changed the date to Oct 22 and this too passed without incident.
His loyal followers, however, went on to form yet another highly successful religious movement.
It has become a routine for evangelist Harold Camping, who predicted the end of the world twice last year - on May 21 and Oct 21.
In 1992, he wrote a book called 1994?, which proclaimed the close to be in mid-September 1994.
Isn’t it amazing that people continue to believe in such characters in spite of their continuous unfulfilled prophesies?
In Malaysia, it is more of a case of political partisans predicting doomsday scenarios against each other after the 13th general election, expected to be held within the first six months of the year.
The heat is already rising in the build-up to the much-awaited verdict in the sodomy trial of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Anwar, 64, on Monday (January 9, 2012).
The High Court will deliver its verdict on whether Anwar sodomised his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 27, at a Desa Damansara condominium unit in Bukit Damansara on June 26, 2008.
The de facto PKR leader faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and whipping if found guilty under Section 377B of the Penal Code.
PKR deputy president Azmin Ali has since announced that Pakatan Rakyat would mobilise 100,000 people at the Jalan Duta Court Complex in Kuala Lumpur to show support for Anwar.
Another mass gathering is also being planned in Penang after the verdict.
The police have urged supporters to stay away from the gathering but it doesn’t look like the faithful will be deterred.
What can the non-partisans expect from such a gathering?
The Crowd: The Study of the Po-pular Mind by French physician Gustave Le Bon, who originated the theory of crowd psychology in the 19th century, provides some clues.
According to Le Bon, people usually change as they join a crowd because it fosters anonymity with individuals and become less conscious of their actions.
While he did not believe that members of an intense crowd were deranged, he nevertheless argued that the structure of assembly had a powerful influence on the behaviour of members.
He said when a crowd reached a critical level of arousal, individuals lost their power to resist suggestions from influential members, resulting in strong emotional reactions spreading with contagious results.
“The masses have never thirsted after truth. They turn aside from evidence that is not to their taste, preferring to deify error, if error seduces them,” he wrote.
“Whoever can supply them with illusions is easily their master, whoever attempts to destroy their illusions is always their victim.”
Happy New Year? Hope so.
Associate Editor M. Veera Pandiyan likes this note carved on an Assyrian tablet in 2800 BC: There are signs that the world is speedily coming to an end: bribery and corruption are common. Children no longer obey their parents, and everyone is writing a book.
Image via WikipediaMaking the leap into 2012
Along The Watchtower By M. Veera Pandiyan
Political partisans are predicting dire scenarios against each other as the 13th general election looms.LIKE the start of all years, 2012 began on a cheerful note, but don’t expect the goodwill to last for long, though. Unlike the usual 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes and 12 seconds taken by the Earth to complete its orbit around the Sun, this one is a leap year with 366 days.
A leap year occurs every four years when an extra day is included at the end of February.
There are some interesting traditions linked to leap years. Apparently, according to the Irish, it is okay for a woman to propose marriage to a man on Feb 29.
The practice has been traced to the 5th century after St Bridget – the patron saint of blacksmiths, boatmen and chicken farmers among others – complained to St Patrick (patron saint of Ireland) about women having to wait too long for men ask for their hand.
The tradition spread to Scotland with Queen Margaret’s decree in 1288 that a woman could demand any man she fancied to wed her on Feb 29.
It seems the men were prevented by law from turning down such a proposal. Fortunately for the reluctant grooms, the penalty was not a custodial sentence – only a fine in the form of a forced kiss, a dress made of silk or a pair of gloves to the rejected woman.
An unpopular girl then might not have gotten hitched but at least she would have had the chance to stock up her wardrobe by proposing to as many disinterested suitors as she could corner.
Such stories are unlikely to amuse the millions of Doomsday theory believers today who are sure that the end of the world is finally nigh.
Yes, it is the anticipated year of the apocalypse for those caught up in the much-prophesised end of times.
The common date earmarked by the Doomsday believers citing the Mayan calendar – the anticipated alignment of planets, solar flares, super volcanoes and polar magnet shift – is this Dec 21.
Periodic predictions of apocalyptic scenarios are not necessarily new. They have been regularly foretold by religious preachers, pseudo-scientists, fiction writers and such. Time and again, all of them have been proven wrong.
Among the notable predictions was that by William Miller who in 1840 warned of the second coming of Jesus Christ and impending end of the world between March 21, 1843, and March 21, 1844.
About 100,000 of his followers sold their belongings and went up the mountains to wait for the end. Nothing happened. He changed the date to Oct 22 and this too passed without incident.
