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NIK ZAFRI BIN ABDUL MAJID,
CONSULTANT/TRAINER
Email: nikzafri@yahoo.com, nikzafri@gmail.com
https://nikzafri.wixsite.com/nikzafri

Kelantanese, Alumni of Sultan Ismail College Kelantan (SICA), IT Competency Cert, Certified Written English Professional US. Has participated in many seminars/conferences (local/ international) in the capacity of trainer/lecturer and participant.

Affiliations :- Network Member of Gerson Lehrman Group, Institute of Quality Malaysia, Auditor ISO 9000 IRCAUK, Auditor OHSMS (SIRIM and STS) /EMS ISO 14000 and Construction Quality Assessment System CONQUAS, CIDB (Now BCA) Singapore),

* Possesses almost 30 years of experience/hands-on in the multi-modern management & technical disciplines (systems & methodologies) such as Knowledge Management (Hi-Impact Management/ICT Solutions), Quality (TQM/ISO), Safety Health Environment, Civil & Building (Construction), Manufacturing, Motivation & Team Building, HR, Marketing/Branding, Business Process Reengineering, Economy/Stock Market, Contracts/Project Management, Finance & Banking, etc. He was employed to international bluechips involving in national/international megaprojects such as Balfour Beatty Construction/Knight Piesold & Partners UK, MMI Insurance Group Australia, Hazama Corporation (Hazamagumi) Japan (with Mitsubishi Corporation, JA Jones US, MMCE and Ho-Hup) and Sunway Construction Berhad (The Sunway Group of Companies). Among major projects undertaken : Pergau Hydro Electric Project, KLCC Petronas Twin Towers, LRT Tunnelling, KLIA, Petronas Refineries Melaka, Putrajaya Government Complex, Sistem Lingkaran Lebuhraya Kajang (SILK), Mex Highway, KLIA1, KLIA2 etc. Once serviced SMPD Management Consultants as Associate Consultant cum Lecturer for Diploma in Management, Institute of Supervisory Management UK/SMPD JV. Currently – Associate/Visiting Consultants/Facilitators, Advisors for leading consulting firms (local and international) including project management. To name a few – Noma SWO Consult, Amiosh Resources, Timur West Consultant Sdn. Bhd., TIJ Consultants Group (Malaysia and Singapore) and many others.

* Ex-Resident Weekly Columnist of Utusan Malaysia (1995-1998) and have produced more than 100 articles related to ISO-9000– Management System and Documentation Models, TQM Strategic Management, Occupational Safety and Health (now OHSAS 18000) and Environmental Management Systems ISO 14000. His write-ups/experience has assisted many students/researchers alike in module developments based on competency or academics and completion of many theses. Once commended by the then Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia for his diligence in promoting and training the civil services (government sector) based on “Total Quality Management and Quality Management System ISO-9000 in Malaysian Civil Service – Paradigm Shift Scalar for Assessment System”

Among Nik Zafri’s clients : Adabi Consumer Industries Sdn. Bhd, (MRP II, Accounts/Credit Control) The HQ of Royal Customs and Excise Malaysia (ISO 9000), Veterinary Services Dept. Negeri Sembilan (ISO 9000), The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (Aspects of Project Management – KLCC construction), Corporate HQ of RHB (Peter Drucker's MBO/KRA), NEC Semiconductor - Klang Selangor (Productivity Management), Prime Minister’s Department Malaysia (ISO 9000), State Secretarial Office Negeri Sembilan (ISO 9000), Hidrological Department KL (ISO 9000), Asahi Kluang Johor(System Audit, Management/Supervisory Development), Tunku Mahmood (2) Primary School Kluang Johor (ISO 9000), Consortium PANZANA (HSSE 3rd Party Audit), Lecturer for Information Technology Training Centre (ITTC) – Authorised Training Center (ATC) – University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) Kluang Branch Johor, Kluang General Hospital Johor (Management/Supervision Development, Office Technology/Administration, ISO 9000 & Construction Management), Kahang Timur Secondary School Johor (ISO 9000), Sultan Abdul Jalil Secondary School Kluang Johor (Islamic Motivation and Team Building), Guocera Tiles Industries Kluang Johor (EMS ISO 14000), MNE Construction (M) Sdn. Bhd. Kota Tinggi Johor (ISO 9000 – Construction), UITM Shah Alam Selangor (Knowledge Management/Knowledge Based Economy /TQM), Telesystem Electronics/Digico Cable(ODM/OEM for Astro – ISO 9000), Sungai Long Industries Sdn. Bhd. (Bina Puri Group) - ISO 9000 Construction), Secura Security Printing Sdn. Bhd,(ISO 9000 – Security Printing) ROTOL AMS Bumi Sdn. Bhd & ROTOL Architectural Services Sdn. Bhd. (ROTOL Group) – ISO 9000 –Architecture, Bond M & E (KL) Sdn. Bhd. (ISO 9000 – Construction/M & E), Skyline Telco (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Knowledge Management),Technochase Sdn. Bhd JB (ISO 9000 – Construction), Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM – ISO 9000 & Internal Audit Refresher), Shinryo/Steamline Consortium (Petronas/OGP Power Co-Generation Plant Melaka – Construction Management and Safety, Health, Environment), Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Negotiation Skills), Association for Retired Intelligence Operatives of Malaysia (Cyber Security – Arpa/NSFUsenet, Cobit, Till, ISO/IEC ISMS 27000 for Law/Enforcement/Military), T.Yamaichi Corp. (M) Sdn. Bhd. (EMS ISO 14000) LSB Manufacturing Solutions Sdn. Bhd., (Lean Scoreboard (including a full development of System-Software-Application - MSC Malaysia & Six Sigma) PJZ Marine Services Sdn. Bhd., (Safety Management Systems and Internal Audit based on International Marine Organization Standards) UNITAR/UNTEC (Degree in Accountacy – Career Path/Roadmap) Cobrain Holdings Sdn. Bhd.(Managing Construction Safety & Health), Speaker for International Finance & Management Strategy (Closed Conference), Pembinaan Jaya Zira Sdn. Bhd. (ISO 9001:2008-Internal Audit for Construction Industry & Overview of version 2015), Straits Consulting Engineers Sdn. Bhd. (Full Integrated Management System – ISO 9000, OHSAS 18000 (ISO 45000) and EMS ISO 14000 for Civil/Structural/Geotechnical Consulting), Malaysia Management & Science University (MSU – (Managing Business in an Organization), Innoseven Sdn. Bhd. (KVMRT Line 1 MSPR8 – Awareness and Internal Audit (Construction), ISO 9001:2008 and 2015 overview for the Construction Industry), Kemakmuran Sdn. Bhd. (KVMRT Line 1 - Signages/Wayfinding - Project Quality Plan and Construction Method Statement ), Lembaga Tabung Haji - Flood ERP, WNA Consultants - DID/JPS -Flood Risk Assessment and Management Plan - Prelim, Conceptual Design, Interim and Final Report etc., Tunnel Fire Safety - Fire Risk Assessment Report - Design Fire Scenario), Safety, Health and Environmental Management Plans leading construction/property companies/corporations in Malaysia, Timur West Consultant : Business Methodology and System, Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) ISO/IEC 27001:2013 for Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya ISMS/Audit/Risk/ITP Technical Team, MPDT Capital Berhad - ISO 9001: 2015 - Consultancy, Construction, Project Rehabilitation, Desalination (first one in Malaysia to receive certification on trades such as Reverse Osmosis Seawater Desalination and Project Recovery/Rehabilitation)

* Has appeared for 10 consecutive series in “Good Morning Malaysia RTM TV1’ Corporate Talk Segment discussing on ISO 9000/14000 in various industries. For ICT, his inputs garnered from his expertise have successfully led to development of work-process e-enabling systems in the environments of intranet, portal and interactive web design especially for the construction and manufacturing. Some of the end products have won various competitions of innovativeness, quality, continual-improvements and construction industry award at national level. He has also in advisory capacity – involved in development and moderation of websites, portals and e-profiles for mainly corporate and private sectors, public figures etc. He is also one of the recipients for MOSTE Innovation for RFID use in Electronic Toll Collection in Malaysia.

