Somethings good to learn..
How to Leave Your Job Diplomatically
Diplomacy is defined as "tact and skill in dealing with people." While it's always a good idea to be diplomatic in all your personal and business dealings, it's especially important when you are resigning from a job. The world is much smaller than we sometimes think, and with all the company mergers, consolidations and acquisitions, it's best not to burn bridges. When you're leaving a job, it's not the time to finally give an irritating co-worker a piece of your mind. The co-worker or supervisor you've despised could wind up as your boss somewhere down the career road. Here are a few tips to take into consideration before you announce your resignation.
1. Always use professionalism and courtesy in announcing your intention to leave the company.
2. Advise your direct supervisor first. Then tell colleagues and department staff.
3. Don't boast to co-workers about your new position, salary, office or company car. Instead, thank them for their support and friendships and exchange contact information to stay in touch.
4. Write a professional letter of resignation. No need for lengthy explanations, you can simply state that you are resigning from your position to pursue other interests or opportunities. Whether you loved or hated your job or your supervisor, the outcome should be the same: a brief, respectful letter stating your intention to leave.
5. Give your employer advance notice so that they can begin to make arrangements for your replacement. Generally acceptable notice is two to four weeks. Work with your current and future employers to set a time frame that works for both them and you.
6. Offer suggestions for your replacement by putting your supervisor in touch with colleagues you know and respect. Share resumes of qualified candidates or recommend a valued co-worker for your position.
7. Finish the job. Don't leave projects half completed. Provide a list of projects and review what can or needs to be completed before you depart.
8. Don't leave your desk or office in disarray. Take a day to organize your materials for your successor.
