A brief conversation with Malaysian Trade Commissioner A. Rashid Mohd Zain
By Salai ThangStaff Reporter
May 16, 2014
A. Rashid Mohd Zain
A. Rashid Mohd Zain has been 3 years in South Korea. He is under MATRADE in Malaysia. He was in Kualarlumpur for 3 years as head of HR and Training and Administration for Japan, Korea and Taiwan, and he was in Vietnam for 4 years. Before that, he was a director of MATRADE in Saba. Again, he was head of HR at MATRADE in Kualalupur. And he used to work at Cooperation development department for 11 years. He has two daughters and a son, 24, 16 and 22, respectively.
He talked about trade between Malaysia and South Korea, Malaysia exports are electronic parts and machinery, computer parts, LNG oil and crude petroleum, palm oil and other goods. And finish products, such as healthcare products, clinical and surgical gloves (it is number one in the world, top in glove). Before, they used to export rubber, Palm, Tin (which are also number one in the world).
Trade between Malaysia and South Korea reached 190 billion. Malaysia exported for 11.1 billion and imported 8 billion from South Korea. In ASEAN, Malaysia may be in 3rd position for trading. Malaysia is strong in oil and gas.
According to A. Rashid Mohd Zain, ASEAN has investment opportunity and potential strong in raw material, lifetime product, fruits food, etc. Among ASEAN, South Korean Samsung company is setup in Vietnam. Vietnam is good potential in education, ICT, so on. Vietnamese are also work hard and their utilities are also becoming high, he explained. In Indonesia, corruption still uncontrollable, he pointed out.
MALAYSIAN INVESTMENT INKOREA
Berjaya Jeju Resort - Berjaya Jeju Resort Limited was established on August 2008 as a joint venture company between Berjaya Land Bhd and a Korean government agency, Jeju Free International City Development Centre (JDC) in order to implement the project of Jeju Airest City-Berjaya Jeju Resort.
The total investment fund for the project of Berjaya Jeju Resort will be US$2.4 billion for the development size of 744,207 square meters and it is recorded as one of the largest foreign direct investments in the tourism industry in Korea. The project will be comprised of various accommodation facilities including luxurious 5 Star hotels, condominiums, retail and shopping mall, a medical centre, casino and entertainment & sports facilities and is expected to be completed by the year 2017. The Casino will be the largest in Korea when it is constructed.
Berjaya Land Bhd is a subsidiary of Berjaya Group Bhd that have core businesses of Sports Toto betting operations, property development & investment, and the operations of hotels & resorts. The project of Berjaya Jeju Resort was recognized internationally with awards from MIPIM, the International Property Awards, MIPIM Asia and also the Korean Prime Minister’s Citation for Recycling Construction Waste on September 2012.
On 7 March 2013, the groundbreaking ceremony was successfully held on Phase 1 of the development of Jeju Airest City-Berjaya Jeju Resort in Seogwipo, Jeju with the attendance of 300 people including Berjaya Corp Group Founder, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Vincent Tan; Berjaya Land Bhd CEO, Datuk Francis Ng Sooi Lin; Korean Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Vice-Minister, Mr. Han Man Hee; Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Governor, Mr. Woo Keun Min; JDC Chairman, Mr. Byon Jong Il; POSCO E&C Co Ltd CEO Mr. Chung Dong Hwa.
CIMB Securities Ltd Korea Branch Was Opened in Korea in January 2013
CIMB Group has begun its investment banking and brokerage businesses in Seoul, South Korea, after successfully obtaining an equities brokerage license from the Financial Services Commission ("FSC") of Korea on 30 January 2013 and has increased its capital from KRW10.76 billion (Approx. US$10.76 million) to KRW15.23 billion (Approx. US$15.23 million) on 22 March 2013. CIMB Securities Hong Kong injected US$4 million into CIMB Korea.
CIMB Securities Limited, Korea Branch (CIMB Korea) is the first ASEAN financial institution to be granted its equities brokerage license through an application process. There are 39 employees currently working in CIMB Korea. Sixty percent of the employees have been transferred from Royal Bank of Scotland Korea office.
CIMB’s move into the Korean market is a continued expansion of its North Asia investment banking platform and brings closer to comprehensively covering all key Asia Pacific ex-Japan markets. CIMB can now offer their global clients access to the Korean equity market and catalyse more business and investment flows between Korea and ASEAN according to the CIMB Group.
CIMB Korea is to provide stock brokerage, research and corporate advisory services to both domestic as well as our international clients. CIMB Korea currently covers 28 Korean stocks which represent 35 percent of KOSPI market capitalization, spanning various sectors such as banking and finance, telecommunications, ship building, transportation, large cap technology, Internet and gaming. By early 3Q 2013, CIMB Korea is expected to cover over 80 Korean stocks which would represent more than 70% of the KOSPI market capitalization.