Note :


TO SEE ALL ARTICLES

ON THE"LABEL" SECTION BELOW (RIGHT SIDE COLUMN), YOU CAN CLICK ON ANY TAG - TO READ ALL ARTICLES ACCORDING TO ITS CATEGORY (E.G. LABEL : CONSTRUCTION) OR GO TO THE VERY END OF THIS BLOG AND CLICK "Older Posts"


 

Showing posts with label GLOBAL CRUDE OIL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GLOBAL CRUDE OIL. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

SCARCITY OF SUPPLY IN THE OIL AND GAS AND HOW ESG COULD HELP EASE THE PROBLEM - Nik Zafri



It is an acknowledged fact that there is a scarcity of supply in the oil and gas industry. This will definitely affect both global markets and energy strategies 

We are feeling the pinch whether we realize it or now. As supply dwindles or becomes unstable, oil and gas prices rise. This affects everything from transportation to manufacturing, as oil and gas are key to energy production and as raw materials for many industries. In 2022, the U.S. faced significant spikes in oil and gas prices, possibly due to Russian-Ukraine conflict. This led to higher gasoline prices, with some regions seeing prices over $5 per gallon. Rising energy costs also increased the price of goods and services, contributing to inflation and squeezing consumers' disposable income. 

Countries that heavily rely on oil imports may face national security risks due to dependence on unstable or hostile regions. This could lead to geopolitical tensions as nations compete for remaining supplies.

Germany has long been dependent on Russian natural gas, which made up a significant portion of its energy supply. When Russia cut gas supplies during the Ukraine war, Germany faced an energy security crisis. Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest oil producers, has an economy highly dependent on oil exports. In recent years, declining global oil prices have severely impacted its economy. For example, the 2014-2016 oil price crash caused a recession in Nigeria as government revenues and foreign exchange reserves plummeted.

Energy-intensive industries, such as transportation, manufacturing, and logistics, would face increased operational costs. Inflation could rise as the cost of goods and services increases.

Governments may be pushed to accelerate policies aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels, speeding up transitions to greener energy sources. Denmark has been a leader in climate change action, using the oil and gas supply issues as an opportunity to accelerate its renewable energy transition. In 2020, Denmark announced a plan to phase out all oil and gas exploration in the North Sea by 2050 and committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030.

Countries whose economies are heavily reliant on oil exports, such as those in the Middle East and Africa, might face economic instability as revenues decline, especially if global demand shifts due to green energy policies.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Pushing the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is critically important in addressing the challenges posed by oil and gas scarcity, rising energy prices, energy security concerns, economic disruptions, and climate change. 

Renewables are abundant, sustainable, and have become increasingly cost-effective. Solar and wind, in particular, have seen significant technological advancements, making them scalable and more affordable. 

Nuclear power is a low-carbon energy source with a high energy output. It's a reliable alternative that can provide consistent baseload power.

Hydrogen can be used as a clean fuel, especially for industries where electrification is difficult (such as aviation, shipping, and heavy industry). When produced using renewable energy (green hydrogen), it becomes a low-emission alternative.

Biofuels are derived from organic materials and can serve as a direct substitute for conventional fuels in vehicles and other equipment, reducing dependence on oil.

Geothermal energy is another renewable source that provides consistent energy output and can complement other renewable sources like solar and wind.

  • Environmental Impact Reduction (ESG: Environmental / SDG 7, 13)

One of the primary drivers of oil and gas scarcity is environmental degradation, fossil fuel dependence, and rising demand. ESG and SDG frameworks prioritize a transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal, reducing reliance on finite resources. For instance, SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) promotes increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, while SDG 13 (Climate Action) targets urgent actions to combat climate change. Enhancing Energy Security (ESG: Governance / SDG 7):

Countries dependent on oil and gas imports are vulnerable to geopolitical instability and supply shocks (e.g., the European energy crisis due to the Ukraine war). SDGs, particularly SDG 7, encourage the development of diversified, renewable energy sources that can enhance energy security.

Companies like #Tesla and countries like Denmark are leaders in this space, shifting toward renewable energy as a core part of their ESG commitments, reducing emissions, and ensuring long-term sustainability.

  • Mitigating Economic Disruptions (ESG: Social and Governance / SDG 8, 9):

Economic disruptions due to rising oil prices can impact businesses, households, and governments, particularly in countries reliant on fossil fuel industries. ESG’s social focus on fair labour practices and economic inclusion aligns with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), which encourage innovation and investments in sustainable infrastructure and technology. This promotes resilient economic systems that are less vulnerable to fossil fuel price fluctuations.

Countries and corporations that diversify their energy sources and invest in green technology can build more stable economies. For instance, Iceland, which relies heavily on geothermal energy, enjoys energy security and price stability, even during global oil shocks, making its economy more resilient. Furthermore, oil-dependent economies like Nigeria need to invest in renewable energy and technology to reduce vulnerabilities to oil price volatility and ensure more sustainable economic growth.

  • Accelerating Climate Action (ESG: Environmental / SDG 13):

Climate change is driven by greenhouse gas emissions, most of which come from fossil fuels. SDG 13 (Climate Action) emphasizes the urgent need to combat climate change by reducing emissions, and ESG frameworks push companies and governments to take immediate action in line with these goals.

Climate action is not just a moral obligation but also a financial and security necessity. ESG investments often outperform fossil-fuel-heavy companies in the long term, as markets and regulations increasingly favor sustainability. Furthermore, focusing on decarbonization efforts through ESG and SDGs not only mitigates the effects of climate change but also protects vulnerable populations from its worst impacts.

Countries like Sweden and companies like #Unilever have shown that ambitious climate action can drive innovation and financial success. These entities have incorporated ESG principles and have actively pursued SDG-aligned strategies to decarbonize their operations.

Pushing ESG and SDG initiatives is essential to solving the interconnected challenges of oil and gas scarcity, energy security, economic disruption, and climate change. By fostering cleaner, more sustainable industries and infrastructures, ESG and SDG goals create resilient, future-proof systems that can adapt to resource constraints while also addressing environmental and social issues at their core. These frameworks not only help mitigate the current problems but also lay the foundation for a more sustainable, equitable future.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

IT HAS BEGUN



(1)






The World’s Richest People Lost Another $124 Billion on Monday
The global rout continues 
Tom Metcalf
August 25, 2015 — 6:10 AM MYT


Another $124 billion was wiped off the collective fortunes of the world’s 400 richest people today as the global selloff pushed the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index into its first correction in nearly four years.