9. Offer to train your replacement. This may require that you come back for a few hours or a day once you leave the company. If you leave before a replacement is hired, make yourself available to answer questions in person or over the phone.
10. Don't disappear. Avoid short-timer's attitude and stay an active and contributing member of your team during your last days at work. Work hard and do your best to leave a good and lasting impression.
11. Avoid naysayers and don't badmouth the company. Once others know you are leaving, they may seek you out to share their feelings of discontent. If you want to leave on good terms, don't be associated with disgruntled or unhappy employees.
12. Use your exit interview time wisely. Regardless of what you are told, this is not the time to trash your boss or your boss's boss. If you haven't discussed your concerns about work situations in the past, don't use the exit interview as an opportunity to reveal them for the first time.
13. Negotiate your exit package wisely, but don't be greedy or overly demanding. Politely ask for what you deserve, such as payout of unused vacation time, pro-rated bonuses, etc.
14. Leave the company assets behind. Don't walk off with supplies to outfit your new office. Unless you brought something from home or paid for that stapler with your own money, leave it on your desk.
15. Don't send boastful or sobbing farewell emails. If you choose to use email to notify colleagues that you are leaving, provide your contact information - these people are part of your network.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Thursday, July 21, 2005
未來在消失之中?
看了巫青團長希山慕丁的演說，第一個反應是心跳加速，第二個反應是心情沉重，第三個反應是莫名的悲哀。
心跳加速，因為如此激進，而又那麼偏狹的馬來民族主義論調，已經有一段時間沒有出現，而今天崩出來，仿佛一個封塵的幽靈，突然又重返人間。
沉重，因為一個骨幹政黨的青年團，原本應該是一股新的生命力，應該具備進步和宏觀的視野，但是實際上它卻是目光如豆，沒有遠見和理想，還要率領群眾走進死胡同裡去。
悲哀，因為新經濟政策自十幾年前放寬後，國家好不容易才辛苦向前走出幾步路，雖然不能令人滿意，卻讓人民還有一些期待。如今，如果要走回頭路，不但前功盡棄，而且國家前途將是在全球化洪流中滅頂。
希山慕丁在這個他最重要的演說中，其實可以發表較有意義的內容。譬如，黨的副主席因賄選下台、黨同志兼前州首席部長涉賭欠下巨債、黨婦女組主席兼內閣同僚被AP糾纏不清；作為新生代，他大可就這些黨內弊病，表達一個年輕領導人的不滿、痛心，並且表現改革決心。
沒有，在他的演說中，他避開不談。
希山慕丁可以針對馬來社會目前的問題，包括柺杖心態、依賴心理、缺乏競爭力，乃至貧窮、吸毒、愛滋泛濫等嚴重情況，進行檢討和尋求解決之道。
沒有，他避重就輕，看來這些都不是這位青年團團長關注的對象。
希山慕丁也可以就馬來回教徒面對的全球化挑戰，就競爭力、恐怖主義、民族定位、國家轉型等大議題，進行前瞻性的探討和引導。
沒有，他錯過了這些課題，也錯過了提昇自己形象和領導地位的機會。
相反的，他選擇了狹隘的馬來民族主義，來顯示他作為青年領袖，國家未來領導人的姿態。
他強調土著股權分配，他要馬來人主宰所有重要領域，他要實現所謂的馬來人議程。雖然這些是30幾年前的政治把戲，但是，作為青年領袖、馬來精英的希山慕丁，如今卻把這些古朽當成寶貝，在巫統大會的祭壇上再一次祭出。
