An Odd Day at Economic Transformation Programme (ETP)

I am one of the selected undergraduate in my faculty to undergo this Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) workshop organized by PEMANDU which was held at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Kuching 12 hours ago. (sounds like a grand event)

It is a grand event!! With the presence of Chief Minister of Sarawak and other VIPs from public and private sectors.
Its actually an open day to showcase those results obtained by the representatives from public and private sectors in identifying National Key Economic Areas (NKEA)and to obtain feedback from the rakyat. (Open day means that anyone can attend this workshop. Which mean, I am not selected.....i am forced to attend it!!)

The first moment I stepped into 4 Point Hotel, Kuching, I was.....amazed... (you know la...my 1st time step into this hotel leh....)


Then, I saw so many "higher society" arriving in BMW, Marcedez-Benz, Bentley, and some other "businessman" cars with their own personal drivers. All wearing black suits (like men in black)... Even some of their drivers,  security guards, waiters and staffs wears them. (I am only wearing an old T-shirt with a jeans!! Felt odd...)


I heard that there were about 3000 people attending this ETP open day workshop. Indeed, the place was crowded! There were some people who were shown the way to enter a hall upstairs and some were directed to go to one side of the ground floor (by some pretty event crews, of course!).

We were the ones at the ground floor.....but...problem arises. Where is the seats?? No seats! (Oh no! Do I need to stand from 9am till 6pm?) By the way, we were watching the seminar through a live telecast from the hall upstairs. (will put the pics up soon...)


Those live telecasts are similar to those in the website here (part 1), here (Part 2), here (Part 3) and here (Part 4). And the presentation slides can be obtain here.

Actually, while watching the TV, I believed many were eyeing on the foods there. (all waiting for someone to make the first move)
Of course, with my 'tham jiak' (compulsiveness towards foods) character, I lead them with my first move....took a cup there, fill in the cup with orange juice and start to drink it. (Slumber saja - relaxed only) 
And then....you know...they all start to drink too!

The food was there but was not ready to be served. (can only be 'smelled'....sniff...sniff!!) So, while waiting for the food, we watch the telecast. There were a lot of interesting figures, i admit. They had done a lot of research on this ETP!!

1. Malaysia is one of only 13 countries in the world to have sustained growth of over 7% for 25 years or more since 1945.
2. Our GDP growth for the first half of 2010 was 9.5%. (in order to achieve high income nation, our GDP must grow at least 6% per year)
3. We also reduced our 2010 budget by RM25billion.
4. Our ringgit is one of the strongest in the last 13 years.
5. NKEA will boost our Gross National Income (GNI) from RM23,770 (USD6,700) to RM48,000 (USD15,000) per capita.
6. NKEA was finalized by 1000+ people, 194 MNCs, GLCs, SMEs, Ministries and Gov agencies!! (they mapped the route, the formula, the method and concept.....for our future - respect!!)

To gain the government support (to get them do something), they even sent 12 labs report, 131 entry point projects, 60 business opportunity and 3.3 million job opportunities to the ministers and asked them to read it in 4 days!! (take note that all these are reports...some were reports as thick as your text book!! Of course, you know, the ministers won't properly read it.)

By the way, ETP is actually a PROGRAMME and not a PLAN for Malaysia to become a high income nation by 2020. And, 92% of the investment will come from the private sector, not public sector. They will publish a book contains all these valuable information estimated at 26 October 2010 to the public. (so that people take action and not talk only)


Note: We were served lunch (rice, slices of lemon fried FISH, soy sauce chicken, vege, salads, puddings, and fruits) and tea break (coffee, tea, curry puffs, cake and cake)...hahahaha

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