Malaysian Restaurant Business in Korea
Three Malaysian restaurants have been opened in Seoul since August 2013. Moreover, number of inquiries from Malaysia asking price of premises to run restaurant business in Korea has been increased as well. There was no Malaysian restaurant in Korea until August 2013 in spite of having more and more Malaysian tourists visiting Korea in recent years.
The number of Malaysian visitors to Korea has been increased by 13.95 percent from 156,281 in 2011 to 178,082 in 2012. Therefore it is not surprising that Malaysian restaurants have been opened in Korea in order to meet the demands of Malaysian cuisine not only from Malaysian visitors but also from Korean people.
Kitchen Nyonya was opened in Gangnam area in Seoul on 5 August 2013. Kitchen Nyonya was established by Boston F&B (Malaysian company) and Korean investor. All the staffs including chef in the restaurants are Koreans. The chef was trained in Malaysia. Gangnam is a popular area where a great number of youngsters gather together to have fun, eat and drink.
On 30 September 2013, another Malaysian restaurant was opened in Seoul. Mentari restaurant is located in the northern part of Jongno in Seoul. Jongno area is another famous area where there are lots of palaces, so this restaurant is focused on attracting Malaysian tourists who would visit palaces and end up coming to dine at the Malaysian restaurants.
Savaro restaurant, another Malaysian restaurant was opened on March 2014 in Itaewon, Seoul. For expatriates in Seoul and international tourists, Itaewon is the most famous area since there are a great number of foreign restaurants and US military base as well as embassies around the area. Unlike Kitchen Nyonya and Mentari restaurant, Savaro restaurant was opened by 100% Malaysian investment (FELDA).
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Take Away-2-Mukesh Ambani -Deyani-Dollar Deal : FIR & Jail
By Rakesh Manchanda.
American Domestic Workers protest
In Part-1 of this article links were seen as to how Jail-Bail-re-indictment of Devyani Khobragade has unfair dollar payments. Second link was the FIR on Mukesh Ambani for the KG Basin gas dollar payments-at the cost of hidden profit which was a media blackout. Thanks to the fast action of Election Commission to stop the cruel hike of natural gas price getting double by 1st.April.This is a tight slap on the face of pseudo intellectuals who dismissed the FIR on Mukesh Ambani and PIL on gas price as a lie.
This is also an opportunity to Aam Admi to choose their future leaders carefully as this price hike is stopped only for next two months. What is missed by the readers is that if Modi Government comes to power it shall further increase the profit of Reliance to 16 dollars per unit at the cost of hike in price ofalmost all essential items. In Mukesh Ambani`s gas scam all political parties except the left and AAP are silent and hiding from any uncomfortable questions. Sample the only media hush hush report you may find is on recent court proceedings:
Hearing of two PILs seeking the junking of the government decision to increase the gas price from $4.2 mmbtu to $8.4 mmbtu is in slow progress.This includes NGO Common Cause seeking an SIT/CBI probe into the increase of gas prices, gifting tax benefits and not insisting on the relinquishment of gas blocks in KG Basin by Reliance Industries. Why another Indian company is used to export gas to Bangladesh at a favourable 2.34 dollars per unit ? Dollar Payment against Constitutional Norms :When all Indian gas produced is used in India and almost all major inputs including Human capital and experts are `desi`-indigenous then why India is gifting away payments in dollar to Reliance in KG Basin `ghotalla` ?
Will any other Swadeshi gas producer in India get such VIP protection ? Imagine hiring of a plumber asked to transfer and monitor water from a ground level tank to the higher floor tank by a flat owner for 17 years. Will the flat owner allow the plumber to breach the contract, corrupt the managers and then start charging water as per the market rate whereas the water ownership belongs never to the plumber ? In reliance case the ownership of oil wells belongs to India and Indian people wherein the skill, technique and labour risk belongs to Reliance.
Devyani Arrest warrant in US reads : "Khobragade's decision to manufacture a fraudulent employment agreement that complied with the requirements of US laws demonstrated clearly her knowledge of the applicable legal requirements." "Because it was created by Khobragade solely to deceive the US embassy during the victim’s (visa) interview," the employment contract "included false statements" that made it seem as if the diplomat’s arrangement with the "victim would comply with applicable US laws". Government does not wake up on stories of double standards and poor service to overseas Indians which is the core issue for millions. If there is a group of forty Indians in Zimbabwe who are there without their families and they want to have a `desi` Indian cook then the Diplomacy suggests to declare a false contract not as cook but as a factory technician which gets rejected.
