Freedom Academy 2009 on Globalisation & the Free Market

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I attended the previous Freedom Academy in last August and learned so much about the Free Market, Individual Rights, Limited Government and Rule of Law. This latest Freedom Academy is on the Free Market. And it couldn’t  have arrived at the right time when almost everyone is blaming the Free Market for today global economic crisis!

Globalisation and the free market are taking a bashing. The global economic turmoil has resulted in claims that we are looking at the end of capitalism. And, for many years we have been told that globalization, trade liberalization, and capitalism are bad for the poor and for developing countries generally. But what does free market capitalism really entail? Are the criticisms justified?

Come join and find out from

16 – 18 January 2009.
Theme: “Globalisation, the free market and developing countries”
Venue: Residence Hotel, UNITEN, Selangor

University students, graduates, and young professionals from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei are invited to attend Malaysia Think Tank’s second Freedom Academy which will be held on 16 – 18 January 2009 (Friday – Sunday) at Residence Hotel, UNITEN, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.

At this Freedom Academy participants will study in depth the true meaning and morality of capitalism, how globalisation has brought prosperity to developing economies, and why free market capitalism is still the way for forward.

We are particularly looking for those sympathetic to, or are curious about, libertarian and classical liberal ideas.

Come and enjoy the Freedom Academy! You will be challenged intellectually and you will get an invaluable opportunity to network with like-minded friends.

Click here for application form

The Programme

Come with an open mind, and go back with a good understanding of the positive impact brought by globalisation and the free market to developing economies.

In this Freedom Academy, we will discuss important topics including:

• The financial crisis: causes and solutions
• The meaning and morality of capitalism and the free market
• The role of government
• The impact of globalization on developing economies
• How the market works and can the market produce social justice for the poor
• Case studies from other countries

This Freedom Academy will be conducted in English.

Attendance fee

Fees are to be paid in full before the start of the Freedom Academy.

RM325.00 (only RM195 for Kelab Wau Bebas members, i.e. participants of previous Freedom Academy) – which will cover all meals from Friday dinner to lunch on Sunday, lectures, books, delegates pack, and accommodation (shared twin room) at Residence Hotel.

RM195.00 (only RM175 for Kelab Wau Bebas members) – without accommodation.

Scholarships

The Malaysia Think Tank can offer scholarships to selected applicants. You can apply for full or partial scholarships to cover attendance fee. We do not pay for travel expenses. The Malaysia Think Tank reserves the right to determine the value of scholarship to be awarded.

Deadline

All applications must be received before Monday 5 January 2009.

Successful applicants will be informed by as soon as possible, before Friday 9 January 2009.

Further information

For further information, please contact Noor Amin bin Ahmad via email amin@malaysiathinktank.org

Click here for application form

Lecturers

Professor Julian Morris, Executive Director, International Policy Network.

Julian graduated from Edinburgh University in 1992 with a degree in economics. After pursuing graduate work in economics (leading to two masters degrees), he worked at the Institute of Economic Affairs and in 1998 was appointed Director of the IEA’s Environment and Technology Programme. In his spare time, he completed a Graduate Diploma in Law at the University of Westminster in 1999. In 2001, Julian founded the International Policy Network, a think-tank based in London that works on global policy issues relating to health, environment, trade, and development. In 2002, he was appointed a Visiting Professor at the University of Buckingham.

Julian is the author or editor of many papers and books, including Environment and Health: Myths and Realities (co-edited with Kendra Okonski; International Policy Press, 2004), Sustainable Development: Promoting Progress or Perpetuating Poverty (Profile Books, 2002), and Ideal Matter: Globalisation and the Intellectual Property Debate (co-written with Rosalind Mowatt, Duncan Reekie, and Richard Tren; Centre for the New Europe, 2002). He is also co-editor of the Electronic Journal of Sustainable Development and a member of the editorial board of Energy and Environment. His articles and book reviews have appeared in The Financial Times, The Sunday Times (UK), The Australian, The Wall Street Journal Europe, Economic Times (India), Business Day (South Africa), The Daily Telegraph (UK), Economic Affairs, Nature, Toxicology, and various other newspapers and journals. He also regularly appears on TV and radio.

Dr Khalil Ahmad, President, Alternate Solutions Institute, Pakistan.

Dr. Khalil Ahmad studied Philosophy, History, Economics and Literature, and holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from University of the Punjab, and till 2006 taught courses on Philosophy and Education to graduate and post-graduate classes. During his college and university days, he had been an ardent Marxist, but two philosophers Sir Karl Popper’s and Frederick August Hayek’s ideas converted him to Libertarianism.

