CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF THE LATE FORMER HEALTH MINISTER, DATO' CHUA JUI MENG

In 1995, while I was employed by Mayjaus JV - Hazama Corporation (KLCC Petronas Towers during construction) and also a weekly-columnist for a national paper, I first encountered the late former Health Minister, Dato' Chua Jui Meng. During that time, I was meeting with Allahyarham Tun Ahmad Sarji, the then Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia, to delve deeper into implementing ISO 9000 in civil services.

Subsequently, the newly appointed Health Minister asked me to join him and his assistant in a private discussion room. He was interested in hearing my perspectives on enhancing quality management in healthcare.

I remember opening the thick 6th Malaysian Plan - quoting the mid term review which read :

"While the government will still remain a provider of basic health services, the role of the Ministry of Health will gradually shifts towards more policymaking and regulatory aspects, as well as, setting standards to ensure quality, affordability and appropriateness of care. At the same time the Ministry of Health will ensure an equitable distribution in the provision of health services and health manpower between the public and private sectors"

I noticed a faint surprise on his face as he remarked, "You read that verse in the 6th Malaysian Plan? I don't even recall it."

With a chuckle, I replied, "I'm aware there's a quality standard based on TQM that the Ministry is already following, and it seems to be working well." (so why need the upgrade?)

However, the main concern at that time, perhaps, was the inevitable rise of Malaysian healthcare privatization. While the Health Ministry and its hospitals aimed to adhere to the standard, certain issues, such as the transition, raised questions about potential disparities in practice between the Health Ministry and private entities, the potential increase in medication expenses and the accessibility/affordability for the public at large.

I held the opinion that implementing privatization too soon might pose challenges in effectively enhancing the quality of healthcare systems due to potential differences in management approaches.

Reflecting on the government's decision at that time to put the privatization plan on hold, I silently speculated, "He (Chua) must have convinced the then Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir."

It's truly a loss. My deepest condolences go out to the family.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

When sharing facts, it's better to include examples rather than filling your post with flashy words that lack depth or connection. Otherwise, your message may lack substance and fail to resonate with anyone and what is supposed to be a fact may likely turn into a fiction

E-Madani and Selangkah Initiatives: Brief Assessment - Access and Impact by Nik Zafri

The E-Madani and Selangkah initiatives by the Selangor State Government have been pivotal for many Malaysians seeking financial support. Even opposition-led states have their own programs, utilizing e-wallets and the "wang ehsan" scheme among others.

(Photos : Assisting individuals from Sri Gombak at no cost, guiding them through the process of installing, verifying, and applying for e-Madani RM100.00 via the Touch 'n Go E-Wallet, especially those who are struggling with the system.

It saddens me to witness the lack of assistance from others, prompting me to volunteer without hesitation. The joy of seeing their smiles makes it all worthwhile. I even used my hotspot - high speed internet to help them out)

E-Madani offers RM100.00 through various e-wallet platforms, but it restricts claims to a single gateway per contribution. On the other hand, Selangkah has notably aided numerous single parents and the B40 demographic, allowing them to use e-wallets and Bingkas for grocery purchases at partnered stores.

However, certain challenges have surfaced during my recent surveys:

a) Elderly individuals and financially disadvantaged people without smartphones struggle to access e-wallets like Touch and Go or similar platforms. They lack the knowledge to verify and apply for contributions, compounded by inadequate internet access.

b) Some remain unaware of these available contributions and their potential to alleviate their financial burdens.

c) There's an issue of unqualified individuals applying for Emadani and Bingkas, leading to rejections due to various reasons. Some of these individuals have resorted to political noise, claiming government deception and complicating the application process.

d) Political differences have caused some to opt out of Emadani, based solely on ideological reasons.

My personal experience in assisting people in applying, downloading, verifying, filling up forms offline and online, writing application letters even went to the welfare office with them - irrespective of race or religion. (many of the multi-racial and mutli-religious residence of Sri Gombak can confirm this)

And then dating back to the BRIM era up to the current initiatives, highlights that these contributions—irrespective of their governmental origin—shouldn't be stigmatized as "begging," "illicit funds," or "bribery." I disagree with these negative connotations, having myself received aid from the PAS-led Kelantan Government and the Regent's zakat during a jobless period in the late 80s and early 90s. Did it breed dependency? No. Many, like me, see these contributions as temporary support during challenging times like recessions.

Many recipients express gratitude, considering these contributions a significant blessing. To those who face rejection or perceive the amounts as insufficient, I encourage applying and redirecting these funds towards charitable causes or assisting friends in need.

SOME OF THE SHADY TACTICS OF MONEY LAUNDERING - NIK ZAFRI

1) Professional services firms for example accounting, legal and even consultancy firms may unwittingly or knowingly become entangled in money laundering schemes.

Criminals might exploit them by using complex transactions- creating intricate financial transactions or structures, using services to obfuscate the origin of funds or make illicit gains appear legitimate. On the other hand, some professionals might be complicit in facilitating money laundering by either turning a blind eye to suspicious activities or actively aiding in the creation of complex financial setups that conceal the illegal source of funds.

Oversight and due diligence by these firms may also result in inadvertently processing transactions that involve illicit funds without recognizing the red flags.

