Letter 4: A Missed Mother's Day

Fourth letter from death row - a missed Mother's Day
May 12, 11 9:38am

Sabahan Yong Vui Kong, 21, is on death row in Singapore for drug trafficking. Malaysiakini is publishing Yong's final letters to Yetian, a member of the Save Vui Kong Campaign, in the next few weeks as he faces death.

Yetian, without even noticing it, we have already exchanged four letters. Please let me express my gratitude to you, a kind-hearted stranger, for granting my wish. I may not have much more time to write, but I shall continue writing until my very last moment.

Today, let me share some of my experience in studying Buddhist philosophy.

I feel that every young person needs faith. Only with faith can you save yourself because a good religion, no matter if it's Christianity, Islam, Buddhism or Hinduism, teaches you what is right and what is wrong. This, to me, is extremely important. When I was a rebel, I didn't have faith, and so I went astray and followed a path from which there is no return.

When I first got into prison, my sister gave me three books on Buddhism. These three books are a great help and are making a great impact on my thinking and my life.

Wisdom, compassion, morals, cultural enlightenment do not differentiate between race or age. If one works hard to learn, one will be able to reap the benefits.

Buddhism teaching has 84,000 dharma. If you wish to understand where I've started, let me tell you I began with the Earth Buddha, the scripture entitled 'Earth Buddha vows'. I started with the most basic scriptures, and I wish to reach a certain level of understanding before adding more. I am learning about being happy with what we have in life, learning about helping others.

I am not sure if you have seen my drawing of the Earth Buddha (right). At that point in time, I dreamt about the Earth Buddha and I was so calm. Since then, I am even more determined to learn Buddhist philosophy.

We can read a lot of books related to Buddhist teaching, but if we lack faith, we will not truly understand.

From that day on, I wake up early every morning to study the philosophy of the Earth Buddha. When I read about filial piety, my heart aches, because I have not been filial to my mother for so many years. I don't know if I still have a chance.

Mother's Day has come and gone

Mother's Day just gone by, right? Did everyone have a good meal with their mothers? My question is the same: "Will I have a chance to go home for a meal?"

I do not have the chance to talk to my mother to calm her mind. My mother is ill, I cannot tell her about my impending punishment. That's why, Yetian, we have to cherish our family and friends.

Yetian, you told me that there was an Internet forum which discussed about me and some said that I wrote all these letters because I was afraid to die and that I wanted to save my life. I know you were angered by it, and so were many who have helped me. Don't be angry because it will cause us more grief.

Even though I am an inmate about to be executed, I wish to say that I am not an inmate who wastes time. I hope to use this time to educate more people. This is my hope, that in this last bit of time that I have left, I can do more meaningful things.

Studying Buddhist teachings allows me to understand about gratitude, and about what courage is. To me, this is the biggest experience I gained.

Do you still remember that in the first letter, I mentioned about my beads? They are made of flour and I have used them for a long time. When I use them I take good care of them because they are fragile, and might break if I squeeze too hard.

When I think about it, if a person is weak, and he takes good care of himself without being influenced by others, then this person can stay strong for a long time.

That's what we have to do in life. We have to be strong.

Before I stop, I would like to say a prayer for everyone, hoping that everyone is healthy, safe and happy.

YONG VUI KONG, a Sabahan, was sentenced in November 2009 to death for drug trafficking. He was 19. On April 4, Yong lost his final appeal against a mandatory death sentence. He will be executed in three months unless he is granted clemency by Singapore's president.

Letter 3: My Changed Heart

Third letter from death row - my changed heart
May 5, 11 9:53am

Sabahan Yong Vui Kong, 21, is on death row in Singapore for drug trafficking. Malaysiakini is publishing Yong's final letters to Yetian, a member of the Save Vui Kong Campaign, in the next few weeks as he faces death.

Yetian, I would like to tell you a story.

I have been worrying about someone for quite a long time.