Khalil founded the Alternate Solutions Institute, first free market think tank of Pakistan, and heads it. He frequently contributes articles on the current issues to various local/foreign newspapers including The News, Business Recorder, The Post, Pakistan Observer, The Frontier Post/Asian Wall Street Journal, South China Morning Post, Mint, Globe & Mail. He has published more than two dozen articles on the rule of law movement in the above-mentioned local papers. He has published a booklet (The Greatest Battle for the Rule of Law in Pakistan) on the rule of law movement in Pakistan.

Khalil has also published a number of research papers, articles and columns on economic, political, social, philosophical, literary, and current issues. His articles pioneer free market themes and ideas in Pakistan.

Alec Van Gelder, Network Director, International Policy Network.
Alec van Gelder is Network Director at International Policy Network, a think tank based in London. Among other publications, Alec is author of “Dirigiste Divide; how Governments obstruct development and access to ICTs” and “Nashville in Africa” and his work on trade, health, technology and development issues has been published in many newspapers including: the Globe and Mail, Boston Globe, Business Day, Wall Street Journal and International Herald Tribune. Alec holds a Master’s degree in International Economics and Development from UCL in Belgium and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Lehigh University in the United States. He speaks English, Spanish, French and Dutch with fluency.

Wan Saiful Wan Jan – MTT Director General & Head of Libertarian Education Project (LEAP).
Wan Saiful is Director General of the Malaysia Think Tank and heads MTT’s Libertarian Education Project (LEAP). He is also Editor of WauBebas.org, a joint Cato Institute – Malaysia Think Tank project for speakers of the Malay language (Bahasa Melayu). Wan Saiful boarded at Sekolah Alam Shah, Kuala Lumpur, and then Tonbridge School, England. He went to the University of Liverpool, Northumbria University and Middlesex University Business School, London. He holds a BA (Hons) in Management and an MSc in Research Methodologies. Wan Saiful has worked for the British Conservative Party’s Research Department, and, prior to that, the think tank Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit. He was also vice chair of his local Conservative Association, which oversees two parliamentary constituencies. In May 2007, he contested in the English local elections as a Conservative Party candidate. He is now Head of Policy for the Conservative Muslim Forum.

Although he now lives in England, he follows Malaysian politics very closely, having joined the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) since 1993. During his university years, he was active in HIZBI, a UK-based student organisation with close links to PAS. He gradually climbed the ranks in HIZBI, holding various positions including Secretary-General, President and was finally appointed to the highest post as Mursyid. His writings have appeared in various Malaysian newspapers including Berita Harian, Utusan Malaysia, The Star, The Sun, New Sabah Times, Malaysiakini and Harakah.

Click here for application form

Further information

For further information, please contact Noor Amin bin Ahmad via email amin@malaysiathinktank.org

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The day after tomorrow: President Obama or President McCain?

The Greatest Political Show on earth!
Can the seemingly unstoppable Obama create history with his “Change that we can believe in“?
Or, can McCain again coming from behind with his “Mac is back!“?
More importantly, as so eloquently put by Hafiz in his column with the Malaysian Insider that is the best American has to offer :

“Whatever the outcome in the Nov 4, 2008 US presidential election, the winner will preserve, defend and uphold the Constitution which guarantees the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Whatever the result will be, it will be a testament of the best America has to offer — liberal democracy.

I am unable to endorse either candidate because I like and dislike both. I however can endorse something larger and I endorse the system.”

However, unlike Hafiz “unable to endorse either candidate because (he) like(s) and dislike(s) both. (He) however can endorse something larger and (he) endorse the system. “, I have chosen to openly declare my preference in Senator McCain, not a politically correct choice, I know but that is my choice and stand by it. The Reason: Obama is simply too good to be true!

Now, what would happen the day after tomorrow (November 4) to Senator Obama and Senator McCain, to the United States of America and the World?

“Government must not discriminate!” – another hollow call?

(picture courtesy of allposters.com)

Just two weeks ago one of my Malay friends shared with me his observation on the Malay’s sentiment on the ground, after touring the country attending to the big and small Hari Raya Open houses hosted by the ruling and opposition parties.

He said, rightly or wrongly, the Malays, both conservatives and liberals, are feeling worried about the future of Malays in Malaysia. Some so-called liberal Malays who voted for the opposition, especially the DAP also felt a bit uneasy with the growing impatient demands pushing for a more equatable and just Malaysian Society.

Then he dropped the bombshell, “may be the idea of having a non-Malay as a Finance Minister, an Indian Chief Justice or even a Dayak Vice Chancellor of a Public University is till something unimaginable to the Malays in Malaysia.”
Then we have the incidence of the appointment of a non-Malay as acting GM for PKNS in Selangor that almost split the Selangor’s Pakatan Government. Based on the information revealed so far, the one and only reason that advanced to oppose the appointment is SHE is NOT A MALAY. The latest development is that PKNS sets up committee to identify new GM.

Then we heard the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah said that governments should not set down discriminatory laws or policies but must ensure inclusive development through empowerment.