30年前，我們還有一些社會資源，包括殖民地統治者留下來的家產，所以還能夠多少進行一些分配和重組，加上當時還是封閉的時代，沒有外來的競爭和挑戰，因此，儘管新經濟政策造成很多人痛苦，人們打斷牙齒和血吞，忍下來，也熬過來。
如今，可以分的東西，已分得七七八八，可以重組的，已所剩無幾。加上外來的競爭挑戰，如果再用新經濟政策緊箍脖子，馬來西亞會奄奄一息，嗚呼哀哉。
希山慕丁所提到的每一個領域，從汽車到銀行，從園坵到石油，那一個還有非土著的份兒，還要如何分配重組？
希山不應該不知道，只是，他現在是一個政治人，他要選擇一條快捷的道路。
十年前，希山慕丁以一個馬來人新生代精英出現政壇的時候，他曾經是一個自信，有見解、有理想的青年。很多人曾經稱讚他，也期待他能夠為巫統和馬來社會注入一些新氣象。
那個希山慕丁逐漸的消失了，換來了今天的希山慕丁。
如果希山代表未來，那未來逐漸在消失之中。
星洲日報／情在人間‧作者：鄭丁賢‧2005/07/21
心跳加速，因為如此激進，而又那麼偏狹的馬來民族主義論調，已經有一段時間沒有出現，而今天崩出來，仿佛一個封塵的幽靈，突然又重返人間。
沉重，因為一個骨幹政黨的青年團，原本應該是一股新的生命力，應該具備進步和宏觀的視野，但是實際上它卻是目光如豆，沒有遠見和理想，還要率領群眾走進死胡同裡去。
悲哀，因為新經濟政策自十幾年前放寬後，國家好不容易才辛苦向前走出幾步路，雖然不能令人滿意，卻讓人民還有一些期待。如今，如果要走回頭路，不但前功盡棄，而且國家前途將是在全球化洪流中滅頂。
希山慕丁在這個他最重要的演說中，其實可以發表較有意義的內容。譬如，黨的副主席因賄選下台、黨同志兼前州首席部長涉賭欠下巨債、黨婦女組主席兼內閣同僚被AP糾纏不清；作為新生代，他大可就這些黨內弊病，表達一個年輕領導人的不滿、痛心，並且表現改革決心。
沒有，在他的演說中，他避開不談。
希山慕丁可以針對馬來社會目前的問題，包括柺杖心態、依賴心理、缺乏競爭力，乃至貧窮、吸毒、愛滋泛濫等嚴重情況，進行檢討和尋求解決之道。
沒有，他避重就輕，看來這些都不是這位青年團團長關注的對象。
希山慕丁也可以就馬來回教徒面對的全球化挑戰，就競爭力、恐怖主義、民族定位、國家轉型等大議題，進行前瞻性的探討和引導。
沒有，他錯過了這些課題，也錯過了提昇自己形象和領導地位的機會。
相反的，他選擇了狹隘的馬來民族主義，來顯示他作為青年領袖，國家未來領導人的姿態。
他強調土著股權分配，他要馬來人主宰所有重要領域，他要實現所謂的馬來人議程。雖然這些是30幾年前的政治把戲，但是，作為青年領袖、馬來精英的希山慕丁，如今卻把這些古朽當成寶貝，在巫統大會的祭壇上再一次祭出。
30年前，我們還有一些社會資源，包括殖民地統治者留下來的家產，所以還能夠多少進行一些分配和重組，加上當時還是封閉的時代，沒有外來的競爭和挑戰，因此，儘管新經濟政策造成很多人痛苦，人們打斷牙齒和血吞，忍下來，也熬過來。
如今，可以分的東西，已分得七七八八，可以重組的，已所剩無幾。加上外來的競爭挑戰，如果再用新經濟政策緊箍脖子，馬來西亞會奄奄一息，嗚呼哀哉。
希山慕丁所提到的每一個領域，從汽車到銀行，從園坵到石油，那一個還有非土著的份兒，還要如何分配重組？
希山不應該不知道，只是，他現在是一個政治人，他要選擇一條快捷的道路。
十年前，希山慕丁以一個馬來人新生代精英出現政壇的時候，他曾經是一個自信，有見解、有理想的青年。很多人曾經稱讚他，也期待他能夠為巫統和馬來社會注入一些新氣象。
那個希山慕丁逐漸的消失了，換來了今天的希山慕丁。
如果希山代表未來，那未來逐漸在消失之中。
星洲日報／情在人間‧作者：鄭丁賢‧2005/07/21
豪賭、賄選、AP、績效制的背後
近來，國內一連串涉及政界人物的丑聞、言論和鬥法，讓人目瞪口呆，簡直就是看傻了眼！
一般的小市民都很單純，他們也許沒有政界人物的精明與能幹，但在道德操守上，他們卻比許多有權（錢）有勢的大人物清高得多。一些事太令人匪夷所思，太荒謬了，他們無法接受，也不明白……
他們不明白，為何一位前州首席部長竟會涉及賭場，欠下巨債，被人追債追到國門，讓全馬來西亞人都陪他丟盡了臉？
他們不明日，為何一州之長，竟然可以顛倒是非，硬是把績效制形容為是對集千萬寵愛於一身的馬來學生的“歧視和壓迫”？
他們不明白，鬧得滿城風雨的汽車入口准證（AP）到底標準何在，為何竟會出現四大天王私下壟斷42% AP總數的怪事發生？
柺杖，柺杖！多少年了，從前首相敦馬哈迪到現任首相阿都拉，他們都一再苦口婆心地勸導馬來民族不要永遠仰賴柺杖，要自強不息，力爭上游。但是AP名單一公佈，老問題又赤裸裸地浮現出來。
質疑AP發出的程序是否公平，是否透明度不夠，當然有其必要，但它背後傳達的另一個更大更嚴重的事實是：柺杖文化根深蒂固，利益牽扯盤根錯結，想要棄之，談何容易？
這次的巫統大會，有太多的大課題可以擺出來談，豪賭、賄選、AP准證，乃至績效制和柺杖；每一項問題都足以讓口才一流的巫統代表滔滔不絕，辯上好幾天。巫統既是主宰國家命運的主導政黨，我們也就自然而然的對它有所期盼。因此我們會“聽其言，觀其行”，密切關注他們所發表的言論和所通過的議案。我們期待他們能針對馬來民族乃至整個國家的命運，展開理性和前瞻性的辯論，為國家、民族未來的發展方向，找到一條更加寬闊、民主與開放的道路。