Why should immunity be not given in such cases to millions of Aam (common) immigrants who are send overseas on false promises. Mrs.Pratibha Patil ex- President in her lavish aprox.213 crores visit to Europe countries took 61 persons with her with 8 skilled cooks. When few Indian investors in Africa request for cook visa permit the Indian embassy with double standard fails to protect the human rights. Should Ministry of External Affairs tell why under Indian immigration law fails to stop companies in exporting employees without written contract which is illegal? Can MEA share how many companies they have caught & penalized & generated punishment revenue to stop this inhuman trafficking ?
Standing by the weak or safeguarding business of a strong ? It is high time that the Indian government declares the code of conduct of investors and workers. Patriotism is not just about standing by the rich and powerful but about standing by Gandhi’s “last” (the poorest and weakest) individual or Ambedkar’s Dalit (oppressed) person. Parliament Noises :BJP leader Arun Jaitley asks the government to take action U.S. diplomats, Samajwadi Party’s Azam Khan offers a seat in his constituency to Ms. Khobragade and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati says that the Indian government was slow in reacting to Ms. Khobragade’s arrest because she was a Dalit, they are ignoring the very ethos of equal rights on which our nation rests. BJP failed in the past to take action against the business companies of its ex- President Mr.Gadkari where he declared his driver, his pundit ji, and his `bakerywala` all as Directors of his company.For more details see the srticle which appeared on 28th. Feb-2014 in this column title: Nitin Gadkari Model `insults` Honest Business Houses.
India’s policy if really interested to include concerns of 99% workers has to be holistic to safeguard people`s needs. and not the business need and greed of few. Buck of greed does not stop abroad but while bouncing back home in Delhi we find the AAP exposing how the contract culture in MCD. Arvind Kejriwal while explaining the 18 conditions of his voters on Channels exposed the exploitation as to how millions of workers sign on monthly wage of Rs.10,000/- but in actual they receive only Rs.4000/- per month. Extortion saga by contract system does not end on the unskilled workers and there are reports of even how doctors and nurses and signing on higher salary but receive petty deducted amount at the end of the month. We need to formulate a single policy that deals with the concerns of Indians indigenous and abroad and — not just of diplomats but of investors, workers, sailors, businesspersons, cooks, factory fitters, fishermen and others like babysitter. Usually the foreign country immigration refuses the common investor or worker outside. The host country usually discourages cooks and babysitter as they are easily available locally . As the global and business profile of India increases, it is only natural that more Indians find themselves in legal and diplomatic crosshairs around the world. Resolving the concerns of majority 99% Indians send abroad on verbal commitment needs to be restored instead of demanding apology from US government.
The fundamental error in Government `Desi`- Foreign service hides a short circuit in name of a tradition or `parampara`. Core issue is an economic gap: between a servant and a diplomat and between a small company and a crony capitalist like Ambani. Indian window in shape of Indian voice needs a wake up call to protect the common man and not the privileged VIP groups for justice on Indian-foreign soil as we see in Mukesh Ambani- Devyani case.
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Mukesh Ambani -Deyani-Dollar Deal : FIR & Jail
Special ContributionBy Rakesh Manchanda
Mukesh Ambani
Two Indian News bites are hitting the audience again. One is the Jail & Bail and again arrest warrant of Indian Consulate Devyani Khobragade in US -which hides several unanswered questions. Second is the FIR on Mukesh Ambani for the KG Basin gas dollar payments-at the cost of hidden profit which is a media blackout. `Khas`-VIP payments of `illegal` dollar currency is the common thread of both news bytes. `Back- door` setting & negotiations` appears to be a common link in both cases. Who paid 250,000/- dollars after Devyani`s arrest ? Let us the re-examine the Aam Aurat- Khas Aurut divide first. Consulate Devyani is now in India and there is a weak public demand for probe as put in section of media and her code of conduct as she is still facing arrest warrant in New York. It all started with a `normal` false contract and a fraud visa work permit.
Tit for Tat India Response : India has reportedly taken the following retaliatory measures: (i) Removal of security barricades around the U.S. Embassy-Delhi, (ii) withdrawal of airport passes and import privileges (iii) Withdrawl of Identity cards issued to U.S. diplomats (iv) Refusal by Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the National Security Adviser to meet a visiting U.S. Congressional delegation. Some BJP-BSP politicians have also suggested prosecution of same-sex partners of U.S. diplomats. Images of `equality` and human rights in a fast mode can help. Overseas and `desi` Indian exploitation stories are common: Workers certificates, passports are retained by the company on false excuse that this shall disallow the employee to run towards better opportunity. In Indian work culture there is a settlement by word of mouth. Wages in India depend on number of rooms, persons in family, kids and visiting guests. Salary includes day off, `bakshish` in shape of `tyohaari`-Holi, Diwali and so on. The engagement for overseas work is as bad as a slave with live in relationship and no `pucca` agreement. Is being Indian means being selfish with no respectable agreement?