This person has a good nature. But when he was growing up he was led astray. He did not respect his parents and followed others to get involved with drugs. He was petty, bad-tempered, proud, vulgar and self-centred. He was very selfish.

But this person has now changed all his bad habits, all his bad acts. He is sincere about changing.

I will use an example to prove how he is determined to change.

A person in the forest saw a big fruit tree, and was tempted to eat the fruit. He did not know that the fruit was poisonous, and was then poisoned. This person greatly regretted eating the poisoned fruit, and in that moment, that regretful heart was his first sincere emotion.

Yetian, if you knew this person had been poisoned, and at the same time, knew how to cure him, would you do so?

This person is now about 20, with no home, no car, no freedom, no family, no kids, no friends, not many clothes, no experience, no education, no correct way of thinking, no chance to leave his country and no love from his parents and siblings. This person does not have anything. But he has a small hope... that his family and society will forgive him, and let him change his life.

I used to be bad, and would always quarrel with people. I had no aim in life and only wanted to earn money to live a good life. I also wanted my mother to live well. I was greedy, and was thus poisoned. I have repented before the Buddha, and I heard that over 100,000 people have signed the petition to forgive me. I am very grateful. My life began when I started learning Buddhist philosophy. Before that I was not really living.

If a person has made a mistake, he must then suffer the consequences under the law. I understand that. So, if he wants to be cured of the poison, he can only repent to the Buddha.

In this prison, every person has been poisoned. If I could, I would like to help cure them all.

Drugs and I

Let me go back to the topic of drugs and I.

For me, drug is something remote, yet it changed my life. I know that when my brother Yun Leong wrote to the Singaporean president to ask for clemency, he mentioned my involvement with drugs.

At that time I was ignorant and I really believed that, "Even if I get caught I won't die." So I delivered these "gifts" into a law-abiding country - Singapore. I only have myself to blame.

Over these two years, thanks to my lawyer who explained to me the law in relation to drugs, I have finally understood how serious this is. I am now studying English so I can better understand the lawyer's submissions, and also the relevant law. I thank the prison department for giving me a dictionary.

There are many young people who are willing to deliver drugs because drugs can earn you a lot of money. They are like how I was; because I could get a lot of money, I agreed to do this.

At the time our minds are ignorant and naive. We did not realise that when you deliver drugs, you will not get money in exchange. Rather, when you get sent to prison, what you get in exchange is a mother's heartache, a family's worry, society's judgement, the punishment from a government, and the world giving up on you.

This situation is the same as what I am in. I am a real life example.

In here, I am deeply repentant. Luckily, it is not too late. Luckily, my mother has seen the new me. Luckily, my family does not have to worry about me anymore.

Everyone is born good. It takes three years to learn to be good, but three days to be bad. Turning over a new leaf is more precious than anything.

All right, I will stop here. In writing these letters, I have grown more confident in teachings, and I hope I can continue to share them. I laugh at myself for thinking that I can indeed be an educator, it must have taken a lot of blessing from others for me to do that.

Thank you. Amitabha.

YONG VUI KONG, a Sabahan, was sentenced in November 2009 to death for drug trafficking. He was 19. On April 4, Yong lost his final appeal against a mandatory death sentence. He will be executed in three months unless he is granted clemency by Singapore's president.

Letter 2: Me & My Life

Letter from death row: Me and my life
Yong Vui Kong
Apr 27, 11
7:46am

Sabahan Yong Vui Kong, 21, is on death row in Singapore for drug trafficking. Malaysiakini is publishing Yong's final letters to Yetian, a member of the Save Vui Kong Campaign, in the next 11 weeks as he faces death.

Yetian,

Yun Leong brought your letter when he came to visit me on Monday. He told me that the first letter has been published.

Thank you, and thank you to all the kind-hearted strangers who have helped me. Thank you to all those who read my letters. I hope that everyone can read them. This is the only way for me to connect with the outside world.

Yetian, you said that life is very precious.

