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BIODATA - NIK ZAFRI


 



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 INDONESIA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label INDONESIA. Show all posts

Sunday, May 07, 2023

ORANG MELAYU RAWA - KAJIAN RINGKAS DARI PELBAGAI SUMBER OLEH NIK ZAFRI

Asal Perkataan dan Melayu Rawa

Antara tokoh-tokoh Rawa yang terkenal ialah Tun Ahmad Sarji, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Rafidah binti Aziz, Tuan Guru Haji Yusof Rawa, Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr. Siti Zaharah Sulaiman dan ramai lagi.

(Ada juga golongan yang menuduh kaum Rawa suka mengamalkan ilmu sihir seperti santau dsb. Pada saya, melambangkan kaum Rawa dengan ilmu sihir amat tidak adil dan satu fitnah yang besar. Kerana Ilmu sihir ini boleh diamalkan oleh mana-mana kaum dan tidak terhad kepada sesuatu bangsa sahaja)

Pelbagai kisah yang dapat didengar mengenai asal usul Melayu Rawa. Saya menggunakan perkataan Melayu kerana mereka dikategorikan sebagai rumpun Melayu Nusantara.

Antara pendapat-pendapat yang dikemukakan :

a) Ada yang berpendapat Melayu Rawa berasal dari suku kaum Rao (lihat (d)

b) Ada yang berpendapat Suku Rawa adalah bahagian dari rumpun bangsa Melayu Minangkabau, mereka berasal dari salah satu di antara ketiga daerah Minangkabau, yaitu Agam dan Tanah Datar dan 50 Kota.

c) Tetapi ada yang berpendapat bahawa perkataan Rao merujuk kepada sebuah empayar yang besar yang meliputi Pagar Ruyung, Kampar, Acheh dan banyak lagi.

d) Ada yang berpendapat : Rao merupakan nama pahlawan handal Majapahit di mana keturunannya dipanggil keturunan Rao. (Rawa)

e) Ada pula yang berpendapat kaum 'Rao' yang berasal dari Champa yang ramai berhijrah ke Sumatera di mana bahasa Rao telah diasimilasikan dengan dialek Minang yang digunakan di Lubu dan Leco - masih mengekalkan sukukata yang membezakan dari bahasa Minang biasa yang berasal bahasa Melayu purba di Indochina dan Segenting Kra. (namun terdapat pendapat lain menyatakan yang berasal dari Champa adalah bangsa yang digelar kini sebagai Melayu Deli dan bukannya Rawa - Wallahualam)

f) Secara tradisinya - orang Rawa perlu dijodohkan dengan orang Guai iaitu keturunan diraja (digelar keturunan Maharaja Ombak*) dan dikatakan keturunan Iskandar Zulkarnain contohnya Sultan Taufik.

*Maharaja Ombak atau Ombok digelar Tengku Embak (suku Rawa dan Minang) dan dikatakan bertanggungjawab membantu menyelamatkan Kerajaan Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan. (ada yang berpendapat bahawa bantuan untuk Seri Menanti diketuai oleh Sutan Amir Kaharuddin Budiman)

Dikatakan Tengku Embak telah membawa diri ke Raub kerana konflik takhta dan mendirikan rumahtangga dengan Tengku Rokiah. Tengku Embak juga telah berkahwin dengan keturunan Guai dan bermukim di Bolok (Lanchang) dan mangkat di sana.

f) Ada pula yang berpendapat bahawa Tok Mengkarak adalah raja yang sebenar (Raja Mutlak) yang lebih layak dari Sultan Taufik. Tok Mengkarak mempunyai saudara-maranya yang digelar Tok Biah, Tok Ju, Tok Langit dsb. Tok Mengkarak dikatakan berasal dari Bukit Seguntang (Sumatera)

Ada yang berpendapat terdapat sengketa kerabat berlaku dan akhirnya takhta telah diserahkan kepada Sultan Taufik.