It was NDA-BJP `Sarkar` that entered into a 17 year written contract in 2000 to allow Reliance to extract Gas from Indian Oil Wells and sell it a cost of 2.3 dollars.How the agreement got cheated by removing several ministers shows the grand skills driven by unlimited greed of Reliance ? Balance sheets of Reliance Mukesh Ambani shows a `pucca` written agreement that the cost of producing gas in India is less then a dollar per unit. Back to Foreign Service : Can someone in India be sent to jail for not paying a baby sitter enough? It’s unbelievable? Thanks to the feudal traditions.Sevants cannot sit on the same chairs and use same toilets. Imagine the hullabaloo and hard negotiations with freezing market prices if a servant asks for a hike in his salary.
Can we in India pay Rs.2,80,000/- per month to a baby sitter in line with the US work laws based on today`s dollar rate ? The minimum wage in US for a domestic help is 4500 usd wherein the cost of `living` and say even of buying a tooth paste overseas is 10 times more in America. Why does the Indian foreign services system fails to protect the Aam Aurat in America ? No code of conduct of Ambani as KG Basin investor for overseas investors and no code of conduct for overseas employees both stand `real`. Ministry of External Affairs-India must announce why the how many overseas companies and foreign Indian consulates have been punished till date as millions of workers are been send out with no contract or with false verbal contract ? Charges against Mukesh Ambani are not new. Communists in the past had been keeping this fraudulent issue alive. Arvind Kejriwal Ex- CM Delhi dared to file an FIR against Mukesh Ambani unfair loot where the neat profit on a single gas product as per AAP calculation will be Rs.54,000 crores which is Rs.14000/-crore more then the modest Rs. 40,000 crore annual budget of Delhi. Hidden nexus of Ambani-BJP-Congress is responsible for the hike in price of all essential items in India.
Any Indian Foreign Service Officer and a VIP Investor like Mukesh Ambani is expected to be an honest role models. What adds to the national shame is that the lady consulate who got arrested is on charges of fraud visa and human trafficking was working as an Indian Women Rights Lobbyist in America as per the New York Post. When all gas is used in India and almost all major inputs including Human capital and experts are `desi`-indigenous then why India is gifting away payments in dollar to Reliance in KG Basin `ghotalla` ? Will any Swadeshi gas producer or a domestic worker in India get such VIP protection? Our External Affairs Ministry instead of a wake up call and correcting fault in corrupt immigration procedures is busy protecting the guilty by moving Ms. Khobragade over to the United Nations, and from an A-1 to a G-1 visa, which would grant her full diplomatic immunity. Deyani faced up to 15 years in prison. On pleading not guilty before a magistrate judge in Manhattan federal court she was released on $250,000 bail.
If this VIP `parampara` of dollar payment is not understood and does not get corrected fast such ugly hidden cases shall come out in the open. The harsh treatment given to Devanyi by the U.S. authorities is a result of India’s inability to tackle a fraud and human rights issue through diplomatic channels. If there was a chance to negotiate a mutually accepted understanding of how U.S. visa rules and minimum wage laws would apply to domestic help employed by Indian diplomats in the country, India did not exercise it because of arrogance and trust on the old faulty unsafe corrupt system? It is not correct to brush all Business Houses and Indian Diplomats as corrupt but the 1% corrupt are so powerful that entire foreign Services and Government of India including BJP appear to be serving only the mighty and powerful. Unity of 99% people can save India's global work culture and result in fair wealth distribution.
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Interviews with Dr. Daechang Kang from Korea Institute for International Economic Policy
By Salai ThangStaff Reporter
Mar 11, 2014
Dr. Daechang Kang
An economist Dr. Kang has been working for Korea Institute for International Economic Policy(KIEP) for 5 years, his task is to study and research on Southeast Asia economic community, such as his focus countries are Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and ASEAN economic in general.
Before that, he worked for National Research Council for Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences (NICS), for supervising and coordination of 23 research institutes in Korea as a counselor for 1 year. And he worked at Hyundai Research Institute as a research fellow specialized on macroeconomic policy and trend, survey and analysis for 1 year. And he worked at National Assembly Budget office, as an economist for 3 years, where he focused on fiscal policy of Korea. He finished his PhD in economic from Washington State University, and MA and BA in economic from Seoul National University.