To me, life is the most important thing in the world. There are many things that mean a lot to me. But even if you have a lot of money, or many material possessions, you still only have one life.

In the past, I did not value or respect my life. It was only later that I realised those who do not respect their own lives, cannot expect others to respect them.

After turning to Buddhism, I realised that I have a responsibility in life.

I watch my fellow inmates losing their lives, one by one, because of they were ignorant, or easily misled. It breaks my heart. Amitabha. I know I'll be just like them. So I would like to use every remaining day of my life to tell people my story.

I want to use the Buddhist philosophy to tell everyone not to make mistakes, not to end up on death row because of drugs. I want to tell them never to take drugs and destroy their lives.

Of course, I hope that I can have more time to meditate, to read more Buddhist books and to absorb more Buddhist philosophy so that I can continue teaching others. But ultimately, this will all depend on fate.

Thinking back to the day Yun Leong came to see me at the detention centre, I was crying like a child. I was so afraid. My hands and legs were trembling as I cried. I had broken down. All my macho bravado had disappeared.

I was very afraid of death. I didn't know what would happen to me after I die.

'I don't blame the Singapore government'

After reading the scriptures, I dreamed of the Earth Bodhisattva. I saw through many things, and learnt not to cling on to life. This life has been given to me by Buddha. He has made all the arrangements for me, and I accept them.

I am very grateful for my life. I am very grateful towards all those who have worked hard to try to save me, and to ask for the Singaporean president to grant me clemency. If I were to give up now, wouldn't I be letting them down?

I really don't want those who have supported me, helped me and encouraged me to be sad.

I don't know why, but I know that my case has caused a lot of quarrels between people. I said before that life is not something to be wasted, but to be cherished. Quarreling is a waste of life.

I don't blame the Singapore government. I don't blame anyone. I believe that every country has its laws. If you make a mistake and get caught, then you deserve to be punished. I also know that Singapore is governed by rule of law. Asking a country to change its law is a very difficult thing.

I don't yearn for anything. All I want is more time.

I am a death row inmate. I have no right to ask for the abolishment of the death penalty. But I still feel that the death penalty is not a workable solution.

I am grateful to those who have been able to forgive me. It is a miracle that I have been able to live this long. I will take good care of myself, study hard and improve myself.

'I don't yearn to leave prison'

You asked me what I would do if I were granted clemency.

I don't yearn to leave prison. In fact, that I think this is an excellent place to meditate. I've already devoted myself to Buddhism, but I hope to find a priest who will ordain me one day and officially accept me as a monk.

While I'm alive, I will work hard to share my experience with everyone. I want to be like the priest who visits me here regularly, and tirelessly share the wisdom of Buddhism with everyone.

I will devote my whole life to help those who other people are unable to reach.

Even if I do not get a second chance, I hope that everyone will always remember to give themselves a second chance. Life will be fuller this way.

Yetian, it's been hard on you. You have to write to me even though you have to work. I am really happy, and hope to keep writing. I will stop here today. Amitabha.

YONG VUI KONG, a Sabahan, was sentenced in November 2009 to death for drug trafficking. He was 19. On April 4, Yong lost his final appeal against a mandatory death sentence. He will be executed in three months unless he is granted clemency by Singapore's president.

Letter 1: A Letter From Death Row

A letter from death row
Yong Vui Kong
Apr 22, 11
7:14am

Sabahan Yong Vui Kong, 21, is on death row in Singapore for drug trafficking. Malaysiakini is publishing Yong's final letters to Yetian, a member of the Save Vui Kong Campaign, in the next 12 weeks as he faces death.

Dear Yetian,

Thank you for your letter, and thank you for giving me a platform and the strength to tell my story. This is my first letter. I hope to let everyone know what my life is like in prison.

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Yong Vui Kong. In early 2011, I celebrated my 23rd birthday in prison. I wasn't alone during my birthday. Lots of friends on the outside were also celebrating with me.