Hijrah Perantauan Rawa ke Tanah Melayu

Ada empat gelombang perantauan Melayu Rawa ke Tanah Melayu iaitu:

a) Gelombang Pertama - antara 500 - 1400M terdiri daripada golongan petani dan pemburu emas, kerana Tanah Melayu terkenal dengan Semenanjung emas. (Golden Chersonese)

b) Gelombang Kedua antara 1401 - 1600M

c) Gelombang Ketiga antara 1601 - 1800M terdiri daripada pendakwah, pelombong emas. bijih timah dan tentera upahan Pulau Pinang dan Singapura selain Melaka.

d) Gelombang Keempat antara 1801 - 1900M dengan melarikan diri dari pihak Belanda yang cuba menghapuskan keturunan Kesultanan Rawa dari Rao-Mapat Tunggul, Padang Nunang dan Pagar Ruyung - di mana kerabat melarikan diri bersama-sama hulubalang dan pahlawan, ulamak dan rakyat pelbagai kemahiran (merujuk kepada Perang Paderi di Sumatera Barat (1815 – 1833)

Antara lain :

• Negeri Sembilan - Seri Menanti antara 1772 - 1848 menerusi Sungai Ujong berdekatan Seremban.
• Negeri Pahang - melalui Sungai Hulu Pahang (Bera, Hulu Pahang, Kuata Lipis, Raub, Bentong) sekitar tahun 1857-1863. Antaranya Tengku Khairul Alam, Pakeh Khalifah Saka, Tujuan Saka dll.
• Negeri Selangor - melalui Sungai Klang (Hulu Langat, Hulu Selangor) dan Sungai Selangor (Kalumpang, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Gombak) sekitar tahun 1867- 1873.
• Negeri Perak
- melalui Sungai Perak, Sungal Bidor dan Sungai Bernam (Teluk Intan, Kuala Kangsar, Larut, Kinta, Gopeng, Tapah, Kampar) sekitar tahun 1875-76. Antaranya Datuk Sakti Putih dll.
(dikatakan terdapat krisis antara kaum Melayu Rawa dengan kerabat Di Raja Perak dan juga dengan grup Megat (tidaklah dapat disahkan samada benar atau tidak kisah ini)

Penghijrahan ke Negeri Kelantan

Catatan sejarah juga menunjukkan bahawa suku kaum Rao turut berhijrah ke Kelantan melalui jalan darat dan jalan Sungai Pahang sehingga ke Sungai Kelantan. Mereka telah menetap di Pasir Mas, Kelantan hasil usaha Sutan Amir Kaharuddin Budiman (yang dikatakan pernah membantu Kerajaan Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan)

Saya akan hanya menumpukan sedikit sebanyak kajian saya mengenai kaum Rawa di Kelantan terutamanya pengaruh adat istiadat, dialek, perkahwinan dengan kerabat Pattani dan Kelantan DLL.

(Dalam kajian saya mengenai Rawa, saya mohon maaf kerana saya tidak boleh menyentuh mengenai kisah Pagar Ruyung, kisah perkaitan persaudaraan dengan Minang dan Mendailing dsb. atau kisah Raja Brayun dan Datoh Klana)
Ini untuk mengelakkan sebarang konflik/krisis yang mungkin timbul - jadi, jika ada sebarang persoalan mengenai perkara ini, saya terus-terang tidak akan memberikan sebarang pendapat mengenainya)

Sutan Amir Kaharuddin telah berkahwin dengan Che Aminah Tok Aki dari Raub dan semasa di Chetok, Pasir Mas, Kelantan, baginda telah mengahwini seorang lagi isteri dari Kelantan dikatakan ini adalah kaum kerabat Pattani (Wallahualam)

Salah seorang puteri Sutan Amir Kaharuddin iaitu Che Puan Siti Zaleha (Tok Jeliha) telah berkahwin dengan kerabat Di Raja Pahang iatu Tengku Khairul Alam (dari jalur Padang Nunang)

Seorang lagi puterinya iaitu Che Siti Hajar telah berkahwin dengan Yamtuan Muda Pesisiran Siak Tengku Tialam Sultan Shahrul Alam Tengku Rendah.