According to Dr. Daechang Kang, mainly, South Korea’s economic development factors are as follow: South Korea used caching up theory in 1960-1997. In 1960, South Korea briefly used dependency theory for initial seed investment, Dr. Kang said. South Korea became heavily depended on US right after Korean war. During 1960 and 1970, there were 3 main policies adopted in South Korea; 1) tax exemption, 2) allowed low interest rate, and 3) high exchange rate, which was ended in 1980s. Dr. Kang argued South Korea in spite of military government, it was open economic and revolution movement. South Korea government was cautious on fiscal policy even under military government. Although military dictator government, South Korea was succeed by having ally with US and present of US troop in South Korea's soil for a strong relation and connection with international society, which ultimately allowed to do macroeconomic system.
In 1960, South Korea’s government made strong industry policy by backing few companies and factories to strengthen their products, such as steel, electronic and auto mobile. Moreover, South Korea’s government took bold policy on import substitution and export oriented. Military government also pushed strongly industrial policy, and focus on heavy industry, such as steel, chemical and electronic.
Since 1960, South Korea’s government made industrialization policy, at the same time, it could able to managed corruption, through operating a merit system, based on performance of how successes on export and product. Although some officers took bribe but it was not spread out to be a corruption culture, Dr. Kang explained. At that time, there was two prominent elite groups, military and techno bureaucratic (who passed qualify exam), even military dictator gave power to expert group to make economic policy completely, government didn’t manipulated on it, it was separately function, Dr. Kang appreciated. There was also an open competitive system, very transparency, managed by expert groups. That system was the only chance to get high officer position in government, in the result, the government employee got a good job security. Those candidates' exam papers were announced publicly later on, if any corruption was found, it can be sued the government or expelled from their post, Dr. Kang pointed out.
It was also a good luck, that external environment, mainly western countries, gave favorable to South Korea for trade and exporting South Korea’s products, so South Korea could cope western technology without IP right imposing at the time. Meanwhile, South Korea’s government could take opportunity well, Dr. Kang identified. Moreover, South Korea also benefited from Vietnam war, where South Korea got a lot of economic support from US, and allowed to access US market. And South Korea’s Confucian culture was useful in early time during fast growing period for working hard. For example, Saemaul Movement is also to mobilized and motivate people to work.
In 1980, South Korea had oil crisis as the first experience of economic crisis where inflation was so high and GDP was drop down. So, military government took stabilization policy to high interest rate, and frozen national budget. In 1980, South Korea could managed with low energy price, low currency value, and used opportunity effectively, Dr. Kang mentioned. Since 1980, South Korea’s company could able to start and develop their own technology and R&D. And Export oriented policy in South Korea becomes end in around 1980s. Later, after mature economic, South Korea’s government liberalized economic in favor of many companies at the end of 1980s. After 1980s, South Korea government followed full neo-liberalism and liberal democracy system, no more dictator military government, Dr. Kang explained.
In 1997, Asian financial crisis that changed employment traditional practice where society was emerged two groups big and small companies, urban capital city and rural regional, and domestic capital and foreign capital, alike. Again, in 2008 economic crisis, in the result, big companies become stronger. After always economic crisis, they created R&D fund a lot, said Dr. Kang. Nowadays, economic growth depends on technology issue more. South Korea needs their own development program and institution, invention and idea as an advanced country. Still it has difficulty in financial sector and IT hardware and platform. And South Korea focuses on job opening as economic growth slow. Dr. Kang warned South Korea needs work wisely and live wisely and develop new idea. To date, South Korea’s Samsung’s electronics microchip is number one in US market. LG is number one in TV set in the world. Hyundai is number 5 in the world. In deed, US strength is second position of GDP high in the world, but first place to influential on the world economic.
Dr. Kang found out that Myanmar was failed because of closed economic system and no connection with international society, only open economic can get better economic development. Moreover, Myanmar was not developed any economy policy and principle. Myanmar current government tries to develop economic policy and planning, it may be a matter of time to success. He suggests this year is important for Myanmar as ASEAN chairmanship, it’s a good chance to connect with ASEAN and international society. In fact, ASEAN needs strong institution and steadily growth.
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Mukesh Ambani`s Pol Khol Cost = AAP Fall
By Rakesh Manchanda
Mukesh Ambani
Rising prices of natural gas, petrol and cooking gas plays an important role in the life of Indians struggling to survive. Delhi government on February 11, 2014 directed the Anti-Corruption Branch to register an FIR against the chairperson of Reliance Industries Limited Mukesh Ambani, union petroleum minister M Veerappa Moily, former petroleum minister Murli Deora and former director general of Hydrocarbons VK Sibal under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA).
