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The Alternative Green Economic Policy
A more integrative, holistic approach should be adopted in embracing the Green Sector.
Ravi Philemon
The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources saw its budget for the next fiscal year increased from $1 billion to $1.09 billion. Despite the increased budget, there is a imperative need to develop Green Energy and the Green Workforce. Budget 2009 could have done more to provide incentives and create a market that will encourage more companies to embark on green renewable energy projects.
Green Job Initiatives
Susan Hockfield, the president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and one of the United States’ leading brains says, “I am convinced that the next economic growth will come from innovation and the most powerful promise for innovation lies in the renewable energy sector.” A study by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants on the current global green-tech market indicates that the market which was worth more than $1.3 trillion in 2005, is set to grow in value to more than double to some $3 trillion until the year 2020. “This (the green sector) will become one of the biggest markets in the world, bigger than the automotive sector”, says Matthias Machnig, a state secretary at the German Environment Ministry.
A quickly growing global green market could mitigate the effects of the recession that is pulling many other industries to their knees. We must be made aware of the vast potential the Green Sector offers. The Green Sector may very well be the savior of the ailing economy of Singapore; which is why the Budget should have given the impetus to create Green Jobs Initiatives, which include:
- Increasing the number of industry sectors and businesses that have or are creating green jobs;
- Supporting creation of green jobs for a diverse mix of people with various educational backgrounds;
- Establishing job-readiness training programs for unskilled workers so they can get jobs in green industries;
- Aligning and increase the resources and expertise needed to grow the workforce capacity for these emerging and changing jobs;
- Investing in diverse worker education and training to prepare for green jobs; and
- Increasing education and training capacity to support green job growth.
The Budget should have made provisions for the government to create jobs in the sector of Alternative Energy Production and Efficiency, which includes jobs in wind energy; bio-fuels and bio-materials; solar and energy storage; energy efficiency; and advanced technology vehicles.
Green Building Construction and Retrofitting, which includes jobs in energy efficient building, construction, and retrofits; energy efficiency assessment serving the residential, commercial, or industrial sectors; materials recycling and reuse; architecture and design; land use/site analysis; building materials; and construction/rehab, is another Green Sector where new jobs can be created.
To support the Green Sector growth, the Budget should have placed key investments and stimulate activities in this sector through:
- Working with Business and Industry to Create Green Sector Skills Alliances;
- Investing in Worker Education and Training to Prepare for Green Jobs;
- Increasing Education and Training Capacity to Support Green Job Growth; and
- Supporting Green Jobs Related Research, Information Sharing, and Learning.
Capital Market Development Taskforce
Many Green stocks have lost their market value in this global economic crisis. But experts from the renewable energy markets, like Vivienne Cox, the chief executive officer of BP Alternative Energy, believe that as long as the incentives are provided, “money will flow” into renewable energy and “green stocks will recover”.
As this is an opportune time to invest in such low Price-to-Earnings ratio (PE) and Price-to-Book ratio (PB) stocks in the Green Sector, the Budget should have created a Capital Market Development Taskforce, which will develop blueprints and action plans to create investment funds to foster the creation and grow new businesses and new industries in the Green Sector through investments in private equity, venture capital mezzanine funds and co-investments in individual companies alongside these funds. A balance between saving money and spending money in such investments will create a healthy economic climate for Singapore.
A Holistic Approach
A more integrative, holistic approach should be adopted in embracing the Green Sector; where not just the Ministry of Environment, but the whole of government including the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of National Development and even Land Transport Authority should look at the environment as part of growing the Green Sector.
The current government of Singapore recognises the need to have an integrated approach in dealing with Green issues and have created the Energy Policy Group (EGP). The EGP consists of representatives from:
- Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI);
- Ministry of Finance (MOF);
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA);
- Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR);
- Ministry of Transport (MOT);
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR);
- Building and Construction Authority (BCA);
- Economic Development Board (EDB);
- Energy Market Authority (EMA);
- Land Transport Authority (LTA); and
- National Environment Agency (NEA)
The EPG has four working groups on Economic Competitiveness, Energy Security Climate Change and the Environment, and Energy Industry Development, headed by the different agencies:
However, the administrative difficulties and layers of bureaucratic red tape accumulated across 11 ministries and agencies in the EPG will pose a problem in developing effective, timely and appropriate green policies.
If effective and appropriate Green policies have to be developed to boost the Green Sector, the creation of a new ministry is important; the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The creation of this new ministry will create accountability for the government to be focused on energy security, in tackling the threat of climate change and also to develop the Green Sector further to the benefit of the economy of Singapore.
The author also blogs at http://singaporesocialactivist.blogspot.com.
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Indonesia
Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesia chapter after harassment allegations
The Miss Universe Organization severs ties with Indonesia franchise due to harassment claims. Malaysia edition canceled.
Women allege body checks before pageant. Investigation launched. Safety prioritized.
Indonesia winner to compete in November finale. Height requirement controversy.
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — The Miss Universe Organization has cut ties with its Indonesia franchise, it announced days after allegations of sexual harassment, and will cancel an upcoming Malaysia edition.
In the complaint, more than a half dozen women said all 30 finalists for Miss Universe Indonesia were unexpectedly asked to strip for a supposed body check for scars and cellulite two days before the pageant’s crowning ceremony in Jakarta.
Their lawyer said Tuesday that five of the women had their pictures taken.
