I have been watching the Rise of Donald Trump in the USA. As of now no one knows whether Donald Trump or Hilary Clinton will be eventually voted into Power.

If Donald Trump is voted into Power The Whole World will face protectionism emanating from Trump's belligerent policies.

Trump will scrap TPP (bad for Malaysia)  & impose high tariff on Chinese Imports (also bad for Malaysia). It was the act of imposing tariffs against foreign imports that exacerbated the intensity of the Great Depression of the 1930s. In the 1930s Rubber Prices fell 90%. Rubber turned into rubbish overnight! As the cost of production is less than the selling prices of rubber - rubber trees were left untapped then. And Malaya went into depression for that period. And Germany was hit very hard - leading to the rise of Hitler - and the 2nd World War.

 

Now. Will Malaysia go into another 1930 Era Depression due to the Rise of Donald Trump? Calvin Tan Research has 10 preemptive ideas for Malaysia:

 

1) Malaysia should reduce Interest rate to zero.

This will help stimulate demand internally. As external demand fizzles out Malaysia should boost its domestic economy. The reduction of interest rate will help industries. It will also ease the burden of overleveraged households. Will it be bad for pensioners and the poor? No. Pensioners receive a regular stipend from the Govt. As for the poor they don't have much savings in banks after all.

 

2.) Malaysia Should Follow India & Open Wide Its Door For Quality Immigrants.

For about US$1 Million Foreigners Are Invited to Be Citizens of India. India is already teeming with people - 2nd largest population in the world after China. Yet India is dishing out 10 Year Permanent Residency for those who can invest US$1 Millions. And children, spouse & dependent of these investors are allowed to work.

Malaysia has much better infrastructure than India. It has a small population of only 30 millions. So there is vast room here for Quality Immigrants. With a diversified multi lingual population all Chinese, Indonesian, Indian, Taiwanese, English can easily adapt. Right now in Hong Kong there is an undercurrent of discontent against China. Sure HongKees are looking to migrate. So this presents an opportunity.

 

3) Malaysian Govt Should Stem Brain Drain By Creating A Level Playing Field For All Races Equally.

Announced over the MRT Train in Singapore are 4 languages - Tamil, Malay, Chinese & English. No one race is marginalised although Singapore is over 70% Chinese. Announcement starts with Tamil (the smallest ethnic group)

In Changi International Airport Flight Departures  To Japan & Elsewhere are announced both in Japanese & English to cater to Japanese speaking tourists. In Malaysia it is taken for granted that all should read and understand Bahasa Malaysia. Many a place & many a time there is no 2nd language to show direction. As such those who can have migrated to foreign shores. 

The recent win in Olympic Games by Badminton Champs have, hopefully, united Malaysia - according to Datuk Lee Chong Wei.

As Malaysian Chinese - we cheered for Malaysia to win against our China couterpart. I am sure all Malaysian Chinese have the same sentiments.

 

4) Bring Back English As A Compulsory Subject in School

English will be the Lingua Franca as the medium of communication for the foreseeable future. Modern inventions are done in English. New words are first "coined" in English. The www (world wide web) is in English.

English is LIKE THE INFORMATION SUPER HIGHWAY THAT CONNECTS THE WORLD. It takes 6 weeks by ship for a letter to arrive from USA. It takes only hours by Concord Plane from London to Singapore (in those days). But it takes only a fraction of a second for Knowledge to be transmitted from London Computer to My Computer in Singapore Right Now! As light travels by 186,282 miles per second!

And English is the Medium. This is in line with the Biblical Prediction from Daniel 12:4 - "Knowledge Shall Be Increased" in the end times.

Once upon a time it took the first automobile to travel from KL to Klang for a whole day! Today with the Klang Valley expressway the journey is about 1 hour.

It takes less than 10 hours from Johor to the Border of Thailand by the North South Plus Highway. Imagine using 2 track rural roads journeying all the way from there? It will take more than twice the time! So why leave out English & revert back to Bahasa?

 

5) Govt should create checks & balance for its  US$90 over billions in Reserve..

In Singapore the President is elected to check the spending by the Prime Minister should there be an emergency. This is to prevent leakage & misuse of Reserves. Power should never rest on an individual or group. It should be a collective responsibility.

It was Dr Mahathir who curbed the powers of Rulers & Sultans. Power Corrupts. And Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely!  See the pitiful state of North Korea! The More Democratic A Nation The Freer & Happier Its Citizens! Collective Rule of the people, By the People. And For The People - were the maxims of Abraham Lincoln!

His Royal Highness - Sultan Ibrahim of Johor has wisely instituted "Bangsa Malaysia". This should be embraced throughout Malaysia!

 

6) CREATE MORE AND MORE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES IN MALAYSIA

Singapore First Created Itself as A Free Entreport Zone for Trade in its earliest infancy. It was FDIs that brought in massive jobs. And with jobs - incomes, savings, investments & ultimate growth to become a First World Nation today.

So the positives of FDI outweights the negatives by a far margin. It was Shenzhen's experiment as the first SEZ that propelled China to what it is today.

With fallen ringgit and still vast lands Malaysia is well positioned to be the next industrialized export power house.

 

7) Govt Spearheading SMEs Export World Wide

It is hearty to read that Malaysian Govt is now taking major steps to spur SMEs' Export to all areas of the world. It was Japan, then South Korea. After that China - going into the nooks & corners of every nation on planet earth to sell its products.

So it is high time for Quality Malaysian Products to go into all the world and capture its vast markets. In many ways Malaysian made products are more superior than those of China & Taiwan's.

 

8) INCREASE Cash PayOut To The Poor. BRIM is a good example.