Mukesh Ambani stands accused of looting profit by Rs.125000 crore by fixing price of crude oil and gas at more then 8.2 dollars per barrel which is more then 4 times then the price in Russia, in America and in Saudi Arabia. Mukesh Ambani a Patriotic Indian ? The worst anti-Indian Pol Khol is seen how a `dummy` company who buys oil from Reliance-Mukesh Ambani oil well sells it to Bangladesh at 2.34 dollar per barrel while Indians suffer at the four times more cost of gas and oil. What is use of BJP-Congress supporting and protecting Reliance Profit when the gainer here is Bangladesh and not Indian Public.
Both BJP-Congress Nexus and the Lieutenant Governor Jung with his limited advisory role are getting exposed fast in Pol Khol as match fixers. This lobby in business was engaged to loot the Public and is now seen protecting Mukesh Ambani. Sheila Dixit in the past advocated handing over the power network to Anil Ambani on the false excuse that electricity bills will be reduced. Recent FIR against ex-Delhi CM Sheila Dixit shows as to how the cost of thousands of street lights was inflated from approx.Rs. 5000/- each to Rs.25000-Rs.32000 each. It spilts open the fact as to how both Congress-BJP joined hands in Delhi Government and MCD to loot the hard earned taxed money of the Public during Common Wealth Games.
Arvind Kejriwal had courageously tried to introduce Lok Pal bill in Delhi Vidhan Sabha spite of stiff resistance by BJP-Congress. AAP government who was fearlessly lodging FIRs was forced to resign. Pol Khol Delhi :Exposing Corrupt Leaders & Loot Systems. Pol Khol Andolan or `Expose the loot` is the Hindi slang used fashionably for demystifying the corrupt system and its foundation by misquoting Constitution of India wrongly. It splits open the links in a system that favours the 1% traditional ruling parties BJP-Congress and their beneficiary leaders.
Why BJP-Congress-Mukesh Ambani Nexus do not want Corporate, PM/CM and CBI or even Delhi Police under Lokpal needs to be understood.This is the same crop of leaders who do not hesitate to whip out knife and pepper spray in Sansad to protect their own interests and power. Then they proudly insult common man by saying they are unfit to run governance wherein it is common man tax and hard work and his commitment to his family and nation which has a better score card. This is the same tribe of BJP-Congress that gifted `ginger` to tease AAP leaders who were `powerless` inside the Vidhan Sabha. This nexus mindlessly gifted bangles to AAP leaders during Lokpal deadlock teasing them and insulting half women population of Delhi. Unhealed wounds of Public that were forced to be kept hidden by unfair system are seen blending again. Pol Khol opens the hidden complain box which the system was hiding by encouraging police to protect or to act only for only those who could pay the `bribe`. Thanks to Public pressure the Police is today ready to even lodge an FIR for loss of a helmet costing Rs.200/-. Peoples movement with unending grievances against old Governance system show that a leak in a dam cannot be stopped even if match fixers forced 49 days Government of AAP in Delhi to stop operating. Society at Maholla level was kept divided by the unequal exploitive system protected by the traditional parties. AAP Government was engaged via public volunteers to unlock the corrupt hidden system.
Several Mahollas under 49 days AAP Delhi Government had initiated a constructive meeting on how to make sharing, social structures, and lives of all stakeholders meaningful. Participants feel the need to understand, strengthen and improve the `equal partnership` in our welfare setup between an ordinary occupant and the old empowered post holders of RWA. Pol Khol is a big success. Evidence is that today common man on the street is taking the unlimited risk supported by the new breeze of `Seva` Politics. The Pol Khol also opens unhealed old wounds of several common people who had suffered under political riots and rising prices. People are getting ready to reverse their old habits to accept all weak logics and `samjhauta` or compromise of the Neta/Leaders. Pol Khol gives an opportunity to people at ground zero to show how corrupt system favours few for profit and is responsible for poverty of the majority. Corruption and match fixing is now responsible for the rising prices of essential goods in the market.
AAP government has gone but left the new `Public Tool` called Pol Khol which shall continue to empower 99 % people. For Better Delhi and for Better India.
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Interviewed with Lee Mi Jung of Mins Hair Salon in Gangnung
By Salai ThangStaff Reporter
Dec 19, 2013
Lee Mi Jung (3rd R, front) with her staff members
Lee Mi Jung, president of Mins Hair Salon in Gangnung, she is also a professor of Sangji Youngseo University at Dermatology Department specialized on beauty and hair.
There are three Mins hair salon branches in Gangnung. Before 2003, these hair salons were called with her name Lee Mi Jung Salons. At the moment, she has 30 staff members including 1 manager for each branch, 6 designers, 3 interns and a cleaner, and 70% of her staff members’ age is around 30. She usually gives full power to manager in each branch for affective management, Lee said.
