The Beauty of Mathematics...

When I was in school, the only subject that I could really excel in was Mathematics.  Physics was a distant second!   [Kindly note that here "excel" is relative to the other subjects that I took.]

To me, mathematics was easy or "kacang putih" as some would put it.

Why is mathematics easy?

It is easy because there is a definite answer to almost every problem, save of course when we talk about infinity and complex numbers.  But, in every day life, how many things involve infinity and complex numbers? 

Over time, I find that mathematics is very useful in testing logic dished out by people, especially politician.  Every equation must be equal, otherwise we cannot terms it as "equation".  The left side must be equal to the right.

As I have written previously, the logic behind what is affordable to a person could be quantified if we know (for a fact) his/her sources of income.  No amount of convincing would be sufficient to defy the logic of mathematics.

Using mathematics we would be able to reasonably determine whether a salaried person is living within their means.  This is especially so if the person holds public office.

If what is earned legally does not equate to ones lifestyle, then some facts must be missing.

For example, if I am earning RM5,000 a month or RM60,000 a year, I certainly would not be able to afford a RM1 million car or house.  My monthly salary would definitely not be sufficient to pay my monthly installment.

Unless, of course, I come from a rich and well-to-do family that has a foundation to its name.  The other possibility is the accumulation of wealth through marriage i.e. I married a rich spouse.  Or I may have won a huge jackpot lottery or I have a "side"  business.  Then in these cases, my monthly salary are meant just for pocket money...

There are, I think, a few more possibilities of getting and/or being rich but nevertheless not too many.

It would be a totally different scenario if I am into business (legitimate or otherwise).  Then how much I could make would be very much dependent on how hard I work and, of course, a little luck.

This is the beauty of mathematics.  Mathematics is based on logic.  Logic that could be comprehended by humans, like you and I.  

If we were to go by this "comprehending"  logic, could we conclude that politicians (at least the ones living the lifestyle of the super rich and famous) are not human?

Simple Mathematics - Part 2 of 2

We all know that the current MB of Selangor (Khalid Ibrahim from PKR) declared his monthly salary as RM50,000+.  This figure is inclusive of entertainment allowance etc.

Assuming Khalid's gross monthly salary (everything included) is RM55,000.

For simplicity sake, let us assume that EPF deduction is 11% and tax/zakat deduction is 27%.

On a RM55,000 salary, RM6,050 per month would be deducted as EPF contribution.  

Applying a 27% deduction for taxes/zakat on the balance RM48,950 would mean a take-home pay of RM35,733.50.

Assuming that all Khalid and his family needs are taken care off by the State Government, he could theoretically save RM35,733.50 per month.  

This effectively means Khalid would not have any pocket money, his wife would not be given any cash for whatever she needs or wants to buy.  His children would also not be given any pocket money.  All household expenses would be borne by the State Government.  His personal cars would not be refuelled and remained parked at home. 

Assuming Khalid wants to build a RM14 million home when he retires from politics, he would need to  save RM35,733.50 per month for 391.79 months!  That would roughly be 32.65 years!

If Khalid is shrewed enough, he would invest to get dividend income.  Assuming this is done, Khalid would still need more than 25 years to amass such amount.  When the time do come, the RM14 million home now would probably cost RM35 million then (32 years from now!).

So by simple logic (though flawed), there is no way politicians to amass such wealth  unless:

(1) their monthly salary is, say, at least RM200,000 and they are entitled to huge yearly bonuses;

(2) they are involved in business; or

(3) they abuse their power and positions!

We know for a fact that:

(1) the Government does not pay RM200,000 per month to a Menteri Besar (MB);

(2) politicians holding public office (MBs included) are not allowed to be involved in business; and

(3) the only way to amass such wealth is through abuse of power and position!

Unless of course there are exceptions to the rule when certain personalities or positions are involved, it is quite difficult to comprehend answers from these politicians.

The only other exception is if the person is already a multi-millionaire well before entering politics.  Then there are valid grounds to think otherwise.

But then again, we the rakyat, the voters are fools... Are we not?

Simple Mathematics - Part 1 of 2

A lot of times politicians think the public/rakyat are stupid. Real stupid!

One such politician is the ex-MB of Selangor who happens to be dentist by training.

Let us look at simple mathematics.  

If a person earns RM50,000 per month, the yearly salary would be RM600,000.  

This is a gross figure.  We have not deducted EPF contribution, taxes/zakat and the likes.  If we were to minus all the deductions then the "take home" pay would be much less.

It has been alleged that an ex-MB of Selangor from UMNO has built a home costing RM14 million some where in Shah Alam.  

Assuming that his take-home pay is RM50,000 per month and this figure is taken after deducting all his expenses, it would take him 280 months (23.3 years) to save up to RM14 million.  For simplicity sake, let us assume that there are no interests or dividends earned from the savings.

If such savings were indeed possible, then this dentist would have been making such savings since he was 21 years old.

But when he was 21 years old, he was still a dentistry student in University of Malaya!

So how is it possible for this dentist to amass such wealth through his monthly salary if he is not involved in business?

If he is (or was) involved in business, was it allowed?  What business was it?

Or was he involved in abuse of power during his tenure as MB of Selangor?

A lot of insinuations and allegations can be made.  It is the duty of the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) to initiate an investigation into these insinuations and allegations on the ex-MB of Selangor.

If Najib is serious into wanting to regain public trust towards UMNO/BN, he should seriously consider requesting MACC to investigate.