Twenty-four billionaires saw their wealth fall by more than ten figures on Monday, including Bill Gates who dropped $3.2 billion and Jeff Bezos, who fell $2.6 billion, according to data compiled by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Mexico's Carlos Slim lost $1.6 billion as his fortune fell to its lowest level since the Index began in 2012.Sliding markets worldwide have resulted in Chinese shares sinking the most since 2007, Germany's DAX falling into a bear market, and commodities reaching a 16-year low, as Brent crude plunged below $45 a barrel.

Last week’s declines had already seen the world’s 400 richest people lose $182 billion. A decline of $76 billion on Friday had put their fortunes into the red for the year-to-date.

The Bloomberg Billionaires Index takes measure of the world’s wealthiest people based on market and economic changes and Bloomberg News reporting. Each net-worth figure is updated every business day at 5:30 p.m. in New York and listed in U.S. dollars.

2.


The Independent - UK

News>Business>Business News>Frontpage




FTSE 100 loses £104 billion in value in one day as China stock slide prompts global selloff
HAZEL SHEFFIELD
Monday 24 August 2015



The FTSE 100 shed £104 billion at its lowest point on Monday, after severe losses in Chinese markets prompted a global sell-off.

Monday’s bloodbath marked the tenth day of consecutive losses on the FTSE 100, the longest straight period of decline since 2003. The index has lost around £218 billion in value in that time.

Many expected the Chinese government to take measures such as cutting interest rates or injecting liquidity to stop further losses after the Shanghai Composite Index fell nearly 12 per cent last week. No action prompted further losses of 9 per cent on Monday.




Since August 11, $5 trillion has been been wiped off global markets after China unexpectedly devalued the yuan.

The Dow Jones also plummeted more than 1000 points on opening Monday, before rebounding slightly. The S&P 500, another US stock market index, dropped 99 points, or 5 per cent.

While plunging stock indices were attributed to lack of action in Beijing, Monday’s selloff follows months of poor data. Last week, activity in Chinese factories was shown to have dropped sharply.

Declining commodity prices continue to weigh oil giants. Glencore, Shell and Rio Tinto, which are all listed on the FTSE 100, suffered the worst declines on Monday.

(3) 


$10 Trillion Gone UPDATE: Actually It Was More Like $3 Trillion
Matt Vespa | Aug 24, 2015




Editor's Note: It was originally reported that $10 trillion had been erased, but it's been revised to $3 trillion.  The post has been updated.



Monday got off to a disastrous start for the world economy.

The Dow Jones plunged 1000 points–or 6.5 percent–upon the opening bell thanks to the volatile economic situation in China.

As Cortney wrote earlier today, the market recovered roughly half of its losses by the time trading was suspended for the day.

The New York Times compiled the butcher’s bill–and it was quite steep. $3 trillion was erased from the global stock market since the June 3 peak, the Chinese Shanghai Index lost all of the gains it has made this year, European stocks dropped 5 percent or more, and the U.S. S&P 500 closed four percent down.

At the same time, many analysts knew a recalibration of our bull market bearings was due. Right now, all eyes are on government policy:

“Everything is going to be dictated by government policy,” said Kevin Kelly, the chief investment officer of Recon Capital Partners.

“Whatever noise is coming from policy makers is going to determine the next couple weeks."

”The conversation about government policy is playing into a broader debate about the global economy’s ability to continue growing without the sort of extraordinary stimulus that has become the norm in recent years."

Investors’ worries over China’s economic slowdown and a souring view of emerging economies have rattled financial markets around the world in recent days, and showed no signs of letting up. 

“There was a huge amount of negative sentiment built in this morning,” said Dan Greenhaus, the chief global strategist at BTIG.

Many analysts have said that a correction to stock market valuations was overdue after a long bull market. And it is too early to say how the financial market slump will affect the underlying global economy where goods and services are actually produced and consumed.

Many of the world’s central bankers will have a chance later this week to compare notes and discuss whether new policy steps are needed when they gather, along with finance ministers and academics, in Jackson Hole, Wyo., for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s annual conference.

The lack of coverage about China’s economic woes is due to the fact that Tom Brady’s deflated footballs were deemed much more newsworthy. After analyzing a month’s worth of broadcasts, the Media Research Center discovered that “deflategate” received five times more coverage on the Big Three–ABC, NBC, and CBS, than China’s struggling economy:

In a month of coverage, from July 18 to Aug. 18, China’s economic situation was discussed for just 3 minutes and 11 seconds on the network evening news programs.

That coverage was entirely on CBS and ABC and even included a political story about Donald Trump that made a passing mention of China’s currency devaluation.

In contrast, ABC, CBS and NBC spent 18 minutes and 21 seconds on Brady’s appeal and courtroom appearances: more than five times more.China devalued its currency, called the Yuan, in what ABC World News Tonight with David Muir referred to as “a surprise move” on Aug. 11.

That send the Dow Jones Industrial Average down more than 200 points that day. The entire story was a mere 11 seconds long.

(4)



The Independent - UK

TUESDAY 25 AUGUST 2015

News>UK>UK Politics Frontpage

Stock up on canned food for stock market crash, warns former Gordon Brown adviser
JON STONE Monday 24 August 2015


A former adviser to Gordon Brown has urged people to stock up on canned goods and bottled water as stock markets around the world slide.

Damian McBride appeared to suggest that the stock market dip could lead to civil disorder or other situations where it would be unreasonable for someone to leave the house.

“Advice on the looming crash, No.1: get hard cash in a safe place now; don't assume banks  and cashpoints will be open, or bank cards will work,” he tweeted.

“Crash advice No.2: do you have enough bottled water, tinned goods & other essentials at home to live a month indoors? If not, get shopping.

“Crash advice No.3: agree a rally point with your loved ones in case transport and communication gets cut off; somewhere you can all head to.”

Mr McBride credited his former boss Gordon Brown with preventing a cataclysm by nationalising the banking system during the 2008 crash.

“We were close enough in 2008 (if the bank bailout hadn't worked),” he said. “and what's coming is on 20 times that scale”.

Financial markets are unstable and periodically suffer crises which can have devastating consequences for the wider economy.

China's "Black Monday" has plunged the global financial markets into chaos.

The Shanghai Composite Index, China’s most important stock market index, was down 8.45 per cent, erasing a year’s gains in a day’s trading.

The FTSE100 fell 4.5 per cent, hoping £60bn off the price of UK shares, and the Dow Jones in the US fell by over a thousand points in its first minute of trading.

Some analysts have suggested that the stock market slide could be the start of a new global financial crisis.Mr McBride’s suggestions about stocking up on canned goods, setting rally points and stocking up on bottled water were ridiculed by some users on Twitter as over the top, however.

Mr McBride was special adviser to Gordon Brown and head of communications at the Treasury for a period during the last Labour government. 

(5)


A blog about business and economics.

Aug. 24 2015 9:59 AM

China’s Stock Market Is Melting Down—and It’s Taking Markets Everywhere With It
By Alison Griswold

Friday was a rout in the stock markets; Monday is already looking worse. The Shanghai Composite index tumbled 8.5 percent—erasing the last of its gains for the year in its biggest single-day loss since 2007. European stocks have plunged nearly 5 percent. U.S. stocks nosedived at the opening bell:

The S&P 500 fell 99.1 points or 5.03 percent, the Dow sank 991 points or 6.02 percent, and the Nasdaq pitched 335 points or 7.12 percent. There is only one word for all of this, and it is yikes. Brent crude, the benchmark for oil prices worldwide, is trading below $45 a barrel for the first time in six years. Even gold, so often a “safe haven” commodity that investors pour money into during periods of economic uncertainty, is being weighed down


Despite climbing all spring, the Shanghai Composite has now erased its gains for the year. (Yahoo Finance)

What’s behind the apparent panic in the global economy?