Why am I in jail? It's because I helped traffic drugs into Singapore. I was caught when I was 19. It's been a few years now. I am a death row inmate, and by right, I should have been dead long ago. But a lot of people have been helping me, and that's why I'm still alive today. If it wasn't for all these people, I think I'd have left this world long ago.

My mother doesn't know I've been sentenced to death. I've told her I'll be going to a far away place to seek enlightenment. I told her not to worry about me. She believed me.

Let me now tell you about my life inside here.

I get up at around 4 every morning. I don't have an alarm clock because I don't need one. I've gotten used to this routine, and it has not changed these past few years. Even the prison wardens know I am an early riser. They see me getting up each morning via the CCTV inside my cell.

After washing up and brushing my teeth, I'll spend time studying the (Buddhist) scriptures until 7am. After that, I'll meditate quietly until 9am. Some people might think I'm just trying to kill time, but in my heart, I believe it's better to make full use of my time than to just let it slip away.

I do not fear death

At 9am, I have breakfast. I don't eat the same things as the rest of the inmates. Even the wardens know this and will only deliver vegetarian meals to me.

Vegetarianism has become a habit for me. The benefits of vegetarianism is something you have to experience yourself. I can tell you it's a good thing, but you might not believe me. I encourage everyone to give vegetarianism a try.

In the past, when I knew I was going to die soon, I couldn't stop crying because I was scared. But the Buddhist priest who visits me every week has taught me not to fear death.

Earlier this year, a friend inside left us. Before he left, I chanted for him. He left peacefully.

Until I die, I'll use my time wisely to counsel people and tell them not to choose drugs.

Over the past few years, my relationship with my older brother, Yun Leong, has improved a great deal. We used to fight over all kinds of things.

But now, our relationship is much improved. If not for his help, you wouldn't be reading this letter now. I am really grateful to him. He visits me every Monday. We chit chat and he listens to me talk about Buddhism.

How many more Mondays will we have?

In the past, my rebelliousness made my brothers very unhappy. Now that I'm a changed person, my brothers feel much better. I think that's the least I can do.

Not enough time to learn everything

Actually, I'm doing very well in prison. The wardens show me a lot of respect. Whenever my brother visits, they would unshackle me and we'd bow to each other. My brother tells me they hold me in high regard. I am humbled to know that.

In my spare time, I study the scriptures. I'm afraid I won't have enough time to learn everything. I don't even think there's enough hours in a day for me to study. A lot of people think that it must be tortuous for me to spend an extended time in prison, but I feel good because I can make full use of the time to learn. I feel very fulfilled.

I like to chant. But because of the strict rules inside prison, I can't use normal meditation beads. That's because they're afraid I'll sharpen the crystal beads and use them to kill myself. My priest is very thoughtful. He used flour to make little beads, strung them up and gave them to me. I use them when I chant.

Suicide? I've never thought of it. Life is to be cherished, not squandered.

Yetian, thank you. I'll stop here today. Amitaba.

YONG VUI KONG, a Sabahan, was sentenced in November 2009 to death for drug trafficking. He was 19. On April 4, Yong lost his final appeal against a mandatory death sentence. He will be executed in three months unless he is granted clemency by Singapore's president.

What women think during orgasms

What women think during orgasms

Sneaking a peek inside a woman's brain while she is having orgasm is now be possible, thanks to a scan developed by American scientists.

Rutgers University researchers have discovered that sexual arousal numbs the female nervous system to such an extent that she doesn't feel as much pain-only pleasure.

Orgasm affects up to 30 different parts of the brain including those responsible for emotion, touch, joy, satisfaction and memory, found researchers.

The researchers asked eight women to stimulate themselves while lying under a blanket inside a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner, a tunnel-like machine often used to detect brain tumours.

Most women took less than five minutes to reach an orgasm although some took as long as 20.

During that time, the MRI scanner took images of their brain every two seconds to show which parts became active during the orgasm.

The scientists found that two minutes before the orgasm, the brain's reward centres become active, the areas usually activated when eating food and drink.

