|
At the rate the hypermarkets are sprouting across the country, one wonders why, how come, who and what of it all.Today, almost every state, township and city is not spared as hypermarkets rise within months apart from each other.
Those with vested interests will argue that hypermarkets are in line with our nation's development status. They will silence inquiring minds with 'this is all about progress'; some will rein in political clout and maintain that the consumers will benefit from cheaper prices and economies of scale. In a nutshell, we know these are all pure utilitarian anchored goals staunchly guarded by the dangerous libertarian philosphies that fuel greed and self-interst at the expense of the consumers. The silent truth is that at the back of such claims lies the harsh reality. Hypermarkets are a means for the few to enrich themselves further through huge profits from high volume sales. Period. All the claim of job opportunities and savings for the consumer are close to pure bullshit (pardon for the analogy). How could it be when foreign labor fills the shop floor of hypermarkets? How could it be when the consumer would have spent on fuel, time and in buying unwanted items as he falls prey to the aggressive and subtle product displays and hidden bargains? Beneath all this is the fact that locals are being denied the opportunity to nurture and grow the cottage styled friendly neighborhood kedai runcit. Our youths who end up doing misfit jobs or remaining disillusioned owing to lack of employment after graduating from the scores of institutions, could well have gone on decently with life by setting up a kedai runcit of their own or taking over their old parents' business. Such outlets would also have offered our young schooling children to be gainfully employed in these neighborhood shops during school holidays to gain experience and yet keep away from social ills. Retired housewives with grown-up children could easily find themselves doing some few hours daily at these grocery shops in their tamans. We could have raised a nationwide cottage industry of our very own retailing business in the hundreds of thousands of tamans that are fast filling every available piece of land. Such ventures could be worth far, far more than the mere ringgit-fortunes that only a few enjoy through their hypermarket business. Every neighborhood shop offers immense opportunities for social bonding. relationships are nurtured on a daily basis at its premises. We also save on fuel and reduce traffic on the roads. And the huge space taken up hypermarkets can better serve us as pockets of green lungs and a place to rest and recreate for free. Not everything is economics. There needs to space and time for food for the soul, mind and body too. But no. Through sheer greed of a few elite and wealthy business minds, the working population has again being denied of entrepreneurial opportunities that could have offered numerous families though not a filthy rich lifestyle, but at least being able to lead a decent life. Who will answer for this big time robbery? - J. D. Lovrenciear , Semenyih
 |
The Blogs 
This is a World where Skill and Merit determine Success.
Playing the game otherwise=UMNO.
Graduates are not guaranteed a job. Good Grades are only a guarantee of a prettier certificate and a handshake on Graduation Day. The real skill comes on the first Day of the Job. That would be called being "Street Smart".
All Employees know that Freshies are only hired coz they're cheap. They will take the next 20 years figuring out their skills, or the lack of it. No job is pure regurgitation of the memorized texts. It's the ability to improve. On a Daily Basis.
In reference to your letter, for those who prefer, go back to the Kedai Runcit.
By all means why not? And for those who don't, stick to the air-conditioned places. There is a reason for "Economies of Scale". And if, or should your friendly Neighbourhood Shopkeeper become so successful (y'know, the one you "bonded with") earn enough to open something bigger than Mega Mall, are you going to write this same letter to boycott him?
All said and done, getting rid of UMNO will be the best thing that can happen to this country. They don't play by the rules. They are the ones who "quota" everything regardless of skill, or the lack of it.
Nandri