“No segment of society must be disrespected, discredited and disenfranchised,” he said in his address at the 21st LawAsia Conference here.

He said that no single group in any country should feel their contributions are unrecognized or unwanted.

While the Perak Raja Muda did not specify what laws or which countries he was referring to, his remarks comes amid a roiling debate over the country’s “social contract” and the government’s pro-Bumiputera affirmative action policies. Government must not discriminate

So after all, my friend is damn RIGHT here. Now we are back to square one, despite the euphoria created by the political tsumani of the March, 8 General Election, Malaysia is simply not READY to embrace a fair, just and equitable Malaysian Society. Majority of them is not even READY to accept a non-Malay to head a State Agency , though she may be the most qualified person at this point of time, let alone a Chinese finance minister, an Indian Chief Justice or a Kadazan VIce Chancellor of a Public University.

Creative writing or humourless propaganda: “Politik Baru YBJ” by Chamil Wariya

Women in Parliament cartoon, 1933

Who is YB Josephine?

Apparent she has become the Talk of the day in then past few days! What makes this YB Josephine so special and different from those all too boring YBs that we are so familiar with?

Wait a minute. She is not a Real Person. She is only a fictitious character created by Datuk Chamil Wariya in his latest Short Story (Cerpen). Some how his latest literatury work has caused quite a furore in the political arena, particularly amongst the opposition MPs. Go read the work Who is YB Josephine?

Do you think it is just another plain creative writing or a piece of humourless propaganda? humourless propaganda to maintain hegemony

Parting words for Pak Lah: If only you had walked the talk…

No. 1

When he came to power in 2004 Badawi scored the highest mandate in the history of Malaysian politics. Not a single leader before him, not even the country’s founding father Tunku Abdul Rahman or Mahathir Mohamad, had ever managed to win such a huge share of the public’s votes. Yet following the elections of March 2008, he has earned himself yet another honour, this time being the leader who lost the most votes, seats and state assemblies in the history of Malaysia.

No. 2

The man who started with such promise, and who promised so much to the electorate, may well end up in the history books of Malaysia as the one who lost it all.

No. 3

Half a decade on, it would appear that Badawi’s days are drawing to an end, and with that Islam Hadari as well. In the years and decades to come, future historians may be kinder to Badawi who may be remembered as the man who tried to reform Malaysia but failed, and whose failure was due to the rot and inertia that had settled in the very same corridors of power that he walked.

Above are excerpts from: Rest in Peace, Islam Hadari by Farish A. Noor, that I believe have correctly summed up what many Malaysian have to say about Pak Lah’s eventual departure.

And yes, If only he had walked the Talk…

No Contest is undemocratic!

DEMOCRACY is a myth.

To contest in a party election is the right and privileges of a member of a political party. As simple as that. Yet, more often that not, comes party election, there is always the calls to negotiate and to compromise so as to avoid a contest. The common reason or excuse given has always been this: a contest will cause a split in the party, therefore a contest is to be avoided at all costs.

This culture of fear of contest is particularly true to Gerakan, the political party that I am affiliated with. This culture is deep-rooted. For instance, it was reported that the youth wing top post has never seen contest for the past 24 years. So, this year it has made history when the post is going to be a three corner fight this year. (Three corner fight for Gerakan Youth top post)

Personally, I see this as an encouraging development. It proves the party’s democratic practices and the members’ freedom to contest are very much alive and kicking. However, whoever going for the top post this round must realize how onerous responsibilities are awaiting him ahead. Gerakan Youth is currently confronted with numerous challenges. Chief of which is the serious lack of talents. Without talents no political party can survive for long.

Much that we would like to argue otherwise, Gerakan, and for that matter in fact all BN component parties, have not been able to attract young idealists and new talents. No one can deny the fact that for the past few years, Gerakan has lost out in the race to recruit new talents. (we are not talking about the so-called Professional here. One can be professional and yet zero political awareness!) The lack of systematic political education and training has aggravated the problems.

How to reverse this worrying trend so as to resurrect the continued sliding of the Youth? Now the delegates of the party’s youth wing have the powers to exercise their rights to choose that some one that they sincerely convinced could help revive the wing by bringing in more young talents.

They must carefully and wisely exercise their rights. The choice are theirs. A wrong choice may seal most probably the last chance for the Gerakan Youth to rise again as a force to be reckoned with.

Once missed, Gerakan may not have the second chance in another three years to rectify the mistake for the survival of the party is at stake here.

Wall Street Crisis:Bankruptcy, not bailout, is the right answer!

Breaking news!