Immediately before they reached the peak, other areas of the brain became affected such as the sensory cortex, which receives ''touch'' messages from parts of the body and the thalamus, which relays signals to other parts of the body.

Once the orgasm has started other parts of the brain are activated such as those responsible for emotion.

The final part of the brain to be activated is the hypothalamus, the ''control'' part of the brain, which regulates temperature, hunger, thirst and tiredness.

Orgasm affects up to 30 different parts of the brain including those responsible for emotion, touch, joy, satisfaction and memory

At the same time another area responsible for pleasure is activated - the nucleus accumbens - as well as the caudate nucleus, which is responsible for memory.

"In women, orgasm produces a very extensive response across the brain and body," UK'sDaily Mail quoted Barry Komisaruk of Rutgers University as saying.

"Some women raised their hands several times each session, often just a few seconds apart.

So the evidence is that women tend to have longer orgasms and can experience several in rapid succession," said Komisaruk.

A woman's orgasm last an average of 10-15 seconds, whilst a man's is thought to last for just six seconds.
Source: ANI

Published Dec 2010

Haunted Schools In Singapore

Stories from an overactive imagination or based on fact? Here are some legendary tales from schools here that have sent chills down the spines of many students.

Anglo Chinese School

The junior college was rumored to be haunted by a boy who jumped into the gears, in the gear room of the clock tower. Reports of students being possessed were also common.

Boon Lay Secondary School

The school had a pond in the middle of the science block with classes. It was said that if one looked into the pond at night, you will not see your reflection, but an unfamiliar face peering back at you.

CHIJ St Joseph's Convent

There is a toilet cubicle there which is always locked. It is said to be haunted by the ghost of a girl who was raped while waiting for her parents in school, and then hung herself in the toilet.

Clementi Town Secondary School

A headless ghost allegedly haunts the Home Economics and Science Lab, some have even seen its detached head rolling on the floor.

Gan Eng Seng Secondary

Even teachers allegedly are afraid of entering the Art Class on the 4th storey alone. From the classroom, one can allegedly hear a lady's voice singing, coming from the rooftop of the building.

Haig Girls' School

According to some, the school used to be a place to hold prisoners-of-war during World War II. There is an area within the school compound which has more than the usual rate of accidents occurring. Many people would trip and fall when walking along the area. It was also rumoured that if you walk across the school field diagonally at night, you will be greeted by an old woman asking you to buy matchsticks from her.

Hai Sing Catholic School

A statue of the mother mary there was said to be seen with blood dripping from it. In 2001, a rumour circulated that female students camping on the school premises woke up in the middle of the night scratching themselves, seemingly possessed, but returned to normal a few minutes later.

Loyang Secondary School

The girl's toilet on the fourth floor of the old block is said to be haunted, which is why the lights there are on 24 hours. AVA student helpers also claim to have seen a figure of a woman walking backstage in the school hall.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Rumour has it a female student died in one of the engineering workshop because her hair got stuck in a machine. Screams can be heard from the workshop at night.

Pei Dao Secondary (now known as Punggol Secondary)

The story is that smacking and hitting noises could be heard at night, coming from the basketball court. The music room was also rumoured to be haunted with the piano playing by itself every night at 12am sharp. The school has since been relocated and renamed to Punggol Secondary School.

Queenstown Secondary School

The famous story from this school is about how a tombstone was found in the field by students.

Tampines Secondary School

The school is said to be haunted by the spirit of a girl who was raped and killed by construction workers at the site when the school was still being built in the 1980s.

Temasek Polytechnic

The corriders from block 18 within the Engineering faculty were allegedly so haunted that guards would not patrol that area.

Rumour has it an Indian worker was accidentally buried alive in one of the pillars, when cement was poured into the construction while he was binding wires within it.

According to another story told by a guard, he saw a student at the lockers as he was patrolling one day. He turned back to the same spot a few minutes later, to find a piece of newspaper on the floor with the student's face he just saw. Turns, out the student was killed by a car at the bus stop a few months back.

