A couple of weeks ago, we had tea with a distant cousin. His employment contract had expired. In slightly more than 10.years, he quadrupled the company's asset.
He is taking his time to consider options and catching up to socialise with friends. The conversation of Tan Sri Wahid Omar, 52 replacing Tun Ahmad Sarji, 78 came up and cousin said something worthy to be shared.
If Tun Abdul Razak, Tun Daim and later, Tan Sri Mohamed Nor Yakcop could take young people under their wings to give them the opportunity to excel, then he suggested Dato Najib should do the same.
In other word, the "old" have to make way and be on their own. Too many in the 60s to 80s still at the helm of government, politics and corporation at a time the 40 and below constitute more than 65% of the country.
It is time the young, more energetic, with fresh ideas, and willing to learn, adapt and be tactful to takeover. By the way, many young proven former CEOs are currently out of job.
Seeing how SPAD handled the taxi versus Uber issue, could it be because the SPAD Chairman is 72 or it is Syed Hamid?
However, established organisation like Petronas can be grumpy and insensitive despite having young CEO like Dato Wan Zul, 56.
Few months ago Sarawak just had a state election and it is improper to fire so many Sarawak staff to be replaced by junior staff from Semenanjong as claimed by Facebook Suarah.
As far as the standoff on working permit to work in Sarawak for Petronas staff, there is likelihood Tan Sri Dato Patinggi Adenan Satem, 72 over reacted.
However, the comment made by Olympic bronze medalist cyclist, Azizulhasni demonstrate both arrogance and immaturity.
It should be interesting to have a public debate on sports funding. Too much discussion on the unresolved issue of political funding.
Back to Syed Hamid, SPAD and taxi vs Uber.
Owner of Blue Taxi, Dato Shamsulbahrin Ismail opposed to the intention by SPAD to legalise "ride-sharing" Uber and Grab.
He threated to get taxi drivers to join Bersatu. Blogger In deep tots exposed Shamsul as the conman in the NFC episode.
Foolish of him in trying to politicise the issue. Blue Taxi has only 18,000 members but PERTEKMA has 60,000 claimed the blogger.
According to another taxi organisation, PERS1M, Syed Hamid failed to address the Uber issue since it came to being in 2012.
Taxi have been up in arms against Syed Hamid on the Uber issue. PERTEKMA members may not be supportive of government on something affecting their rice bowl.
Syed Hamid is said to always insist on being the forefront for SPAD. But recently, he failed to show up at a gathering of taxi for an engagement on the issue.
If he "chicken out", then there is no truth to the claim he is arrogant, rude and insensitive.
Dato Ismail Ismail Sabri would disagree. He did described Syed Hamid's arrogance for being stubborn and refused to explain and open.
Kodomo Lion couldn't shed his old ways of refusing to be questioned. A Din Merican posting in 2008 on him here.
Syed Hamid did explained that 75% of online survey claimed Malaysians choose Uber over taxi.
It is something the taxi has to take account and address the bad apple among them. However, it is unfair to allow these "prebet sapu" of the day to operate and now legalise them.
Taxis are against the idea of operating under the same rule as Uber and Grab. Taxi had a hardtime getting operating permit and constrained by quota.
As it is they are saddled with legacy issues [read here and here], pay various licenses, forced to use expansive parts and less durable Proton, meeting various regulations and constant hassled by authorities, corrupt or otherwise, now Uber ...
Existing taxis are faced with many rent seekers. They are in no position to compete with cost structure of less regulated Uber.
Taxis are right to demand SPAD to clean up their act first. They have been dragging their feet for the past few years. SPAD should not be listening to Nazri Aziz. He is the last person SPAD should listen to on the affairs of taxi.
However, how come CVLB in Sabah can understand them and express concern on the illegal encroachment on taxi's livelihood and infringement in rules?
But SPAD for Semananjung cannot understand? Liow agreed with Sabah CVLB policy but succumb to SPAD?
Chairman Dato Raimi Unggi was said to view Uber as foreign colonisation and forcefully "grabbing" the livelihood of Malaysians. He believes Uber must follow the rules.There are taxi drivers taking SPAD to court to demand them to enforce the rules. Uber withdraw the bid in the lawsuit. They should because they should not view taxi as adversary.
Uber drivers are in a rent seeking arrangement. Who is behind Uber in Malaysia? At least, we know Tan Chong is behind Grab.
Why Uber in Malaysia differ from the concept of original Uber? Hear what Wahid Omar had to say about Uber charges.
Taxi may have their views but they should improve their service and match the manner Indonesian taxi drivers in Jakarta serve their clients. And they drive Vios and Camry!
Young MP Raimi's move to defend the lawfully allowed taxi drivers turned out for the better.
Subsequently, he could tell taxi drivers that they cannot run away from such threat as Uber forever and buck up.
That made them realised the need to improve service. Wisdom is not the monopoly of the old.
According to Paul Tan, SPAD have a long term plan to resolve the problem in the form of TITP to liberalise taxi and regulate Uber/Grab and liberalise insurance rates.
Official told FMT that SPAD is seeking a fairer deal for taxi.
Sounds better and softer. Good start though not much of TITP is on the table to be viewed. SPAD officers used to say they can't do much on the legacy issues from past administration.
But for heaven sake, Syed Hamid, don't say cliche statement from the past like "keputusan kerajaan muktamad". It gives the impression government is hard, non-negotiable and non accomodative.
One indie young man gave a poser: Why public could comply with Uber but SPAD failed to control taxi? While taxi driver is angry with SPAD because of Uber, ironically the Uber people need SPAD.
Think about it.