Mostly China.

Over the past two weeks, China’s currency fell in value more than it did in the previous two decades. On top of that, all the recent economic data coming out of China seems to fundamentally contradict official reports of the country being on track for 7 percent growth. Investors and analysts have long questioned the accuracy of economic statistics produced by the Chinese government, so seeing those figures can’t have been entirely surprising.

But it’s only recently become clear how big the gap between official reports and China’s economic reality might be. And the bigger that gap, the greater the ramifications could be worldwide. In recent years, China has accounted for up to half of global growth, though it makes up just 15 percent of global output.

Per the Wall Street Journal, China is looking into stimulus measures:

The expected move to free up more funds for lending—by reducing the deposits banks must hold in reserve—is directly aimed at countering the effects of a weaker currency, which could send more funds away from Beijing’s shores.

The moves reflect an economy increasingly failing to cooperate with Chinese leaders’ playbook to control the world’s No. 2 economy.The Journal says this could happen by the end of August or in early September, most likely via a half-percentage-point reduction in reserve-requirement ratios for banks.

Another possibility is to just loosen the reserve requirements for banks that lend primarily to small and private businesses. China’s entrepreneurs have been stifled by the risk-averse tactics of many banks, which prefer to lend to state-owned companies than private, potentially higher-growth enterprises.

Theoretically, stimulating that kind of private-sector growth would be better for China in the long run than falling back on exports, its traditional economic mainstay. (The leading theory for why China’s central bank devalued the yuan is that it was trying to prop up exports.)

At the same time, as the Journal notes, these new “would-be drivers of the economy—high technology and entrepreneurship—aren’t filling the gap quickly enough.” In the meantime, expect a lot of turbulence in the global markets.Alison Griswold is a Slate staff writer covering business and economics.

(6)


AUGUST 22, 2015 9:00 PM  

ECONOMY GLOBAL INSECURITY (Bloomberg)



The world’s 400 richest people lost $182 billion this week from their collective fortunes as weak manufacturing data from China and a rout in commodities sent global markets plunging.

The weekly drop for the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a group that includes Warren Buffett and Glencore Plc’s Ivan Glasenberg, was the biggest since tracking of the expanded list began in September 2014. The combined net worth of the index members fell by $76 billion on Friday alone, when the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index of U.S. stocks ended its worst week since 2011.

“For them that’s a fractional percentage, even though $182 billion is a big number,” said John Collins, director of investment advisory at Aspiriant, which oversees more than $8 billion for high net worth clients. “A week like this feels really bad, but when you take a step back, in a big picture view it’s not a disaster by any means.”

Friday’s losses put the world’s richest 400 into the red for the year to date. They’re now down $74 billion in 2015, with a collective net worth of $3.98 trillion.

The week’s largest setback in dollar terms was experienced by Buffett, who saw his fortune drop by $3.6 billion as Berkshire Hathaway Inc. slipped more than 5 percent. The investor is the world’s third-wealthiest person, with a fortune of $63.4 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The slump in oil, which had its longest weekly losing streak since 1986 amid signs of an extended supply glut, contributed to $15.2 billion in losses for the world’s wealthiest energy billionaires. Continental Resources Inc. Chairman Harold Hamm saw $895 million, or 9 percent of his net worth, vanish this week.

Glencore’s Glasenberg

Glasenberg, chief executive officer of mining company Glencore Plc, lost $237 million during the week as commodity prices slid to their lowest levels in 13 years. Glencore reached a record low in London on Friday, down more than 8 percent from a week earlier, after the trading house reported its profit sank 56 percent in the first half of the year. Glasenberg’s fortune has decreased more than 40 percent in 2015, to $3.1 billion.

China’s 26 wealthiest people, pummeled by Hong Kong’s bear market and a weaker yen, lost $18.8 billion during the week. Wang Jianlin of Dalian Wanda Commercial Properties Co. was hit hardest, losing $3.5 billion.

Eleven billionaires added to their fortunes in spite of the market turmoil. The week’s biggest dollar gainer was Sun Pharmaceuticals’ Dilip Shanghvi. The world’s 39th-richest person became $467 million wealthier, elevating his net worth to $18.9 billion.

The Bloomberg Billionaires Index takes measure of the world’s wealthiest people based on market and economic changes and Bloomberg News reporting. Each net-worth figure is updated every business day at 5:30 p.m. in New York and listed in U.S. dollars.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Perutusan Khas Perdana Menteri Tentang Perkembangan Ekonomi Semasa Dan Kedudukan Kewangan Negara

#Ekonomi #Kewangan



Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh dan Salam 1 Malaysia

YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Timbalan Perdana Menteri
YB Dato’ Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, Menteri Kewangan Kedua
YBhg. Tan Sri Dr. Ali Hamsa, Ketua Setiausaha Negara

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan Sekalian,

(Mukadimah)

1. Pertama-tamanya, marilah kita mengucapkan syukur yang tidak terhingga ke hadrat Allah SWT atas limpah kurnia-Nya dapat kita berkumpul pada pagi yang berbahagia ini. Begitulah ucapan selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad SAW.

2. Dalam Majlis ini, kita berhimpun bersama-sama, sebahagian pimpinan dan para pentadbir, penjawat awam, ketua-ketua industri dan orang-orang korporat, wakil-wakil kedutaan, golongan NGO dan para sukarelawan. Seterusnya, yang dikasihi seluruh rakyat Malaysia, sama ada yang di dalam dewan, atau yang sedang menonton juga mendengar perutusan khas ini.

3. Tujuan saya berucap, adalah untuk memberi penjelasan terkini tentang perkembangan ekonomi semasa dan kedudukan kewangan negara. Mutakhir ini, terdapat laporan-laporan, kebimbangan dan pertanyaan terutamanya berkait harga minyak dan kedudukan nilai matawang ringgit.

4. Ketahuilah bahawa, Kerajaan memang sentiasa memantau keadaan ini sejak awal. Sehubungan itu, hari ini, Kerajaan akan mengumumkan beberapa langkah proaktif, untuk membuat pengubahsuaian yang spesifik, bagi menjajar semula dasar-dasar kita, beriring dengan perubahan senario ekonomi global, yang faktor-faktornya, berada di luar kawalan kita. Ini dilakukan, untuk kita terus mencapai pertumbuhan ekonomi yang menyakinkan lagi boleh dibanggakan.

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan Sekalian,

5. Dalam erti kata lain, I am here today to announce specific and proactive measures to align ourselves with the recent global economic developments.

6. We are not in crisis. Indeed, we are taking preemptive measures following the changes of the external global economic landscape, which are beyond our control.

7. This is to ensure that our economy continues to attain a respectable and reasonable growth. And at the same time, we want to ensure and must ensure development of the nation and socio economic welfare of the people to be continue to be the main focus of the government.

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan Sekalian,

8. Sesungguhnya takwim 2014 yang lalu, merupakan tahun yang amat mencabar dan begitu menduga bagi kita dengan pelbagai tragedi.