His loyal followers, however, went on to form yet another highly successful religious movement.
It has become a routine for evangelist Harold Camping, who predicted the end of the world twice last year - on May 21 and Oct 21.
In 1992, he wrote a book called 1994?, which proclaimed the close to be in mid-September 1994.
Isn’t it amazing that people continue to believe in such characters in spite of their continuous unfulfilled prophesies?
In Malaysia, it is more of a case of political partisans predicting doomsday scenarios against each other after the 13th general election, expected to be held within the first six months of the year.
The heat is already rising in the build-up to the much-awaited verdict in the sodomy trial of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Anwar, 64, on Monday (January 9, 2012).
The High Court will deliver its verdict on whether Anwar sodomised his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 27, at a Desa Damansara condominium unit in Bukit Damansara on June 26, 2008.
The de facto PKR leader faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and whipping if found guilty under Section 377B of the Penal Code.
PKR deputy president Azmin Ali has since announced that Pakatan Rakyat would mobilise 100,000 people at the Jalan Duta Court Complex in Kuala Lumpur to show support for Anwar.
Another mass gathering is also being planned in Penang after the verdict.
The police have urged supporters to stay away from the gathering but it doesn’t look like the faithful will be deterred.
What can the non-partisans expect from such a gathering?
The Crowd: The Study of the Po-pular Mind by French physician Gustave Le Bon, who originated the theory of crowd psychology in the 19th century, provides some clues.
According to Le Bon, people usually change as they join a crowd because it fosters anonymity with individuals and become less conscious of their actions.
While he did not believe that members of an intense crowd were deranged, he nevertheless argued that the structure of assembly had a powerful influence on the behaviour of members.
He said when a crowd reached a critical level of arousal, individuals lost their power to resist suggestions from influential members, resulting in strong emotional reactions spreading with contagious results.
“The masses have never thirsted after truth. They turn aside from evidence that is not to their taste, preferring to deify error, if error seduces them,” he wrote.
“Whoever can supply them with illusions is easily their master, whoever attempts to destroy their illusions is always their victim.”
Happy New Year? Hope so.
Associate Editor M. Veera Pandiyan likes this note carved on an Assyrian tablet in 2800 BC: There are signs that the world is speedily coming to an end: bribery and corruption are common. Children no longer obey their parents, and everyone is writing a book.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Banks tighten lending rules amid uncertainty
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By DANIEL KHOO danielkhoo@thestar.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: The competitive environment for loans by banks will likely abate in the months ahead despite a general slowdown of loan growth which is expected this year, analysts said.
This is because banks in Malaysia are also expected to put their own interest first and extend loans to the consumer sector more cautiously given the uncertain backdrop amid the economic turmoil in the US and eurozone.
“It is quite normal to be more cautious as dark clouds gather over the horizon. However, I don't expect the slowdown to be as bad as it was back in 2009 when the sub-prime crisis hit the US,” said a banking analyst from one of Malaysia's top three banks by market capitalisation.
“Given the state of the global economy, it is timely that Bank Negara imposes stricter rules on lending to continue to keep lending activities in the country at a healthy state. A healthy banking system will only ensure a healthy economy,” the analyst added.
Bank Negara's more stringent revised lending rules came into effect on Jan 1.
Show-and-tell: Data released by Bank Negara showed that loan growth in November 2011 moderated further to 12.8% from a 13.1% and 13.8% growth in October and September 2011 respectively >>
Effective this year, the debt service ratio of a loan applicant is calculated based on the person's net income rather than gross income, which means the calculated income of the applicant is based on his or her take home salary after tax deduction and Employees Provident Fund contribution.
The softening competition for loans also means that loan growth is likely to slow further from the preceding two months.
Data released by Bank Negara showed that loan growth in Nov 2011 moderated further to 12.8% year on year (yoy) from a 13.1% and 13.8% yoy growth in October and September 2011 respectively.
By DANIEL KHOO danielkhoo@thestar.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: The competitive environment for loans by banks will likely abate in the months ahead despite a general slowdown of loan growth which is expected this year, analysts said.
This is because banks in Malaysia are also expected to put their own interest first and extend loans to the consumer sector more cautiously given the uncertain backdrop amid the economic turmoil in the US and eurozone.
“It is quite normal to be more cautious as dark clouds gather over the horizon. However, I don't expect the slowdown to be as bad as it was back in 2009 when the sub-prime crisis hit the US,” said a banking analyst from one of Malaysia's top three banks by market capitalisation.