“In light of what we have learned took place at Miss Universe Indonesia, it has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards, ethics, or expectations,” the US-based Miss Universe Organization posted Saturday night on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.
It said that it had “decided to terminate the relationship with its current franchise in Indonesia, PT Capella Swastika Karya, and its National Director, Poppy Capella.”
It thanked the contestants for their bravery in coming forward and added that “providing a safe place for women” was the organization’s priority.
Jakarta police spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said Tuesday that an investigation into the women’s complaint has been launched.
The Indonesia franchise also holds the license for Miss Universe Malaysia, where there will no longer be a competition this year, according to the New York-based parent organizer.
In a lengthy statement posted to Instagram, Indonesia franchise director Capella denied involvement in any body checks.
“I, as the National Director and as the owner of the Miss Universe Indonesia license, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who played a role and participated in the process of organizing Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit violence or sexual harassment through body checking,” she wrote.
She added that she is against “any form of violence or sexual harassment.”
The Jakarta competition was held from 29 July to 3 August to choose Indonesia’s representative to the 2023 Miss Universe contest, and was won by Fabienne Nicole Groeneveld.
Miss Universe said it would make arrangements for her to compete in the finale, scheduled for November in El Salvador.
This year’s Indonesia pageant also came under fire for announcing a “significant change in this (year’s) competition guidelines” with the elimination of its minimum height requirement after it had crowned a winner.
In its statement, the Miss Universe Organization said it wanted to “make it extremely clear that there are no measurements such as height, weight, or body dimensions required to join a Miss Universe pageant worldwide.”
— AFP
Malaysia
A Perodua service centre in Kuantan, Malaysia went viral for its strict dress code, Perodua responds
A dress code for vehicle servicing? A Malaysian car brand’s service centre dress code signage has puzzled netizens, raising queries about the need for attire rules during a routine service.
The manufacturer responded with an official statement after a flurry of comments, seeking to clarify and apologize.
MALAYSIA: A dress code signage positioned at a service centre belonging to a prominent Malaysian car brand has sparked bewilderment among Malaysian netizens, who question the necessity of adhering to attire guidelines for a simple vehicle servicing.
The signage explicitly delineates clothing items that are deemed unsuitable, including sleeveless tops, short skirts, abbreviated pants, and distressed jeans.
The car manufacturer swiftly found itself flooded with comments from both inquisitive and irked Malaysian netizens. This surge in online activity prompted the company to issue an official statement aimed at clarifying the situation and extending an apology.
In a post that gained significant traction on the social media platform, politician Quek Tai Seong of Pahang State, Malaysia, shared an image to Facebook on Monday (7 Aug).
The image showcased a dress code sign prominently displayed at a Perodua Service Centre in Kuantan. Within the post, Quek posed the question: “Is this dress code applicable nationwide, or is it specific to this branch?”
The signage reads, “All customers dealing with Perodua Service Kuantan 1, Semambu, are requested to dress modestly and appropriately.”
Adding visual clarity to these guidelines, the sign features illustrative graphics that explicitly outline clothing items deemed unacceptable, including sleeveless tops, short skirts, short pants, and ripped jeans.
Delineating the specifics of the dress code, the signage stipulates that male visitors are expected to don shirts accompanied by neckties, opt for long pants, and wear closed shoes.
Conversely, female visitors are advised to don long-sleeved shirts, full-length skirts, and closed-toe footwear.
Perodua’s dress code sparks online uproar
Following the rapid spread of the post, Perodua’s official Facebook page found itself inundated with comments from both intrigued and frustrated Malaysian netizens, all seeking clarifications about the newly surfaced dress code policy.
Amidst the flurry of comments, numerous incensed netizens posed pointed questions such as, “What is the rationale behind the introduction of such regulations by the management? We demand an explanation.”
Another netizen expressed their dissatisfaction, arguing against the necessity of the rule and urging Perodua to take inspiration from the practices of other 4S (Sales, Service, Spare Parts, and Survey) automotive dealerships.
A concerned Facebook user chimed in, advocating for a more lenient stance, asserting that attempting to dictate customers’ clothing choices might not be in the company’s best interest.
Someone also commented in an angry tone, “Oi what is this? Going there for car service, not interview or working, right.”
As the discourse unfolded, it became evident that while some inquiries carried genuine weight, others chose to inject humor into the situation, playfully remarking, “If I wanted to buy a Myvi, I should buy or rent a formal attire first.”
“I sell economy rice at a hawker centre, I have never worn a long sleeve shirt and a tie… I guess I will not buy a Perodua car then.”
“I guess they will not serve those who wear short pants.”
Perodua addresses dress code controversy
As reported by Chinese media outlet Sin Chew Daily News, the manager of Kuantan’s Perodua Service Centre had acknowledged that the images on the dress code signage were misleading.
In response, the manager divulged that discussions had transpired with the head office, leading to the prompt removal of the signage to prevent any further misconceptions.
The manager clarifies, “We do encourage visitors to adhere to the dress etiquette, but we won’t go to the extent of restricting their choice of attire.”
He also revealed that currently, no complaints have been directly received from the public.
However, feedback from certain customers was relayed through Perodua’s agents.
Perodua also released an official statement by chief operating officer JK Rozman Jaffar on Wednesday (9 Aug) regarding the dress code on their official Facebook page.
The statement stated the dress code etiquette is not aligned with their official guidelines and they are currently conducting an official investigation on the matter followed by corrective measures to avoid the same incident from happening.
Perodua also extends its apologies for any inconvenience caused.
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