Sustainable Development and Worldviews

Kuching will soon have their autonomous rail rapid transit (ART), as announced by Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. ART is a new bus system that is designed like a tram. The advantage of ART compared to conventional tram is that it doesn’t require extensive groundwork to build its track. As Penang is currently on its way to construct Light Rail Transit (LRT), there are NGOs lobbying for the ART, Bus Rapid Transit, and conventional tram. The main difference between the NGOs’ suggestion and the State Government’s is whether to build the transport system on the ground or on elevated tracks. The NGOs want the system on the ground, regardless if it’s ART, BRT, or tram. Their main rationale is that it is cheaper .  The basis for the NGOs’ claim is the Halcrow Report, prepared by third-party consultants in 2013 as a guide for Penang’s transport plan. But they are wrong for two reasons. First, the estimated cost stated in Halcrow Report that ...

From 2010 to 2017, more than 170,000 graduates entered the workforce annually. However, there were only 98,000 high-skilled employment gains in that period, according to Bank Negara.[1] That means, out of 10 graduates, more than 4 were employed below their qualification. Murray Hunter recently pointed out that youth unemployment reached almost 60 per cent of the 504,000 unemployed.[2] Underemployment and youth unemployment are urgent issues that need solution. The remedy lies in our education system, economic policy, and response to global market condition. After more than 60 years under Barisan Nasional, is our country’s competitiveness robust? Are our education system and social and cultural upbringing preparing our youths to be productively employed? Is our country attracting enough investment that generate high-value jobs? As the statistics above shown, the answer to these questions is sadly, ‘No, no, and no.’ In 1965, Malaysia’s GDP per capita was US$310 while South Korea...