Sutan Amir Kaharuddin atas dasar hormat dan takzimnya kepada Raja-Raja Patani dan Kelantan justeru memberikan tempat perlindungan, baginda telah menukarkan gelarannya kepada Mandur Diman (gelaran ini mengingatkan saya kepada Mandur Mis (Lundang)
Apa yang jelas, telah terdapat satu NGO keluarga yang dipanggil Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Tok Diman Chetok (lihat foto) telah ditubuhkan dan ramai ahlinya yang gelaran pangkal - Tuan, Nik dan Wan menjadi ahli Pertubuhan ini. (kemungkinan percampuran darah asbab perkahwinan antara Rawa dan Kelantan)


Pengaruh Adat Istiadat Rawa

(Nota, dalam topik ini, saya tidak akan menyentuh kisah sumpahan Raja-Raja Rawa contohnya pantang Pisang Merah bagi mengelakkan sebarang isu)
Adat Istiadat Rawa banyak diasimilasikan ke dalam kaum kerabat Reman dan Pattani - mungkin kaedahnya sedikit berbeza di tempat-tempat lain.

Antaranya ialah Adet Berjojak (Adat Berjejak)
Adat ini dikatakan diamalkan untuk bayi yang baru lahir yang habis pantangnya dan apabila mencapai usia yang ditetapkan (1 tahun), anak ini perlu menjalani adat berjejak - di mana, kaki, tangan dan dahi akan disapu minyak zaafaran dan dia perlu berjalan ke atas tikar yang ditabur bunga.

Anak ini kemudian dimandikan dengan air asam limau purut dan kenduri doa selamat akan diadakan (kebanyakannya berasaskan gulai ayam dan pulut kuning) dan anak itu akan mula memijak tanah dengan kaki ayam.

(Di sesetengah tempat meletakkan satu dulang (nekar) besar - dilapik kain kuning di mana bunga,bertih, beras kunyit, tanah liat, tepak sirih dll. ditaburkan di atas dulang ini. Anak ini perlu memakai serba kuning dan berjalan di atas kain kuning - jika lelaki - berkeris kecil)
Pengaruh Makanan
Seperti di banyak negeri-negeri lain seperti Negeri Sembilan dan Perak, masih ada keturunan Rawa di Kelantan yang menggemari Gulai Lemak Nangka (Gulei Lomak Nangko (dan *Kelamai), rendang (di Kelantan dimakan bersama sambal daging) Di Gopeng, Perak terkenal dengan Rondang Atok/Rendang Tok. *Kelamai hampir sama dengan Lemang, cuma resipi dan cara masakannya berbeza.

Di Kelantan, yang paling dekat dengan Kelamai ialah Pulut Pagi - resipinya mirip Kelamai tetapi cara penyediaannya dan hasilnya agak berbeza)

Di Kelantan, contohnya Gulai Lemak Nangka di Kelantan dicampur dengan ikan kering.
Identiti Paloh Rawa - Machang, Kelantan

Paloh Rawa dikatakan berasal diambil sempena perkataan paloh dan rawa iaitu tanah rendah di tebing sungai yang akan dipenuhi air ketika musim tengkujuh. Manakala Rawa pula ialah nama sejenis pokok. Buahnya berwarna kebiruan-biruan apabila masak dan boleh dimakan.

Namun, terdapat sumber saudara-mara di Paloh Rawa menyatakan sepanjang ingatan mereka - tiada pokok rawa yang tumbuh di kawasan Paloh Rawa - mungkin ada pada zaman terdahulu - Wallahualam.

Menariknya lagi maksud perkataan "Rawa" atau "Rao" juga seerti dengan "Sawah, Paya, Pamah atau kawasan tanah berair/lembap" (mirip kepada maksud "Paloh" itu sendiri)

Jarak antara Paloh Rawa ke Chetok, Pasir Mas ialah 38km menerusi jalanraya. Tetapi - dari Paloh Rawa ke Chetok, Pasir Mas, kedudukan aliran Sungai Kelantan amat berdekatan sekali.