“Given the state of the global economy, it is timely that Bank Negara imposes stricter rules on lending to continue to keep lending activities in the country at a healthy state. A healthy banking system will only ensure a healthy economy,” the analyst added.
Bank Negara's more stringent revised lending rules came into effect on Jan 1.
Show-and-tell: Data released by Bank Negara showed that loan growth in November 2011 moderated further to 12.8% from a 13.1% and 13.8% growth in October and September 2011 respectively >>Effective this year, the debt service ratio of a loan applicant is calculated based on the person's net income rather than gross income, which means the calculated income of the applicant is based on his or her take home salary after tax deduction and Employees Provident Fund contribution.
The softening competition for loans also means that loan growth is likely to slow further from the preceding two months.
Data released by Bank Negara showed that loan growth in Nov 2011 moderated further to 12.8% year on year (yoy) from a 13.1% and 13.8% yoy growth in October and September 2011 respectively.
CIMB Investment Bank's analyst Winson Ng had in a report on the sector outlook said that there was still a downside to the industry's loan growth even though it had declined for the two months.
“We are projecting total loans growth of 12-13% for 2011, followed by a softening to 9-10% in 2012 when consumer loans are expected to increase 10-11% and business loans are expected to advance by 8%-9%,” Ng said in his report.
Despite the apparent slowdown in loan growth, Maybank Investment Bank said that the scenario might not be as bad as it seems because there was a pick-up in loan applications and approvals, with a slight improvement in spreads in November 2011.
Maybank analyst Desmond Ch'ng said that the total system loan growth in 2012 was expected to slow further to 9.4% while loan growth was expected to be at 12.4% in 2011.
Meanwhile, RHB Investment Bank said in a report that Bank Negara could resort to cutting interest rates should global economic conditions deteriorate further and that it expected Bank Negara to employ a more proactive approach to “begin cutting interest rates sooner rather than later.”
RHB said that based on its sensitivity analysis, the Alliance Financial Group Bhd and Malayan Banking Bhd would be more adversely impacted by a cut in interest rates due to their higher proportion of variable-rate loans.
No fresh start to 2012
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IT’S 2012 and if the Mayans are to be believed, the world ends this year. For me, the world didn’t start well because we got up on New Year’s Day to dry pipes. No water in the toilets is not what you call a fresh start to the year.
Could someone make a resolution to replace the old pipes in Bangsar, please?
Otherwise, we Bangsarites will go on a shower strike and stink the place out until our demands are met.
And, yes, our smelly mob will assemble in the streets to protest.
For some other Malaysians, especially some students, the New Year certainly did not start well at all. It makes one sigh again with frustration.
Let us see this clearly; the only people capable of using force on others are the ones with the batons and guns.
Generally, those aren’t civilians, and especially not students.
If this is the way the year is going to start, then we have learnt nothing from 2011, nor will we do anything new in 2012.
We will continue to exhibit our fears by clamping down on those who think differently, or who are simply different.
We display our paranoia by immediately looking for who is behind those who think differently.
We cannot imagine that people can think for themselves, without someone telling them how and what to think and do.
It’s the ultimate indictment of our education system, that every single thing anyone does, especially if contrary to what the establishment wants, must be attributed to a sheeplike disposition to be led.
Well, surely, if those who are contrarian are doing it because they are sheep, then those who are conformists are also sheep.
After all, everyone went through the same school system, no?
The last year, for me, was one where there were particularly high levels of obliviousness among those who rule us.
Oblivious to what people really think and want being chief among them.
Whether it’s deliberate or not, I can’t tell, but somehow there’s mild comfort in believing that it’s just natural gormlessness, and not willful blindness.
I am hoping that this year will be a year of greater imagination.
It would be nice if our leaders suddenly had the imagination to trust their people to be able to think on their own.
And to trust that people thinking on their own is not necessarily a bad thing, nor necessarily a move that will backfire.
I’d also like our leaders to start believing that their people are generally good people, who get on with one another and simply want to live their lives as best as they can.
And they can do all that without any interference from those who think they are leading us.
I don’t need anyone to tell me how to get on with my neighbours; I already do.
I do need someone to tell off those people who keep telling me to constantly be suspicious of my neighbours, including when they are nice to me.
Apparently this is only because they want to dislodge me from my faith.
In that case, my being nice to them must be equally effective at dislodging them from their beliefs.
Why not then have “Be Nice to Your Neighbours” campaigns?
Indeed, why not in 2012, for the sake of doing something different, have a campaign called “End Stupid Statements”.