Lee Mi Jung praised her staff members for team working which becomes her salon on the top in Gangwon Province, Lee said to Global Digest. She realized focus on employee is important as like to take care them as a family member. She wants her employees feel proud for working here as well.
Moreover, her staff members were trained according to their level of quality and skill, basically, first, they trained a philosophy of humanitarian education and service, second, technical education, Lee explained. And her staffs members are encouraged to speak English for foreign customer. She emphasized the important of heart to heart communication and body contact with customers.
The unique of her salons are 1) a good service and nicely greeting customer, 2) staffs have a bright and warm face, 3) and sympathy and concerning about the customer’s feeling. Customer used to reply back her they are happy to visit again her hair salon. Indeed, she wants all her customers happy and has harmony with them.
Approximately 70 customers visited her hair salon a weekday and 80 customers in a weekend. The popular hair style among Gangwondo people and across Korea is “body permanent wave,” Lee said. Her vision for future is she wants to open 10 more branches hair salons across Gangwando.
Actually, Lee has a hobby for hair cutting since her young age, so she started career at hair salon as her professional field for 30 years. She likes to share her knowledge to junior staff members, as she got knowledge from the book. She is also the author of the book called “Practical up style” in Korean, and her next book will be released in early 2014, with the title of “blow dry style.”
Apart from Hair Salon Business, Prof. Lee Mi Jung teaches at the Sangji Youngseo University, three subjects 1) hair cutting, 2) hair coloring, and 3) hair up style (for party or wedding). She used to have 30/40 students in a semester. Lee earned a PhD in special subject of Beauty/Hair at Dermatology Department, Kunkook University in 2010. She has a son and a daughter, both of them are studying a graduate and undergraduate programs, respectively, in Seoul City.
Lee wants to say all her customers “I love you and please visit again.” Their destination is to make you people beauty.
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Safety Conference held in Seoul
By Salai ThangStaff Reporter
Nov 29, 2013
Prof. Yongmin Cho, Dr. Hyuck-Myun Kwon, Steve Devereaux and Peter JH Kim
Safety Conference held in Seoul on November 28, 2013, the Conference was co-hosted by European Chamber of Commerce in Korea, KCCI and BISD. The Conference was welcome remarks by Christopher Heider, Secretary-General, ECCK, then followed by presentation. Many business owner, manager and academician were attended.
The first presentation title was “Safety Issues in Korea & Current Policy to Prevent Chemical Accident” by Sanghoon Kim, Deputy Director, Chemical Safety TF, of Ministry of Environment. Kim described chemical accident in Gumi 2012 case at Hub Global Co., Ltd., in Gumi National Industrial Complex, which left 5 dead, damage crops of 212ha and livestock 3,943, which is cost $55million. Similarly, there were accidents in other countries, Bhopal Gas Tragedy in India 1984, and Rhine Pollution, Basel, in Switzerland in 1986. Kim warned over crowded at Ban-woll, a Si-heung industrial complex is vulnerable to accident.
Nature of chemical industry is reactivity, explosiveness and toxicity. According to Kim’s survey, major companies say expansion of financial & human resources are most important for safety reinforcement, and excessive responsibility of industry should be reasonably adjusted. The other, SMEs say governmental support is necessary for vulnerable SMEs, and safety measures & regulations should be clarified. And Subcontractors says safety concern should be reflected on the contract, and hazardous information should be given to the subcontractors, and workers themselves should recognize the danger of the field. And experts & agencies say customized measure is urgently needed, equipments & information system for response should be reinforced.
South Korea government plans reducing the chemical accidents in half by 2017 compared to 2012: 1) voluntary enhancement of safety management. 2) governmental supports on SMEs & vulnerable, one-site diagnostic and financial support, 87 old industrial complexes by 2017, loan for SMEs & Chemical Facilities ($800 million, 2014). 3) strict & tight legal enforcement, relevant laws & Regulation System Clarification, chemical Control Acts and Act on Registration & Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substance, real-time tracking system, safety training for drivers, etc. 4) cooperation & communication, inter-government inspection & Accident response, establishment of emergency center at 6 high-risk industrial complexes, cooperation network establishment for responses. Kim found out universities are also lack of offering subject on safety courses.
The second presentation title called “Case Study: HSE Management System by Solvay” by Kyoung-Seok Choi, HSE Manager, Solvay Silica Korea. Choi said Solvay is a major global player in chemicals with compelling strengths, 90% of sales in businesses among the top 3 global leaders, 38% of sales in fast growing markets, balanced portfolio of activities, a culture of sustainability, innovation and operational excellence.