Tanjong Katong Secondary

Band members who stayed the night reported being disturbed while they were sleeping.

Yuying Secondary

Teachers and principals have reportedly seen silhouettes of children running around the school compound located in Hougang when they work. It was said that when the school was doing its upgrading work, construction workers witnessed strange occurrences and started to quit one by one.

Singapore Polytechnic
Unlucky #13 or just a coincidence? The institute has blocks named T1, T2, T3…..but no T13.

Unverified rumours say a student committed suicide at one of the toilets in the teaching block, after stabbing a lecturer (the lecturer died too). Screams can be heard at night when part-time students are having classes.

Bedok View Secondary School

The toilet next to the biology lab on the ground floor is allegedly haunted by a long-haired ghost, obsessed with combing her hair in front of the mirror. Rumour has it a few girls have gone into the toilet, only to run out screaming and crying after seeing the apparition.

Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School

A construction worker committed suicide in the school's toilet when it was still being constructed. It was rumoured that the toilet was locked ever since after students complained about seeing a man stabbing himself repeatedly in the stomach.

Know these 10 superfruits

		Wed, Jun 30, 2010 Mind Your Body, The Straits Times
Know these 10 superfruits
By Priya Suri Superfruits have sparked a worldwide following, bolstered by claims promoting benefits such as anti-ageing, detoxification, energy enhancement and immunity boosts. As common fruits such as apples and oranges are less likely to excite consumers, superfruits are more likely to be exotic or relatively new to consumers. These include noni, pomegranate and seabuckthorn. However, there is no definitive list of superfruits and new fruits are regularly put forward, usually backed by persuasive advertising. Dietitians and nutritionists tend to reject the term superfruits as there is no scientific criteria that would allow consumers to objectively assess the potential health benefits of fruits in the category. Ms Anna Jacob, nutritionist and dietitian at NutriVentures, said: 'The term superfruits has been coined to bring attention to a few fruits that are being intensely researched for their nutritional benefits.' Ms Jacob said that fresh fruits in general are good sources of vitamins, minerals and fibre. Most fruits are also naturally fat-free, cholesterol-free and low in sodium. But there is something else health-conscious individuals around the world are after: antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals, cell-damaging chemicals that are produced during normal human functions such as digestion and breathing. However, people must remember that superfruits are not the only good source of antioxidants. Ms Lim Su Lin, chief dietitian at the National University Hospital, said: 'Many other foods also contain antioxidants such as soya, red wine, tea, nuts, seeds, fish, shellfish, eggs, red meat and garlic. 'I would strongly encourage people to eat a variety of fruits in their diet and not just concentrate on one or two fruits. This is because we can obtain different nutrients from different fruits. Some useful nutrients may not even have been discovered by scientists yet.' Here is a list of 10 "superfruits".

1. Pomegranate

Also known as: Granada

What it is: Has around 600 seeds that can range from white to deep red

Where it grows: Native to the Mediterranean Middle East

Supposed benefits: Some studies suggest that the juice may contain almost three times the total antioxidants in green tea and red wine.

3. Mangosteen

Also known as: Manggis

What it is: Has sweet-sour white flesh

Where it grows: Primarily in countries with a hot, humid climate such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia

Supposed benefits: Its rind contains xanthones, which are said to neutralise free radicals.

3. Mangosteen

Also known as: Manggis

What it is: Has sweet-sour white flesh

Where it grows: Primarily in countries with a hot, humid climate such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia

Supposed benefits: Its rind contains xanthones, which are said to neutralise free radicals.

4. Goji (pronounced goh-gee)

Also known as: Wolfberry

What it is: Red berries that are usually found dried

Where it grows: China, Mongolia and the Himalayas in Tibet

Supposed benefits: It contains carotenoids that act as antioxidants to protect the retina of the eye.