Dalam tahun-tahun 1780-an, Sungai Kelantan amat luas dan boleh dilalui dengan kapal sebelum pengaruh geomorfologi - topografi dan batimatri, pembangunan, iklim telah mempengaruhi keluasannya dalam tempoh 2 abad ini.

Dari sumber lisan yang tidak dapat disahkan:

a) Paloh Rawa mungkin mula terasas dalam tahun-tahun 1850an atau lebih awal dari itu,

b) Terdapat sekumpulan berketurunan Patani/Reman di yang tinggal di Paloh Rawa (melarikan diri dari Patani dari antara 1780-an - 1790-an ke Machang (timeline/garis masa yang hampir sama dengan zaman Sutan Amir Kaharuddin)

c) Sejarah awal Paloh Rawa juga tidak begitu jelas kecuali terkait dengan kisah Jambatan Guillemard yang dibina pada tahun 1924.
d) Ada pendapat menyatakan - mereka yang mengikuti perjalanan Sutan Amir Kaharuddin Budiman telah menetap di kawasan Paloh Rawa dan tidak meneruskan perjalanan ke Pasir Mas - dan mereka telah berkahwin pula dengan kumpulan Patani/Reman - wallahualam.

Dialek

Dialek Kelantan mempunyai banyak istilah-istilah mirip kepada Perak dan Kedah - dan juga mirip kepada Indonesia termasuk Minang dan Rawa (tidak perlu saya menyentuh mengenai hal ini kerana ianya telah banyak dibincangkan (dalam satu kajian lain menunjukkan DNA Kelantan ada elemen-elemen Minang/Rawa)

Contohnya persamaan :

Tangan = Kelantan : Tange, Rawa : Tangen
Makan = Kelantan : Make, Rawa : maken
Jangan = Kelantan : Jange, Rawa : jangen
Jalan = Kelantan : jale, Rawa : jalen

dan banyaklah lagi persamaan.

Wallahualam.

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

PANDANGAN MENGENAI TENAGA KERJA DARI INDONESIA


Sebagai rakyat Malaysia, saya bersetuju dengan pandangan bernas dari kedua belah pihak samada dari pihak YAB PM dan juga kepimpinan professional dari Indonesia. Masalah tenaga kerja dialami di Malaysia meliputi hampir semua sektor - pembinaan, pengilangan, peruncitan dan banyak lagi. Walaupun demikian, layanan terhadap pekerja asing dalam sektor-sektor ini agak baik walaupun masih memerlukan peningkatan secara berterusan.
Saya tidak mahu menyentuh mengenai ekonomi, "digitilization", kadar upah, faktor keselamatan dan kesihatan dll.
Apa yang saya fikirkan ialah sektor yang wajib diperhatikan ialah pembantu rumah. Walaupun majoriti rakyat Malaysia melayan pembantu rumah dengan baik dan adil, masih terdapat kes penderaan mental dan fizikal ke atas pembantu rumah. Perkara ini memerlukan kerjasama kejiranan dan masyarakat agar peka akan kejadian-kejadian seumpama ini yang sukar diperhatikan oleh pihak berkuasa kecuali terdapat laporan.
Masalah ini (walau bukan semuanya) juga melibatkan agensi berlesen pembekalan perkhidmatan pembantu rumah. Memang ada latihan yang diberikan kepada bakal-bakal pembantu rumah dan apakah hak-hak mereka. Tetapi kelemahan yang nyata ialah jarang dilakukan susulan lawatan oleh agensi-agensi ini semasa perkhidmatan dibekalkan oleh pembantu-pembantu rumah. Seperkara lagi, agensi-agensi ini perlu diberikan akses terhad kepada pangkalan data pihak berkuasa bagi mengenalpasti bakal majikan yang ingin mereka bekalkan perkhidmatan. Ini adalah untuk mengelakkan daripada perkara-perkara yang tidak diingini berlaku.
Begitu juga hak-hak majikan juga perlu dijaga dan mereka juga berhak ke atas data-data agensi atau pekerja yang bakal bekerja di kediaman mereka.
Dalam konteks ini, Kementerian Dalam Negeri menerusi Jabatan Imigresen, Polis DiRaja Malaysia, Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga Dan Masyarakat dan NGO seperti Persatuan Agensi Pembantu Rumah Asing (PAPA) dapat bekerjasama untuk memantau dan memberikan maklumat kepada pihak berkuasa termasuk pemeliharaan identiti whistleblower dari pihak kejiranan terutamanya input dari Rukun Tetangga.
Selain itu, penumpuan khusus masih diperlukan ke atas "agensi ulat" yang tidak bertauliah dan berlesen yang membekalkan pembantu rumah yang juga mungkin tidak mempunyai sebarang dokumen yang sah atau ditipu oleh agensi ulat berkenaan serta dirampas dokumen mereka. Ada juga kes-kes jenayah yang berlaku yang juga memerlukan perhatian yang amat serius.

