THE EFFECTS OF FOREIGN WORKERS TO THE MALAYSIANS ECONOMY

Malaysia is developing rapidly and striving towards becoming a developed country by the Year 2020. In the process of doing so, the need to hire foreign workers is inevitable. Consequently, their arrival will have effects on the Malaysian’s economy. Some of the major effects are the transferring of technology, skills and knowledge to our country, growth of economic activities and competition of jobs opening to the locals too.

First and foremost, highly skilled workers are crucial towards developing Malaysia. The government has engaged the highly skilled educated expatriates in the manufacturing, technology, education and other fields. By doing so, the foreign workers will be transferring their skills and knowledge to the Malaysians. For example, the Japanese transfer their manufacturing technology in automotive industries. As a result, we are now producing our own cars as we have the knowledge and expertise to do so. Economically, Malaysia also managed to monetarily save as Malaysians are trained locally instead of being sent overseas.

Apart from that, the foreign workers contributed to the economic growth as their presence put demands on the growth of public amenities and services. Malaysians economy will be more alive as new housing areas are being construct, transportations projects to be improved and even more entertainment and shopping centers are being open to cater for their needs. There will also be demands for other necessities such as food, health, educations and clothing. Thereby, these will further spur the economic activities.

On the other hand, when we hire the foreign workers, jobs opening for the locals are diminishing as they have to compete with the foreigners. In fact, some companies prefer to hire foreign workers as they are willing to accept lower pay from the locals especially in the lower skilled jobs. Consequently, more locals will be jobless and unable to contribute economically to the country. Furthermore, the burden will be put on the government as social welfare expenses will be higher.

In conclusion, there are positive and negative effects of foreign workers to Malaysian’s economy. Thus, the government plays an important role on balancing the situation so that the policy of having foreign workers in Malaysia will have maximum benefit to the country.

SITI NABILAH BT MOHD. AMINUDDIN

THE EFFECT OF GOOD MEDICAL SUPPORTS FOR THE PEOPLE

Economic recessions have paradoxical effects on the mortality trends of populations in rich countries. Contrary to what might have been expected, economic downturns during the 20th century were associated with declines in mortality rates. Non-trivial expenditures are warranted because medical knowledge, once produced, is a public good whose benefits can be enjoyed by all. Yet even with the substantial public expenditures indicated above, the social benefits from greater investment in medical knowledge may far outstrip costs, so that current investment is too low whether in fact it is too low is the empirical issue that we take up.

The first is how the income generated by economic growth is used, particularly whether it is used to expand public services appropriately and to reduce the burden of poverty. What is the economic value of improvements in health and life expectancy? Armed with a suitable economic framework for this problem, we are able to estimate the economic value of the changes in life expectancy observed over the past several decades. Our results imply that the economic value of these gains has been enormous.

Besides, the economic gains from increasing life expectancy are rising over time. We show that the economic return to improvements in health are greater, the larger is the population, the higher are average lifetime incomes, the greater the existing level of health and the closer the ages of the population to the age of onset of disease. We find that the growth and aging of the population alone will raise the economic returns to advances against many diseases. Projected increases in increases in real incomes and life expectancy will add at least that much again.

Apart from that, we also show that improvements in health are complimentary with one another, for example, improvements in life expectancy increase the economic value of further improvements by raising the value of remaining life. This means that advances against one disease, say heart disease, raise the economic value of progress against other diseases, such as cancer. This is of significant empirical relevance, as it implies that the well-documented historical progress against heart disease, has increased the economic returns to research on cancer and other diseases.

 In a nutshell, with all the benefits that medical supports to public, we hope that they will use them wisely. It is for their own good and the government always tries to give their best to the people to ensure they have good health condition.

By : NUR KHALISAH NADIAH MOHD ZIN

THE CAUSES OF GAMBLING AND ITS EFFECTS ON INDIVIDUALS

  Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value (referred to as "the stakes") on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods. Typically, the outcome of the wager is evident within a short period. There are many factors which cause people to gamble.

First and foremost, people gamble because they love challenges. They want to satisfy their adrenaline rush as gambling involves many thrilling situations. Sometimes the gamblers faced problems at their workplace or at home. So, they want to get away from the pressures of life for a while by gambling. The huge alluring chance of easily won money is also one of the cause for people to gamble. Especially for those who have financial problems since the cost of living is raising per year.

Gambling has a lot of negative effects to individuals. Addiction is the most dangerous effect. If individuals are addicted to gambling, they would do anything just to gamble. The gamblers would steal properties or belongings of others to settle their high debts. There are also people who pay their loss by selling their own family such as their wife and daughter. Later, they would gamble again and again after their debts have been covered.

Apart from that, people who gamble may be declared bankrupt when they could not settle their high debts. Worse than that, they would be threatened by their creditors until the amount owed is paid which then may lead to slavery or murder. The people who are in bankruptcy would feel stressed and depressed and are most likely to attempt suicide.

In a nutshell, we should not involve in gambling as it has a lot of negative effects. Furthermore, gambling is a sin if you are a Muslim. Life without money gambling is better and much happier.

WAN RIZA IZURA WAN RAMLI

The Effects and Causes of Drug Abuse to Malaysia's Economy.

            A drug addict might say, “I am not hurting anybody, I am only hurting myself”. Obviously, this statement is not true due to the problems regarding drug abuse are found everywhere, from rich and privileged to the lost members of society. For over a decade, the government has had its own “war against drugs” but, within that time frame, we have seen an alarming increase in the use of dangerous drugs such as cocaine, heroin, crack, and methamphetamine. Beyond increasing personal health issues, devastating effects on families, and the community crime statistics, drug abuse has a major impact on the Malaysia’s economy.

            Firstly, drug abuse will increase joblessness that has already hits our country even in this global and developed era. These drug addicts will have to go to the rehab center instead of being qualified to be employed. Some of them have already been to the rehabilitation center for more than a couple of times. More depressing, this will not only increase the expenses of our country but, this will also diminish the number of the government’s staff and hence, will reduce the productivity of the country.

            Apart from that, theft cases have been increasing due to the joblessness. Worst, they are willing to kill as a short cut in order to seek for money to buy their drug supplies. Therefore, with the increase of the number of crime cases, investors from other countries will lose their interest to invest in our country.

            Nevertheless, drug abuse will cause a major problem for Malaysia’s tourism sector. This is because, people from other countries will not be eager to visit our country because of the massive amount of drug addicts. In facts, they will look down to Malaysians. Lack of discipline amongst Malaysians will be their point of view.

            In a nutshell, drug abuse must be barricaded to ensure that the economy of our country increases and developed. I hold the view that the government must consider this matter seriously and of course, strict actions must be given to these drug addicts who do not protect our country’s reputation. Punishments will strongly teach someone a good lesson.

NURUL AFIQAH BT ZULKIFLY.