Every statement uttered by a public figure that simply does not stand up to scrutiny gets printed on a big banner and then symbolically thrown into a giant dustbin at Dataran Merdeka.
My first candidate: Jews and Christians Are Taking Over the Country! (My test for the credibility of that statement is to ask: what for?).
I’m sure it’ll be a full dustbin. But what am I saying?
We have an election to look forward to, which means there’ll be an endless supply of dumb utterances from all sides of the fence.
We should arm ourselves with deflectors to shield us from the inanities that are bound to rain upon our poor heads.
Or helmets at the very least, because it’s bound to injure our craniums. But let me remain optimistic.
The first person that says all Malaysians are equal under our Constitution gets my vote.
Or who says, men and women are equal, or who outlaws child marriage.
And I’ll even give some grudging respect to the first person who says: “I lied, I’m sorry, I’ll step down now.”
But I suppose that would be like expecting to see porcine flying objects. Life trundles on, folks.
Try and have a good year!
MUSINGS By MARINA MAHATHIR
The last year was one where there were particularly high levels of obliviousness. Why not, in 2012, for the sake of doing something different, have a campaign called “End Stupid Statements”.IT’S 2012 and if the Mayans are to be believed, the world ends this year. For me, the world didn’t start well because we got up on New Year’s Day to dry pipes. No water in the toilets is not what you call a fresh start to the year.
Could someone make a resolution to replace the old pipes in Bangsar, please?
Otherwise, we Bangsarites will go on a shower strike and stink the place out until our demands are met.
And, yes, our smelly mob will assemble in the streets to protest.
For some other Malaysians, especially some students, the New Year certainly did not start well at all. It makes one sigh again with frustration.
Let us see this clearly; the only people capable of using force on others are the ones with the batons and guns.
Generally, those aren’t civilians, and especially not students.
If this is the way the year is going to start, then we have learnt nothing from 2011, nor will we do anything new in 2012.
We will continue to exhibit our fears by clamping down on those who think differently, or who are simply different.
We display our paranoia by immediately looking for who is behind those who think differently.
We cannot imagine that people can think for themselves, without someone telling them how and what to think and do.
It’s the ultimate indictment of our education system, that every single thing anyone does, especially if contrary to what the establishment wants, must be attributed to a sheeplike disposition to be led.
Well, surely, if those who are contrarian are doing it because they are sheep, then those who are conformists are also sheep.
After all, everyone went through the same school system, no?
The last year, for me, was one where there were particularly high levels of obliviousness among those who rule us.
Oblivious to what people really think and want being chief among them.
Whether it’s deliberate or not, I can’t tell, but somehow there’s mild comfort in believing that it’s just natural gormlessness, and not willful blindness.
I am hoping that this year will be a year of greater imagination.
It would be nice if our leaders suddenly had the imagination to trust their people to be able to think on their own.
And to trust that people thinking on their own is not necessarily a bad thing, nor necessarily a move that will backfire.
I’d also like our leaders to start believing that their people are generally good people, who get on with one another and simply want to live their lives as best as they can.
And they can do all that without any interference from those who think they are leading us.
I don’t need anyone to tell me how to get on with my neighbours; I already do.
I do need someone to tell off those people who keep telling me to constantly be suspicious of my neighbours, including when they are nice to me.
Apparently this is only because they want to dislodge me from my faith.
In that case, my being nice to them must be equally effective at dislodging them from their beliefs.
Why not then have “Be Nice to Your Neighbours” campaigns?
Indeed, why not in 2012, for the sake of doing something different, have a campaign called “End Stupid Statements”.
Every statement uttered by a public figure that simply does not stand up to scrutiny gets printed on a big banner and then symbolically thrown into a giant dustbin at Dataran Merdeka.
My first candidate: Jews and Christians Are Taking Over the Country! (My test for the credibility of that statement is to ask: what for?).
I’m sure it’ll be a full dustbin. But what am I saying?
We have an election to look forward to, which means there’ll be an endless supply of dumb utterances from all sides of the fence.
We should arm ourselves with deflectors to shield us from the inanities that are bound to rain upon our poor heads.
Or helmets at the very least, because it’s bound to injure our craniums. But let me remain optimistic.
The first person that says all Malaysians are equal under our Constitution gets my vote.
Or who says, men and women are equal, or who outlaws child marriage.
And I’ll even give some grudging respect to the first person who says: “I lied, I’m sorry, I’ll step down now.”
But I suppose that would be like expecting to see porcine flying objects. Life trundles on, folks.
Try and have a good year!
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