A conflict of professional secrecy vs a crime will always be an issue. Professionals might be exploited by criminals to shield their activities from scrutiny, using these professionals to shield their transactions or communication from legal investigations.

I hope regulatory bodies should monitor some of these firms and ensure they too implement anti-money laundering measures and know-your-customer protocols. I know many professional firms are dedicated to comply with anti-money laundering and anti-corruption laws but the authorities should find more effective ways to prevent such misuse.

The reality now is that, I notice gaps in compliance or deliberate evasion may enable criminals to exploit and manipulate these services for money laundering purposes.

2)  The process of money laundering in the realm of cryptocurrency involves criminals using diverse methods and services to route funds through numerous addresses or enterprises, obscuring their initial source. Following this, these funds are moved from a seemingly lawful origin to a specific address or platform for conversion into cash.

This approach involves employing cryptocurrency tumblers and mixing services. These services fragment unlawful funds into smaller sums, dispersing them among various addresses before reuniting them, effectively disconnecting the connection between the initial fund source and where it eventually ends up.

A PIECE OF ADVICE TO MY PEERS

My advice to some of my peers :

When blessings come to you as a public figure—or an influencer, or a celebrity, or a leader, former CEO maybe—it's akin to a joyous celebration of life. However, when it's your time to step away, it's best to gracefully exit the spotlight.

Once you depart, it's a genuine departure. Embrace new endeavors—explore different professions or businesses, write books or great articles, cherish valuable moments with your family, and more.

Trust me, standing by your convictions earns admiration from others.  The positive actions you've taken will be remembered without needing your prompting. People may even feel proud to uphold your principles and continue your legacy. That's truly something worth cherishing.

There is another way for you to become relevant. It's when you are being asked or invited to a once familiar place or topic to you. It's more noble to be invited cordially rather than you yourself force into the action.

Do not linger beyond your invitation; once your task is fulfilled, gracefully step out of the spotlight once more.

Regrettably, some individuals cling to the limelight, pushing aside the new generation to maintain their place. These individuals will eventually face a disgraceful ousting, becoming a disgrace in the eyes of others as well.

HEALTHCARE - WHERE ARE WE NOW - LITTLE RESEARCH BY NIK ZAFRI

Disclaimer : I am not a qualified medical practitioner. Therefore, the following should be considered a perspective from a management consultant.

Healthcare stands as one of the pivotal elements in our existence. Over the years, the Malaysian healthcare system has showcased several positive aspects in medical advancements producing groundbreaking medical technologies, treatments, and medications that improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

There have been some improvement in terms of access especially for underserved communities, through so many initiatives beginning with the inception of telemedicine to the establishment of community health centers.

Furthermore, research and innovation are ongoing on disease prevention, diagnostics, and treatment, leading to better understanding and management of various illnesses.

I am particularly impressed with public health initiatives; especially during Covid-19 Pandemic where they actively promote public health through vaccination programs, health education, and disease prevention campaigns.

There's also a growing emphasis on multidisciplinary and collaborative care approaches, ensuring patients receive holistic treatment from various healthcare professionals.

Other notable achievements are advancements in precision medicine, where treatments are tailored to an individual's genetic makeup, leading to more effective and personalized care.

Despite the integration of artificial intelligence and big data analytics are still not been fully implemented - which is aimed to transform healthcare by improving diagnostics, predicting disease outbreaks, and enhancing treatment plans but most of my healthcare community I met - are excited considering the burdens they are facing now - having to do many things "the old fashion way" (whatever that means)

However, where there are advancements, I still notice several areas that needs improvement namely :

1) Access and Affordability

Making Malaysian healthcare more accessible and affordable for all remains a significant challenge despite efforts have been put. Addressing issues related to insurance coverage, reducing healthcare costs, and ensuring access to care for marginalized populations are crucial.

2) Healthcare Technology Integration

Enhancing interoperability among healthcare systems and electronic health records can improve coordination among providers, leading to better-informed care decisions.

3) Data Integration

Issues have arisen regarding the integration of medical data across various platforms, primarily due to privacy concerns and potential political factors. Consequently, this has led to challenges in cross-referencing and organizing patients' medical histories, potentially resulting in misdiagnosis or incorrect prescriptions.

4) Preventive Care

Shifting the focus toward preventive care and health promotion can reduce the burden of chronic diseases and improve overall population health.

5) Mental Health Support

Despite mental health education on the rise, unfortunately this issue is not being looked into seriously.

Increasing awareness and resources for mental health services is essential to address the growing mental health crisis.

6) Workforce Development

Investing in training and retaining healthcare professionals, especially in areas facing shortages, is vital to ensure adequate care provision.

Conclusion

Upgrading the healthcare system involves a multi-faceted approach, including policy changes, investment in technology, improved infrastructure, and a focus on patient-centered care. Collaboration between government, healthcare providers, insurers, and the community is key to successfully upgrade and enhance the Malaysian healthcare system.

I DON'T DO NAMES DROPPING

 

I prefer not to mention specific names, but due to the numerous inquiries on this topic, I felt compelled to address it. Indeed, many cousins, 2nd cousins or relatives of mine have connections to various fields such as law, engineering, medical, accountancy, construction, entertainment and project management.

However, I've worked independently to reach my current position and prefer to be recognized for my own achievements. If you're interested in knowing more about my close relatives, I encourage you to reach out to them directly.