Saturday, January 31, 2015

AIN'T WE ALL FROM AN ALLIED NATION? BUKANKAH KITA INI SERUMPUN?

A long time ago, I was in Indonesia to accept an invitation from an Indonesian business partner. My visit was for the second time (where 2 years before I was there)

Despite of whatever people were saying that 'things haven’t changed much', I still have the confidence that there have been changes.

Thus, I got into a 'little trouble' with the authorities due to my lack of understanding how to 'settle problems' despite I’ve been there before.

Out of nowhere, a group of good Indonesian Samaritans emerged to the 'rescue'. I could not have done anything without their help. I gave them some money in appreciation to their assistance but they denied it by saying:

 "Kami tolong bukan kerana uang Pak - kita ini serumpun" 
 (We're not helping because of money Sir, it's because we are of the allied nation (from the same root)"

I was touched...Not all are Malays or Muslims - they are all of diverse-races and religions.

In the early 90s, I was hired as HRM for a national project, I noticed Indonesian foreign workers (skilled) were having 'problems' and 'limitations' due to strict conditions imposed by the *sub-contractor hiring them. *(labour-supply supplier/sub-contractor)

Their passports being withheld by respective agencies or the sub-contractor (fear of the foreign workers might run away and I don't blame the contractors), the levy (has to be paid by the workers - monthly deducted from their wages) and income tax rebates/EPF/Socso (if any and wherever applicable) belongs to the employer once they decide to return home (with exceptional to nett-salary - which they get to keep (minimal amount) and the travel documents will be returned to them) - and some 'people' were imposing 'extra charges' per head per month. But what touched my heart most was 'their living conditions" - the so-called 'labour quarters' and some 'inhumane' treatments (which I rather not say)

After serious discussions with the Client and the Main JV Contractors, we decided to take over the foreign workers to be directly under our payroll and the employers (majority : Japanese) have unanimously agreed that I would be in charge of the Indonesians foreign workers welfare. We have paid a hefty sum to compensate the losses of the previous employer. From there things started to change. But there were still old 'habits' where the Indonesians thought that I am the 'new 'tyco' (local colloquial - nearest translation - like some sort of a godfather - LOL) and that they have to pay 'a certain amount of fees' - I denied their gifts of course which have left them baffled. (personal note : Not all Indonesians workers are Muslims, there are Christians and Buddhists as well)

Some still asked "You mean Mr Nik, that all this money we get to keep?". I chuckled and told them 'YES'.

They were still in awe when they get 'hefty' annual bonus (few months) and the levy were borned by the employer and not them, there were no more 'unscrupulous' people to charge them 'per head taxes', no more gangsters coming after them, their past loans were paid fully, their family have moved to better labour quarters - not a single cent need to be paid for rent etc. etc.

In short, they were FREE. (they get to keep their travel documents, passports (of course - an agreement needed to be signed first, they were never left behind in trainings - in fact, they received certificates of trainings)


So to cut the the story short, when the project was about to be completed, we gave them a handsome compensation, I personally handled their income tax rebates - all returned to them, immigration matters, they get to keep their final salary, I (on behalf of the company) even bought the air-tickets for them.

