This is an opinion published by independent, not-for-profit research institute REFSA (Research for Social Advancement) on Wednesday, 11 Jan2012. — Both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat have advocated that Malaysia should shift from race-based affirmative action (AA) to need-based affirmative action[1]. The idea seems sensible and equitable. It appears we have finally discovered a wonderful formula that can [...]

This is an opinion published by independent, not-for-profit research institute REFSA (Research for Social Advancement) on Wednesday, 21 Dec 2011. — REFSA disagrees with the proposed Computing Professionals Act 2011 (CPA). REFSA recognises the good intentions of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Information (MOSTI) to safeguard IT industry standards and “enhance the value of [...]

This is a statement by independent, not-for-profit research institute REFSA (Research for Social Advancement) released on Wednesday, 7 Dec2011 . ———— Malaysia’s heavy reliance on subsidised gas to generate electricity is being displayed in sharp relief. Our power generators are now burning very costly distillate fuel to generate electricity as gas supply has been curtailed [...]

This is an opinion by independent, not-for-profit research institute REFSA (Research for Social Advancement) released on Thursday, 24 Nov2011.  [Click here for the PDF version] ———— REFSA read with dismay news of the abrupt resignation of Firefly managing director Datuk Eddy Leong.  Eddy, as he is popularly known, has been said to be instrumental in the [...]

This is a statement by independent, not-for-profit research institute REFSA (Research for Social Advancement) released on Wednesday, 9 Nov2011 following revelations in the Auditor-General’s  2010 Report and various media articles.   Many Malaysians love beef. But inadequate supplies and high prices of imported beef have been the bane of the man in the street. So, [...]

This is an opinion by independent, not-for-profit research institute REFSA (Research for Social Advancement) released on Monday, 7 Nov 2011 following an article published in the Sun newspaper on Monday, 31 Oct 2011. The above opinion had been submitted as a letter to the editor to the Sun last week, on 2 November. To the [...]

Ordinary Malaysians must view the MAS-Air Asia Collaboration announced on 9 August with dismay. When previously fierce competitors such as MAS and Air Asia choose to collaborate instead, consumers tend to be the losers. This arrangement, called the MAS-Air Asia Comprehensive Collaboration Framework might be more appropriately named the MAS-Air Asia Comprehensive Collaboration Framework Against [...]

Not-for-profit independent research institution Research for Social Advancement (REFSA) notes the report “IPPs do not benefit from gas subsidy” (Malaysiakini 22 June 2011) in which Minister of Energy, Water and Green Technologies Datuk Peter Chin and Tenaga Nasional Berhad chief operating officer Azman Mohd reportedly said that Malaysia’s average electricity tariff is 47.31 sen per [...]

Not-for-profit think tank Research for Social Advancement (REFSA) notes the recent statement from Penjanabebas, the Association of Independent Power Producers, entitled “IPPs do not benefit from gas subsidy”. In Malaysia, gas is supplied by Petronas to the power sector at a subsidized price. Penjanabebas in its statement said this savings in gas cost is passed [...]