9. Pada penghujung tahun lepas, Malaysia diuji dengan musibah banjir yang luar biasa. Ia telah melanda beberapa buah negeri di Pantai Timur dan Utara Semenanjung, antaranya Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Kedah dan Perak.

10. Di beberapa negeri lain, sungguhpun tidak begitu kritikal, banjir turut memberi kesan kepada penduduk di sesetengah tempat di Johor, Sabah dan Sarawak.

11. Demikianlah, seperti yang difirmankan bahawa, manusia merancang, Allah merancang, sesungguhnya Allah jualah sebaik-baik Perancang.

12. Apa yang ingin saya nyatakan di sini ialah, dalam segala kudrat Kerajaan dan pentadbiran, kita telah cuba merencana, merangka, menyusun dan berikhtiar untuk melaksanakan setiap sesuatu dengan sehabis baik demi kepentingan dan keperluan rakyat.

13. Justeru, jika diimbau, secara keseluruhannya, kira-kira hanya sekitar tiga bulan lebih yang lalu, sewaktu Bajet 2015 dibentangkan, perancangan Kerajaan adalah berpremiskan, antaranya, pertama, unjuran harga minyak Dated Brent pada kadar 100 dolar Amerika setong.

14. Kedua, pertumbuhan ekonomi atau Keluaran Dalam Negeri Kasar (KDNK) dijangka mencatat antara 5 hingga 6 peratus. Ketiga, kadar pertukaran matawang yang kekal stabil pada 3.2 ringgit berbanding dolar Amerika; dan

15. Keempat, semasa bajet itu digubal, pertumbuhan ekonomi dunia pada 2015 diunjurkan oleh World Bank dan IMF adalah pada kadar 3.4 dan 3.9 peratus. Kini, mereka telah mengkaji semula kadar dan meletakkan paras yang lebih rendah di antara 3 hingga 3.8 peratus.

16. Perlu difahami juga, sewaktu Bajet 2015 digubal, it was based on strong fundamentals, yakni asas 2014 yang teguh. Oleh sebab itulah, defisit fiskal tahun 2015 telah diunjurkan pada kadar 3 peratus, berbanding pada kadar 3.5 peratus pada 2014.

17. Walau bagaimanapun, kontemporari ini, mahu tidak mahu, kita harus menerima hakikat bahawa, persekitaran dan percaturan ekonomi dunia telah berubah, yang secara langsungnya memberi impak kepada Malaysia sebagai, antara negara yang mempunyai dagangan terbesar di dunia.

18. Maksudnya, berbanding situasi beberapa bulan yang lepas, kini, the global economic landscape has changed in very significant ways. Beberapa perkara pokok yang telah Kerajaan unjurkan, bagi merancang ekonomi dan kewangan negara, kini perlu disemak dan diperjelaskan kedudukan semasanya.

19. Turut dibangkitkan adalah keupayaan Kerajaan untuk mencapai sasaran fiskal pada tahun 2015. Ramai ingin tahu, persoalannya, berdasarkan situasi semasa ini, adakah ekonomi dan kewangan negara akan terjejas?

20. Oleh yang demikian, perutusan khas hari ini disampaikan supaya rakyat Malaysia mendapat penjelasan langsung daripada Kerajaan tentang perkara ini. Saya juga turut akan mengumumkan beberapa strategi, berikutan kedudukan ekonomi semasa.

 21. Sebagai Kerajaan yang bertanggungjawab, kita akan terus merintis serta mencari jalan bagi mempastikan negara terus membangun dan kesejahteraan rakyat terjamin.

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan Sekalian,

22. Kita sedar mutakhir ini, wujud pertanyaan di kalangan rakyat, komuniti perniagaan dan para penganalisis bersabit kejatuhan mendadak harga minyak mentah dunia ke atas ekonomi Malaysia.

23. Merujuk kepada trend harga minyak mentah global, dalam tempoh enam bulan kebelakangan ini, ia telah menjunam lebih 50 peratus. Ini adalah disebabkan, salah satunya, oleh kerana lebihan bekalan dan permintaan global yang berkurangan.

24. Selain daripada itu, ini juga adalah disebabkan oleh pengeluaran gas dan minyak shale yang meningkat ketara di Amerika Syarikat berikutan kemajuan teknologi industri pengeluaran minyak.

25. Dalam masa yang sama, keadaan ini menjadi lebih buruk, dengan pertambahan bekalan daripada kalangan negara-negara bukan OPEC. Manakala, negara-negara OPEC pula enggan mengurangkan pengeluaran mereka bagi mengekalkan penguasaan pasaran.

26. Di sinilah pihak Kerajaan sering ulang-ulangkan dan berharap, agar rakyat dapat sama-sama memahami bahawa, isu harga minyak mentah bukanlah sesuatu yang berada dalam kawalan langsung Kerajaan Persekutuan kita.

27. Kerana itulah, penanda aras harga minyak mentah Dated Brent terkini telah turun kepada sekitar 48 dolar Amerika setong pada hari semalam, yakni 19 Januari 2015. Walaupun begitu, para penganalisis menjangkakan harga minyak akan mengambil tempoh tertentu untuk kembali stabil.

28. Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan, apabila berlakunya penurunan harga minyak seperti sekarang ini, hikmahnya, ia membawa manfaat kepada negara pengimport bersih minyak seperti Malaysia.

29. Sebagai contoh, apabila pengurangan harga runcit petrol dan diesel pada 35 dan 30 sen seliter baru-baru ini, tambahan pendapatan boleh guna atau disposable income pengguna rakyat Malaysia secara kasarnya adalah di sekitar 7.5 bilion ringgit. Dengan andaian pengguna membelanjakan 40 peratus daripada jumlah tersebut, ini akan meningkatkan penggunaan swasta sebanyak 3 bilion ringgit.

30. Selain itu, Bank Dunia mengunjurkan bahawa, harga minyak mentah yang lebih rendah akan memberi impak positif kepada pertumbuhan ekonomi global. Malah, penurunan harga minyak sebanyak 30 peratus, mampu meningkatkan pertumbuhan KDNK dunia sehingga 0.5 peratus.

31. Ini secara tidak langsung, akan juga memberi kelebihan kepada permintaan produk buatan Malaysia. Dengan kedudukan ekonomi Amerika Syarikat yang semakin kukuh pula, permintaan terhadap eksport Malaysia terus mampan terutamanya bagi produk elektrik dan elektronik.

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan Sekalian,

32. Ironisnya, kejatuhan harga minyak mentah dunia, memberi impak secara langsung dalam mengurangkan pendapatan negara. Pendapatan inilah, yang Kerajaan gunakan bagi tujuan pembangunan seperti membina sekolah-sekolah, jalan raya dan rumah-rumah ibadat. Ia juga digunakan antaranya, untuk perbelanjaan termasuklah seperti gaji penjawat awam, kos ubat-ubatan di hospital Kerajaan, subsidi pertanian dan kos perbelanjaan keselamatan untuk anggota RELA, tentera. polis dan sebagainya.

33. Seperti yang telah saya nyatakan tadi, harga minyak mentah dunia telah menjunam. Berdasarkan paras tertinggi minyak mentah Dated Brent, iaitu sebanyak 115 dolar Amerika setong, yang direkodkan pada 19 Jun 2014, harga semasa telah menunjukkan kemerosotan melebihi 50 peratus.