For example of safety program in Inchon, including safety inspection program, safety training program for employee, safety task observation program, and safety study program. Moreover, organizing safety duty team, listed annual safety duty entry by HSE team, one is typical list, other is operators duty list, and 4 hours for safety duty. According to Choi, result from safety duty in 2012, reported dangerous conditions was 171 items, solved by safety duty team was 8 items, to be repaired items ASAP is 118 items and to be set up improving action plan is 66 items.
The third presentation title called “Practical Steps to Transform Safety Performance” by David Tuberfield, Asia-Pacific Managing Partner-Performance & Assurance, ERM. David mentioned rate of change in performance expectations rising such as media, education, science, regulation, and so on. David cry out for all or most of industries hesitate for auditing, they want try to run away auditor.
Commentator Dr. Hyuck-Myun Kwon, PhD, Senior Director, KOSHA Ulsan Area Office (former Director, Safety Research in Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, KOSHA; Former Vice Chairman, Working Group for Chemical Accidents, OECD), pointed out there was 300 major accidents in Europe in the past 10 years. Dr. Kwon suggests CEO leadership and management group are important for preventing industrial accident, especially on chemical accident. In 2010, Korea organized CEO awareness. Dr. Kwon asked industry to focus on minimum personal damage.
Another discussant Yongmin Cho, PhD, Professor, Institute for Occupational & Environmental Health, Korea University, said the problem is how well the system was implemented. Similarly, Steve Devereaux, Lead Professional, Samsung Loss Control Center, Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance Col, Ltd, also viewed top-down management is essential to solve safety, safety is also a commitment, including cultural perspective, and also need of proactive approach.
The last discussant Peter JH Kim, Managing Director, Pilz Korea Ltd., said South Korea is 2nd from the bottom of OECD, next to the worst accident country. 1) Need government guidance including financial impact for considering expenses for implementation and procedure. 2) Management issue. 3) Promote awareness and cultural issue among workers. Wrongly, many CEOs think prevention cost is not important, the best is voluntarily seek safety prevention.
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Interview with Mins Hair Salon President Lee Heesun
By Salai ThangStaff Reporter
Nov 12, 2013
Staff members at Mins Hair Salon
Mr. Lee Heesun is the owner of Mins Hair Salon, Yeoju branch and chairman of all Mins Hair Salons. Across Korea peninsula there are a total of 26 salons. Mr. Lee started styling hair during his military service at the age of 23, although he wanted to become architecture his hand were good with hair.
Mins means the dreaming place for every woman to have a good hair style and beauty. Human life is fluctuation and complex, Mr. Lee explained, but once you come to Mins Hair Salon, all of your troubles will disappear.
Mins Hair Salon is different from other hair salons, especially in human resource. Employees have to practice high good spirit such as staff attitude. Human capacity and strength is also important. Mr. Lee believes our heart, feeling and emotions are very important. He likes teaching philosophy and freedom ideas. He likes variety of thinking, arguing and debating on work issue. Korean culture has very little or prohibited for free talking, however His staff members are trained to persuade customers, show respect and also respect among staffs.
His employees read books. He wants his employees to develop creativeness. The staffs from every branch rely on both online and offline education methods in Yeoju branch. Since Mins Hair Salon is one of the most expensive in Yeoju area. Mins Hair Salon volunteer to cut senior citizens hair and for poor people “Yeokwang Won”, by taking just one third of price of haircut, and he personally invites foreign customers at his home and have food and talk as friends to have harmony.
President Lee Heesun with his wife
Mins Hair Salon is popular in hair color treatment and its trend, 2 to 3 tons of colors, his staff is professional and they can figure out the best fit for customer according customers features such as skin color, hair color, bone structure and many other. Mins Hair Salon is also popular in disconnection hair style and symmetrically various designs, this styles also depend on physical features. His salon also has service for African hair. 3 years ago he was introduced to handling African hair and since then he has been developing his skills and tools. His dream is to globalize it.
Mr. Lee’s future plan for his salon depends on the condition of his existing salons. Only after his existing salons are strong enough, in term of human capacity, will he extend a new salon. He wants intimate environment for his salon so he wants to make sure he gives that for every branch. He emphasizes on reading a book, which can bring knowledge and improve technique. In fact, he is familiar with the President Park’s book for longtime.
Mr. Lee met his wife who is also the vice president at hair salon. Now both of them are pursuing a PhD in art and design subject. They have a daughter who is in 1st year middle school and a son at 5th elementary school.
The Global Digest Asst. Editor Blain Bekele edited to this story.
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Jul 2012 - Oct 2013
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Jan 2011 - Jun 2012
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