但是，這樣的期盼或許還不是時候，也許是一種奢望，因為當一種扶持政策已形成一種文化，甚至建構成一張縱橫交錯的利益關係網時，一切已經變得理所當然，形成常態。在這種情況下，不僅沒有人會願意自動放棄本身的既得利益；反之，卻會有人儼然以民族利益捍衛者自居，不斷的振臂疾呼，以民族英雄形象求取出位。
從東姑阿都拉曼、敦拉薩、敦胡先翁、敦馬哈迪，到阿都拉，巫統不是沒有進步和改變。至少其歷代領導人的出身背景，就有很大程度的不同；其基層組織的結構，更是起了巨大的變化。早期的巫統各階層領袖大都經歷過大風大浪，從政是一種使命和奉獻。今天，國家進步了，經濟改善了，新一代含著金鑰匙出生，他們擁有較高的學識，也更加專業。但這並不意味著他們也擁有第一代領袖的獻身精神，以及更敏銳的政治觸覺和素養。這是巫統面對的問題，也是其他政黨面對的問題。這是巫統的隱憂，也是國家的隱憂。
因此，塑造一個既本土化又具有全球觀的新馬來人，不只是馬來民族理想，也是國家的希望所在。同為國家的一份子，我們殷切期盼，也樂觀其成。我們期待未來的新馬來人能建立起更大的自信，去面對自由平等的競爭，在國外如此，在國內更應如此。因為只有拋棄柺杖，立足本土，放眼世界，新馬來人才有可能建立世界觀，才有可能走出去，在一個更大、更自由、更開放的天地裡，面對更激烈的競爭！
星洲日報／情在人間‧作者：林明華‧2005/07/21
一般的小市民都很單純，他們也許沒有政界人物的精明與能幹，但在道德操守上，他們卻比許多有權（錢）有勢的大人物清高得多。一些事太令人匪夷所思，太荒謬了，他們無法接受，也不明白……
他們不明白，為何一位前州首席部長竟會涉及賭場，欠下巨債，被人追債追到國門，讓全馬來西亞人都陪他丟盡了臉？
他們不明日，為何一州之長，竟然可以顛倒是非，硬是把績效制形容為是對集千萬寵愛於一身的馬來學生的“歧視和壓迫”？
他們不明白，鬧得滿城風雨的汽車入口准證（AP）到底標準何在，為何竟會出現四大天王私下壟斷42% AP總數的怪事發生？
柺杖，柺杖！多少年了，從前首相敦馬哈迪到現任首相阿都拉，他們都一再苦口婆心地勸導馬來民族不要永遠仰賴柺杖，要自強不息，力爭上游。但是AP名單一公佈，老問題又赤裸裸地浮現出來。
質疑AP發出的程序是否公平，是否透明度不夠，當然有其必要，但它背後傳達的另一個更大更嚴重的事實是：柺杖文化根深蒂固，利益牽扯盤根錯結，想要棄之，談何容易？
這次的巫統大會，有太多的大課題可以擺出來談，豪賭、賄選、AP准證，乃至績效制和柺杖；每一項問題都足以讓口才一流的巫統代表滔滔不絕，辯上好幾天。巫統既是主宰國家命運的主導政黨，我們也就自然而然的對它有所期盼。因此我們會“聽其言，觀其行”，密切關注他們所發表的言論和所通過的議案。我們期待他們能針對馬來民族乃至整個國家的命運，展開理性和前瞻性的辯論，為國家、民族未來的發展方向，找到一條更加寬闊、民主與開放的道路。
但是，這樣的期盼或許還不是時候，也許是一種奢望，因為當一種扶持政策已形成一種文化，甚至建構成一張縱橫交錯的利益關係網時，一切已經變得理所當然，形成常態。在這種情況下，不僅沒有人會願意自動放棄本身的既得利益；反之，卻會有人儼然以民族利益捍衛者自居，不斷的振臂疾呼，以民族英雄形象求取出位。
從東姑阿都拉曼、敦拉薩、敦胡先翁、敦馬哈迪，到阿都拉，巫統不是沒有進步和改變。至少其歷代領導人的出身背景，就有很大程度的不同；其基層組織的結構，更是起了巨大的變化。早期的巫統各階層領袖大都經歷過大風大浪，從政是一種使命和奉獻。今天，國家進步了，經濟改善了，新一代含著金鑰匙出生，他們擁有較高的學識，也更加專業。但這並不意味著他們也擁有第一代領袖的獻身精神，以及更敏銳的政治觸覺和素養。這是巫統面對的問題，也是其他政黨面對的問題。這是巫統的隱憂，也是國家的隱憂。
因此，塑造一個既本土化又具有全球觀的新馬來人，不只是馬來民族理想，也是國家的希望所在。同為國家的一份子，我們殷切期盼，也樂觀其成。我們期待未來的新馬來人能建立起更大的自信，去面對自由平等的競爭，在國外如此，在國內更應如此。因為只有拋棄柺杖，立足本土，放眼世界，新馬來人才有可能建立世界觀，才有可能走出去，在一個更大、更自由、更開放的天地裡，面對更激烈的競爭！
星洲日報／情在人間‧作者：林明華‧2005/07/21
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
The Proton 'Saga'
Once, there was a family known as Malaysia. In 1985, they were blessed
with their first born, Proton. The family loved Proton all they can.
They gave Proton everything. They protected Proton from the bigger boys
in Kindergarten. They told Proton, "You're young, you need protection
from them. It's okay to make mistakes, you're young. Even if you don't
learn from mistakes...it's okay...you are young."