 34. Selaras itu, ahli-ahli ekonomi berpendapat bahawa unjuran paras harga asas 100 dolar Amerika setong semasa Bajet 2015 dibentangkan, adalah tidak lagi realistik. Mereka kini, mengganggarkan purata harga minyak bagi tahun 2015 adalah antara 40 hingga 70 dolar Amerika setong.

35. Lantaran itulah, Kerajaan perlu menyemak semula untuk merendahkan unjuran purata paras harga asas minyak, kepada 55 dolar Amerika setong bagi tahun 2015 ini, berasaskan kepada unjuran bajet yang disemak kembali.

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan Sekalian,

36. Jika berasaskan kepada harga minyak mentah pada 100 dolar Amerika setong, serta mengambil kira penjimatan dari pelaksanaan mekanisme pengapungan terkawal harga runcit minyak mulai Disember 2014, Kerajaan dijangka memperoleh tambahan lebihan semasa akaun fiskal, sebanyak 3.7 bilion ringgit.

37. Dalam kata lain, seandainya harga minyak mentah kekal pada 100 dolar Amerika setong, Kerajaan mampu menampung pelaksanaan semua langkah yang telah diumumkan dalam Bajet 2015, dengan sasaran defisit fiskal tidak melebihi 3 peratus.

38. Namun begitu sebaliknya, pada harga 55 dolar Amerika setong yang diunjurkan sekarang, Kerajaan akan mengalami pengurangan hasil sebanyak 13.8 bilion ringgit.

39. Maknanya di sini, jika dibuat perbandingan, di antara angka-angka semakan terkini dengan Bajet 2015, yang telah dibentangkan pada Oktober lalu, sekalipun peruntukan subsidi bahan api dapat dijimatkan sebanyak 10.7 bilion ringgit, melalui pelaksanaan mekanisme pengapungan terkawal harga runcit minyak, namun, Kerajaan masih mengalami kekurangan hasil sebanyak 8.3 bilion ringgit, bagi menampung langkah-langkah Bajet 2015.

40. Jelasnya, jika dibiarkan, paras deficit tanpa intervensi kerajaan, defisit akan meningkat kepada 3.9 peratus daripada KDNK, berbanding sasaran 3 peratus bagi tahun 2015.

41. Keadaan ini, memaksa Kerajaan mengambil langkah untuk mengurangkan defisit, selaras dengan komitmen kerajaan ke arah konsolidasi fiskal.

 42. Oleh itu, dengan mengambilkira unjuran yang disemak tersebut, kita dengan ini, menetapkan sasaran defisit yang dikaji semula kepada 3.2 peratus, daripada KDNK pada tahun 2015.

43. Kadar ini masih rendah berbanding defisit fiskal 3.5 peratus daripada KDNK pada tahun 2014. Dan realitinya, dengan faktor luaran ini, kita harus menerima hakikat, bahawa kita tidak mungkin mencapai sasaran asal Bajet, dengan defisit fiskal pada kadar 3 peratus daripada KDNK seperti yang telah diumumkan. Namun yang penting, adalah komitmen kita, untuk terus mengurangkan defisit fiskal daripada paras 3.5 peratus pada penghujung tahun sudah.

 44. Yang paling utama juga, kita tidak akan berkompromi ke atas perancangan pembangunan negara, kerana ia akan meningkatkan kapasiti produktif kepada ekonomi negara. Sekaligus, kita tidak akan sesekali mengabaikan kebajikan semua rakyat, khususnya golongan pendapatan isi rumah 40 peratus terbawah atau the bottom 40

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan Sekalian,

 45. Seperkara lagi yang perlu diketahui oleh kita semua, perihal turun-naik nilai matawang, asasnya, adalah berdasarkan pengaruh ekonomi global. Oleh kerana itu, Ringgit bukanlah satu-satunya mata wang yang nilainya menyusut berbanding dolar Amerika. Malah, hampir semua mata wang serantau turut menyusut berbanding dolar Amerika sejak September 2014.

46. Ketidaktentuan dalam aliran modal dan penyusutan nilai ringgit yang signifikan baru-baru ini juga, disebabkan kebimbangan terhadap impak kejatuhan harga minyak yang mendadak ke atas ekonomi.

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan sekalian,

 47. Sehubungan itulah, Kerajaan perlu mempastikan perkara-perkara berikut dipantau dengan sebaik mungkin. Pertama, akaun semasa dalam imbangan pembayaran, perlu sentiasa kekal dalam lebihan. Kedua, meneruskan langkah-langkah fiscal reform danconsolidation dan ketiga, aktiviti ekonomi negara perlu terus dipelbagai dengan sewajarnya, supaya negara mampu menghadapi kejatuhan harga minyak dan komoditi.

48. Namun begitu, Kerajaan yakin kadar tukaran Ringgit, akan mengalami penyesuaian dalam tempoh tertentu dan kembali ke paras yang menggambarkan asas ekonomi yang kukuh. Apa yang penting, our financial system continues to function in an orderly manner.

49. Paling mustahak, tiada gangguan kepada pengantaraan kewangan atau financial intermediation dengan aktiviti pinjaman kekal lancar. Selanjutnya, aktiviti perniagaan terus mendapat akses kepada pembiayaan kewangan daripada institusi perbankan dan pasaran modal.

50. Pucuk pangkalnya, Kerajaan yakin, kesemuanya ini, diiringi dengan polisi atau dasar yang lebih dinamik, rizab antarabangsa yang mencukupi dan kukuh, pasaran kewangan yang pelbagai dan mendalam, sistem perbankan yang teguh serta pelabur institusi tempatan yang kukuh, seperti Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja, akan terus meningkatkan daya tahan Malaysia untuk menampan sebarang turun naik aliran modal.

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan Sekalian,

51. Menyentuh tentang Imbangan Akaun Semasa negara pula, perlu diketahui bahawa ia berkait langsung dengan imbangan perdagangan import dan eksport.

 52. Seperti yang ramai tahu, kita merupakan negara pengeksport minyak. Maka, wujudlah tanggapan bahawa, apabila harga minyak merudum baru-baru ini, pendapatan daripada eksport keseluruhan kita, akan turut merosot secara mendadak, yang seterusnya mengakibatkan berlakunya defisit akaun semasa.

53. Sesungguhnya, tanggapan ini tidak benar. Sebetulnya, bagi minyak mentah, kita merupakan pengeksport bersih dengan nilai lebihan eksport sebanyak 7.7 bilion ringgit, untuk tempoh bulan Januari hingga bulan November 2014.

54. Manakala, bagi produk petroleum, kita adalah pengimport bersih dengan nilai lebihan import sebanyak 8.9 bilion ringgit untuk tempoh yang sama.

55. Justeru itu, dengan gabungan kedua-dua minyak mentah dan produk petroleum ini, kita sebenarnya adalah pengimport bersih dengan nilai lebihan import sebanyak 1.2 bilion ringgit.

56. Satu hakitat yang ramai tidak sedar. Oleh itu, tanggapan atau persepsi umum selama ini, bahawa Malaysia merupakan pengeluar minyak yangsurplus atau berlebihan, adalah juga tidak tepat.

57. Sebaliknya, jika dicampur eksport serta import minyak mentah, dan ditolak produk petroleum, maka, Malaysia sebenarnya, merupakan negara pengimport bersih petroleum. Perkara ini namun tidak termasuk Gas Cecair Asli atau LNG, di mana Malaysia masih merupakan negara pengeksport bersih.