I got to meet almost all of them for the last time in a small farewell gathering together with their families before they left - returning to Indonesia. They all asked me the same questions :

"Abang Nik, kenapa Abang Nik begitu baik dengan kami? Kami tidak beri apa-apa wang pun" (Bro Nik, why are you so kind to us? We didn't give you any money.)

I replied : 

 "Saya tolong bukan kerana uang - bukankah kita ini serumpun?" 
 (I am not helping because of money, ain't we all from an 'allied nation' (from the same root)"

They were shocked and there was a moment of 'suspended animation' (silence)

Then I told them my little story - it was a teary drama and everyone prayed for my good health and prosperity.


The moral of the story is :

"It's easy to turn a blind eye on people we do not know - but be nice to visitors - trust me, somehow you will get the same treatment when your turn comes in and you have to be a visitor to them"

Sunday, December 28, 2008

NIK ZAFRI'S (HUMBLE) ASIA/SEA ECONOMICAL FORECAST 2009

Many have forecasted that SEA will be the first to rebound from the current economic crisis by September, 2009.

On the other hand, what saddens me most is that some even forecasted that Asian economy will fall badly in 2009 - such a pathetic statement meant to discourage us.
In the past, we have been known for the reputation of outperforming the US and Europe due to the right planning and eventually become very immune to any credit crunch from the West.

Some countries are not even depending on IMF or World Bank in 1997-1998-remember? Even China has been too much underestimated (not that I disagree but too much 'smart' speculations..come on) by these 'so-called' economic forecasters.

I have always been known as a 'reverse psychological' person. I don't believe in 'too obvious bad news' being reported meant to lure the small investors away but giving great monetary advantages to speculators.

Based on these 'unfounded fears', I feel strongly that the Asian will be one of the key players in the world economy commencing from 2009.

But of course, I have a different theory (especially for Malaysia) - I think it's earlier than that...say April, 2009?

But, I share the agreement that it is likely going to be Singapore then probably followed by Malaysia. There have been a trend of banking and financial institutions in these two neighbouring countries offering new packages to GLCs and MNCs. These efforts would probably contribute to economy recovery in 2009. There has also been a higher demand for exports from Malaysia and Singapore based on the increased spending in the Euro and US.

The banking sectors in Japan are planning to buy securities, stocks and bonds (corporate) etc - and if these plan works, it will help stabilise their financial market. The Government has announce Japan's biggest ever annual budget Y12,000bn.

China however would still have to be put under alert - to grow or not to grow. Since China are trading with other SEA countries, their ability to export surplus stocks financed on credit should be monitored. New policies to boost consumption need to be drawn up to counter this possibility. I do know that China works very-very hard lately not to be bound to 'intelligent economic comments' e.g. decoupling - and I have every confident that they will succeed.

In Indonesia, the President announce the budget of USD200 billion ++ and a 6.2% growth is expected. However, they are not too sure about the outcome of issuance of Government bonds and probably there will be a budget deficit of nearly 2% GDP. Mainly taxes will play a role for the main revenue followed by non-tax sectors. There will also be about 102 trillion rupiah for fuel subsidy.

The only biggest dillema in Indonesia is corruption - if this is not being minimized, I do not think that they can reach the target that they are hoping for. While for the good part that Indonesia has done right is their achievement of regaining self-sufficiency in rice where the production has surpassed the country's rice consumption. This has made them better in terms of food situation and probably would take them out of the current global food crisis.

For Korea, they are not too ambitious; which I find a good thing to do - be cautious. While everyone is hoping and praying for a 2009 turnaround, Korea predicted a 3% growth and the focus is mainly creating new job opportunity. They have also cut taxes here and there.

Korean consumer price is estimated to stabilize to less than 4% and there may also be decreasing service deficitit and rising goods surplus - thus making 2009 account surplus to exceed USD10 billion. I personally think that Korea should now put an effort to minimize their dependency on IMF as what they have done before in 1997.

I will keep you all updated.