Proton became spoilt. He always depended on parents and used up all his
allowance on useless things. When he had to do his chores, he paid
people to do it and the work is lousy, causing the parents having to
call repairment to fix all the mess that he made.
Anyway, when Proton was 10 (but he still acted like he is 1 or 2 years
old), he had a younger brother, Perodua. At first, everyone thought this
younger brother will be like Proton. Anyway, this new baby was more
handsome and looks smarter than Proton. Malaysia knew there is a
possibility Perodua could be smarter than Proton. Since they love Proton
so much, they decided that Perodua can only learn a few things.
Cannot learn the same thing as Proton. This is so that Perodua wouldn't
beat Proton at what Proton is doing.
Although Perodua was also protected by Malaysia, he learns to be
independent very fast. He made good friends with Daihatsu, who had an
elder brother Toyota. The two of them helped Perodua in everything.
Perodua, being independent and smart, learnt a lot and in a short while,
was becoming as good as, if not better, than Proton.
Malaysia realized that Perodua was becoming better than his brother.
Although proud of Perodua, they still love Proton best. They paid Lotus
(which is older and well known worldwide) to be friends with Proton.
Using this advantage, Proton mentioned Lotus everytime he wanted to tell
people about himself. On this own, he was still the same.
Moreover, Proton is always not updated. When doing his work, he still
uses the typewriter and refuses to use the computer. Perodua, so much
younger, used the computer, with broadband for his work. Perodua was
improving so much that Toyota has assigned him with his work, codename
Avanza.
2005. Proton is 20 years old, Perodua only 10. It was obvious that
Perodua was the more successful of the two siblings. What is worse,
Proton said he still needs his parents to help him for another 10 years.
He still need to protection from the big boys.
In May 2005, Perodua was about the show Malaysia his best work so
far...codename Myvi.
Proton, being jealous...quickly came up with an unprofessional remark
about Perodua's work and show his work at the same time as Perodua on
purpose The future of Malaysia and her two kids are still unknown. But
it would be obvious that Perodua will shine, leaving Proton crying. It
would be a wonder if in 2015, Proton will ask Malaysia for another 10
years of
help and protection...maybe this time...protection from Perodua as
well...........THE END
Source: Circlulating Mail
with their first born, Proton. The family loved Proton all they can.
They gave Proton everything. They protected Proton from the bigger boys
in Kindergarten. They told Proton, "You're young, you need protection
from them. It's okay to make mistakes, you're young. Even if you don't
learn from mistakes...it's okay...you are young."
Proton became spoilt. He always depended on parents and used up all his
allowance on useless things. When he had to do his chores, he paid
people to do it and the work is lousy, causing the parents having to
call repairment to fix all the mess that he made.
Anyway, when Proton was 10 (but he still acted like he is 1 or 2 years
old), he had a younger brother, Perodua. At first, everyone thought this
younger brother will be like Proton. Anyway, this new baby was more
handsome and looks smarter than Proton. Malaysia knew there is a
possibility Perodua could be smarter than Proton. Since they love Proton
so much, they decided that Perodua can only learn a few things.
Cannot learn the same thing as Proton. This is so that Perodua wouldn't
beat Proton at what Proton is doing.
Although Perodua was also protected by Malaysia, he learns to be
independent very fast. He made good friends with Daihatsu, who had an
elder brother Toyota. The two of them helped Perodua in everything.
Perodua, being independent and smart, learnt a lot and in a short while,
was becoming as good as, if not better, than Proton.
Malaysia realized that Perodua was becoming better than his brother.
Although proud of Perodua, they still love Proton best. They paid Lotus
(which is older and well known worldwide) to be friends with Proton.
Using this advantage, Proton mentioned Lotus everytime he wanted to tell
people about himself. On this own, he was still the same.
Moreover, Proton is always not updated. When doing his work, he still
uses the typewriter and refuses to use the computer. Perodua, so much
younger, used the computer, with broadband for his work. Perodua was
improving so much that Toyota has assigned him with his work, codename
Avanza.
2005. Proton is 20 years old, Perodua only 10. It was obvious that
Perodua was the more successful of the two siblings. What is worse,
Proton said he still needs his parents to help him for another 10 years.
He still need to protection from the big boys.
In May 2005, Perodua was about the show Malaysia his best work so
far...codename Myvi.