BRIM is a good cushion for the poorer masses. Now 6% GST has taken it back from them. As such Govt should icrease its Cash Disbursement  to counter the effect from GST. In Singapore the PAP Govt wisely distribute Cash to its Students. And Cash is distributed to all its Citizens. The Poorer 3 Room HDB Flat Dwellers Get More Share By Percentage than those wealthier 5 Room owners.

This cushions the difficult times of downturn in Singapore. In USA there is food stamps & dough in Australia for the unemployed.

This Buffer Against Discontent has helped the poorer masses to survive in tougher times.

 

9) Make things More Accessible In All Areas.

While USA is raising barriers to trade (if Trump voted to power) Malaysia should further reduce its barriers & connect to the world economies more and more.

Example of the Human Body. If Blood circulation to the heart is blocked - "Heart attack occurs".  If Blood circulation to the Brain is hindered - "Stroke strikes!"

So if free flow of people & goods are impeded - Recession or Depression can happen. As such Malaysia should further reduce red tape and encourage free flow of goods and talents.

I was in Perth, Australia, for a short holiday recently. Here I met Malaysians who have emigrated there - some have Australian & British P/R & even Citizenships. All were happily settled there and still looking back in dismay.

I told them that Malaysia presents a better opportunity today than it was in the past. But baggage of past grievances still lingered with them. When Chinese emigrated in those days in droves it was Tengku Razaleigh who said, "Good riddance to rubbish".

Oh boy! these talented hardworking Malaysians are forever lost to Malaysia unless there is a real change in approach in education, politics & more equal playing field for all.

Thousands of Malaysians are now like me - living in Multi Racial Singapore as P/R and some turned Citizens. However, in Iskandar - His Royal Highness - Sultan Ibrahim of Johor is setting a Correct Precedent For All. He believes in English, fairness to all races & is above politics! At heart is the welfare of the people. And all races are welcomed. Iskandar is accessible to Chinese from China, Japanese, Europeans & all ethnic groups without partiality.

 

10) MALAYSIA - TRULY ASIA - SO MUCH MORE YOU CAN DISCOVER!

May the Citizens of Malaysia live in harmony, equality & peace. There is such a diversity of cultures & languages. China nationals often speak in surprise that an average Malaysian Chinese Speak 3 Languages - Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese & English! This is why Millions & Millions of China Nationals visit Malaysia year after year. As the world is split & shattered by terrorism may all Malaysians live in peace and moderation. Once the towns of Thailand got bombed there will be flight & hotel cancellations.

 

Malaysia should never take peace for granted. Peace is paramount for progress & prosperity. It was in peace time that God told King Solomon to build the Wealthiest Nation in all history.

And may God give our Leaders in Malaysia - the wisdom to rule.

As the divine injuction states - "HE THAT RULETH OVER MEN MUST BE JUST. RULING IN THE FEAR OF GOD" (2 Samuel 23:3)

 

With Love & Regards from Calvin Tan

Jurong West,

Republic of Singapore

 

Additional observations:

 

1) Ringgit should be cut straight to zero. This will spur businesses that ensure more good jobs in Malaysia. Less money for paying housing & car loans mean more cash flow for all working class Malaysians. This will help to alleviate the burden of 6% GST.  (Don't worry about Foreign funds leaving Malaysia because of low interest.)

 

2) Singapore & Australia have Quality High Net Worth Immigrants Due to Its Open Door. Lots of Foreign Wealth brought in has stablized its currencies. Malaysia has much more to offer in terms of climate, culture, infrar & food. Why only invite poor bangla? 

 

3) Learn to appreciate talent. Malaysia leaders should encourage ethnic Malays to stand on its own feet & not depend on Govt Largese. If others are offered equal or better opportunies the brain drain will be at least stemmed, if not reversed.

 

4) His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Johor is encouraging the use of English again in Schools. Malaysia as a whole should wholeheartedly embrace this.

 

5) This one. Nothing more to add. Pray for integrity of Leaders.

 

6) Forest City is a Duty Free Zone in Johor. It has been successful so far. The Chinese are really clever to market the Condos of Forest City. And its serviced Hotel Suites are overwhemingly sold out!

This is how clever they market Forest City to China Nationals brought in by planeloads/bus loads.

On the wall of the Forest City Main Hall

A HUGE MAP OF JOHOR & SINGAPORE ARE SHOWN CLEARLY

And here everybody can see and compare prices of Lands in Singapore Sentosa Island, Marina Bay, Orchard Road & Holland Drive in Sing Dollar & Ringgit prices & the Condos of Forest City priced in ringgit.

Seeing the very nearness of Singapore & Forest City (which is just across Tuas, Singapore) & the BIG BIG PRICE DISCOUNT - These China Nationals just grabbed up Forest City Projects like they grabbed the Real Estates of London, New York, Vancouver, Sydney and Melbourne. So more Duty Free Zone should be encouraged for the inflow of wealth.

 

7) As US is now tightening & shutting its doors like what China did during the Ming Dynasty Malaysia should explore more and more new markets for its diversified products.

 

8) This one should now be increased even more. The savings from petrol subsidy & 6% GST should be sufficient. Crude Oil might rise further due to US Trillion Dollar Pump priming. 

 

9) Make Custom clearance more efficient for inflow of tourists. Allow more countries visa free entry. As exports to US & FDI from US might decrease or even reversed Go into More Promotion of Inbound Tourism. Capitalize of the strength of Malaysia. Philipines has invited Malaysia to plant Oil Palm. So get there quickly while doors are open wide.

The ability to adapt, to break up & change; to move with the times as old industries die off and new opportunities arise have been the hall mark of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore. All must stay nimble. And be quick to  adapt to changes as and when changes occur.

 

10) Good luck Malaysia. Malaysia is the best kept secret in the world.