5. Cranberry

Also known as: Mossberry, fenberry

What it is: Berries, 6 to 18mm in size, turn deep red when ripe.

Where it grows: A major commercial crop in the United States and Canada

Supposed benefits: It is used to prevent or treat urinary tract infections.

6. Noni

Also known as: Cheese fruit, ach, mengkudu

What it is: Oval-shaped and prickly

Where it grows: Native to South-east Asia but now grows in India and the Pacific islands

Supposed benefits: The juice is said to be able to help reduce high blood pressure and relieve arthritic pain as it contains a high level of antioxidants.

7. Avocado

Also known as: Palta, abacate

What it is: Egg shaped, green-brown on the outside and green-yellow on the inside

Where it grows: Long history of being cultivated in Central and South America

Supposed benefits: It contains healthy monounsaturated fat, which has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

8. Seabuckthorn

Also known as: Sandthorn, seaberry

What it is: Soft and juicy orange berries, 6 to 9mm in diameter

Where is grows: Native to Europe and Asia

Supposed benefits: It is said to boost the immune system as it is rich in vitamin C.

9. Blueberry

Also known as: Bleuet

What it is: Indigo berries, 5 to 16mm in diameter

Where it grows: Native to North America but also grown in Australia, New Zealand and South American countries

Supposed benefits: It is said to be an anti-ageing superstar that is loaded with antioxidants to improve vision and brain function.

10. Acai (pronounced as-sa-E)

Also known as: Cabbage palm berry

What it is: A dark-blue berry that is similar in size to a grape

Where it grows: South American rainforests

Supposed benefits: Claims to have twice the antioxidants found in blueberries, as well as omega fatty acids, protein and fibre

This article is an excerpt from a feature first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times.

Government debt in 2009 more than 50pc of GDP, says audit

Government debt in 2009 more than 50pc of GDP, says audit

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

October 25, 2010

Najib said the total debt had been reduced but the Auditor-General’s report shows otherwise. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — Malaysia’s government debt for 2009 rose to RM362.39 billion or 53.7 per cent of GDP, its highest level in five years, according to the Auditor-General’s report released today.

The Auditor-General said in the report that this was the first time the debt to GDP ratio had breached the 50 per cent mark.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said in Parliament in June that Malaysia’s total debt had been reduced in 2009 to RM233.92 billion from RM236.18 billion in 2008.

Najib had also said that the debt to GDP ratio for 2009 was only 34.3 per cent, up from 31.9 per cent in 2008.

But today’s Auditor-General’s report said that the government debt had risen largely due to domestic debt.

“The debt ratio to GDP at the end of 2009 is 53.7 per cent, the highest level in five years and over 50 per cent for the very first time,” said the report.

The report stated that from 2005 till 2008, there was a general decline in the ratio between the government’s debt to the GDP.

It was 48.2 per cent in 2005, 42.3 per cent in 2006, 42.8 per cent in 2007 and 41.4 per cent in 2008.

The main reason behind the high debt last year, according to the audit report, was due to an increase in the government’s domestic debt.

“Towards the end of 2009, the unsettled domestic debt and foreign debt amounted to RM362.39 billion, an increase of RM55.96 billion (from 2008’s RM306.44 billion) due to an increase in domestic debt.

“The government’s domestic debt totalling RM348.60 billion is 96.2 per cent of the total debt of the federal government last year,” said the report.

The report also showed a decline in the government’s foreign debt — from RM26.91 billion in 2005 to RM13.77 billion last year — while domestic debt steadily increased from RM201.76 billion in 2005 to RM348.6 billion in 2009.

In his June parliamentary reply, Najib had moved to quell fears raised by a minister that Malaysia would one day go the way of Greece and Iceland and become a bankrupt nation.

In a written response to a question by Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) in Parliament, the PM gave an assurance that the government was taking steps to ensure that Malaysia’s debts would be reduced and maintained at a manageable level.

Link:

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/government-debt-in-2009-more-than-50pc-of-gdp-says-audit