Proton, being jealous...quickly came up with an unprofessional remark
about Perodua's work and show his work at the same time as Perodua on
purpose The future of Malaysia and her two kids are still unknown. But
it would be obvious that Perodua will shine, leaving Proton crying. It
would be a wonder if in 2015, Proton will ask Malaysia for another 10
years of
help and protection...maybe this time...protection from Perodua as
well...........THE END
Source: Circlulating Mail
Sunday, July 03, 2005
MSC: Seeing Some Result ..
I have the same feeing with the Asiaweek editor after reading the following article from Asiaweek back in 1997. Things have been improving after 8 years, we see more and more global MNCs coming to MSC without much attention from the medias.
ROAD MAP TO THE FUTURE
Malaysia lays an expressway to the information age
By Steven K.C. Poh / Kuala Lumpur
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROWING UP IN PENANG in 1970, Derrik Khoo remembers the dramatic effect of a nearby free trade zone on his sleepy village. As a 10-year-old, he watched young people from all over the country arrive to work in the factories. They were introduced to ideas like training and quality control circles -- concepts alien to a then mainly rural community. "Our quiet life was completely transformed," Khoo recalls.
Today, a much more radical concept is poised to change Malaysia: the Multimedia Super Corridor, or MSC. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's pet project is viewed as a launching pad -- to propel the country into the frontline of the information age. It is sometimes described as a "multimedia catalyst center." To science adviser Omar Abdul Rahman, the MSC is "Malaysia's response to the global IT [information technology] revolution."
The project was conceived in 1994 as the final phase of the country's industrialization strategy. But details remain frustratingly vague. Perhaps because it is so fuzzy, the project has fired imaginations in the country and across Southeast Asia. "It will change Malaysian lives forever if it succeeds," says Khoo, now the CEO of a multimedia company. "It will change the way we see so many things."
Physically, the MSC is a 15-by-50-km belt stretching south from Kuala Lumpur to a new international airport nearing completion at Sepang. In the center lies Putrajaya, an administrative city being built as Malaysia's new "intelligent capital." In spite of the Town Planning Department's intricate map that appears on this page, much of the land is still rubber plantations and palm oil estates. But it is already the country's largest real-estate play.
New infrastructure will feature three main elements. First, a high-capacity fiber-optic cable which will form the telecommunications backbone of the corridor. Then there is the "soft" infrastructure: new policies and "cyber laws" to guide the development of electronic commerce and protect intellectual property rights. Third is an eco-friendly living environment that will be attractive to the skilled personnel the plan needs. Also promised: uncensored Internet access, duty-free import of key equipment and exemptions on local ownership requirements. Companies qualifying for MSC status are offered a package of incentives such as tax holidays and unrestricted repatriation of profits.
The goal is to attract cutting-edge corporations involved in areas ranging from custom-chip manufacturing to multimedia publishing. "We want to be not just a user of IT applications, but also involved in the development of IT and multimedia in a big way," says Omar. "We need those with the necessary know-how and technology to come and make us the base for their development. We hope the spillover will catalyze our own IT development." Areas targeted for homegrown initiatives include telemedicine, electronic government and research and development centers.
The ambitious plan does not come cheap. Cost estimates run from $20 billion to $40 billion, says Tengku Azzman Shariffadeen, CEO of the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronics Systems and a key mover in the MSC. Still, it is an investment to ensure the country's long-term competitiveness. Perhaps even its survival. Says Salleh Ismail, head of Technology Park Malaysia: "If the MSC does not come into the economic picture, we may have a recession."
That may be overstating the case. But manufacturing cannot be Malaysia's main engine for growth in the next century. Labor costs are already cheaper in most neighboring countries. And competition will only get stiffer as trade barriers come down. Besides, Malaysia's oil and gas reserves will only last another 15 to 20 years. Analysts see the MSC as a strategic concept to move the country into an information-based economy.
To many minds, success lies in achieving a critical mass of people with the right expertise -- a category Malaysia is short of now. Planners know it. That is why companies will be allowed to freely import "knowledge workers." Says Khoo: "Smart men and women from all over the world will come." As in Silicon Valley, he says, it is the talent that will create the excitement and attract the venture capitalists. The government is creating new colleges to train more IT personnel. But some wonder if it is happening quickly enough.