58. Tambahan lagi, situasi kita masih utuh, berikutan kejayaan kita selama ini dalam mempelbagaikan ekonomi negara, sehingga dapat menampung kejatuhan harga minyak.

59. Sememangnya lagi, kesan kejatuhan harga minyak, dijangka dapat ditampung oleh peningkatan permintaan bagi barangan pembuatan seperti barangan elektrik dan elektronik, produk berasaskan kayu-kayan, produk tekstil serta lain-lain, yang terdiri daripada 76 peratus jumlah eksport. Manakala, eksport minyak mentah hanyalah mewakili 4.5 peratus daripada jumlah eksport.

60. Bersandarkan yang demikian, Kerajaan yakin imbangan akaun semasa akan kekal mencatat lebihan pada tahun ini, walaupun nilainya mengecil kepada 2 hingga 3 peratus, daripada Pendapatan Negara Kasar atau PNK, berbanding pada 2014, imbangan lebihan semasa dianggar mencatat 5.1 peratus daripada PNK.

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan Sekalian,

61. Jelasnya, sebentar tadi, saya telah menghuraikan beberapa isu atau perkara yang akan memberi impak yang besar kepada ekonomi negara. Berdasarkan situasi ini, Kerajaan perlu mengambil langkah-langkah bagi mempastikan pertumbuhan ekonomi berada pada landasan yang kukuh. Insya-Allah, kita mampu mencapai pertumbuhan KDNK antara 4.5 hingga 5.5 peratus pada tahun ini, dengan melaksanakan strategi-strategi berikut.

Pertama: Mempastikan pertumbuhan ekonomi yang balanced, inclusive and sustainable yakni seimbang, inklusif dan mampan;

Kedua: Meneruskan fiscal reform and consolidation; serta

Ketiga: Menyediakan bantuan kepada rakyat dan komuniti perniagaan bagi membina semula infrastruktur yang terjejas akibat banjir.

62. Strategi Pertama: Mempastikan Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Yang Seimbang, Inklusif Dan Mampan. Bagi merancakkan eksport barangan dan perkhidmatan, beberapa tindakan berikut akan diambil:

Pertama, mempromosi secara aktif perkhidmatan gantian-import atau import-substitution seperti perkhidmatan perkapalan, pelabuhan, pendidikan dan profesional. Ini, bagi mengurangkan kebergantungan kepada sumber luar bagi perolehan barangan dan perkhidmatan;

Kedua, menyegerakan pelaksanaan cadangan daripada National Export Council iaitu, membantu pengeksport terutamanya Perusahaaan Kecil dan Sederhana atau PKS untuk mendapat prospek pelanggan baharu di pasaran yang baharu, di bawah program jaringan antarabangsa menggunakan penghubung pasaran dan pakar industri.

Seterusnya, mempergiat program promosi eksport di 46 negara meliputi Asia, Eropah, Timur Tengah dan Amerika Syarikat; memperkenalkan SME-Go melalui SME Bank, sebuah program eksport untuk PKS, dan memanfaatkan Dana Perkhidmatan Eksport serta program promosi PKS untuk meningkatkan kemampanan eksport ke luar negara;

Ketiga, menambah baik last mile connectivity ke Pelabuhan Klang seperti jalan masuk, jaringan landasan dan sistem pengurusan trafik, bagi mempercepatkan pelaksanaan Logistik dan Fasilitasi Dagangan.

Selain itu, menaik taraf terminal keretapi Padang Besar; menambah baik kecekapan operasi proses import dan eksport, serta menubuhkan sistem hab dan jaringan perhubungan udara;

Keempat, mempergiatkan keseluruhan industri pelancongan negara;

Kelima, mengambil langkah-langkah untuk mengkaji semula kadar levi yang dikenakan ke atas pekerja-pekerja asing; dan

Keenam, visa diberi secara percuma kepada para pelancong antaranya dari negara China

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan Sekalian,

 Selanjutnya, bagi meningkatkan penggunaan swasta pula, Kerajaan akan melaksanakan inisiatif-inisiatif berikut:

Pertama, memberi keutamaan kepada kontraktor tempatan kelas G1 yakni kelas F, G2 yakni kelas E dan G3 yakni kelas D, yang berdaftar dengan CIDB, untuk melaksanakan kerja-kerja baik pulih di kawasan masing-masing yang terjejas akibat banjir;

Kedua, mempergiatkan promosi pembelian barangan buatan Malaysia;

Ketiga, meningkatkan kekerapan dan memanjangkan tempoh operasi jualan mega di seluruh negara;

Keempat, mempergiatkan promosi pelancongan domestik dengan menawarkan tambang penerbangan yang kompetitif; dan

Kelima, menggalakkan sektor swasta meraih peluang daripada pewujudan Komuniti Ekonomi ASEAN.

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan Sekalian,

Seterusnya, dalam usaha merancakkan pelaburan swasta di Malaysia, Kerajaan akan:

Pertama, menubuhkan Skim Jaminan Sektor Perkhidmatan berjumlah 5 bilion ringgit kepada PKS dalam Sektor Perkhidmatan, dengan pembiayaan maksimum 5 juta ringgit dan jaminan Kerajaan sebanyak 70 peratus;

Kedua, menggalakkan GLC dan GLIC melabur dalam negara;

Ketiga, mengurangkan kos kendalian perniagaan melalui penangguhan cadangan kenaikan tarif elektrik pada tahun 2015; dan penangguhan cadangan kenaikan harga gas untuk sektor industri pada tahun 2015;

Keempat, memperuntukkan 30 peratus daripada perbelanjaan tahunan agensi Kerajaan dan GLC untuk perolehan bekalan serta perkhidmatan kepada PKS tempatan bertaraf pembuat; dan

Kelima, mempergiatkan penggunaan bahan, barangan dan perkhidmatan tempatan dalam perolehan Kerajaan.

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan Sekalian,

63. Seterusnya, Strategi Kedua: Meneruskan Fiscal Reform and Consolidation

Antara langkah yang akan diambil bagi meningkatkan hasil Kerajaan adalah:

Pertama, meluaskan asas percukaian dengan menggalakkan syarikat mendaftar dengan Jabatan Kastam DiRaja Malaysia, bagi meningkatkan hasil daripada kutipan GST. Ini akan menyumbang kepada tambahan kutipan GST sebanyak satu bilion ringgit. Sehingga pertengahan Januari 2015, lebih 304 ribu syarikat telah berdaftar; dan

Kedua, meningkatkan kutipan dividen daripada GLC dan GLIC serta badan-badan Kerajaan yang lain yang dapat menyumbang tambahan hasil sebanyak 400 juta ringgit

Bagi langkah merasionalisasi perbelanjaan pula, Kerajaan akan:

Pertama, mengoptimumkan perbelanjaan ke atas bekalan dan perkhidmatan, penganjuran majlis dan mesyuarat serta perkhidmatan profesional yang memberi penjimatan sebanyak 1.6 bilion ringgit; 

Kedua, menangguhkan Program Latihan Khidmat Negara tahun 2015, dengan penjimatan sebanyak 400 juta ringgit bagi membolehkan program dikaji semula dan ditambah baik; 

Ketiga, mengkaji semula pemberian dan geran kepada Badan Berkanun Persekutuan, GLC serta Tabung Amanah Kerajaan, terutamanya yang mempunyai aliran pendapatan yang konsisten dan rizab yang tinggi. Langkah ini dijangka memberi penjimatan sebanyak 3.2 bilion ringgit; dan 

Keempat, menjadualkan semula pembelian aset tidak kritikal terutamanya peralatan pejabat, perisian dan kenderaan yang mampu memberi penjimatan sebanyak 300 juta ringgit 

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan Sekalian, 

64. Strategi Ketiga adalah Penyediaaan Bantuan Kepada Rakyat Dan Komuniti Perniagaan Serta Membina Semula Infrastruktur Yang Terjejas Akibat Banjir 

Banjir baru-baru ini, telah melibatkan sekitar 400 ribu mangsa di seluruh negara. Anggaran terkini kemusnahan infrastruktur mencecah hampir 2.9 bilion ringgit.