“WASHINGTON (AP) — In a vote that shook the government, Wall Street and markets around the world, the House on Monday defeated a $700 billion emergency rescue for the nation’s financial system, leaving both parties’ lawmakers and the Bush administration scrambling to pick up the pieces. Dismayed investors sent the Dow Jones industrials plunging 777 points, the most ever for a single day. ”

(more : No Bail-Out for Now)

This bailout was a terrible idea. Here’s why.

The current mess would never have occurred in the absence of ill-conceived federal policies. The federal government chartered Fannie Mae in 1938 and Freddie Mac in 1970; these two mortgage lending institutions are at the center of the crisis. The government implicitly promised these institutions that it would make good on their debts, so Fannie and Freddie took on huge amounts of excessive risk.

Bankruptcy and not bail-out

So, this Hari Raya the world is waiting with bated breath… What will happen after this?

TIME ‘S UP FOR PM PAK LAH?

(Photo:the Malaysian Insider)

They say a picture says a thousand words. This photo certainly speaks volume about PM Abdullah’s current dilemma. Much that his supporters would like to argue otherwise, PM Abdullah’s fate is almost sealed. Yes, almost, not there yet but looks inevitable. It is no longer a question of when but how to bow out gracefully.

So, the question now is how people would remember PAK LAH or to be precise his legacy? I once wrote a posting here on the possibilities that he be remembered as the Father of Democratization of Malaysia.( Pak Lah as bapa pendemokrasian malaysia) But that was months ago. May be time has come for the people to really assess Pak Lah’s legacy.

Make no mistake about it. Some would still remember PaK Lah as Mr. Nice Guy/Mr. Clean and the PM that won an unprecedented landslide victory for BN in 2004 General Election. Yet, most would remember him as Mr. Flip-Flopping and the PM that created history by losing 5 state governments and 2/3 majority in Dewan Rakyat to the opposition.

However, things could have been different. Had he lived up to so many of his promises of long overdue reforms since 2004, more so after the 308 political tsunami. And Yes, history would have been different, if he had sticked to his own rigorous reform script and not yet another round of UMNO warlords-pleasing for the past few months.

Story had it that ” a couple of days after the March 8 general elections, a calm Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi sat down with some supporters and his inner circle in Sri Perdana to survey the new political landscape and weigh the prime minister’s options going forward.

Those familiar with the meeting recalled that a confetti of ideas were tossed around on how to regain the initiative from the Anwar Ibrahim-led opposition and to hold off Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and other critics within Umno baying for Abdullah’s blood.

One idea got some traction – the notion that Abdullah had to throw caution to the wind and reform the various institutions in the country.

He had to care less of what his party thought and focus solely on what Malaysians wanted. If he followed this strategy, he would be so popular with Malaysians that his party will not dare to move against him.

Even the downside was attractive – the idea that he would be remembered as a Malaysian Mikhail Gorbachev who lost his power and position doing the right thing.

That seems like sound advice which Abdullah should have followed.

Instead, after appointing Datuk Zaid Ibrahim as the de facto law minister and making some loud noises about reforms, he retreated to his usual patch, worried that he was upsetting the Umno warlords. ”

(more please read: If the PM had only thrown away caution, not chances….)

As they also say the rest now is history. And what would be your honest judgment of the 5th Malaysian Prime Minister, Pak Lah’s legacy?

Zaid Ibrahim, Red Guards & Time to Fade Away

Three things keep bothering me these days.

One is the resignation of Datuk Zaid Ibrahim from Pak Lah’s cabinet and his parting words: “Party was not ready for reform.” (Party was not ready for reform)

Second is the rise of irrational and radical political forces in the political landscape at times of uncertainty.

Red Guards

Third, the road ahead: to soldier on or to fade away?

The Answer is obvious.

Anwar’s 916: One door closes, another door opens?

(photo: the malaysian insider)

So, nothing actually happened today on the much-talked about and much-awaited Anwar’s 916?

Not really. Today, it seems that with Datuk Zaid Ibrahim sticked to his decision to resign from the Cabinet in his Press Conference, one door is considered officially close: the door to reform from within Barisan Nasional. (Umno does not have the appetite for change).

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at the press conference in Kuala Lumpur today. ~ Picture by Choo Choy May (the Malaysian Insider)

Approximately, three hours later, Dato’ Sri Anwar Ibrahim called a room-packed Press Conference announcing that Pakatan has secured more than enough numbers (Pas’s tresuarer Hatta Ramli put the numbers at  116) to form a new Malaysian Government anytime from now. That could mean another door to reform is open. (Anwar demands smooth transition)

To many, today is an anti-climax of sort. But to me, today is the day of utmost significant.

Today marks the door of reform from within Barisan Nasional is close. Our (all those so-called reformists that joined BN through various BN component parties) raison d’tere to remain and fight from within Barisan Nasional is gone.

The door to reform the Nation lies else where, may be Pakatan, but no longer in BN, for that door is close with the departure of, may be, the last good man in Pak Lah’s cabinet.