Questions remain on such matters as technology transfer, but gripes mainly center on the lack of specifics. Still, momentum is building. So far, 29 companies have signed on to the MSC, including Microsoft, Siemens and Sun Microsystems. How the project will change Malaysia remains to be seen. Salleh says: "The sculpture is not finished yet." For now, the MSC is more virtual than reality.
-- With reporting by Andrea Hamilton / Hong Kong
ROAD MAP TO THE FUTURE
Malaysia lays an expressway to the information age
By Steven K.C. Poh / Kuala Lumpur
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROWING UP IN PENANG in 1970, Derrik Khoo remembers the dramatic effect of a nearby free trade zone on his sleepy village. As a 10-year-old, he watched young people from all over the country arrive to work in the factories. They were introduced to ideas like training and quality control circles -- concepts alien to a then mainly rural community. "Our quiet life was completely transformed," Khoo recalls.
Today, a much more radical concept is poised to change Malaysia: the Multimedia Super Corridor, or MSC. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's pet project is viewed as a launching pad -- to propel the country into the frontline of the information age. It is sometimes described as a "multimedia catalyst center." To science adviser Omar Abdul Rahman, the MSC is "Malaysia's response to the global IT [information technology] revolution."
The project was conceived in 1994 as the final phase of the country's industrialization strategy. But details remain frustratingly vague. Perhaps because it is so fuzzy, the project has fired imaginations in the country and across Southeast Asia. "It will change Malaysian lives forever if it succeeds," says Khoo, now the CEO of a multimedia company. "It will change the way we see so many things."
Physically, the MSC is a 15-by-50-km belt stretching south from Kuala Lumpur to a new international airport nearing completion at Sepang. In the center lies Putrajaya, an administrative city being built as Malaysia's new "intelligent capital." In spite of the Town Planning Department's intricate map that appears on this page, much of the land is still rubber plantations and palm oil estates. But it is already the country's largest real-estate play.
New infrastructure will feature three main elements. First, a high-capacity fiber-optic cable which will form the telecommunications backbone of the corridor. Then there is the "soft" infrastructure: new policies and "cyber laws" to guide the development of electronic commerce and protect intellectual property rights. Third is an eco-friendly living environment that will be attractive to the skilled personnel the plan needs. Also promised: uncensored Internet access, duty-free import of key equipment and exemptions on local ownership requirements. Companies qualifying for MSC status are offered a package of incentives such as tax holidays and unrestricted repatriation of profits.
The goal is to attract cutting-edge corporations involved in areas ranging from custom-chip manufacturing to multimedia publishing. "We want to be not just a user of IT applications, but also involved in the development of IT and multimedia in a big way," says Omar. "We need those with the necessary know-how and technology to come and make us the base for their development. We hope the spillover will catalyze our own IT development." Areas targeted for homegrown initiatives include telemedicine, electronic government and research and development centers.
The ambitious plan does not come cheap. Cost estimates run from $20 billion to $40 billion, says Tengku Azzman Shariffadeen, CEO of the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronics Systems and a key mover in the MSC. Still, it is an investment to ensure the country's long-term competitiveness. Perhaps even its survival. Says Salleh Ismail, head of Technology Park Malaysia: "If the MSC does not come into the economic picture, we may have a recession."
That may be overstating the case. But manufacturing cannot be Malaysia's main engine for growth in the next century. Labor costs are already cheaper in most neighboring countries. And competition will only get stiffer as trade barriers come down. Besides, Malaysia's oil and gas reserves will only last another 15 to 20 years. Analysts see the MSC as a strategic concept to move the country into an information-based economy.
To many minds, success lies in achieving a critical mass of people with the right expertise -- a category Malaysia is short of now. Planners know it. That is why companies will be allowed to freely import "knowledge workers." Says Khoo: "Smart men and women from all over the world will come." As in Silicon Valley, he says, it is the talent that will create the excitement and attract the venture capitalists. The government is creating new colleges to train more IT personnel. But some wonder if it is happening quickly enough.
Questions remain on such matters as technology transfer, but gripes mainly center on the lack of specifics. Still, momentum is building. So far, 29 companies have signed on to the MSC, including Microsoft, Siemens and Sun Microsystems. How the project will change Malaysia remains to be seen. Salleh says: "The sculpture is not finished yet." For now, the MSC is more virtual than reality.
-- With reporting by Andrea Hamilton / Hong Kong
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