Antara tindakan yang telah dan akan dilaksanakan oleh Kerajaan kepada mangsa-mangsa banjir, adalah seperti berikut: 

Kerajaan telah menyalurkan peruntukan tambahan sebanyak 500 juta ringgit sebagai bantuan permulaan, atau initial allocation untuk kerja-kerja baik pulih, dan program kebajikan mangsa banjir, tambahan kepada tabung Majlis Keselamatan Negara, menjadikan jumlah keseluruhannya sebanyak 787 juta ringgit;

Sebagai peruntukan awalan, Kerajaan menyediakan 800 juta ringgit untuk membaiki dan membina semula infrastruktur asas seperti sekolah, hospital, jalan raya dan jambatan;

Menyediakan 893 juta ringgit bagi Bajet 2015 untuk rancangan tebatan banjir;

Membina rumah-rumah kampung bertiang atau stilt houses setinggi 8 kaki yang telah musnah akibat banjir kepada mereka yang mempunyai tanah sendiri; 

Menyerahkan 1,000 unit rumah kos rendah yang sudah siap di Gua Musang; 

Memberi bantuan 500 ringgit bagi setiap keluarga yang terlibat bermula hari ini; dan 

Menghulur sumbangan 5 ribu ringgit kepada mereka yang kehilangan ahli keluarga. 

65. Bagi perniagaan yang terjejas pula, tambahan 100 juta ringgit disediakan kepada TEKUN dan 100 juta ringgit kepada Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), bagi menyediakan pinjaman mudah untuk menyokong PKS dan perusahaan mikro. 

66. BSN, Agrobank, SME Bank, TEKUN dan AIM akan menangguhkan tempoh bayaran balik pinjaman yang telah diambil, sehingga enam bulan. 

67. Berkait itu, Bank Negara Malaysia akan menubuhkan Special Relief Facility, berjumlah 500 juta ringgit untuk menyediakan pembiayaan pinjaman SME pada kadar yang lebih rendah (concessionary rate) iaitu 2.25 peratus, dengan penangguhan tempoh bayaran balik pinjaman sehingga enam bulan melalui institusi pembangunan kewangan dan perbankan. 

68. Bank Rakyat pula, akan menawarkan Skim Pinjaman Peribadi sehingga 50 ribu ringgit pada kadar keuntungan serendah 3.9 peratus, dan bayaran balik pinjaman bermula selepas enam bulan dari tarikh pengeluaran. 

69. Selain itu, sejumlah 500 juta ringgit akan disediakan oleh institusi kewangan dengan jaminan pembiayaan sebanyak 70 peratus di bawah Skim Jaminan Pinjaman Bantuan Banjir. Skim ini akan diuruskan oleh ProKhas; dan 

70. Pengecualian pembayaran levi oleh majikan kepada Tabung Pembangunan Sumber Manusia, untuk tempoh enam bulan bagi PKS di kawasan yang terjejas berkuat kuasa 1 Februari 2015.

(Penutup)

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan Sekalian,

Secara keseluruhannya, dalam perutusan saya pada pagi ini, dapat saya rumuskan 6 perkara as the key take-away points:

Pertama, kita bukan di dalam keadaan gawat atau krisis, seperti mana pada tahun-tahun 1997 dan 1998, bahkan tidak juga seperti tahun 2009 yang lalu, sehingga pakej-pakej stimulus perlu dilaksanakan.

Kedua, Strategi-strategi Kerajaan yang diumumkan tadi, adalah langkah proaktif untuk melakukan penyesuaian atau adjustment, berikutan faktor-faktor luaran yang di luar kawalan kita. Ini merupakan satu reality check, berikutan antaranya perubahan harga minyak dunia.

Ketiga, Akaun Semasa dalam Imbangan Pembayaran kita, Insya-Allah, dijangka kekal positif dan tidak berada dalam defisit.

Keempat, Pasaran kewangan tetap teratur dan kukuh. Malah, matawang ringgit, walaupun mengalami penyesuaian ketika ini, akan kembali ke paras yang menggambarkan asas ekonomi yang kukuh. Insya-Allah.

Kelima, Perbelanjaan Pembangunan atau Development Expenditure yang diperuntukkan dalam Bajet 2015 sebanyak 48.5 bilion ringgit tidak berubah dan akan tetap dibelanjakan. 
Ini termasuklah, projek-projek bersifat people economy, yakni perumahan rakyat, tebatan banjir, bekalan air, elektrik dan pengangkutan awam seperti Lebuhraya Pan Borneo. 

Di samping itu, projek-projek MRT jajaran kedua, LRT dan High Speed Rail Kuala Lumpur-Singapura, Rapid di Pengerang akan tetap diteruskan. 

Malah, pada bulan Mei nanti, saya akan membentangkan Rancangan Malaysia Kesebelas, bagi merencanakan pula perbelanjaan pembangunan negara sehingga tahun 2020, dan akhirnya; 

Yang ke-enam, Perbelanjaan Mengurus atau Operating Expenditure dijangka akan dikurangkan sebanyak 5.5 bilion ringgit, dengan mengutamakan perbelanjaan yang benar-benar diperlukan sahaja. 

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan Sekalian, 

71. Akhir kalam, marilah kita banyakkan berdoa, dan bertawakkal supaya Allah SWT sentiasa memberi bantuan-Nya, kepada ikhtiar-ikhtiar kita dalam terus membangun dan memakmurkan negara. 

72. Sesungguhnya jua, dalam segala kudrat manusiawi, kepada Allah kita bergantung dan mengembalikan segala urusan. Apa yang paling mustahak, kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia, sederap dalam satu solidariti, kita mampu menongkah dan melangkah apa jua cabaran serta rintangan yang mendatang. 

73. Pastinya, pada setiap kesukaran itu, ada janji-janji kesenangan dan bahagia yang menanti. 

74. Mudah-mudahan, Tuhan yang Maha Berkuasa terus melindung-lindung tanahair tercinta ini, dari segala keburukan dan mara bahaya. Bak kata orang tua-tua, kita berserah rugi dan untung, kepada Allah meminta tolong. 

Sekian, Terima Kasih. Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

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Nota Penulis

Saya sebenarnya mengharapkan langkah-langkah strategik secara terperinci mengambilkira apa yang pernah dicadangkan terutamanya :

Liberasi kewangan kepada pelabur asing - Kita lihat di KLCC dan sekitar Ampang sahaja, pelabur asing mula membanjiri sektor hartanah. 

Ini sedikit sebanyak meninggalkan kesan kepada kenaikan/penurunan hartanah menyebabkan pembeli dan pelabur tempatan terpaksa merasakan sedikit 'pinch' (cubitan) kerana terpaksa bertanding dengan mereka.